Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Twelve For Twelve - Check In 2

  1. Write every day.
- I am slowly getting back into the groove. I have been writing everyday, just not fiction writing. I’ve been blogging and doing some creative non-fiction pieces. I would love to blame something for this seemingly lackadaisical mentality, but in all honesty it boils down to I just haven’t been putting the effort into it. I’ve been focused more on the blogging and the crafting. And while writing is very important to me, I’ve allowed myself to push it aside and focus on other projects. A bit back I made a declaration to focus and produce, to hold myself accountable for my word counts. And it turns out I have real problems with time management. I get lost in a craft and before I know it half the day is over and I still have chores to do and errands to run.

  1. Post to my blog at least once per week.
- Totally on top of this one. I have posted virtually every day in February! Yay! It got a bit chore-like by the end of the month, but I am doing a March Photo a Day Challenge and then in April I am taking on Blogging A to Z. I am currently trying to decide on whether I am going to do a theme for April or just write as I get to it. The first week of April is spring break for us, so I will probably have those posts scheduled ahead of time.

  1. Resume my daily exercise routine.
- I wouldn’t count this as a “fail” this month but I certainly wouldn’t declare myself the winner, either. I started walking in the afternoons with Cyra and I am saving up my moneys to hopefully buy myself a bike soon! I miss bike riding and with my perfect mile loop, I can get in some good riding.

  1. Better eating habits.
- We’ll call this one a draw. Yes, I’ve been eating better foods…but…I’ve been snacking a lot instead of eating actual meals which defeats the purpose of calorie counting and keeping track. And even though I am snacking on what would be considered healthy snacks (fruits and low-fat yogurt) every calorie counts. I did so much better with this when I was working. I was busy all day and even if I was hungry, tough, because I didn’t have time to have a snack. Now, I get hungry and I can immediately satisfy myself. 

  1. Lose at least 50 pounds.
- Five pounds down…I should be doing better, but I’ll celebrate a five pound loss nonetheless.

  1. Organize my photographs chronologically.
- I still haven’t started this one yet, and I think that I probably won’t until later this year. As a goal it is one of the lowest priorities right now.

  1. Scrapbook more.
- I have been working on my 2012 Waiting For The Apocalypse scrap book a few pages at a time. I’m stuck on my Christmas layout, but while I’m mulling that over, I’ve moved into January photos and pages. So work progress. I’d like to try to get into the habit of printing pictures more often. Maybe that would encourage me to sit down with it more. Other than that, I need to get to work on the Birthday Fiesta O’ Fun: Minty Fresh Edition. Sara and I promised that before we had another BFOF, we’d finish the previous BFOF Scrapbook. August will be here in like five minutes so I need to get moving!

  1. Write actual letters to friends and family.
- This one I am pleased to say, yes! I’ve been doing this. I made cards and I’ve been sending them out – about one a week or so.

  1. Reinstitute Family Game Night.
- We’ve been doing this too except that we haven’t actually set a night in stone. Cyra has recently taken up a sport and Ashleigh has recently been involved in a drama production so it is hard to lock down a night for just family fun. Mostly it is all about the homework, the dinner and the rushing around. Recently, however, I was soundly whupped in a vicious game of Monopoly, where within just a few rounds, I had to bargain away my railroad to pay for rent! Yikes!

  1. Backyard homestead.
- It’s all about the money. You know? The money we don’t have. But, hopefully, this week, after rent is paid we will have about a hundred dollars to devote to getting my raised beds built. I already have the seeds (got those on sale at the end of the season last year) so I need to get a couple of seed starter thingies and the beds built and we’ll be good to go. We’ve also been talking about putting the chickens on hold for right now.

  1. Get my favorite recipes organized.
- I haven’t worked on this at all this month. Although I have tried a few new recipes out: White chocolate coconut scones = YUM!

  1. Travel.
The girls and I did a couple of (thankfully) short Girl Scout campouts and that was about it. We are planning a trip over spring break and then the one this summer. Those will be our big ones, but I’ve got a few ideas for some weekend day trips in March and April. Springtime really shines in Florida. Everything is blooming, it isn’t too hot yet and there aren’t many tourists!

Monday, February 27, 2012

I Made It Monday

I'm working on a couple of Top Secret Crafty Projects right now, so I bring to you the prototype of a scrapbook picture frame I made a while ago. I had a Big Idea for this, but as I was working on it, I felt rather blah about the Big Idea. Scrap booking is such a personal thing to me that it is hard to make a page without knowing what photo will be used, the color combinations and memories behind it. I didn't have a particular photo in mind with this prototype and therefore the picture I put in there just doesn't work for me.



The frame can be used horizontally or

vertically.

(taken without the flash)

(taken with the flash angled down to avoid the glare)

If I were to make something like this again, I think I would go with a larger photo in mind maybe a 5x7 or maybe more than one photo. The frame is 12x12 so I'm not sure how an 8x10 would work. Something to think about.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Friday Photos

Normally, I've been in the habit of scheduling my posts a few days ahead. It lets me have a cushion in case I get busy. Today's photos though, I just took this morning. And coincidentally, they match with what Pickleope posted about today. So for you, Pickleope, I give you the proof you were looking for!

Waiting in line at the "Cookie Warehouse"

Part of my order.

I crept around to the back of the truck to snap this before I got busted.


This was essentially the view through my rear mirror on the drive home.

Honestly, my order wasn't all that big, but they insisted on shoving everything in the back seat...

Look at how much trunk space I still had!!


Nice and neat and waiting for dispersal to the girls.

So...many...

...cookies!!!
The cookie pictures on the sides of the boxes make me giggle every year. I love the cool surfing Samoa and the little old granny Trefoil the best.





Seriously, how can you not love this Grand Gal?

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Upcoming Posts

All around the blogs are monthly challenges and writing prompts. I've done one or two of the writing prompts (my two favorite sites for prompts right now are Write on Edge and Trifecta), but I've never stepped into a monthly challenge. That all changes next month. I've decided to participate in a Photo-A-Day challenge hosted by Fat Mum Slim in March and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge.

So far (by that I mean since the last week of January), I've been really good about posting daily and I've enjoyed it a lot. But the past week or so I've been getting a bit...meh about my topics. I'm struggling with words. A daily fight is not what I have in mind every morning when I wake up. So while I've been reading the prompts and posts on Trifecta and Write on Edge, I haven't been participating. One of my goals for 2012 was to up the ante on my blog. Post more. Post often. Post post post. But I also said I didn't want it turning into a chore and this week. That's what it has felt like.

I think a photo challenge will be a nice change of pace and put me in the mood for the A to Z writing challenge the following month.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Who Said It?

I watched The Presidents on H2 Monday and was reminded how awesome some of our presidents have been. Each, I imagine have shining moments, but in quiet reflection, I think that it is the First Ladies who interest me the most. Think about it. Not only do they need to know and understand politics, but they have to look fabulous while doing it. They must show grace and dignity and certainly in today's 24/7 news media frenzy, they must also never have a bad moment.

Out of all the First Ladies, I think Eleanor Roosevelt has got to be my favorite. And that's just based on what I learned about her in history class and the few shows I've watched that focus on FDR. I've never been a big biography person before. I like to stick with novels or philosophy or science. But I think that on my next library trip, I will be picking up a few bios.

On that note, I will leave you with a few Eleanor Roosevelt quotes.

  • A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
  • Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
  • Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
  • I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.
  • If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor.
  • One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes... and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.
  • Sometimes I wonder if we shall ever grow up in our politics and say definite things which mean something, or whether we shall always go on using generalities to which everyone can subscribe, and which mean very little.
  •  A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Keeping Busy


We had a “Doing Stuff” Saturday this past weekend. Ashleigh worked with my mom to make this:

I'm so proud of her...Even better? She's proud of herself!

She says she is determined to bring back the psychedelic sixties. Maybe she’ll succeed where I failed: Nobody wanted to wear polo’s with popped collars last year!

While Ashleigh worked on her dress, Cyra and I planted some terrarium kits. Cyra had the “Strange Plant Collection” which features brain plants, eyeball plants, pitcher plants and a space plant. I stuck with something a little less strange: coffee and bananas.



 I stuck with something a little less strange: coffee and bananas.




Monday, February 20, 2012

I Made It Monday

A craft that helps me keep in touch with friends? Sign me up! I've been making plain cards pretty with my vast collection of stamps and inks. A quick and simple way to brighten up some one's day!



Do you see that smudge?? I hope the camera fairies bring me a new camera soon!

I think that I'll color in some of the stars to give it a little pop!

On some I decorated an envelope to match.