Monday, January 9, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The powerful play goes on
One of the greatest letters ever received...
Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 8
After all the blood, sweat, and tears -- (okay, more like writer's cramp, Starbucks, and tears) -- I see all my hard work paid off. It all went to this moment, seeing that glorious "Congratulations!" Still, I remember feeling like the day of -no more school- would ever come. It feels good to say, "I'm a college graduate." I'm smart and I've worked my ass off the last few years working for this.
Everyone asks, "What are you going to do now?" Sometimes I simply respond, "What do you mean What are you gonna do now??" -- Exactly what I am doing! What is so wrong with working in a retail job? It's a good job, something new every day, good benefits, friendly coworkers, and pretty decent pay as far as I'm concerned. I suppose it is beyond some people that working so hard for my degree wasn't really about "What are you going to do now?" -- it was about personal achievements. It was a goal I set for myself years ago and I didn't want to fail. I loved learning all along the way. Within the English program, I discovered who I am. I found my bliss. Sure, having my degree may (or may not) help advance me in the working world, but that's not what my goal was about.
I don't understand how some people view: career = life. What I do for a living is not who I am. Therefore, getting my degree is not necessarily about where it will take me in the future. While it may help, it was something I needed to do for me. I love the satisfaction of saying that I am a college graduate. I'm smart; I made it; I worked so hard for this and now I have achieved it.
In response to: "What are you going to do now?"
I'm going to revel in my triumph of attaining my BA in English.
I'll also flaunt my knowledge of poetry and leave you with a beautiful poem from Walt Whitman that sums up life:
O Me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring;
Of the endless trains of the faithless—of cities fill’d with the foolish;
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light—of the objects mean—of the struggle ever renew’d;
Of the poor results of all—of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me;
Of the empty and useless years of the rest—with the rest me intertwined;
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here—that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.
....
Indeed, Walt. I will contribute my verse.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Dance like no one is watching... or your family.
I love that saying "Dance like no one is watching, Sing like no one is listening, Love like you've never been hurt, and Live like it's heaven on earth."
Sometimes you just need to let loose and dance without care! Dance like no one is watching... or in the case tonight, my family was watching, and my husband snapped some photos of me dancing to "Just Dance 3" on the Wii. Even though I danced for years growing up, it has been so long now since I've done anything I felt so rusty and there were moments I'm sure I looked like a fool. Nevertheless, it is a blast! I absolutely love this game. Doesn't it feel good to just let go?!
Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 7
Tonight I came home from work to find my boys watching "Winter Wipeout." I remember a show on Spike TV a while back (I'm not sure if it is still on?) called MXC, and this show reminds me of it. It's a funny game show where people do some crazy obstacle course to win money. Elijah and AJ found it hilarious and were acting out moments of the show. Adorable!
Past the "scrappers block"
It has been way too long since I've made a scrapbook page. Way too long. Way way WAY too long!
Did I mention it has been a while?
I started making this page... uhm... ages ago. At least 6 months ago. Probably longer than that. I got stuck in that "scrappers block" on the page. shoved it on the shelf and haven't touched it since. In fact, I got so stuck on it I didn't even touch any other pages or cards or anything. I let this one page get me stuck and I couldn't get past it.
Sometimes those writers block, scrappers block, artist block, whatever, is so bad we just gotta demolition through it. Essentially, I just had to force myself to get through it. I reminded myself, it does not have to be perfect. The only thing that matters is the photo, getting it on a page, and just writing a quick little blurb about the memory of that photo. I suppose sometimes we have to remind ourselves to get past our perfection (--thanks FlyLady--) and just do it! It's the thought and preserving that memory that matters, not how perfect or imperfect the scrapbook page looks.
So here we are. It isn't my favorite page, but I'm just proud I finally go through that block and now can let the rest of those creative juices flow... scrapbooking is about telling our story through paper, not the paper itself! (Although, any scrapbooker will tell you paper is awesome!)
[Supplies from Stampin' Up!]
Journaling: Your smile gets me every time! I think you'll be breaking many hearts in your future with those good looks!
Valentine's Day {09}
Friday, January 6, 2012
Directions? We don't need no stinking directions...
Is it innate in men to not read directions? I think it must be in their DNA. Yesterday, I was putting together this wire shelf for the boys' room to hold their massive amounts of toys. I snapped the photo of it this morning and reflected on the humor of putting together this wire-shelf.
I was putting it together in the kitchen, looking over the directions and carefully following the steps making sure I put it together the correct way. Elijah looks at me curiously. Finally, he walks up to me and says, "Don't look at the directions, Mom. Just try to figure it out." Yes, I laughed hysterically. I couldn't help but ask him, "Is it innate that you men don't want to read directions?!" He didn't get it, but it was pretty darn funny. As I stood in their room this morning admiring our two day accomplishments and transformation, I chuckled ever time I looked at the wire rack because all I could hear in my mind was Elijah's voice, "Don't look at the directions!"
Not looking at directions... it must be in the male DNA.
Project 365 / Project Life - Jan 6
Finally, the completed room! I can't believe how much it looks like a BOY ROOM now. Not a baby room with a crib, but a LITTLE BOY'S room. I think I'm in love with their room as much as they are!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
AJ, what big eyes you have!
Adam got his vision checked for the first time today. At times, he has a tendency to be a bit clumsy and sometimes stands really close to the tv. I figured he was probably fine, but I also wanted to make sure nothing was wrong with his vision. What a trooper he was! He acted like a pro putting his head up to the equipment for the tests. He even survived his pupils being dilated (through a few tears after the eye drops, of course). In the end, we found out he is a little farsighted but he doesn't need glasses at this point in time! Hooray! :) I felt so relieved having taken him in just to double check.
I couldn't help but laugh at how huge his pupils got when they were dilated. I kept thinking, "Why Adam, what big eyes you have!" (The better to see you with!)
Project 365 / Project Life - January 5
Typical AJ, always in good spirits. :) Well, except when he is acting like a 3 year old... LOL
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Hello Bunk Beds
Farewell Convertible Crib... 
Hello Bunk Beds!
Project 365 / Project Life - January 4
We finally did it. We got brave enough to move the boys to bunk beds. They are thrilled over their new beds. It is like a playground in their room. I can't get over how much extra space they seem to have now. Of course, with the rearranging of a new bed comes the rearranging (and purging) of all the stuff in their room. (Now I'm straight-up exhausted after it all).
What boggles my mind is the question... when did my babies turn into little boys? It's bittersweet seeing the convertible crib come out of the room. I'm excited for their new adventures into bunk beds, but it's a little sad knowing your little ones don't need that little bed anymore. I try to cope by looking at the adventures that are ahead. Elijah got a new Cars 2 blanket for Christmas, so AJ got to pick out a new blanket for their bunk beds. Instead of dwelling on the sadness of seeing the cutesie sheets and blankets with puppies and stars, I decide to count my blessings that I have two little boys growing strong and having the precious chance to grow into boys who are getting Cars blankets -- and for AJ -- Captain America!
I wonder how other parents cope with their little ones turning into big kids? 'Tis part of life, I suppose!
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