(43-6) Holy Scrap!

Today I finished working at 1230; and I got back to the matter of re-organizing my scrapbook stash.  After 4 days of examining all of my goodies; I think that I can honestly say that I have way TOO MUCH stuff for a scrapbooker of my caliber.  Now when I say "of my caliber" it's not that I'm putting myself down; I merely mean for someone who scrapbooks as infrequently as I do.  While I was sorting through all of my supplies, I found that I had at least 4 different means of storage for brads (paper fasteners of all colors, shapes and sizes - for you non-scrapbookers;) and I don't think I've even used a brad since 2007.   I divided my alphabet stickers, my chipboard and my rub-ons; all into different organizers and yet, all will have to be further separated and categorized at a later date.   I realized that while I'm spending my time putting everything in it's neat and tidy place, the last thing I'm going to want to do is pack up my arsenal and take it to a crop (a get together, party or gathering where scrapbookers work on their layouts - for all you non-scrapbookers.)  I further acknowledge that not only does scrapbooking take up the time while your cropping; but it also requires time prior to the crop to figure out what you're going to work on, pull out paper and coordinating embellishments and pack it all up.  Since time is something that I don't have a lot of; I think this may be one of the MAJOR reasons that my scrapbooking has come to a halt.

While going through ALL of my gadgets, great deals and must haves; I came to a few realizations:
1.  If  I wouldn't buy something at full price; I don't NECESSARILY need to buy it when it's on sale.  I think I would be much better served to pass by the sale and ONLY purchase something  (even if, DARE I SAY, I have to pay full price,) at a time when I know for sure that I'm going to use it right away.  This is a HUGE statement for me considering that I am the Queen of The DISCOUNT; but nonetheless, I think these are words that I need to heed.
2.  I must commit to either USE it or LOSE it.  If I don't start scrapbooking on a more regular basis, I really will need to try and sell off what I have because it won't be doing me any good.
3.  While I was putting away some of the layouts that had yet to make it into my kids albums, I perused all of the pages that I'd done thus far  and I found that I was very proud of many of them.  I don't toot my own horn often when it comes to scrapbooking; but I think I've done a great job to date and I am assured that my kids love what I am passing down to them.
4. When I compared the pages that I'd completed to the photos that I still have hanging around in boxes and bags; it became apparent that I need to GET BUSY because what I can pass on in a scrapbook is so much more than the pictures themselves.
5. I need to take some advice recently offered to me by the very wise Julie Tucker; which was NOT to spend too much time stressing over designing a layout or  worrying about the placement of EVERY little embellishment; because my kids are NEVER going to turn back to me and say "This is great mom but you should have put this flower in the other corner."  By listening to Julie, I believe I will be able to be a lot more productive.

And so, by tomorrow night my guestroom / office / craft room will be renovated and I will actually have enough room in there to scrapbook with 1 or 2 friends at a time;,without feeling claustrophobic; so consider yourself invited.  Let me know when you want to come by and preserve some memories with me.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

43

Today is my 43rd birthday and though any birthday is a cause for celebration, and the 43rd may not be monumental for most; it's HUGE for me!
When I was younger, having a day of celebration on my actual birthday sufficed. If I was having a party and it happened to be on a day other than my authentic birthday, I then managed to eek out 2 days of jubilation; and as I got older, my birthday festivities grew into "My birthday weekend" and even "My birthday week."  Then just the other night, a wonderful friend advised me that she literally celebrates her birthday for a month. Well wonderful friend and readers alike; this year I am doing one better... I am actually going to celebrate my birthday for A YEAR; and I am so hoping that you will rejoice right along with me...
Now I know that a YEAR of celebration may sound extremely excessive; so please allow me to explain further (as if I wouldn't...)
On March 4, 2009 I posted a blog called "100 Random Things About Me," and #14 was: My parents and paternal Grandfather all died at the age of 43 and that WON'T be me.  OK, the gasps were deafening; but not to worry; I AM FINE!  Rest assured that other than being overweight and suffering from an occasional anxiety attack; I am in perfect health and I have no intention or expectation that I will be leaving this planet any time soon; HOWEVER, following my usual make lemonade out of lemons philosophy; I believe this needs to be a year of recollection, reflection, observation, appreciation, and change; and I plan to do this right before your very eyes.

In my last post, "For A Cause;" I wrote "I've got something planned that you're NEVER going to believe."  And  I have to laugh (lovingly) at how many people guessed that my news was that I was pregnant. Shocking really;  but in a sense, I am giving birth; NOT to a child; but to a creation nonetheless.  So, here it is.  In celebration of my life and all that I need to acknowledge, appreciate and be thankful for;  I am pledging to post a blog EVERY day this year.  (And again the gasps abound...)  Now I know what you're thinking; "THIS coming form a woman who said she was going to post twice a week or AT LEAST a minimum of once a week and then disappeared for weeks and months at a time?"  And the answer is "YES!!"  THIS from The Queen of DELAYS.   THIS from The Queen of PROCRASTINATION.  THIS from The Queen of COMMITMENT, The Queen of KEEPING HER WORD!    Am I fallible?  Absolutely, but hey if Julie can do it; SO CAN I...  I   HAVE TO!!  So yes, for the next 366 days (gotta include making it to birthday 44 of course;)  I am going to endeavor to write a post a day.  They won't ALL be my usual narratives or lengthy storytelling; (though some will - wink,wink;)  but at the very least, I will write about something that I learned, enjoyed, or recalled that day.  I may pay tribute to one of my MANY extraordinary friends, or write about how I reacted differently in a situation that previously would have driven me up the wall.  I am going to do my best to learn to be a kinder person.  A more patient person.  A person who really DOESN'T sweat the small stuff.  A person who can find the silver lining and can recognize beauty in unlikely places and predicaments. Oh don't get me wrong;  I know that life isn't PERFECT; but it sure beats the alternative!!!  I know that you can't ALWAYS find a positive when there are circumstances that absolutely suck.  BUT, in the face of all of that, I want to be A person who made the MOST of a year in her life, didn't waste a minute.; and reminded you that Life Is Beautiful.  AND who knows; maybe once I'm done commemorating my 43rd year; and 366 posts; I'll actually have a book...

So there you have it. .. My big news!  I hope that you continue to join me on this BUMPY RIDE and grow along with me this year.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING