I have to say that I surprised myself even a little with how useful this tool is. Because I knew I was going to be doing the roundup this month, I paid close attention to the details and I even did things I might not have otherwise tackled. It is a wonderful goal setting tool when you use it to look at the upcoming month. And I love that I am finally writing down everyday details in my life. I used to feel so guilty about not keeping a daily journal. Now at least I make myself take stock once a month and it has really made my life happier and given me so much more material to use for scrapbooking!
Ok, on to my roundup! I did it a little differently this time, but I still answered all the questions. You can do it any way you want to - no rules! See my previous post for the general framework.
One of the books I read this month was An Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, so for fun, I thought I would complete this month’s roundup using a similar quirky, encyclopedic writing style.
February 2006
Began month full of energy and inspiration. Constructed huge and unrealistic list of all things hoped to be accomplished by the end of February. Kept better track of events because of impending month end roundup. Liked the accountability of this idea and feel that it contributed to a wonderful and enjoyable month.
BLOGGING
A web journal, or great consumer of Katie’s time, whichever definition you prefer.
Felt that content and writing on blogs improved and was pleased to see readership almost double in size. Good catchall space for the random thoughts of a scrapbook lady. Explored scrapbook rooms, revealed sources of inspiration, put together comprehensive list of Daily Scrap Challenges, and touted the beauty of scrapping with white space.
Entire scrap blog given a design makeover, complete with scrapbook page type link boxes. Quote blog feels jealous and asks to be put on March's list of priorities.
Feb 02
Phil sees shadow, declares 6 more weeks of winter.
Feb 05
Big family get together for special family event. Superbowl declared most boring football game ever by Katie. She is glad Steelers win though because her husband likes them.
Feb 09
Random browsing at local bookstore results in a fantastic find. Leonardo book inspires a myriad of creative thinking.
Invited to be on Mindy Terasawa's Creative Team. Excited to work with Mindy's darling designs!
Happy to be continuing on Ashley Olson's Creative Team.
Sad that Andie Smith has retired from designing so I won't be part of her Creative Team anymore, but very happy that Andie can pursue her dream of being a professional photographer. :)
ENDEAVORS, CREATIVE
Art, writing, and/or ideas produced by Katie. Favorite medium: computer.
Digital Layouts created in February = 18
Quote cards created in February = 7
Paper layouts created in February = 0
Entered Gina Miller Bulletin Board Contest - received honorable mention. :)
Started Rhonna's 21 day art journal challenge.
Participated in Mixed Media Memoirs challenge.
Wrote and published Amazing Month of Memories for March 2006.
Designed March Freebie.
Feb 11
Daddy Daughter Dance makes youngest lady of the house feel like a princess. Dad earns big Brownie Points all around for being a great guy!
DOG, GINGER eats 7 Ciabatta rolls meant for next day's Olympic party. Husband goes to store to buy extra rolls, earns more Brownie Points.
Feb 12
Host Olympic party for bunch of fabulous friends. Olympics are hardly watched, food and stories are shared. Despite serving dinner to 21 people, we end up with 2 extra bags of Ciabatta rolls!
Feb 14
Kids go to dentist and have no cavities. Katie takes them out to breakfast to make up for dragging them to the dentist on Valentine's Day. Everyone had french toast. :)
Husband insists he can leave work early and family plans to see The Pink Panther at 4:30 p.m. When movie is about to start, Katie calls hubby who is still at work in a meeting. Enters theater armed with giant popcorn, nachos, candy, and kids and pretends not to be mad. Husband enters theater at 4:44 having actually sprained his ankle while running from his car to the theater. Husband only missed first few minutes of movie and Katie decides she is not mad. Husband buys dozen roses for Katie on way home from movie. More brownie points earned.
FUN MOVIE, THE PINK PANTHER
Remake of old Peter Sellers Pink Panther movies starring Steve Martin. Despite mediocre reviews, our family enjoyed the silly, predictable, slapstick nature of the film. Son laughed so hard, almost fell off chair.
Feb 18
Family birthday party for Sister In Law's birthday. Gave her gift bag full of candy and magazines.
MAGAZINES
Glossy little treasures of ideas and inspiration. Non essential purchases that make me happy.
Magazines read in February =
Includes;
Better Homes and Garden (March issue)
Simply Perfect Storage (Special publication by Better Homes & Garden)
I'm an organization junkie!
Martha Stewart Kids (Winter 2006 issue)& (Spring 2006 issue)
Creating Keepsakes March 2006
Simple Scrapbooks March/April 2006
Scrapbooks Etc. February/March 2006
Family Fun March 2006
Scrapbook Answers February/March 2006
MEDIA, MULTI
Watched The Corpse Bride with kids and hubby. Amazed again by Tim Burton's imagination.
Still listening to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and still loving it! Haven't spent as much time in the car this month so listening has slowed down.
Watched a total of 2 reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond, 2 reruns of Friends, and about 1 hour of Olympics. That might be the least amount of Olympic watching I have ever done. Just couldn't get into it this time. Husband says this is "unpatriotic." Olympics felt like a huge letdown after having the 2002 Winter Olympics right in my own hometown. That was awesome!
Online Shopping for Digi stuff and 2 chairs to go with the office table we bought in January.
Feb 23
Unseasonably warm day and rare occurrence of husband leaving work early (home at 4:30? unheard of!) resulted in an impromptu trip to nearby park. Even the dog got to come. Camera got some good exercise also. :)
Decide that the alignment of the universe that day must have been pointing to perfection. Not only did the house get cleaned, and the work finished, but I even made a pot roast dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy. Played with kids at the park, read them bedtime stories, and got them to bed early. Enjoyed rare time with husband. Made mistake of saying out loud that the day had been perfect and things were "going so well right now."
Feb 24
Daughter wakes up with a terrible sore throat and croupy type cough. Spends the remainder of February sick. Leave the house only to pick up son from school each day and make a doctor's visit. Somehow, the magic of Airborne prevents the rest of the family from catching it - knock on wood.
TASKS, ROUNDUP
Glad I have forced myself to do the following at the end of each month. Feels like a chore at first - feels wonderful when done!
Backed up all digital pictures to a cd
Backed up all digital layouts to a cd
Sent digital layout files to Costco via the internet to be printed. Will pick up as soon as daughter is feeling better.
Uploaded all digital pictures to 2 different sites. ( I use Sony Image Station & Costco photo center)
Sent email links to online photo albums to Mom. - Hi Mom! :)
Sent picture files to be printed out and put into simple photo sleeve albums.
Still need to put finished paper scrapbook layouts in sheet protectors and albums to enjoy.
Downloaded, unzipped, and filed all kits & fonts purchased. Saved a preview image of each kit for easy browsing. Backed up all new purchases to dvd in case of computer crash and to maximize hard drive space. Cleaned off as much as hard drive space as I could.
I still need to clean off my tables downstairs - I've made significant progress this month and started to organize a lot of my supplies, but I still am resisting the cold and unfinished basement. BRRRR! I will do better on this in March as the weather warms up a bit.
Ok, so I'm all rounded up now - how about you? Well, what are you waiting for? You will feel great when it's done! :)
