Goals 2010 and Brave Girls Club Affirmations

Yesterday I took some time to catch up with my blog reading while everyone else took a little snooze. My cousin Diana, inspired me with her blog post, "Ch-ch-ch- changes (2010 Goals)". I spent a couple of hours last night making my own. Thanks for the inspiration, D! Maybe it will be easier for me to keep up with my goals since they're written down!










Supplies: Studio Calico Documentary Kit (July 2009), "happy" stamp and American Crafts Blue Skies ribbon (orange) from Studio Calico Yearbook Kit (October 2009), Shimmerz Paint (December Sky), Maya Road chipboard and tabbed album, Ormolu label, Making Memories butterfly Charm and embossed butterflies, Spare Parts by The Paper Studio embellished fabric brads, Jenni Bowlin and Adorn It by Carolee's mini alpha stickers, Scrapper's Floss by Karen Foster (white), Martha Stewart Doily lace double punch, Martha Stewart Loop punch, Spellbinder's Labels 1 nestabilities, American Crafts pen (brown) and EK Success Millennium pen (black).

I decided to make use of the 7 Gypsies ATC spinner that's been collecting dust for the last year (or 2) and use it to display the ATCs I've made of the Brave Girls Club affirmations.

Section opener:










Supplies:
Section Opener: The Scrapping Spot December 2009 kit.
ATCs: Studio Calico Kits: Jack & Jill (April 2009), Cotillion (September 2009) and Yearbook (October 2009); WRMK white out collection paper; EK Success and Adorn It by Carolee's mini alpha stickers; Cricut Expression and Home Accents Cartridge (butterfly); faux leather vinyl by Contact Paper; Spare Parts by The Paper Studio embellished fabric brads; EK Success Millennium pen (black).

One Little Word 2010

Ali Edwards has the best ideas! From "A week in my life" to "one little word" to "december daily", each project has meaning. They keep me in the moment. They keep me real.

It's the start of a new year. Time to pick my word for the year. In 2007, my word was "RESOLVE". In 2008, I picked "HOPE". Last year, I chose "EMBRACE". For the last few days, I've been contemplating my word for 2010.

2010 will be all about optimism.

op⋅ti⋅mism

–noun

1.	a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.

2.	the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.

3.	the belief that goodness pervades reality.

4.	the doctrine that the existing world is the best of all possible worlds.

Too often I fall prey to the glass half empty team. It becomes some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy for me. This year, I am wholeheartedly going to try and see the glass as half full. I have lots to be optimistic about.

It's officially 2010!

Guam is where America's day begins so it's officially 2010! I am hoping and praying that 2010 brings great things. Happy New Year everyone!

I am a Brave Girl

My friend Jill forwarded me a few emails from The Brave Girls Club when I was questioning my abilities as a teacher. I was having a rough couple of weeks and these emails managed to perk me up. I finally subscribed to their mailing list and now I get these daily affirmations in my inbox. They don't come at a set time each day. It seems that they come when I really need them. Could be in the morning on my walk into the school building. Could be right before I'm going to teach one of the classes I'm having trouble with. Could be when I mentally berating myself for overindulging in holiday decadence. They seem to just appear when I'm thinking bad thoughts.

We were discussing what to do with these affirmations on The Scrapping Spot message board. Lots of ideas thrown about. I decided to use the ATC spinner that's been collecting dust for the last year and a half after I petered out on the Scripture challenge.

Today's email really hit home and so apropos to the coming new year and making resolutions.

Dear Determined Girl,
As the year wraps up, say goodbye to regrets, what-if's and should haves.....

Focus on victories, blessings and small steps toward progress....

AND THEN focus on the fabulousness that is ahead for you. Make realistic goals...see yourself as the incredible, full-of-potential woman that you are....and GO FOR IT!

BE BRAVE!!! and have a WONDERFUL last week of 2009!

Here's to making realistic goals and being brave!

It's been a busy few weeks...

I'm almost caught up with my December Daily album. I just to print out a few pictures (after I change the ink cartridges) to get up to date. The last two weeks have been busy!

We had our first annual family Mass for our deceased relatives and dinner on December 18. These pictures are not the greatest, but still evoke wonderful memories.





Yes, I'm related to ALL those people and I know all of them by name! That's not even everyone in the neighborhood!

On December 21st, I celebrated the 15th anniversary of my 21st birthday! I went to dinner at Benii's with Anita, Bella, April, Christine, Clarice and Therese. Then we went to Ralphy's for drinks. Stella, Debbie and Jim joined us later.



Then Christmas came! The gifts weren't plentiful but still appreciated so much so that Allie wore the dress I got her to Mass this morning. I guess she really liked it! And for Allie, that's saying A LOT because she and I share a love/hate relationship with girly things. I bought this dress for Toria and this dress for Allie.

Last night I had dinner with Kristin, Lois and Annaliza. I didn't know we were celebrating MY birthday! Nice surprise!! We had dinner at Katsu also known as Green Door (the door to the restaurant is GREEN) and then sat in the lobby of Outrigger with coffee from the Honolulu Coffee Co.



Only a week left of vacation. I get to go back to work to a yucky classroom. Sigh........

A Friary Christmas

Our parish hosted the refreshments for the Friary Christmas last night. I got to go in and see the village display before the crowds came. I entered through the exit (smile) and was greeted by this:


and this on the other side:


a view from the doorway to the whole thing:












Got to hang with these people for the night.






Fun times! Great laughs. Found out TWO prayers Terry and I could pray to find a man, according to Fr. Pat and Fr. Joe (not pictured).

St. Anne, St. Anne,
Find me a man.

St. Jude, St. Jude,
Find me a dude.


We'll see how much it helps! HA!

The drought is over...I hope.

I have not scrapped in a few weeks. I am hoping that the layout I made yesterday has ended the scrapping drought. We shall see. Been working on my December Daily mini. I've skipped a few days...pics not printed/can't decide to HiH, JYC or DD it. All these choices!


I used The Scrapping Spot's December 2009 kit with my newest punches (loopy from Ange and doily lace double punch that I just bought). Also used shimmerz spray and paint on the doily punch out.

Day 4: Christmas in the classroom


Day 5: picture not printed to make page

Day 6: Favorite ornaments


Day 7: Work Christmas party. Must get pictures from co-workers.

Day 8: Tree is up!


Day 9: Stocking Swap goodies!


Day 10: all aglow


Waiting impatiently for my cricut expression to arrive. Went to USPS.com to check and it's here?!?!?!?

We attempted to deliver your item at 6:38 AM on December 11, 2009 in HAGATNA, GU 96910 and a notice was left. You may pick up the item at the Post Office indicated on the notice, go to www.usps.com/redelivery, or call 800-ASK-USPS to arrange for redelivery. If this item is unclaimed after 15 days then it will be returned to the sender. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.

SERIOUSLY!?!??! There was a yellow card in the mail box?!?!? Someone is holding it hostage! Grrr... and to think I bought her lunch today!

I thought about swinging by the PO today. Thought. I really hate finding parking in minscule parking lots even more than standing in long lines. Had I known my big E was sitting forlornly in the PO, I would have stood line to claim it. I missed picking it up by 1 1/2 hours. Darn stupid postal hours! Should have checked this morning BEFORE I ran errands. {insert head slapping smiley here}

A Plethora of Choices

Call me indecisive. Go ahead. Indecisive. I signed up for Jessica Sprague's Holidays in Hand class in November. I printed out all the prompts, downloaded all the templates and whatnot she had available and got found a way to display the prompts. I also cut pages, stuck on numbers for dates and put together my album for December Daily, which Ali Edwards does annually. This is the third year I done this. Then I read about Shimelle Laine's Journal Your Christmas. Three ways to document my December. As if I wasn't busy enough. I've decided to use HiH and JYC buffet style. Yup, you read that right: BUFFET STYLE. Just what is buffet style? I'll pick and choose what to do each day...could be something from HiH, JYC or DD ala Ali E. I like the freedom of this type of mini album. It can be as simple or as elaborate as I want. It can have a picture or just a boatload of words.

The cover of my December mini Album.

I used a mix of products from different kit clubs from 2008...Scarlet Lime (barn star, vintage Santa image), , Zany Zinnia (black die cut paper, red and cream paper, felt poinsettia, The Scrapping Spot (Christmas Red stickles and Pink Paislee alpha stickers) and Studio Calico (Melissa Frances bingo album). The green scalloped circle came from Basic Grey's Michael's exclusive paper pad "Mistletoe and Pear" and the Christmas ticket came from THIS BLOG. I also used red Maya Mist (on the ticket) and Evergreen Shimmerz paint (dry-brushed on the barn star and the Santa image edges). Binder rings from my stash.



Inside the front cover I have a calendar where I plan to write all the stuff I've done and/or will be doing during the month. It looks sparse now, but I already have 5 more things to add.



December 1: My so-called "manifesto". I didn't quite follow the assignment for JYC here. But, it's my album so I did it the way I wanted it. The library card was a download by Shimelle.



December 2: another JYC assignment. Weather. No snow here. Wish for snow all the time.



December 3: JYC assignment: Christmas cards. The left page contains one of two Christmas card designs I made for this year using the sketches from the Caardvarks Sketchfest. The right page is a list of people I'll send the cards to. Have to do that soon.

I need to work on this weekend's pages. Feeling a little lethargic. We went to brunch to celebrate Uncle Lloyd's 80th birthday. Water and wind biscuits for dinner.

Gypsy giveaway!

I've been intrigued by the Gypsy by Cricut since I heard about it. I've waffled back and forth about getting one. Custom Crops had it on sale during their Pink Tuesday sale. BUT, the Cricut Expression was also on sale. I have the original bug, the getting of which gave both my friend Jill and me anxiety issues. But, I'd like to be able to cut bigger things especially now that I teach fifth grade. Plus, I had a bad day last Wednesday and needed some retail therapy at 4am Thanksgiving day. Hence the purchase of the E and the Gypsy staying in the Custom Crops inventory. So, where am I going with this post?!?!?

There's a new blog in town... The Gypsy Spot! They're giving away a brand spankin' new Gypsy donated by Custom Crops. I know it's a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to try! Here's the verbiage from their blog:

Yes we are giving away a Gypsy here at The Gypsy Spot. I want to thank Custom Crops for donating a brand new Gypsy (retail value 299.99)..wow. I cant say enough about everyone at Custom Crops. Everyone is always so supportive and helpful. If you have never shopped at their store, you really should give them a visit. Not only will you find everything you need for scrapbooking or card making, but also some wonderful articles for fantastic projects. They also have a Youtube channel where you can enjoy some wonderful videos for awesome projects. There is even new video for husbands or loved ones to guide them with holiday shopping... what an awesome idea. Click on the links to visit : Custom Crops and Custom Crops Videos.

Now for the giveaway. Please spread the word. This is a new blog so we are trying to get the word out so that more can come and participate in the challenges. We love to see everyones Gypsy creations.

The rules :

1) Become a follower of The Gypsy Spot. (If you are already a follower you met the first step).

2) Post a link about this contest on your blog. If you don't have a blog you can start one at blogspot.com. Its very easy and a great way to share your projects with family and friends.

3) Use Mr. Linky box to give us the link to your blog post. (this becomes our entry list and the winner is chosen from here )


Random winner will be selected December 1st. Good luck to everyone.

Excuses, Excuses and some layouts

I. HATE. BEING. SICK. I came down with bronchitis two weeks ago. It's incapacitated me. No gym. No shopping. No nothing. Just in the last couple of days have I been able to teach and talk for longer periods of time without losing my breath. Seven days of Amoxicillin brought the only good thing about being sick...losing 5 pounds. That being said, I can now look forward to Thanksgiving next week and the upcoming holiday season!

I have managed to keep up with the November two a week challenge at Willow Traders. It helps that it's only two layouts a week. *Smile*

Challenge 1--let someone else do the talking. I seriously had trouble coming up with this one, but I was fortunate enough to have Lucas and Jacob here with me one day when we were off.

Kit from Studio Calico.

Challenge2--honor a parent or grandparent. Since I just done a layout of my grandparents for October's challenges, I decided to do one of my mom.

Kit from Studio Calico.

Challenge 3--Leaves. With Autumn happening all around the mainland, I thought I wouldn't be able to pull this off! Luckily we took a "field" trip to the land where the boys will be having their house built.

Kit from The Scrapping Spot.

Challenge 4--Thankful. I figured being "Grateful" meant the same thing!

Kit from Studio Calico.

Challenge 5-gifts. This is a layout of me as a baby circa 1974. I figured it was some time in 1974 because I spent the first few weeks of life in the hospital. No pictures of that!

Kit from Studio Calico.

Challenge 6-beautiful day. I chose to create a layout of some scenery in Kauai from my summer vacation this year.

Kit from Studio Calico.

I've also started putting together my December Daily album for this year. Excited to begin doing that again this year. I'm going to see if there are some things I can use from Jessica Sprague's Holidays in Hand class.

Christmas is...around the corner?!?!?

I've been seeing Christmas stuff out at our local Kmart for the last few weeks. Halloween stuff on one side of the aisle; Christmas on the other side. Sigh.... pretty soon we'll be seeing Christmas stuff out during the SUMMER. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE CHRISTMAS. Maybe it's because I celebrate my birthday a mere four days before Jesus does, but Christmas is my favorite holiday.

All this holiday stuff is seeping into my skin. I signed up for a free class at jessicasprague.com. I've taken two other free classes there and they were worth the time and effort. I have no idea what this upcoming class at the spraground entails, but I signed up nonetheless. Ali Edwards does a yearly December Daily album. I put one together last year and have hopes for completing another this year. I found a link on Work in Progress' blog for a handmade holiday guide at Skip to my Lou. Sometimes I wish I could quit my job and just hang out in cyber land all day while playing with paper.

Finishing up THAW at Willow Traders

I made it through another month of scrapping challenges at Willow Traders! Here are the last 6 layouts for the month.

THAW #7--Evaluate your life.

Yearbook kit from Studio Calico!

THAW #8--Celebrate your favorite nut. I have two!

Pep Rally Add-on from Studio Calico.

THAW #9--magazine "lift". I lifted one of the "Made in Minutes" layouts in the October 2009 issue of Scrapbooks Etc.

Soda Fountain kit from Studio Calico.

THAW #10--National Denim Day

Combination of past kits from Scarlet Lime and The Scrapping Spot.

THAW #11--spin the color wheel

Yearbook kit from Studio Calico.

THAW #12--National Candy Corn Day

October kit from The Scrapping Spot.

Bad Blogger

I have no legitimate excuse for not blogging lately. I wish had a good excuse like I was saving the world from doom or feeding the hungry. I've done none of those. I've been consumed by Bejeweled Blitz, Farmville and Cafe World on Facebook. It should be renamed "Crackbook". I don't even check the home page most days...peoples' status is of no consequence to the goings on of the above mentioned addictions.

My students are fully immersed in reading The Clay Marble. They clamor for more reading time instead of GASP! Social Studies or Science. Oh the horror! But, I am secretly thrilled that they want to read as opposed to being forced.

Our fourth and fifth graders had the privilege of being visited by the local fire station. It isn't often that we get visitors. Clifford and Smokey visit Headstart and we usually get "a rock". They weren't the only ones to have some fun.



I was the ONLY teacher that this fire fighter asked to try the jacket on. Go me.

On to THAW at Willow Traders! THAW stands for THree A Week. We get three challenges posted the Friday before and each layout is due Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the following week. I do mine during the weekend.

THAW 1: scrap something sweet.


THAW 2: use the entire alphabet.

This one took TWO DAYS to do. All the letters were different colors so I got it in my head to paint them white. I needed two coats to get them white and then had to paint the entire background as well. I am nuts.

THAW 3: was due on National Moldy Cheese Day so we needed circles or triangles, yellow or white and something green.


THAW 4: use a dozen of something. I used those pink and orange thingies.


THAW 5: use your favorite dessert as inspiration for a layout. My fave dessert is tiramisu and used the brown/cream color for inspiration. Plus, we had to use lowercase letters. In all honesty, I chose that color scheme because I had The Scrapping Spot's October kit out and I wanted to scrap Kim's wedding pictures since her colors were...pink and brown.


THAW 6: scraplift a sponsor. I lifted Emelyn's "Sweet sixty-five" layout.

I WON!!!!

When I participated in the sketchfest challenges at Caardvarks, I never expected to get anything out of it except 7 card sketches and 7 cards to use in the future. Imagine my surprise when I checked my messages on my blackberry and saw a feedblitz email for Caardvarks. I went to my beloved MacBook to check if it was for real! Sure enough, when I clicked on my name, my blog came up!!! Thanks CAARDVARKS! You made my day!