Snow Day, Joy Day

So I got the call...at 5:25 AM to be exact (not a time when I like to receive phone calls as I am a bit of a night owl) with the automated message that school had been canceled due to inclement weather. I immediately crept down to the boys' room (quietly so as not to awaken our 4-legged family members) to let Ian know he didn't have school. Actually I was just going to turn off his alarm clock so that he could sleep in (trying to be the "kewl" momma here) but he stirred a bit so I just told him. He mumbled something that resembled, "thanks" and drifted off to Slumberland again.

I've been using the day to clean,  to scrap,  to catch up on bill paying,  emails, and other daily duties. The boys have played a bit on the Wii-Mickey's Epic Adventure and they did some sledding as well. (Right now they are gearing back up after a quick lunch to head over to the NDN's house to sled. Our neighbors have a bit more of a slope to their backyard making for longer sledding runs + more fun).
Here are a few pics from this am. Some are overexposed but I'm not going to worry about it-maybe I won't even post them. -lol All are taken through our muddled-with-canine-slobber French doors.
Any blur to my photos other than the natural bokeh from my fixed lens...yes, you guessed it...slobber!

 My Girls...Bella and Lily. Both rescued. One found within 1/4 mile of our house in the median of a busy street, a pellet lodged in her metatarsals, the other, dumped in our backyard at about 8 weeks old, bitten and riddled with infection, near death--in the bitter cold of winter!!!
They have a much happier life now, no? Can you tell they love their momma? :-) Look how attentive they are and no food in sight!



Love the little tidbits of snowflakes perched atop her nose and mouth. Lots of great sniffing and snuffing going on as she raced through the snowdrifts.This girl l-o-v-e-s the snow. You would think she was a husky. (She's actually basenji/boxer/boston terrier mix. No pitbull in her. (Although I think pit bulls get a bad rap-they are so sweet-It's ALL about the owners. It always is about the owners). Really. I got her genetically tested to find out what she was.

This girl looks like a husky but she's actually a lab/shepherd/chow mix:

She's our Sentinel. Keeper of the Property. Watch dog Extraordinaire. Here she is at work.

And Rudy, well, Rudy (our yellow lab-the only one with a pedigree of our pack) was out for a bit this am, but since Bella is high energy, I give him a beak from her now and then, good ole aging boy that his is. When Rudy and Bella are together it's high energy meets low energy. Think Foghorn Leghorn meets up with the Lil Chickenhawk. Is that enough of a visual for you? Ok...no? Well then, think Eeyore meeting up with Scrappy Doo or the Tazmanian Devil. Yeah, now you're getting the picture!

Clearly, the pics below are the shots that are overexposed (I didn't change out my ISO from it's indoor setting) but they show Bella fulling enJOYing herself, tearing through the snow like a greyhound.

Hmm...wonder if the genetic testing might have been erroneus?

 Here with her ears flopping up-I actually see the Basenji i nher (She does have many of the traits and personality of a basenji-it is what she is mostly made up of. -lol)

Happy Snow Day (Joy Day) to any of you out there that are lucky enough to have one!

My ONE LITTLE WORD-Title Page

Finally getting my pics posted of my OLW title page. Amidst homeschooling, taxicabbing the boys to their extracurriculars and domestic goddess responsibilities, I finally found a few minutes to complete the opening page/s:

 A little stickles to the joy for added simple/special detail:

 "Joy to you..." foil cut down from one of my holiday Dove Peppermint Bar Chocolate lovelies. Stapled with tiny attacher.

 Page nearly complete.

 Felt flat to me...so I added a bit of dimension with K&Co 3-dimensional felt floral stickers.

Layout complete! Think this is one that I will enjoy and will stand the test of time through the years.

I Knew Will Smith was a Class Act...

...and this video just confirms it. Check it out:

So many gems in this video but one that especially resonated with me was this:

"If YOU are not making someone ELSE's life better, then you are WASTING your time." - Will Smith
                                      

Finding My One Little Word in Music...

...and in Cyberspace today.
I was checking my blog and perusing a few others who have been following mine when I came across this video that was tweeted on this blog-following-cyberspace-friend-of-mine here. I clicked on the tweet and it sent me to this lovely website: http://www.owlhaven.net.

So here is the video:

I particularly was drawn to the lyric at the bottom "Outside my Own Little World-It's Population Me."
It struck a chord with me that the lyrics were very similar to my "One Little Word"- J.O.Y. {Putting Jesus + Others ahead of Yourself (in this case, myself); being less ego-centric, less self-centered}. Focusing on the bigger picture. Placing Numero Uno Himself at the forefront of our/my daily life.

Thank you Matthew West for inspiring us all through your motivational + inspirational music and messages.
Life is more J.O.Y.-ful with you in it!


Suz

Moving Forward | 2011

I received this in my "inbox" this morning, and while I have received a similar email to this in the past, I think this one has been modified for the new year.
I love this whole email, but in regards to my One Little Word (OLW) I love numbers 8, 26, 28, 33, 34 and 38.


Speak kindly, Care deeply, Laugh often!

Health:

1.    Drink plenty of water.

2.    Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3.    Eat more foods that grow ON trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants..

4.    Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

5.    Make time to pray.

6.    Play more games

7.    Read more books than you did in 2010 .

8.    Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

9.    Sleep at least 7 hours.

Take a 10-30 minute walk daily.  And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts on things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13. Don't over do.  Keep your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake

17. Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.

18. Forget issues of the past.  Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes in the past, that will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.  Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime

23. Smile and laugh more.

You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree...

Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70, and under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch.

 Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

37. The best is yet to come...

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.  (Be J.O.Y.-ful!)

Next Read

...Ethan and I are going to embark on a literary journey and read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader as a Literature unit and along with it, I plan to read this:

{Pick your favorite cover, I believe they are all different editions of the same book (but don't hold me to that)-lol }



...to go along with my One Little Word.

De-Junking...En-J.O.Y.ing

...my life today. Ethan and I watched a DVD this am on De-Junking Your Life. I loved the acronyms the speaker used to help oneself get organized and de-junked.

The first one was perfect regarding my One Little Word (OLW):

J.A.K.E

as in:

J: Junk

A: Always

K: Kills

E: Effectiveness

Or, in my translation of it's meaning, "Junk Always Kills Joy."

When do I ever feel joy or feel better about my current life situation when there is clutter and "junk" in it? Whether emotional or physical junk? 

Really. De-junking my life will only help me to en-J.O.Y. more of my life.

(Something to think about as I go about my year and a tiny little acronym I may want to place higher up on my priority list-right up there by J.O.Y.)
Guess I had best get to work!

Time to call 1-800-GOT JUNK (Think they accept junky brains? lol)

Later...

Suz

Minute to Win it? or Shake Weight?

You decide.

Getting Crafty Goes Scientific

So yesterday Ethan and I were home, schooling ;-), and we opened up a package of these.

 And we then added a few other items and tools to the mix:

 And got to work:

 Making this. Care to guess what it is?

 Think science (not floriculture though).

 More specifically, think of the brain and the nervous system.


Ok, if that doesn't help...here is what it really represents:  A multicolored neuron, complete with axon, dendrites, soma and synaptic terminal. Nothing like using art to aid with learning science, right? Especially when you have a child who is a kinesthetic learner and a mom who loves to craft!

1.11.11 Finding J.O.Y. from Across the Pond

Just had to type that title today. I love it when numbers are neat and tidy. It's a little of my OCD kicking into gear. (I must confess the gas station is another place where it kicks in, I have to end the dollar value on an even dollar amount. If I don't, then it either has to be an even tenth or quarter that it ends on.  For example, $20.00, or $20.10 or $20.50.
$20.23 simply will not do.
I know, I'm goofy like that!)

So today I open up my email and find a little J.O.Y. sent from my new blogging friend, Lou, who hails from the United Kingdom. She sent this message, which I hope she doesn't mind me sharing with you:


"Hi Suz,
These are the scans from my bible study that made me think of you. The first (from Saturday) was all about establishing good habits including regular prayer and bible study (and boy, do I need to do that!) and the second from Monday was all about being blessed by giving to others. They both made me think of you and your word. It's funny how God works in ways like this. Your word and blog are influencing my life and I live across that great big pond. Fab stuff!
 
Wishing you lots of Blessings and a JOYful day!
Lou"


How sweet is she? How thoughtful too!


Anyways, these are the scanned images from her bible studies. I enJOYed them so much I thought I'd share the J.O.Y. with you!

These excerpts resonate with me. I hope they do with you too. A little J.O.Y-ful fodder to indulge in for today; this 1.11.11.




Have a J.O.Y.-filled day everyone! Be back soon!

JOY in My Weekend

So my weekend started out with this little bit of joy:

A little bit of "Glee." Singing along with my dear friend  Lexi to "Bust a Move." Lots of laughs and funny faces and grooves! And a bit of scrapping was completed as well.  :-)

More joy was to be found when I looked out my window (after working out on the treadmill) to see this little fella: (I think he/she is a ferriginous hawk but my conservationalist Uncle G could probably confirm or deny this).

 More joy in the fellowship of neighbors + friends. Listening to our lil neighbor T singing us a little tune. (Love how she is holding the guitar. She actually was attempting to play it that way!)

 More joy in seeing my youngest acting out in a nuturing, loving way when he requested to hold Baby B:

 She didn't mind at all, in fact, I think she is quite comfortable and restful in his arms, no?

And yet more joy in a few round of Pitch while eating some homemade beef stew, hard rolls and chocolate chip cookies.

What kind of joy did you find in your weekend?

Finding Joy in...

...a beautiful sunrise (yes, I was actually up early enough to enJOY it)!

...a new washing machine (and dryer) that actually washes (and that chirps out a little diddy at the end of the cycle to let me know it is done washing). Goodbye washer from 1994...you served us well. And for that, I thank you.

...a young boy who loves to cook and to serve people (He took the initiative to slice up cheese and add pepperoni to the crackers and present them to our family guests on a platter! (So sweet, that little dude!)

Funny How...

...my word (J.O.Y.) keeps popping up in various situations throughout my day. Boo (aka Ethan) just came downstairs after reading his The Lost Hero book and wanted to translate some Latin to English utilizing the Mac. I helped him find a free online dictionary. He said he wanted "...to see if my book is right." I asked, "What do you mean to see if your book is right?"
He said a character named Jason says to another character in the book,
"You know that Festus means happy in Latin."

(Oh, ok...so we looked it up and the definition was: "happy, joyful").

Rather serendipitous, no?
Funny where homeschooling will lead you!

Free to Post...

...this little bit of news and JOYfulness:

I was chosen to be the Guest Designer at FreeHand Scraps kit club for the month of March! I am so honored and excited to be a contributor to this awesome kit club and hope you take a few minutes out of your blogging schedule to check FreeHand Scraps out! (Click on red colored link above to get straight to the site).

Have a beautiful and J.O.Y.-ful day!
Hugs,
Suz

Joy Quote of the Week

I found this quote online last night as I was searching for quotes pertaining to my One Little Word, J.O.Y.
(Jesus, Others, Yourself):
      

                          
I found it quite fitting for my acronym of joy. Have a blessed week everyone!

Finding Joy Today...

...I opened up my email inbox this morning and got some exciting news that I just can't quite divulge yet...but I promise I will just as soon as I can.

(And no, I'm not pregnant! I am 42 now...really. NOT pregnant. I didn't take in another animal either! lol)

Finding J.O.Y in 2011

Happy 2011 Everyone! Hope your New Year's Eve was safe, healthy and reflective. I know as I begin this journey into 2011, I find myself looking back--thinking about those loved ones I have lost in the last 12 months and my loved ones who have lost others/lost something (marriages, pets, jobs, etc) as well.  However, in reflecting back on people or things I have lost or have less of, I find myself wanting more.
Yes, re-read that sentence again. I really meant what I typed.
I want more.

Wanting to make more (actually the most) of my time here on earth.
Wanting to be  more productive.
Wanting to make more of a difference.
Wanting  more to not take each day for granted.
Wanting more to not take relationships for granted.
Wanting more to not take God for granted.
Wanting to find more ...joy.

JOY as in:

1. Jesus -Putting him first in my daily routine, beginning each day with some quiet moments in prayer and reflection and praise. Prioritizing my life to put Him first and to try to consciously keep Him the priority throughout my day. (In which case, I really need to rearrange and priortize my "wants" in the above paragraph appropriately.

2. Others: Developing, nurturing and growing my servant's heart. Some days I do this well, but truthfully and sadly, many days I fall short of exhibiting a servant's heart with a selfless, positive attitude. Many times I find myself resentful of the daily "yuk"-the things that need to get done, to be put away, to be cleaned up, things that can and oftentimes are overlooked and unappreciated by my family. Just being honest here.
But, perhaps, if I change my attitude toward service and remember that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples without a complaint, than who am I to have a begrudging, bad attitude when it comes to serving others, especially my family? Why is it sometimes we have a kinder, my gracious, generous, selfless attitude when we serve strangers, or acquaintances than we do our own "family?" Is it because they are so much more appreciative or is it possibly, (just possibly) that the attitude I serve with is diversely different?
Just musing out loud here.

3. Myself: Putting my self last, (well, actually in this case, third, if we're counting). Not to the extent that I am a doormat for others to walk all over, but placing myself last because the realization has hit me over this past year(s) that when I have followed the sequencing of the acronym above, I have found myself to be happier, more-fulfilled, and more content. When I haven't ordered daily life in this sequence, I have found myself feeling frustrated, resentful and taken for granted. How must Jesus feel to know I've put him last on so many occasions?

I'm just sayin, as Dr. Phil says, "Well, how's that been workin' fer ya?"
To that I respond, "Not so great."

So, I'm moving forward to 2011, with a hope and some prayers, that I will spend the next 365 days (God willing) living and serving a

 "J.O.Y.-ful" life, with a selfless spirit and servant's heart.

Props out to Ali E for providing the impetus for me embarking on this year long journey with her little online class entitled "One Little Word." Click here for more info: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/classes.php