Yet Another List

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"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

I have been quiet in this space lately. It's not because I haven't wanted to write, but rather, I couldn't find my voice. In many aspects of my life, this has been a season for me to not talk. To instead, be still and know. Or, in many cases, be still and learn. Sometimes it was even, be still and just wait. And to be honest with you, it's quite comforting to shut up sometimes and not try to have the right thing to say.

While my voice has been astray, my mind has still been going as wild as ever. I've been reading some good books that have challenged me and I hope to discuss them another time. However, for this post I'd like to take a minute to look back at my list of goals I made last year and to see what goals I have cookin' for this year.

As I read through the small list of goals, I was surprised that I had accomplished almost everything I wrote down. Although it was a small list, the contents felt larger than I could handle. Seeing how each of these goals impacted my life this year encouraged me to do another one. So, here it is:

List for 2012

• I still want to get more involved with some sort of group or organization and live outside of myself while connecting to others.
• I want to be more spontaneous and a little more lighthearted.
• Continue living a more mindful and healthy life.
• Participate in something even more outlandish than Warrior Dash!
• Dedicate more time to developing my photography and writing skills.
• Spend more time in prayer.
• I want to continue to do activities or make decisions that go against who I always thought I was or would ever be. (Don't worry mom, I'm talking about positively going against my self-perceptions.)
• Finally get that tattoo I've been dreaming about. 
• De-clutter and simplify my life. 
• Live courageously enough to take each step one at a time. 
• Travel more.
• And lastly, be more reckless with my love.

My husband would probably want me to add "eat less candy" to the list, but I don't want to be foolish. I think this is a great starting point for this year, and I can't wait to review the list this time next year to see how these goals have impacted my life.

Happy New Years everyone!

Tattoo Window Shopping

For quite some time I have been very interested in getting another tattoo. In fact, I've had the overall idea for the one I want planned since Jakub and I were still engaged. This one would be pretty visible so I've really taken the time to make sure it's what I want. And sorry mom and dad, but it is : ) There's quite a lot of meaning to it (even some things have DOUBLE meanings!ha) and it would be so beautiful and feminine, I wouldn't have to worry about the question of "well what about when you're older" because old women love beautiful things too, right?!

I'm so glad I live in my generation; I don't have to believe the idea that people that are tattooed are godawful, gun slinging, drug induced fornicators destined for hell. [how's that for a description?]

Since I've been stuck inside due to the snow, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about it. Since I don't foresee getting the tattoo soon, I thought I'd share some tattoos that I'm drooling over at the present moment.

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I'll never get over pin ups! They're so beautiful and classy.

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 I'm over swallows on the chest, but I love how realistic and artistic this one is.

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This one is so feminine!

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 The detail on this ship is pretty spectacular.

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 This girl has a great blog (you can check it out by the link) and her tattoo is absolutely beautiful! It looks like just the vintage botanical illustrations! A bigger picture obviously shows more of the detail, it's just stunning to me.

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Are you kidding me?! I hope you're picking up a theme: beautiful!

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Seriously, you think an old woman won't like pretty flowers?! C'mon!

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I love the detail and realism of this anchor. Old school anchors are cool, but this is the kind I adore.

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This one and the next were done by Amanda Wachob. Her ability to create tattoos that look like they were painted on is unbelievable. I need to find an artist with this type of focus. You need to look up her other works!

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My tattoo will probably be black and grey or light colors, but I love the bold colors in this and how wonderfully they're put together.

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This isn't a real tattoo, it's a "retort to the guy talking about how tattoos are really just meaningless awesomeness and we’ll all regret it when we’re 70." (as stated on the site)

Maybe I'll regret it, but I probably won't because I happen to think this picture would let you know this old woman isn't your typical old lady; she's got a little spunk you can't deny. And I plan on being spunky when I'm old. (Sorry ma, if you almost fell out of your seat from that last picture)