More Reverberations

So, I keep thinking about some of those Reverb10 prompts. They're helping me think more about what I want for myself this year. Here's another prompt that really got me thinking...

Beyond Avoidance. What should you have done this last year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? {Bonus: Will you do it?} {Author: Jake Nickell}

Sadly, I think there are lots of things I could say I avoided last year. Or didn't have enough time or energy to complete...

Too scared? Uh, asking The Crush out. People constantly told me to do it, but I swear I'd break out in hives and start hyperventilating at the mere thought. Bonus question-- Will I do it? Um...um...

Moving on...

Unsure? Picking a paint color for my kitchen/dining room. I know, I know, it's just paint. People say you can repaint it right away if you decide you don't like it, but gosh, that seems silly to me. I think because those rooms are so big and a little complicated to paint, it feels a bit daunting. I can't imagine the effort to redo it. Plus, I don't have the cash to just blow on gallons of paint simply to end up hating them. Will I do it? It's on my list for this year...and I think I've narrowed down the paint colors!

My bedroom revamp could fall under this one too, I suppose. I wanted to find bedding that I liked and was affordable first, then paint. Finding bedding has not been easy. Will I do it? Absolutely! In fact...I found bedding! Yup! I found a duvet cover for a great price at TJ Maxx! Now I want to find some other layers and textures, just like my inspiration pictures. And yes, one of the first things I did was pull out the paint chips I've gathered...but I think I'll grab a few more before I make any decisions.


Busy? Worried? Otherwise deterred? Yes, submitting the paperwork for my license and taking the national exam. I swear I was making awesome progress on studying in September and October and had the best intentions of getting everything underway. Then things at work got so busy and I was just exhausted and worried and just trying to manage everyday tasks. Will I do it? Well obviously, yes. I need a license. Good news actually, I ended up getting my application to the State in the mail right before the end of the year! I buckled down and finished things one day while at my parents' house after Christmas. It felt SO good to get that in the mail. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the State- the next step is for them to approve me to take the national exam. Then I will apply to take the exam, pay, and set a date! Woohoo!

Your turn! What didn't you get to do in 2010? Did it make your list for 2011?

Reflecting, Continued

Continuing on from my previous post... 

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}

The last thing I actually made were bats. Yup, Halloween bats. I downloaded a template, bought some nice black scrapbook paper (12x12 in case you were wondering) and went to town cutting out bats of various sizes! It was a nice break from studying at the time. 

Super easy! To attach them I just used Scotch tape. I think I had a few more when I was finished, but you get the idea.

I’ve had this old door desk project on my to-do list for a looong time now, but haven’t gotten to it. It will go in my green room and will be quite large and lovely I think! I’ve seen them elsewhere but this version really caught my eye {I love her whole office actually and aren't those dogs adorable?}. I have the old door out in my garage, awaiting some cleaning and sanding, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. And since my garage is basically a glorified shed, it’s a bit of a pain at the moment to run extension cords out there for the sander…not to mention it’s winter now. Ugh. But it will be done in 2011. Oh yes, it will be done.

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}

This is one of those bittersweet things for me right now. I really feel a sense of community with my colleagues…mostly my immediate team, but also including a few others I’ve gotten to know pretty well. I’ve found community at a few different moments and places, but overall it’s been situation-specific and fleeting. Lately I’ve realized I don’t feel connected here, almost like I could pack up and move somewhere else without much hesitation {no, I don’t plan to any time soon, seriously}. 

So in 2011 I plan to get more connected, explore more, meet more people, find my place. I’m not sure exactly how I’m going to do this. I’ve searched for scrapbook stuff and I’m having a tough time finding things. I’ve honestly considered taking a class or something like {gulp} knitting. I cannot knit to save my life, but it seems everyone is knitting AND it would come in handy, wouldn’t it? Any thoughts??  

Stay tuned for more...

Reflecting

So awhile ago I came across reverb10 on a couple of blogs I read and thought it was an interesting concept:

Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. 

However, at the time I was so overwhelmed I couldn't possibly commit to responding to a prompt every. single. day. No way, no how. It just wasn't gonna happen.

I've been getting the emails every day though, and I've thought a lot about a few ... some of them are really tough! So here goes...

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}

I've been thinking about this one for awhile and I'll be honest... I've really struggled! I'm not sure I can pick one word to describe all of 2010. My first thought today is "challenging" but I'm not sure if that's just a reflection of where I'm at right now. Hmm...if 2009 was a year of change, then 2010 has been a year of adjustment. To adjust means to grow into, conform, adapt, to put into working order and I feel like that has been much of what my year has been about. Between establishing working on myself professionally and making my house and yard more my own, I'd have to say adjustments have definitely been made. I suppose I've also worked on myself personally, even though I never really did complete that darn list. My word for 2011 is balance. You know I struggle with balance and self-care and I need to make that a priority in the upcoming year.

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}

I know it's silly...and yes, it's been painful, but CrushGate has definitely left me feeling quite alive this year. The exhilaration, hope, giddiness, embarrassment, etc., have left me with weak knees, a flushed face, goofy smile, and pounding heart... also nausea and dizziness. Heck, it's better than a rollercoaster! {And yes, I just cheated because technically CrushGate has been a series of moments. Deal with it.}

Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? 

I didn't realize this until I was looking back over my blog for the year, but I can answer this without a doubt: I picked up a camera. I'm not a photographer. I don't have a super-fancy-schmancy camera. I've never taken a photography class in my life and really didn't know much of anything when I started playing around. I've read a few things since then, but I'm still pretty astonished when I end up with a good picture (after LOTS of bad shots). I love the macro (or really close-up) shots. There's something awesome about seeing something pretty common, like a flower or a growing pepper, super-close up like that. It just makes me appreciate things in a whole new way.

This cultivated wonder in me

And this

And definitely this

Seeing these pictures again makes me feel a little better about the chilly damp weather out there today...

Anyway, how would you respond to one or all of the prompts above? I'm dying to know...