My 2015 Reading List

Every year, I make a reading goal.  Usually it's a number of books I want to read.  The past couple of years, I haven't met my goal.  I went from 50, to 45, to 40.  For 2014, my goal was 40.  I've read 14.... So, as the pattern shows, I'm not reading as much as I used to.  And that bothers me.  I've always been a reader.  A quick reader.  Lately, I've been concentrating on other things, such as scrapbooking.  And I'm a stay-at-home mom, so honestly, by the time I crawl into bed, I'm dead tired.  I read for maybe ten minutes and I'm falling asleep with my Kindle or book dropping onto my chest.  I want to make reading more of a priority in 2015.  That will mean heading to bed earlier.  That will mean reading more during the day when my girls are behaving enough for me to sneak in a chapter or two.  That will mean taking my book to school pick-up instead of playing Candy Crush for 20 minutes.  I want to read more non-fiction.  I want to read more faith-based books.  And, I found this list posted on a Kindle group that I follow.  As soon as I saw it, I immediately printed it out and stuck it into my planner.  This is my new goal for 2015.  There are 50 books here, so that's a lofty goal, but I'm going to try.  Even if it comes down to knocking out two checkmarks with one book.  I'm going to TRY not to do that, but we'll see how it goes.  I just want to enjoy reading again.  I think this list will help.  What's on your to-read list for 2015?

My Erin Condren Life Planner

I LOVE my Erin Condren Life Planner.  I first heard about them through the Studio Calico message boards.  As soon as I saw them and watched a few YouTube videos, I ordered one.  I have just received my THIRD planner and I'm excited to share with you how I plan to use it for 2015.  Here is my video of my planner and plans on how to utilize it to fit my needs.  Enjoy!

Please feel free to leave me any questions you might have!

Here is the Jennifer McGuire video I reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtS6qnSYUSA&list=UUIahNe1rImARk2cdLOpMfZg

Here is my Erin Condren referral link to receive $10.00 off your first order with them!
https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/sarahswann1007

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A while ago, I had decided to take on a new challenge for 2013.  It all started with these Handbooks that Studio Calico started designing (I don't think the chevron album is available anymore, but my eye is on that geotag one...another album is in the works in my mind for that).  I'm a sucker for an awesome album...and these are awesome.  They fit 6x8 page protectors, which is different and fun to work with when I need a break from 12x12 pages.  There are many different types of page protectors as well, which is an echo of Project Life.  I've actually seen quite a few people using these Handbooks for their Project Life albums.  Great examples are: Shanna Noel and Kelly Purkey.  Kelly is actually using a Snap Album, but it's the same idea.

For 2013, I decided to do a goal oriented album.  I got some page protectors (the full sized and one with three slots).  For the album, I am choosing 3 goals for each month of 2013.  I'm calling the album "3."  I'm not choosing crazy big goals, definitely goals that I can accomplish each month.  The basis of the album is that the full sized page will have my goals listed on it, while the 3 slotted page will hold the pictures of the goals being met.  I'll share the progress of the album here each month.  And with that, here is the album and January:

The cover.  The album is raw chipboard, so I spray painted it turquoise and used silver acrylic paint to paint and emphasize the chevron pattern.  Then, I added the 3 coaster that I had in my stash.

Cover page.

January's goals.

 I'm excited about this album and so far, it's going very well!  I already have February's goals page done and I'm close to getting two of them accomplished.

2013

Happy New Year everyone! 

2012 was a pretty amazing year and I'm so excited that 2013 is under way.  Now, let's talk Resolutions.  Most of us make them, right?  Most of us don't keep up with them either, right?  I'm definitely guilty of this one.  I'm a sucker for a "fresh start" each year and I love to make resolutions, so I will keep doing so.  I want to focus on making resolutions that I can stick to and that are achievable.

I Choose
Elise Blaha Cripe has a class up at Big Picture Classes called I Choose, which focuses on goal making and goal achieving.  I signed up immediately!  She has great videos talking about her successes and missteps in setting and reaching her goals.  So far, it's great and I'm excited to keep going with it.  If you need help in this area, I highly recommend the class.

My Resolutions
I took my time setting resolutions this year.  I wanted them to count.  I took time to reflect on what's important to me right now and what I want to really focus on in my life.  Here they are:

1.  Read the Bible in one year.
     My mother-in-law gave me a great women's devotional Bible last year for Christmas.  In it, is a reading guide to read the Bible in one year chronologically.  I love this idea!  I've never read the Bible with intention...only versus here and there in church.  I've always wanted to read it and this year, I'm doing it.  I want to understand what the Bible says, and I'm interested in knowing the message and how it will affect my life.  More thoughts on this and how it's going in another post later.

2.   BLOG MORE!  ;)
      I'm not a very good blogger - whew, there, I said it.  I have good intentions to blog and I wish I could be like the other bloggers that I stalk follow on a daily basis and have the coolest posts that I like to lose myself in.  I DO want to keep blogging, so I've set a goal to blog a MINIMUM of two times a week.  I already have a list of things I want to blog about, so hopefully I can keep up on this.

3.  Reach my goal weight.
     I know I can do this.  I've done it before.  I have 30 pounds to lose to reach my goal weight.  I just need to shut up and do it.  Or "Shut up and color," as my husband would say (Air Force term).  Interestingly, a Bible verse was quoted in church last week that touches on helping me reach this goal.  Again, more on that later.  Basically, I'd like to NOT make a weight-related resolution for 2014.

4.  Write in my journal more.
     I have a gorgeous journal that I write in sporadically.  I'd like to write in it more often and use it as a stress reliever when I need one.

5.  Be a better Key Spouse.
     This is an Air Force thing.  I'm a Key Spouse for my husband's squadron, which means I keep in touch with spouses and their needs.  I've let some of my responsibilities slide a little and I want to correct that.

6.  Meal plan better.
     I'm trying a new technique for meal planning to help take the stress out of it a bit.  So far, it's great and I'll share what I'm doing in another post soon.

7.  Read 40 books.
     I keep a running list of the books that I read each year.  In 2009 and 2010 I read close to 50 books each year.  For 2011 and 2012, it was 29 books exactly both years.  I want to get the number back up there.  The goal is 40!  Any suggestions?

So, there are my goals for 2013.  I'm excited to start on them and I'm very excited to see where 2013 is going to take us and what it has in store for our family.  Thanks for sticking with me and feel free to share any resolutions YOU have for 2013!