My World, and Welcome to It.

A big day!

2006-07-10T21:51:00.000-04:00

2950 Diapers
3295 Nursing Sessions
4 teeth
530 jars of baby food
103 boxes of baby wipes
450,034 kisses

1 year of the wee lady. Sweet, isn't she?

Just a few things to do.......Ongoing projects and insanity

2006-06-10T22:24:00.000-04:00

Just the other day, I thought to myself that I really have to pull it together....Seriously, what is going on around here? The laundry is piling up, the dishwasher seems to be perpetually full, and where did that baby crawl off to, now? How did all this start to come apart at the seams? Well.....I thought about it, and took stock of all the little projects I have working right now...(And this is on top of the usual stuff of keeping the family fed, clothed, and largely intact) My to-do list reveals an unsettling level of insanity.

End of School Year Teacher gifts and Events
Learn to use New DSLR camera
Burn DVR recordings ont DVD
Sew new dress for American Girl Doll (A project trailing from Christmas)
Write Column for Winter Issue of CreativeTECHniques
Retool resume for freelance Marketing work
Whole family to dentist
Hatch Triops Eggs, feed and raise Triops
Cancel Undersea University Club as Triops eggs were only desired item per eldest daughter
Mail gifts to nephews
Arrange trip to Connecticut later in summer
Make and mail congratulatory and get-well cards to total of 5 relatives
Clip Cat's claws
Continue with girls' ice skating lessons
Sign up and begin girls' swimming lessons
Write additional article for Winter CT issue
Sell House
Buy new House

You know, I was about to add "Make appointment with doctor to check for anemia" because I haven't been this tired since I had a severe case of it during my last pregnancy. However, now that I've looked at my to-do list, I think I'm just flippin' TIRED. sheesh.

It's 11pm, and the baby is crying. Must run! Whee!

Charles Tobin Jorgensen

2006-06-09T08:36:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my new nephew Charlie! His big brother Tommy is so excited to welcome him to the family.... He was born yesterday morning, and his Mommy Caroline is resting and recovering happily. I can't believe my baby brother Brad is a Daddy time TWO!

2006-05-30T09:41:00.000-04:00

Finding bugs, hoping not to get crayfish nibbles on their toes....

2006-05-30T09:38:00.000-04:00

Wee lady grows and grows!

2006-05-21T16:49:00.000-04:00

A big week for this young lady...She turned 8, had a party, and today made her First Holy Communion!

2006-05-18T14:41:00.000-04:00

EIGHT IS GREAT!

Zoom lenses are the answer!

2006-05-15T08:59:00.000-04:00

I have been struggling for a long time with the challenge of getting a natural smile out of the older girls.....the secret seems to be to use a very strong zoom lens and sneak upon them unawares.......

2006-05-12T14:43:00.000-04:00

I planted these, but now can't for the life of me remember what they are. Sweet little things, though....

More Camera Play

2006-05-11T12:46:00.000-04:00

Peony from my yard

I have been so inspired by my friend Amy's flower photos that I am shamelessly stealing her idea and attempting to cop her style.....

Camera Details....

2006-05-10T16:47:00.000-04:00

This is the new baby:

Except I have an outfit with two different lenses....I've got the 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6 and the 70-300mm f/4-5.6.

I've been playing with the basic 28-80 today, I look forward to playing with that big ol' zoom soon!

Mothers' day comes early....

2006-05-10T13:04:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I got my Mothers Day present a few days early...a new Digital SLR! Whee! Check this out:

Mother's Day Comes early! The product of my new camera!

And check out the awesome catchlights in the photo of the baby!

I'm a lucky Mamma.

2006-05-10T13:01:00.000-04:00

Wee lady in the car....but, look closer.....

Look! A self portrait, as a bonus!

2006-05-08T10:20:00.000-04:00

Cute, but trouble.

2006-04-30T18:41:00.000-04:00

Serious Fun at the park.....

More from Spring Break....

2006-04-19T12:05:00.000-04:00

More photos of the ladies....

2006-04-19T12:04:00.000-04:00

Holding Pochahontas' hand in Jamestown

2006-04-19T12:03:00.000-04:00

Stuffed dogs are even better than the real thing!

2006-04-19T12:02:00.000-04:00

Planting seeds together

2006-04-19T12:01:00.000-04:00

Always reading....

Spring Break

2006-04-18T10:36:00.000-04:00

Here are some quick shots of the ladies in Colonial Williamsburg. We rented a costume for biggest lady, and the littler ones dressed up and also got Colonial headgear.....they had a great experience! I'll post more later.........

2006-04-18T10:35:00.000-04:00

this is the only way to get a baby to keep her period hat on.....apparently, it is too delicious not to chew....

2006-04-18T10:34:00.000-04:00

Isabella's favorite part was planting seeds in the Colonial garden...

2006-04-18T10:33:00.000-04:00

Abigail and her doll in Colonial Williamsburg

Happy Easter!

2006-04-16T14:19:00.000-04:00

Just back from a fab Spring Break trip to Williamsburg....more photos and updates soon....in the meantime, enjoy the holiday!

Sitting Pretty

2006-03-21T14:10:00.000-05:00

Eight Months worth of Cute

The other day, I looked at the calendar and had a shocking realization. My baby was 8 months old, and was still not sitting alone or crawling. Her little gummy smile gives no hint of impending teeth. Hm. So, being the mommy of child #3, I did not panic, but instead plopped the little lady on the floor to see if she'd stay upright if I left her sitting.....and what do you know! She did! As you can see, she likes it.

Crawling will come....for now, she's still rolling and dragging herself along like a wee Commando. Lord knows when the teeth will show up.

Rocking Out with Joan

2006-03-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

My college years saw some good, quality time rocking out with Joan Armatrading. Seriously, that woman can write a phenomenal song and then sing the heck out of it. Most folk think that the ultra-fab Love and Affection was Joan's first album....while it's awesome, it didn't come first......

I got my mitts on a tape of the Joan Armatrading debut album "Whatever's for Us" back in those college days...and I've been searching for another copy ever since. It has been out of print for YEARS, so I've been dosing out listens to the tape, in perpetual terror that the cassette would wear out and I'd be left Joanless. NO MORE! Some smart fella in the UK finally arranged for this faboo recording to be available on CD! WHEE!

Seriously. If you love simple, great songs, this is for you. Trust me.

Just a reminder........

2006-02-24T15:26:00.000-05:00

In this house, not all princesses are of the human variety......

Her majesty at rest.

Four Years Old!

2006-02-22T14:22:00.000-05:00

Life is good.

A certain princess-loving, ice skating, baby adoring lady turned 4 this past week. Here she is showing of the spoilage - and this is just from her parents and sisters. If we included the goods from doting grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends, there would be no room for the lady in question!

It's hard to believe that she's 4 already....time goes so fast.......

James Wellington Charron 1920-2006

2006-01-30T19:55:00.000-05:00

Grandad at the WWII Memorial, Thanksgiving 2004

My Grandad died without warning this afternoon. We are all grateful that he did not suffer, but are shocked at the sudden loss, even at his age. Just some quick pictures to share for now......

This layout is about my Grandad's Christening Gown.

2006-01-29T16:36:00.000-05:00

Just a photo I like....

The Woman at the Rink

2006-01-23T19:26:00.000-05:00

I saw the most beautiful woman today.

I took the girls ice skating this morning, since today was one of those random "teacher work days" that gave us a day off from school completely unrelated to any holiday...During Middle Lady's lesson, I started to watch a tall young man skate. He skated along, occasionally jumping and turning with amazing grace and ease. Then, as the lesson ended, he was joined by a woman likely in her 50's, so like him in look and manner that she had to be his mother. She, too, was tall, and frankly, by most standards, quite ordinary looking, with short gray hair and large eyeglasses. She wore a simple figure skating dress and skated alongside the young man, laughing and talking. Every once in a while, she would step out from their path, jumping and turning, or simply floating in a fluid arc.....It was beautiful to watch her obvious love and friendship with her son, punctuated with periodic expressions of her own confident grace. This is a woman comfortable in her own skin. And, as I simultaneously nursed the baby, unlaced a 3 year old's skate, and kept an eye on a skating 7 year old, I hoped that one day I too could move this smoothly and seamlessly between loving mother and inspiring individual woman.....

So, here's to you, Woman Skating at Ashburn Ice House. Rock On.

First Food

2006-01-15T14:31:00.000-05:00

Not sure what we think of this....

Wee lady had her first solid food last night....She was very excited to finally stuff some of that stuff in her mouth, but, as you can see, the jury is still out on the dining experience.

And, on another note....a new look! I finally got clever with my title banner....now I just need to figure out how to have a nifty link section and I'll be, like, a real, live, grown-up blog lady!

Control your shock!

2006-01-11T16:56:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am actually updating. Between traveling for New Year's and then a wicked bout of stomach flu, this "World" has been sadly dormant. I'll do better, I promise.

Wee lady was 6 months old yesterday -- how time flies! She's rolling around like a trooper, chewing on everything in sight (I think a tooth will soon emerge) and she is officially the Baldest Lang Baby by a long shot. (Although those of you who saw my first two babies know that that is not a difficult feat!)

Six Months Old!

Photos from Christmas 2005

2005-12-25T16:11:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas....here are some quick photos to share.....

Her first Christmas

2005-12-25T16:11:00.000-05:00

Cookies With MomMom

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-24T12:08:00.000-05:00

It's a crazy, busy day here....but I wanted to share our fun activity for the day -- Check it out!

NORAD tracking Santa's Progress

Enjoy your holiday!

E

2005-12-06T11:35:00.000-05:00

I took advantage of a 2-hour school delay to take the Christmas Card photo this morning. Maybe I'm spoiling the surprise, but I can't resist sharing my three little beauties....

2005-12-04T13:42:00.000-05:00

I've been laid out with a sinus infection and a complete loss of my voice (which, no, doesn't affect my typing fingers, but bear with me anyway....) In the meantime, enjoy this, one of the world's cutest three year olds, posing against her better judgement for the school photographer.....

Everybody's got to get into the Act....

2005-11-12T16:37:00.000-05:00

White Board Bloggin' -- It's the next big thing!

I emerged from a haze of cleaning to discover this on the white board. I have no idea how my 7 year old even knows what a blog IS, never mind that she has an idea for one of her own.....unfortunately, all those graphics would require more HTML than mommy can handle....but, then, for all I know, she's a master CGI progammer....

2005-11-09T08:23:00.000-05:00

Here is a copy of Amy's photo, which she nicely forwarded along...

Wee Lady photo....

2005-11-08T16:49:00.000-05:00

I had a great time hangin' at the park yesterday with my friend Amy. She is a fabulous photographer, if I do say so.....check out this photo that she took of my wee one....

Um.....Yum?

2005-11-03T14:14:00.000-05:00

I am 36 years old today, and, frankly, feeling a bit crotchety. To combat the advancing years, I shall now partake in some juvenile humor.

The object below is the wrapper of a Swedish candy. A CHOCOLATE Swedish candy.

Seriously.

Treats! No Trick!

2005-11-01T14:01:00.000-05:00

Just a quick peek at Halloween 2005

Here are some quick shots of Halloween....Pumpkin carving, costume wearing, it's all there! [Edited to add: Like the background "paper?" It's part of the new Holiday combo kit available for download at Shabby Princess! Go for the Digital Goodies, Stay for the, well....Digital Goodies!]

The Stamp Haul

2005-10-28T12:45:00.000-04:00

mmmmmmmmmmmm

Well, I was a bit MIA for a while...we had our hardwoods refinished last week, and the whole house was shrouded under a thick layer of dust and plastic....Things are getting back to some odd semblance of normal, though, I and I enjoyed a little fun girl chatter and retail therapy with the ever-cool Miss Kelly.

Now, I am not much of a stamper...but for some reason, I was in the mood to buy some stamps! See? Aren't they cute? Validate me!

I'll get some cute Halloween photos and share them next week....

A white knuckle grip on fleeting days.....

2005-10-14T14:26:00.000-04:00

This morning, I looked at the wee one as she held up her little behatted noggin and realized....

She's not a newborn anymore. She's a real live Big Baby. Sigh. So sweet and delicious to see her grow...but so sad to leave each stage behind.....

A big baby!

An Open Letter to the Good Folks at Plaid Enterprises

2005-10-11T14:03:00.000-04:00

In a desperate attempt at catching up with my daughter's mad skills in the world of Altered Art, I decoupaged a couple of notebooks today....And I just want to beg the good people at Plaid Enterprisesto never, EVER change my Mod Podge.

Frankly, I don't care if it tends to yellow. I don't want to know about it's archival appropriateness. I just look at that groovy little bottle and smell that MOD PODGE smell and I'm transported to 1972 and St. Alban's Preschool. If only I could find some dried milkweed pods to coat with glitter, I'd hang them from a giant macrame owl.

And then I'd get to sniff Jute, too.

An Art Form taken a Wee Bit Too Far.

2005-10-08T19:40:00.000-04:00

Altered Food.

Artists will alter anything these days, or so it seems. If it doesn't move, they'll distress, ink, emboss, and decoupage it within an inch of its life. I'm more of a minimalist, myself, and so haven't delved in the hard core side of altering stuff...but it appears that my three and a half year old daughter has no such qualms. I noticed today that she had carefully arranged her popcorn and pretzels, adorning each bite-sized snack with a Princess sticker. You have to admit, the kid's got style.

Inspiration Friday -- Doodley-Do's and Doodley Don'ts.....

2005-10-08T16:34:00.000-04:00

It's time for a little artistic doodling! I usually do a lot of designing on my computer, but over the last few months I've been trying to incorporate more freehand stylings into my layouts -- quite a tall order for me, as I tend to be a bit TOO free with the "freehand" and I end up with a big old mess where Cooler Kids get ART. Here is a fun toy for tapping into your inner doodler without stepping away from the 'puter: the Veer Doodler!

Oh, and if you are looking for some fun fonts and such, you'll have to stroll around Veer while you're there. Just don't blame me when you end up awash in covetousness.

2005-10-05T10:49:00.000-04:00

Because Kelly needs a lift: wee giggles

Inspiration Friday: When "Effer" is a Compliment

2005-09-30T16:46:00.000-04:00

OK, as one who shares inspiration for Scrapbooking, Art Journaling, and Paper Crafting, I'd be remiss if I didn't send everyone out to the Effers at least once. Every Friday, these talented ladies share a "dare," a thematic challenge for the week. As they are also a Team "Pubster of the Day" for TwoPeas Publications Board today, they also get to be the Inspiration Friday stars of the show. Check it out, and enjoy the eye candy!

Smiles

2005-09-24T21:43:00.000-04:00

World's Cutest Baby!

The Wisdom of Fast Food

2005-09-23T10:48:00.000-04:00

Yes, yes. I know there is little wisdom in a McDonald's Breakfast. I saw Supersize Me, and all that...but that Sausage McMuffin with Egg sure was tasty. And who knew one could get such good advice from a coffee cup?

Why, yes. Yes I am.

Old School....

2005-09-18T14:14:00.000-04:00

Just Another Day at the Park.........

It's been a busy week, and I've been a bad, bad blogger.....These are photos from 3 years ago, scrapped just this week in the pursuit of the Arctic Frog (creators of that very sassy paper!) design team........

Kells Bells!

2005-09-08T19:31:00.000-04:00

Mall lighting, long-arm self portrait, and still Kelly is cute. If she didn't {ROCK} so much, I'd be bitter.........

Baby Giggles......

2005-09-07T20:51:00.000-04:00

Tried to take some new photos of wee lady tonight....she wasn't altogether cooperative, but still awfully cute........

Ten Things I love about Life

2005-09-06T21:21:00.000-04:00

Across the American South, people are suffering terribly today, as they have been for the past week. Thanks to my friend Kelly Edgerton for this week's "Inspired by" challenge -- Ten things for which I'm grateful.

1) My beautiful children -- their gorgeous smiles, their sweet souls -- when they look at me with those loving eyes, I am awed that I could be worthy of the responsibility....

2) My imagination -- there is nothing that I love so much as time, pure, silent, uninterrupted time to wander aimlessly in my own thoughts.

3) Music -- My life has a soundtrack, and every note reminds me of a special time, a special place.

4) A young life lived in adventure and travel -- sure, I'm a bit homebound with wee kidlets these days, but I never feel too trapped when I can look back on all the years I spent living in places so fantastic that people will save their whole lives just to see.......

5) Creativity -- there is no greater high than the act of creation. I totally recomend Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle for some fabulous discussion about how we become closer to our Creator by exploring our own Creativity.......

6) Laughter -- I cannot fathom a day without one good laugh. Even our bitterest moments are absurd and wonderful and funny...without humor, all is hollow.

7) Lobster -- Real fresh Maine lobs with lots and lots of butter. My mouth waters just thinking about it......

8) Jane Austen -- Things haven't changed very much in two hundred years, have they?

9) Smells -- The only thing that can evoke more memories than music is scent....Cinnamon, cedar, tomatoes, almonds, baby skin..........

10) The basics: Warmth, food, water, a roof over my head, safety and a healthy family. These days, such things can not be taken for granted.......

BABYLICIOUS!!!!!!!!!

2005-09-01T12:01:00.000-04:00

Just a quick Baby Shot -- Here is the little lovely last night....She's on a BINGE of a growth spurt, so I'm sure she'll change right before our eyes....

The Vagaries of Home Fashion and Good Sense.

2005-08-30T18:32:00.000-04:00

I cannot tell a lie. I am a catalog lover. If Pottery Barn is really just Porn for the materialist, than my inner spoiled brat is a total perv. Yesterday brought their latest missive, sporting about twelve new bedding patterns and thus awakening all sorts of wanton covetousness....but it also gave me pause.

What, in the name of all that is holy, is going on HERE?

I just don't get it.

I mean, I may be a catalog lover, but I am also a book lover. And for the life of me I can not fathom why anyone would shelve their books in the least convenient position possible.

Unless, of course, Pottery Barn is aiming their wares at the customer whose tastes extends beyond just catalogs to the real hardcore stuff that cannot show it's titles in polite society.

Yep. Those HAVE to be Auction catalogs. It's the only possible explanation.

Inspired by Monday: Tia's Pub Dare

2005-08-29T19:08:00.000-04:00

This is my first entry in the official "Tia's Free Reign Pub Dare" challenge, in which T-t-t-TIA has dared us to create an entire page without benefit of glue, tape, Hermafix, or other conventional adhesive. On the upside, this dare reminded me to make use of my various slot punches and novelty eyelets. On the downside, I was so distracted by the adhesive issue, that I neglected such niceties as balance, flow, and journaling. I'll let the odd columnar structure stand, but I think I may add a little hidden journaling behind the photo. How else would we know that my daughters and their cousin are in the very same tub that I shared with his father some thirty years ago? And, of course, we must document the fact that Thomas now asks for his cousins whenever it's bathtime at Grandma's......

Blog Spammers

2005-08-29T15:24:00.000-04:00

Yes, they, too are consigned to the Big Flamey with my friends from Media Tickets and the desperate Nigerian Widows.

Hopefully the comments on my last post won't repeat themselves....I apologize to anyone who got stuck trying to wade through a sudden list of links to sites about the World Dairy Institute, Penile Enlargement, or Bridesmaids' Gifts.

UPDATE: I've enabled the "Word Verification" for Comments. Comments are still open to anyone, but you'll have to copy a short code into a box in order for your comment to appear here on the blog. This will block out the automated spam commenters.....

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming....

Inspiration -- What's in YOUR wallet?

2005-08-28T13:15:00.000-04:00

...Or, if you prefer, CD changer! I love my CD changer -- that component (yes, I still use stereo components, however antiquated that may seem. How else would I be able to doggedly maintain my turntable and sizable vinyl collection?) has always been my favorite. Pick 5 CDs, shuffle, and play! Bigger jukebox systems (or, dare I say it, an iPod) just have too much variety for a good shuffle....but the 5 CD shuffle always yields a good mix.....I put in a new batch yesterday for housecleaning and fun ensued:

*1Pearl Jam, Ten
*2Oingo Boingo, Best o'Boingo
*3Indigo Girls, 1200 Curfews Disc 2
*4Killers, Hot Fuss
*5U2, Achtung Baby

My vacuum and I danced the afternoon away. A suitable replacement for the Dinner Tunes that were in there previously, featuring Diana Krall, Van Morrison, Norah Jones, Nick Drake and the Wiggles. Don't ask.

What's in YOUR Changer?

Baby Toes

2005-08-26T20:55:00.000-04:00

OK, How nibbleable are these? Is nibbleable a word? It is now!

Sleeping Angel

2005-08-24T21:16:00.000-04:00

While we were at the lake, both of my older daughers got a wee bug that made them spike a fever and sleep, sleep, SLEEP. Fortunately, the baby didn't get it....I share this photo because I know I've been sharing so many baby photos lately and I just wanted to brag about my middle baby. Even in this underexposed and slightly blurry shot, you can see how sweet and beautiful she is. Am I lucky or what?

Inspired by Monday, Observed: I'm It!

2005-08-23T12:10:00.000-04:00

I was tagged recently by the ultra-fabulous Kristin Holly, who challenged her victims to share 5 of our personality quirks with the blog-reading universe....She chose well, seeing as I am just a bundle of idiosyncrasies........

1. I don't like sweet drinks. Coffee, hot or cold tea, even soda -- no sweetener, please.....(and artificial is even nastier than real sugar. Yech.)

2. I am insanely ticklish. You know how they say that it's all mental and nobody can tickle herself? It's not true. I can.

3. I love dairy. If you can put cheese on it, spread it with butter, or slather it with whipped cream, I am so eating it. But, of course, I don't drink milk. THAT would be gross.

4. I have a little bump of cartilage next to my left ear. People are constantly asking me what it is. I like to tell them that it is a little extra bit of brain, and if I touch it, my right toes go numb. Suckers.

5. My arms and legs natually hyper-extend. (meaning that when I "straighten" them all the way, they are slightly bent backwards.) When I did musicals in high school, the choreographer always asked me to bend them slightly because I was going to creep out the audience. She also asked me to always stand in the back, but that's another story for another time.

Hmmmmm....let's see, who to tag...OK,

Lisa the Gluestick Girl
Molly the Red
T-t-t-TIA!

Have some fun!

The Evidence

2005-08-22T18:00:00.000-04:00

Here is where I've been and what I've been up to......I'm in the process of catching up with emails, etc......Blogging to resume shortly!

One Month

2005-08-10T15:55:00.000-04:00

One month old today, and sweeter than ever....

One month ago today, a wee lady joined our family. In some ways, time has flown and she seems to have grown before my eyes, and in others, it feels like she has always been a part of my heart.

Inspired by Monday -- Empty.

2005-08-08T14:54:00.000-04:00

Empty

I haven't done Illustration Friday for a while.....so I dipped back in today....this week's theme is "Empty."

I am not such a fabulous freehand artiste....it's supposed to be a glass, half empty, or half full. I used a Rolling Stones quote, despite my philosophical feelings about that group of geriatric drug abusing corporate "rockers." Unfortunately, my quick review of the Violent Femmes catalog yielded no equivalents....

Inspiration Friday -- More on Art Journaling....

2005-08-05T14:41:00.000-04:00

jh

OK, another day this week for the Art Journal style. As Miss Michelle Scrapability points out here, Art Journals are an art FORM, not necessarily an art STYLE. So, what the heck do I mean by the Art Journal STYLE? I consider certain stylistic elements that are popular with Art Journalers to be the hallmarks of the Art Journal style of scrapbooking....These elements include:

Bright Colors and general experimentation with color
Use of materials from the world of Fine Arts (Gesso, artist-quality paint, etc.)
Handwritten journaling and embellishment, even artistic "doodles"
Multimedia materials used in unconventional ways
"Artsy" photography

As vintage "collage" style grew from the influence of Altered Book artists, I believe that we are seeing a new style blossoming from the influence of these Art Journalers. Want to see more? As I said, Shimelle is the GODDESS (yes, Shimelle, you can quote me, but I must warn you that husbands and children are shameful in their lack of respect for GODDESS status. Believe me, I've tried to teach them otherwise...) Check out her Art Journaling website here at Written Down. There is a lot to see there!

Clean Baby!

2005-08-04T22:25:00.000-04:00

This was taken tonight, in that blissful small window of time that occurred between bath and the nightly Massive Spit Up.

Dispatch from the Hall of Justice, Mommy Style.

2005-08-03T18:16:00.000-04:00

Today, I simultaneously

1) Nursed 3 week old daughter
2) Pushed shopping cart down aisle at Target with remaining hand
3) Evaluated construction, measurements, and general value of shelving units
4) Admonished 3 year old daughter not to climb on beanbag display
5) Further admonished 7 year old daughter not to admonish 3 year old as that is Mommy's job.

So, when will they issue my cape?

Coming soon: More on the style discussion....What is the "Art Journal" style, anyway, and what do other obsessive scrappers think?

Inspired by....Art Journals

2005-08-02T13:44:00.000-04:00

Nobody who knows me in real life would believe that I can be a wee bit anal about things. Obviously, my fussiness does not extend to the piles of STUFF that surround me at my desk, nor to the large-fanged dust bunnies that lurk in every corner of my house. And as for the "Inspired by Monday" feature's appearance on Tuesday....well, let's not go there.

But, let's talk journaling. It may be the writer in me, but I just can't let go....most of my layouts feature computer journaling with a nice, narrative form, complete sentences, you know the drill. I can't seem to locate my Inner Joyce (Yes she said the font is lovely yes she said yes) or even my Inner Hemingway. (Sentences. Very. Short. Pass. Me. A. Drink.)

But the hot trend in Scrapbookin' style is coming from the freewheeling Art Journal ladies like Tia Bennett
or Elsie Flannigan, and all the other {cool} girls are indulging in classes from Art Journal Goddess Shimelle Laine......And my layouts are still bordering on De Stijl. What is a boring old graphic nerd to do?

Well....this is my experiement, done partly in response to the Pub "Scraplift Elsie" challenge. Instead of an out-and-out lift from one of Elsie's layouts, I chose to begin with baby steps and just experimented with handwritten, stream of consciousness journaling.....Maybe next time I'll add in funky doodles and bright ribbon and still stay true to my own style. Anyway, thank you to all these talented and less uptight Art Journal queens for the inspiration. This layout features a photo of my brother (who, I assure you, is a nice-looking and fully functional adult, despite what his toddler appearance may suggest...) and I in 1974. Stylin' kids were we! Journaling is a list of some of our favorite things at the time, from Golden-Age Sesame Street to Richard Scarry books to Free to Be...You and Me! Far Out.

Inspiration Friday -- Find your Mojo in your Blog!

2005-07-29T16:18:00.000-04:00

Just when you thought I would no longer be providing Inspiration on Fridays.....It's back! I'm done Birthin' Babies and ready to go back to Birthin' less, um....LARGE creations....

Special thanks to Jennifer Stewart, who suggested that I turn my July 18 blog entry into a scrapbook page. I hadn't done any paper scrapping in MONTHS, and even my recent digital creations were few and far between...but here was a photo, and some journaling, all sitting right there. Before I knew it, Paste was Eaten, so to speak, and I had a layout done.

Lost your mojo? My challenge to you this week is to look at your own blog and find the lurking scrapbook layout. It's there! Just add paper!

Good luck, and if you like, link to your creation in the comments section...I'd love to see!

Seventeen Days

2005-07-27T10:14:00.000-04:00

By popular demand, another baby picture...Wee lady at Seventeen Days....

Baby Dreams......

2005-07-25T17:10:00.000-04:00

Anyone who has ever watched a newborn sleep could tell you that babies dream. They twitch, giggle, and cry in response to whatever saga is unfolding in their unconscious minds. And, I've always wondered just what they could be dreaming about -- their life experiences are, after all, quite limited. But, today at the pediatrician's office, I think I may have figured out that the nightmares of a baby might not be so different from those of much bigger folk.

I mean, her life experiences may be limited, but the wee lady has lived through being stripped naked and weighed before a room of commenting strangers. What could be worse for a woman of any age, I ask?

Meryl, the LOSER.

2005-07-23T10:54:00.000-04:00

I'm a meanie. Proof: The public shaming of my sister, who came to stay for a week and help with the girls....Along the way, she lost a few pool games...and thus is taking with her a goodly amount of castoff furniture, etc.

Neener, Neener, Meryl.

The Good Part

2005-07-18T20:02:00.000-04:00

I am not one of those women who loves being pregnant. You will not catch me floating, glowing, and radiating the glory of my own fecundity -- rather, I spend 9 months whining about nausea, aching joints, heartburn, and general malaise. And, while the nurses at the hospital insisted that I was "born to have babies" and that I am the all time childbirth Champ-een....well, let's just say that pushing the critters out is not the way I'd choose to spend a day.....

But this! This is the good part! I am in pure bliss the moment that baby is placed in my arms -- none of this bathed and wrapped business, either...after all that work, I want that baby the instant she is born.

This morning, I got up early, helped my older two girls get dressed, and sent them down with Daddy for breakfast. Then, I crawled back into bed with Wee One for a good nurse, snuggle, and nap. There can be no experience on this Earth so close to Heaven as crawling under the covers with a sleeping newborn, and drifting off to rest surrounded by soft skin and sweet, peachy baby breath........

2005-07-15T15:35:00.000-04:00

A daily dose...the 3 sisters, taken this morning...

Another Baby Picture.....

2005-07-13T18:32:00.000-04:00

A wee Sleeping Beauty, at One Day Old.

OK, everyone will have to bear with me for a few days as I show off my new sweetie....This photo was taken on Monday afternoon, when the wee lady was about 24 hours old....

This is what all that Camera Equipment was for.....

2005-07-12T16:37:00.000-04:00

Taken this morning in my hospital bed...Off to do some resting!

New Music for the Child-of-the-80's Within

2005-07-05T21:00:00.000-04:00

No, no baby yet.....any day, any day....It's becoming my mantra.......

OK, many of you know that a large part of my is stuck in the 1980's. This is particularly odd, considering that I spent much of that decade in the throes of teen misery. But, for me, there was one escape -- punky new wave Eurotrash music! Many of you know what I mean...you young whippersnappers (I'm lookin' at you, Turch) can listen to this disc to get an idea.

Yesterday, I finally bought myself a new CD (haven't done it in years...) and happily am grooving to the Killers, a groovy mix of early-U2 guitar riffs, Moody Psychedelic Furs vocals, and a general Cure/Depeche Mode funky depressing dance feel.....

Plus, there is nothing as fun as listening to "Mr. Brightside" in the car REALLY LOUD. In my teens and 20's, the lyrics would have been the embodiment of misunderstood intensity, and now, to be honest, they are just creepy. Really creepy. Try to overlook that and have some fun.

Yeah, Yeah....Happy Birthday, America. Where's my kid?

2005-07-04T14:27:00.000-04:00

Still Waiting.....I'm ready, Baby...Ready and Waiting......

Tripod and camera are obviously working....How mockable will I be when I arrive at the Hospital with two bags, one with clothes for me and the baby and one with two cameras (one digital, one with professional B&W film), a full-size tripod, a laptop, and a large black felt backdrop? Scrapbook nerd!

The new 'Do....

2005-07-03T16:35:00.000-04:00

The deed is done. I had to do it. My hair was driving me flipping NUTS -- no haircoloring since October, no cuts since December save for a desperate hack at my own bangs...and here it is...shorn. Shortest it's been since my teen years...and (EEK!) my natural color. It will take a while to get used to.

Now, my Mother in Law is here to help with the girls, my hair is cut, my bag is packed. Baby can come any time, now! Send good baby vibes my way, please!

Refugee: The Horror never fully goes away.

2005-06-28T14:00:00.000-04:00

Many lives ago, even before my soul-selling stint in Big Agency PR, I was a PhD student, attempting to forever cram myself into that elite niche known as "Over-Educated and Under-Employable." I cracked after passing my qualifying exams and before the dissertation process, jaded and crabby. But today, the terror all came crashing down around me as if I had chosen instead to hide forever behind the small solace of making people I didn't like call me "Dr."

As I loaded the kids into the car at the grocery store, I did my usual thing and turned on the radio, wondering what sensible conversation Diane Rehm would be offering up to me today. To my utter and abject horror, I arrived just in time to hear an imperious caller begin to hold forth on the Supreme Court's recent decision involving Eminent Domain. "I think that there is a Hegelian Dialectic at work here!" He tossed out this tremedous bomb stuffed with horse doody as if to dare anyone listening to have the temerity to ask what the heck he was talking about. And all at once, my grad student PTSD kicked in.

I screamed. Not just in my mind, but in my "out loud" voice. And quickly...oh, SO QUICKLY, I jammed my finger into the radio button for fear that I would actually have to once again suffer hearing a human being utter the word "hermeneutic."

'Cause, if THAT happened, I'd be forced to jam my car keys through my eardrum to prevent further such assaults. Oy.

Notebookapalooza!

2005-06-26T17:30:00.000-04:00

I've been altering notebooks again.....this time for my sister, hubby, and MIL as thank you gifts for helping me with the new baby....I'm doing one more next week for my Mommy. I love these notebook projects! They are such a gratifying way to use up my scraps!

Inspiration Friday: Anticipation.

2005-06-24T12:41:00.000-04:00

OK, I know it's been a pathetically long time since I updated the wild and wacky world of my blog. So shoot me. I'm at 37 weeks, and, given the early schedule my other 2 kiddos were on, this kid is coming soon....but, when? Not over the next week, I hope...I need a little more time to make frozen lasagnes and take belly shots (come on, you all know it has to be done) and wash wee teeny T shirts before the Big Day. But still, I feel those tiny heels pushing on my ribs and I can start to see the tiny PERSON in there. When...WHEN? Am I ready for this? I am exhausted now with 2 kidlets....how will I handle THREE????? But, then, my body is stressed to the limit and I don't think pregnancy is something I can endure much longer. What if I need a more "medical" birth this time? My first two had very natural deliveries, but I'm older now....35 and never even had an IV......I'm scared, excited, and tired all at once....I can't even look at the calendar without getting stressed about how close it is all becoming.....

OK, how is this inspiring? Well, that stream of consciousness ramble will be adapted for journaling on a page for my pregnancy journal....I'll try to get the elipses under control and share the finished result on Monday. What are you anticipating this summer? Are you happy, or do you want to hide under the covers from the entire thing? Or, like me, a little of each........

2005-06-14T15:46:00.000-04:00

Here is my creation, a bit late for "Inspired by Monday...." In this case, I'm inspired by my own bad mood.....Inspired to remind myself of what is so right, so wonderful, and so pure in my life. This photo always makes me smile with gratitude.

Inspired by Monday: In an icky mood.

2005-06-13T18:11:00.000-04:00

Yes, it is all very well and good to be inspired by beauty, and joy, and love.

Not workin' for me today. I'm feeling huge, and sore, and moody...and, as is traditional, apparently I am also to blame for all that is wrong in the world today. Whatever.

The moral of the story? Sometimes, a good old-fashioned bitter mood is just what is needed to boost the creative spirit....Occasionally, it's just a way to remind yourself what is important to you....and other times, it is a way to vent your uglier side. Fortunately for all of you, I'm opting for the former....to be posted later this evening when I'm at the proper, image bearing computer....

Inspiration Friday--the Peacock's Wing

2005-06-10T13:16:00.000-04:00

Color, texture, all-out funkiness....what does it say to you? This week, for your inspiration pleasure, I share with you this zoom photo I took of a peacock's wing. If you are inspired to create something -- anything-- by this, post a link here -- I'd love to see! Happy weekend, all!

Curses on you, MediaTickets, and all your EVIL, WICKED WORKS!

2005-06-08T20:32:00.000-04:00

OK, so I've been a bit MIA lately....a Pox befell our happy home and we were all stricken with various illnesses after Memorial Day. Please, allow me to share that while bronchitis is NEVER fun, having it while 8 months pregnant is a whole new ballgame.

To add to my tale of woe, my computer decided to get in on the act and get a wee virus of its own. Actually, it's an annoying form of spyware/adware that replicates itself and forces Internet Explorer to open on start up and navigate to the main site, downloading more crap as it goes. I've removed it about 700 times and it keeps reinstalling. I am currently donning my safety gear in preparation of going in to my registry and deleting all kinds of scary stuff.

So, our thought for the day is BOO on the evil troll who dreamed up mediatickets.net. May they enjoy the hearafter in a special zone of the Big Flamey reserved for their kind. They will have several "nice Nigerian widows" for company, I believe.

Hijinks at the Anchor Mart: Curt gravely displeased.

2005-05-31T13:32:00.001-04:00

My husband's family has been vacationing for generations at a great little cabin on Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. We ventured up there this past weekend to open up the cabin and enjoy some time with Todd's mother and his brother and his kids. A good time was had by all, and all that.

Now, things don't change too frequently up in Garrett County. It was quite the talk when Curt's Corner, the general store, became the "Anchor Mart." (Everyone still calls it Curt's Corner, anyway, but it's the principle of the thing...) Now, there is a new affront. These fancy schmancy newfangled "Anchor Mart" people have added something odd to the exterior of the store. When my brother-in-law drove up to the store, this was the view from the window, as captured by the able photography skills of my neice.

Of course they couldn't resist taking a family picture with Weenie Man. Could you?

What's more disturbing, the initial view, or the look on the thing's face? It's hard to say.

Why does HER birthday make ME feel so old?

2005-05-26T21:16:00.000-04:00

My first baby turned 7 last week...she had her yearly checkup today. I can't believe what a grown up girl I've got.....Where has the time gone?

American Idol Musings.

2005-05-26T08:20:00.000-04:00

It's done. Carrie, the fresh ingenue from Oklahoma, donned a freakishly unflattering Grandma-of-the-Bride dress and accepted her crown as the newest American Idol. Now, as one who can tolerate neither Country nor Western, I was not a passenger on the Carrie Bandwagon...but I can respect the fact that of the two finalists, she was by far the best suited to the Idol Machine. And, let's face it...Bo's an acoustic kind of guy. His best performance was completely a capella. He would SO SUFFER under the agonizing over production and schmaltzy ballads of the AI routine. And that "first single" song really bit. He's free from that one, too.

The other thing that struck me during the 2 hour extravaganza was that nobody can use 2 hours to put on a 15 minute show quite like the gang at The Idol. Good heavens! We opened with a Beach Boys medley group number that made my ears bleed. Seriously. Stop with the group numbers, already. We were also subjected to the usual misty-eyed montages chronicling the AI careers of the final two. Yawn. There was a silly faux expose that revealed Simon Cowell's longtime affair with himself. The best part about this was seeing Randy try to sing and then appear in drag.

The "My Idol" montage opened a whole new can of worms. Worms like these:

**"I Believe I Can Fly" is one of the WORST SONGS EVER!!!! The next person who warbles this atrocity will be required to prove it by leaping from the top of the nearest tall building.

**Some of the "early out" young ladies definitely have an onstage career ahead of them....sadly, that stage features a shiny brass pole....

**Babyface must have done something very, very bad to someone very, very important somewhere along the line. Did you catch the visible wince when the Idolettes butchered one of their notes?

Anyhoo, that is the end of the TV season for me. As I have not other life to speak of, I am at a loss as to what to do with myself for the net few months. Sigh.

Inspired by Monday: Another Meme from Neeka...

2005-05-23T08:54:00.000-04:00

As if I could resist this one: Post your top Ten fave '80's tunes.....Good heavens! How can I pick just ten? Now, dedicated readers have already seen the atrocity that is my 1983 self in the "Mistakes I made as a Kid" meme, so I won't be going there again....but, here are some killer musical options for your "Rad" listening pleasure....

10. Planet Earth -- Duran Duran (My first concert!)
9. Take on Me -- aha (I love aha. I have 4 aha albums. Wanna make something of it?)
8. Synchronicity II -- The Police (Suburban dysfunction meets the Loch Ness Monster. What's not to like?)
7. Solsbury Hill -- Peter Gabriel (Scratch and Melt are two of the best. albums. ever.)
6. Big Country -- Big Country (What was the name of that song by that band?)
5. Head over Heels -- Tears for Fears (Whatever happened to them? They were very cool, despite their odd mullets)
4. Institutionalized -- Suicidal Tendencies (Love that teen angst!)
3. The Perfect Girl -- The Cure (Such a straaaaaaaaaaange girl....)
2. 40 -- U2 (I love playing the "find the obscure Biblical reference" with U2 songs)
1. I Ran -- Flock of Seagulls (A fun song, yes, but it is the most ultimately perfect encapsulated moment of early video music history....The hair....the weird robot women....the basement-wrapped-in-old-sheets.....the one finger keyboard solo....it's a masterpiece........)

Oh, man. I can't keep it to ten. How could these gems miss the cut?

I Believe -- REM
Add It Up -- The Violent Femmes
Come on, Eileen -- Dexy's Midnight Runners
New Song -- Howard Jones
True Faith -- New Order
Oh, Yeah -- Yello
Don't Go -- Yaz
Alive and Kicking -- Simple Minds
Fight for the Right -- Beastie Boys
Senses Working Overtime -- XTC

So there you have it, two lists of ten.....Because, in the 80's, Less was most definitely NOT more. More was more. And then some.

Inspiration Really-Early-Saturday

2005-05-21T07:44:00.000-04:00

OK, Saturday again, but I'm getting earlier and earlier, so maybe someday I'll get this up on Friday as originally promised.....

I'm working on a very exciting project right now that blends computer and traditional craft techniques. I'm also exploring Photoshop Elements 3, despite my DIP (Digital Image Pro) Dependence.

So, here is your challenge: Don't even get up from your computer. USE THAT THANG. Try something new. Your 'puter can be an exciting tool for creativity....Link here to your results!

Inspired by Monday: The Notebook mini-project

2005-05-16T08:56:00.000-04:00

Here it is! My fun and fabulous "Before and After" montage of my groovy new notebook! Yeah, the Kraft is cute enough, but I love what a little scrap patterned paper and some Rub Ons can achieve!

Paper is by Doodlebug, Flower is a cutout from some Chatterbox Sunroom Patterned Paper. Rub ons by Scrapworks (E monogram) and Making Memories (notes). On this project, my Xyron 950 was my BESTEST FRIEND EVAH!

Well....maybe my bestest friend AFTER the nice people at Target, who had that sweet little notebook available for the princely sum of $1.29! My inner cheapskate weeps with joy!

This is a Public Service Announcement.

2005-05-15T15:46:00.000-04:00

If you are anything like me (that is to say LAME), your life pretty much revolves around the TV schedule. Once the kids are finally in bed, it is hard for me to have the energy for much else.....Well, Sunday nights have not been kind to me since the finale of Arrested Development a few weeks ago, but make note!

THE SURVIVOR SEASON FINALE IS ON TONIGHT, SUNDAY NIGHT. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Our mission is to NOT forget this. And then, when it's all over, we must find something else to do with ourselves as we await the Apprentice finale at 9 on Thursday.

Don't even ASK what I'll do with myself NEXT WEEK.

Inspiration Friday! (OK, Saturday. Again. )

2005-05-14T15:30:00.000-04:00

Sorry, kids, apparently, Friday is a lousy day for me to plan posting. I start with the best of intentions, really I do....

I have been Coveting these Post-Its and other assorted paper products from Russel+Hazel. However, as we all know, I am a raving cheapskate and I'm constitutionally incapable of spending Ten Bucks on Post-Its. (Although you know full well that I will cave and spend $8 on these rubber bands. A woman can only take her skin-flintiness so far.....)

Anyhoo, a trip to Target on Friday yielded me a swank option to get me my funky orange-accented paper products without the expense. With any luck, I'll have a chance to doll it up and share on my "Inspired by..." Monday....

Either that, or I'll just cheat and find a Meme I haven't seen yet. It could go either way....You'll see my find eventually. In the meantime, take a gander at all the groovy office stuff at Russel+Hazel. Special Thanks to the ever cool Design*Sponge for turning me on to R+H....my eyeballs thank you, my wallet curses you...but isn't that the way it so often goes?

Musings from the Dollar Store

2005-05-11T15:05:00.000-04:00

I love the Dollar Store, really I do. It is the place to go when you need a flyswatter, or zip cable ties, or an ordinary sink plug. And you can be sure, if I'm ever in the market for an I Heart Jesus mug or a bar of Lux soap clearly marked "Exclusively for sale in Indonesia," Dollar Magic will be my go-to spot. But, today I spotted something that left me scratching my head....Perhaps you, loyal reader, will be able to help me out. What, in the name of all that is holy, is a "Family Hacksaw," and what kind of individual would require such an item?

Cause, clearly, I'm missing out.

Inspired by Monday: Mischief

2005-05-09T10:10:00.000-04:00

Today's "Inspired by...." comes to you courtesy of Illustration Friday, a great site to get your creativity flowing....

This week's theme is "mischief...." and here is my doodle illustrating said concept. Not that I'd know anything about Mischief, mind you....