With the new year finally underway, I figured it was time to set some new goals.  None of those resolutions that no one ever follows through with.  I don’t have any long term goals at the moment, but that could change.  The only reason I’m writing about this is because once it’s down and out in cyber space, I feel like I’ll be more likely to reach the end.

So here goes!

1. Get Audie completely potty trained. This dog has his challenges.  Being a rescue, traditional means of potty training do no good. As a former major pet store employee, I had to learn positive reinforcement techniques as part of proper training, so I’m using everything I learned to try to get this kid to go outside.  He’s SO close.  He knows it’s naughty to go in the house, but he still won’t go to the door or act like he wants out.  He does have some tells, so as long as I can keep up with him, we’ll get this licked yet!

2. Finish my t-shirt quilt.  I’ve been working on collecting shirts and cutting them out for about 3 years now.  I have yet to sew anything together, let alone plan the layout.  Since the job side of things isn’t playing out as I planned….I decided why not?

3. Find a new place to call our own.  Our lease isn’t up here until May, but we’ve already decided that we won’t be renewing it. We’ve had so many troubles with this house, it’s not worth the hassle for another two years–besides, rent is astronomical and utilities make me want to cry. So, I’m combing the housing market for a place that allows pets and is closer to post.  Plus, this place feels so institutional (seriously, it reminds us of an old dorm or barracks room–peel and stick 1970s tile, rubber baseboards, and peeling latex paint); we want something that feels more like a home.  Hopefully that will help us feel like we’re doing more than sleeping here until we PCS somewhere else.

4. Get back to C25K training.  Maybe I’ll even sign myself up for an actual race so I stick to it.  Now that the wisdom teeth are all sorted and I don’t think I’ll have any more issues health-wise, it’s time to really get back on the horse, so to speak.  Frankly, I just don’t want to go up a pant size.  Basically, I just want to feel better about this body I’m in, like I did before my last semester in college.  (Note: I’m not that out of shape, nor have I put on a ton of weight.  I’m just not built to put on more than a couple pounds, so those extra 7-8 are awful!)

5. Try to change my husband’s mind about starting a family.  I know it’s a long shot, but what can it hurt? He wants to wait until we get back to the mainland to start trying, but he’s changed his mind twice since we got here.  In September, he brought it up that we should start trying since our budget was finally under control.  Then we bought a car and he’s back to thinking we can wait–even though the budget is just as stable. He seems to have no trouble wanting to add animals to our clan, but kids of the two legged variety are the furthest thing from his mind.  Here’s to hoping I guess.

6. Bloom where I am planted.  Lately, the Mister and I have both been really burned out about living here.  It only intensified after my family left from their visit. Maybe it’s the house or the lack of a job for me or that we’re SO removed from everyone (we share a wall with our neighbors and have NEVER seen/met them)….but I’ve resolved to make the best out of the situation.  Don’t get me wrong, I realize this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  It’s just really difficult when you feel absolutely no connection to those around you. So, I’ve decided to start doing things I love just to keep myself busy/relatively happy. That’s where the crafting and reading/writing will come in. Time to find a place to volunteer and maybe a church. You know it’s time for a change when you want desperately to bond with everyone from the gal who cuts your hair to the dental hygienist scraping your teeth.

These are all I’ve given much thought to.

Steps in the right direction:

* I ordered new (ridiculously expensive) fabric scissors so the t-shirt quilt WILL make some headway.

* Audie is being very cooperative lately with his potty habits (and he’ll be getting a kennel after the 15th for when the Mister and I want to leave for a few hours).

* I’ve already got my feelers out for a new place, just have to wait until the end of the lease gets closer to start scheduling visits etc.

* Seeing how ridiculously in shape my mother and middle sister are (and a SO not flattering photo of myself in a bathing suit), I just need the motivation to get out the front door to get going on the training.  I miss yoga, so I’m thinking I’ll pick that back up too.

* I’ll keep bringing up the subject of kids here and there.  It might become more feasible to him after we move to a new place with lower rent.  Otherwise, I’ll just get a fish tank or something…

* I’ve been out exploring more on my own with the new car and I’m remembering what it feels like to not be restricted to the house, so there is hope to enjoying SOMETHING while I’m here. My family visit left TONS of photos to sift through and I genuinely liked showing them around and being able to take pictures again.  So if worse comes to worst, I’ll just go out and shoot things with my trusty camera. At least life would be documented.

Oh! Before I forget…I finally got some photos up from the family excursion. No edits/enhancements/crops. Most aren’t even that great, but there’s a couple of gems in there, I just know it!

If you’re interested, the link is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashley_waid/

They’re all in the photostream or in sets based on location.  I will be adding more over from my Photobucket account (as they are VERY limited as to space, while Flickr is not) as the urge strikes–I ordered a bigger external hard drive so I need to transfer them all anyway.

The Photobucket links are here (I had to add another since the first one wasn’t letting me upload more):

http://s45.photobucket.com/user/still-not-clicking/library/

or

http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/ashleywaid/library/

In closing, If I can stick to even one of these, 2014 won’t be so bad!

Cheers.

-A. xoxo