I am starting a Book of Me album for 2007, and this is the first page.  I have been scrapbooking since Brennan was born in 2003. I am so glad to able to channel my creative self into something that is not only fun, but a wonderful way to preserve memories of my family.  I hope to scrapbook more.  I really do need to take more pictures of myself, that is why I am starting this BOM.  I want to focus more on the journaling, rather than just scrapping all the pictures.  I want write more about my feelings, or how something that is going on in the world is affecting me.  I just want to be me.

Happy New Years Internet world!

I decided to give Mayfly a go this year, although I haven’t felt like blogging or doing anything internet related in the past week.  I feel pressured to blog one last entry for 2006.

Life is crazy with a toddler and busy kid. Finances were tight this year. I continue to enjoy my MLIS classes, and making art.

Originally seen at spinning-jennie

I also thought it would be fun to link to my past December entries.

2005

2004

2003

It’s pretty mellow here.  Yesterday we went to my parent’s house for an early Christmas celebration.  My mom made ham and roast, with a nice spread of vegetables.  The kids scored with some fun toys.  We also got some cashola to spend for gifts for ourselves, although some of the gift money will be going to our bank account.  If you have been reading me for some time, you will know that I have been wanting an Archos PVP for the past three years. Yes I really want this. So I can spend it on that, or get a few different things, like a new paper cutter, hand vac, and some new scrapbooking supplies.

We may go to the park, after Elden wakes up from his nap.  But other than that, just relax.  Tomorrow will be hectic. Christmas day is at Den’s sister’s house. It will definitely be loud with all 7 boys.  But it is always fun.  Looking forward the traditional chips and dips.

I still need to wrap the kid’s gifts.  Yes, I usually wait for the last minute to do these kinds of things.

Happy Holidays Internet world!

I think I might be a little obsessed. I made 9 green balls, one you see got smooshed. That was because I only coated about 4 layers, which apparently was not enough when you fill them with candies. I ended up with about 6 layers. I ended up making one small ball and another bigger ball. The red ball is made from some pretty red mulberry paper.  I also pulled out my box of handmade papers that I made about two years ago from the leaves that I retrieved from a trip to Yosemite.

I definitely see some awesome possiblities in implementing my homemade paper. Stay tuned for some experimention in 2007. I will definitely have to bust out my papermaking mold and deckle in the near future. My wheels are definitely turning.

I will be making some more balls for Brennan’s b-day party as goodie balls, instead of goodie bags. I should get started because they do take some time to make.

Idea from big and little. Instructions on Kiddley and NotMartha,

Christmas is just a short five days away, and then the new year will be upon us. I still can’t believe that 2006 is almost over. It seriously feels like the year just barely begun. Anyways, our Christmas shopping is now complete, but I still have to finish making the crafty gifts. For my mom,we bought a pink sweatshirt on which I will be printing the kid’s pictures on the front and coming up with a fun design on the back, or vice versa. For my dad, we got a video game rocking chair. I don’t know if this would be something that he would use. He is probably one of the most difficult people to buy for. We also got Making Memories wooden letters, one for my grandma and one for my mom and dad to share that Brennan painted. I just need to print some photos to paste behind and add some finishing touches to. My brother is another person that is difficult to buy for because he has such expensive taste. We ended getting him a Prosperity fountain for his office. Hopefully he will like it.

For Den’s side of the family, we decided to only get gifts for the kids. 5 boys = too much money. I was so thrilled to find these neat homemade Christmas Piñatas from Kiddley, which was originally posted on Not Martha. The boys will have a total blast with them. I can totally picture all 7 boys smashing them everywhere and laughing like the cute monkeys that they are. These will also be perfect for goodies bag holders for Brennan’s birthday party.

I’ve been trying to make a habit to not only get books and vids for Brennan on our Wednesday visit to the library, but to also pick up a book or two and a movie for me. I rented “Mystic River” and “Meet the Fockers” last week. I couldn’t get into “Meet the Fockers” and I ran out of time to finish watching “Mystic River”. I obviously didn’t learn from last week because today I rented “Lover Come Back”, “Donnie Brasco”, “i.Robot”, and “Oliver”. Let’s see how I do this week. I had to get “Oliver” after watching Jana’s older son perform this on stage.

To finish off the entry, I wanted to share this cool offbeat rendition of Jingle Bells by the king of space-age music Juan Garcia Esquivel. Click here to download the song. It should automatically open up in your music player. If you want to save it on your harddrive, just right click it and – save as.  Happy Holidays!

Heyay, Carol invited me to your come-as-you-are-party. She said that I would be a good sport about it and yes, she was right! I’m in a chipper mood. I’m wearing my favorite green J-Crew robe, that I bought a few years ago when I was employed, and able to afford clothes. I seriously need some new glasses or at least I need to get them tightened because they keep falling off. The orangy pearl earrings are from my dad, which he originally bought for my mom on a trip to Florence, Italy. He bought me a ring of the same type. My mom wasn’t wearing the earrings, so I hocked them from her. What a sweet daughter I am! I always have a bottle of water nearby.

I admit that it took me longer than I wanted to post this because I have a million things that I am working on right now. And it’s been over a week and a half, since I have posted an entry. Last week our cable was accidently disconnected because our new neighbors in the front had a satellite dish installed. The dumb technician from the satellite company cut our line. It seriously took like 5 days to get our cable back.
We finally did a little bit of Christmas shopping. Den is going to get the boys’ presents later in the week. Brennan had Den write a letter to Santa and one of his requests was for Santa to get him a jumper that turns into a big bouncy ball. Hmm, not sure if that exists kid. He also said that he wanted a new teddy bear. We are probably going to get him the “Go Diego Go Talking Rescue Center”. Elden will probably get one toy from the line of Parent’s toys. I really wanted to get Elmo TMX, but Den just laughed at me.

Tomorrow we have a small Christmas party and gift exchange at the local play area. I just finished printing invites to Brennan’s 4th birthday coming up in January 13. I also have to print out a few more Christmas cards. My yellow and magenta ink are less than 10%, so hopefully there is just enough for a few more cards.

Okay, I’m off to cut out the invites, print a few more Christmas cards, and finish watching Mystic River, which I started watching last week.

Oops, I forgot to invite three people to the party. Let’s see, come out, come out Suze, Anna, and Deirdre

I have two items for sale for all you crafty people, plus Den has some Star Wars figures at ebay.

Sizzix Sizzlits Fruit Smoothie Die Set
Sizzix Sizzlets Rat-a-tat Die Set