Big Words/Big Ideas

Reasons Today Will Rock.

1. Governor Dayton will sign the Marriage Equality bill into law, making Minnesota the 12th state in the nation to offer its citizens fully recognized state marriage rights, and recognizing the marriages of all people from other states as well.

2. My kids greeted me with love and hugs and kisses…and then got themselves ready while I took a moment for myself.

3. My husband woke me up and was the first to wish me happy birthday. He always does.

4. It will be over 80 degrees for the first time this year today.

5. My facebook feed was clogged up with 50+ birthday wishes…before 9am. I live in an extraordinary world with extraordinary people. Yes, I will respond to each and every one of them.

6. Plans remain uncertain this evening, but I will bring cupcakes to work today, because that’s how I roll.

7. I will give $36 to NCIRE. I started this tradition last year, giving $35 to NCIRE in honor of my shared age with John Mayer - his birthday isn’t until October, but we’re the same age 7 months out of the year and, you know. Good cause.

I’m in a really great place with my life journey. 36 ain’t so bad. I wish everyone a day filled with joy and love - knowing life is good is the best birthday present in the world.

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Second Check-In: Tara

Miss Tara BunnyEars…oh, where do I begin…

Despite having pain that would cripple most men, she made time to call me, and when she did, she said “now we aren’t talking about me right now, we’re talking about YOU.” (Even after I told her I was going to ask after her no matter how much she fussed at me. Because that’s just how I roll.)

Somehow I hope for a few minutes, as we talked through some things, her burden was lightened. She’s that type of lady though - classy, beautiful, absolutely selfless. I think I want to be Tara when I grow up.

We talked about health, and even more importantly, we talked finances. I’ve done a really good job of working out and watching my eating…I’m staying on my vitamin regimen and prepping for another 24 Day Challenge starting in June, but it is hard to talk money, even with friends, even when I’ve said “ASK ME.” People let you off easy on that score - but not Tara (which I love.)

She asked if I had a plan, how far I was, and how busy I was, and then gave me some tips on doing some mystery shopping for a little extra scratch and a free meal here and there…which always saves money.

I love the honesty of this woman. No bullshit. I need that.

1. Did you work on your goals since you got your last call?

Yes, I did. I worked out every day since that call, I have talked to friends for support, and I have reorganized my finances to make some savings possible.

2. What do you need to work on?

Money. Point blank. I have a contract starting soon but I need to make a plan to get my business up and going, and I want that to happen by the end of the month. I want money in the bank but more than that, I want to know there’s more where it came from.

3. Do you have a plan?

Yep. I posted a photo of my whiteboard. I know I am going to work my business and go back to contract work next week. I expect there to be money coming in ASAP.

4. What do you need to talk about?

I think I’m doing okay. Things on the homefront are good. I will talk a blue streak about my business if you’d let me…I’m decluttering the house and finding ways to make myself feel better. Life is actually…pretty stellar.

Next checkin on 5/12, with one of the other, many, Kates in my life. :)

watchwithkate:

am I the only one that thinks “I love you.” & “I’m in love with you.” are two totally different things

I think a lot about this, not only regarding real life, but while I’m writing.

Uncle John agrees.

(Source: rockybreaux)

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First Check-In: Heidi

Heidi is the first of my Dream Team to call me. Our call was yesterday evening, and we’re also going to go for a walk this afternoon and talk some more. I have good news and bad news… the good news is I’m working on my business and have a contract for next week so I should be able to facilitate some of my financial goal.

As for the weight loss - well…I have been down and up around 4 pounds already. I did great the first two days…then I got derailed by Chinese food (for which I had a plan but did not follow through) and a Girl Scout pizza party (for which I had a plan but did not follow through). And I can also say, I didn’t work out the last two days, but did work out the first two.

So how do I rectify this?

By being accountable. Admitting the mistakes, recognizing what I did wrong, and thinking through all of the things I need to correct in the next four days so that I stay on track and CAN meet my goals.

I also need to think through some of my triggers and my proclivities - it’s so incredibly easy to make up excuses and believe what you think is right vs. what is the actual truth about a given situation.

I did have a small victory last night - which I will take in spades because it was a big struggle. I had a friend in town from Seattle whom I haven’t seen in AGES…and she was holding court at a bar so she could see whomever she needed to see in a condensed period of time. I went late and said i wouldn’t eat or drink…well, I didn’t have any booze or anything other than water to drink, but I did split an ice cream sandwich and an order of tots with a couple of other people. Small victory? 65% win? I can’t argue in absolutes but I can say this is a vast improvement over what has happened in the past.

The mindset is always on improvement and accountability.

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Accountability.

That’s the name of the game. It’s a big, scary word. It means not flaking out, not giving up.

I want to note something: giving up is not the same as failure. Failure can happen even if you don’t give up. If i fail at my goals for this month, it won’t be because I tried, and there is a level of success in the effort. It means I’ll still be further down the path than I was when I started. There will be no self-flagellation; nor will there be any excuses.

I have two goals for this month, and I’m putting it out there for the world to see:

I want to put $1,000 in the bank.

I want to lose 8 pounds.

Yes, this will be hard. But I’m prepared.

First off - I’m putting it out there in public. (Pub-Lick. Say it like Ron White.)

I have a Dream Team of 7 people who are going to call and text me at regular intervals to keep my goals front and center. We have a schedule and we have a facebook group. The questions they will ask me are:

1. Did you work on your goals since you got your last call?

2. What do you need to work on?

3. Do you have a plan?

4. What do you need to talk about?

That’s it. One call, every four days for a whole month. I get to talk to awesome people who are supporting me, I get to stay accountable to my goals, and at the end of the month, if all goes well, I should weigh less and have a little more in the bank.

I hope I can pay it forward for anyone who needs it - and I hope every person who reads this will feel comfortable enough to ask, because if you can read this, you have a friend and a supporter in me.

To Tara, Kate, Michelle, Heidi, Randi, Denise, and Barb: y’all rock.

31 days and two big goals.

Let’s do this.

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Can Somebody Please Explain To Me…

no, wait. Don’t.

Don’t even try, because it’s not worth it and it’s just going to piss me off even more.

Change is on the horizon, and I plan to take full advantage of it.