Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Week In The Life {Sunday}

It's the last day of my Week in the Life project and I am somewhat sad it's over. I've had a lot of fun taking pictures of my family life this week and I've enjoyed the challenge of writing about it each day as well. It is a relief to no longer be obligated to write everything or snap a photo every minute (okay, that NEVER happened..) but I feel in a way I was just getting warmed up!

The day's documentation was completely out the window and nothing got done. I think this is because it was my Monday at work again after days off it seemed that the project was "last week" in my mind. I've already started the process of designing the album for the week as well and I seemed to have lost time doing this rather than noting the goings-on around me.

I started the day in a *great* mood (heavy sarcasm here) at work mulling over the inconsistency in policy. This is nothing new but I'd felt I was a recent victim and feeling picked on =). It was great having good friends to help cheer me up and get my head on straight. This is not the kind of person I want to be (negative)! No trainee today, so the day went pretty well. No ill-wishes for Mar-Sha, I just hate training in general as I feel I am inadequate and the tools available are even less.

My brain seemed to have shut down about 830 am though and I admit to getting next to nothing done while at work. I surfed facebook and updated comments on blogs and twitter, so that was productive, but I'm sure I didn't need 6 hours to do it in!

After getting home, I was able to chat with Brandon in one of the only times during the day we get to connect and have a conversation. I love this time in the quiet before the kids get home from church with Grandma. We seem to have been on totally different schedules lately and it was nice to sit in the quiet with him.

The children were crazy as usual throughout the day, but we got through it without an emergency bill so things are good!

This Week
Things I learned about me

  • I need to try and journal at least every week. I don't do this very often (about once a month if I'm lucky) and my entries tend to run pages as a result, but  istill miss the little details and reflections that this project helped me focus on and recognize. These are the things I'd like to document for my family, not always the big crisis on that day and my frustrations.
  • I'm still a negative person in general. (I frown, I look at the bad first and I've very quick to point that out in the worst possible way.) I don't want to be remembered with a perpetual frown on my face and I'd like to help grow my children rather than take them down with my actions.
  • Life is pretty good. We have many blessings in our everyday life that need to be recognized and appreciated. I need to focus on these things more.


Changes I want to implement daily

  • If I focus on the positive in everything then it will eventually fall into place in the rest of my life and I'll be a better, friendlier person as a result. And gosh darnit, people will like me! Okay, the sarcasm may not go away but changes a little at a time here, people....
  • I need to pray more and refocus on my Heavenly Father. I go in spurts with this and I'm noticing a serious lack lately. In the end, there are some things that seem big here and now that just don't matter. These are okay to let go. Following the gospel and His plan, are not.

Next year's Week

  • As far as the project, I need to start the week on MY Monday. Get that enthusiasm in the first of the week, just like with your job and then see as things wind down a bit over the weekend.
  • Take more photos.
  • Write more words.
  • Write meaningful observations and remembrances with the help of pre-organized prompts. (I didn't follow my guides very well this go around, but in assembling the album, these little thoughts would have gone very well with the layouts.)
  • Rely on the written word more. I posted a few things to Facebook and Twitter thinking I would go back and use that as part of my documentation, but I really had a hard time synthesizing that into my layout this time. If I use this, it needs to be followed up on daily with the photos and words.
  • Be better organized. Do a timeline to include not just the daily but what part of the rest of the album will be done and keep everything together! (This is really just problem for me in everyday life, too. Maybe if I tell myself enough..)
  • Have fun! This is supposed to be exciting and extracurricular - not a college thesis due yesterday. No pressure. Really!
  • Actually save mementos.. receipts, shopping lists, etc.


I'll be finishing up my album in Studio J this week and hope to have it assembled within the month to post. This is another thing I didn't plan well for. The cost for supplies I thought of after I started the project! I purposely left the design open since I wasn't sure what I would do or end up with and loosely followed the idea Ali had started with a layout and a divided sheet protector in between for extra photos and mementos. After I got started a few things changed (Studio J vs traditional scrapped, I didn't have the supplies I thought I did, some days great mementos and observations and some nothing, change of plans halfway through, etc.)

All in all, it's been an amazing week! I hope you've enjoyed following me and that you'll come back to see the finished product as I complete it.

Warm wishes,

Monday, August 1, 2011

Week In The Life {Saturday}

Little more stressful today. Jackson hit the doorbell first thing this morning and I told the kids they couldn't play until they got dressed and cleaned up the basement first. Whew, crisis diverted! I feel bad when I turn him away because I know his Mom sleeps during the day, but my own kids are hard everyday, let alone adding another! Brandon likes to sleep in late on my weekend to catch up, so I understand, but I just needed a break today and I had lots of cleaning to do.

I was able to get a mid-afternoon break when Brandon kept the kids outside while he mowed the lawn. Garrett and I went to Babies R Us for some door knob thingies (safety lock for the door so Garrett can't open them). The getting out and the locked doors were AMAZING! It's much nicer being able to keep him to a contained area free from markers and small toys! I had a good time perusing the stuff at the store and window shopping for the new baby. I wish you could have a shower every time, though! (My sister-in-law, Verliene, thinks you should have one every ten years minimum to replace the broken, faded, torn and fads. I agree, we should start it!)

Check out the day in pictures:

Yesterday's mail greets me today. Lookie what I have!!

Rice Chex with Aidan and Ellie

He's learned from the best what to do with his milk!

An outing with Garrett.

In the store cruisin for chicks, er.. stuff.

Plans for the album.

Gone crazy.
Warm wishes,

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Week In The Life {Friday}

Hello all,

Friday was an interesting day in this journey. I had expected to have improved documentation and photos because there was no longer a work excuse.. Surprise! Yeah, it was just as bad if not worse, lol! The glamour had worn off, so to speak, and I was less dedicated. I forgot my camera half the time. I sat down to plan the layouts and just felt.. blank. I didn't know what to do, like my brain had turned off! I do attribute part of this to just being pregnant and the lack of a brain in general but I'll own it!

Being generally off this week, my poor kids suffered with my bad attitude! Jackson came over today. They spent most of the day yelling and screaming and I felt like I had a monster case of the headaches before noon. I love that my kids have a friend they can both play with, but some days...

Something I learned today is I need to smile more! All of the pictures have my perpetual frown. I have a tendency to be negative anyway, but apparently this is transferring to my face! Lol!

Here's a snapshot of my day (PS- Don't mind the dirty laundry.)

Up bright and early today and already changed our clothes twice!

Dirty Laundry on the net! (Note to self: Comb hair.)

A familiar view almost daily as I break out the laptop.

Play Date.

My laundry room is often very disorganized throughout the week and I spend the weekend putting it back together. This may be the suspect in action..


Fight #1

Fight #2. Aidan is sure pitching some fast ones today.

Melted ice cream in the dark. Not a bad end to the day.

Tools of the trade.

Covering up those roots.
Warm wishes,


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