My Month in Numbers 2012: January

Hello, hello. Welcome to the first Month in Numbers post of the New Year.

If you're planning on joining in this year, this month, today, as and when ... or whenever ... then hang around until I get to the bottom of this post for details on the method I've decided on for keeping track of your posts.

Until then, from largest to smallest here's my January in a numbered-nutshell:

2012 = The new year we rolled-over into 4 weeks ago. Not that I've gotten entirely used to writing the date yet.

Our first photo together of 2012. Taken a few minutes after midnight in our garden. [For the record, that look I'm doing is not 'moody and sultry' but rather 'I hope both of our heads are in shot here, because my arm won't stretch any further away.'] 

 As the year began I didn't blog, didn't make any life-changing decisions or declare any resolutions, intentions or goals ... I just let 2012 creep in quietly while I read and re-read The Radio Times from cover to cover, watched Jane Austen adaptations and found spaces in drawers for new jumpers.

400 = the number of yards on a full bobbin of button twine I invested in with a friend ...

Our other friends ordered a reel each, but Jan and I decided to share one between us. Which seemed like a good idea at the time.

Then it arrived and we were faced with the insane logistical task of sharing it out. I mean, how were we going to do this? Unwind it all, find halfway, and then cut it into 2? Wind it directly on to another bobbin ... but how would we count out exactly 200 yards?

We didn't know, so we came up with a compromise: shared custody. As long as I remember to bring it with me every time we meet up she's going to take 10 yards off at a time, until she collects her full 200 yards!!

I've told her, that that means we have to continue to like each other until we meet up at least 19 more times ... otherwise we might have to face a button twine custody battle ... and nobody wants that. ;-)

Jan - this one's for you:

300 =  the number of tiny pieces I fitted together in the teeny tiny jigsaw my parents bought James for Christmas.

That 'WARNING' should also have included: "Be careful you don't lose the South Pole down the cushions of the sofa."

365 days worth = the amount of toilet paper James returned home with after a trip to the shops:

[And to the eagle-eyed amongst you, yes, that is indeed approximately a year's supply of toothpaste in the background too!]

I'll spare you the details of how I worked out that 36 rolls will probably last us a year, but barring any unforseen incidents ... it realy is likely to be 2013 before I need to buy any more. And I'm sure there's a calculation to be done somewhere with those 'Three layers of velvety softness' too ...

Considering that this is the amount he brought home after all I'd said to him was: "We need some toilet roll" [Note the word 'some'!] I'm now wondering how far it would get me if I told him that I needed some new clothes or patterned paper ... I'll let you know how I get on.

14 = the number of items sent to Papercraft Inspirations for publication in the coming months. I also sent articles to 4 additional magazines too. My teenage self, who was somewhat besotted with and in awe of magazines, would have been so happy for me. And more than a bit stunned.
11 = the title of the book I'm currently reading by comedian Mark Watson:

And there's actually another Mark Watson related number I learned this month. 2 = the number of years in a row his nearest live stand-up show dates have clashed with one of my crafting weekends away, meaning I can't go and see him again. If the same thing happens next year ... I'm giong to start taking it personally!

2 = visits to the osteopath wherein I spent my birthday money having a joint in my hip 'released' after damaging myself climbing up some stairs on my birthday!

What this 'release' actually involved was me laying down while a large man rolled me around on my side - quite near his groin - while he moved my leg.

Which, when I put it like that ... sounds more like a service he should have been paying me for doesn't it?

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OK then, those are my facts and figures, now it's over to you ...

I've been debating which would be the best way to compile all the posts you share here and am going to try the method I use when I run my themed blog series: a Pinterest board.

It's loooking a bit empty at the moment but it won't look that way for long.

Here's how it'll work:

• Firstly - YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A PINTEREST ACCOUNT to join in;
• If you blog your own January Month in Numbers post, project or photograph, simply let me know in a comment on this post as usual.
• Then I will visit your post and pin it to my board.
• This way, anyone on Pinterest who is following the board will get to see when I add a new pin - which means you'll most likely get more visits to your post.
• Plus - EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT ON PINTEREST - you will only have to follow one link - to the dedicated Month in Numbers board - and you'll be able to see everyone's posts in one place, making it much easier for you click through and visit them.

I think this is the best way to do it for now, so we'll see how it works. I can't wait to see the board filling up so start leaving your links as soon as your post is ready!

p.s: [Feel free to blog your Month in Numbers post at any time during the following month, it definitely doesn't have to be the last day of a month like mine.]

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I'll be back tomorrow with an art journal page as part of my UKScrappers 'Art Journey' tutorial, plus details of my newest themed series 'A Month of Sunrays' ... so I'll see you very soon.

Julie :-)