Color Me Monday, 5-11-09

Gosh! I have kind of gotten carried away with posting today, haven't I? I hope you don't mind but I just couldn't take it. I just couldn't walk away from my office today without creating a card using this week's Color Me Monday (www.jeanettelynton.com) combo and share it with you.

The Close To My Heart colors are: desert sand, bamboo, vanilla cream and juniper. Click on the image to see it larger if you'd like. I had fun making this one. I tend to gravitate toward strong colors. These soft colors were a little bit different than something I would normally think of but I love the effect. I appreciate Jeanette coming up with these color combos because not only are they fun, but they help me step outside of my comfort zone and try something new. I am rather pleased with myself.

This is the card I came up with. Enjoy!

One More Color Me Monday from Last Week

This week's Color Me Monday is gorgeous (go here to see. Check out the May 11 post). But I still had one more card up my sleeve using last week's color combo (heavenly blue, garden green, sorbet, desert sand, white daisy). I had to share it (see photo. Click on it to see it larger) before I started creating a few new things with this week's colors (Close To My Heart colors: Juniper, Vanilla Cream, Desert Sand, Bamboo).

I should add that this card was made using the new Wishes book that was released on May 1 (#9033, $29.95). This wonderful book has over 109 new card patterns and also includes 3 complete card workshops. They are designed to help you make bulk cards faster, simpler, easier. There are also some unique and trendy round card patterns in the book. This book is a must have! I used the "Top Band" pattern to make the card you see here.

If you head to my website and order this book there, I am mailing a 3 card set, handstamped by me using Wishes patterns, to anyone who orders from my website between May 1 and May 31. So you would get an extra bonus!

Brenda's List

My sweet friend, Brenda shared her "Ten Little Things that Bring Me Joy" list with me. Don't you just love this photo of cute Brenda and her kitty? I knew that Brenda and I were soul sisters! Not only are we both crazy about American Idol and Adam, we both switch allegiances to So You Think You Can Dance when Idol ends. I still can't believe we are already down to the final 3. How long until tomorrow night?

1."Dates" with my son - usually lunch and shopping
2. When my husband calls me "beauty." After 20 years, it still melts my heart.
3. 70% Dark Chocolate Lindt Truffles
4. Starbucks & Caribou - COFFEE!
5. American Idol night (when this ends, I'll switch to So You Think You Can Dance)
6. brand new magazines
7. Big Bang Theory - I love shows that make me laugh out loud.
8. my black cat
9. the smell of laundry after it's been on the line
10. creating pages, cards, altered items - it all brings me great joy.

I'd love to see your lists too! To share your list go here, read the post and then comment. I just love reading your lists!

Color Me Kate

How cute is this? My friend, Kate C. sent me this card after seeing last week's Color Me Monday post on Jeanette's blog (www.jeanettelynton.com). Thanks, Kate! The Close To My Heart colors used are Heavenly Blue, Garden Green, Sorbet, Desert Sand, White Daisy.

You will find a new Color Me Monday color combo on Jeanette's blog some time today. I can't wait.

A Girl In A Whirl and My Wonderful Mom

Have you ever felt like a girl in a whirl? I would be willing to bet that as women, wives, and mothers we ALL have! My friend, Allison shared this poem with me and I thought it was a fun one to share with you on Mother's Day. After the poem, I will get serious and say something from the heart.

Mother's Day 2005 (Wow! Those munchkins sure grew up! I just love being a mom!)












A Girl in a Whirl
By Dr. Sue

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day,
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely.
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their class rooms, I sew all they wear,
I drive them to practice, I cut all their hair.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires and fix the sink's leak.
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all, oh no, that is not all!

I play the piano and work on my talents;
My life is a wonder of fullness and balance.
I read to my children, I help all my neighbors,
I bless my community, too, with my labors.
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do.

I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
My visiting teaching is done the first day;
I exercise, and I cook menus gourmet.
I can garden produce each summer and fall,
But that is not all, on no, that is not all!
"It's easy," she said, and then she dropped dead!

That's about right, isn't it? Why do we think we really have to do it all? I feel that we need to realize what is truly important and learn to let a few things go. That has never been an easy thing for me, but I am getting better the older and tireder (I know, not a word, but I like it anyway) I get. If anyone taught me the important things about being a mother it is my own mother, Nedra (see photo below). She is truly an angel. I couldn't have had a better childhood.

I remember...

• reading on the bed with mom before my naps and bedtime each day
• waking up to find my mom studying the scriptures before she started each day
• seeing my mom and my dad kneeling at their bedside in prayer together every night
• watching her stay up late hours to sew a prom dress or new outfit for me while I went to bed
• how she came and stayed with me after each baby I had. She would get up with the baby at night, change them, bring them in to me to nurse, and then put them back to bed for me.
• how she always buys the best birthday cards and then writes a very sweet a personal note from the heart in each one
• homemade chicken noodle soup on Christmas Eve
• how she didn't get mad at my sister, Andrea and I when we did a 'jumping on the bed' trampoline program for our Christmas Eve talent one year, which was definitely against the every day rules.
• how calm and patient she was whenever I did something wrong. She never 'freaked out' but always sat down and talked with me about it
• how after she miscarried once she spent time consoling me (I was so disappointed we weren't having a new baby at our house) instead of focusing on the feelings of disappointment and loss she must have been having
  

There are so many more memories that I could list, but I will stop here. I love you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Tournament Time and Perfect 10's

This is the time of year that my boys are playing basketball tournaments like crazy with AAU, almost every weekend. The past few days have been no exception. Between Tannon and Dawson, we will have played 13 games between Thursday and tonight (Saturday). We are home now for lunch and a two hour break before we play again. Crazy but so much fun. So far both Tannon (varsity division) and Dawson's (freshman division) teams are undefeated so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that with the 2 games they each have left this evening that will still be the case. Wouldn't it be fun to have both boys' teams win the tournament? I say, "YES!"

Seeing these two photos together makes me think I need to do a scrapbook page of all 3 of my boys in their #10's. All of them wear this number is basketball and football. It all started with my oldest boy, Easton (on a mission for our church). He loved the number ten and fought to get it each year. AFter that Tannon chose to wear it to honor his brother Easton. Then when it was time for Dawson to start playing, he decided to carry on the tradition. I can see the title of the layout now..."Three Perfect Tens." lol.

That made me want to find a few more #10 photos. Clockwise: Tannon, Dawson, Easton

I don't know what I will do when all of my kids are grown and gone. Dan and I have decided that we will have to go over to the high school and pick a cute kid and act like he's ours. We won't know what to do without sports 24/7.

Beth's List

Beth shared her list. Love it! I love sleeping in too! I should add that to my list. Thanks, Beth!

1. Watching my children interact, look out for each other and love each other
2. Watching my amazing husband playing with our children
3. Date nights & weekends away with my hubby
4. Cozying up with a good "chick-lit" book
5. Breakfast with friends
6. Sleeping in
7. Creative time
8. Country music
9. Watching Grey's Anatomy (although it wasn't very joyful last night!)
10. Giving...whether it be a small gift, a handmade card, a hug or my time!

To read about these "10 Little Things That Bring Me Joy" lists and to share yours with me, go here.

Kori and Amy's Lists

Yesterday's post asked you to post a list of 10 little things that bring you joy. I am enjoying what you have posted so much. Please keep them coming! I have posted lists here today from 2 of my readers, my daughter Kori and my friend, Amy. Please go back and read yesterday's post if you haven't yet, and leave your list in the comments section. I'd love to see more lists! Your lists are a little thing that bring me joy!

Kori's List
1. motherhood
2. creating a successful meal
3. snuggling on the couch with my hubby
4. tuesday nights with my biggest loser and american idol friends
5. getting lost in Lost
6. winning doubles volleyball with hubby
7. watching my husband adore his baby princess
8. quoting The Office
9. scrapbooking with my mom
10. catching up with old friends
Amy's List
1. Seeing my children get off the school bus at the end of the day and come running to me
2. Quality time with my hubby
3. Quality family time
4. Walking into my bedroom and discovering that someone has made my bed
5. Fun mail in the mailbox!
6. Almond M&M's
7. A good workout-run,swim and/or bike
8. scrapbooking memories and stamping all kinds cards and paper projects
9. watching "Brothers & Sisters on Sunday night with my hubby
10. The Beach and sound of the Ocean
11. GIRLFRIENDS!

Little Things That Bring Me Joy

There is a blog that I follow called Rockstar Diaries. It is the blog of a darling girl, Naomi and her husband. Naomi danced with my daughter for years. It is really fun to see her all grown up and married and enjoy getting to know her all over again through her great blog. Check it out.

Anyhoo...about a week or so ago Naomi posted a list of 10 simple things that bring her joy and then asked her readers to do the same. The post is called "Here's to Happiness". She has been posting lists that her readers have sent ever since and I have been having so much fun reading them. I sent her my list, but since then have thought of several other things that just make me happy. Little things mean a lot, ya know? So I have amended my list.

Today I thought I'd share my list of 10 with you and ask you to do the same (thanks for the inspiration, Naomi!). Feel free to comment on this email and leave your list in your comment. I'm excited to see some of the little things in life that bring you joy. Here is my list, in no particular order:

1. BLT's with extra crispy bacon and miracle whip (not mayo!)
2. Tuesday nights with American Idol
3. Creating a scrapbook page while reliving the memories and feelings I felt when the photos were taken
4. Holding and smelling my sweet baby granddaughter
5. When hubby kisses my neck
6. Watching my boys play basketball and football
7. Sitting on a beach with nowhere to go and the sun beating down on me
8. Mrs. Cavanaugh's milk chocolate caramels after they have been in the fridge
9. Days filled with rain, thunder, lightning and grey skies
10. Laughing until my cheeks ache and tears are running down my face

Prediction for Idol's Kickoff Tonight

Thanks to all of you who posted yesterday with your 1-4 list of the remaining Idol contestants. Wasn't last night great? Adam's Led Zeppelin performance just about made me fall off of my chair.

I thought last night's performances went like this (#1 being best)
1. Adam
2. Allison
3. Kris
4. Danny

Gosh, that makes it hard for me to predict who I think will be going home. I'm going out on a limb here and saying that I think it will be Danny. I felt he struggled a bit last night and if the voters voted based mostly on what they saw last night, I think he will go. What do you think?

The hard part for me is that I really like all 4 and no matter who goes home I am going to be sad. Being the highly competitive person that I am that really surprises me. I usually am much more focused on a winner in anything I do or watch (especially sports wise). I am not the most graceful loser. So, seeing that Adam is my fave, you'd think it wouldn't matter to me who goes home tonight as long as it isn't him, right? But it does matter! Don't you almost feel that if you watch all season once it gets down to the last few they are almost like friends? No, I'm not a crazy stalker. But I have grown to like all 4 of these performers, not only their wonderful music, but who they are. Maybe when it comes to singing competitions my competitive streak softens. Who knows.