Showing posts with label New Year's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year's. Show all posts

12.31.2013

2013 was...

too much.

At the begining of 2013, I chose a word to be my theme:  ENOUGH.

I'll admit here and now that I didn't stick with that theme.

But at the beginning of the year, I didn't really understand what I'd be dealing with in 2013.

The year started with high hopes.  I remember not being happy with 2012, and having big plans for 2013.







And then the year happened.  From a move back to Minnesota, nearly losing a best friend (not because of a fight but because of a darn bacteria), adapting to life as a working mom, the passing of two aunts and one uncle within four weeks of each other this holiday season, building a house and trying to get an old one sold... sigh.

What other things were 2013?

2013

...was a year of development for my kiddos.  Potty training, pre-school, writing and both speaking...and speaking...and speaking.
...was a year with too many hotel night stays.
...was a year of good-byes, and hello agains.
...was.

It's done {well, jut about}; a year to remember fondly for a move back to Minnesota and many, many beautiful moments watching our children grow up and spend time with those closest to us.

Oh, one more thing 2013 was: a year of gratitude.  Each day I added a photo to my 'Gratitude 365' app.  EVERY day.





One thing 2013 was not: 
a blogging year. Fourty-four total blog posts.

I pledge now, even before the new year starts, that 2014 will bring more blog posts.

At least 45.

Here's wishing you all a happy, safe and fun New Year's celebration!

1.02.2013

2013. I am enough.

Here's the story.

Just like a lot of folks out there, each year I've come up with resolutions that I don't end up keeping much past January 12.

Even when I went a different route in 2012 and chose the word 'brave' as my word of the year, I accomplished about 2.5 of the 10 ways I outlined I'd be brave.

This year?  I'm going to start out with a different idea.




Here is my question for you (It's also the one I've been asking myself for the last few days):
Why do we need to start every year thinking of how we need to fix ourselves?

So often, resolutions are things that we think we need to improve about ourselves. It seems self defeating to start the year off with an attitude that adjustment is needed, when really...just about every person {especially those reading this blog} are pretty darn good people.  Exactly as the person that they are today.

That means you.  Yes.  You.

I dare you to join me.

Sit back and just enjoy the clean slate.  Imagine the opportunities to come in 2013.

Make some plans, get your calendar and planner ready.  But don't go making 101 changes today.  Take it slowly.  Work yourself into it.

No, I'm not giving up on the whole idea of resolutions or having a 'word of the year'.  In fact, I am beyond excited about 2013, its opportunities and the clean slate tht it provides.

And I have big plans. But more on that later.

For now?



And yes. You are too. You are smart enough. You are good enough. And if you're reading my blog, than surely I must like you, right?

1.04.2012

Challenge Wednesday #15

This week, my pal Tracey joins us from Control the Chaos to share her New Year's resolutions {I asked her to do so last week}.

Here is a secret...I thought she might not be a big "resolution" girl, and ...wait for it... I was right!

But she humored me anyways.  Ah,  such a good friend, right?  {smile}

#  #  #

Howdy.  Last week, Jen asked me to share my new year's resolutions.

Hmm.  I'm not really a resolution maker, mainly because I want to live every day, and if I'm not happy with something I tend to change it immediately.

But I have jumped on the wagon with a few goals this year.  And it just so happens that some of them are on my Bucket List.  Bonus.

Drumroll, please.

1. Read the whole Bible.  We're involving the kids with this one.  We have a children's Bible that has a reading for every day, so we're doing theirs and ours.  We are going to take the whole year, though, and give ourselves a chance to not only read it, but absorb it.
Source: google.com via Rocky on Pinterest


2. Run faster.  I really want to run 5k in 25 minutes, which is about an 8 minute mile, plus a little.  The fastest I've ever run it is about 28 minutes, so I have a long way to go.  I proved I could go the distance, so now I want to pick up the speed.

3. Pile cash to buy land and a house when we move back to the USA.  A move is in our future, in the next couple of years.  We have a decent amount set aside for a down payment on a house, thanks to becoming debt free a few years ago by following the principles taught by Dave Ramsey.  But we desire to pursue homesteading full time, so we are trying to build on our down payment and possibly buy the land with cash.  Come visit Control the Chaos tomorrow to see a small but significant step toward this goal.


4. Get serious about decreasing the amount of grains/gluten in our diet.  Begin by experimenting  with ancient grains (spelt, non-grain buckwheat) in some of our favorite recipes.  We have no food allergies in our family, but huge difference we've seen with just the small changes we've made has convinced us of the benefits of a low gluten diet.


Big goals, but all attainable, and all a work in progress.  I think the biggest reason why these goals are attainable and not daunting is that I have an action step to start us in the right direction.  How about you?  Do you set goals and make a plan for achieving them?  Or do you just go with the flow?

Now, to switch topics a little:  one way I stay in control of our health is to make a meal plan every week.  I find that meal planning keeps us from being caught without dinner (an consequently resorting to something quick and unhealthy).  It is also a great way to build a shopping list and avoid impulsive purchases.  And so, Jen, my question and/or challenge to you is

do you meal plan?  If so, please share a typical plan with us.  And if not, I challenge you to meal plan one week's worth of dinners using as few prepackaged items as possible.


Are you up to the challenge, Jen?  Tune in next week for the answer.

#  #  #

Oooh, this is a good one!  I AM  a meal planner, but I never share it here...and I am most definitely open to planning a week with very few prepackaged items.  Yay!


1.02.2012

One Word. Ten Ways.

I've never been good at New Year's Resolutions. IF I even come up with one, it is usually too BIG or unrealistic to achieve.  Or stick to.  For even a week.

This year, I heard about the One Word 365 idea, and fell in love.



Let's cut straight to the point word:  BRAVE


Source: polyvore.com via Jenny on Pinterest

"Woman, you live in a foreign country, you are brave!" you might be thinking.  True dat.

But, other than that fact, I am NOT brave.  I am one big old scaredy cat.  And my goal is to change that this year.

And let me show you how...

1.  I will be BRAVE enough to try new foods.  Like veggies.  I am that mom who never served veggies with dinner.  This year, I will.




2.  I will be brave enough to speak my mind.  Clearly.  I can mumble a bit.  One of my poor husband's pet peeves about me.   This year, I'll speak clearly.




3.  I will be BRAVE enough to make blogging productive.  I want to develop my blogging "hobby" into something that can be beneficial and helpful for readers. This year, I'll help you.


Source: google.co.uk via Jenny on Pinterest


4.  I will be BRAVE enough to have a purpose driven life.  I've always heard about that, and thought I was living it.  But who knows if I am?  This year, I'm reading the book and living it.




5.  I will be BRAVE enough to meet new people.  Having recently moved to Scotland, I need to get out and meet new people...which scares the living daylights out of me.  This year, I am going to be confident and not scared.



6. I will be BRAVE enough to truly run a 5K {or more!}.  Last year I started the habit, and participated in an event.  This year, I am going to run the entire 5K.



7. I will be BRAVE enough to take the next step with my book. In November, I wrote a novel.  But it has been sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.  This year, I am going to do something with it.



8. I will be BRAVE enough to find a babysitter and go on dates with my husband.  Last year, having a newborn baby, and being in a foreign-speaking country supposedly prevented me from doing this {bad excuses}.  This year, it's gonna happen.

9. I will be BRAVE enough to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.  Something has been holding me back all these years.  This year, I am going to team up with friends, take the bull by the horns, and stop messing around.  Game on!



10. I will be BRAVE enough to discover.  To take time to learn about Scotland, England and Ireland and their respective histories.  And then... This year, we will take trips to see the historical places in person.



Expect me to check in from time to time on this list.  And demonstrate how I am being BRAVE.


Oh, and its been awhile, but wanted to make sure I mentioned that I am linking up with a few different blogs:



Top Ten {Tuesday}





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