This is the day that countless people the world over have been waiting for. It is a greatly anticipated “changing of the guard.” Goodbye George W. Bush and Hello Barack H. Obama!! It’s a day of hope, a harbinger of change, a return to ideals. In many ways, it’s a global do-over. It is the street cleaner that has come along to sweep up the mess of the last administration. It’s an historical moment, one you can feel with all of your senses. I felt it as I watched countless people in places such as California, the Bronx, Tennessee, Georgia, Afghanistan, Chicago, England, and Kenya tune in to the crowning of our 44th president. The emotions were palpable, the excitement contagious, the joy infectious. I felt it as I swelled up with the emotion, the promise, and eloquence of Obama’s speech.

For me, as one little bystander in my little corner of the world, it IS about hope. I felt hopeful the first time I heard Obama speak. I remember saying to my mom (who was supporting Hillary at the time) that I felt about Obama the way she must have felt about Kennedy. It was the only way to articulate what was going through my mind. I was excited about the possibilities, engaged in politics, and every time I heard him speak - the articulacy and the passion - I became more and more convinced that this man was going to make some very positive changes in the world.

This is a defining moment in our lives and the lives of our children. I see it as a time when I would like hope to prevail over cynicism. Where intelligence and eloquence will be celebrated over ignorance. Where love will begin to truly triumph over hate. Where we once again focus on doing what is right, instead of doing what is easy. Where we all contribute to the greater good - because whether or not we voted for this President, we should all certainly stand behind him as he tries to make good on his promises. Where we realize that the welfare of this nation, and all of the nations that were tuning in today, can be impacted by the collective actions of each and every one of us.

So today, I feel hope. As a woman, I feel hope. As a mother of two young daughters, I feel hope. As a working mother, I feel hope. As a middle-class American, who is thankful for a job and a roof over her head, I feel hope. As a woman who has witnessed September 11, and some of the most horrific, life-altering events of her lifetime, I feel hope. As a proud citizen of the United States of America, I feel hope.

I know that there are many who are not sharing in my joy. Perhaps it’s a party thing - your candidate did not win the election. Perhaps it’s a race thing - you just aren’t ready to have an African-American serve your country. Perhaps you vote with your wallet. Perhaps you don’t have faith in the message. Perhaps you don’t agree with the direction this country will go in. Whatever your reasons, they are valid and very real to you. But, to turn off your television or snub the dawning of this day, ignorant to this tremendous moment in our history, is to turn your back on progress. Because, agree or disagree with the policies and viewpoints, we should still have “unity of purpose.” Agree or disagree with the politics, we should ALL be rejoicing over the election of a black President of the United States of America.  

As a nation, we have come a long way. I personally never thought I would see an African-American president in my lifetime and I feel tremendous pride that this day has finally come. The fact that many Americans voted on the issues at hand, and not the color of the candidate’s skin makes me hopeful. I firmly believe that there IS a way we can all come together for the greater good. As small as my part may be, I am excited to inject my voice and my actions into the process.

Call me what you will - idealistic, a bleeding-heart liberal, “puppet” was also used today - I realize that we all have choices in this world. We have the choice to stand idly by, complaining that things didn’t turn out the way we wanted them to, or we can try to inject ourselves into the process and help make a difference. I stand by my optimism. I stand by my hope for a better nation and better world. I stand by my choice for president. And, I am happy to have been a part of history today!

My husband made the local news media today. In a time when articles about high school coaches usually involve something unsavory and incomprehensible, he appears in print with nothing but praise.

As his wife and his biggest fan, I feel so much pride for him. I am so proud of the man he has become and often in awe of how he touches people’s lives so effortlessly. He is a role model and mentor to so many. Kids truly do gravitate to him and respect the things he has to say. He is a man who does what he does for the love of the game and for the impact he makes on the kids he gets to meet. It’s not about salary or perks. He’s one of the lucky ones — he gets up each and every day, grateful that he gets to live his passion.

The Rivers School is so lucky to have such a dedicated, honorable faculty member. And, we are lucky to have such an incredible husband, father, and friend. We love you, Bobby. Congratulations on a wonderful article — you deserve all of the accolades you received (and then some)!! You inspire all of us and the world truly could use more people like you! xoxoxox

Well, I went back at it today. I did some more charging of the creative batteries…and it felt GOOD!

Enjoy the layouts!

It’s truly hard to believe that I have been on vacation for over two weeks! I have just constantly been on the go. It has been a whirlwind of Christmas preparation, family obligations, continuing education/studying, and endless housework/laundry. There haven’t been any manicures, massages, or days spent with friends. I haven’t read a book, flipped through a magazine, or taken one single nap.

Tonight, given that I only have one more week off, I gave myself permission to do some scrapbooking. I needed to do something creative. I needed to calm and soothe myself and this is very often my mode of meditation. It felt good. It felt good to work with some new photos and reminisce over the old. I feel the spark coming back, a tiny ember that I hope to nurture even more in 2009.

Here are a couple of the layouts that I cranked out while donning pajamas and drinking a few Bud Lights. Enjoy!

In this one, I wrapped my journaling around the buds of these glittery flowers. I really loved working with this Hambly paper. They have a great product line, one that often spraks creativity in unexpected ways.

This next one was really simple. I just used a grid to place my images and then wrote a very short blurb about how fresh air and family is so much more exhilerating than playing with toys.

Here is another one with the autumn theme. I love the texture of the bark paper. No journaling at all on this one. I let a few stickers and rub-ons do the talking for me.

I left all my supplies out and I am determined to come back to this tomorrow. Come back and visit to see what I come up with next!

Well, it’s finally here! Today, despite the inclement weather, I will be baking cookies all day with my mom. My sister will be there, my girls will come for a while to “help” out and make their Santa cookies, and we are having a new guest star at our family tradition: my friend, Josette, is going to come hang out for a while.

We’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember. The tradition evolves and changes a bit over time, but the essence of it remains the same. We listen to music, we bake, we laugh, and then we give the goods to our family and friends for Christmas. It is a whirlwind of activity for 10-14 hours, but it is well worth it.

What traditions do you look forward to each holiday season?

Have a great day, and a wonderful holiday season!

So, I finished the entry for the design team search. Hopefully, someone from Right at Home Scrapbooking will be looking at it shortly and I will get some good news in the not too distant future. If you want to see my complete entry, please visit my Shutterfly share site at http://designteamsearch.shutterfly.com/. It was the easiest way to share the amount of images I wanted to send — no worries about faulty email delivery or how many megapixels I could send as an attachment. Wish me luck! I’m not sure how many people will be applying for the position, but I am sure there will be some very talented entries.

In addition to the contest entry, I have been consumed with all things Christmas. Shopping, decorating, wrapping, and holiday gatherings have taken up a significant amount of time lately.

I will also be working on the scrapbook layout for my daughter’s yearbook. I volunteered last year and loved being a part of the process so much that I volunteered again this year. It’s fun to be able to work on her class page and be a part of her elementary school history.

Until next time, here are some images to get you in the holiday spirit!

So, I just wanted to quickly post another couple layouts and share some news with you. I am entering a scrapbook contest of sorts. I am compiling a portfolio of layouts/projects for a Design Team search. What that means is that my local scrapbook store (Right at Home Scrapbooking in Attleboro) is looking for designers and I am submitting my work in the hopes that I will be one of them. Wish me luck!! It’s been a couple of years since I have been on a design team, but I am really ready to go for it again. Fingers crossed….

Trying to keep the layouts simple these days as my time is being taken up with all things Christmas.

Have a great day (and send some good thoughts my way)!!

So, I know it’s kind of a strange and random post, but this one is about shoes. Sneakers, to be exact. And, this blog post is a precursor to a scrapbook page about my aforementioned sneakers. What’s so special about these sneakers? Well, let me tell you…

These are my gym shoes. They are marketed as “fitness shoes” because that is exactly what they are for. I wear them to the gym when I take aerobics (Turbo Kick) classes. There are no big treads on the bottom, so I can twist, and turn, and jump, and kick, and shuffle with the best of ‘em. I bought them in March when I embarked on my “Commitment to Fitness 2008.” Initially, I was under the impression that they would be like any other pair of gym shoes I have purchased in recent years — I would wear them, I would be gung-ho about the gym, and then they would eventually make their way to the back of my closet once the novelty of it all wore off.

But, no, these shoes are magic — they are too good for the back of the closet. And, I still pull them out faithfully at least three times a week. Not only have they helped me roll my “Commitment to Fitness 2008″ into 2009, but they have helped give me energy. I have endorphins. I have spark. I have determination and dedication. My smile is a little brighter and my laughter is a little louder. I deal with everyday stress a whole lot better. These shoes even help me eat healthier (usually). I am getting reacquainted with all my old friends, like Mr. and Mrs. Clavicle, Ms. Waist, and Mr. Pull-Up. Fitness and I are friends again and it feels good.

But, the most magical part of these shoes are the friendships I have made because I bought them, put them on, and kept wearing them for a solid 10 months without quitting. I have met some truly inspirational women. Women who were first only acquaintances, but have become trusted friends and confidantes. Women who encourage me and inspire me to be better, and fitter, and healthier. Women who have reminded me that it’s okay to take some time each week (or each day, if we choose) for ourselves. Women who make me laugh. Women who help me to push physical boundaries and keep on keepin’ on. Real women. Strong women. Women who are not afraid of or jealous of other women, because they possess an incredible self-confidence. Women who are there to pick you up when you are feeling down. Women who are kind and giving and nurturing. Women who I look forward to seeing all the time. Women who are just the way women were intended to be. Josette and Jenn, you know who you are. I love you!

These women are the reason there is magic in my shoes. I’m in good company when those shoes are on my feet. And, just like there is magic in my shoes — they have magic in their souls.

I love magazines. I subscribe to no less than 10 of them. I buy at least 5 more at the grocery store. Magazines clutter my living room and pile up in my bedroom. I get them for the tiny nuggets of information: the latest scrapbook layouts in Creating Keepsakes and Simple Scrapbooks, an abundance of eco-living and whole health in Body + Soul, fitness and diet tips in Shape and Self, home decor ideas in Country Home and Country Living, ideas for work/life balance in Working Mother, and family ideas in Cookie. Then there are the ones I pick up at random when a good headline catches my eye.

Problem is, life has been so hectic lately, that I haven’t had time to read them. They are sitting unread, some still in the cellophane wrapper they were delivered in. So, I am going to carve out a couple “magazine” days in December (and probably January). It’s time to catch up…and then purge.

 I’d be curious to know what you are reading…

(**Now that I’ve written about this, I think I need to create a scrapbook page about it.)

Today is my birthday. I am 37 today. Life is good.

It is also the time of year when the holiday crunch hits HARD and we all get overwhelmed with things to do, gifts to buy, people to see, food to bake. Let’s make a pact that we won’t lose sight of what is truly important at this time of year. Turn the unfortunate economic state into heartfelt greetings and gestures of goodwill.

Here are some inexpensive gift ideas for the special people in your lives:

• Use your scrapbook supplies and make a coupon book for someone. Each coupon is redeemable for an item like a back rub, a homemade dinner, a shoulder to cry on, or an hour of housework.
• Cut down some fresh greens and decorate a friend’s or neighbor’s entryway. Wrap some greens around their banister, fill their urns with greens and berries, or make them a homemade wreath for their front door.
• Write someone you love a letter and tell them why. Recall a moment that was important in your relationship, tell a funny story, or just tell them you love them. It’s a forgotten art, but I can’t think of anyone that doesn’t like receiving a heartfelt, handwritten letter.
• Bake something. Make cookies. Decorate a cake. Make muffins and deliver them with fresh orange juice and the newspaper.
• Call a long, lost friend or relative. Reconnect.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle. If you sew, make someone a quilt/blanket from old clothing. If you scrapbook, use old photos/letters/ephemera to create a scrapbook for someone. If you are an artist, sketch a portrait.

The holidays are as crazy as we let them be. Try to keep it all in perspective and enjoy them as much as you can! Happy December!!