Prince Lee Cat

This is my tuxedo cat, Prince Lee. He turned 7 years old this December, but still on occasion gets kitten-like and plays and explores boxes. He's such a sweet boy. And handsome too!

Water, Water Everywhere

So one of my New Year's Resolutions was to drink more water. Sounds simply enough. And I even thought that I'd been doing a pretty good job on this one...until--bum, Bum, BUM--the water calculator. I took this short quiz, and was shocked by how much water it said I should be drinking! I guess I should go get another glass right now!

Answer the questions to find out how much your should be drinking. Click here for the water calculator!

One thing I've been doing to get a little more water, with a little more flavor than just plain water, is cutting light fruit juice with sparkling water. Very yummy, but I am not counting these drinks as soda (as per my New Year's Resolution).

New Year Resolutions: Health, Wealth & Happiness

So it's 1-1-11, what else would I be writing about but my New Year's resolutions! I don't think my resolutions are much different than millions of Americans and billions of people of throughout the world. BUT I have thought a good deal about it, and specific ways to achieve it. Hopefully, being specific, telling anyone who will read it my plan, and then reporting back through blogging after the fact will allow me to accomplish all I am setting out to do. So let's get started...


HEALTH


Eat Better

• Drink more water. Huge problem for me for some reason, not sure why. But in an effort to help, my water drinking habits,  I am resolving to not drinking any non-diet soda, no more than one can of diet soda per day, AND no soda when I eat out. Water, water, water!
• Go grocery shopping regularly. I really seem to do best with my eating habits when there's food in the house, thus, I need to keep good healthy food in the house. 
• Up the fiber, cut back the sugar. I love desert--who doesn't?--but I need to get my sugar quantities under control. I'd also like to get some more high fiber foods in my diet. 

Exercise

• Cardio! 30 minutes, 3 times a week, minimum. Now I know that as a standard, that truly is the minimum for cardio...but I'll come clean, that would be 90 more minutes a week than what I'm getting now. So its a start!
• Take the stairs. Yes, it's true. I take the elevator in my 3-story work building daily (sometimes, several times daily). I will resolve that will take the stairs this year...unless, I'm carrying something heavy!
• Play with the dog daily. That mutt really wears me out!

Be Outside

• Canoe, canoe, canoe! I would really like to get out and paddle more this canoe season than last--the record shouldn't be hard to break, I think we only got out twice. I would like to get out at least once a month April through September. 
• We were generously given a lot of camping gear for the holidays. We need to get out and camp this year. I'm really not down for winter camping, and would love to go more often than this, but I resolve that we will go once a month June through August. 

WEALTH

Financials in Order

• Save, save, save. I feel like we really need to get serious about saving. Spend less to save more. 
• Check in my credit score, at least twice over the year. Make any corrections and raise score, if possible. 

Alternative Sources of Money

• I have lots of vintage plates, dishes, and doodads...I think it would be cool to sell them. I am unsure if I'd like to try to sell on-line or in an antique store. Nothing that is gonna make me rich by any means, but a great way for me to unclutter and make a little money...that will of course go into savings. 

Strive for Simplicity

• So a great way to spend less, and save more...be more simple. In a consumer driven world, this can be hard to do, but I have my hubby, my animals, and my family and friends...what outside of that truly matters?

HAPPINESS

Be More Social

• I'm starting a book & movie club. I've thought about it for a while, and decided I will do it. A very nice way to be social if I do say so myself. 
• See my family more...I live so close to most of them, its a shame we don't get together more. I would like to make it a point to see everyone more. 
• See my friends more...Same thing, I have lots of awesome friends I barely see. Shame, shame. I resolve to make an effort to see my friends more often!

Volunteer

• I would like to get more involved with the camp I grew up at. I love that place, and believe it to be one of the best places in the world. I would like to commit to helping it stay that way. 
• I would like to find a local place to volunteer a couple times a month. Stay tuned for that. 

Randoms

• I resolve to wear a dress/skirt to work twice a month. 
• Watch less TV I'm not interested in...sometimes, I will watch TV I am not interested in, just because it is what's on. I am not anti-TV, not at all, but if there is nothing on I'd rather find something better or turn it off. 
• Put away clean clothes. I put this one for my hubby, who hates that I don't put away my clean clothes...really, baby, 2011 will be the year!

Okay, so I know that is a lot of New Year's resolutions, but they are all things I'd like to do...let's see what I can accomplish. Good luck to me, right. 

Did you set any resolutions this year?

Holiday Gift

So I've been blogging a lately about gift ideas since it is around the holiday season, but I probably should have started here, with a holiday gift. Most, if not all, of the gifts I've highlighted to this point are great gift ideas regardless of the occasion; but here's one cute holiday gift...sorry its a little late in the season, but I'm sure if you liked them, they could get to you before Christmas.


Tin Cab Angels from Viva Terra
Set of 4, $19 plus shipping

Cute and shiny, these ornaments--made of recycled pop cans and bottle tops--are from Guatemala. Not only would they be a great gift to spruce up a spruce tree, but these angels raise living standards for low-income families. To order or just learn more, click here.

Yummy Gifts for the Holidays (or anytime)

Gifts ideas that are yummy OR accompany some treats to give...


Say it like it is Jonathan Adler
Calories Popcorn Set, $38 plus shipping

Hilarious, right? Jonathan also sells a "Carbs" canister with chocolate cookies and a "Candy" canister with taffy. Check out the details here.

A Baggie of Treats from Uncommon Goods

Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag, $20 plus shipping

Again, pretty funny, right? I think this jar could be a cool gift filled with some homemade treats pre-filled inside...Maybe for a family member's kitchen or a co-worker's desk. What do you think? Click here for product details.

When You Know Little About Wine from Jonathan Adler

Mr and Mrs Muse Wine Bottle Stops, $48 plus shipping

So this graphic might not do it justice but these adorable him and her bottle stops, would be a great gift for a wine lover on your list. If you don't feel confident enough to pick out wine for your picky sommelier, these are a nice alternative. For more info, click here.

Gifts for Young Adults

Here's some neat gift ideas for teens and young adults. Let me know what you think! And I'd love to hear some of your great gift ideas too...


Solid Perfume Sticks
by Lush for $8.95 to $12.95 plus shipping
by Burt's Bees for $10 plus shipping

Perfume in stick form, genius! I haven't had the chance to smell any of these perfumes, but the idea of rubbing on a little perfume on your neck and wrists sounds pretty cool to me. Plus the ability to carry it with you, and not worrying about liquid spilling or leaking and getting over everything sounds handy. For more info about Lush, click here. Details on Burt's solid perfumes, click here.

Large Fashion Umbrella's from FinnishGifts.com

Marimekko Umbrellas, $40 plus shipping

These cool umbrellas come in several colors and patterns and are sure to brighten up any rainy day! More info here!

Save those Stubs! from Uncommon Goods

Ticket Stub Diary, $10 plus shipping

Really neat little notebook to keep ticket stubs, airline tickets, and invitations. I know this is something that I've had a hard time with...wanting to save stubs but not having a good place to do it. Plus this format allows for writing down some of the event highlights too. Would be an awesome gift to give along with with awesome tickets! More info here.

Up

The other night we watched the movie Up on Netflix instant watch.. Okay so I might have been having an emotional day, but watching this movie while snuggled up with my husband and dog made me tear up numerous times throughout. The movie is about Carl, who is trying to fulfill a promise to his wife, Ellie. What happens along the way is an adventure shared by Russell (a young wilderness guide), Kevin (a rare bird trying to get home to her chicks) and Dug (a dog able to talk with his techie dog collar). It was a super adorable movie and I'd recommend it to anyone kids, adults and families...with exception maybe of someone who has recently experienced the loss of a loved one.