kellicrowe

So why don't I enjoy Twitter?

When I log onto my twitter account, it is like reading someone else's outgoing phone texts:

It isn't to me.  

It has their own shorthand I don't understand.  

There seem to be a lot of half conversations.

I follow a mix of all of my interests: Star Trek, Star Wars, Jane Austen, Period movies, Friends & Scrap booking & Politics.

It should be a happy soup of interesting sound bites.

But it isn't.

For me, at least.

1. I don't like vague comments.  I mean, if you are going to take a moment to log onto FB or Twitter or a message board or write up a blog post, be specific.  I want to laugh, cry, rejoice, have a moment, wish I were eating that, etc, with you.  Not have figure out what you mean.  (My, my - don't I sound grouchy?)

2. I don't want to hear 1/2 of a conversation.  It is all the voyeurism with none of the fun of understanding.

3. Perhaps there is a better setting / way to read the twitter account than on my home page...and I am not clever enough to figure that out.   

But for right now, I don't get it.  

Feel free to tell me why Twitter is great.  I have gotten my grouchy out and am willing to learn.

 

 

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 20

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week - Am either power walking, juicing and on virtual kosher health bandwagon.

Or.  

Eating bacon by the bag while curled up on the sofa, watching television. 

Take my vitamins - :(

 Read -  Have re-read The Truth About Mr. Darcy.  Have watched period films & shows (which, without doubt, is like reading...surely): Masterpiece Classic Downton Abbey Season 1 (fantastic!), Gosford Park (Great! Thinking Dame Maggie Smith gets all the great lines in film...but now realize, it is Dame Maggie Smith that makes most of her lines great) & The Tudors Seasons 1 & 2 (Well written historical fiction, a bit too much naked for my taste), Lady Jane (Just Ok, a bit of a downer...but the fault is mine as I knew how it would end, also historical fiction). All viewable instantly on Netflix.  

Give up soda: Down to 1 Dr. Pepper a week.  A cup of not a 2 liter of. 

Not wear shoes in the house: 95%

Write thank you notes - Sadly, had more nice things done for me this week that now require thanks.

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Measuring and plotting with boys on where to relocate and expand their lego city.  Only need $200 worth of the green plates and roads on which to place city.  Possible issue the city planners did not anticipate as had not set aside any funds for this endeavor.  Taxes may be levied.  

De-clutter the house room by room - All efforts on simply not drowning in clutter this week.  Absolutely no headway was made on de-cluttering what-so-ever.  Simply moved clutter from place to place in bushy little stacks.

Meal plan - 2 meals planned and neither involved bag of bacon.  

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays   

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Plans obliterated by end of school year madness in all of children's programs.

Pray / Bible study daily - ok.

Not be a victim to technology - E-mail in-box down from 478 to 73.  Seems rude to just delete a few messages from 2009 that were never responded to...but perhaps, may not be possible to appear ruder than already do.  

Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy: Smug smile.

 

Homeschool: End of the Year De-Brief

The public schools, home school programs & chess clubs are all wrapping up this week around here.

(ie: Every project, test & party is all going to happen on the same week so that by the time it all ends we are gasping for sweet, sweet summer air).

Even though we are not quite done with out home school lessons, I have started to look towards next school year already.  While it was all still fresh in my mind, and before the euphoria created with the promise of a new school year and fresh school supplies overtook me, I wanted to figure out what worked and what didn't.

What did I do this year that worked well:

My weekly charts listing every assignment, lesson, out of the house task, chore that was expected of the boys.  It helped me to stay on track with our yearly goals.  It also helped the boys to start managing their own time.

What didn't work:

Signing the kids up for too many out of the house activities on too many different days.  Our weeks were very choppy.  We only had 2 days of being fully at home.  That lead to those 2 days being packed with the bulk of the written work for the whole week.  The kids dreaded those days.

The kids would rather spend a month focused on a certain skill - like learning to read maps - instead of having a few pages in a map work book every week for a whole year.  This was helpful to learn.  Next year we can focus on a few skills a month in more depth instead of trying to smear out a bunch of skills over the whole year.

What the kids liked best:

Alex: Chess Club, Summer Book Club, Science, Cooking, The Hamburger Experiment

David: Reading for pleasure and drawing.  Not much else.  But he IS 13, so that sounds about right.

Max: Chess Club, Piano, Science, Art

What they didn't like: 

The Map Work Book

Doing more than 2 pages of Math at any one time.

Days without down time or leaving the house and returning multiple times.

(And a lot of other things, but these were the ones I could do something about.  "Never writing in my journal again"  - while informative - was not practical.)

What do you want to learn next year?

Alex: Cooking, Sign Language

David: Video Game Design, Stop Motion Film Making 

Max: Drum, Singing and Guitar lessons

Me: (Items for them) Nutrition & Health, Poetry

Now what?

As I sign the boys up for the fall's classes (we do a lot of elective type items through local academies and clubs) I will start to plan out our days and weeks for next year.

I can research classes available in their areas of interest or decide if I am able to teach it myself.  (Stop motion films, I can do that.  How to design a video game or guitar are a bit beyond my current reach.) 

I have a list I keep with me in my calendar of the things each child will learn.

As I come across books, web sites (people always seem to mention great ones for kids and then I completely forget about them) and or get ideas, I jot them down next to that subject.

I will go through all of our books in our home library, our toys, science kits, and our games (and even video games) to see if any of them will help support our subjects.  

In July, I will kick it into high gear on planning - but for now, I just need to relax a little and let the ideas percolate.  The percolating is a big thing for me.  It helps me to really think through and edit my ideas.

Doing this de-brief with the kids and for myself helps to break down the task of planning out the next year into easier to handle bites.  I've tried the other way.  The waiting to the last minute one.  This spaced out planning leaves me feeling more in control and less like a crazy mommy who is overwhelmed and behind in everything and doing nothing well. 

If you have any great take aways or "I'll never do that again" thoughts from the school year, I'd love to hear them.  Home schooling your kids isn't required.  I get great tips from my friends who have kids in regular classrooms all the time.  

 

 

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 17 & 18 & 19

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week - Often unspoken perk of sharing health related news with peers...acquaintances and people just met in the grocery store line.....have gleaned excellent advise on exercise of late.  Begun walking not by distance but by time.  Fantastic notion as no longer think of walking for exercise as a destination (track needed to know distance, and, therefore, track clothes necessary.)  Have found walking perimeter of parking lots while waiting for children's release from their miscellaneous classes to be most useful re-purposing of time.  (Just wish epiphany had occurred prior to 90 degree weather.)

All aforementioned walking was precipitated by unfortunate slipping on of last year's black exercise pants that led to moment in mirror that looked horrifyingly like a a costume of Olivia Newton John's final scene in Grease gone all wrong.  Also, was particularly unpleasant moment of looking at body sharpers in public store.  

Take my vitamins - Am reading Bob Greene's 20 Years Younger book and am using corresponding notebook for keeping track of exercise, vitamins, etc.  As surely notebook was not published simply for my own use (as considerably cost for such an endeavor no matter how attentive to my needs) found comfort in knowing others need actual checklist in hand to remember to wash face, exercise, take vitamins, etc.

Also, not trying to look and feel 20 years younger.  Will take 4 years ago.

Read -  Have been reading like mad.  And Netflixing like mad.  Oddly enough, both keep self from going mad.  Finishing up Mr. Darcy's Secret after a second read.  Have watched: Young Victoria, Wives and Daughters (both excellent) and Mrs. Brown (interesting but not as good as I hoped).

Give up soda! - Soda only consumed on Mondays at Chick-fil-A as part of weekly kids meal purchased there.  Have excitedly told many about new beverage of choice: Organic Mint and Honey Sweet Leaf Green Tea.  Now can not find tea in any local grocery stores.  Clear indication of my personal promotion of product to all local friends.  And possibly addictive qualities of lovely beverage.

Not wear shoes in the house: Utter fail...but as house if full of dust already from renovations to basement, does not matter much.

Write thank you notes - Yes!

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Excessively important items taken care of, such as rearranging dishes within cupboards.  

De-clutter the house room by room - Renovations on basement (7 days of jackhammering, banging under foot) followed by roof replacement (5 more days of hammering just overhead) have left me teetering on edge of standing mid gocery store isle, dressed in 30 year old tuxedo and muttering about hotdog buns as if Steve Martin in Father of the Bride....figuratively, of course, as do not actually own 30 year old tuxedo. However, ability to relate to person completely falling apart over stress of postive things happening uncanny.  

Meal plan - Hmmm?

 Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays   

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Yes.

Pray / Bible study daily - Yes.

Not be a victim to technology - Considering just purging inbox of all items.  Seem to stay at 400 items. Can not possibly be all relevant...or even meant for me.

Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy:   Did I say EVERY Sunday?

 

"Don't make me scrapbook about this...."

ME - Max, if you do not stop being gross, I am going to make a whole scrapbook page about the gross things you have done today.

MAX - Well, ok.  But just don't put it on Facebook, o.k?

 

Modern children.

Seriously.  

I walked by him reading over his brother's shoulder....with a drumstick up both nostrils.

And I got into the car and the boys are laughing so hard I thought someone was crying.

Alex was the one who fessed up that Max had discovered, quite by accident, when you are sweating profusely in a hot car....those lovely underarm noises are much more "authentic" when your arm pit is a bit...juicy.  

I should be happy they were entertaining themselves in a 90 degree car while I chatted with the neighbor....

I didn't mean to use scrapbooking as a punishment. 

But it was very hot in the car and it was the end of a long day......and he had been very gross.

 

The photo: from Easter where Max wanted me to take a picture of him re-enacting the Sandpeople yell from Star Wars with a tree branch.

Watch his cousin Madison in the background of these pictures almost take out Alex:)

 

Hey Madison....whatcha doin' with that stick?

The next photo is too gruesome to show.

Kidding.

He's a black belt, people.

 

Dear favorite pair of jeans,

Dear favorite pair of jeans,

I did not see this coming.  I thought things were so perfect between us.

But now, I feel like you've changed.  Or I've changed.

(Although, who are we kidding, we both know I think it's you).

I don't feel as comfortable, long...or lean with you anymore.

In fact, I feel....suffocated.  

(Truncated, even).

Maybe it was the extra spins in the dryer for you.

Perhaps the late night snacks for me.

Who knows how things grow strained, really.

So, I guess what I am saying, is I need some time.

And perhaps some walks to clear my head....

(or, burn some calories).

Whatever happens, we'll always have 2008 until...about 5 minutes ago.

Your friend,

Kelli

 

Dear Sweatpants,

Hello old friend!..........

 

 

 

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 15 & 16

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week -  Have begun morning breathing and stretching exercises.  Not completely new, as have always breathed and stretched in mornings, but now in more organized, planned fashion.

Have unearthed book lost under stack a year ago, The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy. Trying to be encouraged that there are 150 ways for energy to become boosted vs. disappointed that of all the things I do, none are already listed in the 150.  Felt as though odds were in favor for at least 7.  

Take my vitamins - There is now an awareness of not having taken vitamins vs. the surprised feeling each week of seeing it displayed on this list.  Definite step forward.

Read -  Read What Would Mr. Darcy Do?  and Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride.  Had to review own blog in Barnes and Noble to remind self if I had already read and reviewed either of these.  Blog finally serves purpose.  Hurrah for blog!  Sad day for brain.

Give up soda! - Have replaced coffee & soda with new vice wonder elixir: Organic Mint and Honey Sweet Leaf Green Tea.  First taste was more interesting than delicious as spearmint flavor usually categorized as gum by both palate and brain.  Found self thinking of Sweet Leaf Tea progressively more over the next 2 days...which lead, of course, to dragging children through the isles of Wal-Mart and Publix in search of larger portions of said tea.  Only wish the story of the original making of tea (in dorm room brewed in  pillow cases) had been left off side of bottle. 

Idea of boys' college dorm room does not engender sanitary conditions.  Am sure they have lovely, quite clean factories now... Am sure.

Not wear shoes in the house (with the exception of our newly formed, short term Bible study people who I do not know very well):  Mostly.

Write thank you notes - Need vitamin like awareness of this still.

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Have started tablet full of new ideas that both invigorate and make me feel completely exhausted as related to renovations....(see below).

De-clutter the house room by room -  Have packed up 1/3 of home for renovations.  As packing, (to protect items from dust, etc.) thought wonderful opportunity to repaint, repair and change some rooms around.  Or just sit on sofa and eat Publix Brand Salt and Vinegar chips while watching The Real Housewives of Anywhere under overwhelming weight of "this will never be finished."  

Meal plan - Glad to have had read this at 7 a.m....am now reminded we have nothing for dinner.  At least "aware" there is nothing for dinner and will not be surprised by fact at dinner time.  

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - Shut. Up.  

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Much better.

Pray / Bible study daily - Also improving.

Not be a victim to technology - Disconnected malfunctioning computer for renovations.  Wonder if plugging it back in will have rejuvenating effect, as like with a printer that just needs a quick unplug and then plug back in.  Oddly optimistic even though past optimism seemed to have little bearing on malfunctioning computer like items.

 Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy:   How do you type that sticking out your tongue sound???  

 

Winner

My teeny tiny bladder and my memory conspired to remind me to post the winner of the scrapbook supply give away at 3:42 am.

What were these guys up to at, say, 7:42 pm?

But it seems appropraite now, because the winner actuallly left a comment around 3 am, EST time, on my birthday.

Random number generator selected:

Trudy said...

How can I forget to wish you a happy birthday!

ReplyApril 21, 2011 at 03:10 AM

Trudy, please send me an e-mail at walkingonsunshine73@yahoo.com with the word BLOG in the subject line along with your address.   (If you don't hear back from me in about 24 hours - leave me a comment here.  For some reason, a good number of real e-mails are going to my spam while all of the ones from Nigerian Princes are getting in my inbox just fine.)

 

Thank you so much for the Birthday wishes!!

Birthday Scrap Booking Give Away!

Dear Kelli,

You must allow me to tell you how ardently I desire to wish you joy and felicitations on your Day of Birth.

Yours, 

F. Darcy

 

My blog and I share a birthday month 

and to celebrate, I am giving away a scrap booking package of stamps and embellishments.

Just leave a comment with something that makes you happy

or say HI

to enter to win.

Sure, you can comment as many times as you like:)

(My self indulgent birthday post, my rules)

I will post the winner on Saturday night.

 

Photo credit 

 

A farewell to being a Garden Girl

For the past 4 and 1/2 years, I have had the coolest "job."  

(Parenthesis will be for interpreting for non-scrapbookers.)

I was asked to be a Garden Girl for Two Peas back in July 2006.

(www.twopeasinabucket.com, the #1 scrapbooking website)

I was thrilled to get to work with so many really talented people and for a company that treated me so well.

And, being a Garden Girl was such fun.  Like a sorority of people who all share your same hobby.  

(On the design team: I scrapbooked with product they sold and posted my pages on line and was compensated for it)

However, I felt for the past few months I was doing a good job, but not great.

It seems, I only have so much creative energy each day and homeschooling the boys really takes up most of it.  

That, and my days of staying up until 3 am scrapbooking are pretty much behind me.  

 

Through this scrapbooking web site I have:

Made so many friends (2 of my best)

Had the opportunity to teach scrapbooking classes on line and in different parts of the country

Been asked to participate in several book projects and design products

Travel and work at craft trade shows.

And pretty much learned a little bit about every topic under the sun by reading the NSBM.

(NSMB - the Non Scrapbooking Message Board).

Really, every good thing that has happened to me in scrapbooking has come from being involved at Two Pea and the generosity of the people I have met there.  

I already miss it.  But in that good, brings a smile to your face when thinking about it way:)

 

 

 

What I am reading right now...

I stocked up on 5 Pride and Prejudice books to take to the beach last week.

I accidentally read all of them before we left.

There are 5 books - I have read some 2 or 3 times.  

(I always say, I don't need a whole library, I just need a study shelf because I love re-reading the same books.)

The top 4 are good.

The bottom one is interesting.

I can't even slow down long enough to review them.

Hello Moderation, I don't think we've met.  My name is kelli.

 

 

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 14

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week -  Just returned home from spring break vacation.  One simply can not exercise at the beach.  

Take my vitamins - One can not always remember to pack one's vitamins.   

Read -  Only Mr. Darcy Will Do a second time in a week and  reread The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy.  Will never be able to write a review if keep reading them back to back as they all get muddled together in my head.

Give up soda! - Have officially and finally made self sick on trip home by drinking overly sweet McDonald's tea and coffee.  (Sweet level in coffee not so much McDonald's fault as mine.)  Desire nothing sweet at all.  For a long time.  Possibly for the whole day.

Not wear shoes in the house (with the exception of our newly formed, short term Bible study people who I do not know very well):  Excellent!  100%  (Perhaps attributed to lack of being home for the past week...)

Write thank you notes - One also did not pack thank you notes for vacation.

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Have just returned form vacation. There is nothing in head.

De-clutter the house room by room -  Hmm, status of home is a mess.  Perhaps can blame nomadic family of monkeys that moved in while family was traveling.  All appearances point to this possibility.

Meal plan - Planned meals at the beach.  Lots of processed food.  Planning and healthy food not necessarily a hand and hand item.

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - Can not even believe family was on the beach on Saturday and no photo was taken.  Makes stomach turn.  Although, stomach might just be rumblie over the all the processed food.  

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Planned to read.  Fantastic!

Pray / Bible study daily - One can not....oh who am I kidding?  Beyond the traditional "husband is driving us through downtown Atlanta, please let us live" prayer, utter failure this week.

Not be a victim to technology - Successfully delivered on line class for True Scrap Event on Thursday. Lost internet connection 10 minutes before was speaking live.  Found land line cable and plugged in computer.  Internet worked.  Thought self to be brilliant.  Husband later spotted that land line's other end was not connected to anything that would relay a signal.  Ha!  Had fixed computer without land line. Brillianter than first suspected.

Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy:   One can not.....

Good bye, old friend

Farewell 1993 computer moniter, 

You have served us well.

There have been many other computers and monitors in our lives

But for some reason that escapes all logic, we have held on to you through moves, children and multiple "conversations" (that I am sure you over heard) related to the length of your stay.

Enjoy the recycle center.  Of the museuem...wherever you end up!

Your friends, 

The Crowes

 

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 13

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week -  Not so much conventional exercise as have been especially forgetful as to why I have just gone up stairs.  Or down stairs. Can only hope will lead to comments such as, "look at the nicely toned calves on that befuddled lady."

Take my vitamins - Feels new to the list each week.

Read -  Finished Pride and Prejudice: Wild and Wanton Edition (interesting but not completely successful exercise in writing) and now 1/2 way through Only Mr. Darcy Will Do (easily on of the best P&P follow ups I have ever read).

Give up soda! - Excellent.  Large amounts consumed.

Not wear shoes in the house - Still not able to ask new Bible Study people to remove shoes....but cringed less as they walked around with shoed feet.  

Write thank you notes - Sent first batch!  Just sucked it up and over postage-ed the envelopes as no one has 1 and 2 cent stamps. Was difficult to mix bird stamps with excellent Yoda ones.  Mix them, I did.

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Hmmm.  Head seems oddly quiet on projects.  Think body has it bound and gagged as form of implementing much needed rest.  

De-clutter the house room by room -  Still sorting Legos which has become soothing and something I find myself looking forward to.  

Did not get all Tivo's items watched prior to swtiching over to new service.  Feel much the failure as usually excell at TV watching.  Must wait until November to re-record cleaner, TV version of Love Actually.  Again.

Meal plan - 3 meals planed.  The towns people rejoice.

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - Sunday is the new Saturday.  

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Does "plan to sit around and read in the morning" count?

Pray / Bible study daily - Improving still:)!

Not be a victim to technology - Had online meeting to run through using service for True Scrap.  Just as was doing "microphone check" realized screen said "camera ON."  Had stayed up late and gotten up early to finish up class samples and was certainly NOT camera ready in appreance.  At. All.  Blamed angle of computer, blamed auto camera in computer (Hello, Big Brother) and lighting.  Quite possibly, should blame self for still wearing sweats from previous day.  Looked to be all forehead and teeth.  

Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy:  Score!

 

Homeschool: Mountain Ecosystem Project

 

We do not do huge projects for everything.

But when you hear "Mountain Ecosystems"....sometimes you gotta jazz things up.

1. The wooden top, back & base with heavy chicken wire staple gunned to it for the mountain shape.

2. The chicken wire covered in a thin layer of paper mache.

3. The whole project primed. (Note the 2 tiny holes poked into the mountain by a younger brother.  We repaired the holes with medical fabric tape.)

4. David working on drawing and cutting out the animals and vegetation.  He focused on the details.

5. Alex drawing and painting the background, mountain and sky. He handled the bigger vision items and guided the whole project.  

6. Attaching the cut out shaped with glue dots.

7. Lots of cutting out.

8. Hmmm, it still needs something.

9. 3 cars taped to dowels and glued into small drilled holes.  Clouds and airplane hung with string and push pins.

There is a chart on the back explaining al the different levels of the mountain ecosystem.

 

I encouraged the boys to do a larger scale project for this assignment because:

1. It is good practice to go through the process of design, construction and planning out the details.

2. Time management.

3. I want them to understand that when you give a little more than what is asked of you, you have the opportunity to stand out.

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 11 & 12.....sigh

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week -  Was using article "Get Fit for Summer."  Found exercises to be complex and difficult to follow.  Realized attempting "How to Get a Brazilian Butt." Am now looking for a less DNA denying, slightly lower goal of "how to have a nice, non offensive suburban bottom."

Also, goal of becoming toner, (meaning more toned, not office supply product, of course) by summer was all off.  Toning began in Jan. in preparation for June.  What about Spring Break?  Should have begun in October.  It is as if I have to stay in shape at all times of the year, now.  

Take my vitamins - (blink.  blink.)

Read -  Well done!  Have read The Trouble with Mr. Darcy, The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy and started Pride and Prejudice: The Wild and (um cough) Wanton Edition.  (Pure comparative motivation)  Have successfully read most of books previously stock piled for impending trip in a few weeks.  

Give up soda - Good!  (as have taken this off the table as a concern at this moment.)  

Not wear shoes in the house - Fail.  Could not seem to make self ask the 5 new couples at Bible Study to remove shoes as I had never met them before.

Write thank you notes - Note to self: Must MAIL thank you notes for people to feel thanked.

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Have finished recording all Dick Van Dyke openings in chart (tripping over ottoman, walking around ottoman, etc).  Resisting urge to re-watch all programs to double check findings.  Have also spent much time amused by my own obsessive behaviour.  Thought about seeking proper professional opinion on matter, but figured would be told to take vitamins and exercise.  See above.

De-clutter the house room by room -  In midst of sorting through all of David's Legos into a kajillion sub categories of color and size.  

Meal plan - Planned several Chick-fil-A runs this week.  Excellent;)

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - So close to deleting this and all reminders of ever having had this goal.

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Yes, well...

Pray / Bible study daily - Improving.

Not be a victim to technology - Have chosen to ignore most technology for the past month.  Not so much victim as estranged.  

Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy:  sigh.

True Scrap Event Winner & Special Promotion

Special True Scrap promotion:

 

If you click on this icon on my blog and sign up for the event, you can receive and additional free class from me called "A Summer of Saturdays."  It will be the inspiration piece, a sketch and a LO sample e-mailed to you on each Saturday this June and July.  (There are 9 Saturdays in June and July!)  It basically is me taking you through my simple process of taking (free) things around me and turning them into scrapbook pages.  

SO 

If you click on the icon ON MY BLOG and sign up for either level of the True Scrap Event

and then send me an e-mail with your confirmation info (just cut and paste it)

then you get

the True Scrap Event

and the Summer of Sundays class.

And just in case you are wondering - the teachers are "affiliates" of this event.

I am paid by the number of people who sign up through my blog, facebook pages, etc.  

In full disclosure, I know some of the other girls are offering promotions, too.

If you check out their blogs, they may have something you'd rather do.  

I mean, sure, I want you to sign up through my blog.  But what I want most of all, is for you to sign up for what makes you excited.  What fits what you are interested in. And what makes you wish the classes were today instead of April:)  

Of course, one person doesn't have to sign up for anything because she already won a free spot in the True Scrap Event:

Summer Braxton said...

I'd like to learn how to fully use my DSLR and photoshop elements.

ReplyMarch 21, 2011 at 09:22 PM

Summer, if you can e-mail me, I can get you some details about the event!

walkingonsunshine73@yahoo,com  (Just put BLOG in the subject line).

True Scrap Inspiration Event Give-Away!

 

 

Right to your computer:

A Dozen Teachers…

3 Days…

…One Low Price!

 

Keynote interview: Ali Edwards

 

Instructors:

Stephanie Ackerman	Erin Bassett	Tracey Clark
Kelli Crowe	Lain Ehmann	Aby Garvey
Nic Howard	Noell Hyman	Katrina Kennedy
Shimelle Laine	Jennifer McGuire	Tami Morrison

You can click on the link (the actual picture at the top) to go to the site and see what it is all about.

I do have a special promotion for anyone who signs up through my blog.

(ie- clicks the link from my blog to the True Scrap event and then signs up).

I will have the details about that in a few days - because you could win a spot for free!

 

Just post in the comments HI or what type of class you would like to take - if you could take any kind (scrap booking or skydiving) and you are entered to win.

You can comment as many times as you like.

The winner will be selected by randomnumbergenerator.com on Tuesday night!

When I post the winner - I will also post the details on the special offer when you sign up through my blog:)

Hmmm - I think I'd like to take a class to learn Italian.....Wait, can I get a PhD. in Jane Austen?  Is that a thing?

 

 

 

Winner of the Sketch 3 from Kelly Purkey class spot giveaway

The winner (as selected by randomnumbergenerator.com) is:

Suzan Tiemroth-Zavala said...

Would love a chance to win. Thanks.

ReplyMarch 17, 2011 at 01:35 AM

Please send me an e-mail so I can connect you with Kelly Purkey.  She will need your name, e-mail address and your Studio Calico user name.  (If you have questions about that, just let me know:)

My e-mail address: walkingonsunshine73@yahoo.com.  Please put blog or winner in the subject line.

The next give away is on Saturday!   Sunday!  (icky flu)

Scrapbook class giveaway: Sketchbook 3 from Kelly Purkey

I am giving away a spot in Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook class!  Here is the info:

Join Kelly Purkey and friends for Sketchbook 3!  This is a self-paced four week class filled with fresh sketches, easy instructions, beautiful examples, and lots of fun.  From April 4th to April 29th a PDF will be delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  By the end of the class, you'll have a complete sketchbook of 12 original sketches, 38 layouts, and an additional 38 sketches based on those creative pages. All of the examples are brand new layouts, exclusive to this class... you won't see them anywhere else. The best part is that you will be receiving an example layout from Kelly for each of the sketches, along with two (or more) example layouts from a very talented contributor.  Each PDF for Sketchbook 3 will also include a card designed by the amazing Jennifer McGuire based on the daily sketch.

The class will also include a private message board for questions and sharing ideas on the Studio Calico website (http://tinyurl.com/4pdmyud).

Visit Kelly's blog(http://www.kellypurkey.typepad.com) for more information and to see the full list of contributors.

 

I will be taking the class myself.

(And contributing a LO for one of the sketches).

If you'd like to enter the drawing for the class spot give away - just leave a comment.

You can just say HI or tell me what you are reading right now.

Or both.

You can comment as many times as you like.

On Friday morning, I will post the winner as selected by randomnumbergenerator.com.

More giveaways on the way!!

 

 

Dear Kelli,

Dear Kelli,

I feel neglected.

I think you should make it up to me by giving prizes away for a few days.

Love,

Your Blog

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 10

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week -  Recovering from sitting on the floor with legs crossed for an hour at church & child event.  Legs now only want to return to previously crossed configurement.  Recovering from sitting.  Gah!

Take my vitamins - 1 out of 7 days. Actually, 1 out of 14 times, as take morning and evening vitamins so that iron and calcium do not collide.  1 out of 14.  Not good.  B complex is for memory.  Must remember to take memory related vitamin? 

Read -  Have re-read Darcy and Fitzwilliam for a 3rd time.  Have gone from reading Classics, to Jane Austen, to Pride and Prejudice, to  spin offs of Pride and Prejudice,  to single book.  Genre shrinkage is notable.  

Give up soda - Have found excellent renewal of resolutions in Lent.  As if a wonderfully timed do-over occurs at the precise moment when one may decide to chuck resolutions entirely.  However, realized Lent had begun as was drinking Dr. Pepper.  

Not wear shoes in the house - Excellent!  Considered marking shoe-less home resolution off list as have mastered it.  Decided against - as is confidence builder that other items on list are attainable.  Plenty of year left.  No worries.  

Write thank you notes - Oh.  dear.  

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - On season 4 of keeping a chart of Dick Van Dike episodes: # of times Rob falls over ottoman, goes around ottoman or goes around ottoman and trips on carpet.  Also noting times Mary Tyler Moore's name is mispronounced in opening.  

De-clutter the house room by room - Have de-cluttered (drug everything out of) husband's office.  Office looks lovely.  Dinning room is now disaster as filled with office items.  Wonder if local museum would like collection of computer monitors for historical significance?  Patronizing the arts always paramount.  

Meal plan - Single meal planned was delicious roast.  Ran out of time to eat it and was consumed standing at sink.  Perhaps meal planning is connected to time management, as well.  Hmm. 

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - Own project is tormentor. 

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Will begin straight way in the morning.

Pray / Bible study daily - Improving!

Not be a victim to technology - Blog is sure to turn on me from neglect.  Technology not so much victimizing as creating paralysis.  In-box packed with over 400 items this morning.  

Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy: Perhaps making a chart of progress: Sundays list was accomplished, etc would prove motivating.  Everything runs more smoothly with charts. Surely have found viable solution.

 

 

 

Mr. Darcy's Secret By Jane Odiwe

Mr. Darcy's Secret is a pleasant tale full of clever lines, irony, wit, chance meetings and a bit of a mystery.  In a sea of Pride and Prejudice sequels, Jane Odiwe has managed to make Darcy and Elizabeth feel familiar but not redundant.  Get your copy because summer reading is on the way.  

For those of you who are looking for romance without sex scenes, this is the book you have been waiting for. Those moments are refereed to but not witnessed by the reader. (Next to "what is the best book to read?" this is THE question I get e-mails about the most).

A portion of the blurb from the back of the book:  "After capturing the heart of the most eligible bachelor in England, Elizabeth Bennet believes her happiness is complete - until the day she unearths a stash of anonymous, passionate love letters that may be Darcy's, and she realizes just how little she knows about the guarded, mysterious man she married..."

Language: A

Characterization: A

Plot: A

Rehash vs. Revisit: B

Nit Picky Little Things: B+

Wonderful Little Moments: B+

Originality: A

The Moment I was Hooked: A

 

Language:  Not Austen, but a lovely flow and words like nonpareil, enjambment, august company.  I really like Ms. Odiwe's phrasing: [he was] "rather too sure of himself for her liking."  

A

Characterization:  At first, I felt like Lizzy and Darcy were not as vibrantly represented as I would have hoped.  I kept thinking, where is her impertinence?  Why doesn't she just ask Darcy her questions?  Upon my second reading, I realized that I always expect Darcy to change once married but never Elizabeth. I think Odiwe is one of the few authors to address Lizzy's nature in this way.  (My husband might have a theory or two as to why I think Darcy should do all the changing, but that is a thread that is best not pulled).

Darcy is a bit of an enigma, just as he is in Pride and Prejudice.  There are many things about him and his point of view that the reader is not meant to understand.  (Whether Odiwe meant for this to be the case or not, I credit her with the choice.)  And one of the choices he made that I really didn't understand on my first reading, actually makes perfect sense on my second time through,  because it mirrors choices he made in Pride and Prejudice.  (How was that for vague?)  I also like that Darcy is still a brooder and a bit moody post marriage. Isn't it the way that the brooding can feel intense and sexy before marriage but seem a bit hard to deal with afterward?  

And Miss Bingly is still very much Caroline.  For that, I was delighted.  

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are just as Jane Austen gave them to us and then some.  I loved and recognized them right away.  Mrs. Bennet (who in my head always sounds a bit like a frazzled Aunt Bee) had one fantastic line after another.  "I have more important matters on my mind, such as which gown I am to wear this evening and whether the feathers on my headband are tall enough...I would hate Mr. Darcy to feel let down by the insignificance of my headdress."

A

Plot:   The first 2/3 rds of the plot feel more narrator driven than propelled by dialogue.  The last 1/3 rd feels like the book moves from a happy cantor to a gallop as dialogue, irony and wit take the reigns.  That is not to say that the beginning feels slow at all, but builds in layers as it heads towards the resolution.  

The opening scene is between Mr. & Mrs. Bennet after Lizzy's wedding to Mr. Darcy.  The dialogue is so clever and familiar, that I immediately felt like this IS the conversation the Bennets would have had with each other had Jane Austen kept writing.

There is one small detail in the story I still can not reconcile.  So if anyone has read the book and would like to e-mail me, I would love that.  I am sure getting an answer  will be a bit like walking the grocery store, looking for olives only to ask someone where they are right when you are standing in front of the Olives of Italy display.  

A

Rehash vs. Revisit: A small bit of reminding, which is good for those who have not just finished reading Pride and Prejudice or have only seen one of the movie versions.  I just skimmed those parts as they were infrequent and brief.

B

Nit Picky Little Things: The words prejudice and pride, especially pride, were used over and over again.  A lot of authors do this. We get it.  Pride.  Like in Pride and Prejudice.  

B+

Wonderful Little Moments: Many great lines, The Bennets, Caroline, To A Fly by Fitzwilliam Darcy, Mrs. B's "sense of occasion." And Odiwe's description of the Lakes.  It made this inside girl actually want to visit those outside lakes. 

B+

Originality: Great.  There have been other books with mysterious pieces of the past, but this felt fresh to me.  And I've read A LOT of Pride and Prejudice follow ups.

A

The Moment I was Hooked: The first page: the Bennet's conversation.  The last half of the book made me want to steal away throughout the day to read "just a little more."

A

If this book was a movie - it would be rated PG- 13 or maybe even PG,  for discussion of ardent moments.  

Jane Odiwe has also written Lydia Bennet's Story and Willoughby's Return.  I haven't read either because I really don't care enough about Lydia to read much about her (also true with Jane Fairfax from Emma) and because Willoughby is from Sense and Sensability.  I can read that AFTER I have read ALL of the Pride and Prejudice spin offs.  (My obsessive / compulsive nature meets my reading habits.) However, I did enjoy this book so much, I might just read about Lydia.  I think if someone could make me care about Lydia's story, it just might be Ms. Odiwe.

You can find Jane Odiwe's blog here.

Jane Odiwe discusses the Bennets on Austen Authors Blog here.

 

True Scrap Class

 

I admit it.  I am an e-mail skimmer.  

I have said yes (or no) to things when I really didn't even know what was going on - because I skimmed the e-mail.

Never has it worked out so well for me, as when I said yes to the True Scrap event:)

 

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 8 & 9

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week -  Obsessive personality at all time high with new Tumblr addiction.  Must save calories for time on Tumblr. 

Take my vitamins -  What?

Read -  Have re-read Mr. Darcy's Secret.  Excellent as it was not even posted on Tumblr.

Give up soda - Huh?  (slurp)

Not wear shoes in the house - Who wears shoes while on Tumblr?

Write thank you notes - Can that be done on Tumblr?

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Pretty, unattainable images from Tumblr are all that are in my head.

De-clutter the house room by room - Um...

Meal plan - Have converted to food bars and water while on Tumblr.

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - Yes, but always wait until night time to remember to take photo and, therefore, have no really good photos.

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Plan to "Tumblr on."

Pray / Bible study daily - Better, but most of reading has been done in Picture Bible to Max.  A comic book meets the Bible.  He is obsessed.  Where does he get this tendency?

Not be a victim to technology - Computer intelligence from becoming fluent in Tumblr not carried over to blog redesign which is at a standstill. 

Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy: What?  I mean, Pardon?

 

 

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 7

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week - Monday: Simple stretching and walking on the elliptical machine.  Well done. Tuesday & Wednesday: Left hip mutinied and functioned on own accord producing an interesting rhythm to my natural gate.  Clearly, all exercising was abandoned to allow for full recovery.  Sunday evening, during dinner, left shoulder seceded and began to ache.  Within a day, shoulder had coerced back, arm and jaw into defiance and has allowed very little movement of left side of body whatsoever.  All grooming has since been chucked.  

Take my vitamins -  Have instituted new plan of leaving pretty bowl on counter with vitamins to take in morning or evening.  Have improved vitamin intake by 33%.  Excellent! However, can not currently open vitamen bottles with useless & weak left arm.  Must look into vitamins for improving one's joint functionality.  Will need joint ability to open joint vitamins.  Hmmm...

Read - Read and made notes for 33 Great Writers on Why We Read Jane Austen, read March issues of In Style Magazine (v. difficult with left arm unable to sustain the weight of periodical.)  Have not reviewed a Pride and Prejudice book in a few weeks - surely can be blamed on reluctant joints.  

Watched Mr. Darcy on Tivo'd episodes of Inside the Actor's Studio and on Piers Morgan Tonight.  Surely watching Mr. Darcy carries same weight as reading about Mr. Darcy.

Give up soda - Coffee is new toxin.  Must eliminate it (as soon as this pot just made is finished. Wasteful to toss it out.) Joints clearly do not like coffee.  

Not wear shoes in the house - Fantastic - even enforced on guests this weekend.  

Write thank you notes - If one writes thank you notes and carries them in her purse for weeks on end - does the other person actually feel thanked in any way?  Confucious style question for the ages.  Much like tree falling in forrest.

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Organized pen drawer when arm still worked.  Perhaps over exertion of left arm from pen drawer activity?

De-clutter the house room by room - Lack of productivity given pass as have been convalescing joints.

Meal plan - Good - have used joint recovery as time to oversee husband making dinner and pizza ordering (also by husband as joints are needed for phone usage.)

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - Shut. up.  3rd Saturday missed.  But have delightful Sunday photo that will be snuck in as if Saturday one.  But I will know.  Forever.  Beyond the days of remembering my children's birthdays.  

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Really, what can be expected with joint issues?

Pray / Bible study daily - (Will fill this in later once connection with joint issues can be made)

Not be a victim to technology - Have learned about Tumblr & set up account.  Taught Kelli Darr to set up her own account (am tech. teacher, now).  See potential for obsessive personality's enjoyment.  

Keep up with this list every Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy: Well done, considering previously mentioned joint issues.  Would pat back if left arm would allow it.  (Must protect right arm from over exertion, at this point.)

 

Alex & Max's Baptism

Alex and Max were baptised this Sunday afternoon. We go to kinda a big church (North Point Community Church) , so it was all done in kinda a big way.  Alex's picture on the jumbo - tron screen.

A video of each child (made a few weeks prior) showed just before their turn.  They talked about their favorite Bible verse, when they asked Jesus into their heart, thanked their family and small group leaders.

I didn't actually see the videos until Sunday.  Max quoted his favorite Bible verse.  It apparently can be found in "Ecclesiastics."  :) 

There was a party afterwards with cupcakes and these giant balloons.  When they asked if we wanted to take one home - I was like "totally!"  

I told him to jump but to make it look like he didn't jump.

How did people who don't have a suburban get their balloons home?  

 

I am so proud of these boys.  They asked to be baptised and Max hounded me until I took care of it.

Alex later asked me how much it cost and if we had to pay a lot.  

Me:  "Um, no - the church doesn't charge for that."  

Alex: "I overheard a father dropping of his son and asking where he needed to go to pay."  

Me: "He was paying $5 to get a DVD of the baptism."

Alex: "Oh, well good."

It was a really wonderful day.  

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a monster of a Valentine's!

Grandma sent a box full of her hand made monster to the boys.  

In our family, a monster related Valentines is kinda a theme:)

Have a super day!

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 6

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week - On verge of taking off based on purchase of exercise ball.  Red. 

Take my vitamins -  Have yet to successfully take morning vitamins (iron, b & daily) and evening vitamins (b, omega & calcium) on the same day. Much room available for improvement, brilliant as would hate to run out of things to progress towards at this early point in the year.  Having goals vital. 

Read - Read Health Magazine, July 2007 edition.  Surely health, in general, has not changed much since and most information should be considered reliable.  Perhaps, disregard the bird flu article. 

Reading 33 Great Writers on Why We Read Jane Austen.  If you hold the book to your ear, you can hear the sound of suede elbow patches.

Give up soda  coffee - Must find article telling the merits of coffee in fighting Alzheimer's.  And then search internet for merits of sugar and milk.

Not wear shoes in the house - Mostly well done. 

Write thank you notes - Wrote rough draft for a note.  Surely counts.

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Alphabetized movies, organized container storage area.  Started Tumblr account called Mash You Crooked.  

De-clutter house room by room - How?  How?  As one area, such as pen drawer becomes organized, whole other, much larger area (like playroom) implodes spectacularly.  However, pen drawer does look quite nice with new caddies.  

Meal plan - Rachel Ray's butternut squash risotto not a winner. Unfortunate as 1. had to be stirred for 30 minutes and 2. was only meal planned. 

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - Failed to take photo even though family was visiting and we were not wearing the customary sweats.  Even had clean hair.  Tragic.

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy -  Better.  Improving.  (Positive self talk is paramount)

Pray / Bible study daily - Better. Improving. (see above).

Not be a victim to technology - Will count new battery operated toothbrush as it came with an instruction booklet.  Triumph!

Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy: box checked

Leave the gun and take the Captain Crunch

"Hey Mugsy.

You need me to top that coffee off for you?"

 

Max at breakfast last weekend.

He selected his outfit.

The gun was already on the counter when he sat down.

(Serendipitous.)

And yes, the decaf coffee was his.