I am not a big fan of New Years Resolutions.  Mainly because its hard to stick to them.  Its like a diet, if you don't really feel that important change, that paradigm shift, first then its just a temporary thing.

One of my problems is Retail Therapy.  I inherited it from my mom, who passed away in October.  Its funny because now when I do it I know she is sitting there watching me.  Would she be saying "Yes, Tasha, you really do need to buy every single copy of that book on clearance." Or would she now have insight and say "Fix what's bothering you.  This won't do it."  I know its the latter.  I know she lived her life for Tomorrow.  The promise of the payoff so to speak.  Put in the hard work now, and eventually you will get that attention and love that you deserve.  Sadly her Tomorrow never came.  She never got to reap the benefits for a life of quiet silent support.  I personally never fully acknowledged her importance to me, to her, nor did I reassure her that all her effort was appreciated.  This I will live with forever.  Therefore my New Year's Reflections will contain little more than:

Live a Mindful Life.  Acknowledge and affirm those gifts that I have been given, both of the human variety and material.

I saw on the news today a woman who started "The Happiness Project".  Each month she focused on a different aspect of her life she wanted to feel happier about.  I think this just might be my path to a Mindful Life.

*Baby-Maker, Picture-Taker

My mom passed away a month ago yesterday.  Her passing brings a great deal of sorrow.  But with it, some important lessons.  I figure if someone spent their whole life thinking about something I should weigh that accordingly.  So while I know its not yet the new year, I have some reflections.

• Live life for today, because tomorrow is just a word, and you can't hit the rewind button (no matter how hard you wish).
• Love who I am, at this very moment.  Size, color, shape and potential mean nothing if I don't appreciate and celebrate who I am.
• Love out loud.  Don't be afraid to shout it from the rooftops daily.  If I don't then I (and those I love) could spend a whole lifetime not knowing how much I am/ they are truly loved and cherished.  Say it and show it, thinking it is practically worthless.  Further, treat those I love with the respect they deserve.
• People that talk to themselves might not be crazy... maybe they are just saying what should have been said long ago.
• I can spend my life feeling like an outcast, and wishing I had followed the crowd, or I can embrace my unique qualities and know that I lived with every ounce of my being.

I talked to my girlfriend yesterday.  She like me, was surprised with baby #3.  She has gone through so much, 3 difficult pregnancies, difficulty nursing a preemie, and now baby #2 is showing signs of serious medical problems.  I asked her how she keeps going.  She said "You just do it.  You just keep going because you don't have a choice in the matter."  It reminded me of what someone said when I was pregnant.  "God only fills your plate to what you can carry".  I guess my plate wasn't full yet.  Maybe he will give me a little time to digest.

*baby-maker, picture-taker

After being stopped by at least 3 people last week who wanted to talk about their cloth diaper elastic, I have decided we should do a sweat shop.  Ok, more assembly line with the kids going crazy and making us sweat.  But you get the idea.  The thought of tackling an entire stash of fluff with shot elastic is overwhelming, but if you have 6 girls in a circle all working on your stash, you could realistically get 6 stretchy new dipes in an hours play time.  Shall I even mention I have a fabulous new method of replacing elastic in pocket dipes so that it is attached with buttons for easy and fast future swap outs?  Ooooh, now doesn't that sound exciting?!

So shoot me an email if you want to join our sewing circle, and lets get that fluff back in the stash!

I love it when you hear one of those songs that just shakes you out of your daily life and you stop and go "Damn, that is so what I needed".  Lately I just can't get enough of "You Make It Real" from James Morrison.  Man, that song just pulls my entire soul out of my body!  Awesome job James.  Thanks for reminding me what "makes it real".