1/7/17

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


14 comments:

  1. You look so good. I am so glad last year is over for you and now on to so much better things.

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  2. So great to see your smiling face! Best wishes for an amazing 2017 and I love your word for the year! We should all strive for contentment!
    Shelley

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  3. Oh.I like your word for the year. That's a good one! I picked one for the first time ever and it is over on my blog today, too. You look wonderful and that is a great pic with your hubby. I think you need to update your profile picture though-you look younger now than you did there! Happy weekend to you- xo Diana

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  4. Happy New Year, Carol! You look lovely and happy. I love your word and I wish you a 2017 full of contentment...may we all be so blessed! xo

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  5. HI Carol,
    and Happy New year to you and your sweet hubby........this is such a nice picture of you and by the way you look great hon!! and so does hubby.........
    That is a good word for the New Year......yes, we all need to be content, and
    we need to realize that everyone has their problems to contend with. My
    daughter and I had a talk about that recently about facebook. I have been
    thinking about doing a post on that.........

    Well, you take good care and glad you are doing well....
    Blessings galore,
    Nellie

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  6. Happy new year! I love filling out my new calendars too. This year, I didn't get a new one until January 2nd and I was lost for that first day of the year. Lol! I'm old school with my kitten calendars from Dollar Tree. My kids laugh, but every single year, I HAVE to get one. :) Love your word too. I think we all need reminders to enjoy the simple things in life and be content. xoxo

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  7. Carol, you look happy and healthy in that picture with your husband! I love your word and how you elaborated on it. Life is good, and I enjoy the little things, same as you. Here's to anticipating all the contentment we can squeeze out of 2017!

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  8. Happy New Year, Carol! You guys look wonderful. I love your word for 2017! Take care. xxx Maria

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  9. Terrific picture Carol! You look totally happy and healthy :-)
    Good choice on your word for this year. It says a lot...
    Take care
    Jeannette

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  10. Happy New Year, Carol. I'm wishing you a happy and healthy new year.

    Contentment is a very important thought for life.

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  11. I'm with you on the new planner. I love having a fresh, new planner to put things in. I'm sticking with my word from last year which was stronger. I want to be stronger in all aspects of my life. Contentment is a really good one & definitely something I need to work on. Happy 2017!

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  12. What a wonderful word you have chosen. It goes along with the fantastic picture of you and "The Man". Looking forward to 2017 with you Carol. Cheers.

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  13. I like your statement for the year. Happy new year Carol.

    - Gustavo Woltmann

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  14. Wow Carol, I don't know how I missed this, but I do know I was sick around this time with my gallbladder. I've done a word for the year for quite awhile, but skipped it this year. I think you chose a great word!

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol