LSNED - week one

It's September and that means back to school time for some and Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day class for others. This year I am following along with Shimelle's prompts and will be sharing my thoughts and what I've learned each day here in a weekly round-up post. Some days my lesson is directly related to Shimelle's prompt and other days it takes a totally different course.

1st - Shimelle encouraged us to complete this thought: My name is Melissa and today is the first of September 2012. The last big adventure of my life would probably be . . . the sleigh ride out onto the frozen Bow River for my wedding! Robbie and I were almost frozen when it was over, but that event changed my life and filled me with happiness as we became man and wife.

My lesson/reminder for the day involved one of the other great adventures in my life - scrapbooking to preserve our memories and tell our story. When my friend Michelle quickly accepted my invitation to come over and scrap, I was reminded that it is fun to share this hobby with others.

2nd - Shimelle encouraged us to think about the teachers in our lives and what they've taught us. I've recorded some of the lessons I've learned from various "teachers" in blog posts here, here and here. In my Storytelling Sunday post this month, I shared the story of my friend Josey, which helps me remember to appreciate and reciprocate real friendship.

3rd - Shimelle encouraged us to write down one or more things we would like to move forward with in life. An unexpected phone call that evening reminded me that things can change (in this case for the better)in our lives and relationships at any time. My lesson for the day -  never stop praying for reconciliation with family members, something I would definitely like to move forward with in my life.

4th - Shimelle encouraged us to consider what home feels like, wherever that may be. For me, I feel "at home" in many places, but there's truly nothing like being at home with Robbie. My lesson for the day was a reminder that sometimes when I'm frazzled and overwhelmed, it helps to take a little time to just sit and craft with a friend. (Crafty Tuesdays have started at Ellyn's Place!)

5th - Shimelle encouraged us to think about whether we are planners or if we are more spontaneous. I am definitely a planner! My lesson for the day was a reminder that I can accomplish a lot by just doing the next thing on the list (pack clothes, pay bills, make goodie bags, pack scrapping supplies) & by letting some things go (exercise, grocery shopping, creating page kits).

6th - Shimelle's prompt was all about gratitude, and I was reminded that I have so much to be grateful for every day. I was extremely thankful to find our postal carrier several blocks from the house, and I appreciated her willingness to pull my mail out of order so I could take a package with me as I headed out of town. And even though I told him it was OK to skip it this time, I was thrilled and grateful to find a beautiful bouquet of flowers (& a generous gift certificate) from Robbie waiting for me when I arrived for the 2nd unofficial BPC Texas Get-Together.

7th - Shimelle encouraged us to think about all the "in between time" we have in our day - the time we spend waiting or getting from one place to the next. As it turned out, my lesson for the day involved planning and time - no matter how carefully you plan, someone will always show up at the scrapbooking retreat right after you've left for lunch and someone else will lock her keys in the truck.

 How about you - are you following along with LSNED? What have you learned this September?