Planning ahead to 2014...grateful for a wonderful 2013

2013 is almost finished.  2014 is about to begin.  What are you doing and thinking as this year ends?

I am excited to sit down for dinner or lunch if schedules are hectic and go through our memory jar.  I told the boys (and I know) they will be amazed at the things we did and I wrote about for us.  Really looking forward to this before our oldest DS heads back to college and we all go back to school on Monday.

I am thinking about my One Word for 2014.  If you have not heard of this check out Ali Edwards blog...it's where I think I first heard of it...or from someone else who follows her.  I really need to sit down and figure out what my words in the past have been....I have them written down in my scrap area but finding them, well that area is a 'resolution' for 2014.

Resolutions...do you do them?  I kind of do but rarely follow through (except the memory jar :) ).  I would like to do several things this year connected to my One Word though so maybe this is the year for me.

No pressure....that is one gift I am giving myself.  After a busy week of Christmas prep and celebrating, a trip to the Belk Bowl, and now a couple of celebrations for the New Year....I am wanting to relax and plan 2014....not going to put pressure on myself to get the decorations down or do the returns/exchanges before back to work.  There is time next week and weekend for those things, right?

I am truly appreciating the blessings that are in my life....family, friends, and so much more.  I am terrible about the end of a year usually, but I am trying to focus on the blessings and gifts of my life and look forward instead of feeling like I didn't do enough.  It is so easy to feel guilt....I'm going to try and feel joy instead.  Sounds like a wonderful way to start a New Year! :)

How about you?  If you see my blog please leave me a comment and let me know how you send off a good year and welcome a new year.

Wishing you a wonderful last few days and hours of 2013.

Rhonda

What have you been up to this year?

Well, I think I said I would post more when I posted right after the New Year....and now here it is November and not a post.  Oh well...I have kept up with the jar of memories from this year.  I am super excited to go through those at the end of the year with my family.  I am actually thinking of turning this into a cool yearly activity, and adding our special memories to a book that we keep year-to-year. :)

Here is a pic of ours:

This is a shelf in our kitchen wall cabinets...I keep an extra supply of small papers behind it, and there is a pen close by.  I don't write something everyday.  I do include big events, but I think the small events are what make us appreciate each other even more.  For example, DH worked in his workshop today, I helped host a baby shower with my Mom, DS1 is home this weekend from college, DS2 has an indoor soccer game tonight, and DS3 finished his novel project.  Those are things that tell a lot about us and are part of our everyday happiness. :)

BTW, that shelf is NEVER that clean...just took down Halloween decorations so it looks very tidy....for now. ;)

If you are reading my blog...thanks!  Hope your everyday is filled with happiness.

Rhonda :)

2013

A new year...a fresh start...filled with so much opportunity and promise!

So excited for the new year.  Still deciding on some goals here at our house. 

One idea I have ready to go is from Pinterest (silent cheer...love P).  We have an empty, glass container in the kitchen and a stack of cute, pre-cut scrapbook paper right beside it.  The idea is to write down neat things that happen throughout the year...then on New Year's Eve 2013 we can read through them and remember so many great times. 

Here is the Pinterest pic.  I will try to add ours later.

 

 



I am also looking for a 'word' for the year.  I have picked one many times in the past.  The original idea came from Ali Edwards scrapbooking/life blog.  I have had peace, compassion, strength...and a few more.  I have also not had a word, like last year.  I find it fun and motivating to do so, and so I am thinking of my word.

SOAR has come to mind in many places lately, starting with Stephanie Howell's blog (which I love too...she is another neat person to follow).  Then I saw it on a float in the Rose Bowl parade.  I rarely watch the entire parade, but since my mother-in-law always asks I decided to watch this year and it really was cool to see and only was an hour, which suprised me.  Anyway she didn't ask this year...hahaha...figures, right?   But that is okay, because it was a nice way to start my day. :)

So, I have so many things I want to share....scrapbooking, mom-ing, teaching, etc, but I never seem to keep up with "post-ing".  Here's hoping in the New Year I do better and I grow my followers.  I so appreciate all of you with the patience of a saint who have been followers for a while. :)  Hope you all will want to come along and see how it goes.

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2013 filled with love and laughter!

Rhonda :)