Little Resolution #2 - Journal a thought or two daily

Whether you are a grandma, a mama or a girl just living the good life, keeping a journal about your days is a timeless gift…not just for those who read it in the many years to follow, but also for yourself as a reflection piece of the person you were to the person you have become.  When I was pregnant with my first baby, I kept a journal that is a reflection of prayer, excitement and nervousness.  It’s funny to read of all the things I worried about with having a new baby…all new mommies do I’m sure.  Sadly, I didn’t journal everyday but the pages I do have are priceless memories.  Also during my pregnancy, my grandfather fell ill and I was able to share my feelings and the stories and conversations we had during his last days.  With so much going on at the time, if this would not have been written down, there would have been no way for me to remember…not with pregnancy brain!

My friend who is in school right now and given an assignment to do a sketch everyday for her art class…so I was thinking, on the days where a story doesn’t come to mind and I just don’t feel the love…maybe a stick figured doodle will do!  

Picture source from Parker Quinn Ink (1945) Advertisment

Little Resolutions to make a change - #1 Hand Written Letters and Notes

I am completely a resolution-type person.  Any reason to make myself better, as a mom, a friend, or generally as a person, sounds good to me.  And since I seem to enjoy a good challenge…I seem to strive for more than one resolution.  Like so many others, I believe the beginning of the New Year is a great time to start, but really I find myself making new resolutions all throughout the year (sometimes even restarting J). 

So there’s common ‘biggie’ resolutions such as weight loss (which I need to do), getting organized (need to do that too), and smoking (which thankfully, have never needed to do) but what about the little ones that really can change your life and maybe even impact the lives of others.  Prior to the end of last year, I began to think of the little these things.  And by no means are these earth quaking or earth shattering things, but maybe they can produce a little happiness, or a smile, or who knows…maybe world peace!!  So here are some simple ‘little’ resolutions I plan to follow…

Little Resolution #1 – Hand Written Letters and Notes

Write more notes and letters – Remember the Post Office???  Remember those cute stamped letters that came in the mail?  For me, the personal handwritten envelope is the first item ripped opened...always.  In fact, our mailbox has become largely just a junkmail-only receptacle as much of the important information comes straight to email, making wasted and unorganized, unfiled paper a thing of the past.

So this year, I vow to bring back the lost art of letter writing!!  This rebirth started at Christmas when the kids gave the gift of stationary and stamps to theirs grandmas and aunties.  Surprisingly, it was not that easy finding these stationary packs. My local Hallmark store did not have stationary packs and when I did find them at my beloved Target store, I bought the last four packs.  (Perhaps to time of the year had something to do with it too?) Regardless, this is a great way for the kids to practice their writing and have a memento to cherish from the loved ones about the days we live today...Such a Loaded Gift!!

Clean Smiles love Paper Napkins!

I was getting little touches done around the house today in preparation of the upcoming Big Turkey Holiday, when I came across a little collection I had forgotten about...Paper Napkins.  Ironically, I LOVE paper napkins!  In fact, unopened assorted packages from estate sales are stacked in my pantry!!  It's funny how you love something and have no memory of how your obsession or collection began and then, "whaalaa", there it is...the person, or reason, it all started!  For me, it was my Grandma, with whom I share this secret obsession.  Shortly after we moved her from her home, I somehow took ownership of a large bag of assorted paper lovelies. Since there was so much emotion, not to mention chaos at the time, I'm only glad these little treasures didn't become a landfill addition!!  They are not worth much, not even the paper they are printed on LOL...but they are priceless to me.  Since grandma came from such humble beginnings, these little pieces were something pretty, and inexpensive, to help create holiday cheer.  That's why I like them too.  

     

However priceless these festive papers are, I'm in the mood to trim my extensive collection(s). So this year, I'm sharing my obsession (our obsession) and I'm putting these out for friends and family to enjoy too.   Not to worry, I've kept one of each of these for my beloved scrapbooking, a little treasured memento!  It's funny how just little simple pleasures can bring cheer to a holiday and bring on a smile too...and in this case...it'll be a clean one! :)

"Thanksgiving...the golden time of year when hearts are happier, joys are deeper, and blessings are rich and abundant"  the Napkin

We got Mail!!

I love this new little dearly discarded conversion into something reusable new...

To somewhat conceal our unsightly downstairs electric panels, I placed an old schoolhouse chalkboard over them.  Immediately the kids loved this idea as they quickly started using it as a menu board for their adjoining restaurant play kitchen (who knew??).  Unfortunately, the giant chalk pieces and erasures proved to be more on the accidental side just laying around on the floor...here was a quick, and I must say, cute solution.  I found this great little mailbox, sanded paint off the embossed edges and polished it up...no more mess and such a cute universal toy for the kiddos.  And get this...Gracie enjoys using it as a mailbox too (again, who knew?)  I love not having grinded chalk in the carpet and can now enjoy some pretend Vechbol Sop (Kindergarteners Vegetable Soup)