Rubber-Band-Ball-Resolutions

My 4th grader and I were chatting about new years' resolutions.  She asked questions about what it means when people say "what is your new years' resolution?"

I told her that people like to set goals for themselves for the new year.  Like eating healthier or exercising or some of the more popular ones.

She asked if a new year's resolution could be just as simple as doing something you have always wanted to do or do more of something you enjoy.

"of course," I explain.  "Those are the best kind of resolutions."

She says her new year's resolutions are to take pictures and make scrapbooks.
And to create a rubberband ball....
....'cause she has always wanted to make a rubber band ball and maybe if she makes it a goal, 2011 will be the year she finally accomplishes this task. 


So I ask the other kids if they have new years' resolutions.

I got answers like get better at playing sports, read more books, take more pictures, hang out with my friends, see how much junk food I can eat before I puke....

So I am inspired by these ideas. 

I think in 2011 I resolve to:
Play more
Hang out with people I love
Read things of interest
Eat good food (but not till I puke)
Capture and share moments on camera
Make something I have never made before, just cuz I want to try it.....probably not a rubber band ball...but you never know.

And maybe, just maybe, take a step or two or three out of my comfort zone and towards a dream. 

Or just make a rubber band ball. 
Because, random as it may be, it does sound sorta fun...
And it is good to have a goal.

Another thing I didn't get done....the Christmas letter. 
Oh well. 

Christmas Card

I think I'm gonna post my Christmas letter here to the blog. 

Right after I write it. 

Ya. 

Feeling on top of things right now.....

sarcasm

Challenge Day, Changes & Chips...

....that sums up my week.....

Challenge day was, in a word, amazing. 

I had the opportunity to be an adult participant in Challenge Day this last week.  And let me just say that I was fully prepared to be there as a volunteer in whatever way was needed.  I was thinking that I was so in to just learning about what Challenge Day was all about, and so why not volunteer.  Maybe I could make somebody else's job easier that day.  Maybe I would get a chance to make a difference in somebody's life.  Maybe I would be able to help somebody out. 

Maybe.

What I wasn't prepared for was how much of an impact that Challenge Day had on me.
How much being around the leaders
and students
would impact me.
For the better.

The day was amazing.
Powerful.
And in such simple ways. 

A big thing that I got out of the day was just how much oppression goes on all. over. the. place.
Just when you thing you might be the only person in the world going through whatever it is in the world you are going through....
....you are probably wrong.
Our friends and neighbors are going through the same stuff.

And we all probably want to reach out.
To each other.
But maybe don't know how.

I can go on.
and I will.
nother time.

*******************
Changing things up.....
So I've had some pretty good success with doing some online writing and reporting.
Gotten some decent writing gigs. 
Paying writing gigs.

And a year ago, this avenue is not the way I would have thought that I would want to pursue writing.

Because real writers have published books.
Impressive bylines.
Signature plantforms.
Income.

But life happens.
And priorities cannot always be where the heart is.
I get that.
Cause I'm a grownup. 
(Most of the time.)

So my priority this last year became to produce an income.
While in a neck brace.
While unemployed.
And for some of the time, while I couldn't lift anything over the weight of a gallon of milk, turn my head more than a few degrees one way or the other and not drive my car.

Hmmmm.  that pretty much leaves....
....not much.

So I am thankful for the friend from the Quad Cities Christian Writers' Conference who introduced me to someone who makes her living by writing for online outlets.  She taught me how to do this. 

And even though I don't make a living by writing for the world wide web, I have made enough to make up for some lost income over the year and even to help Santa out a bit. 

I love helping Santa.

And, I have changed the way that I perceive myself.
I.
Am.
A.
Writer.

I'm good at it.
Even the not-so-fun stuff that needs to be written.
Somebody has to write it.
And somebody is gonna read it.

The book deal????

It's on the bucket list.

Along with some other dreams that I am getting a little bit braver about sharing.  And maybe daring. 

Yep.

Me. 

****************

This is because I  don't want to pass up trying new things.

Especially when it comes to carbs.

Or something new at Jeff's Market:

For Emily

The heavens are so lucky tonight
To have a new angel
Whose smile is so bright
I'm sure you are laughing
And dancing along
Some streets of gold
Sharing your song

I wonder
Did Jesus himself reach his hand out to you
And escort you through heaven's gates
Did he mention that he had been waiting for you
To meet with you face to face

I bet there was a choir of heavenly hosts
Welcoming you to the place
That you thought you would know when the time came
To enter into His grace

Was there a huge party?
I bet there was.
With you, their awaited for  guest.
And all of the heavens were ready, on cue...
To show you the best of the best.

I have to say that
Things feel so wrong
When we look at the spot where
we think you belong.

But because of heaven
And because I know
Your heart was there
It was just your time to go

I can say that it's true
that heaven is lucky tonight.
And even though, it doesn't feel right
You are where we all long to be
Even if it isn't clear
for us to see.

You are in our hearts
You are filling them with love
You are with our creator
Jesus, above

The heavens declare the glory of God
And tonight
You are leading the show
Every time
We look up at the stars
And we see their glow
We will see the glory of God
And remember that you sing his praise
You will be in our heart
In our song
In our thoughts
You will remain
For~Always. 

Dear Bad Day,

Dear Bad Day,

You have ticked me off enough for one day.
I think I am going to kick your ass. 

Sincerely,

Robin

um.
so.
apparently my patience and sanity is being tested everywhere i turn.
okay then.

as soon as i get done having a good cry, i'm gonna put on a better attitude and say:

"Bring it."