My friend Jaime

is so freaking talented it's not even funny. I just got her Christmas card and couldn't stop laughing!

This is the front, it's a tri-fold card.




















She has 2 adorable little boys. JJ just turned 4 and Cade is 8 months old. I hope to someday be as creative as she is. Her style just inspires me!

And on that note I want to wish you all a very

Merry Christmas!

It's here!

My tablet came in today! I am practicing using it right now! I'm SO excited to get started on my own doodles and other such fun stuff! Yippy!



Harry Potter's new title came out today too. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. I really like it. Sounds spookier than HBP did. I can't wait!!

I also tried the new Cinnamon Melts at McDonald's today. YUM! That just reinstated my faith in their breakfasts (all the other's are so greasy they make my tummy ache).

Gotta run... I wanna go play!!

I’m on Time

My dream has been achieved. I’m on the cover of the Person of the Year issue. See for yourself:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16242528/

Pretty cool if you ask me!

*Takes a bow* I’d like to thank all the other little people in my life that helped me have things to write about here and to the folks at Google, without which I’d never started this blog. I’d also like to thank MySpace and Dead Journal for their contributions to my previous blogs. To be honored with a title previously held by Bono, George Dubya and Hitler is a pretty rare and exciting thing. Thanks for the memories and cheers to many more.

*Ahhhhhhhhh*

Sigh of relief, it's finally over... now to wait for grades.

I skipped a paper... it was only 10% of my grade & I was getting a high B anyway. I can't tell you how many times I've done that and somehow ended up getting credit anyway. I don't think it'll happen this time around... but that's okay. I mean... I didn't do it right? hopefully the test & other paper due for that class will bump my points up enough that I'll end up with a low B.

Most important lesson of the week? Trust what you know... don't venture onto new food territory while driving... it could be hazardous.

I was up until 1 am last night typing up yet ANOTHER paper (yep, 3 due today, see why I ditched the least critical one?). Anyway... so I got up again at 4 to finish and beat my usual alarm... by 5 minutes. I've been running on low sleep all week so last night's measly 3 hours almost killed me today. Everyone at work kept asking me hard questions like "were are the spare envelopes?" Well... at least they're hard when your brain is fried.

I pulled over on my way to school and got a sugar free RockStar (the ONLY energy drinks in the store were either that, ones I'd never heard of or Red Bull... nasty). I'd remembered Matthew saying that RockStar was pretty good so I grabbed one. Well, grabbed is being nice. I had to pry the sucker out of the cold case with a crowbar and watched it finally pop out and do a slow-motion triple back flip to the floor. Fortunately the thing didn't' explode, bu now I HAD to buy it because it was all dented and ugly. So I get back on the road and pop the top (red, it's going in my metal embelly box) and take a swig of the other-worldly neon yellow elixir.

When I awoke from the subsequent black-out I was only a few hundred feet up the street. I didn't spit it out all over the car nor did I manage to hit anyone so no long term damage. LSD comes back to haunt you years later so I'm hoping that there will be no flashbacks when I'm holding my brand new grand baby or something.

I promptly rolled down my window and poured it out along Bastanchury Road. I'm sure the stuff ate through the asphalt and created a massive fissure. I'll have to wait until next semester to see.

Someone had likened the stuff to a liquid Shock Tart... they left out the "Radioactive" part. I called my "better half" (ha!) and left him a nice message about how I now want a divorce on grounds of attempted murder by poisoning. When he called back he said eh hasn't tried Sugar Free RockStar. Like it makes THAT much a difference!

Anyway, I marched up to one of the convenience stores at school and begged the kid behind the counter for Monster. It's not a Pepsi product, damnit! I thought it was. At least there was an Amp Tall Boy alternative. I'm now sipping my neon elixir of choice and all is right with the universe again. G'night!

I'm ready to die now

School sucks and Gmail is broken. How am I supposed to finish all this crap?!?!?

Just 23 more hours...

how to fold a shirt in japan

This is cool... for me to learn how because I fold 'em retarded like. Nothing like videos at lunchtime at work. ;)

DSFX... updates

Check us out. We've decided to take our time opening, but in the meantime Sheila has decided to post occasional awesome kits. Her first can be found on her blog or linked from the main page of DSFX.

She's got a GORGEOUS Christmas kit up right now. You've GOT to go check it out!

More Pictures!

Because I've got TONS of them and can't wait to scrap them all!! I think the one of me and Matthew will be making an appearance on our Christmas cards this year. I think my all time favorite from the shoot are the other 3. Of corse they feature the kids. ;)

Family photos

We took these back on 11/18. Matt's mom had found out about Abby just before she met up with the rest of the family and didn't tell us until it was all over. We got TONS of shots but it was hard to pick one that we all looked good in. These are the 2 favorites.

I edited that one with PSE 5.


I softened the shadows some on that one but I'm still not totally happy. I need to play with it some more.

I'm back

Well it's over. We left at 4 am and came home around 11:30 pm. Ten hours on the road.

Abby's memorial service was really nice. I was a little worried because it was open casket but it ended up helping me. Aunt Riki was in the foyer and she just kept saying that she wanted the casket closed because it wasn't Abby. Uncle Stewart was in the little chapel with her. I got close enough to talk to him and see her there, and that's when it hit me. She's really gone. Nothing is going to bring her back. He asked if I had opened her card yet and I told him that it all seemed so unreal that I've waited, but now I felt like I should. He smiled and told me I'd like it. I did. Brad had opened his and told me that he'd keep it forever. He's also going to start sending cards more often. I'm with him on this now.

After reading it when I got home last night I cried some more. All I have to say is that I love you too Abby. I may not get to see you again as soon as we had hoped, but I know I will. It's just going to take a little longer than either of us had thought.

I'll be gone til November

Well, you know. We leave at 4 am tomorrow to drive to Arizona. The memorial is at 2, we'll eat dinner and then drive back. LONG LONG DAY. We had talked about staying over, but everyone and their mother will be coming back into town on Sunday, so we'll be driving back tomrrow night. It's a good thing I can sleep in a car with NO problem! I have my Nano all charged up and a book all ready to go. Yay!

Turkey Day

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm making green bean casserole and cranberry sauce for our little celebration. Hope it all goes well!

TagWorld Thanksgiving Pictures

It came today

It's here now. I don't think I can open it. I'm going to wait. I'll think of it as a time capsule.

Reflections upon my 25th birthday

Today I’m a quarter century old. Wow. It feels like it should feel more significant than it does right now. I mean, aside from Bo Derek being exactly twice my age today.

I think part of the reason it doesn’t feel like it’s so significant is because of Abby’s death. (For those that don’t follow me on MySpace, she was Matthew’s youngest cousin and was found in her bed Saturday morning by her father.) It seems so unreal that she’s gone. I mean, 18 year olds aren’t supposed to just go to bed and never get up. That’s what people in their 80s do. The funeral is Saturday. We’re driving in that morning and leaving that night to avoid all the holiday traffic. We’ll be donating money to the local ASPCA in her memory since she loved animals.

What’s so surreal is that she mailed me and Brad (one of the other cousins) our birthday cards just before she died. I don’t know about Brad, but mine hasn’t come yet. We’ll see what today’s mail brings. I think that’ll be really hard to read. I almost don’t want to open it when it comes. Like leaving it alone will keep her around somehow. I know whatever it is will make me really sad. I just keep thinking about all the things I’ve gotten to do since I was her age, or in my life overall, that she never did and now won’t ever be able to.

In her honor, I wanted to pass along some of life’s lessons.

Life isn’t fair.
Be nice to everyone, no matter how hard it is, you have no idea what their life is like.
Don’t hook your best friend up with an ex… it all ends in tears.
Adding drama isn’t worth it; life is exciting as it is.
You can never judge a book by its cover, or a person by their screen name.
Wear sunscreen.
The only issues from life to keep around are the ones that sit on your coffee table.
Marriages on the playground end a lot easier than the ones in real life.
Planet “Look-at-Me” tends to be very lonely.
Always going with the crowd tends to suck.
You can’t protect the ones you love from everything, especially not their selves.
When a guy tells you you’re too good for him, believe it and walk away.
A leopard really can’t change his spots; but he sure will try.
When older, wiser friends tell you to back down from a situation, they’re probably right.
Happiness really can grow from pain.
Don’t put people on pedestals, we’re all human and bound to make mistakes in our lives.
Pride goeth before the fall… of Napster.
Popularity costs you to do/ say things you don’t want to, and that guilt doesn’t go away.
Man-kini Speedos NEVER look good on ANYONE.
You don’t always marry your “type.”
To love yourself is the first step to true love.
If you tell yourself something long enough, you will believe it.
Cancer sucks.
Stay true to what you believe, you may not be popular, but at least you didn’t sell out.

I know, I know

It's been like freaking FOREVER!! SO much going on... so little time to write.

I had another kidney attack starting last week, Thursday actually. It's gone on all this week now. I went to the doctor on Monday (I know, me? That NEVER happens!) She's given me a pass to call the urologist and radiology.

School has taken a lot out of me lately too. Finals are quickly approaching and the homework load is NOT going away. Not for another few weeks anyway. It's okay though. It'll be over soon and then I'll get a little break. Yippee!

My designing isn't moving along at all because I haven't had time to learn PSE yet. I managed to make some more LO's (see my slide show at the bottom of the page) but other than that I've just been poking along.

It's over!

She's done it! She's lost 180 pounds of loser material. Finally!!! Granted I'm not really a fan, but I do think she could have done WAY better and he was totally bringing out the southern PWT side out of her. Those poor boys though. Crazy parents and they're stuck with them for life!

I wonder what Dooce will have to say about it tomorrow. This shall prove to be interesting.

This is Halloween

First and foremost... Happy Hollow Weenie!! ;) All you Christmas people can now get

So in case you haven't heard yet... Nightmare Before Christmas has a new re-release of the soundtrack. This is to go along with the re-release of the movie in 3D. I bought it last Wednesday and love it. It's a 2 disc edition, disc 1 being the classic soundtrack. The 2nd disc was the reason for buying it (as I've already owned the original for years). It has several covers of songs from the movie.

Artists are:

Marilyn Manson- This is Halloween, the man really knows how to cover great music, I always enjoy his work
Fiona Apple- Sally's Lament, it's fantastic to hear her voice again and an IMPROVEMENT upon the original recording
Panic! at the Disco- This is Halloween, they're always awesome, I have yet to be disappointed with something they do. I was just a little bummed that they didn't pick another song as MM's version totally out shone this one
She Wants Revenge- Kidnap the Sandy Claws, I was actually a little disappointed with their job... not too creative, just slow techno
Fall Out Boy- What's This?, fun, like the band and the true spirit of the song
Danny Elfman- these are demos that he did for the movies as mock-ups for formulating puppet scenes and storyboards. I think several of them are shown on the DVD in storyboard form but its fun to have them all on sound files now because they’re worth listening to as well. Danny sings all the parts and cues, just another testament of his fantastic talent. The songs also include lines that were later deleted from the film… fun to see the work in progress.

We saw the 3D incarnation of the movie last weekend at the El Capitan. It was so much fun. None of the cheesy 3D effects that are usually in movies (I was soo hoping they didn't add anything corny). It really just adds dimension to the whole picture. It looks more like you're looking into another world with different actors, rather than an animated/flat world. Industrial Light Magic was behind the transformation so I send a huge kudos their way as it was done wonderfully. They truly are masters. It was also great to see it on the big screen again. I saw it when it came out the first time, 13 years ago, for my 12th birthday. It's all I wanted to do. I didn't care about presents or cake that year, just seeing Tim Burton's latest work of art. It's funny how some things don't ever change. :)

Last night I helped Katie put her costume together. All summer she talked about being Lenore, the cute little dead girl. All summer long my mother told her to get her butt in gear and get a pattern and material while it was available, cheap and she had time to help. It didn't happen. Mom didn't have time, little girl put it off too long and was being REALLY picky about back-up clothing lying around the house. Big sister to the rescue! I made her hair clips out of some Bazzill cardstock and Diamond Glaze. She had to let the glaze dry overnight so she was supposed to hot glue them to black bendy clips this morning. I helped her realize that she's really just dressing up for fun with her friends and they would know who she is being. We washed her Lenore t-shirt (last years Christmas present from yours truly) and found a suitable black skirt. Roxanne is supposed to document it photographically for me.

I also consoled her by telling her that NEXT summer she'll sew a Lenore dress while Roxanne and I try to figure out how to sew Little Red Riding Hood and American McGee's Alice dresses. Then next year we'll all have kick azz costumes. She didn't seem to think that'd work as she wouldn't have a place to wear it (um, just because you're not in high school anymore doesn't mean you don't have a place to wear a costume silly!). She got happier when she realized that she may go to Comic Con next fall too, at least she can wear it then! Silly girl, who told you that you can grow up and act like a drama queen teenager? I guess now that she's 17 she can have a small melt-down once in awhile. ;)

Amazing reads

And fantastic ametuer art. I've had this posted on my links list for forever. Post Secret is the greatest blog ever. I own the first book. The 2nd comes out tomorrow. I'll be picking it up this week. The 3rd is due out in January 2007. Proceeds go to the Suicide hotline. It's an awesome project. If you haven't checked it out before, you really should. Frank updates with new postcards on Sundays and emailed responses periodically during the week.

Back in the saddle again

Guess what I just got?? We were able to get a new tower (It's beautiful and FAST) AND I just got PSE 5 for only $50!! It's on sale at Best Buy for $69.99 this week and between a GC with some left over money and those great little coupons from McDonalds... my final total was $50.33. I'm so stoked! Get ready folks, you aren't gonna believe what my mad design skills will be capable of now! ;)

An Epiphany

Okay. I now know that I’ve really got to lighten up. I’ve been in an Oingo Boingo mood lately (like listening to them non-stop while I’m driving around) and yesterday I decided that I'm in this mode because they make me so happy. Megh is officially done with her pity party and decided that she’s going to pretend everything is okay. If I don’t believe it, that’s fine. Here’s why…

When I broke up with my high school boyfriend of 2 1/2 years I was in a bad place. I had lost all self confidence that I had ever held (not a lot, but I wasn’t some self-hating doofus either). All I saw myself as was "D's girlfriend". It’s all I felt I was to anyone, so by not being with him, I had major issues. I hung out with 2 guy friends who turned out to not be the greatest friends overall, but they were just what I needed right then in my life. One of them had this thing for liking girls that he had no chance of ever getting (for various reasons) and ended up being an emotional leaches (thusly why I don’t speak to him anymore). He had one redeeming quality he had a great self-confidence that bordered on conceit… not quite there, but almost. He was modest enough to keep from you wanting to slap him silly. He knew I was having identity issues and told me one thing that has stuck with me for the last several years, and although I don’t always follow it, I know it works. “Act like you’re the shit, if you do it long enough you’ll learn to believe it.”

Sure enough, after a few months of acting as cocky as I could possibly stand to be, I knew I was worth something. I loved who I was and decided I’d be happy to just be me. No need for dudes, I’m fine single. Matthew asked me out a few weeks later. LOL

Anyway, my point is, if I pretend to be happy long enough… I will be. This whole thing dawned on me while driving to school yesterday afternoon. I decided that today would be the first day of the rest of my life and to take each day the same way. I get to start over every morning.

Last night I was driving home and waiting in the left turn lane behind a white Neon. The arrow turned green and the guy in front of me pulled out. Something told me to wait. Out of nowhere a dark sedan comes barreling down the street, clips the front of the Neon and goes on its merry way. No one was hurt and it didn’t seem to do too much damage to the car (although I totally feel for the guy because that TOTALLY sucked that the other car didn’t stop) but I got a “Part B” to my epiphany from that afternoon, life is too short to sweat the small stuff. Had that guy been another 3 feet further forward, he would have died. There is no doubt in my mind because of how fast that car was going. My car probably would’ve been involved too. Very scary and humbling. I'm not going to waste my life on stressing on little stuff, just take it a day at a time and try to make it the best day possible as I go along.

Pink Links for Scrappers

Do you digi scrap too? These are some awesome women who are offering some great BC related kits.

At Sweet Shoppe Designs MandaBean organized a collaboration kit to raise money for her mother who's been diagnosed with BC. Angel Eyes will help her family out in this time of need... and it's a fantastic kit with over 60 designers jumping in!

Sweet Shoope is also collaborating with The Digi Chick to create this cute kit, A Common Bond. All proceeds go to the Susan G. Koman Foundation and the American Cancer Society. It's also a great deal! A huge kit for $10!

Shabby Princess is the cream of the crop when it comes to digi scrap kits. This month all proceeds from the sale of her Our Little Princess kit will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. It's too cute too!

Designs by Dani is offering these adorable DigiBras. They're 72 dpi and meant for web design. They make cute avitars and fun decoration for blog and site headers. Proceeds also go to SGK.

Scrapbook-Bytes has a great shabby chic kit to throw into the mix as well. Inner Beauty is also a limited edition kit... you can only get it this month. It's ginormous and being sold at a fantastic price.

Please support these sites and their fantastic charities!

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Want some bling?

Get it in PINK! These great stores offer some really fun pink products and donate to the cause too!

Pink Ribbon Jewelry- Debra Shatz is not only a volunteer but a survivor. She started this site when she couldn't find anything to wear to show her support for the cause. She spends extensive amounts of time working with cancer patients and getting the word out.

Pink Ribbon Shop- I've visited this site many times over. It's got some really great stuff!!

Cookie Lee- They're always fab and have some cute stuff in their new catalog!

There's a smile on my face for everyone

Last night I was in a great mood. I was put there despite my aggrivations with myself for leaving yet another paper to the last minute (unintenionally this time... I totally forgot until late SUNDAY night that I had a paper due Tuesday) by the intoxicating sound of Danny Elfman. The man should start his own religion. My nano was on shuffle and on came Just Another Day. This man's voice is beyond words. From the first time I ever heard it (Dead Man's Party on the radio) something about it shook me to my core. I feel it in my gut. There's just a tug of something that I could never describe.

Now I don't consider myself a hardcore Oingo Boingo fan because I don't even consider the band in my top 5 (maybe top 10, top 15 for sure). I don't love all their songs either. I've noticed that over the years it's the more melodic ones I truely love. The faster paced ones are a lot of fun and I do enjoy them, but it's the "slower" ones when I can hear his magical tones that get me. (I say "slower" as some songs can be so fast that he can be so fast that it sounds like a chipmunk about to go into seizures.)

I cried when they had their farewell show. I was never able to see them in concert (since I was in 9th grade when it all ended on Halloween '95 *sob*). Most of the band has gotten together since for "reunion" shows, but I won't go if Danny isn't there, and he isn't as he's too busy now. He's the magic behind the band, the force and power.

I think it's also why Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies. For those that don't know, Jack Skellington's singing voice is also done by Danny. All this from a man that was self taught how to read/write/play music. (Let's not get me REALLY started... I did a whole report on this guy and how his music influences Tim Burton's movies)

Okay... time to go to work. Enough soul pouring for one day. ;)

A whole range of emotions

Post Secret has been really good the last 2 weeks. My favorite last week was this one.
As a child growing up, I hated my freckles. I remember liking them (or at least not caring/noticing) until I got teased in 2nd or 3rd grade. Looking back I don't know why it even mattered. I think the kids that teased me about it also gave me a complex about my WHITE legs. Being of Polish/Scottish/English descent... what else was I gonna be? Reverse discrimination DOES happen. Any "see through" white kid from So. Cal can tell you that. If you don't tan, you're a freak around here. Keep your skin cancer I say! But as a 7 year old, I didn't have that knowledge or confidence to back up such an attitude. I say confidence... but I still refuse to wear shorts/skirts most the time and when I do wear a skirt... you can bet I'm wearing nylons underneath. YUCK! I'm just still uncomfortable showing off my glowing legs.

This one made me laugh. I remember my mom teaching us to do this once on a rainy day. It's a fun game. We were always cracking up before we hit the 3rd circle around.

I saw this third one and immediately became depressed. I want to see this change in Matthew. I want that something so little. Its at times like this where school is so dissatisfying and just dragging along that I get most aggravated. I know I shouldn't be in such a rush... but I had wanted to be a YOUNG mother. I turn 25 next month. That hardly qualifies anymore. *sigh* I think it's especially hard when it seems like everyone I know is having kids.

Pink food

Okay so maybe it's not pink... but anyone that knows my husband's family knows that the #1 topic of discussion in that house is FOOD. Last year my mother-in-law bought me a Kitchen Aid stand mixer for Christmas. All the women in the family own one and they're fantastic! It's in honor of this that I present to you Kitchen Aid's Cook for the Cure campaign. Kitchen Aid is a fantastic brand (MIL owns all their appliances, including a fridge) and if you're in the market for a new mixer, food processor, toaster or blender, please consider buying a pink one. There are also smaller kitchen gadgets listed in their pink line. They've even got a cute silicone heart-shaped cake pan!

Just a click away

Today's link is for The Breast Cancer Site. I go here every day to click on the "magic" button. This button allows money to be donated to the site for each click (one per computer per day) to go towards funding free mammograms for underprivelidged women (because they need to be checked too!). This month all clicks count as double! They're trying to fund 500 exams this month, let's help out! If you happen to think about it... click from your work computer or when you're at a friend's house too!

Because it will affect you

we all need to be aware of this month's message. Every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed, can we really ignore it? Even men get it. Not only that but all men have a mother and quite possibly a wife, girlfriend, sister, aunt, grandmother or daughter. It's people like Momma Sue that are lost to this disease that bring it to the forefront of the minds of people like me. I want Malia and Heather to tell their girls about what their mother died from as this horrible disease that is no longer a threat, much like my Grandmother used to tell me stories about Polio. This month's posts are dedicated to Sue and my friend Jessica's grandmother who died last December.

This month I'll be linking to awesome sites that will either give great information, raise money for the cure or both. As I go I'll be adding them to my Think Pink section to the right. My Pink Archive will also take you to a quick reference to all my previous Pink posts. If this disease hasn't changed your life yet... it will. I work against it today so that my daughters won't have to.

Today's link is to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They're the ones that put on the 3-Day walk every year across the country. They're also the ones that co-operate with Yoplait USA every year with the pink lids. They actually do a lot of work with major corporations that help raise money for the cause. Usually it's for things that you would normally buy at the grocery store or do on a regular basis anyway. Please check out their corporate partners section to find out what things they have going on this month and year-round.

I'm so glad I checked Dooce tonight

While I'm in the safety of my own home and in no danger of getting caught due to the fits of laughter I've been emitting for the last 5 minutes. My face is soaked with tears and I can't take it anymore. Granted Heather didn't write my object of humor tonight, but her funny links lead me to 2 different areas to make me say "What the friggin' hell?"

First would be the new Kojak corpse dolls. She refers to her daughter's freakishly ugly dolls a few times (here and here for instance). Her link board had this to say today... "The Butt Ugly Gang! on Flickr If at all possible these dolls are more frightening than the ones in Leta's collection. Proceed with caution. " She wasn't kidding folks. Go through all the photos... and read the comments. I will never look at a tire iron again in the same way.

The second was extremely funny in part... but can be considered offensive. I just want y'all to know that you gotta take this as a joke upon all the lovelies that find images of holy people in toast or their cornflakes.

Fantastic

I got 9/10 on both my presentation and written for one of my classes. It was due last Thursday and is mostly the reason behind this post.

Meanwhile I'm not going to spend a heckuvalot of time on the computer today as I've got paper calling to me. I really need to spend some serious scrap-therapy time today. DON'T forget to go pink this month! It's mucho importante that we all get that mode of thought out.

And a HUGE sigh of relief

Tests, papers, presentations... all done... for the next 2 weeks or so at least. That makes for a very happy me! Can we say a huge sigh of relief?? I feel like a 2 ton truck has been lifted off my shoulders. The best part? My old habbits that are impossible to kill came through again. Nothing beats me being desperate and staying up late the night before. I always get the grade. LOL

School

It's getting to me. I've got that non-stop sick feeling in my stomach. I don't have any idea how I'm going to survive this semester. Excuse me while I go puke. :(

Hodge Podge

There’s a lot going on for me lately. Friends being stupid and moving away or not calling me back… I’ve also got MOUNTAINS of homework to get through. I finally have a computer to work with (on loan from my MIL) but we still can’t figure out what the hell happened to the old one. It’s not the new monitor, mouse or keyboard that he bought in “attempt” to find the problem. I feel like we’re hemorrhaging money and all we really need to do is just take it to Best Buy or something and have the lovely Geek Squad look at it. I’d just chalk it up to getting a new system but I NEED some stuff (like mostly complete LO’s) still on there and have no way of getting it as it stands at the moment. *tear* Not to mention my music collection. Most of that has been moved to the external HD but there’s still some stuff that HADN’T been moved yet that I’d be upset to lose. Meanwhile I can’t charge my iPod either as I don’t have a plug in unit for it. Grr!

I think I’m just overloaded right now. Needa find time to actually CREATE. Why is it that I’m only inspired when I don’t have the time to dedicate to the idea? At least being computer challenged has made me rediscover my paper fetish. I made a fantastic page for one of the girls on SL. I still need to SEND the sucker to her but it’s cute. It was a coordinated paper baby book that we all put together separately and then one of our members puts it all together and gives it to the expectant mommy. I was really proud of this page… once I get a way to DL my photos I’ll be posting!! She didn’t get it with the rest of the book because I was lame and lost track of time. Duh!

One of the guys brought in the most awesome cookies today. He got them at Costco and said that after he tried them he HAD to bring them to share the yummy goodness. I don’t know whether I should be mad for the horrible temptation or grateful for the scrumptious treat! He said to look for them in the Christmas stuff. They’re called European Pastry Cookies (Kirkland brand). They’re like eating crunchy cream-puffs (for lack of a better way to describe them). Sandwich cookies with cream filling and sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar. There are several flavors in each box too so keep an eye out for them. They’re TOTALLY worth it. I wanted to link to them for you but since I can’t find them on their website you’ll just keep your eyes peeled.

Going pink for October

My MySpace and blog here will be PINK in October to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I stumbled upon this site this morning and have decided it’s a fantastic idea! Hopefully I’ll have some designing capabilities by the time October comes so that I may actually CREATE my own stinking banner (and what better time than BCA month?) for once! If not… there’s other ways of pinking it up! I’m serious now! This is my cause… live it up and join in on the fun folks!!

5 Years

Has it really been that long now? It’s so hard to believe. I was sobbing in the car this morning. K&B had created a fantastic montage for the 1st anniversary and they replayed it while I was driving to work. I’ve been numb all morning since.

I was walking with my dad to the car on my way to work when my grandmother came out to tell us that a plane had crashed into one of the towers. We just shrugged it off as like that little Cessna that had crashed into it a few years before. Dad’s radio in the car didn’t work so we drove and talked like always. When he dropped me off in front of my work I noticed that the TV in the conference room was on. I walked in to see what the damage. Then I saw it, the fire and smoke coming out of the first tower. As I watched with one of our estimators, a plane flew into the 2nd tower.

My heart skipped a beat. It was impossible! How could this happen? The rest of the day was a blur. I stayed glued to the TV, leaving only long enough to answer the phones at my desk 10 feet away. Not that it happened much. Most the rest of the country was watching TV too. We all watched in horror as they came down. The shock of the other 2 planes was too much to grasp. Businesses closed that day, most classes at school were cancelled, Disneyland even closed!

That day was truly infamous. What seems to have been forgotten was the fervor of patriotism that followed. We stood as a nation and fought back; Fundraisers, blood drives, memorials & vigils, bumper stickers, the flag was EVERY WHERE you looked, it was amazing. Disneyland had nightly patriotic firework displays until the Christmas season. It was awesome to be an American.

Take a moment to remember the events of that day. Remember the heroes in not only New York, but those that died at the Pentagon and in that field in Pennsylvania. Tell your loved ones what they mean to you, because if that day taught us nothing else, life is short and you never know when your time will come.

W E W I L L N E V E R F O R G E T

Search for Meaning

So I have this class where I'm supposed to write a lot. Instead it looks like a LOT more reading, but I digress.

I have a test on this book today, so I was up late reading it. It's really good though. This guy has a lot of great perspective on how to give your life meaning and creating the right attitudes in life that will make you happy. He's the founder of the 3rd type of psychotherapy that came out of Vienna (along with Freud & Adler). It's called logotherapy. Logos is Latin for meaning so this therapy helps you find MEANING behind your suffering and issues. It's really cool stuff.


The main part of the book is talking about his experiences in a concentration camp during WWII, which in itself is really interesting, but on top of it all he's analyzes his behavior (and others) and sets up explanations about what he discusses in the 2nd and 3rd portions of the book (a summary of logotherapy).
I highly recommend this book to anyone (I can think of a few that SHOULD read it). I plan on using some of his ideas and applying them to my life. It's that good.

It was time

I chopped 10+ inches off my hair last night and then dyed it red. I feel so much lighter and happier. It was so nice to not worry about my hair this morning. I just pulled out the brush and a few seconds later it was done! It’s been so stinking tangled lately that I was getting VERY sick of it. I’m donating to Locks of Love too. I have pictures… someday I’ll be able to post them. My computer is still on the fritz. I hope we can fix it soon. I’ve got school papers due in like 2 weeks already! :(

How many times do I have to say that I love Post Secret? Both of these made me laugh, but because I feel that way too!

*Sob*

What's the worst thing a digital scrapper can say? "My home computer is dead."

I wanna die. The keyboard and mouse isn't working. We can get the darn thing to turn on and load... but we can't access anything. How the freaking HELL am I to move all my crap to another computer then? Buy another set? Done! Apparently stuff is soldered to my mother board or some crap that I really don't understand.

The pain is unbearable. I had wanted to sign up for a new CT (Genevieve Sass, buy her stuff, it's amazingly adorable!) and get back to work on DSFX but my life has been so hectic (and will continue to be as the new semester started this week) that I couldn't. Now I can't at all... even IF I had time. *collapses into a pile of uncontrollable sobbing*

My only hope? That my magical brother in law can fix it after he takes a look. I know I'm being dramatic, but I was supposed to get a new laptop... not desktop. I'll die if I can't have my OWN little baby to carry with me. Pray for my sick compy.

Coulrophobia

Clowns, anyone else hate 'em? They freak me out. I dunno what it is, but there's just something WRONG with them. *shivers* Freaky. The thing is, I don't seem to mind mimes too much (although they're annoying). Let's face it, they're ugly. They're not funny either. What is wrong with these people that they have to put on a fake face so that they can be "funny"? Why can't you make balloon animals with your regular face? What's the deal with the feet and crazy hair? And the nose!! EEP!

If someone at work teases me about it in front of everyone "Oh, are you going on the pony rides too? How about the bounce house?" Can I consider that harrassment? Can I at least call their passive-agressive butt out? Point out what a loser THEY are? I think I should be able to. I'll just print out the Wikipedia page for them instead. I'm too nice.

Ha ha!!

So irreverent and bad. Too freaking funny.

They're home! They're home!

My wonderful brother is home!! I'm so freaking happy too! He's all growed up! :D I told you he was big! That's me, the dork with the sunglasses on. ;) (L2R: Matthew, Katie, Adam, me, Dad, Mom, Roxanne) One happy family full of nerds happy to get the biggest nerd home. LOL I'm still kicking myself for not getting a photo of ALL the people that came to see him home. My aunt Robin flew down from the Bay area an hour earlier to see him come home and see my other cousin, Ammon, speak at HIS farewell tomorrow (he's leaving for New Zealand in 2 weeks I think). My uncle John came on his lunch break (he is working on the construction going on at LAX) and my cousins Ammon, Joshua, Amy and Kristal all came too. He was so happy to see everyone. It had been about 3 years since Adam saw Josh since Josh had been out a year on his mission when Adam left.

He was also touched by the sign. He asked how long it had taken me to make it. I told him 3 hours... and it was close to it! It took me much longer than I thought it would to cut all those letters out by hand! It's a Harry Potter font I'd found online a while back and thought it totally fit the space theme I had picked for it (Adam LOVES science fiction). I versa-marked little planets and shooting stars on the letters too once I got them secured onto the poster. I then used my MM paints and cheap foam stamps that I picked up at Michael's to finish it off. I'm rather happy with the overall effect though. (You can click on the pictures to make them a little bigger).

Michael's homecoming was just as fantastic! My mom drove the sibs down to the airport to see him come home too. What a crowd! L2R: Mom, Sarah (sil), Matt (bil), Aaron (bil), Trena (sil), Hal (fil), Melissa (mil), Michael, Matthew, Roxanne, Liam (nephew). Kate and I are down in front. Allison and Liam were very tired of standing around taking pictures so they didn't want to hold still for this one. FYI: Sarah, Aaron, Michael and Matthew are all the siblings... Matt, Trena and I married in. ;) That's my HUGE family... well... immediate families anyway. One day I'll post pictures from our wedding that will show you what kind of extended family I have! LOL

In closing I'll just leave a cute photo of Matthew and Michael. They both ended up serving missions in Boise, Idaho. For family members to serve the same mission is rare, but 2 siblings is crazy! Michael said that there were at least 2 other elders serving with him in the mission that also had older brothers who were sent there. Crazy!!

Adam is coming home!!

My younger brother (who is much bigger than me) is coming home tomorrow. He’s been serving a 2-year mission for our church in Jackson, Mississippi. He’s actually been all over the state and in parts of Texas but that’s where his mission office is located. I’m so excited that I get emotional every time I think about it. I’m so proud of him. It’s hard for him to accept change so the fact that he’d have to move around a lot and to an entirely different part of the country for 2 years means a lot. Then he spends all his time dedicated to the church and talking to strangers all day about his beliefs. I know I couldn’t do it.

He’s met many wonderful people and I can’t wait to hear all about it from him directly. He’s only been able to write letters, email once a week and call home 2 times a year (Christmas and Mother’s Day). His last phone call got me. He didn’t sound like a little boy anymore, he’s a man now. I feel old just thinking about it. I didn’t think I’d miss him as much as I have either. I didn’t think we were that close, but when it came time for him to actually leave, I sobbed like a baby. I haven’t allowed myself to think of him much as it gets the water works going, but I REALLY have missed him!! It’ll be so nice to see his goofy faces and get a bear hug again tomorrow.

Matthew’s brother, Michael, comes home on Friday too. So much fun and family excitement! I’ll have a ton of photos to post later this week. I’m making a sign for both boys (well, I’m helping my SIL make Michael’s). We bought them leis to give them when they get off the plane… or really when we see them in baggage. LOL I’m so excited!!

Who can dance?

So You Think You Can Dance. I made fun of this show last year. It came out the same time as Dancing with the Stars and I wasn't going to get sucked into yet another reality TV craze. This year, Matthew was flipping through channels and landed on the first episode of SYTYCD. I teased him about it... and was sucked in by the 2nd 1/2 hour. We've watched every episode since (well, except for the week of the top 8... we went to the movies and friends for dinner those 2 nights).

The current top 4 is who I would have picked. If anyone out of these 4 win this week, I'll be happy. Much happier than I was with the results of American Idol this year at any rate. Benji is my favorite though. He's a doll!

It's been awhile

And that's because I totally lack anything to say but negative gripings about work... and I refuse to blog that stuff anymore.

Dooce quotes that made me giggle today:

Some mothers would be mortified, and I felt a little bit of that, but the strongest emotion I felt was gratitude. I was so glad that there wasn’t someone nearby taking photos because then I would have to explain why I let you smoke cigarettes. And the truth is pretty simple, really: We’re country. My Mama used to let me smoke cigarettes while I sat on her lap in the front seat of a moving vehicle. Many times she would accidentally hit a raccoon with the car, and we’d take it home and put it in the refrigerator. No big deal.

Leta, one day you are going to be someone’s boss, and they are going to have a hard time resisting the urge to write about you on their website.

Someday I'll be able to articulate the need to poke my eyes out with a hot poker as well as she can. I actually felt that way yesterday. Once a month during church they'll have essentially "open mic night" during the main meeting. It can be very cool to hear other people's uplifting stories/experiances, or just what's going on with everyone (makes you count your blessings too). It also opens the doors for the crazies to get up there and talk. Yesterday was a day of crazies. Usually the crazy people are interesting though. Not yesterday. And what's worse than sitting in a meeting where you're forced to listen to boring people talk? Being forced to listen to boring crazy people talk. Bet you didn't know those exhisted eh? Neither did I.

I'm going to hell now. Not just for my previous comments... but because I pulled out my camera while all this was going on and took some really cute pictures of my neice playing with my BIL at the end of the pew too. Right there in the chapel. Yes... I did at least turn off the flash and that cute little fake shutter noise it makes when you take a picture.

Matthew got a great one of her yesterday at his mom's. The neighbors have a plumeria tree and sometimes the flowers will drop into my in-law's yard. We put one in her hair and she looked so stinking cute. He managed to get her to 1) hold still long enough to take a picture and 2) even got her posed. It'll make a great layout. I recently got a cute mini-kit off of Sweet Genevieve's blog that will go perfectly. I've already made a cute LO of her and her brother playing in the yard with it. The two LO's will look great side by side. I'm gonna buy the full kit though for this photo. I need some of the extra cute embellishments that go with it.

As I speak about all this cool stuff... I realize that I really need to update my slider. (It's along the bottom for those of you that haven't ever noticed lol) Maybe I should really just get one for the side of my page. *shrugs* I just don't want it across the top because they're kinda big. I also need to get my butt in gear and make a header for my page too. *sigh* Who wants to give me a lesson in HTML?

Quiet thoughts after a long day

That's Sam and me. We're in front of Mondavi at Disney's California Adventure. We're both Disney nuts, scrapping fanatics and just love to talk. We have very similar thoughts on most topics and just totally enjoy talking together.

She and I bonded on a small scrapping chat board over the last (almost) 2 years. Her husband's family was going to do a family vacation in San Diego this upcoming week and she convinced her hubby to come a few days early so that she could go to Disneyland and meet me! Since she lives in the Atlanta area and I'm here in the OC... what were the chances we'd ever get to meet up again? (I would have driven down to San Diego during the week if it hadn't worked out. No way was she going to be in CA and I NOT meet her!) I had a blast with her. Her hubby and little boy were fun too. I know I've said this before but it's so weird to meet someone for the first time face to face when you've already "met" them online. It's crazy how we make friends with people all across the country without ever seeing their faces. The world really is getting smaller in some ways. Now to start bugging Matthew about making a few days stop in Atlanta when we eventually go to Disney World. Or better yet, plan a WDW trip together!

Here's what we were waiting for. Cool huh? We actually got to see Lightning McQueen! T. Mater was there too. Disney never fails to amaze me. The fireworks show at Disneyland are just amazing for the 50th celebration. She got a cute streaky picture of Tinkerbell last night (the only kind you can get because it's dark and she moves so fast)... I couldn't get one at all! I'm going to get one, one day!! I did get a couple fun ones of the show though.

We also came across "Jack Sparrow" in New Orleans yesterday. He was cute, but just wasn't the same. I'm going to make a point to go back and take a picture with him though. *sigh* I'm really glad they've done more to play up the whole Pirates thing there. The ride had a mile long line... 5 people deep. No thanks! I can always catch it later. But they also had pirate singers on the street and the Jack guy running around. Awesome! Even if I don't catch him this year... the third movie is out next summer!

Huh?

Person: Who's blue beemer?
Me: It's ***'s. He's been driving it for 2 weeks, you hadn't seen it yet?
Person: Huh. I thought they only came in black and white.

Friggin hot

It's gotta cool down sometime... soon I hope. Yesterday was especially nasty with the added mugginess of a thunderstorm and torrential downpour. EWWW!

I had to adjust my MySpace account for internet scary-people. :( That's really too bad too. What can you do though? There are some real nut-jobs out there. I'm removing my link too. Sorry folks!

On a lighter note...

And then there was that sea-monster asking for tree-fiddy.

Money sucks

I registered for school this week. 9 units=$1,505. That's right. I have to pay the full-time rate, eventhough by all other counts, full time is 12 units, not 7+. I wouldn't mind so much if I really could AFFORD it but somehow the government has decided that I'm not broke enough to constitute giving me help. I find it especially aggravating because I know people who have a higher combined income, rent nicer places than I do, have kids and still have more money to get by... but because they're not married to their significant other they classify as an unemployed single mother, therefore get school money. WTF?!?! And they wonder why the divorce rate is higher and there are more single parents out there... because it pays to be in that situation. I work full time, go to school "full time" (or at least PAY like I do), I'm just BARELY scraping by and I don't qualify for financial aid!?!?!?!?!?

Let's also not forget that because I am married but have no kids that I'm not getting a tax break. Let me see... I'm married, can't afford to have kids, so I'm on the pill. You'd think that because I'm being responsible and not bringing children that I can't afford into this world that I'd get some incentive. I want a pat on the back for not being on welfare thank you very much. Where's my friggin hand out? Everyone else gets one... where's mine?

I work hard for what I do. I want to be able to say I paid my way through school, but c'mon. I should get a tuition break or SOMETHING for being self sufficient. It's not like I'm going to an expensive private university... I'm going to a state college. Not even a state university... COLLEGE. Not UC Fullerton... CSU Fullerton. Do we see the difference? C'mon give a girl break folks! And what am I going for? Teaching... so I can slave away for the state and give other kids a free education. I thought we had this system built upon the concept that everyone deserves an education. Why are they making it so freaking hard for me to get one then? And I'm not going into a field that will just make me rake in the big bucks either... I'm going to turn my education around and perpetuate the system... I think I should be going for free thanks! Veterans and teachers get free school!

For those that are still here. Thanks for bearing with me. It's been a crazy week.

DSFX is moving... we're getting ever closer to opening. Laura got my 1st item up. I thought I'd have more quickpages ready to go by now but I've hit a snag. Seems that eventhough I've set my defaults to 300 dpi... they haven't been saving there. UGH! Thank heaven I've been saving my PNG and my JPG files for my LO's! I'm going to have to remake a bunch of Instant FX pages though. GRRR!

Today I've been trying to re-organize all my digital kits and such. The way I've been doing it was essentially saving onto the hard drive 2x each. So now I'm trying to cut back on the excess file usage. My Picture It has been freezing a lot lately and I'm hoping its due to that. If it's another issue I don't know HOW I'm going to be able to run PSE4 when I get it. *fingers crossed that it helps*

Love you all... thanks for reading my rant! ;)

PixieMegh

Dang it all!

Well, I tried to set up my designer name as just Pixie... back to the drawing board... there's already a "Pixels by Pixie" and that means that if another designer is going by Pixie I'll have to stick to my usual alias. I actually liked her blog (that I skimmed). She reads similar stuff to what I do and it's actually kinda freaky if you think about it. Her pixels of choice are actually web design. Something I know nothing about. Perhaps someday you'll see a newly designed blog here... by her. LOL

In the meantime I think I'll go back to PixieMegh Designs. This way I'll have a name that isn't out there yet by someone else (I googled it... I'm the only one that's popping up). Sheila is going to love this. LOL She's already set me up in the store as Pixie... guess we'll have to adjust that now won't we? Grrr!

Lost

In thought today...

If you would have told me in HS that the girl I fought the most with would end up being my best friend I would have fallen down dead from laughter. Now what's our friendship like? I called her from work at lunch to B&M about some drama going on. My other best friend has been there off and on for years (since 5th grade really). I'm really glad I still have her... those 2 are what's keeping me sane lately. Except scrappin' of course... then I've got my SL/DSFX girls. They've got my back! Internet friends are just so different from "real life" friends.

OMIGOSH! I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Dooce today. I only wish I could have been there to watch those boys’ faces as they ate the “guacamole”. That woman is a riot.

*Sigh* Oasis- Champagne SuperNova... that song just takes me home.

Another iPod moment... I just hadda add

Michael Jackson. WOW all the scary gross stuff aside... his music still makes me wanna dance. It's really sad that someone so talented could go so wrong. I don't blame him completely, he had a really screwed up childhood. Honestly... I think he really believes that there's nothing wrong with him or his life, and that's why he makes me sad. I'm not condoning it, I'm not saying it's okay or that I don't believe all that's happened and rumors/truth whatever, I'm just saying he's messed up and REALLY believes he's "normal". I think that's worse than any other type of mental illness in some ways.

Someone I know well changed dramatically in his teen years and then after several years of him acting weird, he broke. Turned out that he has schizophrenia and didn't know. All this horrible stuff was going through his head and he just withdrew into himself because he didn't know what was going on or if it was "normal" or what. Now that he's been diagnosed and is on a medication that works for him, he's back to the same person he used to be. It's so refreshing to see him happy again these last several years. It just makes me sad that he went untreated for so long because of all the living he missed out on during that time. He's moving on and making up for it though and that's all that matters right? Taking what life throws you, dealing with it, and then moving on.

As I listen to my iPod.

Okay so I totally enjoy Johnny Cash's songs... but so much more with Joaquin Phoenix singing. I think it's that "hotness" factor that's getting in the way. Cash did a great cover of a NIN song shortly before he died. I really like it... in fact ever since Walk the Line came out KROQ plays it quite often. When they play NIN's version I find myself getting annoyed because I wanna hear Johnny. But then if I hear the REAL Johnny singing Walk the Line or Ring of Fire (which I still LOVE the Social D version) it's not as cool.

Britney. Spears. Yes, I occasionally enjoy her old pop stuff... not any of that post-Madonna/Federline whorish crap (essentially her first 2 albums). This song in particular... Lucky... somehow strikes a chord with me. I actually bought (and listened to quite often) her first album I gave it away after she went all weird. Another song by her, Stronger, is a great girl power anthem. And no matter what, I'll always love her videos. Her singing may be fakish but that girl can DANCE.

Yellow Submarine. The Beatles. What else can I say? Ringo is my favorite. It used to be Paul, but then I grew up and realized that looks aren't everything. Granted, the man still is a great person and he's awesome blah blah but for whatever I just seem to GET Ringo more. This is of course all shallowness anyway as I don't really KNOW these men. Ringo was Mr. Conductor for a bit on Shining Time Station (before the Thomas the Tank Engine cartoons stood all by themselves). He did a kids show... loved it! This song makes me think of my teenage years as I bought the movie on VHS for my dad's birthday gift when I got my first job. That was my link to him... music.

The Unforgiven, Metallica. *Sigh* I always feel guilty for calling their music a spiritual experience, but I have no other way to describe that feeling I get at a show or when I hear one of their songs at the perfect music. They've been the background soundtrack to my life for close to 10 years now. I know there are fans out there that have listened since the beginning and they trump me in that way... but I feel them down to my core, I think that should be a good indicator of my dedication. We don't really buy music DVD's in this house... but I've got S&M and Some Kind of Monster... and I actually WATCH them. SKM scares me though... they were so close to collapsing. That movie made me love Rob all the more. His addition marked a new era with them, and boy am I glad that Jason's departure didn't ultimately break the band, because then I'd have to hate him and I really don't want to do that.

"Take a bow, the night is over..." Madonna... wow. An icon, but yet I'm so pretty much over her. I mean, I'll still listen to her if she's on the radio (cause you know my rock station plays her always... oh wait... no, not at all) but yeah. That aspiration to see her in concert is gone. She's just not my thing anymore. I like her older stuff better any how. Ray of Light was good... I'm just not into that newer stuff... anti-American, look at me I'm "British" now crap.

No Doubt. Took the world by storm and Gwen became the it girl. I still love her. I'm glad she's doing her side work and I like that album too. The Alice in Wonderland theme sure helped too. I really like Alice. I may blog about that another time. They're another band that seems to be the background for key moments of my life. Most of it was from Tragic Kingdom. I like ND as a whole... the "they're not ska anymore" argument doesn't bother me. Eric left... they had to change... get over it. Their cover of It's My Life is brilliant. I love it, the original leaves me cold... it just sounds vintage 80s, ND's version sounds so much MORE 80s somehow... I think it's the major presence of syths. Either way, I really liked it.

Matisyahu. Another WOW. A total whitey singing awesome reggae. Another spiritual experience in music. I normally avoid religious music but this guy is amazing and he seems to leave out the specifics... it's probably because he's Jewish and not Christian... it's amazing how that can make such a HUGE difference. Kudos to him. I think it's awesome that he does it.

Blue Monday- New Order... can you get any more 80s than this? 80s music baffles me sometimes. I love it all, but I never really listened to music at that stage in my life (I was born in '81 if that helps put it in perspective) but I'll hear some songs that just blast me away to being little and playing on McDonalds playgrounds, rubber bracelets, "favas" (what as a small child I dubbed those neon colored spiral-Slinky like bracelets), My Little Pony and She-Ra. I remember 21 Jump Street and CHiPs... I knew ERIC ESTRADA and JOHNNY DEPP before I could write my name in cursive. Ha ha! I guess I always had a sense of the music that was around me, without ever acknowledging it.

The Killers... oh how I love them. From the moment I first heard them I was in love. I can't wait for their new album (I just don't want to have to buy it 3 times like the last one). They became superstars almost instantly. They're HUGE. I don't think it could have happened to a nicer group of guys either. They're unbelievable. *Sigh* Click the link... it'll play their new song for you.

Ooop! Another Metallica song... I guess we're done with the blog as I said I'd type until it repeated. ;D So someone go ahead and tell me again about how iTunes DOES shuffle... no it doesn't.

New LO

I was so proud of my first attempts at doodles that I HAD to come on here and post it before going to bed... Not bad if I say so myself!

It's from DSFX (of course) the Faith line. Well the flowers are at least. I shape cropped them from the beautiful papers. And the ribbon is from DSFX too... although I enhanced the pink a little. Sheila's original has a beautiful pink/yellow irredescent look to it... I needed more pink this time though.

Fonts: Bickley Script & Century Gothic

I've been wanting to do a layout to commemorate Momma Sue for awhile now but I just didn't have the pictures. She was very BEHIND the scenes. It makes me sad now since I don't have many pictures of her now. I have a few of her at my wedding and that's really it. This photo was taken in January after Malia's birthday dinner. It was a nice touch. I think I'll make a 2nd page to go with it that will have a picture of my pal Erin in it. I think the *perfect* one is yet to be taken... but I do have a cute one with her that I've scrapped in the past that I could use too. *Yawn* Time for bed!

We just keep plodding along

Server issues had to push DSFX back again. Laura has been plugging along in the store as well. I've really gotta get my arse in gear for example LO's and our Intant FX pages. I thought summer was supposed to be lower key than during the semester!

Anam ("Oh to sit still" to the right in my links) pointed me towards another lovely blog today. Great insight as to what we need to remember when we scrap. I've been doing more artsy fartsy pages lately due to the fact that they look better to sell for DSFX... I think my digi LO's in general journal less. There are a few where I've got blocks of journaling, but I need to work on that more.

My poor paper has been severely neglected lately. I think there's a scrapping shindig at church this afternoon... maybe I'll throw some paper in my tote and go for a bit. I can't wait for a laptop... then I can do all the chatty stuff that goes with a crop... and use my tools of choice... a lot more compact than a wall full of shelving units. Paper still grabs at me though. It's that HOLDING it in your hand thing I guess. I think I'll be doing the whole print/cut/paste look more too. Sheila's stuff is so yummy I could easily see myself using it as printables for the stacks of pictures I have from the previous 24 years to do. What a chore finishing all those books will be. Someday I'll start moving on it too. LOL

The answer to all the worlds problems...

can currently be bought on Ebay.

I thought I'd just spread the word.

One red paperclip

Today is the day! This is the day that this guy trades his one red paperclip for a HOUSE! I’ve checked in on his blog on occasion for about 7 months now. I say congrats on your big trade! You can read the back story there on his blog. Really cool!!

KROQ world premiered The Killer’s new song, “When You Were Young”. Awesome! The new album comes out in October. If you listen to the stream long enough I’m sure they’ll play it again… if not, most rock stations will probably be getting it in really soon too.

Today sucks

Anyone that talks to me long enough to know me at all, will know that breast cancer is a huge deal to me. I’m pink ribbon obsessed. I pretty much all the chat boards I visit consistently have pink ribbon blinkies. If you go to my house I have 2 couches… one is always draped with a fleece pink ribbon blanket and has 2 bears from Build-a-Bear all decked out in pink. A pink ribbon pin lives on the sweater that I wear everyday. I am one of those women who HATED the color pink… until someone important in my life died from breast cancer.

On the first day of 2nd grade I was a new kid. We had just moved to Downey over the summer and I didn’t know anyone at my new school yet. I was a very sad little girl when recess came. I didn’t know anyone and it really seemed like everyone already had their little group of friends, no room for me. Then another little girl walked up to me and asked me if I’d like to join her and her friends. That was the beginning of my friendship with my dear Malia. Malia (aka Mia) lived down the street from me even! How exciting! We grew up together, from Mrs. Francisco’s 2nd grade class, to taking crazy routes home from middle school and to Senior awards and marching band (well, color guard for her). Because of this simple, kind act I have gained some of my closest and dearest friends. We were a very close group as high school came to a close. And like most childhood friendships we have kinda grown apart, but I still see her on a semi-regular basis, and she’s only a MySpace Top 8 click away. ;)

How do these two tie in? Momma Sue. Remember the kindness of a little girl? Those types of qualities don’t always happen in a vacuum. Malia’s mother, Sue, was one of the kindest, most service oriented people I’ve ever met. She was very dedicated to her children (Malia also has a little sister that’s the same age as my younger brother). Whatever activities Malia and Heather wanted to do, Sue and Howie (their dad) threw themselves into. Whether it was PTA, dance shows, softball league boards, band/color guard boosters or Job’s Daughters parent councils, Sue and Howard would get INVOLVED!

Sue was actually dedicated to ALL children. She ran a preschool and baby-sat a lot of kids after school. If you ever drove through Downey in the late 80s/early 90s and saw a brown pick-up with a bunch of kids playing in the back under a camper shell… that was Sue (this of course was before seat belt laws ruined our fun!). Since Malia lived just down the street, I rode in that thing a LOT. I remember one of my proudest moments was being dubbed “one of Sue’s kids.” Sue really was like a 2nd mother to a lot of Malia and Heather’s friends.

Since Malia and I went to all the same schools and events, like my real parents, Momma Sue was present at the key events in my life: 8th grade promotion, Sweepstakes at our main band competition, high school graduation, even my wedding. That last item brings a smile to my face as well as tears. You see, 2002 was a bittersweet year. I got married in January, my brother and Heather graduated in June, and Momma Sue left us in July.

She just got really sick one day. She fought really hard for what seemed like forever and then she was gone. She used to tell us all the time that life wasn’t fair, and we got the ultimate lesson in that when she passed.

I get to go to dinner tonight with everyone. We’re going to Sue’s favorite restaurant. It’ll be fun, I just wish it was for a happier occasion. We miss you Sue, but your memory and all that you taught us, lives on.

It's coming!

We're putting in the finishing touches and getting ready. We'll be open next week! Happy happy joy joy!

My boyfriend Johnny has a new movie out starting today. You may have heard of it... a little number called The Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest. Go see it! (Graphic is not mine... courtesy of Christy Sturm)

I'm totally flattered

I was googling my screen name to try and remember what other sites I'm registered at to do some more promo work for DSFX and I came across this blog. What a sweetie she is! *blushing*

I've also found that I like her sarcasm... so I'll be adding her to my favorite links here... if nothing else it'll be nice to remind myself to read her musings. Fun fun!

Back to DSFX... we're busy little bees right now. I'm getting sooooo excited for our opening!! What a blast we're all going to have. Please drop in and check us out and keep checking in for details!

God Bless the USA

On today, the birthday of our nation, I just wanted to reflect on the many blessings and freedoms I enjoy.

First off, thank you to all the troops and their families, past, present and future. If it weren't for their sacrifices, today wouldn't be possible any longer and the freedoms that I have (and admittedly take for granted on occasion) every day wouldn't be here for me to enjoy.

If it weren't for this great nation and it's constitution I wouldn't have the faith that I have today. I truly believe that an "unseen hand" was guiding our forefathers to write that great document that caused us to break away from the "mother country", then several years later they re-established our needs and freedoms in what is the foundation of our government today.

My ancestors came here upon the Mayflower in search of religious freedom and they found it. I have ancestors that fought in the Revolutionary War to preserve that freedom. I've since had other branches of my ancestry come to America for that very reason... freedom. They've come from Poland, England and it's various sisters in the UK. They crossed the plains to preserve that freedom that was truly theirs and prepared to fight for it again. I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud of the heritage that I have that has brought me to this point as well. It's what makes this country great.

I think that in this time of dissent that we've forgotten what's important as a nation. I really wish we could go back to the unity of September 12, 2001. When this nation stood together in pain and the face of trajedy. We forgot our differences and united as a nation to stand against our newly realized enemy.

On a day like this, I hope we're able to stand together again and show our thankfulness for being able to stand up and criticize and realize that the very thing we're doing is using the right that people are fighting to preserve.

Thank you for giving me the ability to to type my silly

little rants, post my views and blast at others.

You are true heroes and because if it I'm grateful!

Since I’m “un-Christian” I’m getting political today

Why do so many people feel the need to criticize the Christian-ness of others? I know that by simply discussing this point I’m about to contradict myself… but in my one and only point of defense (or justification) I don’t DO what I’m about to criticize. (Does that make sense?)

I really don’t believe in attacking other’s beliefs. Everyone is entitled to whatever they want to believe. Whatever floats your boat right? As long as you’re not infringing upon my rights or those of others I don’t really CARE what you do. Do I disagree with things in this world? Hell yes! Will I vote according to the dictates to that? Yes, and that’s my constitutional given right. Every other citizen has that right.

Now to where I get cheesed. If I do something that you don’t like, believe something that you don’t like etc. don’t get on your freaking high horse and say I’m being un-Christian. Because flat out, you’re judging me at that point. And how did that little phrase go? Judge not, lest ye be judged. Don’t tell me I’m unchristian because I support someone who believes in actually punishing criminals. Those types are usually the same ones who bash people for having a different lifestyle than they do. Puh-leeze!

I am a sarcastic person and a proud Republican. Get over it.

I’m done now.

Wow!

I dunno what just happened but my blog is fixed! Yay!

*Sigh*

I'm freezing today. It's friggin muggy as all heck outside... and I'm FREEZING. That would be idicative by the icicles hanging from the AC vents here at work and the stupidity of me getting a soda at lunch. Between the two I didn't have a chance.

Dooce was especially funny today. If you bother to read the comments there are some great options in there about signs to hang over your doorbell. The woman never ceases to make me crack up. I could only hope to write as well as she does someday.

Flashback lunch is currently playing Oingo Boingo's Stay. Can I just tell you that' s one of my favorite Boingo songs ever? The only one that will consistantly beat it out for me would be We Close Our Eyes, the live version at the farewell show especially (that one brings me to tears). Jeez, I sound emo!

I find it funny that my mother raised me to wear black, pushed me away from dance classes and cheerleading, and then thinks it weird that I'm a semi-goth/punk now. I only say semi because I'm not really into "scenes" or dressing the part. Matthew gets annoyed when I call myself anything like that... because I'm not really, but if you look at my music and the clothes I do buy when money is no object (can you guess how often THAT happens?) then I do fall closer to that side of the spectrum. My favorite "grown-up" movies (not porn... just not kid-friendly) all have dark covers and involve vampires, pirates, star Johnny Depp or are just directed by Tim Burton. I love Metallica, Linkin Park and any other music that just screams at you. I've recently discovered H.I.M. who has been targeted as "goth" (as well as self-dubbed "love metal", emo and a bunch of other categories) and fell in love with them. I loved Hot Topic before it got overrun with retarded little 'tweens and their mommies buying clothes for them and only REALLY stopped shopping there due to lack of funding and their scary sizing ideas (thanks to said retarded 'tweens... a large will now cover only half of my massive boobs). I know they have a "plus" sized store called Torrid. I love Torrid... except I look like the skinny girl in the fat girl store there (I am NOT skinny btw). Where's the "alternative clothing" store for NORMAL sized women... y'know... from size "I eat like a decent healthy person should" to "a little more to love but not too big"? I guess if you like to wear black you're either suffering from an eating disorder or have bad thyroid (let the complaint emails commence!).

But then there's the OTHER me. The Mormon me. The scrapbooker/photographer/crafter/mommy wannabe. I have a softer "domesticated" side that I also love. Granted... I'm playing screamy music on my iPod/Tunes while I do it... but I do the cutesy stuff too. Mom says that it's the pink-loving ballerina dancing 5 year old that I was surfacing. I find it embarrassing to admit that there was a time when I loved to wear pink (although I own several work shirts in that color, it's only because my work thinks too much black is creepy). Maybe I'm just weird, I dunno.

*sigh*

I'm just your average confused Metal(lica)-lovin', head-bangin', motherhood-wishin', scrapbook-makin' Mormon girl.

Musical Game...

I found this photo awhile back and it's been the source of a lot of entertaining brain teasing... see how many bands/musical acts you can find in it. I believe there's supposed to be a total of 75.

I've found 54 so far. I'm really stuck on the last 21. I can find at least 13 more items that I have no clue on but I know they've got to be SOMETHING. Feel free to comment and leave the ones YOU see!

Randomness in it's finest points

I’ve been AWOL for a few days now. Oops!

Go to digitalscrapbookfx.com for an update too (shameless plug).

I’ve got major scrapper’s block right now. Not the kind where you can’t seem to DO anything… the kind were all your layouts look the same. I guess that’s more of a rut isn’t it?

I’ve also got some strange bit of insomnia. I’m like falling asleep in the afternoons (or fighting to stay awake the whole time) and then I get a second wind and keep myself up until 1 am. As you can see, it’s a self perpetuating problem.

The diet is going okay. I’m not losing pounds or what I notice as inches either… but I keep getting compliments so I guess it’s working… somehow. I’ll have to do photo comparisons soon I guess.

So steady as she goes… Have you heard Jack White’s new band yet? The Raconteurs, they’re awesome! I’ve been slowly sucked into indie rock the last few years (ever since the Killers). It’s been floating around a lot for quite some time… but every time I heard the term it didn’t really mean anything to me. Now I know. I really like it. In addition to the Killers I also greatly appreciate The Postal Service, Muse (I liken them to Queen), The Shins and Death Cab for Cutie. DCFC is played quite often on The OC. Musically that show is phenomenal (yes I watch it semi-religiously and I’m SO glad that they killed off Marissa because Mischa Barton bothers me greatly). Any newer artist featured on there seems to get popular right away. That’s all in thanks to Adam Brody (Seth) who is a real hipster when it comes to music. He’s really adorable too.

For those who are curious… my favorite radio station here is KROQ. You can hear their live stream at www.kroq.com. I LOVE their morning show, Kevin & Bean (so freaking funny) and the evening show done by Nicole Alvarez. She never has a shortage on the metal stuff… NIN, KoRn, Rob Zombie, Linkin Park etc. She is my girl! KROQ is also the home of Love Line with Dr. Drew (where Adam Corolla got his start). Drew is an awesome man. He’s helped so many people with so many problems/questions it’s unbelievable.

I think that’s all for now. I just had some randomness that needed to be put to paper.

Kisses and huggles.

Wow

I'm inspired. I've been trying to get some really good shots of my SIL's kids. After seeing photos from this site, www.janvonholleben.com, I now have a renewed inspiration to try out some more.

Beautiful huh? Check out the dreams of flying collection. Great shots! *sigh* I'm inspired... and stuck at work. Blah!

These just serve as reminders that I need a better camera. Matthew's is nice, but I don't want to wait to fill and develop a roll. I'd love to have a Canon Digital Rebel SLR. Maybe someday. I really should aspire for a laptop with PSE4 installed first as that will be able to bring my creativity (as well as my school work) into another plane. I love my Sony (Cybershot P-200) but it's kinda restrictive in the micro/macro department.


I feel rather mopey the last few days. I cheated pretty bad on my diet this weekend as we were going all over and didn't have much control (well... truthfully is we were being lazy but shhhhh) over where/what we ate. I didn't gain more weight so that's good at least.

I really needa park my behind behind the computer at home a crank out those LO's. I'm on a CT and I REALLY need to concentrate on that right now. Thankfully I've got a few ideas floating in my head... I've just got to put them to paper... er... pixel.

So tired... must go nap...