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Shirley and I combined our favourite colours this week:
Isn't it vivid?
Love it.
On Thursdays, Shirley LeMay and I create a diptych based on a theme. You can view the other great diptychs at the Team Up Thursday Flickr group. Or, if you just want to see ours, they are all here. Grab a partner and join in!
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Guess what? I found another great idea.
(Taken April 2010)
I'm settling into the reality that I don't originate much, but I do like discovering and then editing and moulding ideas to suit me - and then share it with you. This is one of those projects discovered over on Katie's blog in mid-January. I decided to wait for a 30-day month and it just happens to be April. As always, I've modified and will change things a bit more before the end of the month, but as it stands today, here it is:
Photo Challenge | 30 Days
Day 01 | A picture of yourself.
Day 02 | A picture of you and your children.
Day 03 | A picture of your most recent project.
Day 04 | A picture of your night.
Day 05 | A picture of a favorite memory.
Day 06 | A picture of your morning start.
Day 07 | A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 | A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 | A picture of something you find intimidating.
Day 10 | A picture of the person you do the silliest things with.
Day 11 | A picture of something you can’t stand.
Day 12 | A picture of something you love.
Day 13 | A picture of your favorite piece of furniture in your home.
Day 14 | A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 | A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 | A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 | A picture of one that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 | A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 | A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 | A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21 | A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 | A picture of something you wish to try.
Day 23 | A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 | A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 | A picture of your day.
Day 26 | A picture of the view out your back door.
Day 27 | A picture of your favourite hobby.
Day 28 | A picture of something that inspires you.
Day 29 | A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 | A picture of looking forward.
I decided not to participate in a Project 365 this year and as a result I do believe I'm taking better, more thoughtful, more creative photos; but, I am now completely out of the habit of bringing my camera with me everywhere and feel like I'm missing some wonderful opportunities. I hope to get a bit of that back this month while maintaining the the lessons learned through the last few months of restraint and purpose.
(Note: I found by way of the ever-finding-great-stuff Jill Conyers, that Katrina Kennedy has started up a new site: CaptureYour365. Who knows? This month in combination with this wonderful site may just give me the nudge I need to get back on track. If you sign on, look me up! My user name is really original: Lee)
Batteries charged. Memory card cleared. I'm ready for my month of photos.
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I have to say, this woman wields a mean, er, creative spray bottle:
I am the first to admit I am not into messy. Disorganized, maybe. Ooey, gooey, not so much. It was with trepedation I signed up for this course. Then completely forgot! (Long embarrasing story.)
I arrived in Kitchener on Friday evening, way too early for class, and Karen from The Art House Studio had a store set up in the hallway entrance to a conference room in the Holiday Inn. A store, really. Fully stocked and ready to go. I was thrilled and amazed and then promptly spent way too much money.
I then met Donna Downey, who is lovely. I know of Donna primarily through two people I greatly admire: the dynamic and lovely Cathy Zielske and the gentle and lovely Sherry Morales. Two women for whom I give thanks daily to the powers that be to have them in my life. They like Donna? I like Donna. Now that I've met her? I like her more!
The first class with Donna, "A Life Inspired", was an opportunity for me to stretch. Years ago, while I was in middle school and high school, the days when I fully embraced my artist within, I was all about the mess. The abandon. The complete lack of control and restraint. Ah ... What a lovely reminder of who I used to be. What a lovely reminder that I could be that again. Will I? Who knows. I certainly have enough messy stuff to make that a reality! I did mention the full store in the hallway, didn't I?
I know I learned a lot. I didn't take one note, I just absorbed everything around me. Donna, my tablemates, the other ladies in the room. Fabulous! The best take? When choosing adhesive pick what the item is being adhered to above all. I am hesitant to try a lot of things because I don't want to spent hours on a project only to have it melted onto the floor a few months later. Right? I am now the proud owner of the right adhesive and armed with knowledge.
Here is the whole class with our finished works:
I drove back home and headed straight to bed! Creative fulfillment is a great sleep aid.
Saturday was full of activity in our house but I managed to make it back to Kitchener to attend the "Inspiration Journal" class where I joined Holly, Lori and Sue who had been there for the very, very messy morning session!
We all enjoyed the afternoon of "Inspiration Journal". I learned a lot. I figured out my comfort zone and this class took me far beyond those limits but at least I now know some techniques and gleaned some ideas I know will be applied in my future creations. I do think I have to buy stock in Golden - or become an employee since it's employee owned :)
LOVE these women! Every one of them helps bring out the best in me. Who doesn't want that kind of inspiration and acceptance in their life? I am so very fortunate.
If you're in the area, Karen (I can't believe I didn't get a photo with her!) and her brilliant store (not the one in the hall!) can be found:
The Art House Studio
591 Lancaster St West, Unit 3
Kitchener, ON N2K 1M5
519-954-6620
The Art House Studio
A note to anyone wondering, door to door is less than an hour - exactly 55 minutes away. Well worth the trip given that local options are less than adequate.
I am so very fortunate to have the opportunity to take classes - in person - with so many talented women who cover the spectrum of creative inspiration. Even more fortunate to have a great group of ladies - probably equally if not more talented - who inspire me and give me a good swift kick in the pants every time I need it! Thank you so much Sue, Lori and Holly (and Karen). I can't wait for our next adventure!
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The whole text reads:
YOU are extremely perceptive and are able to grasp complex subjects. You love to learn and explore new ideas. Try not to separate youself from others in your attempt to stay centered and in control. Creating a proper balance between giving too much of yourself and becoming isolated an be a challenge. You have a strong spiritual calling and when connected to your mission in life, you can be a great healer. Your personal colour invokes peace and ease. Wearing, meditating or surrounding yourself with Aqua inspires trust and breadth of vision.
Now, I have to say, I don't often put much stock in things like this, they are just fun to do, but this one was just plain spooky.
1. Of all of the colours available, the one to which I am most drawn lately is aqua. A darker version, but the idea is the same. Maybe aqua for spring and summer? I'm excited at the prospect. My new Asics are aqua and black. Hmm.
2. I do separate myself - often. I call it turtling. I hate doing it but it is exactly what I do. It is a natural response to my world around me. Fortunately my sister calls me on it ... every time. Love you, Beth!
3. Giving too much and becoming isolated? You don't hear that combination very often. I live it every. single. day.
4. When connected with my mission in life? I know I'm not ... yet. But I'm really starting to feel my "calling" is really out there just waiting for me.
Anyway ...
What is YOUR colour? Go check it out then leave me a link and let me know if yours turned out to be accurate or not. Of all the colours in the rainbow, do you like the one chosen for you? What about the description? Did it ring true? Was yours as spooky, er, dead-on as mine?
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Sorry for the delay - I have to figure out AM and PM!
Welcome back to my weekly Interview Series. Today it is my great pleasure to introduce you to my friend, multi-tasker extraordinaire, energetic creative entrepreneur and mum, Lain Ehmann:
What age did you start keeping a journal?
I've kept a journal on and off since I was about 10.
Who’s diary/journal (dead or alive) would you like to read?
Hmmm. Ali Edwards, Becky Higgins, Stacy Julian... all my inspirations in the scrapbooking world! Also, I love celebrity gossip, so maybe some juicy tidbits from those "in the know," like celebrity publicists... that would be pretty cool. And Lincoln. And Oprah. (Just to prove I'm not entirely shallow!)
Who have you suspected of reading your diary?
Hmmm... I don't think anyone has. I was pretty careful about keeping it hidden in my early days. Now, no one cares! ;)
What is your idea of the perfect journal?
I like plain old spiral notebooks. Portable, cheap, and easily replaced.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse (in speech and/or writing)?
"Perfect." "Fab." "Totally." "Awesome." (I am from California, after all!)
What quote most speaks to you?
"As for me and my house, we serve the lord." Joshua 24:15. I actually have TONS of quotes in journals, on notecards, in my files... I'm an inveterate quote-collector.
Who (or what) inspires you?
People who don't take themselves too seriously. Traditional things with a twist, like a classic trench coat in a fab new color, or a Moleskine notebook in lime green. Great photography. Office supplies. Target. Reading.
Who is your favourite fictional character?
How can anyone beat Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter?
Who are your favourite writers?
John Steinbeck, Ray Bradbury, Seth Godin, Erma Bombeck... I could go on and on!
Which natural talent would you most like to be gifted with?
A fabulous voice.
What is your greatest creative talent?
Writing. I can write so people forget they're reading and it sounds like my voice is just speaking in their ear. Plus I can type really fast. ;)
What is your greatest creative challenge?
Feeling okay about not being able to take every creative inspiration and run with it, the moment I get it. It saddens me to know all the creative projects I have that will never see the light of day. But they exist complete in my mind! :)
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Take a helping of Rachael Ray, a sprinkle of Martha Stewart, and a dash of Ellen DeGeneres, shake well until blended, and what do you get? Lain Ehmann, scrapbook lover! Lain is a fast-talking, fast-scrapping human dynamo with three kids, tons of ideas, and more books than she could ever read in this lifetime. The author of several books on scrapbooking, including “Snippets: Mostly True Tales from the Lighter Side of Scrapbooking” and “20 Simple Secrets of Happy Scrapbookers” (co-authored with Stacy Julian), Lain loves sharing her philosophy of guilt-free, simple scrapbooking.
Lain blogs at Layout A Day, and hosts a membership site, ScrapHappy. Three times a year, she hosts a month long scrapbooking challenge, Layout a Day (LOAD). Through her challenges, classes, blogs, books, articles, podcasts and videos, Lain helps women make their scrapbooking fun, fast, and fabulous.
How do you know Lee? I know Lee from scrapbooking. Where else? ;)
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Be sure to visit and be inspired by Lain at her many places on the www: Layout A Day, ScrapHappy and Big Picture Classes. I don't know how she does it all!
Up next? My friend Sue Sykes.
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Thank you so much Lain for participating!
[Since the layouts are so similar, I'm just making them for my own album - let me know if you want me to continue posting, but otherwise, they're being tucked away. I'll show off the final project when done!]
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Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.
— Naomi Shihab Nye —
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(My first effort with blackberry photos. Not bad. Not good, but I'm learning!)
With active four kids it is often hard to find much one-on-one time, so I take what I can get! During a recent tournament, Claire and Caden headed back to Oakville with Louis to attend their Saturday morning commitments and it was just Chloe and me as Cole was busy with his team.
We had a wonderfully relaxed, easy paced, food filled day.
Chloe has the gift of the gab - gift might be an overstatement - and she kept me entertained with stories and ideas and plans. She is currently writing a novel and brought her black composition book and pencil everywhere. Except the pool, in which she spent hours!
We enjoyed some great meals and plenty of treats. Moe definitely has a sweet tooth and often I find myself telling her "no" to her many requests. This was a "yes" day so there were plenty of cookies, ice cream and a frappaccino! I avoided most temptations and let her indulge, but did manage a slice of carrot cake, but gathered some restraint and had a green tea rather than the fancy drink.
It was so nice to enjoy her company, away from her siblings. I'm glad we were able to find a small bit of Mama and Moe time! It is so hard to manage, but so worth all of the effort.
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I am a big fan of finding my awesome in the simple that is my everyday. I love how Cathy Zielske cuts to the chase and gives us all access to a beautiful and uncomplicated way to celebrate those things!
LEFT:
RIGHT:
MATERIALS: Story Guide No. 04A Layered Template (Cathy Zielske), Miranda Paper Pack (Michelle Martin)
WORDS:
1. The first sip of coffee, in an oversized mug, in the morning.
2. “Chasing Pavements” by Adele. Sigh.
3. Claire, Cole, Chloé & Caden.
4. My MacBook Pro.
5. Walking the mall in the mornings. I can now make 10 laps around without stopping – that’s 5K!
6. Perrier and cranberry juice.
7. Perrier and anything, really.
8. Miso soup, especially when I’m not feeling well.
9. Living in a house on the lake.
10. Regaining my health.
11. Cheering my kids at their events. Volleyball, hockey, choir, rugby, and more. So many events to attend and support them in their pursuits!
12. Enjoying ever improving grades.
13. My blackberry.
14. Unexpected spring storms that bring over a foot of snow.
15. Sleeping with at least three pillows – all flipped to the cold side.
16. Putting on my old and worn black “duster” sweater. Like a hug.
17. Finding a new and simple recipe that the whole family loves.
18. When someone unexpectedly buys you a glass of wine and enjoys their own glass with you.
19. A juicy seedless clementine, or two.
20. Dancing through my house with headphones and a feather duster.
21. Realizing that a Wholehearted life is the best life to live. Working on it. Every day.
22. “The Good Wife”, “Blue Bloods” and “Big Bang Theory” gives me hope for network television.
23. Finding a good book and making it mine with underlines and notes in the margins throughout.
24. Waking up to an empty kitchen sink.
25. Leftover Chinese take-out for breakfast.
26. Sunny days – warm or freezing – when the sun sparkles off the lake.
27. Finding a cure for my psoriasis – thank goodness for a great naturopath!
28. The rare occasion when the laundry is done, the house is clean and dinner is in the oven.
29. Sitting on the couch surrounded by my children.
30. The internet.
31. Always having a place to go and something to do.
32. Black Uggs in the winter and black flip flops in the summer.
33. Having the perfect come-back when I need it – not 10 minutes later when I’m already in the car!
34. Carrot Cake.
35. Full use of my shoulders.
36. Enjoying the company of good friends, especially when we are all laughing and talking at the same time.
37. The (finally) finished shower in the basement.
38. My Asics.
39. Colour, especially earth tones.
40. photos + words + pretty paper.
41. Enjoying creative get-ways with other creative types.
42. 18 °C days.
43. Being and ex-smoker of 10+ years.
44. Learning, every day. Always growing and open to change.
45. Cathy Zielske, Ali Edwards, Brené Brown, Seth Godin, Malcolm Gladwell. So much brilliance, so little time to read it all!
46. The heavy salty air that is Cape Cod in the summertime. Every summer. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful place in my life.
47. Finally having my children embrace a more frugal and restrained approach to our life and our future.
48. Sauvignon Blanc.
49. Documenting life.
50. Being here. Now.
What about you? What would be on YOUR list of awesome?
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I do have one thing to add to my list - once you start, you get on a roll. Later today and tomorrow, I'm heading off to Kitchener with a couple of girlfriends and we are attending a couple of Donna Downey-led classes. They are so completely out of my comfort zone, I can't wait!
I'll share photos as soon as I have a chance. Hopefully I create something sharable! That's okay, you'll get to see it regardless of the result :)
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Cole is growing up. I find the process fascinating having never been an adolescent boy, myself! He is going through many changes - the most obvious being his evolving muscles.
Coupled with that, Shirley has included a photo of her holding her brand new nephew. A study in contrasts to be sure!
On Thursdays, Shirley LeMay and I create a diptych based on a theme. You can view the other great diptychs at the Team Up Thursday Flickr group. Or, if you just want to see ours, they are all here. Grab a partner and join in!
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I am blessed beyond measure to have a curious and energetic 10-year-old who drags me here there and everywhere when he finds things that interest him. Even better? I'm thankful that often those things that interest him also interest me. In this case it was the old Battery grounds where the St. Lawrence River meets the Rideau Canal. We read all of the plaques and maps and discussed how "we" were often at war with our American neighbours in the early days of settlement in North America. He asked great questions and I hope I gave him equally great answers!
So thankful for curiosity.
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I'm also thankful for Ali Edwards and her ideas. On her blog, she is starting this new "occasional series". Not only that, but each time she posts a Thankful Thought it will include a free numbered overlay download. BONUS: Included in her first post is a rounded-corner photo mask.
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DON'T FORGET: You are still able to qualify to win YOUR copy of the new Ella e-book Scrapbooking the Everyday, click over here and leave a comment! Draw to take place on 23 April (today) at 6PM Eastern. Good luck!
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Welcome back to my weekly Interview Series.
Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to my friend, talented jewelry designer, walking buddy and fellow hockey mum, Jane Garnett:
What age did you start keeping a journal? At around the age of fourteen when boy problems started to surface and as a typical teenager, I thought the world had it in for me. I continued for about three years. Now I have a journal which I write in occasionally throughout the year.
Who’s diary/journal (dead or alive) would you like to read? Jesus, Robin Williams, Tallulah Bankhead
Who have you suspected of reading your diary? No one actually. As a teenager I was paranoid that someone would get hold of my diary and all my secrets so I wrote the entire thing backwards. Silly thing is, you just had to know to hold it up to a mirror to read it. I became quite proficient at the art of backwards script though.
What is your idea of the perfect journal? One that is small enough to carry in my purse and won't weigh me down and boring enough to look at that no one would ever think of opening it to read.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse (in speech and/or writing)? "Right?" "For crying out loud" "Honestly!"
What quote most speaks to you? "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." - J.K. Rowlings
Who (or what) inspires you? I’m inspired by flowers and plants, color, music, food, my children (they always have such interesting prespectives), my Mom (who’s just so creative), traveling to foreign places.
Who is your favourite fictional character? Wilbur from "Charlotte’s Web" (it was just one of those books that spoke to me at the age I read it and I still love it). Elizabeth Bennett from "Pride and Prejudice".
Who are your favourite writers? Ian Rankin, Elie Weisel, Ken Follett (specifically Pillars of the Earth)
Which natural talent would you most like to be gifted with? To be able to SING!
What is your greatest creative talent? Sewing and jewelry making
What is your greatest creative challenge? Completion – I always have too much on the go and I’m guilty of storing many unfinished projects. I also have lots of ideas but don’t always follow through on them.
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I'm MOM to two boys, one a teenager and one getting there. An ex-IT specialist, I enjoy creating handmade items, whether it's jewelry, sewing clothes, flower arranging or numerous other fun past times. Photography is a passion although I still have a lot to learn and I like cooking (and eating!). My favorite dessert is creme caramel and I absolutely can't start a day without a piping hot, strong cup of tea. Yes, I'm a tea addict.
Jane and I met through hockey while both of our younger boys played on the same team. We learned we have plenty in common - children, health, creative, life in general. I've been greatly blessed to have Jane enter my life! So nice to see her on a regular basis on our walks and she is a charter member of A Creative Conversation.
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Be sure to visit and be inspired by Jane at her blog Jacaranda Designs. It is such a wonderful mix of design, family, ideas and inspiration - much like Jane herself.
Up next? My friend Lain Ehmann.
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Thank you so much Jane for participating!
DON'T FORGET: You are still able to qualify to win YOUR copy of the new Ella e-book Scrapbooking the Everyday, click over here and leave a comment! Draw to take place on 23 April (Wednesday) at 6PM Eastern. Good luck!
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Hello and welcome to my stop on the Ella Friends Scrapbook the Every Day Blog Hop. If you're following along, you've arrived from Valerie's blog. Isn't she wonderful? If you get a chance, after the hop head on back and check out her gorgeous cards if you didn't have a chance to earlier - and if you haven't arrived via the hop, be sure to check out the list of participants (found at the bottom of this post). Such talent, I'm thrilled to be counted among them.
I am always excited when a new e-book is introduced at Ella Publishing Co. They are consistently well developed, gorgeous and inspiring. My mind often spins with oodles of dynamic and fun ideas! This book was no different. Such bright ideas! Even better? One of you will qualify for an opportunity to win one!
Why is this volume so wonderful? Well, that's simple. It combines the thoughtful and generous talents of Elizabeth Dillow and a welcome return of Tina Cockburn. How can an e-book not be fabulous with that combination of creativity?
I'm also the type of scrapbooker who has no need to "reinvent the wheel". When I see a good idea combined with a good layout, I'm on it! The story and photos may be all my own, but I'm learning not to simply collect ideas but to act on those ideas. I got on quite a roll with this book and created three layouts based on the first three challenges:
CHALLENGE 01:
Absolutely something I do every day, even multiple times a day, never the focus of a scrapbook page. How do you spend hundreds of hours doing something and not acknowledge it? Now it is thanks to Tina and her idea. Next up ... dishes! Er, maybe :)
Cardstock: BAZZILL, BAZZILL DOTS; Letters: JILLIBEAN SOUP; Fonts: MAKITA SCRIPT HMK, 28 DAYS LATER
CHALLENGE 02:
I saw Elizabeth's layout and I couldn't do anything but copy it! Not 100% mind you, but what a great layout to lift! I spend so much of my time going from rink to rink to rink and it has never been documented. It is now!
Cardstock: BAZZILL; Printed Paper: KI MEMORIES; Stickers: AMERICAN CRAFTS; Paint: MAKING MEMORIES; Font: VTPORTABLEREMINGTON
CHALLENGE 03:
I read the challenge and immediately thought of a recent photo I took of my daughter and her boyfriend Oskar. They have such a steady and solid friendship. As much as I'd like to lock her in her room until she's 30, I'm glad to celebrate their budding relationship in photos and in at least one layout.
Cardstock: BAZZILL, BAZZILL DOTTED SWISS; Printed Paper: DAISY D'S; Chipboard Letters: AMERICAN CRAFTS; Stickers: KAISERCRAFT, MAKING MEMORIES; Bling: PRIMA; Font: CLARISSA
I could go on and on with the challenges, and I probably will! Alas, I had to stop and get my kids ready for activities which is often the way it goes for all of us, right? One more reason I enjoy that these creative ladies do much of the thinking for me. Thank you Elizabeth and Tina!
Didn't the layouts turn out great? The only thing I had to do to prepare was head around town - while I was running errands anyway - and hit each rink and take a photo. It was great to do during the day as there were few cars in parking lots and no (welcome) distractions from the people I often see at the rinks!
I consider myself to be an "everyday" scrapbooker as opposed to an "event" chronicler, and I'm always thrilled to find a new perspective. I really enjoyed this e-book and hope you do, too! To get your own copy of this new Scrapbooking the Everyday e-book, please leave a comment and tell me what everyday person or event you have not included in your scrapbooks to date. ETA: Your chance to win Scrapbooking the Everyday will be open until this Wednesday, March 23rd at 6PM Eastern. Winner will be posted soon thereafter!
Then come right back to this page and click here to be transported to France and enjoy a visit with my friend Francine Clouden.
Ella Friends Participants are:
Brenda Johnston
Donna Jannuzzi
Jenni Hufford
Monika Wright
Jennifer Larson
Valerie Mangan
Lee Currie <<< You are HERE
Francine Clouden
Diana Chen
May Flaum
Keshet Starr
Mary Jo Johnston
Happy Monday!
** NOTE: If you are looking for my next installment in The Interviews series, come on back tomorrow and see what my friend Jane Garnett has to say! I didn't want to overload Monday with too much goodness :)
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much like last weekend when my father joined us in support of cole and his rangers team, my father- and brother-in-law, came to watch this weekend! it means so much to me and our little family that our extended family shows support, by showing up, to cheer us all on in our endeavours. in this case it is cole's hockey, but often family and friends can be found cheering claire's volleyball or rugby, chloe's singing performances and caden's hockey and general silliness.
we all live such busy lives with so many commitments that take us here, there and everywhere. we are so appreciative that those we love take the time out of their schedules to show us their support and encouragement.
thanks to you all. your love and support is always so greatly appreciated.
(oh, and the newly blonde cole? more support, also known as team spirit. go rangers!)
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About a year ago, I went through a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test to find out what it would reveal about me. More specifically, I was in a place of discomfort and misdirection and needed to get myself back on track. I found it fascinating - the test and the results. I was recently reading about Carl Jung for something else and stumbled on another version of the same test. This time I took it and, not surprising, I got the exact same results.
[source]
I am ISTJ (Introverted sensing with thinking): These are dependable pillars of strength. They often try to reform their mates and other people. They make good bank examiners, auditors, accountants, tax examiners, supervisors in libraries and hospitals, business, home ec., and phys. ed. teachers, and boy or girl scouts!
I have to say I was a bit disappointed to have nothing "creative" on my list, it all looks a bit dry and boring, but I have to say, the people who make me laugh the most are accountants. I know, weird! And, at the moment, I'm feeling far more like an ancient and crumbly pillar! I've been taking this, and similar tests, for over a decade, at least I'm consistent. I don't remember ever receiving a different result.
Then I was curious and sent the test to my older kids. I know they do not yet have fully formed personalities, but I really can't see them changing in any fundamental way:
Claire is both ENFP and INFP (I'm sure the I and E will get sorted out over time).
ENFP (Extroverted intuiting with feeling): These people love novelty and surprises. They are big on emotions and expression. They are susceptible to muscle tension and tend to be hyperalert. they tend to feel self-conscious. They are good at sales, advertising, politics, and acting.
INFP (Introverted feeling with intuiting): These people are idealistic, self-sacrificing, and somewhat cool or reserved. They are very family and home oriented, but don't relax well. You find them in psychology, architecture, and religion, but never in business.
Her response: "I like that one (INFP)! I’m just a combo of both then! :D I’m awesome."
Yes, yes you are, Claire.
Cole is a conundrum! The only area in which he is overwhelming anything is INTROVERT which may be surprising to those who don't know him well. As far as I can tell, as his mama, he is one of either:
INTJ (Introverted intuiting with thinking): These are the most independent of all types. They love logic and ideas and are drawn to scientific research. They can be rather single-minded, though.
INTP (Introverted thinking with intuiting): Faithful, preoccupied, and forgetful, these are the bookworms. They tend to be very precise in their use of language. They are good at logic and math and make good philosophers and theoretical scientists, but not writers or salespeople.
I find the study of people really fascinating - which is part of my journey into the Jung research. Early in the research process last week I ran across this article which lead me to this test.
Have you taken the test or something similar? What are you? Any surprises?
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Not only does he look scruffy, he looks unhappy. NOT a good combination.
Then Stephanie took out her magic tools ...
A bit of a cut, a bit of a shave, some gel and voila:
He's ready to take on the world!
Enjoy your Saturday :)
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I'm trusting our Rangers will make the most of their weekend in Kingston. They rocked the SCTAs in Welland - with only a few scary moments - and I am sure they'll rock again in the next five games. They know what they're doing, all they need is faith and support.
I'm grateful my younger kids are so gentle, kind and patient. They really enjoy helping out with the younger siblings at the rink and this will be their last opportunity this season. It is a joy to watch them and I have to admit, it is nice when the parents appreciate them.
I'm inspired by so much, every day. Though I have been embracing the idea of purging and cutting back, I am so happy to have found Pinterest! A cornucopia of visual goodness. Positive energy. Kindness. So good!
Do you want to participate in TGIF? If so, get the scoop over at Ordinary Courage. Even if you don't want to participate, do yourself a favour today and head over anyway. You won't regret it!
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Every time I go over to Ali Edwards' blog and see her Project Life updates I feel a sharp twinge of something. Perhaps it's regret? Most likely it's simple awe.
I am faced with regret for not finding this wonderful form of documentation when all of my kids were little, then the reality of it all settles in and I feel better knowing that when my kids were little it was enough to get through the basics of everyday living in a single parent household, without losing my mind!
I'm not interested in purchasing a "kit" that, though pliable, is not the right fit for me or where I am right now. Too many slots to fill with too much crap, er, evidence of our every day life. I am not a big consumer and with the four kids at school all day every day and so much hockey in our lives, there is just too much space for our full lives. Sounds counterintuitive, eh?
Offsetting that reality is the pressure of time. Claire will be leaving soon and I'm anxious about the impending changes in our little family dynamic. As much as I embrace her growing up and the changes being made, we have her here at home, daily, for only one more year. I want to document every single minute of it before *poof* it's all gone and my reality changes to something different.
I'm still left wondering how I can incorporate Project Life a la Ali into my life - without embracing the overwhelm or the ephemera. In the words of Winnie the Pooh: "think, think, think".
Maybe it's okay to just visit her weekly updates and sigh? Yes, it's awe.
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I am probably one of the few fans who has not already read this book ten times, but if you're stuck for something to read, I can tell you that my copy of Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection is completely marked up with lines and notes and smiley faces and more than a few tear stains.
I have been on a journey. A hard one. For a number of years. There has been plenty of professional intervention and support along with plenty of "owning" and "onward". This book is pure validation that the journey I've been on is truly one of Wholeheartedness.
I read in one of two places:
my truck while waiting for children and at the rink, as pictured above.
Often I am distracted by the people and activity around me, but not this time. Not with this book. I was fully engaged in every word, every syllable. Dr. Brown doesn't write like some crusty old academic, but as an engaging, interesting and interested participant in her life. She is open and kind and honest and vulnerable. It was a meaningful read and I'm about to read it again. I've just finished my first time through and I'm afraid during some of my tear-filled reads I may have missed a thing or two!
I had more than a couple of "a ha" moments. I'm sure upon re-reading I am sure to have a few more.
If you don't have a chance to run out to get the book, be sure to head over to Ordinary Courage and read about Wholehearted Living. I'd love to know what you think! Have you read the book? Do you have the blog in your reader? What have you learned? How has living in wholeheartedness changed you?
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Last week I did my best to ignore the fact there was snow coating every surface outside my house and embrace the idea of SPRING cleaning inside my house. This week’s hot spot: wardrobe and closet.
This is a weird project for me since the idea was to touch touch every single item of clothing in my wardrobe, and make a decision whether it stays or goes. While this is a BRILLIANT idea, since I'm now in the midst of another project, my effort to make less of me, it was quite a challenge! I am happy to report I was able to donate, organize and list items within the Monday-Friday timeframe. (For me it was Monday-Thursday as Friday was spent in a rink!)
I liked that the very first area assigned for this project was my wardrobe. An unlikely starting point, but such a relief now that it is DONE! Like most mums, I don't spend a lot of time focused on me and most of the areas that are a mess in my house are MINE! It was fun to focus only on me for a change.
I am a believer in modeling behaviour in order to encourage good choices in my kids and I have to (sadly) admit that by not taking care of myself, I have failed in that regard. I must be more mindful of this from now on.
Now that my closet - and as a result my bedroom chairs - are cleaned up, purged and organized, I'm ready to tackle the next project! Can I tell you how nice it is to get ready in only a few minutes? Everything has its proper place and I am now surrounded only by the things I love. Well half the things I love - I refused to clean the "other" half of the closet as my "other half" can take care of his own things!
THIS IS HOW I DID IT:
I loved the system outlined to complete this project. It really is all about having the right tools. I modified the list to reflect the materials I have here in the house. I refused to purchase anything for this project and so far, so good. (Though I do have a couple of things on a list!)
I followed the basic plan for attacking my wardrobe:
I was thankful for the tips set out at the start and I employed most of them:
1. Work quickly - I stuck with my first response to every single item. It really helped me make it through. I don't know why it is when you hit the 90% done point you are ready to stop, it was well worth grinding through to the end.
2. Use your mirror and camera - I did neither. I have no full length mirror (I know, I have issues) and doing this alone the camera was no help. I went more by feel.
3. Know your colours - and I do. I live in BLACK, WHITE, BROWN and RED. With a few pieces of purple and camel thrown in for variety.
4. You probably wear the same 10 items - so true. Well loved, but becoming well worn. I decided early last year that I would not purchase anything new until I had a new body - in January I rededicated myself to that goal, with better tools and better decisions. I have to tell you things are getting pretty desperate and I may end up in rags at the rate I'm going!
5. Analyze why something doesn’t quite fit - which I did. I love her tip: "If there’s something you know looks good on you, but you can’t quite wear it right now (breastfeeding, anyone?), store it out of the way — but not too out of the way that you forget you own it." I have too much storage space in my closet, so I used the centre island unit for all of the clothes I hope to wear in the VERY NEAR FUTURE.
6. Don't donate clothes that won't sell - I was puzzled that this would be on this list only because it never would occur to me to give the work to someone else, but I'm sure there's a reason.
7. Label yard sale items immediately - ha! NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER again. I will only toss or donate. Yard sale? Eek!
8. Deal with your "give box" this week - done. Amazing when I do a project start to finish, it starts and it finishes and it is done completely. What a wonderful relief! I'm fortunate to pass the donate bin about 4 times a day. I had no excuses!
On to the next hot spot!
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Welcome to my weekly Interview Series.
Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to my friend and inspiration, Jill Conyers:
What age did you start keeping a journal? Regretfully I have never kept a journal. A combination of photography, scrapbooking and blogging has been my "journal" for the past 10 (or so) years.
Who’s diary/journal (dead or alive) would you like to read? Steve Jobs, Tony Horton, Jennifer Aniston, Annie Leibovitz, Sigmund Freud, Dean Karnazes (Ultramarathon Man), Tracey Clark and Brene Brown
Who have you suspected of reading your diary? I've never had a diary to read.
What is your idea of the perfect journal? Photography! And a purse size notebook.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse (in speech and/or writing)? "No way" and probably "really?" in speech. I don't know about writing. I'll have to pay closer attention and see.
What quote most speaks to you? This changes depending on so many things. Right now my favorites are: "How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it." ~ Robert Brault and "Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are." ~ Brene Brown
Who (or what) inspires you? Day to day life. Really. At one time I lived a life when nothing was fabulous, amazing or awesome. Now I live as if everything is. That is my inspiration.
Who is your favourite fictional character? I don't think I really have favorite fictional characters. Maybe Sookie Stackhouse and Acheron Parthenopaeus.
Who are your favourite writers? I read everything I can find by Brene Brown, Ali Edwards, and Anna Quindlen. And 2 authors that became favorites when I decided to venture outside my reading comfort zone are, surprisingly, Charlaine Harris (author of the Sookie Stackhouse series, True Blood) and Stephenie Meyer (author of Twilight).
Which natural talent would you most like to be gifted with? Writing. More specifically creative inspiring writing. The use of the written word that expresses, inspires and makes the reader feel and think.
What is your greatest creative talent? Photography. To look at a person, place or thing and capture an image that expresses who I am and my perspective through the lens of my camera.
What is your greatest creative challenge? Right now in my life it's time or the lack thereof. There are so many things I want to do and learn. There is a quote I remember reading that said something like "you can do anything but you can't do everything." I want to do and experience it all. Yes. Right now my creative challenge is time.
. . . . .
About Me: I'm married to a wonderful man 18 years this July. I'm a mom to 2 amazing children. I'm a psychologist for 1000 elementary school children. I organize to relax, do P90X to get strong, and run to feel like I can do anything. My creative medium of choice is photography to capture the details of our day to day and as a creative outlet.
I've been thinking about how I met Lee and while I know it was via blogging I'm not sure how long we've been friends. I've been blogging since September of 2005 and I can't remember a time when I didn't visit Lee's blog or receive kind and thoughtful comments from her on my blog.
. . . . .
Be sure to visit and be inspired by Jill at her blog Life As I See It. I bet you do one of three things: grab your camera, lace up your sneakers or start reading Brene Brown's blog! Or, like me, you'll do all three. With Jill, I participate in Happiness Captured on an almost-weekly-basis and she heads up the One Little Word | Captured photography challenge on her blog which has really helped my guiding word "Do" come alive for me this year. We have been friends for what feels like forever, and I look forward to meeting Jill this summer!
Up next? My friend Jane Garnett.
. . . . .
Thank you so much, Jill, for participating! It is so nice getting to know you better.
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01. I'm getting into the habit of leaving the BlackBerry to charge overnight downstairs so it doesn't tempt me at night! That and my morning coffee starts my day.
02. I need a dedicated cup washer, forget the dishes! Thanks to Chloe for (reluctantly) putting them away.
03. Over 250 blog entries to read. Amazing what missing a day does to my Google Reader!
04. Sometime around noon I was wondering where Claire was ... found her. In her favourite place doing her favourite thing.
05. More gray hairs. After a day like yesterday (Friday) it's no wonder!
06. Picked up Sean's dad from work to bring him down to Welland with me and Chloe. I love how this team works so well on and off the ice coordinating drives and child care.
07. My first visit to the scrapbook nook between drop off at the hotel and off to the game at the rink. Many thanks to Lori for always suggesting this place - I finally made it!
08. Once I got to the rink there was no choice but to park in the mud. Everything was covered in it. I'll not complain ... it means Spring is close!
09. Cole was back on defense today. After missing the game this morning (suspension) he did well and redeemed himself in the 5-0 win over Guelph.
10. I drove home from Welland to pick up Claire at Oskar's. We had a quick dinner at the Firehall.
11. Cole was sending texts all night. He clearly wants new skates.
12. Time change tonight. Fixed the clocks, set the alarm. Early wake up tomorrow. The game is at 8AM so we'll have to be out the door by 6:30AM. Time for bed!
Do you participate in 12of12? If so, let me know and leave a link so I can see how you captured your day!
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Oh my, I'm behind. Not in my photo taking, but certainly in my sharing!
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THE STORY: Cole loves very few foods. It makes shopping for him very easy. He, along with the rest of the kids, need to learn how to fend for themselves as our schedules become less static and our lives become more fluid.
WHY DO? This particular food - pulled pork - is pretty labour intensive so I used it as a teaching opportunity - especially since he is the one who really loves it. It was time to teach him, start to finish, how to shop for and make his favourite foods. He learned how to choose the meat from the grocer, get the ingredients together (luckily there are only 3 or 4), how to set the crock pot, cook the meat, shred the meat, mix it all up and dish it up onto a fresh kaiser roll and make a side salad. Yum!
* * * * *
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THE STORY: In early January my washer went on the fritz. I was wondering why the clothing was all soggy when I went to transfer it into the dryer. It kept coming up with an "F1" error code.
WHY DO? I figured out how to make it work by pushing a series of buttons, but it often shut down in mid-cycle and that was a pain to babysit each load, as I wash a lot of laundry during the course of the week. I went online and found a message board and on it I was informed that this code was indicative of a problem with the circuit board and it was a FREE FIX! Well, free as in parts and labour. I actually picked up the phone (ugh) and contacted Whirlpool who sent out two local repair guys. My "free" fix cost me the $90 service call, but hey, now I don't have to babysit the washing machine.
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THE STORY: I used to hold regular gatherings with lovely, supportive, creative and empowering ladies, until a joy sucking hag made it miserable for everyone. I have lived the last couple of years desperately missing the interaction and good parts but in fear of history repeating itself. Though, how could there ever be two? (Knocking wood!)
WHY DO? The hardest part was forcing myself to reopen my heart to embrace a more social existence. This was hard. Really hard. Not to orchestrate, but to just do: send out an invitation, fingers crossed, and go for it, fingers crossed. So far our little group has enjoyed our second gathering and I have to say, so far so good. I'm thrilled to have put myself out there again. The ladies are wonderful, the laughter contageous, the stories empowering and the plans, oh the plans we are making are fantastic!
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JOIN: I'm thrilled my friend Jill has offered us all an opportunity to keep on track! I don't know about you, but weekly accountability is good for me. One LIttle Word | Captured is the perfect way for me to incorporate my one little word in to my life. What about you?
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Ali Edwards has started a new series over on her blog. Thankful Thought.
I'm in!
Often when I speak with my friends about the relationships their kids have with each other, it makes me sad. I am more and more thankful for the kind and generous relationship shared by my kids. In this case, Caden was struggling with some math homework and Cole offered to help. OFFERED. Then they spent the next hour going through the questions and discussing the concepts. Cole was patient through Caden's frustration, once they stopped tickling and giggling and got down to work.
They are not perfect, but I'm thankful that, most of the time, they like each other.
. . . . .
I'm also thankful for Ali Edwards and her ideas. On her blog, she is starting this new "occasional series". Not only that, but each time she posts a Thankful Thought it will include a free numbered overlay download. BONUS: Included in her first post is a rounded-corner photo mask.
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Finding a quote that suits my guiding word "do" and my expectation of it is hard! Most searches will not work with a two-letter word. I'm sure it is because the one- and two-letter words are so common as to render any search unusable. Anyway. With perseverance I have found one that sums my feelings toward "do" perfectly:
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
- Theodore Roosevelt -
It really appeals to my practical and optimistic approach to this year. I want to:
Though I find I'm firmly planted in reality, sometimes I get ahead of myself and I am far too ambitious. I completely forget about my limitations and I take on more than I can actually accomplish. Either that or I really believe I can manufacture time in my basement :) Sadly, that is not the case, but what a wonderful idea, no? Or better, manufacture enthusiasm and drive. So hard!
It doesn't help much that, though I am a reformed perfectionist, I still demand excellence. When I do it has to be done right. When I commit to something, I see it through.
Gah!
With all of that in mind ...
When I don't do well, I have to acknowledge it and face it.
Right now, something has to give. I have not done well with two out of three design teams. One is too rigid. One is too loose. (The third is, thankfully, just right.) I am doing my best to face up to it and not consider myself a failure. Perhaps, in hindsight, agreeing to three design teams when I had never been on ONE before may have been a bit too ambitious! I feel I have let people down and I know I have - I agreed to perform a consistent and enthusiastic service and I have not. It is not that I don't have time, I just don't make the time. Those projects are constantly being moved to the bottom of the pile - so often I might as well just not do them. Which is exactly the case.
Sigh.
I've just written words I really dislike "It is with regret ..." and it is with regret. The flip side? I was taking space that rightfully belongs to someone else, someone with enthusiasm and passion.
(Sigh. I still feel awful.)
Doing what I can, with what I have, where I am. Now.
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Following along with our list of Team Up Thursday topics and we've happened upon Simple Pleasures, again.
What simple pleasure am I craving? Simple - warmth! I know Shirley is the same. This has been a long winter and we're tired. (Mine is a bit of a cheat as it's a picture of the sunset in Cape Cod taken last summer - sigh).
Shirley's daughter is enjoying some quiet time with her horse, Caesar. I remember the days! You can clearly tell how she enjoys spending time with him.
Last year? In May this is what was bringing us simple pleasure:
I hope you take time to enjoy a simple pleasure or two today! Enjoy your Thursday.
On Thursdays, Shirley LeMay and I create a diptych based on a theme. You can view the other great diptychs at the Team Up Thursday Flickr group. Or, if you just want to see ours, they are all here. Grab a partner and join in!
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I've been doing a lot of reading on a lot of blogs and lately there have been many comments and posts regarding "authenticity" or, more to the point, the lack thereof. I have to say, I adhere to the authentic only because it is far too much work - and I don't have the imagination for - the alternative.
I started my "glimpse" posts in order to give you (and remind me) of the bits and pieces of my day that amuse, frustrate or just promote eye rolling and the occasional head shake. More than capturing happiness, or simple things, or other generally positive and uplifting aspects of my life, which are abundant, these are the real parts of my days that, when I have the foresight to bring my camera, I am able to capture: the bikers on Lakeshore who ride 3 or 4 across so I can't pass and then get pissy when I do; the dirty plate with BBQ sauce microwaved hard on, left in the sink; the forgotten school locker key, cellular phone, homework; the stinky hockey gear left in the equipment bag, fermenting; the fact that I no longer have one teaspoon in the house; the clean clothes sent down with the dirty clothes to be washed again, to not be put away again, and the cycle continues; the empty milk container put back in the fridge. You know. The REAL part of our days.
This week, my reality:
No, this is not my closet. Mine is now all cleaned out and sorted. Mine hasn't looked this bad since I was an 11 year old kid. How do I know this? Because this is the closet of my 11 year old kid. Bah!
Once I saw this I took a tour of all the closets and dressers and EVERYONE is now on board, displaying varying degrees of reluctance, with more than just our Family Statement of Purpose, but Project: Simplify as well.
Everyone will have plenty of time to clean and make a plan for maintaining. After all, television and computer privileges (except homework) have been suspended until they do.
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It came to my attention, at some point between
that I had, and therefore the kids had, completely missed Pancake Tuesday.
Oh well, I suppose they'll just have to settle for Waffle Wednesday, today.
Life is good.
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Oh, please let this be the last gasp. The first week of March and we've barely had a break from the snow covering everything.
I know I mentioned that Enviroment Canada announced we should expect three more months of winter, but holy smokes, I can't handle any more snow. I'm so tired of the white turning to black ground and the accompanying gray days. This is not normal for our particular area of the country.
Though, it has been fun to find photo opportunitites. These are the most recent photos from my memory card:
FOUND IN MY FRONT YARD
FOUND AT CORONATION PARK
I stopped by the park on my way from collecting Claire from timekeeping - she has been at the coldest rink in Oakville from 7AM to 11AM every Sunday since October - I'm learning to bring my camera as Coronation Park has some beautiful and often unexpected sights:
I have to say, as far as winters go, I'm happy we're prepared for the "bad" weather. I've spent the last few months seeing crazy weather - hail, ice and snow - in places like Texas and Florida where no one has snow tires or shovels and it has been more dangerous than simply inconvenient. It is startling to see full size vehicles play bumper cars on the evening news.
I'm ready to see the tail end of this inconvenience and have some warmth seep into my cold and damp old bones!
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Last month I made my daily visit Carolyn Rubenstein's brilliant blog where she had a guest blogger, Hope Wallace Karney that day, who took one of my favourite elements of Vanity Fair magazine, the Proust Interview, and made it her own. Wow! It was a challenge to answer the questions she posed and I imagined that it would be for many of us.
. . . . .
What age did you start keeping a journal? I started and stopped several times, but I since I started my blog a few years ago it is where I keep my most consistent musings.
Who’s diary/journal (dead or alive) would you like to read? Steve Jobs, Alice Hoffman, Annie Leibovitz, Whoopie Goldberg, My Dad - the unedited version
Who have you suspected of reading your diary? Years ago, my mother read my journals - out loud, at the dining room table one Thanksgiving. It was a mortifying experience. Maybe why I was afraid to do it again until more recently?
What is your idea of the perfect journal? One with thick enough pages for me to use marker that won't bleed through and I can doodle. It also has to be big enough but not too big. I've just realized I'm one of "those" picky journal people!
Which words or phrases do you most overuse (in speech and/or writing)? "So ...". "Seriously?" "Really?" The occasional "f-bomb". My children would claim other phrases like "is your homework done?", "go brush your teeth" and "is your room clean?" as overused in this house.
What quote most speaks to you? I really enjoy visual quotes, uplifting concepts - like comments made by Mark Twain: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."; or, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Ghandi; or Maya Anjelou: "Courage is the most important of all virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage." And one of my favourites is from Twyla Tharp: “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.”
Who (or what) inspires you? Pretty much anything and everything. Nature. My kids. Ingredients: food and creative. The internet. My friends.
Who is your favourite fictional character? Father Tim and characters from the Mitford Series. The Mists of Avalon is filled with fascinating and fabulous characters. Find me someone flawed and human and I will love them - I'll pass on sick, violent and evil!
Who are your favourite writers? Alice Hoffman, Mark Twain, Thomas Hardy, Barbara Erskine, Brene Brown, Jane Austen, Shakespeare
Which natural talent would you most like to be gifted with? Patience.
What is your greatest creative talent? Colour. I get colour. And composition. I have a good eye.
What is your greatest creative challenge? The technical aspects of photography - I am happy to keep most things on "auto". The science of painting and multimedia projects - what adheres to what. I don't have the time or patience to figure out what sticks to what - or what won't stick to what. There has to be some kind of cheat sheet out there! I think I'm a minimalist at heart but tend to add just one too many things to my work ... must embrace restraint! Plenty of challenges :)
A bit more about me:
I embrace imperfection in Oakville, Ontario with my four delightfully challenging, energetic and imperfect children; a charming and imperfect husband, and (blessedly) no more imperfect pets! By day I dabble, with no skill in any particular area, indulging in my passion for photography, writing, and exploring the inspiration that is the internet in an effort to do more good than harm and live a life full of authenticity and generosity. As for the rest of my time? That is spent performing my duties as chauffeur and cheerleader, cook and laundress, friend and mother, drinking buddy and sit down comic.
. . . . .
In the spirit of my guiding word, DO, I wanted to ask these same questions of so many creative women I've come to know on-line and in person. The criteria used was simple. I sent out an invitation and the questions to all of those women I would like to invite if I were to have a dinner party. (Wouldn't that be awesome?) I was thrilled to receive so many wonderful responses!
Over the next 26 Mondays, I will be sharing with you the responses from:
14 March | JILL CONYERS
21 March | JANE GARNETT
28 March | LAIN EHMANN
04 April | SUE SYKES
11 April | AMY EATON
18 April | SHIRLEY LEMAY
25 April | SHERRY MORALES
02 May | CATHY ZIELSKE
09 May | VALERIE MANGAN
16 May | LORRAINE CLEWES
23 May | JENNIFER LARSON
30 May | KATRINA SIMECK
06 June | MONIKA WRIGHT
13 June | CHARLENE O'HARA
20 June | ELIZABETH DILLOW
27 June | LORI MANCINI
04 July | CHERI ANDREWS
11 July | HOLLY ATTFIELD
18 July | HEATHER HOLLE
25 July | FRANCINE CLOUDEN
01 August | KYLA HUNZINGER
08 August | MOLLY IRWIN
15 August | BETH WATT
22 August | MELANIE LOUETTE
29 August | KELLY ASBRIDGE
05 September | BARB WONG
After reading the responses that have come through, I can assure you, this would be one incredibly awesome dinner party! I think you'll greatly enjoy and find wonderful inspiration in this series. I have found myself in tears of joy a couple of times - overwhelmed with the generosity of everyone who chose to participate.
Join me over the next few weeks to meet, or get to know better, these fabulous ladies.
BONUS PROJECT:
I've also decided to put together an all-digi album in celebration of this little adventure and this is the first layout:
I will make a similar layout for each participant so that their words and ideas don't get "lost" in the ether! I am humbled and ever so grateful for the time and attention everyone has taken to contribute to this project and my favourite way of showing gratitude is to make an album!
This has been a great growth experience for me, I used the gorgeous Michelle Martin Vere digi papers to signify evolution and enlightenment with the plan being to continue this theme thoughout the project. (Even better, I made the whole digi layout all by myself with no template! It's very simple, but yay!)
Happy Monday!
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As I posted on Friday, today is the start of Project: Simplify over at simplemom.net and I'm ready to get started. I read through the grapevine that Environment Canada has announced that we are to expect three more months, yes MONTHS of winter, so I have to simulate spring in some way, so cleaning and simplifying is my method of choice!
If you're on board, and checked out the simplemom.net post on Friday, you'll know that the pre-assignment was to come up with a family statement of purpose.
(click to enlarge)
You can see we borrowed bits from Tsh, but for the most part it is all us. It's all done and ready to take over to Fortino's later today and have an 8"x10" print made. I'll put it in the family room, or kitchen, as a regular reminder. If you're wondering about the missing "god" bits? The simple explanation is that I have four kids in various stages of belief and disbelief, I want to make this concept of a family statement of purpose accessible and not create any unnecessary conflict - for now.
What about you? Do you have a statement of purpose for your family? Have you considered one? Up until this point we've had a certain commonality of understanding, but nothing was concrete and written down. I don't know that this could have been done much before now but am I ever glad it's done!
Now it's time to work on the assignment. I'll post the before and after shots of my hot spot later in the week. Good luck working on yours!
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slinky
i am amazed at how such a simple toy can bring so much entertainment. typical of caden, he hooked the ends of this colourful slinky on his ears and wore it around like a beard. i don't know that he does these things to consciously give us all a giggle, but i have to admit he is a character - one of the funniest kids i've ever met. so lucky are we to have him here to entertain us every day!
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Earlier today, on Facebook, Ali Edwards announced that she's chosen to do her Week in the Life project this year and the dates she's chosen are: July 25 through July 31. Disclaimer: This may be subject to change.
I don't know what has me more excited - having the dates determined or just looking forward to doing the project! I'm not one to wish time away, but I have to say, I'm looking forward to this project again this year. I've participated twice before October 2008 and April 2010. It will be nice to add a summer perspective into our series. I encourage ANYONE who has not yet participated in this particular project (and yes, it is daunting) DO IT. Really.
My first year I was beyond intimidated. I understood the value of the project but I really did not believe I was up to the task. I challenged myself to finish each day as it happened. I was planned and organized and I have to say (angels singing) I was able to complete the project without a hitch. WITHOUT A HITCH. Honest to goodness, one of the best projects I've ever done ... and completed. Nothing gives me much more pleasure than watching my friends and family enjoy my books. It makes the whole process worthwhile.
My first response when I saw the dates chosen was "oh no" since it is one of the weeks Cole is away, leaving me with three out of four kids. Only 3/4 of my potential stories! How could I possibly do a "family" album, a representation of my week and my family with one member missing? Then I realized, this is my life. With the kids so active at the ages of 15, 14, 12 and 11 this summer, there is little chance that they will be around much anyway. This is just where we are at as a family. We are going through many changes, and some growing pains. It will be a good opportunity to document some of them.
My favourite part of this project is it's authenticity. One week. Real photos. Real events. Real engagement in our life.
Knowing it is now a summer album I can decide on all the fun stuff: my colours and from there my fonts, my bling, my supplies. I can fill a project box! I am such a starter :) From there I can figure out the size of album and the scope of week. Admittedly, with Cole busy elsewhere, my most active child will not be around, but that doesn't mean it will be slow around here.
Much mulling and shopping of stash will happen between now and July.
What do you think? Will you join in and make a Week in the Life album? Will it be traditional? Hybrid? Digi? What colours are "summer" in your part of the world?
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The older I get the more I need to surround myself with ... nothing. Or at least less.
With four kids, stuff is a natural byproduct of their existence. Between school and other activities there is always something lying around, not put away properly. Winter is never a good time to get on top of things, especially a winter like we are enduring which makes me want to stay in bed and pull up the covers! Too much snow - which really means too much snow, ice, rock salt and sand that gets trecked into my house. A never ending battle.
Also with the kids and our full lives there is not an awful lot of time to clean. I've done my best to share the burden among the kids but sometimes things are done better when you do it yourself. Mind you, my standards are changing in order to simply get things done.
Now that we're slowly coming out of hibernation and I've taken a good look around, I'm kind of overwhelmed with the amount of stuff everywhere!
Confession: I don't think I've put my own personal laundry away in actual drawers since some time in late October. There are two chairs which are regularly replenished in my bedroom - the good news is that the recumbent bike and elliptical machine are now clothing free since I use them! Surprise, I digress. I know it will take maybe 10 minutes to tidy it all up, but when I think of it, I'm too pooped to actually do. Then eventually you just don't see it any more. [Hanging head in shame.]
Proof:
I need a kick in the pants. And I found one!
over at simplemom.net. Starting March 7th for five weeks through April 8, she will be issuing a hot spot clean up challenge on Monday and then we are to post our accomplishment on our blog then link up the finished, purged and cleaned, area on the Friday over on her blog or via Flickr. The bonus is, in addition to a clean hot spot you will also qualify for a prize :)
So, with this I will purge my house, and my spirit, and hope you will join in!
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Last August, Elsie Flannigan posted a simple and doable challenge.
My 4 Simple Goals, March edition, includes:
Let the Spring Cleaning begin!
REWARD: I want a pair of fun rain boots. Something practical but with a bright pattern or polka dots. When I accomplish my 4 Simple Goals this month, I will buy myself some fun boots!
What about you? Do you have a few activity oriented goals you'd like to meet? If so and you participate, let me know! I'd love to see what you have planned.
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Last week I immersed myself in many digi projects. Most taking the form of selecting, purging and organizing what is left to do in iPhoto that I didn't get to during my Digital Detox. To give myself a break, I made a few layouts and finished up Claire and Caden's - on Family Day. The irony? My kids were busy elsewhere!
I enjoyed making the conversations layouts earlier, here, here and here - where my kids answered questions about themselves. These "amazing" layouts give me a chance to offer observations I've made about each of my kids - recently. This is a great project to slip into their scrapbooks (when I get them back from the printer once I find/decide where to send them - 8 1/2 x 11 is not a normal size in these parts!). Years ago I got bogged down with making four similar yet different layouts for each of the kids to include in their books and stopped due to utter ovewhelm. I think I may just have twigged on the thing that will make their books a bit more complete!
I enjoy Cathy Zielske's layered templates and will make more, for sure. I have, of course, downloaded a bunch of other templates and I've spent some time trying to manipulate those I already have to make them more functional in other projects. I'm stuck on a few things, but that's part of the fun. The fear is almost all gone - whoot! The intimidation and not wanting my layouts to look like CZs is almost all gone too. I love her work and it is distinctly her work - I think I've found a way to incorporate the best that is CZ with what I consider to be the best of me.
A lot of my new found comfort is the discovery of digi-paper I like. I'm thrilled to have discovered Michelle Martin over at Designer Digitals as she has some lovely papers; as well as Ashalee Wall at Design Pink Ink with her gorgeous paper collections. I'm far more a photo + story + paper scrapbooker than I am a bling and dimension scrapbooker - even digitally, so it was a thrill to find simple and sophisticated patterns and colours.
The only thing left to conquer are brushes and overlays. Working on it!
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My Month
inspired by Katie the Scrapbook Lady
What new things did I learn? Not new, but it was reinforced: the answer is an automatic "no" if you don't ask the question. So I asked and was surprised, delighted and humbled with the response.
What fun things did I do? I made mistakes - many of them. As a result, I learned a lot.
What interesting people did I get to know? Many, many, many in person; and an equal many on-line and a few surprises on television. I had no idea how much I would enjoy Steven Tyler or Jennifer Lopez - I am delighted by both!
What important events occurred in the world? The devastating aftershock in New Zealand, the ouster of Mubarak in Egypt, the unrest in Libya and as a result the ridiculous increase in our price of gas ($1.20/L!) - the powers-that-be are hedging, we welcomed the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. Very important discovery (aka can an animation make mama cry?) thanks to Elizabeth Dillow, I found The Girl Effect. Not important, but love, New York Fashion Week (though totally forgot this year to pick up the NYTimes to get the Fashion Magazine!)
What special purchases did I make? I'm not much of a shopper but my best purchase was my new Asics running shoes. Not just the purchase, but they are being USED!
Any noteworthy accomplishments this month? I engaged. This was the month of involvement for me. Met girlfriends for lunch, started walking with friends, engaged with many I admire on line, had ladies over in my home for a few evenings of laughter, food and goodness and pub night was revived and we were reminded we should do it more often!
What were my disappointments this month? I never thought I could be more astounded by the negative words and actions of adults, but this past month really hit the nadir of bad behaviour. Years ago when I was more involved in a volunteer capacity, I would tell Louis stories and he would "poo poo" me and claim that it was impossible, after all, they're adults we were talking about. Right? Now that he is one half of the acting VP of House League for our hockey association he is getting a full dose and even forewarned he's astounded! We are both hugely disappointed. The difference? I am (sadly) no longer surprised.
Anything else? I'm embracing the gray and got all of the residual hilights cut out of my hair - six inches cut off the back! For a time, my hair got so dark I had to hilight it to make me look less old and sickly. Now there is some brightness coming in - I'm curious what colour it will end up.
My Month in Pictures
Inspired by Rebecca Cooper
What about you? How do you document your months? In pictures? In words?
I don't know that I could have handled any more days in the month. For a short one we certainly crammed a lot in!
Looking to March adventures ahead. Wonder if it will go out like a lion - it certainly came in like a lamb. Onward!
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Welcome to my contribution to the One Little Word Blog Hop which is organized by my on-line friend Margie and includes many of the ladies who participate over in the Ali Edwards-led One Little Word course over at Big Picture Classes. If you did not arrive from Chrissy's blog (oh, how I envy the idea of living in Arizona!) you are welcome to head over to Margie's to start at the start, or just continue along and you'll end up back around. Lots of good stuff being shared!
This is MONTH TWO of the twelve month One Little Word course. The idea is to take photographs to capture our chosen one little word. I'm very fortunate in that I have a bit of a head-start as I had previously joined my talented (and clearly clairvoyant) friend Jill Conyers so many of the photos were already taken and stories recorded:
Not only were the small photos taken, but the idea of taking a big photo was also suggested:
Much thanks to Chloe for taking the photo! It is representative of my current "do": me on the computer, though things are changing and I'm taking more risks and really digging deeper into my own authenticity. A reminder that next time I need a photo of me stretching to represent the new do and I have to say, even with aching shins, I am not deterred.
The spread looks like this:
I am enjoying this course immensely. This is my third year of participating in this guiding word concept and I have found it to be a much more positive and creative alternative to the typical, and usually unsustainable, tradition of resolutions usually made at the start of the new year. This is the first year of the course, and the first time to be part of a large supportive community, all of whom "get" what it is I'm doing!
The participants of the blog hop this month are:
Margie <<< BLOG HOP STARTS HERE
Monica Bradford
Jill C
Miranda
Donna
Lynn
Stacey
Lisa
Cassie
Abbey
Nicky
Holly
Karen T
Claudia
Rebekah
Kimberly
Kat
Kristina
Jan
Nikki
Amanda
Lisa
Sam
Maureen
Kristi
Tere
Karen
Katrina
Monica Bergler
Mandy
Lisa
Chrissy
Lee <<< YOU ARE HERE
Jen <<< YOUR NEXT STOP
Sylvia
Christianne
Cheri
Joy
Beth
Jennifer L
Kathryn
Heather
Cindy
Cynthiau
To continue on the hop, go say hi to the very talented Jen out in California. All these girls in warm climates, I'm so jealous! You are also welcome to keep reading ...
I got off to a bit of a slow start. Capturing these portraits of myself is killing me! I did not participate in the first blog hop in February, but I'm glad to have participated this time around.
MONTH ONE
A very simple stamped cover:
The dreaded portrait of self (taken by Louis):
My definitions of "do":
Not only am I enjoying the concept of the course, I'm enjoying using up some of the materials I have collected in my studio. My abundance of stuff are not exactly "as outlined" in the course materials. The reasons are two-fold: I might as well use what I have; and, ordering from the States is often not just time consuming but economically ridiculous. I'm enjoying my opportunity to be more creative with my self-imposed limitations.
If you are interested in the concept, join in! You don't have to have chosen your guiding word on January 1st, if you have an inkling as to what you might want to do, sign up! Registration is open through the year. I knew this year I was going to actively incorporate my word into my every day, and this course is certainly helping me stay on task, it along with Jill's photography challenge!
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