Happy New You!

Wishing you all the beauty and new beginnings this year brings.

Happy New You!

XO

Take a peek...my new 365 journey

I am blooming in 2010

Blooming.


bloom·ing (blo̵̅o̅m′iŋ)
adjective

1. flowering; blossoming
2. thriving; flourishing

This is my word for 2010.

Blooming.

This fits for so many reasons.  But most of all, it's just how I feel.  As 2009 comes to a close, I feel like I have been on the brink of transforming.  The past months I have been this seedling rapidly growing and pushing myself out of the ground.  Digging my way out, stretching, and being nourished.  And now it's time to break free...to really expand.

Finally, I can see the sun.

And I am reaching...reaching...reaching...like a satellite.  I am ready to grow.  To bloom.  To flourish.

I think it's going to be a very interesting year, to say the least.

And what could be more perfect than beginning the new year with a new project...aptly named bloom.  Ohhhhh...I can't wait for this to start!!!

I look forward to a new year and growing with you all...for you have been such a blessing in my life.

XOXO

Looking forward

Get ready...get set....

...Looking ahead...

It's almost that time...a new year!  I don't know why...but I am so excited for a fresh start.  To have a new word to guide me.   I am going to open a tumblr account and photograph my journey.  I won't put too much pressure on...but I will challenge myself.  I even bought a new charm for my necklace that represents new beginnings.  So I guess you could say, I am getting ready.

So how about you?  Are you going to choose a word (I even put a "word challenge" tab on my header bar) this year? I encourage you to do so...yes, that means you too Jason! 

When I think about this past year, I am amazed at all the different roads I took...sometimes the scenery was breathtaking...other times, not so much.  But, I look back with no regrets.

And that is how I want to live my life from now on.

With no regrets.

And so life goes on...

Today I received the sweetest card...a little sign that all is well.  Thank you Elk...xoxo.  How sweet is this?  And I even have a new little bird hanging on my tree :)

I feel much more peaceful today and the drama of yesterday has finally died down (thankfully).
And now there is even the possibility of going somewhere else...even better (crossing fingers).
It's funny how a day can change everything...  And in a few months will anyone even remember this? 

So...life goes on. And that's a beautiful thing, isn't it?

free

Merry Merry everybody :)

OK...I had to sneak one quick post in...



Hope you are all having a beautiful holiday.  Wishing you much peace, love and joy!

Morning light

2009 wrap up

Whew...what a year! Don't cha think?

Here is what my year felt like:

A whirlwind

New Beginnings

Many transformations

Inspiration from everywhere

Moments of complete fear

2 steps forward 1 step back

Breakthroughs

Heartbreaks

Frustrations

Incredible journies

Letting 1 blog go & beginning 2 new ones

Finding new incredible friends

Support from unexpected places

Tapping into new creative sources

Reluctantly letting go of old ideas

Closing my eyes and jumping in

Following my heart

Fighting my ego

Finding Beauty

Trusting

Living more fully

Learning patience

Hitting the wall at times

Complete confusion

Miracles

Many mistakes

Incredible growth

Entering a new decade

Growing up

Finding more peace within

Learning new tricks

Taking it to the next level

Putting myself out there

Keeping the faith

Loving myself more

Acceptance

Deep breaths

Understanding

Changes
Digging deep
Getting lost
Finding my way
No regrets
Evolving

.

.

.

I wish all of you a wonderful holiday and very blessed New Year.  I will be back on the 1st with my word for 2010.  I hope that many of you choose to do the same.  I think this year is going to be a good year...don't you?  And I am embarking on a new journey that I can't wait to share with you...

Thank you again for all the support over this past year...and following me as I moved from here and there.  I am beyond blessed to know you. 

Much love and light!

XOXO

dim sum

Swan Lake

Open to receive

Joy of Peace and quiet

~and~

Sometimes it all becomes too much.

And we just need to surround ourselves with peace and quiet.

Those moments where the world stops spinning.

And everyone stops screaming and yelling.

And a great hush falls.

.

.

.

.

.

We feel our breath.

Empty our minds.

Connect with our soul.

Even for 30 seconds.

That is enough.

Peace.

.

Quiet.

Joy of Words

Can you believe I took this photo with my cell phone???

I went down to the beach last night to calm down a bit.  I live so close, yet I never go as often as I should.  So yesterday I went...to ground my energy.  I have too much fire energy right now...and I thought some water would cool me off a bit (it occurred to me this is why surfers are always so chilled out...they are in the water all day!) Nonetheless, being by the ocean worked like a charm!  And I do love the ocean this time of year.  It's darker...and more turbulent.  I also love that the beach is quiet.  So as I sat there, I just opened my heart to the divine.  Letting the wind caress my face and said "do what you will with me...I am totally open."  I felt so free at that moment.

As I sat there on the edge of my world I began thinking about words...

Don't you love words?  Words are like magic.  If you ever read The Four Agreements...you know this.  Funny thing about words though...they can affect you deeply...but only if you choose them to do so.

You can take words personally...or not. I have learned to not take a lot of words personally...and that is powerful!

I know for those of you that chose a word to guide you through 2009...those special words held great meaning and significance.  A wonderful gift you have given yourself this year.  I know my word, deserve, was very special for me.  And it really did impact my year.  Cool, huh?

Oh yes...I do have my word for 2010...and I can't wait to share it with you.

Anyway...when looking at my blog name...I was thinking...jeeze, I don't feel so "whimsical" anymore.  I don't feel bad or dark or anything like that, but the word does not carry the same meaning as it did 6 months ago.  So I am thinking...only thinking right now...about changing the name.  I don't know...I have to sit with this for a bit.  Because, I will most likely change my mind.  I am fickle like that!

Anyway...for those of you thinking about the New Year and resolutions *blech* I hate resolutions...they are a set up for failure! I highly suggest throwing that idea out the door and going with a word instead.  Carefully choosing a word that will carry you through 2010.  A powerful and positive word...an affirmation if you will.

Here is a list to start with:

• abundance
• peace
• balance
• courage
• dedication
• intention
• manifestation
• loving
• freedom
• playful
• focus
• family
• centering
• healing
• dream
• happiness
• strength
• unity
• gratitude
• release
• forgiveness
• empowerment
• create
• spirit
• grace
• acceptance
• imagination
• freedom
• serenity
• passion
• resolve
• transformation
• magic
• determination
• joy
• adaptability
• resourcefulness
• confidence
• trust
• faith
• independence
  
• healthy
• bloom
• shine
• seek

What do you think?  Sound like a plan?

Joy of the Muse

Yep...I most defiantly downloaded the muse, as suggested by Stark Raving Zen. No doubt about it.  I call my muse "the mistress of the night."  Seriously.  Because the words I am writing are intense, dark, rich and soulful (mmm...sounds like a good cup of coffee).  It's like a part of myself that I didn't know existed just opened up. Just like that. *snap* It's even affecting my photography (check out my latest here).

When I finish writing and read the words, I am blown away.  Where on earth is this coming from?  Because, for the most part, I think of myself as this cheerful, light and carefree "girl".  Happy.  Easygoing.  And what I am writing is haunting to say the least.  But it is also very fulfilling.  If that makes any sense. (maybe someday I will share my writing...but for now, I am not ready).

It's as if this muse is an ancient wise woman...passing this sacred torch on to me. Letting me know that it's OK to grow up now. It's my time.  Because, honestly, I have never felt like a grown up...even with having kids.  But suddenly, I feel really different.  Older. Wiser.  Yes, grown up. As if the words I am writing are changing me as they flow from my mind on to the paper.  These words are leaving traces of wisdom...

Thankfully, this post over at Christina's filled me with needed peace and silence, as I yearn for those moments more than ever.  I miss the winter right now.  I miss that cold hard wind clearing my head.  That stillness and solitude of a snowfall. Hibernation...

Man-o-man what a seriously trippy couple of weeks it has been. Never in my life did I expect this to happen.

So, if you happen to download the muse...you better grab that wheel and hold on for dear life...because you are going to be in for one thrilling ride!

Joy of the music that shaped you

On a total whim I picked up the CD to New Moon (no, I have not seen the movie, nor am I a die hard Twilight fan...OK...just wanted to get that out of the way.).  I heard a few tracks and thought...this is some really cool sounding music!  And I have not bought cool music in a long long time.  As I listened to this (I had a lot of time as I was painting the guest room) I realized that this all sounds like 80's alternative rock (which is what I grew up listening too...this the music that shaped me, if you will).  I was not a hair band girl in the 80's...I thought I was too deep and twisty for that kind of stuff...lol.  I was just too cool for school (I literally thought I was...but luckily graduated...*smiles*).

But seriously...the music I listened to as a teen really shaped me as an adult.  Music absolutely affects my soul.

When I was 16 (and could finally drive) my favorite thing to do on weekends was going downtown (Chicago) and visiting my favorite record (that is correct...RECORD) store off Rush and Division St.  I would talk with the "cool as crap" people behind the counter about the new sound of the moment...stuff that no one heard of yet.  I got totally hooked on the "Manchester sound"  God, I loved those British rockers!  I took fierce pride in the fact that I was listening to music that most of my friends never heard of.  I fought against being mainstream. Somehow, in my mind, it made me cooler.  Funny, huh?

So, where am I going with this tangent?

I don't  know...it's just that when listening to this CD, it brought back so many good memories.  I forgot about those days.  Being a teenager...discovering new sounds...being curious, free and open.  And, somehow this CD stirred them all up!

So for anyone who is curious, this is what I am hearing on this CD (if you want, click the links to the particular song)... Bronski Beat (totally awesome song here) Peter Murphy, Xymox (this was my favorite song in 1989) Stone Roses, Morrissey (oh...another big fave! He was the friggin coolest), Psychedelic furs, The The,  Kate Bush (this song still makes me want to weep) and even some Roxy music.

Please tell me someone out there in blog land liked this music too...

Ah well...

I find it amusing that the young *kids* buying this today think this is all such a cool new sound...oh how wrong they are.  I am way cooler...lol...I was listening to this 25 years ago!  Damn...

So if you were a fan of 80's alternative rock...I suggest picking this baby up and giving it a spin...it won't disappoint!

I think this is my favorite song from the CD (if it were 1988, it would be my favorite song of the moment)...I swear I hear a tiny twinge of Morrissey in his voice ...what do you think?





So I wanna know...what music shaped you???

Joy of Failure

How about that for a title today?

Aw shucks...I am just having a bit of fun with you ;)  But seriously, I think my head must have been in a hole somewhere because I cannot believe that I have not stumbled across this blog before!

So instead of catching up on the things I should be doing today...I got totally "sucked in."  I was literally laughing with tears rolling down my face. That's the best isn't it? Ahhhh...  I am so immature sometimes!

So I wanted to share a few of my favoirte failures with you today...

And to my Canadian friends...lol...such trouble makers you are!

This is probably photoshopped...but it's still damn funny...

And don't forget...please keep your kids from pissing off the cart onto the floor...that's just rude!

Allrighty then...hope this brings a little laughter to your day!

ball of bokeh

Joy of healing

...I know...2 posts in one day!

OK...here's the thing.  I have been having this really weird twitching thing going on with my finger on my left hand.  For almost a month my index finger just starts spazzing out (that's a medical term by the way...lol).  It's just weird.  It doesn't hurt at all...but it's damn annoying!

So....

I am at Costco and my finger starts spazzing out again and now I am getting freaked out.  Thinking it's the onset of Parkinsons, ALS, MS...something horrible and terminal...for sure!  As I am driving home it hits me...I have to see an acupuncturist...TODAY...and as soon as freaking possible!

So...

I get home and get on the internet and luckily find a woman in the neighborhood.  And in 30 minutes I am at her office.  Now this is my first time getting acupuncture.  I have had cranial sacral, Reiki, shamanic and crystal healing (yeah, I get around)...but never acupuncture.

So...

The Dr. immediately notices that my crown chakra is WIDE open and I have too much electromagnetic stress in my head.  My energy is wild and not grounded (this totally makes sense).  We talk for a few minutes and the needles start going in.  Coooooool...I am feelin' all kinds of things.  My leg starts twitching.  Then, she presses on my sternum, asking me which spot felt the most tender.  I place my finger on the spot and in goes the needle.  Then, I burst out laughing.  Seriously.  I am just laughing and laughing.  She goes on to explain that I have a lot of fire energy and this is releasing.  Then...my body starts to shake.  Kind of like I am shivering really bad, but I am not at all cold.  I am surprisingly not freaking out about this.  The Dr. starts spraying "white light" and opens the door to the room and leads a path outside of the building (it's a small office) so this energy can escape.  She goes on to explain that I have "downloaded a whole bunch of energy from the universe" and it needs to leave my body.  I go on to shake for about 1 minute more...then, nothing.  Over.  Whoa!  She gives me a ball of jet to hold and a black tourmaline wand.  I can feel the energy pull down from my head and exit out of my feet.

When I leave the office my finger twitching is still there...but it's very very slight.  And I feel totally awesome.

So I go home and pull a healing card from my "soul cards" deck.  And this is what I pulled...

How cool is that?

 

Now I have to spend a little more time looking at this so I can figure out the message.  But I have a very good idea what it means.

I think I love acupuncture...

Joy of normalcy

This is my dog Anja...she helps me feel normal!

First off...thank you all for your wonderful and supportive comments yesterday. You all made me feel a lot less crazy. Thankfully, as the day went on a sense of normalcy settled in...and I welcomed it with open arms.

I even got that damn room painted! And the Christmas cards finished! How about that?

As I strolled through Target in my thick fog (yikes...I even snuck a target trip in between the painting and the cards!) I spied 2 movies on sale for $7.50...gotta love that! So in the cart went "Knocked Up" (I love you Seth Rogen!) and "The Holiday" (I love you too Jack Black).

Last night I did what I do when it all becomes too much...turn my brain off and become a slave to the television. So at 10:00 PM I settled in to watch The Holiday...not going to bed until after midnight. But I thoroughly enjoyed those 2 hours...giving my swirling brain a rest.

Oh yeah...I gotta give another shout out to Droll Girl today for posting this (LMAO!).


So I hope you have a wonderful weekend...I am off to do the laundry...and might even try to sneek in "Knocked Up" before the kids come home from school. *smiles*

By the way, have I mentioned that I love you guys?  Yeah...I totally do! ((hugs))

Joy of...?

This is a photo of what my brain feels like right now.

So, it's kinda like this:

Holy crap...all these things swirling in my head. Little stories. Ideas. Characters. Screaming to come out.

It's fun. New. Exciting. Exhausting!

~Except~

I have kids, dogs, a house to manage, a husband, dinners to cook, cards to send, a room waiting to be painted, groceries to buy, a play to watch, piano lessons, tennis lessons, gifts to wrap, beds to make, laundry to finish, dishes to do, and...

I am trying so very hard to maintain a sense of normalcy. Except I feel like I am losing my mind. As my head fills with ideas and words coming from who knows where.

And so I don't quite feel like myself anymore. Like I have this strange double life thing going on at the moment. And I don't quite know how to merge everything together.

I am just an ordinary person who is having this extremely extraordinary experience.

So now I find that I am walking in this weird thick fog. Not sure where any of this is leading. And I wish I could just shut the world out for a little bit so I could get this all sorted out.

Yep...it's just like that.

Joy of boots

I scored today...totally scored!  If you recall, a few posts ago I complained about how I bought these boots, returned them only to buy them someplace else...yada  yada yada.  Long story short.  I got another pair because I didn't like them afterall.  And then I didn't even like those!!! Typical.

So three pairs of boots later...

I decide that on-line shopping is just not going to cut it...I have to shop around.  So off I go to the dreaded and horrible mall.  Then I spot them. Quickly.  My hawk eyes hit the target.  Even better...they are on sale!  I put these babies on, looked at my self in the mirror, and knew...keepers.

I didn't even take them off...I put my shoes I wore into the store in the box.  Paid my bill and walked out with a whole new attitude.  Funny how a pair of boots can do that to you.  And you know...I turn 40 in 11 days (but who's counting) and if I buy something that makes me feel remotely warm...it's mine.  But these boots make me feel kinda hot. I know, right!?  I'm sorry...but I have been settling for warm too long...lol. Not too shabby for a soon to be 40 year old!

Sunday Afternoon

Joy of the unexpected

Oh My God...my dear blogger buddies...what the heck just happened?  Because I am not even sure myself.

Has this ever happened to you...  An unexpected creative outlet opens that takes over and possesses your entire being? Cuz that just happened to me.  And it's kind of freaking me out. Obviously I am talking about the short stories I wrote. Was it the crazy full moon???

Here's the thing...

This story just came to me. It consumed me for days and I literally had to get it out of my head.  As I typed the words just flowed.  Like I was on auto pilot.  When I go back and re-read the stories I can't believe I wrote them.  Seriously. But I did.  I don't really care if they are good or bad (OK...I do care, I hope they don't suck ass).  I am not a writer...or I should say, I have never written a fiction story in my life.  Ever.

So I find this whole thing totally mind blowing and surreal.  Or maybe I needed this escape.  Maybe I am going crazy...I don't know...

Weird.



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The book is here...just in time for the holidays! Click photo to preview.

Joy of writing (update)

I am done.  Whew!

For anyone who wishes to read the short stories...but please read in order...or part 2 will be a spoiler ;)

The awakening (part 1)

The awakening (part 2)

Now I have a lot of laundry to do!

Joy of writing

I have no idea what has possessed me.  Seriously.  Last week I this dream...and now it has turned into this story (The Awakening).  I am now almost done with part 2.  The same story but told from the man's perspective.  I can't stop writing.  I don't even want to eat.  This is absolutely nuts.  I have never written anything like this before.  But I am having fun and so I am "going with this."

I will be finished with this sometime on Sunday and will post it for anyone who wishes to read it.

Hopefully I will get back to the regular program on Monday!

Joy of Iowa pine and a short story.

Ohhhhh... I came across something so delicious at Target yesterday! Mrs. Meyers (Iowa pine scent) cleaner and hand soap. Holy cow people...this smells like an actual Christmas tree! And I do love the smell of pine trees. But since I don't have a real tree, this will have to do. I should get paid for this endorsement!

Anyway, I am jonsing on my pine smell and getting into the holiday spirit. And I just received this pretty little center piece today and it just made me so happy.

I also just finished writing a short story (it's not at all holidayish...but if you want to read it (give yourself at least 15 minutes) go here. I don't know what the heck came over me to do something like this...as I would not consider myself a writer. Anyway, I would love your thoughts...it's more along the lines of a "chick lit" romance. Oh well, it's all just fun...and escaping reality for a few minutes during this time is always a good thing.  And I think it's pretty entertaining.

So...now I am off to wash my hands with more Iowa pine!

Happy happy joy joy!  Have a beautiful weekend!


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The book is here...just in time for the holidays! Click photo to preview.

Joy of laughter

OK, I am going to do something totally different today...are you with me?

During this time of year it's so easy to get stressed out.  Too many errands, expectations, shopping, family, decorating, etc. Laughter somehow gets put on the back burner.  The "holidaze" can be too serious sometimes, don't you think?  So today, I thought it would be fun to share the joy of laughter and humor. 

Droll girl introduced me to this site a few months ago and it really is one of the best blogs I have come across when I need a good laugh. Below are some really awful and funny family (not mine thank goodness) photos. Oh man do they make me laugh!  I will also say, that I am very glad I did not take any of these photos...lol.

Here are a few of my very favorite photos...but be sure to stop by and visit Awkward Family Photos  to see much more (and when you need a good laugh). You won't be sorry.

Enjoy the awkwardness :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...Allrighty then...

Which one is your favorite?  I think mine are tied between the father & son head swap and the last one...*gah* I almost peed my pants...nothing worse than a sinewy naked father to be!  The  photographer should be shot.  LOL...Gross and funny.

Hope these brought a bit of laughter into your day!


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The book is here...just in time for the holidays! Click photo to preview.

Joy: Solitude

Photo by Mark.OS

What I miss most about winter is the solitude...especially during a heavy snowfall.  I love the way the snow blankets all the sounds. And the world becomes quiet. I miss little fluffy snow flurries that dance in the sky like faeries.

Snow is magical.

Snow brings me lot's of joy.

But what I really miss is...a good snowfall that lasts for hours and hours and makes the world white.  And clean (at least temporarily). Funny, how when you don't have it, you want it so badly.

*Sigh*

Thank goodness for photography, right?  These 2 photos are bringing me much peace today.  I love the quiet mood and feeling of solitude I sense when looking at these.  Just letting the world slow down for a bit...so I can catch my breath.

Hoping you find a few moments of peace and solitude today.

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The book is here...just in time for the holidays! Click photo to preview.