Runs on Coffee and Cream

There's only a couple of days left of 2020. What a year. It feels like this past year was multiple years long. Does that make sense? I can't say the entire year was bad or a crap show because we welcomed Lily into the world back in July. She's been the highlight of the year - she's happy and giggly and so freaking snuggly. 

But I'm excited and interested to see what 2021 holds...

Way back in 2016, there was a blog prompt that I followed and used in my blog content - 5 Fandom Friday (you can read my past posts here). It was my my favourite blog prompt list because not only was it geeky, but it made me actually think about some of my geek interests. I had to dissect some of the shows I loved or books I read. I really enjoyed creating content with the prompts.

Well, it's back and I couldn't be more excited! When The Sartorial Geek announced it today, I clicked on the link right away to check out the prompts. And now I'm pumped to have something to help get my creative juices flowing again. I've been brainstorming about blog content lately and this news couldn't have come at a better time!

It's a new year which always feels like a new beginning to me; a fresh start. I've never been one to hold myself all that accountable for new year resolutions. I wrote down a few goals I'd like to work on this year, but honestly, the only things that matter to me this year are making memories and doing what makes me happy.

We have some fun plans this year, some set in stone and others that we need to finalize. Emma will be walking this year and she's already proved 2019 to be interesting since she's now crawling and trying to stand up. I can only imagine how many new adventures we'll encounter this year with her.

Source

I've also found new inspiration in my creative life - artists, creators, crafts, fabric. So many things have sparked new motivation in me. I haven't felt that in a while to be honest. It's nice. It's nice to feel these things again which make me want to spend time in my craft room or sit at my laptop and write .

My first step in my newfound creative world is starting a new Instagram account; one that will focus solely on my creativity and interests - sewing, crafting, reading, geeky things, and blogging. I've always held myself back a little bit on Instagram knowing that the people who follow me might not want to see a lot of Etsy posts, book reviews, toys, or new fabric pictures. Now, I feel free to spam the heck out of my 'creative' account.

The other thing I want to focus on is streamlining my social media presence. I'm taking a break from Twitter. I have found I just scroll on there; not really interacting or sharing my own thoughts. The next is Facebook. I've backed away from Facebook this past year a bit. I go on randomly only because most of my family is active on there and it's a way to stay sort of connected. But I don't want to get lost in that timeline either. So my goal is to connect my new Instagram account to my Facebook page. That way I can still share things without really having to log into Facebook.

I apologize and also thank you in advance while I navigate this new inspiration and try to find the voice I want to share online.

xo Jen

I ended 2016 in a donut onesie, playing Sushi Go with Adam, and joking around with him and my Instax camera. It was a great way to start the new year.
 

Over the holidays I was able to try the eggnog and gingerbread frozen yogurt at our local froyo place. The eggnog one was incredible!

We have been getting snow regularly since 2017 started. Living in this city really is like being inside a snow globe.

I received a ton of tea for Christmas but I'm not complaining. I've been having a cup of something new every night and I've already found a few new favourites.

It's been cold but it hasn't stopped us from venturing out for walks to local coffee shops and catching Pokemon.

How's 2017 been treating you so far?
xo Jen

2015 is almost over. This Friday is January 1st, which means a new year will be upon us. At the end of the year I enjoy looking back at what happened over the last 12 months - the good and bad. I like to see how I've grown, what mistakes I've learnt from, and how things have changed. From this I find inspiration for the new year. Motivation, inspiration, life lessons. I don't necessarily set goals for myself for the new year, but I do jot down ideas, dreams, and things I'd like to try during the upcoming year.

This is my list:

Baking

Baking is a huge passion of mine. I've definitely grown and become more adventurous but I have so many more ideas that I'm excited to start working on in 2016. I started a notebook a little over a month ago where I've been writing down all my ideas for treats. I'm beyond excited to start baking and decorating which is a really good thing. Though, I'll have a lot of sweets on hand, so please come over and eat some!



Crafts

This past year I attended a few new conventions and craft shows where I sold my products. I really enjoyed myself and did well at these events which means I'm planning on selling at these shows again in 2016. Because I was selling to a new crowd or at a different type of event, I made note of what was selling better than other things so I definitely have some ideas on how to properly stock for these shows next year.


Home

We worked on our house and yard a lot over this last year. But for the upcoming year we already have plans to paint 3 rooms and replace some of the flooring. It's super exciting for me because I've been itching to start on this process and it seems like it's finally going to be happening in the first half of the year. I cannot wait to have freshly painted walls where I can finally hang art and photographs.



Health

I'm starting off the new year having my carpal tunnel checked out. It scares me so much since I rely on my hands for everything I do and love. But I cannot keep waking up at night due to pain in my hand and pins and needles in my fingers that make me cry. I'm hoping getting this looked at will be the start of a positive and healthy year for me.

Over the last couple of weeks I've been making lists from 2013... tracking Etsy sales, calculating what comic conventions I did and want to do this year, and I also made a list of some big events that happened to me this past year. It was nice to look back at the year and reflect on every thing personal and professional that happened in my life. I thought it would be fun to share my 2013 review in a post... but I'm going to split it into two posts so I don't overwhelm everyone with just a giant one. I have to say, it was fun and interesting to go back and re-read posts from the last year. A lot of things changed over the past year and mainly for the better.

So here we go....

January:
It seems I watched a lot of TV, fell in love with Etsy shops, sewed, and did an awesome Sweets Swap (the first of many from the year)!



February:
This month was pretty similar to January but we went on our first road trip to Sudbury this year. Adam was invited up to do their physical test for the paramedic job position they had open. Little did I know I'd be moving there 4 months later.



March:
We took another trip up to Sudbury this month for Adam to do the written test for the job position. I also had Toronto ComicCon this month which was my first con of 2013!



This month was also a turning point for me because the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club started up during this month. I was super excited when I heard about it and signed up right away. I didn't know then how this club would change my life.

April:
April was jam-packed! I started working for the amazing ladies at IGGPPC! I was offered a staff position and it honestly was one of the best things to happen to me in 2013 - professionally, personally, creatively, and even emotionally. Three weeks into working for IGGPPC and I shared and gushed about the happiness I had found!

I also received so many awesome packages this month, including this adorable LSP! Oh, and I started watching Doctor Who this month as well!



May:
I did a new craft show in May, Art-O-Con, in Burlington. It was a lot of fun and I got to spend the day with Adam and Mary.



Adam was offered a paramedic job in Sudbury at the beginning of this month. It became a whirlwind month since we had one month to pack, find a new place, and Adam started training up North right away. During this time I ended up cutting off a good chunk of my hair. Initially I loved it, but I've been growing it long again for the last few months.

June:
We made the move to Sudbury at the beginning of the month. I spent a lot of time unpacking and arranging our new home. We did a bit of exploring in our new city too. I also had to keep up with convention prep since Niagara Falls Comic Con was this month and I had a show in July and August as well. Niagara Falls Comic Con proved to be really successful and lots of fun! I'm excited to do it again this year.



To be continued....

I hope your first few days of 2014 have been great!
xo Jen

2012 is right around the corner. With Christmas over, my mind is becoming distracted by the events that will be taking place, or hopefully taking place, over the next year. Life is going to be exciting and scary this upcoming year... but I'm honestly looking forward to it. I have faith that this might be one of the best years yet.



I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday and spending time with loved ones!

xo Jen