January 7, 2012

Clean, Organize, and Declutter

Things have been very busy around the household.  When we moved to Miami, we moved from a bigger house to a smaller house with less storage.  We have been working for more than a year to try to reduce the amount of things we have so we fit into our house (because, really, there is no reason we shouldn't fit in the size house we own - it's not like we moved into an efficiency apartment).  We haven't gotten there yet, but we're working on it. 

Well, now that the baby is coming in just over a month (I hope she holds out until her due date), it is more important to get really serious about getting rid of the excess.  I don't know if you guys know this, but babies come with a lot of stuff!!!  We definitely need to get rid of our extra stuff or we will never fit all of the things for the baby.  So, we are making runs to Goodwill and throwing away things that are not good enough to donate. 

Another part of our mission is to digitize things so we can get rid of paper.  We are taking all of our old printed pictures and having them digitized.  I'm also working on going through all of my beading magazines and scanning the projects I like and want to attempt.  Each magazine is small, but when you take 100s of them together, they take up a lot of space.  And, I don't like to throw them away... because, you know, I never know when I'll want to create that one project I saw once.  So, now I'll be spending hours next to our scanner with a pile of magazines scanning and organizing all the projects and techniques I'm interested in keeping.  The next time my renewal comes up, I think I may go with the digital version of the magazines because it takes out the middle step of scanning the articles I want to keep... but, I must say I will miss flipping through the magazines when they come in the mail. 

Our mission will take more than a little organizing and digitizing, but I can't wait to get rid of the extra stuff.  It's difficult to make the decisions to get rid of things, but there is something freeing about losing the clutter.  I hope to get to the point where we can live a minimalist life.  Any organization and clearing out techniques are definitely welcome.  The fact that this project has been going on for so long illustrates the fact that I can use some help :)

January 1, 2012

Move Over 2011... Here Comes 2012!!!

So, at the end of 2010 I made a list of goals (resolutions) I hoped to accomplish in 2011.  The only thing I can say is that if I am measured only on how well I attained my 2011 goals, I would have to think of myself as an epic failure.  However, my life changed drastically in 2011.  Early in the year, I found out I was pregnant (I'm due in February -- wish me luck).  This affected me in many ways -- exhaustion like I have never experienced before, lethargy, a lack of focus and ambition, single-mindedness, etc.  In many ways, becoming pregnant explains a lot of the resolutions I failed to meet:   a lot of my fitness resolutions were put to the side because making it through the day was difficult enough, the same can be said for my jewelry making resolutions.  However, I was able to meet one important resolution (maybe the most important resolution) -- I found an awesome job I really enjoy and am proud of.  It takes a lot of time and is often stressful, but it's great and I love what I do!

So, after reaching only one of my 2011 resolutions, I'm questioning whether or not I should even bother making resolutions this year.  However, I'm going to be optimistic.  But, I think I will make a different kind of resolution.  So, let's see how I hope my 2012 will turn out:
  • Run 500 miles in 2012.   A lot of my friends are doing a 1000 mile challenge in 2012.  However, I think that would be a bit much for me since I will have a baby in February.  Losing 2 months of training time for the year on top of being out of shape from being pregnant could completely sabotage the 1000 miles goal... so, for me it will be 500 miles instead.
  • Get back to being creative.  Make time to bead every week.  It doesn't matter if it is a large project or a small project, but I need to get back to making jewelry.
  • Blog... not because I have an arbitrary number of posts I need to meet, but because I have things to share.  "Speak" when I have something to say.
  • Focus on being a good mom.  I've never been a mom, so I have a lot to learn.  I just hope I will be good at it.  I will need more patience than I have ever had, and I hope I am able to find the traits I need in order to be a good mother. 
Good luck to everyone in 2012.  If you make resolutions, may you find the tools and energy you need to meet them.  If you don't make resolutions, then may you have a great 2012.  And, to everyone, may 2012 be your best year yet.  I think I'm going to need to hang on tight.  I have a feeling this year will be a bumpy ride!
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