scrap.ti.cian:

prog.ress

gradual betterment

This is how I'm keeping up with the impact my one little word has on my life.  It's how I'm inserting accountability and measuring my progress (or in some cases, lack thereof). I really love that definition ~ gradual betterment. It also means a forward or onward movement. Not going back; not standing still; having a direction and moving. Love that.

My album is divided into four quarters, one for each quarter in 2008. I want to document through words, goals, pictures and stuff how this word ~embrace~ changes me this year.

I've targeted five areas in my life that I want to embrace. I chose these either because they are very important to me (family and home); because I've neglected them (health; creativity); or because I struggle with them (all, at times).

Our family is going through some big changes, and this means a role change for me. I'm not the mom of two boys anymore. I'm the mom of an almost-man and an almost-teenager.

Our home  is showing the wear and tear of two active boys, countless friends, numerous pets, and lots of comfortable use. I wouldn't have it any other way, but some renovations are needed.

Health is always important, but not always a priority. Gerald is competing in a team half-triathalon in April, so we're all eating, resting, and exercising more regularly (but still not where I'd like to be with it).

Work is usually rewarding, sometimes excruciating, always challenging. Some days I grow weary, so I'm all about putting the systems and people in place to minimize that.

This blog is evidence that I've embraced my creativity. It's a way to express the creative life I want to live...even if I'm the only one that will ever read it.

rev.er.ence

honor or respect felt or shown

Snapped this photo flying back home from Myrtle Beach a couple of weeks ago . Good Friday inspiration from the Divine Creative Mind.

Happy Easter.

en.light.en

to furnish knowledge to

I'm taking a really cool online class. It's the Library of Memories class at Big Picture Scrapbooking, taught by the incredibly talented Stacy Julian. I thought it was going to simply be an organization-type class. However, in her typically-insightful way, Stacy's instruction has gone beyond the what, to the why...an enlightening experience.

It's only lesson two, and I've discovered some very imporant things about how I've scrapbooked in the past. Largely missing from my scrapbooks are layouts featuring people outside my immediate family (Gerald, Chris & Dan) - and why I love them.

Here's my tribute to my sister-friend, Sandra, and three of the many ways she has made my life better. The why.

Have you thought about what might be missing from your layouts? Are they largely event-based (birthday, Christmas, vacation)? Are you capturing everyday life? Are you telling the why?

in.spi.ra.tion

the action or power of moving the intellect or emotion

I've been running low on inspiration lately. A few minutes browsing Etsy usually gives me a much needed dose of just what I need to get the creative juices flowing again. Definitely into the black and white thing lately. A few of these have made their way into my stash, including the cool circle numbers, bird pendant, and the journaling cards.

I'm thinking  a black and white album of my one little word, EMBRACE, and how it is (or isn't) impacting my life would be pretty cool. I want to divide it into quarters, one for each in 2008, and document these five areas I've targeted to embrace: home; health; family; creativity; and executivity.

I want to encourage you to set aside five minutes today to find inspiration in your world. Leaf through a magazine. Browse your favorite catalog. Visit a website you haven't been to in a while. Don't overthink it or make it more complicated than it needs to be. If it catches your eye, it has inspired you. Use that inspiration in a creative way this week. Give yourself permission to play a little. And definitely enjoy the process.