Lists & Goals

I'm a very goal-oriented person and I'd also like to think that I'm a fairly disciplined person.  So with that, it's odd for me to say that I've never been one to really make New Year's Resolutions.  You would think that the two things (goals/discipline & resolutions) go hand-in-hand for a person like me.  I've been giving it a bit of thought these past couple of weeks and I've finally come to the conclusion that if it's taken me this long to simply decide if I want to make the commitment to make a resolution that I probably won't have the resolve to follow through with whatever I come up with.  Soooooo, what's a girl to do?!  I want a challenge!  So, I've decided to get back to my roots:  List Making!  I used to make lists daily, but for some unknown reason I've really fallen out of that habit during this past year.  In the past my lists have been filled with the typical things that assure that my house stays clean, my family stays fed, my kids stay on schedule and that I fulfill all of my commitments that I've volunteered for.  If I have it in writing I make much more effort to accomplish sctufffff.  Soooooo, in addition to getting back to my daily list making (that I won't burden you with) I've decided to make a monthly list of things that I'd like to make happen during each month.  My plan is to post this list on or around the first of each month and see what I can knock out.  This month's list is going to be somewhat short since I'm getting a late start so here goes:

JANUARY'S TO DO LIST:

for pleasure:
read three books
go on a 'real' date with my husband


for my creative soul:
totally complete my Project 365 book
make paint chip bookmarks
to try a new vegetarian recipe

just to be nice:
put together a care package for my niece
make 40 baby shower invitations for a friend

home upkeep:
organize and clean out gift wrap drawers

service:
donate blood

personal health:
make it to the gym 3 times per week

Have I mentioned how I love Shuttefly?

Classic Chartruese 5x7 folded card

Unique party invitations and announcements by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Look what I just ordered from Shutterfly!  Actually I only had to pay for shipping because Shutterfly sent me 10 free cards.  Love their quality.  I chose shots from my garden this past summer.  I put photos of my sunflowers, pumpkins, and tomatoes on the inside... So, so fun to create.  They'll make lovely note cards... maybe you'll get one!

We're Joining the Work Force Again!

Well, it's been quite the year!  This exact day last year Wes lost his job and today he was hired with a different software company!  So, so thrilled right now!  Even though we've technically had a challenging year, it's really been an awesome one as well (more on that later...).  We've been very grateful to have dad home this past year, but we're equally grateful for him to get back to work and feeling good about himself!

Christmas 2010 Highlights

I have been so neglectful about posting during this Christmas Break.  Just got caught up in life and relaxing laying around on the couch watching endless TCM (Turner Classic Movies) movies that I've DVR'd OR as Wes likes to call them, my black and whites.  The Deti Family actually had a wonderful Christmas Season filled with lots of friends, parties, food, and did I mention food?!  As I sit here typing this entry I feel my third stomach roll forming... no joke we ate a lot of sweets!  Well, here's a view of our Christmas highlights.




FREE Christmas Cards!  I took advantage of the 50 free card offer that Shutterfly was offering to bloggers (and my 10 free cards from Lisa's Shutterfly party!).

 


Making Homemade Gifts

 


Jake, the happy recipient of a "no-sew" blanket!

 


December 13th... Wes' 48th!  Enjoying his favorite dish from his favorite chain!  Poppy, our psycho dog, really should be in this photograph because the reason that we're having Olive Garden take-out instead of actually enjoying the meal in the restaurant is because we can't leave our anxiety-ridden dog for longer than 15 minutes, but hey, that's a whole 'nother blog entry!

 


The story of Jesus' birth... Luke played the wiseman in the middle.  Too cute!

 




All Wise Men wore green crocs, right?!  The reason he's wearing green crocs in the first place is because he told me that the Sunday School teachers told him that he would be going barefoot during the play.... riiiiiiiight....

 




Silly Christmas Cookies

 



The endless search for a star tree topper finally ended this year!  We I found a star that we I finally loved!  I think we've gone without a tree topper for about three years now!  And, yes, that is a cobweb in the upper left-hand corner of this photo... it couldn't be seen with the naked eye.  And, yes, it along with the air vent right beside it are both clean now!






Annual traditions... can't believe that I used to make the gingerbread pieces from scratch!  Not only did it come in a box again this year (thank you Wilton!), but it also came PRE-ASSEMBLED!

 




Windy, stormy weather... yes, this is what I have to clean up everytime we have a windstorm!

 




This looks like a violent hail storm, but it's actual just snowing.

 




Annual Kein-Deti Christmas Gathering... jammies are optional.  Dar and I having been taking this option for the past couple of years... when in doubt, always go for elastic waistbands this close to Christmas! 

 


Favorite ornaments... this one's Luke's!

 





Hayley's favorite ornament.  When my dad was alive he had met a sweet Japanese girl on a flight.  They became Pen Pals (such a typical thing for my dad to do) for the year or two before he passed away.  She sent my dad this musical paper ornament that Hayley has adopted!

 




Annual shopping trip to Bellevue Square, Snowflake Lane (waaaaaay too crowded this year!) and our Marriott family overnighter! 

These were just a few of the memorable moments/scenes from our Christmas Season! 
Now I'm looking forward to s-l-o-w-i-n-g down...