Nourish ~ Forgiveness

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It's been one of those weeks when I'm wondering when the eff the referee is going to ring the bell and the fight will be over.  I'm tired of being relentlessly hit in the junk.  And then I remember...there are many things to be thankful for and sometimes letting go is the only way to move forward.  Sometimes...

~winning is just showing up~

I heard Brene' Brown say this on a podcast yesterday and I felt a little spot open in my soul...It's so true.  Sometimes - winning is just showing up.  There are so many little nuggets I wanted to share from my listenings this week - but it's time to head out.  It's time to show up.  I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday.  Until then...

If You Don't Know....It's Time to RECOGNIZE...

... Pinterest that is!  I know it's a commitment.  You have to find someone willing to invite you or wait the few days or weeks it takes to get an invite.  Be patient, diligent, and persevere - because there isn't a more magnificent way to spend your extra time than this place.  I think it's the most fantastic time suck I've ever found to date.  My friend took issue with the word time suck because Pinterest has great uses and it does.  I just want to be clear - there are magnificent, glorious, positive time sucks and then there are the ones that blow...like traffic jams or waiting in the doctor's office for hours just to have the man not know who you are and tell you about how to shoot pain meds intraveneously.  Just saying.  Pinterest definitely fits in the first category.  So in honor of all things Pinterest and the start of a new year and a new word...I would like to present a few great things I've found on my new, wonderful, time-sucking obsession.

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I found this picture with my friend and we laughed so hard.  It is possibly the cutest picture of a Frenchie I've  ever seen.  This puppy is definitely a reminder to nourish laughter and joy.

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The Gingerbread Weasley Home ~ I can't even wrap my head around how to do this.  I just know that it's absolutely fantastic!!!

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As a person that loves both trees and birds - I absolutely love this book shelf.  It makes me happy in so many ways.  It would be perfect over my bed.

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There isn't a planet where I could fit into this dress right now.  However...it's one of the first things I saw on Pinterest and it looks like the most comfortable thing ever!  It is the symbol of warming up next to a fire with your favorite blanket and a book in dress form.  I love it.

There's so much more to share but that's it for now.  Despite using Pinterest mostly to bookmark craft ideas - it's funny I didn't post any of them today.  If you're interested in seeing more of what I find inspiring, please click the "Follow Me on Pinterest" button on the left side bar.  Anyhoo...I hope everyone has a lovely Saturday!  Until then...

Nourish: Wholeheartedness

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It should come as no surprise that I have a deep love for Ali Edwards and the many principles she has brought to the craft of storytelling.  When I started scrapbooking - there were two books that stood out to me in a little store in Burbank (now closed) - A Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking by Ali and Clean and Simple Scrapbooking - The Sequel by Cathy Zielske.  At the time, it was a "safe" way to be creative.  It was an opportunity for a journaling girl with bad hands to continue to tell her story.  I had no idea it would be a life changer.

Almost six and a half years later - I know only one thing for sure - telling my story in a visual way has changed my life.  It has changed the way I see the world - how I shape my experiences.  It reminds me to go out there and live.  It has helped me navigate the course of chronic illness and debilitating moments of sadness and loss without looking for the nearest emergency exit.  It has also been instrumental in celebrating the moments that give life true meaning - the births of babies, retirements, family functions, and the list goes on.  It has also helped me document the everyday - which in so many ways is more powerful than the big, monumental parts of my life.  It has helped me to see the small things that really do make life big.

Sometime last year - I started seeing a book by Brene' Brown cropping up all over scrapping blogs.  The book, The Gifts of Imperfection, was recommended by my beloved scrapbooker and written by a social worker.  Being a social worker myself and loving the aforementioned scrapbooker - I broke down and bought the book some time in March around the time of my unraveling.  I am so glad I did.  I would love to put into words what the book meant to me - but I know there are none that would give credence or justice to my experience.  I went on to buy Brown's previous book - another game changer.  I'm considering making these books annual reads - but for today - I thought I would link to a few of her speaking engagements and blog.  I hope you enjoy them.  I hope you go out and buy or borrow these books.  I hope they bring more meaning and hope to your life.

• TEDxKC - Brene' Brown - The Price of Invulnerability
• TEDxHouston - Brene' Brown - The Power of Vulverability
• Brene' Brown Interview on PBS's Living Smart with Patricia Gras

Brene' Brown got me on the path of embracing my imperfection and vulnerabilities.  She got me to start thinking about wholehearted living.  And just today...she reminded me to be present - to refrain from numbing the pain.  I want to nourish this message in my life.  I hope everyone has had a lovely Tuesday.  Blessings all around.  Until then...

Good Night & Delight

I'm not sure if anything could be sweeter at this moment - I love myself some Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

My 2012 Must List

If you read Entertainment Weekly, you are more than likely familiar with their weekly MUST list column. Inspired by Karen Grunberg's amazing list of goals over the last two years, I've decided to make my own goal list for this year.  Since I'm late to the game this year - the current list is a work in progress which will be unfolding over the next few weeks.  I'm taking Karen's Reclaiming My Time class at Big Picture Classes which I hope will facilitate attaining my goals this year.  I'm also reacquainting myself with the section on list making from the book below which I highly recommend.

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As time goes on, I will be updating my list on the right sidebar.  For now, here is my current list.

2012 MUST List

Creative/Craft MUST List

1. Participate Move More, Eat Well and One Little Word 2012 classes on a monthly basis.

2. Subscribe to 1 or 2 kit clubs and live within those products each month (excluding annual CKC and stamping conventions).

Reading MUST List

1. Read 52 books this year.

2. Read 10 therapeutic books this year (counted as part of my total 52).

3. Track Reading Pledge 2012 process on Goodreads.

Writing MUST List

1. Post on blog three to four days per week.

2. Write in journal three to four days per week.

3. Publish Process of a Page/Project on blog at least once per month.

Health MUST List

1. Participate in Move More, Eat Well class regularly at Big Picture Classes.

2. Make transition to Gluten-Free diet.

3. Start swimming 2 to 3 times per week.

Home MUST List

1.  Organize and finish decorating bedroom.

2.  Start to acquire small objects which will transition my house to a home that feels more like me.

3.  Create weekly/monthly chore list and DO IT!

4.  Create gallery wall in living room.


Play MUST List

1. Go to at least one movie a month in a theater!

2. See at least one musical.

3. Visit the art museum in my city.

4. Have at least three movie days this year (3 to 4 movies in one day).

5.  Spend at least two weeks with my niece and nephew in Los Angeles.

Just one more post to go to end this New Year's Day.  Again - hope you're having a great one!  Until then...


Updated 03/05/2012: There have been a few changes around here and I'm re-evaluating my MUST list and unveiling a new list for my birthday.  I'm not going to follow the calendar year any longer.  Too many bad associations to go with the beginning of the year and resolutions.  Be looking for the new list at the end of March.

2011 Year in Review: 11 Favorite Blogposts

I am so inspired by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.  I think she's an overall wonderful person and am amazed at her self-taught creativity.  So in her honor - I am "lifting" an idea from her blog.  These are my 11 favorite posts from 2011!

These posts are in chronological year...

March 27, 2011: Finding Your Way

In this post, I discuss how Karen Grunberg's Finding Your Way class impacted the way I scrapbook.  I absolutely loved this class.  I'm not sure if this favorite has more to do with the class or the post.  Who knows?

March 29, 2011: I Need a Little Magic

This post reflects a very low time for me emotionally.  I love the quote and the reawakening that followed.

June 28, 2011: It's Been a Long Time, I Shouldn't Have Left You...

This post marked the beginning of my summer reading pledge.  I read a lot of great books over the next six to seven weeks - it definitely reflects a move in the right direction in terms of getting back to the basics of what I love.

June 29, 2011: A Metaphorical Smack to the Head

While my Dad was here visiting and helping me put back the broken egg shells I called my life - he turned me on to one of my favorite shows hands down - NCIS.  This post has been one of my most popular - clearly a mistake.  I love it - love my Dad - love the show.

July 28, 2011: Process of a Page - CHA Madness Day #4

This post definitely was a low point in terms of my photo abilities.  I believe my battery was out on my digital camera.  However, it marks my first process of a page post.  It's something I want to commit to doing more often in 2012.  I'm very proud of the outcome and content - despite the lousy pictures.

August 4, 2011: Do You Believe in Magic

I think I've done a pretty decent job of keeping my private life separate from this blog.  However, when it comes to anxiety and depression I think it's important to be honest about the journey.  I hope I've been honest with my struggles while maintaining my privacy and self-respect.

August 18, 2011: Simple Gifts - Process of a Project

Another stepped out project post.  I love the bird.  I love the finished project.  And...I absolutely love the person that received this little gift of mine.

August 20, 2011: ISFP

I loved this post inspired by one of my favorite podcasts.  I was completely surprised by my results in some areas.  I also gave an update on my reading pledge and posted this quote - which I think is worthy of acknowledging here yet again...

"Live each day as it's your last,' that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that?  What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn't practical.  Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference.  Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you.  Go out there with your passion and your electric typewriter and work hard at...something.  Change lives through art maybe.  Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well.  Experience new things.  Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance."

Nicholls, David.  (2009).  One Day.  New York, NY: Vintage Books.

September 17, 2011: Quote Love, Confessions, and High Anxiety

This post is about quotes, books, and my continuing struggles with maintaining my health.  It also marks my love affair with Kate Atkinson - which was cemented when I finished the book above.

October 4, 2011: Movie Mania

I loved this movie - loved the post.  I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  I also like my attempts to be funny.

November 12, 2011: Continuum: Am I Spelling that Right?

This posts reminds me of how much I love my new placement in my job.  It also reminds me of how I will move to mixed-media this year.  It's a must.

I hope you've enjoyed my favorite posts of the year.  For the sources on each image, please click on the link to the original post.  Also - I really recommend taking the time to read Julie's post - it's amazing.  I hope to have a few more Year in Review Posts this week.  I know I should have done it last week - but that's just not how life works sometimes.  Here's hoping you are still having a wonderful day!  I have at least one more post planned today - so see you on the flip side very, very soon!  Until then...

Happy New Year & OLW 2012 Redux

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Happy New Year!  I know that today is not the new year in all cultures - so that statement is directed to those celebrating the same calendar year as myself.  This is totally the social worker in me talking and stalling all at the same time...

I'm rethinking my One Little Word for this year.  It's a funny thing.  I was lying in bed this morning - listening to Sex and the City 2 while surfing the net on my iPad - when I realized I don't know if I like my word.  Renew is a beautiful word - for someone.  However, it's not the action word I want at this time.  So I headed over to Ali Edwards's blog to see if she had compiled a list of words yet (she usually does each year).  There wasn't a list yet - but there are tons of comments and the first word jumped out at me....

~nourish~

I saw this word and knew immediately it was it.  I feel a little bad changing it to the FIRST word I saw - but that's life.  When something fits - it just fits.  So there it is...my word for 2012 (at least my word for the moment).  So what sold me on this word - well the definition and the many things I want to nourish in my life right now (more on that to come as the year unfolds).

In many ways, I thought I needed something of a rebirth this year.  However, this morning I was thinking about something my mother loves to say..."When you know better, you do better."  I think it's a wonderful theory - beautiful really.  Unfortunately it means absolutely nothing in the real world.  I know a lot of things - I don't do a lot of them.  For example, I know making raw cookie dough two or three times a week and eating it as dessert is bad and will lead to an untimely death.  That in no way stops me from making the dough and stuffing my face with it.  So in actuality - I don't need to renew which in some ways seems so passive to me.  I need to nourish the things that matter to me this year - the things I know I need and want to do better.  And there it is.  Serendipity - being on the right blog, reading the right comment, at exactly the right moment.  Love it.  

Here's hoping everyone is having a wonderful day!  Until then...