Friday Fave-- Printers

So...

My 1 year and 11 month old printer died.

Got it as a birthday present from my parents, and I loved it. A Canon Pixma MP520.

And now that my birthday is rolling around again, I guess my printer thought I'd like a new one. (Really, I'd rather go for the technology gift of a video camera... was perfectly happy with my printer...)

But it is gone. Multiple problems. "They just don't make 'em like they used to."

So, my Friday Fave is directed at YOU-- as I shop for printers, I want to know what YOU like. I'm looking for a ink jet all-in-one. What do you have? What do you like? What would you get if you could?

Any info is appreciated... and soon. Not sure how much longer I can go w/out it...

Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday

Olive Oil

My life is a bit like my olive oil right now.

See this? One bottle is ALMOST empty. But there is still some left. And my thrifty tendancies will run that bottle completely dry before it's thrown out.  But do you also notice the full new bottle next to it? I am also a person who's "always" prepared and has the next supply ready to go.

Recently I've noticed this scenario in a few places... my face moisturizer, the bottle of hair conditioner... and, oh yeah, my life. Working on shifting from one phase (or bottle) to another.

I'm at a transitional point in life. Soon my kids will all be at school every day. New working opportunities are on the horizon for my hubby. I'm transitioning out of some places I'm serving and considering what's next-- a job? Hmmm.... No matter what it will be, I want to glorify God and do His will for my life.

My life is like the olive oil. There's still some leftover "old" (but still good) stuff that needs to be finished before I jump into the big, new, fresh and GREAT stuff (notice the brands of olive oil? I'm even upgrading in quality!).

For me, the hard part is the timeline. I don't think I'll be totally done with the old bottle of olive oil for quite awihle. In fact, the new bottle of olive oil has already been sitting in my cupboard in anticipation for over a month.

So as I try to {patiently} wait on God and His timing and plan, I've decided to revisit the wildly popular "Purpose Driven Life" book by Rick Warren.

Last time I read the book, I was a mom of a toddler and a baby. Now I have three kids growing wings. My days look different. The plan for our family's future is transitioning. I think it will be healthy to journey once again for 40 days rediscovering my purpose as my life is changing.

Wanna join me?

(Seriously. I decided to try this via a Facebook event. I'm starting the 40 day devotional on Monday the 31st. We'll read 5 days a week (your choice on days) and finish by March 26. If you didn't get invited to "THE EVENT" on FB, let me know and I'll invite or friend you so you too can come and chat. I'll send out new event reminders each 10 days of the study to just keep us all on track. You can share things on the wall there or send personal messages. So I hope you join. I could use the support!)

And we'll have stir fry for dinner. :)

Recent Projects

Here's a couple layouts I've made recently for these two challenges at My Paper Tree House and My Minds Eye.

 Congrats to my sister on a beautiful new baby boy, too! Isn't he so handsome? And can't you tell his brother is so very proud? :)

What scrappy challenges do you like to take on?

Wordless Wednesday-- circa 1984

(Okay, folks. Can't be completely wordless today... my laptop is getting a tuneup, so I had to use photo archives on the old desktop beast this week... found this little treat of me and my brother. He turns 28 this week. Happy birthday, Mark!)

Digi and Hybrid

It had been awhile since I'd done some digiscrapping, so I jumped on some great deals at Jessica Sprague's site to get some templates with some elements I'd like to use in hybrid layouts. Here's one recent project (Photoshop Friday #10):

This great summer digi layout was easy to "take apart" and use some of the elements for a hybrid page. I used the curved photo and journaling section in a new file, added new photos, journaling and mat color, and printed it. The rest of the layout is using the My Minds Eye products from Paper Pals.

The pattern papers are from MME's "State of the Heart" line. I also used some Dear Lizzy Thickers sticker letters as well as some gold wedding paper from Paper Pals wedding section. I loved adding in a little metallic for bling (you can't tell it's metallic in the photos)!

What ways do you re-use your supplies? Paper or digi?

Friday Fave-- Feeling Caught Up

Today I sat back and sighed.

I can't remember exactly the last day I did that. I believe it has not happened since we were still in summer vacation-- August 2010 possibly?

But today I feel caught up. There is not a pile of "to do" items sitting in each room of my house silently beckoning me. I consiously made the choice to read for pleasure last night and watch TWO kids movies with my sweeties tonight. Usually that time is spent "catching up".

I even found time to cut up some veggies. I know that sounds silly, but so frequently even that gets pushed to the back burner... until the veggies are a couple weeks old and only fit for guinea pig food. (Zeke has been eating well these last months.)

My dear friend Amy took my son for a playdate w/ her sweet daughter today and it gave me time to work out, shower and prep a healthy lunch for myself. Then this afternoon my son went to preschool (while my daughters were at school) and I had a whole two hours to close the doors on our 2010 budget and open up a plan for 2011.

I had time to delve into God's word. And read a commentary about it. Then to read about a courageous friend who is struggling with cancer but is sharing how it's deepening her faith. It's beautiful.

Time spent with family and friends. Serving at church. Also a part of my day.

I wish I felt like this every day.

But we know that we live in a fallen world. Hard times will come. Things/people/health/relationships do not remain the same. As a parent, I've learned that just when you think you've got things figured out, it all changes. But as a christian, I know that God is with me and He has everything under control. I don't have things under control, and I shouldn't try. I should trust and give it up to Him.

As Master Uguay says in Kung Fu Panda (one of the movies I shared with my kids tonight for movie night), "Today is a gift-- that's why they call it the present."

It is a gift. And I pray I can face each day with the peace and joy of this day-- even if days are harder. Which is highly likely, isn't it?

(On a crafty note, I was the lucky winner at Such Sweet Tierney of these sweet little gems! Aren't they great? I've blogged about them before here. Thanks, London! Can't wait to play.)

Wordless Wednesday

Friday Fave-- Sisters!

I love my sisters. I'm so thankful to have a few siblings and to share life with all of them.

Today I think specificially of my sisters. I got to spend a little time with them both at Christmas, and we caught this cute shot of them:

:) Well, we caught Julie... and Suz' belly! :) Suz is going to have a baby boy anytime now (her second boy), and we're all pretty excited about it. Prayers for her as she goes through the birthing process...

So I'm thinking of my sisters right now. Mommies. Aunties. Wives. Love them!

(And in all fairness, a shot of Suz' face too... along w/ me and my bro... all four of us on Christmas morn!)

Wordless Wednesday

Good Grief.

 This a.m. as I get back to the grind of the daily schedules, I commiserate with Charlie Brown who is just outside my window.

Good grief.

Our community has a water tower with Charlie's picture painted on the side. I've always wondered about how it came about, but never researched it. Maybe I will.

But today when I look out at Charlie, I understand his strife. Just got off the phone w/ my phone company who did not receive my bill payment a month ago when my bank says they paid it. Good grief.

BUT-- on the other hand,  I look at the landscape surrounding Charlie in its snow-laden glory and remember God is faithful. God is good.

And his creation is truly beautiful-- right here from my own window.

God is Good.