colorstrology

www.colorstrology.com
Stumbled across this website yesterday, looking for something completely different. Isn't that how it goes, you find the best stuff when you are looking for something else. Completely loved the intro to the site...if you do nothing else you simply need to watch this intro..love the words, the colors, (well one would hope a site dedicated to color would do color well) even the music was amazing. There is a part of the site that allows you to view "your" color by entering your birth month and date..I've always been a bit skeptical on horoscopes and things that say they can tell you more about yourself by simply entering your birthdate..after all I wasn't the only person born on that day...and truly that paragraph of info is going to describe all of us born on the 24th day of the 4th month to a tee? I don't think so...

Not to say I don't read my horoscope or completely doubt these little tests that give you insight into yourself, one might say I'm just cautious, and yet curious...always wondering just how close they come to describing me. Very few come close, most are just fun to laugh at....and such is the nature of these things you can often read what you want in the words that are written.

So naturally I did check out what "my" color is, the one best suited to me (and all those other people born on my birthday) There are two colors actually, one for the month and then one for the day.. The color for April is Cayenne, Fiery, Energetic, Couragous. I love the colors that fall in the shades of red... much of my wardrobe consists of red, I truly love how that color looks on me. I stubbornly refused to budge on my "red" color choice for my walls, when all reasonable people around me were cautioning me not! to do it...Love! simply love my red walls.
now the words that go with that color...would love to be those things, not so sure I'm even close. The color for the day, the 24th day if you will....this color is Ultramarine, creative, responsible, nuturing... ummmm blue is perhaps not a favorite of mine, but those words did strike a chord, those I'm more comfortable saying I am. As I looked at the swatch of blue I sensed a calm, so perhaps I should explore adding some of this color to my world...maybe that is where the calm is hiding..

I think color can strike you in many ways, unique to each person, just as no shade of color is every truly the same.. I love yellow, it just makes me happy, when I painted my daycare room yellow, I was cautioned by many at it not being the best choice..one even saying "you know yellow makes kids hyper" great, the color is on the wall and now you tell me this.... I've not noticed an increase in hyperness in my house, and I do know that when I am in that room, I smile and I'm just simply happy...when out my window everything is dreary and cold.. i feel warm and light. I love putting color in my space, said by one who up until a year ago had white walls everywhere...what was I thinking? I can safely say that I have been making up for the lack of color in my space with a vegence...color is everywhere!

there is a line in the intro that I simply love it is...
......explore a world where magic is made visable.

love that...

90% off

I love a sale, if I can buy something on clearance
even better yet. If I see a clearance section I will
just out of curiousity look thru it, you just never
know what treasure you will find.Ok so 90% of
the time there may be plenty to choose from but
rarely is it the size I am looking for, or the color is
just wrong, or it is simply stuff I truly don't need.
Ok this might be where a brave person would say
I'm picky? Perhaps I am. So last friday I am at Target,
and I come across a clearance aisle, the signs say 90% off.
Never have I seen 90% off, that of course required a look
see. Quite curious now to see what on earth remains from
the holidays that they are in a sense giving away. Surprisingly
a lot of stuff remains, not so surprisingly nothing that
interests me..that is just so my story. As I am poking amongst
boxes of candy canes, yuck! and piles of generic stockings,
blah! bags and bags of bows, ok still trying to use up all the
bows I have, you guessed it, purchased on clearance a few years
back. I glance up and there hanging on a hook is a sweater, simplyadorable.
In a size that will fit Rosie, did I mention adorable? Fairly certain
it is just in the wrong place, since never do I find adorable in
the clearance aisle... Calculate the price in my head, and think
no way! it truly is to good to be true...check the price on a scanner and
discover it is clearance...way cool. Of course I bought it,
how could I not spend $1.49 for something that adorable? Of
course Rosie has a differenct idea of what is and is not adorable,
this falls into the is not...as the pics will show, she was not thrilled
in the least by my incredible shopping skills. Apparently she doesn't
do adorable.

Oh man!

Her new favorite phrase, cracks me up when she uses it. Seriously I just start laughing every time she says it..
we can thank Dora the Explorer for that wonderful phrase, it's used in the video quite frequently. For those of you
not in the know, (Innocent people living their lives blissfully unaware of the horror that is out there) is how Beckie
would describe you...she is no longer innocent, ruined she has muttered a time or two. Apparently the
backpack song playing over and over in her head is equal to torture in some countries. Totally getting off my original
post but simply have to share this, I took my older kids along with a couple of their friends out to eat Friday night,
as we are waiting for our food to arrive they begin discussing Dora, and Yahaira's obsession with it. Much to my
amazement they knew a lot about these video's...(ok so they have had to watch a few,(many) during this x-mas
break), but hey for the sake of calm one has to do these things at times. Totally made me laugh listening to their
discussion of Dora, and all the horrors she has evoked in their lives these past few weeks. Poor things,
for having to endure such torture, they certainly learned a lot. But as I started to say Dora is a cartoon
character on Nick Jr..that incorporates spanish and games in a learning enviroment, gee sound like a
commercial don't I? and Yahaira simply loves her. The pic above is in no way related to Dora or Yahaira's
favorite new phrase, that is just simply her latest version of throwing a tantrum, arms crossed, sitting with her back to you,
lips in a pout, it's classic actually, and maddening to no end to her that I am completely unimpressed by her efforts...
she used to throw herself on the floor crying and screaming...thinking that had to hurt so she has refocused her efforts in a
a new manner, have to give her points for trying. Completely makes me laugh when she does this...of
course that just insults her further, love that when she is doing this I can lean over and try to get her to look at me
and as she turns her back, (she is mad at me you understand, I am so very dificult you know) I can say "hey yahaira?....Oh man!"
and she instantly becomes a puddle of giggles in my arms. Love this kid!

one little word

I receive various newsletters from different scrapbooking companies and personalities. Most I just skim thru,but a couple I read and reread finding myself drawn to their thoughts and ideas. One of my favorites is from Ali Edwards, she has published numerous books on scrapbooking is a widely sought teacher, (no I have yet to take a class from her, but I will someday) To define what I like about her is difficult, I definately like the way she writes, her ideas are inspiring....not just in scrapbooking but in day to day life. She is the one who coined "Life Artist" and reminds that scrapbooking isn't just about the pictures or the completed albums, it's most about the telling the stories...love that. No I'm not so great at telling the stories, journaling still scares me, but I am truly more inspired to want to put my words down and share those stories.

In her recent newsletter she talks about words, one little word actually. How one word can be so powerful, so strong, so unique. Words stay with you, define you, affect you. One word can change a person's life. One word can evoke a memory of times forgotten, cause laughter or make a person smile. She encourages her readers to choose one word for the year.To use it in their day to day moments, to incorporate it into their conversations, and their stories, and of course into their scrapbooks. To focus on this word in their lives. She sums it up with this "Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007?" Loved this! If you want to read Ali's thoughts on this click on the link to her blog, in the column to the right, the entry is dated Thursday, January 4th, 2007.

I have thought about that one word, pondered many, discarded many more...and quite simply found that choosing one word was quite difficult if not impossible. One word to define what I want for an entire year? No pressure, smiling as I type that. Of course I have found my word, do you think I would be posting this if I hadn't? It is a word I want to have more of in my life, it is a word I want to share with those around me, it is a word I am excited to help define 2007 for me.

My word for this year is laughter.

Dining out

Went out to eat last night. Beckie and Josh will be going back to school on Saturday and so in order to see everyone (family) before they left it seemed like a great idea to go out to eat. So we (myself and 8kids) met my Dad, Colleen, Linette and her family, and Betty (my mother in law) at the Hometown. Simple right? When is anything in my life simple?

The kids were great for the first 1/2 hour, orders were placed and we waited, and waited. Perhaps not as long as it felt, but with three in melt down mode it felt like an eternity...of course joining in conversations is impossible since someone is forever needing this or that and by the time you can join back in it's a totally different subject and you are clueless as to what is being discussed. Trying not to let all the stares get to me, actually they weren't staring because the kids were loud, or out of control, (which they weren't, actually all things considering they were remarkable well behaved) this number of kids just simply generates stares, a lot of stares, living in a fish bowl when I am out in public is perhaps the biggest challange for me. At one moment I found myself wondering why? I had been so excited to go out to eat, I was more exhausted than if I had stayed home, cooked and cleaned up after all these people. Food began to arrive in trickles, naturally the food for the little ones didn't come out first and after a bit it becomes apparent that no more food is coming....the one children's meal that had arrived had been divided out amongst the 4 little people in hopes of stalling any further meltdowns. So I go check and find out that those meals and mine didn't get entered. Oh joy! the waitress offers to put them in, I declined.The thought of entertaining that crowd for another 30 minutes was just too daunting.

As I was bundling the kids up my oldest say's "why didn't you let them make the food?" my response of "They won't last another 30 minutes and I'm tired of being stared at" was answered with "well they will have to wait at home for you to make something" yes my dear they will but at home they will be disturbing no one but me. She in her youth is so blissfully unaware of much that happens around her. Did I complain about the service? I had every right to, but no I didn't. It was apparent the waitress was new, and young. She looked horrified when she realized much of our food had been missed. What purpose would that have served? Would making her feel worse, made me feel any better? My mother in law said well you should get some free food....why I thought, do you honestly think I'm going to repeat this anytime in the near future.

We dined on peanutbutter sandwiches, which to the under 5 crowd is actually gourmet dining. With the candle burning on the table, it perhaps is the closest I'm going to get to fine dining. As I sat there listening to their chatter, sharing my sandwich with Rose, who does have one of her own, but apparently mine tastes better, enjoying that for this moment all is calm and all are happy I realize I am blessed. Someday I will sit in a resteruant, eat a meal with no interruptions, engage in a lively discussion, perhaps there will be candles on the table and *gasp* linen napkins. Someday...but for now Take Out is my new best friend.

New Year's Eve

The kids were so excited about the prospect of staying up late, we started
to lose them after 9pm. Jay fell asleep watching the movie, followed by
Alonso, and Yahaira, Moses was out by 9:30, followed by Pedro...the
diehard in the group...that would be rosie, who as you can see above is
still going strong at 11:45... We are such a party crowd.

Monster cookies

Cassandra wanted to bake Monster cookies last night, I was a bit hesitant since
the last two attempts made at baking these cookies were dismal flops. So above you
see monster cookies, two minutes later as i removed them from the pan, they were in pieces, they simply
fell apart...so apparently we now have "monster pieces" there is no way cookie could describe them
no matter how creatively you look at them...one bonus, they taste amazing.
To quote my oldest daughter from the other night "this whole cooking thing sucks!"
couldn't agree more. Sad to note that apparently my girls have inherited my cooking skills.
and that would be why there are bakery's and a wonderful thing called "take out"

Rosie

She is hilarious, love the laughter she adds to my life, love the comedian
in her, just simply love her.
I'm amazed we were able to get any picutes, since we were
just simply laughing at her antics. First she wanted the banana, and then
she wanted to play peek-a-boo, of course you can't put the banana down...
so the kleenex is to wipe the banana off her face...
only to repeat it again, and again, and again.

Hello 2007!

Happy New Year to you....
I love the new year! Yes it is just another day on the calendar, but what a day it is, full of the promise of new beginnings.
I love that for this day my calendar is somewhat empty, everything is fresh and new...waiting to be used and filled with my notes and reminders.
I love that for the first day of the year I get the day off...so cool!
I love beginnings, the unknown just waiting for you to discover what comes next...
So here is to new beginnings, new discoveries, a new year, I wish you a year filled with wonder, and may all your dreams be in color.

the last day of the year

*edited to add, alas that collage has disappeared from my files and attempting to recreate it is next to impossible...I'm sure it was a very nice selection of pics...
I will leave you with some pics of some of my favorite people. There
are more people but unfortunately I don't have pics of each of
them...I will have to work on that this coming year.
What a year it has been, thought about doing a retrospective, a year
in review type post, then realized you could quite simply go back
and read all those archived posts, it would perhaps be just as
informative and mildly entertaining....of course I could just admit I'm being terrible lazy
today and simply don't want to exert the energy needed to review
let alone write about the past year. I also thought about posting an entry
about resolutions, but I'm afraid I am one of few who doesn't actually
make any resolutions, that way no guilt when I break them :)
So I give you some pictures and simply say...
I have been blessed this year,
and I have been challanged this year,
I have had moments of complete frustration and sadness,
and moments of total joy, and happiness.
I have watched my children grow and change for yet another year,
truly that is the most amazing gift.
I have completed another year doing a job I simply love.
I have tried to improve myself as a person,
that might simply be a work in progress for all eternity.
I have tried to give back to others, what has been so richly given to me.
I truly am a lucky person.
for those who have traveled with me on this journey in 2006, thank you for sharing
it with me, for contributing to the fabric of my story, I am truly a better person
because of each of you.
So in looking forward to 2007 I say welcome to those who
join me, I am excited to see what this new year brings...
see you next year ( I simply love saying that)

nail polish

Gracie, Yahaira, and Rosie are always so excited when Beckie comes home
because that means she is going to paint their nails. Rosie sits down and watches
waiting patiently for her turn... her smile when her nails are done is just
simply priceless. Making memories thru such a simply act is such a
wonderful thing.

Christmas Eve...

We celebrated at my sister's house this year she always has things
decorated in such a amazing way. Even Rosie's high chair was
decorated, so cool! The food was wonderful, of course I ate way
to much. The kids naturally complained about clean up duties...
it is simply a way to torture them, or so they think. Opening gifts
was simply chaos, and laughter. Love watching their
excitement, hearing their laughter, seeing the wonder in their eyes.

Little MissMatched

While browsing online stores, in search of
Christmas gifts I found this store:
http://www.littlemissmatched.com/ what a fun place
to explore. Someone has actually taken something
we all live with and made a business out of it.
mismatched socks, so cool! They sell socks, of course
but with a twist, they don't match, and you get three
socks instead of the standard two. Now this
would have been Cassandra's dream come true
15 years ago...I battled with this child over her
socks, she was the most picky sock wearer I
have ever encountered...honestly I would let
her go barefoot rather than battle with her over
socks. Rarely did her socks match, and often
she would just give me this look as if to say "what
is the big deal" of course I'm worried what
people might think, what kind of mother is she
that her poor child doesn't even have matching
socks, "what can I say I was young and actually
pretty dumb about life" and to think she actually
survived me, amazing! Naturally I had to order
some socks, definately for Cassandra, and not to
leave anyone out, Beckie, Yahaira, and Rosie each
got a set....and so did I. Ok that mom from years
ago now values the importance of fun in life, and
bending those rules on occasion, so your socks don't
match, I do beleive the sun will rise tomorrow. The pic
above is Yahaira, Rosie and I modeling our mismatched
socks...and when I look at that picture I will remember
Yahaira's giggles and Rosie's excitement and that is
a great thing. Cassandra's reaction when she saw the
socks..."well it's about time" she said with a big smile.

more pics

expect a lot of post's containing pics from Christmas, there is a wealth of them.....filled my photo card a couple of times. I decided to take my sisters advice, *gasp* did I just say that? She said to me one day "you need to give your camera away" "what????" I said wondering what was wrong with her and why she thought I would ever do such an insane thing. "No" she said "you need to give it to someone else so you are in some pics." Ok so my breathing calmed and I thought ummmmm she may have a point there...after all when I'm gone there should be pics of me to haunt my kids, don't you think :) So following are candids, people pics if you will.....

a few of my favorite pics...

from the past couple of days.

a glimpse of Christmas 2006

Merry Christmas.....

....from the Haycraft's