Instead of making resolutions each year, I always choose a focus word. This word or phrase is my guiding light throughout the year, so it has a fairly large responsibility. Every decision I make I use my focus word as a barometer… how does this decision impact the way I want my life to go this year?

I’ve gone back and forth over the past month thinking about what I want my focus word to be for 2015. 2012 was all about the word “Connect”. 2013 we went on a quest to “Simplify”. 2014 was the year I chose to “Invest”. Now 2015 is here and I have oscillated back and forth between two words. But, after much consideration I’ve finally decided. My 2015 focus is actually a phrase…and it’s a simple one. “Be Happy”….

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Happy New Year! What? I’m a week behind? The new year actually started last week?

Oh, I know, but I’m counting today as my new year. You see, the kids went back to school today and I always feel like I can’t really get started with all my new year plans until they are out of the house. So, cheers to you! Raise a glass and let’s celebrate the start of 2013!

Each year, I’ve blogged about my “word” for the year. A couple years ago it was “HAPPINESS“, last year it was “CONNECT” and I’ve decided that this year, my word is going to be “SIMPLIFY”.

I chose the word “SIMPLIFY” this year because getting back to basics and eliminating the physical and emotional “crap” in my life is important. I know that when I keep things simple, I’m happier and therefore my family is happier. Simplify in 2013 means:…

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I am sitting here, at 4pm, stuck in bed with the flu. Not quite the start to 2012 I was hoping for! Flu aside, I am really excited for the start of a new year.

Every new year I select one word to help guide my year. 2011 my word was “happiness”. I read and was inspired by The Happiness Project and it seemed only natural to focus my 2011 on intentional happiness. My “Happiness Reports” will continue into 2012, but my word is going to change.

For 2012 my word is CONNECT.

I want to spend time developing relationships and connecting with others on a deeper level. I want to connect with my husband through (at least) monthly date nights. I want to connect with my kids by spending more one on one time with them. I want to connect with my friends, making getting together with them regularly a priority. I want to spend time with my family…visit them more. I want to find blogs that move me and spend more time reading them. I want to engage my mind… read more, take more photos, live life vibrantly.

As a visual reminder of my 2012 word, I ordered a stamped metal bracelet from The Rusted Chain. On my bracelet will be the word “Connect”. Beki has generously offered to give one lucky Dine & Dish reader a 2012 word bracelet as well! To enter the giveaway for a stamped metal cuff bracelet from The Rusted Chain, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what your focus word is for 2012.

For additional entries:

• Become a fan of The Rusted Chain on Facebook
• Tweet the following “I hope to set my 2012 intentions in metal by winning a bracelet from The Rusted Chain & @DineandDish http://bit.ly/wmEchi “

All entries must be received by midnight, CST on Tuesday, January 9th, 2012. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified via valid email address.

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1. Goals – Project 365 – Day 1, 2. Bottles – Project 365 – Day 2, 3. Project 365 2010 – Day 3 – Grandma & Leah, 4. Project 365 2010, Day 4 – Mystery Ornament, 5. Project 365 2010, Day 5, Shake It Photo App, 6. Project 365 2010 – Day 6 – Jammie Day, 7. Project 365 2010, Day 7 – Picnic Anyone?, 8. Project 365 2010 – Day 8 – To Be Read, 9. Project 365 2010, Day 9, Cupcake Wrecks, 10. Project 365 2010, Day 9, Cupcake Face, 11. Project 365 2010 – Day 10 – Painting, 12. Project 365 2010 – Day 11 – Cleaning Routine, 13. Project 365 2010, Day 12 – A Rainbow of Temptation, 14. Project 365 2010, Day 13th – Be Happy, 15. Project 365 2010, Day 14 – So sweet…or is she?, 16. Project 365 2010, Day 15 – Slightly Obsessed, 17. Project 365 2010, Day 16 Inspiration, 18. Project 365 2010, Day 17 Tonight’s Going to be a Good Night, 19. Project 365 2010 – Day 18 – Return to Netflix, 20. Project 365 2010, Day 19 – Calming, 21. Project 365 2010, Day 20 – Children’s Hospital, 22. Project 365 2010, Day 21 Cereal for Dinner, 23. Project 365 2010 – Day 22 – Crazy Hair Day, 24. Project 365 2010, Day 23, My New Jo Tote Camera Bag, 25. Project 365 2010 – Day 24 Catholicism

One of my goals for this year was to return to Menu Planning. I’m proud to say it is one of the goals that I am actually doing well at so far. One of the reasons I called the items I wrote down on January 1st as goals instead of resolutions was because I am hoping to attain those goals by the end of the year… not accomplish them on day one. Good thing, because I would be failing miserably if that was the case. They are all top of mind though, so I do have a more centered sense of awareness around them since I wrote the goals down.

One goal that has turned into a new love of mine is Project 365. I love how participating in Project 365 is forcing me to get my camera out more and is motivating me to take some time for myself each day, doing something I truly enjoy. It has also become a format of micro-blogging for me, which has been fun. Above is a little collage of what I’ve taken pictures of so far. I have a long way to go, but I am pretty proud of myself for sticking to it for 24 days so far!

Adopt-a-Blogger matches will be made and posted here by next Sunday at the very latest. We have several newbies who still need to be adopted. If you have any interest at all in adopting a blogger, please head over to this post to sign up. Spread the word… we need experienced bloggers or I’ll have to turn some newbies away.

Here is my menu for this week. What’s on yours?

• Monday: Chicken Enchiladas from Southern Living Magazine and My Recipes
• Tuesday: Herbed Chicken Parmesan from Cooking Lignt and My Recipes
• Wednesday: Crockpot French Onion Beef Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
• Thursday: Shrimp and Wild Rice from Recipezaar
• Friday: California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza from CD Kitchen
• Saturday: Chicken and Mushroom Panini from Recipezaar
• Sunday: Baked Tilapia from Recipezaar

For more menu planning ideas and inspiration, head over to Menu Planning Monday at I’m an Organizing Junkie or to my friend Jane’s blog, This Week for Dinner.

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