Recap: Mission - April

Break a habit. I am on my way. I stumbled. I fell. I am back on track with this one and trying real hard.
Rearrange the living room. We absolutely did. I actually tucked this one in with an ulterior motive. I didn't want to say "spring clean" because otherwise I rebel and find excuses instead of productivity. By putting it this way, the cleaning is done and the room looks better. Now if only picking paint colours was this simple.
Hang mirror. It's been better not having it up this month. I'm not sure seeing my reflection would have been helpful for my recovery. Maybe in May.
Finish flooring. It's getting closer. Another layer is on and I'm done to touch ups and top coat.
Study up! I've been racing at it.
Watch a whole movie in once sitting. Not only did I watch one whole one but about four. It's quite nice if I may say so.
Finish reading two books. I finished one, The Gargoyle, just go read it.
Dream big. I've been thinking. My mind is working its magic. I've been creating webs of ideas. Try this one some time. Just let your mind go. Have fun!
Sew a project. No way. Didn't happen. I did sketch out my idea, though.
Take/get a family picture. We might try this again for May.
File taxes. (How does this always escape me!) BaBAM! We got them in. See ya next year, tax man!
Pass along a baby box of need-no-mores. It's gone. It feels so good to declutter.
Write a statement. I think I got so caught up in my big dreams that I forgot all about this one.

It was an all right month. I am extra excited for May!
Thanks April! See you again in a year.

Let's Play #174.

Just go here and play along, ok?

1. I was ______just getting to the good part_______.
2. ____Shadow_____ and I left my book ____at the park_____.
3. Why ___would you say that_______.
4. _____Awkwardness________ was in my thoughts today.
5. One of my father's favorite sayings was ______go ask your mother________.
6. ___Longing_____--I know that feeling!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _a movie i think____, tomorrow my plans include __a family day for my birthday___ and Sunday, I want to __just relax___!

Fruit this week.

Hello Team Up Thursday! Weird events prevented Puna and me from playing the last few weeks. Not to worry though, we are back again this week.
What's that you say, you're not familiar with Team Up Thursday? Head over to see either of these ladies: Megan over at Mental Inventory and Melody the HipMomma. They put this together and are happy to share.
Without further ado, here is our Fruit this week:
Puna's:

Mine:

Hospitals Version 2.0.

image here

Dear Hospitals,

I appreciate the purpose you serve; however, I feel that we've been seeing just a shake too much of each other lately. When I'm learning what the medical terminology and slang is, I've been there too much. I have to drawn the line. Healthcare, while extremely important, was never a career consideration of mine. Just throwing it out there.

Let's call a truce, ok? I might even willingly negotiate a visit to a newly birthed baby and mama. Please, let's work this out.

Signed,

Kristina

When sickness settles in.

Mamma is sick and not just a little bit. In fact, so sick that a hospital visit was warranted. I've called in back up to stand in for me while I am out of commission.
My baby is better. She has bounced back. I miss her. I want her here with me.
My bitty boy is in limbo. He is still fighting off the remnants of some bug. He is strong. Today, he is much stronger than me.
My man is KO'd. There is an intestinal war raging within him. Exhaustion is at an all-time high in these parts.

This is what happens when sickness settles in.
Please send prayers.

When I write.

When I am writing I feel free. There are no limits or boundaries to where my words go. It matters not that they make any sense at all. This writing, that you now read, isn't intended for anything other than to exercise my hand, my head, my pen. Ever pick up an old pen and scribble about the page to get the ink flowing again? I wonder how many people try this same technique with life. It only usually takes a little encouragement to get the flow going. In the end, what really matters most? Will I?
A hush falls over the crowd. A pin drops. A house is built. A baby is borne.

On my mind.

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

~ Abraham Lincoln or Rev. William J. H. Boetcker.

Family Tree.

I was meandering around on Etsy looking for something different, unique and fun. That was all I had in mind. What I came across was a sensational artist named Hope. She has a shop with a small smattering of wonderful things. Her art captivates me.
This is the family tree that she penned for us. Our tree of four. We are each identified and yet all intertwined. We are individuals that grow together as one. We create. We journey. We live. It is a perfect depiction of the way we are and the way our world works. While I hadn't previously seen it, there is a poetic lining within what we have here. Her creation, her tree for me, revealed this to me.
These trees would make incredible gifts for all occasions. Imagine a wedding couple opening this framed piece customized for them, as they begin to grow their tree together. See the proud parents of a sparkling new baby glow with delight, displaying their new branch. Feel the emotions of a family, celebrating the life of a loved one lost commemorated with this. Think of that person who could use something pretty to remind them about the simplicity in life. Think of you. Just think of everything Hope can do.
I am forever grateful for her artistic rendition of us. Hope, thank you. I wish for you big things!
Hope also has a fine art site. Do check her out.

Teach, Law, Life.

Travelin'Oma posted about credentials not too long ago and it got me thinking. Most All of her posts make me think. To answer your question, Oma, yes, you are incredible.
One of her homework assignments posed the question what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted a career where I could make a difference and be successful. Pretty generic, no? But for a 5-year-old? Anyhow...
I have always been a pretty strong debater and known for deviously challenging opinions. I also enjoy digging into information and equipping myself well with knowledge. This all points strongly towards law. Yes law was clearly the field I was destined for. A career choice front runner for many years, I investigated further the requirements. A graduate degree in law, an undergraduate in just about anything and a call to the bar. Simple enough.
I looked into the various fields of practice. Family law, no thank you. Corporate law bored me. Real Estate law, meh. Criminal law, now there was interesting. Off I went to play what if. What if I was a defense lawyer and knew I couldn't morally defend a client? What if I was prosecutor and identified in a case that there were too many technicality errors to convict an accused? The what if game led me to the conclusion that law, while fascinating, just wasn't my destiny.
Another focus had always been education. As a tot, I would arrange pupils (toys, a sister, a very patient cat, etc.), lecture on varied topics, issue assignments, grade imagined papers, use red pens. As a student, I was blessed with many incredible instructors who still inspire me. The seeds they planted have grown into memories I cherish. I researched and learned that there was much more to being a teacher than just teaching and this intrigued me. There was a combined program that I could enroll in to graduate with two degrees, one of my choosing and one geared for education. One entrance requirement was a personal essay about why I wanted to enter the faculty. I was lazy and rebelled. I didn't want to write it. I didn't want to write in X number of words why I wanted to teach. So, I didn't. I wonder had I written the essay and obtained acceptance, how I would be different today.
Today, I am many things including still a student pursuing a degree and designation that I'm uncertain of. I still ask myself often what I want to be when I grow up. I am still certain of my original intentions, to be successful and to make a difference. I am also confident that someday I'll get to where I'm going. My niche is somewhere, I just haven't quite found all the pieces to this elaborate puzzle of Life yet.

Let's Play #171.

Another week of awesome is up over at Friday Fill-ins. Let's see what my beautiful mind comes up with this week.
1. In 1992, I was _____naive to the ways of the world________.
2. ____There are many reasons to fill your life with_____ laughter and smiles.
3. Do what you ____want______, with what you ______have____, where you _____are_____.
4. ______In a little cafe on a street in Paris_______ is where I'd like to be.
5. The trees and flowers are telling me ____everything changes__________.
6. ___I am right about off my rocker and_____ that just keeps going on.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __a movie___, tomorrow my plans include __a visit with my niece___ and Sunday, I want to __catch up on laundry___!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Colour or Color.

I've joined a Team Up Thursday project to help push me creatively. Megan over at Mental Inventory and Melody the HipMomma put this together and set me up with Puna as my partner. They are both fantastic.

Puna and I went with the week eleven theme of Color.

Here is her interpretation:

and mine:

**editted to include Melody as a creator as I'd previously missed her. SORRY MELODY!**

Goodbye!

I became a Stampin' Up demonstrator a year ago. It was a wonderful experience. They make sensational products largely for paper crafters and stampers. I learned many new techniques, stocked my cabinets with a full array of wonderful goodies and then some, pushed myself to create because it is a passion of mine and had a bunch of fun.
I have decided that to free up some time that I will no longer be continuing in my demonstratorship. I will, however, continue being a customer.
In case anyone is interested, I know a fantastic lady who still demonstrates and who would love to pass you on information. If you're Canadian and interested, please let me know. If you're in Winnipeg and interested in joining a stamp club, I know she is kicking one of those together very very soon.

Go! Go!

I have so much on the go right now. I've allowed myself this evening to sit back and soak it all in. There are courses, little people, big people, animals, books, events, excitement and some time to breathe in between.

Time to GO!

...wait, just before I run off, do you understand the picture? what story is it telling you?

The Gargoyle.

If you haven't yet read The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson, I suggest you best run out and do so right away.
It is one of the best love stories I have ever read.
Just read it.

Let's Play #170.

1. All you need is _____a spoon full of sugar________.
2. ____Irony____ fills me with laughter.
3. Each generation, as it grows up, ____learns to appreciate the values of the generations before______.
4. ______Cruelty_______ is something I have a hard time dealing with.
5. A trip to _____Italy_________ is what I need.
6. __Give______ and you get back.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __fun with the kiddies___, tomorrow my plans include __dinner___ and Sunday, I want to __celebrate___!

Go here and play, too!

Mission - April 2010

Welcome back to my missions. It's certainly been some time since I've posted any for a month. Without them, I've find myself wanting them.
Without further ado, here are mine this month:

1. Break a habit.
2. Rearrange the living room.
3. Hang mirror.
4. Finish flooring.
5. Study up!
6. Watch a whole movie in once sitting.
7. Finish reading two books.
8. Dream big.
9. Sew a project.
10. Take/get a family picture.
11. File taxes. (How does this always escape me!)
12. Pass along a baby box of need-no-mores.
13. Write a statement.

Do you have a list this month? Leave a comment with a link to yours.