January Round Up (linking up with Naked Mums)

As the end of a long, chilly January comes to a close the time has come to summarise the first month of 2013.  It is an ideal opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved, or not after all the wishful wondering that a new year brings.

 

I am linking this post up with other bloggers seeking inspiration to make this year a better one, for whatever reason.  Hop over to Kate at The Naked Mum and find out how you can join in.  It is a great place to find support and inspiration in the positive changes you are trying to make.

 

January started slow and not at all how I wanted it too.  Blighted by a flu bug from 18 December, our family was unwell for the duration of Christmas and New Year.  This, for me, was extremely frustrating as I had planned to start the year running - in the literal and metaphorical sense.

 

However, forced to get back up and into the swing of things once school started we all saw an improvement to our health.  Our routine began to once again take shape and the post Christmas sluggishness started to dissipate.

 

This of course has also resulted in my, pretty low mood, picking up and I can say that for the time left in January I feel quite a lot has been achieved.  On the family front, The Hubby and I seem to be getting on much better of late.  Not that we were not rubbing along before, but we seem to be communicating more.  Always good.

 

I have attended quite a lot of appointments for J1 and things that we have been waiting some time to get going, now seem to be rolling.  I know that they will continue to take time but at least I have leads to chase.

 

I have submitted the hours that I would like for J2 at nursery when his allowance starts at the beginning of April.  This has given me some real perspective that life as I have known it for the last (almost) three years is starting to change.

 

Therefore, I have decided now is the time to start laying down some groundwork for what I would like to do when life as a full time, stay at home mum reduces.  I have been given a very special gift from my Husband of being able to pursue my dream of writing and I really want to take this golden opportunity and turn it into a reality.

 

With the help and enthusiasm of one of my dearest friends we have worked out a new potential work-from-home job role in social media.  I am planning on learning everything I possibly can about it and am in the process of seeing if there are any appropriate courses that can be taken.

 

The same friend and I also attended a fantastic workshop (Starting out as a Freelance Writer) this weekend and now I am full of excited anticipation and ideas for feature articles that I could potentially pitch to a range of platforms.

 

I am also looking into the world of writing competitions, not because I particularly think I am of a standard that would win, but it will be a great way to practise writing to guidelines and deadlines.  It will also get me into the habit of writing with more of a purpose.

 

I bought a company name and web domain so that if (or if I am being super positive when) I start to make a regular income I am prepared with my own company to run with it.  Am currently musing ideas on company logo etc.

 

So overall I am quite satisfied with the chapter that has been January 2013 in our life.  All the usual stresses are there of course, the economical climate is as depressing as ever, it is cold, bugs are rife.  I am not back out running yet after a knee injury.  But apart from all those things 2013 has started really quite well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Has Made Me Cheerful This Week?

The first #R2BC of the year for me.  I hope to be able to write lots of these positive posts throughout the course of 2013 and join in the linky with Michelle at Mummy from the Heart, all round fantastic blogger and Reasons to be Cheerful founder and host.

 

The months of January and February are probably the hardest time of year to try and find positives.  Days are long, dark and cold.  It is harder to get out and about with the kids.  Even harder when you are trying to find indoor activities that are suitable for a lively 2 year old and a disabled 9 year old.

 

Work places seem to become more stressed and cash flow tight (isn't every ones?) in these months, which add pressure to home life.  Balancing and juggling become the order of the day.  Money, time, patience levels.

 

But all these things make it all the more important to spend five minutes finding some positives out of the week.  To help lift the spirits and see that in actual fact although it may not feel like it, progress has been made.

 

So, for the first of many for 2013, here are this weeks Reasons to be Cheerful :

 

* The flu virus I have been suffering with for almost a whole month finally seems to have left the building.  Although I still have a bit of a cold and the last of the sinus infection I have more energy.  Which has come in handy as school started back this week.

 

* We have been on time for school everyday this week and not forgot anything requiring further trips back and forth, one goal started to be achieved!

 

* We seem to have fallen straight into a good routine, both getting up in the morning and after school.  It feels nice to have some routine back.

 

* The book I (and other fellow bloggers contributed to) #100 Little Words has come out on Kindle.  I felt quite choked up showing my mum my words on her Kindle.

 

* I have to start researching for a Freelance Writing Course I am undertaking at the end of the month.  I am doing this course with one of my oldest school friends, who I haven't seen for 10 years, double excitement.

 

* The Hubby and I have barely seen each other this week so we have a lovely family time weekend planned, with a few home DIY activities.  We have decided although we can not afford to do much at the moment with our holiday coming up, we can do some de-cluttering and jobs 'we keep meaning to do' and start gathering ideas for a bit of home improvement.  We have a beautiful house and are not making the most of it's potential.

 

For other #R2BC posts hop over to Mummy from the Heart.