Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Scrapping some faith
I did this layout for a challenge with my Homey's. I used the lyrics from a song that I love and tucked some journaling on a note behind them.
There have been times in my life when it would have been easier to curl up in a ball and give up, but I have learned that if I choose to draw closer to the Lord during these times He becomes even more real to me.
There have been times in my life when it would have been easier to curl up in a ball and give up, but I have learned that if I choose to draw closer to the Lord during these times He becomes even more real to me.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Don't hate me for this!
Did you realize that as of today there are only 90 days left till Christmas? That is crazy. It does not seem like this year could have flown by so swiftly, but it has. I was doing some work on the computer yesterday when it occurred to me that I should check on when tickets become available for a Christmas show we traditionally go to. When I navigated to the website imagine my surprise when I found out that not only were they already on sale, but much of the best seating was already sold out for the days and times that we prefer. I did end up being able to purchase the best seats we have had to date, but not as good as I would have thought considering it is September and most people aren't even thinking about Christmas. Obviously I was mistaken with that assumption.
My goal during the holiday season is the be as prepared as possible so that I can actually enjoy it. I do not like leaving things for the last minute and getting all stressed out. I HATE shopping late into the season and dealing with grumpy people, impossible parking lots and crowded stores. I try to avoid these things when possible. My goal is about preserving my mental health, not about being able to say in mid November, "I've got all of my Christmas shopping done. Do you???" I really, really love Christmas and prefer to enjoy it with my family doing activities together and focusing on what the real reason we celebrate this holiday.
So having said ALL of that, I wanted to share with you something I discovered. It is a website that offers a free 6 week Christmas countdown planner. I am sure that you may be thinking that I am ridiculously neurotic at this point, and you may be right, (insert wink here) but I think it is a genius idea! I especially love the "values worksheet". It asks you to evaluate your experience last year: What went well, what were the stresses, were you spiritually invigorated, what were your motivations for the purchases you made, how would you change it. There are also pages to evaluate this year once it is over, a page for notes on your memories from this year (I know all of you scrapbookers will love this one) and a "reality check" check list.
Oh, and if you haven't already figured it out, I am a HUGE fan of lists. The organization, the sense of accomplishment, the plan of action before your very eyes, but I digress.
The reason I am telling you about this now is that if you would like to use something like this you will have ample time to print and get it organized before the countdown kicks off. October 26 is the official beginning of the 6 week countdown. And just so you don't forget, I have put a countdown on the side bar of my blog (totally neurotic)!
My goal during the holiday season is the be as prepared as possible so that I can actually enjoy it. I do not like leaving things for the last minute and getting all stressed out. I HATE shopping late into the season and dealing with grumpy people, impossible parking lots and crowded stores. I try to avoid these things when possible. My goal is about preserving my mental health, not about being able to say in mid November, "I've got all of my Christmas shopping done. Do you???" I really, really love Christmas and prefer to enjoy it with my family doing activities together and focusing on what the real reason we celebrate this holiday.
So having said ALL of that, I wanted to share with you something I discovered. It is a website that offers a free 6 week Christmas countdown planner. I am sure that you may be thinking that I am ridiculously neurotic at this point, and you may be right, (insert wink here) but I think it is a genius idea! I especially love the "values worksheet". It asks you to evaluate your experience last year: What went well, what were the stresses, were you spiritually invigorated, what were your motivations for the purchases you made, how would you change it. There are also pages to evaluate this year once it is over, a page for notes on your memories from this year (I know all of you scrapbookers will love this one) and a "reality check" check list.
Oh, and if you haven't already figured it out, I am a HUGE fan of lists. The organization, the sense of accomplishment, the plan of action before your very eyes, but I digress.
The reason I am telling you about this now is that if you would like to use something like this you will have ample time to print and get it organized before the countdown kicks off. October 26 is the official beginning of the 6 week countdown. And just so you don't forget, I have put a countdown on the side bar of my blog (totally neurotic)!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
What I want to know....
It has occurred to me that all of my blog posts seem to lack depth. They are all fairly superficial. I, however, do not actually consider myself a superficial person although I am sure there are those that may disagree. I think that the reason for this is I try to keep things on my blog light and easy for the most part. I am unlikely to pour out the entire content of my soul here for review, but I do try to share "pieces" of who I am. Anyways, today I came across a poem of sorts that has been a favorite of mine since high school. It is interesting to re-read something that has resonated in my spirit for over 20 years and have it STILL ring true. It penetrated a part of me that knew who I was and what was important regardless of my age. The part of a person that remains constant,the Spirit. It is called the Invitation.
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring the moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your sorrow, have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed for fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can bear accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty everyday, and if you can source your life from it's presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon...YES!
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you are or how you came to be here. I want to know if you can stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me what or where or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in empty moments.
How's that for shallow?
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring the moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your sorrow, have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed for fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can bear accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty everyday, and if you can source your life from it's presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon...YES!
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you are or how you came to be here. I want to know if you can stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me what or where or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in empty moments.
How's that for shallow?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
What I've been up to
Today started quite early for me. I woke up at 2:00 am for no good reason. This has been happening more frequently than I prefer. I was finally able to go back to sleep for a couple of hours before waking up to take the kids to school. The kids go to a small school out in the country. On any given day it is not uncommon for us to pass tractors on our way to school. This time of year it is not unusual for us to spot these either.
This morning there were 7 hot air balloons floating in the sky near the kids' school. It was a beautiful site to see.
I had an appointment today, so I was off of work. The appointment took less time than expected, so I had the rest of the day to myself. I am supremely happy about scoring this deal:
Yes, that's right, it was $23.99! It is 3.5 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall! I couldn't buy a plain canvas for that! I totally thought it must have been an error for it to be that cheap. Pretty cool, huh?
Here are the spoils I scored at an estate sale this weekend. I spent $1.25 for the lot! (not pictured is a deep glass bread baking dish)
The books are vintage hymnals. The oldest one dates back to 1913. I just love them and the history they contain.
On Tuesday I made the Catwalk at Scrap in Style for the second week in a row! That is totally crazy (but cool)! Last week my layout called "I simply adore this girl" was chosen. This week the layout "Pieces of me" that I did with my Scrappin' Homeys using the Elsie recipe cards was chosen. My friend Jen, one of the homeys, also made the Catwalk this week!
Last, but not least, is the project I finished for my class at SIStv with Wilna. It is a great class and she is a great teacher. She is totally organized and comes up with unique project ideas that are fun to do. We altered a Starbuck's cup and made it into an album. I still have to put pictures and journaling in it, but I am excited to have finished it in time to move onto the next project.
Best of all I did not buy ONE new item to complete this project. I tapped into my stash and used supplies I already had. I did get a cup from Starbuck's, but they gave it to me for free so that doesn't count. :0)
So there are the hilights: good deals, pretty balloons, more good deals, scrapbookin' lovin' and a fun project! What else is there?
~Tricia
This morning there were 7 hot air balloons floating in the sky near the kids' school. It was a beautiful site to see.
I had an appointment today, so I was off of work. The appointment took less time than expected, so I had the rest of the day to myself. I am supremely happy about scoring this deal:
Yes, that's right, it was $23.99! It is 3.5 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall! I couldn't buy a plain canvas for that! I totally thought it must have been an error for it to be that cheap. Pretty cool, huh?
Here are the spoils I scored at an estate sale this weekend. I spent $1.25 for the lot! (not pictured is a deep glass bread baking dish)
The books are vintage hymnals. The oldest one dates back to 1913. I just love them and the history they contain.
On Tuesday I made the Catwalk at Scrap in Style for the second week in a row! That is totally crazy (but cool)! Last week my layout called "I simply adore this girl" was chosen. This week the layout "Pieces of me" that I did with my Scrappin' Homeys using the Elsie recipe cards was chosen. My friend Jen, one of the homeys, also made the Catwalk this week!
Last, but not least, is the project I finished for my class at SIStv with Wilna. It is a great class and she is a great teacher. She is totally organized and comes up with unique project ideas that are fun to do. We altered a Starbuck's cup and made it into an album. I still have to put pictures and journaling in it, but I am excited to have finished it in time to move onto the next project.
Best of all I did not buy ONE new item to complete this project. I tapped into my stash and used supplies I already had. I did get a cup from Starbuck's, but they gave it to me for free so that doesn't count. :0)
So there are the hilights: good deals, pretty balloons, more good deals, scrapbookin' lovin' and a fun project! What else is there?
~Tricia
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thanks Gretchen!
My friend Gretchen posted a link on her blog to find out what year you belong in. She was 1999 I am 1986. I am not sure if I ever wore earrings like that or not, but I most definitely had sweatshirts that slouched off the shoulder "a la Flashdance"! Thanks for the laugh Gretchen.
Just for fun I thought I'd show you what I actually looked like when I graduated from high school. Here I am in 1960, what do you think? LOL!
Actually this one is probably closer to what I looked like. What was I thinking?
Do it yourself on Yearbook yourself.com
~Tricia
You Belong in 1986 |
 Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day. |
Just for fun I thought I'd show you what I actually looked like when I graduated from high school. Here I am in 1960, what do you think? LOL!
Actually this one is probably closer to what I looked like. What was I thinking?
Do it yourself on Yearbook yourself.com
~Tricia
{Come in}
I haven't done any digital layouts in what seems like a very long time. I really wanted to do a page using the lyrics to a song by Watermark that I love, so I decided to use digi. Good thing I haven't forgotten everything I have learned about Photoshop. :0) You can read the journaling if you click on the layout.
Thanks for visiting!
~Tricia
Thanks for visiting!
~Tricia
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thoughts for today, and everyday....
Today, all I have to share with you are some words and wisdom from Mother Teresa. Please read, marinate in it and let it absorb into your soul.
People are often unreasonable, illogical,and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
People are often unreasonable, illogical,and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Some scrappy goodness
Here are a couple of layouts I just finished today.
This one is about how I want my son to always remember who he is as he grows and never loose his sense of self.
This one is about my sweet daughter. Although she is at an age where, well, she's a pre-teen. Need I say more? Anyways, she is truly a lovely young lady with a beautiful and generous heart. I adore her.
That is all I have to share today. I am hoping to update tomorrow on the events of my birthday and my son's party. Stay tuned for more! :0)
Tricia
This one is about how I want my son to always remember who he is as he grows and never loose his sense of self.
This one is about my sweet daughter. Although she is at an age where, well, she's a pre-teen. Need I say more? Anyways, she is truly a lovely young lady with a beautiful and generous heart. I adore her.
That is all I have to share today. I am hoping to update tomorrow on the events of my birthday and my son's party. Stay tuned for more! :0)
Tricia
Monday, September 1, 2008
Hello September!
I made this screen saver for September using a template by Eva Kipler. Now I will know what day it is AND get to see you lovely family all at the same time! I downloaded the template for FREE Eva's blog. Click here for the link.
I have been wanting to scrapbook with "traditional" supplies, but just can't seem to locate the mojo, so I settled for some digi instead. I have been dealing with identity theft since last week and it has stolen my inspiration. Let me tell you, it totally sucks! I have $800 stolen from me and have found it extremely difficult to resolve. It seems like everyone I talk to doesn't actually know what they are doing and are unable to help me. They should have experts for situations such as these, seriously! And if they do have experts, they don't work at any of the agencies that I have contacted.
OH, and if you will be so kind as to allow me another tangent can I just mention the seemingly inaccurate description of "Identity Theft"?! The thief who stole my money is not really interested in assuming my "identity". If that were the case they would come to my home and do my dishes,cook my families meals, clean my toilets and vacuum my floor. Rather than steal money, they would actually have to go to work and EARN it. I know, imagine that!!!! And here is the thing, in order to have acquired my money this thief had to be pretty smart and talented. What a shame to let all of that potential go to waste on nefarious activities.
Can you tell I am not quite over it and probably still in the anger stage? LOL
I have been wanting to scrapbook with "traditional" supplies, but just can't seem to locate the mojo, so I settled for some digi instead. I have been dealing with identity theft since last week and it has stolen my inspiration. Let me tell you, it totally sucks! I have $800 stolen from me and have found it extremely difficult to resolve. It seems like everyone I talk to doesn't actually know what they are doing and are unable to help me. They should have experts for situations such as these, seriously! And if they do have experts, they don't work at any of the agencies that I have contacted.
OH, and if you will be so kind as to allow me another tangent can I just mention the seemingly inaccurate description of "Identity Theft"?! The thief who stole my money is not really interested in assuming my "identity". If that were the case they would come to my home and do my dishes,cook my families meals, clean my toilets and vacuum my floor. Rather than steal money, they would actually have to go to work and EARN it. I know, imagine that!!!! And here is the thing, in order to have acquired my money this thief had to be pretty smart and talented. What a shame to let all of that potential go to waste on nefarious activities.
Can you tell I am not quite over it and probably still in the anger stage? LOL
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