Reverb 10 - December 20 - 25

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas - we were blessed with two great families to split our time with: Ryan's and mine. I love both of my families so much and I'm so glad we get to spend time together and that we didn't lose anyone along the way this year.


One thing struck me this year and that's exactly how blessed I am. There should come a time in every person's life when they are humbled by love and it's happened to me twice this year - when our best friends threw us a surprise 5 year wedding anniversary (it was one of the very best days of my life - possibly the best) and this Christmas when I unwrapped a new coat.


The coat was beautiful - olive green and made of soft wool. It was warm too - I tested it in the harsh Texas winter (LOL). But it occurred to me in a very tangible way that I'm a lucky person - I get to wear a new coat! Not an old coat, not a used one, not a donated coat - a brand new coat. Some people never have that day and it hurts my heart. Next year, I'm going to buy 3 new coats and donate them somewhere so others have that same experience. 


OK - on to the prompts! Make a cup of coffee and settle in, because I'm obviously wordy today!


December 20 – Beyond Avoidance. What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)


This year was a real turning point for me in my life. I have really enjoyed most everything and have done my best to experience it all. One thing I regret is not meditating more - I am going to sit more in 2011!

December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)


Dear Future Self - don't worry so much! As the great Van Wilder said "Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn't take you anywhere." Just enjoy life - it's going to be over sooner than you think and worrying is going to make you miss it. Sarah


CC: past self, present self.


December 22 – Travel How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt)



Herding sheep in Ireland!


Travel is awesome. You learn so much about other people, the way they live and more about yourself. I love telling the stories of trekking through Ireland and eating through Italy or, more importantly, getting engaged in Venice (Hi five Gabbo - engagement? Nailed it!)


This year we have gone a few cool places: Mexico, Ireland, England - and I would love to visit a few more in 2011. One place I would love to visit would be the west - I would love to see parts of California and the Pacific northwest that I have never visited before. I love globetrotting, but it's time for the Gabbarts to see a bit more of the good ole' USA.


December 23 – New Name Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott) 


Gertrude. Not only is my favorite sewing blog by a lady named Gertie, but my grandfather used to call me Gertrude and my sister Josephine. I have no idea why he did this, but it's funny to me and strikes me as a damn cool name. How many people have you met named Gertrude that aren't 80 years old? 


December 24 Prompt – Everything’s OK What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (Author: Kate Inglis)

Ryan and I made a garden this year - it has been a life long dream of mine to have a garden in the backyard and it finally happened! Thanks to the help of Ruthie, gardening expert and best birthday gift giver ever (she gave me a year of garden consultation) and Ryan's dad (he lent us a truck), the Gabbarts now have a veggie patch in the back and were able to grow cucumbers, salad and tomatoes. 


Sitting in the back yard watching the garden and relaxing brings me to that "everything is going to be ok" spot every time. It's the stillness and the quasi-natural setting that eases my mind - both are powerful tools to use in coping with anxiety (which I have a touch of) and becoming a more balanced person.

December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself. Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you. (Author: Tracey Clark)

Max, my sister's boyfriend and awesome photographer dude, took this of Ryan and I getting surprised with a 5 year anniversary party.

We were both so blown away by this incredible kindness, that I started crying shortly after this shot was taken. Can you imagine how much people have to love you to plan a party, make all the food, drag your parent's away from their compound in the country and keep it a secret? It's no small task and we felt no small amount of gratitude for friends like ours!

This photo makes me want to be a better person and a better friend - to give others that amazing feeling that day gave me.