the goose loves 25 for 25 - november 1 update

Happy November, dutiful followers!

Today marks one official month since I embarked on my 25 for 25 journey. And it's been a fairly productive month! To keep me on track, record my successes, and glaringly publish my failures (for motivation purposes), I'm going to give you a quick recap of how I've done so far. One month down, 7.5 months to go! And to get you through these boring updates, I'm including never-before-seen photos of the cutest puppy in the world, Bentley. Or Bento-B as we fondly refer to him. Or devil dog, as we also fondly refer to him. For the sake of any small children reading my blog, I won't share the "terms of endearment" we actually use ...

Also, in case you're planning on tuning out immediately, let me lure you into the remainder of the post by promising some "super hot" photos of me from about a year ago, when I apparently did nothing interesting with my hair. Ever. Are you hooked now?

Let's start this process off with Bentley, Day 1 at home. That'd be September 10, 2010. Awww, sleepy!

Let's go category by category.


Be Healthy
1. Run 250 miles (not all at once)
I'm happy to report success on this one! In October, I ran 21.3 miles. Not all at once, of course. The furthest was 4.3 miles on October 25th. And I found that I really enjoy running! Bentley does too, and I love how it gets rid of most of his energy in the evenings. I'm especially proud of my progress here, since it's 21.3 miles more than I ran in September. Unless, of course, you count running to the MAX in the morning...
 
2. Exercise for 25 minutes a day, 25 days a month.
Unfortunately, despite my running success, I can't say I did as well with this one. My days often included some sort of exercise, but sometimes it was just a short walk at work (maybe to go shopping on my lunch break - haha). Other times it was chasing Bentley around the living room or dancing with the vaccuum across the living room. Not that the vaccuuming happened all that often, though... Here's one goal I'll work harder on in November. I'll need to get more creative, too - the evenings are getting darker and colder, but I can't let that stop me

Let's take a short puppy break, now. What mischievous eyes!

3. Hike 25 miles (not all at once)
Slight success here. Billy, Bentley, and I did a 3 mile hike in Washington Park a few weekends ago, and loved it. The day was cold, but clear and sunny, which I love. We'll have to battle some rain and mud coming up, but I'm excited to hike more.
 
4. Run an almost 25k (a half marathon, which is 21k)
Obviously not complete yet, but I'm making progress. I ran 20 miles more this month than last, and I'm signing up for a 15k race in March. And I think the final "21k" will be in April. Yay!
 
5. Try yoga & bikram yoga
Not yet, but there's time. Especially as the nights get rainy and cold - I'll want to exercise in warmth!

Notice the theme? I heart sleepy pups.

Be Crafty
6. Sew 25 things
So it looks like I haven't made progress here, but that's not true! I've sewed a few things, but they're gifts for others that I haven't gifted yet. In the off chance they read the blog, I don't want to give away the surprise! You'll see them soon enough.
 
7. Complete 25 house projects
     1. DIY Ottoman
     2. Half Bath Curtain
You've already heard about some of my progress in this department. And more projects coming soon - I just have to photograph or complete them still. You'll see soon!

See the sleep trend? It will continue...

8. Make 25 new recipes
     1. Monkey Bread & Egg Cups
     2. Carrot Cake Cupcakes
     3. Pumpkin Coffee Cake
     4. Pumpkin Spice Bread
This seems to be my most successful goal yet. But are we surprised? Shouldn't be, since I love to eat, almost as much as I love to cook & bake. I'll try to challenge myself with recipes in the next few months, and this category will also probably include some tasty holiday recipes coming up!
 
9. Catch up on scrapbooks and photobooks
Fail. Big Fail. Better next couple months, I hope!
 
10. Make 25 things from Pinterest
     1. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Again, looks like slow process, but I've got some projects in the works. Just wait!!

Here's where the progress trails off...


Be Smart
11. Learn 25 new songs on the piano
Big fail. Goal for November? Get out the keyboard and just play.
 
12. Make 25 new business contacts (internal or external)
Okay this one wasn't actually so bad. With a month down in my new job, I've actually doubled my contacts - both within PGE and externally. So consider this a success. I'll keep working on this, especially developing thorough relationships with key contacts.

13. Learn 25 things about photography0% progress. That's why I'm not showcasing any new photos here - haha.

14. Read 25 good booksI haven't even made it to the library. Goal for November? Get Billy to take me to the UP library to check out some books. (Why not the public library, you ask? I owe too much - I'm afraid.)

15. Learn to ski well
It's fairly difficult to ski when there is no snow. So I'm putting this goal off for now.

Oh look, he's awake!

Be Generous
16. Make 25 things for others 
Seems like no progress here, again, but it's really that I can't reveal them yet. I gotta get with the gifting, not just the making!
17. Take Bentley to the dogpark 25 times
Poor Bents. Only one dog park adventure this whole month. But in my defense, I did take him on 20+ miles of running, which he also loved...

18. Volunteer for at least 25 hours
Fail. I need to get on this one.
19. Write/send 25 letters, cards, or packages (besides birthday cards)
Fail. But don't worry - typing all these "fails" is motivating me to make more progress in November.
20. Donate $25 a month to a good cause
Slight progress. We donated to the Humane Society already and have some other donations in the works. But this is not the time or place to brag about our giving.

Be Adventurous
21. Go horseback ridingFail.
22. Go on a spontaneous adventureFail. Work takes up too much time.
23. Go to Crater Lake and/or Bend
Fail. See excuse for #22.

24. Save $2500 (on top of our normal savings)
Success! Well not the full amount, but we more than doubled our normal monthly savings in October, by being frugal with spending in lots of categories. Yeah, it wasn't easy, but so worth it.
25. Clean the house 25 times a month
Ehh, maybe? I am getting better at small batches of cleaning at a time, but it is still tricky after a long day of work. Certainly more room for improvement.

See? Awesome hair. Not.

So that's the extent of my progress so far. Not bad, for a month! But obviously plenty of places where I can pick it up.

I'm really enjoying having these goals out there - it's great for motivation, and I love lists, so it all works nicely. I can't wait to share more projects and recipes and adventures, too!

Baby Bentley with his girlfriend Dakota.

Let's finish off this super boring post with a few more shots of our pup. If only he was still this small.

My First Bathtime

And in honor of Halloween yesterday, here's Bentley almost exactly a year ago - squirrel puppy! And yes, my dear sister in the background. Why of course she's on her phone!

And to round things off, a pup and his mom. Again, with awesome hair. And on Halloween, 2010.

That completes our first month's update. I'm also pleased to announce that a year later, I actually do my hair... :)

the goose loves the number 25

On October 1st (yeah, I know that's a Saturday), I officially transfer to the Investor Relations Department at PGE. It's a new job for me that represents a new start and a time for change. After feeling stuck in a sort of rut for the past year or two, I feel like I have new opportunities and a new outlook on life. I'm using this career move to redefine what's important to me and emerge as a more polished, professional, and driven person. That means new haircut (I needed one anyways, haha), updated wardrobe (necessary for my new position), and new goals.

On June 13, 2012, I turn the big two-five. That's about 8.5 months away from now, which sounds like just enough time to set up some goals. And if you know me, you know I love lists. So below is my big "25 for 25" list - twenty-five things I want to do/accomplish before I turn twenty five. Yeah, it's not a lot of time. But that means I can't procrastinate on these things! Many of these items will spawn their own lists, as I keep track of my accomplishments. And many blog posts will come of this, too. I've separated them into five categories with five items each (I like math, too). And you, America, will be my trusty watchdog, keeping me honest and accountable for these items. For more detail on each of these items, read this:

25 For 25: Where I include "25" as much as possible in order to overuse the theme.

Be Healthy
1. Run 250 miles
This isn't all at once. If it was, I would die. And that's not the point of this list.
2. Exercise for 25 minutes, 25 times a month.
Ok this used to be about losing 25 pounds, but I don't have that many to lose. This goal will be more trackable and concrete, and I'll be better able to record my accomplishments!
3. Hike 25 miles
Again, not all at once, except that would be slightly easier than the running one. The challenge of this one will be hiking through the wintery season. But Bentley loves mud, so we can do it!
4. Run an almost 25k
This really should be run a 21k, which is a half marathon, but I'm not turning 21, and this list isn't about 21...
5. Try yoga & bikram yoga
I've always wanted to and never have, so I'll be finding some classes and definitely briefing you afterwards.

Be Crafty
6. Sew 25 things
Any sort of thing, from a dog collar to a work dress. This will be interesting.
7. Complete 25 house projects
Again, small to large projects. Like framing something, or re-upholstering a headboard.
8. Make 25 new recipes
Hopefully I'll make some of those things I've always wanted to, but never have.
9. Catch up on scrapbooks and photobooks
I would have included "25" here, but 25 scrapbooks are kinda a lot of money and time. And photos. I'm hoping to complete our New York/DC Vacation scrapbook and make a new photobook for Bentley.
10. Make 25 things from Pinterest
I am developing a pet peeve here - pinning too many things on Pinterest but not doing anything about them. So I will be proactive.

Be Smart
11. Learn 25 new songs on the piano
I haven't played in a shamefully long time, so this goal will get me back on the horse. Or keyboard.
12. Make 25 new business contacts (internal or external)
This is my career-facing goal - I want to broaden my network, and I think this new job will really help!
13. Learn 25 things about photography
As you can see in my photos so far, I have plenty to learn. Particularly lighting.
14. Read 25 good books
Seems like a lot of books, especially when I'm also working on sewing and stuff, but with an hour of commuting each day, I bet I can do it.
15. Learn to ski well
Appropriate for winter, even though it doesn't help me with #24.

Be Generous
16. Make 25 things for others
I already have some projects in mind! This will include sewing, crafting, framing, cooking, etc.
17. Take Bentley to the dogpark 25 times
That beagle boy needs to run!
18. Volunteer for at least 25 hours
I was good about this in high school, but have severely dropped the ball recently. I want to be regular about volunteering somewhere, and hopefully Billy will join me!
19. Write/send 25 letters, cards, or packages (besides birthday cards)
I love doing these things, but never focus enough on it. Here's to keeping in touch more!
20. Donate $25 a month to a good cause
Again - I need to think of others more, and myself less.

Be Adventurous
21. Go horseback riding
I never have!
22. Go on a spontaneous adventure
Road trip, anyone? This probably won't include international travel or trips longer than a weekend...
23. Go to Crater Lake and/or Bend
Hopefully Billy and I can steal away from work for a few days and drive south - we've always wanted to go!
24. Save $2500 (on top of our normal savings)
Even though this goal goes against goal #s 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, which likely involve spending money, I think it's really important for me. And it will help me find more creative (and cost-effective) solutions for all those goals that might require some cash.
25. Clean the house 25 times a month
This goal is not about counting the times I clean but more about cleaning more regularly. I usually let things - like laundry - build up for a week or two and then I have a lot to do at once. My goal here is to do little bits at a time, so that cleaning is never hugely time consuming or overwhelming.

Wow, right? I better get started! These things will keep me busy, especially through the wintery rainy months in Portland, when motivation goes down and the "blah" feeling takes over! And hopefully, by the time I'm 25, I'll have an array of accomplishments to share.

[A few rules - I won't "double-count" projects unless I get really desperate - for example, projects for #6 could easily meet the qualifications for #10 and #16, but I'll try to have them count for just one. For #20, I will count 9 months - Oct through June - for a total of $225. But I could end up donating $50 one month to a certain cause and $0 the next month...For #24, I will make transfers to or deposits in our savings account - just because I declined going out to dinner and "saved" that money doesn't mean that counts toward the goal. That's a big challenge!]