February Goals

Other than Feb 1st, it appears that leap day is the only other day in February that I am going to get anything posted. This is because February had only one goal. SURVIVAL.

And I do mean survival and not much else...I wanted to get through the days and on to the next one, over and over, until the month was over.


Needless to say, I was not totally in love with my February rotation. The hours were less than desirable, the work was minimal, and while the opportunities to learn were high, the experience of working with some of the residents left something to be desired.

I think that one of my biggest issues was simply that I was totally off on what I expected it to be like. Which is always a set up for disappointment, isn't it? Not to mention a set up for a monthlong case of the grouchies...

But it's leap year! A day that I always thought would be a perfect day to have as a birthday....even though my birthday is in December. And it only comes around every four years, so I feel today should have a little celebration involved. So I'm going to lounge in bed and read, do some sewing (hopefully) and then go for a manicure and pedicure...

Sounds like a pretty good bonus day to me!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Goals

Every January I make a HUGE list of resolutions and goals for the year. Seriously...it probably has at least 50 things on it. It's mostly that I love the satisfaction of checking things off of a list. It's also that I feel like if my list is long enough, that I am bound to get at least a few of the things on it checked off before the end of the year.

Since we are now officially done with the first month of 2012 (and, by the way, how did that happen already?!) I figured it was time to check in and see if there was anything I could check off my list.

January Goals:
*Start training for a half marathon that I am running in mid-April.
Progress? I went to the gym. Twice. But I should get bonus points since both of those trips to the gym required getting up at 4 AM.

*Watch my netflix DVD and send it back to get the next one.
Ummm...it's still sitting on the coffee table. In the same place it was at the beginning of January. Okay, so in the same place it's been since June. Oops. Maybe I'll get it watched before February is done...although it's probably a good thing we have that extra day this year...

*Do a load of laundry a day to prevent a mountain of laundry from forming and threatening to topple over at any moment.
Well...I did do a load of laundry. One day. Maybe two. Needless to say, the size of my laundry pile currently leaves MUCH to be desired.

*Take down the Christmas tree.
I'm pleased to report that as of january 26th this goal has been accomplished. Even though I was considering leaving it up as a Valentine's Day decoration...

*Sign up for my board exam
Halfway done. I signed up for the testing portion, now I just need to enroll in the practical portion.

*Figure out my fourth year rotations
This I actually finished, although not until just last week. I have all of my requests submitted, and I have back up plans for most of the months in case things don't work out the way that I want. Although maybe this is really just 95% done...I do have a few more pieces of paperwork that I need to submit.

*Read at least one book per month.
Not even close. I wish that I could say that I had done this and more...but I sure have not. I have gotten a few more chapters read in the book I have been working on since the fall, but it's not even close to being finished yet. I like reading it and I think that it's super interesting...but by the time I have gotten to bed at night I have fallen asleep before there was any time at all for reading...

All in all, not the best in terms of goals met, but not the worst either. I got most of the important things done, which is definitely better than nothing.

Although I am really counting on that extra day in february to have a big contribution to my productivity...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Crafty Tuesday: Placemats

It should be clear by now that I am a lover of ALL things personalized.  Seriously...if I had the time (and a big enough machine!) I would personalize EVERYTHING.  And because of that, I seem to feel the overwhelming need to personalize things for other people too.  Maybe they also love all things personalized and maybe they don't, but most people are gracious gift receivers, so if they don't want their name on things as a gift, they have been kind enough not to say so.  At least so far....

My sister is getting married and she (I hope think) is also a lover of all things personalized.  Which makes gift giving for her pretty easy...at least for now.  For Christmas I made her some placemats with her soon to be last name. 

I don't mind saying, I LOVE the way they turned out! 

They are all the same color...I'm not sure why they look like different shades here, other than the fact that I am using cell phone pictures.   Apparently it is just too difficult for me to pick up my camera and take some nice photos to share with you.  Forgive me.  Please  And in case anyone is wondering, the design I used can be found here.

For more things to get your creative juices flowing (or just make you wish you had more time to craft!) see what is being shared at Carrie's! 

Photo Thursday - Family Photos: Ashley

Just before Christmas, I did some family photos for my coworker Ashley and her trio of handsome men!  Ashley's first session was about 17 months ago -- and things have changed a little since then!

Crafty Tuesday: Hangers

As I mentioned last Thursday, my sister is getting married.  She is a teacher, so is planning on a July wedding before school starts again in August.  She made these adorable personalized hangers for all of the people that she asked to be in the bridal party...how cute is this?!

See what other crafty fantastic things are being shared at Carrie's!

Photo Thursday -- Engagement Session

Just before Thanksgiving, my sister got engaged.  She and her lovely fiance Kevin asked me to do some engagement photos over Christmas.  They didn't turn out too badly, if I do say so myself!

Crafty Tuesday: Market Totes

I have a new favorite gift to give...personalized market totes!  I think they make a fabulous gift, especially filled with a few goodies (and wine!).  They are really nice as shower or wedding gifts, but I gave several as Christmas and birthday gifts and am thinking of using one to hold baby items and as part of a baby gift as well. 

Not bad right?  Don't tell me otherwise...I would be heartbroken!

For more amazing crafty goodness, see what Carrie has to share (and what is being shared) here!