choose :: February update

It's now mid-March and whilst I'm behind on my blogging, I'm not behind on my goals and goal setting.

In February, I became a godmother and love it. As I held that baby girl and kissed her sweet cheeks, life was good and time sat still for just a moment. For the first time ever, I wasn't scared of breaking the baby; it felt natural and easy and perfect!

I achieved all my goals for February and that makes me happy. I made a baby quilt which I'm proud of (more on that to come), as well as the most adorable and cutest baby tunic (much thanks to the fabric choice!). And I accepted the greyness; that really was key to making the most of February.

I find myself more and more thinking about my choices; the daily power of my choices and their consequences. Who I want to be in my choices. It's a good feeling and I like how it's helping me become a better person.

February goals

Starting February in Barcelona was a great choice! We had sunshine, quality time with dear friends and superb food.

Planning monthly goals when one is happy and surrounded by blue skies is such an easy task. Life is smiling at you and you know it. Inspiration just flows!

:: choose to accept these grey skies of ours and be happy.
:: start and finish a happy baby quilt for my god-daughter.
:: start and finish a mini baby tunic for my god-daughter.

As I look at this list thinking how small it looks, I realise how larger than itself it really is. It’s the little things... the little things that make life huge.

choose :: January update

January has been a wet month in Oxfordshire. We had (and still have) grey skies and rain, lots of it, and floods. All of the above ask for indoor time, with tea and cookies; or ice cream under a blanket while watching Breaking Bad. We’ve also had Barcelona and blue skies and a good relaxing break. So much can fit in a month, hey?

I have thought a lot about my one little word – choose – and what to make of it. There were times when I paused and took a deep breath and made a different choice; and there were times when I didn’t. But I always thought about it! I’ll count that as progress, if I may.

I had been reviewing this space only to realise I don’t have to. This blog is evolving naturally and I write about what makes sense to me when it makes sense (or when I can, but that’s a different story). I write about things that are important to me right now, in a variety of ways; hopefully, some of it can amuse/be helpful to someone else.

Project Life; no need to plan my approach, it sort of planned itself. I still need to finish last year’s and haven’t done anything this year… guess I’ll be documenting it monthly then. Solution found! 

Wet January, there have been a lot of good things in you!

January goals

Goal setting was a major thing for me last year, so I'm really excited about doing it again in 2014*. Yay!

To start me off well with my one little word - choose - I've been considering it more this month and really appreciate all it means to me at the beginning of the year. I also want to have a rough plan to my year in terms of my business with my brother, as well as think about this blog and my online presence.

:: absorb choose and all its potential as my word for 2014.

:: plan my business year with Little Brother.

:: review this blog, its content, and direction.

:: plan my Project Life approach for the year.

I am excited about my goals for January, very excited. And I'm excited about having another one little word to guide me through.

Little disclaimer:  Whilst this post is only coming out at the end January, my goals for the month have been decided in late December and I have been working towards them.

* If you'd like to know how I've addressed monthly goals in 2013 and get a few tips on how you can do it this year, you can read my monthly contribution to Fe-line here.

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You can read all my 2013 monthly goals posts here, my change :: one little word posts here, and my choose :: one little word here.

2014 in dreams and goals

I have goals for 2014. I do. And I have dreams and plans and hopes which will carry on past 2014 and into the rest of life. Some will come true, others maybe not, others yet I may forget along the way. Such is life. It all changes, always, slowly and yet so fast you can barely grab a moment.

In addition to my monthly goal setting, which I will be keeping in 2014, I also want to set goals for the year, embracing my dreams and one little word - choose. 

:: Guiva. Make our dream business a reality.

:: Run a half-marathon this Spring and run the Lisbon Half-Marathon in the Autumn.

:: Embrace my role as a godmother and finally learn how to hold a newborn. 

:: Keep in touch with dear friends.

:: Reconnect with my camera and let my lens capture what my eyes see.

:: Be happy.

As you can see, my plans for the year are a blend of dreams, goals and aspirations which are making my heart tick and my eyes smile. 

change :: December update

December was filled with good things, the kind of things that warm you up inside and make you feel happy. There was time in Portugal and family time. We were all there and that is the most priceless thing of 2013 - we were all there.

As far as my goals go, I haven't yet finished my Project Life album. I love this project and am working up a way to keep it up in 2014, but... I have a few weeks to complete of last year. I can live with that. For the rest, whilst I did manage not to check the internet in bed I didn't keep it up this year and I really want to; work in progress there. And last but not least, I absolutely did make the most of being home, oh yeah!

This was my December, fast and slow, happy and full!

December goals

It's December and I'm over the moon with the fact I made it through the year with my one little word and monthly goals. Absolutely ecstatic! I am proud of myself and I'm so very happy I made it. As the year comes to an end, I look back at all that's been and can't quite believe it all fitted in these incredibly fast paced 12 months. I'm sure only yesterday was January and I was home surprising Dad on his birthday.

I have goals for December which extend (just a little bit) beyond enjoying Christmas and the ever so comforting family time. I also have little dreams and big dreams. And I have this incredible changed view on change... sometimes, it's actually nice.

:: not check the internet in bed; it's so comfy there, just enjoy that!
:: finish my Project Life album. I so love this project!
:: embrace the season and make the most of being home.

This is my last monthly goals post of the year. I will write the December :: update and a review on the series possibly at the end of the year. I'm still not sure how I will do my goals for 2014, I just know I will do something. I love it and it gives me focus!

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

change :: November update

November was a good month and I can't help but be in awe of it. If I had to pick the most bland or boo for no reason month, I'd very likely say November. The days are short and there's still a long way to go until Christmas. It's cold and you're surrounded by Christmas adverts. Yep, poor November has the worst bits of December and none of its major points. Yet, November was good and I embraced it. I felt at home!

Michael's Mum visited in November. It was good to get to know her better and spend time with her. It was lovely to have a guest to pamper and be a hostess for. It was delightful to hear about Michael's children days... there's nothing quite like an embarrassing childhood story to makes us see how similar we are!

I also became an official contributor to Fe-line; you can read my first post here! It's all about cool places to sample Brazilian and Portuguese food in Oxford. I hope you enjoy it and, given the opportunity, get to sample all those places when you visit.

I did finish my little birds cardi... as knitting goes. I now need to find buttons for it and block it. Can't wait to wear it! And can't wait to photograph it and show it here. I have largely planned the baby quilt for my cousin and know exactly what I want; if only the fabric could magically appear in my stash, that would be fab! I haven't checked, but I think I did write here twice a week; not more, but at least that. That's how habits are made, surely ;)

November goals

November is chestnut month in Portugal, or that’s how I think of it anyway. We roast the chestnuts with sea salt and do magustos throughout the month; it’s one of my favourite winter childhood memories and one which warms me in this cold. It's funny how memories have that power, isn't it?

I can't quite believe we're almost through this year. Like never before, I think time just flew me by and yet as I look back, so much has happened during these 11 months. The main thing for me has been my approach to change and what I ask of November is that it gives me some tranquility, in the present and in the future.

:: finish the little birds red cardi.
:: plan a baby quilt for my new cousin.
:: write here at least twice a week.

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

change :: October update

Little brother has turned 30; I have been the luckiest sister for 30 years and really think Mum and Dad gave me the best present ever – my brother!

I have settled into our new home and feel I’ve always lived here. There are still things to do and bits and pieces to add, but it’s a home, our home, and it feels just like it.

I’ve sewn three cushions for the house and have plans for a few more things, little touches of comfy colour.

I’ve knitted four gifts, two of which are with the new owners and the other two are wrapped to be gifted.

October was a good month filled with the beautiful colours of autumn and the amazing Portuguese sunshine.

October goals

October gave me a new home; on the first of the month, Michael and I moved into our cute little cottage like house, with a lovely green-filled back garden and inherited house plants. I have been happy… and busy. So busy, it’s almost mid-October before I get the goals’ post out of the door; they’ve been in my head since September, I know what I want from this month and its autumnal gentleness, I just had to write it down.

In January I embraced change. In February I created change. In March I somewhat learned to deal with change. In April I accepted change. In May I (let myself) enjoy change. In June I settled in the change. In July I ignored change. In August I lived with change. In September I made it through change.In September, I made it through change. In October, I want to appreciate change.

:: celebrate Little Brother’s birthday.
:: sew for our new home.
:: knit four gifts (one down, three to go)

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

change :: September update

If anyone has seen September, please send it my way as I missed it altogether. Blimey, this was a fast month. As I'm writing this post, I go through previous ones and it seems this whole year is flying by; that said, I'm pretty convinced I barely had a chance to blink and September was gone.

September was my last month at my favourite house in Oxford. My previous house (I have since moved out) was the cutest and most charming Victorian house, filled with period features that ranged from wonderfully tall sachet windows to white wood and glass kitchen cupboards. And let us not forget those heavy wooden doors... how I loved those doors. My room had the most beautiful golden light coming in and a charming white fireplace. I loved it, I absolutely loved it all.

September taught me to move on from things you love to embrace things you will love more. What a valuable lesson that was. I am now busy unpacking at our oh so very cute little cottage.. yep, Michael and I have moved in together.

I have kept calm, for the most part. I have been as calm as I could have hoped for and a bit more, in the face of boxes and more boxes and having far too much stuff and... well, growing up a little bit. I didn't run 15k. Things started off promising, but a cold threw me off track and not even my running buddy's best intentions helped. It's ok though... there's always October and November and so on, if I want to go anywhere near running a half marathon next Spring.

May the force be with you...

September goals

The second half of the year really starts in September for me. Too many years of formal education can have this effect on people. It’s good to see it as a second start with a close-to-reach end. September is also just that month sandwiched between my two favourite months, August and October. It’s when my beloved summer goes and the beautifully coloured Autumn arrives, but not fully; however nostalgic I may be for the end of summer (or August, more specifically!), I am determined to enjoy this no man land of a month.

In January I embraced change. In February I created change. In March I somewhat learned to deal with change. In April I accepted change. In May I (let myself) enjoy change. In June, I settled in the change. In July, I ignored change. In August, I lived with change. In September I would like to make it through change.

:: keep calm.
:: run 15k.

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

change :: August update

I loved August. Much more than I could ever have hoped I would. Much more than I dreamt I would. So much changed in August and I barely noticed; most of these changes were little things, the same small things that really make a difference. And some were big.

I was home for a few days over my birthday. I am now 33 and a few days and all I can say is: things do change, but more on that later! Home was amazing. Michael came home with me, met everyone and enjoyed Porto. We had a wonderful time there and I truly made the most of my time at home. I spent time with my parents, as well as time just with Mum and time just with Dad. I spent time with Little Brother. I squeezed the cats and saw the family. I ate; oh my, did I eat! I was a tourist in my hometown to show Michael how great the place is. He agrees! Job done!

In making the most of my time at home, I also enjoyed life, really, the full of it. And it stayed with me throughout the month; for my second birthday party, with my friends and family in the UK; for my unplanned blog break; for my chilled bank holiday weekend; on my cycling commute; on my knitting; on my morning runs.

August, you were pure love!

August goals

My birthday month - August. If I were to have a favourite month, it would be August. I was born a month earlier and I'm pretty sure it was because the outside just looked too good to be missing out on! There's summer and magic light evenings and somehow the glow-y promise of new beginnings so far along the year.

In January I embraced change. In February I created change. In March I somewhat learned to deal with change. In April I accepted change. In May I (let myself) enjoy change. In June, I settled in the change. In July, I ignored change. In August, I want to live with change.

The only two things I want to achieve in August are to enjoy life, really, the full of it, and make the most of my time at home.

So simple and yet I can't think of anything more important than those two little things.

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

change :: July update

July brought an unexpected summer, in more ways than one. This was a full and happy sunny month and more than just my goals, I’m grateful for it all.

Once again, I achieved what I set myself out to do and the feeling is so good I’m addicted to it! I did run 13K, even if I became a pathetic Joey waving her arms randomly in the air screaming she couldn’t it for the last 100m until she cross that line; oh if only one could see oneself on these occasions, one would have endless hours of fun. I did adhere to a photographic project, albeit not a very intensive one, but one which gives me the time and flexibility I need right now to reconnect with my beloved D90. And the pièce the resistance… I have sewn my first ever garment – a tunic. I will dedicate a full post to it as soon as I get some decent photos of it, but here’s a sneak peak photo.

In case you’re wondering, I have also been quite cheerful this month… it was easy! Unexpected summers, literal and otherwise have this effect on me.

July goals

July means second half of the year. How quick was that? July is also the month before my birthday. I long for the beach and the smell of sweet salted skin after a swim in the sea! Oh July, you'll always be holiday time for me!

In January I embraced change. In February I created change. In March I somewhat learned to deal with change. In April I accepted change. In May I (let myself) enjoy change. In June, I settled in the change. In July, I want to ignore change.

:: be cheerful

:: sew my first ever piece of clothing

:: run 13k

:: embrace a photography project

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

June goals

June is here and I can’t quite believe how fast this year is going. Really! I’m fond of June, always have been. Not sure why and all I can think of is Children’s Day and Mum giving me yet another book of my choosing then (all the way to my late twenties, thank you, Mother!). Things have changed a fair bit since then, but June still has a sweet taste to me. 

In January I embraced change. In February I created change. In March I somewhat learned to deal with change. In April I accepted change. In May I (let myself) enjoy change. In June, I want to settle in the change.

:: be kind

:: run 10k

:: create a photo workflow system which works for me

:: plan holiday breaks

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

May goals

A major life change and two bank holidays are May’s gifts to me. I like gifts and I do my best to appreciate every single one I get. With a bit of luck, May would also give me a good place to enjoy said life change, but that may be pushing it.

It’s now the fifth month for which I write goals and I’m still loving it. In fact, I love it more now, because on top of the excitement for the idea I can see the positive results of monthly goals and having one little word to work with.

In January I embraced change. In February I created change. In March I somewhat learned to deal with change. In April I accepted change. In May, I want to enjoy change.

:: be sweet

:: run 8k

:: finish a new product design

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

April goals

I'm looking forward to April. The fourth month of the year brings me a trip to Portugal, the tracing of a path I'll have to walk, a few online courses from Jackie Rueda and more daylight (sunny or otherwise). 

I'm enjoying the focus I have in 2013 and I'm enjoying the journey that comes with having one little word. Most of all, I am enjoying the reflective moments that come when writing these posts and the pleasure of photo editing for it. Oddly, this reminds me of a university professor which used to say that more than loving our topic, we had to love the method of researching our topic (I studied Marine Biology) because ultimately that was the thing we would be doing day in and day out. How true!

In January I embraced change. In February I created change. In March I somewhat learned to deal with change. In April, I want to accept change.

:: to believe

:: use my Nikon camera at least twice a week

:: run 6.5k
:: cook three new recipes from a cookbook

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.