My Dream Of Traveling The World

I grew up in a very tiny town with very few people in it. There probably was more cows then people now that I think about it. As I got older I became fascinated with big cities. Places like New York, San Francisco and Chicago. Something about the tall skyscrapers and bright shiny lights really appealed to me. I still haven't had the chance to live in a big city. I wish I would of moved to Cincinnati when I had the chance. Lived in Ohio most of my life and didn't even explore the city while I was there, bummer!


Once I got away from Ohio and started to see more areas of the United States I was bitten by the travel bug. I now have a dream of traveling the world. I'm just a small town girl who wants to see it all. A fulfilling life for me, would be exploring as much of this beautiful planet as I can. There is nothing more that I want out of life then to see historical places and the natural wonders of the world.

Somewhere in Arizona on my cross country drive in 2011
Jen from Red Parka Dairies wrote a really cool post about "Impossible Things" she wanted to accomplish in her life. When I read it I knew my only true dream in life was to travel. Honestly though I didn't think it was ever going to be possible. I always say that you can do anything that your heart desires, but the dream of traveling requires lots of dollar signs. I didn't see myself ever having enough money to travel the world.

Then I stumbled across the whole tiny house movement. (Read my post HERE.) The lightbulb went off over my head!!! If I could build my own home, live debt free/mortgage free, save money and live a simple life, I could spend my money and time traveling. YES PLEASE! I can't explain the happiness I have been feeling since discovering tiny houses. For the first time in my life I felt like my dream was achievable. THAT'S A BIG DEAL! So where will I go?


Venice and Rome, Italy
I have to admit, I'm not a history buff. Growing up I hated history and really anything that had to do with learning. As I've gotten older I have become very interested in learning about other countries and cultures. Italy to me is just simply gorgeous. I would love to see all the buildings and take in the sites. I think this will be our first overseas vacation. Now I just have to start saving money for it.

I mentioned a few posts back that I got a promotion at work. I am now full time which means more money. I was scared to go full time, but I decided there are way too many awesome things I want to do in the future to not be making the extra cash while I can. I may not have a high paying job but I know how to save money. For the first time in our lives we are saving money and not wasting it. Saving money to build a tiny house and travel the world is a dream come true for me.

Needless to say there aren't many places in this world that I don't want to visit.
I figured I would spare you the long list and just share Italy for now. hahaha
What do you dream of doing in your life?

4 Simple Goals Before 2013 // The Results

You may or may not remember me posting about my 4 SIMPLE GOALS BEFORE 2013. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to do a RECAP post about it, but after reading Kitty's post I decided to. She inspired me to share my results. So here we go...


FAIL! This is the only goal I feel I completely failed out. I feel like you can always make time for things that are important to you. I failed at making time to workout. I will say that my job physically wears me out daily. When I get home I have very little energy. I walk what feels like miles at work. I don't feel too badly about not working out. I just know it's better for me. Especially since I want to bike so much this year. I need to "train" for my first real season of cycling. I have worked out a little bit this month. I am also already starting to not drink as much caffeine/coffee. I am heading in the right direction, just not before 2012 ended. HA! Oh well. Next goal...


This is a tricky one to answer. I started out really good in October and into early November. Then we ended up buying a house so quickly that my life and schedule was turned upside down. Most of my time management issues have to do with my blog. I love my blog, but it takes up so much of my time. Too much. I didn't fail this goal, but I still need to figure out better ways to manage my time I take to do posts. Also trying to keep up with all the reading of other blogs has gotten really hard for me. I want to visit you all, but there just isn't enough time in the day!! Blog Lovin' is helping me out a lot right now with keeping up with my reading list. I am trying to do most my blog posts on only a few days of the week. (Freeing up the other days.) Still struggling though. I need time for real life. LOL


This goal I did. Only one huge hill, but it counts. Gosh, it burned so bad! Our last bike ride that we took in October we went a different way on the trail. There was this long long hill that I never thought I would be able to climb up. Of course Cody blasted by me. I yelled obscenities the whole time I was peddling up the hill. Cody keep yelling at me not to stop and I just kept going. I did make it to the top without stopping. It just was painful and took what felt like an eternity. This is why I need to workout more. We now have a bike trainer in our basement. My bike is hooked up to it and you just peddle like a spin bike. It's so freakin hard! I can't wait to be able to climb mountains on my bike. It will all be worth it in the end.


This I felt was a goal that may have seemed strange to people. Since I moved 1200 miles away from my parents I don't see them EVER. I don't feel like I talk to them enough and it's sad. Time goes by so fast and I don't ever want to regret not keeping in better contact with them. We have talked more on the phone since October and emailed more. I hope to start taking the time to write letters and call more often. I think it's really important. So, I didn't fail at this goal but there is room for improvement.

We all have goals for 2013. I think we just have to focus on the really important stuff. Don't put way too much pressure on yourself to do a million things. Of course I say that and I have my 32 Things list. HA! I want to be really ambitious this year. I think if Cody and I decide to start trying for a baby it may be this fall. I want to do a lot of things this year that may not be so easy with a mini me running around. :)

What is your number 1 thing that you WILL accomplish in 2013??

32 THINGS BEFORE 32

Yes, I am jumping on the bandwagon and making my own list of things I would like to accomplish by my next birthday. I never got around to doing a 30 Things Before 30! Now that I am 31 years old I thought I would do a list for before 32. As a child I hated having my birthday at Christmas time. Now it doesn't bother me at all. It's actually kinda nice that it's at the end of the year really. It will make doing a 32 Things Before 32 list easier. I get to start it at the beginning of a year and set some awesome goals for myself!

My list consists of things that are some what simple to do, to things that are a bit harder. I really wanted to challenge myself. Posting it on the blog makes it feel so "official". I now have an audience watching me saying, "Well? How's that list going???" I am super excited for the next year and exploring my list. I was just going to type it out, but that wasn't fun for me. I've added some photos. There are some links throughout the list, so feel free to scroll over everything and explore further if you'd like. I can't wait to start marking some of this stuff off the list!




So what do you think? I love the last one. ;)
Have you made lists for yourself? Please share them and how is your progress going???