Which way does the ceiling fan turn?

It is hot today. 97 degrees right now. It is a dry heat, so it could be worse. Still, just a week ago it was 30 degrees cooler and raining! We jumped right to hot. I'm not ready to turn on the a/c and I am wishing to turn the ceiling fans on as the little one and I move from room-to-room, trying to get some house work done around here.

Am I the only person who's memory is so bad that not only can I not remember which direction the ceiling fan blades are supposed to be turning, but I also cannot remember if I have already changed them for the season or not?  (Tessa, you may not comment in reply to that question.) I'm recording it here for my future reference, and yours, too, if your memory is at all like mine.

Wikipedia says that in the summer, the fan blades should be turning with the higher part of the fan blades leading (usually, this is counter-clockwise). In the winter, the lower part of the fan blades should be leading, which is generally clockwise.

There. You've been schooled in ceiling fan rotation, and so have I. Hope that helps someone else, too!

A Mother's Day Gift

My little lovely made me a gift at school in the same fashion I tried this craft last year. It was supposed to be a scarf, but when the "scarves" arrived to her teacher, they were much smaller than anticipated (hankie size). Still, my neck is small enough that I managed to wear the gift as intended and please my little girl (though, she did give me permission to "blow my snot in it and stick it in my pocket").

I also wanted to show you one of the first cherries that has come off the tree we planted last year--yum! Not enough to do more than munching this year, but I'm hoping to have some cherry canning on my "to do" list next summer. Pitting them doesn't sound too fun though...

Back to the topic of scarves for a moment, I gave one away last year during Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day. It's coming up again, really soon, and I am wishing to join in the fun again. What to give away? Any suggestions, based on what I've made in the past?... Requests?... Hopefully, this week won't whisk me away and I forget the Friday deadline. Let's see...

Finding My Rhythm

It's been a while since I posted about my new school (okay, since I've posted about anything). It is keeping me busy in a wonderful way. I am able to use a lot of creativity at work and in preparing for work at home. How refreshing! I don't feel such a need for a creative outlet these days, because I am living it in my work life. Wow. I should share with you some of the things I am creating for work, and I will try to do that another day when I have more time (I need to finish my tea and get to sleep now). But, in the meantime...

Another waldorf thing, is rhythm. You might refer to it as "routine", and you probably know how much it helps to have one. This is especially true for children (those of you who have some or work with some know exactly what I'm talking about), and I'm finding that I am a happier camper these days now that I am knee deep in developing my own new rhythm. I'm feeling pretty fantastic, actually. It's nice.

In the kindergarten, we try to balance the day with "in" breaths and "out" breaths. An in breath is an activity that is more inward, thinking and reflection, calm, focused, requires a bit of concentration. An out breath is a more physical activity, releasing, outward. The in-out rhythm has a nice feel to it. In my classroom, it generally goes like this: circle, activity (nature walk, painting, beeswax modeling, craft, coloring, bread-making), inside play, snack, rest, outside play, story.

I am experimenting with rhythm in my personal life and remembering that I am quite a creature of habit. So, having a rhythm is very helpful to me! Not to say that the rhythm and I can't be flexible when we need to be, but that it provides me with a clear path of where I'm going and what is ahead of me each day, which sets my mind at ease. In trying to simplify, I am able to better follow my own rhythm and not get so distracted by the chaos that I see/feel around me, because the chaos (read: clutter) is slowly (but surely!) disappearing altogether or finding a home that is not in plain view of my procrastinating eyes.

So, I am trying to borrow some of my work rhythms and morph them into rhythms that will work for home life, too. In kindergarten, we have a snack schedule. Kids refer to the day of the week by what snack is being served--i.e. Monday is "rice day". Some of my colleagues have already utilized this technique at home for dinner preparation by instituting "taco Tuesday" or "Mexican Monday" or "soup Saturday"... that's not to say that is all they can eat on that day of the week, but I imagine it sure helps when Tuesday rolls around and you begin to ask yourself at 4:00 in the afternoon oh, shoot, what am I going to make for dinner?... You always have something in mind to quickly help you make the decision oh, yeah, tacos! I was thinking of instituting a similar rhythm for cleaning, but haven't been successful with a plan that I will stick to... yet.

I am curious, how do you use rhythm in your life? What rhythms have you found work really well for you?...your kids?...your family? I would love to hear from you, and then honor your success at maintaining a rhythm by borrowing your idea and trying it out for myself! ;-)

Simplify.

At my new school, the kindergarten faculty has a curriculum specialist (what a novel and wonderful idea!) who helps to guide us with her 30+ years of waldorf experience. I have a hard time swallowing criticism (even when constructive), but am finding that after I've chewed on it for a few days it is much easier. And, I even end up liking the taste of my new skills/technique after I've implemented the suggestion. The best piece of advice she's given me all year, is this: simplify. Of course, she was referring to my classroom, but it totally inspired me and I have taken it to heart at home as well. It is helping me to find my rhythm at both work and home, and life is slowly but surely feeling a bit easier because of it.

How do you simplify?

This is what she said when referring to our classroom cabinets:
Pull everything out.
Only put back what is useful and beautiful.
Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!

So far at home, I have implemented this strategy to my clothes closet and dresser drawers. This resulted in two large garbage bags of clothes being donated to charity, and I can now see that there is a red wall on the back of my closet. Huh. It's kind of nice. I can actually see all of my clothes. I don't pass by five shirts because I don't ever really want to wear a single one of them. It feels orderly, without clutter and chaos. I love it!

Such a simple way to feel good. And, really, why would you want anything in your closet (or anywhere else in your home, for that matter) that wasn't useful and beautiful?

I immediately moved on to tackle Anastasia's closet and dresser, and it is easier for her to put her own clothes away now. I am itching to purge J's closet, but he's not ready to let me. In time... In time... Or, if the Bear's make it to the Superbowl and he somehow manages to go see the game without us... (Go Bears!) In the meantime, I am going to attempt the living and family rooms... Oh boy!

1/23/11 Edit: The Bears are not going to the Superbowl. But, I want you to know, it was not for lack of encouragement from our house!

Just say NO!

Hey kids, this is not just a handy phrase for when someone offers you a hit off their crack pipe. It works for that, sure, and this phrase is useful in many other situtations as well. For example, when you have an idea of one more thing to do/make for a child's birthday party that is already tricked out as much as it needs to be,... when you already have three piles of things to fix/sew/refashion and you find something at the thrift store that would fit perfectly if you just took in the waist a bit,... when you see a plant that you really want to buy for your garden but you already have plants at home that are still sitting in their pots (not so) patiently waiting to be planted,...

Procrastination is a bad thing most of the time, especially when you are a person who tends to say, "Sure, I can do that!" Because my husband has requested that I learn how to say "no", I am going to try. This will be extra difficult, since it will be breaking a habit of many (all of my) years. But, I think it's about time I really put some effort into this. Seems like my life will be simpler, less cluttered, smoother, happier as a result. Those are nice things to look forward to! So, this is my resolution for the new year. I am going to leave it with just this one thing to work on. Looky there: I'm just saying "no" to excessive resolutions. Off to a good start!

I hope you have a healthy and blessed new year. Do you have a resolution?

Sooooo thankful!

The other night, J handed me a piece of paper he'd found in a box in the closet. It was the discharge papers from when Little Miss was in the NICU after she was born. It was hard to read (I actually don't remember ever reading it, though I know I must have), as it instantly took my mind and heart back to reliving those nightmarish two weeks. You would never know that my big girl was born a preemie! I am so grateful for the care she received in the NICU (those nurses are angels) and for her helping me to realise that she is one tough cookie who is just determined to be in control as much as she can. Hmm... I wonder where she gets that from. ;-)

Thank YOU for reading through that little bit of mush--the icing on the cake is this lovely view outside my dining room window:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Overwhelmed, but inspired to get the crap out of my house.

I like things to be organized. I get a great sense of accomplishment in labeling drawers and cabinets and having things put away. The problem is.... I'm not very good at it. Or, maybe I'm just not very motivated to get started. Or, maybe I'm just a really excellent piler, in that I have piles of things in the rooms of my home that I frequent--pile of clean clothes that is always on the end of my bed needing to be put away, but doesn't get put away until there are more clean clothes that won't fit on the end of the bed; the piles of paper (mail, things that need to be recycled, artwork from A's school, recipes that were made or need to be made) on the kitchen counter; piles of stuff that I am "working on" in the tv/computer room, which are often related to my job (presently, this consists of lesson plans from my old job that need to be filed or tossed and Waldorfy books that need to be read and songs that need to be learned for my new job) or the various sewing projects that I have going at the same time; not to be outdone by the giant mess in my craft room that contains all the contents of my old classroom, craft supplies that I "had" to have but have no where to live, fabric that is waiting to be sewn, articles of clothing that are waiting to be refashioned, seeds that need to be planted, a cat that is trying to find a place to sleep and eat amidst all of this...

That was embarrasing. But, now I am accountable to you because I am telling you that I am joining V & Co. and getting the crap out of my house.

 

Whew! I feel better just writing that down.

Stay tuned people. This is going to be big!

Best Family Photo EVER

I swear, I'm not being conceited. My sister said that about this photo. I just happen to agree with her.

Honestly, it's a toss-up for me between that one and this one:

I can't decide which one I am going to print on canvas and hang over the mantle... Opinions? (The wall has a royal blue glaze, if that sways you one way or the other.)

My sister's Mother's Day gift was a two-hour session with a local photographer and all the digital photos! Our kids were instantly comfortable with him (which, if you have kids, you know is a major bonus point!). He was fabulous! Please, please, please check out Robert Goold if you are in the vacinity of San Diego. I recommend him very highly. We had so many photos to choose from, and they were all great. If you need a second opinion, just ask my sister. She is always happy to share her opinion, and she may even share one of her family photos, which were also beautiful.

Aw, you're so sweet. (And, a CLOSED giveaway!)

I have received my first blog award. Sweet! It's from my sister, so I'm hoping she didn't feel like she had to give it to me... but, I'll take it anyway. ;-)

There are rules for accepting this award, so let's get on to that.

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.
Thanks, Tess! Check out her blog, Baby.Got.Craft.. I like how she's paying the love forward with a giveaway--go enter it before Friday!--so, I'm going to copy her and give something away, too. Keep reading...

2. Share 10 things about yourself.

1. I am not a vegetarian. People think I am because I am thinnish.
2. I am not a runner either, though people think so for the same reason as #1. Actually, I hate running. The only reasons I would run are if someone were chasing me or my daughter were in danger. And, if my daughter was in danger, I would bust out a little TAVE-Fu as well.
3. I love to eat.... slowly. I like to enjoy the taste of my food. 
4. In light of #3, I fear the day my metabolism slows down. I thought it would be here a couple years ago, but it's coming, I know...
5. Like my sister, I'd choose shopping at an estate/garage sale over shopping at the mall...any day. In fact, I can't remember the last time I shopped at a mall.
6. I have fibromyalgia. It sucks. But, what are you going to do?
7. I broke my neck and back and punctured a lung in a car accident in high school. 
8. In light of #7, my daughter may never drive! I know that is not realistic, but it is going to be a very difficult day for me--moreso than most mothers, I think. Hoping her friends will understand after I scare the bugeesus out of them.
9. I love gardening on cool summer mornings until it gets too hot to work anymore.
10. I come up with my best ideas in the shower, which is why I now keep bath crayons in there (they're good for writing love notes, too). 

3. Pass the award along to bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!
This was made a little bit easier by the term "recently discovered", otherwise this post would take the whole page.

• 
  
  Until Wednesday Calls--discovered this cool mama at the beginning of the month through my participation in Sew What?!! Her daughter is cute as a button and I share her love of denim and birdies.
• 
  
  Betty Rockit--a self-proclaimed robot extraordinaire I found through Sew, Mama, Sew's giveaway day last month. My daughter loves to pretend she's a robot, so I feel a sort of kinship with Betty.
• 
  
  BusyBeeFree--the knitter I hope to someday be, also found on giveaway day, who lives across the pond and reminds me of fun times spent over there. I greatly appreciate that she blogs in English. AND, I have made a purse similar to the one in her header!

4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

The Giveaway:
As I said, Baby.Got.Craft. is hosting a giveaway in thanks for her award. I would like to do the same. And, I like her rules, so I'm just going to copy them, too! Here's what you need to do to win:

• 
  
  Check out the blogs I am awarding (See #3 above), and let me know your favorite blog post found on one of these new Beautiful Blogs!
• 
  
  Second optional entry for becoming a follower, or being one already.
• 
  
  Leave a comment for each - That's it! I'll use a random method to pick the winner on Friday 7/2.

What will you win? These red fabric bits and other red things as I find them and stick them in the envelope.

Why red? I don't know. Sometimes you just need a good dose of red.

Spring Cleaning Week: Organizing Your Way

A friend of Simple Mom has written today's article. She says that there is no right way to organize. I kind of wish there was, because I am still (mostly unsuccessfuly, thus far) trying to find "my" way! The article gives ideas for different methods people use to organize certain areas in their home:

• Closets and Wardrobes
• Kitchen (I like her idea of having zones.)
• Books (I have my books grouped by general subjects: gardening, herbal medicine, medical reference, crafting, etc.)
• Paperwork (I will be reading the links contained in this section of the article much more thoroughly when I have more time!)

One part of the article really made me think: "take some time to really think through your family’s needs and come up with a system that works best for you". It was at this point that I realized, all the organizing I've attempted has really only been for myself. I've been organizing with myself in mind and expecting my family to just conform to what I decided was best... How rude of me! Maybe this is why so many of my methods have failed.... Huh. Now, I have more to ponder before I move forward with this.

Spring Cleaning Week: Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Today, Simple Mom addressess bedrooms and bathrooms. She talks about how these areas are often neglected, though bedrooms need to be a sacred respite (which is not even close to possible if you are the type to stash EVERYTHING in your bedroom--not me, but I know a few...). This has been another busy day, so I am just now reading the article. Here is how I have connected it to my own life.

Bathrooms: First, I do not keep my medicine in the bathroom, because moisture and medicine are not a good combination. It is kept on ONE shelf, high in my kitchen. I have a linen closet (which DESPERATELY needs to be decluttered... I'll add that to my "to do" list), so I don't store towels in the bathroom. I don't personally know anyone who store sheet sets in their bathroom, but I will be applying the store-the-sheets-in-one-of-the-pillowcases idea to my linen closet! I like the tying-sets-together-with-a-ribbon idea as well, but it seems like something Martha would do and is not so practical for me. Now that I am thinking about it, I am actually fairly clutter-free in my bathrooms... What's up with that?!! Still, I think I will go through the cupboards and just toss anything that I never use because I forgot it was in there.

The Kiddo's Bedroom: I do have Anastasia help me purge her room from time-to-time (particularly before and after holidays, because people spoil her way too much). We've done it enough that now she will just bring a toy to me every now and then and say, "Mom, I don't want this anymore. Let's give it to another kid who doesn't have toys." Not only is this great for helping to declutter, but it warms my heart and makes me feel like I'm doing my job in helping her realize what it means to be a good human being.

I cannot have her in the room when I am trying to find old clothes to remove from the rotation because she has a very strong attachment to certain clothing items, even if they don't fit her anymore. When I do have a moment to sneak out an item (that sounds bad, but you know what I mean...), I have a big gift bag waiting in another room that I toss it into. Once the bag gets full, I sort through it, pulling out items that I cannot bear to get rid of (these go into a size-labeled plastic storage tub in the garage, hopefully to be used by a future sibing) and keeping the rest in the bag, which I then take to work and hand-down to a colleague who has two girls. This system seems to work well for everyone involved!

We don't keep too many toys in her room, aside from dolls and books. There is a shelf for the books and a big wicker basket for the dolls. My sister made a dress-up chest that is in the room, too. Other than that, toys are stored in the living room.

I really like Simple Mom's idea of having kids be involved in deciding what is useful and beautiful in their room. I am going to have to try that, for sure. It sounds very empowering.

Master Bedroom: The only real "to do" item in this room is tackle my closet again. Though I did this for both the warm and cold seasons last year, I know there are still plenty of clothing items that I never wear, but are somehow difficult for me to just take out and get rid of. So, I will try again. If I know I haven't worn the article of clothing, I will put the item in a bag, out of site. If I haven't looked for anything in a month, the whole bag goes!

I have a recent experience with the involving-husband-in-decorating idea. The year we got married, I painted an abstract couple standing in an embrace. It is hanging above our bed. The colors of the painting no longer match our bedroom decor (...four residences later...) and the painting is smaller than what I would like to see in that space. So, the other day, I mentioned that I was thinking of painting something new to hang in that spot above our bed. This casual remark was quickly met with J asking me "Why?" and "But, where will this painting go?". Huh. In over ten years, I had no idea he had any sort of attachment to that painting.

Spring Cleaning Week: Non-Toxic Cleaning

I am a sucky housekeeper. I admit it. I do a much better job at keeping my grandmother's house clean, but she pays me to do it.... Hmm... I seem to need some tangible kind of motivation.

How about the smell of a clean house? I don't mean a fake pine forest smell, but a fresh, windows open kind of smell... How about not needing to get all gussied up in rubber gloves and a gas mask to get things clean?.. How about being able to let my eager-to-help four-year-old stick her hand into the cleaning bucket, without fear of her skin breaking out in a rash or her lungs burning from harsh chemicals?

Yeah... that should do it.

Simple Mom's list of the top non-toxic cleaning benefits fit the bill today. But, really, I already knew about that. She follows that list with another that tells you how to make the switch. This one includes a recipe for an all-purpose cleaner that you can customize with your favorite essential oils, and you know how much I love essential oils!

My task for today is to toss the few remaining cleaners I have that I never use. They're not toxic, but they are taking up valuable cabinet space. The one toxic cleaner I do still have is the toilet bowl cleaner. I don't want to name names, but it's bright blue liquid that you squirt around the bowl, then leave the room for 15 minutes before you brush and flush. Does anyone have a non-toxic toilet bowl cleaner idea?... Preferably, one that works. I would love to hear it!

Spring Cleaning Week: Public Spaces

Today's task is to look closely at the "public" spaces in your home: living room, kitchen, porch. The idea is to declutter (of course!) and make these spaces usable to all members of the household.

I need to run a few errands today, so I will do that, read the article, see what I can accomplish during the daylight hours, and then be back here with my report! Talk to you later...

11:59pm--Well, my day did not turn out as planned. Little one developed a fever of 103 while we were at our last store, after literally bouncing around the other errand locations... Weird. She seems to be sleeping it off now. Tylenol has worn off, but peppermint on her feet is still going strong. She seems to not be warming up again. Ah, I'll try to stop worrying (unlikely).

So, I did not have a chance to put today's article into practice, at all. I did, however, get some good ideas.

Living Room: I am doing better in this room than I realised. Items are pretty well contained. Toys are grouped in baskets and out of the way. Coasters and a coffee table are accessible for the entertaining of guests. It is definitely a kid-friendly area, but not much is available in terms of function for J or I. I used to have a knitting corner, but that has made way for storing kid puzzles. A tall cabinet houses a stereo that is only useful for AM radio (which J uses to listen to sporting events) and 3 shelves worth of knick knacks that I don't even look at any more. So, my task for this room will be to remove all of these knick knacks, put back only those I love, and utilize the freed shelving space for books I want to read or other things I could be enjoying while sports are being listened to and toys are being played with.

Kitchen: Items are stored as close to their useful areas as the layout of my kitchen allows. I need a better storage container for my cloth napkins, but I am already working on that. I live in a house full of grazers (myself included), so I like the idea of putting snack items on high shelves. For the most part, we have already done this (plus, I try to not even purchase snack items that are unhealthy); and, I have recently placed a bowl on the counter that is full of fruit and easily reached by little hands--if a snack is requested, I say, "Sure, get a piece of fruit."--which seems to be working out well so far. I know I have a lot of gadgets and dishes that are tucked in the back/top of cabinets that I never use/have forgotten I own. So, my task for this room will be to empty all the cupboards (yikes!) and only put back what I use. Seasonal items (cookie cutters, etc.) can be stored in my seasonal decor bins that live in the garage. Simple Mom says, "Keep counters as clear as possible..."... Oops. This will be a big task for me, as I also use my kitchen counter as a sort of landing pad/reminder area/to-do list holder/communication center... I'm not quite sure how to remedy that, but I do know there are dishes and other gadgets that could be given a home in my soon-to-be cleaned out cupboards.

Outdoor Spaces: I am happy to report that my back patio has recently received a little remodel of sorts. J, his dad, and his uncle built an arbor that I have been longing (harrassing him) for. It's so beautiful... My wisteria is already so happy to call it "home". I have plans for grapes and kiwi to also make a home there, and for neighbors and family to gather for BBQs and card games, while the children explore the yard (which is a major work in progress.... for the rest of my life, I think).
The front porch, however, is a much different story. I would like people to feel welcome to gather there, but it doesn't happen. I don't hang out there, so I don't know why I would expect someone else would want to. I have several potted plants, but I like Simple Mom's idea of planting them with natives that will acclimate and (maybe) not need as much attention as a potted plant typically does. I have wicker furniture on the front deck, but it is never used. Perhaps it just needs new cushions that don't look so dirty?! I will make my tasks for this area to move the furniture into a more inviting arrangement, replace old cushions, and figure out some lighting for the dark corner near the garage. If I can convince J to hang my hammock somehow, I know I will be out there more!

Spring Cleaning Week: Decluttering

With receiving a layoff notice and another major life event that I have not mentioned here, I am in the mood for some change that I have control over. I have been rearranging furniture a bit and contemplating chopping off my hair... J would have an absolute fit if I followed through with the latter, so I have not committed to that quite yet. Still, it may happen when the weather warms up permanently. I am ready to embrace some positive change!

So, I stumbled upon this and thought, the timing is perfect:

Today, the focus is decluttering.... the story of my life! The author of the Simple Mom blog defines decluttering as "getting rid of anything that's not useful or beautiful".
I like that.
I could use some more of that.
I will do that and get back to you tonight (I hope.... please don't hold me to that) to let you know how it went.

10:15pm -- After reading the Simple Mom article for today, I managed to prepare 2 big black garbage bags for the donation pick up truck that is scheduled to drive through our nrighborhood tomorrow.... Yay for me! If I can do that in one afternoon (in only one room... yikes), then I know I can purge a lot more throughout the house. Sadly, I still have a lot more to do in my craft/dump-everything-I-don't-have-an-immediate-plan-for room, which is where today's bags were created.

Of all of Simple Mom's "decluttering roadblocks", the very first one resonated with me most: I have a hard time getting rid of things because I feel like I might need them at some later date and won't have them anymore. The problem with that is, because I hold on to so much stuff, I often can't find the things that I know I have somewhere when the time comes to use it!

Earth Hour 2010

We were able to participate in Earth Hour last year as a family, and I am looking forward to attempting that again this year. Your family can join us, too, by simply turning off your lights and other electrical devices for one hour, starting at 8:30 pm local time on March 27th.

One Small Change: Stop Buying "Things"

My one small change for February is to stop buying things.... This is going to be a bit difficult! It doesn't feel small at all. But, as shiny and pretty as a new thing is, I don't need any new things. I have plenty of things in this house that I have forgotten about because of all the other things that are hiding them. So, no new things. This is going to help my budget and help get my current stash of things under control.

One Small Change: Tackle the Refashion/Mend Pile

I happened upon a challenge the other day that intrigued me. Because I am generally up for a good challenge, and this one has a great deal to do with being kinder to Mother Earth, I am taking this on. It is from Hip Mountain Mama. The challenge is to make one small change in your life each month, and live it daily until Earth Day, April 22, 2010. Of course, the hope is that, these being small changes, we will continue to practice our changes throughout the year, live greener lives, and with our collective small changes make one HUGE impact on the future of our planet. Yes. This is definitely my kind of challenge. I feel like I live a pretty green life, but it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day living/commuting/mothering/working that sometimes my ideals are not as easily attained as they once were, when I was only responsible for myself. I am taking this challenge to heart and once again trying to find my way to the person I would like to be every day, not only when it's convenient.

One of my resolutions for the year is to continue refashioning past my committment to Wardrobe Refashion (April). This month, I have made a fairly large dent in my "refashion/mend" pile, thanks to the serger that now resides in my sewing room. I have a few more days to live up to this one small change for January, which I will continue to carry with me throughout the year and which will be further fueled by next month's small change.... stay tuned... Also, I will be posting more of my refashions soon!

I resolve... to eat black-eye peas

I know a lot of people are posting resolutions on their blog. I'm enjoying reading them, as they are giving me ideas of things I would like to focus on as well. I'm going to post a few of my resolutions here, because I find I am more likely to keep a promise that I make publicly than one I just make with myself. I don't know why, but that seems to be the case. So, feel free to keep me in check this year! These goals are specific and measurable so, while I know I will not be successful with all of them right away, I will at least be able to track my progress in my journal.

I resolve to:
...start days spent at home with yoga or the balance ball.
...leave school (work) by 4:30 pm every day.
...go to bed by 11:00pm. (I will miss Dave, but I will find humor elsewhere during daylight hours.)
...knit, or do something else that is relaxing and crafty, at least three nights per week.
...organize my craft room, beginning with finding homes for everything that sits on the counters, which should be work spaces.
...continue refashioning, past my commitment to the Wardrobe Refashion blog, and post successes (as well as failures, I suppose) here.

In another attempt to help this year be prosperous, and because I am a bit superstitious at times, tonight I ate as many black-eye peas as I could handle.

Wishing you all joy and prosperity in this new year!

Vote for me! Vote for me!

Please... If you have a moment... I submitted my refurbished wreath into a contest on Dollar Store Crafts. The voting is happening today only (until 11:30 pm Pacific) to move folks on into the finals. If you feel the desire to vote me into the finals, I would really appreciate it. My wreath is #24 in Group 4. Go to Dollar Store Crafts to vote.

If you would like to check out other pictures of my wreath (I much prefer the pic of it on my front door), look at my tutorial, or just look below:


Thanks everyone!

Thankful

I am thankful for so many things, including, in no particular order:

the sun's warmth on my back
the full-belly laugh of a child
the love of my family
the green of fall
the relaxing smell of lavender
kindred spirits
friends who stand the test of time
mom being just a phone call away
the smell of the air after it rains
gnarly, old trees
books
music that touches my soul
vivid memories

There are so many more... What did I leave out?