I would love to be 100% green in all the things I do, but that simply isn’t realistic for me.  To celebrate the “soggy” in me (vs. the crunchy/green part of me), I’m sharing 20 green things that I don’t do.  You can read #1-10 here.

20 Green Things I Don’t Do (#11-20) 

11. Use a Clothes Line – I want to use a clothes line.  I really do!  Sadly, this house didn’t have one when we moved in and installing one just hasn’t happened yet.  Someone please come to my house and install one of those cool pulley system lines off my deck!
12. Ban Plastic Toys – Plastics can be kind of scary.  Some toy companies will guarantee you that their products are BPA free.  Others won’t.  I would love if all of Grace’s toys would be made out of wood with nontoxic paint, but that isn’t very realistic for us.  Instead I’ve made certain things a priority (like play food that will certainly go in her mouth) and other things I’ve been more laid back about.
13. Cloth Diaper – I’ve already written about my 5 excuses and 1 true reason for not using cloth diapers.
14. Family Cloth – Some families who love to cloth diaper have taken it one step further by using cloth toilet paper.  My mother has threatened to write me out of her will if I ever take that step.  I’d like to stay in the will.
15. Recycle All Plastic – I hate to do it, but sometimes I throw away plastic containers.  My area only recycles a couple kinds of plastics, so that means that the rest usually get trashed.
16. Have a Paperless Kitchen – I would love to go completely paperless in my kitchen.  We already made the switch to cloth napkins, but those pesky paper towels keep showing up!  The truth is that my husband has a special place in his heart for paper towels.  I keep trying to change his mind, but I’d rather he help clean the kitchen with paper towels than not help at all!
17. Shop at Thrift Stores – I’ve definitely shopped in 2nd hand stores.  However, when it comes to buying my clothes these days, I just don’t have the desire.  My shopping time is limited, so I don’t want to search through racks and racks.  Plus I tend to buy things that are just ok and not always stuff that I love.  This fashion struggling mama needs to step it up a notch and quit buying things just because they are cheap!
18. Eat 100% Local and/or Seasonal – Bananas don’t grow in my backyard year round.  Or ever.  They still make it on the shopping list!
19. Recycle “Gray” Water – In the summer I try to utilize the water from my daughter’s baby pool and dehumidifier, but we don’t have one of those fancy water-saver-things that collects your bathroom sink water to use in the toilet.
20. Diva Cup/Keeper – If you don’t know what this is, then you’ll have to look it up yourself.  I don’t have the guts to explain it here.  

Now that I’ve spilled my guts about all the green things that I don’t do, I expect all my green readers to go running for the hills and all my regular readers to follow since I mentioned the words “diva cup!”

Are you running for the hills or do you feel relief from any I’m-not-green-enough guilt?

How are you doing on your 2012 goals?  The next Insane Goals link-up is on February 1st.  Plus, the 2nd Annual “A Day in the Life of…” Link-Up is happening in 11 days!  Have you taken your photos yet???

This post is being linked to Your Green Resource.

I’ve perfected a very easy (and free) way to keep your feet warm and dry as you shovel yourself out of the snow.

Step 1: Put on your socks like normal.

Step 2: Put each foot in a plastic grocery bag.

Step 3: Tie the handles of the bag around your ankles or stuff them into the top of your socks.

Step 4: Put on any pair of tennis shoes you are ok with wearing in the snow.

Step 5: Pull your pant legs down so they cover all the plastic.  That way no one needs to see how cheap crazy creative you are.

Step 6: Go play in the snow and enjoy your brand new pair of free plastic bag snow boots!

Optional Step 7: Dig out your car, drive to the mall, and buy yourself a real pair of snow boots.

I took my “A Day In The Life Of…” photos last week.  Don’t forget to pick a day to take 1 photo every hour of whatever you are doing for the 2nd annual link-up on Feb. 6th!

It was the first time I hosted a party and used real plates and silverware.

“That wasn’t so bad,” I said after I filled the dishwasher.  ”Just another green baby step.”

“Do you really think you only do baby steps??” questioned my sister.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re probably the crunchiest person we know.  We’re just soggy,” chimed in my brother-in-law.

That conversation happened almost a year ago, but it stuck with me.  Am I giving off a perfectly green image?  Am I being honest about how green I really am?

There certainly are many ways that I strive to be green, but it isn’t always easy.  There are some things that I don’t do because of cost, time, ignorance, local access, and even laziness.

But that is ok!!

Today I’m revealing the “soggy” in me.  It is time to let go of that not-green-enough guilt!

20 Green Things I Don’t Do (#1-10) 

1. Remember to use my Cloth Grocery Bags – I have gotten much better at this, but I do not remember all of the time.  Plus when I realize that I’ve forgotten them, I don’t turn back to get them unless I haven’t left the house yet.
2. Take Short Showers – In general, I’m not that great at “saving water.”  This is especially true with my long hot showers.  Sometimes it just feels too good to turn the water off!
3. Use Glass for Food Storage – I only have a handful of very small glass containers, but a whole drawer full of plastic ones.  In my defense, I have asked for a glass storage set for Christmas 2 years in a row.
4. Use 100% Green Bath & Beauty Products – All of Grace’s products are green; toothpaste, body wash, and even her diaper rash cream.  Mine are not.  I have a hard time with the price.  Today I received an order from Vitacost.com with some new organic products for me to try.  Maybe there is hope!  (If you are new to Vitacost you can get a $10 off coupon here.)
5. Unplug Unused Appliances/Electronics – Even when you aren’t using your TV it is consuming energy.  Some people swear by unplugging anything that you aren’t using to save money and electricity.  I am not one of those people.  I’m too lazy.
6. Do Paperless Billing – I know I should do this, but paying the bills is already a pain.  I don’t want to learn how to do something new.
7. Eat 100% Organic – I would love to only buy organic, but the cost is too high for some things and my access is limited.  My local grocery store doesn’t have a very good selection of organic items.  Currently I’m not willing to give up the convenience of my store in order to eat more organic foods.
8. Compost – Growing up we would throw a lot of things into the field behind my house.  Now that I live in town it all goes into the trash.
9. Bike/Walk Everywhere – I live in an area that makes it possible for me to walk Grace to the park, to pick up my prescriptions or take-out food, or to stop at the post office.  Sometimes I walk.  Usually I drive.  I never bike.
10. Drive a Hybrid – And when I’m driving Grace to the only-a-few-blocks-away park, it is not in a hybrid car.

Next week I’ll share with you 10 more green things that I don’t do.  UPDATE: Read Part 2 here!

Anything on my list surprise you?  How does your level of crunchy compare?

This post is being linked to Your Green Resource because sometimes green folks need to be released from that not-green-enough guilt!

This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting Simply Rebekah.

While washing my belly in the shower, I was amazed at how round it had already become.  It was the end of October and I was only 3 months pregnant.  However, this baby was making his/her presence known much faster than my first daughter did.

“I really need to get some belly butter, ” I thought as I continued my shower.

I was nervous.  I was rushing.  It was the day that I was leaving for a christian women’s blogging conference, Relevant.  I had never been to a blogging conference before.  Although I had made many connections with other attendees through Twitter, I was feeling very anxious.

“I hope someone is handing out free samples of belly butter or there is a giveaway.”

I was going to be handing out samples of organic cleaning concentrate from my sponsor Andrea, an Independent Shaklee Distributor.  I heard that others would have samples from their sponsors also.  Just maybe someone would have free belly butter!

“Well, they say that you should pray about everything…”

I’m not one to pray about the tiny things.  I’m not one to pray about the trivial things.  I am not one to pray about belly butter.

But I did.

“Dear God, please bless me with some free belly butter at Relevant this weekend.  Amen!”

Later that day I pulled up to the conference hotel just in time to meet some of the bloggers at a restaurant for lunch.  I was feeling jittery.  Jumpy.  Nervous.

I gave myself a little pep talk and walked into the restaurant alone and unsure of who I might meet there.  I was hoping to connect with Stacy Karen, a fellow frugal and green blogging friend whom I’d never met.  I tried her cell phone right before I left my car, but she didn’t answer.

It wasn’t hard to pick out the group of blogging ladies.  They were lively and excited.

I was still nervous.

I made my way over to the long table and picked a seat.  Within moments someone sat next to me.

“Oh!  Rebekah??” she asked.  ”It’s me!  Stacy!”

It was perfect!  Stacy just happened to sit down right next to me.  I instantly felt more comfortable and relaxed.

“I have something for you.”  Stacy handed me a small container wrapped in tissue paper.  I knew what it was before I even opened it.

Belly butter.  It was homemade, glorious, green and safe belly butter.

*deep breath*

“Stacy, thank you so much!  You have no idea.  I just prayed for this!”

I was barely there for 5 minutes before God answered my prayer.  I was blown away, thankful, and very aware of this gift from above.

I still don’t understand why God chooses to answer some of our most simple prayers, yet others…. others that are so much more important seem to go unheard.  It is confusing.  It is hard.  Even frustrating.

But…

On that October day God told me he cares and he is still listening to me.

God gave me belly butter and I am so so thankful.

Stacy Karen writes at A Delightful Home where she strives to encourage moms to live healthy, happy lives.  She shared her recipe for Homemade Belly Butter in a guest post for Keeper of the Home.  Definitely check out Stacy’s blog if you are interested in other recipes for homemade beauty and cleaning products.  She recently released the eBook Simple Scrubs to Make and Give, which gives instructions for 20+ sugar and salt body scrubs.

I want to say THANK YOU again to my Relevant sponsor, Andrea.  If you are interested in trying any of Shaklee’s products, you can get 15% off your purchase of Shaklee purchase here.

This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting Simply Rebekah!

I am thrilled to announce that it is soon time for the 2nd Annual A Day in the Life of… Link-up!  It is a fun, easy photography project that documents a day in the life of you.

How it works:

• Pick any day between now and February 6th to participate in the project.
• During that day, take 1 picture every hour of whatever you are doing at that moment.
• Share the photos of your day on your blog and join the link-up at Simply Rebekah on February 6th.

For more details, check out my brand new A Day in the Life of… page.

I’ll be taking my pictures on January 18th, which is the same date I did “A Day in the Life of…” in 2007 and 2010.  I hope you’ll join in and help spread the word!

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The winner of The Money Saving Mom’s Budget is:

Jennifer (jprice11@)

If you didn’t win, snatch up your copy on Amazon quick!  Right now it is on sale for just $8.40.

This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting Simply Rebekah!

My two year old, Grace, loves to play with stickers.  She doesn’t care what they look like or how they look once they are on the paper.  The fun is the novelty of peeling and placing each sticky piece.

Since Grace couldn’t care less what the stickers look like, I’ve gotten a little creative.

3 Creative Free Sticker Options for Toddlers:

1.  Calendar Reminders:  Recently I received an extremely ugly, free promotional calendar in the mail.  Before I threw it away (Yes, it was even too ugly to make envelopes out of it!) I snatched the sheet of reminder stickers that came with it.  Grace loved picking out which sticker design to use next and didn’t care at all that the stickers said things like “Meeting” and “Car Maintenance.”

2. Postage Stamps:  I am not suggesting that you let a toddler use postage stamps for stickers.  However, some sheets of stamps come with a large sticker of the image that is on the stamps.  Instead of tossing the sheet when the stamps are gone, slip it into your sticker stash.

3. Address Labels: After we moved into our new house, I had a lot of address labels leftover from our old address.  Many address labels have a decoration printed before the address.  I cut off the decoration and threw away the text.  This is also a good idea for the free address labels that are sent with donation requests if you don’t care for the design of the labels.

I realize that the cost of stickers doesn’t have to break the bank.  We just bought Grace a pack of 104 for only $0.98.  Still I think there is value in letting my daughter recycle something that normally would be headed straight for the trash.

What ideas do you have for free stickers?

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Have you noticed the new A Day In The Life Of… page on Simply Rebekah?  Check it out to learn all about this 2nd annual link-up that is coming soon!

• Eating fast food every single day.
• Letting the water run unnecessarily the entire time you brush your teeth.
• Always eating off of paper plates.

Those things just seem wrong.

In my opinion, using disposable diapers could also be added to that list, but I do it anyway.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I thought about using cloth diapers.  I had 3 close friends who were in love with cloth diapering.  I loved the idea of keeping disposable diapers out of landfills.  Plus with long term use, cloth can save you money over using disposables.  Don’t even mention the chemicals used in disposable diapers.  It makes me cringe to think about it.

Still I chose disposable diapers over cloth.

My 5 Excuses for Not Using Cloth Diapers:

1) The Laundry Situation - I used to hate to do laundry in our old apartment.  We were lucky to have a washing machine, but it was in the basement and we had to go outside and down the steps to get to it.  (Wow.  What a first world problem, huh?)  The idea of doing diaper laundry in that situation really turned me off.

2) Overwhelmed with Start Up Cost –  Yes, it can save you money.  Still, I was hesitant to dish out the necessary dough.

3) “Every diaper is disposable to me.” -  My husband said that to me once when I asked him what he thought of using cloth diapers.  Of course he was joking, but the message was still pretty clear.  His preference was to go with disposables and since I lacked the passion for using cloth, this was just one more thing that made saying “no” to cloth diapers easier.

4) My Daughter Poops A Lot -  I remember several occasions when I was thankful I didn’t have to wash her diapers.  It wasn’t because the poop grossed me out, but because she did it so often!  I didn’t see how I would have kept up with all the diaper laundry.  She still goes several times each day.

5) Discounted Disposable Diapers – This just might be my number one excuse for not using cloth diapers.  I can buy disposable diapers through a family member at a really good discount.  I’ve also found excellent prices on disposables through Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program, which includes free shipping.  I’ve never had to pay full retail price for diapers.  I’m pretty sure that cloth would still be cheaper, especially when used with multiple children, but this certainly helped push me towards disposables.

Those are understandable reasons to be resistant to using cloth diapers, but really they are just excuses.

The real reason I don’t use cloth diapers: I simply don’t want to.

Everyone I know who uses cloth diapers seems to be in love with the process, so maybe if I tried it I would fall in love too.  Still, I just don’t have the desire.

There are hundreds of things we can do to improve the earth.  There are thousands of ways we can make positive choices for our children.  Yet, we can’t do it all.

Call me lazy, revoke my green blogging license, scorn me in the comments…  Cloth diapering seems right to me, but just not for me.

Are you a lover or hater of cloth diapers?  Is there anything in life you feel like you should do, but just don’t?

This post contains an affiliate link.  Thank you for supporting Simply Rebekah! 

To mark this occasion I’ve put together a little “get to know Rebekah” list for you.  Below is a list of 30 highs and lows of my first 30 years.  I’ll leave it up to you to determine whether each item is a high or a low.  

1. Playing with puppies and cabbage patch dolls.

2. Holding hands with a boy for the first time.  It was at a basketball game with my first boyfriend when I was in the 8th grade.

3. When the creepy guy broke into my bedroom in middle school.  Yes, this sounds scary and dramatic.  It was, but thankfully it was just scary and I wasn’t hurt.

4. Attending Mennonite Youth Conventions in high school and as a videographer in college.

5. The endless drama of my 6th grade year.  Am I the only one who constantly had friends fighting in middle school?  It must have been the hormone changes or something.

6. Slumber Parties.  The ones with my drama filled friends were always entertaining, but I also cherish the low key ones I had with my neighbor.

7. My very first kiss.  It was in Honduras.  He didn’t speak English.  Oo-la-la!

8. Being in the High School band and going to band camp each year.

9. Falling in love in High School and then the break up that seemed to last forever.

10. Swimming in my grandparent’s pond.

11. Participating in competitive theater in High School.  Being part of the speech team sounds totally lame, but it was amazing.  I even went to State all 3 years I competed.  Go me!

12. Being part of the 8th grade track team.  All my friends were doing it.  My husband still jokes with me about my long lasting athletic career.  (Hint: This was 100% a low!)

13. Hitting things with my car.  Hitting way too many things with my car.  Things that weren’t even moving.  Ugh.

14. Being active in theater in High School and college.  My two favorite shows were The Curious Savage and one that was a fun collection of monologues.  

15. Growing up being able to go to the best county fair in the state!

16. Experiencing the death of those so young.  The first was Shaun and he died in a car accident.  We were in youth group together.  The second was Conner.  He was only 5 and had cancer.  Of course saying goodbye to 3 of my grandparents was also sad, but on a completely different level.

17. College.  Oh the wonders of living with friends.  *sigh*

18. Traveling to 14 countries.  I could easily list 30 highlights just from those trips.

19. Meeting Nate and falling for him soooooo hard, but then we were separated by international long distance for so long.  It felt like my heart was breaking daily.

20. Creating art in my photography, video, and general art classes.

21. Those sad, sad months after college when I was having a hard time adjusting to life away from my friends and in the “real world.”

22. Marrying the man of my dreams.

23. Standing with my pastor and assisting in the baptism of my husband.

24. Being part of an amazing small group at my church for several years and all the deep friendships that came out of that.

25. Changeover.  I used to work in theater professionally.  Changeover is a special kind of awful.

26. The birth of my amazing daughter.

27. Buying our first house.

28. Being able to see Grace’s personality come through as she has been learning to talk more and more.

29. Blogging at Simply Rebekah.  Yes, I really do love it!

30. Being blessed with my 2nd pregnancy.  Nate felt the baby move for the first time this past week!

Please Note: This list is in no particular order and is not necessarily complete.  I’m pretty sure that as soon as I hit “publish” I’m going to think of 5 things that I should have included!

I’m extremely thankful for the experiences I’ve been blessed with and I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for me.  Happy Birthday to ME! 

*** This giveaway is now closed. ***

The first blog that I ever became obessed with was Money Saving Mom.  Crystal Paine does an excellent job of sharing the latest high value coupons, online deals, freebies, and other frugal ideas.  She literally changed the way that I shop and made checking my mail (for freebies!) a whole lot more fun.

When I heard that Crystal was writing a book, I honestly thought that I wouldn’t learn anything new.  Afterall, I’ve been reading her blog for years.  Boy, was I wrong!

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget is a light, yet inspiring book to read.  It feels like you are sitting down at Crystal’s kitchen table and she is dishing out all the good stuff she knows about how to get your budget on track.  The book is great for those who are way in over their heads or those who just want a little extra pocket change each month.  Everyone can get something out it.

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget covers a range of topics in it’s 9 chapters and includes several worksheets to help you process what you’re learning.  (Be sure to check out the book preview on Amazon for a glimps into the book and a look at the worksheets.)

The book covers (in my own words):

• the importance of setting goals (Don’t forget about the Simply Rebekah Insane Goals link-up!)
• how to cut down on clutter
• the basics of setting up a budget
• why going credit and debit card free can save you money
• couponing 101
• advance couponing and the “drug store game”
• how to pay less at the grocery store without coupons
• tips for saving money on fun and entertainment
• the power of contentment

As a regular Money Saving Mom blog reader, I learned much more than I anticipated.  I even learned about some of her blog features that I wasn’t aware of!  Crystal shared several other websites that can help you save money.  I highlighted addresses for organic coupons, free Redbox codes, resturant coupons, where to buy discount gift cards, and a directory of “kids eat free” resturants.

Personally, I’m not a budget fan.  Of course I realize how important it is, but creating one seems like so much work.  Instead, I find myself cutting back on all spending.  New clothes?  A night at the movies?  Enjoying a resturant?  Instead of budgeting for these things, I tend to feel guilting for the splurge.  I love this quote from one of Crystal’s readers in The Money Saving Mom’s Budget:

When I make a budget, I’m giving myself permission to spend money.  Creating a budget helps to keep me from wasting money – and having money in designated envelopes that I’ve given myself ‘permission’ to spend makes so I don’t have to be stingry or feel guilty spending money.  – Bethany, MoneySavingMom.com reader

When my husband and I finally sit down and create an itemized budget, we’ll certainly use The Money Saving Mom’s Budget as a guide.

Whether you’re looking for the financial freedom that a budget can bring or simply how to fine tune your coupon skills, The Mony Saving Mom’s Budget will leave you better educated, inspired, and maybe even a little bit richer.

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget goes on sale January 10, 2012, but you can preorder it on Amazon today! 

Crystal has offered to give away one copy of The Money Saving Mom’s Budget!  To enter leave me a comment telling me your favorite way to save money.

You may have up to two more entries in the random drawing if you:

• Like Crystal’s blog, Money Saving Mom, on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and leave me a separate comment telling me which one you are doing.
• Subscribe to Simply Rebekah via email or RSS and leave me a separate comment telling me how you subscribe.  If you already subscribe, you can leave that in a comment also.

Disclosure: One winner will be chosen by random & notified by email after this giveaway closes on January 11, 2012 at 11:59 PM.  Giveaway is open worldwide.  Crystal provided me with a copy of her book.  All opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.  If you enjoy reading silly fine print like this then be sure to check out my full disclosure policy.

I’ve never liked setting goals, but something got into me last year.  I created a huge list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2011 and called it my Insane Goals.  Each month I blogged about my accomplishments and disappointments.  After some positive feedback, I opened up my monthly posts to other bloggers so they could link-up their goals also.  It has been fun and inspiring to read over those lists each month.

Closing Thoughts on My 2011 Insane Goals:

• In November I predicted that I wouldn’t accomplish anything new on my list and I was right!  That is why I’m sharing closing thoughts instead of my usual list of accomplishments and disappointments.
• Most of the bloggers joining in create a new list of goals each month.  However, I’ve decided that I really like having one massive list to work off of for the whole year.  It seems to keep the expectations lower for any given month.  
• My personal goals are the ones that I struggled with the most.  Daily devotions, eating better, and exercising more are all likely to be things that I have to work at every single year.
• My #1 Disappointment: I didn’t get caught up on my photo books.
• In the end, I’m thrilled with all the things I accomplished: my garden, hosting monthly, learning how to can, sending more cards, reorganizing so many rooms, drinking more water, and more!

My 2012 Insane Goals: Preparing for the Baby Edition

Baby number two is coming in April and the race to get ready is about to begin!  This list of goals is all about getting ready with the baby’s arrival being my deadline.  I would love to have another garden, continue to host monthly, blah-blah-blah, but I’m keeping my expectations for the rest of the year low key until I get adjusted to having a newborn.

Food & Supply Preparations

• Purge & organize the deep freezer
• Test the slow cooker freezer recipes I found somewhere (??) & pick some to freeze.
• Fill my freezer (as time, money & energy allow).
• Create a small stockpile of bath products - To keep trips to the store a minimum, I want to have 1 extra of things like soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, etc.

Nursery Goals

• Decide if the baby will sleep in our room first or in the crib from day one.
• Clean all the bedding.
• Pull out all the gender neutral clothes.
• Reorganize the closet & changing table, switching from Grace’s things to baby things.
• Buy & install black out curtains or shades.
• Hang pictures.  - Yeah, right.  We’ve seen this one before!
• Get a baby monitor.

More Baby Themed Goals

• Pick out new pack ‘n play.  - Ours is a hand-me-down and someone is insisting on getting a us a new one.
• Register at Babies R Us.  - For those who have been asking if we need anything.
• Clean & have ready the swing, bath tub, breast pump, baby toys, etc.
• Buy & send out “thank you” cards as needed.
• Reorganize the baby/toddler cabinet in the kitchen.  - Where I keep sippy cups, breast pump supplies, etc.
• Create a pregnancy journal.
• Clean & install the car seat.

Labor & Delievery Goals

• Review The Birth Partner.
• Read a book on the Bradley Birth Method.
• Read Supernatural Birth.
• Stretch regularly.
• Pack the hospital bag.
• Pack Grace’s bag and include child care instructions.

Goals for Grace

• Try to find her a new story time.
• Update her baby book.
• Take away her pacifiers before she moves into her new room.
• Make “busy bags” for her to help keep her entertained while I’m nursing the newborn.
• Buy a potty training seat.  - She might not be ready until after the baby is born, but I’d like to have one anyway.
• Purge toys.
• Create better toy storage in the living room.

Move Grace to Her New Room

• Purge & organize the closets – They are currently filled with moving boxes & more.
• Pick a bedding set for her big girl bed.
• Paint and/or get fun wall decals.
• Buy & install black out curtains or shades.
• Make a night light.
• Move Grace into the new room in the beginning of March or earlier.

Blogging Goals

• Host the 2nd Annual A Day in the Life of… photography project this January.
• Go through all the business cards I collected at Relevant and visit each blog.
• Host baby themed giveaways – I already have 2 lined up.  Contact me if you have a product you’d like for me to review!
• Pre-write a minimum of 5 posts that I can publish after the baby is born.
• Collect a minimum of 5 guest posts. – If you are interested in guest posting, please contact me!

Clothes & Fashion

• Clear out my closet of non-maternity clothes.
• Buy warm & colorful maternity tops. – I used to work backstage in theater so all my long sleeve maternity tops are black!
• Buy new nursing tank tops. – I wore my Target tanks all. the. time.  I would love to get a Bravado one!
• Buy a maternity coat. – I’m on the fence about this one.  Thoughts?
• Get a haircut.  - Yes, this is worthy of my list.  I do it so few times a year that I want to be sure I get one in before the baby comes.
• Get new glasses.  - This needed to happen months ago.  The non-glare coating is coming off and my glasses are horrible.

Family Fun

• Take Grace to the local children’s play house at least once a month.
• Enjoy monthly date nights with Nate. – This should be easy since his parents gave us monthly babysitting & gift cards for Christmas to use for date nights.
• Use local hotel gift card. – Long story, but we want to take Grace swimming in the pool.
• Use restaurant gift cards. – In addition to our date nights, we have some other gift cards we want to enjoy before the baby comes.

Finish Photo Books

• The Year 2009
• The Year 2010
• The Year 2011
• Grace’s First Year Book
• Plus upload pictures to Snapfish monthly.

House Goals

• Clean the carpets.
• Update, print, and follow and new cleaning check list.
• Buy a new computer.
• Hang pictures.
• Solve the no-coat-closet problem.

Pretty insane right??  I’m tired just from typing it all!  Do you think I’ll get it all done before the baby comes?  I’ll let you know how I’m doing next month.

Now it is your turn to share your lists!  I would love to hear about your goals and progress in the comments or you can use the link-up to add a link to a post on your own blog (click on the blue frog icon).  If you are reading this in your email or RSS reader, you’ll need to click over to Simply Rebekah to add your link and/or see the posts that other bloggers have shared.

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