wagon full of cute, originally uploaded by janece.

One of Amira’s Christmas presents this year was a wagon. Immediately following the gift wrapping shindig — we bundled up the girls (Amira and her 3rd cousin, Teaira) and Paul took them for a ride around the neighborhood. They had the very best time. I love Amira’s oversized gloves — she looks like a New Year’s Day float princess…

Aren’t they the best?

I spent the last week in Coos Bay at my Aunt Karen and Uncle Preston’s house.  We sardined 14 of us into their house and celebrated Christmas together.  I never get tired of our annual family Christmas get together!  We were rained in for most of the trip…  Coos Bay was showing off it’s wet and cold personality, sprinkled with some healthy doses of pelleting hail.  I missed getting out to see the waves and beaches - but had a great time with family.

Our last night there, Mom, Karen & I played Boggle.  I have to share the two words from that game:

#1 came from Mom and was the word bot.  I challenged it thinking she was trying to abbreviate robot… and turns out she wrote it down not knowing if it was a word or what it meant.  We looked it up.  Um, yeah.  It’s the larva of a botfly!

and

#2 was from Aunt Karen.  The word: jess.   I have a sister-in-law named Jess — but didn’t know this was a word.  Turns out that it’s: “a short strap fastened around the leg of a hawk and attached to the leash.“

So there’s your two Boggle words for the day.

Oh, and thanks Karen & Mom for playing with me and letting me accomplish one of my 101 Things for this week!  You are the best!  I had a lot of fun and wish game night once a week could be with the both of you on a regular basis! 

winter sky, originally uploaded by janece.

I snapped this photo from the car yesterday (right before it died on me - but that’s another story). Everyday life is beautiful, isn’t it?

For the next 5-6 days, I’m not sure what my plans are and how much I will be online — but I’ll check in when I can.   Take care of yourselves!

122107 * learning a hard lesson, originally uploaded by janece.

I’m living in a stereotype that I have made of other people in the past. If I believe and hang onto my judging stereotypes, it sucks the power right out of me and my life. Even though I’m tempted to, I’m not going to describe my stereotypes here because even doing so gives them acknowledgment and some form of credence.

I will not have my, or anyone else’s, life be made small by stereotypes.

122007 * giving it up, originally uploaded by janece.

I have been sleep deprived… so much so that my doctor has given me “orders” to take melantonin at 9:30 and be in bed as close to 10pm as I can. (I’m a chronic night owl, so this has been a discipline.)

When I first starting putting myself to bed that early, my mind wouldn’t stop. it was loud, demanding and very harsh. I would lay there for one, two, sometimes three hours… at the mercy of a monkey mind that wouldn’t shut the hell up.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been making it a practice at the end of the day to lay down with my palms up. I take a deep breath and I just thinking about not just letting it go, but giving it up.. Letting something go can be passive… but giving it up is (in my mind) active. I’m giving it up - it’s no longer my deal… I’m releasing whatever was in today that didn’t work, that I didn’t like, or didn’t go well. That’s done, over and tomorrow… tomorrow is a new day. I give up my self-deprecation, self-loathing, self-pity and anything else that I’ve been hanging onto that day. The day is done. I’ve been given Grace. Tomorrow is new.

And then…

I fall asleep.

Amazing, originally uploaded by janece.

These are low light and fuzzy. But, I couldn’t be more proud of them and her. She is playing a Clifford learning game. My girl has been, for the last couple weeks, sounding out, spelling and reading words!

It’s so incredible to watch her sound out the letters and then say the word with unmitigated glee! Each word is stunning and a joy to her. And to me!

121907 * pleased, originally uploaded by janece.

Working on my 101 Things has been surprisingly satisfying and energizing. I practiced piano. I sketched in my Moleskine. I took my 365 photo. I took a picture of Amira. I started a new book. I practiced sign language with Amira. And I was even help to help a friend with one of her Christmas errands. And that’s not even counting taking care of my sick baby girl, doing laundry, cooking dinner, and whatnot. Not bad. I had intended to paint yet today, but I need to go to bed an start fresh for another satisfying and energizing day tomorrow. Tune in tomorrow. Same bat time, same bat channel!

121907 * Moleskine Page #1, originally uploaded by janece.

For someone who considers herself an artist, I can’t draw. I was never encouraged to draw and never learned how.

In college, I decided to take a Drawing 101 class. I stayed in it about 3 weeks before dropping out. I was embarrassed and miserable. Everyone in that class were art majors and kids who had drawn, sketched and doodled their entire lives. I never had - so when I couldn’t even drawn shade a circle or shape, I despaired.

Doing this is #8 on my list — Fill up 3 Moleskines. And this, well, this is page #1.

(cross-posted from Flickr)

We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.”

–Calvin & Hobbes, Bill Watterson

I did action #64 and recycled printer cartridges. 

Because this is a UK based site — you have to improvise a bit… their resources are, of course, UK based. There are many places that will take them for recycling.  Some places will even pay you for them.  I choose to donate mine this round.

121807 * practice, originally uploaded by janece.

On my list of 101 Things in 1001 Days…

#4 — practice and relearn piano.

After 17+ years of not playing… Wow! There’s a memory in your mind of how you used to play, and how your fingers should work… but what actually happens is completely and utterly unlike that memory.

I did like the feeling of my mind working. I could feel it doing whatever it is that the brain does when it accesses something that you either have never done before or haven’t done in a very, very long time. I want to keep stretching that “muscle” and feeling my brain stretch. And, even though it sounded poor, it was very satisfying to sit down and play again.

Sorry to lose your recent comments… I tried the Intense Debate commenting solution and while it has some features I like, I found it slowed down the website too much.  So, I’m back to plain ol’ WordPress commenting.  I won’t lose your comments again, I promise. 

This meme was created by Michael Green, an Information Systems Developer in Auckland, New Zealand to motivate and challenge himself.

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The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:

1. Be Decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

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My list is here. I’m surprised just how long it took me to pull this list together.  I’m more surprised how challenging I found it to make it.

I left a few tasks blank intentionally. My idea was to take suggestions from my friends and family (that’s you!) and take those tasks on. If something, springs to mind, that you think I should take on… let me know.
I’m going to add a progress bar and check boxes next to my list.  I will update here on my main blog page too when I’ve completed one of the tasks. But, if you ever what to check in on my progress, you can always go to the 101 Things in 1001 Days page directly.

Task #79 is to get 5 other people to do their own “101 Things in 1001 Days” list. Any takers? Don’t make me get pushy!

121607 * more than this, originally uploaded by janece.

Don’t believe the calm in my face. Don’t trust my easy manner or my affable personality. Don’t think of me as safe. Don’t think you know me because I don’t know me. Don’t mistake that I’m sweet and nice.

See, I’ve spent years crafting a calm spirit, an approachable and undemanding personality. I’ve been an open book and one of the nicer people you’ve ever met.

Okay, and I will probably will still be so when you meet me next.

But, I do need to tell you… there’s more.

121507 * Focused, originally uploaded by janece.

Working on my painting… nervous that I’m going to go too far and mess up what I’ve done so far. I have a tendency to get a painting 3/4ths of the way to where I want it and then not be sure of how to put those finishing touches in place without ruining the flow and vibe altogether. Hopefully I’m able to pull it off with this one… because I really like what has come together so far.