(Project) Life Dropout!??!

I'm sure you have all been scouring the Interwebs looking for signs of my existence during my absence from this little blog, sending emails amongst yourselves inquiring about my well-being, and speculating about what type of crazy adventures have kept me from you.

Here is what I've been doing:

Yes. That's right. I've been busy living life and accumulating a giant pile of "stuff" to prove it.

Where does this "stuff" belong?

In my Project Life, of course.

Why isn't it there?

I'm eight weeks behind.

I have all of the pictures and "stuff" from the last eight weeks of my life, but I've been too busy living said life to document it.

Come on. I know some of you out there have a really similar pile. I'm sure you do. Confess now. No judgments. No shame.

Project Life Planned - Live Your Life. Plan Your Project, a little project Katrina and I put together just for you.

Project Life Planned is for you if you:

• are marking time by how many weeks behind your Project Life album is
• need inspiration and coaching to keep your Project Life momentum going
• have purchased about 900 different page protectors and refuse to let them go to waste
• are looking for an excuse to start Project Life - what better reason that the middle of the year?

Project Life Planned is a subscription product. For a monthly fee (somewhere in the area of four drinks from your favorite local purveyor of the green and white cups), you get all the inspiration, ideas, journaling and photo prompts, sarcasm, and cheerleading you will need to keep going with Project Life.

For more information (and to register) visit Project Life Planned.

(Disclaimer: Project Life Planned is in no way affiliated with Becky's Higgins' Project Life. We simply think that we can all use a little help staying motivated & inspired to complete this awesome project.)

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.

Hello, Monday

Hello to an uber-comfortable queen-sized bed and five pillows all to myself.

Hello to remembering the difference between being selfish and taking care of myself.

Hello to a freshly washed and folded load of laundry (whites, in case you were wondering).

Hello to laughing at random emails from friends.

Hello to 8 P.M. bedtime.

Inspired by Katrina who was inspired by Lisa Leonard

Meal Plan # 43

Note: I've decided to start numbering my meal plan posts. It seems more fun that way. I'm guessing this is about meal plan 43.

Angie, Charlie, and I had lunch Thursday at Coa. It was quite the feast. We started with guacamole and iced tea and moved on to tacos (Barbacoa, Chicken Tinga, and Carne Asada), a pork empanada, and grilled sweet corn. There may or may not be a photo of me eating the sweet corn that shall never see the Interwebs.

Saturday:
Pizza (with dough from Thursday's Trader Joe's run)
Olive Cheese Bread
Cadbury Cream Egg Milkshake

Sunday:
See Easter menu in previous post

Monday: (meeting until 4 PM)
Broccolini Salad
Grilled Chicken

Tuesday: (meeting until 4 PM)
Beef and Broccoli

Wednesday: (haircut at 4:30 PM)
Mediterranean Chicken Kabob Salad

Thursday: (no evening plans - yay!)
Crockpot Beef Barbacoa

Friday: (no evening plans - yay!)
Chicken Saltimboca
Spaghetti al Limone
Vegetable (asparagus?)

Breakfast:
Yogurt Parfaits (with vanilla walnuts)
Toaster Waffles

Lunch:
Slacker Sushi Bowls
Jello with fruit?

Snacks:
Veggies and dip
Pudding
Buffalo Hummus with Pretzels

Foodie Friday: Easter Menu

In 2010, we - along with my parents - had dinner with Mike, Angie, Luke, and a tiny-little Dorothy. In 2011, we - just Brad and I - were traveling to Seattle. This year, it's just Brad and I for Easter.

I've been a bit of a slacker in the kitchen lately. So, I want to put together a real feast for Easter.

Here's what I'm thinking:
Roast Beef with Slow-Cooked Tomatoes and Garlic
Lemon Panko Parmesan Asparagus
Red, White, and Blue Mashed Potatoes
Carrot Cake (a family recipe)

The red cake plate seen above died a sad death in which the top cracked right off the base. 

I'm still a little sad about that.

Uncle Wally's Carrot Cake

Cake Ingredients:
2C flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 C grated carrots
3/4 C nuts
8 oz crushed pineapple, drained
2 C sugar
1 1/2 C oil
1/2 tsp salt

Frosting Ingredients:
6 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 C melted butter
2 C powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C nuts

Directions for cake:
Preheat oven to 350.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Set aside.

In another bowl, beat eggs. Add sugar, oil, salt, carrots, pineapple, and nuts. Stir mixture into flour.

Pour into greased 9 x 13 x 2 pan. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
I plan to ignore this part. I will bake in two round pans.

Remove from oven and cool on rack. Do not remove from pan. Frost - in pan - when cool.
Again, I will ignore this part. I want to make a layer cake.

Directions for frosting:
Combine cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and sugar. Beat until smooth. Use extra powdered sugar to sweeten.

And - you should be aware of this if you ever plan to eat at my house - I will eat some of the frosting (lick it from my fingers to be exact) before putting it on the cake. Don't worry, though. I never double dip.

Savor 2012: Update 3

I did a terrible job of "savoring" during March.

Life felt rushed. Unintentional. Accidental. Wasted.

These self-imposed monthly check-ins remind me that I get a fresh start each month. They remind me not to give up on my word.

In April, I will savor one day at a time.

I savored today - the first day of spring break.

The most difficult decision I had to make was whether to have mint chip or turtle ice cream at Culver's.

I slept a little late.
I printed pictures for Week 11 of Project Life.
I had lunch with Natalie at her school.
I earned $51 by selling used books.
I bought a jersey for Friday's Brewers season opener.
I bought Brad a cool t-shirt for Friday's Brewers season opener.
I treated myself to new pajamas.
I took a nap to try out previously mentioned new pajamas.
I made a great dinner.

If only every day was this easy to savor.

March: What I Read

I was a slacker this month. Reading was replaced by television. Hanging head in shame.


What I Read:
Esperanza Rising
RtI and the Adolescent Reader

See. I wasn't kidding. I really was a slacker.

I'm Working On:
Pride and Prejudice
Why We Broke Up
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
Scrawl
Daughter of Smoke and Bone


Maybe April will be a big reading month. It seems like I have many titles to finish.

On to what I watched:
Season premiere of Mad Men. Swoon.
Weeds, Season 7. Bwaha.
First four episodes of Downton Abbey. Love.

And, movies at home:
Hangover 2
Junebug


And, movies at the movies:
Acts of Valor
Hunger Games (twice)

(partially) Flowering

I picked up some daffodils during a last minute stop at the grocery store. (I haven't made a meal plan or a real shopping trip in at least two weeks. I'm living on take-out, restaurant meals, and things that can be carried in my arms at the store.)

I had to choose between the bunches that were completely flowering, the bunches that had some flowers, and the bunches that were all blooms.

I had a little moment of clarity and self-reflection in the middle of the grocery store floral department and decided to go with the partially flowering bunch.

That's how I'm feeling lately - partially flowering.

I'm not quite getting done everything I should. I'm not quite as productive as I should be. I haven't been paying quite enough attention to the people and things that really matter. I've been distracted and disorganized.

There's room for improvement.

Assessed for Street Repairs

Unfortunately, "assessed for street repairs" doesn't just happen in Monopoly. It is - apparently - one of the many joys of homeownership.

What the city doesn't tell you in all of the very lengthy paperwork and meetings about street repairs is that you may wake up to find this in your front yard.

This funny for several reasons.

1. Ten days ago (when the construction started) the outhouse was at the western corner of our block. I pointed it out to Brad and celebrated that it wasn't in our yard.
2. Today, at 7 AM, the outhouse was at the eastern corner of our block. Yes. That's right. They moved it one block.
3. Today, at about 9 AM, I got a text from Brad pointing out that I had, in fact, jinxed us. The outhouse was in our front yard.
4. Brad didn't realize I had gone outside to capture this oh-so-memorable moment. When I came back in the front door, he said, "Were you just taking a crap in the outhouse?"
5. We considered prettying up the outhouse for the construction workers. Adding some flowers, maybe a can of air freshener or some nice TP.

Yup. That's my house. Bet no one else has a photo like this for their Project Life.

9 things for 9 days

I have no idea where the last nine days of my life went. Does that ever happen to you? I'm confident I have been doing lots of things. I just can't seem to remember what any of them were.

So, here's a recap list.

9 THINGS for 9 DAYS

ONE. I picked out a new make-up bag. I've never actually bought a make-up bag before; I've always just relied on the tacky bags that come with free gifts from Clinique. It seems a little odd that I would need a make-up bag to begin with, as I barely have any make-up - let alone enough make-up to necessitate a bag. It sure is cute, though.

TWO. It has been ridiculously warm here - until today. These were taken last Saturday. Yes. Children in the sprinkler on March 18.

THREE. The aforementioned ridiculously warm weather necessitated the inaugural pedicure of summer 2012.

FOUR. There has been lots of eating out - insane amounts of eating out, to be exact. I won't go into the details. It's a little embarrassing, actually.

Wait. Maybe I should give you some details. There was: Italian at a local restaurant with a friend, Japanese steakhouse for a friend's birthday, sushi, deep dish pizza, Mexican (x 2), cupcakes, an embarrassing amount of Easter candy, and fish fry with ice cream for dessert.

FIVE. A big work-related project (in the works since Spring 2011) is officially finished and being marketed. I'm giddy about it and so proud and so very humbled. I don't talk much about work here, but I'm so proud of this. I loved watching other people see it for the first time. I smiled for days.

SIX. Someday I would like to take a sabbatical just to read. I have piles of unread books - adult books, young adult books, and many, many books about teaching. I have no idea how I will ever read them.

SEVEN.  I found this gem on my camera today. I look at it and my heart melts. Seriously. Melts. I don't know how my mama friends do it. How does your heart not just over-flow with love every single day making it impossible for you to get anything else done? And, why has it never occurred to me to eat ice cream in my underwear. That boy is a genius.

EIGHT.  I've been enjoying television a bit much lately. Weeds, Season 7. Downton Abbey, Episodes 1 - 4. The return of Mad Men (deserves a post of its own). Friends re-runs (Nick @ Night at bedtime)

NINE. I want need to cook dinner at home sometime soon (see FOUR). Brad did make me this last Sunday.

I'm thinking about making:

Chicken with Green Olive, Caper, and Lemon Relish

Chopped Salad

Steak with Drunken Mushrooms and Blue Cheese

Christmas Pasta

And, I do solemnly swear to be a better blogger.

Project Life 2012: Week 9

Ah, Week 9. The week where I've had more inserts than ever before.

I wasn't kidding about that insert intervention.

The big picture - both sides complete with three inserts. Left side is a Design A this week. Right side is a Design F. Inserts are:

6 x 12 cut to 4 x 6: Subway art and journaling about One Little Word

6 x 12 cut to 5.5 x 8.5: Notes from a recent observation at work

Design G: Welcoming Charlie

I used the same transparency and outline of a number for the title card this week because it's a new month. I also went a little crazy with the pennant thing. I haven't tried that much before.

I almost forget to include a recipe this week. Somehow - for probably the first time in years - I didn't take any pictures of food this week!!!

Here's how all three inserts lay atop each other.

Insert about One Little Word. I had to punch new holes in this page protector. It didn't quite match up with what I needed once I shortened it to 4 x 6.

Insert 2. I left myself some space to add journaling about my job so far (five months in) on the back.

I didn't have quite enough room with the six pockets in the Design G. And, I saw someone else cut down page protectors and stitch them on top to create hidden photos or journaling. I used that here to give myself enough space for photos, lots of words, and some pretty elements.

And, finally getting to the right page for Week 9. . .

I really do like Design G. Why don't I use it more?!!?