Cathy Zielske's Blog, page 223

Oh lower back, why hast thou forsaken me?

What I've been reading while laying on my back for the past few days.

I've never been one to suffer from many chronic afflictions.

Okay, maybe I'm not counting the bout of plantar fasciitis from last year that still occasionally rears its ugly foot during my daily comings and goings. And maybe I'm not counting the years of obsessive compulsive behavior I exhibited as a child, turning lights on and off repeatedly and other very annoying little tics and peculiarities that peppered my days from age 9 to about 14. And maybe all those years of smoking cigarettes don't count either.

That said… something went funny in my back over the weekend.

Even so, I managed to get a run in on Saturday morning and a bike ride on Sunday afternoon, and thought, "Oh, no problemo," until a sleepless night of pulsing back pain told me otherwise.

I'm such a baby at times. When some new ailment comes along that I've never experienced before, I imagine any number of horrible things as the probable cause, and usually these are without any merit whatsoever. Still, I find myself wallowing in the possibilities of what it could be.

I do know one thing it's teaching me: count on the unpredictable.

Every time you think you've got a routine signed, sealed and delivered, life will raise its hand to tell you otherwise. Then the question becomes, how will you respond?

I've decided to go with the flow and not freak out that I shouldn't run, or swim, or bike.

I've decided to not sweat it that I drove myself—in pain—to the Burger King for a cheeseburger and fries yesterday.

I've decided that not hitting my goal of running 50 miles this month, the first time I've missed that mark since I started tracking my distance, isn't signaling the end of my running efforts.

I've decided that spending another day on the couch, doing nothing isn't going to kill me.

I've decided to just wait it out, and know that it's very likely going to resolve itself, and then I can get back to the routines I thrive on.

What's your typical response or reaction when something throws a wrench into the works?

Are you a go with the flow type? or the kind who freaks out? or somewhere nicely in the middle?

Now if you'll excuse me I have a date with a couch and the 5th Harry Potter book.

 

 

Milestone Markers in the Life of a Teen

Is it just me, or does it seem like somehow the Under-10 Set gets the reputation of being far more scrappable than the 11-Plus Crowd?

You know how it is when you're 0 to 10. So many changes. First steps, first words, first tooth, first tantrum, first day of school. In fact, with the littlest ones, everything's a dang first. Ergo, supreme scrapability.

Then kids, as they will do, get older. Tweens and teens sometimes aren't as ready or willing to let you shoot them in action. Tweens and teens have what is known in the parenting industry as "mood swings." Sometimes, as scrapbookers, we feel as though it's a bit like pulling those teeth we so anxiously awaited in their earlier years just to get a few solid pages of scrapbook glory to continue documenting their lives.

I think the 11-Plus Crowd might be getting a bad rap. True, it can be trickier to document some of their firsts (first boy/girlfriends, first time hanging out at the mall with friends sans parents, first time getting caught doing something that maybe they shouldn't have been doing in the first place), but I'm finding that the firsts of these years are just as much fun to scrapbook about.

Like learning to drive.

See this child below? She just obtained a learner's permit to drive.

That's right. My baby girl is now legally approved to drive on state and county roads in a 3,000-pound motor driven vehicle while accompanied by a responsible person over the age of 25.

Holy crap.

You all know that my particular teen isn't all that sheepish about being documented. She seems to really like the idea of a camera following her every move at certain times in her life. Last Friday, the day we chose to go to the DMV and let her take the written permit test, was one of those days.

Rather than lug along my bulky DSLR, I chose to simply bring my shiny new iPhone 4 as I planned to document the event using the Instagram phone app.

Here is the ensuing digital page that took advantage of cell phone technology to tell a story I (and some day, my daughter) will always want to remember. (Click on layout to see it larger in a new window)

SUPPLIES: Layered Template No. 90 (Cathy Zielske) • Just Linens No. 04 (Michelle Martin) • DejaVu Sans and Honey Script fonts (free downloads)

The excitement, the nervousness, the success—all the little details that otherwise would eventually slip away to time and memory are now saved in a simple digital document with a little help from a cell phone camera. I loved including the text message Aidan wrote to her Dad after she passed the test. Definitely a sign of the times in which she is growing up.

This template is available in my Designer Digitals collection along with another option for 8.5 x 11 scrapbookers. Last week, I featured the 12 x 12 versions of these templates, which are designed to house your cell phone photos and document a day, a week, or a chunk of your life.

Both templates use free download fonts so you can easily change and adapt a title to suit your needs. If you use apps such as Hipstamatic, or Camera+, you can easily change the names in your titles to reflect that.

Or, you can use any photos you like to document this blow-by-blow account style of scrapbooking.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to try and convince Aidan that yes, she actually will be able to comfortably complete a right-hand turn at over 5 mph.

 

The apple doesn't fall too far where vampires and documentation are concerned.

Last night, Aidan and I were discussing the merits of who plays Eric Northman on the HBO True Blood series. We were debating the appeal of tall, blonde Swedish types versus what we are normally drawn to, which is generally the complete opposite. The following exchange compelled her to say, "I gotta write that down, Mom."

Aidan: "I guess I wouldn't mind an Eric Northman in my life."

Me: "I don't know. I've never dated anyone like that, the 6'4, take charge, vampire kind of dude."

I'm not saying I would ever approve of my 15-year-old daughter dating a 1,000 year old Viking vampire, but I do appreciate her stop, drop and write instincts.

(For the record: we're Team Eric. All the way.)

 

Strong in the Rain: supporting Japan tsunami relief in a different way

It seems hard to fathom that it's been 4 months since the devastating tsunami in Japan.

Japan was in my thoughts this past weekend, as the Japanese women's soccer team bested the United States in the World Cup Final. While sad for our amazing American team, I couldn't help be happy that Japan would have something to cheer about.

My dear friend and artist Lisa Erickson has had Japan on her mind for awhile and she decided to create a hand-bound book illustrating a very famous poem by Kenji Miyazawa. His poem, "Strong in the Rain," had been circulating around Japan as a source of inspiration and a reminder of its peoples' inherent strength. Lisa created this book featuring her original sumi-e style paintings to illustrate this cherished poem (which was translated by Roger Pulvers with permission).

 

As many of you know, there are countless children who've been orphaned or lost a parent in this tragedy. The profits from the book will be sent to Ashinaga an organization that helps children who have lost one or both parents from a natural disaster. Ashinaga has built Rainbow houses which provide a place where children can receive grief counseling through play. Ashinaga broke ground on a new Rainbow house in Tohoku the region of the tsunami in April 2011.

If you are interesting in purchasing one of Lisa's beautiful, hand-bound, letter press cover books, please click here to be taken to her Etsy store. She only had 100 of them created. You can learn more about her book by clicking here.

It was my honor to help Lisa design the pages of this simple book.

To learn more about Lisa's book, click here. Thank you.

Chub related confessions

As of this past Saturday, I decided to refocus on taking better care of myself.

What that translates to is this: the past two weeks have seen me sliding into a Crap Food Fest big time. I'm not sure what happens to trigger this. Well, I have my guesses.

Sometimes it seems when everything in my life is going pretty well, I like to toss in a few things to sabotage my wellness by celebrating it with, what else? Food. And specifically, food that isn't all that good for me. It lets me play this vicitm role which allows me to absolve myself of any responsibility from doing what is right and needed in my life. In short, it lets me eat shit without feeling guilty.

The interesting thing I've noticed this year is I'm not quite pulling the wool over my eyes completely, as in years past. I let myself hang out in the Crap Fest just long enough to realize: oh, I don't feel as even, or oh, I'm not sleeping as well, or oh, my stomach chub is really getting out of control.

I've noticed that I'm fully aware of the sabotage. Of the extra sugar and carbs that only create more cravings for sugar and carbs that will never, ever satifsy.

Oh God, but does it feel good in the moment? Absolutely. Just like those first few drags off a smoke back in the day. Nothing quite like it really.

It isn't easy to do what's right every single day in terms of eating well and moving your body. Some days you do the best you can do and all of your efforts are just one sabotage after another. And you give up and give in.

But then that day is over, and you get to make different choices on the next go round.

Sometimes, you just need a little dose of inspiration.

I found a few inspiring blogs over the weekend. The first is Trading Pounds, written by Stephanie Wetzel. I absolutely love her common sense approach to eating real food and moving your body. She has gone from 411 pounds to 265 by following a no-nonsense approach to healthy living. She's also written a free, downloadable PDF called How to Lose which I found to be thoughtful and so spot on. You can follow her on Twitter here.

The other is Finally Fit at 40, tipped off to me by blog reader Maegan, and written by Tami Shumate. Tami shares her journey of losing 186 pounds through good nutrition and proper exercise. You can follow her on Twitter here.

I'm very inspired by other womens' stories. To read how people simply made changes to their lifestyles. Sometimes, they remind me that while healthy choices aren't always the easiest to make, they are in fact do-able and worth it.

Just some food for thought, so to speak, for a Tuesday.

 

 

The giveaway goes to…

The winner of a spot in the simplify 101 workshop "It's About Time" with organizing expert Aby Garvey, is:

Wendy, email me at czdesign at comcast dot net! I'll hook you up.

Ma'am, please put your hands in the air and slowly step away from the iPhone

I have a confession to make, but I'll only tell you: I've only received about three calls on my new iPhone 4 since picking it up a few weeks ago. I really didn't set out to use my super high tech phone only to take photos of my three daily meals and snacks. It just sort of happened.

Did I ever mention that my monthly phone minute usage averages out to about 22?

You remember last week, I posted my free Instagram template to help spread the camera phone documentation love, yes? Well that template inspired me to create two new 12 x 12 day in the life format templates on sale today at Designer Digitals.

There's this one:

And this one:

There's definitely something fun about the old day in the life format. It forces you to a) keep a camera handy and b) look for things from your life to document.

It very much feels like you're on an assignment, much to the annoyance of everyone around you, namely kids who say, "Why are you taking pictures of your lunch... again?"

But I gave it a shot on Saturday, and while it's not a complete picture of the day, it's definitely a slice of life that was fun to save. Plus, the small journaling blurb areas are simple for anyone, even the world's least competent journaler, to fill out.

(Click on image below to see it larger in a new window)

SUPPLIES: Layered Template No. 87 (Cathy Zielske) •Spot Dots No. 13 —slightly altered in PS—(Katie Pertiet) • Just Linens No. 18 (Michelle Martin) • Honey Script and DejaVu Sans fonts (free download fonts).

I'm sure the novelty of having a camera phone will wear off. Or, maybe it won't.

Either way, you could use these templates for any images you have to document a day, or a week, or even a series of things such as Doris, one of the Designer Digitals team members, did here with her charming layout about baby shoes.

(Click here for her digital supplies.)

Designer Digitals team member Tara documented one week in her life.:

(Click here for her digital supplies.)

These templates both use free fonts and you can customize the title areas to say whatever you like. For example, if you use Hipstagram, just delete the layer that says "Instagram," download the free font, Honey Script (link included in the How To PDF in the package) and create a new type layer that says whatever you like!

I will say that I love having a design that will let me dump a bunch of these photos, even if they are of my lunch on a daily basis, into a template to save for posterity.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to photograph my lawn. Happy Monday!

P.S. 8.5 x 11 versions of these Day in the Life templates will be coming to the Designer Digitals store soon, hopefully by next weekend!

 

 

Make more time for the things you love! Enter to win an online class from simplify 101

simplify 101 is offering a spot in their workshop "It's About Time" with organizing expert Aby Garvey.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: Do you wish you had more time for the fun stuff on your to-do list like scrapbooking, hanging out with your family or just relaxing? If you feel like your to-do list is never ending with little room for guilt-free fun, or you're unhappy with your current approach to managing your time and to-do list, then "It's About Time" is for you! In this online workshop you'll learn how to spend more of your time doing the things you love.

"It's About Time" doesn't prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach to time or task management. Instead, you'll pinpoint the ways you'd like to change how you spend your time and manage your to-dos. Using the ideas and techniques presented in the lessons, you'll create a customized approach to time and task management—one that works for you. View the entire class syllabus by clicking here. The workshop begins Thursday, July 21, 2011.

simplify 101 is offering my readers 15% off enrollment in It's About Time! To take advantage of this offer and take control over your time, enter CZSAVETIME during checkout. This coupon is good through Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 11 PM Eastern and may not be combined with any other offer.

ABOUT SIMPLIFY 101:  Founded by Aby Garvey, the co-author of The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, simplify 101's mission is to make getting organized fun! Get a taste of simplify 101—and the organized life—with their FREE, simple-to-follow guide How to Create a Command Central Binder. You'll put together a home reference binder that will help you get organized, save time, and minimize paper clutter and the stress that comes along with it!

TO ENTER: Leave me a comment and I'll choose a winner on Sunday evening! Good luck.

 

Some of your children will love the camera, others, well…

Last weekend, my nephew, Jacob, married his lovely fiancé, Melissa, which meant the Zielske clan got to scrub up and make themselves look presentable.

I appreciate many of my 15-year-old's qualities: she is thoughtful, empathic, kind, creative, whip smart and independent. She also likes having her picture taken.

She also has really good hair.

One thing is for certain: this young woman will never lack for a proper collection of photos from her life.

Another thing? She never really hit that awkward teen phase like I did.

But I really did feel pretty in that purple angora sweater. Sigh.

Now speaking of people getting all cleaned up, this leaves us with Cole. At nearly 12, he is less thrilled with the idea of a nice photograph for posterity's sake.

Let's try again, buddy. Just hold still... there! Got it!

Note to self: next time, if you want results, bust out the cold hard cash.

 

Feeling the InstaLove (free template download!)

I am feeling the Instagram love, people.

Since picking my my new iPhone last week, I've joined the throngs of phone photo enthusiasts who post their photos to the online stream that is Instagram.

The tilt-shift. The filters. The simple way to snap and share. I love this silly app and I hardly even know it.

But I don't just want to have little photos I love only relegated to cyberspace. I really want to incorporate some of these images into my overall memory keeping system.

I think they'd be perfect to sprinkle into any Project Life albums.

Or, you could do what I'm doing: create a simple page featuring a few of your favorites from the month.

I've created a simple 8.5 x 11 layered template for anyone who'd like to do the same. You can create a fully digital page like I did, and simply print it out onto a piece of photo paper (or, save the entire file as a JPEG and upload to an online photo printer such as ScrapbookPictures.com) and save the page as is.

Or you could also break it apart to create any hybrid variation of this page.

A sweet, simple, slice of InstaLife. Click on the link below the image to download the free template.

Note: this template would also be a great place to showcase some of your Hipstamatic prints as well. Or heck, it's also just a cute template to drop six photos into about anything you love. Play with it as you choose!

Download CZ_InstaFreebie

Enjoy!

To see more of my digital scrapbook templates and products, visit my collection at Designer Digitals today.

Want to learn more about the basics of digital scrapbooking? Check out some of my video tutorial posts by clicking here.