Michele Holcomb

he knows me well

[vintage boutique in Old Sacramento - February 2012]

Since returning home from San Diego almost a week ago I've been feeling really tired and unmotivated. Dre has been cleaning, cooking, laundering and just plain taking care of business while I on the otherhand take naps, re-read the Hunger Games series & my new pile of magazines, and watch TV. I'm feeling useless around these parts lately. This role reversal really has me thinking about how we both contribute to household functions. It ebbs and flows, where one moment I'm excellent at keeping the house tidy, the girls on task, dinner on the table (or should I say TV trays as of late - to be totally transparent) and he's the one taking it easy. And then there are those days, where he's totally in control and I can let my hair down.

It's nice knowing that we get each other in this way; in these unspoken moments, where one just needs time to recharge. I'm not there yet but soon...I feel the need for change. Physically and mentally.

the simple things:: week 12

We went to the earliest showing of The Hunger Games with Great Grandma Verlean and Auntie Wy. We were happy to see the parking lot empty of people, especially with a much anticipated movie like this one. As we entered, we were surprised to see the theatre so full but not too crowded that we couldn't find seats together. I really do like it this way. Not to mention the early bird pricing makes me happy too.

As for the movie -- I really loved it.

***This post is part of a weekly challenge to capture "The Simple Things" in life hosted by Rebecca Cooper. Click on the button below to see the wonderful entries***

there's history here

I have this huge box of my parents' family photos that I've been wanting to organize for sometime now. It's one of those projects that is at the top of my list to complete but it just seems to get pushed to the wayside. I think my problem is I want this perfect linen album to house them in. I just need to get over it and move forward.

As I'm sorting and organizing all of these pictures, there are those that I come across and are placed in a special pile. The photos in the layout below are just a few of them.

My parents before children in the 1970's. I would love to have their story written down one day.

How did they meet? How did their families feel about them dating and later getting married? What was it like to be an interracial couple in the early 1970's? How did they want to raise us (Catholic or Baptist)? How did my mom feel about being a military wife?

Yes...I know most of the answers to these questions...but to have it in writing is so powerful.

So as I make my way through the rest of the albums, I'll be making a list of stories that I want to tell. Then...I need to turn that list into true stories rather than a "someday" project. I just may use this space for them too. It's nice to have it all in one place.

As for the family picture in the layout, I cherish that photo. It's the only camera photo that I found of the five of us together, where my brothers and I were under 10 years old. This fuels me to take more photos with the girls and Dre. I really am always behind the scene. Definitely my comfort zone.

 

supplies: Simple Scrapper March Single 2, One Little Bird & Sahlin Studio Worn Collab kit, Generations Collab kit (yellow/beige pp), Paislee Press This Much (splatter), Anna Aspnes (Stitching & Staples), Fonts: Pretige Elite (on photos), Myriad Pro (journaling)

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***The Premium Membership at Simple Scrapper provides skills and shortcuts to help you simplify and find more meaning in your memory keeping***

 

cupcards {to go} march reveal

I'm a little late in posting my march cards. A work trip to San Diego had me busy for the last few weeks. Now all things are calm and I can relax just a bit.

This month's kit is full of my favorite springtime colors and products from MME Miss Caroline Collection, Maya Road, American Crafts, Making Memories, Crate Paper, May Arts and more. I've said it before and I'll say it again...LOVE the AC sentiment stickers.

Take a moment to visit the gallery. So much inspiration in one place.

the simple things:: week 11

Work trips, although exhausting, do take me to some wonderful places that I've never visited. I had the chance to spend a week in San Diego at a 42-acre resort. To say that my body aches is an understatement. All that walking, talking, greeting and hugging new and old friends is amazing and tiring all in the same breath.

Behind my hotel tower there was this little bridge that led to the mall and some eateries. Beautiful flowers hung above that bridge and I knew immediately that I needed a picture. I took some time to myself to explore the grounds and grab a bite to eat.

I needed that alone time to get back into the swing of things.

***This post is part of a weekly challenge to capture "The Simple Things" in life hosted by Rebecca Cooper. Click on the button below to see the wonderful entries***

cupcards {to go} march sneak peek

I'm here to share a few quick peeks of the March CupCards {to go} kit. The kits go on sale tonight at 6:00pm (pacific standard time). 

[pearls not inlcuded in the kit]

One of my favorite pieces in the kit are the American Crafts sentiment stickers. Love the soft colors and the varying statements. Oh...and the gray and white striped paper above? I need a few more of those sheets. That patterned paper paired with some yellow is my favorite. I've been gravitating towards those colors lately. I'm definitely happy that spring is near.

Have a wonderful week!

the simple things:: week 10

You played in your makeshift tent for hours - stocking up on necessities such as your music and the flashlight. A few of your friends even joined you. You were so quiet I almost forgot that you were there. I peeked in and found you sound asleep. I considered letting you sleep there for the night but changed my mind soon after. The tent is still up and has been an awesome space for you to play and get-away.

***This post is part of a weekly challenge to capture "The Simple Things" in life hosted by Rebecca Cooper. Click on the button below to see the wonderful entries***

celebrating shiloh

I'm not sure what our lives would be like without him.

He is such a cuddler and a fierce protector when visitors come by the house.

He hangs out between the dishwasher and the stove because that's where the best crumbs fall.

He loves his treats with passion and hides them around the house for a rainy day.

He can be found nestled in the closet, next to our feet as we work or play, or in our laps watching TV. 

Oh Shiloh...we just love you with all of our hearts. Happy three years with us!

the simple things:: week 9

A bit of olive oil, salt & pepper, and a little pepper flakes to kick it up a notch was all that we needed to make this yummy side dish. A new to us veggie, we were pleasantly surprised how tasty these were. I'm going to need some additional recipes...stat!

What's your favorite way to make brussel sprouts?

***This post is part of a weekly challenge to capture "The Simple Things" in life hosted by Rebecca Cooper. Click on the button below to see the wonderful entries***

boy band love

Do you remember your very first "Boy Band" that you loved? I know I do.

I was living in the Philippines and the most popular singing sensation at the time was a group of Puerto Rican boys called "Menudo". Oh Ricky Martin and Robi Rosa were my faves. My cousins and I went crazy for them. I was 10 at the time.

Then when we moved to the states I fell madly in love with New Edition, New Kids On the Block, Boys to Men....and the list goes on.

[supplies: Simple Scrapper March Single Template #1, One Little Bird (Beige Like Me Cardstock), Generations Collab kit (Chevron PP), One Little Bird & Sahlin Studio Worn Collab kit (Ledger PP, Dots PP, Tape Measure), Anna Aspnes (Stitching), Fonts: "Big Time" - Bebas, All other - Myriad Pro, Instagram Photos]

Fast forward to today. I am now the parent to two squealing and screaming girls, which really is a surprise because they are pretty calm kids. On February 20th, the girls and I headed downtown to see Big Time Rush in concert. The original tickets that we bought had us on the floor in the last row. Imagine our surprise when we were told that they had to reconfigure the seating and we would have to be moved - TEN ROWS TO THE FRONT! Can you say excited?!

Both my girls have a love for this group but it's my 9 year old who is an ultimate fan (move over Justin Beiber - you've been replaced). During one of the numbers, the boys came off the stage and walked through the crowd. Nyna was arms length away from being able to touch one of them, but with the sea of screaming teenage girls, it was not going to happen.

I definitely want to tell a more detailed story about that night. Really, more of a reflective piece and how right now I enjoy this stage that they are in. It won't be long when going to a concert with friends is much preferred rather than with mom. 

This page will go into Nyna's 4th grade album. I think she'll get a kick out of seeing this type of pop culture later on down the road.

***The Premium Membership at Simple Scrapper provides skills and shortcuts to help you simplify and find more meaning in your memory keeping***