My 2013 Resolutions

Resolution  [rez-uh-loo-shuh n]  noun
Definition:  determination, strong will


Many people don't participate in making New Years resolutions for themselves.  A lot of people don't want to "waste their time" making a list of something they feel that they probably won't commit to.  That's understandable.

I used to be one of those people.  I would make a list of things I wanted to do within the new year and would stick with it for maybe 2 months tops and then start slacking.  It's a shame really.  I've disappointed myself too many times doing it this way.  But this year...I feel more headstrong and feel that with a little help and support from my family and friends, I WILL accomplish my goals and will have a bigger smile on my face come December 31, 2013 than I have in previous years on that date.

So without further ado, here is my list of goals for 2013.

Write it down.  I have depended so much on electronics for things within the last 2 years of not being in the working field.  This is not a bad thing, but for me, I noticed it was.  When I worked I used to have sticky notes all over the place in my office, of "to do lists" or goals, or reminders.  Same with being at home.  I would write lists of chores, or meals, or "to-dos".  Since I've gotten away from having an organized office space, I've used my lap top and phone more for things like that and I have realized that if I don't have the list in front of me, it doesn't get done.  If I have to search for it in my phone or app or laptop then it will get overlooked more than looked at and will get pushed to the back burner.  This year I will be physically writing down my work outs, my Scentsy meetings, my chores, my grocery lists, etc.  And to do this, I have purchased my first Erin Condren Life Planner!  I have seen so many people use these and speak so highly of them, so I thought I'd give it a try!  I'm already in love!  Plus it was a nice gift to myself for beginning my own business :)

Isn't it pretty? :)

Believe in myself.  There's a particular reason that I've learned and it is why I haven't done well at following through with things.  That is fear of failure.  If/When I quit, I don't give myself the opportunity to fail.  I don't have to make myself deal with the disappointment.  I think the path that I am on is a good one and it's making me realize more and more how to believe in myself and when I actually do, I'm usually rewarded.  I am also learning how to deal with disappointment because nothing is perfect and nothing will ever go 100% as planned.

Stick to fitness.  Using my first resolution mentioned above, physically write down a weekly workout plan and stick to it.  I can't drink coffee without a lot of cream and a lot of sugar, so my goal is to stick to hot herbal teas with honey.  Drink more water.  Eat less junk.  Sometimes I think that maybe I don't want it bad enough to keep starting and stopping, but I really do.  Motivation is key and it needs to happen every day, not just every now and then.  I'm working on that!  I am running a 5K race in 131 days after all.  I have to be ready for it!  Plus I seemed to have gained my baby weight back.  :(  Damn you holiday treats!

Get it together.  Organization is key.  Over the years, I have somehow become more and more disorganized and I have realized that it has caused me much unnecessary stress.  Hopefully in the Spring or Summer of this year we will be in a different house and can better organize our things since we won't be relying on a usually flooded, spider dungeon basement to store our things.  Also when we are able to, we will be getting rid of A LOT of things that we don't need or use and this will help!

Stick to blogging.  I love that I have picked up blogging a LOT in the last 12 months and I want to continue to do that.  My goal is to publish 2-3 posts a week every week.  Along with writing more often, I hope to finally come up with a new redesign and finally feel comfortable in my blogging skin.  Not that I don't feel comfortable now, I just feel different from what I started out with.  I'll just be "Cassie" instead of a mommy blog "Mama Cassie".  Not that I mind being a "mommy blog", but I'm more than just a mother.  :)

Be in photographs.  I have thousands upon thousands of pictures that I take and there aren't really many of them that I am in.  I also would like to have more pictures of Justin, Annaliese and I as a family of three.  We don't have many, other than "specific occasions  that we have a picture of us three in.  It's been almost 15 months.  This should stop.

Read a book (or 12).  I am giving myself a challenge of reading a book a month for the year.  And no, a 10 page Dr. Seuss book doesn't count here.  I do love to read books and blogs too, of course, but lately I have only been reading blogs and have put my books on the back burner.  I think I can.  I think I can.

More of me.  Concentrating on my new business, going to the gym, doing crafts, reading books, baking (healthy) goodies...these are all things that I love doing that I haven't given myself time for lately.  It's very challenging to find a balance of family, marriage, and personal time, but I know it can be done and it can be done in a healthy way.  Balance is also key.

More "us" time.  By the time the toddler is in bed and asleep, most nights the husband and I are too tired to even look at each other, let alone cuddle and watch a movie.  I miss spending time along with my husband, ya know?  He's still my world and my best friend and I want to spend more nights alone with him.  I think we need to arrange at least one night a month where we find a sitter and go have dinner out together.  We need time to ourselves on a more consistent schedule.

All in all these are things that I want to put my everything into trying for this year.  All I have to do is believe I can and I will.  Here's to believing!

CHEERS 2013!

Do you have any New Year resolutions?  If so, what are they and how do you plan to stick with them?

One Good Thing - Picking Up Old Hobbies

With all of this inspiration that's been going on in my life, I've been doing a little soul searching and reflecting.

I realized that I don't do enough for myself.

Yesterday's post showed that I curled my hair and put on make up!  Hey, it's a start!  It made me feel pretty.  I should do that more often...should I find the time.

Running, working out and blogging has certainly helped me get some "me time" in there. Those are sure things that I do for myself, but thinking back, I used to love to do crafts, read and sing, and I don't really do any of those things anymore.  I mean, I still sing in the shower every now and then, but I sang every day on my way to and from work for the 30 minute drive each way.  When I lived with my mom in high school, almost every night I went down to the basement and turned on the amplifiers and microphones and play some Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt, Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes...and just sing.  I miss it.  I have a cassette tape that I recorded at an amusement park of me singing "The Rose" by Bette Midler.  It's not my best, because I was nervous and I have terrible stage fright (except at Karaoke Night with a few adult beverages in me...).  However I would like to share it with you all, if I can find a cassette player and a way to rerecord it digitally, so I can save it.  If I get brave enough, I may even get a YouTube video up of me singing...but I'll be honest...don't hold your breath ;)

Anyway starting small...I have been researching some ideas on my handy dandy friend named, Pinterest.  Just little things to do at Annaliese's first birthday party which is coming up so fast, house projects I'd like to do, recipes I'd like to try, etc.  It takes money to do a craft project and right now we don't really have any extra funds because they are all going towards the party, so just getting ideas for the upcoming holidays is exciting enough for me :)  They're on my "I'm actually going to do this" list and not on my "Pin this and probably never do it" list.  :)

Also curiosity has gotten the best of me and I picked up a book to read.  Everyone and their mother...and even their grandmother has been talking about Fifty Shades Of Grey, so...what the heck?  I picked it up to try to get back into reading like I used to love doing...and apparently it worked!  I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I hadn't ever read a book over 500 pages before...at least not that I can remember.  So that's a good thing!  Actually I'm a little shocked at how many women love this series, especially after reading the first few chapters in book 1.  I'm not really into the whole S&M thing (probably TMI, but I'm proud of that fact), but the story itself is interesting.  A small town pretty girl falls in love with a wealthy handsome business man...yeah it's like any other beginning to a Lifetime movie, but it's got a little twist.  Needless to say I read the first book pretty quickly and am on the second book.  Yeah it's an erotic love story, but at least it's getting me to read again :)  Ya know...something other than Clifford The Big Red Dog and Goodnight Moon.  After the "Grey" series, I plan to begin the Hunger Games trilogy.  My best friend, Takia, insists that I read it!

So this week's One Good Thing link up with Sarah at Little White Whale is the desire and motivation to pick up some good old hobbies that I used to enjoy doing.  I need to make more time for me, as a person, as an individual.  Not just the mother and wife me.  I enjoy both of those roles very much, but it really is not enough.  I enjoy being lil' ol' me too :)  The person I was before adding the wife and mommy role.  I'm still me, just rediscovering me :)



Happy Thursday!

No Day But Today - An Inspiration Post

Sometimes all we need is a little push to get going, right?  A little inspiration.

Whether it be coffee or a Redbull to jump start your morning...

OR friends and family who care enough for you to encourage you to follow your goals...

OR complete strangers who unintentionally inspired you by deciding to live a healthier lifestyle and document their success in the process.

I can remember being a teenager, probably 14-15 years old and noticing that with my womanly body changes, I could no longer eat what I wanted and not participate in gym class and not see the negative effects on my body.  My mid section has never showed that I have any muscles, my thighs used to be very strong and shapely from my earlier days of dance class, but now they just jiggle and have no definition.  I am sore almost daily and I used to think that this was normal.  Getting older involves more pains in places you didn't know could hurt and stiff and sore more often than not.  Well allowing myself the time to research and speak with some online friends and some "real life" friends, I've learned that this is not the case.  This is not "the normal"  This is just a result of not taking care of myself!  There are people in their 60's who don't wake up with as much pain as I do on a daily basis.  Something has to give!

Well ladies and gents, today is a new day and it's time for ME to turn over a new leaf!  Shortly after my 27th birthday, I got my 3rd tattoo.  It's on my foot, it's a picture of 3 butterflies and it has one of my favorite quotes (and songs) ever.  It's a quote from the Broadway musical RENT.  A quote that was to be my daily reminder to live everyday like it's my last, to not procrastinate on my self and life goals because tomorrow is never promised.

"No Day But Today"

Sadly I have been procrastinating and not been living by my own motto.  Well this changes today.  For the longest time I have had every intention to slowly work my way toward my goals of quitting smoking (yes it's a bad habit, I've been on and off from since I was 15) losing weight, getting into shape, have a healthy lifestyle, finish my college degree and write again.  I have been mentally ready, but never put the hard work into it.  I'm not saying I'm never going to eat another cupcake again in my life, but I am just going to make better eating decisions and really take control on what I put into my body.  I have always started and stopped.  Started and stopped.  And frankly I am tired of the vicious 'starting and stopping' cycle, so I am going to stop stopping!  One week ago I quit smoking again (I did NOT smoke while I was pregnant) and this time for good.  I have not had hardly any cravings because I believe I am mentally beyond ready to be QUIT FOREVER.  Now that I've quit smoking, I feel like I can finally put my lungs to GOOD use and start running, like I've wanted to do for 3 years now.  I have a treadmill, I bought fancy running shoes and have only gone running maybe a handful of times.  Not Good.  But today...I started.  I have made progress.  I wanted to actually run, but because I was on "baby duty" while Justin was working overtime and I don't yet have a jogging stroller...I used my motivation and walked.  I walked 2.27 miles while pushing a stroller!  That is a great start for me!  Yeah it took me awhile, but with neighborhood traffic and Annaliese dropping her sippy cup often it was hard to keep a steady pace, but I did it!  I just need to keep up that momentum and finally do what I've been wanting to do!

And let me tell you I didn't get to this point by myself.  I had help.  There have been a few inspirations lately that have given me the will power to finally do it.  I guess I'll start with thanking NIKE - "Just Do It".  Haha!  Ok but jokes aside I have learned a few good lessons in the last few weeks.  I plan to gather all the information and inspiration I have come across and use it to my advantage.

My daughter, Annaliese.  She is always my first and foremost inspiration.  I want to do everything for her and better myself for her.  I, of course, want to accomplish my goals for myself as well, but she is my world and I'd do anything for her.

Here are some of my other recent inspirations:

Earlier this month while I was lost in the blogging abyss, I came across a catchy blog name of Tatter Scoops.  Maureen wrote a post titled 5 Reasons Why Being Fit Rocks.  She truthfully and jokingly stated how she no longer struggles to "hover" over public toilet seats anymore and how she is able to have a playful exercise with her son.  Seeing this post, I left her a sincere comment of how I admire her dedication.  Soon after reading my comment, she wrote another post with inspiration from ME titled My Five Fitness Motivations.  She is a single mom who works from home and wants to do everything in her power to be physically and mentally stronger for herself and her son.  She meets with a group of friends and attends a gym and has been doing Chalean Fitness routine.  She has also been sugar free since October (I couldn't do it, I love my sweets!) and has completed a carbohydrates free for 3 months!   Nothing is going to keep this girl down!  How can you not admire someone like Maureen?  Keep up the good work girl!  You look great!  Check out her current stats in her most recent post here.


My friend from high school Kyra, who in the last few months started writing at Nine Months, tells her story of always struggling with her weight.  She lost a good bit of weight in her early-mid 20's and since having her little bundle of joy in Sept 2011, Royce, she was the highest she had ever been in weight and has been determined to get the weight off again.  She has been measuring herself every week.  She started out with the Couch 2 5k walking/running 1-2 times a day, eating healthy, and doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  I am inspired by her dedication being a work at home mom and still finding time for her job, family and work out time.  Keep going, Kyra!  You've done it before and you can do it again!


My sister-in-law Jenn, who is a beginner blogger, writes at Jenn I Am and is also a runner.  She has been in the Army reserves for over 10 years and has pretty much been in shape since deciding on her military career path.  In the last few years she has taken up running as a hobby and loves it.  She has done 5ks for charities (one of which I joined her on) and hopes to someday do a half marathon and maybe even a marathon.  I believe she can do it because she is determined enough!  She lives at home with her husband (Justin's brother) and their 4 dogs and a cat.  Life is busy between their daily Monday - Friday jobs, her Army life, chores, and attending to 4 dogs, but she still finds time to keep up with her hobbies and do the things she enjoys such as running, crafts and cooking.  I really admire this about her because there are things that I love to do and don't because I have made excuses that I don't have time, or I don't have energy.


Allie, who writes at A Couple. A Dog. A Baby. Their Blog. is a photographer and is able to be a work at home mom who loves to blog about her darling little boy and her husband.  Allie's husband has recently wanted to get on the train to lose weight and Allie, being the supportive wife that she is, has decided to join him.  They are both making healthier decisions in the kitchen and Allie has even provided a yummy recipe for us to try!  She is also doing the 30 Day Shred and posts pictures of her more defined muscles on Instagram. I am really amazed at how well this woman looks after having a baby.  There is no reason I can't push myself to do the same!

Jen, who writes at Runner Mom, is a mom to 4 kids and has a deep passion for running and photography.  She writes blog posts of how relaxed she is during a run and how inspired she is after a run.  A recent post titled A Thought For Every Mile expresses this.  She writes of how she ran a 10 mile run on a day that she didn't even really feel like running...but did it anyway.  Now that is dedication!  I want to be that way.  I want to push myself to do the things I love and do the things I want to do because I know the great feeling of reward will be there after it's all said and done.  Very inspiring, Jen!


Lastly another fellow blogger, Ado who writes at The Moma Log, told us of her amazing 7 year old daughter, Ella.  On the way home one day, Ella decided in the moment that she wanted to run the rest of the way home...and she did.  Please watch this short inspirational video (with a great song choice) of Ella, being young, free and finding her love for running.





I want to take a piece of all of these ladies and their stories with me on the road when I run, when I cook healthier, eat healthier and write more.  I will also think of you all when I walk across stage to get my college degree.  It's not about just running, or losing weight, or writing.  It's about accomplishing my goals.  I have gotten to the point in my life where I don't want to start over again, I want to keep going.  Maybe it's because I am months away from turning 30, but I'm not afraid of that number.  I just want to do what I want to do and have wanted to do.  Reading these blogs and hearing their stories is for me, like watching one of those movies that makes you want to get up and change the world.  I am getting up and changing me.

Thank you ladies, from the bottom of my heart.  It may not be much to you, but it means so much to me.

"No Day But Today"