so not a web designer

calgon take me away! simply tried to add a "badge" for a new favorite and i have completely altered the layout of my gadgets. i have tried everything to get the gadgets back on the column on the right - i am very annoyed in this moment.

christmas . . . first things first

let's start with the advent calendar.

i looked high and wide for an advent calendar that i would love. found this one last year at gump's online. it is a little larger than my postage stamp house can handle - so it will be living on the kiddie table for the next month. location will be great once my daughter figures out that she gets to open a door each day. luckily she is still so young - that i don't have to worry about 24 little toys or candies to fit in the drawers. that promises to be a ROYAL pain in coming years.

i love the beginning of this season - i can feel the creativity in the air during the holidays. my favorite gifts are always those that are handmade - they mean so much more to me. my friend bekki reminds me that eventually alot of the stuff we buy is going to end up in a landfill anyway - so i keep that in mind these days when i trend towards wanting another "new something" that i don't really need.

what are your favorite gifts?

choices part 2

Below is an excellent post from one of my favorite creative women. Tracks nicely with my earlier post about choices.5 Reasons We Don't Have TV Posted using ShareThis

choices

sometimes i am so overwhelmed by the choices at my disposal - it is almost paralyzing. when i get those few precious minutes of time - time that is mine and all mine - what to do. scrapbook, blog, read the washington post, catch up on "my shows" on the dvr or work on my photography skills. or call a friend, call my mom or write a letter. i want to do all those things but i can't decide where to start - so often i choose the path of least resistance. i watch the dvr and answer emails. i am beginning to realize that "my shows" on the dvr are the least fufilling of all my choices - so i think it may be time to re-work my plans - say goodbye to a couple of the sleepers that i tape just because i can and start to use my limited time more wisely.

DC Baby . . .

proof positive that my daughter knows how to represent. her adidas sweatsuit and ben's chili bowl. what else is there for a day out with dada? next week - breakfast at tiffany's with mama.

thankful

even though somedays i tend to forget - i have much for which i should be and am thankful. first . . . my beautiful 20 month old daughter - who is exhausting me these days as she comes into her own and is testing her boundaries with incredible regularity. my husband - who at his core is a good and decent human being. my parents - who have done an incredible job of supporting me over the years - each in their own way. my sister-friends - who allow me to forget somedays that i am an only child. and god - who i know is carrying me through this whole journey - because clearly i would not be here but for his grace.

victory dance with football spike . .

how you like me now? ah - yeah! i did it! i did it! now i just need to start blogging with regularity again. just have to remember not to complain too much about todd, parents or friends - because they might check this blog out. do i need to start a second secret blog where i don't use pink paint? :)

digital scrapbooking

okay - so i am trying to reconnect with my creative side. so i decided to return to my online photoshop elements class (gotta love jessica sprague) and completed lesson one. let me see if i can remember how to add a photo to this post.