I thought it was a good idea, but I didn’t know I would take to it. 

Not this fast anyway. 

i tried the oil cleansing method.

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I’ve read a few posts lately about not using shampoo & about using a homemade face wash, which is a part of my 18 things to make in 2012 goals, but then I started discovering that she applied the same principle to many other areas.

Which got me thinking….

Maybe the only reason why we are dependent on so many of these things is because we’re so used to them, hooked, a self-created dependence. Or rather, marketed dependence.

we’re hooked…

I am so interested to try a lot of these money saving, simple, & green solutions to everyday hygiene. If they work, I estimate I’ll be saving our family upwords of $200 or more a year. With the potential to save a lot more, if the whole family embraces it.

So, take a look at one of my new favorite blogs, simplemom.net, she posts about a lot of great everyday and green solutions, sort of like Real Simple, but without the $5 price tag, per issue!

A few months ago we switched to Shaklee for our cleaning products, and got rid of a slu of other products (pictured below), and applying this same idea to other areas, may just be the makeover, or makeunder (as it were) this little life of mine needs.

goodbye unneccesary cleaning products

To de-commercialize, and break the dependences on so many of the products that I use.

I think it’s worth the experiment at least. Here’s to my attempt! I’ll update you on how it goes.

You might have read my post about books I want to read in 2012, which, don’t be too surprised, but I’m almost done with my first book! Not to be too, totally cheesy, but I really love having goals!

If you’re jaded on the whole goal thing, here is a quick pick-me-up on the subject from one of my favorite leaders, Dave Ramsey!

so here they are, 18 things I want to make in 2012! also, pinned here. (on paper, on purpose!)

1. make homemade face wash

2. make homemade myers soap

3. make homemade bagels

4. make a winter wreath

5. make a spring & summer wreath (still looking for inspiration on this one)

6. make a fall wreath (this one too)

7. make homemade chicken stock

8. make homemade apple butter

9. make a headboard for the king or art for above (still looking for inspiration!)

10. have friends over for a meal at least once a month

11. make babyfood for baby L

12. make a bunting for the house

13. make homemade laundry detergent

14. make custom onesies (as baby shower gifts!)

15. start making homemade gifts (this has begun, but will be a year long attempt!)

16. make homemade bread (my momma’s recipe is simply the best!)

17. make cloth envelopes

18. make a whiteboard and/or bulletin board for office (supplies are purchased, more forthcoming!)

Update: I’ve decided to change my word since this post was written, read more about it here.

This year has been a year of lists. So far. And we’re 6 days in.

These lists consist of what to read, what to make, goals to strive for, personal, financial, and beyond.

But the most compelling of lists is this one that was inspired by a book I just got for Christmas. The book, One Thousand Gifts, has captured my heart in every possible way. It was exactly what I needed to read at exactly this point in time. Isn’t it funny that the One who knows us so intimately, who created our every fiber, knows the exact number of hairs on my head, cares what I read, cares what I let my mind rest on during the day and in the night. 

Before I’ve shut my eyes into slumber in these first few days of twenty twelve, my mind has pondered eucharistio, a greek word that Ann Voskamp, the author, locks into early into the book’s pages. And, I, too have wondered, have pondered, what does it take to live a full life as Christ intended? Scripture makes it clear that it’s possible and attainable… but what must we do to seize this life? To take it all in and not get caught into the things that matter least, but rather be captivated by things that matter most.

I’ve decided, based on my own experiences, that it does take intentionality, that it takes DOING something. Not saying you are going to do it, and certainly not making a list declaring you will do it, you must actually DO it.

In fact, Ann cites a fantastic quote on the matter by Pierre de Caussade,

When one is thirsty one quenches one’s thirst by drinking, not be reading books which treat of this condition.

Ann goes on,

If we are dying of thirst, passively reading books about water quenches little; the only way to quench the parched mouth is to close the book and dip the hand into water and bring it to the lips. If we thirst, we’ll have to drink. I would have to do something.

Ann started this wonderful journey of writing down gifts, not to buy, not for someone else, but the gifts of God, a love list of sorts. She begins this list, of gifts, of one thousand of them, and realizes that she is changing. That she starts to see things differently.

I’m not so great at writing, no, not like Ann, but in reading this book, it was somehow my words, my thoughts, said 20 times more eloquently than I could ever dare.

So because of this, my one word this year, is also my list of one thousand. Eucharestio. Thanksgiving. Gratitude. Grace. Joy. Yes, in one profound greek word, that Ann explains, always precedes the miracle. Jesus gave thanks (even in not -enough), Daniel gave thanks, Paul gave thanks, yes… thanksgiving. So, for non-greek scholars, my word is Thank-full (yes with two l’s, to be FULL of thanks). For greek scholars, and readers of One Thousand Gifts, my one word is Eucharisteo.

It is also my challenge, to list 1000 things over the course of this year that I am thankful for. I believe that it will be a stretching experience, a lesson on gratitude, that I intend to fully inhale. I am up to twenty nine in my list currently. It is an exercise in gratitude.

I am only on chapter 5, of 1000 gifts and already feel my heart expanding. I am so thank-full! 

24 just seemed too ambitious and would make me feel like I would have to read 2 a month, 18 seems a bit more of a fluid goal. One a month, plus 6.

So, here ya go, 18 books to read/listen to in the coming year…

1. the happiness project 

2. one thousand gifts 

3. the 10 habits of happy mothers

4. when i don’t desire God 

5. erasing hell 

6. the grace & truth paradox 

7. tribes 

8. entreleadership 

9. linchpin 

10. the go getter

11. rhinocerous success

12. poke the box 

13. purple cow

14. blogger behave 

15. rework

16. good to great

17. today we are rich

18. steve jobs

what are you reading in 2012? share your list! i found moneysavingmom’s list to be so inspiring, and you’ll see a lot of the books she’s reading on my list as well… i think that is the type of thing that encourages interaction and inspiration.

i started reading one thousand gifts last night and love it so much!

I’m so far behind in blogging. But this week has been one to unplug from the blog, email, etc, and spend time with the family.

Reflecting on 2011 has just happened naturally as this week has flown by. We’ve cleaned, and going through our things, reminded me of being here for a year, of this past year, finding out I was pregnant, the entire pregnancy (with it’s ups and downs) and that sweet baby that arrived August 24th.

This year has been full of joy. I am so thankful for so much. And am so excited about this coming year! I’ve got some good goals on paper that I’ve been working on for this next year including things to make, books to read, business goals, blog goals, personal goals and overall goals. I will be sharing those soon (I’m currently working on my pinterest boards to go along with each goal category!)

Heres to twenty twelve, deeper friendships, sweet moments with my family, lots of photos, lots of creativity, success and inspiration.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old days long gone ?

For old days long gone, my dear,
for old days long gone,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for old days long gone.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for old days long gone.

Also, currently working on my one word, too. If you haven’t heard of it, go here to find out more.

And just for fun… some of my favorite recent photos…

happy new year!

I started reading “The 3 big questions for a frantic family” yesterday and finished all but a few pages.

Jeremy and I are going to meet this weekend to discuss it and figure out how we can best implement it for our family. I had a lot of fun reading it and thinking about how easily it could happen into our lives, including in the life of my business.

The 3 big questions has also had me rethink my goals lists and how I am focusing on things. The book brings up a great point, that if you try to do everything, you end up with nothing. And, not to mention that in a list of 10 goals, I am most likely to do the easiest. Human nature, I do believe.

The book states,

There are two keys to answering any of these questions. First, limit yourself to one primary answer. As difficult as that sounds, it is critical. How many times have you written a list of ten priorites only to look back later and realize that you’ve accomplished just three of them, and not the most difficult (aka important) ones at that?

Woah. Was he talking to me? I think most likely, yes.

If you’re curious the three big questions are:

1. What makes your family unique?

2. What is your family’s top priority-rallying cry-right now?

3. How do you talk about and use the answers to these questions?

Based loosely off of a business strategy, these help you zero in on what is most important and how you are going to stick to it. Can’t wait to implement these into the life of our family.

Shout out to Mike Paschal and Kirsten Paschal for telling us about the book in the first place!

Here we go… the goals update, and new goals for this week!

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So, in continuing with the goals, and the accountability and all that… let’s see how week #2 goes.

My goals this week..

Family/Mothering Goals

1. read Secrets of The Baby Whisperer

Personal Goals

2. Walk 30 minutes with Liam (2x this week)

Home Management Goals

3. Call insurance ELP about 2012

4. Have budget meeting with Jer since it is a new month (bring up joining the Y) What is a budget meeting? 

5. Meal plan & shop from E-Mealz

6. Finish 3 loads of laundry from start to finish.

Business Goals

7. invoicing & contract updates

8. submit license payment & tax review

9. Get portfolio onto kcsdesign

10. Finish email documentation for google apps

Check back in a week to see how I did!

So, you might remember this post about my 10 weekly goals. If not, I’ll list them below, to be as user friendly as possible.

Family/Mothering Goals

1. Spend 15 minutes a day with Liam completely focused on him (YES! I did it, and found that time with Liam begets time with Liam, the more time I focus on him, the more time I want to spend with him, what a sweet finding!)

2. Track Eat, Wake and Sleep patterns everyday, on my new nifty spreadsheet. (Sorta-ish… I have the past few days to catch up on, but I’ll do it, my memory in this area is pretty good… especially the nighttime feedings… because they are getting so much better, thank you Liam!)

3. Sync said spreadsheet to iCloud (oh yes, I said it) AND yes, I did this! It was surprisingly easy.. tutorial coming soon, for those of you who care!

Personal Goals

4. Walk 30 minutes a day with Liam (no, I really failed on this one.  I think I walked one day with Liam… , we will try to do better next week!)

5. Join the Y. (no, I realized that this action item requires a presence at the budget meeting, so we’ll be doing this one in November!)

6. Finish reading So Long Insecurity (no, I didn’t finish, but I did make significant headway. I decided that the better goal on this one is to savor it and let it seep in, instead of finishing for the sake of finishing a book! I am treating this book more like a devotional than a novel, and therefore it’s going to take some time. I am completely okay with that because of what God is doing in my heart through reading it!)

Home Management Goals

7. Meal plan & shop from E-Mealz (yes! and it was incredible!)

8. Finish 3 loads of laundry from start to finish. (yes and no, I folded 3 loads of laundry, and washed 3 loads of laundry, so in total I did 3 loads of laundry from finish to start)

Business Goals

9. Move blog & business website to new hosting company (yes, and I am so glad I did!)

10. Finish web project #1 (yes! I did, why thank you!)

At first glance it looks like I didn’t complete many of these, but having these goals spawned me getting so many things done, I think that it was still completely worth it, and I plan to keep it up even if I don’t publish it here!