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!!

After Christmas Stupor

Well, we had a great couple of days here. Christmas Eve was very nice. Playing games and enjoying good food with family. It was a smaller Christmas Eve for us, but that turned out very nice I think. I was very grateful that earlier in the day, Ben sat on Santa's lap and smiled big. He had kept saying that he wasn't going to, so I wasn't expecting much. When his turn came though, he smiled big and hopped up there, saying "Cheese" twice. Although, there were a few meltdowns during the day (and one big one at night), all ended up well. Christmas was nice and Ben had a lot of fun. Yesterday was a lazy day, but we enjoyed ourselves. Today is a ditto of yesterday. =) Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to seeing a movie and going to a family party.

Grats:
12/24: All my goodies turned out yummy, good pics with Santa, seeing old friends at the store, "expecting" news from a friend, nice family, fun games, putting milk and cookies out for the first time and being Santa for the first time.

12/25:
Good breakfast and relaxing morning, Walgreens being open on Christmas Day, good dinner, Ben having fun with his family, fun presents for Ben, an iPod Touch.

12/26:
52 degree weather, lazy day but getting dishes done, slim hope for my EHD, playing with the iPod touch and having wireless and a Mac Laptop to do it with, a good Dr. appt., watching Wall-E, leftovers, playing games together with Grams and Grandpa.

12/27:
Having another lazy day, scrapbooking, Ben playing games all on his own, leftovers. =)

Shame on me

Again, I have let my blogging slip for a week. I don't know why, but it seems hard to blog everyday. I have no problem posting on my favorite scrapbooking site or doing email, but blogging falls down the list. =)

Here are some things I'm grateful for during the last week:
Warm cars, SUVs, gas for the SUV being lower, wonderful friends at work who make me feel special, people getting their books they ordered, very capable subs and volunteers, snow days, my fun family, helping an aunt, understanding friends, Ben finally falling asleep after tossing and turning with an ear infection, a lazy morning, and opening for a Dr. appt., Christmas Eve with family, Gingerbread lattes (I believe I've been thankful for those before).

I found this interesting post on a blog that I follow. Play along if you'd like! I read it at Stephen Abram's blog, but he got it on Walt Crawfrod's blog - Walt at Random.

THE 99 THINGS MEME

Things you’ve already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to - leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37.Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person.
41. Sung Karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.

Cheeseburgers in Paradise

Quick drive by today. Didn't want to miss more days of blogging. =)

Sunday's grats
Warm tea, that it didn't snow, intellectual stimulation, fun family, a new coat, warm bed.

Monday's grats
Helpful volunteers, good sales resulting in lots of library books, more intellectual stimulation with a friend, an adorable son, generous scrappers.

Tuesday's grats
Helpful and kind co-workers scrapping snow off cars and planning birthday lunches, a warm sweater, dinner with my bestest friend and splitting the perfect amount of food, finding an inexpensive album for my scrapbook contest, driving in the snow storm safely home, sweet goodnight kisses on the cheek.

I'm trying to be very positive this week amid some unpositive feelings. So thank you for the blogging!

Tiaras and Crowns

The girls went out today. Three birthdays and a teacher of the week. We had excellent food, good drinks, fun shopping, and a generally swell time. I really enjoyed it! So that's a big gratitude right there!

Other grats:
Having a successful book fair!, that I have recipes in my mother and grandmother's writing, Matt's good moods, Christmas shopping is almost done (thought it was, but I wasn't, now I'm almost), all my ordered gifts are coming quickly, hot tea, comfy p.j.'s, the prospect of a fun trip in July, good friends at school, Christmas cards are almost done, one week of school left before break, lots of good books to read, and friends at the O who I have a good time with (chatting, forumning, and scrapping).

Awww Man.

Nine days? Nine days?? (Insert Ferris Bueller joke here.) I can't believe I haven't done my grateful blog for 9 days!!!! I'm sorry. I've thought about grateful things a lot. I really have. If you look back at my posts at my digital scrapbook site I hang out at, you'll see I was in a very good mood the last week and two days. =) But here's a run down of some things I was thankful for.

A fun layout that I'm really proud of, my book fair coming and being really prepared for it, my free Shutterfly calendar, playing games with my little boy, a clean bill of heath on his eyes, his smarty-pants answers on the preemie eval, fun new music, the DJ that finally told me the name of the song I've been wanting for a few weeks, my winter coat, Gingerbread lattes, Chicken Fried Chicken, getting all my Christmas shopping done, the really nice people who helped me set up my book fair, the nice people at Mimi's that give you free muffins for teacher events, fun t.v. shows, that my uncle came out of surgery o.k., how cool my photobook turned out, LOSING 3 POUNDS!, and (TMI alert) that my weird cold/allergy thing went away because I really thought my head was going to explode with snot last night.

Whew. There was a lot more in there, but that's what I remember right now. I've got to be a better blogger. I think that if I'm better, than I will continue to be in a good mood and lose weight etc. Focus on the positive and the positive will happen to you, right? (Is that like "The Secret"??)

I'm off to catch up on a few other things. Check back in soon. I promise this time it won't be nine days. =)