52 photos in 52 weeks: Week 1

Introducing... 2012's full year project! Last year, as you know, it was 52 in 52 books. Which I completed and then some! I'm still loosely trying to read that many books again this year but I also have other things in the works and come mid year I'm not sure I'll have all my focus on keeping my nose buried in words. Not to say I don't love it, I do, but friends, family, job, and now photography are going to be put first. Well, at least photography... ;) 

I thought about doing 365 in 365 but I really don't think I am ready for that kind of commitment yet. I've already forgotten a day on the January challenge via instagram... but I wanted something that would be challenging but fun and keep me snapping pictures (with my cell phone as well as my other cameras) all week, every week.

So here 'tis, the first week...

And there's a tie. The wall in Tijuana where you wait in line to be admitted back into the states, and this cute little man, Baby Brows. Next week I'm going to make more of an effort with my other, non iphone cameras. See where it gets me. :) And just in case you are wondering, I already finished a book this week!

Are you doing a photo challenge this year?

xoxo

banner's original photo source

My 2012 Non-Goals

How I love shoe-gazing pictures...

As I was spending hours clicking links from blog to blog I happened upon a post that I found very inspiring and motivating. It fit into what I have been working on for the past 3+ months (if not 20 years).

The post was about non-goals for the year. It wasn't a list of things she wasn't going to do, it was a list of things she was already doing well, and things she was proud of herself for. I have not seen anything like this until today. Sometimes I wonder the point of blogging, or spending so much time reading about other people's lives, even more so I wonder about why people even bother reading about my life. But then a post (or many posts) like this come along and I realize again what blogging is about. Sharing. 

I love sharing with my friends that I've had for years, I love meeting new people and sharing with them. I love learning how other people are doing things and seeing if one of their methods also works for me. More and more, day after day, month after month and year after year I am really understanding the proverb that says "It takes a village to raise a child."

While we aren't always in the business of raising children here on the blogs and interwebs, we are helping each other (for the most part, haters gonna hate) figure it all out, or enjoy life without figuring it all out. Whether it be child care or hair care we all have things that we can share or learn.

So anywho, this is a long tangent to introduce my non-goals but I just feel happy and grateful to be a part of a space like this. As tiny as mine is. I really hope in the next year I can grow my little part of the internet and meet more lovely people. 

Without any further ado, my 2012 non-goals

+ You are doing a great job of managing your depression and anxiety... keep up the good work on that. Don't forget that counselors are available and aren't just for the sad. Sometimes it's good to talk to a really impartial (and professional) person.

+ You've stepped it up when it comes to family time. There's still work to do and patience to gain but there has been great improvements made here.

+ Asking for dance classes for Christmas as your ONLY christmas present from Dad's family means there is dedication to an athletic activity. That's awesome. Keep pushing and buying pretty shoes to motivate on the non class days.

+ The room is adorable even without a closet. Yay to investing in some art and frames you really like. Looking at these pieces has brighten your day at least once a week. Totally worth it.

+ So stoked on the tattoos. It has begun. So excited to see what addition will come in the next year.

+ This may sound weird but high five and a pat on the back for testing your party limits. I'm not saying go crazy this next year but always remember this new year's in Mexico as a time where it was worth it to not give a ___ and have fun. 

+ You jumped in a took a photography class. And you love, love, loved it. Here's to more fun art and photography classes in the future!

+ Some beautiful blankets were made this year. Treasures really. Tangible pieces to be incredibly proud of. 

Have you even done non-goals (even if it was called something else)? 

xoxo

Happily Wasted

Oh my gosh, as already mentioned, this weekend was awesome and amazing and surprisingly really motivating. I'm finishing up my goal list for 2012 and I'll be posting it here soon. I think I'm breaking up this year into quarters... but it's all still in the works.

Follow some of these links for inspiration, motivation, food for thought and smiles:

A way to get over the fear of hearing No

What may just be the instructions for my first quilt!!!

This little dancing lady will make you smile

Danielle's post on teaching before being a SAHM

An amazing present! And a cute new to me blog to read!

I am over the moon loving these coffee cup chats. Incredibly motivating subjects.

Great word for the year... I'll post mine soon.

Awesome resolutions and goals at The Daybook, and Tart.

xoxo

The Best New Year EVER

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Where do I even begin... Maybe with a little history about my NYE celebrations years past. Most times my new year is rung in with a book, or a small group of friends, sometimes drama, but rarely a large amount of alcohol and never before at a hotel. This year was one for the books. 

We left Friday evening, Señor Brows and I hung out at Casa de Brows until Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s came home from work. When she came home I started cutting cards out of printed sheets for a game that would be played on the trip. I'll just say it now, it's like Apples to Apples but for those with a really warped sense of humor. It fit the group perfectly. I was laughing while cutting out the pieces. The Brows packed and as they did other party people started to arrive. Yeah, I said it, party people. And the drinking began. We made our way to the bus (the mode of transportation for the trip) and then we were on our way to Mexico. Someone was already sauced (not I... I had my first drink on the bus... is that legal? If it's not it totally didn't happen) by the time we sat in our seats and the rest of us were looking for a buzz and laughing at the crazy movie we decided to bring along. After an interesting bathroom break and a repeat of The Karen Carpenter Story told through Barbie stop-motion animation (yeah, crazy) we arrived at our destination. I was slightly surprised to say we kept the first night pretty mellow, but only slightly because I could barely keep my eyes open. We sat by the bar, I added a Cadillac Margarita to the two 7-up and vodkas I had sipped earlier and was feeling very giggly and sleepy. Tequila does that to me every time. 

I started Saturday with a mimosa, a tour of the hotel, a look at a family boat and finally a small wine tasting tour. I had some wine even though it wasn't of the sparkling variety. What a trooper! 

Saturday night we prepared in our rooms then met in Cuarto de Brows and pre-partied. Well, they did, I was holding out for my margaritas. After our pre-party we decided we were going to be the best looking group in the place and headed downstairs. We weren't wrong.

We started our meal, and I just have to put it out there, one of the dishes had a cricket on/in it. On purpose. Which is where the picture of Señor Brows petting the cricket comes in. 

There were props, fake, like incredibly fake diamonds that we hoarded all through the night, as well as our Happy New Year hats and headbands and some mardi gras beads. 

Moving on, we were eating, people started dancing, we started dancing, balloons were passed out, the band was awesome, we screamed the countdown, kisses and hugs were given all around.

More dancing.

Some more dancing.

Drinks.

More dancing and yelling and photobombing. Sticking the long balloons in each other's mouths and rubbing them on each other's faces (seriously we were like teen boys in our humor), singing along or not. I knew some of the songs in Spanish due to my childhood obsession with Selena (after the movie came out). 

More dancing.

more drinking (by this point I was on my second margarita AND had a flute of champagne when we hit the new year so I was good, and done with drinking)

I'm pretty sure we had the most fun out of anybody at that party. Not saying other people weren't as tipsy or dancy as we were, but seriously, we are some of the most hilarious people we know, especially when in a group... and we all danced like no one was watching, or like they were and we wanted to show them our great new moves. 

The first of the year was spend eating, getting a massage, lounging and crying so many tears of laughter from a really warped card game that is similar to Apples to Apples. It is not for the faint of heart, especially not with us playing it... while hung over and full of self loathing and loving. It is possible to feel both at the same time, I've seen it in action. At some point we pulled it slightly together and went downstairs to have dinner in the restaurant then came back up and watched a movie. I think if any of us had the energy we would have tried to play catch phrase but I had decided for one last margarita with dinner and laying down with my eyes glued to the tv was the only thing I was capable of, and I was one of the least hung over of the group...

I can't put into words the amount of crazy and hilarious fun I had this weekend. There were so many jokes, so many tears from laughing so hard, so many good conversations (serious and not). There had been talk of the worst movie ever on the bus (Splice) and jokes about a different movie (The Fugitive) and BOTH ended up playing over the course of our stay (and not because we brought or ordered them). 

I couldn't have dreamed of a New Year celebration this great.

Oh yes, and I crossed off the goal of getting a professional massage (for the first time ever) off of my list for the year!

Some say that how you spend nye and new year's day is how you will spend the rest of your year. I'm so beyond good with that.

xoxo

*pictures not taken by other members of the group

**sorry for the curse word, it was just my favorite (and probably most appropriate for the blog) answer card from the game

The Best (and not so best) of 2011

I know I am a little behind in this, but I have good reason. My New Year was celebrated in Ensenada with awesome friends. I returned today after a great few days I'm back and ready to take over 2012.

When you are small and someone says that the year went by so fast or a certain holiday snuck up on them you have no idea what they mean. Well, I didn't. I thought Christmas took ages to come after Thanksgiving and my birthdays always felt like more than 365 days apart (I guess on leap years they were).
As I've grown, however, I've found what they (parents, teachers, elders) meant. An hour can feel like an eternity while waiting in the DMV but while sitting there you can look back at the past month and wonder where it went.
I'm very thankful I've kept this blog, my journals and my photos over the past few years. Otherwise looking back, like I am now, on the year that is coming to an end, I would feel like nothing much has changed or happened. While I've come full circle to almost exactly the same situation I was in at the end of last year, there have been many things that have happened and changed in between. I try to remember that when I start criticizing myself on where I am and where I am going, when I think I'm not good enough or smart enough or lucky enough.
So many little things have happened, and some big things too, and I'm thankful for the experiences. I don't regret any of the choices I have made along the way and I think that's something important to remember when those day long hour of self doubt creeps up while I am sitting in a waiting room chair.
Reading has helped, writing has too... friends and family have done and been more positive than I expected.

I'm hoping (and going to work my butt off for) great things in 2012. I foresee some heart ache that can't be avoided and some challenged that will seem impossible but I will ultimately come out with many experiences that I wouldn't give up for the world.

With that said, it's time to look at some of the notable events in my life during 2011!!!

January
- Saw Baby Brow's first steps
- Went horseback riding for the first time in years
- finished my first squares blanket
- started 52 in 52
- Stay Golden foot tattoo

February
- moved to Portland
- toured Winchester Mystery House
- toured Hearst Castle for the 3rd time
- finally rode the ferris wheel at The Spectrum

March
- Said goodbye to 24 and hello to 25
- thrifting weekend in Corvallis

April
- moved into my apartment!!!
- went in for dermal piercings

May
- participated in 8 weeks to a better me
- made a rainbow cake

June
- finished Baby B's blanket
- bought an iphone... it's been close to me ever since
- Finished The Dark Tower series
- Started posting for The Printed Word

July
- Started Portland Love
- Berry picking at Sauvie Island
- Dad's fam came to visit and we went on a hike
- Started dream gig of being a Go-Go at Dante's

August
- Started tattoo on arm
- First Happily Wasted Post
- Went to Sauvie Island Beach
- Warped Tour
- dog sat Benny for two weeks
- saw the lovely boys of Vanna

September
- first color appointment for arm piece
- I wore a dress, and went out... at night... to a bar!
- Five years vegetarian
- finished the rainbow blanket for Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s
- started The Artist's Way
- took a photography class on the Holga

October
- had a cozy blogger meet up
- car was totaled
- visited home
- saw Taylor Swift in concert!!!
- went to Sea World with Baby Brows and family
- last appointment for tattoo! All colored in!
- said goodbye to my first all-by-myself apartment
- Sunday before Halloween, my last night as a go go at Dante's... :/

November
- journeyed home
- learned how to thread my sewing machine
- surprised mom with a Christmas tree
- started pen pal letters with Erika and Amanda
- finished my 52nd book of the year!

December
- Decorated the tree
- Bambi took me to see She Wants Revenge
- kind of celebrated my sister B's birthday
- started a new blanket project
- saw my Vanna lovelies again
- managed to get my mom's car towed in Anaheim ($300 dollars later...)
- had one of my dermals taken out :(
- helped Dad's fam decorate the office with lights
- painted on canvas
- ate meat for the first time in 5 years...
- had my other dermal piercing taken out... :(
- made my first call to 911 :(
- went to the Zoo Safari (Wild Animal Park) with Baby and Señor Brows
- went to Mexico to bring in the New Year!!!

I am so stoked for 2012!!!

xoxo

52 in 52

At the beginning of this year I took on the challenge of reading fifty-two books in fifty-two weeks. I didn't commit to the challenge until the end of January when I had already passed my quota for the month... I figured with such a great start I may as well give it a shot.

Every month I made an effort to read at least 5 books, some months I fell short, others I pushed forward. 

Come week 47 I met my goal... and kept going. 

Here's a list of the books I read this year. The books highlighted in yellow were my favorites and the ones highlighted in blue are notable and definitely recommended. I did not dislike any of the books I read and have something good to say about each one, the highlighted ones just stood out a little bit more than the rest.

January
1. Hector and the Search for Happiness - Francois Lelord
2. Eating Animals - Jonathan Safran Foer
3. The Drawing of the Three - Stephen King
4. What Color Is Your Parachute? - Richard Nelson Bolles
5. The Monsters of Templeton - Lauren Groll
6. If You Have to Cry Go Outside - Kelly Cutrone
7. Beginner's Greek - James Collins
8. World War Z - Max Brooks
9. The Walking Dead Book One - Robert Kirkman (this is the first 12 issues)
    - recommended if you like the show

February
10. Operating Instructions - Anne Lamott
11. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
12. Coraline - Niel Gaiman
13. The Waste Lands - Stephen King

March
14. Save Karyn - Karyn Bosnak
15. Wizard and Glass - Stephen King
16. Sugar and Spice - Lauren Conrad
17. How Starbucks Saved My Life - Michael Gates Gill
18. What Now? - Ann Patchett
19. Official Book Club Selection - Kathy Griffin

April and May
20. Floor Sample - Julia Cameron
21. Nickel and Dimed - Barbara Ehrenreich
22. Kissing the Virgin's Mouth - Donna Gershten
23. The Wolves of Calla - Stephen King
24. Sinner Takes All - Tera Patrick
25. Song of Susanna - Stephen King
** Bossy Pants - Tina Fey

June
26. The Dark Tower - Stephen King (loved and hated it at the same time)
27. Lessons of a Lipstick Queen - Poppy King
28. The Sound of Paper - Julia Cameron
29. I Don't Care About Your Band - Julie Klausner
30. On a Hoof and a Prayer - Polly Evans
31. Reviving Ophelia - Mary Pipher

July
32. Bonk - Mary Roach
33. The Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart
34. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara Kingsolver
35. Through Painted Deserts - Donald Miller

August
36. Long Quiet Highway - Natalie Goldberg
37. The Hours - Michael Cunningham
38. Walking on Water - Derrick Jensen
39. Animal Dreams - Barbara Kingsolver
40. Yes Man - Danny Wallace

September
41. The Sea Wolf - Jack London
42. I Am a Pencil - Sam Swope
43. Lit - Mary Karr
44. Wildwood - Colin Meloy
45. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
46. The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway

October
47. White Teeth - Zadie Smith
48. Teacher Man - Frank McCourt
49. Linchpin - Seth Godin

November:
50. This Is Not the Story You Think It Is... - Laura Munson
51. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
52. One Day - David Nicholls
And I kept going:
53. Strange Angels - Lili St. Crow
54. Betrayals - Lili St. Crow
55. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
56. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
57. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
58. The Traveling Death and Resurrection Show - Ariel Gore

December
59. Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson
60. The History of Love - Nicole Krauss
61. Walking in Circles Before Lying Down - Merrill Markoe
62. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
63. The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron
64. School of Dreams - Edward Humes

**Looks like I made 65 instead of 64... somehow, when putting April and May books together I had forgotten that I had read Bossy Pants. How I forgot about that is beyond me.

While I loved this challenge I think I need time for other things next year. I am going to continue to keep track of the books each month but I am not going to stress about reading 52+. I do have to figure out my next reading goal... maybe a classic a month for 2012, or I can only purchase a book a month... the rest have to come from the library... 

I haven't decided quite yet.

What are your reading goals for next year?

xoxo

original image found via piccsy

A Safari Adventure with The Brows

This kid has my heart to the end. I'm pretty sure everybody knows that already, and when (read: if) I'm rich and have lots of money I will find creative ways to spoil this boy like no other.

Did you know he's like 2 times the size he should be, or that's my lame math that's probably totally not correct when in reality he's the size of a four year old but he just had his second birth day! I brag about him like he's my own. I was smiling the whole day because he's such a character. 

Our day went a little like this:

We met in the parking lot, Baby Brows just waking up from a short nap. He went into the stroller and we walked to the front gates. Señor Brows treated me to this trip which was oh so awesome and so we went in. We started by getting The Brows some food (I had eaten an El Pollo Loco tostada on the drive over, a juggle for sure) and I just laughed while Baby Brows became more and more animated with each french fry and chicken strip. By the raisins he was chattering about his milk, saying yum and calling Señor Brow's soda "my meel."* After pouring some milk in a cup similar to dad's Baby Brows thought he had the same thing as dad and was content.

We then walked to find the Safari tour so Baby Brows could wake up a little more and see all the different animals, and ride the "tuck."** After a very short wait we were sighting animals left and right. Baby Brows had his game face on but was bouncing when he was allowed. He may have been more interested in the mode of transportation we were taking and the kids in the seat in front of us, but every once in a while he was really excited about the animals too. The tour ended just in time, because he was ready to start running around.

And run he did.

I pushed the stroller as we made our way through the maze that is the Zoo Safari Park, formerly known as the Wild Animal Park. He stopped to look at the ducks, smell some flowers, and to sit on a little bench. He tired out and went back into the stroller until we found the elephants. Again Baby Brows was more interested in his surroundings and playing with his stroller than the animals... he ran circles around the poles, then around some benches, then would look back at us, then run toward us, dance a little bit and go around again. 

I did take a little bit of time to watch the elephants, there was one really young one who was sooo cute. Oh baby animals!

Then we moved on to find the petting zoo. Baby Brows went back into the stroller at this point, exhausted from running around. At first he didn't want to get out of the stroller then he saw the goats and became pretty excited. He ran right up to the first one petting it until the goat threw his head a little... nothing hard or hurtful but Baby Brows ran back to dad to get his bearings. Then it was off to see the brushes (and use them on his own hair for a second... hahahahaha kids!) and find other goats to pet. He and another little boy were petting the resting goats when two others started sparring. It was cute to watch. Then a bigger goat started choking or something and Sebastian thought that was the funniest thing. He couldn't stop laughing which made the other boy's family laugh. 

After a couple minutes Baby Brows was done with petting goats and we went off in search of a soda and churro for me, I really can't resist at theme parks of any kind. I love churros. 

Then we attempted to have birds land on us but that exhibit was closed once we arrive and so we trekked back toward the tigers. We managed a tiger sighting (and also saw a young boy pushing his sister's stroller down a hill, letting go of it and running in front of it to scare her.... while the parents chatted on) and then headed toward the exit. They were ushering us out through arrow signs at all exhibit trail entrances. Very helpful, like I said, this park is a maze.

All in all a wonderful adventure. Baby Brows didn't disappoint. I haven't been to this park in probably over 12 years and probably wouldn't have gone if friends and a child hadn't been involved. Theme parks regain their magic when sharing them with a kid. 

xoxo

* my meel is my milk in Baby Brows speak
** tuck is truck