(diva)logues

Plans & goals...

Thinking about the upcoming year with an open heart, mind, body & soul.  Have been making a list of things I'd like to do more & a couple things I'd like to do less + goals to accomplish.  I work well with lists, especially when I keep it somewhere that I can see it regularly.  Planning to do another GOALS layout like this one, so I can hang it in the craft room like I did in July...

   

It was not a list of RESOLUTIONS, but more a list of short & long-term goals that I had.  I accomplished 7 of the 16 goals.  (Looks like "reconciling the checking account every month"... rather than every 4 or 5 months... is going on next year's list again!) 

Anyway, I mentioned this once before, but THANK YOU to each & every one of you wonderful friends I have known forever & those I have only met this year in this forum.  This blog was created in February '08 simply as a way to get more involved in the online world of scrapbooking with the goal of someday getting published.  I never dreamed anyone would care to read it (other than the select 3 people I told about it... my husband, Sally & Stephanie... who I thought would not judge me for what I'm sure they thought was kind of silly)... let alone leave sweet comments that would make me smile daily.  This has been such a great experience getting to know people that share the same passion for creating & whether I eventually meet some of you or not (meeting Julie in a couple weeks!)... know that you've made a difference in my life.  I'm endlessly inspired by your art & your comments brighten my day.  Honestly, I even remind myself of the encouragement you give with regard to my running... it HELPS more than you can imagine!  

So... best wishes for a HAPPY, HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS 2009...

       

Hugs... Deana

Runnin'...

Ran up to the Y this morning for Zumba & then came home to get ready quickly so we could meet Mom & Sydney for lunch & then to the Magic House.  Note to self... when school is out, not a good time to go to the Magic House.  The girls had fun though, so I guess that's all that matters...

 

 

 

 

So many magical things to do in the brand new addition... costumes to wear, slides, activities... a dream for kids (& a nightmare for mommies who worry how she's going to find her child in there if she gets lost... craziness!) 

Tomorrow the fun continues!  Have to run 4 miles in the morning, then to meet Bob for lunch near his office so he can take Bryn with him for a bit while I go to my doctor visit (annual physical) & then Bryn & I have a couple hours of "Girls Day Out" (ie. shopping!) before we go to my friend Stephanie's, to celebrate the holidays with her & her family at dinner time. 

One of these days I will finish up the last 3 days of my December Daily.  Have the photos & journaling, just need the time to sit & create.

Here are days #21 & #22...

And lastly, I am freaking out nervous & excited!  Just received my official race packet in the mail & I'm in the 4th corral based on my finish time!  Ok, last year, I was in the 15th corral because I trained to walk/run it.  Somewhere along the line, this NONrunner became a RUNNER!  All things are possible... NEVER say never!   

Christmas was good...

& a little different this year.  We had a relaxing day on Christmas Eve.  I did my Spin class in the morning, while Bob waited at home with Bryn for our new dishwasher to be delivered.  So happy to have a dishwasher again!  Bryn opened gifts from us... a big closet for her American Girl doll clothes & the bed she wanted for her doll, the Nintendo DS Dogs Fashion game & a few other things...

 

I probably had more fun filling the closet than she did.

   

After attending an early church service on Christmas Eve, most of the family went to the hospital to visit my aunt, who's still in ICU.  She'd be out by now if she were cooperating with them & not trying to pull tubes out & such... but that's a whole other story.  Everyone went to my parent's afterward for food & gifts...

 

My sister, Marci, me & Mom...

 

We were up early the next morning, as Santa had delivered gifts while we were sleeping.  Bryn was beside herself with excitement when she opened Wii & Wii Disney Sing It...

  

I, personally, am really enjoying the Wii Sing It!

 

Ordinarily we would host Christmas Day.  This year, however, things were changed a bit, so we travelled to see family in Illinois & then to my parents again in the evening.  I was able to use the Pencil Lines sketch #115 for some of my Christmas Day photos...

 

It's the perfect sketch design for a LOT of Christmas photos.  (And YES, I was able to do this page already because Bryn is spending a lot of time with the new Wii game!)

Running 10 miles this morning & the race is officially 3 weeks from today... but who's counting? 

MERRY CHRISTMAS...

There's a new card sketch up at the Let's Scrap blog.  Here's the sketch we were given...

 

and here's what I did with it...

 

(The chocolate part it so true...)  If you have some time over the holidays... head over to the blog & play along with us!

 

From my family to yours... wishing you a VERY Merry Christmas full of much LOVE, FUN times with family & friends and many HAPPY memories.  Drive safe if you have to be out on the road! 

Just a quickie...

Getting ready to run 4 miles.  Bryn & I were supposed to have dentist appointments today but they called to cancel, as the dentist is out of town for Christmas.  I am so disappointed... ummm glad!  Bryn is disappointed I think.  She has a very loose tooth that I think she was hoping they might just yank out while she was there.

We are going to drive through a local Christmas light display tonight, as per today's advent calendar card.  Then we're coming right home so we can park ourselves in front of the TV.  The annual Mizzou vs. Illinois Braggin' Rights game is on.  Go Tigers!

And a recent layout for The Story Matters challenge to use "I Believe..." as your title & for the Noel Mignon challenge to use "believe" in your title... 2-for-1!  (I was finally able to scrap my Thanksgiving Day photos with this one).

 

And right now I'm THANKFUL that our new dishwasher is going to be delivered tomorrow since we've been without one for 5 days now...

Brrrrr...

Had a great "Date Night" on Saturday night.  Not only did Bob's work friend make the dinner reservations for us at Sleek (evidently he frequents this restaurant), but he also made sure we had their best table AND ordered/bought us a bottle of Jordan Cabernet (a VERY nice wine... we've been to this winery).  Sometimes, it's not what you know... it's WHO you know.  

  

We took a cab to & from the restaurant and then just spent the night at the Sheraton.  It was a really nice night out right before the hustle & bustle of the holidays.

On Sunday we were up early so we could attend Sydney's church Christmas program.  And WOW, was it COLD outside.  It was 8 degrees on our way to the church & it only got up to 16 degrees for a high.  Shockingly cold.  Had lunch at Cheesecake Factory afterward & did a quick run through Archivers (well, ok, it's hard to be quick at Archivers).  Later on I ran out to Michaels to get a couple baskets for gifts & a few other things, as I had a special coupon good only from 4-10pm on Sunday night.  Did I mention how cold it was... yeah, I must've been on a mission to finish up Christmas. 

Was able to get caught up on my December Daily this afternoon.

Day #18 (card today read, "Donate old clothes & toys to charity)...

 

Day #18 journaling + Day #19...

Journaling for Day #19 + envelope for Day #20 (holds extra photos from "Date Night")...

 

Day #20...

 

I still have yet to do a single lay-out regarding the holidays.  This book has been so great for documenting every single day that I just haven't felt the need to do so.  I do want to do a multi-photo page from Christmas Eve & Christmas Day photos, but right now I feel content that the "story" is getting told.  And frankly it's being told in much greater detail than if I were to put all these mini photos on a page & try to sum it up in a bit of journaling.  Will definitely be doing this again next year... 

Whew...

Happy to say that Byrn's class party went well & very happy that Mom came with me to help... because I really NEEDED help!  Had some moms back out on me last minute, but we managed to pull it off in spite of that.  Right now I'm wondering how I can politely let everyone know that I'm not going to be in charge of the next/last party this year.  2 is enough for me at this point.      

Was not planning to MAKE any gifts this year, BUT when I saw the new Scrapstars challenge... I decided to make a personalized note card set...

     

Love this mod-looking patterned paper & I bought it with this note card set in mind.  The cardboard "purse" (which will hold the note cards) was embellished with a red craft boa & a left-over strip of the patterned paper...

  

I do love purses!

Tomorrow my parents are taking Bryn & Sydney (my niece) to see the Rockettes & then keeping them for a sleep-over. 

Bob & I are going to spend the night Downtown & have dinner at a new restaurant... Sleek.  The name alone is intriguing, but it also came highly recommended by a friend... 

No fun until after I run, though.  Only 8 miles this weekend (& you know you've been running a LOT when you say "ONLY 8 miles.") 

What are your plans this weekend before Christmas?  I hope whatever you do, it puts a smile on your face...

And one more thing... check out this cute dollhouse give-away!

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Lots of rain/ice coming down right now.  Kinda wondering if there will be school tomorrow... the last day of school before Christmas break... the day of the Christmas party that I organized & have all ready to go.  Bryn is hoping for school... doesn't want to miss out on the party (or the all-school sing-along that's scheduled for right before the party).  I told her we'd have our own party at home if school was cancelled. 

Not a lot of time for crafting at home lately, but I am managing to keep up with my December Daily right before bed at night (the beauty of putting the shell of the book together in advance).

Days #16 & #17...

 

Day #17 journaling...

   

Lastly... a CUTE & NEW Etsy shop!

What else can you do on an icy day besides Zumba & crafting?

Bryn did my Zumba class with me yesterday. The roads weren't too terribly bad & we're only a couple minutes away from the Y.  There was another little girl taking the class with her mom, too.  What else can you do when the kids are off school?!  Bryn loves to dance & is especially happy when she gets to take one of my classes with me. 

Challenge #5 is up at the Scrapping Across The Universe blog.  The challenge is to do a layout about a job or boss that you hated.  I took an opposite spin on it & did a layout about my favorite job ever... being a MOM...  & all the job titles that role entails...

 

I used wordle to create the random words pattern (a tip I found in the new Creating Keepsakes magazine).  Come join us... there's always GREAT prizes!

Did this one with the photo from my recent Tree of Friends party...

 

The "tree" was found in the floral department at Michaels.  The roofs are pieces of felt.

Another handmade ornament from a styrofoam ball, this time with sheet music & colorful straight pins...

 

And Day #15 from my December Daily (a copy of the letter we received yesterday from the North Pole)...

 

Bryn said, "I can't believe I'm near the top of the 'nice list'!"  I can believe it...

Only 9 more days until Christmas!

No school today...

... we had a big ice storm last night & the temperature went from almost 60 degrees yesterday to a high of 20 degrees today (right now it is only 12!) 

Saturday was the peak day of our 1/2 marathon training... 12 miles... & I finished it in 1:56:17.  I know that on the day of the race, adrenaline will push me to go faster, so I'm still shooting for my goal of finishing the 13.1 miles in 2 hours or less.  Anyway, by the time we got to the wine tasting Christmas party that night, we were a little stiff & sore... but it was a nice party.

Visited my aunt in ICU yesterday.  She had open heart surgery on Tuesday.  As if battling that recovery was not enough, she is now detoxing & having a VERY rough time.  (Reason #592 for living the healthiest life you can live.)  It was not a pretty sight to see her in that condition, to say the least.  Thankfully, my sister went with me.  That is one HUGE maze of a hospital & she had been there earlier in the week so she led me around.  We had a good lunch afterward & it was great to have some time to spend with her.  We don't get to do that enough. 

Did a little shopping at the mall on the way home & then Bob, Bryn & I ate dinner out.  I was able to finish up the last couple days of my December Daily album before calling it a day...

Day #12...

 

 

Day #13...

 

Day #14...

 

I've made small changes along the way & didn't number any of the pages beforehand to allow for more flexiblity.  But I have to say, putting the shell of the book together in November REALLY made this project very easy to accomplish.  Makes me think of taking on a 365 project.  (Although EASY is not a word that comes to mind with that!) 

And I ran... I ran so far away...

A new card sketch has been posted at the Let's Scrap blog.  Here's the sketch we were given...

 

and here's my take on it...

 

I recently mailed it to someone special! 

Bryn had fun at the Winter Wonderland last night.  I worked the pancake dinner ticket table, while Bryn did a little Christmas shopping, got her picture taken with Santa & got a tatoo on her face...

 

Before we got there she said to me, "Do you think they'll have the REAL Santa there tonight, or do you think it will be one of his helpers?"  I said, "Well, I don't know, maybe one of his helpers."  So, at dinner I asked her if it was the real one or a helper & she said, "I think it was one of his helpers."  (I don't know... was it the fake beard that gave it away? )

 

Off to run 12 miles... cannot tell you how excited I am about that!  Umm... not.  And tonight is our wine tasting/Christmas party.  We may be a little stiff & sore tonight, but we'll be there!   

BUSYness...

Finally got caught up on my December Daily.  It's been busy around here, so when/if I'm actually at home, I'm trying to fit my projects in. 

Days #9 & #10...

 

... and the contents of the Day #10 envelope (the contact sheet of photos I took of the kids at school on Wednesday & the Christmas Day invitation that I made)...

 

Day #11...

 

Tonight is the Winter Wonderland at school.  The kids get to go "shopping" for family members & there's an all-you-can-eat pancake dinner going on.  Thankfully Bryn is allergic to pancakes, so we don't have to partake in that tempting offer (yucko).  I am working at the ticket table from 5-6:15... at which point I hope I am able to leave.  The 3 of us plan to go get dinner afterward, maybe at Chevys since it's close. 

Then, up-n-at-'em soldiers!  We're doing our 12 miles on Saturday rather than Sunday because Bob's work Christmas party is Saturday night.  Since they are doing a wine tasting & appetizer- themed party, it would be nice to get to have some wine while we're there!

Have a GREAT weekend!

'Tis the season...

... to be busy!  My day began with Spin, then to school to volunteer (took photos of each child for the hand-made ornament craft we'll be doing at the class party next week), then to Target & Dierbergs, then home to wait for Sears to rebuild the old treadmill. 

Still getting caught up on the last 2 days in my December Daily book & finished a DT lay-out for Scrapping Across the Universe.  By the way, Bree has revamped the blog, so check it out.  You have until the 14th to play along on the current challenge! 

And since I have no crafty stuff to share, I leave you with this cute poem from my Let's Scrap DT friend, Joan...

Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him, "Hi Santa, " I said.
"You know....good little girls should be in their beds."
"I know I should Santa, and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited to see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work."
He shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear...
"You've got enough crap, I'll see you next year!",_.___ ,_.___

Happy, happy, joy, joy...

My new Christmas gift is being delivered today... so very happy! 

Haven't had a chance to post recent December Daily pages...

 

Day #6... we cut strips of paper to make a "gratitude garland."  Bryn's list included:  Mom & Dad; friends; food; to learn stuff; a place to live; myself; that we're able to afford things; a TV; my room; a school; water; clothes.   I was proud of the things she came up with... & really thought water was a very thoughtful answer.

  

Day #7 was "string popcorn" (which we actually did today after school because we ran out of time yesterday!) and Day #8 was "sit in the cuddle chair & listen to the Polar Express."  I ended up missing half of the story tonight because her teacher called to make sure I was ok with being in charge of the class Christmas party (which I can't say I'm totally excited about, but have managed to get it organized in a matter of 2 days anyway!).  So, when I finally got off the phone with her, Bryn said, "Mom.... you missed half the story!"  Well... 

Off to run my last 4 miles EVER on my old VERY faithful treadmill. 

And tonight we have breakfast food for dinner in our PJ's!

Happy Monday...

Well, the weather was in the 20's yesterday morning, so I opted to do my long run on the treadmill.  The REALLY good news is that Bob went out to a fitness equiptment store yesterday & bought a NEW commercial-grade treadmill for my Christmas gift... 

 

I am SO excited!  It should be delivered some time this week, they'll call today to schedule a delivery date.  In the mean time, we are getting the belt & motor replaced on our current treadmill on Wednesday as part of our maintenance agreement/insurance (ie. FREE) & then that little friend of mine is going on Craigslist.  SO looking forward to having a nice treadmill like you find in hotels or fitness centers.  AND... since I have to do 12 miles this weekend, this might make it just a wee bit more tolerable less painful!

Yesterday I also finished up decorating the house for Christmas & Bryn had a school friend over for a few hours to play.  I made my first ever pop-up card for the Creative Type challenge to use one word as the focal point of your layout...

 

There's a new tutorial on OLW on making pop-up cards if you'd like to try it out. 

I also made an ornament for someone after I saw something similar elsewhere (canNOT find where I saw it... a blog, I believe?)  I started with a styrofoam ball (like the kind you use for floral arrrangements)...

 

and then took my flower punch, Christmas patterned paper, brads, & some ribbon to come up with this...

 

Not sure if it will fare well in the mail, so I may need to go with Plan B for my ornament recipient...

This one's for you, Sally & Stephanie...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

DKMdiva...

 

Did a mock set-up to make sure all my goodies are going to fit on 1 table tonight at Sue's open house.  Looks like I'm going to be ok.  If you're local and are interested in my whereabouts, shoot me an email... would love to see you!   Sue will be selling her hand-made ornaments & wreaths and a friend of hers will be selling hand-made jewelry. 

FYI... there will be wine & appetizers!   

Grinning from ear to ear...

I was picked for the Catwalk for the FIRST time ever at SIS... & it was for the layout I just posted for the SATU challenge yesterday!  Needless to say, it was a GREAT way to start my day!

Finally was able to get a shot of the snow, as it kept snowing while we were sleeping Sunday night...

 

I also used this photo for the first day of my December Daily album.  As for the advent calendar... Bryn's note yesterday said, "Cuddle under a blanket & read a good book."  So, after her shower last night, she brought out 2 pillows & put them by the Christmas tree.  The 3 of us laid on the pillows under a blanket & she read a few chapters from her new library book, "Paws Off Cheddarface" (a Geronimo Stilton book... her newest favs).  It was a simple thing, but really special.    

Today's note says, "Say something nice to someone you've never met."  Play along with us & make someone smile today.  You just might make someone's day a little better.

And lastly, Bryn is playing along again with the Kids Can Scrap blog.  This challenge is to make your own Christmas ornament this time & here is hers...

 

I think it's cute!  You can see Bryn's other work here.   

Challenge #4 is up...

... at the Scrapping Across the Universe blog!  Have you ever left your comfort zone?  Have you done something that was expected of you, that you didn't want to do?  Or maybe you ran from those expectations?  Check out the blog for more inspiration & here's my take on it...

   

My jouranling reads:

Training to run a 1/2 marathon
is totally out of my comfort
zone. Running does not come easily to me.
I have never run this much.
My body can do this...
my mind plays games with me.
That's my hurdle, gettting
past the mind games & staying
focused & driven.
Every day I run, I get a little bit faster.
I want to finish this race in 2 hours.
I can do this...

Come play along with us!  My fellow DT member, Gudrun, is providing the prize this time with her line of scrapping supplies.

And along those same lines... Bob sent me this quote today that really resonates with me...

One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes.  In the long run, we shape our lives & we shape ourselves.  The process never ends until we die.  And, the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. (Author unknown)

Have a great week!