Quality Time is Priceless

I believe family time is so important.
My vision for this year has been to build a stronger home life for my husband and children. All my decisions have revolved around how to help that happen. It's been a lesson in patience and humility.

My choice to change jobs was one of the best things I've done in years.
I am a happier person. My marriage has never been stronger. My kids now "hang out" with us and we spend time laughing together.
Even the teens.
Especially the teens. They need parental guidance as they learn to be responsible for themselves.
Money was always the main reason I'd stayed on the night shift. But I felt miserable and trapped.
So I took a leap of faith. I decided to trust in God that we'd somehow manage despite our ever challenged financial situation.
I've found a few ways to bridge the pay cut.
I've become a self taught extreme couponer, and cut our food and household costs by close to 50 percent. My kids have jumped on the bandwagon and ask to come food shopping with me.  They run out to the car to help me unpack. It's a way for us to be together and get things we might not get otherwise.

Now, I've discovered Premier Designs Jewelry and am getting ready for my home training show this weekend.
So excited for this opportunity!!
After having a home show where I earned over $400 in free jewelry, I couldn't stop thinking about beconing a Premier Designs Jewelry Lady. Why? It's beautiful jewelry that I want to wear. It offers me yet another way to provide for my family. I get to socialize with amazing women. Helping them get a product they might not have been willing or able to splurge on. (Because we moms always put ourselves last, right?) Helping ladies shop for pieces to fit their personal style in a fun atmosphere. Being able to do this around my full time job and family is the best part.
It's was an easy decision for me. Feel free to contact me if you'd like to know more.
I'm well on my way to meeting my goal of 6 shows in 45 days.
Stay tuned for updates!

Tech Talk Tuesday

I came across these pics of a Punky Sprout mini I had made right before I took a break from scrapping, just about a year ago. I don't think I ever blogged this mixed media mini album, which really challenged me. I misted, masked, painted, inked, distressed. I just love getting artsy fartsy, don't you?

The cover is cardboard, which I ripped up a bit, painting and inking the edges.

The tag pages are chipboard, covered with patterned paper.

The bird on the branch is a flocked Prima rub-on, which adds great texture

Liquid pearls pretty up a paper doily:

Gaffer tape and Fabrips add more pattern on fabric:

The doily from the cover was used to mask the canvas:

I love how you get a glimpse of upcoming pages through acrylic:

It looks like I never took a photo of the back cover - not sure why? I think I want to get my hands on a few more of these albums so I can try a few other things. I have ideas for stitching and stamping on the canvas pages. Hope you enjoyed my technique project post!

Happy Easter

Sitting here thinking about this evening's events.

It appears the magic of childhood believing has died an untimely death here at our house.

It all began with me. I procrastinated a bit getting ready for the holiday.
I didn't consider that I'd get sick and spend two days in bed.
Thanks to some kid named Jack, a doubt had been placed in my son's ears.
And a husband who "thought" he had hidden the candy he'd helped to buy.
Then there's the older child who didn't think to try to preserve the myth when little brother noticed the bag in Mom's closet.
Who offhandedly mentions that the jig is up as they head to bed.

Desperate to salvage the situation, I concocted a semiplausible story.
My little guy doubtfully went along with my tale, after asking enough pointed questions to show me how smart he is.

After I tucked him in, I cried and drowned my sorrows in jelly beans and malted milk eggs.
I remembered that Easter is really not about bunnies and eggs.
It is not about my need to have my baby stay little.

It is about forgiveness.
Happy Easter.

Providence

I spent the end of this past week feeling bummed about having to work at the hospital Saturday night.
I fretted about how I was going to get enough sleep before and after the 12 hour shift and stewed about giving up a day with the kids.
I felt guilty for secretly hoping I'd be cancelled, knowing the extra money would be great, especially after putting new brakes in our car.

So I decided to reframe my thinking.
I thanked God for my second job, and that I had the ability to work more to provide for my family. I prayed for a positive attitude.
I slept well before going in, and didn't struggle to stay awake. I worked with a great group of coworkers and enjoyed catching up with everyone.
While there, I was offered several shifts for the next time schedule.
Perfect, since it's time to start paying for camps and other activities.
I brought home Sunday morning donuts, like I've done for years.
I slept well today and had a great evening with the kids.

It was a great weekend.

Blog Mission Statement

I've started at least a dozen different blog posts the past few months.
I'd felt silly, since I doubt anyone ever reads my sparse posts. So I saved them as drafts.
Which got me questioning my motives for blogging?
It was once a venue for me to share my projects with the internet scrapbooking community. When I took a scrapbooking hiatus though, blogging became awkward.
But I do like going back and reading through my past posts. It is much like flipping through the pages of a scrapbook.
So now, my plan is simply to journal my days.
This is a place to periodically deposit a variety of my thoughts and disoveries.
I hope that if anyone reads my blog, they will walk away feeling entertained, or inspired to try something new, whether it be in the kitchen or the scraproom.
I am simply going to let my light shine, be myself, and share the lessons I'm learning along the way. Stay tuned.

A Prayer of Thanks.

Thank you, Lord, for Dad's scan results today.
Thank you for leading him to Sloan Kettering Hospital, because I now believe he is getting the best treatment available.
Thank you for giving him a few more months to feel strong enough to do the things he enjoys.
Thank you for the gift of time to spend together, because I now understand how fleeting it can be.

Happy New Year 2012

I'd planned a few posts leading into the new year, but another bout with bronchitis kept me on the couch and off the computer. Before time gets away from me, I wanted to publish these so I can refer back to them.

Resolutions:

This year I will...

1. Get real glasses. No more drugstore readers. Really, it's time.

2. Make time to be creative each week.

3. Blog more.

4. Finish organizing my coupons

5. Read during my lunch hours.

6. Finish helping the kids get their rooms organized.

7. Smile often, and look for ways to lift others up.

8. Take more pictures while learning more about photography.

9. Continue planning meals in advance.

10. Budget, budget, budget!

Best Moments of 2011:

1. Dad's clean scan results before the holidays
2. the power coming back on after the blizzard
3. camping over the summer
4. Going to church with my family
5. Landing my new job
6. Colin's graduation from SAS
7. Jimmy's First Communion

Wishing you a blessed and healthy 2012!