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I have become addicted to blogs, so here are random thoughts, usually
sparked by connecting to others through bloglines.com.
 
Check out Self Portrait Tuesday
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Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Self Portrait Tuesday - My 1st ATC (Artist Trading Card)
You know that Eric is my lobster, my soul mate, my missing parts. I wanted to express how much a part of me he
is....
I love how this turned out! I have had this card on my mind since I played with my Ardirondack Alcohol Inks!
I wanted something very special to use my flower on. I got this paper at Target - the Hannah collection. It has
just the right colors and swirls in it to complement the flower and the rub-ons. It all just sort of fell together -
after I dreamed about it for a while!
This is kind of hard to tell, but it is the back of the white card. I called my card "Blending" because of the
blending of the colors and the blending of the souls. I loved the Bronte quote. It seemed to be waiting for this
ATC........and for my lobster......:0)
10:41 pm est
Monday, January 30, 2006
Meme Challenge 01.30.06
ScrapladyB is back from Canada!
The rebirth of nature after winter. Budding plants and
trees. Imagine. What do these pictures inspire in you? Write about it.
Winter is my favorite season. Physically, I feel
better, without all the pollen and molds. In winter, I feel a snug sense that something is waiting, something is coming.
I feel a meditative, kind of hibernation in myself, when I ponder and think deep thoughts. Many deep thoughts are about
wishing for more snow days!
But I do love to see the buds slipping up through the earth.
It awakens me, refreshes me, tells me that it is time to move, to breathe, to get out and see. I like spring time, but
I love the winter time of reflection.
11:05 pm est
Who Could It Be Now?
I went to Scribbles and played with the dollmaker. It is addictive and fascinating. This is my avatar.
What I wish I looked like. Oh well. 
Today's Blog Challenge
List top 5-10 strength of yours as a scrapbooker.
List top 5-10 weakness of yours as a scrapbooker.
Strengths:
1. I dream my best scrapbook layouts. The one I won 1st place at the Atlanta Scrapbook Expo in 2004 about
my dad's garden (it is still posted there!) I dreamed for at least 3 nights in a row. Couldn't get it out of my head
until I got it on paper.
2. Thinking outside of the box.
3. My journaling is my strongest feature.
4. My photography is getting better and better.
5. Being inspired by other scrappers' work.
Weaknesses:
1. I am VVEERRYY SSLLOOWW!
2. I get intimidated by other scrappers and their opinions of me. I find it VERY hard to scrap at crops,
unless it is our dedicated group of Twisted Sisters Scrappers - they don't scare me! They loves me!
3. I buy and buy and buy and don't use!
4. I have the tendency to hang onto a page and move stuff around and change papers, for hours, sometimes days.
I want to express a whole feeling, with every part of the layout.
5. I spend too much time talking and thinking about what others are doing, and not enough time on my own layouts.
It is better for me to crop by myself.
Date Night With My Man
Eric and I went to an Asheville Bravo Concert
last night. It was so fun! The concert was the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra with the Silent Films of Chaplin,
Keaton & Lloyd. It was amazing! This 11 piece ensemble, using vintage 1920's instruments played the
original scores or period music while we watched the silent movies above them! It was a riot! The percussionist
went nuts, making all kinds of sound effects, quacking like a duck, barking through a megaphone! It was very cool, and
we both enjoyed it very much.
Before going in to the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, we parked in the garage across the street. I thought
it was very appropriate that our parking spot wall had this graffiti on it:
The nose is kind of chipped off, but the rest is very much Charlie Chaplin! Of the three films we
saw, his physical comedy was the best. I enjoyed his intelligence, even though he was a convict! The pink
letters underneath Charlie say "Truthseeker". I don't know why that sparked me so much, but I found it very inspiring!
After we came out, wading through all of the elderly people who were getting back on their buses, we got
back to the car. I freaked when I saw my passenger door open a crack! I gasped and yanked open the door, than
ran around to the driver's back door. I was desperately afraid that my wonderful Sony CDMAVICA digital camera would
be gone. I hadn't even downloaded my pictures from All Soul's! I almost burst into tears when the camera was still
there! Nothing was taken, and we finally determined that when whichever one of us shut the door (neither of us remember
doing it!), the selt belt buckle got caught in the lock and it didn't close. I was so excited to take Charlie's picture,
my mini mind was far away. God blessed me by watching out for my camera (and my car!)
Before the concert, Eric and I ate at Outback. We talked about a post here, when I listed my top 5
movie moments. Eric guessed two of my movies correctly, Roman Holiday and To Kill A Mockingbird,
but guessed the wrong scenes. I think he was grossly disappointed that I chose Dirty Dancing as one!
Of his 5 favorites, I guessed correctly on the scene from Casablanca and Bullitt.
I got the right movie with the Rocketeer, but the wrong scene. We love the same things, most of the
time, so it was neat to be able to pick right. We should have gone on the Newlyweds Game!
Survivor Courtney & the 4 Agreements
I was interested to read in Courtney's bio that her favorite book is The
4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. I was impressed, because it is not the general fare that I expect most
Survivors to have read. But I was surprised that she used to live in a cave in India, so I guess she's an open-minded
chick.
I was referred to the 4 Agreements by my osteopath,
Dr. William Anderson, The Anderson Pain Clinic, Fletcher, NC. Other than my husband, he is the only man who lays
his hands on me. He lays hands on Eric, too! He works miracles by moving the bones in my head and readjusting
my skeleton and muscles. Sometimes, it is truly amazing the relief he gives. Dr. Anderson tells me that true healing
will not come until a person heals themself, mentally and spiritually. I think it will be interesting to watch
Courtney and how she interacts with the other Survivors, whether she will be able to keep the 4 agreements:
1. Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity and say
what you mean. That makes it hard to lie!
2. Don't take anything personally. Nothing others do is because
of you. On Survivor, every action has a reaction.
3. Don't make assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions
and to express clearly what you really want.
4. Always do your best. Under any circumstances, simply do your
best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret. That is what a true survivor is, isn't it?
This should be interesting! Can't wait for the premiere!
Sunday, January 29, 2006
If I won the lottery, I would.......
Have you ever thought about what you would do if you had all the money you would ever need? I have! :0)
One of the things I would do is buy this old house and restore her to her former beauty. I love this place.
It is in Glen Alpine, NC and sits up on a hill, looking out on a fabulous view of Tablerock Mountain. I would love to
see her as she was in her glory days. I am afraid that she is very decayed and unsafe. But, if you look closely,
you can still see glimpses of her unique and quiet beauty.
Isn't she beautiful! Wish she was mine.....
Play? What is play?
I got a gift certificate for AC Moore's from my mom for Christmas, and I knew exactly what I wanted: those alcohol
inks I have been coveting for months!
So, for the play assignment in our fun book, I decided to use the inks. I used them on an old sticker insert.
It was a thin acrylic-like insert to keep the package stiff. I just played with the colors and blending solution, and
this is what I came up with! I LOVE my alcohol inks!
I had a bear of a time trying to stitch together this scan, so it is shown separately.
 I have been saving these Basic Grey letters for a long time, but I liked the colors very much for this. I wrote what
I consider things to do as play.
I had an absolute blast playing with the alcohol inks. Of course, I got them all over the place, but I learned
quickly how to manipulate them. Don't you just love the vibrant colors?!
I love how the colors "bloom" when I add the blending solution. It was amazing to watch. I thought it would
dilute the bold colors, but it just made them even more fluid so that they could move and join other colors. This reminds
me of an abstract painting! I love that this piece of transparent what-ever-it-was has a holde already punched in it,
so that I can use it as a tag if I want to. I really enjoyed my playtime last night!
Tonight I alcoholed an acrylic button and rectangular tag, as well as a Heidi Swapp clear ghost flower. Wow!
Loved it!
(Didn't so much love getting it on my overalls....hope it comes out or tones down a bit!)
UR2 Cre8tive Assignment for Thursday, January 26, 2006
Stacy's assignment for Thursday was:
Go inside a really old public building, like a church, library,
or courthouse. Spend at least 15 minutes wandering around, reading signs and observing people.
Well, once again, I adapted the assignment to me and my schedule. I had to go to the allergist on Friday
morning, so I put my camera in my car, fully intending to meet Eric when I came back at the Crooked Door Coffeehouse to do
my observations. But something captured my attention and changed those plans.
As I drove past All Soul's Episcopal Cathedral in Biltmore Village, Asheville, NC, I was distracted again by
the pattern of the red clay, tube-shaped tiles. Eric has always commented on how beautiful the church is inside.
Well, I decided that I would use this opportunity to observe for details.
I went into the church because the door was standing open. Normally, I would never have gone in, concerned
that I would be interrupting someone's worship or prayer. But, I felt impowered, invited to come into the Lord's house.
I am so profoundly glad that I did.
 This serene moment was just inside the right side of the chapel. The light was wonderful and I felt so at peace.
 The windows in the room were full of light, the wavy glass distorting the businesses across the way. I fell in love
with the leading patterns and was very excited the way this one turned out.
 I was inspired to take this picture. It is sort of hard to tell what it is, but I think it turned out so cool!
It is a huge chandelier with glowing bulbs. I stood directly underneath it, and I had to bend backwards almost double
to try to get it in frame. I finally couldn't see the camera frame anymore and just shot and hoped for the best.
I love the way some of the stained glass windows are visible through the spokes, especially along the bottom.
 I loved that I could get so close to the stained glass windows that flank the entry doors. The colors are amazing!
I felt such envy that someone had the blessed talents to create such a breathtaking work of art in worsip of our Lord!
 The colors, textures, and glow of this small section of the window attracted me from the first moment. I love the way
the light from the outside illuminates the colors and makes them so full and rich. It is a beautiful work of art.
I am so thankful to Stacy for suggesting this assignment. It meant a lot to me to visit this church.
The communion I felt with the worship that goes on there was so intimate, so fresh. I thank Stacy for this special glimpse
of faith.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Meme Challenge 01.28.06
Scrapladyb is visiting her sweet daughters, so I decided to post a Meme challenge myself. I really enjoy the reflection
process. It makes me feel good to think back, to put it down on "paper". So this is my challenge.
What are the top 5 movie moments that stand out in your memory? Not the movies themselves, but specific scenes that cried
out to you, whether they made you laugh hysterically or sob like a child. What made those moments so special? Why do you still
remember them today?
1. My all-time favorite movie is To Kill A Mockingbird. My favorite actor, Gregory Peck,
is the perfect example of a real Southern gentleman, someone to respect and imitate for their courage, decency, and honor.
This film has so many scenes that speak to me personally, that challenge my perceptions, that just make me downright angry.
The one that I always remember, and have shared with many students over the years, is the end of the trial scene. His
client has been found guilty, even though we know he is innocent. The packed courthouse empties in victory, leaving
Atticus Finch standing at his table, crushed by the victory of ignorance and racism. He slowly walks out, and the
upstairs gallery for Blacks, still full, to a man stands silently to show him respect. Everyone except his
daughter, Scout. The elderly black man that tells her to stand because her father is passing makes such a simple, eloquent
statement with that act. It fills me to the brim, every time.
2. I first saw the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice until about 9 years ago. Since
then, I have seen it probably 30 times. When I get tired of ignorance, and need to hear formal, well-spoken English,
I turn it on. Of course, it helps that I love Mr. Darcy. THE SCENE is the moment in this picture, which 2peas
Wende sent me last week!
 He can't take it anymore and declares his love for her has not changed, but if she doesn't return his feelings, he will be
silent forever.
Well, we all know her answer!
"Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth...."
Oh, hand me another hanky!
It gets me every time!
So when Eric wants to put me in a really good mood, he leans over and whispers, "Dearest....."
3. Roman Holiday is such a classic. I show it to my 4th graders at Valentines. At
first, they are disgusted with me. Fifteen minutes into it, they'd rip my arm off if I tried to turn it off. I
have so many favorite moments. The guitar bashing, the hair cut, the wild ride on the scooter. Audrey Hepburn
is amazing! My favorite moment has to be the end of the film. Princess Anne realizes that Joe is really a reporter.
How crushed she is, and yet she goes through the motions that are expected of her. I squall like a baby EVERY TIME Eddy
Albert hands her the envelope of pictures. And the look in their eyes!! Oh for love like that! My 4th graders
bawl. All of them. Yeah!
4. Dirty Dancing. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." Oh my. The whole dancing finale,
leaping off the stage, thrusting your hips, moving your feet, grabbing onto granny to dance moment. Just love it.
Patrick Swayze is fine on the eyes.
5. The Elephant Man. That whole movie tears me to pieces. When John quotes scripture
and the doctor realizes for the first time that this poor wretch is intelligent, mentally normal, it is astounding.
Wonderful acting. I love black and white films, but Anthony Hopkins at this moment is one of my favorite b/w memories.
Haunting.
6. Need to add a new favorite. Bend It Like Beckham. I just love the scene at the
wedding, flipping back and forth from the game. Love the culture clashes!
Thursday, January 26, 2006
The Scary Snausages Have a Life of Their Own!
I can't believe how many emails and thread posts I have received to tell me how cute my toes are and to smack Eric
for saying they're ugly! I have also come to be thankful that I do not have to shave the snausages!!!
Here are my fun journal motto pages:
 Sorry for the scan! You get the general idea! I love doing these projects!
Creativity Fun Book Covers: Serenity
I finally quit fiddling with it. I so enjoyed just pulling out pens, stamps, and paints! I love my Heidi
Swapp ghost flower. The jewel in the middle is from a Christmas sweater I bought my Mom. "Thanks. Can I
cut the stones off?" Oh well, at least they got some use!
I think my favorite part was making the circles. I used a roll of tape and a penny and made dots, which I covered
with my Gelly Roll pens. They were fun!
A word that has come to mean a lot to me lately is "serenity". I felt empowered to place it on my book. And
I loved my wisdom bear and kokopelli stamps. I never have found a use for them until now. Cool.
I love my Creativity Journal!
I Do Not Do Bells. No Ting-a-ling.
Well, my creativity assignment was to wear a bell on my shoe and as I listened to it all day to remind myself
to be creative. Uh huh. Don't like random noises. Would be postal by lunchtime.
I decided to adapt the Bell Challenge to my own personality. Instead of a bell to draw my attention,
I decided to wear my special necklace. I don't wear a lot of jewelry anyway, so every time I wear this piece, it constantly
catches my attention. I also always get a lot of compliments on it, and I enjoy sharing its interesting history.
I don't know much about the origins of the piece or where it came from originally. It was given to
me by my mother-in-law, Madge, who passed away in 1997. She told me that when my husband Eric was born in Tripoli, Lybia,
he was a rarity in that area of Africa: a red-head. Apparently, Mohammed was also thought to be a red head, and
so Eric was considered very lucky. This necklace was given to Madge when she and Neal brought Eric home from the AFB
hospital. The people in the town they lived in had a celebration in the streets, a festival of sorts, that lasted for
several days. Everyone wanted to see the red-headed child and bless him.
I totally lost this necklace in the several moves we have made. I found it again after Madge had passed
away. I nearly threw it away before I realized what it was. The pendant part has a long pin through it.
When you pull up on the bottom three beads, you can spin the bottom, making the colors flash in the light! I vaguely
remember Madge saying something about it being a prayer necklace. I wish I knew more about its purpose and history.
Whenever I wear this colorful, unique keepsake, I feel beautiful, arty, and creative. I chose this
to replace my bell, "ringing in a newer, fresher, more creative me." I had a wonderful, creative
day!
Meme Challenge 01.26.06
Since Valentines Day is just around the corner, I thought I would offer
up a meme challenge all about.. you guessed it, love- specifically, unconditional love. Here it is: Who do you love unconditionally?
What does being loved unconditionally mean to you? Have you ever been loved unconditionally? By whom?
Feel free to
journal the way you like, make lists, however you want to express yourself. I recognize for some, this may be an easy subject,
for others, it could be very painful.
Treasure your writings, what comes out of your pen or on your computer screen. Journal
your heart.
Oh my. Scrapladyb, this is HARD.
My gut reaction is to tear up and feel so sad. Unconditional.
That is God's love for me, and I hope mine for Him.
But to love unconditionally means without jealously, without
anger, without ill feelings......I feel these and more in my deepest heart of hearts. I am ashamed to admit it that
jealously has nearly shredded my soul on more than one occasion and anger has darkened many a day with my beloved. I
always love him, but does he always love me? Some nights more than others, some days not at all? I think it is
so hard to always like my man. But I always love him.... And my smelly son! How many times have I started
a rebuke with, "I will always love you, but I don't even like you right now!" Unconditional love..... is that
humanly possible?
I remember when Josh was a tiny baby and he wouldn't go to sleep
without being rocked and whispered to. Once again I tear up and I am so sad for those times! Our lives are so
complicated now! But no matter what has come, there is always the love. On especially bad hormone-driven
days, there was love. When money was absent, love was present. When death ravaged us, love was there. Unconditional
love. Yes.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Meme Challenge 01.25.06
BonnieRose says:
Here it is, this may stretch some of you I am not sure. Let's see if you have
thought of this before, I got this idea from taking Beth's class at Big Picture Scrapbooking, Color Me Happy Album for Week 2! Here is the challenge: When you're feeling creative,
what colors do you usually go for - when creating something?
List your 5 most-used colors, and explain
why you choose them. What feelings in you - do they evoke? What emotions/feelings do they represent to you? Share why you
choose the colors you do.
My most-used/favorite colors are:
1. Green seems to be the shade that speaks to me most. On "My Dad's Last Garden", I spent two hours in AC Moore, wandering with pictures in hand, looking for the exact shade to represent the new spring
growth. Green brings me alive, except for those pukey shades, which really turn me.
2. Blues. All shades of blue. Blues are my serenity shades.
3. Red and all shades of it seem to be my inspired color. When I've done something off the track for me,
it usually has something to do with RED. (That doesn't explain my blue sequined hooker skirt!)
4. I feel at peace with lavenders and tans, browns. I guess these are my Earth connection colors.
5. The two colors I tend to wince at and never use are orange and yellow. If I use either, I have to be in
a very special mood and the color has to be a distinct shade, usually very bright.
Color is usually the first thing that attracts me, followed quickly by texture.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Thank you, God, for giving me evidence of your presence today!
I know that God is watching over my shoulder!! He has been
reading my blog!! How do I know? Well, on Sunday, I answered Bonnie Rose's Meme challenge below:
MeMe Challenge 01.22.06 :
If
you knew you would live to be 100, and on that day, you looked back on your life, what would you have liked to accomplish
with your life???
List 5 things that right now, as
you think about this, you KNOW without a doubt - these things are things you want/have
to get done!
This was part of my response:
3. I want to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that in some way, I made
a difference in the lives of my students. Even if it is just one child. I want to know that having me as a teacher
made the difference in some child's life.
ARE YOU READY FOR EVIDENCE THAT GOD LOVES ME AND LISTENS TO MY PRAYERS??
I was handed a phone message today as our 4th graders practiced for PTO tonight. I didn't feel great, the
kids were being goobers, and I needed a nap. I looked down at the message, and God whispered in my ear:
Thank you Lord, for being with me today. Thank you for inspiring me to get up tomorrow
and do it all again. Thank you for giving me evidence of your love.
Self Portrait Tuesday
Meme challenge early! 1.24.06 (2Peas)
Got this idea from my blogging friend, Elaine... Thanks Elaine.. great idea for a challenge!
Here
it is:
What makes you strong? How do you know that you are a strong
person?
List the things that come to mind, when you think of your strength. How did you get strong? Was it from
life experiences, people, or a combination? How has it shaped your life and who you are today?
1. I am strong through the Southern Heritage and teachings of my parents, particularly
my Mother. She has molded my belief system by example and through stories of family hardships, of growing
up through the Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. I am who I am,
because she is who she is: the most beautiful woman I know.
2. I am strong because I am an introvert. I pull situations into myself, slow
to act, long to reason. I give myself time to be away from the center of attention, so that I can perceive the
nuances of relationships and complexities of issues. I let others lead the charge, giving strength of resolve.
Knowing myself allows me understand others.
3. I am strong. I know because I have survived. Having a child with differences
is shockingly difficult some days. How can a mother face a child that in one instant I would change to be like others
just to make things easier, and, in the next second, praise God for choosing me to nuture this tender soul into adulthood.
Being Josh's mother has been and will always be a crucible that burns hot and painfully, to reveal a pure love that will stand
all trials. God, help me to remember this.
4. I am strong because of the good people in my life. When I have fallen down,
they are there to lift me up and give me back the strength I need. My Twisted Sisters at school, my family, my son,
my darling husband. He's my Mr. Darcy, my Homer Simpson, my Captain Kirk.
5. Lord Jesus, I thank you for giving me laughter. Without you and laughter,
I wouldn't make it through an hour. Thank you for Smelly Cats, for Night With The Stars, for truly Twisted Sisters,
and snausage toes with chrome blue polish. I just know you are laughing with us! And at us!
I am woman! Hear me roar! Hear my toenails click on the
floor! :0)
Monday, January 23, 2006
Haven't Been Tagged, But I'm Inspired to Do It!
Four Jobs You Have Had In Your Life:
1. Cashier at Winn-Dixie. Learned many life lessons there.
2.
Potters Apprentice/Museum Docent/Teaching Assistant - Berea College
3. Michaels framing department. LOVED the job,
HATED the coworkers.
4. Teaching since 1985. My most fulfulling job, most difficult.
Four Movies You Would Watch Over and Over:
1. BBC miniseries Pride & Predjudice (my most favorite movie)
2. To Kill A Mockingbird. Gregory
Peck IS Atticus Finch.
3. Roman Holiday. Audrey Hepburn & Gregory Peck. Awesome.
4. Serenity. New favorite. Love these
goofy, but real characters.
Four Places You Have Lived: (sorry, I many)
1. Born in Greeneville, SC,
Donaldson AFB 1962
2. Savannah, GA
3. Tacoma, WA, McCord AFB
4. Homestead AFB, FL
5. Rhine Mein AFB, Germany
6. Berea, KY (colleg)
7. Marion and Faith, NC
8. San Antonio, TX
Four TV Shows You Like To Watch:
1. Star Gate1
2. Star Gate Atlantis
3. The Closer (favorite! "Thank You!")
4. All CSIs, but mostly Vegas
5. Survivor
6. Big Brother
7. The Amazing Race
8. Lost
Four Places You Have Been On Vacation:
1. Charleston
2. France, Germany, Switzerland 3 week trip
3. Nova Scotia - honeymoon
4. Crow Canyon Archaeological Center - 4 weeks Awesome!!
Four Websites You Visit Daily:
1. Two Peas in a Bucket
2. bloglines.com to read my blog feeds
3. Learning In Hand Handhelds Discussion Forum
4. National Weather Service - teachers love SNOW!
Four Favorite Foods:
1. Potatoe soup
2. Outback's Walkabout Onion Soup !!
3. egg and chorizo breakfast tacos
4. anything with peanut butter!
Four
Places I Would Rather Be Right Now:
1. England
2. Ireland
3. Scrapbook Expo
4. Sound to Sea
beach retreat
5. Watching Pride & Prejudice......again!
Creativity Signs and Vitamins
Last night, I was too agitated to go to sleep, because I had not done my signs, nor started on my fun book. So
I opened my binder of embellishments and decided to use the first things that caught my attention. I grabbed a filmstrip
frame that I was "saving" and knew I would never use. I yanked out stickers and a few odds and ends, but then I saw
my cardstock bottlecap stickers. With the eyes. Oooooo. I was done with both signs in less than 20 minutes.
That is indeed a record for me.
Bathroom mirror sign. Husband comes to bed muttering, "I am creative." Slap.
I totally loved this one! Serendipity. The transparent film strip showed the rain that I wanted to, the eye
sticker and letters jump out, and, in the mirror, you can see our school light house and buses, which are major symbols in
my life. Wicked!
I was shocking at school! I pulled off my sock and toed Jen! Ha! She loved it! Thanks, Jen.
You get me. Not everybody does. Hmmm.
I don't like to eat unwrapped candy that's been touched by who-knows-whose fingers, especially on a table next to the
restroom. :0)
So I bought wrapped Reese's Hearts instead of Skittles. I put them in the teacher's lounge with this sign.
By the end of the day, they were all gone! Creativity spread!
At the end of the day, I emailed everyone and told them that if they had their Creativity Vitamins today, they had homework!
I told them they had to do something creative today, and I gave them a challenge to do Bonnie Rose's Meme Challenge for today
( http://alifeunrehearsed.blogspot.com/):
Meme challenge 1.23.06 (2Peas)
It's Monday the start of a brand new week. Wanted to post something that
was fun to do, and yet still introspective. Here it is:
List the 5 people you would love to meet in your lifetime, and
why. These people can be either alive or dead. If it was possible to meet someone that had already passed on.. who would it
be? If it's someone now alive, who would it be? Don't forget to share WHY you chose this person. WHY you feel you NEED to
meet them. What would you talk about? What would you ask them? What would you want to learn from them?
Nancy responded and even checked
here! Awesome! Thanks, Sister! I hope other sisters will respond with creativity....
I wore my ribbon today to remind
me to stop and take in the details of my life. I must admit, I walked around smiling a lot more than I usually do on
a Monday. I used two charms on mine, just to make a personal statement to myself: "magic" and a pebbled heart.
There is magic and love everywhere you are, if only you will believe. I love hugs and "I love you"s from my students.
Pure magic.....
It has been such a blessed day.
Thanks, Stacy. You're bringing out things in me that I forget are important.
Meme Challenge 01.23.06
It's Monday the start of a brand new week. Wanted
to post something that was fun to do, and yet still introspective. Here it is:
List the 5 people you would love to meet
in your lifetime, and why. These people can be either alive or dead. If it was possible to meet someone that had already passed
on.. who would it be? If it's someone now alive, who would it be? Don't forget to share WHY you chose this person. WHY you
feel you NEED to meet them. What would you talk about? What would you ask them? What would you want to learn from them?
1. Jesus Christ, the Lord.
2. Jane Austen, my favorite writer.
I love the time period she wrote from. She straddled the upper and middle classes, associating with members of both.
I would love to understand her perceptions of the class society. I also recently read that she probably had Asperger's
Syndrome, which is the autism diagnosis that my son has. I just know that I would feel so connected with her!
3. Anne McCaffrey is my favorite Science
Fiction writer. I would love to visit her on her farm in Ireland and talk about the world of Pern and the dragon riders
she created!
4. My Daughter-In-Law. She isn't
here yet, but somewhere, out there (can you hear Fievel the mouse singing?) there is a sweet, weird, compassionate, loving,
dear of a girl who is going to accept my sweet boy for what he really is deep inside. I so look forward to meeting the
woman who is going to make my son a happy man.
5. Laura Ingalls Wilder's life has
always fascinated me. I would love to meet her and learn lessons from her about family, loving, cooking, and raising
children of strength and faith.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Self Portrait Tuesday
Stacy Julian told me to...........
For Stacy's "UR2 Creative" class, I had to paint my toenails in an unusual way. Well, it is unusual for me to paint
the buggers at all, since it is difficult for me to reach them, seeing as how my knees refuse to bend and my arms refuse to
grow. Besides the fact that my husband says I have the ugliest toes known to mankind, calling them "snausages".
So, after much grunting and contorting, I finally got them done, with more polish on the toes than on the nails. That's
when I realized I was out of remover. Sigh. So, when I got an up close look at the snausages, OH MY SWEET LORD,
they do look like cocktail weiners!! So I did some creative editing, just so I could bear to look at them on the world
wide web!
 I inverted the colors and liked how this made the daisies pop out of my toes. Strange.....
 I did the stamp filter and realized that five-headed, one-eyed aliens were inhabiting my body....stranger.
And here they are!! The Scary
Snausages!!!!! I did, however, enjoy my chrome blue polish!
Here is what the inside of my Creativity Fun Book looks like NAKED. Or as we say in the South, nekkid. I
will post again when I get something creative done to it.
And here is my nekkid fun journal, just waiting for me to lose my mind on it. Can't wait!!!!
Inspired by Joanna Bolick
I am fascinated by Joanna's work, and I feel a kind of "loyalty" to her, since she lives somewhere in Fletcher.
I'd love to meet her someday! (Okay, enough stalking.)
She loves that American Express ad series that I just adore, my favorite being Kate Winslet. She challenges us
to respond with our own list. So, first step, here. Then, scrap.
My name: Elaine Waters
childhood ambition: to be a veteranarian, to read all of the Doc Savage books (!)
fondest memory: Eric's "Blue Footed Booby" dance
soundtrack: "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" episode "Once More With Feeling" where everyone sings and dances (Ooooo,
Spike!)
retreat: Trinity Center, Bogue Banks, NC outer banks
wildest dream: win the lottery, start learning buses to visit every state
proudest moment: winning the Atlanta Scrapbook Expo page contest with my first ever on-my-own layout about my Dad's
passing
biggest challenge: physical ailments asthma-allergies-diabetes-weight
alarm clock: Eric's snores, Josh laughing at cartoons at the crack
perfect day: on the beach, camera and bucket in hand
first job: Winn-Dixie cashier
indulgence: scrapbooking stash
last purchase: 8 pack toilet paper, quart milk, 2 Yoplait yogurts
favorite movie: BBC "Pride and Prejudice" (seen going on 30 times)
inspiration: colors, textures, age
My life: so blessed, with so little effort on my part. Thank you, Lord
My card (okay, you can skip that one)
MeMe Challenge 01.22.06
Meme challenge:
If you knew you would live
to be 100, and on that day, you looked back on your life, what would you have liked to accomplish with your life???
List 5 things that right now, as
you think about this, you KNOW without a doubt - these things are things you want/have
to get done!
1. I want to look at my son and the family he creates. I am so afraid that he will be lonely, as autistic
children almost always are. But there is a difference between being lonely and being alone. I don't want him to
live his life alone, but filled with love and family.
2. I want to know that my family and friends have seen the Lord in my life and that He lives in their hearts, too.
3. I want to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that in some way, I made a difference in the lives of my students.
Even if it is just one child. I want to know that having me as a teacher made the difference in some child's life.
4. I want to be healthy, in body, mind & spirit, to reach 100 years! I must do something now to make
that happen.
5. I want to live debt free, so that Eric and I can travel this wondrous world we live in, without worry of cost.
When we are old(er), I want to be able to recollect exotic places, spiritual chances, delicious moments. All with my
beloved.
Meme Challenge 1.21.06
Here it is:
List
the 5 events/things/or people, that have made the most impact on your life.
Events, places, or people, that have
made a mark on your life, as you're living it now.
1. Rededicating my life to Christ. I was saved when I
was thriteen, but I have wandered far away from my tether to my faith. I rededicated my life to my Lord in January 2006,
thanking Him daily for the wonderous gift He has given me.
2. The death of my beloved, quirky Dad (aka "Cowboy") on my
parents' 46th Wedding Anniversary, has changed my life in a myriad spectrum, from tiny floats of memory, to bone-jarring crashes
of grief. We daily miss you, Cowboy.
3. My Mother, who is my friend, my inspiration, my judge, my conscience,
my co-conspiritor, my spritiual counselor, my mentor, my lifeline. Daily bringing clarity and love.
4. Joshua McLean Waters. My darling, smelly, totally weird, lovable,
heart-breaking young man. My only child to survive, the one God meant for me to bring into life and nurture. His
daily navigation of Asperger's directs the flow of my life and my future. Thank you for this child, Lord.
5. Always first, always there, my Eric. You are my lobster, my breath,
my first and last thought, the warp of the tapestry that is our life together. No other would cat sing to me, dance
the Blue-Footed Booby Dance for me, finish thoughts for me, woo me with "Dearest, loveliest..." .....complete me.
I love you, my dearest.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Meme Challenge 1.20.06
List 5 things that consistently worry you - each day.
By opening ourselves up, we always learn more about ourselves.
This would make a great layout/scrapbook page in our albums.. for people in our lives down the road, to really catch a glimpse
of the person we truly are, deep inside.
Be honest.
Be real.
What worries you? I know we all need to worry less,
because really we should only be concerned about today.. but let's face it, we all have worries. What are yours?
1. Everyday, I worry about how others will treat my son, who has Asperger's Syndrome (see autism links below).
I ask God every day to put a shield around Josh, to help others see the unique qualities he has, to ignore the silliness,
to care about him and others like him.
2. I worry about the homes that my students come from. Many come to school hungry, ill, sad.
I wish that I could help them more than just teaching them. I pray for them and that they will learn to make good decisions.
3. I worry that I will let others down. I don't know how or why, but that I won't meet expectations in
some way and drop the ball.
4. I worry that my brothers are not happy and I worry that my mother will succumb to her desperate grief and
desire to die so that she can be with my dad and our Lord in Heaven.
5. I worry that I am not the wife I should be, in so many ways. Eric is my lobster, my one and only,
my soulmate. I worry that I will disappoint him in some way.
Meme challenge 1.19.06 (2Peas) Weird Habits
OK, here's a good one.
List 5-10 of your most weird habits.
They can be anything. Do you have any weird habits?? Maybe you don't think they are weird but others do..?? This would
be a really honest and insightful scrapbook page/entry into your journal, don't you think?? Let your hair hang down today
and be honest with yourself.
1. Clearing my throat has become a bad habit, but it is asthma induced, rather than an
attempt to get attention.
2. I appear to have a weird habit of strange illnesses. Evidence my sprained
knee while dancing in the school show, hormone-induced road rage, psuedo tumor cerebrii.....it it just me?
3. I have noticed that I have a weird reaction to some of my students who are also "weird".
Maybe we are too much alike, and it freaks me.
4. I have developed a work-stress habit that is just stupid. I find myself deep
in thought and tugging on my left eyebrow! Even potentional brow baldness doesn't make me stop! Ack!
5. I am developing weird scrapbooking-related behaviors that concern me and dh, dh. LOL,
hth, tfl, oh my.......
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
9:20 pm est
2Peas MeMe Challenge 1.18.06
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