Long time no blog!

It has been over a year since I have added anything to my blog, not that I was very good to begin with! I am going to try, once again, to keep up with this, but taking a different path. I have been on a Journey to better health and well being and it has been successful so far although, like most challenging journeys, it is far from over. I am going to attempt to document some of that journey here, simply for my own benefit.

So, what type of Journey...well the getting healthy kind. I have been inspired by other blogs cathyzielske mybestlifedotcom and I have been following badassfitness and eatcleandiet. These women have inspired me from a far but right here in my own neighborhood is an amazing personal trainer, who runs her business out of her garage...I love walking down the block and getting my butt kicked! Janine McGann is an inspiration to so many and she only works with women, she promotes a Balanced lifestyle and knows what it is like to be a mom, to 3 boys, a wife and a "working" woman. She sees the beauty in each woman that walks through her door and in turn inspires us to inspire others.
This all started last June when I was sent a photo by a kind mom who had taken my picture with my daughter and hers and thought I would like to have the picture. When I opened the email I was horrified...was that me? I knew my weight had been going up but I was shocked to see it right there. It wasn't just that, I looked like an older than my age woman, who didn't care how she looked walking out the front door. How could I inspire my daughter to be her best if this is what she saw as the example...my poor husband who loves me and never said a word. I knew I had to do something. My daughter is on a year round calendar at school so when she started 3rd grade on July 8th I began my journey.
I am proud of what I have accomplished but know I have so much more I want to achieve. I fell of the wagon at the holidays with house guests etc, the usual excuses and I have had a hard time recommitting. I am hoping by Jounaling my Journey here I can hold my self more accountable and get where I want and deserve to be!

So this is the shocker!!! I don't have an after at the moment but I have lost almost 30 pounds since this but my hair is still as scary...until March 30th when I will do something about that too! I do the typical mom thing, make an appointment and cancel because of something more important. It is time to consider my self just as important. Maybe some new "intimates" would be a good idea...what am I wearing, the only thing I could at the time I guess. I will be so happy to look back at this as a before photo. I will try to find a "work in progress" photo soon. But you know I have been hiding from cameras for years...sad to think I have missed so many opportunities to be captured in photos with my sweet girl!
So off to make my lunch and wash some windows...spring cleaning is upon us!

I also started knitting so I will have some hand knit crafty goodies next time...no more scary pictures!
It is good to be back.

Some Valentine Fun

Trying to keep up with my blog now that all the fun is over for a week or two at PTI. I did a couple of Mish style notebooks for the teachers and just simple little "covers" for the M&M's for the kids in class. They just tear through them and throw them away so I hate using all my good stuff for that.

 

We had a few friends over on Sunday for some Valentine fun and the girls made Crayon Hearts and some little notebook cover and various cards or bookmarks with my supplies. We dipped fruit in chocolate and the Moms had coffee and homemade chocolate chip cookies!

 

Emily wanted me to put her crayon hearts on my blog so here they are and the bookmark she made for Daddy and hand print Valentine we made at school!

 

I made a quick Valentine for my sweetie using Dawn's Top 10 set and I like how it turned out, not too mushy!

I didn't get a card this year...but I did get Micheal Buble tickets!!!! The concert isn't until July but I don't mind, I am just excited to be going to see him again. We went to see him on Valentine's Day 11 years ago...he has come a long way since then. We have seen him one other time in between and he never disappoints!

So, now I am going to work on the February blog hop and hope to be crafting up a storm!

Thanks for looking,

Victoria

PTI Paint by Number Challenge

This was a real challenge!

My colors were Kraft, Enchanted Evening, Spring Rain, Aqua Mist and white. I am not sure I got them right because I have a sampler pack of paper but it has been opened and the patterned paper I believe is Aqua Mist...I am hoping.

Just getting this in tonight, must get some sleep I am teaching 2nd grade tomorrow!

Thanks for looking,
Victoria

PTI Embossed Resist Challenge

This is a record for me and the old blog...I am loving it. I even took the time to put in a custom header and picture and fancy up the title...it was fun, maybe I am on a roll!

Anyway I tried the embossing technique on Nicole's new video and it was the first time I have tried this so I was pleased with the results.

 

It still seems to be missing something but I didn't have much time to play. The little charm heart is a little shrinky dink that I made with the girls for Valentines's Day last year and they made necklaces with the PTI Heart Print stamps. It was lots of fun and I made a few extra.

Anyway, thanks for looking and I am just loving all the festivities with Papertrey's anniversary...they rock!

Last PTI challenge for today.

I really love these colors, I don't use them much but this blue and orange just seem to say Birthday fun! Thought I would do a card but I guess I just wasn't in the mood for cards today!

Tried to work on the photos a bit and jazz things up. I used my Ott light that I have for sewing, not bad for how late it is.


Happy 3rd birthday Nicole and PTI, you certainly know how to make our wishes come true!

Thanks for stopping by.
Victoria

PTI Anniversary Continued!

Here we go 2nd try this time with Becky's image. I just love this little scene, did it remind anyone else of Up! and Ellie's house going on an adventure. I thought at first of "Home Sweet Home" but for some reason I started to see this in a nursery welcoming a new little one home...a different kind of "birth" day!

I am having so much fun on our snow day, with school cancelled and I didn't have to sub...although I could use the money...especially with such a big release coming up!

Anyway, thanks for looking and I am off to play some more!
Victoria

Happy Birthday PTI !!!!

I managed to get a project finished to add to Mr. Linky for PTI's birthday celebration! The first one is a small party favor pail using Pine's "rustic whimsy" cupcake. It just jumped out at me to be paired up with the paper I just got at Archivers! The biggest problem I always have is the photography...some day I will have a real camera!

Thanks for looking!
Victoria