Happier in my life 2014

This month for my online book club, we read Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin. I already blogged about her first book last year, The Happiness Project, when she inspired me to start some resolutions that I did not keep-shame shame.  This year, I got to read her second book, where she runs a nine month experiment to create happier surroundings.  More inspiration!  Join From Left to Write on January 6 as we discuss Happier at Home.  You can also chat live with Gretchen Rubin on January 7 on Facebook.  As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes. However, I have decided NOT to keep resolutions this year.  I have my "word" for the year *ACTIVE*, but instead, I will make some lifestyle changes...slowly...and add on as the year progresses...here are some my ideas and tips!

*Tip #1 Always make new changes with another person!
Starting this month, I will drink my 8 glasses of water a day and add more exercise-I plan to work out with a friend. The BEST way to stay on track!  I made it through 4 straight months of 5:30 AM exercise classes because I had a friend waiting for me. Then, fall and school and homework and theater took over our family life. BUT, the good news is that we are planning to start up and I have already reserved a spot in the kickboxing class I tried for a couple week last fall with my neighbor!  I also do a daily exercise thing with a co-worker. It's one of those monthly plans for sits ups and squats. We both have it on our phones and we stay on track that way.  We check in daily together!
 Also, I plan to slowly change my diet. I am that mom who serves her kids chicken nuggets and mac and cheese in the blue box (mom confession #423).  Joe and I went to Trader Joe's today and stocked up on whole wheat pasta, chia seeds, veggies, steel cut oatmeal, etc...ready to start our Real Food Challenge tomorrow. I boxed up lots of processed food we had in the pantry and stuck it in the garage. We're doing this together!  Spencer is planning to try it, too.  I will have a super hard time cutting out white bread-so I bought some whole grain crackers and will eat that instead of bread for my lunches.

*#2  Be reasonable in expectations.  I have stacks of photos and even more thousands of photos on my computer that I need to print or archive someway.  I made a resolution to catch up on my scrapbooks last year. Progress...zilch.  But I am stealing Gretchen Rubin's suggestions and giving myself 15 minutes daily to work on my photos and memory sorting.  Will time myself and stop after 15 minutes.  I will make slow progress, but slow progress is better than none.  Right?!

*#3 Don't add too many expectations for yourself.  I would like to change many things, but the truth is, I am a busy full time mama with a full time teaching job.  I take work home. I carpool. I have bunco nights monthly (yay!).  I try to schedule date time with Joe.  My life is busy and full. I can't make many big changes.  So, I will go slow...add something slowly.  Like drink my 8 glasses of water daily, give up soda, keep on my cleaning plan...but not big things. Can't. Not now anyway.  And that's OK.

It's January 5. I haven't had any glasses of water yet today, drank a coke, skipped breakfast...but it's OK, tomorrow will be better.  Wish me luck!

*ACTIVE*

One word...I do this every year....and like practically every other person who does this...forget to focus on this by February 1.  But, once again, here I go.
*My word this year is ACTIVE.  Yes, active in activity-gym, running, etc...isn't that everyone's wish for the New Year??  We have a beach trip planned for Spring Break, so I have less than 4 months to get ready to wear my bathing suit for a week.

But also, ACTIVE in life...want to work on my photography, organize my photos (stealing the 15 minutes a day idea from Happier At Home by Gretchen Rubin-blog post on that coming soon), play with my kids, ride our bikes together, work on our diet (hello clean eating...starting Jan. 6!).

I will also try to be more active on this blog, too. I stopped writing for my online book club because life was crazy this fall.  However, I know I can make the time. Reading is so important to me, and I did not read as much as I should have this fall.  I challenged my class to read 3 chapter breaks over this winter break.  I am finishing book three sometime today!  Whoo-hoo! Can't wait to see how they did!
So...that's my word for the year. I promise to keep you updated on how I am doing with it.  Do YOU have a word for the year??

Leaving my family readers with some recent family pics.  The first is from Christmas Eve with my side of the family! The second is from a pumpkin patch trip, and the last one is Spencer & Joe's first time in a show together-Christmas Carol!  They had a blast!