Thankful for...100 List: First 25

As an exercise in positivity, 

I am making a list of the...

100 Things For Which I Am Thankful.

Today here are the first 25.



(Note: They are listed in no particular order, other than my rambling thoughts at the moment.)

1. My amazing parents.
2. My Christian heritage and upbringing.
3. A sister who is a close friend.
4. A brother who always keeps in touch.
5. The unconditional affection and joy from my dog.
6. My best friends, with whom I can laugh, cry, listen and belong.
7. Living on the west coast and a block from the ocean.
8. Being able to teach and learn from my co-workers.
9. My own place to live and wonderful landlords.
10. A job that is not boring but full of creativity and always changing.
11. That all four of my nephews love their "Auntie".
12. A good book to adventure in for a while.
13. The freedom to go to church and believe openly in my loving God.
14. My extended family, many of which feel as close as immediate family.
15. Board & Card Games!
16. Milk Chocolate!
17. A hot cup of tea in my favourite mug.
18. The feeling of excitement when I'm working on a new creative project.
19. My decent, comfortable and problem-free vehicle.
20. Autumn storms, wind, rain and waves.
21. Music that can calm, bring tears and fill me with joy.
22. The ease and speed I can access information, Google is great!
23. Finding the perfect pair of jeans.
24. Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
25. Knowing how to properly use bobby pins.

Definitely a random order!

Watch for more updates to this list in the coming days.

What are you thankful for?

Start making your own list.
(PS - It does wonders for your current state of happiness.)


Here are the next segments of my Thankful Lists: #26-50, and #51-75

Removing the Masks



Photo Credit: Marco Michelini

It's OK to be not OK.

I don't always have to be "fine".

I can still be strong if I'm hurt.

But...

I can't help anyone else until I make sure I am helping myself.

"Put the oxygen mask on yourself before you help others or you will be useless."

If I numb the pain, ignore the pain, suppress the pain, I will not get better.

The pain may go away for now, but it will grow and cause even more problems.

5 Random Facts About Me

It's time for some confessions....

I got this idea from a blog I read called "Love Stitched" by Brittany.

Here are 5 Random Facts About Me:

1. I love my Dad's grilled cheese sandwiches! He makes THE BEST grilled cheese! Perhaps it has something to do with the amount of butter he slaps on both sides and the inside, too!! Yummers!

My Fear-shaped Box

Photo credit.

Many of us are afraid of something.

Are you afraid of....the dark?
Zombies? Vampires? Spiders? Death?

I have fears.

I have a box of fears.

No I don't need a nightlight and I do not like scary movies but I don't mind the odd zombie movie now and then.

I do, however, have several fears that I find difficult to talk about, let alone get over. (Ok, so I may also be freaked out by spiders sometimes, too.)

Twins - June 2012

Here's a quick updated photo of my twin nephews having fun in Grandma and Poppa's backyard this week. 

(see full image)

Dear Date: Communication Weakling or Warrior?

Join me for a this series on my blog entitled "Dear Date..."
where I share my insights and anecdotes into the exciting and often frustrating world of dating. 

Say it, Don't just Type it!

In any relationship, communication is key.

And by key, I mean pretty much the most essential and important skill both parties can arm themselves with on that battlefield Pat Benatar called Love.

This weapon skill, communication, can either be honed, sharp, strategic and well-used or it can also be poor, weak, misguided and just plain invisible.

Dear Date...Internet Dating - Dos & Don'ts

Join me for a new series on my blog entitled "Dear Date..." 

where I share my insights and anecdotes into the exciting and often frustrating world of dating.

Internet Dating....Some Do's and Don'ts!
You've done it, I know you have, you've signed-up for a free trial or a free weekend or a free test drive on one of the many dating websites out there. 
You and me both! 
I've tried just about all of them off and on, good or bad and here are a few pointers from what I have learned for both men and women.

Dear Date...Ukulele Music? Really?

Join me for a new series on my blog entitled "Dear Date..." 
where I share my insights and anecdotes into the exciting and often frustrating world of dating.

Previously on the first episode of "Dear Date..."


"I'm 33, single and a Christian.
The dating pool is so very small.
It's difficult to meet people.
YES I have tried Internet dating.
And the first thing you need to know: Be employed. Somewhere, anywhere, have some sort of a job."

There. You're all caught up.

In today's episode, I'd like to speak to all the would-be dating men out there about:
Date Number 2 - Venue and Conversation

Five Minute Friday: Perspective

On Fridays a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write gather to share what five minutes buys them. Just five minutes. Unscripted. Unedited. Real.
Your words. This shared feast.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
OK, are you ready?

Dear Date...You are Job!

Join me for a new series on my blog entitled "Dear Date..."
where I share my insights and anecdotes into the exciting and often frustrating world of dating.



I am 33, single and to top it all off, a Christian.

Word.

That sound you just heard was the dating 'ocean' shrinking considerably into a puddle-sized pool full of kooks, close-enough-to-be-relatives, and unfamiliars that I pray find me somehow, by some miracle.

Storyline and Portland(ia)

Have you ever heard of the Storyline Conference?
If you haven't, then just wait about 2 weeks and I'm sure I'll have a review up here for you.

Why?

Well, I'll tell you why: In just a few short days I am headed down to a city I've never visited, Portland, Oregon, with two good friends to attend Donald Miller's Storyline Conference!

I've been keeping an eye on this conference for a couple years now and finally I feel led to get up and GO experience it!

Scenic Sundays: Local Favourites

((A quick look at some of my favourite scenic photos I've taken.

All of these shots remain untouched and unaltered.))

Today I wanted to show a sample of local shots I've taken from some of my favourite places to walk or travel through.

Five Minute Friday: Grit



 Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.

We write because we want to, not because we have to. We write for fun, for joy, for discovery at how much creativity is crammed in our heads and even if we just unlock if for five minutes it can paint the world in dazzling wonder.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. (that means if I spell something wrong, or use the wrong word, too late! let it go! don't feel you need to correct me.)
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & leave an encouraging comment.

On Fridays we just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. It’s such a relief, I promise. OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:
::

Grit

February 22-23 Photo-a-Day: Screens and Shoes

 "Where You Work"
February 22nd

- This is one of the views from where I work all day Sunday.

I get to see everything from a bird's-eye view while  I control what goes up on 2-7 screens.

I pay attention to lyrics, create and present slides with announcements and verses or sermon notes and I get to pick what colours and visual videos are played.

It's only a portion of what I do at work, but I always find it interesting and fun!

 "Your Shoes" 

February 23rd

- I was wearing my usual, nondescript black shoes to work today so instead I'm giving you a peak at my entire rack of shoes.

These are just the fall/winter/spring collection, with none of the summer pieces. I do love shoes and have a few pair too many of cute, fun runners or sneakers.

Toms, Converse and Sketchers are amoung my favs, along with the off Rocket Dog and simple cute flats.

February Photo-A-Day: Little Me!

 "A Fave Photo of You"
- I love this photo of me.
I was proably about 5 or 6.

We lived on a farm just north of Calgary where you could just barely see the city on the horizon. (Now that whole area is covered in homes and development!)

Behind me is one of our horses and the rest is the pretty, rolling hills.

I must have just lost a tooth around that day and my mom is taking a photo to capture the moment.

I also love my afro! No, I do NOT have curly hair (I wish!) but had many home perms as a child to keep my thick hair cute and manageable. (PS - one of my brother's nicknames for me back then was "Little Orphan Annie".)

This photo brings back so many memories, smells, sights and feelings.
Love it!

February Photo-a-Day: Pillows & a Pen

 "Something You Hate To Do" - I really, really hate getting up early in the morning when I have to, and leaving my comfortable pillows behind! (I'm much more of a night owl than an early bird!)

"Handwriting"- I've never really liked my own handwriting. Mosly because when I get impatient and my hand can't keep up to the tumbling thoughts from my head my penmanship becomes messy and childish as I cope to try and put everything down on paper. Of couse, I actually use a pen and paper much less frequently now that we use technology to capture our thoughts. I still love the feel of a pencil and the way  it looks to have your own thoughts and ideas recorded by your own hand.

Scenic Sundays - Tofino BC



((A quick look at some of my favourite scenic photos I've taken.

Other than a small crop here or there, they remain untouched and unaltered.))

Today these three shots come from one of my favourite places, Tofino, BC. And from one of my favourite camping trips there, back in the summer of 2008 with my cousin Katie.

We captured some amazing beaches and island shots! However, the best moments where I went trigger-happy on my camera was on our whale watching trip where we happened upon a pod of orcas or killer whales that were breaching and leaping out of the water! (Take a good look at the last photo.)

Best trip ever!

February Photo-a-Day Challenge: Drink

February Photo-a-Day

"Drink" - a mellow Saturday afternoon tea time.

(Go here to link up to the #febphotoaday party.)

Five Minute Friday: Delight




Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.

We write because we want to, not because we have to. We write for fun, for joy, for discovery at how much creativity is crammed in our heads and even if we just unlock if for five minutes it can paint the world in dazzling wonder.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. (that means if I spell something wrong, or use the wrong word, too late! let it go! don't feel you need to correct me.)
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & leave an encouraging comment.

On Fridays we just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. It’s such a relief, I promise. OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:
::

Delight…

Photo-A-Day Challenge! - Playing Catch Up

It's been a while since I've updated my February Photo-a-Day pictures.

A lot has happened in the past two weeks: a quick sad/happy family trip to Alberta, fun with nephews and cousins galore, a silly but major holiday, upstairs/downstairs games, sunshine, rain, beach and snow.

Here are my shots, some new a couple older but they fit.

(Go here to link up to the #febphotoaday party.)

It is an Ever-Fixed Mark...

 

I am a poetry girl.

I love many forms of poetry but at the heart I am a lover of Shakespeare and other cleverly crafted texts.

(And no, I do not mean 'texts' that come to you via some sort of small hand-held electronic devices.)

I mean 'texts' that have been handed down, translated, spoken, hand-scribed, illuminated, decorated, performed, typed, published and treasured throughout history.

Of course, what I love are...Books!

I love a variety of books. Books that contain stories or poems, short or long.

Today I turned to two of my favourite poems, sonnets by William Shakespeare.

Five Minute Friday: Trust

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them. (YOU CAN DO THAT OVER AT the Gypsymama blog or at the Blessed Motherhood blog)

Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.

We write because we want to, not because we have to. We write for fun, for joy, for discovery.

On Fridays we just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. Won’t you join us? 

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

::

Trust…

kirs10 black shared an Instagram photo with you

Hi there,

kirs10 black just shared an Instagram photo with you:

view full image

"Ode to Calgary sunsets and flat prairie skyline. "

Thanks,
The Instagram Team

Stress Relief - The Good, the Bad and the Scaley

Today I've been thinking about something.

Stress.

Work stress, family stress, stress in a crisis, stress with pressure from around you.

What do you do when you are stressed out?

Do you get busy and try not to think of whatever it is that is bothering you?
Or do you cry and fret and get upset at everyone around you?
Do you get quiet and not let anyone know about the lava flow of emotions that threaten to erupt at some late time?
Do you grind your teeth or get a rash or have some physical manifestation of your stress?
Do you eat or not eat or sleep all the time or stay up into the wee hours?

When I feel stress pressing in I may do a few different things:

I may sleep less and stay up way too late.
I might snack more on things that are oh-so-bad for me...comfort foods like chips, ice cream and cookies.
I know I am great at bottling up my emotions and my stress so that I appear okay, but a slightly more silent and sullen version of myself. I try to keep it all in, out of the way, not dealing with it, even though I know that heading down route just makes the journey of getting through my stress so much more difficult and bumpy.

And then...Something funny that happened this week when I felt stressed: I bought a fish.

(as yet unnamed betta)

No, not some salmon for a good and healthy dinner.

I bought my second Siamese Fighting Fish (or betta) in the past month.

(My first, Samson, has since gone the way of the White Porcelain transportation device to fishy heaven. Poor little fishy guy!)

This time I did my new friend justice. I picked up a very small glass tank that came with a light, filter and I also bought a heater. (I think poor Samson keeled over since it is actually quite cool in my house and without a heater the bowl he was in never got warm.)

Yesterday I also picked up some more pretty polished river rocks and some silk plants to give him shelter and decorate his new home a bit. Today he is active and eating well and exploring.

But back to my topic.

I didn't realize what I had done or why until I got home with the new aquarium and began setting it up.



Note: At one point in my life, not too long ago, I had many, many fish and aquariums. Eventually I sold them and got down to one, but decided when I got my puppy over 2 years ago that I didn't have time for my fish upkeep so I got rid of the last tank.

Why, oh why, did I suddenly decide to buy another one?

This past week a very close relative was very ill in hospital with the outlook seemed very bleak and the day I got word that he had passed away I went right out and bought my new fish and tank.

How did that happen?

I know now it was from a mixture of wanting to distract myself, to feel good about something and not dealing with the emotions that came with the bad news. I felt the stress of losing someone, with memories and worry bubbling up I had to do something and what I found myself doing was a bit of retail therapy and distraction.

Have you ever gone this route? Or something similar?

I can see a new marketing campaign by pet store chains now: Stressed out? Buy a Pet! They -never- add any more stress to your life...ever.

Are you still with me after all that rambling? Good.

Here's the kicker.

An important lesson I've learned this year about stress is that nothing good can come of either holding the negative emotions inside or of letting them get so entangled into your personality that they change the person you want to be.

 I've been stressed before and I held onto that negativity for so long that it changed me. I held on to it so tightly that if it had been my physical hands that were holding that stress they would have lost all circulation and started to become dead and rotting along with the disgusting pound of stress they clung to.

This summer I had a quiet and emotion-filled few moments when I finally realized that the tugging on that tightly-held stress that I had been resising and fighting against was God trying to get me to give it over to Him. It was difficult and painful and I almost felt like I had to let Him pry my fingers loose as He pulled it from my grasp, but I laid it all at His feet. The best part was that He took it. All my doubt, all my anxiety, all my anger and bitterness, He took it all and filled me with His tender love and hope and peace.

Of course I have to make that choice daily to give it over to Him, but it's working. Slowly I am learning how wonderful it is to be free of that black cloud of stress that enveloped me. I can see the brightness ahead and I can feel the peace that is beyond my own understanding.

So what do you do with your stress?
Let me tell you....if you give it over to God, He's got some amazing peace for you! 

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust. ~ Psalm 4:8

 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] ~ John 14:27

Photo-A-Day Challenge! - Feb 4 & 5

Feb. 4th "A Stranger" - Yes, I did a bit of from-the-car-stranger-stalking. It's weird taking random photos of people. Then this guy was working so hard out in the cold, and his coat was so super bright on such a dreary afternoon that I thought I should take his picture.



Feb. 5th "10 am" - Okay, so I took a bit of licence. Some days I am with Willow on a beach around 10 am enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. (Plus, I just had to work in this uber-cute photo of little Willow! And I was working at 10 am today and trying to fix some problems so I missed snapping a literal 10 am shot.)

Risk - Not Just a Board Game

"To laugh is to risk being a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To express feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams, before the crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or live.
Risks must be taken because, the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
Only a person who risks is free."
- Leo Buscalia

What are you going to risk today?

I often find myself stuck.

In a rut. Non-moving.

Yet infinitely comfortable.

I don't risk anything.

I relax and let life pass all around me and some days this feels excellent.

I am safe. I am okay. I am fine.

Yet some days I silently rage against my own passivity.

Photo-A-Day - February 1-3

Here are my first few February 2012 Photo-A Day Snaps:



Feb 1st - "My View" every morning when I walk my dog, Willow. I love my neighbourhood, right by the ocean! And these past few days have been so crisp and cool but I just stop and soak in the warm beams of sunlight for as many moments as I can. 



5 Minute Friday - "Real"

My good friend over at "Blessed Motherhood" just linked to a great little writing challenege called "5 Minute Friday".

According to the challenge's origins over at "The Gypsy Mama" we should write for five minutes flat on Fridays. We write because we want to, not because we have to. We write for fun, for joy, for discovery. We just write without worrying if it’s just write or not.

Won’t you join us?

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them.

Photo-A-Day Challenge! February 2012

A few blogs I follow are taking part in a
"Photo-A-Day Challenge"
for the entire year of 2012!
(Brittany at Love Stiched, Jessica at FatMumSlim)

I missed January, but I'm going to try and start the challenge tomorrow for February.

I'll post my weekly photos all at once and hopefully bust out of my boring-box and get creative.

If you want to play along Jessica will be hosting a linky party and I've joined up!

The least-kept secret of what I love best about winter - SNOW!

“The first fall of snow is not only an event,
it is a magical event”

Snow.

I love snow.

At the first flakes I see falling, I call my Mom and we gleefully look outside, sharing the joy of winter's gift we've waited for all season. I cannot hide my excitement, nor my happiness, when our Spring-like city is covered in white for a while.

I love to walk in the snow. I love the crunchy-squinchy sound it makes under my boots. I didn't like it when I was a child, it grated like nails on a chalkboard, but I've grown to miss it and now glad don my old boots and crunch away while I can.

A "Fast" Update - Not all 6s & 7s...

Day 6 & 7
So here I am...on the eve of my last day of one of the most difficult tasks I've ever committed to. A Fast.

Both yesterday and today have been tremendous mental and physical battles. A battle of wills - Will I cave? Will I fail? Will I pass out? Will I stay strong? Will I give in and just take a taste of peanut butter? Will my stomach ever stop growling?

It is not easy to break off deep, ingrained routines and habits cold turkey (mmm, turkey....). Such strong and natural instincts that have been with us since we were babies.

Something so simple as: "I'm hungry...I eat."

A "Fast" Update - Four, Five & Friday!

DAY FOUR & FIVE
Thank-you to everyone who has encouraged me and sent me their love. I only ever want to use this blog as a place to encourage others and as a way to express myself.

Oh yes, it is Friday and I'm more than halfway done my 8 day fast!

I'm thanking God that my work week is ending and I can have some time tomorrow to possibly NAP!

My fast is still going strong, I've been tempted but still have held out on the solid foods. I think my brain and body have finally switched off the impulse feeling that I MUST EAT something. Yes, I still have hunger pangs and 'empty' feeling moments, but they quickly pass as I drink some water and think bout something else.

The main issue I have been having for the past 2 days has been sleep. It's taken me a long time to fall asleep lately and I wake up so very tired. I feel like I could fall asleep any moment of the day if I just put my head down to rest....Yet, God is helping me stay strong and close to Him.

A "Fast" Update - Painting-by-Numbers

DAY THREE:
Well, here I am, and Day 3 is over and done with. I never, ever thought that I would have lasted this long. Honestly.

I'm not the type of person who sticks things out. I'm a starter, not a closer. Over the years I've tried all sorts of hobbies, past times, activities and I say tried, because that's what ends up happening; I try them. Full stop.

I usually try something for a little while, feel it out, see if I enjoy it, and most of the time I do. But what always seems to happen is that something else comes along to catch my eye and take my attention away. (Maybe I'm secretly a magpie, distracted by what's new and shiny!)

I have a closet full of "trys" - I have a box of paint-by-numbers that I spent several hours on but only managed to use a couple colours until it was put away never to see the light of day again. I have a violin I never play and guitar I haven't quite learned, and any number of crafts and activities, from bead looms to rollerblades, I've dabbled with but never stuck to.

I know it's okay to try things out and learn what you like or what you're good at, it just feels like my whole life is full of "just trying" something.

A "Fast" Update - Still Standing!

DAY TWO:
Well, so far, so good with my first two days of fasting. I've had a few weak moments and some angry hunger gremlins that seem to crawl right up my throat, but overall, I feel good and am doing well.

Every time I feel hungry or the urge to get something to eat I remind myself of why I am doing this. I remind myself that I can go without for once in my life. I remind myself that God is with me and He can let this experience bring me closer to Him. This afternoon I even took any hungry moment to stop and pray for someone in my family, taking my mind off myself.

As for what I am consuming to stay standing: lots of water, it's easier at work where we have a nice cold filtered water jug, but I've also been drinking 100% (not from concentrate) pressed apple juice. Today I tried a V8 Blueberry with vegetables juice and I just could not trick my mind into drinking a whole glass. It somehow doesn't taste right to me so later I might try it with a straw to fool myself that it's a delicious smoothie.

A "Fast" Update - Meet my new little motivator!

Day...One-Point-Five
Okay, it's now been only 12 hours since I began my fast...and I am sliding down the slippery slope of weakening with mental hunger!

I know it's mostly in my mind; the human body can last without solid food for quite a while, but it strikes me at how much I am actually just craving the ritual of going to the kitchen and getting something to eat. My feet have been trying to walk to the fridge and hands want to make something, open something, heat up something! Wow, I never realized it would be this difficult this early on! (Man, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! Stop it, traitorous salivary glands!)

Yet, I am surviving. I've been enjoying some fruit juices and I warmed up some organic, low sodium vegetable broth this evening. I've been keeping myself busy, taking down all my Christmas decorations, organizing them, going through them all only keeping what I really love and actually used this year. I went down an entire box from what I usually have stored away.

21 Day Challenge....Impossible Quest?

Today our community at Adore is holding their Second Annual 21-Day Challenge of Fasting and Prayer.

Have you ever fasted before? I mean on purpose, not by accident or because you ran out of food and didn't feel like going to the grocery store so you made it through the evening by ignoring the hunger pangs and waiting until morning.

Here in Canada we are so blessed to have so much food and variety of food right at our fingertips! I mean really, for only a few dollars we could eat a day's worth of calories; they wouldn't be all that great for you probably, but it can be done. And for those of us with steady employment do we take it for granted that we can go shop for whatever foods we desire or go out to eat at a restaraunt almost any time?

I have never fasted before...let alone missed a meal if I could help it. I admit it, I like food. I like the socal aspect of eating out with friends and family, of hosting people in my home for a meal or snacks. I like the taste of (almost) anything, I like the ritual of preparing and eating something yummy. I just plain old like food.

Knitting and Knowing - A Bumpy Project

Have you ever started a project or wanted to learn a new skill and tried to do it all on your own?

How did that work out for you?

Sometimes, yes, we can make it on our own, climb that mountain, finish what we started and all turns out well. However, most of the time we need help or instruction or at least tips from those who have gone before us or have already done what we wish to do.

The photo to the left is an example of one of my foray into a new craft: knitting. Can you tell what it is that I just finished? No? Me neither.

Just recently I learned how to knit. Okay, I'll admit it, I am totally still learning how to knit. A friend and I picked up our brand new needles a few weeks ago and after a quick intro on how to begin our fingers took off and the strands of yarn began to weave together into...something.

A Silly Christmas Tradition

I remember the first time I started what has now become a silly tradition for me at Christmas time. I was about 13 or 14 and I was spending my extra dollars from babysitting on gifts for my family when I saw it...something with my name on it! Literally, the item had my first name on it!

You know that section of any gift store with pens or magnets with name after name of "Jennifer, or "David" inscribed on these personalized items? I never, ever, find my name on those racks.  I may find a "Kristin" or "Kristy" but "Kirsten" is just too unique, I guess.

So this silly Christmas tradition of mine has nothing to do with baking, or decorating, or caroling. It does have something to do with gifts. Actually it has something to do with one gift. And it may seem a wee bit selfish but every year I end up finding, buying, wrapping and opening a gift with no one listed in the "From" section on the tag. This gift FOR me is actually "From"....me!

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??