The Year of Paula

[SpacecityPaula]

The Basics:

Paula, 40 - technical writer by trade - enjoys beading, computers, photography, reading and music.
Dating Robert, 43 - Mechanic by trade, but currently taking care of his 91 year old father so that his mother can continue to run her very successful business.
Owned by Simba - an apple head Lynx point Siamese - almost 4 years old.
Regularly exercising since Fall 2006. Started lifting weights 2007.

I've decided to make 2008 the year of Paula. There's a lot I want to accomplish this year and it's going to require some dedication and focus on my part.

Part of the 140 days preparation was clearing the decks so I could focus on the things that I wanted to pursuit rather than the things people think I should be doing for them. The two big focuses were decluttering again, getting my living expenses down and letting my last freelance client go. I've really made an effort since I moved into my new place not to let the clutter get ahead of me.

The goals for 2008:
1. Writing regularly for dontbeapicklebump.com. I want to help people to get past being afraid of reaching for their dreams and consciously work them. The world needs more people who act on their dreams.

2. Pay off a good chunk of debt and be more responsible with my money. I've been going a little crazy since I became full time employee and it's time to get back on track and put things in order. First up is the budget of course.

3. Working out regularly and reach my goal of 170 by the end of the year. My reward for this is to get a full length, off-the-shoulder blue velvet dress to wear to the symphony performance that my friend Susan and I attended in December. This means I need to be disciplined and eat properly (something I haven't been doing very well in the past few months). I will be starting Lou Schuler's New Rules of Lifting for Women on Jan 7th and participating in a 3 month Women's Fitness Challenge here.

4. Take more pictures. Everyone seems to think I have a good eye and I actually sold my first photograph this past year.

I want to be reminded constantly of what I am striving for!

[ToniL]

Paula, I have no doubt that whatever you set your mind to you will achieve. I have lurked on your blog for several monthes and always been impressed. Thank you for the great inspiration and I look forward to seeing you make this YOUR year!

Toni

[UConnJulie]

Reach for the stars Paula!!! You can do anything you set your mind to!!!

[SpacecityPaula]

Things accomplished today
1. Some pictures taken. Practice with camera everyday so I get better.
2. Cooked dinner and prepackaged meals for work tomorrow.
3. Minimum of 20 minutes of straightening things/cleaning up around the apartment.
4. Some stretching and flexibility exercises - 10 minutes worth
5. Paid Bills due.

[Frank.S]

Originally Posted by SpacecityPaula

Things accomplished today
1. Some pictures taken. Practice with camera everyday so I get better.
2. Cooked dinner and prepackaged meals for work tomorrow.
3. Minimum of 20 minutes of straightening things/cleaning up around the apartment.
4. Some stretching and flexibility exercises - 10 minutes worth
5. Paid Bills due.

now THAT should be a goal of mine

look luck paula.. but luck has very little to do with anything.

[SpacecityPaula]

Its amazing how much just 20 minutes can make a huge difference. I don't aim for deep clean. I aim for surface clean so that I can get the point where even deep clean doesn't take long.

[kfisherx]

You go girl!!! I have learned in my 40 plus years on this planet that all things can be achieved in incremental and consistent efforts. The efforts do not have to be large but they do have to be consistent. Stick to it and take it all in little chunks and you will go very far.

[Mahler]

Paula,
You have truly set yourself up for a successful 2008. I know you will achieve your dreams.

[UConnJulie]

Paula, have you ever heard of FlyLady? I don't do it as I seem to have a built-in nature to be tidy and organized, but I have several friends that "Fly" ... they seem to like it ...

[SpacecityPaula]

Julie:

Yup.... I used to visit her site regularly until it seemed like she was mostly hawking stuff. Before I moved to the southeast side of Houston, I used her system to pitch and sort stuff. I got rid of 2500 lbs of stuff (I made it a game to see how much paper and stuff I could get rid of for the move since I was moving into a much smaller apartment). I did something similar when I moved this year. I still have some boxes to go through tho. Those will get tackled in the next few weeks however. It's time for some of this stuff to go!



I try and use the principals I learned from that time daily. That's why you see the minimum of 20 minutes of straightening/cleaning.

[vanessa40]

Hello Paula

[SpacecityPaula]

V!!!!!

[vanessa40]

Love your new avi..
Looking good

[SpacecityPaula]

Thank you... that reminds me... need to resize and post that elsewhere

[vanessa40]

Originally Posted by SpacecityPaula

Thank you... that reminds me... need to resize and post that elsewhere

Yes you do

[SpacecityPaula]

Tonight's Workout - Short and Sweet
Bench Press
1x10x45
1x10x65
1x10x75

Squats
WU - 1x5x45 (next time will just start at 65 because this was really light)

1x3x95
1x3x135
1x1x155

DLs
1x1x135
1x1x155
1x1x165

Bob came over and got on the treadmill for a bit - he's really easing back into things but I'm just happy he's working out. He finished before I did and then watched me squat and do DLs. He's never seen me do the heavy stuff before. The last time we exercised together like this, I was still using DBs.

No I take that back. The last time we lifted together was at his place and I out did him on leg presses :p

[RacerBill]

Echoing what Frank said... I really dislike wishing people luck. I don't believe luck has anything to do with it. You're determined, you're organized, and you will do it, I have no doubts. Go for it.

[RedLefty]