Thursday, December 29, 2011

Roller Skating...

Not many people know that, when I was younger, I used to roller skate. Not the normal skating around and around a roller rink, but I actually learned jumps and spins (none of which I was good at). I roller skated from the age of 5 until I was 12. It was then, that I lost all appeal for it. I sucked at it (Others said I didn't, but I have high expectations for myself) and I only had one friend in the class, who dropped out a few weeks before I did. It just wasn't my forte.

My sister, on the other hand, used to watch me at lessons and decided that it was something she would like to do. So at the ripe old age of 3 (although, truth be told, she probably used my skates in our carpeted living room at age 2) she started skating. She was good at it... Heck, she was even great at it. I won't reveal her age, but she has been skating every year, since. This year she got a job being an assistant teacher for our local rec center and ever since Elijah was born she has been dying to get him on skates.

A few months ago, she got to do just that: 


There was a lot of slipping


And Marching


And falling


But he eventually made it out on the floor

He was not thrilled, so they went back on the carpet

He did great, for it being his first time

Reach (and my mom) even talked me into putting some on.

A few spins around felt good, but at that point Elijah was fed up with the whole skating thing (because he's apparently hard on himself also) and decided that playing Angry Birds sounded like a better option. He must have enjoyed himself, though, because for the next few weeks all I heard about was "Let's go skating with Aunt Reach with yellow and orange roller skates"

My child....

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Project SCRAP...

I was excited to find that at the beginning of this year, my favorite digital scrapbook designer (Shabby Princess) had a wonderful idea. It was a way of taking pictures and scrapbooking without feeling overwhelmed each month. It is called Project SCRAP.




You take at least two pictures per week and do two layouts a month. Because of my hiatus from crafting, I made a personal goal of taking the pictures (which I have sucessfully done, so far). Now that the hiatus is over, I plan on doing both, because (much to my surprise and glee) they are continuing it next year.

They make the whole process so easy too. Once a month they post a check-in, inspiration and a template to use, if you want. I plan to use them, since I feel like this is going to make the whole process easier and faster. Even if you are a paper scrapbooker, you can follow right along with it, that's one of the best parts.

So, if you feel inclined, go over and check it out. I (for one) can't wait to get started....

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

A Year Without Crafting...

When I found out I was pregnant with Caleb a lot was going on. We had a new set of people living in our house, it was fall and beginning to be winter and I was in the foulest mood I have ever been in, in my life. It was for no particular reason, I just hate that time of the year and I get in a "funk" every year for the past 5 or so years. So in the midst of all of that, I decided with having no time and actually not wanting to do anything, I would not craft, at all, for the next year (meaning all of 2011).

I'm proud to say that I have almost made it and I'm actually glad I set that goal (if you want to call it that). At first it was just a load off my mind, not to have to think about what I was going to do for a card for a certain special occasion. Don't get me wrong, I really love making cards and doing crafts, but when you have all day sickness and feel horrible all the time, it's just one less thing to think about.

Then after a while, it was more than just a load off my mind, it made me excited to think about what I could be doing when I came off of "hiatus"... Thanks to Pinterest and some enabling blogs these are some of things I might try to do:

 

















This is along with the usual



Should keep me busy. But I must admit, I am cheating a bit. During the month of December not only did a try crocheting, cause it looked easy (I was completely wrong), but I am planning on making this for my neices for Christmas:


Considering this is the week of Christmas and I haven't started on the design, yet, shows that I am overconfident in the whole creation process. I guess we will see if it's done by Christmas. Only time will tell...

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Winner is...

Hello everyone! Thanks for entering my giveaway and for sharing your favorite book. I recently received a Nook Tablet from my parents as an early Christmas/Birthday present and can't wait to load it up. I will definitely check out all your favorites and add them to my ever growing "want to read" list.

Speaking of reading, I read my first book with Caleb the night before last... Well, it was the first time he actually sat through the whole thing without crying... He seemed to enjoy it. And now with Elijah "semi-reading", he can read books to Caleb too. I just hope he likes them as much as Elijah does.

Speaking of Elijah (how is that for a very long segway?) he came to have lunch with me today and while he was here, he picked the winner of the giveaway. That winner just happens to be...

Debbie in KY

Congrats! Email me at Jo21236 (at) yahoo (.com) with your info and I will send it to you right away.

I hope everyone has a great day!