December 31 – What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.)
1 smidgen of Positive Thinking
1 sprinkling of Faith
1 heaping tablespoon of Hope
1 ounce of Childlike Curiosity
1 drop Remembering Where You Came From
2 lbs of Love
1 cup of coffee (maybe 2)
1 serving of Chocolate
1 dash of Survivability
In a large mixing bowl, Combine Positive Thinking, Faith, Hope, Curiosity, Remembering and Love. Mix well to combine. Enjoy Coffee and Chocolate while mixing. Use and egg beater if mix wont come together. Add Survivability when needed.
Bake, Cool on rack, and Enjoy!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Reflecting On All The Reflecting
I'm a little sad this morning that the Reverb 10 challenge has come to an end. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I had forgotten how much I actually like writing. I had myself convinced that I wouldn't have time and that my calendar was already full. Could I really add one more block to my giant game of Jenga?
The answer...YES! Look at that! I did it! I feel so accomplished. Not only did I complete the challenge (during the holidays even!), but I loved it. I know that not every piece is literary gold, and I am okay with that. The challenge did what it was supposed to do. I stated thinking, brainstorming and *gasp* self-reflecting.
And just so you wont miss me I have decided to keep the blog going. Okay maybe that's not the ONLY reason I am keeping it going. Over the last month my routine has changed. I wake up and get Clover ready, sit down with my cup of coffee and my netbook and start typing away. This morning I typed half of this post with one hand due to the fact that Clover wanted in my lap. It was painfully hard to slow my thoughts down to the typing speed of one hand. But I stuck with it.
So now what? I have already signed up for another monthly theme. I guess you will just have to stay tuned to see where this journey goes next.
See you tomorrow!
The answer...YES! Look at that! I did it! I feel so accomplished. Not only did I complete the challenge (during the holidays even!), but I loved it. I know that not every piece is literary gold, and I am okay with that. The challenge did what it was supposed to do. I stated thinking, brainstorming and *gasp* self-reflecting.
And just so you wont miss me I have decided to keep the blog going. Okay maybe that's not the ONLY reason I am keeping it going. Over the last month my routine has changed. I wake up and get Clover ready, sit down with my cup of coffee and my netbook and start typing away. This morning I typed half of this post with one hand due to the fact that Clover wanted in my lap. It was painfully hard to slow my thoughts down to the typing speed of one hand. But I stuck with it.
So now what? I have already signed up for another monthly theme. I guess you will just have to stay tuned to see where this journey goes next.
See you tomorrow!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
A Public Declaration
I have thoughts. Yes, I have them. I am not sure if that is a good thing or not ;). I have been scrolling my bookmark bar and browsing in the #reverb10 thread on twitter. Reading, reading and more reading. I always end up having more questions than answers. A lot of posts about goals and where people are going in the new year. And once again, a thought hit me
I have no goals.
Let me back up a bit.
I have no current goal.
I believe that it's important for people to always be moving. Just like water, being stagnant is bad. Sometimes we move forward through life, sometimes in the other direction, but we are still moving. So I have decided that in an effort to move in some sort of direction, I need to come up with my own Personal Manifesto.
Until recently I had no idea what the heck a "Personal Manifesto" was. So I turned to my be all end all of information i.e. Google.
Let me share from Ehow
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions. Determining yours will help you keep your life on a clearly defined path.
I found another good link here at e.phanies.
So here and now I have dedicated to myself and my oh so loyal readers that I will work on and complete a Personal Manifesto for 2011! I will take you along on the journey with me...So let the brainstorming begin!
I have no goals.
Let me back up a bit.
I have no current goal.
I believe that it's important for people to always be moving. Just like water, being stagnant is bad. Sometimes we move forward through life, sometimes in the other direction, but we are still moving. So I have decided that in an effort to move in some sort of direction, I need to come up with my own Personal Manifesto.
Until recently I had no idea what the heck a "Personal Manifesto" was. So I turned to my be all end all of information i.e. Google.
Let me share from Ehow
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions. Determining yours will help you keep your life on a clearly defined path.
1 Brainstorm on what is important to you. To start, list your roles in life, either current roles or ones you desire in the future. For example: father, mother, friend, worker, role model, volunteer. Just a word or two on the ones that speak to you.
2 Also list qualities you value in yourself and others: Honesty, physical fitness, kindness, ambition, curiosity, affection, responsibility, humor.
3 More brainstorming: What do you want people to say about you at your funeral? What contributions would you have liked to have made with your life? What are the important marks you will make on this world? List them. Try this, too: Ten (or twenty or more) things about me: (list them here). What do these say about you and what's important to you?
4 Now boil it all down to as many sentences as you need to give a clear picture of who you are at your essence. You might find it helpful to start sentences with I am or I will. This is not cast in stone, come back and refine or change your personal manifesto as you grow and change.
I found another good link here at e.phanies.
So here and now I have dedicated to myself and my oh so loyal readers that I will work on and complete a Personal Manifesto for 2011! I will take you along on the journey with me...So let the brainstorming begin!
I Found One...
December 30 – This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?
I am going with the tangible. I get little emotional gifts all the time that I share with you. So instead of being redundant I chose to write about the tangible. Which is so not me. This is a very timely prompt for me. Not because of the whole holiday thing, but because I found it!
For Mother's day this year I received a necklace from http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/ It's is a very beautiful piece. It has three hearts and our names on it. To say that I love it would be and understatement.
Somehow, during our chaotic month of October I lost it. I was devastated when I couldn't find it. For some strange reason I have lost a lot of things this year. I blame the gnomes that wonder around my house and steal thing. Naughty little mythical creatures!
I thought I looked everywhere. Obviously I did not. Last night while I was looking for a lost apple cable, I found it, shoved in a cabinet behind the Hubby's stuff. I have no idea how it got there or who put it there. But I could not believe the excitement I felt when I found it. Now if only I could find my wedding band :(. Maybe perhaps this gives me hope that some day I will find it.
Then there was Christmas, in which I received a rockin coffee maker. So as I sit here, I am sipping on some Kona blend, enjoying my morning. Yeah, Hubs did good.
I am going with the tangible. I get little emotional gifts all the time that I share with you. So instead of being redundant I chose to write about the tangible. Which is so not me. This is a very timely prompt for me. Not because of the whole holiday thing, but because I found it!
For Mother's day this year I received a necklace from http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/ It's is a very beautiful piece. It has three hearts and our names on it. To say that I love it would be and understatement.
Somehow, during our chaotic month of October I lost it. I was devastated when I couldn't find it. For some strange reason I have lost a lot of things this year. I blame the gnomes that wonder around my house and steal thing. Naughty little mythical creatures!
I thought I looked everywhere. Obviously I did not. Last night while I was looking for a lost apple cable, I found it, shoved in a cabinet behind the Hubby's stuff. I have no idea how it got there or who put it there. But I could not believe the excitement I felt when I found it. Now if only I could find my wedding band :(. Maybe perhaps this gives me hope that some day I will find it.
Then there was Christmas, in which I received a rockin coffee maker. So as I sit here, I am sipping on some Kona blend, enjoying my morning. Yeah, Hubs did good.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
A Series of Unfortunate Events
December 29 – Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.
I've never really been a fan of hospitals. When I was a little girl my daddy was a nurse. So I had always been around them. Growing up in a farm town they were always small hospitals. I can easily say that I have never been afraid of them. Just not a fan.
This past year we have visited three different hospitals more times than I can even count. Seriously, I lost count. Once a week, sometimes two different hospitals in a week. A few times we took a week off, if to do nothing but save our sanity. Hub's Aunt was fiercely battling Ovarian Cancer. While at the same time his mom had suffered from a Seizure among other health problems. Our family is no stranger to hospitals. One year we pretty much camped out in a waiting room for longer than a month anticipating any form of news.
We have accepted that at this point there is nothing we can do, other than to visit and offer our support and love. There are times that we feel that it simply isn't enough. But at the same time we don't know what else we can do. So we visit.
In October, his Aunt lost her fight with cancer. We all knew it was coming. For the last three years we had been waiting. They had always been very honest with us about her condition. Even when you think that you will be prepared to hear the news, you can never truly be prepared.
Our year had been consumed by hospital visits and suddenly they were over. Even though we are relieved that we are not longer making rounds we are saddened that his aunt is no longer with us.
My hope is that for next year we will not have as many visits. I know that in all reality that we will be. But at least I can hold on to some sort of hope. Or at least perhaps that they are for a positive note...like visiting brand new just born babies!
I've never really been a fan of hospitals. When I was a little girl my daddy was a nurse. So I had always been around them. Growing up in a farm town they were always small hospitals. I can easily say that I have never been afraid of them. Just not a fan.
This past year we have visited three different hospitals more times than I can even count. Seriously, I lost count. Once a week, sometimes two different hospitals in a week. A few times we took a week off, if to do nothing but save our sanity. Hub's Aunt was fiercely battling Ovarian Cancer. While at the same time his mom had suffered from a Seizure among other health problems. Our family is no stranger to hospitals. One year we pretty much camped out in a waiting room for longer than a month anticipating any form of news.
We have accepted that at this point there is nothing we can do, other than to visit and offer our support and love. There are times that we feel that it simply isn't enough. But at the same time we don't know what else we can do. So we visit.
In October, his Aunt lost her fight with cancer. We all knew it was coming. For the last three years we had been waiting. They had always been very honest with us about her condition. Even when you think that you will be prepared to hear the news, you can never truly be prepared.
Our year had been consumed by hospital visits and suddenly they were over. Even though we are relieved that we are not longer making rounds we are saddened that his aunt is no longer with us.
My hope is that for next year we will not have as many visits. I know that in all reality that we will be. But at least I can hold on to some sort of hope. Or at least perhaps that they are for a positive note...like visiting brand new just born babies!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Little Black Rain Cloud
I usually try to keep it pretty positive around these parts. But, sometimes you have a bad day. I think with all of the Christmas rush I may have neglected my body telling my mind to slow down. I really wanted to slow down today but with all the visitors coming through my house the pantry was near to bare. So I had to brave the crowds. I thought they would have dispersed by now.
I was wrong.
I wrangled the 2 and 3/4 year old and dressed her. A feat in itself. Then I motivated myself into getting dressed. Another feat in itself. Speaking of feet, I was lazy and didn't want to put shoes on. I didn't think much of it when I threw on my flip flops and headed out the door. That is, until I realized that five steps out of door, my feet were wet.
You know you live in California when it's raining outside and you are still in your flip flops.
I had to hit Target and the grocery store. Both were packed. Parking lots were packed, roads were full. Full of absolutely cheery and thoughtful drivers that know how to drive in the rain...oh wait. I was daydreaming.
So I woke up in a funk. Not even my beloved coffee addiction could help pull me out. By the end of today it has turned into a little black rain cloud hovering over my head. Hubs tried to cheer me up by taking me to dinner. Dinner was really good and Clover did great at the restaurant. But by the time we got out I was totally fried.
Maybe I just need some hot chocolate and some rest. I'm trying really hard to work my way out from underneath this rain cloud. But like I said, sometimes you just have a bad day.
I was wrong.
I wrangled the 2 and 3/4 year old and dressed her. A feat in itself. Then I motivated myself into getting dressed. Another feat in itself. Speaking of feet, I was lazy and didn't want to put shoes on. I didn't think much of it when I threw on my flip flops and headed out the door. That is, until I realized that five steps out of door, my feet were wet.
You know you live in California when it's raining outside and you are still in your flip flops.
I had to hit Target and the grocery store. Both were packed. Parking lots were packed, roads were full. Full of absolutely cheery and thoughtful drivers that know how to drive in the rain...oh wait. I was daydreaming.
So I woke up in a funk. Not even my beloved coffee addiction could help pull me out. By the end of today it has turned into a little black rain cloud hovering over my head. Hubs tried to cheer me up by taking me to dinner. Dinner was really good and Clover did great at the restaurant. But by the time we got out I was totally fried.
Maybe I just need some hot chocolate and some rest. I'm trying really hard to work my way out from underneath this rain cloud. But like I said, sometimes you just have a bad day.
Workin On It
December 28 – What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.
I try not to forecast out my year in advance. I usually come up with two or three things I want to do and then go from there. Every year I come up with a resolution that I rarely keep until March. It can be difficult at times for me to come up with anything other than the standard "drop some lbs". That is an ongoing goal for me. I did pretty well for the end of 2009 and the start of 2010. I have to admit that I have been pretty relaxed about the holidays. Hopefully that will give me more motivation for 2011.
When I was younger I used to plan out my year with fantastic expectations for not only myself but everyone around me. And that always ended with heartbreak. We had a couple bad years hit almost back to back. We stuck it out and have learned how to deal with what life has thrown at us. But I have definitely learned not to have such high expectations.
I think that other than that standard "dropping some lbs" I want to take some more family trips. We took a few this year. A ton of pre-work and planning on my part goes into them. And they are blast.
Sometimes it can be hard to relax at home. When we travel we are able to focus on being a family and being together without all of the distractions. I am able to relax and not feel guilty about not getting my chores done. No dishes, or laundry to haunt me. I know it will all be waiting for me at home, but it can wait a little bit longer.
I know I want to go to Malibu. But not for anything ordinary. I want to visit the M*A*S*H site. It's a hike to get to the spot but it will be worth it to visit the place where they filmed my most favoritest show ever! And I'm not even a "hollywood" type person but I love that show so I definitely want to visit where they filmed. And it's a state park so hopefully I can get a few beautiful shots of nature.
I try not to forecast out my year in advance. I usually come up with two or three things I want to do and then go from there. Every year I come up with a resolution that I rarely keep until March. It can be difficult at times for me to come up with anything other than the standard "drop some lbs". That is an ongoing goal for me. I did pretty well for the end of 2009 and the start of 2010. I have to admit that I have been pretty relaxed about the holidays. Hopefully that will give me more motivation for 2011.
When I was younger I used to plan out my year with fantastic expectations for not only myself but everyone around me. And that always ended with heartbreak. We had a couple bad years hit almost back to back. We stuck it out and have learned how to deal with what life has thrown at us. But I have definitely learned not to have such high expectations.
I think that other than that standard "dropping some lbs" I want to take some more family trips. We took a few this year. A ton of pre-work and planning on my part goes into them. And they are blast.
Sometimes it can be hard to relax at home. When we travel we are able to focus on being a family and being together without all of the distractions. I am able to relax and not feel guilty about not getting my chores done. No dishes, or laundry to haunt me. I know it will all be waiting for me at home, but it can wait a little bit longer.
I know I want to go to Malibu. But not for anything ordinary. I want to visit the M*A*S*H site. It's a hike to get to the spot but it will be worth it to visit the place where they filmed my most favoritest show ever! And I'm not even a "hollywood" type person but I love that show so I definitely want to visit where they filmed. And it's a state park so hopefully I can get a few beautiful shots of nature.
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