2013 Resolutions. And a giveaway too.

Print available from here.

I love the newness and hope of a new year. The first of January always breeds feelings of possibility and opportunity. Fresh slates, new starts, a new focus!

I still remember the 1st of January 1996. It was the year I turned 14. I was about to start Grade 9.

I wrote on little pieces of paper which I had ripped from one of my many little notebooks {a stationery addict....even back then} all of my resolutions and goals for that year. I put them into little envelopes, categorised {of course} such as: friendships, home, dancing, school etc.

I referred back to them throughout the year and glued them into my diary once they were achieved or when I needed to make reference to them! {umm yes...I was an over thinker...even back then!}

 Now at 30, I still make resolutions on the 1st of January every year. I don't always write them down, and I rarely talk about them out loud. They're usually for me. For my family.

But this year, I thought I'd write them down. I'd share them. I'd be accountable for them!

So here goes....

2013.....

• Eat Well! Sounds simple doesn't it!?  - I think as a family, we already eat quite well. But this year I want to make sure we're eating more wholefoods and earthly goodness. We will UP our veggie and fruit intake and cut back on the carby/gluten/processed/sugary foods. I'm also a realist - I LOVE chocolate and coffee and wine. I love a good pasta and takeaway pizza every now and then. I'm not going to deprive myself from these little joys - life is way too short for that! But I will be mindful of my daily intake, understanding moderation & making conscious decisions on what I'm feeding my family. 

I have already kicked into this resolution {which has been made much easier by my health-addict, good-food-lovin husband}. We are back to making fresh fruit juices most mornings and I have undergone the 30 Day Green Smoothie Challenge which I'm already LOVING! We are having simple lunches and dinners of steamed fish and LOADS of veggies with Quinoa or Avocado or Eggs. Ryder is great eater and will give anything a good go. Ella is gradually broadening her wings and trying these foods too.

• Meal Plan - no fancy calendars or colour coded systems.....just a simple weekly plan/idea of what we'll eat each night for dinner. I did this when I was on Maternity Leave with Ella as a baby. I'd sit down on a Sunday night and write a list of that week's dinners and a shopping list to support. It was a time-saver, sanity-saver and money-saver. But life got busy, and I stopped being organised! But 2013, is the year to get back on track with meal planning and grocery shopping planning.
• Accept change and things I can not control!!  I like to have control. However, I'm learning that with life and with parenting....we have to let go of control sometimes and simply trust the process. I need to accept that Ella is off to fulltime school. I need to accept that I'm returning to part time work. I need to accept that we did not birth sleep-loving children. Sleep deprivation is another 'characteristic' of me these days! I need to accept that some things - some people; never change! I need to accept that there is not more than 24 hours in a day, no matter how hard I look for them! I need to accept that we're aging....our children are aging.....life moves on!!!
• FINISH my book! Yes, I started a book and it's about time I finish the dang thing! Whether it gets published or not. I WILL finish it for ME!
• Get more of my words, my stories, my articles into PRINT & PUBLICATIONS!
• Do more little random acts of kindness. Be creative in ways I can help people....or make people smile.
• Simplify!!!! Say NO sometimes. Cut out time-wasting projects. De-Clutter. Focus on what feels right and good and things that bring me joy!
• Be happy. Be present in moments. Be kind to myself. Be the best MUM and WIFE, I can possibly be!

************************

And now a gift for TEN of you!!!!

Simply leave a comment on this blog post telling me one of your 2013 GOALS to go into the drawer to win 1 of 10 Printable Wall Posters!

I will randomly draw 10 winners & notify them by email {so make sure you put your email address in the comment link} Draw will occur on Friday 11th Jan 2013. You've got a week...quick get commenting :)

The prize is a new print I designed to kick off 2013. It's an inspirational design to keep you going and motivated this year. Available in a variety of colour schemes {which the winners can choose}. It can be purchased HERE in my store. {please note it is a printable print...I email it as a PDF}

GOOD LUCK!

"Each moment of the year has it's own beauty....a picture which was never seen before and shall never be seen again." Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Happy New Year!

I am. I'm Not.

{image by me}

I am not:

• a super Mum - I have many faults.
• into watching sport on TV - I'd rather watch grass grow...sorry Chris.
• as patient as I used to be.
• going to whine about winter this year - I will embrace it & enjoy it.
• good at saving money.
• a fan of my kid's starting each day at 5am {after several wakings in the night}.
• the centre of attention at a party....but not the super shy one either.
• the most co-ordinated person - even though I've danced all my life...and can multi-task like a pro.
• very good at remembering to drink water.
• always content - I'm always looking for something to do, make, experience or achieve.
• not tired of hearing my kids laugh.
• not able to wear my hair down much at the moment - a certain little baby boy ends up gripping on to handfuls of it...ouch.

But, I am:

• madly in love with 3 beautiful souls.
• highly addicted to coffee. {as I sip my hot brew as I type}
• trying to bring up happy, healthy, balanced, strong & kind children.
• loving the space & storage our new home has - and the fresh mountain air that sweeps through.
• going to bake more {soon}.
• craving & feeling a desire to start running again.
• holding a baby as I type this, playing calming music over the iPad speakers - trying to create a peaceful, happy place whilst Big Sister is at Kindy.
• trying to find more balance in my life without putting myself last.
• constantly reminding myself to slow down....breathe....and enjoy the moments.
• always dreaming. and dreaming BIG.
• proud of my Husband Chris for all that he's achieved & is striving to achieve with his business ventures.
• in love with my current life - I hope I don't ever take my blessings for granted.
• sick of over thinking things....and analysing my every decision.
• glad it's Friday. I love weekends with my family.
• ME.

Buy this vintage style wall print from here.

Please, tell me, what's on your "I am. I'm not." list?

 

Stressed Much?

{This is one my new print designs. I'm about to list it in my store! You can buy it here!}

"Oh, I never get stressed! I'm pretty easy-going!" were the exact words that came out of my mouth as I chatted casually about life with Chris's Nan; Betty.....11 years ago! Me; just a mere baby-faced 19year old. "Dear, you will feel real stress one day. Throw a marriage, a career & kids together and unfortunately stress comes into it too" she replied with a knowing, calm tone.

Looking back now....of course I wasnt' stressed! I was 2 years out of high school, working 2 pretty fun part-time jobs, whilst studying to be a primary school teacher at uni. I lived at home with my parents so didn't have any bills to pay & had absolutely no debt against my name. I functioned on minimal sleep each night, but caught up some days by not waking til late in the afternoon...because I could. I partied hard & usually came home when the sun was rising....ready to do it all again the next night. I hung with friends everyday. I danced and sunbaked and shopped. I ran on my own schedule & couild fit more play than work into my week. I had just met a handsome blue eyed man, who had swept me off my feet & made me feel like a million bucks. Stress?! Pfftt....."I don't stress!!" "What's everyone so worked up about? Just chill!!!" Haa!

But, do you know what? Nan was right! So right! {I should haven known to believe her at that moment.....coz who better than to take life-advice [or warning] from, than a vibrant, worldly woman who has lived through a lifetime of ups & downs!?}

Yesterday morning, I almost called it quits. I was several breaths away from turning the car around, heading back home, and sitting in the corner of our spotless* house rocking back & forth whilst sucking my thumb :) No, seriously I was!!

Sometimes, being a grown up, really bites!

For the most part, I'm still that 19yr old girl who doesn't stress too much! I always look for the positive in every situation, I try to use the 'bad times' as learning experiences and I try not to sweat the small stuff. But sometimes, there is so much small stuff, that it amounts to this big messy mountain of commotion.

And, that's what Saturday morning was filled with....lots of small things, that amounted to one big stressful monster.

It all started with the decision making process of selling our house & finding a new one. Even though that's an exciting time in a family's life....it's also a daunting, emotional process where a lot of 'unknowns' & risk-taking ideas are thrown around. Our decisions don't just affect us anymore....there are other people, other parties involved & that's stressful in it's self. I won't bore you with all the details of Saturday morning, but in a nutshell...it involved: a 5:30am start, 4.5 hours of extreme tidying, furniture moving, vacuuming, mopping, toy & clutter hiding, bleaching & sweeping in preparation for our open home later that day. While also multitasking with changing nappies, feeding babies, dressing kids, showering myself, packing ballet bags, putting away washing & re-tidying messes. I then had to drop the key off at the Real Estate Agent & get Ella to ballet by 10am. On the way there, in the car; Ryder was overtired & screaming. The ATM I went to for Ella's dancing uniform money {due date for this payment too} had run out of money so I had to drive out of my way to find another. Ella's water bottle burst open & soaked her leotard completely & 10mins from home, I realised I had forgotten my phone! A major Mummy-Meltdown almost occurred at that moment!!

Not sure what made me hold it together.....but I did....just! We got to dancing {late.....but still, we made it} and I finally got a chance to sit & breathe & relax :) We couldn't go home afterwards, as the open home was happening, so we had lunch with Kirsty & her boys and then headed to the toy shop to buy another special friend's birthday present, followed by a play at the park. Lunch with a good friend, a fun browse in the toys & some fresh air with my babies in the park was exactly what I needed......things went back into line, I gained perspective & I breathed out all the stress of the morning. Sink or Float?

We went out to dinner last night, just the 4 of us. And amongst our dinner conversations about the kind of people we'd love to buy our house, Ryder's bowel activity, Ella's busy social life & where the new washing machine will fit into the new house {important life rich topics haa}; I casually threw at Chris; "Oh I almost had a major meltdown / stress attack this morning, whilst you were at swimming training, but I'm ok now" and just like that.....we moved on :)

And as I sit here tonight, sipping my red wine & winding down after a very busy weekend; I realise we have to experience stress in life and take it as it comes, because there's a good chance that there's something more magical {and less stressful} just waiting around the corner. It's all part of the big picture I guess. Ebb & flow baby!

Cheers to happy times ahead!

Choosing Happiness in 2012. And a FREE print.

Sometime last week, I decided to jot down some 'power words' & thoughts that I wanted to focus on in 2012. Not so much 'resolutions', but gentle reminders of what's most important to me & the direction I want to drive 2012 towards. I then transferred some of them into a wall print....coz that's what I do :) 

I couldn't fit them all on.....but the ones included were the main mantra words or reminders I wanted to have in front of me each morning when I log onto my computer. Recently, Maxabella asked the bloggy world, what is YOUR word for 2012? At the time, I couldn't think of one word I really wanted as MY word for the whole year! And even now....I'm struggling to settle on just one. A few went through my mind; Love {but I'm so in love with so many people & things at the moment, I really don't need to put any forced effort or focus into that one}, CAPABLE {like everyone, at times I feels so incapable & not good enough.....but 2011 also taught me that I am more capable than I give myself credit for......hey, I traveled the world solo, heavily pregnant, with a 3yr old.....I also overcame a pregnancy loss & then 14 months later; naturally & without drugs delivered an almost 10 pound baby into the world.....so, at the moment, as a Mother....as a Woman.....I'm feeling pretty capable!}, RELAX....{I nearly picked this one.....because relaxing is something that doesn't come naturally to me. If I get a quiet moment, when the kids are asleep or contently busy, I rarely turn off & truly relax....there's always things to do, chores to complete, work to be done, projects to complete, things to read etc etc. However, I am getting better at the whole relaxing thing...proof can be found when I'm on holidays with my family, and I've learnt to start saying NO sometimes, so that I'm not drowning myself in work & projects for other people, which takes quality time away from me & my family.} And in the end....the word {or words} that kept coming back to me.....were 2 simple ones: CHOOSE HAPPINESS.

So, for 2012.....I'm going to choose happiness. Like, almost everything we do & are faced with each day, in this democratic society we live in.....we have choices, lots of them! And HAPPINESS is a choice too! No, I'm not going to be a buzz of fake smiles & over the top happy-happy-joy-joy all day everyday.....because {1} that's just annoying..... and {2} that would be too far from the truth,...... because I too have moments and days, when things are just plain ole' crap. Money troubles, sick kids, work commitments, marriage that requires attention, family worries, drama with friends, endless dirty dishes, messes....oh constant messes, sleep deprivation & unplanned tragedies. So, of course, in 2012, there will be moments of worry, fear, sadness, anger, frustration & hurt.....but for the most part....I can still choose to be HAPPY! Really.....it all comes back to SINK or FLOAT?! In 2012 - Hakuna Matata :)

And to spread the love, I've done 3 colour styles of this print.....as a FREE downloadable, prinatable goodie for YOU :) To download the Black & White {like mine}, CLICK HERE. For the colourful hues, CLICK HERE. And for the light teal & gray, CLICK HERE. Hey, grab all 3 if you wish.....spread the word, let your friends know where they can grab their free 2012 wall print :) Simply download, print & frame....wahlah....easy :) I've made it a standard 20cmx25cm {8x10inch} so it fits into a photo frame! Or save your ink....and make it your desktop image or Facebook profile pic :)

{These ones are FREE!! But, if you'd like any extra or different words or YOUR OWN 2012 RESOLUTIONS & WORDS into a custom print, just contact me. I can do a custom print for you for $15 {as an emailed PDF} or $30 plus $8 postage for a hardcopy; printed & mailed one {30cm x 40cm}.

Whether it's due to the fact that January is usually about people being positive, embracing new starts with a new year & setting goals for a successful & amazing 12 months ahead......or maybe it was some freaky sign from a higher source; but I read a post today on Chris's Cousin's {Beth} lovely blog, that got me excited about 2012.....I could feel the inspiration running through my veins as I read this list:

> Health:
> 1. Drink plenty of water.
> 2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
> 3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
> 4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
> 5. Make time to pray.
> 6. Play more games
> 7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
> 8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
> 9. Sleep for 7 hours..
> 10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
>
> Personality:
> 11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
> 12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
> 13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
> 14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
> 15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
> 16. Dream more while you are awake
> 17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
> 18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
> 19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
> 20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
> 21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
> 22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
> 23. Smile and laugh more.
> 24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
>
> Society:
> 25. Call your family often.
> 26. Each day give something good to others.
> 27. Forgive everyone for everything..
> 28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
> 29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
> 30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
> 31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
>
> Life:
> 32. Do the right thing!
> 33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
> 34. GOD heals everything.
> 35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
> 36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
> 37. The best is yet to come..
> 38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
> 39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

No idea, where Beth got it from, but I love it. I think I'll be printing this one too :) It's full of the inspiration & motivation I need to ensure my 2012 truly ROCKS! Oh....That, and choosing HAPPINESS :)

It's going to be a rockin' year!

Peace out......

Enjoy the Little Things..... {free print for you}

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back & realize they were the big things!" Robert Brault.

I've always loved this quote....and on this sunny Sunday morning, I decided to make it into a simple yet meaningful print for FREE for YOU!!

I've made 3 versions of it.....a black & white, a brown background with white text & a pastel colour pallet :)

Simply download from my site for free, print, trim & frame.....easy :)

It's an 8x10 inch size.....20cm x 25cm.....which is a standard photo frame size....and a little smaller than A4, so it's easily printed on most home/office printers. 

To download each versions simply click on the links below:

For the Black & White version, click HERE.

For the Brown & White versions, click HERE.

For the Pastel Pallet, click HERE.

Feel free to download all THREE :) Give them as gifts, put them up in your home or office...you could even use it in a photo album or scrapbook!

Spread the word about this FREE print....and ENJOY!!

Happy Sunday All :)

P.S. Find me on FACEBOOK!! 

P.P.S. Want to take better photos???? I highly recommend this eBook that is 30% off at the moment.....but only for 3 more days. It's $19.99 PLUS you go into the drawer to win a DSLR camera valued at $1000. QUICK!!! Click on the banner above that says: CLICK!!!!