Frustrating Fitness and Other Topics...

I feel like I worked reasonably hard this week and I only lost a half a pound. It’s kind of irritating, and makes me want to throw up my hands, cry to the heavens that “I tried,” and then eat an entire cake. I won’t, though. Yet.

Steven left for Galveston last night and had his interview today. I hope it goes well. I know it will, because if there’s one thing my husband excels at, (actually, there's many things) it’s talking. That man can talk to anyone, anywhere about anything. It’s inspiring.

Here is my new digi-scrap page. This one took me forever, because I kept looking for a template to perfectly suit my pictures. I eventually decided not to use a template, because they were becoming more of a hindrance than a help.


The paper kit is called ‘I wanna be a cowboy’ by Fishinmom Designs.

Arbitrary Picture Post

The boys love to lounge for indiscriminate amounts of time in their towels after a bath.
This is Steven before his haircut (apparently soulless)
And now, after (he’s got that missionary gleam in his eye!)
And on the subject of haircuts, Stacie, you wonderful girl, you’ve done it again! She styled it for me this time, and that, apparently, makes all the difference!

Some Chat & Scrap

Today I had a really good time hanging out at a friend's house. The best part about it was that I could relax in her beautiful home and forget all about how mine was falling apart at the seams. (And oooohhh, did I have it coming to me when I got home...I could actually smell the kitchen...it was that bad).

The kids played so well together and I had a great time relaxing and talking with a hilarious friend. One of the best things about talking to other moms is realizing that yes, we all face the same problems with our kids. It makes everything a little less scary when you can laugh about your experiences and know they aren't strange or unusual.

One of the most glorious parts of the afternoon was that my kids fell asleep in the car on the way home and actually napped for TWO WHOLE HOURS! HALLELUJAH!

And totally off subject, here are two more digi-scrap attempts: (Click for a closer look)

This template is by Joy Brown, and the paper kit is by Akiloune

This is my first attempt sans template, but the paper kit is from Scrap Street.

Ein deutsches Requiem

For any of you classical music buffs out there, you might enjoy seeing Steven & I sing with the Arlington Master Chorale on Thursday, April 17th. We’re doing the Brahms’ Requiem, which is an absolutely masterful piece of music.

Singing this music has been really meaningful to me because Brahms wrote it in part for his mother who had passed away. He used scriptures as text, instead of the usual liturgical text used for most Requiems. The scriptures he chose are really comforting and so full of hope; especially John 16:22. I loved learning and singing it.

If you would like to go, you can get discount tickets through me.

General Conference

I don’t remember ever being part of a Solemn Assembly before, and even though I was actually sitting on my recliner in my pajamas when it began, I’m still so glad I was a part of it. You could feel love for President Monson radiating from all the people in the assembly. When they asked the Relief Society sisters to stand, my heart was filled with love for President Monson, as well as for my fellow sisters and for the church organization as a whole.

As I watched President Monson during conference, my heart went out to him. His ordinarily smiling face was replaced with a look so overwhelmed and so solemn with the magnitude of his calling. And even though he’s had reason to expect it, and is worthy and capable, I can’t imagine what must being going through his heart and mind.

The speakers were amazing in each session and the spirit was so strong. There have been so many times in my life when, being carried away with the swirling ideas of the world, I start to panic about my testimony and the truth of it all. But when I sit in conference and listen to the words of modern-day revelation, I know it’s all true because of the way I feel: so close to tears and so full of a desire to ‘go about doing good’.

My first 2 tries...

Okay, here are my first attempts with Photoshop Elements...

Template is from Mandagirl and paper is fromPurple Tulip Designs.




Template is from Color Line Design and paper is from Digi’Scrapouille.

Okay, I gave all my props, so no one can arrest me, right? I'm ready for lesson 2! (Did I mention this was all totally free?)

Curses, foiled again!

Thanks to my lovely friend Bonnie, I am psycho excited about Digital Scrapbooking. Yesterday, I went over to her house where she graciously taught me a few basics in Photoshop Elements 5.0, and I am stoked! I can’t wait to get started. She showed us how to go through a template and where to get awesome free kits. The most amazing part is the freeness. Thank you, Bonnie, for being so awesome!

Steven and I were supposed to have a date night last night. Alas, once again it didn’t happen. Stevie Jr. was acting under the weather, and so we decided to stay home just in case. We thought maybe we’d try to put the kids to bed early and have a pizza/movie night instead, but by the time Steven got home for the day it was already 8pm. I was starving and the kids were wired and it just didn’t work out. It’s just as well. I wouldn’t know what to do on a date with my husband anyway, it’s been so long. I think the last date we had was at least two months ago. Oh well. Steven played the congas instead and we got some great footage of David gettin’ down with his bad self (which means he ran around in circles with an intense look on his face). Too cute.

5 THINGS I WANT TO LEARN:

1) Sewing (making) clothing from patterns and quilts.
2) Digital scrapbooking
3) Playing piano well enough to accompany
4) The ins and outs of photography
5) HTML

These are just five of many.

Just a tiny rant...

So I wrote a bogus check to the library. So sue me. It was a complete accident, and I’m not a deadbeat. We had our identity stolen a few months back and had to close our checking account and open a new one. I accidentally wrote the library a fine fee with my old checkbook.

Big mistake. When I went back like a good girl to confront the problem, I was told that I would have to go to the City Bldg. (this was the complete explanation I was given) to get it straightened out. Because I had two yelling toddlers at the time, I decided to take care of it later.

When I went back to the library AGAIN today talk with someone who might actually know what they’re talking about, I was told ‘City Bldg’ again. When I pressed for more information, they looked panicky and told me to go ask upstairs (did I mention I had a stroller?) After explaining the situation YET AGAIN to the upstairs reference desk folk, they finally made a call for me. Turns out Arlington is pretty hard on its fake-check writers. I have to go the 8th floor of the Motts Bldg, pay a $25 return-check fee in addition to the fine (even though it was an accident) and pay in all cash (which I never carry).

I said screw it and went home. (Not to the reference desk folk, just in my head).

Yuck

Today I’m feeling restless. Like something’s not quite right. I’ve been impatient with my kids, I’ve been running from task to task and never quite finishing anything. I don’t want to do anything that needs to be done, but I’m bored at the same time. Anxious is the word, I guess. Like something’s lacking.

What’s brought on this strange mood? It hits me now and again, enough for me to recognize it as an actual “mood” and not how things really are. It’s just an overwhelming sense of all not being well in the world, particularly my little world. Now…how to get this little mood to hit the road, jack...