Returning from No-Man's Land

I had to take a break from blogging. Sometimes life hits with you things that color everything you do and every thought you have. This happened to me recently, but because the issue was about the health of a family member whom I am not sure wants readers in blogland to know what's going on, I decided it would be best to stay quiet. I am feeling the desire to return blogging, so here I am.

What better way to return to blogging than with a review of 2011? The last couple years, I have participated in Gwen Bell's Reverb project, but since she has passed along the project to those willing to carry on the legacy, I am now going to jump in on The Mod Chik's Reverb 2011.

The first few weeks of December are always crazy for us: finals, end of the semester, Christmas shopping, Christmas festivities, baking, etc.  So projects like Reverb have to wait until the holiday break starts. I am starting with Day 1 on Day 21, but whatev, as the kids say.

Prompt #1: Describe 2011 in one word.

Contradictory. I have blogged about this before, but while some of the most exciting things happened for me professionally and personally, I witnessed too many people around me suffering. Then in November, bad news hit closer to home. And then again with another family member. While this has been one of the best years of my life, it has also be one of the saddest.

#2: What would you do if you had more time?

Easy - spend more time with my kids, more time meditating, and more time crafting.


#3: What projects did you start?

• Returned to my master's
• A week-in-the-life scrapbook for my family - LOVED it, by the way. I will post on my crafting blog one of these days
• A process toward simplifying
• A December Daily album, inspired by Ali Edwards

At work, I helped the goddess of all things accreditation - our accreditation chair person - roll out the accreditation process. It's nice to support a leader and not necessary lead. It's also challenging for me, someone who is used to always being in the lead position. I have to remember that there is more than one way to accomplish a task.

Mostly, I tried to keep projects to a minimum, which is difficult for me, a project lover.


#4: What projects did you finish? 

• My master's won't be done until August
• I finished the week-in-the-life-album
• Simplifying - since I am not Thoreau, I will probably never reach the ultimate of simplicity, but I am happy with the progress I made.
• The December Daily is still a work in progress

#5: What was the highlight of 2011?

Hands-down - meeting the president.

Well, that's enough blogging for today. It feels good to write something not related to curriculum development and the school improvement process.

Hope December is treating you grandly. I know all of my readers will remember that this is a time to share with those we love and those in need.

Happy holidays.