Around Here

Last week in my 52 Lifts Newsletter I invited readers to play along with a journaling prompt about "Currently," "Around Here," or "Right Now" and post on a blog or create a layout to share today. You are invited to link to your own post/project below. Here are my words:

Watching Anna. She's a little sparkler.

Packing for Ireland. Figuring out what to take and what to leave behind. Currently creating some custom journal cards for the people coming along on the adventure.

Paying attention to Simon and how he's adapting to the new school schedule. Looking for that balance between jumping in to "fix things" immediately and letting him adapt to things on his own. Finding that his recovery time after major frustrations seems to be a little less than when he was younger - celebrating those steps.

Listening to talk radio again and the new Mumford & Sons.

Cooking comfort food. This week it's crock pot lasagna (decent but still not really as great as baked) and pork verde (super simple 2 ingredient: (1) pork tenderloin and (2) jar of Trader Joes Salsa Verde) for tacos.

Celebrating Katie & Peter returning home from their European adventure and beyond excited that they got engaged along the way. The kids are ready for them to have their wedding right now. Also celebrating her first week of work here as my assistant. #changingmylife

Waiting for December when I can get the new iphone (waiting for my contract to be up). I'm pretty happy with the iphone4 camera so I'm pretty much beyond excited to see what the iphone5 camera can do. I find it takes so many of my photos these days because of the size and simplicity.

Savoring some time on my own, including my drives up the freeway to visit Greg (where I can often be found listening to music in my car really, really loud). In the beginning that time away from my kids was tremendously hard and heart-wrenching. I felt like I couldn't breathe and it was all I could do to just make it through those weekends in one piece. Eventually I grew to appreciate that time (even before dating), especially knowing it was important for them to spend time with Chris.

Planning for and even dreaming about December Daily. So much to do when I get home from my October travels. Planning to post foundation pages in late October.

Working on relaxing, chilling out, not getting too far ahead of myself and not always taking things so seriously.

Loving updates from my parents as they transition to a dream-come-true, new-to-them house on the coast. I told my Mom she should start a blog about their adventures of fixing up and moving in.

Reading The Reinvention of Edison Thomas which was recommended by Simon's developmental pediatrician.

Bundling up as the weather begins to change around here. Hello fall. Looking in my closet and knowing I need some updates, including some new jeans, but having zero desire to actually go shopping.

SHARE A LINK TO YOUR WORDS (OR LAYOUT)


You're invited to include a link to your writing or layout here. Please link directly to your post vs. your general blog link.


I also wanted to share a cool craft project that Therm O Web is supporting that is currently underway: American Patchwork & Quiltings 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge. "American Patchwork & Quilting is challenging you to help us reach our goal of donating one million pillowcases to local charities. Many charities can benefit from the donation of a pillowcase and the challenge gives you the opportunity to donate and make a difference in your community." Check out Them O Web's blog today for examples and more information on participating.

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89 thoughts

  1. Right Now says…
    09/27/2012

    [...] Now Ali Edwards invited readers to share about their worlds by doing a [I]right now[I] layout or blog post. I wrote about it (and [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Jenni Hufford says…
    09/27/2012

    this is so great to read!! and YES your mom should start a blog :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Angie says…
    09/27/2012

    Everybody loves their iphone camera, and while it does take great pictures, I've been very disappointed on the printed version of the pictures. What am I doing wrong? Any hints for a non-Mac, non-tech tools person who is dying to be able to use my phone camera more often? I'm a non-digital Project Lifer.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Abby P says…
      09/27/2012

      Chimming in, Angie, I too use my i-Phone 4S for almost ALL my PL photos. It's handiness is unbelieveable. I found my photos weren't coming out very crisp (I print at home). Cathy Zielske (another scrappin' goddess) suggested I download DropBox - you can put it on a PC, Mac - whatever. You also download the App on your i-Phone. ALL FREE! When you take photos on your i-Phone, just tap the DropBox app and your photos upload. Great quality!

    2. jenr says…
      09/27/2012

      Angie-
      I know I am not Ali :-) but I thought I would respond to this because I used to get very frustrated about this also. Like Ali, I have become a huge iPhone pic taker and looking forward to my 5 upgrade--for the camera alone. My husband teases me--it's the iPhone not the iCamera. Anyway, Printstagram was recommended to me for my pics from the camera. I think I payed $12 for 24 pics + shipping. They are 4x4 pics (there are other options)and I have enjoyed using that size for my memory keeping on certain projects. While that seems like alot, the pics come out great and on great quality paper. I really only do an order every month and half or so--so it is not too bad.
      Ali probably can offer a lot more suggestions because she is much more versed in this, but wanted to help before too much frustration sets in :-)

  4. Right Now. « Lulu says…
    09/27/2012

    [...] And linking to Ali Edwards’ wonderful blog, the inspiration for this post. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. Tags real life, right now Categories Life [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Currently | sidandrooney.com says…
    09/27/2012

    [...] along with Ali Edwards today in sharing a piece of what is happening currently in my [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Currently… | Wendolonia says…
    09/27/2012

    [...] joining Ali Edwards and many other people and documenting what is happening in my life right now today. What are you up [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Kim says…
    09/27/2012

    I'll do that a little bit later today, but I wanted to say that I guess I'm a little ahead of the game in terms of December Daily. I made my first album and posted it here on my blog. http://writecraftbe.com/2012/09/25/december-daily-album-2012/ I've never made one before, so I thought I'd try it this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Wendy S, says…
    09/27/2012

    As always, love your post! Curious if there is supposed to be difference in the iPhone 5 vs. iPhone 4s camera?

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Deirdre says…
    09/27/2012

    When I read your newsletter, I immediately thought--YES, I want to do that. And then the days got filled and I lost the thought. Yesterday I randomly read Katrina Kenison's blog, a favorite author of mine. Her post was inspired by your "I want to remember" post earlier this month. I immediately started writing and just posted.

    I'd like to do the -ing thing another time, but for now, I'm just grateful to have captured a bit of what our life is like right now. Thank you so much for the inspiration you've been in memory-keeping, blogging, and "living-life-well-ing."

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Danielle says…
    09/27/2012

    I have seen the photos from the Iphone 5's camera and oh my goodness!!! I can't wait for my contract to be up. The pictures are so crisp and clear. And the panoramas. WOW!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. “Currently” Challenge-This just happened. | aglancethisway says…
    09/27/2012

    [...] in a blog challenge by Ali Edwards called “Currently” Lets see how this [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Around here | thelissachronicles says…
    09/27/2012

    [...] that I (recently) follow, since my scrapbooking obsession developed, and I ran across a post by Ali Edwards that inspired me. So I’m going to follow [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Marilyn Nimmo says…
    09/27/2012

    What an uplifting post. LOVE reading about how you find happiness, Simon's progress, and how you stay tuned in to life. You are such an inspiration to me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Lorna says…
    09/27/2012

    Hey Ali, thanks so much for inspiring a much needed blog post. I've been receiving your newsletter for a while and am delighted to finally get involved!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Marsha says…
    09/27/2012

    I would totally check out your Mom's blog. I love the idea of a dream house coming true.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Wilna says…
    09/27/2012

    Hi Ali... THANK YOU for this post. It prompted me to be open and vulnerable. I *heart* you for that
    Wilna
    xoxo

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Right now | Northern Belle says…
    09/27/2012

    [...] “Right Now” prompt was courtesy of Ali Edwards. Like this:LikeBe the first to like [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. dawn says…
    09/27/2012

    Loved your list Ali !! Congrats to Katie and Peter and your parents. I would read your mom's blog!! I hope they took that awesome swing with them to the new house. Thanks for letting us link up here, love reading them all. This kinda of prompt is one I do often inspired by you and wanting to remember where we are RIGHT NOW!! This has helped me slow down and really watch and savor all the little everyday memories that happen.

    HAPPY FALL!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Right Now | September 2012 « Little Wonders says…
    09/27/2012

    [...] by and linked to Around Here by Ali [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. J3SS1C4 says…
    09/27/2012

    I love these types of posts! Both reading other people's, and writing my own! I do them every month or 2 lately. I think it would be awesome if your Mom started a blog for the new house... It's really fun reading about people fixing houses up and decorating and the likes! I'm also really looking forward to your December Daily... I'm thinking of just making up a basic template similar to last years for it, and getting started soon :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Christine says…
    09/27/2012

    I certainly would never say "the good thing about divorce" but I think a potential positive side effect is that divorced moms who choose too (assuming the divorce has not left them in a financial position to need a second job) now have the time they need to take care of themselves. I really think how you have chosen to spend your kid free time is a reminder to all of us- single, married, divorced, or otherwise- to take time for ourselves and use it wisely.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Heather V says…
    09/27/2012

    Ireland: LOTS of sweaters, a sweatshirt, and layers. Shoes that dry quickly/that you can expect to pretty much stay wet the whole time you are there. You can bring an umbrella, since it does rain almost every day (330 days a year - I was there for 30 days this summer and it rained for all but one of them) - but chances are extremely high that you'll lose it. Plus, it kinds just rains sideways, so the umbrella doesn't do a ton of good. HTH, it's a beautiful, amazing place! Hope you have a great trip.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Tinka says…
    09/27/2012

    I don't have a blog but my "right now" is making a master list of everything I need to pack for Ireland, another list of everything I have to finish at work, and still another list of things I still need to buy. I'm taking classes with Donna Downey this weekend and am also gathering those supplies together. Not sure I'll be getting much sleep between now and next Wednesday morning when I leave to spend 2 nights in NYC before the flight to Dublin!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Around Here… » Simply Sweet Photography the blog says…
    09/28/2012

    [...] Ali Edwards is doing an “Around Here” post on her blog today. In her latest ’52 Creative Lifts’ email from last weekend, Ali shared about the post she would be doing this week and invited everyone to join along. As the memory keeper for our family I try to document and remember the little things as well as the big things that are going on in our lives. Jotting down a few of the things that are currently happening in our lives, is a great way of doing just that. I think I will try to do it more often. [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Kimberly L.C. says…
    09/28/2012

    Just smiled at your comfort food... I make that same pork you mentioned, but in our house it's called Cheater Chile Verde -- one of the packages of pork tenderloin from Costco and two jars of the Salsa Verde from TJs and simmer. So delicious!

    Reply 0 Replies

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