Taking Stock - January 2018

Welcome to my first 'Taking Stock' post for 2018. If you are new to Teacher by trade, Mother by nature (WELCOME) you can read all of my 'Taking Stock' posts HERE. Pip from Meet Me At Mike is the mastermind behind this series, so be sure to check out her blog. This is something I have been doing since I started blogging and will continue to do this year, hopefully with no 'breaks'! In a nutshell, it's simply taking a step back and 'taking stock' of what's currently happening in your life.

Here's what's been happening in the month of JANUARY...
Making: play dough for Master M
Cooking: dinner - Lasagne, Chicken Burgers and Bacon & Egg pie were on the menu this week
Drinking: lots of water
Reading: Spark Joy (again) - by Marie Kondo

Next read: I would love to read Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver - waiting for it to hit the shelves in NZ
Wanting: to get photo books printed this year - I'm on a mission!
Looking: forward to getting back into routine - work, playcentre and blogging - using my LBD planner to keep me organised

Playing: 10 pin bowling with M at home

Deciding: how much money I need to save each month for my England/Paris trip with my daughter
Wishing: all January babies a very Happy Birthday! Hope you have/had a wonderful day x
Enjoying: catching up and connecting with friends and family
Waiting: for quotes for our roof

Liking: a day spent at the beach with my family
Wondering: what to have for dinner this week...
Loving: Figgy & Co's Cleaning Paste - I deep cleaned our dining room chairs and they look brand new again (including under the padded seat) - Highly Recommend.

Buying: a new uniform, stationery, laptop and school bag for Miss B, who is off to High School this year.
Watching: Jane the Virgin on Netflix - I just finished watching all three seasons.
Next watch: Looking for recommendations...what are you watching? I definitely will be watching Season 4 of Jane the Virgin later in the year.
Hoping: my daughter has a great first week at High School

Needing: a fan on in my son's room - it's so hot and he keeps getting nose bleeds

Smelling: French Pear - in my home and in my car - it's my favourite scent

Wearing: my pjs on a lazy Sunday afternoon
Following: Peter Walsh's #31Days2GetOrganized challenge - I'm sharing my journey on my facebook page.
Noticing: my kids are getting taller...my 12 year old niece is even taller than me
Thinking: about what to get my daughter for her 13th birthday! Any suggestions welcome x
Sorting: out the playroom after 2 x Coffee Group catch ups last week - Order has been restored!

Getting: organised for my kid's birthdays (coming up in March)
Bookmarking: ideas for Master M's birthday party
Disliking: the humidity and apparently it's only going to get worse
Giggling: at the kid's facial expressions when we were taking selfies yesterday
Feeling: a little anxious about returning to work and my daughter starting High School next week.
Snacking: Sour Cream & Chives Potato chips

Celebrating: Master M's toilet training - he's been a trooper through it all. So proud of him

If you're not already following me on Social Media...you can find me on Facebook and Instagram.

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Now it's YOUR turn...

I'd love for you to tell me, what's been happening in YOUR world? How was JANUARY for you?
Choose three (or more) words from the list and 'take stock' in the comments below.


Read previous Sunday Share: Currently & Taking Stock posts


Have a wonderful week

Charlene

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ONE WORD 2018 - CONNECT

Hello 2018!

Today is the first blank page in your 365 page book, so make it a good one. 

For me, I'm kicking it off with my ONE WORD, and as you can see above, the word I have chosen for 2018 is CONNECT.

If you have been following me for a while, you will know I don't do resolutions, because I never seem to accomplish them, well I actually forget about them after a couple of months and don't think about them until the 30th/31st of December, when it's a bit late. That being said...I am going to give 'monthly goals' a go with my LBD planner. Keep scrolling to see my goals for January.

ONE WORD is becoming more popular because people find having a focus word, for the year ahead, helps them become more accountable for their behaviour and actions. It can be any word you like, something that you want to achieve throughout the year, whether it be 'play', 'simplify', 'encourage', 'believe' - choose a word that will work for YOU! 

Last year (2017), I chose 'BALANCE' - finding balance in life, my home, work, playcentre and most importantly, with my family. This is definitely ongoing for me - I have systems and strategies in place now and I don't feel as overwhelmed as I used to. In 2016 my 'One Word' was ENJOY - enjoy the little things, enjoy my home, enjoy my family, with my motto being 'Keep It Simple' and in 2015, I also chose the motto - Make it Happen. 

ONE WORD for 2018 - CONNECT 

What is this going to look like for me?

For the past couple of years, I have put a lot my energy into my home, especially with the KonMari method and decluttering etc, and now I feel I can move into the next phase, which is organisation. I want to organise my home and finally get the 'click' moment in each space - thus making me connect with my home - I will be sharing all of this with you, so watch this space. 

This year I also want to connect more with myself (self care, mind, body and soul), - I want to make ME a priority, right up there with my family, friends and my relationship. Connecting with work and playcentre are also on my list too. I want to connect with YOU, my readers, my followers, continue to share my journey, and hopefully inspire you along the way. 

I mentioned above I am giving 'monthly goals' a go. I will be using my LBD 'Flourish' planner and the LBD community to help me stay accountable. My goals were written with my one word -CONNECT- in mind, and I will continue to do this each month for the rest of the year. 

That's all from me...I am excited about the year ahead, I believe CONNECT is the perfect word for me at this moment in my life and I can't wait to share my journey with you. 

What is your ONE WORD for 2018?

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