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"