December 29, 2012

Nourish...

I began this year with the idea that I would pick a word to define and shape my goals for 2012.  Simple enough.  I chose "nourish".  And as with most of my endeavors, I started off full of good intentions and  a bang...and then once the novelty wore off and daily life set in...I sputtered and slowed down...considerably.  BUT, I am glad to say I didn't stall completely, and I wound up ahead of the game.  Actually, I was quite successful.  Definetly more nourished in December, than I was in January. And I'm not  talking about my weight.

Nourish?  Yep.  I embarked on a couple of photography classes and challenges.  Including a self portrait project that I WILL complete...but am a few weeks behind on. I nourished my creativity by blogging consistently for the full year.  I found it interesting that my "photography" blog has morphed into both photography AND the written word.  2012 certainly was a year where I felt I had lots to say and figure out (altho my "Things" would tell ya 2012 was no exception to the norm).  I am also in the process of compiling my first year of blogging into a book. If for no other reason than to PROVE to future generations that great-great-GREAT grandmom (insert a yet to be determined COOL name for an old geezer) had a pretty well-nourished sense of humor and outlook on life.   And gosh darn she was full of wisdom to. I've also sold a few of my photographs this year and NOT said "are you sure????". I AM learning to take compliments a bit better and more graciously as I nourish my self confidence.  AND,  going thru two pair of running shoes is proof that I continue to nourish my physical well-being.  Altho, the apple crisp on my stove and the mounds of holiday left overs in my fridge might beg to differ at the moment.

2012.  It's been a challenging year.   I found I nourished my fortitude and strength in ways that I never even considered possibilities in January when I chose the word.  I learned life has it's own plans regardless of MY agenda.  Maybe "nourish" actually chose me?  2012 would have been even more challenging had I not focussed on nourishing different aspects of my life.  And I close out 2012 by nourishing my sense of well-being.  I have been hunkered down for most of the holiday with my family.  Haven't even ventured out that much.  Heck, some days I haven't even gotten out of my pj's.  I'm enjoying being a homebody.  I'm enjoying being a wife.  I'm enjoying being a daughter and sister.  I'm enjoying being a mom.  And I'm enjoying being a future mom-in-law (yep...Thing #1 got engaged last week).  I'm enjoying nourishing my soul.  I'm still NOT enjoying cleaning and laundry tho.  And my family would probably like me to "nourish" my make up and hair on occassion.



"Merry Christmas"




"Home Sweet Home"


I haven't even picked up "James Dean" until today.  And I found that putting James on the back burner for awhile was a welcome break.  Sorry James, I didn't even miss ya.  Nope, not one Christmas photo this year.  It was kinda fun just enjoying the moments without feeling I needed to document any of them.  Plus...I kinda looked like crap.  THAT is documentation I do not need.

But today as I was curled up on my couch the snow began to fall...







"Looking Up"
Ambler PA


...and without even thinking I found "James Dean" sitting on my dresser, dusted him off, and clicked off a few.  There was such a sense of quiet, stillness and...peace as I ventured outside.  I could even HEAR the snow flakes hitting the trees and ground.  The beauty and softness enveloped me like a blanket.  Which is EXACTLY what I had been doing the past few weeks.  Wrapping myself up in the blanket of my home and family.  Cocooning myself.  Protecting myself.  Nourishing myself.

As I looked up to the skies, and watched each of those huge snowflakes float towards me I realized...life goes on.  There is a time for cocooning, and there is a time for re-birth.  So while 2012 was the year of "nourish" for me, I decided today that 2013 will be the year to "live", no excuses allowed (EXCEPT for the laundry).



"Cheers"


Not sure exactly what that will entail yet, heck...just thought of it today folks!   And I'm sure, as I am inclined to do, I will start off with good intentions and a bang..only to sputter and stall at some point.  But the point is to have a goal and keep moving forward towards it, right?  And you all KNOW that when I figure it out, I will find a way to laugh about it, and share it here.

So here's to "living" and 2013. Cheers my friends...

--Kathy 

linked to:  Weekly Top ShotProject 52Sunday SnapshotSimple Things Sunday


42 comments:

  1. Kathy, so beautifully written!! Here's to a year of living!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cheers Kathy! Looking forward to 2013; your wit, wisdom, trials and tribulations, and always, your collaborations with "James Dean".

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful , it made me cry. Cheers to living 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  4. As usual, written beautifully! Cheers to "living" 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a wonderful post! I love that you've lived up to your word for the year. I love that last shot. It is really perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful post and fantastic photography ~ Wow! Cheers ^_^

    (A Creative Harbor aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^)

    ReplyDelete
  7. And cheers to you, my friend. Lovely writing, lovely photographs.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Loved reading your thoughts and admiring your great photography! I would say you had an extremely successful year. I like your word for 2013 (it was my daughter's word for 2012). My word for this year is... not exactly glamorous - but it will WORK for me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy New Year Kathy and I hope 2013 is as special as you are.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful post...I've picked my word and I'm sure I'll sputter, too...but at least it's something to aim for, right? :) I, for one, am so glad your photo blog morphed into a photo AND writing blog. You're extremely gifted in both, and I look forward to your posts in 2013! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I loved your post,your photos are gorgeous. I love the reflection in the wine glass! I usually don't make resolutions but I did last year with one word as well "Simplify" and to that end sold my house, got rid of half the stuff in it and will be moving 1600 miles to the next province in three weeks. Life will be simpler there, I feel it! My new word for this coming year is "Reconnect" We'll see how that goes! I'm looking forward to keeping up with your blog, I think its awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kathy! Nice! I love the sparkles in the background. You did a great job on all of these photos.

    ReplyDelete
  13. A great post for the new year... love the old sled and snow photo.

    ReplyDelete
  14. You're truly an inspiration. I love your take on life...and your future grand-babies will love reading your wisdom in your blog-book. Congratulations to Thing#1 on the engagement. You'll ROCK being a MIL :)
    Happy Holidays, and best wishes for 2013 <3

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm with you on 'Living', and also the laundry. Beautifully written as always, and I am so going to have to try that wineglass shot before a) the Christmas tree comes down, and b) I drink the remaining wine.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great festive pics.
    Happy New Year to you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I know how difficult this past month has been for you Kathy -- but you are a resilient soul and will take what you have learned to make a better 2013.

    I have enjoyed our friendship this past year. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy 2013.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Did you know studies show that the more times you sputter and stall and start again the closer you become to achieving your goal? I love what you wrote here. I have been blogging since 2008 and have printed off every blog post (I have five 3 inch/3 ring binders full)...there is a company that will print your blog posts in book form and I have read that those who have used this service have been very happy with it. I have done the same this Christmas. I treasure being a homebody!! I have never chosen a word for the coming year..but this year I am drawn to choosing a phrase.."Be the change". Again, I love to read your posts..I hope you keep combining writing and photography..you excel at both.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nourish was definitely a great word, and an absolute necessity to "live". I chose a word this past year but never got around to sharing it, and have 99.9% chosen my new word for this year which I will be sharing soon. In the meantime, cheers to your new word and to you and to more blogging, love ya! xo

    ReplyDelete
  20. lovely post - Happy New YEar and I look forward to reading about your 2013 LIVE experiences

    ReplyDelete
  21. You and I have the same word! After my mothers attempt on taking her life-I chose the word live and I've got plenty of fuel for that fire. I love how wrote this entry. What a beautiful word u chose and lived by in 2012. Happy New Year my friend. You are a beautiful soul.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your first three paragraphs almost felt like an introspective for me, with a guy pespective of course!
    Congrats on following through with the nourishment!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Had to tell you I just spent an exhausting 30 mins or so trying to get a wine glass shot like that - I am totally pooped! Did buy a nice bottle of red to use as a reward afterwards :O)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly, I would keep trying... Something good HAS to come out of a bottle of wine :)

      Delete
  24. What beautiful photos!!! I love your word of the year also. New follower here!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Lovely photos!! I love it when I get back to my camera!! She just sits there and waits... I wish it was not so windy I have been missing her.
    Way to stick it out with your word. I have been thinking I might take one up this year!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great post. And, great photos.

    "Live" for 2013, sounds like a great word.

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Good for you! found you on Ni Hao Yall :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Interesting that one can 'hear' snow isn't it... love your slippers and the tree and the bare limbs wearing their white coat of snow... Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #63! Oh, and L'Chaim 'To Life.'

    ReplyDelete
  29. I just love all the bokeh... the snow is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great Post! Love your choice here's to living... Happy New year!

    Saun

    ReplyDelete
  31. Happy New Year to you, Kathy!!! I look forward to seeing what you capture in 2013 :D Here's to "living!"

    ReplyDelete
  32. Such beautiful words and pictures !
    Cheers !!! Happy 2013

    ReplyDelete
  33. You lnow I just love reading your post. And the word f LIVE sounds perfect to me... Wishing you a happy New Year my friend.

    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  34. I tried to comment the other day but it wouldn't post from my phone. What I said what, the pictures are beautiful (and some other stuff). Let me see....uh....well I forgot. But I know I didn't say congrats on Thing #1's engagement. I hope you'll leave James Dean at home. I don't know if I every told you that my dad is a photographer on the side. He didn't leave his camera at home. He did get some nice shots of "the before". As for the rest, he fusses to this day that he should have done the whole wedding after he gave me away.

    Happy New Year to you. I can't remember how I fell upon your blog, but I hope you will continue with your written word also - it's great!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Fab shots and great post-I giggled a lot! happy New Year, Louise

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hello Friend...I haven't been here in awhile and wanted to wish you a Happy New Years and hope you figure out your life's destiny very soon.
    Laurie

    ReplyDelete
  37. LOVED your post Kathy! and what a great idea to publish a book of your blog. So glad that you had an enjoyable and peaceful, and yes... nourishing holiday season. Look forward to more of your blog and wit in the coming year!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Beautiful photos and a good word to go with. And I am with you on the laundry :) happy 2013 xo

    ReplyDelete