Update #1

This has been a CRAZY 2 weeks!!!!  I have made several dents into my goals for 2011.  Over the MLK weekend I travelled to NYC with 3 of my childhood girlfriends  :)  We went shopping, ATE, took a helicopter ride, ATE and chit chatted.  Seriously, I ate a LOT.  From sushi, to curry shrimp, to chicken parmigiana and chicken & waffles, I ate 2 weeks of my caloric intake in 3 days!  I definitely need to detox.  So this week, I have planned out all my meals.  By the way, those frozen vegetables by Green Giant are the BEST!  Not only are they tasty, but I get my green vegetable intake and can prepare them in less than 10 minutes.  lovin it :)  I am trying out a new recipe this week, and hope it turns out better than my lobster pasta from the past week.  In my defense, it wasn't that awful.  I didn't have all the necessary ingredients to make it work and I was snowed in so I couldn't run to the grocery store once I started.  But I did learn something new, Rotel is an EXCELLENT sub for fresh diced tomato; much quicker and easier with the same great taste.  I just needed another can or some tomato paste to thicken the sauce. 

I have to register to get a certified copy of my freedom papers this week.  They have been working me like a slave; like they did not get the notice that I have been set free.  It is a BUSY time for me as we are in the middle of planning out our fiscal year.  It should slow down in the next week or two and then pick up crazy again as we try to finish off the present fiscal year. 

So I have made some progress on travelling, logging some pictures, trying out a new recipe and I even went to the gym 2 times this week.........but I failed on getting in good cardio and have only put a dent in my book club selection.  The dating story is actually pretty funny this week.........so I was macked by a pastor.  Yep, you heard it right, a pastor tried to holla at me in the Harris Teeter parking lot.  So here's the scene..... I had just checked out of the self service lane and was heading outside.  An older man in a 3 piece gray suit smiled and said, "you know they have shopping carts".  I smiled back and said "yeah I know, I really wasn't planning on buying this much " and left the store.  I had to do some re-arranging and look up directions in the parking lot so I was still outside when he left the store.  Of course he proceeds to my car and starts to chit chat some more.  Then comes the killer; he asks if I am married and then proceeds to ask why not.  Which is a foolish question to me;  why don't I have red hair?  why don't I have black nail polish?  That's just not the situation right now.  But on this day I chose the answer that God hasn't sent him to me yet.  Well then he starts to say that we did not meet by chance and this was divine because he is a pastor at a church up north.  Now, he didn't have a chance in the first place - not that I am superficial person, but he had on a 3 piece, long jacket suit and was NOT born in the 70's !!!!  But he definitely was out the picture now that he announced he was a pastor.  Is that wrong of me?  I am definitely looking for a spiritual mate who is looking to grow in faith, but I don't think I can date a pastor.  I drink wine, I dance, I like secular music, and I detest long praise and worship programs.  Pray for me!

My Vision Statement for 2011

Yesterday, I went to an event entitled "Dreams" that is hosted by my friend every year.  It is meant to help a group of women focus on their goals and vision for their life in the upcoming year and beyond.  It challenges us set a plan for how we want our life to be.  So, on this snowy day, I have developed my vision statement and list of goals for 2011.  I may not accomplish them all but I think its a good start.  This year's blog postings will be about my progress on these goals  (and of course other randomness : ) So here goes..........


I AM THE CEO OF ANDREA NICOLE HARPER ENTERPRISES.  I HAVE THE ABSOLUTE AND SOLE AUTHORITY TO FIRE ANY EMPLOYEES/CONTRACTORS THAT I DEEM TOXIC TO THE WORKPLACE, ARE UNPRODUCTIVE, OR THAT EXCESSIVELY USE BENEFITS WITHOUT RECIPROCAL PERFORMANCE.

I ALSO HAVE THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY TO HIRE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALIGNED WITH THE COMPANY'S GOALS AND VALUES; THOSE WHO ADD VALUE TO THE BOTTOM LINE.  I AM IN CHARGE OF ASSIGNING ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE COMPANY TO THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO I DEEM FIT AND CAPABLE.  I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE FOR DECISIONS MADE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMPANY AND WILL NOT RECRUIT/RETAIN EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM.

I AM AN EMOTIONAL, COMPASSIONATE,  AND INTROSPECTIVE WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN CAREFULLY AND PURPOSEFULLY MADE.  I AM PLEASED AT THE WORK BEING CREATED IN ANDREA NICOLE HARPER ENTERPRISES.


In 2011, I will:
Be open, thoughtfully
Give my body the things it needs to work well
Be the primary source of my confidence

And finally, my list.  I may not do them all, some have no rhyme or reason, many were suggested by "friends" and some are just for fun!

31 Things to do Before I'm 32
1. Read 32 books
2. Blog weekly
3. Run five 5ks 
4. Run an entire 5k
5. Log 140 hrs. of cardio
6. See my niece dance
7. Get my shoes fixed
8. Ski/tube
9. Visit fam in Memphis - August tix purchased - they moved :(
10. Finish vision board
11. Create my lounge
12. Create my guestroom
13. Write mission/vision statement
14. Travel to Asheville
15. Volunteer at high schools
16. Go on 5 trips -
17. Log 300 pictures
18. Become more than financially active in my sorority
19. Get my JP Morgan statement & P&G shares in an account
20. Get clothes down to one double hamper
21. Kiss passionately
22. Make 1 recipe a week ....46 Total - prob 30 :(
23. Make all medical appointments
24. Take advanced swimming lessons -
25. Try 10 brunch spots
26. Go to painting class
27. Visit my uncle 3 times
28. Host 3 things at my house
29. Go to Bobcats game alone
30. Go on 4 confirmed dates
31. Babysit for a mom