Who Am I?

This time of year, despite the snow and cold, is a great time for self reflection. I've had some time off work and part of this time has been looking back at this year and looking forward to the future, and everything in between. I'm guessing that I'm like most people and strive each day to be the best I can be. I also take time each year to set goals (not resolutions) to increase my capacity as a decent human being. Sometimes I'm not my best. And other times, I'm better than I hoped to be. Being conscious of who I am and how I fit in to the World around me is important to me and I hope I leave this life with gifts left for anyone I have met during my time here. I hope and will strive to do this well.

So who am I? 

A hard question to answer on my own. Especially because I tend to be so hard on myself. But I'm going to attempt a little list that I can look back on when I have a moment where I feel like I've not done my best. Here's who I am:

* a feisty, dedicated, loving wife who loves fiercely her guy

* a hands on mama who would go to the end of the Earth for my children, no matter the roadblocks in my way

* a very hard worker who loves this eclectic career path I've ended up on by my own creation and some good luck

* a creative, artistic being who loves to make for others

* a life long learner who is always excited to take a class

* a loyal individual who will always be there for others, even when others may not be there for me in the same way

I know I don't quite fit well in to everyone else's life. I am and do identify as a "hippy" even if a lot of it is closeted. I don't always fit in as I don't follow every trend or movement. I can be outspoken when I am passionate about an issue. I am an advocate and that doesn't always sit well with some. I will stand up for what I believe but only after I have become educated on the matter so that my protest, words or advocacy make sense and have purpose for a peaceful resolution. Always worth the effort in my opinion. 

A snapshot of who I am but as always, a work in progress.

So now I turn the tables and ask "who are you?"

~ Chy

Gardening Goals.

Aside from my art as a stress reliever, I have discovered how much working in the garden has helped when life is tough. It's been especially great this year with Covid. We have had a ton of rain (again today!) and I'm starting to worry we'll have another water logged year like last year. Maybe it will change. For now, when it isn't raining, I dig my hands in the cool dirt, feeling connected to the Earth again. I weed. I move plants. I dream of what it will look like one day. I dream of an English garden/Cottage garden concept. Slowly I'm getting there. Slowly but surely, almost there!

Above on the left, raindrops on the Bleeding Heart bush.

Top right, the Hydrangea bush is coming along nicely,

Bottom left, the Hosta looked like it wasn't alive but

here it is! And bottom right, Munstead Lavender ....

This last week was a bit of a break from work for me and I had hoped to get more done than I actually did but the rain would NOT stop. I did learn that pulling weeds and planting and even moving plants in the wet weather is actually a bit easier. It's just very messy! But working in the dirt is so good for the soul and if I have to do it in the mud, than that will be the plan for the rest of the Summer. Whatever I have to do to reach my gardening goals and to keep my spirits alive and well during this crazy time, I will do it!

Do you have gardening goals?

How is your garden doing this year?

~ Chy

JPC #2: Goals.

The second day of the January Photo Challenge would have been yesterday but it's the holidays, so yeah, I'm a day behind! I'm not on a schedule right now. Next week. But here is my post, a bit late but in my books, on time. 

I tend to not do "resolutions" but I do like to set goals. When I was a kid and becoming more aware of the world around me, I do recall the stress that seemed to go in to ringing out the New Year and creating some lofty promises as the New Year arrived. My mom would make big plans and not always achieve them, which would make her add them to next years list. And then the following year. And on and on and on. I remember thinking at the tender age of 10 years old that maybe that wasn't very productive or inspiring. So from a young age, I've not chimed in on New Year's Resolutions. Instead I choose goals and it was one of the reasons I've gotten excited about this particular photo challenge I've joined.

My goals for 2018? I've kept them simple and achievable. That doesn't mean I'll be totally successful. But I'll be giving each of these a great try through the year:

* learning to let go of any negativity that comes my way but doesn't truly need any of my attention.

* work on my blog and my unpublished book ~ no deadlines, no number of words or chapters. Just "work on".

* work on my art in the studio ~ again no deadlines or commitments. Just a simple "work on" so it's fun.

* cultivate a new friendship and create our new community tribe. To be honest, we've both been so busy building our life, our relationship, our home, our community projects and our careers that we've not been so great on our social life. Now is our chance to re~define what that looks like for 2018. I'm so excited about this one.

There it is, in writing and without any promises, just simple ideas that I can work on and re~evaluate in time to see if what I hoped for did work out. Much less stressful and that is the biggest thing for 2018. Live what I teach and preach. I'm truly done with 2017 and so looking forward to see what 2018 will bring our way, knowing that there will be moments of anxiety and dismay. That is what life is, isn't it? Good times, difficulties, great experiences, relationship woes, prosperity, money concerns, achievements, set backs. How we deal with each of these is the accomplishments we should concentrate on ~ the grace to fall, the ability to weep, the energy to change, the willingness to ask for help. Life is one big learning curve ..... embrace it and give it your all. Namaste.

Do you have resolutions or goals to share?

How do you welcome the New Year?

Two Days In ....

.... and so far, so good. Honestly, the last year was a really tough one for us. Not the "end of the world tough" but difficult at times. I'm sure most can relate. I do believe that times that challenge us can provide an opportunity to truly appreciate the small moments, the gifts we do have, the relationships that hang in with us when life throws a curve ball. Do I appreciate everything so much more this year? Absolutely! I'm happy we've weathered the storm to date and hope that this year, we all get a bit of a break. Life is hard but it's also beautiful. More beautiful would be most welcome by the world!

I'm not a resolution maker. I like goals and am realistic on my limitations. Usually at this point in the year, I've got a good idea of things I'd like to accomplish in the coming year. Today, I don't have a list. It's still growing in my mind. I'll share once I have it set. Realistic and short.

Today, the 2nd day of 2017, was beautiful. We woke up to warm sun streaming through our windows. Outside, snow had fallen overnight and the perfect landscape was glittery and white. The trees were encrusted with frost and all around, silence. Living in the country is still so new to us and we marvel at everything new around us. I bundled up and stood out on the back porch to take pictures. I'll share some over the next few days. After breakfast and showers, we settled down to tackle our "to do" list. We hung curtain rods in the dining room to match what we did in the living room last week. Sweet lace curtains now grace the front rooms in our house. We hung some pictures and made plans for more next week. We did laundry, cleaned the kitchen of Christmas clutter, reorganized the desk in the great room and the shelves above. We went outside for a bit to set a new trap to catch the mouse in our garage and used some steel wool to plug a spot that I've been worried  mouse could slip through and get in to the house. Dh, like our builder, are certain it's too small for a mouse but I feel better tonight knowing that we filled it up anyway. After dinner, we watched Coronation Street and then Leah Remini's series on her experience of leaving the Church of Scientology. Folded laundry, swept and mopped the floors, and then it was time for bed. A day well spent. I hope tomorrow and the rest of this new year are much the same. I hope the same for you. Peace and well being. Hope and love.

How was your 2nd day of 2017?

Have you had a good break?

Goals for September.

I read blogs on a daily basis. My favorites are the ones that show true life with their words and pictures, the ones that give me inspiration to create new ideas, the ones that are truly down to earth and those that lay out goals to achieve. I try to be as authentic as I possibly can in my blog writing and though I'm sure I fall short at times, I truly can only write what is and what will be. My house is not perfect, my relationships have moments, my work is stressful (and yet I love it!), and I am a constant work in progress. I can't get much more authentic than that! Rarely do I share my goals but thought this month I'll give it a go and see how close I get to finishing these up. Not a huge list but the tasks have many pieces to them. Read on, if you'd like:

1. Finish sorting then cleaning the preschool for classes that start on Tuesday

2. Finish writing notes for my Board of Directors and sending those along 

3. Printing off sign in sheets, book order forms and any other requests that come my way

4. Send off our final Charity paperwork for this year's filing that is due in November

5. Work on sorting receipts and documentation for taxes for filing when due

6. Contact County department regarding a grant owed to us that we're waiting for

7. Finalize details for our two baby loss events coming up in October and confirm registrations

8. Finalize details for our two kids grief programs coming up this month and confirm registrations

9. Create a new family budget now that dh is settled in to his new job he started in July

10. Start winter prep around the house before the snow arrives - hopefully later than earlier

Doesn't look too bad but I know each of these will take some time. I hope and will work hard to get as much accomplished as possible. Our son is coming to visit in October and it would be lovely to have items crossed off my list so we can enjoy his time here without deadlines looming. My biggest goal this year and for the coming year is to take care of items, one at a time and/or then pass them along to someone else. Working hard on that now that I realize I really can't do it all!

A Goal Achieved.

One of my goals was to reach 100 posts

by the 4th month of the year .... nailed it!

I actually completed 100 posts in just

over 100 days ~ 102 to be exact. As a

goal oriented person, and not the most

consistent writer, this feels really great.

Do you have any blogging or writing goals?

Or do you write when it feels right to do so?

My 2016 Goals.

I've never liked the word "resolution" so I substitute the word with "goals" which for me are gentler and more realistic. My goals for this new year of 2016 are quite simple: 

1. be outside more ~ easy now that we live in the country with peace and quiet all around us
2. save more money this year to pay down our mortgage ~ we've made a good start with our savings
3. use my time more wisely for creative art instead of just working and not creating art
4. continue to find ways to have my team take on more of my tasks so I can create more art

There we go. Easy peasy! Nothing that isn't achievable, all very sensible. Now tell me, do you have goals set aside for this year? If so, please share so we can applaud your enthusiasm!! Share them here or send me a note. Waiting ....

Blog Goals.

 

Hi everyone!

I've decided to make some basic blog goals to see if I can get my blog "out there"! Love my faithful and dedicated readers but one always likes a bigger audience when putting effort in to a project that is valuable. To keep it simple and manageable, I'm starting with just 4 goals:

 

1. I've decided to write a total of 280 posts for the year. As this is my 80th post for 2014, I now have a challenge to write another 200 entries in the 174 days left (or 25 weeks, if you're counting) in this fine year. That's 1.15 per day. Not sure how I would do that and I know I won't write each day so there may be a few times where I'll do a few additional posts to stay on track. Sounds like a huge number to achieve but I have lots to say!

 

2. Increase my followers by becoming more engaged in the blogs I like to read. My hope is that I'll then attract a few more readers to become followers. Not an easy task and I'm not a salesperson at all, but I'll give it a good shot!

 

3. Research options for bringing more readers my way. I'm not convinced that inviting companies to advertise will bring more readers, so I'd like to find other less complicated avenues to become linked to those who are fellow writers and comrades in the game of life!

 

4. Post more pictures and write more interesting entries. Find my niche. Write from the heart. Share what I know. And love the whole process!

 

And that's the plan! Tell me what you think of my ideas.

 

Did you or do you have blog goals?