... which fold themselves neatly into memory, like sheets stacked in an airing-cupboard waiting to be lifted out for use. There are others which billow and bulge, like a duvet or sleeping-bag refusing to be squeezed into its cover: these have been my December. The highs have been high, and lows very low. Still, it has felt good to be able to capture their flavour and frame them into two pages; good for things to be steadier, though still fragile health-wise, for my parents; good to stop living on the edge waiting for the next emergency; good to be reunited with my home and computer and sleep again ...
Thank-you to Julie for the numeric inspiration in the first column above - her own month of numbers is always enjoyable to read. This is but a very short story - there are many wonderful ones over at Sian's great Story-Telling Sunday, and hoping you'll be able to visit some of her tellers of tales. Sorry to have been away, and glad to be back: and wishing you all a joyful and creative year ahead.
Edited to add: thank-you to Jemma for letting me know the journalling was unclear - hoping the single page below is clearer. :)
Happy New Year Alexa. I hope it is a good one for you
Lesley
Posted by: Lesley Guest | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 12:32 PM
I like short stories every bit as much as I like long ones! It's wonderful to see you back Alexa. I know 2011 had its challenges for you and the family and I'm very much hoping that 2012 will be easier for you all. Happy New Year! (..and thank you for thinking about Storytelling Sunday in the middle of everything else)
Posted by: Sian | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 12:54 PM
Welcome back! It's so inspiring to me to see and read how you record the 'moment's (high or low). Wishing you smoother sailing as we begin the new year!
Posted by: Marcie | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 01:18 PM
Happy New Year,Alexa......hope it will be much more on an even keel.
Posted by: Jacky S | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 07:43 PM
The best 2012 to you Alexa. It is great to see you back in the blogosphere...I hope your parents' health remains steady, as well as your family's. Know that you've been thought about and sent well-wishes.
Cheers~
Posted by: Honoré | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 08:46 PM
Happy New Year Alexa! I wish you health, happiness, and prosperity in 2012. Glad to see 2011 behind us!
Posted by: Cheri | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 08:57 PM
Great photos in the page and I know it has been tough - Here's to a better 2012. I love the style of your Journal. Well done for doing it. xx
Posted by: Joanne | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 08:59 PM
happy new year here's hoping that 2012 is a good year for us and our families xxx
Posted by: furrypig | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 08:59 PM
Hope the year is more high than low. Love the pages they are so sleek and look effortless.
Posted by: Sonja | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 09:44 PM
Happy New Year Alexa - can't read any of the page, including the number-bit, but the page design looks fab!
Posted by: Jimjams | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 09:56 PM
Good to see you back, it tells me life is on an even keel again for you, lets hope it stays that way. Happy New Year to you all x
Posted by: Miriam | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 10:04 PM
Some stories don't need to be long. This one said all that was needed and had "pictures and conversations" too!
I like your Page - the photos are fab- all that cheery red.
I am sorry you had all the medical emergencies... we had a Christmas like that, a couple of years back. This year's was emergency-free...I'm hoping that will stay the case for the remainder of the winter! Glad the panics are over and I hope both parents are firmly on the mend (as far as possible); also that you will have time to relax a bit and catch your breath. It is very exhausting, caring for elderly parents, especially when they are ill. I wish you a Happy New Year and hope that 2012 is a good year for all of your family. XX
Posted by: Lizzie | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 11:26 PM
That's a lovely page containing as it does the ebb and flow of family life. And being a Granny, well that's the best occupation ever! Do hope you have a calmer start to 2012 and best wishes for the New Year.
Posted by: Irene | Monday, 02 January 2012 at 11:34 PM
Lovely to see you back and hoping that things even out for you - I loved the wey-hey also!
Posted by: Helen | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 12:42 AM
Alexa - so happy to see this post :) I love your format including the numbers. I hope 2012 is full of good health and many happy stories :)
Posted by: Ginger | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 04:17 AM
Lovely to see you returning to blogland Alexa :) And with yet another wonderful LO containing superb journalling. Px
Posted by: Paul | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 09:27 AM
So glad to see you back, Alexa, and I hope that things really do settle down for you. Meantime, you've once again managed to capture your family's memories in a concise and meaningful way. Take care...
Posted by: Wanda Jorgensen | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 09:33 AM
Great page and being together is always the most precious gift I hope you have a fantastic 2012 x
Posted by: Michelle Easters | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 10:13 AM
Lovely pages Alexa. HOpe you have a smooth 2012. Look forward to seeing you soon.
Posted by: kjjc | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 11:28 AM
P.S. Loved that sheets/comforter analogy! So well written!
Posted by: Cheri | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 02:19 PM
Oh YES that is SO much better - THANK YOU!
In fact, as ever, you have inspired me with your lovely journalling - I have drawn a sad line under my JYC after a mere 5 days, despite taking notes for much of the remaining month, I know that it will be too draining to force myself to complete the album in the style which it deserves! Instead I think I will do a numbers page for Christmas/December 2011 - a bit like Seffie's, but focussed on festivities rather than daily life.
Here's to a better, calmer, healthier 2012 and may your grandma-hood continue to bring you much joy and many photo opportunities!
Posted by: Jimjams | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 04:51 PM
So sorry you have experienced such lows in the last month Alexa. I was very happy to see your blog pop up in my reader this evening :o)Wishing you a calm and creative 2012 xx
Posted by: Fiona | Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 09:44 PM
Wishing you smooth sailing in the New Year, Alexa. Hoping there are just as smooth as the imagery in your opening lines - I do enjoy reading your stories and thoughts. All the best, S.
Posted by: Susanne | Wednesday, 04 January 2012 at 12:42 AM
Happy New Year Alexa. Hope 2012 is a much easier year for you.
Posted by: Gail | Wednesday, 04 January 2012 at 10:39 AM
Happy New Year! I think these two pages are a wonderful capsule of your December. They make me wonder if that's not a good plan instead of the Christmas Journal which takes so much time. I hope 2012 is less stressful for you and your family.
Posted by: Karen Walker | Wednesday, 04 January 2012 at 11:42 AM
Thank-you, Gail ... Lovely to 'meet' you on here - I've tried to find an email or a weblink for you, so if you'd like to leave one, I'll be happy to come and visit you too!
Posted by: Alexa | Friday, 06 January 2012 at 11:38 AM
TypePad HTML Email
That’s weird that my comment didn’t provide the link – usually it does when its typepad to typepad.  My blog is at http://scrappyknitter.typepad.com/odds_and_ends/ Â
Posted by: Gail | Friday, 06 January 2012 at 11:46 AM