Monday, December 10, 2007

Lovely time of year!

Well isn't this just a lovely time of year?!? It's been snowing off and on...and then it disappears and we go about our business and then wake up one morning to the feathery white stuff again and we all act like children again! It's just lovely!

This time of year is splendid! I love the white lights, the smell of cinnamon and pine, candles, candles and more candles! Advent calendars, spending time with family, Christmas music and holiday decorations...it makes me happy :) If you're around, stop on by for a cup of tea or coffee anytime...we have the lights on, the candles burning, the music playing and a chair waiting for you!

This time of year is about spending time with family and friends. About taking care of those less fortunate. About reveling in the birth of our Creator and celebrating it with great joy. It is all about the thought, and not the mighty dollar. This is why we've taken a huge step to make and bake most of our gifts this year and boy has it been a fun decision! Fun in the sense that we are putting our hearts and our time into our gifts and not getting frustrated with traffic and malls and not being able to find the right color or size. Fun, in figuring out what to make and then doing it with our own two hands. Fun in spending more time with each other since we have less running around to do. FUN, FUN, FUN!

Identity Crisis solved. I think I was just overwhelmed with STUFF. So you can take the stuff, just leave me my family and my God, and I'll have a VERY, MERRY Christmas...how about you?

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Identity Crisis




Jonah ALWAYS lives out Loud!
Do you ever think that you are just thinking about your life instead of living it? Lately that's what I've been thinking. I had a mini-panic attack yesterday that perhaps I am not really living my life at all, that I am just passively waiting for "it" to happen. Do you know what I mean? You live your life, I mean really LIVE it...then life starts to slowly fill up with meaningless RESPONSIBILITIES and then "poof!" your days, weeks and months are filled with things like meetings through the dinner hour, school meetings, sports meetings, unscheduled random things that eat up HOURS of your life and I'm not talking about those fun, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kinds of things that you laugh yourself silly about later or think, "Man, am I glad we did that!" , I mean things like 4 hour trips to Costco on a Sunday (HELLO, on a SUNDAY!)Things like BILLS, BILLS and more BILLS...just because you can't get it together and devise a system that works to pay them every month so it takes HOURS and HOURS of BRAIN SPACE I mean HOURS and it's just PAINFUL sometimes...ya' know? Things like grocery shopping without a list because seriously, a list?? Come on, those are for wimps...ha! No really, I usually have one, just not with me when I shop, so it takes up twice as much time monthly to get my shopping done because I usually have to REDO it! argh. Stuff like this. The piddly little stuff that no one notices, but puts me in a tailspin and makes people say, "What's wrong? Bad day?" And what does one say to that really?

I mean, seriously, I don't have a lot to complain about in the grand scheme of things and if I could just get it together, just a bit more, then things would flow so much better! I miss the days of random fun...we had one this weekend...sort of. I kind of had a "strike" day without telling anyone. I didn't "DO" anything (well maybe I cooked dinner). It was a great day. We had gone to church the night before (Sat. night) so we had ALL DAY Sunday to do whatever we wanted to do, or didn't want to do. Saturday we cleaned up the front yard, trimmed up all the bushes and trees and gave everything a makeover. It was kind of cleansing. So anyway, after that, we went to church and heard Pastor Jim give a message about where we fit into this world and he used pictures from NASA and put a "big picture" scope on it, that everything here on earth and beyond if for God't glory, otherwise, why would it all be so beautiful (the Milky Way, the galaxies, etc.). Then we went and had a lovely dinner and movie on the big screen at Tam's house. It was a great day. Sunday came around and the boys all got up and made breakfast. I ate breakfast and went back to bed and read until noon. I NEVER do this. Read: NEVER. P came over to work on her resume so I got up and got dressed...we all went to Costco to get dogfood and have lunch (I know weird combination! ha!) and at P's suggestion, to try all the samples - we almost never go on the weekends and since we had just one thing we HAD to get it was actually a FUN trip. No agenda. We had fun poking through things, P and the boys went running from sample to sample...it was hilarious. We played with the toys and drooled at all the candies, etc. that they had out for Christmas. Anyway, then back home for some yardwork and I made dinner and read some more. All in all it was a great day. The boys MADE a leaf pile (they actually picked leaves off of branches I had cut from the maple in front) so they could jump in it! These are the weekends I love. But they are few and far between. But they also make me THINK.

They make me think about my purpose in life, about whether I'm making a difference. About what I'm doing here...about what direction I'm going. Am I supposed to be doing more with my time? Where does my art fit in? What about a job or a career? Is it time for that? Will it ever be again? And if so, what? I want to LIVE MY LIFE OUT LOUD and not just occupy space. That is my fear.
My Men - Living out Loud!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

What is your Why?


So what is your why? Why do you do the things you do? Why do I post this blog? A good friend asked me this one day...she's never read it...she wasn't being rude, she was just wondering. It was a good question and it made me think. I mean, if no one else ever reads it, why? Well here's my why: I post my blog for a little bit of self-therapy, to "get certain things out" - ya' know? Those things that no one else really asks about, but are just building up inside you, swirling around, gathering up steam and thoughts and ideas... I also post my blog so I can share photos and the "what's going on in my life right now" because although I am a writer by degree, I am horrible at keeping an actual journal a "voice" if you will, of myself through time. So I think it will be nice to see how I grow and change over and through time... I also keep a blog because it is technical to a degree and I like computers and technology so I feel like I'm somewhat in the current playing field of life around me :) I can post pix of my family and friends to look at and share with others if they so choose to view them...it makes me happy :) I also blog (here's the dark reason) because, God forbid, should something happen to me one random day, my kiddos would be able to go to a place, albeit on a computer and read their mother's words, how she lived her days, how she felt about random things, even if I never complete another scrapbook page again (GASP!) I know - sacrilege! Besides, my memory is so bad, it helps me with journaling for when I DO scrapbook! LOL...I've said it before and I'll say it again...I really don't think that was placenta that came out when I had each child...it strangely resembled BRAIN MATTER! And with each one! YIKES!

So on that note...here's a little eye candy for you...something a bit lighter for you whilst you ponder YOUR "WHY"...I took Jonah with me to the Sr. Center Thrift Store yesterday to volunteer - we not only volunteered, but we found some great deals on kids' games - whoohoo! Jonah was an amazing volunteer - great manners, fun, and social not to mention he got A LOT done! He's a good little worker bee! So anyhooooooo, I found this apple bank...it just MADE MY DAY! You put a coin on the front and this little pink worm comes zooming out and eats up the coin! He's super-fast...it was hard to photograph so I used my finger to hold him a bit...boy oh boy does this make me SMILE! Oh...and a few more pictures of my "why's" below :) Our funny fish (in their SPARKLY tank - thanks Honey!) My goofy boys, my new spectacles (don't I look smart?!?!) and my Honey - and for the boys being old enough to go out in public to eat once in a while without melting down!!! whooo hooo!!!!



Friday, September 21, 2007

How do you make something out of nothing?

Okay, so I added a hit counter to my blog today...it's pretty :) Well, as pretty as a "hit" counter can be...it's green! Today is B-Day and I don't mean birthday! I mean BUDGET day! BILL day! YUCK day! YIKES! Seems like when it rains it pours! Dental for Seth up the ying yang (what exactly IS a ying yang?!?), vision therapy for Jonah waiting in the wings, new glasses for me (yes, I'll look "smart" soon!), clothes have been purchased - all on WAY SPECTACULAR SALES of course, but still, when it rains...kind of like my song lyric choice...I've seen fire and I've seen rain! LOL...just thought of that twist! I'm hilarious in my own mind I tell ya'!

Soooooooooooooo today I need to work my magic so I don't have a nervous breakdown...I'll post later if I was able to make it work...that is, if I'm not out shaking a tin cup...

Meanwhile, look at my pretty counter!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

HUGE Summer Pictoral CATCH UP!

LOVING my new Wireless!



No I was not dead, nor was I lying in a ditch. NO, my sons did not tie me up in the backyard and try to use me as a human sacrifice (shhhh, don't give them any ideas!) I merely forgot the time and it slipped right by! WHOOSHED by is more like it! Here is a smattering of what I was up to....celebrating Jonah's 10th birthday with a bowling party at Strawberry Lanes in Marysville, celebrating my 30th birthday with a camping trip to Pacific Beach, WA and drinks with the girls at Red Robin plus a belated Murder Mystery Luau party at our house. We hosted three different guys from the U.K. for a total of three weeks this summer - all of them great guys, Oli, Rich and Stephen (in alphabetical order Stephen, nothing else!) - they were over here coaching soccer for the kids here in Arlington...HI GUYS IF YOU'RE READING THIS! MISS YOU ALL! Hanging out with my brother Adam from AZ and my niece Sara, doing the Evergreen State Fair with the extended Family...meeting new babies galore...getting ready for the M.O.P.S. year (Mothers of PreSchoolers), trying to teach our new puppy Super Jake some new tricks :) HA! Stamping in my "spare" time - not! LOL! Getting the boys ready for their new school this year at Highland Christian Academy - yes, they are both in school full-time now - and YES it is WEIRD! Let's just sum it up to say, they are adjusting to the long 7 hour days...both boys had soccer camp this summer and Jonah is continuing to rock the field with his mad skills and Seth is trying to learn some discipline in Tae Kwon Do...he's actually pretty good, if he'd just LISTEN! Ah...the thorn in my parental side! That "listening" thing! Let's see, we went to an Aquasox game, Jonah and Lar made to a SeaHawks game...yes, all in all we managed to pack a whole lot in those last 4-5 weeks...so here are some photos to prove it...and boy am I shattered from it all!





Stephen & Ginger Rich The Scottland BoyZ Oli, Oli, Oli!!!!!




Rich's 1st S'smore! Love those socks! Sara my cutie pie! The kiddos w/Webbley




Iian's new baby & Adam Doin' the Fair w/Fam. Campin' w/the Bayler's!



Happy Hugs from Angie Backyard S'mores & wine! Pacific Beach Lovin'

1st Day of School Check out Jake's ears! Luau Time! Nice Muscles!

Family Time at the Aquasox Game

Friday, August 10, 2007

The Good Things...oh, and laundry....

So why does it seem that the good things in life are always bad for you or fattening or dangerous, etc? For instance...here I am in yesterday's self-portrait. I call it my silly "horker" (that's a cross between a hog and a porker) pose with my Baskin Robbin double scoop of Jamoca Oreo and Cherried Jubilee (in a waffle cone thank-you-very-much!) Am I feeling guilty? Ahem...no. Not really. I DID go to yoga for the first time in a zillion years and I DID eat healthy organic foods all day long...I DID drink all my water for the day...and then I RUINED it with one "Honey...you need to take me to ice cream NOW," comment. And of course, like a good man (and like a man with high cholesterol) he didn't blink, just grabbed his car keys and off we went on our little high calorie honey-date. Ahhhh...if B&R could only figure out how to make their ice cream taste as yummy but leave the calories out...now THAT would be a miracle!

Today's self-portrait (if you want to know what's with all this "self portrait stuff...read past blogs), is another one of my vices...thus the name of my BLOG. SB's American (iced in this case) with extra cream. Not so bad if it didn't have the CREAM in it...but that's how I like it and baby, THE HIPS DON'T LIE!! http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1517753&vid=77390 Ah well...what's a girl to do...seems like most things I like are "bad" for me in some way or another...go figure!



And it ocurred to me, I haven't introduced the world's cutest puppy yet...meet Super Jake! He's almost nine weeks old.
I took him out on errands with me today and boy was he a whiner! Usually he's super-good, but not today boy! See, Jonah's gone at sleep-away camp (has been all week and it's WEIRD!) and Seth was overnight at Grandma & Grandpa's...poor little Jakey didn't know what to do with himself! He's used to having so much BOY ATTENTION! So anyway, I was totally paranoid that the doggy police were going to kick me out of ROSS at any moment due to my squiggly, wiggly puppy, but no, instead I was mauled by little girls and women alike (even workers) whilst we all stood in this mad, insane line! Whew! Good thing he's so cute :)

Well that's all for today...I need to get something done for a swap that needs to be mailed out, get dinner going, get the paint out for the entryway and do some basic housewively duties (ewwwwwwwww, does that include laundry? ack! I think it DOES! ) LOL...just kidding....I don't mind it...well the washing and drying and folding part...I just detest the putting away part...

Hasta Pasta!














Thursday, August 09, 2007

Inspiration Everywhere!

I have been so excited about so many things these past few days! A lot of it is due to the challenges I've seen posted on Elsie's site and some other things are because of the new CTMH catalog that's coming out in September - too cool! Between the two, they've got me all revved up in a CREATIN' KIND Of MOOD!

I've signed up for several swaps (just mailed one off today and am now working on two more - whew!) and finished the layout below last night...this is more creativity than I've had in the last two months combined! AND I'M LOVIN' IT! (not getting much sleep, but hey...)
I also think I'm liking this self-portrait challenge...today's portrait though, really isn't "self"...Seth took it, you know, my 5 y/o...but I think it counts, because he's FIVE!!! He's a pretty good little photographer...he asked me if he could have my Canon SLR when we were in downtown Everett today at the food co-op to "take some pics"...and that made me think, "Duh! What am I thinking?!? There are some GREAT photo ops around here!" So we starting clicking away...it was fun - and that's your eye candy for the day :) Us! LOL...


(Now seriously, how cute is he??? I was trying to get a pic. of "the stairs that led nowhere", but he just wanted to be in the photo - how could I resist? Cute little bugger....


and the wheels keep on a turnin'...

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Frogs


Frogs, originally uploaded by blupokadots.

This is the cutest little frog image...I want to incorporate it into my banner...gotta figure this out...so this is a test to see if this blog entry even lands there! ha!

38 things to do before I'm...

HEllOOOOOOOOOO out there! Nice to see you! Ha! If I could only really see you!



Well it's about time to start rockin' this BLOG! I think I'll start with my "38 things to do before 39" layout challenge from Elsie Flannigan. Thanks Elsie!

Oh yeah, thanks a lot!!! NOT! I JUST realized I've now POSTED my age (gasp!!!) I ALWAYS LIE!!! It literally took me some mathematics to figure out the age I'd have to use to do this challenge! No joke! That's how NOT OLD I think I am! Yikes! Anyhooooooo....

This is the list on my page, that you probably cannot read (not in any order):
  • Take more photos
  • 5k/10k
  • listen more (I have 2 boys!)
  • write more letters "just because"
  • BLOG
  • submit my work
  • Breakfast daily
  • maintain weight (well, don't gain!)
  • hiking w/my men
  • visit Nancy in OR
  • Make and All About Me A.B. (altered book)
  • Buy more cds (instead of just intending to)
  • Make ATC's with Seth (my 5 y/o)
  • Redo my address book
  • Try tofu
  • Teach Super Jake basic obedience & agility??
  • $1,200 mo/CTMH
  • Start using eye cream! LOL!
  • Pay off debt
  • Visit Holli
  • 2008 CTMH convention WDW FL
  • Our wedding album
  • Gratitude Journal
  • Paint bathrooms
  • Live green/Eat Organic
  • Pursue holistic health
  • Can peaches 4 1st time
  • Coffee w/dad monthly
  • Yoga practice 4x week
  • MEDITATE
  • Daily Vitamins
  • Make "life" soundtrack
  • Monthly Dates with Big Lar
  • Scrap more - freestyle!
  • 365 days of self-portraits
  • go to AZ to see Sara & family
  • prayer journal

I've seen some really cool blogs out there and I want to start playing around with MINE and this is the year! Both boys are going to be in school full-time so I should have plenty of time to create AND cook dinner (thank goodness for the crockpot! LOL!) Now, does anyone know where I can learn the basics? LIke how to incorporate music and cool personalized banners, etc. for my blog?


Speaking of color (which leads me to personal style), I asked my dh Lar, if he thought I had a "Style" while I was creating my list of 38 things and this was his reply, verbatim,

"Thankfully no! You're a chameleon...ebb and flow with the weather, emotions, compulsiveness. You aren't a desperate housewife. You aren't overweight and frumpy. You aren't a new millenium teenager. Some people's styles are dictated by who they want to be, and others because they've just given up. You're you. And that's all I've got to say about that."


Sometimes, that man can say JUST the right thing ;)
(no, this isn't Lar's style...he's dressed up as Chief something or other Wiki Wiki for a murder mystery party we went to - WAAAAY cool fun! We're copying the idea and doing the same thing for my bday this month - yay fun!)

So that's it for tonight...maybe I'll figure out something else cool "to do" on my blog for tomorrow since BLOG IS on my list and I am PINKY SWEARING with Elsie to do these things! I mean really!