Refresh, Dream, Imagine

Those are just some of the words on a vision board I created. It was a recent project for one of the Grow Me A Story assignments. I had so much fun creating it. One afternoon, while listening to a Hallmark Mystery, I took a stack of 10 magazines and tore out images that spoke to me. The next afternoon, as a Creative Rendevous, I found Carole King's complete Tapestry album on YouTube and listened to it while creating my vision board. I clipped, trimmed, arranged, and glued, keeping the best and discarding a few. It was a wonderful way to spend some creative time for myself. It also made me think about how I see myself, what my dreams and goals are, and where I plan to go from here.

Missing from the vision board are images directly relating to writing or publishing. Part of this process is discovering where I want to go with that particular dream, or if I still wish to pursue it. Life brings a lot of changes, redirection, paths we didn't plan on taking, and once in a while it brings us back to an old dream. I am definitely exploring who I could be as a writer.

What is reflected on the vision board is my desire for an organized, comfortable home; a focus on healthy eating and good health, which hopefully means I will be able to drive again this year; words to spark my creative self, like imagine and dream; finding my bliss, my joy in living; integrating more fun into my life by returning to things I love like going to tag sales and listening to music; the squares of blue symbolize my color for this year and the blue yarn is a nod to the two short stories I wrote for the class; Cyndi Lauper and Nina Garcia symbolize my love for fashion, design, independence, and creativity. That is a brief explanation of my vision board, which you can see below, though much of it goes deeper. Something to explore on another day perhaps.

2022 Vision Board

I do intend to be writing more faithfully on this blog, and I am excited to see where this year takes me! 

© 02MAR2022 ajjahner

Hello, 2018...

This is going to be a great year! I'm saying it and believing it! There will likely continue to be political upheavals and unrest in the world, but I feel a sense of optimism about how we'll all deal with it. People need to come together for the greater good. I'm believing they will.

On the home front, my knee is not as swollen, though it's got a way to go. My husband seems to be over his bout with the stomach bug, he had over the weekend. My oldest son is still not well, but getting there. Life is moving back toward normal.

Being laid up gives one lots of time for reflection. I've mentally rearranged and redecorated my home several times. I've imagined all the things I will do once I'm mobile again, like getting out of the house and spending time with family and friends, or refinishing a sideboard which has been sitting out on my back patio for over a year, even just driving the car, anywhere!

I know I said yesterday I was not making a list of resolutions, but I did double my Goodreads challenge for this year. My goal last year was 12 books. One a month. I didn't know if I'd even make that, considering my flaky eyesight, but I got 13 read! Yay! This year I'm going for 24, since I can include audible books on the list. It's just a matter of making time for books, which should be easier since I dropped my DVD subscription. Less movie viewing, more reading!

I've always loved books. There's something wonderful about losing yourself in a good story. I'm currently reading Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life, by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. So far, it's a great read, filled with laughter and emotion.

A few books on my "Want to Read" list are Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks, The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories by P. D. James, Goodbye Christopher Robin by Ann Thwaite, Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose by Joe Biden, The Man Who Invented Christmas by Les Standiford, as well as a long list of cozy msyteries. I'll also be revisiting some old Maeve Binchy favorites and checking out some "new to me" authors like Louise Penny and others.

So, on into the new year! Here's to 2018 being our best year yet!

Intentions for the New Year...

My cousin created a list of resolutions on her blog, found Here, which are similar to some of my own goals. I wanted to share Laurie's with you, because it inspired me to put mine in writing, which I had not intended to do. Maybe it will inspire you as well.

Too often, resolutions fall by the wayside. After a slip or two, the goal seems insurmountable. One of my former supervisor's gave me a tiny pebble when we were facing a huge project. It was a reminder to approach a mountain of work, one little piece at a time. That is how I'm approaching this year, a pebble at a time, being thankful for what I do accomplish, and remembering my joy is also in the journey, not just the destination.

My focus is on:

Health - Making better food choices. Exercise daily. Listen to my body and rest when needed. Don't be afraid to make changes.

Spirit - Pray with thanksgiving. Sing. Laugh. Love. Forgive. Be generous.

Soul and Mind - Write daily. Read more. Make time for family and friends. Learn something new. Tap into my creativity. Be true to myself. Be inspired!

It sounds like a lot, but many of the things listed are what I have already been working on. I want to continue improving, learning and growing. There is no downside to making these resolutions, because failure is also a learning experience. I'm ready to greet 2015! It's going to be an amazing year! Believe it!


© 31Dec2014 ajj

Busy week ahead...

I've got a long list of "must-do" jobs this week.  I began with an unplanned root canal today, but I'm glad I got the process started.  I'm already feeling much better.  MS can create a lot of pain, and can also numb some areas to pain. There is a definite downside of not feeling pain, you don't always know when something is wrong.  When some feeling returned to the left side of my face and body yesterday, I suddenly knew something was really wrong with my tooth! It wouldn't even respond to prescription pain medication, but it got me to the dentist right away.  It's a reminder that I need to be very aware of what is going on physically, and pay attention to areas where I'm feeling no pain.

Toward the top of my list is to schedule all the maintenance appointments I want to do.  Eye exam, hair appointments, etc.  I'm even thinking of splurging on a facial or a massage.  I'm not getting any younger, and I think a little pampering would be nice.

I'm continuing to work on household projects.  It seems those are never-ending. We are putting a lot of items into storage, while our older son is living with us. I'm also hoping to clear the way to get some new carpet or flooring put down!

I have to complete the mini-makeover of our main bathroom.  We painted, but I never did get new shelving or towel racks purchased.  I'd love to replace the old 1980's light fixture as well.

Another item is to get back to work on a writing project I began last year.  My "muse" went silent for a while, but I'm been hearing some whispers of inspiration again.

This is enough to start.  Now, I suppose I should attempt to get a good night's sleep.  Work begins tomorrow!

Looking forward...

This is my oldest son's birthday.  It doesn't seem possible 27 years have passed since the day I first held him in my arms and looked at his sweet little face.  He was a blessing to us then and still is!  He brings so much joy and laughter into our lives!

I'm surprised it's been two months since my last post.  What a fun, busy summer it's been.  When I last posted, my family was on our way to the Oregon Coast.  It was amazing!  We were fortunate to grab the last room in Cannon Beach, with an ocean view.  Even with a very rainy first day, it was wonderful to sit with the sliding doors open and just enjoy the sight, and the sound, of the Pacific Ocean.

My list of goals for the summer didn't diminish as much as I'd hoped, but some were accomplished.  I continued to work on scanning photos and documents for my family tree.  I did quite a bit of summer reading, but did not make it through my entire list.  That's ok though.  I just moved them to my autumn/winter reading list!  I also did a bit of writing, though I could use more discipline in that area.

My husband and I finished the dining table we were working on, and I love the way it turned out.  We also repainted our main bathroom, though we still need to update the fixtures in there.  

The summer weight loss goals got sidelined due to a couple health "hiccups" and medication changes.  I continue to work with my doctors to find new ways to keep the MS at bay.  One day at a time.

I plan to get back to regular blogging since summer is winding down, sons are back at their studies, and I've missed the writing.  I'm looking forward to cooler, autumn days, and all they bring... holidays, family gatherings, change... 

© 12Sep2013 ajjahner

There's Still Time

It's late and I should be sleeping, but my head is all tangled up with thoughts.  I am turning 54 later on this fall.  My life is more than half over, unless I live to be the very stately age of 108 or beyond.  This fact doesn't frighten me.  It does make me curious though... have I accomplished the life goals that are most important to me?  I've done the best I knew in raising my boys, and in dealing with family relationships and situations.  When I was able to work outside the home, I worked hard and I loved it.  I've served God as I understood serving.  I hope I have honored Him.  I am still a work in progress and continue to reach for higher knowledge in my spiritual life.

The areas I'm not content with are my life goals... being published, writing songs, creating art, being physically strong and active.  It seems there is never enough time in the day.  I have boxes of lovely crafty items and paints, etc.  I kept copies of articles I wrote for my church's newsletter for several years, because I had plans to compile them into a small book.  I have beginnings of four books... none close to being finished.  Rough drafts and incomplete short stories and poems.  I had songs... I tore up most and tossed them during the past ten years.  I am my own harshest critic.

What am I trying to say?  I don't have a clue!  I guess it's that more than half over, is not over!  There is still time!  I can't allow myself just to give in or to give up.  That's it!  I must keep reminding myself that my life is a journey.  Until it officially ends, I have no business living like it has ended.  God expects more of me than that.  I expect more of me than that too.  So, that being said, on with the living!




Copyright 09/29/10 ajj

Nita's Challenge

Nita, of Red Tin Heart, gave a challenge. I've had a crazy week, so I'm just now getting to it.

1. Romance - I watched the movie, "While You Were Sleeping" as one of my favorite romantic movies. I think it's the instant connection they have that reminds me of PJ and I. There was a connection the second time we met. Our first meeting had been at a church event in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It was a huge group of people. I remember noticing his eyes, and that was it. I went back to my home town. A few years later, while working in my church gym at the snack bar, one of my friends said, "Anita, I want you to meet someone." There he was, this tall, goofy guy with wrinkled clothes (later I learned he did his laundry at the laundromat, and instead of folding them, he just squished them into the hamper to take back to his apartment). I avoided him like the plague for five months. At that time, we were seated across from each other at a graduation banquet. I could not deny my attraction to him, so I decided to try to get to know him. Once we had our first date, I knew he was for me. Five weeks after that, we were married at church following a Sunday morning service. Simple & inexpensive. My Grandpa Evert did the ceremony. After 28 years, I still cannot imagine spending my life with anyone else!
2. No beach for a sandcastle... instead I went through photos of fun times when I was young. It's surprising how many things I left behind that I loved to do. I made a commitment to put some of the fun back into my life. Sorry, there was no way to take a photo of that.
3. Say No! This is one of the hardest things for me to do. I like pleasing people and have been known to take on more than I can possibly manage. The trouble is that over the last couple of weeks, nobody has asked anything of me. I was prepared to use "I have Chronic Toolazytoomoovitis" so I will save it for the next request! Lol!
4. Dress Up. I'm basically a jeans and t-shirt or sweater gal, but on our Anniversary we decided to ask two of our closest friends to go to dinner with us. I dressed in slacks and a summer sweater (yes, that's dressing up for me), applied a touch of mascara and off we went. We had a wonderful time. After dinner, they invited us in to play a "brisk" game of Dominoes (none of us are getting any younger... lol)! We had not done that in ages and it was so much fun!

Now for my list of goals. This list does not include the obvious of taking better care of my family, and my commitments to God. This list is for personal growth in other areas. It was a more difficult task for me...

1. Remember how to have fun... and do it!
2. Do more writing, and find my voice in my writing.
3. Let my inner artist out and only do art I enjoy.
4. Read more. Find the love of reading I once had.
5. Bring music back into my life; listening, singing, and playing... not for anyone else, just for the sheer pleasure of it.

The most important thing about this list is, we are to accomplish our goals in the next 6 months. I have a habit of putting things on the back burner. Especially the fun things. Like many others, I make excuses for not achieving what I want out of life. That said, I am adding a sixth goal; No more excuses... life is just too short!

Regarding the little things, remember, no gesture is too small:

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." ~ Mother Teresa

And enjoy your life:

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." ~ Helen Keller