(43-365) I Did It!

In honor of this auspicious occasion, I can think of nothing more appropriate than to quote Dora the explorer and say "I did it, I did it, I did it - HURRAY!  Ya I did it!" I know that Dora says "we" not "I", but my monkey sidekick had nothing to do with writing "The Bumpy Ride" for 365 consecutive days, so I hope you'll permit me some creative license on that one.

When I wrote "43" on July 28, 2010, I said that I was committing to write EVERY day for a year PLUS my 44th birthday, so in fact my journey is not quite over; but I think that since this is the last night of my 43rd year it's appropriate for me to review all that I've learned during this excruciating endeavor so that tomorrow I can make a fresh start on a brand new year and the rest of my life. 

To quote myself in "43", "I believe this needs to be a year of recollection, reflection, observation, appreciation, and change; and I plan to do this right before your very eyes."  And, I'm delighted to say that I believe I have.  I've taken you on many walks down my memory lane.  Some strolls were happy and amusing while others were painful and heartbreaking.  I told you "My real life love story", and many, many tales of trial and tribulation.  I got definitions published in "The Urban Dictionary" and entered and lost my first essay contest.  I've written about fear, courage, optimism, perseverance, grief, empathy, sympathy and laughter.  I've shared quotes and songs from various genres, and demonstrated my prowess at Six degrees of Kevin Bacon.  I reported on a season each of soccer and swim team, enlisted your assistance with an art contest and battled an Art Nazi!  I've had thrills and spills, a number of firsts, and made several discoveries.  I found and fell in love with my cousin Jackie, I got three new jobs,  I renewed friendships, strengthened friendships and ended friendships.  I've taken chances and advocated for myself like I never have before.  I gave support, advice, and of course, recommendations for the (say it with me) GREATER GOOD!  And I truly couldn't be more proud of myself than I am right now.

When I wrote "Five Hundred" I mentioned that writing "The Bumpy Ride" every day for this year had been both a blessing and a curse.  I didn't elaborate on the negative; because ya know I like to accentuate the positive.  Yet I will admit that this challenge was far more taxing than I ever imagined.  The truth is that I usually give more though to what I'm gonna have for dinner than I did to what a big (yes) HUGE undertaking a daily commitment would be.  No matter how physically or emotionally tired I was - I had to write.  No matter what fun activity was awaiting me - I had to write.  No matter my location -I had to write.  And so with pad in hand I wrote as night fell upon the drive in.  I typed in a word document at the lake, in Laughlin, and while camping. Then I had to go find a public place with wi-fi so that I could capture the perfect picture to accompany the post and publish it.  I wrote from Las Vegas, and California (twice), not to mention having to get up extra early so that I could publish a post before spending the day in Disneyland.  Each blog took anywhere from half an hour to five to write.  And the award for the blog that took the longest to author, goes to "The Hostess With The Mostess", which I wrote while attending the best crop EVER at Mari's hobby  house.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining at all.  For me the pros definitely outweighed the cons AND now that I know for certain that I really can commit to doing something EVERY day; I'm gonna get my butt back to the gym, so that (hopefully) this time next year, I'll be able to report that I finally lost the hundred pounds that I've been talking about FOREVER.

If I've learned anything this year, it's this: First, I can do ANYTHING that I set my mind too.  Second, if you want to change your circumstances YOU can.  Third, you are only as limited as you allow yourself to be.  And fourth, to quote RuPaul  "What other people think of me is not my business."   

Once again I  want to thank everyone who has joined me on "The Bumpy Ride" this year and I implore you to keep coming back for more.  Even though this is the end of my year, it is really only the beginning.  I am so looking forward to sharing "44" with you tomorrow, so please make sure to stop by, as I'll be revealing  a very special surprise.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-313) My Scrapbooking Challenge

I know WHY I scrapbook; but often times I find myself questioning why I scrapbook.  To take that out of Paige-ese, and try to make a lil  more sense of that statement, I probably should say  - I fully believe in the purpose, as well as the the art of scrapbooking.  AND when I'm in the right zone, I am capable of completing a lay out that I'd put right up there with some that I've seen published, BUT those are very few and far between for me.  That's not to say that I make 1 fab lay out and 4 crappy ones.  It's more that I make one in the amount of time that others can make four.  I  frustrate myself trying to come up with new designs, and it's not that I'm opposed to scraplifting; heck, I do it all the time.  It's just that I never seem to have all of the right stuff  with me; so I'm sabotaging myself before I even begin.

It seems that I've had a number of scrapbooking opportunities lately, and yet, I've barely made anything.  I went to my friend Julie's last night, and in about seven hours, I worked on one, yes you read that correctly, ONE, layout, and I'm embarrassed to tell you that it's not even completed.  On top of that, had Mari not cropped two of my three pictures for me, I wouldn't have even gotten that much done.  The time before that, I made two, yes, you read that correctly, TWO cards in about six hours.  Which begs the question, WHY do I torture myself and attempt to scrapbook?

This scenario is nothing new.  I've been a slow scrapbooker since I began scrapbooking eleven years ago.  And part of the reason why I'm slow is that I'm a perfectionist and the other reason is that it just doesn't come as naturally to me as it does to many of my extremely, talented friends.  And last night that was really evident to me. 
Now being the Queen of SELF DEPRECATION, I'm sure that my friends were not surprised when I declared that I should probably just give up scrapbooking altogether; but Mari knew that I wasn't joking this time and that I was really feeling stressed.  Mari assured me that if I could allow myself some time, to coordinate my pictures, papers and embellishments for a layout, prior to going out to a crop, I wouldn't get nearly as overwhelmed.  I know that she's right, but I find that I have so little time, that it's not possible for me to do so.  BUT, I can rationalize that if I don't take the time to do it before, then I'll just be wasting more time, while I'm at a crop; and I don't want to do that anymore. 

I love scrapbooking, and I really do want to get better at it.  I want to produce layouts that will capture memories in a way that a photo alone cannot.  The truth is, a scrapbook layout tells a story, and who loves telling a story more than me?   So here's my challenge to myself...  On June 17th I'm going to my next crop, and I vow that prior to that night, I'm going to find the time to create three packets, yes THREE; which is big (yes) HUGE for me, and I will then endeavor to create the three layouts in their entirety, journalling and all, while I'm at the crop.  If I don't complete the layouts, I will not berate myself, or swear off scrapbooking; but at least I'll know that by putting the three packets together, I'll cut out a lot of the agonizing once I get there.
You'll have to come back for June 18th's post to see how I do.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING 

Take My Challenge ...

This month's "Scrapbooking from the Inside Out" kit club them is GRATITUDE; and one of our current threads is to mention something that you are grateful for. After returning from voting; I wrote "I'm grateful for the chance to make a change and the possibility of promise." And not to toot my own horn; but I thought that was kind of eloquent and profound - OK, I'm tooting; I know - but I really thought that these were ideas worth sharing - ESPECIALLY today.
I woke up at my usual 415am and I worked for a half hour before leaving to vote. I waited in line and was 19th to cast my ballot. I felt a great sense of satisfaction and an even bigger sense of hope. I am hoping that this country makes the choices that will lead to changes that will benefit the majority and put us little guys back on track to pursue our American Dreams. I am fearful that bigotry and fear will prevail. I am fearful that uninformed, voters will cast ballots or that people will make decisions based on "The worst thing that they have heard about one candidate." You know what - No one is perfect. I am supporting Obama and have I heard stories and opinions that are cause for concern - absolutely; but I have heard more of these types of stories about McCain / Palin and I would truly abhor the idea of Sarah Palin becoming our President; god forbid McClain was elected and died. I am imploring you to think of this scenario if for any reason you are undecided about how to vote.
With that said, I am VERY late for work; but I felt that it was SO important to share these ideas with you; that I'm willing to work late today so that I can get this out.
At this point I want to issue a challenge. It is one that I have already taken myself today, in a number of different ways and the challenge is "DO something that scares you a little. Step out of your comfort zone and take a leap. Do something that is going to promote change for the better in your life. Even if it is the smallest step." Now I'm sure that you're wondering where this is coming from, so please remember this is "The Bumpy Ride;" you know I come out of left field ALL THE TIME. But here it is. DO you think that 35 years ago, little Barack Obama believed that he was going to be President of the United States of America in 2009? My guess is probably not. How many chances do you think he had to take to get to this point in his career? And even if he doesn't win today, I guarantee that he is all the better for the journey. His life will never be the same; and he will not give up. These are things that I believe whole heatedly; and I would like to encourage you to follow his example and do something to promote yourself today. Dwell in the possibility of who you can become and take your first step today, or your second or fifty ninth - just don't live in fear.
So what have I done? Well, step one, I voted. I would have voted no matter what, but I had to find my new voting place today and I HATE going places that I haven't been before. It makes me very anxious; but I did it (and I didn't even take my Xanax.) Step 2, I wrote this blog, instead of working;because it is my passion and what I hope to parlay into my full time career; but also against my bettter judgment because I have come to believe that my readers enjoy the funny, Paige telling crazy stories about her life more than they do my opinions and theories on "The greater good;" but I'm taking a chance that you'll see the benefit in these words and suggestions and believe in how much I WANT for you all. So go ahead; take my challenge and let me know what and how you do. I'm sure you'll be glad you did.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING