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Well, 2009 was an interesting journey. I didn't particularly enjoy it - it was a very bumpy ride to say the least. But, I'm hopeful about my revolution and I'm hopeful about a new beginning. And, even though I know we all can't see too far down the road, I'm looking forward to walking down it and seeing what's around the bend.
Happy New Year, peeps!
Days like this, I wish I could fly away like a little bird, high above the streets and trees. I would fly away from all the bad memories, the rubble of friendships and the vast open loneliness. I would fly toward warm sunlight, an ocean full of joy and a flock of those like me, trying to find their way through this thing called life.
I'm flying away... Taking a leap... Letting go... Spreading my wings and moving toward something new and warm and wonderful, or so I hope....
Starting this evening, I am officially re-charging my batteries for five whole days. I'm so very much in need of this time off, but I also need some suggestions for what I should do. Okay, I know "nothing" is probably the best thing, but what else should I do to re-invigorate myself while I have the time? What do you do to re-charge? Help!
Speaking of charging batteries, I went to one of my favorite places today - Cheekwood Botanical Garden, here in Nashville. I was all set to spend a couple of hours in the sun photographing all sorts of beautiful foliage and whatnot. Unfortunately, I forgot to charge my Nikon's battery. I got only about 10 shots before it died. Ugh. Luckily, I got one good shot before it did.
Something has been itching for a few days now. Oh, get your mind out of the gutter. I'm talking metaphorically itching, not penicillin itchy.
I need change. Like BIG change to happen in my life. They only way it's going to happen is if I make it happen. That's the real solution.
It just so happens we are starting a new decade. So, new decade... new ME.
I know lots of people write out and commit to resolutions this time of year. I have never really been the resolution-y type of person, but real genuine change is warranted in my life and I can't stand to live like this any longer - the depression, the lethargy, the inactivity. the stagnation and the waste of this life I've been inadvertently given. If you know my story, you know why I say inadvertently. I was not really meant to be here in the first place. But, I am.
Anyway, like I said, I have this itch and it needs to be scratched. I have this life and it needs to be lived.
So, what am I going to do, you're asking yourself? I've been asking myself the same question.... Here's what I've come up with so far:
So, there's my list. It starts now. I don't even want to wait until the 1st of the year. I've already waited way too long. I even took a big step today by chopping off my ratty hair and by sticking to my diet and not over spending. One day at a time, right?
Now, each week on Monday, I'm going to blog about the change to let you know how it's all going. In between, I'm also going to be spicing up this boring blog with a little variety and nonsense. I hope you'll bear with me as I get my footing with this fabulous new life I'm living.
Well, enough about me. What about you - anyone have resolutions they're committing to doing in 2010? Do tell!
on a lazy Sunday afternoon....
I have such a hard time relaxing. For instance, there used to be a time when I could sit down on the couch and watch a movie all the way through, but now it just drives me nuts. Instead, I surf the net, crochet scarves, edit pictures, write blogs... all while the movie is on. So, I only half watch. In some ways, it's nice... I get more done, but for once I wish I could totally relax when I have the time off.
Well, since I haven't figured out how to do it, I've got a couple new projects underway. First, I'm continuing to crochet scarves. Those are quick and fun. I also have a new photography project. I'm going to do 52 weeks of used coffee cups. I know - it's a bit weird, but I like the stains made in the bottom - they're interesting to me. Finally, I'm going to be scanning a bunch of my family's old photos. I bought a new scanner and it's so fun to retouch the old photos digitally.
So, that's what I'm up to the next week while I'm mostly off work. What projects do you have up your sleeve? Do tell!
Here's a scanned photo of my family's lake house in Quebec. I don't think the house is in the family any longer, but it's nice to think of the summers spent there, hanging feet off the wooden dock.
So, I promised to announce the winner of my big scarf giveaway today!
First, have a cookie:
I was very official regarding how I chose the winner randomly - we used a knit hat and my cousin Lisa pulled the name out for me:
And, the lovely winner is....
Candace, just message me with your mailing address and I'll ship your scarf out on Monday!
Thanks to everyone who entered. I hope you're having a great Christmas Eve!
Tonight I'm watching one of the Peanuts' Christmas specials - the one where Rerun wants a dog. It brings back memories of sitting on the couch with my dad and watching the holiday shows as a kid in a small house that smelled vaguely of mothballs and largely of cigarette smoke. My mom would be bustling about. We would have our wobbly fake tree set up in front of the fireplace full of blue ornaments and silver tinsel.
Oftentimes, my three cousins would come over and enjoy the fun. Their dad would make giant cheese balls and we would have big bowls of ambrosia salad too. Gifts would be opened by excited pajama-clad children and playing with Barbie dolls and Matchbox cars would commence. More food would be eaten and snowmen would be made if the weather was right.
In all this, I dreamed about the future me, but I never pictured my life like it is now. I'm not saying it's better or worse than I imagined... just different. Very different. I wish I'd paid more attention to the things happening around me as a child. I wish I'd studiously written it all down in journals to keep the memories fresh and the perspective alive. But they are fading and the things I do still remember are more like an old book I read, not like things that actually happened to me.
I'm no longer that little girl and I no longer see things through her eyes. Sometimes I miss it - the naivete, the optimism, the hopefulness.... It's sort of all gone now. But, I'm not sure that's such a bad thing.... Okay, maybe I do wish I had more hope... just a little bit more....
What have you been up to today? Do you have snow? If so, I am officially very jealous of you. :) There were some flurries here, but no real snow. :(
Well, I don't have much to say today. I've been a crocheting maniac. And, I've been watching season 2 of Dexter. Now, I'm getting ready for the season finale of Survivor Samoa. I lead a fabulously exciting life.
Finally, don't forget to enter the giveaway for the scarf, in a color of your choosing by clicking here.
Here is a picture from my back yard... sans snow.
