During nap time yesterday I found myself daydreaming up my ideal day. It would go something like this…

I would wake up on my own time – without any alarm or kids coming to get me. I would get the chance to linger in bed for a few extra minutes and slowly make my way out of the covers to face the day. And would you look at that? I woke up at the beach! How nice!

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After my leisurely rising, I would throw on my workout clothes and head out the door for a workout. Call me crazy that I would still have exercise in my ideal world. Besides, I know you want to jump on the crazy train with me. I would have an amazing run where I experience an awe-inspiring conversation with God and then accomplish a new goal in my strength training – like unassisted pull-ups. Woo!

What better way to follow up a great workout than with a solid pampering session? A manicure. A pedicure. A two-hour massage. That sounds about right.

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I would then head down to the beach and spend the afternoon playing with my family. Watching my children laugh. Snuggling up next to my wonderful husband.

Then, I would have a little more down time whilst the chillins took perfect naps. I could read, relax, take my own nap, and do whatever my little heart desired for those couple of hours. Pure bliss.

The fabulous day would continue into the night. After kissing my wee ones and tucking them into bed, I would slip into a stunning outfit – not coincidentally in my “happy place” size. I could then venture out for a night with the love of my life.

We could dine on fine food, that would not even dare think about migrating to my caboose, and chat about all of our dreams, which we know will happen. It would all end going to bed at peace, knowing a similar day awaits.

Sounds pretty flipping fantastic, huh? Although, after awhile, I wonder if that type of existence would feel boring. In reality, life does not even come close to perfect. I know that I can only focus on making the best of each day. Recently, Lindsay @ Cotter Crunch wrote a post that I could really relate to about goals.

Like Lindsay, I don’t have very specific goals written out for each month or year. I simply strive to do my best each day. It works well for me and actually helps me to stay more focused. So, each day, in no particular order, I try my hardest…

• to show patience, compassion, and gentleness with my children so they can know my love for them and grow up feeling secure in that love
• to trust God and reflect that in my life
• to take time to pursue my passions so I can be the best version of myself
• to put in effort for the fitness/body goals I hope to achieve, while still keeping perspective on what matters most (my health)
• to show love to my husband
• to take time for other important relationships such as family and friends

If I can achieve those things, i must say it creates a pretty ideal day. I truly think we have the chance each and every day – no…each and every MOMENT – to create an ideal version of our lives. It doesn’t come in pretty postcards and a lack of problems. It comes in making the most of life. Going after dreams. Relishing our blessings. Loving others. Yea, I’ll admit a two hour massage sure could help, but why not do what it takes to create an ideal version of your day today. And then let’s start one of these…

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• What would be a part of your ideal day?
• What is something you strive for each day?

On Monday night, Peter & I attended a financial seminar at our church.

Joe Sangl, the author of I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. came to visit and speak at our church. We weren’t sure if we planned to attend, but after hearing him speak during our Sunday worship service, we knew we had to go.

Plus, knowing our church provides great entertainment at these sorts of things and that we would have a night with some friends didn’t hurt the decision.

And a free dinner always helps. You know, since we can’t get one of these.

Money Tree! 

The church catered in Jason’s Deli sandwiches. I picked up the box with turkey sandwich on wheat bread.

It also came with some chips (which I didn’t eat – not a huge chips fan), a pickle (which I ate both mine and Peter’s), and a chocolate chip cookie (which you better believe I ate!).

Sure, it wasn’t the most extravagant meal, but it satisfied my tummy. We all know how important that is if I’m expected to pay any sort of attention.

Joe Sangl provided a lot of insight into different ways to help manage finances better. A lot were practices Peter and I already follow - like creating a budget and planning to save – but he also had some good reminders and things I have not thought about as seriously. He discussed creating a will, making certain to have life insurance, and the fact that saving just $100/month will net over $1,000,000 to use in retirement in 40 years with the average interest rate investments earn.

The night may sound boring but it actually was a lot of fun. Joe Sangl should pick up comedy on the side. He had our table cracking up quite a few times. Overall, he definitely engaged the audience and provided many useful tools and ideas. In fact, you can find all the tools on his website – budgeting spreadsheets already set up to do the math for you, calculators to determine the time to pay off certain debts, and “payoff spectaculars”…

…which as you see above are different pre-made files you can print off and determine how much each box is worth to achieve your saving goal. When you put that amount of $ towards whatever you are saving for, you get to color in a box. Pretty cool visual idea. And yes – one of the pictures is for a llama. Told you he had a sense of humor. I guess I appreciate it because its random, like mine. Now, I will stop sounding like a commercial for him. I just wanted to pass along the information to you all. I think it’s pretty cool how over the internet we can garner so many aids for so many things!

Just like my workout yesterday morning. It came straight from the internet. From Kristin’s blog, more specifically. I mentioned before that I’m now doing my Tuesday runs on the treadmill at the gym to better fit my schedule. I love that getting my run on the treadmill allows me to get my entire workout completed earlier in the day with child care, but I do not like the treadmill unless my run includes intervals to entertain me. I did Kristin’s 5-4-3-2-1 treadmill workout.

I completed two rounds of the 5-4-3-2-1 intervals (first time at 1.0 % incline and second time @ 2.5% incline) and then finished up my 4 miles at 6.5 to finish my run in just under 37 minutes. After the run, I hit the weights. The workout was killer.

My body sure feels that workout today! And it will even more so after I have some fun with Cathe and her IMAX 3 workout.

Speaking of which – I just realized that Cathe is hosting a fitness challenge at the Fitbloggin’ conference. I. Am. Stoked!!! Love her and I cannot wait to do a live workout with her. She rocks my world. I cannot believe its only a little over 2 weeks away. Eeee! Well, hope you all have a fantabulous Wednesday. Make it what you want it. You do have that power after all. 😉

• Are you a spender or a saver?
• Who would you LOVE to have the chance to workout with?

If you like money talk, Katie wrote a really unique piece on approaching budgeting (or “intentional spending as she calls it) like intuitive eating.