Serenity

1962...This Moment in Time

I have wanted to do this layout for a long time, but I never seemed to get around to it.  Today was my day.  I was inspired by a comment at Ali's blog that I read this morning.

And the Clear Scraps Albums go to...

I've been putting off my own childhood. Limited pictures, as well as badly taken pictures, makes for a rather difficult project. I keep delaying it to find some inspiration and direction to take it.
Posted by: Denise L.

I  decided to find a picture of my childhood to scrap, but I was led to this dMarie Time Capsule information that I had printed off a long time ago and forgot about.  I was inspired to do this layout, and I am so glad that I did!

I've been putting off my own childhood. Limited pictures, as well as badly taken pictures, makes for a rather difficult project. I keep delaying it to find some inspiration and direction to take it.
Posted by: Denise L.

I  decided to find a picture of my childhood to scrap, but I was led to this dMarie Time Capsule information that I had printed off a long time ago and forgot about.  I was inspired to do this layout, and I am so glad that I did!

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing....

Our lives are changing daily.  Some of  the changes are scary, like health issues and growing old.  Some things are precious and joyous, like teaching Jacob to swim and watching Josh mature and become a young man.  Being with my Mom and watching her sorrow, still, as she everyday mourns the loss of the love of her life is hard.  Sharing moments with Eric and praying that he is always there with me, my soul mate, my lobster. 

Every time I hear "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", I get feel cold and trembly.  It fits my life right now.  I really don't want to miss a thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo_0UXRY_rY

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

 

I have learned how to make photo pebbles, and I am afraid that I am in love.  I want to do many more!  I loved this page of Jake's early birthdays.  I hope that he enjoys looking at himself as a bubble!

Sometimes life....

This is my first digital page about myself.  I took this self-portrait at the Mellow Mushroom Pizza place in Asheville.  I like it, even though it shows all of my flaws, my Dad's nose, my huge pores and saggy jaw line.  I think it also captures well the feeling that I have a lot, that I am just barely treading water, that life is coming at me, from all angles, faster than I can deal with well.  I think it looks a lot like I think I look, honestly and unexcused. 

I enjoyed doing this page, because I learned how to do brushes and recoloring with it.  I like how it turned out, although I wish I had a better selection of embellishments.  Something just isn't what I want it to be, but I can't pin down what it is.  But, I am satisfied with my first brush with brushes.

Graduation 2007

Joshua McLean Waters

A long time in coming. You started school when you were three years old, in Early Childhood for the Handicapped classes. Back then, Dad and I wondered where the future was going to take you, if you ever would be able to function in a public school setting, if you would be able to go to school at all. Over the years, school has been both a triumph and tribulation for you. Junior High was an absolute hell of emotion, fear, anger, and resentment. Every day was treading on glass, just trying to keep ourselves together. But you got through it. You were voted a 9th Grade Superlative of “Most Dramatic”. Well deserved, I might add. I was so relieved for you to make it through Junior High.
High School was a breeze compared to the chaos of East Junior High. Not to say that you still didn’t have problems, but they were so different and seemingly insignificant compared to before. Not having friends to eat lunch with because of your schedules, you hid in the library during lunch. Meeting Joseph gave you a dear friend, one who is also living a challenged life. Louis and his family were a big part of your high school years, and he continues to remain your friend. I am really glad that you have two buddies to be friends with.
High school is finally over. You are in the next phase of your growth. I hope that you will not forget the lessons you learned at McDowell High School, especially the social experiences that you survived. They will make you a better person. Look back on High School realistically, because it was the easiest time of your life. Life sometimes is hard for no reason. You will just have to keep moving on. There are good things waiting out there for you. Go find them.

Just Be.....

I am home this week, still recuperating from being in the hospital and on Prednisone for so long.  I am dabbling in Digital Scrapbooking.  I tried a long time ago to learn how, but it was so confusing.  Now, I know that it was my laptop and bugs that it had.  With my new computer, things were so easy to put together.

I am proud of this layout.  I did an advanced technique (according to Rhonna, who designed the tutorial) all by myself!  Clipping masks have always fascinated me, and it was magical!  Very simple to do. 

I downloaded $15 worth of Designer Digital elements today and spent about an hour and a half learning my way through the process.  I am getting the hang of it, but I still enjoy the tactile, paper in my hands scrapping.   I think the page turned out great.  It is simple and focused on the great picture Eric took of Jacob peeing in the river over at Wheels Through Time in Maggie Valley.  I love his elfin features and sly grin...it is going to be a favorite of mine for a long time to come.  I am there, my clapping hands behind the flowers.  It is amazing what you can do with technology.  I am falling in love with Digital Scrapbooking!

Mellow Afternoon

We had such a wonderful afternoon together in downtown Asheville. The weather was not too hot, a little breezy and not very crowded. We ate lunch at the Mellow Mushroom, outside, next to the bathtub fish pool. Birds everywhere, bathing, drinking, fighting. It fascinated Jacob. I love the picture of him watching the little sparrows so intently. My favorite moments of the day were watching Eric and his son bond, over pizza, new sights, icecream. So many things to see and wonder about. Mellow Mushroom, mellow moments, happy family together. The only one missing was Josh. Next time, we'll bring him along.