Celebrations, Puppy Love and the Importance of Finding Focus

Hello friends and Happiest New Year to you! Time seems to be passing in a blur. Is it that way for you too? So much has happened since we last met that it seems overwhelming to find a starting place so I will just start here, today.

Since last we met, I celebrated a birthday (47), we had a cozy, quiet Christmas and had our share of joys and challenges -just the every day kind that life brings to all of us. Also, since last we met, we added to our family. This is Clover. She is a 3 month old golden who has been sharing our lives for the last 2 1/2 weeks. Can you tell who is winning the battle of the sofa? Having a new puppy in the house has shaken up our routine a lot and I honestly am in survival mode many days, much like bringing home a newborn. However, with a newborn you don't have to take it outside to potty every 30 minutes in the arctic weather. These days I'm finding it hard to string two logical thoughts together as I apparently need calm and quiet to process things lately. Two things in short supply right now. She is adorable, sweet, busy and occasionally like a whirling dervish.

This fresh new year is more welcome than any I have had in a long time. I spent most of last year feeling like my life was happening to me, as if I were nothing but a bystander. Some of that was circumstance, some was survival, overwhelm and a general lack of energy to fully participate in my every day life. There were entire months that are lost to me from last year. Well, 2017 is now behind me and I want more and better for myself in 2018. This year I'm choosing to focus on living my life in a way that is intentional. Last year life happened to me. This year I plan to have a voice in shaping my days, weeks and months. While there were absolutely lovely things that came from 2017, and I am happy to bring those memories and lessons into 2018, I need to feel like I am an active participant in my life again.

I'm looking forward to being more in the moment, choosing to use my time, resources and energy in ways that bring greater peace, joy and satisfaction this year. Letting go of things both physical and emotional, that have held me back or have prevented me from being my best self. I'm sure I will get a better sense of what being intentional means in my life as I start down this journey.

I'm certain, living intentionally for me will include more things I love like creating, learning and focusing on my home and less things like screen time, procrastination and disorganization.

And while I plan to spend less time in front of screens, falling down internet rabbit holes that don't add to my quality of life, I do plan to spend more time here in my corner of the internet, recording the joys I plan to collect along the way in 2018.

I wish you all a beautiful, happy, peaceful, healthy new year. I wish you mountains of love and blessings, time, energy and money to spend on the things that matter to you, all of what you need and enough of what you want. And more than anything I thank you for coming back here to visit, for taking a moment to say hello and for supporting me through the ups and downs of a life well lived.