Category: Uncategorized

party cure.

My party hangover cure. First off I should say- when I say ‘hangover’ I mean more the exhaustion from hosting a party. NOT from over-indulging in alcoholic beverages. I was so busy I never even got to the beer. Let alone consume too many.

Do not underestimate the power of a piece of cake + steamy good cup of good coffee. (in cutest mug I have) It’s good stuff.

Yesterday we had a BBQ/1st birthday party here. SO fun. Lots of people here that we don’t get to see very often, and good times all around. Here’s one photo I got:

I only have about 30 photos total… which if you know me… that’s about 150 or so BELOW average for a party. There was just too much going on and I had to keep my camera safe from pool and kids… so it got left inside a lot. I admit that it’s a bummer, but it’s ok- I’d rather have memories of a really fun time than lots of pics of a ‘just ok’ time!

Now I’m back to waking up and recovering. I did all the major clean up last night (on purpose) so I could enjoy a quiet Sunday… and even though the girls woke up an HOUR early (after going to bed 1-2hrs late!) I have hope for a nice day. Oh, and I have cake and coffee… mmm…

chunky style.

It’s a UK thing, and it’s good. I found it at a candy store called Powell’s near my in-laws. That candy shop is SOO fun- it could have it’s own post. Another time. For now this is what I’m talking about:

The basic idea? It’s one big kit kat. How do you eat yours? I bite the layers apart then nibble down the (thin) wafer/bar. Then repeat until I’ve worked my way down to the last one. MMMM. This is especially good with this big chunky kit kat. Next time, this chocoholic knows to buy more than one!

paper

Once upon a time I organized by color/theme… and I could never find the coordinating pieces in a line. For example- basic grey “sultry” would be in 5 different areas. P-A-I-N! So I changed it (back in 2005 or so) to being by mfg. I’ve always stored vertical- I love the paper files (like magazine but for 12×12) and they keep my paper nice and pretty for me.

So again I organize paper by manufacturer. EXCEPT- the mfg’s that I have only a few sheets of- those I just have lumped all together. Now, I hadn’t organized my paper since 2007, so it’s quite the mess. It took a few hours, but I got things back where they belong. Because I love lists, because I like to share here are the companies I have files for:

  • American Crafts
  • Autumn Leaves
  • Anna Griffin
  • Basic Grey
  • Creative Imaginations (1 file for all)
  • Love, Elsie (with any wee bit of KI thrown in)
  • Jenni Bowlin
  • K&Co
  • Making Memories
  • My Minds Eye
  • Melissa Frances
  • October Afternoon
  • Scenic Route
  • (and Heidi Grace, Cloud 9, Lil Davis, Kimberly Poloson… OF COURSE! They have a separate file…)

Companies that I’ve been adding enough paper from to justify their own files now:

  • Cosmo Cricket
  • Little Yellow Bicycle
  • doodlebug

Of course I’m not going to share who once had a file and was removed, because that wouldn’t be nice. Also, just because somebody isn’t listed here doesn’t mean I don’t love them… it just means that I don’t have enough of their paper to justify a whole separate section. for now.

How do you organize paper? What works good for you? I’m always curious.

Oh- and if you wonder about cardstock- here’s a current photo of my desk. I do by color in this great paper storage wood box/shelf thing I got at target. This is currently my desk. Trying to do some decor for the BBQ this weekend (early Rebecca b-day party)+ working on using some other stuff in current projects… more on all that later!

wednesday? for real?

COCOA MINT KITS: Susan and Estee- shoot me an e-mail with your mailing info- you won! mflaum@comcast.net (note: more give aways to come!)

This week is flying right by, and I know the reason. I’m finally getting back to my full self, to full levels of activity, to feeling right again. It feels really good to be back- and since I’m getting back to my normal ‘hummingbird’ like levels of running around it means time is flying by because we’re busy!!

Being back on track also means recognizing that I’ve blown any sense of ‘moderation’ on sweets out the window, and getting that back on track. I’m not unhappy or upset about the 5lbs that found me over the last 3 weeks. Nope. It’s already done and so I won’t look back. I just know I don’t want to ‘find’ any more weight, so I’m getting back to where I should be eating and exercise wise.

The key, in my opinion, is that you look forward and make positive change where and how you can. I’m back in a place where I can do that, and I fully intend to make the most of it. Thank you to everyone who has been e-mailing and sending me support- loosing my dear Jake was far more difficult than I could have imagined, and it really set me back. I still miss him, it’s still sad… but it’s not all consuming for the first time, and I’m getting my act back together.

I’ll have pics to share soon… just wanted to share why I’ve been quiet- it’s because I’ve been running around (literally!) and being productive and busy!!