Final Instalment

Here are the last scans of layouts from my nephew's album ... I didn't scan them all (no time in the pre-Christmas frenzy) but I did scan my favorites. Because I didn't do any titles or journaling, and there's basically one pic per page, this album went sooooo fast! I was thinking about this yesterday and "suddenly" remembered that I have another 8x8 album project on the go, which requires minimal titling and journaling. I started this other project in October 2006 and yesterday, I finally got back into it and got it 99% completed! I just have the cover page left to do, and then I'll share it with you! Here's a hint: get ready to meet my 15 year-old self!! Another hint: if you were at the Tracy Austin crop way back when, you saw me start on this project!

And now for the layouts from J's album:




I've got an early start today despite being on holidays because I have my annual physical at the doctor's this morning (ugh) and an appointment for highlights and a cut with my hair guru Rita (yay!). Hoping to be back at my scrap desk by mid-afternoon!

Have a good day, y'all!

Resolutions

While I tend to agree with Calvin here, if I really think about it (and actually, I don't have to think about it very hard), there are a few things about me that I would like to change. That need changing. People say that New Year's resolutions don't work - that's why I decided yesterday to defer my resolutions to today. It's not New Year's anymore, is it? Therefore, the resolutions will work. Twisted logic, eh?

When it comes down to it, I really have 3 broad categories requiring change.

Health

This is a biggie. I know all of the things I need to do to stay healthy; but I don't do them. This year I want to focus more on my health. I need to get back to the gym, I need to think before shoveling food into my mouth, I need to listen to my body and get the rest I need. Specific steps I can take:

(a) go to gym at least 2x/week
(b) rejoin Weight Watchers to get back into good eating habits
(c) go to sleep by 10:30 on weeknights.

Finances

Big picture, no problems here. But to be honest, plenty of money gets blown on little things, and while I track spending in general (ie withdrawals and such), I don't track cash spending specifically (ie, how much gets spent on lunches, lattes and luxuries). Specific steps I can take:

(d) keep track of "little stuff" spending for a month to raise my awareness
(e) bring lunch to work 4x week
(f) stop buying scrap mags (honestly, there's at least $50/month right there!!)

"Me" Time

All work and no play makes me a pretty boring gal. I certainly have my hands full with work and by the time the kids' needs are taken care of, and the house somewhat cleaned, there's not much energy or time left for me. Specific steps I can take:

(g) scrap at least 2x/week
(h) date night with dh at least 1x/month
(i) lunch or dinner with a friend (or a sister!) at least 1x/month

Why am I splatting my resolutions on the 'net for all the world to see? Well in own personal experience, I do better when I'm accountable to others rather than only to me. For example, Weight Watchers has always worked great for me, not because it's such a fantastic program, but because I have to weigh in weekly in front of someone else!! So, by sharing my goals here, I have a greater chance of actually reaching some of them, because I am accountable to you, dear readers! More of my twisted logic! So next month, I will report back on how I'm doing on these 9 specific steps. Wish me luck.

Meanwhile, I've already gotten a head start on the "me" time thing ... since I scrapped yesterday! And here is the result (wonky scan - the pp is the same shade on both pages, lol):



Halloween

Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: SEI Paisley & Petals, K&Co (pumpkins), Unknown (orange diamonds ... came in a kit I got at Costco)
Letters: Chatterbox (orange), Rusty Pickle (black on white) and Provocraft (white on black)
Felt lace ribbon: Queen & Co
Other: Autumn leaves clear journaling stamps

Happy New Year!!!

Wow - 2008 already! There's an old Greek saying (or maybe it's just an old saying, not sure if it's particularly Greek) to the effect that whatever you do on the first day of the new year, you will do all year long. I sincerely hope so ... since I got up around 10 a.m., am still in my pajamas even though it's mid-afternoon, I spent some time reading, and I also scrapped. Sounds like a good year to me!!!

We had a lovely evening with friends last night, and I didn't get to bed until almost 3 a.m. - not used to staying up so late anymore! I ate too much. One of my resolutions (if I decide to make any) should probably be not to eat so much. Meanwhile, I resolve to think about resolutions tomorrow ...

So I spent some time in my scraproom cleaning up the mess, putting away some new stuff and actually scrapping a layout - a Halloween page which I'll share here some other time (doesn't go well with the New Years theme!). I took some pictures of my Christmas goodies before putting them away, here goes - first picture is a cool tote my sister D got me:


This is a picture of the journaling stamps (which I used today btw) and the notepad she also got me:


And finally, I found these in my stocking ... Santa actually brought me scrap stuff ... hockey scrap stuff, to boot ... cool!



I am looking forward to the rest of my lazy day, which is going to include watching the Sens game at 4:00, perhaps more scrapping, and maybe snuggling and watching a movie with dh and/or kids later. Hope you are all having a wonderful day ... and from me and mine to you and yours, here's wishing you a very happy new year - may 2008 bring you health, happiness and prosperity!