1. I think it's with both excitement and trepidation that I'm embarking on this freaking 365 project. Yippie? No. I'm excited. And terrified. Nearly everyone I've been in touch with who has started, attempted, completed one talks about how much it improved their eye and their photography. Erin's doing it, and Sue too, I think, yes? Christine is thinking about it, aren't you Christine? Oh, and Megan @ WishfulThinking (also known as the blog I adore but my computer hates since it'll never let me comment there). Maybe we should do a round up or something? The best part is that you can start anytime (in fact, I've heard it's smart to start in December so you're done at the start of the last of the year, but whatevs), so worry not if you haven't dipped your toe in yet. ClickItUpANotch has a great article with tips for keeping you going, and Erin wrote about hers just this week. My friend Kim, who has an amazing blog herself, is almost done. For me, I have some ideas for getting through the year, and for now my photos can be found the 365Project. Kim suggested it to me, and it seems to be the best way to catalog it as I make some changes over here. Please don't feel the need to go and follow something else for crying out loud, but I'll probably add a link to the weeks photos every Friday. Or every Monday. Maybe one of my 13 for 13 should have been to be more decisive.

2. I think I have a love/hate relationship with the end of vacation and going back to school. I hate it that vacation is over, but it does feel good to get back in our routines. Callum did great on his exams. Super great, actually. Great enough to earn a reward dinner at his favorite wing joint tonight. Nicely done, kid. And we'll continue to settle into our routine this weekend. That's good. I like that. Is it totally dorky to be looking forward to a weekend of settling in after two weeks off? Dorky I am, I guess.

3. I think, speaking of my friend Kim, you should go check out her blog and encourage her to get back to it! Busy, schmizy. Whatever. Kim is in my photography group and we've taken a class together. I think she's an amazing photographer, the kind I wish I could be. We're talking about trying to get together more and push each other a little bit (Hello 365, I'm looking at you.) We all need someone, near and far, who can push us creatively, don't we? I'm looking forward to nurturing those creative relationships in the coming year.

4. I think I really need to figure out some better during-the-day food options. What are your go-to breakfasts and lunches? I'm not good at taking time to make and eat those meals at all, and I want better, healtier and tastier options. Help.

5. I think I really, really, really, really want some snow this winter. Really. What do you want this winter? Peace on earth? A tasty lunch? Wanting a nice weekend for all of you and to see you back here next week. Cheers, dears.

Every year, at the start of a new year, I do a list of resolutions (you can see last year's list here). I see the flaw in the plan of a 12 for 12 or a 13 for 13...this list could get pretty long, people! We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Anyhoo, here's my list for the upcoming year, such as it is.

1. Read more for education, not just comfort

2. Commit to exercise

3. Be both a more adventurous and a less adventurous cook

4. Push myself as a photographer (a 365, maybe?)

5. Reach out to friends more

6. Be a less fearful traveler

7. Be better at follow-through

8. Value myself more, both as a person and as a professional

9. Develop a schedule and stick to it

10. Love people in the way that they need to be loved

11. Continue to add glamour to my life

12. Create some order out of my personal chaos

13. Be a better wife, mother, friend, writer and photographer

Last year, I didn't say much about my resolutions, and I'm not sure I should this year. Number two is because I've had Move my Body on the list for years, and I've always done just enough to meet the resolution obligation. Now I want to do more. Number ten is a paraphrase from a conversation I had with my neighbor Sara about how she was spending the holidays. It seemed like a good idea to love people in the way that they need, not the way that I need. I'm primarliy a comfort reader, and I'd like to push myself a bit. Stretch my boundaries. That's where number one comes in. I don't mean deep literature, that too is a kind of comfort reading for me; I want to learn things. Any suggestions? I'd love some. Regarding number seven? Well, see number four.

I had a word for last year and it was leap. At first when I looked back, I felt I hadn't lived up. I was pretty okay with that because a lot of things got in my way. After some thought, I realized that I did leap. I leapt a lot. Just not in the ways I expected or even wanted to. But I did some things that were good and right. Good and right for me and our family, at least. So is there a word for this year? I don't know. Leap, again, maybe. Reach. Don't hesitate.

I'm always reminded of Rilke's Archaic Torso of Apollo at times like these, list-making times, times of new beginnings. His last stanza goes like this,

would not, from all the borders of itself,

burst like a star: for here there is no place

that does not see you. You must change your life.

Isn't that how we all feel, here, on New Year's Day?

five things, january 4 edition

happy new year, 13 for 13