by Nicole | Dec 31, 2014 | Holidays, Life, Past Blog, Personal
Whew, this thing is dusty! Time to get back in the swing of things…
So, here we are. December 31. Tomorrow, 2015 begins. Can you even believe it? For much of the globe it’s already 2015, but Indianapolis has about 8 hours left of this year. Looking back, it was pretty low-key for me. I’m happy, I’m healthy, and I’m ready to begin another great year.
This will be a big year for me; I can just feel it! Not only do I plan to buy a house with my sweetie, I hope to finally get closer to finishing the novel I’ve started (and restarted several times) this year. Speaking of…
Obligatory New Years “Resolutions”
I’d rather call them goals. Goals are dreams with deadlines, right?
- Finish saving the down payment and purchase our first home.
- Keep working on and (attempt to) finish my first novel. (Oh, and obviously blog more.)
- Work harder on my health and fitness – more yoga!
- Be more considerate of others when making decisions.
- Read at least two books per month.
I think this is a good start. Each of these will make me a better person and help me have a better life, so that is why I’m calling them goals instead of resolutions. The whole resolutions thing to me is hard to follow through with because there’s no accountability. Sure, for the first few weeks we’ll be on fire to stay committed to the resolutions we make today. But then the magic of starting a new year fades away and face it, it’s just another day, another week, another month, and another year gone by. We fall back into our old habits. At least, I know I do.
I’m ready to change that this year. I’m ready to start my 31st year on this planet and make the most of it by working on myself. I want to be a better person, and I’m the only one who can make that happen. So, this list of goals is my attempt to keep myself in check. I’ve set deadlines for numbers 1, 2, and 5. For 3 and 4, I’ll start small and keep it at the forefront of my mind and make them a part of my daily routine.
What are your goals for 2015? How do you plan to carry them out? Share in the comments and let’s help each other make this be the best year yet!
Happy New Year, everyone!
by Nicole | Oct 14, 2012 | Holidays, Journals
Autumn has finally arrived!
This is my favorite time of year, by far. The air is crisp, the leaves are beginning to change colors and fall, pumpkin patches are going to be thriving in no time. It’s time to celebrate! It’s time for bonfires with friends, curling up with your favorite book by the fire, and saying farewell to the warmer months.
While I’m sad to see summer go, I’m happy to welcome fall with open arms. It’s time for the Earth to begin her slumber for the winter months… and the process is absolutely breathtaking. I love to take drives through the all-American neighborhoods in my area and witness first-hand the change of the seasons. From the leaves falling gracefully to the ground below to the fresh chill in the air, the autumn months are easily my favorite time of year.
Here are some of the reasons why I’m a big fan of autumn:
– Mother Nature is at her finest.
The leaves changing colors at my dad’s place, “Little Pine.”
One of my favorite things about fall is taking a trip to my dad’s and taking photos of his property. He has a gorgeous place, and while summer there is beautiful, fall is absolutely breathtaking. The photo above is from a few years ago, early in the morning.
– It’s time for fall fashion!
Scarves. A girl can never have enough to get her through the days of fall!
I am so not fashionable, but I love a good ‘scarf and warm boots’ combo! I cannot get enough of earth tones – maybe that’s the hippie-boho chick inside me, but there’s something extra special about fall fashion. Scarves are my favorite fall accessory, but when the weather gets a little colder, I love to break out the mittens and hats and enjoy the crisp weather. I also enjoy curling up beside the fire with my sweetie or a good book.
– Having my favorite fall drink.
Hot cider or chai to warm your bones on those chilly nights.
Whatever your beverage of choice may be, you have to appreciate something warm, sweet, and spicy. I’m a Starbucks addict, and if you are too… you should try a Spiced Apple Cider with a splash of chai tea. It’s perfect for a nice fall evening!
– Visiting the pumpkin patch.
Strolling through the local pumpkin patch.
Going to the pumpkin patch is a ritual all children should experience. Hell, I’m almost 30, and fall is not quite the same unless I take a walk through one. The air, the colors, the pumpkins… this is an essential trip to take during the fall months.
What does fall mean to you, and what are your favorite things about the season? Please share in the comments below!
(Featured Image photo found on http://tumblr.com.
Other photo credits: thegloss.com, Google image searches for Fall)
