Serious Play

Outdoors

So, there is just something about the outdoors.

 

I guess it is the fresh air, the beauty of nature, the adventure of discovery. 

That is why we are spending as much time as possible outdoors while our autumn lingers.

 

Have a happy weekend.

 

 

 

In 42 Years...

So, it's my birthday.

 

I feel good about my life and where I am now.

 

In 42 Years I have...

• my parents to thank for the way they raised me
• a strong relationship with my one and only sister
• worshiped the God of the Bible
• attended church regularly
• worn glasses for 32 of them
• developed a variety of athletic skills and a love for moving my body
• completed a degree in Education
• married a wonderful man to spend the rest of my life with
• owned five vehicles (three of them SUVs)
• taught every grade over a period of 18 years
• learned to speak French and a little Spanish
• given birth to two beautiful girls
• never broken a bone or had a serious injury or illness
• rented three homes and bought one
• bought a condo in Canmore
• loved every day of my job
• worked full-time while raising my girls
• browsed through a multitude of magazines
• gone skydiving twice
• been up in a helicopter
• learned to drive a standard
• been bucked off a horse several times
• taken a DSLR photography class online
• grown a love of scrapbooking and documenting my life
• have always had a strong, healthy relationship with my girls
• eaten out at fabulous restaurants too many times to remember
• accumulated a rather large collection of shoes...and sweaters
• started a blog
• prayed for my kids every day
• amassed a collection of vintage milk glass
• learned how to use Photoshop
• attended two Cirque du Soleil performances
• been up in a hot air balloon
• relied on God
• been to Mexico four times, Hawaii twice, Venezuela, Spain, France, the Dominican Republic and the United States
• collected a whole lot of scrapbooking supplies
• won an essay-writing contest about my grandfather's time in the war and how that plays into my life
• acquired two laptops, an iPad, an iPod, an iMac, a printer, a scanner, a PlayStation3, Rock Band
• read numerous novels and inspirational books
• made too many crafts to count or even keep track of
• renovated my house almost entirely
• seen three nephews and one niece join the family
• nurtured several plants
• taken piano lessons
• grown a desire to learn and better myself
• sat in Starbucks with my husband several times and raced him in Sudoku
• acquired a Canon DSLR, a point-and-shoot, an Instax Mini, and three vintage dual lens reflex cameras
• lived with my aunt and uncle
• remained close with all of my first cousins
• owned a dog
• looked for the good in everything
• appreciate my parents more and more for what they did for me
• paid off several loans
• drank tea on a regular basis
• cut down on sugar and fat
• researched how to stay healthy
• visited the chiropractor and massage therapist regularly
• ridden on the back of my husband's motorcycle
• been to both edges of Canada
• spent many evenings playing board games and card games
• attended the funerals of three grandparents, one uncle, one cousin and one close family friend
• filled countless journals with my life stories
• suffered with migraines
• been healed from migraines
• logged innumerable hours on my computer
• joined Facebook, Twitter, Netvibes, Pinterest, Typepad, Flickr, and Instagram
• owned a black leather jacket and a tan one
• never gone hungry
• supported three children through World Vision
• been told I look younger than I am
• ordered products online
• sang in a choir
• acted in several plays
• discovered I like Riesling
• sought to understand others without judgement
• made more mini albums that will fit on my shelf
• cried in movies
• learned to be happy with who I am

 

...and I am sure that I will go to bed and think of more!

I am blessed.

 

May your day also be blessed.

 

 

 

 

 

New Look

 
So, I am trying out a new look to my website.

 

As mentioned, I have been taking a class to learn how to make improvements to my blog. This class has been a challenge! I have had to think a lot about the purpose and my goals for this blog. Who do I want my audience to be? What is the future of my blog? What is my 'brand'? What should I choose as my blog banner?

This last question is the one that has had me working the hardest. I designed several banners before I chose this one, as seen in the photo at the beginning of this post. I really wanted to use a color scheme to direct my design, but nothing was feeling just right. I settled on the film strip idea as it speaks to what I want my blog to be about. I am not sure if this is it yet, but I had to put up something because I was getting behind in the class. What do you think?

Most of the improvements are small and barely noticeable visually, but I hope you will see a stronger purpose and vision when you visit my blog from here on in. I have put a lot of thought into it. It may change a little over time, but the feel will stay the same.

I am here to share what I love to do...photography, documenting through scrapbook layouts and mini albums, as well as share a little of what life is like at my house.

Enjoy.

 

 

So...just my luck! I have been playing around with my new banner and new look all night. It is saved and shows up in my preview, but is not showing up on my actual blog. So I am attempting to problem solving this one...please bear with me!

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

So, we are celebrating our Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend as a family.

 

You will find us out of the big city and relaxing amongst the mountains of Canmore.

We spent time geocaching along the trails and hidden paths...

Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating with thankfulness and turkey this weekend!

 

 

 

Takin' a Little Blog Break

So, I am starting this class today with Elise Blaha to improve my blog.

 

I have been tempted by this class in the past but put it off, telling myself that I am too busy. I am busy. I have two teenaged daughters who play volleyball every night, including weekends and we are still 2 months away from the first one getting her drivers license! I am busy.

However, this class tugged at me and suddenly on Thursday last week, I just did it...I signed up. I didn't even really think about it. Elise had posted that there were a few spots left and I just jumped in. I don't regret it. In fact, I think it is serendipitous. I am busy, but I am going to do this! 

This year I have been participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word class as well. The word I chose for the year is REALIZE, as in 'make it happen', 'get it done' or 'just do it'! One of my goals, while working through the year with my word, has been to learn how to improve my blog. So here I am...making it happen! I know the results for my blog will be worthwhile, but it will also be worthwhile for me personally to accomplish this before the year has ended. Go me!

So, having said all that, I am taking a little break from blogging this week to work on this class. When I return I hope to dazzle you with a new blog look and feel. Not sure how long this will take...a few days perhaps. The class runs for two weeks but I am hoping that I will have something to show for it before the end of the two weeks. 

Please bear with me as I take a few days off from my regular postings to pursue this little goal of mine! Thanks!

 

 

 

September OLW Blog Hop

So, here is my One Little Word project for September.

 

This month we were to choose a battle to surrender. Something that our word stirred up, but that has not materialized, that we have come to terms with and decided that is not worth the struggle right now. For me, that is writing. And I am okay with it.

We were challenged to pick a battle worth fighting for. Something that our OLW has prompted that we may not have yet followed through on. Something that we are now facing with intention after deeming it worth the battle.

My battle worth fighting for is exercise. Back in May, I set a goal to lose 10 pounds. It is not that I am overweight. I just need to maintain my health. I have back issues that have lead to some pretty severe migraines. By doing regular exercise, I will keep my muscles toned, which will keep my spine in alignment, which will keep my hip from going out, which will allow me to avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort. (Wow, I sound old).

 

I am fighting this battle by tracking my progress. I have chosen to take on Jillian Michaels and her 30 Day Shred. I have done it in the past, but let the routine slip. So, I am re-starting my 30 days...with intention. 

This is the power that my word REALIZE (as in, Just Do It!, Get It Done!) is doing for me!

 

 

Thank you so much for visiting today!

I am so encouraged when you visit.

 

To see more September OLW projects, go visit the blogs of the following very talented ladies,

starting with Margie at her Xnomads blog. These blogs go live at 8am PST.

 

Margie         http://xnomads.typepad.com

Julie Ann     http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com

Cheri            http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Nikki            www.inkyart.com.au

Sam              http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/

Jan               http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com

Jenn             www.studiojenn.blogspot.com

Nicky            www.seejanebake.blogspot.com

Jill                http://jillconyers.typepad.com/

Monica        http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/

Lynn            www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com

Lisa              http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog

Cindy           http://seriousplay.typepad.com   <<< You are here...

...and when you are finished, continue on to Margie at the top of the list.

Enjoy...and welcome to October!