One Little Word: October Blog Hop

Welcome to the October edition of the One Little Word blog hop.  You may be arriving from the blog of our great hostess, Margie, if not, you can go back to her blog and start the hop there. 

This month, Ali Edwards encouraged us to go back to revisit our goals/challenges and to pick either a battle or a celebration. 

I want to celebrate.  I really do.  There are a lot of good things going on right now, and I don't feel like having to battle anything.  I have been focusing a lot on gratitude lately, and appreciating so many everyday moments.  At One Story Down, there is a new photo-a-day challenge, and even that is something that I'm celebrating.  It may seem silly, but it is just kind of a little something to look forward to and make connections with others who are doing the same thing.

There is also something about October, that is just kind of special.  I don't know if it is because we have several family birthdays, or if it is because it is inching us ever closer to the holiday season, but I'm all for celebrating right now.  I'm also excited to be a guest on the creative team at The Lilypad for the month of October, and I can't wait to get started.

Revisiting my goals/challenges a few months back, I did cross some of the things off my list, but there are still some to go.  I am making progress.  I don't think it is going to happen as quickly as I first hoped, but I think it will be better in the long run.  I'm enjoying so many things right now, I think I'm right where I'm supposed to be for the most part.  That is something to celebrate.

And another reason for celebration... we just bought a new home-away-from-home.  We bought a piece of property at Long Beach, Washington... picked up the keys over the weekend and spent a couple of days surveying our new kingdom.  This is my first real home purchase.  Tim already owned this house when we got married, so even though it is home, I never had the experience of undertaking something so big together. It is kind of exciting. My word for the year is DARING and buying a new home is definitely feeling a bit on the daring side.  It all happened so fast, and it really was just unexpected and out of the blue.  Kind of a spontaneous, daring decision, but I'm thrilled with the outcome.  It is not so much about owning the property, as it is about being able to know that there will be space for future fun and memories. I've always wanted to have a place where we could create additional family memories, and this place already fulfills that wish.  Celebration. 

What things, little or big, are you celebrating?

Next up... Kara

Thanks for stopping by!

Participants

Margie    http://xnomads.typepad.com

Kimberlee    http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com

Kara    http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com 

Monica    http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/

Mrs Wookie    http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/

Monica    http://scrapinspired.com/category/one-little-word/

Cheri    http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Ruth     http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com

Lisa    http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Naomi    http://poeticaperture.com/

Carolina    www.micinnamons.blogspot.com

Veronica    www.veronicanorris.typepad.com

Kelly     http://mindingmynest.com

One Little Word: Blog Hop

Can you believe that it is already September?

With the beginning of the month, it is time to return to the One Little Word Blog Hop. Thanks to Margie for hosting! You should have arrived here from Brighton. If not, check around and then see what is happening with the rest of the blogs on the list.

Things have been so busy for us lately. I've missed a couple of the blog hops, but am looking forward to trying to get back on track. This was a good month for getting back into the swing of things. This month, Ali instructed us to just take a breath and appreciate where we are right now. I could totally do that. And we were supposed to take a picture of ourselves and use some words on it. Simple.

Hello typo... lol.  Used Lauren Reid's placemats frame and my own bad eyesight with the alpha.

August was quite a month. Lots of changes and lots of things going on. I've signed on to be a reader for Cascadia Review... reading and reviewing poetry.  Fun.  Now I need to start writing it as well.

One of the fun things in August that I was beyond excited about was landing a spot on the Sissy Sparrows Creative Team! Jules and Donna (twin sisters from Australia) are such an amazing design team, and I feel so lucky to be part of all of the greatness they have going on with their products and the amazing team members. They have been at One Story Down since it opened, and I've loved their products from the start. Here are some of the layouts I've made with their yummies.

Mustard Stain mini, trims and overlays

Bear Necessities mini, overlays & trims

Wasted Breath mini, freebie, overlays & trims

Also in August, Tim's job was coming to an end, so that had been really stressful. We found out about it back in November of last year, but things have been drawn out and postponed. He was reaching the end of the extensions, but we learned a couple of weeks ago that he has a new job to go to, so no more stress! Yay. He's going back to Key Bank, and they are excited for him to return.

We've had some lovely weather and spent a lot of time outside. We've had a lot of family time. Some time with friends. Time being creative. Time doing some fun things. And some time spent at the beach. Jessica turned 24 this week. I can't believe how fast those years have gone by. Years, months, days and hours... so unbelievably fast lately.

Breathe. It is important. It is a good thing to remember.

I'm looking forward to what September has in store for us.

Have you made time to breathe? What do you have on the horizon?

Next up is Monica.

The full list of participants is below. Thanks for stopping by!

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com
Brighton www.simplebrighton.com
Kimberlee http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com
Monica http://scrapinspired.com/category/one-little-word/
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/
Kara http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com
Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com
Jessica B http://jlfbarnes.blogspot.com/
Veronica www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
Naomi http://poeticaperture.com/
Carolina www.micinnamons.blogspot.com 
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com
Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com

June: One Little Word -- Blog Hop

Can you believe it is already June?  I am stunned at how fast the past several months have gone.  Since it is the first of the month, it is time for the One Little Word blog hop!  Thanks, as always, to Margie for all of her hard work in coordinating the blog hop! She has a special giveaway on her blog, so be sure to check it out. If you are participating in the Blog hop, you should have arrived from Lisa's blog. If not, feel free to go back and check out the others ahead and to follow.

This month's task was to come up with a way to document steps we need to take/tackle to get us closer to our chosen word.  I love the crisp clean look of Ali's documentation form from the class, but it didn't really fit me.  I came up with one big idea and then listed steps.  I could have also listed sub-steps, but I was lazy.  LOL.  So this is what I came up with for May.

Credits:  Sissy Sparrows - Anything Goes paper and Mouldy Orange elements (available today at One Story Down)
CD Muckosky's Markerific alpha from The LilyPad

I think it is good to get the goals on paper even if they aren't specific/measurable on my list.  I know what I need to do, and it is good to see it out in front of me.

What were you up to in May?

Check out what the rest of the participants did.  Next stop... Donna.  If you get lost, below is the full list of participants. Make sure to check out their blogs!

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/one-little-word
Monica http://scrapinspired.com/
Jenn www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/
Kimberlee http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com
Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com/
Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/
Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com
Kara http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com
Nikki www.inkyart.com.au
Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Veronica www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com
Carolina www.micinnamons-en.blogspot.com
Naomi http://poeticaperture.com
Missus Wookie http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/ Brighton www.dearbrighton.com
Jill http://jillconyers.com/
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com

One Little Word: Blog Hop

Welcome to May and the One Little Word Blog Hop!

Thanks to Margie for hosting.  You should have arrived from Tere's blog, but if not, you can always check out all of the blogs below.

I can't believe how quickly the first four months of the year have passed.  It is sheer craziness.

This month, in the One Little Word class, Ali encouraged participants to write a letter to ourselves (or our future selves).  I did write one at futureme.org.  I was silly not to think about saving the message, but since I can't go back and see it (it will be emailed to me in a year), I decided to jot down some thoughts and include it in a digital scrapbook layout of sorts with a similar letter to myself.  I still haven't gotten around to creating a more traditional book like Ali does, but if I wait to do that, I'll never get it done.  :)  So digi it is!

It was good to sit down and think about my word and where it is taking me and/or where I hope to be next year.  I took the picture with my phone a couple of nights ago because I hadn't had a picture of me in my new glasses.  I only wear them at night, but I think they are kind of fun.

Layout using Social Butterfly a collab kit by Allison Pennington and Jenn Barrette

Have you ever written yourself a letter to be opened in the future?  If not, you might want to try it.  It is kind of a fun thing to take on, and I'm sure it will be even more fun to read next year.  :)

That is all I have for now, next up is Brighton.

If you got lost somewhere along the way or want to see the rest of the list... here are all of the participants: 

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/one-little-word
Monica http://scrapinspired.com/
Jamie http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/
Jenn www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Jill http://jillconyers.com/
Veronica www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/
Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com
Kaylea www.myscrappylife.com
Cindy http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/
Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com/
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com
Carolina www.micinnamons-en.blogspot.com
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com
Naomi http://poeticaperture.com
Nikki www.inkyart.com.au
Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/
Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
Kimberlee http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com
Brighton www.dearbrighton.com
Kristina http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.ca/
Missus Wookie http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/

A New Anthem

This song just makes me happy... and it makes me feel *daring* which is my One Little Word. I don't really have an explanation for it, but I guess it doesn't matter as long as it connects for me. Give it a listen and I hope it makes you smile.

One Little Word: March - Blog Hop

Welcome to the March edition of the One Little Word blog hop hosted by the lovely Margie. You should have arrived from La Vie En Chic, but if not, jump in and check out the others!

We are two months into the year, starting on month three, and I still haven't done anything official to document my word for the year.  I have been pinning all sorts of ideas on what I want to do with the word, but I just haven't done them yet.  Oy!  Life has really gotten in the way the past six weeks.  But I can tell you that my word is much more present this year than it was in years past.  I am thinking about it every time I'm feeling the least bit chicken to do something, and the best part is that it isn't really a conscious thing.  The word just pops into my head all of a sudden.  I have been stepping out and doing things that I wouldn't have done in the past.  That is what it is all about.

Daring.
Daring.
Daring.

March is really going to test me and my word.  I am attending Artfest at the end of the month, and I'm starting to freak out about it now.  I won't know anyone there, and I am so not good at meeting new people.  But it will be 3+ days of amazing artsy experience that I'll never be able to recapture.  It is a daring adventure, and I'm going to make the most of it!

I did find this lovely image that I am going to print and hang in my office.  I love the whimsical feeling of it, and the quote is flat-out perfect for me and my OLW journey.

source: Coco & Kelley

What have you been up to with your word?

Next up on the hop is Jill http://jillconyers.com/.  Be sure to check out Jill and the rest of the group to see all of the wonderful inspiration everyone has to share.

In case you want to check out the others or have gotten lost along the way, here is the complete list of participants!


Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com
Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com
Sharyn http://LaVieEnChic.com
Kimberlee http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com
Jill http://jillconyers.com/
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Cindy www.cynthiacrysdale.com
Jenn www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Monica http://scrapinspired.com/
Catherine http://myview-catherine.blogspot.com/
Naomi http://poeticaperture.com/
Jamie jmpgirl.blogspot.com
Coley www.coleybelle.blogspot.com
Melissa C www.smudgetime.com
Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com/
Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/
Veronica www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
Heidi D http://mommy.heidimdavis.com/
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/one-little-word/
Nikki www.inkyart.com.au
Devon http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com
Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Brooklyn www.everysnapshot.com
Kristina http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.com/ 
Jen R http://jenritchie.com
Kara http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com
Eydie www.whatwecreate.net
Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com
Missus W http://www.mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/
Marilee http://rose-brier.blogspot.com
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com
Kaylea http://www.myscrappylife.com
Dawn G www.sunshineandcreativity.com
Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/
Becky www.becky-handforth.blogspot.com
Orange Gearle orangegearle.blogspot.com
Katrina www.katrinasimeck.com
Jo http://www.mrsbeee.blogspot.com
Nicky Www.seejanebake.blogspot.com
Beth www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com
Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/

How Pinteresting Wednesday

I'm joining the VintageApple for another round of How Pinteresting Wednesday!

Here are some pins I've been loving this week...


Because this is in keeping with my One Little Word

pinned via Jennifer Lawson from http://taniawillis.tumblr.com/page/10#732156138  

I thought that this was just sort of amusing

pinned via Kelli Agodon from http://flavorwire.com/253928/famous-works-of-art-improved-by-cats#4   

and because I'm still not tired of Ryan Gosling

pinned via Brynn Zirkle Dukes from handmaderyangosling.tumblr.com

and because this was something cool I'd love to do

pinned via Traci Bautista from http://www.flickr.com/photos/lariwashburn/5497486088/in/photostream/   

and because this is amazing and I LOVE the Bloggess and the traveling red dress project

pinned via Jennifer Lawson aka the Bloggess at http://thebloggess.com/   

and, since Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I need to be focusing on Tim instead of pinning...

pinned via Trish Turay from http://wearethatfamily.com/2012/02/100-ways-to-make-your-marriage-rock/   

Now I can't wait to see what everyone else is pinning this week.  What did you find??

One Little Word: Blog Hop

One Little Word.

It seems so very simple, really.  But it is far from simple.  A few years ago, I was following the blog of Ali Edwards and she talked about how she was choosing one word for the year, to focus on and bring to her life.  In the back of my mind, I'd always pick a word, but I rarely did anything with it other than notice it if and when it popped up in my life.  Last year, I signed up for Ali's OLW class at Big Picture Classes.  I was determined to do something with my word.  But even after signing up for the class, I found that I didn't do anything much with my word.  At the end of last year, I decided I wouldn't choose a word for this year.

But then I got sucked in and wanted to do it.  I've always wanted to do it, but I am not the best with follow-through.  At the first of the year, I started mulling over words in my mind.  I picked one and was happy with it.  But then, it didn't really feel right.  I signed up for Ali's class a bit late, and my word still wasn't really resonating with me.  My daughter didn't think the word fit me either (not that you are supposed to let someone else have a say in your word choice...lol).  But after she said that, it really did seem that my first word wasn't a good choice.  Then my word found me.  I could hear it clearly in my head.  It was even lovelier because was spoken with an amazing partially-British accent.  My word was DARING.  The partially-British accent came from Simon de Pury.  We watch Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.  He was forever telling contestants to "Be Bold!  Be Daring!"  Daring is what I wanted for my word.  I made my choice.  I created myself this little mini poster as a reminder.

Simon de Pury photo from poptower.com

And my word has already helped.  I applied to be a contributing writer at a website I just love. I hadn't heard back from the owner, so I finally decided to be daring and email her.  It was a good thing I did.  She had been bogged down with other things and hadn't had a chance to go through the applications.  She responded back and told me she'd love to have me on board.  Yay!

I'm looking forward to combining my OLW with my Project Life instead of doing it separately because I think that will definitely keep me on track and more efficient than trying to do two projects I've never completed before.  I can't wait to see what Ali has in store for February!

Up next is Kaylea http://www.myscrappylife.com.  If you want to check out the other participants or if you get lost along the way, here are the other links in the blog hop...

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com
Sharyn www.lavieenchic.com
Jill http://jillconyers.com 
Lynn www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com
Jenn www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Carmen http://www.carmenpaulsorthner.com
Marilee http://rose-brier.blogspot.com 
Kristina http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.com/
Cindy http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com
Brooke www.everysnapshot.com
Naomi www.poeticaperture.com
Melissa http://www.smudgetime.com
Karen http://breathenowsmile.blogspot.com 
Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com
Devon http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com
Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com/
Dawn www.sunshineandcreativity.com
Katrina www.katrinasimeck.com
Sam http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com
Monica http://scrapinspired.com
Kimberlee http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com
Missus W http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com
Kaylea http://www.myscrappylife.com
Nikki Www.inkyart.com.au
Erin http://erinsparkes.typepad.com/optimstic-fascination/
Jamie http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/ 
Jo www.curlyscrapbooker.blogspot.com
Coley http://coleybelle.blogspot.com
Beth www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com
Veronica www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog
Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/
Jan http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com
Veronica http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
Cate www.lifebehindthepurpledoor.com
Stephanie www.scrapworthylives.com
Orange Gearle http://orangegearle.blogspot.com
Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
Junelle http://yesandamenblog.blogspot.com/
Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com
Becky www.becky-handforth.blogspot.com

How Pinteresting Wednesday

So, my love affair with Pinterest continues.  Even though I haven't had much opportunity to be pinning lately, I am still smitten with all things 'pin.'

I saw this today and thought that it was totally appropo...

pinned via Brynn Zirkle Dukes

Gonna make this in the next day or two to "test" it before my next party.

Pink Lemonade Cake via Bonita Rose from Sugarbabyaprons.com

This is for my One Little Word...

pinned via Katie McNiel from http://home-biba.blogspot.com/   

I am d.y.i.n.g. to scraplift this gorgeous little beauty  *sigh*

pinned via Nulka from http://blog.ilowescrap.com.pl/   

and another Ryan Gosling because who doesn't love RG?  I pinned this right after a shopping trip where I bought both chalk paint supplies AND magnetic paint.  LOL.

from handmaderyangosling.tumblr.com

That's mine for the week.  I'm linking up with the Vintageapple.com

Oh How Pinteresting Wednesday

Here are some of my most recent faves on Pinterest.

Haha

Source: http://shop.krisatomic.com/product/chronic-bitchface-print via  http://lovetorielizabeth.typepad.com

Love that wallpaper, the couch and the number 56.  

Source: mochatini.org (no original source) via  Paula Kesserling on Pinterest

There are no words to describe how I love this...

Source Saniapell.com via Brynn Zirkle Dukes on Pinterest

This I'm using for my One Little Word...

Source prettystuff.tumblr.com via Kristin Merritt on Pinterest

And of course there has to be something yummy

Source tastykitchen.com via Royanna Hohl Fritschmann on Pinterest

And a yummy of another kind.  Funny and yummy...

Source: Handmaderyangosling.tumbler.com

Reminds me of something my mom said the other day.

Source: marathonsweetheart.com, via Kelly Agodon on Pinterest.

What have you pinned for me lately?

Hello 2012!

Hello 2012!

I am very excited about the year ahead.  I am also excited that we had a day filled with sunshine.  It was chilly, but sunny.  After several days of rain and wind, it was nice to have a little sunshine.

Today was a day for reflecting.  Reflecting on goals, ideas, energy, resolutions, family, and One Little Word.  My word for the year is going to be "attention."  I am going to be exploring the word over the course of the year and participate in Ali Edwards' One Little Word class at Big Picture Classes.  There are a lot of different aspects for me and my word.  But for today, I was paying attention to family and intentions.  I also paid attention to the weather and the sun causing a morning shadow in our front yard.  Lots to think about.  Lots to focus on and lots of competing things to juggle in paying attention.  It is going to be a challenge.

This year, we're starting what I hope will become a new tradition.  I printed out copies of these pages for myself, Jessica and Tim. I  thought it would be a good idea to keep copies of these things (and other quizzes/surveys throughout the years) for the future generations.  I also think it will be fun for us to look back on in the years ahead.

Another thing I'd like to try this year is some form of Project Life.  Ali Edwards also does this on a regular basis (as do others).  I know I can't keep up with a weekly project, but I figure I will do as much as I can and at least end up with something more than when I started.  I downloaded Becky Higgins' digital version of the Clementine Project Life kit.  I know even more that I wouldn't be able to print things out on a regular basis, so I'm going to do mostly digi and possibly some printing/hybrid on occasion.  We'll see how it goes and how it will morph.

Do you have any resolutions for the year ahead?  Do you choose "one little word" or have some other form of focus?  Do you take part in Project Life, P365, P52 or some other documentation project?

I'm excited to get things down on paper and to start tackling these goals and ideas.  I think it is going to be an amazing year, and it is great to get it started!

What are you looking forward to this year?