The World Around Me

2012-01-22T10:03:00.004+10:00

It seems that when it rains, it pours. I had some health issues that occupied a large part of my mind for the last few weeks. So, while I waited and worried, creating and sharing just weren't on the forefront of my mind.

At my last annual physical, the doctor found some nodules on my thyroid. I went in for a thyroid ultrasound in December. When the report came back, it wasn't all good news. I had a nodule on the right side that looked a little suspicious. It took a while for my insurance company to pre-approve another ultrasound with fine needle aspiration this time. That was an experience I hope to not have to do again! While my neck was numbed, the pressure was so great I was in tears at the end of the procedure. The area was sore for more than a week and there were certain maneuvers I couldn't do at the gym. The soreness was a constant reminder for me. It wasn't something I could forget.

I found out this week that the nodule is benign. I don't have cancer. That worried me the most. Once that worry was lifted, a weight lifted from my shoulders! I have much to be thankful for and many prayer warriors to which I must give gratitude.

With all that said, I was finally ready to create my One Little Word layout for the year. Since 2007, I have created a layout of my word for the year and hung it in a frame on my wall. In 2007 it was resolve, 2008 hope, 2009 embrace, 2010 optimism, and 2011 possibilities.

2012...light.

I used the Studio Calico January kit and add-ons, the envelope from Chronicle Books Old Letter Set, and my silhouette cameo to trace the title. I also used the Studio Calico Sunday sketch for 1/15/12.

I wrote my journaling on a sheet of paper from the Old Letter set and put it inside the envelope. It's something I don't want everyone to read so the envelope helps me keep it hidden.

the epic project life-year 38 weeks 1-4 post

2012-01-20T14:08:00.017+10:00

i'm one of those who jumped on the project life bandwagon for 2012. except, i started on my birthday. i wanted to document my 38th *GASP* year. doesn't sound quite as cute as 21 or even 30. but, it is what it is. i'm 38...and i still get asked for I.D. no joke. i've had no motivation to upload my project life layouts until now. i was waiting with baited breath for some test results. when that worry lifted, my motivation returned. i was inspired by ali edwards and lisa truesdell as i watched them unveil their every day lives in 2011.

here we go!

i started out with my hopes for Project Life-Year 38. I used a digital brush from Ali Edwards' hello joy set and Amy Tangerine's oh happy grey paper in a 6x12 page protector.

here i used the studio calico december kit, add-ons, wood veneer star, the backing from a stamp & Mister Huey's, Amy Tangerine thickers & washi tape, Ali Edwards digital all about me hand drawn set cut with my silhouette cameo, and some old 7Gypsies stickers.

on to week 1...

i started with my birthday on december 21, which fell on wednesday. so week 1 is 3 days in this album. studio calico november kit used here as well as packaging from some candy i got for my birthday.

here's week 2:

mostly christmas pictures this week. i didn't intend for it to be christmas heavy, but this was a easy week for me.

week 3:

used my silhouette to cut the Hello 2012 box and the sunburst behind it. i included my one little word for the year and the picture i used for my OLW album. Calendar from erica hernandez at two peas.

lots of Ali Edwards digi stuff here from designer digitals.

week 4:

some Ali Edwards digi brushes again, old ek success arrows, more silhouette cuts.

my january studio calico kits came this week so i used the new stamps here. the bull's eye one was perfect for my thursday journaling. more silhouette cuts (what did i ever do without it before??)

there you have it. my not quite so boring life.

2012

2012-01-01T14:51:00.002+10:00

Today is the first day of 2012. While we were eating lunch, Auntie Margaret asked me, "What are you feeling about the new year?" I said, "I hope it's a good one." She said, "I didn't ask what you hope, I want to know what you feel?"

I don't know what I feel about the new year. She's anxious about what's to come... Me? While I don't know what is ahead, I'm ready to let in the LIGHT.

LIGHT

That's my One Little Word for 2012. It may seem like a cop-out to use Ali's word from 2011. But, that's a word that kept coming to me.

Light is...

something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light.
Also called luminous energy, radiant energy.
an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.
the radiance or illumination from a particular source: the light of a candle.

For me, light also means letting in, being open, sharing burdens, losing weight. It means letting go, welcoming, accepting.

Last year's word...possibilities... EPIC FAIL. While my heart had the right intentions, I don't think my head was truly ready to let potential life changing events happen. 2011 was the year of spending time with different people, not quite new, but not quite ones I've spent countless hours with. Interacting with different people this past year has led me to being more ready to depend on others...lightening that load.

Here's to hoping that lots of light shines through for me.

Happy New Year!

in 2011...

2011-12-31T14:58:00.001+10:00

I had some firsts...

work trip with my boss to Washington, D.C.
eating sushi and pasta (not at the same time) with my friend John in Virginia
visit to North Carolina for a training
visit to Providence, RI for a conference
eating at the Cheesecake Factory in NC
trip to Madrid, Spain via Korea for World Youth Day 2011 with side trips to Fatima, Portugal; Avila and Burgos
teaching a class geared towards foster parents and child caregivers
a secretary who knew what she was doing (of course I knew she could step up to the plate because I stole her from the school I used to work at)

I had some stress...

writing 2 grants for a home visiting program set to begin in 2012
early mornings (4am is an insane time to begin working, but at least i could do it in pjs)
late nights...working after 5pm sometimes till 8 or so
deadlines on EST and figuring out what time that was in ChST. Lots of triple checking with the time and date website
putting together power point presentations and compiling resources for my first class
a health issue that I won't have news about till January

I had some big changes (I hate changes)...

the realization that a two-month summer break was no longer in my life
falling off the exercise and good eating wagon (going step back on that wagon in 2012)
the auntie moving home after 9 years (finally! but, this change I like)
the selling of my silver V-6 4 runner (the 'Nerds finally have reliable transportation)
the buying of my salsa red pearl 4 cyl. 4 runner (3 months earlier than planned)
taking time off means signing a leave form

I experienced some sadness...

the loss of relatives during the holiday season
the loss of a dream for a family member (maybe loss is a strong word...postponement, maybe?)

Even with all the stress and the sadness and the big changes, I still have much to look forward to in 2012...

the birth of my newest nephew in February
the excitement of seeing all that hard work of grant writing pay off when the home visiting program gets started
getting back on the eating well and moving more wagon
seeing what matchmaking Cupid can do
the wedding of my cousin Jes in August

hello joy

2011-12-18T19:59:00.005+10:00

Had to dust off some cobwebs on the blog...haven't been feeling "with it" lately. November was b.u.s.y. If I posted a picture of my November calendar, some may seriously run for the hills and not look back. Aside from the busy-ness of work, life has been... LIFE. Life hasn't been all sunshine and roses.

Dealing with a health issue that I hope is resolved without slicing and dicing. It's a little scary for me. It helps that a friend has dealt with something similar, but at the same time I worry because I'm me and not her. Does that make sense?

Dealing with disappointment and life-altering changes for one of the daughters of my heart. Her life plans have changed and with that, my mind set has to change. It's hard to be strong for someone you love when all you want to do inside is curl up and sob.

I haven't made any Christmas cards. Don't think I'll be sending any out at this point, and I think I'm okay with that.

All this stuff going on has wreaked havoc on my sleep. I wish I could really let go and let God. Gotta have a little faith, huh?

So, I really haven't been feeling all that creative. I have been keeping up with my December Daily album, mostly catching up on the weekends but I haven't posted my pages anywhere. I think I made two cards with my Studio Calico November kit and then bagged it up when December kits arrived. I ordered the Silhouette Cameo and it sat unopened for a while. I even forgot I was expecting it in the mail. I set it up yesterday to get my gift bags made for my friends' Christmas presents. I knew they'd be expecting some handmade paper crafts to house their gifts. I couldn't disappoint.

We celebrated my birthday and Christmas just a little early last night. Being with them put a few things into perspective. These friends are sisters of my heart. They're the ones I can depend on outside my family to hold me up when I feel like falling down. We had a great dinner (SUSHI), walked around the mall for a bit (parents need to stop dropping their kids off at the mall unattended), and then saw "New Year's Eve." Got some much needed laughs and maybe shed a few tears (thought I shed them all already).

And this... this silhouette cut file that Ali Edwards posted in the Studio Calico December Daily forum... invited some joy into my life this week. It came at the right time.

Blogging from the Heart November Edition

2011-11-01T23:39:00.004+10:00

i read several blogs when i have the chance. my list of go-to blogs are on the right side. stephanie howell posted a "blog your heart" challenge in September. i started and deleted many posts in september and missed october by a day. today...oh today...gave me the biggest push i've needed to blog from the heart.

why today? i just spent the last several hours in the company of friends. these are friends that i don't see often, but when i do it's as time has never passed. without going into all the details of the stories that got passed around tonight, one thought in particular prompted me to blog from my heart.

you see, i almost lost one of these friends a few weeks ago. and by almost lost, i mean he was ready to take his life. what stopped him? another friend called him right before he pressed the gas pedal on his car and asked him if he was okay. and that's what stopped him. if she hadn't been an angel who called him at just the right moment, i would be crying about a loss right now. all i could think of was that he would have never known just how much he really means to me because i keep waiting for a better time, a time when i'm not so busy so that we can get together.

there's always something that pops up that gets in the way of keeping in touch with people. you would think that with cellphones glued to almost everyone's hand, communication would be easier. but there's always something. the cost of a long distance call on my cellphone (we don't have great long distance rates on this rock) will no longer keep me from checking in with people in my life...even all the way in london.

the bottom line is, i can't keep waiting for tomorrow to say what i need to say because tomorrow may never come. so, you know that friend you keep meaning to call but haven't? call them. today. right now.

A LONG blog hiatus

2011-10-16T19:34:00.004+10:00

this blog post is LONG overdue. i've started and deleted a few blog posts along the way. i get this way at least once a year...where i withdraw into myself for a bit and then come out of hiding. i haven't been posting much on facebook either. such is life. such is me. but on with it.

it's been busy around here since my last post. i've been working the last two saturdays teaching a class to child care providers. we have one more session this month and i get a break. then it's on to another 3-session class in november. i wish i could say i get paid extra, but i don't. i DO get flex time during the week, though. trying to decide when i will take off this week since i still have my regular job to attend to. maybe this week i'll get a pedicure!

i have managed to scrapbook a few layouts and finish 2 minis. i only got pictures of one of them. i signed up for Amy Tan's "The Good Life" class at big picture and have managed to somewhat keep up with the projects.

but, before i get to my amy tan projects, i have parts of a mini to show! when we were in korea, portugal and spain, i took lots of food pictures with the intent of making a food mini album. i used the studio calico boardwalk kit to make the whole album. i learned how to sew minis together when amy tan had a class on her blog, which is now at big picture classes.

seoul and portugal...

portugal...

portugal and avila...

avila and burgos...

i didn't take pictures of all the pages...too many to take!

i also made a mini of the entire trip, but chose not to take pictures of that one. that one included boarding passes, tickets to events, brochures, and all sorts of other memorabilia. when i first returned from my trip, i made a photobook through shutterfly because i knew i would not have the time or the inclination to actually make layouts of the entire trip. shutterfly's custom path photobook was a godsend for me. i was able to put layouts together online and jot down tidbits i wanted to remember and then was able to share my link with friends who went on the trip.

i do have pictures printed of things that i do want to scrapbook from my trip, but the minis and the photobook contain the bulk of my memories.

here's one of me sitting by some statues. these statues were all around burgos and we thought it was great fun to take pictures with them. i used the studio calico field guide kit here.

i got a hair cut a few weeks ago. decided to see how bangs would look on me. i've been told i look younger...not what i was hoping for but it's nice to be mistaken for younger than my real age!

on to the amy tangerine projects...week 1

i made this reverse applique shirt for my friend annaliza's son's first birthday. it was a hit! took me about an hour from start to finish to get the letter traced, sewn and cut out.

here's my altered clipboard from week 2. nothing too fancy, but just right for me.

i uploaded my traveling gastronomy mini as my project for week 3.

that's all i have for now. tomorrow is already monday and it's going to be a busy one!

remembering

2011-09-11T00:45:00.003+10:00

a conversation i had with one of my aunts this past week sparked this blog post.

"Vera, where were you when 9/11 happened? Were you here (Guam)?"

no, i wasn't. i was more than 6,000 miles from the people who mattered most and i was terrified.

It was June 2001 and I had moved to Portland, Oregon for graduate school and the rest of my life...or so i thought. I was still grieving after having celebrated the first anniversary of my grandmother's death, but life was going to go on.

oh, i was home sick...not as bad as when I left for college in 1991 at 17. but, it was bad enough. at least it was cheaper to call home in 2001 than it was in 1991. i was taking my classes, getting to know my colleagues, and trying to juggle homework and internship...and trying to find parking in downtown Portland at the end of a long day. i had already made plans to fly to Minneapolis to spend Thanksgiving with my uncle and his family and to Honolulu for Christmas break to meet my mom and auntie.

those tickets were bought.

and then the terror known as 9/11 happened. i made two phone calls that morning. One to my family at home.

Auntie Margaret said, "Vera, whatever happens, you're staying there. We're not bringing you home."

say what??!?!!?

I supposedly was safer where I was. but, i was so far away and feeling it.

The other call was to my friend Patsi in Seattle. Her sister Colleen worked in one of the towers.

colleen was okay. she was able to get out of tower two. THANK GOD!

I don't think I'll ever get the footage of the towers falling out of my mind.

The kicker was having to still go on with life. People were dying in NY and I still had to go to my internship. The hardest part was trying to help 6-year-olds make sense of what was going on. may i never have to do that again.

But, as we all know there were many many people who didn't make it out alive. A grad school classmates father-in-law to be didn't make it. Many heroes didn't make it. Many are still losing their lives because of it.

i haven't forgotten. i remember 9/11 every time i board a plane. i don't grumble or complain about taking off my shoes or standing in the body scanner. i remember and i pray.

Dear Blog,

2011-09-01T19:26:00.003+10:00

I am so sorry for neglecting you. I have much to write on you, but your friend Jet Lag has its hold on me. Please tell your friend it has overstayed its welcome.

Your owner

Happy Liberation Day, Guam!

2011-07-21T13:30:00.002+10:00

It's a Thursday and I'm off. Today Guam celebrates "Liberation" Day. Many moons ago (67 years), the American forces liberated Guam from the Japanese forces on July 21st. Every year, we celebrate it.

When my grandma was alive, she used to tell us stories about life during the war. Some of her stories are recounted in a book, "An Island in Agony" by Tony Palomo. She told of nearly being raped and killed, of hiding in someone's house, of sadness, of asking the American soldiers for much needed supplies because no one else had the courage or the gumption to do so. Both of my grandparents and their families were some of the fortunate ones who weren't beaten and sent to camps. For that I am grateful or we would not be here today.

So, while others are out at the carnival or standing by the parade route watching the floats go by, I sit at home and remember the memories of my grandparents and all they did to stay alive.

bad bad blogger

2011-07-17T18:46:00.004+10:00

Has it really been a MONTH since I blogged?!?!?! I've been a busy bee since I got back from North Carolina and Rhode Island. Shortly after I came home, Auntie Margaret moved lock, stock and barrel back home. Surely a godsend for me. I haven't had to worry about dinner, laundry and cleaning the house since she's been home. And, since she doesn't like going out, I have peace of mind that someone is home with my mom when I go out.

In the midst of it all, my high school class celebrated its 20th year reunion. Surely I'm not old enough for that?!?!?
The four of us try to get together often...well, as often as all our schedules will allow. AnnaLiza (the one standing next to me) told us she wasn't going to be there. We were so surprised when she walked in and so many people knew she was coming, but kept it a secret. One of those people was my cousin Maria. Awesome surprise! Kristin (the one in yellow) tried to back out, but I had the foresight months ago to make her promise to go. Last, but not least, there's Lois. We reconnected eight years ago when her daughter was in my first grade class.
A few classmates...my cousin Maria is third from the left.

A group photo. I think there were about 30 of us there that night. It was fun! Something I wasn't expecting!

There's something about being busy that zaps the mojo out of me. But, I have managed to scrap three layouts the last three weekends. I used pictures from my trip East. I have a few pictures from Independence Day, but haven't scrapped them. Doesn't help that I was sick that day so there weren't a lot.

Supplies: Studio Calico June "Paper Moon" kit and add ons; circle background from Cricut Designer's Calendar; journal lines stamp from an old Studio Calico kit; Jenni Bowlin ink.
This is my friend Meagan. We met in college in Seattle. I try to see her when I'm in her neck of the woods...which isn't often. Lucky for me, Plymouth, MA was only an hour drive to Providence, RI! We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

Supplies: Studio Calico June "Paper Moon" kit and add ons; WRMK Sew Easy; DMC floss; Jenni Bowlin ink.
I hit the fitness center in the hotel in Providence once during my stay. Ugh. The mirror is SO unforgiving, but it was also the push I needed to get back into healthier living. Guess that's why my alarm is set for 4:45 am!

Supplies: Studio Calico July "Mind the Gap" kit and add-ons and Ampersand stamp from an old kit; American Crafts white zing; versamark ink; jenni bowlin ink.
I took these pictures of the view outside my window in Providence. Such a difference between night and day.

Gotta get going here. 4:45am comes fast! My boss leaves tomorrow morning so I'm in charge. Sigh..... At least it's a four-day week. We get Thursday off for a local holiday.

NOTE TO SELF...on the road

2011-06-15T09:32:00.002+10:00

When I started working for Guam CEDDERS, I learned what "on the road" meant. In our organization, "on the road" means traveling. Never mind what I thought it meant! *smirk* I also learned that if you get sent to one place, chances are another conference or training will be found for you to attend since you're already "on the road."

So last week... I was in Chapel Hill, North Carolina for a 3-day training on early childhood environmental rating scales. I saw the airport, my hotel, Meadowmont Village, two preschools, Southpoint Mall and a lot of road. There wasn't much to see and no time for a tour.

This week I'm in Providence, Rhode Island for the National Association for the Education of Young Children conference. Lucky me, there's a mall next door to the convention center!

I've discovered a few things about being "on the road":
1. When packing the camera, remember to pack the extra battery AND the battery charger especially when you bring the battery-zapping Pivi Printer along. I found a back up battery charger at Wolf Camera but I wasn't going to spend $40.

2. Bring shoes you KNOW won't hurt your feet five minutes after you walk down the block. I brought a pair of shoes I've only worn twice and haven't broken them in. Luckily, Dansko had a booth in the exhibition hall and I bought a pair of shoes 20% off. They're not cute, but they're comfy!

3. Check the weather for ALL the places you're going and pack accordingly. I tried to pack clothes that I could wear to both the training and the conference. I wasn't worried about doing laundry since the hotel I stayed at in NC had guest laundry. It was HOT in NC and cooler in RI. I was NOT prepared for the cooler weather.

4. Pack shorts and a t-shirt for in-the-room down time. Nothing like having to put on the PJs to lounge in the room.

5. Pack one casual outfit. Nothing like walking in the heat in NC wearing dress pants and a blouse.

6. If you plan to scrapbook on the road and you bring your tiny attacher, make sure you pack some refills. It's not enough to buy the refills...you actually have to bring them.

7. Even if your computer bag can turn into a backpack, when you travel across the continental US, a rolling luggage thingy may be more suitable for lugging the computer and its accoutrements around. My arms have gone numb from the weight of my computer bag and carry on.

8. If traveling for work, pack a mini office with paper clips, tape, post its, highlighters, pencils, and pens. I usually have post its and pencils and didn't have any this time.

9. Examine your itinerary carefully. I knew about the overnight stay in Honolulu on the way home, but I sure didn't know about the stop in Philly on the way to Providence. Surprise!

10. Bring a light jacket just in case. I'm sure I look lovely walking around in dress pants, a blouse and my thin old navy sweatshirt which I just realized said "sleeping" on the tag. sigh....

catching up

2011-05-30T20:53:00.003+10:00

i didn't get to create any layouts this week. hate to sound like a broken record, but...i have been super busy. spent another saturday working most of the day. went to Mass and dinner. took a short nap and headed to the airport. my uncle decided to spend his two-week vacation here. alone. nice. i actually like it when he's here...i get a live-in mommy sitter. we get along great. his family gets a break from him and we get all the good, bad and ugly that he doesn't email about. my mom loves it when her brother is here because he buys all the crap food i won't buy. and it's a nice change of pace to seeing only her sisters. plus, underneath all the gruffness lies a big ol' softie. all bark. no bite. i actually leave for north carolina a few days before he leaves for home. that's what happens when he decides at the last minute to get on the plane and come this way. gotta love non-rev flights. so i get to actually see all the friends i've been neglecting this week. i know they still love me. and are just a bit jealous that my job makes me travel.

we did the family barbecue last night. i was busy getting chicken marinated and red rice made while sneaking in a much needed nap that i didn't have time to be emotional over the fact that yesterday was my grandmother's 11th death anniversary. not that i don't think of her often. because i do.

i worked this afternoon so having the bbq today would have not been a good idea. it actually worked out because my uncle took my mom and me to dinner tonight and that wouldn't have happened if we had a massively huge lunch! then I got free green tea ice cream at cold stone from my cousin zach. sweet!

this week will continue to be busy while we try to put this public health grant to bed. come hell or high water, it will be finished before i leave work on monday afternoon. never mind that my boss upped the ante on high levels of stress by going to a meeting in hawaii for the next three days. her boss said, jump. she had to say, how high? i said, oh geez. but my boss was nice enough to call from another work trip to break the news to me first-hand. how many bosses give their minions a heads up??

i'm actually looking forward to going to work tomorrow. all this crap food at home ain't helping the tight pants. can we say, hello, salads??

hope your memorial day was a good one.

i didn't forget

2011-05-21T14:49:00.003+10:00

it's been so long since i've scrapped an actual layout. i was scared that i somehow forgot how to.

i didn't forget.

whew! (insert round of applause here)

i did make a mini album of our easter celebration (but, i'm too lazy to take pictures of that one). i also made a mini album all set to go for my upcoming trips using ali edwards' scrapbook on the road class.

a weekend where i'm not working and don't plan to work. the work computer will stay in its bag. it irked me to get feedback on a grant i'm working on yesterday. on my day off. especially since i've been asking for feedback the last two weeks. someone asked for something else on thursday night. it can wait until monday. or tuesday. seriously, these people have been making life hard for us in our office. they don't jump through hoops for us. i'm not going to take up acrobatics for them. unless it's my boss asking for something this weekend, i'm OFF. rant over.

i had a point here... oh. em. gee. i digressed.

i scrapped two layouts today. in the process of shifting through papers, i found a layout i did last month (i think it was last month). i know it was before easter. a bunch of us were recommissioned as lay ministers. i received a lector cross that night.

supplies: studio calico "singing in the rain" kit and add-ons; wrmk sew easy; epiphany button 20 tool; and fiskars butterfly punch.

last sunday nathan graduated from 8th grade.

supplies: studio calico "lawn party" kit and add-ons and scrap goods lagoon embossing powder.

on tuesday, vittoria was confirmed. she's growing too fast. i feel so emotional about it and she's not even my daughter. i almost shed a flood of tears while we were taking pictures and she said, "wait! one with auntie vera."

supplies: studio calico "lawn party" kit & add-ons and label stamps; tim holtz tiny attacher; and jenni bowlin ink.

i think i need to order some more instax film for my fujifilm pivi printer.

it was right for me

2011-05-20T20:55:00.004+10:00

in the last 2 weeks, i worked 15 hours over time. i've tried all week to take some time off, to no avail. but, i did take today off. still have 6 hours burning a hole in my pocket with little chance of using it before i lose it.

i took my time getting ready for the day. when i have time off, i tell no one. i still get ready as if i'm going in to work. i stopped by a local coffee shop and had a frozen soy coffee toffee and a blueberry bagel. then i headed for the GATE (gifted and talented) theater. today was the 5th grade promotional ceremony for the class i left in november. i ran into my cousin lisa and her family. her daughter was being promoted.

lots of kids saw me as i walked in and i heard a lot of, "ms. blaz!"

that was nice.

so much for sneaking in at the last second.

as i sat there, i started to picture myself on stage with my former co-workers. you know what?

i didn't fit into that picture any more.

i couldn't see myself flitting to and fro on that stage making sure everything would go smoothly. i couldn't see myself standing in the wings waiting for the ceremony to begin. i couldn't see myself prepping for the event beforehand. if i had any doubts in the last 6 months, the doubts surely weren't there today.

i was okay with that.

but, i still couldn't stop my eyes from tearing up when two of them gave their speeches (and wasn't surprised at the two who did), when each of my former students was called to receive their certificates. i couldn't stop the tears from forming as they sang their song.

oh, how i worried about how they would do without me.

they did just fine and i'm okay with that.

emotions cast aside...

it was right for me...

to follow a dream to make a difference in an another way.

they're okay with that.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T20:29:00.003+10:00

It's been a busy few weeks. I can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, but oh is that light flickering!

In the last week alone, I have accumulated 9.5 hours of flex time. Two major projects are out of the way with two more to go. One happens this week and the other MUST be completed by June 8th at the latest. Well, my part must be done by 5:59am on June 7th.

I'll be on a plane heading eastward by 6:00am June 7th. It's not a pleasure trip.

It's two back-to-back work trips. And my boss jokingly told me I'd be gone 3 weeks. Hello?? I don't think so.

Today was all about catching up on laundry, picking up lunch (after working 6.5 hours yesterday starting at 7:00am I had no energy to slave in the kitchen even for my mom) and catching up with the family. Thankfully I had the foresight to shop ahead and had a gift for my mom all ready to go.

This woman...

...brought me into the world thirty something years ago not knowing what the heck it all meant. I thank GOD for her everyday...even when she purposely annoys me! *wink* I love her!!!

Another short weekend

2011-04-10T11:46:00.003+10:00

Three weeks in a row...these short weekends. I think I have the equivalent of two full days off. Now to figure out when to use it. Not so easy when things are busy around the office. I'm not complaining, though. It's nice to be able to take time off during the week, still get paid and not have to use my leave.

Found some time to do a little creating today. I signed up for Kelly Purkey's sketchbook 3 class. I love those sketches and the examples that come with them. I love that this time KP included card sketches!

Sketch 1

Sketch 2

Sketch 3

Going to Allie's sweet 16 at her mom's house. She and her sister get twice the celebrating...one with her dad's family (that would be mine) and one with her mom's family. I'm Switzerland and I do both. Looking forward to that nice quiet drive down south.

making memories

2011-04-03T20:51:00.003+10:00

a picture of a pair of bowling shoes. what's wrong with this picture?? it definitely isn't something you'd see on my feet very often.

there's a story...

last night uncle lloyd, auntie patty, my mom and i took three of mark's five kids to dinner. on the way home, we were discussing possible places to have brunch today. the occasion? celebrating allie's 16th birthday. her birthday is actually tomorrow, but making plans with everyone's schedule in mind on a weekday isn't so easy.

allie didn't want to call and make reservations so i told her to find the number on my blackberry and dial. allie is one of those kids who won't go into the store by herself or ask a stranger something. forget about making a phone call to make reservations. the car was so quiet, you could have probably heard a pin drop when they heard the phone ringing through the speakers in the car. it was their first time riding in the new wheels.

fast forward to today.

the owner of those legs shall remain nameless, but trust me when i say they aren't my legs!

our buffet brunch came with a free game of bowling. at first, only 8 of the 11 of us were going to bowl. we ended up with 9 out of 11. even 3-year-old lucian got into the game! he had the doohickey thing for rolling the ball off...i don't know what it's called...until someone else took it a few lanes down. he got a kick out of rolling the ball down the lane.

we laughed like we have never laughed and had so much fun!! uncle lloyd, auntie patty and auntie binkie were the most hilarious! i won't post those pictures, but we definitely made some new memories today.

bowling with my family isn't something that i ever thought would happen, especially the older folks. i know the kids were happy that the older folks participated...i know i missed some shots because we were laughing so hard.

it is amazing how quiet, unassuming allie got everyone so excited about hitting a bunch of pins with a ball.

happy 16th birthday, allie boo! my little peter pan is growing up!

Short Weekend

2011-03-27T21:24:00.003+10:00

This weekend flew by FAST! I spent most of yesterday at a Special Education Parent Conference. I was just supposed to "check it out." BUT...I ended up staying a few hours. I met up with some friends and we got to see "Just Go With It." I had already seen it two weeks ago, but forgot... it's okay, though, because it was so hilarious that I had my abs working out! win-win.

I woke up feeling yucky...sniffles and a scratchy throat. Sigh... I can't get sick. I can't get sick. I can't get sick. Have to finish writing a progress report for a grant.

I did get to scrap today!

Supplies: Studio Calico "Into the Woods" kit and add-ons and the fabulous Mister's Huey's classic white; Stampin' Up brown ink; Martha Stewart Monarch butterfly border punch; and Marcy Uchida scallop punch.

I got a gift certificate for Christmas for a 50-minute aromatherapy massage from Lucas and Jacob. I finally got to to use it last weekend. BLISS!

Supplies: Studio Calico "Into the Woods" kit and add-ons; baker's twine.

I used the 3/20 Sunday Sketch for inspiration. I picked up my new 2011 Toyota 4Runner on Wednesday! With everything going on in Japan, I was afraid that come summer time, the prices of vehicles made in Japan might skyrocket. It's a few months earlier than I had planned, but it all works out. My boss calls it the red demon. Hee hee

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Seems like all I do is catch up!

2011-03-21T20:46:00.004+10:00

It was a good mail week for me! Not only did my March Studio Calico kit come, but so did my Fuji instax pivi printer!! I was so afraid that the earthquake/tsunami aftermath would detour it somewhere else. I've already taken it on a test run. It came with batteries and an A/C power cord. Score! The only bummer is that my blackberry runs bluetooth not infrared technology. I used those test pictures on this layout:

I scored on a sale at Macy's...on coffee for my Keurig and a carousel for the k-cups. I got suckered into getting a Macy's card so I got sale price plus 35% off. Not bad...

This week will be busy. Have to do updates to a progress report for one of the grants I'm under. Fun stuff! Hee! Now to get rid of this stomach ache so I can sleep...karma coming to bite me back for eating vanilla bean ice cream from Marble Slab Creamery and Ruth's red velvet cake. Sigh... that' s what I get for giving up sweets then eating it anyway today. First slip up of the Lenten Season... it won't happen again!

Creating

2011-03-13T10:42:00.005+10:00

In all the busy-ness of last weekend and the past week, I forgot to share my layouts! Time to remedy that oversight.

Supplies: Studio Calico Candy Shoppe kit and add-ons;, WRMK sew easy tools, and DMC floss.

I took the picture in this layout using the elevator doors on our floor. That's one of two pictures of me in DC. No time for sightseeing or picture taking. Sigh...the life of a "business" traveler. I *think* my next trip is in May to Hawaii and North Carolina in June. Not too sure yet.

Supplies: Studio Calico Candy Shoppe kit and add-ons, Fiskars L and XL punches, and Martha Stewart border punch.

This layout... I had the picture clipped to my 7Gypsies receipt holder for the better part of a year. The three boys with John...shortly after the shot, he was harassing the boys so it was like being with 4 little boys instead of three. My inspiration for this layout came from Susan Weinroth from the Studio Calico design team. Thanks for the inspo, Susan!

Totally random aside...

I finally pressed buy it now on this printer. It's shipping from Japan. I first heard about it on Amy Tan's blog. It was either the printer or an the instax mini 50s.

Thankful Thought 001

2011-03-11T22:03:00.002+10:00

In light of today's devastating earthquake in Japan, my yucky week pales in comparison. I won't go into the details of it since in the grand scheme of things, the one thing that clouded my week was really one of those small things. I allowed one negative thing in a host of positive things to bring me down.

That's something I'm forever working on.

Ali Edwards just posted about Thankful Thoughts. I've already used her freebie overlays for today's post!

So, instead of seeing my glass as half-empty, I'm going to count all the full glasses I've had this week.

Most of the participants in Tuesday's training (my very first to facilitate with my colleague) were satisfied with the events of the day.
I had a fabulous time at Fr. Leo's Marriott event on Tuesday night.
My mom turned another year older.
I was surprised to find out Fr. Leo would be our guest homilist at our Ash Wednesday Mass...and felt so very blessed to have been in the midst of his presence.
The people I'm accompanying to World Youth Day Madrid are really awesome young men and women...this past week has proven that we can work together.
We were blessed to have had dinner with Fr. Leo potluck style at Deacon Louis and Cynthia's house.
We're all safe and sound on higher ground while waiting out the tsunami warning and praying for our neighbors in Japan.

Feelin' like a little PB&J

2011-03-06T20:09:00.006+10:00

PB&J.

Peanut butter and jelly, right? At least that's what comes to mind when I hear PB&J.

Today was the start of 3 days of events with Fr. Leo Patalinghug. Father who? His last name is quite the mouthful. He's been on EWTN. He's even been on the Food Network! Bobby Flay challenged him to a fajita throwdown and Fr. Leo won.

After missing connections and canceling yesterday's events, Fr. Leo hit a few home runs with me today. Here's where the PB&J comes in. I thought talking about PB&J was fitting for a cooking priest. But, PB&J doesn't mean that sugary sweet goodness I still enjoy eating.

PB&J means patience, balance and JOY. Simple enough, huh? While his talks today were geared towards younger adults and youth, I found myself nodding my head and having some A HA moments. All three have been missing in MY life lately in one form or another.

It's hard to have patience when I've been at work ALL DAY LONG and have been pulled in a million different directions. I don't want to have to deal with the bills, the mail and the messages on the answering machine the minute I walk in the door. My mom and auntie need to see a little more patience on my end.

Balance. I still teeter on the edge sometimes. In the course of one day, I could be working on 3 or 4 different things...that's an easy day. The harder days can have me juggling much more than that. I'm not complaining. I love my job. I love the challenges. But, at the end of those kinds of days, I don't have anything left in me to balance out the craziness. Hence, the turning left instead of going straight I talked about in my last post.

JOY. Jesus, Others, You. In that order. Wow! Seriously? I'm last?!?! The lack of JOY is my problem. I've been putting myself ahead of Jesus and others. Heck, that's why I have a lack of patience and balance. *smacks forehead*

All this...and more...I learned today. In hindsight, I can now see why the possibilities I looked forward to at the beginning of 2011 have fallen by the wayside. So, really, my choice of this Lenten season to begin anew with working out, eating better and making my way toward those elusive possibilities was a good choice. It's fitting for the subject of month 3 in Ali Edwards' One Little Word class at Big Picture Classes.

It's all coming together. I needed a short Filipino priest with wicked break dancing skills and amazing tae kwon do moves to fly across the country to get me to OPEN my eyes.

PB&J...do YOU have it?

I can't wait till Tuesday! Fr. Leo's doing a cooking demonstration!

Feeling very unmotivated

2011-03-02T15:39:00.002+10:00

It really is tough to get back in the saddle when you haven't done something in a while. For me, a while can be as short as two weeks. I haven't been motivated to go to the gym and work out.

There.

I said it.

At 5:00pm, I would much rather turn left at the traffic light than head straight and go home. One might suggest earlier rising. Not a very good for an insomniac like me. Getting a good night's rest is catch as catch can for me. Melatonin is my friend, but even it lets me down sometimes.

I'm fully recovered from the jet lag of traveling so there's no risk of me toppling over while doing a capoeira maneuver or pulling a muscle lifting 20 lbs. of bar bell. No risk at all. So I'm thinking, I'm not feeling the Body Combat or the Body Pump. When you do something for so long (over a year), even when they change up the moves every few months, it gets to be a tedious task.

At the same time, the motivation to eat better hasn't quite made the cut either. I know I need to take control. I need to own it. I need... I need... I need... Gosh, I sound selfish.

Next week Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. Like the cradle Catholic that I am, I plan on sacrificing...putting the kibosh some self-indulgent behaviors during Lent. It's 40 days. I can do 40 days. I just need to set some goals. In those goals will have to be some removal of certain things and adding in other certain things. Guess I better start eating those eleventeen million gazillion jelly belly jelly beans I bought, huh?!?!? Kidding. I'll save that for Easter Sunday!

Maybe I should crack open that Jillian Michaels wii thing I bought while in DC...

back in the groove

2011-02-27T20:00:00.004+10:00

It took a week to finally feel human. Next time, I'm stopping in Hawaii for a day! I started putting together a mini album of my trip. Most of the pictures are of food. LOL I'm using the book I got from Amy Tan's first online workshop. I've been saving it for something special. I'll have pics of that next time.

I got to break into my February Studio Calico kits.
supplies: Studio Calico Candy Shoppe kit and add-ons, Jett alpha set, Mister Huey's sunshine; Jenni Bowlin ink in lemon drops, spice tin and soap powder; WRMK sew easy tools; DMC floss; and Martha Stewart butterfly border punch.

This is my friend John. I've known him since 1990...that's a LONG time! The last time we saw each other, I was in grad school and he was living in Hawaii. Luckily, I spent Christmas 2001 in Hawaii with my mom and Auntie Margaret. I got to see him often since we stayed at Ala Moana Hotel and he worked at Ala Moana Shopping Center. He told his co-workers I was his ex-girlfriend. I could never understand that since he plays for the other team, but whatever made him happy. That was the last time I saw him.

John was the first person I wanted to tell that I was going to be in Washington, D.C. He lives in Virginia and works in the D.C. area. Lucky me! I saw him the day I got into D.C. and one more time before I left. It was great fun and so heartwarming to know that we could just pick up right where we left off as if all this time hadn't passed by.

back on the rock

2011-02-21T18:55:00.002+10:00

It was a whirlwind trip. I swear the jet lag left me right when I was about ready to leave. I ended up not taking the DSLR with me...and good thing because it would not have seen the light of day. I saw the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial from the cab on the way into and out of the city and the White House on our way to dinner one night. There was no time to play tourist!

I did get to see my friend John. We had dinner twice while I was there. It was so good seeing him! It's been nine years since we last saw each other. I have a feeling I'll be back in the nation's capitol again before the year is out so I'll definitely get to see him again!

I brought my heavy lined trench coat and wore it TWICE! What a waste of suitcase space! It was not that cold for me. Besides, I was decked out in long sleeved layers and thick sweaters. It got progressively warmer as the week went on. On Thursday, it was 72 degrees. It was amazing!

It was definitely an experience sharing a room with my boss. We had adjoining rooms with the ladies from public health so it was like a slumber party every night. I think I lucked out in the work department this trip. I was forewarned that my boss works ALL the time, even on trips. She was sick the first few days so I got off easy. Whew! She made sure I ate and got coffee, shopped for the million nieces and nephews, called my mom a few times and slept enough.

It was even more of an experience sharing the room on the last night with the big boss as well. She insisted we go wherever I wanted for dinner my last night there. That was awesome! She even pretended to be my aunt when calling the airlines to see if my waitlisted seats for first class were confirmed. Ulterior motive there...the two bosses had some baggage they wanted me to bring back. It was all good, though.

My body seems to think it's still on eastern time. I was dragging all day. I'll be like this all week, I suspect. Good thing the bosses are still in Atlanta. The frenzied pace we call work won't re-commence till next week.

T minus 7 hours

2011-02-10T22:53:00.002+10:00

In about 7 hours or so, I will be on a plane eastbound. It is my first work trip. I have packed and re-packed countless times--taken out things, put other things in, taken out something else and replaced what I originally took out. Right now, I'm waffling on bringing my DSLR vs. the little point and shoot. The thing is, I hate my point and shoot cam. Plus, I am bringing my work computer and what amounts to almost a ream of paper (documents I my boss asked me to bring). Sigh... I have five hours to decide about the camera and just about all that time to pray that my checked baggage comes in under 50 pounds.

It was never this hard packing for a vacation. It doesn't help matters that my clothing consists of bulky sweaters, pants, socks, two pairs of winter-ish shoes, my running shoes plus my heavy lined coat. I would just bring one pair of shoes, but I really truly hate walking around with wet feet...and I'll probably become catatonic with wet feet, soggy socks and squishy shoes.

I'll be sharing a room with my boss who really seems to operate on little sleep. That will be an experience in itself.

Definitely a new experience for me... I hope I don't turn into an ice cube! It's been a while since I've been through winter.........

catching up, right now and moving on

2011-01-30T13:33:00.004+10:00

The catching up part...

I made these layouts two weeks ago. Two weeks ago. SIGH Life got busy and I forgot to upload.

This layout...I borrowed these pictures from a friend's Facebook page. Since she tagged me, it was fair game. The pictures were from CES' Christmas party...the family I left to move on to greener pastures.
Supplies: Studio Calico Metropolitan kit & add-ons, smile stamp, Mister Huey's in schoolhouse, applejack and calico white; Martha Stewart double loops border punch; EK Success real estate sign punch; Crafter's Workshop cosmic bubble template; and versamark ink . There's that coveted SC notes stamp!

This next layout I did with the picture I took on Christmas Eve. Gotta love that camera remote. The tips and techniques that I learned Karen Russell's Photographer's Workshop last year really paid off here.
Supplies: Studio Calico Metropolitan kit & add-ons and Mister Huey's in applejack; Martha Stewart starburst punch; and EK Success large circle border punch.

The right now part...
In the last two days, I have scrapped two layouts. One of them took a LONG time, but I had fun doing it. I did them for the Studio Calico CHA challenges.

This first one, I channeled my inner KP for Steph's style swap challenge as well as Sasha's February DT gallery lift.
Supplies: Studio Calico Who's Who kit & add-ons and photo label stamps; EK Success photo label punch; Marvy Uchida scallop circle punch; Cricut Expression, Gypsy and Mini Monograms cartridge; DMC floss; and JBS ink in lemon drops and spice tin.

This next one...took a LONG time. All that stitching, but once I started I couldn't stop! This one was for Kimberly's stitch on a photograph challenge.
Supplies: Studio Calico Who's Who kit & add ons, woodgrain, pinked circle and tweets stamps; Martha Stewart double loops and large monarch butterfly punches; Fiskars L and XL cloud punches; DMC floss; JBS ink in lemon drops; Stampin' Up ink in brown.

As for Move More, Eat Less... I'm starting to get it, in the "why nothing's happening" department. I ate better most days, but only made it to the gym 2 days. I was attempting another day on Wednesday, but a co-worker was having a medical emergency and I couldn't leave her behind. Today marks the beginning of another week. I'll try to do much better.

The moving on part...

Last June, Auntie Margaret bought a new car...2010 Toyota RAV 4. I joke that I own the engine of the car so that if anyone thinks they want to borrow it, they can only if they can figure out how to drive the car WITHOUT the engine. Total deterrent to borrowing. Yes, I'm really the boss in this house, NOT Auntie Margaret. Since August, I've been switching cars every other day. Sometimes it's hard to remember which car I drove last. The Cooper-Nerds (not their real last name, but that's what we call them) haven't had a reliable car since...well, since they bought their brand new Land Rover Freelander in 2002. Total lemon since they bought it. Two kids later, everyone worries when they're on the road.

Now, I've always been one to start window shopping for my next car right after I buy the current one. I always need to know the new makes and models...it may come in handy one day if I'm ever an eyewitness. That's my excuse.

When the 2010 Toyota 4Runners rolled out last year, I fell in love. Not many people like it, but I do. But, that's not why I'm saying good bye to my 2007 baby. Suffice it to say, I'm really a softie on the inside. I feel sorry for my "sister" having to coax her Freelander to life day in, day out and having to borrow someone else's car when said Freelander decides it needs a terribly long nap at the most inopportune times. I'd feel so much better knowing that my baby will keep them safe, get them to work and school on time and maybe let other people take a ride with them every once in a while. The boys are so excited. They love sitting in the third row and have already made deals with their parents to only ride back there on weekends. And, hey, now my mom and I can take a ride with them and not the other way around.
For now, I'll drive the RAV4. We'll see how long I last in that itty bitty car. Auntie Margaret won't be home for good till July. By then, I will have already placed my order on a 2011 4Runner in salsa red pearl or black.

Someone's holding my money hostage

2011-01-26T15:44:00.004+10:00

I really really really shouldn't be surprised.

Seriously. Shouldn't. Be. Surprised.

It's a classic left-hand-doesn't-know-what-right-hand-is-doing kind of thing. When I resigned from my job with the Department of Education in November, I knew I had money coming to me. I did, after all, work till the end of one pay period. BUT, I also knew I had summer pay coming to me. I opted for the 12-month pay period thing. I've been calling payroll since before December 10 because I knew checks would be coming out that day. I called the week after. The week after that. Gave them some leeway to party during Christmas. More leeway to party before New Year. Called after New Year's.

Sigh. {Bet that was heard in Alaska}

Today I call about my W-2 and ask about my last check yet again. I think I finally spoke to someone with a BRAIN. Yup, my check has been sitting there...dated.... guess?

December 10, 2010.

I'll pick it up tomorrow. I'm so ready to rip someone a new one three ways to Sunday. That is MY money. I worked for it. Someone shouldn't have been giving me the run around. So much for getting names. Empty promises. I tell ya... I am pissed.

Sigh. {Seriously, that was heard in Africa}

Probably a good thing I no longer work for them??

MMEL Week 3

2011-01-24T10:26:00.002+10:00

My goal was to update once a week on Sunday on my quest to Move More and Eat Less. Short weekend for me having worked on Saturday. At any rate, I was embarrassed to write how my week went. In short, it was a terrible week for MMEL.

Exercise: 150 minutes total

I ate more and moved less this past week. Lots going on. I had the best of intentions to workout Tuesday through Thursday. I ended up having to work extra hours on Thursday so that foiled my plans to hit the gym.

Sunday...it was a day for EATING. Oh my!

So, today. I start again. The beauty of new days is a fresh start. I've already said no to a piece of birthday cake. It didn't look that great and was certainly NOT red velvet so I don't feel like I've deprived myself. See, I really CAN do this. I packed two snacks and my lunch for today. The tough part about bringing lunch from home is never knowing if someone else will be in the office with me at lunch time. I've never been alone in the office before...afraid of meeting ghosts. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet, grow a backbone and pack holy water as my weapon.

thoughtful thursday

2011-01-20T21:24:00.003+10:00

today's weather really made me long for my bed, comforter AND hand-tied fleece throw. it rained buckets intermittently all day. oddly, it would stop when i'd have to get out of my car to walk into the office. hmmm.... but, the rain must have been the reason why several people missed this afternoon's meeting. sigh... one day i'll get the hang of this meeting thing (let's hope it's sooner rather than later).

i got to pick up the boy named johnny (only *I* get to call him that). the best part? seeing an old friend as she picked up her son from the same class! maybe that wasn't the best part. maybe hearing that johnny told my friend her son liked to talk in class. no, that wasn't the best part. Seeing the big smile on johnny's face as he saw me was the best part. non-stop talk all the way home. he's one of those kids who asks questions and expects answers. maybe they're all like that...hmmmm....

just as we were rounding the bend up the road to my house, we have this conversation:

j: nini, did you give lucas back his car?

me: what car?

j: his race car.

me: the one i took away?

j:yeah. the racing car.

me: i gave that to him the last time you were here, remember?

j: oh yeah. he was naughty. that's why you took it away.

oh my.

the race car disaster happened weeks ago...december 30th, to be exact. and this little three-year-old has the memory of a computer. i call it a disaster since it resulted in a massively long tantrum that took quite a lot of people to diffuse. if the boys learned a lesson from that fiasco, it was to NEVER EVER play with your toys while one of the old ladies starts praying. even *I* know better than to try to escape when said praying occurs.

i had a point here... oh yeah... more like a note to self: tell johnny only the things i want him to remember and forget promising him something... he'll always remember.

on another note, i finally got the results of my latest blood draw...hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are back to normal. no more blasted iron pills. {let's party!}

MLK Day

2011-01-17T19:31:00.003+10:00

I took advantage of the fact that today was a holiday and slept in. It felt wonderful! I put a lot of clothes away, cleared off the top of my desk, folded my freshly washed winter clothes in preparation for next month's trip for work, talked to my cousin Maria on the phone and shredded a whole stack of paper.

I said I wouldn't beat myself up about the trash eating, so I won't. I ate everything I shouldn't have eaten. I will say that I did take smaller portions of the "bad" food. A plus, right? I was careful with what I ate for breakfast and lunch because I knew the will power would be close to non-existent at that party. Always happens.

The reason for this slight detour? I went to a baby shower for three of my friends...former co-workers who are all due next month. The count is at two girls and one surprise! Lots of hugs. Lots of "I miss yous." Hearing I looked refreshed. Lots of joking and laughing. Hearing that being in the lounge wasn't the same without me. Knowing that I am missed.

I miss them.

I miss the camaraderie. I miss the laughter. I miss the jokes, the stories, the anecdotes of the kids' antics. But, this new job is so what I need right now. I'm less stressed. Less moody. I love knowing that I am still a part of their "family." Knowing that, even though I more or less defected, they still love me and care about what's happening in my life.

For that, I'll always love them.

MMEL Week 2

2011-01-16T15:03:00.002+10:00

Still haven't found the lock I need for my mouth. But, I think the word I've been searching for is self-control. I did semi-well with the eating...till Thursday hit. I ended up at Wendy's for lunch. That in itself would have been okay if I had chosen a salad or one of the go-wraps. Nope. I went for the chicken sandwich kid's meal. Then, we hit Yogurtland. I did, however, skip my afternoon snack and ate a sandwich and salad for dinner.

I won't ruminate about the wedding reception we went to last night...where I paid $3 for valet parking after circling the parking lot and the parking garage and ending up leaving before we ate because not a table or chair was in sight for 4 of us to sit...or about how I wanted to vomit yesterday morning's breakfast at the sheer number of people milling about said reception...or about how we ended up at Tairyo Sushi and left $89 poorer (but oh what awesomely good sushi it was)...or about how I ate a scoop of perfect green tea ice cream at said dinner... we'll just move on.

I exercised 6 out of 7 days. {cheer}
Wii fit 30 minutes
Body Combat 100 minutes
treadmill 100 minutes

On Saturday, I did my 2nd ever 5k. If I wasn't so lazy, I would find the layout I did of my first 5k to check my time. I think it bordered on 1 hour. This 5k I finished in 51 minutes...that was just walking. One of these days I might feel brave enough to run some of it. Okay, I did run across the street when the light was changing at one intersection. The simple fact that I woke at 5-ish in the MORNING...before the sun woke up...should have counted for something in the move more department.

I've already blown the eating department today with lunch. We went out to celebrate Mark and Liz's 10th anniversary. I could have done without the 3 pieces of karaage chicken (they were bite-sized)and the bacon wrapped around the shrimp (3 of them). It wasn't ALL bad; just more than I should have. I will say that I brought home the other half of my lunch...the salmon part...for a meal on another day. So, I'll skip the snacks and pray I have some will power (aka self-control) at Obi's first birthday party this evening.

I'm not going to beat myself up about it.

Tomorrow is another day...

Gosh, darn it!

2011-01-09T18:02:00.005+10:00

I think I need a lock on my mouth or something. Here's the run down for the week:

I worked out 4 out of 7 days.
I wrote down everything I ate (yes, even the candy I ate during the last-minute Friday afternoon meeting).
I totally pigged out at dinner last night and paid for it this morning.

If I compare last week to the week before that one, I actually did better. I WENT to the gym. BUT... there's the but... I wasn't so great with the eating part. Here's to trying a little harder this week.

Moving on...

My first layout of the year! My word for 2011:

A canvas I did for the Studio Calico 1/3/11 challenge:

A close up:
Supplies: (for the layout and the canvas) Studio Calico Metropolitan, Park Bench, Busy Sidewalks and Mass Transit, SC stamps: weekday, months, butterflies, and coffee stain, Ultra Thick Emobssing Enamel (UTEE), JBS inks in cough syrup and spiced tin, punches: EK Success large circle border, real estate sign and star chain edger; Martha Stewart: double loops and classic butterfly and Claudine Helmuth Sable Brown paint.

The embossing ink was tinted PINK and it didn't vanish. OY! I could have done one more layer of UTEE, but I was tired.

Last, but definitely not least, a layout of our girls' plus one boy night out:

It's a New Year!

2011-01-04T07:53:00.002+10:00

A few days late posting my new year's greeting.

I'm taking part in Ali Edwards' One Little Word class with Big Picture Classes. I've been choosing a word every year since 2007. My words have been resolve, hope, embrace, and optimism. This year my word is possibilities. I've done a layout for it. It's already hanging on my wall opposite my bed. I'll post here later.

I'm also doing Cathy Zielske's Move More, Eat Less journal project. I know it's going to take a while to get back on track and writing things down will definitely help me stay honest. There's nothing like seeing IN BLACK AND WHITE the things I put in my body. Sigh...

Time to start working!

daily december 31

2010-12-31T21:40:00.002+10:00

what pearls of wisdom can i write on this the last day of 2010?? in approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes the new year will be here.

2010, while not all sunshine and roses, was a great year. it brought changes. changes that made life better.

i'm wishing and hoping that more positive changes come in 2011 and more possibilities abound.

may everyone be blessed this new year's eve.

see you in 2011!

Daily December 30

2010-12-31T01:53:00.001+10:00

Even though it's technically already the 31st, I don't care. I haven't been to sleep so it's still the 30th. had lots of fun at dinner tonight with Anna, Lois, Kristin and Will. more later...

Daily December 29

2010-12-29T21:38:00.002+10:00

busy day off! i...

slept in :)
paid some bills
put together the stand for the tv trays while i stretched my new shoes
waterproofed my boots
had lunch at benii for evelyn's farewell
stopped by kmart and walked out with only ONE bag
baked cookies and a sad looking mocha roll (that brief power outage messed me up)
went to the deacon's house and kicked back with some friends

jacob and lucas came by for a visit. jacob said, "nini, i haven't seen you in SO LONG!"

Seriously. I guess four days IS a long time to not see someone when you're only four years old. He sang. He danced. He made us laugh. "Ark the Arrow Angels Sin..." totally will never forget that!

Daily December 28

2010-12-28T20:16:00.003+10:00

I had a meeting this morning and everyone who was supposed to be there forgot. Sigh... still, it was a productive day. I have another one scheduled for Thursday and left instructions for my office tech to email and call those people. Let's hope she does it.

I went to the gym after work thinking I would be doing Body Combat. Nope. It was Body Pump and the class was full. I don't do crowded classes. So, I did the cycling class. I made it through 45 minutes before I started to feel nauseous. It was HOT in there. Plus, I haven't taken a cycling class in almost 2 years. I'll regret it tomorrow. Good thing I'm off.

Daily December 27

2010-12-27T19:08:00.002+10:00

Another schedule adjusted day! YAY! Did I spend it sleeping in?!?! NOPE. I brought my car in for service and got laughed at because I've only put 1,000 miles on my 4runner in the last 4 months. Had to tell the guy I drove another car as well.

I rode the shuttle home and we jumped in the other car to head to the Continental city ticket office. All for a PIN. Which we could have done online. Sigh.

Then we hit the grocery store. Only went in for chicken wings. Ended up with a cart full of stuff and $200+ poorer. At least I don't have to shop before the new year. Score 1.

I had an appointment at the foot clinic and then tried to shop at Ross. Big mistake. There's really nothing good left. Stopped by Ben Franklin Crafts and bought cool bags to put homemade goodies in. My best girls are getting homemade treats and coffee GCs. I'll do that on Wednesday.

Tomorrow is a work day. Gotta set that alarm.

Daily December 26

2010-12-26T18:34:00.003+10:00

Recovery mode. Sigh. Eating lots of good food sure catches up with you. I think I'm still in a food coma....

Still have to upload pictures from yesterday's family lunch and pictures to get from Uncle Tim. He had the foresight to bring his tripod. I forgot. Anyone with kids knows that none of them would have stood waiting for cameras to be swapped out of the tripod. I'm sure he has some good ones.

Daily December 25

2010-12-25T21:32:00.002+10:00

Merry CHRISTmas from my family to yours!

Daily December 24

2010-12-24T21:50:00.002+10:00

Merry Christmas Eve! I was one of those crazy ones who went shopping today. But, I wasn't shopping for Christmas gifts. In fact, I ran into a friend who was shopping for last-minute gifts. She took one look at my cart and figured out pretty quickly that I was doing run-of-the-mill shopping.

I had good parking karma...nice spot not too far from where I usually park in the Kmart lot.

I so-so pharmacy karma...there was one person in front of me, but my mom's prescription wasn't ready. My friend Jason wasn't at the checkout counter so I couldn't get the prescription done quickly.

I had good checkout karma...the person in front of me was wheeling his cart away when I pulled up.

Then I ventured to the grocery store. Found what I was looking for and then some. Why does that always happen!?!?!

I spent the rest of the morning prepping ingredients for tomorrow's stuffing and making baked sushi for our Christmas Eve dinner.

I got an unexpected gift today. Something I wasn't expecting. It made me feel like a total heel that I forgot and then remembered and promptly forgot again about making a card for someone. But, the words in the card... sigh. Grateful for those words. So grateful. And blessed.

Daily December 23

2010-12-23T09:08:00.003+10:00

Shhh....I'm at work. Lots of folks out with schedule adjustments. It's quiet and boring. The thing with getting ALL your work done by 5pm everyday is not having anything to do on slow days. The down side to being efficient. Sigh. Bring on 11:30am...we'll be partying. Then we get to go home!

Studio Calico is having a giveaway...but first we must blog our SC wishlists! What don't I have that's SC?!?!?

Clock, tweet and star rub ons
Jenni Bowlin Inks in chicken feed, soap powder, stick candy, chili powder and malted milk
Martha Stewart vintage doily punch
Fiskars Cloud punches in XL and LG
SC Natalee stamps
Tim Holtz non stick snips
January's Betty Crocker add on (It IS a wish list after all)

Daily December 22

2010-12-22T20:46:00.002+10:00

Flex day for me today. Got up later than normal...7am! Ha ha ha! Went shopping with the Cooper-Nerds and the mother unit. We bravely trekked to Ross and the Mall. Got some great deals at Ross and now I'm 99% done with shopping. There are some things I need to get but, I can get them AFTER Christmas since those gifts will be given on the 29th. A reprieve!

We tried to have lunch at Benii, but it was too full. We ended up at Aji Ichi. Then we came home and I started baking and wrapping work gifts. Haven't even thought about wrapping the kids' gifts. Sigh...

Daily December 21

2010-12-21T19:52:00.004+10:00

happy birthday to me! i didn't charge my blackberry last night. i didn't think i needed to...but i was wrong! i got a ton of facebook notifications for birthday wishes. i prayed nothing would happen between work and home as i drove. i should either put my charger in my bag everyday or buy another charger for my office.

having to work today wasn't so bad. i was in at new staff orientation for 2 hours and stayed another hour talking to a co-worker about ideas and things coming up in the new year. my co-worker cheryl was off today (schedule adjustment from all those crazy extra hours we worked), but she came in to turn in her SA form and have lunch with me!

i have 3 days of extra hours to use up...seriously. I'm off tomorrow and two days next week.

dinner was waiting when i got home and my mom, auntie binkie and i actually had dinner together. i usually eat alone.

a picture of me on the 16th anniversary of my 21st birthday... do the math!

Daily December 20

2010-12-20T21:39:00.002+10:00

Quick post tonight. Finally got that grant done and sent today. Picked up John Bryint from school. Interesting conversation... did you know you could get younger?!?!? Out of the mouths of babes! Came home to shower and change for CES's christmas party! Most of my favorite people were there. It was nice to sit down and break bread with them again and laugh and tell jokes. Oh, I miss them!

Daily December 19

2010-12-19T19:43:00.003+10:00

Today was a day for catching up. On today's list I had

laundry
picking up more Christmas gifts
buying a rotisserie chicken for lunch
writing Christmas cards
uploading pictures from the past week
putting together pages for my December Daily album
making some sort of box or bag for the office assistants' gifts
printing some pictures
making a layout or two

What did get done?

I did 3 loads of laundry and then it rained. Lucky for me, it didn't last long. The clothes are still hanging outside. The towels will have to wait...good thing we have a closet full of them.

I managed to cross off 10 more things off my list that appears on day 7. Still have several more to do...where to find the time!?!?!

I bought the chicken for lunch and ended up walking out of the store with a whole lot more.

I finally wrote out and addressed my Christmas cards. They'll get in the mail tomorrow.

I got the pictures from the last week uploaded. Sigh...so much to go through (and edit a few).

I got the office assistants' gifts all done! I used my trusty cricut expression and the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge and managed to use up a few sheets of old paper.

What didn't get done?

The December Daily stuff, the picture printing and the layouts.

Still, I consider the day to have been a productive one.

Maria and the boys came by. I made some cake mix cookies using red velvet cake mix, a stick of butter and two eggs. I got the recipe from my friend Teena. I have some left, but the bulk of it got wiped out in a matter of minutes. May have to try some other flavors.

This picture will appear on today's page of my December Daily.

Daily December 18

2010-12-18T20:37:00.002+10:00

Today was a busy day. Car wash from 8-12 followed by work from 1-3. In between, I managed to get lunch at Taco Bell and pay the power and water bills. Tomorrow I plant to SLEEP IN and catch up on my December album... oh yeah, and write those Christmas cards........

Daily December 17

2010-12-17T20:05:00.004+10:00

Working on the work MacBook. Easier to post from here since it's out and on. I. AM. WIPED. OUT. Three days of working AND Christmas programs. Sheesh! I have a ton of pictures to upload and go through some time in the distant future. Have SO MUCH going on... hoping that I don't have to appear in the office this weekend.

We had an emergency conference call this morning for this grant we've been writing. OY VEY. In the midst of it, my 9:00 appointment showed up! Double OY VEY. Talk about quickly switching gears and switching right back!

We got a bit of a reprieve during lunch. Our office tech, Tia, is moving to another house...still in the 'hood, but not a part of our house. Sniff. We had lunch at Benii...spider roll and tofu salad. I was in heaven.

Cheryl and I went across the street to the main university campus to check out some classrooms and the lecture hall for a fair we're doing in May 2011. Then we made a quick stop at the grocery store for banana split stuff....part of Tia's send off.

Then I headed to Jacob and Lucian's Christmas program. His class was 2nd to last... seriously!?!?! I should have brought my computer in so I could work before he appeared!

Daily December 16

2010-12-16T14:17:00.004+10:00

I find it ironic that I'm working on a grant that I will never ever qualify for. This grant will never benefit me or most of my family. But, it's part of the job...well, mostly.

It was one of those late nights last night. I thought the Bishop Christmas program would be short since it was only K-4th grades. I. WAS. WRONG. It ran 1 1/2 hours! I was starving by the time it ended. We ended up at KFC for dinner. Oh joy. I can still smell the oil on my beloved Coach purse. Since dinner was late, I was up LATE. So not a good combo for writing all day. I hope that tonight's 5-8 performance is shorter!

Daily December 15...Ode to "Home Alone"

2010-12-15T14:26:00.003+10:00

I'm sure you're familiar with the Home Alone movie series. Sometimes I feel like having a "Kevin moment." You know, the classic hands on face scream.

I took this in my office after another one of those meetings I attend. And, the simple fact that I'm blogging at 2:28pm tells you just how I'm feeling right now. Is it Friday yet?!?!? Because Friday means that all the MCH stuff will be OVER for us. DONE. Then I can learn all about my REAL job.

Daily December 14

2010-12-14T19:24:00.002+10:00

2nd Christmas card arrived today. Those Minnesotans are sure on the ball! Found some awesome pictures of our Minnesota family. Sure do miss them!

Spent the whole day writing and reading and writing... nothing exciting.

Daily December 13

2010-12-13T19:12:00.002+10:00

Got a surprise call this evening from my friend Rosita AKA Mama Sita. It was so good to hear her voice and talk with her. Once the madness and newness of this job has died done, we'll get together.

Spent the entire day in a meeting about last week's stakeholder's sessions. Now the writing begins!

daily december 12

2010-12-12T21:50:00.002+10:00

Just jotting down notes so that I can do a proper page later...

Took out the tree today and put it up. I wrenched my right arm getting the decorations out from the top of the closet. Ow!

Finished making the Christmas cards today! WOO HOO!!

The boys came and we lit the tree for the first time. Had dinner. They colored while I took a shower. We made ornaments and watched shows on Disney.

Daily December 11

2010-12-11T15:06:00.003+10:00

This little rascal had his school Christmas program this morning. As expected, there were crying toddlers, antsy three-year-olds, pre-schoolers and kindergartners. He was singing and dancing and following along...most of the time.

He was amazing.

At first we only saw his shoes. When the opening songs were done and the curtain opened up again, he was standing smack dab in the middle of the line...right in front of me. I forgot my zoom lens and had to make do with the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, but I did have my point and shoot so I used that to do video. Besides, they were moving to the beat of the music. It was hard to get a good shot! Those 3-year-olds are wiggly to begin with so the dancing made it that much harder.

I took some pictures of my December Daily pages and compiled them into one sheet using Jessica Sprague's inspired cards from her Inspiration Everywhere class.
1. Front Cover 2. Opening page (Ali Edwards) I might change the "31" to "25". 3. Manifesto (Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas 4. 12/1 picture 5. 12/1 story 6. 12/1 story continued 7. 12/2 opener (KI Memories sheer) 8. 12/2 story 9. 12/2 story continued left out 12/3 opener 10. 12/3 picture 11. 12/3 story 12. 12/3 story continued
1. 12/4 opener 2. 12/4 story 3. 12/4 pictures 4. 12/4 picture 5. 12/5 opener 6. 12/5 story 7. 12/6 opener {missed the 12/6 story) 8. 12/6 placeholder for my Christmas cards 9. 12/7 opener 10. 12/7 story...actually my Christmas lists
11. 12/8 opener 12. 12/8 story

I've done up to 12/10, but those pictures are on another template. I forgot AGAIN to take a picture of a layout I did....several weeks ago. It's still sitting on my table.

Daily December 10

2010-12-10T19:21:00.002+10:00

I've been getting these daily emails from Reverb 10. I thought today's prompt was considerably apropos to what has been happening in my life.

Prompt: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

Without sounding like a broken record, I believe that the wisest decision I made this year was to change jobs.

I love teaching. I enjoy seeing the faces of my students as they learn and process what they've learned. I love the little notes they would write to me. I love the little gifts I'd get every once in a while.

BUT...there's always a BUT.

I was starting to feel the burn out. I dreaded the alarms going off in the morning. I dreaded the ringing bell that signaled the start of the day, the end of recess and the end of lunch. I relished 1:55pm because it meant the day was almost over. These were not good things to be feeling as a teacher. Teaching was not something I wanted just to tolerate. I wanted to keep loving it.

Then, an opportunity landed at my feet. I've known about this job since the beginning of August. The job didn't actually get posted until mid-September. Even then, I dragged my feet filling out the application.

WHY?!?!?

I wanted to be sure that this was something I could do. Could I leave the classroom? Could I leave the friends I've grown close to the last 4.5 years? Could I, without guilt, leave my students?

So, I prayed. Auntie Patty prayed. My friend Rosita prayed. I found it very fitting that the day of my interview happened to be the day that the traveling statue of Our Lady of Fatima came to our church. I knelt in front of our Lady and asked for guidance. If the job was meant for me, to let it happen. If not, I would be satisfied with not getting it.

Then I waited.

I got the call on November 5, 2010 while John Bryint and Jacob were making their usual ruckus in the living room. I gave notice the following Monday that my last day would be November 19, leaving a few tears behind in the principal's office.

So, here I am two weeks into my new job. I still haven't figured out exactly what my job entails. I suspect it's a bit of everything and a lot of somethings. I've questioned whether I've made the right decision...out loud, too, with my boss Elaine within in ear shot. As she said, "this is for you. Your professional development.

She's right. This IS for me.

I say, it's about time.

Daily December 9

2010-12-09T19:10:00.002+10:00

First Christmas card of the season arrived today!

Worked at the office today. It felt like I hadn't been there for a LONG time. We got new chairs, but I have yet to sit in mine since I spent the afternoon in a meeting. We're getting ready for our last stakeholder's meeting tomorrow. Cannot wait till it's over...for now.

My friend Cheryl and I tried a new place for lunch today...Pochon Chicken. We had some good chicken wings!

Daily December 8

2010-12-08T12:16:00.002+10:00

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a local holiday for us. I had an appointment with my doctor. Perfect timing since I've been sick since last week and I've been thinking an ear infection is inevitable.

It sucks to be me right now. I do have an ear infection...in both ears. I'm also not slightly anemic as the nurse led me to believe three weeks ago when she called. I'm extremely anemic. If this had been 20 years ago, I would have been given a blood transfusion. Oh did that bring tears to my eyes! The thought of someone else's blood in my body skeeves me out. Instead, I walked out of the clinic with a prescription for Bactrim (for my ears) and iron pills which I have to take 3 times a day WITH orange juice for a month. I'm not a big fan of juice so this will be a stretch. Wondering if I heard any good news today?!?!? The rest of my lab work was awesome. I don't have high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or liver problems. Small consolation.

Daily December 7

2010-12-07T20:49:00.000+10:00

Saving my spot to come back to it later. Exhausted...

Daily December 6

2010-12-06T19:26:00.002+10:00

Daily December 5

2010-12-05T21:12:00.002+10:00

I started out the morning eating pumpkin crunch for breakfast...no judging. Got ready and went to Mass. I truly do prefer evening Mass. Came home to make lunch...honey soy chicken, brown rice and salad. Played around with pictures in photoshop for my DD album.

The picture for today will have to come later...it's nothing festive. Just a quiet afternoon at work (WORK?!?!?) getting ready for tomorrow's big meeting. I skipped dinner. Good thing we had popcorn.

I'm ready for bed...gotta get up EARLY.

Daily December 4

2010-12-04T21:23:00.004+10:00

It was a busy day! Quick run to the bank and Kmart. And when I say quick, I mean that I didn't browse like I usually do. I got the three things that were on my list and that's it. That might be a good thing, but I forgot to check on a few things (they weren't on the list). Sigh. I was asked to read at a funeral Mass. That was all good and well, but little did I know that other people were asked as well and my being there was redundant. So, I went home and did laundry. Fun.

I had my first taste of weekend working today. I spent a few hours making tables for Monday's meeting. We're not done...work again tomorrow afternoon. On the plus side, the extra hours we work during the weekends are hours I can take off during the week. Nice. I never got time off for doing stuff during the off-hours outside of the classroom.

After work, I went to my cousin Maria's house. She had invited some of her friends from work for dinner and dessert. I "made" sprite and a bag of ice. Hahaha There was more than enough food so I didn't feel bad. Plus, everyone knew I just came from work. I got a couple of pictures of the food...missed the dessert completely since it was on the other side of the room.

You can see the baked brie that Kebrina brought...yum! The salsa and pico de gallo are missing from the bowls. There was another plate of cheese and crackers, a pan of baked sushi, the mini quiches, chips and salsa and shrimp kelaguen (picture below), which deserved to shine on its own. Any Chamorro worth his or her salt knows how important the shrimp kelaguen is. I could have eaten the entire bowl!

So, what's in this bowl of ambrosia?!?!? Shrimp, lemon juice, hot peppers, green onions and coconut. I have some stashed in the fridge. Midnight snack?!?!

I've debated some on whether or not to include this next part into the DD album. Facebook really does have its merits. But, oh, what a way to find out about the death of a friend.

Photo credit: Fr. John Whitney, S.J., Search Retreat

Fr. Roger Gillis was one wonderful man. While I never took a class from him at Seattle University, I still consider him to a great professor. You see, instead of teaching me the finer points of Fine Arts, he taught me about life and living. He was instrumental in my involvement in Campus Ministry. I met him through the Search retreats sponsored by CM. It was to my great benefit that I went on my first Search Fall quarter of my freshman year. It gave me that much more time to spend with Uncle Rog. In many ways, I equate my growth in spirituality to Search and in turn to Uncle Rog. It was only recently, through Facebook, that I learned of Uncle Rog being sick with cancer. Then, today of all days, I learn of his passing.

He was truly an inspiration to all. I am blessed to have had him in my life. I know he's dancing in heaven as I write this. I also know he's looking out for me. Dance on, Uncle Rog! I'll miss you!

Daily December 3

2010-12-03T19:15:00.004+10:00

I wish I could say that I'm getting used to my job. It's never dull, I can say that much! I switched gears so many times today that I feel like I could win the Tour de France. I jest!

Being the new kid on the block, I can get away with not knowing everyone. We had lunch away from the office...at one of the hotels to celebrate a few birthdays and a promotion. On our way out of the restaurant, I cam across this:

and it became my picture of the day. This fireplace is the only kind of fireplace you'll find here. Then you go outside and it's sizzling hot. My co-worker mistakenly read an email from our boss so we worried about getting in "trouble" until I grabbed her phone. Turns out the boss needed to get INTO the office NOT us having to get back to the office. Good thing, too, because for some reason traffic was BAD at 1:30.

I spent the rest of the afternoon going cross-eyed, fixing grammar and punctuation on a report for my boss. OY!

Daily December 2

2010-12-02T18:39:00.002+10:00

I'm seriously going to try to blog about December. That way, if I forget something I'll have it on my blog. I have not even begun to think about decorating the house for Christmas! The office is already being decorated...office assistants rock!

My day started out in a frenzy. We had a conference call at 8am that I forgot about. Luckily, it's easy to drop into a conference call since the person on the other end doesn't know who came late! I did a lot more reading, some more research, more reading. Got info about the conference in February. Figured out how to do my time sheet (foreign to me). More reading. Lots of nose blowing...I need another box of tissue! I got my word ID and business cards. That sounds so grown up! I have business cards!

Came home just in time for dinner and a little visiting with Luke and Jake.

Happy December!

2010-12-01T18:53:00.007+10:00

Today marks the first day of December. Only 20 more days until my birthday and 24 until Christmas!

I met with my boss for a briefing on what I'm supposed to be doing at this new job. Do I know what I'm doing now? Not exactly. But, I have a clue. Overwhelmed would be an understatement here! I have my first work trip to look forward to in February and now I have an excuse to buy those faux Uggs from Nine West. I would be my luck that they sold out of my size! I also had a meeting at 1:30 that I found out about at...1:30! It was okay, though. I sat in on a meeting yesterday and so I had a bit of a clue of what was going on at this meeting. Afterwards, I researched public laws on the internet... uh yeah.

I came home to find my brand new stove in its place! It was supposed to be delivered yesterday, but they brought the wrong color. I told the salesperson I wanted the one with the black top. I realize now that the black topped one was stainless steel. She should have known that the black one was actually stainless steel. I kept telling her, "I want the black one, not the white one. The black one." Even after she made up the invoice, I asked again if it was the black one. She said yes. I was pretty clear, yes? Do you think she got that I wanted the black one!?!?!? Oy vey. They wrote on the new invoice that I asked for stainless steel. Uh, NOOOOO...I asked for black. It's not MY fault that they didn't make it clear there were only two colors--white and stainless steel. Anyway, meltdown averted.

November Currents

2010-11-20T13:41:00.002+10:00

listening to Glee Season 2 songs

eating nothing at the moment

drinking Iced Green Tea brewed in the Keurig

wearing T-shirt, shorts and flip flops

feeling a little bittersweet

weather is hot and sunny

wanting a shiatsu massage

needing to find a good planner/appointment book

thinking about the new job I'm starting in a week

enjoying this precious time off

wondering what exactly I'll be doing with my new job

The last time I did a list of currents, I had just applied for a new job while still working my old one. Yesterday was my last day as a fifth grade teacher. And, while I have been looking forward to this day for two weeks, it was still bittersweet.

I love teaching. I love seeing children's faces light up with learning. But, it was stressing me out. Elevated blood pressure, sleepless nights, stomach aches, headaches, nightmares (yes, really), mood swings. It's a wonder that I'm still standing and not held together by super glue and staples.

So, yesterday...I cried the last hour of school and half-way to my next destination. Yesterday was a day of endings and beginnings. I met some of my new co-workers, whom up until yesterday couldn't so much as whisper my name out loud.

A door closed, but a window is wide open...and I'm climbing through it. Here's to blessings!

Ready for December!

2010-11-14T14:23:00.004+10:00

Looking at the title of my post, you must be thinking I'm nuts. In some ways I am ready for this year to be over. Lots will be going on in December (aside from my birthday and Christmas) and I'm ready to document it!

I've put together a few December Daily albums already. I have 3...snippets of 2008 and 2009 are here on this blog. None of them are the same. I didn't blog back when I did my first one. Or if I did, I didn't take pictures of it! It is nice to look back and see how much the little ones have grown, how our family celebrations have stayed the same or have differed and what has been going on in my life in December of each year.

So, the title of my post actually has to do with the fact that my December Daily album for 2010 is ready to be filled.

The cover...I'm on this hand-stitching kick thanks to Amy Tan, Kinsey Wilson and Lisa Truesdell's tutorial on the Studio Calico blog.

Supplies: Heidi Swapp Invisibles Chipboard, Maya Mist (lime metallic), Studio Calico Mister Huey's (apple jack), Noah Alphabet and Months stamp sets, Harmonie patterned paper, Making Memories stick pins, tape and flower, DMC floss and Miss Cutie Pie tickets.

1Supplies for inside pages: patterned papers from my stash...includes Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey, and who knows what else, Miss Cutie Pie tickets, Ormulo printables and some other online downloads that I cannot locate at the moment. I used a combination of number stickers and number stamps (studio calico Noah) for the dates.

I still haven't decided how to bind it or if I want to the whole 31 days (as opposed to 25).

Catching up on scrapping

2010-11-08T20:17:00.004+10:00

Lots of things going on around here. I haven't scrapped as much as I would like to, but I have a few things to share.

This first layout I did under the eagle eyes of Lucas. Let me tell you, it was the first experience I have had with someone watching me scrap and asking questions every step of the way. But, I loved it!

The second layout I did for The Scrapping Spot's "Let's Celebrate" crop. The challenge was to do a layout celebrating today. I used an Ali Edwards stamp that I got in a CK kit of the month package ages ago. I hand-stitched over the stamped image. On a hand-stitching kick thanks to Kinsey Wilson and Amy Tan!

This last project was also for TSS's crop. The challenge was to make a banner. I made this one simple... :)

The one about recycling

2010-10-30T14:05:00.004+10:00

It's no secret that I am a coffee ~~junkie~~ ~~addict~~ drinker. I CANNOT survive the day without a cup of good caffeine. I often stop at the McDonald's Express at the Mobil station on the way to work. There are just days when the half-caf concoction I have going on at home doesn't cut the mustard when I need to be bright-eyed. I collect these cups like others collect Starbucks mugs. Just kidding. But, it seemed a waste to throw it away. So, like any ~~good~~ earth conscious teacher, I began to stack them up in my classroom. Then the wheels in my head started turning...it has to do something at 1am when I can't sleep.

This cup used to contain my Mc Cafe drink of choice...large iced hazelnut (cheaper than a latte at the coffee shop)...

I asked Lucas the other day if they were coming over on Halloween to trick or treat. It's a Sunday and school still happens the next day. Plus, they live far, far away. He said, "Nini, we always come here to trick or treat. Always."

Crud. Now, I had to go shopping for treats. I also knew I couldn't bring myself to just throw candy willy nilly into their bags. They always get souped up treat bags from me.

It became this...easy peasy when you don't get many, if any, trick or treaters on Halloween. We'll see Lucas and Jacob. If we're lucky, John will come by. Maybe this year Ethan and Lucian will come for candy.
Supplies:
Halloween Flashcards by Mia Caniza
Boo cards from Ali Edwards
Making Memories Halloween Journaling Die cuts (2008)
Maya Mist (tangerine and charcoal)
Studio Calico Mister Huey's (apple jack)
Cricut October 31st cartridge and the Cricut Expression
Around the Block label maker
Crop-a-dile
Eyelets

I printed the Boo cards on photo paper. That was a mistake. It felt like cardstock on the backside... grrrr. But, I have to say, it looks good! The pdf version has 6 on one sheet. I used spray adhesive on the back to stick them on the cups.

I misted the flashcards with Maya Mists in tangerine and charcoal and Mister Huey's in apple jack. I adhered the flashcards to the cups using my ATG. I die cut spiders from the October 31st cricut cartridge (free with my Scrapbook Trends Idea book subscription...okay, so maybe not totally free, but I like that publication). Now, some of the spiders are missing legs (my mat was too sticky), but none of the kids who will get these cups will sit down and count legs.

Each cup is personalized using the label maker. I punched holes and attached eyelets with my crop-a-dile. I made six for the littles.

Put some treats into it...still debating baking some Oreo brownies...the jury is still out on that decision.

If we get lucky with other ghouls disguised as kids, they'll get treats thrown into their bags.

The one about reunions

2010-10-24T15:10:00.003+10:00

Was it just last week that I went out to dinner with a bunch of classmates from high school?!?!? For some reason, it feels like it's been longer.

I took these pictures from my wall on Facebook. Gotta love those tags!
Supplies: Studio Calico "On the Easel" kit and add-ons (Water Color and En Plein Air), Studio Calico Mister Huey's Color Mists in sunshine, apple jack and classic calico.

These pictures came from Lucas' sixth birthday celebration. Is he really six?!?!? I did some stitching a la Amy Tangerine's workshop. I used the upcoming kit from The Scrapping Spot. SHhhh!
Other supplies: The polaroid stamp came from my Studio Calico "On the Easel" kit and I used some Mister Huey's color mist in Cream Calico.

I think I've seen the last of that EK Success embossed scalloped punch on my layouts. It got stuck a few times and is now seriously stuck for good. I even tried popping in the freezer for a while. No dice. Maybe I'll try some WD-40... but first I have to go borrow it back from Dominic.

the one about journals

2010-10-16T14:26:00.005+10:00

I have been a "journaler" since elementary school. I had one of those 5-year diaries, only I couldn't be confined to the 4 or 5 lines they allotted for each year. I guess I have always been a "rebel" in disguise.

I visit a few scrapbook message boards daily. And by visit, I mean scan and run. LOL I read that Amy Tan was doing an online workshop and was so intrigued that I signed up and bought her kit as well.

While I can't give the exact details of the workshop itself, I can share what I've been doing. I usually only do scrap stuff on the weekends, but making these journals were so fun that I did them one night before I went to bed. It was fun hunting for paper scraps in my bags and bins.

First handmade journal! Lots of different scraps here.

I am not adept with a sewing machine. I can't even cut a straight line WITH a paper trimmer so I guess I can't sew a straight line either.

Tried out hand stitching a title. This one says "AROUND + ABOUT". I'm going to use this one for random things I do around town.

I sprayed a shipping tag with Mister Huey's atmosphere by Studio Calico using punched out butterflies (MS Monarch) to hide the fabulous stitching. I also got the fiskars "in stitches" punch in the mail today and tried that baby out. You can see a peek of the polaroid stamp from Studio Calico's "On the Easel" kit.

I made this next journal yesterday afternoon while waiting for the wash to be done. The hand stitching goes by fast!

Here are the three journals I have made so far...

I also tried making my own "washi" tape. I had colored masking tape at work and a few permanent markers. I was waiting for my students to finish up some independent work so I went to town on the tape. Forgot to buy some fine tip sharpies while I was out shopping today. Next time...gotta put it on the list!

10.10.10

2010-10-10T08:42:00.002+10:00

10.10.10...with numbers like those, today should be an awesome day! I know two people who celebrate birthdays today. Happy birthday to them.

This post is going to be about TEN things you may or may not know about ME!

I really don't like talking on the phone.
I suffer from insomnia...melatonin is my friend.
I'm famous...HA! I am in 3 commercials for Paradise Fitness Centers Guam.
I can't get through the day without coffee.
I read at least one paperback book and one book on my kindle a week.
I never have less than 5 tabs open on my browser.
I set two alarms because I've had nightmares of waking up late for work.
I LOVE Glee!
I sleep with my MacBook next to me.
I can only walk barefoot in the homes of relatives and close friends.

Creative weekend

2010-10-03T18:31:00.006+10:00

As far as weekends go, this one was successful in the creativity department. I made two layouts using some Studio Calico kits. The first was a layout about my new skyscraper shoes. I'm going to have to wear them to Nisha and Joe's wedding in June 2011. Oh, the practicing I'll have to do!

I had some pictures of Lucian from a family lunch we had in August. He was not having a good day. I got the idea to play on the book title, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst.

I also made three cards today for World Cardmaking Day. I joined the challenges at Studio Calico.

The first one is from an old old kit...Garment District. The challenge was to use kit leftovers.

The next card's challenge was to use the Studio Calico stamps that come in our kits.

The last card's challenge was to use a posted sketch.

Totally random post

2010-10-02T14:44:00.005+10:00

It's been a busy few weeks. I made a big decision and now I'm just waiting to hear about it. Fingers crossed even though I can't reveal what the decision is just yet.

Last month, I started a fitness journal of sorts using Cathy Zielske's layered template. I'm not ready to reveal to the whole world what's on those digital layouts. That's akin to putting my heart on a platter and letting everyone take a stab at it.

My kindle came in two days after my last post. I love it!!! I'd rather be reading on my kindle than surfing the web. I'm reading a whole bunch of books that I downloaded back when I only had kindle for iPhone/iTouch. I still can't believe that I would read on that tiny thing. Oh, when you're desperate...

My shoes for Nisha and Joe's wedding came in. Oh. My. Gosh. They are HIGH. Have to practice staying upright. I do have 8 months...

What I've been working on...
Excuse the black stamp pad like smudges...apparently my stamp pad was in a jumping mood. Grrr.... I have two more layouts that I did today, but the pictures I took of them came out blurry so that will have to wait. Now I'm off to remove all the ink from my fingers before Mass tonight.

Currently

2010-09-20T13:26:00.002+10:00

Home today. Took off work to take Auntie Margaret to her endoscopy. They had to put her under general anesthesia and needed a driver. Good enough excuse for me to miss one day of work. I planned ahead and left my lesson plans. Hope my sub isn't certifiable by the end of the day.

I saw a layout on Stephanie Wheeler's blog a while ago and thought it was a great idea to make a list of things currently happening in my life... and since I'm off work today with some time on my hands, I thought I'd take a stab at it.

listening: to Glee from Season 1

eating: Wendy's BLT Cobb Salad

drinking: Diet Coke

wearing: T-shirt, capris and sandals

feeling: relaxed

weather: hot and sunny

wanting: my Kindle to be here already

needing: some courage

thinking: about the near future (and pondering about some decisions that I have to make)

enjoying: reading on Kindle for Mac in excited anticipation for the actual Kindle!

wondering: how soon I'll find out about something (mum's the word for now...and no I'm not pregnant...for sure.)

That was fun! Gonna have to do it again soon. Leaving in a bit to go to JB's 3rd birthday party at his day care. He's three... oh my!

Feeling out of sorts

2010-09-12T16:22:00.004+10:00

It's been a rough few weeks. Dealing with a lot of feelings and emotions right now. It's taking a toll on my body...I feel so tired all the time and I'm hyper-sensitive. I have some decisions to make and a lot of soul-searching to go with those decisions. Not a place I want to be in.

Besides feeling like a semi ran over me, it's been a busy few weeks. I've only managed 2 layouts since my big scrap session.

I scrapped this one last weekend. Broke out the new sewing machine I bought and created a mess. Thankfully, the white thread mess doesn't really show.

Supplies: Studio Calico Anthology Collection and Basic Grey Basics.

This one made it to the table today. I had a vision for what I wanted the splotches to look like. In the state of my muddled head, the product didn't quite turn out the way I wanted. I used Sketch 7 from KP's sketchbook 2 class as inspiration. I scrapped on a piece of 8.5x11 cardstock and then adhered the whole piece to the patterned paper. Got that idea from Ali Edwards.

Supplies: Studio Calico "Back 40" September kit. Studio Calico cloud stamp set (not in kit).

Sketchbook 2 finale

2010-08-29T14:31:00.005+10:00

I scrapped SIX layouts today! Finished the last 6 sketches from KP's sketchbook 2 class. It's been a busy few weeks. This past week, I ate at out 4 out of the 7 days. ugh.

KP sketch 7:

KP sketch 8:

KP sketch 9:

KP sketch 10:

KP sketch 11:

KP sketch 12:

supplies: Studio Calico August kit "Summer Camp".

Sketchbook 2 catch up

2010-08-15T16:33:00.004+10:00

I don't know why I ever thought that I would be able to scrap layouts during the first week of school. Since I missed the first week of school last year I guess I forgot just how exhausted and tired I'd be at the end of the day. Up before 6am and asleep before 10pm...signs that I'm getting older. If I fall asleep before 10pm, I'm up at o'dark thirty. Seriously?!??!?! Then I had class yesterday morning. Sigh. So, I played catch up with KP's class today.

Sketch #4-

Sketch #5-

Sketch #6-

I used the August Summer Camp kit and Sugar Woods and Elk Lake add ons from Studio Calico. They just came in the mail on Thursday!

Finally...someone gets it

2010-08-11T19:59:00.004+10:00

There are two spellings of my last name Blaz--one with an "s" and mine, with a "z". It just depends on who your family is which spelling is "correct." But, in my family, both spellings exist and that drove my grandfather crazy to no end. They didn't always have that last name; they had a Japanese last name, Haniu, which my grandfather, his brothers and youngest sister had changed after WWII. My grandfather was afraid of lingering anti-Japanese hatred (sad) so they had their last name legally changed to their mother's maiden name.

Since the day I came home in kindergarten with a star on my paper for spelling my last name wrong...I was too afraid to tell Sister Catherine she spelled my name wrong (hey, I was only FOUR), I've had to spell my last name when someone has to write it down. Even then, even when I spell very slowly, people still write "Blas". To confuse things even further, we have Ms. Blaz (me) and Mrs. Blas (the teacher next door) at work!

Today I met a friend of friends. She asked what my name was. I answered, "Vera Blaz." She said, "Oh, with a "z"! I could have kissed her...sweat and all! (I totally kid...I can barely stand my own sweat.)

Finally, someone gets it! When I think about it, though, I realize that I still would have had to spell my last name for everyone had it stayed "Haniu"...and I would be forever correcting anyone who had to say it.

First day of school....2010

2010-08-10T20:29:00.003+10:00

Today marked the first day of school year 2010-2011. I was sleepy by noon! I had a few students in the same boat, but at least I wasn't falling asleep at my desk. My feet were hurting by the end of the day and I was literally dragging myself to the car. As tired as I was, I knew that I wouldn't be able to survive a rigorous workout at the gym. As it is, I'm forcing myself to stay awake a little while longer so that I don't wake up at 3am like I did Monday morning.

I was up at 5:30am. Usually that's totally unheard of in my vocabulary (unless I'm traveling). After a quick stop to coffee at McDonald's since the decaf at home would NOT cut it today, I was at work by 6:45am! We all hit the ground running by 7:45. Out of 22 students, 1 showed up late and 3 were absent. First day assembly for 4th and 5th graders was at 8:30. We spent the rest of the morning getting first day pictures and getting to know each other.

They got a kick out of the glasses!

Last Day of Summer Vacation...

2010-08-08T13:32:00.004+10:00

I guess a vacation can still go by fast even when I don't leave the rock. Sigh... I've already set one alarm for o'dark thirty tomorrow morning. I do want to stop by and see Lucas and Jacob before they head of to their first day school...Lucas to the "big" school and Jacob to his school alone for the first time without Lucas. They grow too fast!

Speaking of growing too fast...

I went to a christening for my friend Elvira's daughter Aryani. That was in January. Aryani is now 9 months old! This layout is for Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 2 class...sketch 2.

Not the greatest picture...used the point and shoot in craptastic lighting. Can't be choosy when given this situation. Here's another kidlet growing too fast! Can't believe that she'll be a sophomore in high school come morning. Used KP's sketchbook 2 sketch 3.

Back to work tomorrow. I have to say that I am ready to head back to work. I missed the first two weeks of school last year so this year is exciting for me! Got the new shoes and new clothes all ready to go.

Just what I needed

2010-08-04T14:02:00.006+10:00

Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 2 class started on Monday. I tried in vain to win a spot in her class to no avail. So, I broke down and bought it! Of course the first sketch landed in my inbox when I was in la-la land. Sometimes it sucks to live on the other side of the international date line. The next lesson will hit my inbox tonight so I thought I'd start on the first one. I really have to take advantage of the last few days of summer vacation.

I used the Studio Calico Anthology line. The pictures were just a few from work. Spirit Week celebrations happen at the end of every month. I like to participate to show my students how to have school spirit. Students were still talking about my October Super Mario outfit at the end of the school year!

Putting together this layout and wanting to get it posted on the Studio Calico message board gave me the kick in the pants to get two other layouts uploaded. I did them...last week?!?! Or maybe the week before?!?!?

These pictures came from our July 5th family lunch while Uncle Jimmy was visiting. Has it only been a month?!?!? I used the July Continental Kit (still available in the store) and add-ons from Studio Calico for these layouts.

There was a point to the whole post...oh yeah...... Thanks, KP! Your class was just what I needed to round out my summer!

Confession Time

2010-07-28T15:17:00.003+10:00

I've watched all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls THREE times. Yup, three times. I was about to start all over again for round 4 when I was browsing on hulu.com. I came across Glee. And I wanted to see what all the hype was about. Allie had watched a few episodes several months ago while I was watching her and her brothers. I didn't get the hype. My eyes glazed over when threads about Glee appeared on the online message boards I frequent. I was ~~happily~~ blissfully ensconced in Stars Hollow.

Oh. My. Gosh. Hooked from the first song I heard. The episodes available on hulu didn't start from the first one. Off to search... and came across ALL the episodes on surfthechannel.com. Oh, I was in heaven! The nice thing about surfthechannel...NO COMMERCIALS! ~~Addicted~~ Obsessed with Glee. I've downloaded Glee Vol. 1, Vol.2, Vol. 3, The Power of Madonna and Journey to Regionals on iTunes. It's already all loaded onto my iPod Touch. It usually takes me a while to sync the iPod Touch after downloading something. I have the Glee Season 1 DVD set in my amazon cart...just need to tweak that cart a little more before I hit checkout.

There you have it... a guilty pleasure. Now off to start watching from episode 1 again... Do I really go back to ~~reality~~ work on August 9th?!?!?

A layout, some cards and The Embellished Doily Project

2010-07-25T13:20:00.011+10:00

Been a bit unplugged from the computer lately. I only check the message boards and facebook at night. I've discovered that the world didn't stop turning and I didn't go into anaphylactic shock from not being attached to my computer. Been hanging with the mother and the auntie in the living room...watching TV, talking, playing Mahjong Titans (granted that's on the computer, but NOT online). Sometimes, I don't even check my blackberry...and that's okay. If I have been on the computer, I've been playing around with Photoshop Elements and some digital products. Oh, and watching Season 1 of Glee.

This layout came together pretty quickly. I used the Sunday Sketch and the July Continental kit from Studio Calico.

A few birthday celebrations this week needed some cards...

Supplies from an old kit from The Scrapping Spot. I used my cricut to cut out the "happy birthday" sentiment.

This one was for a former student's birthday. His mom and I are good friends. His party theme was pirates, but I didn't know about that until I got to the party so hopefully he enjoys the robot.

This one was for Dominic's 24th birthday. I used the same old kit and my cricut to make this card.

I did make another card for Nathan's 13th, but that went into an envelope and sealed before I remembered to take a picture.

**********

I finally finished Christine Middlecamp's Embellished Doily project. Here are the results:

Doily 7:

Doily 6:

Doily 5:

Doily 4:

Doily 3:

Doily 2:

Doily 1:

I realized after I was done taking pictures that I should have taken one of the whole project. Sigh. My brain is not ready to think that much. I still have two weeks of vacation left. Now, I'm going to watch more Glee!

Mindless busy work

2010-07-19T14:06:00.005+10:00

Finishing my monthly 2009 layouts got me thinking. Thinking...I have spent WAY TOO MUCH time thinking this summer. While I have this serious obsession (addiction, maybe?!?!?) with paper, I felt overwhelmed trying to figure out how to document 2010 in pictures. I felt the need for something easier. Sigh.

I'll still be creating with the paper goods. I could wallpaper my entire house and still have paper leftover. However, to keep the stress levels down I decided to go digital for 2010. Cathy Zielske created a digital monthly album set available at Designer Digitals. This is what I'm doing for 2010. I'll periodically have them printed at scrapbookpictures.com. I've completed January, May and June and I'm almost done with July. I'll go back and do February through April some time this week then place an order. Exit stress stage left.

Just to prove that my paper obsession is still alive and kicking, here are some layouts I completed some time between Friday and today...

I did this layout for Allie. One of the kids that goes to the summer camp where she volunteers wrote her this note. I suggested she scrap it. She turned around and asked me to scrap it. Thought she forgot about it until I received the phone picture in an email. I used the Studio Calico July Continental Kit , Lewis and Clark and Magellan Add-ons and a Hambly transparency from an old kit.

Supplies from Studio Calico July Continental kit, and Lewis and Clark and Magellan add-ons. Journal block stamp and mini doily stamp by Studio Calico. Recycled paper bag for journal block.

Finished with 2009 monthly LOs!

2010-07-13T13:32:00.002+10:00

It took a while, but I finally finished my monthly layouts for 2009! {and the crowd cheers!}

Here's October 2009, which goes with the 2nd challenge for July Scrap Your Stash at The Scrapping Spot...Put a button (or 6) on it.

November 2009 is for the 3rd challenge, Scraplift the DT. I scraplifted one of Alecia's July DT layouts.

December 2009 is for the 4th challenge, Chipboard!

I also finished up several of the embellished doilies from Christine Middlecamp's tutorial.

Doily 12

Doily 11

Doily 10

Doily 9

Doily 8

Only 7 more doilies to go! I used a lot of old stuff on these pages and doilies. My cricut and Gypsy are also getting a workout.

Let your imagination run wild

2010-07-08T20:45:00.003+10:00

It's a double post kind of day! The thing about being on vacation...one day kind of blends with the other. I usually don't know what day it is unless I consult the Blackberry and I only wear a watch to go to Mass. So, buying that new watch at the start of summer was kind of pointless. But, I digress. I've been working on my 7 Gypsies Artist Printer's Tray for a while now. It's kind of driven me crazy that it hung incomplete, but I was waiting for some pictures (pictures I JUST took a few days ago and one I borrowed from my cousin's wife's facebook page). But, I had to start using it to rationalize buying the 7 Gypsies receipt holder.

I edited the pictures in PSE 6.0 for Mac using Coffee Shop Creamy Chocolate BW. I realize that there is PINK in this tray. I was using an old add on kit from Studio Calico and well, pink doesn't give me the heebie jeebies that it once did.

I also jump started the July Scrap your Stash challenges at The Scrapping Spot this week. Challenge #1: sketch it involves using a sketch AND some sort of stitching.

I used the July Work In Progress kit and the Sunday sketch from Studio Calico. I don't sew. So, my sewing machine is a very simple. I've been tempted to get one that has at least a zig zag stitch since I can neither cut nor sew a straight line, but I really don't see myself sewing much beyond a layout.

The Embellished Doilies

2010-07-08T14:50:00.003+10:00

I read a lot of blogs...okay, I skim a lot of blogs. There are a few on my blog stalk list and others that haven't quite made it to the list, but get read anyway. One of those is Christine Middlecamp's blog. She recently did an Embellished Doily Project tutorial. Intrigued as I was, I scoured the internet for those Martha Stewart die cut lace tags then changed my mind about them. Sometimes I really hate living on the rock...usually when I can't find something I WANT readily. One day I was playing with Gypsy and discovered some shapes that could pass as those blasted MS tags. Lightbulb moment (so rare during the summer)! I could make my own blasted doilies! Ha! Less money for Martha, more money for me!

You would think that one should probably start from the beginning, yes? NOT ME! It's summer. I have no use for rules. I started at 16. heeheehee

Doily 16...

Doily 15...

Doily 14...uninspiring. Might have to re-do this one. Must have been the sore, aching body!

Doily 13...might have to swap out that butterfly.

I don't have a lot of the stuff Christine used in her projects, but I'm making do with what I have in my stash. Oh, it feels good to use the stash!

The week of the uncle's visit

2010-07-04T20:25:00.002+10:00

I'm usually gone...off the rock...on a plane headed east of the island...during this time of the year. Yet, I'm still here. For some reason I didn't make summer plans. Maybe it's because in the span of two years, I got on a plane FOUR times to get off the rock. FOUR. Sigh. That's a lot of stale air to be breathing for hours at a time. So, instead of me being gone at this time, the uncle came to visit. And all the sisters are happy. It's been a busy few days. I've been his chauffeur here and there. We've eaten enough food to feed an army. The sisters are here almost everyday.

This visit has been mellow. Oh. MY. GOSH. Mellow! Mellow and the uncle don't usually find themselves in the same room. Yet, here it is. He isn't his usual grumpy self...holding out some hope that he brings some of that sunshine home with him. He came to relax and boy has he done that. I never watched so much of the Outdoor channel till this past week! Of course, the poor guy got the requisite religious lecture today. He had to have seen it coming with all of his God-fearing, almost daily Mass-attending sisters in the room. I was falling asleep, but the closest auntie kept poking my forehead. SIGH... But, I already told him not to come around this time next year. I'm getting off the rock. Now to start planning where.

MOJO came home!

2010-06-25T10:32:00.003+10:00

I usually scrap at least one layout a day, if not more, during the summer. Since my vacation started I hadn't felt the creative sparks fly. Until yesterday. Yesterday was the first day all week where I wasn't running some kind of errand. It was a totally relaxing day. I came across the Sketchabilities blog when one of the message board members at The Scrapping Spot announced she made the DT. So happy for Shawn! I posted a couple of challenges on TSS' message board and made these layouts.

Challenge 1: Get Sketchy

I used sketch 18 from Sketchabilities.
Supplies: July Work in Progress kit, cardstock, Carter alphabet stamps (Studio Calico) and dotted circle stamp (& Gypsies).

Challenge 2: Just "Kitting"

Supplies: July Work in Progress kit, cardstock, Cricut and Gypsy for the title (gypsy font and pooh font) and pinked circle stamp from Studio Calico.

i don't do idle well

2010-06-15T09:46:00.001+10:00

I have some time to contemplate before a store I want to go into opens. It's making me wish for my iPod touch, my DSi, my MacBook and and/or a combo of all. Even now I'm sitting with a caramella Kona frost from the Honolulu coffee co with my blackberry bold and I'm not content. I'm antsy with "nothing" to do. How desperate can I be since I'm blogging on the BB?!!?! I can't just watch TV. I need some other distraction. I can't have just one window open when I'm on the computer. I need at least 10 tabs. Listening to music? Gotta be playing bejeweled blitz or new super mario bros. Sigh. I think I have ADD. Oh, the stores are opening. Off to spend money! Wish me luck!

180 days have passed...

2010-05-27T20:58:00.002+10:00

It's hard to believe that 180 days have passed. 180 days of teaching, learning, molding, growing. I've never cried on the last day of school...till today. It was all Alfred's fault. He said, "Mom, I know I made you mad and you get mad at me, but I'm still going to miss you." I had tears running down my face as we hugged each other. Alfred is one of those kids who pull on your heart strings. The kid who needs just a little bit more attention than others. The kid who will never say he needs something, but is thankful when you figure out what he needs and give it to him. While on one hand teaching fifth grade is a little easier, on the other hand, there's a lot of drama, tween angst, and innocence all rolled into one. I'll miss them. And I'll wonder if the kids who called me "Mom" throughout the year, will still remember me when I see them somewhere around the island. If the kids who vowed every way to Sunday that they'll miss me will actually miss me. But, for now, the busy-ness of the month has been well worth every night of lost sleep, every headache, every cup of coffee. Even will all the stress behind the scenes, I had a great year. Now, I need some quiet time to get my emotions...and my heart...back to normal.

A week in the life

2010-04-18T13:56:00.002+10:00

I am a self-confessed Ali Edwards fan. This week she's embarking on documenting a week in her life. And again, I follow. The last time I did this was in 2008. You can see what I happened during that week here, here, and here. I have the album finished but I just never got around to uploading pictures.

I bought a pack of Kaisercraft mini albums from PIKA Prints Studio, our only local scrapbook store, a few months ago. The pack has been staring me in the face since then. I've also been saving those coffee cup jackets (whatever they're really called) for the past two weeks. I was shuffling through my mental rolodex of ideas and decided to combine the two to make a mini album for "A Week in the Life." I only have 5 of those jackets...I think I stopped at the Mobil gas station 3 times last week and 2 times this week. Never mind that I have a coffee maker at home. I digress. I decided to use the jackets for Sunday through Tuesday and Friday and Saturday. I used the kaisercraft album for the front and back covers as well as Wednesday and Thursday's pages.

Patterned paper, chipboard flower, thickers, and rub-on from Studio Calico's fortune cookie kit. All others from stash.

I turned some of those jackets inside out for variety and added eyelets for stability.

I made my journal card using a business card template in Pages on my MacBook. I was trying to make some in PSE 6.0, but that was hurting my brain so I stopped. I chose topics that I felt fit my lifestyle. And, just because I'm a little anal retentive, I'm starting today.

I made the notebook on the left from a Jessica Sprague class and never used it. It has finally come in handy. There's something positive to be said about being a pack rat.

Gasp! I scrapped during the week?!?!?

2010-04-09T19:56:00.002+10:00

If there was detention for missing gym workouts, I surely ended up there this week. I went all but once! Sigh. Not a good thing when you've joined "The Biggest Loser" contest at work. I had to be careful with what I ate and still ended up losing 4 pounds! There went all the candy, chips and cookies. YAY!!! Not going to the gym meant I scrapped during the week. :) There lies the silver lining to the gray detention cloud. I did three layouts for the April THAW challenges at Willow Traders.

Challenge 4: sketch from Nuts about sketches

used the April 2010 kit from The Scrapping Spot.

Challenge 5: title challenge

old kit from Studio Calico. I also used the same sketch from Challenge 4.

Challenge 6: color challenge--yellow, red, blue and white

patterned paper from Twelve Fridays.

Crafty, crafty bumble bee!

2010-03-30T13:28:00.003+10:00

I've been busy crafting these last few days...well, I took a break yesterday to indulge myself in some serious vegging.

I finished this basket on Sunday. I made the flowers using this tutorial from the paper phenomenon blog.

Used papers from an old American Crafts line...Play.

Today I did 3 layouts for the April THAW at Willow Traders.

THAW 1: sketch challenge

Used The Scrapping Spot's March kit.

THAW 2: Scraplift challenge. I scraplifted Julie's layout from Top Shelf Memories.

Used The Scrapping Spot's April kit.

THAW 3: Recycle

Used The Scrapping Spot's February kit.

The corrugated background came from a priority box and the flower was made using pages from last year's lector handbook.

I also made a bunch of flower favor boxes for Easter, but no picture of that yet...

Busy Busy Busy

2010-03-27T13:41:00.002+10:00

If I knew what bees felt when they buzz about, I'll bet it's the same feeling I've had all week. The week before a break is always fraught with miles and miles of things to do all which lead to insomnia and needing lots of coffee. I am now officially on Spring Break! Three loads of laundry done. One layout completed. Two cards made. A decorative frame finished. I'm ready for some relaxation.

Here are two layouts I did with April's kit from The Scrapping Spot. The first one I did last weekend and the second today.

I used the EK Success swiss cheese punch on the bottom most patterned paper.

Added turquoise stickles to the journaling spot.

I made this butterfly card...purpose to be determined...using the design from a card made at a Stampin' Up card class. The brown ribbon came from my cousin Kim's wedding favors...all about re-purposing here. I ran a piece of cardstock through my original sizzix machine with the cuttlebug devine swirls folder and inked it with Bazzill ink. Love those butterflies!

I made this frame using scraps of paper and my Martha Stewart Royal butterfly punch. I also have the classic butterfly and 3-in-1 butterfly punches. Plus, I ordered the Stampin' Up butterfly punch because it goes with the "Flight of the Butterfly" stamp set.

I've been wanting to do this frame since I saw it on Ali Edwards' blog TWO years ago. I punched those butterflies months ago and bought the frame (came in a set of two) several weeks ago. I was determined to see this project come to light. The butterfly stamp in the background came from the "For All You Do" stamp set from Stampin' Up. The "happiness always" sentiment came from the "Whimsical Words" set from Sale-a-bration. I got that free!

It's almost time to get ready for Palm Sunday Mass...well, the vigil anyway.

I try to live my life with no regrets

2010-03-11T20:07:00.003+10:00

I woke up yesterday and got ready as I always do for work...eyes half-open going about my business. I follow the same routine every morning so that I don't forget anything. The only thing I did differently was put on a pair of running shoes and made sure I put my wallet and Ms. Fix-it bag (it has everything from bandaids to stevia packets to benadryl spray to contact lens drops and more) into my camera bag.

My students were excited all day and for a good reason. The National Guard was bringing their rock wall to school! Anyone who had a signed permission form could climb! Quickly realizing that the lunch recess period was not enough time for all the eager students to climb since they could only climb 4 at a time, they agreed to stay till 2pm. We brought our kids back out after Math. My Math students behaved since they knew I would not hesitate to keep them in!

I seriously debated climbing the wall. I'm not too fond of heights as my friend Shannon can attest. I waited till after I dismissed my kids...to the bus and car rider area. THEN I climbed the wall. I didn't go all the way to the top. I had the audience I was hoping to avoid, only these hecklers were my co-workers. Much worse than having a few hundred students watching. Of course, the 2nd trip bus riders, after school program students and the kids already on the first group of buses could see as well. I was laughing too hard and sweat was dripping down my face. But, I climbed! Today I have the sore body to prove it. Climbing isn't as easy as it looks and takes every ounce of body strength. Here are some pictures, all taken in auto since I wanted them to be half-way decent.

Thanks, Jack, for taking the pictures. There was one unflattering butt shot, but that will never see the light of day!

Found a great site

2010-03-09T19:41:00.002+10:00

I'm currently in the last week of The Photographer's Workshop with Karen Russell. I have learned so much about using my camera. I tried for some really good shots tonight while we celebrated my mom's 62nd birthday, but there was not enough light outside to get good photos. Grrr!!! But, at least I now know why the pictures are crappy. Nothing to do with the camera and everything to do with light! Amazing discovery.

I recently became a member of clickinmoms through Karen's recommendation. My stupid question of the day was if you had to be a mom to join. NOPE! It's just a name. I've already clicked on some great threads there and learned a little bit more. Even if a question has already been asked before, the members will chime in with an answer if they have one and even point the way to other threads that focus on your question. WOW! Karen is an affiliate. The more people become members, the more prizes she'll get which she'll in turn raffle off to anyone who joins by clicking the link to clickinmoms on her blog. I personally think the membership is seriously worth it. If you KNOW anything about me, I weigh all the pros and cons to joining anything that requires parting with my hard-earned money. I joined for a year which cost $50. You can join for six months at $30. For me, $50 was a better deal! SO, if you're looking to learn more about photography, head over to Karen's blog, click the button for clickinmoms and you'll be on your way to learning so much more.

Earthquakes and Tsunamis

2010-02-28T19:51:00.002+10:00

I woke up this morning to a bunch of emails and text messages about a tsunami warning for Guam. Holy smokes, Batman! What a way to wake up! Someone told me once that a tsunami more than likely will not hit Guam because of the reef. I so hope they're correct! At any rate, we do have tsunami evacuation areas and I pass one on my way home. I wouldn't think we'd have to go there since we'd be moving closer to the water to be there, but it's there nonetheless.

We do, however, have our share of earthquakes. The biggest one I've ever experienced measured at 8.2 back in 1992. That was beyond scary. Two buildings went down, not because of the building codes but because of some shoddy building practices. I think they were built on sand.

Back to the warnings. Our beaches were closed. That didn't bother me since I don't do the beach. I had to send emails reassuring everyone that we were okay.

Can we get a do over on this weekend. Stomach aches and tsunami warnings don't a great weekend make!