Comments on Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity: Goodbye 2011. Hello 2012!!

Great post and I'm right there with Kristen (&...

2012-01-17T20:31:04.961-06:00

Great post and I'm right there with Kristen ("more timely blog comments"). Let's see...

Read The Stand by Stephen King. For funsies. One of the best books ever. Long, but great. Maybe audio is the way to go?

Make something I pinned on Pinterest Is that what we're suppose to do?! ;)

Run a 5K race I can't run anymore (bad knees), but I want to bike 100 miles in a day. Then I'll really have bad knees! ;)

Continue to work on my photography. Trying to figure out a way to make this a quantifiable goal but don’t have any ideas--any suggestions? Photo a day doesn’t work for me. Have you looked into Aminus3? I used to post a photo there every day and the feedback was fabulous. I wish I had more time for my photography. One of these days, I'll get back into it. I should probably work on organizing my online photo files first. Ha!

Happy New Year, 17 days late!

Trish- I am emailing you the rootbeer ice cream re...

2012-01-11T09:55:57.405-06:00

Trish- I am emailing you the rootbeer ice cream recipe right now. It is the perfect treat!

*Melissa - I've heard great things abou...

2012-01-09T13:30:52.118-06:00

*Melissa - I've heard great things about The Stand as well. Have thought about proposing a readalong but would hate to flake out. :-/

*Kristen M. - LOL! I'm terrible at timely comments as well--basically it just takes time and time isn't always there! ;) You've got some great goals for this year. We're planning on heading to Maui this summer--sounds like the kid and I are on the same wavelength. Ha!

One of my goals for this year has got to be "...

2012-01-06T20:03:52.487-06:00

One of my goals for this year has got to be "more timely blog comments". ;) I also need to work on the well-rounded thing this year. I'm definitely going to take more time for photography and maybe I'll learn to use my sewing machine! We are definitely going to travel this year. The kid is voting for Hawaii. And my overall goal is to get my house organized. I started getting rid of things last year and it was awesome. I want to do more of that.
I can't wait to follow all of your progress this year!

I think that's a great list of goals. I'm ...

2012-01-06T13:06:35.703-06:00

I think that's a great list of goals. I'm thinking about reading The Stand this year too. I haven't read many of his books and everyone says that one is great.

*Elise - I have used the ice cream maker on...

2012-01-05T19:58:23.927-06:00

*Elise - I have used the ice cream maker once or twice but wasn't terribly thrilled with the recipes. If you have any recipes for ice cream I'd love to hear! Michelle keeps teasing me with her Root Beer ice cream recipe. ;)

*Kim - Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment sister. :) And I know I need to look into editing more. We've been talking about it a lot in my photography club at work and I'm thinking about taking my pictures in RAW. They've told me that I can do so much just from RAW without even having to use an editing platform. Might also look into Light Room or Elements as well. Though every time I talk about photo editing software, Scott says we need to get an Apple. Ha! But I'd love to edit all our travel pictures and give Scott a book as a gift.

*Pax - Hmmm--Steph's book sounds an awful lot like mine. :P The only difference might be I stuck mine on bright colored paper and matted it to black paper. Makes it look pretty but wasn't very much work. ? Definitely not terribly creative! ;)

Steph doesn't tear our recipes, she gets them ...

2012-01-05T10:23:53.105-06:00

Steph doesn't tear our recipes, she gets them from Food Network and the Cooking Channel. She'll download them from the websites, print them off and she's built a binder of her collected recipes. It isn't scrapbooked, they are kept in sleeve protectors and divided into food categories.

GOOD FOR YOU for writing down your goals and even ...

2012-01-04T20:21:01.765-06:00

GOOD FOR YOU for writing down your goals and even publishing them! What better motivator than public accountability? :)

I think for photography, you could start doing photo projects based on the things you enjoy photographing. They could be actual things like sunsets or the wrinkles in Elle's thighs, writsts, etc. (smile), or also themed projects like shades of blue or happiness.

You can pull photos you've already taken into these projects as starting points, and add as you go. And for heaven's sake edit them! It's true that cropping can be your friend, and sometimes so are slightly adjusting highlights and shadows, saturation etc. You can buy Adobe Light Room or you can probably download something for free online. Editing can really turn an awesome photo into outstanding.

So that's my photo advice, since I don't give much good book advice: organizing them and putting themes to them. It will bring a better sense of accomplishment because it's like finishing a shoot for a gallery :)

Now, for me to take my own advice!

Love you, xoxox

Once you discover the wonderfulness of your ice cr...

2012-01-04T14:13:03.016-06:00

Once you discover the wonderfulness of your ice cream maker (I am assuming it is elecrtic!), you will never go back. It is so easy & so yummy! I love ours.

*Peppermint PhD - I feel like I've been...

2012-01-04T12:08:23.929-06:00

*Peppermint PhD - I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately, but quilting really isn't terribly difficult. Just takes time and patience (both of which I often run short one these days). ;) But sewing makes for great audiobook time!!

*Anna - I hope you have a wonderful new year, too!

*Joy - A very merry and happy new year to you as well!

*Joanna - I've thought about opening the kitchen gadget thing up for a relaxed challenge but not sure how many takers there'd be. But yes--why have all that stuff if not going to use it. Sheesh! ;)

*Melody - I hope you have a very happy new year as well! And good luck with your goals--they're simple but perfect.

*Lit Feline - It has been quite the year--sometimes it's unbelievable the amount of change. I know that 2012 will be a great one. ;) Enjoy the challenges Wendy--there are several that caught my eye but...!

*Irene - I know there are upsides and downsides to the face to face clubs but I need more in person interaction. Ha! ;) I hope that you have a wonderful new year as well!!

*Pax - Ha!! I'm glad that Steph is enjoying the crafty side of things. Is she a recipe-teareroutter as well? ;) Hopefully The Stand doesn't suck. Ha! Have heard good things about it! I hope that 2012 is a fantastic year for you and your family as well!

*JoAnn - I hope that you have a wonderful a...

2012-01-04T12:06:55.102-06:00

*JoAnn - I hope that you have a wonderful and relaxing 2012!

*Softdrink - For sanity's sake I think one needs to be a little selfish at least some of the time! Lest we all turn into robots. ;) Bummer at the F2F club. I'm trying to restart my work book club even though everyone started flaking out and not reading the books on time (or at all). Ah well.

*Melissa - Thank you for your open comment. I didn't know that you had Asperger's but I'm sure it's been a struggle. I hope that you're able to find some inner balance this year and a bit of peace. :) As for Les Miserables, I read it in 2010 and absolutely loved it. It did take me about 5 months, but it was well worth it. I hope you enjoy it this year! Best wishes to you.

*Kristi - I know what you mean about beating yourself up for not acheiving goals--I feel like these goals are specific enough to acheive but also flexible enough and easy enough to be within reach. And yes, definitely make the recipe scrapbook. We've made several of the recipes and found some new favorites. Much easier when everything is pretty before your eyes. :)

*Jenny Girl - You make a lot of great points in your comment and I apprecite your ability to relate. Sometimes I feel bad for being a homebody and I do enjoy the company of other people, but I'm most natural around family. Sometimes I succeed at projecting my bubbly personality in person, but normally when I'm very comfortable. Always been a struggle! Anyway... Yes, I know about the exercise. I've always tried to exercise regularly and KNOW that I need to get moving at least three times a week. Need to let go of those "excuses"--mostly the lack of time. What I need to do is crawl out of bed early and get the workout done first thing, but getting started is always the hard part, huh? Would be nice to have all my old clothes fit, though! Whew--sorry for the long response. ;)

*Care - I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be a rock-tastic year!

*One Experience/Cessie - Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! I'm always a bit nervous when I make mention that there are so many other things in life besides reading since most of my blog readers are book bloggers, but I think it's important to remember. We can get so caught up in everything and forget the rest. Don't want to do that! And you should try quilting one day--it isn't as hard as it looks. Happy new year. :)

Congrats on your 2011 accomplishments. Very well ...

2012-01-04T09:54:00.095-06:00

Congrats on your 2011 accomplishments. Very well done. Steph has been enjoying your crafty posts. I let her know when you do a recipe or post a quilt so she can check it out. She liked the recipe scrapbook.

I too plan on reading The Stand this year. I've been meaning to forever and I've finally decided this is the year. My mother-in-law has read it and I still haven't. That challenge needs to be accepted.

Looking forward to 2012.

Pax

you have so much to enjoy at this time in your lif...

2012-01-03T21:06:32.439-06:00

you have so much to enjoy at this time in your life, particularly Elle. Don't worry about a face to face group, on the net you can not like the books and just hop over and read with someone else. I think you do marvelously, a new mom, cooking and working, and quilting, and reading. BRAVO Have a Wonderful New Year, I know you will.

You certainly did have a big year! So much has cha...

2012-01-03T19:19:58.368-06:00

You certainly did have a big year! So much has changed, hasn't it?

I may have signed up for a bunch of challenges this year, but I have a come what may attitude about them. I just want to have fun with them.

Good luck in the coming year and reaching your goals, Trish!

Happy New Year, Trish! I'm hoping to read mor...

2012-01-03T17:38:58.873-06:00

Happy New Year, Trish!
I'm hoping to read more books this year and of course, spending more face time with my family!

I think well-rounded is definitely the way to go. ...

2012-01-03T14:57:28.081-06:00

I think well-rounded is definitely the way to go. And ha ha, I also have too many kitchen gadgets that I want to use more! :-) Happy New Year, Trish!

May 2012 bring you much happiness and health!

2012-01-03T08:55:49.648-06:00

May 2012 bring you much happiness and health!

Good luck with your goals! Happy new year!!

2012-01-03T08:27:57.141-06:00

Good luck with your goals! Happy new year!!

I wish I could quilt...there's nothing I like ...

2012-01-02T21:08:43.813-06:00

I wish I could quilt...there's nothing I like more than to snuggle under one...there's just something homey and safe about them. I have many and some are precious bc of the women who made them for me. Maybe one day...
:)

Happy New Year 2012 to you!! I can imagine your 2...

2012-01-02T16:11:29.520-06:00

Happy New Year 2012 to you!!

I can imagine your 2011 felt like a whirlwind ;). Life changing indeed. But so worth it!

Letting go is so important! And so liberating!
It will be in my 'new year blog entry' as well (still in draft but to follow soon ;).

I agree with you about the challenges. I tend to feel pressured by the numbersnumbersnumbers too. I always read less than anyone else because I have so many other interests in life. So I gave up on that and just read when I want to. And do other things when I feel like it as well. It feels so good to read that you feel the same way ;)

Wow, quilting. That sounds so cool. I love quilts but I guess I will never get there to make one myself lol. I will have a look at the one you made for Elle later (curious!)

Haha! I was smiling a big smile when reading "for someone as incredibly high strung as I am, relaxing is sometimes really tough". It's hard for me at times as well.

I like the excitement in your post!!
I bookmarked your blog now, will come back to you :)

What am I excited about in 2012? Getting to see t...

2012-01-02T14:17:00.244-06:00

What am I excited about in 2012? Getting to see the cool things YOU will do! :)

We can be of the same mind sometimes Trish. Altho...

2012-01-02T12:18:12.384-06:00

We can be of the same mind sometimes Trish. Although your list is long, I think it's totally attainable. The exercising 3 days a week is something you must do, but it will take time from other things. But once you start you'll never want to stop.

Our blogs are about so much more than books. We are not one dimensional people. Photography is interesting and I hope it brings you joy and scratches your creative itch. As for quilting, while I love the finish products, I can't imagine sitting there sewing, hence I do knitting. Which the same thing could be said for that. I think organizing an on line bee would help you finish or start projects. The bee could centered around that.

As for not being outgoing in real life, I am the same. I am friendly, willing to try anything, and pretty much go anywhere. However, there is nothing I enjoy more than staying at home with my hubby. Watching something on TV or doing our own things, being homebodies are perfectly acceptable. My two closest friends are the same. We just love sacking out at home.

Here's to a wonderful, exciting, and adventurous 2012 :)

I love your laid-back approach to goals. I'm p...

2012-01-02T06:00:03.765-06:00

I love your laid-back approach to goals. I'm pretty high-strung too, and I find it puts to much pressure to list very specific goals because I beat myself up if I don't finish. I have some kind of loose ones that I'm working toward.

I love your recipe scrapbook. I remember seeing the post on it and being super busy so I didn't comment. I'll have to make one this year. I have a box of random recipes that I have to dig through every time I want to make something. Not very efficient, so I might steal your idea. :)

All the best to you and your family, Trish! Have a great 2012!

You have some great goals there. My big goal for ...

2012-01-02T02:21:36.593-06:00

You have some great goals there. My big goal for this year is going not take everything so personally and try to make an effort to actually not annoy my mom and to really try and not act out. I also want to comment more on people's blogs, hopefully with something substantive.

See part of the reason is that I have Asperger's and when things go awry, even slightly, I don't act well. So basically I am going to act more my age (I am turning 32 in later this month).

In terms of reading, I want to read Les Miserables. This has been on my TBR list since I was about 13 years old, when I managed to finish about half of the book (I think I just read it for a number of days straight and for some reason I stopped and never quite got back into the book). I also want to read a number of Shakespeare plays this coming year.

Hope to chat with you during the course of the year.

I hear you on the issue of free time. But I don...

2012-01-01T20:47:29.606-06:00

I hear you on the issue of free time. But I don't think it's selfish to want to spend it doing things that are important to you. I just quit my book club because they choose books that I've already read...and they meet on Wednesday nights. Ugh.

Happy New Year! May you fill your time with things that make you happy!