Serious Case of Cabin Fever

Dear Mother Nature, please spare us, we have had plenty of winter: tons of snow, and bone chilling temperatures. We are ready for Spring. Love, Me

Yes, I'm whining again about the weather, but I can't help myself. Welcome to Polar Vortex- Part 2 everyone! I thought the beginning of January was bad. I'm sick of spending 20 minutes heating up the car before I can go anywhere. And I'm tired of struggling to put on layers of clothes on my squirmy toddler. Even though I've lived in Chicago pretty much my whole life, this winter has taken my tolerance over the edge. I can’t wait for this winter to end, and it’s only January. It’s so freakin' cold in Chicago right now, yesterday it was like minus-10 when I drove to work. And today it is a balmy 17 degrees! Feels so warm I almost don't need to even wear a coat. I'm only kidding of course. Ahh, spring seems so very far away.

Screw You Winter, We're Outta Here

Obviously, we're all going a little cuckoo here being cooped inside all day. But thankfully, I just booked us a trip to Hawaii in March! Yahoo! At least now I have something to look forward to. Thank you airline miles for making it possible! I'm hoping by scheduling the vacation in mid-March, that there will only be a few more weeks of winter to suffer through once we return home. Or at least that's my hope.

The trip can't come soon enough. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the 9+ hour flight, each way, with a 2.5 year old. But, I'm willing to risk it to feel the sun on my face, and sand between my toes. I'm not a sun worshipper by any means, but I need to get me some sun.  I just got my Vitamin D level tested a few weeks ago and it was so low my doctor put me on a huge dose of vitamin D. No joke, the dosage is so high you cannot buy this high of dosage over the counter!

How are you surviving the winter?

Calgon Take Me Away

When I got in my car this morning to go to work the thermometer said it was 0 degrees, yes, I said ZERO degrees. Ugh. I hate winter, especially this one. I like having four seasons but the frigid temperatures and the piles of snow make me crazy! It's only the beginning of winter, and I'm totally over it. I want to escape to the beach!!!

I read an article this week that Illinois ranks second for states with highest move out rates. I can certainly understand that, in Chicago the summer is wonderful but five months out of the year I'm miserable. It would be nice to live someplace where there are warm temperatures almost year-round. But, at the moment this is just an idea. Who knows, maybe in a few years it will be more than just an idea. 

Happy New Years 2014

I can't believe it, but 2013 is over. This year was a big one for me. I bought a new home & completely remodeled it. I turned 40. I started back at work full-time after a three year hiatus. I traveled to Alaska, Michigan, Arizona, and California. It wasn't all fun, we lost our beloved cat and that made us officially pet free. And last but certainly not least, we have continued health for which I am ever so grateful for.

As far as Resolutions go, there's nothing to reflect on because, well, I never made any in 2013. But this year, I have decided to publish my goals for all to see, in the hopes that I will be more compelled to actually try to complete them. I personally like goals vs resolutions because I feel like resolutions mean that you are "giving something up" or starting something right on Jan 1st. These are things that I want to work on throughout the year, so I'm calling them goals.

Get in Shape 

Cliche, huh? I know, but it is my number one goal. I actually started things off a few weeks before by seeing a new doctor and getting some blood work done. Yes, I want to lose weight, but really I just want to feel better. I'm tackling diet first, then working out later. I've been using the excuse that I don't have the time to workout to not stick with a diet. I also signed up with a grocery delivery service so I'm not tempted by going to the grocery store and buying things that I shouldn't. On a side note: grocery delivery should also help with budgeting for groceries!

New Website

I’d like to start a new website. I've been writing two blogs for nearly five years now, but I've always just written for myself. I really enjoy writing and having a creative outlet, but to be honest I would also like it to generate a little bit of revenue someday. I also want to get to know more bloggers and become a more active presence online. I just need to do it, otherwise I will always wonder what if?

Travel

I've always thought of traveling as a way to shake things up, get out of the day-to-day routine, and making time to focus on family. I want to cram as much fun and life and amazing experiences as I can into this year!

• Take a winter family trip - somewhere warm sometime in February or March
• Take a summer family road trip
• Take a mommy only trip, even if it is just for a weekend. As a single mom, I need to make this mandatory every year. I need to recharge so I can be the best mommy I can be.
• I want to go to a blogging conference (see website goals above)…maybe I will combine this with my mommy-only trip?
• Attend a wedding in California

Vacation Rental Property

I'm going to continue looking for a vacation rental property. But I'm waiting for the right property, in the right location. I'm not putting a goal on buying a property in 2014 because I don't know yet where I want to buy. No home buying for me this year, but I would like to save up for a down payment for when I'm ready to pull the trigger. I'm also planning my vacations this year around scouting for places I'm interested in.

Practice Positivity

I read somewhere that you can look for reasons to be happy or you can look for reasons to be sad - you’ll always be able to find plenty of each. This is my new mantra. This year I just want to do more of what makes me happy!

Well, that's it. I’m looking forward to what 2014 will bring, what about you?