Project Life - Week 50

As I mentioned earlier, I've been working backwards to catch up on Project Life. I can't post some of the layouts since I'm using a kit from Two More Days that is releasing in a few days, but this layout for Week 50 is one I can share.

CREDITS

Papers: Ribbon Candy (Gina Miller); Winter Wonderland (Micheline Martin)

Embellishments: Banner Masks No. 1 (Katie Pertiet); Everyday Stories Title Cards (Two More Days); Photo Journalers V1 (Gennifer Bursett)

Fonts: Bebe Neue (week, date); Arial (journaling); CK Ali’s Hand (captions)

Template: Pockets No. 3 – The Templates (Valorie Wibbens)

I will probably add a second page for this week - a layout aimed at capturing the 12/12/12 phenomenon in Week 50. I just haven't figured out what I'm going to do for the layout.

I realize that with using so many different kits that my entire 2012 Project Life album won't be uniform and consistent, but since it's my first year of Project Life, I'm just happy to have it captured! Plus, it gives me a chance to try out different things - layouts, techniques, kits that I've bought but haven't used before...lol!

In my 2012 Project Life album, I used various page protectors and included some layouts that were dedicated to things done during particular weeks. This made the album a little full after 6 months, so I had to branch out into a second album for the rest of the year. With the digital pages in the second half of the year, the second album may not be as thick. I also included lots more photos and did at least two pages per week, some a little more, depending on what photos I wanted to add. I know I also want to include the Christmas cards we received this year, along with a few other memorabilia items like ticket stubs, brochures, etc.

While I hadn't wanted to do hybrid scrapbooking, Project Life has turned me into a hybrid scrapbooker. :)  I think that until munchkin gets older, I'll be doing a mixture of both. In the meantime, another week done - another 17 or so to go! Luckily, some of those 17 weeks already have photos placed in pockets and the journaling completed - just need to print out the journaling, cut to fit, and place in the page protectors!

Bring on the Wordplay

I'm such a geek. I love dictionaries and words. One of my favorite all-time gifts was a paperback thesaurus from a high school boyfriend. The thesaurus went off to college with me and was overused (this is the life of a thesaurus with an English major) so much that the edges were dog-eared and the spine cracked. Even though I have replaced the paperback copy I received as a gift, I still have it somewhere...So, imagine how excited I was when I realized I could have a dictionary at my fingertips when I was online! Dictionary.com has got to be one of my favorite Internet destinations! It has all sorts of cool info. For instance, today there was an interesting question, certainly one I've never thought about: What sequence of letters has the most different pronunciations? I had no idea, so I clicked. (I'll let you click through for yourself to see the answer.) Who knew???
Anyway, I know I stopped by the site several times in the last week, looking up words that I might have heard of, but didn't really know what they meant, like febrile or bilious. (I was reading the side of a natural supplement box.) Today, I ended up on the site since my friend Linden asked me about the term postmodern. Here's what the dictionary.com search uncovered...

post·modern
–adjective
1. noting or pertaining to architecture of the late 20th century, appearing in the 1960s, that consciously uses complex forms, fantasy, and allusions to historic styles, in contrast to the austere forms and emphasis on utility of standard modern architecture.
2. extremely modern; cutting-edge: postmodern kids who grew up on MTV.

Um, ok. So I went on to another favorite source: Wikipedia. And, of course, Wikipedia provides the complete history as well as a definition of what postmodern means - definitely way more info than I ever wanted. I read the top-half of the page then scrolled down to see what else was on the bottom. In short, postmodern appears to refer to works of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. There was also a comparison:
Whereas Modernism is often associated with identity, unity, authority, and certainty, Postmodernism is often associated with difference, plurality, alterity, and skepticism.

I couldn't have said it better myself...

Afternoon Diversion & a Fun Gift

This afternoon, David and I took off on a little photo expedition. We were in search of some picturesque snow spots for photos. Unfortunately, on this side of town, a lot of the snow had blown away because of all the wind, which meant that there weren't a lot of snow-covered spots. However, I did get a few photos from the car as we wound our way up into the higher elevations... Although we didn't really get any photos, it was a nice drive and definitely broke up the monotony of the work day. Thanks, David, for the diversion!

When I finally got home, there was a box waiting next to the pansy pots. It turned out to be a gift from Yvonne! And this was what was inside...
Yvonne knows I'm not a coffee drinker, so this tea assortment was terrific! Thank you, Yvonne, for such a thoughtful and fun gift!

Bits & Pieces of Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! I hope you and your families have enjoyed your celebrations!

I took over 200 photos (so far) today...just because I wanted to make sure I captured the essence of the day. After all, aren't these memories in the making? ;)

Be sure to rest up and relax. After all, New Year's Day is a week from today!

Rules for Christmas Shopping

Rule #1: Go to a store where you want to buy all sorts of stuff for yourself.

Rule #2: Buy what you want--after all, aren't you worth it?

Rule #3: Take out your Christmas list.

Rule #4: Review your financials.

Rule #5: Create IOUs for everyone to let them know you'll get them a Christmas present after you win the lottery.

Just kidding! ;)

Suz and I braved the morning crowds and went Christmas shopping today. We did really well--hit 5 stores in about 4 hours. That includes the time that we spent at her house before and after the shopping expedition.

Our first stop...Sephora, located inside JC Penney's. No, it probably wasn't a good idea to go there first since the only presents we would buy there would be for ourselves! But, we also got a 20% off all purchases coupon (good for today only), so we couldn't walk out of there empty-handed.

Then, we stopped a Build-A-Bear, which is always fun, even if you don't buy anything. However, Suz didn't leave without bringing home a new addition...

Yes, it's the Grinch (which happened to be on TV last night)! I didn't even know Build-A-Bear had licensed characters, but you could also make Shrek, Rudolph and Clarice, and Cody (from Surf's Up). Of course, I also found something I'll eventually take home with me...
I've always had a little thing for stuffed monkeys. I think it's because they remind me of one of my favorite people. (Just teasin', M!)

Isn't this monkey cute??? I didn't buy him today (cha-ching at Sephora!), but I figure I'll adopt him sometime next year.

Suz and I also made it to Toys R Us. It wasn't that crowded when we arrived, and although the line was long, it moved quickly. It's so much fun being in a toy store at Christmas time, with the exception of screaming children. Now tell me why parents bring their kids to a toy store at Christmas?!?!? Are you really going to be able to shop with them tagging along? Anyway, we both managed to cross several gifts off our list with this visit.

The last two stores were completely spontaneous. Walgreen's is the only store I know of (oh, except for maybe Rite-Aid) that sells mini candy canes (or baby candy canes, as Suz calls 'em). Of course, they weren't on the shelf, so Suz had to ask for them--and yes, they did have them, but they hadn't re-stocked the shelves). We also had to ask for help getting some butter cookie tins down (who the heck puts that stuff on a HIGH shelf?!?), and I had a special request to be checked out at the cosmetic counter. Can you say high-maintenance shoppers??? I'm sure the assistant manager and the two other people that helped us with all our questions were quite happy to see us leave.

Oh, and it snowed while we were shopping! Nothing too big--just snow flurries, but so much more fun than rain. It only lasted for a little bit on and off today, but I always love seeing the flakes come down.

Suz and I also stopped a Bi-Mart, a store I've never been in until today. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. As Suz put it, who sells guns right down the aisle from tampons??? Yes, an eclectic store (as Shawn called it) is probably the best description! Just don't put a woman with PMS down that aisle!!! Hee, hee!

I also met up with my friend Linden. We finally got to see The Jane Austen Book Club at the movie theater. However, this wasn't just ANY theater. The movie was playing at the Living Room Theaters, which is the best experience I've ever had during a movie! The seats are wide, plushy, and comfortable. There are big drink holders on the chair arms, which also happened to be padded and wide. Best of all--we shared an ottoman! And, you can also order food when you first walk in, and it will be delivered to you at your seat. Isn't that awesome??? I definitely have to go back to this theater! It's like watching a movie at home, but better because of the service, which I didn't actually try out, but we got to watch some other people take advantage of the the ordering process.

Oh, and the movie, The Jane Austen Book Club, which is based on a novel by Karen Joy Fowler, was funny and smart. (I have a feeling it will end up in my DVD collection once it makes it out on video.) Since Linden and I love Jane Austen, we had to see this movie. She had already read the book and heard the movie was even better than the book--a rarity. I hadn't read the book yet. But, right after the movie ended, Linden and I walked across the street to the mother ship...Powell's. We LOVE Powell's! And of course, there happened to be used copies of The Jane Austen Book Club in the store. Sold to two buyers. Yes, as Linden pointed out, we could have bought one copy and just shared it, but being the bibliophiles we are, we each got our own copy, along with some other books that were screaming to be taken home. Sigh...I never walk out of Powell's without something! I swear I'll have to donate the 300 million tons of books to a library in my will. After all, no one in their right mind would want to take them after I die...LOL!

OK, must go finish reading a book that I have to return to the library tomorrow and start on my latest purchase so Linden and I can compare the movie with the book!

BTW, if you're looking to be remembered by that someone special, you'll find this diamond ring at Costco.com. Yes, that REALLY is the price! Insanity!

Have a good week--if I'm not back sooner!

A Few Christmas Favorites

Must be the sunshine or the fact that I'm feeling better that I'm much more motivated today. I finally broke out the Christmas CDs to play while I'm working. My favorite Christmas CDs? Harry Connick, Jr. and Mariah Carey. However, one of my favorite songs is by Alvin and The Chipmunks. How can you not smile when The Chipmunk Song is playing???

Oh, and speaking of Alvin and The Chipmunks, the movie is coming out on December 14th--can't wait!

So a couple of favorite Christmas things...

Peppermint bark from Ghiradelli. As you can see, I'm building up a stash for the rest of the year, when peppermint chocolate is VERY hard to find. I think I need to go back to Target and get a few more bars--on sale this week!

Here's the best part--I can leave the peppermint bark anywhere in the house, and it won't disappear until I eat it--LOL! ;)

And this one's for Victor--guess who's on my couch? (No comments from the peanut gallery!!!)

It's my favorite buddy...Snoopy! And he's all decked out in his holiday gear.

No tree yet, but I still don't know if I'm going to put one up. Anyway, I'm still celebrating Christmas in a few fun ways. Love this time of year!

Looking for a UNIQUE gift idea? Check out Signature Days. Some of the gifts are a little pricey, but definitely cool ideas!

Lastly, did you know Marisa Tomei's birthday is today? I can't believe she's 43! I'll bet George Costanza is still crying over Marisa...hee hee!