Carolyn Braden's Revolutionary Idea

I just finished changing the look of all my blogs. I love a change of scenery sometimes and they just needed some sprucing up. Most people make all their changes in their lives when the new year is arriving. Maybe my new year is arriving at this moment. It is never too late to make a change in your life. Try a fun new recipe like Baked Alaska. Try swimming for exercise instead of lifting weights. Hang out with people that make you laugh instead of cry. As we all know, tomorrow is just another day but maybe it should be your revolutionary day.

Carolyn Braden's New Thing: Writing for eHow

My new year, new thing:  I will write more!


I am now a contributing writer for www.ehow.com.


My first article was just published.  You can check it out below by clicking on the link.  It is about how to use my new favorite Lush product, Charlotte Island skin tint.  I blogged about it a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to share the news about how it's a great alternative to self-tanners and tanning in the sun (and in tanning beds).


http://www.ehow.com/how_7713184_use-charlottle-island-skin-tint.html


I plan to write articles about style, fashion, and beauty products, but I also will write about other topics.  I am currently an art educator, so I plan to write articles that inspire people to create art projects and crafts.  Having taught art to elementary and middle school age students, I've figured out very simple and easy ways to break down hard projects.  Going on my 7th year of teaching, I've learned a lot and I am excited to take my knowledge to the next level, which is writing about it.  I write a blog about what is going on in my classroom and about certain art projects called Braden's Art Stars.( http://bradensartstars.blogspot.com/ ) I also contribute my knowledge in the arts on other websites such as www.kinderart.com and SchoolArts Magazine.( http://www.davisart.com/portal/schoolarts/sadefault.aspx ) Now, withwww.ehow.com, I'm just adding more to my writing resume.  And this is one step in the direction to keep my new year, new thing resolution!

New Day, New Life, Carolyn Braden

I finally finished my "Up and Down" journal. I love writing in a journal. As I've blogged about before, journal writing is so helpful in keeping up with your thoughts and goals. My up and down journal was killer. I've gone back and read through past journals and nothing compares to this last one. I was actually relieved when I finished writing in it. There was a whole lot of negativity in it. I am so glad I got out those negative thoughts through writing. Now, my next journal has a picture of a tree on it and I got it at a little bookshop in Sanibel Island this summer. It is beautiful. Trees have been a big part of my life lately. I like trees. I love how they can be beautiful and bear beautiful flowers in the spring, full and rich during the summer, colorful yet peaceful in the fall, and strong and tall in the winter. Anyways, this next journal is going to show the change in my life. From my 20's to my 30's. The tree is representational of the change because trees change.
Change is good. Why must we keep doing the same things all the time? Try something new. No, it's not New Year's resolution time yet, but who cares! Don't wait until then if you know you need to make a change in your life. It may be too late if you wait! Make a decision to change and stick with it. I have slacked on my exercise the last few months. I decided last week I was going to start getting up 15 minutes early every day to walk on the treadmill. You know what? It's like a shot of espresso! Who needs 10 cups of coffee when you can just exercise! Exercise increases your endurance and positivity. Try something new or stop a bad habit. Just because everyone else keeps making the same mistakes and gives up on pacts they make with themselves, you don't have to do it too. Baby steps people, baby steps.

Something really good may have happened today. I will not get too excited yet. I will blog again if I am right about this.

Until next time......

Peacocks for the new year!

Well, I will be taking Pammie into the new year. She will be absolutely fabulous in 2009! She received some new friends in December, some of which need to be named still. The ones that were named were wonderful and inspiring!
I received many Peacock things for Christmas. My favorite peacock item so far is my peacock notepaper. It's so pretty! I love writing little notes, so the pretty paper makes it always fun!

I just want to wish everyone a happy start to the new year. For me, 2008 was a year of realization on many levels. There were great times and not so great times, as every year brings that. No matter what, we should all remember that things get bad sometimes, but they always get better. I will spend this final night of 2008 remembering the bad and the good, but will be leaving the bad in the past. That's what we have to do sometimes to prepare ourselves for the really good that is about to come. Again, we just have to be patient for those really good things!

My hopes for 2009 is a year of good beginnings. I wish the best to my peeps!
Peeps remember: Peacocks rock the flock!