I need this today

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Connections

I love the connections that we share as beings in this world. When I look at my own life and reflect on the connections that I am so lucky to have, it is really amazing at how many people touch my life in so many different ways. The funny thing too is how many people have influenced my life in some way and do not even know they had! I love the energy I feel when I connect with someone. Whether it be through a good laugh, deep conversation, simple hello, email or letter it is a feeling like no other. It is that feeling of connecting, that sense of bond and understanding that for a split second someone may feel and be experiencing something similiar to yourself. They are understanding. Of all the connections that I am blessed to have in my world, nothing beats the unconditional love and connection I have for my dog. She is always the sunshine to my day and I just love the way her tail wags when I come home from work everyday! Here's to those connections in our lives...simple and sweet, complex and unique.

Just a random post about 5 things that I am loving, thinking, living, thanking and enjoying right now. 1.)Thinking... Tomorrow is Monday. Some people hate Monday's...and yes who would not love an extra day off, however I am thinking about how tomorrow is the start to another brand new week. It is up to me to either view it as either a positive or negative, and today I am making the choice to view it in a positive way. Let's make tomorrow be the start of a great day and a great week ahead. 2.)Thanking... How I enjoyed spending the weekend in the city with my family and husband. 3.)Loving...Online scrapbook shopping! How nice when you live in a small town to just be able to go online and purchase those hard to find items that one needs to begin a great new project! I am completely excited to begin an album for my honeymoon pictures. I have done some random layouts, but what I really would like to do is a unified, coordinated album from start to finish of our trip highlighting and documenting the most favorable moments we shared. I finally have a "plan" in store and I cannot wait for my new stuff to arrive so I can begin. I love when I have an action plan for stuff like this...makes it so much easier when tackling an overwhelming project. 4.)Living... Time to become more active! Both physically and mentally...time to just start moving and exercising. Time to start becoming more aware of how I am able to make myself feel better and healthier. 5.)Enjoying...of course those bad habits of TV. The mindless shows of "The Bachelor", "The City", "American Idol", "Grey's Anatomy"...definitly gives a gal something to look forward to after a long day's work! Wishing a fabulous week to all.

Latest "Scraps"

What to do on a night when I am by myself, nothing to do (well that's not really true...but who wants to do MORE housework??), it's almost time for bed so no sense in getting into any projects at this time...however that is usually when my creativity is flowing like mad (why???) lol. Anyway here are just some of the latest layouts I have done over the past couple of weeks. I have really been trying to just keep things simple, to the point, clutter free...and simply "me". I know that this really should not be hard to do, but sometimes it is. Sometimes I find I can just feel that things don't look right, feel right...just doesn't look like what I see in the magazines....then I just have to say STOP! This is my hobby, my passion...what I love to do. Most importantly, I am taking the time to jot down moments and memories that are special to me. That is really all that matters. Then...I slowly start to feel better!:) I also could not be more ready for the weekend. It has been a very hairy week at work and I am just so ready to remove myself and just take some time to refocus, re-energize and clear my mind and have some fun. Heading to Edmonton this weekend so it should be great! I am so looking forward to it...and some shopping too!

Yesterday & Today

So I spent Saturday at my best friends house just relaxing, visiting and enjoying the beautiful weather and sunshine that was sent our way. She just had her rabbit give birth to a bunch of the cutest bunnies I have ever seen. She introduced me to each and every one, all with their own unique color and characteristics. They were the cutest things, I just had to snap a few pictures of them. Today was spent much like any usual Sunday. Cleaning, laundry...organizing. Basically prepping for the work week ahead. I did not go to the grocery store as planned, however these days it has been so hard with that because Matt has barely been home because of work. It has been so busy for him, and he is working insanely long hours. He eats mostly on the road, and when he can, so it makes it difficult to meal plan and have dinner together. That is OK though, it is winter and with his type of work it is to only be expected! Plus, the odd break from supper making is never a bad thing. Cereal for dinner works for me anytime!

Today I spent quite a fair bit of time organizing in my office/scrap room. It seriously needed a major overhaul, and while it still could use a fair bit of work, today I definitly did get somewhat ahead of the shape that it was in this morning. My dream one day is to have a beautiful custom made studio. One day, but for now I am just thankful enough that I have any space that I can call my own, that I can let get outrageously messy and simply just "shut the door". It may not be fancy, co-ordinated, or "completely" organized from head to toe...but it's me. It is simply my place where I can just go, relax, create, and get inspired!

Caught by Surprise

As I arrived home from work today, I pulled my vehicle into the driveway, put it in park, shut the ignition off, looked up and caught my breath. The sky was so beautiful...a shade of bright pink, with shades of deep purple in between. The sight over top the snow covered trees was too beautiful for words. It really was a nice way to end the day. Of course I could not waste a great photo opportunity, so I had to capture a few shots. Among other surprises, it is miraculously going to warm up this weekend to ABOVE zero temperatures! Something we have not seen in SO long! Among other surprises, I just found out that Simple Scrapbooks magazine is stopping publication after they release the May/June issue. I am actually quite shocked and saddened. This of course in response to the very serious economic crisis in the USA. I really hope and pray that things start to look up for all those affected. It is really heartbreaking to think of how many people are facing serious issues and decisions in response to what is happening. Just another reminder, to stop and always be thankful for what we have. I always try to remember this as I groan loudly each morning when my alarm rings at 6am. At least I am lucky enough to have a job to go to everyday. To never take things for granted...so important to think about. On a much more positive note, tomorrow is Friday, have a busy weekend planned with my girl friends. Actually a good ol' fashioned sleepover to be exact. Cannot wait to just sit back, laugh and visit with my girls.

Lucky!

After having "one of those days" it is time to stop, and take a deep breath, and reflect on all that is mine and all that truly does matter. It is about refocusing and realizing. Three special things today that I am so lucky to have: 1.) This blog. How I love to both share and creatively express my vision and the way I percieve the world to be. I also LOVE reading others amazing and ever so inspiring blogs. I just love the connections. Meeting so many wonderful people who share the same passions and loves as I do...and just "get it". 2.) Warm and cozy slippers. Nothing feels so good than to slip my feet into these at the end of a day...especially when it has been as cold as it is here lately! 3.) I have said it over and over, but my husband. He is truly my reality check, my rock, my voice of reason when mine has flown out the door. He is so reassuring and it simply...just warms my heart.

Simple Today.

Today was a simple Sunday. Which I love. Yesterday was spent busy cleaning and getting things organized...(Christmas decorations FINALLY put away!). Last night my parents came over for homemade pizza, wings and ceaser salad. Matt and I actually rented three movies, and even watched all of them! However, I did manage to fall asleep in practically every one. Today we went to Matt's parents for dinner. I found a new love...digi scrapbooking. More on this later. On a cute note today, my little Hurley found a new playmate...and the other dog is even her same breed! It was actually quite funny because we went to step outside and here she was with her new friend. Too cute, and of course I could not resist capturing a picture of this "chance meeting". And of course, the picture of Matt and Hurley I find too sweet for words. There is nothing like the bond of love and friendship between a man and his dog!

Start...

If anyone has not been to the website entitled "One Little Word", (which is a site that issues scrapbook challenges embracing a certain word...)I highly recommend stopping by. I have a link listed under my "Soul Food" heading, and it is really a great site to visit. So much inspiration, scrapbooking goodness, enlightenment...just to name a few! Since it is the beginning of a fresh new year, I have decided to embrace these challenges and make my own album of these one little words that I can somehow try to use and remember in my everyday life. It is definitly a very neat way to journal and document, as well as perhaps maybe get a person thinking about things they may not have otherwise...or much less would have paid any attention to. So, for the first one little word of the first week of January 2009...we were given the word "start". Of course, very fitting for this month, but really it is a word I find myself using day after day. Start this, start that...it is really never ending! On this layout, I really envisioned my use of the word "start" as something to continuously remind me to start becoming more aware of my physical and spiritual health, as well as just wanting to increase my awareness of my world around me, and as always, my appreciation for all that is within my reach. This challenge has definitly got me thinking about alot of things, and of course starting new projects and plans. Always creating...or wanting to create, that would be me! Is it wrong that I think about that about 23.5 hours of the day?:) Like I stated in the layout above, "there ain't no better time than now for a fresh start!"

Why I Scrap

Lately I have been thinking alot about this hobby, or in my case, "passion" that I call scrapbooking. Why is it so important to me? To be perfectly honest, I think about creating pretty much all day, every day,about different ideas, topics, special photos and projects of mine that are all waiting to be created and documented. Today I had to attend a funeral for one of my bestfriends. Her grandfather passed away and it seems to be at these moments where my perspective comes full circle and I have my "a-ha" moment alongside the feeling of pure validation in that I truly know why I do and LOVE to do what I do. Scrapbooking to me is so much more than just paper and glue and cute little embellishments here and there. It is about perspective, about gratitude, about taking the time to embrace one's life in the "here and now". Of all the things that this passion of mine has brought into my life, the one that is probably hugest is the fact that it has made my perspective change...it has made me WANT LESS. In essence, scrapbooking has reflected my life back to me. It has shown me what I already have and all of the great memories and times that I have been able to experience. It has made me feel richer in more ways than one...without filling my wallet or bank account. It has made me want to be a better person, more aware of being in the moment of things, of appreciating small details...it has made me so much more aware of what it means to truly live with heart and intention. Scrapbooking to me has been my release, my strategy for dealing with negativity, my vital aid to reducing stressors I may be feeling at particular moments. Back to today's events, they had a display of all of the cherished photos they could find celebrating Mr. W's life. His hobbies, his children, his grandchildren, holidays and favorite moments were all there for everyone to see. Essentially it was a scrapbook on display documenting his existence. So cool. I love when I see people who unknowingly embrace this hobby that to me is so much more. It really is a wonderful way to cope and celebrate life, whether it be through good circumstances or the not so good. Photographs and memories are really all that we have left as time passes us by so quickly. Basically, scrapbooking is just so deep...so much more...so liberating. It is my passion. It is my love. It is what I do.

Simple Joy's

Lately it just seems like it is one thing after another. Five days into the new year and it is already full of ups and downs! I always like to think more ups than downs of course...but so much has been going on it's really just crazy! It has just led me to thinking about how we never know, from day to day what we are going to be faced with. It is so important to just continuously be thankful and realize the simple blessings that surround us each and every day. Also to enjoy the little things, simple moments that to some really may mean nothing at all. I think it is in these fleeting moments that so many take for granted are where the true pleasures in life lie. It is just up to us to hear the message and embrace it. Three simple joys of mine right now: 1.) Being able to lay in bed at night and indulge myself in a good book. 2.) Bubble baths 3.) Being able to kiss my husband at night and tell him how much I appreciate how hard he works for us and the little things he does that mean so much to me.

Winter, Oh Winter...

Seriously...is their going to be ANY relief from this cold snap? Again, tonight it is going to be somewhere around -40 overnight! This cold weather has been making itself known since early December!

However, on a more positive outlook, as it is the new year and the weather is something completely out of anyones hands...I did have to bundle myself up yesterday and brave the weather in order to capture some beautiful pictures. I do love how the snow looks on the trees around my home and I just could not pass up the opportunity to snap a few shots. It is also part of my "Project 365" so bundling up with my camera for a few minutes was definitly worth it. Believe it or not, it actually felt so good to breathe in some of the fresh air and trudge through the snow in my yard. It is actually really deep...almost to my knees!

They say warmer weather is coming our way, so soon hopefully. It definitly would be nice to get outside and enjoy the fresh air for more than just 5 minutes at a time.

I am also spending some time enjoying what is the last remaining few days of winter holidays before it's back to work and normalcy. I have yet to put away my Christmas tree and decorations...which very well could end up being my Sunday project. As much as I look forward to putting it all out when the season begins, I also look forward to packing it away and anticipating what is to come next and all of the new holidays for 2009 that are around the corner! It's almost time to start thinking about Valentine's Day...well almost!

For now, I think I will just savor the last of my time off, prepare for a great work week and just be thankful for everything that is.