Both Toby and Logan have complained of hurting ears the past 24 hours. Mr. Cooper woke us up at 5:something AM crying about his hurting ear. We set him up on the couch with a warm rice bag on his ear and some Tylenol to take the edge off. As Dave was rubbing his ear and talking to him Logan says, "Dad, can we just take this ear off and put it in the garbage and put a new one on?"

When Dave figures out how to do that one he can get me a new, thinner pair of legs and butt while he's at it.

I know, go lace up the running shoes....................

The flood gates have opened!

When Dave left on his mission to Ohio for our church we were not speaking to each other. It was 1996 and I was in my senior year at MSJ High School. I vividly remember walking past him outside our church on his last Sunday here while my friend said goodbye. Lame, I know, but I thought he hated me. You see, I dumped Dave or blew him off more than once while we dated the 18 months previous. It got old (gee, I wonder why) so he pretty much gave up on me. I claim temporary insanity due to the fact that I was wrapped up in drama with another guy. I knew Dave was a great guy, still is by the way, but I was sucked into a bad relationship. Anyway, I still secretly had a huge thing for Dave, so while he was away I was writing him letters. I wrote during English class at Ohlone, on a break from work at House of Fabrics, in the church library on Sunday, or at home while thinking of him. I was too chicken to send him a letter out of the blue. How do you start that one? Hi, remember me? I'm the one who stabbed you through the heart a couple times in high school. Didn't think that would go over very well. I finally got the courage to send him my now huge stack of letters written over several months. He didn't believe they were real. He figured I just wrote a bunch with different pens/markers to make it look like I was writing the entire time. Whatever. I knew the truth and I hoped by opening the line of communication again that he would give me one last chance. I think we've talked about that story enough now that he believes me.

I am reminded of this story because I've done the same thing with my little piece of the blogosphere. I keep starting a post here and there and never finish it. It's either too late to work or I start to fall asleep at the keyboard. At last, for your viewing pleasure, but more for my need to journal, I have posted the last couple weeks worth of stuff. I kept all the posts on the dates they were started so I can print them out that way. Sorry little blog, I will not be a stranger anymore.

Project 365

I like to call myself a scrapbooker. The amount of supplies gathering dust in my bedroom tells a different story. Except for an occasional card or school project, I haven't used the paper, glue, stickers, etc. I have collected in over a year. I'm really missing that small part of my life because a.) me and my family love looking back through the books that I have completed and b.) it's a hobby I enjoy.

A few months ago, I took advantage of a free photo book offer from Snapfish. I put together a quick book of my favorite art work from the kids along with pictures of them. They LOVE seeing themselves in a real book, and it is a great way to have all those cool art projects in one place and not have to keep the real ones. So completing that book has relit the fire within. I am pumped and ready to document some memories dangit!

I am excited to share the answer to my dilemna. It's called Project 365 designed by Becky Higgins, who is a long-time scrapbook designer. Basically, you take a picture every day for the year and journal whatever you feel is important for that day. Anything.

I know what you're thinking. That seems like too much work to remember to take a picture every day. It may be hard for some, but I'm a girl who has the camera out by the computer or on the piano all the time. Since I sit at the computer at least once a day to check email, I try to take that time to jot down my journaling for the day before, or that day if I'm on top of things. I go through photos every couple days. I love the way it has changed my perspective. I am more aware of little milestones the kids reach, the things I enjoy, fun moments or conversations I share with people. I do miss days taking a photo, but I just go back and take a picture of something that represents what I want to say or remember for the day. I've noticed the kids getting involved in too. They ask me to take pictures of things or let them take pictures. It's become a fun project.

I have yet to do so, but I will buy some of these.Just google 12x12 sheet protectors, 4x6, and a page of places to buy them comes up. They might be at a local office supply store, but I haven't checked yet.

There was an entire kit for sale designed by Becky Higgins but it is long gone. I would have bought one if I had known about it when they went on sale. The $40 was well worth it for what you have at the end of the year. She has offered a free download of some of the items from the kit since it was grossly under-produced. I downloaded the freebies here and use them in photoshop to type out journaling.

Here's one week I did all digital in Photoshop. I will probably just print out lots of journaling cards and write on them instead of typing. I need that hands on stuff and I like to see my handwriting change through the years. Embrace your handwriting right? It's a part of you after all.
This week was kinda travel-logey (yep, it's a word now). I have done other weeks of spotlighting each member of our family, writing down funny things the kids say, etc. It really is a fun way to scrapbook without the time-consuming parts of scrapbooking. I love it!!