staying focused….

and it feels good. i think there are times when it’s okay to really focus on one thing, as long as it’s temporary. that’s where i’ve been this week. i’ve turned down social opportunities so that i can get to a point with my work that i’m comfortable with. i know that sounds contrary to what i wrote last week, but it has been a good week of work, which should free me up to be more flexible next week.  i have spent some time in my studio creating in addition to time spent editing. i feel like a machine! next week, i’ll get back to a more relaxed mindset. and it’s not all work this week….i am taking mom to lunch and shopping on friday. plus tomorrow, my day is going to be spent volunteering.

it is amazing how much a person can get accomplished when you set your mind to it. the really surprising thing for me, is that when i’m working, i’m really focused on working and when i’m socializing or playing, i’m fully in that. i guess just being focused on whatever i’m doing, rather than being distracted or not fully “there”, is the new and improved mindset for me. makes life so much more enjoyable when you are fully in the moment.

i just have to say that i am so grateful to be busy. grateful that my business is growing in these unstable financial times. i don’t take it for granted for a minute. when i’m a little overwhelmed with all i need to do, i only feel it for a second, and then i stop and say, “thank you Lord”. it also helps to remember that He is in control, no matter what our circumstances.

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

i switch gears fast….funny, sorta gross scooter dog story: so some of you may remember our squirrel saga from a couple of years ago. i was sitting doing my morning devotion time (in my chair right next to the fireplace) and i heard something hit the damper in the fireplace. we blocked the opening and set a live trap. after a day or two, the humane society sent a guy out and he reached in and grabbed a live squirrel! ever since that happened, i’m not a squirrel fan at all. i see them and shudder. for about a year after that happened, we kept finding squirrel statues in our yard, on the driveway and porch. we have funny friends : ) so yesterday, i let scooter outside and she started barking like a banshee. i went out and saw her in the corner of our yard, in some really tall foliage, squirmishing with some unknown animal. i ran in the house and called tom. he didn’t answer, so i decided to leave her outside until i had backup. i did go back out and i noticed that there was a squirrel running back and forth on our fence, scolding, and scooter seemed to be chomping on something. ugh. i went back in and chose to ignore her. after an hour or so, sophie needed to go out, so i looked out the backdoor and there was scooter, proud as a peacock with a squirrel tail hanging out of her mouth! i freaked. it was so gross. so i called donna (who is not only my dear friend, but she works for our vet) and she suggested that i clean her up and out with hydrogen peroxide. i just wanted her disinfected! so i washed her face, the inside of her mouth, her paws…pretty much gave her a sponge bath with it. then i put her in the basement and let sophie out. i think it was miley who said that scooter was trying to get points with me for hunting down a squirrel! i’ve noticed that in the past 24 hours, our backyard seems to be rid of any squirrel activity. we normally have tons of them running around. word must be out that we have a squirrel killer!

it seems like i don’t share as many of my scrapbook layouts anymore. i still really love to scrapbook. it is my therapy….no matter what is going on in life, if i can slip away to my studio, i always find that it is a refuge and place of such peace for me. i find it so calming and relaxing. i think tom finds that same feeling when he gets away on his harley. i guess we all have something that calms us that way…..hopefully it’s something healthy : )

here are a couple of recent layouts:

i used lots of melissa frances goodies and my beloved fiskars tools. i have more recent layouts sitting on my desk waiting to be photographed. maybe later today.

last week, i photographed 3 cuties. the brothers reminded me SO much of payton and griffin. the super tight bond and even their blue eyes. oh and their big brother attitudes of protecting their baby sister.

God bless your day!

i couldn’t believe how well the two boys did. they cooperated in whatever i needed them to do. oh and they also reminded me of our friends the suttons boys, micah and trey….such sweet little people!