My Version of Sugar Plums...

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Each year, I get a little giddy about the New Year. I've always been one that sort of relished change (if it was my own doing,) and anytime there is a opportunity for a fresh start, I typically get super excited about it. 

I've been toying with some ideas for 2015. I thought I might share some of them with you. But before I do, I happen to have a personal disclamier:

I, Nicole Thurston, realize that I make lots of plans that never come to fruition. However, if it is something I am passionate about, I will eventually get around to it. 

Now that we got that nonsense out of the way, I can focus on some ideas I have. For one, more writing. But not just any writing, something to be published, if nothing else for my eyes alone. I thought about pulling some of my drafts from here and developing some of the stories about life, love, and loss. I've spent the last year researching more ways to make a little money on my stories. For one, I'm writing for a local magazine, and was recently asked to write for a local newspaper. I'm making a little on the side there. I've been grant writing, but honestly, that is a slow type of hell that kills your soul. I subscribed to Poets & Writers last year and it is chock full of great ideas to submit essays and short stories. Who knows? Maybe I could win a buck or two. 

I finally took that pottery class this year, and yeah.. I'm glad that is out of my system. What I have come to realize is that I adore pottery, but it is a lot harder than it looks. Not my thing. However, how long have I toyed with a mix media idea or photography? Perhaps there will be an opportunity to find the perfect class for me. I've also wanted to take this two year course in photography since before 2000, and maybe... just maybe the opportunity may arise.

I need to move my body some more, and increase the healthy eating habits I have tried to adopt over the years. Though I have gotten better, I have a looooong way to go.

I'm glad I finally did the whole ballroom dance class. That turned out to be an excellent choice for me. Apparently dance is definitely where my talent lies... not with visual art. lol

I also need to work on my spirituality a little more. I have completely fallen off the wagon. I need to drawl closer to God. None of this is anything without that. 

I have a new relationship I want to grow and strengthen. I have an incredible guy who has chosen to spend his time with me. Sometimes I have to pinch myself, because it is going so well and he seems like a genuinely good man. So much incredible potential here. I want to see where this goes and do my best to be a great partner for him.

2015 is going to be full of surprises. Any year with the number 5 in it is always a lucky year for me - "5" is my lucky/favorite number. Three numbers in particular are always lucky for me: 5, 10, and 15. THIS is my year. I own that. 

Savor the Year

I started something new last night, I decided to capture the "good stuff." 

I originally got the idea from a pin on Pinterest.

This is where I got the idea...

 

 So last night, I grabbed my blue jar from Pier One and pulled a piece of paper from my Audrey Hepburn "to do" list pad and wrote down one really wonderful memory from yesterday.

Because... every day.. there is something good, right?

I challenge you to do this! Especially if you have kids. I think this would be a fantastic tradition for families. 

What you need:

1. Jar, shoebox, or other container
2. A pen
3. Post it note pad
4. Hot glue gun and items to decorate it with (optional)

What to do:

1. Each night select one good memory from the day
2. (option) Could be a ticket to an event or other memento from the day, versus writing something down.
3. Make sure to put the date on each entry
4. Fold and place in jar
5. Read on New Year's Eve 12/31/14 with your family

That easy!

I'm also participating in the 365 photos - one photo a day - and I will be posting them here and on Instagram. You can follow me at http://instagram.com/snicoleabdou

My word of the year is LIVE. By capturing my life in moments, I will savor what I set out to do!


 

WOW

One day people, just one day and I can feel the difference.
I'm talking about getting BACK in the gym.

I typically wake up with stiff shoulders. Every. Single. Morning. I made a point to get on the treadmill and fitness walk for about 30 minutes. (Did not want to over do it the first day.) Afterwards, I came home and did 45 minutes of Yoga from a great DVD that I have. Between the two - I feel fantastic! Honestly. That's a good thing.

That's the main thing I wanted to share. Let me clarify - I could care less if I lose weight. Wait.. I take that back, it would be AWESOME.. but I'm not going to worry about it. As long as I feel good, I'm good- you know?

I also feel super lucky on another front. I bought my dress for All That Jazz (the black tie fundraiser our museum is having on the 25th.) I like it a lot. Was marked down over 80% online - so I got a FANTASTIC deal. It will be here in 6 business days. Let's just hope it fits. (EEK.) I noticed in past pics that the women wore cocktail dresses and the men wore a tux. I did not want to go overboard, so I found something I think I can function in. Since I am the PR chick, I will have to do a ton of running around, this event in particular is sort of "My Event" since I am also the in-house fundraiser. We are over 1/2 way to our goal.. with table sales increasing every day. *sigh* Luckily, we sell balcony tickets for the concert (two major jazz headliners are coming to Macon- Phil Perry and Pieces of a Dream. We make a ton off of those tickets.) Sooo.. my dress.. simple, but can be completely jazzed (pun intended) up with jewelry and kick ass shoes. It's black, it has lots of lace and is has the kimono styled sleeves. Will probably come just below my knee. Good stuff.

Another goal I checked off the list - FRENCH lessons. That's right. I did it. I originally looked at private tutors, and I was a little leery of that route. I know you should not judge a book by it's cover, but sometimes, I think people should NOT put their picture with their bio. Then I debated taking university courses, BUT - I've already taken 6 French classes in college and did well, but I have forgotten most of it. I am NOT paying tuition prices. Sooo.. with the gentle nudge from a new friend that travels for a living and speaks other languages, she highly recommended Rosetta Stone. I went online to their site, tried the demo out, and did well and I actually liked it. I have to say, some of the phrases stuck with me this morning, so that is a really good sign. It's a little pricey, but I went for it and decided to do the 5 month payment plan. I ordered all five lessons and I am good to go. I did look on ebay, but I am so freaked out about buying from people, since I have known several people to get screwed on ebay.. and honestly, the prices were just a smidgen lower than Rosetta Stone, I just went with the company. At least with them I get a 6 month money back guarantee.

Now you might be asking, why French? What do I plan to do with this information? Well.....
1. I took French in High School and College, so I have a basic foundation.
2. My husband speaks French fluently, and Arabic, of course.
3. Arabic is turning out to be entirely too hard for me.
4. I want to be able to go to France, and freaking speak the language.
5. I have not given up on the Peace Corps idea. It will happen. One day.
6. Hell, why not? I don't have kids. I don't have pets. I have tons of free time. I love learning. So.. there you go.

And that's why.

Boy, I'm chatty Cathy this morning. I blame the Newman's Own extra bold K-cup I brewed this morning.

What I would love to know in closing, what steps have you taken to get your New Year's resolutions off the ground?