Thursday, July 30, 2009

7.30.09

Hi, friends. :) Wow, I'm so sorry it's been so long since I blogged. The summer, especially July, has just gotten away from us and I've really been trying to slow down and enjoy each day. That has included not doing much blogging, crafting, or any heavy-duty projects. I do love summer for the lazy days and light schedule. (Sigh. not going to complain about the non-stop 100+ degree days...comes with the territory)

I'll make this a long blog post to catch up! Would love if you'd leave me a comment, too. I love to hear from my readers and to see if anyone is really out there. I'm just as guilty as the next person for not commenting and for using Google Reader (or other programs) to read blogs quickly. But it sure is nice to hear from all of you once in a while. :)

1. Noah. What a GREAT summer he has had! He took four weeks of swim lessons from our brand new YMCA. He went from being an ok swimmer with trouble treading water to diving, doing all of the strokes beautifully, and being very confident in any depth of water. I am so proud of him! He also went to a cub scout camp with his dad (was a father/son thing). They were gone for 3 nights/4 days and boy did I miss them. With him being my only one, sometimes it's hard to let him grow up. I can't even tell you how proud I was of him when David sent me this photo (above) from camp. He said, "I handed them the tent, told them to have fun, and walked off." David came back in a little while and Noah and his friends had assembled the tent all by themselves. :) He had so many new adventures during those four days. And even though it's hard to let him go, I'm also SO proud that he's learning independence and is growing into a strong, young man, just as God has planned.

2. Fall Retreat. For about 8 years I've been a member of the Heart of TX Scrapbook Club, a wonderful group of ladies who meet twice a year to scrapbook for an entire weekend. It's always so much fun! Our next retreat is coming up in October in Temple, TX. If you'd like more information on attending or would like to join our free group, please visit our website!

There are always several vendors with mini-stores set up around the hotel ballroom so we are all able to shop during the weekend while we scrapbook. This time, I decided to go as a vendor. So excited! I will have a small shop, Saturday Morning Vintage, set up at the retreat all weekend. I'll try hard to make it beautiful and will stock it with fun items - papers and embellishments from October Afternoon, Cosmo Cricket, Jenni Bowlin, Melissa Frances, Tim Holtz....tiny vintage shakers of glitter, yards of gorgeous colors of seam binding, Thickers, Distress Stickles, inkpads, and of course, several of my ready-to-go project kits from my Etsy store. I absolutely can't wait!

3. Fall Project. Since I've already started gathering and ordering items for my little mini-store in October, I decided I'm going to work on a few projects and layouts to have up at the store. I always love when I'm shopping being able to see how to use some of the products. This Give Thanks wall hanging uses lots of things I will have in the store. You know, sometimes if you use the BACK of a double-sided paper, you get a completely different look. Ok duh, yes....but some of these papers are very girly and not at ALL Fall-ish on the other side. It's fun to see what you can do with them! Here are a couple of other photos of the project: Photo 1 and 2.

(Speaking of fall...I added a few of my vintage Halloween hanger kits to my Etsy shop. Link is on the right sidebar)

4. Cooking and Crafting. I love to cook and try new food combos. I love to craft and use new products! So, coming soon.....a project that combines both loves. Here's a tiny peek:
Sorry, wish I could show more, but it's a kit for a store. More soon, I promise!







5. Simplifying. I am working hard on clearing my calendar for the fall/spring and not filling up our time. I have promised myself that I will put ME first more often. I need to do that for myself and for my family. I need to take care of myself, and always scheduling something else to do is something I do way too often. I have said no to some project and teaching opportunities and am being very selective about what I work on, just feeding my need to create but not filling every free moment. Two of my sisters have become runners and I WANT TO DO IT. I bought some great, breathable workout clothes and am going to get the shoes this week. I will do this!

How is your summer? What are you doing to enjoy it?

"The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hear heavy breathing again."
~Erma Bombeck

7 comments:

Roberta said...

Hey Good Lookin'...What Ya Got Cookin'...I think I'm peeking ;}
Good to see you back Jennifer...hey don't every apologize for making your family first...especially after your sister's loss this spring. It is such a hot, wet summer here as well in NC so I'm all about taking it easy and finding ways to keep it simple sweetie:} Think we both have the same b'day and I just turned the big "49" so I want to enjoy every thing about my family first and just be in the moment for a change. Take care, fondly, Roberta

Sherry Bueche said...

Hey Jennifer - I am a lurker to your blog and your facebook. I ws also wanting to start walking/running, but for petes sake, it is just to darned hot. I live close to you or at least I think I do. I live in Round Rock. Keep up the great info and inspiration. I love it!
Sherry

Pam Sivage said...

Love that you are having a store at HOTS. Wish they would open the stores up to the public!

Sara Sampson said...

Jennifer, thanks for the lovely post. Glad you are having a great summer. I'm so impressed with those boys for putting that tent up all by themselves. Your projects look great. I love all the layers of stuff. You just keep on making yourself a priority, that way everyone wins. Good luck with your running.
Cheers!
Sara

maggie said...

Hi Jennifer,
I love stopping by your blog and seeing all your creativity, great photos, and inspiration, so thank you for posting again! Summer goes by fast doesn't it?! Good luck running, I know you can do it! I did! I got serious last fall and am now going to do a half marathon...something I never thought I would do, I couldn't go a block, but take it easy and don't rush yourself and you'll be great!
~maggie

Cathy said...

Boy is Noah growing up! I love the picture of him with his friends in front of the tent. I always enjoy your blogging and there are a lot of us out here reading! You have your priorities right when you make time for yourself as well as quantity time with your family. Have a wonderful rest of the summer.
Cathy

Dr. Mechiel Rozas said...

I am here and always reading whatever you have to say! One hot summer over here in Houston town too-sheesh!
Look forward to getting some of your kits.