In the Storm

Food Journal | 1

I am super excited I dived in to this latest project even though it is August, over half way through the year. Realizing, surprisingly easy to realize, that I don't have to begin a project at the beginning of a year to receive satisfaction. That I actually can begin anywhere in the year and derive just as much joy from having begun with a plan and - maybe an end in mind. Not necessarily a finish, but an end.

This newest project combines two things I adore. Digital scrapbooking and food. More defined, food I love that I have eaten and enjoyed. My plan is to document the food I've eaten and enjoyed whether it is something I have prepared at home or enjoyed while we've been eating out as a family or date night. The end will be a years worth of my life in food.

For this project I am creating 8 x 10 pages for the express purpose of adding them to a Blurb Trade Book. I was totally inspired by an Aussie lady who digital scrapbooks' clean and simple, which is my preferred style (although I've been known to embellish), Shannan Manton, who is documenting her year in food. It has made me so happy to see her easily created template that she uses over and over for her food book.

I knew if I was going to maintain this project I would need to utilize a template format as well. I found a template by Ali Edwards from one of her Week in the Life digital template kits and modified it to fit the 8 x 10 size and just began dropping in photos of food that I've recently enjoyed. The template can be modified even further for less - or more - food photos, plus I can create a two-page if need be.

The plan is to not document everyday in food but to regularly document what I have eaten over the year. I know I am gonna' enjoy this project! Because I create a menu, I'm generally keeping a food journal anyway, but now I will be taking photos, regularly, also.

52 Gratitudes 2019 | 27

I am thankful for putting on my brave, listening to my heart, and stepping outside of my comfort zone and starting a book club. While I love books, I always think of myself as un-schooled, especially when it comes to discussing - anything, really. Thankfully, but surprisingly, we had our first book club meeting and it went awesomely! I am so looking forward to session two. When I mentioned my 'discomfort' and 'surprise' to a friend she said she didn't have any doubt. She said that me hosting a book club at my place each month works because I am such a wonderful hostess and have the gift of hospitality. Coming from her, who is an amazing hostess herself, was a huge compliment to me. God has really worked on me in this area over the years.

All About Me 2019 | Small Stories

I have written a few small stories, some might say - silly stories. Because, why would I write about that? I keep coming back to the same answer. It's my story. Each one of those small, possibly insignificant to someone, is a part of my story as a whole. I try to be true to myself when I write all about me stories because I would hope that if - should - someone else reads my stories they might be able to garner a sense of me, of who I am.

NEW  |   Me, @55; Me, the overcomer; Me, the working wife; Me, the finding a new me; Me, growing and becoming whole. Barbara’s Salon and Spa. My stylist has been Robin for more years than I can remember. In June 2019, when I desperately needed a change to my hair that was getting way to long and very dissatisfying. I wanted something brave, something fresh. I thought maybe a perm since I’d had those when I was young, but instead I went with very short - for summer.

Sometimes what I write about are super hard stories, challenging, the knocks in life that try and break us. And, then, other times it is simply about food. The how, the why, the what, of food. If I look back a year from now - because I know I won't remember this - what will I see? Especially, if what was then (now) somehow impacts now (then). I remind myself: this is my story. Honestly, I'll call it like I see it.

Breakfast of Champions  |  When Jeff and I went to Charleston in May, we ate a hip diner and I had the special, Spinach Quiche with a side of arugula. It was fabulous! So much so that I couldn’t get it out of my mind. So...      Since May I have been making a spinach quiche, Paula Deen’s recipe, or a variation of it, over the weekend and prepping my breakfasts for the week ahead. Of course, I’ve been bringing along a serving of arugula. I make a Keto friendly dressing, add some shaved Parmesan and enjoy a delightful breakfast every morning, whether at work or at home. Jul ‘19

Sometimes the story is simply a why and a what. Like why in the world am I telling a story about the book The Lieutenants by W.E.B. Griffin. Well, it started because I went to work with not enough books. On the bookshelf at work was the series, the Brotherhood of War. The series is Jeff's favorite book series. Click. Connections. Click. I've read other series' by Griffin and loved them. Click. Why not?

First of Many  |  When Jeff woke up with a pinched nerve in his neck and he needed it massaged it meant the rest of the morning before leaving for work was rushed. I didn’t even have time to pack a breakfast or lunch. And, I forgot a book to read. After getting to work and checking the weather I knew I would have a lot of time on my hands. The ATC guys had recently purged all of their books from the bookshelf in the break room, but I wondered if maybe they’d kept a few, just because. Score! W.E.B. Griffin’s old and first- ever book series, the Brotherhood of War was, surprisingly, still on the shelf. I have read several of Griffin’s military, historical, fiction novels, but never this series. Jeff has read every single one of his books and I know this is one of his favorite series. While having to taking only one weather observation an hour under near clear skies, I began The Lieutenants and was hooked in the first chapter.

 

Stories 2019 | This Sunrise

“Pretty Sky!” - Jeff, on his jobsite, Eastern Wharf, Savannah, 8 / 9 / 2019

Pretty sky was all I needed in a text from Jeff the other morning for me to race up to the 6th floor as fast as the elevator would take me anyway and capture my own sunrise.

“Yes, it is.” - Susan, after racing upstairs to capture her sunrise, Savannah International Airport

I sent back that the sunrise was, in fact, pretty, with a picture of my own sunrise. Jeff and I have done this often in the early morning as the sun is coming up and we are experiencing a beautiful sunrise. It's our own personal connection.

52 Weeks of Giving | 29

I was chatting with a dear friend the other day. We were talking about serving and serving in our sweet spots. She is a part of the Sunshine Girls, too, but she actually goes into the clubs. She was talking about how, when she is asked to provide a meal also that it stresses her out. She so loves serving in the clubs with the girls but she does not like having to create a meal, too. I told her how it doesn't stress me out to provide the meals for them and it must mean that we are serving in our sweet spots. Same ministry, different parts of the body. It was such a huge affirmation for me that I'm serving where I am supposed to me, in this ministry. Every part is necessary and important. One persons gifts are not another's, but we are each necessary for each other and the ministry.

Stories 2019 | Watching

I created this fun page of what I - we - have been watching lately. Mostly, watching this show, Star Trek Voyager. Working my way through - about the fourth time I think. I’m honestly not sure the draw, except that it is intelligent sy-fi. None of it seems - cheezy. The acting is exceptional by the entire cast. I especially love the Doctor and Seven of Nine, but really all the characters are perfect fits.

I bullet-trained through the first two season and into season three and then, bam, I needed a break. It is such an emotionally consuming television show that I have to be in it 100% or I have to step back from it. I am that one person who came late to the This Is Us party but was totally sucker punched by its enormity, its greatness. What I found hilarious is that each of my guys, my husband and two sons were riveted to the television whenever I would watch the show. John would protest, profess how much he didn’t like the show and three episodes later he is still hunkered down watching. It’s a gripping show to say the least.

This is only my second time watching In Plain Sight. I adore the characters, as it is a completely character driven show. US Marshal’s in Albuquerque, NM with witness protection, and the drama associated with the program is really the loose end of the show. Center stage is the family drama of Mary one of the witsec agents and the partner relationship of Mary and Marshall. A dramedy at its finest.

Except for Season 5, which I most recently watched on Netflix - it is the only way I can watch the series - I love Madam Secretary. Season 5, however, became too political and agenda-driven. The Secretary of State is supporsed to be apolitcal, so to speak, and while I understand why they took Season 5 to the extreme it was disappointing. This Season lost most of what I always appreciated about the show: Humor, that subtle humor by the Secretary of State (and other characters, especially between SOS and hubby) was conspicuously missing. I think the nuances of all the characters were a wash as well. Sad, because it was such an amazing show.

This is only my second time watching the West Wing and I am moving through the series quite slow. This is some of the most amazing political writing on television. Even the first time I watched West Wing, just before and during the ‘16 elections, just when I didn’t need anymore politics, but enter politicing at its best. Although, it was easy enough to figure out the political party the show wasn’t about a party, it was a bi-partisan, or even anti-partisan show, if you will. The show cared more about getting stuff accomplished for the country. Making change. Making a difference. The intelligence behind the writing...but, the intelligence required for the White House is just. so. amazing.

I honestly couldn’t say how many times I have watched Stargate SG-1, but probably, at least twice a year since that first time I ever found it. I’m not even sure now how I found the series but I can watch the series again, and again. Richard Dean Anderson’s character, Colonel O’Neill, totally carries the show with his penetrating humor, his rapier wit. He’s a comedic even in the serious. Most definitely I have my favorite episodes and my not-so favorites which I simply passover, but even still, the 10 Seasons of Stargate Sg-1 takes me quite a while to watch.

Stories 2019 | Blue Wall

Many years ago I saw a wall DIY by Elsie at A Beautiful Mess. She used Instax photos and covered an entire wall with them for an amazing statement and accent wall. I ruminated over that wall for months. I coveted that wall of photos and I wanted to do something like it but, honestly, I was scared. In our living room we have a light tan color on all of the walls except one. It is painted an egg shell blue color. I knew if I was going to design a photo wall I was going to use that blue wall.

After a lengthy deliberation I presented my idea for a 'photo wall' with Jeff and, surprisingly, he was totally on board with it. He went to work designing a framed 'wall' for my photos. He used a large piece of luan and  chair rail pieces to frame it out. I added 253 4x4 white-bordered Sepia photos of my family. You read that right. 253 photos. We enjoyed that wall of photos for more than 6 years.

It was most definitely a statement piece. It sparked many conversations. Guests and family - grandchildren - inherently, stop at that framed wall of photos and gaze and glance and peruse all the photos. 

Over the past several months I have been creating 253 NEW photos for my blue wall. Once I received the last stack of photos from Persnickety Prints Jarrod and I begin peeling off the old photos. It was quite a chore. Once we had the outer film of the photo, Jeff took his sander and smoothed out the remainder. It took several days to prepare the 'wall' for the new photos.

I adhered the photos, again, using Modge Podge just as I did before. Mostly, because the original wall held up superbly and I was most happy with it. Using a simple foam brush and Modge Podge, one by one I adhered the new photos. I chose to display the photos in a rainbow like fashion in that I started with one color and proceeded with adhering the next colors side by side in rows of individual colors. I'm super happy with the results.

Stories 2019 | Details

This kid, Samuel, my grandson, at almost 3 years old, is finally becoming playful around me. Over the 4th of July weekend was the first time Samuel interacted with me willingly. Normally, he would fuss even if I simply tried to talk to him but this weekend he didn't mind giving me his attention. We talked - he is talking up a storm - whether we understand it or not - and he perked up anytime I pulled my phone out for pictures.

We played and teased and he even had no problem having his picture taken with me. He even gave me kisses at night on his own. It was glorious for me! I have hope now for a budding, flourishing relationship with Samuel. Which was solidified when I was on FaceTime with Ashley the other day and Samuel came zooming up (I could hear him excited) and said, 'Grammy!" in hello. It did this grandma's heart good!

Digitally: I used two journal cards on the left side of the page, modified a bit so that I could continue the oval shaped repetition throughout the page. I used three pieces of chipboard for a visual triangle for cohesion of the two pages. All digital products are from Ali Edwards.

All About Me | Never Have I Ever

One of the ladies in my online scrapbooking community and who I am excited I am going to get to meet in September at Story Camp, posted a page she'd created titled Never Have I Ever, then listed thirty or so things she'd never done. I was inspired!

I decided to make a Never Have I Ever with a twist. I listed my never have I ever but I added a but statement following, or however, or instead of - something to that effect. Here's a few of my Never Have I Evers':

Never Have I Ever spent $300 on a purse. Okay, it was $208 but it's a leather purse from Noonday which is a fair trade company who empowers artisan business to create dignified jobs.

Never Have I Ever dipped French fries into a milkshake. Into mayonnaise yes, but never a milkshake

Never Have I Ever skied the slopes of the Rocky Mountains. But there was that one time I skied in the mountains of Switzerland

Never Have I Ever swam in the Pacific Ocean. but when I was in the French Riviera I swam in the Mediterranean Ocean

Never Have I Ever received a speeding ticket but there was that time I was pulled over for speeding but when I declared the BB guns in the trunk he let me off with a warning

Never Have I Ever swam with dolphins but there was that time I swam with a manatee in the Crystal River

Never Have I Ever fallen asleep in church while listening to a sermon but I have fallen asleep in a movie theater watching a movie

Never Have I Ever sang Karaoke but there was that one time I sang a solo in church with a cassette tape music accompaniment

Never Have I Ever been on TV but I have been on closed circuit TV giving weather briefings to pilots

Never Have I Ever been suspended from school but there was that one time I had to go to the principals office for kissing a boy in kindergarten...

and 12 more things like that.

Of course, I (mostly) tried to be funny with my never have I ever's. Although, there might actually be one or two serious statements of fact in there.

 

Currently | July 2019

I hadn't done a CURRENTLY page in quite a few months and I so wanted to use that gorgeous flowers journal card that came in my July Stories By the Month digital kit. I also used an older Day in the Life digital kit (both are, of course, Ali Edwards). Pretty simple page: a journal card plus those word stamps and my journaling.

I enjoy using the present participle -ing words as a prompt for the journaling as it tells a specific mini-story, when combined with all the other present participles offers a current picture of life right now - or at least during that month. As I am not documenting this year through Project Life as I have done in past years these 'monthly' currently pages are a clever snapshot of my life.

When I was perusing my photos for an accompanying photo for the page I realized over the past month (except for 4th of July weekend, yet even that weekend) I have truly taken very few photos. I also realized this needs to change. I know the reason. Generally, it is just Jeff and I. John and Jarrod are off doing their own thing and while they still live with us we are becoming empty nesters. Yet, we still have us and I need to make photo taking a priority again. Hopefully, I will make that happen in August.