Tuesday, May 31, 2011

People Who Have it Together

Food for thought today….
Do you know people who never seem to have their feathers ruffled? Do you panic when your day’s plans change, or play it by ear? Wish you were better about “going with the flow”? I found this list of characteristics that describe the “together” person. I know I, for one, can use a few of these ideas in my quest for “calm”,

PEOPLE WHO HAVE IT TOGETHER HAVE…

Self Awareness
These people know who they are. They know their abilities and strengths, what they are capable of doing, and how to accomplish it.

Confidence
They lack fear.

Self-Worth
This is most often evidenced by their focus, not on themselves but on those they serve and work with.

A Sense of Urgency
This means a “divine impatience” about everything they do.

A Strong Sense of Personal Mission
There is a vision of what needs to be done and a passion and focus about doing it.

Awareness and Respect for Their Own Uniqueness
They don’t compare themselves to others or worry about what they’re not. Their focus is on what they are.

A Consistency to Their Lives
They are not tossed to and fro with every new idea or opportunity or change of events.

A Sense of Calmness and Serenity
They are often people who can keep their heads when all about them are losing theirs.

(Condensed from “What Matters Most: The Power of Living Your Values”)

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Project 365: Week 22

While it has been a busy week, as usual, I only took 35 pics this week.
I have a good excuse, both for that and for not blogging much lately. 
Unfortunately, my health problems have resurfaced, and I am having a flare of my Relapsing Polychondritis. While everything is manageable right now, I am more tired than usual, and have been advised by my doctors to take it easy. Less work, less stress, more rest. I have an uneasy feeling about this flare, so I am being the best patient I possibly can and abiding by their advice, more so than I usually do! So forgive me over the next few weeks as I post less and visit your blogs less!

Sunday- saw a gorgeous double rainbow in Columbus. The big one on the bottom actually made a full arch!
Monday- This is a section of a traveling mural made by people with disabilities, as part of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Wednesday- Second dance practice of the week. We are gearing up for the recital!

Friday- Met a coworker for lunch at Panera.

Saturday- Morgan actually kicked the ball at today's game!

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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Project 365: Week 21

Sunday- Birthday party for my baby- 6 years old!

Monday- What I'm listening to.

Tuesday- I bought a car! Totally unplanned. Kia Forte.

Wednesday- Another bus stop pic.

Thursday- Playing in the rain!

Friday- Cool dress form at a mall in Columbus, OH. I'm here on business.

Saturday- Outside with Starbucks and a book, all by myself- bliss!

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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Thankful Thursday 5/19/11

Am I allowed to brag for a Thankful Thursday post? It seems a little wrong, but I'm going to do it anyway! Earlier this week my daughters had their end-of-year conferences at school. My oldest has made great strides in her social skills, and is broadening her topic selections for creative writing. For most of the year all we have seen are stories about princesses, and now she has written a spy story and one about a cat!

My youngest is on fire! Not only did the teacher tell us she is kind and helpful to others, but she is reading 88% of the 5th grade sight words- and she's in kindergarten!

So I am definitely thankful that my kids are doing well in school. I am also very thankful for the school itself, Central Academy. It was a jewel of a find within a struggling public school system. What makes Central unique is its democratic philosophy, based on John Dewey. His approach centers on community and real-life learning.  Each child takes a great deal of responsibility for their own learning. They almost always get to choose their own topics for writing and research projects. Each student has his or her own learning goals- this is what makes it possible for my oldest to grow at her own pace, and my youngest to be challenged when she is ahead of the rest of the class. Instead of getting traditional grades, each student produces a portfolio of work and parents participate in four conferences per year, at which we receive an in-depth written narrative of our kids' progress and needs. Another great thing about Central is its multi-age classrooms. This means that k-1 are grouped, 2-3 are grouped, etc. As a “younger” in the classroom, a child gets to learn new skills and new routines. The “olders” get to take more responsibility and serve as role models for the youngers. We get the added benefit of having the same teacher two years in a row, which has been beneficial for my older girl who needs a bit more continuity and a teacher who “gets” her unique personality.

So, to sum it up, I am very thankful for great kids in a great school with great teachers. Go Central!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Trash Walk: A Layout

Remember when the girls decided to pick up trash in our neighborhood? 
I finally got around to scrapping those photos!




Supplies:
Paper: Basic Grey, Bella Blvd., Creative Memories, My Mind's Eye
Alpha: Prima
Small Flowers: Prima
Large Flowers: Basic Grey
Stickles
Staz On Timber Brown Ink
Metal Arrow: Oriental Trading Co.
Creative Memories tearing tool

Monday, May 16, 2011

Lazy Luna: A Layout

Our cat, Luna, has a favorite chair. Her preferred napping and stretching hang-out!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Transparency: Hambly
Journaling Block: Basic Grey
Chipboard circles: Scenic Route
Alphas: Creative Memories
Ribbon: Unk.
Adhesives: Helmar Adhesive Runner, 450 Quick Dry, Zapdots
(most items can be purchased at Scrap-Tastic)



Sunday, May 15, 2011

Project 365: Week 20

A great week with some sunshine! 59 pics taken...here's a few.

Sunday- Mother's Day cookout at my brothers. From L-R: Me, sister Rachel, Aunt Carol, Mamo, Ann (brother's mother-in-law), Emily (brother's sister-in-law), Libby (brother's wife)

Monday- Beautiful sunrise on my way to work.

Tuesday- I pass this little train everyday, but have never taken a ride. Hope to do their Christmas event one year.
Wednesday- Sparkle polish on my toes. Must or bust?
Thursday- Waiting for the bus!

Friday- Mexican for lunch with my coworkers!
Saturday- Soccer game. Morgan is the girl in orange.


Friday, May 13, 2011

It's Happy Hour! A Layout

Nothing beats drinks with my besties!

Supplies:
Paper: My Mind's Eye (purchase at Scrap-Tastic)
Glimmer Mist: Red Velvet
Acrylic Paint: Berry Red
Alphas: Pink Paislee
Heart punch: Creative Memories

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Sanded Letters Tutorial

If you're anything like me, you have a ton of leftover chipboard and sticker letters. What to do? Here is a technique that you can use, no matter what color your leftovers are!

Start by adhering your shape to your work surface or scrap of cardstock. Temporary adhesive is fine. You can use either chipboard or thick stickers, but it must have a smooth surface- no glitter!
Next, lay a piece of paper over your shape. Thin, white-cored paper works best. Use a nail file to gently sand along the edges of your shape that is underneath your paper.

The result will look like this:

And here is a card I made using the above sanded number:

Card Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Bella Blvd.
Stamp: Bella Blvd.
Misc. green and aqua paper
Ink: Cool Caribbean
Adhesive: Helmar Adhesive Runner and ZapDots
Sketch from SplitCoast Stampers:

 

Monday, May 9, 2011

Project 365: Week 19

Busy week, as usual! 88 photos taken this week. Here's a few.

Sunday- Our toothless wonder! Lost her 4th tooth in the past 5 weeks!

Monday- Rehearsing the finale dance for her recital in June.

Tuesday- My wonderful friend Misty made these bracelets for me.

Wednesday- Lots of geese hang around the parking lot at work.

Thursday- This morning's commute was a strange mixture of fog and sun glare.

Friday- Morgan won a cake at her school carnival!

Saturday- Big ole' bunny hanging out in my neighbor's backyard.
Hope you have a great week! Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

Today I am happy to be celebrating with my family at a cookout.
Here are the variety of cards I made for all the moms in my life!


Sketch from SplitCoast Stampers, which I rotated to fit my needs:

Hope you are enjoying your day! Check back tomorrow for my 
Project 365 post!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

A Layout for National Scrapbook Day!!

My husband insists this isn't a real holiday,
but we all know better, right??
I am celebrating with Scrap-Tastic's online challenges this weekend!

Here's the first layout I completed, for the "Round and Round" challenge. We were to use at least three circles on our layout. I found the prefect sketch from Sketchy Thursdays to help me out.

Supplies:
Misc. plain cardstock
Patterned Paper: Creative Memories and Colorbok
CM corner rounder
CM circle punch
Misc. button and thread
Sizzlet alphabet dies: Aphrodite
Alpha stickers: American Crafts Thickers

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Thankful Thursday 5/5/11

So, the weather guy on our local news station said we have had the rainiest 30-day streak in our history. I believe him. My back yard has NEVER looked like this in the eight years we have lived here:
I am thankful none of this has ended up in our basement!

You can share your gratitudes with The Bug.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Confidence is Key- A Layout

Who doesn't feel better and more confident after a make-over?
My friends and I had a lot of fun a few weekends ago 
playing with hair, make up, and photos.

This layout features my "before" and "after" shots!

Love the dimension on this Prima butterfly!

And look at the texture on this flower!

Supplies:
Paper- Bella Blvd. and My Mind's Eye
Date labels- Scenic Route
Rub ons- Scenic Route
Vintage Photo Distress Ink- Ranger
Butterfly, lace and flowers- Prima
Adhesives- Helmar Adhesive Runner, 450 Quick Dry, and Liquid Scrapdots

All products can be purchased at Scrap-Tastic.

Sketch: