Preparing For The New Year

Photo credit:  Barefoot Five on Facebook.  Side Note:  I LOVE BAREFOOT FIVE.  A friend introduced me to her page, and--moment of honesty??  Some nights I just go and look at her quote memes.  It's nice to know someone just GETS my soul.  If you haven't, follow her.  She is amazing.  

While I’m dying to show you some of my finds for Christmas gifts this year, I’m trying to wait until January 8th has come and gone. I want to include some of the gifts that I’ve purchased for my best friend’s birthday. My goal for gifting this year was to keep as much of it local as I could. What wasn’t purchased from local businesses, I tried to purchase from small business owners in the US. I did end up buying some “filler” gifts, like gift cards for chain restaurants and such, at the end. But I am quite proud of myself for keeping the bulk of my gifts from local or small businesses.

Anywho, more about that later.

So today let’s talk resolutions. That has been at the forefront of my mind this week. I won’t say that I had Oprah’s “ah-hah” moment…or anything quite so cliché. But as my best friend put it recently, I’ve had these moments of clarity lately where I have truly focused on where I am at in my life and where I would ultimately like to be.

As every new year rolls around, dieting and exercise seem to be at the top of everyone’s list. Now I don’t know about y’all, but the holiday sweets have just about killed me. I joked about my pancreas just giving up the other day. With our office being bombarded with sweets, and my mom baking so much during the holidays, I have just had weeks of steadily feeling gross. Will power…I have none.

While I’m not looking to set myself up for failure, by setting an unreachable goal, but I would like to be healthier and stronger. This past year, I implemented yoga into my weekly routine. KW has been amazing, and I go once a week. During the summer, I went twice a week, and could tell my practice was getting better and I was getting stronger. In the Fall and early Winter months, I found myself getting more lax as schedules got more hectic. My goal this year is to hopefully be more consistent with my yoga practice and possibly implement more exercise.  I would also like to lessen my fast food intake.  It's so bad, but I do love it so.  Alas, I must put my love aside...

Another resolution at the top of everyone’s list is better management of finances. I am no different. This past year I’ve found myself struggling possibly more so than years past. For that, I can only really blame myself. I simply indulged too much. While I am a planner...and excellent at planning around car payments and Christmas and everything expected....I'm not so great with planning for the unexpected.  And life always has a way of throwing a ton of unexpected things at me all at once. For me, it’s time to break out the old, trusty budget… My actual goal, financially speaking, is to put more back in my savings.

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with writing this year. It’s such a weird thing. Because I tend to write memoir-type stories…part of me craves hearing that I’m relatable and that people "get" my stories…but sometimes I end up feeling like I’m living in a fishbowl. At times I begin to feel as if a lot of my life is on public display.  In those times, I cling to privacy. That's precisely where I found myself thish past year, so I held back. But ultimately, I’m at my happiest when I’m writing. And this year, I plan on doing more of what makes me happy. This also includes my photography. No, I’m not a photographer. I’m just a girl with a camera. Am I good? I wouldn’t say that. But it is something that I enjoy.

As for my last resolution… I’m figuring out more and more about myself. One of the things that I’ve learned this year has been that I’m extremely prone to taking on other’s energy and emotions. It can be a good thing, because it makes me more empathetic to people and their feelings…but it can be a huge energy drain too. I’m going to have to be more aware of those that I surround myself with for that very reason.

Again, my ultimate goal here is….to be happy.

Aleta's Crazy Christmas List Process

I promised a friend that I would do a blog post on this….so here goes.

Okay, now y’all know I have my quirks. In general, I am NOT an organized person. But I think that I may have reached record neurotic status when it came to my Christmas list this year. In all fairness to me, my memory is absolute shit, so honestly, my process helped TREMENDOUSLY.

I started my Christmas shopping back in July. While that may seem a bit extreme in itself, I have never been one who loves to shop at the last minute. I like to have plenty of time to put a lot of thought into my gifts. I also really sought to primarily buy local and/or buy from small businesses.

I listed everyone that was on my Christmas Shopping List on an excel spreadsheet. As ideas for each person popped into my head, I would add it under their name. Even back in July, there were a few gifts that I knew that I would be purchasing—some definite big gifts for my immediate family. Every item was in red type. As the lists for each person began to form and become more set in stone, I started a list off to the side that was dated with each pay period. I would add items under each date so that no pay period was hit super heavy. I also put items that would take longer (like handmade items) on earlier pay periods and items that I could just run and pick up last minute (like gift cards) towards the later pay periods. This helped out so much in determining my “plan of action” and my efforts not to over-spend any given pay period.

I will say, because I continued to add some items (ex: I had no idea what to buy my Brother-In-Law until mid-November), the later pay periods were still hit pretty hard…so my plan isn’t without flaws. Hopefully, next year, I’ll have a better idea of what to get EVERYONE on my list early on, so I won’t run into this issue.

Now, back to the people on my list. As I mentioned, every item under their name was written in red (you could choose any color really). As I began to purchase the items, I would change the type to a different color. You could strike-through, change font color, etc. Whatever would trigger your memory and let you know that an item had been purchased.

At home, because a failing memory also allows for me to lose items once I’d purchased them. I stored all the presents in one location. I took pieces of masking tape and marked who the items were for.

Not sure if this will help anyone, but truthfully, it has helped me so much. I did a mock list for you to see!

Christmas on Main Street

Y’all, Christmas on Main Street is tomorrow evening! Be there or be square! I am certain that Stephanie Douglas has done a fabulous job planning this year’s event. I, myself, will be peddling cookies at the Gilchrist County Journal tomorrow night. I would love to see each and every one of you!  This event is always so very nice for families.

Shop Local: Shells Bells Cards

Y'all...I flubbed.  I had gotten this post partially ready, and Shelley had sent me the remaining piece...and my edit didn't save.  Oy vey.  Shelley was so kind, but I wanted to re-run, with the actual "about her" section.  I hope you will enjoy!!

Shelley Keaton and her husband, John

What gets you in the Christmas spirit?

That first week of December, when my husband and I get the lights up and tree decorated. It’s one of my favorite things to do at Christmas time. 

Tell me a little about yourself and your business.

So a little about me. I was born and raised in Northern California. Moved to Florida over four years ago and married the man of my dreams. I really don’t know what to say so I asked several of my family and friends how they saw me. I live a very active, creative and healthy lifestyle. I try very hard to live by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5). I love to have fun and to be silly. Laughing and smiling is a must for me.

 
My husband John was the driving force behind me to get my cards out to the public. So I opened an Etsy store about a year ago and have my cards in Trenton at Best drugs. I love creating cards.  It gives me such joy knowing this little piece of art is going to make someone very happy...that is my goal with every creation.

What items do you offer?

I offer hand crafted, hand stamped art cards. I’m working on adding jewelry next year.

In speaking of your business, what would you suggest for someone who doesn't know what to buy their loved one?

I suggest getting cards for gift baskets, and gift cards. I have also had people ask for packs of cards. I think cards are special and I leave them blank inside so you can hand write a personal message. That’s the extra special gift: the message. 

What is the best way to contact you?

You can contact me via my Etsy store shellsbellscards https://etsy.me/2zA8Zy7

I’m also on Facebook, instagram and messenger.

Shop Local: Mindy Harris Photography

Mindy Harris

What is something that gets you in the Christmas spirit?
Something that gets me in the Christmas spirit is family time, the cooler Florida weather and, of course, putting up the Christmas tree. Some years I want to dash to the beach and some I want to do the full traditional shabang. This year I'm definitely in the Christmas spirit!

Tell me a little about yourself and your business.
I am a professional photographer that specializes in children and family photography but pretty much shoots anything that pulls my heart strings... including weddings. I have been photographing babies and families for about 8 years now and I love it more and more every year. Photography allows me to express my creative side as well as meet some amazing individuals! I'm so thankful for the relationships I've gained over the years, especially from the little ones--watching them grow from their mamas belly all the way to almost 5-8 years old has been so incredible to experience.

What services do you offer?
For families and children, I offer on-location mini and full sessions depending on your needs. Packages range from $135-350.
I also photograph intimate elopements and weddings and will travel for shoots. 

 
In speaking about your business, what would you suggest for someone who doesn't know what to get a loved one?
If you're stumped on what to give as a Christmas present then what better than the gift of family memories? I offer certificates for convenience and you could always purchase an actual session or if you're on a budget you could put money towards a session for your loved one. If the family has already been photographed by me this year ordering a canvas for their home would make a really thoughtful gift.

What is the best way to contact you?
The best way to contact me is either via Facebook message or calling/texting me at 352 949 3253, email is mindyharrisphotography@yahoo.com