DAY 4: Reverb 10 - Wonder

My computer died last night before I could post, so I guess I'll do two today.  Here's my Reverb 10 post from yesterday.

Prompt:  

 December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

I like to call myself a realist (others say pessimist, but I like realist better). A sense of wonder often escapes me.  But for me, I find I see wonder most in my animals.  They never cease to amaze me.  

Domino, our dog, reminds me what it means to love, and be to be a friend.  While he tends to cause a lot of stress in our lives (of which he has no clue), he loves us blindly and unconditionally.  His never-ending mischief teaches us to be patient and to laugh.

  With Ronin, our horse, I am constantly bewildered by why such a beautiful and powerful creature lets us sit on his back and steer him around with a bit in his mouth.  

 And Buddy, the parrot, has the biggest personality wrapped up in the smallest package.  He's the boss of the house and no man, woman, or dog is going to tell him otherwise.  

The animals make me appreciate everything I have and they inspire the wonder in my life about life.  I think it's triggered by the fact that they have short lifespans; we will (most likely) out-live them, and, yet,  I can't imagine life without them. In this way, they remind me how incredible and precious each little part of life is, and how much I want to soak it up while I have the opportunity.

Day 3: Reverb 10 - Moment

Today's Reverb 10 prompt is:

December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

It's hard to remember one moment in so much detail.  I may have to pick two...yep, I'm picking two, because both moments were very empowering for me.

The first moment during which I felt most alive this year was snowboarding in Bear Valley with my husband.  I really LOVE to snowboard in the first place, but this particular day was exceptionally memorable.  Everything felt right. Bear Valley is currently our favorite ski spot because of the beautiful, tree studded terrain and the limited number of people.  It's like you own the mountain.  I was in a good groove, so I headed through a patch of trees. The snow was perfect.  The air was crisp and chilled, but fresh. I weaved through the trees, landing a couple (small) jumps along the way!  My muscles moved all the right ways.  I didn't have to think about anything. It was pure freedom. 

The second moment happened in the spring.  I'd been riding my young thoroughbred horse, Ronin, a lot, and we were really becoming a TEAM.  I hadn't tried cantering him yet, well, I take that back....I did try once, about a year before, which started and ended in disaster.  Now I was finally ready to try again. The arena was mostly empty.  We trotted around for a while, practicing our serpentines and spirals.  He was responsive, I was in control.  Coming into a short end of the arena, I gave Ronin the queue for more and a big *SMOOCH*.  And there we were, cantering!  And it felt good; exhilarating and liberating.  There's a deep connection when you and your horse both know you've done something well.  It's hard to describe but it's one of the best feelings in the world, for me, anyway.  

  

-Sarah

 

Day 2: Reverb 10 - Writing

December 2 Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)

Hmmm, this one is interesting. I do a lot of things that don't contribute to my writing.  However, my goals aren't centered around my blog writing, so I may modify my entry today and make it about what I do each day that doesn't contribute to my life goals.

Here's a short list of the big hitters:

#1.  Work - I mean my current day job.  I consider this the worst culprit! I don't think it actually contributes to much happiness in my life other than it gives me money to have a few things that I enjoy...like my horse.  It also doesn't give me confidence in myself.  In fact, since entering the "industry" I've lost much self esteem. I feel like a lackey. Trust me, I'm trying to figure out how to eliminate this one.

#2.  Shopping - I shop just to shop. I will only go by myself and I can spend hours.  Luckily, I usually don't buy anything, so it doesn't do much damage on my wallet, but it wastes time and I think it's some sort of disease....like hoarding (btw, does anyone watch TLC's Hoarders? WOWZA - if that's not motivation to simplify your life, I don't know what is!).  Okay, eliminating it...well, yeah, I've admitted I have a problem, so that's step one, right?

#3. Clutter - A cluttered living space = a cluttered mind.  This stresses me out and renders me useless.  I am really really trying to be good about putting things in their rightful place so as to get rid of the clutter in my house and free my mind!  For instance, I've been doing small loads of laundry to keep the mountain under control.  This has done wonders!  I don't HATE laundry anymore, because I don't let it pile up. 

#4. TV & Video Games - Yes, I'm a victim of trash TV and Mario Bros (or Rock Band).  But I'm listing this last on my short list, because I tend to try to do too many things in one day and sometimes I need to relax and enjoy a mindless show or develop my hand/eye coordination on the DS ;)  That said, Rogér and I ditched Cable/Satellite and it's been a release.  We only watch on Netflix, or streaming from other websites, and local TV.  Cuts our monthly costs too!

-Sarah

Day 1: Reverb10 - One Word

I just read about the Reverb10 challenge on my best friend's blog Living a Brighter Life.  It's an opportunity to reflect on the past year and look forward to the coming one, and to share your story along the way.  Sounds good to me! You can read more about it and learn how to participate.

Tonight, on our way home from the ranch, I was talking to my husband about what makes some people more capable of accomplishing goals than others.  Our conversation was actually related to sports, and the ability to commit without apprehension.  My husband pointed out something to me that I know, but never really thought about; when I haven't done something in a while, I'm always scared to try it again, even if my experience was nothing but amazing the first, second, third,...time around.  I don't know what about my chemistry, biology, psychology leads me to sabotage myself with worry for no logical reason, and even though I feel like I've been able to overcome enough that I don't feel like my life is hindered, I want to be even better! 

I mean, I'm going to be a mom!  I want to set a good example for our little boy. I want to be confident in myself and be one of those people who DOES THINGS.

So, I'm going to try this reverb10 thing and see if I can discover my confidence.  The first prompt is:

December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)

My word for 2010 is Aspire.  I chose this word because I had so many (kind-of-fanciful) ideas of what I wanted to do;  I wanted to grow my craft business, try a new career, canter my horse, start a family, buy a house and renovate it!  I've been fairly successful with many of the things I wanted to do, but I've held back on many as well because I'm scared to move forward.  

That's why my word for 2011 is Confidence.  During pregnancy (and I'm sure for some time after), I've had to take a break from a many of activities and I've found myself looking to the future as if I'm not going to be able to do those things again, especially the things I loved to do before.  This coming year, I'd like to find the confidence to take on my aspirations with less apprehension and less self doubt.

Okay, there's Day 1.  We'll see how this goes!

In bloem...

Holiday Gift Tags!

I just listed a small line of handmade gift tags to add a special touch to your holiday gift giving.  These tags are stamped with rustic, charming snowflakes. 

Enjoy :)

Gift Tags in bloem

Baby is Almost Here!

Today is my last day at my REAL job.  The job that pays.  Which means, it's getting close to time for Baby B to make his grand appearance!

The last few weeks (okay, and months), we've been wondering all the things you wonder when you're waiting for a baby to come;  What will he look like?  Will he be healthy? Can I do this? Can we do this?

I'm looking forward to the time off, and hoping that I may be able to squeeze in some crafts between napping and last minute to-do's.  AND, I'm really looking forward to Baby B's arrival!!!

My Search for the Perfect Brown Boot Continues

Yes, there's tons on the market, but I'm really picky and on a budget...not a great combo.  I thought I found them here.  I was soooo excited.  They're beautiful! ..When they're not on me...The problem is that they are WAY too big in the calf and also, too tall....I'm short okay.  Well, I probably should have returned them, but now I'm past the deadline.  I'm terrible at returning things.  I just never seem to get around to it.  So, my search continues.  Here's my main criteria:

1. Brown
2. Zipper must be in back
3. Plain - not too many fancy bits and baubles
4. Real Leather
5. Budget friendly ( I wish I could pay like $400-$600 for REAL equestrian boots, but I can't)
6. Shape - I'm super picky here, I want the to look like what's in parentheses above.

Is that too much to ask for?  Damn that zipper on the inside part!  So many perfect ones if only I could give a little bit! 

In conclusion, I want too many things in one shoe.  I've determined that the solution is multiple shoes!!  It's a win-win! (except on my wallet)