OK, ONE MORE POST For 2009!:)

I couldn't end the blog year talking about money, so I thought I'd repost my Creatively Fit First 50 Walks Slide Show! I really enjoyed making this slide show and my Creatively Fit Walks. In fact, I'm going out this morning to walk with my son. We are going to try to commit to getting out there every morning (most mornings). I should have some pictures for Creatively Fit later. Maybe one of your New Years resolutions can be to join Creatively Fit?!

One thing I discovered while doing my slide show, was that I really do love working with multi media. I also love playing around with computer graphics, blog designs etc... So, I decided to go back to school in 2010! Starting this semester I will be taking classes in digital media at the local college! I'm starting with one class and will go from there. I may major in web design. I'll keep you all posted on my progress!

Here's to a great new year!
Enjoy the show!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Last Post of the year!

I thought about doing a blog "year in review" but I only have half a year, due to losing my blog Art Spectrum (as many of you know. If not you can read about it here). That's ok because looking back isn't really my style anyway. I prefer to look ahead.

Unfortunately, sometimes you have no choice but to face your past. In this case, it would be Christmas pasts! I am two Christmases behind, meaning I have bills from last Christmas and this Christmas. It really drives me nuts! All year long I am a responsible person, when it comes to spending, but for some reason I lose a little bit of that common sense and restraint at Christmas time. Everybody loves to give and make others happy, but where do you draw the line? I can never seem to measure that one perfectly. I mean, I don't completely go overboard. I set a limit but that limit always seems to exceed available funds. Thankfully, there are some extra funds that cover this debt as the year progresses. However, I would much rather use those funds for the current year not the past. It's no fun paying for the past, right?!

That is why I have decided to start saving for next Christmas, now!
This is how:
We had a family meeting the day after Christmas (I think my boys are old enough to start thinking about saving and the value of a nickle, dime, quarter, even a penny). I took an empty popcorn Christmas tin, that we received as a gift this year, and put the change from my wallet into that tin. I sifted out the pennies and put them in a separate container. The boys looked in the tin and were not too impressed. I asked them how much money they thought was in the tin. My older son said, about $5. I told him to take it out and count it. To all of our surprise there was a little over $11 covering less than half the bottom of that tin. We conservatively estimated that one layer of silver coins would equal about $20. We than estimated that it would take approximately 100 layers to fill the tin. My son quickly did the math and said, "That means $2,000!" Now, I don't know how accurate that is but I'm sure it will be an impressive amount once completely filled!
As a family, we will be adding coins to this tin all year and will count it on December 1, 2010! Whatever that total is, that is what we will have to spend for Christmas!
And we may never look at a quarter, dime or nickle the same way again!


picture taken by Noah, age 8

Lucy's already dreaming about what treats await her, next Christmas!

Have a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year! See you in '10!!

P.S. I hope this blog makes it through the year, so that I can refer to this post on December 1st 2010.

New toys

This is my nephew trying out his new grind rail we got him for Christmas!



Here are some pictures I took on Christmas day while I was at my sisters house. I was testing out my new camera. All of the pictures were taken in manual mode. It always takes time to get used to a new camera:)

I hope everyone had a very merry holiday!

Our Dec 22 Tradition of Kindness because of Heller

Today we will be remembering our dear friend, Heller Koch. Heller was a healthy, kind and loving child who left us suddenly, on December 22, 2007, at the age of nine, due to an undiagnosed brain tumor. At the request of Heller's Mother and Grandmother we will be remembering Heller, in the spirit, in which he lived, through acts of kindness. By performing an extra act of kindness today, you will be reaffirming his life, as one that was lived in kindness. This act of kindness will touch those who receive it and Heller's family. We would love for you to share your act of kindness, given or received, no matter how big or small, it all counts! You can join us facebook

Today my family will be delivering homemade cookies to our neighbors and friends, as we remember Heller.


See more holiday traditions:

Have a very Merry Christmas!

A Very Important Poll :) and Mosaic Monday!

First, I'd like to point out my poll on the right side of my blog. Would you participate in a karaoke blog party? I love to sing! I'm sure there are there are other secret American Idol wannabes out there! :) Let me know what you think by taking my poll. If I get enough of a positive response I'll put together the party. I think it would be really fun!

Also, you can hear my latest karaoke recording here:

I just made a karaoke recording: Christmas Song - Silent Night check it out at http://www.karaokeplay.com/recordings/silent-night-1301147.html

I have entered the Christmas contest! The person with the most views wins! I'm a long way off from first place, so feel free to pass the link along:) The winner gets an ipod 3rd generation! Contest runs until Dec 26. I never win contests:( (I know, get out the baby violins haha) I'd greatly appreciate your support!:)

My Monday mosaic this week includes pictures of my family picture ornaments. It's not easy taking pictures of pictures, in a dimly lit room, under twinkling Christmas lights, especially with my little point and shoot camera. So please forgive me for the out of focus mosaic. The heart ornament, in the center, is my favorite because that was our first Christmas as our little family of four. I took that picture in one of those photo booths at the mall. Most of these ornaments were handmade. They are all so special to me.


The next mosaic has been posted before. It is one of my favorite mosaics. This is a collection of flower pictures that I have taken on one of my many Creatively Fit walks. Natures ornaments!



One of my new years resolutions will have to be getting back to walking. I've really let that blog slip. It's showing in my thighs!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

To see more wonderful mosaics go to Mary @ Little Red House

Christmas Caroling and Easy Christmas Tree Garland Tutorial

First please click on the link to hear my Christmas Carol from me to you!:)

I just made a karaoke recording: Christmas Song - Silent Night check it out at http://www.karaokeplay.com/recordings/silent-night-1301147.html

One more thing: I'm thinking it might be fun to host a Karaoke Blog Party. The idea would be for the participants to record a sOng from a karaoke site like karaokeplay.com, link it on your blog(like I've done here) or facebook and than link that post to my Karaoke Blog Party. Then we could hop around from blog to blog and listen to each other sing(offering praise and encouragement, of course):) The only thing you would need is a microphone for your computer. Any karaoke enthusiasts out there? I think it would be a blast! Let me know what you think by taking the poll in my side bar: WOULD YOU PARTICIPATE IN A KARAOKE BLOG PARTY?

Every year I try to do something a little different for my Christmas tree decor. The easiest way to change the look of your tree is with the garland. This year I was looking for something fairly quick, easy and inexpensive to make. I wanted to add color, and shimmer to the tree. For color I chose a multi-colored pack of sequins (bought for a few dollars at Walmart). For shimmer, what else?! Glitter!

Materials:

1. Some kind of drop cloth to catch the glitter, glue and spray adhesive. I chose brown craft paper because I already had it at home.

2. Multi color bag of sequins in various shapes and sizes.

3. Glitter- I used Glitzy Glitter from stampendous, ultra fine crystal multi-colored

4. Tacky glue

5. Fast grab tacky spray

6. Parchment paper to put under section of ribbon when sprinkling the glitter.

7. 1/8" ribbon

Steps:

1. Put a small dab of glue on finger

2. Spread glue on ribbon
3. Apply sequin
4. Spray 1 foot section of ribbon(spray right over sequins)
5. Put parchment paper under section and sprinkle with glitter. Tap excess glitter onto parchment.

Note: before steps 1 thru 5: Cut piece of ribbon the lenght of tree. In my case it is 7.5ft long.





I arranged garland vertically on tree, hanging it from the top and letting it fall down the length of the tree. It's so much easier than wrapping it horizontally:)



If you didn't click on the link above here's your chance again!

I just made a karaoke recording: Christmas Song - Silent Night check it out at http://www.karaokeplay.com/recordings/silent-night-1301147.html

I'm singing for an ipod (3rd generation)

Karaokeplay.com is having a contest! The person with the most hits on their Christmas recording will win an ipod touch (3rd generation). Second runner up wins an ipod (5th generation)!

This is not a contest of who sings best, it is just for the person with the most hits on their song. Please pass it along so many people can hear it!:)
Sorry if it's not music to your ears. I love to sing but know that I am not the best. I could have recorded this song a million time and still not be satisfied with the outcome. So here it is warts and all:)
Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!!

I just made a karaoke recording: Christmas Song - Silent Night check it out at http://www.karaokeplay.com/recordings/silent-night-1301147.html



Let me know what you think but please be kind:)

I ♥ Faces "Pets Only"

This weeks challenge on I heart faces is "Pets Only!"
This is Maggie, my son's pet guinea pig. My other son has a guinea pig too, Nanner. Maggie and Nanner usually are a team but this picture was Maggie's solo!



To see more adorable pets

Mosaic Monday

Here is a little mosaic of our blended family traditions! Tree trimming, lighting the menorah, gingerbread house building, and playing holiday music. It was a fun day, a day that memories are made of:)



Head over to Mary @ little red house to see more wonderful mosaics!

Second Night

Tonight we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma made potato pancakes and gave the kids Chanukah gelt. The kids each got to light their own menorahs. This kept the peace!


Growing up in an interfaith home(notice the Christmas tree in the background) we have always celebrated both Chanukah and Christmas. This is how my children are growing up too.

The one in the middle is my nephew, my boys are on either side, Grandma is to the left and Grandpa is in the backgournd

First Night of Chanukah

Circle Drawings!

Today I subbed in my son's middle school for one of his teachers. It was fun being my son's teacher for the day.

I wanted to have an activity that the students could do if they finished the work that their teacher had assigned. I decided to put a spin on a project that I created for the fifth graders a couple of years ago. I did circle paintings with the fifth grade . Of course, I did not want to lug my paint supplies to school so I decided do circle drawings with the students.

The supplies you need for this activity are: index card with a circle traced on it, and a pen or a pencil. I told the kids it was like doodling.

A couple of hint I gave them to get started: Draw a shape or line on one side of the circle than repeat it on the other side, continue until your circle is filled (symmetrical design!) or divide your circle into segments and fill each section with a different pattern. I showed them my examples below to give them ideas. The activity was a hit! Some even said they were going to do more at home:) This was a great time filler at the end of class and kept the kids working quietly. They even learned a little something about art:) We talked about line, shape, pattern, texture, composition, value and contract. We even talked a little bit about drawing techniques for pen and pencil. We sure packed a lot into a little filler activity!

I ♥ Faces "Sweet Dreams"

I just had to share this photo with I heart faces this week! This picture is from about four years ago. My son, who is now 8, looked at the picture after I posted it and said, "Did I do that?!"

Playing is hard work!
"Sweet Dreams, My Love"

See more "Sweet Dreams" Faces

Mosaic Monday! Memories

Memories of 2008 Holiday season. Memories can be bitter sweet. We lost Nanny(my husbands mother) one month before Christmas. Although we have warm memories of last Christmas, we were missing Nanny.



On Dec 22, 2007 my children lost their dear friend Heller. (My best friend's son) Heller's mother and family requested that we remember Heller on Dec 22 by delivering acts of kindness. My boys started the day, December 22, 2008, by cleaning their guinea pig's cage and making breakfast. Later that afternoon we handed out roses to a few people hoping to brighten their day.
We will be delivering kindness because of Heller again this year. These acts of kindness can be big or small. Every bit of kindness counts:) We would love for you to join us on December 22, 2009. Please feel free to grab the button on my sidebar, to post on your blog.


See more wonderful mosaics at Little Red House

Let's Mango!

My mango painting was included in a treasury on etsy! This original painting was used in the label design that I created for my husbands original Mango Habanero Hot Sauce bottle.(Not currently for sale.) However, the mango painting is for sale in my etsy shop



The treasury was created by This Charming Treat and was inspired by their lollipop flavors! Mango lollipop sounds delicious!!


Thank you for including me in your treasury!!

The day began with a bark!

This morning as I was getting the kids ready for school, I looked out the back window and saw Lucy sitting on my purple flowers.
I ran to get my camera (don't really know why, that's just what I do) and quickly ran to the back door to catch her in the act! As soon as I opened the door she jumped off of the flowers and sat there as if to say, "What, who me?"


Then she gave me one of those indignant looks as if to say, " Well, I never! She then proceeded to bark at me!

And that was how my day began...
How did your day start? And did it get better or worse? I hope it started good and ended great!:)