One Little Word and the Universe

I don't usually document much of my journey with One Little Word.  One Little Word is an invention of Ali Edwards.  Each year you choose a word to define your year.  I chose Clarity for my word.  I felt like my world had become a little muddy.  I had lost the big picture on a number of fronts.  Well, if you ask for the universe for clarity it provides it. So, here is my end of the year one little word update.

My first AH HA.  " IF you don't Track it, YOU can't change it"   So I have a number of goals I am tracking more in depth.  For example, I keep track of my steps in a planner.  Yes, I know that fitbit does this as well but I needed to see it more in a graphic way.  I noticed in January I had three days when I didn't even make 5,000 step days.  So I resolved to have less under 5,000 days.  In February, I had 1 day less than 5,000 step days.  I  challenged myself in March to consistently walk 6,000 steps every darn day. I can say generally that I average 8000 consistently every day.


Secondly, is the phrase " Begin with the end in mind".  I had lost track of what I was actually trying to accomplish.  The details and drama had derailed me from what the end goal was.  I am responsible for several people's well being and it is so easy to forget what the end game is.  The end game is for them to be responsible for THEMSELVES. This goal was in the forefront at the beginning of the year as I had a student driver. It took him longer than expected to get his license but he did it. We all survived

Loss
If death doesn't put things in perspective I don't know what does.  The loss of Pappy this year was bittersweet. Pappy was an amazing person.  He will be missed. He lived a full to the brim 98 years. There are no words.

End of the Year Autism Linky

The Hidden Workload of a Special Needs Parent

Cultivate a Good Life Episode #13 - Adventures in Parenting a Specially Able Child

High School Holds Adulting Day - I think a lot about skills we need to teach all children about living out in the world.

Christmas Linky Love

It only seemed appropriate that I shared this.

Charlie's Nutcracker

How to Draw a Nutcracker

My nutcracker drawing with Nose by Andre

In Praise of Scruffy Hospitality

Can Baking Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Wordy Wednesday aka what is on the BOARD!

This is a Clark Griswold quote from Christmas Vacation.

Linky Love

Popsicle Snowflakes - These flakes are one of my favorite things to hang in my front windows at Christmas time.  They are easy to make too.

Other People and Their Agendas - Teacher Tom - I love this and love me some Teacher Tom - So Good

Our Craiglist Christmas - Old post from Modern Mrs Darcy but still a good one.

Let Go to Make Room - Emily Freeman - a bit on the religious side but so good

Booking It December

I seem to read in procrastination of doing all the other things I should be doing.  Anyone else do that?  I am linking up with the Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit. Check out what everyone else is reading too.

The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman  -This book is actually based on historical events.  In Canada orphanages were turned into mental institutions. The setting is 1950's Quebec. I thought this was interesting and compelling story but graphic in some places.

Sourdough or, Lois and Her Adventures in the Underground Market by Robin Sloan. This is a quirky book and I enjoyed it.  Lois a tech company employee is left some sourdough starter by two brothers who run a hole in the wall delivery restaurant. Lois has many adventures learning to make sourdough and life that the starter takes on. Robin Sloan also wrote Mr Penumbra's 24 hour Bookstore.You really should read this while eating sourdough bread. It made me want to try making sourdough again. You can read about my previous sourdough adventures here. The non fiction book 52 Loaves -A Half Baked Adventure by William Alexander would make an interesting book flight

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens was one of Reese Witherspoon's book club picks.  Kya is raised in the swamp and as a young girl is abandoned there as well. Kya grows to love the marshland. A man is found marshland dead suspicion turns to Kya. This had a twist ending.  It was a lovely book and a quick read. I would consider this one of my top reads of 2018.

Linky Love

No snow here yet in the Pacific Northwest but is dark.  Here are some links to chase away the dark.

20 Books to Cozy Up with this Winter - lots of great titles here - Beartown, Snow Falling on Cedars, and The Great Alone are all titles I have enjoyed from this list.

My Verison of the Christmas Car

How to Draw A Christmas Car - Sometimes we all need to create.  This tutorial is from Deep Space Sparkle

Advent Reading for the First Sunday of Advent - First Baptist Church -- Loveland, CO

December Daily - This is a great scrapbook project hosted by Ali Edwards to document each day in December