July Goals

<a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com/search/label/Goals"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/MSCC%20Buttons/monthlygoals_zpsf6ab196b.png" alt="Monthly Goals"></a>

How it works:

The linky goes live on the first Wednesday of each month.

1. Follow all three hosts: My So-Called Chaos, A Peek at Karen's World, & Jenee Thompson
2. Write up a post recapping previous goals & setting goals for the next month. The post needs to include the Monthly Goals button, use the code above!
3. Link-up your Monthly Goals post in the linky below!
4. Visit other blogs in the linky to show support!

Recap of June

• Read, finish, and review at least one book. - FAIL.  I got halfway through a couple...
• Get back into Weight Watchers hardcore - FAIL.  Whoops...
• Blog more over at Health NOT to Health NUT - In Progress... I did-ish...
• Make more nail polish art and get it listed in my shop - SUCCESS!  See it HERE.
• Buy my DSLR finally - FAIL.  This is not going to happen now due to cost.
• Find my planner and start really using it - FAIL.  I know where it is... Didn't use it.
• Get my bedroom dejunked and in order - FAIL.  So. Much. Stuff.
• See Mr. Bingo - SUCCESS.
• Be better about saving a little money instead of blowing it on nail polish - SUCCESS. 

Wow, that's a lot of fail up there.  I feel like June just flew by and left me wondering what the hell happened. Oh well, now it's a new month and I'm going to be heading in a ton of new directions.

We♥it

July Goals

• Read, Finish, and Write at least one book review.
• Get back into fitness (Maybe WW, but definitely eating better and some physical activity)
• Blog more over at HNtHN.
• Upgrade my little camera-Can't afford a DSLR now, but I'm still getting a new point-and-shoot!
• Start using my planner.
• Clean up my bedroom.
• Make more art and list it in my shop.
• Start scheduling more posts here so they go up on time and I'm not rushing!

What are your goals for July?
Please put the button in your post if you are linking up!

Reconnecting, Car-Burgled, & Focusing on Happy

This weekend started out looking like it would be uneventful, but ended up being quite the opposite.  My roommate was headed up to his mom's for the weekend, so I was trying to decide whether to enjoy some alone time in my apartment or find people to do stuff with.  Friday night was easy-I was feeling a bit bummed about friends who are disappearing and/or ignoring me, so when I got the text from David saying he was at the Bayou having dinner and a beer and would like company I went.  It ended up just being the two of us, but it was fun to talk, enjoy a beer, and have yummy Cajun food.

After trying to sift through my resentment about friends disappearing and ignoring my texts, I decided that it was time to forget about those friendships, try to be happy without them, and try reconnecting with some other friends I don't see as often.  I want to be a better friend to those who don't disappear or make me feel crappy-so I decided to head up to Kristina's for Saturday night.

When I went to head to my car Saturday I found I'd been car-burgled.   I'd apparently forgotten to lock the door and someone had gone in and torn everything out of the glove box (papers scattered all over the car) and the art supplies I'd bought the day before.  Big criminals-they made away with about $30 in watercolor paper and brushes, a pocket knife, and three dollar bills.  I guess they can buy a soda while they go home and paint.  I'm just happy they didn't get anything of value.  Also happy I looked super pretty.

After making some phone calls to the landlord and roommie regarding the issue, I headed up to Kristina's house.  My ex was there (the big one I've talked about before) and it was surprisingly not that weird.  It was sooooo good to see his kiddos, who hugged me tight and told me how much they missed me; and he and I even managed to have a conversation that was more than just "polite toleration."  He left early on though, and I hung out with Kristina and her family, and a bunch of other friends and family that had come on by.  We played games, drank, and totally pigged out on pizza and junk food (bad!)  Plus I got to love on their dog, who is the best dog ever.

Sunday morning I couldn't stay long, I headed home to show and get ready to head out to my Aunt & Uncle's vow renewal.  They've been married for 36 years (together for 39) and she has terminal cancer everywhere, so they decided to renew their vows.  It was a really good time hanging out with my family (I missed the actual ceremony-what wedding actually starts on time?  I was only 15 minutes late! lol) and see some cousins I don't see very often.  There was some sad stuff, but we'll focus on the happiness today.

Aunt Val and Uncle Dan dancing after their vow renewal.

My mom and dad with my Aunt Val.

Other things I'm happy about this week:

Kate, a friend of mine from the nail polish groups on Facebook, begged me to let her have my very first nail polish art.  She traded me some pretty polishes for it, and when she got it she took it to get professionally framed-it looks so beautiful!  I am in love with what she did with it!

Look at this happy mail from last week!  Gorgeous print from Painting Bliss, On the Ground Floor & Wedonistas from Teresa Jusino (one of the authors featured), Life is Good Tshirt from the amazing Janna (which was a total surprise RAOK), my autographed copy of Gracefully by Eric Himan, piCture pOlish Jade & samples from a Kris in the nail polish group!

Linking up with:

Come Back... Be Here {Musical Mondays & Giveaway}

What is Musical Mondays?

Musical Mondays is a weekly linky party where we share a song we're into for the week, and talk about why we like it-or why it effects us.  Along with talking about music, I host a month-long music related giveaway sponsored by wonderful people!  July is sponsored by Joanna Marie Art who is giving away a musical makeover for an old pair of shoes for you!  I'll explain more later in this post-let's get to the music.

This week's song:
Come Back... Be Here
by Taylor Swift



You said it in a simple way, 4AM the second day
How strange that I don't know you at all
We stumbled through the long goodbye
One last kiss then catch your flight, right when I was just about to fall
I told myself don't get attached but in my mind I play it back
Spinning faster than the plane that took you

And this is when the feeling sinks in, I don't wanna miss you like this
Come back... Be here, Come back... Be here.
I guess you're in New York Today, I don't wanna need you this way
Come back... Be here, Come back... be here

The delicate beginning rush
The feeling you can know so much without knowing anything at all
And now that I can't put this down
If I had known what I know now I never would have played so non-chalant
Taxi cabs and busy streets that never bring you back to me
I can't help but wish you took me with you

And this is when the feeling sinks in, I don't wanna miss you like this
Come back... Be here, Come back... Be here.
I guess you're in London today and I don't wanna need you this way
Come back... Be here, Come back... Be here.

This is falling in love in the cruelest way
This is falling for you when you are worlds away
In New York, be here
But you're in London and I break down
'Cause it's not fair that you're not around

And this is when the feeling sinks in, I don't wanna miss you like this
Come back... Be here, Come back... Be here.
I guess you're in New York Today, I don't wanna need you this way
Come back... Be here, Come back... be here

What?  I like some Taylor Swift... Well, mostly just the album Red.  I like most of that album and am pretty "meh" about most of her other songs.  This one in particular struck a cord with me-not that I necessarily relate fully, but in some ways yes.  In others I have in the past... You know.  Things happen.  But it's pretty and emotional, so I thought I'd share it.

What are you listening to this week?

If you are linking up you need to have the Musical Mondays button or a link back!

<center> <a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com/search/label/Musical%20Mondays"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/MusicalMondaysJULYbutton_zps29932d28.jpg" alt="Musical Mondays"></a></center>

Now for the Giveaway:
Joanna Marie Art is giving away a musical makeover for an old pair of your shoes! You'll mail her an old pair of shoes (heels recommended, but not required-though you may have to work out with her if they're something too far off) and she'll give them a sheet music makeover like her cute heels shown in this post!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US & Canada only.  Entries will be verified.
You will have to ship your heels to Joanna in the US.  See rafflecopter for full terms and conditions.