Trees are just getting buds now - we have a ways to go before anything is leafing out.
Ah well, Spring will come. It must. That's just the way it is.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
One Year Ago On Scrap Dreams
I was waxing poetic about how grateful I felt for Spring.
We are definitely running late this year. The daffodils in the yard are still just leaves pushing up through the soil. We probably have another 2 weeks at least before they bloom.
Trees are just getting buds now - we have a ways to go before anything is leafing out.
In fact, we had snow on April 1st. I think it was Mother Nature's idea of an April Fool's Day prank. I, for one, was NOT amused. I want to show you new daffodil photos, not more white stuff!
Ah well, Spring will come. It must. That's just the way it is.
Trees are just getting buds now - we have a ways to go before anything is leafing out.
Ah well, Spring will come. It must. That's just the way it is.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Net Worth
I know that browsing the Internet can be a real black hole time suck. You sit down to look up one little thing. One link leads to another. The next thing you know three hours have vanished and it is time for the kiddos to come home for school and you to start thinking about that most dreaded of all questions: "What's for Dinner?" On the other hand, the Internet can lead you to some of the most wonderful finds!
Need a good reason to buy less "stuff"? Check this out!
The Story of Stuff. I think this should be required viewing for all students beginning in grade school. Maybe we could raise a generation of more thoughtful consumers...
How about some GLORIOUS new digi goodness? No question here, I gotta have it! And I don't feel so bad about consuming digi - no packaging, no shipping, no harmful toxins released into the atmosphere for the purchase of this little goody.
Do I need a disclaimer? No, I don't get anything for promoting Miki's kits - I bought this one myself - and in fact, Miki doesn't even know I'm promoting her kits over here on my blog - I just like 'em!
Free is always good! Looking to get your scrapping supplies organized? Check out this FREE Decluttering and Simplicity Workshop for Scrapbookers which runs April 25-29. Yep, I'm signed up. Even though I just spruced up my scrap area, I'm sure it will need a refresher by then!
Ever catch yourself questioning your artistic abilities? Wondering if you ever have an original idea? Feeling like all you do is scraplift? (for me, that is yes to all three). Then you MUST go read this blog post. What an uplifting read! Definitely worth your time.
And finally - for all my blog friends - my tribe of loyal followers - this one is dedicated to you - cause girl[s], you're AMAZING, just the way you are!
Need a good reason to buy less "stuff"? Check this out!
Do I need a disclaimer? No, I don't get anything for promoting Miki's kits - I bought this one myself - and in fact, Miki doesn't even know I'm promoting her kits over here on my blog - I just like 'em!
And finally - for all my blog friends - my tribe of loyal followers - this one is dedicated to you - cause girl[s], you're AMAZING, just the way you are!
i.Scrap - the Fitness Installment
I created this collage last Summer to make a visual representation of my health and fitness goals. I chose this for the i.Scrap album as it is one of the most important choices that I made last year and one of the biggest areas for learning and growth for me.
Despite increased intensity and duration of workouts, during the Summer of 2010, my weight soared to the highest number it had been since being pregnant with twins in 1993. I developed problems with both knees and the pain in my low back returned. I got scared. I knew I did not want to spend the rest of my life overweight, out-of-shape, and in pain.
I want to be fit and active - to dance, to play, to enjoy life. I want to make healthy eating choices. On my 50th birthday I want to feel good about living in my own skin and to celebrate knowing that I am doing everything I can to make the most of the life still left in this body of mine!
Monday, April 4, 2011
First Friday Fitness - April Edition
I've spent another month in zig-zag mode weight wise - still struggling with that same two pounds, but in the last few days before weigh-in, managed to actually fall below the 170 mark!
Compared to last month's post, I'm down a whopping one pound. Not much progress for an entire month, but I'll have to take what I can get.
My routine with exercise has improved as well. I've managed up to twenty minutes each on both the treadmill and the stationary bike. Although that has kind of fallen by the wayside over the last two weeks as I've been battling yet another head cold. I will be so happy when Spring well and truly settles in and all this nonsense comes to an end! And my ankle continues to bother me off and on. It really is true that the older you get, the longer it takes to heal.
The most notable change from last month is the abdomen measurement - down a full two inches! And I think I finally discovered the trick on that one. I need to keep my sodium intake well below the daily allowance. Which can be difficult when all of the processed and fast foods that make my life easier are so high in sodium! But now that I know, I am really trying to keep that on the "watch" list as well.
One little glitch in my big plans. Remember how I told you last month that I wanted to weigh less than my hubby by my birthday? Well, he went and got himself all stressed out with changes happening at work (that may or may not signal the end of his employment) and has lost five pounds over the last few weeks. So not fair! I gain weight when I am stressed. My goal weight remains at 164 by my birthday, but given the very very very ridiculously maddeningly horrifyingly slow pace at which I am losing, I am not sure that is realistic anymore. Won't stop me from trying though. Just shy of eight weeks to go....
My routine with exercise has improved as well. I've managed up to twenty minutes each on both the treadmill and the stationary bike. Although that has kind of fallen by the wayside over the last two weeks as I've been battling yet another head cold. I will be so happy when Spring well and truly settles in and all this nonsense comes to an end! And my ankle continues to bother me off and on. It really is true that the older you get, the longer it takes to heal.
The most notable change from last month is the abdomen measurement - down a full two inches! And I think I finally discovered the trick on that one. I need to keep my sodium intake well below the daily allowance. Which can be difficult when all of the processed and fast foods that make my life easier are so high in sodium! But now that I know, I am really trying to keep that on the "watch" list as well.
One little glitch in my big plans. Remember how I told you last month that I wanted to weigh less than my hubby by my birthday? Well, he went and got himself all stressed out with changes happening at work (that may or may not signal the end of his employment) and has lost five pounds over the last few weeks. So not fair! I gain weight when I am stressed. My goal weight remains at 164 by my birthday, but given the very very very ridiculously maddeningly horrifyingly slow pace at which I am losing, I am not sure that is realistic anymore. Won't stop me from trying though. Just shy of eight weeks to go....
Pass The Book
Two quick announcements here:
First:
Blogging for Bliss has left it's stay in Canada with Lee and is on its way to visit Jacky in the UK for the next round of the Blogging for Bliss Round Robin. Jacky - be sure to let me know when it arrives!
Second:
I have just finished reading Inner Excavation. I had this book on my Amazon wish list before learning that I had won a chance at it in Sian's Pass the Book. Now that I've read the book, I'm seriously considering putting it back on my wish list! Yes, it was that good. Actually, I think this book would make an excellent eCourse, working through the "tasks" with a group of likeminded women would be awesome!
You might like this book if you:
First:
I have just finished reading Inner Excavation. I had this book on my Amazon wish list before learning that I had won a chance at it in Sian's Pass the Book. Now that I've read the book, I'm seriously considering putting it back on my wish list! Yes, it was that good. Actually, I think this book would make an excellent eCourse, working through the "tasks" with a group of likeminded women would be awesome!
You might like this book if you:
- enjoy photography
- enjoy poetry
- enjoy mixed media art
- like learning more about yourself
- are open to being led through a series of creative exercises
- are inspired by the art and photography of others.
Okay, so if you want a chance at this book, leave me a comment and your name will go in the drawing, which I will do next Monday. For those of you new to my blog, or new to the Pass the Book concept, you agree to pass the book on through YOUR blog after you have finished reading it! Check Sian's blog for more details.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
i.Scrap - the Ocean installment
When you are driving into Ocean City, before you can even see the water, you can feel the change in humidity and smell the tang of the salt air. Arriving at the beach is like coming home. I love the sound of the waves washing into shore, the gulls squawking overhead, and the warmth of the sun on my shoulders. Looking out over the ocean, seeing the horizon line so far off, watching the wave break on the rocks and then flow back out to sea, I can't help but feel the power and majesty of the ocean, the vastness of the Universe, the smallness of me. Filled with wonder and awe, calm and serenity. When I am at the ocean, all is right with the world.
Friday, April 1, 2011
One Little Word Blog Hop - April Edition
So here we are - April 1st! Happy April Fool's Day! But there is no fooling happening here. This really and truly is another edition of the One Little Word Blog Hop! The entire hop goes live at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (that is 11:00 a.m. here). If you came here from Cia's blog, welcome! If you are one of my regular visitors (love you guys!) you can pick up here or go back to the beginning to catch the entire hop!
So for March, Ali asked us to commit to doing "one little thing". Never one to let well enough alone, I set myself to two "little" things - making exercise and creativity a priority for the month.
I need to finish off this page by actually documenting my thoughts on how the month went. Otherwise, I'm calling March done! And SOOOOO looking forward to April!!!
And this was a huge technology month for me - I finally got the new version of ACDSee running (after owning it for 9 months), got iTunes installed, my iPod synched, and ordered some new tunes, and installed and learned how to use Skype! Why I waited until Sarah is almost ready to come home to figure out the Skype thing, I have no idea. But hey.... it works! And skyping with her is so cool!
Your next stop on the hop is Deb's blog. Enjoy!
Here's the entire blog hop list, just in case you get lost:
| Margie | |
| Amanda | |
| Donna | |
| Joy | |
| Jan | |
| Jamie | |
| Nikki | |
| Monica B2 | |
| Cindy | |
| Stacey | |
| Katrina | |
| Rebekah | |
| Monica | |
| Chrissy | |
| Jill | |
| Lisa | |
| Kathryn | |
| Jennifer | |
| Jen | |
| Sam | |
| Miranda | |
| Lynn | |
| Cynthia | |
| Cheri A | |
| Deb | |
| Nicky | |
| Karen D | |
| Tina | |
| Kimberly | |
| Abbey | |
| Julie Ann |
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