Wrapping Up 2012

Today, I am wrapping up the year 2012.

I am thinking about what happened throughout the past twelve months. I am remembering Daniel and I celebrating the 10 years we've been married. I am remembering a lovely celebration we had for Mom, who turned 80 this year.

Those were probably the two most significant memories of 2012 for me, though there are many other memories I carry into the New Year.

As 2012 becomes history, I am thinking of what goals to set, what intentions to declare, for 2013.

Already, I selected my One Little Word of the year, which is writing, and today I've been listing specifics for that word.

I am declaring my intention to write, even if it's a few sentences, every day.

Every. Single. Day.

And I'm setting up a structure to promote that success.

I've also set up twelve topics related to writing to focus on, one per month, and I've signed up for Ali Edwards' One Little Word class over at Big Picture Classes.

Over and over again, I've said writing matters to me, and in 2013, I'm going to direct my focus toward breathing new life into the part of me that's always been, unequivocally, a writer at heart.

That doesn't mean other things won't still be a part of my life--like scrapbooking--but my attention needs to be and will be more on writing than anything else.

Because it matters to me. Because I matter.

Those are words with power.

I'm also planning to read a bit more for pleasure in the New Year. I am committing to reading a writing book and a fiction book each month. 24 books in one year probably doesn't sound like a lot, but for me, it's a lofty goal, though I think I can manage it.

I've also signed up for Cathy Zielske's wellness class at Big Picture Classes, called Move More, Eat Well. The health issues I face have been neglected in the persistent wake of high levels of stress, and I know that I can do better. Having a community and tasks and--this word again--focus on a clear intention will definitely improve those lab results, as well as how I feel day-to-day.

So as I wave goodbye to a year that was challenging and creative and trying and disappointing, as I celebrate the end of 2012 and the launch of 2013, I say, bring on the New Year.

Life is as good as we make it.

Merry and Bright

May you focus on all the things that bring light to your life.

May you be surrounded by people you love and filled with the happiest memories.

May your days be merry and bright.

Journal Your Christmas - Page One

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, especially being a bit behind in my holiday preparations as I recovered from a wisdom tooth extraction, I finally had the chance to get started on my pages for Journal Your Christmas, the class Shimelle Laine offers every year.

Here is page one:

Not the best photo, but the best I could do, given the pervasive gloom.

Except for the letter stickers, the supplies are all leftover from last year's holiday-themed stash. I used a full sheet of transparency so that the page behind would show through. I love that effect, and I love all those red deer evoking, for me, the origins of the holiday.

The rest of the album is coming together slowly. I'll be sharing more as I complete pages and find time to take photos.

Today is the first day of my 12 Days of Winter project, so there will be things to share from that, as well.

Time Flies

That old saying, "time flies when you're having fun" is only partly true.

Time flies. Whether you're having fun or not.

On November 27th, I had a wisdom tooth extracted, and while it could've been much, much worse, it was distinctly unpleasant, especially when I got, as the oral surgeon put it, "a little bit of dry socket."

The past three weeks, my focus has been on healing and taking care of myself and trying to get the holidays off the ground. Meanwhile, my blog has been neglected, in part because the winter gloom in my neck of the woods, even without any sign of snow, remains pervasive, and I can't take good photos to share without at least a little natural light.

It's hard to believe that it's only about a week until Christmas.

One Little Word - 2013

For the past several years, I've chosen a word of the year, inspired by Ali Edwards. I've had joy, organization, and focus in the past, and last year I took Ali's class at Big Picture Classes with the word solace.

This year, I didn't take the class again, but I used the materials from the previous year as a jumping off point to explore the word I chose--time--on my own with a few little changes to make it mine. One thing I added was a self-interview, which I did in June as a halfway-point check-in, repeated today for the end-of-year wrap-up, a little early.

As I have been completing the prompts for December, I started thinking about what my word for 2013 might be. One thing that has come up repeatedly in the two years I've been doing the class Ali designed  is how important writing is to me, how it soothes me, gives me space to be totally and authentically myself, how it's where I run when I need to vent, how it makes me happy.

And this year, how I never seem to have enough time for it.

So...for 2013, I have chosen writing as my word of the year. I'm not sure if I'll be working with the One Little Word course materials from the past two years; I think Ali's planning on a new One Little Word class with new materials, so I might do that.

But I've also got some of my own ideas of how to explore and pursue writing and make it more a part of my every day.

There were other words I considered, but when I thought of writing, it felt...well...right.

Welcome, December

Welcome, hustle and bustle, busy-busy-busy, go-go-go.

Welcome, sparkle and bright and glitter and bows.

Welcome, quiet moments to reflect on Christmases past.

Welcome, fond memories of loved ones, far away, near, and departed.

Welcome, celebration and libations!

Welcome, shopping, long times waiting in line. Welcome, smiles and greetings from strangers, all of us in the same boat.

Welcome, inspiration: the perfect gift! Welcome, surprises left by the postal carrier.

Welcome, excitement...anticipation. Welcome, warmth and happiness and a little dose of melancholy for what used to be.

Welcome, triumphant music and jingle bells and laughter and love.

Welcome, cookies and yummies and tasty traditions.

Welcome, chilly days and frosty nights and--hopefully--snow.

Welcome, stories--the ones we tell every year, the ones we know by heart, the ones we see and hear.

Welcome, brand new memories to carry into holiday seasons to come.

Welcome, joy.

Welcome, the closing chapter of another year. Welcome, new beginnings.

Yes...welcome, December.