You Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone

Last Wednesday I posted an update here with photos of my Art Journal project.  Then signed off and shut down my computer.  My desktop computer.  The computer that has been causing me no end of grief with programs hanging and messages about inadequate virtual memory.  The computer that was processing so slowly that I was LITERALLY watching....screens.....paint..... Remember that - like in the old dial-up days???

So I packed that computer in my car and took it to work last Thursday to have them diagnose and (hopefully) fix my performance issues.  After clearing off some malware and still having problems with slow operations and hanging programs, the guys at the office decided the best course of action was to wipe my computer and start from scratch.  So I finally got it back today.  But it isn't functional yet.  It is sitting in the back of my car (too heavy for me) waiting for Jay to get home and hook it back up. 

I have survived the week without my desktop using the laptop that work issued to me for travel purposes.  A less than satisfying substitute.  Don't get me wrong - I am SOOOOO grateful to have the laptop.  It is great for connecting to the Internet to check email and for minor net surfing and such.  It has kept me connected to my absolute lifelines - work, the internet, the blogs I follow.  But the laptop isn't so great for blogging.  So I've been away for a week and I see by my Google Reader that I've lost four subscribers in that time.  Can't say I blame them.  I get bored with blogs that don't have regular posting too.  Well, I've missed posting so much that I decided to muddle my way through posting with the laptop - just to get back here! 

The laptop also isn't so great for anything that involves graphics.  My attempts to digi-scrap with Photoshop Elements on this laptop have been nothing short of mind-bogglingly frustrating!  I'll be plugging along working on a layout and then the computer will hang.  And when it finally works again, I'll get a message stating that Photoshop has encountered an error and has to shut down.  Arrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh.  All that work lost.  Supposedly the processor in this laptop is sufficient and additional RAM was added so that I have 1.25 gigs.  That should be sufficient, especially if I'm not running any other programs.  Has anyone out there encountered this issue?  Any idea what the cause might be?  I'd love for my PSE to be portable!

Anyway, all this to say I really truly miss my desktop and I hope it is fixed!  I'm going to have to reload a bunch of programs (PSE7, the software for my Epson PictureMate, the software for my card reader, etc.) but if it puts me back in the game, I'll be SOOOOOO HAPPY!  In the meantime... here are a few layouts I did manage to squeak out with the laptop.

  My latest Art Journal page. 

Credits:  Papers are Tangie Baxter's Fantasy Solids; Word Art is the Art Journal Caravan Week 4 download; all others PSE7 brushwork.  To create this look, I layered three different solid color papers and then used the PSE eraser tool with various brushes (mesh and butterflies) to expose parts of the under layers.  It was fun to just "play" with the capabilities of PSE.

My newest 2 page layout from Cathy Zielski's Design Your Life class.   Catching R & B in the act. 

Wholehearted Journey

My Art Journal for 2010 (documenting my wholehearted journey) is beginning to take shape:

Cover Page

2010 Intentions

On Happiness

Contemplating weight issues.

Each of these pages is accompanied by a bunch of journaling - some of which has already appeared here in my blog, some of which is private, since this is really just for me.  But the genre of art journaling is totally new to me and so far I'm finding it interesting to try to convey a feeling with color and images and the way things are put together. I know my happiness page does convey that feeling for me, but what do you think of this one?  Does it adequately convey frustration with weight loss goals?

This is Why...

It was just about a year ago that I posted some current layouts, including this one about why I scrapbook.  The only thing that has really changed in my life since that time is my own perspective.  I'm growing, I'm changing, I'm spending more time acknowledging who I am.  And with that new perspective, I've realized that I scrapbook for ME.  Yep, me.

THIS is why:

So I can spend time with my BFF Krystal - who lives 12 hours away, so pretty much the only time we see each other is when we get together at a crop.  I adore my girl time!  Freedom from kids, housework, my job - and nobody to please for a few days but myself.

And THIS is why:

Because I derive great joy out of the simple act of creating and expressing myself.  And learning more about who I am through the process.

And THIS is why:

Because the act of scrapbooking allows me to preserve moments, make connections, show growth and change, and leave a legacy for my family. I hope these pages will remind my girls of happy times together even when they are mired in the thick of sibling rivalry.  And I hope they will be evidence of how much I loved my family long after I am gone. 


Credits: Template - Cathy Z, Design Your Life Class; Background Paper - Jessica Sprague Kraft; Title Font - Porcelain.

Christmas Journal Finished!

Christmas Card Layout

Apologies for the terrible quality of this photo, but here is my 2009 holiday card page.  Every year I have saved cards and scrapped them, but it usually runs 3 or 4 pages because I was saving the whole card.  I totally scraplifted this idea from Ali Edwards
and ended up with a single 12x12 page of holiday cards received this year - I love it!

This also qualifies as an asymmetrical layout for my DYL class, which means I finally finished ONE assignment (and we are about to begin week 3 - yikes!).  I'd be concerned that I was already messing up on my intention to participate fully in all my classes this year, but I intend to catch up and rectify this issue at the Winter Getaway crop this weekend.  Can't wait!

P.S. I know the lines are off because I cut the top right picture wrong, and I couldn't cut the bottom right picture to size without losing heads, but I'm embracing the imperfection - I've decided the layout is just fine this way, even if it isn't perfect.

Be Happy

Credits: paper - Studio Flergs "Twilight" kit (scrapbookgraphics.com); fonts - CK Ali's Hand and Angelic War.

I have loved this quote for a long time.  The pursuit of happiness is not only one of those inalienable rights that we, as a country, crafted into our Declaration of Independence, it is our birthright and it is, in fact, important that we strive to be happy.  "Happy people make people happy." Gretchen Rubin.  The happier we are, the more happiness we bring into the lives of others.  It is the law of attraction and the Universe at work. 

Conversely, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." I know those are the lyrics to a song, but I don't know who gets credit for writing/singing it first.  But when we are unhappy, we tend to bring down those around us as well. 

So... go forth and be happy!

Winter Ball and Soccer - one girl, two looks

Becca and Rachel all dressed up for the Winter Ball.

Peter, Becca, Kerry, Rachel.  This is the group of teens that is most often found "hanging out" at my house.  Usually not all at the same time.

Rachel (in white) at the Quakertown 3v3 indoor soccer tournament.  Rachel played really well today.  But can you believe that is the same diva pictured above???

And other than laundry and grocery shopping, that about sums up my weekend.  What about you? Anything exciting on your schedule?