Cutest Blog On The Block Background

2011-01-31

2011-01 Round-Up: Thanks, Katie!

For a couple of years now, I have been intrigued by Katie The Scrapbook Lady and her monthly Round-Ups. How can she possibly have time to do this? How will I have the time to do this? Will I remember everything? Oh how I let doubt fill my head!

No More. It stops. NOW!

Decided it was time to get more "organized" about my scrapbooking, or lack thereof. Maybe the Round-Ups will actually lead to more/better scrapbooking?!? We’ll see.

This is my first Round-Up... will think of name that is better suited to my family and myself, eventually. For now, I borrow a lot from Katie! Thanks!

Here are the questions Katie uses:

  1. What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
  2. What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?
  3. What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?
  4. What gifts did I give and/or receive?
  5. What special or unusual purchases did I make?
  6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
  7. What were my accomplishments this month?
  8. What were my disappointments this month?
  9. How did I do on my goals for the month? (Or any current short or long term goals)
  10. Anything else noteworthy to include?

Let’s get on with the show!

1. What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

Unfortunately, the answer to that question depends on what you consider a book or a magazine. If you are talking about books and magazines for adult people, none. I read a couple of back issues of High5, an issue of Your Big Backyard, and assisted with the reading of Ranger Rick and National Geographic KIDS. Books? Lots of Clifford and Curious George – these two characters make almost daily appearances in our reading list. I have most of the books memorized. *yawn*

2. What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?

This question is much more interesting! Our family invested in NetFlix on the first of the year. As a result, we watched more movies than average. Ranging from Care Bears to intense dramas.

Titles of Note:

  • Julie & Julia
  • Return To Me

Patrick watched a lot of Comedy Central Presents type shows from NetFlix.

3. What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?

January was actually a fairly quiet month in terms of being social. Our “Katie” had her third set of PE Tubes put into place on January 6. She turned 3 on January 12. We celebrated quietly at home with little fanfare. We’re gearing up for her big party later this year when she is officially “ours” (adoption) and we bring her into our Catholic Christian family officially through the Rite of Baptism.

4. What gifts did I give and/or receive?

A lot of gifts were received by “Katie” this month! Turning 3 was so much fun. She got some fun new clothes and a Disney Princesses book with a keyboard.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make?

We got our NetFlix membership this month. Outside of that, nothing too special or unusual.

6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

“Katie” got her new PE Tubes, which ended some struggles with ear pain for her. Smile

Christopher suffered from a virus early in the month.

A few days later Nicholas had a mystery fever. He missed several days of school because the fever that had no other symptoms just wouldn’t stay gone.

This past week several of us have been plagued with head congestion, head and body aches, and just an overall feeling of ‘yuck’.

7. What were my accomplishments this month?

I think I’ll just skip this question this month. Not feeling very confident or satisfied with any thing in particular this month.

I did survive a surprise visit from the foster care worker!

8. What were my disappointments this month?

I will keep this section in my private journal. Not that I want to paint a perfect picture of my family or my life – but some things are just better kept private. Smile 

One that I can share – I did not scrap nearly as much as I wanted to.

Another I can share. PixelWorks retires from the digiscrap world effective today. I’ve been a member of her CT on and off since the beginning, even before the beginning. This will bring a new beginning of sorts for me. I wish Michelle all the best in her year of pursuing her creative dreams with the freedom of no deadlines!

9. How did I do on my goals for the month? (Or any current short or long term goals)

In the goal department, I fell far short of having and keeping my house company ready at all times. I’ll work on that again in February.

Patrick and I need to push for more pedal time in February. We are going on a 51 mile Bike Ride in May. Not sure if we’ll be ready.

10. Anything else noteworthy to include?

I think I discussed everything noteworthy in earlier sections. LOL Family life is sometimes quite boring.

Oh! I chose “Family” as my one little word for 2011. Here’s a graphic I made using various products by PixelWorks.

OLW_Family

I guess that will be all for the January 2011 Round-Up. My first one. Done! And it really wasn’t that bad!! Smile Might even make a draft for February so I can write as we go through the month.

2011-01-13

R.I.P. Fr. Pat

Tomorrow and Saturday my husband will be away visiting family and friends as they celebrate the life of Rev. Father Patrick E. McShane Jr. Fr. Pat was my husband's God-father. He will be loved and missed by all.




Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, 
and let perpetual light shine upon them. 
May they rest in peace.

Amen.



Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

2011-01-05

P365: 2011-01-05 On The Phone Again...


P365: 2011-01-05, originally uploaded by imom-e.

Sing that to the tune of "On the Road Again". It's been a crazy morning calling people, trying to get some action for my Foster Daughter so she can get her third set of tubes in her ears. (Long, long stories there that I will definitely be sharing later.)

Anyway, late this morning after being on hold, told that it isn't this person's responsibility and that I should call this person, etc. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I finally called Foster Daughter's attorney, her Guardian Ad Litem, and BOY! did we get action!!

We went from being told there was potentially no hope of surgery until after 13th of January due to the paperwork snafus to surgery is tomorrow morning!

Amazing things happen with prayer, patience, persistence and ONE telephone call to the RIGHT person! Thank you, Ms. G.A.L. you know who you are!!

So, tomorrow's P365 photo might be a bit later than usual since hubby and I need to get up at 3:30 AM to get Little Miss ready to leave for the hospital. We need to be there at 5 AM! That's before the roosters start crowing for Pete's sake! We should be home from the procedure around noon.

In other news, I'm looking forward to my newest niece's baptism on the 15th. Will have to get permission from her folks to share her photo here on the big day!

What a whirlwind start to the new year....

2011-01-04

P365: 2011-01-04 Big Fat Flakes


P365: 2011-01-04, originally uploaded by imom-e.

It snowed lightly over night. Not much and super light. This morning however, I looked out the window and see a sea of huge fat snow flakes. My iPhone did not do the snow justice. But, it is my primary camera for this project - guess I'll just get used to it.

I am taking similar photos with at least one of the other real cameras. Just not using those for blogging with. Uploading and sharing is more complicated. It's just so easy with the FlickR app for my iPhone!

For my digi-scrappy friends - PixelWorks has new goodies being released on Friday for The LilyPad's January BYOC. Let me just say girly fun stuff!! Product previews with links to the store coming on Friday.

P365: 2011-01-03 Smaller Bites, Bud

Snapped this one quickly using my iPhone. Hmm... maybe I need to clean my case??!! LOL

Anyway - Benjamin the youngest human member of our family turned two in October. Lately, he likes to stuff his mouth with food. Believe it or not, that's a WHOLE peanut butter and jelly sandwich in his mouth and he didn't gag - not even a little! WHY do kids do this???

Just another part of my every day life. Telling one child or another to take smaller bites and to chew before they swallow.

2011-01-02

P365: 2011-01-02

Skype User, originally uploaded by imom-e.

This first week of 2011, for the most part, my photo focus will be spent introducing you to the members of my immediate family - those that I live with.

Today you get to meet my husband, Patrick. In this photo, he's using the Skype App on his iPhone to talk with his cousin Tom in Pennsylvania. They are the closest thing to best friends Patrick has! It has been great seeing the two of them grow closer these last couple of years thanks to technology.

Speaking of "FAMILY", that is the word I have selected (or better, it selected me) as my One Little Word for 2011. Our family is growing and changing. One child growing up and getting ready to leave the nest in a couple of years. One child, living with our family for almost three years now, will become a permanent member of our family legally this year. We’re so excited. I need to refocus my energies, anything that isn’t connected to my FAMILY needs to scaled way back this year.

I've participated in One Little Word for couple of years now. I hope to really spend more time with my word this year. But "FAMILY" is so important to me this year. The reasons above just scratch the surface. The rest, I will keep private for the time being.

2011-01-01

P365: 2011-01-01


P365: 2011-01-01, originally uploaded by imom-e.

Happy New Year!

This was the view from my front window this morning. It was a clear, sunny, unseasonably warm Michigan New Year's Day.

Taken with my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app.
Hipstamatic Settings:
Lens: Kaimal MarkII
Film: BacKeys B+W
Flash: Off

I'm starting 2011 with the intention of taking a photo every. single. day. This will be the fourth year I've attempted to do this. I think I came extremely close in 2010, but I haven't really checked yet. Will be interesting to post about my photo stats.

Another goal for this year: to scrapbook more. Simple. I hope.

Right now, I'm looking forward to the rest of the evening in the living room with my family watching football and eating junk food. Tomorrow will be Mass and family time while we get ready for Monday.

I'm really looking forward to Monday. Husband goes back to work. Kids go back to school. Routines will once again be in place and life returns to "normal". I've loved having everyone here all together for two weeks, but it's time to get back to real life.