The first of 7 truths I am going to work on this year!!!

 You need something done, you let me know.  I’ll get it done. By “get it done” I mean I will add it to my thirty page to-do list and then promptly ignore it!  In the second breathe I am Johnny on the spot! I am the one that will get everything done in 24 hours and will make it happen.  The freelance life makes me a little more like the Queen of Procrastination,. and the all mighty princess of Dilly-Dallying. 

I have every intention to finish my long list every day not being able to complete it all makes me feel like I slept the entire day away. I feel like I am letting someone down. Letting myself down. 

    

I don’t know why I am like this, I just am. My therapist (yes, I use to see a therapist.. if you were me you would too! stop judging me right now! & yes I broke up with her because I couldn’t keep my plans with her! At one time she told me that it’s a method of self destruction. I know, it sounds like I’m crazy right? Maybe yes? Maybe no? what this means in a nutshell is I self sabotage myself. When I really do think about it, I guess she was right. Now I have to just figure out why I'm do this in the first place?! 

   

 I have the very best of intentions, I really do. The never ending inventory of un-reached goals I am chock full of great ideas.  I want to do so many wonderful things, the ideas spill from me, my head is a mish mash of OCD.  

Never having the wilpower to stick with one thing. I make some of my goals become reality. There are so many people that don’t get It & it causes some of the people in my life to become completely pissed off.  It isn’t like this is what I want to be like. I know that when I get nervous or have an idea I talk it out. I talk about it with anyone that will listen. This is what I have always done & I am pretty sure that when I say “ I am going to open a scrapbooking store.” People hear just that. Well what I am saying in my mind is “ I would love to one day open a scrapbooking store (maybe) some day!

That gets me in hot water alot. 

  So, what’s the deal? Why don’t I just do it? Well, I am amazingly over scheduled and that makes it so hard to just take the time out. I wish I knew why I was this way. I wish I knew why I feel the need to set myself up for disappointment. Do I fear the responsibilities that will come along with success? 

There has been many times that I have lost friendships because of this. Because. I am better then I was before but this is what I use to do..... Call, email, or run into a friend. Set up a date and cancel. When I say “We should totally should go to the movies next week!” my friends says “great 

let’s meet next Wednesday at two at the Kingston theater!” I say “perfect”. Then the next thing I know Its the day before and I email them or call them and say ” I can’t make it.”  This is what I use to do. I no longer do it! If I can’t make a date with someone I have a reason. Not just to sit at home and paint my nails! This is one goal that I have reached. 

I will go into the I can’t say “NO” post tomorrow. So for the next 365 days I will not over book myself. Run myself into the wall and back out of something I have started. I will Follow through. I will be the best person to myself and to my friends in my life. 

As for me, I will be doing some soul searching over the next year. I am going to make myself into the person that I want to be. I need to not sit on facebook all day, not working on my blog, or my book, or any project that I haven’t checked off my list first. That work first play later! 

With the fresh start doing this I started today to work on my Kitchen Counter, with the TV off set a timer wrote my list and did those things before I got back to facebooking. 

I will tell you how it goes but I will be trying this! It can only make my life better right? 

What is going on Monday, January 3, 2011

The Morning Routine

If I don't do/have this in the morning, it offsets my entire day! 

I feel like I wont have the best day if I don't have a Diet coke and my Apple lap top to check my facebook. blog, Twitter, and emails in that order! :) 
If I get up and "Hub's" is on the lap top before me Oh man my entire day is off. 

Challenge two!

Blogging challenge 2....... Sunday, January 2, 2011

The 2011 To - Do List

What would you like to accomplish this year?  What are the places you would like to visit in 2011?  What do you hope to check off your bucket list in 2011?

Here are a few things off my bucket list. I know that I did this a week or so ago for 101 in three years. Well mine as well use a few of those ideas. 

One. I would love to clean the garage top to bottom make it sparkle and shine. With out the hubs having to help me so when he drives in he can be be blown away! 

Two. Host a dinner party for a few close friends, a few of our favorite couples or just a hand full of my best girl friends. 

Three: Spend my next (34th) birthday in Las Vegas with the same couples that I have over for the dinner party... or just the girlfriends for a girls trip! 

Four: Take a photo of every places we have lived then put it in a photo book and give it to the "Hub's" for our 9th anniversary! We have moved alot so it will be a big picture book!!

Five: Have my own weekly radio show! 

Six: Go to the movies all by myself. 

Seven: Make and ride in 15 parades this year! 

Eight:  Make and sell things on Etsy! :) 

Nine: Become a Chamber member for 10 towns.

Ten: Be women of the year!! 

eleven:  Become a Mommy! 

Well I just love blog challenges and I found one from the Blog dare on Bloggy Mom's! It is always fun to keep the creative train a going so I am going to play catch up on this fun blog dare! 

So here is the first two posts that I am needing to get updated on. Saturday, January 1, 2011

Resolutions!   

What is your resolution for 2011?  Do you often make a resolution and not keep it?  What is the longest you have kept a New Years resolution?  What is your most often chosen New Years resolution?  What do you think about New Years resolutions?

Wow! This is a tough one to do there are so many goals both personally and professionally. I will try to be brief but bare with me for a second. 

I always say I am going to stop drinking diet coke. Cross it off my list and save that money for something else. I think that I am going to stick with it and the longest it has lasted is 16 days... then like a plane zooming faster and faster towards the earth until it crashes like a giant big ball of flames, that is me...... plus have you ever had that headache that goes with the stopping of drinking diet coke? I would rather be hit smack in the forehead with a freaking hammer. Although it makes it on my list every year. 

I want to make sure that I get my books ( I have 5 I am writing at one time. 3 are travel books.) I would like to have this done by my anniversary May 20th! 

Work on myself daily. Mind, body & spirit. In 2011 I want to become the person my "fur babies" think I am. Nothing in the world will love you more then your four legged family member. 

Do fun Kingstongirl events and truly do whatever I can to make sure that my Kingstongirl brand is four times more known. 

Not to put things off for tomorrow! I need to use my office and take the office hours and when I leave that room I am done with writing, reading and working. At the point I work on things for Kingstogirl from the time I get up to the time I go to bed. Only logging off cyber space when "Hub's" wants to use it to check his facebook. I give him an hour, then I start itching for the computer back. 

I want to make the friendship's that I have that much richer. Taking time to really let them know how much they mean to me. I am blessed to have them, they are the ones that make me a better person. 

I will stop having to be in control all the time & start remembering what "Hub's" always tells me. No matter what everything seems to have a way to work itself out. He is right and it seems like it always does. I also want to stop nagging! I do that to much. :) 

I want to make sure that I am more calm, I want to be a better wife. I know that I can improve on talking less listening more, tell him that I love him and how much his hard work pays off. In a time when two people have to work to make a house hold run, he not only let's me stay home and not work outside the house. Always telling me how proud he is that I get to be a freelance writer and a hotel reviewer. Telling me that he just loves to read my articles in the local newspaper then showing it to anyone and everyone around. 

Traveling more and more and seeing some more fab places. Also making sure that I make great new connections. 

I believe that this year is going to be the best year of my life. The ride is going to be wild and I can't wait to have you in the passenger seat in my little road trip! Oh and I am sorry if this makes you gag! 

Or that you are sick of hearing about it but..................................... I can not wait to be a mama! This is the year that it is going to happen. Can't get much better then that. 

The Hotel Review for the Hotel Alexis in Seattle.

My visit for our part two of our mini vacation in down town Seattle was another stay at a Kimpton property!  One of three in the down town area.  What a treat it was for us to be able to stay at  the Alexis,  that was recently named one of  Travel + Leisure's "Best 500 Hotels in the World" list.  A wonderful accomplishment that just stepping into the lobby you can feel and 
know why right away. 

Going to The Alexis during the holiday season, we were able to enjoy the extra lights, and all the extra touches that they put out for their guests, beautiful decorated trees & gingerbread villages make the lobby and hotel seem to sparkle even more!  Who would have thought that would even be able to be done? Then with the morning coffee that they have in the lobby they add Chai for the pour souls in Seattle like me that don't like Coffee! ( unless it is an extra extra white Chocolate Mocha!) Lord help me if I can taste the coffee....

A living and breathing work of art the Alexis which was recently renovated, is deemed a luxury boutique hotel that is fully committed to the arts community. Being a hot hotel it's so  Unique by displaying original pieces throughout the richly decorated guestrooms and public spaces. They make sure that each hotel visitor is truly going to enjoy every single hand picked artwork & the pieces that showcase the diversity and culture distinctive to the Pacific Northwest. 

While on our stay the Alexis had a few different events going on, the first was the The Alexis "Art Walk" which features art exhibits by local artists. The exhibit rotates every quarter and features various artwork.  In addition to the "Art Walk", the quarterly exhibitions feature works in the Gallery room as well as the Hotel Lobby,  The concept of a rotating art exhibit is beyond brilliant and can be found throughout the public spaces and along the "Art Walk," a hallway dedicated to fine art. This is highly popular with the locals and is known in the community for its exhibits. This Hotel takes this to heart proudly remembering that they are as much a staple in the community as the Pike Market & the Spaceneedle!  They always take extra time to put the Seattle community first! 

Speaking of "Art" the package that we got was the Picasso is coming to Seattle! Enjoy this landmark exhibit, Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris, with a special experience from the Alexis Hotel:

    * Deluxe accommodations

    * Two VIP tickets to the Picasso exhibit at the nearby Seattle Art Museum

    * 2 cocktails at the Bookstore Bar, inspired by the Picasso exhibit (non-alcoholic drinks available for children)

    * Chef Tiffany's 'Bleu Fries' (in honor of his blue period)

    * Complimentary keepsake poster from the Seattle Art Museum

*offer valid October 8, 2010 – January 17, 2011

 All packages include:

    * Hosted evening wine reception in the hotel's lobby

    * Morning coffee service

    * Choice of daily local or national newspaper

    * Plush terrycloth robes for use while in the hotel

    * Use of private steam room and fitness facility

    * Evening turndown service (upon request)

    * Shoeshine service

    * Concierge service

The front desk gave us our two tickets and with  our hotel umbrella & we bundled up & headed out to make it to the SAM. To see the artwork, home video's, hear the commentary and see the  photo's of Picasso was one of the biggest highlights of my entire life. Truly able to learn all of his lovers, children, & why his art changed to display his feelings. If you don't see this you will be sadly missing out.  Paring this and the hotel is simply the greatest package I have yet to see at any hotel I have seen!

Our room was so beautiful! Breathe taking to be truthful. A non-smoking room (All rooms are non-smoking) A king size bed with butter soft egyptian cotton linens & goose down comforters, two side tables, a lovely stand up shower with marble accents & premium bath amenities, that make you feel like you are home like the lovely terrycloth bathrobes or the hairdryer. Also I didn't remember my straight iron for my hair that night and they sent one right up! What a girls needs in Seattle rain!  It is so nice to stay at a hotel that remembers everything even the things you don't think of.  Another nice touch that they do per-request is their Turndown service with chocolates and daily weather report. 

There were two Flat panel LCD televisions featuring on-demand movies, one in the bedroom area one in the living area, along with a mini bar and a refrigerator. The "computer desk" was great as well as the high back swivel chair in front of it, other added touches from home were the iron and board, and cordless phones.  A lovely fireplace and a small but adequate mini library offered many great titles to thumb through on your stay.  A coffee table and a lovely couch in the living area,  An amazing view of 1st Ave, a delight to sit and watch the city lights twinkle & shine and the cars breeze by.   

I loved our room so much that I would have stayed in the room the entire time. Only leaving a few times to go to the two on site place to eat, drink & be extremely happy! 

The library bistro,  an artist and book lovers dream to dine at is reminiscent of a 1940s and 1950s style restaurant with high back booths, ten-foot high bookcases, contemporary copper and bronze checkerboard tiles and oiled oak floors. Their menu brings together local and seasonally inspired cuisine, with signature cocktails and a variety of American wines with a Pacific Northwest focus. Makes the visit a must to do if you are visiting a place to check of your Seattle to do list!

The bookstore bar, is a fun place that is filled with Shelves of books that line the walls near the ornate wood bar and create a comfortable reading room vibe. All the Diners can peruse the extensive selection of cookbooks (also available for purchase), as well as magazines and newspapers from around the country. An outstanding selection of single malt scotch, single barrel bourbon and international beers are offered for your enjoyment, a great place to hide from the rain and not leave the hotel grounds. 

Join the hotel guest with an experience only a hotel like the Alexis can bring to you, when you can  enjoy their nightly wine reception where you can not only meet other inspiring guests, but enjoy a glass of wine as you channel your inner artist by painting postcards to mail home. To explore that artist inside you is just another reason you will enjoy your time here.

Bring your "fur Baby or Babies" with you! You know how important bringing our Fur babies are to me! The Alexis brings it! This is one hotel that is fully committed to being  pet-friendly!  They accept any number of pets without size or weight restrictions and for no extra charge!!! yeah baby! This is a dream come true for all of us "Fur baby" Parents.  Upon check-in, all pet guests receive the following with our compliments:  * A designer doggie bed * A water bowl with distilled water * Complimentary pet treats They can arrange pet sitting services either with their friendly & loveable front office staff!  Or through one of their dedicated pet-sitting referrals, as you explore the shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants in the area! Now that is a 5 paw rating!  Special arrangements for special doggie in-room dining options, in addition to private sessions with a grooming service can be at your service...(both for a fee). What a great idea to enjoy a spa day for you and your "fur babies"

A few other things that you must know about The Alexis has is they have a 24 hour business center  complete with two computer stations and laptop hookup. Wireless high speed internet access in our private dining facilities Personalized room preferences and welcome amenities for Kimpton InTouch guest loyalty members, Full service Milagros SalonSpa on site, a renowned salon and day spa destination, Complimentary daily newspaper of your choice, overnight shoe shine, 24 hour room service from Library Bistro, Complimentary 24-hour fitness facility featuring state of the art Precor equipment and free weights, complimentary private steam room.  Full service Concierge staff along with Overnight valet parking $36 + tax, with in and out privileges (hybrid vehicles receive 50% off parking). A large Array of boutique shopping for your pleasure located on the main level of the hotel.  Also a green hotel! Ahhh my heart just skipped a beat! 

When you stay at the Alexis you are treated like that friend you can't wait for them to visit.  This is how they treat each of their guests. From the moment you walk into the lobby to the end of your stay when you check out you feel special. That you are a VIP guest. This is just one reason why Kimpton properties are some of my very favorite places to stay at! I can't wait to check out the hotel vintage plazza the third property in Seattle! 


Go check out a night at this wonderful hotel & tell them that Kingstongirl Sent you! 

A conversation with Elanie Turso....Photography.

 This is a conversation with a talented photographer that is in our local area. CHeck out her website and make sure that you find her on facebook and friend her. I want to thank Elaine for buying ad space* Thank you*

Q1) How long have you lived in the area?

A) I have lived in Bremerton my entire life... so about 33 years. 

Q) How much family history do you have in the area?

A). My parents are the only ones left in the area. Both of my brothers have moved away and started families, but I have no plans of ever leaving! 

Q) What is your favorite thing about the area?

A) I love that you can get in the car and drive 1-2 hours in any direction and be somewhere totally cool. I love the trees, the water, the mountain views, its beautiful and makes great portrait scenery. 

Q) What would you change if you could about the area?

A.) I wish there werent so many 'banks' on every corner. And not a real big fan of the nudie coffee stands. (maybe i'm just jealous, lol)

Q) What would you change if you could about the area?

A.) I started a business in 2001 making scrapbooks for others (Scrappin It For You). I have always loved photography, and my husband was really the one who encouraged me to pursue photography. 

Q) Where would you like to see your business be in 5 years?

A). In 5 years I would like to be able to support my family as a photographer. To be able to wake up everyday and make a choice to do what I love and support my family would be my dream. While i'm in dream land, I also want to open up my own shop, that is a photographers paradise. There are no camera stores left anymore and I want to change that. 

Q) What is the hardest part of having your own business?

A) The hardest part about owning my own business is deciding on pricing. I want to be affordable and yet at the same time be compensated for my time and costs. Its a hard compromise. And I struggle with it everytime I look at my price sheet. 

Q)Where would you like our town to be in over the next five years?

A). I would like our town to be more supportive of small businesses opening in the area. I think it would be nice for the cities to give tax breaks to small businesses opening up so they can have a chance to survive before taking a piece of their pie. 

Q) What is your favorite thing to do in our town?

A). Every year without fail, we go to the Kitsap County Fair. 

Q)Do you give to any local charities you work with?

A). My favorite store is Romy's, and Ish. 

Q) What is your business motto?

A). I support alot of military. I am a member of Operation Love Reunited and offer to do homecomings, and other portrait sessions with military. I also do alot of fundraisers for different organizations trying to raise money. 

Q) 13) tell me anything you would love to share about your business.

A). My business motto is "I'm not your average photographer". And really, I'm not. I do so much MORE than just photographer. I am creative. I love to design. I love to create. I cant help myself. A majority of my business has been word of mouth. I like it that way. It makes me feel like I am doing a good job. 

On another note..........

 I have yet to find a type of photography that I dont enjoy! I look forward to working with all kinds of people on all different kinds of projects!

I feel a change.... in me........

I’m sitting here trying to figure out what to write. This isn’t normally a problem. The problem is that there is so much going on in my mind. Deadlines, due dates, projects that I need to finish and start. My poor little mind is on over drive.  I hope you can hang in here with me.  

The big thing on my mind that is weighing hard on is the fact that I know there are so many things that are way out of my control. First being that I have a few relationships in my life that are really hard to maintain. If it was more simple I would truly walk away from both if I knew that it wouldn’t cause even more drama. Neither relationship I need, but then again if I didn't need them why am I trying to stop myself from letting go? 

My life is FULL. Full of friends, love, family, people I come in contact on a daily basis that tell me that I have made a difference in some small way of their lives. That my voice is being heard. Then there are the people that are in my “real” life that take me for granted. I hate that feeling. I am a pleaser when it comes to a hand full of people. I try hard to make them like me, to except me, to love me. I can not stand when someone is mad at me or a relationship that I have had with someone suddenly changes.  I am a fix it person, that is my role in life to take control and make things better. These are just some relationships that just can’t be fixed, Can they? More on this later........   

Next week I am going to post about all the flaws I have and what I am going to do in 2011 to change them. I have some great ideas, where to start and what to do to become the person that I need to love as much as most other love me.  To work on myself & over the next 365 days I will work on myself through tears, laughs, blowouts of emotional junk, working a little bit everyday to become that person I lost myself completely so long ago. Don’t get me wrong I am a great person to those that look at me from the outside but I do have a few cracks and I plan on fixing them this year. 

  I always feel like i am the girl spinning plates.

I hope you will stick by me, reading what I change, what I will keep and where this journey sends me.  I might switch this to a private blog and not have it be where my 

Kindle readers and people that just want to check in and read my reviews or places I have gone or things on that line... what do you think? You are my readers I write because of you and I would love to know your thoughts! 

Happy New years eve, Eve!