Coming Up For Air

Well, to say its been a crazy couple months would be a massive understatement. Work has been nuts with one person who worked for me leaving at the end of July and the other one leaving at the end of August. My co-workers have been wonderfully supportive during this time, but the bulk of the work has fallen to me and I have been stressed and just generally feeling saturated. In the midst of all this I had to cancel my planned vacation at the beginning of September, a time when my husband and I were going to finish the remodel of our downstairs that had sat idle since last year. Matt has carried on alone, and done a wonderful job, but a planned one week disruption has extended into a month and we are only now starting to see light at the end of the tunnel (and floor under our feet!) Both boys started new schools last month as well, with Logan in Kindergarten and Max in a new pre-school. Logan has had some trouble transitioning but is starting to find his way. So, overall, I have had lots of time to ponder my lack of artistic output, and very little time to invest in changing that. My free hours on worknights have come late at night when all I have brain cells for is staring mindlessly at the TV for an hour. My weekends have been devoted to taking the kids to my mothers so Matt can make progress on the house. I have been prolifically reading magazines and dreaming about upcoming projects. I am in full "get ready for the holidays" mode - at least mentally - and am trying to come up with something unique and wonderful to make for the family. I need some ideas!! Its difficult because my taste is different than many others in my family and my "art" may not be what they want to receive. I will probably end up crafting fairly standard mini scrapbooks, but may try to do one fabulous piece for Aimee. We'll see how the time goes. Onward and Upward!!

Craziness!

I feel like the white rabbit, no time to say hello, goodbye! I'm late, I'm late, I'm late! I have received three packages of scrapbook supplies, 350 new photos to scrapbook, 7 magazines, and sketched 8 ideas ALL WITHOUT 5 SECONDS TO CREATE ANYTHING! Work is nuts and I'm traveling every weekend. My muse is screaming for relief, LOL!

The Reason We Were in Binghamton

Oops. I read back that last post and realized I forgot the most important part - the REASON we were in Binghamton. Sorry Aimee!!

Discovering

Although this weekend didn't find me creating much art, I have future scrapbook fodder galore! We went again to the Discovery Center in Binghamton and the boys had so much fun. Two hours felt like a lifetime as they ran, climbed, playacted, crawled, hid, colored, and just had plain old fun! Maxie pet the flowers. Logie and I had porridge at the Three Bears House. There was digging...

And my angel got wings! I uploaded pictures for hours tonight and can't wait to get them and play. It should be as much fun as making them was. I wish there was a place and grand as this in Albany. But for now I'm glad to have a reason to visit Binghamton.

Inchie Houses

Those inchies that inspired my ATCs? They were created in a class taken at Stampassion. Totally inspiring, they decided to do a variation on an inchie and make inchie houses. We had a sample board to work with and lots of supplies to play with and then we were rather on our own to create. I made six little houses and discovered STICKLES (my new obsession) and then brought them home and wondered what I would do with them. They looked like this:

Are you inspired yet?

Thankful

Matt went to a funeral today so I was home with the boys. We had a pretty wonderful time. Logan only lost one priviledge and did such a great job helping Mommy that I gave him a special reward ticket. I was thinking tonight about how stressed I've been lately and how much I need to remember all the blessings in my life. Today I am thankful for: 1. Maxie sleeping so peacefully beside me. 2. Logan climbing over the gate and yelling "here comes your love!" 3. Art supplies, and a precious two hours to use them. 4. Aimee coming home early as a surprise! 5. Another whole day off tomorrow.

ATCs

A few weeks ago I discovered Inchies and while I thought they were cool, I really found them kind of limiting. I love the smallness, but they are SO tiny it was hard to figure out how to get them to tell a story. I ordered the 7 Gypsies ATC Holder months ago, assembled it and there it sat. Finally, after putting up the baby gate last night, I sat at my desk and made two cards. EUREKA! I have discovered something wonderful! ATCs: 1. Are finished quickly 2. Are big enough to tell a "story" 3. Are double sided (when used in the holder) 4. Are a fun way to use the stuff I buy just because it's "pretty", not because it will fit a scrapbooking page.

I made this:

And this:

I'm looking forward to quickly completing something every day or so. I also packed up my Rusty Pickle suitcase full of cards, ephemera and scraps so I can take it on the road. Life is good :)!!

Family

I've come to realize that my life is, for now, focused on daily family craziness. The fact is I live in a house overrun by small children and I'm married to a man who's biggest ambition on Sunday is to watch the entire Fairly Oddparents marathon. Yesterday I had a whole hour to myself and I finally started on the Sweetwater Planners. I'm seriously considering using the 2007 tag and saving them. It's almost March for God's sake! This afternoon I'm going to look at a house nearby. I don't know that we can afford to move but hubby has it as his number one ambition. Of course, he doesn't necessarily want to save for it or go look at houses, but I love him and want to make him happy so I'll take the lead. Then Max and I are off to Joann's to see what my $40 gift certificate can buy. More buying, less scrapping. Such is the life of a busy Mom who's house is overrun by small children! :) Now for today's challenge: What would you do if you won a million dollars? Oh boy! I would pay off all my debt, buy that new house, and go back to Paris. What would you do if you have no children? (for those who doesn't, just think reverse) Read more, scrapbook more, and visit my friends. What would you do if you are the president of the United States? Focus on healthcare for the poor. What would you do if you skip a meal? Eat junk food. Unfortunately, this is a daily circumstance! What would you do if you are in your ideal weight? (let's face it, who ever is?) Feel good about myself and play more sports. What would you do if you could meet anyone you want and who would that be? I don't really know. I think I would ask lots of questions and soak in the atmosphere. What would you do if you are famous? Make money and then disappear. What would you do if you are a "scrapbooking celebrity"? Enjoy teaching. I love to teach. I envy those who have had the time to make enough stuff to get noticed and then make it a career. They are my heros. What would you do if you could change anything in the world? I would end our dependance on oil. I spend $400/month on gas! What would you do if you don't scrapbook? Read, draw, knit - there is always something!

A New Job

Well, I got the job. Yeah! I start February 6 and now that I'm feeling better I'm actually getting excited about it. I will just have to go to bed earlier and get up earlier to get there on time. And I need to go buy some new clothes! Oh darn. Such a tragedy :). I really think this is going to work out. With more regular hours I just may have MORE time with my kids and to scrapbook than I did before, because when I'm home I'll just be focused on family and me time, rather than blurring it all together like I did before. I was so easy to get mesmerized by the tv when I was here for hours working some, doing laundry, watching TV, etc. I'm a little worried about my stamina, but I've been taking vitamins more regularly and I'll just have to start taking care of myself for once.

Sick!

Well, a week's gone by and I have been SICK! During that time I've interviewed for a demanding new job, struggled with my self esteem, gone to the doctor, slept far too much and done no scrapbooking! Sometimes life just demands that the artsy pleasures take a backseat. I had an epiphany today. I have been feeling really depressed and questioning my life. It's because of the job interview and the rigid hours that it will entail if I take the job. I've had a lot of time to ponder money vs. flexibility. If I lived in a vacuum I'd take flexiblity every time! But I don't. I live in a real world with two children, a husband, a house, and a dog that all need money to survive. So money it is. Anyway, the epiphany. I've been really depressed and thinking it was all about the job. Then I was reading a list of depression symptoms this morning and Ah Hah! I'm NOT depressed!! Not really. I have interest in life, I don't feel despair, I'm just down and feeling yucky. Well, guess what, I'm sick! I have a sinus infection and that's all it is. Not depressed. Infected!!! For those of you who have never been depressed, I'm sure you will think this is nutty talk, but trust me, once depressed, it is sooo easy to question everything. I need to kick this sinus infection, start the new job and take control of my life. There! Go get-em Sue!!!

Inspiration

Well, the Sweetwater Planner is still sitting on my desk, but I'm so inspired by everything this week. I'm taking the Donna Downey class at Big Picture Scrapbooking, and this weeks project is so simple that its exciting to me. Something I'll have time to complete! I was also inspired by a picture of my Grandmother. I was playing with my new photo printer and discovered spot color. I know, I may be the last person on earth to figure this out, but i'm absolutely in love with the effect. There is a wonderful picture of my 96 year old grandmother we took at Christmas that is so charming in spot color. I am working on a layout that may just end up being my first submission to a magazine. That means, of course, that the pieces are laying all over my desk being stared at! I started playing with techniques and made a few decisions. I'm goign to incorporate one of her old handkerchiefs. (I have a whole box of them and really don't know what to do with them.) I'll post a picture of the work in progress tomorrow. I would love your feedback!

Yeah, It's Friday!

Yeah, it's Friday! I'm exhausted still. The baby was up at 12, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30... You would think he was on a timer! I'm going to pretend I have the energy of my two year old today and blitz through this crazy house so I can SCRAPBOOK this weekend. Sweetwater planner, here I come! I did do this page the other day.

Looking at it helps me remember why I don't strangle him! He's so cute!!!

Off to clean! See you later :).

Another Thursday

Well, another Thursday has come and gone. I feel so old for this, this mothering, working, living thing. 42 feels like 92 when the baby is sick and work is crazy. By the end of the week I can hardly keep my eyes open, much less find the time or energy to do something creative. Max has a cold/sinus infection/stomach bug. It could be any or all of those, all I know is he is miserable with a capital M. When he is awake he just moans and cries. Otherwise he sleeps, which is wonderful if it would only last longer! I have the cutest planner kits from Sweetwater sitting on my desk BEGGING to be made. I have to get one done for my sister by 1/13, her birthday. The other one is for me. I'm so excited to have them and too tired to work on them. This weekend I hope to sleep, sleep, sleep, and then do some cutting and pasting. Aimee is home so she wants my time and attention, as does Max, Logan, and Matthew. So many people wanting something from me and so few waking hours, it seems I will never have time for me! Don't get me wrong, I love them all and want to spend all the time I can with them. I just need to be one of those lucky people who don't need to sleep much. Otherwise, I'm destined to feel unfinished always. Well, I guess I'd better get used to it because I'm NOT one of those people and at this age, it just ain't happenin'!!! Off to bed....and looking forward to a Friday with a little creativity squeezed in. Oh that kit, how it glares at me :).

Another New Year's Day

Today dawned badly, with Logan waking up with a 102 degree fever. DH and I had a "fun day" planned. A badly needed fun day. Instead, we ended up at home with two coughing, sniffling little ones. I did manage to get some time in the craft room. As always, New Year's spurs on the organizing spirit and I spent some time sorting supplies and throwing things away. I've about had it with ebay. It takes so long to list something that's not worth too much. I've donated some supplies, but with others its just not worth it. I've starting just throwing out things I know I will never use. The garbage is full, and the room is less so. That feels wonderful! I plan to spend this year being as creative, authentic, determined and optimistic as possible. I can and will find a new job. I can and will enjoy my family. I can and will keep a reasonable level of cleanliness. It IS possible, and I will make it a reality. Picture of the day: This picture is my reminder for today. See the silly and appreciate the fun. Be creative with what is around me. Look for the pointy red thing and don't worry about what you look like. Thanks Max! You are my inspiration!!

The Week After Christmas

It's the week after Christmas, and we are all exhausted. The tree just came down and the toys are spread all over. Cheryl is here at Mom's and we are all enjoying a moment of quiet and computing on our laptops. I'm uploading 176 Christmas pictures to Ofoto. I can't wait to have some time to scrapbook them. Well, at least some of them. Cheryl gave me $100 in gift certificates to an online scrapbooking store which is incredibly generous of her and I'm excited to shop. We're making plans to go back to Manchester this year because Ability Camp is coinciding with CKU Boston, so she won't be able to go. The classes aren't up yet, but we're going to make hotel reservations. Picture of the Day: