You say you want a resolution

I hope everyone is feeling good this morning. Happy New Year. Happy 2015!

2014 was ~~great~~ awesome but it’s now 2015 and despite it being an uneven number, I am optimistic… True to form, why not start the year with some resolutions because that’s what we do, right?

First, lets review how I did in 2014. The full post is here, but I’ll recap…

Don’t say JUST. (Yes, I worked on this and even corrected other when they did it to themselves because everyone loves a know it all)
Exercise. (Yes, I still go to Cyclone twice a week and run almost daily. I did a few half marathons, joined a Cabot Trail Relay team, won a women’s 10km race and finished a marathon)
Keep busy. (For the most part, yes. 2014 was the most challenging freelance year, and I am still struggling, but I kept up with blogging despite what often feels like lack of interest/readership)
Eat good, cook good. (see 2015)
See friends. (Better, but not great… We are trying to host more, I started a book club and have barre class date nights)
Dates with David/Mike. (Yes)
Embrace winter (Yes, we skated at the Oval and I bought skis! Now, if only we can get some snow I can actually ski!!!)
Travel. We must visit our family in England so I am adding this to my list of resolutions. (England, YES! Belgium, YES! New England, YES! Montreal, YES!)
Drink more water. (Yes, see)
Touch base. Friends, family. Pizza Fridays should start up for real this time. (see 2015)

I also had a bonus… about giving stuff up. I choose FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS. Hum? I dropped the ball on this one. I thought I gave up potato chips, which for the most part I avoided, but I do not recall writing this. I don’t eat much fast food but I know I discovered the A&W veggie burger in 2014. I also went to Quiznos. Probably Harvey’s… and ordered the veg sandwich from Salvatore’s A LOT! My bad.

* * *

So what do I want for 2015? I came up with an idea at the eleventh hour. Rather than eliminate something and/or commit to something for a full year (because that is a long time), why not eliminate and add something each month. For example, this is what I came up with quickly:

January: Eliminate: French fries. Commit: 3 minutes of plank daily.
February: Eliminate: Chocolate. Commit: Send 3 letters a week.

I think this could be fun plus my 10-UP Resolution List for 2015 is:

Exercise: Train for another half or full marathon?? Try new classes??
Join a group: Right now I am thinking of joining Centre for Women in Business. Anyone want to join with me?
Cook more / experiment more. We are in a food rut so I got this book for Mike. I am also going to get back into writing out a meal planning calendar. It works for us when we actually stick to it.
Pizza nights will start! Details to come.
Keep up with the blogging. Or quit blogging. Figure out if this is all worth it.
Travel. Family fun in the sun. Maybe a ski trip?
Swim. Haha I say this but am already doubtful.
Cut back on online shopping / impulsive spending. Paypal is not always a pal.
Read more decent stuff, less facebooking and way less iPhoning.
Have a plan… make plans. Stay on top of things, stay on top of seeing friends. Go places. Always have a training plan. If they don’t call you. Call them. If they don’t make plans, make them yourself!

So that’s it. I wish you all a happy and healthy new year. May 2015 be full of fun and great adventures. Thanks for reading along and if I do decide to keep this going, thanks for your support.

Photo taken with my Nikon in Pugwash, summer 2014.

psst. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and share. xomeg

calendar girl

Posted by meghanrushton

Every November for the last six years, I’ve made a desktop calendar for myself and a few others who show interest. It has become a tradition and I guess it’s my own version of baking cookies to give out during the holidays.

When I first started, I used an x-acto knife, cutting board and ruler but happily upgraded to a paper cutter. The reason being, I make approximately 22 calendars. That’s two months on one page = 22 divided by 2 = 11 pages x 12 months = 132 pages + 5 cuts per page = 660 cuts! My blistered hands thank me!

Here are the previous years:

I know with phones, tablets and computers by your side at all times, a printed calendar can be redundant but I still love and use them. So however you choose to keep track of life, may 2014 be a year of un-missed appointments and non-belated birthday wishes. xomeg

‘just’ another year

Posted by meghanrushton

Happy New Year y’all! It is 2014 and I am happy, mostly because I deal better with even numbers.

What else can I write about besides resolutions? Here are mine (in no particular order):

Don’t say JUST. Examples: I “just” do this for fun / I “just” ran the half, not the full / I “just” write this blog for myself, and 10 other people. I’ve read some great stuff about this here, here and here. I think women need to stop undermining themselves and I am doing my part by reading this, this and this in 2014.
Exercise. What New Year’s list does not include getting fit? I don’t need to start something, as I am already a disciplined runner and I already joined a studio but, my resolution is to keep it up, and keep trying new things. Joining a group fitness studio in 2013 was a big deal for me and I am loving all of the new activities it offers. Plus, it gets me out of the house.
Keep busy. One of the hardest things about being self-employed are the two expressions “feast or famine” and “when it rains, it pours”. I am much happier when I am busy but winter can lead to cabin fever, especially if work is quiet, so I am going to work hard on personal projects and keep lots of to-do lists. I guess I should file KEEP UP WITH THE BLOG under this bullet point.
Eat good, cook good. I suck at this. I do and I will admit it. As a friend suggested, recording dinner menus on a monthly calendar will help. Annnnd we did this for awhile but that train derailed. So, all aboard, this train is getting back on track.
See friends. We have friend, we really do. But do we hang out enough? Hells no. Must invite people over more often.
Dates. Must go out with and without David on dates. Movies, bowling, whatev’. Just get out.
Embrace winter… this is a tough one for me. I am not a fan of the cold and although I rarely have trouble running through snow, slush and ice, the thought of doing real winter activities can be terribly unappealing. So, despite cold toes and fingers, I will attempt to skate more often at the oval and will go downhill skiing at least once. I got a helmet and ski pants – that’s a good start!
Travel. We must visit our family in England so I am adding this to my list of resolutions. That means it will happen.
Drink more water. I think I say this every year. I think everyone says this every year.
Touch base. Friends, family. We are all soooo busy and it is easy to loose touch. Facebook and texting shouldn’t count. Pizza Fridays should start up for real this time.

And as a bonus, I always eliminate something for a year. Last year it was potato chips. For some, this may be really hard but for me, it’s not a huge deal – I like chips but I don’t crave them. If they’re around, I will indulge but it’s rare I’d buy them. So for me, this is just a way of avoiding and eliminating something I don’t really need or want. Items that are super easy, which I could also include on this list: Pop, red meat and poultry (it’s been 10 years!), Doritos, hard liquor, cable and gambling. Items that would be more challenging: Chocolate, french fries *including poutine, coffee, wine, beer, Netflix, carbohydrates and social media. So, for 2014 I am eliminating FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS. I don’t go to them often but, once in awhile, I will crave a Harvey’s veggie burger. So, unless you are a local one-off joint, sorry, but you won’t see me in your establishment. (Starbuck is not included).

I wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy 2014. xomeg

psst… a post about calendars is coming up next!

Hello Sunshine

LIFE • INSPIRATION • DESIGN

2014

calendar girl