Loss and Gain

I have committed to 2 new projects on the web this month.
One with my photos, Picture The Holidays by Tracey Clark. (more about that later)
One with my words, Reverb10.

A little ambitious for the month with the biggest holiday of the year. Yes I agree, but when opportunities present (pun intended) themselves, especially ones that inspire creativity, we should atleast try.
Wish me luck and here we go!

Here's the info about #REVERB10 directly from the website:

"Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10, we'll do both. This December we invite you to share your story and join us in reflection. Get the prompt, then Create a response to the prompt. In a post on your blog, through a tweet, with photography, or however else you desire."

2010: LOSS
The bad loss: Before you feel too bad for me, I didn't lose a loved one. Not a parent, child, sibling, or close friend. But what I lost this year was still very meaningful to myself and my family. And quite frankly it still hurt a bunch. It was our very first home, that my husband and I purchased a few years ago. It was a nice, new beautiful 3 bedroom condo. We moved into it right before I had my daughter, it's the only place that she has ever known. Well, the economy really hit us hard, like so many Americans the past few years. My husband hasn't had a job in 2 years, and my income decreased as well. And so our property was foreclosed on in March. I haven't written about it, because I'm still pretty upset about the whole thing. Upset, embarrassed, ashamed even. It's a difficult situation that so many people that I've talked to are facing. I know that when one door closes, another one opens... But I had a very hard time watching that door of our lovely condo close.

The good loss: (because losing isn't always a negative) I started on Weight Watchers on my birthday this year (in April) and I have since lost 30 pounds. It's been such a positive experience. The number one reason I wanted to lose weight was for my daughter. (I know we are supposed to do things for ourselves, but I say whatever the reason, so be it.) I was tired of not being in photos with her, because I didn't like the way I looked. Well now, I'm in a lot more photos and I will be for the rest of her life!

2011: GAIN
I would like for 2011 for myself, and my husband To GAIN financial stability. I'd like for us to gain our hope back, as it seems we have misplaced it being in this temporary setback for a lot longer then we had expected. I know they say that happiness is a state of mind, but it's hard to smile when you are drowning in bills.

*Side Note: I told my husband what today's prompt was, and asked him what One Word he'd use to describe 2010, and he said "SUCK" I thought it was kind of funny. Sad, but funny. Well atleast it made me laugh.