I was so encouraged by my progress on my New Year’s goals for the month of January. It was an awesome start to the year. Then along came February and I was bombarded by one stressful situation after another. Much of it was stuff I could not control and feeling helpless is no fun at all. Some of it though was just reaping the consequences of being so disorganized. They say that once it rains, it pours and that is the way February went. It’s all about the Law of Attraction. Once the bad stuff started happening we attracted more of it to us and I felt like I was dodging landmines all month.

Well, I am bound and determined to start March off right. I woke up this morning with all sorts of plans, to clean and declutter, improve the situation February left for us, and get more organized. I must say that I was so very proud of my children for how they helped my husband and I through a tough time. It was no fun for them either (for various reasons) but they saw us floundering and really rallied to support us. My oldest boy in particular is such a champion when he needs to be. It has just shown me all the more that we are doing a great job with him (with all our kids really) and that it is time to step it up and let them do more in regards to responsibility. We also have to make sure we are setting a better example because we didn’t hide anything from them. When a problem arose that could have been prevented had we not been disorganized or just plain lazy, we were truthful with them about it! They need to see us grow and learn from or mistakes.

Anyway I am already putting my plan into action and part of that is going to be relying on tech more to stay organized. I am on the computer lots so it just makes sense to go more digital when it comes to getting organized. I recently discovered DropBox, which is a lifesaver and I have a few other programs and tech apps like that, that I need to explore more. One I have been using is called Me in a Tree. It is hard to classify really but in general it is a family life organization application. Yet it is not just about getting organized but also spending more time together and increasing the quality of that time. After joining I did a family assessment…okay actually first thing I did was set up everyone’s avatars. That was so fun. We all look so adorable (see above)!!

After that is when I did the family assessment with 35 questions and it helped identify areas that need some work and others that are good to go. According to the assessment we are pretty solid on behavior, communication, and health and wellness. Areas that need work… money matters, organization, and family union. Say what??? Yes, it is so true and that is why I made it a goal this year to have more fun as a family. We all do our own thing and this is because I made sure my kids knew early on that they had to get creative and entertain themselves, not rely on mom to be their funship cruise director. I am sure they can hear me saying this in their sleep “Only boring people get bored.” Well I am glad that they can self soothe and entertain themselves but we also need to bond more as a family now that they are getting older. But I digress…

The app also has a calendar which I need to use to keep track of PJ day at school, eye doctor appointments, and parent conferences. I tried a white board above my desk but often times it still has the info from three months ago. It also has a section with things to do. You can choose from activities in your area (just pick your city), things to do with your spouse only, where to find parenting programs and seminars, and also where to find family volunteering opportunities.

The app also centers around a concept called The Family Huddle. You schedule a time each week to sit down as a family and “huddle”. What that means is up to you but it is a time for everyone to talk, share, and touch base. Everyone has a role (chosen at random) and there is a challenge or question for everyone to get the ball rolling. The Pledge Stone is a place where everyone shares what makes their family special and what everyone needs to do to keep things run smoothly, efficiently, and peacefully.

The gratitude journal is available for each family member and I loved that it asks everyone to write down five things that were grateful for each day. How wonderful is that?! The “My Duties” section is the place where everyone can go each day to see what needs to be done. You can assign everyone their chores and they can login and mark them done and collect rewards like stars which can be used in Star City to create star constellations. So it is educational as well as fun. I also liked that you can add anything you want and assign it to any family member. This means you can completely customize it, adding small things like ‘take your vitamins’.

I think I have only scratched the surface with what this application has to offer and I look forward to digging in even further. The more I see, the more impressed I am. I think this is just what I need to get March off to a rocking start.

To see more visit their web site. You can also find them on Twitter and on Facebook. Enjoy!

I wrote this post on behalf of Me In a Tree. All thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

My son and I – Photo Credit: Bryan Saums

This past weekend I had the great pleasure of attending the largest climate change rally in the history of the US. Some are saying it ended up being one of the largest environmental rallies in history as well. It was a humbling experience to march on Washington and stand united with others who share my concern for the environment and my frustration that progress on climate change has been virtually nonexistent. It was a doubly wonderful experience because I was able to take my 12 year old son with me and share the experience and the activism with him.

When I heard about the Forward on Climate Rally that was taking place in DC I knew wanted to attend. It works very well with my New Year’s goals for this year to be more involved with philanthropic activities and personal activism. I have a tendency to use my words more than my actual voice. I blog about important issues to help educate others, I encourage letter writing and petition signing, and I encourage voting with our wallets. What I don’t typically do is use my actual voice to get the message out. Trying to impact change with my blog is great but I also want my kids to see me going out and taking action as well. This year I want to step away from the computer and do more in person, for myself, but also for my kids who really cannot see what I am doing behind the screen.

I want to set an example for my children and show them that we must do more than gripe and complain about the issues and problems we see, that we have to take action. I took my 12 year old with me, so he could experience the rally and learn from those that attended it. We had many great conversations and I think he learned something valuable that he couldn’t get from just hearing mom talk or seeing a news story. I hope that it sets the stage for his own activism and that as a group we also made it clear to our political leaders that support for cleaner, greener action and legislation is in fact there. Attending this rally accomplished that and so much more.

Me (left) and some other Ohio moms, including Jenny Linn Confer of MCAF – Photo Credit: Bryan Saums

My son enjoyed just about every aspect of the trip/rally, except perhaps the biting cold, but who did like that? He got to hear Rosario Dawson speak and she makes an appearance in a few of his favorite movies. I think that had to make an impression on him. Also amazing was the energy and enthusiasm of the 40,000+ people there. We met many great people, including the amazing folks we carpooled with and roomed with. They made the experience so much more and I look forward to teaming up with them again on other issues. Big sloppy kisses to the Sierra Club and Moms Clean Air Force who made this experience possible.

Another aspect of the rally that really stayed with me is just how diverse the people and interests were at this rally but how united everyone was. They all had different reasons for being there and different “hot” issues that they cared about… Tar sands, Keystone KL, coal, fracking, clean water, clean food, clean air, species protection, toxic environments for children, etc. There were also people there from a variety of states showing how the issues impact them personally. The large Ohio group for instance was very concerned about fracking. It is big issue for us here in the Buckeye state.

The energy was contagious. If we want to impress upon young kids that these are important issues and causes then we have to find a way to reach them. There were people of all ages there and getting to know them and learn about why they care so much ensures that you cannot help but care too. It was a great experience for my son and has spurred many deep questions about issues and politics. It was important for him to hear it from other people instead of just me. Sometimes I believe he thinks I am being overly dramatic. Now he knows just how many other people are concerned and that he should be too.

This year I meant business when I made my New Year’s resolutions for 2013. I have been keeping those goals close in mind and heart and taking action every day to make them happen. I have made headway on all four of my goals and have discussed some of my recent successes in other posts. Goal #2 was to have more fun as a family and it was made after my year long goal in 2012 to have more fun myself.

There was just one hitch. Goal #1 and Goal #2 conflicted with each other slightly. In order to make more money it would make sense to travel and attend a few professional events and conferences. Yet it would not be inclusive of my family and I would have to look at their sad faces as I leave them at the airport to go off and have fun without them. After deciding to attend the NAIAS just this past month it seemed like I should forgo any other events unless I could take my family. Either that or I would have to plan so much fun stuff for us to do together that it would balance out in the end. Well, when you set an intention and then act on it accordingly to demonstrate your commitment, amazing things begin to happen.

I offset my Detroit trip when an opportunity fell in my lap to take my kids to a blogger event that involves a resort and indoor waterpark. We go this weekend. Then I spotted a Facebook post about the Bloggy Conference taking place at Cedar Point this year. After seeing how affordable it would be to go and seeing that you can get up to 5 free passes to the amusement park if you stay at a Cedar Point hotel property, I knew I could have my cake and eat it too. I can attend the conference and my family can come with me. The hotel is right on the beach, which my kids will LOVE and they have long wanted to go to Cedar Point. I often tell them stories of my own trips there as a kid.

I love when everything works out so deliciously.

Let me know if you plan on attending. I look forward to meeting lots of new people!

I know I take water for granted quite often. How about you? I just turn on the tap and out comes a seemingly limitless supply. We use it for drinking, cooking, flushing, and bathing daily and while we might be concerned and a little upset by what is added to our water supply (fluoride, chlorine) we still have relatively safe and clean water at our disposal each and every day. Many people around the world are not so fortunate. My first world problems do not compare to what is going on globally.

In many places water is scarce or contaminated and unsafe for use. According to the Mom Bloggers for Social Good web site, 800 million people do not have access to it and 2.5 billion have nowhere safe and clean to go to the toilet. Hundreds of children die each day from contaminants found in the water, others miss out on their education. Mothers are unable to work while they nurse seriously ill children back to some measure of health.  This is a travesty and something that we need to work to change as global citizens because as Americans we surely use more than our fair share of resources such as water. The LEAST we can do is help increase basic access for our bothers and sisters in other lands.

In January I encouraged you to donate to The World Food Programme and help with hunger. This month I ask you to consider donating to help with clean water access. In keeping with my New Year’s resolution #4 to do more for social good, I chose to donate this month to WaterAid (screen capture at the bottom of this post). WaterAid is a non-profit organization that is focused upon improving poor people’s access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation. They work in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region and campaign globally to help realize their vision of a world where everyone has access to these basic human needs.

The organization works with partners local to the impacted zones and they provide them with the skills and support required to help communities set up and manage practical and sustainable projects. They also work internationally to change policy and believe that water and sanitation are basic human rights and that they are the building blocks to improving health, education and livelihoods in these areas.

There are several ways to help with their work and I like the the promotion they have going on right now to donate $25 in honor of your sweetie for Valentine’s Day. I love this idea because surely we don’t really need flowers, chocolates, or stuffed animals but others around the globe do need clean water. I would love for you to tweet the message below and help me spread the word:

WaterAid also has an amazing option to donate a portion of eBay proceeds. If you sell there it is super easy to set it up so that anywhere from 10% to 100% of the proceeds from your auctions go to them. So perhaps you feel you cannot afford to donate cash but perhaps you can list a few books or household items on eBay and donate that way?

Take a look at the video below to learn more about the issue and the organization trying to affect change. Also be sure to sign up to receive their monthly e-bulletin to learn more and stay in touch with their activities and breaking news in some of the 27 developing countries where they work.

This post was written as a member of the Global Team of 200 a group of mom bloggers banding together to work for social good.

I thought today would be a fitting day to not only get off my duff and come back to work/blogging after a ten day vacation but also to write up a post with my New Year’s goals for 2013. If you recall I had three goals or resolutions for 2012 with the main one forming a sort of theme… HAVE MORE FUN!!! Well I knocked that resolution out of the park.

Here is a picture of me thoroughly enjoying 2012…

Okay so that isn’t actually me that picture kinda sums it up though.

I took three trips with girlfriends (3-5 days each) that involved lots of parties and special events. One of those was to the Big Apple.  I had much fun indeed and came home with lots of free tech and other products. I met up with local bloggers and friends for lunch/brunch dates throughout the year. I got on a zipline with my husband, I took the kids to the beach, we did our annual winter hikes, I went on a slightly terrifying four-wheeling adventure, I attended several local blogger events including a tour of a hospital, a couple movie premiers, and a couple trips to the science museum. We actually just saw the exhibit with the dead bodies on display this month…that was super interesting! I went to the Arnold Sports Festival with hubby and The Country Living Fair with my mom. I got to borrow several cars for an extended test drive this year, went out for regular date nights, and I discovered a deep and abiding love for CrossFit. I have had a blast!

So goal #1 down. How did I do with  the other two. Not so well.

#2 was to make more money and I made about the same but because of all the aforementioned fun it feels like way less. The fun goal, our fitness pursuits, and our paleo diet all meant we started spending more.

#3 was to get more organized and that was mostly a failure. I did set up an organization infrastructure but I don’t use it that often.

So what does that mean for this year??? Well, if at first you don’t succeed…

My top goal for this year is to…

Make More Money

I want to keep the fun going and have already had to slow my roll to some extent and that just won’t do so this goal needs to be tackled again and put at the top. I also think we will be hit with some bigger expenses this year because our car may be on it’s last wheel, our son will have some medical bills/procedures due to a previously un-diagnosed birth defect, we want to get all three of our kids in CrossFit, and I have more “fun goals” for this year (see below).  I DO plan to cut costs where I can but in general I want to tackle this issue with an income increase.

Ways to cut costs would include joining my hubby on his cell contract when mine ends in (March), dropping my other gym membership when my two year contract expires (also in March), and renegotiating our cable when our current deal ends. Other than that I can’t cut much. Our most major expense is food. Paleo isn’t cheap but I am not willing to buy lower quality food. We already buy second hand clothing and furnishings. We don’t have high cost of living expenses (rent, utilities) and we save on entertainment by bundling services and buying prepaid/discount cards for things like Xbox Live memberships. We could do without our NetFlix sure but we don’t want to and as pointed out in one of my fave books All The Money in The World, pinching pennies like that can ultimately deflate you in your goals.

I blogged about how I plan to make more money with my business here. My hubby will also no doubt work overtime when he can.

Goal #2 is to

Have More Fun As a Family

Now that I feel recharged after a year of focusing on my own self care and fun I want to focus on bringing my family into the mix as well. It’s not that we didn’t have fun together in 2012 but it was not my focus. With my youngest finally entering Kindergarten I felt it was a good year to rediscover my own interests and pursuits and it was needed badly. It is rather like putting the oxygen mask on yourself first in the airplane and THEN putting a mask on your child. I had to take care of me first and I do very much feel like “Tiffany” again and not just “Mom”.

In 2013 though I plan to make sure my family is included in more of my adventures. I will likely forgo attending any professional conferences this year so that we can do something together instead. Though I must admit I already have an out of town press event scheduled in a just a couple days that will take me away from them. Oops! I want to rent a yurt in a state park, take a ferry across Lake Erie, see more children’s movies, go camping, and in general do a bit more traveling with my kiddos this year. To that end I already have some indoor water park passes purchased for January/February.

Also, as mentioned, I want to get a CrossFit membership for all three of our kids (ranging from $60 to $100 monthly, depending on age). Spending over $400 on gym memberships will be a stretch but working out together will be lots of fun!!

Goal #3 is to

Make My Husband/Marriage a Priority

I have a great marriage and it’s not like I am neglecting the man or anything but this year marks our 15 year wedding anniversary and over 20 years together. The man deserves to be one of my goals this year! Plus its not really about time so much as it is about making him feel loved and special more often. We already spend lots of time together. We go to the box together for CrossFit 5-7 days a week. I kick his behind in cardio/chipper based WODs and he kicks my butt on the weighted ones. We spend our afternoons together while the kids are at school doing everything from grocery shopping to watching DVRed episodes of our favorite shows. I often tell this man how much I love and adore him but I need to make some grander gestures and just give it that extra attention. Specifically this means more random acts of love expression, surprise gifts, hand written notes, packing his work meals for him, arranging more date nights and date weekends (sans children), and finding new ways to show this man I am as crazy about him now as I was when I was 16. If we can afford to go away together for our anniversary in August I will be ecstatic.

Goal #4 is to

Do More Philanthropic Work

This means blogging more about things along these lines and I will as a member of the Global Team of 200 but also getting involved more where I can personally. I want to volunteer often and find some charitable causes important to me and really throw some energy and resources in that direction. I would also like to get my kids involved as much as I can.

I think these four goals are more than enough to work on for 2013. As for organization…well on some level I will have to get better with that to accomplish the other three. Perhaps this year I can really rock goal #1 and have enough money to pay someone to organize for me. We shall see!

I also plan to post separately with some green goals…

What are your goals/resolutions for the New Year?

2nd photo: photo source