Hell Week: Day 1

Hell Week is the first week of cutting out something you are used to and starting withdrawl symptoms, fighting cravings, and trying to trudge through all the other obstacles that try to keep you from your goal.

Well I've already messed up. In my defense though I had made the decision to start Hell Week today after my first and 2nd cigarette of the day. So now I've made the decision and here we go.
While figuring up budgets yesterday we realized that between hubby & I we are spending about 300 bucks a month in cigarettes. We can't do this anymore. In an attempt to get us to quit, my mother made us a deal. If we quit for 30 days, no cheating at all, she will give us each 100 bucks. So lets see...save 300 bucks a month plus be able to breathe better, taste things we havent tasted fully in 15 years almost plus 100 bucks on top of that. Yeah thats a deal I can't pass up. I dont know if B has decided to do it yet or not but I am. We are not allowed to smoke in the house anymore. I want the stale cigarette smell out of here, for good. I figured blogging about it would hold me more accountable and actually get this done this time. Instead of quitting for a few days and going right back.

Let's see how this goes....

Beauty Of Fall

Since its Sunday I don't have much time to post so I thought this day would be perfect to show a little something. Earlier this week I took the girls out and took pictures of them in the leaves in the backyard. Since Im a scrapbooker just the pictures wasnt enough. I only have one to show today (I'll show the others at another time) this is by far my favorite picture. I just absolutely love it. So heres the layout I did with the picture this week.
Do you have a favorite picture? Or just a great pic you too this week? Lets see. Link me up in the comments.


Kit: Autumn Afternoon Digital Scrapbooking Kit by: Karen Lewis Designz
as a Creative Team member for Daydreamer Design Works I have recieved this kit for free in exchange for layout promotion

Notables

Each week Im going to search and find some really neat sites or add ons or whatever else I happen to run across. Content will vary but they will all be worth viewing. So grab your coffee and whatever else you need to relax and surf for a bit!

This weeks notable places are:

Thanksgiving Countdown: For those of us in the States Thanksgiving is coming way too quickly. I found this checklist (which some isnt going to work now since we are so close but some will) So you arent going to freak out over all the preparations the day before.

ShutterCal: This is perfect for people who are interested in the Project 365. Upload your pictures daily, put them in this nifty calendar and you can later print them out. Order your little shoe box and its custom made to hold a years worth of pictures. Pictures come with dates, captions & with or without borders. Definitely a must for any photo enthusiast.

Feedly: An add on for firefox. This add on turns your favorite sites into a magazine like view. It includes your blog feeds. The best part about this it loads a tiny toolbar on the side of your screen that allows you to instantly share a website with your friends on facebook, your followers on twitter, sharing on google reader, save in google reader, or emailing. This is definitely a must for anyone who uses any of these things.

Kaboodle: While this isnt something new for me and maybe some of you, this site has now captured me. You will need to register (dont worry its free). You can download the toolbar (it puts a K beside your Homepage Button at the top of your browser). Any website you go to for shopping you can right click and choose "Save To Kaboodle" it automatically takes you to their site which you can fill in details for that product. Including how high it is on your priority list, which "wishlist" you want it to be added into and so forth. After submitting it will take you right back to the original site you were on. Pure perfection. It also includes a weekly grocery shopping list! Another must have.

Love

I know Im not such a great blogger. But my friend Angel is inspiring me to get started and keep going. So here Im attempting it again. I have something special for this post.


Today is To Write Love On Her Arms Day.
(taken from their facebook)
"To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
To Write Love On Her Arms Day is a day where anyone can write the words love on their arms, to support those who are fighting against depression and those who are trying to recovering. On this day, just write love on your arms, and show it off, other people will ask why you have love written on your arms, and you tell them you are supporting to write love on her arms day, and how its benefiting a non profit organization helping stop depression, and make love the movement"

Angel posted some statistics in her post HERE. Ive decided to post warning signs of Depression. If you or anyone you know is suffering please get to a doctor. It's not something to be ashamed of. So many of us are suffering or have suffered. Take it from someone who knows. Those cold dark places you find yourself in constantly isn't all there is.

WARNING SIGNS:
Changes in Activity or Energy Level

* Decreased energy
* Fatigue
* Lethargy
* Diminished activity
* Insomnia or hypersomnia
* Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
* Social withdrawal

Physical Changes Caused by Depression

* Unexplained aches and pains
* Weight loss or gain
* Decreased or increased appetite
* Psychomotor agitation or retardation

Emotional Pain of Depression

* Prolonged sadness
* Unexplained, uncontrollable crying
* Feelings of guilt
* Feelings of worthlessness
* Loss of self-esteem
* Despair
* Hopelessness
* Helplessness

Difficult Moods Associated with Depression

* Irritability
* Anger
* Worry/anxiety
* Pessimism
* Indifference
* Self-critical

Changes in Thought Patterns due to Depression

* Inability to concentrate
* Indecision
* Memory problems
* Disorganized

Preoccupation with Death

* Thoughts of death
* Suicidal ideation
* Feeling dead or detached


At my house we are showing our support. I even got my kids participating. I explained to my 7 year old that its to support people who are having a difficult time and who are suffering quietly so she was all for it. After doing her arm my 3 year old had to do it just because everyone else did lol (Pictures to come later of that) But here is mine:



Now write it, snap it & upload it!!!

Music

Like most people Im so addicted to music, for every mood, every emotion, every thought I can always find a song to portray it for me. So Im going to start featuring a song here, video whatever I can find. This one is becoming pretty popular and Ive loved it since the first time I heard it. Theres not much I can say about this one, it speaks for itself...


(Angels On The Moon - Thriving Ivory)

Get Creative

Recently I have become addicted to a show on DIY network called Creative Juice. So today Im showing you a craft project they did, its for an indoor water fountain! I just love these things. You can find the complete instructions and a video showing how its done. Pretty quick and simple but very nice!
Have fun creating your new fountain!

Bit of Motivation

I dont have much prepared for today. Im already proving to be a slacker. Things are still crazy busy. I have decided that each day I will be picking out a quote to post even if I dont have a full post planned. So without further ado:


People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.
-Norman Vincent Peale