"There can only be one state of mind as you approach any profound test; total concentration, a spirit of togetherness, and strength." - Pat Riley

I would like to introduce you to Mabel.
She is about 66 years old.
She came to us from Minnesota.
She's lost a bit of her get-up-and-go, however is hoping a move to Lynden may help her out.
She looks a bit rough on the outside, but I hear that she is sure sweet underneath.
She seems to love our yard.
She has her own room.
She spent a lot of time with Troy yesterday.

This is Mabel. Welcome home old girl.
Mabel, every good truck needs a good name, is a 1943 WC-52. I figure with a nice name like Mabel she's gonna be a good girl who behaves, right? RIGHT?

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” - Harriet Tubman

This is Troy's project, as you may have guessed. Maybe a little more than a project. I think he loves her. I think I may have some competition.

Troy and his dad are military history buffs. So with the help of his dad, lots of help from him in many ways (emotional, financial...), Troy is going to set off to restore Mabel to her original glory.
and I, dear friends, am going to practice patience and strength and patience and acceptance and patience...Have I mentioned patience?

“The greatest power is often simple patience.” - E. Joseph Cossman

P.S. Don't tell anyone. Ok? OK? I kinda like Mabel. She's gonna be fun to have around. Troy is so happy (do you see that HUGE smile?) and I know that he is going to enjoy himself enormously while undertaking this project. I love that Mabel's room is the garage and that I can watch and possibly participate (I held a screwdriver yesterday!) in this undertaking.

What a ride!

can you feel it?

Right around Halloween (2 days) I start getting really excited about Christmas. Oh, not the busy, frantic, spend too much blah blah blah of Christmas, but the season in general. November and December seem almost magical. Chilly weather. Staying home. Tea and cocoa. Family. Friends. Joy.

This year I am excited to create a December Daily Album with the gentle counseling of the most fabulous Ali Edwards (again!). I followed along with the Week in My Life series and that was so much fun that I thought I could do this one as well...Documenting December seems like quite a challenge - I hope I am up for it!

As with the last album I am going to try using the holiday *stuff* I have on hand. (see more Christmas stuff Tami...hidden away...can you believe it?) I am hoping to start assembling the album this weekend so it will be ready to go on December 1st. So, anyone going to join along? Hmmmmm? One photo a day (if you want), a little bit of journaling, detailing the tidbits of December. Could be fun!

progress.

My kitchen table has looked like this since Saturday morning. Over the weekend I worked off and on on my week in the life album...I am on Friday. I need to get back to work on this. It has been really fun - compiling and creating the pages...Right now I am on a motivation break...Maybe tonight...We'll see.

For now here are a few samples pages for those who are interested.

For each day I did a two-page spread in these 4x6 divided pages. This was so much fun...I will definitely do more pages like this in the future. I used mostly Scenic Route paper and embellishments and a few 7 Gypsies items and a few other things...
I think the best thing I did was use what I had on hand. I have a LOT of *stuff* and have been trying really, really (REALLY) hard to use what I have. So, except for the actual page protectors I didn't buy anything new for this album. (I think I need some praise here...it was difficult...haha)!

My plan is to finish the two page spreads for each day, then make some individual pages to add at the end with some of the pictures that I have left over...like that flashback of the 80s photo from Fred Meyer (I think that deserves its own page, don't you?). I also have some fun print-outs from wordle for each of us that I may make into pages...It is an evolving project.

working hard.

Today I have been working on my "Week in the Life" album. It is coming along nicely. I will try to put up some of my work tomorrow.

Thanks for all the encouragement! I am excited to share my finished project. Now, I just need to actually finish the project. :)

feeling productive.

That's right. You read it here. I am feeling productive this Monday!

I completed the documentation process for the "week in MY life" project (yesterday). Today I uploaded and ordered pictures. I did minimal editing to the photos which is different for me - especially when I am going to have them developed. I have a "look" I'm going for for this album. Hopefully I can achieve said look. I loved the whole documentation process. It was a lot of fun. Really gave me a glimpse into my life. Sounds weird, but I think most will understand. So, this week while waiting for the pictures to arrive in my mailbox I am going to gather, in one place, the supplies I want to use for the project. I have a LOT of supplies so I want to narrow down my choices to what I think will capture the look and feel I am going for.

On another note. This weekend was way fun! (said in my most teen-ager-y, valley-girl voice). Yesterday I spent time in Bellingham with Lorinda. We went "out" for "an hour" (which may have ended up being three...maybe!) and browsed scrap stores, JoAnns, Office Max, Taco Bell! Fun Times. And on Saturday in honor of World Card Making Day we had a little girly get-together at my house and we ate, made cards, ate, made cards. It was fun.

Our star card-maker was the divine Miss Callie (she made by far the most cards! Way to go Callie). I like to call her cutie-Callie. She is always blinged out and ready for some creative action. Before she left we had to have a picture of her new earrings and ring. I edited one on my camera (for fun).






and a close up of the bejeweled girl at work...

Thanks friends for coming over to play.

And have a great week!

friday.

This "week in my life" project is really fun. Even when I don't take the pictures I mean to take just slowing down and really thinking about the little things has been such a blessing this week.

Today was all about home. I put on my iTunes play list (an eclectic assortment of music) and cleaned away...with the aid of coffee of course. I'm getting the house in order. Cleaning. Purging. Organizing. Enjoying. Troy and I seem to do our "spring cleaning" in the fall/winter months - saves the spring for enjoying the rain and sunshine...My first cup of coffee for the day. Checking emails, facebook, twittering, and cruising blogs before the real work starts.
There has been a lot of change in my daily life this (school) year. I'm not teaching this year. I am doing academic testing for special education referrals and a little subbing along with my cemetery work and volunteering at the museum. The thing is I don't have a set daily schedule and I like that, however on days that I'm not "working" I can get a little restless. And then on the days I do work I can feel a little out of control. One of the tools I implement, mostly for myself, is a week calendar. I love it. I write down my jobs then fill in "to-dos" on other days. I used this kind of calendar for the family when I was working/going to school - it helped with knowing who was where and when. Anyway I am adjusting to my new "schedule" fairly well and enjoying the flexibility.

Another cup of coffee. Look at the pretty cream swirls. One of the main reasons I like cream. No, just kidding...I like just a tad bit of flavor. Loving right now: Coffee-Mate Italian Sweet Cream - not too sweet.

Our sweet Spazzy Jazzy all cuddled up. She is such a relaxed cat. We love her because we can scoop her up and cuddle her, carry her around, do all those things that little kids like to do with cats but usually can't. She would be a perfect little kid cat. Since we are like little kids in this house she is perfect for us. She loves to be "tucked in" when she is sleeping and usually doesn't mind if we wake her from a sound sleep to play a little. Such a good sport.
Really, tell me that isn't adorable. She woke up to play a bit with Troy, stretched out long enough for several pictures then curled back up and cuddled back in.

i interrupt this program

I am interrupting my regularly scheduled posts to bring something that might be slightly disturbing to some of you. While at Fred Meyer last night (camera in hand for the "week in my life" project) I wandered through the clothing department. Sounds innocent enough.

And then...

I came upon...

THIS!

I about fell over and actually laughed - out loud! Remember that I am by myself so it isn't like I could turn to someone and say "Holy crap I think I owned that!" Oh the memories. The totally awesome, radical, tubular memories. Not only stretch pants (which I love by the way), but STIRRUP PANTS! I was way too tall (and without a butt) for stirrup pants - which I wore anyway, but that is another story. The little skirt OVER the stirrup pants. And the vests on the side. They are just missing a thin tie and maybe some pegged jeans (loved those). Oh and the jeans should be acid wash I think (and you know they have those at Target right now...I'm just saying is all...).

Just needed to share a little blast from the past. Everything that way oh-so-right and oh-so-wrong all at once! Who knew?

Have a happy Thursday!

working on

I'm working on day three of the Week in My Life project. So far so good. Today was a slow picture day. I worked (in a school) today and didn't feel I should take pictures. Maybe tomorrow when I go back. Then, I was in such a hurry to leave that I didn't even catch a sign or outside of the building....Oh well. I actually got a few scenic shots today while driving down the road. So, if you live near me and see my Subaru you may want to duck and cover or run because while I bluetooth to use my phone while I drive I don't have that luxury in the picture taking department! :) haha! Really. Joking. But you still might want to get out of my way!

Tonight is full for me so I'm not sure I will get pictures up later. There is a Lynden/Meridian Middle School football game and then Mayhem (youth group). This will be my first and most likely last football game this year. While Archer doesn't play many of his friends do and we've got friends on both teams so this is the game that gets graced with my attendance. :) I haven't decided what I will be doing during Mayhem - book store or possibly jean shopping...we will see what moves me tonight. 

Happy Wednesday!

two-sday.

Today was day two in the week in my life project. I didn't take quite as many photos (about half of yesterday), however I still got quite a few. I just kept forgetting...Hmmm...there is always tomorrow.

What I have liked about this project is the thought involved. The focusing on the little things, on real life. This is truly a "regular" week in our "regular" lives and I think it will be fantastic to have a record of it. I am planning some other little slice of life and at a glance pages for my book. I am pretty excited about it all.

Here are a few pictures to enjoy.

Chores. Frisbee golfing with Alex (I call this the "I have a really big hand" OR "Take my picture and I will shove that camera up your ...." picture), my Trader Joe's loot, Emily working hard at Dave's! (edited to note: Emily is not Emily's given name. Emily is Travis aka Travis Emily. We call him Emily or Nurse Emily and have since I've known him...Long story. Sorry about the confusion. His parents don't hate him. We do. No...just kidding. I love Emily!)

***On another note...my phone chimed with a new text message tonight. While that isn't an unusual occurrence the new message was...I was thrilled to get a photo from Renee of my sweet nephew Nicholas. Oh I miss him. I saw him a month ago, but I know that he is growing and changing day by day and I wish I could see more of it. Anyway I will take what I can get. Isn't he adorable?

today.

Today was day one on the Week in My Life project. Here are a few pictures that I captured through out the day. I took quite a few, don't know which ones will make it to the actual scrapbook, but these are ones that give a glimpse of my day.

(this is a.m. folks)

For the project I took many pictures, collected some bits and pieces of real life stuff, and journaled through out the day. It was fun to write down a full day in my life...it is amazing how much we do through out the day.

One day down, six to go.

edited: here is the link to my flickr "Week in My Life" Album.

a few things...

Hi friends. Just a few things this sunny Sunday. 

1. I want to ask/remind people to go to the book blog. I asked a question over there regarding book journals and would LOVE your reply!

2. Next week starts my "week in the life" project. I will start gathering on Monday...I am doing a "pre-gather" today. I am pretty excited. I hope to be share here...

3. The new Dexter is on tonight. I got into this over the summer. I've got a good "fall line up" for t.v. this fall. Not too much, not too little. Just right and lovin' it. 

project

I am pretty excited. A few days ago Ali Edwards announced on her blog that she is going to do the project "A Week In The Life." I have all of her books - so inspirational and have heard about the class she taught for this project. I have wanted to do this for a long time, going so far as beginning, but never getting more than a day in.

So, long story short I am going to follow along with other Ali readers and do this project. What a wonderful time to do it...a new season...capturing a week in the everyday lives of us. I am excited. I am going to try (try) to post here during the project so stay tuned. If you are going to do this project I would love to know (and encourage you)...let me know!

Snow Day. Jammie Day. Project Day?

Today is a snow day. Therefore it is also a jammie day for me. Staying in my comfy cozy jammies all day. That is my plan.

Last night I took this picture:I know what you are thinking (well...I am thinking)...YIKES! Jerrie, is that your stuff? Is that your mess?
Why, yes, that is my mess. Thanks for asking...

So, my plan for today - if I feel so inclined to move from the computer, the couch, away from my book(s) and magazines - is to clean/organize the side of my bed. Wish me luck!

P.S. See the monkey? I got him for Christmas when I was about 5. I love him. I named him...wait for it...Monkey! A very original child, huh? Anyway, I fell in love with this monkey when shopping with my mom at Discount City (any of you locals remember - and love - DC?)...I cried when I had to leave him there. Now here he is...still bringing me joy!