Thursday, February 18, 2010

Thursday Market

I realized I missed my Etsy store feature Monday Market this week, so I am bringing it to you a few days late. This week, I am lusting over art by Angela Vandenbogaard of Sudbury, Ontario and her shop JellyBeans. I love all of her art. I want to get a piece of art of her shop, but I honestly can't narrow down my options. The items in JellyBeans' shop range in price from $3.00-$100, but most of the 8x10 prints are an extremely affordable $15.

So help me choose which one to pick. I am torn between the following:

Love Flourishes

Love Flourishes Print

Amour DArbre Print

Memories Watercolor Print

Retro Falling Print

Love Song Print

Whimsy Print

Grandmother Tree Print

Flower Dust Print

That is all I have for right now. I am off to continue to watch THE OLYMPICS! I will return on Saturday as tomorrow I am unplugging for the day.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Valentine's Day

So, how was your Valentine's Day? Did you do anything exciting? I worked... for 11 hours.. Then, by the time I got home, it was almost time for my husband to go to work. So, yesterday didn't feel any different than any other day for me.

But, on Saturday after work I went to see the movie Valentine's Day with Tara. I thought it was pretty good. Predictable in parts, but also unpredictable in other parts. The cast was jammed full of celebrities: Patrick Dempsey, Taylor Swift, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner... I love that kind of movie too, it makes you believe that life really is just happenstance. That two people who seem to be strangers, really are connected... If you liked the movie Love Actually, you will probably like the movie Valentine's Day.

My Valentine's Day was really on Friday. That is when I gave Rob his card, and he gave me chocolates, a card, and a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake that said "Be Mine". Thursday and Friday were the days Rob and I spent with each other and shared our love.

I know Valentine's Day can get some bad press because it all seems so commercialized, but I have no problem with a day to remind everyone to act a little bit nicer, love a little bit harder, and smile a little bit brighter. I hope everyone's Valentine's Days embraced a little of that spirit.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

GO CANADA GO!

Have you been watching the Olympics? I have. I love the Olympics. I think there is something so amazing about almost everyone in the country watching the same thing at the same time. On Friday night, during the opening ceremonies, like every trending topic on Twitter was related to the Olympics. We are even watching the Olympics at work. They are projecting the broadcast on a wall in the call centre. I think just think that is so cool.

Obviously this year is more thrilling than other Olympics because it is on Canadian soil. I am not in Vancouver, but I have been there and I feel like just having been to the same city where the Olympics are is so cool. I just watched Canada get its first gold medal of this games (men's moguls), and on Canadian soil. I am so happy for Alexandre Bilodeau! That is a name Canada will remember.

Am I the only one that gets emotional about stuff like this? I am so thrilled, I was tearing up. I can't imagine the pressure that guy was under and he was amazing. I can't wait to watch the rest of these Olympics and see more of Canada's amazing athletes compete.

I am hoping for some more information soon on whether or not I will get an interview for a promotion at work. It would mean moving to a different town, but it would be a position in HR, which is what I went to school for, and that would mean I would get to scratch objective #3 off my 101 list. Everyone, please think good thoughts for me over the next few weeks while I wait to see if I get an interview!

Well, I believe that is all for now.. I leave you with the video for CTV's Olympic Anthem "I Believe". I find this song so powerful and the video brings on more of those emotions I was speaking of earlier.




Friday, February 12, 2010

42. Unplug from the internet once a week

Yesterday was my first day completing task 42. Unplug from the internet once a week (1/143) and it was a huge success. I had such a productive day. I (along with the help of Rob) completely cleaned the apartment. I am a bit embarrassed to admit that the apartment had gotten a little out of control so this was a huge undertaking - dishes, vacuuming, washing floors, emptying cat litter, taking out garbage and recycling (which had really piled up), sorting laundry. I know it took a few hours, but we got everything done and the place looks amazing now. I am so glad we were able to get it done. I wish I could say I have pictures, but I don't because my camera battery is dead.

After our huge cleaning job, Rob and I were starving, so we walked over to the local Wendy's for lunch. We also rented a few movies - The Hangover, State of Play, and Post Grad (that one was just for me!). We watched State of Play yesterday afternoon and it was such a good movie! We also watched the first episode of Survivor: Heroes vs Villians and stayed up to watch the new episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Yesterday, Rob and I both had the whole day off and it was lovely to be able to spend it together and not be distracted by the internet. There was only one time when I felt a twinge of withdrawal from the online world, it was after we'd watched the movie and we were waiting for Survivor to start. So to fill that time, I read my book: Knit Two.

Of course, I am still keeping up with my daily 1001 tasks: taking a daily multivitamin (which I actually think it helping to keep me energized and motivated during the day), saving a loonie a day, and blogging and taking pictures when I progress towards a goal.

Now, this does bring me to something I have been trying to figure out - how should I track my daily progress? Does anyone have any suggestions for a fast way to track this? I am especially interested in tracking my daily activities like taking vitamins and saving money. Should I create some sort of spreadsheet that I can check off? Anyone know of any iPhone applications I could download to help me track this? Should I just use a good old fashioned calendar? I need something that is easy. Should I just mark it on the calendar of my iPod when I've done something that day? What are your thoughts?

Anyway, I believe that is all for now. I am off to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

Monday, February 8, 2010

day 2 of 1001 and more

I am pleased to say that my 101 in 1001 challenge is off to a great start. Today is day two, but I think it is really day one, because I didn't have time to do much for the challenge yesterday. So, here is what I have accomplished so far.

74. Take a daily multivitamin - I went to the drug store and bought a women's daily multi vitamin, and I took my first vitamin! I bought a chew able vitamin because I hate swallowing pills!

73. Read 26 random books – 1 for each letter of the alphabet (0/26) - Also while at the drug store, they had a huge collection of books for 25% off, so I bought Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. I have already read The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs, and I loved it. So I am so looking forward to reading this, and it will count as my book that starts with K.

88. Put $1 a day into savings for all 1001 days (2/1001) - I have a change bank that I got for Christmas that I am putting my change in daily, and then at the end of the month I will take it to the bank to put into savings (it's not exactly easy to deposit a loonie into the bank machine). I know I could just deposit like $30 (or $28, or $31) into the bank at the end of the month - but this is more fun. It's easier to see the $1 going into savings each day this way too.

76. Photograph as many accomplishments as I can - As you can see, I am taking pictures of my achievements so far. I realize these aren't the most thrilling images, but they are there.

I am so pleased to announce this Monday's Etsy shop: thehomespunraven! I love the cute wooden signs that are available at this shop. My brother and I actually bought one of the family signs for my parents for Christmas and they loved it!

My parent's with their sign:




I found thehomespunraven awesome to deal with. Amazing communication, fast delivery, and awesome product! Check out thehomespunraven and find your perfect sign!