Project 365 Complete with Week 52!

Yay! I completed Project 365!! Here is the final week:

December 24 - December 31

May everyone have a safe New Year's Eve and a great beginning to 2011!

Catch ya next year!! ^_-

Project 365 Roundup: Weeks 49, 50 & 51

December 3 - December 9

December 10 - December 16

December 17 - December 23

Not Invited

This past Saturday was my niece's bridal shower, which I was told, er, asked to give for her, along with some of her other aunts. It was a great party, but I won't go into all the drama about people not RSVPing, etc., as this is not the purpose of this post.

After people had left, and we were all talking, somehow it was mentioned that the invitations for the wedding had gone out a week and a half ago. And I had to pause. A week and a half? Surely mine should have arrived by now. I mentioned this to my niece and we just thought that it was taking longer because of all the holiday mail.

But, after checking the mail on Saturday and not seeing one, I decided to ask some family members if they had received theirs. And ... they HAD. Hmmm.... Why had I not received mine? I had to be invited. I mean, I AM the favorite aunt, right??

And then I started thinking .... Their invitation list began as the invitation list from my wedding over 4 years ago. That way they could have family members on it, and then build from there. But WHO wouldn't be on that list? The list creators, in other words, Brian and I. No, I thought. Surely they made sure everyone who needed to be on the list was on the list and weren't just relying on it as is. But ... given ALL of the things that have just gone not as it should with that wedding, I realized that yes, that had to be it, it had to be that we were never added to the list that *I* provided.

So, I kindly called my niece and left her a message detailing the above. And, not 5 minutes later she calls back and ... (after she had checked) yes, that was exactly IT! We were never put ON the list. (And, of course, no one bothered to check it. Hmph.) She apologized, and it was actually kinda funny at this point, because it's just been thing after thing with them. But, you know ... even though I was told that I certainly knew how to throw a party (after the bridal shower), I just wanted to say, "Yet I was told to butt out of helping with the wedding."

Oh, well. At this point, everything is just funny, and I have to shake my head. Luckily, it's not my wedding. Mine was awesome and fabulous, everyone had a great time AND it's still talked about to this day. I say that THAT was a great party.

Oh. And my invitation is now on its way. ^_^

A Stress Ball

Normally, I don't get stressed around the holidays. Busy, sure, but not stressed.

However, right now it's a little different. Why, you ask?

1. This coming Saturday is my oldest niece's bridal shower, which I am co-hosting. It was a big to-do to get invites made and addresses gathered and invites sent and waiting for people to RSVP. AND, this all had to be planned within just a few weeks because the wedding only had 2 months to be planned anyway. Seventy invites were sent out. Yes, you read that right: 70. That doesn't even mean the actual number invited, because some addresses had multiple people invited. And do you know how many people have RSVPed? 6. And total people confirmed to be there? Oh, about 13 (and yes, that includes her mother, those hosting, and family helping with the shower). Today was the deadline for the RSVP. Do you not know what that means?! Argh! Plus, I am putting together a guest/memory book for her and that's taking some of my time.

2. I am in charge of putting music together for church every Sunday (although there's usually someone who picks out the hymns). However, I select someone or people for any special musical numbers. Oh, yes, and I'm also the choir director. This coming Sunday is our Christmas program, with, you guessed it, LOTS of music! And while overall the pool of really talented singers in our church is small, I know that there are others that CAN do music, and so I've been trying to incorporate those people that aren't normally asked to perform (singers and instrumentalists alike), but I tell ya, trying to wrangle all of those different numbers together, not to mention getting the choir in tip-top shape for their numbers, well ... it's stressing me out, as there have been some issues with things coming together. (So much so, that I've been focusing on everyone else, and the quartet I wanted to do, will now have to be a solo with me, which is fine, except that I sang at Easter, but now it's too late to have someone else sing it. *sigh*)

3. While I have done a couple of things for Peppermint Creative, I am probably not doing as much as others, seeing as I have many other things on my plate. Of course, we got most of the stuff really recently and that puts a crunch on the designer wanting layouts to showcase her new designs. Sometimes I think those other ladies are so much better than me! But, I'm trying to get better. I just can't scrap as quickly as they can! :(

4. And, of course, Christmas!!! We did a preliminary survey of gifts we already had a few weeks into November, but I haven't had a chance to look back and see if we need to get anymore gifts, not to mention getting things wrapped and prepped. Christmas is next week! Ack!

I know, I know. B R E A T H E. And, just take it one at a time. And, I'm trying. I am. Sometimes, though, I think about it, and ack! It freaks me out. I think part of the reason I'm stressed is because I'm having to depend on others -- let go of the control, because I cannot control them.

*more breaths* At least Brian and the cats entertain me and make me smile.

Project 365 Roundup: Week 48

November 26 - December 2

NaBloPoMo 2010 Completed!

In case you missed it, I did write an actual blog post before this one for the day. Scroll down.

So, yes, I did it. I wrote at least one blog post a day, for the month of November. And I almost, almost had something to say each day.

Now, whether someone actually read any of it (oh, I saw a few stragglers here and there ^_-), that's another story. ^_^

Simplifying

For about the last 6 months, I've had the need to makes things more simple. In all aspects of my life. I feel that if I do that, I can get a sense of what direction my life needs to take (specifically in regards to a career).

So, little by little we've been de-cluttering and getting things organized so that I don't feel bogged down at home by the clutter and mess, and so that every thing I own has a place and purpose.

I've made some headway -- some of our stuff I've sold on Craigslist, the money which has gone into my computer fund -- but there are still things to get rid of. Small things, fabric, lots of Anime collectibles that I just need to purge and save the most precious, document the rest and sell them.

I think we, as Americans, are so blessed, overall. So many of us have so much, when many in other countries don't. And you'd think I'd know this better than many, since I not only was born in Costa Rica, but also lived in Honduras (a VERY poor country). But, yes, I was somewhat privileged.

But honestly, I probably wouldn't mind getting rid of most of my things, and living in some cute little beach bungalow, enjoying simpler pleasures. Oh, sure, I'd still want my computer, and probably my books, I mean, I don't want to live completely without some luxuries, but ... well, you know what I mean. ^_^

I just want to have a home that's comfortable, that isn't hiding giant messes in the closets, where I have things in bins or bags that I haven't touched for years, where I don't have any room to put them. What's the point of having them, if I can't put them anywhere?

So, I will continue to make a little headway and simplify my life, and earn a little money doing so. Hopefully, that will lead me to clarity into what I should do with my life.

Interested, Not Interesting

Several weeks ago, Oprah had Jane Fonda on, and Jane said something that really struck me. She was talking about being older, and how this time in her life is a great time, and perhaps better than others.

She then said that she has learned that to really connect with people (well, that's what I think she was saying anyway, as I think about that show) is to not be so self absorbed in trying to be interesting. She said, instead, that she now tries to be interested in others and their lives.

And I have thought a lot about that since then, and I guess it's another way of saying that we shouldn't be so selfish and serve others. Sometimes, serving others can be as simple as smiling, as saying hello, as saying "How are you doing?" and really meaning it. I have to tell you, I really loathe the "How are you doing?" line. I know it's considered polite, but if you don't really want to hear it, then don't ask. Because most people aren't just "Fine, thank you." But if you are sincere in asking, then be ready to hear the truth, and try to be one of those people that others like to confide in and tell the truth.

I know I'm very much at fault at the trying to be interesting, or talking about myself. I find that I sometimes tend to do that a lot, and it's not that I don't want to hear what others have to say, I think it's because, especially for the last two years, I haven't had very many people, outside of Brian, to tell about things going on in my life. While Brian is my best friend, I lack many close girl friends (which I've mentioned in a previous post on friendship). And so, when I get to talking to someone about anything I might remotely have my hand in (from costuming to photography), I tend to ... well, overshare and talk a lot about me and what I do.

And, because usually most of the time for conversation is short, I don't get to the point to ask the other person about themselves. *sighs*

So, as this year approaches its end, and a new one is soon to begin, I will try to be more interested in others, and not be so focused on seeming interesting. Because, while I may be interesting, I have a blog to talk all about me, right? ^_^

Christmas Printable

I came across this idea on someone else's blog, and I thought I could easily make one, in a color I wanted!

Have you seen those "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters? Well, this is a Christmas version of that poster.

And, you are free to download and print out to use in your holiday decor! I have two versions, each in green and red, all in 8x10.

Enjoy!

(To download, click on image, which will take you to the larger image. Then just save down to your computer by clicking "Save Image As." You can print at home, or take somewhere that makes prints. Any questions, just let me know!)

Words with Friends

The best game I like to play on my iPhone is Words with Friends. It's basically Scrabble, and, you can play against your friends who also have an iPhone.

I think the highest scoring word I've put down so far was 101 points. Although, for the life of me I can't remember what the word was!!

Now, I have to admit, sometimes I am a little creative in searching for my word choice, but even then I can still end up losing. What I dislike is when people take my spot! Arrgh!

I also like to play Scrabble, but it's fun to play against all of your friends, and not just a close, personal group.

As for games that I play alone, I think Angry Birds ranks there in the top.

Oh, I know they're time wasters, but they're fun! ^_^

What kinds of games (on your phone or regular), do you like to play?

Project 365 Roundup: Weeks 46 & 47

November 12 - November 18

November 19 - November 25