Goals for Summer 2013

I like to make goals. I also live by checklists and tend to have sticky notes and notebooks all over the place to cover my addiction to lists.

The lists can consume you but that is another post.

Back to goals. My husband and I created a few goals for 2013. I will share my goals for summer 2013.

*Clean out the craft room. Donate, sell, trash, get rid off. Enough is enough. If I have not used it then it has to go and disappear by the beginning of August end of July. I have already given away an embroidery machine (used 10 times in three/four years) and a sizzix bigshot with cartridges.

*Clean out the garage. Work on what needs to be sold in a local shop and remove the surplus. Most of what I have was given to me which for some reason makes it harder to get rid of than what I bought. That has to be some sort of sickness.

*Add a new product to my etsy shop. This means taking photos and creating the listings which I don't like to do but really? I think this can be managed.

*Continue to work on my weight loss. My five year old thinks that because I have gray hair it means I am about to go to heaven. Nothing like that kind of crying statement to make you realize that being overweight/fat is not healthy. I have lost 10 pounds. One of my doctors told me to get to a point where I was my healthiest and the weight can be easily maintained. Uhmmmm. Maybe another 10 pounds?

*Turn my money into investments. I looked back at what I made last year from my etsy shops and realized that most of that money was spent on more craft things (not related to the shops and which I am not getting rid of) and picking up junk food with the kids after school. I will be putting aside more money into savings so I can buy what I need to update the house and for a family vacation this fall.

*Continue to work with the women's ministry at church. It weighs so heavily on my heart that we don't see that many young women engaging in fellowship opportunities or giving back. It is so easy to just show up for a church service, leave, and then not make choices to be fully engaged in a faith FULL life. I will be facilitating a women's summer book club with a group of great women and pray that I stay out of the way and let God do His thing.

I could probably keep on going but don't want to be nitpicky. I have a lot to work on.

QUESTION: What are some of your goals for the summer?

Letting Go

Hello, again. I have been away from my blog for a while. I have been dealing with health issues and working at a local school. The health stuff took up my free time but I have been diligently following doctors' orders and feeling better. I have slowly begun visiting favorite blogs and sites and it feels good to chat.

I was asked to speak at a women's event on the subject of letting go this past weekend. Letting go of the labels we put on ourselves or others put on us as women, letting go of the negativity, and the idea that brokenness keeps us in a pit--it made for a great event.

It was great to share and meet with women; to see them look at this piece and know they are unique and special with their gifts. And brokenness.

Art by Erika R., Artful Rising

The canvas is my daughter's current favorite piece. She is too young to understand the meaning but she gets the importance of the crown, the jewels, and feeling beautiful.

QUESTION: What do you need to let go of this year?

Stuck in the Mud

2BusyBroads

 I grew up walking distance from the water and when it was a low tide or after the water receded from a flood the mud would stink. And the mud covered everything and kept its prey firmly planted in its dirty, stinky, spot.

There are moments when I feel stuck, like the bad attitude is keeping me from moving forward. The most frequent ways I get stuck revolve around my feeling of unworthiness, being busy, and the ill effects of a disease.

I get stuck and my husband tells me that my attitude stinks.

Edi's truck was broken into three years ago and a few days ago she received a pretty incredible phone call. Her purse, wallet, and debit card were found in the mud of a local dried up river bed--stuck, held in place for three years.

Being stuck in our mud keeps us from moving forward.

I taught a class on this topic and people shared words like, "he tells me I am being mean", "I get so tired the kids tell me that I need a nap", "I want things to be done my way."

QUESTION: What does your being stuck look like?

Great Day Every Day

I just spent the last week being in a heavy cloud of stress and big girl decisions. I submitted a few resumes, hoping for something part-time while looking at full-time and wondering how I would manage my etsy shop, Artful Rising, my family, and a new job.

I was joining the ranks of other working women and learning how to balance family, laundry, shopping, and job hunting.

And I failed miserably.

I wondered if any company would even call me for an interview, I forgot to show up for a girl's group, I put off ordering supplies for the shop, and I operated in a mode of get.out.of.my.way.I.am.making.big.girl.decisions.

There is nothing like being confronted to know you are acting like a fool. And a spoiled brat.

Max Lucado's Great Day Every Day: Navigating Life's Challenges with Promise and Purpose is a wonderful reminder that the little things that matter. It is a fast and easy read with a tremendous punch of encouragement. And just what I needed to remind myself that there is a bigger picture and to be grounded enough to listen to the directions of my path.

I was asked about an assistant director position at a school which was appealing. I would get to tell other people what to do:), manage curriculum, help parents and staff, put out fires of tantrums and mini crises.

But the hours of a part-time teacher was what I choose in the end. I still get to be present at my kids' school this fall and still participate in the women's functions at church. I still get to create products for my shop.

I get to breathe and look for great things in every day.

QUESTION: What is the great thing in your day?

Great Artists Start Ugly

Whether you are pulling out needles, yarn, paintbrushes, or beads, remember to make it ugly first.

That's right. Make it ugly.

If you allow yourself the freedom of making a disaster then you give yourself the gift of letting go and freeing the creative juices wanting (waiting) to burst forth.

Michelangelo did not create a masterpiece on his first try at stone. And neither will you.

So make the decision to make something or put up the supplies and make nothing.

If you spend all the time daydreaming about what you will create then you leave no room for actually creating your dreams. And that is the beautiful part about getting creative;

♥You actually create something.

♥And learn what works and what doesn't.

Grab that blank paper and write. Paint on that canvas sitting there for months (I have this problem). Cut out that pattern already.

Lynette's Art

And come back and tell us what you made.

QUESTION: What is something you have hesitated making because of the learning curve involved?

And don't forget to share at least 1-2 sentences of how you make difference for a chance to win! Someone said they don't like to toot their own horn but celebrating our journey is more like it! Enter HERE.