Project Life 2012: Weeks 35, 36, 37 and 38
Posted: November 13, 2012 Filed under: Project Life 7 CommentsAttempting to stage a massive comeback this week!! Four weeks completed. World record status.
WEEK 35
LEFT SIDE: had fun including a funny story on the title card. It NEVER occurred to me that I would have to teach Tyson how to use a urinal or that there would be urinals in the boys bathroom. I still laugh thinking about how funny that morning was. Jake saw Ty’s drawing in last week’s layout, so he wanted to make one for this week.
RIGHT SIDE (W/INSERT): the picture of Jake’s first day makes me swoon. Those cheeks. I’ll be so sad when he loses them and I LOOOOOOVE that he wants to be a “Daddy” when he grows up. Heh.
Back of insert:
This was a BIG week for us. I was running around trying to put together a new work wardrobe after five years off, Jake was adjusting back to school, and I was learning to juggle FOUR completely different schedules:
Needless to say, the gym time decreased a lot…and pool time? Not so much.
WEEK 36
Keeping it simple: picture + small embellie = done.
I wanted to highlight the soccer team huddle. There is something so adorable about the itty bitty kindergarteners all huddled up…
One of my favorite pictures recently: Jake sitting outside the door of Ty’s kindergarten classroom. He desperately wanted to run inside and join his brother. So sweet:
WEEK 37
Not sure why it took me so long, but finally took one of the boys out on the trail with me. Jake rode his bike while I ran. He was TOUGH. “HURRRRRRY UP, MOM!!” I got a good three miles in. Definitely something that will become a regular weekend endeavor around these parts:
I am trying to incorporate photos of things that are often overlooked. This week: a picture of our playroom. The heart of our house. We spend countless hours together in this room…
WEEK 38
Used Clementine core pieces this week. LOVE. I forgot how much I love the color combos and EASE of the journal cards.
Even though I am super far behind, about five or six weeks, I actually LOVE reliving events through Project Life. I really enjoyed journaling and looking at the photos from the triathlon. It is still one of the bigger accomplishments for which I am very proud.
The Deets:
Obsessed. Orzo everything…had to include:
Love my boy’s love of the library. And love the Clementine card…
Thanks for stopping by!!
Linking up with The Mom Creative:
Grateful Tree: Green Kid Crafts Box
Posted: November 8, 2012 Filed under: Arts and Crafts, Fun Activity, Subscription Boxes 3 CommentsAfter some wet rainy day cozy coupe fun, we headed inside for a few crafty endeavors…
I traced a simple tree trunk outline on a piece of 12 x 12 kraft paper (could easily use a paper bag):
Inspired by the Green Kid Crafts “use everything” philosophy, we completed this project with simple things around the house. I cut up a few pages of today’s newspaper for the boys to use as the tree trunk. Gave them the glue and let them go to town filling in the trunk shape:
For the branches, I had the boys rip the little pieces of newspaper in half. Kept it simple.
While they glued, I cut out the leaves for them. I used the leaves on the back of the Tile Collage as a template for the orange and yellow paper:
My heart swooned a little as Ty filled out his leaves. As he wrote meticulously, we talked about things both boys loved and would miss if gone. We also talked about things we were grateful for. I love how this “supplemental” activity on the back of a set of directions could easily be a fifth addition to the box and sparks such meaningful conversation:
Jake dictated his answers but was more than ready to glue on his own leaves:
Finishing up his tree. LOVE the little glue bottles. I am going to keep and refill them (keeps the boys from emptying the contents of larger containers in one go)…
Real, five-year old answers:
The finished trees. Such a sweet project:
Our fall display. I was so excited I didn’t let the trees dry completely. They have since dried and all dripping paint has been wiped away. This space makes me so happy. I love their love of artsy fun…
My Latest Obsession: Subscription Boxes
Posted: November 3, 2012 Filed under: Arts and Crafts, Subscription Boxes 2 CommentsIt started slowly: Studio Calico. And then Nature Box. And now…Green Kid Crafts. Advertised as “fun and earth friendly craft kits, devoted to kids”, I was immediately intrigued and couldn’t resist. We received this lovely in the mail today and the boys and I dove in:
The theme this month, “Food Adventures”:
Inside the box: the supplies for four craft projects, cheddar bunnies, and coupons…
Jake and I started with the “Fishing Game”:
He attempted to cut the felt himself but it was a little too tricky for him. I finished up cutting the fish while he ate the bunnies. The end result: a super cute little game.
I called out a color, and he went fishing…
And LOVED it…
I love that nothing really goes to waste. All products and packaging are recyclable. On the back of the project directions was a “grateful” activity. The boys can write one thing they are grateful for and I can help them make it into a tree…our finished trees: here.
Next, we did the “Ceramic Tile Coaster” activity:
Since I purchased this deal through Plum District, I upgraded to a double sibling box. Both boys got to do each activity. Jake was super serious, concentrating on each tile:
Tyson took the more efficient approach, empty nearly all glue onto tile and put the ceramic pieces on. Two different approaches, same end product:
While Jake finished his tile, Ty fished:
Once dry, they will work with hot or cold beverages. I LOVE them:
Final thoughts: I think this box is awesome sauce. I love it. I love the philosophy behind it. The boys LOVED it…we are fans. We still have two fun projects for another day and I am already looking forward to our next box of crafty fun!!
Project Life 2012: Weeks 33 and 34
Posted: November 3, 2012 Filed under: Project Life 8 CommentsWEEK 33:
I am really excited about this one. It is one of my most favorite weeks to date. Partly the color combination, partly the pictures and stories, MOSTLY the title card:
TITLE CARD:
Tyson wanted to draw me a picture card. I handed him the card and a marker, and he handed me back this swoon worthy picture with a story that he immediately shared…
LEFT SIDE:
RIGHT SIDE:
I wasn’t sure what to think of this new page layout from the PL variety kit, but am really loving it. I rely on my phone to take a lot of pictures, thank goodness for Instagram, this layout is very IG friendly:
WEEK 34:
From one of my favorite layouts to one that is bothering me. I stepped way out of my comfort zone but was determined to use my Smash book stash of goodies…
RIGHT SIDE W/INSERT:
BACK OF INSERT:
This picture kills me. The first day of kindergarten seemed lifetimes away five years ago, yet it snuck up on me. The image of Ty walking down the front walkway is one that will likely repeat itself many times over…first day of kindergarten. First day of junior high. First day of high school. First date. First prom. First…
While the color combination throws me, the guided journaling made this week especially fun. I included things I likely wouldn’t have otherwise…
WEEK 35:
I thought I would include a week in progress and explain a little bit of my process. I have gone through and labeled each week with a simple notecard. I try to stay as current as possible with pictures. I upload weekly and print to Costco about every other week. I then cut out and place photos in each pocket, journaling and embellishing when I get some spare time.
I don’t really have a “theme” per week. I often just fill in the pockets with pictures as they fit. For this week’s layout, I am using some of the new journal cards from Target’s We R Memory Keepers: Albums Made Easy line. Love the colors and ease:
Have I told you how much I LOOOOVE the new Ali Edward journal cards…I LOOOOOOOOOVE them:
Project Life 2012: Weeks 30, 31, and 32
Posted: November 3, 2012 Filed under: Project Life 1 CommentDespite the lack of PL blogging, I have in fact been Project Life-ing. Chugging along. I managed a massive, valiant catch-up effort over the last couple weeks. I split the blog update into two posts…
WEEK 30
LEFT SIDE:
One of the things I love the most about Project Life is how it reminds me to keep the little pieces of life that would otherwise be thrown away or put aside. Things such as a snippet of Ty’s five-year checkup, better late than never, right??!! or a piece of the Ty’s first Lego success…
RIGHT SIDE:
The boys have been drawing and crafting at the end of the dining table while I Project Life. Tyson desperately wanted to draw me a picture for my “scrapbook”…how could I say no. I love the little piece of him included in this week’s layout. It makes me smile every time I look at it. While I thought the colors of the Lego box would throw my Type A matchy matchy self out of whack, I enjoy how it adds another form of personalization to the layout:
DEETS:
LOOOOOOOOOOVING the Technique Tuesday Ali Edward cards. Like really really LOVING them. So simple, so cute, so easy…
WEEK 31
No matter how hard I try, I am drawn the blue, brown, kraft, yellow combination…
LEFT SIDE:
Really happy PL came out with 4 x 6 blank grid cards…they are a mainstay for me:
RIGHT SIDE:
DEETS:
The ability to tell a complete story across multiple card pockets thrills me to no end. I love how you don’t have to stick to one type of format each week, you can do whatever you need to do to get your weekly story told:
And loving the ability to “highlight” especially meaningful weekly events in the bigger 4 x 6 pockets:
WEEK 32:
LEFT SIDE:
Decided to mix in some Cobalt Kit action this week. LOVE the reds and blues:
RIGHT SIDE:
DEETS:
She STAMPS, gasp. I tried…
Used some leftovers from my turquoise kit:
I Have Tri’d
Posted: October 5, 2012 Filed under: TRI-ing 5 Comments
I don’t know why this post has been so hard for me to write. I have sat down many times…and nothing.
This “race” was different for me.
In the past, I have gone into races feeling prepared. Not always completely prepared, but I knew I would finish. At some point. I have been lucky in that running has come pretty easy. I have been able to set goals and meet them. This tri…
I set goals. I had a plan. And then, life got in the way. I went back to work. I lost my primetime training time. My bike broke. With all the challenges, I lost my confidence. I went into this race day, scared, nervous, and completely unsure. I had no idea what to expect. I feared the water. We received an e-mail the night before letting us know the swim portion may be cancelled all together due to questionable water test results. I later feared death as I inadvertently swallowed some of the lake water.
A bundle of nerves, I arrived much earlier than anticipated. I couldn’t sleep so I figured I would head on over. Luckily, I ended up parking right next to one of my partners in tri crime. We ventured over to the transition area. We had no idea what we were doing and followed the lead of others who looked to know what they were doing. We laid out our gear, hung up our bikes, and chatted.
As time passed, we prepared for the swim. Only to hear that the start would be delayed ten minutes. Okay. Time to use the restroom. And then another twenty-minute delay. And then another. And then another. ONE HOUR later, the first wave was finally preparing to hit the swim. Road work forced the race staff to re-route the bike route which caused an overall hour delay in the entire race.
As we finally set foot in the water, I was confronted with seaweed. It’s a texture thing. It’s slimy. And gross. And I just don’t like it. At all. I realize it won’t eat me. Or kill me. But it will touch me. And it did.
I wasn’t prepared for the swim. For the mass start. For the head kicks and body shoves. For the massive amounts of water I would swallow just trying to find a space to fully stroke forward. I simply did all I could to finish. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t fast.
But I finished. And learned that you should swim as far in as possible. I stood up too soon. And quickly realized just how hard it is to run in water. I was physically exhausted. And we had just started…I am so not a swimmer.
Off to the transition area. Running in tri swim gear: not so fun. Humbling. Jiggly.
Get to the transition area: dry feet, put on socks and shoes, helmet, and hop on the bike. A borrowed bike. A borrowed bike I had just picked up the night before. The location of the transition area posed us with a hill about twenty-five feet away. I hoped I would figure out the gears in time…
And off I biked. Despite the plethora of women that passed me, I was working HARD. I cursed the fancy road bikes passing me. And pedaled away. Finding a groove. Hoping I could recover some time on the run…I am so not a biker.
Finally back in the transition area, I hung up the bike. Grabbed my hat, threw on a skirt to cover the caboose, and ran off. In my head, this was all done gracefully and quickly. In reality, not so much. My legs were utter and complete jelly. I willed myself to run faster but it didn’t happen. I just tried to keep moving…and managed to do so. It took nearly two miles for my legs to find a groove. It was a three-mile run.
I have never been so happy to see a finish line.
All in all, I am excited to have finished. I can say that I have completed a triathlon.
I can also say that I have absolutely no desire to do another.
This tri showed me just how little you truly need to run and gave me a whole new appreciation for running. I wanted something new, and got it. It wasn’t what I thought it would be, but I am grateful for the lessons learned:
* Lake swims = nasty. No, thank you.
* I literally worried for days afterward that the kick to the head that forced me to swallow water might cost me a limb, or stomach virus. No third eye, yet.
* Tri gear is not photo friendly, the damn bike shorts cut right into your thighs for a remarkable and impressive sausage look (even more special when wet and sparkly).
* Training for three disciplines is a million times harder than training for one: finding a pool, finding a pool with kid care, finding a gym for spin or sitter for kids to bike, finding time to run…yada, yada, yada.
* Tri race photos take bad race photos to a whole new level, whoooooooole new level.
* The dog paddle is remarkably effective and keeps your face far away from said nasty lake water.
* I have amazing, supportive friends who take time out of their busy weekend…
* I have driven, remarkable, athletic women in my life who also completed this race with me.
I completed the swim. I finished the bike portion. I survived the run.
I have tri’d.
50 in 2012: Book Forty Two
Posted: October 5, 2012 Filed under: Book Review Leave a comment
Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
“When my husband, Michael, died for the first time, I was walking across a freshly waxed marble floor in three-inch Stuart Weitzman heels, balancing a tray of cupcakes in my shaking hands.”
A husband and wife: involved in successful careers, gorgeous house, fashionable clothes, high school sweethearts…all is seemingly perfect, except that nothing really is.
Michael’s financial success has brought them a lifestyle neither of them ever imagined they’d have: lavish parties, expensive clothes, and huge house. Julia never thought she wanted all of that, never thought she’d depend on all of that, never thought in a million years that it would all disappear.
Michael suffers a massive heart attack, medically “dead” for minutes before he is revived. When he comes to, he is not the Michael Julia fell in love with. He is not the driven man she once knew. Instead, he insists that he no longer cares about money, no longer wants to live the life he was living, no longer wants any of his money. He proceeds to quit his job and give away his millions of dollars in savings.
As Michael and Julia both struggle to come to terms with their new reality, past indiscretions come to head and they both must decide what they truly want. Neither of them have been perfect, both have made mistakes but are some mistakes unforgivable? What are they willing to do to uphold promises made?
Meh book, amazing ending. One that still makes me shudder..
.
Project Life 2012: Weeks 27, 28, and 29
Posted: October 2, 2012 Filed under: Project Life 3 CommentsWEEK 27
Experimented with photo size. Printed out one of my favorite photos of the week as an 8 x 10 and trimmed to fit the three pockets. Fun way to highlight favorite photos and moments:
WEEK 28
Snuck our score card from mini golf and movie ticket stubs into the layout:
Wanted to try something different for the title card. No official “title card” but rather a card added to the layout with the date:
Library book card added in place of plain grid card. I wanted to capture the evolution of our bookshelf. Gone are most of the board books, replaced by big boy chapter books…and a photo of Jake braving the slip and slide. Only weeks before, he wouldn’t go anywhere near the water for fear it would drop on his head or face.
Big photos will likely become a trend in the upcoming months…
WEEK 29
My first attempt at a non-A page layout. LOVING the ability to use all Instagram photos and like how you can still maintain a large 4 x 6 card look by using two pockets…
I am absolutely in LOVE with the new Ali Edwards Technique Tuesday cards…LOOOOOOOVE them:
Slowly but surely catching up…
Linking up with The Mom Creative. Thanks for stopping by!!
50 in 2012: Book Forty One
Posted: September 10, 2012 Filed under: Book Review Leave a comment
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A tale of the ways secrets can envelope all aspects of your life just as you think you’ve got them all covered up. You can’t escape them. They are engrained in your being and manage to escape when you least expect them…
Three women living together in New York City. Three women harboring secrets that they think they’ve hidden in the deepest crevices of their being; however, the secrets affect their daily actions, thoughts, and choices more than they know.
Cate: successful, driven, and independent. Yet, she maintains a wall and distance from her roommates. She wants more but doesn’t know how to go about it. She ran away from something life altering, escaping to New York City. No one knows why. She desperately longs to tell her story but fears the repercussions.
Renee: loyal and hardworking, she struggles to fit in a career built upon perfection. She wouldn’t call herself fat by any means, but she certainly isn’t the industry standard size four. As she pursues a job opening as a beauty editor, she finds herself secretly attempting to lose weight at all costs.
Abby: caring, nurturing, and mysterious, she comes to the roommates as the sister of a friend in need of a place to stay. Clearly disheveled and troubled, the women try to figure out what happened to Abby to cause her to drop everything and run…to New York City.
Bound by secrets they don’t know exist, each woman longs for love and acceptance in her own way. The women open up and expose secrets that reveal tragedy, heartache, and raw honesty. I thought this book would be a light, chick lit read but the struggles and challenges each woman faced were so poignantly real that I still think about each of them and wonder what they are doing today. The ways in which each woman’s secrets are so firmly entangled in the lives of those around them is incredibly thought provoking and makes me wonder what the secrets are of those I see as strangers on the street…you never know the battles another is facing or the burdens they carry.
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