• Are you tired of doing the same things every year?
• Do you make New Year’s resolutions only to fail miserably by Valentine’s Day?
• Do you have dreams but don’t believe they can ever come true?

Welcome to Her RESOLUTION!  We don’t make New Year’s resolutions.  We make REAL RESOLUTIONS!

Here at Her RESOLUTION, we believe in taking little steps to achieve big goals.  Progress is the name of the game.  Create a list of 10 things you want to do this year using the guidelines of the Progress Program.  Join us and you will get the encouragement and strength to expand your experiences and grow your character.

Check out Our Story!

Change your course and let your dreams take flight.

Oh my goodness!! What a week this has been! I can hardly explain the excitement I have felt and the incredible rush of forward momentum! I have been busting it out the last few months and it has all come to a wonderful conclusion. Firstly, this past Tuesday I was invited to be a guest at the Fort Kent Lions Club meeting. I have been working with them on their bi-annual Phone Directory, one of their major fundraisers. It was 116 pages and included some 300 advertisements. What a job! They were so pleased with the final product, as was I. I was even able to get it completed ahead of schedule. Their appreciation was humbling and exhilarating. I have already received a pretty major lead directly resulting from the book’s publication.

At the same time I was working on this project, I have been taking 18 credits towards my degree this semester. One of the classes was set up as an independent study on professional practices. I was asked to design the catalog and other printed materials for the Eye to Eye with Andy Warhol: The Multiples show, which opened at the Reed Gallery at UMPI this past Friday. The materials were completed and delivered last week. Catalogs had been floating around the administration to rave reviews, which were filtered back to be through my professor. Again, it was so amazing to hear such positive feedback. Thursday an article about the exhibition made the Bangor Daily News, and my name was in it! My advisor and friend, Heather, told me she had been contacted by a Warhol archivist from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago – one of the most prestigious art schools in the country – requesting all the printed materials for UMPI’s Warhol show. Which means, my name, which is on every catalog as the designer, will be forever a part of the Warhol archive! What?! Me?? All I can say is WOW! At the opening, I was surprised again by being publicly recognized for my part in putting the catalog together. The co-curator of the event was so pleased and pleasantly surprised with how easy it was working with me, as she was 3,000 miles away. I believe this project was another very important step forward.

Another extremely noteworthy event happened Friday evening as well. Wintergreen Art Center is a local non-profit that has created children’s programs in art, as well as hosting guest artists, and supporting arts in our community. In conjunction with WGAC, Heather is working to raise funds for a Cultural Center in downtown Presque Isle. They hosted a 10×10 silent art auction. 54 10×10 canvases were painted and donated by local artists. The auction was huge! There was such an amazing turnout. The very best part was J met me at WGAC after the Warhol opening. He wanted to pick out a canvas for our anniversary and knew I had my eye on one in particular. His original plan was to meet up, spend a few minutes looking at the paintings and then leave. Instead, he stayed the whole evening. We talked with others. I introduced him to my professors and a few classmates. We walked up Main Street to see a few other exhibits being shown for the First Friday Art Walk. We laughed and held hands. It was wonderful!! We went back to WGAC for the end of the auction and he made sure I won the painting I had wanted since first seeing it. It has been our tradition to attend the circus every year for our anniversary. This night blew every other anniversary out of the water! He said he was a bit surprised by actually enjoying himself. I don’t expect him to attend every art event, but this meant the world to me! It was an amazing way to celebrate 12 years of marriage.

As a side note, I completed the lettering on J’s race car, which he is very excited about and, I have to admit, looks really good! We also got our Giant Jersey’s moved into a pen in the ‘big’ chicken coop. They were beginning to squish out the Silkies, making everyone really unhappy. The Silkies are now growing like weeds. The older chickens have adjusted well to their new bunk-mates and I’m hoping it won’t be long before we do a full introduction.

Again, what an incredible week!

This week I will:

1. Write 2 papers
2. Complete Art History project
3. Two drawings
4. Ace a final exam & final critique
5. Two new quotes
6. Laundry
7. Cover chicken run

The Daniel Fast has now concluded!  I have to say that it was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself, and one of the greatest adventures we’ve embarked on as a family.  The kids have been planning all the foods they would eat as soon as the fast was over.  Ella  jumped right back into the candy.  Geoffrey has been more cautious.  I have had such a change of mindset that I’m not willing to go back to what I was eating before.  I have lost 6 lbs over the three weeks, but those pounds have made a dramatic change in how I look and feel. 

I start a new coupon class tomorrow and run every Tuesday for the next 4 weeks.  Unfortunately, I have not cut coupons or done coupon shopping in the entire time of the fast.  So I am spending much of today clipping and organizing.

Last Wednesday, on the 25th, the First Apostolic Church of Brewer voted in a new pastor.  We are very excited about keeping our evangelistic family!  Our current pastor and his wife aren’t going anywhere.  What a blessing to have two wonderful leaders and preachers!  A very noteworthy event.  That’s why I’m mentioning it here. 

May is gearing up to be a very busy month!  Every weekend is packed. I have 4 weeks of coupon classes, traveling south, traveling north, a 4 day conference at church, a BNI meeting, garden planting and soooo much more.  Going to have to stay on top of my game!

This week I will:

1. Clip and organize coupons
2. Coupon shopping
3. Work 4x
4. Teach coupon class
5. Turn over gardens
6. Mow lawn
7. Bank run
8. Move in new furniture

Week 2 of the Daniel fast is now over.  This fast has done for us exactly what we hoped it would do.  It has inspired me to switch up our normal eating routine with new menus and healthy options.  For Eric, it has given him a wonderful boost in his weight loss endeavor.  I’m very excited about the 10+ lbs he has lost.  It’s very obvious and he looks great!  I have lost about 4 lbs but it has also made a notable change in how my clothes fit.  Today starts the final week of the Daniel fast, and I’m surprised to say that I am not looking forward to its conclusion.  I will endeavor to keep eating very similar to the Daniel fast afterward.   I know I’m eating healthy, I’m thinking clearer, and I have a lot more energy. 

A notable event of last week was the purchase of a Vita-Mix blender.  Since starting the Daniel fast, I have been looking at many vegan recipes to make.  I found that several websites and blogs highly recommended a Vita-Mix.  So I started researching the product to find out what it was and if it was worth the cost.  Honestly, it didn’t take long to be completely sold on it.  It would be very useful, and not only while on the Daniel Fast.  Being a “high dollar” item, I started researching options of buying and where I could get the best deal.  Fortunately, the Bangor Home Show was this weekend and Vita-Mix was one of the vendors.  The package they were offering was the best I could find.  So we went to the show, and brought home a Vita-Mix.  Eric was not sure about it until we got it home.  The machine was used 5 times in the first 24 hrs and I only used it the first time.  Eric hijacked my blender and the recipe books!!  Ha! I’m so glad he approves. 

This week I will:

1. Work 5x
2. Bank run
3. Grocery shopping
4. Business meeting
5. Clean bedroom
6. Organize coupons

Week 1 of the Daniel fast has wrapped up and the worst is over.  Day 2 was excruciating!  I thought I was going to die.  Caffeine and sugar withdrawal is a wicked, wicked thing!  I had a headache that I just couldn’t get away from.  It was so horrendous that I was nauseous and fought being sick all day.  Then the following days were burdened with severe joint pain like what I have when I run a fever.  By Sunday, the symptoms were over.  Thank God!  It is amazing how dependent our bodies become on certain foods.  I have a much better understanding now of what Jesus meant when he said to, “Deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow me.”  The cross was the instrument used to crucify and take the life of Jesus.  Likewise, our bodies and carnal minds are the only things that can cause us to falter and lead us to ultimate destruction.  The only way to take up your cross is to deny yourself and keep your body under subjection.  Jesus came out victorious and with His help, I will also come through this fast victorious. 

Tuesday night was the Women’s Krav Maga seminar.  I have to say that I really had a great time and was thankful that my MIL and friends could also attend.  I can’t say that I came out unharmed, but it was a worthy trade off for the information and instruction that I received. 

In other news, Change is coming to the church in Brewer.  Some people have a harder time dealing with Change than others.  I am so thankful that the course of my life has introduced me to Change many times.  I have become a student of life and Change is often my teacher.  Change visits us all.  How we greet and accept Change greatly affects where we end up in the future, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Welcome Change!  We meet again!

This week I will:

1. Work 4x
2. Mail gift certificates
3. Grocery shopping
4. Bank run
5. Visit my friend
6. Plan menu
7. Teach DR

The weeks are flying by. My biggest hurdles have been jumped with gazelle like grace. Ok, maybe not totally graceful, but enough so as to keep my dignity. My largest project to date is in the hands of the printer. I can’t say I am sorry to see it go, but it went very smoothly. I will be seeing the final product in the next few days. I am in hopes it will open up a number of doors for me. I am actually quite confident it will. The semester is winding down and the build up to an amazing weekend in art in P.I. A couple of months ago I was asked to design the catalog for an Andy Warhol show at Reed Art Gallery at UMPI. The catalogs, invitations and flyers are complete. The show is in the process of being installed and May 4th is the opening. I am very excited to be part of such an auspicious event. That same night is a benefit to raise money for a Cultural Center downtown. This will include a public art gallery, which again, I am super excited about.

I am riding on a wave on energy. I am in the process of planning a trip to Nevada with Ari at the end of the summer. I’ve never been out west and traveling with my daughter will be so much fun. Jay’s uncle is being commissioned as a Commander in the Navy and a bunch of Jay’s relatives are going out to support him. Unfortunately it is happening just as Jay will be taking in hunters and can’t go. We will miss him terribly, but I’m very happy Ari and I will be able to go out and represent our family. Traveling has always been on my list, even when I didn’t write it down. This is a great start.

Mandy started the Daniel fast last week. This week Jay and I decided to try a change of diet ourselves. It’s loosely based on the cabbage soup diet. Basically it is cutting all sugars and carbohydrates, and strictly limiting meats. I made the soup, and it is actually really good. It is similar to minestrone without the beans and pasta. It’s full of awesome vegetables. That is what the diet really promotes, an increase in water, vegetables and natural fruit intake. We’ll see what the results are next Saturday. I’m looking forward to just cleaning the junk out of my system. I had noticed my dependence on chocolate was getting way out of control.

This week I will:

1. Wrap up the big printing projects
2. Homework, homework, homework
3. Grocery shopping for fresh fruits & veggies
4. Laundry
5. Prep for HerResolution presentation
6. Order vinyl

AWOL. So guilty. Lock me up. Please. Then I might get a break.

Actually, I have to take ownership of everything I have before me. They are opportunities I have either sought out or have come to me and I’ve said yes. Either way, I have invited these things into my life. Of course, that is not to say I may have taken a bigger bite than I originally thought I could handle. An 18 credit semester might not have been the smartest idea. I am still thrilled at being back in school, but will be very glad, in five and a half weeks, when the semester ends.

I was so happy Mandy was able to make it up the the ALL for Women Conference a couple of weeks ago. It was the first time she and I have been able to really begin to spread the word about our forward movement and how everyone else can do it to. I wish she were closer so we could tag team a lot more. Because of our session facilitation, I have been asked to speak at another seminar the end of this month. It will be specifically about HerRESOLUTION and our efforts. I’m super excited! I still have time to throw some business cards together. Should I add that to my list???

I am feeling the effects of personal progress.  I have taken my own advice and have been voraciously feeding my mind and spirit.  I have picked up another fantastic book called, “The Millionaire’s Secrets.”  The wealth of wisdom in this book make it far more valuable than the money and time invested in it.  I have been studying the New Testament again to keep my core values always at the forefront of everything I learn and become.  And today my family embarks on a journey of spiritual growth, self control, and health.  Today is the first of 21 days on a Daniel Fast.

A Daniel Fast has it’s origins in the Old Testament of the Bible.  Daniel was used time and again by God to reveal truths to the kings of his time.  At these critical times he chose the foods he ate very carefully to sustain and strengthen his body and not defile or hinder it.  In Daniel 1:8 and 12-15 it says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. – Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.  So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.  And at the end of ten days there countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” 

This took place just after the children of Judah had been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.  Nebuchadnezzar was looking for certain men to come into his palace to teach them the wisdom and language of the Chaldeans.  Because of this fast, Daniel, as well as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (famed for their stand against idol worship and came out of the fiery furnace) were chosen above all others to come into the presence of the king.

Also in Daniel 10:2-3 scripture says, “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.  I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”  This was just before Daniel saw a great and wondrous vision.

In short, the Daniel fast is very much like a vegan diet only with more restrictions.  For 21 days we will not consume any animal products including meat, dairy and eggs.  We will not consume any sweeteners, natural or artificial.  We will not consume any leavening (yeast) or caffeine. We will not consume any refined or processed foods or any food that contains chemicals or artificial preservatives.  We will avoid all deep fried foods and any solid fats.  And we will drink only water.

It has been exciting to explore what this fast will mean to us in the next few weeks.  I have been scouring cookbooks and websites for all natural, vegan recipes that fit within these guidelines.  I’m excited to try new foods and experiment with recipes.  I’m very thankful that my entire family has jumped on board with this plan.  I’m sure it will teach us much about physical health as well as personal and spiritual development.

This week I will:

1. Cook many new recipes
2. Work 4x
3. Mail out gift certificates
4. Attend women’s self defense seminar
5. Special services Friday
6. Teach DR
7. Clean out fridge

According to Jim Rohn.

Failure = A few errors in judgment repeated every day.

Success = A few small disciplines repeated every day.

Do not neglect to do the simple things.

It seems like a long time ago now that I was in Presque Isle for the WWC All for Women Conference.  It was a good experience and I was glad to have the opportunity to share a few thoughts.  But I didn’t know then what I know now.  It seems strange that the ideas and philosophies that I’ve become acquainted with since then have so quickly become a part of who I am.  I’m so grateful to my friend that led me to the lectures of Jim Rohn.  I have spent much of my time at work listening to hours of lectures on my mp3 player.  It has not in anyway been contrary to what I shared at the conference, but there is so much more that I wish others would know and put into practice. 

Not only has Jim Rohn become a part of my psyche, but I have just finished reading “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason.  The food for thought in that book has me chewing and chewing.  I wish to share it with the world, but I’ll start with my own children.  I have already begun to read it to my son.  How young is too young to start learning financial disciplines?  It’s never to early to start!  And so, at 10 years old, I wish to equip him with the tools he needs for a promising future.  This purposed has spurned new inspirations and the idea of a fiscal experiment.  My children and I have taken the challenge to grow $20 for one year.  We endeavor to prove that anyone with a little money sense can make money, no matter their situation or the state of the economy.  We literally started with nothing except the cans and bottles in our basement.  We returned them to get our initial $20.  Over the next twelve months we will document how a little money mixed with hard work and diligent learning can become a success story.  Can $20 become $200?  Can it grow to $2000?  We shall see. 

This week I will:

1. Work 4x
2. Bank run
3. Pay day and pay bills
4. Prepare for Easter
5. Clean my house
6. Plan our first move with $20

Whoa!! Put on the brakes!  I have discovered that when I get super focused on one area of my life, other areas suffer.  So I’ve taken a step back from business for a bit, and have talked out a few specific needs and goals with my husband.  Though TOH is my business, I’m not willing to move forward without being on the same page with my husband.  I also put a call into Dave Ramsey last Monday to ask about growing a business while trying to get out of debt.  He suggested that I grow the business more slowly and more profitably.  So, I’m taking his advice and the advice of other close advisors, and slowing down.  I’m not letting go of my goals.  I only fear running faster than my feet can move.  You always end up on your face when that happens!

The weather in Maine has been incredibly warm.  We hit 76 yesterday and upper 60’s today.  Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer.  The warm weather has prompted the Spring Cleaning Bug to bite.  I’ve spent lots of time over the last 3 days scrubbing, re-organizing, and throwing things away.  I am trying to transform my home into one that I would not mind cleaning as a housekeeper.  Free of excess clutter, fewer things on the floor to move when vacuuming or mopping, and everyday items put away.  It’s ironic that I clean house on my days off.

I’ve spent some time today putting a few last details into my WWC presentation.  I’m excited about this new adventure.  I love to teach, and the information is such a part of who I am and how I live, that I haven’t yet had any nervousness about talking about it.  Thankfully, teaching couponing classes has already got me broken in to speaking for a length of time to people I don’t know.

This week I will:

1. Clean 3x
2. Tweak WWC presentation
3. Travel to PI for ALL for Women Conference
4. Bank run
5. Grocery shopping