Resolution Amendment

So, I've been doing a lot of thinking these first few weeks into 2014 and have already thought of some amendments to my New Year's Resolution List...

I want to add the following:

12. Start Couponing... really hard core coupon cutting. I've seen some people do some amazing saving with coupons and I want some of that action.
13. Work on my Documented Life Project. I still have a LOT of "prepping" that still needs done; Month pages (I'm only done through April,) Weekly pages (I'm only done through Feb,) and I haven't done any "tip-ins" yet, except for a few of the projects that I've done already. I'm not sure if I'm going to put them in ahead of time or just do them as I go. I also got some medical paper tape that I want to make my own washi tape out of. It's quite see-thru and I like that because I tend to draw/write/doodle/etc. right to the edge of the page.

14. Plan meals better. But this probably should fall under the whole "get organized" portion of the list. But I've been wanting to get going with proper meal planning and cooking in bulk so I can have frozen meals that can just be heated up throughout the week.
15. Read the scriptures daily. I had been doing fairly well at this a while back, but I've slacked severely recently. Now, I've been back at a daily scripture read this whole week and it feels good.
16. Spend more time with my boys. Pay more attention to them and add in some new and fun activities throughout the week. I already spend a TON of time with my boys, being a Stay-at-home-Mom, but I feel like I can give more "Quality" time to them than I do currently.
17. Not waste so much time. Pinterest is a great source of ideas and inspiration, but let's face it, it's a time sucker. (As is Facebook and all other social media, but that's a whole other post!) I get on the laptop to do a couple things and hours later I realize that I've wasted the day.
18. Stop procrastinating. This kind of goes along with #17, but expands it a bit. I tend to wait until the last minute to do... well, everything. And then I'm rushed to finish. I usually do my best work in the Eleventh hour, but I shouldn't have to for absolutely everything. Plus, I tend to underestimate how long it will take me to do something, so that gets me more stressed out. I usually finish and usually by my deadlines, but I just don't need to do that to myself.

So, have you kept any of your resolutions so far? Or have they fizzled out early? Or have you done as I have and added/amended to your list?

Art Journaling

So, I've started Art Journaling.  Something that I've been wanting to do for forever, yet never knew where or how to even start.  The other day, I cam across a blog that I have fallen in love with.

Art Journaling II

A wonderful blog that is a workshop to teach with a pay-as-you-can attitude.  The money was actually one of the things holding me back from art journaling sooner.  I've seen other workshops, but they all want a ton of money in order to take online classes.  Well, honestly, in this economy, that's just out of my league, especially with a teenage stepson, a two year old, and a baby on the way... all of whom are eating us out of house and home... not to mention my own prego appetite!

But now, with a workshop that I can take and then hopefully save up a few bucks to pass along to the blog owner later down the line, I can finally get started and enjoy myself without stressing out and being depressed (more than I already am) about money.

I've found a new passion and have been enjoying myself soooo much!  After not even being able to start, I'm now finding it hard to stop!  I carry my journal around like I do my cell phone, so that I can doodle away at a moment's notice when inspirations strikes.

If you're at all interested in art, drawing, painting, journaling, sketching, or even just plain doodling, I encourage you to check out her blog/workshop.  I am not being paid by her, nor even being asked to endorse her in anyway.  I'm just trying to pass along some love since she is the reason I have found my artistic passion, my muse, that had been hidden away from me for too long.

My sneaky little Muse, hiding away, but I finally found her.
Now, time to get back to work!

Now I just need to see about getting some color on some of my pages and maybe getting a few of them up here on my blog.   But I'm using my journal as an Art Journal as well as an actual diary/journal, with my daily dose of prego-hormonal-depression, antics of my toddler, frustration with my family, etc.  So, much of what I put in there will not be posted here on my blog, much of it is a little too personal to share with the world.  (not that I have a ton of readers, but still... the potential is out there.)  But there will be some, I'm sure, that will be less on a personal note and more on the artistic side of things that I'll be able to share on here.  I also need to get quite a few things scanned, printed, downloaded, etc.  But it'll all come in time.

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.~~Thomas Merton

No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.~~Oscar Wilde

Being Mommy...

Well, I was at a loss today of what to post... that is, until I came across this pic on Facebook from someecards.com.  I think I want to get it on a mug!

OMGoodness, I feel completely redeemed now!  I'm not the only one who feels this way!  I'm sooo tired of ALWAYS having to share with Little Man... just for ONCE, I'd like to be able to eat a candy bar or bowl of ice cream (or anything, for that matter) without sharing!  LOL  I'll usually gobble my candy bar down when hubby's changing Little Man's diaper (our closets are too full o'crap for me to hide in!)

Had some pumpkin seeds today and refused to share (didn't think a two year old should eat those yet, come to think of it, I probably shouldn't have either, because of all the salt) and you'd think the world was ending!  I think that was the most traumatic experience of his little life, to date!  I mean, the face on that little guy!  I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry with him, it was so pathetic.  I actually tried to get a picture of his little face with the red eyes and the tears, but none of them did him or his tantrum justice.

So, does this make me a bad mother?  No, but it sure feels like it!  It's so hard to not spoil such an adorable child, and that's probably why his tantrum was so bad... because he's terribly spoiled.  Here's a pic of him at his Big Bubby's birthday party, all dirty, playing outside... he's ALL boy!

May 2012

And here's another one... again, dirty, after playing outside in the mud.  It had just rained and daddy took him out into the yard to explore.

Who could resist that face?!  Not me... not daddy... not big bubby... which is why he's spoiled!

Speaking of "spoiled"... as I attached the pics above, I hear Little Man at the bedroom door, trying to get out.  It's not closed all the way, just opened a crack, so I'm wondering why he's not just coming on out, like he does on so many occasions.  Well, he had his Blanky and his "Piboh" (pillow) and with both in his little hands, he couldn't maneuver his way out of the bedroom.  He just melts my heart.  Never thought I could love someone as much as I love my son!

Project 365 (Day Five)

I've officially given my family the Project 365 to do as well.  I'm hoping to have a good journal of our year to show for it and to increase their awareness of the world around them, particularly our son.  I'm hoping that he'll gain a new outlook on life after seeing it through a camera lens.

So, here goes nothing....

This is my contribution.  This is off of our coffee table.

I liked the texture of the leather and the gold leaf design.

This is my son's first picture of Mommy holding Monkey Toes.

I'm sorry, but I had to tweak it in Photoshop and blur my body out.

This is such a terrible picture of me. 

Actually, he did well with taking the picture,

I just look terrible, I can't believe I'm actually posting it!  LOL

My husband still hasn't given me his contribution as of yet.  He's still working, but has agreed to participate.  But I'll post his as soon as he gets it to me.

So, there it is, Project 365 Day Five and The Mad Hatters are officially a photography journal family!  I'm very excited and can't wait to see what comes next!