By George, I Think I've Got It!

I've completed my 23 Goals in 2023! 

And it's only early September.

What??! 

Let's take a look:

Word of the Year: Flow

• Sometimes I still get irritated when someone moves my cheese (goes against my expectations). Overall, though, I go with the flow more gently than I used to.
  
  
• I am able to get into flow more easily - completely immersed in an enjoyable activity where time and space aren't registering in my brain because I'm so present in the moment.
  
  
• My mornings have a flow, a routine, a ritual. I've developed an excellent way to start my days. I now call it my Daily Dance."

2023 Objective: Bring more FUN into my life

• An ongoing quest. I see a local friend regularly. I take time with my kids and Dale. I keep my hands busy with crafty projects. My creativity has returned in full force. I can now walk three miles every Friday while listening to an audiobook or podcast.

2023 Creative Goal: Go on another Creative Journey with photography.

• Since my last update in July, I've started reading a book by photographer Anne Geddes.
  
  
• I'm deep into my photo organization project. I'd talk about it here if it wasn't so tedious.
  
  
• I'm picking up my Big Girl Camera once a week. I'm very rusty using it anymore since the camera on my phone is so much more convenient.
  

23 Goals in 2023:

To keep it simple, I planned to visit 23 more parks within the city, county, state, Army Corp of Engineers, and BLM systems. As of this week - Accomplished!

The more voluminous list of goals reached: 

1. I created and sent 23 handmade greeting cards. (Actually 43 so far this year).
   
   
2. I made at least 23 beaded ornaments.
   
   
3. Dale and I have continued our #TuesdayTravels outings.
   
   
4. I found at least 23 geocaches (actually found around 140).
   
   
5. I made at least 23 Quilted Hearts and gave them away. (I've made 26 now and have another 24 in the works).
   
   
6. I gave away at least 23 items I no longer need. Decluttering is an ongoing pursuit.
   
   
7. I wrote in my Gratitude Journal at least 23 days. (I'm up to more than 175 days. My practice has returned. Hooray!)
   
   
8. I edited down the number of podcasts and YouTube subscriptions I listen to / watch regularly.
   
   
9. I added reflective window film to my Studio windows to help ease afternoon heat.
   
   
10. Dale and I finished our Advance Directives.
    
    
11. I set up my sewing machines in a dedicated space and have begun to use them again.
    
    
12. I've instituted #PhoneFreeFridays. I manage to do it a couple times a month.
    
    
13. I got a bicycle.
    
    
14. I did some volunteer work.
    
    
15. I sewed a tablecloth for our patio table.
    
    
16. Dale and I sold the big fountain, making room for furniture and fixtures for the patio.
    
    
17. I enjoyed the Summer of P: visiting parks, having a picnic, looking at the past through some of my favorite photographs, being more aware of the color purple, and mostly fixing up our patio.
    
    
18. With Jodie's help, I learned to set up my photo cube lighting.
    
    
19. I made a specialized box to hold my photo backgrounds.
    
    
20. I learned to use my new-and-improved digital microscope as well as the software that allows me to photograph what I see.
    
    
21. I culled my photo library.
    
    
22. I uploaded my entire photo library to the Cloud as a backup.
    
    
23. I started a strawberry garden. I also planted zucchini, chard, sunflowers, pumpkins, and morning glories.
    

Not too shabby.

Now I can open my mind to preparing for our new granddaughter, Abby. She's due to make an appearance in January. Today I bought a few supplies for a baby project I have in mind.