It's Barely Into a New Year -

BUT, this will be a year of discovery!

I'm excited, and a little tremulous, to get my year started by joining the 52 Weeks to Simplify Your Life Challenge.  Please feel free to follow along with me on this journey into my deepest self. This will be a highly personal journey, but I'm excited to be sharing it with you!

I'm joining the challenge a few weeks into it, so the first few posts will be catch-up posts. In this first one, I'm going to attempt to answer, briefly, the questions posed on the first week of the challenge.

Thinking back on 2011:

1. What energized me? Volunteering for my son's scout troop gave me some energy this past year. I love being helpful and engaged with the boys. We never have a dull time!
2. What made me feel happy? Being able to spend time with friends really makes me happy. I spend so little time outside my home, the time I DO get almost feels like a vacation, or a celebration!
3. What made me feel at peace? I can't say if I felt peaceful last year. I will definitely be paying attention THIS year.
4. What positive people lifted me up? This one was the easiest question. Without a doubt, the people who lifted me up the most last year were my Aunt Judy and cousin Maris, and they continue to do so. Thank you both!
5. What filled my "tank"? Filling my "tank" is both a regular and a rare occasion. I know that probably doesn't make sense to you, but it makes perfect sense to me. I do take my time in the shower... I have to. :O) But I rarely go out of my way to do something special for myself. Will that change this year? I'm going to make an effort to make it so.
6. What worked to bring my family together? Unfortunately, my family is farther apart than ever. I had one son graduate from high school, but our "togetherness" has been in jeopardy for quite awhile. I am determined to change that, and realize how much hard work it's going to take. My daughter is graduating high school this year, so our household will be getting smaller again.
7. What is something that made me feel excited to dive right in? I haven't felt any great amount of excitement in awhile. I'll be looking to change that this year.
8. What did I learn (positive things)? One thing I've learned: There's always the potential for real change.
9. What am I grateful for? I am grateful for SO MANY things: God's love and forgiveness, a husband who loves me despite my faults, my children who have great potential, and last, but not least, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on my table.

These questions were exceedingly difficult for me to answer. I'm not accustomed to peering inside myself for answers like this, and I didn't like some of the answers I came up with. But, this is a journey of discovery, and though I won't like some of the things I find, I'm certain I'll like the changes I'm going to be making.

Am I "revved up" for 2012?

You BET!

V-Day is Coming

Valentine's Day is peeking around the corner, just waiting to take us all by surprise. Well......... some of us anyway. I thought I'd share some cards I made, and let you know if you'd like to utilize them, too, you're welcome to!

For a daughter:

 

For the love of your life:

 

For a son:

 

I'm happy to share these with you today. Happy Valentine's Day!

Say Hello to Sean Lea & Corey Martin

We have been honored to have both The Radiance Effect and Sean Lea play in our venue.
(Sorry about the spaghetti, guys!)