My friend Jill forwarded me a few emails from The Brave Girls Club when I was questioning my abilities as a teacher. I was having a rough couple of weeks and these emails managed to perk me up. I finally subscribed to their mailing list and now I get these daily affirmations in my inbox. They don't come at a set time each day. It seems that they come when I really need them. Could be in the morning on my walk into the school building. Could be right before I'm going to teach one of the classes I'm having trouble with. Could be when I mentally berating myself for overindulging in holiday decadence. They seem to just appear when I'm thinking bad thoughts.
We were discussing what to do with these affirmations on The Scrapping Spot message board. Lots of ideas thrown about. I decided to use the ATC spinner that's been collecting dust for the last year and a half after I petered out on the Scripture challenge.
Today's email really hit home and so apropos to the coming new year and making resolutions.
Dear Determined Girl,
As the year wraps up, say goodbye to regrets, what-if's and should haves.....
Focus on victories, blessings and small steps toward progress....
AND THEN focus on the fabulousness that is ahead for you. Make realistic goals...see yourself as the incredible, full-of-potential woman that you are....and GO FOR IT!
BE BRAVE!!! and have a WONDERFUL last week of 2009!
Here's to making realistic goals and being brave!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
It's been a busy few weeks...
I'm almost caught up with my December Daily album. I just to print out a few pictures (after I change the ink cartridges) to get up to date. The last two weeks have been busy!
We had our first annual family Mass for our deceased relatives and dinner on December 18. These pictures are not the greatest, but still evoke wonderful memories.
Yes, I'm related to ALL those people and I know all of them by name! That's not even everyone in the neighborhood!
On December 21st, I celebrated the 15th anniversary of my 21st birthday! I went to dinner at Benii's with Anita, Bella, April, Christine, Clarice and Therese. Then we went to Ralphy's for drinks. Stella, Debbie and Jim joined us later.
Then Christmas came! The gifts weren't plentiful but still appreciated so much so that Allie wore the dress I got her to Mass this morning. I guess she really liked it! And for Allie, that's saying A LOT because she and I share a love/hate relationship with girly things. I bought this dress for Toria and this dress for Allie.
Last night I had dinner with Kristin, Lois and Annaliza. I didn't know we were celebrating MY birthday! Nice surprise!! We had dinner at Katsu also known as Green Door (the door to the restaurant is GREEN) and then sat in the lobby of Outrigger with coffee from the Honolulu Coffee Co.
Only a week left of vacation. I get to go back to work to a yucky classroom. Sigh........
We had our first annual family Mass for our deceased relatives and dinner on December 18. These pictures are not the greatest, but still evoke wonderful memories.
Yes, I'm related to ALL those people and I know all of them by name! That's not even everyone in the neighborhood!
On December 21st, I celebrated the 15th anniversary of my 21st birthday! I went to dinner at Benii's with Anita, Bella, April, Christine, Clarice and Therese. Then we went to Ralphy's for drinks. Stella, Debbie and Jim joined us later.
Then Christmas came! The gifts weren't plentiful but still appreciated so much so that Allie wore the dress I got her to Mass this morning. I guess she really liked it! And for Allie, that's saying A LOT because she and I share a love/hate relationship with girly things. I bought this dress for Toria and this dress for Allie.
Last night I had dinner with Kristin, Lois and Annaliza. I didn't know we were celebrating MY birthday! Nice surprise!! We had dinner at Katsu also known as Green Door (the door to the restaurant is GREEN) and then sat in the lobby of Outrigger with coffee from the Honolulu Coffee Co.
Only a week left of vacation. I get to go back to work to a yucky classroom. Sigh........
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A Friary Christmas
Our parish hosted the refreshments for the Friary Christmas last night. I got to go in and see the village display before the crowds came. I entered through the exit (smile) and was greeted by this:
and this on the other side:
a view from the doorway to the whole thing:
Got to hang with these people for the night.
Fun times! Great laughs. Found out TWO prayers Terry and I could pray to find a man, according to Fr. Pat and Fr. Joe (not pictured).
St. Anne, St. Anne,
Find me a man.
St. Jude, St. Jude,
Find me a dude.
We'll see how much it helps! HA!
and this on the other side:
a view from the doorway to the whole thing:
Got to hang with these people for the night.
Fun times! Great laughs. Found out TWO prayers Terry and I could pray to find a man, according to Fr. Pat and Fr. Joe (not pictured).
St. Anne, St. Anne,
Find me a man.
St. Jude, St. Jude,
Find me a dude.
We'll see how much it helps! HA!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The drought is over...I hope.
I have not scrapped in a few weeks. I am hoping that the layout I made yesterday has ended the scrapping drought. We shall see. Been working on my December Daily mini. I've skipped a few days...pics not printed/can't decide to HiH, JYC or DD it. All these choices!
I used The Scrapping Spot's December 2009 kit with my newest punches (loopy from Ange and doily lace double punch that I just bought). Also used shimmerz spray and paint on the doily punch out.
Day 4: Christmas in the classroom
Day 5: picture not printed to make page
Day 6: Favorite ornaments
Day 7: Work Christmas party. Must get pictures from co-workers.
Day 8: Tree is up!
Day 9: Stocking Swap goodies!
Day 10: all aglow
Waiting impatiently for my cricut expression to arrive. Went to USPS.com to check and it's here?!?!?!?
We attempted to deliver your item at 6:38 AM on December 11, 2009 in HAGATNA, GU 96910 and a notice was left. You may pick up the item at the Post Office indicated on the notice, go to www.usps.com/redelivery, or call 800-ASK-USPS to arrange for redelivery. If this item is unclaimed after 15 days then it will be returned to the sender. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.
SERIOUSLY!?!??! There was a yellow card in the mail box?!?!? Someone is holding it hostage! Grrr... and to think I bought her lunch today!
I thought about swinging by the PO today. Thought. I really hate finding parking in minscule parking lots even more than standing in long lines. Had I known my big E was sitting forlornly in the PO, I would have stood line to claim it. I missed picking it up by 1 1/2 hours. Darn stupid postal hours! Should have checked this morning BEFORE I ran errands. {insert head slapping smiley here}
I used The Scrapping Spot's December 2009 kit with my newest punches (loopy from Ange and doily lace double punch that I just bought). Also used shimmerz spray and paint on the doily punch out.
Day 4: Christmas in the classroom
Day 5: picture not printed to make page
Day 6: Favorite ornaments
Day 7: Work Christmas party. Must get pictures from co-workers.
Day 8: Tree is up!
Day 9: Stocking Swap goodies!
Day 10: all aglow
Waiting impatiently for my cricut expression to arrive. Went to USPS.com to check and it's here?!?!?!?
We attempted to deliver your item at 6:38 AM on December 11, 2009 in HAGATNA, GU 96910 and a notice was left. You may pick up the item at the Post Office indicated on the notice, go to www.usps.com/redelivery, or call 800-ASK-USPS to arrange for redelivery. If this item is unclaimed after 15 days then it will be returned to the sender. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.
SERIOUSLY!?!??! There was a yellow card in the mail box?!?!? Someone is holding it hostage! Grrr... and to think I bought her lunch today!
I thought about swinging by the PO today. Thought. I really hate finding parking in minscule parking lots even more than standing in long lines. Had I known my big E was sitting forlornly in the PO, I would have stood line to claim it. I missed picking it up by 1 1/2 hours. Darn stupid postal hours! Should have checked this morning BEFORE I ran errands. {insert head slapping smiley here}
Sunday, December 06, 2009
A Plethora of Choices
Call me indecisive. Go ahead. Indecisive. I signed up for Jessica Sprague's Holidays in Hand class in November. I printed out all the prompts, downloaded all the templates and whatnot she had available and got found a way to display the prompts. I also cut pages, stuck on numbers for dates and put together my album for December Daily, which Ali Edwards does annually. This is the third year I done this. Then I read about Shimelle Laine's Journal Your Christmas. Three ways to document my December. As if I wasn't busy enough. I've decided to use HiH and JYC buffet style. Yup, you read that right: BUFFET STYLE. Just what is buffet style? I'll pick and choose what to do each day...could be something from HiH, JYC or DD ala Ali E. I like the freedom of this type of mini album. It can be as simple or as elaborate as I want. It can have a picture or just a boatload of words.
Inside the front cover I have a calendar where I plan to write all the stuff I've done and/or will be doing during the month. It looks sparse now, but I already have 5 more things to add.
December 1: My so-called "manifesto". I didn't quite follow the assignment for JYC here. But, it's my album so I did it the way I wanted it. The library card was a download by Shimelle.
December 2: another JYC assignment. Weather. No snow here. Wish for snow all the time.
December 3: JYC assignment: Christmas cards. The left page contains one of two Christmas card designs I made for this year using the sketches from the Caardvarks Sketchfest. The right page is a list of people I'll send the cards to. Have to do that soon.
I need to work on this weekend's pages. Feeling a little lethargic. We went to brunch to celebrate Uncle Lloyd's 80th birthday. Water and wind biscuits for dinner.
The cover of my December mini Album.
I used a mix of products from different kit clubs from 2008...Scarlet Lime (barn star, vintage Santa image), , Zany Zinnia (black die cut paper, red and cream paper, felt poinsettia, The Scrapping Spot (Christmas Red stickles and Pink Paislee alpha stickers) and Studio Calico (Melissa Frances bingo album). The green scalloped circle came from Basic Grey's Michael's exclusive paper pad "Mistletoe and Pear" and the Christmas ticket came from THIS BLOG. I also used red Maya Mist (on the ticket) and Evergreen Shimmerz paint (dry-brushed on the barn star and the Santa image edges). Binder rings from my stash.Inside the front cover I have a calendar where I plan to write all the stuff I've done and/or will be doing during the month. It looks sparse now, but I already have 5 more things to add.
December 1: My so-called "manifesto". I didn't quite follow the assignment for JYC here. But, it's my album so I did it the way I wanted it. The library card was a download by Shimelle.
December 2: another JYC assignment. Weather. No snow here. Wish for snow all the time.
December 3: JYC assignment: Christmas cards. The left page contains one of two Christmas card designs I made for this year using the sketches from the Caardvarks Sketchfest. The right page is a list of people I'll send the cards to. Have to do that soon.
I need to work on this weekend's pages. Feeling a little lethargic. We went to brunch to celebrate Uncle Lloyd's 80th birthday. Water and wind biscuits for dinner.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Gypsy giveaway!
I've been intrigued by the Gypsy by Cricut since I heard about it. I've waffled back and forth about getting one. Custom Crops had it on sale during their Pink Tuesday sale. BUT, the Cricut Expression was also on sale. I have the original bug, the getting of which gave both my friend Jill and me anxiety issues. But, I'd like to be able to cut bigger things especially now that I teach fifth grade. Plus, I had a bad day last Wednesday and needed some retail therapy at 4am Thanksgiving day. Hence the purchase of the E and the Gypsy staying in the Custom Crops inventory. So, where am I going with this post?!?!?
There's a new blog in town... The Gypsy Spot! They're giving away a brand spankin' new Gypsy donated by Custom Crops. I know it's a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to try! Here's the verbiage from their blog:
Yes we are giving away a Gypsy here at The Gypsy Spot. I want to thank Custom Crops for donating a brand new Gypsy (retail value 299.99)..wow. I cant say enough about everyone at Custom Crops. Everyone is always so supportive and helpful. If you have never shopped at their store, you really should give them a visit. Not only will you find everything you need for scrapbooking or card making, but also some wonderful articles for fantastic projects. They also have a Youtube channel where you can enjoy some wonderful videos for awesome projects. There is even new video for husbands or loved ones to guide them with holiday shopping... what an awesome idea. Click on the links to visit : Custom Crops and Custom Crops Videos.
Now for the giveaway. Please spread the word. This is a new blog so we are trying to get the word out so that more can come and participate in the challenges. We love to see everyones Gypsy creations.
The rules :
2) Post a link about this contest on your blog. If you don't have a blog you can start one at blogspot.com. Its very easy and a great way to share your projects with family and friends.
3) Use Mr. Linky box to give us the link to your blog post. (this becomes our entry list and the winner is chosen from here )
Random winner will be selected December 1st. Good luck to everyone.
There's a new blog in town... The Gypsy Spot! They're giving away a brand spankin' new Gypsy donated by Custom Crops. I know it's a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to try! Here's the verbiage from their blog:
Yes we are giving away a Gypsy here at The Gypsy Spot. I want to thank Custom Crops for donating a brand new Gypsy (retail value 299.99)..wow. I cant say enough about everyone at Custom Crops. Everyone is always so supportive and helpful. If you have never shopped at their store, you really should give them a visit. Not only will you find everything you need for scrapbooking or card making, but also some wonderful articles for fantastic projects. They also have a Youtube channel where you can enjoy some wonderful videos for awesome projects. There is even new video for husbands or loved ones to guide them with holiday shopping... what an awesome idea. Click on the links to visit : Custom Crops and Custom Crops Videos.
Now for the giveaway. Please spread the word. This is a new blog so we are trying to get the word out so that more can come and participate in the challenges. We love to see everyones Gypsy creations.
The rules :
1) Become a follower of The Gypsy Spot. (If you are already a follower you met the first step).
2) Post a link about this contest on your blog. If you don't have a blog you can start one at blogspot.com. Its very easy and a great way to share your projects with family and friends.
Random winner will be selected December 1st. Good luck to everyone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)