Feel the fear (and do it anyway).

As quotes go, the one up there in the title bar is one of my favourites but it's not something I put into action very often. You see, I miss out on so much and pass up invitations for things I really want to do/try because I have very little confidence and I don't like to do things on my own.

Although I love (and feel comfortable in) my own company and have a whale of a time if Jonathan is ever away on a weekend (sleeping, crafting, watching girly stuff on the telly, reading, baking, blogging, to name a few) I'm not very good at going solo when it comes to activities outside of our home. Thus, this makes it incredibly difficult to try new things and make new friends.

I have been this way for as long as I can remember and I suppose it stems from a mixture of low confidence and being too scared to make a fool out of myself to try anything new. I can ask myself "what's the worst that could happen?" until I'm blue in the face but it doesn't seem to help.

I'm also incredibly scared of criticism so the avoidance of trying something new means I can avoid any potential negativity. Mad I know!

There's an extensive list of things I want to do but haven't tried due to my lack of confidence or reliance on others to keep me company, but I thought detailing the main ones along with some quotes and awesome photos (via weheartit.com) may help to give me the boost and inspiration I need. Of course if you have any advice or words of wisdom then the comments box awaits you as does my thanks!

Photography course
I love finding new blogs and when I spot amazing photos on a blog they really draw me in and make me want to scroll through old posts (currently doing it with Love Audrey. From Gem With Love is another fave too!) I have a couple of cameras which are pretty good but taking photos on the "auto" mode isn't going to get me anywhere. I'd love to try a beginners photography course to learn what the dials and buttons actually mean and to improve the photos on my blog.

Singing lessons
There are a small select number of people who have heard me sing (usually accidentally and/or family members) who have told me I have a good voice. I'd love to join a choir but as you know from reading the above, I have no confidence and don't know whether I'd be good enough to join one. This is where the idea of singing lessons comes from. I've even done my research and found a singing teacher who practically lives on the doorstep but nope. I'm too much of a wuss to try it!

Exercise classes
Although I really like working out at home using my DVDs and You Tube, I don't get much variety and this can sometimes lead to a lack of motivation to do my workouts. I know which moves are coming up and how many times I have to do them so I don't always push myself when I've done the same workout 20 times before. There is a workout studio literally a 3 minute walk from our house which does Zumba, Pilates, toning classes, Cheerleading workouts(!) and a few others at various times through the day, evening and weekends so I have zero excuses apart from the fact I can't face turning up on my own.

Book club
I go through phases with reading where all I want to do is read and I get lost in book after book, but overall I try to read as many books as I can. I love the idea of going to a book club to meet new people and talk about books (I even found one that is run from a chocolate shop - how awesome is that?!)

Blog events
When I first started blogging back in 2009 I was so lucky to be invited to great blogging events for huge brands such as The Body Shop, Aussie and Loreal. Although I do think events like those aren't around so much anymore I am occasionally invited to launches and events which sound amazing but I always decline. My excuse of the travel being too far is partly true but there's also the element of not wanting to go alone as I'm shy and would hate to look like a billy-no-mates.

Cinema (for one)
I've thrown this one in as it's the one I could most likely achieve as it's not as scary as the others. I often miss out on films that I want to see as they're not Jonathan's cup of tea and, although I know he'd go with me in a shot, he works very hard and I'd hate to make him sit through an hour and a half of a "chick flick" in his "me time". I think a daytime showing of Pitch Perfect is on the cards for me soon. Ticket for one! ;)

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A year in shoes.

As an ambassador for Sarenza I have been incredibly lucky and received some beautiful shoes and bags, handpicked by me and kindly sent for free, to style and share with you. From ballet pumps and trainers to cosy Ugg boots, slippers and handbags, I have been really lucky. Jonathan has even got in on the action too and struck a pose or two on here.

To read the original blog posts featuring these photos click here: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Looking back on these photos from the last 12 months has brought back some lovely memories of day trips, birthday outings, catching small glimpses of sun in our garden and preparing for trips abroad. We were lucky to get two holidays last year and my Sarenza shoe and bag purchases accompanied me on both trips.

Looking through these photos also reminded me of the shoes tucked away in my wardrobe ready for (hopefully) the warmer months ahead this year.

One thing I noticed is that I sure do love skinny jeans and a pair of really good pumps! :)

To read the original blog posts featuring these photos lick here: 1 / 2 / 3

There's a big sale going on at the moment with up to 50% off so if you like any of the items I've shared here it's worth seeing if they have gone into the sale. I'm not a big fan of sales but I always browse online for potential bargains to avoid the sharp elbows and crowds in the shops.

My favourite sale spots are these Jeffrey Campbell Starynite shoes, this studded pair of Meline's called Mirwais, the pretty Oaker heels by Ted Baker, and the pretty pink Katie pumps by Ravel.

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MY SLEEP NUMBER BED HAS DIED AND CHA BU KHAN'S FIRST FIRE

It got down into the 30s last night and there will be more of this cold through the next week.  We are really enjoying our fireplace and cuddles on the sofa to watch TV. 

Cha Bu's first fireplace.

Our newest member of the family is adjusting well.  Little Cha Bu Khan does get upset during the night and growls and barks at the door to the bedroom which I keep closed so the cats don't disturb our sleep.  She may hear something but I'm not sure what she is barking at.  Sometimes she barks at the closet which I keep open so she doesn't see herself in the mirror and think it's another dog.  She continues to scratch her ears which I am treating with meds daily.  So this behavior of barking and scratching keeps her up most of the night.  She catches up on her sleep during the day.

She is progressing in her ability to walk while harnessed and on a leash.  She follows her big sister wherever she goes.  She's happy to see other people in the street and is friendly towards them.  She is a little frightened when our friend Prince the American Eskimo dog walks with us.  She trembles so I pick her up and carry her for awhile until she gets used to seeing him.  Prince is Xi Shi's best friend and he is gentle with little dogs.

She is eating well and loves the food I fix for her.  I started mixing a tablespoon of wet food with some kibble and she eats it all up.  I also give her treats that are good for teeth and gums.  The vet said that her breath smells bad due to the kinds of food she had been eating.  Xi Shi had the same problem when I first got her but after a few months on this treat her breath improved.  I also give her treats for bone and joints.

I haven't started training her yet for commands but she picks up things quickly.  She continues to play fetch at night when we are upstairs and away from the cats.  She uses her puppy pads as well.  This is a big relief for me as I was afraid that she would use the carpet in the bedroom.

She learned right off how to jump onto the bed as well as off.  Xi Shi can not do what she does.  She uses the chest in front of the bed as a jumping on point then onto the bed which is very high.  Sometimes she slips but she tries again.  In a way I wish she wouldn't do this because I'm afraid she'll hurt herself.  She's got more spark than Xi Shi and seems more daring.

She's being exposed to so many new things that I can't imagine what she's thinking about all of this.  The next thing coming up for her is her surgery on the 14th.  She'll no longer be a puppy maker.

As soon as the weather gets just a bit warmer we are going to take a trip to the beach at Grand Isle.  Not sure how she'll act in the RV but we'll soon find out.  Ordered a new motor for my Sleep Number bed in the Rv.  It is only 4 years old and has died.  The replacement will be a wireless remote controlled motor at a cost of $77.31.  They are allowing me 70% of my 20 year warranty.  It should be here in 5 to 7 days.  I'm going to try to install it myself.

I spend a lot of time on the computer and she's learning how to have her own space while I work in the office.

All refreshed from her nap.

She is a joy to have in my life.

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THE VET VISIT

Just returned from the Vet to have Cha Bu looked at and given whatever she needed.  She was well behaved and a brave little girl while getting some shots.  She weighed in at 11 pounds.

She was given a Heartworm test and is negative.  She received her 6 month Heartworm injection, was Microchipped, had her nails clipped, and was treated for her eye ulcer with Neopolydex Ointment which I will apply twice a day. 

I should see some improvement within a week.  The Vet said that it will reduce the size of the white ulcer on her eye but that there would probably remain a small white spot.  That's OK as long as she can see out of that eye.

About two months ago, another dog scratched her eye and it formed an ulcer and became infected.  It was treated for awhile and then left alone.   So now we are going to see if it will improve with this medication.  I sure hope so.

So now she is good to go till her next visit in 6 months.

She really thought this cat was real.

It's red sweater day.

This sweater is a medium and one that Xi Shi can no longer fit into.  It's a little big for Cha Bu but will do for now.

This is Xi Shi's chair where she sits next to me while I'm on the computer.  I encouraged her to share her spot and this is what happened.

They were both so tired after their long walk that no one complained about such close quarters.

When Cha Bu first got here and I gave her a toy she did not know what to do with it.  If I threw it and told her to go get it she didn't understand.  Well, last night I tried to get Xi Shi to play fetch - which we do every night before bedtime - but she wouldn't do it because of the new doggie.  So to my surprise the new doggie fetched and brought it back to me just like Xi Shi does.  I was so surprised.   I think she will be easy to train.  She shows lots of potential.

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2013 will be the year I... (and an update on 2012).

♥ Join a club

♥ Reach my all time goal weight (even if I don't stay there very long..)

♥ Get photos printed and put into albums

♥ Remember birthdays earlier than the day before (i.e. be more organised)

♥ Try something new career-wise

♥ Visit my sister and brother in law on the Isle of Man

♥ See more of my parents

♥ Take better photos

(all from www.weheartit.com)

I did okay with my resolutions set for 2012. I started to use eye cream like I said I would (an Origins one to be precise). 

I learnt how to do nothing and take a bit of time out to have a nice bubble bath or watch a film without giving myself a hard time that it was a "waste" of time. 

I learnt new things (decoupage) and had a really crafty year, making Christmas cards and presents. 

I slacked a little bit with my exercise but I took part in Race for Life like I wanted to and I'm hoping with the help of You Tube, my workout dvds and the fitness centre round the corner 2013 will be my fittest year yet!

I didn't learn to cook a roast but then again I became vegetarian in 2012 so cooking meat for other people wasn't top of my priorities. We have tried so many new recipes and found some firm favourites. Even Jonathan has cut down on meat which I didn't think would ever happen.

I don't think I'll ever figure out what I want to do career-wise (it seems to make it onto my resolutions every year!) but I think it's time for a change in 2013. Time to try something different.

How did you get on with your resolutions from 2012? Made any for this year?

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