Embrace Life

Reflections | December 2011

Interesting fortune.
Enjoyed our "new" tradition of Chinese take out, board games and togetherness watching Ryan Seacrest.

All I wanted was some peace and quiet. I really needed a peaceful month. I think my first mistake was to send out into the universe my proclamation in November: "bring it". Yep. Got it.

Just in case you're not following along with my December Daily posts, and even if you are, here is the "fill in" and why my project this year is so ... hmm ... shall we say, bare? non holiday-ish? The irony that this would be the month when each day would be documented fully is not lost on me. At all.

• Caden had his "shadow visit" at school and ended up fainting in the dining hall at lunch. Nothing like leaving an indelible first impression! He's rescheduled for another visit in January.
• I spent most of the first week of the monthpacking up 7,000+ square feet of old house for the closing on December 6. Thanks to friends and family who helped during the whole process!
• Just when I was getting used to the slower hockey pace in my house we ended up in a tournament that had Caden dragging me to the rink for 5:30AM (we had to be there for 6AM). Gotta love having one kid who will wake me up and not the other way around.
• Chloe enjoyed her second school dance. This time no costumes were involved. She really is such a social creature and enjoys her down time with classmates.
• The first Saturday of the month was insanely busy with the big furniture move, hockey games, dress rehearsals, friends sleeping over, missed concerts, dinner with friends ...
• No time to decompress. More packing.
• Meeting with the lawyer to sign papers and hand over keys. Fingers were crossed the process of selling would be far less complicated and smoother than purchasing process. (It was. Thank goodness!)
• A full moving truck to our new house, a full moving truck to my storage, a full moving truck to his storage.
• A full day packing up what was left and cleaning the old house. Seven trips to the dump. Three trips with boxes to the new house. Two trips to storage. One good girlfriend helping with vacuum duty. One good girlfriend to take and distribute unwanted scrapbook supplies.
• After a night of exhausted sleep, I was all set to tackle one VERY FULL townhouse. I got home from taking kids to school to find Cole very uncomfortable. We proceeded to visit our family doctor who sent us to the Emergency room. A viral infection? A pulled muscle? Appendicitis? We were sent home for "observation".
• He felt a bit better upon our return home and headed over to babysit for some friends. He really enjoys it and they really enjoy him.
• In the meantime everyone continues to be busy with school, volleyball, hockey, choir and the other activities that fill our lives. That and eating, of course. The food preparation seems to be never ending!
• The next morning had us back at the hospital for another long day of tests the results of which landed Cole in surgery for 5PM. A laparoscopic appendectomy.
• I have very independent kids, for which I am grateful. Even with very little reception at the hospital (rendering me unable to micromanage their every move) they managed to get to activities, take buses and make meals all by themselves.
• Unpacking? Well, that is not part of their current skill set. Sigh. By the 10th, I was still unable to park in the garage, but learned to move the truck off the street to avoid more tickets!
• Yes, parking tickets. Turns out there is no parking between 2AM and 6AM whether you live on the street or not.
• Caden loves his buddy Sam, and as a break from household participation, he spent a whole Sunday with him. He really did not want to come home. They play computer games ALL.DAY.LONG. I don't know how they do it!
• Cole was more than a little frustrated that he was unable to participate in the rugby training program due to the surgery. It may have had a small incision (3 of them), but it was still a huge event.
• Exams started on the 13th. Cole was exempt which he was not happy about. Claire was not exempt which she was not happy about. It was not a good day. It got worse.
• Dr. Bill, our chiropractor and the guy who had, over the last few months, stepped up to co-parent with me (and take me out to very expensive lunches - because it's fun) had the nerve to go and die on me. At 41. Seriously? Okay, seriously. One of the dearest men I've ever met in my life, for no known cause, died and his absence has left a gaping hole in the lives of my children - and me.
• Though emptier in spirit, life continues. Exams continue. Hockey practice and games continue. School continues. Laundry continues.
• Brene Brown and her Power of Vulnerability was voted one of the top TED Talks this year. I wholeheartedly agree.
• It was a nice break from everything to spend an evening in Toronto with my family at our annual Christmas dinner. All the kids are growing up! Too fast.
• I've re-discovered the easy choice of using the GO train and will remember to do so more often through the year.
• The bully at school continues to bait Cole. It's exhausting. But it may just be over. (Furiously knocking wood.)
• In anticipation of our trip to North Carolina, the kids and I cleared out the garage and put everything away so the truck can now park in the garage. In order to leave, so I wouldn't be distracted by things left undone, I had to have the house in some semblance of order. We all worked very hard. It was perfect!
• Claire turned 16. With it came her G1 (learner's permit). I'm excited and scared for her.
• Those plans to head to North Carolina and Virgina for Christmas week? Cancelled. On the 21st this was declared, officially, the worst December, ever.
• Report cards are always a challenging conversation around here. That streak continued. One in tears, one with a plan, one with boastful confidence. Sigh.
• Chloe was invited to a "thank you" event at Planet Laser given for all of the kids who helped a classmate who had broken her foot earlier in the term. It was an unexpected - and welcome - gesture of gratitude. Such a lovely family.
• A good friend asked, er, lovingly insisted, we join them for Christmas dinner at their place. I'm so happy we agreed. Not only was the food and company fabulous, but my children discovered the fun of games and they really enjoyed one in particular. Made even more fun by the level of how inappropriate (and funny) they could be!
• We returned home to find our friends from North Carolina had DRIVEN TO OAKVILLE TO SEE US! Holy smokes. Merry Christmas, indeed - what a wonderful gift. Truly special. Speechless. Joyful. So thrilled to see them.
• All of a sudden our "no plans" were filled and we had hockey sticks out and boys playing in the street, boys sleeping over and parents laughing and enjoying the company of everyone.
• And then it was quiet again. We were so sad to have them leave, but so grateful for their time, their thoughtfulness, their presence.
• While the kids settled on laptops, iPads and on the DS3, I took the time to put together the starting elements of Project Life, MMEW, One Little Word and got my creative calendar for the year outlined.
• We headed up to my sister Andrea's place for a simple holiday gathering which included pasta and ice cream. After all, MMEW doesn't start until the 1st, right?
• I went through every single piece of paper in the house and it has been paid and/or filed. Quite an undertaking, but done. Yay! Starting 2012 with a clean slate.
• Well, except for the boxes. By the 30th, I still didn't have time to unpack any of them! We have two stacks of boxes - a total of 23 - to be unpacked and put away. Right now they are not in the way, just a visual distraction in the living room and dining room!
• Finishing up the year with an evening of Chinese take out, board games and watching New Year's Rockin' Eve with the three who are home with me. Claire has made other plans ;)
• We will be starting the New Year with warm weather, a full fridge and plenty to keep us occupied and engaged.

January? And all of 2012? I've learned my lesson. I'll not challenge. If anything is brought let it be in the form of gentle kindness and generosity of spirit.

Onward.

(Normally I would post this on the 1st or 2nd of the month, but in all honesty, I want all of 2011 left in 2011, so here we are just a couple of hours before we ring in the New Year with a blog hop scheduled for 5AM! But it's done. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!)

525,600 minutes + 1,440 more

Are you familiar with the song from Rent?

As the chorus goes:

525,600 minutes, 525,600 moments so dear.
525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?
How about love? How about love? How about love?
Measure in love. Seasons of love.

Well, this year is filled with 527,040 minutes given that it's a leap year. One more day of daylight, sunsets, midnight and plenty more coffee! No inches or miles around here (we prefer centimeters and meters) but I expect plenty of laughter and I hope strife stays in it's place - back in 2011! No matter, it will always be measured in love. Seasons of love.

In order to celebrate each and every one of those 527,040 moments, I've elected to participate in Project Life. The older and more independent my kids become, I find it more difficult to find the time to scrapbook in any traditional way. This knowledge has filled me with fear: I am afraid of losing our stories. Our everyday memories and traditions. So many have been recorded, but there is so much more now that we are all making full and rich lives for ourselves.

THIS project will be the keeper of our life stories for this year. In addition to the ever changing photos and stories, it will hold:

• Mileage (since I spend so much time in my truck)
• Weather (hey, I'm Canadian, it's all about the weather)
• BBM Conversations (a source of much joy and poor grammar)
• Facebook/Twitter Updates
• Blog Articles/Comments
• Gas Prices
• New Recipes/Kitchen Experiments
• Receipts
• New Discoveries: songs, books, blogs, stores, foods, quotes, ideas

I'm hoping to format each week with a Left Page, Insert, Right Page

Inserts will include:

Long journalers for bigger stories, 4 Simple Goals, 10 Things Project, The Current, TGIF, Wishcasting Wednesday, Reflections, and whatever else I discover through the year.

So far it's feeling a bit chaotic, but now that I have most of the elements understood and the opening page put together, things should be manageable. I always find things go more smoothly when it's been thoroughly prepared. Much like my Week in the Life or my December Daily projects, the more time spent in the preparation for success makes the result worth it! The theory also works with painting rooms and laundry :) I'm excited to get started - I'm even more excited to live the stories that will be recorded.

In addition to the Project Life kit (I purchased the older turquoise version), I supplemented with the coordinating digital elements and some Basic Grey stickers I've used in the past and LOVED. I even found a Canadian supplier for my We R Memory Keeper albums and got myself one in orange and aqua. I also got a LOT of cardstock. Oh, and PLENTY of post-it notes which will litter the pages as reminders for what to put where once photos are developed!

Yes, if your keeping track, this is a rather expensive undertaking BUT if this ends up, as planned, being the primary method to store most of my stories - in addition to a couple of other self-contained projects - it should turn out to be more cost-effective than just purchasing at random too much beautiful and addictive scrapbook supplies with some vague idea of purpose. It's about using, not collecting. Right?

What about you? How do you record your stories? Your photos? Your life?

December Daily | 22 through 28

Journaling reads: A CHANGE IN PLANS required a quick trip to Canadian Tire to pick up a small pre-lit tree to put atop our dining room buffet. Joining it is Cole favourite: the nativity. As disappointed as we are that our original plans have changed, I think it might do us some good to hang out here at home and regroup. It's been a month of so many highs and lows it may be nice to have some quiet time with no need to be anywhere - though there is still plenty to do!

Journaling reads: A BASKET FILLED WITH GIFT CARDS is the result of Claire - our family shopper - heading off to Oakville Place where she collected what was needed. Next week, as a family, we will head back over to the mall and the kids will put their cards to good use. This is a holiday of transition so I didn't want to go overboard in guilty compensation or underboardin sheer defeat. I hope we've struck a balance and they will not be disappointed or overwhelmed. Fingers crossed!

Journaling reads: OUR CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITION includes following Santa Claus as he travels the world via the NORAD Santa Tracker. For years I would give updates and now the boys have taken over and give me updates. The deal has always been, by the time Santa hits the coast of Newfoundland all of the kids are off to bed. It is the one event that has stuck and followed us from year to year and house to house. I'm happy for the familiarity and comfort it brings the kids - and me, too!

Journaling reads: CHRISTMAS MORNING was different in this, our year of transiiton. Not only did we gather downstairs at a reasonably late 10:30AM, but almost all of the gifts were gift cards and Claire joined me for coffee! Next we we have plans to spend all of the gift cards at Bluenotes, The Bay, Roots, LaSenza, American Eagle, EB Games, Garage and Chapters to take advantage of any sales. No doubt much more than the card values will be spent, but the kids will get exactly what they like!

Journaling reads: CAUTION EXTREME AWESOMENESS indeed. Kiri bought these shirts fo the kids to get this shot! We were so surprised to see our friends, they had driven up from North Carolina to see us when our plans fell through and we couldn't get down there to see them. What a wonderful turn of events. We are so incredibly fortunate to have such lovely and dear people in our lives. From here we went to dinner at the Coach and Four pub and then the boys slept over. Brilliant day!

 

Journaling reads: A HAPPY AND SAD GOODBYE to the Rennaker boys. As a family, my kids would all agree the greatest gift we received this Christmas was them - along with Kiri and Terry - being here with us ... it was just too quick! The boys spent their time playing street hockey, Wii and tag. There was plenty of joyful noise coming from upstairs and outside. These boys bring a lot of life to any space they are in. It was a most welcome and wonderful change of page. Must plan the next visit!

Journaling reads: STARTING A NEW PROJECT with high hopes and fingers crossed. I like the idea of having a "summary" book to hold our photos, stories and ephemera. One that takes very little creative thought since the elements are pretty much all there - it will be my choice to make it as easy or as complicated as I want and right now I want easy! I look forward to seeing how this project unfolds over 2012 and the stories it will reveal.

 

Move More, Eat Well: Redux

I have been captivated with Cathy Zielske's journey to health over the last couple of years. She and I share many similar stories and choices and I greatly appreciate having someone relatable and accessible giving me encouragement. I made one less-than-successful attempt at the Move More Eat Less idea early last year, but life got in the way and other priorities took over.

Yes, other priorities. Something more important than health? Yep.

So now that I've got things in hand - if not quite well in hand, they are no longer out of control - it is time to attempt this revamped idea along with Cathy Zielske. Even better? This year, her Move More, Eat Well program is being hosted and available on Big Picture Classes. It starts on January 1st!

I received the pre-class assignments a while back. Then I got stuck, as I often do, on the periferals. In this case, the immense cost of buying the page protectors (not the actual page protectors but the shipping to Canada was insane!). I resisted. Then it got to the point if I didn't order them I knew I'd be sunk before I started. In the end, I realized I sign up for these instructor-lead classes so I don't have to re-think anything. I ordered the page protectors, cringed at the $20+ for shipping, and then did the assignments - on December 27th - just in time! 

For many people this will be an intensely private journey. Not for me. Over the years, I have chosen to live an absurdly open and honest existence. I have no secrets. There is no ammunition given to anyone "out there" that can hurt me. I've faced up to the mistakes of my youth and live, with comfort and resignation, the mistakes made as an adult. I can't imagine anything in this journey that will bring up something I haven't faced before. I plan to share the whole process here on the blog. There are two reasons for that: maybe I can encourage someone else to join in their own journey and, for me, it will keep me accountable.

MOVE MORE EAT WELL: Pre-class Assignment

Page 1

Statement of Intention

 Page 2

Five Things

Along with my own resolve, my kids will, as always, be key to the success of this program. I hope they benefit greatly from not just the consumption of the foods being chosen but be an integral part of the choosing, purchasing and preparing the food that comes into the house. They are, generally, active but I know I can convince a couple to come out walking with me and Cole will be happy to be my "personal trainer" over at the park during the spring and summer months. Who knows? Maybe I can convince one or two to play tennis with me?

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Right now I will be content with baby steps: MOVE MORE and EAT WELL.

What about you?

hello monday |10

hello cancelled trip. so frustrating. becoming an inconvenient habit.

hello galaxie rock alternative. new but still familiar. love it.

hello christmas dinner with friends. and not flinching when we took over!

hello gift cards. so happy you are my kids' preference.

hello win column. so happy for caden's team. finally!

hello grease fire. thinking a new oven is a must.

hello grass. shouldn't you be covered in snow?

hello report cards. if you're going to get a bad one, make it term 1.

hello friend. you and your family are amazing.

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week.
i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

2011 | The DO Summary

Last year I chose my one word not knowing the impact it would have on my world. How can a two letter word have any impact? Well, I decided to really embrace the spirit of the exercise and involved my word DO in just about everything - every aspect - of my life. If you need to get off your duff and get things moving THIS is the right word for you!

I definitely needed to make some changes and DO was the right catalyst to choose.

As with most things, plans are just that: plans. When I put together my plan for 2011 post last year I thought it was pretty ambitious. I had no idea the domino effect - or the amount of time - one decision makes on countless others! This year went by at breakneck speed, some recorded in various blog posts, most just spent doing and catching my breath then doing some more!

Of the things I outlined for 2011, this is where they stand:

PERSONAL DO | Last December, if anyone told me I'd be where I am now, I'd have fainted from the immensity of it all. My simple plan to keep my head above water: lose some weight, take charge of my health and care for my kids became so much bigger, in such a good way. Essentially I have done all of those things: lost some weight, took charge of my health and cared for my children but on an epic scale that includes a can't-be-soon-enough divorce, a lovely but different new home, a new purpose and a new life filled with opportunity, positivity and kindness.  

CREATIVE DO | As a direct result of the epic changes in my Personal DO my Creative DO suffered. But really, it didn't. I can now bring a new meaning and authenticity to all that I write, all that I photograph, all that I blog. Just when I thought I couldn't be more honest or genuine, I find another layer to expose.

SOCIAL DO | Funny, this is the one area I managed to accomplish exactly what I set out to do: I want to spend more time with my friends. Make them a priority. Let them know by my actions that they are a priority. Plan coffee, lunch, dinner, evenings out and make them important enough that the only thing that would make me cancel would involve an aneurysm or household catastrophe. There were no aneurysms, but there were plenty of household catastrophes! Through it all my friends have been patient and supportive.

SPIRITUAL DO | Here's the cautionary tale in "be careful what you wish for" as my desire for less clutter, less stuff catapulted me into a need to sell my big beautiful house on the lake. When I wanted to purge the house of anything not used or loved, I had no idea I'd end up purging the house itself.

FAMILY DO | Regarding my children, I wrote the words this time is about them and it really resonated within me. This is really what kept me going through all of the changes I created through the year. I reminded myself that this time is about them and behaved accordingly: like an adult, like a parent, like their greatest cheerleader and guided them as best I could through what could have been a shattering experience for them. They've had to maneuver their way through an emotional minefield and I'm so very proud of each of them for their strength and risiliency.

WORK DO | So my ambitious plan, to take my love of words + photos and make things to encourage intention and authenticity in the lives of others, was a bit more than I could take on. Who knows? I might get at it this year? or not.

How did your word work for you?

* * * * *

PLANS FOR 2012 | My word has been purcolating for a while. 2011 brought with it so many changes - and new adventures, people and opportunities; so much DOne, I think this year coming up my "word" will need to offer a change of pace. Something to help me cope and absorb the whirlwind around me. Again, I'll be joining Ali Edwards on her One Word journey. Last year I checked in on occasion and enjoyed the process and community, this year I hope to check in and participate a bit more.

the current | thirteen

developing a plan for our next step, or steps.

accepting tears are now allowed. many have flowed.

sending positive thoughts out into the universe.

lamenting that i didn't say "thank you" adequately. now i can't.

returning to the comfort of my own skin, slowly. good to be back, almost.

celebrating the promise of new projects! with cz, more cz, and ae.

planning 12 hours in the car, with no fighting. fingers crossed! sigh.

embracing the idea of changing up our holiday traditions.

enjoying downtime with my four fabulous kids.

keeping up with all the demands of that downtime.

remembering to record the stories that make up our lives.

hoping for safe travels. for everyone.

dreaming of a clean and organized home.

waiting to start this new project with inspiration from these women.

looking at the calendar and fitting things in.

admiring the poise and grace of my children.

searching for new distractions.

editing my wardrobe. my bookshelves. my cupboards.

taking absolutely nothing for granted.

thanking the universe for it's many gifts and challenges.

idea discovered on this blog. where is your current taking you?

December Daily | 15 through 21

Journaling reads: HONEY BADGER is the latest You Tube sensation to enter our living room - thanks to Cole, as usual. Especially now that he has (seemingly) endless hours of surf the internet for entertaining nonsense! He kept everyone around the big Mac for most of the hour after dinner. It served as a great distraction, for those four, all looking to avoid the after dinner dishes. So subtle! Once they were done we all had a sit-down and discussed our upcoming plans for Christmas. Fun!

Journaling reads: LUNCH WITH GOOD FRIENDS is probably the best part of the season - a great excuse and it includes gifts! Though I get together with Lindy, Lorraine an Elaine on a regular basis, Christmas is special and we headed over to Jonathan's for a lunch filled with delicious food, some wine and tons of laughter. After a crazier-than-normal week, it was fun to catch up and discuss all of our family plans for the holidays and through the new year. Can't wait for our next ladies lunch!

Journaling reads: BROWN PAPER PACKAGES TIED UP WITH STRING is something I've always wanted to do with Christmas gifts and this year I've done it! In preparation for our annual family dinner at the York Club, I set up an assembly line and used what I could find - as in, what was not still packed in a box. I think they turned out well and I was pleased with the results. Gift cards and books were the selections this season. I'm just glad with everything going on I was able to get it all done on time!

 

Journaling reads: DR. BILL REMAINS a fondly remembered fixture in our days, especially with Caden playing on the Nintendo 3DS which the good doctor purchased for him in exchange for some much coveted Maple Leaf tickets. I had denied Caden this particular handheld game system. He took that as a challenge and managed to convince Bill it was a good exchange. Not knowing any different, Bill went ahead and bought it for my boy. In actual fact, our boy - my son, his playmate :)

Journaling reads: WE GOT TO THE CHURCH EARLY, thank goodness. Soon after the photo was taken the pews were full to bursting and people were lining the aisles. The good doctor was well loved, with good reason. The visitation on Saturday and the funeral today left me cold: there was very little of Bill represented. Happily that kept me - and the kids - from completely breaking down. Everything was so impersonal and just so not Bill. There was no twinkle. That is what I will miss, most.

Journaling reads: GREETED BY "FELIZ NAVIDAD" sung by an energetic group of teenagers at the top of their lungs when I opened the door. Claire ran up the stairs to see her mostly-frozen friends who were out Christmas caroling. I don't know why Claire didn't join them earlier - perhaps it was the lure of her birthday dinner choice: Chinese take-out; perhaps it was something else. No matter. She quickly headed out with her friends to spend some time singing in the streets of Oakville. Brr. A good brr.

Journaling reads: SHE'S A PASSENGER NO MORE! We spent the morning at the Ministry of Transportation. She paid her $185 (eek) and wrote her test (getting 2 answers wrong) then exited within an hour in possession of her G1 temporary license. This means she can drive with a licensed driver (me) in the passenger seat and, after driving school, get her full license within eight months. As nervous as I might be about it all, I'm so proud of her and her new (limited) independence!

Claire at 16

I have to confess, as often as my lovely first-born drives me to distraction, I'm really pleased with the battles we choose to engage and especially those we leave alone. She is becoming a lovely young woman.

Decisions, decisions. Ikea is a favourite place. After HOURS spent perusing the catalogue, we went to get her bedroom furniture. She has very definite ideas on what she wants and what she does not want - but she will yield, occasionally, to suggestions.

Claire, at 16:

1. She works very hard to maintain good marks at school.
2. She has a great group of friends. Well, many groups of great friends.
3. She has a big room-filling laugh. Still makes funny faces. And weird sounds.
4. She has an equally big room-filling scream.
5. She is fearless.
6. She has a fierce temper.
7. She is very particular when choosing clothing, room decor and food.
8. She has no idea how beautiful she is.
9. She is disciplined and rarely has to be reminded to do anything.
10. She has a quick wit.
11. She loves going to the movies - and discovering new music.
12. She reads and reads and reads. Not stuff I would read, but still, they're books!
13. She is determined that being the "oldest" has some magic privileges. Ha!
14. She is loyal and kind.
15. She is much loved by her younger siblings and she tolerates them - kinda.
16. She is learning to drive and THAT is giving me gray hair.

Today brings the start of many new adventures: Claire is writing her test to get her G1 (learners permit) and she will do well, of that I'm sure. A whole new phase of life has been entered! She can now drive to school as long as I'm in the passenger seat. Holy smokes!

Upcoming, I expect most things will stay the same, just a little different.

Today? I expect it to be pretty low key as we celebrated her "Sweet 16" last month, in our old house, while all her friends were still in town. I hope tonight we will celebrate both her birthday and her earning her G1. Complete with her favourite meal: shepherds pie. This will be followed with another favourite: ice cream cake - with candles.

hello monday | 09

hello curtains. and thanks to claire for helping install them.

hello family party. best holiday tradition ever.

hello go train and ttc. what a brilliant adventure!

hello funeral. trying to make sense of it all. and not.

hello list. you should be shrinking. sigh.

hello google maps. planning our route.

hello boxes. finally being unpacked. and organized.

hello mayonnaise. the real stuff. small doses are worthwhile.

hello new projects. getting them all organized. excited to start!

hello girlfriends. thanks for keeping me in one piece, not just on mondays.

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week.
i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

December Daily | 08 through 14

After this past week, I have to say my plan to scale back and make my December Daily more manageable this year was a brilliant stroke of preparation! As much as I may have planned to keep my project small I was secretly hoping to build and make it a bit more ... a bit more something. Then life had other plans:

Journaling reads: A LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMY is what it's called. Surgery was not my first choice, but after spending a day at home under "observation" aka, waiting for symptoms to get worse, I don't know that Cole could have waited any longer. Surgery is the inevitable end of the process. We got to the ER at 11AM and after hours of being poked, prodded, and poked again, he was wheeled into the operating room at 5PM. He was admitted and stayed overnight to make sure all was well.

Journaling reads: CAUGHT! The kids know when I'm having a stressful day. They will run to the grocery store and fill up a bowl with peanut M&Ms. Alas, the whole bowl is never enjoyed by me alone - more often than not, on (or all four) of the kids put their paws in and grab a snack - or ten. In this case I was on the computer only to look up and see Caden's sweet face enjoying the idea of getting caught and happy to get some attention and treats :)

Journaling reads: FUN PHOTO FINDS occasionally show up in my iPhoto files. When I came downstairs on the morning of the 11th, I discovered that Claire was busy doing the night of the 10th. She had gone to the Sweet 16 birthday party for her friend, Marina. I love that Claire has fun with her friends; I love more that she doesn't feel the need to hide her photos or the stories that go along with them. And Claire as Santa? In the "ugly Christmas sweater" she made earlier in the day? Hysterical!

Journaling reads: BACK TO NORMAL after all of the excitement of the past week - and anticipated demands of the upcoming week - it was nice to settle in for a simple meal of spaghetti with meat sauce. Our decompressing was assisted by watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - the longer Jim Carrey version. Once the dishes were cleaned up we watched a few favourite shows: "Once Upon a Time", "Amazing Race" (season finale!) and my favourite, "The Good Wife". It was a nice change to relax.

Journaling reads: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS have been displayed outside our home since late November when we had our neighbourhood decorating party. The problem? We have no electricity outside! We're waiting for the electrician - in the meantime, one of the kids (Chloe in this case) plugs in the lights at sundown. Funny how such a simple thing as white twinkle lights always brings a smile to their faces and fills my heart with hope. I don't know that I'll want to take them down.

Journaling reads: A SAD DAY. Our friend, Bill Nazar, was found dead this morning, the cause is unknown. Dead? How is that possible? He was a 42-year-old bundle of positive energy and unbridled enthusiasm. He lived life like no one I have ever met before and he was a joy to behold. His kindness to my kids and support of me were unexpected and genuine. The idea that I'll not get an innapropriate text or a mood lifting (gramatically challenged) BBM makes me incredibly sad. We will miss him. Greatly.

 

Journaling reads: HIS FIRST SUIT was purchased for our family Christmas party coming up on the weekend. In the past I've had Cole wear his school blazer, but his cousin teases im, so to save him from that "annual embarassment" we went out to get him a suit to wear. Cole has such broad shoulders and narrow waist more than a little alteration was required. It looks like we got there just in time and we'll be able to pick up the fully tailored results just in time for the party on Saturday.

* * * * *

I have to say this was one hell of a week and I'm glad for it to be over. It was an emotional roller coaster. I'm almost afraid to know what else could possibly happen in the week upcoming! I have been rather stoic the last few years because my family needed me to be strong, even-keeled and dependable. The events of this week have left me a fearful, tearful, and mournful mess.

Breathe.

So far we have no presents purchased and no tree has been put up. Not even a wreath on our front door!

My living room is still filled to overflowing with packed boxes. What we have had lots of is: holiday music playing and Christmas specials showing; lots of hugs and tears and love; emergency trips to Chapter's for yet another copy of The Stone Carvers that needs to be read (for the first time!) for an English exam; hot chocolate with and without marshmallows or added zip; mince tarts, cookies and peppermint crackle ice cream. Oh, and laundry. Lots of laundry.

Life is full. Life is good.

12 of 12: December 2011

01. After delivering the girls to their school, I dropped my boy, Caden, off to school first thing this morning. Oh how I wish he'd do up his coat. It's starting to get cold around here!

02. Back at the house I was greated by all of the mess that we didn't manage to address while Cole was in the hospital. Now there is no avoiding it!

03. Each Monday I volunteer with a group of lovely mums at the College Shop - where we sell candy, logo wear and - today - a ton of calculators. Clearly exams start tomorrow.

04. Home to a waiting load of laundry. Well, more than one load.

05. All prepared for the big pick up - happy to have Oprah and Dr. Oz keep me company. I'm guaranteed to know more when the kids are picked up!

06. They are all home and getting ready for singing lessons, rugby visit, some studying and then off to "Rent" rehearsal.

07. The drive up over the QEW for Chloe's singing lessons and Cole to see Tyler at rugby. Tons of sun and traffic.

08. Cole gave Tyler the story of his recovery - walk and fart, walk and fart - what can I say, it's a guy thing! Cole also got a few questions answered as he can't come back until after the new year and wanted to make sure he was on the schedule for the indoor games starting in January.

09. My sweet girl made sure the lights were all turned on.

10. My other girl couldn't turn away from the camera quick enough when I delivered her to play rehearsal.

11. While all of this was going on, my mushroom-garlic-tomato-spinach concoction was simmering on the stove. YUM.

12. The Winter Warlock, my favourite. "Put one foot in front of the other" is one of my favourite 12-months-a-year songs. It may sound strange but this half hour clay animation Christmas Special is my favourite! Before collecting Claire, and settling in for the night, I watched "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with the boys.

The one photo of the day I didn't capture? When I told Caden we received notice that he was accepted to join his brother and sisters at school for grade 7, next year. He was so very excited! I'm so happy for him - and so is everyone else :)

* * * * *

TAKE TWELVE PROJECT | If you get a chance, pop over to Ella Publishing and check out Elizabeth Dillow's article Take Twelve about her many "12" projects. I have participated in 12 of 12 in some form or another since early 2008 and look forward to joining in for a fourth year.

12 photos taken on the 12th of the month through 2012. Bliss.

For a symmetry lover like myself this is a great year! Go over and find a project that suits you in the Take Twelve Project Kit: a collection of ideas to encourage you through the year. The release was yesterday! I was so honoured to be included! Be sure to join in.

 

hello monday | 08

hello socialized medicine. the bill came to $12 - for the phone.

hello exams. one writing, one excused. neither happy about it.

hello mince tarts. why aren't they just called raisin tarts?

hello boxes. i wish you could unpack yourselves.

hello peppermint hot chocolate. my monday indulgence.

hello mall. ugh.

hello sunshine. with no clouds it is always colder, but a bright cold. 

hello 12of12. such a great project. many photos to take today!

hello girlfriends. i'm looking forward to our annual christmas lunch on friday.

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week.
i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

* * * * *

TAKE TWELVE PROJECT | If you get a chance, pop over to Ella Publishing and check out Elizabeth Dillow's article Take Twelve about her many "12" projects. I have participated in 12 of 12 in some form or another since early 2008 and look forward to joining in for a fourth year.

12 photos taken on the 12th of the month through 2012. Bliss.

For a symmetry lover like myself this is a great year! Go over and find a project that suits you in the Take Twelve Project Kit: a collection of ideas to encourage you through the year. The release is today! Be sure to join in.

 

December Daily | 01 thru 07

I participated in my first December Daily project last year and I really enjoyed documenting our days. It's such a hectic season, it has been fun to look back to see exactly what filled our days. I decided to participate again as this year is so vastly different from last. It is also so much more busy, unexpectedly so.

Journaling reads: A FROSTY START to the month with leaves crunching underfoot. Late autumn has been unseasonably warm with temperatures well on the plus side. No sigh of needing winter wear, until today. Though, the kids are reluctant to admit they may need more than their blazer or a hoodie to wear to school. I'm looking forward to the change of pace through maybe not the winter driving! I wonder what December has in store for us, this year?

Journaling reads: HOLIDAY SERVICES at the Appleby College Bell Chapel are lovely, filled with music and religious ritual. Cole has really enjoyed attending each of them - five in total - as a member of the Chapel and Cantus choirs. He is learning that there is a peace that can be found in the chapel that is not available anywhere else adn he enjoys the many hours spent there in rehearsal and in performance. It is a nice new experience to be enjoyed and further explored.

Journaling reads: OUR FINAL SUNRISE at the lake house as it is (finally) sold and we have a very quick closing scheduled for eary next week. I have enjoyed this view for close to five eyars and it will be missed. Though, I think I managed to take enough photos that when I miss it I can just open an album and remember our time on the water. No time to wax nostalgic or gaze any longer, there is over 7,000 square feet of house to pack up and move!

Journaling reads: PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED to meet the term-end deadlines. In this case, Caden is using the big Mac inthe living room to complete his research on Mongoose (or is it Mongeese?). I enjoy having the computer in the middle of our big living space. All of us congregate on the computer or watching television and there is plenty of opportunity for interaction and conversation. Caden got help from everyone and got the project completed and handed in on time.

Journaling reads: WHITE POINTSETTIAS are a favourite and my friend Kiri, while up from North Carolina on the weekend, brought me a beautiful plant as a "happy to be back and see you" gift. I really enjoy walking into the kitchen each morning to see this lovely plant all full and festive in its holiday glory. It reminds me that my friend, with her busy schedule, chose to visit with me and the kids when there were so many other places and people for her to see!

Journaling reads: CLOSING DAY has finally arrived. Many mixed emotions: joy, sadness, anticipation, relief, exhaustion, nostalgia, fear; all of it rolled into a 5:00PM deadline! Thank goodness Jocelyne was able to help out, she is a vacuum queen! One thing off my list so I could do fun stuff like scrub the fridge and inside the cupboards while making sure everything was packed away - only to discover aI had forgotten forgotten the laundry room lower cupboards and close! At's all done. Sold and vacated.

Journaling reads: SUGAR COOKIES are a staple treat during the holidays. The kids especially like the (ick) Pillsbury kind because they're easy to bake up and don't require as much mama-supervision. Claire bought a couple of boxes and baked them up for the kids in her Middle One home form. This of course lead to the purchase of a few more boxes for the poor neglected and hungry kids in my house who were envious of the treats being baked for the kids at school.

This year I decided to take the lessons learned last year and use the Ali Edwards 8.5" x 11" templates and scale back. Given our current circumstance, I'm glad that choice was made early on and I followed thorough - even with much temptation to make the project bigger and (presumably) better. So much has gone on in just this, the first week, I know I'd have abandoned the project had I done anything more complicated than simple photo + story daily entries.

What about you? Are you making this kind of album? What motivates you to keep going?

 

hello monday | 07

hello visiting friend. so wonderful to see you.

hello school projects. fun watching the kids work so hard.

hello pizza. a new weekend afternoon tradition.

hello allergies. packing and moving is dusty.

hello overstuffed house. where will it all go?

hello laundry. no matter what, you're always around.

hello rainy nights. the soundtrack of a glorious sleep. 

hello cranberry tea. a nice change from green.

hello choices. honoured to council a teen to make the right ones.

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week.
i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

 

4 Simple Goals | December 2011

a simple and doable challenge

Since last December, in order to aid my year of "do", I have been participating in and reporting on my 4 Simple Goals. Some months have been better than others! As a recap, I have managed to identify four action based goals each month since:

1. Google Calendar: update to include all plans for 2011. I have already added in all of the school dates, sporting events and vacation plans, but I need to incorporate Google Calendar into my monthly goals, my blog schedule and my creative assignments. I've learned that little gets done if I don't make time, the best way to start is to get it on the calendar.
2. Alhambra Night: plan a Mediterranean cooking night with friends. As a result of my newfound intolerance for cheese, I've been on a quest to find something to satisfy that craving. Moroccan food comes close and I have to learn how to make it. What better than to have a group of friends learn with me? I have to set up a cooking night for a group of us at a favourite local restaurant, Alhambra, for sometime in January. One of many social things that didn't happen. Something to try again, for sure!
3. Prepare for the Norwegians: get the details and make a plan. Our community is hosting hockey teams from all over the world participating in the Richard Bell Memorial Tournament between Christmas and New Year's. We've volunteered to have up to four young boys ('95s) from Norway stay here at the house. I'm looking forward to meeting them, feeding them and watching them play - (s)mothering them with Canadian goodness! Single parenting four is tough - seven was almost impossible!
4. Listen to the naturopath: so many simple changes should be incorporated in our lives. It's just a matter of me getting organized and formulating a routine - automating our health choices. The ideas aren't just for Claire and her improving health, but if they 're working for her, why not everyone? I've already purged many of the things from our house and our diet, but there are so many other simple changes that really need to be ingrained into our lives. Cheers to better choices and better health! Getting better and better every day.
5. Do. Put my guiding word for 2011 plans together. Better yet, execute those plans! Stay accountable all month and make "do" a habit - a fun and productive one. Best word choice, ever.
6. Book dates for Cape Escape 2011. Last year was wonky and I wasn't able to get down to Cape Cod with girlfriends in June. Must change that this year! Sadly, cancelled.
7. Product selection. Of the hundreds of ideas for the ETSY business, select 10. Then make samples. Lots of samples! Not to be - yet.
8. Digi Detox. The MacBook Pro is about to explode! Purge. Clear. Backup. Organize. All of it. Must do this AGAIN!
9. Menu Planning. We've now gone through a couple of months dealing with my cheese intollerance, changing up our family diet using naturopath guidelines and trying out new recipes. All this has been done while managing some insane scheduling conflicts. It's time to develop a monthly menu of those meals that work for us. Once done I have to put together a binder that holds our monthy menu; recipes and grocery lists. Time for new recipes to add!
10. Layout Sorting. Other than self-contained projects, I have layouts in piles all over my studio. I've been stuck in "perfect" as opposed to just settling for "done". It's time to get those piles (at the very least) sorted and ready for inclusion in albums, if not actually put in the albums!
11. Finish the basement bathroom. Really. I don't know if I can adequately express how fed up I am living in the land of the unfinished project. Time to get the glass installed in the basement bathroom - and as a bonus, the boys bathroom as well! It turned out so well!
12. Kitchen Purging. As a result of our losing all of our teaspoons - seriously - I have taken a good look at how much stuff I have in the kitchen and how little of it I actually use on a regular basis. Since I've now been cooking 90% of our meals here at home, I have a really good idea of what I use and what I don't use. It's time to clear out the things collecting dust. Good project choice, less to move!
13. Books: I love books. Real honest to goodness page-turning books. There is certainly a time and place for my iPad, but my passion has always been books. They are all over the place. Therein lies the problem! This month, I'd like to move all of my crafty/artsy/inspiration books to one central place in my home. Not necessarily my studio, but all in one place. Another good pre-move idea, before I knew I was moving!
14. Garden Planning: We had to take down a huge diseased blue spruce last year and it left a gaping space in the front of our house, two crabapples had to come down as they were damaging the foundation, four pines were removed because when they were planted no one took off the metal and they suffocated and the forsythia were spectacular for a week in the spring and just ugly the other 51 weeks, so they were ripped out. Time to put a plan together to replace and rework all of those spaces. The plan was made, but why do the work if someone else gets to enjoy it?
15. The Back Stairwell: We are moving slowly into Spring and I'd like to organize the back stairwell to better manage the kids stuff. And look good. A big job! I'm thinking my actions were subconsiously preparing me for the move.
16. Piles: Must be consolidated and organized. Right now they are all over the place! Clothing pile, creative piles, paper piles, document piles ... and if I get ambitious I may just deal with some residual digi piles I've found!  More foreshadowing?
17. Breathe. I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but this month, though not filled with too many activities, will be stressful. I have to remember to simply breathe, and smile. Oh, and a bit of tongue-biting may also be employed. Much, much tongue-biting.
18. 52 Projects. Put it all together and start making things. I'm going to use all that I learned at the recent Donna Downey class and combine it with a few ideas found on the www and start experimenting! Um, got busy with other things. 
19. Redesign. The blog is out of date, some things are driving me crazy, some things need to be moved. While I'm at it, I need to design a blog for Cape Escape 2011 and for our creative group of ladies. First things first, but if I can get a bunch done, I'll be thrilled! More other things.
20. Laundry PURGE. Now that the season is changing - finally - I'm going to go through all of the kids clothing and all of the household items that find their way down to the laundry room and purge. All of the clothes the kids have grown out of will be given away and everything else stored and labelled properly. This worked out very well.
21. Containers. I've been terrible at getting the planters filled on a timely basis. Now that Spring looks to have sprung, I'll be filling at least those at the front entry. Who knows, I might even buy some trees to replace those we pulled out last year! New trees and containers. Brilliant!
22. Exercise. Based on the schedule set out by the exercise physiologist at Canyon Ranch, FOLLOW IT, every day. Especially the program on the recumbent bike. Walking is a bonus not a basis. AND Head over to the local indoor pool and join up. Also, check out the fitness classes and if one appeals - join in it, too!
23. Get the ball rolling. There is stuff that can no longer be avoided. Time to fix things. Yep.
24. Recipes. Print out all of the Canyon Ranch recipes the kids like as well as all the recipes for the food eaten and enjoyed while away. Put in a binder and put in an accessable area in the kitchen. TRY every recipe at least once. Throw out recipes we don't like and keep what we do. Still doing this as a regular project. Some very tasty stuff discovered.
25. RECONNECT. Circumstance over the last few years has had me feel disconnected from my family. It was like there was a competition, another one I would win. So as not to rock the boat, not to magnify relationships out of my control, I decided not to compete. Now that the playing field has changed, it is time to reconnect, and have my children connect, with my family on a regular basis. Time for Sunday phone calls to the grands and the aunties! Though the calls aren't as frequent as I'd like, I love that the reconnection has begun. I'm starting to feel full again.
26. WORTHINESS. The fog has been steadily lifting as a result of taking my thyroid meds and my life and my (lack of) participation in it has become crystal clear. I am surrounded by kind and lovely people - and I'm worthy of their kindness and friendship. It's time to participate - and thank them for their patience! So glad to be back in my own skin again. I still have to remind myself, I am worthy. Everyone has been thanked many times over.
27. PREPARATION. There is so much to do! At this stage there is no time or tolerance for procrastination, all of it is completely unavoidable. Time to buckle down and just get the list written - and then scratch off every big and little thing on it. This is an ongoing project! I keep writing lists and scratching it all off!
28. WRITE. Now that I'm faced with crazy deadlines my muse has returned! What the *@)&! So, I plan to give into it and write. Write it all. I'll just not share it ;) Some good. Some bad. All written.
29. REPAIR. My last month has been a whirlwind of emotional and physical activity and I have not paid enough attention to my kids as individuals. By the end of the day we are each so exhausted by the demands of the day we forget. Each of my kids are unique individuals with different needs and I have not been good at focusing on each one. This month that will have to happen! I miss them. This has become a regular practice and I love it! I think they do, too :)
30. TAKE HOLIDAY. The minute the house is on the market we are on our way out of town. We all need a break. Again, due to Cole's athletic success, our time will be cut short, but (fingers crossed) the family sacrifice will be worth it. I do have to come up with some dates to make it up to the kids! The holiday was fabulous and no sacrifices had to be made thanks to the generosity of Grampy and Nanna.
31. REFILL CREATIVE WELL. I miss being creative! Well and truly, messy and focused, creative. I have signed up for Elizabeth Dillow's BPS course Design Challenges that runs through July and into August; I must get back on board my One Little Word project, though I have been busy living my word rather than documenting it; but my major focus for the month will be A Week in the Life which runs from July 25 through July 31, if there is only one project I manage to complete this year, THIS is the one. 
32. PICK PAINT COLOURS. The very best part of moving, after the purge is over, is the picking of paint colours. I'm thinking of changing everything up. Really changing - as in NO RED anywhere. Gasp! Not just picked, but painted. Done!
33. UPDATE. Which includes our address and contact information. My goal, by the end of the month, is to have 100% of all people and organizations who need to be notified, notified. So, if you want to know how to contact me, via snail mail, be sure to send an email to me at linarstudio.lc at gmail dot com so I can be sure to include everyone!
34. RESTART. I have not kept up with my healthy eating and moving initiative, started in April. I've been working on other parts of my health and I realize I've been a bit busy - plus it's been stinking HOT around here - but no more excuses! I have to get back at some kind of healthy routine. 
35. READ. Over the last month I've started to read again. Real, honest to goodness books. I love reading and realized that I had gotten away from my favourite pasttime by reading other things: web pages, blogs, magazines. I'd like to get back into the habit of reading books. My favourite genres are biographies and fiction - engaging fiction, not scary, gross, or agenda fiction, just a good story with great characters. Hard to find! If you have any recommendations, let me know! In the meatime, I've picked up two I hope to have finished by the end of the month. 
36. LUNCH. For a very long time I stayed put, not venturing out very often. Recently, I've enjoyed spending some time at lunch with friends, new and old, and I plan to do that more. Nothing big and fancy, but sharing some stories and laughs while exploring new restaurants and interesting dishes will be a welcome addition to my ever evolving new life. So good to connect again.
37. PAINTING. Every room in the new house is in various stages of "done". By the end of the month I want to have all of the painting completed. Not one speck that needs to be painted will be waiting on paint. Some ceilings have to be fixed up a bit, but a good job by everyone!
38. CAMERA PLAY. For my birthday I bought a new lens for my camera. (Well, my sister got it for me in the States and I'm waiting on it's arrival.) I want to make the time through the month to play with it and learn how to make it do what I need it to do before the big World Wide Photo Walk on October 1st! I'm really enjoying taking photos again.
39. MAP OUT. And organize the calendar, lists and other household logistics of Autumn, through to Christmas. All of the kids have their studies which is the top priority followed by work (paid and volunteer) and activities (choir and hockey). All of this has to be figured out and put in a way that it is manageable - with as much consistency as possible. Though Cole's hockey "retirement" put a glitch in things, I managed to make a workable calendar!
40. PRINT. I've been meaning to send them in, but I have to organize and send in my Cape Cod album pages to Green Pixel Printing. I sent them off to photolab.ca and still haven't decided if it's the route I want to go!
41. Holiday decorations. Like everyone I know, I have a motley collection of holiday decorations in various places that need to be collected in one place then sorted into keep, donate and toss. I know over the years my tastes have changed and it's time to just deal with what I want to keep. Purge, purge. Love it! Still have to get this done completely.
42. Creative project binders. Much like my daily life "control journal" I have to collect all of the recent inspiration and put in a place that is accessible and easy to maintain. 
43. Put together a meal plan. Now that our schedule is in full swing things have to change when it comes to meals and more specifically their preparation. I have to figure out how to feed four kids when I'm not at home! Love my crock pot!
44. Join the YMCA. Now that I have my life as put together as it can be for this particular stage it's time to move more. I enjoy walking, but I enjoy swimming more. It's time to get into the water. I'm determined to make time for me to get into the pool and maybe take a class - or three! With some changes for the kids, the YMCA turned out to not be the smartest choice. The local rec centre will be, instead!

(For me the crossed out lists are the very best kind!)

The rewards have been, in keeping with the challenge, simple and most cherished.

I believe I shall continue this practice in 2012 as it has been positive - motivation and reinforcement - and really keeps me grounded with my action based priorities in place and on here it makes me accountable.

My 4 Simple Goals, December edition, year 2 includes:

1. Word 2012. It's time to choose a new word, though I can't imagine any guiding word being more effective or transformative than "do" in 2011! I really enjoyed the practice and look forward to continuing it this year.
2. Map out Creative Projects. I am anxious to get back into a creative practice. Maybe a 52Project idea - a la Elizabeth Dillow (notice the project not crossed out above)? Maybe something smaller in scale? 
3. Project Life. Now that I have the tools it's time to put it in a place where it is do-able EVERY DAY of EVERY WEEK. Fingers crossed!
4. Experiment with one new recipe a week. Which is only four new recipes this month, right? It should be do-able.

REWARD: A trip to Pottery Barn. I'm not much of a shopper, but I'd like to get some pretty pillows for the living room couch.

What about you? Do you have a few activity oriented goals you'd like to meet? If so and you participate, let me know! I'd love to see what you have planned.

Reverb11

(source)

By now everyone who was a part of the Reverb10 project last year knows that the idea has been somewhat dismantled and we are to take the project and run with it in groups gathered by ourselves. Normally I'd be all over this idea, except my life right now is a bit hectic. "Crazy-busy" would be an understatement!

I was browsing through a few blogs that inspired me during the project last year and through this one. One is Besottment (Hope Wallace Karney) and the other KaileenElise. Both provide me with inspiration and are approaching the project differently - love me an idea that can be custom tailored! HWK is posting her prompts daily and KaileenElise has posted a list.

The list is, to me, the most appealing, though I plan to participate IN BOTH.

I know.

How can I be crazy busy and participate in a reverb project this year? And December Daily? And my life which includes a move, exams, hockey tournaments and a trip?

Perhaps I should define crazy for you ;)

Anyway, I have really enjoyed HWK's prompts for be.prompted (and looking forward to more!) and I'm anxious for her daily prompts through the month. The list of prompts on KaileenElise's blog really resonated with me given the happenings and changes of 2011:

1. Where did 2011 begin?
2. Who did you meet?
3. What books did you read?
4. When did you struggle?
5. What did you discover?
6. Who was important to you?
7. What do you hope to remember?
8. Where did you spend money?
9. When were you most scared?
10. What questions did you ask?
11. Who surprised you?
12. What did you learn?
13. When did you feel the most relaxed?
14. Where did you leave a mark?
15. What movies did you see?
16. What did you accomplish?
17. When were you the most grateful?
18. Who touched your heart?
19. Where did you visit?
20. When did you cry?
21. Where did you spend your time?
22. What were your favorite songs?
23. Who did you miss?
24. When did you take the easy way?
25. Where did you eat?
26. Which blogs did you enjoy most?
27. When did you celebrate?
28. What are your dreams for next year?
29. Who will attract into your life?
30. What do you want to do in 2012?
31. Where do you hope to be on Jan 1, 2013?

Aren't those wonderful? The beauty of a list is that I can mull (don't judge, it's what i do!) my responses over the day I need to write the answer/response. That is why this is the most appealing - only because it is the way I do stuff.

I'm feeling a bit late to this party (last year I had a whole blog dedicated to it, as well as an album!), but I'm happy to join in. What about you?

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This is the time of new traditions.

Over the years, through my childhood and my adulthood, I've not been a fan of Christmas. It gets progressively worse every year, especially now that the holiday season starts sometime before Hallowe'en and only counts if you're in debt well into the New Year.

Craziness.

I do crave some kind of inclusive "holiday" tradition and I have been in search of one. It must be some kind of latent Celt-pagan need buried deep in my soul. I believe I may have just found it. Better yet, I found it in a way that can be easily incorporated into our lives.

As it turns out, the Twelve Days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day on December 25th and January 5th, the night before Epiphany.

THIS is an idea that appeals to me! Not only is it less frantic and fake, I can take advantage of all the Boxing Day sales and slow things down to a manageable pace. We can celebrate every day in it's own way and not have to cram everything into one day of excess and bloat. Doesn't that make sense? At a time when we seem to be rushing through life, I'd like to take some time, show some respect and savour the time I have with my children, my family and our friends. Traditionally the time right after Christmas is mellow, everyone is exhausted (or at a hockey tournament!). I think this is going to be a wonderful, and meaningful, change.

This year, with Santa having moved on to my niece Ava's home, we have some more subtle plans for our holiday:

Pre-Christmas (sometime in December): Lights outside, "wreath" adorning the front door, small Christmas tree surrounded by my ancient ceramic village and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on the stereo.

Christmas Day: Everyone gets to sleep in. Brunch of our favourites: scrambled eggs, peameal bacon, roasted tomatoes, hash browns, homemade biscuits and croissants. Calls to family and friends wishing them the best holiday ever :) Maybe a walk or a skate in the afternoon. A traditional roast beef dinner with the kids' favourite Yorkshire pudding with lots of gravy and "nothing green" for dinner. Gifts? Yes, but only carefully selected gift cards of nominal value.

Boxing Day - January 5th: Plans are underway to see friends and family. The truck will be gassed up, the tires filled, CAA paid up, the camera batteries charged and memory cards cleared. We're ready for whatever adventure awaits. Each day - along the lines of the 12 gifts of Christmas - I want the kids to do something kind, really thoughtful - for each other. Just the gift of kindness and respect - and calm. I want them to build a foundation for their future - as siblings, as adults.

New Year's Eve: Not quite sure what we'll do, but welcoming in the new year is always fun, though rarely can we all make it to midnight! Who knows, maybe NYC in Times Square? Probably only via television, but that could be something to think about.

January 5: In this, the season of Comfort and Joy, I'm thinking we should start with a simple meal of thanks. The vote seems to be Shepherd's Pie. Pretty appropriate, I'd say. So we'll end the holiday season and start our year with a simple meal of meat and potato pie, a salad, and something green. Gastronomical re-entry :)

January 6: Down comes the tree and all of the decorations. No doubt there will be grumbling and misery, but it will be quick and relatively painless as there won't be much!

January 7: Re-entry. Time to charge the laptops, find the books, wash the uniforms - including checking for runs in stockings!

January 8: Time to put all of those gift cards received on Christmas Day to good use. Look out Sherway Gardens (for Mama) and Mapleview Mall (for the kids).

January 9: I love that all of my kids are back to school on the same day. I can only hope that they return after a nice time engaging with each other. You know, every mother's fantasy that her children will get along and love one another? Yeah. I hope that happens. My gift. Well, that, and a nap :)

For me, the time away from school (and our irregular regular routine) means my kids have an opportunity to connect and re-connect with those around them: their extended family and friends. That is what makes life full and worthwhile. Right? I really hope that by the first of the new year they've had that opportunity. It's been a rough couple of years and I am doing my best to turn shit into sunshine and have them, us, focus on the good stuff. I want their memories to weigh in on the side of kind and good rather than the alternative.

So, that's the plan.

Today.

I'll let you know how it turns out.