fresh picked whimsy

And, she's off!

She's been gone a little over a week now. 

She left for college....and so did a big piece of my heart.

But, we are all settling in and getting adjusted.  And, she is going to have the time of her life!  Do you remember leaving for college as a freshman?  I sure do.  These are exciting times!

We had lots to do in the weeks leading up to her departure.  There were family dinners, gatherings with friends and dorm room shopping...

the dining room table became dorm central...

we had to get shots.  Stickers and slushies make boo boos feel better.

We went to see Brave...because that's what she is...

stocking up on Sunny snuggles...

She posted this on Instagram and i died a little bit...

There were lots of tearful good-byes with family and friends who are going to far away schools and a late night gathering of their group of friends at their elementary school playground the night before she left...

i felt like an Olympic coach cheering Mark on to the packing job of his life...

He managed to get it all into one vehicle with room to spare for the 5 of us...

a well orchestrated car unloading machine at the dorm loading dock...we never lifted a finger.  Student volunteers did it all and delivered it to her room.  It was fabulous!

Dorm sweet dorm!

The loft has been brother tested and approved...

♥ Besties and Roomies ♥

It was hard to walk away when we said good-bye that night.  But, she has a great group of friends there with her...most especially her BFF.  I'm so thankful for texting, FB and oovoo {just like skype, only better}...

This series of texts was screenshot worthy...even if it gave me heartburn...

it is classic kate.  she could get lost in her own neighborhood.

Classes started yesterday and so far, she's loving it!  I've already put together her first care package and cannot wait until we see her again.  Until then...i need to take my own advice...that we all just need to get used to a new normal. 

Sending my hugs to all the mamas and dads who are sending their babies off to college.  Here's to new beginnings! ♥

Let the games begin!

The Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Summer Olympics is one week from today!  I LOVE watching the Olympics...my whole family loves watching.  In the US, it will be broadcast on several different channels at different times around the clock.  We can't wait!  We have Olympic fever.  Raise your hand if you do, too!  Of course we are Team USA, but we love following the personal, inspiring stories of the Olympians from around the world and cheering them on, as well.  I was inspired to make a few FREE Olympic printables.  You will always find them under the free stuff just for you button on the sidebar and you are welcome to print them and share them.  As always, they are for PERSONAL use only. 

The first one is for you to display your support for Team USA...Simply print it here and hang it for all to see...  {Did you know that there are 205 nations participating in the games?  I wish i could have made printables for all the countries.  Maybe i should start drawing now to be ready for the 2016 Olympics!?}

The second one is an illustrated American flag.  Print them here...

cut...

and tape the extra flap to a straw. 

Wave it proudly!

Lastly...award your champions with these fun Olympic medals.  Print them here and cut them out...

To make them a little more sturdy, i used a recycled thin cardboard box.

Glue them to the cardboard and cut out the medal again. 

Cut a small slit at the top of the medal the width of whatever ribbon you plan to use. 

Then, add the ribbon...

and you are ready for your own personal awards ceremony!

and DREAM BIG!!!!!!

 Download, print, share, pin and enjoy, friends! ♥

Been there, done that!

I still cannot believe I did it!  We did it!  We completed the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini Marathon.

{picture of mark and i crossing the finish line...}

I know this is old news...(it was over a month ago) but i'm still catching up on my blogging.  And...it was a HUGE HUGE accomplishment.  Plus, everyone asks me about my experience, so i thought i would share.

To be completely honest, it was one of the hardest things i've ever done.

We trained, we prepared and it was HARD.  But we got 'er done.  What an experience! 

This is the view from our starting position.  We were in corral z (for those of you who have never been in a mini or regular marathon...they place you in order of experience and time).  We were at the back of the pack because we had never done it before.  The start line was actually around the corner past the glass Artsgarden, to the left and a few miles down the road.  It took us a half hour just to get to the START LINE!

finally...the start...

There was a lot to see...we first walked past the zoo.  They brought the elephants over to the fence so we could see them.  I loved that!

There are live bands and musical acts all along the course.  A few miles into it, I saw Griffin's friends {5th graders!} and their band.  They yelled "Hi Mrs. McDonough!" on their microphone as i ran up to take their picture.  THAT WAS COOL...i got a shout out in this huge crowd of walkers.  They made me feel like a rock star!  They were AWESOME!

Mid way, we walked around the track at the Indianapolis Speedway...home of the Indy 500.  That was the worst part.  Walking on blacktop...in scorching heat...on uneven pavement...2.5 miles around. 

The track was lined with cheerleaders from state high schools, colleges and universities.  They would cheer for you and call you by name as you walked by {your name is on your bib}. 

We passed these firemen walking in full gear...they walk it every year like this.  CRAZY!  We hurried up and passed them because there was NO WAY they were going to finish before us!!!!  It was 90+ degrees that day.  I don't know how they did it.

With about 4 miles to go, i was really feeling the burn.  I honestly didn't know how i was going to finish.  I was praying hard and then, i think a little miracle happened.  We spotted one of our friends sitting on the sidewalk nearby.  She was also walking the mini, and she was ready to give up.  She was hurting and wanted to quit.  Well, it was like a little switch went off in me and i immediately went into "mom mode".  Mark got on one side of her and i got on the other and we got her walking.  We distracted her and we encouraged her and she kept on walking.  It distracted me from my pain, too.  So, we walked the last miles together and we finished it together, too.  I'm certain God put her in my path as i prayed for him to just keep making my legs move!   

The very best part of the day was when our kids and my Dad met us at the finish line.  I couldn't stop the tears...i was completely drained of energy and feeling sorry for myself and my legs were killing me.  When i saw them, i turned to mush.

That day happened to be Katie's 18th birthday, too.  They took us home and we all went to Bub's Burgers for a celebratory lunch. 

Our friends who live across the street from us...Casey and Joy...helped us with training and encouragement (they are both runners and have run the Mini multiple times).  They brought us this fun gift later that day...for checking this off of our bucket list!  It was so clever! 

We will train differently next year.  Yes...i said next year.  We will train harder.  We followed the Hal Higdon training program, but i can't say that we followed it to a T.  More like a Q.  We kind of slacked off a bit around spring break time.  Looking back, that was a mistake.  I will be way more strict in our training next year.  I hope i read this blog post next January.  Ha!

But, for the next year...i will savor in the victory of crossing that finish line! 

We did it!

Thanks to all of our friends and family who have been encouraging us and cheering us on throughout this whole process.  You are the best!! xoxo

Absence makes the heart grow fonder ♥

As always, when i'm away from my little corner of the blogosphere, i've missed you so!  I'm so excited to tell you all about why i have been gone...I've started a little some'mmm some'mmm...

Introducing...the next BIG thing from moi and whimsy studios...

A brand new series of crafting classes that i'm offering in my studio!  I know!!!!...it's so much fun!!!  See, everytime people come to my studio, they look around at all the fun art supplies and always say..."wow, i'd love to just sit down right here and make something!"  Well, now they can!  Twice a week i will be gathering 12 crafty peeps in my studio, where i will teach a new craft {NO ARTISTIC ABILITY NECESSARY!}, we will enjoy a little wine or coffee, a few snickety snacks and get creative!  Kind of a "crafty girls' night out" or "crafty girls' morning out".  My goal is for everyone to take away from Craft Casserole a new crafting skill, quality girlfriend time and some ideas for future homemade gifts. At the very least, they will go home with some crafty goodness and be able to say proudly, "I made this"!

I've already held a couple of classes and we had so much fun! 

First we made these trendy coffee filter wreaths...so we could do something that everyone has seen on Pinterest...that everyone has been wanting to make.

 

at the next class, we made these sweet no-sew fabric rosettes...

 

which we made into brooches...

We just had a blast.  Everyone brought their own crafty beverages and snacks {sharing was optional} and nobody wanted to leave! 

I've created a Craft Casserole facebook page here.  If you are local, and you'd like for me to send you the class schedule for March & April, leave me a comment with your email address or message me on that FB page.  Morning and evening classes are first come, first serve and are filling up nicely!  You do need a reservation to attend.  Classes are $15 + the cost of supplies, which varies per craft.  All supplies are provided!  You are welcome to come by yourself and make new friends, but it's ALWAYS so much fun to craft with old friends, too!  So, feel free to share this with your friend, sister, mom, neighbor....

That's where i've been, friends!  I've got so much more to share with you...updates on my 40 Bags in 40 Days, Mini Marathon training, and new whimsy studios art!  We'll catch up this weekend! 

Happy Friday to all!!!! 

Gettin' my sweat on

"You're crazy"

"Who do you think you are?"

"You can't do this."

"You never finish anything."

These are just some of the things i hear in my head as i continue my everlasting battle with the bulge.  Do you hear those things too?  I don't think i'm alone in this.  But, somehow, someway, i manage to push them to the back of my mind and try to scream these things even louder...{in my head, so as not to alarm the folks who might be within ear-shot}

"crazy determined!"

"I'm worth it!"

"oh, yes i can!"

"watch me!"

I made a GIANT committment to my fitness goals and registered to walk in the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini Marathon. 

Yup.  You read that right.  And, yes...i may be crazy.  I've never even walked a 5k.  But, i'm going to do it.  In fact, my hubs Mark is doing it with me.  We are 13.5 weeks out from it and on are following the Hal Higdon training program that our good friend and seasoned marathon runner, Joy gave to us. 

I have been submerging myself in all things motivating...pinning fitness motivation like crazy, reading inspirational weight loss blogs like Mama Laughlin and Runs for Cookies, praying for God to move my feet and pouring over the last 12 months of my Fitness magazine issues.  The weather has been unseasonably awesome up to this point, which made getting outside and walking easy.  I have been taking advantage of it.  But, now, it's actually winter-like again.  And, i HATE the cold.  I so wish we had a treadmill or a gym membership, but we don't.  And, i'm not going to let that keep me from attaining my goals.  I feel like i do so great throughout spring, summer and fall and then, once the cold weather hits, i put the brakes on exercise.  So, I have become a pro at improvising... 

• A gym membership is not in our budget right now.  But, i can still use the indoor walk/run track at the local community center, because that is open for free public use.  On super cold days, you can find me there. 
• On milder days, i have been trying to find different routes to walk and i am LOVING the imapmywalk app on my iphone.  It literally maps my walk, tells me how far i've gone, and how fast i got there.  (i know there are awesome pedometer apps out there, but truth be told, i'm not brave enough to input my weight yet onto my phone, which is required if you want to gain all the benefits of those apps)
• My church offers a free fitness class once a week, which is led by Beachbody fitness coaches. We do a lot of P90 and P90x stuff, Hip Hop Abs, Turbo Fire and Turbo Jam.  It's hard stuff.  But i feel so good when it's done.  I LOVE to sweat.  The sweatier the better.  I like to envision that my fat is melting!!!  Even though it's only once a week, i love the way it breaks up my walking routine.  It's a nice change up.
• Joy took me to the YMCA with her yesterday to walk on the treadmill.  She had a bunch of free passes and i'm going to try to go with her once a week.  Another change up...yay!  I LOVED the treadmill...it felt great even though i felt like i was walking on a moving sidewalk for a while after i got off. 
• I'm anxious for the warmer weather, when i will get my bike out again.  I have tried in the cold weather, but my eyes tear constantly, even with sunglasses on.  Then i can't see and i'm just an accident waiting to happen.

My hope is to walk/lightly jog the Mini.  However, ultimately, i want to become a runner.  I can't even believe i just typed that.  That's crazy.  The only running i've ever done in the past is running to the store to buy ice cream.  But, this is my goal.  Perhaps, next year i will run the Mini.  eek!  In the meantime, i need to stay focused.  I need to figure out how to cook healthier.  I hate cooking, but i do need to find some simple ways to make healthier meals for my family of 5.  Also, i'm in search of a great sports bra {for busty girls}, because what i've got now isn't cutting it.  If you've got a recommendation, let me know! 

Wow, this was a long-winded post.  But, i'm a believer in putting it all out there...you guys are always so supportive of me.  And, i'm just trying to keep it real.  Really real.  So, if you're fighting this battle too, we're in this together.  We can do this!  Let's go!  Let's get healthy!!!! {If you were here, this is where we would high five or fist bump or somethin'...  but, you're not, so consider yourself virtually fist bumped...}  xo

it's just the beginning!

I've had a wonderful time with family and friends over these past few weeks...and am looking forward to all that 2012 has in store for me!  See you back here tomorrow, friends!  Have a fun New Year's Eve!  Be safe and enjoy!

Love, Lori

what do you want to be when you grow up?

This was a very FUN project that i did for a friend's school.  They auctioned these off for their school fundraising event.  I photographed each child in the 3 kindergarten classes and then asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up.  Some of the answers were hilarious and imaginative.  Then, with a little photoshop magic...

I had them printed 16x20 and they framed them.  The kids got to see them before the auction and they loved finding their pictures.  My personal faves were the little boy who wants to be a Daddy and the little girl who wants to be a mermaid!  It will be fun to look back at these when these kiddos graduate in 2024!  Dream big, little friends....dream BIG!

UPDATE:  Requests for the clip art or process that i used to make these posters has been overwhelming. I did not use clip art to make these.  I actually drew each illustration directly on to the images that i had scanned into my computer.  I used a Wacom to do the drawing in Photoshop.  Then, in Photoshop i colored them.  I wish i had clip art to offer, but when i originally created these, i never dreamed there would be such a high demand.  Perhaps, sometime in the future...  Thanks for your inquiries and kind words!

don't you hate it when people make you look at their vacation photos...

{WARNING:  the following blog post will make you want to stop everything you are doing, drop the kiddos off at grandma's, grab your sweetie and head to the islands}  Allow me to gush just one more day about our heavenly getaway.  I don't believe that there is another place on this planet that could top it.  And, i think we must have visited at the absolutely most perfect time of the year.  Because, T & C was deserted.  Most days we had the beach to ourselves....seriously...do you see anyone?...

I told you yesterday that we went with our friends, Anne & Mark.  We were their guests at this amazing resort. 

They spoiled us and treated us and wined and dined us.  We had so much fun with them.  Anne is the author of the book that i illustrated.  In the process of working on the books, we became close friends and our husbands have, too.  We had such a great time with them. 

The seashells in T & C are un-real.  {I am going to run out of awesome adjectives to describe this vacation in this blog post!  Ha!}  Conch shells everywhere.  I posted this picture on my facebook while we were there and my friends didn't believe that we found them on the beach.  But, we did!

See!

We seriously plucked them right out of the water or in the sand.  All of these...

and i filled a whole suitcase with them!  I lovingly and gently wrapped and packed them all up and then the customs lady at the airport very unlovingly unpacked them all!  Grrr!  But, they made it home safely and perfectly!  Success!

We only spied a few of these guys on our beach walks.  He's yellow!  I had to snap his picture for Griffin. 

Of course my Mark had to catch him. 

Mark and Anne chartered a boat for us for a day and it was so cool! 

Captain Shaun was the coolest dude. 

We stopped and toured Iguana Island {thankfully, they live only on their own island in T & C}...

then we stopped and went snorkeling on this sandbar that seemed to go on forever.  We found sand dollars, conch shells and this gorgeous starfish!... the water, oh the water!!!!  It looks like a swimming pool, right?  Nope...it's the ocean.  Crystal clear, warm and the finest powder white sandy bottom.  The sand was the consistency of flour.  I've been to many different beaches in my life and i've never felt anything like this before. 

Then, we went bottom fishing over a reef from our boat.  Our guys really wanted to fish, and Anne and I really just wanted to hang out in the sun while they fished.  But, Captain Shaun encouraged us to fish, too.  And, it was actually fun. 

and a little bit scary, too.  My Mark caught a barracuda!  And, then i caught a spotted morray eel! 

Yeah, Anne and I did some girly screaming when i reeled that puppy in.  But, in our defense, even Cap'n Shaun didn't want to touch it! 

At the end of the day, Shaun and his first mate, Pete cleaned and gutted our fish {mackeral, grouper and snapper} and put them on ice for us.  We brought them home with us and our fellas cooked us up a feast.  I'm not a seafood lover at all.  But, even I ate that fish for dinner and it was yummy!

They LOVED that Turk's Head beer.  They don't export it, so we'll just have to go back to T & C to have it again! :)

My most favorite adventure on this vacation was the snorkeling. 

T & C is surrounded by coral reef and there was this awesome spot called Coral Gardens where you just walk right off the beach and into the reef.  You can't swim over the reef because it's shallow and you would hurt yourself, and it's fragile and protected. 

So, you swim around the perimeter of it and it's like being inside a tropical aquarium.  We were in about 25-30 feet of water at the deepest point, but it was so clear and warm.  I brought a disposable underwater camera with me and am a little disappointed by the quality of the pictures, but still, you get an idea of what it was like. 

Rainbow colored fish everywhere!  We saw a huge sea turtle and swam just a few feet away from barracuda {eek!}.  It was surreal to have all of these amazing fish swim around you.  Such a fun experience to share with friends!

why, hello fishy...

Best of all...our vacay was a big fat L♥ve fest.  It was truly a second honeymoon.  5 days home now and we're still mushy gushy.  To be able to focus only on us as a couple for a whole week was such a gift.  I love this man so much.  We are blessed.

L♥ve fest for them, too :)...

every night was date night!  how fun is that!?  We rented a car and the Marks {they are both Mark Joseph...that was tricky!} took turns navigating the island from the left lane!  Yikes!  i can still hear Anne saying over and over again "on the left", "on the left"!  It just felt wrong!

T & C does fine dining very well.  We indulged at some amazing restaurants and once again, had them mostly to ourselves. 

We dined by candlelight, starlight and ocean breezes, enjoyed fine wines and mouth watering food and never ran out of things to talk and laugh about. 

Turks & Caicos is a chain of 40 islands located east of Cuba and south of the Bahamas.  Only 7 of them are inhabited by people.  We stayed on Providenciales.  Thank you, Vanna...i mean, Anne...

Before we left for home, Anne and I stopped at the local elementary school and public library and donated a few of our books.  The people of T & C are so warm and friendly and the folks at both the school and library were overjoyed with our donations.  Warm, fuzzy feelings for sure. 

So, there you have it.  Heaven on earth. 

I was almost reluctant to blog about it because it felt like a well kept secret place.  But, since we're friends, i will share it with you. 

everyone should get to experience this place.  i hope one day to bring our kids here.  thank you, Anne & Mark for sharing this paradise with us.  We love you guys! ♥ 

 

please slow down

she's a senior.  a SENIOR.  when did that happen?  and how can i slow it down?

every single day, our mailbox and inbox is flooded with information about colleges, universities, art schools, scholarship info, financing school info.  next week is the deadline to order her cap and gown.  yesterday she had her senior picture taken for the yearbook.  it's overwhelming.  i know it's overwhelming for her, too.  She has been taking ACTs and SATs and filling out applications for several different schools.  Last night she sent off her application to PURDUE...our alma mater.  That was exciting!  She had to write an essay for that one and i think she knocked it out of the park.  I so wish i could share it with you, but i can't.  gotta keep our competitive edge.  :)  just trust me...it was amazing!   Now, the waiting game begins...

Two weekends ago, Katie and I went downtown Indy to Herron School of Art for National Portfolio Day. 

There were 25+ different colleges and schools represented there and she was able to meet one on one with them and have them review her portfolio.  It was a very intimidating process.  To open her portfolio, lay it down on the table in front of potential admissions counselors/teachers and listen to their constructive criticism.  We had to wait in line to meet with most and so, we could hear how the reviews were going for others.  It wasn't always pretty.  She was stressed out as we waited.  But, meeting after meeting, we heard incredibly supportive and encouraging feedback..."fearless, "advanced", "multi-faceted" and "natural talent".  They had some great ideas, tips and suggestions, too.  It was a stellar day.  It was exactly what she needed to hear...to know that it's not just the people around her, the people who love her, that believe in her talent. 

I promise to share more of her work over the next year.  It's incredible to watch her spread her wings,  develop her style, and gain confidence in her work.  In the meantime, you can check out some of it on her blog, "illuminating kate"  here. 

Thank you for allowing me to be a proud mama and letting me boast about our girl. ♥ 

happy friday, friends.

xo

i love margaritas, but they don't love me back

 
Aaaah, summer.  I do love you so.  But, i admit, i let you get the best of me.  Too little exercise in the heat and a little too much indulging on summertime cocktails (hello, summer beer, no offense, but i wish i had never met you).  Thankfully, i didn't slide too far backwards and gain a lot of the weight back, but i certainly haven't moved forward, either. 

Ok.  that's over now.  not going to dwell on it.  not gonna beat myself up over it.  i'm moving on. 

Woulda.  Coulda.  Shoulda. 

So, now what?

BEGIN TODAY.  Don't say i'll start tomorrow.  or Monday.  START TODAY.  You don't have to go out right now and buy special food or join a gym.  Just committ to eating less and moving more.  Make what you had planned on making for dinner tonight.  Just eat less of it.  Then, make the time to go for a walk, or ride your bike or blow the dust off that workout DVD you have and just do it. 

I went to a free fitness class yesterday at my church.  We did "Turbo Jam" together in the gym.  Whoa!  Evidently, i used muscles yesterday that i didn't know i even had.  Because today they are screaming at me.  I hurt.  Seriously...ouch.  But it feels so good, at the same time, to be moving again. 

 
I know that many of you had been following my fitness progress and working along with me.  I apologize for letting things slide over the summer.  But, i'm back on track.  To date, i have lost 20 pounds and am down two sizes in clothes.  Just last week, i was at Old Navy and was so excited to have to say to the fitting room attendant "this is too big...could you get me the next size down?"!!!!  That is THE BEST!  If you are still on this journey with me, i'm proud of you.  If you've had a set back, too, let's move forward together.  Keep me posted on your progress!  We can do this!  We'll motivate each other!

 

{image via www.theentertaininghouse.com}

If you need a refresher of what i am doing to get fit and happy for life, visit my posts here.  I needed to revisit them, myself!