Oh my! I absolutely hate it when other people do this! When they say “winners will be announced on so and so day” and then never announce it! I am so so so sorry. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. (I so wish one of you would have called me on it, please do so if I ever do this again! I am so deeply sorry.)
With that, the winner of the seat in my class is: Jana Oliveira (Jana_NJ)
Jana, I’ve already emailed Kayce at BPC and she’s super fast so I imagine you will have access very soon!
A huge thanks to all of you for your kind comments. I am deeply grateful for every single kind comment and encouragement. And I apologize, once again, for my tardiness: I really feel terrible about it.
I am thankful for weekends like this. Quiet-paced, low on stress, high on family time, and peace. Lots of peace. I slept in late this morning because Nathaniel woke up shrieking at 5am and it took me a while to calm him down. So we both fell back asleep right after it. I then began my morning routine of checking mail, exercising, family photo and reading to David. Then I worked on my sketching and then a layout. The little boy was given two chances to nap but he didn’t take either of them.
Here are some from our morning: Nathaniel thrilled to have the remote and David, bummed.
Daddy sneaking a kiss and look at that little boy’s face.
Tickle time!!
When we were done, David wanted a turn with the remote since he hadn’t gotten one earlier.
And Nathaniel ran away with my lens cap so I had to snap this and then chase him down.
The day ended with family time where we played Monopoly Jr. twice. I won once and Daddy the second time. Then it was time for David to go to bed (and Nathaniel who was definitely melting down due to not having had a nap). Now I am processing photos, watching the Oscars and feeling so thankful for my life. Tomorrow starts David’s school and a hectic week at work. I will cherish these few hours of quiet and peace.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a wonderful weekend.
2. I am grateful for Oscars. I remember watching them at 6am as a little kid. Always loved the Oscars.
3. I am grateful there’s one more day in February. The idea of March is a bit haunting for me and I am not sure why. Alas one more day.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we played monopoly jr. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that mommy got me a few iphone games
3. I am grateful that i played with nathaniel
David says:
I gave this story five stars because it had a happy ending.
I liked Zero because he helped dig Stanley’s hole when Stanley was teaching him how to read. I liked Stanley because he taught Zero how to read. I also liked that Zero dug Stanley’s hole when Stanley said he stole the sunflower seeds (even though he didn’t steal them) and got in trouble.
I didn’t like the Warden because she made them all dig. I liked Mr. Sir and Mr. Pendanski because they filled the kids’ canteens with water.
My favorite part was when Stanley and Zero got a lot of money. My second favorite part was that they found all those jewels. I also liked that they found the treasure box. And that Zero found his
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.
The greatest part of today was that I had absolutely nothing that had to get done. I still made a list and still completed most of the items on it but I felt relaxed all day because nothing was nagging me. Since it was Saturday, after I exercised, we took some family photos. Here’s David playing while I am setting the camera up.
Here’s a fun shot which was technically not so great and the boys are not looking at the camera. But it’s still wonderful.
And here’s Daddy sneaking in a kiss while Nathaniel tries to steal the remote.
Then the little boy napped while the rest of us began our day. I worked a bit on my newsletter and finished up my digital downloads. I then did some sketching and some drawing. I will write more up about both soon. When the little boy woke up, we took a long walk in the neighborhood and I stopped to snap a photo of my boys.
Then we came home, rested, ate a bit, and David went back to playing Wii.
The day ended with a trip to Target so we could restock on fruit and veggies. The kids went to bed and it’s almost time for me to go, as well. All in all, relaxing day full of art. I can’t ask for anything more really.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I sketched today, it was a great feeling.
2. I am grateful for a wonderful family walk. I am definitely in better shape thanks to the daily exercise and I am grateful for that, too.
3. I am grateful that we went shopping. Having fresh fruit at home makes snacking much easier and healthier.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it was my wii day {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got some extra wii time today
3. I am grateful that daddy’s teaching me about logic gates
jake
A rough week for Jake this week. Just a lot of work and trying to get everything organized and all the loose ends coordinated. Things are going to get easier. We just need to be patient and try to do one thing at a time. Which is always hard. He helped me so much on Thursday by sitting at home with the kids so I could go to the office and get a ton of work done. I look forward to more of that.
karen
This was awesome! I decided on Monday night while I was journaling that things would only start getting better at work if I decided to show up and do it. I shouldn’t wait until I feel more in sync. I do it and then things work out. And that’s exactly what happened. I showed up. I did the work. It got better. I was inspired. I did more work. Magic! My BPC class started this week, too. Finding Your Way. I am super-excited about it. Feeling positively great this week.
david
David was off school all week. Winter Break. He spent his days playing with his legos, reading books with me, doing workbooks, writing his gratitudes, reading to me, and playing with Nathaniel. He’s been really happy. As much as I love school, I really really love having him around. I get to sleep a bit more, he helps with Nathaniel so much and he’s such a joy to have around. I will be sad when he goes back to school next week.
nathaniel
Nathaniel has also been really happy to have David around. He’s been playing with his brother and watching him all week long. They laugh and shriek together. He loves to look through David’s books. He’s also been more vocal. He says “me” now when he wants something. He also started screaming much to my dismay. I am hoping it’s a short phase and he will abandon it soon because I don’t think I can stand it.
and here’s the card version:
Us Right Now is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
Today did not really go as planned. But, alas some days are like that. Work ended up going a completely different way and consumed me most of the day in a negative light. But I still exercised and read to David and, well that’s about it. But that’s ok. I will work on my newsletter tonight. Comment more in my class. Do my art journal. I did snap some photos my boys.
I love them so.
And they’ve been angels about playing quietly, wonderfully. Both together and apart.
I am still trying to figure out my plans for the portraits. I don’t really feel like doing them anymore which is a sign that something needs to change. I also want to sketch more but I haven’t been able to come up with a system I like. So I need to work on both of those. Find a way to play and look forward to it. I have too much on my list already so I don’t want to be dreading these personal goals. I want them to be fun and educational.
The plans for this weekend are wide open and I am very grateful for that. I will work on my newsletter. I have already made the digital downloads so make sure to subscribe if you want those as they are exclusive to the newsletter members. I’ve also added a button on the left for my blog. A few people asked so I wanted to make sure I did it. I think that’s it for now. I am off to rest, rejuvenate and relax. Here’s to a great weekend!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a tiring but good week. I feel like I made so much progress on everything this week.
2. I am grateful for kindness and art and people willing to teach and share. I feel so grateful for the internet these days.
3. I am grateful for a wide open weekend. I will try to make good use of it. Journal a bunch and make some progress on the food, sketching, portraits and newsletter. But I will also rest a bunch.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we finished our book {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with my brother (i told him it was the last time he can use this one.)
3. I am grateful that mommy got me some new games on the iphone.
So here we are. Another week. A little bit more weight gain. I know the 0.5 is not statistically significant and it could be error, especially since I am using the very imperfect Wii to weigh myself each week. So I am just trying to stick to the plan and not worry. This is about getting healthier and losing weight in the process. But please don’t let me fool myself, it is definitely about losing weight.
I have not been eating so well. I still eat my veggies and protein and I still don’t snack on chips, cookies, chocolate or the like. But I have been snacking more randomly and sneaking things more often than I used to. I pop pieces of things I give the kids into my mouth. I don’t keep track of the food at all. And these things add up.
So this weekend, I will focus on the food a bit more. Come up with a plan on what to snack on and how much. What to turn to when I feel hungry. I will measure my snacks into bowls and eat from those all day long so I can keep better track. I won’t sneak out of the kids’ food. I can eat more but I do have to be more aware of what I am doing. I have to pay attention. I think that is the key.
and here’s this week’s card:
Healthy for Life is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
This layout was for the hot hues challenge on the Pink Paislee blog.
Journaling Reads:
I’ve been trying to get in the picture more so I bought this remote and each time I try to use it with you, you always want to grab it out of my hands. When I try to get it back or keep it from you, you cry. You make these dramatic faces and will not stop until I give the remote to you. I should know by now hat you won’t relent. You always get your way my boy but I still love you so much.
Almost everything is from the new Daily Junque line.
Here’s the hot hues image:
And some details:
Today was a planned hectic day. I was scheduled to go to work so I woke up, did some work, checked into my class and then exercised. I did some more work while the kids played. David was on the iPhone and Nathaniel was curiously watching him.
Here’s a little depth of field fun: Nathaniel.
Here’s a little depth of field fun: David.
He went to get his legos but he’s still super curious about David.
Finally gives up and just plays next to his brother.
Then Jake came home so I went to work. I was there for five hours, more than I’ve spent there for all of 2010 likely. But it was fantastic. I learned a lot, got a lot of work done, saw some friends and came back home. Nathaniel was reading a Thomas book so I snapped a photo.
Then it was time to put the kids down and get to my personal todo list. David and I read and then he wrote his gratitudes. Now he’s doing his workbook and I am about to leave to go get my adapter (which I left at work!) and then come back and comment in my class. And then there’s the art journal, portrait, sketching, etc. I expect it to be a long night but i am still thankful for a good day.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a great trip to work. Learned a lot, did a lot, and I feel great.
2. I am grateful for my new class. I love everything about it!
3. I am grateful that this has been such a week of growth for me. I feel so tired and fulfilled.
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 played with my brother (still going)
3. I am grateful that I skipped my vegetables.
If you’ve been reading my blog anytime in 2010 or 2011, you know that I write three things I’m grateful for each day. This practice of gratitude has had a profound affect on my life. There are many moments in a day, now, where I have to sit down to take in all the gratitude I feel. I am fragile and strong and overwhelmed all at once.
Needless to say, I am really thankful for my life. And I try hard not to take a moment of it for granted. I also want to pay forward, outward as much as I can. So, along the way, I’ve decided to offer help any time I see an opportunity.
In the name of full disclosure, I think I’ve done this my whole life. If I see someone sad, I offer help, I try to be there, I ask what’s wrong. If I know someone has a problem I can fix, I try to. I’ve been a counselor, a resident assistant, a teacher. I think I just like to help others. It’s, in fact, how I ended up with my husband but that’s another story for another time. Anyway, so I’ve always been a helper but I am more mindful about it now. I purposefully reach out and offer and I pay attention to what pulls me to help.
We’re not talking about donating money to a cause here. Or even volunteering with a non profit. I’ve done both of those but this is about reaching out to individuals (often ones I don’t know and ones who don’t know me) and offering help. Technical, monetary, emotional, whatever. And here’s what I realized: it’s harder to accept help and to offer it.
I am often very delicate when I offer it. I try to write my qualifications (if it’s technical help) and go on and on enough so that the person knows I am authentic. I am often annoyed about how much up front work it is. I wish there was a way to just write “I can do this, trust me. Let me try.” Or “I care. I want to help. I swear I am a good person.” and know that the other person will just believe me. But, alas, trust is hard. Especially when you don’t know the person. And accepting help involves a lot of trust. Even professional help.
I’ve had some people ignore me, some refuse, and others accept the help. In each of the instances where the person accepted the help, I’ve benefited tenfold. I’ve been able to experience the joy and satisfaction of making a positive difference in someone’s life. That’s a huge huge reward. I do not discount it for a moment. I am deeply grateful when the person trusts me enough to accept it. Even more grateful when it’s successful help. And ecstatic when “it all works out.”
So, despite the fact that it’s hard work (and sometimes fragile), I still offer to help. I wish and pray with each offer that the other person can feel my genuine-ness. I am grateful when they do (or they just decide to give me a chance anyway.) It’s now an active and solid part of my 2011 goals.
Offer as much help as I can to as many people as I can. And be open to accepting help when offered.
ps: i wrote this a while ago and since then I’ve read this wonderful article by kelly rae roberts who puts my feelings into words so eloquently.
And here are the drawings for this week.
i ended up not doing most nights this week as I think I was too tired.
so they ended up being completed on Saturday.
I am still working on them. But I do still think that I need to change things up a bit and try some different things. I am just not sure what those are and have not had any time to dedicate to it. Soon.
Six Portraits a Week is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.
Another productive day at work. This feels great.
I woke up, exercised and then took some shots of David.
And he couldn’t resist of course.
Then, I again put my headphones on so that I wouldn’t be distracted while the kids played together.
And then the little boy played while David worked on his legos.
Then it was naptime. David played while I worked more with the headphones. After nap time, I read to David while the little one sat with us.
Then the mail came and David finally got his birthday present from my parents. He was ecstatic.
While he got to work right away, Nathaniel moved the chairs around and made himself a play area, too.
I worked and worked and worked. Now I am processing shots while Daddy gives them dinner and David works on his lego. I have to sketch a bit, work on my portrait (which I neglected yesterday) and then do my art journal. I am off to book club tonight so all of these have to get done soon. Feeling good, though, and happy about two productive days in a row. Let’s hope the streak continues.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for another productive day at work. I feel like I’m finally getting my groove back.
2. I am grateful for my husband who manages to get home right about when I’m ready to lose it. He’s magic.
3. I am grateful that my kids are so great at playing on their own and being so kind to me. They give me the room to get my work done and they are so wonderful.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my new legos {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with my brother (i see a trend here.)
3. I am grateful that I get to play Wii in two days.
|
projects for twenty twenty-six
projects for twenty twenty-five
projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
|
