Almost Done....

61. Do I keep the promises I make to myself?

I'm usually not very good at coming through in the clutch. I fear disapproval so much that I usually agree to too much and then end up backing out at the last minute rather than suffer through something I'm not really comfortable with. But when it comes to promises to myself, since I'm obviously not just agreeing to anything, I have been better at keeping them. Especially this year. I wanted my 25th year to be the start of me DOING WHAT I SAY I WILL DO. I've tackled some big ones (tattoo, red hair, being honest with coworkers) but I'm still trying to make a little more progress everyday.

62. Do I keep the promises I make to others?

Ok, see above, but I do keep PROMISES. Maybe I just don't keep PLANS. Like I'm quick to say "Yeah sure! I'd love to go to the zoo with you at 8 in the morning!" but then I think about having to get up and get ready and prepare a screaming infant to walk around a hot smelly place for a couple hours until he's wet and fussy.... and then I decide to sleep in instead and plan for another time. ;P

63. For my life to be perfect, what would have to change?

Wow, what a loaded question. Um... I don't think life will ever be perfect here on earth but I guess my dream life would include living by the beach, waking with the SUN (not with my alarm clock!), working with people and students who respect me, having no eating disorder and being able to LIKE vegetables, having all the friends I love nearby, and being able to spend more time loving on my boys.

64. What am I most looking forward to right now?

Seeing "Inception" at midnight Thursday with my bestgoodfriend Stephanie!

65. What activities do I perform that give me the least joy? Do they really need doing? Can I delegate or pay someone else to do them?

Hmm....cleaning floors and bathrooms? Sorry, they really need doing. I guess I could pay someone to come in because Brett sure isn't gonna do it! Ha!

66. How can I simplify my life?

By learning how to say "no" without feeling like I have to come up with an excuse. By finding out what I really want in my life and being ok with cutting the rest out. By staying true to Ashley, seeking to please God with my choices, and refusing to let the opinions of others determine my worth. Tall order.

67. Do I see myself as a creative person?

Absolutely! I have always been creative since I was a very little girl and I will own that! Plus I really think everyone is creative in one way or another but they probably don't realize it or nurture it to grow into other areas of their lives.

68. Do I allow myself to be creative?

Moreso now than I used to. I guess because my time is so precious now, I really want to make it a priority in my life.

69. Can I be spontaneous?

I LOVE being spontaneous and I try to at every opportunity but having a baby that really needs a schedule makes it slightly harder....

70. Am I too critical of myself?

Y E S .

71. Am I too critical of others?

I really resist always having an opinion or judgment on people and situations. It's easier for me to see the good in others than in myself... but I really do think I am pessimistic by nature. Man, I avoided that question pretty good huh? :P

72. Do I look at problems from several different angles and perspectives?

Yes. Art helps you do that.... it helps you learn to see, especially from different viewpoints, and come up with many alternative solutions to a problem.

73. What have I accomplished?

Never enough! Ha! But, really, um... I got my bachelor's degree in 3 years while moving out on my own, getting married, and commuting over an hour everyday. I got my master's in less than 2 years while traveling a ridiculous distance daily to complete my first year of teaching. Oh, and I successfully grew a person. ;P

74. What are the major sources of stress in my life?

WORK.

75. How can I reduce stress in my life?

Quit?

76. Do I know where my money is going?

Finally! It took me a long time to get Brett to lay everything out for me and let me start paying the bills so at least I had some idea of what our finances look like. But the little bits steal seem to sneak away on a daily basis.

77. Do I have a handle on my finances?

I have a system now that works for me and I like to be able to track every bill, every payment, every unexplained expense. I'm not crazy about holding onto every receipt or balancing checkbooks or anything but I see when our bills are due, what our online statement says we're spending our money on, how much money we're actually bringing in (I take home HALF of what I make every year. ISN'T THAT CRAZY?!?), and what our priorities are. I'm still working on getting a grip on BOTH our credit and student loans though...

78. Do I have a financial plan for the future?

I have a dream, maybe not a plan yet. :P I just long for the day when the cars are paid off, we're on track to pay our mortgage down quickly, we have savings built up, we are contributing regularly to Caleb's college fund (which we do have *pat on the back*), our credit cards are GONE, and we understand what all we owe for the many schools both Brett and I have attended. Oh, and being able to kind of have an allow of blow money every week.

79. Do I know where my time is going?

I sure don't this summer! I really should just embrace it by now... I just don't have a productive schedule. I know I'm really going to have to change my routine in just a few weeks (AHHHHH!!!! Back to School!) but for now my time is just going to cuddling with my baby, taking naps, enjoying old movies, tinkering online, and going out every now and then with friends.

80. Have I created an efficient time management system for myself?

When school starts, I really have to plan just about every minute of my week ahead of time (leaving a lil wiggle room). I'm excited to actually have plans for most evenings after work this year instead of just going comatose in front of the tv every night. I read somewhere that the best way to endure doing something or being somewhere you don't really like is to plan something you enjoy immediately before and immediately after that event. So, hmm, quiet time and breakfast every morning and plans with friends every afternoon. Sounds like it might work. ;P