keeping my hand on the wheel

Fishermen's Memorial: Gloucester, MA

Wow. Life has been hectic these past weeks. I'm trying desperately to stay afloat at my new job. Intakes. Intakes. Paperwork. Intakes. More hours than I counted on. Trying to learn the ropes. It is challenging. I'm hoping that once I finish this pile of intakes, schedule appointments, and start seeing the kids I will fall into a routine. It's just that I have to build up my caseload all at once it is overwhelming.

My goal is to fall into a routine and take out some time for me. I had a little bit of time today when I got home before my husband and baby girl did. I had a wicked sinus headache though. I've been battling a cold and cough for the past week. Definately making things more challenging. After some tylenol though I got some motivation to do some weeding and cleaning up in our little patch of earth in front of our condo. I have been looking forward to that so much.

I have a pile of half finished layouts on my desk. I would like to say I'll get to do some work on them this weekend but I'm not certain. It is also the end of the semester and I have a stack of papers to grade for my college job. Ugh. Students think they have it rough this time of year! They. have. no. idea.

Hope everyone has a Happy Friday!

busy. busy. busy.

What a busy week it has been. I started my new job and it has been a whirlwind! It is so overwhelming. Good. But overwhelming. I haven't had much of a chance to do anything for myself this week. Just now I worked on a layout. But I'm tired an in a bit of a funk so I'm not real happy with it. But the journaling was meaningful.

Anyhow...here are a few other layouts I don't think I've posted that I made over the past few weeks. Hopefully when I figure out my new routine I'll have time to do even one layout a week.

Christmas Day & Eve: Two page spread

Halloween: This was before I added the journaling.

1st Birthday: This page was difficult. I couldn't make any decisions and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Still need to add journaling. My goal is to do that while it's fresh in my mind!

Guard Christmas: This photo was also taken before I did the journaling.

Thanks for reading. Hoping to catch up on others blogs this weekend!

on a roll

Here's some layouts I have completed recently...

My First Mother's Day: I really like how this turned out. It is more my style. Details but not too busy. I feel like I'm already getting into a rut where everything is starting to look the same. I know that can be an issue more often when using 4x6 photos...but I'm determined not to let that get in the way. Used mostly new stuff on this page though I don't remember all the specifics...sorry! I'm terrible at that. When I set up to work I don't think to write down each thing as I use it typically.

Our First Family Photo: Another favorite out of my recently completed layouts. I love the black journaling card that says "This makes me happy." It is a nice balance to have that dark black almost as a shadow under the photo. That is from Glitz's Uncharted Waters line. I got the sheet of cutouts and one sheet of 12x12 at my LSS recently. I really like it. It's a little different from other things I have recently seen.

Here's one more....

Beautiful: This one is a favorite because of the photo and because I kept it simple. I finished it at a crop on Wednesday at my LSS. These pictures were taken by my dad this past Spring in their yard. My parent's have a picture of me when I was little in the same daisies. I was a little older in thier photo...I want to take her picture in them each year.

Tomorrow I teach two classes at the college and then next week is Spring Break...still anxiously waiting for word on the other job opportunity. But as I mentioned yesterday I am really enjoying this time with my daughter and time at home. My house is clean and I love it! I don't feel frantic and rushed. It's great. I hope I can maintain that when I got back to work full-time. Fortunately by the time I do go back there will only be another month of classes left at the college before summer break so I'll be back to part-time for a few months. I really do like my usual schedule. I'm so nervous about starting something new...but I think it will be good and I'm definately ready for new.

Thanks for reading!

fitting it in

Today's layout I managed to finish here and there over the past few days. A little one night, a little during naptime, ...I managed to fit it in. Sometimes I feel there aren't enough hours in the day and I don't get around to my hobbies.

While working on this page I found myself reflecting on the past year. The photos in the layout were taken almost exactly one year ago. Giving my sweetpea her first bath at home. Now fast forward a year:


She's almost walking.
Talking up a storm.
Taking baths in the big tub.
Into everything.

And I have two more days at one of my jobs and then I'll be home with her 3 days per week. I wish I could relax in that idea. I would love to be home with her full-time, or at least part-time. But we just can't do it at this time. We can't even do it now but we will make do until I find another job. This time last year I was on my 3- month maternity leave and I loved it! I enjoy taking care of her, cleaning, cooking, fixing my home. I love it. I am hoping I can find some peace in this interim while I figure out "what's next?" on the horizon for me.

I need that.

Anyhow...here are a few closeups of the layout:

I have been loving watching all the old Glitter Girl videos on Two Peas. I hadn't seen them when they came out originally because I was on my scrapping hiatus. I love her style - it fits in with my natural style. I just don't do quite as much layering. A little simpler. Mainly because I don't buy a lot of supplies regularly and use what I have somewhat sparingly. I'm a saver. I'm trying to move away from that and just USE stuff! I bought it with that purpose in mind...why not?

I used some new(er) paper (not sure on manufacturer -I'm terrible at that!)...layers of other patterned papers...old label stickers...manilla tags...rhinestones...a chipboard tag....and some old washi I forgot I had from Tim Holtz! What a fun surprise in my tool tote! And lots of word stickers. I find I use them on almost every layout. My favorites tend to be ones I pick up at Michael's from K & Co. I use them constantly on pages and cards. I also pulled out an old chipboard heart and sponged on some inks. I like how it turned out. I was inspired by one of the Glitter Girl videos about depth. So I layered a lot until I felt it was finished. I really like how it turned out.

Hope you have a great Tuesday!

change is good

"Change is Good" - mixed media on canvas

At least that's what I keep telling myself. Next Thursday is my last day at my art therapy job after 9 years. I'm having such mixed emotions. I made this canvas as a "going away" gift for the program. That is a tradition when a clinician leaves. It was therapeutic for me to paint. I started with layering patterned paper on the canvas and then covering a lot of it with white gesso and then some dark brown acrylic. I painted the tree with acrylics. I did a similar tree a few years ago after watching the movie Avatar. I loved the colorful, odd, trees and flowers. I punched out several butterflies out of patterned paper and layered them so they appear 3-D. I also added a few rhinestones and calender washi tape to represent the years I spent there. The letters are basic black vinyl letters. I wanted them bold. The painting is purposely darker in the upper left and gradually gets lighter in the upper left. It represents my mixed feelings. I have been feeling very burnt out for a long time and this is a needed change though I wish it could have been under my terms. I feel a bit cheated and angry. I'm trying to let go of that and face this as an opportunity. I'm just really scared. Here are a few close ups...

closeup of butterflies and the brightness

tree and calendar that represents myself and my time

Thanks for looking. Happy Saturday!

saturday

Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester, MA - April 2009

This has been an up & down week. I have been so busy with pre-graduation/end-of-the-semester stuff. Haven't been home many nights this week. Cary got bad news this week that we are trying to figure out. He is being laid-off as of next week. Fortunately he has some good pay coming this summer while he is at OCS for National Guard but that also makes it hard to be looking for a job. I hope something works out for him. He works so hard.

As for other news...I spend the day with friends for a yard sale to benefit the Relay-for-Life here in town. It was a good day outside. Got some knitting done on a baby sweater for a co-worker. After I had lunch after with friends...a good ole' Gloucester Haddock sandwich...hmmm. After I went shopping because I needed to find something inexpensive to wear to the college graduation and my sister's upcoming graduation. Found a few things and splurged on two pairs of shoes. I feel guilty about those. But they are very cute and really weren't that expensive. Picked up a few groceries at Trader Joe's and now I'm relaxing and taking a break.

Exhausted.

Happy Saturday!

off to my LSS

I'm off to my LSS to help with their inventory. I get paid in store credit and they said there might be other incentives. Yeah! I was there yesterday and spend the $20 coupon I earned there over Thanksgiving. They were selling everything 25% off to get ready for inventory. I just got a little box organizer, some paper, a white gel pen, a blue Distress ink and some glossy accents. Little things I have been needing. I got home and reorganized my desk. Consolidated some stuff so I could put my stamps into two drawers. Originally I was going to buy 2 more storage cubes (one for paper and one with drawers) but I really am trying to not spend.

Yesterday I also bought some storage totes for the closets. Little organizing things that have been bugging me. Also got a few things at Target I needed. Boring stuff. But it was a productive day. Last night played on the computer for awhile with Cary and then crashed.

Well...gotta finish my coffee and be off!

Have a nice Sunday

lucky week

So far this has been a lucky week for me!

Yesterday I had lunch with an old student and it was wonderful! So nice to have a great conversation with a girl who I know will be an awesome art therapist someday. She is currently applying to grad school and I am positive she will do great. I'm proud to be a part of her training.

Also, yesterday I got word that Cary and I won the "early bird" raffle at our apartment complex...every month if you pay your rent early you can enter. That means $100 off our rent next month! I feel like I won the lottery.

Then today, randomly while cooking dinner I got a call from a job contact I made almost a year ago. Originally I had applied for a part-time Activities Asst at a local nursing home. I did so knowing I was very overqualified for that position but I wanted to see what opportunities might be available. Obviously, I couldn't take that job at the pay rate, etc. they offered. However, at the time the Director was very interested in seeing how he might be able to incorporate my art therapy skills and experience if he could get budget approval.

Well...fast forward almost a year and he called today.

The person in that original position left for a full-time position. There is new upper mgmt and he said he is very possibily going to be able to advocate to pay for my services! And...he said if that isn't possible there is another home in the same system nearby that may be able too if he can't. Awesome! The elderly is a population I did internships with and really always saw myself working with eventually. Cross your fingers! The hours would be a few less than I have currently but if they could at least match my current pay I think the change would be well worth it.

I have been working on building up my endurance running on the treadmill. I'm following a run/walk training schedule. This week I'm up to: walk 2 min, run 9 min, repeat 3 times. It is getting easier! I'm so excited. This has been a very long term goal of mine.

Well...we will see what else the week brings!

I'm looking forward to getting the summer pictures I ordered through scrapbookpictures.com. I got a few enlargements to frame. I also got some photos developed for a small mini-album that will be "the summer in review." I'm excited...full of ideas from Ali's new book that I got this weekend.

Off to read some blogs and download some running music for my ipod...

a terrible blogger

A picture from last years New England Revs/LA Galaxy Game

I have been a terrible blogger! This has been the longest I've gone {since I started this whole thing} without writing. I didn't think I was really that much busier than usual but I guess I have been. Started back at work this past week. This coming week I have my first week back at the college too. Just Friday though since Monday is a holiday. I don't really feel ready. I haven't gotten copies made, printed out powerpoints, found articles...yikes. Yesterday, I went to the mall and got a few things to wear to school. I always feel out of my league as a professor. I always look more like the students than the faculty. I need to go on that show "What Not to Wear." Anyhow...I got a few things. I have a small bonus coming to me from the college that I'm going to use for some more clothes shopping at the outlets up in Maine.

Yesterday I also went grocery shopping with Cary. Spent WAY more than I do when I go alone! I am very frugal at the store. Really he is too but he's more likely to spend more on meats. I will buy good quality meats but not very much of it. He likes a good "grownup" steak (as he puts it!). I do too but have trouble when I see the price tag. Though it is much, much cheaper than going out to dinner.

Well...tonight I'm going to see the New England Revs play the LA Galaxy (with the lovely David Beckham)! I love going to the soccer games and we went to this game as a family last year and it was a fun time. Cary is sitting this one out though. He's not really into soccer unfortunately. But that's ok.

Hope to have some pictures or something later. I made a whole bunch of cards last night to sell at the craft fair. I was on a roll. I had purchased an EK Success scalloped square punch and some American Crafts ribbons that inspired me. The ribbons were only $1 at AC Moore! I bought the punch with a 50% off coupon so it was only $7. I also bought a pack of paper (can't remember the company) because I loved the coordinating papers. Plus it was on sale for $10. Couldn't resist!

Today I have to ease up on the spending money thing!

my saturday

The graduation was beautiful. It felt so odd to be in the faculty room before processing. I felt like any minute someone would see me and say "hey, you are an imposter!" I saw my eight Art Therapy students cross the stage and saw many afterwards. Met some parents, took some pictures...it was a nice day. But cold and my feet hurt bad! The shoes were cute but beauty is pain. I didn't take many pictures myself. The one above isn't the most beautiful...it's the state-of-the art Academic Science building the college is putting up. But the writing on the side made me laugh. If you click on the picture for a closer look, the highest horizontal beam says, "Do you homework :)"



After getting home Cary and I got some take-out Chinese and watched an old school movie. Gremlins I promptly fell asleep as usual watching a movie on the couch after 8pm. It was fun seeing that movie though. I hadn't seen it since it came out in the movies and it terrified me and my cousin that night!

So...this morning...decided to open my fortune cookie. Forgot to last night. Here was my fortune:

You have the abilty to sense and know higher truth.

Ok. Too serious. And it implies that I think too much (see earlier post about this dilemna and how I wish I could relax more and not worry).

So...I decided to open Fortune Cooke #2. We got 4 after all. Cary still has two for himself. Here's my 2nd fortune:

You love sports, horses and gambling but not to excess.

Ok. Now this is the other end of the spectrum! Nevermind with the fortunes for today.

beautiful day

Today was such a nice day. I didn't have to go in to work at the college but got some work done at home. I created the Intro final exam and finished my own take home exam for Psych testing. I had a really nice walk while Cary went running. It was a beautiful day outside. Cool but with warm sun. I ran an errand at the grocery store and we had supper together (hamburgers..mmmm) and played on the computer. It's nice to feel like I can breathe and relax a little now that the bulk of my work is done.

Oh...how I'm looking forward to the short work weeks, beach days, art time, and relaxation!

After Cary went off to work tonight I baked two batches of brownies...one to take to my boss's house tomorrow night and...of course...a batch for us! Tomorrow night the Art Dept chair is having a BBQ at her house for the soon-to-graduate Art Majors and department faculty. I think it will be nice to see the students in a different environment...and I'm anxious to see my boss's house....since years ago she was my advisor and professor!

Tonight I also too some time to do a few layouts. I've been keeping an album for 2008 where at the end of each month, I get some photos printed of things that went on that month for the layout. I've kept the formats similar as far as journaling - I have a series of "prompts" I fill out each month. (If you click on the photo for the right side of the layout you should be able to see my journaling). Each month colors and layouts vary. I have fun each month going to my LSS to choose paper that I love and feel "fits" the month somehow. That is the best part! I finished March's tonight...

Above: The left side of the two page spread for March

Below: The right side

Here's a closeup of the left spread. I played around with copper Perfect Pearls and Perfect Medium to create the swirls leading to the dragonfly. The dragonfly was a sequin I have had forever. It was a shiny yellow and I decided to "tone down" the wings by painting them with a cream acrylic. These layouts aren't especially my favorites but they were fun to do because I played around with new stuff and experimented.

I also finished one of the layouts I posted earlier this week. I added a bolder title and journaling. I also highlighted the subtitle with a black marker to bring it out a little more. I don't usually do computer journaling but occasionally do and always like the results.

Now...on to those brownies!

math

There is a reason I flunked math in the 3rd reason. It isn't my thing. I have been calculating grades for my Intro to Art Therapy class for hours tonight. I had made an error and had to do more math than I care to to fix it. Cary helped. He's much better at it than me. ARGHH! I'll be glad to have the semester over and the firsts of teaching for the first time. Looking forward to a nice weekend...scrapbooking and seeing old friends. And actually talking to Cary about something other than work and paying off bills.