December Challenges -Day 5

Today Jamie asks us to share 10 things about ourselves.

1. My first home was on Cambridge St. in Winnipeg 61 years ago and I now live in Cambridge.

2. Between these 2 places,  I have moved over 25 times.  The longest place I lived in was a small place near Lindsay for 20 years. I moved from Winnipeg to Montreal( lived there 5 years and moved 3 x)  to Toronto (12 years, moved 5x)  to Ottawa (3 years,moved 4 x)  to Kingston (1 year, 1 place)  to the NWT (3 years. 1 place) back to Toronto (1 year, 1 place) to Alberta (3 years, moved 6 times)  and to Pontypool (20 years, 2 moves) and now to Cambridge (9 years, 2 moves).

3. I remarried at age 50 in 2002.

4. I have 3 children and 5 stepchildren (3 with my present husband)  and 8 step-grandkids (5 with my present husband)

5. I donated a kidney to my husband in 2003 - he has had it now for 10 years and is doing well.

6. I finally retired after 36 years in education at the end of June. All I ever wanted to be was a teacher.

7. I love reading and have waaaaay  too many books. I am trying to read what is on my shelves but I am too tempted by new books. That is my addiction.

8. I have returned to creating and writing and now have the time to pursue them.

9. I drive but I have a real fear of driving on major 400 series highways or going places I have never been. I have never had a panic attack - I just won't (or can't) drive.

10. I love tea and hate coffee. Unfortunately I love treats with my tea - something I am trying to change.

Kat asks us:

What was the greatest risk you took in 2013? What was the outcome?

For me the biggest risk was retiring. It took me a long time to make the decision. I knew I loved teaching but it was getting to be physically a challenge everyday. The arthritis in my knees caused pain everyday and since I cannot take anti-inflammatories, I usually just bore it.
I knew we would have been better off financially if I had worked another year or two but a few things swung the decision to that June:
* a close friend had just lost her sister that winter. Joanne was 62 and a teacher
*the upcoming class for September that I would most likely get was a definite challenge
*new principal, new challenges
*I was getting tired and I felt I was just not as effective as I once was

So I retired and I am glad I did. The pain is still there and I miss teaching every day, but I am writing more and creating more and I can pursue other interests when I want. Hopefully, finances will be okay for us in the future.

December Challenges - Day 4

 

 

Jamie asks us to share the weather today.

We are lucky here in Waterloo region to have escaped the extremes of snow and freezing rain hitting parts of Canada this week. We had some rain (!) but the temperatures are a mild 6 C. Can't complain about that.

I walked outside in a long sleeved shirt and captured a few photos around the yard - even saw a chickadee.

 

 

                                             (A puddle of rainwater)

 

 

                                          (grey sky, chickadee, drops of rain)

 

The weather all over North America has been extreme this past fall. Scary really when we really don't know what to expect. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kat states:

 

This past year, we have all experienced so much loss and experienced so much grief -- in relationships, through sickness and death, from mental illness or abuse, because of finances, even due to the need for healthy change. 

It is good to honor those shifts, to fully feel them, so that we can let go of what needs surrendered, and remember what is worthy of our love and gratitude.

What have you lost, what are you grieving?

 

 

What I have lost this year is my teaching career. I retired at the end of June and it really wasn't til September that I realized just how much teaching defined me, filled my days and gave me so much joy (ok frustration too). I am doing some tutoring but it is not the same.  I miss the sharing of books, of helping young ones learn.

I also gave away or sold or threw out a large majority of my teaching books, units and files. I still have some to process through, but it hurt when teachers didn't want some of what I used for my teaching.

I am still grieving the loss of my Mom. It has been 5 years and the grief isn't as sharp. But Christmas is a time when I miss her the most.

ABC Wednesday

This week letter U is the focus.

To find stamps with U was a challenge, until I realized I had so many U.S. stamps! Then it was easy to create an APC with stamps from the U S of A

Last week was T and I missed posting, altho I had created a card for Tennyson.

Be sure to check here for how others around the world face the challenge.

December challenges

Day 3 of Old Skool and Jamie poses some interesting colour related questions:

RED ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of red? heart
2. Closest red thing to you? feather
3. What is the last thing that made you angry? PM Harper
4. Are you a fan of romance? Yes
5. Do you have a temper? Sometimes

[ GREEN ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of green? Grass
2. Closest green thing to you? Book cover
3. What's your favourite green environment? A rainforest
4. Are you jealous of anyone right now? No
5. Are you a lucky person? Sometimes

[ PURPLE ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of purple? grapes
2. Closest purple thing to you? pencil
3. Do you like being treated like royalty? Sometimes
4. Do you like mysterious things? Yes
5. Are you intuitive? sometimes

[ BLUE ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of blue? water
2. Closest blue thing to you? Computer screen
3. Are you good at calming people down? Yes
4. What's your favourite body of water (i.e. lake, ocean, etc)? Ocean
5. What was the last thing that made you cry?  Reading a book
6. Are you a logical thinker? Not very

[ YELLOW ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of yellow? Sun
2. Closest yellow thing to you?  pencil
3. What was one of the happiest times of your life? Getting married, having my children
4. What's your favourite holiday? Christmas
5. What makes you happy? Family, friends, reading, art

[ PINK ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of pink? Piglet
2. Closest pink thing to you? card
3. What sweet things do you like? Desserts of most kinds
4. Are you sensitive? Yes
5. What is your favourite flower? Rose and carnation
6. Does you have a crush on someone? Just my husband

[ ORANGE ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of orange? Pumpkin
2. Closest orange thing to you? DVD
3. Do you dress up for Halloween? Of course
4. What gives you the warm fuzzies? Hugs and kisses
5. What would your superpower be? Curing illness

[ BROWN ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of brown? Mud
2. Closest brown thing to you? My desk top
3. What is your favourite type of chocolate? Dark Chocolate bark with pumpkin seeds
4. What makes you feel grounded? Music, a hug
5. Paint the wood or always leave it au naturel? Depends on what its for

[ WHITE ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of white? Snow
2. Closest white thing to you? paper
3. Do you always try to keep the peace? YES!
4. Do you like to play in the snow? Love it – live in Ontario after all
5. Are you afraid of going to the doctors or dentist? Dentist

[ BLACK ]

1. What's the first thing you think of when you think of black? Midnight
2. Closest black thing to you? Computer mouse
3. Are you sophisticated or silly? In between
4. Do you have a lot of secrets? No
5. What's the new black? Katie Perry's hair???

 

 

 

Kat posted this for Day 3:

Each day for 31 days, I sat quietly for a few moments with my eyes closed and my hand on my heart and asked, “Heart: what do you need?”

And then I listened. Sometimes the answer cam in the form of a word. Sometimes an image. Sometimes a sensation.

Try this today. What does your heart have to tell you?
My heart has been trying to tell me to feel the joy of the season; to take part in all the events; to sing the carols; to celebrate with love and joy and keep the reason for the season.

December Daily Challenges

December brings two challenges - one I have done the last 2 years (Reverb) and a new one started by Jamie Ridler.  

The month of December is the perfect time to reflect on the year that has passed and start to manifest your dreams for the new year.

What is Reverb?

Reverb is a reflective writing challenge held in December every year. It provides a sacred space for participants to celebrate the successes and honour the challenges of the year that’s passing, as well as plant the seeds for a rich and rewarding new year.

Day 1 

How do you feel, on this first day, in your mind? In your body? In your heart? In your soul?

 Yesterday was a lovely day, very busy. It was my daughter's birthday and we took her out to a new restaurant in Kitchener. The food was delicious and it was wonderful to share lunch with my daughter and husband.

Then we shopped and I bought more books!

Then we got all the Christmas tubs from our attic (12+) and set up the tree. Normally we would have decorated as well, but lights had to be fixed,  and it was late when we finished.

So, I was in a very joyous mood, sharing a meal, seeing my daughter, getting read for Christmas. A wonderful way to start December.

 

Day 2

The way we nourish ourselves determines our ability to shine our light in the world. And nourishment doesn't just come in the form of food and drink and sunshine; it's equally important to nourish your spirit.

What made your soul feel most nourished this year?

 

This year I made the momentous decision to retire after 36 years in education. I loved (and love) teaching, but health issues and the whole political climate in education wore me down. Now I am free to read, write, create and do volunteer work.

As Jamie Ridler introduced "Old Skool":

31 Days of Old Skool Prompts - we're talking memes, pics and even a swap!! 

31 Days of Sharing! 31 days of FUN!!         31 Days of Blog-Spiration!!

First The Rules!

1. Be Nice.

2. Have Fun.

Day 1 - Share a selfie

I really don't like getting my picture taken and so for me to do it, it was a challenge. ut here goes:

Day 2      Let's capture this moment in time.

1. What are you reading?
I have been taking part in a reading challenge "Reading down the House" - trying to read the many books that are overflowing on my shelves. I posted the first 26 I wanted to read here, and have actually read a couple. Trouble is, I am addicted to books and when a new one is reviewed I have to read it or at least buy it for later. I just finished "The Rosie Project" and Loved it. Next is "The Hobbit" -if I want to see the movie!

2. What are you watching?
I have started to watch Christmas movies and specials. I love them all. My favourite is "One Magic Christmas".
I also love "The Voice" and "Elementary. And I am a bit of a news junkie.

3. What are you listening to?
Christmas music of course. My radio station plays it all day! Love it!

4. What are you loving?
Christmas, my husband, my children and stepchildren and their children, reading, writing, creating.

5. What are you wearing?
Jeans, a long red top and sandals.

6. What are you creating?  
I have just completed NaNoWrMo - writing 50,000 words in November. Now comes the hard part - editing and revising. But I am determined to send in the 3 novels (short ones mind you - a lot has to added) I wrote.
I also completed PiBoIdMo - and have 30  children's picture book ideas from which I hope to choose 2 to write a script for.
I am also working on a number of ATCs this month for swaps coming do.

7.What are you looking forward to?
Celebrating Christmas with family and friends, writing and creating.

 

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

This past month my creative outlet was writing, I took part in  NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and I actually wrote 50,000 words! I wrote every day and am determined to kep going.
I also participated in PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) and I generated 30 picture book ideas. There are several ideas I aim to expand and write a script.

I definitely discovered that the more you write, the more you improve. I also found, the more I wrote, the more I wanted to keep on writing.


Books Read
The other thing I have been doing is reading, especially the past 2 weeks.
By far the best book I have read recently was

" The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion
I laughed at many parts - even had to read several to my husband. The main character has Asperger's- Don is  a quirky character, a scientist, who you come to care about. It is a very heartwarming story though.

 


 Also read:

"The Time Keeper" by Mitch Albom

"Home for  Christmas" by Cally Taylor

"Hatty Big Sky"  by Kirby Larson

"The Christmas Shoppe" by Melody Carson



December
This month, I plan to continue writing, reading but also work on more art. There will be lots of Christmas activities to take part in.

Shadow Shot Sunday

A bit of sun after lunch and I quickly went outside to catch some shadows. We're expecting a bit more snow overnight.

Be sure to check here for wonderful shadows from around the world.