It seems that when it rains, it pours. I had some health issues that occupied a large part of my mind for the last few weeks. So, while I waited and worried, creating and sharing just weren't on the forefront of my mind.

At my last annual physical, the doctor found some nodules on my thyroid. I went in for a thyroid ultrasound in December. When the report came back, it wasn't all good news. I had a nodule on the right side that looked a little suspicious. It took a while for my insurance company to pre-approve another ultrasound with fine needle aspiration this time. That was an experience I hope to not have to do again! While my neck was numbed, the pressure was so great I was in tears at the end of the procedure. The area was sore for more than a week and there were certain maneuvers I couldn't do at the gym. The soreness was a constant reminder for me. It wasn't something I could forget.

I found out this week that the nodule is benign. I don't have cancer. That worried me the most. Once that worry was lifted, a weight lifted from my shoulders! I have much to be thankful for and many prayer warriors to which I must give gratitude.

With all that said, I was finally ready to create my One Little Word layout for the year. Since 2007, I have created a layout of my word for the year and hung it in a frame on my wall. In 2007 it was resolve, 2008 hope, 2009 embrace, 2010 optimism, and 2011 possibilities.

2012...light.

I used the Studio Calico January kit and add-ons, the envelope from Chronicle Books Old Letter Set, and my silhouette cameo to trace the title. I also used the Studio Calico Sunday sketch for 1/15/12.

I wrote my journaling on a sheet of paper from the Old Letter set and put it inside the envelope. It's something I don't want everyone to read so the envelope helps me keep it hidden.

the epic project life-year 38 weeks 1-4 post

i'm one of those who jumped on the project life bandwagon for 2012. except, i started on my birthday. i wanted to document my 38th *GASP* year. doesn't sound quite as cute as 21 or even 30. but, it is what it is. i'm 38...and i still get asked for I.D. no joke. i've had no motivation to upload my project life layouts until now. i was waiting with baited breath for some test results. when that worry lifted, my motivation returned. i was inspired by ali edwards and lisa truesdell as i watched them unveil their every day lives in 2011.

here we go!

i started out with my hopes for Project Life-Year 38. I used a digital brush from Ali Edwards' hello joy set and Amy Tangerine's oh happy grey paper in a 6x12 page protector.

here i used the studio calico december kit, add-ons, wood veneer star, the backing from a stamp & Mister Huey's, Amy Tangerine thickers & washi tape, Ali Edwards digital all about me hand drawn set cut with my silhouette cameo, and some old 7Gypsies stickers.

on to week 1...

i started with my birthday on december 21, which fell on wednesday. so week 1 is 3 days in this album. studio calico november kit used here as well as packaging from some candy i got for my birthday.

here's week 2:

mostly christmas pictures this week. i didn't intend for it to be christmas heavy, but this was a easy week for me.

week 3:

used my silhouette to cut the Hello 2012 box and the sunburst behind it. i included my one little word for the year and the picture i used for my OLW album. Calendar from erica hernandez at two peas.

lots of Ali Edwards digi stuff here from designer digitals.

week 4:

some Ali Edwards digi brushes again, old ek success arrows, more silhouette cuts.

my january studio calico kits came this week so i used the new stamps here. the bull's eye one was perfect for my thursday journaling. more silhouette cuts (what did i ever do without it before??)

there you have it. my not quite so boring life.

2012

Today is the first day of 2012. While we were eating lunch, Auntie Margaret asked me, "What are you feeling about the new year?" I said, "I hope it's a good one." She said, "I didn't ask what you hope, I want to know what you feel?"

I don't know what I feel about the new year. She's anxious about what's to come... Me? While I don't know what is ahead, I'm ready to let in the LIGHT.

LIGHT

That's my One Little Word for 2012. It may seem like a cop-out to use Ali's word from 2011. But, that's a word that kept coming to me.

Light is...

• something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light.
  
• Also called luminous energy, radiant energy.
• an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.
• the radiance or illumination from a particular source: the light of a candle.

For me, light also means letting in, being open, sharing burdens, losing weight. It means letting go, welcoming, accepting.

Last year's word...possibilities... EPIC FAIL. While my heart had the right intentions, I don't think my head was truly ready to let potential life changing events happen. 2011 was the year of spending time with different people, not quite new, but not quite ones I've spent countless hours with. Interacting with different people this past year has led me to being more ready to depend on others...lightening that load.

Here's to hoping that lots of light shines through for me.

Happy New Year!