CHRISTMAS WEEK 2013

Glass ornament from my son Barry

I have not blogged for a week or more so decided to do a posting on this holiday just past



We traveled to my daughter's home in Flemming Island arriving on Monday afternoon the 23rd of December. The remainder of that day was spent visiting and making plans for the following few days. Debbie and Stan, her other half, had planned a gathering of friends for cocktails and finger foods on Christmas Eve. Couples were invited to bring their children if they choose so we ended up with several children and a couple of teens. They were so well behaved you didn't even realize they were there. We had a fun game to play called "Not your Mother's Trivia" or something like that. They were fun questions evoking some off the wall answers. For example my husband and father of four was ask 'what secret did he have that no one knew of'...His answer was that he did not have any children...so you can see it was certainly not a truth or consequences game but we had much fun playing it. If course the party ended pretty early in evening so families could go home and await Santa. It was a fun evening, a chance to dress up in something other then our every day garb, an abundance of good food and enjoyed by all.

The next day was Christmas and we traveled to my grand son and his fiancee's home for dinner. This was their first time to host a holiday dinner but even though they were nervous we all knew they could pull it off and they did superbly. It was tasty and wonderful. I especially enjoyed since while my daughter and future grand daughter in law were busy in the kitchen I was able to sit and visit with my grand son 'one on one'. With his busy schedule and my living so far away we don't get to do that often so there was a lot of catching up to do. It was one of many highlights of my week.


On Christmas day I got a phone call from my son who was not able to come down from Indiana and I finally found out who my secret Santa was. This is the gift he sent me.

There is a bottle of Espresso Balsamic Vinegar and a bottle of Tuscan Herb Olive Oil. I have not gotten to try it out yet but know it is going to be wonderful.

Bob using his Kindle holder

The day after Christmas Debbie and I stayed home and did some sewing. She is adjusting a tee shirt pattern so it fits me perfectly. We did get two tees cut and partially sewn but not completed so have no photos to show but while I did the ribbit stitch on the one I was sewing she made her dad a kindle holder from a photo she saw online...It is a stuffed pillow that props the kindle up while you read but Bob found it worked as well for his books. Now I want one. 


The next day, Friday, Bob and Stan went 'shooting' while Deb and I went shopping. Oh my what a glorious day that was. We shopped in all the stores I never get to shop in unless I am visiting her.

The first stop was World Market where I bought these great coffee makers

The top one you steep the coffee and then let it drip into the coffee cup. It  makes wonderful robust coffee with low acidity and I will use it again

The bottom one called an "Indian Coffee Maker" I will try it tomorrow...it is really different and I bought it for it's uniqueness to me. The coffee is steeped much like the one above and dripped into the bottom half of the set then poured into the smaller of the cups. The hot milk is in the larger cup and the two are poured back and forth to blend...Different fr sure but I am looking forward to trying it out.

Then our shopping took us to Steinmart where I splurged and bought several chunky necklaces and a bracelet to go with...

Here are my acquisitions from that day (2 on top right and all on bottom photo) and some from the past. In fact some of them were my mother in laws...Bob made the holders so I can hang them and not have them constantly tangled






Now I have necklaces for my new tees!



And chunky bracelets...some were gifts from Deb...




Most of these earrings were recently acquired and look great with the after Christmas purchases

After all the shopping we stopped in at Barnes and Nobles to have a latte at Starbucks and browse the books. It is the first time I have been in Barnes and Nobles in years and I enjoyed it immensely. Found several books I would like to read but will find them on Amazon so I can read them on my Kindle.


There were many more wonderful gifts but no photos to go with. Like a box of home made cookies from my daughter in Washington. They were scarfed down before I could think to photograph them. There is a beautiful "coach " bag from my future grand daughter in law all the fabric and notions for making an outfit from Deb. Mostly there are the memories of a magical week in 2013.

REVERB 13 Day 21...On the last day

Kat wrote;

It's hard to believe today is the last day of Reverb13!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for journeying with me.

Some of you have responded on your blogs every single day. Others have dipped in and out, depending on the extent to which the prompt spoke to you and/or time permitted. Others combined the Reverb13 prompts here with other blog challenges. And the majority of you responded privately, in your journals and in your hearts. I am so grateful for each and every one of you: no matter how you participated, you need to know that your presence was truly felt.

And the love and support you have shown each other as you have commented on each other's blogs and retweeted each other's posts has seriously blown me away.

I am going to miss interacting with you every day and feel more than a little sad that this part of our journey is coming to an end.

But, as you and I know, this is really just the beginning. Because this is the bit where we see the results of all our magic and manifesting from the past 21 days.

Twenty one days ago Kat McNally sent out this  prompt to all of us on REVERB 13

"It is the first day of December. It is the first day of Summer here in the Southern Hemisphere, but it may the first day of Winter where you are.

It is the first day of Reverb13.

How do you feel, on this first day, in your mind? In your body? In your heart? In your soul?"

Here is a link to my blog if you are interested in what I wrote for the first day of December 2013

http://dailypromptjournals.blogspot.com/2013/12/reverb-13-day-1.html

Now on this 21st day of December Kat McNally writes;

"Today, I'd like you to revisit what you wrote on 1 December on the first day of Reverb13. How does that compare to where you are now?

Then, without thinking too hard about it, grab a pen and some paper and finish the following five sentences:

2014 is going to be MY YEAR because...I have a plan for my life but will leave room for spontaneity so that my psyche does not become stale and I do not miss opportunities that may come along.

In 2014, I am going to ...finish a  goodly amount of the projects I have started and the other ones I will decide if I am ever going to or even want to finish them and if not will dispose of them to some one who will...that will help to clear out my 'space' allowing more sunshine to flow through my psyche.

In 2014, I am going to feel...the best I have ever felt in my life because I have revamped my eating habits and a marvelous exercise program going on and most important of all I have supportive friends who encourage and keep me motivated.

In 2014, I am not going to...allow myself time for self pity, depression or complain if things do not work out as I planned. I know that it is the way it is suppose to be and I will learn to work with and learn from it.

In December 2014... I am going to look back and say...This has been the most rewarding, productive, happy and positive year I have ever experienced in my entire life and I will extend my good feelings into the year 2015 and beyond.

REVERB 13 Day 20..The way forward..

Forward is the only direction.

The mirror never lies, but everything in it is backwards. 

Look at what you see in the mirror. How does it change if you view yourself with eyes that can only look forward?

When we travel down this path we have chosen for this life we have many people passing through our life doing the same thing. Traveling their own path. Our paths may cross only once or they may cross many times and each time it will be different in so many ways. They may become friends, lovers or our enemies. Sometimes all three. They may become our children or friends of our children but each and every person that passes through our life will have a lesson for us to learn. Whether or not we choose to learn that lesson will depend on how we travel our path. Will it be with tunnel vision looking only straight ahead into the mirror? Seeing only what is behind us?

The mirror has two faces. That which is and that which is an illusion allowing us to see only what we chose to see. Do we settle for only the illusion,  that which is behind us, not looking to the future, ignoring all that is exciting and interesting all around us. Do we take the safe road. Keeping our eyes focused on the illusion in the mirror.

Or....

Do we open our hearts and eyes and marvel at what we have created in our lives. Taking time to enjoy the fruits of our labors and the labors of others that have crossed our paths.  Moving forward to new, exciting but uncharted paths. Welcoming new experiences and living life to it's fullest. 

Yes!

That is the only way forward! 

REVERB 13 Day 19..Self Compassion

The Buddha said, “You, yourself, as much as anybody else in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

In the past year, I have been on a mission to understand and practice self-compassion, which is sometimes defined as "extending compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering," and what I have learned has made me realize that this practice is at the heart of everything. 

How will you practice self-compassion?

Self-compassion is extending compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering.

Compassion is the feeling of empathy for others. Compassion is the emotion that we feel in response to the suffering of others that motivates a desire to help.

I think the only way to practice self compassion is to first practice compassion for others. I think I have always had compassion for others though letting it overwhelm me at times. still I will continue to give a helping hand to those who need one when I can. 

In doing this I hope to understand the plight of others a little better, being thankful to be on the giving side and not the receiving end and thus learning to be kinder to myself and to love and care for myself more.

REVERB 13, Day 18 Peace

Today's prompt and image come from poet of the soul, Liz Amaya. One of the many reasons I love Liz is the way she shares tiny moments of awe from her daily life with her beautiful family and travels to extraordinary places. Just glimpsing her avatar brings me a moment of calm.

 Liz writes:

I am often surprised where I find peace, it is usually in the midst of chaos. In the midst of living, did you find moments to breathe? Were there moments that held you in the embrace of peace and quiet and pure contentment? Did these moments catch you by surprise or did you create the space for peace to find you?

Thank you, Liz! 

I want to add: how will you make space for greater peace in 2014? Because it’s hard to imagine anything more important.

PEACE! 

I have not been able to write a proper response to this prompt. Perhaps because I am not at peace with myself. I feel very down but don't know why. I feel very out of sorts and not able to concentrate or focus but don't know why.  I have a long list of projects to finish or start but can't seem to get going on any of them. I have not done any art at all since I finished the flowers for my grand daughter's wedding unless sewing two garments is called art.  Perhaps it is more of a craft or skill. Art is creating and needs to come from the heart and my heart is not open or receptive to creating right now. Why is that? Is that the cause of not being at peace with myself or is it the effect of not being at peace with myself? Have I put too much of myself into the outside and not enough into whats inside? Is this going to last forever? Is there any such thing as forever? Do I need a change of scenery or should I be content with where I am? Does my near future hold more of the same frustrations? All I seem to be able to come up with are questions when what I'm really looking for are answers. Looking for something to hang on to until this passes and pass it will.

I feel confident that eventually I will get over these doldrums and get back to being creatively productive but in the mean time I feel so very discombobulated. 

 how will you make space for greater peace in 2014?........I do not know but I do hope for a better response to the next prompt!

The above writing was my blog for the prompt of Peace on the 18th. I was going to delete it but since my blogs are a diary of sorts I decided to keep it as a reminder of where not to let myself go.

This morning I decided enough was enough so got my self out of bed, did some stretching and then a walk around my garden to catch some sunshine and some positive feelings and then off to the gym I went. It worked. Today is such a better day and I found peace in the serenity of the winter garden marveling at the difference a season can make. Here are some photos I took as I meandered around with my faithful companion, Marshal.

REVERB 13 Day 17 It's your word

What word did you select to be your travelling companion in 2013? What gifts did this word bring?

 What word will you choose to guide you through 2014? What do you hope it will bring into your life?

I have two words for this blog. I would have to say the word selected for my traveling companion in the past year  is "change."...Even though it took me most of the year to finally admit to myself I needed to make changes. I have successfully made many of them and will continue making changes until I am satisfied with my life again.  This is the word I chose to get me going with all the goals I set for myself. My second word is "determination". These two words together, "change" and "determination" I will help me realize my goals for the coming year and forever after. 

REVERB 13 Day 16 Habits and Addictions

Michael writes:

Habits and addictions, some are silly, some serious; when we have issues without answers, they can hold us so tight that we stop moving forward with the life we intended.

Were you able to loosen those fetters this year, and if you were successful, how did you manage it? Did you accept outside help, or work alone?

If you still feel that grasp of addiction or hurtful habits, what will you do differently in the year to come?

I just read a few of Michael's blogs and oh my what a way with words he has. That I could write like that would be a dream come true. But now...on with the task of writing about my habits and addictions. 

So here I go with some of my worst habits.

First on my list of many is expecting too much of people, including myself and being so very disappointed and sometimes hurt when they or I do not live up to my expectations. I am trying hard to stop this habit, especially with myself. Learning to let be what is. Finding the positives in the negatives of life and learning to deal with all of them.

Letting go is another problem I have. I get very attached to things and have a hard time letting them out of my control which is another of my little quirks. 

I like being in control whether it be of things or what ever else. I have, for as long as I can remember,  liked being in control and this has over the years caused me many problems, headaches and work. When you are in control you need to be completely in control. At least I do so that means doing everything myself. As if no one else can do it as well as me...I could go on an on but I am trying to let go of the negative in my life so will let this rest...and go on to addictions.

Which I guess the worst of them is being addicted to collecting. My daughter worries I will become a hoarder but don't think there is any worries there. I am too much of a neat freak and need to have things orderly and in place which causes me to occasionally clean and purge which leads me back to the 'letting go' issue. Soon as I let it go I need it or want it back. Then 'control' pops it's ugly head up and suddenly I am on the same old merry go round of collecting, purging and regretting...so in the coming year I will...

I will not lower my expectations but will instead try harder to understand and to not be too disappointed if people or things do not work out as I expected.

I will continue on my quest of letting go of things I no longer need or want knowing that by doing so some one else will be able to either use or enjoy or both. 

I will try to understand that having control is not always the best path and that there are others quite capable of doing it just as well. The only control I will not give up is of my life. Because! If I do not take charge of my life some one else will.

I will continue to stop taking everything offered me just because it is offered "because I might need it later". Gathering and collecting only what I can use now for creating. Knowing that there is time later to get the other 'stuff.' Unless of course it is a one of a kind. (smile) That way I can use some of the 'stuff' I have already. 

Once I let go of something I will not want it back or regret having gotten rid of it...

By working on all of these issues and others in the coming year I will finally have the freedom to be myself and not be encumbered with the burden of regret, disappointment or guilt. I will be free to enjoy life at it's fullest. I will be a better 'me'.

REVERB 13..Day 15 Sensory highlights

Give us a sensory tour of 2013. How would you describe the year that’s passing in terms of:

Sight? Sound? Smell? Taste? Touch?

What a fun and interesting way to describe the passing year. The places I been and things I have done this year were memorable to say the least.

It started with wandering of the streets of San Francisco. 

Watching and listening to the sounds of people communicating with hands, voices, dances and instruments of all types.

Dreaming and enjoying that I had the privilege of touching age old buildings 

and marveled on the millions of feet that had walked the same path as I.

 

Loving the smells that can be found in no city other then the one on the bay called Frisco. 

A city with a multitude of different ethnic backgrounds and places to enjoy their ethnicity. 

Art on every street corner 

and in every alley 

and along every street.

Traveling on foot across the marvel of the Golden gate bridge, 

all the while regaling in the sea air and the boats below as they practiced their craft.

Knowing when I left that I would someday return to the sights, sounds and taste of San Francisco. 

In the spring a hot air balloon ride gave me the opportunity of looking at Orlando, Florida from high up in the sky and realizing anew, after seeing fresh water lakes and retention ponds choked by the pollution of human footprints, just how fragile our Eco-system is . Wondering all the while if our earth will survive us for another billion years and what it will look like if it does. 

Time was spent in November reminiscing of years long gone while sitting under  a 500 year old Live Oak in Jacksonville, Florida watching my granddaughter wed her love. 





Wishing for her marriage the same healthy and happy longevity I have enjoyed with mine. Feeling the raindrops on her wedding day and wondering if they were the tears of her long deceased mother crying in happiness for her first born.

Winding down the year enjoying the out of doors on Thanksgiving Day by walking into a giant sink hole called The Devil's Millhopper Sinkhole Geological State Park in Gainesville Florida. 

All the while gazing in awe at the eons peeking through the landscape in the form of plants growing upside down and rocks, older then imaginable covered with moss that provides a domicile for small inhabitants.  

Water trickling down in rivulets, as it has been doing for ages upon ages nourishing the aquifers that provide us with clean pure water to drink. All the while relishing the dank earth smell that permeates the air.

And now we will end the year by spending Christmas Eve with my daughter and some family members where we will enjoy festivities and a repast at both her home and finishing up Christmas day at my grandson's home.  Then to return and do it all over again with my son and his family on the last day of the year. 

It has been a year filled with the wonders of sights, sounds, smells tastes and touches. Of wonderful people, events, options and decisions. A hard act to follow!

REVERB 13 Day 14 Decisions, Decisions

What was the best decision you made in 2013? What were the results? How will you continue the good work in 2014

I have expounded on the subject of my health already many times so will keep this short and to the point.  

What was my best decision in 2013

The year 2013 was filled with decisions but I will say with out a doubt the most important one I made was to take charge of my health.  I have ever so slightly changed my eating habits and the foods I eat and I have been going to the gym for one week..all but the weekend. A good start! 

What were my results?

The results were immediate. I already feel so much better.  I have more stamina and energy now after only a week. By keeping this up it will only get better. 

How will I continue  in 2014

I am going to state positively that I will continue on with this program through out the new year with spectacular results

REVERB 13 Day 13 Alchemy

Change is in the air

The phrase “It takes a village” is often bandied about, in reference to child-rearing, running a business, just about everything. But if you’re anything like me, you may not be a natural born collaborator.

In 2014, how could you explore what community means to you?

It might be a question of sharing the load, asking for help or signing on someone with a complementary skill set. Or it could be about a creative collaboration that pushes you to explore new ideas and media.

Where might the alchemy be?

al·che·my

 noun \ˈal-kə-mē\

: a science that was used in the Middle Ages with the goal of changing ordinary metals into gold

: a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way

Having a hard time with this 'prompt' I decided to look up the meaning of alchemy hoping it would help me write this blog. 

Alchemy is about change and transformation.  I have certainly done that  this past year or so. I have gone from belonging to many groups and leader of two with all the necessary requirements of leadership to belonging to two very small groups within one large guild and being a 'follower' in both. 

Don't get me wrong. I like being a leader, being in charge but felt a need for a change or perhaps just a rest. I wanted to transform  my busy, often hectic  life to a more sedate one. One that would give me more time for myself and my physical needs. Now I have done that I realize it does take a village.. I need to talk , I need to socialize, I need to share and I need to know. 

I know that it takes your tribe, and I have a wonderful tribe, to hold you when need comfort, support you when you falter, encourage you when you are in doubt and fulfill the need for completion. At least it does for me. So in 2014 I will continue to explore my needs and the needs of my tribe and  how to share with and support them. Making us all better able to meet the future with abandon and enthusiasm.

It may not be mysterious but it will be impressive!

REVERB 13..Day 12 Turning Mud to Gold

I'm a big fan of muddy experiences. They become our greatest teachers when we're wise enough to exfoliate with them; roll around in the deep until we finally feel ready to get clean. 

Today, identify something muddy that kept recurring for you throughout 2013, and then ask yourself this: What's the clear truth underneath this damn mud if I finally wash myself clean?

I really didn't have any reoccurring "muddy experiences" during 2013 other then the disappointment in one of the groups I belonged to. I have learned to surround myself with people that inspire so I have removed myself from that group. Now I am surrounded by a group of inspirational people. 




The truth I learned from this experience is that there is a time for everything and to let go when that time is over with..








That has opened new doors and allowed me to do more of what makes me happy.

REVERB 13...Day 11 Boldly go

Prayer flag

What challenges lie ahead in 2014? How might you meet them boldly?

I am pretty sure there will be many challenges ahead of me in the coming year but I think my biggest and hardest will be to keep up with my health goals. My health has always taken a back burner and I am trying hard to change that by going to the gym several days each week..trying to make it 5 with one day of walking and one day of playing with my love...Setting doctor appointments for after the first of the year and eating right. Lastly but for sure not the least is 'keeping a positive attitude'.

I will meet any and all challenges boldly with strength and determination and the knowledge I have gained from having a strong will and a tribe, though small at this time,  supports me with encouragement, helpful advise and good will. 

REVERB 13 Day 10 Auto Pilot

Early this morning in my outdoor studio 12/10/'13

"Life on auto-pilot can feel disorienting and dull. How did you cultivate a life worth loving during 2013? How can you turn off your auto-pilot button in 2014?..".

Those are two tough questions to explore for today's Reverb 13....

My whole life I have been trying to 'please' some one other then myself. I think it started when I was a child...being a middle child in a family of 4 was not fun for me. I had an older sister, a brother and a younger sister. In my extended family of cousins my older sister, along with being the first grandchild was prettier and smarter and had more talent. Of my other siblings my brother was the only boy and my baby sister was the cute baby of my family. That left me with being not quite 'anyone special'. 

I'm sure I have exaggerated memories of how "mistreated" I was but I can certainly relate to being a "typical middle child. Never having a little niche of my own. Only with my oldest uncle Jack did I feel special. I think he knew! Because of this back ground of feelings I have always tried extra hard to please and to fit in. Which leads me to now.

I think the most important thing I did to create a life worth loving this past year is to learn what is good for me and what isn't. To not just 'go along' even though I would rather not. To do more of what makes "me" happy by dropping some old relationships keeping the good ones and fostering new ones with like minded souls.

How am I going to turn off my auto-pilot button in 2014?

I will in the coming year, and forever after work hard to stay on this path of positivity (is that a word). When considering something, be it an activity or a group or a person, I will not fall back into the 'auto-pilot' thing of just saying yes but will first think about the outcome and how it will affect me and those I care most about. Will it be a good thing or am I again just following the old path of least resistance. Following the old habits. I can do this by implementing all I have learned from my life's experiences.

Because of this change I have made in my life I will end the next year with better mental, emotional and physical health and will be a better person for it. I will love the life I am living

REVERB 13 Day 9 Inspiration

Who inspired you in 2013? And why?

What gifts did they give you? And how will you carry these forward in to 2014?


I have had many people inspire me this past year, namely Ruth, Christine and Ellen, but for this blog I am going to write about a new person who inspires me. She was brought to my attention by Ruth because of the posting of tangles I had done and love doing. If you would like to check out her blog go to http://rabbitee.wordpress.com/. You will see some phenomenal art work. In the meantime here is what I did from that inspiration.

I started with a drawing I had done in September 2011 to use as a pattern for some work in clay. ...Here is the original drawing. You can see where I started today's art on the one side...before I thought to take a photo.

I turned the drawing into this air dry clay figure.

Then after seeing the art by 'rabbitee' I decided to give that technique a try. So to begin I traced over the original pencil drawing with pen  and started working on tangling each section of the drawing. It was not easy to figure out what to do and keep the design intact.This is the result I have after 5 hours of work. My eyes are too tired to finish today so will finish it up at a later date. 

What gifts did they give you? And how will you carry these forward in to 2014?

The people who have inspired me this year have given me their friendship which is the most important gift of all. But they have also, with their praise and encouragement, built my confidence myself and my artistic abilities and given me courage to be myself and explore all kinds of of art. The good , the bad and the ugly. I love it all!

REVERB 13 Day 8 What went right

What went right in 2013?

Maybe you didn't quit smoking or lose those pounds or go to Paris, but something did work, did happen, and/or was realized. What was it?

Late blooming bougainvillea

What worked, what happened, what was realized. It! I think "it" would be better called "them" instead for there have been many things that worked, happened, realized.

Walking the Golden Gate Bridge was a biggie for me as was taking a hot air balloon ride. Both were on my 'bucket list'.

Working in my garden designing and creating my "garden room" was a fun accomplishment.

Undertaking and finishing up the assemblage from the drawing done by my grandson was huge.

Realizing I need to be surrounded by people that inspire I have moved away from some groups and  begun to build a new 'tribe' that inspires me.

Even though it took me almost all year to do it getting started on a journey to good health was my most important endeavor tackled this year.

Finally realizing I can't, nor do I want to, keep trying to "fix" my family. They are what they are. Not good, not bad, just is.

I am sure if I thought about it longer I would come up with more things to put on this list but for now I think this will suffice to show how my year has transpired for me. It has been filled with adventure, change realizations and aspirations. The coming year will be even better!

REVERB 13 Day 7 Reveal your self(ie)

2013 was officially The Year of the Selfie!

Please post your favourite picture of yourself from 2013, self-portrait or otherwise!

I am usually the one taking the photos so not too many of me but I did find this one stuck off in my Flickr account.

Riding the San Francisco trolley while on vacation with my daughter in Frisco back in February of this year.