A Book a Week – Room

I picked up Room mostly because everyone else I knew was either reading it or had read it. And I had a hunch I wasn’t going to like it so I picked it up and put it down many many times before I finally decided to read it.

I was totally right. I hated it.

Well I liked the way it was written from a little boy’s point of view. And the story was interesting. But the sense of doom and feelings of being haunted never left me throughout the whole book. I know that was on purpose but it still sucked. I felt so sad and depressed the entire time. And I know these things happen in life which made the whole thing even worse.

Yes, life can suck, but do I really need to read about it?

Home Sweet Home Wreath

Now that CHA is passed, I wanted to share some of my The Girls’ Paperie work I made for the show. All products are from The Girls’ Paperie Vintage Whimsy or Mix and Match lines.

Daily Diary – April 5 2011

I’ve been doing my exercise first thing in the morning lately. Which means I feel a big sense of accomplishment early in the day. However, it also means I am tired and worn out really early in the day, which is not so great. David was home sick today, too. He was still coughing a bit and I just wanted to play it safe.

The little boy’s been struggling lately, too. Not napping until he’s supremely tired.

But he was delighted to have his big brother at home.

And gave him a lot of kisses and hugs.

David played im his room quietly for a very long time this morning and then I told him he could play on the computer.

Nathaniel played with his legos and watched us read.

And watched his brother play.

David was really engrossed.

And so was Nathaniel. Both my kids are such great players, thankfully.

Kids are down now and I am resting for a while. I might go out to see a few friends tonight but I am not sure. I feel quite tired so we’ll see. This is a typical “i don’t have enough to do” week for me. When I am not overwhelmed with todo list items, i end up accomplishing nothing. It’s ok. Productivity will come back.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it was a quiet day. I needed it.
2. I am grateful that I got an email from a great long-lost friend whom I love so much!
3. I am grateful that I lost almost 5.5 lbs this week! I could not believe it so I tried twice. Whoa!

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that mom got me a magic set {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got to play on the computer
3. I am grateful I did my workbook

Weekly Art Journal – She Art

I signed up for Christy Tomlinson’s She Art Workshop a few weeks ago and I cannot tell you how much I love the class. I love watching Christy create these beautiful canvases and make it look so easy and so meaningful.

So today I wanted to share with you a few of the She Art pieces I made. All are inspired by Christy. The first one was in my art journal and you saw it last week:

and then I made one in my art journal just for fun:

and finally, here’s the one I made for the Pink Paislee blog:

All three of these pieces use a combination of Pink Paislee papers, paint, sequin waste, rubons, and stamps.

There’s something magical about combining scrapbooking paper, rubons, paint and stamps that just makes it so much fun to work. Mixing all my words together. Truly mixed media. I’ve really really enjoyed Christy’s class and have actually completed one more piece inspired by her. It’s not a girl but it’s almost a direct lift of a piece of art by Christy and I will show it in soon since it’s in my daily journal.

Thank you, Christy, for this beautiful class. I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.


Weekly Art Journal is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

Daily Diary – April 4 2011

David woke up with a fever this morning, putting a dent in all my plans since I had scheduled to get a super duper amount of work done today. but alas, the boy was sick so he stayed home, got some love from mommy and was a total champ.

He always is such a champ. I adore this child. Adore.

The little one is becoming more and more of a handful.

He’s strongly opinionated and you need help if you decide you want to cross him.

So we rarely do.

In the end a lot did get done. I finished an album for CHA summer (yep already), did my exercise (and read), read to David, pushed out the Beta, did a bunch more work, finalized and sent in our 2011 taxes and checked in on my class. Phew. Tonight I am hoping to put together some blog posts and maybe even watch some TV as I work on my art journal. I am tired and I plan to sleep early. David seems to be feeling better thankfully so we’ll see how things go tomorrow.

I hope your Monday was well?

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a wonderfully happy package that came a day early.
2. I am grateful the taxes are finished. I never ever enjoy those and always feel good when they are done.
3. I am grateful David is feeling better.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I was home all day {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got to play on the phone
3. I am grateful I get to read my magazine in bed.

You May Be Many Things but You are Not Ordinary

I made this for a guest design spot for Making Memories.

Journaling Reads:
This is Daddy’s favorite photo because he thinks it’s so funny and sweet and loves the look on your face when I snapped it. I love this photo, too. But not because it’s technically good, even though it is and not because it’s funny, though it’s that too. I love it because it shows that even at a little over one, you know to make faces to the camera. You are extraordinary my son. I love you.

Daily Diary – April 3 2011

Ok I have to admit that I spent most of today pouting. I did work on some projects but I also just lay on the couch, dead tired, for quite some time. But, some days just go like that. My todo list piled up but that’s ok, too. It will pass. Tomorrow I will catch up. I did my 2.9 miles early this morning and then we took our family shots. The kids weren’t really up for it though so we ended up doing tickle time pretty early.

And got lots of laughter shots.

Which I must admit, I love.

Jake and David went to learn to ride bikes while I was exercising (and Nathaniel was playing next to me.) so after family shots, Jake went to do some work, Nathaniel napped, and I worked on my minibook for CHA (yes, already working on summer CHA). When Nathaniel woke up, we all had lunch and I read to David. Then Daddy came home and they disappeared again, this time to ride scooters. While they were gone, Nathaniel tried on all his pairs of shoes.

He worked really hard at it.

Then he put stickers all over his shirt.

Then took them off his shirt and re-stuck them onto some paper. (after my explaining to him that sticking them to the couch was not ok.)

Then David said it was ok to snap a photo of him. (Daddy was mowing the lawn at this point.)

And finally it was family time but Mommy was feeling tired and super-grouchy so the boys played games on the computer while mommy sat next to them and read.

Then they went to bed, I worked some more on my minibook (still not done) and worked some on my art journal. Now it’s 9:30 and I am trying to decide between working more on my book and going to bed. But I am exhausted and I know if I stay up late, it will ruin tomorrow and I have a long day tomorrow so I am going to go sleep. The mini book will get finished in the morning.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that Jake took David riding today. He said we’re almost there which makes me so so grateful.
2. I am grateful that I read a fun book and did some projects this weekend despite my hectic schedule and yucky mood.
3. I am grateful that this is an appointment-free week. A rare one for me.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I rode my bike with Daddy {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got to play video games with Daddy
3. I am grateful we rode the scooter

Reading with David – The Secret of Terror Castle

David says:
I gave this story five stars because I loved that they figured out the secret or Terror Castle and that it ended well.

I liked Jupiter the most because he was the master because he was the first investigator and he formed the club. He was also the most intelligent. I also liked Bob because he did all the research about Terror Castle. I like that they had cool adventures. I also liked the driver because he discovered the secret passage and he also saved Pete and Jupiter. He ended up helping the boys solve the mystery.

I didn’t like the scene where the birds attacked Bob and Worthington. I also didn’t like Skinny Norris because he stole their card. I liked that they took a picture of the skeleton and that they weren’t too scared. I also liked that they left question mark trails in chalk. I didn’t like the part where the boys got caught behind the rocks. But, overall, I really liked this story and want to read more of them.


Reading a book a week with my six-year-old son David is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

Daily Diary – April 2 2011

Today was scheduled to be a busy day so I exercised right after I woke up. Then, I showered and it was time for family photos. Here are my boys as I am setting the camera up.

And then all of us giving some love to Daddy. We all love Daddy so much.

Tickle time.

I love these moments so much.

And then there was some drama, of course. As the boys kicked balls around and laughed and laughed and laughed.

Then I worked on my layout (which too WAY WAY TOO LONG to complete) until it was time to go to the birthday party. Then we had to pick up the car and then we came home and I finished my layout and we had friends over and then they left and now I am trying to finish up all my dangling todo items. Too stressful a day if you ask me. I look forward to a relaxing day tomorrow.

As I was taking shots of my layout, David came down and asked me to take a photo so I happily obliged.

Now it’s time to relax. Maybe do some art journaling, too. Let’s see.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for some fun time with my boys at the birthday (and grateful I stayed away from the pizza and chocolate).
2. I am grateful I finished the layout. I am not a huge fan of it but i am still glad it’s done. Not all come so easily.
3. I am grateful I get one more day off before the chaos of work descends.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s Matthew’s birthday {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I get to stay up late and play a bit tonight
3. I am grateful that it was my wii day.

Us Right Now – April 2

jake
This was Jake’s final week at his current job. We now begin another new chapter in our lives as he starts his new company. I am hoping that along with some wonderful work, this will mean more family time for all of us. Higher quality time and more rest. No more 3:30am alarms to go to work. I really adore my husband with all my heart and I have all the faith and trust in the world in him. All I want to do is cheer him on and be there every step along the way.

karen
This week was relatively quiet for me. I did push another Beta out the door. We handed over David’s school forms and I have been scared and excited simultaneously for this new step in his life. I have been exercising and trying to eat better. I have been sleeping fitfully and waking up several times a night. I have been in that place where you just finished a great book and cannot find one that’s as compelling. I have been tired. I have been inspired. It was a quiet and yet eventful week here.

david
David got into the school we were hoping for next year. I think he understands a little about what a wonderful opportunity this is for him but it’s still a little too abstract, which is okay. We’ve been doing a lot of workbooks and reading this week. The Three Investigators series has been very fun to read and we both look forward to it daily, now. I am so proud of my big boy and I hope that we’re opening the right doors for him.

nathaniel
Nathaniel is getting more communicative and opinionated. He has to get his way or he will fall on the floor dramatically and act like we just crushed his soul. But he’s so so so cute. Both Jake and I watch him and feel so lucky to have him in our lives. He’s just a little gem. I can’t believe he’s going to turn two this month. I am not ready for my little boy to not be a baby anymore.


Us Right Now is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

Daily Diary – April 1 2011

I spent most of this morning staring at the computer but not getting enough done. I felt so tired and worn out that my brain was just not functioning. On a positive side, I did walk/run the 2.9 miles now that April’s started. I then met a friend for breakfast. So both of those were great. I even sketched another angel. I’ve now made 5 angels in two days. Something is up. I had a meeting and did get some work done. But other than those, most of my morning was unproductive.

Little boy, took forever to nap. Then discovered one of David’s favorite toys from when he was little (the elmo phone.)

He’s been playing with it all day.

Then we got David, who was in a good mood.

Until I wouldn’t help him with his workbooks and told him he had to patiently do them.

Then it was reading time so Nathaniel played quietly while we read.

Oh yes, we skipped spring altogether this month and went right to summer, hence the shorts. It’s been extremely hot here.

As he always prefers to, Nathaniel came to be right near us while we were reading. He likes to make sure he plays or sits right next to his big brother.

I also got a huge box of amazing Maya Road goodies today so once the kiddos went to bed, I made a layout and now I am trying to decide between doing my art journal or going to bed. I’ve learned that while I get my second wind at night, staying up late often ruins the next day in a significant way. So I am trying to not do that anymore.

We have a full day tomorrow but a quiet one on Sunday so I expect this to be a productive and relaxing weekend. Here’s hoping I’m right.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my goody box from Maya Road.
2. I am grateful it’s weekend, I really enjoy my weekends.
3. I am grateful for my husband who is buying groceries at this very moment. He’s my favorite person on earth.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s April Fool’s day {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that tomorrow’s my wii day.
3. I am grateful that i got to play on the phone tonight.

Healthy For Life – Week 13

Another week with weight loss. I must admit that after struggling through February, it feels nice to have lost almost six pounds in March. Since February netted 0.4 pound gain, this puts me on a pretty average weight loss across the two months. Which has consistently been my goal: slow and steady. I am not in a huge rush. I would like to lose the weight slowly and in a sustainable way because the last thing I want is to gain it all back. Ever.

Exercise this month has been hard. Each day I find myself dreading it and each day I barely finish without struggling. I am a bit scared of the fact that as of this morning, I have to increase to 2.9 when I’ve barely been able to keep up with the 2.8. Up until now, by the end of each month, I felt like that month’s distance was doable. Whereas 2.8 has been kicking my behind.

Here’s the screen I see each week when I weigh myself on the Wii. After it measures, the first thing I see is the new BMI and if it’s lower than last week then I know I lost weight. I anxiously wait for that number each week. And pretty much exclaim with joy when it’s lower.

and here’s this week’s card:


Healthy for Life is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.