The Other Side

Monetizing

2011-08-05T15:16:00.000-07:00

Has anyone in the blogosphere had any success monetizing their blog? I tried Google ads before, but that was kind of a bust. I know that niche blogs are more successful for monetization, but I'm not yet sure what my niche is. I know that bloggers exist whose only job is blogging (Design Mom, Dooce, for example) but I don't know how to start breaking into that kind of market. I'm also not sure if I can afford to be a full-time blogger, as I have other demands on my time right now. Plus, while I think I'm awesome, whether or not I am awesome enough to ask for sponsorships remains to be seen. (*wink*)

Thoughts? Any help/suggestions/real-life experience appreciated!

On Topic/Off Topic

2011-08-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

I am kind of at a loss for words.

That is a new sensation for me, I'll admit. But my priorities and how I spend my time has shifted since I started this blog so many years ago. It started as an outlet for my essays--something I still enjoy writing very much--then shifted to being about my scrapbooking and my classes for Stampin'Cat, and then to photography. Now that I do roller derby, things are shifting in my life again.

What would you like to read about? I know that niche blogs are more popular than blogs all over the place. I could do different sections like the Pioneer Woman, but only if people would like to read that

If you have read my blog for either a little or a long time, what do you like about it? What would you enjoy reading about? Leave a comment and chime in, otherwise Narcissism will RULE!

I'm still Here!

2011-08-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update: I am still alive!

I will be posting a GIANT update on my life and times later this week....stay tuned!

thanks for sticking around,
Dianne

Been Scrappin'

2011-01-21T07:33:00.000-08:00

This weekend (and last weekend) I spent some time with my first hobby love: Scrapbooking. Last weekend, I went to one of the regular retreats hosted by my beloved ScrapDivas (a yahoo group that I've been a part of now for nearly 8 years). As someone who moved all the time growing up, it's lovely to have a group of friends that has been a part of my life for eight years. (To give you some perspective on the moving: we've lived in our house here in Albany for almost 9 years and that's the longest I've had an address in my entire life). I really enjoy the recharge I get from hanging out w/these ladies. This weekend, I'm spending the entire weekend scrapping w/one of my good friends as a way to celebrate her birthday. It's going to be great!

I'm contemplating taking apart and reorganizing my albums. A few years ago, I thought it would make sense to separate each kids' activities and scrapbooking layouts into their individual albums. I haven' really kept up with that, so now I think I want to re-incorporate those layouts into my big family chronological albums. Anyone else do a complete album reorganization? Was it worth the hassle?

Derby Progress: I went to my first practice in well over a week. I was sick on Monday, and out of town scrapbooking (plus practices were canceled due to slippery floors in our warehouse practice space) so I was a little apprehensive and worried I would have lost a lot. Not so much! It was a great practice. I slept better, woke up better and feel better than I have in about a week. I feel like I can really do a t-stop now; I just need to keep practicing to make it better and more consistent. I also might not be the slowest in the group (for awhile at least) since we had a bunch of new girls join this week. I do need to push myself more; I tend to give myself permission to take a rest or go slower, and I need to change this mental attitude. I have to admit that at this time, I don't really have the fire for competitive derby--I want to learn derby skills, and I'm hoping that the goal of a Sick Town recreational league will someday be a reality. Maybe this will change--I don't know. I DO know that I LOVE this, and that I want to be better every time I go to practice.

current family picture...love these guys!

Derby Progress

2011-01-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

My goal with roller derby is simple: Be better every time I put on skates than I was the last time I put on skates.

Oh! I didn't tell you I joined the Roller Derby team highlighted in this video I posted about in August? Well, I did. I'm on the beginner team (Team Skabies--think "skate babies") and for a few months I was really more of a remedial beginner. I've been skating with them since August 11, 2010. My progress is v e r y s l o w. But that's okay, 'cause I am having a BLAST!

I need a place to record my improvements though. At each practice, I try to find at least 3 things I'm improving on or that I couldn't even do before. I don't want a lot of files or Facebook posts, so I'll just do a quick record here after each practice I attend.

Last night I:

started figuring out the toe-stop turn-around (thanks to a tip from skater Smackdapus)
managed to average 3 laps a minute in one of our relay challenges--and found I probably could have pushed harder and skated faster (will do that next time)
created a baseline of skills in another relay
did some pack skating like never before
didn't have to sit out and recover as much as earlier practices
managed to stay low nearly the entire time while skating.

Thanks! I attend practices a minimum of twice a week (my goal for 2011), so this might get repetitive. Feel free to wait around for my usual blog posts.

Grateful

2011-01-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

Imagine my surprise to get a phone call at 6am. I was awake (I tutor Korean students in English in the wee small hours of the morning) but I rarely have phone calls. I didn't recognize the number on the caller id (they were calling my cell phone) so I ignored it. Then the same number called the home phone. At that point, I figured it was someone who really wanted to talk to me, so I answered it. It was my daughter, calling from a cell phone in her swim team practice carpool telling me they'd just driven past a house on fire in our neighborhood. Later, I found out that she'd even seen the flames from her bedroom window as she'd gotten ready for practice that morning. This was scary and exciting and scary and impossible and mostly scary.

Of course, as soon as my work was finished, I ventured down the street to see it for myself. The road was blocked off by official cars and people were working hard to put the fire out. I didn't stay long--I didn't want to be in the way, and I didn't want anyone assuming the frumpy housewife taking pictures in her fuzzy slippers was the arsonist.

pictures taken from the backside of the house, in a nearby cul-de-sac

The stretch of road that this house was on was closed for the next 24 hours or so, while investigators did their work. There was a big mobile communications truck, and lots of people milling about. I've never seen so many people walking around out neighborhood before--mostly regular citizens wanting to see what was happening. I felt like they were treating this fire as an arson fire until they knew for sure what had caused the fire.

You see, our little city of Albany has a serial arsonist. You can read more about it in the local paper here and here. So far, the targets were empty or abandoned buildings. Some were homes that were in the process of being remodeled. One was an empty restaurant on one of the main streets into our town from I-5. This fire was well underway by the time the neighbors realized what was happening and called the authorities.

What really makes this fire different and scary was that this was the first home that was occupied. Luckily, no one was hurt. But the devastation, the loss, was complete. The woman who lives here literally has nothing left. It hurts to drive by it. I find myself taking the alternate route home more and more, so I don't have to see it. When I see this terrible aftermath, I can't help but think of how easily that could have been me. It's very humbling. It makes me grateful that my family is safe.

I have no idea what goes through a person's mind when they decide to commit a crime of this magnitude. To me, it is immensely selfish. I hope that this fire means he'll (or she'll) move on, away from my neighborhood, so that no one else close to me suffers. I actually hope that they'll be caught and punished, that appropriate consequences will be enforced. This is a terrible, terrible thing. I hope that there is a satisfactory end to all of it, especially for the owner of this house (and the other buildings that were burned).

New Year--Goals for 2011

2011-01-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

trying for a family pic before church yesterday...H was talking...sigh...

I love New Year's! I love that feeling of a clean slate and a fresh start. I love looking ahead to my year and thinking about what I would like to accomplish. In 2010, my New Year's goals centered around my "40 before 40" list--and that was good. I DID think about what I wanted to do after I turned 40, but the rest of that year was caught up in a maelstrom of busy that left me little time to do much of anything--even blog (as you noticed, from my 4 month absence). This is influencing my goals this year.

Another thing that influences my year is part of Ali Edwards' "One Little World" philosopy. For me, my word is two-fold: my main word is "Balance," because when I get as busy as I was in 2010, I lose my balance. The second part is "Slow," because I need to slow things down. It's become a habit to live my life scheduled not by the day or the week, but by the hour--and that's not healthy or happy. I need to take a step back and slow down; I need to not cram so much into my life.

So "Balance" combined with "Slow" are my first two goals of the year. Other goals include attending roller derby practices a minimum of twice a week, eating more raw snacks (meaning fruits and veggies), clean/organize/overhaul my home--especially my craft area/office (it's a DISASTER!), take more pictures and continue to move towards photography as a side business, learn to juggle (literally--it's something I've always wanted to be able to do) and take more naps. (*smile*)

What are your goals for 2011? What would be your "One Little Word?"

Still Alive!

2010-12-28T06:50:00.000-08:00

Oh my blogger friends! If you are reading this, thanks for keeping my blog on your horizons, especially since I have neglected it for so longs To be fair, it's been an incredibly busy four months--even for me, where busy is my normal state of life. Here's a quick recap:

I went back to work in the after-school program at the local Waldorf school.
I started directing a church youth musical play, (that I also wrote). This meant managing a group of 40 youth, ranging in age from 12-17, as well as overseeing all of the aspects of creating a play--scenery, costumes, music, etc. We only had about 6 weeks to put on this play AND it was a competition with 9 other church youth groups.
I went back to teaching music at a local preschool (the ELC). Combined with my Korean tutoring, I'm working between 25-30 hrs a week.
I sang the National Anthem at the Sick Town Derby Dames September bout.
In October, I did some subbing at the ELC, and started shadowing the Kindergarten teacher in preparation for taking over her class in November. For two weeks, I worked about 50 hrs a week while still having play practices and mom stuff and roller derby stuff.
H turned 12 at the beginning of October.
Our play (Roadshow, for those that know the lingo) was performed twice in one day, on October 23.
I took over the Kindergarten class at the ELC the first week of November. I gave notice at Waldorf mid-October (I'm still on the substitute list there) because I couldn't keep up with it all.
We found out at theRoadshow awards ceremony for the that not only did our little musical play win Best Script, Best Set/Scenery, Best Presentation, and Best Director awards, we also won the Grand Champion award! J shared the Best Actress award with another girl in our stake (a stake is a unit of organization for our church) but two other youth in our play won Best Vocalist (male and female) awards. I was very proud of the youth and how hard they worked.
December rolled in with it's many concerts. Given that we have two children in band, one in choir, and the fact that I'm not only teaching music at the ELC but also our church choir director, it's really not a surprise that from the 12th of December to the 19th of December our family was involved in 7 concerts. I also sang/directed at a Christmas Eve service.
Joel and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary on December 12th. (yay us!)
My daughter J turned 16 in the first week of December.
J joined the high school swim team.
I started attending regular roller derby practices the second week of August and LOVE IT! I'm still not very good (I literally started with NO skating skills and had to completely learn how to skate), but I keep trying. I don't know if I'll be participating in a bout (or even a scrimmage) any time soon, but I'm definitely keeping up with this. My goal right now is to be better each time I put on skates than the last time I put on skates. I'm on the newbie team (Team Skabies) for the local Albany-Corvallis league, the Sick Town Derby Dames. I do have a derby name picked out, but am going to keep that to myself for a bit.

So that's it in a nutshell. We are still reasonably healthy and very very blessed. All in all, 2010 was a pretty successful year for the Nelson family, and we are looking forward to the challenges and joys of 2011.

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

The Summer of Go

2010-08-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

The family approaching the Flag Walk at Mt. Rushmore

We have been a family on the go this summer. School got out on June 17th. J. left for EFY (a church youth camp) on June 21st. I left for my yearly scrapooking girls retreat on June 25th. Joy came hom on the 26th. I cam home on the 27th, late. Then the whole family packed up and left for our Midwest Migration (we counted--we drove through all or part of 10 states, going from Oregon to Illinois and back again). We saw family in LaGrande, Oregon, then Yellowstone for the 4th of July, then South Dakota where we saw Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood, the Crazy Horse monument, and the Mammoth Site, as well as some of the sets used in the movie "Dances with Wolves." From there, we hit the Winter Quarters visitor's center, and then went to my parent's house in Lee's Summit, Missouri. We spent about 4 days there, mostly hanging out with my family. It was especially cool that my sister drove up from Texas, almost making it a family reunion (only my brother and his kids were missing). Two of my sisters were working on the crew for the Kansas City Roller Warriors, so Joel and I were able to enjoy a bout (they had free tickets) and I LOVED it (more on that later). After we left Missouri, we headed to Nauvoo, Illinois for the Nelson Family Reunion. That was a super-cool experience that I would encourage any and all to go to. Our family especially enjoyed the pageant. It's hard to put it into words. I have ancestors that were in the city of Nauvoo before the members of the church left to head west in 1846, as does Joel, so there is a lot of history there for us. I took a TON of pictures that will be on my flickr site (if they aren't already--I've been so busy I honestly can't remember if I've put them there or not yet). We returned home late-late-late on July 19, with Girls Camp beginning on July 20th (and lasting a week). Then Cub Camp (where H. helped out as a "red shirt" for three days) was the next week, with 11 year-old day camp on Friday the 30th. After that, we started our annual Back Yard Play rehearsals. Joel and H went to Scout camp the next week, beginning August 2nd. C. had eye surgery on August 3rd, and ever since then, we've been having daily 2hr Back Yard Play practices (I'm acting as the Vocal Director this year). I also taught a series of science classes at the ELC's summer program (I'll switch back to music in the fall).

I'll have more pictures later. Mostly, I just didn't want you to think I'd forgotten how to blog.

So Flippin' Excited!

2010-07-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

I went to a Roller Derby Bout with sisters in Kansas City and am totally in love w/the sport. I just found a local league and am going to start helping out. And re-learning how to skate. Anyone want to come along?

250 Steps...

2010-07-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

...and it was drizzly and gray and we ended up with wet hair by the time we were done, but it was worth every step.

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

Paul Revere's statue, Paul Revere Mall, Boston, MA

I just wanted to give a shout-out to all who are serving our country right now in the Armed Forces. My father and father-in-law both served their country and I'm proud of them. I'm proud of anyone who decided to serve.

I'm also incredibly grateful for the blessings we enjoy because we live in a free country. My work with the Korean newspaper program helps me see just how lucky we are (not because the Koreans are oppressed, but because we often cover news stories about those that are.)

So take some time today to sing the National Anthem. Sing it with pride. If you know the last verse, sing it too. If you don't, I'd like to leave you with the last verse of the Star-Spangled Banner:

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

What NOT to do with a cell phone

2010-07-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

Motorola KrV or "Crave" R.I.P

Let me start by saying that I'd had this phone less than a year. I broke my last phone just a week before our 2 year upgrade by dropping it a couple of times within the same week. Not my best work. So when I got this new, flashy, fancy, touchscreen piece of junk, I was very careful with it. This time, it broke BECAUSE I OPENED IT TO MAKE A CALL! Seriously, I pulled it out of my pocket to make a call, and it fell apart in my hands. To be fair, I hated this phone. As soon as the "new phone glow" had worn off, I realized that the touchscreen lagged and often entered the letter right next to the letter you really wanted. But because I'm cheap, I was living with it. Now, of course, this particular phone is probably on a list of the "world's most useless phones." Luckily I have an awesome friend who gave me her cast-off phone (she had just upgraded) and I am quite pleased with it. It's funny that it's also a Motorola phone--but it works like a dream. Just goes to show you that you can find lemons in just about anything. When I took the pieces of my phone to the store so I could get my information transferred, the manager of the store was quite surprised by the damage, since my phone was in such good shape. "It looks brand-new!" he exclaimed, "Uh, yeah," I said, "Except for the fact that it's IN TWO PIECES, it's in GREAT shape." He then admitted that they also hated this particular phone and stopped selling it nearly immediately after it was released. Ah well. At least I had the blessing of a new phone without too much hassle, and it was easy to fix this particular problem.

Which brings me to how disposable our society has become. When I got the different phone, I needed a new car charger. So I toodled down to our local Goodwill store and found hundreds of wall chargers, car chargers, cables and whatever whatnot you could possibly need to stay technologically connected. $6.00 later, not only did I have a new car charger ($30 in the store) but a car charger for my iPod touch as well (no idea what the retail on that was). My thoughts on this--before you buy new, check out your local thrift stores. You might find exactly what you need for a fraction of the cost. And it helps cut down on consumer waste. That's a win-win for all!

And be careful when you open your cell phone. You never know what might happen...

A Division of Labor

2010-06-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

Big Trees State Park, California, 2006

Disneyland, 2005

Summer is here, and that usually means summer traveling.

My husband and I, in our nearly 18 years of marriage have settled into distinct roles as we travel. I should add that a big part of what I take on in my role comes from living with and being close to my grandmother--who, as much as I love her, I have to admit was a little paranoid about the oddest things. This has affected how I prepare for a trip. I simply can't help it. I'm much more stressed if I DON'T do these things.

My Jobs when we travel:

wash all of the laundry in the house and coordinate wardrobes so that no matter what my boys put on, I know that they won't look like ragged children
create packing lists for the children and then double-check their suitcases
If we are traveling by car (and we usually are) I plan and pack food for meals and snacks, and I make sure everyone has a water bottle. I work to have "real food," not junk food. This also means I do all of the shopping for said food.
Help each child pack a car bag, with books, games, etc., to keep them occupied. This includes shopping for new things because new thinks catch their interest better. I also make sure everyone has working headphones.
Pack a technology bag for everything else--laptop, charger, cellphone charger, headphones, etc. Make sure we have any videocameras and/or tripods. Make sure the cameras are ready to go.
Pack a first-aid kit that will allow us to do anything except minor surgery. Pack any medicines the kids could need (mostly 'cause it never fails that someone will get sick in some way while we are gone and I hate buying the same medicines I already have at home, usually in bulk)
Pack sunscreen and insect repellant
Look over our destination and make sure we've checked out fun things for the kids to do online ahead of time so we can be prepared.
Clean the house as much as possible so we don't come home to a dirty house.
Make arrangements for the dog to be cared for.
Make arrangements for the fish to be cared for.
Stop the mail.
Make sure the bills get paid. (this just means checking in with my husband--he keeps our bills paid, I'm just his reminder.)
Make sure the kids have packed their toothbrushes and hairbrushes.
Pack a vacation essentials kit with shampoo, laundry products, kleenex, hand soap, etc.
Pack my clothes, taking extra care not to forget underwear or my swimsuit (as I have done in the past.)
Make sure the kids have packed their swim bags. Make sure everyone has a towel and goggles.
Make sure we have some kind of blanket for sitting on the ground, just in case
Pack a car kit for each section of the car in readiness for anyone's car sickness. Our kits include ziploc bags (to catch the obvious) and hand sanitizer, because a little dab of alcohol on the base of the nose can stave off nausea for about 45 minutes. Usually long enough for the car sickness to pass without any excitement.
Make sure we have any necessary phone numbers.
Make sure we have car chargers for at least one phone.
Make sure that there are car blankets in the car for each child (and me)
Pack videos and books on tape to listen to. Make sure we have good music selections that everyone likes.
Try to think of any possible contingency and have a plan in place for dealing with that contingency. (I kid you not--it's kind of a sickness I inherited from my paranoid grandmother...)

Joel's Jobs

use priceline or something else to get us cheap hotels
pay the bills
make sure the car is at peak performance--change the oil, change the tires, fill up the windshield washing spray
choose our route
pack his own bag (with the clean pile of clothes I've left for him)
Drive

I don't really mind that my list is so much longer than his. Like I've said, I can't help it. Plus he does 90% of the driving (he gets car sick) so I think in the end, our roles are pretty even. Plus, I like it that my husband appreciates all of my efforts and makes sure to tell me. That's nice to hear! Our division of labor might not work for everyone, but it works for us--and isn't that one of the things marriage is all about? One of my favorite definitions of a good partner in life was to choose someone who's "rocks fit your holes," meaning that the rocks in your partner's head fit the holes in your head. I feel like I have that with my husband.

Yellowstone National Park, 2008

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some things I need to do...

Retro Sun Hats--I want one!

2010-06-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

Do you think they come in Grown-Up sizes? I could totally rock this look!

link HERE for the article where I first saw them and HERE for the maker's etsy shop.

Guest Blogging for Ali Edwards today

2010-06-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

You can read my post HERE. What fun!

Things I know Today--6-23-10

2010-06-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

playing with capes in the yard

1. My sister Susan's birthday is in a week. My sister Janet's birthday was 10 days ago. I'm going to be seeing them this summer, and I hope I can get a gift made for them before I leave. I have a plan that I LOVE and just need to make the time to make it.
2. "Summer's lease hath all too short a date." Shakespeare had this one totally right. (sonnet 18)
3. I have been much too busy in the last couple of months. Busy to the point of insane. Good thing I have a break this weekend!
4. I have too much crafty stuff. It's time to let some projects good. Good thing there was the Super Crafty Swap last week!
5. I am learning to listen to my body better when I am eating. It's like a switch flipped when I turned forty. It's been a learning experience so far. Things that didn't used to bother me now do.
6. I am constantly amazed by the ingenuity of the human mind.
7. Basic Grey (a scrapbooking company) constantly impresses me with their new releases. Such cool stuff!
8. I am loving the Summer Stories so far on Ali Edward's blog and looking forward to the whole series!
9. Taking time to reflect and count blessings is a necessary part of life. At least for me. Especially when I have been so crazy busy.
10. I'm totally in love with my family right now. I am working on really feeling the present moment and appreciating it and it's working.

I Love Mornings Like This

2010-06-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

I woke up feeling that happy giddy feeling you used to get as a child when you had a new toy and couldn't wait to get up to play with it. It took me a couple of minutes to realize that I was still super excited about sewing again. I am making a bag for J to take to a youth conference next week, using one of the most intelligent patterns I've ever found--the Mail Sack by Kathy Mack. I've loved this bag ever since I read about it on her blog. I think it's pretty awesome that you can take flat, two dimentional fabric like this:

Ginseng by Joel Dewberry. It's a home dec weight fabric, but pretty dreamy to work with. You can buy it here or here. Some of the prints are sold out, but you might be able to find it locally. We bought ours at Creative Crafts and Frames in Corvallis.

And then end up with this lovely 3-dimensional product (modeled by the eventual user):

We changed the pattern up just a bit--we added a small magnetic snap and then customized the interior pockets to accomodate a lip balm, a couple of pens, and her notebook (small specifically-sized pockets instead of two good-sized pockets.

No pens in this picture, but you can see the notebook. We also made a pocket sized for her cell phone.

It was a dreamy, easy project to sew. I completely recommend the pattern. There are lots of pictures of it on Flickr, so if you are on the fence, go check it out and then make your own! I used fusible fleece for the interfacing. The more I make bags, the more I like that instead of heavy-duty interfacing. The heavy-duty stuff never seems thick enough. The fusible fleece gives you both heft and thickness, making it perfect for bags (in my opinion). Now to make one for me!

(On a side note, I saved the bigger scraps for my person in the Super Crafty Swap because she is a quilter, and can appreciate them. I also hope she likes vintage patterns, because we culled our collection last night, and I'm throwing those into her package as well!)

So Ready for School To be Done

2010-06-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

H. gets ready to walk through the arch at the 5th Grade Promotion ceremony.

I've been working for the past six weeks at a third job. It's taking a lot of my time, although I really am enjoying it the job. I'm ready for something to leave my plate though. We have a busy summer planned, with road trips, surgery for C. (to fix his wonky eye), and another backyard play with our dear friends. Summers used to seem so long when we were children--now those ten weeks just woosh by. We are also planning to visit Yellowstone again.

I am also working on another list for myself. I enjoyed my 40/40 list so much (and yes, I haven't forgotten my need to do a "sum up") that I want another one to guide my next year. Here's what I have so far:

1. Learn to Juggle

2. See a movie by myself (a carryover from the last year)

3. Go away for the weekend by myself (another carryover)

4. Have a Photo Shoot Friday once a month, where I take pictures for one family. I want to have a book all about family connections when this is over.

5. Continue to make exercise and eating better an important part of my life.

6. Sew More.

I'll leave you with one last picture of my oldest son. He's embarking on the road to middle school. And he was the only one wearing a suit. I was so impressed with him!

Super Crafty Swap Partner--Totally Selfish Mention

2010-06-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this as my Super Crafty Swap Partner, and you are a knitter, I have always wanted a pair of hand-knit socks. *cheesy grin* Someday, I'd like to learn to knit my own, but that isn't going to happen for awhile...

Whoever my partner is, Thanks in advance!

I'm still here!

2010-06-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

I'm working at a local Waldorf school now--about 10-15 hours a week until school gets out. I'm also still doing about 25 hours a week for my Korean Newspaper Talk job, so that leaves little time for much else.

I'm also doing a Super Cool Crafty Swap with Amber Lee Pence, of The Ribbon Jar. I've done this once before with Amber, and had an awesome time!

Things I know Today: 6-1-10
1. I'm really really really tired of the constant rain. This is our punishment for having a dry winter, I think. We usually have mild sunny weather by now, and instead, just more rain. I'm wondering if we moved to Forks , Washington (where the Cullen's supposedly live) and didn't know it.
2. It's okay to advocate for yourself when appropriate.
3. Businesses that have reputation for good customer service will give you good customer service, especially if you ask for it.
4. I really need to stop drinking so much soda. It's like a switched flipped when I turned 40 and now I can't stomach it as well. I think I'm sad about this. I plan to try some uncaffeinated sodas and see if what is irritating me is the caffeine. I'll let you know.
5. I still have a crazy relationship with chocolate. Does anyone else chase their breakfast with a "little somethin'" and have a piece of chocolate after breakfast? Just me? Yeah, I figured it was like that.
6. Being close enough to family to have big family gatherings is a precious gift.
7. High School students can be crazy-talented.
8. Fresh french bread from the store bakery is a special treat.
9. So are fresh cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting.
10. My sister-in-law from Wenatchee makes a fantastic chocolate cake. I need her frosting recipe. She spent about 10 years as the food editor for the Wenatchee paper and it shows. Yummmmm.

Things I Know Today--5-14-10

2010-05-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

1. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the sun has been out the last two days. I think I had a touch of SAD and didn't know it.
2. I still think that Cyndi Lauper is a mad genius.
3. I really love taking pictures. I've been mulling over hanging up my sign and trying to work it as a job.
4. I'm really unhappy that they closed my favorite store on May 1st. I'm trying not to think about it actually.
5. I have the best friends in the world! The kind of friends that throw you a surprise birthday party, dress up in '80's clothes, and create '80's trivia games just for you. You should be so lucky!
6. I got roller skates for my birthday and can't wait to hit the streets like I did when I was 8. And I should add that I'm hoping to hit them w/my wheels and not any other part of my body.
7. Money whooshes in and out of my wallet too quickly.
8. Being 40 is pretty cool.
9. I like my hair short, but wish it was QUITE so short. Still, when it comes to cancer, I feel like I had the easy part of it.
10. Chocolate is still one of my favorite things to eat.

Pictures For My Mom

2010-05-11T14:29:00.001-07:00

are on my photography blog...I just spent a half hour loading them and realized that I put them on a blog I was fiddling around with to showcase my photography...and I don't have time to switch them to this blog, so:

SEE THEM HERE!

Things I Know Today: 4-27-10

2010-04-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

1. Korean children work very hard on their studies and their schoolwork.
2. I will be glad when the show (Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. at the Albany Civic Theater) is finished.
3. I will be sad when the show is finished because I have been lucky to work with a fantastic group of women (and one great Dad) as we put this show on. I will miss hanging out with them--it will be somewhat of a letdown. Luckily, we can plan lunch dates!
4. I will be sad when the show is finished because there is a great energy that surrounds 57 talented kids working together to put on the show and that is nice to be around.
5. Today will be a long day. I'm working three jobs today. More on that later.
6. I'm ready for the sun to stick around for a little bit.
7. Caffeine in the morning really does give you a kick-start. I don't usually imbibe, but my sweetie surprised me with my favorite soda mix this morning, and I am enjoying it.
8. I'm turning 40 on Friday. And I'm okay with that.
9. The Cowboys, Jet and Cord should TOTALLY win The Amazing Race.
10. I'm not going to finish my 40/40 list before my birthday and I think I'm okay with that as well. I learned a lot about myself, and am already thinking of a list to guide and shape my next year.

My favorite picture (right now)

2010-04-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

So so pretty to me. I have this as my desktop background and looking at it is a refreshing pause in a busy, busy day.

Thursday-- A Week in the Life

2010-04-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

Homework waiting to be worked on in the morning

the breakfast of champions?

baking frozen cookie dough balls for lunches

Looking in the fridge for breakfast

Pouting because he wants cookies for breakfast and I won't let him.

all ready for school!

walking to the bus stop

driving the daughter to school (she went late)

going to lunch w/my cute hubby!

Happy mail from my mom.

Eye doctor--regular checkup. Only one eye dialated.

something pretty spotted on the way home. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm weird for stopping my car to take pictures of their flowers. I don't care.

...gets you pretty far. YouThespian rehearsal (after a trip to Costco and a 45 min sewing session to bust out a costume for "Interplanet Janet.)

"I'm just a Bill" (and daughter J is in the purple shirt and hat forming part of the capital rotunda)

Conjunction Junction, What's your Function?

Lovely Lady Libery and her great American Melting Pot

Elbow Room--up on the Moon!

"Mars is Red..and Jupiter's Big" (this is the start of the costume I sewed today)

Interjections!

Busy Busy Busy!

2010-04-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it's blurry. I picked it on purpose. My daughter is holding the sign on the right (that's for you, Mom).

We are in the final weeks of our Schoolhouse Rock Live production. My two oldest and I have been involved with this YouThespian group through our local Albany Civic Theater since last November. We open just before my 40th birthday. Many things in my life have been put on hold out of necessity, including the blog posts I'd planned as I counted down my 40/40 list.

Never fear! I am still crossing things off. I had my first pedicure last Saturday and enjoyed hanging out with some of my girlfriends. I hope to tackle a few more this weekend. I will not be finishing the entire list, but I am pleased with the results so far.

The rain is letting up and the dogwoods are blooming. Pink flowering dogwood might just be my favorite flowring tree. I'm trying to participate in Ali's "A Week in the Life"--I took pictures at rehearsal last night and today I took some pictures of the dogwood in my neighborhood. I also realized that I've lost the eyecup on my camera. Let me know if you see it.

I'll leave you with this beauty:

And this one (in case you want to make it your desktop background):

How this All Began (40/40)

2010-04-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

As I celebrated my 39th birthday I thought about what I could do to mark this last year. To make my 40th birthday something that was filled more with celebration than with the usual dread (although, I must say, I wasn't really dreading turning 40--I am a mixed bag of emotions about the whole thing, but dread is something that the infamous "they" and their marketing campaigns cooked up, and is not necessarily one of the emotions I feel).

I decided to make a List. A List with a capital "L," patterned after some really inspiring lists I read on the Hula Seventy blog. And so it began.

I celebrated turning 39 by doing something I always wanted to try: singing karaoke. I've sang a lot. In a lot of places. It was still a bit nerve-wracking, trying to find a song I knew well enough to sing in public. I found I knew lots of snippets of the popular songs, but not really enough to get up there and sing it by myself. I mean, I would have been quite successul if it was "sing-along-with-the radio-version-oke" but alas, it was not. I sang twice, squeezing myself inbetween a couple of girls between the ages of 7 and 9 with a healthy Taylor Swift obsession (I should add this was "Family Karoke" night at the local Pizza King) I ended up singing two songs: "Part of your World" from The Little Mermaid, and a song I promised myself for years I would sing if I ever got a chance to sing karoke--"Passionate Kisses" by Mary Chapin Carpenter. It was a lot of fun! I thought it would be something I would do more often, but alas, haven't been back since then.

Still, it was doing something I'd wanted to try for years that propelled me to make the rest of the list. I wanted a mix of goals that were big goals--things that would stretch me a little--and small goals--things I could easily achieve. It's been an interesting journey. I definitely learned along the way. I'm also scrambling to finish off as many as I can in the next two and a half weeks!

I'll keep you posted.

The Countdown Begins!

2010-04-04T21:36:00.000-07:00

Or rather, it began four days ago. The countdown to finishing my "40 before 40" list. I still have a lot to do! I'm totally making deals with myself at this point...things like "Well, you didn't do THAT, but you did do THIS which is pretty close, so..."

Here's the Original List:
forty before forty
1. sing karaoke
2. go to a movie all by myself
3. go away for a short weekend trip all by myself
4. run a 5k
5. participate in a “relay for life” or walk for some other cause
6. lose 40 pounds
7. work to join a professional level choir
8. create the habit of exercising daily
9. read five non-fiction books
10. finish the rough draft of my novel
11. reorganize my craft space and purge at least a third of my stash
12. enter my photography into a local contest
13. explore the local photography group and attend one meeting
14. visit the Oregon coast at least 5 times
15. have regular one-on-one “dates” with each of my children (I’m thinking quarterly at least)
16. put more things in my etsy shop
17. create the London scrapbook I was supposed to give my SIL for Christmas of 2008
18. purge my closet and only wear clothes that make me look good and feel happy and are in good repair
19. keep my desk clean for a week
20. make time for being spiritually fed on a daily or at least weekly basis (read my scriptures regularly)
21. color my hair again just for fun
22. get a pedicure (for the first time!)
23. go on a photo-taking walk around my house (Nebergall Loop)
24. go without processed sugary foods for a week
25. go without caffeinated sodas for a week
26. walk 10,000 steps in one day
27. donate my hair to locks of love
28. get all of my health check-ups up to date
29. revamp my living room
30. sew something for each of my children
31. go on a short outdoor hike
32. get all excess clutter out of my bedroom—make it a sanctuary
33. see one tourist site in Oregon I’ve never visited in the 20+ years I’ve lived here
34. learn to play 20 new hymns from the hymnbook on the piano
35. take one personal enrichment class through the local parks & rec or community college
36. write a new poem
37. finish the “no ordinary stories” coffee table book that’s floating around in my head
38. get a professional massage
39. go see a live play or musical, performed at least on the community theater level (no middle or high school performances)
40. watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean

And what I've accomplished as of today, April 4th:
forty before forty
1. ~~sing karaoke~~
2. go to a movie all by myself
3. go away for a short weekend trip all by myself
4. run a 5k
5. participate in a “relay for life” or walk for some other cause
6. lose 40 pounds (I've lost 20)
7. ~~work to join a professional level choir~~
8. ~~create the habit of exercising daily~~
9. re~~ad five non-fiction books~~
10. finish the rough draft of my novel (so not happening this year...it'll be first on the list for next year)
11. reorganize my craft space and purge at least a third of my stash (in progress--I have purged a lot, but probably not a third)
12. ~~enter my photography into a local contest~~ (See HERE.)
13. explore the local photography group and attend one meeting (Unfortunately, the club meets on Thursdays, which have been committed to YouThespian practices since about October, so this will have to wait until after my birthday)
14. vis~~it the Oregon coast at least 5 times~~
15. ~~have regular one-on-one “dates” with each of my children (I’m thinking quarterly at least)~~
16. put more things in my etsy shop
17. ~~create the London scrapbook I was supposed to give my SIL for Christmas of 2008~~
18. purge my closet and only wear clothes that make me look good and feel happy and are in good repair
19. keep my desk clean for a week
20. ~~make time for being spiritually fed on a daily or at least weekly basis (read my scriptures regularly)~~
21. color my hair again just for fun (I'll do this after I get it cut in a few weeks)
22. get a pedicure (for the first time!) (Scheduled for the 16th)
23. ~~go on a photo-taking walk around my house (Nebergall Loop)~~
24. ~~go without processed sugary foods for a week~~
25. ~~go without caffeinated sodas for a week~~
26. ~~walk 10,000 steps in one day~~
27. donate my hair to locks of love (This is happening in a couple of weeks as well)
28. ~~get all of my health check-ups up to date~~
29. ~~revamp my living room~~
30. ~~sew something for each of my children~~

31. go on a short outdoor hike

32. get all excess clutter out of my bedroom—make it a sanctuary

33. ~~see one tourist site in Oregon I’ve never visited in the 20+ years I’ve lived here~~

34. learn to play 20 new hymns from the hymnbook on the piano

35. take one personal enrichment class through the local parks & rec or community college

36. write a new poem

37. finish the “no ordinary stories” coffee table book that’s floating around in my head

38. ~~get a professional massage~~

39. ~~go see a live play or musical, performed at least on the community theater level (no middle or high school performances)~~ (I saw THREE!)

40. ~~watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean~~

I will give a full wrap-up after the month is over, point by point and step by step. Stay tuned!

Celebrating April Fools

2010-04-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

I'm supposed to tell you that his clothes aren't on backwards, instead his head and feet switched places in the night...

I don't think the dog is buying it.

Home Sweet Home Kit

2010-03-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hello Blog Friends!

You might remember this post about my March class at Stampin'Cat Studio. I have one kit left from that class up for grabs. The kit will include 2 each of the Basic Grey Origins paper used in the class (it's double sided) as well as 2 each of Bazzill Orange Peel Cardstock in Brown, Black, and Olive Green and 2 brown journaling blocks and 2 soft black journaling blocks (not pictured here, but in the link). The kit will also include a small assortment of grungeboard pieces (this can be customized, if you tell me what shapes you like), two jump rings, and a metal word washer. I can also include an instruction sheet with pictures of my book if you feel you need one. You'd need to provide your own paints and stickles. The cost of the kit is $20. If you are interested, leave me a message or send me an email at DianneKNelson at yahoo dot com. First come first served--although if there is a lot of interest, I can make up more kits. Smiles!

I Lay My Armor Down

2010-03-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

Right now, this song from the album "This Ordinary Thursday" by Georgia Stitt, kinda sums up how I'm feeling. I have a lot on my plate right now. Just a little more than my normal busy mom juggling act. It's the kind of thing that I'm supposed to have help for, but so far, three of the five people I asked for help have said "no." I'm not judging their reasons, but I'm really working to fight my inital knee-jerk reactions of being nasty to them or saying something to induce guilt. This will work out; it's just the kind of situation that will. I know it. I believe it. But right now, it feels a bit like a sucker punch to my gut and it makes me sad and tired. So I'm singing this song today, until I feel better. (singing does that for me)

I looked all over YouTube for a good link--lots of good singers out there, but with not so good video quality. So if you click the link--listen instead of watch...lol (I don't want anyone getting seasick!).

For what it's worth, I do believe in God (there's a line in the song that alludes to no God) and I go through every day believing that He's there to love me, support me, and lift me up when I'm feeling low like this. It'll pass. But today, I'm going to lie low and Lay my Armor Down.

Proof that I live with Boys

2010-03-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

This bouncy ball stayed on the piano for about a week. We even play this piano at least once a day. Yet there was the ball, just waiting to be noticed. Proof that I live with boys.

20 years on St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

C's thoughts on what love is

Twenty years ago today, I had my first date with my husband. Twenty years! Wow that went fast! For our first date, we saw the movie "The Hunt for Red October" and then talked until 1am at the little park near my grandmother's house. I didn't want him to go home but was astonished at how late it was! (We both had early church the next day and Spring Break on that Monday). While I don't have pictures from that first date, I do have these, from my 20th birthday, just six weeks later. It surprises me how young we look!

Things I remember from this time:

We had our first date and then I left to spend a week at Seaside with my family for Spring Break. I missed him terribly with an ache that confused and surprised me. I remember asking my brother if that was weird, to feel that way, to feel so deeply and intensely after just one date. He told me "no." and I remember how that made everything different--how I felt I needed to rethink things. I lived with my Grandmother at the time, and I remember hearing the phone ring as I let myself in (she was also out of town) and answering the phone and hearing Joel say "Oh! You're home!" as if he'd been feeling the same feelings all week. We made plans for another date. And another, and another, and another.

How exciting everything was! We couldn't bear to be in the same room with each other without touching--knees, shoulders, holding hands, sitting by each other--not necessarily touching in intimate ways, more like to remind ourselves that this was real. I felt so lucky! (I still feel that way). We spent as much time together as possible. I got a "D" in Organic Chemistry because he was far more interesting to me than how carbon combined with other molecules. I felt like we had to make the most of things because Joel submitted his mission papers about the same time we started dating, and that meant we only had a couple of months to spend together before he left for two years. When he left, we didn't make any firm or lofty promises or committments; we just knew we wanted to be together and hoped we'd still feel that way when he came home.

We did. Six months after his return, about 2 years and nine months from that first date, we were married.

And the rest is history. My history. The best kind of history.

Quick and Easy Michael's Makeover

2010-03-12T08:41:00.000-08:00

So, you are probably familiar with those initial notebooks--cute idea, but towards the end, only the weird letters are left? Well, yesterday I picked up a couple of those little notebooks for 50 cents. I liked their sturdy covers and the large rings, plus they are the right size for my purse so I can carry something around to jot notes or quotes or deep thoughts on. With a little ingenuity and some help from Technique Tuesday stamps, I went from this:

to this:

I also got one in pink and tried some hand-lettering on it:

The lesson? If you like the book but the letter doesn't seem to match your life, give it another thought. You just might make something you really like--and for only 50 cents!

Home Sweet Home! Stampin'Cat Class for March

2010-03-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Lots of pictures here. This is my next class at Stampin'Cat Studio in Salem, Oregon. We are doing a 4x6 minibook about our homes and what we like about them. I had such fun putting this book together! I took some pictures that were not "perfect" because I wanted to show what my home was really like. I used chipboard covers (painted with green paint, gold paint, and off-white crackle paint), some grungeboard, a charm, and papers from Basic Grey's Origins line. The class was inspired by a book done by Elise Blaha. Lots of pictures ahead! Enjoy!

Shhh--don't tell my husband!

2010-03-08T05:49:00.000-08:00

But Dandelions are some of my favorite flowers! I love that they signal the start of spring, and everytime I see one, I think of something my mother said once--that the only difference between a flower and a weed is that someone decided which was was which and we believed them. There is so much yellow and purple in my neighborhood right now. I wish we weren't heading into a week of rains so I could take pictures and show you! Daffodils, forsythia, azaleas, hyacinths--all gorgeous and welcomed signs of spring.

What are the signs of the season where you live? Leave a comment and let me know which are your favorites!

The Last Baby

2010-03-05T06:07:00.000-08:00

Today I watched your thin little gangly arms as you manipulated buttons to add and subtract your way through your math sheet. I watched the sprinkling of freckles across your nose and cheeks. I noticed how beat up your glasses were—rust spots, color rubbed off the frame, not to mention the dot of E6000 industrial strength glue holding one side together until we can see the eye doctor next month and order our yearly pair—and I just wanted to eat you up.

I am acutely aware of time passing in moments like this. You are only mine for a blip really, only going to be with me for a very short part of what I hope is a very long life. And it hurts. It hurts that you won’t always be a little boy that comes up to me and says out of the blue “I want to hug you Mama” and then after a short (but satisfying squeeze) you run off to continue building your legos or your K’nex or playing your wild imaginary game.

Katherine Center wrote a beautiful essay to accompany a video she created for the Mom 2.0 Summit that included the phrase “I have to love you this fiercely” and that thought, that idea, that intense mother love has been on my mind ever since. I have to love you this fiercely because oh-so-soon, you will grow up and go. You will leave my nest. There will be no more sprinkle of freckles with skinny arms sitting at next to me as we work our way through the necessary exercises of our individual lives.

I know that this is the natural order of things. I’m okay with it really. You should grow, progress, reach goals, find a life, find a wife, and find your own sprinkle of freckles to love fiercely. It would be weird and off-kilter if you didn’t. I knew all of this before I built your body and brought you here. I just didn’t realize that this delicious time would be so short. That wasn’t in my “What to Expect” books.

So I’ll work harder to keep each precious moment, each snuggle, each hug. I may hold on too long some days. I’ll kiss your neck and hold you close and share frozen yogurt and love every aching minute of it and as you grow and progress and move forward in life, I’ll try to do the same. That way, when the day comes that you fly away, I’ll hopefully be able to let go easily, to handle the flight, even just a little bit.

And I’ll always remember this day, with the freckles and the skinny arms and the buttons and be glad of it.

Katherine Center's video (in case you haven't seen it yet)

30 Strangers Project--I LOVE THIS IDEA!

2010-03-04T05:50:00.000-08:00

Justin Hackworth, photographer in Utah, is taking applications for his 30 Strangers Project. I love this idea, and want to try to recreate it.

Anyone live nearby and want pictures of their Mother/Daughter combinations? Let me know!

How neat is this? I want to play!

2010-03-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

I saw this while blog hopping this morning. I want to play along!

One Hundred Photos

Anyone else?

Albany Visitor's Association Photography Contest

2010-02-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

These would have been my entries in the Albany Visitor's Association Photography Contest if I had managed my time better...

Let me know if you want to buy any prints...just leave me a comment!

Forty before Forty update

2010-02-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

Random "Googie" architechture business sign. I have a soft spot for Googie architechture and try to snap a picture of signs as I see one

Remember this:

Forty before Forty

If Blogger would let me cut and paste, I'd have written an update by now....as it is, I have to rewrite the entire list (unless someone knows how to over-ride the lack of pasting in Blogger???)

I can tell you that with 2 months to go, I've accomplished 16 of them and have several more in process...some aren't going to happen, and that's okay. In this case, it may be more about the journey than the destination.

Look Mom! I finished the curtains!

2010-02-22T05:44:00.000-08:00

Our dining area used to look like this:

taken during one of our birthday celebrations--I think this was H's bday a few years ago

Now, only about 4 (5 maybe?) years after finishing the first set of green curtains, it looks like this:

The saleslady at JoAnn Fabrics was QUITE surprised when I excitedly and confidently asked for 22 yards of this luscious green fabric. It IS bright, but I love it. I mean I LOVE it! It is a heavier weight fabric, smooth, silky and a little bit shiny. Seems VERY luxurious. I knew it would be the perfect counterpoint to my favorite periwinkle purple-blue walls. I think it's pretty stunning! I knew that the color would perfectly match this vase:
I bought this vase at the Portland Saturday Market about 13 years ago while visiting my Mother. Love going shopping with my Mom! I had the glassmaker, a young kid in his early twenties, sign the bottom of it. I was quite taken with his work (and I should see if he's still around and get more of it!) I love his whole booth, and would have bought more if I could have. He was surprised that I wanted his signature. To me, his work was Art, and deserved a signature! It's definitely one of my favorite pieces.
I pulled out these four remaining panels and had a moment of panic when I realized that I didn't remember my measurements for the curtains I made so long ago. Luckily, when I originally cut out the panels for these curtains, I cut them all at once. I was so grateful for that! (and felt that I was pretty smart for doing that--it made them very easy to put together after all this time)
I love sewing, even though I don't seem to have the time to sew very often. I'm grateful my mother taught me, even though at the time I think it frustrated both of us! But sewing means that we've never had bare windows, my kids have always had shorts to wear, and when my daughter was little, she had super cute leggings and jumpers and other dresses. I've whipped up costumes for backyard plays, tote bags to corral toys and little boy gear, aprons, Halloween costumes, and Christmas presents. I'm going to be teaching all of my children to sew, if only a little bit. (I feel it's a life skill of sorts) I hope my daughter learns to love sewing. I think that it will open up worlds of creativity for her and allow her to dress in a way that expresses her individuality but still keeps her modest. I think that sewing opens doors. I also think that sewing connects us to our past--especially when it connects generations. My mother-in-law has also spent time sewing with my daughter--so this connection is on both sides of our family.
What are your connections? Have you felt that crafts connect you with your friends, your children, your in-laws, your past? Leave a comment and let me know!

January went by in a flash...

2010-01-30T17:38:00.000-08:00

H. playing basketball through the Boys and Girls club. They won this game, 42-30

Have lots of ideas swimming around that I hope make it to the blog. Plans, ideas and fun! Stay tuned!

I don't know why this choked me up a bit, but it did

2010-01-11T07:44:00.000-08:00

So yesterday, in Church, I noticed a young boy and his little sister sitting off by themselves. I didn't think much of it. Didn't even really notice that there weren't any parents with them. The boy was about 12, I think, and the girl is about 4.

Then while leading the music at the children's worship part of our meeting, I was struck by this little girl's dress. It was just a lovely little thing, with a lovely print. She looked very clean and neat and sweet. I remembered some more details about her--mostly that her family hadn't been to church for awhile, and that what started them coming in the first place was her brother. He was baptized about a year ago, and started bringing them all (all being his sister and his mother) to church with him. But it had been about six months or so since I've seen them around.

What choked me up was noticing them a third time as I left the building. This brother and sister had come to church all by themselves. On a bike. Well, the brother was on a bike and pulled his sister with a bike trailer attached to his bike. He was buckling her into the trailer as I went past, and adjusting the rain hood on the trailer so she'd stay warm and dry. (remember that I live in Oregon--January is not kind biking weather) He didn't have a coat, but had his bike helmet on. I wished them safe travel and hurried to my car to get on my way. I saw them last as he crossed the big intersection on his bike, pulling his sister home. To him, being at church was so important that he'd ride his bike in inclement weather, pulling his sister behind him. What can I say, it got to me. I love church and I love going, but I don't know if I'd have that same kind of devotion. I wished I could do more for him, but also reasoned that he was doing pretty well as it was. Anyone with that kind of self-discipline and fortitude is going to be just fine.

College Humor Mashup

2010-01-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

we are LOVIN' this mashup of the Top 25 Pop songs of 2009.

You know you want to dance now!
(Okay--I'll admit, I didn't know some of the songs and had to look them up. What can I say, I'm getting old!)

Mystery Birthday Party Scavenger Hunt!

2009-12-31T14:32:00.001-08:00

Warning! LOTS of pictures!
You'll remember that the party started with THIS purple cupcake with a clue inside...that sent the party goers to a park in Downtown Albany. All the clues were in red envelopes, and we used purple helium balloons to help pinpoint the locations.

The Intrepid Birthday Crew! I should mention that it was COLD!!! (about 28 degrees)

Their first clue was this:

Find the location where this picture was taken
Hint: you are closer than you think.
Look for the dumpsters and the broken door

Then this picture was in the envelope: Taken during our Summertime photo shoot mentioned HERE.

Even though C was in the picture too, J directed them to the alley near the park--see the balloon? Their next clue was on the dumpster along with a candy bar

C opens the clue with great concentration

Their next clue was:

Your next clue isn't one store, but many stores all in one place

Old things reign supreme!

If you aren't sure where you are going, head west through the alley and turn left.

Open Envelope A for more instructions.

They then went through the alley, turned left, and found themselves at the:

Envelope A's instructions were:

"Pretend Shop" for J and choose something from the store that is her favorite color.

Show it to her, and tell her why you chose it. If it's not her favorite color, it doesn't count!

(and you'll have to "shop" again)

Remember where you got it because you'll have to put it back!

You must finish by 1:40 pm

Open Envelope B when you are done "shopping"

D. chose a purple vase for pretty flowers

J. chose some pretty flowers

and C chose a purple glass slipper

The next clue was this:

Exit the store and turn East.

Find the girl with the purple balloon.

She'll be near the white-flowered tree.

Solve for X and tell her the number to get the next clue

2x=6

No clue unless you can tell her what the number means and why it is important to J.

Hint: it has to do with the Italian words "'et" (meaning little) and "clarino" (a type of trumpet)

Originally, we were going to do the party on a Saturday, when Magnolia's music store was opened, so that they could purchase a #3 reed for J's clarinet. But we moved the party to Monday, and the store was closed. Luckily a good friend of ours was willing to step up and meet them on the street to give them the next clue (and a reed).

The next clue was:

You'll be SURE to have a good time at your next location.

Don't forget to FIRE up your creativity!

Lilee will have your next clue.

That sent them to Surefire Design, a paint-your-own-pottery shop, where I pre-paid for a tile for them to paint in honor of J's birthday. Each of the partygoers took a section and wrote a little note.

planning the tile

C adds a finishing touch

Next clue:

We've got SPEARIT, yes we do!

We've got SPEARIT, how about you!

To find your next location, get a BEAD on 131 Broadalbin

When you get there, open the next envelope

Spearit Beads & Co.

The next envelope said:

One of J's hobbies is making jewelry

Use the $10 included to choose a special bead for J.

Each of you needs to choose a bead.

This will be made into a keepsake bracelet later.

Open Envelope B when you check out.

opening the envelope

J & D bead shopping

The whole crew shopping for beads.

Next clue:

This word means "bunny rabbit" in Korean

But you'll be eating chicken.

See the purple balloon?

We took our food to go (I ordered it when we were at the bead shop) and ate at home. That way we could have CAKE!

Chocolate Caramel Toffee Cake

Whew! That was quite a day! Everyone had fun, and J had memorable birthday! Now what do I do next year?

Handmade Holidays Master Lists

2009-12-10T08:39:00.001-08:00

I know that the Sew, Mama, Sew site can be confusing to navigate sometimes, so HERE'S a link to the Master List of 2009. (plus from there you can see 2008 and 2007)

Swooning over Turquoise Subway Tile

2009-12-09T15:57:00.001-08:00

Dear Santa,

For Christmas, can I have Becky Higgin's Kitchen?
Not only have I been a good girl, but for those turquoise subway tiles, I'll be good FOREVER!

Sincerely,
Dianne

Favorite Christmas Music

2009-12-08T06:59:00.000-08:00

So what are your favorite Holiday music CD's? I am REALLY enjoying compilations--like the Hotel Cafe Wintersongs, and the Starbucks CD's from the past, --but I am especially enjoying a certain mix of old and new:

I LOVE THIS:

I bought it on iTunes, and especially loved that it had all of the dialogue and such. Something about Bing Crosby reminds me of my Grandpa Price. His voice is just one big hug, don't you think? I also love the line, "Right or wrong, I sing either way!" (also how I feel), and it's nice to realize that David Bowie has quite a lovely voice. But for me, it goes back to the hug of Bing Crosby's voice. I never get tired of that!

What are your favorites this season? Leave a comment and let me know!

It's a Birthday!

2009-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

from the end-of-June photoshoot, blogged HERE

We rolled up the invitation in a plastic envelope and stuck it in the center of the cupcake. We are planning a "Birthday Mystery" party that'll be part Amazing Race, part Solve the riddle. Even the information came in the form of a clue:

Get a Clue!
Join us for a
Birthday Mystery Party!
Here’s your first clue:
Meet at the ad from the 1800’s, near the Sunburst.
Lost? Look for the
purple balloons.

She's 15, and excited to be older.
In a way, I am too. I'm excited for the future of our friendship. I'm excited for the experiences she's going to have. It's going to be quite a ride!

OH!~ Since I'm pretty sure the invitees to this party DON'T read my blog, here's where we are meeting:

Marshmallow recipe

2009-12-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

I was reading through the Handmade Holiday on Sew, Mama, Sew, and found a recipe for HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS! I'm totally going to try these!

and ANOTHER ONE here!

Oh yeah, smore's boxes on the way!

Let the Handmade Christmas begin!

2009-12-01T06:25:00.001-08:00

It's DECEMBER! Time for the Handmade Christmas ideas! Yay!

First--if you haven't been following the Sew, Mama, Sew Handmade Holidays III--go NOW and check it out! (then come back for more ideas and links) Click on their blog for the list of goodies. You won't be disappointed!

Second good thing about today: Tim Holtz is starting his "12 Tags of Christmas" (double yay!) This is the third year he has done this (archives on his blog) and if you craft, if you've thought about crafting, if you're curious, if you want to see how to use cool products you never thought existed but now absolutely MUST have, if you're breathing today--go and check it out!

My last Homemade Christmas suggestion comes to you by way of a wedding planner blog. LOVED this idea, and thought it could easily be adapted as giveaways this holiday season. I have a friend who makes her own marshmallow--that would be a super addition to this goodie. Even if you go "old school" and buy your marshmallows, it's still a great idea. You could even experiment with microwave directions! Go HERE to see what all the fuss is about!

What are YOU making for the holidays? Leave a comment and share with us! Also, it's my goal to have some GIVEAWAYS this month--to enter the giveaways, you need to comment! I have card sets, paper sets, creativity kits--all kinds of good yummy things to share with my blog readers. Pass it on!

I'm Thankful for Future Opportunities

2009-11-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

Try a little Tenderness

2009-11-23T14:51:00.000-08:00

This Boy.

This boy is six years old.

This boy can be so EXASPERATING!

This boy can make me absolutly CRAZY with his whines and wants and fits. (I see the other mothers of six-year-olds nodding their heads in understanding.)

This boy can also be incredibly tender. Case in point: While crafting for the Bazaar, I inadvertently cut the side of the bottom knuckly of my thumb. Not wanting to bleed on what I was making (people don't really appreciate that), I asked him to get me a bandaid. I turned around to take it from him, and he said, "Here, Mom, let me do that." and proceeded to oh-so-carfully put the bandaid on the cut while pulling the little tabs off to the side so that it stayed sterile, just like I do for him. When he'd finished, he said, "There, that'll do it!" and gave me a little pat. My heart just melted into lovey goo.

Oh, this boy...

Photo Cards

2009-11-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

I did something fun for myself and for the Bazaar. I took some set of my pictures to a local printer and had cards made. I boxed them all up this morning in clear boxes and they look great! It's hard not to feel a small thrill of pride in myself. If they don't sell, I know my Mom will like them!

Been Shooting (and Christmas Bazaar)

2009-11-12T14:52:00.000-08:00

Pictures that is! I have done 5 senior picture photoshoots so far this year, with 3 of them last week! You can see them at My Photostream on Flickr. All but one or two shots are SOOC or "straight out of camera," meaning no post-processing involved. I have one more shoot to do before time runs out for these seniors, but it's been rainy and she's been sick.

In crafty news, I'm in charge of our local school bazaar this year. I've been a vendor the last four years, so it's interesting being on the other side of things. I'll have some pictures later of what I'm making....it's fun! Hopefully I'll inspire some of your Christmas crafts! My main goal is to make all of my stuff without buying anything! (okay, I'll confess, I bought some clear boxes for my Krafty Card sets...but so far, that's all!) I used the green, orange, and bright blue cards to make sets of six. Love those Tim Holtz Stamps!

My head is also full of ideas for blog posts--look for more as the holidays get closer!

It's Eerie! (by Basic Grey) Card Class for Stampin'Cat Studio

2009-10-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

Martha Stewart spiderweb border punch, sparkly orange paper (I think it's Die Cuts with a View.)

The spiderweb and spider are stamped on separate pieces of acetate so it looks like the spider is floating on the web.

Just a tri-fold Card. Basic Grey stamps.

I found this fold on Splitcoast Stampers. I think it's the "Joy Fold Card."

Martha Stewart's "Around the Page" punches in the Spiderweb design. Stamp by Tim Holtz.

I used a glue pen to draw over the black bats printed on the paper and then I flocked 'em with black Doodlebug flocking. Any black flocking will do.

For the crow, I used clear embossing powder on the Versafine Ink (you have to be fast!) and then used Tim Holtz's inking tool to smudge the Dusty Concord Distress Inks all over the image.
Spider punch by Martha Stewart. I punched it twice, once from patterned paper, once from black. I popped it up with a piece of foam adhesive so it would look shadowed.

Supplies: Eerie paper collection from Basic Grey, Clear stamps from Basic Grey (also from the Eerie collection) Clear stamps from Cosmo Cricket's Haunted line, Tim Holtz stamps, inks were Tim Holtz Distress Inks (spiced marmalade and dusty concord), as well as Tsukineko's Versafine in black.

The class is THIS Saturday, October 17 at 1:00pm at Stampin'Cat Studio. Sign up by Thursday to attend!

I REALLY need to update this blog

2009-10-05T21:20:00.000-07:00

But I must admit, I'm a bit stumped for inspiration right now. Any thoughts/requests on what to blog about? Leave me a comment with your two cents worth!

Happy Birthday!

2009-09-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

gratuitous birthday picture...

Today is the birthday of one of my Korean students--Christine--so I just wanted to take a minute and wish her a SUPER TERRIFIC birthday!

Does anyone you know need some good wishes in their lives today? Go bless someone's life!

New Card Class at Stampin'Cat Sneak Peek

2009-08-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

I gave the bird here a slight wash of red color pencil...apparently I took pictures too soon!

mmm....cupcakes!

I added some red and blue edging to the butterflies on this one, as well as some red stickles...

The really fun part? All of the patterned paper for this class was from SECURITY ENVELOPES! Inside bills, etc. How fun is that? Cupcake punch and Butterfly Punches by Martha Stewart, Gems are Me and My Big Ideas Icon bling, while the phrases are Catslife Press, AMuse Artstamps, and Hero Arts.

Backyard Plays and Lucas Grabeel

2009-08-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

This year, the backyard play is High School Musical 2. We are having a blast getting this ready! I'm helping out with vocals and costumes, and all three of my kiddoes have parts in it. I've decided that Lucas Grabeel is probably the most talented cast member though! He needs more of the spotlight! While looking for more of his stuff, my daughter and I ran across this great peppy song:

I dare you not to tap your toes or dance or something! I think he also directed and produced the video as well. What I love is that it's up-beat and fun with NO swear words!

Enjoy!

More Pictures--Beach Paper Bag Book with Waterfall Fold

2009-08-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

The Waterfall Element was my favorite part. Well, the shimmer alphabet stickers were my favorite part, but I used them ON the waterfall! I also used papers from the Lime Rickey line from Basic Grey and stamps were by Tweety Jill

This was a fun class to teach! I'd be willing to make a pdf of the class handout if there were interest. Leave a comment and let me know!

Test, test... trying for bigger picture sizes on the blog

2009-07-27T13:34:00.001-07:00

And a sneak peek of my August class at Stampin'Cat... Wanna come and play?

Happy Birthday Joel!

2009-07-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

This is the man I married nearly 17 years ago. Our first date was just a bit more than 19 years ago. I’m happy to report that it’s still going strong.

He usually takes very goofy pictures like this:

There’s something about having a camera in front of his face that brings out the goofy mischievous side of him. I finally had to tell him that “we deserve to have some good pictures of you!” I’m still working on that.

My favorite picture of us:

This was taken when we went to Boston in May 2006. What a great trip! I am longing for another—especially another trip with him. We usually get away for a bit around our anniversary but circumstances prevented that this year. I didn’t realize what a touchstone those trips were for me until I found myself yearning for a getaway with him this spring. Circumstances have yet to materialize to make that possible. It seems we’ll have to make our own.

I love being married to him. Even with the goofiness and so on, being married to him is such a wonderful place to be. Occasionally I dream a night that something terrible has happened to him and I am now alone in the universe. I had such a dream last night. Half asleep, I reached across the bed to make sure he was there and instead of his sleeping form my fingers closed around the small toy left there by my six-year-old when he took himself to his own bed. “It’s okay,” I reassured myself, “he’s just downstairs.” But it was 1:30 in the morning and my paranoid self rules that hour of the night. Half asleep, I reached over again to see if anything had changed. Still nothing. Now my paranoid self was fully awake even though the rest of me was asleep and was imagining all sorts of horrors, from being caught in a videogame world to a heart attack on the couch just as he was coming to bed. I was left with no choice but to stumble to the top of the stairs and whistle our special “I love you” whistle and then listen for the right response. He was alive and well and all was right in my world. My rational self was now able to take over and put my paranoid self in its place and go back to sleep.

I don’t have any big secrets to a long and lasting relationship. It’s full of ups and downs. I do know this though—it’s easier when you grow together. When the rocks in his head fit the holes in my head. I know that I could ask him for anything and he would do everything in his power to provide it for me. So I try not to ask. And I try to give enough back to him on a daily basis to stay worthy of the asking, should I decide that I need to. It works for us.

It’s his birthday soon. He’ll be the same number as I am. He loves to lord it over me during those three months or so between our birthdays that I am, indeed, his “old lady.” I stopped being bothered by that awhile ago, but I play along—it’s fun to be all harrumphy about it, and besides, soon enough, the calendar catches up to him and all is somewhat equal again.

We are good together. I’d choose him again. Each time. Every time. I look forward to our future together.

Nelson Family Reunion 2009

2009-07-24T09:57:00.001-07:00

Just the Grandchildren (and a few GREAT grandchildren!)
The entire family! (hubby is one of 9 children--this is his immediate family)

And a good time was had by all....

Feeling Krafty with Tim Holtz and Chalk Inks

2009-07-21T14:16:00.001-07:00

I also used some stamps from Hot off the Press and the "Tiny Wise Words" set from Wordsworth. These are fast becoming my go-to gift when I need something quick--especially when packaged into sets and these terrific clear boxes from the Paper Zone. Very classy, quick, and easy!

One of my favorite Kristen Wiig videos

2009-07-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

I hope you like it too!

300 Words--inspired by Anne Lamott

2009-06-25T07:40:00.001-07:00

random picture from April's self-portrait session

I just finished reading Anne Lamott's book titled "Bird by Bird"--thoughts on writing and life. Loved it. Really got a lot out of it. In it, she recommends that people who want to be writers need to write at least 300 words a day. For practice, for creating the habit, for improving their skill, and so on. I am intrigued by this idea and want to use my blog for some of that writing practice. I wish there was a word counter here! I'll have to use Microsoft Word and do some cut-n-paste finagling instead. Either way, I've been thinking about possible 300 word topics--I hope to have the first 300 word "essay" up later this week.

40/40: I've read two of the 5 non-fiction books (the above mentioned "Bird by Bird" and the new "Peaks and Valleys" by the guy who wrote "who moved my cheese"--his name escapes me at the moment). I'm on Goodreads if anyone wants to follow along with my reading. I read a lot, so there's a lot to discuss there! I've also seen the dentist and my nurse-practioner for my checkups. I hadn't been to the dentist in years so it was good to go and get that up-to-date. The beach was so much fun last week that our plan is to go as a family this friday and just hang out at the beach. I have to say that having this list is good for focusing my attentions. I've been enjoying it overall. I hope it's not boring for you!

Thanks for coming along for the ride! Don't forget to sign up for Jessica Sprague's free class. There are all kinds of neat daily freebies going on this week--I didn't realize it and already missed two of them--don't let that happen to you!

At the beach...first trip for the 40/40 list

2009-06-24T12:00:00.001-07:00

How gorgeous is that sky? Seriously! (all pictures taken with my cell phone). That is the windscreen I made, a la Martha Stewart. This was so much fun we are going back on Friday with the whole family, instead of just me and the boys. Plus C wants to see this again:

She's gorgeous, I tell you!

40/40: #24 report

2009-06-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

Random picture from my daughter's photoshoot. I just thought it was cool. My daughter is on the left.

So I made it. I wasn't perfect, but I was better than I've been in a LONG time. I was so used to having "a little something" after meals that I was having urges to have dessert after breakfast! Not healthy! It was also surprising how many of our quick "grab-and-go" snacks had sugar as their first or second ingredient. (My personal rule for the week was that if sugar was the first or second ingredient, I couldn't eat it.) Still, it was an interesting week. I was surprised by how hungry I felt all the time! I ate every couple of hours, balancing my carbs with some protein, and trying to eat raw if I could--usually fruits, to try to meet my sweet cravings. And I lost 2 pounds! All in all, I think it was a good thing, and something I want to try to continue. I liked feeling more in control of my body, and I felt less sluggish. So to sum up:

I liked feeling hungry. I was so out-of-touch with my body's signals that it had been awhile since I felt really and truly hungry. I don't want to go hungry mind you, but it's nice to have those signals still work

I needed to prepare better: I didn't really have much in the way of fresh vegetables in the house, and no real low-sugar/no-sugar alternatives for my favorite breakfast: cereal. I also ran out of cottage cheese and yogurt half-way through the week. I was eating cottage cheese with banana as a snack or breakfast, and putting the yogurt in smoothies. I also ran out of fresh fruit--everything but apples. Apples are tasty, but boring after awhile

Dried fruit has a lot of sugar in it. At the beginning of my week, I was grabbing it as a substitute for what I really wanted: chocolate or cookies. By the end of the week, I couldn't really eat it because it tasted uncomfortably sweet to me, and I didn't like it.

I grabbed a piece of gum after eating to signal the end of my meal and to retrain my body with that signal. Instead of heading for some chocolate to signal the end of the meal. I got a little tired of the gum, and might want to have more than one flavor around for variety. I also started tearing the gum into thirds--all of the strong mint was getting hard on the inside of my mouth. I knew that my retraining was working when I wanted something minty and fresh after my meals instead of chocolate. I also really began to enjoy fresh fruit as dessert.

I definitely liked how I felt--far less sluggish, and far less "fuzzy-cotton-headed" feeling. I liked it so much that I really want to continue avoiding sugar in my daily life. I have a friend who can only have dessert-y type foods on Fridays (her choice). I'm thinking of following a similar plan.

Next on my list? I'm going to tackle cleaning off my desk and removing clutter from my room this week. I might even start going through my closets. (numbers 19, 32, and 18, respectively). I'm also reading a couple of non-fiction books (number 9). My daughter leaves for a week at a church youth camp and I'm not quite sure how the week will go without her help. She helps me a lot, and I'm grateful for it. I may throw things out the window and just go with the flow. Did I mention that my dryer is broken? Hubby thinks he can fix it, but that adds another wrinkle to my week. It's also the first week of summer vacation. Our equilibrium is going to re-adjust in the next couple of week as it is. Might be better to just go with the flow!

Free Photoshop Class!

2009-06-12T05:33:00.001-07:00

I am s0 taking this class! I've done a class with Jessica Sprague before and it was pretty amazing! She makes sure you have EVERYTHING possible to be successful in the class. I can happily encourage everyone to sign up for it. Make sure you are registered with her site first--after that all you have to do is sign up between June 22 and June 28. It'll be fun! I'll "see" you there!

#24 is still going strong. Well, I will admit that I've grabbed a graham cracker here or a granola bar there, so it's not perfect. But I have felt a big difference in myself this week. I'll blog about what I learned later. It's been interesting, and definitely worth it!

#24 on the forty before forty list

2009-06-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

This week, I am tackling #24--avoid sugar for a week. So far so good! I made a batch of brownies Saturday night because I wanted a brownie before it started. Well, my resolve was sure tested by that 2/3 pan of brownies on Sunday afternoon! Luckily, my kids took care of that problem for me. I also started on one of my favorite holidays--National Chocolate Ice Cream Day! (good thing it was fast sunday--where we fast for two meals and donate that money to help others less fortunate than ourselves). I'll be twittering and facebooking the minutiae of this challenge if anyone is interested in following along. I can always use cheerleaders!

My new favorite picture

2009-06-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I did a photoshoot with my daughter and her coterie. One of the key members of this group is moving next week, and I wanted them all to have something to commemorate their 3 year plus friendship. I took over 500 pictures and had a blast. This is one of my favorites. (it's straight-out-of-camera, no post-processing, for those of you interested in such things) You can see the rest in my flickr account (link on the sidebar). Enjoy!

It's finished (forty before forty)

2009-06-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

actual unretouched photo

Here it is. The List. Some I've started (there's only 52 weeks in a year, so I need to do a task about once every 10 days or so, I figure...or double them up!)

forty before forty
1. sing karaoke
2. go to a movie all by myself
3. go away for a short weekend trip all by myself
4. run a 5k
5. participate in a “relay for life” or walk for some other cause
6. lose 40 pounds
7. work to join a professional level choir
8. create the habit of exercising daily
9. read five non-fiction books
10. finish the rough draft of my novel
11. reorganize my craft space and purge at least a third of my stash
12. enter my photography into a local contest
13. explore the local photography group and attend one meeting
14. visit the Oregon coast at least 5 times
15. have regular one-on-one “dates” with each of my children (I’m thinking quarterly at least)
16. put more things in my etsy shop
17. create the London scrapbook I was supposed to give my SIL for Christmas of 2008
18. purge my closet and only wear clothes that make me look good and feel happy and are in good repair
19. keep my desk clean for a week
20. make time for being spiritually fed on a daily or at least weekly basis (read my scriptures regularly)
21. color my hair again just for fun
22. get a pedicure (for the first time!)
23. go on a photo-taking walk around my house (Nebergall Loop)
24. go without processed sugary foods for a week
25. go without caffeinated sodas for a week
26. walk 10,000 steps in one day
27. donate my hair to locks of love
28. get all of my health check-ups up to date
29. revamp my living room
30. sew something for each of my children
31. go on a short outdoor hike
32. get all excess clutter out of my bedroom—make it a sanctuary
33. see one tourist site in Oregon I’ve never visited in the 20+ years I’ve lived here
34. learn to play 20 new hymns from the hymnbook on the piano
35. take one personal enrichment class through the local parks & rec or community college
36. write a new poem
37. finish the “no ordinary stories” coffee table book that’s floating around in my head
38. get a professional massage
39. go see a live play or musical, performed at least on the community theater level (no middle or high school performances)

40.watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean

Cathy Zielske is Impossibly Cool

2009-05-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

Remember my post on "No Ordinary Stories?" Well, it looks like Cathy Zielske is doing a similar kind of class for Big Picture Scrapbooking. I'm entranced and intrigued. The teaser video promo is super cool! I can't wait for the rest! Go check it out!

Technique Tuesday Start Me Up Quincy

2009-05-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

paper: Making Memories, Bazzill

inks: Distress Inks (broken china and orange marmalade)

and Clearsnap Chalk inks (lime pastel)

gems: Kaisercraft

small sentiments in the century gothic font by Hero Arts

These are six of the eight cards we'll be making at my upcoming Stampin'Cat Studio class in June. I'm loving this "Start Me Up" set from Technique Tuesday. I have a couple of TT's Start Me Up sets and they really are terrific. If you want to gift someone some clear stamps to start their addiciton, it's a good way to go! Also, I feel like TT's clear stamps are some of the best quality clear stamps on the market. It was so much fun designing these! I made the word block using all of the individual words on the set. I also combined elements (word, alphbet letters, flourish) to make my own graphic design-like images. I made the circles by turning over the hand-drawn line circles and stamping the BACK of the circle first, then flipping it over (the "right" way) and stamping the lines on top--Voila! Two step stamping with just one stamp! I also experimented with some faux-watercolor using Tim Holtz's Distress Inks. There are some really great products out there for papercrafting--I could almost say there's never been a better time to experiment with the hobby! Find a local store and take a class, or leave me a comment if you want more information about any of the techniques shown here. Enjoy!

She was as surprised as we were...

2009-05-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

I was so proud I thought I would cry. Each year, the 8th grade band students vote on who wins the "Outstanding 8th Grade Band Member." Criteria include leadership in the band, helping others, attitude, and so on. The Director gets power of ratification and veto. Only a few students are chosen, and it's a pretty big honor. No one knows who will be picked until it's announced. She was one of the students chosen this year. I should add that I really wasn't surprised, because I know that she is totally deserving of the award. Still, the not knowing ahead of time made it a wonderful surprise for all of us!

I'm in a writing mood

2009-05-17T21:28:00.001-07:00

I get these moods sometimes...not bad moods, not necessarily good moods--but more of a happy melancholy, a weird mixup of things that shouldn't work together but they do. I call them "writing moods," and when I was younger (a lot younger) I used them to write poetry. Some of it was actually pretty good. I placed in collegiate contests and was published in collegiate papers, and even sold one to a magazine once. (I actually sold two of my poems...only one was published and that happened about 10 years after I sold it to them--I'd married and changed my name. Still, if you go to http://www.lds.org/, and search for "Dianne K. Reese," you'll get my poem).

Since I'm not feeling the poetry thing, I guess I'll blog.

Things on my mind--I'm ready to make some personal changes--usual things like diet and exercise, but my motivation feels truer, and I feel like I'm going to follow through better. I like myself better when I get some exercise and when I eat better. And, since I'm not getting any younger, and I would really like another 40 years (at least!) of good life, I'm going to make those changes. And the surprising thing is that I want to make them. For the first time in a long time I was able to lead all of the music in church without having my upper arms get achy by the 4th verse of a hymn. I know that sounds pathetic, but it's a pretty big accomplishment. I've also been thinking about my "40 things to do before I'm 40" list. I've just been rattling around some thigns in my head. I'm open to suggestions---anyone? Just leave me a comment. I'm sure I'll be inspired.

Yesterday I was really efficient AND effective (one of my personal goals is to alway be both if I can...). I did the dishes, wiped counters, tried my hand at making yogurt (not successful the first time but still good in smoothies), cleaned the fish tank, fed kids, made samples, did laundry, planted seeds in one of those windowsill greenhouses (the radishes sprouted today!!!), achieved a new medal on facebook Bejeweled Blitz, finished a library book, started another, picked up in the living room, drove to Salem to drop off my samples, and so on....it felt pretty powerful to take care of my family. And when I remembered that, I didn't feel like such a martyr that so much was left for me to take care of. After all, it's my job. I'm the Mom. Mom's take care of things. I love being a Mom. I really do. I remind myself of that when I get grumbly that I seem to be the ONLY person taking care of things. Someday my babies will leave me and then I'll still have to take care of things without the benefit of nighttime snuggles and daytime hugs. Then I'll REALLY be grumbly! (l0l) Better to concentrate on feeling powerful that I can take care of them so well.

Anyway, it's getting time for bed. I'm getting rambly. I just wanted to take advantage of my writing mood and write something. Let me know if you have any suggestions for my 40/40 List. I'd love to read them!

Breathing Room

2009-05-03T21:28:00.000-07:00

I've missed posting, I really have. One of the goals I had for myself about a month ago was to find a way to include some good things in my life and limit some other things. That meant computer time was limited. I'm on the computer A LOT for my work...so much so that I wasn't making time for other good things---like laundry (not really a good thing, but BAD if you have no clothes!) or cleaning, or exercise--something I really need.

I find that I just need some breathing room. I'm pretty happy with how exercise is falling into place--and even though this week was haphazard and all over the place, my house was getting cleaner--which makes me happy and less stressed.

My birthday was great! I've done my usual self-portrait--but I'm finding that I need a longer arm! They are starting to look the same to me. I've had some time with the boys, but not yet with J. I'll post soon--plus I'm making a list of 40 things to do before I'm 40! One of the first was to sing karaoke--it's hard to believe that I can sing in 5 languages but I've NEVER sang karaoke! We went to a family pizza place for my birthday with that as my goal--and I sang not once, but twice! I predict at least one more stop there this year. Anyway, I have some goals and plans and want to make my little corner of the 'net a great place for you to visit this next year (from birthday to birthday that is...) Stick around! It'll get better.

In the meantime, What do you do for breathing room? I'd love to read your comments!~

I've joined the twitter bandwagon

2009-04-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

So if you want to follow me there, I'm DianneKNelson.

If not, it's okay. I'm just figuring things out and might not have anything interesting to say. But isn't that kind of the point of twitter--to be pointless?

I'm sorry for leaving you in the blog lurch, so to speak. It seems I have (had) a lot on my plate and the blog gets dropped. I'll work to fix that.

In just about a week I turn 39. That means I'm almost 40. I have a lot to do before then. It also means that portrait day is coming! Yay!

Six

2009-04-09T06:03:00.001-07:00

arrival

one

two

three

four

five

six

C's birth coincided with our first digital camera. It was fun to go back and see him grow.

Happy Birthday baby!

Let me Sum Up

2009-03-23T05:51:00.001-07:00

Seussical was very, very good! We saw it twice--I saw a dress rehearsal (where these pics are from--same day that son H walked over from his school to see it) and Joel went by himself with J opening night. They had a very good production, and J had a lot of fun. We are ALL singing songs from Seussical in our heads--for me, it's the "Notice Me Horton!" song Gertrude sings to Hortong. Super-tricky lighting situations though! I didn't even try to take video or more pictures the second time I saw it.

Next for us is Spring Break. I'm hoping to get a family photo shoot in, so I'm bringing the tripod. I still have to work, so I'm keeping my expectations low. That way, we'll all be more relaxed and have more fun.

On the crafty front, I just taught a class about flag books. Did you know the first flag book was created by Hedi Kyle in 1979? This is a book-making form that is used more by book artists and later adapted by papercrafters. So many neat things to be done with this style of book making! If you want to know more, there is a FANTASTIC online pdf of an old Bonefolder magazine with some great step-by-step instructions on how to make them. (Karen Hamner is the featured artist with the great how-tos there). And if you want to see MANY fantastic examples of this art form, check out THIS link. After I take pics of mine, I'll share. Prepping for this class made me want to make more flag books of the "books as art" variety. Go check out those links--you'll like what you see! I hope you are inspired!

What fun! Creating Keepsakes Convention and Suessical-Lite

2009-03-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

J in her "Bird Girl" makeup. Although I like her expression, I should let you know that she was just very tired, not mad that I was taking pictures...

Last Saturday, I was a Teacher's Aide for the Creating Keepsakes Convention. I had a great time working with Sarah Milne of Scenic Route and Bev (I can't remember her last name, sorry!) the owner of Technique Tuesday. It was great to help them out. Although I learned that standing for over eight hours isn't fun, even if I am wearing my favorite pair of Danskos. Still, it was something I'd never done before, and always wanted to try, so I'm glad to have done it!

Also, if you are in my local area and want a fun date this weekend, come on over and see my daughter in her school's musical. It's a great show! She's on the right side of the picture, in the second row, in the dress with hot pink feathers that looks white even though it's light pink. She plays a "Bird Girl" in the production. The kids did a great job, and have some great singers in the lead parts.

I've been hearing back from you on your Stories for our "No Ordinary Stories" campaign. I LOVE IT! Keep them coming! If you leave a comment and put your story on your blog, I'll be sure to post a link to your story here. Let's take the internet by storm!

Speaking of stories, you really need to read Kelly Corrigan's "The Middle Place." I posted a video a while back of her reading one of her essays. Good stuff people! I couldn't put the book down and was sad when it was over. I originally got it at the library, but you can be sure I'll be buying my own copy soon!

No Ordinary Stories

2009-03-05T06:06:00.000-08:00

gratuitous picture of the Oregon Coast just to get your attention and because everyone thinks blog posts are more interesting when there are pictures to look at and because I think that this blog post will be VERY interesting.

I promised awhile back that I would tell you more about a project that I'm doing for Stampin'Cat that is near and dear to my heart....and now is the time.

The name of the project is "No Ordinary Stories" and it is an idea that has been bouncing around in my brain and filling my heart for some time now. It's something I've believed in since I was very young. It's a simple idea, but one that is often overlooked. If you distill it down to one basic thought, it is this--in every life, in every person, there are No Ordinary Stories.

Some of you are confused--isn't that the name of the project? Let me explain with what I wrote to introduce the class. I think that it will make more sense then.

I believe we are significant.
I also believe that we forget this important fact.

Let’s talk about stories for a minute. Let’s talk specifically

about other people’s stories.

We can’t get enough of other people’s stories.

We read them in the news, in magazines,

in books, sometimes in the tabloids, on the internet,

and in blog after blog after blog.

We can’t get enough. We are riveted.

Yet when it comes to our own stories, we downplay.

We stammer and become suddenly shy.

We feel like we have nothing to say.

Some of it is that we are taught

not to brag or boast, we are taught not to be prideful.

We decide that our own stories are not worth telling.

I believe we are significant. I believe our stories are significant.

They deserve to be Celebrated, Lived, Loved, and Shared.

I believe that there are
No Ordinary Stories.
Your stories need to be remembered and written down. Your stories matter.
If you don’t tell your stories,
Who will?

I believe those words with all my heart. I believe that somewhere along the way down the road or path or superhighway of our life, we forget parts of ourselves. We get busy furthering our careers, or wiping noses, or going to class, or cooking dinner, or driving to the next destination on our list, or washing load after load after load after load of laundry that we forget to remember how great we really are. Sometimes we might even forget who we are.

This is what I propose: Let's start writing down these stories. I would love to see this blog post passed around and around and around and around. I'd love to see a whole grassroots movement of women remembering their significance in tangible ways. Let's link and share and link and tell and write and share and link again, until we are all connected with a web of words and stories and significance.

I'll provide a prompt here if you get stuck. But I hope that once you start telling your stories, they will just tumble out of you and one story will lead to another and another and another and you'll have a notebook or a folder or a journal or a blog just full of all of your wonderful stories.

I can't wait to read yours.

My baby's growing up...and I'm not sure I like it.

2009-03-03T05:56:00.000-08:00

At the Kindergarten Valentine's party

Yesterday morning, C, my youngest, announced that he was "full of snuggles" and didn't need any more. Since he was fresh out of bed, sleepy-eyed and tousled hair, I assumed he meant he didn't need his MORNING snuggles, so I said. "okay." and let it go. Last night, when I suggested our usual bedtime ritual of snuggles and knock-knock jokes, he reminded me that he was "full of snuggles" and didn't need any more.

That cracking sound you hear? It's a little piece of my heart breaking off as my last child moves toward the road of independence.

It's not that I didn't know that this day was coming. It's more that when we made the choice to finish having children with this third child, I didn't realize that there would be a day with no more babies. (not sure how I missed that one...) No more sweet neck sugars to nibble on, no more need for nighttime snuggles as an important part of the bedtime routine, no more of that fierce, intense, and deep unconditional love that only comes from your children when they are too young to be mad at you during the times when you have to parent them. I did know this day was coming--I had just mentioned it to Joel the other day--I just wasn't ready for it to be here so soon. It's like an elephant dropped out of the sky and landed on my chest. It's going to hurt for awhile.

Lucky for me, he changed his mind. Elephant airlifted away, crisis avoided. All systems are go for the snuggles.

And I'm going to hang on to them for as long as I can.

Create

2009-03-02T11:44:00.000-08:00

I'm really resonating with this video, originally found on Stacy Julian's blog. I remember when I first heard/saw this talk, and remember being touched even then. It's nice to be reminded of these truths. I hope you enjoy it. HERE is the link to the actual YouTube page, if you need it.

I've made a big decision

2009-03-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

I'm going to self-publish an inspirational book. I'll probably go with Lulu, but I also have a local printer friend I'm going to talk to. I may not do anything with it but give it to my mother, and that will be enough. It's something that's been bouncing around in my head for awhile now, and I'm just going to have to bring it to life. I'm going to call it "No Ordinary Stories," inspired by my class at Stampin'Cat of the same name. I'll be using some things I've written here on the blog, like THIS and THIS (well, on the old blog, so if you are new here, you won't have read them yet...) as well as THIS, which is on the new blog. I'm going to pair my stories with my own pictures, and just have fun with it. Wanna come along for the ride?

Kelly Rae Roberts--Taking Flight

2009-02-28T14:15:00.000-08:00

I've just started working my way through this book--and I LOVE it! I am really resonating with a lot of the things she talks about--especially listening to your own whispers. I can wholeheartedly recommend it. It is a worthwhile addition to the crafty bookshelf--or maybe even the self-improvement, self-love bookshelf! Check it out today!

More links: Kelly Rae Roberts herself;
More on her book HERE

Have you tried Pandora.com yet?

2009-02-25T04:36:00.000-08:00

gratuitous picture of February in Oregon--blue skies and sculptural tree branches. Taken with camera phone.

I am IN LOVE with internet radio through Pandora.com! It's fantastic! You just type in what artists you like, and it creates a radio station based on what you "told" it you like. Fabulous! Right now, I have three stations: Adele radio (based on my new favorite singer Adele--kind of a funky folk/pop sound), Sugarland radio, (sometimes you need a little country!) and one with church music for Sundays. Go check this out! And don't forget to click on the ads there when you do--that was something I learned from Seth Godin--if you like a website that is paid for with ads, click on the ads! I would be completely disappointed if this website folded like my favorite magazines recently did (Wondertime, Domino and Simple Scrapbooks), so I try to click on three or four each time I am listening. Still--it's worth a Go-See!

Oh what a week!

2009-02-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Last week was one busy, somewhat hellacious week for me. This will will be just as busy, but hopefully without the stress I felt last week. We started out by heading to IKEA after work (so no catch-up morning nap for me) to try to get their half-price dresser for J. That took 5 hours and was capped off by thinking that my 5yo was taken as I checked out and paid for my merchandise. It turned out that he was just on the other side of the check-out area, playing with one of the kid kiosks, but when your register funnels directly out the door, and it's the busiest you've ever seen IKEA (which is usually busy enough as it is!) it's easy to panic.

Then it was just usual family life stuff, feeding the missionaries, driving carpool for the middle school musical, teaching a voice lesson, writing lessons for Newspaper Talk, prepping for my Stampin'Cat classes, but the week was capped off by the Father/Son cake auction at the Blue and Gold Banquet. Joel inadvertently double-booked himself, and also volunteered to go to the Klondike Scout campout to help out as a guest leader. The campout started at 4, and the cake auction/banquet started at 6. Thursday I baked the cake for him, and he stayed up late to decorate it (late being after I go to bed, and since I get up at 4am, it's all relative). That morning, when I saw the cake, I was kind of impressed. It looked pretty good! Then I saw what he colored his frosting with---he used the non-toxic, but non-edible coloring I use for glycerin soap. It tasted terrible! Plus, it was turning a funky gray color. Luckily, it was only on the twix bar cabin and on the top layer of the cake. I was able to scrape and cut it off, and then because Joel was scrambling to get to work and get ready for the snow campout, it was left to me to recreate his vision. Long story short: just enough powdered sugar in the house for one batch of frosting, no green food coloring, rush to the store--no debit card, get that figured out, get home, get C on the bus for kindergarten, finish the cake, head to the event, realize I've forgotten the checkbook, turn around for home, realize the cake is falling over, try to fix it in the car, get it settled (we think)--only to have the entire thing fall apart on the first turn. It ended up being the second-highest cake of the night even still.

We changed the name from "Cabin on the Hill" to "Ambush on the Hill." Notice the dead cowboys...

The Auctioneer had a lot of fun with it...he asked H, "So what was the name of your cake BEFORE your mom drove it here?" and riffed with it. I laughed a lot. Such is life sometimes! You laugh so you won't cry!

I Heart the Internet

2009-02-13T04:50:00.000-08:00

So I was reading Pioneer Woman where I was introduced to Secret Agent Josephine, where I found these Valentines which made it easier for me to whip out Valentines for H at the last minute because I didn't give myself enough time to stamp them and he didn't want them to be the same as the ones I already made for a member of his class.

Thank you, Al Gore.

Some projects for Stampin'Cat Studio

2009-02-10T11:29:00.000-08:00

I'm teaching a "Spring Fling" Card class in about 2 weeks at Stampin'Cat Studio. The red ribbon is keeping this guy attached to my sample board---the last time I had loose cards on display as part of my sample, they didn't come home with me. I was determined to not lose any this time!

I'm lovin' this patterned paper from the Cut'n'Paste line by K&Company.

The next class is one I plan to describe here in more detail: it's the stand-alone project for the first class in my "No Ordinary Stories" class. It's basically a 3-D "room" that utilizes the quote the class is based on. I have high hopes for this series of classes.

More paper from K&Company--this time from the Blue Awning collection. Stamps are Tim Holtz stamps from Stampers Anonymous.

The entire quote reads:

I will not live an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom goes on as fruit. ---Dawna Markova.

I'll give you a larger write-up later about what "No Ordinary Stories" is and what it means to me. Enjoy this little taste!

Free Valentine's Projects from HP

2009-02-03T15:26:00.001-08:00

This link is FULL of some fun free printables! (it may take a minute to load fully, be patient) Share the love...

They are more complex than the most popular Valentine I made last year:

"Curly" stamp from AMuse. The font is a free download (broken 15) and it says, "Just because I gave you a heart doesn't mean I love you." It was a popular valentine for ten year old boys. I think I made about 150 last year~...

Enjoy!

Another One for Mom (and Dad)

2009-02-01T18:53:00.000-08:00

Taken this Saturday, at the NAMS Jazz Festival. J. is playing the tenor sax at the beginning at the end of this piece. Enjoy! I know I was so proud I thought I'd burst and it took all of my self-control not to jump up and shout, "That's MY GIRL!"

For My Mom...who doesn't get enough pictures of the Kids...

2009-01-26T10:36:00.001-08:00

One Little Word 6x6 Canvas

2009-01-10T10:51:00.000-08:00

I am teaching a class at Stampin'Cat next week that is based on Ali Edward's "One Little Word" idea and philosophy. If you've not heard of it before, the idea is that you choose one word to focus on each year. That word helps inspire and motivate you as you achieve your goals, stick to your resolutions and so on, throughout your year. It is a very powerful thing. I'm teaching a canvas class where we'll take a 6x6 Canvas and make an art piece that highlights our word for the year. I'm revisiting an old word: Do. I loved this word a few years ago, and as I reflected on what I wanted to accomplish in 2009, it seemed appropriate to use it again. I used paint, crackle paint, some of my favorite stamps (Tim H0ltz and CatsLife Press) a metal "muse" token from Tim Holtz, and some random bits of lace and velvet. I stamped the saying onto mulberry paper, and used collage gel to adhere it to the canvas. I highlighted some of the grungeboard pieces with the new Distress Stickles. LOTS of fun putting this together!

This was too important to keep to myself!

2009-01-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

I saw it first on Cathy Zielske's blog--but I have women friends like this, and I knew I had to share it here~

I am moving closer to the land of the well...thanks for your good wishes!

I went to the Doctor...

2009-01-02T17:57:00.000-08:00

and I have a viral infection (H. shared his 5th's disease apparently), an ear infection, pink-eye, and a sinus infection (all bacterial infections). I don't have bronchitis or pneumonia. Thank goodness for that.

...and Thank goodness for antibiotics. Here's to a better tomorrow!

We lost our kitty yesterday...

2008-12-31T06:35:00.001-08:00

We found her under Joel's car. He'd just refilled his anti-freeze on Saturday, so we think she may have licked the drips. We'll never know for sure. She was a very, very sweet kitty. Great mouser too. I figure she was about 8 years old. She was born in my closet. I gave her a love and a pet when I put her out at 5am, and we found her about 1:30.

I am SICK! Send any good wishes/vibes/prayers my way. I've been getting up to work, and then going back to bed for the rest of the day. I also need a crack seamstress who can make my daughter's dress for her first church youth dance tonight. Any takers? It's an easy pattern!

Anyway, just keep us in your thoughts. The kids were pretty upset about the kitty. Even Joel, who wasn't the cat's biggest fan, will miss her mousing skills.