2013 Embracing a New Year

Happy New Year!  If you are like me, you are wondering how we got here already.  Time certainly does fly, doesn't it?  

I'm normally not much of a New Year's Resolution maker, but I decided to try something new this year.  One reason I struggle with resolutions is because they often too general and hard to measure.  We say we will eat healthier or exercise more but it's hard to measure success without having a certain goal to meet.  I've learned more about goal setting from several BeautiControl conventions.  I'm still not good at them, but I've decided that it's time to try again.  So - instead of "resolutions", I am referring to my list for 2013 as goals.  

Here is what I hope to accomplish in the New Year:

1.  Declutter my House and Get Better Organized.  Now -- this is a tough one because the goal isn't very "measurable" so I've found help on this topic.  Laura, blog owner of "I'm an Organizing Junkie" has created a 52 Week Organizing Challenge.  She has a free printable to jot down 52 things to tackle.  The idea is one thing per week.  Because I can take parts of my home and make it into "bite size" jobs, I hope it will give me more confidence to get things done.  Plus, it always makes me feel like I accomplished something when I can cross it off a list.  Her blog has a lot of helpful tips and ideas on how to get organized.  

2.  Blog Better.  I've been really inconsistent.  Part of it is because I can never make up my mind about what to blog or when.  On January 1, I decided to blog on Sundays since it is usually the quietest day of the week for me.  I also created a list of blog topics to cover in the future and a schedule of what topics I will blog for the next several weeks.  This way, I can work ahead when I am able and hopefully have some blogs ready to go and submit when life is too crazy to get a blog together.

3.  Try New Teas.  Who says goals for the new year can't be fun?  I took advantage of a sale at Teavana about a week ago and have several more to try now.  I'll tell you about my tea adventures in future blogs.

4.  Begin a New Adventure.  About a year ago, I began to feel that I was to host events with women at my cabin.  After reading two books, talking with a few ladies, journaling, hearing several sermons, talking with my pastor, and talking with more ladies, I really feel that God is wanting me to step out and take action on this thought.  My first meeting is scheduled for January 27.  Pray for me as I try to follow God's lead on this one.


I think those are enough new goals for 2013.  It is important for me to not add so much that I get stressed over things.  One thing I've noticed with my goals is that all of them should actually help to reduce the stress in my life.  I believe that having a plan for my blogs and reducing clutter in my house will definitely reduce stress.  Tea is always relaxing and it's been proven that it is healthy for women to gather together for fellowship with each other.  I have an article about it . . . . somewhere.  When I conquer Goal #1, I'll find it again. :)

I pray that all of you have a healthy and blessed 2013.  I look forward to sharing with you as we all continue this journey we call "life".  

NOW -- What are YOUR goals/resolutions for 2013?  Let me know by commenting below.  I would love to read about them.

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Easier Said Than Done

Over the past few months, as I thought about the things God was leading me to do, I had all kinds of visions.  I envisioned gatherings at my cabin that included tea and crafting, several discarded items given a new purpose, and a blog where I could share a bit of me and let others know that they aren't alone when life gets hard.  I even had this great idea for a ScrambledTea logo.  In my mind, things would work out perfectly.

The reality is . . . 

Putting my thoughts to paper to begin my ladies group isn't happening as quickly and as easily as I expected.

Time to craft in my "crafty coop" is less than minimal.

Creating my logo has been challenging.  I found some fonts to spell out ScrambledTea that I think work well.  My sister helped me give it a finished look by tweaking the font a bit and adding a graphic.  We both LOVED the graphic and I decided to buy it so I could use it legally.  Problem - the "license to use" forbids it to be used in a logo.  BUMMER!  Now as I search for graphics, I have to look for the clause about logos.  I've kind of run into a road block.  I have some options I need to pursue next, but I think I will wait until all of the hustle and bustle that Thanksgiving and Christmas bring subsides.

Most of all . . . blogging is harder that I thought.  It is partly why I've been "quiet" for a while.  When I journal and put my thoughts on paper, I can type anything I want.  If I'm upset about something, I can put it anything I want on paper and no one knows.  If anyone in my family is having a difficult time, I can spell it out on paper.  In "Bloggerland" . . . . it's a totally different story.  I want to be as transparent as I possibly can, but some things have to remain private and personal.  In the process of trying to express things so that you can relate and hopefully feel encouraged, I have to be careful that I don't hurt anyone in the process.  In other words, I have to carefully express thoughts in a way that doesn't point out or effect my family or anyone else who may be involved.  So these days I am faced with a challenge.  I want to share my journey with you but the journey isn't easy and I run into obstacles often.  All too often, I believe, we go through these and feel like we are the only ones.  How do I express in a blog that you aren't alone without sharing too much?  Yes, it is a challenge for sure.  It's the reason I want to have get togethers at my cabin.  At least that isn't on a page that could forever haunt someone for years to come.  Some of my readers, however, are too far away to participate in my cabin gatherings.  I still need to be able to be real online.  It isn't impossible, it's just tricky.  I think I'll get the hang of it eventually - or I'll just have to learn to focus that energy into a project that I can share with you.