Janjuary?

Ahem and ahem again.  Is everyone here?  Hey!  You in the back; listen up.
I promised to announce birthdays on my blog this year.  Do you remember that?  With patience and persistence, I collected birthdates from a whole bunch of you, my faithful followers.

Guess whose birthday falls in this first month of the year.  Guess whose birthday is in Janjuary (an intentional misspelling).  As much as I'd like to recognize and announce everyone else's special day before getting to mine, I can't.  Besides, you're considered to be my followers in the world of bloggers, right?  By definition, it's up to me to step up and show the rest of you how it works.  

Don't let me kid you.  If I couldn't be first, by golly, I would never have come up with the birthday announcement idea.  Most of you know I'm competitive so I doubt you're surprised by my confession.  And yet, more than my competitiveness, I'm driven by my strange sense of humor.  For me, this is kind of funny.  Hey, you in the back.  What'd you say?  You fail to see the humor?  (Good grief!  Somebody haul him out of here, would ya?)       

There's another way to look at it.  Many of us are writers.  Literally, if you're my followers, I'm obligated to be a leader.  To lead means I have to pop out first. 

So without further ado, I'd like to wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, that is, to Shaddy, Cher, Cheryl, Cherie and some other names I'm called, but would rather not mention at this time.

Grab your sunglasses, a plate and a fork and gather round my birthday cake.  I'm not happy about my age, yet I'm not afraid to admit it.  Trust me, that's not a forest fire.  It's the flames of sixty-two candles stuck in the frosting that are threatening to singe your eyeballs.  It's a mighty blaze and a sight to see, if I do say so myself.

I hope you've had fun at the party.  Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Seriously, I can't think of my birthday without remembering this.  Every year on my birthday, Dad would recount that when I was learning to talk, if asked for my birthday, I'd say "Janjuary Chuneeuth" which in English is January 20th.  I miss hearing that and enjoying the cakes Mom always made.

I can't close without saying that I appreciate that you (who actually lead me) put up with my shenanigans, year after year.  I wish you loads of your favorite things throughout the month of January.

      

Come On Kids. Cough It Up!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY CHERISHED FRIENDS!

As you may have noticed, I'm in the habit of welcoming the months of the year here on my blog.  Beginning this year, when I introduce a month, I'll announce the names of my followers whose birthdays are within that month.

I know this news is terribly exciting for all of you and unless your birthday is in January, you'll have trouble sleeping nights as you wait the many days before your name appears in this most honored place. 

I've collected nine of my followers' birthdates.  So far I have:

Sarie
Beth
Gully
Jana
Lenore
Natasha
Parrot
Rob
Walk

I'm lacking the birthdates of the persons listed below:

Annie
Dayner
Kathanink
Leah

(If your name isn't here, forgive me and please join in by leaving me your birthdate.  Family members need not speak up as I've got your numbers!!??)

I realize this is a very busy time of the year, so I'm cutting you some slack.  When I get an idea and adopt it, I'm relentless in bringing it to fruition.  Thus, I'm making this second appeal to those of you who are holding back to COUGH UP YOUR BIRTHDATE.  Please make my year, won't you? 

I don't care how old or young you are.  I'm not asking for the year when you made your very first showing on this planet.  I won't benefit in any way by knowing your age and revealing it to my wide audience, huh.  In most cases, I'm older than you so I can't even give you a bad time regarding your accumulated years.

I thank all of you for sharing my days over the years we've been acquainted.
My wishes for you today and throughout 2011:  Do what you should; be kind; do what you enjoy; be kind; and you will be HAPPY!

When's Your Birthday? (The Month and Day Only!!!)

Don't run off yet!!  I know this seems to be a duplicate of a recent post but it's got some new stuff in it.  I've been using my advanced skills with scissors and scotch tape to convert the journal to a date book.  Really!  I did this all by myself.  Amazing, isn't it! 


I'm going to use this journal as next year's date book.

I taped the January sheet from an extra 2011 calendar on this page and added my own calligraphy to identify the upcoming month.

Cutting the calendar up with scissors was a bit scary but I was extremely careful and didn't poke an eye out.  Yay!

I became tangled in the scotch tape momentarily but managed to break loose to go on with my task.

These words are written in Renee Locks' unique calligraphy.  It truly is the moments that are impressed on our memories whereas entire days escape us. 

I'm looking forward to practicing my own calligraphy as each new month arrives.

I can't find the 2011 version of my favorite date book at my usually dependable bargain store.

Now I'm glad because I got a chance to get creative.  Who knows what I'll come up with as the months pass? 

I'm in awe of the beauty of a few simple sumi brush strokes put down by artist, Renee Locks.

When I turn the January journal page, I have two full pages with this small flower at the bottom.  I'll make my monthly entries there.

Turning the page again will bring me to more words of wisdom by Renee.  I'll add a February heading and attach that month's calendar.

I think you'll enjoy Renee Locks' artwork and her collection of powerful words throughout this journal/calendar.

If you'll leave me your birthday in a comment, I'll mention it when I introduce that month.  Please do. :)     

MERRY, BUT NOT TOO BRIGHT!!

Merry Christmas to all!

P.S.  Besides being merry, let's be bright...in other words, we mustn't do anything stupid!












...like breaking things!

Love,
Shaddy (Definitely not the brightest bulb on the tree!)

Let's Live With Intention

I've searched the shelves in vain at TJMaxx on two separate occasions for a 2011 edition of the Brush Dance date book which I have been using for the past three years.

I could order one online but I've been spoiled in the past by purchasing them for half price at TJMaxx. 







I found this Live With Intention journal at TJMaxx for $4.99 and I'm going to make it work for me.  I'll use it in the same way I used my previous date books.

I'll share Renee Locks' powerful words and artwork here on my blog to introduce each month throughout 2011.




The best way to make your dreams come true is to WAKE UP!  I'd like to add the words "and get out of bed."  Once again, I'm going to make a New Year's resolution to bounce out of bed the minute I wake up.  I have the bad habit of staying under the covers long after I've awakened.

I hope you'll enjoy Renee Locks' creativity as much as I do.  Of course, I've peeked ahead and have been extremely impressed by her sumi brush painting and the phrases she's put down in her unique style of calligraphy.

I mainly use a date book to record my workouts at North Pointe and to welcome the months here.  I can continue to do that in this journal; where there's a will there's a way, right?

The Book I Just Finished Reading

I highly recommend this book. 

She's Come Undone is written by Wally Lamb.  The novel is written in the first person point of view of a female.  It's uncanny how the author, a male, wrote such a touching and intimate book from a female's point of view.

The book is described as hilarious by the New York Times.  In my opinion, it has it's hilarious moments yet the overall story is quite tragic.

A Christmas Card For You

This one's for you, my friends.

This comes to you with wishes that the Christmas spirit of 2010 sustains and energizes you thoughout the coming year.

Believe...