Love this.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
And AGAIN I can't sleep
So I thought I would get a good night's sleep and I actually was tired and fell asleep around 7 or 7:30 pm. Up at 11:40. :::sigh::: Now it's 4:06 and I've diligently tried twice more to fall asleep in complete darkness and quiet to no avail.
Maybe I should just give in to it and become the night owl I've always been. It is easier over the summer when the kids don't have school. All of our schedules become backwards it seems. But honestly I'm getting a little old for this. I remember all-nighters on the yearbook in college, but come on, that was some time ago.
I have been thinking of another project. I am so incredibly 'project' oriented. For a while now, the girls and I have been talking about opening an Etsy shop. It's an online store that is affliated with ebay but there is no bidding or anything. You just sell your items but it is based on handmade and vintage kind of items.
Since I've recently become re-obsessed with crochet and trying to learn to knit again, I have a goal to open a new Etsy shop in September. For the past few weeks I've been trying to regain my "skills" at crocheting and have had a crochet hook in my hand for many hours a day. I really want to become professionally proficient and produce an excellent product. It takes practice.
Of course my other love is retro anything, especially clothing. I've found some wonderful, incredible vintage patterns for dresses that are gorgeous and I cannot wait to start sewing again. I used to sew almost all my clothes for a few years back in the early 80s, but it does take a lot of patience I learned at the time. My true desire is to design my own clothes. Tweak everything to make it my own. Discover my own style.
One of the things that mean the most to me is to leave to my children a legacy of creativity, courage to create and express themselves, believe in themselves no matter what anyone says to them. I was discouraged throughout my life by people who had no credentials to even give me an educated opinion and yet I was influenced, discouraged in fact, to follow what was truly in my heart.
It is amazing that even ONE off-handed comment by a inexperienced kid can so affect the self-esteem of someone that it can actually change the course of their life. I think most of us have experienced this to some degree.
But this is my changing point. I may have just turned 52, but in my heart I am still the 25 year old person I was (just with so very much more wisdom-thank you Lord). My body has changed and gotten older, but the desire to express my creativity has only grown. It is not too late to follow a creative dream. I am going to give it a try! : )
Maybe I should just give in to it and become the night owl I've always been. It is easier over the summer when the kids don't have school. All of our schedules become backwards it seems. But honestly I'm getting a little old for this. I remember all-nighters on the yearbook in college, but come on, that was some time ago.
I have been thinking of another project. I am so incredibly 'project' oriented. For a while now, the girls and I have been talking about opening an Etsy shop. It's an online store that is affliated with ebay but there is no bidding or anything. You just sell your items but it is based on handmade and vintage kind of items.
Since I've recently become re-obsessed with crochet and trying to learn to knit again, I have a goal to open a new Etsy shop in September. For the past few weeks I've been trying to regain my "skills" at crocheting and have had a crochet hook in my hand for many hours a day. I really want to become professionally proficient and produce an excellent product. It takes practice.
Of course my other love is retro anything, especially clothing. I've found some wonderful, incredible vintage patterns for dresses that are gorgeous and I cannot wait to start sewing again. I used to sew almost all my clothes for a few years back in the early 80s, but it does take a lot of patience I learned at the time. My true desire is to design my own clothes. Tweak everything to make it my own. Discover my own style.
One of the things that mean the most to me is to leave to my children a legacy of creativity, courage to create and express themselves, believe in themselves no matter what anyone says to them. I was discouraged throughout my life by people who had no credentials to even give me an educated opinion and yet I was influenced, discouraged in fact, to follow what was truly in my heart.
It is amazing that even ONE off-handed comment by a inexperienced kid can so affect the self-esteem of someone that it can actually change the course of their life. I think most of us have experienced this to some degree.
But this is my changing point. I may have just turned 52, but in my heart I am still the 25 year old person I was (just with so very much more wisdom-thank you Lord). My body has changed and gotten older, but the desire to express my creativity has only grown. It is not too late to follow a creative dream. I am going to give it a try! : )
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Fun Stuff!
So a couple of weeks ago I took the girls shopping and we got some fun crafty stuff to keep us busy creating this summer. We got some knitting looms, crochet hooks, knitting needles and some idea books along with a variety of yarns. And then we got to it! I haven't crocheted or knitted in a long time, so it's been really fun to get back to it. I've made rasta tams, scarves, caps and now I am experimenting with designing and creating a belted shrug without a pattern. Jussara has made several caps and Jaiden is still getting the hang of the loom.
I made my first afghan about 30 years ago in the late 70s. I still have it. It's actually back in style because of the whole retro thing. It is a ripple afghan in the classic 70s colors of yellows, oranges, rusts and brown. I love it with all of it's wear and tear, and it's held up so well. I used it about 15 years ago to cover the back seat of an old car I was driving and the Arizona sun really faded one side of it, but it just added to its character as far as I was concerned.
So Jussara shared with me that she really wants me to make her an afghan. She said she will be going away to college in a few years and she wants to have one. She said I should make one for each of the kids, so I think I would love to try and do that for them for Christmas. It's ambitious, but maybe I'll be able to pull it off. We'll give it a go. : ) If not, I can give it to them for their birthdays over the next year.
I've also found a lot of fun things on the internet that I would like to share!
I've discovered Japanese Bento Boxes and I would love to get a cute Bento box and try to make Jaiden some really fun lunches to take to school this fall, maybe once or twice a week. I guess they can be pretty time consuming so I don't think I could pull it off every day, but they really look so cute I'd like to try my hand at it at least.
And some more lunch ideas. You can find several Bento groups by searching Flickr.
I mean how much more would you want to eat your vegetables if they came with a cute presentation like these?
I also got some embroidery thread and a hoop and I want to create some of my own retro-inspired designs on tea towels and aprons. The girls and I have talkd about opening our own
Etsy shop and filling it with original designs of all the things we love. We hope to have enough items to open it in a couple of months. We love to create fun items, and it would be great to have some extra income for Christmas.
Etsy shop and filling it with original designs of all the things we love. We hope to have enough items to open it in a couple of months. We love to create fun items, and it would be great to have some extra income for Christmas.
Here's a great place to get retro-inspired embroidery patterns.
I LOVE these! It really isn't your grandmother's embroidery patterns! They are funky and cute!
It does the heart good to create something with your hands and your mind. It's soothing and brings so much joy. I guess I'll get back to crocheting. Happy crafting!
Still missing Michael. Gone too soon.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Michael
I haven't cried so much since I can't remember when. Watching the coverage of Michael Jackson's memorial service today, I felt his loss so intensely. Michael was just a year younger than I and I grew up watching and loving him from a very early age. Finally he gets the recognition he deserves. He was so amazing. I will miss him so much. My heart is broken for his children.
But he is free from the reach of the negative arms that tried to pull him down and bring him down.
He's free.
Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Cable TV Shows
So I really like "Burn Notice" on USA network. It's kind of like MacGyver meets that guy Bruce Willis played in Moonlighting meets Jessica from Murder She Wrote. I realize the outdated references reveals my age-range, but I can't really think of another show like this. But I like it. It's set in Miami, which is nice because I love tropical settings. New season starts Thursday. I love the humor. Fun show
I also like "The Closer" with Kyra Sedgewick. It's starting new episodes for the summer too. I'm surprised at how many of these regular cable shows I like. I was working full-time and didn't have time to even watch the news, which I hated. I like to stay informed. I tivo ABC World News Tonight, for goodness' sake. Still miss Peter Jennings. I grew up watching television. I make no apologies for it.
Still have to make sure I am creating some kind of art every day and organizing! Which are a couple of my goals for the summer.
I also like "The Closer" with Kyra Sedgewick. It's starting new episodes for the summer too. I'm surprised at how many of these regular cable shows I like. I was working full-time and didn't have time to even watch the news, which I hated. I like to stay informed. I tivo ABC World News Tonight, for goodness' sake. Still miss Peter Jennings. I grew up watching television. I make no apologies for it.
Still have to make sure I am creating some kind of art every day and organizing! Which are a couple of my goals for the summer.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
New Day
I've been really worried about working full-time this summer. Working has been an adjustment, but working full-time has been a really huge adjustment. I started in November of last year working temporary part-time and quickly moved to full-time, so I've missed spending all the time I've been used to spending with at home with Clyde and the kids. I've worried what will happen this summer, but thankfully that has all worked itself out. I have only worked full-time for one year in the past 20 years and that was 17 years ago. I didn't realize how stressful full-time work can be when you haven't been used to it.
I loved the work and the great opportunity I was given. I've made great friends and I've learned so much and it has been wonderful, but it was time for a change. I've needed some time off and the timing was just right to take a break and my boss was able to make that happen. He's been amazing and I am so grateful for his support and understanding.
I'm looking forward to art projects with the kids, jewelry-making, painting, scrapbooking, sewing and photography. I've missed the creative side of my brain. It needs to be nourished and fed, for me and for the kids. I can't wait.
I also can't wait to be a full-time housewife and mother. There has been so many projects that I've had to just drop because I haven't had the time or energy because I've been exhausted from full-time work. I can't wait to get back to all of that and helping Clyde with our company business. It's a new day and I am so grateful for this opportunity to experience all these blessings.
Maybe I can finally get caught up with LAUNDRY! I actually am looking forward to LAUNDRY!
LOL!!!!
I just wanted to give a quick update and a great big thank-you to my boss at work for all his understanding and help throughout this adjustment. Life is good!!!
I loved the work and the great opportunity I was given. I've made great friends and I've learned so much and it has been wonderful, but it was time for a change. I've needed some time off and the timing was just right to take a break and my boss was able to make that happen. He's been amazing and I am so grateful for his support and understanding.
I'm looking forward to art projects with the kids, jewelry-making, painting, scrapbooking, sewing and photography. I've missed the creative side of my brain. It needs to be nourished and fed, for me and for the kids. I can't wait.
I also can't wait to be a full-time housewife and mother. There has been so many projects that I've had to just drop because I haven't had the time or energy because I've been exhausted from full-time work. I can't wait to get back to all of that and helping Clyde with our company business. It's a new day and I am so grateful for this opportunity to experience all these blessings.
Maybe I can finally get caught up with LAUNDRY! I actually am looking forward to LAUNDRY!
LOL!!!!
I just wanted to give a quick update and a great big thank-you to my boss at work for all his understanding and help throughout this adjustment. Life is good!!!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
NEED TO START BLOGGING AGAIN
I am back to blogspot now. I haven't blogged for awhile. I didn't renew our mac account last fall so I really haven't been blogging. I also started working full time at the end of November so I really have had time to do much of anything. It is quite an adjustment. I haven't worked full time for 17 years, and of course being 17 years older, it is a big change.
But I do enjoy working. It is challenging, but I enjoy the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment when I've completed several projects. It just feels like there's always more and more to complete.
I miss being home with the kids right after school and I'm usually so tired I can sometimes just sleep all evening. But I am getting adjusted and I think it will all work itself out.
I have to be very left-brained at work, so I miss the creativity of writing, painting, drawing, etc. I have to find a way to make room for all the things I love in my life, my family, spiritual needs and creative outlets.
I hope to keep up with blogging, tweeting, facebooking, myspacing and all the rest. Wow! How things have changed!!!!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
My newest blog
I have a new blog through my imac account. It's www.susiescrapbooker.com. I hope you check it out!
Susie
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Moving to Typepad
Well, I've been wanting to have a custom banner for a while now and after reading posts on Twopeas, I've started a new blog at Typepad. Susiescrapbooker.typepad.com - I just had to try it out. I don't want to give up my posts here, but I am going to move over there during the free trial and see how I like it! So if anyone is actually reading my blog, then I hope you'll come over there! At least check out my new banner! LOL! I've already started posting!
See ya over there!
See ya over there!
Monday, July 18, 2005
Life is truly flying by!
So Cameron turned 13 last week! Wow! And all he wanted was a cell phone. So we got him one. Now maybe our home phone will not be ringing off the hook with girls calling him. LOL! What a time of life! I remember 13 - wearing matching CPO jackets with my best friend, Cindi! Going to Poplar Bluffs to cheer for our basketball team in a tournament! Hearing my 12-year-old cousin tell me about something called a "french kiss" where the boy stuck his tongue in your mouth - ewww gross! I had never heard about such a thing! And nothing sounded more disgusting. lol. Times were certainly different back then! Television and movies certainly did not go there!
Cameron asked me how old I was when I got my first cell phone. I said 46. He laughed. "Come on, Mom! Forty-six? Yeah, right." LOL! Yep, times have changed. And they're going to be changing even more for Cameron because he starts middle-school this year! A new chapter. Heady times, for sure. Ahhhh. Youth.
And so this morning when I walked out of the bedroom, Greyson sprung up from the computer and exclaimed "Mom, you've GOT to see this!" And he drags me to the bathroom and juts his chin out and says "LOOK!!!" with pride beaming from his eyes. I pulled down my glasses to get a better look (I don't have bifocals - yet) and there it was! No question about it. It was different. Definitely. Not like the peach fuzz on his lip. This was definitely a chin whisker. One. One single whisker. But definitely a whisker. About an eighth of an inch long and proudly sprouted right in the center of his chin. Well, his just couldn't contain himself. Every step of this process has been like this for Greyson. The first underarm hair. The peach fuzz on the lip. All of it. He rellishes it. He celebrates it. He points it out to anyone and everyone that will listen. Ahhhh, yes. The sweet bird of youth!
I grew up with two sisters and no brothers so experiencing all these "boy" things has been a whole new experience for me. I'm so thankful for such blessings. So thankful.
So we had a mad storm blow through last night! Right when I left to go pick up Cameron's friend to stay overnight, Clyde called (on Cameron's new cell phone) to tell us that the power had just gone out. The wind was fierce and I could see a wall of dust headed our way. It was a little after 6:00 p.m. We hoped the electricity would be back on by the time we got home but it wasn't. And it was already getting warm.
It's amazing how quiet it is when there is no electricity. And it's amazing how quickly it gets HOT! Boy, you sure don't feel like doing anything when it's hot! Clyde said "I don't know how they did it in Arizona before electricity!" I couldn't agree more! While we were laying around sweating and waiting for the electricity to come back on I felt like the mutants in Arnold's movie Total Recall when they stopped pumping in the fresh air. Just laying there, sweating. At least we still had oxygen. The good thing is we all realized how much we take everything for granted! Good reality check!
So I've been reluctant to post on any threads regarding customer service, but I can't help but notice that designers seem to be feeling attacked. I don't know what is up with that but there must be something going on behind the scenes to cause the comments I've noticed lately. I've heard mention of customers expecting too much. Scares me even more to think I'm really working on jumping into it myself! Yikes!
I would just like to take a moment to mention one bit of wisdom I've learned time and time again over the years. You cannot control the actions of other people, only your own actions and your reaction to others.
Speaking of designing - I'm so excited because I've really been working on getting some stuff done! I've finished a bunch of stuff on one kit and I'm starting on another kit. Well, I started on it a long time ago, but I didn't get really far with it, so now I'm going to work on it full force.
At this point I'm working night and day on designing kits. I am constantly thinking about them, dreaming about them, researching ideas for them and on and on. It's fun though and I hope that I am able to do something that people will like. I am learning more every day about the programs I'm using and that's been great!
Cameron asked me how old I was when I got my first cell phone. I said 46. He laughed. "Come on, Mom! Forty-six? Yeah, right." LOL! Yep, times have changed. And they're going to be changing even more for Cameron because he starts middle-school this year! A new chapter. Heady times, for sure. Ahhhh. Youth.
And so this morning when I walked out of the bedroom, Greyson sprung up from the computer and exclaimed "Mom, you've GOT to see this!" And he drags me to the bathroom and juts his chin out and says "LOOK!!!" with pride beaming from his eyes. I pulled down my glasses to get a better look (I don't have bifocals - yet) and there it was! No question about it. It was different. Definitely. Not like the peach fuzz on his lip. This was definitely a chin whisker. One. One single whisker. But definitely a whisker. About an eighth of an inch long and proudly sprouted right in the center of his chin. Well, his just couldn't contain himself. Every step of this process has been like this for Greyson. The first underarm hair. The peach fuzz on the lip. All of it. He rellishes it. He celebrates it. He points it out to anyone and everyone that will listen. Ahhhh, yes. The sweet bird of youth!
I grew up with two sisters and no brothers so experiencing all these "boy" things has been a whole new experience for me. I'm so thankful for such blessings. So thankful.
So we had a mad storm blow through last night! Right when I left to go pick up Cameron's friend to stay overnight, Clyde called (on Cameron's new cell phone) to tell us that the power had just gone out. The wind was fierce and I could see a wall of dust headed our way. It was a little after 6:00 p.m. We hoped the electricity would be back on by the time we got home but it wasn't. And it was already getting warm.
It's amazing how quiet it is when there is no electricity. And it's amazing how quickly it gets HOT! Boy, you sure don't feel like doing anything when it's hot! Clyde said "I don't know how they did it in Arizona before electricity!" I couldn't agree more! While we were laying around sweating and waiting for the electricity to come back on I felt like the mutants in Arnold's movie Total Recall when they stopped pumping in the fresh air. Just laying there, sweating. At least we still had oxygen. The good thing is we all realized how much we take everything for granted! Good reality check!
So I've been reluctant to post on any threads regarding customer service, but I can't help but notice that designers seem to be feeling attacked. I don't know what is up with that but there must be something going on behind the scenes to cause the comments I've noticed lately. I've heard mention of customers expecting too much. Scares me even more to think I'm really working on jumping into it myself! Yikes!
I would just like to take a moment to mention one bit of wisdom I've learned time and time again over the years. You cannot control the actions of other people, only your own actions and your reaction to others.
Speaking of designing - I'm so excited because I've really been working on getting some stuff done! I've finished a bunch of stuff on one kit and I'm starting on another kit. Well, I started on it a long time ago, but I didn't get really far with it, so now I'm going to work on it full force.
At this point I'm working night and day on designing kits. I am constantly thinking about them, dreaming about them, researching ideas for them and on and on. It's fun though and I hope that I am able to do something that people will like. I am learning more every day about the programs I'm using and that's been great!
Monday, July 11, 2005
Poor Blog.
Wow! I haven't posted for almost a week. I guess I've been pretty busy designing stuff for my kits. I want to post some pics but I want to wait until I'm closer to the launch date. It's pretty scary because I just don't know if people are going to like my style or not and that's pretty intimidating. : )
So Big Brother started and there's another show Tuesday night. I haven't gotten the live feeds though. But I don't know how long I'll be able to hold out. LOL! I wish they had a few older cast members, but oh well. It might be an interesting season. I can't tell yet.
I guess I'm tired. I don't really have too much to say so I'll sign off for now.
So Big Brother started and there's another show Tuesday night. I haven't gotten the live feeds though. But I don't know how long I'll be able to hold out. LOL! I wish they had a few older cast members, but oh well. It might be an interesting season. I can't tell yet.
I guess I'm tired. I don't really have too much to say so I'll sign off for now.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
The 4th
I forgot to write what we ended up doing on the 4th of July and since I'm kind of using this as a journal to record my thoughts and stuff so I can use them to scrapbook later, I thought I'd better get that down. (Another run-on....oh well.)
So we grilled hot dogs and ate potato chips and tortilla chips and guacamole. I never buy chips anymore, or I should say rarely, but again I'm still having the hormonal salt cravings so I indulged. Plus it was a holiday. Anyway, we did end up driving out to see the fireworks. We went out behind Desert Ridge Marketplace. If you park at the back of the parking lot there's a huge vacant desert area and beyond that is Rawhide where they were shooting off fireworks. Clyde had discovered it last year when he ran out to get something and saw all these people at the back of the parking lot.
It really was not as bad as I thought it would be. We got there about 8:30 or so and got a good seat. We backed the van in and opened the back and then we also brought some camping chairs. It really wasn't too hot. It was actually pleasant. And we saw three different displays. One over in Scottsdale, which was pretty far away but looked like they had some really good fireworks, and then two right next to each other. One was Rawhide and then one beyond Rawhide a ways. I had told Clyde that maybe we should try to get a little closer because they might seem small from farther away. He didn't think I had a point until the fireworks started and he was all like, "That's all the bigger they are? Hmmm.... maybe you were right." THANK YOU! They started out kind of small but there was some nice big ones before it was all over. And I was very proud that I had actually ventured out in the potential horrible heat and the kids liked it. I was relieved that the temperature wasn't bad. When I got back in the van I noted it was 94 degrees. It must have been close to 10 p.m. or so.
So it was a nice day. This is the first year that I've really felt like maybe we should think about a pool. Yeah, I know... how have we existed in Arizona without a pool in the summer? I have never felt comfortable about having a pool because I always had at least one baby or toddler. Jaiden is six now and I am not as paranoid as I have been the past (nearly) 14 years we've lived in Phoenix. Now I can see that it would be nice and since Jaiden is not a toddler anymore, maybe we'll start to think about the possiblity.
So now all that's left in the summer is to try to get ready for and make it to San Diego for a beachy getaway and then the annual school shopping for clothes and school supplies! That should take up the next five and a half weeks. This summer is going faster than any summer I can remember for a long time. I don't really know why. Maybe it doesn't seem quite as hot as it has been other summers, I don't know. I'm not aware of the statistics but it hasn't seemed too brutal to me, which is a very good thing. : )
So we grilled hot dogs and ate potato chips and tortilla chips and guacamole. I never buy chips anymore, or I should say rarely, but again I'm still having the hormonal salt cravings so I indulged. Plus it was a holiday. Anyway, we did end up driving out to see the fireworks. We went out behind Desert Ridge Marketplace. If you park at the back of the parking lot there's a huge vacant desert area and beyond that is Rawhide where they were shooting off fireworks. Clyde had discovered it last year when he ran out to get something and saw all these people at the back of the parking lot.
It really was not as bad as I thought it would be. We got there about 8:30 or so and got a good seat. We backed the van in and opened the back and then we also brought some camping chairs. It really wasn't too hot. It was actually pleasant. And we saw three different displays. One over in Scottsdale, which was pretty far away but looked like they had some really good fireworks, and then two right next to each other. One was Rawhide and then one beyond Rawhide a ways. I had told Clyde that maybe we should try to get a little closer because they might seem small from farther away. He didn't think I had a point until the fireworks started and he was all like, "That's all the bigger they are? Hmmm.... maybe you were right." THANK YOU! They started out kind of small but there was some nice big ones before it was all over. And I was very proud that I had actually ventured out in the potential horrible heat and the kids liked it. I was relieved that the temperature wasn't bad. When I got back in the van I noted it was 94 degrees. It must have been close to 10 p.m. or so.
So it was a nice day. This is the first year that I've really felt like maybe we should think about a pool. Yeah, I know... how have we existed in Arizona without a pool in the summer? I have never felt comfortable about having a pool because I always had at least one baby or toddler. Jaiden is six now and I am not as paranoid as I have been the past (nearly) 14 years we've lived in Phoenix. Now I can see that it would be nice and since Jaiden is not a toddler anymore, maybe we'll start to think about the possiblity.
So now all that's left in the summer is to try to get ready for and make it to San Diego for a beachy getaway and then the annual school shopping for clothes and school supplies! That should take up the next five and a half weeks. This summer is going faster than any summer I can remember for a long time. I don't really know why. Maybe it doesn't seem quite as hot as it has been other summers, I don't know. I'm not aware of the statistics but it hasn't seemed too brutal to me, which is a very good thing. : )
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Big Brother Six
So Big Brother Six starts Thursday. I know that most people (including my husband) think these reality shows are a bunch of hooey, but I'm coming clean. I confess to getting caught up in the storylines of some of them. Not all, mind you. But some. Okay so I've watched it every year.
Not always three nights a week, mostly just the live Thurday shows where someone gets evicted. And okay well, an occasional live feed from time to time. Okay, I usually watch most of the episodes and depending on what's going on at the time I might be watching the live feed or reading Joker's Updates - where viewers constantly report on all the goings on via a minute by minute posts. Yeah, I know... no wonder I need to lose weight. ::::sigh::::
Anyhoo, they are calling it "The summer of secrets". I've read that one of the "twists" this year is that each of the houseguests is secretly paired up with another houseguest and if they keep the secret to the end and they are the last two houseguests, then the winner gets a million instead of the usual $500,000 and the runner-up gets $250,000 instead of the usual $50,000. Each secret team was told that they are the only secret team. Oh and they tore down the house from the first five seasons and have built a new two-story one on a CBS set.
If you're interested you can read about the details here. This will be the first year that I've had Tivo! So it will definitely be easier this year! I'll be tivoing it to watch at my leisure. Yeah, right - all my leisure while I'm trying to wrap my head around this website I'm designing. Haa!
I have started crocheting an afghan and I've been trying to do a little bit at night while I'm watching my tivoed shows before I fall asleep. I started three weeks ago (right after my birthday) and it's coming right along. I timed myself and it takes about 20 minutes for me to do one row. I figure it will take about 30 hours of work to complete it. I'd like to do one for each of the kids for Christmas, but we'll see. Ahem...
Today I've been working on putting my first kit into its "packaging". I still have some things to add, but I wanted to kind of get an idea about how it would look. I used all the papers and I finally had something I could show to Clyde and the kids and say "okay, here's what it will look like online." They like it! I was so glad! It kind of gave me a feeling of accomplishment to see it all put together - well, part of it put together at least. LOL! Can't wait to get it all done and get the website up and running and (hopefully) see someone make a page out of it. That would be a wonderful thing! :)
Not always three nights a week, mostly just the live Thurday shows where someone gets evicted. And okay well, an occasional live feed from time to time. Okay, I usually watch most of the episodes and depending on what's going on at the time I might be watching the live feed or reading Joker's Updates - where viewers constantly report on all the goings on via a minute by minute posts. Yeah, I know... no wonder I need to lose weight. ::::sigh::::
Anyhoo, they are calling it "The summer of secrets". I've read that one of the "twists" this year is that each of the houseguests is secretly paired up with another houseguest and if they keep the secret to the end and they are the last two houseguests, then the winner gets a million instead of the usual $500,000 and the runner-up gets $250,000 instead of the usual $50,000. Each secret team was told that they are the only secret team. Oh and they tore down the house from the first five seasons and have built a new two-story one on a CBS set.
If you're interested you can read about the details here. This will be the first year that I've had Tivo! So it will definitely be easier this year! I'll be tivoing it to watch at my leisure. Yeah, right - all my leisure while I'm trying to wrap my head around this website I'm designing. Haa!
I have started crocheting an afghan and I've been trying to do a little bit at night while I'm watching my tivoed shows before I fall asleep. I started three weeks ago (right after my birthday) and it's coming right along. I timed myself and it takes about 20 minutes for me to do one row. I figure it will take about 30 hours of work to complete it. I'd like to do one for each of the kids for Christmas, but we'll see. Ahem...
Today I've been working on putting my first kit into its "packaging". I still have some things to add, but I wanted to kind of get an idea about how it would look. I used all the papers and I finally had something I could show to Clyde and the kids and say "okay, here's what it will look like online." They like it! I was so glad! It kind of gave me a feeling of accomplishment to see it all put together - well, part of it put together at least. LOL! Can't wait to get it all done and get the website up and running and (hopefully) see someone make a page out of it. That would be a wonderful thing! :)
Monday, July 04, 2005
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Thanks Missy!
So here's one of the pics Missy took of Cameron at his dress rehearsal. He's the one dressed in black in the center. Thanks to Missy I have photos of his first performance! Thanks Missy! I can't wait to see the portrait pics we get in August! I'm still trying to talk Cameron into company but he really doesn't want to do ballet. I haven't convinced him that it is really good for improving balance and that coaches sometimes make their football players take ballet. I guess we'll see.
So I'm still working on my website. I'm trying to design my header and I thought I could get by using the design templates in the Webbuilder program at lunarpages, but I can't find one that is simple enough and I'm afraid I'm going to have to attempt to design the whole thing myself - yikes! Daunting task! The design isn't the problem but the other technical web stuff that goes along with it! Ah well, such is life, right? So here's the header I'm working on a the moment. I want something simple. I still haven't come up with the right tag line, though. I want something about postmodern or retro or something. If ya have any ideas, please share! Thanks!
{{Update : Well, I had the header uploaded right here, but Jussara thought that I should wait and uveil it when the website is launched so I guess I'll have to go with her idea.}}
I guess I'll try and work on some more papers for my digital kits. I am really nervous and I hope that someone will like them. Yikes! Okay back to work!
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Been a few days
Working hard on my website. Got my domain names registered at godaddy and decided on lunarpages.com for hosting. Thank you to all the gals on Twopeas! Your vast reservoir of knowledge and your willingness to help others so freely have helped me immensely! I don't know what I'd do without such incredible resources!
So I tried changing the name servers on godaddy, but must have done something wrong cause it's been 3 days and it's only supposed to take no more than 48 hours. I tried it again today and I think (hope) it might've worked this time.
I have been battling some kind of cold or allergies or something. No fun. Stuffy, runny nose, sore throat. Yuk! Drains my energy - that's for sure.
Warning: Vent on Tom ahead!
So War of the Worlds was Tom's best opening day. I guess most people aren't as irritatedt with him as I. I've heard it's a good movie, but Clyde said he heard it was very violent. I do like Steven Speilberg and I love science fiction so I really would like to see it, but I'm just not in the mood to support Tom right now. He may even have some valid points worth discussion but his ATTITUDE is do condescending and arrogant that I am just really turned off. I mean, he's an ACTOR for goodness sakes! His ego has gotten as big as Oprah's and I've been kind of over her for quite a while now.
Warning: Vent on Oprah ahead!
I had some issues when she first started her magazine and she put herself (and only herself) on the cover of her magazine every month, year after year. But when she had this hoity toity "Legends" ball to honor all the important and notable black women on the planet, where it was mandatory that you had to wear ONLY black and white, and OPRAH wore a LIPSTICK RED ball gown - well, that was it for me. I know that's a run-on sentence but I had to get it all out in one 'breath'. So the whole Hermes thing was just another straw on the broken camel's back for me. I know the whole story isn't out yet, and I'm sure Oprah will dedicate an entire show to it to tell her side of the story and maybe I'm being premature and judgemental and I guess I am unfamiliar with a world where you EXPECT stores to just cater to your every whim and reopen 15 minutes after they've closed - but MAN! ( I know, another run-on - please forgive me.) Come on! She's a TALK-SHOW host for goodness sakes!
I hope I'm not being too judgemental or controversial, but I just felt the need to vent. I think it's hormonal. I am craving salt and sugar and breaking out on my face. I even have one on the back of my neck! Yuk! Hope that's not too much information! I'm emotional and just kind of I don't know - depressed - a bit. That's the thing with PMS - even though I know that is what I'm going though, I can't seem to deal with my emotions logically. I can't really stop my feelings. Then when my hormones go back to nornal I go back to my upbeat, positive, optimistic attitude. Wierd, really.
There was this great article about PMS in Women's Health magazine. The author said some of her best decisions have come during 'Aunt Flo's" visits. She broke up with a guy when she was in a bad relationship, she quit a a bad job and moved on to a better one.. I guess I've never thought about the ways PMS could be a good thing, but I know that I've gotten the gumption to do and say a bunch of stuff that needed to be done or said simply because I was all riled up on hormones! Of course there have been times I've over-reacted to situations too. Maybe I just need to look into some kind of hormonal cream or something.: )
My dilemma on 4th of July. First of all I grew up in Missouri, when it starts to cool off when the sun goes dowm and where everyone is outside shooting off fireworks or laying on a blanket watching a town firework display. I now live in Phoenix where it is still well over 100 degrees after 10:00 p.m. It has never been appealing to me to drive 45 minutes to one of the local firework displays, try to find a parking space and sit in 100 degree weather waiting for the fireworks only to fight the crowds getting out. I know - Scrooge - bah, humbug. Well the other thing is that I always had a small child that didn't really like the percussion of the explosions. Now, they are all pretty much old enough to not be afraid anymore. Maybe we'll try the one at Phoenix First Assembly. We've been there before. It's pretty close. Maybe it won't be too bad.
The other thing is that my father died on July 1, 1975. So since that time it's been hard for me to be in a celebratory mood at this time of year. Hard to believe he's been gone for 30 years. Such a great man, so honorable and so much integrity. I wish I had had more time with him. I have so many qestions I've needed to ask him over the years. I had just turned 18 when he died. So thankful I had those 18 years with him. I miss him so much.
So I tried changing the name servers on godaddy, but must have done something wrong cause it's been 3 days and it's only supposed to take no more than 48 hours. I tried it again today and I think (hope) it might've worked this time.
I have been battling some kind of cold or allergies or something. No fun. Stuffy, runny nose, sore throat. Yuk! Drains my energy - that's for sure.
Warning: Vent on Tom ahead!
So War of the Worlds was Tom's best opening day. I guess most people aren't as irritatedt with him as I. I've heard it's a good movie, but Clyde said he heard it was very violent. I do like Steven Speilberg and I love science fiction so I really would like to see it, but I'm just not in the mood to support Tom right now. He may even have some valid points worth discussion but his ATTITUDE is do condescending and arrogant that I am just really turned off. I mean, he's an ACTOR for goodness sakes! His ego has gotten as big as Oprah's and I've been kind of over her for quite a while now.
Warning: Vent on Oprah ahead!
I had some issues when she first started her magazine and she put herself (and only herself) on the cover of her magazine every month, year after year. But when she had this hoity toity "Legends" ball to honor all the important and notable black women on the planet, where it was mandatory that you had to wear ONLY black and white, and OPRAH wore a LIPSTICK RED ball gown - well, that was it for me. I know that's a run-on sentence but I had to get it all out in one 'breath'. So the whole Hermes thing was just another straw on the broken camel's back for me. I know the whole story isn't out yet, and I'm sure Oprah will dedicate an entire show to it to tell her side of the story and maybe I'm being premature and judgemental and I guess I am unfamiliar with a world where you EXPECT stores to just cater to your every whim and reopen 15 minutes after they've closed - but MAN! ( I know, another run-on - please forgive me.) Come on! She's a TALK-SHOW host for goodness sakes!
I hope I'm not being too judgemental or controversial, but I just felt the need to vent. I think it's hormonal. I am craving salt and sugar and breaking out on my face. I even have one on the back of my neck! Yuk! Hope that's not too much information! I'm emotional and just kind of I don't know - depressed - a bit. That's the thing with PMS - even though I know that is what I'm going though, I can't seem to deal with my emotions logically. I can't really stop my feelings. Then when my hormones go back to nornal I go back to my upbeat, positive, optimistic attitude. Wierd, really.
There was this great article about PMS in Women's Health magazine. The author said some of her best decisions have come during 'Aunt Flo's" visits. She broke up with a guy when she was in a bad relationship, she quit a a bad job and moved on to a better one.. I guess I've never thought about the ways PMS could be a good thing, but I know that I've gotten the gumption to do and say a bunch of stuff that needed to be done or said simply because I was all riled up on hormones! Of course there have been times I've over-reacted to situations too. Maybe I just need to look into some kind of hormonal cream or something.: )
My dilemma on 4th of July. First of all I grew up in Missouri, when it starts to cool off when the sun goes dowm and where everyone is outside shooting off fireworks or laying on a blanket watching a town firework display. I now live in Phoenix where it is still well over 100 degrees after 10:00 p.m. It has never been appealing to me to drive 45 minutes to one of the local firework displays, try to find a parking space and sit in 100 degree weather waiting for the fireworks only to fight the crowds getting out. I know - Scrooge - bah, humbug. Well the other thing is that I always had a small child that didn't really like the percussion of the explosions. Now, they are all pretty much old enough to not be afraid anymore. Maybe we'll try the one at Phoenix First Assembly. We've been there before. It's pretty close. Maybe it won't be too bad.
The other thing is that my father died on July 1, 1975. So since that time it's been hard for me to be in a celebratory mood at this time of year. Hard to believe he's been gone for 30 years. Such a great man, so honorable and so much integrity. I wish I had had more time with him. I have so many qestions I've needed to ask him over the years. I had just turned 18 when he died. So thankful I had those 18 years with him. I miss him so much.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
This & That!
Shout out to my good friend Kari, who just got out of the hospital yesterday after spending a couple days getting tests. She was rushed to the hospital is intense pain on Sunday night. She had her gall bladder out almost two years ago and she has had some complications from that. Anyway, they don't want her eating anything acidic for a month and then they'll do more tests. Poor Kari, she loves cooking and sauces and tomatoes and lemons and limes. But I know she can do it! You go girl!!
So I can't believe that it is already the end of June! Wow! Just six more weeks until school starts. It's actually going pretty fast. Jussara is already talking about how she is looking forward to it and they are all looking forward to getting new clothes! Yikes! LOL! Outfitting four kids for school is not cheap, but it is fun!
I am looking forward to heading to San Diego for a few days in July. We all need a break! Especially Clyde! He is working so hard and rarely gets any time away! I really need to make some reservations! Better get on that!
I've been working a little more on my kits. I've got to go ahead and settle on a host for my website. I hope to post my kit here soon just to see if there's any interest in it! Now I'm all paranoid that no one is going to be interested or want it! : ( Hope I'm wrong!
Later!
So I can't believe that it is already the end of June! Wow! Just six more weeks until school starts. It's actually going pretty fast. Jussara is already talking about how she is looking forward to it and they are all looking forward to getting new clothes! Yikes! LOL! Outfitting four kids for school is not cheap, but it is fun!
I am looking forward to heading to San Diego for a few days in July. We all need a break! Especially Clyde! He is working so hard and rarely gets any time away! I really need to make some reservations! Better get on that!
I've been working a little more on my kits. I've got to go ahead and settle on a host for my website. I hope to post my kit here soon just to see if there's any interest in it! Now I'm all paranoid that no one is going to be interested or want it! : ( Hope I'm wrong!
Later!
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Last night's performance
So just Clyde and I went to last night's performance. Cameron was more relaxed this time and seemed to enjoy it more! I can't wait to get the dvd. The whole thing was quite a culmination! It's not like sports where you have games regularly. This is the one performance for the whole year. I guess the company groups have competitions but for the recreational kids, this is pretty much IT! Kudos to Cam for such a good job! They dedicated this performance to Mario, Cameron's hip-hop and break-dancing teacher. He was diagnosed with and has been battling testicular cancer the past several months. He was there last night (he wasn't on Friday) and it was very moving. Our hearts and prayers go out to him and his family.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Cameron's Recital
It was very exciting! And Cam was only in two dances! The whole family went and loved it! It was a little long though and Jaiden had a bit of hard time during the middle. She was ready to go home. It was a long night for her. Waaay past her bedtime. It wasn't over until about 10:40 I think. So we were there for more than four hours.
I was so proud of Cameron! He is such a good dancer. I'd really like to see him go into company, but he really doesn't want to do ballet. I can't blame him, but I'd love to see him really expand his dancing skills. But we'll see. Maybe he'll change his mind. Too bad there isn't a school of krump in Phoenix. That's the next thing he wants to learn. He can't wait until Rize comes out in Phoenix. Dance is changing in many ways. It was interesting to see ballet performed to more rock and blues style songs. Very interesting to see traditional ballet moves combined with more hip moves. Fascinating.
I was amazed at how well they all did! How these little ones (and even the big ones) remember all these difference dances and all the steps - it was really amazing. It really brought back memories! And a kind of a sad one. I always wanted to be a dancer, but I was very small and I was told by someone - I can't even remember who now - that I was too short to ever be a dancer. And the saddest part is that somewhere deep inside it lodged within me and I never really even tried to pursue dance because I believed him. I thought that ALL dancers were tall. And this was even in spite of the fact that my parents were every encouraging and always told me I could do anything I put my mind to. They supported me thoroughly! I even got a got a scholarship to college for cheerleading and at that time we also did all the dance routines, but I just didn't think it was an option to pursue more. I've taken dance classes over the years from time to time, but after I started having children I just never got back into it. (Well, except for that dance troupe at my church when Cameron was a baby.) Maybe this will spark me to change that! Lose some weight and get in shape! I wonder if my body can do it. I've been watching "Dancing with the Stars" and I've always wanted to take ballroom dancing! I love all kinds of dance! Hmmmm... Thing is - how am I ever going to find time to develop my website, design digital kits, maintain my website, take care of my family, lose weight & get in shape, take dance classes and organize my home? Oh boy!
So Jussara loved the recital too and she wants to take dance lessons, but she's worried Cam won't want her to. He feels like dance is "his" thing and he wants it to stay that way! lol. I think that all our kids have rhythm and that they should all have the opportunity to express themselves physically in dance. It is one of the most liberating things you can do.
Oh, and I'm so excited because I saw Missy and she said that she got some really great pics of Cammie at dress rehearsal! So glad! Now I can scrapbook the whole event - which is a very big event in Cam's life!!! Thanks Missy!!!
On to other subjects...
I got three new magazines yesterday. I LOVE magazines! Home Storage and Organizing, domino - The shopping magazine for your home, and Women's Health. Can't wait until I have a chance to check them out! Like I have the time! I just need to organize my time better! Like right now, I am spending waaay to much time writing this post in my blog! lol! Gotta get ready for tonight's show anyway!!!
Later on...
I was so proud of Cameron! He is such a good dancer. I'd really like to see him go into company, but he really doesn't want to do ballet. I can't blame him, but I'd love to see him really expand his dancing skills. But we'll see. Maybe he'll change his mind. Too bad there isn't a school of krump in Phoenix. That's the next thing he wants to learn. He can't wait until Rize comes out in Phoenix. Dance is changing in many ways. It was interesting to see ballet performed to more rock and blues style songs. Very interesting to see traditional ballet moves combined with more hip moves. Fascinating.
I was amazed at how well they all did! How these little ones (and even the big ones) remember all these difference dances and all the steps - it was really amazing. It really brought back memories! And a kind of a sad one. I always wanted to be a dancer, but I was very small and I was told by someone - I can't even remember who now - that I was too short to ever be a dancer. And the saddest part is that somewhere deep inside it lodged within me and I never really even tried to pursue dance because I believed him. I thought that ALL dancers were tall. And this was even in spite of the fact that my parents were every encouraging and always told me I could do anything I put my mind to. They supported me thoroughly! I even got a got a scholarship to college for cheerleading and at that time we also did all the dance routines, but I just didn't think it was an option to pursue more. I've taken dance classes over the years from time to time, but after I started having children I just never got back into it. (Well, except for that dance troupe at my church when Cameron was a baby.) Maybe this will spark me to change that! Lose some weight and get in shape! I wonder if my body can do it. I've been watching "Dancing with the Stars" and I've always wanted to take ballroom dancing! I love all kinds of dance! Hmmmm... Thing is - how am I ever going to find time to develop my website, design digital kits, maintain my website, take care of my family, lose weight & get in shape, take dance classes and organize my home? Oh boy!
So Jussara loved the recital too and she wants to take dance lessons, but she's worried Cam won't want her to. He feels like dance is "his" thing and he wants it to stay that way! lol. I think that all our kids have rhythm and that they should all have the opportunity to express themselves physically in dance. It is one of the most liberating things you can do.
Oh, and I'm so excited because I saw Missy and she said that she got some really great pics of Cammie at dress rehearsal! So glad! Now I can scrapbook the whole event - which is a very big event in Cam's life!!! Thanks Missy!!!
On to other subjects...
I got three new magazines yesterday. I LOVE magazines! Home Storage and Organizing, domino - The shopping magazine for your home, and Women's Health. Can't wait until I have a chance to check them out! Like I have the time! I just need to organize my time better! Like right now, I am spending waaay to much time writing this post in my blog! lol! Gotta get ready for tonight's show anyway!!!
Later on...
Friday, June 24, 2005
Dance Recital
So last night was dress rehearsal for Cameron's recital. This is our first year and wow! I had no idea! Cameron didn't want me to stay but I ran into my friend Missy when I was dropping him off, so I ended up staying for the whole thing. Cameron was pretty bummed out when he found out because he wanted me to see it with everyone else tonight, but I think he got over it! It will be a surprise for the other four members of our family! It was really great and I can't wait to see it again tonight and tomorrow night!
I was soo grateful that my friend Missy took some pics of Cameron at the dress rehearsal! He didn't want me to stay and that was the only time I could have gotten photos of his performance! Thanks Missy!
This all started for us last year when Cameron went to see his friend Hunter's dance recital. Cameron loves dancing. He was already dancing at home all the time. He could do all the Usher moves to all his videos. So he asked if he could take breakdancing and hip-hop classes. So we enrolled him and he loved it! I think he would like to do company but he doesn't want to take ballet - it just isn't Cameron. So, we'll see.
I have a feeling when Jaiden sees the recital tonight and all the pretty dresses and tutus, she will want to take dance next year. She's always loved to dance and would move her head up and down to the music on commercials before she could sit up on her own. Now that she's six I think she should be in classes. We'll see what she thinks tonight.
I remember my recitals - now so many years ago. Modern Dance. Every time I see Bing Crosby's White Christmas where Danny Kaye does the modern dance number with everyone in the black leotards and Danny wearing a beret it makes me think of my dance classes. I remember one recital costume stood out because I felt like a princess. It was all frilly in these beautiful colors and we wore those tall pointed hats with the tulle or chiffon or something beautiful floating out of the top. It was magical. I remember being nervous and being up on stage in front of everyone - but boy was it exhilarating! Wow! And I was probably about Jaiden's age when I started. Jussara might even want to do it, but when we had her in dance several years ago, she quit because her friend quit. I shouldn't have let her but the teacher wasn't nice anyway and didn't have any patience and she just did not want to go any more. I guess we'll see about her too.
I've been researching the website stuff and it is pretty complicated. I should spend some time designing since I enjoy that so much! My friends at TwoPeas have been so helpful - I would just be lost without them! I so appreciate the time they take to help. I just hope that I can pull this off. I don't want to lose all my time working on the website and not getting to design! Maybe it won't be so bad after I get it set up! We'll see! Well, gotta take in Cameron's pants!
Later!
I was soo grateful that my friend Missy took some pics of Cameron at the dress rehearsal! He didn't want me to stay and that was the only time I could have gotten photos of his performance! Thanks Missy!
This all started for us last year when Cameron went to see his friend Hunter's dance recital. Cameron loves dancing. He was already dancing at home all the time. He could do all the Usher moves to all his videos. So he asked if he could take breakdancing and hip-hop classes. So we enrolled him and he loved it! I think he would like to do company but he doesn't want to take ballet - it just isn't Cameron. So, we'll see.
I have a feeling when Jaiden sees the recital tonight and all the pretty dresses and tutus, she will want to take dance next year. She's always loved to dance and would move her head up and down to the music on commercials before she could sit up on her own. Now that she's six I think she should be in classes. We'll see what she thinks tonight.
I remember my recitals - now so many years ago. Modern Dance. Every time I see Bing Crosby's White Christmas where Danny Kaye does the modern dance number with everyone in the black leotards and Danny wearing a beret it makes me think of my dance classes. I remember one recital costume stood out because I felt like a princess. It was all frilly in these beautiful colors and we wore those tall pointed hats with the tulle or chiffon or something beautiful floating out of the top. It was magical. I remember being nervous and being up on stage in front of everyone - but boy was it exhilarating! Wow! And I was probably about Jaiden's age when I started. Jussara might even want to do it, but when we had her in dance several years ago, she quit because her friend quit. I shouldn't have let her but the teacher wasn't nice anyway and didn't have any patience and she just did not want to go any more. I guess we'll see about her too.
I've been researching the website stuff and it is pretty complicated. I should spend some time designing since I enjoy that so much! My friends at TwoPeas have been so helpful - I would just be lost without them! I so appreciate the time they take to help. I just hope that I can pull this off. I don't want to lose all my time working on the website and not getting to design! Maybe it won't be so bad after I get it set up! We'll see! Well, gotta take in Cameron's pants!
Later!
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