Utilizing Time and Space

I have exactly 5 weeks until I am officially living in Asheville, NC and I figured why not take the time that feels like FOREVER and work on some of my 30 before 30 items! After going through the list, I decided I could be actively working on these items over the next 5 weeks:

*Conversational French:
(This is actually part of my final 21-30 list I haven't posted yet, but I promise it is on there!) I have never been one to pick up languages with ease. In high school I took 3 years of French, and pretty much felt like I didn't learn a thing. In college, I fumbled around and finally was able to skip taking ANY languages by graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree instead of a Bachelors of arts degree. At any rate, as I get older I find myself wanting more and more to be able to at least be conversational in a language. I considered starting from scratch with Italian or German, but in the end, I realize I have retained more french that I would have ever thought.
While in Colorado over a month ago, I was introduced to a really neat program called 'Duo Lingo' and have really been enjoying it. You can go online and use it, or use it as an APP for your smartphone or tablet. My goal currently over the next month, is to work on completing a  lesson a day. Does this make me conversational? No, but I still have over a year to continue on this journey.

*Week Long Cleanse:
Besides the sugar binges I have become accustomed to this summer, I consider myself a pretty healthy eater. I eat WAY MORE than I should, but the things I eat usually are the healthy side of the scale. One thing I have never experienced though is a 'cleanse'. And I want to do it. I want to see what my body goes through. I am curious. So I have picked one. It is not a fully liquid cleanse. It is lots of greens, berries, and green tea. I will do it for a week. I start tomorrow. I will report my findings after. *salutes*

*Embroider a Classy/Badass Pillow:
It is not the act of embroidery that scares me, it if the choice of words. I have my 'go to' phrases: Bitches Ain't Shit, How you livin' biggie smalls, etc. But I want something new. and I haven't decided what. Look what ya did you little jerk? Write hard and Clear about what hurts? Bitchface? Stay at home Gypsy?

*Be a Size 10 Comfortably:
I don't want to talk about this summer. But Once again, I am exercising. and I am starting a yoga program. and I am walking to and from work. and GODDAMN IT weight for ONCE IN MY LIFE wont be a problem. I have some rage, you could say. I really just, in the end, want to prove it to myself, that I have the willpower, strength, etc to do this, but also not let it rule my life.

So there we are... my next 5 weeks. This is it. Really. I don't have friends or money.

Summer Goal {Recap}

Well guys. I had these goals you see. And, well... I sucked it  up. So much so that I almost didn't do this recap, but I figure, I cannot ignore it. I should talk about what happened. (psst. SPOILERS, life happened). But here we go:

*No Alcohol until September: I like a good beer. Or a good dirty gin martini. I have been a bartender. I appreciate fun mixed drinks. And all this is well and good, but Sometimes I (honestly) don't know what moderation is, and it has been weighing on me a lot lately. Just something on my mind. There are a lot of things personally I want to accomplish this summer, and I think removing alcohol from the picture would be a good way to clear my mind and give me a fresh perspective  Also, I really just like proving to myself that I can stick to goals, and have will power. It gives me a great sense of self, and I thrive on that.

*NOT COMPLETE* At all. Basically, in all honesty... I worked in a restaurant atmosphere, at the beach, with 18-23 year old people all summer long. And one brewed his own beer. An excuse? No, not at all. Did I have fun? Most the time. Did I meet lasting friends? Ill say, one. sure. 

* Financial goals. (and I just now because of spell check realized I spelled financial wrong on the image, and am wayyy to lazy to go back and edit it. whatever.) So, as I stated in a past post, my plans for this summer include work, and lots of it. I start today training at a breakfast diner (I have to do stints as a busser, hostess, and cashier), and by June will be serving there regularly  And its a fast paced place, with good tips to be made, so there is that. Otherwise,  I am searching still for a night serving position, but have applied man places. These two avenues combined all summer, I hope to be able to pay off both my credit cards ($4500+), Pay back my mother ($2000+), save money for a plane ticket for myself and Nigel to the west coast in the fall ($350+) and stock away savings for a few months rent and deposit wherever I plan to move to ($2750+). I have four months to get this accomplished, and I do think it is feasible. Added bonus if I save enough to have a little pocket for a new car once back out west...I think also, as a last little footnote, that this will be the summer to get my tattoo. Or maybe it will be an end of summer reward. carry on now...

*NOT COMPLETELY* Which implies, that yes I got some of this done. I bought a car. I got all  my shit to the east coast. I paid my mom back $1000. I paid down Credit Cards (a little). I bough a ticket to Seattle in November for a wedding. I put aside some money for my move to Asheville. Nigel now lives with me here in Pawleys, but I owe someone money for that (...Nick, Ill never NOT owe you money, it seems). It happens. But, not a total loss.

*Books! So, this is a smaller goal, which I think is important in the midst of loftier goals...but, I brought home  five books with  me that were in my collection, but I had not had the chance to read yet. I would simply over the course of the summer, read and enjoy these books. They are:Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer, What is the What and A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers, The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, and Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins.

*NOT COMPLETE* So okay. I read non of these books. Well, I read HALF of the Dave Eggers. This isn't to say I didn't read this summer, it just proves you cant really (or I cant) dictate what I am going to be in the mood for all summer long. I Read Under The Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. If you haven't read it, DO IT. So good. NOTHING like the movie that used the book as a (very loose) backbone. Great food and travel writing. I devoured every book written by John Green (The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines, Will Grayson Will Grayson, Let It Snow) and am currently waiting to read Looking for Alaska by the same author. Now, these books are all Young Adult, and I loved them. Paper Towns and The Fault in Our Stars being my favorites. I had always been a fan of John Green (kinda a dream man of mine) from his VlogBrothers series on youtube. Or Mental Floss. Or Crash Courses. You pick. all. are. brainy. and. wonderful. I had been meaning to take a peek at his writing for a while, and then was handed Paper Towns by a new friend this summer and (with the encouragement that I reminded him of one of the main characters) I dug right in. Beyond that I re-read the Little Prince, HP1, and two Salinger. So, not a total loss. 

*Tech cut back. Now, this may seem silly, as I am getting this blog going again, but it cutting out certain areas, to let other areas flourish  I recently erased my facebook app, my facebook messenger app, and my gchat app. You can obviously still text me or call me. This is just eliminating checking all those stupid things, as well as making it so yes, I am still available, but no not by every means possible. removing the clutter. In the same vain, I will be updating this blog a good bit, but don't plan to otherwise be on facebook really at all. of course there will be times, and I will still check it, but I don't plan on doing big status updates, etc. On the other hand, I will be writing letters and emails all summer long. So there is a use for facebook y'all, send me your mailing address and we can become pen pals! and since I wont be on facebook a lot, the updates you tell me in letters will actually be updates! Isn't that grand? As for other technologies... instagram, vine, and twitter. I'm keeping them...for now.

*KINDA COMPLETE?* I mean, I kept facebook off my phone. and Face book messenger. and Gchat. I have written a few handwritten letters this summer. I updated the blog, but not a TON. But I def. was still on Facebook on my laptop a good bit. Eh. *shrugs* I guess I didn't feel consumed by it all, so that is a win. 

*Focus on me. What do I mean by this? I just mean that in between all the work, and reading, and such that I take the time and just... clean out my head. I don't know a whole lot of people here in Pawleys, and while at first I was looking at this as a negative, I think I am going to use the chance to just...get to know me again. I am over analytic, stressed, and have a bit of Monica Geller syndrome in my current life. These are all things that have popped up or grown as I have gotten older. I just want to take this summer to both sort these things out (and calm them down a notch) as well as make peace with them. Easier said than done, when you are a judgmental cynic. (hey everyone, you know all that critique I throw around in life? Just know that I throw it at myself 10x worse. Yeah, sucks, right?)

*COUNTING THIS AS COMPLETE* You know what? Yeah. I mean, Ill ALWAYS have a zillion tings going on i my head, but overall my stress level and such has def. been pulled back. I have taken money issues with a lot more ease. I have read more and gone to the beach and just sat there more than i have in a long time. I went running ( big stuff) pretty regularly for a while, and simply to get out and clear my head. so yeah. WIN.

Summer Goals

*No Alcohol until September: I like a good beer. Or a good dirty gin martini. I have been a bartender. I appreciate fun mixed drinks. And all this is well and good, but Sometimes I (honestly) don't know what moderation is, and it has been weighing on me a lot lately. Just something on my mind. There are a lot of things personally I want to accomplish this summer, and I think removing alcohol from the picture would be a good way to clear my mind and give me a fresh perspective  Also, I really just like proving to myself that I can stick to goals, and have will power. It gives me a great sense of self, and I thrive on that.

* Financial goals. (and I just now because of spell check realized I spelled financial wrong on the image, and am wayyy to lazy to go back and edit it. whatever.) So, as I stated in a past post, my plans for this summer include work, and lots of it. I start today training at a breakfast diner (I have to do stints as a busser, hostess, and cashier), and by June will be serving there regularly  And its a fast paced place, with good tips to be made, so there is that. Otherwise,  I am searching still for a night serving position, but have applied man places. These two avenues combined all summer, I hope to be able to pay off both my credit cards ($4500+), Pay back my mother ($2000+), save money for a plane ticket for myself and Nigel to the west coast in the fall ($350+) and stock away savings for a few months rent and deposit wherever I plan to move to ($2750+). I have four months to get this accomplished, and I do think it is feasible. Added bonus if I save enough to have a little pocket for a new car once back out west...I think also, as a last little footnote, that this will be the summer to get my tattoo. Or maybe it will be an end of summer reward. carry on now...

*Books! So, this is a smaller goal, which I think is important in the midst of loftier goals...but, I brought home  five books with  me that were in my collection, but I had not had the chance to read yet. I would simply over the course of the summer, read and enjoy these books. They are: Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer, What is the What and A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers, The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, and Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins.

*Tech cut back. Now, this may seem silly, as I am getting this blog going again, but it cutting out certain areas, to let other areas flourish  I recently erased my facebook app, my facebook messenger app, and my gchat app. You can obviously still text me or call me. This is just eliminating checking all those stupid things, as well as making it so yes, I am still available, but no not by every means possible. removing the clutter. In the same vain, I will be updating this blog a good bit, but don't plan to otherwise be on facebook really at all. of course there will be times, and I will still check it, but I don't plan on doing big status updates, etc. On the other hand, I will be writing letters and emails all summer long. So there is a use for facebook y'all, send me your mailing address and we can become pen pals! and since I wont be on facebook a lot, the updates you tell me in letters will actually be updates! Isn't that grand? As for other technologies... instagram, vine, and twitter. I'm keeping them...for now.

*Focus on me. What do I mean by this? I just mean that in between all the work, and reading, and such that I take the time and just... clean out my head. I don't know a whole lot of people here in Pawleys, and while at first I was looking at this as a negative, I think I am going to use the chance to just...get to know me again. I am over analytic, stressed, and have a bit of Monica Geller syndrome in my current life. These are all things that have popped up or grown as I have gotten older. I just want to take this summer to both sort these things out (and calm them down a notch) as well as make peace with them. Easier said than done, when you are a judgmental cynic. (hey everyone, you know all that critique I throw around in life? Just know that I throw it at myself 10x worse. Yeah, sucks, right?)

Spring Goals {Recap}

*Finish the book 'Boss of You' and do outlined steps towards a business plan/etc. This book has been by far the easiest to understand in the whole business jargon aspect of creating something from nothing. I am only still on the 4^th chapter, simply b.c I wont let myself read on/ahead without actually implementing the tactics they speak of in collecting data/writing a business plan for an upstart business.

*NOT COMPLETE. At all. This was a library book that I returned, and then bought the digital version for kindle so I could read it on my phone. And haven't looked at it since. I still very much want to accomplish this, but since making these goals, my life kinda took a few twists and turns and some things (THIS) got put on the back burner.

*Keep up with THIS blog. I had just recently not posting in two months. I cant let that happen. Even if it is just two posts a week, I need to make sure the content of this blog stays current, find a voice for this blog, talk about Alaskan adventures/tie it into my work ventures, etc.

*HAHAHAHAHA. Yeah, sooo..... Let's once again give this a go. I keep trying, that has to count for SOMETHING.
*I have at least 4 big DIY before and afters to do, that deal with my future shop. I want to make sure I get these tackled. These wont be until later in the spring, simply b/c a lot of t hem deal with spray paint, and I live in a one room cabin where it is too cold to open the windows and ventilate...haha

*NOT COMPLETED. Man, spring was not my time, goal wise. This once inevitably didn't happen b/c I gave away/sold all my shit and traveled then moved back home for the summer. More on that in my next post though...

*and more on a personal goal level, I want to make sure I am keeping myself healthy/preparing myself for adventure club this summer. SO, I want to make sure I am going to the gym taking a yoga class at least 4 times a week. I have started this habit, but I want to write to you all at the end of the spring and be able to say that minus the 3 weeks in march when I was on vacation, that I kept to this schedule.

*YAY! I did this one! I was really good about gym.working out this spring. Not like 'Now look at my body, 15 pounds lighter!' good, but, I didn't feel like a slug, and I am still going to the gym regularly ( minus all my travel time). So, 1 outta 4 goals, that is..... something, right?

Bring on the Spring (Goals...)!

*Finish the book 'Boss of You' and do outlined steps towards a business plan/etc. This book has been by far the easiest to understand in the whole business jargon aspect of creating something from nothing. I am only still on the 4^th chapter, simply b.c I wont let myself read on/ahead without actually implementing the tactics they speak of in collecting data/writing a business plan for an upstart business.

*Keep up with THIS blog. I had just recently not posting in two months. I cant let that happen. Even if it is just two posts a week, I need to make sure the content of this blog stays current, find a voice for this blog, talk about Alaskan adventures/tie it into my work ventures, etc.

*I have at least 4 big DIY before and afters to do, that deal with my future shop. I want to make sure I get these tackled. These wont be until later in the spring, simply b/c a lot of t hem deal with spray paint, and I live in a one room cabin where it is too cold to open the windows and ventilate...haha

*and more on a personal goal level, I want to make sure I am keeping myself healthy/preparing myself for adventure club this summer. SO, I want to make sure I am going to the gym taking a yoga class at least 4 times a week. I have started this habit, but I want to write to you all at the end of the spring and be able to say that minus the 3 weeks in march when I was on vacation, that I kept to this schedule.

Fall Goals [recap]

Okay, so... I made these goals a while back as my 'fall goals' and I know you are all just dying to know how well I kept myself up on them....well, wait no more my darlings...

*Learn basic sewing machine skillz: So, it isn't like I have never used a sewing machine...it has just been about 10 years since I have. I find so many vintage dresses, and just clothes in general, that I want to make sure I can do basic repairs. And not all by hand, just because man...by hand that shit is time consuming. (I mean, just ask the pile of sewing repairs on my ground right now)

(Somewhat) complete! I took an introductory sewing class at a local craft store which reacquainted me to a sewing machine. And with getting the chance to babysit my friends sewing machine for over a years time, I have begun to do basics like make a pillow, and try to take in a shirt. I still need a lot of work, and mostly just a confidence boost...which will only come if I keep practicing!

*Read five career oriented books: So, when I go to the library I tend to go crazy with the books. Like, over 30 books in one trip on one topic crazy. The idea of learning all about one topic sounds WONDERFUL. The actually learning and reading all the books...is where the plan falls through. So, I have done my 30 book collecting, and so by the new year I would like to have narrowed down the lot to 5 important ones, and have read them. The implementing what they say may come with the new years goals.

Not accomplish! I DID narrow down four books that would be great for me, and skimmed them all, hence how I established they would be the four I wanted to use. I have in the last month purchased them all, so now it is just the task of actually reading them...b/c for some reason just owning them doesn’t mean I magically now know all the information inside them. PSH

*Read 2 E-Courses: I bought almost 9 months ago an E-Course from 'A Beautiful Mess' call Dream Job. I have scanned it multiple times, read small sections, but actually reading and doing the assigned 'homework' just hasn't happened. So, That is first on my list. I also bought a Blogging PR and Marketing Course from Kaelah Bee at Little chief Honeybee that I have done basically the same thing with. I respect both of these blogs, the women in them, and their work ethics, so it is time to put my nose to the grindstone and here what they have to say,

half done. I actually haven’t picked up the dream job course from a beautiful mess yet again, though it Is constantly eying me from the corner of my desk... I DID read the entirety of the blogging PR and marketing course from kaelah bee. It was very basic, but definitely made me consider and think about a few things that hadn’t crossed my mind yet.

*Add dresses to my Etsy Shop: Teal Tub Vintage is ever evolving, with my figuring out what the public loves, and slowly I have found that clothing accessories are a pretty big hit. Well, I also believe that vintage dresses are quite lovely, and have recently stumbled upon too many gems to keep them to myself. I have stayed away from clothing thus far because basically, it is really a lot more time consuming then accessories or knick-knacks. So, it is time to put on my big girl pants, and just step up to the plate! I have recently acquired a dress form (though, I am ALWAYS looking for another if you know of one... preferably a small to medium) and now it is just the time and energy that needs to be exerted.

Complete! I acquired a new dress form, sold my old one, and have been listing dresses, coats, tops, and skirts like there is no tomorrow! Even now I am still figuring out what people like, and what kinds of clothing I want to be associated with and to represent my company. I also changed my shop name to campy Attributes ( Like this blog!) so as to not have too many things going on by different names, and confusing people.

So that is my recap of the last goals. I know I said I would recap them after the new year, but Im a month late... it happens. Next look out for my spring goals, they are gonna be awesome, and seeing how well ( yes, I do consider myself to have done well with this last goal list) I did on fall goals, I am going to strive for some big moves.

Such a Grown-up!

Welcome to Mid-November! So exciting, right? Even more exciting is all the little changes I have been making to this blog and my Etsy shop! First off, I now am at campyattributes.com. Balla' right?! It makes me feel like a grown-up, basically. With this change came the fact that I consolidated all my online naming, and changed the name of my Etsy Shop to 'Campy Attributes' as well! I just felt that if I am going to have so much online presence, that I should make it a tad bit less confusing, and just try and keep things a little more ...together? cohesive?






Okay, so...even more exciting is the fact that I have am currently adding a bunch of new stuff to my Etsy Store (Campyattributes.etsy.com) and that includes DRESSES! I have decided to finally take that plunge into clothing on Etsy, so wish me luck all! I think it is all pretty darn fun, hopefully all those out in the world will agree!

Fall Goals!

Well Y'all, it may be about a month late, but I have set some fall goals (now just to be clear, these goals basically go until the new year. There will be no 'winter goals' come the beginning of December. There will simply be 'new year' goals that go until 'Spring Goals' steps up to take its turn. I am Glad we are all clear on that now)

So Yes, these goals. They are pretty basic. Most are aimed towards the same large life goal. I gotta admit, I tried to think of more whimsical goals, but my mind is so focused on getting the hell outta waiting tables, and finally making my move to make my passion a reality, that I couldn't move past that mindset. I'm sure a large portion of you totally understand.

*Learn basic sewing machine skillz: So, it isn't like I have never used a sewing machine...it has just been about 10 years since I have. I find so many vintage dresses, and just clothes in general, that I want to make sure I can do basic repairs. And not all by hand, just because man...by hand that shit is time consuming. (I mean, just ask the pile of sewing repairs on my ground right now)

*Read five career oriented books: So, when I go to the library I tend to go crazy with the books. Like, over 30 books in one trip on one topic crazy. The idea of learning all about one topic sounds WONDERFUL. The actually learning and reading all the books...is where the plan falls through. So, I have done my 30 book collecting, and so by the new year I would like to have narrowed down the lot to 5 important ones, and have read them. The implementing what they say may come with the new years goals.

*Read 2 E-Courses: I bought almost 9 months ago an E-Course from 'A Beautiful Mess' call Dream Job. I have scanned it multiple times, read small sections, but actually reading and doing the assigned 'homework' just hasn't happened. So, That is first on my list. I also bought a Blogging PR and Marketing Course from Kaelah Bee at Little chief Honeybee that I have done basically the same thing with. I respect both of these blogs, the women in them, and their work ethics, so it is time to put my nose to the grindstone and here what they have to say,

*Add dresses to my Etsy Shop: Teal Tub Vintage is ever evolving, with my figuring out what the public loves, and slowly I have found that clothing accessories are a pretty big hit. Well, I also believe that vintage dresses are quite lovely, and have recently stumbled upon too many gems to keep them to myself. I have stayed away from clothing thus far because basically, it is really a lot more time consuming then accessories or knick-knacks. So, it is time to put on my big girl pants, and just step up to the plate! I have recently acquired a dress form (though, I am ALWAYS looking for another if you know of one... preferably a small to medium) and now it is just the time and energy that needs to be exerted.

Alright, well... those are my goals! Wish me luck, and really just patience and willpower to follow through. At the new year I will write up a big recap, but I am sure there will be progress posts as we go as well. And with that some fails. 'Cause I know everyone really loves the fails....

Adventures: MEDITERRANEAN

The journey has begun, I have started to immerse myself in all travel literature... to be combined with language and history... Mediterranean here I come...(in a year-ish).

Currently Working On...

Some items I am creating for TealTub to sell, that I will share as a DIY post...

Another DIY that I am creating for just myself, based around an awesome glass octopus pendent Nick got me for Christmas...

My bi-weekly art journaling pages (in progress) that I will be sharing with you along the way...I am taking the Red Velvet Art Journal E-Course!

Goals: My Italian Journey begins

Here would be where I am starting. With this lovely book for mothers to teach their babies Italian. it is actually an audio CD. The phrases I shall learn from it are AWESOME because they all deal with mothers and children. That means I will be telling a lot of you that 'you look precious'. Seriously.

Here Is my next step up, an Italian CD and workbook for children. This one has a really simple fun activity guide to go with the CDs. I shall be making copies and doing them all. I must complete both of these before I move on to my 'adult' beginners Italian 'Learn Italian in your car!' CDs.

WISH ME LUCK!

Goals: I shall keep you updated on my progress!

I have offically decided, I am going to Learn Italian. Don't ask why Italian...doesn't seem practical. I can list languages that would be a lot more practical:

French: Because I took 3 years in High School

Spanish: Because of the Mexican populatoin in the United States

German: Because I plan on visiting Kristen, and will be absolutely lost

Chinese: Because I plan on visiting Dennis, and will be absolutely lost. And it would just be COOL to talk in Chinese with him. and my mom.

..and yet, I am still going with Italian. *Shrugs*

I begin my journey today with a trip to the library. I figure, since I am usually very uninclined to learning languages, I shall get the books in the childrens section. They have sound recordings to teach your baby and young children, and then childrens books like Little Red Riding Hood in Italian. THEN I shall move on to the beginners guides in the Adult section. ALLLL baby steps.