2.for.Tuesday

one: Evidence. I am getting the biggest kick out of Nisa Fiin's [of Splendid Fiins] new Evidence line. When I saw the first group I immediately thought I'd make a field journal for the boys to document their summer adventures. Lucky for me, I am a procrastinator, and while this project floated around in my head Nisa was busy making even more great stuff for the line. And I saw this tutorial for making little books. It's perfect. So here you go. A very cool book of field notes. I'm over at Mouse, Paper, Lovely with a photo filled how-to today. Come visit!

1. watermelon hands, 2. outside of the dugout tonight...., 3. red.3, 4. red.4, 5. red.5, 6. Untitled, 7. spinning summer records, 8. day 5 red boats santa cruz, 9. day 5 taffy, 10. Untitled, 11. red seasonal goodness, 12. poppytalk red: summer shoes, 13. cherries, 14. red1, 15. IMG_1986, 16. GreyLemon SummerColor Rainbow4, 17. rainbow.1, 18. friendships over the rainbow, 19. summer rainbow, 20. rainbow.4, 21. day 4 rainbow (ceiling lights), 22. beads, 23. Ferris wheel2, 24. rainbow, 25. hot air balloon, 26. Carnival, 27. balloons, 28. Summer Rainbow 2, 29. Making our own pot of gold, 30. 100 Colours, 31. IMG_9576, 32. hot air balloon - it's summer!, 33. rainbow weekend., 34. IMGP8931, 35. play-doh, 36. poppytalk rainbow: beaded

two: Color Week. How come I always miss it? It's on the someday list. I love looking at all the beautiful photos!

ps. The Splendid Fiins Evidence Paper Pack will be available next Monday at Jessica Sprague!

As You May Know

I've had a super secret project in the works for a few months now. What you may not know is that I actually abandoned it a while back. I had told a friend what I was doing and in an effort to help me out [since I wasn't getting much more than 2 hours of sleep on any given night] she called in for back up. It was well intended. I know that. I wasn't ready for it though. I was still too insecure in my ideas. They were too fresh and tender. What ended up happening was unfortunate. They begain asking what else I had in mind. The gave me suggestions for what else I could do. I was overwhelmed and I completely misread their reactions. When they left I felt like I was wasting my time on an idea that wasn't worthwhile. An idea that people wouldn't be excited about. My flame was doused. I didn't even look at the progress I had made for at least a month after. Then my well meaning friend came back and asked if I was sure there wasn't anything the reinforcements could do to help me. I told her I had abandoned the project. It was really hard for me but I knew I had to tell her how I felt. I'm not generally really great at sharing how I feel. Especially not face to face. She proceeded to explain what had really happened. The women loved my idea. They thought I wasn't dreaming big enough. They thought I could do so much more. It took another month or so, but I've slowly started working on the project again. I bought an e-book called Flying Lessons. I'm taking a class called Mondo Beyondo. I'm trying to learn how to dream big dreams. I'm trying to learn to let the universe conspire in my behalf. Today I realized something... I was going about it all wrong. I didn't love the way the project was going. I didn't love the way the pieces were coming out. They were too processed [for lack of a better word]. And the truth is, I didn't love that process anyway. What I really want to do is paint. What I realized is that I would love the project more if I painted it. So today I'm telling you that I'm starting over. I'm going to start the project again in a medium that I can be excited about. What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?

I've Been Infatuated

with Mini Moo Cards for a while now. In my mind they are super fun. I have a few little designs ready to order but wasn't sure I wanted to order 100 just to prototype them. This Create a Calendar 2011 from iKari Designs at JS gave me the perfect reason. Seriously, aren't these awesome? Who wouldn't want to have such a sweet at a glance in their wallet? It comes with 12 different masks for photo options + separate files for each month. I choose to keep it simple because they were going to be so small [mini moo cards are the length of a business card and about half the width]. The kit is on sale until tomorrow night for $3.99 actually the entire site is 20% off right now, but it ends with 2010. And just so you know, the calendar doesn't come in such a small size. It's intended to be 4 x 10. I think that's a pretty fun size too... too bad nothing can compete with a Mini Moo.

ps. Do I have Mini Moo Cards on The List? If I don't I should. I didn't actually order these yet. I printed them at Costco and stuck them back to back to see if I liked the tiny size. Like it? I LOVE IT!

pss. Speaking of the back. It's a page from Erin Zam's DIY Droplet Planner and Calendar Digital File. I'm not sure if she's still selling them or not [though I can't imagine why she wouldn't. They're DIY, meaning you fill in the blanks]. Her shop is on vacation and will open up again Jan 3, 2011. Anyway. I bought it a couple of years ago and I've had lots of fun using the different pages for various projects. Though I've never actually printed the whole thing and made a planner... Hmm. Anyway, it's a small corner of one of the many pages.

It's About That Time Again

I've been looking over my list. Seeing what I can cross off. Making exceptions. Giving myself a little slack. It's all good you know. No pressure when it comes to the list. That's what I tell myself. So, here it is. The official List of 33. I'm calling it good enough. I also added a few things I accomplished that weren't on the list. They more than make up for the things I never got around to.

1. expand my bookshelf
2. write a sentence a day
3. make a mix tape
4. paint tiny art
5. capture me
6. save 33 x $10 in an envelope
7. do something for someone they can't do themselves
8. try new recipes
9. feed people not living in my home
10. do a photo transfer with acetone I'm counting this as done. I followed the instructions but wasn't successful. Trying it was the point I think.
11. shoot ttv
12. get garden boots
13. take a dance class Zumba anyone?
14. embroider something Initials on a scripture bag weren't necessarily what I had in mind, but whatever.
15. take back the bookcase does covering it up count?
16. get photos taken in a photobooth [anybody know where I can find a photobooth?]
17. make + send postcards
18. learn to play lucky penny
19. get a photo gallery wrapped
20. spend a weekend w/B [and only B] I'm counting this too. Even though we had the baby with us. Should've done it before the baby was born...
21. make a baby book the book is made. It's just lacking the little details... like photos + words.
22. do random acts of kindness
23. explore the antique shop on the outskirts of Cedar.
24. make an artsy family video [anybody know how to do this?]
25. plant flowers
26. print photos
27. dress up. be brave
28. re-cover throw pillows
29. make a quilt
30. alter a shirt Percy Jackson's camp halfblood shirt will have to do.
31. go on a photo walk
32. save 33 lists Igot really close.
33. revisit "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life"

Things I did that were not on the list: Added another little person to our family Made new friends Reconnected with old friends Made scripture bags Made a doll bottled lots of soup bottled some salsa Made apple pie Learned to make bread Made lots of pizza Made calzones too. Made [and enjoying very much] homemade yogurt Practiced saying no. Became a teacher Finished the happy banner + hung it up Enjoyed the happy baner every day since. Wondered if *B* would like me to take down the happy banner Made juice - lots and lots of juice Made pumpkin muffins Converted entirely to whole wheat pancakes Reminded myself how to crochet Crocheted a few baby bear hats + one large bear hat Crocheted a hair bow Planted a garden Pulled lots of weeds with a very large belly in the way Made the JS Creative Team Sold a few pieces of art Made a few sets of baby legs Played volleyball anyone else have something to add to my list?

2.for.Tuesday

one: This really great template. It's Jessica Sprague Template 1.02 and it's $1.00 tomorrow only. One Buck Wednesday people. Gotta love it! So many great things to play with. Go see!

two: Number 33. I'm calling it done [nice that I'm crossing it off just for watching this video and participating in the interactive part of it. That's revisiting, right?]. Thanks to Amy for the help.

If you haven't read "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life" I highly recommend it. Highly.

ps. her children's books are really great too...

List #6: Guiltiest Pleasures

1. dark chocolate milky way
2. rainy-day reading
3. pretty paper
4. a new box of crayons
5. an extra game of volleyball
6. starting a new project

No. 11

shoot ttv [through the viewfinder] of an old camera that is. It's an Argus 75. I love it. There is actually a tube contraption that you make and position between the viewfinder of the Argus and the lens of the digital camera, but I decided to just go ahead without it [as it's likely that I will never actually make the contraption]. Looking through the viewfinder of the argus produces a whole new point of view. I saw things that I didn't expect. I saw things I wouldn't have normally looked at. I decided I like looking through the viewfinder of the Argus. But not necessarily through the viewfinder via my digital. I think I'm going to buy some film. I'll add that to the list for next year.

So, my review of ttv photography [without a contraption] is this:

+ it looks really neat because you get cool flecks and "noise" on you photo.

+ it looks really neat because the colors and lighting get altered a bit.

+ it looks really neat with rounded corners and black borders

- it's awkward to get a good shot because you have to hold both cameras at the same time.

- holding both cameras is impossible.

- the shots you can take are limited to what you have on hand to position the Argus.

So, that's it. It's awkward, but I like the way it looks. I might re-visit this one with a contraption.

I'm Currently Working

on items #14 + 27 + 30 on the list. We'll see how it goes. My timing is bad. The baby is coming at noon'ish on the 21st. Yeah, my timing is really bad. I'm still trying to work out the execution kinks in my head. Some of it is very clear. Some of it, not so much. Here's a little peek. It's pieces of a quote from Katherine Center's book Everyone is Beautiful: I'll try to share the process. Wanting to be better at sharing the process. I will tell you this little tidbit: the idea started with this. The concept intrigues me.

It's Finally Official

I am crossing no. 12 off the list. These boots have been on back order at Target for months. Seriously. I think it's been 6 mo. They were supposed to actually be used to work in the garden, but they're a little late. I can't bend over to work in the garden anymore. And for that matter, I can barely get the boots on at this point. My feet are so swollen. I don't notice that they're swollen unless I try to put on closed shoes. In the 2 minutes I had them on to take this photo my feet fell asleep. I think I'll not be wearing them for a while. The girl sure seems to like them though. She keeps undoing the buckles. So that's it. No. 12, your finished.

Everyday Food

magazine [May edition] has been this weeks go-to. We've had fish tacos with cabbage + lime and chicken tostada salad so far. Tonight I've got plans for calzones and we'll do white bean and tuna salad on Sunday [Dad is in charge of Saturday dinner, so I don't plan that one if I can help it]. It must be the time of year, but everything looked so good and light. I've had the subscription for a year now and I think this is the first time I've actually made more than one thing out of any given issue. The fish tacos were a big hit. Really big. And for those of you who may not be big fish eaters. Tilapia is a very mild fish. Not fishy at all. The only thing I did differently wrong was using mayonaise instead of sour cream in the sauce. I don't know how I did that. And honestly, I just now realized that I did it at all as I was looking at the recipe. So... try it right or substitute mayonaise for the sour cream. I can't vouch for the sour cream, but with mayo it's yummy. And now that I've made it, I would make extra sauce. We all really wanted more of the sauce. The chicken tostada salad was yummy too. I am not kidding when I say that my kids must be Mexican. I love Mexican food any day, but I crave it when I'm pregnant. They don't have a link up on the website so I guess I can't share the recipe or a photo here today. Just imagine a toasted corn tortilla topped with melted monterey jack cheese, chicken [I used canned] seasoned with onion, garlic, and taco seasoning [I chose to use taco seasoning instead of chili powder] and after cooking sprinkled with lime juice, chopped romaine again sprinkled with lime juice, chopped tomato, diced avocado, and fresh cilantro leaves. All sprinkled with salt. If you want the actual recipe give me a call or pick up the May issue of Everyday Food. You can thank me later.

I Am the Queen

of the car fixers. Seriously. Tonight, for the second time I can recall, I rescued *B* as he wrestled with a cracked radiator hose or something equally car'ish. He had been out working on the car for a couple of hours and after I got all of the littles into bed I went out to observe. He was near cussing. He had cuts on his hands. He was not happy. See, the new hose would not slide over the valve or whatever. It just wouldn't. I suggested trimming out the inside wall a bit and give the thing a little head start. Not the magic solution that I had hoped. He decided to try from underneath the car. With him out of the way I was able to work my magic. I took hold of that hose and after a couple of trys... yes. I got the hose on. Where was I two hours ago? And my hands cleaned up very nicely. Thank you very much. I'm going to cross no.7 off the list. Do something for someone that they can't do themselves. [the truth is, there is probably a very good possibility that in this case as well as the last, which I don't really remember... but there was an extremely long belt involved. And lots of pulleys. I do remember that I saved the day. Maybe the only reason I am queen of the car fixers is that my hands aren't quite as big as his. And I didn't put on gloves and could get a better grip. With minimal slippage. That's all I've got. But really, I think the truth is that I am the queen.]

It Must Be Ribbon Week

because seriously, pin another one on me. Last night I finished my 2007 family book. Whew! I keep doing this little victory dance. I've been working on it for... oh, I'd say three years. Good grief. Here's a little peek for you.

2007 by Bruce Mandi BOOK INFO

Now, where did I put that ribbon?

Today I Get a Prize

for finishing the Book of Mormon. In 33 days. It was on the list this year. Good job me!

It's Time

November. Time for another list. I have one. I'm debating sharing it. There are pros and cons. If I share you could all encourage me + help me along. If I don't all my great accomplishments will be a great surprise. I'm supposed to be focusing on what I actually do. Not what I meant to do... I suppose I will just leave it at this... It's November. I've made another list. A list of 33. And as a little sneak peek I will tell you that many of the things on the list contain the number 33. and I will show you this: Enjoy the Journey!

ps. the two peeks are not necessarily related. just thought you might like to know.

2.for.Tuesday

[only it's Wednesday and I've just now realized it...]

one: I make lists. A couple of years ago I started making a yearly to-do list on my birthday (inspired by none other than Hula Seventy) and I recently stumbled across this project by Elise that I love. What a great way to keep track of the things you feel are important enough to actually work towards accomplishing. I mean, I really just love the idea of having the list but yay for a cute way to document it besides just a crossed off list!

two: This is my new [old] camera. I got it for $30 on e-bay. It works. It has a sweet industrial looking flash that also works. I can use it for through-the-viewfinder photography (TtV). As soon as I master the art of manual mode on my XTi. That is the agreement. Until then it will stay in it's box.

Enjoy the Journey!

Wherever You Go There You Are.

Yep.

2.for.Tuesday

I think I should just change the name of my blog to 2.for.Tuesday!

As this year is coming to an end I've been mulling over what I want to accomplish this next year. I'd say that this year has been pretty much swallowed up in new baby and damage control. I'd like to be more proactive and do less aimless wandering and "where to start" wondering. I have an appointment with a psychiatrist on the 19th. I hope to determine if the ADHD diagnosis I was given a couple of years ago was just a crock or if it's a hopeful jumping off point to more sanity.

Today I want to share something that was in my inbox this morning. I think you've probably all heard of this. I've been told how great it is numerous times and never did check it out. Once I turn on the computer all bets are off. Someone needs to create a "waste-not" big sister control where each time you get on the computer you have to type in the websites you can visit before the internet will open up the world to you. I frequently get lost in the world wide web (It's been two hours now since I logged on and I'm finally back to my inbox and getting this post done... )! That would ne such a help to me. I would have to think about what I wanted to accomplish and then be done once I accomplished it. So... back to my inbox and what I wanted to share:

one: Fly Lady. That may be all I need to say, but more specifically, this.

This is actually something I put on my "32 things to do..." list that I've yet to share with you. #31: go to bed with an empty sink.

two: a party hat template to make fun hats to bring in the new year. It's from Scholastic. I think the kiddos would have fun with this. Just gather up random art stuff and let them go. If I get around to doing it I will post some photos.

Enjoy the Journey!

Sunday Stories

I've been working on the Stories in Hand class assignments today. Personal History is a good Sunday activity right? I'll try to make "Sunday Stories" a permanent feature (telling my stories is one of the things from my previous "list" that I kept for this years list...*) . The purpose of the class is to tell your stories. Today I was doing the assignment from yesterday. It was to take something from your "snorkeling" list and go deeper. I was writing about my sister who is just younger than me. I have two other sisters, but with this one... WOW, we fought. We fought a lot. We fought over clothes and books and territory. Heck, we probably fought just to fight. I'm not talking about yelling here. I'm talking cat-fight fighting. Rip your hair out scratching/ clawing/ hitting/ kicking all out fighting. People got hurt. Doors were broken. We threw things. I mostly threw well aimed shoes. She threw knives. She says she was afraid for her life. I guess I was that mean. I'm glad we made it out alive. She is now one of my best friends. So... What were your siblings like and how did you get along with them? Enjoy the Journey! *Remind me to write about the new list PS: the "snorkeling" list comes from reading through prompts that Jessica has compiled and jotting down anything from your past that comes to mind so you can later go back and "scuba dive" to get more details down.

Stories in Hand

This is from the Stories in Hand class. I hope you all signed up because the class is closed. One of the things I kept on my new list from the last is to write something every day. This time I mean it!

Enjoy the Journey!

Ha Ha! Twice in One Day!

You'll never beg me for a post again! Since I was on the internet (and at the moment I can get a signal) I decided to go over THE LIST to see what I needed to do in the next month + 1/2 to meet my goals. As all things with me go, it took me a while to get there... I spent a lot of time reading past posts and laughing and just being genuinely glad that I've been blogging. It is so not a waste of time... I finally made it. Here's how things are standing:

1. In some areas I am doing better at doing less (like in the cleaning area...he he) I have really made an honest effort at simplifying and would be doing less if I hadn't joined the PTA. Again, stupid.
2. Attend the temple monthly... um, no. But I did get my recommend renewed on Sunday. I had no idea it had expired... in January!
3. Not so great at studying diligently. I read with the kids every night and for those of you who think I'm a little nuts (and those of you in book club), I did find one of the scriptures about "disaparating" (Harry Potter)/"turning yourself into the wind" (The Alchemist). It's Helaman 10:16-17. I'll see if I can find the others.
4. Pray earnestly. Well, at least we pray.
5. Serve willingly. I'm serving.
6. Rejoice. Hmm... maybe I should read the Conference addresses again.
7. Ponder daily the question, "Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch our family today?”
8. Write it down . I write lots of thing down... I just can't find them again later!
9. Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today . I'm very good at this. When I don't do something I know full well it's not for tomorrow.
10. Embrace being a nurturer. Working on it.
11. Get rid of my clutter. Working on it.
12. Paint a picture. Did it.
13. Frame it. No frame.
14. Hang it in my house. Done. It's stuck in the trim of my cupboards. Maybe you've seen it?
15. Take a photograph every day. Close...
16. Display pictures of my family. I have some. Just need to get them up.
17. Re-paint the upstairs bathroom. Next weekend?
18. exercise regularly. YES!
19. Take the boys to Sea World. Going next month.
20. Go to a Farmer’s Market. Done. I was a little disappionted... maybe someplace other than here would be better.
21. Make a collage/scrapbook page per week yeah, so I don't scrapbook right now... instead I'm going to donate 12" to Locks of Love.
22. Weekly Yoga class. I went back to yoga last night after a long break.
23. Perfect a whole wheat pancake recipe. We had them this morning. They are so good that you don't have to put anything on them.
24. Make my own Pesto. Done.
25. Put up all of my Christmas trees before Dec. 1 ...enjoyed the fact that I got a tree up at all.
26. Get our year supply caught up. We have really been working on that. I'll have to see where we're at and what we need to do to finish it.
27. Make out at the lake. Make out period... I seem to lack the focus for that since the naughtiness was taken out of the equation.
28. Chalk paint on the sidewalk with the boys. It's starting to be cool enough to do this.
29. Write down the stories of my life. That is what I am doing here.
30. Lose 31 lbs. keep... baby weight under 31 lbs. ... I guess I succeeded at this. I've got that much to lose again after losing nearly 30 with BFL. Now I get to start where I started before. I can do it though.
31. Enjoy the journey. Yes, definitely yes.

And now I will get off the computer and pay some attention to the girl who has morphed her cute baby nasal cry into a high pitched scream this week. It really irritates me.