Changing Gears

I have had this blog for almost 3 years now. I think the best thing about having a blog is being able to look back over the months and years and reflect on how much has changed. It is also enlightening to see the natural rhythm of our life from season to season and year to year. I love being able to look back at last year(2010) and in 2009 to see what I was thinking starting the New Year.

2010 proved to be a great year, so I have high hopes for 2011. I have been running regularly since June, which is a pretty major accomplishment for me. I have always despised running, but I am slowing learning to really enjoy it. I have signed up to run a half marathon in April. Mitch is running the full marathon. We both ran the half marathon in 2001 so it seems fitting to run it again 10 years later. Eventhough, I swore I would never do it again. I am excited to see what my 35 year old body can do.

I feel like I am officially ready to put the sewing side business on hold for awhile or forever. Although I did have some orders and the charity shop this Christmas, it wasn't too stressful. It was nice to have time to sew some presents. I am looking forward to just sewing for family and friends when I feel like it.

The schedule change that I made last year has worked out really well for everyone. As I predicted it meant I was not able to sew as much, which in the whole scheme of things is not that big of a deal. It's nice to have that extra hour in the afternoon to unwind, get homework done, and dinner started.

Besides my fitness goals, I want to continue to focus on healthy eating and being green. I think gettting back on track with meal planning will help. I want to continue blogging. Since a good portion of my free time will be consumed with running, expect to hear more about that.

Here's to another great year!!!!

Happy New Year everyone.

Happy New Year

I thought I would share a few of my favorite photos from 2009. When I look back at some of these photos it is hard to imagine that I took all of these in 2009. It was a great year and I can only hope 2010 is as good.

Last year I made a few simple resolutions. I feel the same way about resolutions this year as I did last year. I don't really believe in them. I don't really like them. I get them and I am all for a fresh start with the new year, but I think resolutions and goals should be made all year round. Why wait until January 1st? However, I have had a lot of time to think over the holidays and reevaluate certain aspects of my life and I do want to make some changes this year. Since about October I have been completely consumed with my little side business. I spent pretty much every spare minute sewing. When I was finally able to take a break, I realized that I don't want to be bogged down by this any more. I am not ready to give it up, but I am trying to figure out a way to make it work better for me. I know I will not be nearly as busy now, but I still have several large orders to fill and it has me a bit stressed out. Bottom line is I need to start saying NO more often.

I am also changing around my work schedule so that I can be home for Harper when she gets off the school bus. I was only working half the day on Friday. The other half of the day I used to sew, run errands, or do whatever needed to be done. Since I have rearranged my schedule I am not going to have as much uninterrupted time to sew. I just feel deep down that this is the best thing to do for us right now so we are going to try it out. I am not sure where these changes will lead us, but I am sure it is going to be another great year.

Resolutions

I am not big on New Year's Resolutions. Last year was the first year in a long time that I actually made a few resolutions. I was pretty happy with the results. For one, it lead me to start this blog and meet all of you lovely folks out there in the blogosphere. The blogging kept me honest and accountable as well. It also was the reason I became so interested in photography. Isn't it crazy how one thing leads to another?

So many things change and happen over the course of a year. What will next year bring? Since today is New Year's day and all, should I make a resolution or two? Honestly, I have not put much thought into it, but there are a few things that I would like to accomplish in the New Year.

I definitely want to continue blogging. Even though it can be time consuming, it is a much needed outlet for me. I want to improve my photography skills and branch out from my comfort zone. I want to take time to enjoy my kids. Sometimes with work, housework, yard work and other chores everything seems like work and that's just no fun. I want to continue updating my Etsy Store, but I don't want it to take over my life. I have really enjoyed this as an outlet as well, but there are too many other things that have to come first. Lastly, I want to continue to be as "green" as possible and increase my awareness of the environment as well as my impact on it.

Call them goals. Call them resolutions. Call them wishes for the New Year. Whatever they are, I can't wait to see where they take me.

Here some photos from our New Year's Eve hide and seek game. A New Year's Eve party is not complete without a little game of hide and seek.

Hmmm....where are those kids? I don't see them anywhere.

Oh there they are.
Happy New Year everyone!!!