Our azaleas are blooming.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Friday, May 26, 2006
This is another one of my Pink Lady projects for this month - I am loving these big Rusty Pickle letters!! I've scoffed two page layouts with pics on only one side in mags for years, and here I am doing one of my own! I asked for this letters so I could do this layout to show Ethan my appreciation for what a great Daddy he is!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Saturday, May 06, 2006
I've just started a journal of advice to my future self regarding my relationship with my adult daughter and her family. Here's what I have so far:
1. Offer to take care of your grandchild frequently. It's not babysitting, it's special time with a special child.
2. If your child asks you to do something, say yes or no. Don't say yes and then guilt her about it. If you can't do it graciously, don't do it at all.
3. Offer to do diaper changes when a baby is visiting. Mommies and Daddies do them constantly, and just doing one for them will seem to them like a mini-vacation. (Especially offer to change poopie ones.)
4. Be a good listener. Be more interested in your child than in yourself.
5. Validate your child. Even if you are tempted to play the Devil's Advocate, remember your child needs someone to be on her side.
6. Do not minimize your child's concerns, hurts, or fears.
7. Give your child space and respect her boundaries, but don't create distance between you.
8. Never stop telling her she's beautiful and smart, and how proud you are of her.
9. Make an effort to get to know and be friends with her in-laws. This will make her life MUCH easier!
10. Let her to the traditional treats (stockings, Easter baskets, etc.) for her children. You had your turn when she was little, and there are plenty of other ways to spoil your grandchildren.
11. Unhealthy foods are NOT a good way to spoil your grandchildren. Keep healthy snacks they like on hand.
12. Do not repeat stories in front of your child in which she comes off poorly.
13. Do not burden your child with unpleasant information about your past.
14. Be realistic about your spouse (and possibly sympathetic!) but never talk badly about him. This can be very divisive to families. Continue to foster a good relationship between your spouse and child.
15. It's okay if your child calls just to talk to Dad.
16. Whenever possible, be waiting at the door when your child arrives and wave goodbye from outside. This lets her know how happy you are to spend time with her.
17. Do not criticize your grandchildren's behavior, even if there is something the parents need to be made aware of. Just tell them the facts without editorializing. Also, if your child is present at the time of the offense, it is not necessary to point in out to her. She has the same powers of observation that you do.
18. Expect the same standards of behavior from your grandchildren that their parents do. When you are caring for them, your grandchildren's discipline is your responsibility. Ask your child to she handles discipline and follow her lead when the children are in your care.
19. Do not blow off your child for different plans unless it is an emergency situation.
20. When your child is an adult, it is okay not to blow off previously made plans for her.
21. Just because your child does something with her children differently that you did or would with her, doesn't mean either of you are wrong. Be open and supportive to your child's ideas.
22. Give the gift of family memberships.
23. Continue to celebrate your child's accomplishments.
24. Offer to take care of your grandchildren if your child isn't feeling well - even if you can only spare a couple hours, it can help!
25. When your grandchild is first born, go over to visit the baby and send the parents to take a nap. Do this often!
26. Offer to keep your grandchildren overnight from an early age, but don't push it if his or her parents aren't ready yet.
27. Let your grandchildren decide whether they sleep with you or alone when they sleep over, and give them both options every time.
1. Offer to take care of your grandchild frequently. It's not babysitting, it's special time with a special child.
2. If your child asks you to do something, say yes or no. Don't say yes and then guilt her about it. If you can't do it graciously, don't do it at all.
3. Offer to do diaper changes when a baby is visiting. Mommies and Daddies do them constantly, and just doing one for them will seem to them like a mini-vacation. (Especially offer to change poopie ones.)
4. Be a good listener. Be more interested in your child than in yourself.
5. Validate your child. Even if you are tempted to play the Devil's Advocate, remember your child needs someone to be on her side.
6. Do not minimize your child's concerns, hurts, or fears.
7. Give your child space and respect her boundaries, but don't create distance between you.
8. Never stop telling her she's beautiful and smart, and how proud you are of her.
9. Make an effort to get to know and be friends with her in-laws. This will make her life MUCH easier!
10. Let her to the traditional treats (stockings, Easter baskets, etc.) for her children. You had your turn when she was little, and there are plenty of other ways to spoil your grandchildren.
11. Unhealthy foods are NOT a good way to spoil your grandchildren. Keep healthy snacks they like on hand.
12. Do not repeat stories in front of your child in which she comes off poorly.
13. Do not burden your child with unpleasant information about your past.
14. Be realistic about your spouse (and possibly sympathetic!) but never talk badly about him. This can be very divisive to families. Continue to foster a good relationship between your spouse and child.
15. It's okay if your child calls just to talk to Dad.
16. Whenever possible, be waiting at the door when your child arrives and wave goodbye from outside. This lets her know how happy you are to spend time with her.
17. Do not criticize your grandchildren's behavior, even if there is something the parents need to be made aware of. Just tell them the facts without editorializing. Also, if your child is present at the time of the offense, it is not necessary to point in out to her. She has the same powers of observation that you do.
18. Expect the same standards of behavior from your grandchildren that their parents do. When you are caring for them, your grandchildren's discipline is your responsibility. Ask your child to she handles discipline and follow her lead when the children are in your care.
19. Do not blow off your child for different plans unless it is an emergency situation.
20. When your child is an adult, it is okay not to blow off previously made plans for her.
21. Just because your child does something with her children differently that you did or would with her, doesn't mean either of you are wrong. Be open and supportive to your child's ideas.
22. Give the gift of family memberships.
23. Continue to celebrate your child's accomplishments.
24. Offer to take care of your grandchildren if your child isn't feeling well - even if you can only spare a couple hours, it can help!
25. When your grandchild is first born, go over to visit the baby and send the parents to take a nap. Do this often!
26. Offer to keep your grandchildren overnight from an early age, but don't push it if his or her parents aren't ready yet.
27. Let your grandchildren decide whether they sleep with you or alone when they sleep over, and give them both options every time.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
OMG where does it end? In November I started convincing myself that after the holidays, life would slow down, and I'd have tons of time to just hang out or get stuff done around the house. It seems like just when things start to slow down a little bit, we're into a whirlwind again. I'm not saying some of these activities aren't optional, but how to do we fit in everything we HAVE to do, and everything we WANT to do? This was my schedule for the last week or so:
Good Friday: to CT Vicki's house for party, visit to Aunt Mary who I hadn't seen in 7 years, evening with Lisa
Saturday: opening day at Six Flags - got there early and then spent the whole day there with Lisa & family
Sunday: Easter - activities around home and then back to CT for dinner at mom's and a stop at Lisa's house
Monday: drive Ethan to work, run a bunch of emergency errangs, pick Ethan up, and back to Six Flags
Tuesday: went to the office and met my boss for the first time, ran more errands, scrapped with friends at night
Wednesday: this was supposed to be our official day of rest...what we actually did is escaping my tired brain
Thursday: went on scrap store adventure with Stephanie, out to lunch, and to the park with Esme
Friday: babysat Liam and Grace, went to Yankee Candle factory, took Esme for allergy consultation and to have blood drawn
Tomorrow: back to CT for Lisa's "Post Easter Egg Hunt" and more family visits
Sunday: back to CT AGAIN - this time for Dylan's birthday party
Monday: I'm praying to work so I can finally get some rest!
Good Friday: to CT Vicki's house for party, visit to Aunt Mary who I hadn't seen in 7 years, evening with Lisa
Saturday: opening day at Six Flags - got there early and then spent the whole day there with Lisa & family
Sunday: Easter - activities around home and then back to CT for dinner at mom's and a stop at Lisa's house
Monday: drive Ethan to work, run a bunch of emergency errangs, pick Ethan up, and back to Six Flags
Tuesday: went to the office and met my boss for the first time, ran more errands, scrapped with friends at night
Wednesday: this was supposed to be our official day of rest...what we actually did is escaping my tired brain
Thursday: went on scrap store adventure with Stephanie, out to lunch, and to the park with Esme
Friday: babysat Liam and Grace, went to Yankee Candle factory, took Esme for allergy consultation and to have blood drawn
Tomorrow: back to CT for Lisa's "Post Easter Egg Hunt" and more family visits
Sunday: back to CT AGAIN - this time for Dylan's birthday party
Monday: I'm praying to work so I can finally get some rest!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Lately I've been thinking about how important it is to show people in our daily lives how much we love them and how much they mean to us, and I've resolved to do it more. I started by saying, "I love you," every time I see my niece and nephew. A lot of times I just didn't think about it in the craziness of having toddlers together, but now I'm making a special effort.
Tomorrow I'm going to Vicki's annual Easter egg coloring party so I thought about how I could show her I value her. I made her the topiary, and I'm bringing the scrapbook pages of the kids at events at her house during the past year. She throws awesome parties and I think the pages show how much the kids enjoy them. She is a very loving and generous person and I want her to know she is appreciated!!
A year and a half ago, my mother gave us the down payment for our house. I want her to know how much we appreciate and remember that on a daily basis, so for Mother's Day I'm going to make her a shadowbox with a photo of the house in it, and write her a special message from Ethan and me, letting her know how much it means to us.
I want to remember and appreciate all my blessing each and every day. I want my life to be focused on the positive, and spread the love around.
Tomorrow I'm going to Vicki's annual Easter egg coloring party so I thought about how I could show her I value her. I made her the topiary, and I'm bringing the scrapbook pages of the kids at events at her house during the past year. She throws awesome parties and I think the pages show how much the kids enjoy them. She is a very loving and generous person and I want her to know she is appreciated!!
A year and a half ago, my mother gave us the down payment for our house. I want her to know how much we appreciate and remember that on a daily basis, so for Mother's Day I'm going to make her a shadowbox with a photo of the house in it, and write her a special message from Ethan and me, letting her know how much it means to us.
I want to remember and appreciate all my blessing each and every day. I want my life to be focused on the positive, and spread the love around.
This is one of the stranger projects I've done, but I think I like it! I wanted to give Vicki something tomorrow - she always invites us to her awesome parties, and we just love her. She loves getting homemade gifts, so after seeing a SBR topiary on the Doodlebug site, I decided to igve it a try. It is super glittery in real life!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
I was just printing out pics to crop tomorrow and I came across this. It looks so sad, but it actually one of Stephanie's and my favorites of Esme. The three of us went to see Sesame Street Live right before Esme turned 2, and this photo is a testament to how much Esme loved, it because she started bawling when it was OVER. She cried bitter, bitter tears when she realized the characters were not coming back on stage. Stephanie and I tried not to laugh, but it was so sweet. She'd been absolutely stoic though the whole show, and then later in the afternoon she'd look at us and say, "Elmo!" in a happy way.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
I'm on a mission to improve my language. I'm working toward changing both my grammar and reducing the use of certain words. The words are: Crap Hell Damn Sucks. My little darling (Esme, age 3) has started to pick up a couple of these gems and I'm determined to nip it in the bud. I hardly EVER swear, so I would probably die of embarassment if we were strolling along in Target and Esme said something sucked. As far as the grammar goes, I am perfectly capable of carrying on a grammatically correct conversation, but during the years between moving out of my parents' house and the birth of the Es, I've become very lazy about it. I recently realized that I need to practice what I'm preaching.
I just got my June issue of Memory Makers, and the details of this year's Master contest are outlined. Last year was the first time I really put all the effort in and actually entered a big contest. The hardest part was eating, sleeping, and breathing it right before I mailed my entry. Actually it wasn't too hard on ME, but I think it might have been hard on Ethan, Lisa, and Stephanie. And I think Kyle may have hoped I'd win just so he wouldn't get so many email attachments begging for his excellent constructive criticism. So anyway, beware family and friends, I do intend to enter this year. I've done some of my best layouts in the last year so I'm excited about what this will inspire me to create!
I just got my June issue of Memory Makers, and the details of this year's Master contest are outlined. Last year was the first time I really put all the effort in and actually entered a big contest. The hardest part was eating, sleeping, and breathing it right before I mailed my entry. Actually it wasn't too hard on ME, but I think it might have been hard on Ethan, Lisa, and Stephanie. And I think Kyle may have hoped I'd win just so he wouldn't get so many email attachments begging for his excellent constructive criticism. So anyway, beware family and friends, I do intend to enter this year. I've done some of my best layouts in the last year so I'm excited about what this will inspire me to create!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Saturday night I took some nude photos of myself. Last night I scrapped one and posted it on Scraptalk. Okay, so, they only showed from the shoulders up. I was still proud of myself!! Artists do nudes. I could debate being an artist, crafter, designer, or all 3 all day, but on this layout I was striving to be an artist. Nudes show people at their most vulnerable, and I was trying to create a page that really expressed what I was trying to say. The journaling says, "Sometime between the ages of 29 and 30, I forgot how to love myself for who I am. I'm so glad that at 31.5, I can finally remember!"
Fortunately or unfortunately, I can't share the layout with anyone else yet as it is made from some mock products, from a line that won't be debuting til later this year. Not sure when they'll go public, but I'm amazed that I'm completely open to sharing my nude layout with the world!
Fortunately or unfortunately, I can't share the layout with anyone else yet as it is made from some mock products, from a line that won't be debuting til later this year. Not sure when they'll go public, but I'm amazed that I'm completely open to sharing my nude layout with the world!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Three things you wish for:
- To be the best wife possible.
- To be the best mother possible.
- To be the best friend possible.
3 Things You Would Do To/For Yourself If There Was No One To Judge You (…or if you had the guts to do it!)
- Color my hair purple
- Wear beads in my hair
- Never wear footwear again
3 Bad Habits You Have
- Not cleaning up after myself
- Being Judgemental
- Staying Up Too Late
3 Insecurities You Feel
- I don't have any original ideas.
- I'm way overweight.
- My friends don't love me.
3 Talents/Skills you wish you had
- Play a portable instrument.
- Scrapbook as Freely as Elsie Flannigan
- Housecleaning.
3 Things That You Would Do If You Had More Time
- Scrapbook
- Read more
- Write
3 Things That Bring You Peace/Relaxation
- Scrapbooking
- Family naps
- Visiting my best friend.
3 Things That Spark Your Creativity
- Great photos.
- Pink Lady projects
- new idea books
Sunday, March 19, 2006
I am tired of living in a disorganized house. I am SO tired of it. I wish I knew how to be better at keeping things together. It seems so easy for some people, but it's so hard for me. I grew up in a household much worse than my own, so in some ways I'm glad I'm at least doing better than my parents. Ethan and I are both natural packrats so that doesn't help. Right now my sbing area is such a mess, I have to specially clean it to have my best friend over tomorrow. Aye aye aye.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
On my drive home from CT on Tuesday I was thinking about scrapbooking and original ideas. Sometimes I wonder if there are any original ideas left, and then someone comes out with some amazing new products, or I discover a new person's work who blows me away.
For the last few months I've been working on getting a little more recognition as a scrapper. Being a Pink Lady boosted my ego tremendously, but now I'd like to get a few more things in print. My first published layout is in the Joanns Idea Book Volume 2, which should be hitting the shelves any day now. But every time I read a mag I see ideas and I think...how come I can't come up with something like that? How come I don't have a new and fabulous techniques that gets me into CK on my first try?
Some designers say you shouldn't read the mags if you want to get published, because your stuff ends up looking too much like everyone else's. But I LOVE reading the mags!! Until last week I had about 4 feet of copies of Creativing Keepsakes, Memory Makers, Simple Scrapbooks, and Scrapbooks, Etc. stacked in my living room. I have to keep them close so I can read them again and again. How would I know what Brecken, Porter, and Tyler were up to if I didn't read CK?!?! Seriously though, the fact that I can name children of 3 of the editors makes me believe that I AM too invested in these mags. (and yes I can name a lot more than that.)
So anyway, while I was playing with Esme and talking to Lisa on the phone today, I came up with what MAY be an original idea. I'm going to try to put it to use tonight while Ethan is working late. Look for me in the Tips and Techniques section soon!
For the last few months I've been working on getting a little more recognition as a scrapper. Being a Pink Lady boosted my ego tremendously, but now I'd like to get a few more things in print. My first published layout is in the Joanns Idea Book Volume 2, which should be hitting the shelves any day now. But every time I read a mag I see ideas and I think...how come I can't come up with something like that? How come I don't have a new and fabulous techniques that gets me into CK on my first try?
Some designers say you shouldn't read the mags if you want to get published, because your stuff ends up looking too much like everyone else's. But I LOVE reading the mags!! Until last week I had about 4 feet of copies of Creativing Keepsakes, Memory Makers, Simple Scrapbooks, and Scrapbooks, Etc. stacked in my living room. I have to keep them close so I can read them again and again. How would I know what Brecken, Porter, and Tyler were up to if I didn't read CK?!?! Seriously though, the fact that I can name children of 3 of the editors makes me believe that I AM too invested in these mags. (and yes I can name a lot more than that.)
So anyway, while I was playing with Esme and talking to Lisa on the phone today, I came up with what MAY be an original idea. I'm going to try to put it to use tonight while Ethan is working late. Look for me in the Tips and Techniques section soon!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Yankee Candle
This past Friday Aunt Cathy, Esme, and I went up to the Yankee Candly Factory Outlet. They were having an awesome sale, so we got our great deals and then browsed the place. We all had a great time - Esme especially enjoyed making a wish in the Bavarian Village and keeping track of both Aunt Cathy and me.
I've been finding so much sbing inspiration lately. First, I finaly decided it was time to recycle all the mags I've been amassing since the Fall of 2000. I have at least a couple trees worth on my shelves. So I'm going through them and ripping out the pages that have ideas I want to save. I have LOVED looking at these so much! I keep finding myself drawn to the same designers over and over - Rebecca Sower, Michelle Minken, etc.
Speaking of designers, I am newly a big fan of Elsie Flannigan. I love her style! It's so fun and funky and free! I want to be more free like that with my pages. I loved her layout in the new CK where she drew on the aluminum tape and then painted it. If you haven't seen her work, check out of her blog. I added it to my links list.
I've also been finding inspiration in the clothing around me - not mine, but other people's. Esme has a cute little jumper with embroidered flowers on it. I was looking at the flowers very closely yesterday, and thinking how much fun they'd be to recreate with paper. The other day I went to a meeting at church at the priest was wearing an exact same shirt that Stephanie has. That doesn't seem like a big deal, but they are very different people, and it was a pattern that I strongly associate with Stephanie, so it was a little weird. It got me thinking about what patterns and fabrics I associate with other people, and I was thinking I should use that idea on a scrapbook page.
Speaking of designers, I am newly a big fan of Elsie Flannigan. I love her style! It's so fun and funky and free! I want to be more free like that with my pages. I loved her layout in the new CK where she drew on the aluminum tape and then painted it. If you haven't seen her work, check out of her blog. I added it to my links list.
I've also been finding inspiration in the clothing around me - not mine, but other people's. Esme has a cute little jumper with embroidered flowers on it. I was looking at the flowers very closely yesterday, and thinking how much fun they'd be to recreate with paper. The other day I went to a meeting at church at the priest was wearing an exact same shirt that Stephanie has. That doesn't seem like a big deal, but they are very different people, and it was a pattern that I strongly associate with Stephanie, so it was a little weird. It got me thinking about what patterns and fabrics I associate with other people, and I was thinking I should use that idea on a scrapbook page.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Friday, February 10, 2006
NSBR. It's making me very sad. I'm not sure I can take it in there anymore. People are calling each other terrible names, they're hurting their friends, they're making racist remarks, or nasty remarks about other Pea's autistic children. Is this what the world is coming to? I sincerely hope that this isn't what a slice of the real world is like. I keep going back because my best friend, Stephanie, and I like to talk about it. But at this point I'm not sure if this is something I need in my life. For now I think I'll be sticking to the Pub and GS.
Thinking about this makes me really grateful to be a part of Scraptalk. I feel very at ease there.
Anyway, as a general rule, I have decided to try to minimize the violence, negativity, and other non-essential disharmony in my life. Ethan and I decided this weekend to stop eating beef and pork. We're trying it til Easter and then we'll evaluate to see if it's working for us. I am 99% positive that I'm going to stop watching 24. It's hard because of peer pressure (Ethan!) but I'm just not sure I can take another season of the non-stop, gratuitous violence. Maybe I am becoming a hippie, but I feel this will be better for me.
Thinking about this makes me really grateful to be a part of Scraptalk. I feel very at ease there.
Anyway, as a general rule, I have decided to try to minimize the violence, negativity, and other non-essential disharmony in my life. Ethan and I decided this weekend to stop eating beef and pork. We're trying it til Easter and then we'll evaluate to see if it's working for us. I am 99% positive that I'm going to stop watching 24. It's hard because of peer pressure (Ethan!) but I'm just not sure I can take another season of the non-stop, gratuitous violence. Maybe I am becoming a hippie, but I feel this will be better for me.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
I had a wonderful day today - I got to spend more than 3 hours talking to and shooting photos of my brother and his fiancee, Kim. She is everything I could hope for for him. They have similar senses of humor which is a little bit scary! They brought me along to check out a potential site for their wedding - I'm honored they want my opinions on something as important as their wedding plans. They suffered amiably through an outdoor photo shoot on the beach in New England in January with no coats! We laughed sooo much - it made my heart happy spending time with them.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Remember how excited I was a few months ago to be accepted onto 2 Design Teams? Well, I resigned from one of them today. The owner so was disorganized and uncommunicative, I just couldn't take it anymore. I'm bummed though - I wish it hadn't come to that. I tried to address my concerns but got no response, so I guess it really was time to move on.
I'm so glad I still have Scraptalk!! I love being a Pink Lady and can't wait to see Deb's Scrap Scoop from CHA!!
I'm so glad I still have Scraptalk!! I love being a Pink Lady and can't wait to see Deb's Scrap Scoop from CHA!!
My nativity is still up.
Esme has a cold. Yesterday she was soooo good-natured and sweet about everything - I felt soo bad for her because she obviously felt miserable but she had such a good attitude. Today made up for that. She was MISERABLE. The only thing that has made her happy all day was seeing Jenn L, the scrapbooking manager at AC Moore. They have a very close relationship. Esme sees Jenn more than she seems my mom!!
So when Ethan gets home, I'm going to hide for a while. I'm coming down to the cave and I'm going to continue organizing my scrapbooking supplies. It gives me a chance to fondle my paper so it's actually pretty fun. Plus I can watch a Seinfeld rerun - ahhh simple pleasures.
This Saturday something very exciting is going to happen - I'm going to be taking my youngest brother's engagement photos! I'm taking them at Avery Point in Groton - what a wonderful setting! I can't wait to pose them and take great shots. Plus I'm finally meeting Jill, his future sister-in-law, who both he and his fiancee say I will love.
Esme has a cold. Yesterday she was soooo good-natured and sweet about everything - I felt soo bad for her because she obviously felt miserable but she had such a good attitude. Today made up for that. She was MISERABLE. The only thing that has made her happy all day was seeing Jenn L, the scrapbooking manager at AC Moore. They have a very close relationship. Esme sees Jenn more than she seems my mom!!
So when Ethan gets home, I'm going to hide for a while. I'm coming down to the cave and I'm going to continue organizing my scrapbooking supplies. It gives me a chance to fondle my paper so it's actually pretty fun. Plus I can watch a Seinfeld rerun - ahhh simple pleasures.
This Saturday something very exciting is going to happen - I'm going to be taking my youngest brother's engagement photos! I'm taking them at Avery Point in Groton - what a wonderful setting! I can't wait to pose them and take great shots. Plus I'm finally meeting Jill, his future sister-in-law, who both he and his fiancee say I will love.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Things I'm Thinking About Today:
I hate American Idol. It makes me want to cry for the people who don't make it, or who get publicly voted off after all the work and passion they put into their songs.
Esme said today, "I love you the most, Mommy. And Greyson and Pekoe and Daddy." It was so sweet. I always ask her who loves her and since she has such a long list, I usually have to say, okay, but who loves you the most? I say Daddy and Mommy but she adds the kitties too.
I hate the new morning TV line up. I used to like to relax and possibly watch at sitcome in the morning and now it's all court shows and games shows. Boring! I miss the days Stephanie and I used to both watch Roseanne reruns. Or hey at least give me Frasier. I can't take that Judege Mathis. I can't wait for Spring so I can spend my mornings digging in the dirt instead of stuck inside!
I need to do more scrapbooking. And I need to get faster at it. I don't know what's wrong with me - I used to do 4 or even 5 pages on a good night and now it seems like if I do more than one it's a miracle. I don't know why I'm so slow, but I need to pick up the pace!
There was a rumor on NSBR today that Two Peas was going to close. I believe it was unfounded, but I had to think - would it be such a bad thing for me if it did? I'm a bit too caught up in the pea-world I think. If I didn't visit Two Peas I could probably cut my online time back by two thirds or so.
In 2 short weeks I will have health insurance. Thank goodness! We haven't been without it since 1999 and it's been a bit scary these last 2 and a half months. I've really been trying to make my prescriptions last. Plus it seems like little kids need to go to the doctor frequently. Thankfully we'll have insurance by Esme's 3 year checkup.
OMG did I just say Esme's 3 year check up?!?! My baby is going to be 3 in 2 months and 6 days. Aye aye aye. I can't believe how fast the last year went. I'm considering a fairy themed party. Why? Because I have an adorable fairy themed costume for Esme. Anyone who doesn't want to be a fairy can be a pirate.
Esme's party means there will be Jera's party too, and not too long after that, Dylan's parties. Their birthdays are all within 45 days of each other's.
I'm tired of my nativity being up. It's the only strictly Christmas decoration left up. I'm taking it down tomorrow.
I hate American Idol. It makes me want to cry for the people who don't make it, or who get publicly voted off after all the work and passion they put into their songs.
Esme said today, "I love you the most, Mommy. And Greyson and Pekoe and Daddy." It was so sweet. I always ask her who loves her and since she has such a long list, I usually have to say, okay, but who loves you the most? I say Daddy and Mommy but she adds the kitties too.
I hate the new morning TV line up. I used to like to relax and possibly watch at sitcome in the morning and now it's all court shows and games shows. Boring! I miss the days Stephanie and I used to both watch Roseanne reruns. Or hey at least give me Frasier. I can't take that Judege Mathis. I can't wait for Spring so I can spend my mornings digging in the dirt instead of stuck inside!
I need to do more scrapbooking. And I need to get faster at it. I don't know what's wrong with me - I used to do 4 or even 5 pages on a good night and now it seems like if I do more than one it's a miracle. I don't know why I'm so slow, but I need to pick up the pace!
There was a rumor on NSBR today that Two Peas was going to close. I believe it was unfounded, but I had to think - would it be such a bad thing for me if it did? I'm a bit too caught up in the pea-world I think. If I didn't visit Two Peas I could probably cut my online time back by two thirds or so.
In 2 short weeks I will have health insurance. Thank goodness! We haven't been without it since 1999 and it's been a bit scary these last 2 and a half months. I've really been trying to make my prescriptions last. Plus it seems like little kids need to go to the doctor frequently. Thankfully we'll have insurance by Esme's 3 year checkup.
OMG did I just say Esme's 3 year check up?!?! My baby is going to be 3 in 2 months and 6 days. Aye aye aye. I can't believe how fast the last year went. I'm considering a fairy themed party. Why? Because I have an adorable fairy themed costume for Esme. Anyone who doesn't want to be a fairy can be a pirate.
Esme's party means there will be Jera's party too, and not too long after that, Dylan's parties. Their birthdays are all within 45 days of each other's.
I'm tired of my nativity being up. It's the only strictly Christmas decoration left up. I'm taking it down tomorrow.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
While working on my MMM entry last year I was bitten by the contest bug so now I'm working on my HOF entry. With the deadline so quickly approaching, I'm not sure if I'll quite make it or not, but I am really putting my all into my layouts. I'm worried that my layouts are to stylistically similar, and that I'm just plain not good enough.
Being chosen as a Pink Lady last year really gave me a big confidence boost. The other women on that team are sooo talented, I am so proud to be one of them. I wish when I sat down to scrap I felt more free to just go with it and try anything, as some of them seem to. I guess tonight when I sit down to work, I should try to leave my sbing inhibitions behind.
Another thing that gave me a big boost of confidence was something Stephanie said. I was griping about my lack of sbing abilities and she said she wouldn't be encouraging me to try out for HOF, to try to be published, etc. if she didn't feel I really was good enough. If anyone knows scrapbooking, it's Stephanie, so if Stephanie thinks my pages are good enough, I feel like they must be at least pretty okay.
Anyway I'm going to keep plugging along toward this entry. I'm going to the teacher store this afternoon to get Esme some paint cups, but with the secret motivation to try to draw some inspiration from the fun supplies they carry there. Plus because I'm a sub I get a 10% discount, and that never hurts. If anyone with a critical eye reads this and is interested in helping a struggling scrapper out with some constructive critcism, email me and I'll send you a link to my top secret pages!!
Being chosen as a Pink Lady last year really gave me a big confidence boost. The other women on that team are sooo talented, I am so proud to be one of them. I wish when I sat down to scrap I felt more free to just go with it and try anything, as some of them seem to. I guess tonight when I sit down to work, I should try to leave my sbing inhibitions behind.
Another thing that gave me a big boost of confidence was something Stephanie said. I was griping about my lack of sbing abilities and she said she wouldn't be encouraging me to try out for HOF, to try to be published, etc. if she didn't feel I really was good enough. If anyone knows scrapbooking, it's Stephanie, so if Stephanie thinks my pages are good enough, I feel like they must be at least pretty okay.
Anyway I'm going to keep plugging along toward this entry. I'm going to the teacher store this afternoon to get Esme some paint cups, but with the secret motivation to try to draw some inspiration from the fun supplies they carry there. Plus because I'm a sub I get a 10% discount, and that never hurts. If anyone with a critical eye reads this and is interested in helping a struggling scrapper out with some constructive critcism, email me and I'll send you a link to my top secret pages!!
Friday, January 13, 2006
I've been tagged by Cat!!
4 Jobs You Have Had in Your Life:
1. Substitute Teacher
2. Administrative Assistant the the District Manager at a large bank
3. Cashier at a car dealership
4. Receptionist at a answering service
4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
- The Godfather
- Love Actually
- The Joy Luck Club
- The Princess Bride
4 Places You Have Lived:
- Norwich, CT
- Ware, MA
- Groton, CT
- Bozrah, CT
4 TV Shows You Love to Watch:
- The Apprentice
- 24
- ER
- All My Children
4 Places You Have Been on Vacation:
- Cape Cod
- Misquamicit
- Chicago
- North Carolina
4 Websites You Visit Daily:
- Scraptalk
- Two Peas In A Bucket
- Pink Martini Designs
- Freecycle
4 of Your Favorite Foods:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Prime Rib
- Tacos
- Pizza
4 Places You Would Rather Be Right Now:
- Paris
- the beach
- New York City
- Lisa's house
4 Bloggers You are Tagging:
1. Stephanie
2. Kellie
3. Hillary
4. Linda
Monday, January 09, 2006
I currently have my fifth cold since September. I'm starting to wonder if something is wrong with me!! I got this one from Ethan and it's the nastiest of the ones I've had. My mom suggested I start taking a vitamin every day.
Esme had her first sleepover Saturday night and we all survived! I was sooo happy to see her little face when we went to pick her up! She had a great time and was perfectly well adjusted. I'm very glad that she is able to go stay at other people's homes, but it's a little bittersweet that she doesn't miss us AT ALL when she's gone.
Esme had her first sleepover Saturday night and we all survived! I was sooo happy to see her little face when we went to pick her up! She had a great time and was perfectly well adjusted. I'm very glad that she is able to go stay at other people's homes, but it's a little bittersweet that she doesn't miss us AT ALL when she's gone.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
I have the post-Christmas blues!! I had such a wonderful time with my family and friends, especially Ethan and Esme, that I can't believe I have to wait a year to do it again. Esme and I did a ton of Christmas activities this year and I loved seeing how excited she was. Because of her age, no two Christmases will be the same and I wish I could go back and relive this one!
I've been purging my scrapbooking paper, which is a task that was LONG overdue. I purged it a couple months ago but wasn't really honest with myself about what I am really going to use. Last week I gave the pile from my first pass to Hillary and it made her so happy I was inspired to give her some more. My new pile is probably double the size of the first, and I really feel what I'm left with is paper I'd actually enjoy using.
I've been purging my scrapbooking paper, which is a task that was LONG overdue. I purged it a couple months ago but wasn't really honest with myself about what I am really going to use. Last week I gave the pile from my first pass to Hillary and it made her so happy I was inspired to give her some more. My new pile is probably double the size of the first, and I really feel what I'm left with is paper I'd actually enjoy using.
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