organize / maintain

L - iphone / T - iphone

Do you make New Year's resolutions? I don't formally make them, but I do think about the things that I would like to change or improve over the next year.
This next year is going to be a year of big changes. Taylor will be graduating from college and I will be getting married. What exciting new changes, but these two things are going to bring much change in our household. One thing that I need to start working on immediately is organization. Does anyone know of a great book or tips on getting a household organized for good? I've seen and read several books on the subject but there's certainly magic solution to it I don't think. One tip I read recently seems a good place to start. "Always subtract before you add."- Make a rule for yourself that you will not add a new commitment until you either finish or eliminate a prior commitment and, similarly, no new books or magazines until reading and or giving away unread books; and purchases - for every new article of clothing, at least two rarely worn articles will be put in the give-away bag.
it's been an awesome holiday break but i have to say i am ready to get back at it. my fortune on new year's eve couldn't have been more appropriate - "you will obtain your goal if you maintain your course." i love this. i immediately put the little slip of paper with my fortune on it in my wallet. but just the other day i went to take my debit card out and the wind blew my fortune away. : [ can't let my goal slip away in the wind.

Happy New Year to all

L - iphone / T - Nikon


If it didn’t Bring you Joy,

Just Leave it Behind.

Let’s Ring in the New Year

With Good Things in Mind.

Let Every Bad Memory Go

That Brought Heartache and Pain.

And let’s Turn a New Leaf

With the Smell of New Rain.

Let’s Forget Past Mistakes

Making Amends for This Year.

Sending You These Greetings

To Bring you Hope and Cheer

Happy New Year!

-Author Unknown

looking back / facing foward

photo collaboration by Leslye and Taylor

I look back on 2010 and I feel rich in life. It was a year filled with many blessings and new experiences. But there are things in that old year that didn't go exactly as planned or things on the list that weren't quite accomplished . So I look to the New Year - to 2011 - with determination and feel excited for a fresh start and new beginnings.

I hope 2011 brings you many blessings - a year filled with happiness and joy in all that you do.

"For last year’s words belong to last year’s language

And next year’s words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.”

- T.S.Elliot

refresh / reuse

solo post - L, Nikon

I sometimes have a sense of sadness after Christmas - the packing up of Christmas and the closing of a year can sometimes feel a bit depressing. But after I get started taking it all down, the sun starts to shine a little brighter in my home, I smile and get a feeling of rejuvenation - a sort of refreshed feeling comes about. It feels good. Take a deep breath and breathe new life into this new year - there are a lot of possibilities ahead and they are attainable if I put my mind to it.
It's all cleaned up and there is a sense of calm and peace in the house. It's very cold out there but my fire is burning and it's cozy in here.
And another thing that makes me smile - I take the popcorn/cranberry garland outside for the birds to enjoy.
Hope the New Year is off to a beautiful start for you all.

a bright new year

Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

- William Arthur Ward

I vow to go forth with gusto.