Five Faves

I first saw this idea on Alison's blog although it apparently originated with Jo who morphed a meme to fit her needs - and I thought the idea had huge merit - both as an incentive to take more and better photos AND as a way to stay at least somewhat current with scrapbooking.

So my plan - somewhere near the beginning of each month, post my five favorite photos from the preceding month.  Then, during the month, scrap them and share the pages. Now December wasn't a particularly good month for me. I was sick for most of it. I did not take a single photo on Christmas day. Not one. And what Jay took... meh.  But I still managed to find five favorites for the month...

I had a little helper while I was trying to finish off the girls' t-shirt quilts that I made for Christmas. Any idea how hard it is to sew a seam with a cat on your quilt?

Jay's annual "Birthday" photo with the girls. Okay, it didn't get taken until December 23rd, but hey everyone was dressed up for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert, so the timing was good.

And yes, we managed a little sisterly love for the holidays.  I wasn't feeling up to being a photographer, so the composition is terrible, but I'm very grateful to have the three of them together looking happy!

Becca snapped this photo on her iPhone in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo Center when we were on our way in. Literally on the fly. Which gave me no time to pose or fake anything... And I LOVE it!
Does it still count if I wasn't the photographer? I think so.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  I was queasy the entire concert and the smell of stale french fry oil that permeated the place sure didn't help. But I still enjoyed the concert!

So there you have it. My five favorites from December. Which I hope to scrap at some point this month. Wish me luck!!!

Me On Monday

Now that I'm not doing a "Kindness" post every Monday, I can join in with Sian's Monday meme!

It was an organizing, blog-reading, grocery shopping, class starting, novel reading, project starting kind of weekend. And here I am on Monday, still trying to get things organized for the year, the month, this week. I know this is going to be a big year and I need to have some structure to accomplish my goals!

One Little Word - My Year to Thrive

Hello friends and welcome to 2015!

I don't know about you, but I am so glad to be here - in this fresh new year, full of promise and possibilities.

I'm so excited!

2015 will be my 7th year participating in One Little Word, and honestly, it has changed my life in so many ways.

2009 "Enrich" - learned Photoshop Elements; began digi-scrapping.
2010 "Whole-Hearted" - a big word that didn't really work.
2011 "Happy" - LOVED every minute of it.
2012 "Focus" - rolled up my sleeves, worked hard. Totally worth it. I still use many of the techniques I picked up during my year of focus to keep me on track.
2013 "Dare" - pushed me way out of my comfort zone.  Had a lot of fun and a little heartbreak as well... not every "dare" works out to your advantage... but still lessons well learned.
2014 "Kindness" - weekly blog posts really kept my word front and center. In seeking opportunities and ways to be kind, my gratitude practice grew as well - they really do go hand-in-hand! Even when I was in the hospital, I couldn't help seeing the good in every situation. I had the best nurses. I had a successful surgery. I lost weight. Yes, even the worst moments of my year of kindness had a silver lining. This practice is now thoroughly ingrained in who I am. It is an important and integral part of my life and will stay with me.

Which brings me to now. After a year of focusing outward - on family, friends, community, the environment - I feel a strong pull to have a year that focuses inward and specifically on me.  Rinda, you are in good company!

Why?

Because I was truly Inspired by the changes that Melissa made last year.

Because I know I'm finally ready.

For what?

• To focus on my health. It has been a sub-goal every year. It is my primary goal this year.
• To kick the sugar addiction. For reals this time.
• To MOVE my body. Every day. Tai Chi, Yoga, Stretching, Walking, Strength Training... bring it on!
• To be intentional about my choices. Every day.
• To make time to PLAY with my art. Every day.  You know, for my mental health.

Sure there are tangible, measurable goals involved. Like losing weight. In 2014, I gained 15 pounds in the first three quarters, then lost 10 of it in the last quarter. I'm still up, but a darn sight better than I was in September!  Like doing a forward bend and touching my toes. Right now my fingertips can only reach to 8" above the floor. Like being able to plank for a full minute (I can barely hold ten seconds at this point). Like being able to walk the length of a flea market without back, hip, leg, or knee pain.  I'm fairly certain these are reachable goals. But in the end, the numbers and accomplishments aren't truly important to me.  It is the feeling of  being healthy and fit that really matters!

This will be a year of change and growth and getting to know myself.

This will be a year of seeking help in unexpected places.

This will be a year of being a beginner again in so many ways.

This will be a year of kicking self-limiting beliefs and negative self-talk to the curb.

This will be a year of baby steps.

This will be the year I become leaner, stronger, healthier, more flexible, and more fit than I have ever been. Seriously.  When we get to the end of 2015, I want to look back and be amazed at the progress I've made! And I have all of you to help me stay accountable to myself.

This will be the year I experience a true sense of vitality.

This will be the year I THRIVE.

photo sourced from Oprah.com