{day ten} Help with Your Heart

How did you volunteer your help last year?

What will you do this year?

source :: devrick @ wordpress

In 2013, I stopped teaching. I could get into a lot of details about it and jump on my soapbox, but I won't. However, I did give a lot of my time while being a teacher. I also worked at a private, religiously-affiliated school, which means that my salary was super tiny. I viewed my time as a teacher there as a service to my community. I gave countless hours to my classroom, the children in it and in the school, and their parents to give them the best positive school experience.

As for 2014, I'm not sure what volunteer work it's going to bring me, but I'm excited to see what it will be. I have a feeling it might involve hours of babysitting my niece once her little brother gets here in a couple weeks!

{day nine} Laughter is the Best Medicine

Tell us your biggest belly laugh in 2013.

source :: pinterest

This is a tough one because I laugh a lot. I'm one those people that always finds humor in situations - good or bad. I'll be honest, I've laughed when friends have fallen. There's one particular memory that springs to mind. I laughed when my friend supermanned the sidewalk. It was one of the best days ever which solidified our friendship and brought us even closer. We laughed for hours after that and still laugh about it today. 

As for the biggest belly laugh of 2013, I can't remember a particular moment. When I was teaching, I would get very tickled by the little ones in my room and their actions. I had a great time sharing their stories with my family. I do know that Mr. GrapeJuice makes me laugh really hard all.the.time. We does some of the goofiest things, whether he means to or not. Sometimes he'll change the words to songs to make me laugh, and other times he has blonde moments that make my day.

Laughter is a huge part of my life, and it makes everything better - even when you don't want to laugh!

source :: pinterest

{day eight} Imperfections are Beautiful

What imperfection have you come to accept in your life in 2013?

How will you embrace it more in 2014?

source :: pinterest

So, I'm really bad about cleaning my house and following through on things I tell my husband I'll do and being more proactive about life. I sit around on the couch all day and do nothing when I have a day off. I don't like that about myself. I blogged about it a little here. I'm hoping that in 2014 - coming to this realization about myself in 2013 - I can be a little better. I can be on top of all the things that I'm supposed to do and not just be a lazy slob. =]

source :: pinterest

{day seven} Signed, Sealed, Delivered

What was the best thing you sent to someone in 2013?

What will you send this year?

source :: sunny slide up

Oh! Oh! Oh! I'm so very excited about writing this post!!!

When I saw the prompt this morning, ideas about what to write flooded my mind because I participated in the Cara Box exchange last year. I made some gifts and bought some. But, of course, I'm going to brag about the ones I made! =]

Here is one package I sent. I bought the water bottle and then painted the anchor on it.

And, here's another I sent. I made the wreath!

I haven't come up with any ideas for sending, but maybe I'll start a snail mail campaign. Anyone want to go in on it with me. Maybe a monthly thing? Handwritten notes are the best, and who doesn't love getting mail?

{day six} A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

Share your favorite memory captured from 2013.

What's your plan to capture 2014?

source :: quotes on images

This is hard for me to decide. So many wonderful things happened in 2013 that it's difficult to pick just one favorite memory. I mean, how do you pick just one from a momentous year? I ran two half marathons and three 5ks. I quit my job before I had another one secured. I job searched and seriously considered a move to the beach. {I will move there though, mark my words!} I was in a music video for Andrew Ripp. My niece turned three, and I finally got to be there for her actual party this year! There are just too many good moments to pick only one. So, as far as sharing a picture goes, I choose to share this one of Mr. GrapeJuice and I from our third anniversary. It was a great way to end 2013 and begin 2014.

As for 2014, I think I'll just continue to take as many photos as possible and try to enjoy the pictures others take of me. It's so hard not to be judgmental of pictures people take of me because I'm a perfectionist, and I always want to look my best. Call me vain, if you'd like, but I take pride in my appearance. I want to remember everything, which is why I am so glad that phones have decent cameras on them now. If I can get my hands on a better camera bag, I will definitely be taking my nice one everywhere with me. I want to use it a lot more in 2014. Now I just need a reason!!