Life...As I See It

With the end of the year...

...comes reflecting. Goals. Photo projects. Word of the year.

2009 Goals

 

1. Master the Mac - I'm sure I haven't utilized all of its potential but I consider this accomplished.
2. Create 10 projects from my project to-do list - I wasn't interested in doing some of the projects anymore so I created 7 instead of 10 from the to-do list.
3. Train smarter - after an injury that prevented me from running for months I was determined to do everything I could to prevent another injury. Not to push it when I know I shouldn't. Cross training. Strength training. I'm ending the year with only one injury!
4. Read 50 books - I'm reading my 66 book now.
5. Strength train 3 times/week - this ended up being twice a week consistently.
6. Complete 2009 Project Gratitude - I just posted Week 50. Now to decide on how to compile these photos into a book or album.
7. Reverse or stop Osteopenia - this was a biggie. A stress fracture leads to concerns about bone density which leads to a Dexascan that leads to a diagnosis of Osteopenia. After getting over my frustration of wondering why and how when I try to do everything I can to stay healthy I decided to set goals and make a plan (put this in my comfort zone.) This goal is pretty much the catalyst behind 2 of my other goals as part of the treatment. I'm happy to say I have stopped the loss of bone mass!!  

2009 Photo Project 

52 Weeks 52 Photos 52 Blessings

In 2009 it has been Project Gratitude. 2010? I'm considering a Project 365 but I need direction and focus. I don't do well with random. Maybe a theme or joining a P365 group. Still thinking about this one.

Word of the Year

Inspired by Ali Edwards' One Little Word in 2007. In 2007 my word was Balance. In 2008 it was Time. And 2009 is Simplify. 

 

Love this concept and I'm amazed how effective it can be. I have simplified and as a result less stress and accomplishing more. I haven't even began narrowing down my choices for 2010. 

So, that is 2009. What of 2010? I will set goals. I will have a word of the year. And I will complete a photo project. More details after a little more thinking and planning :)

 Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. George Bernard Shaw

moods, jeans and flip flops

Project 365 +1...a few favorites

 

my life in pictures

365 +1 days of photos...

no. 39/365: grande 2 pump extra hot skinny cinnamon dolce latte

my beverage of choice and a guilt free treat. perfect for the weather we've been having!

no. 40/365: scrapbook pictures dot com

my favorite site for photo processing. i tried a few of the photo effect options for the first time. love how the text on photo turned out (and a peek at the beginning of my next mini album).

no. 41/365: pushing myself a little bit harder

a little bit faster. a little bit further. a little less time.

no. 42/365: my Toys R Us catalog

during the holidays kids have the Toys R Us catalog and i have Scrap Talk. my favorite site to get the scoop on the trade shows :)

<now I'm off the computer to tuck the kids into bed and work on my latest project>

took a break...

i think one of the last times i posted was at a point of feeling overwhelmed and a little frustration. time to do something before the little frustration became a lot of frustration.

i took a few days off from the computer (and a few other things) to regroup and re-prioritize. i do this about twice a year right about the time i begin to feel overwhelmed with what i perceive, at the time of overwhelmedness, as a lack of time. then i read this...

Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo,  Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein. ~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.

so, the "break" from a few things worked. just a simple step back and getting a refreshed perspective. refreshed priorities. feels so much better than a little, soon to be a lot of, frustration.

so you see...choosing TIME as my word for 2008 was perfect.

keeping up with my project.

no. 27/365: my Sunday

no. 28/365: projects (starting this today!)

Recipe as requested (and Project 365: Jan 11)

After blogging our Lemony Snicket dinner I received a lot of requests for the Pumpkin Mousse recipe. Here it is:

Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits

• 1 1/2 c canned pumpkin pie filling
• 1/2 c (4 ounces) block style 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
• 3 c frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed and divided
• 3/4 c gingersnap crumbs (about 12 cookies, finely crushed)
• 6 whole gingersnaps (for the top)

1. Combine pie filling and cream cheese in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Fold in 1 1/2 c whipped topping.

2. Spoon 1 tbsp gingersnap crumbs into each of 6 parfait glasses; top each with about 1/4 c pumpkin mixture and 2 tbsp whipped topping. Repeat layers once. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to serve.

3. Optional: After layers are complete I added an extra dollop of the pumpkin mixture and a whole gingersnap on the very top.

6 servings

(recipe from Weight Watchers Easy Weeknight Favorites)

Enjoy!

Project 365: January 11

one of my favorite things to get in the mail is photos! a variety of sizes! matte! people, places and things i love. this year i resolve to have pics processed at least once, probably twice, a month. 6 months of photos at one time takes way too long! i'm also going to try and order for a specific planned project instead of just ordering. i'm off to a good start!

I've been tagged (and day 10 of Project 365)

I've been tagged by Tammie . I don't think I've ever been tagged before. Wait...I need the questions right?

1. Name your 2 favorite scrapbooking topics: my family and the "everyday"

2. What are the 2 best places you've been to? Hawaii and San Francisco

3. Name 2 things you do every day: check my email and start the day with coffee

4. Tell us 2 things that pretty much everyone knows about you: I'm a perfectionist and I love my family more than anything

5.  2 places you wish to visit: Paris and Italy

6. 2 things you may not know about me are: I can't have my morning coffee until I drink a bottle of water and I like to go to the movies by myself

7. 2 nicknames you've had at some time in your life: I've only had one...dh calls me beautiful and has since the day we met

8.  Name 2 of your favorite drinks: grande, 2 pump, extra hot, skinny cinnamon dolce latte, really dry merlot

9. What are 2 interesting (in a good or bad way) jobs you have had in your life? movie theater (that was the best!) and psychologist which I love and never a dull moment

10. What are 2 things I would like to learn: more about Photoshop and manual settings on my XTi

11. What are the last 2 songs you downloaded or last 2 CD's you bought? running song for my iPod...Life is a Highway and songs for ds new iPod...Rock and Roll by KISS.

12. What are the last two books you've read? Kit Runner and Eat, Pray, Love

13. and my question is...What are your 2 favorite desserts? chocolate lava cake with raspberry sauce and pumpkin mousse

My tag is if you read this and have not been tagged consider yourself tagged :) Answer the questions and add one of your own. Then, tag 2 people.

Project 365: Jan 10

the great debate (in my head)

 

Love Life

While taking a break from studying...a very short break...I came across a site that was meant for me to find today. It was fate. I can't even remember how I ended up at this particular site. I was captivated by the artist's words. Perfect timing for me.

Check out Love Life (if you have time browse the archives)

Now, my photo of the day:

A right-now favorite>>>

On my mind...

My photo of the day:

A quote from one of my favorite running songs, "I am beautiful no matter what they say." ~Christina Aguilera

What "they" say isn't the problem. It's what I say to myself.

project 365: january 6

behind the camera

my thoughts on photography and self portraits ( thoughts added here )

back to studying.