My New Year's Eve

Like I said, thanks to a recent breakup, this is my first New Year's Eve flying solo -- boyfriend or otherwise. It's cool, though. In fact, it's great. It's 10:28 p.m. I haven't showered. I'm on my 3rd glass of wine. I'm 90 minutes into a DVR'd Lifetime movie on sororities (holla to my Phi Sigs!). I spent an hour sewing and I cooked a fantabulous dinner for myself.

See? Doesn't this make you droooooool?



For the record, the Mutt Dog has also had a great night. Our activities, however, differ greatly.


Peace out.

Addendum: My new year's also included a chance to ring it in BlackBerry style! Gotta love friends for making sure we're counting down together _ even if we are half a country away.

I'm taking requests!

So, it appears some of you hearted my fancy pants Scrabble pieces picture of my word of the year. I'm happy to make you one of your very own! Just drop me a comment and make sure I have a way to reach you by e-mail. (And let me know if you want B&W, color or both and if you want an "I will" added.)



Lookie, I already made one for the always fab, Ms. H!



All I ask in return is you do something all nice-like to someone else in the next week. Pay it forward, ya know?

Happy 2010, y'all! I'm flipping '09 the bird. Catch you crazies next year!!

In which I cook steak and mock poor spellers

Some of you will be ringing in the new year with style. I will be ringing in the new year in my jammies, kissing the mutt dog at midnight and enjoying a super fabulous steak dinner I plan to cook for myself to celebrate my first-ever 100 percent solo New Year's Eve.

Of course, the folks at my neighborhood grocery store helped make what could have been a sorta depressing evening into one that produced several moments of snickering and word-nerd superiority.

Why? Well, let's just say I hope you enjoy this visual proof of my soon-to-be-cooked filet mignon.



Sigh. Spelling fail, Jewel.

Taking on the Aughts

My lovely pal Ginny wrote up a list of the ten most important milestones she achieved in the past decade and e-mailed it out to some of her closest friends. I loved what she said (among my favorites: "Met the South.") and decided I'd play along too and look back at the past decade.

So, my beloved readers ... here you go. In no specific order: Noodles v. the Aughts.

1) Graduated from college and entered a career with what was probably an overabundance of optimism.

2) Fell in love with that career. Recognized the early signs of burn out. Realized true love comes with a backup plan.

3) Made new friends, but (for the most part) kept the old.

4) Moved to, for varying amount of times: Washington, D.C; Wichita, Kan.; Tampa, Fla.; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Indianapolis, Ind.; River Forest, Ill.; and Chicago - starting over from scratch almost every time.

5) Adopted a dog, then proceeded to spend copious amounts of money on her medical care, food, toys and subsequent peace offerings with the neighbors who quickly grew tired of her squirrel-fueled barking.

6) Fell in and out of love, breaking a few hearts. Including my own. Several times over.

7) Learned more than I ever expected about myself, my craft, my world and the people whom I love.

8) Bought a condo. Promptly regretted buying a condo.

9) Grew up and became my own person, only to realize that this who growing/becoming thing is a process that will probably never, EVER be finished.

10) Found my faith and became _ I hope, anyway _ a better person for it.

What about you?

In which I sparkle.

Way back yonder, I wrote about Christine Kane's word of the year project to pick a word that establishes your intention for the year. It's a word that guides you through the year and shapes your intention. Think of it is as the better-than-a-resolution New Year's activity.

Anyhoodles, I was struggling to come up with one of my own. I'd been tossing over a few ones: moderation, simplify, release, focus. All seemed to fit. And none seemed to fit. Meanwhile, I'd been yapping away to anyone who would listen about how cool this idea is. At two other friends thought they'd get on board. They picked words right away. And still, I was having trouble.

Fast-forward to this evening. I'm unpacking from a fabulous Christmas trip to see the fam in Maryland and I come across these super-cute pencils I won on Sweet Jessie's giveaway. One, which happens to be in Jessie's picture, says to "sparkle and shine." And it was like, BAM. My word. There it was.

In 2010 ...


I feel like sparkle just ... fits. Everywhere. It encompasses so many of the areas of my life I'd like to improve. It's a reminder of how to behave. What kind of result I should seek from my actions. How to treat others. And how to be.

I sort of love my word. And as a reminder, I took my Scrabble pieces and put them on my bookshelf so I have a daily reminder. So, thanks Jessie. And Christine. And everyone else. Here's to a 2010 that truly sparkles.

Have you picked a word yet? It's not too late. (Well, really, it's never too late! Get on board!)

Carols

I'm in a weird mood. And I've been in one for a few days. But, what gave me a solid 1:26 of laughter today was this video, set to my favoritest carol ever. Also, I sorta worship Animal. He's the best.



So watch it and let me pose these two questions:
A) What's your favorite Christmas carol?
B) Is there anything the Muppets can't improve upon?

Discuss.

A word of the year?

Damn. It's been deep-thinkin' kind of stuff in these parts lately. Sorry for the emotional outpouring. But rest assured, your favorite, foul-mouthed sass monkey (can I even call myself that without offending someone?) is still here. She's just all contemplative. And stuff. That said, this post is going to veer toward the Hallmark channel. Hang with me.

___

Songstress and lifecoach Christine Kane kicks ass. Her music fills my iPod and her blog is a favorite of mine in my reader. Each year, one of her most popular posts is about the word of the year.

The gist is this: Each year, Christine picks one word to help guide her through her whole year. She has a lengthy post here explaining a) why resolutions suck and never work and b) why the word of the year is a good option and explains how the whole system works.

She gives, as an example:

Let’s say you are one of the many people who would normally choose “Get Organized.” You look around to see clutter and crap all over your life. You’re tired of the chaos. So, you think, “I need to get organized. That should be my Resolution this year.”

But then you read this blog. You decide to try it.

You sit with your clutter. You spend a few days pondering words that will inspire you. You realize in an “Ah-Ha!” moment that you tend to cling to lots of things. You’re scared to let go. So you choose the word “Release” because it inspires you in a bigger way than “Get organized.”

So, every time you approach your clutter you remind yourself of that word. “Release,” you say softly. You start to let the clutter go. Eventually, you realize that you’re still holding on to lots more than just physical clutter. You realize that you hold onto resentment at old relationships. “Release,” you remind yourself. You realize that holding on is affecting your diet and health. “Release” applies to some of the extra weight you’ve gained as well. Throughout the year, you can see clearly how much you hold on. “Release” is your touchstone. It grows you throughout the year. It becomes your guiding force, not your harsh standard.

Your clutter became your teacher simply because you shifted your intent towards it. This wouldn’t have happened if you’d opted only to “Get Organized.”

I'm not sure what my word will be yet. But since it's just a few hours away from December, I feel like I'd like to get started on the brain storm.

Maybe Journey? Reclaim? Action? Focus? Conscious?

There are so many to pick from. So, here's to starting the thinking process. Any words inspire you for 2010?

Photo courtesy of BabyGAPModel.

Thanks. Final.

Tomorrow's the first Sunday of Advent. It's my favorite time of the year _ when churches and street corners and living rooms smell like fresh-cut pine. Cookies are baking. Snow is (usually, anyway, here in Chicago) falling. And all just seems right in the world.

Christmas can crazy, too. So much rushing. So much stress. So much worry. So much debt. So much trying to impress.

That's not the part I like.

It's hard. Sometimes impossible, really, to step away from the chaos and focus on the part of the season that I love. So, as the holidays get whole-heartedly underway, here is my wish to you. That you take time to stop and smell the fur trees; pause under mistletoe; share _ share your time, resources, energy, gifts, waist-decimating baked goods; find a way to not get lost in the hustle; And most of all that you find ...


Photo from BeachBlogger.

Thanks. Guest Post. Part 2.

Today's Thanks Challenge guest post comes courtesy of Jason. You can check out his weekly food column _ Windy City Cooking _ every Monday on Beach City Cooking.

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Giving Thanks

27 November 2009

Driving on Weldon Spring Road to arrive at the house that was my family's home for the most formative 15 years of my life, I would, inevitably, drive past the back of Pam and Kevin's house.
I knew Pam and Kevin from our church. They were, and are, lovely people. They very best kind of people. Kind and gracious and giving. And, most important of all, caring.

Driving past Pam and Kevin's house during the last six weeks of the year was, and no doubt is, always a pleasure. The back of their house is mostly windows. And when the sun sets at five p.m., and the evening hours are darker than the summer dark the illumination of those windows stood out. And I could see from the road their magnificent tree. Simply, but elegantly, decorated, every time I passed. And there was one holiday season, I forget which, where I was at Pam and Kevin's home while she decorated the tree. I think Kevin and I were watching football or something. Still, thinking back it's a lovely memory, and comforting.

A Facebook exchange brought this memory flooding back a couple of days ago. And with it came all the memories- some joyful, some with regret, all with acceptance- of those formative years. And it got me thinking about the memory of Pam and Kevin's home in the context of gratitude and Thanksgiving.

I'm not thankful that I drove by their home and saw their tree. That's merely the tip of the icicle, as it were. But the water of that icicle was, and again, are, the people themselves. Pam and Kevin opened their home to me, and to us as a youth collective, time and time again. They were always around. Always willing to help us. Always willing to help me through a couple of really rough spots in those high school days. I am thankful I knew them then, and that technology allows me to know them now.

Noodles asked me if I would contribute a piece on thanksgiving for her blog this week. And when I contemplate what I am thankful for, time and time again it gets at one thing more often than any other: people. I'm thankful for the people that have touched my life and the people that continue to populate it.

It's more than just that people have touched my life, or influenced me, or guided me. It's that EXACTLY these people have touched my life, influenced me, and guided me. I think of the most important people in my life in terms of influence- and no doubt Pam and Kevin are right in that list, there are so many names to that list that it would be impossible to ever give them their just due in this column- and it's that they are all people of action, even if the action is as simple as opening the door and welcoming a 16 year old kid into one's home while decorating the tree.

When I think of those influential people, they have shown me more how to live in a thankful way by listening to me, and others, without judgment, without selfishness, and wanting to help, if any is even needed or asked beyond listening.

And so, I do the same. Or try. Am I grateful for all the things I have? Sure. I've been truly blessed with some amazing gifts over the years. They come in many forms- my bedspread that is now worn threadbare that my grandmother hand made; the Paul Auster that changed my literary thinking was a gift from my parents my senior year of high school- but those gifts of remembrance are few and far between. I am more thankful for having a life blessed by people who care, and listen, and help. And for those people, I give thanks.

Thanks. Part 5.

I am thankful that I went almost 29 years before knowing this hideous thing existed. Too bad it couldn't have been longer...

Incidentally, link is semi-NSFW.

Thanks. Part 4. (Delayed)

I am thankful for headache medicine, which saved me from what could have been a no-fun-at-all Thanksgiving night migraine.

Thanks. Guest Post. Part 1.

This guest post in the continuing "Thanks" series comes from my beloved SLS, my super duper friend extraordinaire who kicks ass in so many ways, hearts dogs as much as I do and happily lets me be a dirty bird without judgment. She's also terribly funny and, I hear, bakes one mean-ass pie. And no, I didn't pay her for the final point.

Enjoy.

__________________________

It's always hard to break the longing stare at what you don't have, what you think you want and what could be. But sometimes I look up and see how much I have and am happy. This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for so many things including:

-The dog laying next to me whose feet smell like Fritos
-The roommate on the chair near me who is nice, gives me advice and rent. AND she didn't throw up in my car last night when I drove her home from her birthday celebration
-My family
-My friends who are kind of family too
-The pies that are yet to be made
-The meal that is yet to be eaten
-All other wonderful, exciting and yummy things that are just around the corner in life. (like Noodles, didn't know her two years ago and couldn't make it a day without her now.)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanks. Part 3.

To steal a page from Currer Bell's post today...
And since I'm up to my elbows in cake batter...
And because there's a new episode of Glee on tonight ...

I offer these words of wisdom, courtesy of others.

___________

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. - Albert Schweitzer

Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more. - David Steindl-Rast

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. - Denis Waitley

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. - Eric Hoffer

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. - JFK


Image via the always amazing Vol25. Buy it here.

Thanks. Part 2.

This is part of my sewing machine, which I keep ready to go in what used to be my dining room before I decided to turn my life upside down and make it a sewing studio.

This is where you say: Uh... Dining room to sewing studio? Not much of a difference, Noodles.

But stick with me... it is. A year ago, I lived with my ex. We were wrong for each other in ways I was just realizing, despite our talk about rings and ceremonies, and we and crammed together into my 600-square-foot condo. The break up was messy and painful. But after he packed his stuff and left, the sewing studio was one of the first things I tackled once I finally put down the ice cream.

Call it reclaiming. Call it a refresh. Call it a couple coats of paint, some bookshelves and some bulletin boards. Whatever it is, it jump started what would wind up being one of many steps I needed to take to move on and stop feeling guilty for the way our breakup went down.

So on the almost one-year anniversary of what now goes down as one of my wiser life choices (I hope he feels the same, too), I'm thankful for yellow paint, reclaimed tables discovered in an alley and bookshelves plundered from the dumpster, and for the chance to give new life to a room that was worn and tired and dark. With some TLC it _ and me _ wound up becoming something shiny and new(ish) and remarkably better than each of us were before.

And for that, I give thanks.

Thanks. Part 1.

Today, for the first installment of the Thanksgiving Challenge, I'm grateful for these 20 things.

_ My bat-shit crazy dog, even though she hogs the bed, occasionally barfs on my floor, and has a freakishly high decibel-per-pound ratio that annoys the neighbors.

_ The chance to be a penpal to my (almost) 101-year-old grandma and the new relationship we're building through letters.

_ My job. When it's good, it's inspiring and thought-provoking. When it's bad, it at least pays the bills.

_ My bus commute to work, (No, really.) for giving me 45 minutes of time twice a day where I am forced to not be in control and am allowed to sit quietly, read, and watch Lake Michigan. And for keeping me from having a car payment.

_ God. For awakening in me a part of myself I didn't know was there.

_ Books and the authors who write them. For taking me away, making me think, and teaching me new things.

_ My friends. For listening to me spiral. For making me laugh. For humoring me. And loving me even though I'm a royal pain in the ass.

_ My sewing machine. For giving me a chance to create and mend.

_ My church. For helping me find a home in Chicago, challenging me to be a better person, and giving me the chance to give back.

_ First snowfalls. First fall leaves. First flowers. To everything there is a season.

_ Down comforters, down pillows, pillow-top mattresses, and Egyptian cotton sheets. Because after a long day, nothing is better.

_ Except maybe a crisp white wine. And a hot bubble bath. All things to be grateful for.

_ Jeans that fit without muffin tops or camel toes, that are just stretchy enough but aren't too baggy at the end of the day. That make my ass look magic and go with dressy shoes or Chucks.

_ A scarf that goes with everything.

_ Generic mac n' cheese. It makes hangovers better.

_ Perspective. With out it, I'd be lost.

_ Outlet malls and sale racks.

_ Trips away from the city. And that feeling of relief when you finally return home.

_ Art.

_ Gummy worms. Because sometimes, you just need to murder a worm with your bare teeth.

_ The smell of Christmas.


So tell me ... What are you grateful for today?


Image via SnoShuu.