What is it about challenges?

There is something about a challenge that makes me thrive.  Not necessarily the every day life kind of challenges {those just have a tendency to stress me out}.  But challenges like writing a novel in a month or training to run a 5K. 

I have to believe that its one of the reasons that I am finally able to really concentrate on losing weight too, because the Game On Challenge I've been doing for most of the year has been pretty effective (well, mostly) at helping me lose weight...although I'd be better if there was no time off {wink}. 

So that's one of the reasons I put together my 34 in 34 list.  There's a link to it up top there, and I'm also writing about it and my progress so far over at Intend to Live. 

Unlike my bucket list, obviously the goal is to get all of these things done THIS year. 

So what is it about challenges?  I think its the journey, and more importantly, the feeling of accomplishment when its completed.  It just makes the path more interesting.

Oh, and I need a few new items for the list.  Our travel plans have changed since I first wrote it, and I really want to finish everything so I'm updating it.  Do you have any ideas for me? 

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What do you want to do this year???

An unopened gift {Five Minute Friday}

I wrote a message yesterday to my readers  friends about what this blog has be meant to me, and more importantly, that the fact that you READ it means so much to me.  

And now, looking forward.

Intend to Live, the blog I am launching on Sunday with Tracey, is an unopened gift.

There is the excitement leading up to the day, not sure what exactly is going to be inside the package.  Sure, we made a list of what we hope it might be.  We put work and thought into it, and we each have our hopes of what it will become.

I am looking forward with anticipation as to what possible gifts will come from joining with a good friend to create a new blog will bring.  Since that friend has already brought awesome gifts into my life, I can only imagine that they will continue to grow and multiply.

And hopefully its an unopened gift to you.  Isn't blogging in general?  Who knows what waits for you as you sleep and people across the world hit "publish".  We see the gifts of creativity, organization, love, tenderness, photography, skills in the kitchen and other places.  We see the gifts of the people that we share interests, loves and faith with.

My hope and prayer is that going forward you only find unopened gifts to keep you excited about what tomorrow has to offer.

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Make sure to visit The Gypsy Mama for more wonderful women's Five Minute Fridays

Coming attractions...

Hey ya'll.

First of all...there was question after yesterday's post about whether or not this bloggity blog would still be up when Intend to Live makes its humble entrance to the world on Sunday.

The short answer is, yes.  It'll always be here for history's sake, but the answer that you were probably looking for? I won't be updating it much.

The idea behind creating the new home was to cut back on my blogging time so I can focus on other things.   But the best part of the new home?

There are two of us, so much more {and better!} content.

Tracey knows her way around a kitchen a bit better than I do.  Which means more recipes, like sauerkraut and ideas for picky eaters.  {Guessing sauerkraut won't be on that list.  Hehe.}

I'm going to get back to my roots a bit and talk about bucket lists, and how to start one in case you've been thinking about it.  There are a ton of resources out there, so I'll be sharing some of that.  Not even that, but there will be more coming about healthy living.

And who knows....we might even drop a giveaway or two in there.  So make sure to follow here or at Tracey's home, to make sure you are there for the big launch!

Intend to Live: the Details

In just under a week, my new bloggie home with Tracey from Control the Chaos will launch!

So excited.  And now it is time to fill you on some of the details.  I bet you were just sitting there, drinking your coffee, wondering, what exactly are you guys going to write about?

Well, you asked {okay, maybe you didn't} and I answer.

Mondays and Wednesdays will be my domain.  Mondays will be for bucket list updates, photography fun (maybe even some challenges?) and other memory making and keeping thoughts.  Wednesdays will be my weekly update on my healthy life/weight loss journey and any other great tips about living well that we want to share.  

Tuesdays and Saturdays Tracey will be filling us in on simplifying and making more time for living.  Essentially living naturally.  Living simply.  

Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays we'll toss it back and forth.  Sharing projects that we have pinned on pinterest {and then actually completed!} and other favorites we want to share with you.  Like fun new blogs, books, products....you get the idea!  

So what do you think?  It's in just six short days!

It happened one night...

It happened one September evening...two American girls in the Netherlands went out for a fabulous dinner and a chance to catch up before one of them moved to another country.  They talked about a wish to stay close and grow their friendship, even though they would physically be distant.

They both have a passion for blogging; and through blogging, hopefully helping people to live a more natural, simple life.  To live life in the moment.  AND they both also have goals that they want to accomplish that take time.

And the light bulb went off.

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Last Thursday, I hinted at a change that is going to be taking place.

No, I'm not moving again {for all of those MN friends that expect that to be the sentence following anything about "change"}.

But I am making a change that is going to allow more time for me to make progress on some of my ways to be brave {like writing a book and continuing on my healthy life journey}.

Tracey and I are joining forces.  Coming to a computer near you April 1st, will be our new blogging home:  Intend to Live.

Because isn't that what we all want to do?

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Here's how I see it.

Tracey: Has run a marathon.
Me: Starting Couch to 5K over again.

Tracey: Mom to 3 kids, the youngest being just about 3.
Me: Mom to 2 kids, the oldest being 3.

Tracey: Has been serving and eating natural and healthy foods for a few years.
Me: Has all of the equipment to bake my own bread, but haven't used it yet.

Tracey: Has had a container garden for a while too.
Me: This is my FIRST attempt at gardening:

What I'm trying to say...she has A LOT to offer.  And you'll STILL get my updates on living healthier, making my way around Scotland and completing items on my bucket list.

What could be better than that?  Keep following along here as we give you more details.  I can't wait for you to see what we are cooking up!