Travel Turtle travel | crafts | culture | life | fun | family

First, I have question. I tried to add the link to say I’m participating in Ali Edward’s DD for 2011, and not only did it not work, but it deleted all my “text” widgets in the process. I’m on wordpress, so if anyone has any idea why, please let me know.

Ok.

I’m really excited about the December Daily and I’m also excited about the Reclaim My Time Class I’m taking at Big Picture Classes. I already listened to the audio and saw some of what we’ll be working on and in more ways than I realized when I signed up for the class, it is the PERFECT project for me. I am so excited.

Anyway, since it’s the first of December I wanted to share a closer view of my “Introduction” page on my December Daily and the journaling I will add later today:

This is the journaling that appears (or will this evening) behind the calendar on the right:

I started planning this album in August. I had to order all the supplies to coincide with C’s business trip to the states. I started putting it all together in October, finishing on November 29th! Still, November 30th was the LONGEST day as I (impatiently) waited for December 1st so I could finally start it. 

What I really love about this project is that it is a daily reminder to be present, to create memories and not just let everything happen as I stand by the side wondering where the season went. Then, I immediately get to record those memories. This year, I am focusing on the details of what it means to have a one-year-old at home during the holidays. The way decorating changes, the things we do for W, the little pieces of baby stuff around our apartment (blocks by the christmas tree, as I’m sure is going to happen)! I also want to capture the magic of Christmas in Germany. Christmas Markets, traditions, gluhwein! Finally, I want to challenge myself to push my creativity daily whether it’s through photography, journaling, putting these pages together or a combination. 

December is going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to put that fun in this album. 

On the right side of the page in the little journaling card “Merry & Bright” I will write:

This album is dedicated to C & W who make every day Merry & Bright. Looking forward to our 2011 holiday season.

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Allow me to gush for a moment. This is my 3rd year doing this. For years before I did this, I watched Ali Edwards enviously thinking “well, there’s not really much differences in our holidays from one year to the next, so why should I do this?” I decided to do it in 2009 because I knew we were going to likely move to Germany in 2010 and wanted to capture that holiday season in the states. Not only did we move in 2010, but we also had a baby. Of course, I had to do it in 2010 with a new born and now I’m doing it again. I have realized that I was wrong. The holidays aren’t always the same and I am so happy that this project exists. It is truly, my favorite memory keeping project – period.

Thanks for looking!