Way too long ...

Yes, it's been way too long since I last posted.

It's not that I've been sitting around doing nothing, mind you.

 

I've been TACKLING it.

I'm proud to say that I have tackled something

every. single. day.

the entire month of January.

 

It's been something I've been wanting to do for a long time.

You know.

Getting in there and getting rid of stuff.

Donating.  Organizing.  Cleaning Up.

 

So far, I've made two trips to the donation place

and I have another trunk full to drop off tomorrow.

 

Like I said - I wanted to do this for a long time.

But I thought ... I don't have TIME to do that.

I absolutely amazed myself.

 

It really does not take that long to tackle a linen closet.

In just under 30 minutes, top to bottom, each and every single shelf.

DONE.

Something I thought would take me a couple of hours.

Nope.  Under one half an hour.

 

Hip Hip Horray to me.

I'm reaching my goals the year.
Especially my #16 for twenty-sixteen.

Feels sooooooooooo good.

 

I've also been making cards.

Here's one for Rachel.

I hope your birthday was magical.
Did you wish upon a star?

 

Nadine celebrated the other day, too.

I know you enjoyed the festivities in your honor.

 

Little Emely celebrated her special day on Sunday.

With two cards!

 

 

She never got the card below.

It was stolen right off the bench outside our door.

Sad thing is, I know exactly who took it.

Confronted him but of course, he lied.

 

Sorry to leave you with a sad one, but yet another sympathy card.

 

I'm off to tackle some flowers stored in the bookshelf.

 

My 16 for Twenty Sixteen

This is a bonus year - leap year.

We get an extra day.
A gift.
Aren't we fortunate?
I don't know about you, but I love gifts.

 

And the best part?

It's a MONDAY, that extra day.

My favorite day of the week.

 

Just like today - the beginning.

Don't you just love new beginnings?

A chance to start over?

I know I do.

 

Are you prepared to try something new?

Or are you going to try to perfect something old?

Are you planning to take a new path?

Old path, new path - either way - put yourself out there and go for it.

Reach for the stars.

 

Last year I had a heart-to-heart talk with myself

and came up with my 15 for twenty fifteen.

 Some things to make me a better person.

Some things to make others happy.

They weren't resolutions/goals, just something to focus on.

 

In reviewing these items, I realized I was successful in most areas.

But not so successful that I could just eliminate them.

Instead, I am going to keep on focusing on them.

 

Allow me to review them with you:

 

1.  laugh: make someone, at myself, more, out loud

  2.  friends: make more, be a better one, reconnect with a lost one, nurture them all

  3.  blogging: post more often, increase readership, visit more, comment/follow more

  4.  don't stay home so much - get out there and blow the stink off

  5.  my art: step it up!

  6.  send more thank you cards (a lost art, you know!)

  7.  participate in more RAK (random acts of kindness)

  8.  my heart: give from it, open it, love more

  9.  stay up later than 9pm a little more often

10.  be "in the moment" when it matters most

11.  want/need: learn how to differentiate

12.  time management: watch out for those time-eaters

13.  challenge myself more

14.  volunteer more

15.  be gentle with myself ... I'm doing the best I can

 

I'll add one this year - my 16 for twenty sixteen.

 

16.  tackle: every day tackle one thing that I've been neglecting

As you move forward this year,
let go of something significant in your life.
A bad habit.
A fear.
Someone that has hurt you.
A label.
Negativity.
Drama.
 

As we go forward, The Runner and I would like to wish you: