Merry Christmas!!

Joy and Peace to everyone, have a happy holidays season and lots of fun with your family! Luv ya all!!

last sprint before vacations!

I'm leaving on Thursday for a week. I'll go to Switzerland and to my granparents' to celebrate Christmas and my mom's b'day. Here's what I have to do until then, so between Monday and Wednesday:

• create last 3 b'day calendars for gifts DONE!
  
• wrap 2 last gifts DONE!
  
• 2x15 minutes on health PPW 1 DONE!
• call doc + optician for health PPW DONE!
• take pix of calendars DONE!
• call Nanie or e-mail her DONE!
• create packing list DONE!
• pack DONE!
• work on Monday DONE!
• work on Tuesday DONE!
• maybe work on Wednesday morning (don't hope so, though!) yep, will have to... Grrrrr! DONE!
• check bank account report for November DONE on Sunday already!
  

Hopefully I'll be able to finish all my work on Tuesday evening so that I don't have to work on Wednesday.

Weekend plan

My last weekend before Christmas, vacation, trip to Switzerland and Mom's b'day... yep, all that! I better get going and finish my presents, wrapping and stuff! Here's what I gotta do this weekend:

• grocery shopping DONE!
  
• Gifts shopping: Mom (Christmas DONE! and b'day DONE!), Dad DONE!, Zaya DONE!, Kimi DONE!
• pick up papers and Lydie's invitations at printing shop DONE!
• buy crafting stuff DONE!
• create 6 b'day calendars for gifts 4 DONE!
  
• create dreams' book for Mom DONE!
• wrap bought gifts 3 done, two to go
  
• 2x15 minutes on health PPW
• 3x15 minutes on e-mails DONE!
• 2x15 minutes on RSS DONE!
• create gift tags DONE!
• take pix of mini-albums DONE! + calendars + gift tags DONE!
• call mom to tell her when my train will arrive DONE!
• call Nanie
• 2 loads of laundry DONE!
• change cat litter DONE!

Pfew, it's gonna be a looooooong weekend!

Friday check up... how am I doing?

Friday:

• Christmas lunch in our fave restaurant DONE!
  
• go to chicken farm and pick up food
• 15 minutes on health PPW

Friday has definitely been similar to the rest of the week: totally relaxed and 95% unproductive! LOL

Eeeeek, it's a lazy week!

I'm not in the mood! I didn't do much of what I planned, and just spent my evening couch potatoeing... Is that a word, BTW??? Anyway, I really need to catch up on my to do list on the last couple days before my vacation, so let's review what I missed... Or rather what I did, it'll be faster! LOL

Monday:

• Go to Dollar Store to pick up cheap crafting stuff Sort of DONE
• 15 minutes on health PPW
• print and check bank account for november
  

Tuesday:

• Clean downstairs' fridge
• Create card for mom's b'day
• calls for health PPW

Wednesday:

• Pick up laundry room
• file for 15 minutes
• 15 minutes on health PPW

Thursday:

• eat with colleagues at lunch DONE
• call mom DONE, finalize tripDONE, order train tickets website won't cooperate, but at least I've got my timetable!
  

Monday check up... how am I doing?

Monday:

• Go to Dollar Store to pick up cheap crafting stuff They were already out of stock... good thing I called before driving there!
  
• 15 minutes on health PPW
• print and check bank account for november

Weekly plan

Once again, I have a lot to do this week.

Monday:

• Go to Dollar Store to pick up cheap crafting stuff
• 15 minutes on health PPW
• print and check bank account for november
  

Tuesday:

• Clean downstairs' fridge
• Create card for mom's b'day
• calls for health PPW

Wednesday:

• Pick up laundry room
• file for 15 minutes
• 15 minutes on health PPW

Thursday:

• eat with colleagues at lunch
  
• call mom, finalize trip, order train tickets

Friday:

• Christmas lunch in our fave restaurant
  
• go to chicken farm and pick up food
• 15 minutes on health PPW

Friday's check up and weekend plan

Friday

• work DONE!
  
• go to chicke farm to pick up food went grocery shopping instead
  
• prepare meal plan and grocery shopping list for next week DONE!
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation DONE!

Weekend

• put salt in dishwasher DONE!
• get a new hair do (finally!!) DONE!
• 2x15 minutes on health PPW DONE!
• finish to prepare surprise Christmas gift for printing DONE!
• pick up a few things I forgot during grocery shopping DONE!
• work's Christmas dinner DONE!
• 15 minutes on To Do's DONE!
• 15 minutes on 2010 goals DONE!
• 3x15 minutes on b'day cards for end of December and January DONE!
• hang down dry laundry and put it away DONE!
• wash and hang up 1 load of laundry DONE!
• 15 minutes on RSS DONE!
• 15 minutes on zips DONE!
• upload pix that are still on my memory card DONE!
• 2x15 minutes on e-mails DONE!

Thursday's check up... how am I doing?

Thursday

• work DONE!
• put salt in dishwasher
• scrap: gift card holder for nephew (while watching Flashpoint on TV) DONE!
  
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation DONE!

Wednesday's check up: how am I doing?

Wednesday

• work DONE!
  
• file PPW for 15 minutes DONE!
• change cat litter DONE!
• wash 1 load of laundry and hang it up DONE!
• declutter fridge (tomorrow is junk's pick up day) DONE!
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation

Tuesday check up

Tuesday

• work DONE!
  
• call for hair do appt DONE!
• 15 minutes on health PPW DONE!
• check account report for october DONE! and november forgot to print the report, so I'll do it tomorrow!
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation DONE!

Monday check up: how am I doing?

Monday

• work (start at 7 am to take night pix... Ugh) DONE... *yawn*
  
• change beddings DONE!
• wash 1 load of laundry and hang it up DONE!
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation will do it right before I get to sleep, which won't be long! LOL
  

Weekly plan

Here's what I plan on doing this week:

Monday

• work (start at 7 am to take night pix... Ugh)
• change beddings
• wash 1 load of laundry and hang it up
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation
  

Tuesday

• work
• call for hair do appt
  
• 15 minutes on health PPW
• check account report for october and november
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation
  

Wednesday

• work
• file PPW for 15 minutes
• change cat litter
  
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation
  

Tuesday

• work
  
• put salt in dishwasher
• scrap: gift card holder for nephew (while watching Flashpoint on TV)
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation

Friday

• work
• go to chicke farm to pick up food
• prepare meal plan and grocery shopping list for next week
• 5 minutes of relaxation / meditation

Eeeeeeek!

I forgot to post my december goals:

• Personal: Xmas gifts
• Health: get at least 7 hours sleep every night
  
• Carreer: plan 2010 (exam + trainings)
• Finances: budget
• Organisation: 2010 word, goals and first trimester's plan

Friday's check up and weekend plan

Friday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning NOT DONE!
  
• work DONE!
• clean oven if I don't have to work late NOT DONE!
• hang off dry laundry DONE!

Weekend:

• menu planning and grocery shopping DONE!
• day pix for work as soon as the weather allows it NOT DONE, and it's now too dark. I'll do it next week.
  
• night pix for work if weather isn't too bad NOT DONE, I'll do it tomorrow early.
• 3x15 minutes on RSS ALL DONE!
• 3x15 minutes on PPW and office to do's 2 DONE!
• 3x15 minutes on e-mails ALL DONE!
• 3x15 minutes on zips 1 DONE!
• 2x15 minutes on budget ALL DONE!
• scrap: 1 Monthly LO+ gift card holder for nephew + whatever my creativity takes me to! LOL DID 2 B'DAY CARDS FOR A FRIEND AND A COUSIN INSTEAD
• 2x15 minutes on pix organisation 1 DONE!
• clean oven DONE!
• clean microwave oven DONE!
• unload laundry and hang it up DONE!
• organize nightstands and bedroom started!

Sunday, 10 PM, all I have left is 2 sessions on zips, one on pix organisation and 1 on office pending to do's... Not bad, actually I feel really satisfied!

Thursday's check up... how am I doing?

Thursday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning I should take this off my to do's, it makes me feel guilty not to do it every day!!
  
• work DONE!
  
• clean microwave if I don't have to work late

Wednesday's check up... how am I doing?

Wednesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning NOT DONE, had to go to the lab for a blood test.
  
• work DONE!
  
• 15 minutes of filing DONE!
• wash one load of laundry DONE!

Tuesday's check up... how am I doing?

Tuesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning not done, it's that TOTM and I'm feeling like cr@p!
  
• back to work done!
• wash one load of laundry in the washer right now, hand off the dry loads done!

Monday check up... how am I doing?

Monday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning won't happen, we slept in until 9 am... was goooooooood! LOL
  
• change cat litter DONE!
• 15 minutes on RSS DONE!
• scrap (Tristan's album)
• call social security + private insurance for PPW DONE!
  
• prepare doc appt: collect all tests results, all papers needed, all insurance documents DONE!
• doc appt DONE (and we got great news!!)
  
• finish pantry list DONE!, print and update will do it tomorrow, our printer doesn't work right now!
• 15 minutes on budget DONE!
• 15 extra minutes on health PPW DONE!
• 30 minutes work (prepare new year's card) will do it tomorrow at work
  
• call mom and dad for doc update and my aunt for her b'day + doc update ALL DONE!

This week's plan

Okay, a new week... a new plan!

Monday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
  
• change cat litter
• 15 minutes on RSS
• scrap (Tristan's album)
• call social security + private insurance for PPW
  
• prepare doc appt: collect all tests results, all papers needed, all insurance documents
• finish pantry list, print and update
• 15 minutes on budget
• 15 extra minutes on health PPW
• 30 minutes work (prepare new year's card)
• call mom and dad for doc update and my aunt for her b'day + doc update
  

Tuesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
• back to work
• wash one load of laundry, hand off the dry loads
  

Wednesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
• work
• 15 minutes of filing
• wash one load of laundry

Thursday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
• work
• clean microwave if I don't have to work late
  

Friday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
• work
  
• clean oven if I don't have to work late
• hang off dry laundry
  

Friday's check up and weekend plan

I had an awful Friday and didn't do anything I planned. The only joy of my day was going out with friends for dinner, just a very bright light at the end of this dark tunnel...

Anyway, gotta try to move on and get emotionnally better. A good way to do that is to plan my weekend with good stuff and do-able to do list to make me feel in control, responsible and joyful. That beind said, here's my plan:
Saturday:

• plan menus for next week, write down grocery shopping list and go shopping DONE!
  
• start Tristan's album for Christmas DONE!
• write 2 articles for work got even 3 DONE!
• take pix for work (walk to the event, that'll be my workout of the day) DONE!
• unload laundry and hang it up DONE!
• 15 minutes on health PPW DONE!
• 15 minutes on zip files DONE!
• 15 minutes on RSS reader DONE!

Sunday:

• pampering time DONE!
• continue Tristan's album for Christmas DONE!
• write 3 articles for work DONE!
• 2x15 minutes on health PPW one done, but now I have to call the insurance company, so I'll do more tomorrow!
  
• 2x15 minutes on zip files DONE!
• 2x15 minutes on RSS reader DONE!
• 15 minutes on budgeting (following this article's tips) DONE!
• finish my pantry list, print and update I deep cleaned my washing machine instead
  
• call my aunt for her birthday DONE, she wasn't home but I left her a message and will call back tomorrow after my doc appt.
  

Hope this will put me back on track and help me feel better, I'm having a rough time recently...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

And don't forget to check Donna Downey's fabulous Thanksgiving giveaway here... Amazing prize!!

How have I been doing with the last days' plan??

Wednesday:

* 10 minutes workout in the morning DONE!
* 15 minutes on office to do DONE!
* 15 minutes on health PPW DONE!

Thursday:

* 10 minutes workout in the morning not done, I slept in! Eeeek!!
* 15 minutes on health PPW DONE!
* call for Tristan's birthday snif, nobody's home so far!

Tuesday check up... how am I doing?

Here's what I planned for today:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning DONE!
  
• back to work Yuck!!! DONE!
• put away all the exam stuff I won't need NOT DONE, and won't get tonight, I need some chill out time watching CSI!
• 15 minutes on health PPW DONE!

Monday check up... how am I doing?

• AM doc appt DONE!
  
• PM doc appt DONE!
• pack and send Tristan's b'day gift (walk to post office, it'll be my workout of the day) DONE! It was completely insane, the poor lady at the PO had a computer failure and 9 people waiting... at least I met a friend there and chatted, it helped pass time! LOL
  
• change cat's litter DONE!
• 30 minutes on zip files DONE!
• 30 minutes on RSS DONE!
• 30 minutes on office to-do's DONE!
• 30 minutes on health PPW DONE!
• prepare invitation for work DONE!
• scap if I have enough time

Weekly plan

I think it worked great last week, so here we go again!

Monday:

• AM doc appt
• PM doc appt
• pack and send Tristan's b'day gift (walk to post office, it'll be my workout of the day)
• change cat's litter
• 30 minutes on zip files
• 30 minutes on RSS
• 30 minutes on office to-do's
• 30 minutes on health PPW
• prepare invitation for work
• scap if I have enough time
  

Tuesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
  
• back to work
• put away all the exam stuff I won't need
• 15 minutes on health PPW
  

Wednesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
• 15 minutes on office to do
• 15 minutes on health PPW

Thursday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
• 15 minutes on health PPW
• call for Tristan's birthday
  

Friday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
• 15 minutes on health PPW
• plan next week's meals and grocery shopping list
  

Weekend to do's

OMGosh, you can't imagine how nice it is to know that I don't have to study... Yummy! LOL

Here's what I wanna tackle this weekend:
Saturday:

• menus for the coming week + shopping list DONE!
  
• grocery shopping DONE!
• scrap: at least 3 sessions on Z's album DONE! and 2 sessions on digi-scrapping NOT DONE, but I did catch up on various websites, which was just as good!!
  
• 30 minutes on zip files DONE!
• 30 minutes on RSS DONE!
• 30 minutes on desk + office to-do's DONE!

Sunday:

• 45 minutes video workout to catch up on the last couple days that I missed DONE!
• pampering time DONE!
• scrap! DONE!
• 30 minutes on zip files NOT DONE!
• 30 minutes on RSS DONE!
• 30 minutes on office to-do's NOT DONE!
• 30 minutes on health PPW NOT DONE! (prepare Monday's appt DONE!)
• hang up the load of laundry that is still in the washer DONE!
• wash and hang up another load of laundry DONE!

Friday check up... how am I doing?

Here's what I planned for the week, and here's how I've been doing over the last days:

Thursday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning NOT DONE
  
• back to work DONE
• clean dishes after each meal DONE
• 45 minutes of work on Z's album for Christmas went to see New Moon instead!!!
  

Friday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning NOT DONE
• clean dishes after each meal DONE
• plan menus for next week and write down grocery shopping list NOT DONE
• 45 minutes of work on Z's album for Christmas NOT DONE
• review bank account report for October (it's about time!) NOT DONE

My exam is done

I can get back to normal life! Yeepee!!

Here's what I planned for the week, and here's how I've been doing for those 2 past days:
Tuesday:

• go to my exam and do my best! DONE!
  
• clean dishes after each meal I take at home DONE!

Wednesday:

• go to my exam and do my best! DONE!
• pick up food for the evening DONE!
• see New Moon (or wait to see it this weekend... we'll see!) I'll go this weekend

I'll run some errands this afternoon, and get ready for the coming weeks 'cause I'll be crazy busy until Christmas at work, so I need to get prepared for that!! LOL

Monday check up... how am I doing?

Here's what I planned for the week, and here's how I'm doing today:

Monday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning DONE!
  
• 6 sessions of 45 minutes studying DONE!
• organize pantry DONE!
• 2 sessions of digi-decluttering (1 for zip files DONE!, one for RSS reader DONE!)
• clean dishes after each meal DONE!
• prepare everything for Tuesday's exam DONE!

A new week begins...

Since it worked pretty well last week, I'll post my plan for the week again, and update every day.

Monday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
  
• 6 sessions of 45 minutes studying
• organize pantry
• 2 sessions of digi-decluttering (1 for zip files, one for RSS reader)
• clean dishes after each meal
  
• prepare everything for Tuesday's exam

Tuesday:

• go to my exam and do my best!
• clean dishes after each meal I take at home

Wednesday:

• go to my exam and do my best!
• pick up food for the evening
• see New Moon (or wait to see it this weekend... we'll see!)
  

Thursday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
  
• back to work
  
• clean dishes after each meal
• 45 minutes of work on Z's album for Christmas

Friday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
  
• clean dishes after each meal
• plan menus for next week and write down grocery shopping list
• 45 minutes of work on Z's album for Christmas
• review bank account report for October (it's about time!)
  

Another giveaway by Donna Downey!

We can't stop her!!! LOL! Go check out the new adorable gift here!!

Weekend plan

Here's what I plan on doing this weekend:
Saturday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning DONE!
  
• grocery shopping DONE!
• 2 sessions of 45 minutes studying DONE!
• 2 sessions of 15 minutes digi-decluttering (1 for zip files DONE!, 1 for RSS browser DONE!)
• take pix at concert tonight DONE!

Sunday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning will go for a walk this afternoon instead
  
• pampering session
  
• 3 sessions of 45 minutes studying 2 DONE (we only came back from restaurant at 5:00 pm)!
• 3 sessions of 15 minutes digi-decluttering (1 for zip files DONE!, 2 for RSS browser DONE!)
• organize pantry
• change cat litter DONE!
• lunch with inlaws for Robert's b'day DONE!

Do you know Donna Downey?

If not, then head over her blog here. Sooooooo inspiring!! And she's got terrific giveaways as well, her last one is here.

Friday's plan... how am I doing?

Here's what I planned for the week. How am I doing today?

Well, first of all, I'm pretty sure that I won't manage to do everything I planned since I had a bad night: got asleep on the couch @ 11:00 pm, got up at 1:00 am, brushed teeth, washed my face, got to bed but couldn't sleep until 2:30 am... Ugh! All in all, I had enough sleep, but the 1:30 break in the middle of the night makes me really tired! So that's my reason for not working out this morning... but I will have to get some food for dinner and I will walk there instead of drive, so that should make the 10 minutes of physical activity, if not of workout. Okay, enough rambling, let's get back to my (now updated) plan:

Friday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning won't get done!
  
• clean dishes after each meal done!
• 2 sessions of 10 minutes on pending to do's
  
• 3 sessions of 45 minutes studying done!
• 3 sessions of 10 minutes digi-decluttering one done!
• 45 minutes of paper scrap (Z's album) did a B'day card and a digital card instead!
• make sure that DBF set up his doc appt done!
• walk to chicken farm to get something for dinner done!
• plan menus for next week and create grocery shopping list done!
• have lunch with my friends done!

Thursday's plan... how am I doing?

Here's what I planned for the week. How am I doing today?

Thursday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning DONE!
  
• clean dishes after each meal breakfast DONE (didn't ate at home for lunch)!
• 45 minutes studying
• Doc appt @ 11:30 AM (have to leave @ 10:30) DONE!
• Ikea shopping DONE!
• grocery shopping will do it tomorrow morning
  
• 10 minutes on health ppw DONE!
• 10 minutes digi-decluttering

Wednesday's plan... how am I doing?

Here's what I planned for the week. How am I doing today?

Wednesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning DONE!
  
• clean dishes after each meal DONE!
• 2 sessions of 10 minutes on health ppw DONE!
• 3 sessions of 45 minutes studying DONE!
• WWI ceremony DONE!
• 3 sessions of 10 minutes digi-decluttering DONE!
• prepare shopping lists for the next day (Ikea + grocery) DONE!

This song is stuck in my head

since a week... I love it!!

Tuesday's plan... how am I doing?

Here's what I planned for the week. How am I doing today?

Tuesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning DONE!
  
• clean dishes after each meal lunch DONE!
• 45 minutes studying WON'T BE DONE (worked too late, too tired)
  
• wash and hang up 1 load of laundry DONE!
• 10 minutes digi-decluttering DONE!

Monday's plan... how am I doing?

Here's what I planned for the week. How am I doing today?

Monday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning, DONE!
  
• clean dishes after each meal (my main issue in the whole house) DONE!
• 10 minutes on health ppw DONE!
• set up doc appt for DBF he will do it on Friday, so I'll add this on Friday's list
  
• 45 minutes studying DONE!
• put away 1 load of laundry DONE!

I'm so proud!!! And it feels good to feel that things are in control, too! Love it!!

November goals

Oooops, I just realised I didn't even post my November goals! Here they are:

• Personal: create or buy Christmas gifts
• Health: workout 10 minutes every day
• Carreer: study for my exam and have it
• Finanaces: start preparing a budget
• Organisation: practice daily routines, especially the evening one

See you in 3 weeks to see how it went!

Need to get back on track...

Do you have that feeling too? The feeling that your life is like being in a car without driving wheel, rolling full speed on the highway? That's what the end of year always looks like for me, but this year it's even worst. I feel completely out of control, out of time, out of motivation. Yet there are so many things I need/want/have to do... It's exhausting, and this exhaustion (mental one, but still...) makes it even harder to manage.

Anyway, I've been here so many times that at least I think I've learned some tricks to not burn myself out the first week... My mantra will have to be: baby steps, don't procrastinate, just get started, just 10 minutes (15 seems already too much for me... sad, I know!).

Here is my plan for this week:
Monday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning,
• clean dishes after each meal (my main issue in the whole house)
• 10 minutes on health ppw
• set up doc appt for DBF
• 45 minutes studying
• put away 1 load of laundry
  

Tuesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning,
• clean dishes after each meal
• 45 minutes studying
• wash and hang up 1 load of laundry
• 10 minutes digi-decluttering

Wednesday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning,
• clean dishes after each meal
  
• 2 sessions of 10 minutes on health ppw
• 3 sessions of 45 minutes studying
• WWI ceremony
• 3 sessions of 10 minutes digi-decluttering
• prepare shopping lists for the next day (Ikea + grocery)
  

Thursday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning
• 45 minutes studying
• Doc appt @ 11:30 AM (have to leave @ 10:30)
• Ikea shopping
• grocery shopping
• 10 minutes on health ppw
• 10 minutes digi-decluttering
• clean dishes after each meal
  

Friday:

• 10 minutes workout in the morning,
• clean dishes after each meal
  
• 2 sessions of 10 minutes on pending to do's
  
• 3 sessions of 45 minutes studying
• 3 sessions of 10 minutes digi-decluttering
• 45 minutes of paper scrap (Z's album)
• make sure that DBF set up his doc appt
  

I already feel better knowing where I wanna go and how I can get there. Now I have to actually get moving in that direction, but I feel motivated and re-energized just by looking at this plan, so it should be OK. Now I'm off to finish my to do for the weekend!

Hold me accountable

Here's what I plan on doing this weekend:

• Create digital b'day cards for 3 friends and send one (I'm already late for him!) the late one is DONE and sent!

• plan menus for the week DONE! and go grocery shopping accordingly DONE!

• create 2 paper b'day cards for family ONE DONE!

• study for my exam (at least 2 sessions on saturday DONE! and 3 on sunday 2 DONE (and I think I won't do the 3 I planned, I've had enough!!)

• back up digital stuff (scrapbooking DONE! and photos DONE!) after finding out why it didn't work last time!!! DONE! (it was because my computer got to sleep while it was burning)
  

• and enjoy International Digital Scrapbooking Day today!!! LOL

What do you have on your to do list? Any Holiday preparation? Any fun stuff?

Emma's sketch challenge

If you don't know Savitri yet, you definitely gotta have a look at her blog, she's one uber-talented chick... And guess what, her daughter Emma is just as creative as her mommy and challenged us with a sketch. Couldn't resist, it was just my type of card to make: simple, quick, cute and frugal (since I used scraps from previous projects)!! Here it is:

Credits: Kraft pp (Bazillbasics), digital papers (Mari Koegelenberg and Elise Hansen), Luxe-urious stamps (Luxe designs), border punch (Fiskars), white gel pen (Signo), Timber Brown ink (Stazon), rounded corner punch (Artemio)

FOB2Y - rockstar

Yeah, I know, I'm a rockstar! LOL

Your Rockstar Name Is: Angel Chaps

Rock on!

What's Your Rockstar Name?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

I pimped my blog!!

I used Zoe Pearn's Blog in a Box (the Cheeky Boy version, which is on sale right now, 50% down!!) @ SSD, it's sooooo easy! I love this new look!

FOB2Y - Fair

Last FOB2Y's assignement was to post about fairs. It's funny, 'cause there's one installing in town right now. It's called "messti" here in Alsace, and in our town it'll last for 2 weekends and the week in between. There are all sorts of carrousels, bumper cars, candy shops, and even a few really scary rollercoasters. BTW, my boss (the town's mayor) asked me to go up on the highest one, which is 40 meters (43 yards) high, to take a pic... Yeah, right!!! Even if I won't go on one of those vomit-machine unless I'm forced to, I'm really looking forward to meet my friends, go with them tour the whole fair and eat the special messti-food!

FOB2Y - the sport edition

Mmmmm, Jen Tapler posted a VERY difficult assignement for the 09/10 FOB2Y: write about favorite sport/team. Actually, it's quite difficult to me since I'm just the least athletic person ever. Yet, there's one sport that I love: ski. I've been skiing since I'm 2 1/2 and I love it. I haven't since way too long, but I will go back this winter and ski, no matter what it takes!!! Oh, and I've also found some interest in soccer recently. Wonder why?




























This is why! LOL Yohann Gourcuff, who plays for the Girondins in Bordeaux, always willing to take is shirt off! Yummy!

New Moon 3rd trailer

OMGosh, how exciting, I just can't wait!!!!

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

FOB2Y - quick and quirky questions

1. Do you wash your own car or do you go to a car wash?

2. Are you wearing socks right now?

3. Where were you 3 hours ago?

4. Do you have laundry waiting to be done?

5. Can you pick objects up with your toes?

My answers: Oh, that's what I should do to show the beautiful pinkish red of my car, which is now hiding under several inches of dust!?!? - Yep, it's been raining all day - at work - yep, a mountain of it! - some of them!

Hot!

The Twilight Saga: New Moon 'Meet Jacob Black' Preview in HD


OMGosh, Taylor Lautner! I'm twice his age, but whatever!!! LMAO!!

I love this song!

The lyrics are sad and hopeful at the same time, but the song in itself and the singer's voice... just love them!!

One more from George Carlin

OMGosh, just hilarious! (Once again, the language might not be appropriate for little ears...)

A great giveaway

If you have a chance and want to enter a terrific giveaway, go there for a Blog Candy from A Passion for Papertrey!!!

I'm laughing sooooo hard...

...I'm crying!! (watch out for kids, bad language in it!)

Evernote

Okay, I have to admit it: despite the buzz around Evernote and despite the fact that I downloaded it a looooong time ago, I still don't get all the potential of the system yet. Maybe because I can't use it with my cell phone (I have a terrible phone camera... can you believe it?? LOL). Maybe because I already use vi.sualize.us for images. Maybe because I don't like the design (the 2 windows in the desktop feature are not really practical, the reading windows is too small to my taste). Don't know why, but I don't use it fully yet. I don't get defeated that easily, though, and since many of my organisation-gurus are 100% convinced, I will give it another try, and even a couple more if needed.

Did you try Evernote? What did you think? Any tips or advice to enjoy it more?

Summer...

I LOVE summer! The warmth, the sun, the relaxed atmosphere, the vacation (next week... can't wait!), everything!!

Here are some 365 pix (yup, I'm playing catch up):

June 15th, my cat sleeping (he's good at it)

June 16th: dinner with friends, 1st meeting with Jacques

June 17th: goofing around

June 18th: I'm the worst cook ever!

June 19th: as every Friday, the cleaning lady was here... and it feels good!

June 20th: Music day, Amandine loves to dance (and she does it with her finger pointed, just like her dad... so funny!)

June 21st: I love the way our doggie look at my FIL, she adores him!

If you had a bad day...

... check this out, it's the best!!



Feels good, uh?

My camera is back!!!

Since I broke my camera back in january, only 3 weeks after getting it as my birthday-christmas present, I lived without any camera available... For a photo-addict like me, it's quite something, let me tell you!

Well, last week I finally gave up and ordered a new lense. I got a great deal online and my new toy arrived during my business trip. I was so excited to finally have my own camera at home!! I'm back on track with project 365: here are my pix since tuesday:

Tuesday May 26th: First self portrait with my new lense... the pic is ugly, but it's the model's fault, not the camera's! LOL

Wednesday May 27th: DBF already getting tired to have his photo taken!

Thursday, May 28th: DBF is sick

Friday 29th: I slept in!!! YAY!!!!

Saturday May 30th: I went to a "what to do in case of emergency" course (sorry, don't know how to say it in english), very interesting and helpful, hopefully I'll never have to apply what I learned!

Sunday May 31st: we went to my SIL to celebrate BIL's birthday, and she made this yummy tiramisù... too bad I'm allergic to strawberries!

I'll go to bed smarter than when I woke up...

'cause I learned my Star Wars Name! LOL (For SSD's FOB2Y)

Your Star Wars Name Is Chlma Masio

Your Star Wars Title Is Itnvan of Yug

What Is Your Star Wars Name and Title?

Yeah, right! (FOB2Y)

You Are Spring Cleaning

You are an organized and efficient person. You don't like messes or chaos. You like simple, high quality things. You don't have room for clutter in your life. You believe that everyone deserves a clean slate from time to time... including you. You tend to see a lot of opportunities in life, and you take advantage of them.

What Part of Spring Are You?

I scrapped like a mad woman!!

And I loved it!! LOL I enjoyed this long weekend and {inter}National Scrapbook Day and got back to scrapping. Here are my LOs:

Credits here.

Credits here.

Credits here.

Credits here.

Goals review

Here were the goals I posted 2 weeks ago for april, and how I've been doing so far:

• Prepare cards for all the april and may birthdays (and there are plenty of them in may, so I better be prepared!) NOT DONE, my creative mojo is on vacation, too busy I guess!
  
• Workout every other day for the rest of the month, starting today HALF DONE, I'm usually consistent for the first half of the week and then... pfft!
  
• Catch up on pending to do's at work, especially the (huge) "to read" pile and the (also pretty big) "to file" pile WORKING AT IT and I definitely want to get rid of the "to file" before the end of the month!
  
• Create a budget NOT DONE
  
• File the (gigantic) "to file" pile in my home office NOT DONE but at least I'm keeping up with the incoming paper

Well, so far I'm not doing good. Even without being perfectionist, this is far from satisfying. Considering how hectic my life was over the last weeks (and especially the last days) though, I'm doing ok: I've managed to keep my sanity, not gain weight, not fight with anyone... I'm in survival mode until things settle down at work and hence everywhere else.

Spring (again)

This is the not-so-great side of spring!

Green

Green is definitely not a color I like... unless it's about being green! Here are some changes I made recently:

• Replace all old lightbulbs by energy-saving ones (a bit more expensive to buy, but they use 6 times less energy and last 10 times longer!)
• Replace all the chemical cleaning products by green ones: white vinegar, organic laundry products, etc.
• We changed our heating system last year and the new one uses 25% less fuel!
• I buy organic products when I can (eggs, milk, fruits and veggies if they are not too expensive, vine) and local as much as possible.
  
• I got my "compost box" back from the basement and now we collect our compostable wastes, like vegetables and fruits scraps. I then add all that to the big compost that my inlaws have in the garden... and then it helps MIL grow delicious fruits and veggies again! The circle of life!

Those are simple and cheap ideas (well, except for the heating system change!) that are not difficult to put into action. They are not "big" things but when you add everything up, I hope it makes a difference!

What do you do to make your life greener? Any idea that I could do too?

Image from freefoto.com

I won!

I got lucky and won two sets of cute tags @ Shabby Chic Crafts!!! I'm so excited!!

First paper LO

I did my first paper LO ever!! It was for a CT so I couldn't post until now, but I just got the info that I wasn't selected... Too bad, but for a first try I'm already glad I was brave enough to send my application! LOL

Here's my LO:

Credits:
green paper: Anja Aspnes, Designers Digitals' Ad Freebie 12/16/2007
orange paper: Amanda Heimann, What goes around
blue paper: Amanda Heimann, Beach towel
yellow paper: Amanda Heimann, Picnic blanket
striped paper: Amanda Heimann, Wrapping Paper
alpha: Toga
button: Fimo clay
black cardstock and ribbon unknown
font: Adler

Sooooo... what do you think?

Tomorrow will be tough

I'm afraid of tomorrow... literally! First because I made a huge mistake at work and will have to tell my boss (I only discovered it last night, it ruined my Sunday!). Second because it's weigh in day and I had a HUGE family meal today for the "confirmation" of Guy's nephew (when the kids renew their baptism vows). It was delicious... way too delicious for my own good! And look at the dessert I had:
It's a chocolate "fondant", which means "melting"... and if you look closely, the heart of the cake is actually melt... Totally yummy and about 3 458 467 547 calories a bite!

I've been working hard... for once!

Well, I'm usually not a slacker, but over the last 2 days I worked physically. Yesterday I painted the stairs that go to our cellar and today I helped DBF with some wood work he had to do. Not exhausting, but still much harder than my usual office work. It makes me realise how lucky I am to do the kind of job that I chose, that I like, and that I'm good at! And how lucky DBF is to not have me to work with him every day! LOL

Soooooo hilarious!

ROFLMAO!!!

One day...

One day, I will stop making excuses and live the life I want.
One day, I will stop being afraid and live the life I deserve.
One day, I will love myself enough to do all I want to.
One day, I will rebel against my own behaviours and change them.
One day, I will have the life I've been dreaming of.
One day, I will stop dreaming of my dream life and make it happen.

I don't know when that day will come, but I am ready for it!

Spring!

Besides pollens, I love it!! LOL

A very interesting blog post about money

As you might know considering my 2009 goals, I'm trying to get my finances under control, starting by getting educated about the topic. One great (and free!) way to do so is to get informations on the terrific blogs that exist across the internet. I recently discover, through a "Daily Links" post at Get Rich Slowly (great blog, worth the RSS subscribing!), this terrific post by Plonkee Money. Have a look and let me know what you think. It was a true aha! moment to me!!

April goals and march review

Well, considering that we're halfway through april already, it's about time to review my march goals and plan my april ones, uh? LOL

My march goals were:

• Celebrate Guy's birthday with our family and friends, on a budget (to avoid the stress that goes with over spending!) DONE, we just went to a nice restaurant with his family and stayed on track with our spendings.
  
• Track my food for at least 20 days in the month NOT DONE!
  
• Catch up on my work for the web site: calendar, news page, etc. HALF DONE
  
• Track all our expenses DONE!
  
• Wash dishes right after each meal ABOUT HALF DONE
  

The last weeks were terribly stressful and hectic, so I'm already pretty satisfied to see that some goals have been accomplished, that's more than what I thought and much more than what I could have expected considering the amount of work and stress I had to deal with!

Here are my goals for April (or rather the rest of it):

• Prepare cards for all the april and may birthdays (and there are plenty of them in may, so I better be prepared!)
• Workout every other day for the rest of the month, starting today
• Catch up on pending to do's at work, especially the (huge) "to read" pile and the (also pretty big) "to file" pile
• Create a budget
• File the (gigantic) "to file" pile in my home office

A great site

It's Craft Critique's anniversary! If you don't know this site yet, go have a look, it's great! First of all, because it gives some fuel to your if-I-ever-win-the-lottery daydreaming, with all the newest and trendiest (is that a word? Whatever, you get the idea!) tools and gadgets you could ever think of. But most importantly because it's packed with terrific tips and creative ideas to use your good ol' tools and fabulous advices to pick your new favorite! Definitely a RSS-subscription worth one!

Math of the day

1 little boy + 5 minutes of loneliness in the bathroom = NOT a good idea! LMAO!!

(My friends Nanie and Pat's little boy Tristan)

Beating procrastination

Okay, I know I'm not the most appropriate person to talk about beating procrastination. But it's maybe exactly because I'm one of the worst procrastinator ever that I can share what helps me fight this VERY bad habit... kind of "the insider" point of view, you know? LOL

Anyway, here's how I motivate myself to do some unattractive task: I remind myself how long it actually takes. I usually procrastinate because I imagine that it will take a loooooong time, much longer than what it actually takes. So I set my mind, do the job and track how long it actually takes, which is usually not that bad! For example, I used to hate cleaning the cat's litter. I once realized that it barely takes 15 minutes, more likely 10 minutes maximum. Let's be honest, the task is still unpleasant and I doubt I will ever think it's fun, but at least I now know that it won't be unpleasant for more than 15 minutes. What a relief! And what a motivation to see my kitty all happy to pee in a brand new litter ;-) Yeah, I know, it's all about finding the right motivator, uh? LOL

March goals and February debriefing

I just realize I didn't even posted my February goals... Here they were:

• Find new techniques to reduce my stress (gratitude journal, meditation,...): NOT DONE I'm now not only stressed, I'm probably depressed as well... Yeeepeeeeeee. :(
  
• Work out at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. DONE!
  
• Get rid of all the pending to-do’s at work 80% DONE!
  
• Start a budget: collect all our incomes. DONE! I actually started a budget but I need to have a much more precise idea of everything
  
• Work on my evening and weekly routines NOT DONE

And here are my March goals:

• Celebrate Guy's birthday with our family and friends, on a budget (to avoid the stress that goes with over spending!)
• Track my food for at least 20 days in the month
  
• Catch up on my work for the web site: calendar, news page, etc.
  
• Track all our expenses
• Wash dishes right after each meal

I hope I will be more successful this month. I have to, or I'll keep feeling like a big failure and I'm not sure how long I'll be able to stand it!

Did someone said slacking??

Isn't it ironic that one of my last posts 1 month ago was about how much I loved blogging everyday during the month of February? LOL

I'm having a really hard time keeping up with everything, this permanent overwhelming feeling is just exhausting. I always have to remind myself that the word I picked for 2009 was PEACE. I want it so bad... I need it so bad! It feels like everything I do in order to be more serene and peaceful turns into more stress and anxiety. For example today I decided to start to set up a budget... Bad idea!! I realized that I don't have any extra money for an emergency or for fun stuff. How sad is that? We can't afford a new computer for Guy, a new lense for my camera, I can't even afford to go visiting Laura who lives 2 hours away because my car is too bad to drive for that long, and because I don't have enough money to go there by train. HOW SAD IS THAT? I already struggle to not get in debit every end of month (and usually I don't succeed), but anything extra is out of question... or actually should be, to avoid the said end-of-month debit!

I've bee researching a lot on the internet about financial stuff, and even though the american way of life isn't totally accurate for me (I don't have much debt, for example), I've found lots and lots of useful tips. I will try to track very precisely everything we spend for the month of march, hopefully DBF will join me in this dreadful yet necessary task!

What's your word?

Meg gave us a fun quizz to do for the new FOB2Y @ SSD. Here's my result:

Your Word is "Love"

You see life as possibility to form deep connections with a few people. Relationships are the center of your world, and you always take time to bond with those you love. You are caring and giving. You enjoy helping those you love. And when it comes to romantic love, you feel passionately ... even in a very long term relationship.

What's Your Word?

I'm happy with that result, even though the word I secretly chose as my year's theme is PEACE.

Birthday... no, not mine!

It's SSD's birthday! There are lots of fun events going on there, go have a look! For FOB2Y, Teresa asked us to blog about our birthdays. One of my strongest memory is my 13th birthday. I had a terrific party, my mom even rented a place and she made me the most wonderful gift for a teen: she staid out of the room all evening. I think I didn't show her then, but I really appreciated that she trusted us enough to let us enjoy our party without interfering. Thanks again, Mom!

Mini-album!!!

I went to a crop 2 weeks ago and created my first mini album ever. I didn't finish it that day (yeah, it took me 2 long weeks) but it's now done and I'm so excited to show you! Let me know what you think!!


You still there? Okay, let's keep going then!