{ pulling a mo }

I'm pulling a Maureen (her nickname in high-school was Mo) and using up all the stuff in our over-crowded fridge, freezer & pantry before buying anything else other than perishables (some fresh fruit, greens, milk & eggs weekly). I think that if I do this for a month, I will save money & use up all the stuff that we have - some of which has been around for awhile. I am going to have to be creative...But I did learn that if you type in a couple of ingredients in google, it comes up with different recipe options for you that include those ingredients. Wish me luck.

{ have an organized '08 }

I've been getting a lot of emails about how to get & stay organized this year and how to keep track of monster to do lists; goals; etc.

Here are the tools I use.

First, I list out my annual health, personal & business goals in my Jill Bliss small journal (that Alli turned me onto). It is great for jotting down ideas, books to read, funny things Sam says, etc. That way my goals are always with me. I also post them above my desk.

Secondly, I create a Master To DO List. This is a HUGE list of things that need to get down (some items today, others before the end of the year). I don't think of it as a duanting list, rather a catch-all for all of my "lists." I sort it by Personal/Home/Honey Do/Business/etc. I use a google doc online so I can continually update it, add lines, delete items, etc.

From that Master To DO List, I draw out the items each week to put on my MomME weekly planner. So, for example, one day, from that Master To Do List onto my planner went: dinner with Tim & Becky, drop off donations at Salvation Army, call customer service re. trampoline issue and schedule annual doctors appointments. Those 4 tasks were a manageable addition to my Tuesday To Do's. What I try to do is on Sunday evening, settle in and schedule the week - with to-do's; errands; workout plans; and meal planning/grocery shopping list.

ps - you can buy the hilarious folders here.

{ winter wonderland }

So, we are still without electricity (suffice to say that I would not have done well in life had I been born prior to the 20th century). Anyhoo, here are some photos from the weekend of darkness...

{ the good news is.... }

The Daily Show is back beginning tonight! Even without writers I have faith that they have enough material to work with.

The bad news is that our power is still out at our house from the 2 feet of snow we received (so we spent the weekend at my parents house - pics of our winter wonderland coming soon).

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

{ inspire ME }

A few things that are inspiring ME this weekend...

Life Artist Book
& Blog

Pure Style Living

What's inspiring you at the start of this NEW year?

{ stop procrastinating }

You've told yourself you would stop procrastinating. Now stop putting that off. If only there was an actual hour of the day called "Later.'
That's when everyone who has ever said, "I'll do it later" would have to stop what they were doing and commit some time to that thing they've been putting off. Unfortunately, people often put exercise, healthy eating and relationships into the 'Later' category.
But because 'Later' never is 'Now,' things don't get done. For days. For weeks. For months. For decades.
And one day, those people will wake up to find that they have no more 'Later' left in their lives. So take a moment to take care of yourself now.
You'll thank yourself later.

A great Lululemon ad from Yoga Journal.

{ get sane giveaway }

Stop by Design Mom to sign up for a great LobotoME Loot (over $100 in products) GIVEAWAY...
You have until Sunday night to sign up.

Thanks Design Mom!

{ In 2008 I will... }

:: Family ::

: To be a patient, imaginative, & mindful MOM everyday.
: Play more. Work Less. More 3 day weekends!
: Spend less. Make gifts. Do more.
: Adopt another child...putting it out there to the universe!

:: Personal ::

: Do something everyday (hiking, biking, running, yoga....just something!)
: Plan & prepare healthy meals daily.
: Plan & take time for ME everyday.

:: Environment ::

: Recycle everything & anything - think beyond paper, glass, plastic & aluminum.
: Save $ for solar panels for house so we can be completely off the grid.

:: Career ::

: Successful NSS Tradeshow/Launch new products at Tradeshow
: LobotoME in MORE stores in 08!
: Successful & efficient Gravity Play event season.

{ wishes for a new year }

May you be safe from internal and external harm.
May you have a calm, clear mind and a peaceful, loving heart.
May you be physically strong, healthy & vital.
May you experience love, joy, wonder and wisdom in this life, just as it is.

{ new soul in the new year }

Loving this new song & video from Yael Naim, an Israeli-French singer. Doesn't it just brighten your world?

{ new year, new you }

It's a dream until you write it down, and then it's a goal.
– Anonymous

Here's a great way to set goals for the new year, 5 years & 10 years compliments of Lululemon. I usually do 3 in each area {health, personal, career} and list associated action steps. They give an example of a smart goal and not so smart...

Example:
I will be more physically active. NOT SMART
I am running 3 days a week and doing yoga twice a week. SMART

Don't forget to review your 2007 Accomplishments before embarking on the new year goals. Let me know what some of your goals are for the New Year!

{ New Year's Noisemakers }

Fun, simple craft to make with the kids today - - - -

We used cardboard toilet paper tubes...flower packing tape to tape off the ends...crepe paper attached to one end with a rubberband...stickers to decorate the tubes...and unpopped popcorn inside the tubes. Voila!

{ my life is an incredible opportunity to... }

What is your VISION of your life? Write it down and work towards creating it everyday.

Here are some excerpts from my vision...one that I am continually striving for.

Personal:
"My life is an incredible journey with lots of opportunities - to play, laugh, love & give back."
"I enthusiastically jump out of bed every morning, well-rested, full of energy and excited to start the day ahead."
"I will commit to self-care everyday, not just when I get sick, tired or burnt-out, but everyday."
"I take care of my body everyday by exercising or practicing yoga."
"I take care of my mind everyday by taking quiet time, meditating, reading or practicing yoga."
"I do my BEST each day...anything less is lazy."

Family:
"To build a life together with Will filled with the laughter or children, family & friends."
"I will plan & prepare healthy meals for my family everyday, starting off with breakfast together."
"I am a wife my husband is proud of and adores, a mother my children love as well as feel inspired by."
"I do something fun with Sam everyday...not just on special occasions. Continue to include the extraordinary in the ordinary."
"To teach Sam that happiness comes from within."
"I am a dynamic, inspiring friend to those I love and I let go of relationships & friendships that drag me down."
"My family is financially free, physically fit, spiritually fulfilled and emotionally close. We have lots of fun. I never want to say, wish I did, wish I did... I could lose everything tomorrow. I want to give my family & my life my all."

Business:
"I only work 3 days a week and I adhere to a strict Computer Free Fridays."
"My organized office and well-managed time allows me to work 3 days a week and take 12 weeks of vacation a year. We take 3 day weekends every week, not just during federal holidays."
"My days are spent helping people reach their fullest potential - helping them be organized; live well and stay sane both through LobotoME and Gravity Play Sports adventure events."
"When I go to sleep at night, I sleep soundly, knowing that I helped make the world a little bit better and that I became an improved version of ME in the process."

{ living your values }

In gearing up for the New Year, I thought I'd take you through a few life planning exercises I do each year...about what's important to you, what your short term & long term goals are and what your life vision is...

So, what are your Values? The question to ask yourself is this: "What is truly important to me in life?" Values are priorities that tell you how to spend your time, right here, right now. It is challenging to live your values everyday. We often get distracted with how we invest our time and energy. However, the clearer your values are and how important they are to you, the easier it is to make decisions in your life - big and small. By discovering how much you honor them, you can get a snapshot picture of how true to yourself you are being.

Take 10 minutes and list them out (10-15 is a good number to work with) and then prioritize them. Are your values present each day? Honoring our values brings us harmony. Dishonoring our values brings us disharmony, angst and disease.

Inspiration to help you get started from a great Lululemon ad...

Find your wings and fly. Find your calling. Find your passion. Find your moment. Find your peace. Find your friends. Find your soul. Find your purpose. Find your reason. Find yourself. Find your love. Find your youth. Find your past. Find your future. Find your present.

Next, we'll look at defining your Life Vision and then setting 1, 5 & 10 year goals & doable action steps to align with your current values and vision.

{ kids mini valises now available }

The children's miniature valises that we began using for retail shop displays are now available for purchase in my etsy shop. I only have a few brand new sets left in each color {tangerine, chocolate and pink}. They are great for gift packing, kids displays, kids travel, etc.

{ holiday reading pleasures }

The Family at Home...Love. Life. Style. Great design ideas, wonderful photography, inspiring homes, simple living well tips & fun recipes.


Mom-A-Licious Cookbook....Excerpt from the Mom-a-licious manifesto: "Get out of any ruts and get moving. Not exercising enough, watching too much TV, or going through the drive through for dinner? Make the needed changes and live your best life, today." Here are some recipes from the book.

{ christmas redux }

christmas eve...ready for santa & the reindeer.

making christmas cookies...yum.

making gram's swedish coffee cake...it took 6 hours...

the dress up clothes...a huge hit.

the requested gift... a baby "but not a real one, mama, just a pretend one."

an adorable handsewn paper stocking filled with goodies from my friend alli {sew creative}.

the dress up clothes & rack {filled with a bunch of my old dance costumes my mom saved}.

christmas morning fun.

someone was a good little girl this year.

{ and to all a good night }

All of that preparation for Christmas and then boom, it's over...So, take advantage of the kids still loving their new toys and the departure of the guests, and take a few minutes today to breathe...make a cup of tea and relax on the couch with a good book, unroll the yoga mat for a few poses or bundle up and head outside for a brisk walk. Just breathe and be grateful for an abundant and happy celebration...and forget that there are only 364 days left until the next go around! :)

{ merry & bright }

This is how Samme filled out my planner for this coming week. I am going to take her cue and take a break from posting until after the holidays. We’re busy with our advent activities, Christmas busy-ness, solstice celebrating, getting ready for company, baking more cookies, making gingerbread houses, last minute wrapping & creating, etc.

So, instead of feeling swamped as in "I need to take a picture of this to post to my blog," or "I wonder what is up in blog land today," I’m just going to give myself a break. I'll be back after Christmas with posts on setting a vision for your life in 08, getting organized in the New Year, setting obtainable & fun goals for a happier & healthier YOU and a BIG LobotoME giveaway on DesignMOM the first week in January.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all you out there in blog land. I treasure the blogging friendships I’ve made in the last year and have learned so much from all of you. I hope your holidays are merry & bright!

{ i luv you samme }

photo by: Todd Newcomer