Tag-Archive for » new me! «

02
Mar
just who is timelesscrone?
LisaW

Every once in a while, someone comments about the moniker I use on the ‘net, so it’s probably time I explained ….

As a young woman, I was fortunate enough to have had a family that grounded me and gave me the freedom to forge my own identity. Enter marriage, children, and career, and that somehow got lost.

There was alot of energy lost because Supermom wasn’t quite super enough, Loving Wife was stretched in too many directions to continue the lavished attention, the Friend seemed to loose touch with the Crowd, and Career Woman didn’t think she’d ever get her arms wrapped around all of the challenges – much less successfully compete against the incoming troops who hadn’t yet reached that struggle of balance. I look back now and realize it was an enormous growth period and learning experience.

As I approached 50, I realized that I’d lost touch with the most important person. Me. And, I set out to change it. You may remember me dubbing that year The Year of Me. I indulged myself with a full year of self exploration. It was during that period, I fully embraced my new role as a Crone.

I was not quite sure what to think of being 50. As I continued the Me Journey, I realized that not only was I not defined by that number, I did not feel it – I was Timeless. And, now you know the story behind TimelessCrone.

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08
Jan
new in 09
LisaW
Release

Release

As I’ve posted before, my “word” for 09 is RELEASE. The mantra is “Let it go and move on.” As in …

Let go of stress, and focus on the blessings.
Let go of projects I have outgrown, or lost interest in.
Let go of unrealistic expectations.
Let go of should have’s, what if’s, and anything else i have no direct control over.
Let go of clutter … You get the idea.

This is a simple layout to remind me to take a deep breath. Layout inspired by Celeste Smith. The smaller, stressed photos are stocks from Microsoft Clipart. The stunning butterfly photo? A lucky search printed from Simply Butterflies. Rubons from Making Memories.

It’s a powerful simplicity, and it speaks volumes.

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01
Jan
happy new year!
LisaW

I’m excited at the feeling of a new beginning, and all the cool changes coming this year! To keep with the New Year’s theme, I’ll just rattle off 9 random thoughts in honor of 2009.

1. My buddy, Nicki, gave my Whiteboard a blog award – The Marie Antoinette – A Real Person, A Real Award! Please visit Nicki at Nicki’s Thoughts, Art, & Friends! My delay in reporting this does not diminish my excitement one iota. I am just bad. lol.

There are 5 simple rules –

  • post the logo on your blog (to the right),
  • post a link to the person’s blog from whom you received the award (thanks, Nicki!),
  • nominate at least 7 or more blogs (you’ll find these at the end of my post),
  • link to the blogs you’ve nominated, and
  • post a comment on those blogs to tell them of their nomination! Simple!

2. Brenda Arnall is launching a 52-week Gratitude Project! I was honored to be allowed to help her get a framework up for an online community, and cannot wait until it goes live! I have spent the last couple of years trying to focus on the blessings in my life, and I am looking forward to being part of a community that is looking closely at not just the big blessings – but the little things that we, all too often, take for granted.

3. I made a fledgling start to sell some of my artwork in 2008 with a pocket-sized Christmas Planner. it bombed, but I am not discouraged. I learned alot from the process. And, I also managed to stay very organized and focused on the Holiday Prep by finally having a truly portable system to keep the tasks & lists at my fingertips.

4. I also made a decision, and began the business planning, to branch out on my own to offer time and project management coaching, website design, and social media services. Look for more in 2009 as I pull this together!

5. I started crocheting again! I picked up an unfinished afghan to give Thomas for Christmas. It’s not done yet, but the progress is steady. And I am not stopping until I can hand it to him! Soon – so I can pull out some unfinished quilting projects, too! I learned to stamp! And, I started some card making! Made all of my Christmas cards this year – they may have gotten out a bit late, but they were sent with love!

6. I made a decision to get involved in an issue that I feel strongly about – alternative energy! I’ve read the Pickens Plan, and joined the Social Action Network! Stay tuned!

7. I dubbed 2008 “The Year of Me” and spent a good deal of time in self-exploration and self-improvement. I found a job in my field! I began an Art Journal! I focused on getting healthy again – and am down 22.5 pounds!! Yes. Every .5 counts!

8. My “word” for 2009 is RELEASE, and my mantra is “Let it go, and move on.” The focus will be on releasing pressures, stresses, and clutter – concentrating on the positive and new beginnings.

9. Last but not least, Lain is doing LOAD again this year!!! WOO HOO!!! Bec & I had so much fun with that last January, and this year the LayOut A Day challenge will be in February – so stay tuned!

And, now, for the moment you’ve been waiting for … my nominees for the The Marie Antoinette – A Real Person, A Real Award are, in no particular order:

* Lisa at ScrappyCatz
* Katie at Kiss And Tell Scrapbooking
* Brenda at It’s A New Day
* Jana at I Can’t Wanna
* Ginger at Ginger’s Journey
* Jason at The Champion Inside
* Live, Love, Laugh, Learn

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21
Nov
health report
LisaW

As we move from fall to winter, I am taking another look at the progress made towards healthier living. You may remember the “summer diet” with my sister-in-law. We’ve slacked off from the strict regimen, but I can tell you that several changes have become healthy habit lifestyle changes.

Net results? I am down 20 pounds – and the BMI is down 2 points! In 6 months! And actually, I should say 5 months, I’ve been holding steady for the last 30 days. WOO HOO!

How?

  • No added salt, low salt products
  • No added fats, low fat products
  • No added sugar – that’s a BIG ONE for me – I GAVE UP sweet tea!
  • Reduction in over-processed grains/more whole grains
  • More fresh produce
  • Water, water, water

With winter approaching, and the diet-busting holidays, I am refocusing. I have always gained 5-10 pounds of what I call winter-weight. I hate cold weather, and tend to be less active as I strive to stay indoors and warm.

It used to come off quickly when Spring came around and the activity level picked up. No more, it seems. :-(

So I am raising the bar a bit, and resetting some goals. This winter, I will NOT gain. I will stay the course. These are some of the things I need to focus on ….

  • Find healthy alternatives to Winter comfort foods
  • Stay focused on fresh produce
  • Avoid the temptation to over indulge in whole grains
  • Establish an active winter routine

And, here’s the call to action!

  1. Who’s in with us?!
  2. What changes do you make to maintain health & weight over the winter/holidays?
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05
Nov
the times they are a changin’
LisaW

Indeed, we have seen history made, once again, in our lifetime.

I tend to keep pretty quiet about my political views. For the most part, it is that they are my private thoughts, and an ingrained desire to stay out of heated, emotional debate. I grew up with politics, the daughter of a political activist, election judge, fund raiser-extraordinare, and state party official. I have seen more than my share of the inside of the great political machine.

Two things strike me as remarkable, and it has nothing to do with the history the media pundits are finally feel free to report. And, no. I’ve misspoken. I do find it remarkable, and feel a great sense of satisfaction in, the fact that we have elected our first African-American President, and that race was not a formal campaign issue.

more…

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Category: my home, my life, my thoughts, my world, wordpress  Tags: ,  3 Comments
02
Oct
one day
LisaW

I am still working on getting my mini album finished.

The pics are done, selected, cropped, printed and mounted. I’ve made my own 4×4 mini album, and I’ve done the journaling around the pics.

What’s left is to bind it, work the covers, and apply some subtle embellishments. It’s coming along.

In the meantime, enjoy the photos I chose.

UPDATE:

I’ve ribbon-bond the album! Too cute – thanks to Bec for the great idea!

Need to scrounge for some beads to add to the ribbon ends.

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Category: my art, my life  Tags: , , ,  4 Comments
01
Oct
sometimes …
LisaW

… you have to look closely for the positive.

It doesn’t matter if you are trying to see the calm within the storm, the peaceful amongst the chaos, the organized within the clutter, the joy despite the worry and sadness, or the beauty of the moment.

I have been going through my day, determined to meet the work and home obligations, but also to work on Stacy’s Present Challenge – “to be vibrant, happy and fully engaged in the creative process of life.”

In the back of my mind, I keep thinking about what Lain wrote.

No one is better equipped to live your dreams than you are. And no one is better able to tell your story than you are. The moments you are living right now, today, are just as important as the ones you lived when you had a 25″ waist and are just as important as the ones you will live when the kids are out of the house and you finally have time to think. ~Lain Ehmann

Today is a harsh reminder that I am overburdened and overbooked. There is a definite late autumn chill in the air that makes me wonder where summer has gone. And, it is cloudy and gloomy to boot. Too very easy to let these things make me feel gloomy as well.

When I think of the purpose of today’s challenge, my mind reminds me that I have plenty to be grateful for – a loving family, great friends, a job, a home, and a means to pay the piling bills. That is much more than many.

I’ve taken a handful of pictures for a Celebrate NOW/Scrap the Present mini album. And, I walked outside to see if I could capture a bit of nature’s beauty.

My garden is all but done. It is grey and overcast – flat – not even a turbulent sky to capture. The view from my porch is not the best on a good day.

Then I saw it among the weeds and bramble. A small clump of honeysuckle clinging to summer. And, it made my heart sing.

So there you go. Today’s insight into my life and and what makes it vibrant. I just had to look closely.

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01
Oct
lain did it again
LisaW

She’s found an engaging way to distract me from all the things I should be doing.

First, Lain issues a challenge to Celebrate NOW!

Then she links out to Stacy’s original Give Yourself a Present.

Can it stop there? OH NO! Of course not. Not with this pair of enablers! Next, we have to follow a challenge to co-conspiratorblogger, Georgana.

Now she wants us to not only join the Challenge, but to post on our blogs. “Give us the insight into your life and and what makes it vibrant.” she says.

OY! I feel this spiraling into an all-consuming obsession. So I will STOP right here, and just DO it.

Because I just can’t resist, JOIN US!

• Snap 10-15 photos of your life right now.
• Compile these photos in a super-cute Mini album.
• Keep or carry this album with you (in your desk drawer or purse) for one year.
• Promise to glance through the album every time you stumble upon it.
• On October 1st, 2009, create a scrapbook page about your experience.

Don’t worry. Someone will remind you!

Now. Insight, you ask?! Vibrant?! I don’t know. Stay tuned.

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