Monthly Archives: June 2012

Quick and easy photo collage

With digital images the norm of collecting pictures these days, it’s easy to forget about prints. Thankfully, my Dad is BIG on still having pictures printed. He’s the most diligent in making sure new digital pics are uploaded and made ready for printing on a monthly basis. He also takes care of putting them into photo albums. Go Dad!

One of my favorite pieces at home is a simple collage he made of 4R prints. He took a huge frame (which used to hold a random painting) and filled it with Timmy’s pictures from babyhood. It hangs in the den. We look at it often and go “awwww” all the time when we see it. Sure beats having to go back to the cellphone and browse through old images, eh?

This is a quick and easy project for your loose prints! All you need is a frame, your pictures and around 10 minutes. You’ve got yourself an instant walk down memory lane. Everyone go “awwww”!

Lavender to calm the soul

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Ah, lovely lavender. According to this resource (UMM), lavender comes from the Latin root lavare, meaning “to wash.” It was often used in baths to help purify body and spirit. Research also points to lavender providing sedative effects. The scent of lavender is so soothing!

These bath time treats from Healthy Options are my favorites, especially after a long day. All are lavender-scented and simply calming.

That’s Sonoma Soap Company’s Natural Daily Shampoo, Natural Daily Conditioner and Natural Bath & Shower Gel. I’ve been using them for a couple of months now and they’re my go-to bath partners. Maybe I’ve been in more need of de-stressing time the past months. Ha!

Divasoria recently interviewed me on her blog about my favorite personal care products. Check it out! Sonoma’s on the list and you’ll get to see a picture of my number one beauty product too.

Do you like lavender too? In what products do you enjoy the scent of lavender?

What are 40 things I should do before 40?

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40 before 40.

My sister’s prepared her 30 before 30 list, and this has inspired me to do my own 40 before 40. I won’t be turning 40 until 5 years from now. Doesn’t it seem like a good time to put a list together? I’ll have 5 years to complete it! I won’t have an excuse that I didn’t have enough time!

I only came up with one item: Visit New York. Right. That’s completely wishful thinking, but who knows? A lot of my friends have suggested things I put on the list. Produce a playmate for Timmy. Go bungee-jumping. Bake a pie. Sew a quilt. Go mountain-climbing. Lots more! I’m super thankful that they have gamely pitched such awesome ideas. I am now taking my time in sorting them and coming up with more. Man, 40 is a long list.

Oh wait, I have a second item: Drive. Then again getting behind the wheel terrifies me. Maybe I’ll park that first.

Source: theentertainingelf.com via Eileen on Pinterest

Do you have any suggestions for my 40 before 40 list? I’d love to hear from you!

Kids come first

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Choose the kids first. Always, always, always.

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Source: kaleyann.com via Toni on Pinterest

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Timmy’s pulling on my arm, directing me to sit on the floor with him. I’m going “Wait, baby! I’ll just finish this report!” He doesn’t take that as an answer and tugs on me more strongly. I press one last button, get up from my desk, then join him on the wooden floor to watch Toy Story. He jumps into my lap and positions himself in a way that I can’t stand and leave him again. I look back and forth at my phone, checking for e-mail and YM alerts from teammates. He’s looking at me with puppy dog eyes. I toss my phone on the couch and snuggle him in my arms. He cracks a smile and snuggles closer. Yep, there’ll be time to work later.

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“I can’t stop Andy from growing up… and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” — Woody, Toy Story 2

Wise words, cowboy. Work will always be there in one way or another. How often will I get to sit on the floor with my son and the whole cast of Toy Story in stuffed toy form?

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So I sit on the floor while he acts out the scenes on TV. I watch him use his toys to mimic what’s on-screen. We laugh at jokes together. We snuggle when Andy’s Mom comes into the scene. After the movie we continue to play together.

Thoughts of work enter my mind once in awhile but the quote above pushes thoughts of work away. I can work when he’s asleep. I can work when he’s with his aunts and grandparents. While he’s with me though, we play.

You’re first, always, Timmy boy. You will always be first.