Life...As I See It

 

Inspired by a newly found and now a favorite blog, 1000 Awesome Things. I love finding a new post in my e-mail. So, this week's Thursday 13 is...

13 Awesome Things

1. When you're driving in traffic and you're in the lane that is moving.
2. The end of a long run (7+ miles).
3. Coming home after a long trip.
4. Carrying all the groceries in from the car in one big trip. (1000 Awesome Things #639)
5. Finding surprise money in your pants pocket or a purse you haven't used in a while.
6. The first cup of coffee in the morning.
7. Getting a random text from Chad that makes me laugh out loud.
8. Reading a book that you don't want to end.
9. When construction on a highway ends and the speed limit goes back to 65.
10. Watching back to back episodes of a favorite TV show using the DVR.
11. Hot pizza.
12. Being in the line at the grocery store that isn't waiting for a price check.
13. Not being able to go to sleep because you're so excited about the next day.

Awesome!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Quick Page Challenge

When I'm feeling unproductive I do one or all of three things...a scrapbook challenge, run or organize something.

I just finished organizing my latest digital downloads and I'm going for a run later this morning. So that leaves the challenge. An easy quick page challenge posted on a favorite digital designer's blog, Paislee Press. 

This QP freebie included.
 

My layouts. I have several 12x12 frames from Ikea that were bought for our library. Maybe I will print both of these to frame.

 

 

The rest of the day? Grocery store, Holidays In Hand, plan Alyssa's birthday sleepover, Ikea, Old Navy, maybe a little Christmas shopping and pick up my dad from the airport :)

 

 

More Holidays In Hand with Jessica Sprague.

13 Things to Make and Do for the Holiday Season

1. Make Peppermint Bark in holiday tins for the neighbors.
2. Celebrate Alec's birthday on 12/5.
3. Celebrate Alyssa's birthday on 12/8.
4. Make Hot Cocoa with Candy Canes.
5. Date night with Chad (sans kids).
6. Make Cookies In A Jar for teachers.
7. Holiday notes in backpacks.
8. Make Christmas cookies with Mama (tradition).
9. Family movie night with Scrooge (our favorite is with Albert Finney as Scrooge) and popcorn.
10. Spa Day for me (perfect right around the 21st).
11. Complete another year of December Daily.
 12. Mall trip just for fun.
 13. Make Christmas cards.

A few favorite traditions. A few new ideas. And not over committing. Perfect.

Documenting Life

 

Holidays in Hand with Jessica Sprague  started today! 

Day 1 is focusing on values and goals for the holiday season. What matters most? What values do you hope to instill in your family? What do you hope to accomplish this holiday season?

First, the values...
gratitude, joy, traditions, family, peace, giving, reflecting, together 

Second, the goals...
1. Complete December Daily and Holidays in Hand as a hybrid project.
2. Do not over commit. That includes entertaining, projects and accepting invitations.

I think that's a good starting point for this project.   

I'm also in the process of putting together my 2009 Week in the Life (inspired by Ali Edwards) album. I'm creating all of my own templates for this one so the process is a bit slower than last year, but I'm loving it. 

A peek at Day 1 (keep in mind I will be adding traditional elements to the pattern paper blocks on the final printed layout)...

 

Until next time :)

 

13 Photos from One of the Happiest Days of My Life

December 23, 1995

After months and months of workups and 6 months of deployment, Chad was coming home.

 
Marine Corps Air Station Tustin
Tustin, California

 

 

The first sight of aircraft finally made it feel real.

 

Waiting! Landing and shutting down all of the aircraft seemed like it took forever.

 

There he is!

 

 

 

 

 

If you look real close you can see the smile on his face. I will remember that forever.

 

 

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A Hybrid Project: Yesterday and Today

Continuing to play with old photos and Yesterday and Today with Ali Edwards. This is my first attempt at creating a project that is a combination of digital (beyond just brushes) and traditional elements.

Fo this layout the traditional element will be adding a metal rimmed tag with my initials...

 
(click on image for a larger view)

Thursday 13

 

I'm beginning the prep for December Daily 2009. The perfect time to share...

13 (of 25) December Daily 2008
 




 







  

The full 2008 December Daily album can be seen here 2008 December Daily

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

2009 Free Holiday Class at Jessica Sprague dot com

Document the holidays, maybe learn something new, and it's free! Not a paid advertisement just a big fan of Jessica's classes :)

via www.jessicasprague.com

Planning the Thanksgiving Menu

 

13 Possibilities for Our Thanksgiving Menu

1. Tomato-Broccolini Soup
2. Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
3. Good Eats Roasted Turkey
4. Dried Fruit Stuffing
 5. Butternut Squash with Ginger and Cilantro
 6. Red Skinned Potato Au Gratin
 7. Sauteed Wild Mushrooms with Spinach
8. Spiced Bundt Cake
 9. Pumpkin Pie
 10. Dinner Rolls
 11. French's Green Bean Casserole
12.Emeril's Cranberry Sauce
13. Estancia Pinot Noir 

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A Prized Possession

I've spent the last few weeks sorting, organizing, and scanning old photos for my latest online class, Yesterday and Today. Imagine my surprise when I found an album that I didn't remember having.

 

When I opened the pages I found photos of my dad...

 

A few scanned favorites...

My dad's middle name is Phillip. I had no idea he ever went by the name Phil. And as a person who hates her handwriting, I love turning the pages and seeing what I would recognize anywhere as my dad's handwriting. 

 

December 1961 (love it when I have dates).The writing on the back of this photo was great. It was a photo given to my mom and the words and the way thoughts are expressed is so much my dad. This is one of my favorites.

 

He loved his cars...

 

On the back a note for my mom to give a message to his brother...

 

 

A note to my mom on the back of the above photo. I think the date is March 1964...

 

And one last of the many scanned. I have a lot of questions to ask my dad about this photo.

 

See why this is a prized possession.