Expensive Scones

Blaaaaaahhhhhh! It has been a day. No one in the world really needs to know any of this, but I'm going to write so I don't have to do this out loud with my sweet husband. I think we call this "venting."

First, I had to go see my psychiatrist (who never even seems to recognize me) this morning for a meds check-in. At 8:20 a.m. With two children. At -1 degree and who knows what wind chill factor. We slogged through that and since "O" was late for preschool anyway, I stopped at a favorite bakery to get treats for us and his teachers.


When I got back into the van, I heard the sound of debris... It was my side mirror flying across my hood. The offender pulls over and I think he's going for his insurance info. He gets out, checks his vehicle and then DRIVES AWAY. After talking with the auto shop, I realize these scones just cost me $120.


Then the local hardware store took it's sweet time to help me and made me late for preschool pick-up. (I'm glad I had already softened them up with scones.)


Most of the rest of the day was just normal stuff, but all these trips in and out of stores and offices wore me out! And do you remember what I said the temp was? Poor Mark called at 4:00 and said he had no idea what time he'd make it home...something at work blew up. Oh, and they need him back at 7 a.m. tomorrow.

So... the highlight of my day was re-upholstering two little square ottomans that I bought at a thrift store yesterday. They turned out really well. That said, the fabric I chose doesn't look as great as I imagined with the rug upon which they sit. The colors are perfect, but the ottomans are a toile and the rug is kinda Mexican- or East Indian-looking. I think it will be fine, but right now, those are my only two patterns in the room. Everything else is solid (and darker.) I'm working to add in some other things, so I need to be patient, but I'm sure Mark will comment! Oh yeah, and I completely re-arranged the living room. (I've been watching way too much HGTV.)


Sigh.


Breathe.

Rethinking Resolve

A few weeks tell a lot! Remember how I wrote about not changing unless you want to change? I think it is funny that the ONLY resolution that I have approached consistently is to get current on my scrapbooks. So, apparently I don't care about my body or spirit, just my legacy.

I so truly love working on my scrapbooks. I can't express what it does for me to choose photos I love, walk back down memory lane with them, choose a layout, play with paper, layer on embellishments, try something new...At the end, I have something to show for the time I've spent and it's beautiful to me and I will pass it on to my children as a part of their history. Who can begrudge me this?

My Main Man

The layout showcases
my little clown of a son
and I love how it turned out!
These photos were taken
at the SLP Rec Center while
Katie had her skating lessons
in early 2007.

What this post showcases,
though, is a gloriously happy
me tonight. Our new Dell
computer arrived today and
mark sweetly got it set up.
He also connected the new
cable modem we had installed
a week ago, so this is my first
access to high speed internet
at home. Plus, now with the
new computer, I was able to
install my trial version of
Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and it
is SO COOL. It serves to both
organize and edit my photos
(I was using two different
programs before.) The edit-
ing features are so far advanced
beyond the Limited Edition I
was learning on. Who knew my
life could be this easy!!!!!!!!!!!

Slim Fast Raspberry Smoothie

O.K. ...I thought that "devotions" would be my most difficult resolution initially. Turns out it's that pesky "5- a -Day" one that is killing me. So, I'm sitting here in front of the computer with my smoothie, trying to notch a couple servings in my belt. I discovered this while I was going through Donna Partow's book, Becoming the Woman I Want to Be. It was a nutritional plan/devotional book that I really enjoyed. I have never really integrated the approach into my life, though...just for 60 days or so. Anyway...I take a can of vanilla SlimFast (because I can buy it in bulk at Sam's Club) and put it in the blender with 1 1/2 c. of frozen raspberries. It's full of nutrients and it is very filling. It doesn't taste like a sacrifice, either...I could easily make this my meal twice a day! I've tried the shakes with frozen strawberries, mixed berries and banana, too. Raspberry and Raspberry/Banana are my favorites.

5 Servings

Do you know how hard it is to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day if you're me?

I don't always eat breakfast (probably part of the problem...) But, yesterday I ate a baked potato, 2 spikes of steamed brocolli and mini corn dogs for lunch. To finish out my servings, I made tater-tot hotdish (o.k., I had to count tater tots as vegetables...no comments!)...potatoes and green beans...for dinner and had to eat a half a grapefruit, too! What a weird menu.

I'm not off to a better start today. I guess my goal will be more colors, less potatoes =)

Avoiding Resolve

It is January 5th today. I have successfully avoided putting my resolutions down on paper. Mark and I talked about our thoughts as we travelled home after the holidays, but ever since, I have been reveling in being naughty. By naughty, I mean buying a bag of Lindt truffles at 7 pm and finishing them by bedtime. Mind you, I had been doing fantastically for about six weeks and wasn't eating after 7pm at all! I was down to 2 caffeinated beverages a day and I swear I've been drinking six most days. (Mark called me a "Diet Dr. Pepper Vacuum...so flattering.) Yikes! I have becomed completely undisciplined.

I was listening to Dr. Phil rake someone over the coals and he made the comment that a resolution won't work unless you actually want to change. He also talked at length about setting up your life to support your resolutions. So, these are concepts I need to consider. (This is why you will see nothing about DDP below...I don't WANT TO CHANGE!)

O.K. ...here I go, deep breath...

RESOLUTION #1
I will have regular devotions.
(What I am aspiring to is something 5 days a week, a good devotional read that incorporates scripture study. I'm going to start with the remaining chapters of Kay Arthur's book, I want to Know You, Lord.)



RESOLUTION #2
I will add exercise into my routine.
(I feel kinda broken-down for my age...back, shoulder, hip, hands, foot. Really, I need to get a handle on my physical health.)



RESOLUTION #3
I will take the medical interpretation test by mid-February.
(I just need to DO this...I need to ask Mark for a study weekend.)



RESOLUTION #4
I will eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
(Refer to resolution #2)



RESOLUTION #5
I will be current on my scrapbooks by the end of 2008.
(I'm going to do a combination of digital and traditional layouts, store rather than scrapbook a bunch of pictures, and simply dedicate some time most days to a layout or two. I think this is VERY ambitious, but I'm going to try!)

What a way to start the year

O.K. ...I was waiting for the layout pictures to upload and I turned from the computer to discover that our washing machine had overloaded our apparently clogged drain...there was water over half the laundry room, half the utility room, and a quarter of the carpeted family room. That is A LOT OF WATER.


So, at 10:15 p.m., I shout up to Mark and we spend the next hour wet-vacuuming. It's gross. It stinks. It will stink way worse tomorrow. We finish til morning. He sweetly kisses me and says, "Happy New Year!"

OH, HAPPY DAY!

I am so excited! Today I finally figured out the key to using digital scrapbooking embellishments. A couple of days ago, I purchased my first kit online and I've read up on printing out the pages. I think I've finally crossed over! I'm digital! That's not to say that I'll quit doing my hands-on scrapbooks, because I never would. I love papers and textures, clipping and crafting. I just really love that I can use different mediums and it's cool to learn how to use the technology...it makes me not feel quite so old! I may not have a clue how to write a text message, but I can scrapbook using my computer!

Here's my breakthrough layout =)

(The actual layout will be 12x12...the white space on the top and bottom is deliberate. The space to the right on each page is left in order to place two 6x6 layouts or three 4x6 prints to maximize the value of printing on 12x18 sheets!)