Small accomplishment

I came across a post from Creating Keepsakes Blog that showed how to edit a photo in PS elements so that only a small bit of colour remained - you know the ones... all black and white with one element left of the original colour.
I had given it a shot before by creating duplicate layers and deleting parts... let's just say I wasn't very successful so I gave up on ever being able to edit my photos that way.
If you are eager to try this technique with your photos check out this blog post.  It was so easy - it took me about 10 minutes to go from this:

to this:

Pretty cool huh?
I look forward to trying this technique again.

focus

I think for a while there I lost my focus.  In fact, I don't know that I have it completely back yet.
Challenge is my word for the year - my one little word.  Despite not yet completing my challenges I set myself, surprisingly I have found this year to be somewhat of a challenge to me.  I'm a teacher, I should know all about school BUT I've never been on the other end.  The getting up in the mornings to get someone else ready for school.  The packing of the school lunch to ensure there is adequate snack and lunch offerings that will be eaten.  The rush out the door to make sure someone else isn't late for school.  The alarms I've set myself (literally) so I don't forget to leave home on time for drop offs and pick ups.  The arriving at school 20 mins before start and finish times to ensure I get a carpark and be at the classroom door when the bell rings.  The dinner rush that ensures the girls are in bed by 8pm each night.
To date I have been very much a 'go with the flow' parent.  For example, if dinner wasn't until 7pm that was ok because the girls could go to bed a bit later, and they would just sleep later in the morning. Not. Any. More.  This has been a challenge for me.
In all this weekday rush I have lost my creative focus.  I know what I want to get done, but somehow it is getting pushed out of the spotlight.  Instead of using the 1-2hrs of Sophie's nap time to pursue creative interests I've found it easier to catch up on some recorded TV watching.  Sad, I know.  Add to this the fact I've been busy around the house spring-cleaning and re-organising, I've had a cold for the last week and I haven't been running for 2 weeks.  I actually feel worse for it.  Who would have thought I would actually miss running?
Another challenge has been in relation to Kaszazz.  I have decided that as much as I would love to continue, at the end of this quarter (end of this month) I will be cancelling my position as a Kaszazz Consultant.  I would like to publicly thank Kym, Deb, Fi, Corrie, Katherine, Leah and all the other wonderful ladies that have motivated, supported and encouraged me along the way.  I still maintain my view that Kaszazz is the best quality and value direct sales company in Australia.
So right now I'm trying to focus on my priorities and challenge myself to accomplish my goals.