After a nice, long family weekend, I am currently typing up my next blog entry. I am in the car, with no network to connect to the internet, but thought it would be a good use of time to blog! I know, I know, it took me long enough! :)
Our weekend was a family gift from my husband's parents. His siblings and their families were also on the trip. We all took a day of driving, went to Nashville, TN, and saw things like the Hermitage, General Jackson's showboat, Charlie Brown ice sculptures and the Opryland hotel. It was a wonderful weekend! We are on our long drive back.
On our last car trip I thought to download podcasts to listen to. I was just starting out with podcasts, so I only grabbed one or two I had seen suggested on scrapbookers' blogs. I enjoyed them immensely, and downloaded a few new ones for this long car trip. While on our trip, we talked about podcasts, and my brother-in-law mentioned that he listened to “things you should have learned in history class” or something like that and “how stuff is made”. Both had really interesting topics. I downloaded a few, but as of my writing this, I haven't listened to them, yet.
For our trip, I prepared the items from one of the contests I won; the scrapbooking kit. It had almost all the items for an embellished Christmas themed album, but needed some things cut on my big papercutter. So, the night before we left, I spent about 45 minutes cutting, assembling, and organizing each page's items into a plastic carrying box. Then, on the trip, with breaks here and there, and a little bit on the way home, I assembled it. It turned out very cute. I look forward to using it as my December Daily album for this year! Especially with the pictures from this weekend! :) It was a great prize! I wouldn't have purchased it on my own, but have loved it and hope to get more kits similar! I will be a regular on their site!
One of the breaks from the scrapbook that I took was to begin reading to my husband. I think I've mentioned before that on car trips we both enjoy Nicholas Sparks books. We've read several to each other since we have been married. On car trips we start them, taking turns driving/reading, and then we are far enough into the book that we can't put it down and read it in the evenings once we're home. If it's a real page turner, we “steal” it from each other and devour it in our spare moments! :) The one we've currently started is the Last Song. I had bought it a few car trips ago, but we didn't get it started. Then, we went to see The Princess and the Frog, and there was a preview for a movie that was based on the book. Now, I have those movie characters in my head when I read it. Blech. ;) I much prefer to form my own pictures in my head before I see a movie! :)
I am ready for the holidays! We have just a few gifts-one we've been looking for all over, but have had a hard time finding. We also have a few things for the great grandparents. But everything else is bought, wrapped and I'm pleased with. Ahhh. :) Maybe I can get a few moments to scrapbook? A little gift to myself, now that the contest scrapbook kit got my creative juices flowing?
This week, as we lead into Christmas, I have baking to do, the last gifts, listed above, and some family time. I look forward to that. I also need to make sure I call my parents and grandparents, since I haven't and feel as though I should do it more often. Then I will need to deliver the previously mentioned baked goods to neighbors and friends.
I have been exercising nicely, as of late. I ran Thursday and Friday of last week, even though the temps were low. Then, Saturday we were driving. Sunday, my oldest daughter and I got up early and used the hotel's exercise room. We worked out; I made myself tired. Today, Monday, we're traveling again. But, back to it again tomorrow. Those were specific attempts at exercise. We also walked around, to most of our destinations this weekend, and at most of our destinations, so I felt good about that, as well. Although, the eating made it all come out in a wash, I think. ;)
Hopefully I really will write again soon! :) Thanks for sticking in there and reading my rare posts! ;) Happy Holidays to you, Reader.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Winner
I am not usually a contest/drawing winner. Until last month, I hadn't won a thing, although I had entered in many drawings on my favorite sites when they had "giveaways". Well, last month, I won here and then today I discovered I won a giveaway here, too! What a wonderful surprise! The first prize I won will be a gift to someone else this Christmas and today's will be a gift to me! :)
A few of you commented on my mood in the last post. Things were a bit down and overwhelmed! The down was due to sadness of loss of life in our community. The two who died were my daughters' ages, the oldest attending the school where my oldest goes to school. My girls didn't know them, but it was a tragedy felt by all in our community. It made me ache with sadness for their mother-and to think that the holidays approaching won't be any easier, worse in fact.
The overwhelmed feeling comes from the holidays coming faster! At the time of my last post I really hadn't gotten much done at all. Now, I feel better, but things still aren't complete. We went to see my family in my home state last weekend, as we did two weeks prior, too. This coming weekend we are getting together with my husband's family, more on that later.
I have not scrapbooked at all. I wish I had. I have that creative itch I get when I look over my magazines full of ideas! However, each time I think about it, in the office painted a beautiful turquoise... {insert happy sigh, here} I remember all I have to do for the holidays and weekend... etc!
Running has been sparse, but I have walked a bit, with my husband and youngest daughter. Yesterday's weather was a bit warmer, perfect for walking in fact.
Have subbed a lot less, due to blocking off a few days last week so I could catch up a bit, and this week is the last week for schools in the area to be in session, so most teachers aren't taking off/in need of a sub. Which is ok with me! :)
I have gotten some baking in, and am looking forward to doing more soon! Then delivering the goodies to neighbors.
That is all for now! Thanks for stopping by! :)
A few of you commented on my mood in the last post. Things were a bit down and overwhelmed! The down was due to sadness of loss of life in our community. The two who died were my daughters' ages, the oldest attending the school where my oldest goes to school. My girls didn't know them, but it was a tragedy felt by all in our community. It made me ache with sadness for their mother-and to think that the holidays approaching won't be any easier, worse in fact.
The overwhelmed feeling comes from the holidays coming faster! At the time of my last post I really hadn't gotten much done at all. Now, I feel better, but things still aren't complete. We went to see my family in my home state last weekend, as we did two weeks prior, too. This coming weekend we are getting together with my husband's family, more on that later.
I have not scrapbooked at all. I wish I had. I have that creative itch I get when I look over my magazines full of ideas! However, each time I think about it, in the office painted a beautiful turquoise... {insert happy sigh, here} I remember all I have to do for the holidays and weekend... etc!
Running has been sparse, but I have walked a bit, with my husband and youngest daughter. Yesterday's weather was a bit warmer, perfect for walking in fact.
Have subbed a lot less, due to blocking off a few days last week so I could catch up a bit, and this week is the last week for schools in the area to be in session, so most teachers aren't taking off/in need of a sub. Which is ok with me! :)
I have gotten some baking in, and am looking forward to doing more soon! Then delivering the goodies to neighbors.
That is all for now! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Friday, December 04, 2009
Winter
Hello! I'm sure it seems as though I've been hibernating since I haven't posted in ages again! I have actually had a lot on my mind/list to blog, but when I sit down to blog, I think that I don't have time to get it all down. I will start with a few little things today and try to spread posts out-post more often. :)
I met Molly for dinner a while back, and her lovely daughter, too, while she was in the area. I enjoyed the evening immensely. I could have conversed with them longer! :) Such wonderfully nice ladies! Sitting down with her felt like like I'd known her for ages.
Running has been virtually nonexistent this week, although I did run a few times last week-only twice this week and once was on the dreadful treadmill so I didn't get very far. Blah.
I have been in a bad state in the arena of eating. The cold weather is moving in and this time of year always moves me into hibernation zone where I want to eat every nonhealthy thing in site and have no ambition to exercise!
I have been subbing on a daily basis, as usual, which leaves nothing done at home... That has me feeling overwhelmed about the pending holidays! :) I have started a spreadsheet called "tasks" and I continue to add new tasks, but get to delete the old as I complete them. I don't have the usual suspects on it like "laundry" or "groceries". These are things I'd like to see done a few days after I place them on the list.
Traditionally speaking, we used to have an advent tree-a wooden tree that played music similar to a music box. We got it when my youngest was an infant. It had finally broken down last year. This year, I didn't think of it until December first, we had no advent counters! I saw this one, and am using paper strips instead of ribbon, and have printed out the ornaments. Better late than never?
That is all for today. I hope you are well, dear reader, and are enjoying this holiday season!
I met Molly for dinner a while back, and her lovely daughter, too, while she was in the area. I enjoyed the evening immensely. I could have conversed with them longer! :) Such wonderfully nice ladies! Sitting down with her felt like like I'd known her for ages.
Running has been virtually nonexistent this week, although I did run a few times last week-only twice this week and once was on the dreadful treadmill so I didn't get very far. Blah.
I have been in a bad state in the arena of eating. The cold weather is moving in and this time of year always moves me into hibernation zone where I want to eat every nonhealthy thing in site and have no ambition to exercise!
I have been subbing on a daily basis, as usual, which leaves nothing done at home... That has me feeling overwhelmed about the pending holidays! :) I have started a spreadsheet called "tasks" and I continue to add new tasks, but get to delete the old as I complete them. I don't have the usual suspects on it like "laundry" or "groceries". These are things I'd like to see done a few days after I place them on the list.
Traditionally speaking, we used to have an advent tree-a wooden tree that played music similar to a music box. We got it when my youngest was an infant. It had finally broken down last year. This year, I didn't think of it until December first, we had no advent counters! I saw this one, and am using paper strips instead of ribbon, and have printed out the ornaments. Better late than never?
That is all for today. I hope you are well, dear reader, and are enjoying this holiday season!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Decluttering
Have been thinking a lot lately about de-cluttering. On this site there is a post about the 27 most important rules to keeping a house. I liked some of them. I'm an "organizer"... this site (I think in a previous article I read) suggested "Don't organize"... throw away and then you won't have as much to find a place for... :)
On this site Get Organized, they have 52 challenges (1 per week). One was to throw away 50 things, and I'm in the mood to purge, so I'm doing that after I post! :)
On this blog the writer has a "Finish it Friday" where she lists things she needs to get done over the weekend, holds herself accountable, checks in on Monday and reports what got done over the weekend. I like that idea and feel the need to make my own Finish it Friday lists, too! :) Last weekend, due to my illness, one of mine was "recuperate". :) My list for this weekend is much longer. I have felt inspired today to get things done. I made a list from the upstairs to the basement of places clutter goes to die... I am working on them this weekend.
On a sweet note, I have had my "office" in our dining room space for quite a while. We have always talked about it becoming a dining room and getting a table big enough to seat guests... I knew my space was temporary. We talked about moving it downstairs to the basement, but I like nature and light. I felt sad. Then my husband said I could have his office space! I felt awful! He needs a "man room" in a house full of women! :)) He came up with a plan to redo our room, which has plenty of space, for a nook for himself, and for me to turn his office into my own office/scrapbooking space... :) To keep all our paperwork in one organized spot, all my supplies on one floor of the house... wow. A dream. Do I dare get excited, or will the cheapskate in me rear its ugly head and tell me things are cheaper as is. Although, I'm planning on checking out craigslist.com and selling the stuff I'd nolonger use.... It's exciting, but it comes with a bit of guilt. I'm kicking him out of his space? Hmmm, so much for the giving me of the last post!! ;)
On this site Get Organized, they have 52 challenges (1 per week). One was to throw away 50 things, and I'm in the mood to purge, so I'm doing that after I post! :)
On this blog the writer has a "Finish it Friday" where she lists things she needs to get done over the weekend, holds herself accountable, checks in on Monday and reports what got done over the weekend. I like that idea and feel the need to make my own Finish it Friday lists, too! :) Last weekend, due to my illness, one of mine was "recuperate". :) My list for this weekend is much longer. I have felt inspired today to get things done. I made a list from the upstairs to the basement of places clutter goes to die... I am working on them this weekend.
On a sweet note, I have had my "office" in our dining room space for quite a while. We have always talked about it becoming a dining room and getting a table big enough to seat guests... I knew my space was temporary. We talked about moving it downstairs to the basement, but I like nature and light. I felt sad. Then my husband said I could have his office space! I felt awful! He needs a "man room" in a house full of women! :)) He came up with a plan to redo our room, which has plenty of space, for a nook for himself, and for me to turn his office into my own office/scrapbooking space... :) To keep all our paperwork in one organized spot, all my supplies on one floor of the house... wow. A dream. Do I dare get excited, or will the cheapskate in me rear its ugly head and tell me things are cheaper as is. Although, I'm planning on checking out craigslist.com and selling the stuff I'd nolonger use.... It's exciting, but it comes with a bit of guilt. I'm kicking him out of his space? Hmmm, so much for the giving me of the last post!! ;)
Thankful
So many things to write about in the last month. Many unrelated, many linked...
It is November and here in the states we celebrate Thanksgiving this month. It reminds us (or we try to not get bogged down with holiday visits and preparation, while remembering) to be thankful. As regular readers know, in our family, we do a thankful feather letter each year and place the feathers we receive on our gourd turkey (who is holding up nicely, even after losing his head a few years ago! :)) We have the letters sent out and have received one back thus far. Along the same lines, I read this in a friend's post on Facebook: "Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. "Today I am thankful for..." The longer you do it the harder it gets! Now if you think you can do it, then repost this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what you are thankful for today." I have posted this over the last three days, which is when I first read it, along with some blessings I think of such as my health, Veterans (yesterday was Veteran's Day here in the US) and the internet which connects me to family and friends who I don't see often enough-or some of you I've never met, but am sure I would enjoy in person! :)
I felt really blessed about my health since having the flu. I wasn't tested officially, but was diagnosed with "the flu", but the symptoms weren't like any flu I've experienced, so we are figuring it was H1N1. I haven't been sick sick like that in so many years-and this kept me down for weeks! I slept but still was too exhausted to do anything. The next week I continued the cough that came with it and it developed into bronchitis! I was sick essentially for three and a half weeks! That was after rest, antibiotics and steroids! I was too week and feeling so unwell that I didn't blog or scrapbook! :) I am feeling much better now and realized that I take my good health for granted!
I was up to running four days a week and really feeling good about it until that bout with the flu/bronchitis, so I will have to start again! I did get to yoga this week which was wonderful! :)
I have been subbing in the same classroom for three weeks, a fifth grade math class, and it's been nice to build a relationship with the kids. I will be back for 7 more school days, it appears, and be done at Thanksgiving break. That has filled my days (and I had to miss two of my scheduled days due to my illness!) and I feel behind on all that needs to be done at home.
My parents came down for a visit over Halloween. It was our youngest daughter's last year for trick-or-treat. We have several people in the neighborhood who still go out for candy even older, but we don't. Our kids don't eat that much candy and enjoy giving it out to all the kids we know, so we are done with creating clever costumes. :) I always enjoyed it, but we have a time limit. :) Our youngest has discovered the "secrets of the holidays" so that is another stage of life they have grown out of. It's sad for me-but a relief, also to not have those added details.
Both girls have gotten good grades this grading period and we're proud of them! I hope they continue to enjoy school and work hard.
A neighbor of my grandparents, and a nice member of my family's community passed away this week after cancer ravaged her. Sad that she had such an awful illness. My parents said they went to the funeral home visitation in the evening and they waited an hour to get in-a line was out and around the building. They said over one visitation period 280 people signed the guestbook-and if even some of those were couples, wow! It has had me thinking that I hope I make such a connection, a difference in people's lives. Not that I feel the need for "major recognition in death!" I just mean, I hope I leave such a positive impact on people's lives, a warmth in them. Now, to remember that, who I want to be, not getting caught up in "things"... especially with the holiday chaos lurking around the corner...
Thanksgiving Blessings to you, Reader!! :)
It is November and here in the states we celebrate Thanksgiving this month. It reminds us (or we try to not get bogged down with holiday visits and preparation, while remembering) to be thankful. As regular readers know, in our family, we do a thankful feather letter each year and place the feathers we receive on our gourd turkey (who is holding up nicely, even after losing his head a few years ago! :)) We have the letters sent out and have received one back thus far. Along the same lines, I read this in a friend's post on Facebook: "Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. "Today I am thankful for..." The longer you do it the harder it gets! Now if you think you can do it, then repost this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what you are thankful for today." I have posted this over the last three days, which is when I first read it, along with some blessings I think of such as my health, Veterans (yesterday was Veteran's Day here in the US) and the internet which connects me to family and friends who I don't see often enough-or some of you I've never met, but am sure I would enjoy in person! :)
I felt really blessed about my health since having the flu. I wasn't tested officially, but was diagnosed with "the flu", but the symptoms weren't like any flu I've experienced, so we are figuring it was H1N1. I haven't been sick sick like that in so many years-and this kept me down for weeks! I slept but still was too exhausted to do anything. The next week I continued the cough that came with it and it developed into bronchitis! I was sick essentially for three and a half weeks! That was after rest, antibiotics and steroids! I was too week and feeling so unwell that I didn't blog or scrapbook! :) I am feeling much better now and realized that I take my good health for granted!
I was up to running four days a week and really feeling good about it until that bout with the flu/bronchitis, so I will have to start again! I did get to yoga this week which was wonderful! :)
I have been subbing in the same classroom for three weeks, a fifth grade math class, and it's been nice to build a relationship with the kids. I will be back for 7 more school days, it appears, and be done at Thanksgiving break. That has filled my days (and I had to miss two of my scheduled days due to my illness!) and I feel behind on all that needs to be done at home.
My parents came down for a visit over Halloween. It was our youngest daughter's last year for trick-or-treat. We have several people in the neighborhood who still go out for candy even older, but we don't. Our kids don't eat that much candy and enjoy giving it out to all the kids we know, so we are done with creating clever costumes. :) I always enjoyed it, but we have a time limit. :) Our youngest has discovered the "secrets of the holidays" so that is another stage of life they have grown out of. It's sad for me-but a relief, also to not have those added details.
Both girls have gotten good grades this grading period and we're proud of them! I hope they continue to enjoy school and work hard.
A neighbor of my grandparents, and a nice member of my family's community passed away this week after cancer ravaged her. Sad that she had such an awful illness. My parents said they went to the funeral home visitation in the evening and they waited an hour to get in-a line was out and around the building. They said over one visitation period 280 people signed the guestbook-and if even some of those were couples, wow! It has had me thinking that I hope I make such a connection, a difference in people's lives. Not that I feel the need for "major recognition in death!" I just mean, I hope I leave such a positive impact on people's lives, a warmth in them. Now, to remember that, who I want to be, not getting caught up in "things"... especially with the holiday chaos lurking around the corner...
Thanksgiving Blessings to you, Reader!! :)
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