December 10: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

Oh here we go, this is another prompt that reminds me of all the bad decisions I made in 2010 and I am going to struggle to find a wise decision - do I make any of those?  I don't think so!  Every decision a duff one.  Okay well at least I am going to give it some thought ,,,,
Well one quite recent reasonable decision was to buy into the Sainsbury Diet Website - as unlikely as it sounds this has been a good decision for me because I make use of the Food Diary section to record everything I eat every day and lo and behold I have lost a few pounds!  Whoop Whoop (as Gok Wan would say).  And before you say anything, I know I could have got a free app  for my iPhone to do exactly the same thing but look, things are much better when we pay for them - we all know that!

December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

I guess this year I discovered a friend in my cousin Jan.  Previously, when Jan's mum Isobel was alive I saw Jan occasionally and we exchanged Christmas Cards.  Jan and her husband Colm were very hospitable hosts at their lovely home in Glasgow.  But since Isobel died a couple of years ago we have become real friends and I am so happy about that.  We were all shocked to lose Isobel because she was the life and soul of every gathering, a great wit and fantastic company.  She tended to attract all the attention around her but Jan has her mother's great sense of humour and I really enjoy her company.  I hope our friendship will deepen and I will see more of her in 2011 and beyond.

Prompt: 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn't need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

Well I will have a go but 11??  That is quite a lot of things not to need.  I mean obviously I have cupboards full like everyone else of stuff I don't need like kitchen gadgets and ornaments I don't like and don't use and crockery I don't like and do use!
I like the saying "Get rid of everything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful" and I do try to exercise that rule but with a houseful of 'stuff' to start with it's not always easy.
On a grander scale I could/should get rid of some of two sows because they are surplus to requirements and would bring in some much needed revenue (as I don't want to eat them - urgh!) , same for the two sheep which will go into the freezer nicely and we do want to eat those because they should taste wonderful.  Then there is the three heifers which need to go because of a lack of winter fodder for them and two steers for the freezer (again much anticipated beautiful Highland meat).  So in total that would be animals = 7.  Four items to go ...

Well I don't want to get rid of my blog since I have just started that.  I don't want to get rid of 750 words per day because it's brilliant and helps me get stuff off my mind and onto paper and may lead to something creative.

December 31 – Core Story What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.)

The core is always the farm.  The land - it is the only thing that matters (from Gone with the Wind quoted by Scarlett O'Hara's father).  So the core, the central story is the land and the farm and of-course the animals which inhabit the land.  Oh and the winter feed that we make from the land.

December 30 – Gift Prompt: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?

Oh so many gifts!  My little girl returning safely from her travels .... the birth of Gummy Bear in April and then D'Artagnan on 5th August.  Candyfloss having a dislocated fetlock instead of a broken fetlock (therefore the gift of her life!).  Then the fantastic bird-feeders for Christmas 2010 which bring me endless pleasure throughout the year (and we are only in January and I feel I have had so much pleasure from watching the birds already).  So many fantastic gifts ... too many to mention all - tangible and intangible ...

December 29 – Defining Moment Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.

I cannot answer this one publicly.  Too private, too definitely - too painful.

December 28 – Achieve What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.

Achieve - I want to achieve NOT making a loss on the farm - so what is that - success?  Maybe.  What will I feel like if I achieve it?  Relief I guess.
What can I do to achieve the feeling of relief at my success today.  Well actually I am already there because Spence and I managed to take two pigs to Hopkins this morning and return with the trailer by ten past eight in the morning.  Another great relief (Why?  Because I didn't have to drop him in Wellington and have the absolute terror of towing the horse trailer with his new car ON MY OWN - thank goodness for that!)  Relief - YES.  Success - YES.  Oh and the pigs - two less to look after during the rest of the winter - Yippee!

December 27 – Ordinary Joy Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?

No this prompt I really like.  I completely agree that most of our profound joy is experienced in ordinary moments.  I had lots and lots of those in 2010.  Many days when I was out with my Dad either in Sidmouth or Exmouth on a day out or just in the supermarket in Tiverton.  Moments when I spent time with Spencer, Lulabelle or Beatrix - so many special moments that were really quite ordinary but to me extraordinary.  The belly laughter which happens so often when we are dealing with animals on the farm and things don't go according to plan - which is most days actually.  When we are knee deep in mud and wondering what on earth we do this for?  Bea and I went to Glastonbury Cathedral and whilst looking at the special clock in there a priest came out and prayed with the people - (evidently they do this when the clock strikes to remind visitors that the Cathedral is still a church).  What a fantastic moment - okay maybe not ordinary but very special.  Oh 2010 was full of joyous moments.  There were other moments much less joyful too but why would I try to remember those?  Well I wouldn't would I?  Thank you for this great prompt.

December 26 – Soul Food What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul? (Author: Elise Marie Collins) {Future tool: Sark’s MicroMOVEment Support Sheets. For the next 6 days as you round out your year, we’ll share one tool each day to help you plan your year ahead.}

Well that is a question.  I mean in 2011 I have already had a meal I will not forget in a hurry but trying to remember something from last year is tricky.  - As for touching my soul ... Hmmm ... don't think so but then I cannot taste so that probably doesn't help.  Sorry - can't think of anything that was so good it touched my soul.