A Review of my 2011 Goals

Since it's the last day of 2011, it's time to do a self-check on how my goals went this year.  I'm a little apprehensive about doing this, because to be totally honest, I think that I really didn't do that great on my goals.  I guess that's just life and new year's resolutions and the good news is that I have next year so...  here goes. 

To see my post about my goals for 2011, see HERE.

1.  Read the scriptures daily.

This is the goal that I completed this year.  Maybe I should just pick one for next year.  :)  I read my scriptures every day this year.  I read the Book of Mormon 3 times.  I read all of the General Conference talks several times.  I read the New Testament, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. 

Reading my scriptures daily brought so many blessings into my life.  I feel like I had the spirit with me more regularly and more noticeably.  I was able to learn more and strengthen my testimony.  I was also able to connect the words of our modern-day prophets with the writings of past prophets.  I was also able to set an example for the young women in our ward, as well as my family.  This has definitely become a habit and I plan on keeping it up.

2.  Attend the temple twice a month.

I started the year off doing great with my temple attendance.  I think, if I remember correctly, that I was able to get to the temple twice a month up until June.  Then, summer happened, trips happened, the temple closed for cleaning, and I didn't make it a high enough priority.  This is definitely something I need to do a better job at and will definitely be one of my goals for next year.

3.  Lose 20+ pounds by eating healthy and working out and/or training regularly.

This SO didn't happen.  I worked out pretty diligently in January, then got sick and it was a battle throughout the year to get into a routine.  I ran pretty regularly in August.  I worked out sporadically throughout the fall.  I absolutely have got to GET IT TOGETHER and get my workouts in.  I'm hoping a new family challenge will help me to kick it in gear here in January, as well as some other goals I'm working on for 2012.

4.  Write daily.

I thought I would do a better job at this goal than I actually did.  I think I just need to do a better job of prioritizing my day and being a little bit more productive so that I feel ok about taking the time to write and work on my own goals.  I have done better with this lately, but only because I've been making it a priority and adding it to my "to do" list.

5.  Develop a new skill or talent.

Honestly, I had forgotten about this goal.  Ooops...I guess that's sort of the point of re-evaluating progress.  However, I think this is another goal that I've been working on and successful at.  I learned to crochet this summer.  I haven't done it much since then and I absolutely need to keep working on it, but I did learn.  I also joined the ward choir and was able to work on my singing...not that I have a nice voice at all, but I did work on it.  The working on singing led to getting my keyboard out and playing the piano, so I will have to check this goal off as one that I definitely completed.

6.  PR at the 1/2 Ironman distance. I'm leaning towards the Bear Lake Brawl in August.

I don't even know what to say about this goal.  It's on my list of goals for 2012.  Last year just got super insane over the summer and I didn't take the time to train.  In fact, my races last year pretty much sucked.  I didn't finish Little Red Riding Hood.  I'm not even sure what I signed up for and am not coming up with any races that I did at all last year.

That has to change.  I LOVE racing and I really need to make sure that I'm doing races because it's part of who I am.  I will say that I have been working on my race schedule for 2012.  Tim is on board with my doing a 1/2IM, so we'll see how that goes.

So, there's my self-evaluation.  I'm thinking that maybe I should just pick 3 goals for next year, so maybe I should pace myself and not have so many things to be working on at once.  I'll write more tomorrow about my goals for 2012, but I'm thinking it will definitely be better. 

CVCA Gallery Walk

Last night was the Gallery Walk here in Logan.  A few weeks ago, John, the owner of a great local sandwich joint called the Italian Place, said we could set up our giant reindeer in the Gallery Walk and try to sell them.  I really really really wanted Tim to be in charge of this part because I'm SOOO not a salesperson or an artsy person and I'm really not even a people person.  However, Tim had to work and take Rylan to a soccer game, so I got to be the lucky person to hang out at the Gallery Walk.

Yesterday afternoon, we loaded up our 6 reindeer (there were already 2 there) and dropped them off and then I went back over there to hang out from 6-9pm.  What an interesting experience!  Of course, I completely did not fit in.  I'm not a hippie.  I believe in daily showers.  I really am not the least bit artsy.  I'm totally a hard science person and while I REALLY appreciate art and music and I'm SO impressed with those talents, I don't really fit in with the artsy crowd.  I wasn't even dressed right...which isn't that surprising if you know me.

Needless to say, the night was kind of a flop.  I sold one small reindeer to my friend Chelsey who I already knew was going to buy one.  That was it.  I talked to one college student who loved my reindeer but of course, he had no money.  Three old ladies walked by and said the reindeer were cute.  The rest of my evening was spent talking to the super friendly and super duper smelling potter who parked next to me.  He was so nice and talked to me about pottery and metal working and books, but wow...did he smell.  He did have some AMAZING pieces though and if I would have had any cash on me, I definitely would have bought a couple of his urns...except I would not use them for cremated bodies.

Anyways, we still have 9 reindeer to sell...I'm okay with keeping 4, but I really don't need all of Santa's reindeer hanging out on my front porch in December and in my garage for the other 11 months of the year.

The Giant Reindeer Project

Two Saturdays ago, Tim and I made our giant reindeer prototype.  See here.  Because we liked it so much, and because we heard alot of great comments about how cool the giant reindeer was, we decided that we would try our hand at building and selling these steel reindeer.

 

On Friday morning, we decided to paint the prototype.  I chose a color called "antique oiled brass."  Tim was skeptical, but it turned out awesome.  Before we could paint, we had to clean the reindeer off with alcohol and then prime it.  Of course, Kona had to supervise.  I did put him in the house before we started the painting because I really didn't want paint paw prints all over my carpet.

After the primer went on and dried, we painted it the "antique oiled brass."  It is a dark brown with gold metallic in it.  I'm typically not a gold person, ever, but I think the shimmer in the paint really adds to the color.  I'm a fan and my reindeer will definitely be painted this color.

Once the reindeer was dry, we took it outside to see how it would look.  I'm pretty sure it looks fabulous, but I'm also completely and totally biased.

While we were having lunch at one of our favorite places, The Italian Place here in Logan, we spoke with owner about putting a couple of our steel reindeer in the restaurant and trying to sell them.  They said, "Of course" and also suggested that we put the reindeer in the local gallery walk on December 2.

So, last Saturday, we went back to IPACO and bought the steel to make six sturdy giant reindeer.  We spent the afternoon building two of these reindeer.

This morning, we sanded, primed, painted, and laquered the reindeer and now they're sitting in the garage drying.

 

Tomorrow morning, they're headed to the Italian Place to hang out for a few weeks with hopes that we can build even more super cool steel reindeer.  If you're interested in purchasing one, or a pair, let me know and we can definitely have a conversation about it!  Oh, and if you have any suggestions about how to make the giant reindeer cooler or fancier or a way to sell/market them more, please let me know!

The Giant Reindeer

 

When Tim and I were engaged, I went shopping after Christmas and found these amazing reindeer on sale and brought them home.  They're great for the house, but I knew that I needed some giant reindeer for my porch.  Last year, we didn't even consider making the giant reindeer.  But this year...well, I guess this is the year of the reindeer.

Earlier this week, I mentioned to Tim that I would like some reindeer for our porch.  He said he would help me, if I came up with the plan and if they weren't too expensive.  So, I began figuring out what I wanted and I also started figuring out materials and cost and design and lots of other stuff. 

On Friday, Tim and I headed to IPACO to buy our steel.  We got to make an exciting drive with 7 pieces of 20 ft steel strapped to the top of the cruiser.  We dropped off the steel at my father in law's place and then Tim worked on the welder.  I also discovered that wearing a welding hood doesn't work for me AT ALL due to my big mop of hair, as well as my claustrophobia. 

 

This morning, Tim and I headed out to make our reindeer prototype.  First, we had to measure and cut out our pieces.  Once the pieces were cut out, there was grinding, welding, bending, welding, shaping, welding and decision-making.

After 2 hours of fun, this is what we ended up with.  I LOVE it!  I can't wait to put it, and it's buddy out on my porch.  Of course, I need to take a better picture of it...after I prime and paint it.

  

We have one more deer to make for our porch, a set for my parents for Christmas, and we'll even have a pair to sell.  We haven't decided on a price yet, but I hope someone will think they're as cool as I do and will want to buy them.  Hey, maybe I've found my new calling in life...