My Second Newbery Book This Year

I just finished reading Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins. Hey with a name like that it should be excellent, right? This was the second of the twelve Newbery Award winners I plan to read this year as part of my new year’s resolutions. I gave this book the “It was OK” rating on my GoodReads page. I should have been warned by the tag line on the cover, “She wishes something would happen”—and so did I! Even near the end of the book when something fairly dramatic happens, the whole book is written in this awful “ho-hum” voice. The other thing that annoyed me about this book was that the author uses several unorthodox styles (song lyrics, haiku, dual column POV) that seem more gimmicky and “look how brilliant I am” then a truly effective communication method. I’m going to give Newbery one more try and if I read another dud—I’m giving up on this resolution.

My Husband Hit a Homerun!

Just wanted to post what my darling husband got me for Valentine's Day. He upgraded my wedding band. As you can see from the before picture I had a thin gold band. Basically, I settled for this because I couldn't find anything I liked (that we could afford) when we got married. We had decided that I would get something for our 10th wedding anniversary in 2006, but I decided a family trip to Walt Disney World was a better way to spend the money.

Here is the new wrap. It has both baguettes and round stones. He completely surprised me by doing this. I had kind of resolved that we would get it someday....may for our 20th. The ring had to be sized to fit my sausage fingers so I just picked it up today. I can't stop staring at it. To me it represents the continued love and commitment Gary has for our marriage. It makes me feel so blessed!

Trying to Figure Out Why I Scrap

“These are your memories, and there is no right or wrong way to preserve
them. Scrapbooking is a hobby—treat it like one. Have a good time doing
it!”

Kimber McGray
2007 Creative Keepsakes Hall of
Fame winner

I read this quote today and it really resonated with me. Recently I have been feeling inadequate in my scrapbooking skills. I have been scrapbooking for over twelve years and since I started a new generation of scrapbookers have imerged to guide the direction of new products and techniques. While I am inspired by their styles and trends, it has become clear that our motivation—the reason we scrapbook—are probably quite different.

A similar feeling comes over me looking through the fashion magazines or walking through most clothing stores. While I might love the new fashions, committing to the trend is usually neither practical nor financial possible. So, I may just pick up an updated accessory or hip top, like I may try out a new embellishment or technique inspired by the young and hip scrappers. My life as a 30-something SAHM simply doesn’t lend itself to a hip funky wardrobe or time-consuming techniques such as painting chipboard and endless doodling.

I think I need to pray for self-acceptance. As I age, I need to gracefully accept my new position (as un-hip as it may be) and welcome the fabulous trendsetters of today—and tomorrow.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here is the project I made for Gary. While working on this, it morphed from a layout, to a card, to the frame you see here.

Playing Tag

I’ve been tagged twice recently and since I am notorious about filling them out and trying to figure out who I should email them to, I will just post them here. Feel free to email me with your entries.

I got the first one from my sister.

Two names you go by: 1. "Mom" 2. "Raelynn"
Two things you are wearing right now: 1. Pooh sweatshirt 2. denim pants
Two of your favorite things to do: 1. Scrapbook 2. Sleep
Two things you want very badly at the moment: 1. Take a nap 2. Go to Walt Disney World
Two favorite pets you have had/have: 1. Patches 2. Chewy
Two things I did last night: 1. Worked 2. Started my 2nd Newbury book
Two things you ate today: 1. Banana Nut Muffin 2. Salsa and Chips
Two people you last talked to: 1. Nikolas 2. Gary
Two things you're doing tomorrow: 1. Take Nikolas to swim lessons 2. Going to work
Two longest Car rides: 1. Illinois to Florida (many times with family, once with Gary) 2. Illinois to Pocono Mountains, PA (not a bad drive—our honeymoon)
Two favorite days: 1. October 20 2. September 23
Two favorite beverages: 1. Diet Pepsi 2. Strawberry Lemonade Frap
Two things you're most scared of: 1. Screwing up my son (LOL) 2. ??

The second “getting to know you” email came from Kimberley. I deleted a couple of repeats.

What time did you get-up this morning? Gary told me he was leaving around 7am, I got up soon after that.
Diamond or pearls? Diamonds
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Water Horse
What is your favorite TV show? LOST even though it makes me think to hard
What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal
What is your middle name? I don’t have one.
What food do you dislike? Cooked peas—but I love pea pods. I have also developed an aversion to ketchup—my son dips too many things in it.
What kind of car do you drive? Toyota RAV4
Favorite sandwich? Turkey with mayo, cranberry sauce and pecans
What characteristic do you despise? Narcissism
Favorite item of clothing? Black and white butterfly motif shirt and skirt set
If you could go anywhere in the world, on vacation, where would you go? Australia
Where would you retire to? Florida
What was your most recent memorable birthday? My 30th when I ended up hosting my own party which I thought was a family reunion.
Favorite sport to watch? Is home-shopping a sport?
When is your birthday? September 1
Are you a morning person or a night person? Well, I am definitely not a morning person…maybe a mid-day person?
What is your shoe size? 8 1/2
Any pets? 1 dog
Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Gary will be performing in a series of Holy Week dramas at our church. He is busy with his rehearsal schedule and I can’t wait to see the shows!
What did you want to be when you were little? A veterinarian until I realized I couldn’t just treat the cute and cuddly animals.
How are you today? Tired. I worked last night and spent the morning helping out at Nikolas’ school for their Valentines day party. Twenty 4-5 year olds wear you out!
What is your favorite candy? Licorice Snaps
What is your favorite flower? Gardenia
What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Late August 2009—My birthday trip to WDW!
What are you listening to right now? Disney Stars and Motorcars Parade Music on the Sorcerer Radio station of Live 365
What was the last thing you ate? Red Vine
Do you wish on stars? No, but I love the song.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Cobalt
How is the weather right now? Sunny and 18 degrees.
Last person you spoke to on the phone? Gary
Hair color? Brown with way too much gray peeking out
What was your favorite toy as a child? Fashion Plates
Summer or winter? Fall
Hugs or Kisses? Hugs
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate with peanut butter, please!
Coffee or Tea? Is the coffee flavored?
The last time you cried? I can’t recall but it was probably while watching some sappy show.
What is under your bed? Nothing but dust bunnies.
Salty or Sweet? both
How many keys on your key ring? Two
How many years at your current job? Less than a year
Favorite day of the week? Friday
How many towns have you lived in? 2

Snow Boy and Dog

Last Friday the tempatures were mild, so I finally took Nik outside to build a snowman. The snow was far from perfect--if we packed it to hard, it would fall apart. Here is our snowman and his companion, snow dog.

Blog Inspired Cards

I was inspired to create these cards by the Petra Boase gift wrap featured on the Print and Pattern blog, which was highlighted on the Coordinates Collections blog message board recently. I’ve had most of the pattern paper in my stash for some time. In fact, some of the pieces were just scraps.

Layout of the Day

Our first gingerbread house. The white letter stickers are American Crafts' Thickers. The paper is from the Candy Cane Lane collection by Imaginisce. The brown letter stickers are from the dollar store (Mrs. Elizabeth brand).

Layout of the Day

Super simple layout of us making a Little Caesar build your own pizza. This is a fundraising kit that Gary bought from a co-worker. We highly recommend them. Yummy! You can't tell really well on the scan but the brown paper is matted on white cardstock, which I smudged with red ink (to replicate the sauce). Gary took the all the photos and wanted to kick himself that he didn't get one of Nik eating it.