Around Here
Tags: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.
ReadingThe 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 & Quiltings1 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 comments
Hi Ali... THANK YOU for this post. It prompted me to be open and vulnerable. I *heart* you for that
Wilna
xoxo
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[...] “Right Now” prompt was courtesy of Ali Edwards. Like this:LikeBe the first to like [...]
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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!!!
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[...] by and linked to Around Here by Ali [...]
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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 :)
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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.
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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.
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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!!!
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[...] 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. [...]
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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!
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[...] over whether to get a Galaxy 3 or an iphone 5. I’m joining Ali Edwards and many other people and documenting what is happening in my life right now today. What are you up [...]
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I guess I didn't realize this was a writing "assignment" because I did a photo story: http://scrappyhare.blogspot.com/2012/09/around-here.html
It was fun though and I'm finding that the more I do these "Week in the Life"-type projects where I carry my camera around all day and take photos of random things, the more comfortable I am doing it... and the greater immunity I have to the odd looks I get from strangers. My friends and family... well they are used to my idiosyncrasies by now. ;)
Thanks for the invitation Ali! And as always, for the inspiration you are.
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No right or wrong - photos are an awesome way to tell the story!
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[...] Let’s try something new this week, inspired by Ali. [...]
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Love your post, love the way you make us "stop" and take some time to think, simply think about our life! Just put the link to the post on my blog. Thanks Ali (oh! and I'm looking forward to being on December to start DD with you! :-) ).
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Ali I just love you and all the wonderful, inspiring, informative and uplifting bits and pieces you share with your "Fans" . I almost always walk away from your posts with food for thought, ideas or just plain old good day feelings. Today's post gave me a misty moment. One of my daughters found herself dealing with a divorce just about the same time you started posting on yours. She has 3 children. The youngest was 3 weeks away from entering the world when my daughters marriage came tumbling down. Long story shortened, I will definitely be shareing your "Savoring" moment words, hoping to give her a little more strength in dealing with her first weekend of feeling like she can't breathe... Thank you so much for being so real Ali...
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Thanks again for the awesome prompt, Ali! These prompts are my favourite, and I'm loving what everyone else has been writing :-)
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Hey Ali - do you know what size your December Daily digital layouts are going to be? I would love to get started on it, but I use your digital products and like to make everything the same size. Hopefully you are still doing them this year. I would be lost without them:)
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Hi Jennifer - I will be making them again. Planning to do a 4x6, an 8.5x11 and a 12x12 (that can be made smaller). I probably won't have them available until mid-late October since I will be traveling soon.
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Here's to a fun weekend and lovely trip to Ireland! '
BTW: Genius title to that book! ;)
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[...] You, Arang and the Magistrate and Faith. …writing blog posts in advance. …joining Ali Edwards today. Share this: Pin ItLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. September 28, 2012 by may [...]
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[...] linkage: [Ali Edwards] Share this:EmailPrintFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. This entry was posted in [...]
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