And with the start of the new year it is always a good time to think about changes, goals, etc., so in the never ending quest for more simplicity here are some things that I’ll be doing this year.  I share them here as encouragement for you to maybe set your own focus on a more simple and joy-filled life.  Plus it’s a chance to possibly get some free orange juice (see below!) :)

1.  Use technology strategically.  Although originally designed to help us, it seems, to me anyway, that technology has not only complicated our lives but taken up all our time as well.  I do appreciate the benefits that the internet, cell phones and other technological advances have given us but have fallen into the trap of the “urgent” becoming the “important”.  Because of a few clicks I can find myself off on some rabbit trail sleuthing or solving some problem that I would have never known existed had I not clicked on someone’s link.  Rarely do these types of things require my time or my “wisdom” and so, one huge step for me this year will be to “just say no” when it comes to clicking around on the internet.  Also I’m going to avoid texting like the plague and use it only when absolutely necessary.  A quick phone call will, in all likelihood answer any question or problem I might have.

2. Grow a garden.  With 5 inches of snow and ice on my driveway and yard it’s hard to really imagine growing a garden this year but I’m going to do it!  Last year we decided to give the garden a sabbatical - which in our terms meant “we ain’t even gonna touch it”.  That was very freeing for us but I missed the dirt and the bounty that some good outdoor digging brings.  And so, this year, in an effort to simplify and save some good hard cash, a garden it is.  I’ve already purchased my heirloom seeds and can’t wait for the chance to start some seeds out in the greenhouse.  Now if we can just figure out how to stop the cat from using the seed pots as a litter box....

3.  Read more.  My sweet husband and daughters got me a Kindle for my birthday (ignore the fact that that’s technology - see #1).  Now I still think there is nothing better than a REAL book in my hands - I love the smell, the feel, the look and the turning of pages in my fingers.  But I’ve already found that I’m reading more than I ever have because of this little gadget.  First I loaded it up with some classics that were FREE in the Kindle store. I didn’t know what I was missing!  Great stuff.  I love that I can throw it in my purse and choose to jump into any number of books I’ve started depending on my mood - without carrying a library of actual books around in a heavy bag.  That said, I know that when I find a gem of a book, I’ll still purchase a good old hardback version for my bookshelf.

More... yeah, I’m sure there are more things I’ll be doing and I’ll post them later.  But this is a good start... don’t you think?