Myriad

My poor little neglected blog

2009-09-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hi friend(s)... By chance the one who might have me still on their "following" list. My poor little blog has been neglected for such a long time. I left her alone this summer to have some fun with the family and regroup after finishing the first part of my degree program.

I have also been working on a new blog. I'm happy to report that highreslife.com is up and running. I still have some things to add, but I'm getting going with it and hope you can stop by for a visit.

The new blog is going to be more focused on art and photography and sharing creative ideas. There still will be sprinklings of other things here and there. It is, afterall, a place for me to share what is going on with my life.

So,goodbye for now little Myriad blog.

Kinda Cool

2009-05-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

One of my pictures has been included in an online travel guide. Check it out.
It's the Kids Market pic at the top of the link. I have added Schmap widget down below. They have a cool online travel guide.

Guess they troll Flickr for pictures because I've been asked on a couple of pics to be included in different travel editions.

Maybe this will help

2009-05-27T21:37:00.000-07:00

Ok... so I still have about 4 weeks of school left and it is getting increasingly more difficult to concentrate because of the nice weather and so many fun things coming up. I've decided to throw it all out there and get it out of my head perhaps? Kind of like the idea of writing down your worries and then they don't seem so troublesome? Maybe then I can concentrate a little more. I know I touched a bit on this earlier in the week with Memorial Day but I didn't get it all out there.

So in know particular order, here is my list of things I'm looking forward too this summer:

Summer concerts...especially John Legend at the Chateau St. Michelle with SSG...

Waldport, Oregon for a week with my mom, sister and her family...

Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho...

Outdoor Movies... The drive in too!

Harry Potter...

Shopping at the farmers markets...

The Farm Chicks Antique Show...that is actually next weekend but in June so it's summer to me...
The County Fair... I entered my cookies once and won a blue ribbon...

Camping at Lake Easton...

Really, insert any summer beverage here...

Picking strawberries and making jam...

Taking a photography class to really learn how to use my camera...

Kamping at the KOA Kampapalooza...

Camping at Pacific Beach...and heading up to La Push and Forks for a literary tour... :)

Shaw Island for the 4th of July...

Of course...

Making a pie...
Possible other adventures this summer might be:
visiting Mount Rainier

Vancouver BC again...

and the Olympic Music Festival...

Phew. I feel better. Come on vacation, come on vacation!

Inspired By Ellen

2009-05-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

Ellen rocks...check out her commencement speech at Tulane University.

Summer here we come...

2009-05-24T13:13:00.001-07:00

I love, love, love Memorial Day Weekend! It's the kick-off to summer and what a beauty of a weekend we are having up in the great Pacific NW. Been up to lots of fun stuff lately...

hanging with the girlies...

baseball=summer!

More lovely girlie time...

Antique shopping...

Enjoying the Pike Place Market in Dowtown Seattle. My city is so amazingly beautiful...I love to go downtown and people watch and feel the vibe of this vibrant city...

I even found something I hadn't seen before... the gum wall at the Market Theater. Apparently, patrons stick their gum here before heading into the show.

Of course, I can't leave them alone... photographing more flowers

LB & I at the swap meet

End of the year field trips

First campfire of the season...

4 1/2 weeks until I graduate!!! Woo hoo! I got into the Bachelor program I had applied for and start at the end of September. I'm taking the summer off, except for a photography class, so am dreaming of fun things to come. I just have to make it through the rest of this quarter...

I bought a few domain names, am getting my website ready and portfolio completed so will have lots of new and exciting things starting at the end of June. I'm looking forward to spending time with Little Bob before she heads off to full-time school next year. She graduates from preschool in a few weeks and wants to know what we are going to do to celebrate. Too cute! Takes after her mama. I'm always looking for a reason to celebrate.

Hubs will be laid off at the end of June too. Boy... do we have lots of change coming. He's not too worried about it so I'm trying to take his lead and not be either but I have to say I have had a sleepless night or two. I'm just going to have faith that it will all work out. Usually does.

Other than that, I'm looking for the perfect summer drink. Any good recipes out there? Mojitos are still my drink of choice, and surely speak summer to me, but would love to find something new. Our local radio station is looking for the perfect summer song. I'm still addicted to Meaghan Smith and Ingrid Michaelson. Anything mean summer to you? Will Smith's summertime is an oldie but a goodie :)

Hope you are having a lovely holiday weekend. What are your summer plans?

Playing

2009-05-03T22:41:00.001-07:00

The end of the road...

Just having some fun on a Sunday night playing with photos.
Sweet Dreams...

Pretty Little Things

2009-04-29T01:57:00.001-07:00

Here are some pretties for you today... Went to our local tulip festival over the weekend.

There are fields all over just covered with tulips and daffodils. I've been a million times and each year is like seeing it for the first time. It is truly beautiful...

Photographer in training... working on her composition

I threw homework out the window and had a fun little weekend. Sometimes that just needs to be done. A weekend spent wandering around tulip fields and antique stores, taking photos and eating ice cream can do wonders for the soul...not to mention getting your creative juices flowing again.

Only about 7 weeks left until I graduate!! I have a big portfolio presentation to prepare for at the end of the quarter and my website to put together. Which is exactly why I went to the Tulip Festival. Makes perfect sense...no?

Today Special For You...

2009-04-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

While I was getting ready this morning, little bob came running in excitedly to tell me about this cool thing she was seeing on TV. "Look mommy, Look!!!" I ran out expecting to see Barney and some fun song or those creepy folks on that show Lazy Town...but that is a whole other story. Anyhoo, LB wanted to show me the Woolite Oxy Clean on TV. She says... "look mommy, they say it will make our carpets really clean?" Um...yah. So I don't know if I'm more horrified by the fact that LB is so easily and readily swayed by advertising on TV at the tender age of 5 1/2 OR the fact that our carpets must be SO dirty in her mind that she needs to drag me to the TV to tell me about carpet cleaner...?

Recognizing this, I decide to turn this into a life lesson and explain to her that people on TV and in ads are trying to sell her things and she shouldn't take their word for it but make sure to do her own research. She pauses for a moment to consider this and I'm patting myself on the back then she says "Mommy...can you turn up the TV?"

Nice, well, at least I tried and have put the idea in her head. I find that I'm constantly having to edit things in her life for her. Little life lessons all over the place. For instance, we are reading the Junie B Jones series. Junie B is a precocious almost 6 year old (like little bob) with really strong opinions. She yells quite a lot, says "I hate" about many things and is trying to navigate her way through kindergarten. As we are reading the book, I always stop when Junie B is not behaving well and have a little lesson about things like: treating others with respect, not throwing a tantrum, not using the word "hate" regarding people, etc. Sometimes this leads into a meaningful discussion but most of the time I'm told, in an exasperated tone, to get on with the book. I'm afraid that I'm taking the fun out of things for her and perhaps am overdoing it a bit.

It's hard because I want to have those conversations with her now, while she is young and impressionable, and I want to have them and repeat them often enough to have some impact on her when she has to make a choice later in life (no, not just about Oxy Clean...you know what I mean). But I don't want it to be to the point where she just tunes me out automatically when I begin to start a conversation with her. I know that I have years ahead of me full of tuning out, eye rolling, sighing, but I hope that I'm laying the groundwork to keep those lines of communication open in the future.

Because I know it will happen. I see it with my sweet, adorable, most precious niece, who I have always thought is extra special for her kindness and caring ways with others. She hit 11 and kind of started to get a little snarky...a little tude. Now she'll be 13 this week and we are in full-on teenager mode. The sighs, the eye rolls, the drama. I still see glimpses of her, like when she calls me to get a little love and attention when she has hurt herself and then that leads to what is going on in her life. Yep, there is my little sweetpea. I've worked hard at being involved in my neices lives and have had very similar conversations with them as I am having with LB now. It makes me hopeful that the hard work will pay off in the end.

So, there you have it. Off to find a carpet cleaner I guess...

Can't Get Enough Of...

2009-04-18T00:38:00.000-07:00

Meaghan Smith... Her voice is simply beautiful. Her videos are a visual treat and right up my ally with the motion graphics. Check out her website for other videos and info. I love someone that has to have a video version of their bio to go along with the written form. What is it with those Canadians turning out so many fantastic female singers? Celine, Diana Krall, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan... must be something in the water up there. I dare you to listen to 5 More Minutes to see if you can get it out of your head. I want to live in that song...which quite possibly doesn't make a whole lot of sense as I write this at 1:03am but just listen and you'll see what I mean.

Enjoy.

Hanging With The Girl

2009-04-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who inquired about my mom. She is doing better and the break is not as bad as originally thought. No surgery and she even gets to go on her vacation this week so she is a happy camper.

The week continues to have unexpected little things happen here and there. Today my class was cancelled so the girl and I headed to the zoo to check in on our animal friends...

Little animals running wild in the zoo...
I adore cows. I think they are so gentle and sweet. One day, when I have my little farm, I'll raise cows too...

hello friends...

This guy was pretty cool and provided for some hysterics later on. He was pacing and rubbing his body across the glass then proceeded to back his hind end up to the glass and spray a gallon or two at the faces of the little kids watching him. Little Bob was pretty disgusted and all of the kids were screaming. It was quite funny...and unexpected...and I guess apropos considering that is the theme of my week.

The bears didn't disappoint either. Usually they are sleeping but were up playing and in the water today... so very cool! Wish I had gotten better shots through the glass.

I love the flamingos and how they sport my favorite color!

little buddies...

more signs of spring appearing all around my home...

Hope you all have a lovely day with some unexpected lovely things!

The Best Laid Plans...

2009-04-13T11:22:00.001-07:00

Sometimes don't work out. Little Bob has spring break this week and I was hoping to have a fun week planned amongst school etc. Day 1 and we're already having to switch things around. I had to send her to MIL's so could finish up a project for school THEN had to put that plan on hold because my mama broke her leg this weekend and we're off to see the surgeon today.

Such is life...

Hopefully, no surgery will be needed. Ai, yi, yi... :)

Authentic

2009-04-12T00:04:00.000-07:00

That girl in the picture had the world at her doorstep... so much excitement and promise and ideas of what life was going to be. She was going to take the world by storm.

This summer will be the 16th anniversary of that picture. I had just taken my Peace Corps oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States from enemies both foreign and domestic. For some reason the thought of domestic enemies at the time made us giggle. My how the world has changed...

That girl is still here. She has additional views on life now, adjusted others, but much of the core is still there. I feel like I have lost my way sometimes and have not been authentically living for too many reasons... anxiety, wanting to be perfect, worrying about not fitting in, self doubt, money issues, relationships, parenting, family, etc.

I feel the need to get back in touch with this girl and all of the possibilities she dreamed of. To truly let go of self doubt and criticism and worry about what the rest of the world might think, or say, or want of me and just be true to myself.

Funny how the universe provides when you put something out there! Came across some great blogs this weekend that are inspiring and speaking to me...
Gypsy Girl's Guide is amazing. I started reading her from the beginning and can't stop. Beautiful photos too! She has had some great adventures in life and has a great sense about what is important and what to let go of.

Ordinary Courage is another good read and full of great insight into living an authentic life. Letting go of the bs and just living.

I feel I'm at one of those crossroads in life...a transition time. My life is ready to move in a different direction full of possibility and creativity.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hope you have a blessed day full of lots of goodies! Little Bob can't wait for the bunny. One more sleep and he'll be here! Thankfully, the bunny happened to remember last night that he needed to put together a basket. Don't know how he could have forgotten with all of the reminders everyday. The bunny is getting old and a touch forgetful...

Can you imagine? I'm still working on that mother of the year award for sure :o)

Working Through...

2009-04-09T00:51:00.000-07:00

This book...

If you are a photographer and want to learn more about photography or photoshop, pick up any of Scott Kelby's books! All i can say is he is amazing!

His bio from his website:

"Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User Magazine, Editor-in-Chief of Layers Magazine; training director and instructor for the Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour, President National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), CEO of Kelby Media Group, author of a string of bestselling technology books. Conference Technical Chair for the Photoshop World Conference & Expo, author of numerous Photoshop training DVDs and online courses, and co-host of PhotoshopTV. Nine jobs, little sleep."

Here are two little things I tried from the book...

You'll have to imagine a border around these because I can't seem to get it to show no matter what code I change. The top one is a postcard and the bottom image is a poster.
So fun! I got this book at Costco for $29.99 and it's normally $54.99 so a good deal right now if you can find it or others at your store.

Dear Neighbors

2009-04-08T10:29:00.001-07:00

I know you are in there... can you please be considerate of the rest of us and stop your dog from barking. I know dogs bark, but to let it go on for an hour...really?

The culprit...
Can you tell the picture was a covert op...through the bedroom window. I think one of the other neighbors behind us saw me taking this picture. Wonder what she is thinking about that? This dog stands at the fence and barks at my other neighbor's dog and this goes on for hours. It doesn't bother me so much when it's colder and the windows are closed but now with nicer weather coming I'll have to listen to it again.

She barks at night too. I told my hubby that next time she wakes me up at night I'm going to go over and ring their doorbell until their whole house is woken up and they take her inside. Is that so wrong? I don't know what else to do to make the point. When your dog barks, especially at 3am, you bring her in the house.

Signs of spring are popping up at our house...

I love my little companion during the day. She loves it when she has mama all to herself!

Too pretty!

Happy Wednesday...

Crickets Chirping...

2009-04-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

Well hello to anyone who might still be reading this!

Last quarter kicked my fanny and when I did have a moment—I didn't want to be on the computer much...Or if I was, it was only to play Bejeweled on Facebook. Getting my fanny kicked there too!

Anyhoo...I'm back and have a long update so grab a drink, get comfy and take a peek at what I've been up too:

In the middle of tests and all of my projects, I somehow found the time to bake 240 cupcakes and a wedding cake for my friends wedding. My arm and hand hurt for the next day or two. I have a new appreciation for pastry chefs for sure. Might need to cross that one off of the life list.

I must say, the cake was fabulous thanks to a recipe my friend, a super talented chef, shared with me. French vanilla cake with a fresh strawberry filling and smothered in a white chocolate ganache. Can you taste it...? The bride's friend doing flowers backed out at the last minute and there weren't any for the cake so I threw some fresh strawberries and white chocolate curls all over it. Thankfully, the bride is super easy-going and didn't really care what it looked like...

St. Patrick's Day was thoroughly celebrated. Little Bob's school has a huge parade each year and really do it up.

Little Bob is back in action with soccer. Notice the Power Ranger shirt??? We're...read SHE... is planning her PR birthday party. It's not til the end of the year so I told her we'll wait to see if she still likes them by then. Half of a year is like 5 years in little kiddom so who knows by then!

We have had tea parties...

And took a trip to B.C. Oh, how I love you Vancouver!

And you too pastries... these little lovelies can be found at the Granville Public Market on Granville Island. Granville is a great place to spend a day! Lots of little shops, art galleries, fantastic restaurants, the waterfront, and the Public Market with tons of great little stalls to while away a day.

Heading to Stanley Park across town. No wonder they are hosting the next Winter Olympics!

Speaking of... we ran into the countdown clock.

Watching...

Listening to...

Reading... and eating... and cooking! This is a great cookbook! I love how things are arranged by ingredients and flavors. I am working my way through the banana section right now. The Texas banana muffins and spiced breakfast bread are to-die-for!

Want to read... Have you read Orangette ... Molly Wizenberg's food blog? It's a great read, full of amazing recipes and even a touching love story. Did you know your blog can lead you to your husband...? SSG you reading this? :o) Check out her blog and her book. Can't wait to get it!

Loving... Seattle's Soccer team!
Working...

Here is a project that I put together for my editing class. I had about a week to throw it together and, as always, had certain time and other restrictions/requirements. Our video from this trip was not compatible with the equipment at school and there wasn't time to get it formatted to do so so I had to slap some pictures together from the trip. The pics really should have been edited and it will be much better when I have the actual video... but here is a little snippet of what will ultimately be about 5 times longer. It's about 4 1/2 minutes in length so watch when you have the time. It's sweet...

I have a great little Flash movie that I made and wanted to show you but, alas, I can't figure out how to get Flash movies on Blogger. I have googled a bit and it seems pretty convoluted right now, so when I figure it out will post it. It's 1440 frames of animation and is an Easter greeting to the tune of Here Comes Peter Cottontail. It will ultimately be posted on my website.

So tomorrow is the start of the final quarter of my design program. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I don't feel like I've really learned enough to actually get a job but part of that is just my own negative self talk taking over (see how much time I spend above telling you why my video sucks?). The fact of the matter is that I AM a new designer and will learn more and discover more as I go along. All of my teachers speak of how they cringe when they look at their design work from the initial years of their career. I know I will too. I still cringe when I see work from the first quarter! lol... One of my classes this quarter is putting together my online portfolio. Gulp...you mean I have to actually put it out there for others to see...she asks with sweaty palms and nervous giggle?!?

Off to work I go...

Aloha!

2009-02-21T19:54:00.001-08:00

Howdy... long time no talk. We got back from Hawaii very late Monday night. Techincally, it was Tuesday since it was after midnight. The only reason that matters is I had to get up for my mega marathon school day early Tuesday morning. I haven't recieved much sympathy on that from anyone yet. Guess not getting sleep because of returning home from Hawaii doesn't rate high on the sympathy meter...

Here's a little snapshot of our trip...

Getting close... it's down there!

Finally, meeting our friends. Little Bob has on a sample of the lei's our friends greeted us with.

Our first night was on the beach at Haleiwa... just after sunset with a mai tai in hand...

Turtles on the beach...much bigger than they look.

Little surfer girl...

I love this picture of the big boy surfer heading out while the little guy is trying...

BFF's for life

The Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. Really interesting and so moving. Our friend is in the military so he was able to take us on to Ford Island and drive around. We got to see some of the airstrip and other things damamged from the attack. Also saw areas where they filmed the movie. We had to rent Pearl Harbor this weekend to see everything again now that we have visited.

My honey got his 500th find at Diamond Head. We hiked up and I thought I was going to die. SO very hot...couldn't get enough air.

The color of the water is amazing!

Kiddos at the Sea Life park.

Hanauma bay...going snorkeling.

Little Bob's boyfriend. This is how they spent most of the trip. At the luau we went to, he watched it with with his arm around Little Bob and then LB turned and gave him a peck on the cheek. He cried when she left... they are too cute!

Obviously, I say boyfriend sarcastically..they are only 5 1/2 for crying out loud but my friend and I wonder. Wouldn't it be so cute if they did end up together in the future and we have all of this footage of them?

The animal in the foreground is called a whalfin. A cross between a whale and a dolphin. It almost is double the size of the bottlenose dolphins and has a shorter nostrum. It is a beautiful animal!

Sunset at Waialua Beach

daddy and little bob at the beach...
very windy day and warning flags. on the windward side of the island that day. now I know why it's called that.

At the luau...

future hula dancers...

whales sighted... too bad we only saw their backs and tail fins this day.

last day at Aloa Moana beach... we squeezed every last possible moment out of our beach time. Was so hard to come back to the cold. At least it has been sunny this week.

I have been listening to my hawaiian CD's this week (had to buy them after listening to the same radio station for 10 days and their playlist with 5 songs... Jason Mraz's song is quite popular there!) and making tropical drinks trying to keep the aloha spirit alive. I haven't really been interested in tropical vacations prior to this one and now I'm hooked. I did enjoy not having things so planned out as well. I think the success lied, however, with our friends giving us lots of info on what to see and do. We might have missed quite a bit otherwise.

K... and the food rocked! Little Bob and daddy are now HUGE spamasubi fans. I don't know if that is how you spell it or not. Basically, it's fried spam, rice, spices all wrapped up in nori (seaweed). Wasn't my favorite but I did love the Shaimin (noodles) manaupuua, pork hash, shaved ice at Matsamoto's, kalua pork, and the best Thai food I've ever had. Apparently, there is a great Hawaiian BBQ restaurant near us. Bob went without me today after his class and is in big trouble. Did I mention that my friend is a chef? So when we weren't out at restaurants, she was cooking for us. She made breakfast every morning and had fresh hot coffee waiting. Ahhh... what a trip! Waaaahhhhh... must go back soon!

How cute are our friends? Love you guys...!

likelike...

2009-02-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

Coming to you live from Mililani Mauka...

Super quick note to say we're here and having an amazing time. Flying in to the airport was amamzing seeing all of the coastline and that turquoise-colored water. Beautiful!!

Our friends were waiting for us with orchid leis (this has always been my wish since watching Fantasy Island) and the kids all hugged each other, held hands and were BFF's again from word one. Oh, how I've missed these guys!

We are ticking things off of our list. Our friends have a must do list of experiences for us too. I've walked amongst the sea turtles on the beach and have a whale watching excursion planned for next Sunday. Lots of beach time... little Bob is LOVING boogie boarding. I might have a little budding surfer girl on my hands. Our friends are trying to convince us to move here so she can persue her passion.

Today we're off to do a hike to Diamond head and then off to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world - Kailua beach. It's near where the pres stayed when he was here.

I love pronouncing all of the vowel sounds here. my favorite so far is Likelike hwy. The small things amuse me in life...

Hope you all have a lovely day!

I bid you adieu

2009-02-06T06:23:00.001-08:00

I'm finally done with THE longest week in history trying to take care of all of my school work that is due when I'm gone or right upon my return...but enough of that because I'm on vacation! Woo Hoo! Similarly to SSG, because of our twin status, I tend to take on the world when getting ready to go on a trip. I'm also usually the planner extraordinaire, but not this time. Perhaps it's our destination and I'm already on island time...?

Possibly...or the fact that we're going to visit friends and they'll have a great list of things we must see? (Our good friends and their two 5 year old kids (not twins) moved there last year and we're off to see them.) More than likely, I've been too gosh darn busy to worry about it. So, today is my one and only day to clean the house and get packed before we need to leave at 5:30 am tomorrow morning. We'll see the major highlights of Oahu I'm sure and then just hang out with our friends. I wouldn't normally head out without an agenda so this will be a new way of traveling for me. We'll see if I like it. Perhaps all of our trips now will be free wheeling, go where the wind blows us? Uh...probably not.

The one thing I'm dying to see however is....

I mentioned in a previous post that I have been on TWO whale watching adventures and have yet to see an actual whale outside of the aquarium. A friend at school just returned from Maui yesterday and reports that the whales are EVERYWHERE. I'm just hoping that all of the whales don't exclusively visit Maui as their winter destination and a few are up at Oahu. If I don't see one stinking whale then maybe it's just not in the cards for me. So stay tuned folks. I will be live blogging from the island, with a tropical cocktail in hand, and have a full report from the Bob's big adventure to the islands and all the hijinx that ensues when living with three 5 years olds.

SSG...we love ya! Have a fantastic trip to see the munchkins! Kisses to all from us.

~Aloha

Yes, I Went There...

2009-02-02T00:02:00.000-08:00

Little Bob is star of the week starting tomorrow. She has been looking forward to this ever since the words came out of her teacher's mouth 5 months ago. Every week begins with the question... "mommy, when am I star of the week again?" Well it's finally here and that means she gets to be line leader all week, bring in show and tell, favorite books and or treats to share, AND a poster all about herself.

I try not to be an obnoxious mom...you know, one who's children can do no wrong, are absolutely 100% perfect and there is something wrong with YOU if you don't 100% adore the child, converse only about my child, etc. I really do try to pepper conversations with other interesting facts and questions about other people's lives. The blog has lots of info about Little Bob because she is a huge part of my life but I throw in other little bits of info here and there...don't I?

Tomorrow, I'm embarrassed to say, I'm going to be that obnoxious mother who waltzes in to her child's class with THE most enormous poster ever made about one little kid. I tried to trim stuff out but couldn't help it. I have little categories of info (hello...I'm anal) and already felt like I have left people or things out. I had to go back to the family category because I realized not all in my husband's immediate family were represented and grandma picks little Bob up on Wednesdays. She WILL take notes to see if there are more pictures of my family than hers and I didn't feel like dealing with her this week so I added a few more pics to include everyone. Can you see how this got out of control? *sigh*

I thought about taking it apart a couple of times today but just don't have the time or energy. I'm already having to work a week ahead in school since we'll be on vacation next week. The house is a mess blah, blah, blah. So, whatever...it is what it is. I'll be obnoxious for a day. I just hope I can fit it in the car.

Here's something fun. This is a project that I had to do for my video editing class. The assignment was to make cuts according to music without transitions or fancy editing (it is a beginners class) just straight cuts and try to edit to the music at some point. I was successful for the most part. There are a few minor blips here and there but it's pretty cute. I just slapped in photos quickly without too much thought or editing (of the pictures) since there wasn't a whole lot of time to complete and it wasn't what the assignment was all about. As far as slideshows go, there are much easier programs to use out there than Final Cut Pro but it was a good intro on how to begin to edit. I'll be using video in my next project. I burned a DVD of this movie with iDVD which has a cute little intro and menu that comes with it. This is just a quicktime movie so it will play on any computer and won't have the iDVD stuff. Side-note... one of the young men in class asked afterward how I got the shots of my plane..."Uh... dude, that's not really my plane." Yes, he was serious.

I have some fun flash videos to show soon too. Flash is everywhere now and will be really useful AND fun once I know what I'm doing. Want to see some fun flash movies? Check out this site for some really funny animated, 30-second interpretations of movies. I think Brokeback Mountain and Office Space are my favorites so far. So clever! Me...? Not so much BUT I can currently make a shape warp, ball bounce, and text flash. How cool am I?

25 Random Things...

2009-01-28T23:57:00.000-08:00

This little meme is currently circulating on Facebook. Thought it would be good blog fodder...

25 random things about me:

1. My favorite color is orange

2. I was on Romper Room when I was a kid... I still remember it

3. I wanted to be a Broadway star when I was little and would put on shows for my family. My favorites to sing were Barbara Streisand songs

4. I don't like the last bit of beverages in bottles or cartons. I won't finish the milk

5. I doodle on everything

6. I ran into Goldie Hawn when shopping at a specialty food store in Vancouver BC

7. I want to visit every Disney park... I have been to the ones in California and France.

8. I had a secret service pass for one day when the President came to the Baltics...I met the Clintons while in the Peace Corps

9. I love flowers...my favorites are peony, hydrangea & roses. My grandma had the most beautiful walkway with roses...anytime I smell one I think of her.

10. I frequently dream about tornados

11. I have over 300 "To-Do" items on my life/bucket list. I've crossed 24 items off since I made it two years ago

12. I want to learn how to kayak

13. My dad is one of 15 kids...I have a huge extended family

14. I don't know how to sew. Otherwise, I'm very crafty

15. I truly believe life is an adventure and you should spend your time doing what you love...life is too short

16. I would like to learn how to play the cello but can't read music...i've tried. I love all kinds of music

17. I have traveled in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, France, Monaco, China, Mexico, Canada and all over the US...I love to travel

18. I love to swim and used to swim on summer and year round swim teams growing up. I was always extremely tan and used to tell people I was Puerto Rican... don't ask me why. Must have seen a beautiful Puerto Rican woman at some point when I was kid. Might have just liked saying it?

19. when I was a kid, I loved to put on my mom's belly dancing outfit and hop around ringing her little bells

20. I have been on two whale watching excursions and have yet to see a whale in the wild...very disappointing

21. I love taking pictures but have so much to learn..I hope to have an exhibit of my photos someday

22. I love animals and wanted to be a vet until I realized I can't be around animals when they are in pain

23. Two of my favorite quotes are "Not all who wander are lost" J.R.R. Tolkien quote
"You must be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi

24. I used to love to scuba dive... I haven't been since I ruptured my ear drum. It hurts to go in the deep end of the pool now.

25. If I weren't in graphic design school, I'd be in culinary school. Still might...it's on the list

I realize that many of you have probably already posted something similar (I hadn't yet) so I'll tag anyone who wants to answer this...

Dental update:

LB made it through AND we got x-rays. She's excited to be part of the no-cavity club. I learned on the way to the dentist that she is most afraid of the flouride treatment at the end because it's so sticky and yucky. Thankfully, they were able to use a different kind today since they were successful with using the little suction tube...last time it made her gag and vomit. The x-rays confirmed that LB's mouth is going to be too crowed and orthodontia is in our future....woo hoo. I don't know if there is enough "happy" gas in the world to get LB to relax for jaw surgery and/or braces.

wish us luck...

2009-01-28T08:17:00.001-08:00

What did you say??? I'm going to the dentist?

Take that dentist...

We're two days into the new year and we are in need of some serious good fortune! I don't know any kids that like going to the dentist, but little bob REALLY doesn't like going to the dentist. She has a severe gag reflex and always vomits when they clean her teeth. You can see it on the hygienists' faces when we arrive...I'm not taking THAT kid.... you take her. LB is a favorite at the dentist office for sure.

X-rays? Haven't happened yet because they can't get her to open her mouth wide enough. The dentist hasn't pushed yet because she's been so young but today is the day they're going for the x-rays. She had some "happy" medicine last night and again this morning. I think she's getting some "happy" gas today too so hopefully this will happen. She has some friends that have already had to have teeth pulled from decay so I'm worried about what's going on in there. Too bad daddy isn't around to partake in the dental office hyjinx. Such fun...wish us luck!

Below is my most recent photoshop project for school. We had specific photos to work with and tasks to accomplish. We had to create three versions and this is my favorite out of all of them. There are at least 8 photos combined and lots of modes, hue & saturation adjustments, adjustment layers and filters, etc.

A full dental report to follow soon...

Xin Nian Kuai Le

2009-01-25T22:58:00.000-08:00

Click Here!

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

It's the year of the Ox... People born in the Year of the Ox are the supremely self-assured, and as a result are noted for inspiring confidence in others. Generally patient and thoughtful, they measure their words, and will speak clearly and concisely often when it matters most. Our most famous Ox currently? And oh what a year of the Ox it is...none other than President Obama.

We have had fun celebrating Lunar New Year this weekend. A church in the area puts on the most amazing celebration every year. They have a huge Asian community and have tons of volunteers. It's so fun!

Little bob and friends coordinated outfits and had a blast. There were lots of martial arts demos...which,of course, LB is all about right now. It was Power Rangers live people - she couldn't get enough. I seriously need to find a karate class soon!

Lots of performances...

Of course there was a Lion Dance...

And then, there was this...

"Ummm...excuse me... I don't think my agent understood what this gig is all about...I don't perform with a group"

She stood there through 4 songs and did not sing one solitary note...just stood there clutching her purse. At the end... she took her bow. She is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Yes, she is in a kimono.

The Chinese are not the only ones who celebrate the new year now. It is celebrated in many Asian cultures and many were represented at the party. Good times peeps!
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If you have been by in the past few days, you have seen many versions of the blog as I play around with it. I'm just figuring out how to change things on the template so bear with me as I play. My new banner is a picture of cupcakes I made over the weekend with a friend as a trial run for her wedding. They are a little too pastel colored since her colors are hot pink and lime green so off to the cake decorating store I go for different coloring gels...but think they are still pretty cute. Her theme is candy and her colors are hot pink, lime green and brown. She has 2 candy tables planned as well as these cupcakes. We'll all be sick.

................................

Wishing you all much happiness, prosperity and good fortune in this year of the Ox!

Running...running...

2009-01-21T22:54:00.000-08:00

Huff...puff...huff...puff... breathing heavily... just a quick drive by to say... hi.... before I move on to my next task.

I knew 4 classes on campus this quarter would be crazy. I essentially don't have a free moment anymore and I so miss my peeps. I can't wait for the days of lounging with coffee, casually starting the morning reading blogs, not to mention seeing my family and friends again.

Before you start to feel too sorry for me, you'll see that I managed to find time to head out for the weekend. I'm doing a friend's website for her adorable shop in Waldport, OR. If you ever are in Waldport (about 45 minutes south of Lincoln City and 15 minutes from Newport) you MUST stop at the Flea Market. It's right on the main strip as you drive down Hwy 101 and is the only Flea Market in town. It's full of delightful goodies like this...

and she also has a little surf shop next door....

I went to hang out - we've known each other since grade school and haven't seen each other for several years - and take pics and gather info for her website. It's one of those friendships that always picks up right where you left off. I spent tons of time over at her house growing up and loved all of the activity and quirkiness that arises when you hang around a family of 8. Something was always going on in that house. Her mom would wake us up at the crack of dawn and throw us in the car and head out for the day with no real plans...we would just head out and follow whatever we fancied at the time. I think it set a pattern for me for the rest of my life. I love to wander and meander and see where life takes me. I love days like that.

We had just that sort of day on Saturday. We wandered down the coast and had a great lunch in Florence, went for a hike, took pictures, shopped... (my pics need editing but I'm too tired having just spent 3 hours finishing up my photoshop project)

We also stopped at the Sea Lion caves. I was glad we were able to do that for Little Bob. I have fun memories of this as a kid. I don't think she'll ever forget that smell... whoo boy. There are definitely some dead Sea Lions down there somewhere. This cave is one of the largest Sea Lion caves in the world. There were 200 down there that day just chillin and having fun playing in the surf. On the way home, got to stop and have dinner with the delightful SSG. I can give a first person report that her flower pots still look amazing! No signs of FKCNG but we did see his car.

Other happenings...

As with most of the rest of the world, I loved the inauguration yesterday and am feeling insired and hopeful.

Am enduring daughter's new found love for Power Rangers. I think I uttered for the very first time to my husband "your mother was right..." *gasp* She told me she never let her daycare kids watch shows like Power Rangers or other such action shows because they made kids act crazy. I used to think she was SO closed minded and overbearing and overprotective.. well, actually, I still do, but she was right about those pesky Power Rangers. Little Bob is running all over the house karate chopping everything in sight with an exclamation of "HI YAH." Without warning yesterday, she came up behind me and kicked me in the back of the leg. Apparently, I am the evil enemy...

Quotes of the week from Little Bob:

After prayers one evening... "how will God get my message? do I have to talk loud?"

In the bath... "my hands are getting rusty."

After swimming while looking at her chest... "daddy, my nipples are getting mad at you." and then proceeds to talk to her chest in high pitched voice. WTF?!? Where did this come from? I bet it's those damn Power Rangers isn't it? lol.... I can blame them for everything now.

That's all I got... hope to see you again soon!

Welcome Back

2009-01-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hello to all of you who haven't been able to read my blog over the past two days on Internet Explorer... for whatever reason, it did not want to work with my post from yesterday? Maybe it was because I mentioned things like Evil Cream Puffs and weight issues? Whatever the reasons, I played around with removing links, changing the wording, taking pictures out etc. and they only way to get IE to open it was to remove it... so there you go.

It's nice to hear some of you miss me... :o)

Nesting...

2009-01-11T01:37:00.000-08:00

Dreaming of new palettes for my home. Currently, I have lots of orange and red on the walls. I love both colors...orange is my favorite color...but I find that it's hard to accessorize. I like to change things seasonally so my pretty spring pastels don't always mix with the deep oranges and reds on the walls. I will say that one of my favorite color combination (especially for flowers) is orange, red, and hot pink. Looks good in wedding bouquets. Not so much on the walls.

I'm thinking of going to a more neutral hue for the wall color and then adding color in through the accessories and changing it seasonally. Another thought is to go to black and white with bits of color...love that too. I also like the picture above of the white kitchen with the brown wall. Hmmm... still going to play around with it for a bit. Anyone have any good sites of designers they look to for ideas? Most of these pics are from House Beautiful, Better Homes & Gardens, and Country Living.

random this and that

2009-01-08T21:45:00.000-08:00

-29 days until paradise...yep, going to hawaii!!!!! need better weather!

-we've moved from snow emergencies to flood emergencies. our home is on a hill above a major flooding area. coming home from school tonight, i could see the hwy closed just after the turn off for our house. i also could see the light reflecting in the water across the hwy. poor people who's homes are being ruined right now...

-i've been changing things up a bit around here. going through the 1000's of bookmarks i have to favorite sites etc. as you can see i've added some over in my sidebar. if you are in need of a pick-me-up-and-instantaneously-put-you-in-a-good-mood site then go here now. i hadn't been for some time and spent 20 minutes yesterday bugging my school chums with my ooh's and ahh's over how "cute" everything is on the site.

-another fun distraction right now is TBTL... too beautiful to live. i have been listening to them on the way home from school since last summer. you can hear them through their site or through iTunes. there are some really funny bits if you need a laugh. their blog is fun too. they are on 97.3fm in seattle.

-working on some fun designs for cafe press and etsy. will have some things to share with you soon.

-working on designing a few websites...super exited about that!

-LOVE my classes this quarter!! i especially am loving my final cut pro editing class. i did a super quick little edit this morning for practice in class. got to put some shots together from seaworld and add music. look out Scorsese and Spielberg... gonna give you a run for your $$!

-forgot to mention that i saw Slumdog Millionaire a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. don't think it was THE best movie i saw this year. it certainly was good though. saw one of the actors on jay leno a few weeks ago talking about how mumbai is just as it appears in the movie and what a strage juxtaposition it is to have one of the nicest hotels in the world right across the street from the slums. i don't know what my favorite movie of the year is. i can't really remember all that i've seen.

-spending WAY too much time on Facebook... i joined the Starblazers fan club today. please tell me one of you out there loved this show as much as i did growing up?

-redecorating is on my mind...much to my husband's dismay as it involves a large amount of painting. i have lots of bold colors on the walls and am ready to go to more neutrals and bring colors in in other ways. i think i can decorate more seasonally that way. i'm always changing things around.

that's it for me... how are all of you?

back at it...

2009-01-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

i start school again tomorrow. i love the start of the quarter and my new books and notebooks and all the promise of what lies ahead. maybe that is why I keep going back to school? it's not really to finish a program... it's all about starting something new each quarter and getting a new notebook...lol.

i'm especially excited to learn flash this quarter and play with little animated things. i'm also taking acrobat, dvd editing, and photoshop 3. i miss my school buds and teachers so it will be good to get back and be on a schedule again. i do my best work under pressure for some reason. i have set myself up for total success then this quarter because i will be in school 4 days a week instead of 2. combine that with daughter's schedule of school, gym, dance, and speech therapy add one husband and his schedule and you have one boiling little pot of pressure. i should kick butt...

this weekend was super fun! took a great cooking class at sur la table with my sis and cousin. it was a bon appetite's brunch class and we made things like: super easy sticky buns, and spiced waffles with sauteed pears, an out of this world bacon, gruyere and swiss chard fritatta, oat scones with fruit and almonds, an autumn hash with squash, potato, beet, and topped off with poached egg and smoked salmon... can you imagine what the kitchen smelled like? I had never cooked with chard before so learned something new there. I'm not much of a poached egg person but it was good mixed in with the hash. yum-oh! of course, i had to buy a fritatta pan. i don't have a big non-stick pan to cook eggs in. i can use the new pan also to cook more than the two eggs i can cook in the little pan i have to make scrambled eggs for lil bob.(i'm rationalizing and justifying out loud here for you now...makes me feel better about it. plus i got a 15% discount and had to take advantage of that...right? ) i don't like to use non-stick really for much more than eggs. looks like we'll be having lots of fritattas in our future. anyone have a great recipe to share?

love how my husband is texting while rollerskating and supposedly supervising and guiding and lovingly enriching our daughter's skating experience...

yep, saw it coming...

but she jumps right up for more with her dad... look how she is gazing up with so much love and hope in her eyes... i don't know if there has ever been a daddy's girl quite like this one. he is definitely her hero. he's mine too...

hopefully, i'll be seeing you all still throughout this quarter. i might not be able to post so much but will be checking up on you my blog friends.

Goodbye 2008...

2009-01-04T00:25:00.000-08:00

How does a whole year pass by in the blink of an eye? By a whole lotta....

dr's appts

princess parties...

trips to see friends...

haircuts..

participating in your first democratic caucus...

celebrations...

valentines with frosting...

walks in the park...

golfing in tiaras...

fixing things at your boyfriends cabin...

parties with green beer...

coloring easter eggs...and then making sure your nails match...

school projects...

girlz weekends...

geocacheing...

celebrating accomplishments...

4th of july parades in the rain...

catching firework smoke with butterfly nets...

celebrating retirements...

being adorable...

camping with buddies...

going to the fair...

learning how to float on your back...

playing on the beach...

trips to magical places...

birthday parties...

dancing lessons...

lots of sports...

and school..

and first ever trophys...

field trips...

more of this...

trick-or-treating with BFF's...

playing outdoors...

visiting the ones we love...

seeing Santa...

weekend playdates with friends...

and...least anyone has forgotten... being snowbound for two weeks!

2008 has had its ups and downs. I was ready to say good riddance, but looking back at pictures, it really wasn't THAT bad. Some really great things happened this year. Mainly, we got to spend lots of time with really wonderful people... and had some really fun times...and made lots of great memories. We're so blessed to have such great family and friends to share our lives with.

2009, I'm ready for you... and have big plans: More trips, more parties, a graduation, new job, remodeling/redecorating, a business, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, Kindergarten, celebrating a new president, getting rid of crap, making each day count.
Oh yeah '09... you better bring it!

Happy New Year Peeps...

2008-12-30T21:49:00.000-08:00

happy new year y'all...
christmas was officially celebrated well here in the house of bob... santa made his appearance...

leaving lots of goodies for all...

even mimi was excited... here she is trying to figure out where the most delicious smell in the world is coming from... CATNIP! She od'd and passed out for the day

littlest bob had all of her wishes granted... of course ;o)

little bob with our adorable nieces and two of her most favorite people ever... have you ever seen such a bevy of beauties?

lb got her snow on... she's 5 and has already traveled to three continents and had a white christmas. i, on the other hand, had to wait until the ripe old age of 40 to post those stats...

another of lb's most favorite people in the world (uncle d) spent the day with her...she's missing her uncle d!

snow santa... you can tell from the other side

so we're all thawed out now and i've been scurrying around trying to do all that i wanted to do over the last two weeks of houseboundness. i'm glad to see that ssg and predo and all are able to get out and about too!

we don't have any real plans for new years so will probably spend it watching movies and cleaning up the rest of the mess left over from house guests and christmas etc. i usually like to go out on new years but as i get older, and now have a little one that depends on me, i don't like to be out on the roads with the rest of the revelers. one of these new years, i want to get a bunch of people together and go rent a cabin in the mountains for night sledding/skiing, playing games, etc. and ringing in the new year. would be fun and nice not to have to worry about who's driving home, etc.

so next week it's back to school for two of us and getting back into the swing of things. i have enjoyed my time but will be nice to get back into a daily groove. somehow, the more free time i have, the less i seem to get done. funny how that happens...

Regaining composure...

2008-12-22T09:57:00.000-08:00

just in case you think I'm being dramatic with the snow.... we got more last night

we have over a foot... other places around the state have much more.

my honey cleaned off the sidewalks, walkways and cars yesterday...

but it came right back...

we're going to try to get out today and see how it is... i think we have a day or two with no snow in the forecast but it starts again on Christmas eve.

little bob got to sled with her good buddy yesterday...

and her most favorite person in the world...

more snow shots...

see earlier shots of this a few posts ago and compare...

here's a member of the family that hasn't gotten any blog time yet... meet molly... aka: mimi or "chubs"

don't think i'll be heading out today

i'll just sit and be the usual eye candy around here...

you know it...

what i should be doing today instead of complaining...

i love our little string of delicious christmas goodness...each year i think there is no way any of these kiddos can get any cuter but they always prove me wrong... this year was no disappointment.

so it's a new day and new projects are calling... i'm sure i can find something better to do than laundry!

To Whomever will listen...

2008-12-21T19:59:00.001-08:00

Enough already with the snow... I know it's beautiful and all but I have things to do and places to go and you, SNOW, are making it very inconvenient for me. Not to mention, I have been entertaining a 5 year old non-stop for almost two weeks since she was sick and home from school the week before she was home from school another week due to you...SNOW. Mama is done.

Getting out...

2008-12-20T08:32:00.001-08:00

my jam thumbprints from ina garten's recipe... yum...coconut!

plus a little jam...i used cherry, raspberry, and apricot. i don't usually care for apricots but the jam works great in these cookies.

all toasty warm out of the oven...so pretty for christmas too

at this point in the week, after being cooped up together for several days, we are all feeling a little cabin fever. you can go outside for only so long and then it's too cold. little bob was working on the 40th project of the day and didn't really want to smile anymore. we're working on snowflakes...

the biscotti were dipped... everything's better with chocolate!

my balls were dipped ... tee hee... the very first time i made these was hysterical. the recipe calls for you to use a toothpick and dip them into chocolate leaving a small round spot of peanut butter showing. well that little round spot of peanut butter had a hole in it from the toothpick and they ended up looking like penis heads. then my solutions was to pour mor chocolate on top so then there was a little nipple on top of each and they turned into breats... now i just throw them in and cover them all up. works so much better.

my little boxes of goodies for the neighbors...

these boxes are too cute. i found them marked down at the craft store...they are martha stewart christmas boxes. i have extra so am going to use them for valentines day...

my fridge getting full with treat boxes...notice the tonic water in the back..it's almost gone...must get to store today to replenish supply... my "emergency kit" for the storm tonight!

thankfully, we are getting out today... visit with family, a little lunch, a little shopping, a little walk to deliver goodies, mabye a geocache or two. all before the next storm heads in later today.
can't believe that Christmas is 5 days! this year has just flown by...

have a great weekend whatever you are up too!

My Snow Day... A Report by Frita

2008-12-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

What does one do when they are home on a cozy snow day? Clean out the junk drawer of course...
And the spice cupboard...

How else does one determine that they have 5 bottles of cloves? (In my defense...my m-i-l brings things over when she babysits and shoves them in my cupboards)

A nicely organized shelf...

Lots of baking... first time i made biscotti and it was super easy. I think I will dunk a side of these in chocolate because they are a little bland.

Dough made for today...Ina Garten's jam thumbprints.

Buckeye balls to be rolled in chocolate today...

A little wine to help take the edge off... stuck inside with a 5 year old that hasn't had school all week? Yup, gonna have to get to the store to buy a little more wine.

Lot's of this in between sledding brakes...

My little helper and her sassy new haircut...

enjoying our pretty tree...

More of the same today. I'm hoping to be able to get out sometime between today and tomorrow before round 3 hits. Next week it warms up and we should all be able to get out and about again...we hope...because we are all going a little crazy...

December Storm 2008...cue the ominous music

2008-12-18T09:02:00.000-08:00

I haven't ventured out yet to take any pictures so this is courtesy google images...

The weatherman predicted it... just about 24 hours late is all. Wednesday night and Thursday morning were to be the days of the continued "December Storm 2008!!!" All the schools were closed for fear of having trapped kiddos mid-day... visions of school buses sliding off the road... you know how the news can get you wound up. So no school and NO SNOW! Thankfully, I didn't have to call in sick anywhere to stay home with N but I know lots of people who did and they weren't happy. I guess we're a hard bunch to please because if they hadn't closed the schools and it did snow and kids were stuck, then there would be hell to pay as well. What can you do?

So about 4:00 yesterday afternoon it finally did hit and it hasn't let up. Life has come to a standstill around these parts. People in the Pacific NW just don't know how to get around in it. If this is an indication of how this winter is going to proceed, I think we all need to learn pretty quickly. Life can't cease to happen just because it snows... Thankfully, there has been a 2 day break from snow and ice and I was able to get out and finish Christmas stuff, grocery shop, etc.

I lived in Estonia while in the Peace Corps and it snowed there all winter. People were out and about and life continued on. I think the difference here is we have lots of steep hills in the Seattle area and, out here in the burbs, our resources are really spread out. You can't walk easily to schools and other things that you need.

Has anyone heard of a winter thunderstorm? I hadn't until last night... it's pretty rare. Apparently just like regular thunderstorm but with snow. We had one last night. There was lots of noise and flashes of light. I didn't hear it but my sis further south in Seattle did.

My daughter hasn't been to school all week between late starts at school and preschool being cancelled. I'm sure she won't tomorrow so she is having a nice long Chirstmas break. I'm thankful that daddy is home today. Mama is running out of things to do to entertain...plus I need to finish my baking.

Hoping SSG, Predo and all of the rest of you in this as well are safe.

Cozy Day

2008-12-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

It snowed... I have never seen my daughter so motivated to get out of bed and get dressed...sick and all. First words out of her nasally, scratchy little voice were "did it snow?" and pitter patter down the hall she ran to the window to check. She ran back in and started pulling off her clothes and yelling about her snow suit. This is the girl that I have to ask at least 10 times before I have to start yelling in the morning to get dressed. A morning person she is not...that is unless it snows...

Signs of the season at our house... SSG this is for you. This is the star that Annette gave us at Les Mas... I miss France!

I love these deocrations... Bob's great grandma passed away about a year and half ago. She was 98 years old. She had amassed years and years worth of decorations and these are a few that were passed along to my honey. They are very sweet.

Ok... I just had to post this. Does anyone else think peanut butter and cheese is a tasty treat? What about peanut butter and ham? My husband does... Yuck is what I say! :o)

Plan for the day???

Hope you have a cozy day too...!

Connecting

2008-12-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

One of the things I like about blogging is the potential for connecting with others and the community that can result from that. I have met some great people, learned new things, been entertained. It's also a great way to get a message out and to gather people for a cause or call to action.

I have a new link on my sidebar to check out below:

If you are one of the few people left who has not heard of Stephanie and Christian Nielson, (I know many of you already follow their story) then you must visit this site. They are an adorable couple with an adorable family that has been touched by tragedy. In August, Stephanie "Nie" and Mr. Nielson and a friend were in a horrible plane crash. Their friend tragically did not survive and the two of them were left fighting for their lives.

Thankfully, Christian is recovering and out of the hospital. His beautiful wife Stephanie has more serious burns and is still recovering. She appears to be out of the woods and on the path to healing and has been moved to another facility recently for therapy so that is great news!

I have been following their site for a few months and have been amazed by the overwhelming outflowing of support for them, not only from their church, but from people around the globe who have been touched by their story. From the link to their recovery site, you can find Stephanie's blog and pictures and stories from their life prior to the accident. She seems to have a knack for creating the extraordinary from the ordianary. You will also see links to her sister's site: C Jane... she and her husband have taken in all 4 of the Nielson's children during this recovery time. Obviously, as an aunt who loves her nieces very much and can identify with Jane, I know that she wouldn't have it any other way, but it still is an incredible act of love and support and heartwarming to see.

If you have some time, you should check out their site. They still are in need of prayers, thoughts, good wishes sent out to the universe-whatever it is that you do when you need hope or change- sent out to them during their continued recovery. Some will view their recovery as belief in miracles and the power of prayer, others as the power of community...however it happened, it was from people coming together for a cause greater than themselves and something positive always comes from that!

Happy weekend to everyone... Little Bob is home with a cold and I feel something coming on too. Why is it that you always get sick right when it is time for vacation? We also are supposed to get an extreme blast of wintery weather this weekend. Good time to hunker down, drink cocoa and watch Christmas movies!

Snoopy Dancing the day away...

2008-12-10T12:18:00.001-08:00

I'm free!!! Thanks so much for the good wishes for the end of the quarter! Here are a few other snippets on projects that I worked on:

This is my photoshop final. It is a believably unbelievable composition. My idea is that we are seeing what the woman is thinking about while she is working on the peppers. We see her hopes and dreams, dreams lost, places she wants to see etc. The wedding cake is fading into the sea because she has given up on that dream but she still wants color, and fun, and parties, and other things in her life. She really would like to see snow... I had to work with the images I found. Some are pieced together from picture I had on my own and extracted from other pictures etc. Altogether there are 10 pictures combined here and a bunch of effects.

This is a brochure for my InDesign class that I made for a friend. I always have to work within the parameters of the assignment so there are things that I would do differently. I had to make two little graphics in the program and stick them somewhere (which I don't like) and I don't like the two color aspect for sure because food just doesn't look appetizing in blue... I'm going to make a real one for her in full color. I don't think it turned out too bad however for a first attempt at a brochure.

I finished my last class at 7pm last night. Because I'm a glutton for punishment, and I have yet to learn how to say no, I got home and baked 4 dozen Christmas cookies for a teacher cookie exchange at N's school AND finished off cutting out two preschool projects... well I had some help from my honey on the preschool projects... not completely without a little complaining however.

N goes to a private school so we pay tuition. In addition to tuition, you are expected to donate 30 hours of time (15 in preschool) per year and gather so much $$ in donations. Last year I was room parent so it was easy to meet our volunteer hours. Because I'm in school this year, it's darn near impossible to find volunteer opportunity time at the school so I'm left with cutting out preschool projects. Hubby is not so thrilled to be called upon to cut out mittens, and snowmen, and scarecrows and the like. We had a very long (and tiring at that point in the evening for me) conversation about this last night. Hubs was carrying on about our time being wasted etc. I tried to show him the altruism in helping out even if it wasn't a requirement. N's preschool teacher has three classes of 20 preschool aged kids. "She can't get all of their projects together herself...we should be happy to help." Well, that didn't convince him nor did anything else until I broke it down to dollars and cents for him:

me: "want to pay $750 dollars to the school?"
hubs: "no, why would I want to do that?"
me: "because that is the amount you pay if you would rather pay off your volunteer hours."
hubs: "wha?... hrumph..."
me: "get cutting bud."
hubs: "were so paying the $750 when you are working again"
me: "whatever"

Hubs sure didn't have his panties all in a wad last year when I was doing all of the volunteer hours. In his defense... I will say that he has picked up lots of the slack while I have been attending school and had just had his own tiring evening of watching the kiddo and going to swimming lessons, etc. He really is a peach. I just have to give him a hard time every once-in-a-while. Keeps things interesting.

Hi honey... if you are reading this...just know it is written with love. Thank you for helping me with the project last night!

It's beginning to look a lot like Chirstmas...

2008-12-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

I'm done with my final projects for the quarter!! Woo Hoo!! Now I just have to present Tuesday and I'm free for a month. I don't know what is going on but 3 flash drives have crashed over the last few days with project info on them and I have been pulling my hair out trying to figure out what in THE hell is going on. I think I might have put some corrupt file on a drive at school because that is where the problem began but it has continued on since then to home. The string of expletives running out of my mouth last night was not pretty, or kind, or motherly like, or...? I'm praying, have my fingers and toes crossed, am throwing salt over my shoulder - whatever it takes - to assure that my projects open on my little drives for my presentations Tuesday. Will you send good wishes my way too? Here is a sample of the home page of a website I did for a project. I didn't think I'd ever finish this...my first every website...my little baby. I can't exhale quite completely yet. Still have Tuesday to make it through. At least I'll have more time for

Christmas stuff!! We had the most Christmasy weekend ever. Friday night we were downtown to listen to the Figgy Pudding caroling contest...rode the carousel and sent a letter to Santa.

We also went to see the gingerbread house display at the Sheraton. I love walking in and smelling the gingerbread...at least when you make it at the beginning of the season

Saturday we celebrated a birthday, went to our nieces basketball game and then to the Santa train. We had to stop for a quick lunch so stopped on this little street...

and went to this yummy little place...

Then played with these little lovelies on the train going to see...

This guy...

Then home where I was up until after 2:30am again finishing up my projects. I need a week to sleep and catch up on all that has been put aside these last few weeks of the quarter. I know we have a kitchen table somewhere under all of the crap. I wonder how many times I can wear this shirt without washing it before someone will notice? In the Peace Corps days I could pull off just about a week. It was so cold and you were always bundled up in 10 layers so no one could really smell anything anyways...it was just a special treat reserved for you when you got home.

Today we were back at it going to church and then to a really funny play put on by a local children's theater group. It's a play about the story of Twas the Night Before Chirstmas. I wasn't looking forward to it a whole lot since I'm so tired and had already had a busy weekend, but i'm so glad I went... it was hysterical. Those in the Seattle area should check out Studio East and their list of plays for the season. We have gone to one other performance, which was really good too. My favorite part of this performance was Santa doing the "chubby" rap. Picture Santa doing Baby Got Back and you're on the right track.

A Quick Hello

2008-12-03T18:38:00.000-08:00

I have been MIA for several days and probably will be until I'm finished with school next week. Here's a bit of what I have been up to...

Got Cache?

I so love my camera. It even picks up the heat from the fire.

Where are the kookeez?

In short:

Tree up

Twililght - great! I'm SO buying Tiger Beat & putting Edwards pics up on my wall

SSG - lovely hostess as always

SSG's neighbor - little bob reports he's very cute and has rather large and manly hands

Predo - 3 little letters H-O-T ladies

Ms. Fisher - Two of us love you honey

Loving the sunny days

Portland - THE place to be

Thanksgiving - So thankful I didn't have to cook. Thanks mom!

In addition to travels and celebrating, I'm finishing up projects for school:

-First website ever...hopefully of many millions more
-CD cover
-Book cover
-Newsletter
-Believably Unbelievable composition - essentially combining about 10-20 pictures in Photoshop into one totally awesome fantasy. I'm going for the Winter Wonderland meets Willy Wonka meets India look?? Hmmm....

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I can't wait to be done with this quarter so I can bake, watch Christmas shows, read my friends blogs, etc. See you soon...

Hello & Welcome to Moviephone...

2008-11-21T14:43:00.000-08:00

I love movies...

My mom used to work for United Artist & MGM so I got to see LOTS of movies growing up and had tons of movie memorabilia. Had I known Ebay was in my future, I would have held on to everything and would now be spending my time traveling back and forth between my summer and winter vacation homes.

Super disappointed in the new Bond movie. Daniel Craig is easy on the eyes but even that was not enough to keep me awake...I fell asleep in the movie. Granted, we saw the "late show" at 8:45 (can't tell you the last time I've seen something other than a matinee) but I'm a night owl and always up until midnight at least. It just was Boring...

What happened to the great action scenes? To the GADGETS? I know there weren't any gadgets in the original books but we have grown up watching super cool James Bond and all of his techy-gadgety things. That was the fun part of the movie. There was no witty dialog, no sexual innuendo... no cheesy lines...nothing...nada...zip. Bond is supposed to be cheesy. What is it that they are going for with this new generation of Bond? It's not really action, not really spy, not a comedy or romance. Just kind of blah.

I'm bummed because I waited too long to pre-purchase my ticket to Twilight to go with the ladies tonight and it's sold out!!! I know... the books were written for teenagers but I am one of the millions of adult fans that have been swept up with Bella and Edward mania. I'm SO totally going to Forks after I see the movie to scope everything out. It has been a long time since I've read a series so quickly. I sitll haven't even made it all the way through the Harry Potter series. Each time a movie comes out, I start to read the next book but usually lose interest about 2/3 of the way in.

Serendipitous girl gave me the Twilight book to read in France and I read it in 2 days. I was dying to read the third so bought it at Heathrow airport for the flight home. Of course, I HAD to know how it all ended in book 4. I tried to be good and wait for it to come in at the library but the suspense was killing me so, after waiting a week to hear from the library, I bought it. My nieces can borrow them now. Then I finally got around to book 1 and it was equally good even reading it out of order. I'm excited to hear the movie has gotten good reviews and fans of the book like it.

So, the holiday movie season is taking off and it looks to be pretty decent. Here's what else I'm looking forward to:

Australia - Hugh Jackman, lots of good Aussie actors and epic WWII love story. What's not to like?

Four Chirstmases-This looks hysterical and is not going to be your typical holiday feel-good movie. Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon star together. Interesting combination...

Transporter 3- I love action movies and the Transporter series has not diappointed.

Frost/Nixon - About Robert Frost's interviews with Nixon post watergate. Lots of Oscar buzz with this one.

The Day the Earth Stood Still - Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly and John Cleese in a dramatic role? Should be an interesting mix. Sci-fi seems to work for the dude.

Seven Pounds- Will Smith is back with the director of Pursuit of Happyness so you know it's going to be good. The storyline is similar to My Name is Earl but not so funny. Could be Oscar contender.

Bedtime Stories- Opens Chirstmas day iwth Adam Sandler. Love the concept of this movie and looks like totally cute family movie for Chirstmas day.

Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Also opens Chirstmas day. Seems like this one has been in the works forever. Brad Pitt as an 80 year old? I have always thought that life should be lived backwards.

Marley & Me - About a couple, Jennifer Aniston & Owen Wilson, and their dog Marley. Why do I torture myself with these animal movies? You know the damn dog is going to die... why...why?

Revolutionary Road - Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are reunited in this film about an uhhappily married couple. Oh, come on... could it be that bad to be married to Leo? I think I could be very happy living unhappily with Leo...

Valkyrie- On the fence about this one. I want Tom (Cruise) to do well and want this movie to be good. I find his performances are always just slightly over the top though (except for in Cocktail - love that movie! :o) and there is something about his voice that I can't quite get past. I haven't heard enough in the previews to hear if he is even attempting a German accent so will have to wait and see. Will he have me at guten tag?

It's late and I'm playing with Photoshop

2008-11-15T02:44:00.000-08:00

So it's very late...about 2:40am and I can't sleep. I'm playing with Photoshop. I'm in my second quarter of it right now. I love my current teacher so and wish I had had her the first quarter. I'm learning things that should have been taught the first time around. Anyhoo...the first pic above is the original picture. This was taken on the road from Rousillion to Cucuron in Provence. If anyone saw the movie A Good Year, Cucuron is a little town they filmed the outdoor movie scene where Max and Fanny have their date. I feel like I have talked about this already. Sorry. It's late.
I have ever so slightly adjusted the levels in a bit

And now I played with curves, copied the photo and blurred the heck out of it and then added overlay. Altogether took about a minute. Subtle changes. So very fun.

Edit: 8:40am - Note to self - no more mochas at 6pm while waiting for ferry. SSG raises an excellent point about seeing the sunflowers alive next time. I think they are striking half dead. Can you imagine these all in bloom?

2008-11-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

This is for my girl SSG and her soiree tomorrow. Have one of these little yummies for me! Wish we could be there sistah to relive our fantastic trip. It was amazing!! Can't wait to plan another. Italy 2010... here we come! Just need to find a job soon to finance that little trip. BTW...we haven't seen all of your pics yet. Love camp Portland and we love you. Hopefully, we'll see you in a few weeks.

While SSG is whooping it up and drinking lemon drops until the wee hours of the morning, I'll be taking care of sick husband, working on final projects for classes, taking little bob to dance class and playdates. She doesn't know it yet, but she's going to High School Musical on ice Sunday. Luckily for her, grandma has nothing better to do than enter every contest that comes her way (yeah retirement) and she won tix for the show. We usually get some kind of free item on a monthly basis from her contests. Lots of movie passes, tickets to shows in town, etc. We have won a weekend away and hubby got 2nd grand prize in a Taco Bell contest a few years back and won a full size SEGA Star Wars pinball machine. It now happily lives in grandma's basement. I regularly make fun of hubby and his mom for wasting time on these contests. Why they continue to invite me along as they enjoy the fruits of their labors is beyond me... I just wish they'd get the numbers right for the lottery.

1982

2008-11-12T23:54:00.001-08:00

Sorry, this picture isn't the best. Predo has a really fun post today about his addiction to music. His post took me back to 1982 and Freshman year. I couldn't get the photo out of the frame (yes, it's that old) so I had to scan the whole thing.

OMG I was the biggest idiot in high school... especially Freshman year. I guess most people probably felt this way at some point or another in high school. Right? Anyone?

Anyways, I totally remember taking this picture and what I was wearing, which illustrates my point about being an idiot perfectly. So from the top up, I don't look so bad huh? Oh contraire mon ami because if you could have seen the entire ensemble you would understand. Let me paint the picture for you... envision my grey top, bright red painter pants (with the cuffs rolled up because I'm so short), grey argyle socks and (I kid you not) purple Nike's. Also, you can't really tell that my hair is half-way orange colored from all of the Sun-In I used on my hair that summer. I remember this outfit because for some reason I felt very cute in it. What in THE hell was my mother thinking letting me out of the house like that? To add to the horror, I now realize what I must have smelled like all day long living with chain smokers in the house. My mom drove one of those tiny little Honda Civics and would chain smoke, with the windows rolled up mind you, on the way to school. It was like a scene out of Fast Times at Ridgemont High as I arrived at school and exited the car with puffs of smoke swirling about me... only not the good kind.

Somehow, I survived Freshman year with a bit of dignity intact. I progressed a little Sophomore year and went with the fashion forward hairstyle where one side was extremely short and the other side was left long and in a bob. Was there a name for it? The chopped bob or something or other? I really rebeled and got a second ear piercing on one ear...against my mother's wishes. She didn't notice for 4 months until my grandma commented on how cute it was.

Junior year was super fun. I let my best friend talk me into getting a perm. I ditched the Sun-In and went to get my hair professionally bleached. For some reason, I thought just doing my bangs would look awesome...? I also discovered tanning that year and turned orange. I got my drivers license and my first job as an ice cream parlor girl at Flakey Jakes. Anyone remember those places? You would order a hamburger with no toppings and then head to a condiment bar to add the condiments to your hearts content. That job didn't last long because I kept calling in sick to go to parties. Or, would have my friend call in for me as my mom. One time I actually got a sling and walked in with it on my ice cream scooping arm. I proceeded to pretend to try to work until they sent me home. The rest of that year was really just one big party.

By senior year, I had settled down a bit. My hair was all one length and completely highlighted. I had my first serious boyfriend and was IN love. Maybe that's why I don't remember much about senior year until I hear a song from that time. Careless Whisper by Wham, I Feel For You by Chaka Khan, Crazy for You by Madonna, Don't You by Simple Minds, West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys... Any of those take me back to a really fun time in life. Thanks Predo for the trip down memory lane. I'm looking forward to the next time warp.

Weekend Wrap-up and a Holiday

2008-11-10T20:28:00.001-08:00

Ok, so the weekend was fun. Drowsy Chaperone ended up being all that I thought it would be. Nuff said after my long dissertation last time.

Saturday night I took my daughter to my niece's harvest festival. The school gym is being renovated so they had to have it at another location this year, which just happened to be my old elementary school. The picture above was taken Saturday night in the girls bathroom that looks EXACTLY the same as it did 30 years ago. I know I'm dating myself. They still have the Boraxo soap dispensers with the powdered soap(you know the kind of soap that never completely washes off.) I can't even begin to tell you the plans that were hatched in that bathroom. We dreamed up the Great Shaving Cream Incident of Halloween '79 in that bathroom... allegiances were made and destroyed in that bathroom... tales of love and devotion to Robbie Dean were discussed in that bathroom... I guess we spent lots of time in that bathroom. Hmmm... what were the teachers thinking letting 3 or 4 girls go at a time? Tuition money well spent I tell ya!

Here is the stage where I made my acting debut in the critically acclaimed portrayal of... Wendy in Peter Pan. There were 4 performances, 3 different girls playing Wendy, and I got to do 2 of the nights since I so rocked at playing Wendy (plus I had previous acting experience since I filmed a season of Romper Room when it came to town.) I had big dreams back in the day. Sadly, my acting career ended in high school when I decided to party and hang out with my boyfriend instead of with the stupid drama club. What could have been... It was really fun seeing my old stomping grounds. This harvest party was way more fun than the one at my daughter's school because they have beer and wine at this one. Our's doesn't because Sr. Principal doesn't want the kids to know we drink. Come on Sr. Principal.... They know we drink - we're CATHOLIC for crying out loud - or did you forget?

Completely switching topics now. I just wanted to show the domestic goodness that came from my kitchen tonight. I don't have school tomorrow (thank you veterans of America) so my family actually got a home cooked meal. I finally seasoned my wok (that I've had for about a year or so) and pulled out my cookbooks and whipped out this baby... Hoisin Beef & Veggies. Yummy!!
It's a combination of recipes from the two cookbooks below. I went to a cooking class taught by the author of the Breath of a Wok and learned how to make some really tasty stir-fry and other delights for Chinese New Year. I think the seasoning part of the wok sounded much more ominous than it turned out to be and that is why I procrastinated.

I got the main recipe from Robin Miller's book acutally. I just added some extra seasonings from a sauce in the Wok book. I really like this cookbook by Robin Miller. She's not my most favorite gal on Food Network (Ina - you're still my top girl) but I like her recipes and have made several recipes now from this book that are quite tasty.

I have a serious addiction to cookbooks. Serendipitous Girl can attest as she has seen my stash. I don't always cook from them. I just like to know that they are there if I need. In addition to cooking and baking, I really like food styling and photography so sometimes I buy a book just to look at the pictures. I know... it's a sick addiction.

Sarah's Greatest Hits

2008-11-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

What I'm thankful for this Sunday? That we avoided this... this could have been the potential next President of our country. All I can say is thank God! Can I have a "vast variety" of Amens people:

Told you so...

2008-11-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

My mom, sister and I went to New York a couple of years back to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. Sis and I had both been several times but never together and my mom had never been so I knew it was going to be a great trip.

I am the official planner of the family. I plan most events and all of our trips together and they are always fabulous so everyone wants me to do so. I love to travel and spend lots of time researching and dreaming up trips that I have yet to take. It is a job I willingly and happily take on. My sister on the other hand, is not a planner...and not in the good, because she is a spontaneous type of a girl kind of way...more in the it's just too much work kind of way. Obviously, this can be a combustible combination of factors when trying to plan a trip for a group. I'm not a dictator while planning. I research, present options and try to gain a consensus as much as possible and then move on to final plans.

Here are snippets of our conversations:

Me: "So here are some great websites and lists of things to check out. Let me know what sounds interesting to you. I'm really excited about.....blah, blah, blah."
Sis: "ok....when I have time."

Several weeks later

Me: "did you get a chance to look at anything yet? We need to decide what shows we want to see and what else we want to do that might require us to buy tickets ahead of time."
Sis: "ok. I kind of want to go see a TV show being taped."
Me: "oh...which one?"
Sis: "hmm...I don't know...something."
Me: "ok...probably need to get tix ahead of time so we should decide."
Sis: "ok."
Me: on the other end of the line silently screaming inside and stabbing pen into my eye... biatch...make up your mind

And this is how it continued for several months. We finally decided that we did want to see two Broadway shows while we where there. I suggested that we buy our tickets ahead of time. Yes, I am aware that you can wait in a line and get half priced tickets on the day of a show but, from past experience, usually the shows you want to see are not available then. We both knew that we wanted to see Wicked but from there it was a stand-off. I had seen the Tony awards and read reveiws of Drowsy Chaperone and knew it would be a great show. It won the award for best Musical that year. I lobbied heavily for it. Sis did not want to see that and didn't know what she wanted to see. She thought we should "run down" the day we want to see something and pick one that looked interesting. She said "run down" so casually, like it would be a quick little 10 minute trip. Besides being the planner of the family, I am also the peacemaker, so as usual, we "compromised" (read - I caved) and we bought our tickets ahead of time for Wicked and agreed to get others while in NYC.

I'm sure you can guess where this is going. We did see Wicked and it was AMAZING! Because we already had tickets and I knew which theater it was playing at, I was able to choose a fabulous little restaruant ahead of time to have dinner and we had plenty of time to arrrive and were refreshed and realaxed when we got to the show. The next show?? Not so much. We "ran down" to pick up tickets and waited for about 2 hours only to arrive at the ticket window to not so much of a selection. I don't remember what all of the choices were but nothing too exciting. We ended up seeing The Wedding Singer, which turned out to be ok. Constantine from American Idol had just joined the show so it was mildly amusing. We didnt' have time after the wait for much of a dinner and had to run to the show. To top it all off, a few months after we got home, my sis had a friend report they had seen DC and loved it. Sis wished we had seen it when we were there. Arrrgghhhhhhh!!!!!!

This is an extremely long and round about way to tell you I'm going to see the Drowsy Chaperone tomorrow. No, it's not the bright lights of Broadway and not the same cast, but it will be good. Sis wants to come along now but doesn't work out with her schedule. sniff...sniff.. for her. Look at the picture above (and behind to my left) and notice, unknowingly to us, what is behind us in one of our pictures in Times Square.

An epilougue to this story is that sis never did decide what TV taping she wanted to see so everyone thought that option was out. Plannergirl...that would be me... had written away to several shows for tickets and the day before we were scheduled to leave was called by the Martha Stewart show and told there would be tickets waiting for us at the studio. It was a great surprise for my mom and one of the highlights from our trip. Here are a few pics from that event:

Waiting to go into the studio. Martha had great appetizers for all.

Martha seems to live-up to her rep. People were scurrying around trying to please her.

Oustside the NY Stock Exchange.

Chelsea Market where Food Network and some fabulous little shops are located.

I do adore my sister which is why, despite our differences in approaching situations, we do so much together. We are 14 months apart in age which made life interesting for our parents for sure.

I feel Giddy

2008-11-05T07:59:00.001-08:00

A new day... I'm still giddy from last night.

What a night! It was one of those that I'll remember for the rest of my life. I can recall so many moments in time and exactly where I was and what was going on when something monumental has happened. I will never forget at 8:01 last night when the polls closed on the west coast and the announcement that Barack Obama is President Elect of our country. I will never forget jumping up and down and screaming in a group hug with my family and with my neices and 5 year old daughter jumping up and down too and getting caught up in all of the excitement. What a night.

What I'm struck by this morning is how much the rest of the world is celebrating right along with us. Already, we see change starting as nations around the globe embrace the news of change in our country and are hopeful for what that means to helping bring about change in the around the world. I am struck by the images from around the country of SO many people out celebrating and embracing each other. So many flags being waved, tears being shed...it was an amazing sight. What this election means for my daughter and nieces and all of the young people in this nation will not be truly realized for years to come but I know it's effect will be far reaching.

So back to work today... I have a big Photoshop project due tomorrow and lots of other homework to do. Little Bob is still under the weather so is home from school...lots of laundry and housecleaning to do. The usual exciting stuff... I will be doing all today with a silly little grin on my face.

Hope Floats

2008-11-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

I think I have been depressed since the election of 2000. I knew the country was heading in the wrong direction with the election of Bush. This depression was compounded by 9-11 and the Iraq war. There was a glimmer of hope with the 2004 election. I just knew that America would see the error of it's choice 4 years ago and finally do something to turn it around. How couldn't we all see the cronyism, corruption, misguided judgements, and downright pitbull attitude of the current administration? Americans are smart. I just knew that we would recognize all of this and realize that America is so much better than the direction our leaders were taking us.

Election night 2004 is the first time in my life that I lost hope. Our country bitterly divided and ruled by fear mongering...how do you counter that? Continually talking about 9-11, war, terrorists ready to take us all out - it's easy to see why it happened this way. We were always under the threat of attack from the unknown and they only way to stay safe was to keep the current party in control.

A tiny flicker of hope started to shine when the presidential campaigns got underway. At least we'd have a new administration regardless of which party that might be. But something else has happened along the way... someone started to talk about hope and bringing people together. Not just the usual rhetoric of crossing across the aisle in Washington, rather bringing all people together again as Americans. Not dems or republicans, red states or blue states...but all people working together for the good of our nation. Someone finally realizes that America has just lost her way. Our can-do spirit and world renowned optimism hasn't been lost forever, only buried under eight years of politics that divide and push fear into peoples hearts.

I have cautiously guarded my developing little flame of hope... careful not to let it go out too early. It has been stoked over the last 18 months by watching democracy in action. Seeing young people become involved in the democratic process for the first time and so many people energized again and believing again in the promise of our country. It has been stoked and tended and is burning bright once again.

Just as Sandra Bullock found hope again in the aforementioned title of this post...I too have let hope rise up and float again. I'm excited for today. I am HOPEful that we will have a new President that will lead us and restore our standing in this world. Someone to fight for all people in this country...not just the ideology of one particular party or faction of a party.

I am prepared for the possibility that Obama may not win. If it weren't for the fact that the Republican choice for VP is completely inept, I would even be OK if McCain wins. What comforts me this time is that so many people are involved again and realize that our voices do matter and our votes do make a difference. I think that whoever gets into office will have the voice of the people to answer to. I am hopeful that we will never allow another administration to hijack the will of the people. I have hope.

I realize this post is a little sappy and might be over the top to some. I can't help it. I am hopeful again.

I heart TJ's

2008-11-03T01:15:00.001-08:00

I love Trader Joe's for so many reasons... Where does one begin? Did you know there is a website for fans of TJ's?

Check it out

It's filled with news, recipes, product info and even a forum for fans to connect. I found out there is a groups for singles in Seattle who want to flirt and meet at TJ's... who knew?

One of my more recent obsessions there are these little bundles of chocolatey goodness

These have been my salvation in helping me through my serious France withdrawl symptoms. Nothing will ever replace the original mind you but I will suffer through the pain and make it with the help of TJ's and their chocolate croissants. If you have not tried these you must immediately get up out of your chair, go to your car, and drive directly to your nearest Trader Joe's. They can be found in the frozen foods aisle. You have to do a little planning with these because they have to sit out overnight but it will be SO worth it in the morning.

While in the frozen food section, make sure to grab one of these as well...

Delish...works great for when you are having that curry craving. Pop it in the micro for 8 minutes and you have a delicious meal. It's chicken breast, veggies, sauce and rice all mixed in curry love. Throw a piece of TJ frozen naan in the oven for a minute or two and you have a full meal.

Anyone else have any favorites from TJ's? The holidays are coming so there will be lots of new little goodies to try at the store. I love shopping there during the holidays in particular. Lots of great wines (inexpensive) to try, treats, appetizers for parties, etc.

Joe, are you listening? I ~heart~ you!

Hello November

2008-11-03T00:29:00.000-08:00

Pics from my most favorite season...

Daddy is so proud of my costume choice!

Hard to believe that it is November 3rd. Friends of ours said see you next weekend for the play. What??? The play is November 9th not next weekend. Checked my calendar and yes, next weekend IS November 9th. Seems like if I ever post here is it always about time flying by and why I haven't posted. Boring...boring...boring.

So, this fall has been chock full o'fun. N has played her first soccer season and did well. She progressed from being afriad of the ball and crying if she got bumped to actually going after the ball a few times. Check out this action...

My daughter is in a new version of soccer known as "ballet ball'... I'm quite proud of how high she can kick. She puts on quite a show with her moves!

So November is upon us and I'm so excited for several reasons. I'm sure no one is aware that the election is in 2 days!!!!!!!! OMG, OMG, OMG! Can it be that we might have reason to hope a little again? Folks, I see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Other reasons to be excited about November? I get two holidays from school and I don't have to cook this Thanksgiving. That means I can put up my Chirstmas decorations that weekend. I might even *gasp* put them up before Thanksgiving. I know for some that is against the rules, but I figure if I'm going to go through the trouble of putting them up, I might as well enjoy them for as long as possible. I try as hard as I can to not play Christmas music until Thanksgiving weekend however.

I don't really have much shopping to do this year either. We decided not to buy gifts for the adults in the family this year. What will I do with all that extra time? Maybe I'll be able to post more.

OK people...make sure to VOTE...VOTE...VOTE....VOTE....VOTE....VOTE....VOTE...VOTE... VOTE...VOTE...VOTE....VOTE....VOTE....VOTE...VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where Have I been You Ask?

2008-10-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

To this amazing little place called France...

Wow! What a trip. We will have been home for exactly a month tomorrow. Seems like we were just there. Took 2500 pictures...for real...so I'm still processing, editing, making slideshows, etc. This is just the first of many on the subject I'm sure.

Favorites from the trip:

pain au chocolat et cafe creme

le metro

montmartre

eclaires

versailles

provence

eze

mediterranean

tgv

un jour du charlotte

le mas des etoiles

gordes

le coquelicot des abbesses

rousillon

l'orangerie

orsay

President's butter

the list goes on...

I could move there in a heartbeat. I can't exactly spell out for you what is so alluring for me in Europe. I think I just feel at home there. I love being able to travel so easily from one country to another and experience other cultures; I love the history, the architecture, the food and wine, the arts, the people, scenery...again the list could go on. I lived in Eastern Europe for 2 years so it felt so good to be back over there. A good friend came along with us and has documented the trip nicely. Check her out here

More to come...

Have you seen this? Hysterical... Japanese Office

2008-05-19T23:22:00.000-07:00

Steve Carrell was on SNL the other night... this is pretty funny!! Regis Philben's commercial is the best..

What's New?

2008-05-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

Long time no chat... I've been a touch busy these days. School is amazing and my head is full of new and exciting things. I'm putting together a portfolio for my 2D Design class so will post some of the fun projects I've been working on. Currently, I'm taking a desing class, typography and photoshop. Love all my classes - especially photoshop. Have some big projects coming up so don't know how much I'll be posting but hope to use this more to document what I'm working on.

Other news...

Adoption front - still moving at a snail's pace and I can imagine will continue to do so in light of the current disaster situation in China along with the upcoming Olympics. We're deciding if we want to continue with the process or not. Life is moving on and things seem to be falling into place and we're happy with where we are heading. We'll see how things progress. Certainly not what I had pictured back when we were getting married. I thought for sure I'd have a household of kiddos by now. Life sometimes has a different plan than you do.

China earthquake - lots of devastation and the full extent really isn't known yet. Plenty of places to donate to. Beyond the normal (Red Cross, Mercy Corps, etc.) think of donating to organizations that work with adoption and orphans. Many orphanages have been damaged in the earthquake and some are not inhabitable anymore. These children are in need of a home yet again. There are some great agencies working with getting help to the orphanages. Check out the following websites:

www.lovewithoutboundaries.com

www.ocdf.org

www.chinesechildren.org

www.halfthesky.org

Paris '08 Baby - Yup...I'm going to France. Happy 40th bday to me... More to come later...

Ok...I couldn't resist

2008-01-25T22:06:00.000-08:00

Here's another one to bring a smile to your face today...

OMG...cutest ever!

2008-01-25T21:58:00.000-08:00

All you need in life is a good buddy... !

Back In The Saddle Again

2008-01-10T16:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my first day in the design program that I'm pursuing. It will be interesting to see the difference in experiences at a trade school vs. university. Already what jumps out at me is how many more men there are than women in my program. There are lots of very young kids just out of high school too. Many in the class are young adults (boys :o) going after an animation design degree. I'm taking a drawing and a color theory class that I'm really excited about. I have always doodled but never really learned how to draw so we'll see how that goes.

Funny how class dynamics remain the same. You know you can always count on having that certain someone who is completely annoying and has to talk all the time for the sake of showing how much they know. The class clown appears to have arrived as well as all of the other cast of characters: too cool for school, the quiet shy one, and the rest of us average Joe's just trying to make it through. You can enter the program at any quarter so many of us are at different stages but most are in the first year since it is a foundation course. The teacher seems to be one of those rare life teachers that has so much more to share than just the subject at hand. I can feel it's going to be a great quarter.

My class appears to be in a building that shares classes with nursing students. Ironic how my last pass through a classroom was in a nursing program. This blog is called "Myriad" for a reason folks. I'm a multi-faceted girl, which I think drives my family crazy sometimes. They can't seem to keep up with me and all of my whims and ideas. I used to feel bad about it like I was a failure or something because I couldn't just stick with one thing. Now I have come to terms with it and have learned to embrace and even love the fact that I just need to always be learning and doing something new. Keeps life interesting. This should be a good field for me because I know there will always be a new project, new technology to keep up with, different way to do something, and so many other endless possibilities. Not to mention how creative I will get to be every day. I have had plenty of soulless (for me at least) office jobs that would chip away at my spirit every day. I wasn't made to sit in an office all day doing (again, what is for me) mind numbing tasks like filing, answering phones, etc. I know there are lots of people out there that do it and are happy and I think that is great. Life is TOO short to go through unhappy or unfulfilled.

So it is going to be a fun few months getting back into the swing of school. I know I'm one of the older ones in the program but I heard there is a 70 year old guy so I know I'm not the oldest at least...tee hee. Feels like it with my 40th birthday on the horizon this year. Guess that maybe this is the start of my mid-life crisis? New career and direction in my life... what's next a red corvette and boob job (wink, wink...I am SO not serious)? I don't see it as a crisis but I definitely feel my own mortality more than I have in any previous time in my life. There are still tons of things I want to do, places I want to go...and like I said...life is too short. I feel like I'm running out of time. Guess I better get off here then and go get busy huh?! :o)

Christmas Review and Happy 2008!!!

2008-01-06T23:54:00.001-08:00

Obviously, I need to post more often so I don't end up with these mega picture posts. Just wanted to show a bit of Chirstmas around our place. These are some little sugar and salt scrubs that I made for gifts.

I also made sets of cards to give away this year. Here are just a few...

Little miss opening her gifts on the big day. Boy, was she ever into it this year. Three hours of opening at grandma's apparantly wasn't enough for her. She couldn't believe there weren't any more when she was finished.

Blurry pic of one of our trees. I got this one up before Thanksgiving so you can see a bit of my Thanksgiving decor on the mantle. Orange is one of my favorite colors so this tree is for me. I love all of the orange, gold and brown colors together. The other tree below was put up later.
My helper on a snow day getting gifts wrapped and under the tree.
Another snow day shot. We got out the glitter and glue and went to town. This is her version of a gingerbread girl. I love the crown earrings! Too cute...
I love these little Santa ornaments. So there you have it... a bit of what our Christmas looked like this year. We had a lovely season with lots of fun holiday events: Going to see the Nutcracker, holiday lights, many parties with family and friends, wreath making and craft days, cookie baking days, New Year's with good friends, etc.

The last week or two of the year were very interesting. Several events happened and culminated at once to make a crazy end to the year and set up an interesting start for 2008. We have had several friends and family suddenly diagnosed with terminal illnesses and other various things going on that have wreaked havoc in our lives. It kind of puts into perspective what is important as we head into the new year and think about changes to make in life.

I have had chaotic periods in life such as this and I know, as always, this too shall pass but it isn't very fun when you are in the middle of it.

To really add some excitement to the mix, I decided to head back to school. I have been down many paths with school... I have an AA, a BA in English, two-thirds of a nursing degree (decided that I couldn't handle being charged with the care of someone else's life...saw too many mistakes being made while I was in school and it freaked me out) and basic and advanced floral design certificates to name a few. I love learning something new and would be a professional student if I could make any money off of it. Now, I find myself wanting to do something more creative with the potential to earn income and work from home so I am heading off to get a Multimedia Design & Production degree, which is essentially learning Graphic & Web Design.

I'm super excited and can't wait to get started. I have really (happily and willingly) put my interests on hold these last 4 or 5 years as we started down the path to parenthood. I'm usually very goal oriented and I feel like I have been floundering these last few years. I guess my goal was just surviving becoming a parent and finding my way with that. It will be hard to have the new schedule and I worry how it will effect my daughter but I know in the end we all will benefit from the time I will be able to spend with her in the long run and, hopefully, will be able to work from home etc. So lots going on now... I know 2008 is going to be a year of transitions with all that is happening. Change, even though exciting, is uncomfortable sometimes. My mom's mantra (that I have taken to be my own) has always been "it all works out in the end" and it really does (it has brought me through times of fighting over a toy with my sister to some really big decisions in life.) I just keep telling myself that and keep plugging along. Thanks mom...

So Happy 2008... can I just tell you that I laughed so hard when watching the local fireworks show on TV. We had had so many crazy things already going on in life that week and then were watching the countdown on TV to New Year and anticipating a lovely firworks show... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, screaming "Happy New Year" and listening to the music start the show. One or two fireworks go off and then nothing. Several minutes go by and the music continues but still no fireworks. You could hear people booing in the background. I thought "well doesn't that just sum up the week for us". A friend and I were laughing later about all of the people that were trying to get engaged that night (not because it was funny for them but because how superstitious we are and how we would have been freaked out.) Can you imagine if you are waiting for the big show to pop the question or have just been asked for your hand in marriage and then that happens? I definitely believe in signs so I would have told my husband to put the ring back and take back his question to ask me another day. I know...it all works out in the end.

Sugar Plum Fairy...

2007-12-11T00:42:00.000-08:00

Little Miss had her first trip to the Nutcracker this past weekend. Here are her thoughts. Tee Hee... email me if you can't here the end. Again, you'll notice that I'm technology challenged. I did not hold my camera at this angle while filming so don't know why it recorded this way. Any tips for me? I'll know to turn on the light next time... got caught up in the moment.

Listen To This...

2007-12-04T22:21:00.000-08:00

I LOVE the music in this Audi A5 commercial... (turn off my Christmas music and check it out)you might think it familiar it if you have seen the movie Marie Antoinette (whole nuther post about this movie...love it!! total eye candy.) The composer of this piece is Dustin O'Halloran and he had a few pieces on the soundtrack for the movie. Drop whatever you are doing and go to iTunes immediately or wherever you go and preview all of his music. Beautiful...

Happy Friday

2007-11-30T15:32:00.000-08:00

We might get a little bit of this on Saturday. I'm sure those of you that live in a snowy place would be very amused if visiting the Pacific NW on a snowday. Life as we know it comes to a complete halt at the first sign of a flake. People freak out and head to the store to stock up like they are preparing for the storm of the century. The news folks love it and get all their cool new graphics and little jingles going to herald the coverage of "Blizzard - 2007." No one knows how to drive in it and people abandon their cars all over the place. To their defense, we do live in a very hilly area, but for the love of Pete... don't go out if you are afraid to drive in the snow. Our Saturday is jam packed with two birthdays and a wreath making party so I'm hoping that it holds off until Sunday or doesn't show up at all. Probably the latter since the weatherman has been making a big deal of it. We really only need to worry when he says that there won't be any snow action.

Tonight is a rematch with Brother-in-law and girlfriend in Knights of Catan. Anyone know how to play Settlers? It's super addicting once you learn how. Hubs and I were up until midnight the other night playing and working out our strategies for our rematch. The game ends when you reach 12 points but we kept playing until we ran out of all of the cards and game pieces.

The rest of the weekend is church, decorating and finishing wrapping presents. I'm so excited to report that I am actually finished with my shopping this year with the exception of teachers gifts but they are going to get Starbucks cards, homemade goodies and something handmade from little miss so not too much to take care of on that end. I made a decision to really enjoy this holiday season and partake in all the magic and merriment and not spend it looking for the elusive parking spot at the mall.

**Edited several days later** We did get some snow that didn't really amount to much. The big story though is that we had super heavy rains for several days that resulted in some really awful flooding in several areas around the state. Hundreds of people are homeless and/or have lost their livelihood and have been completely devastated. Please keep them in your prayers.

Welcome

2007-11-30T01:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome to those arriving from party of four. Nice to see you again! This is my new spot to just ramble about the goings-on in my life. Like I said before, I'm lovin pyzam.com for all of the free blogger templates. I was the kid that always was changing my room around on a whim so will be fun to change templates when I feel the need. I'll just need to figure out how to do it without erasing my links. Anyhoo... I like new things and fresh perspective...so here I am.

Couple of pics - haven't posted any of cutie-patootie recently so here you go. Also, I found these fun little crowns at a super cool garden shop while on vaca in California. Don't know what I'm going to do with them but they were too cute to pass up.

Ok...time for bed.