The new year is rapidly approaching and with it a fresh start, a new beginning. Every day, and perhaps even more specifically every moment is a new beginning, but there's something grand about a new year.
Many people make resolutions, commitments, things to change. They go strong for a week or two and then falter. And they throw in the towel and wait 365 more days for a grand fresh start.
This year I decided I would like to make a list of 11 (based on the last 2 digits of the new year) lifestyle changes I would like to make. And when I say lifestyle change, I understand it shall be gradual, I will not always do it, but overall, these are things I would like to aim for. So here they are:
1. Read a book every 2 weeks
2. Cut chocolate out of my diet
3. Use only re-usable mugs/water bottles
4. Use all my own fabric bags when shopping
5. 20 minutes of activity per day
6. Floss daily
7. Be in bed by midnight
8. Lose 5 pounds per month
9. Don't buy anything other than food and clothing
10. Eat all the stockpiled stuff in my fridge, freezers and cupboards
11. Write one letter per week
There you have it. Not too difficult, but I am excited for the changes and have already started implementing quite a few of them and I feel better all around.
What are 11 little changes you'd like to make in this next year?
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Twenty-Six, Travel, Thinking
26 things for my 26th year.
Since I just had a birthday, I have been thinking of what I would like 26 to be like and what I want to do during that year.
I recently spied someone's list of 30 things they wanted to do before they were 30. I love making bucket lists and such, so I figured, why not make a list of 26 things I want to do during my 26th year.
So here goes:
1. Take a picture of the stars
2. Travel to Asia
3. Finish Writing my book
4. Get a business license
5. Expand my volunteering time
6. Lose 50 pounds
7. Learn how to play guitar
8. Take a spanish class
9. Attend an aquafit class
10. Spend a weekend in Seattle
11. Go Camping somewhere new
12. Discover a new lake (to me.. i'm sure there have not been many made in the last year...) to canoe on
13. Reconnect with an old friend
14. Memorize Colossians
15. Swim 200 lengths in a row
16. Jog 5 kms
17. Make a photo book for my 25th year
18. Take a painting class
19. Learn how to stretch canvas
20. Write my sponsor kids
21. Learn how to pickle things
22. Go spend a day reading on the beach
23. Go on a picnic
24. Learn how to stop while skating
25. Bake bread
26. Go on a roadtrip
So there you have it. I will keep you updated as I cross things off my list...
Since I just had a birthday, I have been thinking of what I would like 26 to be like and what I want to do during that year.
I recently spied someone's list of 30 things they wanted to do before they were 30. I love making bucket lists and such, so I figured, why not make a list of 26 things I want to do during my 26th year.
So here goes:
1. Take a picture of the stars
2. Travel to Asia
3. Finish Writing my book
4. Get a business license
5. Expand my volunteering time
6. Lose 50 pounds
7. Learn how to play guitar
8. Take a spanish class
9. Attend an aquafit class
10. Spend a weekend in Seattle
11. Go Camping somewhere new
12. Discover a new lake (to me.. i'm sure there have not been many made in the last year...) to canoe on
13. Reconnect with an old friend
14. Memorize Colossians
15. Swim 200 lengths in a row
16. Jog 5 kms
17. Make a photo book for my 25th year
18. Take a painting class
19. Learn how to stretch canvas
20. Write my sponsor kids
21. Learn how to pickle things
22. Go spend a day reading on the beach
23. Go on a picnic
24. Learn how to stop while skating
25. Bake bread
26. Go on a roadtrip
So there you have it. I will keep you updated as I cross things off my list...
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Story, Shoefiti, Skies
I have truly only begun to gain an appropriate appreciation for my mother over the last few years. I think part of it included moving out and going to her house just to visit, not be in my space. There's such a special bond between mothers and daughters and I love that my mom and I can travel together, hang out together and just be goofy.
Every once in a while (or quite frequently), I like to plan a mother/daughter day. Yesterday was such a day. Where you put away the phones, and any other distraction, and just enjoy being together, looking for any adventure we could possibly embark on. Part of yesterday included the most amazing lunch, yahtzee in the coffee shop (apparently I must really like yahtzee considering the amount of times I play it...) and seeing 'A Christmas Story' the musical.
I hadn't seen the movie, but now I must. Because I loved the musical! It was a new musical that hasn't been performed elsewhere and it was fantastic. Amazing acting, excellent singing, great songs, and on and on. The children in it where amazing, especially the lead, Ralphie. He was awesome. As I sat there, I let my senses take in the wonderfulness that is in a musical and to get carried away. Through the eyes of a child. It's a spectacular thing. And then it made me feel like Christmas was coming... but then I realized it had already come, but I still drank in every second of Christmasness {that shall hereby be a new word...)
Anyway, all in all, a fantastically wonderful day hanging out with my mom. And to add to it, I get to collect eggs with her all week! Thankfully when I start dancing around in the barn, she joins in... the chickens probably do a little jig too.. because who wouldn't, right?
Today when driving home, I was overwhelmed with the beauty around me. The crisp air outside, the barren trees juxtaposed against the blue sky. The tips of snow crested mountains looking fresh and inviting. I had my camera in my purse and decided to stop to take some photos of a certain tree I see weekly on my walk to the pool.
Whenever I see shoes hanging over a powerline or in a tree... it makes me wonder what the story behind it is. Yes, sometimes I know that it is not for good purpose, but I find it funny and wonder what kind of story that shoe would tell me if it could talk. In fact, wikipedia, calls shoe throwing, shoefiti. It's a sport apparently. It describes is at follows: "Shoe flinging or "shoefiti" is the practice of throwing shoes whose shoelaces have been tied together so that they hang from overhead wires such as power lines or telephone cables. The shoes are tied together by their laces, and the pair is then thrown at the wires as a sort of bolas. This practice plays a widespread, though mysterious, role in adolescent folklore in the United States[citation needed]. Shoe flinging has also been reported in many other countries."
When I was in New Zealand I read that they have gumboot throwing competitions. Maybe that's what was happening here with these poor little sneakers? Maybe in truth it is actually a sneaker tree that grows shoes. Wouldn't that be handy?
Perhaps one day I shall take up the art of shoe-throwing... but for now I will simply smile when I see a pile of shoes in a tree and wonder who they belonged to and where they had traveled to before they got stuck in that tree.
Hope you are all enjoying the week between Christmas and New Year's. May it be a relaxing time to stop and spend with loved ones and soak in the wonder and joy of the small things all around us.
Every once in a while (or quite frequently), I like to plan a mother/daughter day. Yesterday was such a day. Where you put away the phones, and any other distraction, and just enjoy being together, looking for any adventure we could possibly embark on. Part of yesterday included the most amazing lunch, yahtzee in the coffee shop (apparently I must really like yahtzee considering the amount of times I play it...) and seeing 'A Christmas Story' the musical.
I hadn't seen the movie, but now I must. Because I loved the musical! It was a new musical that hasn't been performed elsewhere and it was fantastic. Amazing acting, excellent singing, great songs, and on and on. The children in it where amazing, especially the lead, Ralphie. He was awesome. As I sat there, I let my senses take in the wonderfulness that is in a musical and to get carried away. Through the eyes of a child. It's a spectacular thing. And then it made me feel like Christmas was coming... but then I realized it had already come, but I still drank in every second of Christmasness {that shall hereby be a new word...)
Anyway, all in all, a fantastically wonderful day hanging out with my mom. And to add to it, I get to collect eggs with her all week! Thankfully when I start dancing around in the barn, she joins in... the chickens probably do a little jig too.. because who wouldn't, right?
Today when driving home, I was overwhelmed with the beauty around me. The crisp air outside, the barren trees juxtaposed against the blue sky. The tips of snow crested mountains looking fresh and inviting. I had my camera in my purse and decided to stop to take some photos of a certain tree I see weekly on my walk to the pool.
Whenever I see shoes hanging over a powerline or in a tree... it makes me wonder what the story behind it is. Yes, sometimes I know that it is not for good purpose, but I find it funny and wonder what kind of story that shoe would tell me if it could talk. In fact, wikipedia, calls shoe throwing, shoefiti. It's a sport apparently. It describes is at follows: "Shoe flinging or "shoefiti" is the practice of throwing shoes whose shoelaces have been tied together so that they hang from overhead wires such as power lines or telephone cables. The shoes are tied together by their laces, and the pair is then thrown at the wires as a sort of bolas. This practice plays a widespread, though mysterious, role in adolescent folklore in the United States[citation needed]. Shoe flinging has also been reported in many other countries."
When I was in New Zealand I read that they have gumboot throwing competitions. Maybe that's what was happening here with these poor little sneakers? Maybe in truth it is actually a sneaker tree that grows shoes. Wouldn't that be handy?
Perhaps one day I shall take up the art of shoe-throwing... but for now I will simply smile when I see a pile of shoes in a tree and wonder who they belonged to and where they had traveled to before they got stuck in that tree.
Hope you are all enjoying the week between Christmas and New Year's. May it be a relaxing time to stop and spend with loved ones and soak in the wonder and joy of the small things all around us.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas, Cuddles, Cuties
Last night after I got home, I packed up all my Christmas decorations. May seem a bit premature for some, but I have been enjoying the decorations for 2 months and have just been wanting to clean it up and sit and treasure all these things in my heart.
The wonder of God with us, Emmanuel. In the midst of difficulty and joy, Christ is with us. Amongst us. How incredible.
And He has blessed us, oh how incredibly He has blessed us. With family, friends, warmth, shelters, food, and I could go on and on and on. He makes His presence known every day if I begin to look for it. And I love that Christmas is a focused time to stop and remember. That Christ came to live, so that we could live.
I love driving down the street and seeing everything closed. Time to be at home, with family and loved ones. I know it may be painful for some, but amongst the thorns, there are always roses to be found. Amongst the anguish and grief, there is joy and love.
From cuddling month old babes to enjoying the joy of a one and a half year old to conversing and fellowshiping with those I love.
This year in a lot of ways I missed my dad a lot. And my brother. My dad would have been a grandpa to 2 beautiful, perfect little babes. My brother would have been the proudest uncle. We missed them, but I am thankful for old and new memories and how all of them combined make up a messy but beautiful picture of life.
The wonder of God with us, Emmanuel. In the midst of difficulty and joy, Christ is with us. Amongst us. How incredible.
And He has blessed us, oh how incredibly He has blessed us. With family, friends, warmth, shelters, food, and I could go on and on and on. He makes His presence known every day if I begin to look for it. And I love that Christmas is a focused time to stop and remember. That Christ came to live, so that we could live.
I love driving down the street and seeing everything closed. Time to be at home, with family and loved ones. I know it may be painful for some, but amongst the thorns, there are always roses to be found. Amongst the anguish and grief, there is joy and love.
From cuddling month old babes to enjoying the joy of a one and a half year old to conversing and fellowshiping with those I love.
To see God's work in my family and His faithfulness.
This year in a lot of ways I missed my dad a lot. And my brother. My dad would have been a grandpa to 2 beautiful, perfect little babes. My brother would have been the proudest uncle. We missed them, but I am thankful for old and new memories and how all of them combined make up a messy but beautiful picture of life.
So this Christmas I am incredibly thankful. That amidst the pain of life and the wonderful things, God is with us.
Hope you all had an incredibly wonderful Christmas! Blessings!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Hawks, Happy, Hawaii
This last week has been incredibly full and wonderful. Full of Christmas cheer and birthday adventures. Full of friends and family. Full of good food and sweets. Full of random experiences and wonder. Full of affirmation and blessing. I am blessed. And very thankful.
In honour of my birthday last week, a hawk flew into the window and sacrificed its life so I could freeze it. Maybe I will get it stuffed?
Adri was daring enough to pick it up. Ewww... And just for the record, we are freezing to death in this photo, but the excitement of finding a random dead animal on the porch is enough warmth in the moment I suppose...
I have incredibly classy friends...
Have I ever mentioned that my mom is wonderful? She cooked a dinner on my behalf with some friends. And it was perhaps the tastiest thing ever. Yum. Best steak ever. And wonderful company.
The eve before my birthday, I hosted an ugly Christmas sweater party. i have always wanted to have one, so here was my chance! I was quite impressed with people's creativity! Had about 30 people throughout the evening stop in-how wonderful.
Cheri was kind enough to buy me some festive birthday/Christmassy balloons! Fun! I dont' think anyone has ever bought me balloons on my birthday. Once again, I am incredibly blessed.
And here I laughing uncontrollably. I think this was perhaps my third try at blowing out all the candles. And I failed miserably. And here I thought I had strong lungs. Apparently not. Or perhaps just a lot of boys lining up at my door for this next year.
My 26th year began wonderfully, surrounded my friends and those I love and by being reminded of how loved and blessed I am. I have to say, this past year, my 25th was probably my most favourite year of my life so far. It had its hard moments, but overall it was filled with wonderful things and a lot of learning, change and growth. Filled with seeing some incredible places and with random adventures. Filled with meeting new people and building the friendships I already have. Filled with gaining greater appreciation for the people around me. What a wonderful year this has been. And I have a hunch that the 26th year may be even better {although I can't even imagine that at this point...}
And a photo below celebrating the engagement of two of my dear friends, who just returned from Hawaii! So excited for them to get married! And next year, theirs will be my one and only wedding {so far}, which is like a miracle in itself, because for the last 10 years I have been averaging 10-12 weddings a year. My life will perhaps feel a little empty. Maybe I"ll just have to get married to balance out the 12 weddings I won't go to. Haha... Riiight.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas week and are enjoying the holidays with loved ones. More of Christmas soon to come!
In honour of my birthday last week, a hawk flew into the window and sacrificed its life so I could freeze it. Maybe I will get it stuffed?
Adri was daring enough to pick it up. Ewww... And just for the record, we are freezing to death in this photo, but the excitement of finding a random dead animal on the porch is enough warmth in the moment I suppose...
I have incredibly classy friends...
Have I ever mentioned that my mom is wonderful? She cooked a dinner on my behalf with some friends. And it was perhaps the tastiest thing ever. Yum. Best steak ever. And wonderful company.
The eve before my birthday, I hosted an ugly Christmas sweater party. i have always wanted to have one, so here was my chance! I was quite impressed with people's creativity! Had about 30 people throughout the evening stop in-how wonderful.
Cheri was kind enough to buy me some festive birthday/Christmassy balloons! Fun! I dont' think anyone has ever bought me balloons on my birthday. Once again, I am incredibly blessed.
And here I laughing uncontrollably. I think this was perhaps my third try at blowing out all the candles. And I failed miserably. And here I thought I had strong lungs. Apparently not. Or perhaps just a lot of boys lining up at my door for this next year.
My 26th year began wonderfully, surrounded my friends and those I love and by being reminded of how loved and blessed I am. I have to say, this past year, my 25th was probably my most favourite year of my life so far. It had its hard moments, but overall it was filled with wonderful things and a lot of learning, change and growth. Filled with seeing some incredible places and with random adventures. Filled with meeting new people and building the friendships I already have. Filled with gaining greater appreciation for the people around me. What a wonderful year this has been. And I have a hunch that the 26th year may be even better {although I can't even imagine that at this point...}
And a photo below celebrating the engagement of two of my dear friends, who just returned from Hawaii! So excited for them to get married! And next year, theirs will be my one and only wedding {so far}, which is like a miracle in itself, because for the last 10 years I have been averaging 10-12 weddings a year. My life will perhaps feel a little empty. Maybe I"ll just have to get married to balance out the 12 weddings I won't go to. Haha... Riiight.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas week and are enjoying the holidays with loved ones. More of Christmas soon to come!
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