30-minute Thursday

My layout for the latest 30-minute Thursday challenge from Lain Ehmann. The challenge this week was to make a monochromatic layout using red. I decided to use photos from our Valentine's Day celebration at home this year. We surprised the kids with heart-shaped pizza and doughnuts and a small toy.

For the layout I used a kraft cardstock base and then grabbed my red drawer and red ribbon jar and started pulling out all the things I thought I might use. Then I pulled my folder of "love and heart" stuff, picked a few things from there and it all put together in about 20 minutes.

Thanks for another great challenge, Lain! http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/scraphappy/2008/05/30-minute-thursday.html

Wednesday Musing - Waiting

Waiting - I hate waiting. Waiting in line, waiting on hold, waiting to hear from someone, waiting tables (ok, so I haven't done that in years). I much prefer doing.

Sometimes I wonder how many hours are consumed each week by the act of waiting. Today I waited on hold when my Internet wasn't working (time lost-20 minutes), I waited to hear back from a potential employer (time lost-hard to say, but I have not been my most productive lately), I waited for water to boil to make macaroni and cheese at lunch (time lost-10 minutes).

I don't suppose there is any way to avoid waiting, so I guess my goal should be to find things to fill my time while waiting. I will have to wait and see if I come up with any ideas to fill the wasted hours.

Waiting....

Waiting....

Waiting...

Monday's Memories

I almost forgot today was Monday since we were all home. A quick recap of the last week.

*I had two job interviews. One with the city of Springfield, the other with St. Johns. I should hear this week if I got either of them.
*Went to Fassnight Park with Robert, the kids and the weekend son. Planned to go swimming today, but the weather didn't cooperate.
*Completed 3 layouts.
*Watched Christian Bale movies with Jennifer. {sigh}
*Reading the second magic treehouse book to Katie and Cole.
*Went to see Nim's Island at the Palace. Really cute movie, and really hunky Gerard Butler.
*Had last Daisy Scout meeting for the year. Glad to have a break from planning meetings.

30-minute challenge

This is my layout for this weeks 30-minute Thursday challenge by Lain Ehmann.

http://http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/scraphappy/2008/05/30-minute-thurs.html This weeks challenge was to scrap your favorite book and use something with lines. Since I rarely read for myself anymore, this was my take on the challenge.

Wednesday Musing - Vocabulary

When I was growing up I can remember how good I felt when my mom would look at me and say, "Oh, that's a good word, Amy." I was always an advanced reader and picked up a better than average vocabulary for a child. I still love to read and delight in discovering new words. Unfortunately, as a mom of three, I don't have the time to devote to reading that I would like. I used to devour books. Now I read at a snail's pace. Someday, I will have free time to devote to the written word again. But, for now, I will have to be content with reading the "Magic Treehouse" chapter books to the kids.

Monday's Memories

This week - I completed 4 scrapbook layouts (1 2-page and 3 1-page). I printed and filed almost 200 photos. I mowed our yard. Cole got sick. Katie went on a field trip to the Discovery Center. I had a phone interview with Sisters of Mercy. I scheduled an interview with the City of Springfield. Brandon and I earned almost 50 bowls of rice at www.freerice.com. Watched the season finales of Smallville, Supernatural and Gossip Girl. So glad all those shows are coming back next year. Completed my first 30-minute Thursday challenge.

30 Minute Challenge

I completed my first ever layout for one of Lain Ehmann's 30-minute Thursday challenges. The challenge this week was to use a vacation photo, a paper clip, hidden journaling and to complete the layout in 30 minutes or less. I am proud to say that I completed mine in 29 minutes.

Here is my layout "Art Imitates Art". The hidden journaling says, "When I attended the first Lollapalozza in 1991, I was lucky enough to see some amazing art in Chicago. I found the sculpture first and later discovered the mural. I was amazed at how art imitated art."

I discovered Lain's blog and podcast when I took the LOAD (layout a day) challenge in January at Big Picture Scrapbooking. So glad I did. http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/scraphappy/

Weekly Musing

As I approach my 40th birthday, I realize there are many things that I want to accomplish during my remaining years. To that end, I am working on a list (tentatively referred to as "50 by 50") of things I want to do, see, go to and be during the next 10 years.

One of the definite items on this list is to begin a journal where I record my thoughts and memories at least once a week. This is the motivation behind starting this blog. Each Monday I am going to write a "Monday's Memories" post that will list the little things that made up my previous week. On Wednesdays, I will write my "Weekly Musing". This will be a more freeform post that I will use to record my progress on my 50 items, to write entries that will eventually become part of my "Encyclopedia of Me" (more about this later), or to talk about whatever is on my mind.

Eventually, I plan to add more post-specific days. I have learned that when I get too ambitious, I tend to burn out, so I will take this slow and keep it fun.

Monday's Memories

During the last week I:

Discovered a meatloaf recipe that Robert really loved.

Jammed to Rock Band - consistently singing in the 90's. Is a stint on American Idol next?

Got flowers, had lunch at Village Inn and ice cream at Braum's for Mother's Day.

Made a loaf of homemade bread - dusted off the breadmaker for the first time in about 4 years.

Burned the inside of my wrist on the handle of the breadmaker's loaf pan. I really hope it doesn't scar.

Decided to start this blog.