writer's block : the beginnings of the dream

The Art of Joyful Living – Week 18

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post.

Week 18 Theme: Television

Use any or all of the following in your project:

• What is the first television show you remember watching?
• What show would you watch after school?
• What cartoons would you watch on the weekends?
• What theme songs would you sing? What ones can you still sing today?
• What is your favorite television show of all time?
• What show do you watch religiously and plan your schedule around?
• Where do you gather to watch television?
• What changes has technology made to your television viewing (hulu, tivo, youtube)?
• Who do you watch certain shows with?
• How have certain shows changed your life (named a child after a character; changed lifestyle based on television advice; set new goals)?
• What is your current favorite show?
• Who is your favorite actor/actress?
• How do you keep track of your show if you miss an episode?
• What show have you followed the longest? What do you love about the show?
• What character do you have a crush on?
• What show did you begin watching because your parent/friend/child does?
• What type of shows do you enjoy watching?
• How much time do you spend watching television each day? Each week?
• How does television viewing fit into your life?
• How does the television rating system effect your family’s rules about what shows may be watched by your children?
• What shows do you enjoy watching as a family?
• What shows are your children not allowed to watch?
• If there is a conflict over shows, how do you decide what to watch?
• Who is the master of the remote control in your house?
• How do you discuss controversial subjects or breaking news that may be upsetting to the younger members of your family?
• What current events do you have your children view on television? How do you handle the topics on the show?
• What show is guaranteed to make you laugh or bring a smile to your face?

Please post links to your completed pieces in the comments. I look forward to seeing what you make!

 

The Art of Joyful Living – Week 17

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post.

Week 17 Theme: Celebrations

Use any or all of the following in your project:

• What holidays and special events do you celebrate with your family?
• What holidays and special events did you celebrate as a child? How have they changed in adulthood?
• What celebrations did you inherit from your spouse or significant other’s family?
• What traditions do you include in these celebrations?
• What new traditions has your immediate family started or adapted for specific holidays?
• What specific practice or ritual does your family do to mark the inclusion of additional members (new stocking; name added to family tree; birthday added to official family calendar)
• Where do you go for specific holidays or celebrations?
• Where do you stay during specific holidays or celebrations (favorite B&B for anniversary; in-laws for Thanksgiving; rent campground space) ?
• Who in your extended family acts as the event planner and coordinates everything?
• How does your family keep track of birthdays or family plans (blog, newsletter, calendar)?
• What type of foods are created especially for each event?
• Who is famously known for their yummy recipe, their great decorating, or their pretty family snapshots?
• How does your family exchange gifts? Do you buy for everyone or draw names? Is there a white elephant or dirty Santa game?
• What one thing do you always include in your celebrations (singing, silly portraits, buffet dinner)?
• What do you do differently if your family cannot attend the larger family event?
• What would you miss if you didn’t do on a specific holiday?
• What is your favorite celebration to date?
• How does your family commemorate the events of the past (scrapbooks, home movies, online gallery)?
• How has technology changed some of your family holiday traditions?
• How do you keep in touch with long distance family and friends during holidays?
• What new traditions have you begun incorporating into your celebrations as the children, nephews, and nieces get older (volunteer at a food bank; take a family ski trip; have a cookie baking party) ?
• What changes in your holiday celebrations have been made due to births/deaths, job transfers/promotions, marriages/divorces, and geographic limitations?
• If you could add one new custom to your events, what would it be?
• Who all participates in your celebrations and what roles do they play?
• Which holiday is the most important in your family? What do you do to reinforce the importance and celebrate that fact?
• What do you enjoy most about your family events?
• What special plans do you have for future holidays or celebrations?

Please post links to your completed pieces in the comments. I look forward to seeing what you make!

 

The Art of Joyful Living – Week 16

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post.

Week 16 Theme: Odd Facts About You

Use any or all of the following in your project:

• What is your first memory?
• If money were no object, what one silly, just-for-fun thing would you buy?
• If you had the technology or know-how, what gadget would you invent?
• What odd food combination do you enjoy to eat?
• If Wonderwoman and Catwoman were to fight, who would win and why?
• What section of the paper or news website do you read first?
• What game does your family avoid playing with you because you are just that good?
• What are your top five all time favorite movies, books, authors, artists, musicians, and athletes?
• If you could invite one person to spend the weekend with anywhere in the world, who would you invite and where would you go?
• What indulgence do you hide from your family (secret stash of dark chocolate; closet reader of romance novels; privately practice ballroom dancing)?
• If you were a super hero, what would your name be? What would your special powers be? What would your costume look like? Who would your sidekick be? Who would be your arch nemesis? What would be your weakness?
• What are the quirky habits about you that make you special?
• What is your favorite snack?
• Where do you want to retire?
• What makes you blush?
• What should the title of your biography be? How would you separate the sections or chapters? Who would be the other major characters?
• What was your nickname as a child or teenager and how did you get it?
• If you could bookmark three websites on the internet, which sites would you choose?
• What would be the “perfect day”?
• As a child, where did you hide things (diary, found treasures, money)?
• What is your favorite midnight snack?
• How would you rather spend your money and why: On a new car, a new camera, or new shoes?
• What is the funniest thing you have ever seen?
• What reality show would you like to be on or what reality show should be designed around you?
• What do you always carry with you no matter where you go?
• Where and what do you dream about?
• What do you always say when answering the phone? What do you say when hanging up What do you say when arriving somewhere or greeting guests? What do you say when it is time to leave?

Please post links to your completed pieces in the comments. I look forward to seeing what you make!

 

The Art of Joyful Living – Week 15

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post.

Week 15 Theme: Recipes

Use any or all of the following in your project:

• What is your favorite recipe?
• What is your favorite recipe passed down from your mother or other family members?
• Do you follow recipes to the letter or wing it?
• Where do you find new recipes?
• How do you test new recipes?
• What is your most requested dish by family and friends?
• What cookbook do you use over and over again?
• How do you research and plan for your family’s meals?
• How do you research and plan for a party or holiday event?
• Does cooking rank as a chore, as a labor of love, or a true calling?
• How do you share new recipes with your family?
• What special recipes are requested on birthdays?
• What is each family member’s favorite dish that you make?
• What cookbooks, hand written recipes, or other precious memorabilia have been passed down to you?
• What memories from childhood do you have surrounding recipes or cooking?
• How did you learn to cook?
• What dietary needs to you have to keep in mind while you cook (gluten-free, diabetic, allergies)?
• What seasonal or regional changes have you made to your recipes?
• How has marriage or relationships affected your cooking (i.e. husband likes his mother’s potato salad version better)?
• What traditional family recipes do you incorporate into your holiday celebrations?
• What recipes have you developed from dishes you’ve eaten at restaurants or friends homes?
• What classes, traveling, or shopping have you done in search of the perfect recipe?
• What is your favorite cooking show, book, movie, chef?
• What cooking blogs or sites do you reference regularly?
• What do you think of Top Chef and Iron Chef?
• What is your favorite ingredient?
• What is recipe are you excited to try next?

Please post links to your completed pieces in the comments. I look forward to seeing what you make!

 

The Art of Joyful Living – Week 14

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post.

Week 14 Theme: Travelling

Use any or all of the following in your project:

• What is your favorite mode of travel?
• What is the first trip you remember taking and where did you go?
• What do was your favorite part of your first trip?
• What type of trips do you like to take every week, every month, every year?
• What is the longest trip you have taken by foot, by car, by boat, by plane, by horse, by other means?
• What is the longest trip you have taken by yourself?
• What is the most meaningful or memorable trip of your childhood?
• Where did you go on childhood field trips?
• What is the most meaningful or memorable trip you have taken as a couple?
• What trip are you saving up for?
• What special trip does your child want to go on?
• What is the most meaningful or memorable trip you have taken as a family?
• What kind of packer are you (light; four suitcases for the weekend; always forget something important)?
• What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you on a trip?
• What spot in the house is designated for the Christmas tree and stockings or Menorah?
• How do you share your travels with family and friends?
• What types of souvenirs do you collect from your travels?
• How do you document your trips?
• What trip is on your bucket list?
• If money were no object, where would you take your spouse or family?
• If time were no object, where would you take your spouse or family?
• What type of travelling do you do for your business?
• What type of planning and research do you do before you take a trip?
• What do you always make sure to pack for your travels?
• What arrangements do you make at home before each trip?

Please post links to your completed pieces in the comments. I look forward to seeing what you make!

 

The Art of Joyful Living – Week 13

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post.

Week 13 Theme: Your Home

Use any or all of the following in your project:

• What word best describes your home (cozy, spacious, warm)?
• Why did you pick this house?
• What do you like about it?
• What changes have you made since you moved in?
• How did you decide who got which bedroom, office, etc.?
• What room does the family gravitate towards? Why?
• Where do you spend most of your time?
• Where in the home do you go to relax? Play games? Watch movies?
• What plans do you have for further improvements to your homes?
• What quirks about the home have your grown to love (squeaky stairs, have to prop up window, back door blows closed)?
• What special events or memories have happened in the home?
• What special touches have you made to take it from a house to a home?
• Where do you display the family photos?
• How do you show off the kid’s artwork or report cards?
• What spot in the house is designated for the Christmas tree and stockings or Menorah?
• How do you share your home with family and friends?
• What is the story behind finding and purchasing your home?
• What changes has your family gone through since moving into the home (more kids, different jobs, lifestyle change)?
• What feelings do you have when coming back home after work? After a trip?
• If you were to spend a day home with your family, what would you do?
• What decorating style do you have and how is that shown in your home?
• What comments do your family and friends have about your home?
• When it is time to renovate or repair your home, how is this done (hire out, do-it-yourself, family and friends pitch in)?
• How long have you lived in your home and how long do you plan on living there?
• What is your favorite part about your home?

Please post links to your completed pieces in the comments. I look forward to seeing what you make!

 

The Art of Joyful Living – Week 12

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post.

Week 12 Theme: Exercise

Use any or all of the following in your project:

• What is your favorite form of exercise?
• How often do you exercise?
• How does exercise fit into your daily/weekly schedule and what priority?
• How do you feel when you work out?
• How do you feel when you don’t work out?
• What positive benefits does exercise add to your life?
• Do you work out alone, with a buddy, or with a class?
• How often do you change your exercise program?
• What do you do to stay motivated?
• How do you track your progress?
• What are your reasons for exercising?
• How do you share your progress with others?
• Where do you go to exercise?
• What magazines, books, or blogs do you read about exercise?
• What do you like to listen to while you work out?
• What motivating routine do you follow (always weigh first, look at photo from when you were 25, etc.)?
• When do you exercise?
• What other activities do you do that also have the added benefit of being healthy?
• What other lifestyle changes have you made since you began exercising?
• What are your goals?
• How will you celebrate when you reach your goal?
• What positive feedback have you gotten from your family and friends?
• On the days you don’t feel like working out, what do you do?
• If exercise is something new in your life, what sparked the change?
• What do you say or do to motivate your children to be active?
• What sports or activities do you do as a family to stay fit?
• What changes have taken place since you began exercising?

Please post links to your completed pieces in the comments. I look forward to seeing what you make!

 

The Art of Joyful Living – Week 11

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post.

Week 11 Theme: Creativity

Use any or all of the following in your project:

• How did you express your creativity?
• What is your favorite creative pursuit?
• How much time do you devote to creativity each day, week, month?
• How did you learn your craft/art?
• What do you do to improve your skills?
• Why do you love your particular creative passion?
• How does expressing your creativity make you feel?
• How do you recharge your creative batteries?
• Where do you get your ideas?
• How important is your creative time to your life?
• How long have you been practicing your art?
• How do you share your craft with others?
• What special classes or events have you attended for your creativity?
• What creative magazines, authors, or blogs do you regularly read?
• How do you label your creative pursuit (learner, amateur, hobbyist, career)?
• What room or area do you have to work your craft?
• What is your most creative time (morning, after midnight, over the weekend)?
• What do you create for gifts?
• What do you find inspiring (sunset, loved ones, favorite music)?
• How does your creativity improve your life?
• What creative pursuits do you do with your family?
• What positive feedback do your friends, family, and fans give?
• Who is your strongest supporter? How do they help you and your creativity?
• How do you document your creative life?
• What creative activities do you want to learn or try?
• What changes has your creativity gone through over time?
• What is your creative goal?

Please post links to your completed pieces in the comments. I look forward to seeing what you make!

 

Not-Quite-Daily Virtual Fortune

 

The Art of Joyful Living – Week 10

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post.

Week 10 Theme: Dollars & Cents

Use any or all of the following in your project:

• How did you earn your first dollar?
• What do you do for a paycheck now?
• How do you earn your mad money?
• If you find a dollar on the ground, what do you do with it?
• What do your children do to earn money?
• What do you do with the change in your purse or pocket?
• How do you save for a big trip or major purchase?
• What fun things does your family do to collect change?
• What do you do with the money you have saved above?
• If you have one dollar, how do you spend it?
• If you have five, ten, or twenty dollars burning a hole in your pocket, how do you spend it?
• What money collections does your family have?
• What fun coupons or IOUs does your family give as gifts or rewards?
• How does your family earn Mommy Money?
• How do you teach your family the value of one dollar, twenty dollars, one hundred dollars?
• What funny story do you have about trying to find money (in your couch; in your car; around the house)?
• What do you do with the loose change you find around the house?
• What money saving habits do you have (clipping coupons; military discount at movies; shopping garage sales)?
• How has your way of using money changed over time (now shop only via PayPal; debit cards; selling on eBay)?
• How do you spend money on others?
• If you won the lottery, how would you spend the money?
• What money gifts do you request (savings bonds; gift cards; cold hard cash)?
• How do you keep track of your spending?
• As a child, how did you earn your allowance?
• What jobs did you have a child or teenager to earn extra money?
• What are your money goals for the next year, five years, or ten years?
• What is your one purchase every day (Starbucks; lunch with coworkers; Metro ticket)?

Please post links to your completed pieces in the comments. I look forward to seeing what you make!