My Word for 2017

I loved my word GROWTH last year, I kept it in my sights at all time, even now I'll still think about it, and its breakdown, I'm sure I'll still use it this year, and I'll share with you in a later post how I used it helped me in 2016. For now, I'd like to share with you the word I've chosen for this year.

It was a word that kept coming back to me, even when I thought about others.

As before, I'll explain my thoughts behind my choice  I've not just picked this word for crafting reasons, although yes that will come into it, in a big way.  No, I want to use my word in many ways, here are a few of them.

I want to CREATE more of a home in the Little House, so we can actually live there properly for longer periods of time. I'm looking to CREATE a little venture for myself (more about that in a later post). I want to CREATE a healthy lifestyle, by looking at what we eat, and how much exercise we do. I'm really looking to CREATE a happier me and more chilled out and calmer me. One that doesn't analyse everything and worry as much as I do. I want to CREATE a better blog, one that I really want to grow and explore my interests.

A word I did toy with as a word for the year was HYGGE, but again I can CREATE a hygge life.

There you have it ... I'm going to (hopefully) CREATE a life to be proud off in 2017.

GROWTH .... at 6 months

We're half way through the year and thought I'd do a post on how my One Little Word is going.  I did a post 4 months into my word HERE  and he original can be found HERE

So a quick recap .... For 2016 I picked GROWTH as my one little word and I've broken it down into bite size pieces; G - Gain Knowledge, R - Read, O - Organise, W - Wellbeing, T - Technology, H - Home.

Starting at the beginning ... G - Gain Knowledge, not sure I've done well so far, I did want to learn to crochet, and that still hasn't happened, nor any of my crafting projects really.  I need to work on this a bit more during the rest of the year, I think.

R - Read.  Another, I've not done so well on.  I started the year really well, and then it just fell off and I seemed to stop. I think blog reading and technology got in the way. So, another I need to get back into.

O - Organise.  Now this, I can say is going well.  I've taken so many bags and boxes to the charity shop, I'm surprised I've anything left.  I'm at the moment going through my scrapbooking stash, and already sorted and given a lot away.

W - Wellbeing.  Other than a black eye and a painful shoulder, not a lot happening here either.  The Aga hasn't helped me. I've been baking and cooking so much, so the weight is going on a little.  So I've made a little decision.  I'm going to look into more healthy cooking, but not one that needs lots of fancy ingredients. Something that means anyone can cook a healthy and tasty meal.  It needs some research (good for my Gain Knowledge) but I hope in the next few weeks to bring you some news on this. I won't be starting a new blog, just adding that into this one.

T - Technology.  I've been working on my blog more, and really happy with that. Same with my Instagram account. I just love that, and I've made so many friends.  My blog with Maria, Friends over the Fence, is going really well and I'm so proud of it.  I did think about starting up a new decorating/interior/food blog, but decided against that, and just making this blog all about my life and loves.  I'm also trying to be on Facebook more, again its such a lovely way to connect with friends and family.

H - Home.  Another area that is going well.  I'm over the moon and in love with our Aga, its everything I dreamed and more.  The kitchen is all painted too now, and I can't believe how well its turned out.  My craft room is also 80% finished and organised. So yes, I'm happy with H is coming along.  I had plans for our garden, but summer has been such a wash out so far, so that might be a little longer in the planning stage.  The little house too, is coming along nicely and as we've decided to try and spend more time there this summer, it needs to be turned into more of our home, rather than a weekend retreat.

There you have it, that's how my word is coming along 6 months into the year.  I still need to do a lot of work on it, but so far, I'm happy.

GROWTH ... My one little word

So, its been 4 months into my word for 2016, the original post can be found HERE and explains the reasoning behind my word.

So, how am I doing? Good and bad really,

On the whole, I've certainly been doing more than I did probably throughout last year. I feel a bit more confident in what I want to achieve too.  I've been meeting up with friends more and even made a few new ones. So, lets start;

G = Gain Knowledge. I haven't as yet learnt to crochet or knit, but I have learnt a lot about painting furniture.

R - Read. I've read more in the past 4 months than last year combined.  So far, I've completed 4 fiction books and have started picking up and looking at my sewing and home design books too.  I've even almost finished the Marie Kondo book on decluttering.

O - Organisation and Decluttering.  That's stalled slightly, but I'm feeling full of get up and go again with this, and hoping to get back into this, this week actually.

W - Wellbeing.  Now, this is defiantly in the bad camp.  I've actually put on a few pounds, but that's mainly been due to baking more. So I need to get back into Slimming world too. Simons been slowing losing weight, but at not the rate he should be; so I do need to get back on track.

T - Technology.  Well, this really has been going by leaps and bounds.  I started blogging with my friend Maria, on our new blog Friends over the Fence. So I've certainly been learning a thing or two about that. Attaching, IG and Twitter accounts.  I've also been growing my own IG account.  So all in all, I'm pleased with that. I'm also using my apple mac now rather than my old PC

H - Home. Huge changes.  I've started painting the kitchen and so pleased with it. I'm still trying to buy an Aga but goodness, they're not an easy company to do business with.

There you have it.  Not a bad start I think, especially only 4 months into it.  Lets see what the next 4 bring.  Hopefully more crafting and an Aga.

On my Bedside Table

When I set my word this year, I knew GROWTH, had to include reading more.   So I rejoined or should I say reconnected on Goodreads and had a good look around. I've got my eye on a few books I'd like to read, but I thought the best way to get back on track was start with my favourite author, Nora Roberts.

Happy to say, I've already completed one of her books, and am now on the second in the trilogy. 

So here are the books at the moment on my bedside table. 

Other than the Nora Roberts book, I have my gratitude journal; The Life Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo, which I'm still reading, but flicking through at the same time.  I started her method last year and it will be continuing through this year. 

Then there is the book of Calm, was something I picked up at the weekend when I was in Waterstones 

I will say a lot of what drew me to it, was its simplicity ... its not rocket science or anything, but its a reminder of whats really important.  Plus, oh my gosh the photography is beautiful. 

Its even got some pages to colour

The last one is one, Simon got me for my birthday. 

Its got the most gorgeous photos too and with all my home changes I want to make, I'm getting lots of ideas. 

There you have it, a selection of what I'm reading at the moment.  I think I need to order the third book in the trilogy soon, and also visit the library.  Reading is such a simple pleasure, but one that easily gets pushed aside when we're rushing about.  

The week that was .... week 4

As part of my one little word for 2016 which is "GROWTH", I want to share more on my blog and get more involved in the blogging community. So I've been having a think, and writing down lots of ideas, and one of those, was to share with you my past week.  This would also be a big help when it comes to project life and as a memory jog.  My friend Jo, shares her week on her blog, and I love seeing what she's been up to ... the good and the bad, so here is mine.

The week that was ... full of happy things

I'm not one of those people that has loads of friends. Maybe its because we never had children and I never got into the mummy groups, but those I have, accept me totally and are the best friends anyone could ever wish for. One of those, is Maria and I'm also incredible lucky to have her as my next door neighbour.  Maria or should I use her proper name, Aunty Maria adores the bears and they adore her ... as you can see.  Anyway, she popped in for a visit as guess what? she's going to do Project Life, (how great is that) anyhow, she came bearing gifts ...

She saw this fabulous vase in a charity shop, and knows I have a slight obsession with Emma Bridgewater ... how lucky am I. 

Also last week, the postman knocked and handed me my Cocoa Daisy parcel .... oh its truly a gorgeous kit and I can't wait to dive in.

My blog isn't all about me (or the bears) ... Simon is on instagram now and he takes lots of photos during the day for me, to add into Project Life.  I think I also mentioned he's joined Slimming World again, and just after 2 weeks, he is the proud owner of a certificate. 

And lastly we're looking at changing our big car ... I love the audi but it's time for a change, so we're testing driving a few, and last weekend we took this baby out for a drive ... oh my, what a beauty. 

There you have a round up of my week.  I'm looking forward to sharing with you my everyday happenings, but I now need to get back to my note books as I've still loads of ideas bouncing around in my head.

Project Life

I'm holding my hand up and saying "I will try harder" ... yup, I'm jumping into Project Life again this year, but really hoping that I do better than in previous years.

It wasn't until the other day, when I got a text from a friend saying she would be interested in maybe doing project life and would like to know a little more about it. That I realised the only album actually finished was 2013! How dreadful is that.

2014 goes up to week 48

2015 ... well, that was much much worse. I did up until week 8 then it went to pot. I managed the odd week in the middle but that was about it.  All the photos are printed and put into their pockets but nothing else.

So this year! ... As part of my growth year, I'm taking a stand against faffing.  And I pledge now to get my act together and finish those two past years and try and keep up with 2016.

I've been good at writing down what happens each day, so at least that's something.  I'm not going to over think it either, as I have a plan! ... I know laugh, but I'm going to try my hardest to print out each week the previous photos and then get them straight in their pockets with cards.  Which brings me up to what I'm going to do today.  Sort through my project life cards and keep only those that I really think I need.  I'll hopefully share with you next time (or in a few posts) how I'm getting on.

There you have it! Lets see how I get on, shall we? Positive thoughts I think will be needed.

One Little Word

Although I don't follow Ali Edwards one little word fully, I love the concept behind it.  Plus, I'm a list girl and always planning and making goals, so this year, I've picked a word.

Yes, Growth .... no, I'm not expecting to get taller, although, I wouldn't turn that down!!

Let me explain the reason I've picked this word.  Last year I felt ever so slightly lost.  My world became the bears, the bears and the bears again.  Those that know me, know I'm slightly ever so obsessed with my home.  I like it clean and in order .... but that never happened last year. In fact my world was turned upside down.  Don't get me wrong, I love them to bits and I honestly wouldn't change them for anything, but I lost a bit of me as I was so caught up with them.  I didn't scrapbook much, I didn't do the home projects I had planned. I didn't read much, I didn't go out very much either.  I just stopped being me, if you like.

So I need to completely change my attitude and gain more confidence, so this word just seemed perfect for me.

So here's the breakdown of my word

G - GAIN KNOWLEDGE : I want to learn new crafts; and crochet is on top of that list. Other crafts include illustrated faith, interior design, felting, knitting, doll house building and sewing.  My love is still scrapbooking, and again this year I will be doing Project Life (and finishing 2015's)

R - READ ; Last year I hardly read much at all. I did start the Marie Kondo decluttering book but never finished it completely ( I will this year).  I tend not to read the classics or anything deep and meaningful. I'm a fluff girl, and I'm happy with that, but even that didn't happen last year. So I got back onto the Goodreads site and although I'm not setting the bar high, if I can at least read 6 books (minimum) this year, I'll be happy.

O - ORGANISE & DECLUTTER : I actually didn't do too badly last year with my decluttering, but I need to up my game this year.  I'll share with you in another post how I did with my 80 day declutter list. I also need to organise our files, our finances and all our paperwork.  I want to be ready with cards, and although its a way off, I want to be ready for all the holidays, Christmas included.

W - WELLBEING : Last year I reached my target weight in Slimming World and I'm happy to say I've stayed at it. Simon sadly, didn't do so well, but he's rejoined, so my focus is to help him achieve his. So healthy eating is on the cards for us, which for me, means trying to cut down on my sugar intake!  I'm also including my confidence, style, skincare and makeup in this category.  More importantly, I include my faith, I need to reconnect with it and get back to who I am and what it means to me.

T - TECHNOLOGY : I want to blog more, get to grips with Facebook, photography, instagram, twitter and my computer appliances. I adore Instagram the people are just so friendly and I've actually made lots of friends on it, and some I'm meeting up with this year.  Facebook has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I don't play the games on it, but I know there is so much more to it. So I will try to get on there more. As for computers, well I'm still trying to get to grips with my mac book. I've always been a pc girl, so its taking a bit of time, but I'll get there.

H - HOME : Home truly is where my heart is, and I need to give it a make-over.  I have a list of projects that I had planned to do last year, which included the kitchen being given a major face lift. I really need to make new blinds and soft furnishings too.  Plus, the little house still needs a lot of work done on it too.  All in all, paint brushes will be needed in abundance.

There you have it ... my word. I will be blogging my progress on each of these issues and also how my word is helping me through the year.  So, lets do this