One Minute Writer

Prompt: Travel: What's the farthest you traveled as a child, and what was the experience like?

I ran to my room, slammed my door, and screamed, "I'm running away!" In went the essentials: teddy bear, favorite nightgown, and cherry chapstick all contained in a Strawberry Shortcake duffel. Out the front door and down the street I headed, the entire world open before me. But then I realized I was hungry for lunch. I was 5 years old, and back I turned to the safety of home and some Campbell's chicken noodle soup, my reason for wanting to run away in the first place all but forgotten.

The One-Minute Writer

I just discovered this blog in my travels. I'm already on a New Year's Resolution kick: making my list, printing my 2010 calendar. I'll be adding this one to the list. One minute, that's it. I think I can spare that. They give a daily prompt, and have a cute little timer that runs for one minute.

Today's is Bottle: What would you like to bottle and sell? Be creative. (Feasibility is optional.)

Here's what I wrote (remember it's only a minute, so there's no time for editing!):

My children's laughter rolling over the sun-drenched grass as they run barefoot to the swimming pool. Their squeals of delight as the first drops of water bead upon their sun-kissed skin. I would bottle it up to warm my soul on cold, frost-bitten winter days.

Guess I'm already pining for warm summer days!

So excited

to be seeing this incredibly talented girl in concert next month

Holidays in Hand {day one: goals}

Part two: Turn your values into specific goals.

1. We will spend quality time together as a family each weekend in December.
2. We will continue our family traditions (gingerbread house, baking a cookie a day for 5, church on Christmas Eve, ornaments and stories, reading Twas the Night Before Christmas, etc), and will begin one new tradition (have to think on this one!)
3. We will choose a name from the giving tree at church.
4. We will light our advent candles at dinner and say a prayer.
5. I will log gratitudes weekly and remain thankful for all that we have.
6. We will bake a cookie a day for the five days before Christmas, and give some away to friends.
7. I will make at least three handmade gifts for my family/friends this year (I'm hoping for more, but let's be realistic--see #9 below) .
8. I will record daily happenings, thoughts, rememberances in my December Daily album.
9. I will not get caught up in the stress that often accompanies this season, but will relax and enjoy the beauty, peace, and gift of it.
10. I will resume my photo a day for December.
11. We will play Christmas music (lots of it) and dance around the family room to it!
12. We will decorate our tree and home together (Perry, I hope you're reading this one!)
13. I will take time for peaceful reflection each day, either in my head, journal, December Daily album, or here on my blog.
14. I will reread my values and goals when I feel like I am falling off track.

Statement of Commitment:

I, Michelle Neddo, commit to live in the moment this December, to take time each and every day to reflect, record, and remember the beauty that is Christmas. I will slow down, no matter how difficult at times that may be, no matter what forces, thoughts, and stresses may be tugging at me. I will enjoy this holiday season for the gift that it is.

Holidays in Hand {day one: values}

Values of our holiday season

• family
• traditions
• charity
• the reason
• gratitude
• baking
• gathering
• giving
• creating
• together
• remembering
• appreciating
• relaxing
• enjoying
• photographing
• playing
• music
• decorating
• peaceful
• reflection

Just my brainstormed list for the assignment for Day 1 of Holidays in Hand.

What are the things your family values during the holiday season? Make your list--it would be a great scrapbook page.

Photo of the Day 11.3

roar

Photo of the Day Nov. 2

mad scientists

Create Art Everyday

I just landed upon this website. Sometimes these things have a way of serendipitously happening. I'm embracing the possibility that this month holds for me. I view November as the sort of calm before the storm that is the month of December. I'm hoping to find lots of time to create, or even small bits of time to create, as long as I can do it everyday. It fuels me.

Photo of the Day 11/1

better than a magic carpet ride

We've seen this ride before, but today they flew directly over our yard. The kids were yelling up to the riders, and they were waving and yelling back to us. So magical!