grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

January Focus

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January focus

January is the month to focus on starting projects, new beginnings, planning, cleaning, organizing. It’s a great month to buy a steam mop—yes it is—because Lucy and Annabelle constantly track up the kitchen floor. Since my My One Little Word for 2015 is Focus, I’m focusing on specific January goals.

In January, I plan to focus on my health. For whatever reason, the last three months of 2014 were a bit sickly for me. A constant cough drained my energy. Bronchitis held on for weeks. Now I’m headed back to yoga. My goal is 4-5 times per week. Help me stick to it—ask me if I’ve done my yoga. Please. And I plan to eat more mindfully and drink more water and green tea. And take a multi-vitamin. I’m not very disciplined about taking vitamins.

In January, I plan to focus on our yard. We have a new fence to contain the curious schnauzers. The fence was a Christmas gift to ourselves. Although it will be too cold and wet to plant much of anything, I can dream and read and plan. I want to build a compost too. Maybe behind the garage.

our new fence

In January, I will focus on editing my manuscript (as soon as I receive it back from my editor). This may be more of a February goal, but my mind is forever thinking about this. I’m editing a few short stories that need attention too.

In January, I will focus on organizing photos. My friend, Beth, shared her photo solution using thislife.com, and I plan to explore it further. My photos are out of control.

What will you focus on in January?

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Van Morrison – Brand New Day

 

 

getting organized in the new year!

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Yesterday I spent the entire day getting my home office organized while my blog migrated from Blogger to WordPress.  (Most of you won’t care about this, but you bloggers will… It was like waiting for my child’s fever to break. IAmNoComputerProgramer, and this whole process has been nerve-wracking for me…)

Since I was tied to my computer anyway, I sorted stacks and stacks of paperwork organizing everything into my new cool files. They make me happy.

getting organized - desk for 2014

I cleaned my chalkboard wall and erased  last year’s completed lists or abandoned ideas in favor of a fresh slate. This is where I write story and blog ideas, lists, inspirational quotes, etc. (It is still wet in the picture and looks a bit strange…)

getting organized - chalkboard paint wall

 

And I shredded tons of paper—pages and pages of my book rough draft, thousands of words written last year.

And I worked on taxes.

This morning my blog is up and running (although it no doubt needs tweaking), and my desk is organized. 

Whew!

Happy Weekend.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

 

Brand New Year…

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The only new year's resolutions needed…
aophotos morgueFile

Roll away the dark clouds and 
Enjoy the 
Sunlight, the feel 
Of a brand new year.
Listen. Really listen and hear.  
Understand we are all different. Make
Time for special. Create. Push
Into the unknown, past
Obstacles that constrict and confine. Say
No. 
Say yes. Whichever is more
Freeing. Focus 
On the road ahead while
Remembering where the path began.
Reach deep, write fervently,
Expose life’s layers.
Always be considerate. 
Love the unloveable. Release the negative.
Laugh. Read something different. Re-read an old favorite.
Indulge. Cook with passion. Have
Faith. Smile. Walk in the rain.
Exist in the now.

What will you do with this brand new year?

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Van Morrison, Brand New Day


Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!