What's Going On

It is raining on this last day of November, and I'm sitting on my couch, taking a few moments out of what promises to be another busy-busy day, drinking a mocha, and thinking about the beginning of December and all the festivities of the upcoming holidays. I cannot enumerate the number of times I've been wanting to sit down and restart this blog this year, but each and every time I've thought, "I am going to start blogging again," something has interfered with my intention.

That doesn't make me happy.

So...here I am. Committing to myself that before I dive into the task list on my table today, I'm going to catch up with myself and with my blog and share what's been going on with me in 2017...just as the year begins to draw to its close. I invite you to pull up a chair, sip something yummy, and catch up with me.


The Eyes Have It

Probably the thing that shaped my life in 2017 more than almost anything else was the trouble I had with my eyes/vision. The short version: it's really important for glasses with progressive lenses to be crafted with precision. My first pair were not, and after a lot of misery and frustration and doctor appointments, I've finally reached the point where I can see, mostly without the eye strain and discomfort that kept me from doing as many of the things (like blogging) that I like to do.


Political Engagement

Another thing that has shaped my life this year was the political landscape. While I have always paid some attention to politics, I felt the results of the 2016 election required me to be more engaged politically than ever before. The stakes seem so much higher, now. In January, I participated in the Women's March, along with my husband Daniel and our friend Shirley. I had never done anything like that before, and it was an empowering experience for me. We subscribed to the online version of the Washington Post, and I started listening to the podcasts produced by Crooked Media. I also watch much more news on TV than I ever have, feeling the need to be informed about what's going on in government.


Awesome Opportunity

2017 was the year I began helping with The Awesome Ladies Project, a website and program for scrapbooking with a strong feminist focus. My new adventure began with answering a call for the Awesome Ladies Community team, and I was absolutely delighted to be invited to be on that team for 6 months, helping to grow the Awesome Ladies community. The weekend of my birthday, I went to the Awesome Ladies Live retreat in East Lansing, met some incredibly creative women to talk about feminist scrapbooking, telling our stories, committing to our own creative lives, and we made stuff.

It was one of the best experiences of my life. Happy birthday to me!

Later this year, I sent an email to rukristin, who created the Awesome Ladies Project, telling her that I wanted to help in any capacity she needed. Since then, I've been going to East Lansing once a week, and it is meaningful, fulfilling work that makes me so happy.


Travels

For Daniel's birthday, we went to Pennsylvania to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright House, Fallingwater. Daniel has been interested in Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture for awhile, and he works in a building that was inspired by Wright's work. Getting to see the house that incorporated a water fall into its design, the artistry of it, was spectacular. I loved it, and so did Daniel, and we enjoyed the surrounding landscape, as well.

For our annual anniversary vacation, Daniel and I chose to visit Niagara Falls and then New England. The Falls were more spectacular than I realized; photos simply cannot capture the sheer grandeur, the volume of water, the height and depth and majesty of it. We got to see both the American and Canadian Falls. We did both boat tours. We got thoroughly soaked because those plastic ponchos they give you are no match for that spray from the falls that feels a lot like a good, hard rain.

New England was just as awesome in different ways. We stayed in a hotel in Chicopee, Massachusetts, then took day trips to Vermont and New Hampshire, Boston, and Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Freedom Trail in Boston and the beach in Naragansett were my favorites, but the whole trip was just so much fun. Being with Daniel always is, but getting to see so many things I'd never seen before made it a memorable week.


At Long Last - 2014 Documented!

I can't help but mention that I finally, finally finished scrapbooking the year 2014, including our trip to Florida and our trip to Northern Michigan. Completing those projects, having the entire year of 2014 finished, feels really good.


Right Now

Reading: Mostly articles online, though as my eyes continue to get better, I'm definitely feeling the urge to read all the books stacked up on my shelf

Watching: My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which is freakin' hilarious.

Learning: How to grow old gracefully? (I hope.)

Planning: Things to do during December to savor our holiday season.

Working: Organizing our photos from vacation.

Buying: Presents! 'Tis the season!

Drinking: Coffee (always!). Seasonal beer from Sam Adams, especially.

Missing: Our walks at County Farm Park. Throughout the summer and into the fall, Daniel and I were walking the trails at the park almost daily, but with darkness falling earlier, just around the time Daniel gets off work, we're not able to do that anymore, and I definitely miss it.

Enjoying: Having lots of things that were on my to-do list for quite a long time, done! Especially the dentist!

What's Next

I'm looking forward to the holiday season, the celebration. A new year, the year I turn 50, new experiences, new lessons. A new word to incorporate into my life.


So. That's what's going on with me. What's new in your life? What are some of the things that you've experienced in 2017 that have made you happy? What were your struggles? What's coming up for you as one year ends and the next begins? Leave me a comment!