What I Did At The Crop - Part 2 of 3

My apologies that this has been so long in coming, but you all know why. :(  Anyway! A little more about the crop...

The crop I attended was a full weekend retreat. Held at the Inn at Reading, it hosts about 200 croppers in the ballroom of the hotel from Friday noon to Sunday mid-afternoon.  If you buy the full package it includes two nights lodging and some of your meals.  So it is a fairly sizeable event. But so well run... by three sisters who do this twice a year - once in Reading, once in the Poconos. 

Back in the "biz" days, I was a vendor at this crop - first for Scrap in a Snap, then for Top Line Creations and my own line of scrapbooking clothing.  But after these start-up direct sales companies went belly up back to back, I called an end to my eight year scrapbook "career" and went back to scrapping for myself.  But I digress...

One of the major sellers of this event is that each cropper gets a full eight foot table all to herself!  Yes, room to create is important.  Some of the larger more commercial events around here cram you into a three foot space - which for me just doesn't work!  And it is one of the best priced crops around.  If you are ever interested in attending, you can check out the details HERE.

Still interested in what I accomplished during my mini-vacation?

My Reverb10 album!

Now, before you get all excited, please understand that I had done all the computer work BEFORE the crop.  I had copied and pasted all my Reverb10 posts into a word document, cleaned it up and printed out each entry.  I had also chosen a half dozen of my favorite photos from 2010 and printed them out at 7x7 on 8x10 photo paper.  The album itself is from a kit I had leftover from my Top Line Creations days.  So using only what I had on hand... 

My work at the crop was actually trimming down all the pages and assembling the whole thing.  And I won't reprint all the pages here... just enough to give you a flavor.

For the most part I tried to keep one prompt to a page.

And every four or five pages I would add a photo just to keep it interesting.

Some pages already had photos included from the post, or photos added from some 4x6 prints I had on hand.

And in some cases, where I was particularly verbose, a single prompt could go on for FOUR pages of the album! 

Overall, I was quite pleased with the finished product and glad to have this glimpse into my life in 2010. 

Next up - my new "Move More Eat Less" system. Again, I had printed off most of the content at home. So this work involved trimming down the papers, filling out the templates, and assembling the album. The album itself is a 5.5 x 8.5 WeR Memory Keepers Album.

For the cover of the album, I actually recreated Cathy Zielski's title block in Photoshop (from scratch) and printed it on a 4x6 photo paper.  I'm amazed at how vibrant it came out! The photos actually don't do the colors justice.

The "Move More Eat Less" journal templates are from Cathy Zielski and are available at Designer Digitals.  Of course, I recolored the entire thing... I can just never leave well enough alone!

These "numbers" are actually from April of 2010, but also roughly approximate where I was at the end of September 2010 when I started tracking on My Fitness Pal.

This template is designed to be used monthly and that is the way I intend to track from here out.  So my "Fitness Friday" posts will only occur once a month - on the first Friday of each month.  In between, I will continue to track daily exercise and calories and weekly weigh-ins at My Fitness Pal.

To keep the journal going, I will use this weekly template to summarize my daily logging in My Fitness Pal.  I need the daily logging on MFP to keep honest about my eating habits, but I like this weekly overview as a way to spot trends and keep an easy overview.  I actually think these will be more useful than the reports from MFP.

What you can't see here is that I added in my prior pages from when I took Lisa Cohen's Wellness Journey class back in 2009 and from when I was using CZ's 4x6 fitness journey templates in 2010.  So I actually have wellness inspiration and fitness documentation dating back to early 2009!  I want my "journey" all in one album... even if the pages don't all match! :)

The "bonus" to my new system is this mini-exercise album that I created.  The album itself is just a 3x5 index card thingy that I bought at Target with a totally different purpose in mind.  I took the exercises I was given in Physical Therapy, stretches given to us in Lisa Cohen's "Wellness Journey" class at BPC, and some yoga moves I had clipped from a magazine and cut them down and glued them into the album - one per page.  I can add to this when I get strength training exercises from my Personal Trainer at the gym (...if I ever get back to the gym...) or others as I come across them.  And keep this by my computer and when I need a break... just flip to a stretch and voila! I'm doing mini workouts all day! :)

I think one more thing my "system" might need is a healthy eating recipe album. So I'll have to start collecting for that one!

#Reverb 10 - Finishing Up

December 30 – Gift.  This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?  (Author: Holly Root)

The most memorable gift I received this year was a plane ticket to visit my friend Krystal in South Carolina - and spend the weekend just chillin' - except for the Photo Walk in Greenville which was quite an adventure all on its own! I love that Krystal gave me the gift of time with her and the memories that we created.

December 31 – Core Story.  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.) (Author: Molly O’Neill)

I think my core story is well described in the words of today's "Simple Abundance" essay.  It opens with "...you already possess all the inner wisdom, strength, and creativity needed to make your dreams come true."  And goes on to say "At the heart of Simple Abundance is an authentic awakening, one that resonates within your soul: you already possess all you need to be genuinely happy." 

My awakening began in 2009 and continued throughout 2010. I know that it will continue on in 2011 and beyond as I continue on this journey called life.  And yet I have already awakened enough to know that at the core of me is:  believing.  seeing.  abundance.  joy.  creativity.  gratitude.  a giving heart.
simplicity.  beauty.

What is at the core of you?

#Reverb10 - Prompts 23 - 29

December 23 – New Name. Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott)

Hello, I'm Cheri.  I'm rather fond of my own name and have never been one to want another name. I couldn't even imagine what it might be if I were forced to choose.

December 24 Prompt – Everything’s OK What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (Author: Kate Inglis)

On Christmas Day, the moment Becca offered to help me with dinner preparations and then peeled three pounds of potatoes without complaint.  And I really believe you have to be the mother of teens to appreciate just how big that moment was for me.

December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself.  Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.  (Author: Tracey Clark)

I couldn't decide between these two photos. They were both taken at the same time - when I was playing with self-portraits. Both say a lot about me. Which one do you think best captures me?

December 26 – Soul Food. What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul? (Author: Elise Marie Collins)

Would have to be this little slice of heaven - TGI Friday's Vanilla Bean Cheesecake.

December 27 – Ordinary Joy. Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year? (Author: Brené Brown)

I have already blogged about this, and used it in answer to another Reverb10 Prompt. You can read about it here.

December 28 – Achieve.  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.  (Author: Tara Sophia Mohr)

There are many things I want to achieve in the next year, but I think top on my list, the thing I want the most is to be physically fit and healthy. But that isn't something that I "get" and then am done with - it is a lifestyle, a habit, a way of being that I will be enjoying for the rest of my life. And I intend to enjoy the journey completely - the getting there - and the being there - and the staying there! So starting immediately since I've already begun this journey... I am feeling lighter, freer, more flexible, more energetic, happier, more satisfied...

December 29 – Defining Moment.  Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year. (Author: Kathryn Fitzmaurice)

I really believe that "defining moments" are few and far between in a lifetime. And I can't say that I've experienced anything as momentous as a "defining" moment in the past year. Certainly not like some of the "defining" moments I can recall so vividly from my past. I've done a lot of reading this year that has changed my perspective on me, who I am, who I want to be. I've had a lot of trial and error experience in the health and fitness arena.  And I've participated in a number of online classes and challenges that truly stretched my boundaries and helped me grow. I think all these things in combination created the change in my life this past year.

#Reverb10 - Prompts 21 and 22

December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)

Greetings future me!

So happy to see you are still taking care of that smokin' hot bod I worked so hard to create for you!

I know that you are five years older (and presumably five years wiser) and who knows what wonderful, life-altering truths you have discovered by now! But I'm sure the ones I've just learned are still as pertinent to your life, so just as a reminder of the important and wonderful things you learned five years ago, here's a little advice to keep in mind:

take time to truly enjoy the beautiful life you have created.
acknowledge life's abundance. say thank you. often.
stretch every day. your body and your wings!
delight in the wonder of everyday things.
remember that you are worthy.
embrace your imperfections.
smile. be happy.
choose joy.
breathe.

December 22 – Travel.  How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt)

2010 did not involve as much travel as normal for me - two very short trips (one to Phoenix, one to Chicago) for work, both of which had me in hotel meeting rooms the entire time, with zero opportunity for sightseeing or relaxation. A long weekend in South Carolina with my friend Krystal, including the Photo Walk in Greenville S.C. - hot, humid, and exhausting, but a lot of fun! And a week at the shore with the family - which was a wonderful, relaxing vacation on-the-cheap. 

I don't presently have any travel scheduled for 2011. But I know travel plans will happen! I'd love to suddenly come into the opportunity and wherewithal to travel to London to see Sarah while she is studying abroad! I'd love to take a family vacation someplace "tropical" - Hawaii definitely tops the list, but I'd settle for Florida - the Keys or Miami. Or an island - any island... ;)  I'm sure one or two trips will come up for work - and this time when they do, I'd love to extend long enough to at least "see" the outside of the hotel meeting room! Maybe a few of the sights?  And hey, while I'm dreaming about travel in 2011... a "girl trip" would be FAB!

#Reverb10 - Prompts 17-20

December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

I have learned a lot about myself in the past year - it has definitely been a year of growth and understanding. I've learned that I have limits. I've learned that I am not superwoman and I can't do it all. But that I can do a lot! I've learned that I'm easily distracted and that I try to take on too much all at once. But most important of all, I've learned that I don't have to "do" perfect or "be" perfect to be worthy of love, acceptance, appreciation, and validation.  Just being me is good enough. Whew, what a relief! 

I hope to carry this lesson forward by being more gentle and forgiving with myself, by allowing myself time to breathe, and by trying (this will be difficult) to limit my activities so that I can better focus on those things I do undertake.

December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)

I'm interpreting "try" to mean something new... something I haven't already done.  So in 2010 I want to "try" using my camera on manual mode! (yikes).  See the response to December 20 below for further edification.

December 19 – Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)

This was a combination of things.  Susannah Conway's Unravelling and Unravelling II e-courses were part of it. Reading Brene Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection was a big part of it. Participating in the Weekly Gratitude project (although I kinda let that slide once summer hit) was definitely part of it.  The combination allowed me to come to grips with not being perfect and learning to love myself and appreciate my world. Blogging brought the whole thing home for me.  So I'd have to say it was a slow evolution. And the healing was for the emotional/spiritual sides of me.

For 2011, I'm looking forward to physical healing - specifically, having all my body parts fully functional and pain free, moving more, eating less, and working toward the ultimate FIT and FAB at 50 goal!

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance. What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)

Tying in with December 18, above, in 2010 I set out to learn to use my camera(s) in other than "auto" mode. I made some progress, and actually got fairly comfortable with the macro setting, but I still don't quite get how to use all of the different settings and I have a lot more to learn. One avenue I did NOT explore, because I found it far too intimidating, was the use of the fully manual mode - where you take control of the camera and set everything - exposure, shutter speed, lighting, white balance.  Having found each individual concept difficult to grasp and master, the idea of doing it all is terrifying.

But honestly, what do I have to lose? It's a digital camera! If the pictures are terrible I can just delete away and nobody will ever have to know! So among other things I want to do or try in 2011 - learning to use manual mode is on my list!

#Reverb10 - Prompt 16

December 16 | Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

How has a friend changed my perspective on the world this year? Again, so many different ways I could interpret this... but I'm going quite literal.

A good friend of mine has been struggling financially for the past couple of years. It has been tough on us, going from a time where we were able to visit with each other several times a year, to where even once a year is stretching the budget. We miss hanging out. Laughing. Scrapping. Just enjoying each other's company.

I tend to whine a lot about how difficult it has been to keep up with the bills, college tuition, loss in overall income because of increased costs of medical coverage, lack of raises, etc. It is crap that most of the world is facing. It stinks, but it isn't life threatening. It means cutting back, it means doing without some of our wants, but not any of our actual needs.

My friend, however, has been forced to file bankruptcy. She's had to inventory every single thing she and her family owns. There is a personal property "allowance" with bankruptcy... so everything over and above the meager allowance is subject to being taken and sold to satisfy creditors.  She might lose her car... her furniture... her jewelry and clothing.  There is also a "tools of the trade" allowance.  She might lose some of her scrapbooking supplies... computer equipment... camera equipment... things she uses in her business to help support herself and her family. It is a scary prospect.

But she has met it all with such grace. Her attitude towards the whole process has been fabulous. She keeps reminding herself that they are just things and things can be replaced. She is grateful for her family and her health. Her attitude has changed the way I look at my own circumstances. And why I say repeatedly that I am really seeing just how much abundance I have in my own life. No matter how tough I may think things are, I now see clearly that there are so many others in the world who have it so much harder than me. My life is truly abundant.

#Reverb10 - Prompts 14 and 15

December 14 |Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

There are so many things I could say to answer this question. And picking just one is hard. But since I have to... I have come to appreciate being able to really see the abundance in my life. I am so grateful for the abundance in friendships, in material things, in life in general. And I try to express that gratitude in my blogging and scrapbooking. I have started pointing out at home how much we have to be grateful for. I am really hoping my attitude will be contagious!

December 15 | 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)

I'm really going to give this a try. I've got my timer out, setting for five minutes... NOW!

1. Our family trip to the shore - the beautiful walks on the beach - the time spent together just chillin'.
2. My newfound sense of wonder at the world once I started learning to see the world through my camera lens - which probably had more to do with slowing down and seeing things than the camera itself.
3. All of the friendships I have developed through my blog - I wouldn't want to forget Kai, Kelly, Sian, Mel, Amy, Karen, Jacky, Sharyn, Cheryl, Lee, Melissa, Deb and so many others, but the timer is ticking...
4. How hard I worked at turning around my health - eating, exercising, and medical issues - all of it.
5. Watching Rachel and Becca's soccer games - and my pride at how hard they are trying (most of the time).
6. My "girl" trip to see Krystal and our Photo Walk through Greenville SC
7. Becca going to her first prom with Peter. Although I wouldn't mind forgetting how much I "enjoyed" shopping for prom dresses with her!
8. Seeing a baby dove hatch outside my bedroom window - and learning to use my tripod so I could photograph it.
9. Watching the Junior girls win the Powder Puff tournament!
10. All the great books I've read this year.
11. Joining the "Perfect Protest."

Now I'm going to admit that when the timer stopped I was on #6 - but that list felt so incomplete! So I cheated a bit. I could keep going as there was a lot more about 2010 I'd like to remember. But I guess this is the list of scrapbooking layouts I need to create!

#Reverb10 - Prompts 12 and 13

December 12 | Body Integration.  This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)


Huh? Last I checked, my mind lives in my body. Not sure how to separate the two. I can recall a few instances where mind was unsuccessful at convincing body to do its bidding. But mostly they work in tandem quite well and coexist peacefully. Maybe I just don't get it.

December 13 | Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)


I think I successfully outlined a lot of next steps in response to the 11 Things prompt. I know that more will be fleshed out as I begin working with my "One Little Word" for 2011.  I have signed up for Ali Edwards' One Little Word class over at Big Picture Classes. Only $36 for a full year class - which I'm hoping will help reinforce something I was going to be working on anyway! I'm still mulling over next year's word. Focus is a likely contender but I'm not 100% convinced yet!

#Reverb10 - 11 Things

December 11 | 11 Things.  What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

This has been one of my favorite prompts so far! But when it came through on Saturday, I knew it would take some time to put together a meaningful response. I needed time to mull.  What eleven things would I want to eliminate from my life in 2011? How would I accomplish it? What would it mean in my life?  Here goes:


Image Source

1. The dreaded question "What's for dinner?"  I know it seems innocuous enough. But it is a loaded  question. And no matter what my answer is, it will inevitably be followed by a groan of disapproval from at least one of my darling offspring. The question is also one that fills me with dread because I often don't know the answer! Honestly, I hate figuring out what's for dinner!

How to solve this problem? I'm going to have to start meal planning, consulting recipe books, trying new things. The tried and true and getting old and dull. And once I have meals planned, I am going to post them on the calendar - thus eliminating the need to ask at all. I also need to resort more often to the measured response of "I am fixing xxx for dinner. If you don't like that, you are welcome to fix your own." I just have to let go of caring what response comes next from the mouths of my babes. If I can do that, I will feel a lot more calm around the issue of what's for dinner.

2. Drama. With a capital D. And by this I mean teenage drama surrounding the littlest things such as what's for dinner, to the biggest things such as fights with the boyfriend. Since I cannot control the drama being created by these darling creatures of mine, I'll need to control my response to it. I can't fix it. Nothing I can say will be right. Offer advice only when specifically asked. If it's too much, count to ten and walk away. Just walk away. And breathe. They'll live through it. And it's not my problem.

3. Being Taken For Granted. Again, I know this is an issue where I cannot control the behavior of others - only my reaction to it. My reaction of choice for 2011 will either be to (a) not do those chores where I feel I am being taken for granted (allowing my children to do their own laundry, meals, etc.) or (b) accept that I will not receive any recognition for particular tasks and choose to do them with a glad heart anyway. How much better will I feel about my daily round with this shift in my own attitude?

4. Excessive Sitting. I need to get OFF MY BUTT! In 2011 I will post a series (downloaded photos) of stretches by my computer. And I will plan to get up every half hour and spend two minutes doing one of the pictured stretches.  If I can When I turn this into a habit, not only will I spend 4 minutes less per hour on my backside, but I will be getting regular doses of the stretches I need to keep my muscles from shortening and becoming tight.

5. Clutter/ Excess "Stuff".  I like clean surfaces.  I find clutter to be visually distracting and bothersome. I will continue my (now two year) effort to declutter my home bit by bit, eliminating all the excess that we don't need and being more selective about what new "stuff" is brought into the home.


6. Negativity. That insipid soul-sucking monster that arises from the depths of the never-enough crowd. I will avoid Negativity wherever and whenever I can, letting go of those who bring nothing but tainted energy and unhappiness to my doorstep. Where it can't be avoided, I will gently remind Negativity that its attitude is neither productive nor acceptable within the confines of my home and if it must indulge, to please take it elsewhere. 

I can greet with acceptance and compassion a bad moment, a bad day, a trying time. I will offer advice, a shoulder to cry on, whatever it is that a friend needs... But Negativity - if you insist on being unhappy without cause, if you derive pleasure feeding off the reactions to your incessant complaints and victim mentality - allow me to show you the door.... and try to not let it hit your sorry ass on the way out!

7. Fear/Insecurity. I need to let go of the worry that the economy will not turn around, that our jobs may be in jeopardy, that funds will be lacking for college tuition and other bills. In 2011, I will make a conscious effort to continue recognizing the abundance in my life and being grateful for all that I have. Knowing that all I have now is all I need - and that should my needs change, the Universe will provide. I will work harder at accepting and using the knowledge that I can manifest anything I need if I just ask.

8. Medical Issues. In 2010 I ran into a few snags in my fitness program with knee and back problems. I plan to eliminate medical problems in 2011 by continuing my physical therapy program and once discharged, by returning to the gym at least three times a week and continuing my stretching on a daily basis. I also plan to wean myself off certain OTC medications and continue to improve my overall health through vigilance in my meal choices, portion sizes, and attendance to regular medical check-ups and preventive care.

9. Fast Food/Processed Food/Refined Sugar. I have cut so far back on my fast food indulgences that I feel I have nearly eliminated that demon from my life. That leaves processed (convenience) foods and refined sugar. Which are going to be a tad more difficult to eradicate. They are tenacious little buggers. But this is one of my long-term goals and I will continue in 2011 to work on eliminating these evils from my life by replacing them with natural foods and learning more ways to cook foods on my own, instead of just heating things from a box.

10. Old, Unfinished Projects. I am the Queen of Unfinished Projects. I have the ornament to prove it! In 2011 I intend to revisit my ever-growing to-do list of partially completed projects and with each one - either get it done or let it go!  I'll assess my willingness/desire to finish each one, set up deadlines for the ones I'm keeping, and then JUST DO IT!

11. Perfection. I want to eliminate the need to make things perfect. Me included. I have been trying to let go of perfect, but it's still a work in progress. I intend to get a jumpstart on this one by letting go NOW of the need to make Christmas "perfect".  Perfection doesn't exist. Except maybe in a Hallmark movie. In which case it is entirely predicable and dull. Striving for perfection is a waste of the time. Time that could be spent finishing up unfinished projects. Time that could be spent just enjoying the little moments of life - even the less than perfect ones.

# Reverb10 - Catching Up

Day 8 | Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful.  (Author - Karen Walrond.)

Seriously? What doesn't make me different? 

I'm a natural blonde - meaning I have blonde eyebrows and eyelashes.

I have a scar on my left knee from falling off my bike as a kid. I have scars on my belly from gallbladder surgery and a c-section. 

I freckle and burn very easily.

I'm very candid about what I think (some call it blunt - semantics).  

I'm NOT photogenic. BUT  I have a creative soul. 

Both my big toenails are still growing out from the Breast Cancer 3Day walk in October 2008. 

I hate dirty dishes in the sink.

I have zero tolerance for rudeness, incompetence, and waiting in lines. 

I love the ocean. And sunsets. And my family and friends. 

And it is a package deal. All or nothing. The good with the bad. It's all who I am. And isn't that beautiful?

Day 9 | Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)


I am the consummate stay-at-home-body. An introvert at heart.  I do not care for large gatherings such as the cocktail parties I am occasionally called upon to attend for work.  One night of being "on" for hours on end, chatting it up with people I barely know, can leave me physically and mentally exhausted for days after. So I can readily assure you that no socks have been rocked in 2010.  Now... put me in a room full of my tribe and I'll be telling a different story! I never said I don't like to have fun!

December 10 | Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)

The wisest decision I made this year would have to be deciding to get serious about my health and fitness. And I'm not going to bore you with a dissertation on the why's and how's. You can read all about it in my Fitness Friday posts!

#Reverb10 | Day 7 | Community

December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

This is too easy.  Right here! I've discovered a community of the best women ever through my blog. You all know I love you.  And just in case you forgot how grateful I am to have you in my life, check out this post and this one. And know that you are my tribe and I'm here for you, just as I know you are here for me!

#Reverb10 | Day 6 | Make

December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin) 

The last thing I made would be my Christmas Cards. I used some cardstock, my own photography, and lots of love.  But since some of my readers will actually be receiving one of these, you get the edge-burned, totally lacking in full detail version of a photo.

There are plenty of things I'm currently wanting  to make - gift card holders, my JYC/December Daily pages, and these beautiful boxes from Karen's blog are just the tip of my creative backlog and those are top on the list because of their current need to be completed!

Good chance I'll be using this same photo for my JYC page about holiday greetings!

#Reverb10 | Day 5 | Let Go

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

This year, with the help of a lot of reading and self-reflection, I let go of PERFECTION.  In fact, you may remember my entry for The Perfect Protest. 

Letting go of perfect isn't something that happens overnight. It is a process... one which I'm still working on.  Embracing your imperfections isn't a task for sissies either. But it is worth the journey.  And if you are interested in going down that path, I highly recommend this book:

Having read it twice, and still finding passages resonating with my everyday life, I'm seriously considering joining Dream Lab in January for a guided read-along.
 
Do I need a disclaimer? I get nothing for recommending this book or the Dream Lab course. No affiliate fees, no free gifts. I paid for my own copy of the book. Brene Brown doesn't even know I'm on my blog tooting her horn. I keep recommending it because it is just THAT GOOD.
 

#Reverb10 | Day Four | Wonder

December 4 – Wonder.    How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

Learning to use some of the functions on my camera, and being involved in the "Picture" series with Tracey Clark at Big Picture Classes opened up a whole new world for me. Now when I look through my lens, I can see beauty and wonder where before I saw just commonplace.

 

#Reverb10 | Prompt 3 | Moment

December 3 | Moment.

Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).   (Author: Ali Edwards)

I'm happy to say I've had plenty of moments of feeling truly ALIVE this year. Purposefully trying to engage and live in the moment will do that for you. Being aware of all the things you have to be grateful for will do that for you. But when I read this prompt, one moment immediately flashed through my mind.

June 4, 2010. Driving home from the gym. The sun is shining, bright and happy in the sky. It's a warm day and I'm flushed from a great workout, but enjoying the breeze tickling the back of my neck and ruffling my hair as it blows through my car windows. And on the radio comes Shania Twain's "Man, I Feel Like A Woman." I crank the music and sing-along (admittedly off-key, but hey, I'm alone with no one to offend) belting out the refrain at the top of my lungs. And I feel alive, happy, content, for a few perfect moments.