Happy New Year

Well, I have decided NOT to make a silly list of resolutions this year. Why you ask? Well, every year I make this silly little (or not so little) list of things that I want to do or accomplish or change and they always go to the wayside. AND every year the list is always the same. Eat better, exercise, lose weight, get organized, save money, spend less, spend more time with my family....blah blah blah. Not that I don't want to accomplish these things, but I don't think that the beginning of the year is anything special compared to the rest of the year.

So....this year I've decided to set some GOALS for myself. These goals are nothing special, just some things that I would like to do. The 1st goal is to pay off our debt. Thanks to a special someone in my life I found a program that guides you through paying off your debt, staying debt free and building wealth for your future. I ordered the kit, read the book and got us started. How is this different from my old resolution of "save money, spend less" you ask?? Well, I feel like this gives me the tools, the support, the education and the confidence to stick with it. In 2 years we will have all of our debt paid off except for the house. This includes all credit cards, vehicles and student loans. Curious? Go to DaveRamsey.com to find out how to get started.

The 2nd goal is to read. Read books. I enjoy reading....I just don't do it very often. I cleaned off my bookshelf a while back and realized that I have several books sitting there that I have purchased but never touched. So my goal is to read at least 1 book a month. I may read more than that, but AT LEAST 1 book a month. I'm off to a good start so far. I just finished a book a few days ago and I'm going to start another one tonight. Not an unrealistic goal huh? I don't think so. This is the book I just finished. I laughed, cried a little and shook my head in total agreement with alot of the stories! You fellow scrappers who have read it understand what I mean!!

And last but not least.......my 3rd goal. Of course it has to do with scrapbooking. I have been scrapping for over 8 years now. I have SEVERAL finished albums, SEVERAL unfinished projects, ENDLESS supplies at my fingertips and millions of ideas floating around in my head. Most would think that I would be cranking out the layouts ALL THE TIME. As much as I wish I could.....I just can't. In the early days I used to scrapbook without any worry as to what others thought of my work. But of course in the past few years I've put SOOOO much pressure on myself to compare to the work I see in magazines and the work of my friends. So much pressure in fact that I am behind. WAY BEHIND. From now on I am going to scrap for me and me only. If my pages aren't magazine material.....who cares. My pics will be safe in albums covered by page protectors and enjoyed by those who choose to look at them. My friends, family and especially my kids always enjoy my work no matter what. That is what I am going to continue to focus on. Not the bling bling and the WOW that I thought my layouts needed. With that said I am hoping to have lots more to post in my gallery.

HAPPY 2008 EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Jen