2014 New Year's Resolutions

For the past few years, I've taken the time to actually do a little post abpit my resolutions.  Last year's were quite traditional:  lose weight (fail), get more sleep (fail), take on a big house project (SUCCESS!) and build blog readership (hard to say....).  And this year, I wasn't all jazzed up to set out any more big resolutions.  But today I read a little something and I changed my mind.  I do have one.

STOP PROCRASTINATING!

I really think this is a good one to focus on.  I read a little thing online today that really hit home.  While procrastination may be a "victimless crime" (nobody is going to starve or be forced to wear dirty undies on my watch), it does impact overall happiness.  

Think about it this way.  I like to watch tv.  But which is more satisfying - watching an hour of TV with piles of laundry around waiting to be washed/folded?  or watching an hour of TV in a clean and uncluttered space because all that laundry is DONE and put away?

I find myself taking my leisure whenever I want rather than taking it after I earn it.  This leaves some tasks un-done (or done after midnight, pushing bedtime out later...hence the fail at my "get more sleep" resolution from last year).

So that's it.  End Procrastination.  I start tomorrow.

Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot...

And however the rest of that song goes.... This is that time of year that bloggers across the world wide interwebs take the time to look back at their year and summarize what's happened on the blog or summarize a series of significant bloggy and/or personal events.  I guess i'm much the same.  Actually, it's not just bloggers that do this.  With the year ticking up one more notch, I think it's human nature to think about the year in review and try to make some sort of sweeping generalization or judgement of whether it was "good" or "bad".  I think that's a bit unfair to good old 2013...it was a long 365 days.  Too much happened to summarize in a few snappy paragraphs.  I'll do my best to hit a few hghlights (some of which were mentioned, some are new).
We did a lot in Sarah's Big Girl bedroom - check out a few of the posts here:

• New lamp
• Memo Board

And the biggie is that we did a full-on down-to-the-studs renovation of our kitchen. 

• Meet the kitchen
• Moving Out
• Demolition
• Designing
• Sliding Door
• Framing
• WALLS!
• Paint
• Tile
• Cabinets
• Counters
• Reveal!!

So one thing I've come to see is that I didn't do a lot in 2013.  Less than half the posts when compared to 2012 (my first full year of blogging).  I should fix that (do I sense a resolution there??).  There are a few reasons - the biggest reason was the kitchen.  In a small house like ours, a huge kitchen renovation like we did was so disrupting, that it was difficult to even think about anything else, let alone DO something about it .  Pretty much no matter where I went, I was facing evidence of the destruction/or construction that was going on.  So other projects were untouched and or dining room (a.k.a. my craft space) was cluttered and messy.  I'll say this, no other project has had such a positive impact on our day-to-day life than our kitchen reno has, and it's only been done for a few months.  Baking Christmas cookies in there was FANTASTIC.
Now that all the excuses are out of the way, I'll say that 2013 was a great year.  We've had tons of fun, completed off the BIGGEST project on our house so far, potty trained the 3 year old.  To do's for 2014 include addressing our ugly stairwell, maybe the basement, and getting healthier.  Plus, I want to do more crafty things, smaller decor and organizational projects.  I hope to have closer to 100 posts in 2014.  About 2 every week if all goes well.
I'd like to take a moment to wish everyone a very happy Happy HAPPY New Year.  I hope 2014 brings joyful moments, fun projects, and fabulous memories.  I hope for health and happiness for me & my family and for you and yours!  

Cold Turkey January

Following the shop fest and retail extravaganza that happens from Thanksgiving straight through to New Years (because everyone shops for themselves right after Christmas, amIright?), I like to take a break from spending.  It's partly a savings recovery, partly a chance to work all the new Christmas stuff into our house without adding to it, and partly just to take a break from the habit I have (and I think others probably have, too) of just buying stuff because it's there and we want to have it.  It's sort of like a diet for your wallet :)
So my general plan is this - I buy food & toiletries as needed.  I buy things I NEED - if I have a specific article of clothing I need then it's ok (bras, undies, socks, or a sweater for a specific purpose) but no willy-nilly shopping.  I buy for maintaining the house (if it breaks and needs replacing, then ok).  I am also ok on buying supplies for crafts or DIY projects ('cause without those things, there's no blog).  
It's hard.  It's really hard.  I love to shop, to find things, to jump on a deal.  I basically have to stay out of Target, which is a weakness.  I stick to the grocery store and wholesale club, mostly.  But I miss it.  I spend a lot of time clicking around the Target website to see what's featured or new, not because I'm going to shop (because I'm not going to), but because I am curious.
So that's what's going on around here...

Do you cut back after the holidays?  

2013 New Years Resolutions

I posted last year about my New Year's resolution - to have more resolve.  To do more in all areas and I think I did pretty well.  
For 2013, I'm going traditional with my resolutions...
1.  Lose weight.
2.  Get more sleep.
3.  Take on one BIG project in the house.
4.  Build blog readership!
So we'll see how well this goes.  I have high hopes!

Happy New Year!

So Many Resolutions, So Little Resolve

Year after year I (and so many others) make resolutions on the New Year to change our ways, to improve ourselves, and to just be better.  Resolutions are often things like weight loss (yup), exercising (yup yup), save more, waste less, implement home organization, tackle home improvements, stuff like that.  Sometimes resolutions are about our personal flaws - one 2011 resolution I made was to try to procrastinate less, but I just couldn't get started on that one.

This year, instead of resolving to lose 20 pounds or run a 5k (both of which are on my list for 2012), I'm resolving to have more resolve.  To do a better job of doing things other than wishing and hoping.  I think we could all be better versions of ourselves if we made more of an effort to live the life we deserve.  Whether it's cooking healthier more interesting food, reuniting with old friends, making the bed every day, or just cleaning out a closet that's been bugging you, resolve to do something to make your life happier, more interesting, and livelier.

Happy New Year!!