Here are a few things happening at present:
Preparing to turn 51 next week. You may be asking yourself, “How DO you prepare for a birthday, Cathy?” and my answer is this: wake up every day and keep breathing. That pretty much sums it up.
Reading Stephen King’s The Stand. So many of you gave me a ton of great book suggestions from this post. I’m on page 1,125 and so far loving it. You should know I read on an iPad and make the type pretty large, so the total number of pages in my version? 3,700-ish. Should keep me occupied for a while. I will say this: Stephen King has mad skillz.
Freaking out (okay, that’s a bit strong but I needed a decent ‘ing’ word to describe this next item) that my first-born child turns 21 at the end of the month. [ insert slow blink here ] I’m so proud of that young woman. She’s working so hard at school, making connections, expanding her mind… all that great stuff that college can offer. I’ll have more to say about her 21st birthday later in the month. Suffice to say it’s been on my mind a lot of late, how fast this life really does fly.
Wrapping up work on the Spring 2017 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. The magazine will be out on March 17th and I’ll share more then, but I’m excited to have a new column in the magazine this year called “Design Your Story.” The goal? Journaling inspiration, plus some design stuff tossed in for good measure. Have I told you how fun this job is? That I get to layout and design a magazine full of all that memory keeping and card making goodness? It reminds me that I have skills. That’s never not a good thing.
Feeling really proud of Cole who is doing well in school and getting his brain around the whole, “College is coming” soon. He’s got a lot going on, that one. Figuring out life, playing music, playing ultimate and working to get good grades. It’s hard to fathom that this time next year, he’ll be preparing to graduate.
Hoping to dive into some real creative work in the next few weeks. I have many things in my head that I want to get out and into motion in my unending quest to continue to be a successfully self employed person. Can I just say I appreciate you for being part of this process? Okay then, that.
That’s what’s going on here? What’s happening that you’d like to share?
Donna says
I’m taking your “Scrapbook Your Year” class right now and loving it. Have two more of your classes on my wishlist when I finish this one. I have always loved your scrapbooking style – so clean and focused on the photos and stories.
If you like Stephen King and haven’t read his memoir “On Writing,” I highly recommend it. I listened to it as an audiobook (which he reads himself) and loved it – even though I’m not usually a big memoir fan. I think with your creative mind and work, you’d really enjoy it too. He’s a very entertaining goober. 🙂
Thank you for all you do!
Cathy Zielske says
I have heard that is a good read! Another to add to my list! 🙂 And thanks for your kind words. You reminded me: I have to do my February pages for my album!
Audrey says
My oldest turned 21 last summer. So weird to watch them order an alcoholic drink at a restaurant. But it’s all good for sure!
Cathy Zielske says
Yeah, I would guess it is. Aidan and I have already discussed that she likely won’t join me with a glass of red wine (not really a fan) but a fruity cocktail? Sure. 🙂
Lori Proulx says
You can do it Cathy! I will turn 54 this year. My oldest is 33, the middle ones 31 & 28 and my 6’4″ baby will be 27. But then get this, I will be a Nana to 8 grandchildren by the end of the year. I know how it all happens but how can it in a blink of an eye. Holy s!#t batman.
I just got done reading “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch. Not one I would have picked on my own, but these crazy bloggers I follow on instagram kept talking about it, so I gave it a try. Wow! Very good! Today I picked up some new reads at the library. “Desert Place” by Blake Crouch, “The Mother’s” by Brit Bennett ( another one talked about on instagram) and starting over with “Scarpetta Factor” by Patricia Cornwell.
Along with all the above I am getting back into scrapbooking sort of, after being out of it for about 5 years. I am journaling everyday stuff with pictures in a travelers notebook and loving it. I think from there I will use your templates and do 8 1/2 x 11 pages. We shall see. Sorry for the long post. Can you tell I haven’t talked/written to an adult in a while besides my loving hubbie? ? P.S. I love reading your blog and telling it like it is. Thank you.
Cathy Zielske says
First off, great suggestions. Isn’t that Blake Crouch guy the guy who wrote Wayward Pines? Have hat on my list, too.
And yes, the thought of grandchildren… i forget that if I get to keep living on this earth, there are all manner of real gifts that I might get to experience. Grateful for it all.
Leora says
HI Cathy! Happy Birthday Season to You! Time sure does fly. Can’t believe Aidan will be 21. Noah is turning 20, though, so yep, all that!
Hugs to you and yours,
Leora
CandaceW says
Have my grandkids here for Spring Break. My granddaughter drove down from Dallas to Austin. Now that is scary. She will be graduating next year and is looking at colleges. They are a delight and I am so grateful they still want to visit. And sometimes I can get them to scrapbook with me.
Kay says
Not sure which day is the Big 51, but wishing you a great one! Just a reminder about the book PRESENT Over PERFECT: Leaving behind frantic for a simpler, more soulful way of living by Shauna Niequest. I’m ¾ through it and loving it, and I think you will too.
Can’t wait to see your new column in S&CT.
Kay says
p.s. I gave the Stephen King book on writing to my son recently. He’s an aspiring writer and he’s finding it interesting and helpful.