One Minute Journal . . .

"To live a creative life 

we must lose our fear of being wrong."  

~ Joseph C. Pearce

 Richard was cleaning out a drawer and was throwing away this little book when I noticed it.  It is the instruction book that came with a watch.  It was way to cute to just throw away . . . 

 So I decided to use it for a little pocket journal.  Nothing too fancy or detailed . . . I'll use it to jot down quotes that I find, or glue in little items that are part of my day.  It is small enough to stick in my purse.  I like the idea of just taking a few seconds each day to jot something down in this little book . . . my  "1 Minute Journal" . . . that is easy enough to do every day.

Friday Night . . .

Friday night . . .  music, friends, and some Chinese food.  That always makes for a fun Friday night.  It didn't seem like Friday at all yesterday.  In fact I have been off work long enough to sort of forget what day it is.  I like to think that that is sign it has been a good vacation . . . or maybe a sign that it is time to go back to work.
I can very easily fall into the "being off work" mode.  I stay up late, drink too muck coffee, start projects in the middle of the night, spend way too much time watching movies.  I sit down to read or journal and before I know it, it is 2:00 in the morning.  We take off in the middle of the day to play tennis, or get lunch . . . and the days fly by.  It has been a great vacation . . . with a couple more days to enjoy.  I am looking forward to going back to work next week . . . but I will miss all the extra free time that come along with being off work.

Stella . . .

Good morning Stella . . . you wild eyed, lovable, mischievous, crazy, bothersome, don't know what we would do without you cat.  

“If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.” 
~ Mark Twain

“The way to get on with a cat is to treat it as an equal - or even better, as the superior it knows itself to be.”   

~ Elizabeth Peters, The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog

“There are no ordinary cats.”  

~ Colette

Tonight . . .

Outside my window . . . dark and cold – I am not a big fan of winter, but it feels cozy inside tonight.

I am thinking . . . that 2015 is going to be a good year.
I am thankful for . . . two week off over the holidays
From the kitchen . . . coffee

I am wearing . . . leggings and a big warm sweatshirt

I am creating . . . origami cranes, a doll, and some pages in my art journal

I am going . . . to enjoy every last minute of my vacation.

I am reading . . . The World of PostSecret by Frank Warren

I am hoping . . . to clean out my closet before I go back to work.

I am hearing . . . The Walking Dead Marathon . . . zombies growling :)

Around the house . . . 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, glitter, and origami paper

One of my favorite things . . . my little skeleton (a gift this fall from Ashley) 

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . play some tennis, get some walking in, and go listen to some live music.

From my picture journal . . .

 The Clown Shoes Chocolate Sombrero was very good.  One of my new favorites.  

This is why I do not like winter . . . that high of 70 looks pretty good for next Tuesday.

While I was making little wire chairs yesterday . . . Richard was out in the garage building a stand for his stringer.  He still wants to add a shelf  and a pull out tray.  

pop . . . fizz . . . clink . . .

New Year's Eve calls for champagne and little champagne cage chairs . . . they make wonderful little ornaments. 

2014 has been interesting to say the least . . . as it comes to an end I find myself looking forward to the new year for no other reason than I like new beginnings.  I like the start of a new school year . . . I like to open that first blank page of a new journal . . . I like the feeling that each and every day is a new beginning.  A new year just makes me reflect a little more than usual.  As I start 2015, I think I am more myself than I have been in a long time.  It is a good feeling!

Happy New Year!

see how they grow . . .

The kids gave me this board to measure the kids' heights . . . personalized with their hand prints and Jordan's footprint.  They said his little had came out looking like a blob . . . so they went with his foot print instead.  The little hearts are their actual heights and are made with their thumb prints.  What a cute way to watch how they grow. 

put your beer here . . .

I love giving Christmas gifts that we make.  Richard made a few of these wood six-pack holders at the last minute.  The turned out great.  Looks like he is going to have to make some more . . . everyone loved them and wants one.

Merry Christmas . . .

skeleton & elf . . . Christmas Eve

Skeleton & Elf . . . part IV

Ninja Turtle ornaments . . . .

Simple ornament idea that I saw on Pinterest.  Luke and Jacob each wanted a set. 

They are both Ninja Turtle fans from way back.

Shabby Charlotte Doll . . . Gigi

I haven't made many dolls lately . . . this one was a special order for one of my coworkers.  She is giving it to her daughter for Christmas.  I miss making these Shabby little dolls . . . I need to use some of my Winter Break to get some more made.

Gigi is a feisty little doll with a big heart.  She likes candy and the color pink . . . although she also likes Dodger Blue.  She loves to be creative and make things.  She carries a little pad and pencil in her bag just in case she gets in the mood to draw . . . and does she ever like to tell stories.  She also has a little bell in her bag . . . just a little jingle to make her smile.   Gigi likes gymnastics and karate and is especially proud of the yellow belt she had earned.   Gigi can be a little quiet, but watch out if she sees someone treating someone else badly . . . that is when that big heart goes to work and she will stand up for anyone being picked on. 

This little doll wears a special necklace . . . it is to remind her how much she is loved by her family.  She may be little . . . But they love her in a big way! 

Skeleton & Elf . . . Part III

little things . . .

I stitched up some rice warmers last night,  They are great this time of year when it's cold . . . just 2 minutes in the microwave.  I always like to have a few extra gifts on hand . . . 

Grandma's old box that she used to keep gift tags in.  I can't remember how I ended up with this box.  I think Mom had it and she was going to toss it out . . . of course I had to keep it.  

This sticker came on a Christmas card at work . . . do you know one?

A little extra decoration on my nail the night we decorated ornaments at Brent & Ashley's . . . SMILE!

My new ornament . . . Richard spotted it in a store last week.  It looks great on my pink tree!

Trying on hats and snapping selfies . . . just one of those things we do.  

I like the silly side of this man. 

"Keep your Christmas-heart 

open all the year round. "

~Jessica Archmint

Skeleton & Elf . . . Part II

They are still at it . . . 

"I just like to smile - smiling's my favorite."

~ Buddy the Elf