Inhale fresh hope, Exhale the old habits

Every year at about this time, I feel the sad stab of loss. Loss of summer, bare feet, lazy days or just lazy moments, carefree habits even on Sunday Nights, ...and a new school year begins, lately with dread.

But today, I felt a change from all of that.

 I like it.

This journaling spread was motivated by, not an end, but a chance for a brand new beginning.

Working with my special ed co-teacher is going to be exciting.

I feel positive, ambitious, and motivated again.

I needed a change. 

Do you?

A Little Break and a New Journal and Page

A time of breaks and a new beginning!

On Wednesday through Thursday of this past week, Michael and I took a little road trip to Canandaigua Lake, one of New York's Finger Lakes. Not too long of a drive, and a beautiful stay. My mother-in-law gave this overnight stay at the Chalet to us for Christmas last year, and we'd planned to get away after our daughter's wedding, so...

 This is one of the gathering places.

 The porch, where we had breakfast:

We took an hour-and-a-half boat ride/wine tasting, too! Very relaxing and I got to see how I'd feel on a boat...I did well.  There was an acoustic guitarist playing and singing on this ride, too. Very nice!

The day we got home, I began this new handmade journal from aboutludid.etsy.

Here is the front:

Here is the back:

 The pages are 6" X 9".

Thanks for looking! Enjoy your day!
~kath

Last Page in this Journal!

For every ending,

there is a new beginning...

I will choose a new journal,

and show you soon!

*

I used new Ranger Distress Inks

but even though they are beautiful shades

of vintage browns,

here they photographed yellow.

This page is NOT yellow.

But I had fun.

This focal is an old print-out

from Kelly Kilmer.

The patterned stamp is from Alisa Burke.

The tape is from my delicious drawer!

I love tape.

Serious tape love going on here.

*

Thank you for looking at my journal pages!

~kath

...and Summer Fades Away

...and I can hardly bare it.

Please August, slow down and wait for me,

just a little.

~k

DIY Wedding

 Lemonade and iced tea were served

before the ceremony

amidst the vintage blue mason jars of fresh flowers:

 From the save-the-dates, to the invitations,

to the decorations and bouquets,

all of the wedding was designed and created

by this bride, Michelle! 

Very personal! 

{sigh}

♥

Below are the table favors

which were the escort cards/ table seating: 

 Old photos of loved ones on a special table

and a banner of more B&W photos hung above:

 Michelle's handmade bouquet was wrapped with linen

and next to the brooch you see here,

were two lockets that held photos

of the loved ones who were missed

but were our angels:

Michelle painted and antiqued this beautiful, old table

we found last summer at a flea market:

Head table:

Thank you for putting up with me as I share my joy!

I promise to stop now...I think.

♥

kathy

Wedding Photos!

Thank you for asking for more! I am sooo excited!

It truly was a perfect day, a real fairy tale.

Here are a few before the ceremony, and at the beginning!

 Our family of 4: Drew, Michelle, me, Michael!

 The handsome Groom (Kevin) and his Groomsmen. (Drew is in the back)

 Ariana, the cutest one-year-old flower girl! She did it!

 Dad walks his baby girl down the aisle...

 ...and has to give her to Kevin.

With this ring...

♥

aaah, I am still crying and beaming.

I promise to show you reception party photos next!

Thank you for visiting and letting me share!

♥

♥ Just Married ♥

Joy

♥Thank you for your warm wishes. I promise to show you more soon!

~kathy

Remembering...

...that during all of the planning and itineraries, we still must
eat well

Hydrate...

Get plenty of fresh air

...and rest

...because the Big Day is almost here. ♥

Summer of Color: Finale!

The finale is a presentation

of all of one's

8 weeks of color challenges

made into a colorfilled display,

so...

Here's mine!

♥A very, very special thank you out to our hostess, Kristin, for the beauty, the challenge, the inspiration...and the promise of next year's fun now too!  yay!

Blue. These pages were filled with a need to find peace after a really tough school year.

Pink. I'm excited about a summer off to prepare for my daughter's wedding!

Yellow. (on the right) Remembering a wonderful family vacation when the kids were little.

 Brown. (above, left)...a few quiet moments this busy summer...

Green. Seeing hope and inspiration when it's hard to sometimes in life (and health).

Purple. Magestic Perseverance. The Tenacity of a weed.

Red. Maybe my favorite pages...

Orange. When people work together, it's a good thing.

*

Pages of my journal

Remembering my summer

of color

of intense heat

and intense emotions

*

Thank you everyone for visiting.

Thank you old friends

and new friends from this challenge!

~kathy

Summer of Color...Orange!

This is the final color week of Kristin's Challenge, after 8 wonderful, summery, colorful weeks. Wow, that means summer is on the downswing, too, ack!

Orange is not a color I use often (enough!). I rather enjoyed this. And since the bonus was to incorporate a favorite quote, I had to think for a while because I love beautiful quotes from smart people that make me think!  Then I remembered this one, and how I use it often!

As a teacher and a friend, I say this to others that I care about, and I remember it for myself. I believe it is not only important, but necessary to share with and lean on others for help, strength, support, guidance, teachings, experience....

We need not ever be alone, nor feel alone.
Love always, ~kathy

PS.  I used a card to smear and smudge luscious oranges, yellows and whites, then used a stamp by Teesha.

August Calendar Journal Challenge

 This is a very special, very emotional month for me, for us.

My daughter Michelle "Mia", is getting married in just a few days.

So, this month's calendar pages were created in Michelle's colors

to capture the feel of the planning and of the wedding!

 Rehearsal dinner...picking up the cake...

 ...and the beautiful, long-awaited, big day. ♥

Vineyard, twinkle lights, fresh berry pies, lemonade, and

lots of love.

Friends, please think of us, pray for us, smile with us.

♥

Thank you so much for visiting

and for your kind comments

and well wishes.

~k

To see more of Kate's 365 Journal Calendar Challenge 2011, go here!