Monday, December 6, 2010

Make - What is the last thing I made?

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)



Well as a side business I make childrens dress up attire, quilts, blankets, burp cloths etc.  If you want you can check my facebook page for that business out at Miss Mandie's Creations.  I recently finished a set of burp cloths that were tigger themed for a friend from high school. I used green Tigger flannel, and white flannel backer. I don't have pictures with me but as I said before just click the link and you can see LOTS of samples!

Let Go

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)


So this year I have let go of many things, some that were very important to me and some that werent. I decided I needed to make choices that were good for me and my family and to filter out certain things or people that weren't positive in our world. Doing so hurts. It's not always something you want to do, but need to. So this year I have let go of Drama. I don't have time for it, don't need it around and don't ever want to see it again!

Wonder

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)



Dictionary.com says that wonder means:
–verb (used without object)


1. to think or speculate curiously: to wonder about the origin of the solar system.

2. to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel (often fol. by at ): He wondered at her composure in such a crisis.

3. to doubt: I wonder if she'll really get here

I believe that I have felt all of these sences of wonder this year.

At the begining of the year I wondered if I would EVER get a job!

Toward the middle of the year I had a lot of wonder for my husband.  I wondered at his ability to take over being a SAHD and how smoothly he makes things run.

I also felt #3, I wonderd if I was at the right place work wise, and corrected it when the opportunity came up. 

I have a lot of wonder for my children. I am constantly in awe of how fast they grow and learn. I was in wonder as my son read me Brown Bear Brown Bear at his conference at school. I didn't even know he could read!! My eyes teared up  and I was in complete awe.

Moment

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, one moment I felt most alive.  It was Memorial Day weekend and Josh took us to the Oregon Coast for the weekend.  I remember walking down this long pathway to the beach smelling the salty air, and watching my boys eyes grow so big when we finally made it to the bottom and they could just run and run. We took our shoes off and played ball, flew kites, made sand castles and "chased" the waves.  I remember watching the clouds get closer and closer and telling my husband that it smells like rain. Sure enough it started pouring. So here we are all soaking wet, climbing back up this huge steep pathway with two kids (ages 5 & 1) and all the stuff we took. I will have to say that that day, those couple hours were the most alive I felt all year long.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Day 2 - Writing

December 2 Writing.


What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?

(Author: Leo Babauta)



Let's start off that I work full time and have a 1 - 1.5 hour commute each way Monday thru Friday.  Then when I get home I have these two little monsters that want all of my attention! Not to mention the big Monster!  My family takes up ALL my time and I feel bad even taking a few minutes to write, or craft, paint or sew.   I think that I will "focus" (looking back at yesterdays post) a little bit more on time management so I can fit in that time for either blogging, or my sewing and crafting. I believe that I need more "me" time and less "take care of others" time.  

Chuck E Cheese Deals

Attention all parents!  I found an AWESOME way to get the kids to follow directions, listen, do their homework, read, go potty on the toilet etc!!! Chuck E Cheese is has these great "reward calendars" that if your child does well in any given category, they receive 10 tokens free!!!  How cool is that! Here is the link to the website where you can print out the reward calendars!

Below is a shot of the types of reward calendars that they offer! 


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

One Word - Change

Today's Prompt is "One Word" 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 for 2010 is CHANGE


According to dictionary.com Change is defined as
–verb (used with object)


1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.


2. to transform or convert (usually fol. by into ): The witch changed the prince into a toad.


3. to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.


4. to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.


5. to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.



-verb (used without object)


9. to become different: Overnight the nation's mood changed.


10. to become altered or modified: Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.


11. to become transformed or converted (usually fol. by into ): The toad changed into a prince again.


12. to pass gradually into (usually fol. by to or into ): Summer changed to autumn.


13. to make a change or an exchange: If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.


–noun


14. the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed.


19. a transformation or modification; alteration: They noticed the change in his facial expression.


20. a variation or deviation: a change in the daily routine.



I picked a word with many definitions which maybe was the easy way out, but most of them fit my life for 2010. (I promise!)

  • I went from being a stay at home unemployed mother of two boys to a employed mother of two!  (I'd say that is a change!). 
  • My husband has taken over at home and is a SAHD, and is great at it! (Another change in our family).
  • We moved from Tacoma to Fife, better neighborhood, schools, etc because with my oldest son starting Kindergarten I wanted to make sure we were in a better school district.  (Another change!) 
  • I have focused on a few smaller side businesses as well as really getting my Real Estate career going. I don't think that its the perfect time to really GET INTO Real Estate, but I'm not JUST getting into it. I've done it for the last 12 years! Toward the end of 2010 I have decided I want to get out there and do some serious business.  My business is based off of referrals so please don't hesitate to hollar for any Real Estate needs!
  • Did I say I have a Kindergartner? Did I tell you what huge CHANGE it is to have a child in school!?! My days of being a working mom with no extra activities is OVER!  Kids  have taken over the schedule...and that's a GREAT CHANGE!!!!
So now about 2011...

FOCUS!





Dictionary.com defines focus as

–noun


1. a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity: The need to prevent a nuclear war became the focus of all diplomatic efforts.

2. Optics .

a. the focal point of a lens.

b. the focal length of a lens.

c. the clear and sharply defined condition of an image.

d. the position of a viewed object or the adjustment of an optical device necessary to produce a clear image: in focus; out of focus.


–verb (used with object)

7. to bring to a focus or into focus: to focus the lens of a camera.

8. to concentrate: to focus one's thoughts.

–verb (used without object)

9. to become focused.

That being said I am going to "focus" or concentrate, on all the good things that are going to happen in 2011!  I have set goals and will achieve them. But to do that I have to focus.

Let's see what tomorrow's blog posting topic will have me think about!  See you tomorrow!