Hello 2013…Turning The Next Page

Posted on December 31, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Happy New Year, Everyone! We say goodbye to 2012…and hello to 2013.

A new year gives us all the opportunity to:

Start afresh
Create a plan
Say sorry
Keep a promise
Make a vow
Get in shape
Change direction
Share love
Connect with nature
Eat healthy
Take a breath
Reach out
Stand up
Step in
Work smart
Practice time-management
Smile more
Move forward

I’m excited to be taking part in several writing challenges for 2013:

Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 (to write 12 picture book drafts in 2013)

Alayne Kay Christian’s Sub Six (to submit 6 picture books in 2013)

Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (to review a picture book every Friday)

Nancy Hatch 1st ever SLTW Writing Contest

Highlights Fiction Short Story Contest (thank you, Hannah, for the heads-up about this)

I’ll also be doing Emma Walton Hamilton’s Just Write for Kids online picture book writing course that I won as part of Julie’s 12×12 Prize Extravaganza.

And I’ve just found another challenge that will add some balance to this picture book writing/submitting frenzy…No/Low Spend and De-cluttering January Challenge sponsored by Carla at My 1/2 Daily Dozen

I’ve been wanting some encouragement and support for these tasks…not sure which will be more difficult…budgeting or throwing away stuff we don’t need! I actually think it will be the de-cluttering. But I know that a less cluttered workspace can mean less stress and more efficient use of time…no more hunting for hours for that slip of paper with the important story ideas. If these are areas where you need help, check out Carla’s link above.

So, this is my plan:

Stick to our budget by trimming spending to only necessary items.
Reevaluate at the end of the month to see if more cutting is necessary.
I already cook/bake almost everything myself…I treat myself to take-out Indian once a month.
Go through the house…one drawer, cabinet, closet at a time…perhaps there is money to be made (which will help the budget) by selling stuff we no longer need/want/use.

I’ve connected with the most amazing people…writers, photographers, artists, teachers, librarians, moms, dads and kids…I thank all of you for visiting my blog and commenting on my posts.

We donated 20 copies of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking to libraries in 8 states and 3 provinces in Canada.

We also donated 12 copies of Show Me How to schools in the US and Canada.

A portion of the proceeds from my book sales went to several children’s organizations:

JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
Bess the Book Bus (a mobile literacy outreach)
STAR (Sit and Read Together…a literacy program funded by CPCD in Colorado Springs)
Books of Wonder (for renovation of this NYC indie children’s bookstore)
Kids Are Heroes (recognize children all over the world who reach out to help their community)
Reach Out and Read (nationwide program that connects books and kids via pediatricians)

As most of you know, there are big changes in my life…I am retired as of January 1^st.

What does that mean?

As my son so aptly wrote, “We wish you all the best as you turn the page to the next chapter in your book of life.”

I could not have said it better!

So on this first day of the New Year 2013, I wish all of you the best as you turn the page to the next chapter in your book of life!

Don’t Be Afraid…Go Ahead…Write Picture Books! (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
Happy New Year 2013! Join me for gifts galore! (mybookofstories.wordpress.com)
Sunday Post: Surroundings…Hurricane Sandy…You Have to Gab Before You Can Roar (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
http://eof737.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/resolutions-good-bye-2012-and-happy-new-year/

31 thoughts on “Hello 2013…Turning The Next Page”

Perfecting Motherhood on December 31, 2012 at 11:34 pm said:

As Brad Paisley said so well, “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” 2013 is definitely an opportunity to start fresh and I intend to make the best of it.

Happy new year!

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- viviankirkfield on December 31, 2012 at 11:41 pm said:
  
  Good for you, Milka! I look forward to our continuing connection.:) Happy New Year, dear friend!
  
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eof737 on December 31, 2012 at 11:37 pm said:

Go for it Vivian! It’s going to be a better year…
•.★♥★Happy New Year to You & Yours!★♥★.•
Eliz

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- viviankirkfield on December 31, 2012 at 11:43 pm said:
  
  You have a special place in my heart, Eliz! Happy New Year!
  
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  - eof737 on December 31, 2012 at 11:53 pm said:
    
    Same here… Thank you always!
    
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Catherine Johnson on January 1, 2013 at 7:01 am said:

Happy New Year, Vivian. You are in for an exciting year.

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- viviankirkfield on January 1, 2013 at 3:47 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Catherine! I certainly have made some big plans…and clear-cut goals…here’s to following through.:)
  Have a wonderful New Year, Catherine…I’m so happy we ‘met’ each other…and look forward to building on that friendship throughout 2013!
  
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Patricia Tilton on January 1, 2013 at 9:16 am said:

An inspiring post. Congratulations on your retirement. You’ll wonder how you ever had time to work, because you’ll find so many new and interesting things to do. Happy New Year!

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- viviankirkfield on January 1, 2013 at 3:44 pm said:
  
  Oh Pat, you are so very right! But perhaps I will have a little more time to sleep…I was always stealing hours from that activity to maintain the other things I wanted to do…like blog, read and comment, write…oh yes, and clean the house and cook the food.:)
  Happy Happy Happy New Year, Pat…2013…here we come!
  
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Beth Stilborn on January 1, 2013 at 9:19 am said:

The baby in that illustration has all his ducks in a row, and it sounds as if you do, too. Happy New Year! Happy retirement! So glad that the new year holds so much promise for you — and especially glad that it holds participating in Just Write for Kids!

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- viviankirkfield on January 1, 2013 at 3:42 pm said:
  
  So happy to have connected with you, Beth! I’m excited to start the course (will bring the materials with me on my trip to see my kids) and excited to begin submitting and continue writing.:) Thanks for the good wishes…I know I made the right decision to retire now.:)
  Have a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
  
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Tracy Campbell on January 1, 2013 at 10:26 am said:

I’m so happy that you get to turn a new page in your life!
Happy New Year, Vivian!

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- viviankirkfield on January 1, 2013 at 3:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Tracy! I wanted to let you know that your package of BEAUTIFUL cards arrived this past week! How talented you are! I look forward to reading your posts, entering writing challenges and contests with you…and using those lovely note cards.:) Happy New Year, Tracy!
  
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  - Tracy Campbell on January 1, 2013 at 8:43 pm said:
    
    I’m so pleased that you like my greeting cards! I’m excited to see what 2013 has in store for us. 🙂
    
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Alayne Kay Christian on January 1, 2013 at 10:36 am said:

Congratulations on all these achievements in 2012. A special congrats on the success of your charitable projects – very nice. An extra big congrats on your retirement! What an exciting time in your life. I know you are going to have a great 2013 as you work on your planned challenges and enjoy your retirement.

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- viviankirkfield on January 1, 2013 at 3:37 pm said:
  
  Happy New Year to you, Alayne!
  Yes, I am excited to embark on this new chapter in my life…and I’m thrilled that your Sub Six group and 31 Just for Fun Challenge will figure up front and center in my 2013.:)
  
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talesfromthemotherland on January 1, 2013 at 10:54 am said:

Congratulations on the “retirement!” I am excited to see what you do next Vivian… and will certainly look forward to more wonderful blog posts! All the best in 2013.

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- viviankirkfield on January 1, 2013 at 3:35 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Dawn…it’s my first ‘official’ day of retirement…and I must confess…it feels GREAT! One of my critique buddies just told us about a writing contest at Highlights…so that, together with my first submission with another story to an editor will be my initial 2013 writing tasks.
  I wish you a Happy and Healthy and Joyous New Year…I look forward to having the time to read your great posts!
  
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Marylin Warner on January 1, 2013 at 1:46 pm said:

Great list, punctuated with the perfect picture. Happy New Year, Vivian, and to your darling little chick-leader, too!

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- viviankirkfield on January 1, 2013 at 3:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much,Marylin…I love Jan 1…always a chance to make changes, for the better, hopefully.:) Happy New Year to you and your family…now that I am ‘retired’, I am looking forward to having a little more time to visit and comment on all of the blogs that i love…like yours!!!
  
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Stacy Stenberg Jensen on January 1, 2013 at 3:26 pm said:

Great goals for 2013. I’ll be doing some of those too.

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- viviankirkfield on January 1, 2013 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  And that makes it all the better, Stacy! It’s an amazingly supportive and inspiring community…I’m looking forward especially to our critique sessions at the library.:)
  Happy New Year to you and your family, Stacy!
  
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thiskidreviewsbooks on January 1, 2013 at 5:29 pm said:

Happy 2013!

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Yen-Yens-Passions on January 2, 2013 at 1:15 am said:

You have a good heart Vivian.:)
I love hearing people like yours that the intention is to help whatever they can. Since then, I wanted to join a charitable organizations, but because living abroad in places to places is kinda hard for me. So the best shot we have here is to help the homeless, at least every Saturday they dont need to dig the trash-can for food. And we’re thankful to the help of our Church here who organize the time and effort.:)

May you have a blissful year,
Yen-Yen

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- viviankirkfield on January 16, 2013 at 11:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you, YenYen…I appreciate your beautiful comments and kinds thoughts.
  
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patientdreamer on January 5, 2013 at 5:46 am said:

Yay…. Go you girl! I sooooo wish I could join you in your retirement..*sigh.* You have certainly laid a very full and clear guide for 2013. All the best Vivian. I know my best parts will be working with you in our group. Look out 2013!

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- viviankirkfield on January 5, 2013 at 3:37 pm said:
  
  Yes, Diane…I love our group.:) It’s really helpful to hear other perspectives on what we’ve written…but, in the end, if we LOVE it, we have to go with it.:)
  
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jakesprinter on January 5, 2013 at 6:51 pm said:

Wish you the best for 2013 Vivian 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on January 6, 2013 at 8:22 am said:
  
  Thank you, Jake! Same to you.:)
  
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