Which Direction to Travel?

Hello.  It's been a while.  How are you?  Better than I am, I hope.  My emotional compass has taken some strange twists and turns lately.  I've turned inward to balance myself which, as you can see from my absence here, makes me quiet.

Until I figure out the direction of this space, it will most likely be quiet.  I do not know yet if I will continue or move on.  Thank you for always dropping by to catch up on my chronicle and for leaving notes of encouragement.  Feel free to drop me a line to say hello if you wish.  abullock26 {at} yahoo {dot} com.  I would love to hear from you.

Jury Summons and Gardening

I spent most of Monday in a court room.  Jury summons.  I had to sit there an entire day while my fate was decided. They ask a menagerie of questions.  Gun control.  Immigration. Family violence.  I believe in the constitution and the right to a trial by jury, but there has to be a better way than stuffing seventy strangers into a room, smattering them with questions when really jurors 1-14 have already been chosen.  

I walked out beyond frustrated.  We live in a country that preaches democracy.  Other countries envy our system, but I feel like our system is broken and corrupt.  Just watch House of Cards on Netflix to understand what I mean.  As I sat there, wasting my time, I couldn't help but think, our democracy is a farce.  When we were released people clapped in the hall for not being chosen.  Disrespectful, yes, but did they feel frustrated because it was a waste of time, or because they too feel like the system is fixed?

By late afternoon I was free and with the thermometer pushing mid 70's I decided to work my frustration out with my hands in the garden with the last few hours of daylight.

No day in the garden is complete without my helper.  You know how it goes.  I plant the potatoes. She digs them up.  Annie enjoys being outside as much as I do.  In this moment she was listening to the neighbor kids walk by and wondering why I wouldn't let her out of the gate to greet them. 

We sowed lettuce in the raised bed, and started tomatoes, kale, spinach, and herbs in seed pots that will sprout in the warmth of the garage until April.  I am very thankful I have a garage with heat/AC so I don't have to worry about cat paws digging through seed pots in the house! 

It didn't take long to get over being discouraged.  A little sunshine, hands deep in the dirt, and dog kisses are good for the soul.  And sadly, I probably won't think about jury summons until next time I'm called to duty.

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Danielle!  

You have won a spot in the upcoming {eye} wonder workshop with Eileen Nishi.  It was meant to be.  Please email me your contact information so I can get you in touch with Eileen.

Didn't see the spotlight?  Jump over here for the inspiration.

February Chronicle

***photo deleted by author***

• Spent the first weekend home alone while cc traveled to Kansas City. 
• I took Annie to a local park and she fell in the pond.  At first she was shocked and then she realized that she loves to swim! 
• I made my own cold cream to combat dry, winter skin.
• Watched the superbowl in the comfort of my home, and I made fajitas.
• We joined LA Fitness as an incentive to get back into a good routine of working out.  December knocked me out of routine and I'm still working on getting it back. 
• Very exciting...oil change in my car.  But they did update my software which saved me from trying to do it on my own!
• Every Thursday morning I continued the bookbinding class at the Craft Guild of Dallas.
• I went to an Anthropologie stylist event that was hosted by a Dallas blog team, but was disappointed in the results.  
• In trying to keep with my resolutions I avoided purchasing anything for Valentine's day and instead I opted to make cc a very lovely hand made book.
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• I picked up the Wallace family Bible from grams' brother who lives in the area.  Mom and I will need it for our genealogy project this summer.  
• A family friend found out he has prostate cancer.
• cc found a tick on Annie!  I thought since it has been so cold we wouldn't have any issues yet, but I was wrong.  I should have gone into the medical field.  I love that stuff. 
• Annie had a sleepover at our friend's house.  They have a teacup chihuahua and she wore Annie out! 
• We saw Reba in concert at the Choctaw Casino in Oklahoma and spent the night.  The concert was awesome and we didn't lose any money because the casino was so busy we couldn't even get on a machine. 
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• My cousin is having her second baby and I found the cutest onesie at a local store to send to her.  
• Continued with massage therapy and I have to say I am starting to feel the effects. 
• I had coffee again with the same new friend as last month. 
• Annie went to the groomers which she needed after swimming in the pond and all the rain we have had.  She can't seem to avoid a puddle. 
• We took newlywed friends for dinner.
• We attended a five-course bourbon and whiskey dinner at Urban Crust.  They basically served five shots of whisky.  If I would have finished them I would have been under the table.  Even with food! 
• Mom's bill went to committee and it appears it is going to get passed! 
• I worked in the garden a couple times this month to prep for spring planting.  I am downsizing and planting only what we really eat this year.  I trimmed trees, grasses, and berry bushes so they are ready for new growth.  
• I planted potatoes.
• I have been busy raising funds this month for Collin County Adventure Camp.  There is still time to donate if you have a few dollars to spare.  Click here. 
• I saw Parental Guidance in the theater and cc and I watched the Netflix season of House of Cards with Kevin Spacey.  I highly recommend it.
• As I hope to do every month, I've kept up with my gratitude buddy, Shannon.  She helps me remain positive every day. 
• I received another letter from my new pen pal, Joette in Minnesota.  
• Grams traveled to Hawaii this month and rode the zip line.  Unfortunately, as I write this she finds herself in the hospital because of a case of bronchitis that has taken a turn for the worse.  I'm hoping the oxygen and antibiotics will do the trick. 
• I had the pleasure of interviewing Eileen from {eye} wonder workshops this month.  Her workshops are for the novice photographer that wants to better capture daily life through her lens.  She is giving away a spot in her next class.  You have until tomorrow to enter so jump over and add your name.  

Gritty Grandma

GOOD-BYE FOX

He was lying under a tree, licking up the shade.

Hello again, Fox, I said.

And hello to you too, said Fox, looking up and not bounding away.

You're not running away? I said.

Well, I've heard of your conversation about us.  News
travels even among foxes, as you might know or not know.  

What conversation do you mean?

Some lady said to you, "the hunt is good for the fox." 
And you said, "Which fox?"

Yes, I remember.  She as huffed.

So you're okay in my book.

Your book! That was in my book, that's the difference
between us.

Yes, I agree.  You fuss over life with your clever
words, mulling and chewing on its meaning, while
we just live it.

Oh!

Could anyone figure it out, to a finality?  So
why spend so much time trying.  You fuss, we live.

And he stood, slowly, for he was old now, and
ambled away.

~Mary Oliver~

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Grams arrived home from Hawaii yesterday.  As my mom pointed out, who goes to Alaska and Hawaii in a year? Well, she does. When I called to say hello she was very ill.  It appears she caught a nasty case of bronchitis three days into the trip.  It was no surprise as she suffers from respiratory issues on a regular basis.  She went to the doctor when she returned home, fearing it was pneumonia and had to have a breathing treatment to increase her oxygen levels.  She was prescribed a heavy dose of antibiotics and sent to home for bed rest.

I worry about her health.  Hearing her tell me she walked through the airports carrying her luggage because there wasn't a wheelchair available, and saying she just had to "suck it up" because she needed to make it home made me frustrated.  She has always had this attitude.  I wonder to myself if she pushed herself to far and I worry. Perhaps she should have stayed home.

And then she scolded me.  I wouldn't let her ride the zip line in Alaska and since I wasn't babysitting her in Hawaii she went for it...and had the time of her life.  She was a fox.  She signed no to every medical condition on the waiver and shimmied her way to the platform.  She was the guinea pig for the 60 year olds that weren't sure they could do it.  She laughed herself into a coughing fit just telling me about it.

And then I scolded myself.  How foolish am I?  She is 81 years old, relatively healthy, lives alone, and volunteers on a weekly basis.  Would I not rather she go to Hawaii and ride the zip line with the risk of getting pneumonia than see her sitting at home alone?  There is a life lesson here.

Maybe she is a coyote and not a fox, but either way, I can only hope for half as much gumption as she has when I see 81.  Risk = Reward

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Just a reminder, the giveaway for the fantastic {eye} wonder workshop is still open until Friday.

Flora Friday + Reminder

Happy Friday!  Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to check out the amazing interview and giveaway with Eileen from {eye} wonder workshops!

Orange Coyotes

Do you believe in signs? Animals, colors, words and phrases?  I usually overlook signs, meaning I recognize them, but I don't put a lot of thought into them. I seem to have made an exception recently.  The color of rust, like the leaf above, and coyotes keep jumping out at me.  In a way that almost startles me, like someone throwing an object at my face.

First I noticed the color.  A leaf here or there, the side of a building.  Every time the color would be more saturated.  This leaf for example, was spotted on a very brown road right in my path.  It was almost glowing. I searched for the birth tree in the tree line to my left and I could not spot it.  I have no idea the origin of this leaf.

{source}

Then I started seeing coyotes.  Relatively speaking, I live in the city, but I do have access to the country so it would not be uncommon for me to spot coyotes.  But what about one that is less than ten feet from me in a creek bed I was walking in?  Others running across fields in the  middle of the day.  In the city or in the country, it doesn't matter, I keep seeing them.

Urged by my friend Shannon, I decided to look up the color orange and coyotes to determine if they mean something or see if perhaps I am just going crazy.  My jaw dropped to the floor.  Between what is going on in my personal life and the goals I have set for myself this year, I do believe that an orange coyote should be my mascot this year.

COYOTES

new beginning = transformation

instinctual

mindful of actions

learn from mistakes

playful and youthful

RUST (ORANGE)

creativity 

related to the second chakra

warm and inviting

stimulates activity, appetite, & socialization

optimism

gut reaction

instinctual

emotional strength in difficult times

aids is assimilation of new ideas and free spirit

inspires physical confidence

Please put my mind at ease and tell me your signs.  Have they ever been this present for you?  

Artist Spotlight: {Eye} Wonder Workshops + Giveaway

Eileen Nishi by Thea Coughlin

I had the pleasure of meeting Eileen Nishi, creator of {eye} wonder workshops, last fall at Squam.  She is incredibly talented and full of inspiration.  I participated in her class last fall and learned so much about my self and my creative journey.  I am pleased to introduce you to her and her workshops.  Please welcome Eileen from {eye} wonder workshops.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a global "waker", enlivening and inspiring others as an insightful photographer, e-course instructor, loyal friend, mixed-media artist, blogger, mom of two hilarious boys, and believer in the universe.

How did you get started in photography?

I took a photography class when I was about 10 at my alternative elementary school in Eugene, Oregon.  I remember learning about how to load film into our cameras (35mm), and how to process our black & white prints in the darkroom.  Looking back I can’t believe we were using all those chemicals!  As an adult I picked up a camera again about 6 years ago when I was navigating a rough time in my life.  I had decided to start a blog, and told myself that a good blog had to have good photos.  And to take good photos I needed a good camera.  I’ve been taking pictures ever since!

How did you come up with the name {eye} wonder workshops?

I have two boys (11 & 14), and along my journey as a curious Mom I’ve found myself on countless occasions saying “I Wonder . . .?”  When I was brainstorming for class names that popped into my head and it was just right!

What is your favorite photo that you have taken?

Urban Laundry by Eileen Nishi

This was one of the first photos I took with my new camera years ago, and I love it because it is an image that begs to tell a story.  Whose pants are those?  And how did they get there?  Additionally, I think I had to climb on a trash-can to get this shot – and when I look at it I’m reminded that it’s OK to do things a little outside my comfort zone to get pictures I love!

Why is the intuitive process important when documenting daily life?

Life doesn’t come with an owner’s manual, so my belief is that if you can learn to use your intuition when approaching photography, it will in turn help you navigate your life journey as well.

How or where do you gather inspiration?

1.  Spend time with kids.   I know not everyone has kids, and not everyone even likes kids – but if you have the opportunity to spend a little time with some nieces & nephews, or maybe your friends’ kids, or even volunteer in a classroom from time to time?  I’m pretty sure you’ll walk away having learned something new or feeling inspired to get in touch with your inner child!

2.  Move – Sometimes I find the easiest way to get inspired (& get un-stuck!) is just to MOVE.  A quick walk around the neighborhood or several laps around the track down the street, some simple yoga stretches or just shaking my arms & legs around can get my creative juices flowing.

3.  Expose Yourself to Art –  Go to museums, galleries, libraries, and keep your eyes peeled for public art.  Inspiration can hit when you least expect it.

What do you wish the participants will gain from taking your workshop?

I want my students to learn how to slow down and really see the world around them, which will help them capture photographs they are really excited about.  The class includes some personal growth prompts and projects as well – which are a big part of the process.   If they walk away with a new way of seeing the world and seeing how they are being in it?  I will be thrilled! 

by Eileen Nishi

You work full time, you are a mother to two boys, and you run workshops.  What advice do you have for other women when they are on the fence about taking your class?

My approach to e-courses is to carve out a little time in the evenings or weekends when there is a break in the chaos to watch the class videos or devote some time to the assignments.  My kids are at an age where they are pretty self-sufficient, so of course that helps.  I don’t give a lot of homework in my class – and I think the projects I do assign are one’s that can easily be done at any time if my students want to take notes & practice on their own later.  The idea is that they’ll be gaining lifelong skills – so if someone doesn’t get a chance to do the assignment or post their photos . . . they can still get something out of it.

Do participants have to come to your class with special knowledge or equipment?

No!  In fact, my belief is that good photos are a product of the person behind the camera (rather than the equipment), so no fancy cameras are necessary.  You can even use your phone!

What is your next big project?  Anything bubbling?

The winter months are when I do my best brainstorming, and at the moment I’ve got a few ideas that are rising to the top.  I’d love to teach at an art retreat in person, and also add another class (or two!) to the series of {eye} wonder workshops.  I’ll keep you posted!  

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The next session of {eye} wonder :: intuitive photography for everyday people will start on April 1st, and go through May 10th. As a bonus, there will be an extra week of class added to the curriculum (it used to be 5 weeks, now it’s 6)!

In addition, Eileen is offering a FREE SPOT in her class to one lucky reader. 

To enter, leave us a comment below and tell us why you think you deserve a spot in {eye} wonder workshops. You have until March 1st to enter. The winner will be announced March 4th.

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Will You Help?

Where does our food come from?  How does the water in the lake get there?  What does an opossum look like?  Will a deer attack and eat us? These are all questions I have been asked by students that traded the concrete jungle for a week in nature.  All valid questions, right?  If you grew up never leaving the city you might not know that deer would rather eat an acorn and stay far from humans. 

The thing is, these are the kids that are one day going to run our country.  Cliché, I know, but more truth than we realize, and I don’t think I need to tell you why understanding the answers to these questions is vital.  I was fortunate to grow up in rural America where all of the answers were second nature.  But kids like me are dwindling.  Rural areas are shrinking which means more and more kids are growing up in urban areas.  Answers to these questions will only be answered through education.

This is where you come in.  I am a volunteer for YMCA Collin County Adventure Camp in Anna, Texas.  CCAC is a facility, built by the county and managed by the YMCA, whose primary function is an outdoor education center.  On a weekly basis, students from all around the area are bused to camp to learn the answers to these questions, and more, through practical, hands on learning.  Because the YMCA is for all we scholarship students that cannot afford to go.  Every child needs and deserves this education. 

Last February I challenged you to give a gift to this scholarship fund, and I am asking you again this year.  You have many choices when it comes to where you put your dollars, but I can tell you, from direct experience, every dollar you give goes directly towards a scholarship.

Will you give $5, $10, $20? 

It is very easy to do.  Just follow the link and see the instructions below.  And with all sincerity, THANK YOU! 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

January 2013 Chronicle

Happy New Year.  Now that January is over I suppose it is no longer a new year.  I think I would best describe this month as pensive.  Nevertheless, good things happened.

• We went to dinner and movie with our good friends BR+HH.  We watched Promised Land.
• I put up all the Christmas at the beginning of the month.  Since they were up since the beginning of December I was happy to see them go. 
• The weather this month hasn't been that bad so I have spent a lot of time outdoors with Annie.
• I participated in Thea Coughlin's Intuitive Lens class through the Squam website. 
• I ordered an 85mm lens for my camera.  It is an investment that I think I'll be very pleased with.
• I entered the Rock the Shot challenge.
• In December I participated in the love notes post card project.  The recipient of my letters reached out to me and asked me to be her gratitude buddy for the year.  It is based on Andrea's idea.  We send each other emails almost daily and I really look forward to them. 
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• Annie and I went to the dog park several times this month.  She is starting to make friends.  I enjoy watching all the puppies tromp around and try to play with the big dogs. 
• My nephews celebrated Christmas with my parents late this year.  My mom skyped me on her laptop as they opened their gifts.  I am incredibly thankful that I can be a part of their lives even from so far away. 
• We had a strange incident at the house.  It was the middle of the week around 8:30 P.M.  A faint knock was heard at our front door.  We don't have a peep hole so we asked loudly who was there.  It was an unknown man that asked to use the phone?  It freaked us out enough to call the police.  Why wouldn't he ring the doorbell and who doesn't have a cell phone these days?  
• My mama celebrated a birthday this month.  She is so beautiful. 
• I treated myself to a pedicure.  After going to yoga and being exposed to the winter heat my feet were looking a little beat up.  Since I have to stare at my feet in yoga I decided to make them pretty. 
• We took Annie to the farm this month and while we were there we saw two coyotes in the middle of the day.  
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• I made Annie home made dog biscuits.
• I met a new friend for coffee.  We ended up talking for three hours! 
• As part of my resolution to take care of myself this month I have started getting a massage every other week.  I've had two this month and I'm thankful I can treat myself to this. 
• I had a dentist appointment and all is well.  I'm thankful for a great set of teeth! 
• I ordered seeds for my garden.  
• I cleaned out several cupboards and took a load of things to Goodwill.  
• We installed two new light fixtures we have been meaning to do for quite some time.  I like the change. 
• Began working on research that was sparked from Aunt Jenny's quilt.
• We purchased a new piece of artwork.  It's quirky and fun. 
• I started a book binding class at the Craft Guild of Dallas.  I am looking forward to this the most in February.  

BYG: Ordering Seeds

I can't believe I am already thinking about my summer garden!  It is actually time to start a few seeds indoors and begin working the soil to prepare the beds for spring.   

Before all that begins, however, I have to start with the foundation.  The seeds.  Where I purchase seeds is vital.  I always choose seeds from seed savers exchange.  They are a little pricey, but they are safe seeds.  Meaning they are not genetically modified or owned in any way by Monsanto. 

I haven't been outspoken a lot in this space about Monsanto, but I do have a disdain for the company.  I believe they are destroying America one seed at a time.  Below are four tips and resources to help you find a safe seed company that fits your needs.

taken from The Healthy Home Economist blog 

1. Avoid buying from the seed companies affiliated with Monsanto.  The link is a list of these seed companies
2. Buy from this list of companies Monsanto HASN’T bought and are not affiliated or do business with Seminis  
3. Avoid certain heirloom varieties because Monsanto now apparently owns the names. This article lists the seed varieties to avoid
4. Ask seed companies if they have taken the Safe Seed Pledge.  The link lists companies that have done so

I plan to do things a little differently in my garden this year.  I'm only going to plant what I really want to eat as well as one wild card.  I used to think I should plant everything and give away the excess or what I didn't really want. Gardening became more of a chore, so I've decided that I'll buy the vegetables from the farmers market that I like to eat on occasion and grow what we consume most of the time.

What are your plans for your garden this year?

View From My World

Aunt Jenny's Quilt

I was very blessed at Christmas and I received many wonderful gifts, but I have to say that my favorite, by far, was the family quilt my mother gave me.  It brought me to tears.  I don't know why I'm so sentimental when it comes to family heirlooms, but I view them as prized possessions.  I suppose there is a sense of belonging nestled in them.

Aunt Jenny is the sister of my my maternal great-grandmother's father.  To make it easier it's Gram's aunt.  She had no children of her own, but many of Gram's sisters and brothers have items of Aunt Jenny's.  We don't know much about her or her brothers and sisters other than my great grandfather so mom and I have decided to travel back to Nebraska this summer and do a little genealogy research.  I am really looking forward to recording the history before it's lost.  

The other special part of the gift is that it suits me perfectly.  The quilt, although it is is full of stitch detail, is plain in design.  Almost as if this quilt was meant to land in my home.  No flowers.  No frills.  Just like me.

I am on a mission to display this quilt in a unique way.  It is stained and tattered in some areas and I don't dare clean it.  How can I display it without using a traditional quilt rack?  A rack doesn't suit my design style.  What do you think?

Flora Friday

Dog Wonder

I've had the winter blues lately.  The kind where all I want to do is sleep, eat a lot of bad food, and practically do nothing because I have zero motivation.  I'm stuck in my own head and can't seem to step out of it.  Do you ever deal with this?

I'm questioning everything and trying to find something wrong that really isn't there.  Thankfully I get a good dose of nature medicine every day because no matter what mental state I'm in, Annie still has to go for a walk.

I read something recently that says we should all take a lesson from dogs.  Each day they are excited.  Excited to see you, to sniff, to run, play, jump, lick.  In their mind's they are saying "this is the best day ever!"  We should all embody that philosophy.

Daily we walk by a magnolia tree.  The ground around the tree is littered with seed pods.  She loves to pick them up and carry them in her mouth for most of our walk.  They look like a short stogie hanging out the side of her mouth. She looks forward to this every day.  Every day.  She finds one, picks it up, tosses her head around and acts like she just find the treasure...again.  This is the best day ever.

I can't help but laugh, and laughter will brighten anyone's spirit.  She is my wonder dog.  Dog wonder.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Ok, I admit, I've taken to spoiling my dog. Quite a bit.  One look at her face and all my troubles melt away.  So when I came across a homemade dog biscuit recipe in Yvette van Boven's book Home Made, I knew I would be baking them.

The ingredients are so pure humans could eat these biscuits.  Why not feed your dog the same wholesome food you would feed yourself?

I used a cookie cutter I bought for a craft project that made the perfect size of treat.  I ended up with a full jar (she had a few before I took photos of them).  Needless to say, she loves them, and I feel good giving them to her knowing they are not filled with preservatives. 

DOGGY BISCUITS*

2/3 cup of salt-free homemade beef broth or hot water
2 tbsp olive oil
1 egg
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

Combine all ingredients into a firm dough in a bowl.  Roll into a thin sheet approximately 1/8 inch thick on a flour dusted counter top.  Cut the dough into strips or cut out shapes using a cookie cutter.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake the doggy biscuits for approx. 30 minutes until golden brown.  Keep in a sealable jar. 

*recipe copied directly from Home Made

DIY Humidifier

My world is quiet.  Life is happening behind the scenes, but I've been in my head more than in this space.  I have been spending quite a bit of time outdoors with Annie.  

The weather has been all over the board.  Typical this time of year.  The temp rises during the day, enough for some to pull out their shorts, and then it plummets over night. 

Coming in and out of the dry air has been doing a number on my skin, in addition to the heat coming from the furnace.  To put a little moisture back into the air I put a few orange peels, a cinnamon stick and water on the stove top to simmer.  As it evaporates I simply add more water.  Whenever I'm home I put it on to simmer.  Before long my house is filled with the warm smell of a home in winter, and my skin gets a little respite. 

I've also been using a winter body scrub I made to slough off the dry skin.  You can find the recipe here. 

How do you take care of your skin in the winter?

2013 Word of the Year

The theme for 2013 is about living my truth.  I chose a word that encapsulates my goals and I added a few support words for reinforcement.  13 might be lucky after all.  

2013 Resolutions

Last January I posted 12 goals for the year and as I wrapped up 2012 I was amazed to see how well I did with them. Accountability has a lot to do with it.  Posting them in such a public place put pressure on me to follow through.  So I've decided to do the same for 2013, adding one more goal to the year.

My list and this year, my reasons.

1.  REDUCE EXCESS

This means no shopping.  No purchasing of unnecessary clothing, housewares, etc.  We live in a very disposable society.  Everywhere you turn there is a new product lurking with a message trying to convince you why you need it or need to replace what you already have.  My world has become quantity over quality.   

My closet is full of clothes I hardly wear.  My cupboards are stuffed with items I haven't used in a year.  So, unless there is an item I truly need (i.e. running shoes because I will not damage my body with bad shoes) I will not purchase anything I do not need.  In addition, I will be sorting through every inch of my home and donating the excess.

2. CREATE A DAILY RITUAL

A daily practice, particularly in the morning, is creative and inspiring, and all around healthy.  My goal is start each day with sun salutations, meditative walks with Annie, and loads of affirmations.  I want to start the day with the right frame of mind. 

3.  UNPLUG

When cell phones became the newest technology I was not convinced it would make my life better.  It took me a long time to finally get one, and then when I did, I rarely carried it around or used it.  My friend BR can attest to this.  Now I use it all the time.  Also, when I'm cooking or cleaning around the house, I sometimes turn on the t.v. to news or trashy shows just to have background noise.   

Well, if we are what we eat, we are what we watch and listen to as well.  I will focus on listening to music more and no longer tune into the t.v. for noise.  And, I will no longer have my cell phone within reach when I'm out and about.  I would rather engage with the checkout gal then filter through my twitter feed.  

4.  FIND A NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

I'm really over conventional medicine.  Last year I had some crazy allergy thing that knocked me out.  cc didn't want to get sick so I went to the doctor to figure out what was going on.  In less than five minutes, without getting all the information on my symptoms, I was prescribed a z-pack.   

I want a doctor that gets to the heart of the problem and doesn't just treat the symptoms.  Also, I am interested in determining whether there is a path I can take to eliminate my thyroid medication.  A naturopath doctor has a med degree but will try natural remedies before turning to conventional medicine.

5.  FIND A MENTOR

This one is big because I rarely ask for help.  Between feeling insecure in my abilities and not wanting to air those or knowing I can do it myself, I just don't ask.  This is obviously horrible thinking so I will be searching for guidance this year.

6.  BUILD FRIENDSHIPS

I struggle with relationships because I don't put myself out there very well.  It is easier to do in this space because I can't see your face, but real time is a different story.  My goal is to work on that this year.

7.  START A SIDE BUSINESS

I have really wanted to do this for a while.  I love to teach and I love being creative.  I have many ideas in mind and I am looking forward to this goal the most. 

8.  MOVE EVERYDAY

Yoga, run, walk with Annie, hike.  Whatever it looks like, for 30 minutes a day I need to move. 

9.  BE PRESENT

I am searching for a quiet spirit.  I'm always thinking ahead, planning my next move and I want to focus on just sitting in the moment and not worry about yesterday or tomorrow.  

10.  INTENTIONAL COMMUNICATION

Another biggie this year.  I curse.  I use poor grammar, and I can be a debbie downer.  I have gotten comfortable, maybe even a little lazy in how I speak and I realized I don't want that to be a piece of my legacy.  Silence is golden. 

11.  BE CONFIDENT

I believe there is wisdom in carrying an air of confidence.  Not egotistically, but rather, comfortable in my own skin.  

12.  HONE A NEW SKILL

I am a life long learner and I am happiest when I am learning something new.  This year I would like to focus on skill set that I can add to my tool box. 

13.  DO ONE THING THAT SCARES ME

This was #12 on last year's list.  To be honest, I put it on the list because I didn't have anything else, but it is the one goal that stuck with me the most.  I enjoyed it immensely, and so I am adding it again for 2013.   

Cheers to a new year and a fresh start.  Any resolutions for you this year?

Rock the Shot January Challenge

This year I am taking my photography to a new level.  To start the year I am entering the January photo challenge with this shot of my sister, Sarah.  The challenge is sponsored by Rock the Shot.

We are to pick our favorite photo from 2012 and this one happens to be one of my favorites because it captures her exactly as I see her.  She is full of life.  We laugh, giggle and have a lot of fun when we are together and you can see it here in her eyes.  

I captured this by crouching down so I was slightly below her level.  She was facing a window, so the light is natural.  I also used a reflector to bounce more light on her face.  She is always saying funny things so we were actually just talking.  I told her I was just checking the settings on my camera and therefore she was relaxed.  I took a few shots and this is the result. 

ROCK THE SHOT FORUM