semi-scrapbooking {quicker and easier way to get the job done}

The events of the past year have renewed my resolve to do some things. But maybe in a modified way. I have been a scrapbooker (Is that even a word? The squiggly line below it says it’s not a word, but I’m going with it!) since my girl was a baby. I went to a Creative Memories party and went on from there. But just like everybody else, I can’t keep up with how many pictures I need to scrapbook in the time I would like to spend on it.

Sometimes lately I just don’t have the mental energy to spend on it. But I would still like to record activities for posterity. (mainly at this point I just do vacations…right now I have three to scrap book..TN, FL and CO) And it can feel overwhelming with just those to tackle.

But this is where it gets interesting. I meet with a group of girls once a week. We share a meal and then do some sort of crafting. Most of the time it’s scrapbooking. One of the girls did a super big vacation and there were just too many photos to expect to do a layout for every. single. one. So she decided to do something sort of different. She bought the full page layout sleeves (12 by 12) and also bought the sleeves that hold six 4 by 6 photos per page. And this is where things started to stray from the cookie cutter every-page-is-a-full-spread scrapbooking that we all know (and love).  She did some full layouts on the big pages. And she also put her 4 by 6 photos in some sleeves and left some sleeves for journaling or ticket stubs or embellishments or whatever. What she ended up with was just as cute as a regular scrapbook, but it took a fraction of the time to complete, and she was able to include more photos and more stories. Sheer genius, if you ask me.

So I am learning to work this technique, semi-scrapbooking as I like to call it, into my scrapbooking routine. I think it will be a big help as I try to get more pictures in books while keeping my sanity and my patience somewhat intact. ; )

A full page ‘spread’ to introduce our time at Garden of the Gods…(definitely not my best work here, but you get the idea)

And then individual pics with a journaling slot left open…

I think you get the idea. Much easier and quicker. Not near as much cropping needed. But of course, you can still crop to highlight a certain photo and mount it on paper to make it stand out etc. The possibilities are endless. : ) Happy scrapping!

*I know we didn’t invent this..I’ve seen it in magazines, but for years I hunted for the special pages etc featured to pull this look off to no avail. Thankfully now these things are showing up more in stores and making it easier for us girls to git’r done. Hobby Lobby is my happy place! : )

I’m linking this post to Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family.

the workout pants

I have never worked out quite like I do now. In the past, I’ve taken stabs at cardio. And before L got sick, I had gotten myself in pretty decent shape using resistance training. But that went down the tube when he got sick.

Basically everything I’ve done has been short lived. Until now. Because I don’t have a choice. And oddly, because I want to. I feel better. I’m beginning to look better, too.

And although I wouldn’t admit this to anybody face to face, sometimes I check out my biceps in the mirror. Cuz I have some now. : )

I have resisted workout wear. I don’t know why..I just have. I hate the thought of spandex stretched out over my less then perfect body. But I am always a fan of the oversized tee shirt. But I’ve noticed that lately I’ve been tempted to skimp on things because I’m already “dressed” for the day. Some days I come home from the gym (cardio days) sweating and feeling gross. Already wearing my regular clothes. Albeit it’s only shorts and a tee shirt…but still, it’s the uniform of choice for me most days. The laundry and the home schooler don’t really have high fashion hopes for me day to day.

So yesterday I had finally had enough of coming home feeling all icky and not wanting to dirty up more regular clothes. Oh yes, you heard it right…I took the plunge and bought some workout pants. They are actually more like capris, which will be nice, as I can wear them through the winter and not freeze to death walking to and from my car. And since they are capris, they cover my back side, thankyouverymuch. And dare I say…they are a bit flattering. It took me a while to find flattering…for a while I wanted to have a cry-fest in the fitting room. But I finally came upon something that doesn’t look scary on me. And they are comfortable too.

I put my new pants on this morning and felt myself doing my warm up (weight day) with a little more gusto….trying harder to get all the moves just right…remembering those biceps. Ha!

I’m hoping this little boost helps me push even harder to reach some unwritten goals I’ve set for myself. Some involve weight, endurance and let’s face it…shape.  

So today I feel a bit transformed by a new pair of pants. : )

Back to the work out…warm up is over…and it’s time for kettle bells! Woot!

birthdays…his and mine

There were two birthdays last week. One to celebrate a 15th year that he never saw.

And another to celebrate my birthday, two days later. And I ain’t tellin’ how many 47 birthdays I’ve seen. ; )

I thought about letting Landon’s birthday pass without a word on the blog. When the day rolled around, I was busy thinking other thoughts intermingled with many thoughts of him. We went to Chili’s. We colored a pepper. I wrote on it about watching kids his age going to high school. And yet he is still four. It’s a strange life.

I am thankful for all his birthdays and thankful I could be his mommy here on earth, even if it was only for four years. And many more in heaven…I still wouldn’t trade it.

And then two days later, my birthday rolled around. Not much fanfare which is the usual for us. And that’s ok. But the mixture of his birthday and then mine and all that’s happened in the past year along with thoughts of my one year cancer-versary (coming up in about a month) left me in a very pensive mood.

So even though I was posting vacation pics last week, very often my thoughts and heart were far away…and not in Colorado.

I have felt the usual cloak of sadness creep in during this time of year, but there is this added layer this year. I will be honest here and say that there are fearful moments for me. What if’s hang heavy over me sometimes.

But I was reading in Hebrews today and I love it when I read a verse I’ve read over and over and He brings it to life again and gives it fresh beauty.

Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” NASB

Chapter 4 is talking about finding rest, and I think often we tend to think about ‘rest’ meaning when we die…RIP sort of thing. But the writer is talking about finding rest now. So thankful that even in the midst of living here, we can draw near to the throne of grace…aren’t those beautiful words???..and receive mercy and find grace…aren’t those things we look for all the time, even in things that won’t satisfy??? So thankful that when we do, He will help us in our time of need, which hello, is all the time.

Always so thankful when I read something I’ve read before…underlined even…and hear a word for today…right now…in them.

Hugs and love, my friends. : )

it’s the heat

I think I’ve mentioned it before…it’s never good when my kid comes to my bed at 1:30 am and does the ‘holler whisper’ to let me know there is a problem.

And last night was not an exception.

Mom!

What?

I gecko just fell from my ceiling.

Where did it land? (I’m thinking…her head…her bed…)

A gecko just fell from my ceiling.

I heard that…WHERE DID IT LAND?  (what part of where did it land could you not understand, kid?)

Oh, on the floor.

Oh. Go back to bed. It’s fine. It will not bother you…go to sleep.

I heard a rather loud THUD a few minutes later and knew what had happened. It involved a text book….RIP little gecko. : /

Hubs went in this morning to move the book and take our dearly departed little friend to his final resting place.

Dear Summer,

I am officially sick of you. I am so tired of hot weather. And insects and lizards. And not being able to go outside lest a mosquito bite put me in the hospital (or worse)…I’m talking to YOU, West Nile Virus. I am so tired of not being able to enjoy being outside, or inside for that matter. Going on vacation just ruined me for the rest of our summer, because the weather was just so nice. I want to move. Thanks Colorado for being so dad-gum perfect in the summer.

Signed…Burned Out in Texas