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I’m taking a trip all by myself to Boulder, CO in May. I’m headed to the Blend Retreat to hang out, workout and eat with some of “my people” — fitness fanatics and foodies. Most of which are bloggers. All of which I currently follow.

This event is hosted at Chautauqua Park. It’s put together by Janetha, who writes “meals&moves”, Katie, of “Yes I Want Cake”, and Lindsay, author of Lindsay’s List. They corralled some pretty sweet sponsors, including Chobani.

It’s 2 days of bootcamps, hiking, running, yoga and of course, FOOD. It’s like summer camp for bloggers. We’ll be staying in cabins at the park.

I cannot WAIT for this!

Also, I’d like to thank my friend Kelly for attending Bloggers in Sin City last year. She had a few qualms about going, which were the same as what mine were for this — the cost, traveling alone is scary, and what if I don’t make friends? She had a blast. And she made a ton of friends. AND? She’s going again this year. I thought about going, but by the time I remembered about it, they were sold out.

So instead, I’m going to a weekend workout summer camp and having a fun road trip by myself. I’m staying at a great bed and breakfast in Nebraska on the way there and I’ll stay at a hotel on the way back (since I can’t drive 10-11 hours straight).

WOO. Count down to May!

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It’s about time.

I follow a LOT of crafty / quilty / foody blogs. In case you haven’t noticed via my Pinterest stream.

I’ve seen a little badge on a lot of the really good blogs I follow. It looks like this:

What is the process pledge? And why is it important?

Well … it applies to quilt blogs apparently, according to the originator, r0ssie blog, but I think that it should apply to everything when you post a tutorial or a recipe.

Here’s what she says about the process pledge:
“The goal of the process pledge is to create a new sensibility in quilting blogs where we don’t just show finishes or occasionally confess about our moments of indecision, but chat openly and often about our works in progress, our inspirations, and our moments of decision. I know that many of us are already posting about our thinking on quilts and the processes involved from start to finish, let’s do more! And let’s post about quilts as we work on them. I want to see more half-done quilts, not just the finished thing with a journal entry about the process.”

This is the pledge:
“I, ________________, pledge to talk more about my processes, even when I can’t quite put them in the in words or be sure I’m being totally clear. I’m going to put my thinking and my gut feelings out there. ”

Okay, so I already do this because I never finish a damn quilt.

Tee. Hee.

But seriously. There’s more.

I think it’s important to show where your inspiration came from, and if you’re making something that somebody else made that inspired you, then you damn well better credit the source. Even if it was from a free tutorial.

My mind has been spinning on how I credit things on my blog, and I think I’m going to make a change. No more posting recipes or instructions for things that aren’t MINE unless they are modified. If I made something using exactly the directions given elsewhere, then give the link for crying out loud (and save myself some work).

Anywho … that’s it. I’m wanting to show more works in progress in hopes of finishing some stuff. And maybe some sketches. Sketches are always cool.

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yeah yeah. I came across my New Year 2011 post and had to do the same.

Oh, and give you an update on what happened last year.

What I (was) looking forward to in 2011.

1. Chicago Bears in the playoffs / This didn’t turn out well for them. They played the Packers for the NFC Championship game, and well, we all know how that turned out. No Bears in the playoffs in 2012.  
2. Being in one of my best girlfriend’s weddings / One of the most gratifying experiences of my life. I got to witness two of my good friends who are fabulous together say their vows. 
3. Maybe moving somewhere new (in Ames) with a new roommate (or two) — hopefully somewhere with a garage. / Worst moving experience ever. Just read about it. Seriously. 
4. Taking a new exercise class — I’m thinking kickboxing or yoga / No kickboxing or yoga for me, but I did attend a couple BodyPump classes and MAN those are amazing. 
5. Finishing some of my WIP projects / Let’s not talk about this one. But seriously. I did recently finish off a WIP that had been sitting around for more than 2 years. It’s scheduled for the blog on FRIDAY the 6th. 
6. Some new music (Iron and Wine and Decemberists are up first in January) / I got a ton of new music this year. I didn’t get Iron and Wine. I got Kanye West (yeahhhhh), Ke$ha (yeah), LMFAO (I know), The Drums, Jeremy Messersmith, Megadeth and a lot of others.
7. Getting a new haircut or two or three or ten. Maybe completely different colors? / I got a major haircut in June and have been growing it out since. I let it be my natural color for a while after a stripping incident in March. Then I recently colored it dark red-brown again. It was uneventful so I didn’t blog about it.
8. Learning to do some Michael Jackson moves on the Michael Jackson Experience game on the Wii (guess who got that for me for Christmas?) / I do not have any evidence of this happening, but Kelly can attest to our 5-star performance on the “inhuman” level of Thriller.
9. AN AMAZING STAYCATION. Taking a week off in March and I’m going to spend it organizing, chilling and working out. / Amazing staycation turned into moving my stuff from the crap house I was at into Mark’s and Matt’s apartment (THANK YOU AGAIN).
10. Filing my taxes. Yes. I am excited to file them really early so I can get my refund really early. / I did, and I’m looking forward to doing this again. 

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Twenties Hacker just inspired me with their recent post about 5 small financial changes to make in 2012.

Here are their recommended changes and what I already do and plan to do in 2012.

Recommended Change #1: Monitor your money for ONE month

Easy way to do this? mint.com — but not everybody likes their accounts being linked to a 3rd party vendor. I know I don’t. Also, cash transactions are lost.

The best way to monitor your money for a month? Receipts and a spreadsheet.

I started keeping track this way about a year ago. At that time I had about $2000 in debt (not counting student loans. those do NOT count) and an embarrassingly low savings amount. It wouldn’t cover my debt.

Slowly I switched those numbers around and I’m well on my way to paying off my car in a couple of months (if I want to) and I’m well-prepared for emergencies (like losing a job for a bit).

How did I do it? I kept all my receipts. And I made a habit of entering them in my spreadsheet DAILY. After I got in the habit, I got a good idea of what I spend, so I relaxed a bit (now I do it weekly, or whenever I get a chance). I know my account isn’t going to overdraft (it’s a good feeling), so I’m not as anal about it.

However, I decided to try a new system of keeping a monthly record, complete with vendor information and what I purchased. Ha. Talk about not being anal? Yeah … Well I want to see where I can cut back, and I think this will take my system one step further.

Want to try it for a month? Download my monthly money tracking spreadsheet here. Keep in mind that the categories can be changed to fit your specific spending needs. If you use it, let me know how you like it.

Recommended Change #2: Read ONE money-related book

I’m going to take their advice and read The Money Answer Book by Dave Ramsey. I had a friend that was really big into Dave Ramsey a while back, so that was a selling point for me with this book. Of course, I’m going to get this from the library instead of buying it …

Change #3: Create ONE financial goal and complete it

Hmm … my big financial goal was to pay off my car this year. I’m not sure if it’s worth paying off since I’m not in a rush to get a new one. However, I would like to have enough $ saved up by the end of this year to be able to pay off my car if I would like.

Change #4: Cut back on ONE unnecessary expense

Unnecessary expenses? Psh. I have none.

Okay. I’m lying.

My handy-dandy monthly spending spreadsheet has told me that I spend entirely too much on extraneous groceries — things I don’t need but pick up throughout the week, usually after workouts.

My goal (this will be good for my waistline too): No more getting chocolates at the checkout at Wheatsfield. Seriously. It’s $1 a chocolate and I get 2 every time. Sometimes I go there 3 times a week. That’s $6 a week … multiply that by 52 and that’s $312 a year.

Now if I cut out kombucha (which is essentially these trips altogether), that’s $3.99 per kombucha times 3 times 52 which is $622 a year. Together those trips cost me about $1000 a year!

Change #5: Make ONE financial move for your future

Hrm. Well, I can take the $ that I saved up to pay off my car and either pay off my car or put it towards my student loans. OR I could start a small retirement fund with it. Decisions, decisions.

Finally, Twenties Hacker says: By making an effort and choosing just ONE of these decisions, it can dramatically change your finances and give you a better future. All you have to do is just start somewhere, and it can be as easy or as difficult as you are willing to make it.

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MERRRY CHRISTMASSSSS!

I didn’t post any Christmas wants before today because I didn’t want to give people a list of stuff to get me. I like getting clever things from people because they know me well (or follow my pinboard that’s essentially a list of things I MUST HAVE).

While you’re opening your gifts, enjoying some fudge and maybe some spiked nog, here’s my list of things that I hope I got and if I didn’t, I’ll probably be purchasing with my tax refund (tax Christmas!). I was going to do 25 things, but that’s a LOT of stuff to ask for … and I’m not really that needy. And 20 things makes me seem soo much less greedy … … … yeah.

1. Pyrex glass storage containers 12 piece set
   I’ve been trying to replace my crappy tupperware with good stuff and the plastic stuff is actually apparently bad for you. This would be a great replacement.
   
2. 28 oz. Sundesa Blenderbottle with Blenderball (in pink of course)
   I’ve been doing protein shakes in the morning because it’s easy, fast and the protein shot seems to help with soreness from the workout the evening before. And it is impossible to get the protein powder mixed in decently. I feel like I’m throwing a few bucks down the drain when I rinse out my post-breakfast cup.
   
3. 16 oz. Kleen Kanteen Widemouth Insulated Bottle
   I love my giant water bottle that I already own — I lug it everywhere. I want the same capability for hot water for tea.
   
4. While we’re on the subject of tea, how about a sidekick mug? I leave my teabags in my mug and reuse until the tea is really weak, but this would be a nice alternative to a grossly wet bag the next morning.
   
5. And in case you didn’t know (or assume), I pack my lunch every day. I’d love to have this picnic box to separate my foods into different portions and make sure they don’t touch each other (yes I’m still one of THOSE people).
   
6. Homemade Limoncello. Enough said.
   
7. Equal Exchange Organic Spicy Hot Cocoa mix. Just so you know, this comes in 6 packs of 12 oz packages, which should last me a week or two …
   
8. UnderArmour Fierce Tight (in purple or pink and MD). I’m picking these up today if I didn’t open them up. I ripped holes in both my other pairs by falling on my butt in the past few years and am in need of some new (and FIERCE) tights.
   
9. Kangaroo Water Bottle … guys, it has a POUCH. Convenient.
   
10. HVLO Sport Headphones (in light blue). These are pretty much the best idea EVER for running. No more poking at my headphones for 6 miles.
    
11. OGorgeous Crazy Zips Gym Bag. Because I’m tired of hauling around my UO duffle that’s larger than me. And because it would be super ultra convenient to take my yoga mat places. Also, because it looks super cute.
    
12. Cute Chicago Bears gear. I’m going to the Vikes/Bears game in MN on New Year’s Day, and I need some team gear to sport.
    
    
13. A turntable. One that mounts on the wall would be cool. Gotta have something to play those MJ records with.
    
14. OPI Hot Pink Matte Nail Polish. Obviously.
    
15. A cute and cozy nightie.
    
16. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Transforming Potion. This is the most amazing product ever. Turns any eyeshadow (or powder) into eyeliner that stays put. I’m almost out.
    
17. Pixi Tint and Conceal. This is the most time-saving product I have ever found. In fact, if I’m planning to workout after work (usually), I just use this in place of my BareMinerals. No use wasting super expensive awesome makeup when this does the trick for my face on work days. I’m also almost out (concealer at least). This was the best $30 I ever spent on any makeup product.
    
18. Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch tablet. This would make pretty much everything I design go faster.
    
19. Loved ring (in white gold). This warrants 2 photos for its cuteness … front AND back. I only wish that it said “loved” instead of “Loved”.
     
20. Finally … while I’m on the subject of jewelry, I found this lovely ring that goes really nicely with the white jade ring I wear every day.
    

Anyway, I’m done pondering what I was wanting because I’m sure what I got is just as nice if not nicer! I’m really banking on those schnazzzzzzy running tights though in hopes that I can have a super awesome Christmas run.

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My friend, Steph, had a cookie decorating party yesterday. I got pretty stoked about this because I LOVE DECORATING COOKIES — as long as I’m not baking them or making the frosting.

I brought my sprinkles and my gel food coloring and we got down to business with some mulled apple cider. Oh, and Mr. Barnabus Stinson also joined us for some fun. He was pretty entertaining in his adorable holiday sweater.

And, of course, the first cookie I finished ever-so-meticulously was absolutely perfect.

Here’s a collection of the rest of our cookies. I really like Elizabeth (Steph’s sister-in-law)’s tie-die ornament. Very cool!

I ended up with a whole plate of snowflakes. And the broken cookies were decorated like they were maimed … as you can see with the reindeer and gingerbread man.

And my gluten-free cookies weren’t roll-outs, but they were delicious. They were pretty sad looking, but tasty nonetheless.

This reminds me that I didn’t ever blog about the cookies I decorated a few Christmases back. I think this was a blog only for running at that point. Here are the awesome cookies I decorated with the random frostings I whipped up (there was sour cream, cream cheese and anything that was available in the fridge in that frosting).

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I’m on a mini-vacay this weekend, but I want to let you know that there’s going to be something really cool going on tomorrow. Starting tomorrow anyway. Stay tuned.

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Those of you who are currently reading my blog on Facebook via notes, please take the time to follow my blog.

Facebook decided that the best way to share your content is by sharing links manually. Which isn’t really true for me because blogging is a HOBBY and the less work I can do to keep people entertained, the better.

Anyway, go to my actual blog to follow it. Click the google friend connect or networked blogs sidebars to follow me those ways.

Or bookmark my site.

Do it. You’ll miss me. I swear.

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Looking for something to do with small scraps of fabric? Check out this awesome tutorial by Oh Fransson! for map of the states quilt blocks.

For the life of me I cannot find the blog post that I talked about my progress on this project. Which sucks because I cannot remember what size block I was doing (would have been smart to make a template …). I know what size the finished blocks are, but I know there was some trimming involved.

Anywho, I took this project on for all the scraps of my favorite fabrics that I can’t bear to part with. I like things wonky, so I kicked it up a notch.  I also love white space (imagine that) so I added some relief to the craziness with some white strips of fabric.

I haven’t decided if I’m going to just be done with this project and finish it up with white on the top and bottom of the quilt, or if I’m going to keep going.  I think I’d like to keep going for 2 more rows, but I need to remember what size I was doing first. And I need to get my craft room organized.

Also, did I mention I started this project in March 2010?  And I haven’t touched it since … yeah …

WHICH REMINDS ME.  I need to start going to the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild meetings.  That *might* actually get me to finish all these poor WIP quilts I have. I seriously have 3 finished quilt tops that I’m too poor to get quilted and 4-6 in-progress quilts.

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Yesterday was a fun day, filled with lots of exciting things.

First, we took Mark’s NEW CAR for a long drive to Eastern Iowa.

[brand new mazda 3 hatch in graphite]

He got a new car last week after his poor Rav4 blew a tire. It was on it’s last leg and he was pretty much ready to get a new car, so he went for it. And he is REALLY happy about it.

[it's a manual, of course]

Its got bluetooth, which is really cool because not only can he have handsfree phone convos, but we can hook up my iPod without physically plugging it into anything. This makes ME happy because my iPod Touch is having issues with the headphone jack, and the less i plug things into it, the better off it seems.

Our first stop was in Cedar Rapids to get my hair colored. I’m growing it back out (for now) and it’s starting to look entirely too much like my mom’s hair at this length with my natural color  … so time for an unnatural color.

It’s supposed to be the dark brown color that I had a couple years back, but we added a bit of red to it … and my hair sucked up ALL the red.  So it’s a dark red/brown.  I LOVE being a redhead, so I’m cool with it.

Next, we stopped at my Grandpa’s house in Anamosa. He sent us on our merry way with a BUNCH of tomatoes. I wish I took a photo of his bounty of tomatoes. It covered an entire dining room table. He said he was giving all his visitors a bag of tomatoes because he’s not going to eat them all.

Not sure what we’re going to do with the tomatoes … salsa? marinara? Either way, they are getting eaten!

We headed further north and went to the Shot Tower Inn in Dubuque and met my friend Seth (aka @nerdboner) for some late lunch/early dinner.  Got some amazing taco and BLT pizza (super naughty! But way delicious).  He had just gotten back from Wizard World in Chicago and apparently had picked me up some pretty sweet swag.  He totally underestimated my idea of “sweet swag”.

[all the doctors and the tardis — print by kurt wood]

[limited edition #1 of 25 print of Buffy by kurt wood]

… and the icing on the cake?  The heavy metal pixie <======== that’s me.

[check it out on kurt's blog with all the other superhero sketchies]

AND he got me the hardcover collection of the Metalocalypse comic … which will be my nightly read this week.

After a few hours of pure nerd bonding between Seth and Mark (Seth now swears they were separated at birth), we headed back to my hometown of Monticello to pick up Mr. Barnabus Stinson, II and bring him to his new (and hopefully final for a while) home.

And Mr. Barney acclimated quickly and is now enjoying spending every minute with his best friend Mark.

 
We were pretty exhausted after a long day of driving and our adventures in Eastern Iowa. All in all, a pretty good day!

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