core story

What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world?

The core story of me, or the core story of twenty10? The core story of twenty10 has been figuring it out, embracing it, and I suppose, in essence, that's the story of me as well. (lots of commas. too many?) To let go of overthinking and just embrace where I am is what I've learned this past year. I'm happiest when I'm relaxed and content with where I am and the only person standing in the way of that is me.

To share it with the world I think I simply need to be calmer and more confident in that state of mind, content with myself and the world around me. Calmer, less frantic. I share this now with big smiles and big loud errupting laugther. Because that's me. Maybe I shouldn't be worrying about being calmer.

gift

I think the best gift I have received this year is love. L-O-V-E from my someone special. It is so simple and pure and I don't have any doubts about it. It's the best feeling. 

achieve

What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? 

This question has been bothering me for most of the year, not always present but there under the surface. Next year I would like to discover, achieve, what I want to achieve for my future; the next year, the next five.

How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Write that feeling down. 

Finding the answer to that question would make feel on track / heading in the right direction. 

Brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.

1. make a list of the things i may consider to be "what i want to be when i grow up."
2. research the top five, or however many feel right
3. write, right here, the reasons why i feel these things are exciting and would suit me and why i feel i'd be on the right track.
4. figure out how where i am right now might just be "on the right track"
5. just breathe, and focus on the favorite things in my life
6. work on my list of 25 things to do before i turn 26
7. make a list of the things that are day-to-day, like getting healthy, that may not be part of the big picture in my mind right now but will make feel more balanced overall
8. think about the things that i think will make me feel more balanced
9. work on them
10. take a step back. you have an amazing fucking life, enjoy it. 

ordinary joy

ORDINARY JOY

I've seen a couple of people posting responses to Reverb10's prompts. Obviously, I wasn't going to make it through 31 days of posting but maybe I'll play along for these last five.

a bit of vaca blogging

yesterday i got on the computer and said, after this i'm going to be computer free through tuesday - i'm on vacation in florida. of course that didn't happen, i had to email a boy and let him know why he wasn't going to hear from me - we are messaging quite frequently on okcupid. and check my email. and see some beautiful blogs. kaylah. mel. elsie. la. rachel. these are definitely my top five blogs i think (and ok this is the first time i've listed the blogs i read  - it feel a little weird. :) and rachel had this awesome little prompt...

1. When do you feel happiest? when those little moments happen that take my breath away. or i laugh really, really hard. sunshine.

2. How do you take care of yourself? not well enough. i try to eat well - but then i pig out. i only work out once a week. i'm going to start being better to myself. and allowing the splurges. i just have to find the balance. everything in my life needs to be about finding balance. one track mind...

3. Are you internally (by yourself) or externally (by others) motivated? i'm externally inspired by so much. (see above list!) internally is where my motivation needs to come from though.

4. What do you do for fun? laugh. eat out. walk in the sun. read crafty blogs. watch tv. squish my kitties!

kitty squishes!

5. What intimidates you? the amount of things that exist in the world that i may not get to experience. not being myself.

6. What is something you're proud of? living on my own for a year and half. getting out of that one relationship. putting myself out there, slowly but surely.

7. Finish this sentence. I never want to feel like i'm settling or stop laughing.

8. Favorite vacation spot. no way i could ever choose one. vacationing/travel the world is a dream.

9. Today is a (rate from 1 - 10). 9 on it's way to a ten. vacation in florida! sleep in. walking. charmed. delicious breakfast. beautiful blogs. (to come: bell's shopping. flea marketing. relaxing on the porch. hamburgers.) love.

10. Finish this sentence. If you knew me really well you'd know i am full of love.

look at this b-e-a-uuutiful photo!

we heart it via la's freckled nest

that felt good. a nice little blog. and the final question made me think... even though now it seels like such an obvious answer.

ok - for reals now, no more computer until wednesday!

love, kate

5 things

5 Things I Am Looking Forward To:
*tomorrow's vday time with mike <3
*working at my house
*crafting!! pin cushion & making belated valentines for strangers (stay tuned)
*the girl who played with fire & snuggling with the kitties!
*making yummy goulash

5 Things I Did Yesterday:
*slept in! day off, snow day! loved it.
*crafty blog reading, inspiration.
*chat w/mike.
*made mike's vday gift. (are we seeing a trend? *blushes*)
*started project runway's new season! happy new york.

5 Things I Wish I Could do:
*runaway for a few days
*make cookies and raspberry tart from chocolate book.
*win the lottery - just so i could pay for my roof without apprehension (& travel)
*open a bookstore
*meet an elephant

5 Places I’d Like to Travel To:
*a quiet cabin
*africa
*hawaii
*italy
*summer! just the whole time of year please.

5 Cute things I've found online lately:
*winged elephant

 

 here

*if i took photos for a living i'd want them to look like this

here

*hearts

 

here

*happy mornings - color me katie always a great source of colorful inspirations!

 here

*everything in this blog makes me happy/sad/inspired/feel

sometimes we all need a place to hide

thanks for posting red velvet girls! http://redvelvetgirls.typepad.com/

(it's too dark to end with a cute photobooth shot)

wishes & pretty things

original source?

368 Reasons to L-O-V-E winter.  http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/2009/12/winter-is-coming.html

My Reason: I could read the reasons you all love winter all day long. I love winter because I break out my hats, gloves and scarves, the way winter light can make everything just beautiful instead of gray, the outlines of tree branches in said light, walks in crisp snowy air, cups of hot chocolate, blankets, thick sock, christmas music and movies. Oh and sooo much more! :)

I had the best hot chocolate today, so yummy. Did I stop at one glass? No. I had 3. worth it.

credit  / original source?

I wish I had someone to hold my hand. One of the rare times I will comment on the bits of loneliness I encounter. The Family Stone is one of my favorite films. I love that giant family and all the layers they offer. There is something magical about how they fit together, learn about themselves, and in some cases fall in love. It's one of those films that can really make me go, I wish I had that. But I have a great family and friends and enjoy the time I have on my own. (12/5)

I wish for a camera to capture the beauty of my drive home. The beautiful lines of a bare tree, early winter light. Perfect. (12/6)

I wish there had been more hours in the day to decorate my wonderful house for the holidays. I bought the tree, first one I checked out, the most efficient shop ever!, and decorated it. perfect. (12/7)

I wish I had more confidence during my presentation. It's just a discussion of my job. Why so nervous? (12/8)

credit / original source?

credit 

I'm a strong believer in link with love now. You can see when I started I wasn't, my apologies. I hope someone can let me know what the original source of the photos above are. 

wishes: a day late & on time

I had an odd day yesterday, all meetings, craft fair, a bit of traction thanks to the PTA students, then bowling*, so I never got a chance to post my wish for the day.

*see cute stripe-y knee highs w/ bowling shoes. love.

I think it's actually harder to come up with wishes than things that I'm thankful for, which I pretty surprising because I'm a pretty wish filled person. So what was one thing I wished for today...

I wish that the craft fair had more contemporary crafters. Are there many in the area? This is definitely something to explore. (12/3)

Today, I wish for a wonderful weekend with one of my best friends, her hubby and their friends. We're making Fuzzy Navels so that's a good start! (12/4)

Happy December

We are two days into to one of the best months. There's the hope for snow, the anticipation of beautiful Christmas celebrations, truly wonderful family gatherings and at the end of it we start a new year. The new year is full of possibilities. Let's stay here in Dec 2nd for now though.

Last week I signed up to be a Style School student (see cute badge). I hope that it helps focus my inspiration and creativity, since I have a whole craft room to myself now! One of our early-bird projects was to start saving photos that inspire you:

http://www.pistache.tumblr.com (via weheartit.com)

Originally uploaded by ColorMeKatie

Love. So there's that. Then of course I found something else that I'm totally excited about. 31 Days of Wishes for December. I tried to do days of thanks on facebook but failed, I shall try again.

For December 1st I wish that there had been a glaze of snow to welcome the new month.
Today, Dec 2nd I wish that this pain in my shoulder would go away.

Happy December!