a DECISIVE beginning January 16, 2009

I am taking liberties with my word of the year:  DECISIVE

I have decided it to also mean “take charge”, “can’t mess with me” and “I am right”.  This is my interpretation of “displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined” 

Since my New Years Resolution to become DECISIVE I am off to a good start.  My first plan of attack was my personal finances.  My husband and I have tried many ways over the years to tackle our bills and lately we have been splitting them down the middle.  Our incomes are almost the same now so it’s a lot easier.  But the drawback is  it was easy for me to lose track of the balances on things he took care of, out of sight-out of mind.  I have decided to rein it all in. 

I used to keep track on the computer with a budgeting template in excel (thank you free excel templates on microsoft.com).  But it was easy to hide in a file and forget about updating it.  I took charge and went to Office Depot and bought the old fashioned column pads  http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/930564/Office-Depot-Brand-Columnar-Pad-4/.  Writing everything down and putting it in my face on the desk everyday will keep me on track.   I am also cutting back on unnecessary purchases

like Caribou Coffee

and Einstein Bros bagels.

and potato chips..mmmm

 

and HBO

I know I can do it.  I have decided!

Resolultions January 8, 2009

I’ve been reading so many blogs lately about New Year’s Resolutions.  But there is a twist.  Many people are choosing a word of the year.  Something to inspire and focus them for the whole year.  I love this idea and am jumping on the bandwagon. 

What word to choose??  hmmm..  let me think about it.  What do you think?  Maybe Happiness?  No, too broad.  Maybe Inspired?  No, also too broad and that is what I want to the word to do…inspire.  um, maybe Focused?  Now we’re getting there.  I like the direction we’re heading.  I’ve got it!!  Decisive.  That’s what I need to be.

According to Dictionary.com:

de⋅ci⋅sive /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/  [di-sahy-siv] 
–adjective

1.	having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important: Your argument was the decisive one.

2.	characterized by or displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined: The general was known for his decisive manner.

3.	indisputable; definite: a decisive defeat.

4.	unsurpassable; commanding: a decisive lead in the voting.

I like decisive.  It’s like positive, but more definate.  No more missed opportunities because I failed to act.  My resolution for 2009 is to be DECISIVE! 

What’s your word of the year?

Santa came through for me January 5, 2009

Santa was a good boy this year and brought me a new Nikon Coolpix digitial camera.  Isn’t is pretty?  I love it!!  My last digital camera bit the big one about a year ago (see my woeful blog post http://birdsofafeather19.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/digital-camera-diaries/).  What is a scrapbooker and parent of rapidly growing children supposed to do without a camera??!!  Thank goodness for the jolly fellow who was tired of my whining. 

Now it’s time to buckle down and read the manual.  Or I could just continue snapping pics on the default setting.  It’s working for now.  Once I figure out how to download the photos I’ll be back in the scrapbooking saddle again.  Do you have this kind of camera?  Do you have any digital photo tips for me?  I can use all the help I can get!  Thanks and happy picture taking.

A different kind of scrapbooking December 22, 2008

Recently my father passed away and I ended up making some very difficult decsions.  Mostly funeral arrangements.   One of the things I knew he would have wanted was a memorial service that showed him as he really was; fun, full of life and a little on the mischievous side.  He alwasy said “don’t play that song How Great Thou Art.  Everyone I’ve ever known my whold life plays that at a funeral.  Play some Willie Nelson or Merle Haggard at mine.”  He loved to ride his Harley, he loved to hunt with his dog and he loved his grandchildren.  I knew that I would not be able to get up at a podium and properly convey how I felt so I decided to use my skills in scrapbooking to create picture boards of happy times in his life.  I know this is a very common practice these days, but I know my talents are more artistic expression, than verbal. 

While creating the boards I had to keep telling myself  “don’t look at the pictures”.  Because each time I did tears would come to my eyes and I was afraid of ruining them.  However, as  I kept working, I found myself smiling at some of the goofy pictures and marveling at the ones where he was a child.  So the process turned out to be therapeutic as well.  We did play Merle Haggard and we did have pictures of him on his Harley, too.  I’m glad I was able to fulfill his wishes and I will miss him every day…

(boards were laid out side to side on easels)

Twilight is here November 21, 2008

 

Being the crazy mom I am, I thought it would be fun to take my kids to see Twilight.  But not just any trip to the theatre, we went to the 12:01am showing last night (this morning???).  I ordered advance tickets online and the kids were so excited.  Well, the girls were.  My son decided not to go; that his beauty sleep was much more important.  So my girls and I left home at about 11pm on Thusday not knowing what was in store.  The thought crossed my mind that there might be only about ten people there  – visions of goth chics danced in my head.  But when we pulled into the parking lot it looked like the mall on the Saturday before Christmas!  Wow, I couldn’t believe the lines we had to stand in and we had already purchased our tickets!  TEN theaters full of Twilight fans filled the AMC last night.  It was the kind of night where people laughed out loud, ooh’ed and ahh’d at the cute boys and cheered when it was over.  Overall very enjoyable.  I’m anxious to read the series of books now that I’ve had a taste.  What a fun experience.  Now I’m going to take a nap….

Sammy the Cat Album…plus, need your help RAK October 18, 2008

We had a wonderful cat named Sampson.  He was a farm cat that we adopted and grew to love very much.  He was such a character.   Sammy loved to run and if we didn’t let him outside he would literally bounce off the walls.  Like a toddler, Sammy would play and play until he dropped.  Then sleep like the dead for the rest of the day.  He loved to curl up in your lap for these long naps, but heaven forbid if you tried to move or get up.  You would get the “what do you think you are doing?” look.  When Sammy died last year I had a very difficult time.  At the age of 2-1/2 I never expected to lose him.  However, he got into something outside that poisoned him and he died in my arms as we were taking him to the vet.  I recently pulled myself through the emotions of losing him by creating this memorial mini-album. 

 

 

 

 

Now this last page is where I need your help.  This picture is a typical, sleep all day cause I was prowling all night, picture.  And on the facing page I want to say something about cats, or pets, or something.  Just a cute sentiment to end the book.  But I drew a blank.  Please help me to finish this album by commenting here with your suggestions.  I’ll choose my favorite and send a RAK of scrapbook supplies.

Back to the regularly scheduled programming… Challenge with a RAK September 24, 2008

So, if you know me, you know that I have two out of three children involved in ice hockey.  We live and breathe hockey most days. 

In the summer the schedule seems to wind down a bit so we have multiple days in a row without having to drive to practice or a game.  It’s heaven!!  However, this week we start tryouts so we’re back to the regular chaos.  My husband and I try to divide and conquer but it means a lot of time seperated as a family.  With my impending craziness I have come up with a new challenge.  Being gone at dinner time most nights, I have decided to drag out the old crockpot so I can start meals before work and have them ready to eat when the kids and I get home.  We also hold several pasta parties throughout the year for our kids to ramp up on the carbs the night before a big game so that darn crock pot gets lots of use this time of year. 

The challenge:  Please share your favorite all-day in a crock pot recipe and I will choose a random winner.  The prize:  some fun kitchen related items that will be a surprise!!  Thanks for playing along.  My kids thank you from the bottom of their little stomachs!!

The Aftermath…Scrapfest ‘08 September 15, 2008

Whew!  What a weekend.  Who knew working could be so much fun!  I spent both Saturday and Sunday helping out at the Fiskars booth at Scrapfest and I can’t wait for next year when hopefully, I can do it all again.  It was such a busy event that I didn’t get much time to snap photos but here are a few for the “day in the life” file.

Here is Stephenie, Fiskateer Legend, demo-ing products.  I was particullary impressed that she was able to help out a scrapbooker in line that was hearing impaired as she knows sign language.  The crowds also loved Stephenie even more at the end of the show as she gave away almost every product they brought with!!  Fiskars, Stephenie, Suzanne, Cheryl, Angela and Rebecca were very generous throughout the weekend, not only with product, but with teaching and sharing their considerable knowledge.  I’m very proud to feel like I was a part of that even for just a couple of days.

 

Here’s a full shot of the demo table.  This is at the head of the line so the crafters have some tools to play with and learn about while they wait in line.  An average wait was a minimum of 30 minutes so any break from the waiting was welcomed by all.  The best part was seeing someone learn how to use a Fiskars tool and see how easy it is.  I really love teaching; and seeing that “aha” moment is what makes it fun.  By the way, that’s Fiskars TV host, Suzanne, manning the table. (see the man off to the left?  That’s the kind of look we got all weekend from the non-crafters.  It always makes me chuckle when I see it.)

 

Here are Cheryl, Lead Fiskateer, and Jennie, a Fiskateer from MN, teaching the make-n-take.  Fiskars offered a progressive mini-album thorughout the weekend, with two pages each day.  Each page was a different line from Heidi Grace, Lil Davis and Cloud 9.  Cloud 9 creators Amy and Nancy were also there teaching classes and bringing joy with bright pink Scrapanista wrist bands.  The crowds loved seeing these two ladies!! 

I was lucky enough to get to spend a few minutes chatting with Cheryl before we got down to work and I’m so grateful that I did.  She is one special lady and I look forward to more Fiskateer events that may bring us together.  It’s obvious that her heart is in her job and I admire her for that.

And finally, I had to show this one…My son and his friend tagged along to spend the day at the Mall of America on Sunday.  I think it is so ironic that they were standing in front of the Lucky Brand jeans store.  Because I was “lucky” to get even this one photo of them at all!!

Scrapfest 08 September 10, 2008

I have been away from blogging for awhile.  Life gets so darn busy sometimes that I don’t take time for myself.  But now I am, and this weekend I will be also.  I will be attending Scrapfest 08 at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.

Never been to Scrapfest?!?  Well, if you are a crafter you shouldn’t miss it!  Take a look at the official site here http://www.scrapfest08.com/.  It is three days of make-n-takes, classes and crops.  Here’s a peek at some of the wonderful designers and artists that will be attending – http://www.scrapfest08.com/creative_experts.asp.  This year I will be attending the show on behalf of Fiskars and the Fiskateers.  I am a Cerftified Fiskars Demonstrator and have been asked to help demo Fiskars fabulous products on Saturday and Sunday, 9/13-9/14.  If you are attending please stop by and say hello.  I am so excited to be part of this fun event.  I was checking out the crop and class schedules and many of them are already booked solid!  If you can’t make it this year, save the date for 2009.  I’ll be sure to blog about my experiences at the “mega-mall” (as we Minnesotan’s affectionately call it).  And if you want to learn more about the Fiskateers click here http://fiskateers.com/

Fireworks and Hockey July 3, 2008

yes…I said hockey.  I realize this is supposed to be a winter sport. But in the reality I call my life I find myself in hockey rinks on any given day, at any given time and in any given town.

 

 

I hope you all enjoy your 4th of July weekend and when you are on the boat in the hot sun, sipping a cold cocktail, please make a toast to me and my family.  We’ll be shivering and cheering so anything “toasted” is welcome!! ha 

 

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day!!!