11 in 2011: Day 11 -- What Are You Looking Forward to in 2011

Day 11:  What Are You Looking Forward to in 2011

There are so many things to look forward to this year...I am excited for tax season to end, I am excited to participate in the Country Music Half Marathon, I am excited for a fun summer, I am excited about going on several trips this year, and I am excited about spending time with family and friends.  I can't think of any 1 thing I am looking forward to more than another, but I definitely think this will be a fun year, and I can't wait to see what happens!

Well, this is the last day of 11 in 2011...a special thanks to Kit and MJ for hosting!  It was a great way to start the year!

11 in 2011: Day 10 -- Favorite Girls Night Out Event

Day 10:  Favorite Girls Night Out Event 

I love a good girls' night...unfortunately, I never seem to be able to coordinate them often enough, especially with everyone's lives being so busy.  However, my favorite girls night ever is heading to Sips 'n Strokes.  For those that don't know what this is, you show up to class with a bottle of wine and when you leave you have a beautiful picture that you made yourself.  It seems that I have done this with several groups of friends, and it is just a great experience because not only are you doing something together, but there is also plenty of time to catch up and chat during the class.  If they have a location in your town, you should definitely check it out!

11 in 2011: Days 6-9

Well, I'm baaaaack!!!!!  Sorry for my long absence.  Thursday night I was without a computer as Patrick needed his laptop for work purposes and I was unable to post (if I don't get a new laptop soon, I may have a breakdown...thank goodness my fabulous BF is on the hunt for a good deal...I'm sure I'll be back in business in no time).  =)  Then this weekend, my beau and I took our annual "Pre-Tax Season Trip" (details on that to come soon), and I wasn't about to spend the entire trip on my computer...I'm sure you understand.  Anyway, it's high time I catch you all up on the 11 in 2011 blog challenge that Kit and MJ are hosting.  I'm so excited to get back in the swing of things.  So, here we go:

href=" http://lifeofascott.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/scottkd/11%20in%202011/11in2011button.jpg"/>

Day 6:  Best Organization Tricks 

You would think this topic would be my specialty...I mean, after all, I used to keep my CDs alphabetized...however, I have really struggled with this one...I sometimes think that being organized is such an ingrained part of my life that I don't even realize I do it...which makes it difficult to explain to others...Here is my best attempt:

1.  Always make a To-Do List.  This is an absolute necessity for me.  I have a work list, a house list, a Junior Chamber list, and a miscellaneous list...it's a little out of hand.

2.  Keep items I use on a regular basis in the same place all the time.  For instance, I always keep my keys in the same pocket in my purse...therefore, when I am running late, I don't have to spend an extra 5 minutes looking for my keys...they are always in the last place I left them.

3.  Picture organization -- When storing pictures on my computer, I create a separate folder for each event and I label it with the year, month and name of the event.  For instance, the pictures I took in Vegas last September are found in the folder called "2010-09  Las Vegas Trip."  This format allows them to show up in chronological order.

Day 7:  Favorite Memory of 2010

My favorite memory of 2010 would have to be the cruise Patrick and I took to the Bahamas.  It came at the perfect time (a week after April 15), we had never been on a long trip together, and it was such a fun time.  Here are a few pics of my favorite moments from the trip:

Parasailing in Freeport, Bahamas

Dressing up for the Captain's Dinner

Becoming Cruise BFFs with all 10 people at our dinner table!

Snorkeling in Nassau, Bahamas

Day 8:  Favorite Healthy Snacks

Well, since I am starting Weight Watchers tomorrow, I am really hoping to learn a lot from this portion of the 11 in 2011 Challenge.  I love to snack...however, I don't do very well snacking healthy.  I will say that some of my favorite healthy snacks would have to be any fruit you can think of (watermelon is my fav), grape tomatoes, and finally, the 100 Calorie Snacks that are so popular these days.

Day 9:  Favorite Things to Do on a Cold Winter Day 

Well, since today was one of the coldest days I think I've ever remembered, this is very fitting.  =)  My favorite things to do is:

1.  Sleep late...

2.  Build a fire...or turn on the gas fireplace in my case.

3.  Read a good book.

4.  Watch a movie.

5.  Make snow cream (when it snows).

6.  Clean house -- notice this is at the bottom of the list.  =)

Shew, I think I'm all caught up!  Yea!  Hopefully, I can stay on top of the final 2 days of the challenge!

11 in 2011: Day 5 - Places You Hope to Go This Year

Day 5:  Places You Hope to Go This Year

Sorry this is a day late, but I was having Blogger issues last night and was unable to post ANYTHING!  I'm seriously hoping this was a temporary issue and not my computer...I guess we'll see when I try to do a post tonight...

Now on to the point of the post...Kit and MJ are askin where we want to travel this year!  One of my favorite things to do!

1.  Louisville, KY

My beau and I are headed there this weekend for our annual getaway before my life becomes non-existant!  I am so excited, but am really unsure of what to do while there.  We are staying at The Brown Hotel (which I've heard great things about), but any suggestions you all have is MORE THAN WELCOME!

2.  Charleston, SC

I seriously think the stars may align perfectly this year for my return trip to my favorite city in the world!  Here's why:

1. Patrick has never been, and I think he would LOVE it!
2. My sister lives less than 2 hours away right now, and I could kill 2 birds with one stone by visiting her, too!
3. I just found out that Souhwest now flies there, so there's no need to be stuck in a car for 11 hours!

3.  BIG trip -- Location TBD
Patrick and I are planning to take a trip in November of this year.  I say "big" because we are going someplace that neither of us has been, and we are going to be gone for almost 2 weeks!  Can't wait...now, if we could just make a decision on the place...

Where are you going this year? 

11 in 2011: Day 4 -- Best Leftover Recipe

Day 4:  Best Leftover Recipe

I have never been a big fan of leftovers...however, when you live alone, and you like to cook, you pretty much have to learn to eat leftovers or you waste a lot of food and money!!!!!  I have found that the 2 types of food that make for good leftovers are casseroles and soups.  Therefore, I thought I'd share a recipe of each.

Quick Mexican Pasta 

8 oz. spiral pasta

1 can Bush's Chili Magic

1 can diced tomatoes

3/4 cup sour cream

Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.  Mix Chili Magic and tomatoes and stir to mix.  Cook over medium heat about 10 minutes to allow flavor to blend.  Stir in pasta and cook for a couple of minutes to heat pasta through.  Stir in sour cream and cook an additional 2 minutes.

Tortellini Soup  

1/2 tsp garlic, minced

1/4 cup fresh red onion, 1/8-in slices

1/8 tsp fresh basil, crushed

Dash black pepper

Butter

5 cans chicken broth (10-1/2 oz each)

9 oz. cheese filled tortellini

1 can diced tomatoes

Fresh zucchini, sliced

Saute garlic, onions, and basil in butter until tender.  Add pepper.  Add chicken broth; bring to a boil.  Add tortellini, tomatoes, and zucchini; reduce heat & simmer until tortellini is firm.

Can you tell I like pasta?  =) 

 

11 in 2011: Day 3 -- Favorite Work-Out Tips

Day 3:  Favorite Work-Out Tips

1.  Sign up for races or events -- For me, I have found that the ONLY motivation I have to exercise is if I know that I HAVE to exercise or I will embarass myself.  Hence the reason I continue to sign up and pay for races.  I know that if I actually pay for a race, then I will actually train for it, which will in turn keep me from getting embarassed by not being prepared!  =)

2.  Never put your hands on your hips -- I read on a blog one time about a runner who always wants to put her hands on her hips when she's tired.  She said that to trick her brain into thinking she isn't tired, she never allows herself to put her hands on her hips while exercising.  Not long after that, I realized that I have the same problem and have since had a "no hands on hips" rule.  I have to say that it actually DOES work! =)

3.  Blog about exercising -- Again, it seems I am motivated by the shear fear of being humiliated.  Therefore, I know that if I actually blog about my exercising, then I will do it!  In fact, in order to make sure that  exercise tomorrow, I will go ahead and post that I plan on running on the treadmill after work tomorrow!  =)

Head over the Kit or MJ's blog and tell us about your favorite work out tips!

11 in 2011: Day 2 -- Favorite Holiday Memory

Day 2:  Favorite Holiday Memory

Oh, my goodness, I don't know where to begin!  There are sooooo many holiday traditions that my family has and there are plenty of times that provide wonderful holiday memories.  It's definitely tough to pick just one!  I think the memory I will pick is the one that changed my life...for the better!  In December 2005, I lived in Knoxville, and Kathleen, my BFF from grad school, lived here in Nashville.  She invited me down here for a New Year's Eve party, and since I was without plans in East Tennessee, I was more than excited for a little road trip!  That weekend was so much fun!  We had a great time, and partied the night away!  As I was driving home on January 1, 2006, I remember thinking about how much I liked Nashville, and how I could see myself living there.  I truly believe that God works in mysterious ways because less than 4 months later, I was a resident of Nashville, TN!  Best decision I ever made!

What is your favorite holiday memory?  Head over to A Step into My Life or Teaching in Heels and link up!

11 in 2011: Day 1 -- New Year Resolutions

Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a great night last night no matter what was on your agenda!  I know I certainly did!  In honor to ring in the new year in style, I have decided to participate in yet another Blog Challenge.  This Challenge is called 11 in 2011 and is hosted by Kit at A Step into My Life and MJ from Teaching in Heels.

 

Day 1:  New Year Resolutions

This year I have decided to make a lot of Resolutions...I may not keep them all, but I figure if I don't make them, then they can't happen, right?  So...here goes:

1.  Complete 36 items on my 101 in 1,001 list.  I have been doing a great job so far of staying on top of this list, but I want to keep it up.  If I can accomplish 3 items per month, I should be right where I need to be to complete them all by April 27, 2013.

2.  Lose 10...maybe 15 pounds and keep it off the remainder of the year.  Losing weight isn't really my problem.  I seem to be able to diet every winter and usually lose quite a bit of weight.  However, the problem is that I have to do this every year at the same time.  I guess my Resolution would really be to NOT lose 10-15 pounds in 2012.  =)

3.  Run in six 5Ks during 2011.  Since I just started running, I want to stay motivated to keep it up and also to get better.  I know myself and the best way for me to stay motivated is to keep having something to train for.  Therefore, if I have a 5K scheduled every other month, I should always have something keeping me out there running!

4.  Run/Walk in a Half Marathon this year.  After walking in my first half marathon in 2010, I decided that I definitely want to do more of these and improve my time.  Therefore, I am planning on running in the Country Music Half Marathon right here in Nashville on April 30, 2011!

5.  Simplify my life.  I know that a lot of people are like this, but I sometimes feel that I am so busy that I never have time to stop and smell the roses.  Well, this year, I definitely want to smell LOTS of roses!  =)

6.  Be more positive.  I used to be really good at this.  However, I have noticed in my life that every once in a while I have to remind myself to look at the positive and not the negative in every situation.  I really want to work on this in 2011!

What's your New Year Resolutions?  Head over to 11 in 2011 and tell us all about them!