My challenge 90.

I am really loving Shimelle's new online class, called "true stories"

I get a pdf prompt emailed to me every weekday for 3 weeks.

To be honest there is so much in each prompt that gets my journaler's heart going that I haven't even finished reading the second one, deciding to scrap while the inspiration is there.

I used Jen Jockisch's LO as a jumpstart to my own creativity, changing it and adding my own voice.

This is a letter to my daughter, including my dreams for her life and some words of wisdom.

One day you will be grown, able to wear high heels, short skirts and not have your Mother say, “off you go, change and try again”. So often we disagree about fashion, what is appropriate, modest yet age appropriate. For now your feet are still growing, still a size 3 most of the time. Why most size 3’’s are for grown-ups is beyond me. My mother always said “look after your feet, they take you everywhere you want to go”. I abide by that now. I wear comfortable leather shoes, although I don’t alternate as I am supposed to, to let them breathe.

Sometimes we have to suffer for beauty, just be careful. Your clothes need to match who you are inside. You are beautiful, just the way God made you. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, not nasty girls on the playground and not boys who want to control you. I pray that knowing that you Mom and Dad love you and think you’re amazing will help cushion the blows that are an inevitable part of growing up in this day and age.

Don’t get into disputes with them, just walk away and be happy that you’re unique, your beauty coming from inside, a shining joy and honesty. You may try to be someone else, pretending to be like them, trying to fit in, to be accepted. True friends love you just the way you are, accepting you without reserve and judgement.

Never pretend to be dumb, to be liked. Be mindful of other people’s feelings and think before you speak, even when angry, frustrated or pre-menstrual. Nasty never looks pretty.

If you mess up, apologise. Saying sorry and asking for forgiveness will go a long way to heal any breaks in your friendship circle.

You don’t need to wear make-up, you’re perfect without all that gunk on your face. If you do though, remember to remove it all before you go to sleep at night. A good moisturiser is a necessity and sunscreen too. Sun damage makes you  look old before your time, is cumulative and can kill you. Getting sunburnt and tanned is a short term beauty answer. Aging due to sun damage will only be apparent many years later.

Good posture also makes a huge difference. Walk tall and proudly, confidently facing your future. Not only will it make you look slimmer, it is a wonderful habit to get into. Slouching makes you look lacklustre and not radiantly confident.

Remember to drink lots of filtered water. Too many cups of coffee are not good for you, especially after 40. 2 liters a day helps flush toxins out and gives the cells what they need to remain young and active.

Wait to go dating. Keep your heart pure. Make the boys wait. They’ll call and ask you out if they’re “that into you” and if they don’t, they’re really not that keen. Don’t waste your time waiting for the phone to ring.  You’ll know when the right one comes along. Your whole family will love and accept him. Listen to your family, often they can see things that you can’t when blinded by young love. Your Father has shown you how you deserve to be treated. Have them open your door, buy you flowers, treat you like a lady. It is never ok for them to hurt you; emotionally or physically, no matter what they blame you for.

Be nice to your brothers. I know that they tease you, correct you and make you frustrated but all you can take out of this life are you relationships. Your brothers will be there for you, even when Mom and Dad are not.

I used a template from I Fasquelle Scrap
and digi goodness from the dailydigi.com, amongst others.

Olivia's challenge 90.

This page is the final one in my faith album which I just finished today. The verse on the card at the top is from Jeremiah 29, about God's plans for the future. The little envelope contains my own personal journaling about my hopes for the future & my faith in God.

Heather's challenge 90.

Here's my journaling:
When I was in 2nd grade, I wrote an essay for a creative writing competition on what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote that I wanted to help people by becoming a nurse. It actually won an award! Only... I didn't know what I wanted to be, but I knew I definitely did NOT want to be a nurse. It was a running joke in our family for a long time. My first award was a fraud!

Fast forward to Bella in preschool. The class created a poster of what they wanted to be when they grew up. She said "a nurse." When I told her that I had no idea, and I thought that was great, her eyes got huge, she looked horrified, and said, "I DON'T want to be a nurse!"

In some ways, she is SO me.

Melissa's challenge 90.

Title: drop it.

Visible journaling: The most I've weighed in SIX years!

(Under flap: Scale reading 180.5 pounds)

Hidden journaling: I am so mad at myself for letting the number on the scale get so high! I haven't weighed this much since before I got pregnant with Ethan! I never even weighed this much *WHILE* pregnant.

I hereby swear to put a stop to the excuses. I will no longer wait until tomorrow. The "last meals before I change" will hereby cease.

I can do this. I can lose this weight. It wasn't gained overnight and it certainly won't be lost overnight, but I am going to drop it like a bad friend - one that makes me tired, lazy, and unhealthy. Consider yourself warned, fat belly. You have been served your eviction papers and are no longer welcome to be in my life! -10/11/10

Introducing challenge 90

A dream you have, a goal you'd like to reach.
A place you'd like to travel to.
What's stopping you, what steps you can put in place to work towards your goal.

First up is Karen.

I want 2 go back

This LO is about my wish to go back to New York where we went for our honeymoon 11 years ago.

Journalling reads

We went to New York on our honeymoon and I am dreaming of going back. 11 years ago I had no digital camera and no scrapbookers eye. I want to photograph everything, I want to eat everything, I want to buy everything, I want to experience everything. I want to hail a yellow cab, eat a hotdog, get a brown bag, climb the Empire state.

My challenge 89.

just call me Domestic Goddess

because it sounds better than maid, nurse, cook, organiser, homework supervisor, pet deflea-er, grocery shopper, finder of lost items, laundry operator, petty cash officer, sunscreen applier, dish washer, tea maker, menu planner, gift procurer, cake decorator, teacher, disciplinarian, librarian, memory keeper, photographer, hair dresser, girl Friday, mentor, alarm clock, sandwich maker, shoe polisher, pharmacist, fact finder, knitter, cheer leader, weather lady, fashion advisor, repairer, stationary supplier, masseuse,general dogsbody, otherwise known as MOM.

Cabbie's challenge 89

 loving life

journaling: a woman signifies courage because from the start it is the woman who endures-- from life's problems to hardships and motherhood. it is the woman who always guides her family with wisdom. being a woman is a blessing, it is a purpose written on the palm of one's hand. 

Olivia's challenge 89.

This is my layout for the being a woman/girl challenge. It is the opening two pages of my 'All About Me' album. The journaling is tucked in the photo pocket behind the photo & reads:

At times I'm a real girlie girl. I love anything pretty or feminine. I enjoy wearing make-up & jewellry and doing my hair. Other times I'm into skiiing and watching action movies. But being a girl I can do both & move between the two sides of my personality depending on my mood.

Debbie's challenge 89.

Title: 100 Years of Something for the Girls

2010 has given us some great adventures as a member of Girl Guiding UK. We are 100 years old this year and there have been loads of events nationally and locally to celebrate.
This was the Evesham Division Night Hike up Bredon Hill in June - which finished in a flame torch walk back down the hill. It looked amazing from within the procession but I'd have loved to have seen how it looked from afar.

Heather's challenge 89.

Title: Miss Opinionated

Here's my journaling:
Had I been born 100 years earlier, I think my personality would have caused quite the commotion and gotten me into a lot of trouble... and I think I would have loved that!

Another from Karen

Title: Belly

Journalling reads
Honestly! How big was I? Enormous at only 7 and a half months. You can barely see my feet shadowed as they are by my massive stomach from the glare of my flash.
Joking aside I do appreciate how lucky I was to grow you three.

(photo Dec 2004)

Karen's challenge 89.

Title: Poor Men
journalling reads....
Just imagine only going shopping for shoes because the one and only pair you have is falling apart. Imagine not having the shoes to match yoyr outfit or having to go to work in long trousers in the heat of summer. I love being a girl , pretty clothes everyday, cool skirts on a hot day and the shoes.....

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Melissa's challenge 89.

Title: One & Only

Journaling: Being the only girl in a house of boys is sometimes frustrating, but on the bright side, I don't have to share the spotlight, or the guys, with any other girls (for now). I also don't worry about anyone else's wardrobe outgrowing mine! I sometimes wish I had a shopping partner, but then I realize that the money I spend on myself would be spent on someone else, and all of the extra closet space in the house would be taken up. Being the only diva has its advantages

Another from Karen: Challenge 91.

King Arthur's Knight.

Hidden journalling reads

I Love the pictures you draw, your mini masterpieces but I just can't keep every piece of paper. Especially when "someone" is likely to draw on top or tear it. So to keep your best works I take a photo. Even better if you're in it.

Darlene introducing challenge 89.

October is breast cancer month and in honour of woman every where the challenge this month is:
Focus on being a woman.
Celebrate your femininity, pros and cons
things you enjoy, things you wish you could do
reasons you enjoy being a girl!

The title and sub title reads:

"Imperfectly Perfect- 40+ things I've come to embrace about myself. June 2010

When I get mad, I take a hot shower to cool down. ~I load laundry into the washer, but I forget to dry them. ~I don’t talk before I brush my teeth in the morning. ~I never wear socks to bed because I like for Chris to unwillingly warm my frozen toes with his legs. ~I wait until last minute to accomplish any task, even one with a set deadline. I work well under pressure. ~13-17 year old boys think I’m their age. ~I used to write in a semi-journal in High School, but I trashed it in fear that my parents would find the contents. I regret it now. ~I have had a desire to have another baby for months, if not years now. I have baby fever, but the timing is not right. ~I do not like to feel anything, including hands, clothes, and even my own self, when my legs are not smoothly shaved. ~I stay up way too late past midnight regularly. ~I am newly hooked onto Facebook and Google Reader for blog upkeeps. ~ I hope to be half as good of a mother as my mother is. ~Ok, yes, sometimes I’m controlling and dramatic. ~I get mushy for animals and children, especially sick ones. ~I feel much more older than I am, minus the joint pain. ~Handmade anything is my favorite gift. ~Aside from Summer time (when I’m tan) I hardly go into public without at least foundation and mascara on. ~I am afraid of the dark and I still jump into bed. ~I thoroughly enjoy reading recreationally. ~Internet use is my guilty pleasure, well that and baked goods. J ~I won’t put clean clothes on until I have showered. ~Writing “to-do” lists makes my thoughts de-clutter and stress diminishes. ~I am a perfectionist with life. Everything I make must be just right. I am very critical of myself. ~I HATE roaches. ~My tonsils are always slightly enlarged. ~Randomness in a list format makes me smile. ~Usually at night I feel my nose stopped up so I blow hard and it makes a weird sound. Chris thinks this is disgusting. ~My little sister, Kitana, makes me feel young again. ~My most procrastinated chore is cleaning the bathrooms. ~Taking Ally out of the house makes me feel like a good mom. ~I hardly cry. Maybe once every six weeks. ~I like when people call, text, or email, just to say “I love you” or “I miss you.” J ~I am pretty good at multi-tasking. ~I always wash my hands when I wake up. ~I check my cell phone voice mail about once a month, or when I have 20 compiled messages, ~I usually don’t flush pee in my own toilets. ~Text messages are so much more fun than phone conversations. ~I enjoy popping blemishes. ~I hardly remember specifics of events. ~I taught myself how to thread eyebrows. ~I love to organize by color/style/category. "