Make a Craft from Craftgawker

So maybe it's not exactly a craft, and it's definitely not perfect, but all in all, I consider it successful. And yeah, I guess I have a thing for rainbow pastries.

Goals Accomplished: 48
Days Remaining: 505
Money Saved: $976

Sew a Clothing Item for Myself

I enjoyed my first class at The Needle Shop so much, that I decided to take a second one, and I figured I may as well knock off another goal while I was at it.

I took the Bias Cut Skirt class, and this is what I made! I'm really pleased with it, and I've already gotten more fabric to make another one. Quick, easy, and not terribly expensive. I see a lot of skirts in my future.

Goals Accomplished: 38
Days Remaining: 659
Money Saved: $722

Take a Vacation

Privelege Aluxes, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Rich and I went to Mexico for a short vacation at the beginning of August, and even though it rained for one of the days, it was still really great to get away. And since we were getting wet in the rain anyway, we just hopped in the pool and hit up the swim-up bar. Because when you are on an all-inclusive vacation, you take advantage of all weather conditions to grab a piña colada -- or six.

I think probably my favorite part of the vacation, even though I behaved like a panicked child for some of it (luckily my husband is very patient and knows just how to calm me down) was when we went scuba diving. Floating underwater with the fish is such a surreal experience. We saw lobsters, an eel, a huge school of fish, barracuda, puffer fish, stone fish, lion fish, a freaky looking stick animal thing, and so many other forms of sea life. I told Rich when we were done that maybe diving just isn't for me because I get so seasick (which is what makes me panic), but I don't know if that's true because I do actually enjoy the underwater part. I think I just need to go more often, which means more vacations. Yeah, I think I could handle more vacations.

Goals Accomplished: 32
Days Remaining: 701
Money Saved: $620

Visit the Willis Tower Skydeck

I'm sure my parents must have brought me here when I was a child, but I don't remember. So it seemed like a visit as an adult was appropriate. Plus, with the new glass ledge, I knew the Skydeck was a must-see on my exploration of my new home city. Standing on that glass ledge gave me the sensation of falling. After about five minutes I had to step back onto firm ground, but I'm glad I did it.

My one piece of advice if ever you visit: make sure to buy the Fast Pass. Otherwise the line is horrendously long, and full of people you don't really want to spend several hours with.

Goals Accomplished: 30
Days Remaining: 726
Money Saved: $575

Design and Get Third Tattoo

I accomplished this task today kind of by accident. One day I realized what I wanted my next tattoo to be, and today I was getting it. As I was sitting on the couch tonight, it suddenly dawned on me that I finished one of my goals. Bonus!

It means, "This too shall pass." My grandmother used to say it all the time, and while my relationship with her was never very close, I appreciated this lesson. And now I'll have it with me forever.

Goals Accomplished: 28
Days Remaining: 733
Money Saved: $498

Make the Super Epic Rainbow Cake

It took me three hours, and it ain't as pretty as I'd like it to be, but it was really fun and it tastes delicious. I don't care for meringue or butter cream frosting, so I used a lemon cream cheese icing. So freaking good. I think I am in a sugar coma now.

You can find the original here, but I must warn you, it's much more polished and beautiful than mine.

Goals Accomplished: 24
Days Remaining: 758
Money Saved: $483

Break Three Personal Records at Work

This goal definitely helped keep work a more interesting challenge, and also forced me to be more diligent in tracking my progress each day. The cherry on top is that not only did I set new personal records, but I also broke company records!

Without further ado, they are:

1. Highest service dollars in one month (April)
2. Highest retail dollars in one month (April)
3. Highest service dollars in one day (6/9/12)

Goals Accomplished: 23
Days Remaining: 761
Money Saved: $470