30 Day Challenge -- Day 31 THE END!

Oh yes, I did it!  My 30 day challenge has come to a very successful end.  31 full days of completing a task that for many may not seem like a big deal.  But for me it is.  All month long I had to learn to put some things aside to make time for my workout.  That was not easy for me.  I am a complete control freak and everything, I mean EVERYTHING, on my to do list has to get checked off before I go to bed.  At least that was the old me.  The new me has learned a very valuable lesson.   I've learned that I don't have to be in full control.  I've learned that the laundry or the dishes or the floors can wait.  I've learned that it is okay to sit and watch a movie without doing 20 things at the same time.  I have learned to compromise and prioritize.   This month I went to a baseball game on a week night just because Sweetheart really wanted me to go with him,  and I went to a movie premier on a week night without complaining that it was a week night, blah, blah, blah.  On the professional side of it, I learned how to prioritize my day so my focus would remain on the task at hand, not the miniscule things that interrupt my day.  I think some times when you work towards the same goal on a day by day basis, it's easy to lose focus.  This challenge helped keep my focus and kept me in charge.

This task that started out as a professional challenge that I brought into my personal life has really changed me.  For the better.  Who would have thought that I would get so much out of making a commitment that meant nothing really to anyone.  Not even to me.  At first, all it meant was that I put a calendar on the wall to mark my daily completion.  Then day by day I began to change my mindset and my attitude.  Both at home and at work.  I feel stronger and happier now ~~ how that ties into this whole thing, I'm not quite sure.  I just know it's true!

Oh and tonight was not my final night.  I've moved on another 30 Day Challenge for August.

Piece of CAKE! :)

I did it!!

Give a girl an internet high-five!  And see you here again tomorrow for August's challenge!

Peace out!

30 Day Challenge - Day 30

Today was a long day.  A very long day and I am spent.  Nevertheless, I completed both my work and personal challenge.  When I stop to think about this 30 day challenge, I am quite proud of my accomplishment.    I just think about all the times that I "planned" to get on the treadmill.  Something always came up that was "more important".   This challenge helped me see that there is nothing more important than taking care of myself.  And I'll take my next 30 day challenge up a notch.   I know I can do it ~ nothing will stand in my way!

Wow!  Tomorrow is the last day~!!

day 30 done!!

This has been quite a ride!

30 Day Challenge - Day 29

I got my workout in early again today!  My energy level was through the roof today.  I was like a mad woman.  I listened to my Pat Benatar station on Pandora during my workout.  Good stuff!

Two days left.  I love it!  I am still trying to decide what my 30 day challenge for August should be.  I may add a time requirement or a distance requirement to my challenge.  Only two days left to decide!

Day 29 done!

Last night was not very productive for me.  I had one too many cherry martinis.  At about 9pm I decided to just give up.  I watched Dolphin Tale which was such a cute, feel-good movie!

Luckily, I was able to finish my project today.  Our office is now back in it's organized state! Because I like to move furniture around, I swapped the desk and file cabinet.  My options for moving furniture around are limited because Sweetheart and I share the office so this is my little corner of the room.  He has his desk on the opposite side of my desk.  We have bookcases in the middle that we share.  Oh, Grievous and Naboo have beds in here too so they share the room with us as well!  


If you haven't noticed, the room is painted Dallas Cowboy blue.  It has silver and white stripes that go across the top.  Sweetheart's desk and wall are littered with Cowboy stuff.   I agreed to the blue room so that he could keep all his Cowboy stuff housed and contained to this room only.  This way, none of our sports stuff makes it out into the living room or other parts of the house which makes me happy.  He gets to put whatever he wants in here and put it wherever he wants (on his side of the room) and that makes him happy.  Pretty smart, yes?

I try to girl the area up as much as I can by adding pink and turquoise accessories.  Along with candles and a feminine lamp:  

I also added some storage that allowed me to get everything off my desktop so I had more room to move around and also because I despise clutter.  This looks more clean to me.  The stuff on top of the tray are items I used often.  Inside the chest are things that I don't use everyday but I need to have nearby:

I left the hanging file on the wall to help keep me organized with stuff that needs to be filed or bills that need to get paid.  That prevents loose papers or mail from collecting on my desk:

Of course I kept my Kurt Warner and Big Red things on the shelf.  :)

On the far right, you can see my Green Monster stuffed toy
and the banners that I got from Fenway Park.

Neat and organized; just how I like it!

 Now I'm ready to get to work!

p.s  Naboo is looking exhausted as if she worked in the room all day.  Actually, she mostly got in the way because she wouldn't move and I had to keep stepping over her.  

Thanks for your help BooBoo!

30 Day Challenge - Day 28

I got my workout in early today because I had plans to go out with a girlfriend of mine tonight.  But we had a last minute change in plans.  Not to worry, I have a project that I started earlier today that should keep me busy the rest of the evening.   Ever have one of those projects where you work on it a little at a time because it's a nuisance?  This is that project.  

I listened to my Pink Radio on Pandora while I did my workout.  Good music = an excellent workout! :)

Just three days left!  Wow!!!!  I need to start thinking about my August 30 day challenge.  Hmmmmm.....

Day 28 done~!

And since I'm not going out tonight, I pulled out the cherry Vodka.  I'm planning on fixing myself a cherry martini as soon as I'm done here.  :)

This stuff is delicious!

Which means that the mess I have going on in our office, may remain a mess until tomorrow morning.  It is in the middle of getting re-organized, re-filed and re-decorated.  The papers on the floor were sitting on top of a box but Grievous heard something outside and bumped the box as he ran into the living room and knocked over all the papers. And this is only a small portion of the mess; you should see the rest of the room!

But I am on it now.  I hope to post an 'after' picture soon.

Eeeeeek!!!!

Cheers!

30 Day Challenge - Day 27

I am so glad today is over!  It was so hard for me to get out of bed this morning, I so just wanted to sleep in.  But I didn't; I got up, got dressed and got to work.  Although I was dead tired, I did complete my 30 day challenge at work.  Friday is generally an early day for me, I am off of work at 3:00pm.  And it's a good thing too because knowing that I only had a 6 hour work day helped motivate me to stay focused and power through the day.  Whew!

Just four days left!  I can't believe it's been four weeks.  I am looking forward to celebrating my success and looking even more forward to my next challenge:

Day 27 done!

I watched "Something Borrowed" today.  I know, it's a film from May 2011.  It was on HBO a few weeks ago so I recorded it and I was finally able to watch it tonight.  I liked it a lot.  But what I loved is Ginnifer Goodwin's wardrobe!  So clean, polished and fresh!  *sigh*

 I especially love this outfit:

Good night.  Sweet dreams. 

30 Day Challenge - Day 26

Wow!  What a crazy, long day!  I was up early again because we had a baseball game to go to tonight.  I had planned on leaving work about 4:30 so I had to go in a little early so that I could get my 30 day challenge done.  Which I did!

Day 26 is done!  When I said in a previous post that the 30 day challenge stops for no one I wasn't kidding.  The baseball game started at 6:40 p.m so we left for the game shorty after we got home; we changed our clothes and headed out. I told Sweetheart that I still had to come home to do my workout and he was 100% behind me.   That's what I love about him -- he is my biggest supporter!   He told me he knew how much the 30 day challenge meant to me so he said he would stay up with me until I got it done and I updated by blog.  What a Sweetheart!

Day 26 done!

And by the way, the tickets that we had were in the Pool area of the ball park.  The event was being sponsored by one of the companies that Sweetheart sells for and he got the tickets as a spiff for his sales.  It was a fully catered event -- free booze and grub, who can turn that down?   We got some really cool Diamondback towels too!  We didn't actually get in the pool but we did sit on the edge with our legs in the water.  It was pretty cool; we had never been in that area before so we were both pretty thrilled to be there. It was a great experience!

I am going to be TIRED tomorrow!  But it was totally worth it!

30 Day Challenge - Day 25

Don't you just love Hump Day?  I just love knowing that we are in the home stretch and the weekend is days away!   Come on, Friday I'm ready for you!  

Today started earlier than usual.  Sweetheart was having car trouble last night and because he had meetings to go to this morning, he was having a hard time trying to come up with a plan on how he would get his car to the dealership and make his meetings.  So I had the brilliant idea to carpool.  We both work close to home and close to each other so it wasn't a huge inconvenience at all.  However, I had to be up early and ready to go so he could drop me off at work.  I enjoy carpooling with him because we get to talk about different things that don't normally get worked into our conversations.  Like the dialogue on the radio between the DJ's and traffic and crazy drivers.  And the best part about carpooling is that I get to ride home with him too!    

p.s it's a nice treat once in a while, not something that we could do everyday.  I'm just saying.

After work, we stopped at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Yep, I had to work extra hard on my workout today because I had wings and buffalo chips.  Yummy!  So we got home and got settled in then I got started on my workout.  We are six days away from being done with this challenge, yet I am not ready to let it go.  

Day 25!  A habit was absolutely formed here and there's no way that I am going to stop.  A healthy mind and body is what it is all about and not only am I working on my body, but my mind is getting in shape as well.  The workout is stress relieving; running allows me to clear my mind and just exhale all the negative that builds up.  August will most definitely bring another challenge.  

And in my TV news, I watched The Next Design Star this evening.  Honestly where would I be without my reality shows?  Lost, I tell you!  Lost!  My world would be sad and lonely without all the shows I watch.  If it wasn't for me, the DVR wouldn't have anything to do all day or all week.  But I digress, today was the season finale of The Next Design Star, season 7.   Another nail biter, however, I was thrilled when Danielle Colding won because she really is a spectacular designer.  Congratulations Danielle!

And finally, I am going to be in a pickle tomorrow.  I have to go in early because Sweetheart and I are going to the Diamond back's baseball game tomorrow evening right after work.  We probably won't be home until after 9:00 p.m.  So I will still need to get my run in when we get home.  I am going to be exhausted on Friday!  :)

30 Day Challenge - Day 24

Today was a bear of a day.  It was a tough work day for me.  It was a tough work day for Sweetheart.  And if you ask the puppies, I'm sure it was a pretty hard day for them too.  :)

Even with the obstacles I faced today, I was able to meet both the work challenge and my personal challenge.   It's all about being tenacious.  

I love this quote:  once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit - Vincent Lombardi.  

T-minus 7 days!

Day 24 done!

p.s.  did you hear about Christian Bale visiting the victims of the Aurora, CO theater shooting?   What a stand up guy.  It truly warms my heart.

30 Day Challenge - Day 23

Today was unquestionably a "Monday".   I'm certain I have said this before; Mondays are tough.  I mean right off the bat, I walk into voice mails and emails that came in during the weekend.  Don't get me wrong, I love to keep busy but sometimes it gets a little overwhelming.  Especially when there's a 30 day challenge going on.  I suspect that some individuals that started the challenge with me are no longer running in the race. Knowing that pushes me even harder to make it happen.  My work challenge is going great and it's mostly powered by sheer stubbornness.  All my life my stubbornness has been a strength of mine.  And it has been a weakness too.   Balancing between the two has always been my struggle but I really feel that engaging in this challenge has really helped me to see how minor tweaking can make all the difference.  Embracing change and letting go of old habits is key for me.  I am learning that change is good!

T minus 7 days!

Day 23 done!

I raced home to cooked dinner so that Sweetheart and I could watch the Season Finale of the The Next Food Network Star. **Spoiler Alert**  Now, the episode actually aired yesterday so I'm sure the spoiler alert is not necessary but I still feel obligated to post it.

And the winner was Justin!  Sweetheart and I have been rooting for this kid since day one.  His culinary point of view was a little quirky and he is obviously very unique but we instantly took a liking to him.  He's very charming and charismatic and the kid is wicked smart.  We were impressed with him from day one and we were so happy to see him take the win!  What made it more special is that his mentor Alton Brown really vested himself, not just with Justin, but with his entire team.  We saw an entire different side of Alton and well, it was a very emotional finale.  I (literally) cried when they announced the winner and Sweetheart admitted that even he got a little choked up!  It was an amazing 11 weeks of hard work and sweat on their part.  On our end, it was 11 weeks of nail biting when it came to eliminations.  In the end, the last one standing was absolutely the best choice!  Congrats to Justin!!

I love this picture!  

BTW, there was another intense dust storm in Phoenix today.  This is a picture of downtown Phoenix mid afternoon -- covered in dust!  Now we need a monsoon rain to wash all the dirt away!

30 Day Challenge - Day 22

Another great weekend!  Since it was so relaxing yesterday, I had to step it up today.  I got the grocery shopping done, did laundry, cleaned the house and finally at the end of the night, completed my workout. 

I watched a Lifetime movie that I recorded a couple of days ago today.  I can't remember the name and I already erased it but it was a love story, of course.  It was super cute; it's one of those "feel good" movies.  Sweetheart hates when I watch Lifetime movies because he never knows what type of emotions it will stir up.  He'll be glad to know this one left me feeling happily romantic!  Ha!

T minus six days until the 30 day challenge is complete...

Day 22 done!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  Here's to another great week ahead of us!

30 Day Challenge - Day 21

Today was a rare day in that it was a very relaxing day.  I had to work today so I was up early and out the door at 7:30 a.m.  I was only at work for about four hours; I left at noon and headed home.  I stopped by and picked up some take-out for me and Sweetheart.  After lunch, I wanted to get started on housework and laundry but Sweetheart reminded me that I need to just relax and that doing the house cleaning that very second was not necessary.  I agreed and instead I took a very much needed nap!  I slept for close to 3 hours and it felt great!  When I woke up, the monsoon storms were starting and it was dark and windy and very dusty.  It almost felt like a winter day, except for the fact that it was still over 100 degrees out.  So I made some cinnamon tea and got in my comfy chair and watched the season premier of Project Runway Season 10.  It did not disappoint -- it's going to be a good season!

At about 9pm, I decided I had to get my workout started because I couldn't miss a day.  Not when I'm this close.  So I jumped on and got it done!

Week three complete!  Just 10 more days until this 30 day challenge is over!

Day 21 done!

Don't you love the days when you don't need to wear make-up or do your hair?  I loved wearing a T-shirt, shorts and curling up on the sofa.  Today was one of those days!

30 Day Challenge - Day 20

I had such a good, hard run today and I was so hot that I took my shoes off immediately after the timer ran out.  I couldn't even wait to get off the treadmill before I took my shoes off!  When I came back into the room, I laughed when I saw this:

It's indicative of how I feel today...

Better late than never, I came home after the movie and got a workout in.  It was a good stress release.

Day 20 complete

I almost didn't post tonight.  I have been in a somber mood for most of the day.  I was talking to my BBF, Alex, via email today.  I told her how I awoke this morning and reached for my phone on the nightstand.  Out of habit, I always check the phone before I get out of bed.  All I saw when I picked it up is a CNN banner that reported the shooting at the Batman premier last night in Aurora, Colorado.  I stumbled to unlock my phone as I grew more and more nervous.  It didn't register immediately where it occurred and I could only think of the friends and family that I knew were attending a showing last night.  My heart sank when I finally read the details and found out that so many people were hurt and so many senselessly killed.  I was beside myself.   It is so terribly frightening to know that individuals like that exist among us.  Even now, I am at a loss for words.  All I can do is pray.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victim's families and friends.  U

30 Day Challenge - Day 19

So far, today has been the most difficult day in terms of completing the work challenge.   It was an extremely busy day at work -- there is just so much going on right now.  Today I actually thought I might not be able to meet my goal.  Well, it entered my mind briefly.  It's so amazing how this challenge changes my entire way of thinking.  In the past, I probably would have had a completely different mindset given today's scenario. I probably would have finished what I could, and then called it a day with the intention of finishing up the next day.  Makes sense, yes?   It did back then; but not anymore.  Because doing that would admit defeat.  And I refuse to do that.  I knew that I had to focus and kick it into high gear.  Which is exactly what I did.  I took about 10 minutes and re-routed my day, I put a new plan together (mind you this was early afternoon, half my day was gone) that I felt would work.  It's the focus and the gumption to make it work that makes all the difference.  

BTW, I got wonderful news about work yesterday.  I won't bore you with the details but I am extremely happy with my new role!  I am over the MOON happy!!!

I watched Drop Dead Diva during my workout today.  I had planned on getting my workout done this morning but Sweetheart and I both overslept.  It was one of those mornings where we hit snooze at least 10 times!  I don't mind that I didn't get to do my workout this morning because I got snuggle time instead.  It's a FAIR trade! :)

Naboo photo bombing my Livestrong shot

Day 19 and I am loving the energy and the motivation to keep it going!  I'm closing in on three weeks straight.  I will most definitely have another run of a 30 day challenge in August.  How can I not?

Day 19 - done!

 We are going to see The Dark Knight Rises tomorrow!  I can barely wait!!

I need to get to bed.  I know, it's only 9:12 p.m.  Not cool for a night owl to get to bed so early.  BUT, I really have to be up extra early -- I plan on leaving work at 2pm which means I will have less time to get everything done and going in early will probably be the only way that's going to happen.  The 30 day challenge stops for no one, not even Batman!

30 Day Challenge - Day 18

Guess who got their workout in this morning before work??  You got it, it was ME! 

Grievie stood watch over me while I did my workout.
Crazy dog!

I work a late day on Wednesday evenings so I really should have been doing this from the start.  I am all alone at home for close to 3 hours before I have to leave for work on Wednesday mornings.   Side note:  my intention has always been to do a workout before work on this day especially but that never really panned out.  Until now.  Enter the 30 day challenge!  I had a great workout.  I started to watch Dance Moms but I was so into my run that I turned that off and listed to music. 

Day 18 is DONE!

Sweetheart and I made plans to watch The Next Food Network Star tonight when I get home (which is close to 8:30 p.m) so I knew that I wouldn't have time to workout tonight.  That's why it was so important that I get my workout in this morning.  It felt great!  I was energized all day too!  I am hoping to start working out in the mornings.  I think I can do it!

By the way, because I go in to work later on Wednesdays I always cook a special breakfast for Sweetheart. I cook breakfast for him every morning but it's the same thing every day; I make him oatmeal -- recommended by his doctor to help lower his cholesterol and also because he's diabetic it's a good breakfast for him.   On Wednesdays, however, I cook a special breakfast -- and he loves it.  He is always excited to get to the table to eat his breakfast.  Mostly because he can smell it cooking and it draws him to the kitchen.  I know, this sounds a bit old-fashioned.  I guess maybe it is.  But my mother used to cook breakfast for my dad, fix his lunch and then get herself ready and out the door every single morning.  She worked a full-time job and manged the household.   I presume that is the reason that I feel so content in doing this for Sweetheart.  Keep in mind he never asked me to do it, I just started doing it and and he liked it.  And more importantly, he appreciates it.  He never fails to send me an email or a text to thank me.  Today was no different.  As I was getting ready to get on the treadmill, I got a text message from him and it read:

Good morning sweetheart. That was a tasty breakfast. Thank you and I love you very much so.

As I read it I smiled and realized he makes my efforts all worth while!

30 Day Challenge - Day 17

Day 17 and I'm going strong!  I watched Design Star today during my workout!  Down to the final two!

Oh and how's my work challenge going, you ask?  Let me show you: 

This is the calendar I have at work.  Notice on Day 12 there is a line
of whiteout?  That's because I used a blue pen inadvertently
instead of green and my OCD kicked in....

When I got to work this morning I found an email from my manager in my inbox.  He said he loved that my 30 day work challenge was going well and inquired about my personal challenge.  So, I sent him a copy of this:

(This is today's -- I actually sent him last nights)
Day 17 done!!!

My manager is behind my work motivation.  You ever have one of those managers that you just want to give 110% to?  This is one of those managers.  He's a great manager and I love that he presented me with this challenge because I am truly seeing how being tenacious about something really pays off.   This is helping form good habits.  It makes me think about what happens when I don't push myself.    I am generally very motivated and driven, however, this experience has me wondering if I have become complacent in my role.   This is something I definitely need to address and adjust once this challenge is over.

*****

Meanwhile, and this is completely random, I reached into my bag today to grab my car keys as I was headed out to lunch and this is what I saw.  I don't know what the heck happened but I am normally a very neat person.  I like neat hair, a neat handbag, a neat car, a neat house, you get the picture.    But look inside my bag:

click on the picture to enlarge

It was a hot mess!  There were receipts in there, just hanging out.  I despise having loose receipts in my purse so when I actually took notice, I was taken aback!  First, when did this happen and how could I let it happen???

After Sweetheart and I had dinner, I dumped the items from my purse on the kitchen table.  Even Sweetheart was a little surprised because he knows I detest a messy bag.  This is what was in there:

click on the picture to enlarge

Loose dollar bills and coins, receipts, a bottle of mentholatum (don't ask)...... 

But within a few minutes, my handbag was back to normal:

I know this may seem petty to most, but now I can breathe a sigh of relief.  Ahhhhhhhh!

Do you see how hard it is to me??