P365-Weeks 1-3

A couple of years ago I began participating in Sara's Project 365 in which you take a picture everyday to facilitate remembering your year. The first year (2010) I didn't do too badly; I think I posted on my blog into the fall. Then last year I only posted into the spring (a funeral, a wedding and a move will do that to you, I guess.)

Anyway, I'm going to give it a try again this year. I've set a goal to snap a picture everyday and so far, so good. What I should have done was set a goal to POST those pictures every week. Maybe I'll have to make an addendum. Anyway, I've finally gotten the first three weeks of January's pictures ready to share so here we go!

Sunday, Jan 1-

Christmas Screen Saver needs to go!

Monday, Jan 2 - 

Back to School - a science experiment about air expansion

Tuesday, Jan 3 -

A new Kinnect! The girls are having fun!

Wed, Jan 4 -

A flock of noisy, hungry birds descend on our yard

Thursday, Jan 5 -

Katie's guests at her movie-themed 10th birthday party

Friday, Jan 6 -

Biscuit's not a fan of the camera!

Saturday, Jan 7 -

We've had so much fun with the VIP entrance on our Powder Room Door (leftover from Katie's birthday party) that we've decided to leave it up a little longer. (It finally did come down.)

Sunday, Jan 8 -

O, Cheesecake Factory, how I love you!

(Chocolate Macaroon-Mom, Coffee/Kahlua-Mark & Katie, Pumpkin-Rhett)

Monday, Jan 9 -

First snowfall in January. A dusting really.

Tuesday, Jan 10 -

Quilt Material...I need to get started! (Face the fear!)

Wednesday, Jan 11 -

Using my hot pink purse this week. Bright!

Thursday, Jan 12 -

Stopped by a friend's house and saw her daughter's Senior Project

 - an Illuminated Bible, the Gospel of John.

It was so cool in person! She designed and created each picture. Wow!

Friday, Jan 13 -

Two beautiful horses who will be boarding at the farm for a while.

The lighter brown horse is Ruby; the darker one is Mike.

Saturday, Jan 14 -

Company's coming; made some homemade rolls.

Sunday, Jan 15 -

I work about 12 hours on Sunday and this is one of my responsibilities - keep all the staff and volunteers in our children's department caffeinated!

Monday, Jan 16 -

Horses. Sigh.

Tuesday, Jan 17 -

Ah! The material got washed, pressed, cut and pieced together!

Wednesday, Jan 18 -

My kid's reading while they wait for a play to begin.

Thursday, Jan 19 -

I have to pay an arm and a leg for the road on the left, but it's worth it once a week!

Friday, Jan 20 -

A meal for a friend returning home from the hospital.

Saturday, Jan 21 -

I couldn't pick just one picture for this day!

A little Currier & Ives :)

Buddies! Mark was studying for school when Biscuit decided she needed to keep him company. Cozy!

First Scrappy Challenge Post

Ok, I'm giddy sharing this post with you! Wish you could see my excitement...hmm, maybe a video posting would be fun sometime in the future! 

Anyway, I have dabbled in quilting a couple of times in the past 18 months and one of my goals for this year is to participate in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge twice a month during 2012.  That's a BIG goal since I've only created a diaper changing pad and a couple of mug rugs. 

(October 2010 - Diaper Changing Pad for a friend)

(February 2011 - mug rugs made for a blog swap)

Each month Angela at So Scrappy challenges us to use a specific color to use up our quilting scraps.  Since I'm just getting started I don't have much scraps, but I use the month's color to make purchases. That's fun too!

I do, however, have a "stash."

Right after moving to the farm in September I happened upon 4 boxes of quilting material at the local thrift store. The boxes were priced at $25 each - a steal!  I had just moved and thought $100 would be an outrageous splurge, but I was looking at a gold mine.  I figured there was probably $400 dollars worth of material for sale. 

The boxes were separated by colors with green and brown in one, red and purple in another, etc.  Another lady and I were digging through enjoying the treasure.  She kept saying, "I've got enough material already, I shouldn't."  I kept saying, "Well, if you don't want it, I'll probably get it." Then I tried to compromise with her, trying to get her to land on a decision. I would ask her which color she would like and she kept dodging the commitment to buy, but digging and admiring all the way.  That, of course, made me want to grab the 4 boxes and make a run for it! I could just envision those old-time department store sales in the movies where the well-dressed proper women had a free-for-all.  Much to my relief she finally decided that she wasn't going to buy and as soon as she walked away, I put my hands over the boxes and hollered across the store, "I want to buy all four of these boxes!" I was too scared to even walk to the counter; I wasn't taking any chances.  The salesclerk came a put a "Sold" sign on the top box and I suggested she needed to put one on EVERY box. She smiled and obliged me.

The manager then walked by and said, "Oh, you're going to get all four boxes, I'll give them to you for $20 each.  I think someone must have died and these were donated."  I was giddy with the unexpected savings and I felt honored to take someone's stash and make something from it.  Isn't that what a quilting stash is? Dreams of what could be. Sigh.

Anyway, it's taken me months to get up the nerve to cut into the stash and create something - anything. I didn't want to make a mistake or waste material. My hubs said, "It's just sitting there wasting money anyway." (His way to encourage me to get over the fear!)

So this week I delved into the stash. I chose some reds, tans and greens and put together a simple 4-in square quilt top.  I even added a border after this picture was taken.  The following day I went to JoAnn's and bought supplies to try hand quilting.  I might have mentioned that day that "I love my life!"  (not something I say often enough.) 

Today is my first submission to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and I hope there will be many more to come!



I can't wait to show you my progress and the finished project in future posts.

I LOVE quilting!

Smell the beauty

I often yearn for more beauty in my life. The routine of daily chores can at times be depressing; the constant stacks of dirty dishes, dirty clothes, and papers needing attention seem to never end.  Where's the beauty?  On a positive day, I might recognize that we're eating well, that we have plenty to wear and that I have an active life that calls for my interaction through paperwork, but more often than not, I face those tasks with dread.  I'm learning that if I add just a touch of beauty, it helps me work/cope with greater joy. 

I choose toile file folders to use everyday, put decals on my washer and dryer (hubs thinks that's silly, but I enjoy them) and I light a candle next to the sink that never seems to stay empty for long.  The smell of beauty in my kitchen keeps me coming back to work on those tasks that feed my family, but not my soul.  As I write this post I can smell the lemon lavender candle and it calms me. I love scented candles!

A few of my favorite Yankee candle scents are Lemon Lavender, Autumn Wreath, and Sun and Sand. I've been known to use a Sun and Sand car freshener in the mini-van in the dead of winter. The slight aroma of suntan lotion during blizzard-like conditions makes me smile. I'm quirky that way. :)

Do you have any favorite scents?

How do you add beauty to your daily routines?

Company Girl Coffee is a linky party hosted each Friday to meet up with other women in blogworld. You share whatever you want on your own blog and then just link your post over at Home Sanctuary. I've made some new friends and have visited several interesting blogs. I love that Rachel hosts the linky on a Friday 'cause by then I would sure love just to sit and have a cup of coffee with a girlfriend. That's often not possible in real life, but virtually it's a lot of fun! Thanks, Rachel!

Practicing Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

This was one of my kid's Awana verses this week. Don't you just love listening to them practice memorizing the Word? I'm so thankful when I hear them quickly recite the verses, knowing that in the future the Lord will bring them to memory during the times they'll need it most. Kingdom work.

I think I mentioned that I started a new habit of keeping a gratitude journal. Each night before bed I write down 5 things I am thankful for that day. During this exercise I sometimes wonder if it is really making me more grateful, but I do believe it is. Just this month I've written the serious to the silly... I'm thankful for the conversation about heaven with my kids to I'm thankful for brownies with crunchy edges. :) Paul instructs us to give thanks in all circumstances, because it's God's will for us. Sometimes that's hard, but I think the practicing of it, just like practicing the memorization of Scripture, can make it a little easier so when the time comes and we really need it, we'll be ready. Kingdom work.

Weekly Routine

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A long time ago I wrote down all the tasks that I wanted to complete during a week's time. Then I divided the tasks out between the days and made a simple list to follow. Over the years, the Weekly Routine has morphed into whatever was needed at the time, some years full of outside committments, some years focused on homemaking. Here's what my list looks like right now:

How do you organize your weekly tasks?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012- amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why?

I love amazing and ginormous; haven't even heard of pet parent, win the future or trickeration - hmm.

"Thank you in advance" should be banished. Don't thank me ahead of time, thank me when you get there or at the time I actually help you out. Don't be lazy. Take the time to thank me when it's appropriate, not in advance. Do we say, "I'm sorry in advance"? No! However, my husband would probably like to use that phrase, at least once a month. Or maybe I should use that one!

2. Are you easily embarrassed?

Uh...I get my phrasing all twisted up. I try to be funny and sometimes it comes out WRONG. That's embarrassing.
Otherwise, I'm good.

3. What is your go-to snack?

I love Dove caramels. They are my therapy.
My go-to snack...maybe popcorn.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?

I live here.
Fave site: Roosevelt memorial at night with the back lit waterfalls.

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?

I LOVE sit-ups. Really. It's disturbing.

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?

I have dreams of someday becoming a speaker. I have a friend, who after hearing me speak wrote me an encouraging note saying something to the effect of "when you're famous, I'll be able to say I knew you when."  I kept the note and it is one of my treasured possessions. Something I'll never forget. Thanks 'fia!

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?

No.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I've rewritten the answer to # 7 several times. Sometimes it gets a little tricky when you deal with personal details on a blog.  Do I mention where I live? Do I reveal medical conditions? Do I share the names/ages of my kids? Do I talk about people I know who live abroad? You really have to remember you're not just writing to close friends/family, but to anyone who has access to the world-wide web.  I try to share information in a general way, enough to share my life, but not enough for you to find out when I'm going on vacation!  Sometimes that means a boring, "No" in answer to your question, but I'm ok with that.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge is a question/answer post hosted by

Joyce From This Side of the Pond. 

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Prayer Changes Things

This week in my journal I wrote an annual prayer to the Lord for 2012. In that prayer I asked the Lord to help me with self-discipline; I want to have a core change - to have integrity throughout all areas of my life.

The same day I wrote the prayer I turned to Matthew and read about The Transfiguration. I also read the parallel passage in Luke 9 and was struck by the phrase, which doesn't appear in the other gospels, "As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered." The Holy Spirit immediately prompted me with the thought, "That's how change occurs - through time in prayer."

I know Bible reading is important, but I think prayer is a strong component of change. Am I spending significant time in prayer communing with God, asking for that core change?

Sometimes we think answers to spiritual or personal growth are illusive, when actually I think those answers are quietly spoken in times of reflection and prayer. We need to take the time to listen quietly. That takes a self-discipline in and of itself! I need to be asking the Lord day-in-and-day-out for truth to be revealed and for the power/strength to live it.

If we make prayer a priority in 2012, there's no telling what God can do!

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

I'm joining Joyce this week in the Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?

change, peace (beyond understanding), recovery

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?

I LOVE shrimp, but can't eat it anymore. The last time I ate it, I went to bed for the night and woke an hour later in hives. Yikes!

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?

My home is 99.8% de-Christmased.  We started on Sunday night and finished up tonight. I still have some linens/towels to wash and put away; then it will be done.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?

Uh. I don't like horror movies (Halloween, Friday the 13th, etc). Hate those. I do like intellectual thrillers, usually once.  I like Sci-fi shows like Fringe (although I gave that up this year...just got too weird.)  When Rhett and I would watch Fringe I would sit curled up on the couch and freak out during the commercials. So I guess, I don't do "scary" well.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?

Ha! Curled up in a blanket, reading a book and drinking hot chocolate - that's my fave wintertime activity. However, if you want an active answer, then I choose scraping snow off the car, shoveling the sidewalk and having a snowball fight with my kids. I actually love all three of those things. Go figure.

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.

My room.  My grandma worried I spent too much time in there. :)

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?

The public library. I can get poetic talking about the library. I come alive amidst the books. I fantasize about getting locked in over night; what fun that would be!  So many things to learn. I love the smell of the books, the quiet hum, and the tables tucked into private corners. Love it!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm fixated on my New Year's goals right now. (It's only day 4!) I have been using this new form to organize each day and it has been very effective. Having blocks of time organized has helped me keep focused; I'm loving it!

Embrace Change

One of the books I frequently read is The Maxwell Daily Reader. In December John Maxwell, the author, writes about change. I'd like to share a portion of the 24th's entry.

...leadership expert Max DePree says, "We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are." (So true, hence, the 2012 goals!)

Here's what to look for and how to focus your energy to get the kinds of changes that will change you for the better:

* Don't change just enough to get away from your problems - change enough to solve them.

* Don't change your circumstances to improve your life - change yourself to improve your circumstances.

* Don't do the same old things expecting to get different results - get different results by doing something new. (uh, hm. Do I hear Dr. Phil?)

* Don't wait to see the light to change - start changing as soon as you feel the heat.

* Don't see change as something hurtful that must be done - see it as something helpful that can be done.

* Don't avoid paying the immediate price of change - if you do, you will pay the ultimate price of never improving.

Good reminders!

Goals

I love making New Year's Goals. (Have I lost you already?)

I spend a great deal of time between Christmas and New Year's thinking about what I want to accomplish during the upcoming year.  I have to chuckle when someone says that they don't make New Year's goals, but that they want to work on ...(a number of "goals" for lack of a better word.)  Whether you take a sit-down-and-plan approach or you think about what could be improved upon in the big-picture-kind-of-way, I encourage you to have something for which to aim.

The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams. - Og Mandino

If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. If you go to work on your plan, your plan will go to work on you. Whatever good things we build end up building us. - Jim Rohn

I'm a big believer in growth. Life is not about achievement, it's about learning and growth, and developing qualities like compassion, patience, perseverance, love, and joy, and so forth. And so if that is the case, then I think our goals should include something which stretches us. - Jack Canfield

When creating goals it's important to be:

S - specific, significant, stretching

M - measurable, meaningful, motivational

A - agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented

R - realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented

T - time-based, timely, tangible, trackable

For further reading about SMART goals, go here.

I use the following monthly chart (created in Word) to keep track of my goals. I love marking off each day as I accomplish my goal. (click chart to view larger)

In 2011 I kept a monthly record most of the year, which was a BIG step for me. I finally feel like I am being more consistent in accomplishing my goals.

I have a few areas that I need prolonged accountability - areas that I will work the whole year, not just one month at a time.  I decided to create another chart for those.

I can write the goal down the side and then track each week as I work on it! I'm hoping that seeing a year tick off one day at a time will be extra motivation.

I will put these charts and other working lists in a plastic pocket folder, the ones that are spiral and have 6-8 pockets. Love those!  I keep my running to-do list, my menu, running grocery list, etc all in one neat spot.  It's my working folder and it works for me!

If you're interested in copies of the charts above, just send me an email at: angie@creativityltd.com. I'd be happy to send them to you.

Are you going to set 2012 goals? Let me know what keeps you motivated!

Happy New Year!