For Today

Ali Edwards recently posted a fun little 'survey' that I thought I could do ... you know, to be ambitious and make this my 2nd post for 2009!

FOR TODAY
June 24, 2009

Outside my window... the sun is shining - I'm SO glad it's back!

I am thinking... of everything I need to do tonight (laundry, packing, print pictures, etc.) before going in to work early tomorrow.

I am thankful for... little reminders of Katherine I experience - yesterday I gave a homeless man $5 since it's totally something she would've done. I constantly ask myself 'What would Katherine do...' and end up with a smile.

From the kitchen... of Starbucks :) I'm eating a yogurt parfait and Iced Caramel Macchiato - yum!

I am wearing... jeans, light brown v-neck and blue tank.

I am creating... a yearbook album for all my SISters to sign this weekend. It's nothing fancy, I can always embellish later, right??

I am going... to Tennessee TOMORROW! I'm headed to SISiversary and can't wait to meet new friends, hang out with old friends, laugh, take pictures, make memories and scrap! I have some KICK ASS roomies (Andrea, Pam, Tracy, Aimee, Erin & Steph - yes, there will be 7 of us!) that I can't wait to hang with.

I am reading... The Darling by Russell Banks (on tape during my drives) and The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death by Laurie Notaro - Laurie Notaro is hilarious!!!

I am hoping... I can limit what I bring to still be productive and not ridiculously overpacked. I'm a notorious overpacker - argh.

I am hearing... Pandora - I have a Sugarland station that rocks!

Around the house... I have suitcases out ready to be packed (and it's not even 3am the day I leave, so unusual!) and tons of scrap stuff ready to be organized and packed.

One of my favorite things... emails and texts saying 'I'm thinking of you...' :)

A few plans for the rest of the week... go to Old Navy during lunch for some more tanks (it's going to be in the 90s (!!) in TN), stop at Lasting Memories on my way home tonight to pick up a Tiny Fastener, work tomorrow until 1ish, then off to Nashville!

See, that wasn't too difficult, was it?? I actually made some Mini Moos for SISiversary and included my blog address on them ... which means I really should post more! :)

Testing, Testing... 123... Testing

Just thought I'd test to see if my password still works around here and pop in. :) My friend Andrea reminded me recently of the power of journaling - whether via blog, in "official" journals, or just a piece of paper, it's so therapeutic to get your thoughts down. So many times I've started journaling, but haven't consistently journaled through the years. Maybe that's why I struggle with journaling beyond just the facts in my layouts? Aw well, one step at a time... :)

Nothing too glamorous to report now, life is busy, as always! It's just the way we balance* all those tasks and priorities as to how they fall, right??

I recently ordered a letterpress print with a quote by Stephen Covey:

the main thing
is to keep
the main thing
the main thing

So true, no? So often I get worked up on the 'extras' - what I anticipate will happen, the emotion, the fluff... and I'm distracted on not what the REAL issue is. I'm considering using this quote for the ATC Quote Swap at SIS. I love checking out everyone's favorite quotes - it's interesting to see what each person chooses not only as their quote, but decorative-style, too.

*appropriate use of my 2009 word!

One Little Word

For the past two years, I have chosen One Little Word to concentrate my efforts for the year. 2007's word was BELIEVE and 2008 was FOCUS. Whereas I can continue to use both words as areas of focus (no pun intended), I decided to choose a new word for 2009. Here it is, with some of the definitions that stuck out to me.

bal⋅ance   /ˈbæləns/
a state of equilibrium or equipoise; an adjustment of accounts; the power or means to decide.

"Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man's being.” - Orison Swett Marden

I'm looking forward to seeking balance in 2009- with my job, my home, my life, on the scale (LOL). When I think of walking on a balance beam, you can't rush through, or you'll fall. I'll try to slow down and focus as I strive towards balance.

I encourage you to pick a word in the new year!

29 Days of Giving

Back in October, I signed up to do a 29 Days of Giving Challenge. Although I did more than what I posted on my 29 Days site, I never officially did 29 days in a row. This morning, I was reminded again of the challenge - and thought I'd try again! I realized this will put me through the end of December ~ what a great way to spend the holiday season!

I encourage you to sign up - isn't giving what it's all about?


"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." -William James

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I saw this survey on Gretchen's blog and thought it was fun! I'm definitely in the Christmas spirit already!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping – it’s my favorite part!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial ... don’t have to water it!
3. When do you put up the tree? Normally first part of December – this year it’ll be on Monday November 24th.
4. When do you take the tree down? After New Year’s.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes – but not straight, either mixed with 7-Up or cut with nonfat in a latte.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My dollhouse – mom-made!
7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad
8. Easiest person to buy for? Talia & Toby ... yay for cute kid clothes! :)
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, just got a Willow Tree one a couple years ago.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Definitely mail.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Luckily nothing stands out. Maybe something I can't return?? ;) I try to appreciate everything though.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Normally not until December – but I’ve done quite a bit this year already.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I recall...
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sausage Casserole – yum!
16. Lights on the tree? Yes – colorful (they all have to match too ... no half blinking, different sized, etc.)
17. Favorite Christmas song? Can I pick 3? Let it Snow, Santa Baby, or Christmas in the Northwest
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Travel – just locally though
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? I think so: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both! (It used to be morning though.)
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Pressure to be in 300 places at one time.
23. What theme or color are you using? For what - my tree? I like to have a bunch of different ornaments - they bring back great memories.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Christmas dinner doesn't stand out to me - I'll say mashed potatoes and gravy.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I love homemade with love gifts! Honestly, I don't want much.

A Change We Can Believe In

It's been 21 hours after the election results were announced, and I'm still giddy! I cried, laughed and applauded last night as I watched the results come in. I'm SO excited for the direction our country is headed. I now hope and pray that we can unite as one country to realize the change we all agree our country needs.

Yes we can ... and here's an article with incredible insight.

As a side note, I updated my Volunteer Blog. I know it's been a fairly sparse activity this year - and I do plan on updating on our past activities with pictures and details. I'm really looking forward to the couple volunteer opportunities that November will bring!

Ba-Rock the Vote!

I'm SO excited for tomorrow ... election day has been a long time coming! I can hardly believe in less than 48 hours we'll know which way the country is headed. Assuming we have no recounts and hanging chads, of course. :)

I've made my vote and even if you don't the same way I do ... please vote. It's your right - and an honor! Otherwise you have no right to complain. :)

Heck, you can even get free coffee just for doing so.