An Explanation of "One Little Word" Concept from Ali Edwards

I just came across Ali Edwards' 'one word' idea & I'm blown away. I have heard many different ways to create change in your life; do something for 21 days and you will have developed a habit, create little notes to yourself and put them on your mirror, etc.  But one word - I can remember one word. I can even post it on my mirror and not feel like a self-help addict. Here is the full explanation from 2007 years ago when AE started the idea. (Link to post)

• one little word
• 
  
• A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.
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• Last fall in issue two of this newsletter I wrote about the power of words and gave my top ten tips for getting those words down when you are scrapbooking. Today I want to introduce you to the idea that a single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life as well as your scrapbook layouts.
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• Last year I began a tradition of chosing one word for myself each January - a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way. My word was play.
•  
• I thought a lot about play and what it means to me. I tried to incorporate it more into my everyday and on my adventures out in the crazy world. For me, it was a lot about living without fear - about being more open to experiences with an attitude of playfulness. The word play found its way onto many scrapbook pages and into many stories I told throughout the year.
•  
• Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007?
•  
• It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.
•  
• One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.
  
  You may be wondering, what in the heck does this all have to do with scrapbooking? For me, words are at the heart of what I do. The photos are a huge part, but the words bring it all home. Often times I will begin a layout with a single word. That word becomes my guide as I create my page. It helps me focus the story I am trying to tell and gives me an instant, easy graphic title approach. How often has a word directed your creativity when working on layouts?
•  
• Take some time this week to think about your own word for 2007 and read on for a related
• weekly challenge.

The post from AE's blog finishes by challenging everyone to create a layout about her chosen word. So, how about you ....  ?

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Free Digi Scrapbooking Blog Train and Giveaway

Stop by Digitals for the free daily download! From December 28-January 4, you can collect these great calendar bookmarks! FREE!

You can also get wonderful downloads from our designers. 14 of Digitals designers have freebies through January 1. Some really great stuff. Enjoy!

Digital Scrapbook Pages Countdown to 2010 Blog Train

There are some very worthwhile gifts to be had on this blog train. Absolutely gorgeous papers from Beth Rimmer, see photo in the post, terrific seasonal and occasion cards from Amanda Thorderson, and beautiful qp and bb albums from several designers. Head to Amanda's blog to start in the "A's". There are 14 kit designers participating. Great stuff !!!!

Giveaway Day 1 at Alphastamps

Here it is! The first giveaway of the Alphastamps Daily Giveaway.

Be sure to stop by and leave a comment.

We are having too much fun!

Here is an Elf dance made with photos from Father's Day 2008. My mother, Roger, Ayiana and myself. Keep in mind my step-father is a retired judge!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I Elfed Myself

Here it is ~ I chose Country for a good laugh.

My Elf Family Christmas

Gabrielle, David Bowie and Bing Crosby

You need to see this video. I am so glad Donna posted this version of Little Drummer Boy. I haven't seen it in ages and there is something really cool about seeing the two of them together singing Little Drummer Boy in a very meaningful way. The title will take you to Gabrielle Lucretia, and here is the video. Enjoy ...

Steampunk Jewelry - Creative bling

Bead Fest Wire Classes for Every Jewelry-Maker - enchantedcropper@gmail.com - Gmail

A 2010 mega-workshop for jewelry making, looks like mostly wire classes. Love this style, cool way to display too. I won't be in King of Prussia, PA in April, but if you are get to the Beadfest and let me know all about your experience

Beth's Free Brag Book!

Page made by me using Beth Rimmer's We Need a Little Christmas

shadows, bevels, dimension created by me, not included in kit

Beth Rimmer has the download-a-day at Digitals and is it ever a gift! Two pages every day, so in the end you receive a 16 page brag book. Those are pages for pictures, you can use your own backgrounds. It is a wonderful Christmas brag book she made herself using her kit We Need a Little Christmas. So even if you miss a day or two, it is still worth getting. Click the title and you'll be taken to the site.

And now for something completely diffferent ...

Click the post title for some holiday entertainment.


Type in any Christmas song and see what the little puppets do. Also, type in any non-Christmas song (I typed in Happy Birthday) and you'll get a kick out of the response..  One of the funniest I typed in was Jingle Bell Rock... they forget the words half way through.

A Soldiers Christmas Story forwarded, click link for original Facebook post

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

Yeah Birthday Time!

Today is a special day, my daughter Ayiana turns 11! 12:25pm. Happy Birthday Ayaina! She is napping right now, got up to early, wonder why! lol

She wanted these little baby dolls with a bed and stroller and swing and ... and ... Well, I told her they were not within our reach, but then got them anyway. Here are some photos from Bluemoon toy store:

I guess we got lucky because we were able to purchase the dolls as twins, a boy and a girl. Ayiana named them Juliette and Jonathan. Fine names. :)  Happy day!

These are worth reading ...

I got ths email from my brother, Rich, today. I'm still laughing. Enjoy!

Ahhhhh...

As I watch Saturday Night Live, after thinking about the weak humor offerings these days, I realize mind-numbing humor can add much to life.  When it is over, interacting with children, reading, and petting the dog all seem so much more than before imbibing in this humor. Was it really the 70's that made this show so enjoyable? Maybe over the last few, Tina Fey? Well, uh, what was I writing about. Oh, well.

We had a surprise party for Ayiana's 11th birthday today. It was a success. 2 of her closest friends were there as well as family friends, and of course, grandma Glyn. Take a look ~

Lots of pizza, chicken wings, cheesy bread sticks and chocolate and cinnamon desserts later, we all bounced out of there with lighter purses and full tummies. The girls enjoyed the prize machines, video games and juke box. Ayiana just enjoyed. That was nice. Happy 11th my darling, always my baby girl.

And the boxes are rolling in!

Christmas time is when I get to know my UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS carriers. After a few years  now I guess it's getting to know them better. They all laugh at the packages coming in and wait until a few days before Christmas to bid Christmas cheer. One woman said 'Oh, I'll see you again,' she knew I'd be getting more packages after I said 'in case I don't see you before Christmas'. Today especially had some great treats for my daughter and myself.  I splurged on goodies as my present to me and got some terrific craft tools and paints and waxes and on and on ... that I'd been coveting for so long! I can't wait to get them out of the box. Best of all the same box contains my dd's big presents. Her birthday is 8 days before Christmas, which leaves her a little short shrifted if I'm not careful. This year she will get one big gift for her birthday, with another piece added at Christmas. She wanted them so bad but I told her they weren't necessary and very costly for us. So yes, I told a little white lie. As parents, don't we all for these kinds of things?

Happy Guitar

Ayiana, you might recognize her photo here to left, is so excited about her guitar lessons. Okay, it's not Ayiana, but it's her guitar! So far she has practiced everyday, even before she started lessons, which was yesterday. She is so proud when she can do what her teacher showed her to practice doing. I'll have to start taking photos of her and her guitar. Do people name guitars? I'm sure she will. haha

We are also still working on a beautiful structure for Tina, seen in the last post. We have many good ideas, have the first floor done and should be able to allow her to sleep in it tonight. She will be happy to have more free territory to roam. Now if we could only find her a companion. Have to finish dinner. Hope to get some photos posted later tonight.

Princess Christina

We are having a fun time with Princess Christina, our guinea pig. Isn't she really cute, with her light brown and white short hair. She is a true 'cavy', always finding a little cave, dark and warm where she can snuggle with the blanket. She eats a special food that is little pellets and dried vegetables. We also have to feed her hay which she really likes better than the pellets. As a treat, she gets broccoli, carrots, even grapes. The green vegetables are supposed to be the best for her. She loves the fruits and veggies!

We are building a special home for her called a C&C home. Cubes and Coroplast. Since coroplast is hard to come by, we have regular corogated cardboard for now. We learned about this type of cage from Cavy Cages. She is a gift for Ayiana but I enjoy her too.

My Christmas

I am more open minded about Christmas this year than ever before. I've had solid beliefs in the past that everything had to go a certain way; the tree had to be put up and decorated Thanksgiving weekend, same lights outside in the same areas of decoration, etc. etc. etc. Wow I am so glad I've become flexible. It really takes away the stress.

I was reading excerpts from a book on Amazon called "Life from a 10 year old to a 100 year old"  . I hope I am close to the correct title. Point is a 10 year old put life this way " it's like life is a dotted line, and you are on a dot in the middle of the line. The dots behind you are the past and the ones ahead of you are the future so you just have to go on to the future.' Pretty profound for a 10 year old ....