My "List" for the year 2012

January 2012...most of us make lists of resolutions, or "To Do" lists, lists of things we regret we did not do last year or lists of things we want to do this year. Have you made such a list?

I just cracked open a brand new journal that I got for Christmas (an annual self-bought-gift...more on that another time) and started making a list for myself for 2012. Not so much a list of resolutions, but more of a list of reminders.

I don't regret my time in 2011, but when I look back, I can't help but wonder if I acutally used my precious, God-given time to its' full advantage. Did I take every opportunity and make the most of it? Could I have done more? Been more? Loved more? Helped more? Did I let fear guide me instead of trust? What would 2011 have looked like if I had changed one moment?


Yet 2011 is now over and done and all I have are the days before me to make a difference, to explore and enjoy.  I yearn for an adventure! I want to go places and have things happen to me! However, I know if I want some things to happen, I might need to go out and make them happen for myself.

That being said in very random order,

Here is my 2012 LIST:
1. Travel more
2. Enjoy more theatre and concerts
3. Hike!
4. Recycle more
5. Go through and donate stuff

6. Write real letters
7. Figure out more about ME
8. Longer walks with Willow (my dog)
9. Learn my guitar
10. Trust God everyday
11. Thanks people more
12. SMILE More!
13. Train more people to cover my job (so I can do #1-2!)
14. Learn new skills
15. Finish a project
16. CRAFT FAIRS!
17. Make lots of jewelry (see #16)
18. Read more (less TV!)
19. Cut out Diet Coke!
20. LOVE MORE!
21. write write write!!!!!

I'm sure I will want to alter and edit this list, but here it is, my wishes, hopes, wants, thoughts for 2012 as of January 5th.

What is YOUR list for 2012??

Gettin' Crafty! - Scrabble Tile Ornaments

Have you been getting crafty this Christmas season? Have you gotten the itch to burn your fingertips on hot glue or smell the heady scent of Modge Podge or cover something with felt or paint?

Well a few of my friends and I have been getting our "craft fix" on this winter season preparing gifts and tree ornaments and all manner of other creative projects. We usually get together for a casual "Girl's Night" once a week if possible so for the past month or so we've been hauling our boxes, bags and containers of felt, beads, wire, glue and buttons to each other's houses for Craft Night. We worked on our own crafts or projects or borrowed pieces and supplies from each other to try something new.

Here is an example in my new favourite Christmas Tree Ornament - Scrabble Tile Words

Christmas is almost here...

It's getting closer and closer to Christmas and multicoloured and white lights line the streets and edge the houses; they twinkle and blink and glow, brightening up our winter-dark world. The shiny bright sparkle of ornament-covered trees peek through windows and let the neighbourhood know that Christmas is coming. Batches of cookies shaped like stars, trees, wreaths, and angels line up and wait to be iced and packed for gifts or displayed on platters for post-holiday meal snacking. Christmas is coming.

The music of the Season, whether slow and angelic or jazzy and fun, change the mood in every shopping mall and alter which radio presets are more frequently used in December. They tell of Santa coming to town or a reindeer with a rosy nose or a snowman with a silk top hat or of letting it snow. The haunting melodies of the coming Christ-child fill the air with a mystical wonder of how God packaged himself in the delicate arms of a baby to bring us closer to Him and save us. Christmas is coming.

Advent calendars are almost empty, shopping bags are full of surprises and fridges are being stocked for the big feast. The parties have started, with laughter, gift-giving, games and treats...Christmas is coming.

Some may not have as much as others and charity and help and support is being sought out more than any other time of the year. Food drives are asking, community dinners are finalizing their plans and charities remind you to give all around you. Christmas is coming.

Children count down the sleeps until the night they have been waiting for arrives. Parents wrap late into the night. Grandparents travel or prepare their homes for family to arrive. Snow falls anywhere it can and most of us appreciate the soft white glow that makes the night seem brighter. Christmas is coming.

Lists are made and crossed out one item at a time, turkeys thaw and stuffing prepared, carols are chosen for candlelight Christmas Eve services. Pageants are played out with the likeness of all the Nativity characters in makeshift costumes and homemade wings. Christmas is coming.

The star showed the way and angels spread the word. A weary couple stagger into a town where no room but for some hay amoung the animals can be made for them. And then beyond the low murmur of cattle and sheep, with the piercing cry of a newborn, a baby is born in the night.

Christmas has come.

Our Saviour was born without the trill of a trumpet or a wordy and expensive announcement in every newspaper; He came lowly and quiet with only his mother and earthly father and a few animals to share that precious moment.

Christ arrived as a baby, a human child, yet the Son of God.

This year, let Christmas come to you, though your home may be full or your cupboards empty, let Him fill your world with the warmth of what this Season means - a baby was born to save us all!

The Birth of Christ - by Gerard van Honthorst 1622

Current Reviews - TV, Books, Movies

Who doesn't love a good evening of entertainment?
Ahhh the glow and flash of a TV late at night or the crisp sound of a page being turned or the excitement of getting out and seeing a story played out on a huge theatre screen! What fun!
Have you tried any new TV shows this season? Read any new books lately? Or seen any current movies? Like them? Hate them?

Every so often I take a moment to look back and review a few new shows or books I've enjoyed...or simply just made it through.
Here are my most current thoughts:

Anyone who knows me knows I love movies! I love going to movies and the experience of deciding what to see, getting popcorn or smuggling in drug store candy or the occasional slurpee in my bag! I love buying and owning movies, too, and have quite a large collection of DVDs to chose from.

A-Z Answer Me This!

A-Z Answer Me This:

A. Age: 32.9
B. Bed size: King...hey it was a freebie and Willow the Westie is a bed hog.
C. Chore that you hate: Washing Dishes!
D. Dogs, Dragons: Dog AND Dragons...if they were possible...maybe a very small shoulder-riding dragon.
E. Essential start to your day: Press "Snooze" three times, get up, shower, walk the dog...Ahhh, fresh air!
F. Favorite color: Blue, it's always been blue.
G. Gold or Silver: Silver for sure!
H. Height: 5’4″, just barely. I'm used to being the shortest.
I. Instruments you play: Violin, but not for a while.
J. Job title: "Communications Co-ordinator" - basically a jumble of creating posters, brochures, websites, type-editing, and all visual media.