30 Day Challenge

It is the final day of my 30 day challenge! On one hand, I am grateful because really, these can be tough! On the other hand, I am saddened, but on my third hand (hey, I’m a mom!) I am feeling challenged because now I have to find other things to write about than just myself (and I am sure my readers will be grateful for that! LOL).

So, the last day… my goals for the next 30 days.

– I am leaving the MLM world to try something different and hope to be massively successful in less than the next 30 days which includes a few promotions here and there!
– I am hope to make a difference in my financial status and stop living pay check to pay check.
– I have a final at the end of the month that I hope to pass with an ‘A’ grade rather than the ‘B’ grade I got on my mid-term.
– Get an ‘A’ grade on my first paper due in a week (oops, should probably start writing that soon!)
– Increase my GFC followers (readers!)
– Challenge myself to write something else (not me related) every day for the next 30 days!

What are your goals for the next 30 days???

List 10 people, dead or alive, you would invite to dinner. Include the dinner menu?

Really, include the menu? Shoot, for all I care we can have burgers and hot dogs! LOL I am more concerned with the who I am inviting! So, we’re going to revamp a little bit!

I would invite:

1. My grandfather. As most of you know, he completed suicide in May of 2009. I would really love to sit down and just try to understand and let him know how it affected me.
2. My friend Brian who died in 2002. There are just a lot of unanswered questions.
3. My dad. Just one have one more try to fully understand and accept him for his disease (alcoholism) and let him know that I do understand and love him.
4. My hubby’s best friend Blake who passed away in 2004. I would love for him and my son to meet and for my son to see who he is named after.
5. Patrick. And I hope he reads this because I have never met him, but “found” him during a difficult time in my life. He has a way of putting things into words that make sense when no one else can. He has a way of comforting when needed and I like to consider him a close friend because of what we have gone through together, but also because he has a tendency to make it alright. =0)
6. The President. I am not saying it has to be a particular president. I guess if this dinner occurred right now, it would have to be our current president (which I would suffer through). I would like to pick his brain and maybe reintroduce him to my friend Common Sense.
7. Sylvia Brown. While I am a believer, I am a skeptic. ‘Nough said.
8. Helen Keller. I have already posted previously how I look up to such a strong woman, I would love to meet her.
9. My grandma. Who is (thank God) still alive, but I miss her!
10. God. Just because I want clarification on things straight from the horses mouth! =0)

First of all, SAD! I only have 2 days left of my challenge!

Second, today is something I miss! Which, is a lot. I was born and raised in Minnesota before moving out of state right before my 20th birthday. I have been in Arizona since March of 2003 and while I love it, I miss family traditions that I am used to back home. I miss visiting family every Sunday. I miss bon fires, going up north. I miss friends from high school that I haven’t seen since graduation. I miss my sister’s and my grandma.

On another note, you know what I really miss (especially now that I am a parent). I miss when swimming in lakes was an okay thing to do. I miss when drinking out of the water hose was not considered the nastiest thing ever. I miss playing outside all day, not having to worry when all the neighborhood kids got together to play night games in everyone’s yards. I miss how simple everything used to be!

What do YOU miss?

Today’s topic makes me chuckle…. “A problem you have or have had in the past”. Where do I start? I can only post one problem? LOL

I think for me, my “biggest” problem would be my anxiety. I hate it with everything I have.

After I had my daughter in 2005, I got into a funk. It was bad… not horrible, but bad. It got to the point that I couldn’t go out in public alone either. That’s when I knew something was going on. I mean, I could not, under any circumstance, go into public by myself (unless to work) unless my husband was with me. I couldn’t even go if it was my daughter and me. So I ended up going to the doctor who diagnosed me with post partum depression and pregnancy induced social anxiety. Oh joy.

I was medicated with a medication that worked, but not the way I wanted. So after a few months, and with lack of insurance, I stopped taking the medication. Not really giving any thought to the anxiety issue. I just became really reliant on other people having to be in public with me. Which wasn’t so bad. Hubby and I typically do everything else together anyway.

It wasn’t until after my grandfather’s suicide in 2009 that I really started to lose my mind. I thought I was going crazy and I was having massive anxiety attacks. I saw a doctor who prescribed me medication and a therapist (weekly) who helped me work through the trauma and realize my anxiety issues. While I still have anxiety (some days better than others) I am learning that it really is something I have to learn how to live with.

On good days, I am great! I can go shopping by myself, I do not stress and worry about little things. On my bad days, I can be anywhere from stressed to crazy. Some bad days may be just panicking over things like finances. Some bad days involve me worrying about what others think of me or thinking that people do not like me or think I look odd or what have you. Some bad days I am all around crazy and should not be left alone! (Funny, but in all seriousness, I have had one weekend of that said “bad” day since the start of the new year).

So yes, I have shared a part of me that few realize or acknowledge, and yes, that is my problem that I had and have! =0)

If I had $1,000,000 to spend, how would I spend it!? Before or after I pass out from having my hands on that much money!? LOL

First of all, let’s be honest. We are selfish beings. I would use the money for me first. Second, I am a very realistic person. So, first and foremost, I would get us out of debt. That means paying off money I owe to people, paying off both of our vehicles, paying off hubby’s school loans, my school loans. I want to live debt free.

Next, I would purchase the house I live in currently and remodel what I want. This is not an extravagant cost. I do not want a lot- just new floors and remodel the kitchen a bit. So really, we’re not talking a lot.

I would also put $100,000 into each one of my children’s college funds, plus probably $10,000 in their savings (each). From there, I would probably divide the money into savings for ourselves (and our retirement) and give the money to charities and/or help those that need it more than I do.

Really, a million dollars sounds like a lot of money, but it’s not. But we are selfish beings so I would take care of me and my own first, but I am the type of person that always says “what if”. If I were in a position, I would want someone to help me out, so I would help out those who need it more than me. I am not 100% selfish!

What would YOU do with a million dollars!?

I am behind, but am catching up again so today’s topic is someone who fascinates me and why. And I have to tell you, my person is someone who has fascinated me since 2nd grade and it is someone that most people probably wouldn’t think of when asked this question.

The person that most fascinates (and motivates) me is Helen Keller. Honest to goodness. This chick was blind, deaf, and mute, and still managed to graduate college and be successful! Helen Keller is really one of the most fascinating people in the world and she motivates me to “go for it”. If she can be successful with all of her struggles, why can’t I be successful? Really. Think about it. Here she is, starting at a young age, she can’t see, hear or communicate. She didn’t know anything about the world around her. She struggled through her teachings to learn, but eventually was taught, learned about the world around her, and was successful! If she can do it, I sure as heck can!

Hmmm… my favorite movie and what it is about… again, why do I have to choose favorites! I hate choosing one thing over another!

I have to admit, I am a total sucker for The Notebook. How can someone not? I mean, it is the ultimate fairy tale love story. Two young ones falling in love, going through life to eventually be brought back together, getting married and still together in the old folks home. Him caring enough about her to share the story of their love even though she can’t remember it. And then of course, the end… I mean really truly, the most fairy tale love story ever. Don’t we all wish we had that kind of love in our life? (And if you do, I envy you!)

Speaking of envy and true love fairy tales… I do not know the entire love story of my husband’s grandparents, but they are a couple that I envy. I can see them being the couple from The Notebook. I am not sure how or when or how long they have been together, but the ultimate love that they share for each other- reminds me of the movie. They had an endless, true love for one another and I can only hope that my husband and I share that same love that many years down the road.