Embrace Life

48 by 49 | 21 - 24

And my catch up continues! Lots getting done, for sure :)

WEEK 21 | VISION BOARD

Vision boards have been around forever and I've considered making one - and have made a digital one ages ago - but never did I tear apart 50+ magazines to come up with a board that appealed to me. The One Little Word prompt from Ali Edwards for February was to make a vision board (full post and blog hop tomorrow!) and I did. I like how it turned out! It really does represent where I am right now - and where I want to be, soon.

WEEK 22 | RUG

For my birthday, last September, I bought a rug. A 10' x 12' rug for our living room. I have to say, it's a bit staggering to order a hand-knotted rug for a couple of reasons: it's expensive and the choices are many, too many! All I knew is, though it goes against the principle that dark colours go on the bottom, my experience with dark rugs has been the constant need to vacuum - I had to buy a lighter rug. The minute I saw the pattern I knew it was the one. When it arrived in early February, I was pleased that each of my children, separate from one another, exclaimed that it reminded them of Cape Cod. Mission accomplished!

WEEK 23 | PRINTED E-BOOKS

I take a lot of online courses. I have been taking them for YEARS and have accumulated quite a number of e-books as a result. They reside, quietly and unopened, in my computer. Well, they did. I took them up to Staples and had my favourites - 15 of them - printed and bound. Now they are being used!

WEEK 24 | DNA TEST

I have a pretty good idea of my own personal DNA, or at least I think I do! The same cannot be said for my children. Since Claire is going off into the world next year, I thought it was important to give her all of the information available so she can make solid decisions with regards to her health. I ordered a DNA test from www.23andme.com. She and I spit into the tubes, shook it up, sealed the bags and sent them in for evaluation. Now we just have to wait.

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ABOUT THIS PROJECT | I followed New52 with awe and a bit of envy. My plate was so full I just couldn't join in but it was something that piqued my interest. Not that my plate is any less full, but it is more manageable and I hope to fill the wrong side of my 40s with a positive challenge. Let's see where it leads. Thank you to Peppermint and Christine for your weekly big and small inspiration! I love the idea that "it isn’t about making a life-altering change every week, it’s about keeping an open mind and embracing little changes in your life." Life is good.

48 by 49 | 17 - 20

I'll be doing a 2-day catch up with this project. It seems I've been busy doing things rather than sharing them! Today, my new-to-me activities: 17-20, which was supposed to be posted at the end of January, is below. My 21-24 will be up tomorrow!

WEEK 17 | MIDDLE SCHOOL LUNCH

This is my sixth straight year having a child in our Middle School with this year being unique with both Chloé and Caden in Middle One and Middle Two. I have always found it to be an uncomfortable situation where the parents are treated like some necessary evil and not really engaged in the happenings of the school as a larger community. Most of the parents are nervous and unsure with little effort made to assure them, as a group, that the school is a good fit for their child, and for them. I kept waiting to see if something would happen, there was some talk about a lunch - or even a morning coffee, but nothing transpired. In November, I gathered as many email addresses as I could and with the help of many I was able to organize a lunch in mid-January at Alice Fazooli's for 50+ parents. It was a lovely time and I for one am happy to have met a number of new people.

WEEK 18 | BETTER THAN TAKE OUT

I love Chinese Take Out but know it is filled with all kinds of things not good for me - unnecessary fats and MSG. I found some really fabulous recipes via Iowa Girl Eats and a new family favourite is the Easy Chicken Lo Mein (pictured above) which includes noodles - a favourite of my kids as they are not fans of sticky rice. I've been doing my best to make a lot of recipes at home when we are not pressed for time in the evenings.

WEEK 19 | PRE-PAID CAR WASH CARD

It might sound ridiculous, but I am so happy to get this card. It took me a while to find a car wash I like, the one closest and most convenient is really awful and way too expensive for the poor job it did. After driving around town, I found the one at the Petro Canada at Iroquois Shore Road and Trafalgar had the best car wash. Now with a quick tap of the card I can just go for a wash and not have to have a fill at the same time. I loathe driving around in a dirty car (inside or out) and the winter weather has been so sloppy, this really has made me feel fabulous! I know, it sounds silly, but it's true :)

WEEK 20 | LIFE COACH

There is going to come a time when my my life is my own again and my kids will have lives of their own and won't need daily interference from their mama. I'm not looking forward to it, at all, but it is inevitable! I've embarked on a few ventures over the years and know that my biggest failing was in the preparation and anticipation of issues - and my poor choice of business partner. I believe that in our biggest mistakes are our greatest lessons so I'm taking those lessons and I've hired a Life Coach to help me figure out what I want to be when I grow up. By the time Caden is old enough to head off to University, I should have a plan together. Clearly there is no rush, but I have to do something.

________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THIS PROJECT | I followed New52 with awe and a bit of envy. My plate was so full I just couldn't join in but it was something that piqued my interest. Not that my plate is any less full, but it is more manageable and I hope to fill the wrong side of my 40s with a positive challenge. Let's see where it leads. Thank you to Peppermint and Christine for your weekly big and small inspiration! I love the idea that "it isn’t about making a life-altering change every week, it’s about keeping an open mind and embracing little changes in your life." Life is good.

real right now | time management

I am a fan of lists. 

I am a fan of calendars.

I am a fan of clocks.

I manage every minute of my time, with varying degrees of success, and celebrate order wherever it can be found. When it comes to time management, there are a few lessons I've learned:

1. Late is rude
2. Do it now
3. Purposeful preparation saves time
4. Be flexible and open to change
5. Do not compare
6. Outsource when you can - in my case that includes the cleaning ladies who come once a week, and the chores completed by my kids

If history serves, I'm about to hit a big "change" period with the end of the school year closing in far more quickly than I'd like. Once the good weather finally arrives in a few weeks time, I'll be happy to kick routine to the curb, but I really have to bear down and focus. This is the time to re-evaluate how to more effectively spend my kids-in-school free-time before summer arrives and all routine and structure disappear and chaos takes its annual reign!

I am also in the midst of a number of Life Coach-inspired projects and courses; I am trying to structure my days to find time to dedicate to planning my future and not simply survive my present. Now is the time to be more purposeful with that goal in mind.

I do not believe in "doing it all" and I certainly do not believe in "organize it all".

I do believe in "do what you can" and "everything in it's place" - and if there is no place, there are options: garbage, recycling and donation. This simple shift in mindset has really opened me up and gives me permission to make quick decisions with regards to stuff. With four kids always coming and going, there is always plenty of stuff!

Without that stuff, I'm able to better focus my time and be productive.

No clutter = more time.

Amazing.

I've been inspired by a few posts, notably this one over at Pink Ronnie. Because of it, I decided to put together some "pretty" schedules that I can include in my Project Life - which is decidedly lacking in evidence of my OCD tendencies!

WEEK DAY TASKS

Aside from the usual cooking, laundry and cleaning, this is pretty complete.

KEY: In order to maximize my wait time: in parking lots, in doctor's offices, etc, I have a bag packed with projects, magazines and activities. I do a lot of waiting and I was feeling that time time of Facebook and Pinterest was just too much!

I am always doing something. It is my prefered state of being. Then, inevitably, the phone rings or someone is at the door and it takes me a while to get back in to my much preferred state of creative flow. Having a plan gives me a quick way to get back on track.

WEEKLY TASKS

Each week, in addition to the schedule above, I write out a detailed "to do" list. I no longer just write an endless list, my new system has my chores and errands divided into a few categories:

Errands to Run
Calls to Make
Around the House
Blog, iPhoto, Projects
For the Kids
In the Planning Stages

No category every has more than five items in it. I don't want to be overwhelmed or defeated before I start. By doing this, my time is used more effectively as a number of chores can be completed at one time or at least in one area of town. It really has been effective and tons gets done.

I live in a town where most mums I've met judge their worth by the depth of their lists: the minutia and details. I've learned to judge my worth by the completeness and effectiveness of my list.

Epiphany: Done is better than busy.

MONTHLY TASKS

I have used a Fly Lady-inspired Control Journal for at least a decade now and it has proven to be an invaluable tool for keeping us on track and organized. As my electronic calendar, I use the iCal program that came with my Mac. It communicates with my iPhone and with iCloud I'm able to have it communicate with all of the kids so we're all on track and know where we have to be all the time.

QUARTERLY & SEASONAL TASKS

My seasonal activity chart is a chart of all the kid activities that I made up ages ago. It is a simple table I made up in Word that I update regularly as activities are added and deleted through the weeks. I keep it on the fridge as a physical reminder of what we have to do that day.

ANNUAL TASKS

I have to say, my annual task list is very low-key and I'm happy to not be as crazy busy as many of my peers. It's by choice. I'm sure I could have a ton of other events but my days are so full, I like to pace myself when I can.

With all this I should be the most organized mum around. And you know, I think I am!

hello monday | 59

a reminder to take the camera out of the bag more often

hello day after oscar. my favourite part of all the hoop-la is to watch the review of the clothes the morning after. From what I saw, this should be good!

hello new week ahead. last week was a challenge. i suppose i needed that reminder.

hello seth macfarlane. wow. brilliant. quick. sharp. sigh.

hello braces. today is the day the bottom braces will be attached. i know for a fact my sweet moe will still be "cute" as much as she abhors the idea!

hello dna tests. being sent to 23andme.com today.

hello jamie. this parenting thing is tough sometimes. i am grateful to have an expert along for the (bumpy) ride.

hello big brother canada. seriously.

hello fiddler on the roof. months of preparation will culminate in the big performances this week. break a leg everyone!

hello another month gone by. the older my kids get the faster time goes. i was told this would happen but never realized just how quickly things would speed up!

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week.
i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

 

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

the current | twenty-four

dateline: Oakville, Ontario, Canada @ 8:57AM on February 22, 2013
weather outside: Gray. Windy. -1 with a promise of a storm in the air.
mood inside: reflective

drinking coffee, my (rare) second cup of the day.

eating breakfast, every morning!

cooking eggs in my new, smaller, skillet

listening to my iPhone vibrate with messages from my kids filling me in on their day: marks, stories, funny observations

watching CanadaAM with Josh Groban as guest co-host. Weird, but he is very smart and funny.

reading blogs via Google Reader. 114 posts waiting for me this morning!

wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt. It's a writing/planning morning so no need to be presentable until I have to leave the house later this afternoon.

packing up a box filled with books recently purged from the bookshelves in the living room. Must call the guy to come pick them up for the spring sale at Hopedale.

planning my time: blog posts, courses taking/want to take, summer activities. Always planning something!

feeling really tired - I'm sleeping, just not well

stopping more often to just listen - and hear

wanting the wind to stop. It has just made the cold colder and me less likely to walk outside!

needing Claire to come home to take the 23andMe DNA test that arrived on Monday. With her heading off to University in the summer, I want her to have a complete overview of her health and an awareness of any and all risk factors. My family is forthcoming with chronic illnesses of which there are (thankfully) few; her father's family is riddled with heart disease and cancer (though I don't know how much is DNA and how much is smoking-induced) and secretive about health issues.

wishing our local paper, The Oakville Beaver, would honour my FIFTH request to stop delivery. It is filled with ads and nothing of any interest to me.

waiting for Pottery Barn to call and let me know why I can't order from the store teh stock they have in the warehouse. Very frustrating!

thinking my bathroom will never be complete :(

enjoying the parts of the bathroom that are done :)

paying school tuition for next year. Weird sending only three of them!

encouraging university choices that are what Claire wants and not what she thinks others expect.

celebrating the knowledge that winter does not last forever and spring will arrive when it arrives - but sooner would be my preference.

cultivating more grown up relationships with all of my children.

marveling at how dangerous seemingly simple iPhone apps can become! Not only dangerous to the growing minds of children but to the bank accounts of their parents when combined with trust and ignorance.

anticipating a few positive changes made based on recent lessons learned.

and tada, another selfie:

Me, in my natural habitat: at my desk, writing!

Wishcasting Wednesday: Welcome

Image found here.

Sometimes what is old is new again. Good "old" ideas never go out of style and I'm happy to have rediscovered Wishcasting Wednesday, a meme from Jamie Ridler which I had participated in for a while through 2010. The last couple of years have been a bit of a personal trial and some Wednesdays - and others too - were wish-free as I was stuck in the mire of trying to keep my life and my kids together. It was exhausting!

Not that it's over, not by a long shot, I now have more skills and a better attitude. I've actually found a certain level of calm. So much so I can now welcome wishes back into my world! (I think this goes hand-in-hand with dreams re-entering my nights just a couple of months ago. Weird, eh?)

For this fresh start, the prompt today is perfect!

What do you wish to welcome in?

I wish to open my heart and mind to welcome love, respect, trust, compromise, kindness, patience, joy, peace and understanding. A lingering visit from a creative muse would also be most welcome!

What about you? What do you wish to welcome in?

list | 6 of 52

Last week I posted that I had joined up with 52 Lists at Moorea Seal and now that I've caught up, here is my newest list:

52 LISTS | Week Six | LIST THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN LOVE OTHERS

• Listen
• Do not fix or lecture, just quietly support
• Be happy with self, first
• Give foot rubs and back rubs
• Laugh at lame jokes and riddles
• Hand over the clicker and watch their show
• Answer emails, tweets and blog comments
• Smile
• Treat people the way I want to be treated
• Tell the truth, even if it hurts. If you love and respect them the truth is the only way to go
• Provide for your children, even if it means you have to make sacrifices
• Cook good meals, even if reluctantly
• Sing, and let them join in
• Bathe and brush your teeth
• Think of others first
• Stay in contact
• Hold their hand
• Give a hug
• Advocate for my family and friends with others
• Foster forgiveness and understanding
• Model socially acceptable behavior
• Make reservations
• Practice patience
• Fold laundry
• Trust my instincts and intuition
• Think of something nice to say then say it, stop holding back
• Be corny!
• Ask questions and show interest
• Own it – my words, my actions, my beliefs
• Follow my heart
• Say “I love you, too”

What about you?

 

hello monday | 58

a favourite - and typical - image of life around here, taken yesterday.

hello "family day" holiday. this is the last day of the long weekend - all are gearing up for the time between now and the end of term. it's coming quickly!

hello toronto. so happy my kids are being exposed to this great city.

hello commencement plans underway. first grand-graduate! this is going to be fun if we can figure out the invitation list and event logistics :)

hello teenagers. proof that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

hello framed photos. finally chosen and hung in my bedroom. as well as a bunch of 5x7s and 5x5s for a family gallery wall.

hello vision board. never thought it would get done, but it is. and i like it.

hello dentist. having the crown, prepped last week, placed. ugh.

hello research. online shops. websites. e-books. gotta figure out how to do it all. and then do it!

hello pottery barn. seriously? how can it be in stock and not available to order? sigh.

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week.
i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

 

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

Made My Day | Paperman

If you have six minutes to gift yourself with a bit of old fashioned Disney charm:

 

This just made me smile.

I wanted to share.

I hope it made you smile, too!

12 of 12 | February '13

Template: Cathy Zielske
Papers: Cathy Zielske (Gray) and Maplebrook Studios (Limon)
Number Element: Karla Dudley

list | listening to the universe

Early last week I got three signs:

This post via Design Crush;

then this post via Ali Edwards;

and a couple of pins on Pinterest

all within an hour.

So, what did I do? Naturally, I listened to the Universe and went over to check out what was going on with Moorea Seal. What did I discover? Some lovely jewelry, yes. Then, for a list-maker like myself ... NIRVANA!

Ali is right, not only is 52 Lists a great idea to include in Project Life, or One Little Word, or any other memory keeping project, it is IDEAL for my most recent Project LEE. What is that? Well, I have come to realize that the time has come for me to figure out what I want to be when I grow up and it's high time I get out of the house and fend for myself.

I've hired a Life Coach and am doing a lot of reading and researching. These lists may just come in handy to focus in on what it is that interests me and captures my attention.

The big question? Will I do them or will this become just one more project I join in and then let fall by the wayside? There is always that chance but I'm a fan of lists and this is a relatively easy creative task to accomplish. I managed to write out the first five prompts in less than an hour - editing included! I was on a roll :)

52 LISTS | Week One | List the words that touch your soul

Family

Truth

Respect

Kindness

Courage

Authentic

Open

Laughter

Lemons

Friendship

Love

Patience

Welcome

Drive

Children

Generosity

Roots

Present

Inclusive

Cozy

Happy

Wisdom

Intuition

Chowder

Smile

Wit

Blank Page

Challenge

New

Gathering

Project

Cobblestones

Fog

Genuine

Resilience

Appreciation

Sunshine

Curiosity

Clean

Order

Music

Peonies

Soil

Growth

Spirit

Pencils

Sing

Cast Iron

Plans

Harmony

Focus

Lists

Story

Ambition

Sleep

Goals

Books

Learn

Hugs

Stars

Acceptance

Writing

Sharing

Capable

Bubbles

Mistakes

Lessons

Energy

Compassion

Grace

Freedom

Expression

Essence

Create

Quiet

Reflection

Joy

Onward

Moss

Moonbeams

Help

Lavender

Effort

Flow

Make

Sparkle

Cable Knit

Water

Sand

Fireplace

Breezes

Photographs

Questions

Connection

Optimism

Complete

 

52 LISTS | Week Two | List your greatest comforts

• Writing lists.
• Enjoying the luxuries of a posh hotel.
• Watching my children do what they love: on stage, on court, wherever.
• The first sip of coffee in the morning.
• Getting my life and home cleaned up and organized.
• Dark chocolate.
• Making plans: travel, articles, purchases, camps for kids.
• Fresh starts.
• Roast chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans.
• Scarves.
• Surrounding myself with books and photographs.
• Sitting in a still and quiet spot, letting my mind wander.
• Long showers.
• Thyroid medication.
• Singing in the truck – sometimes with, sometimes without, the kids.
• Driving to Cape Cod for our annual summer holiday.
• Being early.
• Gathering people together, watching connections happen.
• Long talks with my sister Beth.
• Listening to my children talk – and tease – each other.
• Acceptance letters arriving from Universities for Claire.
• Overhead fans.
• My (now ratty) black duster sweater – like wearing a hug.
• Floating in water.
• When the kids “argue” about who loves me more.
• Good conversation.
• Lunch out with friends.
• Optimism.
• Genuine offers of support and acceptance.
• Embracing life with confidence and kindness – there is more to learn.
• Daring greatly. Living wholehearted. Full.

 

52 LISTS | Week Three | List the things you shuld be proud of

• I am raising four kind and authentic children. They are my raison d'être - reason for being.
• Finding the courage to divorce – knowing there is a better life for me.
• Listening to my sister and going to the doctor. It saved my life.
• I have accepted that I am insatiably curious and want to learn new things all the time – and that’s okay.
• I have really good intuition and instincts. I won’t let someone tell me I’m wrong – or not to trust myself - again.
• I am able to look at any situation – even tragic or mean - and see the good, the lessons, in it.
• My health is now a top priority. I’ve changed how I eat, how I move, how I think about myself as I prepare for a long and strong future.
• The greatest lessons in my life have been taught by the most vile of teachers. I thank them as I loathe them.
• I have found my voice. I have plans to use it.
• I recognize my many flaws and realize that they are part of what makes me who I am and I like her. Without those flaws what would I have to work on?
• There is no shame in therapy. Knowledge, especially self-knowledge, is crucial to live a full and honest life.
• I am learning to let myself be loved.
• I am rediscovering talents and happily realizing I have many new ones too.
• I enjoy encouraging others to be the best they are able to be. I am not much of a teacher, but by example I am doing my best to empower others.
• I will let my children make mistakes, but I am also their greatest advocate when they need me to step in.
• I do not define myself, or my surroundings, by the delusions of others. I live in a weird place.
• It took a while but I realized that I am worthy. I am enough.

 

52 LISTS | Week Four | List your current & future goals & dreams

• Figure out what I want to be when I grow up! It’s time to figure it out and put a plan together – so I hired a Life Coach! Fingers crossed.
• Finally get that root canal so I can eat fruit again!
• I want to make every effort to stay in consistent contact with my family and my friends, always.
• Finish up the projects and purchases for the house and make it the oasis I want for now and in the future.
• LOSE THE WEIGHT. Stay healthy and strong.
• Travel: Back to the SW States, all over Europe by train, Hawai’i, Tahiti and Bora Bora, Northern Africa, Western Russia, and wherever else sounds interesting.
• Buy a place on the water – maybe in the Carolinas? Georgia?
• Join a social club and get out more. Engage!
• Determine my personal fashion and décor style and purchase only those things that reflect it.
• Find a quiet space. And just listen.
• Take a cooking course and learn to make cooking fun :)
• Attend a TED conference.
• Fix the blog and make it what I want it to be.
• Write a book. A big, beautiful, glorious book. Or a small, beautiful, glorious book. Size doesn’t matter – content does.
• Attend my children’s graduations from high school and University.
• Take classes – art, writing, and photography – forever.
• Go to a Squam Retreat in New Hampshire.
• Become a grandmother – many times over.
• Never stop creating.
• Find comfortable – and long enough - jeans.
• Always have something to do.
• Develop a way to stay cool, all the time.
• Make my children’s lives comfortable and filled with love.
• Always continue learning new things.
• Find someone to love, who will love me.

52 LISTS | Week Five |List what you are grateful for

• Waking up every morning.
• The love, trust and respect of my kids.
• My inquisitive nature and insatiable need to learn.
• My home and who I share it with.
• Always having something to do.
• My dad.
• Choices.
• Good lawyers.
• Forgiving nature of my children.
• A good eye. I take good photos. Not technically, but they look good!
• Thyroid medication.
• The expanding, er, improving tastes of my family. I am now able to cook more than just chicken nuggets, hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. In fact, none of those things are in my kitchen anymore!
• Opportunity to take the time to find out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
• Laughter.
• Conversations with Beth. Enjoying the bond of shared experiences.
• Resilience.
• My blog. Google Reader. Pinterest. Facebook.
• TED & TEDx
• CBS Sunday Morning, BRAVO and Netflix
• Steve Jobs & Apple
• SiriusXM36 and Cogeco314
• Access to fresh fruits and vegetables all year long.
• Tons of after school and holiday opportunities for the kids.
• No more hockey – or hockey mean.
• Constant change.
• Longer days.
• Growing confidence.
• Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Today I'll download Week Six to post next week.

What about you? Do you like making lists?

 

real right now | limiting beliefs

(click on image to go to source)

I am always open to learn new things - maybe too open to too many things! Even those things that make me squirmy and uncomfortable or those that initially appear complicated or intimidating. As much as it drives me to distraction, I have an abundance of ideas and opinions floating around in my head at any given moment. I am constantly feeding those ideas and opinions with new, and sometimes conflicting, ideas and opinions of others. Curiosity and interest is a wonderful thing!

Until it isn't.

Monkey minds and relaxation don't coexist easily. More to the point, monkey minds and careers are often at cross purposes. It is frustrating that I am unable to nail down one thing to focus on and dedicate my time to in order to discover a purpose. Not just that, but to find a career that is rewarding - both in a spiritually fulfilling and bank account sense.

I realize that I am not the only one in this position. A number of people I know, and appreciate, are equally all-over-the-place in their heads. The difference? They have seemingly managed to find focus in a rewarding area of interest. Have they settled? Do they feel rewarded? Is it selfish to demand fulfillment?

I'm riddled with questions. A paralysis of what ifs!

Then there's the negative self-talk. Sabotage, so destructive:

1. You're just a mum, what are you qualified to do?
2. You haven't worked a "real" job in 17 years, what can you offer?
3. You didn't get your degree, you have to go back to school or you're worthless.
4. Making mistakes makes you inept.
5. You don't do anything special. Thousands of people do what you do.
6. Who doesn't know what they want to do for a living - at 48? Ridiculous! You want too much. Just get a job.

I am a fan of Danielle LaPorte and really enjoy her daily "Truthbombs" and welcome their arrival. Last week one arrived that kicked me in the gut, it was about limiting beliefs you should burn to a crisp. As I read them I found myself nodding. Oh, how I know about those!

Then I do what I do best: turn shit into sunshine (also known by the more politically correct: lemons to lemonade). I got to thinking about the flip side.

These are a few of the infinite truths I know:

1. Secrets are powerful and always destructive. If you have a secret you may need to evaluate why. 
2. Fair does not mean equal.
3. Being right has nothing to do with being in the majority.
4. Late, with no legitimate reason - call, or explanation, is rude.
   
5. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
6. Rip off the "bandaid" fast.
7. Just because you say your opinion loudly,  I do not have to agree with you.
8. Bullies are cowards.
9. The people and things in your life are a reflection of who and what you think you deserve.
10. I am enough.

I need to stop listening to the destructive and negative limiting beliefs and trust the infinite truths and not waiver from those core values I know and hold them in my heart on my next adventure.

What might that be? I have hired a Life Coach and I will spend the next few months developing a 5-Year "what is Lee going to be when she grows up?" plan. I'm hoping that by hiring someone with the advantage of not living in my head, someone who can see what I can't with the perspective to help me develop a map for my future. Not just find a job that pays the bills but a lifestyle that incorporates all the things I love. A tall order, but I think we're up for it.

hello monday | 57

We got a crazy amount of snow late last week and now we have above average temperatures. This is just a reminder of what things were like less than a week ago!

hello back to normal. cole is back home and life has returned to it's normal fullness!

hello bose system. what a difference. love!

hello finished projects. lots of photos have arrived from persnickety prints. i've put my december daily photos, 12x12 prints and reverb12 into albums. i'm thinking maybe i should share the reverb project now that there are photos, too.

hello foodie blog. newly discovered. we have loved every single recipe i've made.

hello long weekend. with the rare snow day on friday of last week it feels like we just had one! but the kids are officially off school this friday and next monday.

hello dentist. back again. holy moly!

hello acting mechanics. the courses at armstrong start on saturday. both cole and chloé are very excited! this is a whole new level of things.

hello living room rug. it was ordered in september the area rug has just arrived! it's a whopping 10 feet x 12 feet and it's going to be a crazy event trying to get it set up in the living room.

hello pebble beach. watched the pro-am all weekend. just the fix i needed to make it through to the masters in april :)

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week.
i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

 

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

things we do | semi formal

A little while back both Claire and Cole went to the Semi Formal dinner and dance at their school. I love that they want to participate in the social events offered to the students. I love even more that they still want to attend even without dates. The lack of social pressure they put on themselves is really a testament to their confidence in themselves and I'm very proud of them both. Even moreso that they were willing to go together and supported each other.

This photo was taken as they left the house:

The other day the "official" photos were all uploaded! Both kids sent me their favourites:

Taking a look at some of the dresses I wonder what is considered formal! These ladies look so fancy and grown up.

Claire and her friend, Jess, were definitely having a great time!

THIS is an eclectic group. I love, love, love this photo.

Yeah. That's my kid - Mr. Photo Bomb. Goof.

He can't seem to help himself.

Fun for them! Where is Cole? Find the big group of girls and he'll be in the middle :)

All of the party photos were taken by http://www.streeterstevens.com.

Now? The search is on for the perfect prom dress. The fun never stops :)

4 Simple Goals | February 2013 (a bit late!)

My 4 Simple Goals, February 2013:

1. SPRING BREAK PLANS. I can't believe how fast it's coming up. Our plans are 80% finished. It's time to get some paperwork completed, some information submitted and some excursions booked. The kids are jazzed, and so am I!
2. iPOD/iTUNES. I find it all pretty complicated. I have to figure out a way to combine all of the libraries from all of the computers and then put it on my iPod. Too many computers. Too many accounts. Too confusing!
3. SCHOOL REGISTRATION. Its hard to believe another year is coming up. For a while I kept adding kids, this will be my first where I'm taking one away. Only three are returning with Claire heading off to University. Eek! (Still deciding the particulars of that new adventure.)
4. PHOTO DISPLAY. The photos have been cropped, edited and sent off to Persnickety Prints, now it's time to get the frames and map out the spaces for hanging. This is one project that won't sit around half done!

REWARD*: I have found this winter has taken it's toll on me more than others - far fewer sunny days, I find. As a reward I'd like to get myself a happy potted plant: gerbera daisy, tulips or peace lily would be nice.

*I recognize that meeting the goals is reward in itself. This is a reward beyond that - a small tangible token.

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!

In August 2010, Elsie Flannigan posted a simple and doable challenge. I've been doing it ever since!

Project Life 2013 | Weeks 2 & 3

I am really enjoying this project - even more than last year.

I suppose I needed that time to work out the kinks and figure out what was important enough to be included. I am really getting a feel for how my "style" is evolving - and learning to be happy with it! I find there is a lot of pressure (self imposed!) when looking at the oodles of beautiful projects on blogs, forums and on the dreaded but lovely Pinterest. I've felt like I wasn't doing it right if I didn't do this project the way everyone else was doing it with cute pocket fillers and tons of ephemera. But that style doesn't reflect my life. There is just too much with all four of my kids going in all four directions at once to leave things out in order to make room to include lumpy-bumpy filler. I'll try to keep the pretty and consistent esthetic, but I've never been one for tons of ephemera or fill, for myself.

What appeals to me about Project Life is that I can get it done quickly. I've learned to use some organizational tools and scaled back my handling of pictures and stories to streamline my process. I spend an hour or two during the week making sure to record stories and take photos then put it all together on Sunday afternoon. I spend an hour choosing photos and mapping out my week. After those two hours of prep work, If it takes me more than an hour to get the spread finished - and photographed - then I've taken too much time. I want to live this life, not just record it.

WEEK TWO

WEEK 2 | LEFT SIDE

WEEK 2 | RIGHT SIDE

WEEK 2 | INSERTS

Wrapping up YEAR FIVE of 12 of 12 :) Best project ever because, for me, it was so do-able. I'm so glad to incorporate it into my Project Life last year and now this one, too!

I definitely needed this validation this week!

WEEK THREE

Week 3 | Left Side

Week 3 | Right Side

Week 3 | Inserts

There is a back side, but I've elected to keep it in the album, unshared :)

* * * * *

What is Project Life? Developed by Becky Higgins, Project Life is a memory-keeping system which I use to document, with words and photographs, our very full life, each week of the year! It is really flexible and has made it so much easier to save our stories.

hello monday | 56

With a quick wave, he was off to the Northern Campus (8+ hour drive north) for a week. Fingers crossed it's a better experience this time around.

hello day after super bowl. so much fun watching with commentary by caden. the blackout was a drag, but the game was great. yay ravens!!

hello old magazines. making my first vision board with magazine clippings. if nothing else i've cleared out 50+ issues i was holding on to - why, i have no idea!

hello list. lots of time writing it up, time to get it all done!

hello cleaning crew. after missing a couple of weeks due to illness, i'm relieved to have you here. i'd tidy up but i don't know that it would have made a dent.

hello quiet week ahead. with cole gone there will only be one pick up at school. i'm looking forward to less time spent driving up and down lakeshore.

hello blown deadline. came and went. unfortunately it has the kids pretty freaked out. sadly, it was inevitable and completely within character. they'll learn. :(

hello cold. i do know it's winter and i do know it's supposed to be cold, but i've had enough. well, enough of the wind anyway. brr.

hello prom dress. i can't believe it, but it's on it's way. prom is in june. crazy! at least my girl is organized. now it's time for shoes. and earrings. and maybe a date - or not :)

hello fitbit. you are not being ignored. last week was filled with sick kids and appointments. i'll be better this week, i promise!

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week.
i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

 

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

ONE little WORD | February Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the 2013 One Little Word Blog Hop where I am thrilled to be taking the baton from Margie, our fearless leader for the last couple of years. The class has changed up a bit with Ali Edwards offering up new prompts and creative assignments, as a result, I am really happy to have signed up again. It's not too late, if after going through the hop you are interested in joining in the fun, head on over and join the One Little Word journey with us!

I am sharing my results of the classroom assignment for the month.

This was cause for a lot of thought and consideration. My word for 2013 is NOURISH and what exactly did that mean? How do I think or want it to manifest itself in my life from month-to-month through the year? And then there is the creative component. How did I want to express myself in my album this year? Paper and glue? Digital? A hybrid bit of both?

By mid-month I had it figured out and it was determined and happy to carve out some time. This was the result:

Each month I've assigned a focus. In case you can't read it (plus my pen was running out of ink!) they are below:

JANUARY | Body: it's pretty simple EAT WELL & MOVE MORE every day

FEBRUARY | Heart: the walls have been up far too long It's time to relax my guard and allow my heart to open. TRUST YOURSELF :)

MARCH | Wandering: grab the camera, get up and GO. Discover new places and take time to wander and explore.

APRIL | Habits: nothing worth doing is quick or easy. Embrace PATIENCE and follow the plan with conscious effort. Those habits will stick.

MAY | Conversations: don't back away from the hard ones and welcome the fun ones. Stay open and listen more.

JUNE | Dreams: YAY! They're back. What do they say? How do you feel? Record them :)

JULY | Spirit: there is nothing holding you back. Set your spirit free and let it SOAR!

AUGUST | Silence: what do you hear in the quiet/ When the din of life is turned off, what's left? REVEL in the stillness.

SEPTEMBER | Curiosity: showing interest is not rude. Ask & engage. Give in to natural impulses.

OCTOBER | Mind: let's find something to really capture your interest AND imagination.

NOVEMBER | Words: get them out. Use your memories, stories & dreams to create the future you want.

DECEMBER | Relationships: Nuture the good and get rid of the bad. Stay OPEN to new :)

The creative cards started with the One Little Word | 2013 art received in class. I imposed it over the picture I found that, to me, best represents my vision of nourish. That decided on the green and gray pallet which needed a bit of a tweak so I added some pink.

Those cards, up close, look like this:

(The pink with the lemon gives me particular joy as we had Caden convinced that in Cape Cod they grew pink lemons for the lemonade at Captain Frosty's.)

Agreed! And very much the reason I chose NOURISH this year. More to oppose indifference than anything else :)

I do hope something in this project, or how I'm participating in it, has piqued your interest!

Head on over to visit the other participants. A One Little Word journey of the world!

Next up is Cheri at cheriandrews.blogspot.com!

This is the full list of participants, in case you get "lost" you can always come back here and find your way again:

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife/ <<< YOU ARE HERE

Cheri: cheriandrews.blogspot.com <<< THIS IS YOUR NEXT VISIT

Lisa: http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Lynn: www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com

Nikki: www.inkyart.com.au

Kathryn: www.katlodesigns.com

Missus Wookie: mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com

Veronica: www.veronicanorris.typepad.com

Eydie: www.whatwecreate.net

Karen: http://womenontractors.blogspot.com

Kelly: http://www.septemberblue.net

Melanie: http://mellybirddesigns.wordpress.com

Valerie: http://naughtystamper.blogspot.com/

Marya: www.lotustreecrafts.com

Nupur: http://woodpeckertales.com

Angela: angelanoel.com

Janet: http://lifeinsideascrapbookroom.blogspot.com

Dona: http://orangegearle.blogspot.com/

Ruth: http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com/

Naomi: http://www.poeticaperture.com/

Pam: http://pammiek.blogspot.com/

Kara: http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com

Clare: http://claresthomas.blogspot.co.uk/

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com/

Tricia: http://onecreativemom.wordpress.com/

Jacqueline: http://goodwolve.blogs.com/jacqueline/

* * * 

The hop is scheduled to go "live" at 6AM Eastern. Have fun!

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot, a huge THANK YOU to Melanie for creating our fabulous blog hop button! She stepped in at the last minute when I completely forgot to make one :)