What is next for the Blog?  What is next for Dapoppins?  What is the next step in the journey?

The Heart of Gratitude Journey was such an amazing ride.  I had focus, goals, prompts and yes, giveaways all planned.  I was feeling so very professional blogger there for awhile. I made new connections, met new people, and explored new feelings.  Seriously amazing ride.

But unfortunately I don't get paid for this, and I don't have an avenue for income set up on Dapoppins.

I love that Nancy found some focus along the journey about who she is and where she is going.  Those are my favorite posts.  But I still feel like I want to do, try and be everything!  (cue confetti)

My word of the year last year, actually, was focus.  I thought I was going to focus: find the center of an activity, produce a clear vision, become able to see clearly, go in one direction, and one goal. I tried to focus my blog to be more audience driven instead of random stuff.  I set myself the challenge of blogging weekly, promoting my blog, promoting myself, participating in more social venues, and putting myself out there.

But at the end of 2014 my epiphany was a totally different kind of focus.  I should have been focusing more on God.  As a Christian believer, when I focus on God, when I make Him the center, all other things become clear, all other things come into balance.  My perspective becomes one of faith, hope, humility, and gratitude instead of worry, strife, struggle, and disappointments.  The Heart of Gratitude Journey has given me a reset to my focus and literately renewed my love for God and His creation: the people around me.

But I still don't have a focus for the blog or my future.  I'm just taking things as they come.

• March is World Read Aloud Month - I will be posting about that and other literacy related topics
• I am on The Canvas Corp Design Team - I will be posting and sharing projects
• I belong to several fun G+ crafty groups.  I will be posting some crafty stuff related to those groups. 
• I'm leaving my family home for three weeks and going to Arizona to live with an elderly couple and help them out- I will be posting photos etc. about that for sure. 

I truly hope that any new followers who might have found me because of the Journey, might stick around and take things with me, and share not just my journey, but my story.

 I've been in the slow process of trying to change the direction and focus of my blog, and in some ways my life.  I've never really kept this space as a personal diary, but instead posted things I wanted to share, with an audience in mind.  However,  it's always been random things connected to my life and my passions.

I'm passionate about a lot of stuff.

I had a meeting with a person who looked at my blog and offered some really helpful tips.  It's always nice to have a 3rd party with unbiased eyes look at your work.  It was a positive experience.  But, true to form, as soon as someone told me what to do, I suddenly didn't want to do it any more.

I know there are other people out there who do this.  We look for advice on a project, reassurance we are headed in the right direction, and as soon as we get it, all the motivation drains away. Since blogging isn't a job, and I'm accountable to no one to get it done, I just kinda, frittered away my time schedule.   Gahh!

Procrastinate much?



My intention, because I feel a need to explain myself, is to turn Dapoppins into a brand of sorts.  What does Dapoppins offer?

My blog is about telling stories.  Telling the stories of my life, my career, my passions, and encouraging others to tell stories.  With a more than 20 years of "Umbrella Magic"  and Nanny wisdom thrown in.

My husband made the new header for me.  Poor guy.  We looked forever for free fonts.  Then I told him I wanted water color splashes.  First the umbrella was too big.  Then too black.  Then I didn't like one of the color splash colors.  I'm a "I'll know it when I see it," kind of person.  He is a, "Can we just finish this," kind of person.  But we finally got it to the point where I felt satisfied.



So, that's my FOCUS for 2014. And the FOCUS for Dapoppins.  Thank's for reading.

I started an art journal. 

 Sometimes it's hard to start new things because I know the end result won't be perfect. 

Maybe you are wondering why a Party Time Tuesday Design Team Member would share a something that didn't turn out how she wanted?

While I am growing more confident in my art - I still spend the majority of my time trying new things because that is one of the adventurous fun parts for me.  Not every adventure turns out perfectly.

So while this was a project FAIL, it was a journal success.  I learned lot's of new things, and I am ready to try her again.

If you get a chance this week, take some time to browse through the Party Time Tuesdays blog.  There is lots of inspiration, and as we are heading into the holiday season, you might find something creative there you'd like to try your hand at.

As for her story-  One of these days I will record me reading it and you can tell me what you think.  Do you have any favorite stories you like to tell?  Ones for long nights, or long car rides?  Let me know what you like in the Comments!