December Daily 2010 | Day Fifteen

Ali you are so much more than a teacher of digital and scrapbook design. The values you share with us, your readers, is the gift you always give. You are a wise, wise woman.

Must be the month for moles. One of mine said adios yesterday. Use sunscreen and take VitD!

Ok, I am teary-eyed, but in a warm & fuzzy way. PS - so is my husband. We didn't exactly argue last night, but one of our challenges of raising our wonderful Aspergers daughter is how we sometimes have differences in opinion on what is working, what isn't, what is too much sensory overload, what isn't....this hit us in a noisy restaurant last night. There is such a fine balance between exposing and overdoing some experiences. Your lovely words are a reminder to both of us to let our kids be who they are and respect their feelings and thank them for trying, even when things don't work out as we expect them to. A loving and happy life is what we both want so much for our precious kids. Thanks.

My book isn't really very far along. My daughter-in-law stopped by to scrap with me last night, so I skipped ahead to my day 15 and made it about our scrapping evening. I figure that's okay . . . I'm in the moment for at least one day. Maybe will be able to stay caught up now through the rest of the month AND work the earlier pages I missed. She and I decided we would continue on with quarterly books for next year - working together on them when possible. We decided we'll commit to make several days for each moonth of each quarter even if we cannot find time for every day. You've inspired each of us!

Best wishes, Ali!

I love that journaling - and that little red hand-stitched heart.

Your journaling really tugs at my heart.

I really enjoy reading your journaling. Try as I might, mine always comes out like a play-by-play. I think I need a creative writing class.

Thanks, Ali. I too have been holding on to my Starbucks wrapper. (Had to buy their tall Christmas mug too! As a scrapbooker, I love the slogan "Stories are Gifts to Share." Thanks again for the motivation to now do a special page for my daughter and son. I turn 50 next month and since I am finally approaching that point of "I Am Enough," it's time to do an album of my stories. Peace & strength to you, Ali.

Ooh, made me cry! Love it. Had just written something along these lines for my children, so this touched a cord.

A bittersweet note with the sunscreen. Sending good health wishes your way.

I love the jolly card!! Where can I find one?? I love the snowflake idea & the coffee sleeve!! Adorable!! Oh, the stitched heart is pretty cute too! Thanks for the inspiration! :)

Hi Ali,

I just saw in your twitter about Chris's stocking. In my husband's there is always a few scratch off tickets ( his favorite) big snickers bar, gift card to Red Lobster ( really that's for us,lol) razors, duct tape (his second favorite thing) hand/feet warmers, 3 packs of chapsticks, small bag of chips ( just like the kids) new hat, these he gets every year then I try to add something new or different that I see while shopping. We have big stockings in our house, we all love the stockings the best, even before the gifts. The kids are begging me this year to let them have their stockings first, going to make them wait though as long as I can though, lol. Hope this helps Ali.

Thanks for the reminder that not every day needs a photo and to journal about anything. I keep thinking I need to write about what we do every day and boy does that get boring.

Oh Ali how sweet! I totally love those snowflakes, and the handstitched heart... But the journaling, it's just so sweet. Those are all the things I wish for my daughter too and now I'm feeling the need to write then down somewhere!

It was super nice to see that you did sew by hand the heart instead of the machine. I liked that option!
Also with that same train of thought, if you have a snowflake punch you can get the same effect and or make your own by hand like we use to in school. :)

Wow, Ali, can I just steal every single idea of yours from today? What a beautiful and beautifully heartfelt set of pages. :)

Sigh, I wish my journaling came out like this. Written so well and clearly from the heart of a mother.

You have a wonderful way with words Ali.

I find some days words like this just can't come for me. How do you keep up that fabulous, heartfelt, perfectly written journaling day in day out during December?

Replying to your twitter about Chris' stocking...

For my husband I usually put some Christmas candy in there, a new toothbrush (everyone gets one of those!), batteries, a Christmas ornament or a figurine for his desk at work - just some little thing if I happen to see one during the year I know he'll love, maybe a pair of novelty boxer shorts, handmade coupons for a night out at the movies or to hire pros to do the lawn a few times, gift cards to the bar he & his coworkers occasionally frequent. I know in my stocking he always tucks a paperback book from my favorite author.

Hope you get some good ideas! It's a hard stocking to fill!

I love this idea! There were two days in the beginning of December where I worked ALL DAY and seriously forgot to take photos! Now I know what to do! Thanks Ali!

What a wonderful letter to your family. You and your family are very fortunate. So very nice.

I've been focusing so much on photos AND stories that I haven't even thought to just do some journaling. Thanks for the inspiration!

Ali, I have my fingers crossed that you get good results in time for a wonderful, worry-free Christmas.
I am constantly inspired by how you incorporate the difficult moments in life. You don't whitewash leaving the impression of a perfect life but neither do you dwell. Instead it is little hints or stories of lessons learned and new achievements. Thank you for sharing the wonderful balance in your memorykeeping.