Attitude for 2014

My attitude this year is to "Just do it". Nike use it as their logo and it's so true, just do it. Are there things you've wanted to achieve but haven't to date? Do you want to try something new but don't know how to or lack the confidence? How will your dreams ever become your reality unless you "Just do it" and say "F**k It" to life? I've wanted things to happen in the past but I've lacked the confidence. There are things I've seen others achieve that I couldn't achieve myself but why? I didn't have the confidence to, the thoughts of failure far outweighed the thoughts of success but 2014 is the year that I'm going to "Just do it".

2013 sucked big time for me. I suffered terribly with my health to the extent I ended up in hospital a number of times. I let opportunities pass me by because I didn't think I could do it. As if things couldn't get any worse, I saw my beautiful, inspiring, go getter of a father lose his battle with cancer and I just went into hiding. I found myself giving up on life and I really felt that I would never get out of that dark place. Then a thought came to me. Was life always so straight forward for my dad? What happened when he was faced with challenges? Simple, well not simple, but the thinking behind it was "Just do it". Get up off your butt, look at what lies ahead, find a new way around it and truly believe that when you put your mind to it, everything is possible.

I read a wonderful book called "F**K It" it's a Western take on Eastern Spirituality and teachings. Synopsis taken from Amazon.

"Saying F**k It is like massage for the mind - relaxing you, releasing tension, giving up on things that aren't working. Just starting to say F**k It can transform your life. Saying F**k It feels good - to stop struggling and finally do what you fancy; to ignore what everyone's telling you and go your own way. John C. Parkin argues that saying F**k It is a spiritual act: That it is the perfect western expression of the eastern ideas of letting go, giving up and finding real freedom by realising that things don't matter so much (if at all).This is the Fuck It way."

So to you the reader I suggest you stop what you are doing, ask yourself what you want to achieve and then "Just do it". So what if you fall flat on your face, you're still moving forward aren't you? You've grabbed the opportunity to try something new rather than always wondering, Now you've had your first rehearsal and so it's time to try another way. Are you ready?

Today's lunch had a serious "YUM" factor

Today for lunch I made my colleague's famous salad, Cruncy veg and noodle salad in a peanut butter dressing and it had a serious "YUM" factor. I cheated a little and used stir fry veg and less oil than stated in the recipe. It was so nice that I just know I'll be making it again.

Check out my Recipe Box page for this delicious recipe.

Don't limit your beliefs

Had I been asked last week did I feel ready to run, despite wanting to, the answer would have been "no". What was holding me back? Fear! Fear of not being able to do it and fear of hurting my knee further. But I went out there and started training again. Week 1 and I've covered 9.5K in total. 

Why am I telling you this? I honestly believe that we can hold ourselves back from achieving the things we want because we are fearful, fearful of failing and fearful of hurting ourselves - pride and ego stepping in. BUT if you really want something and put your mind to it, everything is possible. 

Don't let your thinking limit your beliefs or stop you from realising your dreams. I honestly believe I've learned a great lesson this week, one which can spill over into many areas of my life. You can do it too. Listen to yourself, your thoughts and your inner beliefs, then by putting one foot in front of the other set out and prove yourself wrong, prove that you CAN do anything you want to.

Winter Fat Page

I've taken part in a swap over on Paper Digital Art & Images By Kim....you'll find a badge below that you can click on and visit the site through. The swap was to create a Fat Page (still don't quite understand this concept) based on a Winter theme and using Graphic 45 papers. I remembered a page I had from last year and so went about chopping it up. Below is an image of the fat page and if you click on Sticky Fingers, you'll see the whole thing. Thanks for stopping by.

Recycled Tag

I took part in a tag swap over on http://artandimagesbykim.ning.com/?xg_source=badge

The swap was to make a tag using recycled goods from Christmas. I made mine using a left over tag, parts of a Christmas card, ribbon and lace from chocolate boxes and some Stickles too. Pop on over to my Sticky Fingers page to see both sides of the tag.

52 Week Money Challenge

I came across this on a friend's Facebook page and then visited the blog it came from, http://thehousemadehome.blogspot.ie/

Reading through this I thought it was a fantastic idea, especially as I'm brutal at saving money.

How does it work? Well for 52 weeks you save the same amount of money for which week you are on. For instance week one you save €1, week two you save €2, and so on.  By the end of your 52 weeks you will have saved €1,378.00.  Just take from your paycheck each week when you get paid.

All you need to start is a jar and €1....Are you game for the 52 Week Money Challenge?  What will you use your money for? I'd love a good holiday next year!

190 years old and still a classic!

It's amazing to think "Twas the night before Christmas" is 190 years old. It's still an all time favourite and reminds me of my childhood when I hear it. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. "T'was The Night Before Christmas"

         

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

I'm back

Hi folks, how are you all doing? Good I hope. Well I've been MIA for over a week now but that's because I've been in sunny Florida. It was a well needed break and the weather was great. We've been the last few years and it's always been really pleasant, like a Spring day that we get here in Ireland. This time though it was so much warmer and we hadn't packed right, no shorts with us but we survived none the less. 

Of course I had to treat myself to some crafty stash and I went a little mad buying ink, embellishments, gems, stamps, ribbon and some MS goodies too. Ooh and I bought a super cool punch which I'm just so dying to use. 

As it's so cold outside here's a little sunshine to try and warm you up.

We went on the Carousel of Progress in memory of my dad. He passed this year, August 2013.

Altered mesh box

While clearing up my craft room today...thankfully it wasn't too chaotic...I came across this mesh box. I've been holding on to it since last Christmas in case it came in handy. It's so nice that I just didn't want to throw it out and so I decided to alter it. I'm going to use it as my pen holder in work.

Craft room clear out

I've been doing a pretty good job of keeping on top of my craft room but it still needs tidying every so often. This morning I went through my craft room sorting through the shelves and the amount of stuff I've been holding on to for the "it could come in handy" moments. I've thrown out loads of rubbish, it's pure rubbish but have come across some nice boxes too. So once I get off the computer, get the rest of what needs sorting sorted, I'm going to put my feet up and go about altering the boxes. Look out for more to come.