Hello World!

It seems as if I've been hiding away from the world for the past couple months. It wasn't my intention, but it just happens sometimes. When life gets crazy, I have to cut back. I have to simplify. So I've been fairly absent from friends and the Internet and blogs and inspiration and art, etc.. But it's all been worthwhile:

My family and I are moving. Where you ask? Just 22.8 miles from our current home. This seemingly small move is going to mean big things for me and my family. This move is going to give us the gift of time. Less time driving and more time living. Hooray!

So for a couple of months now, we've been consumed with all things house related. We searched for the "perfect" house for our family, our budget, and desired location. We held our breath as we bid on the "perfect" home only to suffer heartbreak when we lost the "perfect" home just days before signing documents and days before Thanksgiving. We didn't let the heartbreak stop us, and we have already ended up in an even better home for our family, a home meant for us. So we celebrated the holidays with friends and family while surrounded by towers of moving boxes and paint buckets and rollers, etc..

We are not through with the painting and moving, etc., but today I've started peeking my head back into the world. I've started reaching out to old friends, visiting favorite blogs, checking out online classes for the new year, and looking out into the world. And I must say it's been inspiring! Here's just some of the fun stuff I'm exploring:

Cathy Zielske's BPS class, Move More, Eat Well 2012 (I could use some extra motivation to get back on track)

2012 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend (I'm hoping for a 5K rather than a half marathon, but a Disney run could be worth the extra miles....maybe)

And do you remember the globe I made for my hubby's 40th birthday last February (pictured above)? Well not only has it been seen on TipJunkie and Babble. Now I learned that it was included in a list of DIY gifts to make for men on Tori Spelling's website, ediTORIal. How cool! How fun! Happy 2012!

12 words for 2012

Happy 2012! Its the beginning of a new year. A time for reflection and fresh starts.

For the past several years rather than set resolutions that I don't keep, I've chosen a word to set the tone for the new year. But this year I am going to tackle the year a bit differently. Instead of focusing on one word, I am going to focus on a list of my top ten twelve values.

Love
Creativity
Family connection
Happiness
Comfort
Friendship
Simplicity
Fun
Community
Beauty
Sharing
Inspiration


I put this list together with the help of Tiffany Moore, life coach extraordinaire, and I can't even tell you how powerful this list has been. It may look fairly simple, but it's given me a strong sense of "me." It's helped me when making decisions both big and small. I feel so much more grounded and organized having a list that reminds me of what makes me tick.

Now don't get me wrong, my one little words have been quite powerful, too, especially last year's word, clear. My word last year took me on a powerful journey filled with self discovery. It led me to a better understanding of myself and it led me to some big life changes. But it also led me to my experience with Tiffany and my list of values. I just can't ignore that.

As I tried to pick one word for 2012, I thought of words like action or mindful or intention. But then I realized that they all truly revolve around my focusing on my list of values as a whole. So I'm going to breakout of the "one word" for 2012 and focus on 12 words: 12 words that represent me.

Finding Happiness

I know that lately I've been totally neglecting my blog (and creative side to a certain extent), but for very good reasons which I promise to share......soon!

Happy Holidays!

Christmas is coming!

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I can't help it. I love Christmas time! Life may be crazy as usual, but it's never too busy for me to find time for Christmas inspired art and crafts.

Everyday should be celebrated!

Do you ever feel like you're trying to do too much? Or maybe I should rephrase and ask if you ever feel like you're NOT trying to do too much? Are you also plagued by unrealistic expectations? Like the belief that you can do everything.

Well that is what I'm dealing with. There's constantly a zillion things on my to do list and I'm always overly optimistic with the amount of things I can get done in a day. So after even the most productive of days, instead of celebrating what I've accomplished that day, I'm always left looking at the list of things I didn't get to.

And you know what? I need to stop that. I need to set my expectations aside and acknowledge all that I do accomplish. I should be celebrating my victories, no matter how small. Like folding the laundry AND putting it away. Or getting everyone to school and work on time. Or making a home cooked meal that my family loves.

These are the little things that make up everyday and everyday should be celebrated!

A personal reminder

Right now I feel like I'm barreling down the highway of life in a speedy red sports car. And the road I'm following isn't just straight. The road has some curves and I'm having to take some turns at top speeds. But you know what? I am in control. It might not always feel like it, but I am. I'm in the driver's seat, I'm making choices, and I'm going places. Too often in the past I've been content to sit in the passenger seat and just let life happen. And sometimes that's the right thing to do. But not today. Today I have choices to make and I am making them.

Fall is coming!

I love fall.

I love the changing leaves, the crisp weather, the smell of cinnamon, the sounds of football in the background, visiting Apple Hill and various pumpkin patches, baking pies and cookies, etc..

It all makes me feel so warm and cozy..... And inspired! When I feel this inspired I find that I must create, even if it's just using a few stolen minutes. And that's what I did yesterday.

With the back to school and fall coming, I made this cute little apple to go with my apple tree from the other day. And I'm not sure my little apple is complete, but it is definitely a good start and a welcome reminder of this lovely season sneaking up on us.