Planning for 2014 and Making Three Lists

I know I’ve been really quiet lately (with the exception of the December Daily posts) and I’ve been thinking about writing a lot but not finding the energy to actually do it. I can whine a bunch but instead I am going to try to start writing and see where we get. I stumbled upon this post about making three lists today and thought it’s a great tool to use for 2014, too. Even if I don’t actually do all of the items on my list, having lists raises my awareness and gives me focus. Definitely doesn’t hurt.

I didn’t do this before on paper like I should have. I thought we’ll just do it here together.

So with that, here’s some brainstorming for 2014. I can then pare it down as needed so there might be one more follow-up post.

What do I want to learn?

  1. Lettering
  2. Using a wider range of art supplies with comfort (specifically oils, pastels, copics, paint and watercolor markers, etc.)
  3. Drawing landscapes (and with watercolor)
  4. Drawing faces and poses and expressions, people in general
  5. Doodling
  6. Drawing sayings/making signs
  7. Some kind of collage – not sure exactly what yet
  8. Possibly something large scale
  9. A lot of different college-level courses
  10. How to eat a diet of whole foods
  11. Finding some exercise routine that works well for me (something in addition to the treadmill)
  12. Self-kindness 
  13. Stitching
  14. Painting my nails

What do I want to do more of?

  1. Reading
  2. Journaling
  3. Taking more photos, capturing meaningful moments
  4. Telling longer stories
  5. Writing thoughts posts
  6. Doing things that make me laugh with the kids
  7. Hiking
  8. Eating well
  9. Reaching out to and keeping in touch with friends
  10. Date nights
  11. Hugging
  12. Listening to music loudly
  13. Learning new things
  14. Camping
  15. Self-care

What fulfills me (or honors a value I have)?

  1. Volunteering (ideally with David, too.)
  2. Gratitude
  3. Time with my family
  4. Being outdoors – water + trees especially
  5. Being present/mindful
  6. Listening
  7. Being kind
  8. Learning
  9. Coaching
  10. Journaling
  11. Alone time
  12. Time with friends
  13. Setting intentions
  14. Reflecting

So there we are. Some initial thoughts of what’s on my mind for 2014. How about you? What’s on your list?

Gratitude Journal – Week 48

Here’s this week’s gratitudes and celebrations (sorry for the delay, i thought i’d published this):

Before :

it says: kind, present, listen.

and here’s what the page looks like with all the gratitudes and celebrations:

Just another excuse to create art and remember the present that is my life.

This is the last page of my book, so last of these. I will have to figure out what to do for 2014 for gratitudes. I’ve loved this project.


Gratitude Journal is a weekly project for 2013. You can see a detailed post on my goal other details here.Gratitude Journal – Week 39

A Book a Week – The Woman Upstairs

The Woman Upstairs was another one of the Book of the Month recommendations from Amazon.

It was another interesting read. I am not sure I liked it. I didn’t dislike it. The main character was interesting and grumpy and even downright angry at times but she was three-dimensional. Interesting. Even if not likable. This novel got a bunch of press over the fact that the author created this “angry” woman.

In the end, I think I’d recommend it.

December Daily 2013 – Day Seventeen

Today is about the Google holiday party. A photo of us before we left.

some thoughts below and shimmery stuff:

to the right I added a little bag and taped our bands and a little leaf:

inside is the flip book we got at the event:

and the back:

there we go. See you tomorrow.

December Daily 2013 – Day Sixteen

Today is about our presents and how I am getting ready.

a little shimmer on this one, too.

there we go. See you tomorrow.

December Daily 2013 – Day Fifteen

Today is about Nathaniel’s schools Pajama Night. I started with the invitation.

here’s the inside:

i had to blur out the other kids’ photos. Nathaniel was so so happy and of course a bit silly:

more from the night.

shimmery.

hard to show all the subtle shimmeriness with the photos:

there we go. See you tomorrow.

December Daily 2013 – Day Fourteen

Today is about the Niles train we take every year!

photos never come out well in the dark, but i don’t care:

more shimmer:

there we go. See you tomorrow.

Weekly Diary – December 14 2013

Here are some photos from this week:

Breakfast with Santa.

a yearly tradition for us.

the chipmunk is new, tho.

the kids love doing the crafts.

and i love watching them focus.

my swimmer boy.

David’s first-ever basketball game.

waiting for flu shots.

volunteering in Nathaniel’s class.

pajama party joy!.

Jake read Z goes Home.

daddy and nathaniel building.

Nathaniel’s portrait sculpture.

signing his name.

Pajama night is finally here.

dinner waiting for him as he listens to a story.

and the time to eat.

then they performed a song.

and one more. Can you see how happy he is?

trying to snap his fingers and be silly.

he was just so so happy the whole time.

family photo took a few tries this week.

but was captured.

with jokes and much laughter.

and here we go. so grateful for my life. i hope your week was lovely, too. Happy December!


Weekly Diary is a project for 2013. You can read more about it here.

December Daily 2013 – Day Thirteen

Today is about visiting Nathaniel’s classroom. Some pieces he made and some of playing with Daddy. To the right I added a photo of him signing his name, too.

it’s shimmery.

and the back is the one photo I loved so much. I cut it apart and put it in there as if it were one page:

there we go.

December Daily 2013 – Day Twelve

Today I wrote a little about how I am feeling this holiday season and how despite being low, I love the lights and decorations so much.

then I included the kids’ letters to Santa. Here’s Nathaniel:

and David:

there we go. That’s day twelve. See you tomorrow.

The Savor Project 2013 – Week 43

One more page:

I love all of these photos so much.

See you next week!


The Savor Project is a weekly project for 2013. You can see a detailed post on my goal and other details here.

December Daily 2013 – Day Eleven

Today is about David’s swimming class. He passes a big milestone and got his backstroke ribbon. It never ceases to amaze me how many milestones happen during December. Then I think, there are milestones each month, we just don’t pay as close attention. Which, of course, made me think that I certainly should pay much closer attention from now on.

more shimmering.

there we go. That’s day eleven. See you tomorrow.