Posts from the ‘Personal’ Category

Staying Organized on Paper

I have always used a paper planner ever since I can remember.  Along with my planner, I maintain a large to do list of everything that I want and need to get done in the short-term (daily and weekly) and long-term, which I update daily.  Doug gets overwhelmed when he looks at this list, but I feel overwhelmed without my list!  This practice saves me time and I make sure that items do not slip through the cracks.  Usually during the summer months, I purchase a weekly calendar that contains an entire calendar year, January through December, and then I start marking it up before the year begins.  I purchased this year’s calendar, shown below, in Montreal.

I think that there is something to be said for being able to quickly glance at my calendar and to do list without flipping through screens, typing changes, and updates, etc.  Plus, there have been studies that indicate a higher degree of happiness from using a paper planner.  For me, it is not as efficient to keep an electronic calendar.  Everyone is different.  I like the ability to write, erase, cross-off, use post-it notes, etc., which is faster than typing for me.  Doug, on the other hand, does not keep a calendar in paper or electronic form — not sure how he does it…well, I do because I am the one keeping the calendar for us all!

Keeping an Eye on Your Dreams: Daruma Doll

My friend introduced me to the Daruma Doll.  The Daruma Doll is a traditional handmade Japanese wishing doll, sometimes referred to as a “goal doll,” that keeps one focused on achieving his/her goals!  It is a century-old tradition from Japan that is positive, motivational, and is believe to really work!  As a result, I ordered my own Daruma Doll and set my goal.

Here is what you do once you have your Daruma Doll:

Step 1: Decide on a specific goal you are determined to achieve.

Step 2: Draw in one of the Daruma Doll’s blank eyes (either eye is okay) to signify your commitment to achieving your goal.

Step 3: Place your Daruma Doll somewhere visible in your home or office so that while he focuses on your goal, you will be reminded to do the same!  I placed my Daruma Doll on my desk so I see him everyday reminding me of my goal/dream!

Step 4: Once you have achieved your goal, draw in the Daruma Doll’s other eye to say, “thank you!”

Step 5: Write the goal you achieved on the back of your Daruma Doll, and if you wish, you can display your Daruma Doll reminding you of your achievement!

My hope is that sometime in the near future I will be able to color in my Daruma Doll’s blank eye, signifying accomplishment of my goal!

Happy goal and dream setting!

Where to Find Wall Art

I have been and I am currently scouting for wall art to fill some remaining empty walls in our home.  So, I thought I would share the places online where I have found great art options for original work and print work, which is shown below!

Artfully Walls

Little Paper Planes

UGallery

Art.com

Etsy

Additionally, Below are a few individual artists, whose print work I like:

Emily Jeffords

Lisa Congdon

Emily McDowell

Kal Barteski

Happy Monday!

Around Here: February

Well, it is still February, and we are so ready for spring, which will bring more light, warmer temperatures, and longer days!  Only about four weeks to go!  We are counting down.   Below are some items that have occurred around here in February!

-working really hard editing images for my long-term photography project.  I have spreadsheets keeping me on track as I work through this project.

-gearing up for the final photo shoots for my project this spring.

-training class is in full swing with our Victory!  Victory has some anxiety with new situations and she does not like to share the sidewalk with anyone in the neighborhood!  If someone opens the door to their home, is walking/running on the sidewalk, is walking a dog, etc., she will have no part of it!  Plus the builder is still building and the earth movers scare her, too!  We are trying to get her to a place where this will not be so troublesome and we can have smoother walks in the neighborhood without her getting so scared of her surroundings.  However, when we go to new places and take her on walks and outings she walks just fine — go figure!  Hopefully, we will make progress to make our morning walks during the week a little easier!

-began reading this book.

-scouting for a few more fine art prints to fame and display in our home!

-making homemade dinner with Doug on Sundays.  Doug has been cooking fried talapia and pulled bbq chicken, to name a few.

-making breakfasts together on the weekends.  I love Doug’s homemade donuts and chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes!

-began watching Better Call Saul, a prequel to Breaking Bad — an entertaining show!

-still watching Season 5 of Downton Abbey, which is coming to an end as the season finale is next week.

-burning lots of candles around the house!

-having date nights with Doug!

-enjoying the snow days at home!

*Finally, thank you all for your feedback on the survey, I greatly appreciate your insights!  Thank you.  If you have not completed the survey, please do!  You can take the survey here.  Thank you!

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Valentine’s Day – Doug and Victory!

Happy Valentine’s Day to my two loves — you both make my life so much sweeter!

It is our second Valentine’s Day with little Victory, and for Doug and I it is our eleventh Valentine’s Day together!  Wow, where has the time gone!  I can still remember our first Valentine’s Day together.  Unbeknownst to the other, we gave each other the same Valentine’s card and Doug wrote such a sweet note inside the card.  I have kept all my cards, post cards, cards from flowers, etc., from Doug — I like keeping these tangible cards, I guess I am sentimental that way.   Doug and Victory are shown below.  Victory is wearing her new Valentine’s bandanna.  Last year, we left her Valentine’s bandanna on her, and, well, she chewed it off!

For Valentine’s Day, we got Victory some fun chew toys, since she loves to chew and hoard her toys!  We also signed Victory up for another training class, which begins next week.  It will be good to get Victory out of the house more to attend her class, especially during the colder winter months!  We cannot wait for spring to arrive in order to have more opportunities for outings with warmer weather, which is about five weeks away, but who is counting!  Doug and I are going to go to celebrate Valentine’s Day tomorrow by going to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Northern Virginia and then we will spend the evening together with Victory, likely watching a Netflix/On Demand marathon!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!  I hope that you have a nice long weekend!

“Love recognizes no barrier.  It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” -Maya Angelou

Photo Magnets

I love magnets, especially quotable magnets, which are inspirational.  In fact, I have sixty square quotable magnets on our fridge, which I have collected over the years!  I am running out of room!  However, I recently decided to try something new and have magnets made using my images.  I used Sticky9 to create my photo magnets, which I uploaded from my computer, shown below.   I used the medium size magnets, which comes in a square grid of nine magnets that can break apart into individual magnets.  (I chose to keep my grid together for now).  So, now we have some fun images of our little family on the fridge to enjoy, and I plan on making more!

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

What I Learned in 2014

I have been reflecting upon 2014 over the past week.  Here are some things I learned this past year:

1.  Dreaming big — dreams require boldness, a lot of hard work, and follow through.

2.  Learning to enjoy ‘the middle.’

3.  Practicing habits that aids my creativity.  Showing up and doing the work is the only way to attain my goals.

4.  If I commit to my work, the Universe will be supportive in kind.

5. Taking more risks and getting outside of my comfort zone can lead to positive results.

6. Taking breaks and resting is necessary and it can also lead to invigoration and renewed creativity.

7. Learning not to let fear and uncertainty get in my way.

8. Continuing to follow my curiosity is a good practice.

9.  Nothing matters more than the present moment.  Today is for living.  (Doug is really good with this practice and he and Victory are my teachers.)

10. Finally, always keeping a grateful heart!

And with that may you truly live every day of 2015!