Monday, Monday

I do not like Mondays - I work all weekend and feel like I get nothing accomplished.  That might be because I have a four year old here all weekend?

So, another project on my huge long to do list is to move my scrapbook pages and albums into the new albums I purchased.

I decided on the American Crafts 12''x12'' Cloth D-Ring in black. I have ordered 15 of them already and have one filled.  I hate the way my albums look on the bookcase.  I have some Creative Memories strap hinge albums in an ugly green, I have all colors of Dalee, Close to My Heart and other post bound albums - many with the spine coming off since I put so many pages in my albums.  And then I have hundreds of completed pages that have no album home.  So, I purchased these new albums and plan to change over each of my albums and get the bookcase looking streamlined.

I am making round tags to label my albums and have come up with this design.

I am going to make each year a different color and mount them on metal rimmed tags and attach them to the spine of the albums with foam tape.  I haven't decided what I am going to put in the square frame on the front of the albums.  I have a huge job ahead of me but I am so looking forward to it.

New Year, New Outlook

So, it's been like forever since I have blogged. I guess I got caught up in Facebook, Pinterest and life in general. But I am back with a renew sense of what I want to accomplish.

I am going to participate in Project Life this year. I am going to make it my own and do it my way. And I am excited about doing that. I plan to share my pages as they are completed. And if you are interested, my daily pictures will be posted here.

My life has taken a major detour once again. Dave (the BF not the ex) called way back in October - just to catch me up on what was going on in his life. He had opened a thrift store in Naples and I took Bailey there and it was like the last 18 months hadn't passed by. I also realized that I couldn't marry Bill when I had such strong feelings about someone (really anyone) else. Dave and I met for coffee a couple of times, had dinner and I couldn't live with the guilt. (I really don't know how people have affairs - I don't have energy enough for it) I came home and told Bill - he knew about the phone call - and as hurt as he was, he had seen it coming. So, no wedding, no beach honeymoon, no happily ever after. BUT, Dave and I are back together - things are going really well - and I am happy. The heart knows what the heart wants.

My word for this year is SIMPLIFY.

And my New Year's resolutions

• Attend church more often
• Get into God's word more
• Appreciate the little things in life
• And SIMPLIFY!

Happy New Year everyone!

1. What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Magazines – Marie Claire June 2011, July 2011, August 2011, September 2011; People June 20, 2011,; July 11, 2011, July 18, 2011, July 25, 2011, August 1, 2011, August 8, 2011, August 15, 2011, August 22, 2011; Shape July 2011, August 2011; All You June 17, 2011, July 22, 2011, August 26, 2011; Cosmo August 2011; Lowe’s Creative Living Fall 2011
Books –Thrive Through Menopause by Monica Troughton; The Complete Guide to Menopause by Pat Wingert; The Trouble with Magic by Madelyn Alt; Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe; The Good Girls Guide to Bad Girl Sex by Barbara Kessling; When Your Hormones Go Haywire by Pamela Smith; The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker; The Sexy Years by Suzanne Somers; Dear Cupid by Julie Ortolon; Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith; Love Me If You Must by Nicole Young; Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson
2.What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?
Movies – Lincoln Lawyer, Rango, First Monday in October, Something Borrowed, Why Did I Get Married, The Romantics

TV Shows – True Blood Season 4; Criminal Minds Season 2;
2. What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?
We got to spend time with Bailey and Bella.


Celebrated my Mom and Dad’s 50th Wedding Anniversary

3. What gifts did I give and/or receive?
I hired a photographer to take photos at the anniversary celebration.
4. What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Not much shopping this month, just the normal Goodwill shopping.
5. What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
My headaches are almost a thing of the past and I am sleeping much better, almost too much now.
6. What were my accomplishments this month?
Bill and I met again with Pastor Andrew – we are to work on a budget.
I finished the Week in the Life Album and got 12 scrapbook pages complete.










7. What were my disappointments this month?
There was nothing too disappointing this month.
8. How did I do on my goals for the month?
I wanted to get Nicole’s stuff out of the spare/craft room and I got that accomplished.
9. Anything else noteworthy to include?
Bill and I spent a weekend in Tampa - a much needed get away.
We set a wedding date – November 26, 2011
QUOTE – Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. – Samuel Johnson
You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you. ~ Sri Ram

Week In The Life

Here is my completed Week in the Life album in Slide show format.

July Round Up

1. What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Magazines – Marie Claire 5/11; Lowe’s Creative Ideas Spring 2011; My Home Mar/April 2011; All You April 22, 2011; Cosmo May 2011;
Books – The Help by Kathryn Stockard; Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky; Abby Cooper Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie; Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich; Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson; State of Wonder by Ann Patchett; The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritson

2. What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?
Movies – Conviction; Beastly; Moonlight and Mistletoe; Hall Pass; Arthur; The Adjustment Bureau; November Christmas; Farewell Mr. Kringle

TV Shows – Dharma and Greg; Criminal Minds Season 1, Disc 3, 4, 5; Without a Trace Season 1, Disc 1, 2, 3, and 4 True Blood Season 3 Disc 3,4; Army Wives Season 5; Harry’s Law Season 1
3. What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?
Bill and I celebrated the anniversary of our first date – we went to Iguana Mia’s in Bonita and had drinks and a great meal.

We also met with Pastor Andrew and got set up with pre-marital counseling.
We had Bailey’s birthday party at the Golden Gate Pool on the 30th.

4. What gifts did I give and/or receive?
Grandpa Bill and I got Bailey a bike for her birthday.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make?
We got a dog this month – a Yorkie named Mister. He is a very loveable, playful dog – now to get him potty trained.


6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
Kadie had surgery for a shunt early in the month.
I am still dealing with my urologic issues but I have an appointment for next month. I have also had some killer headaches that nothing seems to relieve. My GP wants me to see a Neurologist but I have to wait until after I get my urologic issues resolved before I can think about that.
7. What were my accomplishments this month?
I got thirteen scrapbook pages done this month – not nearly the amount of past months but I am happy with the number.
8. What were my disappointments this month?
No major disappointments this month.
9. How did I do on my goals for the month?
10. Anything else noteworthy to include?
I took off four days from work and watched Bella while Brandon and Sammy went to the Keys for the two day lobster hunt. They had a needed vacation and I got to love on my new grandbaby.

QUOTE –I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is not good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be. –Roald Dahl (1916-1990)