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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!!

Today is my Grandfather's Birthday...he is 93 years old...

He is a God-fearing man who has had tremendous influence on the generations that have followed him.

Praise GOD and Hallelujia!!

My own dad was talking about how he had fixed his riding lawnmower and that it was time for Jayden to come and help him mow the lawn...it brought back memories for me of times I was on my grandpa's riding lawn mower...the lawn was never the same.

My sister and I learned to drive a tractor on his farm before we were 10 years old...and ditched it a time or two.

We learned to corral escaped cows and get up before the sun...

We learned about how good strawberries and ice cream were together and how fun a basement could be to explore...

He always had a little chuckle when we'd driven our Grandma to frustration with frogs and mud and ditchin' the tractor.

In 93 years, he's seen tremendous things...think of all that has happened since 1917...


1917 – The Russian Revolution happened and Mata Hari was executed for being a spy
1918 – Daylight Savings Time was introduced
1919 – The Treaty of Versailles Ended World War I
1920 – Women were granted the right to vote
1921 - Lie detector was invented
1922 – Tomb of King Tut was discovered
1923 – Talking Movies were invented
1924 – First Olympic Winter Games were held
1925 – The Scopes (Monkey) Trial was held
1926 – Houdini Died after being punched
1927 – Babe Ruth Makes a Home Run Rcord
1928 – first Mickey Mouse cartoon was done
1929 – Stock Market Crashed
1930 – Pluto was discovered
1931 – Empire State Building was completed
1932 – Scientists split the atom
1933 – Prohibition ends in the US
1934 – Parker Brothers sells the game Monopoly
1935 – Social Security was enacted in the US
1936 – Hoover Dam was completed
1937 – Amelia Earhart vanished, the Golden Gate Bridge opened, and the Hindenberg Disaster happened
1938 – Broadcast of “The War of the Worlds”
1939 – Helicopter was invented and WWII begins
1940 – Nylon goes on the market
1941 – Japanese attack Pearl Harbor and the Manhattan Project begins
1942 – Anne Frank went into hiding and the T-Shirt was introduced
1943 – Italy joins the Allies in WWII
1944 – D-Day and the ball point pen went on sale
1945 – UN founded, US dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, FDR died and my mother was born, the second of three children
1946 – Bikinis were introduced
1947 – Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and Polaroid Cameras were invented
1948 – Gandi was assassinated and the State of Israel was founded
1949 – China became a Communist country and George Orwell published Nineteen Eighty-Four
1950 – First modern credit card was introduced, the first organ transplant was done and the first “Peanuts” cartoon strip appeared.
1951 – Color TV was introduced
1952 – Car seat belts were introduced and the Polio vaccine was created
1953 – DNA was discovered
1954 – First report published that said that cigarettes cause cancer
1955 – Disneyland opened and James Dean died in a car crash
1956 – Elvis was on the Ed Sullivan show
1957 – The Cat in the Hat was first published
1958 – Legos were first introduced, NASA was founded and the peace symbol was created
1959 – Castro became the dictator of Cuba
1960 – Lasers were invented
1961 – Berlin Wall was built (see 1989) and the soviets launch the first man into space
1962 – Marilyn Monroe was found dead
1963 – JFK was assassinated
1964 – Nelson Mandela sentenced to life in prison (see 1990)
1965 – Japan’s Bullet Train opens and Malcom X is assassinated
1966 – Star Trek TV series airs
1967 – First heart transplant and the first Super Bowl
1968 – MLK Jr. and RFK are assassinated
1969 – ARPANET (the precursor to the internet) is created and Neil Armstrong becomes the first man on the moon
1970 – Beatles break up and the computer floppy disk was introduced
1971 – London Bridge was brought to the US (its in Lake Havasu if you ever want to see it)
1972 – Pocket Calculators were introduced
1973 – Sears tower was built
1974 – Nixon resigned
1975 – Microsoft was founded
1976 – Nadia Comaneci was given seven perfect 10 scores – the first ever.
1977 – Elvis was found dead
1978 – Jonestown Massacre happened
1979 – Iran took American Hostages in Tehran
1980 – John Lennon was assassinated
1981 – A new plague was identified as AIDS and the PC was introduced by IBM
1982 – E.T. was released and Michael Jackson released Thriller
1983 – Sally Ride became the first American woman in space
1984 – PG – 13 movie rating was created
1985 – New Coke hit the market
1986 – Challenger space shuttle exploded, Chernobyl nuclear accident occurred
1987 – DNA is first used to convict criminals and Black Monday happened
1988 – Pan Am Flight 103 is bombed over Lockerbie
1989 – the Berlin Wall falls (see 1961)
1990 – Nelson Mandella is freed from prison (see 1964)
1991 – Soviet Union collapsed
1992 – LA Riots following the Rodney King verdict
1993 – First bombing of the World Trade Center
1994 – Nelson Mandela is Elected President of South Africa (See 1964 and 1990)
1995 – Oklahoma City Bombing
1996 – Unabomber is arrested
1997 – Princess Diana died in a car crash and scientists clone sheep
1998 – US President Clinton impeached (did you KNOW he was impeached? Well, he was…)
1999 – Columbine massacre
2000 – Dow Jones reaches 11,722 and the NASDAQ reaches an all time high of 5048
2001 – Al Qaeda terrorists attack the US on 9/11
2002 – Guantanimo Bay Naval Base in Cuba opens a detention camp for terrorists
2003 – US goes to war against Iraq
2004 – Google, Inc goes public
2005 – Hurricane Katrina hits the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Youtube is launched
2006 – Twitter is launched
2007 – the Iphone is released
2008 – Stock market crashes and the Dow Jones tumbles from a historic high of 14198 (10/2007) to 7449
2009 – Barak Obama is inaugurated as the first black American president

Its quite a list, isn't it?

Peace, ya'll!!

seeker *SFTIO September Enlightment Kit*

AS the month of September comes to a close, I'm posting my final layout for the September Enlightment kit from Scrapbooking From the Inside Out.

To FIND enlightenment, you have to be LOOKING for it...and BOY do I look!

Most of my books are piled upon the nightstand, the living room table, the kitchen island, the shelves in my office...and that doesn't include the boxes of them in the attic.

I'm a voracious seeker...I read blogs, I listen to music, I browse magazines, I read...boy do I read!

And I WRITE in my books...GASP! I guess I've never outgrown the need to put a mark on something and OWN it.

This final layout is about being a seeker through books:


This is perhaps the most precious gift my parents ever gave me...a thirst to learn and to read.


I believe reading has given me a very distinctive perspective of the world around me...and it makes it REALLY easy to self-entertain.

Hoping to instill this same sense of drinking in knowledge and insight in both my boys!!!

Have a BEAUTIFUL DAY, everyone!

Peace!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Monday Muse - Cherry Lollipops

Today's muse is a shot of these ADORABLE little gifts, with lollipops rather than bows.

I found these over on Stepmodo - another very cool inspiration source....


I could think of SO many ways to use this idea!!

What about you???

Peace, ya'll!!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sunday Inspiration - Objectify vs. Sanctify

We can objectify the world or sanctify it. When we objectify the world, we view it and all that is in it as existing solely for our use, whether that use is for pleasure or profit or patriotism. When we sanctify the world, we view it and all that is in it with appreciation. In doing so, we recognize them not simply as objects, but as objects created by God that in some way reflect Him and all that is dear to Him…- Ken Gire – Knowing What is Sacred -

On another amazing note, its THIS pretty lady's birthday today. (Here she is holding each of her nephews!):




Have a wonderful Birthday, Kellie! We love you and miss you...and we wish we were there to deliver Birthday wishes and cake ourselves...

Instead, we have asked a very dear friend of ours to deliver a message to you:



Peace, ya'll!!!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Five Question Friday

Wow its been a week…

HOT here in my neck of the woods – not at all like autumn….

And there have significant changes for me at work and in life. I’m once again (those of you who read this often know that I do this in cycles) getting in touch with my God-given creativity. I’ve been workins on some things , but they will have to wait to debut until the first of October…OCTOBER!?!?!?! YIKES its so close…

We’ve been having the Halloween costume discussion at our house…WAYYYYYY more involved wieht the three-going-to-be-four year old than it was LAST year…so far on the docket? Spiderman, Woody, Obi Wan and Iron Man. Oh, the choices of it all!!!

I’m so ready for Five Question Friday this week…it seems like Friday didn’t come nearly fast enough, at yet, it flew right at me like a speeding train!!!

Here we go:

1. If you could speak with a different accent, what would it be (i.e Australian, Scottish)? Well…my NC friends say I speak with a west coast accent (California to be exact) and my West Coast friends say I sound like I’m from the south…so…there you go.

2. Can you fall asleep anywhere? (i.e floor, couch, deck) No.

3. Do you use public restrooms? If so, do you sit on the toilet? Yes, and yes…but only with a liner or a layer of TP.

4. If you were stuck in an elevator for 24 hours, what celebrity would you most want to be stuck with? I would want to be stuck with somebody highly intelligent who has had a deep well of experiences…and who didn’t intimidate me…so…I’m going to say somebody like Steve Martin – he’s in Mensa! And he’s vastly talented…and occasionally funny and he seems very approachable.

5. Where did you & your significant other go on your 1st date? Coffee and a movie…the movie was Erin Brockovich

Have an amazing day, everyone!!!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

questions *SFTIO September Enlightment Kit* and BLOG HOP!

Today is the DAY! Its time for the Scrapbooking From the Inside Out Blog Hop!!

For any of you who might not know about Scrapbooking From the Inside Out, it is an inspirational source, kit club, and online community for scrapbookers who want to explore their inner lives and deepest thoughts and dreams.

Its also a fantastic way to get more of YOU in to your scrapbooks!

Each month, Rachel and her team come up with an amazing kit of beautifully coordinating supplies along with a theme to explore.

This month, the theme is Enlightenment.


The color and texture in this kit is so gorgeous!!


It feels a bit like a trip through some exotic foreign land.


And its FULL of little details...


Do you think that Enlightenment means that you have all the answers?

Do you think that it means that the questions just go away or that they are no longer pertinent?

I don't....this layout is all about asking those questions, the questions that you think you may never know the answer to.

For me, faith and enlightenment go hand in hand.If you want to be enlightened, you have to be willing to ask the tough questions, to see beyond what is temporal. Questioning to me doesn't imply a lack of faith...as long as they don't consume you. And...well...while these are questions I have, they are often in my prayers...



I believe its important to question...and equally important to accept that for some things, there will be no answer here on this earth. THAT speaks of enlightment to me...some things are not for me to know. And NOT understanding, doesn't steal my peace...(Ok...I'm still working on THAT part!)

Sometimes we shy away from doing non-photo layouts. But this is a layout where I just didn't feel I had a photo do do the topic justice...and, lets be serious, I could have FILLED THIS PAGE UP with more questions!

I made these nifty little embellishments for this layout:


SO much fun when you only have a few minutes to create...I LOVE these!!!

NOW for the blog hop...each of the amazing SFTIO designers is displaying a layout from the Enlightenment Kit today.

To win this beautiful kit, visit each blog and leave a comment AND make sure you Friend SFTIO on Facebook!


A winner will be drawn from ALL of the comments on our blogs (remember you must  be an SFTIO Facebook Friend) to win this amazing kit!

Oh, and a bonus: an additional kit will be given when SFTIO reaches 1000 friends!!! WOOHOO!!

If you are already hopping, you should have reached my blog via Diana's Blog.

If you got here some other way, make sure you go all the way back to Pinky's Blog to get started. She has another amazing prize package up for grabs too so make sure you get the details about that one.

NEXT in the amazing SFTIO blog hop is the oh-so-talented Profound Brunette - Melissa Elsner!

So, did you get that!??  ONE kit to a blog hop winner, ONE kit once we reach 1000 friends on Facebook and ONE special prize from Pinky!  THATS A LOT OF WINNING!!!

UPDATE:  The Blog Hop entries are now closed...keep your eyes open for a winner!!

Good luck and Happy Hopping!!!

Have an amazing day!

Peace, ya'll!!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Monday Muse - Charlie and Lola

My son loves Charlie and Lola...though, he does often say, "Mommy, I can't understand what they are saying..." :-)

He's a big fan of the color-book style of Charlie and Lola...

And I'm a big fan of this cake that I saw on Old Town Imports:


It is so seriously cute - and it throws me into a not-so-serious mood...

Really, inspiration should just be about the fun of it, no?

Peace, ya'll!!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sunday Inspiration

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”~ Mitch Albom ~

Thursday, September 16, 2010

How to Spot a Spy

I’m a huge fan of spy shows…

I’ve always loved the TV shows that are about spys…I'm not sure if its the thrill of the sneaking around, the high-tech gadgets or all the cool costumes they get to wear...whatever the reason, the suspenseful spy show (even if its totally cheesy) usually has my attention.

I was an enormous fan of Alias and especially the tough/hot/vulnerable Sidney Bristow. Interestingly enough, I found this show on ABC Family one Sunday killing time waiting for Scott to come home from work. I spent the ENTIRE DAY watching the Alias marathon...then I was HOOKED!


I STILL love happening on an original episode of Get Smart (they are fewer and farther between, but so funny!) The original CONE OF SILENCE!


How about Wild Wild West – anyone remember that one? That was a good one. For some reason, I used to see these on Saturday afternoons a lot...I always thought they were a bit corny but could never turn them off.


I was a huge fan of Chuck (although not so much any more…I haven’t watched it in awhile). When I watched it, the geeks TOTALLY kept me watching.



I really love Covert Affairs (again with the Hot/tough/vulnerable chick!)


And I’m also pretty much in love with Burn Notice. That just might be a Jeffrey Donovan thing, tho...I remember him from Crossing Jordan and from Touching Evil...anyone else?


Perhaps that is why I immediately went and read the WikiHow that popped up on my radar today about How to Spot a Spy.

Really? How to spot a spy? We need to worry about these things?

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve often got my hands full just noticing if I’ve got all of my own t’s crossed and I’s dotted…its maddening to think that I might have to be watching somebody else’s comings and goings, the kinds of technology they use and whether or not they talk all the time about being out of the country but never seem to say why.

My favorite part of the article?

Be alert for anyone spying on you:

Are you being followed?

Is anyone taking photographs of you?

Do you notice that things in your home have been moved?

Based on this, my children MUST think I’m a spy!!!

Have a GREAT day everyone!

Peace!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

journey *SFTIO September Enlightment Kit*

When I ponder Scrapbooking From the Inside Out's September theme Enlightenment, it carries for me huge implications about my journey in this world.

I don't worry so much about the end...I feel like I know what that means for me and my family. But I DO worry and wonder and think and ponder what the time between "here" and "there" will be like. THere is a lot of thought that goes into what God wants from me here in the NOW.

This layout, using the kit, I really stated the simplicity of this for myself - and so one day my kids can understand what exactly it was I was trying to do here and now:


I want my boys to understand that once you've made the decision, its not about where you are going, but how you get there...

Since there seem to be so many people out there searching, it felt like this was a HUGE enlightenment for me...that I don't have to spend time on the end...I can spend my time on here and now...it has some fairly significant implications. It really drives home that I need to put my effort into the thousand little details that make up my vast day, and that my energy should be prioritized to put the most emphasis on what matters today (as opposed to what might matter tomorrow).

Hmmmmmmm....

Now there is something else to think about...

Have an AMAZING DAY!!!

Peace, ya'll!!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Another Muse

I don't know what it is about this ad, but I'm in love with it...


Is it the grunge-chic look?

The range of colors?

Her fabulous eye makeup?

I just don't know what specifically is so striking about this one...

The ad reminds me of Melody Ross, somewhat...the way she dresses:


It has me thinking about my artistic side...and, well...who I have been trying to be versus who I am...

How do you suppose we lose touch with ourselves? How do we start trying to be somebody else...and not our true and authentic self?

I'm very in touch with that idea right now...with trying to be what somebody else expects of me and not my authentic self, not the self God created me to be.

Its a ponderous concept...

Somehow I'm far more artistic and classic than I'm allowing myself to be...I've got a love of big jewelry and simple clothing, of fun shoes and black shirts and bright lipstick. Where is that woman who wore huge cocktail rings before it was "fashionable" to do so, who didn't care if you thought her boots were weird or ugly or appropriate for the mall?

She simply MUST be found...I'm interested in being the reflection that God created me to be...not the buttoned down, corporate girl who always does the "right" thing...

So...searching away...

And this ad just speaks to that part of me that is searching...

I do know this:

That RING she's wearing...


Its so MINE!!!

Have a BLESSED DAY, everyone!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Monday Muse - Music

So, I heard this song somewhere totally random...a commercial. I loved it.



The next thing I know, its popping up on my radar all over the place - blogs, links, you name it.

I will admit it hits several sweet spots for me: old-time gospel, acoustic perfection, recording with skill as well as technology, deep and meaningful lyrics...and lets just not skim over the fact that I ADORE that harmony. I feel like they are all sitting around my backyard hanging out and singing around the fire.

The process of putting together a record isn't all that unlike the process of putting together any other piece of art...there is research to be done, gathering of materials, a concept to be formed, the production and then release of the material...

IN the case of a layout, research = taking a photo or jotting down a story, gathering of materials = getting your supplies together (either organically as you create or before you get started, concept = sketch or putting the elements all over the paper to see where they should permanently reside, production = gluing/pasting/cutting/journaling/painting/etc..., and release = when you take pictures of it even tho your husband thinks that is the funniest thing ever, and put it out there for the world to see...

The concept and process of a recording can be a long and complicated affair...especially if it isn't your first time around a studio...Patty tells about the whole process for THIS recording HERE.

I always read these things...they simply fascinate me...I want to see how other artists think...and since I was once an aspiring singer/songwriter myself, I'm particularly captivated by her process. Lets not even get into the fact that she sounds like an angel.

Even the art work is inspiring for me on this one...


But beyond that, here are some other inspirations:

She takes something that has already been done and with tremendous respect and creative purpose, she remakes it.

She doesn't apologize for being enamored of the foundation of her craft, though there are some who are so enamored of the Lady Gaga-esque form of studio production music who think that is archaic. Its an interesting thought: Go back to your roots...what sort of creation can you do without all the bells and whistles?

She is true to her own voice. We are all extremely grateful for artists like Ali, Donna, Stacy, Cathy, Becky...and the list goes on and on. As vastly different as each of these scrapbooking artists is, they have one important shared quality - they have found their own voice and remain true to it. In music and scrapbooking and in all other forms of art, those who look upon it are most concerned that they hear YOUR voice in the work.

So...what shall we do with all these heady and deep inspirations this Monday!?!?!?

Whatcha got!?!?!?

Peace, everyone!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Its going to be a busy day today...I have 5 straight hours of meetings on deck for the day...ugh.

But all of this must happen in order to move forward.

I've been watching a fascinating documentary called Secrets of 9/11. It has driven home for me that things are not always as they seem...and that ignorance may not be bliss.

On a lighter note, its time for my Friday tradition Five Question Friday. I have two traditions for Friday...the other one involves pizza...

1. Do you feel guilty spending money on yourself? Absolutely. More so since I had children.

2. How well do you know your neighbors? Pretty well...we have amazing neighbors. We have said since we moved here that we have the best neighbors in the whole wide world.

3. What age are you looking forward to being? I'm rather enamored with that old, wrinkled grandma image.

4. Do you get excited when the mail comes? Why? Ummm...sometimes...usually at the beginning of the month when I know my scrapbooking kit is on its way.

5. What is your earliest childhood memory? Tough one. I have a memory of wandering a sunny room of windows with low bookshelves, painted white, with colorful rugs. It was a neighbor's home across the street from my first home in Reno, Nevada. I don't remember the neighbor, not even a name. But I remember feeling like I'd gone to someplace very special with all those books and the wonderful light.

Have a MAGNIFICENT Friday, everyone!!!

Peace!

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Be Safe, Be Kind, Pizza Face

Learned THIS yesterday from my friend Erin:

We really only need two rules in life:  Be safe.  Be kind.

Even more profound if you consider that she did not say "NICE."

These words of wisdom came from her mother and I thought that they were so appropriate, for us as adults and for me as a mom raising two little boys.  How easy for them to remember: Be Safe, Be Kind...and how easy for ME as a mom to use in a multitude of situations. My friend Erin said she couldn't think of a place where these words would not apply.  I happen to whole-heartedly agree!!!

Speaking of kiddos....

I did a bit of scrapbooking over the weekend...

Well...actually...I had a cold all weekend - me AND the boys...YUCK...runny noses all around. On Monday the boys were doing much better and so went to play with Grandma T in the pools she has in her back yard.

Scott and I rested and had some "down" time...precious stuff, that down time!

Needless to say, I was not in the mood for anything strenuous...so, I turned on last season's episodes of The Closer, plopped myself down on the floor in my scrap room and proceeded to clean up. IMMENSELY cathartic to clean up and put away and sort and file and...well...you know I love to be organized!

After it was all said and done, I had a clean office, one more hour to spare and one more episode of the Closer left to watch...so I broke out a kit I took to the convention with me and finished a layout:


Supplies:
Printed Paper: Girls Paperie, October Afternoon
Letters: Girls Paperie
Journal spot: Technique Tuesday
Title Card: My Minds Eye
Sticker: little yellow Bicycle
Punch: Fiskars
Cardstock: Making Memories
Ink: Colorbox
Photo Corners: Canson

I also found one that I've failed to post before. Hard to believe that these two layouts are the same child...


Supplies:
Overlay - Hambly Little Circle Green
Printed Paper - Lily Bee
Felt Letters - Making Memories
Buttons: Creative Imaginations Creative Cafe
Ink: Colorbox
Dictionary page: Torn from dictionary
Journal Spot: My Minds Eye
Spray: Smooch Citrus Tickle
Cardstock: Bazzill

That last one got me thinking: Its HARD to photograph layouts with transparency backgrounds...How do YOU do it? Photograph something that is essentially see through??? How do you photograph glass or water or any of these things that have an impression to the naked eye, but don't really read well in a photograph. I'm going to have to experiment.

Have an AMAZING day, everyone!!

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

dawn comes *SFTIO September Enlightment Kit*

I know, I know, I know...I've been a little silent over the last few days...

I just really needed some down time...and the three day weekend was a good thing, since the boys and I all got a little cold. Poor little Noah has learned to mouth breath at 8 months!

The September Enlightenment. kit from Scrapbooking From the Inside Out. was a HUGE inspiration for me...I did three layouts in a little over two hours with the kit this time...

This one, tho...this one was NOT one of them.

It started off as a series of 12 x 12 sketches...I played with some white cardstock, drawing and tearing and sort of messing with the dimensions and the idea for awhile...in the end, I decided that I just did NOT have the pictures to pull off the sentiment. So...I shrunk it a bit and decided that it would make a nice little inspiration piece.

It is certainly something I've learned over time...there is always tomorrow...its hard to let go of today sometimes. And equally hard to let go of pain and confusion, neglect or our perceived injury. But in the end, no matter what, dawn always comes:


Now, I'm the first to state very clearly that I'm not a blingy scrapper...but...ok, the whole bling thing is GROWING on me...


There is an awesome journaling prompt up for this month over on the inspiration page.

Illuminate the Darkness: What life experiences and growth have allowed you to shine a light on others in a dark place? When have you been able to ‘turn the light on’ for yourself after a period of loss, sadness or grief? How good are you at lighting a candle instead of cursing the darkness? What is your role in lighting the way for others? Is it overstepping your bounds to speak your truth, or do you offer your gifts freely? What have others done for you to illuminate your path and provide insight?

I thought this was so fitting as a challenge!!

Have a GORGEOUS Wednesday everyone!!!

Peace, ya'll!

Friday, September 03, 2010

Five Question Friday

I've had a magnificent week of discovery - no bad for my unofficial September "new year." I think I'll go straight to Five Question Friday. Best to end a week of creative, emotional and educational chaos on a simple note, right?

1. What do you do when you have time to yourself? Scrapbook, read, watch all my DVR'd back episodes of shows, take a bath.

2. When you look out your kitchen window, what do you see? A back yard in need of weeding and the removal of some overgrown shrubs, a big redwood swingset, and if I'm there at dawn or dusk, I might just see deer, bunnies, cardinals, turtles, or some other member of our wildlife menagerie.

3. Who/What would you want to be reincarnated as? I don't want to be reincarnated...I want to be in Heaven, safe and secure with Jesus...coming back to the world would never even enter my mind.

4. What is your biggest pet peeve about other people's kids? hmmmmmm...before I had kids of my own, there were lots of them...but probably now, the only thing that would bother me is if they were mean. I don't really care for kiddos that are bully's...and I don't really dig parents who tolerate it, turn a blind eye to it, or actually encourage it. (I was shocked to find out that there are such parents, but I suppose that the whole "do unto others before they do unto you" mentality can definately be passed down through generations.)

5. Regular or Diet soda? honestly, neither. I don't generally drink soda. I drink coffee and iced tea and water...if there is nothing else available, I will drink regular...artificial sweeteners are not good...

Have a happy Friday everyone!

Peace!

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Creativity and September

The amazing Sharyn posted a quiz on her blog about creativity…

You can take the quiz HERE:

The verdict on creativity for me? Creativity is a release




For you, creativity is first and foremost a form of expression: it creates a special link between the internal and external worlds. It allows you to get a grasp of your powerful emotions, by moulding them into a physical form. In fact, the most important thing for you is to be able to release your emotions. You need to be able to touch them or look at them in concrete form, and to do that you have to find a way to make them come alive. This is how your desires and anxieties take shape. Keeping things bottled up creates a tension that can only be resolved once you have expressed how you feel. This means you have to be strong enough not to let yourself get swept away by chaotic impulses; if you turn your creative urges on everyday life — making a picnic, singing to the baby, choosing what to wear — you can express yourself while staying rooted in reality. Creativity is principally cathartic. It relieves a deep need, an almost primal, archaic impulse. For you, being creative is about having the power to give form to something you feel, to those deep personal issues that are often raw and disorganised. For these reasons you are usually attracted to art that demands physicality, that allows you to express what’s inside, and that unites spontaneity, strength, freedom, power and movement.


I have to say, I believe its accurate…creativity IS a release for me...which would probably by why rock music was such a draw for me when I sang.

Speaking of creativity, today I am starting Learn Something New from Shimelle.

I’m not getting overly fancy with this…as I honestly don’t have a lot of time to devote to elaborate pages this time of year. I’m going to use a Sarabinder for mine.


I’ve used some lined page inserts that I've attached each lined page to a gorgeous piece of scrap patterned cardstock as the base for my pages. Beyond that I'm going to let my learning discoveries guide what I do with the individual pages.

I'm also beginning a new journey through the book: Search for Significance I'm very excited to address some of the burdens of perfectionism and striving that I suffer from. I hope to be able to share some of the insights that either one or the other of these gives me.


WHEW! Its going to be a BUSY September!

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Enlightenment

September First.

Really?

It seems like we just got started with summer…and now its fall.

You know what the first the month means: its time to reveal the new kit from Scrapbooking From the Inside Out. This month, the theme is Enlightenment.


This kit is FULL of gorgeous oranges and blues and has amazing texture. Its so beautiful!!


It feels a bit like a trip through some exotic foreign land.


And its FULL of little details...


My first layout from this kit is a simple statement about Faith (this gorgeous embossed cardstock is part of the kit!):


Faith trusts in things that are not seen, at least not at first. Sometimes, faith will expose an outward manifestation. BUT usually that is after there has been an inward trust step, a leap-and-the-net-will-appear sort of step. Faith is believing without having anything that actually registers with our five senses. It is something you just know…


For me, my Christian Faith is the cornerstone of my life. I have learned so much about myself and the world we live in. When I look back at how I came to this faith, I realize that choices I had made left me little room but to give up control, to trust and to leap.

Now, a LOOOOOONNNNGGGGG time down the road, it seems as though God gives me sight and understanding in the most remarkable situations and times…and that He renews in me the ability to love those around me in the most profound ways. Sometimes I see a situation and I just KNOW what I’m supposed to do, how I should handle the information, how I should lend a hand or a prayer or just a shoulder to cry upon. Sometimes I feel a nudge, a little push that I cannot deny. Others, I find myself in complete chaos, yet still have clarity and peace. God has most certainly given me Enlightenment. as we've walked together, building a relationship.

Of course the spiritual aspect of Enlightenment. is just one of several facets…head on over to the Free Inspiration Page at Scrapbooking From the Inside Out and take a look at all the ways you could use Enlightenment to scrap about yourself this month!

Peace, ya’ll!!