one little word wednesday

Perspective is so important. I love this picture because you can't see beyond the rocks, but you know there is something out there by looking at Seth's face. Sometimes we get over run by the obstacles and we need others to guide us through these tough days.

This week, I feel like I'm the one on top of the rocks saying "You can do it, you're almost there and you're going to love what you find!" I am not the one struggling (yet), but some around me are.

So I paired this photo with one of my favorite storybook quotes. Each time I read "Lily's Purple Plastic Purse" I get to this line and I pause at the simplicity and importance of the message. Mr. Slinger has perspective on the issue that Lily can't quite grasp. She needs his support and guidance to get beyond the difficulties.

This week I choose to be #cheerfulnomatterwhat for my colleagues, students, and family, "for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (and me!)" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What will you choose?

currently - August 2014

tending to my plants that are somehow still thriving
planning lessons
eating olives and berries (not together)
racing to finish this sweater before school starts
opening this book with the goal of making time to read during the school year
snapping photos of the little people in my life
savoring the last days of summer freedom and sunshine
enjoying my clean and quiet house
sipping coffee
choosing to be joyful always and to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5.16-18)

run better, better run

This was my motto today.

Im choosing to move as much as possible this week and hoping I can get back to the point where it's no longer a choice, just a normal part of my day; an expectation.

one little word wednesday

As August approaches I am working staying positive. It's hard to thinking about saying goodbye to slow mornings, fresh food and lots and lots of friends and family time.

So instead of saying "goodbye" to these things, I'm trying hard to choose a different attitude. So I choose gratitude. I am grateful for:

The next season brings back work, meetings, students, families, lessons, grading and much more. I hope to spend August looking at ways to incorporate my summer activities into daily life. I realize that knitting all day while reading my nook is not really an option come September, yet I know there is a way to make time for knitting and reading. Waking up early is usually my go to when I want to add things to my schedule but I rethinking the evenings a bit and wondering how to better utilize my time.

What activities do you make time for during your busy seasons so that you can stay sane?

one little word wednesday

Choose to explore.

Yesterday was our first full day in Hawaii. The Big Isalnd has so many different things to so that we decided to just drive north and see what we could find. We knew of a few places based on a local guide we were given and at each stop we seemed to acquire a slightly different map with varied restaurants and activities. We brainstormed a quick list of things to try and find but really, we just drove until we saw something interesting.

This view is from the northern tip of the island in the Pololū Valley. You drive to the end of the highway, park, and hike down. Just reapply sunscreen, grab your water, and head on down.

This was exactly the thing we like to do and the views were spectacular. I am so glad we chose to explore. Today we're exploring more close to home. We might even go swimming!?! Side note: we might be the only visitors to not swim within the first 36 hours of arriving in Hawaii.

Choosing to explore is not easy for a girl who likes a plan, but it is surely worth the challenge!

pinterest workout

#choosetomove

I'm on day 3 of this workout which seems early considering it's a 30 day challenge but I'm finding it very easy to do this first thing or right before bed. There are so many great workout plans on Pinterest and I'm currently enjoying this one. I'll have to do an update in a week or so. It gives me just enough of a boost in energy that I can read a bit before my head hits the pillow at night. Hoorah!

sketching - westward trail view

A few days ago, with the sun streaming down and the chaos of life swirling all around, a friend asked, "Do you want to go sketching?"

I was so grateful for the change of scenery, the warm sun on my back and a creative endeavor to clear my mind. When I found this drawing on my desk I remembered the moment and I realized how important it is to have creative outlets. If our lives are busy, we must schedule in time to let our creative spirits soar. We must choose creativity.

How will you stretch your creative muscles?

one little word wednesday

Working on this today.

image from Pinterest

Today joy looks like...

iced coffee,

knitting &

dinner on the deck.

one little word Wednesday

I have really enjoyed running these last 5 years. I never thought I'd say that but it has become a large part of how I stay healthy and calm and let's be honest, sane.

That being said these last few months have not been great running months for me. Between rain, illness and long work days I have chosen relaxation over running numerous times. 

Good news is that very recently I've been running with some new people, chatting more about running and getting really motivated to choose running. 

Today, when the sun came out and a student had a soccer game at a great area for running I knew what choice to make. 

No jacket, no music just sunshine and the rhythm of my footsteps. Best choice all day and it gave me a great feeling about this new season of running. 

one little word wednesday

When I decided to take up blogging again, I knew I wanted to make a real effort to keep up. Daily posts seemed way too lofty a goal, so I decided to post on the days I have the most freedom: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That seemed like a decent place to start, but I still needed to get a plan in place for how to make it happen. After reading this post I thought about my own three tips for  helping me stay on top of blogging.

1. Evernote

I have used Evernote for work and enjoy the ability to access the information anywhere. When i first started prepping my return to blogging I knew I needed to work ahead a little. I started by making a notebook called "blog posts" where I would keep anything related to the blog. Then i created a note called "blog posts idea." I mean, not rocket science. I took 5 minutes to list any possible idea for a post then narrowed in on possible recurring post topics: fiber, one little word and lists. I created a note for each and started writing. It felt so good to be able to write and save the text without having to hit publish right away. I entered right into the note any photo ideas or links. Photos and links tend to be the pieces that slow me down and deter me from blogging so i started by focusing on the writing and found time later in the week to make photo and link updates.

2. iCal

To help me stay on top of updates and to ensure I make time for blogging, I decided to use my digital calendar program.  It is a simple tool that I already know how to use (key!). I created a special calendar for blog posts only and I mapped out 3 weeks work of posts based on my Evernote list of ideas. Through this program I set reminders to alert me on my phone and computer to update posts, photos or links. I set recurring events for posts like Fiber Friday and One Little Word. It felt a little over the top when I first sat down and started entering information, but it is really saving me a lot of time. Once a week I sit down to make a general plan for future posts then during the week I have little assignments where I fill in the blanks and connect the dots. Such a great choice that is working well for me.

3. Blogger Feature: Schedule

This is the last feature that is really helping me stick to my goal. Since I try to work ahead, I am able to complete posts when I have time which is not always when I want them published.  This is how I stick to my M, W, F schedule.  I've recently added Sundays as a blog day, but I think of Sunday as a bonus weekend post. Once the post is completely ready (photos, links, labels, etc.) I select the date and time I want it to publish. It is so fun to wake up in the morning and have a new blog post from myself!

When I choose to blog I am also choosing to create and do the things I love. I'm looking forward to seeing how this model of organization works for me. Will it be my forever method? Probably not, but it's the right choice for now and that works for me!

one little word wednesday

Over spring break I worked on my one little word. I thought about what choose looks like in food and realized i'd been choosing quick and easy over healthy and delicious.

So this week we meal planned. While we tried this last week #fail we are really sticking to it this week and it's been great. One of the key factors was to have some go-to meals. Here's my criteria:

1. we know we love it

2. we know how to make it

3. we have most of the ingredients most of the time

4. its quick and or easy to prep

One of my new faves is this recipe. While it certainly doesn't meet criteria #4, it's meets the rest and it is so yummy that it's worth the extra effort! 

This week we are serving it up on a brown rice tortillas with arugula and garlic tahini sauce. 

Mmm... I think I chose wisely :)

weekend - list no. 1

A Few Things About Yourself

1. i am a morning person
2. i need to have creative outlets (hello blogging!)
3. i am a teacher & a learner 
4. i am a homebody for sure and my favorite activities include the people i love 
5. i love to cook - especially when someone else does the clean up
6. i love to load the dishwasher and will do anything to avoid unloading it when it's clean
7. i enjoy running and moving and pushing myself to be stronger and healthier
8. i love letters & cards - giving & receiving them, buying & making them
9. i want routine but thrive on change
10. i am learning to choose what i need and love

*the idea for this post came from here and is part of the 30 Days Of Lists Project

one little word wednesday

My word this year is

choose.

I am happy with this word. It stretches me, challenges me, guides me, supports me. Or perhaps a better way to put it is this: the word choose helps me be intentional. I did a project from Ali's One Little Word class to help me explore my word a little more. This is the simple poem I was able to craft from random words and phrases I cut from magazines. The large "CHOOSE TO" down the middle became the opening phrase to accompany each of the words and phrases I chose. Here is how I read it

simple 
things 
worth trying

choose to recharge
choose to say no
choose to indulge in coffee, good reads
choose to tell it like it is
choose to feel beauty inside & outside
choose to make time for what matters most

choose to is finding meaningful moments in the course of your busy life.

Screen-Free Days

Every week we try to have a screen-free day. On these days we silence our phones and break away from our technology habits and routines. Our first few attempts were a challenge. Ten minutes in I'd already sent an email and browsed instagram. It was then that I realize how much we needed to break away from our screens, even if only for an hour.  We muddled through the first few attempts, asking, "Does listening to a podcast count as a screen since you have to access it on a phone?" or "What about reading a book on an e-reader?"* Now that we've successfully made it through a few screen-free days we barter and negotiate less and even look forward to the time to unwind!

So what have we learned? One recurring realization is how much we are able to fit into one day when we set aside technology. Without screens and digital distractions we find ourselves imagining, doing the hobbies and activities we love: cooking, crafting, hiking, walking, reading, making music, playing board games etc.  We are able to focus more in the moment and enjoy the journey instead of always looking to the destination when we can cross things off a list. We both enjoy our "screens" and will certainly continue to maintain many of our digital habits and routines. We will also continue to make screen-free days a part of our week. This is an intentional practice that continues to grow and develop. 

What do you like to do when you step away from the screen? Have any great ideas to share?

*We never did answer these questions. In the end we decided that the purpose was to break from the routine and do the things we feel we "never have time for."

One Little Word 2014 - start here

This year my word is choose.

As I thought about what challenged me in 2013 and how I want to make changes  in 2014 I began to realize how many choices we must make in this life. From big choices of where to live and work to small daily choices such as what to eat and how to use free time.

I think of myself as intentional when it comes to big choices and the daily choice to focus on positivity and hope. Yet I can see how bogged down I became from choosing "yes" too many times or trying to choose everything and everyone instead of prioritizing.

This year I want to focus in on not only what I choose, but how I choose.

I am hoping to make monthly goals and to document my one little word once a month with a single photo and a few simple words. 

Today I am working with my word and trying to put it up in my environment. I am choosing to make my word visible and present in my home and work space.

Here is to another year full of blessings and love.