My head space…where its at and where its not

I haven’t really said all that much in the last few months, I know. But honestly, it’s been ok. I feel like I needed a break. I was feeling rushed, pressured (by my own doing) to get stuff written and posted just because, and I never do my best work that way.  Handling both blogs (English and Spanish) was also taking a small toll on me and I hate not giving my all to either one. I love writing… in both languages, but I feel like it needs to be organic and it needs to come to me when I’m ready.  Not to say that some of my best writing hasn’t come from impromptu moments, but my head hasn’t been there lately for anything to come naturally or prompted for that matter.   

So instead of getting myself down with what I’ve been calling “creative guilt” (that guilt of wanting to be a perfectionist, guilt that comes from feeling like I can’t keep up) I began to relax and embrace the fact that I am just in a different head space right now, a different place in my life right now altogether...and that’s ok. It’s more than ok.

I keep mentioning that there’s a lot happening this year and there are things that have needed much more of my attention lately. We’ve successfully ventured through some new experiences. It’s been stressful in so many ways but its turning into one of the most exciting years for all of us in one way or another.  This year is going to be the one that takes each one of us places we’ve never been, outside of the box- literally, physically and emotionally. It’s been especially rewarding and I’m looking forward to much more. 

So I am taking this time to just be me right now.  To be Sandy- the mom, the wife, the daughter, the friend and whatever that may mean for me and my loved ones in the moment.  I’m enjoying being in the present and not necessarily worrying about documenting or having to share every single moment.  It’s not that I don’t want or that I’m not going to but I’m realizing that not every story may necessarily be my story to tell either.  I’m learning to respect those boundaries outside of my own perspectives. I feel like I’m learning so much about myself period. What’s working and what’s not…more or less? That maybe it’s ok to be a little bit more reserved with what memories I want to keep for myself. And that maybe I’m still sharing but just doing it differently, more privately rather than publicly. And that’s ok too.

And as much as I’d like to keep up creatively, again, I’m being as creative as I can be- in my own way, in different ways, and I’m totally enjoying those moments when I feel I’ve discovered some new way to express myself. I’m glad to say that I am successfully working on catching up on my Project Life for 2014/2015, I’m taking lots of pictures (maybe even improving), I'm creating, I'm crafting, I’m baking, I’m cooking (a lot), and hopefully soon, I will be writing more too.  And when I do, as long as I know that it’s coming from a sincere and honest place (like right now), it will all be good. No pressure. It will just be me sharing my life with you.

I hope you'll continue to join me and Thanks for stopping by.

A new day...a new look

Hi there! Welcome to an updated version of Sandy's Little Corner.

Every year I like to find a way to update my blog and give it a fresh new look if possible.  It not only gives my blog a new life, but I feel like it renews my spirit and it gives me a creative incentive to keep writing and keep things hip and fresh. Well, at least I'm trying to, lol. 

I think this represents a little bit more of who I am, what I'm concentrating on this year, and of course my family.  I also tend to pick my colors for the year which I incorporated as well as a way to keep them present and in my sight.  So I may still tweak a few things as I go along, but I'm looking forward to making this cleaner, simpler version of my blog work for now.

I hope you like it too ;)

From my "new" little corner to yours...Have a great week!

Keep Calm and...

I have been stressing because I haven't posted anything this week. I usually would have had my Project Life posted and maybe one or 2 other posts, but for some reason this week has just taken over me in many ways.  Aside from additional 'work' work, school functions to head, and regular chaos, its been kind of an emotional week, with some life reality checks that have thrown me for a loop. Therefore, I have not had enough time and energy to do much with my blog. My Project life's Week 11 is about 85% done by the way, but the finishing touches haven't been completed. There are just NOT enough hours!!!

So when I realized it was already Thursday, I figured that instead of stressing and trying to post something I wasn't ready to post,  I was going with this poster's advice:

Or the next week for that matter! (I need to make a "Keep Calm and Just Blog Next Week" banner).  I have a few posts to get to, but with Spring Break starting on Monday and a pretty full one planned, it might just mean ANOTHER crazy week for me, but I will update you all as soon as I can.

So for now- Its going to be what its going to be! Life is to short to stress about this. Don't you agree?

From my little corner to yours...Keep Calm and...well...you decide! ;)

Smiles,

Sandy's Little Corner...going Español!

Buenos dias everybody! Something new is happening to my blog...its going Español!!

But wait, Sandy's Little Corner (in English) is staying right where it is. I am just adding a different language to my blog that I have been trying to get to since last year. I've had my spanish blog opened for over 6 months, but just hadn't been able to get it off the floor. My concentration last year was just to get my writing consistency up for this blog first and foremost. There was no point in having 2 blogs and not finding a way to write in either. So now that I feel more comfortable with that I can try to fit this dimension in to my blogging plan.

The reason for doing my blog in Spanish is that I realized that I've been sharing my family stories, personal journey's and creative posts with all of you who can obviously understand English. BUT I have soo many family and friends near by and internationally who's first and only language is Spanish that I feel like I've been selfishly keeping them from sharing in the same moments.

Have I done it as to not include them on purpose...No, of course not! But now that I feel that I've learned so much over my few years of blogging in my main language, I'd like to honor what was originally my first language -Spanish.

So there is no better time than like the new year to roll this out.

Introducing

La esquinita de Sandra...

Its same title just translated and I'll be honest I'm not quite sure what my exact plans are for it yet other than hopefully sharing some kind of translated version of as many English posts as possible. It may turn out that I end up doing something different all together, but we'll see.  Only time will tell and more importantly just how much time I'm going to have to do all of this including the other projects I'm diving into head first this year, but I'm "daring greatly" on this one myself.

In the spirit of my word, "Growth" and taking action to it, this as an opportunity to work on my growth in the areas of skills, both in language and writing. I have a minor degree in Spanish but  haven't really done or written anything much since my college days so this will be a chance keep that alive and hopefully perfect it in the process.
  
So that's it! I just wanted to let you guys know so if you're interested in reading my blog in Spanish or know somebody who might want to please head over to my esquinita (spanish for little corner).

Thanks so much and have a great Monday!

From my little corner to yours,

Stepped away for a bit...

 

Hi there!

You may have forgotten about me already, but I haven't forgotten about you. ; )  I haven't updated lately because we've had a couple of getaways, and last week I had all kinds of computer issues and breakdowns.  Aside from my computer breaking down, I haven't been in a full writing mode either as I have been busy with one thing or the other trying to get our house organized, and the kids ready for the upcoming school year that is too quickly coming up on our horizon. So we're trying to fit in as much as we can these days.

This week is also the Pre-wedding week around my house as we are getting ready for my brother's wedding this Saturday.   I am helping out with a few details, and as you can imagine there is always something to do at the last minute to get ready for a special day like this. We are all excited, tired and a bit stressed, but we are looking forward to a beautiful day with many special moments, and of course, pictures which I hope to be sharing next week.

So I just wanted to check in quickly, say Hello, and let you know that I'll be back soon...

From my corner to yours....Have a great week!

My 100th Blog Post

Its my 100th post!!!

Wow! I finally got here! Its been 4+ years since I started this blog and maybe I honestly thought I'd get here sooner, but this blog has been a work in progress for me, and its not as easy as I thought it was going to be, so maybe I'm right on target! ;)

When I first started writing I wasn't really sure what I wanted this blog to turn into and I don't even think I'm there now. However, I did know that I felt like I had some stories to tell, and I'm still trying to find my voice for all those things I want to say. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes not so much...but writing is such a process!! Every year I have started off the year really motivated and then not write anything until the end of the year...not great! But I have been getting better, and it wasn't until last year when I really felt like I was taking this seriously and became more disciplined in writing more consistently and I think its been paying off. So 100 posts is a big deal for me! Its Exciting! Its a lot of writing, but I love it! It is a part of me now, I think about it all the time, and I love being able to expand this side of my creativity everyday through writing.



Finding a word for the year has really helped me start off every year with a focus, and helps me find a direction as to what to write about, although life naturally seems to give me those moments. Some are personal, some are worldly, some and I try to get some in there that might be motivating, but as I grow, I'd like to think that my topics and/or my blog will evolve and grow around me as well.
 



This blog has also turned into my virtual scrapbook. Most of you know that I love scrapbooking, but finding the time to do so is almost impossible. One of the things that I love about it is telling the stories behind my pictures. That's what its always been about for me...leaving a legend behind for my boys. Blogging is allowing me to do both.  It gives me comfort to know that if they aren't reading my blog now (which they're not!) they're a click away from getting to some of my favorite stories about them. Its online, its in chronological order and better yet its DONE!!

Anyway, I'm learning something new all the time, and I am looking forward to trying and discovering new things as my blog develops. I have some things running through my head and I will let you know as soon as they're developed properly.

Last but not least, I wanted to Thank all of you who so graciously read my posts!! I so appreciate you taking the time to do so. Its silly, but its encouraging to know that I'm reaching someone out there other than myself! You have no idea how much it means to me when you leave your comments, or when you tell me to keep writing. I see the numbers that keep coming back to visit, and it makes me giddy! I hope you'll always enjoy it as I much as I do. I'd love to know if there is anything you want me to write about too. Suggestions are always welcome!!

Have a great day, thanks again for stopping by...and on to my 101st post and beyond!!

From my corner to yours...