Ali Edwards & Big Picture Classes

So, I mentioned in my first blog post of the year that I had a goal of trying to use some of my scrapbooking stash. Since I've moved here, it's probably quadupled in size, and it's out of control.

And while the stash was growing, my creativity was withering. I had to do something. Last month I ran across Ali Edwards' blog. She's an awesome scrapbook designer who lives right here in Oregon. Her blog led me to Big Picture Classes, which is a site she teaches classes through. So, after some pondering, I've decided to register for a couple classes. And while we've just started, I've got high hopes that they will help to shake me free into greater creativity.

No NaNo this November

That sounds kind of cryptic doesn't it? November is National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo to writing fans and afficienados. I attempted my first NaNo in 2007, but didn't get too far with my 50,000 word goal. In 2008, I was two months into a new job, so writing was the last thing on my mind. 2009 was an awesome year. I met the goal! So, I was really excited to start this year's challenge.

And it didn't happen. I tried. I really did. But there's no story in me this year. Life is chaotic and messy feeling right now. My energy levels are dead low, and I don't know when/how that's going to change. So, no NaNo this year. Maybe, I'm only meant to tackle the challenge in odd numbered years.

Writing Contests

I won an essay contest in the 6th grade for an essay I wrote about John F. Kennedy. My prize was savings bond, which I still haven't cashed. Odd what is remembered from childhood. However, I think that contest was probably what inspired me to write.

So, many years later, I'm a member of the DAR and decided enter their American Heritage contest in the drama category. Now, don't think great drama, but anything with dialogue pretty much qualifies. I send the piece off, feeling pretty good about it. A couple weeks ago state winners were posted, and I didn't place. It was kind of a let down, but there were dozens of entries, probably. So, I shook myself off and went about my business. Today, I got an email from the national contest chairman. It seems I've won second place at the National Level. Wow! Speechless. And pretty darn happy. :)

Genetics

I have to admit that I'm not a science geek. Science is interesting, but only to the degree that I find individual concepts interesting. I have no desire to know all there is, but I find genetics fascinating. What to do we gain from our parents, grandparents, and so on back through the generations.

I remember doing some basic genetics in high school. It was an investigation looking at physical traits we shared with family members. During that unit we observed eye color, who could roll their tongues, who had detached earlobes, and whether or not you have crooked pinkies. If I remember correctly, tongue rolling and detached earlobes were rather common, dominant traits. The crooked pinkies, not so much. It's recessive, and I inherited that trait from both my parents along with "blue" eyes. I will also admit that I didn't give much thought to my fellow students who were adopted and how this subject impacts their lives. I've always known that piece of my past. I have photos of ancestors who look like me.

This evening I watched the finale of "Faces of America" which is the latest genealogical investigation taken on by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In the past, his emphasis has been on African-American research, which can be a difficult undertaking. This time around he took the investigations to the molecular level, analyzing DNA to find haplong groups and shared ancestry. It was interesting, and makes me curious about my own. As someone whose interest in family history, this is kind of the next step. Well, it's something to think about.

End of a Community

For the past year and a half (since moving back) I've spent many hours (and much money) at Scrapbook Fever. It's been a most awesome store, full of all sorts of scrapping treasures. The incredible staff know my name and always have smiles and greetings when I walk in the door. The community of fellow scrappers has been so supportive, and undemanding; something that my work community cannot always be. It's been a little oasis of peace in an often chaotic world.

That being said, I'm in mourning. Scrapbook Fever will be closing on December 24. There will be no more crops, classes, advice. I may never see some of those familiar faces again. Last Friday I attended what was my last Friday Night Crop. I was not inspired to work on any project. I was not ready to say good bye. I found a few minor tasks to take on, but mostly I worked to absorb the feelings I have when I'm in the store and the prescense of those wonderfully talented ladies. When the time came for me to leave for the evening I wished everyone Happy Holidays, and packed up my things like so many Friday nights before, and I walked out the door for what may be the last time. I can't see myself drawing out the goodbyes. It's too hard.

NaNoWriMo Update

Announcing....


It's done. I finished my 50,000 words this evening. I don't know that what I wrote isn't a pile of cliched drivel, but I set a goal and I reached it.

I also want to give a shout out to my friend Jen Taylor who is also a 2009 NaNoWriMo winner. Way to go Jen!

NaNoWriMo

It's November that means NaNoWriMo! For those who are not in the know, the title stands for National Novel Writing Month. It's a challenge: Write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I attempted it in 2007 and only made it about 22,000 words. After giving last year a pass with moving and new job, I decided to try again. Wish me luck.

PS: To those of you who have asked if you can read it when I'm done, we'll see. :)

Inspiration vs Chaos

Last night I had the urge to get some thank you cards made. Before starting I actually cleared off my table. Less than an hour in, this is what inspiration looked like. Or was it chaos?

Sand Toys

A couple of years ago my sister and brother-in-law bought quads. We now spend some time on the sand, tearin' it up. For some time Eric has been urging my parents and I to get on board with program and buy quads. We've resisted. At least I have. Yesterday, my parents bought a dunebuggy.



I think that Eric must have been a horsetrader in a past life. He seems to find these great deals on Craigslist or Ebay. I think it's become his hobby. I wonder what he'll come up with next.

The Beginnings of Goodbye

Moving means saying goodbye to the people you've become attached to. Last night was the final scrapbook crop that I'll attend here. I'm going to miss the Friday night regulars: Marti, Cathy, Ruth, Nicki, Sonja, Shirley, Teri, Jenny, Jackie, Clari... Over the last couple of years I've had many wonderful evenings of fellowship, conversation and crafting.

National Scrapbook Day

I spent this beautiful Saturday indoors. Strange, I know, but it was for a good cause. This week was National Scrapbook Day, and in its honor, the local scrap and stamp store had a celebration. The attending ladies (men just don't seem to scrapbook) ate, visited and scrapped our way through seven hours. I only attended one session. Some of the real diehards attended all three. Friday night, Saturday, and Saturday night!

Scrappin'

Last night I returned to one of my favorite activities: Scrapbooking! The local scrapbook and stamp store holds crop nights twice a month. I try to go as often as I can for a couple different reasons. First, I really enjoy the company of the women who come. Second, it provides the opportunity to be inspired by the creativity of the other scrappers.

Last night was really successful for me. I packed up my scrapping materials last May, and they didn't come out of the box until yesterday. I felt like I was burned out; sucked dry of all creative juices. Of course that didn't stop me from buying new supplies this summer. I'm wasn't that tapped out. But I wasn't producing any new pages. So, last night I finished my Virginia trip from 2006. Next crop.... summer 2007!

First Day of Yoga Class

For those of you who know me, you know that I'm a big fan of lifelong learning. I used to take classes at the local community college before I moved here: Spanish, Flyfishing, Aerobics...whatever caught my fancy. The offerings at the community college where I live now are not so diverse, so I've limited myself to scrapbooking with a wonderful group at the local stamp and scrapbook store. But a few weeks ago I decided to plunge back into the community college circuit. My choice for this term: Yoga.

Those of you who know me also realize that I'm not a huge fan of exercise for the sake of exercise. Playing at the lake, or taking a hike with friends is different. But I also realized I needed to get off my duff and do something. That trip to Kentucky this summer sort of sabotaged my good eating habits. What can i say, I love fried food!

So yoga. It's something I'd never done, but was curious about. So I registered, paid my fee and tonight, I went to my first yoga class. Wow! I thought I was pretty flexible, but that was quickly proven to be a fallacy. I stretched muscles I'd forgotten I had. So for the next 10 weeks I will stretch, balance and use those long forgotten muscles twice a week for class. Let's just hope I can get out of bed tomorrow.