getting caught up.

I started off the year enrolled in Ali Edwards' One Little Word class.  I eagerly set up my album and completed the January prompt. 

Then I left it alone.

Until yesterday, I had absolutely no desire to continue on with the album.  February was a hard month for me, and I've backtracked on my road to healthfulness significantly.  I made lists and lists of to-dos and wishes, and didn't follow through with anything.  I was in complete denial.

Then we had a stretch of a few pretty days.  The weather got nicer, and I found a new source of motivation within me.

So yesterday I picked up that album and put together February's prompt.  The fact that February is over didn't matter.

 

The February prompt required that I search for evidence of my word - renew - around me each day and photograph images that represent the word, both literally and figuratively.  I was not very aware during February, and decided that considering my mental state I should look elsewhere.  I searched online for images that represent renewal to me and decided to use them in the prompt instead.  This is probably not exactly what Ali had in mind, but I think it was just as meaningful of an exercise for me right now.

 

On the left is my grid of found photographs.  On the right is a page from Whole Living Magazine that I cut out, listing 10 thoughts that focus on healing and being present.  I felt it was very appropriate here.

On the back of that page I put the formal definition of renew.  The bottom is embellished a bit with strips of paper, a Jenni Bowlin pearl accent and the new Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon from Stampin' Up! that I am just in love with.

I felt much better after finishing up this prompt.  I'm now ready to move forward.

howdy, stranger.

Well, hello there.  It's been a while, huh?  Things have been a bit crazy here lately.  Let's catch up!

I am (still) reading "Last Night on Twisted River" by John Irving.   This book "L" on my A to Z Reading Challenge list. It's slow going, but not because I'm not enjoying the book.  Usually, by the time I sit down to read in the evening I am so exhausted that I fall asleep after a few pages.  The book is fantastic, though.

I am continuing my journey.  I am still participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word class, but have admittedly been slacking off a bit.  This month's assignment was to take photographs of your word in action.  I have been disappointingly unmotivated and uninspired to do so.  I know that I do not have to follow every prompt exactly, so I have been thinking about flipping through Flickr to find other people's photographs that represent my word, Renew.  Here in the dead of winter (with fresh snow on the ground at that) I'm not feeling very renewed.  I'll get there, though.  There's no time frame for this project, so I'm not worried about rushing to get it finished before the next prompt.  I'll work at my own pace.

I had oral surgery last week.  The surgeon removed six of my molars that were damaged beyond repair.  It's been quite an ordeal to recover from that surgery - worse than I thought it would be.  They were removed on Friday and I'm just now starting to feel better.  Luckily, we had a snow day today so I have one additional day to recover before I have to go back to work tomorrow. 

I've been crocheting a lot.  Mostly because it's something that I can do while crashed on the couch.  And I've been making a granny square afghan, so I can do small pieces at a time...in case the percocet interferes with my ability to concentrate, lol.  I'll share pictures soon.

I've been playing with my new phone.  Brett got me a Droid Incredible.  LOVE it.  I can't say enough good things about it.  My only complaint is the short battery life, but that's manageable.  I had contemplated getting an iphone since Verizon finally picked it up, but honestly, I like the droid so much better.  Even using my ipod touch after playing with the phone is not satisfying at all.

Well - back to working on that blanket by the fireplace.  Stay warm, everyone!

january prompt.

I finally finished my One Little Word prompt for January.  We were to put together research we have done on our word of the year.  Definition, synonyms, quotes, etc., and write about what it meant to us.  The final product went into these uber-cute 9-pocket page protectors from Pink Paislee.  I am seriously in love.



I put a lot of work into this layout, and played around with Photoshop Elements for the text.  I'm really starting to learn my way around that program, and really like the hybrid look here.  This may very well change the way I scrapbook in the future.

and so it begins.

Today is the first day of the Whole Living 28-Day Challenge and I am psyched.

I know that I can do this.  That I can eat more healthfully and take better care of my body.

I will eat several small meals throughout the day, starting off with one of their suggested smoothies.  Yum.  I made some other goodies over the weekend to prepare and will definitely share some recipes later on this week as I try them out.

Most worried about the lack of caffeine at this point...we'll see how that goes.

Wish me luck!
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Worked on my One Little Word class this past weekend.  My page is not quite done (I'll share when it is), but I did figure out a little about Photoshop Elements and put this together for the inside of my title page...I love it!

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We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise, we harden.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

renew.

Ali Edwards has been running a one little word challenge for the past few years.  Basically, you pick a word to live by in the coming new year and reflect upon its meaning in your life.

Previously, I have chosen a word and then promptly dismissed it come February.

This year, Ali has teamed up with Big Picture Classes to offer a class entitled One Little Word.  This class will return your focus back to your chosen word the first of each month in 2011.  I am very excited, and promptly signed up. 

My one little word for 2011 is RENEW.

re·new   /rɪˈnu, -ˈnyu/
To begin or take up again; resume; to make effective for an additional period; to restore or replenish; to make, say, or do again; to revive; reestablish; to recover; to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.

Happy New Year!