Pondering Day

For several years now I have used some questions posed by Jamie Ridler of  Jamie Ridler Studios as a help to evaluate the past year.  The questions examine both the good and not so good, along with what parts you'd like to keep and what to discard.

Her questions include:
What was the highlight?  
What was the low point?
What are you proud of, what was fun, what has changed, what did you say "yes" to, what challenged you?

Who are the new people in your life?   What will you be glad to leave behind?

There are more questions including one that reminds me of Barbara Walters interviews-----if this year was a painting, what color would it be?

These questions also help me plan for the new year because I can think of what I would like to say next year at this time.  (If the Lord tarries, as my Mom used to say.)

In addition, this site offers great creativity resources.

Speaking of which:  I bought a journal in April in Dubuque at River Lights Bookstore which challenges the reader to commit to making something 365 (or 366, as this Leap year) days a year.  The author is Noah Scalin, who made a skull out of a different medium for a whole year.  Strange, yet interesting.  and funny....

I'm leaning toward letter writing or mail art.  If I have your snail mail address----beware.

Also, I need to address "comments for a cause".  I haven't been begging for your comments in my usual shameless manner, because we have commitments that come due in the fall that money has already been promised for.  Suffice it to say, that comment money will go to South America and provide tuition money for a certain little third grader, and the leftovers will go to Heifer International and Doctors Without Borders.

I do cherish your comments.  I thank all of you who make yourselves known to me.  And I wish you all a wonderful new year.  May all your good dreams come true.

Winding Down

  

Christmas comes but once a year, and when it comes it brings good cheer.

And so many happy memorable moments.  Family Christmas was yesterday with my two sisters and whatever family members who could be there and there was much laughter and love----and plenty of food.

Today, after I go to Weight Watchers, Good Guy and I are headed for Green Bay to watch some basketball and visit Barnes and Noble with my new Nook.  (Technophobe that I am, I need a short course.) 

We will be watching the University of Wisconsin---Green Bay women's basketball team in action.  They are a real powerhouse and we follow their progress all year, even though we only get to a few games.

Another thing I need to tell you about;  Older Daughter and I went to the early Christmas Eve service, and there were little children in attendance.  During a period of silent prayer (much longer than I needed to confess my personal sins) ---- a little voice piped up,  "Wake up!  Wake up!"

The pastor looked out over a full house of chuckling parishioners.  Another child intoned, after every musical number,  "All done!"   I've decided the early service is for young families, and old folks who don't want to be out carousing around at 10 PM.  Good clean fun.

So have a jolly day, finding places for all your new treasures, and finish off those cookies so you can put that canister back into the cupboard.  Just trying to help!

Merry Christmas

Growing up in a household of Swedish folk, I never got to be much of a Santa fan. Our big holiday was Christmas Eve, when we got together, opened gifts, ate ourselves silly and had a wonderful time. So I didn't have new stuff on Christmas morning and I don't recall being upset about it, either. All that by way of background. Today, in my mind, is the Holiday. Have a Happy Day. I have to go and mix meatballs and clear off the tables. Thanks be to God for His Unspeakable Gift! And thanks to you for your part in my wonderful year!

The Shortest Day

Turn on the lights. Light those candles, open the blinds, cheer for the sunshine we have today!

I get to spend much of today with my quilting friends, so that will be a treat to savor. We haven't met for a few weeks, due to travel, illness, and such, so I'm looking forward to this time together.

I have to scrounge around for something quilt-like to do. My Christmas knitting has been my crafty output for the past month(s), so not much is happening on the quilting front. Make that NOTHING is happening on the quilting front.

I see that Blogger is making it uncomfortable for anyone who hasn't switched to the "new interface" voluntarily. The only icons on my New Post bar are the spell check icon, the picture icon and the preview option. Gone are all the other editing tools that used to be there, and there's no way to link. Hmmm.

Consider the truth of the matter, Annie. It's free, isn't it? Quit whining.

Maybe it's a good day to switch my header picture to a shot from Hawaii, just to escape the short cold days. Nah, I'll do that when I get really sick of January. It's still the festive Christmas season!

Hope your pre-Christmas is fun for you. And thoughtful, and thankful.

Just in Case...

I know that not all of you live in a land of snow. I also know you aren't that broken up about it, but----in the spirit of the season and all, I have a little gift for you.

Friday Again

Yowsa! Where did this week go? It is the day we all anticipate with glee---filing fragments and linking up with Mrs. 4444 at Half Past Kissin' Time.

Birthday remnants: We finally had weather suitable for travel to a fine restaurant to celebrate my birthday with an excellent meal. I left the bread basket alone to make room for a margarita,( love those limes for avoiding scurvy), shrimp tempura, linguine with clam sauce, and a tasty dessert. I sort of split the dessert with Good Guy, but he didn't eat half by a long shot. It was all delicious and the service was wonderful!

Yooper remnants: Yesterday I posted a video someone took of our town. It depicts a very small rural town in its selective choice of views to include. Of course, if it showed Wal-mart, K Mart, Shopko, Wendy's, Arby's, Home Depot, etc.--it would look like every other town in America.

But, the town and environs have a about 20,000 people rather than the 2,000 you might expect from viewing the video. (It's a great place to live, especially if you're really fond of winter.)

My dear friend since middle school days translated a letter for me this week. I'm thankful for the internet and being able to keep in touch with loved folks far away. But I digress. I got a letter in Spanish from a seven year old, and she got the translation back to me in a flash. This little girl is attending a school, now located on the site of what used to be an orphanage where two of my sons lived as small boys.

I am thinking my learning for 2012 might be learning Spanish as spoken in Colombia. That should keep my brain limber.

Good Guy says his travel sites are promoting Colombian travel. Hmmmm......

Our Christmas tree is up, and is quite simple and beautiful, if I do say so myself. It is short and squatty---not our usual Charlie Brown emaciated stray. White light and balls of gold, silver, and frosted white. Very pretty indeed.

In a spirit of inclusiveness, I polished up the menorah too and loaded the candles. If the Lord could keep the oil supply up for the event that Hanukkah celebrates, I can celebrate, too.

In my twenties, I lived in a four unit apartment building in Skokie, Illinois. We were the only Gentiles in the building, and we were very frugal. We didn't decorate for Christmas because we were packing up and heading up here to be with our families, plus we thought we were being sensitive to the feelings of our Jewish neighbors. They bawled us out for not bringing some Christmas cheer to the building.

They were very excellent neighbors. Wherever you are, Happy Holidays, Marlene, Marty, and Rose!

Karen got a Kindle for her birthday---and I've decided I'm jealous. I guess I'll have to put one on my list. Good Guy is shopping for a new TV set. Is that a hint?

In spite of the fact that I have knitting to finish and send, I am nursing an aching shoulder and limiting my knitting time. It's driving me batty. What did I do all the time before I resumed knitting? Played spider solitaire, probably. I wasn't scrubbing floors, I'll guarantee you that!

I think that about sweeps up all my fragments for this Friday. I hope you are joyful in your preparations! Hope and joy, that's what it's all about!

If you have Fragments to contribute, please join us. We love scraps and left-overs.

A Short Tour

This morning on Facebook I found that my little brother posted a link to share with you. (He's sort of an adopted brother, having once been married to my sister.)

I don't know why I feel compelled to tell you that, except that I try to be honest always, and try to tell the truth even when nobody else gives a rip.

This video was shot in my town and has some awesome footage of Pine Mountain Ski Hill. It's toward the middle of the video. Hope you're amazed. (muffled laughter.)

Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzCwJ_cZp4M&feature=share

Let me know what you think, too. Please.