Happy New Year 2019!!

Hello to everyone who might stop by this little space of mine, welcome.  I really wanted to have this written up last night but I writers block and things took a bit longer to come to me.  It is really nice to be back here in this space, I have missed writing. It always felt good being here and expressing how I was feeling or what was happening in my life.  These days I don't write about my girls as they are much more grown up and I want to respect their privacy so posts will probably be a bit more about me and my interests. As I haven't been in this space I feel like I wasn't as focussed on my goals for 2018 but I really wanted to evaluate them like I always do.

1. I continued with my regular exercise until my daughter started school holidays.  I also maintained a yoga practice but only at home, I still haven't found a yoga teacher.  I continued loving my self help books and read many over the year, this year I will keep a track of what I have read and share at the end of the year.  I feel like I had better resilience in many areas of my life but found it difficult to bounce back with my feelings after having a car accident in my new car.

2. I was more attentive in my relationships with friends and family.  I rekindled a lovely friendship in which I had some wonderful catch ups and beautiful conversations.  As my girls are growing, my hubby and I have ended up having many more unplanned dates which has been a lovely change.

3. I did this goal of healthy eating well but the area I could improve would be at lunch to have prepared more and have a better selection of healthy, tasty options.

4. So I started well with my 365 project and got to September and lost my mojo which was a little sad and disappointing.  I did not buy a computer or rectify my storage or print photos.  I also did not do any courses.  I will rectify this, this year as I am keen to learn and get out a little more by myself and meet new people.

5. I was good with my computer/social media free Sunday.  I did find I was going into instagram for a minute during the day and looking on my phone so I will improve on this again in 2019.  I didn't however limit my computer time to one hour each night, some nights I didn't get it out but I will try and stick to the hour each day.

I was looking through some of my old blog posts for the new year to see what my chosen words for the year were.  Here are the words I have used in the past:

- Learn (2011)

- Strive (2012)

- Enjoy (2013)

- Achieve (2014)

- No word was chosen (2015)

- Focus (2016)

- Nurture (2017)

- Thrive (2018)

and the word I have chosen for 2019.... Abundance.  Abundance in health, personal development, education and in the home.  These are the goals I have set for each of these areas of my life for 2019.

HEALTH

* Establish a morning and evening routine.  Getting back into the habit of meditation outside of my room in a created space just for meditating.  Setting a specific time for bed in the evening allowing for one hour screen free before bed and reading time.

* Eat more greens.  Make smoothies and continue to eat nutritious foods that make me feel full of abundance.

* Exercise three times every week including yoga.  Go to a new yoga class and interact with new like minded people.

PERSONAL

* Do something creative every day, crochet, cook, garden or photography.

* Set time aside weekly to pamper myself like a face mask etc.  Also this can include going to get a massage.

* To just do more and do less procrastinating.  Be organised and not worry about the time and effort required to get the job done, JUST DO IT.

EDUCATION

* Read books on health, happiness and personal development.

* Do one course on photography and one course on sustainability.

* Enrol in a first aid and CPR course.

HOME

* Develop a routine for keeping my garden neat and tidy.  Allocate 30 minutes each day to water, weed or trim.

* Declutter each area of our home.

* Organise the pantry, removing the plastic and replacing it with glass.

Thank you for taking the time to come by and read my lengthy post.  Have you had a good start to the new year so far?  Have you written any new year's resolutions for yourself this year?

The Last Day of 2017

It's hard to believe that today is the last day of the year.  It has been so long since I have blogged, which is sad, but my blog is here always whenever I feel ready to stop by again.  I'm not sure how many, if anyone, reads blogs these days.  Blogs are my favourite way to connect though, I am a bit of a sentimental person😊 Even though I don't write her often, it is something I would like to start again (yes I know I say this often).  Also it is nice to finish off the year and begin a new year with fresh ideas and plans.  I am feeling a little lost for words as I have been enjoying the time between Christmas and New Year relaxing.  There is always much to do for Christmas and once it is over I tend to go into a relaxed/lazy mode.  So I thought I might do a quick overview of the goals I set for 2017. I have to say that I didn't look over them consistently like I should have to make sure I was on the path to achieving them.  To help me with this next year I'll be writing them down and attaching them to the inside of my wardrobe to remind me of what I want to achieve for the year ahead. Lets see how I went with achieving my 2017 goals..

* Nurture relationships - This year saw us as a family experience our first overseas holiday to New Zealand.  It was an wonderful experience to have with each other and one to be grateful for thanks to the generosity of my Nan.  As far as going on regular dates, sadly that didn't happen often.  We did go away together for a couple of nights which was a nice way to reconnect and relax.  My friends have been very busy and as much as I have tried to have a catch up with a couple of them it hasn't worked out.  Though I have had the pleasure of catch ups with newer friends more often and a movie date with another which has been really good for the soul.

* Nurture my mind - I have had a fantastic year creating a daily meditation practice when I did and online journalling course with Connie Chapman.  Each morning I take time out to meditate before I start my day.  I have really enjoyed this practice which I will be continuing next year.  I have also been reading daily inspirational books before bed.  Next year I will document which books I read to keep a track and to see how many I have read just out of curiosity.  I didn't do a course in photography or soap making but did enjoy a couple of journalling workshops and got a lot from them particularly listening to my inner guidance more.

* Nurture my body - A big tick for achieving this goal for myself.  I managed to go to the gym most weeks, twice a week and despite not having a yoga teacher I visit, I did a yoga video each week on my FMTV subscription.  I have also had several massages this year which was pretty luxurious and special.  As for bush walks, as a couple on holidays we did each morning so that counts.

* Nurture myself creatively - I was consistent all year making birthday cards and Christmas cards for all of our family and friends.  I made all of my family and myself a beanie to take to New Zealand and also a crochet cushion cover for my meditation space.  As for gift making I did ok making gifts for others, a friend's birthday, some baby gifts and also some Christmas gifts too.  Daily photo taking went by the wayside but I do plan on doing a 365 next year so lots more documenting again which I can't wait to do.

* Nurture my home - I did lots of decluttering which felt great.  I feel like I could do more so I will continue with that into the new year.  My poor garden did get neglected by me sadly but was loved by my daughter who was much more loving and nurturing.

So what about 2018?  What will be my new word?  I do love to choose a word.  I love the thought of a fresh new start, that enthusiasm of the new year to help push you along to make goals.  I have thought about, just today really, and the word hadn't really jumped out at me.  But with a little more thought I came up with my new word for 2018, THRIVE.

* I will THRIVE in my journey to be a better version of myself.  I will continue my regular exercise and yoga, looking into finding a new yoga teacher. I will meditate daily and form a journalling routine to continue to get to know myself better. Build a better resilience and self confidence. I will continue to read self help books that I get much enjoyment from.

* I will THRIVE in my relationships with my family and friends, spending time with those who give of their time to me. I will be a more attentive person, giving of my time to others because time matters the most. I will have more dates with my husband and one on one time with each of my daughters doing something fun with each of them. 

* I will THRIVE at home. Simplifying my space by buying less and decluttering some more, choosing only to bring things into my life that bring me joy and create of place of calm and happiness.

* I will THRIVE in my health. I will make good food choices that help my body to feel it's best. I will continue to try new recipes each week and read books that help inform me on this life choice of great health.

* I will THRIVE in all of my creative pursuits.  I will do a 365 in 2018.  I will purchase a new computer for myself and develop a better system of saving and printing my much loved photos. I will educate myself in photography and participate in a photography course. I will attend workshops on topics of interest to me food, photography and simplifying.

* I will THRIVE in creating new routines that make me feel better.  I will have a healthy relationship with technology and go social media free once a week.  I will limit my technology use to 1 hour each night so I can be more creative.

That took a bit longer than I had expected.  I'm not sure why, perhaps because it has been a while since I have been in this space to write or that because I haven't even given it a thought until now about my year ahead.  I may change these but for now this is where my focus will be in 2018. 

Have a very Happy New Year.  May 2018 be a year that is filled with love, happiness and all that you wish for. 

2016 Goal Recap

Well hello out there.  It has been a while since I have been in this space.  I visit blogger often and visit those who still blog to see what they are up to but I have been rather quiet here.  I feel like life has been a bit of an uphill hike these last couple of months.  There are still ongoing issues with my Nan's will, I am still positive that her wishes will be fulfilled though the journey to get there is a windy one.  My oldest daughter finished high school which was a momenteous occasion full of happiness and sadness, a new journey for her and for us as parents.  It is such a strange feeling having one of your children finish school, with me wondering how quickly those years did fly by.  So next year I will have an adult in my home, it's time to let go....

With that all being said I couldn't finish my year off without reflecting on my goals for 2016, my year  about  FOCUS. Here's a little summary of my goals.

* To focus on making my home beautiful with handmade and natural objects. Beeswax candles, handmade cushions and beautiful linens, to create more.  

In my home I tried to introduce some plants into the bathroom and living room.  My success had been a bit touch and go I have to say but I have been persistent, if one dies just try again.  I have bought beautiful beeswax candles to light at dinner time.  My plan was to make some which I haven't quite done yet but I have all the makings for lots of beautiful handmade candles.  As for making cushions sadly I haven't done a lot of sewing until Christmas.  I have though been conscious choosing to buy things that are natural when we need them, like new organic bed sheets.

* To focus on being organised with gifts and handmade cards and motivated for birthdays, anniversaries and yearly events like Easter and Christmas.
Well I still have been making all of my cards for birthdays and this Christmas all of my cards were made by the end of November which was pretty exciting for me.  As for being organised ahead of time I would have to say I still wasn't great but there were fewer late birthday gift arrivals this year.  I had most of my Christmas shopping done I would say about a week before Christmas which wasn't too bad.  It is an area I still need to work on I think but my struggle is usually with coming up with gift ideas which always puts me behind so if I can work on the ideas ahead of time that might help...
* To focus on continuing to be motivated by reading, listening and exploring what makes my heart sing.
This year I was very focussed by reading each evening books that made my heart sing.  I listened to many podcasts on my phone and while I was in the kitchen, some inspirational and some for fun.  I love this goal and it's one that I will continue with always.

* To focus on my fitness and health journey. Getting myself to bed early, looking after my mind, body and spirit.
I would say every week pretty much, I have done some form of exercise.  I go the the gym several times each week and up until the end of school I was going to yoga every week too which I loved.  I still continue to eat as healthy as possible at the same time having a treat too otherwise it would be too hard to maintain.  As far as the getting to bed early well I didn't do so well with that and continue to go to bed too late.  It really is something I want to improve so I have bought a book on creating habits which I am hoping will help me create a good habit of going to bed earlier.

* Focus on not allowing my fear to stop me creating, sewing, knitting, crocheting and photography. Fear is a state of mind not a state of being.
I haven't been as creative as I would like to have been this year.  I have still been crocheting but haven't really pushed myself to do any different techniques.  This Christmas though I have taken myself into the craft room and have been sewing.  One of the projects, a simple purse, wasn't difficult but it was a tedious project which I procrastinated about.  I did eventually push through and did make them, four in fact which was great.  I don't think any knitting was done, I did get creative throughout the year making things for birthdays and other events.  My photography as been a little slow but fairly consistent.  My issue again is with space on my laptop which I hope to solve with a new laptop in the new year.

* Focus on the good people, let go of all that does not serve me, learn from it and move forward.
This was really tricky for me this year.  After my Nan passed away life changed, the journey was rocky for my family.  Issues arose and people became challenging. To this day their actions can still hold an impact but I am working each day at letting things go and know that things are going to work out how they are meant to.

This year has challenged and tested me.  I have grown as a person and am happy with my journey, learning that I am strong, capable and excited about the future.  Tomorrow I will be back with my new goals and my new word.  Until tomorrow my friends.  A very, very Happy New Year to you!!! May your year be filled with things that make you happy, shine within and lots of love.

Happy New Year

Hello and happiest of New Years to you!!  Thank you so much for the beautiful words you left me on my last post.  It would seem I have the kindest blog friends and that we all feel the same about blogging.  Wouldn't it be lovely if blogging got a resurgence?  Maybe if more of us get back into blogging it might, I really miss the community feel that I got from blogging everyday.  With today being the first day of the new year it's time to reflect on last years goals and write some for the year ahead.

* This year saw me have a burst of creative energy just before Christmas.  I made cards throughout the year for birthdays, started a crochet project and a knitting project but I haven't quite completed them yet. So as far as the expectation I had of myself I didn't quite get there but that's for this year!!.

* I regularly went to yoga only missing some session over the Christmas period.  I joined the gym and have been regularly going at least a couple of times a week.  I did some facials on myself and saw a naturopath and have been taking probiotics regularly too. (must buy some more) So I would give myself a big tick when it comes to achieving this goal.

* I haven't picked up my camera daily but I am regularly taking photos.  I bought a magazine subscription to help me continue to be inspired by my passion.

* Gardening....this was probably one of my biggest downfalls.  The motivation would come and go and the overwhelming nature of having things neat and my growing failures made for a very minimal growing year.

* Being present and calm I did for the most part.  Paying attention and being in the moment without getting distracted was when I was my best at achieving this goal.  Overall I think I did well and if I had moments of being less than calm I was happy to apologise and accept my mistakes.

* A happier me....mostly.  I have slowly been opening up to others with some hesitation but trying to remember who I am and those who truly know me will know that I speak with kindness in my heart and those who think otherwise I do not have much time for.

* Has 2015 been a great year? It sure has been.  There have been ups and downs but I have my beautiful family, my friends, good health food to eat, money for bills and a place to call home.  I am very grateful for my year of learning and ready for the New Year, 2016 is going to be great!!

I love a new year, a fresh start figuratively speaking. So what do I want to achieve for 2016?

FOCUS

* To focus on making my home beautiful with handmade and natural objects.  Beeswax candles, handmade cushions and beautiful linens, to create more.

* To focus on being organised with gifts and handmade cards and motivated for birthdays, anniversaries and yearly events like Easter and Christmas.

* To focus on continuing to be motivated by reading, listening and exploring what makes my heart sing.

* To focus on my fitness and health journey.  Getting myself to bed early, looking after my mind, body and spirit.

* Focus on not allowing my fear to stop me creating, sewing, knitting, crocheting and photography.  Fear is a state of mind not a state of being.

* Focus on the good people, let go of all that does not serve me, learn from it and move forward.

A relaxed mind,

A peaceful soul,

A joyful spirit,

 A healthy body and heart full of love....

These are my wishes for you..

Happiest of New Years to you.

Have you made any New Years resolutions?  Wishing you all a wonderful first day of the new year.

362-365/365 'Happy New Year'

The last couple of days of last year were good.  We spend some family time together going to the museum and visiting the exhibit Undressed: 350 years of Underwear in Fashion as something a little different and quite interesting.  Then it was some couple time which also included a trip to GOMA for us where we could wander leisurely around, it was perfect.

So that brings me to a little round up of my goals I had for myself last year.  I had planned on blogging for the last time in 2014 last night but the mood just wasn't there.  Last year was a challenging year for me after almost 2 years of battling cancer my father passed away.  It has been so very hard learning to live without him, the grief, the sadness, the anger, so many emotions.  I never truly knew the depth of some emotions until I lost someone who was a part of me, who I was a part of.  I decided to pursue a 365 project to help me during a year I know would be difficult.  My love of photography was a connection I shared with my Dad so I felt it would be therapeutic for me and help me with my learning.  I kind of completed it in my own way and overall I felt that it helped me in my learning and made me think of my Dad often.  

As far as my other goals for 2014 how did I go???  I didn't get paid to photography people my stumbling block seemed to be coming up with a business name.  I did a favour for a friend and photographed their home so I saw it as a small step towards taking photos for others.  

Creating clothing..... I knitted a cowl and finished my shawl so kind of.  

My garden was doing well for most of the year however during a long dry spell I allowed it to go untouched, so I mostly achieved this goal.  

Believing in myself and pushing past invisible boundaries... I am still working on this one.  

Being more active in my life I felt I didn't put in the effort I needed to, I believe less screen time this year will help me with this.  

I was good for periods of time with mindfulness meditating and getting into a good state of mind but struggled a little with periods of grief.  

I made a conscious effort to catch up and talk with friends.  I opened my heart and developed some wonderful friendships.  One friend in particular was always there for me when I needed her and I will be eternally grateful to her for that.  

Being happy I needed to work on so I read lots of books, I wrote daily something to be grateful for and reminded myself just how good my life is despite the unhappy events that have occurred.

I suppose each year I write goals to help me focus on areas I feel I need to work on, some years I am really good and others no as much.  Whether or not things are achieved I am always learning, learning about myself and others and more about what life really means to me and that makes me happy.

I have written a few goals for myself, late last night so I am hoping they make sense to me now.

* To create more.  That might be sewing, knitting, crochet, making soap and more self sufficient baking like bread and jams.

* To take care of my health regularly going to yoga, getting more sleep, pampering myself with a nice facial at home, things like that.

* To continue my photography journey towards creating a business.

* To sow and grow food.  Gardening is good for the soul and my health.

* To be a present and calm person for myself, for my girls and for my husband.

* To be a better and happier me, letting go and moving forward.

* To have a great 2015!!!

Thank you to everyone who comes by to visit me, to those who comment and those who don't.  May your 2015 bring you much happiness, love and good health.

2010 Resolution Review

 Flowers picked by Miss 6 and arranged

I thought I would do a post about how I went with achieving my goals for 2010.

♥ Spend more quality time with my girls and my husband.

My hubby and I have been going out each month for a date which has worked well to have alone time thank you to my wonderful mother in law for making this possible. The last couple of months have been difficult to get out with work and Christmas so I think it might be time to go out again soon!  I think I need to make more of an effort to get some alone time with each girl doing something a bit special.  I really enjoyed the advent calendar last month, it gave us lots of time together to do things we enjoy. So some more time doing similar things I will be trying to do as well.

♥ Be more organised and less of a procrastinator

This has been tricky. I'm not sure if I improved but I'll keep working on this and so I've bought myself a diary this year to help me achieve this goal.

♥ Establish and keep a routine for exercise, rest (bed time) and general everyday activities.

I was doing well with exercise and after going to Tasmania it all stopped. To improve I'll start yoga and learn to switch off the computer by 9:30pm.

♥ Be more confident in my abilities, extend my learning.

I'm really proud of myself achieving this goal.  I have extended myself and learnt to crochet and read simple patterns.  I've been slowly changing our home to be more organic and have removed almost all chemicals from our home and replaced them with natural products, this I'm most pleased about.  I look forward to learning and evolving more this year.

♥ DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF AND ENJOY MY LIFE!!

There have been lots of wonderful things that have happened in my life but here have also been some obstacles I've found difficult to work through too.  I know that it's how you approach a situation that will determine how difficult it may seem and in theory good but in practise at times it has been difficult. I'll keep trying always to fulfill this goal.

I think it is important to look at the new year with a fresh positive perspective and use resolutions to make you aware of areas in your life you'd like to change or improve.  I'm not going to be harsh on myself if I haven't fulfilled my aspirations for the new year but continue to strive to always LEARN.

My word this year is learn. This year I want to:

♥ Learn to let go and let my girls grow.

♥ Learn to renew my love of reading.

♥ Learn to cook more vegetarian meals.

♥ Learn to be more in the moment.

♥ Learn to accept that challenges are there to help us grow and learn.

♥ Learn to love life and all that it has to offer.

I'm looking forward to a great year in 2011 sharing with you and catching up with your journey too.