layouts

I 'm excited. I got two layouts done! So I did have more inspiration than I thought I did today! The layout with the picture of me has some hidden journaling that was very therapeutic for me today. Got some stuff down that has been on my mind. Refocusing on my word "BALANCE." Now off to finish cooking supper...BBQ chicken, rice and green beans. Hmmmm....

noticing

After finishing my work this morning I took a walk. I know it sounds cheesy but I really felt like I was taking in everything with all of my senses. Maybe because I needed to. I've been feeling overwhelmed. Pulled in different directions. I needed this hour to just be. Here's what I noticed...

Scents: Smokey smell of burning brush and leaves. Dirt. A smell I can only describe as Spring that brought me back to flashbacks of playing outside as a kid when the only obstacle was the "pricker" bushes (thorns) in the way.

Sights: A cardinal. Robins. Rows of Cedar trees along the road. Bright blue sky behind the black, leafless trees of early Spring. Stone walls. A funny, perfectly round rock that is in my family's front yard.

Touches: Warm, bright sun on my back. Sting of the wind on my face. Cold hands. An old Golden Retriever's fur as he went by on his walk.

Sounds: Birds that I start to really notice this time of year. The sound of the tide going out under the bridge. Airplanes - seemed to be lots of them today. Windchimes that remind me of Grammy's House. Wind in the tall marsh grass.

Tastes: The cheescake lemon square I'm about to eat!

Although I've been taking in lots of ideas and inspirations, I'm not feeling very inspired or energetic to do any layouts, cards, or drawing. I bought charcoal and paper a few weeks ago and haven't opened the packages. I think I'm just in the gathering ideas mode. Maybe I will later and will post if I come up with anything! I'm a perfectionist and a gatherer. Sometimes I have too many ideas and I freeze and don't start anything. But I'm going to let myself off the hook and just let my thoughts go.

The Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser set up went well but from what my friends said there wasn't a very good turnout. A little money was still raised though I'm not sure who will be eating all that leftover sauce, salad and desserts! Cary and I left after set-up so we could go out to dinner and a movie for his birthday. His real birthday is Wednesday but I have class and he will be working so last night was our chance to celebrate. We went to Bugaboo Creek - his favorite. Then saw The Superhero Movie (like Scary Movie). Completely stupid humor. I thought parts were funny in a ridiculous way. He actually fell asleep. That's usually my role! Well off to read some blogs, have a treat and maybe get around to reading the theses paper pile I have. Hey...I did finish all my other work I set out to do...

obligations

So. I'm almost halfway through the piles of work I have to do this weekend. The extent of my creative endeavors this weekend is the powerpoint I just made for a mini-class I have to teach on Art Therapy to accepted students and thier parents next Saturday. Now, I am starting the Cognitive-Behavior powerpoint for my Intro class's lecture this Friday. Haven't begun reading the thick stack of theses drafts yet.

Tonight I promised I'd help set up for the Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser a friend organized for the Relay-for-Life team she formed. For those who don't know Relay-for-Life events are held all over and thier goal is raising money for cancer. In my city at least, many of the teams that form do events to raise more money leading up to the actual relay event in June. I'm supposed to be on this team but to be honest I'm feeling overwhelmed with obligations. I did make some cheescake lemon squares this a.m. before getting to work. Those will be sold at tonight's event also. So I have contributed I guess.

Well...off to do some more work and hopefully get outside and take a walk on this gorgeous sunny, Massachusetts day. Cary is finally awake and maybe he'll join me. He keeps commenting on my current "serious face" while I'm typing and working away!

today

Today I'm grateful...

1. Tomorrow is Friday.
2. Cary and I made up today and will be just fine.
3. I can get a good night's sleep tonight.
4. I have the weekend to get all my work done, read student theses drafts, create a presentation and next Friday's lecture.
5. I have a bag of microwave popcorn and Easter candy.
6. I went to Yoga - it was so relaxing and needed tonight.
7. There is a light at the end of next week's hectic tunnel - next Sunday I'm taking a class at my LSS - I never have before.
8. The semester is almost coming to a close.
9. I'm loved.

calm before the storm?

I love Wednesday mornings. The are slower and more relaxed. I don't have to be at the college until 12:30 so I don't leave home until around 11/11:30. Depends if I buy myself a sub for my lunch/supper. I like to treat myself once a week! I have a busy day once I get there today. The semester is winding down. The internship class I teach tonight will result in a LOT of work for me...they are turning in the completed rough drafts of thier theses. Oh goody! They have been doing section drafts up til now but haven't always been on top of the revisions. So this next hour may be my last hour of peacefullness for a bit! I have SO much work to do in the coming weeks. For my own classes, currently in Psych testing (boring) and prepping to try and do an independent study this summer to fulfill my last licensure req (research - even more boring). And at the college. I have to do a mini-class lecture for accepted students and then their parents. I am so nervous about that. Not the student part - the parent part! I will be glad when this first year of teaching is behind me and I feel more confident and at least know the basics to expect!
Well...off to appreciate my last hour of relaxation for likely the remainder of the day (at least until 8pm when I crash exhausted!)

roses and stuff

I took this photo the other day. It's a rose Cary brought home for me. I've been really trying to practice taking close-up photos. I've always liked taking landscapes - but close-ups and people -not my specialty! I only have a regular old basic digital camera but it works for what I do. I kind of like how this turned out. I have been reading tips on blogs and online and took it in the window when it was sunny so it didn't get all washed out by the flash. The rose is such a gorgeous shade of red-orange and I loved it against my old, white window frame. Hmm...I'd love to save a little $$ and buy a "real" camera...sigh...

Two Peas Blog Challenge~ Are you the type of person who needs a new item in your hot little hands from a store or will you order online and wait for the item?

In general, I'm someone who likes to see the thing for myself. I'm a visual person and usually the little picture on the screen doesn't do it for me. And with clothes...unless I already own the exact same item, who knows if it will fit?! With scrapbook supplies I always look online but have never ordered online. I like to take my time browsing in my LSS and getting ideas before I decide. The only thing I really buy online is books occassionally and I started buying some Christmas gifts from Amazon. Stuff like DVD's, books, CD's because I often find it's cheaper.

But....there is something about getting a package in the mail mixed in with bills and junk! I have started ordering photos online and love getting them! So...I may change my tune.

just for fun

Thought I'd "tag" myself and do a post just for fun. I got out of class early and my exam was a "take home" instead of "in class" so my day has greatly improved!

A- Attached or single: attached & loved
B- Best Friend: Cary and my mom
C- Cake or Pie: Apple or Blueberry Pie
D- Day of Choice: Saturday
E- Essential Item(s): cell phone, coffee, hair elastic, and gum
F-Favorite type of music: everything...and I mean everything!
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: worms
H- Hometown: Gloucester, MA
I- Indulgence(s): potato chips
J- January or July: July
K- Kids: someday
L - Last movie: I am Legend...sad but great effects
M- Marriage Date: ???
N- Number of Siblings: 2 - a sister 8 yrs younger and a brother 10 yrs younger
O- Oranges or Apples: apples - Esp. Cortlands in the fall from the orchard
P- Phobias or Fears: spiders with fur, fire
Q- Quote(s): "Live the questions..." - Marie Rilke
R- Reason To Smile: my family, my guy's sweetness in a guy's guy shell, suprises, hugs, dogs...
S- Season: a little of each
T- Tag: anyone who's reading!
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I figure skated for 10+ years
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: opressor
W- Worst Habit: using too many paper towels
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: x-rays I guess. Odd question
Y- Your Favorite Food: my mom's cooking

the two wolves

I found this short story today and shared it with my Gratitude Group today...thought I'd share it with all of you...I have found it very thought provoking today and matches where I'm at...

The Two Wolves Inside Us All

One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all."

One is Evil: It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is Good: It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Easter memories

Peeps in a puddle. 16 Cadbury Cream Eggs. Mom's cooking: Spiral ham, baked potatos, cauliflower with cheese, asparagus, bread, chocolate cream pie. Baking more Irish Freckle Bread. Easter "baskets" in paper bags from Mom. Even one for Cary this year. Laughing with my family all home. Spending last night with my sister and brother home from school at the mall. Exchanging candy with Cary. Enough candy in this little apartment to last a year. Or until we get sick. Relaxing and watching the movie "I am Legend." Crying during the movie. Warm sun cold air. A red-orange rose. Honeysuckle Yankee Candle burning. Memories of this Easter.

home. nests. spirit. grow.

Home. Nests. Spirit. Grow. All themes from the roll I was on making cards yesterday a.m. Seems to be where my mind is at. I am really trying to experiment. On the nest cards, I drew the nest and played around with colored pencils and chalks. I also tried photocopying one and playing around with the copy. The "Spirit" card is neat in person. The scanner doesn't like it. I made really simple drawing. Its actually a doodle I've been doing recently of a bird. Added some Stickles and a iridescent ink for the stamped letters. But now I'm off to do more or my boring work (studying, powerpoints) and will try and do some more art later. Thanks for looking.

good finds and life stuff

No picts to post but came home with some great finds at Target. I was on a mission for Airborne...I'm afraid I'm getting sick, again. Picked up some Easter candy for my guys Easter Bag. He's not a basket kind of guy! It has become a tradition for us to trade candy on all major holidays! But for the good finds...a gorgeous suede picture album to go with the 2 on my makeshift coffee table. It was a whopping $3.50. Also got a set of Making Memories acrylics for $3 and some rub-ons for less than $1.

I also went to AC Moore and got myself some watercolor wt paper, charcoal and a drawing board so I can get back to my drawing. As I reminisced yesterday...it has been awhile. I am going to make sure I give myself time to do that this weekend. I have so much work to do and a test on Monday but this is important to me. Also...good news/bad news. Cary gets Sunday off. Actually until further notice. They are looking to fit him in somewhere else. He's a security guard and the company he works for contracts out. The apartment complex he works at only needs 1 guy on Sundays now and his co-worker has seniority. Its good because we actually get to see each other more than 1 day a week. But bad because that's a significant pay cut and we are so close to getting a bigger apartment. Oh well.

Well...off to drink some OJ and rest so I can fight off whatever is trying to get me!

art and inspiration

Today was an art day. I visited the internship site of three of my students for a site visit. It was inspiring. They intern at a vocational art program for individuals with developmental disabilities. They create work on paper, paintings, fabric work, clothing, weaving, sculpture, pottery, .....the list is endless. I was inspired by how friendly the clients were and how they welcomed me and the obvious connections some have made with my art therapy students. I was also inspired by the sheer indivdiuality and creativity in thier art. They have created their own unique techniques and art forms. It was impressive.

Later I took my class and we went to a gallery opening for my former professor-turned-supervisor. She is the chair of the Art Department of the college where I teach Art Therapy courses and of which I'm an alum. I'd never seen her paintings before. Beautiful. abstract, organic landscape-like. Seeing her art and the art of the clients earlier today makes me want ot pull out my charcoal and pencils and start drawing some landscapes. I used to love drawing from life, realistic, detailed. I haven't in years. During grad school I switched and was doing abstract stuff like the one posted above. Which I find therapeutic for myself...but there's something in the challenge of representing the landscapes around me that I love and that hold so much of my history and are a part of me.

Tonight, when I came home I tried to find my drawing stuff and I think its in the storage shed underneath tons of junk. I may have to take a trip to the art store and get some stuff and draw! While I'm still inspired...

sad

I have been having a day where I feel overwhelmed with everything. One of those days where you feel like running away and throwing your day planner in the ocean. Then I checked my Myspace and heard that a high school friend just lost her Dad last night. He was my Dad's age. Too young. 60's. and I stopped. I feel like crying. For her. For the thought of losing my Dad. For the fact that I feel selfish letting all the unimportant CRAP get to me. It's not important. When I see my Dad later I'm giving him a big, overdue hug. My heart is going out to my old friend. We haven't seen each other or spoken in years but I feel so sad for her. She is an only child and they were a close family. I spent a February vacation with them skiing in Canada when we were Juniors in High School. It is hard to believe. Sending thoughts and prayers her way and her for her mother.

one day at a time

Well...clothes are ironed, chili is finished cooking in the crockpot for meals this week, and coffee's ready to turn on auto in the a.m. It is Sunday night and on the surface I'm ready for the week to start...but in reality I'm not. I need to stay positive but I'm not thrilled about how crazy this week will be. Actually the next month will be crazy busy. So...I need to remember "One day at a time." I need to slow down on the number of projects I have up in the air right now. I'm tired just re-reading this blog! Between the classes I'm teaching, students I'm advising, classes I have to take myself, and working as a part-time therapist I'm tired. I am trying to stay in the moments and enjoy where I'm at right now. I have to remind myself of this daily. But I have been able to refresh myself on the weekends with art and home stuff. This was one of my intentions this year. I need to nurture myself.

So today I celebrated an early St. Patrick's Day with my family. My brother was going back to college today so we ate Mom's Boiled Dinner and my Irish Freckle Bread today. The bread was actually pretty good if I do say so myself and Mom's cooking...well that's always good! I spent time organizing my stickers, alphas, etc. I also went through my old scrapbook "Inspiration" binder that I really haven't looked at in years and pulled out old clippings that are not so inspiring anymore. I did find though that without realizing it I have used many of the ideas that I saved. So I guess they sunk in on some level even though the binder hasn't left the shelf in months!

I also spent some time going through my handmade cards and labeling stickers and stamps that do not have angel policies so I remember not to use them. I am really considering opening a "shop" on Etsy. In any case I want to be ready to sell at some craft fairs. I didn't do any last year but in the past have done really well and find them a lot of fun. I also managed to do a little art. Worked on pages for my "Week in the Life Album" - I'm up to Thursday! I also altered the cover of this Real Simple Index card book I got at Target yesterday. I plan to use it for my Gratitude Lists when I'm running my Gratitude Group at Day Treatment on Mondays. I'm trying to refresh my attitude toward my work there and little "treats" in any form are helping deal with the frustration and stress.. The days I'm at the college are refreshing for me. Athough its a very busy time of year at the school and all the first year professor challenges I face...it is not frustrating when I'm there. Hopefully this summer I can move on from Day Treatment and find something to compliment my hours at the college.

Two Peas Blog Challenge: What is the essential core of friendship to me? This is a question I've been struggling over recently. I think I would have to say acceptance. Someone who is willing to accept me allows me to build trust and let down my guard. I have found through the years that this quality is what has helped me to determine who are really my true friends and who are not.

my day

Well...my day went differently than I planned in my mind this morning but it was still good. Instead of sitting in the coffee place to read I guilted myself into going to the gym for 1/2 an hour on the treadmill. I needed it. I've been completely out of my exercise routine and again today it was raining/snowing/cold so not good walking outside weather.

After...I took a trip up to Target. Got a few spring-like dishtowels, placemat, etc. Also found some stickers, 8x8 cardstock and adhesive (I'm running out). After getting home I decided to bake the Irish Freckle Bread I had planned on making tomorrow. I'd never made it before. Never even made bread! I made 2 loaves with the intention on bringing one in for the clients Monday for our St. Patrick's Day "breakfeast." But...if it's good...it may not leave the house...I did give one to my mom to go with her Boiled Dinner we are having tomorrow since my brother goes back to school tomorrow. I also did a little scrapbooking today. No pictures...working on my Week in The Life...a little at a time. Having fun with it. Not planning. Not thinking it out too much. Just going with the flow. Going against all my usual tendencies!

creative plans

Hmmm. My creative plans for the day are probably not all going to fit into the day! Cary unexpectedly has to work today 12-8 so that means (a) I have time to do stuff, and (b) I get my desk to work on. Our place is SO tiny right now we are sharing my desk. When he's home and on he computer I have to set myself up on the couch. I try to accommodate because right now most of his stuff is still in storage in Maine until we get a bigger place. I try to make him feel at home as much as possible. But I do miss my desk sometimes!

Today I want to (should) go to the gym for a bit. This crappy weather is getting to me because I can't just walk outside which I prefer. Then I'm going to just sit in my favorite coffee place downtown and read my new Somerset Studios and a book on selling crafts I got yesterday. This will inspire me to go home and MAKE STUFF! I also got my pict back from Scrapbook Picts yesterday and started my "Week in the Life" album which is going to take awhile. Also some small pictures for a tiny book to keep on my desk at work when I need a stress reliever. Hopefully I'll post a picture of something I make today. I also need my mom to help me undo some rows in a scarf I'm making. I messed up and need her help! Hope everyone has a fun day!

wondrous opportunities?

"Be prepared to accept a wondrous opportunity in the days ahead." This was the fortune I got today in the fortune cookie my sister gave me. Very interesting given the conversations Cary and I have had the past few days about where we will be next. It's all unsettling and unpredictable and exciting. I'm a Virgo. I like order. I don't do well with the unknown. But this fortune is nice...it helps me to think of these unknown questions as an adventure-an opportunity instead of something scary. I'm a worrier by nature.

Today was a nice break. I have Spring Break from the college this week so I didn't have to work today and I also have Friday off too. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of vacation time from my other job to take off the rest of this week. But two days off is two days off! Last night I stopped by Cary's work (he's a security guard at an apartment complex). I was on my way home from errands. It was nice to see him for a minute. Otherwise we are like two ships passing and only see each other for an hour at most on the days I get home at 4:30 and for a few minutes at 2:00am when he gets home and I'm half asleep.

This morning I did a few layouts for a Disney album I started in 04 when we went as a family! At this point I just want to finish it. I hate having projects hanging over me unfinished! Today I also enjoyed the flowers I picked up at Trader Joe's last night. The daffodils in the picture above and some tulips. I'm loving having fresh flowers in the apartment. They remind me Spring is coming. Today's weather was so wacky and definately not springlike! It rained, it snowed, it sleeted, and then the sun came out a few times. Definately New England at its finest. Cary and I got to eat together...my broccoli -chicken alfredo...ymm...with some leftovers for work tomorrow. Around 6:00 it was brighter and after Cary left for work I got to take a quick walk. Cold but nice.

Tonight I made Cary's grandmother this card. I have never been able to meet her (she lives in N.Maine) but she recently broke her hip and is in the hospital. Cary asked if I would mind making her one. Until recently, I hadn't been making cards. I used to spend hours making piles of them. It's been fun returning to this hobby. I've been thinking about opening a "shop" on etsy but I want to get a little more info about it...and finish my grad classes...and the classes I'm teaching...and get settled into another apartment with Cary. So...not for awhile!

crooked scan of the card

closeup of the card

creativity is...

Two Peas Challenge: What is creativity to me?

freedom. losing myself in a project. problem solving. in all of us. communication. original. fresh, new. how I view life (not just art). new perspectives. a process. necessary. ideas. children. seeing possibilities. discoveries. healing.

art process or product?

Two Peas Challenge~ Is creating "beautiful art" more important than the process of creating?

This is such an interesting question for me. I am an Art Therapist by day - artist by night (in reality they can't be separated)! There are two ends of the Art Therapy spectrum and a number of theories in between...do we focus on the art product (sense of pride, accomplishment, mastery) or the process (catharsis, expression, getting "it" out)? Both in my work as a therapist and in my own artwork I tend to be somewhere in the middle. I feel accomplished and proud when I complete a piece that I find beautiful. I am a perfectionist and I guess this plays a large part of my process. Perfect to me is just that when I look at the artwork it feels finished, complete. However, I also love getting lost in the process of it all. Hours going by. Feeling like I've "talked" about something so important to me that I weight has been lifted and I've told my story in a layout or made a card I can't wait to give to the receiver. I find that for my clients both aspects of making art can be therapeutic and healing as well. The creating and the creation. I feel that each client takes something different from the process and get what they need from it. I do the same.

spring

At the beginning of a season, I find myself nesting. I want to surround myself, my home, my art with the season. I'm into Spring. I'm ready! I baked some lemon cupcakes with vanilla frosting today. For some reason I am associating them with all things Spring-like!

I expected to do more scrapbooking today but I'm running out of time. My family refers to Sundays as "poison days." As the day goes by and you get to Sunday night - knowing work the following day is looming over you. Especially with daylight savings today - the day has gotten away from me. But I did start the day inspired to make some cards. In response to the Two Peas Blog Challenge the weather here today has been bright and cool. Since it's been rainy and cloudy for days it is a nice change. Feeling a little guilty 'cause I really should have taken a walk and taken advantage of the nice day. But remember I'm nesting!

I have a skylight directly over my bed and when I woke up today I saw the sun and the wind blowing the trees around over head. This wake-up combined with being inpsired by displays of flowers, pastels, green grass, crisp whites - I planned out a series of cards with the idea of newly blooming Spring trees. They are not quite finished - they need a little something. Here's one but see the series here. I'm kinda liking them...maybe I'll make something else now and enjoy a cupcake and the rest of "poison day"!

Yesterday's Two Peas Blog Challenge was something along the lines of "What is your favorite time of day?" Mine is morning. This photo was taken yesterday morning on my way to work. I had just bought my coffee in the next town over and decided I wanted to take a picture of the marsh in the fog. I was late to work and I decided it didn't matter. Life is short and this was a beautiful sight. On my way to work in Boston I saw a very different view. Not even 30 minutes later. Beautiful in a very different way. I don't consider myself a city person but this bridge (The Zakim Bridge) going into Boston is really a site.

Now it is saturday morning and I'm lazily drinking my coffee planning my day. I love the morning. Especially when I don't have to be anywhere at a particular time. Have a few chores and errands to do but no time frame. Today I get to spend some time with Cary and that is in short supply. Last weekend he had guard, and since he works nights, we haven't seen each other much at all this week. Hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday.

today

I have been doing a "Week in the Life" challenge about my world this week. It has been an interesting adventure. I'm finding it is helping me to be more mindful about what I do each day...each moment. It is helping me to notice things I ordinarily would pass by because I'm trying to photograph little peices of my day. Collecting little pieces from my life has been challenging and I think narrowing down what to include on the 8x8 pages they will be on will prove more difficult. What will people find interesting about my day in the future? What will I want to remember? How do I narrow that down? I'm a collector by nature and have trouble sometimes screening out what is the most important. I want to include everything! I was never really good at collages that overlapped images. I wanted to show all parts of the image! Anyhow, this has been a really enlightening experience. I will post a few photos later today. Right now I'm off to class...the last Intro class for a few weeks - Yeah! Spring Break next week and Good Friday the week after. I'm excited about today's lecture: its about Psychological Development Theories (the basics) and Artistic Development Theories - a topic I love, love, love!

joy

Two Peas Challenge: What 5 things in your life bring you joy?

1. Cary brings me joy. He's funny, optimistic, positive, goofy and sweet - though he would never admit that! I look forward to our future and each day we get.

2. Home. The woods. The trees. The history. The memories. The Quiet.

3. Art. Creativity. Time to get lost in it.

4. My job at Emmanuel. I feel energized when I leave my classes. It has been a long time that I have left work feeling full of energy.

5. Seeing dogs. It makes me miss mine terribly. But I feel happy when I see dogs playing, walking, beeing goofy. Especially dogs that look like Maddy did.

childhood memories

Two Peas Challenge: Describe your yard as a child - did you help with the yard work? What are your memories?

I have the most wonderful memories of my yard as a kid. In fact, I currently live in my parent's garage apartment so can appreciate it every day and think back to those years. We live in a very wooded area on an acre and a half. Big pine trees, daisies, an apple tree that was good for climbing, a tire swing, the brook. My dad made a "playhouse" (now a shed) for me to play in when I was little. I spent hours in there. It had a loft and a big main area. Mud pies were my favorite thing to make and my dad graciously pretended to eat them. My neighborhood is the same one that he and his 10 brothers and sisters grew up in. The river, the willow tree, Grammy's House, the woods, the bridge. Generations of memories. It is a huge part of my life and hopefully will be for my future children. I've only left this place long enough to live in Boston for college and D.C. for graduate school. It has always been hard for me to leave for long. Soon, Cary and I will find an apartment in another part of the city and I'm really excited to start this new adventure but part of me is sad. The garage we live in is where I played as a kid when it was "really" a garage with my Dad's Corvette. It is where I brought him mudpies. It is close to where my mom had a vegetable garden with all the carrots I picked when they were still too small! I have such fond memories of this place. It will always be somewhere I can go whenever I know that in my heart but it just might take a little drive.

The two peas "Blog Challenge" for today: With all the CHA Previews. What are some of the new products do you have on your wish list? '

Interesting challenge given my entry yesterday about "cutting myself off" from buying more supplies! Well...the one thing I have my eye on right now wasn't out at CHA this year I don't believe but its been a big topic lately. A Bind-it-All. I really like the idea of being able to make my own journals, books, albums. But...maybe I will have to ask for it for my birthday. A long 7 months away!

I did use some of my stash today though. I made myself do my taxes first and a little prep for one of the classes I teach. Then I worked on two pages for my "All About Me" album I've been working on slowly for years. It is a collection of things I love, little facts about me, people I love, places, dreams, goals...every so often I work on another page for it. It is in a cute gatefold 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 album that I got at my LSS ages ago. Here's what I worked on today...

"Admire Lauri" ~ a page about my sister and everything that I see and appreciate in her. I have always loved the top picture of her and our dog who died a few years ago. Also included on of her pictures from when she was little - she was a doll! I am 8 years older than her so she has always seemed like the "little" sister but we have grown much closer as we've gotten older.
This page is titled "My Car(s). I have only ever had two cars and this was about them. I have always loved cars. Grew up around them. I was so sad when I had to give up my first car and really, to be honest, never really have let go of it.(It's the white volvo in the background!) That Volvo is really the only thing I truly own. But I do love my Honda and one more year of payments and it will finally be all mine!

seek balance

I had the perfect day today. Balanced. Cary is at guard and I always miss him but I had lots of me time today and did all my favorite things despite the raw cold, rainy/snowy mess that was the weather. I met Alyssa for breakfeast this a.m. at Morning Glory. We talked and talked. I think the waitress was frustrated but it was wonderful! I felt understood and heard. After breakfeast I went to Barnes & Noble to kill a little time before my hair appt. I could spend hours wandering around that store. I picked up a really interested Feng Shui book. It has a lot of great ideas and topics that I'd like to learn about and try about Feng Shui and space clearing. I also picked up The Sound of Paper by Julia Cameron...about creativity of another sort. Each of these will be inspiring resources for my goal of balance {my one little word for the year}. Then I got my hair cut and colored...it has been sadly waiting for this for too long. The last time I had my hair done it was the weekend after Thanksgiving. There is something so relaxing of having nothing to do but sit and read trashy celebrity magazines while someone is beautifying you. With my fresh highlights and layers, I heading to my LSS to get more inspiration and spend the $20 coupon I earned last weekend....of course I spent an extra $20....guilt...Cary called while I was there and was teasing me about the features in the apartment we are looking to get in a few months. In other words, "Hon, don't spend any money, pay off the rest of your bills so we can move." I guess I have justified my purchases in my mind in the name of balance. Doing art one day a week was my New Year's intention. But I do need to cut myself off! I've spent too much on art supplies for the past few weeks. When I put away my finds tonight I realized I have so many cool things to use in my scrapbooks, cards, etc. More than I can use in my lifetime. From here on out, I'm vowing to spend my time at home working on projects instead of collecting stuff. I ended the day by going to Trader Joe's for a few things {including the white tulips that now grace my desk - the flowers Cary gave me for Valentine's Day were spent} and I also went to the grocery store. A chore, I know. But it is a chore I enjoy. It makes me feel comforted to come home and have options. choices. full cabinets. And finally...I finished my Weekend Creative that I started last night. It painted and collaged a canvas with various papers and acrylics in shades of white. I added a Heidi Swapp ghost butterfly - one of today's purchases! The words say "Seek Balance" with a glitter alpha sticker and chipboard letters. Another dedication to my one little word of the year. I plan on hanging this on the wall of my office as a reminder when the day gets too hard, stressful, and overwhelming. It was a perfect day.