Monthly Challenge: December

It's here, the last month of the year: 2013 is almost gone! But I still have time for one last challenge to myself. 

I've had some really great monthly challenges this year: like January when I went on a purging and organizing rampage, and March when I started the Couch to 5k program. And then there were a few months that my challenge was selling our house, moving, buying a house and finding a new job (i.e., I didn't give myself an additional challenge). 

This month, I wanted to combine some of my favorite challenges of the year into a bigger challenge:

1. Floss every day (this will change your life, y'all. 30 days of a routine makes it a habit!)
2. Track my calories every day (and actually complete the entry)
3. Remember to add my Advent Calendar ornament to the Advent Tree every day (that's a new one, ha!)

What challenges have you given yourself this year? 

Thanksgiving Challenge - Week 4

Friday, November 22: today I'm thankful for a husband that lets me do whatever makes me happy. Although he is getting ready to leave tomorrow for 8 days, I just wanted my Christmas decorations down from the attic - and he gladly said "okay." That's just a small example of the things he does to make me happy. 

Saturday, November 23: I'm thankful for a comfy bed and place to rest. So looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow (if my body will let me sleep past 8!)

Sunday, November 24: today I'm thankful for a quiet house (hubby and pups are already in Florida for TG - I'm going Tuesday after work). Although I miss them in the worst way, I was able to get a jump start on my Christmas decorating and played Christmas music all morning :) 

Monday, November 25: Today I'm thankful that Alex and I were able to go on a once in a lifetime trip to Italy this summer, amidst arguably the craziest time of my life. We had an incredible time  and I'm so glad we could make those memories! 

Tuesday, November 26: I'm thankful for a work team who came together for an outstanding potluck and tree-trimming today. Working with good people makes all the difference! 

Wednesday, November 27: today I'm thankful for be HOME for Thanksgiving! After a long trip home (a delayed flight, which caused me to miss my connection in Atlanta), it was a good feeling to wake up in my childhood room this morning. There's nothing like home for the holidays. 

Thursday, November 28: What am I not thankful for on this day of thanksgiving? I'm thankful for the food that went on for days. The 50 friends and family who joined us for "the feast". The love of Thanksgiving that I share with my Grandma. My cousins' little ones running around like it seems I did only a few years ago. The 4 generations who were present today. So much love behind every dish prepared and every mile traveled to be there and I am so thankful for all of it.

Thanksgiving Challenge - Week 3

Friday, November 15: I am so thankful for modern medicine! Thanks to Humira, my Crohn's is under control and I have been feeling great since I started it in February. 

Saturday, November 16: Today was the Florida/South Carolina game (the one game a year Alex and I do. Not. Watch. Together) and I am so thankful for my Alma Mater. Even though football has not been a strong suit for Florida this year, I'm thankful for my degrees from a truly fantastic school. Also thankful that my family (brother in pic) was here to watch it with me! 

Sunday, November 17: I'm thankful for a weekend spent with family in town. I cherish days with my family since they live so far away. Just blessed to get to spend time with them! My mom and stepdad also helped me do a lot around the house, which was verrrrry appreciated! 

Monday, November 18: I'm thankful for a fun dinner out with some new friends. Being a Columbia newbie, it's nice to be establishing a new network of friends. It's hard moving to a new place as an adult, but thanks to work and Junior League, I'm starting to make some great connections in my new city. 

Tuesday, November 19: I'm thankful for my Dad and I miss him very much! I don't get to see him as often as I see my mom and brother, but I think I laugh every time I speak to him on the phone - the man cracks me up. I'll always be his little girl. 

Wednesday, November 20: so thankful for my Besties Lindsey and Lesley. It's tough only seeing them a few times a year when I saw them every day for years on end, but our friendship is still as strong as it ever was. They're the sisters I never had! 

Thursday, November 21: I'm thankful for technology (specifically Apple products!). Like my new iPad I'm typing on right this minute to finish this blog post. And special shoutout to Target's trade in program that gave me $200 for my first generation iPad a few weeks back. New toy and a bargain? That's something to be thankful for. 

Thanksgiving Challenge - Week One

Yep, I'm aware that TG doesn't last for weeks at a time - though with all I eat over the weeks between Halloween and New Years, it sure feels like it does.

This is the first post in my monthly challenge series for this month: Be positive and give thanks. I have sooooo much to be thankful for. 

Friday, November 1: I am thankful for my husband Alex. He is my best friend and knows me like no one else in the world. I am so thankful that God brought him into my life six years ago! What a wonderful ride it's been. I can't to spend forever and a day with him by my side.

This is NOT 6 years ago - it's just a few weeks back :)

Saturday, November 2: I'm thankful that I am able-bodied and can do things like this hike. So many people would love to be able to, but are physically prevented. Taking in God's creation while challenging myself physically is a wonderful mixture.

Sunday, November 3: I am thankful for a God who paints pretty pictures, and who has a wonderful, beautiful artistic side. Every day - especially in the fall - is a masterpiece.

Monday, November 4: I give thanks for my home. It was a struggle to leave our beloved first home this summer, but I love our new house - and it's home now. Thankful that we can afford to own a home and make it ours.

Tuesday, November 5: I am thankful for a backyard in said home. It's a work in progress (old pic below - "After" pics will come when it's finally complete!). I'm so glad the dogs have a place to let off steam and look forward to making a lot of memories in that back yard for years to come.

Clearly taken in the midst of a major overhaul! 

Wednesday, November 6: I am thankful for this time change. What, you say? How can she like the sky turning dark at 5:30pm?! Well friends, it sure is nice in the morning. I enjoy waking up to a sun-lit sky. It makes me feel refreshed and ready to tackle what lies ahead.

Thursday, November 7: I'm thankful for a healthy (okay, maybe a little pea-heavy: at least it's a green veggie!) meal prepared by my hubby. The fact that he offered to make dinner is blessing enough, but I'm also thankful that we in America have access to the safest, most plentiful food supply in the world. #farmersdaughter

Overwhelmed by the many blessings I see in each and every day! Thank you, Lord, for every one of them!

November Challenge: recognize the blessings and be positive

I have a lot to be thankful for. I think we all do. So why is it that I sometimes focus on the negative? Why sometimes that's all I seem to see?

My husband has said to me from time to time, "You're so negative." Not gonna lie, it burns me when he says this to me, because I don't see myself as a downer and never have. But I can see where he's coming from. He has a very positive outlook on every situation and his tendency is never to worry because it will all "work out." Me, not so much. My natural MO is to worry and focus on a tiny bad thing until it eats away at me. (But this is why we're a good pair, right? Ha!)

Thus my November Challenge was born: be positive and focus on the plentiful blessings all around me, big and small, every day. November is the month that houses my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. And since Thanksgiving is pretty darn close to the very end of the month, I am going to spend the weeks leading up to it giving thanks for the things that give me joy, bring me peace, make me smile, and lift my spirits when I do think about the bad things (because, come on, we all think about the bad stuff and we all worry).

I've seen the daily "Thankful" Facebook updates and blog posts each year and, while that is essentially what my objective is here, I don't want to blow up your feeds with a post everyday. And I'm too busy these days to post daily, sadly. So there's that. [Ughhh....there I go! I'm not trying to sound negative - honest!]

So I'm giving thanks in a real, meaningful way. With pictures of what I'm thankful for. In random order. It might get outta hand (like, if I mention that I'm thankful for my washer and dryer before my mom, it doesn't mean I love the W/D more than I love my mom. It just means the W/D was on my mind that day). It might get plain random or weird. But it will be honest, and it will be me, giving thanks in this month of Thanksgiving.

October Challenge: gettin' physical every day

Remember that Monthly Challenge thing I did earlier this year? Yeah, me neither. I kind of abandoned it this summer. What can I say - life got in the way and that was challenge enough.

Anyway, I am determined to finish this year strong and give myself a new challenge for October, November and December. Let's do this.

October's Challenge is.....
Do something physically active every day.

Maybe it's taking Ellie on a long walk.
Or my weekly kickball game with my work peeps.

Getting on the treadmill again and picking up that 5k training...

Or getting my fitness video on.

Whatever it is, it will be physical and it will feel good. 

Monthly Challenge for July: Enjoy the Blessings in the midst of Change

I was doing SO WELL with assigning myself a "monthly challenge" each month up until this month. But honestly, I've had enough challenges thrown at me over the last few weeks that I don't feel so bad about skipping a month of adding an additional challenge to my already full plate!

But when I thought about it, my challenge has been pretty clear: focus on the blessings we have been given during this crazy time.

My postings have been a little scarce lately because of everything that has been happening since May, since the day we found out that Alex got the coaching job and that we would need to sell our home, pack up and move, buy a new home, and find a new job for me in Columbia. Oh and we already had a 9 day trip to Italy planned in the middle of it all (on that note, I promise to have pics up soon!). 

But I want to take a minute to say that, through this intense season of change and all the stress that it's brought, God has provided everything along the way and things have fallen into place. First, Alex got the job fairly quickly, and we didn't have to spend months on end anticipating where we might move. Then, we sold our house immediately and didn't even have to go through the annoyances of showing a house and having it on the market. Then, I interviewed for exactly one job and landed it, and it's a job that will offer the same salary and benefits that I currently have.

And finally, we made an offer on a house last week and they accepted!! Here is a  pic of our future home:

We're just waiting for the results of the inspection to come back (fingers crossed there aren't any major repairs needed). And the best part? Even though we aren't closing until the end of August, the home is vacant so we are able to rent it for a month and move in this weekend (so we don't have to be "homeless" any longer). What a blessing!

More pics and details to come. In the meantime, I will be dreaming about our next home!

Last year, I got the great idea from SmallNotebook.org to do a "No Spend Month," which I dubbed "Essentials Only Month" for my purposes because it's basically impossible not to spend anything for an entire month. You can read about that adventure here.

Since I am challenging myself to something different every month this year, I knew Essentials Only Month would be making a comeback. Basically, what I did last year was to give our household a budget of $200 for an entire month. This included groceries, eating out, gas (that's a big one), toiletries, clothing, random shopping, and household items. It did not include medical or health-related expenses like co-pays or prescriptions, gifts for other people, or our normal monthly bills The key was to pay cash for everything so we weren't tempted to just put it on the card. And it worked: we saved a lot of money, cleaned out our fridge, and realized we could really pinch pennies when we needed to.

Enter June 2013, our EOM for the year. However, I am mixing things up a little bit this year due to a few circumstances:
1. We are putting our house on the market ASAP in anticipation of our move
2. For the next 3 weeks, we have a total of 4 weddings out of town and my best friend Lindsey's 30th birthday party in Florida
3. We are Italy bound on June 30 (can I get a heck yesssssss?!) and will be there through July 8

For all of these reasons, I am allotting myself and our household a total of $75 for groceries, toiletries, household items and misc. shopping for the month of June. I am not including gas in our budget this year because Alex will be between Columbia and Greenville all month (today is his first day as Coach!), and we are traveling out of town every weekend. I am also not including eating out, which might appear to be cheating, but we really only eat out about twice a week anyway, and I don't want to deprive us of our favorite Greenville eateries while we're still here to enjoy them. I think $75 will cut it because we have a freezer full of meat and a pantry full of dry goods, so we'll just need to buy fresh produce and dairy and that's about it. And we need to clean out our pantry and freezer before we make the big move anyway (I am hoping, praying, and crossing fingers that our house will sell quickly!).

The only "misc. shopping" things that are not included in the $75 budget are things we need to purchase for our trip: a new camera, possibly a new suitcase, and comfy shoes for all the walking we'll be doing. Just putting that out there as a disclaimer!

This EOM will definitely be different than last year's: in some ways, it will be easier, and in others, tougher. If you're looking for a good challenge, join me in sticking to a strict budget and saving tons of money in the process. You'll be shocked at how good you'll feel at the end of the month!

May Challenge: Floss every.single.day.

Another month and another challenge has come and gone, my friends! In May, I challenged myself to floss every day, no matter what. Not that I have bad dental hygiene or anything, but flossing isn't something I love to do and I often just forget to do it. So for the month of May, I busted out the Crest ProGlide and got to work.

I am super proud to say that I did, in fact, floss every day in May! And you know what? It felt amazing! My teeth feel so nice and I actually feel healthier. And I think my dentist is going to be pretty impressed when I go for my 6 month cleaning in 2 weeks.

Bottom line: it's kinda a pain, and it's tough to remember, but I think I might have successfully made it part of my routine. And I highly recommend it. 

May: new month, new challenge

Happy May Day!

My April challenge, which was to spend at least 30 minutes outside at a time at least 4 days a week, was a bust. Not totally, but I found it to be a true challenge (imagine that) for something that should have been so easy. I really only had time for it on the weekends; after work, once I'm done running errands or getting my treadmill on, all I want to do is sit on the couch with my pups. And, it rained a lot in April. (Maybe there is some truth to the "April Showers bring May Flowers" thing?)

Anyway, today begins a new month and brings with it a new challenge. This month, my challenge to myself is something I should do every day anyway: I am going to floss every. single. day. 

Now, don't judge. You probably don't floss every day, either. And if you do, I am very, very impressed - for real.

I'm hoping this will get me in the habit of doing it every night. I just forget most of the time, or I think of it when I'm done brushing my teeth and, ew, who wants to floss after brushing??

So wish me luck and good dental health! 

Here's a re-cap of my monthly challenges so far in 2013:

• January: get rid of something every day
• February: track and log my calories (still going!) and get on the treadmill on a regular basis (still doing this, too!)
• March: begin CouchTo5k program (still going strong! Jogging 3 days a week)
• April: spend at least 30 minutes outside at least 4 days a week (I'm trying to make more of an effort to spend time outside)
• May: floss every day!

Sooo...getting outdoors is harder than I thought

My challenge to myself this month was simple and painless: spend at least 30 consecutive minutes outside at least 4 days a week. Sounds good, right? Who doesn't want to spend time outside right now, with the warmer weather and longer days?

Despite the draw of it, it's been a real challenge. It's so easy to come home from work and sit my butt on the couch in front of the TV. On the days that I do my run (basically every other day), I run inside on my treadmill. I have a real aversion to running outside. Maybe I'm scarred from having to run outside as a Florida school kid in 90% humidity all those years?

However, I will say that a few things have legitimately stood in my way: last Tuesday was our big event at work that I planned, so Monday was out (worked late prepping for the event) as was Tuesday, since the event went until 8. Wednesday, I was so exhausted from Tuesday that I came home from work and crashed. Thursday it was raining. Friday it was raining. You see where this is going.

But I tried to make up for it Saturday and Sunday, which were gorgeous days. I took Ellie for a long walk, did some yard work, read on the deck for hours, and played ball with Ellie while Penny explored the back yard. Spending a few hours in the warm sunshine really is therapeutic. Maybe I should try to do it more often...ha!

Monthly Challenge: it's April?!

Okay seriously y'all - I have not fallen off the face of the earth. One day, it's freezing out and the next it's April 11th.

So about that Monthly Challenge for March: I did it! My challenge to myself was to continue tracking my calories and to begin the Couch to 5k program. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm no runner. I have never enjoyed running, and can remember wayyyy back in elementary school that the day we had to run "The Mile" in PE was the worst day of the year for me, every year.

But I'm trying to change that. While I don't have aspirations to be a serious distance runner, a 5k seems doable. Plus, there are 5ks every weekend around here for a good cause, so it's a way I can contribute while doing something good for my body.

I can proudly say that I no longer dread getting on the treadmill and I've hit a major milestone: I can run a mile or more without stopping. I don't think I've been able to do that since those days in PE circa 1995.

As for my April challenge? Continue what I'm doing, for sure. But adding to that, I want to spend at least 30 minutes outside (consecutively) for at least 4 days a week. This is tough for me, because although I enjoy the outdoors, I work inside and just want to relax when I get home from work at the end of the day. And I much prefer the treadmill to the pavement (the combination of A/C and TV is hard to beat). But the weather is getting nicer - minus the thick layer of yellow pollen that is covering everything from my car to my patio furniture - it's getting dark later, and I have no good excuse NOT to get outside and enjoy God's earth! (Plus, I should enjoy it now before the summer heat comes to suffocate us and we all start complaining about how hot it is and how we can't wait for Fall.)

Happy April! 

March Challenge progress: Couch to 5k

Guys, where is this month going? It's already March 12th, holy moly. I am already having that "Where is this year going?" feeling too. Too soon? Nah.

Anyhoo, my challenge to myself this month is to begin the Couch to 5k program. Last month, my challenge was to start working out again and to track what I was eating. Since I have been back in the saddle (er, back on the treadmill) for about 5 1/2 weeks, I skipped to Week 2 of the Couch to 5k program.

I'm now on Week 3 (it's a 9 week program). Technically, I should be ready to run a 5k by about the last week in April, but I want to give myself a little more time just in case!

So far, I'm feeling pretty good, and I am - gasp - starting to enjoy it? Maybe just a tad?? Plus, I bought these sweet new kicks, and new shoes always incentivize.

Now all I need is to find a 5k that I actually want to run...preferably a fundraiser for a cause I believe in, on a flat surface (none of this trail running up a mountain biz-naz that is popular around these parts), that doesn't involve mud, and happens before it gets swelteringly hot. Piece of cake...?

March Challenge: Couch to 5k

With a new month brings a new Challenge for me. I really struggled with what to challenge myself with this month: there are a lot of challenges I want to do this year, but a lot of them don't lend themselves to the month of March because of the weather or all that we have going on this month.

Last month, I challenged myself to track my calories every day and to be active at least 3 times a week. I don't want to lose the momentum I have in both of those areas, so I am going to continue that. But instead of merely being active, I am going to start the Couch to 5k program! (this both excites and terrifies me if I am being honest)

In my list of 28 things to do while I'm 28, I included that I want to run a 5k. I have never run a race before. I participated in a 5k once, but I walked it. I only have 6 months left to run one if I'm going to cross it off my list, so I need to hop to it!

The Couch to 5k program seems to be fairly simple and straightforward. It calls for walking/jogging/running 3 days a week for about 9 weeks, and then you are supposed to be ready to run a 5k. We shall see about that.

There are tons of apps for C25k - has anyone used any of them? Which one should I use? It would be helpful to have an app so that when I run outside, I'll know when to switch from walking to jogging, etc. without having to carry a stop watch and look at it constantly.

And there we have it: March is the month of Couch to 5k kick-off. Now I just need to find a race to register for so it becomes real and I have an actual deadline...

Wish me luck!

February Challenge ("get my butt in gear") Recap!

Well well well, if it isn't March knocking on our doors! February seemed to come and go quickly, and while it is the shortest month, I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that Alex is far away (sad face) and I was left to "get my butt in gear" all alone. Poo.

My challenge to myself this month was to 1) track my calories every. single. day. No excuses. And 2) work out/get active at least 3 times a week. I am happy to report that I successfully did both of those things!

It feels great to be active again. I am really trying to push myself a little more each time. It's rewarding to feel myself getting stronger.

For tracking calories, I use the My Fitness Pal app (it's also a website) and I love it. It makes it super simple to keep track of what you're putting in your body. The downside? It requires that you measure or at the very least guestimate portion sizes. So in the morning when I pour my cereal, I use a measuring cup (and when I pour the milk, too). It's an extra step, but it's worth it.

Another cool thing about the app is that you can tell it what your goals are: for example, you can say you want to lose 1 lb a week, which is a pretty normal diet goal. That's the setting I had it on last time, and it's tough. But it works if you stick to it.

This time, I set a goal of 1/2 a pound a week. I knew it would be easier (you get a lot more calories per day that way!) and help ease myself back into the process.

haha yes...this isn't far from the truth at times!

Since February 1, I have lost 4 pounds. I kind of like the "slowly but surely" approach. I get more calories, but I'm still losing weight. And I feel good. Win/win.

Another month down, another challenge completed. Tomorrow I'll announce my challenge for March! What will it be, what will it be?? Honestly, I'm not 100% sure yet...guess I should nail that down in the next 18 hours or so!

February Challenge Week 1: it's happening...

Well lovelies, I am officially on the "get my butt back in gear" train! Next stop: Healthyville! Ha. (Bear with me, it's Friday afternoon). Anyway, it's in motion. It's happening.

This week, I stuck to my goal of working out/being active at least 3 times and recording my daily intake of calories.

My work outs/activities for the week were:
- Sunday - took Ellie on a realllly long walk - good for both of us!
- Tuesday - walked/ran on the treadmill after work
- Wednesday - walked/ran on the treadmill before work

I almost had a minor breakdown on Tuesday when I attempted to get on the treadmill for the first time in months and the flipping TV in that room wouldn't come on. I was PANICKING because I was losing motivation fast. It was too cold and too dark to go outside, and I really just wanted to get on the treadmill and not think about it anymore. Good news - the TV finally started working and the crisi was averted! :)

As for my calories: I recorded my intake every day, for the first time since late October. It felt good to carefully measure out my portions and know what I was putting in my body. I can't say that I came in under my daily goal each day - but that's okay! The first step is knowing what you're eating.

so, so true

So there you go - my first week of getting my butt in gear. I hope your first week of February was awesome! HAPPY FRIDAY!

February Challenge: Get my butt in gear

I happen to like the month of February. It's short. It includes Valentine's Day. It marks the beginning of Lent, for those of you who partake. And this year, February is when I make myself get back in motion and get it in gear.

I was doing really well with staying active and watching my daily intake of calories last year. I started making a conscious effort in May, not long after I started my new job. I decided that I had gone too long on the mentality of "the wedding's over: I don't have to worry about my dress fitting! I can eat whatever I want!" Which, of course, is a slippery slope. While I hadn't totally "let myself go" in the 10 months we had been married, I wasn't too happy with myself. I knew I needed to stop my bad habits in their tracks before it got any worse. (I blame the all-inclusive Sandals resort where we Honeymooned for kicking off my bad streak, just FYI).

I downloaded the My Fitness Pal app on my phone to track my calories, work outs, and weight loss. And it seriously worked. My goal wasn't anything crazy - I wanted to lose a total of about 18 pounds to make it to my goal weight. (I am realistic. I know that I will probably never be a size 4 like I was in high school ever again. I just wanted to feel better and healthier!)

I started tracking everything in May and by July, I was down about 10 pounds. By October - which was my original goal deadline (for my 10 year HS reunion), I was right at my goal weight.

Then I got really sick in November when I had a major Crohn's flare. I had so much stomach pain that I barely ate for 10 days. I dropped another 10 pounds. I hadn't been that light since high school for sure. My clothes were hanging off of me. I was so weak (from the acute anemia that was a result of the Crohn's and from not eating) that I really didn't care that I was thin. I just wanted to be able to eat.

So by Christmas when I was finally feeling alive and my appetite was back (plus I was back on steroids - hello, major appetite increase!), I felt no shame in eating seconds or snacking on Christmas cookies throughout the day. I did need to gain back some of the sick weight I had lost. I just didn't expect it to come back so quickly...and more than just those 10 sick pounds...

And that brings us to now. Last month was stressful and I did my share of stress eating, with Alex making another career change and moving, and us traveling out of town almost every weekend. And Vegas. Lord, I can't forget all the food I ate in Vegas.

I am about 11 pounds away from my original goal wight, again. That's because I haven't worked out or even thought about calories since November.

My challenge this month is to:

1. Track my calories every single day. Even if I go over my allotment, I need to hold myself accountable and get back in the habit of being aware of what I'm eating.
2. Work out or be active at least 3 days a week. Since I'll be doing a lot of traveling on the weekends again this month, I'll be limited to mostly workouts before or after work. I'll have to have a plan going into each week. 

 There you have it - my February challenge! I'll keep you posted! And please keep me accountable!

January Challenge {Organize & Purge} round-up!

Hey there, friends. I am back from my work trip to Vegas - what a whirlwind! I'll do a quick post on my trip soon. Right now, I am exhausted and very thankful that it's Friday!

It seems that we have come to the end of January. 2013 is already 1/12 over. Wow. Anyway...that also means that my first monthly challenge of the year is also over. My month of Purging and Organizing.

Truth be told, purging and organizing is something that I do year-round, as I should. But I do better in getting things done when I have a specific goal and deadline. Don't we all?

The last week of the month, I added a ton of things to the "get rid of" pile. (Which, by the way, is alarmingly large. Now I need to clean out the guest room. Ha.) Here's what I added:

1. Tons of costume jewelry. And I organized my jewelry box while I was at it. All I can say is that I'm an earring addict and I'm not ashamed to admit it. 
2. Those dead plants in my garage that I mentioned at the beginning of the challenge.
3. A generic quilt that I don't need because I have so many quilts that actually mean something to me. 
4. An assortment of picture frames.
5. Dozens of BRIDES magazines that I was saving for the next friend that gets engaged...but come on, the styles will probably be totally different by then. And I am still getting new issues in the mail! I got married a year and a half ago...
6. Some books that I either didn't like or haven't ever bothered to read. 
7. A whole bag full of hair ribbons/ties/etc. from college. When ribbons were in for like 5 minutes.
8. Misc. toiletry and make-up items from under the sink and my linen closet.
9. More clothes - I am hoping to take them to a consignment shop very soon!

Remember how I was also supposed to tackle 4 problem areas in our house this month? The study, garage, craft closet and golf room? I am very proud to say that the craft closet and golf room got total makeovers. They are now fully functional, clean and organized spaces in our home.

The study and garage got minor facelifts. Some of the big issues were taken care of, but they aren't quite done and definitely not totally organized. But in my defense, I also didn't know my husband would be moving to Georgia this month when I started this challenge, and those two areas are kinda his domain. I plan to take on the Study in February and take it back, now that the hubby doesn't need that space for work anymore. I have big plans for that room. Stay tuned for that!

All in all, this month's challenge was a success. I learned that we have way too much stuff, of course. And by actively seeking out something to get rid of every day, it made me realize how much stuff we just plum don't need! Plus, organizing anything makes me happy. I am that big of a nerd.

So what's my next challenge for the month of February? I'll share with you tomorrow! :)

January Challenge Week 3 (Purge & Organize)

Well here we are, already near the end of the month! Wowzers. Week 3 of my January Challenge is over and we are continuing to gather lots of stuff to give away/sell, or stuff that was thrown away.

Here are some of the things I gathered during Week 3:

1. Clothing that I never wear
2. Some reusable plastic football cups (we have plenty of real cups)
3. A ton of old coupon inserts that needed to go in the recycling bin
4. A old pair of scissors that didn't really cut it (haha) anymore
5. More clothing, specifically items I no longer like...and I still haven't methodically gone through my closet and dresser
6. Purses, to list on eBay ASAP
7. A burned-out candle

In addition to just piling stuff in the guest room, we've made progress in getting rid of (like actually out of the house as opposed to in a pile) a ton of golf clubs over the last week. I took them to work and let all the guys I work with have a hay day and we made about $500 in the process. The rest is getting posted on Craigslist tonight! Success!

For the other half of the challenge - the Organizing part - I still need to organize the study and garage. However, since the hubby is not working this week in preparation for his big move and career change, he should be able to help with both of these tasks. Especially now that he no longer has the job that was the reason for the madness in the study!

If you are doing a January Challenge, I hope it's been successful so far!

January Challenge Week 2 (Purge & Organize)

Week 2 of my January Challenge is done and, WOW, are we ever collecting a lot of junk that needs to be sold or donated!

Here are some of the things I got rid of during Week 2:

1. Old magazines I've already read
2. Cosmetic bags (the ones that you get from Clinique Bonus Time, etc. - I mean how many do you need?)
3. 2 cookbooks I've never used
4. A basket that I used to keep my scrapbook stuff in, but don't anymore 
5. A few pieces of clothing 
6. Old bottles of paint, among other things, from my craft closet
7. SO MUCH STUFF from the golf room. SO much stuff.

In addition to conquering the golf room last weekend, I organized my craft closet too. Here is the Before/After:

It doesn't look too different, but trust me that it is so much better! I now know what I have and where everything is. I sorted through all my supplies and got rid of stuff I don't need (including a random old nightstand that was in the closet!). I feel much better now!

We're about half way done with the month, and I still need to organize the study and garage. I can do this!