This catch-up post is a bit of a cheat. I don't have much to say for prompts 15-17, so I have decided to skip them. I could have made an attempt to write something, but then that would have just made me put off posting because I really didn't have much to offer on those subjects. My whole goal is to write more often. So let's move on to prompt 18, shall we?
Day 18 prompt:
Try.
What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?
(Author: Kaileen Elise)
There are several things I would like to try in 2011. These are the two that are uppermost in my mind.
--I want to tackle more of the home improvement tasks here at la maison. Usually I depend on ABM to handle all the "manly" tasks like rehanging a door or mowing the lawn. Now I feel like I want to give these jobs a try.
--I want to make some wall hangings. Even though we've lived here for 10 years, much of the house still looks like we are living in temporary housing where the landlord says that you can't hammer a nail into the wall. I want to add more evidence that we live here while stretching my creative muscle at the same time.
The bottom line is that I want 2011 to be the year that my creativity bursts forth. I've said that in the past, but I've let worries about housework and other duties push that desire to the side. Hopefully I won't do that this time around.
Showing posts with label Reverb 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reverb 10. Show all posts
21 December 2010
20 December 2010
Catch-up on Reverb 10: Day 14
Day 14 prompt:
Appreciate.
What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?
(Author: Victoria Klein)
This may end up being a little sappy, but I don't know how to avoid it. I've given you fair warning! The thing I've appreciated most this past year is my husband's patience.
Anyone who reads this blog frequently has probably figured out that my husband ABM isn't a patient man. He can't stand to be kept waiting for anything. The end of my pregnancies aggravated him because I couldn't get out of the car and walk fast enough to keep up with him. It is OK if I have to wait for him, like when he is picking me up from work. However, if he is there on time and I walk out at five minutes past quitting time, he gets grumpy.
At least, he used to get grumpy. Ever since my MS diagnosis, ABM has cut me more slack. He doesn't fuss if I spend an hour in the tub soaking because my back hurts. He doesn't roll his eyes if I say I'm going to stay in bed all day on Saturday to rest. He doesn't complain if the only room I can manage to clean on my day off is the bathroom.
I don't expect this new-found patience to last forever. If I don't develop any major symptoms (and let's pray that I don't, shall we?), then ABM will put MS to the back of his mind and start grumbling if I am the last one out the door again. For right now, though, I appreciate being able to get used to this new development in my life without also having to deal with my husband's disapproval.
Appreciate.
What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?
(Author: Victoria Klein)
This may end up being a little sappy, but I don't know how to avoid it. I've given you fair warning! The thing I've appreciated most this past year is my husband's patience.
Anyone who reads this blog frequently has probably figured out that my husband ABM isn't a patient man. He can't stand to be kept waiting for anything. The end of my pregnancies aggravated him because I couldn't get out of the car and walk fast enough to keep up with him. It is OK if I have to wait for him, like when he is picking me up from work. However, if he is there on time and I walk out at five minutes past quitting time, he gets grumpy.
At least, he used to get grumpy. Ever since my MS diagnosis, ABM has cut me more slack. He doesn't fuss if I spend an hour in the tub soaking because my back hurts. He doesn't roll his eyes if I say I'm going to stay in bed all day on Saturday to rest. He doesn't complain if the only room I can manage to clean on my day off is the bathroom.
I don't expect this new-found patience to last forever. If I don't develop any major symptoms (and let's pray that I don't, shall we?), then ABM will put MS to the back of his mind and start grumbling if I am the last one out the door again. For right now, though, I appreciate being able to get used to this new development in my life without also having to deal with my husband's disapproval.
17 December 2010
Catch-up on Reverb 10: Day 13
Day 13 prompt:
Action!
When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?
(Author: Scott Belsky)
I knew that I was going to be called out at some point. This prompt is basically asking me to set a goal. If you are a long-time reader of this blog, you know that I am lousy at sticking to goals. My biggest stumbling block in meeting goals is that I am resistant to doing what I am told to do. I'm really just a big baby. No matter how pleasurable the goal might be, the minute I set a deadline then it becomes a chore.
Even if I don't give up on a goal out of boredom or stubbornness, then the universe seems to conspire against me. My current goal to knit for charity during the month of December is a perfect example of this. I was going great guns on my first 5HBS when I fell down the stairs, banging up my whole right side against the banister. My right arm and wrist were too bruised and sore to knit more than one or two rows a day. I was finally able to knit more than that this week, so all I'm going to finish is one sweater for the whole month. Bummer.
In spite of this, I am going to set a goal for the new year. The name of this blog has changed several times over the years, and at one point it was called The Year of the Afghan. My goal at the time was to chronicle my progress as I stitched an afghan for each person in my household -- six afghans in all. That year, the only blanket I made was for a baby shower gift. So, as of 01 Jan 2011, I will be devoting the majority of my stitching time to making afghans. Let's hope at least one of my family members will end up under one of my creations.
Action!
When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?
(Author: Scott Belsky)
I knew that I was going to be called out at some point. This prompt is basically asking me to set a goal. If you are a long-time reader of this blog, you know that I am lousy at sticking to goals. My biggest stumbling block in meeting goals is that I am resistant to doing what I am told to do. I'm really just a big baby. No matter how pleasurable the goal might be, the minute I set a deadline then it becomes a chore.
Even if I don't give up on a goal out of boredom or stubbornness, then the universe seems to conspire against me. My current goal to knit for charity during the month of December is a perfect example of this. I was going great guns on my first 5HBS when I fell down the stairs, banging up my whole right side against the banister. My right arm and wrist were too bruised and sore to knit more than one or two rows a day. I was finally able to knit more than that this week, so all I'm going to finish is one sweater for the whole month. Bummer.
In spite of this, I am going to set a goal for the new year. The name of this blog has changed several times over the years, and at one point it was called The Year of the Afghan. My goal at the time was to chronicle my progress as I stitched an afghan for each person in my household -- six afghans in all. That year, the only blanket I made was for a baby shower gift. So, as of 01 Jan 2011, I will be devoting the majority of my stitching time to making afghans. Let's hope at least one of my family members will end up under one of my creations.
Catch-up on Reverb 10: Day 12
Day 12 prompt:
Body Integration.
This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?
(Author: Patrick Reynolds)
This prompt reminds me of yoga DVDs. I always think that I want to incorporate the practice of yoga into my life, but when I try a yoga video it usually annoys me. The poses are great, but the instructors' patter drive me up a wall. It is all about being aware of your breath, your knees, your toes. I don't particularly want to think about my body that much. I want to do the exercise and move on.
When people talk about "being present", that is something difficult for me to achieve. There have been times when I have been having a cool experience, but all I could do was think about how I have to remember it. For example, on our last cruise I stayed on the ship while everyone else went ashore at one of the ports. This was one day where nothing on my body ached and I wasn't overwhelmed by fatigue. I found a great spot on deck facing these great candy-colored row houses. The breeze off the ocean was a perfect temperature. I had a good book and a cup of coffee in front of me. Paradise, right? Yet instead of enjoying my book, I kept thinking, "This is perfect! I should be enjoying this! Remember every single moment of this because this is wonderful!" Once I become aware of the perfect synchronicity of mind, body, and experience, I ruin it by thinking about how much I should be appreciating it.
Body Integration.
This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?
(Author: Patrick Reynolds)
This prompt reminds me of yoga DVDs. I always think that I want to incorporate the practice of yoga into my life, but when I try a yoga video it usually annoys me. The poses are great, but the instructors' patter drive me up a wall. It is all about being aware of your breath, your knees, your toes. I don't particularly want to think about my body that much. I want to do the exercise and move on.
When people talk about "being present", that is something difficult for me to achieve. There have been times when I have been having a cool experience, but all I could do was think about how I have to remember it. For example, on our last cruise I stayed on the ship while everyone else went ashore at one of the ports. This was one day where nothing on my body ached and I wasn't overwhelmed by fatigue. I found a great spot on deck facing these great candy-colored row houses. The breeze off the ocean was a perfect temperature. I had a good book and a cup of coffee in front of me. Paradise, right? Yet instead of enjoying my book, I kept thinking, "This is perfect! I should be enjoying this! Remember every single moment of this because this is wonderful!" Once I become aware of the perfect synchronicity of mind, body, and experience, I ruin it by thinking about how much I should be appreciating it.
13 December 2010
Catch-up post for Reverb 10: Day 11
Here's another Reverb 10 catch-up post.
Day 11 prompt:
11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)
My response to this prompt is late because it was so tough. I've been racking my brain for three days trying to come up with a list, but I can't think of 11 things to get rid of. I should get rid of coffee and sugar according to some people, but I won't. I plan to get rid of cable TV in January, but that isn't for any grandiose reason -- it's too expensive so we are going to a cheaper way to consume media. I just can't think of 11 things that would change my life for the better if I got rid of them.
We live a fairly minimalist life for the average middle-class family. I have only one comforter and two sheet sets for my bed. I have one pair of sneakers and two pairs of jeans; I think I could only go two weeks without re-wearing an item of clothing, and that would involve wearing my two evening dresses. So even though I am under no illusion that we are poor, I honestly can't think of I could get rid of without feeling the loss of it.
Day 11 prompt:
11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)
My response to this prompt is late because it was so tough. I've been racking my brain for three days trying to come up with a list, but I can't think of 11 things to get rid of. I should get rid of coffee and sugar according to some people, but I won't. I plan to get rid of cable TV in January, but that isn't for any grandiose reason -- it's too expensive so we are going to a cheaper way to consume media. I just can't think of 11 things that would change my life for the better if I got rid of them.
We live a fairly minimalist life for the average middle-class family. I have only one comforter and two sheet sets for my bed. I have one pair of sneakers and two pairs of jeans; I think I could only go two weeks without re-wearing an item of clothing, and that would involve wearing my two evening dresses. So even though I am under no illusion that we are poor, I honestly can't think of I could get rid of without feeling the loss of it.
10 December 2010
Catch-up post for Reverb 10: Day 10
The last few days have gotten away from me. There were so many demands on my time that I couldn't fit writing in. I even had to WORK while I was at work -- imagine that! On top of that, the last few Reverb 10 prompts have been real head-scratchers. I don't want to skip them, though, so I will be playing catch-up for the next few days.
Day 10 prompt:
Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?
(Author: Susannah Conway)
I'm not sure what I would consider my wisest decision, simply because I often second-guess myself. Even long after I've made a choice, I am not certain that it is the right one. As a matter of fact, I had trouble deciding what to write about for this prompt!
Perhaps my best decision this year, even though I didn't think it was a big deal at the time, was going to the doctor. For most of my life, my insurance coverage has been spotty. I've never had any major issues like high blood pressure or diabetes, so I've gotten used to ignoring the random symptoms that are more annoying that painful. When my insurance from my current job kicked in this past January, I ignored my normal reticence and went to get a check-up. I was having bouts of vertigo and wanted to get a new prescription for the meclizine I got at the ER. Numerous tests and several months later, I found out that I have multiple sclerosis. So I guess it was a good idea that I didn't decide to live with the dizziness.
Day 10 prompt:
Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?
(Author: Susannah Conway)
I'm not sure what I would consider my wisest decision, simply because I often second-guess myself. Even long after I've made a choice, I am not certain that it is the right one. As a matter of fact, I had trouble deciding what to write about for this prompt!
Perhaps my best decision this year, even though I didn't think it was a big deal at the time, was going to the doctor. For most of my life, my insurance coverage has been spotty. I've never had any major issues like high blood pressure or diabetes, so I've gotten used to ignoring the random symptoms that are more annoying that painful. When my insurance from my current job kicked in this past January, I ignored my normal reticence and went to get a check-up. I was having bouts of vertigo and wanted to get a new prescription for the meclizine I got at the ER. Numerous tests and several months later, I found out that I have multiple sclerosis. So I guess it was a good idea that I didn't decide to live with the dizziness.
09 December 2010
Reverb 10: Day 9
Today's prompt:
Party.
What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.
(Author: Shauna Reid)
Those who know me can probably figure out that the answer to this prompt is going to be short and sweet. I don't like parties and most social gatherings. I avoid them at all costs. When I was younger, I would become anxious in any situation that would have me surrounded by a lot of people -- parties, shopping at Christmas, attending services at large churches, company picnics. As I often tell people, it is like all those people are sucking up the oxygen and not leaving me any. I also don't like talking to strangers. Even worse than that is going to functions that are filled with people I only see once a year. They all remember me and come up and start talking to me, but I don't remember them at all.
I've learned to cope better over the years and I can enjoy functions if my husband is with me or if it is less than 15 people and I know them all. Barring that, I've learned to find a corner to hide in or go help in the kitchen if it is a house party. I also carry my knitting to places like school concerts and high school graduations. This works really well because non-knitters assume that I am counting stitches and can't talk, so they don't approach me.
Party.
What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.
(Author: Shauna Reid)
Those who know me can probably figure out that the answer to this prompt is going to be short and sweet. I don't like parties and most social gatherings. I avoid them at all costs. When I was younger, I would become anxious in any situation that would have me surrounded by a lot of people -- parties, shopping at Christmas, attending services at large churches, company picnics. As I often tell people, it is like all those people are sucking up the oxygen and not leaving me any. I also don't like talking to strangers. Even worse than that is going to functions that are filled with people I only see once a year. They all remember me and come up and start talking to me, but I don't remember them at all.
I've learned to cope better over the years and I can enjoy functions if my husband is with me or if it is less than 15 people and I know them all. Barring that, I've learned to find a corner to hide in or go help in the kitchen if it is a house party. I also carry my knitting to places like school concerts and high school graduations. This works really well because non-knitters assume that I am counting stitches and can't talk, so they don't approach me.
08 December 2010
Reverb 10: Day 8
Today's prompt:
Beautifully Different.
Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.
(Author: Karen Walrond)
By all accounts, I'm a quirky gal. I'm a black chick who isn't stereotypically "black". I listen to country and my favorite clothing styles are from the 1940s. I love to read romances set in the 1800s. I know how to knit, crochet, latch hook, and cross stitch. Crowds make me nervous and I will tip better if the waitress doesn't talk to me. I don't give a flip about housework and I don't coo over babies (despite being a mother of four). These and a host of other things about me may not sound particularly strange to the world at large, but it makes me different than all the people I know in real life. I've gotten used to comments like, "Nobody does that but you."
For a while I was uncomfortable with always being the odd gal out. I even went through a period of time where I kept telling myself that I would try to conform. When I turned 40, however, I embraced all my quirks including my snarky sense of humor. Luckily, I've finally found people who enjoy me just the way I am.
Beautifully Different.
Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.
(Author: Karen Walrond)
By all accounts, I'm a quirky gal. I'm a black chick who isn't stereotypically "black". I listen to country and my favorite clothing styles are from the 1940s. I love to read romances set in the 1800s. I know how to knit, crochet, latch hook, and cross stitch. Crowds make me nervous and I will tip better if the waitress doesn't talk to me. I don't give a flip about housework and I don't coo over babies (despite being a mother of four). These and a host of other things about me may not sound particularly strange to the world at large, but it makes me different than all the people I know in real life. I've gotten used to comments like, "Nobody does that but you."
For a while I was uncomfortable with always being the odd gal out. I even went through a period of time where I kept telling myself that I would try to conform. When I turned 40, however, I embraced all my quirks including my snarky sense of humor. Luckily, I've finally found people who enjoy me just the way I am.
07 December 2010
Reverb 10: Day 7
Today's prompt:
Community.
Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?
(Author: Cali Harris)
Several years ago, I used to listen to a podcast called Wingin' It. This was one of the first shows I knew of that let people listen to a "live stream" of the podcast as it was being recorded. I tuned in every Saturday and many of the same people were in the chatroom. As the regulars got to know each other, we began to follow each other's blogs and podcasts, befriend each other on other services like Twitter, and even have Skype chats deep into the night about various topics. I really felt like I was part of a community then.
My participation in online communities has been somewhat stagnant in 2010. Farpoint Media stopped recording Wingin' It in 2008. For a while after that Twitter was a place to keep up with all the Wingin' It listeners. It was new and small and felt like a chatroom that I could carry around on my phone. Now Twitter is more of a news feed for me. I've tried other social networks, but sites like Facebook don't really click with me.
I'm not sure if I want to get more deeply involved in an online community. Some would say that I spend too much time with my fingers on the keyboard (where did I put my knitting?).On the other hand, I do miss Poetry Thursday; it ended in 2008 and you may still see some of my posts for that under Creativity. If I did decide that I wanted to build up my online presence, it would most likely involve sites to which I already belong and that have a connection to my offline pursuits. I've been a member of Ravelry since its 2007 beta launch, but I rarely post in the discussion forums; same thing with Goodreads. Those sites have been more for me to keep up with my needlework and reading than anything else. I've also been writing Sunday Salon posts on my book blog for about a year, but lately I haven't really been visiting other participants as much as I did in the beginning. Those are the places where I would start looking for my new online tribe.
Community.
Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?
(Author: Cali Harris)
Several years ago, I used to listen to a podcast called Wingin' It. This was one of the first shows I knew of that let people listen to a "live stream" of the podcast as it was being recorded. I tuned in every Saturday and many of the same people were in the chatroom. As the regulars got to know each other, we began to follow each other's blogs and podcasts, befriend each other on other services like Twitter, and even have Skype chats deep into the night about various topics. I really felt like I was part of a community then.
My participation in online communities has been somewhat stagnant in 2010. Farpoint Media stopped recording Wingin' It in 2008. For a while after that Twitter was a place to keep up with all the Wingin' It listeners. It was new and small and felt like a chatroom that I could carry around on my phone. Now Twitter is more of a news feed for me. I've tried other social networks, but sites like Facebook don't really click with me.
I'm not sure if I want to get more deeply involved in an online community. Some would say that I spend too much time with my fingers on the keyboard (where did I put my knitting?).On the other hand, I do miss Poetry Thursday; it ended in 2008 and you may still see some of my posts for that under Creativity. If I did decide that I wanted to build up my online presence, it would most likely involve sites to which I already belong and that have a connection to my offline pursuits. I've been a member of Ravelry since its 2007 beta launch, but I rarely post in the discussion forums; same thing with Goodreads. Those sites have been more for me to keep up with my needlework and reading than anything else. I've also been writing Sunday Salon posts on my book blog for about a year, but lately I haven't really been visiting other participants as much as I did in the beginning. Those are the places where I would start looking for my new online tribe.
06 December 2010
Reverb 10: Day 6
Today's Reverb 10 prompt:
December 6 – Make.
What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
(Author: Gretchen Rubin)
Technically, the very last thing I made was barbecue chicken pizza last Thursday. I know that most people wouldn't consider dinner something I made, but my kids would. You see, we usually eat out of cans and boxes, so if I put anything on the table that even resembles a from-scratch meal my kids rejoice! Last week, I cooked three times:
--chicken and dumplings, using broth made from bouillon powder and dumplings made from Bisquick;
--barbecue chicken pizza, using a ready-made whole wheat crust and bottled BBQ sauce
--lentil and ham soup, using a bag of lentils that came with a packet of garlic herb seasoning and the ham bone from our Thanksgiving ham.
These meals are what some would call "semi-homemade" but they made us happy.
As for something I made that is a little more lasting, I crocheted a headband to tame my Afro.
I tend to make small items because I can't seem to finish bigger ones. However, I am still working on my December charity project, so that is what I am trying to make time for. If only I could pull my fingers away from the keyboard long enough to knit!
December 6 – Make.
What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
(Author: Gretchen Rubin)
Technically, the very last thing I made was barbecue chicken pizza last Thursday. I know that most people wouldn't consider dinner something I made, but my kids would. You see, we usually eat out of cans and boxes, so if I put anything on the table that even resembles a from-scratch meal my kids rejoice! Last week, I cooked three times:
--chicken and dumplings, using broth made from bouillon powder and dumplings made from Bisquick;
--barbecue chicken pizza, using a ready-made whole wheat crust and bottled BBQ sauce
--lentil and ham soup, using a bag of lentils that came with a packet of garlic herb seasoning and the ham bone from our Thanksgiving ham.
These meals are what some would call "semi-homemade" but they made us happy.
As for something I made that is a little more lasting, I crocheted a headband to tame my Afro.
I tend to make small items because I can't seem to finish bigger ones. However, I am still working on my December charity project, so that is what I am trying to make time for. If only I could pull my fingers away from the keyboard long enough to knit!
05 December 2010
Catching Up on Reverb 10
Today I was reading old posts under my Creativity label, trying to find blogging inspiration. Even in reading my own blog, I can get distracted by links and go down the rabbit hole a ways. I went to a blog I haven't read in a while, and found out about a project called Reverb 10. The project provides its participants with a different writing prompt for each day of December, focusing on reviewing your life in 2010 and sending out good vibes for 2011. This blog seems to have gotten stagnant, along with all my other creative endeavors, so I think that participating in Reverb 10 may be a good way to shake things up.
Since I'm coming into the project late, I am using this post to catch up on the first five prompts. Here we go!
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December 1 - One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)
My one word would be uncertainty. Since I finally have health insurance after a long spell without, I spent most of 2010 having medical tests done to track down the cause of some weird symptoms I've been experiencing. This involved meeting with specialists that had busy schedules and sending blood off to faraway clinics, so a lot of the time I was waiting to find out results. For a while there the diagnosis was narrowed down to two choices and neither one of them was great. The uncertainty of which disease I had and what my life would be like haunted me while I waited to get an appointment with a specialist who could tell me for certain.
Now that I have a definite diagnosis, I would like my word for 2011 to be contentment. By the end of next year, I hope to be at peace with the diagnosis and the treatment regimen, as well as other things like my limitations as far as what I can and can't get done.
December 2 - Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)
The big culprits are TV and the internet. I've been a TV junkie since I was kid and my roster of shows to watch hasn't diminished much. In some ways, having a DVR and access to streaming shows online has made things worse. In the past, if I didn't get home in time to watch a certain show I would go read a book or find something else to do. Nowadays, that certain show is available to watch on my timetable. I never seem to run out of shows to watch during my limited free time. It has been difficult in the past for me to voluntarily watch less TV so I don't know if I will do any better during 2011.
Wow. This is a tough one. I've spent so much of the year almost obsessively dwelling on every ache, pain, and weird symptom that I don't believe I had a moment like the one referred to in this prompt. "Feeling alive" is usually described as an experience that is exhilarating and rejuvenating. I've felt alive this year, alright, but not in that way. I know I'm still alive whenever I have to give myself another shot. The injection itself doesn't hurt, but for some reason the sight of the needle sliding into my skin makes my heart beat a little too quickly. If I don't let the medicine warm up enough before the shot, it burns as it goes in. Pushing the plunger down slowly when every part of me is screaming, "Take the needle out!" is difficult. Then when I massage the injection site, I feel pricks as if I'm pushing broken glass into my skin. As for smells, syringes will always be associated with the scent of Downy in my mind because I use an empty fabric softener bottle to dispose of my sharps.
Wonder is not something I experience often in myself, but that is where having four kids is handy! Introducing them to new music and movies and seeing how much they enjoy them keeps the fun of discovery alive for me. Not only do I share old favorites from my childhood, but I also try to keep abreast of new media to find items that might be of interest to my brood.
I'm 43 and I've been doing a little bit of "letting go" each year since I turned 40. This year I've been working on letting go of my filter and saying exactly what's on my mind instead of hinting around. I don't mean being rude or vulgar; I just mean saying to my husband, "This is what I need for these reasons" instead of meekly suggesting, "Wouldn't it be nice if . . .", for instance. In the past I've been afraid of hearing people say "no" to me, as if that is the worst thing that could happen. Not anymore -- if someone says "no", I'll survive!
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Catching up on Reverb 10 was fun and I'm looking forward to using future prompts to help me review the events of the past year.
Since I'm coming into the project late, I am using this post to catch up on the first five prompts. Here we go!
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December 1 - One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)
My one word would be uncertainty. Since I finally have health insurance after a long spell without, I spent most of 2010 having medical tests done to track down the cause of some weird symptoms I've been experiencing. This involved meeting with specialists that had busy schedules and sending blood off to faraway clinics, so a lot of the time I was waiting to find out results. For a while there the diagnosis was narrowed down to two choices and neither one of them was great. The uncertainty of which disease I had and what my life would be like haunted me while I waited to get an appointment with a specialist who could tell me for certain.
Now that I have a definite diagnosis, I would like my word for 2011 to be contentment. By the end of next year, I hope to be at peace with the diagnosis and the treatment regimen, as well as other things like my limitations as far as what I can and can't get done.
December 2 - Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)
The big culprits are TV and the internet. I've been a TV junkie since I was kid and my roster of shows to watch hasn't diminished much. In some ways, having a DVR and access to streaming shows online has made things worse. In the past, if I didn't get home in time to watch a certain show I would go read a book or find something else to do. Nowadays, that certain show is available to watch on my timetable. I never seem to run out of shows to watch during my limited free time. It has been difficult in the past for me to voluntarily watch less TV so I don't know if I will do any better during 2011.
December 3 – Moment.
Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).
(Author: Ali Edwards)
Wow. This is a tough one. I've spent so much of the year almost obsessively dwelling on every ache, pain, and weird symptom that I don't believe I had a moment like the one referred to in this prompt. "Feeling alive" is usually described as an experience that is exhilarating and rejuvenating. I've felt alive this year, alright, but not in that way. I know I'm still alive whenever I have to give myself another shot. The injection itself doesn't hurt, but for some reason the sight of the needle sliding into my skin makes my heart beat a little too quickly. If I don't let the medicine warm up enough before the shot, it burns as it goes in. Pushing the plunger down slowly when every part of me is screaming, "Take the needle out!" is difficult. Then when I massage the injection site, I feel pricks as if I'm pushing broken glass into my skin. As for smells, syringes will always be associated with the scent of Downy in my mind because I use an empty fabric softener bottle to dispose of my sharps.
December 4 – Wonder.
How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
(Author: Jeffrey Davis)
Wonder is not something I experience often in myself, but that is where having four kids is handy! Introducing them to new music and movies and seeing how much they enjoy them keeps the fun of discovery alive for me. Not only do I share old favorites from my childhood, but I also try to keep abreast of new media to find items that might be of interest to my brood.
I'm 43 and I've been doing a little bit of "letting go" each year since I turned 40. This year I've been working on letting go of my filter and saying exactly what's on my mind instead of hinting around. I don't mean being rude or vulgar; I just mean saying to my husband, "This is what I need for these reasons" instead of meekly suggesting, "Wouldn't it be nice if . . .", for instance. In the past I've been afraid of hearing people say "no" to me, as if that is the worst thing that could happen. Not anymore -- if someone says "no", I'll survive!
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Catching up on Reverb 10 was fun and I'm looking forward to using future prompts to help me review the events of the past year.
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