Hello,

Hello, yellow cake mix feast. A colleague invited us to all bring a recipe that included a yellow cake mix. It made for a delicious lunch. My contributtion = Kahlua bundt cake

Speaking of work. . . 

Hello, 8.5 days of school remaining.

Hello, 20% off sale and free shipping at Garnet Hill. This dress (in brown polka dot) and these baskets (sorry I stole your style, Em) will be arriving shortly.

Hello, upcoming visit with my brother that includes meeting Veronica, his most special friend, and drinking some beer.

Hello, ideas. I love brainstorming, scheming, and imagining. I love that my friends love it, too, and I especially love that one particular friend brings a project-management mindset to make the dreaming a reality.

Hello, little bit of color (read pink) in my skin and arms from an entire day of Saturday sunshine.

Hello, planning for Costa Rica. The flight is booked and half of the lodging decisions are made. I picked out a great bag and am working on a coordinating wardrobe. I need to get started on a mini book to work on during the trip.

Hello, brave girl. I am proud of myself for working on understanding what I need, want, and deserve. I'm feeling confident (excited even?) about the difficult work that still needs to happen. I'm welcoming next steps.

Inspired by Katrina's use of Lisa Leonard's practice

Currents

listening: Bluefish (audiobook)
eating: bean and cheese quesadillas for lunch every day this week
drinking: not enough water
wearing: soft, grey pajama pants and a hoodie
feeling: anxious
weather: sunny and warm
wanting: answers and a routine
needing: a new read. 
thinking: about tonight's Grey's Anatomy season finale
enjoying: being around luke, dottie, and charlie every day
wondering: what my life will be like in a year

Things I've Never Tried

Quote sent by Katrina.

Digital card from 2Peas.

I'm not saying these are things I necessarily want to try, but they definitely are things I have never tried.

1. Blue eyeshadow
2. Flying first class
3. Living alone
4. Buying myself diamonds
5. Punching someone
6. A blind date
7. Acupuncture
8. Driving a motorcycle
9. Traveling to Asia
10. Gardening

If I Could. . .

I caught myself wondering today, "If I could be doing anything right now what would it be?"

I would sit in an over-stuffed leather armchair situated in front of a fire. I would snuggle in a quilt and read all day. Someone would deliver me Starbucks.

I would cook an amazing dinner for my nearest and dearest friends. My people, spread out all over the country, would come together in my kitchen to eat and laugh and drink.

I would go to Paris. By myself. For an afternoon. I would wander through the market, find a great cheese shop, eat a chocolate croissant, and have a fabulous dinner (which I would order in the fluent French that is part of my daydream) at a tiny bistro. I would also look French (read thin and sophisticated).

Even imagining these makes my shoulders relax a little.

Project Life: Week 13

And, Week 13.

Right side = Design D
Insert = Cut down We R Memory Keepers (Nine 4 x 4s)
Left side = Design A

I love the fun banner running through the page. It was a hassle to work with, but it sure looks cute.

The whole thing isn't completely finished yet. I want to add some stitching.

So, this is the last week I officially have finished. Here's my plan:

• Finish Week 14. The photos are printed and everything is sketched out.
• Decide what to do about Weeks 14 and 15. I have some photos and a few pieces of "stuff." Right now, I'm leaning toward one page for each week - sort of a compilation.
• Finish Weeks 16 and 17.
• Start adding recipes again. I haven't put one in since Week 11. Come to think of it, I should probably start cooking again.
• Stay committed to working this out. This might not be the happiest time in my life, but some day (maybe) I will look back and be proud of the decisions I'm making.

Project Life: Week 12

Week 12.

Right side = Design A
Insert = Design G
Left side = D

Highlights?
Sushi with Angie.
Hunger Games.
Chicago weekend for birthdays: Kelly, Henry, and Mirielle.

Project Life 2012: Week 11

Week 11.

No inserts.

Two Design A.

Very vanilla of me, no?

Project Life 2012: Week 10

I haven't shared any of my Project Life since March 17. I finished several more weeks since then, I just haven't shared them.

Today, I finally made time to take some pictures.

Without further ado, here is Week 10.
The right side is a Design F.
The left side is a Design A.
The insert is a 6 x 12 cut and stitched the fit the play bill.

I'm finished through Week 13 and have pictures printed for Week 14. I'll share all of those in other posts. The truth is - life has been complicated the past couple of weeks, really complicated. It hurts my heart to go back and look at the weeks that are finished and hurts my heart even more to think about finishing the weeks that aren't touched. I haven't quite decided what I will do about those weeks yet.

But, I am committed to continuing with the project. It forces me to notice details. It makes me appreciate parts of my day that I would never otherwise think about. It even forces me to find things about my life that are happy. I need that right now.