My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: My Personal Journaling

I am starting to see how important it is to include all of my life as I write about my memories and my memoir. This 2013 Odyssey cannot include just my memories. 

So, welcome to my life already in progress--as I also reflect on my past memories.

Let me start off with where I am today. I am a journalkeeper, blogger, writer, editor, and publisher and have these projects I am working on in 2013:

1 My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013

2 The Journaling and Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

1 is about my memories.

2 is about journaling and writing a memoir (a how-to). 

Both are projects I feel passionate about and are what I want to write with all of my heart, mind, body, and soul. In fact, they are what I must write. I feel absolutely compelled to write them both. It's as though God is speaking directly into my ear. I can hear him that clearly about these two writing and journaling projects. 

My story needs to be told, as I encourage others to tell their story. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper

Confession and Running To: My Personal Journaling

I have a confession. I need to run to today (not runaway from). I need to run as fast as I can to my Lord who can bring me comfort and tell me that everything is going to be okay. I need to rejuvenate in him and seek some healing.

I have a million things that need to come first. My to do list is long as can be. But, it will wait.

However, there are times when we have to deal with something head on--or it will deal with us. I think the time is now for me. I need to acknowledge some feelings and thoughts that I try to push down. You know... Act strong. 

I trust God and his timing. He knows best. He sees things through divine eyes and I only see through my small, scarred, limited, sinful, and human eyes. 

But, that doesn't mean that sometimes I don't feel beaten. That doesn't mean I don't feel low and yucky. That doesn't mean I have a lack of faith. It's just that after four+ years, it can be difficult to wait... To be patient... To not know when my prayers will be answered.

And, have you noticed that when other people's same prayers are answered, and yours hasn't been... It can hurt? And, you feel guilty for feeling that way? That's where I am at today.

The truth is in four years, I haven't cried once about this. I've remained strong. I've held to my faith. I've trusted. I have tried to do everything I can to push through, to keep moving forward, to not feel sorry for myself, and to know that God has bigger, better, perfect plans. 

He promised me this prayer will be a yes answer. But, it's in his timing, not mine. I know he is preparing me and my husband for this. I know he is preparing everyone else for it, too. 

But, sometimes, it's hard to remain forever strong and faithful.

Sometimes, I just want a hug by God. A reminder he hasn't forgotten. A reminder that it just isn't time yet--that it will happen--and he is proud of the race I've run so far. 

It hurts.

So, today, I am going to take some time and not be so strong and sort through everything I've dealt with for over four years. It's time. 

I am running to--deal with it. Not runaway from and avoid having to do so. 

I am running to God and want to see if he has anything to say. I sure could use a word from him. That is for sure. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper 

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: My Personal Journaling

MY FIRST MEMORIES

I remember several images from when I was to young to really understand, but can see images. 

I remember looking at my feet and being in the baby swing. 

I remember my dad bringing home diapers one night from the grocery store. He stopped off and got them on the way home from work. 

I remember my blankets (my blankeys) and my bottle.

I remember when my dad but my baby bottles into glasses. 

I remember my Golden Retriever, Sunny, begging as I ate in my highchair.

I remember Sunny as a puppy.

I remember helping my dad wash his car. 

I remember sitting in a wading pool out front of our house, drinking from my bottle.

I remember Sunny eating holes in our backyard wooden fence. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

The Journaling and Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

MY PERSONAL JOURNALING

My last blog post shared my new blogging and writing vision. This is a continuation of those thoughts.

The idea came to me on what my blogging goal of 2013 was and let me know how to organize my blog posts and what blog posts to write in 2013. My passion is teaching, encouraging, and inspiring people to journal daily and get all of their memories on the page in 2013 and beyond.

I also realize I want to publish all of my blog posts in book format. But, it needs to be organized. So, how?

I decided, through the promoting the Lord, to write the first ever:

"THE JOURNALING AND STORYKEEPING ENCYCLOPEDIA OF 2013"

Wherein, I will take all of my blog posts and organize them from November 2012 to 31 December 2013 into THE JOURNALING AND STORYKEEPING
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF 2013. I will offer an ongoing FREE and unedited version throughout 2013 in my Smashwords store. Then, in 2014, I will add material,edit it, and publish it for a cost on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle and a paper version on Amazon.

This has never been done before in history. No dictionary or encyclopedia has ever been written on journaling or memoir.

Then, in 2014, I will write new material and blog posts and will add them to the 2013 edition and publish the newest version in 2015. I will do this every year as long as I am able.

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am. This is my niche. This is my life purpose. I now know why I was called by the Lord to be a journalkeeper and writer, along with teacher and encourager of journaling and memoir writing.

I am so excited to go on this journey with you. After all, there would not be this blog, my Google+ Journaling and Storykeeping Community, or the thought of this encyclopedia without you.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

My Blogging and Writing Goal: A Journaling and Storykeeping Encyclopedia

MY PERSONAL JOURNALING

MY BLOG'S GOAL?
Yesterday, I started to get a clear vision as to what I want exactly from this blog. In other words, I asked myself, What is my overall goal and the main objective of this journaling and storykeeping blog?

The answer that came to mind ended up being a little intimidating. I want to create the world's largest journaling, storykeeping, and memoir resource, including journaling prompts.

Huh. Was this presumptuous or even possible?

I started to do some research and discovered if I keep going the way I am going with my blogging, I will most likely accomplish that goal by the end of this year.

Huh. (Another one.) Isn't that interesting? I could not help but think to myself.

This thought kept plaguing me since I thought of it. It has been in the back of my mind and has not let go of its grip on my heart.

So, how can I accomplish this? He answer is obvious. All I need to do is write journaling exercises and prompts, along with blog posts on everything regarding journaling, storykeeping, and memoir. That is too easy. This is my passion and has been for almost 30 years.

I keep thinking on this and just a few minutes ago, I got the idea to write a journaling and storykeeping encyclopedia. Every year, I can write a new version of it and add material to it. Throughout the year, I will offer it for free on Smashwords, but at the end of the year, I will edit it, add material, and publish it.

So, that is what I am going to do.

Welcome to: THE JOURNALING AND STORYKEEPING ENCYCLOPEDIA, 1ST EDITION. (Real name is pending.)

This is what I am going to write in 2013.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Post #6 My Personal Journaling

The last two days of journaling three of my memories has rocked my world. It has befuddled and amazed me. I never would have expected what happened. I know I have talked a little about this in a previous post; nevertheless, I want to go more into depth at this time.

How did I choose the three memories I chose? I did one memory at a time and picked the memory to work on that spoke to me the most and grabbed my attention. Then, I started to write whatever came to mind about each memory. And that was where things grew most interesting. I wrote about one typed page total of each memory. The first paragraph or two was where I wrote just the facts. There were no surprises there. It was after that the surprises came.

I wrote things I never expected and was able to glean new insight. I cannot stress that enough. It blew me away and that is putting it mildly. I learned how each of those memories shaped the woman I am today and why I do the things I do--and never realized.

The best part was how I kept making notes to write more about a sentence later. Moreover, I never would have thought of the stuff on my own if I hadn't journaled. Also, I did not use any prompts or a memory snapshot yet on any of these memories. Therefore, realistically, I will write another two to three pages on average for each memory. I will expand more on them later for my memoir. Never
mind how I also remembered several new memories I had forgotten and added to my Future Journaling of Memories List.

My life has been changed because of these new insights. I had not recognized how much things influenced me then and now--until I journaled about it this week. This is huge. Massive. Life-altering.

A week ago I would not have imagined any of this. I was rather I intimidated by the 125 memories list and wanting to write more in-depth accounts over 2013. Now, I cannot help but think I look forward to more of the same in 2014... and that thought does not intimidate me.

How exciting!

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Ever had one of those days?: My Personal Journaling

First of all, last night, I went to bed early because I felt like I was trying to get sick and wanted to fight it off. Then, for the fifth night in a row, I woke up at 3:00 a.m. and could not get back to sleep. fun.

I guess I should mention I got some really bad news last night, too, that I am trying to take in stride, but I am concerned and a little upset and am trying to figure out how I really feel about it--other than a little deflated. Once I work through the emotion, the logic will come. Unknowns are a little scary and bothersome at times.

Then, I got some bad news from someone close to me today and I wish I could give her a hug. But, we're thousands of miles apart. February cannot get here soon enough in that regard. 

Then, I went to run errands with husband--and we hit a bird! Hate that. It was upsetting. We are pretty sure it didn't make it. Sad. Yuck.

Then, I got home and our poor beagle had an accident in the house  he's our geriatric beagle, so what do you do--other than love him? 

Consequently, it's been a yucky day at moments.

But, I got more journaling and writing done in an hour and a half than I have gotten done the last five days. There is my blessing of the day... along with the precious time spent with my husband running errands. 

Journaling on yucky days sure helps. 

What do you do on those yucky days? 

Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Author

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Post #5 of My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: My Personal Journaling

Written: 03 January 2013, Thursday, 1246 p.m. and 04 January 2013, Friday, 919 a.m.

POST #4

If you are following this blog post series in my blog, you will probably notice how I am skipping entry or post #4. There is a really good reason for it. The journal entry ended up being a little too personal for what I feel comforting sharing on this blog. It will be included in future versions, though. See below.

THE PUBLISHING OF THIS BLOG POST SERIES

This reminds me, I wanted to share with you how I plan to publish these blog posts into two different types of books:

1 This will be my rough draft, journaling and blog posts of the book. I will offer this for free for a couple of months on Smashwords. In time, I will charge a little for it. But, not right away. This will be the rough draft version of the book and will have all of the blog posts listed in order. I will publish them on Smashwords and will then download a new version every week so you can read the blog spots in order easily. (This will begin next week.) So, stay tuned. 

2 I will publish in a memoir form on Smashwords and on Amazon Kindle. This will be an edited finalized version of my journaling book from #1. I will charge a little more for this version of my story. 

I hope that makes sense. 

I AM STAGGERED: WRITING OF MEMORIES REAPS GREAT DIVIDENDS

I am staggered, blown away, dumbfounded, and astounded by my journaling in Post #4. 

MY HALLMARK JOURNAL

I got another and favorite journal when I was 12 or 13 from Hallmark. It was about 9 x 9 inches in size and had a drawing of a girl on the front. There was a quote on the front cover that read,

"Sometimes I need to be alone,

Thinking, dreaming, on my own,

Trying to figure out what makes me--me, 

Following my own special path."

The quote still sticks with me today--and the journal was thrown away almost twenty years ago. I still have the box, though, that it came in from the Cinderella City Mall Hallmark Store. I cannot remember the proper name of the store, unfortunately, But, I can picture where it was in the mall. 

My mom bought it for me. 

The quote still applies to my life today and I cannot help but recite it from time to time. I think this is precisely why I love journaling so much. The quote on this journal spoke volumes to me.

After all, I am an only child. So, I've had a lot of on my own time ever since I can remember  It's always been time I've savored. I've always read and journaled during my alone time. It's at these times I explore my faith, who I am, what makes me tick, why the world is the way it is, what I believe  what I wish and dream, and plan for the future. 

This journal held my early teenage years and how I was experimenting with life--trying to figure out what made me--me. 

The pages held:

* My parents divorce. And the box it came in holds a letter my mom wrote to me that week. 

* The memories of a friend who committed suicide. 

* When my dad sold the home we both grew up in. I have a copy of the newspaper ad. 

* Memories of my dates and boyfriends.

* Memories with girlfriends.

* Mistakes I made. 

* My immature thinking and dreadful actions.

* It showed a girl who was mad at the world. 

* It contained the truth of how I was raped.

* The journal also contained how I left my faith for witchcraft. 

* The journal showed how I was very young--trying to act mature in a world that tried to swallow me alive--and I was sucked into it before I even realized. 

Then, about the time I start to mature  or so I thought, I got married. (I was way too young, by the way.) I moved into the apartment with my boyfriend before we married and caught him reading the journal one day. He took the scared little girl who was mad at the world as the young woman I started to become. He held my immaturity against me. The pain this caused at that time cannot be expressed in words. It was much too deep.

I ended up throwing that journal away. I knew I would regret it later, but I did not want to take the chance of him ever reading it again and holding it against me. 

So, for seven years, I journaled what I didn't care if the world read journaling entries. I refused to ever open myself up like that again. 

In time, I started to heal and after our divorce, I was able to journal again in the real and authentic way I preferred  I was able to be ugly on the page  I just made sure and make sure to go back the next day and explain it and how it was a journaling exercise and this is what I really mean and think today. That way, if anyone read it again, they know that my journaling is a process of growth.

The truth of the matter is for several years now, I have not needed to be too ugly on the page  I have worked through my stuff. I did it years ago and am quite happy and content today. I know how to roll with the punches and remind myself that the hard times will be useful to me later. What matters most is that I live a memorable life where I do not take a day for granted and I remember what God has done in my life in the past  and keep an eye and ear open-- ready to take in what he says and does in my life today--each day. 

I write today to be read. I want to leave a legacy for my future child. So, I make sure to make each work count as I journal--just as I try to do the same with each day. 

I even have a letter for my husband, in case I die prematurely, and have information for him on how to find all of my journals online and how to access them. I want him to read them and publish them. 

That journal was very precious to me and I am glad I still have the memories of it, along with everything that was in the box. This journal is what made me want to dedicate myself to a life of journaling. 

The loss of this journal still stings if I think about it, but I am glad for it in spite. I think the loss of the journal has made me the journalkeeper I am today. 

I will spend some time in the future thinking more about the memories that this journal held and get them down on the page. 

Interesting. I did not expect to go into all of that when I sat down to journal about this Hallmark journal. I cannot help but wonder what different things I will write in 3, 6, 9, and 12 months when I return to this memory. I am sure I would journal new information from new angles, along with some of the same I wrote today. But, through writing about the memory of this journal today, I have more insight into myself and my life today--and am grateful for where I am and who I am today. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper

Ugh!: My Personal journaling

I had a fabulous journaling morning and early afternoon. I got more done than I ever would have imagined and went deeper than I thought I would go. It was a refreshing and thought-provoking time.

Today was the first day I started to write the stories of my life and memories. I cannot believe how much I was able to accomplish. Needless to say, I could not wait to take a break and get back at it this afternoon. Now, I feel like I am getting sick. Ugh!

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Post #3 of My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: My Personal Journaling

Written: 29 December 2012

MY 2013 GOAL

To get all of my life's memories and stories on the page. (Yes. All of them.)

This is the name of a journaling series, a blog post series, and book(s) I am writing in 2013: MY STORYKEEPING ODYSSEY IN 2013.

DESCRIPTION

It is the story of me journaling my story, through storykeeping, in 2013. Storykeeping is more than a memoir. It's a journaling memoir, with the recognition of how my life has been shaped not only by what I have experienced, but by other stories. People (and their stories), places, and things/objects also have shaped who I am, along with ancestry, history, and current events. This is storykeeping. Put it all together, and you get: MY STORYKEEPING ODYSSEY IN 2013.

I will also write the book as a Journaling Exercise or Prompt book for people to get their own stories on the page--and perhaps write their memoir as well--through storykeeping. 

Don't worry. My personal journaling will have all of my memories. I will share just a few in the blog post series--and in my memoir as a storykeeper. 

DAILY WORD COUNT GOAL

My Daily Word Count Goal (Monday-Friday at least):

1,000 words (That would be a total of 260,000 words in a year. That's too much material for one book. My guess is it will be 2 books.)

WHY THIS JOURNALING, MEMOIR, AND STORYKEEPING PROJECT?

1 I want to get all of my memories down on the page in order to leave a legacy.

2 I want to explore my story and how, whether I realized it or not, how it's been impacted because of my family tree.

3 Faith has shaped my life. I want to explore this. 

4 Patriotism has also influenced my life. I also want to explore this. 

5 History has shaped my life. This is something else I want to explore. 

6 People, places, events, objects/things have shaped my life and I also want to explore these angles. 

7 I have lived a life of many experiences  and even hardships at times, and have come through to the other side--where I can thank the Lord for all of them. I have no regrets. I am who I am because of what has happened to me. I have learned so much and want to share what I've learned through evaluated experience. 

8 To share.

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper 

Post #2 of My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: My Personal Journaling

Written: 28 December 2012, Friday, 1044 a.m.

WELCOME

Welcome to my journaling adventure as I explore all of my life stories and memories throughout 2013. It is my desire to leave my legacy and get all of my memories down on the page in 2013. 

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the story of me journaling my story, through storykeeping, in 2013. Storykeeping is more than a memoir. It's a journaling memoir, with the recognition of how my life has been shaped not only by what I have experienced, but by other stories. People (and their stories), places, and things/objects also have shaped who I am, along with ancestry, history, and current events. This is storykeeping. Put it all together, and you get: MY STORYKEEPING ODYSSEY IN 2013.

I will also write the book as a Journaling Exercise or Prompt book for people to get their own stories on the page--and perhaps write their memoir as well--through storykeeping. 

Don't worry. My personal journaling will have all of my memories. I will share just a few in the blog post series--and in my memoir as a storykeeper. 

MY PERSONAL GOAL AND 5-STEP PROCESS

I will turn my personal journaling into blog posts, will then put the blog posts in book form, will edit these posts and add to them, and will publish the book. So, it will be a 5-step process:

1 Journal 1,000 words a day at least (Monday-Friday).

2 Turn certain journaling entries into blog posts.

3 Combine the blog posts into a Word document and write a little more.

4 Edit.

5 Publish. 

MY PROFESSIONAL GOAL

Another goal I have as far as MY STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY IN 2013 project is to help others to get their own memories and stories down on the page and at least do step #1 of my 5-step process. I will include journaling exercises or prompts at the end of each blog post to help with this endeavor. I will assume that the reader might want to do all 5-steps, however  and will assist with this accomplishment.

FRESH MATERIAL

While I have hundreds of journals, I plan on looking at none of them as I write all of my memories on the page in my personal journal. 

Yep. None.

Why on earth would I do this? You might want to know at this point.

Why? It's because I want to look at each memory through my nearing 40 eyes today. I do not want to be clouded by my past. It's who I am today that matters most--not my past. My past has shaped me, sure, but who I am today matters most of all. (I hope that makes sense.)

I want this perspective and see who I am today. Furthermore, I want to address these things as well: How I got here, what I've learned, what has shaped me and my life, who has shaped me and my life, what has influenced me, where I am today, where I am going, and why. 

That's the first pass through the material.

Then, after I do the blog posts, I will add the reviewing of my journals. This will be the additional writing that I do and then publish in book format later.

 That being said, I will look at all of my journaling from 18 December 2012 to 31 December 2013 as I write my original journaling. the earlier journals, however  will not be looked at from the beginning. 

WHO AM I?

I am Stacy Duplease. I am nearing 40 and am married to my best friend. (That isn't meant to be cute or make you say AHH!, by the way. It's the truth.) I am a journalkeeper, writer, and author. I enjoy coffee, walking or running, traveling, digital scrapbooking, taking photos, and reading. 

I've kept journals for about 30 years and journal daily. 

I am a stay-home, journalkeeping, blogging, Google+ community addict, wife who does all of that full-time. Hence, there are days I do not get out of my pajamas until 11:00 or so, but have been up for five hours or so.

I have Zack Beagle, Sinan Orange Maine Coon cat, and two Red-Eared Slider (RES) turtles--Shelly and Harry. 

I am a woman of faith and am quite patriotic. 

Virginia is where I presently live, but am a third generation Colorado native. Most of my family is in Colorado  However, when my husband retires, we hope to call Wyoming home. We live near Jamestown and Yorktown, two of our favorite historical spots. (Also, in the last four years or so, I have lived in Omaha, Nebraska and Las Vegas Nevada.)

I learned in June 2012 how I have family from this area. I did some digging around and unearthed how I had three family members come into Jamestown in 1607 and had over 35 living in or near Jamestown as of 1640. Additionally, I've had family members fight in every war that the United States of America has seen--including a father and his 12 sons in the American Revolutionary War (aka The War of Independence). 

My family tree also includes over 40 family members executed at the Tower of London (I actually think it's over 50, but we'll get into that later.) Which I guess I also should mention how I come from the Plantagenet and Tudor dynasties. Nero and Constantine are a couple of my ancestors, and I seem to have royalty in my family line from all over Europe. 

 I am an only child--and so is my husband. We hope to have a kiddo someday. 

And I am sure over the next year, you are going to get to know me far more than you ever imagined. For the record, I would love to get to know you as well.

CARE TO JOIN ME?

Do you want to join in your own Storykeeping Odyssey? I do not care when in 2013, or any time thereafter. It would be an honor to share in your journey. If you do, please let me know. Either:

1 Attach a comment at the end of any of my blog posts at: http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com

2 Send an email to: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

3 Join my Google+ community at: 

https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/113054405863121223338/stream/79d3984d-1df6-4c49-b8bc-ca9a764bb455

MORE INFORMATION

If you want to join in your own storykeeper odyssey, look up on my blog all the blog posts that have the label of: MY STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY IN 2013. Read them. I will have a tab/page dedicated to that as well on my blog. There will also be additional information on the Google+ Journaling & Storykeeping community. And, request a newsletter.

I am doing a "2013 Storykeeper Odyssey: Writing Our Memories Class" in my Google+ community and will do blog posts for it on my blog. It's a class for 2013 for anyone who wants to write all of their memories. Feel free to join at any time. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT

Do you want to write all of your memories and get them saved on the page?

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper

Post #1 of My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: My Personal Journaling

GENERALS TO SPECIFICS

This blog has been focused on journaling in a general sense for the last couple of months. It has been an Introduction to Journaling.

Now, we are going to switch to different types of journaling. We will still cover the basics and generals of journaling, but we will also look at more specifics.

WHAT IS A STORYKEEPER AND WHAT IS STORYKEEPING? 

I am sure you have wondered what I meant by storykeeping and being a storykeeper for a while now. I am still trying to work on a good definition, I must confess. But, 2013 will be the year I learn everything it means and will share my odyssey with you.

This much I do know, though. A storykeeper is someone who takes journaling one-step further and goes deeper with their journaling. A storykeeper acknowledges that their story intertwines with all the other stories that they come in contact with in daily living. Each story impacts one another's story. Hence, when a storykeeper journals, they make sure to write the other stories as well--and shares how it's impacted their own life. 

A storykeeper also makes sure to get their entire life on the page. They, after all, are keepers of story. 

A storykeeper knows that all stories are sacred. They are spiritual, a thing of the heart, and part of the spirit. Stories are meant to impact a life and transform it. 

GET IT ALL DOWN ON THE PAGE 

I think Sandy Hook has taught me something that I want to remember even more in 2013. Life changes on a dime. I could die tomorrow. Or worse... My loved ones could die tomorrow. So... I want to tell then everything I would want them to know before any of us actually do die.

Starting tomorrow I am going to get all of the stories I would want
told down on the page... my stories and theirs.

2013 will be the year I get my stories down on the page. I will pledge
at least 20 hours a week of this alone.

I have no idea about all the writing projects I had planned. We shall see. This is the one that Sandy Hook taught me matters most to me. It's time to get serious and get my full story on the page--past, present, and future (plans). 

MY STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY IN 2013

This is the title of my 2013 project. 

Care to join me on my odyssey? As I journal, I will add journaling exercises or prompts to help you write your story and embark on your own journey. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013

MY 2013 GOAL

To get all of my life's memories and stories on the page. (Yes. All of them.)

This is the name of a journaling series, a blog post series, and book(s) I am writing in 2013: MY STORYKEEPING ODYSSEY IN 2013.

DESCRIPTION

It is the story of me journaling my story, through storykeeping, in 2013. Storykeeping is more than a memoir. It's a journaling memoir, with the recognition of how my life has been shaped not only by what I have experienced, but by other stories. People (and their stories), places, and things/objects also have shaped who I am, along with ancestry, history, and current events. This is storykeeping. Put it all together, and you get: MY STORYKEEPING ODYSSEY IN 2013.

I will also write the book as a Journaling Exercise or Prompt book for people to get their own stories on the page--and perhaps write their memoir as well--through storykeeping. 

Don't worry. My personal journaling will have all of my memories. I will share just a few in the blog post series--and in my memoir as a storykeeper. 

DAILY WORD COUNT GOAL

My Daily Word Count Goal (Monday-Friday at least):

1,000 words (That would be a total of 260,000 words in a year. That's too much material for one book. My guess is it will be 2 books.)

WHY THIS JOURNALING, MEMOIR, AND STORYKEEPING PROJECT?

1 I want to get all of my memories down on the page in order to leave a legacy.

2 I want to explore my story and how, whether I realized it or not, how it's been impacted because of my family tree.

3 Faith has shaped my life. I want to explore this. 

4 Patriotism has also influenced my life. I also want to explore this. 

5 History has shaped my life. This is something else I want to explore. 

6 People, places, events, objects/things have shaped my life and I also want to explore these angles. 

7 I have lived a life of many experiences  and even hardships at times, and have come through to the other side--where I can thank the Lord for all of them. I have no regrets. I am who I am because of what has happened to me. I have learned so much and want to share what I've learned through evaluated experience. 

8 To share.

~ Stacy Duplease

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013 Journal: My Office

2012-12-19 15:35:42

MY OFFICE

I forgot to mention that in my office, where I do my online journaling, is my large turtle tank and there is a dog bed. The cat typically comes and goes whenever he wants and typically lounges as my feet, by the dog, or on my desk--as he watches the turtles. 

I am in the process of getting rid of some older office furniture. The old stuff is a desk with a WALL unit. A BIG wall unit. A gig, heavy, mammoth, take-up-all-sorts-of-space wall unit. So, I want to go with smaller furniture, and get rid of books, so I can use a smaller bedroom in the future--and just flat-dab have room to breathe--where I feel less suffocated. 

Over the weekend, we got my new desk--after driving 3+ hours each way to Ikea. It's 3 inches larger in length and half an inch larger in width, but it looks like it take up less room, believe it or not. One, it's a lighter color wood. Two, it isn't as bulky. Between now and July, we will get new bookshelves/cases and a large dresser and a narrow dresser--so I can have drawer space. 

Already, my office is a great deal larger. I got rid of two book cases and lots of books--and that was before my new desk. But, we moved my new desk into a different position and I have fallen in love with my office. I didn't care for my office the way it was. Don't worry, I will attach pictures to my blog soon so you can see before and after shots--before we get the rest of the new furniture., of course, I will add shots of the final product at that point in time.

I find it amazing how much fo a difference the new desk has made, let alone getting rid of the two bookcases. I feel freer to write and journal. I no longer feel like I am being strangled. Honestly, I wonder if that's why this year has been such a challenge at pints. 2012 has definitely been a year of growth. It's been a good year overall, but my writing and journaling suffered. I wonder if my office set-up was part of the reason, silly as it might sound.

The animals like the new set-up as well. The cat loves all the space on my new desk. It's configured differently and I have a lot more desk space and areas for the cat to explore. So, he approves.

Zack Beagle's dog bed is closer to me and not on the other side of the room. This is something he approves of greatly and his buzz saw snores confirm this is the case as I type this in my journal.

The turtles like the new configuration as well. why? I face them so they can see me and I can see them--if I look beyond my monitors. 

Ahh... Yes. What else is new on my desk? I have a large desk shelf, in the matching brown-gray wood, that holds my printer, cell phone booster, internet box, and stereo speaker--so all of that is off of my desk and provides more room for storage. (And for the cat to hide in and explore). 

My keyboard has its own sliding pull-out and is off my desk. So, that provides more work-space on the desk. 

I also have two new desk lights that I can adjust in any direction and get the light right where I want them to aim. 

I have two monitors for my PC on my desk at the moment. But, my husband bought me a multi-screen mount we will install this weekend so the monitors will get off my desk as well. So, that will provide even more room for me to work. (Gotta love that man!) That will give me about four-feet more of space, by the way. 

As it is, I've been able to set several books on top of my desk. They are journaling and memoir writing books. They provide inspiration, as well as all the other books I have on my Amazon Kindle Fire. 

My color theme is purple--any shade from medium to dark--including the silvery purple plum color. My curtains are purple and I have a purple skirt on one side of the buffet that the turtle tank sits on top of--and the wood of the buffet and my new desk match each other in the gray-brown Ikea color.

Needless to say, I feel freer to write and am loving it! 

2012-12-19 16:07:16

Note: I also add the date and time stamp when I need to break up my thought. It gives me a moment's pause and allows me to transition and think.

I shake my head as I think of everything I just said about my office. I had no idea I was going to write all of that. I cannot help but chuckle and shake my head. 

MY DESK

On my desk, I always have a glass of water and half the day, a mug of coffee. I also have a circle of green glass from the Jamestown Glassblower, a smaller green glass circle with the letters "AA" on it (stand for Arthur Allen, my relative from Bacon's Castle and it's the seal from his wine bottles), a mug I got at the Yorktown Battlefield, a couple of scripture plaques, and a feather pen box made of metal and is quite heavy. Oh! I also have a tea cup from Shirley Plantation and a mug from Berkeley Plantation. There are two place-mats as well to keep my desk safe from scratching and to provide some color. 

IKEA

I am an IKEA junkie. I LOVE the store. My husband and I have been to Ikea three times in five months--and it's a 3 hour drive each way. Sheesh. We are crazy, what can I say? 

What I love most about Ikea is how the furniture is made to take up little space, but be high in storage space. It's functional and durable. Hence, if you have a small space or a large one, the size of the furniture makes for room to move around and breathe. Never mind how I love the style of the furniture. 

2012-12-19 16:31:17

Again, I cannot help but shake my head. I had no idea I was going to journal that. Huh. Interesting. Where did all that come from, I wonder. 

THE PRESENT

I am trying to help you get to know me in the present so as I tell you my stories, you have a sense of who I have become and where I am headed. 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Photo Credit: Stacy Duplease)