find joy in the journey

fab five: january 2010

1.  500 Days of Summer.  

 

 

Have you seen this movie?  A few weeks ago Scott was away and I rented this, not knowing what it was really about. ("This is a story of boy meets girl.")  And I fell in love.  It was one of those movies that I truly enjoyed, and I wished would keep going . . . . not because it didn't end the way I wanted it to, but because it was just so quirky and delightful.  Definitely different, fun, and engaging.  I downloaded the soundtrack on itunes and have listened to it at least 15 times in my car.

2.  Photoshop Actions.  For a year or longer I've been hearing about and admiring the use of photoshop actions on various photo blogs.  (Actions are basically a packaged set of photo edits that you can apply with one click).  But I was totally clueless.  The installment and usage of these little tricks were something that seemed out of my reach in a big black void of photoshop that I knew nothing about.  Then I came across a website that offered a plethora of free actions and I said, "saddle up missy, it's time to learn something new."

Thanks to Coffee Shop Actions, her free actions, and great tutorials, this is what I can do:

 
clockwise from top left:  straight out of the camera, perfect portrait, color pop with B&W conversion, butterscotch vintage.

I have had fun playing (and learning) the past few days!

3.  Lightscoop.  It's this funky attachment that enables your indoor flash photos to look more natural . . . not so blown out.  I took these photos in the upstairs playroom, blinds closed -- just about the worst lighting situation you can imagine.

 

this is literally my first picture taken with it and I am already impressed.  

4.  FiberOne Bars.  These are so so good!  Especially when you run into a pre-school mom in the grocery store who takes one look at your cart and hands you a coupon so you can get them for $1/box.  (And after inspecting my cereal choices she gave me another coupon and a few tips. I came out with 10 boxes for $3!)

 

 Note to self:  do not eat more than one bar in a single day.

5.  Deals.  Who doesn't love a good deal?  Rochelle & Aundrea taught a RS meeting a few months ago about couponing and I got organized and dabbled for a bit.  Then my visit with the pre-school mom re-inspired me to evaluate my purchases.  Currently, this is my favorite blog for deal-seeking (I know there are a lot out there):  My Frugal Adventures.  Over the last few days I ordered 105 pictures for 45 cents, purchased $75 in restaurant gift certificates for $6, and a fleece jacket for $3.39.  Not too shabby!

mother knows best

Last year Payton got a part in the traveling children's theater production of "Pinocchio".  It was a hoot.

The theater company returned last week and Payton was on board to try out again.  Conner, not so much.  He didn't make it last year.  And he stated to me, "I don't want to try out for a play unless I've seen the movie first."  This year's production was The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, and as you can probably guess, we haven't seen the movie.  (not sure if there even is one.)  Anyways, I was just going to let him off the hook.  Payton is really the one who eats up the spotlight and loves this kind of stuff.

On the day of try-outs the kids were out of school.  We had spent the whole day at home, doing not much of anything.  Well, soon I decided that Conner was going to try out, whether he wanted to our not because, hey . . . we've been inside all day, this is going to be our outing/activity for the day, and frankly, it is fun!  The kids get to be silly, sing a song, etc. etc. etc.  Conner questioned me, but I assured him that it was going to be fun.

Fast forward a few hours later . . . all the kids are up on the stage, listening to the director call out the names of those who got a part.  Conner's name was called.  He stood up to get his paper, and when he returned to his seat on the stage he turned around, folded his arms and glared at me something fierce!  Oh man, I'm sure he was trying to conjure up some laser vision powers.  I made sure to intercept him directly off the stage and offered a pretty good bribe incentive if he followed through all week with a good attitude.  (Payton did not get a part - he made a sad face for about 20 seconds, and then he was over it).

Tuesday, Conner came home from play practice very happy.

Wednesday he came home on cloud nine.  Singing his song.  Goofy, silly, happy.  We sent him to bed and soon he reappeared with a note that he threw at us and ran up upstairs.  It said:

Dear:  Mom and dad (shannon and scott)

I like being in the play a little.  OKAY, I love it.

from:  Conner R. Brown

My heart swelled up with feelings of . . . . vindication!  I just knew he would love the play if only he would give it a chance.  Ahhh, sweet, sweet victory.

As the week progressed I also couldn't help but think of the times that my parents made me try new things, much to my disapproval.  Sometimes it bombed, and sometimes (a lot of the time) it turned into something I loved or was really good at.  So mom and dad, this is my public apology for all the times I resisted your advice, drug my heels, and was just plain stubborn (I was an oldest child, I just couldn't help it sometimes) . . . and a thank you for all the great things that came out those torture sessions activities.

On Friday & Saturday Conner performed as a member of The Very Hairy Frowny-Face Tribe.  The part was perfect for him.

And he's already talking about auditioning again next year.

bowling and cupcakes

bowling in style

 giant screen tv's, leather couches, funky lighting down the lanes . . . and I got a score of 113 without the aid of bumpers

a cupcake toast

 red velvet with cream cheese frosting, vanilla with chocolate buttercream, chocolate with mint buttercream, fat elvis, vanilla with fudge, . . . we sampled them all.

another anniversary well celebrated.

11 lucky years

today is our anniversary.  11 years. 

Waaay past the newlywed stage.  The "young parents" stage has zoomed right on by, taking hours and hours of sleep with it.  No longer in the "learning" stage where you're continually shocked/surprised that someone would do or think about things differently than you.

Our kids are 9, 7, and 4.  We're both in our 30's.  Life/marriage/the whole she-bang has found a comfortable rhythm and flow.  We know each other well and we still like what we see. :)  It's fun to look back at our adventures . . . . and it puts a smile on my face to know that we were able to do this together. 

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

 

This year we'll be celebrating with bowling and cupcakes. 

And we'll also be celebrating some very recent good news.  Scott doesn't like me to talk about him on my blog :) but I just have to mention this because it affects me too . . . . yesterday he interviewed for business school and was accepted on the spot!  I am so very proud of him, happy, excited for this new adventure.  It is going to mean some changes, scheduling, and adjustments in our family life (moving is not one of them), but we are ready to make it work. (Did you watch Project Runway last night?)

Life is good.

idaho top 10

In no particular order, the highlights of our trip to Idaho (December 28, 2009 to January 2, 2010) . . . . 

10.  picking up Brian & Rachel from the airport, return missionary style.  Banners, balloons, leis . . . all 13 of us there to make a scene in the tiny commuter airport.  Then laughing because we waved wildly at the first couple off the plane as they walked down the tarmac . . . only to realize it wasn't Brian & Rachel.  Just their stunt doubles.  Really, truly, it looked just like them.

9.  playing a couple of new fun games:  Play Nine and Scrabble Take Two

8.  thursday night family home evening.  There was a message & testimony shared by Dennis, a magic show by Lily & Randy, an exuberant rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas by Conner & Payton, we all played the chimes together, Randy & Kate gave a preview of their beautiful work-in-progress piano duet, Anna sang Busted from Phineas & Ferb, the kids opened christmas cards from great-grandma Wanda, and the grand finale . . . a pirate pinata.

 

 

 
7.  checking off all the eating-out staples:  9 Beans, Papa Kelsey's, Maxie's

6.   entertaining the kids:  going to see The Princess and the Frog, bowling, playing in the snow, and swimming at the hotel pool, playing/singing/dancing with aunt Rachel.  Conner quickly found his happy place in the basement - either building legos or secluding himself in the toy closet for what we can only imagine was an epic Kraker's battle.  And Payton & I spent several hours building a Kinex roller coaster.

 
5.  prize baskets.  There was a grown-up girl basket, grown-up boy basket, and a kid basket.  Prizes were awarded randomly.  You just never knew what would be considered "prize-worthy."  A few examples:  being the first one smart enough to ask for a prize, a "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" quote used in conversation, being married to Kevin, an impressive number of push-ups, and artful cinnamon roll decorating.

 

4.  spoon beading project.  While the men were *busy* on New Years' Day, the ladies occupied themselves with a project.

3.  family pictures.  We all donned our purple and green sweaters and ventured into the chilly Idaho air for family pictures on January 1st.  I think they should turn out great.  We can't wait to see the results.

2.  the number one reason for this visit . . . . the pig out.  It's a time-honored male-bonding family tradition.  One day, 5 college bowl games, and a plentiful spread of food.

1.  actually, the real number one reason for this visit . . . having everyone together for the first time in 5 1/2 years.  Not a small feat considering we are spread out across 4 states - Idaho, Oregon, Missouri, and North Carolina - coast to coast.  Some of the cousins, aunts, and uncles were meeting for the very first time.

Until we meet again we'll always have the memories . . . . 

• white fudge oreos
• *not* throwing Diane off the bridge
• iphone & itouch all around
• "how much is 17 plus 5?!"

a note

We're back from a week long trip to Idaho, and the laundry is overflowing.  I think the final number of loads yesterday was 10.  On the way home from school I asked the kids to help me with some of the folding.  We got home, the usual after-school chaos began and I forgot about my request.  Eventually I made it upstairs and found that the latest load had been pulled from the dryer and was folded on my bed.  I smiled, because I knew that Conner was the one who secretly, quietly went about this act of service.  Then as I began to leave the room something caught my eye . . . . . a note.

 

 

Dear: Mom,

You can thank me later.

from:  Conner

silhouette

 

Isn't it the cutest?  I love it!

I took a few tips from tutorials here and here and just went for it.  This is an 8x10 frame and their 3 little heads fit perfectly.  What I really wanted to find was a black oval frame to match the old fashioned look.  But after looking everywhere it appears that they do not exist.  At least not in my neck of the woods.

Step 1:  Take profile pictures of the kids

Step 2:  Photoshop (or not) and print.  I changed the pictures to black & white (just to conserve the color ink on my printer), added some sharpening, and cranked up the contrast.  That way I could have a clearer, more distinct line when it came time to cut.  Finally, I resized all the pictures to what I needed and print!

Step 3:  Carefully cut out the pictures with an exacto knife.  By including little details like the tufts of hair (the rooster in Payton's case) or eyelashes really adds to the charm.

Step 4:  Turn the photo over and paint the back.  Foam brush and black acrylic paint works perfectly. 

Step 5:  Once it's dry, and it shouldn't take long, adhere it a piece of cardstock.  Insert in frame.

I think that I want to make a pink one sometime for Anna's room.  I can just imagine it in a cute wall collage with a letter A, a recent picture of her, and maybe one of her drawings in a frame.