Germs, Germs, Go Away!

Photo credit: Alvimann from morguefile.com

This year is not starting off on a good note.  I haven't been able to work but ONE full day because of sickness.  Several of those days I took off to keep the boys out of the sitters because her kids were sick.  Apparently we didn't stay away long enough.  Now we've been fighting it for a week. 


It's a nasty evil stomach bug.  It took me out for two days but for the most part it has the boys up and down which is making it impossible to know when they're really over it.  Timmy was the first to have it and was back at school Monday but then yesterday he threw up at school so I THINK he's on a round two.  Today he seems ok.  Bryan has had it since Saturday but it's only eased slightly and was REALLY bad last night when he finally ate.  He just had some crackers and a banana so here's hoping he does ok.

How is YOUR year going so far?

Doing One Thing That Scares Me

Last week I put six goals for 2013 into writing to keep myself on track.  I'm happy to say that I've already taken the first step toward goal #6: Do One Thing That Scares Me.

In all my life, I've always been terrified of public speaking. As I've gotten older and had more varied experiences speaking in front of crowds I've found that I do much better speaking if I'm sharing someone else's writing.  But sharing my own writing is still in the make me want to vomit category.

But last year I sat in a theater and listened to many of my friends reading wonderful pieces on motherhood.  I saw the nerves, the joy and the community of the participates of Listen To Your Mother.  And I knew I wanted to audition a piece for 2013.  

I thought I knew the topic I wanted to create an audition piece for but the words never flowed to me.  But when the fabulous ladies of Listen To Your Mother: Chicago confirmed they'd be co-producing again in 2013, a different piece filled my thoughts from no where.  I wrote it all in one short airplane trip.  I did some mild editing on it and then sort of forgot about it until December when the official call for submissions for consideration came out.  I went back to the piece and it terrified me.  It's something I have written about here, it's something I talk about openly regularly but the idea of sharing such a raw piece myself in front of a room full of people...terrified.

As the reminders for the submission deadline came across my Facebook feed again and again I attempted to write a different piece. But it just wouldn't come.  So I asked an author friend (Author of Saving Grace) who's style I really love, if she had time to look at my piece yet before the deadline...now just a week away.  She kindly agreed.  Tonight I got back her feedback and before I could second guess myself, I took the courage her amazingly kind words about the piece gave me and I did it. I submitted a piece for consideration for Listen To Your Mother, Chicago.  Whether I'm reading or just listening, I WILL be at the show again this year.  But fingers cross I'll be able to take care of one of my goals while I'm there.  And hopefully without passing out or throwing up!

What will YOU do this year that scares you?

Goals for 2013

I've decided that I'm not doing resolutions.  They are looked at too casually as something to be declared and then given up by January 31st.  So instead I'm making a few GOALS for 2013. And then I hope to follow up in the next week or so with some plans to effectively reach those goals.

My Goals for 2013:

1. become a better mom.  Yes, I have fabulous friends who will tell me what a great mom I am.  I run myself ragged to get my kids to activities and I absolutely enjoy watching them take part in their activities.  But the truth is, in the day to day life, from the getting ready in the morning to  the getting to bed and literally all the moments in between some days, I suck at being a mom to three loud and active boys.  I don't have the patience or kindness I need to be a good mom anymore. I need to find that again and I need to do it NOW! This is absolutely my #1 priority for 2013.
2. rediscover my faith.  I know, some will say this should be #1 and the other will come, but it's my list, so I decide.  Things have been complicated with our church family and we haven't had a church home in awhile.  I need to find us one, even if it's just the boys and I for now.  I know I can't do this the right way without one.
3. continue my journey for better health. I did great the first half of 2012 but then life got messy and so did I.  I've gained way too much weight back.  But I'm going to focus on what I've learned, what I've proved to myself I am capable of and I'm going to get back on the horse!
4. be a better friend.  I have a lot of really great friends.  Social media, such as Facebook, allows me to connect with, share with and be inspired by so many fabulous people from all over the country and world.  But I'm not the best at staying connected one on one with people.  Despite knowing so many amazing people I never feel like I have someone to turn to at any time, day or night type of friend and I know this is all on me, these are my issues, and something I need to make an effort to work on.  I'm tired of feeling like I have no where to turn so often because I just feel like I'm bothering someone.
5. become a more intentional/organized blogger.  I have had a year full of amazing opportunities this year but somehow within that my traffic has actually dropped pretty badly over 2011.  This year I will be more focused and intentional with my objectives and direction.
6. do one thing that scares me!  Again I did well getting outside of my comfort zone for the first half of 2012 but then I got off track.  But I know that to fully feel alive I must continue to push myself.

Do you have personal goals for this year?  I would love to hear some of them.