::ANNA::

Shutterflyin' + Random

Busy getting ready for the Designer Digital Quarterly Annual Sale which starts this Friday, not to mention Halloween.  We finally got the little Halloween tree up.

   

I picked Ella up from school on Friday.  I always ask on the drive home:

"So...How was your day?"

The typical response is:

"I don't know" or "I can't 'member".

On this particular night she blew me away when she actually had something to say (after some successful probing from me).  That day they had been on a field trip to the theater so I asked her about the field trip.

"I didn't the movie.  I didn't like the Rahhh", said Ella.

I said, "Which Rahh?"

"The RAHH", said getting frustrated, and making a sound like tiger.

"OK.  But you're not scared now."

"No", said Ella.

"so what else did you do?"

"We had a new teacher" said Ella.

"And what was he like I asked?"

"He had no hair," she said.  "He was bald"

...and so the conversation continued.  It's often like trying to get blood out of a stone.

This weekend was busy.  Isabel came over for the day and we went to Trick or Treat town.  Ella and Isabel held hands almost the entire time.  It's a while since they've seen each other.  They had a good time, but it's true what they say about 3 being a crowd.  Luke tormented at least one of them at any given time.

Ronalyn took their photos at the Scrapbook Store and then it was off to McDonald for a happy meal (minus the nuggets for my two and plus half a chicken breast each).

Then Trick or Treating for all, with the deal being that we would trade candy for toys later.  It went well.  the children had fun, but it was busy and I'm not a fan of crowds.

Sunday was a quiet day and I spent it uploading 3 Shutterfly books, wanting to take advantage of the free shipping.   Here's the last one  I received and covers Years 2003 - 2004 of Ella's Life.

Also, check out the Shutter Blog for some downloadable freebies.  Here.

Fun stuff!  Got the girl coming over tonight for some scrapbooking....

Good Stuff

1.  Lots of scrapbooking going on here.  There is now a sprinkling of snow on the ground and so the rest I'm sure is coming...

The ladies and I will be starting up our weekly scrap night again as of next Tuesday.  I just completed this little CD Album today and got to use my new Bind It All for the first time.  I had so  much fun with this I am seriously considering using the same format for my family's visit this summer and doing one for each of them.

2.  The good news is that the very same CD Mini album is coming to Designer Digitals in template form on Sunday, along with 9 other new products ranging from Halloween BrushSets, to Silver Paint Overlays and a personal favorite which I designed for use on my Chicago Album, but was also able to use on the CD Album.

 

 

3.  Back Track:  On Tuesday at 9.45am I got 3 calls in as many minutes requesting my presence at a meeting at Ella's school at 10.30am.  You got to love the efficiency of it all ;)

The meeting was between the school psychologist, Mrs Tweto (The principal), Ella's teacher and myself. The purpose of the meeting was to fill out section 504 paperwork requesting special bus privileges in light of her difficulty on the school bus.  It took about 1 hour to complete roughly 10 pages of paperwork all of which said exactly the same thing.  I was then told that there were no guarantees, that Ella was a "unique" case as they really haven't dealt with Asperger's before and when asked how long the paperwork might take for approval, if at all, the news was not positive. 

So today when I received an email from Ella's school teacher that the request had been approved.  Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised.  She will now ride a smaller bus each day that will take her from door to door.  This change will have a huge impact I think on her feelings towards school and inspires me with huge relief.  I think we might be making some progress, finally.

4.  We're also getting ready for Halloween here. Isabel is spending the day with us on Saturday while Ronalyn is doing her Halloween Shoot.  Eric is working so I have bought tickets to Halloween town.  It's pretty neat.  They turn a huge warehouse in Anchorage into an indoor place of Trick or Treating.  All the big businesses in Anchorage set up booths and hand out candy to the children.  Of course this year, the candy will go back out the door on Halloween night and we've come up with some creative solutions.  I will be taking organic candy to keep the children satisfied and then when we get home they can trade their stash for Halloween toys which I picked up at Joann's the other week.  Ella is so stinking excited to see her little friend that I really don't think she'll care about the candy!

So the plan is for me to scrap a little in the morning ;)  Then we'll head to the scrapbook store for some pictures, eat a little something and then go over to "Trick or Treat" Town.  I went to the store to pick up a Knights outfit, of course for Luke,  though within about half an hour he'd already "speared " his sister with the sword and it is now on top of the bookcase with all the other confiscated weaponry.

Ella on the other hand will be snow white this year. We're slowly making it through all the Disney Princesses and I believe Isabel will be either a witch or Minnie Mouse....I will let you know... 

 

Champions

Dropping Ella off at school yesterday.  She has not warmed to the bus at all, so until we find an alternative ...

"I like to think pain makes us stronger"  Private Practice

That was a line I pulled from the Greys Anatomy spin off while working out this evening.  It's one of the few shows I've been watching, and like to watch those shows at the gym to better maximize my time.

I was quite honestly STUNNED at the number of comments and emails received on my last post, and AMAZED at the number of you who were so inspired to create similar pages. 

Thank you to all for all the emails.  I am slowly responding to them all.

While listen to the "Knight song" for about the 10th time today, I also came across another Queen song that got quite a bit of air time today.  It happens to be the track after the Knight song and is quite fitting I think.

So an ode to those who are struggling.

We are the Champions

Hurt

 

"As sure as death and taxes, you will hurt and be hurt"

That was the opening line of last weeks Grey's Anatomy and struck a chord with me.

Human connection is hard.  Factor in our different expectations and perceptions, and we enter a maze that seems impossible to navigate.  Change is also inevitable and that aspect is one that I have become all too familiar with over the past few months.  Just when you think things are getting back to "normal", change smacks you in the face again.

To get to the point.  I have a friend who has hurt me.  Not intentionally I don't think.  But she has.  She has disappointed me and left me wondering “Why”? 

It started with avoidance.  She wants to avoid conflict.  I get that.  I also get that she feels the need to “fix” me.  She has this need for everyone to be happy and for life to run smoothly.  Wouldn’t that be nice?   But I am not sure I can be fixed or that my life will ever run smooth.

My life has been anything but smooth, especially over the past few months.   Both personally and professionally I have been stretched to the max.  In recent months I have discovered that both my children have special needs and I also been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.

I am learning that while my perceptions are often a little off, I know I can trust my instincts, and I am getting the impression that she has moved on.  I'm not sure what hurts more.  The not knowing or the blame and self-doubt that is eating away at me.

There are definitely lessons to be learned. 

I am understanding that my military-driven childhood has made me me who I am.  I expect more from my “friends” than the average person can give and is the very reason that I find it hard to make good ones.  It’s the Aspergers in me.  Most friendships never even make it to fruition because I have such high expectations.  I know I’m a tough friend to have.

I’m also learning that I often mistake acquaintances for friends.  When you’ve shared a dorm with 7 other girls through your teenage years, your friends essentially become your extended family.  They are the ones that stick around regardless of change.   In the military you are more likely to be surrounded by acquaintances.  These are those “friends” that have that “good while it lasts” mentality are quick to shut-down and are able to move on easily.

I am not able to move on easily

It makes me sad that people always leave.

I constantly must remind myself.

“Be who you are, for those that mind don’t matter,
and those who matter, don’t mind at all”.

It's a constant struggle.

~ 22 October 2007

We will rock you!

Another week comes to a close, and yet more information to percolate and digest....And I do what I do best when I have a lot on my mind? 

I scrap.

More weekly pages:

Karvella PageSet and Tomorrow PageSet (Recolored)

MonoBlendz "Aqua" (Recolored Slightly) and "Lima" , Button Brights, Week in Review BrushSet, Stitching and white staples from Today PageSet, Hipster Plumes No. 16 BrushSet, Ledger Chipboard by Katie Pertiet.

FloraART No. 2 Paperie, 12 X 12 Zig Zag Stitched Frames White, Labeled Wings No. 2 BrushSet

I also created a BIG mini book from my CHA adventure to Chicago this Summer.  I was hoping to bind it together with my new Bind-it-all but realized I need a bigger Owire.  It still needs some finishing touches like a few words and embellishments, but "production has been halted" until my wires arrive.

This past week Ella seems to be enjoying school a bit more as she is beginning to make friends and the whole routine become more familiar for her.  Problems seem to arise when she becomes derailed from the norm.  The highlight for her this week was a trip to the fire station across the street.  She is still complaining bitterly about the bus so I have decided to just drive her in every day now and pick her up in the afternoon.  I am still, however, waiting for the day when I wake her and she is not resistant about the idea of school.

She made these really cute decorated "name napkins" for dinner tonight.

Luke seems to have grown. We got him a hair cut and all of a sudden he looks like a big boy, that and these big words and convoluted sentence structures makes him seem much older than 2 years, even if he is just over a month shy of his 3rd birthday .  His first week at preschool has gone well considering.  He plays well with the providers little boy, but is also hesitant in the mornings.  It's exhausting mentally getting them both out the door but I'm hoping it's just a question of routine.

Luke seems to have moved on from the motocycle phase and is now heavily into Knights and the like.  "A Knights Tale" has become a favorite and we've had a bit of a Queen revival going on in our house this weekend, as Luke has caught onto Queen's "We will rock you" as being the "Knight song", one of which he never seems to tire. It's quite fitting really.

He's also into a "never never ever never" stage in which these words feature often and repeatedly in his vocabulary.  He told me Saturday, " Mommy. you doing a really great job" which melted my heart just a tad.  That moment became slightly jaded, however, when he told me several times later that day,  "Mom, that not a great job" as he peered at me with his disapproving and expressive eyebrows.  It's good to know that he gives criticism as freely as he does praise.

He's cute though.

   

Getting Back...

...on track.

It's been a while since I've done a digital scrapbook page.  Trying to focus on what I have done as opposed to what I have yet to do.

So going back to June and moving forward one week at a time.

Tomorrow Page Set and Week in Review BrushSet

Yesterday Page Set and Vintage Frames No. 4 (Katie Pertiet)

Today Page Set

Sneak Peek :)

Good Stuff

...making me smile right now:

• Reading this.

• These appeal to my warped sense of humour by Hatemail Greetings.  It's a love/hate thing!
• This is hilarious!  And b.t.w all that "rummaging" and "chaos" is so my style.
• Halloween. Decorating I have to admit has been fun. We're now working on a little tree inside :)

 

• Boden USA.  Pricey but sweet!  Got my eye on this, the blue with red polka lining, for when we take flight to warmer pastures.
• Uncommon goods
• Planning a weekend-trip to the North Pole and Santa's House in December
• Oh!  And have I mentioned I've been getting to the gym regularly lately :)

It's all good stuff!

Random Stuff

• Eric worked nights from Friday through Saturday and slept during the day so the name of the game was to keep E & L busy-busy!
• Missed Ronalyn's belated birthday becuase Eric was working but I didn't let it spoil my weekend.
• We did a little experiment last week, on Thursday, by re-introducing a little gluten back into all our diets.  BIG mistake!  I felt liike I had trains coming through my head, Eric's stomach was upset and Luke?  Well, if I wasn't convinced about this diet before, I am now.  Luke has not slept later than 5am since.  The day prior to yesterday it was 4.30am and then yesterday an all time record of 3.30am. His appetite hasn't been great either so hoping....fingers crossed...this soon passes.  Needless to say no more experiments...
• BTW....Does anyone have a GOOD GF bread recipe?
• Saturday, we went to the base bazaar and re-acquainted ourselves with an old friend.  I hadn't seen her in about 2 years.  I am usually at Memory trends when the bazaar is happening here. It was a bonus that we were early and I got first choice on her stuff.  She visits garage sales all summer long and then paints the pieces with flowers!  Stunning stuff and I managed to replace some of Ella's old furniture.
• Nabbed Ella's old dresser for myself and brought it downstairs for all my scrapbook paper.  Re-organized everything as I'm getting into serious scrapping mode for the remainder of the year.   I made a goal in January to get all my old photos scrapped, and I am soooo close. 
• On Sunday, I finished up my England 2000 album which covers a tri we took 7 years ago.  Eric and I were supposed to be going to my sister's graduation.  She ended up breaking her leg quite badly so graduated the following year instead. You know what that means?  England 2001 coming soon!  You can see the album here.
• Ironically, Sarah is on my mind right now.  She's heading to Afghanistan for 7 months on Wednesday.  Keeping her in our thoughts and hope she stays safe.  Last week she told me that her "comfy box" containing all her bedding and winter warm uniform was hit by a mortar.  The mortar story was true but it later transpired that her box was not one of those hit.  It was a joke and one she took well, but I get the impression revenge will be sweet :)
• The snow didn't quite make it as planned, so I washed my windows.  We Europeans do that, even in Winter ;)  Raked up leaves and generally just cleaned up the yard  The snow is certainly creeping down the mountains though, so it won't be long....
• I've been resisting decorating the yard for the past few Halloweens but this year I had two of them on at me.  The time haas come...  We headed to Joann's to see what they had left and it was at this point I also thought it might be a good idea to drop into Costcos.  Grabbed a few chickens and broccoli salad , which are staples for us, and realized I couldn't remember any of my pin numbers.  That's what a couple of weeks away does to me.  Throws me right off.  I am a nightmare for sure!
• Hung out with my good friend Allie on Sunday afternoon.  She has 4 children with Aspergers and if it wasn't for her....  I don't know what I would have done without her over the past few months.  Special and appreciated doesn't even come close. 
• Reconnected with another of my GOOD friends.  We've both been busy in our own lives this summer and I'm just hoping we can re-kindle the friendship we had.  I have missed her.  Good friends are hard to come by, especially when you're always moving, and I'm hoping that the military doesn't take this one away from me like it has many others.
• Caught this on the CBS Early Show this morning.  A great tool for identifying Autism in children as early as 12 months.  Most aren't diagnosed until they are 3 years, and in the case of Aspergers, which is milder and therefore harder to identify, children can be much older.  Case in point:  Ella. They don't know much about Autism but what they do know is that early intervention is the key to a children having the greatest chance of a normal life.  Good stuff to know.  I've had quite a few emails since Ella and Luke's diagnosis from those who are 10 years or so down the road from me and also those who are in that "wondering" stage.  Some of this stuff is definitely familiar to me in hindsight. 
• Luke started pre-school.  Not a kiss.  Not a goodbye.  He was happy to see me pick him up at 5pm though.  He did really well saying he was up so early.  When asked if he was coming back tomorrow, he said YES!
• "YES"!  That's my word for this weekend.  We made it thorough.  Mids weekends are rough, but we did it.  Everything finally seems to be coming together, and to that I am saying "YES!" 
• It's about flippin' time!

+++ Signs

Yesterday was busy but productive, and may I optimistically say, positive.

While driving through Anchorage I noticed a sign:

To be willing is to be able.  It struck a chord

I spent the morning working on some new product for Designer Digitals, and let me just say, it's seems like a LONG time since I did that. Or perhaps it's just that so much has happened in our life the past few weeks.  A sneak peek of whats coming on Sunday:

In png format so that they retain their opacity :)

By popular request!

Inspired by my recent travels peut-être.  Elements and Brushes will follow…

In the afternoon we had 2 pre-school appointments for Luke, all in home environments.  Ironically, it's the one I thought would work that didn't, and the one that was an after-thought that turned out to be the perfect fit.  You know when you're treated to a sight like this that you're about to come upon a streak of good luck:

Both Eric and I were sold on site and after another short visit today Luke is also asking when he gets to visit for a long time.  Jessica is super laid back and does not seem at all phased by Luke.  She has a little boy of her own who is just a year older, and there may also be another little Luke starting next week which could be interesting.  We love the program she has. It's very routined and based around a weekly theme with activities including outdoor play, projects, ABCs, field trips and indoor water play etc.. He starts Monday. Phew!

Ella then had dance.  She loves her dance.  This is her third year.

It was a good day! It feels good to be able to say that.

And today was also a good day.  Busy running around checking of items on my to do list.  Luke and I managed to find a backpack and lunch bag for his new preschool adventure, signed a release for Ella's diagnosis paperwork, caught up with my good friend Lori who is still kicking the cancer in the backside, got through all my email, built a Playmobil soccer ground, shopped for groceries, purchased a pendant or two from the super-talented Allison, who is also really nice too btw.  Hambly is helping in the fight against breast cancer this month and is donating 5% of all on-line orders to the Breast Cancer Foundation.  I love the look of these.  I'm really excited to play a little and see what can be done with them digitally.

And it even tried to snow.  Word is that snow is coming this weekend, and the Lukester is ready!