Memories from the past...

I took a little trip home a couple weeks ago and was given the sweet teacup on the right out of my great grandmother’s stash. 

Yes, I could have put it on a shelf in my dining room and let it collect dust or stored it in the basement in a box but really...then what’s the point of having it?  

So instead, it holds my glue upside down on my studio desk.  

My great grandmother had passed before I was born so I really only think of her as my mom’s grandma and since I miss my mom SO much this is a little reminder of her that I can look at every day.  

The bowl is a piece of pottery I brought home from Guatemala.  Both pieces make me happy and I didn't even notice until I snapped the photo that the drawer above them says "sunshine".  Seems fitting.

Do you surround yourself with things that remind you of the people and places that are important to you?  What are your favorites?

Do you hear school bells ringing?

You'd have to be living under a rock not to know the school year has begun. Although lately, it seems, Back to School starts right after the 4th of July and by the time the first day arrives, the stores are filled with fall, Halloween and even Christmas displays. Don't forget to take a breath and smell the new crayons and fresh notebooks for just a moment before dragging out the pumpkins!

Back to School Scrapbook

Don't forget about the teachers!

World's Best Teacher

Time to pull out the list pad.

I don't know about you but I LOVE making lists. Actually, it's not so much that I love them, it's that they are vital to my sanity!

They help me stay organized, prevent me from forgetting things, keep my goals on track and most importantly they help me to clear my mind so I can function...and sleep at night!  Life is a bit busy these days with my scrapbooking business, work, upcoming travel, my daughter's wedding and a new little endeavor...2 actually...that I will talk more about soon. It can definitely all be overwhelming at times. 

This morning as I was getting ready for work I was thinking about all that I need to get done in the next week. I admit, I was kinda freaking out a little bit.  It might have been the somewhat random stack of vacation clothes and supplies my eyes landed on as I walked past the guest room or the pile of half completed scrapbook orders laying on my work table that need to get finished and out the door over the next few days or the box of wedding stuff that needs to get put in the mail to my daughter asap but is waiting for me to finish a little DIY project to add to the box first. 

So as my hair dryer was working it's magic it occurred to me that my frantic state is probably because I have not taken the time to get everything down on paper.  So I tossed one of my many journals into my purse and promised myself that I would get it all down in black and white (ok, probably blue and white!) TODAY. 

And then, as if a prompt from the universe, I open my Pinterest account and see pin this from Janine Ripper's blog.

 

Of course, these ideas could totally sidetrack me so for now I will have to add "make new lists" to my current "to do" list...right underneath finish scrapbook orders and pack my bags.  :)