Bucket List

If you're a Pinterest junkie like we are, you know of the trend that is sparking up of people pinning their bucket lists.  There are all sorts of cool pictures on the Perfect Bucket List blog to pin if you want to check them out.  To end the weekend, we thought we'd lay out some of the things on our bucket lists.  We'll start with Amy.

Write a letter to yourself and open it in 10 years.

I did this one just recently.  It was actually really fun, and now I have it hidden away in my "special things" box with the date I'm allowed to open it.  It should be really cool to read when I'm 37.

Run a marathon.

My good friend Amanda and I are in agreement on Chicago Marathon 2013.  It will certainly be epic!

Adopt a puppy.

I'm itching to get one.  My friend at work loves to send me pictures of adorable dogs to adopt.  I'm just dragging my feet with it comes to taking the leap.

Learn fluent sign language.

Sign language has always fascinated me, so I can't wait to find the time to truly learn.

Find someone who will treat me right.

Cheesiest item on my list, but it's there.  Does it count as a bucket list item if fate/luck is in charge?

Get a matching tattoo with my sister.

This. is. happening.  And Mom will probably not be happy.  :)

So I (Ashley) also have a "bucket list" board on Pinterest and some important things on my list are as follows...

Reach my Goal Weight:  Which is part of my New Years resolution this year (establishing a workout routine that I like)

Open my own business : What can I say I like to be my own boss... and with as many goals and aspirations I have in my life what better way to do that is opening my own Early Childhood program.

Own a nice camera:  The goal of all of my photography blogging...

I'd also LOVE to see and photograph a pack of wild horses.  I think animals in their natural habitat is an awesome thing to see and one thing you can't see at the zoo (yes I know the zoo is not natural for the animals)  is a pack of wild horses.

and to combine a few on my bucket list into one

Have a healthy pregnancy, have a son AND a daughter and be a good parent.  

of course... get a matching tattoo with my sister, and no Mom will not be happy  = )

C'mon, Mom...you know it will be awesome!

Superbowl Shuffle

You may remember from our 2012 goals post that one of my goals is to run a race in every season of this year.  Well, so far, so good!

This past weekend, I ran a Superbowl Shuffle 5k.  As I mentioned last week, I did not have high expectations for this race.  Despite one of my best runs ever early in the week, my shin splints decided to make a return, and I was battling a nasty cold.

Luckily for me, I woke up Saturday morning feeling a LOT better.  Plus, the weather on Sunday was GORGEOUS.  Like out-of-this-world awesome for February in Illinois.

My cousin likes to run as well, and we decided to do this one together.  He, however, is much faster than I am and convinced me to line up with the 7-minute milers.  Mis-take.  Eight minute milers I could probably have hung with, but I was not in these peoples' league.  I did try though.

And then there were hills.  And about a mile and a half in, I started to burn out.  I had to walk twice during the last mile, which I was really not happy about.  However, I ended up finishing in 27:08, which is my second-best (official) 5k, so I have to be positive about that!

When I posted about the race, I set my goal at 28:30.  This was a lie.  :)  I really wanted to beat 27 minutes.  And I was close.  Darn close.  If only I hadn't walked that second time.

Alright, whining complete.

My favorite spectators (including my mom) came to cheer me on, which is my favorite thing about racing.  Afterwards, we used some awesome race-goodie coupons to satisfy my quite drawn-out Chipotle craving.  It was awesome.

All-in-all, this was a super fun race that I would do again in a heartbeat.  Just hoping that next time there are no sniffles!

Does anyone else set goals for themselves and then keep setting them higher?  Or am I crazy?

Stuff: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!  We hope you had a fun and safe night last night and are enjoying a very relaxing new year's day.

Last night, I spent the evening with my parents and some family friends.  We made pizza, played taboo, and laughed a LOT.  It was definitely a great night.

Ashley and Matt spent the evening with some friends.  Some of them were from out of town, so they were excited to be able to ring in the new year with some people they don't get to spend as much time with as they would like.

Now that it's 2012, pretty much everyone is thinking about resolutions.  And we are no different!

I, in particular, am a person who kind of loves resolutions.  I'm a goal setter for sure, and since I finished my half marathon, I have been definitely craving some things to put my energy into.  So, here are our resolutions for 2012:

Amy's Resolutions
I have to admit, I went back and changed this after reading Ashley's resolutions below.  There is definitely a difference between goals and resolutions (what a smart sister I have!).  So, I'll start with goals:

1. Actually complete either my workout room or my office.  I have been in this house for 8 months now, it's time to get a move on!

My office inspiration.  It will be beautiful.  Found it here on Pinterest, where else?

2. Start a retirement savings account.  Gotta start early if I want to spend those golden years doing as little, or as much, as my little heart desires!

3. Run a sub-2:00 half marathon.

My legs may disagree with this one...but we shall try!

4. Run a race in every season.  Any winter suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  :)

5. Go meatless one day per week (I'll probably join the Meatless Monday trend because it's easier to remember).  No real reason for picking this one, just think it would be kind of a fun little mini-challenge.  My BIL thinks I'm nuts...

And my resolution is...

To spend more time appreciating what I have than worrying about what I don't.

Ashley's Resolutions

I think that goals and resolutions are different things, goals are much easier to come by because you can work toward a single one at at time and it isnt so overwhelming in the long run.  However for the year 2012 I have both goals and resolutions.

Goals:
1. Finish painting my house, some rooms by myself, some rooms done by a professional painter (due to high ceilings and a lack of ladders.)

2.  Establish a work out routine that I look forward to following. 

3.  Organize my life, now that I don't have wedding planning to take up all of my time there is no longer an excuse for clutter.

Resolution:
I only have one,
To get back in touch with good friends that I've lost touch with over the years.  My friends and I went seperate ways after High School graduation and did different things in terms of college and career.  I think it would be fun to catch up with them and see what they are doing these days.