Literally Literary

I love a good book. Good books seem to be hard to find anymore. I peruse the shelves of the local libraries for hours on end sometimes and only find a gem or two to take home and curl up with for a spell. It seems I have to search longer and harder these days to find something enjoyable.

Today I discovered a web page that just may change all that. It's called Good Reads. Why didn't I think to look for something like this a long time ago?! So many books! So little time!

My reading list for 2011 is quite sparse. My reading time this year has been pathetic. But I hope to change all of that. I hope to scope out some good reads in the near future and buff up my reading list real quick like...

And if anyone out there has any favorites to suggest... please do!

Goals for 2011

Here it is! The 2011 Goals List!

Goal #1: Keep Blogging! I did really well up until the move and computer issues. I think 2011 will be even better, even though I still have no computer and we still need to move into a house at some point! I may even get some iniative and put all my blogs in one place! :)

Goal #2: Marathon! I am absolutely determined to do that marathon. Nothing is going to stop me this time. Nothing.

Goal #3: Family Photo Challenge. I read a blog about a mom that made a point of taking a family photo once a month for the whole year. I think this is a great idea and I'm going to do it. So at some point each month I will beg, bribe, and/or trick my family into a group photo.

Goal #4: Project 365. I will once again be continuing the Project 365 challenge. I've done it for 2 years and I think it helps capture our lives very well. I just hope P365 for 2011 stays caught up. I may change the format to make it a little easier for me this time around.

Goal #5: Webstore. I'm going to continue to develop my webstore. The goal is to have the store up and running by September. If I can't make it happen by then, it'll never happen. Sad, but true.

Goal #6: Debt. We will continue to pay down our debt. It's a sizeable amount, so I know we won't get it all paid this year, but we're going to make a huge dent in it!

Goal #7: Stay Positive! I sometimes let my "pragmatism" get in the way and tend toward the negative. I really want to get away from that. No more sarcasm, no more cynisism, no more. There's no room for negativity here anymore.

Goal #8: Crafting. This year's new skill will be Tatting. I've found several wonderful websites dedicated to Tatting, so I know I'll be able to find help. I'll be slowly acquiring the equipment and then this summer I will begin! I imagine most everyone will get a tatted snowflake for Christmas this year :)

Goal #9: Reading. I'm not going to set a number, because that would take all the fun out of reading. But I do want to read a bit more than the last couple years. So if I make it to 60 or 70 books this year, I'll be happy.

Assessing 2010

My goals list for 2010 was varied and long. I was able to accomplish a few of the items, but most of them are still in progress. 2011 will see the completion of a few more of those goals as well as the birth of some new ones...but I'll post about that later.

1. Blogging. Blogging everyday went really well until my laptop died. I managed to use one of the kids computers for a few weeks until we started the process of moving back to Michigan. With all the hustle and bustle, blogging fell by the wayside. We are still not settled yet, but I've been feeling guilty about my neglected blog, so I thought a recap of 2010 might be a good way to put things into perspective. I still have no computer to call my own, so blogging for 2011 will still be sporadic, though I'm hoping to make a better job at keeping it up this time around.


2. Project 365. Ugh! I really, really tried to make sure I took at least one picture every single day. At first I was upset with myself for missing a day or two, and then a whole span of 11 days went by without a single snapshot. So now I've come to realize that it just wasn't meant to be and I shouldn't beat myself up about it. I haven't printed pictures at all since May. (shudder!) I have been keeping track of my photos and making notes here and there for when I'm ready to assemble the scrapbook, but I'm not nearly as on top of it as I was in 2009. Let's hope 2011 goes a little smoother.

3. Marathon. I started my training right on time. I did very well keeping up, with only a few lazy days. I made it to 15 miles and then we began the very unorganized move to Michigan. Once again my plans to participate in a marathon race have been derailed. But not in 2011! Oh, no! This is the year. I'm doing it.


4. Web Store. I designed the blog header, worked on graphics for the webstore page, even signed up with my store name. I made a handful of objects d'art to sell but never got around to adding them to the site. Again, moving takes a lot out of you.

5. Photo Challenges. Pull out tissue...My Rebel sat in a padded cell for 6 months without a single click of the lens to brighten its days. I didn't take any pictures until Christmas and then it was just normal Christmas stuff. I've had neither the time nor the inclination to participate in a photo challenge...sniff...so sad.

6. Book List. My goal was to double 2009's reading list. I don't think I made it to 82 books this year. I was keeping a detailed list on my laptop, but since it died over 6 months ago I couldn't tell you how many books I've read in 2010. I do know that it's probably very close to the same number as '09. I'm hoping 2011 will see an increase in leisure time for reading as well as better documentation of said reading list!


7. One Little Word: ACTION. The first half of the year saw a lot of action. I was doing quite well with my goals. Moving across the country put a damper on most of those goals, but I still kept them in mind, turning them over, examining them, re-evaluating them. I have a new word in mind for 2011. I'm still mulling it over. I'll let you know what it is as soon as I know for sure that my word choice is the correct one for the new year. That one little word is going to have a huge impact - so it needs to be the right word!

8. Debt. We did manage to pay off the truck loan early, and got rid of one credit card. That was as far as we got. We are still in debt. I seriously dislike being in debt. Debt reduction is still on the goals list for 2011.

9. Homeschool. Things got off to a fairly good start this fall. Even with the moving around the kids were able to maintain their workload. The holidays always set us back, but now that it's the new year, school will once again become our focus. Good things are happening.

Round Up Time! June 2010

1. What books/magazines did I read this month?
Two books: The Queen's Handmaiden, Around the World in 80 Days. Magazines: Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc, Relevant.

2. What movies/TV shows/plays/ect did I watch this month?
The Red Baron, Season 1 of Merlin, Iron Man, Season 1 of Bones, one episode of season 2 of The Tudors, and the pilot for LOST.

3. What fun things did I do with my family/friends this month?
Went to watch the Majors team in playoffs, went to lunch with the Cressman family afterwards. We spent 5 days at the end of the month volunteering at the Little League fields during the 9-10 yr. old tournaments. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of fun, and very tiring :) Mid-month Uncle Todd and Max came to Orlando for a convention. We were able to squeeze in an afternoon of pizza and mini-golf.

Chad and J also had the experience of a lifetime a couple weeks ago when they were invited to go deep sea fishing with some of our baseball friends. They had some amazing fish tales to tell when they got back that night!


4. What gifts did I give/receive?
Father's Day was low key - just a card and an afternoon together. I sent out several birthday and anniversary cards this month.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make this month?
I went thrifting: purple dress, galoshes, camera bag. I also treated myself to the new Skillet CD.

6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have this month?
We're all doing pretty well. J smashed his left index finger in a door. He will definitely be losing the nail. Hopefully it's not too sore next week for his All Star tournaments! He also hasn't had that growth spurt yet. I know it's coming, though. He started complaining about his knee hurting...

7. What were my accomplishments?
Marathon training is in full swing! The kids are almost finished with all their school work for the year.

8. What were my disappointments?
Due to the week of tournaments, my training schedule is off. I missed the last week because we were out so late (and bone weary) that I just could not get up in the mornings to walk.

9. How did I do on my goals?
Posting to my blog everyday has been a challenge, between the virus on my computer and waiting to borrow one of the kids' computers, and the crazy schedules we've been keeping, blogging has taken a back seat. I still have the marathon in my sights and I'm still working on my various photography projects.

10. Anything else noteworthy? Yes! On June 15, 2010 J got the call he's be working towards for 2 1/2 years: The All Stars call! J made the All Stars team this year. Way to go buddy! We're so proud of you :)

Currently Reading...

found on Amazon or your local library :)

I have to admit, I actually started reading this book some time ago. I managed to read about a third of the way into it and then set it aside to read something else. I kept telling myself I just needed to read it and get it over with. I think my problem is that I saw the movie some years ago and it's interferring with my reading. I like to read the book before I see the movie. That way I can visualize the characters my way and enjoy the story from my perspective, rather than the perspective of some Hollywood producer and a gaggle of writers who all want to put their own two cents into it. Hopefully, I can get past the movie scenes playing in my head and enjoy the story my way :)

Project 365: Week 19

Sunday, May 2, 2010 I spent the day looking through my magazines. I also sorted and stored a few since I'd read them several times and had received the newest issues. I love art/craft/scrap magazines!


Monday, May 3, 2010 Look at my cactus grow!


Tuesday, May 4, 2010 When the hot weather rolls around we start making a lot of these. I'm thinking about hopping into Target for another set!


Wednesday, May 5, 2010 Crafting day! Making some napkin rings for the new webstore!


Thursday, May 6, 2010 It's not often I get bored. I was sitting at the table among my crafting/sewing things and found J's little R2D2 toy. I started fiddling around with it and ended up having some fun :)


Friday, May 7, 2010 The kids don't have school today. And J decided to stay in his PJs for a while and watch some cartoons.


Saturday, May 8, 2010 Is it too early to be thinking about Halloween?! Not for me! It's time to start crafting/sewing the costumes!

Library Day

It's time to return some books. I love books. I check out more books than I have room for here in the RV. I stack them everywhere. The bookcase holds all the school stuff, so the library books are stacked on chairs, the floor, next to the couch, next to the filing cabinet, even on the table sometimes. It's rare for me to go to the library and not check out at least a handful of books. Right now I have 68 books checked out and I have a request in for 2 more. Today I will return 23 books, and probably bring home a dozen more :)

The one book I absolutely have to return because I renewed it to the limit:

Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. (click the link to go to Amazon) This book is genius! The recipes are simple, and most of them are everyday kid foods, but made healthier. I can't wait to make some of these recipes. I typed up a lot of recipes out of this book. It's a winner.

INSPIRATION OVERLOAD!

Everytime I get my new Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine my fingers just start itching to create something,

anything. I just need to get out the paper, the pencils, the markers, the glue. I dig out the paints and the brushes. I find my inks and my stamps. I go through the stash, looking for anything I might want to work with. And then I remember...I have no place to work. If it doesn't fit on the kitchen table-ette and it can't be done while perched on my end of the couch, then it's not gonna happen! So I have all these ideas, bubbling around in my head and they're just stuck there. They tool around, sticking themselves into my conversations. They poke their heads out when I try to read a book. They wag their tongues when I start smaller craft projects, screeching with indignation that I chose to do something else. It really does get noisy and crowded up there.

I suppose it's a good thing this whole full-time RV life is coming to an end soon. Just not quite soon enough for my creative self. (She gets a little crabby when I take away the scissors.) So, until that day comes, I'll stick to knitting on the couch and putting pictures into my Project 365 scrapbook.

Round-Up - January 2010

Another great idea, brought to us by Katie the Scrapbook Lady

1. What books/magazines/other did I read this month? According to my 2010 Reading list I've finished 3 books this month: the last 2 Twilight Saga books and The Time Traveler's Wife. But I also have read dozens of knitting and crafting books. I just don't add them to the reading list if I don't read them cover-to-cover! I have 5 magazines I read all the time: Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Scrapbooks Etc., Creating Keepsakes, Taste of Home Healthy Cooking, and Relevant.

2. What movies/TV shows/ plays, etc. did I watch this month? I always watch NCIS! I've also watched Launch My Line, Project Runway, Leverage, White Collar, Bones and the occasional What Not to Wear. I've only watched a few movies - one of them was Happy Gilmore, because J thought it was funny. And I've watched some of my go-to movies: National Treasure, Independence Day and The Mummy.

3. What fun things did I do with my family/friends this month? Most of our family time has been spent at the baseball field, getting the concession stand ready for the season and getting some extra practice time in for J and some of his friends. We did pop into Downtown Disney once, on a cold, windy day. :/

4. What gifts did I give/receive this month? We sent Uncle Todd a package to celebrate his 40th birthday. We found a hunting T-shirt and sent a bunch of funny cards stuffed with balloons, gum, and a ton of birthday party confetti. We also received some of our Christmas gifts from my mom and sister in the mail. That's fun.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make this month? The only special purchase was for Uncle Todd's birthday. The most unusual purchase in Jan. was 4 tanks of LP to heat the RV! Unheard of!

6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have this month? Everyone has been healthy. No issues with the H1N1 virus. We've been drinking our daily mug of hot OJ to keep the sniffles away :)

7. What were my accomplishments this month? I nailed down my goals for the year and got Chad to work with me for the family goals. I'm learning to drink coffee (just for Chad) and I've got a good start on several goals already. My biggest achievement has been posting to my blog every single day!

8. What were my dissapointments this month? My biggest dissapointment was the weather! I haven't been able to walk everyday to train for my marathon. I only managed a few days and the air was so cold I had to stop because I didn't want to get sick. The marathon I want to participate in is in November so I know I've time to train. It's just frustrating. I'm thinking about a YMCA membership since the weather is still ick.

9. How did I do on my goals this month? Excellent, for the most part! See #7&8 above

10. Anything else noteworthy this month?  Chad has been doing a phenomenal job at work. He's at the top. Battling with another guy for the #1 position. And he made bonus level! Yay! One of our family goals is to pay off debt and those bonuses are going to help a whole lot!

I did my round-up!

Journaling Me: Hobbies

This is the post #1 for my year-long Journaling Me Project. I will be randomly selecting a question from a jar full of journaling strips and recording my stories for future generations to enjoy. Many of the questions can be found here. I also added a few questions pulled from this book. So here we go!


What are some of your hobbies right now?

I have a zillion hobbies right now! Okay, not really a zillion, but I do have quite a few and a few more I'd like to give a try! The list:  reading, scrapbooking, sewing, embroidering by hand, knitting, crochet, photography, making dreads, and various other crafty things. Even origami!

mosaic by BigHugeLabs
LtoR Row 1: Hand-embroidered victorian crazy quilt for Kate; Hand-embroidered Tudor cuff for Tudor gown; scrapbook layout J and trains; me taking a picture of me; dreads for E
Row 2: Snow White dress for Kate; Temari gift; scrapbook layout K's freckles; ATC trade, Temari gift
Row 3: Halloween 2008; Halloweeen 2007; Me in natural look dreads; red petticoat for Tudor gown; photography challege of hands - baby Kate
Row 4: Chad's new scarf; Hand-embroidered victorian crazy quilt for Connor; fav book; camera book; hand-embroidered forepart skirt for Tudor gown project
Row 5: fav book; crafting paints; crocheted roses; me reading; mini origami project