Remember Today

Coffee and Cocoa

2011-11-10T14:00:00.001-05:00

{sharing the morning together}

Happy Fall Y'all!

2011-10-06T13:54:00.000-04:00

Just getting into the spirit of fall over here.

My little helper and I put this up this morning.

His favorite part was dropping the leaves from the highest he could reach.

Now if only the real leaves would hurry up and change color!

What we did on our summer vacation

2011-07-13T00:35:00.001-04:00

This summer we went on a vacation to Maine.

We did a lot of fun things, ate a lot of yummy food, and saw a lot of great things.

We stayed at this hotel. We wanted to stay forever because they make the beds for you!

We sat on the beach under sunny blue skies

and played in the water when we got too hot

We saw sailboats

and seagulls

We watched fireworks over the beach

They were beautiful and sparkly

Four people built an amazing sandcastle on the beach. Lots of people stopped to see it.

The beach was crowded with people and umbrellas

We ate delicious food everyday

We shopped for a lot of cool things

But the candy store was our most favoritest

We visited Portland

And ate the best hotdogs ever made

We were forced to pose for Mom's photo shoots

This is our mom and dad's favorite restaurant to visit

And this is what they always get when they eat there

Mom and Dad are dreaming of living in a house by the sea

But until then, we can't wait to go back to Maine next year

The End

Photo-a-Day twenty-six

2011-04-26T22:25:00.000-04:00

Photo-a-Day six

2011-04-06T11:30:00.002-04:00

the little teacher

Photo-a-Day five

2011-04-05T22:39:00.000-04:00

Photo-a-Day four

2011-04-04T20:45:00.000-04:00

Photo-a-Day three

2011-04-03T22:54:00.000-04:00

and rotting brains on Sponge Bob

Photo-a-Day two

2011-04-02T21:34:00.000-04:00

Photo-a-Day one

2011-04-01T21:34:00.000-04:00

Remember Today 3.13.11

2011-03-13T23:40:00.000-04:00

{remember} I introduced Maddox to Flickr today--he spent 20 minutes looking at Lego creations there and then another 40 building. An hour well spent!

Dream Big

2011-02-20T21:12:00.002-05:00

If there were ever a time to dare,
To make a difference
To embark on something worth doing
It is now.
Not for any grand cause, necessarily –
But for something that tugs at your heart
Something that is worth your aspiration
Something that is your dream.
You owe it to yourself

To make your days count.
Have fun. Dig deep. Stretch.
Dream big.

Know, though,
That things worth doing
Seldom come easy,
There will be times when you want to
Turn around
Pack it up and call it quits
Those times tell you
That you are pushing yourself
And that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist.

Because with an idea,
Determination and the right tools,
You can do great things.
Let your instincts, your intellect
And let your heart guide you.

Trust.

Believe in the incredible power
Of the human mind
Of doing something that makes a difference
Of working hard
Of laughing and hoping
Of lasting friends
Of all the things that will cross your path

The start of something new
Brings the hope of something great.
Anything is possible
There is only one you
And you will pass this way but once.

Do it right.
Dream Big.

-Author Unknown

Remember Today 2.20.11

2011-02-20T19:52:00.000-05:00

{remember} doing a little soul searching, being at conflict with myself and my role/purpose.

Why do we as mothers
need to face the struggle
of choosing
ourselves and our dreams
over the
care and raising
of our children?

Having a hard time finding
a good balance
and striking
a happy harmony.

Feelings of selfishness and guilt.

Why can't I just sit back
and enjoy these mothering years
and not want to search for more?

These years are so fleeting,
and I know deep down
the time for me
to pursue my dreams will come,
but what if it won't.

What if my time is now?
What if waiting
will make it too late?

Remember Today 2.18.11

2011-02-18T20:24:00.000-05:00

{remember} that some days are just better off forgotten. And let's just leave it at that.

Remember Today 2.17.11

2011-02-17T19:50:00.000-05:00

{remember} how much Maddox grew up today: holding his little arm safely against his body, going to x-ray bravely by himself. I wonder how a child can look so incredibly small and vulnerable and so brave and independent at the same time.

if {a project 365 ponderance}

2011-02-14T15:07:00.000-05:00

If I were doing project 365 this year:

Happiness is... {a list}

2011-02-13T22:01:00.000-05:00

...finding a piece of chocolate in your pocket that your middle son gave you from his own Valentine gift.
...getting a 3 pound bag of Jelly Belly jelly beans from your hubby for Valentine's Day.
...getting a huge hug and "I love you" from hubby after he looks through the scrapbook album you made for him.
...taking a nap and reading a book in the middle of the day.
...eating a meal out as a family and not having to make lunch or dinner (this should be a new monthly tradition).
...thrilling the boys with the gift of books for Valentine's Day

this one for Logan:

this for Camden:

and this for Maddox

...having a lazy weekend without deadlines and worries.

Remember Today 2.13.11

2011-02-13T21:38:00.000-05:00

{remember} the third time's a charm: after attempting a dinner out Friday and Saturday, we finally succeeded today at 3:30. Stuffed myself to the belly-aching point.

Remember Today 2.12.11

2011-02-12T21:38:00.000-05:00

{remember} how much more peaceful and happy our home is without screens. The boys spent the day playing Legos, drawing in their doodle books, cleaning up their bedrooms, practicing guitar, reading, playing knee hockey, playing catch (oh, and there was that bit of wrestling--uggh!).

Remember Today 2.11.11

2011-02-11T21:41:00.000-05:00

{remember} how much I love Fridays, and not to fool myself into thinking that if I don't go to Pilates I'll workout at home.

Remember Today 2.10.11

2011-02-10T21:42:00.000-05:00

{remember} figuring out at dinner that I actually turned 37 today, not 38. Happiness.

It was a Chocolate Martini kind of day!

2011-02-08T23:31:00.001-05:00

Let me start by saying, I am not a big drinker. I'll have a drink when we're out socially, and I might have a glass of wine with dinner once every three months. But today I just had one of those non-stop, Mommy Marathon, don't-sit-down-once (unless you count the time driving the car shuttling the kids from one place to the next sitting) kind of days. And at nearly the end of it all, I just really wanted a glass of cold riesling. Here's why:

Wake to more snow and stress that the bus will be late again and Maddox will miss his 4th swim class in a row of a 7-week session. Get up, shower, realize that Camden is "too sick" to go to school, shuffle Logan out the door to a bus that is only 7 minutes late (praise the Lord), grab a cup of coffee and rush off with two kids to swim class. Clean up spilled cocoa at the Y, "I just don't know how that spilled, Mom", towel dry a blue 5 year old and head to the grocery store. Shop with two boys who whine and complain that I don't let them get anything good to eat three quarters of the way through the store. By the frozen foods, I relish in the idea that I can actually hear the grocery cart wheel squeaking because they are finally quiet. Check out, load the car, and Camden announces that he forgot his book and timer bookmark at the Y. Back to the Y with a trunk full of groceries. He retrieves the book and timer, we head home to unpack groceries to find that there's a foot of icy snow lying at the bottom of the driveway (darn plows!). Yell at boys to not step in the 4-inch deep puddle because "those are the only boots you have to wear all day!" Unpack the groceries, grab shovel, go into near cardiac arrest shoveling 500+ pounds of icy snow mix. Head inside, make lunch, scoff down lunch, brush Maddox's teeth, run out the door yelling at Camden that we are going to be late and to hurry his butt. Drop Maddox at school, pay his tuition 8 days late, return his Cheerio project one day late, and supply his tissue box Valentine mailbox one day early (score one point for team Mom!). Run to BJ's for milk and vitamins, walk out with half a dozen other miscellaneous items. Race home, unload {again}, drive to school to pick up Logan for an early dismissal. Head to the orthodontist for, not one, but two children who will eventually need braces and who-knows-what-else orthodontic work. Sit through both appointments in a slight panic that I won't get out in time to pick up Maddox at school. Call Mom to be on back-up alert for the pick-up. Scoot out of the office only after doing the through-gritted-teeth hiss-of-a-yell at the boys as they dawdle through the prize box for just the right treasure to take home and clutter up the house. Run through the puddle-infested parking lot trying not to break an ankle or land face down in a puddle and rush the kids into the car. Check the time: 3:08 Hmmm, I think I can travel halfway across this town and halfway through the next to pick up Maddox in 12 minutes. Call Mom, "Stand down, back up plan; I've got this mission." Ten minutes later, and five miles and two minutes to go, "Ummm, Mom, could you just run over to grab him, I'm not so sure I'm going to make it in time." Head to the school anyway and pass Mom who was about to get into the wrong parent pick-up line that probably would not reach Maddox until tomorrow. Yell a thanks to Mom, buzz off up the street, inadvertently cut the entire pre-k line, apologize profusely, and pop Maddox into the car. Get into the turning lane to stop at Mom's to thank her and realize Logan left his homework at the Orthodontist. Run into Mom's where Camden promptly takes his boots off and then cries when I tell him we are not staying. Discuss, tell, fight, yell (with Camden, not Mom), head all three kids back to the car, and trek back to the next town to retrieve homework. Nearly run over Logan's foot in the parking lot, learn that sometimes momma duck just needs to toss her baby into the pond and say, "swim, baby, swim", and drive around pot-holed puddley parking lot while waiting for baby duck to get his homework. Once homework is back safe and sound, get the brilliant idea to stop at children's clothing store to hunt out bargains on snow pants. Trek three boys into the store against their will, spend 8 and a half minutes searching the racks for a good deal, and head back to the car empty handed. Drive home through afternoon rush hour traffic hoping that there is a bottle of wine in the cupboard.

We're out of wine, so I settled on a chocolate martini instead.

February's Word: Healthy

2011-02-02T16:29:00.001-05:00

As I start off the month of February I am feeling tired, out of shape, dehydrated, and stiff. I don't feel terribly awful, just a bit uncomfortable. My pants are snugger, the scale is pointing to a number it hasn't since I was pregnant, and I know the older I get, the harder it will be to maintain a healthy lifestyle (especially when I don't consider my current lifestyle habits particularly healthy).

So in an effort to love myself in this month of L-O-V-E, my word is:

I will eat less sweets and more fruits and veggies. I will not eat when I'm not hungry. I will drink more water, and not ignore my thirst. I will walk on the treadmill. I will attend Pilates every week. I will make time for some sort of physical activity everyday. I will go to bed by 11:00 pm. I will look forward to the effects all this has on me by the end of February.

Resolution Check-In

2011-01-31T22:16:00.001-05:00

Well, we're one month into twenty-11, so let's take a look at how my high hopes for the year are doing, shall we?

create everyday--{check} this will be my "safety" for the year, the one that above all else will stick
remember today--{umm, almost check?} I'm not at 100%, but I'm a lot better off than I was last year!
be more efficient and productive--{check} I think I'm doing pretty good here, as long as you can count playing Cover Orange and Cut the Rope on my i-pod as productive!
drink more water--{ugh!} you would think this would be a no brainer, but I struggle so badly with this one
exercise regularly--{nope} I did go to Pilates once this month; if number one is my safety, this one is my "reach"
have more patience--{yes!} number one is helping a great deal with this. Loving my life helps, too!
catch up on unfinished projects--{kinda} "catch-up" was my word for the month of January, and I had high hopes of completing lots of unfinished projects. I didn't anticipate how many new projects January was going to throw at me. I did manage to get all my 2010 photos organized and backed-up, no small feat, really. Which brings us to number 8:
organize and back-up photos monthly--{yup} January is caught up too!
learn something new every week--{hmmmm} I bet I have, like the other day when I learned about QR codes and created one for my blog address (see above)
send more cards--{whoops!} gotta get better at this one!
teach more classes--dropped the ball on this one
read one book a month--{check} but admittedly, it was my second reading of said book
complete 120 LO's this year--{yippee!} 10 down, right on track for the year
complete an art journal--{uh uh} did one page, but I really want to fit this into my creative routine--working on this for Feb.

Well, the year is young. There's 11 more months to perfect my resolutions!

Remember Today 1.29.11

2011-01-29T15:00:00.003-05:00

{remember} Maddox making this house all by himself!

Remember Today 1.27.11

2011-01-27T16:20:00.000-05:00

{remember} snow day number 4 for the month and this is the view at our house:

Remember Today 1.18.11

2011-01-18T19:29:00.000-05:00

{remember} snow day for the boys, pancakes for breakfast, the family home for the day, and working on deadlines for me. A happy and productive day (one of my favorite kind of days!).

Taken on my iPod and processed on Instagram, a free app with ultra hip and super cool filters!

Remember Today 1.17.11

2011-01-17T09:54:00.000-05:00

{remember} discovering that one of my pages is featured on the tumblr page of Write.Click.Scrapbook. Yippee!

Lists

2011-01-15T21:40:00.000-05:00

I love lists. Lists keep me organized, motivate me, and even let me sleep better at night. Lists are quick to write, don't require a lot of words, or even a lot of thinking. Lists can be utilitarian, like those for the grocery store, reminding, like those to-do ones, or recording, like those that name the books you've read or the cities you've visited.

Tonight I visited an inspiring blog, and thought I would adopt her idea for a bit. She (Sherri Pelletier) did 52 lists last year, and she created each one on a mini-art journal page. Here's the beginning of her project, and here is the ending. I am smitten with this idea. Sometimes I can come up with my own ideas, and well, sometimes others ideas are just too good to pass up because of the mere fact that they are not my own.
So here's my first list for 2011. Not sure I'll be able to turn these into little works of art like Sherri, but at least my lists will be recorded:

What is on my desk right now:

roll of crepe paper in turquoise
pack of 4x6 photo paper
calculator
empty tp roll
bottle of tacky glue tipped on its side
corner rounder
printed photo of my hobbies
clipboard with calendar
4 CK magazines
ATG gun
package of multi colored binder rings
ear phones for ipod
memory card reader
post-it notes
18" metal ruler
book of to-do lists
paper trimmings
Colorbok punchout pad
Collage Unleashed book
envelope mini album
sketch book
can of spray adhesive
paper doll notecards and envelopes (a gift from a friend)
CK Manchester calendar of classes
spool of pink gingham check ribbon
and then all the other stuff that always sits on my desk: paper trimmer, cup of pens and tools, inspiration and sketch books of all kinds, external had drive, mini photo printer, laptop, set of drawers, telephone, wooden organizer, pack of pens,

Remember Today 1.15.11

2011-01-15T21:14:00.000-05:00

{remember} making homemade ice cream with the boys using Maddox's new ice cream maker. The boys got to lick all the utensils during the process. Me? I might sneak down to try a taste before bed! We'll share the results with the fam tomorrow.

Remember Today 1.14.11

2011-01-14T21:11:00.000-05:00

{remember} a long, jam-packed, exhausting day that began with a call from my dad that my mom was in the hospital to have her gall bladder removed, and ended with me collapsing into bed and reading two pages before conking out. And everything in between: cleaning up the house, computer work, shopping a fab clearance sale at JoAnn's, hitting the grocery store for home-made ice cream ingredients, dashing home for lunch with Maddox, visiting a friend to talk shop about the makings of her creative space, prepping the boys for Logan's snowboarding lesson, packing for a crop, hosting the 4-hour crop, tucking the boys into bed, a late dinner at the computer, and more work.

Remember Today 1.13.11

2011-01-13T23:34:00.000-05:00

{remember} how happy I am with my decision to purchase this little guy:

Christmas money well spent.

Remember Today 1.12.11

2011-01-12T22:32:00.000-05:00

{remember} this is how the boys spent the better half of their snow day off from school:

Playing school in Camden's bedroom, complete with packed lunch boxes, snacks, bean bag chairs, and math worksheets. And what school day wouldn't be complete without ipods and dsi's!

Remember Today 1.11.11

2011-01-11T22:13:00.001-05:00

{remember} getting the phone call that school is cancelled tomorrow. Camden's response, after letting out a whoop: "Was that the big boss?"

Remember Today 1.10.11

2011-01-10T20:48:00.000-05:00

{remember} how fantastic the boys were getting ready for school this morning, and how much easier it is to pack them up on Papa Gino lunch day.

Remember Today 1.9.11

2011-01-09T22:02:00.000-05:00

{remember} taking a much needed bubble bath while Perry put the kiddos to bed.

Remember Today 1.8.11

2011-01-08T20:48:00.000-05:00

{remember} having 6 boys in the house is really not much different from having 3. I love having the boys' friends over our house.

Remember Today 1.7.11

2011-01-07T20:51:00.001-05:00

{remember} how much Logan loved his first snowboarding lesson, and how badly I need to buy some nice warm boots (and remember the hat, scarf, mittens, hot chocolate, and the camera next time!).

Remember Today 1.6.11

2011-01-06T21:23:00.000-05:00

{remember} how much Maddox loves to build with Legos, and how much I love building with him.

Remember Today 1.5.11

2011-01-05T20:55:00.002-05:00

{remember} how difficult it is to get a good self portrait shot.

Collage made with Shape Collage (try it, it's free, and very fun!)

Remember Today 1.4.11

2011-01-04T20:34:00.000-05:00

{remember} ditching the to-do list to make this:

Scrumdidliumptious!

Here's the recipe I found on the Andes Candies display at the grocery store:

1. Bake a Devil's Food cake according to package directions in two round pans.
2. Use a potato peeler to shave chocolate slices from long side of Andes mint chocolate candies until you have about 1/2 cup.
3. Chop remaining candies to use in frosting including the little bits from step 2.
4. Beat 8 oz package of softened cream cheese until smooth.
5. Continue beating on low speed and add 16 oz. non dairy whipped topping (like Cool Whip).
6. Fold in chopped chocolates.
7. When cake is completely cooled, frost one layer with about half the frosting.
8. Place second layer on top and frost with remaining frosting.
9. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

Enjoy!

Remember Today 1.3.11

2011-01-03T20:31:00.001-05:00

{remember} that it's easier to keep a clean house clean than to make a dirty house clean. Wonder how long I'll be able to maintain the declutteredness?

Remember Today 1.2.11

2011-01-02T23:38:00.000-05:00

{remember} how good it felt to be a white tornado and get this house in order before the boys all return to school tomorrow.

My stUdio went from this:

to this:

Tomorrow it will be time to destroy it again!

Remember Today 1.1.11

2011-01-01T22:24:00.000-05:00

{remember} that happy feeling when you wake up and know it's the first day of a brand new year, full of possibility and potential, full of the desire to make it the best year yet!

Hello 2011! {and hello to you, long lost little blog}

2011-01-01T22:18:00.002-05:00

Somewhere along the way, this little blog got pushed to the way-side,
shoved into a dusty corner and forgotten
to other more seemingly important tasks.
And I miss it.
I miss taking a moment to reflect on the beauty of the day;
to jot down something that I learned,
or a reminder of how each day is a gift,
or a snippet of a moment that would have otherwise been forgotten.

I miss looking back over the photographs of the everyday bits and pieces from our lives,
photographs of people who will look completely different in a year or two,
pieces of our lives that will never be quite like this again.

So this year, this brandy new, fresh and open year
I am making a promise to myself and to this blog
to dust off the {remember today's} and get back to posting here.
I promise.

January's word: Catch-Up

2011-01-01T21:41:00.022-05:00

Last year I took on a word for the year. I though about it, reflected on it, pondered it, strived for it, and held it close all year. It worked out ok, but partway through the year I felt a bit locked in. I wanted to work on other words, I wanted to focus on other areas, I wanted more.

This year, I have decided to take on a word of the month. For the month, I will focus on this word, I will carry it into my daily living, I will sleep with it by my side at night, I will work with it and mold it into my being.

I'm easing my way into the year with an easy, not deep, no-nonsense, nothing glamorous or dramatic, word. My word for January is

Maybe it's the feeling of coming off of the holiday rush of craziness, and that I feel like I can breathe a bit. I feel a sort of energy around completing tasks that have been pushed aside.

Here's to January and catching-up!

Remember Today 12.30.10

2010-12-30T23:09:00.000-05:00

{remember} how obsessed this guy is with how tall things are: is it taller than you, is it as tall as Daddy, is it 6000 feet, someday I'll be 6 foot 10 (sorry, honey, not with your genes).

Today he built a Lego tower taller than me (and ultimately taller than anyone we know), and was super proud of himself.

A {not so} Typical Summer Day

2010-07-03T00:13:00.002-04:00

Perry is off for the next week, so we are soaking up family time like it's rays of sunshine.

freshly made apple cider donuts

a bowl full of fresh picked deliciousness


nature trail walk

I believe in serendipity

2010-06-05T22:04:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it feels as though
all the planets align
in just the proper way
to allow our dreams
to take shape
and our hopes
to take flight.

Sometimes all it takes
is a touch of serendipity
to bring the right people
together
at the right time.

And it's all happening.
Right here.
Right now.

I can hardly wait.

My favorite song of the moment

2010-05-21T22:24:00.000-04:00

and this video is even more amazing

the way i feel today

2010-05-21T21:58:00.000-04:00

do you ever feel
so filled up
by the feeling of
possibility
that your heart feels
like it will burst open?
and when it does
it will spill out all
your hopes and dreams
right onto the floor,
but before they hit the floor,
your dreams will sprout beautiful
butterfly wings and fly
into the sunset filled sky,
and as night falls
and the sky darkens
to reveal the stars,
your hopes and dreams,
the possibility
of your potential,
will dangle from delicate strings
strung on the glistening stars.

Do you ever feel this way?

This is how I am feeling today.

It. Feels. Wonderful.

I need...

2010-05-03T23:17:00.001-04:00

more hours in my day
some chiffon or rayon fabric to make these:

to learn to draw
black foam core board to make this:

to design and sew an apron for myself
this book

these tools

this lens

E6000 glue

What the . . . ??

2010-04-22T21:36:00.005-04:00

I have a mini-album idea I want to jot down here so I won't forget. Gotta use this blog for something! The album will be called wHat ThE. . .??? and it will contain all the wacked-out things my youngest does. Here's a taste of the content:

The one that started it all:

After Logan gave Maddox his old "i-pod", Maddox thought the best way to really make it feel like his own was to *customize* it. Yup. With lots of red and orange paint. Tell me again why I keep these paints within his reach?!

And then there's this one:

Just days after getting his haircut, Maddox thought it wasn't quite to his liking. So, {snip-snip} he added his own signature style. I'm not even sure his dad has even noticed it yet, or maybe he's learned to just keep his mouth quiet about such things!

And then tonight:

and:

We go into the bathroom to brush teeth, and I can't see the toothbrushes anywhere. Gee, wonder why Maddox has that smirky grin on his face. Ahh, clever boy decided we didn't need the old traditional toothbrush holder anymore.

I'm sure there will be plenty more content for my little album, and I'll add it here as it comes in!

today i...

2010-04-13T22:33:00.001-04:00

made a fabric covered journal
made flowers out of dryer sheets
made a new art journal out of boxes from our recycle bin (think crackers, waffles, cereal, etc.)
made a mini journal from a kleenex box
made sculpey clay animals with the boys
nearly finished a layout with MLS product
started a layout that uses a bandana as its background
started an art journal page

all in all a very productive day. just wanted to make a note of it.

i'm in production mode, and want to savor every bit of it.
i know it won't last.
not being pessimistic,
just realistic.
it's just how it goes...

oh, and i threw an UNO's deep dish pizza in the oven and called it dinner!

Time flies (and a touch of creative ADD)

2010-03-30T22:46:00.001-04:00

photo credit: dictybloke @ flickr

Has it seriously been over a month since my last post here? Shameful. Really. It's not because I have nothing to say. It's not because I've been too lazy (ok, maybe just a little), but I've been busy: crocheting, scrapbooking, cleaning and organizing, schlepping the kiddos around, testing (this one's top secret, sorry), and just doing the general living thing. And time is not my friend lately. It's too easy to get lost in a sea of blogs bouncing around from one to the next, or surfing for songs at Playlist (check out all the new tunes I've added to mine--lots of new-loved artists!), or researching html gobbledy-gook to make my blog look better, or adding some layouts to the CK gallery (that's how I spent the better part of tonight). It's all too easy, and then I look up at the clock to find that it's nearly midnight, or it's already time to fetch Maddox from school. Yes, time is not my friend lately. There's simply too much to do and not enough time to do it all in.

And as if that wasn't enough, I can't seem to focus on any one project. I want to do it all--mobiles, flowers, embroidery, sewing, scrapbooking, photo organizing, blogging, designing, cardmaking, crocheting, banners. All of it. And often I find myself flitting from one thing to the next and really accomplishing absolutely nothing at all. Not to mention the utter disarray of my stUdio. A fabric drawer partially dumped on the floor--an organizing session derailed. A slew of projects and scraps strewn across my work surface. A rug littered with pens, papers, thread, and itty bitty bits of paper. Yup, I am an utter and complete mess.

Someday I'll get back on top of things. Someday. But for now, I'll just sit here at my computer, listening to my tunes, and dreaming about what I want to be when I grow up (that's a post for another day!).

Here's a line from a Jason Mraz song that I really like: What a beautiful mess this is, It's like picking up trash in dresses. And I'll just leave you with that.

100 Things I Love

2010-02-14T22:08:00.001-05:00

Some blogging friends have created lists of 100 comforts. They have inspired me to do the same, so in honor of Valentine's Day, here are 100 things I love (in no particular order):

hugs from Perry just when I need them most
smiles on my kiddos faces
walks along the beach in Maine
the Marginal Way in Ogunquit
hot honey vanilla chamomile tea with two vanilla creamers
ice cold Newman's Own lemonade
climbing into bed after a long and exhausting day
the sound of the dishwasher running on a rainy day
a clean house
eating a dinner that I didn't have to cook
lots of time to create
reading a good book for long stretches at a time
sleeping late b/c Perry got up with the boys
the smell of rain in springtime
the smell of sunscreened kiddos in summer
the smell of fallen leaves in autumn
the smell of burning wood coming from a chimney in winter
Jelly Belly jelly beans
any candy, really
free time to spend however I want (usually creating)
overhearing the conversations my boys' have when they're being kind to one another
creative sparks of energy
time to play
Maddox's drawings
watching Camden play hockey
listening to Logan play his guitar
sunflowers
my boys' excitement over holidays and birthdays
love notes
my camera
a smile from a stranger
pilates
girlfriends
color
a brand new calendar
the smell of a new born baby
the sounds from a new born baby
yarn
long phone conversations about nothing
my sewing machine
rainbow order
a snowy day with no where to go
new crafting supplies
anything homemade
blogging and reading blogs
listening to good music
a fully stocked pantry with lots of meal options
feeling connected
remembering
that deep down happy feeling
photographs
my laptop
footy pajamas
slippers
pajama days
snuggly morning wake ups
pretty fabric
belly laughs from the boys
laughing until I cry
t-shirts and blue jeans
seeing Perry in a t-shirt and blue jeans
singing along with the car radio
making lists
lots of checkmarks on my list
organizing
hearing my cat purring in her sleep
filling the house with fresh air after a long New England winter
turquoise and lime
the view out my stUdio window
movies that make me cry
scrapbooking
crocheting
knitting
waking up happy
dinner out with Perry
Target
nice people
making all the green lights
monkeys
owls
watching the boys sleep
my stUdio
the warm sun on my face
museums
a visit to the city
airplane flying
being alone
getting a new magazine in the mail
feeling inspired to create
getting comments on my blogs
a long soak in a hot bath
anything lemon flavored
my ATG tape gun
pens with blue ink
chocolate in the house when I'm pms-ing
things of old
changing seasons
traditions
freshly painted nails
blankets

Well, there it is 100 things I love (could also be termed 100 things that make me happy). I'm thinking this should be done every year. I last wrote such a list about 6 years ago when my middle was just a baby. Of course, I can't find it now.

Check out my sister's list, and my friends' ones here and here. So what's on your list?

Snapshot Saturday 2.13.10

2010-02-13T20:18:00.003-05:00

He:

got his 4th perfect spelling test in a row
has a penpal in CT
"works out" in the basement flipping himself upside down on the exercise bar and running on the treadmill
takes a llllooooooooooonnnggg time to do his homework
plays songs by ear on his guitar
still asks me to pick him up once in a while

He:

ran 3 miles on the treadmill
is getting sad that hockey is almost over
scores a goal (or 2) in hockey nearly every week
gives me a run for my money
loves his Daddy dearly
loves to "tustle" (basically wrestling his brothers to the floor)

He:

draws amazing people and inspires me to draw more
calls me boss (you bet, boss), and Miss Michelle (ok, Miss Michelle) when I ask him to do something
has the naughtiest mouth: stupid, idiot, freaking
kisses me lots & pats my back when he hugs me
prefers to draw over playing video games (bless his heart!)
crawls into the kitchen cupboard to draw and calls it his office, sending mail through the sponge holder

And just like that, a new purpose is born

2010-02-11T13:55:00.000-05:00

During the first year of each of my boys' lives, I took a monthly photograph of them with their teddy bear in the rocking chair in their bedrooms. I paired these pictures with the goings-on in their little lives and the milestones from that month, and created scrapbook pages of their first years. I love the snapshot these pages gave into their lives, and can now remember many of the pieces of their babyhoods because of it.

The other day I got to thinking about how I have lost touch with this blog. {Remember Today} is hard to keep up with on a daily basis, and because of that, this blog seemed to lack a real purpose. And as I recently preached to my sister, (who just began her blogging journey here), your blog needs to have a purpose, otherwise, you just won't use it.

So here I am, ready to breathe new purpose into this old, dusty blog. I'm calling it *Snapshot Saturday*, and it's where I will document the goings-on and milestones in the boys' lives on a weekly basis. These days are so fleeting, I can't believe how fast they're already growing up. Every day older I get, time seems to pass even faster. And since I can't stop the hands of time from ticking away, at least I can capture the ordinary (and sometimes extraordinary) in the days of our weeks.

two-ten-twenty-ten

2010-02-10T22:48:00.002-05:00

Today is my birthday. I actually turned a year younger today. In the days leading up to my birthday I somehow got it in my head that I was turning 37. This morning Logan asked me how old I was today. "37," I replied without hesitation. Camden happily piped in with, "No, Mom, Dad's 37. You're 36 today. Here's a calculator; do the math!"(he knows his Mom so well with the calculator bit!) So today I turned a year younger. I think I may have unlocked the key to the fountain of youth!

Here're some highlights of the day:

waking up at 7:38 am because the boys had been mouse-quiet all morning
loads of happy birthday hugs and kisses from the kiddos (I love how my birthday is more exciting for them than me)
receiving these precious cards and gifts from the boys (you know I will be saving those coupons for the most desperate of times!)
finding the playroom totally cleaned up courtesy of the boys
spending some time sitting on the couch in P's office crocheting while the snow fell outside
lots of birthday greetings on Facebook
phonecalls from family and friends
a 2-hour phone call with my brother on some philosophies of life
yummy calzone for dinner
this birthday cake
watching The Time Traveler's Wife with P (the book was so much better, of course, but watching the movie made me fall deeper in love with the book)

Yeah, it was a darn good day. Full of all the things that matter most: love of family and friends, a bit of creative time, and a clean playroom that I didn't have to scream my head off to get!!

Resolutions revisited

2010-01-27T13:25:00.005-05:00

Wow, this month has absolutely flown by. Sometimes I have so many thoughts in my head: projects to do, techniques to try, writing topics to explore, books to read, crevices to clean out. There is never enough time in the day (even when I extend my day into the wee hours of the next day!)

Here's an update on my resolutions, because after blogging here about them, I feel like I have a certain amount of accountablity, and because accountability helps keep us on track with our goals, right?!

Doodle more--ehh, not so much
Read more---read The Glass Castle, started The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, and have a piles of crochet, knitting, living creatively, drawing, and design books on my nightstand and throughout the stUdio
Create more--created 8 layouts so far this year, not monumental but it's a start, working on something creative everyday: knitting, painting, cards, sewing
Open an etsy shoppe--signed up for an etsy account; still working out that little problem of what to sell
Get organized, clean out, simplify, declutter--came up with a list of 52 projects for each week of 20-ten, checked off four so far
Be more efficient, so that maybe I can get to bed at a decent hour--it's a work in progress :)
Blog more--oh, how I've missed this happy little place {I've still not lost hope that I will catch up my 2009 blog posts}-- this one is just not working out, yet
Do a photo a day, this one is destined to fail, just being realistic here, but I'm ok with that bit of imperfection: some is better than none at all--resigned to creating a layout a month recapping our month in one way or another.
Sew more, got a cool new calendar that will help me with this one--I've definitely been using my sewing machine more, though not just for fabric.
Knit more, and maybe something besides a scarf!--working on two scarf projects; thank goodness for that parent pick-up line!, and knitting group starts tonight.

Well, January is off to a pretty good start.

A day in the life

2010-01-06T01:06:00.002-05:00

I know I should be going to bed because it is after 1am, but I've decided to *slurp* my 2007/08 blog to blurb for printing, so while it loads I have time to post a little Day in My Life. I like to document the details of our life; someday I know I will love looking back on them. Here goes:
7:30 wake up, take shower and get dressed
8:00 give boys breakfast, make lunches, pack backpacks
8:30 hustle L & C out the door to bus stop
8:45 take M to swim class and knit while he swims
9:30 help M dry off and change
9:45 go to grocery store and do weekly shopping
10:45 unload and unpack groceries
11:00 eat lunch with M
11:30 brush M's teeth and pack him up for school
11:45 pick up carpool friend and drive boys to school
11:55 sit in looping line and knit
12:10 go to music store and pick up lesson book for L
12:25 pick up contacts at eye doctors
12:35 return books to library
12:45 volunteer in L's class for writing block
1:30 head home to pick up house, organize stUdio a bit and talk with sister while she drives home from work
2:15 drive to preschool to get M and friend
2:25 sit in VERY long looping line
2:53 drop of carpool friend and head to BJ's
3:35 back home to unload again, give M a snack prep dinner and wait for buses
4:00 L arrives home
4:05 C arrives home
4:10 oversee homework, dish out snack, make dinner
5:00 play Lego builder game with boys, and get up periodically to cook dinner
6:00 dinner is taking far longer than I thought to cook
6:15 rush through dinner so L can go to guitar lessons
6:35 clean up dinner dishes and reorganize game cupboard with C & M
7:00 head upstairs for showers, jammies, brushing
7:30 read books to C & M
8:00 talk with L as he gets ready for bed
8:15 retreat to stUdio to finish organizing, blogging, emailing, blogging, writing, sketching, blurbing, and blogging this post.
1:25 brush teeth, wash face and collapse into bed

One more thing

2010-01-06T00:43:00.001-05:00

before I head to bed:

You are the artist and your life is your art.

Aren't those amazing words to live by?

My One Little Word

2010-01-05T23:49:00.002-05:00

Possibilities.

as in no limits,
anything is possible,
the sky's the limit

Our aspirations are our possibilities ~Samuel Johnson

If we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless. ~Jamie Paolinetti

Live a life inspired. Dream with possibility.

You are your possibilities. ~Oprah Winfrey

Nothing expands possibilities like unleashed imagination. ~William Arthur Ward

Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities. ~Terry Josephson

We all have possibilities we don't know about. We can do things we don't even dream we can do. ~Dale Carnegie

So, my word for 2010 is possibilities. If you want help choosing a word to be your companion in 2010, to fuel your fire, to keep you on track to being the best you you can be this year, check out Christine Kane's short video and Word Discovery Tool.

Remember Today 1.5.09

2010-01-05T23:38:00.003-05:00

{remember} M crawling into the dryer, completely into the dryer, to get his pajamas tonight. Went to get my camera and he climbed out before I could get back--he's onto my camera antics.

{remember} finally outsmarting the chill in my stUdio by plugging in the space heater. I couldn't take another night of crawling into bed, too cold to create, and rotting my brain on Mtv's Jersey Shore (of all things--hey, if you're going to rot your brain out, this is the quickest, most efficient way to do it!).One night of that is plenty for my lifetime.

{remember} realizing that I am not taking enough photos this year--none yesterday and today.

Remember Today 1.4.09

2010-01-04T23:33:00.000-05:00

{remember} how genuinely happy Maddox was to be going back to school after the holiday break, and how thrilled he was to have his teacher back from a medical leave ("I saw a blue sweater when I walked in the door, and I looked up and it was Mrs. Wentworth!!" He was so cute describing their reunion)

{remember} how Camden didn't want to go back to school, and when his bus was a tad late, he used the time to try to convince me that he could do his learning at home and see his friends on playdates--nice try, bud!

Remember Today 1.3.09

2010-01-03T23:13:00.000-05:00

{remember} getting this little one up on skates for the first time. This is the one and only photo as I had my hands full holding him up the entire rest of the time!
{remember} the boys finding the joy in saving money--I hope they are starting to learn that money that burns a hole in your pocket usually doesn't buy anything worthwhile.

{remember} receiving these little treasures from my Auntie--she thinks she gave them to the boys, but really they're for me (maybe I'll share...have to think about it)
{remember} the first family game night of 2010--some Connect Four, a bit of UNO, and the latest Neddo craze: Scrabble (don't mind our lame three and four letter words!)

Hello 2010!

2010-01-01T23:36:00.007-05:00

Ahh, I just love a new year, don't you? The fresh blank page of a brandy new calendar itching with the promise of the possibilities that lie ahead. Possibilities is my word for this year. It is hard for me to narrow it down to just one little word; I've several others I want to pay close attention to this year: create, dream, learn, love, live {in the moment}, time, efficient, do, organize. But possibilities holds so much... well. possibility. So yes, 2010 will be a year of possibility for me, filled with dreaming and wishing, big scoops of creating, heaps of learning, loads of love, a spattering of efficiency, and hopefully a sprinkling of organization.

Here's what's on my list of goals for 2010 {and in absolutely random, stream of consciousness order!}:

Doodle more

Read more--I think I'll start with this one:

Create more

Open an etsy shoppe--yikes, that just kind of slipped out here; I would love to do this, but have no earthly idea of what I'd sell.

Get organized, clean out, simplify, declutter

Be more efficient--so that maybe I can get to bed at a decent hour

Blog more--oh, how I've missed this happy little place {I've still not lost hope that I will catch up my 2009 blog posts}

Do a photo a day--this one is destined to fail, just being realistic here, but I'm ok with that bit of imperfection: some is better than none at all.

Sew more--got a cool new calendar that will help me with this one.

Knit more--and maybe something besides a scarf!

Wash my face EVERY night--I know, ick, but I'm horrible at this.

I'm keeping this open b/c I know more will come to me, probably tomorrow morning in the shower.

Just two more random things:

Two sites I'll be keeping an eye on in 2010: notebookdoodles and A Collection a Day
And I really, REALLY want one of these

Here's to a year filled with possibilities! Happy New Year!!

Remember Today 1.1.10

2010-01-01T23:03:00.001-05:00

{remember} catching half an early episode of Grey's Anatomy in the middle of the day and stopping to watch it while sipping a steaming mug of chai--it's all about the little things.

{remember} the excitement in my little guy's face as he watches the Bruins score the winning goal in overtime of the Winter Classic.

{remember} the possibilities that a new year holds.

December is Eating Me Alive!

2009-12-15T11:19:00.004-05:00

I am grabbing the few seconds I have before I rush my little guy off to school and head to the big guy's class to volunteer. I have been wanting to share video footage of the XLO Accoustic Christmas concert from last week. It was so fabulous to have my new mini camcorder to capture pieces of this amazing night. Here's a vid (not the best quality, sorry, we were 15 rows from the stage) of Ingrid singing possibly my favorite song of hers (but it's so hard to choose, really). She was phenomenal! I'll upload more when December stops gnawing on me!

Scroll down a tad to pause my music.

Happy December!

2009-12-01T21:01:00.006-05:00

So excited to start our December Daily to record and celebrate our family traditions during this holiday season.

Day One:

Traditions. I love traditions--little rituals that are repeated year after year. Growing up, our holidays were filled with traditions: opening the little paper doors on the advent calendar to get the chocolate treat hidden behind; attending church on Christmas Eve; listening to John Denver's Christmas album while waiting for Christmas Eve guests to arrive; Grandpa greeting us at the bottom of the stairs on Christmas morning to see our faces light up at the sight of our gifts under the tree; Christmas dinner at Grandma & Grandpa's house and bringing a favorite toy along with which to play; going to Auntie Carol's and Uncle Don's Christmas night and opening yet one last gift left there by Santa; filling up on homemade Christmas cookies (esp. Ethel's Sugar Cookies).

Since starting our own family, I have worked to establish some traditions that will help create warm memories for the boys: pictures with Santa, baking holiday cookies, decorating a gingerbread house, exchanging holiday ornaments symbolic of the year, creating and sending holiday cards, counting down the days to Christmas with daily toys and treats, lots of Christmas music playing all month long.

This year the boys took it upon themselves to write notes and cards to each other (and us) and tuck them into the stockings hanging on the fireplace. I hope they keep this up all month. And I have started yet another tradition of reading a Christmas story each night until Christmas. Tonight we read Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear and Silent Night, Holy Night.
Traditions are a big part of this holiday season, and crucial to keeping the memories of this precious time in our hearts.

One Minute Writer

2009-11-23T12:41:00.001-05:00

Prompt: Travel: What's the farthest you traveled as a child, and what was the experience like?

I ran to my room, slammed my door, and screamed, "I'm running away!" In went the essentials: teddy bear, favorite nightgown, and cherry chapstick all contained in a Strawberry Shortcake duffel. Out the front door and down the street I headed, the entire world open before me. But then I realized I was hungry for lunch. I was 5 years old, and back I turned to the safety of home and some Campbell's chicken noodle soup, my reason for wanting to run away in the first place all but forgotten.

The One-Minute Writer

2009-11-22T23:12:00.003-05:00

I just discovered this blog in my travels. I'm already on a New Year's Resolution kick: making my list, printing my 2010 calendar. I'll be adding this one to the list. One minute, that's it. I think I can spare that. They give a daily prompt, and have a cute little timer that runs for one minute.

Today's is Bottle: What would you like to bottle and sell? Be creative. (Feasibility is optional.)

Here's what I wrote (remember it's only a minute, so there's no time for editing!):

My children's laughter rolling over the sun-drenched grass as they run barefoot to the swimming pool. Their squeals of delight as the first drops of water bead upon their sun-kissed skin. I would bottle it up to warm my soul on cold, frost-bitten winter days.

Guess I'm already pining for warm summer days!

So excited

2009-11-20T22:19:00.002-05:00

to be seeing this incredibly talented girl in concert next month

Holidays in Hand {day one: goals}

2009-11-16T23:30:00.005-05:00

Part two: Turn your values into specific goals.

We will spend quality time together as a family each weekend in December.
We will continue our family traditions (gingerbread house, baking a cookie a day for 5, church on Christmas Eve, ornaments and stories, reading Twas the Night Before Christmas, etc), and will begin one new tradition (have to think on this one!)
We will choose a name from the giving tree at church.
We will light our advent candles at dinner and say a prayer.
I will log gratitudes weekly and remain thankful for all that we have.
We will bake a cookie a day for the five days before Christmas, and give some away to friends.
I will make at least three handmade gifts for my family/friends this year (I'm hoping for more, but let's be realistic--see #9 below) .
I will record daily happenings, thoughts, rememberances in my December Daily album.
I will not get caught up in the stress that often accompanies this season, but will relax and enjoy the beauty, peace, and gift of it.
I will resume my photo a day for December.
We will play Christmas music (lots of it) and dance around the family room to it!
We will decorate our tree and home together (Perry, I hope you're reading this one!)
I will take time for peaceful reflection each day, either in my head, journal, December Daily album, or here on my blog.
I will reread my values and goals when I feel like I am falling off track.

Statement of Commitment:

I, Michelle Neddo, commit to live in the moment this December, to take time each and every day to reflect, record, and remember the beauty that is Christmas. I will slow down, no matter how difficult at times that may be, no matter what forces, thoughts, and stresses may be tugging at me. I will enjoy this holiday season for the gift that it is.

Holidays in Hand {day one: values}

2009-11-16T23:22:00.004-05:00

Values of our holiday season

family
traditions
charity
the reason
gratitude
baking
gathering
giving
creating
together
remembering
appreciating
relaxing
enjoying
photographing
playing
music
decorating
peaceful
reflection

Just my brainstormed list for the assignment for Day 1 of Holidays in Hand.

What are the things your family values during the holiday season? Make your list--it would be a great scrapbook page.

Photo of the Day 11.3

2009-11-03T21:04:00.000-05:00

roar

Photo of the Day Nov. 2

2009-11-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

mad scientists

Create Art Everyday

2009-11-01T23:14:00.002-05:00

I just landed upon this website. Sometimes these things have a way of serendipitously happening. I'm embracing the possibility that this month holds for me. I view November as the sort of calm before the storm that is the month of December. I'm hoping to find lots of time to create, or even small bits of time to create, as long as I can do it everyday. It fuels me.

Photo of the Day 11/1

2009-11-01T16:39:00.003-05:00

better than a magic carpet ride

We've seen this ride before, but today they flew directly over our yard. The kids were yelling up to the riders, and they were waving and yelling back to us. So magical!

Photo of the Day #31

2009-10-31T21:42:00.001-04:00

All Hallow's Eve

Photo of the Day 30

2009-10-30T16:47:00.000-04:00

stUdio view

Photo of the Day 28

2009-10-28T21:37:00.003-04:00

decks and trucks

Photo of the Day 27

2009-10-27T21:34:00.000-04:00

art deco

Photo of the Day 26

2009-10-26T22:12:00.000-04:00

homework time

Photo of the Day {slacker} 25

2009-10-25T21:26:00.003-04:00

summer longing

Photo of the Day {slacker} 24

2009-10-24T21:23:00.000-04:00

sailor's delight

Photo of the Day {slacker} 23

2009-10-23T21:17:00.001-04:00

nocturnal dragonflies

I've been a POTD slacker (ok, I kind of forgot about my little project and failed to snap a single picture this weekend). Lucky for me I have some back-up shots from my parents' home on Thursday that I'm using to fill in a few gaps. That's cheating, I suppose, but really, who's gonna tell?!

Photo of the Day 22

2009-10-22T21:55:00.003-04:00

maiden voyage

note: My dad built this boat. The pictures don't do it justice. It is beautiful. And it took to the water for the first time today. The first voyage of many in the deep blue. The life jackets and fishing poles are ready to go--the boys can't wait!

Photo of the Day 20

2009-10-20T22:07:00.000-04:00

wii fight

Photo of the Day 19

2009-10-19T22:38:00.000-04:00

i caved
i don't allow my boys to have screens m-th, but today i caved

Photo of the Day 18

2009-10-18T22:09:00.000-04:00

i'm a rainbow today

Photo of the Day 17

2009-10-17T22:18:00.002-04:00

reading now

Photo of the Day 16

2009-10-16T22:14:00.001-04:00

Does your guy have one eye?

Photo of the Day 15

2009-10-15T22:13:00.000-04:00

first field trip

Photo of the Day 14

2009-10-14T13:42:00.000-04:00

play time

Photo of the Day 13

2009-10-13T21:13:00.001-04:00

yum

recipe here

Photo of the Day 12

2009-10-12T14:09:00.000-04:00

taking time to create

Photo of the Day 11

2009-10-11T21:52:00.000-04:00

tech magic

{Maddox delighted by the notion of drawing on the Wacom and seeing it appear like magic on the screen}

making me happy right now

2009-10-10T22:18:00.004-04:00

3. doing something creative everyday

4. 5. Photo of the Day and Blogging

(it's so good to be back on track)

6. {and late mornings made possible by number one above}

7.

Photo of the Day 10

2009-10-10T21:55:00.003-04:00

together

It's not often I'm on the other side of the lens. It's good.