New Year, New Efforts?

A long overdue hello and how are you to all. Seems 2012 was the year that ate time no matter how hard I tried to stop it. In a few short days a new year will arrive and with that the mind starts checking off things to keep, change or dismiss.

Things to keep: friends and family of course. My job. Those pesky kitties that I would dearly miss should a certain someone ever follow through on the threat of placing them outside when they are bad. Striving to find at least one thing every day that makes me smile or gives hope. To see the bright side. My faith in God and the goodness of men.

Things to change: believe the standards apply here - weight, debt and time management skills. However, I would also like to change my crafting attempts. Step it up, get bold and try entering a few challenges now and then just because I believe my creations are good enough to stand up to scrutiny against others. Master actually making a card following a sketch example. Highest priority - getting this darn room sorted and usable. Yes, I'm still struggling with the aftermath of the move from last spring/summer. Just not enough hours in the day or Pepsi in the world to calm my frayed and frazzled nerves every time I start on the mess. Maybe I need to change how I look at it; not see the mess and get frustrated, rather see a treasure hunt in the offering. I'm bound to discover things I have forgotten I have.

Things to dismiss: this is a tough one. Having to decide what will not work or change and cleansing it from the physical and/or mental realm. Self doubt would be high on the list. Worrying over most things in my life would give self doubt a run for the money. You know in your heart things always work out but that darn brain keeps trying to over rule. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this dilemma so I need to toss that feeling aside. No one is ever truly alone.So out the door shall go self-doubt, worry and fear from that nasty game of what-ifs! As to the physical, look out friends as there might just be things in your mail boxes, when funds permit, that will have you wondering "what was she thinking and why would she send it to me?"

I realize this post might be a bit convoluted and messy; that's the way my brain works. While I have no idea what direction if any this blog will actually take, I intend to give it more attention this year. I am hoping my friends stick with me, sometimes guiding me with their lovable, witty remarks, and always holding me to task. Nothing is better in this journey of life than taking it with friends and family.

Here's to a new year. May it be better, brighter and move at the pace we each desire.

I never do this

Today is what I fondly call "Manic Monday" as I never know what the day will bring after trying to relax (using that word loosely) on the week-end.

As many of my friends know, my craft cave has been in upheaval for many, many months and the longer it goes the less free time I seem to have for attempting to regain control. So on this Manic Monday, I have done something out of the ordinary for me; I decided to take an unscheduled day of vacation (thanks Heidi) to see if I can reign in the damages.

Plan is to get room done by the end of the week-end, no easy task but I really need to start playing again plus I have a project to get started for a sister. Lofty goals for me. To spur me on I am going to show you, much to my chagrin, some of my mess.

 Above is only spot I currently have clear enough to attempt coloring on...right in front of computer. What wonderful distractions they prove to be when I do go up to get organized. Cork is part of board hubby attempted to mount to wall for new bulletin board - not working as they fall off one by one in the middle of the night.

 Table where I should be coloring and creating at... Yes, sadly the bin is full of scraps. So embarrassing.

Enough stalling...need to get going so wish me luck cause here I go. If I haven't surfaced by Sunday, send the authorities. Just saying!

Unexpected Delight

I'm not going to bore you to tears with remorse on not blogging. Life is what it is and yesterday was a beautiful page in mine. No, wasn't productive but it was enjoyable. Weather was magnificent and thanks to a constant wind, I was delighted by the scent of lilacs filling my "craft cave" that is currently more than a bit over whelming. I decided to go out and enjoy the smell close up and see if I could get a photo of the white lilacs which grow in our side yard. Why, you ask? For some reason, I have always loved the white over purple; normally as soon as the white blooms, it rains and turns them an icky, dead flower brown. I wanted a shot to remind me of the beauties they are.

Well, one thing led to another and I decided to snap a photo or two of the purples as I have a stamp for lilacs and have always struggled in capturing the shading correctly. Photo for future reference in the winter months to practice. Here is the first shot and need I remind you, the wind was blowing if it seems a tad blurry.

 While I snapped this photo, my eye was caught by something around the flower. Feel free to enlarge the one above and the next few if necessary to see if you can spot it.

Getting obvious? If only I could capture the smell while taking these, or the excitement of having it land on my hand. This is the best I can recreate and reward you for your perseverance in following through this post.

I normally leave with a parting thought and think this one sums up my post: 

 The butterfly is a flying flower,
The flower a tethered butterfly.
Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun

One last thing to share. As dusk was settling over, I attempted a photo through my living room window. Apparently we have new parents at our house. Yes, momma and papa Cardinal have built a nest in our shrubs. Couldn't resist snapping this of the proud papa watching over the babies while momma was off eating. He gets very nervous as our kitties now have cat TV with the opened front window and are very vocal, trying to lure him closer, while he babysits.  I hope to count how many babies there are over the week-end. 

Here's wishing each of you beauty and enjoyment wherever you are.

Success

Hello to anyone that might be out there yet!

Just popping by to say I actually made a card this week. Hard to believe isn't it. The last five months have gone so quickly in grand baby time and yet so slowly in crafting time. I'd bet my bottom dollar you want to see what I finally created...

Sorry, can't do for two reasons. No, make that three reasons. First, I have been up a really loooong time today and am tired (those who know me will say "so, what's new there?") Two, I did not think to take a nice photo due to the excitement of finishing something I had actually started. Three and most important of all, it's a secret for someone participating in the Secret Pal section of Anything Goes on Paper Craft Planet. I will tell you I am happy with how it turned out and that's saying a lot. Just have a little faith in me.

Oops, I said three reasons when there are actually four. The fourth is the torturous process of relocating a craft area due to a certain little man needing a crib in my house so he learns to take his naps. While I love him to pieces, this move is tearing me to shreds. The stuff you accumulate. Thirteen steps, up and down, over and over...I'm no spring chicken. The fact that the new area has no closet or shelves. At my current rate the move might be complete in June and by July I should be able to work on last year's Christmas cards for my many lovely friends who have been waiting a very long time.

Enough rambling as I need sleep to dream of lazy days doing nothing but coloring while I listen to a little DO in the background. That's what I call a sweet dream...