Do you have snoring significant other or roommate? Has anyone ever said anything to you about “Shaking the rafters” at night with your snoring? It can be a pain, true. When our family home was being built in 1976, we stayed with my Great Grandmother and I shared a room with her. It’s amazing I made it to middle school!
Seriously, I got to the point where the sound of snoring, even loud snoring, became comforting to me and now even when David snores I sleep right through it, unless the sounds are just “wrong.” When he has a cold the snoring is irregular and noticeable to me. But thus far, I’ve never noticed odd snoring unless he has a cold. But I know a little about what to listen for! I studied up on it as best I could when Mums and I shared a room!
Sleep Disorders Guide is a great online resource. Make sure what you find annoying isn’t a sign of something worse than annoying, like sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where one actually stops breathing while asleep. Does your partner ever wake up choking or gasping? Does your roomie wake up several times a night? Those could be symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can also lead to weight gain, memory loss and depression. That’s a bit more serious than an annoyance to joke about!
Visit the Sleep Disorders Guide to get more information on sleep apnea or other sleep disorders like restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy or bedwetting. You can even get tips on lessening or avoiding jet lag! It’s a great resource to have bookmarked!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Another Wedding Reveal and Project 365
I finally got a decent picture of the ring. I love my ring! It’s so me and so David’s me too! I am a mix of unconventional and traditional. I don’t mean a blended portrait of the new Millennium Donna Reed, either. I am a mix, a mosaic if you will. David and I share a last name now, but I have a new middle name too. I wasn’t going to totally give up the last name I had for 42 years! To hyphenate is to blend, to either keep OR change my last name is one way or the other. I want it all.
The ring is that. For me, the ring needed to be a yellow-gold band with a single stone. That’s traditional me. This one is THE ring, there isn’t another ring for the marriage because, well, we really didn’t have an engagement. David gave me this ring the day after we got married! And it’s not strictly yellow gold either. It pays an elegant and subtle tribute to my “I want it all” status. The main band is yellow gold and the top and bottom flares are white gold. It’s like the Hershey’s Nuggets that I only got to enjoy for one Christmas season and then never saw them again. Those were half dark and half milk chocolate. I have never tasted a more heavenly combination and I‘ve never gazed upon a more exquisite setting for a gem stone on a ring. The white gold top and bottom go around and fade into the main gold band on the sides. David didn't like the size of the diamond on the one I saw and he upgraded it, so I have no idea what the monetary value is, which is appropriate for a gift, but also increases its already priceless value to me. It’s a symbol of not only his love and commitment, but his opinion that I’m special - I’m not just ‘off the rack.”
I am now, almost 2 weeks later, starting to spend less time just gazing at it. So, I may be able to settle into married life without a 12-step program. Now I just want one of those chocolates. For THAT, I think I’m beyond a 12-step program!
Another Reveal
So, I still owe anyone reading who’s been interested in them, 2 more reveal stories from the wedding week! The final reveal, which was just over a week after the wedding, will be the subject of tomorrow’s mug shot, per my husband’s suggestion.
My BORT Rail show for 2008David predicted someone, likely one of the ladies, would ask, “Is there something you need to announce?” at the end of the show. I drew number 22, which meant I was actually show number 18 or so. Thankfully before dinner! I spent the time before the shows started and all the breaks with my hands, at least the left one, in my pocket or trying to avoid a lot of one on one time with anyone, especially the wives! It was mentioned later that the ladies surely would have immediately seen the ring had I not been so careful to hide it! So the last break before my show ended and I was first. After a few comments marveling at the menu screen on my DVD, which I completely confessed was a nice standard menu in iDVD, (the one for wedding videos!) the somewhat sappier than usual for me show started.
After that final credit, during the applause, Tina, a fellow as her husband calls her, railfanette, came to where I was sitting and asked, “Is there something you need to announce?” just like David predicted! Then the applause switched to surprised cheers, congratulations, and hugs. For us, the dinner break was questions about when we did it, how we hid the ring from the other wives and a dessert picture of David and me feeding each other cake. Even when you elope, some photos will be taken anyway, right?
For the final reveal on New Years Eve, come back tomorrow for the Mug Shot!
Project 365
Project 365 is basically a challenge to chronicle the year with one photo a day. There are tons of “project 365s” and they have been around for a long time. The popular one I’ve been seeing in the scrapping community is the photo one, and of course to use those photos in layouts makes it a complete presentation! I had been toying with the idea of documenting my first married year.
I saw a post on DST from Jaimie, who was promoting her first template freebie on her first blog, based around her work on the photo challenge. Her template is great! It has room for seven photos and a little journaling for each. Completing the challenge will give you a great 52-page journal of the year. That got my creative brain going! I’m going to combine Project 365 with my scrap pages and journaling pages to create “Patch 365,” our first married year.
This is what Jaimie’s template looks like:
Isn’t it great for the project? Taylor-made! Visit her blog, “life: by design” to see her photos so far and snag this awesome template for your “365 project” or just for a great scrapbooking page! When you leave a comment to say “thanks,” tell her Nani sent ya!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Wedding Stories and Freebies!
Well, I’d like to think that this is my last sloughing off day, but I SO have NOT been sloughing off! What, with Christmas, opening a new store, finishing my train show and all the planning for letting people know about the marriage, I’ve hardly had any down time.
I haven’t job hunted since I was single! Monday I will officially be back to working on working. Honestly, December was so fantastic that I have a renewed optimism going into it. I updated my resume to include notes in my highlight section about selling my scrapbook designs and the sponsored posts on my blog. I figure listing my Donna Reed work only really counts if I have it on a demo reel, but David would give me a great reference for my marinated chicken!
I have so much to say and share! “My Blue Heaven” and “Indian Summer” are both available at Scrap Bird, which of course means there is a new blog bonus for using Digitalegacies Products. I promised a few of the anecdotes from our week and a half of surprises for everyone and remember, I promised there would still be freebies available right here! Get a mug of coffee, tea or hot cocoa and join me for the tales du jour!
David and I have really loved letting people know about our marriage! We kept it relatively quiet for a little over a week “springing it” in person four places.
The first wasn’t really “in person,” but David and I each had a key person we wanted to tell right after we got home. In fact, I got voice mail in the car on the way home. You see, I have more than one number for Kelly. I left this message (paraphrased) “Kelly, it’s Nani. I need to talk to you. David isn’t my boyfriend anymore. Just in time for Christmas. Nice, huh?”
My voice was serious and somber, but the words were all true! I figured she’d call right back after getting that message. But, no call back! Kelly is my platonic soul mate. It never crossed my mind that she just wasn’t calling back right away. Just before David left for work I called another number. I got Kelly!
The conversation went like this:
“Kelly, I need to talk. David isn’t my boyfriend anymore.”
“NO! Oh, honey, what happened??”
“WE GOT MARRIED!”
Then there was shrieking - it included, “I was supposed to be the maid of honor!” “was anyone there?” “Don’t you EVER scare me like that again, I was already planning my trip to Ohio to be with you and kick David’s butt if I needed to!”
It really was a fun phone call. Her daughter, Brooke, was dropping off the baby before she went to work and I got to talk to her too. It was about a 45-minute phone call, interrupted for just a moment when David called to let me know he’d called his brother and used the same line, “that I wasn’t his girlfriend anymore. Ben replied “Oh, I’m so sorry...” Then it was happy time when he came clean about it. His sister-in-law, OUR sister-in-law, Ellen was disappointed because they figure a wedding might be the only way they ever get to Ohio!
The next day, Christmas Eve, I was on the phone with Dad to let him know when we’d be to his place. I told him we’d be leaving from the mall because David had to stop...because he’s a guy.”
Dad said “Of course. He still has to do his Christmas shopping.”
That wasn’t odd to Dad at all because he and I used to go to the mall on Christmas Eve so he could get Mom’s gifts!
Truth is David ordered my ring, in my size and with the stone he wanted in it and it would be ready to pick up on Christmas Eve morning. Dad didn’t need that detail, not yet.
At dinner, when everyone had passed the serving plates around and things had toned down to the usual Christmas Eve murmur of conversations, David stood up and said, (again, paraphrasing) “I need to say something. There have been a few comments tonight about boyfriend and girlfriend, we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend,” He pulled out the ring box. “We were married yesterday, she’s my wife!”
The room exploded into happy sounds of surprised congratulations and a holler form Tori at the kids table of “It’s about time!” and a few comments about expecting it to be an engagement. My cousin’s husband, Tory, who was sitting next to me had seen the box and thought David was going to propose. We had thrown around the idea of David asking me “Did you marry me?” and me replying, “yesterday!” but his announcement got the desired reaction!
When I talked to Dad a couple days later, he told me a few people thought surely he’d known before then, but no. I told him that if I had let him know ahead of time it would have spoiled the surprise because he couldn't keep from telling just everyone. He admitted that I was right on that one!
More wedding week stories coming this weekend! But now, it’s time to show the new blog bonus!
If you have sound on your computer and you let the iPod play, you heard Tommy James and the Shondells singing “Crimson and Clover.” The bonus papers and elements are in the shades of green clover and the tan, purple and crimson colors of the various clover flowers, The kit can be yours for free! All you have to do for it is show me your layout done with Digitalegacies Designs products from my store of freebies from The Chronicles of Nani! Send me you layout or a link to it to chroniclesofnani@gmail.com and I’ll send you the link for "Crimson and Clover!"
And now, THE FREEBIE!
I did some brag book pages for the store with the intention of having extras to offer for all of you who “knew me when” and all of you who will know me now too! These were made with the “My Blue Heaven” kit. While the kit is made to celebrate winter weddings, one in particular, it can definitely do more than that!
Sorry, this link is expired.
The other four pages will be in the store next week, but come back here this weekend to see the rest of the wedding tales!
I haven’t job hunted since I was single! Monday I will officially be back to working on working. Honestly, December was so fantastic that I have a renewed optimism going into it. I updated my resume to include notes in my highlight section about selling my scrapbook designs and the sponsored posts on my blog. I figure listing my Donna Reed work only really counts if I have it on a demo reel, but David would give me a great reference for my marinated chicken!
I have so much to say and share! “My Blue Heaven” and “Indian Summer” are both available at Scrap Bird, which of course means there is a new blog bonus for using Digitalegacies Products. I promised a few of the anecdotes from our week and a half of surprises for everyone and remember, I promised there would still be freebies available right here! Get a mug of coffee, tea or hot cocoa and join me for the tales du jour!
David and I have really loved letting people know about our marriage! We kept it relatively quiet for a little over a week “springing it” in person four places.
The first wasn’t really “in person,” but David and I each had a key person we wanted to tell right after we got home. In fact, I got voice mail in the car on the way home. You see, I have more than one number for Kelly. I left this message (paraphrased) “Kelly, it’s Nani. I need to talk to you. David isn’t my boyfriend anymore. Just in time for Christmas. Nice, huh?”
My voice was serious and somber, but the words were all true! I figured she’d call right back after getting that message. But, no call back! Kelly is my platonic soul mate. It never crossed my mind that she just wasn’t calling back right away. Just before David left for work I called another number. I got Kelly!
The conversation went like this:
“Kelly, I need to talk. David isn’t my boyfriend anymore.”
“NO! Oh, honey, what happened??”
“WE GOT MARRIED!”
Then there was shrieking - it included, “I was supposed to be the maid of honor!” “was anyone there?” “Don’t you EVER scare me like that again, I was already planning my trip to Ohio to be with you and kick David’s butt if I needed to!”
It really was a fun phone call. Her daughter, Brooke, was dropping off the baby before she went to work and I got to talk to her too. It was about a 45-minute phone call, interrupted for just a moment when David called to let me know he’d called his brother and used the same line, “that I wasn’t his girlfriend anymore. Ben replied “Oh, I’m so sorry...” Then it was happy time when he came clean about it. His sister-in-law, OUR sister-in-law, Ellen was disappointed because they figure a wedding might be the only way they ever get to Ohio!
The next day, Christmas Eve, I was on the phone with Dad to let him know when we’d be to his place. I told him we’d be leaving from the mall because David had to stop...because he’s a guy.”
Dad said “Of course. He still has to do his Christmas shopping.”
That wasn’t odd to Dad at all because he and I used to go to the mall on Christmas Eve so he could get Mom’s gifts!
Truth is David ordered my ring, in my size and with the stone he wanted in it and it would be ready to pick up on Christmas Eve morning. Dad didn’t need that detail, not yet.
At dinner, when everyone had passed the serving plates around and things had toned down to the usual Christmas Eve murmur of conversations, David stood up and said, (again, paraphrasing) “I need to say something. There have been a few comments tonight about boyfriend and girlfriend, we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend,” He pulled out the ring box. “We were married yesterday, she’s my wife!”
The room exploded into happy sounds of surprised congratulations and a holler form Tori at the kids table of “It’s about time!” and a few comments about expecting it to be an engagement. My cousin’s husband, Tory, who was sitting next to me had seen the box and thought David was going to propose. We had thrown around the idea of David asking me “Did you marry me?” and me replying, “yesterday!” but his announcement got the desired reaction!
When I talked to Dad a couple days later, he told me a few people thought surely he’d known before then, but no. I told him that if I had let him know ahead of time it would have spoiled the surprise because he couldn't keep from telling just everyone. He admitted that I was right on that one!
More wedding week stories coming this weekend! But now, it’s time to show the new blog bonus!
If you have sound on your computer and you let the iPod play, you heard Tommy James and the Shondells singing “Crimson and Clover.” The bonus papers and elements are in the shades of green clover and the tan, purple and crimson colors of the various clover flowers, The kit can be yours for free! All you have to do for it is show me your layout done with Digitalegacies Designs products from my store of freebies from The Chronicles of Nani! Send me you layout or a link to it to chroniclesofnani@gmail.com and I’ll send you the link for "Crimson and Clover!"
And now, THE FREEBIE!
I did some brag book pages for the store with the intention of having extras to offer for all of you who “knew me when” and all of you who will know me now too! These were made with the “My Blue Heaven” kit. While the kit is made to celebrate winter weddings, one in particular, it can definitely do more than that!
Sorry, this link is expired.The other four pages will be in the store next week, but come back here this weekend to see the rest of the wedding tales!
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Main Event - My Blue Heaven
“My Blue Heaven” is a classic tune that has been recorded and played by many entertainers from Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller to Joe the Lounge Lizard at the Holiday Inn. Everyone gives it their personal touch, but the classic tune is still that one so many can hum along to no matter who does it. It’s also my delving into a classic scrapbook look that has been done by many designers, all giving it their own touch, hearts and flowers!
Now, where does “My Blue Heaven” relate to that main event I referred to in my last post? Well, the main event is a classic that many from the famous to the average participate in, each giving it their own touch, but the event is still that same event that everyone has seen before and knows well. The inspiration for “My Blue Heaven” came from the blouse I wore when I got married!
In fact, one of the papers in the kit is a scan of the actual fabric from that blouse! The kit is shades of blue and white with sparklies and...
hehe...
If you hadn’t heard about it yet, you’re probably still on that paragraph about getting married.
Okay, let’s go back to 2008 and a marriage announcement I did with Darlene Haughin’s “One WInter Night!”
David’s tie is all railroad heralds and I am wearing my gold train necklace!
David and I knew we were going to be married one day and we’d been seriously talking about it for about a year. You know how I mean seriously talking about it. We’d talk about what we’d like the wedding to be like when we were waiting for trains or whenever we had down time when we were together. Now if a guy is open to discussing what he’d want for a wedding often, THAT is serious talk about it!
I had never in my life thought about a wedding or what I’d put in a wedding, but I started feeling all geeky about it when he and I discussed it. But to be real about it, there are several things that I’ve always disliked about thinking of me in a wedding. Aside form not wanting people looking at me all day and saying I was “beautiful” whether or not they really thought so because you never tell a bride that she isn’t radiant enough, thin enough or wearing enough makeup to pull it off and the stomach knotting fear of forgetting to invite someone that would be crushed not to be invited, the number one thing I’ve always had against the thought of having a wedding was money. And here I was, painfully being proven right!
David and I knew that if we waited until we could afford what we wanted in a wedding, something that would say “us” and be a fun event for our family and friends, we’d be just living together forever. Around Thanksgiving, we discussed eloping.
My grandparents were the epitome of romantic love, respect and cherished friendship to me growing up and until we lost Papa in 1994. They eloped in 1944. Papa was serving in the navy during W.W.II and when he was home on leave, they got married. The marriage was what was important to them. I think there is a lot to that. I have seen too many marriages that end too soon in divorce after huge weddings. I always told Grandma that I would never marry unless I found a man I could love as romantically and as truly as she did Papa. Well, I told Grandma some time ago that I’d found that man. So, why not start the same way, right?
Our first choice of dates was December 19, with plans to surprise friends at UNO and The Fabulous Dessert Bar on the 20th. But, there was freezing rain on Friday, (paraphrase Alanis Morissette here - “It’s like freezing rain on your wedding day...”) David gave platelets Monday and Tuesday was the last chance before Christmas. David suggested waiting until the next week, but we would be seeing my whole family Christmas Eve and I really wanted to surprise as many people in person as possible. So, we went out Tuesday morning to get the license and get in early in the afternoon when the judge does weddings.
We became husband and wife at 2:30, December 23, 2008! Surprising people has been the greatest! I’ll talk some tomorrow about the very cool ways we’ve sprung the news on our people, but the last week and a half has been a blast!
“My Blue Heaven” will be available in my store soon as will “Indian Summer.” There will be a new bonus kit for the beginning of 2009 before the weekend is over! And there will be some more wedding day chatter tomorrow!
Now, where does “My Blue Heaven” relate to that main event I referred to in my last post? Well, the main event is a classic that many from the famous to the average participate in, each giving it their own touch, but the event is still that same event that everyone has seen before and knows well. The inspiration for “My Blue Heaven” came from the blouse I wore when I got married!
In fact, one of the papers in the kit is a scan of the actual fabric from that blouse! The kit is shades of blue and white with sparklies and...
hehe...
If you hadn’t heard about it yet, you’re probably still on that paragraph about getting married.
Okay, let’s go back to 2008 and a marriage announcement I did with Darlene Haughin’s “One WInter Night!”
David’s tie is all railroad heralds and I am wearing my gold train necklace!David and I knew we were going to be married one day and we’d been seriously talking about it for about a year. You know how I mean seriously talking about it. We’d talk about what we’d like the wedding to be like when we were waiting for trains or whenever we had down time when we were together. Now if a guy is open to discussing what he’d want for a wedding often, THAT is serious talk about it!
I had never in my life thought about a wedding or what I’d put in a wedding, but I started feeling all geeky about it when he and I discussed it. But to be real about it, there are several things that I’ve always disliked about thinking of me in a wedding. Aside form not wanting people looking at me all day and saying I was “beautiful” whether or not they really thought so because you never tell a bride that she isn’t radiant enough, thin enough or wearing enough makeup to pull it off and the stomach knotting fear of forgetting to invite someone that would be crushed not to be invited, the number one thing I’ve always had against the thought of having a wedding was money. And here I was, painfully being proven right!
David and I knew that if we waited until we could afford what we wanted in a wedding, something that would say “us” and be a fun event for our family and friends, we’d be just living together forever. Around Thanksgiving, we discussed eloping.
My grandparents were the epitome of romantic love, respect and cherished friendship to me growing up and until we lost Papa in 1994. They eloped in 1944. Papa was serving in the navy during W.W.II and when he was home on leave, they got married. The marriage was what was important to them. I think there is a lot to that. I have seen too many marriages that end too soon in divorce after huge weddings. I always told Grandma that I would never marry unless I found a man I could love as romantically and as truly as she did Papa. Well, I told Grandma some time ago that I’d found that man. So, why not start the same way, right?
Our first choice of dates was December 19, with plans to surprise friends at UNO and The Fabulous Dessert Bar on the 20th. But, there was freezing rain on Friday, (paraphrase Alanis Morissette here - “It’s like freezing rain on your wedding day...”) David gave platelets Monday and Tuesday was the last chance before Christmas. David suggested waiting until the next week, but we would be seeing my whole family Christmas Eve and I really wanted to surprise as many people in person as possible. So, we went out Tuesday morning to get the license and get in early in the afternoon when the judge does weddings.
We became husband and wife at 2:30, December 23, 2008! Surprising people has been the greatest! I’ll talk some tomorrow about the very cool ways we’ve sprung the news on our people, but the last week and a half has been a blast!
“My Blue Heaven” will be available in my store soon as will “Indian Summer.” There will be a new bonus kit for the beginning of 2009 before the weekend is over! And there will be some more wedding day chatter tomorrow!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
2008 was a year of lots of downs and a few year-saving ups pulling it out of the “bad year” category and putting it in the “challenging year” one in December, just saving it!! (But saving it it life-altering fashion!)
Today is the last day of the 3-day $2 sale at Scrap Bird! Dozens of kits, regularly priced as high as $5.50 are $2.00 through today! That’s a savings of up to 64%!
You can purchase my “It’s Christmas All Over The World” Merry Christmas ornament pack, regularly $3.00 for $2.00, but why stop there? All 9 ornaments are part of the whole kit, which regularly sells for $5.00. That’s $2.00 today too!
There are also some great kits from the other designers at Scrap Bird in the $2.00 sale. Now is a great time to stop by and get to know all of our styles!
While you’re there, don’t forget the personal joining bonus I’ve offered! “A Kiss For Christmas” is just $1.50 in my store, but join the community at Scrap Bird and send me(Nani) a PM and ask for it by January 7, and I’ll send it to you for free!
The new challenges for January are up and some of the challenge hostesses are offering bonuses in addition to the points you’ll collect for completing them! Stop by my challenge, “I Wanna Talk About Me.” This month we’re sharing our plans for 2009 and making affirmations to our resolutions. You’ll get 5 points for participating, 10 if you use Scrap Bird products and in addition to the points, I’m offering this quick page made with my soon-to-be-released kit, “My Blue Heaven!”
There is a lot to get involved with, great fun and great freebies at Scrap Bird for January! Won’t you join us?
Okay, now I have to get back to work on “My Blue Heaven!” I have a couple elements and a few tweaks before I do the preview. THEN I’ll be back to show it off and reveal the biggest and bestest news from 2008. If you haven’t heard about it, you DON’T want to miss it! Bookmark or follow this blog for the main event...SOON!
Today is the last day of the 3-day $2 sale at Scrap Bird! Dozens of kits, regularly priced as high as $5.50 are $2.00 through today! That’s a savings of up to 64%!
You can purchase my “It’s Christmas All Over The World” Merry Christmas ornament pack, regularly $3.00 for $2.00, but why stop there? All 9 ornaments are part of the whole kit, which regularly sells for $5.00. That’s $2.00 today too!
There are also some great kits from the other designers at Scrap Bird in the $2.00 sale. Now is a great time to stop by and get to know all of our styles!
While you’re there, don’t forget the personal joining bonus I’ve offered! “A Kiss For Christmas” is just $1.50 in my store, but join the community at Scrap Bird and send me(Nani) a PM and ask for it by January 7, and I’ll send it to you for free!
The new challenges for January are up and some of the challenge hostesses are offering bonuses in addition to the points you’ll collect for completing them! Stop by my challenge, “I Wanna Talk About Me.” This month we’re sharing our plans for 2009 and making affirmations to our resolutions. You’ll get 5 points for participating, 10 if you use Scrap Bird products and in addition to the points, I’m offering this quick page made with my soon-to-be-released kit, “My Blue Heaven!”
There is a lot to get involved with, great fun and great freebies at Scrap Bird for January! Won’t you join us?
Okay, now I have to get back to work on “My Blue Heaven!” I have a couple elements and a few tweaks before I do the preview. THEN I’ll be back to show it off and reveal the biggest and bestest news from 2008. If you haven’t heard about it, you DON’T want to miss it! Bookmark or follow this blog for the main event...SOON!
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