april goal - update

Wow! I'm not really sure where April went. It was a doozy and in some ways flew by. Here is a look at my goals for the month:

Run 50 miles
This seemed to be going so well, especially when I clocked a 6 mi. PR and then a 10 mile run. Then suddenly it was the 22nd and I was still 19 miles away! I had to really work to get the last few in but I'm even more proud of myself as a result. Mom and I ran a fast 5K on her birthday followed the next day by a 6 mile run. On Tuesday the 28th I realized how little time was left (due to many after work commitments) so I got up at 5:30am and hit the pavement for an early run. This was so awesome because it made me realize that I can go for a run in the morning and be ready for school with just a little extra patience. Double bonus: I got mad props for my hair that day! All in all it was harder than I expected but totally work the challenge.

Donate a Bag a Week
So we kicked off this goal during spring break with NINE BAGS. Felt like cheating a little but it was a great way to start. I technically took this last week off only because I didn't pass the donation center. There are two bags in my car and tomorrow is looking like the day I say goodbye. This challenge was great since I had spring break to dive into organizing. It also inspired us to go through some boxes from moving (2 or 6 years ago?) and we started to realize that consolidating was definitely an option. Many boxes had been mostly emptied and just had a few remaining items. I also was inspired to try a capsule wardrobe and packed away some wintery clothes in hopes for an easier time getting dressed in the morning. So far our quest for a tidy house is going wonderfully and we feel like we have more space to live in. Success!

Send 2 Cards a Week
Okay, maybe I set myself up for an easy month, but I blew this one out of the park as well. I think I averaged more like 3 or 4 a week. This is definitely a trend I want to continue. I still have quite a collection from my HappyMail deliveries and also have been using up some simple "thank you" cards I got from target. Love sending notes in the mail. Sometimes I feel like I can say things better in a few short words.

What's in store for May? Not sure yet. I want to keep it simple like April and will probably continue with a running goal since it's getting to be the time of year where being outside feels so good! I'll probably need to set a food goal since we sort of lacked in that area the last week of April (how many days in a row CAN you eat breakfast for dinner?). April - you were hard but you were successful. Onward!

sending mail

Since we're halfway through the month, I thought it would be good time to check in on my letter writing goal for the month.

I started by thinking about what was keeping me from writing letters. Here were struggles:

1. Finding all the cards I thought I had
2. Remembering to address the envelope
3. Finding a stamp
4. Getting it to the mailbox/postoffice

During our spring break cleaning overhaul I noticed a 2 recurring ideas in the books and articles we  read about organizing. 1: A place for everything and everything in its place. 2: If you need something on a regular basis, find an easy access storage system. Kind of felt like common sense at first and then I started assessing my storage solutions.

Previously my card and letter writing suppliers were stored in boxes and drawers. These were practical places and the boxes were cute and decorative, yet I rarely looked inside to use the supplies. I happened to have a desk organizer on my desk that was storing... let's just say stuff that didn't need storing. Once I cleaned it out I decided to give it a new purpose. My newly simplified and clean desk only has two things on it. A place for pencils and pens, and a place for cards. I also bought a book of stamps and clipped it right on the edge of the card holder. Problems #1 and #3 solved!

I have had great success since displaying my cards where I can see them. Sometimes I see a card and thinking of someone. Other times, I'm at my desk working on the computer and I think of someone who might need a letter. I can quickly grab a card, jot a note, and find the address on my computer. In one sitting I've got the letter written, addressed and stamped. No more problem #2!

Problem #4 is probably the hardest for me. Our mailbox system is a little tricky so I've found the most success by putting the card on the passenger seat of my car and either dropping it off on my way to work or when I'm running errands. So far I've sent 3-4 cards a week and it has felt so good! I love the thought that someone is sorting through bills or ads and then finds a little envelope of love!

april goals

Alright April, here I come!
I'm just setting three goals this month. They feel lofty so it seems appropriate.

Cleaning/Organizing
We've talked for awhile now about how best to purge and organize our house. Yup, 2 years into living here and we're finally getting around the a big overhaul! In December we did a Music Studio Overhaul and it has been an amazing space for Seth's studio and practice. We also started hanging art on the walls so it is beginning to feel more like a home. That being said, we are both overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that still exists in our small house and are motivated to do something about it. We're looking at a few different methods for how to best tackle this major project and since I can't set goals for other people on my blog I've narrowed it down to this. Once a week take a load of things to the donation center. Whether it's clothing, books, kitchen supplies etc doesn't matter. My main goal is to get things out of the house then out of my car and to a place where they can be more useful. Sundays are my goal day for this to happen because I can put it in the car before church and swing by the donation center on my way home.

Run More Miles!

print by Elise Blaha Cripe

My participation in the Big Climb last month meant I was hyper focused on circuit training and strengthening my legs and abs. Not a bad thing but it meant my milage shrank. I did run a 5K in March and was pleasantly surprised by my time. After running 7 miles with my mom last week I realized how much I miss hitting the pavement. So with my new kicks and Spring Break to get started, I'm ready to rack up the miles! I'm think about the 50 mile goal that mom and I used to aim for when we were first starting out. It feels manageable without being too lofty. I already logged 2 today, so I have 26 days to get 48 more miles!

Send 2 Cards a Week
I already started this goal on April 1 and just love the feeling of sealing up an envelope and putting on a stamp! I'm pretty set with cards between a resent "thank you" card restock and my HappyMail deliveries. I'm hoping to spread the love a little outside of my normal circle but it's hard since address sharing is kind of retro. I feel like I'm spoiling the surprise when I ask people for their address, but really, who doesn't love a fun card in the mail :)

I am excited to see how these goals pan out. Spring Break always gives me a boost so here's to hoping it will inspire me to finish strong! Happy April!

//get to work print found here//

happy mail

Ever had one of those late-night conversations with a friend where it's way too late, you've been talking for too long and suddenly you're asking pretty random questions of each other? I had a friend in college who asked one evening, "If you could do any job in the whole world and not worry about making money or of the practice stuff, what would you do?"

That is a huge question and yet it only took me a few seconds to come up with my response.

"I'd make cards for people."

When he asked me to explain I began to share how much I love making cards. I didn't want to have a card shop or manufacture a line of cards, I just wanted to make them for people. I love picking out the papers, paints, or whatever supplies seem right for the moment. Sometimes I'm thinking of a specific person and what they might enjoy, other times I'm letting the supplies lead me down a creative path. Then I get to select a purpose (Thank You cards, birthday cards, Christmas cards or just a card to say "Hello!") and a recipient. More fun!

No doubt this love of cards and handwritten letters comes from my mom who has a similar excitement over letter writing and mail. She and I wrote so many letters back and forth my freshman year of college (all of which are currently stored in a hat box in my closet). To me, cards are little envelopes of joy and there is always a reason to send joy to people!

For years I made cards and didn't even consider an alternative. Over the years my hobbies have shifted and my time has been distributed differently. I recently started purchasing cards and building up a little stash to send to friends and family. Then I read about Happy Mail from the blog and business A Beautiful Mess. I was so excited by the idea yet hesitant to try. Would I really send all the cards? Would I like them? It's a surprise package each month so there is no control over the content you receive.

So for my birthday I decided to give it a go. I went ahead and made a goal to work with what was sent and to decide if I would continue the subscription. As of today, I'm totally hooked! A week ago I got 8 cards in the mail and I have already used 5. I have watched and re-watched the video announcing the March box! Though I'm not the one making the cards it's still totally fun because I get the privilege of sending little envelopes of joy to friends and family. And it comes in this totally cute packaging. Pure joy! Happy mail all around!

Do you send cards? Do you check your mailbox???

Slice of Life 2012 - 4

I needed the extra push to get crafty and inspired. After such a draining day and week I didn't think I had it in me. But there is something magical about being in the vicinity of another person's creativity. And once I got going, I discovered that gratitude can be a strong motivator. Lucky for me, I have many reasons to say 'thank you.'

Cards, cards, cards! I'm finally getting around to making "thank you" cards so spread the word that i'm not rude, just a little slow....

Here are a few from tonight. I always forget how fun it is to make cards! And what a mESs!?!?