yesterday, weekend. today, checklist

well, i have had quite a weekend...but i won't bore you with it :)

i hope you're having a wonderful monday, starting with a latte or tea and a good read.

this is what is on my agenda today:

• donate unwanted objects and clothing to thrift shop or local charity.
• designate one shelf for items you plan on regifting, and label so you don't make a boo boo!
• split up your to-do list into do-able factors and group, group, group!
• clean the worst room first
• spend 10 minutes each day for a week going through paper piles. it will lessen the load considerably
• stop buying so much stuff, you materialistic nut, you :)
• bloggers: organize your blog topics into ONE PLACE!

i will be back later on for more tips. aside from working on my own books, stories and household chores today- i have been assigned to many more projects this week that i will not expose...yet.

all in due time, my lovelies :)

much love,
the*globetrotting*gamine

lieb cellars

Lieb Cellars
35 Cox Neck Road, Mattituck NY

Since we are unable to went for winter/this horrible weather to end, we took a siesta out to wine country some weeks back. It was there we fell upon Lieb, where we did a wine and chocolate pairing that was exquisite. Chocolate featured Bon Bons Chocolatier of Huntington <3

We were also touched to see that one of their 'wines for the cause' was the Syrah.

Why it's touching?
"Syrah is one of our favorite grapes and was also the name of our vineyard mascot, who we recently lost to kidney disease. This Syrah wine has been created in his memory. 20% of the proceeds from sales of this wine will be donated to the non-profit Animal Medical Center in NYC for research and treatment of kidney disease in animals. For more information visit:

http://www.amcny.org/supportamc/syrah.aspx.

This is a cool climate Syrah without the jammy fruit found in many warm climate Syrah/Shiraz. Instead it is a medium bodied with balanced acidity, showing black fruit and spiced earth. Well-integrated oak aging produces hints of clove and soft tannins, while the addition of Merlot rounds out the mouthfeel."

Freaking awesome, Lieb. Though we had more than one wine that was very flavorful- we can't remember so we'll have to come back <3

a few days ago...

i began a campaign based on this post...

i have heard many wonderful things happening for the people who place campaigns on indiegogo.com. i need help, too!

the $5000 goal that i'd like to reach is going to be split between me and a local animal shelter that i will have on board come Monday. I will donate $2500 to them, and another shelter.

the $2500 i will be keeping will be split up as follows:

scanner/printer/ink: approximately $200 (let us pray)


marketing products for my books: approximately $50 (here's hoping)

cooking class: approximately $150-200...to help out LML and my doggie, and most of all, myself.

 writing class: approximately $150-200...to help me get out and about

graphic design class: approximately $150-300 because i really want to learn cool things

price of printing out books: approximately 950

vacation to long island to get ideas/my thoughts together: $200

iPad--  a whopping $600

that's approximately $2500 give or take.

obviously, me marketing (advertising) is going to drive me bananas. i am open to anyone helping me out if they want to donate used materials, a free class, advertising opportunity, etc. please, please help in anyway you can <3

i am also willing to blog about everything going on with my books from here on out and give a play by play about what's going on.

this week i am doing what i can to raise money within my online community...and wouldn't you know it...it's the day my printer ran out of ink.

bastard.

so happy

hi and happy sunday, bloggie friends :)

as i write this to you all, i am winding down with some blackberries and a cup of chamomile saffron tea going over the events of the weekend. spending some time with my friends was the downtime i needed to feel refreshed. i am truly blessed to have such happy, amazing (and busy!) people in my life.

we talked about life, love, doggies and food. our new travel destinations and ideas, plans and whatever has been going on while we've been snowed in! i love them so, so much.

this week, i am hoping to get out there and get some things done that i've said i was going to do on my blog and post about them...which brings me to my february list (do you believe that it's the 6th already? Geez)

Let's look at my progress, which is not as great as i think it should be...


YAY:

 

finish writing two of my novels
i am not going to lie and say that i have done much in this department. i was feeling totally unmotivated this week to even try to write down a word, fearing that i would ruin the harmony of my books' ideas. but i got amazing ideas this weekend!

finish illustrations for my second children's book
this item i have been working on diligently, with some advice from my good friends who are much more advanced than i am in the illustrating/drawing/painting realm.

stay in touch
love, love, love my friends. and i am apologizing to them in advance (i'm sorry!) for sending you out old cards, letters, and holiday greetings from yester-year. lol

spread joy
i am definitely going to try to spread some more joy. hopefully we don't get hit with more snow and ice to have that happen.

 say i love you more
this is the goal i've kept up best. i kind of think that i'm driving poor LML crazy...

20 minute activity three times a week
yep. activity is all that's been going on while i've been tucked away in this house- there is ALWAYS something that pops up that i need to do.

wash windows
not yet.

wash walls
not yet.

clean grout
not yet, but i am prepared.

scour pots and pans-
i shined one up real nice, and will post the pictures tomorrow!

polish wood
not yet

research my spring activities
i have SO started this item!

donate, donate
i am setting up donations and  ideas for sites i would like to volunteer at. i am uber-excited about this.

cook/bake new things (this is where 'the kind diet' resolution comes in)
on the menu tomorrow is my next try for lentil soup via the kind diet. i really love this book and can't wait to delve into it a little more.

begin making appointments for activities in springtime (march and on)

 feb. 14th begins my first appointment on the list. i am so excited.

i am just so happy today!

lots of love and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

(i am not watching the superbowl, but i AM squirming while my LML watches Taboo. Eeps.)

help the animals!

this is Rocky! He is a 5 year old-Pit Bull mix looking for a new home!

even though my apartment is small, if i was in virginia, i would sneak him into my house...

though my assistant would be competitive...

he'd have to learn!

My amazing friend has set up a wishlist for les-than-fortunate animals in need of a little attention, love and squeaky toys...here's the deal:

Want to help homeless animals? Want to know where your money is going? Visit my Wish List to select (inexpensive items) to benefit K9 Justice League and the Virginia Beach SPCA - Thanks!

If you have a minute, see if you'd like to donate anything. If you do, you can track the status through stories of how you've helped an animal in need at the K9 Justice League and the Virginia Beach SPCA! I will post the stories of the donator and the giftie-acceptor :)

love me,
the globetrotting gamine

my january list- part one

if you go back to this post, you will read my list of goals for the month of january.
here's what i've done so far in respects to:

• clean out the house of negative stuff
• clean it out of un-necessary clutter 
•  add all articles to blog i thought were interesting (and hopefully you will, too)
• add to blog list of items i wanted to blog about

i think i accomplished SO MUCH so far this week. here's what happened monday and tuesday, aside from writing and research...

i took down the christmas tree, and put all ornaments in the ornament organizer.

i cleaned out and purged things from this spot in my kitchen

(sorry, i don't have photos of the before )

i cleaned out my closet and drawers...i didn't organize it yet

the picture above my closet shot are the items going to donations at the church.

cleaned and cleaned out

the freezer and refrigerator

do you see my tofu, cider, greens in a bag and beer?

i cleaned out this cabinet that's in the corner of my kitchen.

i didn't shoot the before picture on purpose.

you did not want to see the before.

i cleaned out LML's closet, and will

bring stuff shown to my office.

i HAD to clean out this part of my pantry. it was making me crazy.

whew- it looks a little better now.

my family likes to fatten me up by giving me chips and cookies.

thanks, family. it's my just in case stash :)

i also cleaned the ceiling fan, and cleaned out a box from the boiler room.

and cooked.

and as for those last 2 items...

my blog is going to explode with information from now until february.

do you have a january to do list?