Underbite

Ahhh, the best list-making time of the year!  Lists are so much fun to make and, of course, to slowly mark down and whittle to (hopefully) achievement!

1. Drink lots of water.
2. Always be reading a book.
3. Study and write about, explore, books, movies, art, events, etc., that inspire/"stick" with you.
4. Pick up a little around the house each day.
5. Practice the Ukulele and keep a sketchbook/journal daily.
6. Complete at least 3 items off of my "30 before 30" list.
7. Stay positive.
8. Do at least 1 favor for myself and another person daily.
9. Do some form of healthy, physical activity every day.
10. And, speaking of exercising, my last resolution is to actually exercise my resolutions.

Back in July, I referenced a list I was working on.  I am most definitely NOT the first person to write a "30 before 30" list (just google it and you'll be able to read all sorts of fun stuff that people have determined to do before 30), but I love the idea of giving yourself time to consider goals that you want to reach, deadlines, whether they be completely ridiculous or legitimately productive and on task with your life's path... or off of it for that matter. I love making lists.  It's quite a lot of fun to do and it helps my scrambled brain to visually grasp order in my own life.  My sister is the QUEEN of lists!  If my list making skills were ever as good as Lindsey's, I believe I might quit my job and get paid to be a professional organizer/counselor.  I'm telling you, the woman is GIFTED!

Anyway, here is my list.  I'm posting it on the blog as a way to avoid forgetting about it and/or ignoring it.  I will complete it!  I WILL!!!

1. Get a tattoo
2. Learn to play an instrument (know how to play at least 3 songs well)
3. Go to New York City, Boston, and Washington D.C.
4. Go to the City Museum in St. Louis
5. Illustrate a children's book
6. Attain my MAT
7. Begin working on/finish my +45
8. Memorize 3 poems
9. Pay off my student loans
10. Get down to my most comfortable weight 
11. Train the dogs to sit, stay, lay down, and not pull on the leash
12. Get a bike... ride it to any destination that's within 2 miles or so
13. Learn how to sew to the point where I can create my own unique clothes
14. Go camping with Joey on Isle Royale
15. Understand and speak spanish well enough to carry on a simple conversation
16. Learn to surf
17. Have a day of Sun Studio's and the Civil Right's Museum
18. Design a custom-made header for Underbite
19. Visit Bowe down in Oxford before he friggin' graduates!!!
20. Attempt the master cleanse (over the summer, though, so I don't smell at work)
21. Take a trip with Joey up to Chicago by train
22. I want to be able to do 100 push-ups in one sitting
23. Create a simple, yet highly functional wardrobe where the majority of the clothing items are utilized consistently
24. Write and create a short film with Joey
25. Meet an elephant (if I can ride it that'd be even cooler!)
26. Begin volunteering regularly
27. I want to go to more musical concerts, but more than anything, I want to attend one that will top the list of my favorite concerts that I have been to.
28. Finish reading the Count of Monte Christo from start to finish
29. Go vegetarian for a year
30. Raise chickens

Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful New Year's sealed with either a kiss from their loved one or made merry by the company of good friends.  Goodbye to 2009 and welcome 2010.

This post will be short and sweet.  Cliche', though it is, I'm going to list my resolutions for the new year.  I'm determined to better myself and to stick with my goals, so hopefully, by posting them to the world, their will be more pressure, and therefore more motivation, for me to accomplish them.  So, simple as they may be, here are my New Year's Resolutions:

• To Quit Smoking... all together.
• To make it a point to have a real work-out AT LEAST twice a week.
• To keep a cleaner and more organized home.
• To really begin to eat healthier (guzzling LOTS of water) and cook more, using healthy meals and saving money by not eating out all of the time.
• To read at least 15 books this year.
• To complain less.
• To get into a routine of posting at least 2 posts per week... one on Wednesdays and one on Sundays.

This week has been completely wonderful so far.  On Tuesday night I was able to meet up with my friends Lauren and JB (Jeebs) and share good stories, good drinks, and a few new cocktail recipes as well (courtesy of JB).  On Thanksgiving, I was able to meet some new family members of Joey's family and enjoy the festivities at his place which is always a truly great time.  Although I missed spending time with my family and their traditions on Thanksgiving (getting stuffed and then napping with a football or NASCAR race on the TV), I feel right at home with Joey's family which is a great feeling.  They are wonderful people and I love them.  This weekend, my sister and my brother-in-law are coming in town, so I'll get some family time in then, and we will all find out the name of their new little baby boy on the way.  I can't wait to meet my nephew (due in February)  :)



My mom and I went and tried on some dresses today at a Vintage shop in midtown for the wedding.  Their were some extremely pretty dresses, though my bust size has become a serious issue in this search.  I do have to say though... I think I might be coming to a decision :)

I've also been asked to shoot out some ideas for Christmas, so here are some things that I've come up with:

• Micron archival ink pens... you can find these at most art stores and they're always handy when I'm illustrating.  They come in varying widths, which is always fun to play with.
  
• My "favorites list" on Etsy (it's a long list that's been building for a couple of years now, so don't feel overwhelmed): http://www.etsy.com/favorite_listings_public.php?user_id=5772828&ref=favorites
• a new hair-dryer
• Art books
• A gift certificate to frame some artwork that I've been meaning to frame and hang for a while now
•  A healthy crock-pot cookbook
• oh, and check this out :)
  

and that's that!  If anybody needs any ideas for anyone else, I might have some, so just let me know if I can help.  Love you!