School, Glorious School

Ahh, the first day of school. So bittersweet. Good thing I love bittersweet - chocolate, that is.

The kids headed off to another year, another grade, new friends and old. Don't they look excited?

I'm not heading off to school. Mario made the journey to preschool without me today, and he didn't seem bothered by it one bit. We'll see what he has to say when I pick him up. He wasn't going to be able to go to preschool this year since they were filled with full-time students, but at the last minute we were able to share a spot with another boy. Now he'll go Wednesdays and Fridays.

And did I mention that Brian is in 8th grade? Next year is High School!!! I'm old. Yep. That's all there is to it. Next stop, nursing home.

Top 10 Reasons to keep a Journal

I have struggled my whole life to regularly keep a journal. I know I should, and I start journals, write every day or so for a few weeks, then promptly forget about them. Blogging has been a little bit like a journal, but I keep one that is more in depth with the day-to-day happenings.

My dad was always great at keeping a journal. (I'm not sure if he still keeps one. Do you, Dad?) I remember him sitting down and writing in his big hardbound journal after dinner. I also remember times when we would be talking about something that happened, then not recall just when it was, and Dad would say,"Hold on, I'll look it up in my journal." Wouldn't it be nice to be able to do that?

I ran across this "Top 10" list. Just picture me on with David Letterman reading this to you.


10. Journaling helps exercise writing skills and explore talents.

9. Journaling is a simple and easy task that provides an invaluable source of history to look back on.

8. Recording life experiences helps to know oneself better.

7. Recording personal trials and emotions can reduce stress and help in the healing process.

6. Keeping a record of daily events, facts, and feelings can enhance intuition and creativity.

5. Recording daily occurrences and personal feelings helps foster personal growth.

4. Looking back at personal experiences can help when analyzing situations and solving problems.

3. Daily journaling sets an example for children and other family members to follow.

2. A journal captures a life story for oneself and for posterity.

And the number one reason to keep a journal:

1. Keeping a journal helps you see how God has touched your life.

All right, now I'm going to go write in my journal.

Scrap Inspiration

If you are a scrapbooker, there are so many inspiring blogs and websites to visit! If I have scrapper's block, I love to look at sketches. Patti Hutchinson's sketch site is eye candy galore. (And less calories than chocolate.)

If you're looking for a how-to, Daily Inspirations from ScrapBookMate has some great projects and tutorials.

Makes me want to create something!

Twilight Trailer

Now that Breaking Dawn provided all of the closure needed, I'm counting down to the Twilight movie. Robert Pattinson's American accent is perfect!

Where did she go?

No, I haven't maimed myself in the chicken barns, or fallen in a deep, black hole. My children have not tied me up, and I haven't gotten so deep into this book that I haven't resurfaced.



My computer is sick. So I haven't been on it. And you know how I feel about my computer!

But-

My very pregnant sister is here now. We've missed her.

It's been hideously, fiendishly, and down-right freakishly (that's for you, Tara) H-O-T here. I've been perspiring profusely. Or profusely perspiring. However you say it, I've been doing it.

I promise I'll be back soon. It's more than likely. Really.

So don't abandon me!