Week 3

Some of the pictures this week aren't particularly artistic, but they are representative of the things that made me take pleasure in the week.

Making a menu for the week was wonderful. It was so nice to not have to think about dinner. Now if I could just get my snacking under control....


Since my mother-in-law isnt' reading this, I feel safe in saying that the inauguration gave me chills. I'm thrilled to be living in a time where there is change...peaceful change...excitement, and so many individuals feeling like they can make a difference.


It hit almost 60 (F) on Wed. and Thurs. It was gorgeous. Ben and I went on walk and we grilled out. I didn't think to take a picture until after the grill was put away and the steak and chicken were all eaten. =)


I finished Inkdeath on Friday. It was a satisfying end to the story even though it took while get moving. I listened to the last few bits in my office on my computer.


I know this doesn't look like the cleanest most organized closet in the world, but it's cleaned out from what it was. And it was another step in getting ready to move.


I am going to get us a storage unit and DH is on board with it. I'm going to get one in a few weeks and that way, when we clean out things (like the closet) we can just take boxes there.

We took the rest of the border down. It's been 4 years in the making, but we finally got the rest of the border down. No more teal and rose 80's border. Tonight, some spackle and sanding and we'll be ready to paint!

We are actually getting ready to move...that's the theme for the week. =) See you next week!

Week 2

I missed two days this week, but I did pretty good. =)

Monday it was really awful out. Howling wind, snow, ice...the town almost shut down. But we were nice and snuggly warm inside. I'm very happy that we have heat and a nice place to live. And I'm very happy we all made it home safe.

The next day, however, we got to take joy in the small details of the snowfall. Bunny tracks in the driveway.
Wednesday, I met with my co-teacher and we wrapped up the final details for my college course. We also got to discuss our trip to Chicago in July. Woo-hoo!

On Friday, I got to pick up some books from the library that I'm excited to read. For some reason, I didn't put in that stack the most important book..."Potty Training in Less Than a Day". Ask me about that next weekend!

I know this one is weird, but I wasn't feeling well Saturday. Especially by the time I got home from class. Some Ibuprofen really helped me feel better. The stuff is a wonder!


When Ben found out he was going to the pizza machine, he was very excited to go on the "frog that goes up and down". He had a blast. Seeing his smile and seeing him have fun made my day!

Three weeks down. See you next week!

Project 365

If you haven't heard about Project 365 than you are not a scrapbooker (or photographer). I'm not even sure who started P365 (I'm sure someone that reads this blog does), but the idea is that you take a picture every day of things that make you happy. I've been doing that (although I did fudge a day). And I'm going to try to update my blog once a week with those pictures. I also am tying this in to the "One Little Word" project that Ali Edwards introduced. She's encouraging people to pick a theme for the year. I have been happy in the last several months. Happy with my job, happy with my husband, happy with the direction we are moving, happy with my career prospects. I don't know exactly what it is. I've certainly focused on staying away from negative people and trying to not let myself obsess over things. I think that has helped. I was reading my friends business blog the other day, and I remembered how happy he always has been. His blog and take on business just exude that. I remember how at one point in high school, he said to me, "You're always just so unhappy." That (obviously) stuck with me. I think he would be pleased to read this blog and see how things have been for me. So here's to a year of "happiness" and 365 (and more) things that make me and my family happy.

I have 11 days of photos to post. So bear with me. I'll try to be better from now on. =)

I am grateful for the beautiful items that we have that remind me of Christmas. I am grateful for the memories that they hold and the feelings that they evoke. I always am truly happy putting up the Christmas decorations because it makes me think of home and family.

I am very happy that we are finally getting the ball rolling to move to a new house. I am purging, pricing flooring, and sizing up the stupid teal and rose border that is still hanging over my entryway for removal. The house we are looking at is beautiful and will last us for years and years. I am flat out giddy about it.

I started the "Healthy O's" with my scrapbooking group and am doing a Biggest Loser group at school. I didn't gain weight over Christmas break, so that was great. And I broke out my Dancing with the Stars video again. It's fun, varying ability in the workout, and Maks........yum.


I enjoy spending time with my in-laws. (Focusing on happy remember Tessie...) Scott and Kristy, Adam and Amy, and Ed and Eileen are wonderful people. I married above me. =)

This may seem like a duplicate, since it is Dancing with the Stars on t.v., but my happiness this day was watching my son's carefree attitude. Play with cars one minute, dance the next, color, play video games, snuggle with stuffed animals. I hope that I haven't pigeon-holed him into sports, cars, beat-um-up stuff. I also don't think he's a "sissy" either. I hope that letting him do whatever he wants will encourage him to grow up to be a well-rounded person.

Ahhh....a clean office and a clean desk. My office was a disaster after book fair. And since book fair went right into a sick day for Ben, a snow day, and Christmas break, when I came back from break, I could barely walk or find a clear space. On the inservice day we had, I didn't even have time to clean it. Finally, on Tuesday (the 6th) I got it back in order. I felt like I could breathe again, and then prioritize and get work done.

I also got the kitchen scrubbed and straightened up. (Since my theme is "happy", I won't talk about what Ben did to the living room, while I cleaned the kitchen.) We are digging ourselves out of the holi-daze that we were in.

Joy in the little things. That's what this picture made me think of. A few simple cars can entertain, comfort, and tickle the funny bone. I love his smile and I love his fun spirit.

O.k. I fudged a little here. I forgot to take a picture on Friday. It was snowing, it was a nice cozy night at home....I just forgot. So, here are two pictures from Saturday. I found a Wii. After two weeks of searching and getting alerts on my cell phone. I, on a last ditch effort for the day, ran into Walmart despite the voice telling me, "They won't have one, don't waste your time." Five minutes before I got there, they got a Wii. It was just sitting at the counter, waiting for little old me. Later on, I got Dance Dance Revolution. I have wanted an at home version of DDR for years, years I tell ya! I was thrilled to finally have it in my possession! I spent an hour and a half the next day dancing.

I cleaned up quite a bit on Sunday. (Remember...I'm not talking about what Ben did to the living room while I cleaned the kitchen.) I purged videos and packed up some that we don't often watch. I left out the ones that truly bring Ben happiness, thereby bringing us happiness. Plus, I left out all the cool Disney ones: Toy Story, Little Mermaid, Wall-E, Nemo, etc. They are my favorite too. And I'm so glad that Ben likes them. I even like watching Dora with him on many days.

That's the first 11 days of my HAPPY new year (get it?). 354 more to go!

You're going to get sick of me by then! Have a great week!

Good Days

We've had some good days around her and I'm excited to start a brand new year! I'm looking forward to healthy choices and moving to a new house. (That's the plan right now at least.)

I'm going to attack these and get organized with a plan of what we need to do around here! So I'm grateful for the energy and momentum I have going into the new year.

Sunday 12/28
A good movie, time with my aunt, great pizza, great margaritas, and good family conversation, the game at the pizza place that was inexpensive and Ben loved and wasn't a waste of money.

Monday 12/29
Free wireless at Panera, getting a lot of work accomplished, a good friend to work with, a good dinner.

Tuesday 12/30
A fun day with a friend, cute outfits cheap, the cosmorita, a potential move, Ben going to sleep easily, cuddle time.

12/31
Productive day, a house I love, quiet nights with loved ones, the Oscraps store not having restrictions and letting me download all the stuff I lost on my EHD.

01/01
A new year!, two nice sisters-in-law, a clean room, being prepared for work tomorrow (see, I'm even finding the positive in that!!).

Catch you all later!!