Happy 2017!

Happy New Year, everyone!  The Man and I are so excited and 

ready for whatever ''2017" has to offer!

I know I'm a bit late and we are already into "2017" a week, but it's still new, right?  Do you have little rituals for the new year?  I have several....you probably would have guessed that if you've been following my blog for awhile.  One of my "must-do's" is setting up new calendar pages...I like printing out blank monthly pages that I stick on our fridge.  I also update my laptop, iPad, and iPhone calendars, because you need lots of reminders as you get older...lol!  I also love setting up my new planner-journal.  The one I've been using for a couple of years now, is the MAMBI Create 365.  I adore the whole idea of combining what I need to do each day, with quotes, photos and journaling.  The format allows you to be as creative as you wish or not at all.  

   

 There are lots of options for the MAMBI (aka: Me and My Big Ideas) planner, and they are readily available at your favorite craft store.

 

There are tons of cute stickers to help keep you motivated, but you can always find them on sale or just use a coupon.

 

I love that I can add photos of my very favorite people....you can see I had some 

serious fun during December!

I usually like to refresh my blog and think about what I want to blog about and how often.  Honestly, I get so much more accomplished when I blog less, but then I miss it and all of you too much...lol!

As much as I love our home decorated from Fall through Christmas, I do truly enjoy clean and simple  after the holidays have passed.

Last, but not least, on my list of rituals is deciding on my "One Word"!  My "word" does not fall into the category of a "resolution," which I do not do.  My "word" is something I want to reflect on throughout the year.  Sometimes the word comes to me right away, but other times not so quickly.  It took me several days to decide on my word for 2017.  Words that I've used before, like authentic/thoughtful/strong, kept popping into my head, but I just knew there was a new word for me.  Finally it came to me....Contentment!  The more I thought about it, the more positive I felt that this was my word.

contentment

play 

noun  con·tent·ment  \kən-ˈtent-mənt\

Definition of contentment for English Language Learners

• : the state of being happy and satisfied : the state of being content
  It sounds very simplistic and should be easy, right? NOT!!! I think finding contentment is something we all struggle with. As much as I love to blog, I'm quite sure there is a lot of blog-induced envy in our little "Blogville." Envy is the robber of contentment, in my opinion.  I worry that there are those who feel lacking because they don't have a big, beautiful house, take wonderful trips or wear the latest fashions.  There is a big difference between "copy-catting" a great decorating idea and comparing yourself to someone you think has it all.  Everyone has something they are dealing with, even those who outwardly appear to not have a care in the world.  I try to find contentment in the everyday....folding warm bath linens right out of the dryer, setting a simple table for two with cloth napkins and placemats, cooking up a favorite recipe or trying something new....it always brings me contentment.  Don't get me wrong, I do not believe you have to exist where you are stuck.  Striving to improve isn't wrong as long as you are doing it for the right reasons.  I'm eager to see what "2017" will bring, but I will try to find contentment along the way.  I truly wish the same for all of you!
  
  
  Love and hugs,
  Carol