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Here's a small attempt at catching you up on life in Okinawa.  We are living on base, which is a new experience for me, but one that I really like so far.  Everything I need...commissary, post office, work (more on that later), anything...is within a five to ten minute drive.  We're in a duplex-style house that was renovated about four years ago.  I have a larger kitchen then I've ever had before--well, I have more storage than I've ever had!  I have empty drawers!  Woo-hoo!  The first level has a hardwood laminate in the living/dining area and then tile in the kitchen and in the front room, which is serving as my office. There are two-and-half baths, which is nice except when I have to clean them all.  I know, I know, I'm not complaining...well, a little bit.  :)  Our washer/dryer is on the first level, which I'm adjusting to--I didn't expect that to be an adjustment, but somehow it is a real hassle to have to go up and down stairs to deal with the laundry.  But, I'm blessed to have them, so I will not complain. 

When we first moved in, we were using temporary furniture, which was provided by the base.  Our express shipment had already arrived on the island as well, so we were able to get it right away.  That meant I could decorate a little bit for Christmas and we at least had a table to sit at during dinner.  We also purchased an adult bed, a.k. a queen bed!  That felt like a huge luxury that I wish we had done sooner.  It's a HIGH bed--I really do use a step-stool to get in right now because the belly just doesn't let the legs get up as far as it used to.  :) 

I will take updated pictures soon now that we really have everything set-up.  We had everything in place within a week, with the exception of pictures hung--most of them are hung now. 

The nursery and the boys' room are the last two rooms that need to be put together.  We have everything we need for the nursery, we just need to sell our old double-bed and get it out of there so we can set-up.  The boys' room will get a little bit of an update too--they've outgrown their current linens and so I have some shopping to do for them.  :) 

Gettin' Crafty

I never have less than three or four projects percolating at one time.  That's just me.  One such project has been on my mind for a couple of years.  My Aunt Bev showed me a darling Christmas tag she though I could reproduce for her, since I am the artsy one in the family.  I took the tag and tucked it away.  I finally decided I needed that project off my mind.

Here is what she wanted me to replicate:

Very pretty.  These were some of my better attempts at the tree using watercolors:

Kind of got there, but I didn't feel like I could do that for many tags.  I turned to Storybook Creator 4.0, my digital scrapbooking software.  Here are two different results:

I'm happy.  Now to buy some good paper to print them on--I have some, but it is in storage.  Everything feels as though it is in storage right now.

Latest Projects

In the last week I have completed several projects.  The most notable, in my world, is traditionally scrapbooking my freshman year of college!  I haven't focused on traditional scrapbooking in awhile, but I have a lofty goal of finishing college in the next four weeks.  Yikes!  So, to work I must go.  Below are two pages.  I've also completed many digital calendars that will be Christmas gifts, which is why I can't post them right now.  I did include a page from our 2011 album of Jason's promotion.  I love the textures and layers!  



All projects were created using Creative Memories products.

Happy Mother's Day

I took some time the Monday I returned from Tampa to put these cards together for my mother, mother-in-law, and two grandmothers.  I like the simplicity of them.  I also like that I used resources already available to me.  I'm becoming kinda of big on that lately.  I have LOTS of paper, and it won't all make it to an album, but it can help brighten somebody's day! 

On Thursday these arrived!  Aren't they gorgeous?!  The picture probably doesn't do them justice.  I was quite surprised and happy to have something so beautiful to look at for awhile.

I spent my Mother's Day with friends.  I actually made a full dinner, set the table, used cloth napkins...and made a healthy dessert--Blueberry crumble.  We had wonderful conversation and a good time all the way around.

I really do love to entertain and I'm kicking myself that I didn't have some of these friends over before Jason left town.  Why didn't I?  Seems so silly now.  Jason and I agreed, we have to make more of an effort because we do enjoy it a great deal!

January Wrap-Up

I'm currently trying to participate in the 365 project...but it's difficult to find things to photograph besides food when one lives alone.  Despite that fact, I've had a busy month with birthday celebrations and other events.  The spouses club on base (KSC) went to a "Canvas and Cocktails" night.  The teacher leads the group through painting, in our case, a pelican.  It was tons of fun!  Everyone was so nervous about their paintings, but they all did a fabulous job. 

My Aunt Susan had sent me all the ingredients, sans the eggs, for a butterscotch dessert that was also fabulous.  I brought it to the "Canvas and Cocktails" evening to share.  I've been dying to bake, but I don't dare if I'm the only one around to consume it.  I also baked cookies that week for a Saturday crop--the Chocolate Mint Delight recipe on the back of the Nestle dark chocolate and mint morsel bag is excellent!

As promised, I included the page layout from when one of my BFF's came into town for our annual weekend.  It was also a ton of fun.  We spent a day in NOLA enjoying art, cocktails and begniets.  Love it!

A note on the first page, Jason took ONE bag with him.  ONE!  Men!  I'm doing okay.  I miss him of course, but I have managed to stay fairly busy everyday, so if I can keep that up, life will fly by. 

Still training for the Mardi Gras Rock 'n' Roll.  It's next week, so I'm in the tapering phase, which means less running and more cravings for carbs!  It's much more under control than it was in November, that's for sure!

Happy Reading

New Year's Eve

Before Jason enjoyed his day in the hospital, we all had a grande time ringing in the New Year. I made chicken noodle soup and bread and then we roasted marshmellows on the grill outside. My plan was JUST to roast marshmellows, but wouldn't you know the boys would talk their Dad into getting graham crackers and chocolate for S'mores! They were awesome though, I have to admit, I love a good s'more!

This new decade caused me to pause and remember some of my previous New Year's Eves. Many of them were spent with good friends playing games and eating good food. Sometimes they involved road trips for either me or some of them. It made me realize just how blessed I am with such amazing long-time friends.

Iowa Winter

New Traditions

Some dear friends sent us a beautiful project to assemble. The Chrismons were desiged by Paul Berkbigler, and printed with help from his wife Cory and some former Concordia classmates. They are a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of CHRISTmas.