Tag Archives: living

Looking for February

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2014 just started, right? My goodness, it’s the end of February next week, and I’m not sure where all the time has gone. Pretty sure it has to do with 1) shortest month of the year, 2) dreariest winter ever, 3) school events piled up, and 4) my husband’s, daughter’s and father’s birthdays all in the same month.

My mind wanders every which way with ideas, or things I need (or want) to do for all the events. And all I can really do is take deep breaths, and conquer the to-do list one thing at a time. For instance, we are one week past Valentine’s Day, and I just sent out a little package today to a friend. It’s not like I procrastinated in buying the Valentine’s Day goodies – I just failed on the packaging and mailing part. *sigh* And… life goes on. *grin*

I have some fun art and crafting events coming up soon which I can’t wait to share. Admittedly, I’m also way behind in some reviews, journaling adventures and a couple of project tutorials. But, it’s all good… my life is so good, and I’m grateful for all the awesome creative energy that seems to be flowing my way this year. Just have to organize my writing time.

Here’s a look back at this month’s Mugshot Mondays.

Mugshot Monday: 2/3/2014

Mugshot Monday: 2/10/2014

Mugshot Monday: 2/17/2014

Mugshot Monday: One Little Word

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This week’s prompt was to shoot your mug with a description of how you think other people see you. My interpretation of my picture was that other people probably see me as a creative crazy (in the nicest way possible) girl, flowery, and cheerful. Can’t say colorful because right now, my winter wardrobe is really, really gray.

So, this pic. One drawing is for a pal, and the other drawing is my “One Little Word“. This year I’ve chosen “Dare”. When I was younger (like high school) I used to give myself these pep talks in my head saying “Go. Do it. Go for the gold…” Weird Olympic reference. Somewhere along the way, I stopped giving myself pep talks. Then I started cycling again a few years ago, rode a 50-mile bike ride, and I felt like I could do anything!

Mugshot Monday: 1/20/2014

My One Little Word: 1/20/14

Every year, I dream big, but maybe this year I’ll take it further and expand my journey with some guidance. I’m going to be bold, have courage, venture… I’m so excited to journal along with a ton of people across the world; everyone choosing their word and living it, exploring their lives with intention.

AE_OneLittleWord2014Promo2

From last week… quiet night with dog-nephew, Graham. (This is also my year to finish some unfinished projects.)

Mugshot Monday: 1/13/14

Quiet Night: 1/13/14

Mugshot Monday: New Year 2014

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Mugshot Monday: 1/6/2014

(A little New Year’s rambling…)

Wow. Wasn’t I just sitting here writing about what I hoped for in 2013?

I always have these lofty ideas and dreams, projects I want to do, projects I want to finish, recipes I want to try, and restaurants I’d like to visit. And, the kicker is – at the end of the year I look back and get kind of irritated at myself that I didn’t do all I set out to do. Okay, that’s the overachiever in me… I can’t be the only one who thinks this. But, after a breath, I realize and remind myself, hey, look at all the stuff we (this virtual community) did do and look at all the people we’ve connected with?! This has been a good year.

Truly, I have to stop comparing myself and this website/blog to some of the blogs I absolutely drool over. You know, there are just some a-mazing blogs that seemingly have business game plans and focus. These people probably have more help at home than I have, and probably have website designers, other contributors, etc.

I told my husband (what I say every year) that I just want be a better, more put-together “me”. And he said quite simply, “I think you’re already pretty put-together…” What a guy. Knows how to break it down. 🙂

So, this year, I’m looking forward to sharing and teaching at more local workshops which may mean less writing here. (I think that’s already made itself apparent. 2013 was busy, busy with school and church. That’s not going to change.) I think this year, regardless of the projects (because there will always be projects) it’ll be about focusing, daring to share.

Okay 2014, let’s go! Bring it. I’m ready. Are you?

** I appreciate all your notes, thoughts, ideas… Please hop over to the Facebook page to connect with more happenings!

Mugshot Monday: Fall, Change, December

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Mugshot Monday: December

Happy December. And here we are kicking it off with some Joe-Joe’s.
The shame of it is, I should’ve bought more.

And a bonus mugshot taken the other morning. No snow on the ground… yet.

Mugshot Monday: Fall and Change

Having Thanksgiving late last month is messing with me… we’re closing in on Christmas and I need to accept that the 50,000 projects I have swirling in my head aren’t going to happen in three weeks. I’ll be busy with:

  • Prepping for our cookie party (next weekend),
  • Decorating and decluttering (tidying up, I try to do every day and fail),
  • Teaching a gift wrapping class this week (which I’m really looking forward to).

Then there was my idea of handcrafting all my Christmas gifts this year. Yeah. And I wonder why I get so “cray, cray” at myself this time of the year, every year. I used to really, really, love Christmas. I do still love Christmas. It is my favorite holiday. But it’s different, or I’ve changed.

I find myself doing things that need attention do versus the things I want to do – and that’s because in years past, oh I’d forgotten some bills in the piles of mail on my desk. Oh, there’s loads of neglected laundry to do because I’d been out and about enjoying the sights, shopping, etc.

Gotta say, not big into shopping so much – at least on weekends, and that’s when my husband can go out. I’m finding it harder and harder to go to the malls, the big box places. I would much rather go to art and craft fairs, small stores, or even make things myself (of course, that’s what I really want to do). But, realistically, it’ll be another, “I’m gonna do that next year…”

It has been a good year, losses and all. Wrote more postings, made friends along the way. I did submit my first article to GeekMom (yay!)… link to my pillow tutorial here!

Starting next week, I’ll share some gift wrapping lessons from my class prep, and then after about 10-12 tips, we’ll call it a day. I’m “closing up shop” from the website to focus energy on family, home, holiday activities. I’ll still be active on the Facebook page, and I would soooo love it if you joined me there.

See you all back here next week!

Mugshot Monday: Wanting

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So this week’s prompt at A Year in the Life of an Art Journal is: It’s MY life, and I want it NOW! What do you want, right now, in life? We’re shooting our mugs in a setting that symbolizes what we want.

Mugshot Monday: My life

I love my life. My family, a hubby who puts up with my crazy projects, friends, a roof over my head, health… I’m so, so grateful. The good Catholic guilt sets in when I feel like I need more. Maybe it’s that I think I can offer more, do more. So, I think I just want some direction in my life about the next phase, a sign to help me figure out where-to: career-change, go back to an office, write more, teach crafty things to crafty people…

Everything I’m picking up to read, to drool over, seems to point in a creative direction. Just gotta keep moving forward.

Mugshot Monday: Gotta Have It

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Mugshot Monday: Take it or leave it

PROMPT from Monday Mugshots Collaboration April 30: Must HAVE IT? Take it, or LEAVE IT? Are you a MUST HAVE MY COFFEE (or tea or whatever your poison is…) kind of person, or an “I am able to start my day with it or not” kind of person?
SHOOTERS: Take a picture of your coffee near a visual indication of your time line. (calendar, clock, newspaper, lunch)

I’m actually glad it’s Monday, and right now this morning the house is was quiet.

In the morning, I come down those stairs in the picture (sometimes slow and bleary-eyed, sometimes hurried) and make some coffee for my husband and myself. So, to answer the Monday Mugshot prompt – Yes. I gotta have it. Like my LinkedIn Profile says, “Blogger|Freelance writer|Fascinated with Business & Marketing|Former Construction Professional|Addicted to Hot Beverages”

Why am I glad it’s Monday? Busy weekend. At least the weather was nice! Soccer, t-ball, friends over for dinner (lots of wine – awesome pic above), Church, brunch at Church, Sunday school, soccer, soccer… I’m not complaining. I know there are people busier than me and our little family. It’s all relative and it’s tiring. That’s why on Mondays, I can chill out a little. Spent all afternoon in the garden, digging up the worst clay bed. Okay, maybe that’s not your idea of chilling out. 🙂

Nice weather for a few days – I’ll be in the garden (and finishing up I hope.).

And, oh, don’t forget to thank your teachers! Happy Teachers Appreciation Week! (Heartfelt teacher gift idea from last year.)

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