Inspired by...Marie Osmond?

Yes! I of course had seen her before, interviews, dolls on QVC, and so forth. Well last night, I was watching Entertainment Tonight and she got me inspired. I think the thing that made me inspired the most was the quilt she made, which I learned more this morning about, which has some of her mother's things. Also, she said that her new book which comes out in April came about after her home burned down and she lost 30 of her journals. She asked a friend/assistant? if she would write down while she remembered some of the memories, I'm assuming she had written in the journals that were destroyed. The friend sent these in, and now a book will be published based on Marie's memories she had in her journals.

I just loved her memory keeping style. This morning, I did a search, again, to find the video I had seen on ET, I had meant to try and record it later in the night thinking it would be a repeat of what I had seen. Well this morning, I had success in finding not only the videos from ET, but another one by Inside Edition that showed even MORE of her momentos throughout her room.

I share this, because I am inspired by this for several reasons.

I would LOVE to do something like this. I have wanted to sew for some time now. Not that I would necessarily want to do a quilt, but it would be great if I could learn how to sew and be able to incorporate this into my scrapbooking. As I am typing this, I am thinking about Donna Downey's new like of fabric scrapbooks. This would be a PERFECT way to start, without necessarily having to do it with a big sewing machine, or even knowing how to sew, I think. But here is the BIG IDEA, the A HA moment. She takes things that are important and signficant to her and surrounds herself with it, DISPLAYS it. I think of Peter Walsh on the decluttering show and how he tells people, if this thing means something to you, why is it buried in clutter? That it should be displayed, used, or put in a place that shows you value and care for it. This is how I see Marie displaying the things that mean something to her.

I have all sorts of things that I say mean something to me, but they are somewhere, who knows, some buried in clutter, in boxes, in storage in boxes, bags, who knows where. I want to be able to display some of the things that are meaningful to me. I know this won't happen overnight, or even maybe to have it all displayed in a year. This is not to say it's all about the THINGS. I think that many times, and definitely what I could see in Marie's room, these "things" remind us of the people and memories we shared with them that bring us joy. In the case of her mom's quilt, in was a way to remember or memorial to her. In the case of the soon to be released book, it is a reminder to record bits and pieces of your life-and reminds me to stop stressing about it all being perfect in scrapbooking and just write it down, now. So, really, displaying, making, creating, journaling, is all a way to remember the people and the memories we shared with them. Of the lessons learned, the day to day, etc.

Here is part of an interview quote from Woman's Day July 5, 2007:

I know you do a lot of quilting. Have you worked on any interesting projects recently?

I did a quilt for my mother. You know how people scrapbook? I used things like my first dress and the first necklace my dad gave her. You can’t scrapbook that, so I made it into a memory wall quilt. Her favorite song was “I Wouldn’t Trade the Silver in My Mother’s Hair for All the Gold in the World,” so I hand stitched that, and put it on a staff and music notes with strands of her hair. Just wonderful things that were memories of who my mother was as a person. It’s really a neat quilt—very hip, very young, very different, and it shows people how they can save things without putting them into a book and on a shelf.

Here are the videos, yeah for YouTube!
From Entertainment Tonight





From Insider Edition

To Do

What I'm Doing
Surfing the Internet, listened to new music, getting ready to eat

What I Need To Do
Correct papers and put into excel for grade calculations
Sleep-seriously

What I Want To Do
Scrapbook
Watch a Movie
Finish Watching The State of the Black Union Part I, a repeat is playing on C-Span

Looking Forward...

ETA: I decided not to stress out trying to post EVERY photo. One, just because it can get stressful in general, and then having to worrying about trying to post daily photos of the week is not good-read below for my word of the year. Also, some of the photos I've noticed are very specific about location, and this is a public blog. So I am going to delete some of the journaling and pictures from the original post. I've decided instead to TRY and post a, meaning ONE "Photo of the Week." I got this idea from another blog. Of course, I might add other photos, but I am going to try and post my favorite or a photo (in case the favorite one is too personal as to location, etc.) of the week. Hopefully, this makes sense. Photo of last week to be posted later. I am doing my 365 different, in that January 1-3 is my first "week" on the first page (of the scrapbook I am doing), and then I start a full week from January 4-10. Hopefully that makes sense. So I will have ONE photo from January 1-3, and another from January 4-10.

Happy New Year! So much to say.
First, Anthony and I spent New Year's Eve relaxing. I was tired early, so I went to sleep maybe a little after new year's on the east coast. Then at 11:58pm I immediately woke up-no kidding, and Anthony (who was still up) and I rang in 2009 together-both awake.


Second, I have chosen a new word for 2009. I got this idea from Ali Edwards . Basically you chose a word that you want to focus on for that year. I did this last year. I actually chose two, "Trust God." I tend to worry, and I wanted to relax and just Trust in God. I am not so sure I let go and let God as much as I wanted last year, so my word for this year is "Serenity." Here is the definition I looked up online.

Noun 1. serenity - a disposition free from stress or emotion
tranquility, placidity, tranquillity, repose, quiet
calm, calmness, composure, equanimity - steadiness of mind under stress; "he accepted their problems with composure and she with equanimity"
ataraxia - peace of mind
2. serenity - the absence of mental stress or anxiety
ataraxis, peace of mind, peacefulness, repose, peace, heartsease
quietude, quietness, tranquillity, tranquility - a state of peace and quiet

I am not sure if I thought of the Serenity Prayer first, or second, but I looked that up, and apparently found the ENTIRE Serenity Prayer by the person who presumably wrote the poem: Reinhold Niebuhr.

The Serenity Prayer

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.


And here is the "traditional prayer" that I hope to remember/say as encouragement throughout the year:


God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

On this site I saw a scripture that also goes with this prayer.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3, 5-6


I think for me, this is perfect. I hope to find serenity in letting go, letting God and trusting in HIM.

I also want to live more in the present, in the here and NOW. I love how the longer version of the prayer talks about living a day, enjoying a MOMENT at a time (I wrote about this the other day when explaining my word of the year to focus on and didn't even realize that this was also in the Serenity Prayer).


One way that I can reach this intention is through Project 365. I am still not so sure if I will be able to take a photo EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR 2009, but I have started. You can learn more about this here: . This is a "scrapper's 365 project" ALTHOUGH as the person who put the kit together says, anyone can do it. Taking a picture 365 days is not a new idea with this kit. Here is a place where this idea possibly started, although of course there probably have been others who have had this idea, just where it started to take off again.

Again, I do not know if I will be able to actually take a photo EVERDAY this year, but I have started, and we will see. It will be a good way to help me stay present and in the moment, and document everyday life. I also thought, my blog is "Snapshots of Everyday Life" and I don't have a lot of snapshots, so this would be a good way have more photos up. That said, I will try to upload photos. I am thinking of doing it weekly, instead of daily. ETA: I am going to TRY and do a "Photo of the Week" which means I'll post ONE photo from the week. Read above for more details.

If you are still reading this far, I can't believe it. I do have "goals" or intentions. I am still prioritizing, and thinking about it, so I may share at a later time.
In the meantime, here is the photo for January 1-3 2009:




Wow, that has to be my longest post ever! Take care.

Looking back...2008

Real quick, before the New Year on the East Coast. :) 2008 has been a very blessed year. Here is a list of some of the things that were most memorable to me, in no particular order, although I will leave my top 3 for last.

Concert on the Beach
Etta James Concert
Robin Thicke Concert
Thanksgiving in the Bay Area-good time with family and seeing and feeling "Fall"
3rd Anniversary/Comic Con





First first Christmas tree
Vacation (quality) time with Anthony-still in progress

And my top 3 memorable events
Dawn's Wedding/Niagara Falls



Bellagio Water Show in Vegas



Senator Barack Obama Elected as the next President

3 Photos I LOVE

4 stores/websites I frequent :

Ali Edwards
Yahoo
Google Blog Search
Memories for Everyone

5 Things I Do (mostly) Everyday Without Fail

1. Eat
2. Drink
3. Go online-sometimes NOT during vacations
4. Watch t.v.
5. Procrastinate

7 Things About My "Every Day Life

Sunday: Church
Monday: A Fresh Start/Small Group
Tuesday: Agggh
Wednesdays: Minimum Day at School-Preps
Thursday: Almost There/Grey's Anatomy
Friday: Getting Ready for the Weekend
Saturday: Catch up/catch my breath

10 Essentials I am Blessed to Have

The next few days I am going to post some lists of different things about me. I saw this on another blog, who saw it on one of the bios of one of the teachers. It seems like there are several bios, of not all that have the lists that I will TRY to do for the next several days.

Here is the first one: 10 Essentials that I am Blessed to Have-with everything occurring right now, I was thinking of NOT posting this, instead I will say these are "things" that I am blessed to have...in no particular order they are:

1. Sprite-this is on the original list I have. However, I just had my first Sprite, I believe, Sierra Mist before that, from not having it for about 50-60 days. So, although I LOVE Sprite still, I have been without it. So I'll put cell phone as a "replacement" for this one.
2. Television
3. Internet
4. Jamba Juice-Carribean Passion with Immunity Boost is my FAVORITE
5. Magazines-US Weekly, Woman's World, Scrapping magazines, Sunset
6. Zig Black Memory Pen-used for scrapbooking
7. Scratch paper-for my to do lists, ideas, quotes, etc.
8. CNN-I never thought I would be so tuned in, mostly due to the election this year, CSPAN is another favorite although I do not watch as much, it is tied with CNN
9. Movies
10. Talk and Christian Radio

So thankful for...

Freedom of Faith-able to freely believe and praise God and Jesus
Anthony
Family
Friends
My students and teaching
Transportation
Heat
Clothes
Food
Eyesight
Health
Freedom
Able to travel

Lately...

I've been fighting some kind of sickness. Usually, my nose is congested, I try to deal with it for several days, go to the doctor, and get put on antibiotics. This time, I have a VERY sore throat, and have had a fever/chills. Virtually NO CONGESTION. Of course I have been battling ANY congestion with the nasal spray I got last time I was sick, and just recently with a new Netipot. So far so good. But my sore throat won't seem to get better.

Been journaling. I signed up with a class that I hope will help me organize stories I have told, and want to tell at jessicasprague.com. It is called "Stories in Hand." So far so good. I am a little behind, due some to the illness.

Been wanting to do some Christmas shopping, but again, being sick and all has slowed me down. I did get some candy canes.

Been wanting to shop in general. Nothing major, but I did get some cardstock for the class. Also, I just bought something from Ebay.

Been ordering pictures from Walgreens.com like crazy. I am addicted. They've had so many sales. I have been attempting to get "caught up" in printing pictures on the computer, memory cards, this year, etc. I haven't scrapped them or put them in albums yet. The quality is EXCELLENT. I realized at some point when placing an order, that this was the place that Anthony and I took a risk on in getting our wedding (table cameras) and honeymoon photos printed/put on cd-there was a sale. They did a good job then. Funny how I didn't order from them for everyday shots. I think I will continue to now.

Been inspired. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the photo journalism of Callie Shell. She has been following the Obama campaign. Here is one of many places to see some of her work:
Work of Callie Shell
Here is one of my favorite galleries that I have found of the behind the scenes of the Obama campaign:
Time's Obama Gallery

She has others that you can type and search. First, I just LOVE the photos and how it tells a story of Barack Obama's campaign. Also, the photographer has inspired me to want to learn how to take better pictures, particularly photojournalistic photos.

That's it for now.

Inspiration Right Now

I am feeling SUPER inspired right now. Yesterday, Anthony and I went to Barnes and Noble. I came across a book, 30 Things to Do When You Turn 30." I immediately liked what I was reading, but put it back because I figured I could find it on Amazon at a discount.

I believe, today, while looking it up, Amazon didn't have it. What? So I Google it. Finally, I find it. I go to Borders's website, and see that it is "Likely in the Store," so I put it on hold. I notice that some other Borders are sold out. I check my email before leaving for church, and get the message that it is sold out and cannot be reserved.

While going through this process, of looking for the book, before checking my email, I am feeling that this book must be limited. Come to find out, it was just published on the 21st of October. I did see that there were some other places to buy it, even cheaper, but I had the, "I want it now" feeling.

So a long story short, after already running around, I am asking Ant if he wouldn't mind going back the the Barnes and Noble where I first found the book. It is a little further out though. Then I am, thinking, maybe the Barnes and Noble (that is closer to our house) has it. I call, they do and put it on hold, and I buy it. Success!

I LOVE this book already. I only read the intro and a chapter or so, and I am thinking this is a MUST HAVE for anyone turning 30, or about to turn 30. I look at other parts in the book and see that there have been other versions written for those turning 40, 50, and 60. Here is what made me appreciate the idea behind the book even more. It says that, "The royalties generated from the sale of this book will be donated to non-profit organizations dedicated to preventing and curing cancer." WOW! This made me feel good knowing that the profits from the sale of the book would go to a good cause. Also, it says that the authors who wrote the essays for the book did so on a pro-bono basis. I like how this book is giving back in more ways than one.

So go to/call/check your local bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Borders and look for this book. Get it for yourself, or as a gift. Here is a link to buy it online: Barnes and Noble

and

Borders


An online store that sells the book at a discount: Books XYZ apparently donates some of the profits to a school of your choice
I have a feeling that there were a VERY LIMITED number of this book published.


The other inspiration, that has gotton me very excited is a book/website called, "Listography." I am thinking that I will talk about this later. For now, here is the website:

Listography

Amy Rosenthal

Although I have heard about her before, and her book, "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life," I didn't get as excited about it as I have today. This past week I learned about a new video she made, and another video she made, and watched one, but not the other. Long story short. I have been typing out ideas all morning of memories or moments for potential scrapbooks, or to create my own encyclopedias, and finally watch her more recent video. Emotions came from watching the video-thinking about this week-particularly yesterday, and the moments from the video-the second video posted.

17 Things I Made Video



The Beckoning of Lovely Video

$71.63

That's about how much money, according to the public transit system in my city says it would cost for gas, maintenance, etc. for the drive just from work to home that is less than 6 miles roundtrip. A monthly bus pass would cost me about $64.00. The continual rise of gas has had me seriously consider riding a bike to work. Last time I tried to ride a bike was in college, with very bad results. As a kid I learned and loved it, but with the gap between then and college, I was having difficulty. So if I were to do it now, lol, well, I would have to learn to ride a bike again. I am not sure if this would really work for me, for many reasons, one being what I have just stated. However, if gas continues to rise and get more expensive, I MAY just have to start pedaling.