Four Simple Goals Update

Things I always push myself to keep up with:

1. Tweezed eyebrows
2. Inbox, sent items, and deleted items all sorted away
3. Checking account balances
4. The stack of bill papers that need to be filed
5. Making the bed
6. Reading 15 mins to my son for school
7. Daily cleanup after son/hubster mess up the place.
8. Dishes
9. Updating my blog
10. Keeping up with phones and cameras full of pictures
11. Getting enough daily water
12. Getting up from my desk at hour intervals
13. Reading several chapters of the Bible
14. Planning out each snack and meal before work
15. Wiping up the counters
16. Keeping the stove-top spic and span (you can clean ANY of it with baking soda)
17. Three cardio and three strength sessions per week

...and on and on and on...


Sometimes I get so tied up in these small things that I forget to focus on the big things. Until everything is clean, I'm fed and watered, and my son has everything he needs for school the next day, I can't concentrate on anything else. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is in full effect once I get home from work. I'm trying to reach self-actualization, but get caught in the bottom two rungs most days.

Source: Uploaded by user via Sherri on Pinterest

How are you doing on your Four Simple Goals?

I am actually doing really well on the checking account thing. At first, I started out in bad shape, letting receipts pile up and transactions slip by (which is not like me at all). By now, I've been checking my account balance at least once a week and keeping up pretty well with the daily ebb and flow of the budget. It feels good to always know right where we're at.

I also have been trying to keep up with all those little messy spots in my house. I can't say I've been tackling one per week, but I am doing great things with my space. We recently got a new TV, which required a new TV stand. I got to choose an antique-looking horizontal dresser from the thrift store that fit everything I needed it to fit and doesn't block the windows. A simple sanding and re-finishing (we actually had the right color at home) of the top and it was perfection! These small projects have given me much more breathing room. And I have to say, I've been taking loads of unneeded items to the thrift store and I haven't really been buying anything new lately, so the house cleansing is balanced in favor of extra space.

The last two things I have admittedly not been very committed to. I do move around throughout the day at work, and I always walk on my lunch break, but getting up from my desk at certain intervals just seems anal. I'm ok with not being anal about this goal.

I have also been neglecting my Art Journal. I love the idea of an art journal, but there just aren't enough hours in the day. Cliche, I know. But with all those expectations of myself that I listed above, art journaling does not get the attention it deserves. I also have a different, more purposeful journaling idea in mind that I want to tackle first.

Since I'm off of work now until after the new year, I will be setting my eyes on some new goals for the coming year. I am not the type of person that thinks the only time to plan goals is in on New Year's Day. And I never abandon my goals by mid-January. I just think it's a great time to evaluate the culmination of one year and use the accomplishments of the year past to perpetuate even better things in the coming year.

I will also be ordering an Etsy print and a new checkbook cover because I think I deserve them for dedicating so much energy to keeping our home and finances in order.

What are you New Year's Resolutions? Did anyone else complete Elsie's challenge?

Walking Mantra Meditation

Since I've been delving into the land of mantras, I thought it would be fun to talk about walking mantra meditations. Now, I'm not a huge meditator. I know all about how good it is for you, and I always have good intentions of meditating, but the practice of silent meditation often falls to the wayside.

After reading an article about walking meditation by friend Nancy Monson, I decided I really like the idea of walking and meditating at the same time. After all, I walk to work a lot, and what's better than multitasking while doing it?

One day, on my way home from work, I selected a word to focus on for the entire trip. The results were actually pretty amazing. Focusing on the word "beauty" made so many lovely and heartwarming things stand out to me. I had covered the non-picturesque territory so many times before, I didn't think anything would really strike me as particularly beautiful, but I was wrong. Turning a simple walk into an opportunity for awareness, wellness, and gratitude is just genius to me. It makes every walk quite a bit more special.

I noticed a squirrel carrying a whole corn cob (funny!)
A sign for "Pleasant Street"

A family decorating their Christmas tree in front of the window (so special!)

Particularly aesthetically-pleasing arrangements of apartment electricity lines (weird, I know!).

And interesting architectural details

And I really can't believe I never noticed this adorable bird treehouse display after living in the same neighborhood for over 7 years!!! It's amazing what you pick up on while you're being intentionally mindful.

This type of walk was so energizing, I plan on doing it much more in the future.

I've taken walks before where I focused on how fast I was going to the point that my face got really tight. I've taken walks where I focused on a recent fight and used the walk to get away from home, process what happened, and prevent welling rage from erupting. This idea of a walking meditation is much more pleasant and productive, don't you think? And why would you ever take another walk again without focusing on what's truly beautiful? Just another simple way to turn an ordinary everyday task into something a little more special...

Try it! And then leave a note to tell me what you think.

DIY Spray-Painted Christmas Pinecones

This year, while getting into Christmas spirit mode, I decided that instead of making paper chain links with my son, we would make something that was a little more "grown up" and suitably matched to the rest of our holiday decor. Not that there's anything wrong with paper links; we just wanted something a little different but equally budget-friendly. Thus, the spray-pained pinecone project was born.

First, we grabbed a bottle of gold spray paint at the hardware store.

Scavenging for pinecones was another story in itself. It was not as easy as it seems, unless you know for sure where a pinecone tree is in your neighborhood or if you can easily identify that type of tree like a true naturalist. I couldn't do either. Peanut and I went to one park that was a complete bust. We found one lone pine tree in the acres that we scoured, and that tree didn't yield pinecones.

I decided to try one last spot just before giving up. We drove through our county park, and just as we turned a bend, I spotted a litter of pinecones below a small stand of pine trees. Peanut got excited about the find, especially since there was a playground behind the trees.

We gathered a whole tote-load. I tried to grab pinecones that looked pretty similar instead of a hodge podge.

Feel free to run after the geese and play on the trees and other natural fixtures while you're there. It just makes it that much more fun.

Once at home, we laid the pinecones out on cardboard. While Peanut was busy playing, I gave each pinecone several layers on gold paint (it's an adult job after all). He came back intermittently to check on the progress and give me a few encouraging "these are beautifuls." The effect of gold spray paint on pinecones is indeed beautiful.

After the paint dried, I tied each pinecone with some matching gold ribbon that was left over from my wedding pew decorations (7 years ago!!!). Then, I let the decorating instinct kick in.

Some pinecones ended up on a cake stand that now holds our Nativity scene.

Some pinecones were strung through Christmas-y string to create a beautiful garland. Some were hung from a braided garland I made last year, giving it a refreshing new purpose and look.

It's fun to take some simple spray-painted pinecones and turn them into a house-full of coordinating decorations.

What are your ideas for spray-painted pinecones?

The Birds Need A Christmas Tree Too!

One of our advent activities this month was to decorate a tree outside for the birds squirrels. After we found, cut down, and decorated our family indoor tree, we thought it would be fun to make one for our neighborhood critters too.

I had some pinecones leftover from a pinecone project I'll be posting about soon. We decided to coat each pinecone in peanut butter and roll it through bird seed.

Grandma also helped Peanut make a popcorn garland earlier in the day to up the festive factor. We hung the bird feeders and popcorn garland on a small, reachable tree in the backyard.

Later the next day, daddy watched a squirrel cut through the ribbon with his teeth and haul off a pinecone bigger than his head. That little bugger. I wish I had a picture! Watching how the pinecone treats were being consumed through the window made for a good laugh, a good story and a good feeling.

I hope to continue these decorating antics every year at Christmas. I'm pretty sure decorating an outdoor tree is going to become a family tradition we stick to as closely as we do our visit to the tree farm for our indoor tree. It's so much fun! A simple way to bring a little extra brightness to these regular days as we continue counting down to Christmas. Plus, the whole experience made for some pretty special family time.

Any tips on how to feed a little more bird, a little less squirrel?

Life in a Northern Town Part Two

On a recent trip to the Northern Woods of Wisconsin (read Part One here), we had the prime opportunity to tour a cluster of freshwater waterfalls. Now, I knew this trip was going to be good. But I didn't realize just how "alive" I would feel being in some of the most beautiful places in the state, hearing that rushing water, feeling the crisp air, and hearing the low thuds under our feet as we navigated the soft ground was beyond compare.

We did a self-guided waterfall tour of the waterfalls in Crivitz, WI. There really isn't ample information on the web about the tour, but we happened to find an area activity pamphlet at a local business that provided directions. Otherwise, there isn't much info available anywhere. Not even from the locals we asked. And when we tried to go by our own directions, we failed. Use the pamphlet!!!

Much of our drive around consisted of either dirt or gravel roads. That's how far away from civilization we were. It looked like the primary bulk of the population was weekenders with "cabins" set deep in the woods. For one weekend, I loved it! You could tell that even the trails that led to the waterfalls were pretty scarcely travelled. I abhor touristy destinations, and this was about the least touristy that one could get. "Rustic" is even putting it lightly (don't worry, our motel had cable, internet and running water, ha!).

When grandma used to shoo us out the back door to get some "fresh air," she never knew she was preparing me for an appreciation of things like this.



I can't wait to make this a yearly fall tradition

Neither can he!

When I was a kid, we used to travel "up north" somewhere every year for a big family reunion. I'm not even sure how we were related to those people, but it was the time of my life. My all-time greatest memories revolve around breathtaking color-changing trees, investigating long-abandoned cottages and motor homes in the woods, canoeing on the tiny nestled-in lake, eating all the food we could ever imagine, imagining conjured ghosts, feeling so warm and connected, almost staying overnight there (until someone mentioned wolf howls) and playing with other kids on the beautiful screened-in porch. I decided I could either remain nostalgic and regretful about this lost tradition forever or begin a new one with my family. Hence, this autumn "up north" road trip was born.

What are your greatest childhood memories? Did you ever wish you were Huck Finn too?

My Favorite Mantra is Everywhere

Now that I've declared "Make it Happen" my personal slogan, I am seeing the phrase pop up everywhere. Fate? Or selective attention? I'm not sure, but it sure is cool. Here are just a few of sooo many instances:

1. I keep seeing Mariah Carey's Make it Happen all over Facebook and in my favorite magazine.

2. I was reading an article the other day about immigrant millionaires, and one of the women gave advice to "Follow your dream and make it happen." Exactly!

3. In another magazine, a slogan for a personal training certificate program (how perfect!) popped right out at me.

4. At about the same time, I was reading The Art of Nonconformity (great read) and the phrase popped right out at me on many-a-page.

5. In yet another magazine, I was reading a success story, and the woman's chosen mantra while working out was "make it happen."

Seeing those words popping up everywhere is pretty nifty. Once you start seeing these words constantly repeating themselves, it's like perpetual motivation. It keeps me going.

What is your workout mantra?

DIY Advent Calendar Ideas

I love the idea of Advent calendars because they present a way of bringing Christmas to the entire month of December. The anticipation that accompanies the countdown is unmatched--especially for a little boy at age 4. Typically, we mark X's on calendars when we're counting down the days to things like vacations and hunting season. For Christmas though, an Advent calendar does the counting for us, with plenty of fun and deliciousness built in.

 

Done a little differently, Advent calendars can also serve as an intentional way to make family time a priority. This year, we devised little activities or treats we could enjoy as a family. This way, every day in December produces the chance to make meaningful memories. Not only that, but we're also generating new yearly family traditions (decorating a tree for the birds, picking out a new Christmas album, etc).

 

Our simple advent calendar was made with supplies from the Dollar Store or craft store. My Peanut and I simply went to town painting an $0.89 art canvas with acrylic paints I already had around the house.

 

Then, I cut 25 change rolls in half and arranged them in a Christmas tree shape.

 

 

We glued the rolls to the canvas and voila!

 

 

 

 

I printed a list of activities on a standard sheet of paper, cut them out, rolled them up, and put one in each roll. These are the activities we have been/are enjoying this December. Wouldn't it be fantastic to make one of these for every month of the year just to make each day of the year a little extra special?

 

• Downtown Art Walk: Morgan House, carriage rides (December 1, 6-9)
• Enjoy a warm cup of apple cinnamon tea
• Take a ride and look at Christmas lights
• Rent Christmas music/books from the library
• Go to the Dollar Store to pick up a new ornament
• Play in the snow with hot chocolate after
• Festival of Lights (December 4)
• Take a walk around the neighborhood to look at Christmas décor
• Put up lights/Santa stuff outside our house
• Write a letter to Santa and send it
• Visit Santa and tell him what you want for Christmas (Dec 8)
• Decorate a Christmas tree outside for the birds
• Make a new Christmas wreath together
• Watch a Christmas movie together
• Make/Decorate Christmas cookies
• $1
• $1
• $1
• Read the Christmas story in the Bible
• Go buy a new Christmas CD/record
• Donut Date
• Find a special gift we can give to baby Jesus like the three kings did.
• Camp out under the Christmas tree
• Make hot chocolate (from scratch?)
• Snowball fight!!!

 

Some of these activities had to be strategically placed on certain days when community events are happening. Due to the time involved and weekday constraints, some had to be relegated to the weekends (camp-outs, etc). As much as we love Santa, we tried to incorporate the real reason for the season as much as possible, such as renting Nativity books from the library and pointing out all the manger scenes among the decorated houses.

 

We have also been enjoying a piece of chocolate out of this good ol' traditional Advent calendar.

 

How are you preparing for Christmas? Do you have any interesting Christmas traditions?