Introspection

I recently began reading the blog of a male scrapbooker. I don't know any male scrapbookers, online or IRL, so that alone made me want to stop and read his blog. He posted about two types of scrapbookers, one who scraps for the memories and one who scraps for the memories with the hopes of being published. His post had more to it, but that part struck a chord with me. Here's my response that I posted:

"Well said. I'm the type that wants to capture memories, but I was exposed to SB message boards and idea books when I first started scrapbooking (7 years ago). I feel the pressure to design the perfect, publish-worthy page, but I don't have the technique or skills to create that type of page. The result? I feel paralyzed and get no pages done at all. "

In addition, I have years and years worth of supplies that I've collected and not used. With each new tool, embellishment, kit, etc., I thought "THIS is what I need to start getting my pages done!" But it's not the products. It's the pressure I feel to pick the perfect colors and create the perfect design for every layout.

So, what I'm going to do is this: I'm going to scrapbook 20 layouts in one week. I'm going to do them just for me...I'm not going to post or share them with anyone. But they will be done. That's my personal challenge.

I'm the first "Volunteer of the Month" for this school year!

The PTA named me the volunteer of the month. I helped create the PTA's Yahoo group, and I moderate and maintain it. In addition, I created the PTA's stand-alone website from scratch, and I'm in the process of adding the option to join the PTA and pay for membership online.

I was so surprised and extremely touched when I read the newsletter naming me Volunteer of the Month. I defintely have to scrapbook the write-up about me that appeared in the newsletter! (Sounds like an ideal Book of Me entry!)

Curiously Feel Good Music, and other catch-up stuff

I can't believe it's been a week since I have posted to this blog. I've been very, very busy with work and home life, so I haven't been crafty lately. Although, I have devoured my PBD system, separated and stored the templates, and absorbed as much of the idea book as I could.

This week, my son's wound re-opened after the stitches were removed because a couple of curious kindergarteners poked his wound. Long, frustrating story.

I chaperoned a field trip to the National Zoo this week. Chilly outside but a wonderful trip. I'll post a photo or two soon.

I substituted as the coach for my daughter's community cheerleading squad at Saturday's game. It was a little scary, but the girls did great. Several parents thanked me afterward, so I think I did a pretty OK job.

We bought my son the Curious George DVD a couple of weeks ago. When I ran across this video, I just wanted to post it here. It's kinda 'feel good' music. I can't wait to show it to my son tomorrow. Enjoy!

What a week!

I have so much to blog about. Too much! I'll try to give a brief overview.

Thanks to Katherine Brooks' blog enabling, I purchased the Pages By Design system during a huge Deluxe Designs sale. Since the sale was so big, it took a couple of weeks for the package to arrive. I'm loving looking through everything and can't wait till life slows down enough for me to use it!

My 5 yr. was chasing his sister at their grandma's house. He slid and fell full-force into the corner of a wooden microwave cabinet. We spent Friday night at the ER getting five stitches in the gash on his forehead. Everyone says, "Well, he is a boy!" so I guess I have a lot more accidents, bumps, bruises, and stitches in our future. (No pics 'cuz I was too embarassed to carry my SLR camera to the ER! If I can figure out how to get the pics off my cell phone, I'll be set.)

Today, my husband had to get some electronics, and he surprised me when he came home with an awesome new portable DVD player and a new webcam. I have a portable DVD player that's a few years old, but he said when he saw it, "I knew you had to have it." Is he sweet, or what? I used to teach free online scrapbook/cardmaking classes through a yahoo group, so he got me a new webcam with a stand. I'll have to find a new use for this new webcam since I don't teach anymore!

Here's the DVD player (the pic is from Sony's website):



Here's the webcam (from Logitech's website):



So, hopefully, I'll actually have something crafty to post here soon! Layouts or cards or something! Peace out.

Let me introduce you to my leetle friend...

Me and my friend here are going places. She is the DC14 Animal model Dyson vacuum cleaner. Cyclonic. In a word, she "RAWKS!" It's ridiculous how much dog hair she picked up on the area rug in the family room. Let's not even get started on the hidden treasures in the living room and stairs!

My weekend cold stopped me from doing all the vacuuming that I wanted to (I actually like vacuuming with this thing! And that's saying a lot because I hate house work.), but I hope to get to the upstairs tomorrow. I'm almost afraid to see what's lurking in the carpets up here!

What is THAT?

I imagine that's what my tummy is saying right about now. I had bread for the first time in two weeks. I couldn't wait to bite into it...I've been feeling so deprived! So I gobbled up a piece of Ledo's pizza. It was tasty in my mouth, but moments later, if felt like I had lump of play doh on my stomach.

Ugh. :-P