Blog Books

You may have noticed (or then again, maybe not LOL!) that I'm trying to blog a bit more regularly this year.  This is due in part because of my decision not continue with my Project Life albums.  I just couldn't keep up with the pace of the continual process of editing/printing/scrapping each week/month.  I still have the latter half of 2014 that I hope to finish but honestly, I've lost my mojo.

Two years ago I decided to create a hardcover book from my 2011 blog using Blurb.  I love it but I'll be honest.  It was a slow torturous process.  You download software to you computer, give it your blog address and it will "slurp" the data for you.  Unfortunately the automatic formatting was horrible. Instead, I chose to copy and paste each blog post into my own templates and upload the accompanying photos from my computer files.  IT. TOOK. MONTHS.  And because I started blogging in July of that year, the thought of doing all twelve months of 2012 was just too daunting to attempt.

Earlier this year a friend posted about Blog2Print, another blog printing website. I decided to try it and wow!  It literally took me 10 minutes to re-create my 2011 book.   They don't offer any frills. You choose your photo size and whether or not you want to separate each entry and basically that's it. I chose the medium sized photos to maximize my space and had my printed book in about a week.


The white book on top is from Blurb.  As you can see, it's a bit smaller in size than the black Blog2Print book.

After creating the first book in white, I knew I wanted the next ones to be black. Front and back cover photos are no additional charge with Blog2Print but unlike Blurb, you can't upgrade the page quality.

The next several photos compare the guts of the two book companies.

Blog2Print

Medium Photo Sizes.  Compact Page Template.  No Page Breaks Between Posts

  

Blurb

Custom Template with Extra Large Photos

Both sites offer base prices for a certain number of pages and then you pay "per page" after that.  I can't say for sure but I think the prices were comparable.  I do love the thicker, higher quality papers in the Blurb book but the paper quality in the Blog2Print books is absolutely fine.  For the time I saved creating the books (minutes vs. months) this was a total no-brainer.  I immediately had 2012-2014 printed as well.

So now, instead of Project Life, I'm making a conscientious effort to blog more often.  These books are my new everyday record keepers.  In fact, I think I'm going to create another full set using the large photo format so I'll have one copy for Meg and one copy for Jay's family.  If you've been thinking of printing your blog, I highly recommend Blog2Print.  Thanks Anita!

Final Touches

We've discussed screening in our front entryway/porch for over 15 years but it's one of those projects/expenses that was constantly pushed down to the bottom of the list.  Now that the house is newly painted it finally seemed like the right time to "git 'er done."   Here is the "before'' photo taken at Christmas.

And here is our "after."

We absolutely LOVE it and are kicking ourselves for not doing it a decade ago. Not only is it attractive but it is very functional as well.  Our living room has beautiful French doors that open into the screened patio but the room lacks windows for cross ventilation.  The new porch area now allows us to fully enjoy the winter months.  It also serves a secondary, but equally important, purpose. For years it's been home to multiple families of extremely stubborn wasps that apparently thrive on the continual rebuilding of nests along with the persistent terrorizing of friends and family. Guess What?  No More.

When the front doors are open the porch actually feels like an extension to our home.

We also took the plunge for a new washer and dryer to replace the set we purchased when we bought the house in 1997.  You've got to hand it to Kenmore.  They make fabulous appliances.   They were showing some wear and tear, but still going strong.  The issue I had (and I know most of you out there will not relate) but the constant bending to retrieve things from my dryer was getting to be too much. Since my surgery I no longer have excruciating hip pain but I do have a constant, nagging ache. (Bending doesn't bother it but the act of standing up from a bend is miserable.)  Randy, being the understanding physician that he is, offered to buy me a new w/d a year ago.  Julie, being the stubborn martyr that she is, always declined...until now.

I know you're going to look at this and scratch your head but I bought what was practical for me.  I knew I wanted a top loading washer (I just plain don't like front loaders) but the matching dryers were not going to solve my problem.  My solution was to purchase a pedestal dryer and a top loading washer.  No they don't match.  I don't care.  The "next guy" can buy whatever his or her heart desires. I bought these for me.

Not only has the extra large capacity reduced my laundry loads by more than half, I no longer have to bend down to retrieve the clothes.  It sounds like such a small thing but these beauties have made this chore sooooo much easier on me.  To quote LG....Life is Good.  :-)

Random Cuteness

Meg decided to add a bit of style and flair to her current hairstyle.  She's now sporting these flippy new bangs.

In stark contrast to Meg's beautiful head of hair, Fin has what Jay refers to as his "male pattern baldness receding hairline."

Have no fear though.  His parents seem to have a hat for every occasion, including the Super Bowl.

They went to friends' to watch the big game.  Fin arrived dressed in his Philadelphia Eagles onesie (Colleen's favorite team).  When I asked which team he was rooting for her reply was "he's only here for the commercials."

  I'm sure he was the hit of the party.

Fin and Fam

If you'd told me a year ago that I'd be snapping photos of this I would have said you were crazy.

Grandma needed her Starbucks.  How convenient that they have one only three blocks away. :-)

Jay is a very attentive dad.  He's such a natural and seems to have this whole baby thing totally figured out.
 

Colleen, who was quite nervous in the beginning, has become extremely comfortable in her new role as well.  

I love this photo...

I left town feeling satisfied that they have things in complete control.  :-) 

  

Road Trip!

I'm heading out for an overnight visit with Jay, Colleen and Fin.  He had his 6 week appt yesterday and is now a "chubby" 8 lbs, 1 oz.       :-)  

This baby wants for nothing but there have been a few little things I've come across that I could not possibly pass up.



Like these socks that look like shoes...

Or this cute onesie from Aunt Meg...

And finally these overalls from Grandpa Randy, who has always planned to call the little guy Shark instead of Fin. ;)

 

Fun stuff, don't you think?

It's going to be a quick visit but I can't wait!

Thanks, Meg

Meg was going through my planner last night.  She flipped through January and February, read my comings and goings, and then noticed that I had birthdays recorded.

She then flipped to June which is, of course, is still blank.  She was appalled that I didn't have her birthday down.  She then proceeded with the "See, you love Jay best" speech that I've heard dozens and dozens of times.  Next thing I knew she was recording her own birthday.

She then flipped to October to record our birthdays.  Daddy got this ...

While I got this ...

At least I'm "still hot".  ROFL!



Then it was Finley's turn ...

Yep, that's my girl.  *eyeroll*



 

More Baby Goodness

It's been fairly quiet around here.  I'm go back to subbing tomorrow after having taken time off for the baby/holidays.  I also have a day scheduled for next week but am hoping to squeeze in some baby time after that.  They've been really good about sending me photos but I think he's missing his grandma.


I mean, look at that face!   So darned cute!!!

He's finally out of preemie clothes.  

I just love how he positions his hands.

They've gone on lots of walking adventures.  (Again, notice the hands.)  Such a little peanut.

And the hands again.  So precious.

I think Grandma needs to make a road trip.  :-)