One little word: a look ahead to 2011

I've never really liked New Year's resolutions. But Ali Edwards' one little word concept appeals to me. Choose one word to invite into your life and see where it leads you.

Choosing my word this year hasn't been easy. There are two that jumped to the forefront and they are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Discipline.
Spontaneity.

To choose the first and live with it successfully for a year might lead to feeling satisfied and accomplished.
For years I've thought I lacked discipline. I start all kinds of things that never get finished. I sign up for online classes with a burst of enthusiasm which dwindles as the days pass. I start tracking my Weight Watchers points on Monday and let it slide by week's end. I know I need to add a couple of days of cardio to my exercise regime but it never happens. I haven't been able to sustain a daily spiritual practice. I can't even take my vitamins every morning for longer than a week or two!

To choose the second would probably be more fun! How many times have I said or thought, "Let's.........." or "Why don't I........." only to talk myself out of it? Why not just let go and be joyful and childlike?

I can't decide. I've got about 24 hours to make up my mind.

One little word: A look back at 2010

The one little word I chose for the year was "fearless". My intention was to be more open to new experiences, to not allow myself to be restricted by fear. There were no dramatic mountaintop moments, but I did try some new things (acupuncture, for one) and say "yes" more than once when asked to do something out of my comfort zone. While I didn't keep myself laser-focused on my word, I never completely lost sight of it either. In fact, the universe dropped it right at my feet this summer when we were visiting the New Museum in New York City. There was an installation by Rivane Neuenschwander called "I Wish, You Wish." Hundred of ribbons printed with the wishes of previous gallery visitors were hanging from the walls. We were invited to randomly select a ribbon and then replace it with a new wish written on a strip of paper. The blue ribbon I pulled from the wall read, " I wish my fears would not limit my actions."

Halloween Workshop

It's time to start thinking about my favorite holiday --Halloween! I have a workshop scheduled Thursday, October 7 and Sunday, October 9. We'll make everything you see in the photo using CTMH's new Halloween paper pack called "Hooligans" and "Thriller", our September Stamp of the Month. Let me know right away if you're interested in joining us. The fee is only $20.

This card features a cool "cracked glass" technique that is hard to see in the photo. I stole the design from another CTMH consultant, who describes the technique in detail on her blog, so go there to check it out if you're curious.

 

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Life is sweet.


2. The key is to just keep going.

3. My last text message (or IM) ended in these three words: of school going?

4. The last prepared freezer dinner is what I'm thinking about for dinner sometime soon.

5. On the 1st day of August I placed an order for new CTMH products . I’m excited to play with the Halloween kit, Hooligans.

6. Our kittens, Mose and Finn, are extremely lively and energetic in the morning.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cocktails---again, tomorrow my plans include laying carpet squares in the RE building and picking Claire up from the airport and Sunday, I want to enjoy having Claire home!

Friday Fill-Ins

1. I'm going someplace cooler if the temperatures don’t get out of the 90s soon.

2. I’ve never really had a sense of adventure and daring.

3. Perhaps today you can make it a point to smile while you are driving.

4. I wish I had a true adventurer’s spirit.

5. Compassion is the key to joy.

6. I always try to be polite no matter how difficult.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cocktails, tomorrow my plans include poring over the new Close to My Heart catalog and Sunday, I want to buy a big piece of white laminate at Lowe’s (if their saw is fixed) for the display unit in my workshop.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I like to eat and drink when following the
Weight Watchers program:

1. CranBran Vitamuffin Tops - 1 point


2. Beck's Ultra Premium Light Beer - 1 point

3. Unsweetened Iced Tea - 0 points -- counts toward water intake

4. Celery Sticks and a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese - 1 point

5. WW Chocolate Pretzel Blast mini bars - 1 point -- but it's hard to eat just one

6. Multi-Grain Sandwich Thins - 1 point

7. Gardenburger, Original Flavor - 1 point

8. Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt - 2 points

9. Trader Joe's 9 Whole Grain Crunch Cereal - 1 point for 1/2 cup -- good on top of yogurt

10. Lean Cuisine Pepperoni French Bread Pizza - 6 points -- high points, but a safe way to get your pizza fix. Add mushrooms and peppers.

11. Diet tonic and lime - 0 points -- not counting the vodka, of course!

12. Kashi TLC Cherry Dark Chocolate granola bar - 2 points

13. Skinny Cow Brownie Fudge single serve ice cream cups - I don't have one of these in the freezer right now, so I'm not sure about the points. But, they are delicious and because you have built-in portion control, it's a great treat.

Let's Play Catch-Up

Here are two of the things that have been keeping me busy lately:

Mose and Finn

We've also been to Santa Barbara, Chicago (no photos!) and New York.

I haven't been doing much scrapbooking, but I took two great classes with Donna Downey at EMI Scrapbooking in Cumming last weekend.

I'm also learning mixed media techniques from an online class with Claudine Hellmuth.

 

That's it! We're up-to-date!