Around Here

Around here I'm celebrating that Anna's iron levels are finally in the normal range. She's been taking supplements for quite awhile and was released from them by the doctor on Friday. The best thing about that is that she doesn't need any more blood tests anytime soon. Taking toddler to have their blood taken multiple times is not fun for anyone.

Around here I'm wanting to wear more dresses. And get a pair of white jeans. Must be spring.

Around here I'm adding a few new products to my cart at Two Peas. Especially loving Crate Paper's new Portrait Collection.

Around here I'm wishing I lived closer to an Ikea (it's a 2-hour drive).

Around here I'm so feeling so thankful and humbled for the excitement around my Scrapbook On The Road self-paced class. Thank you.

Around here the piles you saw in my office two weeks ago have multiplied and the space on both my desk and my table seem to be getting smaller by the minute.

Around here I finished reading Mama Zen: Walking The Crooked Path of Motherhood and immediately ordered Karen's other book Hand Wash Cold: Care Instructions For An Ordinary Life. I really liked Mama Zen. It fit me, the place I'm at, and where I want to be. It's actually helped me a couple times this past week when I was close to having not-so-good-mama-moments. There were quite a few places throughout the book that really spoke to me - it's likely that I will read it again.

Around here I walked into the living room on Saturday night to find Simon sitting on the floor snuggling with Lily. It was super precious and special and not something he does often.

Around here I loved listening to Jen Lee's new Story Simple recording over at the Wish Studio. "Rainbow. Rainbow." I love that.

Around here Adele's new album 21 is on repeat.

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91 thoughts

  1. Jen L says…
    03/08/2011

    I am so loving your Scrapbooking on the Road project that I purchased the other day. The videos are great and the handouts perfect. To anyone who is on the fence, order it. You will be glad you did. I swung by Etsy to look for some supplies (a lot of the ones you suggested were sold out. Boo) and I found some fab 7 Gypsies items. Can't wait until they come in the mail! And I really can't wait for Alaska this summer :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      Cool Jen - thanks for the great feedback!

  2. marisa says…
    03/08/2011

    Glad the iron stuff is over. Went through that with a few of my children for so long. Now I am going through the same thing after a major surgery. At least I know what to expect :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Rosa says…
    03/08/2011

    So glad to hear no more shots for Anna! I had to take one of my sons for regular blood testing for allergies starting at 10 months... not fun at all. Also, love your dress and boots. :) We will not be having spring anytime soon here in Maine... just got 2 feet of snow over the past two days. It always surprises me to see pictures with grass in them at this time of the year.

    Thanks for posting books that you read. I've just started Sabbath: and am loving it. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Liz Ness says…
    03/08/2011

    Thanks for the pointer to the Wish Studio (and Jen -- LOVE hearing Jen speak her words. Something so powerful in that. Still, in awe over your introduction of her in your Y&T class -- she inspires so much in me. Maybe that's how it is with story tellers? We just cannot get enough?).

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      I think so Liz :).

  5. Johanna says…
    03/08/2011

    I guess you took this photo using the self-timer again, right? As I have a hard time getting friends with my focus when using the self-timer, Would you mind sharing how you set the focus when working with it? Thanks!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      For that one I didn't do anything special - just set the camera on a chair and pushed the button and ran around to the front :). Depending on how far away I am from the camera for the shot, sometimes I'll stick my hand out in front of the camera and push the shutter button half-way down to get it to focus before pushing it all the way down and running around to take the shot.

      LOTS of experimentation.

  6. Anna Aspnes says…
    03/08/2011

    LOVE the boots A (but then I am a shoe girl :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. abbeyviolet says…
    03/08/2011

    I keep wanting to wear more dresses too, but find myself not putting them on in the morning. I think I need to find mroe that seem workable for everyday WAHM life. Any suggestions are appreciated!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      Those are the kinds I'm looking for too :). I've been looking at JCrew and Anthropologie...still looking.

    2. Tina says…
      03/09/2011

      Love the dress Ali - you look great in it! I often like Title Nine and Patagonia's dresses for clothes you can also wear around the house with kids.

  8. Karen says…
    03/08/2011

    Glad Anna is well. I remember a blood draw on one of my babies when they were 10 months old.....sooo strong, soooo scared, took four adults to get the needle in and hold baby. So glad you don't have to do that with your girl regularly anymore!

    I haven't read Mama Zen, I'll have to check her out. Anything that helps usher in calm waters when they are rough, choppy, and threatening to grow larger is a sweet thing.

    Another sweet bit? Those sibling cuddles. They just make the heart sweell...well, I know they make mine swell with joy. And while I'm sure it brings a smile to almost any parent's face, when autism is a factor (as it is in our family too), it is all the more special. :>

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Melissa Fey says…
    03/08/2011

    DONT DO IT!! This is OREGON - there are NO white pants here! White pants only look good in the store. Or maybe in places like LA or NYC. They will be dirty in the cuffs before you even get from the car to a starbucks. lol! ;P

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      HA! That's why I'm looking for ankle length!

  10. Sara says…
    03/08/2011

    Hi Ali! That picture of you is so cute! May I ask where you got those cute boots? Thanks!!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      Those are from Boden about 4 or 5 years ago.

  11. Debbie S. says…
    03/08/2011

    Awesome document...really cool words + photo. So happy for you with Anna...our daughter had seizures and was in treatment from 5 years to around 13. Worry roller coaster I'm glad we're all off of.

    Ditto on those boots with that dress...and the white jeans. :)

    SO intrigued about the On the Road class...maybe when I finish Y & T! Which I am LOVING...and OLW...both are really really cool. Great materials and love your teaching style, Ali!

    Have a great day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Vicki says…
    03/08/2011

    Hi!
    Glad to hear Anna's levels are good!

    Ali, I was wondering if you would be able to hook me up with someone who might have a set of the PINK PAISLEE page protectors that I can buy off of them.

    I have posted on the class site as well. If anyone is reading this and has a set please e-mail me at mama2joey@msn.com

    Fingers crossed and waiting patiently in Canada,
    Vicki

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Sarah says…
    03/08/2011

    hey Ali! If you ever want to do a trip to IKEA, I am ALWAYS game! I just made a trip this weekend...fun new outdoor stuff too! Seriously, if you need a IKEA road-trip partner...lemme know! cheers!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      That would be awesome Sarah - I'd love to go with you sometime!

  14. Regina says…
    03/08/2011

    Oh Ali. I'm loving your scrapbook on the road class. I just read that you're thinking of doing one for Disney. I have tons of pics from a December Disney trip. Can't wait for your class to be posted.

    Regina

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Trena says…
    03/08/2011

    Adele's new album is rocking in my car, on my work computer, and on my iPod. Love her!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Julie-Ann says…
    03/08/2011

    I cannot stop listening to the new Adele either, it's amazing! Just got tickets to see her in May!

    Hooray about Anna, and I agree, that dress looks fab on you (and I'm jealous, I want one)!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Anne says…
    03/08/2011

    ditto on Adele's new album!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Kristy says…
    03/08/2011

    I LOVE the boots.....has anyone asked where they are from?! (if not, where are they from?!) :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      They are from Boden - about 4 or 5 years ago :).

  19. rhonda says…
    03/08/2011

    Yeah so happy for Anna no more poking! This 40 something woman has a bad thyroid and has blood test guite often and I am petrified of needles takes all my will not to passout.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Tanya Watson says…
    03/08/2011

    you look great in the dress Ali its a really nice dress....glad to hear Anna is all good now and fingers crossed for no more blood test poor wee thing....its amazing how they remember my son last year had a boil that got squeezed so many times by the doctors and speiclist and ended up having to have it drained with an operation anyway this year hes back at the specialist to look at getting mroe grommets put in and he remembers last year and screams every time they call his name hes fine up till the point where they call his name i was so amazed that he just broke down and started screaming breaks my heart, hes 3 years old now so was just over 2 when it all happened great memory he has which isnt' good for him in this case....hugs for wee Anna :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. COEngrGirl says…
    03/08/2011

    Great photo, Ali. So glad Anna is done w/ blood draws... had awful experiences wiht that as a kid, myself! I've been feeling dresses more over the past year, too. Gotta have great boots to go with. Finally, I've been missing the IKEA love for the past 5 years. The nearest one has been the one in UT, about 8 hours! But it's all about to change....IKEA is coming to Denver THIS YEAR! It's slated to open in the fall. Yahoo!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Christine @ Coffees & Commutes says…
    03/08/2011

    The thought of a spring smock is simply scintillating!

    Also, I'm a huge fan of Karen Miller. Hand, Wash, Cold had a profound impact on my life almost a year ago. She set me on a path of incredible self-inquiry. She is truly an amazing women and mentor. If you are interested, I wrote about it and would be happy to share the link.

    I could also suggest a few other fantastic reads if you like!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      Always open to new book suggestions!

  23. Désirée says…
    03/08/2011

    Hi Ali, So sorry to tell you that where I live, here in the Netherlands (near Rotterdam), I can choose between 2 Ikea's, both within half an hour drive. Again, my apologies....

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Jane Pearce says…
    03/08/2011

    LOve the dress and your boots Ali. Like you I have been dresses and skirts more often lately, probably because we are coming out of our summer here in Australia.
    I drive an hour and a half to get to a big supermarket and it is a 7 hour drive to my nearest Ikea. Needless to say we dont get to Ikea as often as we would like. Wish we had a Home Depot or POttery Barn like you do have in the US.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. jamie slay says…
    03/08/2011

    Love Adele! Wouldn't really know about Ikea-it is over 5 hours away! Hate that! Hate even more that Anthropologie is about the same!! Love good iron levels!

    Reply 0 Replies

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