Missing the snow

I grew up in Colorado. Half of the state is covered by the Rocky Mountains and it has some of the best snowfall in the United States.

I've really missed Colorado winters after having lived these past several years in Tokyo. I figure it would be much easier to suffer through the cold weather if only I could look out of my window and enjoy a snow crested landscape. I miss snow.

When we do have the rare snowfall here, we know its a short-lived experience and everyone heads outside immediately to play in the fresh snow. My kids, like most kids, love to play in the snow. Without it, all we end up with are the grey winter blahs.

I found some old photos from 2002 of the kids playing in the snow in our little "backyard." With spring right around the corner, it looks like this may be the closest I get to snow this year. Ah well, there's always next year....

雪が降って欲しいな～

アメリカのコロラド州の出身です。州の半分ぐらいはロッキー山脈で、都内でも雪がいっぱい降ります。

この数年間、東京に住んでて、コロラド州の冬が恋しいです。さえ雪が降れば、寒くっても冬が過ごしやすくなると思います。寒くっても、キレイな雪景色が見えるとなんとなく落ち着きます。雪が降って欲しい。

たまに雪が降ったら、少しの時間しか待たないと分かるから、皆さんがすぐお外で雪遊びに行きます。特に子ども達ですね。なんとなく元気が出ます。雪なしで、寒いだけの冬には落ち込んでしまう。

2002年からの雪遊び写真を見つけました。もうそろそろ春は東京に来る。今年、雪遊びのが写真でしか出来ないでしょう。また来年に雪遊が出来るといいな～。

March Crop Schedule

November 3 (Tues): Beginner Scrappers (Lesson: Any page theme is okay. Those making mini albums are also welcome. I will be giving the lesson on using patterned paper for those persons who have not yet taken it. Even if you've already had the lesson, please feel free to come.)

November 10 (Wed): Open Scrap (any page theme is ok, patterned paper lesson for those who haven't taken it yet.)

November 17 (Mon): Advanced Scrappers (Challenge will be using premade or self-made clear acrylic accents.)

"Open class" is open to anyone who has scrapped before, any level.
"Beginner scrappers" are generally those who have been scrapping for a year or less. First-time scrappers are also welcome.
"Advanced scrappers" are those who have been scrapping for more than one year.
Limit: 8 people

3月のスクラップブッキングの予定

3月3日（火）:　初心者 (テーマは何でも大丈夫です。ミニーアルバムも可能です。レッスンはまだ受けてないの方の為に"パタンペーパを上手に使い方"をやります。すでに受けている方でも参加どうぞ。）

3月10日（火）:　オープンスクラップ (テーマは何でも大丈夫です。レスンはまだ受けてないの方がパタンペーパのレスンをやります。)

3月17日（火）：上級者 （２４日は春休みになるので、１７日にさせてもらいます。今回のチャレンジは無色アクリルアクセントを使ってみましょう。）

定員は8人になります。参加ご希望の方はお連絡下さい。

What a LOVEly surprise

I woke up this morning and as usual one of the first things I do before waking the kids is to check my inbox. Well, this morning I got a wonderful surprise from Janet at The DailyDigi.

A few weeks ago I read she was collecting submissions for pages about Love. I'd just so happened to finish my Pets page and thought I would send it to her for consideration.

Well, she chose my page to include in her Valentines Day "With Lots of Love." I am honored, once again, to be included in such a wonderful group of scrappers.

If you have a chance, please take a look not only a this Valentines Day post, but her other posts as well. Janet just began The DailyDigi from this year, and already its the hottest site for digital scrappers. Soooo much information about the digital scrapbooking world, as well as some other great things too.


The DailyDigi で Valentines Day の特集のため"大好きなペット"のページが選ばれていただきました。機会があれば是非他の方の"愛"ページも見に来て下さい。

日本語の訳は少なくてごっめんなさい。

Once upon a time

This may come as a surprise, or maybe not. The people who know me, know that I am a bit of a serious person. When I start something, I finish it. When I decide to do something, I do it to the best of my ability. I'm not afraid to be on my own or with a group of others. I value honesty, modesty, hard work and politeness. Of course I owe many of my values to the way my parents raised me. But I also owe a great deal of my character to my days spent in the military.

For four years I was a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol which is a auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Through CAP I learned discipline and leadership, and was even able to get my solo pilot's license. I dreamed of making the military my career and wanted to be an astronaut. Such a long, long time ago.

Things change. I'm no longer a member and I do not fly anymore (other than on a commericial flight home and back every summer). But it was a huge part of my life at one point.

Scrapping these pages was a challenge for me. Such a mix of memories from those days. Things I want to remember, and things I don't. But as I make the pages of my own memory album I knew I had to include these photos.


昔々ある所で。

びっくりするかもしれない。それともびっくりしないかな～？仲良いの友達はもう私の性格を知ってるけど、かなりまじめな人です。何かを始めると終わりまで続ける。何かをやるのを決心すると最後まで頑張る。一人にいても、友だちと一緒にいても平気です。正直、謙遜、頑張る、尊敬の事を大事だと思います。もちろん親の育ちかたを認めます。しかも、多くの性格特色は軍隊に入った時期からです。

シビル　エーア　パトロルと言うアメリカ空軍の予備支部に４年間入隊していました。CAPで規律や、リーダシップなどを習って、ソロパイロット免許でも得る事が出来ました。空軍パイロットと宇宙飛行士とうしてキャリアーを憧れました。大分昔だった。

その昔からすべてが変わりました。ずうと前に除隊したし、もう飛行機を操縦しない。その時代に私の人生すべてだったのに。

こう言うの写真をスクラップするのが難しかったです。甘くて苦しい思い出。ある事を覚えたい。他の事はもう思い出したくない。ただし、自分のメモリーアルバムを作っているからこのページも入れなきゃいけないですね。

「軍隊の言葉や、日常話しでは無いですので、翻訳が下手だと思います。すみません。。。」

Lightning strikes twice

Pinch me, I must be dreaming! One of my pages was chosen again by The Daily Scrapper for publication. I am honored once again to be one of the featured scrappers in their February edition, this time for Asian-related pages.

I made this page of my daughter's Shichi-Go-San celebration a few years ago, but its still one of my faves. Come take a look at some other beautiful Asian themed layouts too. Don't miss both pages. The link to page 1 and page 2 are near the top of the page.

わ～夢みたい！嬉しい。また The Daily Scrapperに誘われました。今回のテーマはアジア係のページでした。

娘の七五三ページは２年前ぐらいに作ったけど、まだまだ自分の気に入りです。

是非他の方のアジアページも見に来て下さい。ウェッブページが二つあります。ページ１とページ２
のリンクはページの上にあります。