Sharing from My Little Place In the World

It's been hard to create recently, let alone put up posts. I love that I do this, and even though it is strange to feel that I have people from all over the world reading my posts, it's also a comforting feeling that there is some intrinsic value to my contributions. Be it my love of scrapbooking, or my rantings about Fibromyalgia. It's all me, straight from my heart. I'm not looking to "market" myself to make a profit, but rather, allow myself an avenue to express my feelings and creativity. I've always wanted to be one of those people who submit their work to a magazine and get published, but it's not what scrapbooking means to me. The deeper meaning of capturing life as it passes you by and crafting a page or two that draws you to it, wanting to read the journaling and gaze at the photos - I've let someone else into my my heart and see life through my eyes. It's my way of saying 'I love you' to those closest to me as well as creating a keepsake that my daughter can pass down to her children and continue my legacy long after some of those memories fade from my mind. 

I'd love to know what draws people to look at my blog - is it the layouts, my writing, or something else? I'd love any comments - don't be shy. 

Today's posting will be somewhat of a hodge-podge. Photos recently taken which I haven't put in layouts as well a layout. People draw inspiration from different things. The last thing I want to do is be to redundant with what I post. 

Border: Dreams Fulfilled, Border 2 - mydreamsfulfilled@blogspot.com

Border: Mean Momma Designs, 09 White Border - www.myflightsoffancy.com

Font: Stacy J Hand, www.creatingkeepsakes.com

Template: Tuesday Template 3/16/10, Connie Prince, www.scrapmatters.com

Papers: Off-White Scallop - Christine Mortimer, Digi_Licious Designs, digilicious.typepad.com

Brown paper (circle), Fall Carnival September Blog Train,  Albina Designs, albina-s-secrets.blogspot.com/

All others: Falling for You Paper 001, 002, 003, 004, Mari Koegelenberg, www.thedigichick.com

Elements: Falling for You, Stitches 002ws, 003, 004, Brad 001, 002, 003, Journal spot 002 - Mari Koegelenberg, www.thedigichick.com

Title:  Falling for You, Brush 001, Mari Koegelenberg, www.thedigichick.com

Journaling: Every Time I Miss You, 14pt., Internet

Best wishes-

Nikki

Harder Times

I've always believed that difficulties create strength and build character. I still do, but as the saying goes, "You can't see the forest for the trees". I might be at that point where I just can't tell how this time in my life will make me stronger, but I know it will. My progress with my Fibromyalgia treatment has come to the point where I was informed that it 'would get worse before it gets better'. I'm in the worse and have been pretty much bound to the couch/bed. What I have been doing to ease the pain is rediscovering my love of reading. Not my usual non-fiction (I always had a saying during the time I was working that if I spent the time to read a book, I must learn from it) hence the beginning of my obsession with non-fiction. But I've recently been turned onto some of the most beautiful fiction that I've ever read. I'm a True Blood fanatic, so the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris was consumed within two weeks. It was intriguing, pulse-quickening and easy reads. I love her work and have read other books by Ms. Harris since. But, my future sister-in-law, Goldie turned me onto a new author, Laurell K. Hamilton, who I have to admit has taken writing to a whole new level to me. I started reading two series: The Anita Blake Series and Merry Gentry Series. Anita Blake is an Animator/Vampire Slayer, while on a different level, Merry Gentry is a part-human, sidhe Unseelie Fairy Princess. I've been captivated by the latter series, reading a book a day at times. She writes with an incredibly vivid, sensual, time and reality-changing fervor that I haven't come across nothing that touches it. To make a long story short (no pun intended), I've rediscovered a hobby I've had since my days of reading the Nancy Drew Series - reading. It takes you out of your current reality and transports you to another time and place. No non-fiction title has ever done the same. Check out her website here. My hats off to her and thanks for numbing my pain that I'm dealing with right now. I am dreading the wait before next summer's season of True Blood, but Merry Gentry has filled the gap and raised the bar at the same time. 

I have continued to create layouts here and there, but have lost weeks to my treatment. Having no energy and lost of pain isn't conducive to creativity, I've realized. But, I must say I am thankful for so many that I feel blessed. John is my angel, I've just spent two full weeks with my daughter and celebrated her 16th birthday. My family has been supportive and my friends have kept in contact and understand my lack of communication at times. I'm not going through this struggle alone, by any means. The more I accept where I am at, the more others seem to as well.  Funny how that works. I'll leave you with these most recent layouts - straight from my heart...

Template: Life Stages Template - Author unknown, Internet
Papers: Background: White Paper - Kit: Winter Wonderland Grandmastertemplates@blogspot.com
Other papers and elements from Harvest Blessings Kit by Raspberry Road Designs, raspberryroaddesigns.blogspot.com
Other Elements: Red/yellow flowers by Design by Dani, www.designbydani.com
Red heart (paper) by Victoria Feemster Designs, victoriafeemsterdesigns.blogspot.com
Quotes/Brushes: ScrapSimple, Grad Quotes by Doris Castle,  www.scrapgirls.com
 

Template: Template 121, Yin Designs, yindgs@yahoo.com
Papers: Tallula Moon, Cheerful-Skinnymini 026; Delectable-Skinnymini 028, Dream A Little Dream 010
Elements: TallulaMoon, Dream A Little Dream 020, 032, 033, 035, 044, 047, 051; Close To Spring 035
All Tallula Moon products are by Kelli Vander Veen - Tallula Moon Designs, kelli@tallulamoon.com
Fonts: Title: MTF Cupcake, 60pt.; Subtitle: Milk & Cereal, 60 pt., Internet

All the best!
Nikki

A New First

Now this is a new first for me. On a whim, I decided to enter a contest on Pen Scrappers! This is the site sponsored by Wacom's Bamboo products. I have a Bamboo tablet and LOVE it! Unfortunately, it's still in storage from my move, but I've been wanting it badly. Time to dig through the boxes to find my beloved digiscrap tool. 


I just happened upon the contest, and after reading the criteria, it was a great challenge for the work I'm doing right now. The contest is Journal Your Life Authentically. My layouts are always with my heart on my sleeve, but I've mostly scrapped about my loved ones - not myself. It was a reminder to myself of self-care. My work has been on self-awareness and changing the views of I had of myself and my life, so it seemed perfect for me to enter. 


Please take a look and vote for me if you like it. It is truly me living life authentically, out in the open for all to see. Transparency beats putting up walls around yourself. Letting others in is not only healthy, but it deepens the relationships you have. There is more give and take that way. No smoke and mirrors in my life. WYSIWIG- What You See Is What You Get. Me.


Check it out and vote for me here!

Credits:

Background papers: Lucrecer Braxton’s September Contest Kit, painted 7 &; 4;
Bracket: Keepsake-Alpha-Bracket2 by Kirstys Scraps- harryandtatesmum.blogspot.com; 
Overlay, Tag, and Journal Card: Dirty Overlay, Capture a Trinket and Journaling Label Sugarplum Paperie – sugarplumpaperie.com
Gold Glitter Flourish: ONB-Train_Element11 by Let Me Scrapbook Designs – letmescrapbook.blogspot.com
Brushes: Flourish Brushes 3 & 4 by Pixels and Ice Cream – pixelsandicecream.com

Compartmentalizing, To Do or Not To Do?

That is the question... It serves me well at times, but most, I believe it robs me of a whole picture, a whole self to me and obviously my friends and family. Even to those who may read this and not know me. I've compartmentalized this blog purposefully. To tell a story of my life through my scrapbooking. Sometimes, I feel I am cheating myself from the real me by doing so. Too many of us want to paint this lovely, picture-perfect world in which we want others to 'think' we have. To keep up with the Joneses as they say. I struggle with this, because not only am I not always being true to myself by doing so, but also telling a lie. To have virtues is to embody them in all aspects of your life, not at your choosing. So today, I am adding another part of me to this blog to make it more complete, to add more depth than just my scrapbooking. (Please don't mis-read this as if I take my scrapping lightly. It is my creative outlet, and my passion. These are not small feats.) I have  worked for years not having the time to work on my passion (scrapping) because the bills had to get paid, I had a lovely boss who depended on me and I didn't ever want to let him down, I had a daughter whom I spent much of my time at soccer practice, games, tournaments both in and out of state. These were sacrifices I wanted to make. I've put my needs behind my daughter's and even my boss' for years. I wanted a better life for my daughter and for me if it worked out that way. Five years of working at a great company was draining because of the level of commitment I gave. Not what they required. I went above and beyond staying available 24/7 for my boss who traveled the world and needed a lifeline back to the office. His work ethic puts mine to shame in comparison. His sacrifices are all for his children...the way it should be. I admire him. He was and is my mentor. Those five years wore on my body physically. I lied to get the job in the first place - I hadn't told them that I was almost 30% permanently disabled from a back injury from a previous job. This world is still filled with discrimination, and I didn't want to be part of it. Not at the age of 28. When I began, my lower back gave me hell every day. I needed the health benefits so I could see good doctors, but nothing made it better other than medication. When I left earlier this year, I walked away with a new name for another pain I had acquired along the way. Fibromyalgia. I was in pain 24 hours a day. It took every ounce of energy I had to go to work everyday. To work ten hours straight without breaks took a toll on my body. Many days I would simply fall asleep on the couch after coming home, leaving my teenager to fend for herself for dinner. I failed her. That still eats away at me today - how I wasn't there for her like I could have been. But, I made good money, enough to buy a home in a good area, near good schools - in California before the home values plummeted. We had a dog, a cat, a loving family, but I still felt that I failed. At the end of the day, you should be happy with your accomplishments in life, and I am. But it always comes at a cost. I stopped working in April because my body had simply given out on me. I think it had a year prior, but I had no other option other than to continue to do what I was doing. I really didn't want to leave my job because I knew I would miss working with my boss and my coworkers. They were all so wonderful to me. But, when John came into my life, I not only fell head over heels in love with him, he wanted me to live with him. That meant leaving the world as I knew it behind, move to Northern California and stop working. For the first time in 15 years, I've had a true break from working, and I'm able to focus my attention on my physical health. I realize now I wasn't dealing with my Fibromyalgia during those last five years, I was taking enough pain medicine to get me through the day. I told my doctors, "I have to work. I don't have time for physical therapy, etc. Get me through the day." As my pain increased, so did the pills. I'm not proud of having to take heavy medication nor do I like it. I am truly still a skeleton of who I used to be. My search for finding the right kind of comprehensive treatment for Fibromyalgia was forever a challenge. You have to have a pain management doctor, a psychiatrist, a therapist, a physical therapist, an acupuncturist, a chiropractor etc. None of these were ever communicating together, all offering a small piece of the puzzle that never amounted to much relief. I finally found the right place and it's only because I'm here in the Bay Area. Stanford. Stanford Medical Center is a teaching hospital that has a dedicated Pain Management Clinic and HAPPILY treats Fibromyalgia patients. They run studies on Fibromyalgia medications, forging the way for a better treatment than what is currently available. I've included the link Stanford Pain Clinic because if you do suffer from Fibro, please check out their program. I couldn't imagine there is a better program out there. I'm slowly weaning myself off of the pain medicine. It's a daily struggle, one that cannot be understood unless they have a type of chronic pain condition (which there are many). The one in my life who truly understands me, is John and without him, I could not be doing what I'm doing today. The layout below is a testament to my love for him. For his patience, his caring and understanding unlike anyone I've ever known. I take things day-by-day now. There are more bad days than good, but it's slowly changing. I have so much hope to overcome the pain that had ruled my life for so many years. If you have chronic pain, know that you are not alone...

Layout: Lorie M. Designs – Sketch Template Freebie Papers:  Maurine Stettler @ LetMeScrapbookDesigns.blogspot.com - Of Noble Birthright Blog Train Paper 5; Lorie M. Designs – Patterned Overlay Freebie 3 CU; Misty Cato Designs from the kit: Adoration- bg6; bg3; bg4;bg1 Embellishments:  Misty Cato Designs from the kit: Adoration -journalspot; wireswirl; heart; My Own Fairy Tale by Muriel - ribbon-wrap2a & metal decor; Carol Abram – Kit: Old and Treasured Shutterfly Exclusive – Tape2; Tape 4

Title: My Sunshine, CB Classic, 36pt. Internet Subtitle:  You Make Everything Worthwhile – CK True Type, 14pt. – Creating Keepsakes Journaling:  CK True Type, 12pt. – Creating Keepsakes

Never Enough Time

I've had this struggle all of my adult life. I never had enough time to get things done that I *needed* and *wanted* to finish. Now, to be fair, there is a huge difference between need and want in that I feel I must qualify each. When you are young, everything (mostly) is a want. My daughter *wants* this and that, all the time. Today it's a car, tomorrow, who knows? Being a single mother, I felt I had plenty of items I couldn't give to Jade, though, when in the process of moving, I must have given away thousands of dollars worth of those "wants" of hers. Some barely touched. All in all, I can say she didn't 'want' for much at all.


Need is entirely different. Some would say that it's easier to obtain. A need might be to visit the doctor or to do the laundry. On the surface, it might seem needs are easier to obtain. Thus, I present to you the adult 'needs' list:
- Down time (How many can relate to this one?)
- Time to catch up with old friends (...too many times, I've picked up the phone to be pulled away by fill-in-the-blank?)
- More time with family and the ones you love (I truly value this as I grow older. Every moment is special)
- Catch up time (whether it be to sift through emails, catalogs, Facebook updates, kids homework)
- Free time (to scrapbook, read the pile of books that keep piling, to travel, to realize your dreams)


We come full circle at some point, when wants can be had at your nearest mall or from Amazon.com, but needs are what we "want" most...

Layout: Weeds and Wildflowers Ad Challenge Freebie 08/31/09

Background paper, circle stitching and quote:  Les Gourmandises de Emma, Miha et Marie from their kit: Tian gourmand - papier 009, element 004, element 012

Overlay: Sande Krieger by 2Peas Designers from the kit: Pink October (2007)

Title: Then and Now - Font: Arial 72pt, Microsoft

Subtitle: My Love of Nature - Font: Arial 28pt, Microsoft

Journaling block: Font: Boring Boron 10pt, Internet

All the best!

Nikki

Summer Nights

It won't be too much longer before it starts cooling off. Even here in the Bay Area, we are having a taste of the cooler months ahead. But, as I sit watching the clouds roll in from the North, I'm reminded that it is still summer by the crickets chirping outside the windows. Summer has always been my favorite season (mostly because of the warm weather and long days). That will happen to you if you grow up in the Midwest with our bitter cold winters. Jade won't be returning to school for another week, but as Labor Day approaches, there's just a feel of Fall in the air. 

Jade spent another week here with John and me and I enjoyed every minute of it. She's always been the one that's brought the family together. Last Sunday, John and I had my entire family over for a barbecue that resulted in lots of laughs, full bellies (from the delicious NY strip steak, chicken and corn on the cob that came from the grill - thank you, my Johnny!) and some really good quality time spent with family. When I was Jade's age, I didn't really care much about seeing family and staying in touch with them, but its changed for me now that I'm older. I value those bonds I have with what little family I'm close to. The night slipped away before I could get any photos (oops), but I did end up taking a few photos between shopping and our dog, Pei begging for our French toast on Sunday.

Layout: Shabby Princess Easy As Pie Template, Blog Template Challenge Four
Papers, Glass Dots, Ribbon, Ric Rac, Cardboard, Flower, Button : Carrie Stephens Designs from kit: Spontaneous Delight  
Overlay & Alpha: Shabby Princess from kit: Two Soon
Frames: Leah Riordan Designs, Funky Floral Freebie Kit 
Stitching: Shabby Princess from kit: Happy Go Lucky 
Journaling strips: Shabby Princess from kit: Harvest Spice


Title Font: Upper East Side, Internet
Journaling font: Vani, Internet
Photography effects: Color processing, Picnik.com

It's Been Too Long

I'm not going to try to make up for the last month that I missed. It was a whirlwind of an adventure with some ups and downs. My scrapbook room (also serves as our guest bedroom) is now almost complete sans the temporary table I will be using until John can make my custom desk. I've been hauling my supplies out to the family room and scrapping there since moving, but have spent more of my free time learning Adobe Photoshop Elements and working on some digital scrapbook pages. It sure is less of a mess to clean up at the end of the day, but there are still so many things to learn that I want to take a college course on Photoshop so I can delve in deeper. 
For those that know me, I really don't do anything half way. I usually jump in, head first.


I spent an incredible 10 days with Jade visiting after July 4. My cousin and second cousin were in town from Alabama and so Jade and drove up to my mom's to have dinner with them and my aunt. See layout below. I spent some down time while I worked to get some medical stuff worked out since I don't have any established doctors in San Jose yet. I've moved from Chicago to San Francisco, SF to the East Bay, the East Bay to Orange County (4 different residences there!) and now back up north to San Jose and never realized what a hassle it is! Trying to establish all of my doctors, dentist, hairstylist, etc is not an easy task... I finally got around to going to my new hairstylist, Amber Robbins from diModa Salon in the Willow Glen district. She cut my hair using a razor - something I've never experienced before and I love my haircut!! I highly recommend her if you live in the South Bay. The bottom layout was from a trip with John to New Orleans that we took at the beginning of June. 


Other than that, I've been spending most of my time with the love of my life. He's had some time off work, which we've spent working on the house, spending time with his dad, going out for dinner, walks at the dog park, watching a meteor shower at midnight laying outside by the pool, shopping and relaxing watching sunsets together with a glass of wine. I couldn't ask for more! I know how lucky I am to be in a relationship with someone so amazing - something I've missed all of these years. It's like discovering love for the first time. Without further adieu, check out my latest layouts. I hope you like!
Cheers!

Template: Shabby Princess Ad Inspiration - Template 1
Papers/Elements: Shabby Princess Happy Go Lucky Kit
Font: CK Emily Pen

Template: DigitALE Template 1 @ digitalessandra.blogspot.com
Papers: Always Be Neighbors Designs - Purrrfect Princess, Grungy White; Dizzy Scraps Designs, Reuniting Paper 13; Kristin Rutten, Spring Creek Design, Love U Lacey Gray paper; Summer Eve Kit (Wood plank paper *altered*) imagic reflections - http://dynamisimmortal.wordpress.com; Lynne Callister - Creative Designs - Refugee Kit @ lynnescreativedesigns.blogspot.com
Elements: Ornament and frame - Jennifer Furlotte of Pixels and IceCream; Clip with flower and ric-rack - Maurine Stettler @ LetMeScrapbook.blogspot.com; Stitched Circle - Bon Apetit Add On Kit by Britt-ish Designs available at ScrapMatters.com; Yellow Stitched Border -  Always Be Neighbors Designs - Purrrfect Princess; Chandelier (altered) - A Taggers Scrap @ itsbacchus.blogspot.com; Stamp - unknown
Font: SF Twelve Again, 30 pt.

Settling In

After all the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks, I was truly exhausted. We spent a day just relaxing and then prepared for Jade's visit. Now, whenever Jade's in town, fun things happen. She's not one to like to relax and hang out, but would rather constantly be on the go. My dear daughter is one of the most intelligent and quirky-fun people that I've ever known. She's worked her magic in the past to get what she wants. She knows my buttons and my soft-spots just as well as I know hers. The difference is - she's only 15 years old! She's always been bright and friendly but I didn't really put all the puzzle pieces together until recently. While we spent the last (almost) 15 years together, this past year she decided she wanted to live with her father in Portland, Oregon. It was very, very difficult for me, but I truly thought she would grow by having her dad's influence in her life and I was willing to put her needs in front of my own wants for her ultimate benefit. It wasn't fun or easy, but I've learned a lot in this last year apart from her. I've really been able to enjoy Jade for the wonderful person she is. When you live the daily grind together, you can tend to lose sight of, or take advantage of the people in your lives. I stopped doing what was ultimately unimportant stuff (like work) when she came to visit me and truly experience the huge bond that we had. The relationship flourished and I can honestly say that I loved her company (even in the years where teenagers get moody and don't like to hang out with their parents.) She really loved spending time with me. We did things that we never seemed to have the time for previously. I didn't worry about her homework, soccer practices, etc. So every time we are together, it's fun and we start up just where we left off each time. Jade gets much of her affection and affirmations from me and I try and tell her each and every time I talk to her or see her just how incredible she is, how proud I am of her and how much I love her and love being her mom...

Tape, circle and scalloped journaling spots and brush all by PuglyPixel. I love her stuff!

Happy Birthday, America!

After driving all night (well, that was John driving, not me) we had to get up the following morning and prepare to host the 4th of July events at our house. Let me just tell you, our butts were dragging! Nothing a little Philz Coffee couldn't fix! If you haven't tried this coffee, you can find it at Whole Foods - it's next to heaven at 7:00am! Most of the items were to be cooked out on the grill, which falls in John's domain. (I LOVE eating John's grilled meats!) We were blessed to have John's dad, my mom and the most loved couple friends, Sean and Khanh join us to celebrate and watch fireworks. Since our house is up on the foothills, it faces west overlooking Silicon Valley and the lower section of the Bay. There were over ten fireworks displays that were visible as we sat out on our veranda. It was a beautiful night filled with love from friends and family. I have to comment on the dessert. To my amazement, Sean and Khanh prepared a chocolate fondue paired with apples, tangerines, banana and lemon pound cake. It was delectable and I had to shoot the photo below to remember it. I was so engrossed in conversation during the fireworks that I didn't grab any shots of the fireworks, but the night turned out wonderful given how little sleep we had and how frazzled I was from the move.


Our dear friends, Sean and Khanh


The incredible fondue


Our first day home - John and Nikki

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

I'm happy to report that we made it to San Jose. The movers came on Saturday, loaded all 115 boxes and pieces of furniture into the truck and hauled it away. I had to pack a suitcase for up to a week of essentials because the movers couldn't guarantee the delivery date. That wasn't hard since I've been so used to packing that suitcase for my many trips up to see John. Amazingly, I was ready to go hours before the movers arrived, so we were able to run out for some lunch beforehand. The movers took about two hours - to our amazement. They wrapped my sectional like it was a baby being swaddled. The went through rolls of tape and a ton of plastic wrap! John and I sat back for the most part and kept my dog, Pei from going nuts outside while the movers were in the house. I couldn't imagine not having any scrapbooking for a week, so I actually packed a special bag with my scrap essentials and a kit from Rusty Pickle that I had delivered the week prior. My love for scrapping runs deep. The stress alone would compel me to scrap if I had two minutes to spare! Of course the one thing I forgot during this whole process to actually pull out my camera and take pictures until minutes before the truck was ready to pull away. John took the truck photo, who sweetly snapped a few shots while my hands were full.

John, Pei and I pulled out of the driveway at about 9:00pm, after heartfelt goodbyes were exchanged with my dear sister, Jenn. We bought our house together 3.5 years ago and many good times were had together. But, it was time for a new chapter in my life and I knew that Jenn was going to enjoy not having her little sister around all the time! I've kept my bedroom intact to be used as a guest bedroom - it actually looks like a little bed and breakfast room now. It will be there for our family to use and for John and me when we come to visit. I was happy to leave it all, not to mention the fact that there really isn't room in John's 4 bedroom house for it either! Jade's bedroom was left as another guest bedroom, just without any closet space. That had been used for all of Jade and my keepsakes that I didn't want to pay to have moved up here just to be stored.

Pei wouldn't settle down, so we ended up giving him one of those doggie chill-pills and it worked like magic! For a dog who didn't like to sit down, let alone lie down in a moving car, this was just what he needed. Within 20 minutes of taking it, he was losing his balance and the droopy eyelids set in. He slept almost the entire 7 hour ride. Speaking of 7 hour rides, John drove us the entire way. He has the mental and physical strength of three men, my hero and the love of my life. I adore how he takes care of me, and this is yet another example of his love and protection. He didn't want to me to have to worry with the drive, just sit back and relax. I kept him company most of the way, but slowly grew tired and slept off and on during the second half of the drive.

Highlights include:
- The stop at In and Out Burger for a late night snack (chocolate shake included)
- Taking Pei out of the SUV to go potty. (He kept weaving back and forth, fell down and nose-dived a few times as well)
- The sunrise

We arrived at our house at about 4:00am (bless John's heart) safely, without issue. We brought Pei inside and sequestered him to the bedroom. John's cats, Boo and Chance have yet to meet a dog, and that WASN'T happening at 4am! By the time we finally laid down in bed, the sun was coming up and it was the most beautiful morning looking out over Silicon Valley - maybe more symbolically than anything, but it was all that I had been wanting was to be here permanently - to wake up everyday with the one I love... It was the start of my next chapter - with John - and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else at that moment.

John and I

Saying goodbyes - Jenn and I

The moving truck

My Yoga - My Zen: Scrapbooking

Yes, I'll admit it. Scrapping centers me, it feeds my soul. The creativity involved fulfills a need to preserve so many precious memories, to use my creative side and honor my life and those of my loved ones. This layout was a late night compilation while calming my nerves two nights before the move. I was waiting for John to arrive to help finish up the packing and I was missing him. Our love runs deep as it would when any soul mates are apart. I'm one lucky gal.

Template: Shabby Princess Easy As Pie Blog Challenge Template #1
Paper and embellishments: Shabby Princess Amore Kit
Fonts: Title - SF Kim, Journaling: SF Lani, Internet

My Nephew's High School Graduation

My nephew, Rain graduated from Berkeley High School on June 18th. The ceremony took place at UC Berkeley's Greek Theater. It's a beautiful outdoor amphitheater located on the UC Berkeley campus. Just trying to get close to the area was a near standstill. Once we were within walking distance, we had awesome parking karma and found a spot just up the hill on the main street. Because of the crowds, we decided to sit out on the lawn area, which proved to be more comfortable for the near three hour procession. It was all worth it to see Rain come out and accept his diploma. The layout below has photos taken after the event while waiting to get our large group together for a celebratory dinner. Way to go, Rain! I'm so proud of you!

Template: Be Inspired Template Cafe #5 Val C. Designs, Digital Scrap Cafe
Paper and elements: Simplicity Kit, Lisa A. Salina, aprilisadesigns.blogspot.com
Fonts: Title - CK Becky; Journaling - Feltpen

Jenn's Birthday

I celebrated my sister's (Jenn) birthday today. It was so fun to have my nephew (Rain) and sister-in-law (Shannon) join us as well as my daughter (Jade). She's usually traveling during the summer school break so it was a treat to have her with us. We went to our favorite local Mexican restaurant for dinner. Margaritas were aplenty along with laughter. I think it was a special night for my sis. Happy Birthday Jenn! PS: Only 3 days until the move. I'm starting to lose focus. I'll turn around in circles in a room not knowing what to do next. Need some objectivity! Thank goodness John will be here tomorrow. I might have to make a layout to calm my nerves!

Jenn (Birthday girl!), Shannon and Jade

Jenn, Jade, Nikki and Rain
Close up! It was a great night and a much needed break from packing!

New Chapter

I am sure that I'm never given anything I cannot handle, but it's been a close call recently. I am in the process of moving to Northern California to John's house (which I am so excited!) We've been planning this for almost 6 months, and it became a reality when I stopped working back on April 30. I took one month to slowly go through all of my 'keepsake' boxes of my daughter's and mine. Since I was little, I always kept everything I could, perhaps to always have a piece of that moment to always remind me of that time, but as I start to sift through these boxes, I am finding it hard to remember half of the little mementos and what they were supposed to remind me about! But, there were also the handfuls of cards, letters, Jade's first paintings, writing her name, drawings of people that I was so happy to see again. I kept those and stored them in a sturdy box. The rest was recycled and thrown out. At first, it was hard, but not long after, I started to feel a weight lifted from my shoulders. I've been carrying too many 'things' around - boxing up and always taking it with us. I've realized I don't need it and that it was holding me back. What I did save were the boxes of photos and important memories to pass down to future generations. I won't be able to scrap all of those items, but will one day be able to hand over those precious goods to my daughter. It would be wonderful to get photos of her expressions as she pulls her old things out of the boxes. Maybe I will be able to scrap that event on a few layouts.
This layout is of John and I during our months of dating in chronological order. Picasa has a great collage function, which I've used to neatly organize my photos into a similar format, so I went looking for a template that would give me the feel of the Picasa collage. I've put up both to see - first, the Picasa collage (which could have had more pictures to it, but I decided against it for the specific look I was aiming for) and my layout. I am getting better, but still am having some layer troubles. I am scouring the web for some FAQ that might tell me the answer. Until then...there's more packing to do.

Template: The Daily Digi, Digi File #14

Page elements: Softly Falling by Dani Mogstad www.designsbydani.com

Just Start...

The hardest part of doing anything, in my opinion, is to start it. Many others may feel it's the follow through. For me, that's easy. I was taught that if you start something - finish it! (Thanks, Mom!) My projects often begin small and just expand, exponentially (maybe by choice?) but, they never end, just get more complex. That to me is what keeps it interesting. I've spent many years not being able to work on many, if but a few, of my projects because of my work at the time and my daughter beginning her teenage years. I got run down enough that I could barely do the necessary things - all non-essentials were pushed to the side. Sometime in there, John came into my life, changing my perspective on many levels. He's my future husband and my best friend. He's why I'm able to sit here right now and type this out. He's my biggest fan, always encouraging my creativity, in a way I've never experienced before. This blog is dedicated to him for that reason. Them There Eyes by Billie Holiday is a perfect song to start the night.

This blog is an extension of me, my creativity and my passions. Scrapbooking, photography, music (appreciation only - I unfortunately don't play...) John, my daughter, Jade and my family are all part of my life, passion and inspiration. I don't have lofty goals at this point for my blog. I don't want to put the cart before the horse. What will come of the future is still brewing in my mind. It's funny how things can somehow parallel your life - this is one of those times. All I know at this point, is that it's going to be an incredible journey! I can't wait to Just Start...

Above is my FIRST EVER digital scrapbook page. Although how silly it looks, it's my first one. So, like many things, I just needed to start it!

Page elements from Sarah Ellis "Owl Adore You"