My Elevator Pitch

Thanks to Mama Kat to introducing me to this great 31 day challenge to make your blog better. The first task is to create an elevator pitch. What is an elevator pitch??

“An elevator pitch is an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride (for example, thirty seconds or 100-150 words).” – Wikipedia

My blog is not a business but about personal experiences and interests. Tell me if you think this encapsulates my blog (I am totally open to constructive input here)...

Life in the poop-smeared lane with some practical tips & views on life.

Julie & Julia

I watched the movie Julie & Julia with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Very amusing. I was especially interested in the original state of Julie and how her life needed something more and how she got it out of her self-imposed challenge to cook every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook for 365 days. The blog that she noted her challenges on became a personal outlet for her and also put her in touch with a huge amount of supporters for her ambitions. I want to do something like this ... but what could I do? What's something you've always wanted to have someone do and report on? I need inspiration ...

Weight Loss Challenge

My friend and I decided that we wanted to be our regular yummy selves by shedding some weight and getting healthier in general. We made a friendly challenge to each other that the person who lost the most percentage of body fat by the end of February would treat the other to dinner a movie. (We nixed the dinner idea because that would really defeat the purpose of our new, healthier lifestyles, non?).

Since June 2009 I've been going to Weight Watchers meetings (I am a lifetime member but can still attend meetings if I need motivation or have gained weight) without much success (I've only lost 2 lbs or so since then). This is the motivation I believe I needed and I've been really focussing on counting my points ~ even jotting down the "extras" and tracking them as my flex points.

I need your encouragement so if you have any words of wisdom, please share! I want to win!! (Although both of us will be winners if we've lost some weight).

Funky Mommy

Do you ever feel that you are not participating in life but merely going through the motions? I think I've had more than my share of tantrums and demands and I've checked out. Perhaps this is a survival mechanism for a sleep-deprived and under-appreciated mom just going through a funk? Anyone else go through this? How do you get out of your funk and get your "joy of life" back?

10 Things to Stave Off Boredom

10 Things to Stave Off Boredom

1. Scrub toilets
2. Do a walking workout in your living room but RUN the whole thing
3. Do a Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop
4. Cuddle with your kiddies
5. Play time management games online (Diaper Dash is fun!)
6. Wander Wal-Mart
7. Visit your children's grandparents and slowly make your exit, without the kids
8. Pay bills
9. Prepare your income tax receipts
10. Vacuum

Are you ever bored? How do you fight off boredom?

This is in response to the prompt: "Write A List Of 10 Things To Stave Off Boredom" from Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.

The Name Meme

Thanks to Crumbs in the Minivan for this cute Meme.



1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Lady Caravan

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Mint Chocolate Chip Chocolate Chip

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)  Mrut

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)  Purple Dog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)  Elizabeth Toronto

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)   Rutma

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (“The” plus 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Pink Coke Zero

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Luciano Melbourne

9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Sensuous Chocolates

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's and father's middle names )  Julia Paul

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)  Tuzi Toronto

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)  Spring Daisy

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)   Cantaloupe Shoe-ie



14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)  Shake Maple

15. YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your favorite hobby/craft, favorite weather element + “Tour")  The Crochet Sun Tour

Play along if you want and let me know if you do so I can come read yours.

Blogging Goals

I had big plans for blogging this year. And then the 3 year old decided she needed to blog and check her emails when Mommy did. I get pushed out of the way for her blank Word documents to type and her Dora games. Sigh. It's a miracle when I get to eat my own breakfast and even actually check my emails. Anyone else in the same boat? Thank goodness for the scheduled posts option or I'd never get anything written!

List of things to do post-Christmas 2009

List PlanIt often has great lists. This one is good for after the chaos.

• Put away Christmas decorations.
• Organize gift wrap station.
• Remove all items from kitchen counters and really clean (both counters and appliances).
• Sort through desk/table (you know, the one where are all stray papers migrate to when you don’t know where else to put them).
• Go through children’s toys and books (again) and get rid of broken and unloved toys. Arrange new toys in an organized manner.
• Empty out “junk” drawer and replace necessary items neatly.
• Organize storage room in the basement. Separate items for a yard sale in the spring. Make a run to Goodwill.
• File all important documents that have been laying on the filing cabinet awaiting filing.
• Begin to prepare documents for business and personal taxes.
• Create a list of Resolutions for 2010 and a plan to accomplish them.

Friday Fill-Ins ~ 01 January 2010

1. Last night I fell asleep at 10PM. I missed the ball drop!
2. I will become a healthy and fit size 6 this year.
3. The funniest thing is that I am not quite sure how I will get to a size 6.
4. But I am willing to try my hardest ...so where do we go from here?
5. He said you can do it, honey; she said I love you.
6. Where did the time go? and it's up to us to find it.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a fantastic New Years dinner, tomorrow my plans include heading home and Sunday, I want to unpack the house, get ready for the week and get my menu planned to start the weight loss train!

For more fun Friday Fill-Ins, pop over here.

2010 Affirmations

Last year I had listed my goals by category. This was a great idea and they looked like this ...

2009 Goals

Health Goals

Lose 15 pounds

Exercise 2-3 times a week

Drink more water

Eat well-rounded meals (including all four food groups)

Financial Goals

Complete Suze Orman's "Women & Money" goals over the allotted 5 months

Shop for Christmas gifts year-round

Continue with "Smart Cookies: Women & Money" group once a month for motivation

Homemaking Goals

Organize menu plans and shopping lists weekly

Sit down and eat at least one meal daily as a family at the table

Declutter!

Finish basement renovations and make into a play/games/movie room

Family Goals

Continue family nights once a week (Saturdays)

Enjoy date night once a month with hubby (and get a babysitter booked well in advance!)

Focus on each moment with the kids - the house can be clean when they move out

Creative Goals

Limit interests to Reading, Crocheting, and Pen Pals

I did find, however, that there were too many areas to focus on and too many specific items that would be better off in a to do list as I forgot what they were. Instead, I am going to repeat the following statements to myself daily so I have a better chance of success and a daily reminder of happiness for what I have versus what I need.


2010 Affirmations

I am a healthy, trim size 6
I am a money magnet. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I am an educated and successful money manager and investor
I appreciate what I have
I love my family and the precious time we spend together
I am a creative individual who completes beautiful projects