Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Random End of Year Rambling

This post brought to you by the Year 2009 and Gala Darling!

Gala posted a wonderful post the other day to help us all prepare ourselves for the upcoming New Year. Her first words of advice were to reflect on 2008, either by doing a silly meme (Oy! I already did!) or just by meditating on the past year and thinking of what you did and all the lessons you learned and how much you grew, which is what I've done for the past few years, that I call my Blessings and Accomplishments.

Before I get more into that, I will answer a few questions from a different survey that are more important I think than the ones I did before.

What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? I sold my art and made enough to make it through the summer without working. It wasn't easy but we did it. I started my Master's Program. Algebra was first, and it's horrid! >.< I take my final on Friday 4pm!

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't make any real resolutions last year. I posted a bunch of hopes, but they weren't anything I was really working hard for. I am glad that some of them became reality if not all...

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Fiscal solvency. I feel like this is something I often wish for, resolve to figure out, whatever, but the one thing that year after year, since I first was on my own, I feel like I've never had.

So, what were my Blessings and Accomplishments for 2008? My blessings I've chronicled here for all to read. Over & over again, my partner, Jacqueline, the kids, and my cat, are on the list. Having a job, being healthy enough to go to work, the car still being running, having a place to live and plenty of food, and all the little things that make me happy... All are important blessings to me.

However, my accomplishments feel a little more nebulous. There were no graduations, no new jobs, no major milestones reached... *But* I *sold* my art, *I* sold *my* art, my *art* - and not just to a friend, or acquaintance - total strangers saw my art and liked it enough to buy it! And I made enough to scrape us through the summer... Of course, I couldn't have done it without Jacqueline & the kids' help, but we did it. And it was one of many things on my Life To-Do List! So YAY!

I also started my Master's program; I am far from done, but half the battle is getting started, eh?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

So now that I've reflected on 2008, particularly the blessings I've received and accomplishments I've made - and yes, I have made mistakes, no life is complete without them - Gala says it's time to set some goals for 2009! So back in 2004, I went and found out the difference between resolutions and goals. According to Dictionary.com, they are defined as follows:

res•o•lu•tion (rez-a-loo-shan) n.
  1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
  2. A resolving to do something.
  3. A course of action determined or decided on.
goal (gōl) n.
  1. The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective.
Therefore, resolutions are the actions that lead to goals. And I think most people would agree that you need have your goals Specific, Measurable, and Timed. ("I want to lose 25 pounds by May 31, 2009," instead of "I want to wear a bikini.") You also want to make your goals Reasonable or Realistic (If you are over 400 pounds, it's unlikely you are going to want to wear a bikini this year.) and Action-oriented. (What specifically are you going to do to get there?) This is known as the SMART method of setting goals.

There are some other things to remember when setting your goals using this method. You want them to be motivating, engaging, relevant, and highly valued to you. If you are deciding to lose weight because your boyfriend or mother says you should, not because you really want to, then you won't be very motivated to achieve the goal.

Also, you want to make sure your goals have room for correction and that you allow mistakes and move on from there. Don't give up, don't dwell on them, just say, well that didn't work, and move on. I don't know who said it (and the internet has it attributed to several different people) or exactly how it goes, but this is a good thing to keep in mind: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." If you find yourself slipping off course, set yourself back *on* course again, and keep going! No beating yourself up! People make mistakes; it's the ones who keep going that really succeed!

Finally, those who believe in the Law of Attraction may want to use or include the SAFE method when setting their goals. I hadn't heard of this until researching the SMART method this evening, but it makes sense to me, who believes in the Power of Intent; it closely resembles the magical rituals we do as pagans. With the SAFE method, you See your goal, Accept it, Feel it with emotion, and Express it. (You can get more information on this method here.)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

But what, you may be asking, are *your* resolutions and goals, Bunny? Well I'll tell ya...

I DON'T KNOW!

I started researching this and writing this hoping that I would figure it out by the time I got here. Well before midnight on December 31st. But know what? It's far later than I had planned, and I still don't know. Not long ago I overhauled the little schedule and routine checklist I had for myself, but with my father's illness taking so much of my energy (yes, even not knowing and worrying takes my energy), I've let things slide off a lot more than I had planned. Even my Master's studies have slipped and I'm scheduled to take the final on Friday! Eeep!

So, here it is, less than 3 hours to the New Year, and I am still grasping. I could go back to my 43things list, but probably won't. I could look at the previous years' goals & resolutions, but will they still be relevant? I don't think so... I think, at this point, I am in no position to try to make resolutions or goals. Everything is up in the air until my father decides what he's going to do, and until that happens, I feel like my life is on hold. Obviously I need to continue working on my master's, keep working every day they call me, keep looking for a permanent position, and keep making art! But to work towards any other goals at this point, when the goals may suddenly become unattainable or irrelevant seems foolish and a waste of time & energy.

What do you think?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires
and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy.
May the problems you had forget your home address!

In simple words...

May 2009 be the best year of your life!!!


New York's Times Square Ball Drop!

Wanting to watch the ball drop, but not going to be able to access a TV that's broadcasting it? This year's live webcam broadcast of the ball dropping in Times Square can be found at http://newyears.earthcam.com/...

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Sunday Sharing, or What happened to my organization?

It's been a rough holiday season for me. I've been lucky enough to be working every day school is in, but my studies are falling behind, my dad is in ill health, my art is getting pushed back, and my organized Creation Stations have become disaster areas...

This is the kitchen table, taken on the 23rd:


And this is my desk tonight:


The only things that have changed is that the TV is back in the bedroom. Having the internet out the other day left me angsty to play something for distraction; so the TV is back in here with Zelda! ^-^

Like my new LCD wide screen monitor? I <3 it! It was a lovely gift from an old friend, along with a faster computer for Da Momma, and a cord for the laptop. The kids were also blessed with a Wii; so now everyone has an electronic device to play with and for the most part, we have no reason to argue...

We were also blessed with lots of nice new clothes for the kids, some much needed cash for us, a bundle of art supplies, and lots of love and good wishes...

So it's your turn now! Share with me the blessings you got this holiday season, or share an organizing tip! I need 'em!

ETA
January 2, 2009
:
Submitted this to

for the theme: DISORDER! XD

Friday, December 26, 2008

Product Review: Mo's Bacon Bar

Yes, you read correctly. I finally stumbled upon that glorious combination of quintessential foods: chocolate and bacon. While shopping in the Big City last Saturday, we happened to come across Mo's Bacon Bar by Vosges and we decided to spring for it. I couldn't wait to try it out. However, with a head cold I knew I'd have to wait if I wanted to experience every flavor nuance. So wait I did. Five whole days it sat there, taunting me. But today, I finally tried it. I was not disappointed. Of course, neither was I overly impressed. It was not worth the $5.99 I paid for it, but it was good. Worth paying more for than a Snicker's...

Enough blathering about the price, you say; get to the taste! Patience! As with anything worthwhile, you do not want to rush. No stuffing your mouth so full that you can hardly chew; you can't truly enjoy the flavors that way! After removing the sealed silver wrapping from the box and opening it, I noticed the smoky chocolate scent, like the leftover chocolate from s'mores around the bonfire the night before. Then I snapped off a square. It was a dark milk chocolate, and you could see little chunks (and big too in some cases) of bacon on the back.

Then I took a bite. The chocolate was sweet and rich (45% cacao), and there were snappy little crunches of applewood smoked bacon and Alder wood smoked salt that burst in my mouth almost like PopRocks! The smoky saltiness gave the chocolate a deeper, more well-rounded flavor, and I was sad when the last of it melted away off my tongue.

How does it stand up nutritionally? Well, this is a candy bar. 3 squares have 160 calories, 11g of fat, and 15g carbs. Not too terrible as a planned snack/dessert, but not to be randomly snacked on...

Overall, I give it...

Two Ears Up

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Polyvore

I have seen it and played with it before, but never so much as I did last night!

I was challenged by Gala Darling to create a Polyvore to show her what I'd like to wear on Christmas Day. Yes, it is for a contest, but I honestly don't care if I win...

So let me tell you about this... Since it was about what I'd *like* to wear, not what I *am* going to wear - because honestly, with all the driving in cold rainy snowy weather I am going to have to do, I'm going to dress sensibly and boringly - I imagined that I was spending the holiday in a more urban, slightly more southerly clime, like NYC. Although, even that may not be south enough this year... Think still a little snow around to make things festive, cold enough to want gloves to keep your fingers warm and be comfortable in a fashionable bunny-eared hat & scarf, but not so cold that you need a coat (just a warm sweater) or that your legs freeze wearing a skirt. (And yes, I am well aware that that skirt is a school uniform and that it doesn't even *come* in a plaid like that, but if that skirt in the picture existed, I would wear it.)

So I would bundle myself up all cute-like, and I & the one(s) I love would go exploring the city, looking at the holiday displays, chatting and taking pics of whatever caught our eye... Of course, we would be on the constant look out for mistletoe wherever we could find it, just for opportunity to kiss. (Hence the Burt's Bees!)

The bag? Well, even if the best gifts aren't under the tree, I still hope there'd be some I need to carry home, besides how am I going to carry my warm fuzzy bunny slippers? I'll need them to warm my toes once we got to wherever we're going and I take off my boots...



So...what would you want to wear on Christmas day? Link me to your Polyvore!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

TiLT: Things I Love Thursday

people liking my art
bunny holiday lights
new music that makes me want to dance
hot Vanilla Maple tea
chocolate-covered marzipan
fuzzy kittehs
makin' sales at Faerie Garden Fancies

As always, from GalaDarling.com...

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Quote of the Day

And after we have shown each other how we have set and kept the clear, healthy boundaries that help us live side by side with each other, let us risk remembering that we never stop silently loving those we once loved out loud.
~Oriah Mountain Dreamer

EGGS!

I got some! I never have! I click on all my friends' eggs and there never are any when I go...

But look! I got some! ^_^

Adopt one today! Adopt one today!

Clicky-clicky, s'il vous plaît!

Christmas Traditions Revised

One of the Christmas traditions in my family has always been to make tons of Christmas cookies: decadent pecan-chocolate chip cookies, silly snickerdoodles, sinfully yummy rumballs, creative cut-outs, and one of my favorites, jolly gingersnaps, made soft and rolled in sugar for that magical holiday touch. However, since I am now trying to control my diabetes with diet and exercise alone, I need to find healthier alternatives to carbolicious cookies! One way to do this is to use whole wheat flour which is lower on the glycemic index than regular flour. Now before you start complaining how yucky the cookies made that way are, let me share a recipe with you that I like better than the original. You give it a try and see if you don't agree they are fabulous!

Gingerbread Cookies
  • ¾ cup butter

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 egg

  • 1 T water

  • ¼ cup molasses

  • 2 ¼ cups whole wheat flour

  • 2t ginger

  • 1t baking soda

  • ¾t cinnamon

  • ½ t cloves

  • 2T sugar
Cream together butter and 1 c. sugar with electric mixer. Add egg, water, and molasses and continue mixing until well mixed. Add remaining ingredients (except for the 2T sugar) and mix until well combined. Shape the dough into balls about the size of a walnut. Roll in the 2T sugar. Put on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake cookies for 9 to 10 minutes at 350F. Allow them to cool on the pan for about 5 minutes before removing. This recipe will make approx. 2 dozen cookies.

Friday, December 12, 2008

TiLT: Better Late than Never!

My Kitty, BunnyHoliday Accessories
My Kitty, Bunny

Holiday Accessories

Presents from FriendsUnexpected Art Supplies from Friends
Presents from Friends
Thank you!

Unexpected Art Supplies from Friends
Thank you!

Children's DrawingsHoliday Wishes from my students
Children's Drawings

Holiday Wishes from my students

My Worry RockMy Favorite Bella Sera Cards
My Worry Rock

My Favorite Bella Sera Cards

Christmas Cookies...on Christmas Plates!
Christmas Cookies...on Christmas Plates!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

EtsyBlogger of the Month: Spotted Cow Soaps

A long time ago I used normal name brand soap, like Zest or Irish Spring, then I decided I wanted something that smelled more interesting, and started using Bee & Flower's Sandalwood soap. The only place I could ever find it was at Wegman's in their Nature's Marketplace. However, Wegman's is so far away, and now, they've raised the price of the soap; so I've been on the look out for other "more interesting" soaps. I was not disappointed when I found out who this month's Featured EtsyBlogger was.

From soaps and lotions to fizzies and scrubs, Spotted Cow Soaps has it all! Beautiful glycerin soaps and luxurious cold-processed soaps in a wonderful assortment of scents, with coordinating lotions and bath fizzies for some. But my absolute favorite are the scrubs! How can you say no to these?



Also on her blog, she's got a give-away going on for when she gets her 500th sale! She is *so* close! And you could win a Gingerbread Dreams Collection, which includes that fabulous scrub pictured above, with coordinating bar soap, whipped soap, and bath fizzies!

Go enter! And check out her shop while you're at it!

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Monday, December 01, 2008

Monday Sun Day!


Yes we had SUN today! YAY! It was a lovely sight after so many grey cloudy days, but was so bright that it hurt my eyes on the way to work!