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There's a great new e-book available at Ella Publishing, written by the fabulously talented and uber-amazing Stacy Julian. Check it out! (click on the image)
And...I've set up a blog for the Happiness Project Book Club. I'm password-protecting it b/c I think it will be better to "know" who is participating. If you're interested, leave me a comment, and I'll send you the log-in info.
Hope you're having a good week!
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I've been really inspired by a number of non-scrappy blogs lately, and am particularly drawn to the crunchy/granola/natural crowd. I blame it on this unpolluted VT air. In general, I'd put myself in the category of green-minded...I recycle, use cloth napkins, bring my own bags everywhere, turn lights off...little steps toward the big goal of being more mindful about living green. Alongside being green-minded, I've been trying to make a mindful effort to be clean-minded when it comes to food. I picked up a copy of the Eat Clean Diet a few weeks ago, and began incorporating the principles into my day. Back to the blogs...yesterday I was traipsing through a few blogs, and read a bit here & a bit there about green smoothies. I had this "aha" moment that green smoothies were a great blend (ha!) of green & clean. So...I stopped by Borders, picked up a copy of the Green Smoothie Revolution, resolved to do a 30-day green smoothie challenge, called my Mom to get her on board (& ordered the book for her), and informed Austin & Hope that they'd be drinking green, too (the power of parenthood!). I am happy to report that this morning's smoothie (pictured above) was delicious...one banana, a cup or so of frozen organic cherries, an apple, and about 3 handfuls of baby spinach. Seriously good.
In the category of being mindful...I mentioned here & on facebook that I just finished reading The Happiness Project. I can't recommend this book enough...it's that good. So good, that while I was reading it, I really wished that I was in a book club to talk about it. Hmmm...why not a virtual book club? Let me know if you're interested...I have an "extra" typepad blog that I'd love to set up as a book discussion. Plus, I've requested the book club guide from the author. I can think of at least 4 of you reading that are going to get a week of nagging emails if you don't volunteer to do this. So you might as well just say YES! :)
Last, but not least...if you'd like to follow some of those inspiring blogs...
be good. drink green. :)
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I am forever late with birthday gifts & birthday cards (and every other sort of card & gift)...so I was banned from my Mom's blog today. My sister's gift was on time (of course) and my brother showed up to take my mom to lunch (mama's boy). So I'm doing something that neither of them can do....blogging birthday wishes!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!
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It feels like it's been a bit of a whirlwind week. Travel will do that. I had a quick trip to Minneapolis this week to do a press check for some new lip balm caddies for Jason Naturals. What started out to be a bit of a bothersome mid-week inconvenience turned out to be a great reminder that the universe gives you what you need, when you need it....
*I learned about the printing process, and was able to draw from my goop color matching experience. And for a minute? I gave myself a pat on the back for being able to see when yellow needs just a touch of red, and when the color needs to be pulled back a smidge, and when we might need a touch of black to dirty it up. At work, we often say "we're making lip balm...not curing cancer"...but for a few minutes, I was reminded that I still have skills that are valuable to my company.
*I had a few happy scrappy moments in Archiver's when I got to page through Kimber's book, and the last two issues of Memory Makers, and remember that I was a part of this. And I was proud.
*I finished reading The Happiness Project...and I can already tell you that it will change my life. Buy it. Read it. We'll talk.
*I got to have dinner with this fabulous friend. And we talked. Over fried fish, sweet potato fries, and bad karaoke.
*Today, through exhaustion, and stress....I got a phone call from one of my very best friends (forever & ever), and a text from a newer totally awesome friend, and when I thought that the universe had already done so much...yet another friend invited me over on Sunday.
amidst the whirlwind...I am grateful.
(uhm...and holy-bags-under-the-eyes batman! I blame that unfortunate look on having to wear my glasses b/c I ran out of contacts, and airplane air, and fatigue, and forgetting to use eye serum in the am, and did I mention fatigue? ugh....)
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Did you really think that a love letter to myself would be all flowery & romantic? Do you not know me at all? You should be able to click on the layout to make it bigger & read the list....
supplies: patterned paper, thicker, flair, rubons (american crafts), rubon (october afternoon), heart punch (fiskars)
And...congrats to Michelle from One Ordinary Day...send me your address, and I'll get you back in a scrappy mood with some fun supplies!
Just to prove that I'm not a total buzz-kill, I did make these lovely, decadent, and delicious cakes for the family last night. Uhm, there is only one word...heaven. (thank you, Barb, for the temptation...I mean, recipe)
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I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day. I don't like roses, don't need chocolates to be in a heart-shaped box, and don't wear jewelry. Blah. I do support, and whole-heartedly encourage, telling people that you love them...just don't wait for Hallmark holiday to do it.
On Love Thursday, the brilliant folks over at Shutter Sisters suggested another take on the holiday...a love note to yourself. Self-indulgent? Maybe. Good self-care? Definitely. So...this is my layout/blog challenge for you this weekend. Write a love note to yourself. Include it on a layout. Or post it on your blog. Or both. You can even write it here, in the comments. I'll draw a name on Sunday night (9:00pm EST, for those that like deadlines), and send the winner a box of scrappy love.
PS. that picture is making me want a latte. a lot.
be good. love.
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Earlier this week, my Mom posted several photos & commented that she has never lived a day w/o thinking she was fat. Cathy posted her fitness log layouts (seriously. that woman is a GENIUS), complete with photos-in-workout clothes. I've also been following the advice & inspiration over at Badass Fitness, where I was blown away by the before & after photos of Jenn. So. Beck & I were discussing fitness & fat & life on our way to work one morning (okay...more like every morning). I told her that there are exactly 3 photos that totally stand out for me when I think about my own fit/fat struggle. I dug the photos out of my semi-organized photo storage boxes tonight...
One - This one is 8th grade (I think)...Roeding Park. I remember seeing this photo and thinking 1) I will never be as cute as Cyndi and 2) oh-my-god look at my ENORMOUS thighs!! Granted, it's an awkward photo at best (we're reacting to the fact that we think that we saw John Taylor from Duran Duran. At Roeding Park. Likelihood of that?)...but for me, it was the first time that I remember seeing myself as fat. The following year, I started high school, joined the gymnastics team (b/c white leotards are FAB for the self-image), and learned how to make myself throw up lunch. And so began a solid decade of unhealthy habits & thinking.
Two - Fast forward to 1997. I'd been through ups & downs, and my weight had followed. Austin wasn't yet a year old, and so I was comfortable in thinking that I had at least a year or two to lose the baby fat. When I pulled this photo out of the envelope, I cried. I was fat. Like, for real. The original photo isn't even really of me...I just happened to be at the edge of the frame. I didn't do anything about it for several months...until I had to buy a pair of size 14 jeans. I cried. Again. Then joined Weight Watchers. I am good at following the rules. I didn't cheat. I didn't figure out how many points I could "earn" and use on Oreos. I worked the plan. I gave up red meat. I cut back on ice cream. I walked. And I lost weight.
Three - Karen's wedding. She had the dresses made for us, and the seamstress was furious with me b/c I was losing weight. She ended up altering the dress to be 2 sizes smaller than when she started. I know that Hope is blocking me in this pic, but...it's a form fitting dress, and I looked (and felt) good.
Now, more than a decade later...I've been through some of the same ups & downs. I've mostly made peace with the fact that I'll never be someone who can eat whatever she wants & not gain weight. I have a healthy fear of the genetics that threaten to clog my arteries & raise my blood pressure. I've learned to enjoy working out, and manage to get to the gym about 5 days a week. I gave up soda more than two years ago.I still rarely eat red meat. This week, my kids commented that we "eat hippy food"...and explained that they think that we eat much healthier than some of their friends. I'm learning.
I'll snap a current pic this week. Maybe even in workout clothes. Now that's likely to make my blog stats go through the roof, don'tcha think?
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I was in NYC on Friday for a 2009 hindsight meeting with our largest customer. The meeting is basically a review of our company's performance last year for this customer. I take the meeting very seriously...and quite personally...b/c I'm the account/project manager for this customer. I am proud, and happy, that our team rec'd some pretty high praise from the people reviewing. As I listened to the feedback, and the thanks, it felt great to know that my efforts all year were appreciated. Simply hearing the words thank you made the long hours & stressful days seem a bit less arduous.
I came home to find an email from my friend, Michele, passing along a little blog appreciation "award." This show of appreciation comes with a few strings...
1 - Thank the person who nominated you...THANK YOU Michele! You make me laugh with you honest view of life, motherhood, and scrapbooking. I'm happy to call you friend & fellow Master!
2 - Copy the logo & post it...
3 - List 7 things that people might find interesting about you...
*I walked/jogged 7.1 miles on the treadmill yesterday.
*I talk to Becky (one of my best friends) twice a day, almost every day...but I only see her once every couple of years.
*I am on the "expert" flavor panel at work...meaning that I am really good at tasting lip gloss.
*I am a wee bit obsessed with sweet potatoes right now.
*I have very dexterous toes...seriously. I regularly pick things up with my feet.
*I can still do a pretty awesome cartwheel.
*I have, quite possibly, the most awesome teenagers in the universe. For real.
4- Nominate 7 creative bloggers...Lain, Stephanie, Emily (password-protected), Michelle, Emily, WCS, Christy - you'll see that they're not all scrappy-blogs. I've been very into the non-scrappy lately. Variety is the spice of life, and all that. I appreciate the entertainment, insight, and beauty that they bring to my days.
And last, but certainly not least, I completely & totally appreciate everyone who has contributed to Taylor's Blankets for Babies project. She's well on her way to her goal of 365 blankets (and would be even closer if Aunt Katrina could get herself to the post office). THANK YOU!!
Now, go tell someone that you appreciate them. Everyone can use a little lift on a Monday.
Be good.
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This week is going by in the blink of an eye...and all blog-worthy thoughts that are swirling around in my head will have to wait until I can sit still for a few minutes. In the meantime, some gratitude...
*Thank you to my crazy kids for singing The Spice Girls as loud as they could on the way to school this morning. My thursday started with laughter.
*Thank you to my visiting customers who brought me a latte this morning.
*Thank you for all the great Ella-visitor comments :)
*Thank you to this blogger, this blogger, and this blogger for adding lovely content to my google reader.
Hope you're having a grateful week, too.
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