Hello 2013

Today, I'm getting a headstart on 2013, there is no time to waste!

I did Pilates, found some healthy recipes, and gave myself a good talking to..

It's going to be a busy year ahead.and I can't wait, but I need to be just a little prepared.  I'll be working on building my little business, along with being more involved with my daughter's playgroup, also balancing school commitments and focussing on spending quality time with my kids during these early precious years.

In 2012 I really didn't find a balance at all, and in particular didn't take care of myself, as all of the above took priority.

So, this year, I'll be making some changes, so that I can give more to my family, and have more energy to deal with whatever the year has to bring.

No New Years Resolutions, just positive thoughts backed up with actions

I can't control what the year may bring, but I can control how I approach it.

Do you have any tips for me on finding that balance?

Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year, and thanking you for your kind words throughout the year, it really means alot to have your support.  I hope to see you on the flipside of 2012!

xSam

Grateful for Family Closeby

Grateful for family who live fairly close...

Close enough for most of the family to spend Christmas together..

At the beach

..and in the bush.

Although a couple of little roadtrips were involved, I'm well aware that many people are separated from their families by much longer distances, work commitments, expensive plane trips, and other circumstances, making it difficult to get together. 

This year, our trip was just far enough for us to stay a couple of nights and spend genuine quality time with both sides of the family, to reconnect, cook together, laugh, eat, drink and swim.

What a relaxing time we had..and I realised we could be doing this more often, just a short drive..and so worth it.  The kids enjoyed so much hanging out with their cousins, and over Christmas I realised I need to make more of an effort to keep all family connections strong.

Joining in with lots of lovely people over at Village Voices for the final 2012 52 Weeks of Grateful.

xSam

Grateful for Lovely Messages

"May the spirit of Christmas

 warm your heart

May the joy of Christmas 

give  you happiness

And may the message of Christmas 

stay with you through the New Year"

I'm grateful to have been given a lovely handmade card from a beautiful friend with this message on it this week. 

Over the next week I still have some serious work to do..

4 presents to buy

last minute orders to send out 

A hair appointment to make

Cards to write and send out

Carols by candlelight to be attended

Baking of biccies and rumballs

A few handmade gifts to sew

Doing Christmas craft with the kids

..and somehow deal with tantrums, tears and 

"what are we doing today"s in between! 

I'll admit, I'm not so organised this year..

and with school holidays having just started,

I'm sure I'll need to read that card over and over!

How are you approaching this coming week? 

Joining in with 52 Weeks of Grateful over at Village Voices

xSam

Grateful for Simplicity

I've made a few changes to my blog.

Stripped it back a little,

changed the name,

but it's still me.

It's a little raw, I know..

Things have been rather hectic lately,

So a little simplicity is in order.

Inspiration will come..in time.

These things can never be rushed.

Grateful for simplicity.

Hope you're finding some simplicity
during this hectic time of the year

Joining in with 52 weeks of grateful over at Village Voices

xSam

A Little Store Has Opened - Not Taking Over The World or Anything

I can't quite remember when or how the idea came to me, but sometime earlier this year, an idea planted itself in my heart..the idea of an online gifts and homewares store, with handmade and locally made products.. I wasn't looking to take over the world or anything, just be able to pay some bills and be at home for kids.

What a ride the last six months have been...but we're finally Open!

As I mentioned, not looking to take over the world, just to be able to pay some bills, and be at home for the kids.  I'm finding added bonuses though - I'm enjoying the work, meeting lots of lovely people, and the feel good factor of supporting other local businesses.

It can be a harsh, competitive world, this commercial one, but I'm not getting drawn into all of that, just taking each day as it comes, not overly worrying about what others are doing, just focussing on what I can give.

I'm looking for more handmade products too, maybe you'd like to see your handmade things in my store, or you might know of a great locally made product that is looking for more stockists..I'd love to hear from you!  Check it out here, and see what you think..Oh and we're running an Opening Sale with 15% off this week only, feel free to share with your friends.

Hope your week is kind to you!

xSam

Grateful for Keeping Calm

This pic sums up how my week went down.

Someone let me down BIGTIME. 

 After I got over the initial shock and dissappointment, I decided to move on as quickly as possible to find a solution, there was no time to waste.

Grateful for being able to keep a calm head in a challenging situation.

Grateful for a husband who is supportive and believes in me.

Grateful for family and friends who showed they cared, and jumped in with offers of help and support.

Grateful for an inner strength, and perspective on this situation, it is not the end of the world, just a stumbling block to be overcome, and probably will work out for the best in the longrun.

What are you grateful for this week?

Joining in with Maxabella Loves over at 52 weeks of Grateful, why not grab a cuppa and pop over there!

xSam

Grateful

Grateful for Minimalism, Op Shops, & Clever People!

Look what I made!! Ok, technically I didn't actually make it, but an unknown clever and patient person did, and I am so very grateful for it!

As mentioned in my previous post, we went camping last week, but I think I forgot to mention that come night time, it was freezing! Oh yes, and the tent we bought last summer..not so good in the cold weather.  But mostly, due to my husband's minimalist approach (to everything) and a complete lack of room in the car, we didn't take enough blankets, so I certainly froze my tooshy off that first night, ending up with an extra 2 layers of clothes on.  As luck would have it, the nearest town was but a fifteen minute drive away, so off we went the next morning (my sister-and-law and I), on a mission to gather warm blankets for the remaining two nights of our camping trip (chocolate too, along with water, bread and other stuff you're supposed to take along apparently).

Within about one minute of entering the town's local op shop, I snapped up a couple of handy beige flannel blankets, but when my sister-in-law pointed out this crochet one, I have to admit, I hesitated at first.  I've had all intentions of crocheting one myself, did I really want to buy one someone else made?  Hmmph, who was I kidding? I'm still struggling to finish a granny square cushion I started at the beginning of winter!  Needless to say I relented, and purchased the piece of snuggly, retro goodness, glad I did too, it is lovely to snuggle under with my first coffee in the morning, the kids adore it too.

Even though some other clever, patient person crocheted the blanket (thankyou whoever you are), it no longer feels like someone else's blanket.  The smell of campfire has replaced the smell of mothballs (can't bring myself to wash it yet, plus I have enough washing to do as it is at the moment), and there's memories in there too, stories, from our wonderful camping trip. Oh, and I will make one of my own..one day!

What are you grateful for this week?

Joining in with Maxabella over at Kidspot for 52 Weeks Of Grateful

xSam