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               LIVING MY WAY NEWSLETTER January 2010
 
WELCOME!

 Snowy greetings to all of you once again and welcome to all the
new subscribers.   This has been quite a winter around here!  

Last month I suggested you try the exercise of setting a theme or a
word for the year that describes what you hope to achieve, become
or improve in the near future.  Almost all the responses I received
were closely related to some version of "simple living". 
  
I am seeing a trend away from the excesses of the last decade and I
think many of us are determined to simplify our lifestyle and get
more control of our lives and finances.   Can't go wrong there.
  
The next step is to list some ways you will accomplish your theme. 
  
The theme I chose was Exploration.  As I move further into my 60's,
I am feeling the passage of time and realize that I need to get on
the stick if I am going to do some of the things that have always
been in the back of my mind. 
  
For example, I want to take a train trip back and forth across the
country visiting as many national parks and monuments and cities as
possible.   I'll be writing more about that idea and others on my
blog  - be sure to check it out at the blog link to the left.
  
My word for this year is Creativity.  I want to spend at least one
hour a week painting, drawing, knitting, playing or singing
something.  I'll also be putting my new sewing machine to use for
little girl things for my new granddaughter. 

What's your word?    What's next for you?   Send me an email with
your ideas. 

Meanwhile I am busy helping my daughter care for her new daughter,
Emma.  Nothing is better than rocking a grandbaby to sleep!   

******************************************************************
The Winter Blues  

It's called the Winter Doldrums and it affects almost all of us in
some fashion.  Shorter days and cold temperatures make us wish we
were bears who crawl into a cave and just sleep through it.
  
Many years ago in TN our business was raising herbs, dried flowers
and gourmet vegetables.  The arrival of the seed catalogs around
Thanksgiving always helped to banish the winter blues. 
 
Then in January, I would begin spending my days out in the sunny
warm greenhouse.  I never minded the tedium of planting tiny little
seeds in the starter trays.  The process of nurturing things to
grow was somehow calming and inspiring.  I would stay out there for
hours on end in that toasty bright place.   No blues there...
   
But, you probably don't have a greenhouse and I don't either any
more.  What else can we do to banish the winter blues? 
 
Resist the temptation to hibernate.   Oh, on a snowy weekend
there's nothing wrong with curling up in front of the fireplace
with a good book or a stack of movies but it's not good to become a
couch potato or bed bug on a regular basis. 

Here are some ideas:

* Make a crock -pot full of chili or soup and invite friends over
for games night.  http://www.boardgamegeek.com   (Show Me Yours, I'll Show
You Mine is  great fun!)

* Re-paint a room - try bright lemon yellow in the bathroom or
quiet sage green in your bedroom.   http://www.benjaminmoore.com

* Hang a birdfeeder where you can see it to enjoy the harbingers of
spring that will come.   http://www.backyardbird.com/ 

* Take an art class or sign up for guitar lessons or attend a
creative writing workshop.   Google - Community Education + (your
city) to find nearby classes. 

* Put together a photo/scrap book from that box of pictures under
the bed.       http://www.scrapbook.com/

* Plan a trip that you've always wanted to take.   
http://www.fiftysense.net/adventuretravel.shtml

* Take a laughter yoga class.     http://www.laughteryoga.org/

* Plan a theme party  http://www.fun-theme-party-ideas.com/

* Have an adventure with the grandchildren   
http://www.grandparents.com  (enter your city and get an pages of
kid friendly things to do) 

* Learn to Salsa dance  http://www.arthurmurray.com/index.htm

OK Folks - I could go on and on but I want to get back to the new
wee one, so you're on your own.  Go explore any of the sites above
or go to Google and type in your idea or interest and see where it
takes you. 

 Need help finding information?  Ask Jane.  :)  

Banish those winter doldrums!    
   
******************************************************************
Let's Get Creative!

 Art Journaling, Collages, Vision Boards, Mind Maps, Life Lines,
Story Boards 
 
Do those words peek your interest or do you think you can't do
anything artsy?

When it comes to putting a paintbrush or even crayons to a blank
piece of paper, I've always admired what others create but couldn't
imagine that I could do the same kind of thing.  I've mostly been a
color inside the lines sort of artist. 

 I've heard a lot of talk about art journaling lately so a trip to
the bookstore was in order.  I sat down on the floor in front of an
entire shelf of possibilities.  They are all pretty and full of
ideas but most were kind of overwhelming. 
 
Then I found the one for me. 

Journal Spilling by Diana Trout is an inspiration for even the most
reluctant artist. 

She says things like,  "just spill some paint..." and "take pride in
messy, murky process pages."  Unlike the voices in my head that
demand perfection, her words and pictures give me permission to
start washing the page with color and writing over it.  Then I
glued on some pictures from magazines collage style.  Or do that
whole process in reverse - the order doesn't matter. 

There's a photo of my first attempt over on my blog and you can see
it's no work of art. But now I have the confidence to keep going. 
Each chapter introduces you to new techniques to try. Go forward in
the book or double back to practice.  It doesn't matter. 
The important thing is to just do it. 
 
She shows how to make little books, cards and sweet memory pieces. 
And she describes all the possible pens, markers, and paints you
can use.  I found some watercolor pencils on sale for $4 and love
them -I can color a design and then wash over it with a damp
paintbrush.  The result makes me look like a watercolor pro! 
   
I highly recommend her book to get you started.  Or check out her
inspiring blog at www.DianaTrout.blogspot.com for lots of ideas and
great instructional videos.  

Happy coincidence - she lives about 10 miles from me and offers
workshops! We're planning a studio class later in the spring - let
me know if you're interested.  
    
       Send an email to jane at lifeandworkbydesign dot com
                                                              
Remember that my recommended books are available through the BOOKS
page on my web-site from Amazon.  You get the same free shipping
deals and I get a small commission for sorting them all out for
you.  Thanks! 
   
******************************************************************

A LITTLE INSPIRATION 
 
It seems that my readers in most parts of the US and much of Europe
are suffering with extreme weather events this season.  We need to
really appreciate the clear, sunny days when we get them.  And,
despite the hassle, I sort of enjoy the slower pace and opportunity
to curl up in front of the fireplace to read or draw or just listen
to music.  Hope you can do that too...   

No one can look at a pine tree in winter without knowing that
spring will come again in due time.      Frank Bolles

Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments,
embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.  John
Boswell

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look
what they can do when they stick together       Vesta M. Kelly
   


    My e-mail box is always open if you'd just like to chat..
               jane at lifeandworkbydesign dot com