I've Been...

>> Exploring nearby cities I've never been to before.
>> Celebrating my awesome Dad.
>> Watching my nieces play soccer.
>> Visiting my happy place.
>> Watching the Twins take on the White Sox. Clear skies and cooler temps made for a perfect evening to watch outdoor ball.
>> Spending the afternoon at the beach, soaking up the beauty of summer.
>> Bringing home a haul from the farmer's market. Eating baby cucumbers by the handful.
>> Enjoying a neighborhood jazz concert and eating the most delicious beet salad wrap.
>> Playing Wii Music with my nieces and rolling on the floor in laughter at our conductor skills.
>> Eating fresh blueberries off my sister's plant.
>> Scrapping while watching You've Got Mail (ode to Nora Ephron)
>> Making menus, buying super soakers, and writing must do lists for our family's week together.

Summer always flies by. I hate that about summer. There's a lot on tap for July, but I need to squeeze in a few more things! Ready, set, go!

My Christmas Wish Came True

My one and only Christmas wish came true. I got a job! As many of you know, I've been unemployed nearly a year, so this was truly an amazing gift. I am beyond thrilled! I'm doing work I'm excited and passionate about, which makes it even more amazing. I'm still absorbing it all and I'm still a bit in shock actually. But I can't wait to get started.

I'm so ready to put 2011 behind me. It's been a difficult year worrying about money, worrying about my future, carrying a lot of humiliation and enduring a lot of rejection. I am so very thankful to my parents, my brother and my sister who kept me going, who reminded me I could do it, who edited countless cover letters, who provided comic relief, who listened to me cry and yell in frustration and anger, and so much more. I simply couldn't have done it without them.

There were also many friends, former colleagues and complete strangers that gave of their time, shared advice and provided counsel. I am in their debt.

I also want to be clear that it wasn't all doom and gloom. There were definitely wonderful times this year, like meeting Josh Ritter, being published for the first time, traveling to the North Shore, and seeing my brother and his family more than any other year in recent memory. Hey, that gives me an idea for a layout!

I learned a lot too and I'm sure as I have more time to reflect, I'll realize even more. I could write a novel on the dos and don'ts of navigating unemployment, but here are a few that came to mind.

I learned that tenacity and perseverance pays off.
I learned that so many people want to help, but don't always know how. I learned I needed to ask.
I learned that getting up everyday with a to do list in hand was essential.
I learned that listening to all the financial gurus about saving for a rainy day totally paid off.
I learned it was okay and good for my mental health to take time to have fun and treat myself every once in awhile to take out or a movie.
I learned that volunteering was critical for keeping perspective.
I learned there is so much more to what makes a person worthy and special than what they do for a living.

I feel like the world is full of opportunities again. I can start dreaming and planning and wishing again.  I'm already excited about a few things on the horizon. I'm also thinking about how I can pay forward all of the love and kindness I received. 2012 is going to be awesome.

Hello Monday

Here's hoping good news arrives today.

Happy Halloween! What is everyone up to? I'm going to my sister's to see my nieces all dressed up. Whatever you have planned, I hope it involves some sugary goodness.

I'll be back a bit later with another post! Making up for my absence last week.

Under The Weather

I was hit hard by a run of the mill cold on Sunday. I'm starving it with green tea, juice, warm showers and rest. It has awful timing, as my birthday festivities are coming up. I'm determined to get rid of it as fast as it invaded.

I will be back soon!

{How do you get rid of a nasty cold?}

Hello April.

Hello Spring?! I hope, I hope.
Hello open windows.
Hello celebrating with family.
Hello walking outside.
Hello lunches with friends.
Hello exploring a new city.
Hello Easter egg hunt and 4-square.
Hello new volunteer opportunities.
Hello meeting new people.
Hello blooms.
Hello getting my Mom on April Fool's Day. 
Hello a mini fresh start.

What is in store for you this April?

Taking A Break

I'm taking a break from blogging this week. I need some time to focus on a few other things.

But I'll be back next week.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

Have a wonderful week.

Makes Me Happy

These pretty in pink tulips make me happy.

Getting my niece's autograph after her school performance makes me happy.

Getting Scrapbooks, Etc. in my mailbox makes me happy.

Enjoying a tasty dinner not made by me makes me happy.

A freshly made bed makes me happy.

Cookies and cream ice cream makes me happy.

Fridays make me happy.

I hope something is making you happy today.

Have a great weekend.

Hello November

I love the start of a new month. It's like a mini New Year's Eve. The chance to make new plans and new lists. The chance to reflect on the previous month. October was a great month. I did everything I thought I would and more, except the bowling. Will try to remedy that soon, because I do love the bowling.

What's in store for November? I'll be voting. (You should too!) I'll be ushering in colder weather. I'll be celebrating my sister's birthday (Yay! for birthdays). I'll be attending several plays/concerts. I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving with my entire family (Can't wait). I'll be taking some time off work. I'll be going to a movie alone. I'll be having a sleepover with my nieces.

What's in store for you this November?

The List

Ten on Tuesday will be back next week, but today I'm sharing the list of all lists. My 33 things I want to do during my 33rd year list. By the way, how in the heck am I 33? Good grief, life has certainly sped up.

This is my third year creating a list like this. I do this instead of New Year's goals. I find that I stick to these more. This year, fun was my focus. I've included a few from last year's list that I didn't complete, but I'm still determined to cross off, like #10. I included several unlikely ones, like #24. But oh, how fun that would be! I included several aimed at bettering myself, like #26. I will try and document each one as I complete it and share it with you here. Could make for a fun mini album!

1. Create a tour of cupcake shops in the area and then take the tour, of course.
2. Go to a taping of Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me.
3. Go to a movie alone.
4. Buy a new camera. (Get this one done already)
5. Have a drink on three new restaurant patios next summer.
6. Visit the James J. Hill house.
7. Document a week in my life.
8. Be brave. Get unstuck.
9. Go to a Twins game at the new Target Field.
10. Travel overseas. (Get this one done already too!)
11. Write something. Anything.
12. Organize a food shelf donation project.
13. Have a girl's weekend.
14. Change up the blog.
15. Watch a documentary
16. Visit three cities in MN I've never been to. At least have lunch.
17. Scan old photos.
18. Skype more with my brother and his family.
19. Watch a film made before 1980.
20. Give out more compliments.
21. Make another pillow.
22. Take a Summit Brewing tour.
23. Take deep, cleansing breaths.
24. Be a part of a flash mob.
25. Make a blurb book.
26. Be better at admitting I'm wrong.
27. Refrain from eating out for a month.
28. Go to a Josh Ritter concert.
29. Send more snail mail.
30. Learn Photoshop Elements. (Ongoing)
31. Send an email commenting on a newspaper article, a piece on TV, etc.
32. Make a crisp.
33. Be thankful for all of it.

10.10.10

Wow, sorry I disappeared all last week! Thankfully, it was all really fun stuff keeping me busy. I was celebrating my birthday and volunteering for the Jimmy Carter Habitat Work Project. I'll be sharing about both of these things, but today I'm going to recap yesterday, 10.10.10. It was a glorious day. Shake your head in awe kind of day. In the 80s. Record breaking weather for Minnesota in October. I was wearing flip flops for goodness sakes.

The day started with a trip to the Farmer's Market, which is just down the block from me. Because I'm part of a veggie share, I haven't been to the market very often and I miss it. There's so much wonderful produce. All the color and seductive smells. Yum. I picked up some radishes, green peppers, apples, a mum and a couple mini pumpkins.

Next up, brunch at the Cheeky Monkey. Now, if you live anywhere near St. Paul, you must eat at the Cheeky Monkey. Really delicious food and a cozy atmosphere. All dishes are made with fresh, local produce. My niece got a book at the library about Chinese astrology. I learned that I'm a Yin Fire Snake. Really? A snake? Of all the choices, I had to be a snake. The characteristics didn't fit me very well either, but it was fun to read about it with M. We shared a lot of giggles.

We ended the day with a Mississippi River Fall Colors Cruise. This was something I had asked to do for my birthday. We were supposed to go last weekend, but the flooding on the Mississippi made it impossible. It was worth the wait. What a lovely ride. The colors were a bit past peak, but the day was picture perfect. We enjoyed the beauty, listened to the history of the river, waved at passing speedboats, played tic-tac-toe and Hangman and inhaled several boxes of popcorn.

The day wouldn't be complete without a jumping picture, or an attempt at one at least.

I'm so thankful for my family who helps me to fulfill my wishes. I know I sometimes have some crazy ideas.

And thanks to all of you for sticking with me during my absence.

What have you all been up to? Leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you.

I'm off to have a cup of tea and eat a cupcake. (Thanks Mom!)

Have a great week everyone!

Hello October

Photo by Evgeni Dinev

I know Friday is usually reserved for Flashback Friday, but I've been having a hard time thinking of content for it, so today I'm trying something new.  I will sprinkle Flashback Friday in every once in awhile, but Fridays won't be reserved for that purpose.

So, October is here. Hallelujah! My favorite month.I love fall and October is true fall. The cooler, crisper weather. The sweaters. The hot chocolate. The changing leaves. Oh, the leaves. So beautiful. September is nice too, but I'm usually mourning the end of summer and not completely immersed in the changing season yet. The only downside to October? It passes by in a flash. In an attempt to enjoy my favorite month to the fullest, I've made plans. No surprise there, right?

I'm looking forward to:

*Running two 5ks

*Taking a Mississippi Fall Colors Cruise

*Going to a taping of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. 

*Volunteering at the Jimmy Carter Habitat Work Project

* Long, meandering walks through the crunchy leaves

*Going bowling

*Partying down with my nieces on Halloween

 and of course

*Celebrating my birthday!

What are your plans for October?

  

Four Simple Goals

I'm joining many of my favorite bloggers in stating my four simple goals for the rest of 2010. The idea came originally from Elsie.  I love this idea. We're entering a new month, a new season. The perfect time, I say. I love the feeling of a fresh start and I love goals and lists, so this is right up my alley. I also love that she focuses on goals that will make your life richer and happier. So, without further ado, my four simple goals. 

1) START (AGAIN) A GRATITUDE JOURNAL: I had this goal as part of my 32 things to do during my 32nd year, but I haven't been good about it at all. When reading through my past journals, I came across several gratitude journals I did several years ago and it was so great to read through them and see what was important to me then. I also appreciate the practice of being reflective. It gives me perspective and reminds me of my many blessings. 

2) TAKE MORE EVERYDAY PHOTOS: I take a ton of photos at events and on vacations, but I am seriously lacking when it comes to the everyday. I will start by doing it for a week and see how it goes. 

3) BE BRAVER: I won't say a lot about this one, except to say that I need to get out of my comfort zone. I've become much too complacent. I need to shake things up. 

4) TRY AND GET PUBLISHED: I will send my layouts to many magazines and see what happens. I'm focusing on the try part of this goal. Just putting myself out there will be a big accomplishment for me. 

Inspiration Has Returned

Thank goodness. I love a good crafty mess.

Over Halfway

For the last few years on my birthday, I have made a list of big and small goals that I'd like to accomplish for that year of my life. I have a list of 32 this year, and I'm over the halfway mark in the time I have left. My first blog post was all about it. I thought this would be a good time to check in to see how much I've done and how much I have left.

The stats:

I have only completed 10 of the 32. Eek.

Four are a definite no. Travel to Memphis to visit a friend. She no longer lives there.

Three are in the works. Go to a movie outside. I've researched and found a place rather close to where I live.

Here are a few I've accomplished.

#11. Start a blog. I started it on January 1 and am still going strong. This is my 89th post.

#8. Plant a tree in memory of my brother Rick. This was taken in November. When I was home this weekend, I meant to take another picture. I will do that in August when I'm back again.

#15. Go to a Broadway Play. I saw in In the Heights. Excellent play.

#18. Buy an instant camera. I have been coveting this camera for awhile and I finally bit the bullet and got it. Here are a couple of the first shots I took with it. It's taking a bit to get used to, as what you see in the viewfinder is not what comes out on the film. Makes it interesting for sure.

#20. Make a pillow. This wasn't on the original list, but I'm the executer of the list, so I figure I can change it if I want. More on this one later this week.

#27. Join a CSA. The verdict is still out on whether I'd do this again. There are definite positives, but also a few unexpected downsides. I'll reevaluate after we've gone through a full growing season.

I'll check in again closer to my birthday and hopefully I'll be closer to finishing all of them or at least a handful more. Here's to making lists and crossing things off. Does anyone else have a birthday to do list or a new year's list? How is it going for you?

Break

I'm taking a break from blogging this week. I so appreciate you stopping by and reading my little ol' blog, so I hope you'll come back next week! I hope everyone in the U.S. had a wonderful 4th.

Summer...finally!

We've had really beautiful weather around here lately. After work one night, I met a friend and her son for a walk around the lake and a picnic. A perfect evening. Stay tuned for a layout with the shadow photo. I love this photo! I love how we're in a shadow cocoon.

Best Laid Plans

So, this is what I've been up to. Drinking lots of liquids, taking medicines, sleeping and trying to shake this nasty head cold. My mom even suggested boiling a pot of water and sticking my head over it and breathing in the steam. I tried it. I'll try anything! I think it may have opened up my pores more than my sinuses though.

I had a lot planned for this week, like participating in Ali's Week in the Life project and walking to work for Earth Week. It's been a beautiful week too, lots of sun. Ugh! I'm so frustrated that I have no energy to do any of this.

I hope to be back to normal next week and I'll pick up where I left off. I hope you'll stop by.

Have a great weekend!