Ten in 2010

2010. Holy Cow! A new year -- time to wipe the slate clean and start fresh! Time to make resolutions on January 1st that we all usually break by January 5th (if we last that long).

This year, I decided to think of 10 things I would like to set as goals for the new year and mark them off as the year goes along to see how well I do.

Here I go . . .

1. Get Organized -- I hate this one, but it's gotta be done. I have sooooo much crap just oozing out of drawers and closets, out of my garage and my storage shed. It's time to let some of this "wonderful junk" out to spread joy and happiness to the masses!! Time for it to be packed up to Goodwill or listed on Craigslist or just plain set out for the trashman. I feel the urge to purge!

2. Work Less -- Due to the Marion County Real Estate Tax Assessor's need to enjoy the profits of my labors a little more than I can afford, I work one full time and two part time jobs. I love, love, love my full time job and really don't mind the other two, it just doesn't leave much time for family or a social life. I think it's time to tighten the belt and do the best I can with one full time and one part time job. Enough said.

3. Craft More -- I have so many ideas floating around in my head, stashes of fabrics, drawers full of patterns, etc., it's time to let my creative juices flow! I'm going to set up my craft table and go!

4. Get Back in Shape! -- Oh, I was so lovely a few months ago when I could fit into size 8 pants and tuck my shirts in. I've been eating for Christmas since after Halloween. Time to diet and step up my exercise routine...

5. Finish Half-Finished Projects -- Too many of these to count! Gotta get a move on.

6. Take Some Classes -- I've always wanted to take a cake decorating class, learn to make jewelry, speak better Spanish, cook like a French chef and sew like a dream. Time's awastin'. There are plenty of classes out there waiting for me. Again, gotta get a move on.

7. Take More Time for Family and Friends -- I am so blessed to live near my son, my daughter, and my wonderful grandchildren. I want to spend more time with all of them. I have friends, old and new, that I would love to be with. I will do better in 2010!

8. Read More -- I love books! I usually have 2-3 going at a time. I carry one in my purse, one in my car, I keep one on my bedside table. When I was a young girl, I always won the library's summer prize for reading the most books. Books are precious and I will read more in 2010.

9. Spend Less -- I have found, as I get older (eek!), that I just don't need all the stuff I thought I needed. Too much junk floating around (see #1). Gonna budget and keep better track of where my money goes. Getting older, retirement is coming . . . don't want to eat out of a dumpster. . .

10. Worry Less About Things I Cannot Control -- well . . . . you'll have that . . .

Anyway, that's my "bucket list" for 2010, in no particular order. Just some things I want to do to make my life better. Do you have a bucket list? Can we work together to be happy in 2010? I hope to blog more, smile more, laugh more, complain less and appreciate all that I have in the new year.

I wish everyone who reads this a Happy New Year 2010! I hope you add to your blessings and keep your troubles at bay in the new year.

An Evening with C3P0 . . .

Christopher and I went to Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday night to listen to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and "Star Wars in Concert"! It was fantastic!



Anthony Daniels, who played C3PO in all 6 movies, was there to narrate the movie clips, original artwork and storyboards, and outtakes from the movies.

The music was incredible and a highlight was a laser light show!

After the concert, Christopher and I wandered the halls of Conseco where many of the original costumes and props were displayed. We saw the original Darth Vader costume, Chewbacca's hairy outfit (OMG that guy was big!), a mockup of the Death Star, and a likeness of Yoda.

Being at the Concert brought back lots of happy memories including watching the movies at the cottages. Also, when Christopher was young, we went to Florida on vacation. It rained for a few days of the trip and on one of the days, Christopher, his friend Brian, and I spent the entire afternoon at the Pleasure Island movie theatre watching the Star Wars Trilogy, eating popcorn and drinking soda.

It was a wonderful evening of music, reliving old memories and making new ones.

Hope . . .

Just wanted to share this beautiful, uplifting video! Thanks, Nie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbsU3b2srQA

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker . . .

doctor, lawyer, indian chief. Isn't that how the nursery rhyme goes? I feel like I could write my own nursery rhyme -- Insurance Admin., Bartender, Bell Ringer, Singer, Cashier and now . . .

BARISTA! TaDa!! The Target I work for has a Starbucks inside it and I am now training to work as a Barista. At first I wasn't sure I could do it -- being 55 now, my memory isn't always as sharp as it should be -- or so it seems sometimes. Anyway, I've been at Starbucks for about a week now and I really, really like it! This sounds pretty silly to those who know me well, I'm sure, because since I have high blood pressure, coffee (well, specifically any caffeine product) is something I have to avoid at all costs. AND, before working there, I had only been a customer at any Starbucks probably a total of 5 times in my whole life. But I really enjoy it!

It's really kind of like bartending only with out booze -- lots of recipes to learn, fancy schmancy toppings to add, etc. But once you figure out the general formula, it's pretty easy and lots of fun.

I still cashier part-time and barista part-time -- it's all a part of Target's way of making me a well-rounded employee. Training in every department makes me more "workable" and able to fill in when people call in sick, vacations come up, college kids go back to school and the holiday season starts. And I really like Target -- it's a great place to work. I've made some great friends and joking, laughing and bitching with them makes every day I work there truly enjoyable.

I pretty much bloom where I'm planted, so I'm always willing to learn something new.

Next stop -- Food Avenue!

Mark Your Calendar . . .

cuz' I'm marking mine for March 5, 2010 . . .

I just watched the trailer and it is FANTASTIC!! I love, love, love the movies!!!!!

Got My Ticket . . .

and I'm ready to go!!! Wednesday morning, at 12:03 a.m., I will be in my seat at the IMAX 16 ready to watch the next installment of THE MOVIE --- the long awaited "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince"!!!
Everyone who knows me is quite aware that I am a true "Potterhead"! I love the books and the movies. For the past week, I have been furiously rereading THBP to finish it in time for the movie. Today, I don't have to work at Target until 6:30, so I got up early and have been rewatching the movies. I'm just starting "The Goblet of Fire".

I know it probably sounds childish to alot of people to be so hooked on these movies, but I truly enjoy them. It's been fun watching the characters grow and change as well as watching the actual actors grow up and refine their acting craft. Also, the set design, costumes and special effects are truely AMAZING!!!

Anyway, that's where I'll be on Tuesday nite (actually Wednesday morning before the crack of dawn) with a smile on my face and a box of Raisinettes in my hand! THEN, it's only a week until the 3-D version of the movies comes out and I will be back at my local IMAX again. I think I can actually talk Donita into going to that one with me -- as long as it's an earlier showing!

Can't wait!!!