try it out

For me...so very nice:


And something I can do right away. I don't have to wait for it to be mailed, i just get a lovely PDF file that I can print and reprint as many times as I like. You can now expect to receive a plethora of embroidered products for every birthday, Christmas, and any other non-denominational or Judeo-Christian holiday that comes up this year. I wonder if there is a Solstice pattern...tee hee!!


And I also really like lots of Sublime Stitching's patterns. They are super fun, and I am excited to try my hand at making my own. I like to doodle and draw, so all I really need is a disappearing ink pen to transfer my patterns. Anybody have some extra linen laying around that they would permanently lend me? I'll make you something as a thanks!


i {heart} this tutorial. ... a little robot pocket pillow. Am thinking of it for baby gifts or just because! I would love to make Lucas a precious little tiny stuffed thing that he can carry around. But I know it would have to have a car on it...EPIPHANY!! This...

but with a car embroidered on the front! Probably not McQueen exactly...my doodles aren't that good! But how perfect!! Am really super really excited now! Might even just make it with some felt I have at home so I don't have to wait to go to the fabric store. ACK!! EXCITED! This is making the rest of my day go much quicker!

Tattoo short list:
- cassette tape
- star (
- cloud (blue)
- pencil/ruler/scissors (some sort of craft supply)

Location...on the inside of my left wrist...so it can be covered by large leather bracelet when necessary! This is still a huge "up-in-the-air" for me. If you thought it was hard for me to convince Russel to have another baby, he is equally stubborn about putting a tattoo on Lisa.

That is all for now. To do tonight: pick up Lucas' bike, laundry, embroider something, hug my boys...later,

"no one's gonna save you from the beast that's 'bout to strike"

I have been so busy with work that I haven't had time to feel sorry for myself lately...which is both good and bad: good that I haven't been feeling sorry for myself, but bad because I am so busy with work that it wipes me right out and i have no energy to do anything when i get home. It's mostly just annoying. And my house is a mess, and I have no desire or motivation to clean it...at all. All my art and scrapbooking stuff is in disarray, and while I have managed to complete some pages I haven't been painting which makes me sad.

Also, I have never been able to imagine myself at a job for the long-term. A couple of years, yes. but not ten and certainly not forever! With my "new" job at the dentist's I can see and feel the expectation that I am going to be here for the long term. When someone retires, I'll just fill the void. I'm just really anxious about this.


Anyhoo, on to a lighter subject...CRAFT!

I want to "create" more than ever as of late. And anything goes!

here are some fun websites I've found:
Pimp Stitch
Handmade and Homebaked
KC...this one's for you! A free pattern! Plus this site has lots of other cool ones!
Design Sponge
Tiny Things are Cute

Things I want "so badly"...
- to be part of the indie craft/art/DIY/handmade community in Edmonton (if it exists)

- start it if it doesn't!!

- to do some embroidery, starting with something simple using one of the lovely plastic hoops I bought for el-cheap-o at my "on-the-way-home-from-work-sort-of" Value Village

- to paint my DR walls and install my Expedit shelves (this week...cross my finger!)...I've been trying to get an image of the colour I want, but the Behr website is all Flash, so you can just save a picture. Plus, my computer is really slow today, so it's already taking forever. You'll just have to imagine Garlic Clove #390C-2 for yourself!

- have people over for dinner (chicken, naan bread, tzatziki...yum yum)

- to print some wedding photos and stick them on the already completed pages I have waiting for them

- to buy a rad typewriter and write some letters (too pricey for right now...maybe I need to start entering the lotto!)
- and there's a lot more, but just getting those done would be great!

Bought Lucas a bike yesterday...we'll see if he wants to ride it tonight, or like, ever! it's yellow and a Tonka Monster Bike, and has forks and a hand brake and suspension, and a rad chain guard, and is very awesome! Grandpa was the most excited, then Momma, then a tie between Lucas and Poppa.

I saw a nice bike at Canadian Tire that I like, for around $220. It's red and white and it has rad fenders and a little rack at the back. There were also some nice ones at this small bike shoppe in Mill Woods (Sport and Cycle or something), and they are mostly used so less $$$!! Which me likey! This one is very lovely...should try and find it!! Dad doesn't get why I need a new bike, cause mine is about a year old. But bikes are supposed to fit you, and mine doesn't so my legs hurt, and my back and shoulders really hurt when I ride. I know it was a gift and everything, but...

Am waiting desperately for my payroll papers to come today...am hoping everything went okay on friday!

I'm going to go be me now (am done being Dianne for now)...sop maybe I'll continue this post up front during lunch!

later

now's not the time

I was so busy at work today. Payroll time again and feeling majorly stressed because it was my first full payroll without Dianne! Yikes! It took me the whole morning, but I think I got it all right...if not, I'll be hearing about it all next week! Those ladies don't hold back when it comes to making sure their paycheque is 100% correct!

I'm working on a cool project for my wedding layouts (for Amy's wedding, but I think this is a cool idea for any event!). I've got some kinks to work out as it stands right now, but I'm hoping to post it as the Techneek next week (or the week after)

Not much else to report. We're getting the car Tuesday, not Sunday. Our salesman is going out of town (family emergency) and we want to deal with him, so we're waiting.

Have to go pick up Russel.

later

Blog Update

new project on the Techneeks Blog...

who doesn't love mail??

cool cool super cool

one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time

Disposable Memory Project


{i have been wasting far too much time today. I started out feeling very stressed and overwhelmed with work stuff, and am now slacking off far too much for my liking. so I will get back to work now, for real, and see you back here on Friday}

later,

Hot and Hotter!

Happy Father's Day Handsome...loves ya!

WONDERFUL!

the wedding that is! It was so great, and awesome, and just plain wonderful! We pretty much slept all day Sunday, except for Lucas! My legs were so sore from dancing all night!

here are some pictures... the first three are the photographer's set up, I just snuck a shot or two from another angle! Sneaky me!

the photographer JASSER is a friend of Sean's family, and he did an AMAZING JOB! I have no idea how to get in touch with him, but he was so wonderful! And really fun to work with as well.

And LINDSAY did the flowers. She had an interesting job...only two bouquets and 11 corsages/boutenniers! WOW! That's 8 parents, plus a groom, best man and MC. They were so beautiful, and everyone kept complimenting them throughout the night. (Lindsay...you can take this picture for your portfolio, but I'm going to email you all the pics of the flowers I can find!!)

We went to the Ledcor building on 91street, just south of Ellerslie Road for our pictures. It is a super neat-o building...all reflective green glass, with great (new!) landscaping and awesome concrete walls with wood accents. Jasser got some great shots...and when he wasn't looking so did I!!! The parents joined us at the lake just north of there for some pictures (that's where the wooden bridge is)

I looked totally gorgeous, of course, and totally cried during my speech! But only for the last couple of lines, which was my plan all along!! And Amy said some very nice things about me as well, so we were both crying! It was very emotional to see my little sister get married...much more than I thought it would be!

two hours

I have about two hours before I'm picking Amy up from Mom's house to initiate Operation "Get Amy to the Alter 2009." So I thought I would Blog a bit! HA! I've already cut my hair and printed my speech...what else is there to do???

Wedding makeup test run last night...I look like a pretty girl! WOW! Shoppers Drug Mart sells organic makeup now, so I was in heaven! And it goes on really nice and smells real, not like other makeup. And isn't my flower cute? I took a standard Prima flower, added some extra tulle and a pretty CI brad, sewed onto a hair clip...voila.

Some random layouts I've completed at work the last couple of Saturdays. But not this Saturday because it's wedding day! There's a fourth one, but I guess I don't have a picture of it. Strange...oh well! the first pic is of the most cool four year old I have ever met! (Lucas isn't four yet, so i can still say that!!). he speaks Spanish fluently, he knows the words to Mr. Roboto, and he likes to play Star Wars!!

Russ and the iPod I bought him. He was actually happy to pose for the camera! YAY!

And yes, this is totally a Christmas layout...sort of...

The window washer at my building the other day. it is so funny to see someone outside your window on the 8th floor!

Mexican Bulldog at Moxie's. I hate Coronas, but love Margaritas. This was super delicio-so!

The lovely package I got in the mail the other day with some fab new earrings I ordered from Etsy (and took forever to get here thank you very much...but worth it!)

The latest painting I have been working on. It's been a couple of weeks since I did anything to it, but it's the most current painting I have to share.

I should go now, and finish getting ready. Plus, I need more coffee!

later skater alligator...

New stuff from me!!

No...sorry...not today. Sorry if I got your hopes up.

Amy's wedding is tomorrow. I have made a lovely flower to go in my hair. No picture. I made a cute album for the pictures of all the reject dresses. No picture. I am in the process of turning the Congratulations banner I made for her shower into an album for that shower. No picture. I am a waste of scrapbooking space sometimes.

If you are really interested in what I've been up to lately, check out this Riff Raff Designs post. I also have a bunch more at the store, if you're in the neighbourhood.


Right now at work we are in the process of getting a new phone system. And by that I mean that they talked about it at one staff meeting, which I didn't attend, and now it's my job to get quotes and talk with reps and coordinate this and that and get 'er done. yay me. Oh, and we also have $3000 worth of dental tools sitting in a customs office in Vancouver that we owe $1600 of taxes on and they need some sort of magical paperwork to get cleared and sent to us. Plus the cheque for $1600. And it's on my desk now. yay me.


I went to Hallmark in SEC yesterday to buy some Father's Day cards, and Addition-Elle is practically next door, and they're having a sale and...



plus a rad pair of denim shorts that make me look lean and sexy! WOO! I desperately needed some new work clothes. The running joke here (between me and Simone) is my lack of work pants...I have two pairs...and in the winter only one. So I have been wearing my alternate summer work pants and she notices, and she says something ("no black pants today...") and I laugh. So now I have three pairs of work pants...two black and one brown. See what she says come Monday!


More work stuff...now I get to install and set up Quickbooks so the girls can use it for inventory. And I will have to also learn it because I'm sure they'll come to me for help when it's not working...yay me.

ATTENTION KARA: riff raff in real life...Celine Navarro!. check out this post.

I want to make clouds out of Hambly wood grain paper. And doodle on everything.


I went to my first Community League Board meeting on Tuesday night and boy, do they know how to talk! Not about anything really important, not really. They just talk and talk and talk. And talk. Wow! So I spent the whole time doodling on my agenda. And the {handsome} Matt sitting next to me, kept looking over to admire my work. Usually he is busy admiring a different part of me...I've said enough...but he is a nice guy. I just have a very noticeable bosom. BTW, my doodle was awesome.

I really really really need to edit my link lists...I have way too many. TOO! And to be honest, I only read a couple of other blogs religiously. The rest I just keep on hand for days I want to do some serious blog hopping. I should cull the heard, find my absolute faves, and just leave the rest behind. The Big Purge.

My coffee tastes like barf today. And while I've blown through my coffee budget, I feel I must make a trip to Tim's at the very least so I can make it through this morning alive. MAIL RUN...

I love this band (no audio on this computer, so I hope this works out!). Was very sad when they came to town and I wasn't there...




SYTYCN was so amazing last night! They booted two really great dancers...oh well. Here's a clip...now why do they leave the opening credits in? And all the stuff with the judges...who wants to hear that!? Skip to about the 45 second mark for the opening dance with the whole cast. The rest you can ignore. Very super cool number this week from Mia Michaels! And even without sound, it's pretty awesome!

Out of the whole show my faves were Kayla & Max, and Melissa & Ade...the two jazz numbers. Note: the bestest best part about having a digital recorder is that last night I watched two episodes of SYTYCN, no judges, no commercials PLUS the season finale of the Unusuals (which is by far the best show on TV right now...)

MADE MY FRACKEN DAY! http://indiecraftdocumentary.blogspot.com/ particularily the little note on the right column stating that Handmade Nation is being screened in Edmonton on July 18th at the Art Barns. Tix are only $12!!

It's being put on by these guys. And there is a craft show before hand!! CHAN CAN I HAVE THE DAY OFF??? Ack I am so excited!! ACK! FRACK!! WOOT! RAD!
more on the DiY movement...http://www.craftcouncil.org/conference09/?page_id=19

k...I should go now. must finish some things before I am off for the weekend! Will post wedding pics maybe Sunday...if im not hung over!!

later skater alligator

lisa

"Monday Monday...

can't trust that day. Monday morning, sometimes it just turns out that way. Monday Morning, it gave me no warning of what was to be. Oh Monday Monday, how could you leave and not take me."


I {heart} the Mamas and the Papas They are nutricious and delicious! I should find my Greatest Hits album and iPod-it-up!


Found a lovely artist this morning. Light the Night is having their corporate recruitment event at Axis Cafe downtown, and they show local artists' work. And this guy is (supposedly) their current artist...as far as I can tell their website is a bit out of date. But I made my way to his website, and he's got some nice stuff! Big and expensive...but nice! Check it out: Darryl Boldt


Working in a dentist office like the one I'm in, you get to hear certain patient's names over and over again...nothing bad! They're just in more often than others, or have had insurance issues, or are just kind of memorable. Like the lady who's name is Leslie, but goes by Copper. Or the guy named Ashley (poor guy!). Or the guy named Kevin who is exactly like the character Kevin on The Office (he's just creepy and the other ladies let me take his money and book his next appointment because they don't like the way he stares at them!). Or the guy who owns a famous fancy restaurant in town and gets a reminder call the morning of his appointment (lucky guy!). It's kind of nice for me to remember all these people because I have a piss-poor memory. This is very satisfying!


Today is my first day without Dianne, and I won't lie...I'm kind of freaking out! There is so much to remember to do - and not do - and if I mess up, it's big money! AAH!


Today Russ and I did a "trial run" of our one-vehicle car pooling dealio. And it worked out well! It was very nice riding to work together! I was only 5 minutes late, and that was pretty much all due to the construction on 99th street (which I didn't know about until I saw the giant flashing arrows...) But I still made a detour, and saw the most yellow school buses in one neighbourhood that I've ever seen in my whole life!


I want to draw a little comic. I'm thinking something about all the cute things Lucas says to me (this morning it was: "I don't like going to another place. I like you"). Elsie and her new Comic paintings have inspired me...more or less.


An older gentleman came in today with his son, and I swear to you he is reading Confessions of a Shopalholic! We're talking a 70+ year old man!


Places I want to visit...someday!
- Nashville and Memphis, Tennesee
- Augusta and Savannah, Georgia
- New York, New York
- Arches National Park
- New Mexico
- Galapagos Islands
- Europe (I know...it's a whole continent, but I would be happy seeing any small part of it!)
- Australia and New Zealand
- Vancouver Island (again and again and again...I could spend every waking moment out there)
- Newfoundland, PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick


I have a cold. And an itchy rashy neck. And my acne is bad this week...perfect time for a wedding...


I still need to finish putting together my little hair flower. And I might book an eyebrow wax for Friday afternoon...weird, I know. Russ and Lucas and I are going shopping for ties tomorrow.


This website is super cute: http://www.katetowers.com/katetowers/...havent made it past the first screen yet and the cute little doodles. I think I want a plaid dress. A friend on the Playschool board works at Reitmans and is pretty much my (fabulous) size...so she can get me one HALF OFF!! HAZAA! Found a cute plus size one that's coral (??) pink. Very cute. They also have they super paisley print shirts with lacy straps...very awesome!


Old Navy's Canadian website SUCKS...you can't actually look at any of their clothes.



Ricki's website is lovely and I found a cute t-shirt with plaid ruffle on it! But it only comes in black...boo. There's also a garish blouse...im not sure if I can pull off floral print anything. But the colours are right and it's on sale. They actually have a tonne of cute dresses! CUTE! I found something I am going to buy, come hell or high water! A lovely "tube top" (what the!?!?) with a super cool print. Super...it might make me look fatter (I mean bustier...) than I already am, but who cares!!


For those of you who have been following (I mean paying attention) to my renovating/decorating woes, you will be happy to hear that Russ and I moved the shelves out of the DR and bought our Expedits! YAY! Now I just need to buy some paint (Behr's Garlic Clove), then paint, then assemble the shelves and decorate! yay...It already looks so much better in that room! I am so happy!!


Searched "monkey" on Etsy...lots of cute stuff (see below) and lots (and lots) of horrid stuff!

Love the hat and the little cup cozy (that shop also sells "gadget" holders - see 2nd photo -a little competition for mine!)

okay...I have to go be Dianne now. later.

hi lindsay!

see look I can type lots of stuff and put links in and everything! woo hoo!

it's friday, so here I am

Cool new Etsy sites:
London Tierney funky epoxy and painted buttons
Her Art very grafitti-inspired and wonderful! with some drawings and Hambly rubons thrown on for good measure!
(and her Blog: Such Sweet Tierney)

Both of these things make me very happy! And inspired to at least go home and finish the super ultra secret surprise album for Lucas' playschool teacher!



Question: How do you guys feel about being rewarded for doing your job...? We have a lady on the Playschool board who has (supposedly) been going above and beyond what's in her meagre volunteer job description and some of the other members of the board want to give her something as a thank you. Now I was thinking a Thank You card would probably suffice. After all, isn't that what Hallmark makes them for? But no...they want a gift to accompany the card. The big problem that we forsee happening is that some of the other parents might hear about what we've done and think that you get a present if you volunteer for the Board. And while we realy need people on the Board, we don't want this to be the motivation for volunteering. And I think the Board is split in half for and against this little project. I am against. I've done extra stuff this year, that was not required of me based on the position I signed up for, but I do not expect nor do I want a gift. It just kind of irks me...that is all. Maybe it's just my cold dead heart speaking!

I really wish I could order from Red Velvet Art...it's actually a BUG in their cart software that was causing the problems so they have to upgrade or something before I can order! ARGH! Not that I have any $$ for that this month...


Plus Russel and I are getting a new-to-us car. (getting-the-mail, printing some labels, drinking coffee intermission...). Our cars are getting to the point where we would have to put more money into them, then they are currently worth! So we'll get a little SUV and get rid of both cars...that's right...we'll be a one-car family. These are the four that Russ has been looking at:


Hyundai Santa Fe

Jeep Liberty

Ford Escape

Kia Sportage

They are all kind of the same price range and features and what not. It's exciting to be getting a new car! But that means I will start working an extra day at the dentist. Oh well...so much for all my summer plans! And now we also have to decide which renovation projects get put on hold another year...

There is a smell of sausage or something burning in the office today...it is vomitrocious and I wonder how I am getting any work done at all. (HA! work!?)

Yesterday was Lucas' year end party for playschool. Only two more classes! It was very stressful for me...too many people. I had to go home early. Also, kids are mostly just brats, and parents are clueless. The playschool kids are all adorable and wonderful, but the elementary kids that were taking their lunch break at the same time were most annoying.

We rented a super cool bouncy thing for the kids with a big slide inside that was the hit of the day! Well, the elementary kids started lining up to go in. Our loyal parents stepped up and said NO...PLAYSCHOOLERS ONLY. Do you think that stopped them? That would be no. They started getting some real attitude about it, trying to see how far they could go! Jumping against it, then when we told them to stop that, they would stand against it, then when we told them to cut that out, they would just touch it. ARGH!! )#(*YO)W%)(*@&^@(*#. You read that right. Then they started sending up the short kids among them to see if they could sneak in! HA! Then they started asking if they could have some of our food, blah blah blah. It was so nice when lunch time was over!

As for the parents...don't even get me started. I just can't talk about it again. I just don't understand some people.

KARA...check this out for Riff Raff in real life (I would email you the link but that means logging out of Blogger then logging back in with my gmail password...bane of my existence really! So you'll have to settle for this link!) Picture of the layout and the Original post on the Creative Type (you'll have to scroll down a lot for the image)

SO, I bought Elsie's boyfriend's CD the other day (on iTunes, so no actual physical CD) and was very exciting to start listening to it. Jeremy has such a sweet voice, and the instrumental is amazing, and did he just say "the Lord." Yes. Yes he totaly did. DaMNit. I bought a Christian pop album without even knowing it. I should have guessed because it's called Salvation and he is dating Elsie, but I guess I didn't use my brain enough on this one. Now, most of you would say: "so what...if it's good music just ignore the religiousity" (okay, no one I know would use the word "religiousity" but bare with me here...should that be bear? i dunno) Okay. But you see, I am Lisa the ultimate CYNIC and I cannot ignore religion when I see or hear it. It pervades my thoughts and brings out little sarcastic comments and eye rolls when I hear a modern "praise the lord" song. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about the "yay god" and everything, but religion has no place on my iPod. So we'll see if I can ignore the lyrics and just appreciate the artist that he is...we'll see.

AM drinking old coffee, heated in the microwave, with homo milk in it. I think I'm going to wander over to Starbucks before I leave today. I deserve it.

Have been eating a lot this week. I find I have a natural binge/purge cycle. Not that I purge, per se, but I do eat lots one week then practically nothing the next. I have a week of cravings and desire and I can't seem to satisfy my appetite, then I have a week when I barely have to eat anything to keep myself going. It's like I'm on a yo-yo diet without even recognizing it. I'm going to start documenting these cycles and see what I can do to remedy this problem and find a healthy middle ground. It's amazing how much we can learn from ourselves if we just pay attention.

AM trying to think of other things I need to finish before I'm out of here...it seems today went by very quickly! Good? Bad?

Have any of you seen Adrienne Looman's latest collection in an actual Michael's? I haven't...and for good reason...I can't afford to see it right now! It's super cute, I'm sure. It must have been so exciting for her walking into Michael's and seeing her stuff! WOw!

Maybe too sparkly for me...yeah that's right...too sparkly!

Am thinking this might be fun-mail week. Will make a trip to Value Village or Goodwill or somewhere equally cheap-o and pick up some funsies for my gal-pals. Or I'll just print random pictures off the Internet and disguise them as my very own...mwa hahaha!

The Door stuff is coming along nicely (actually, I haven't really done much more than basic reasearch and talking to my hubby about it but next week I promise to have something more concrete) I brought my camera to work today (and it's a good thing too!) so I'm going to take a picture of a wall after work and see where things go from there. (I know very cryptic eh? Chan might have an idea of what I'm blogging about, and KC as well if she reads me today, but next week...)

Amy's getting married next Saturday!! WOWEE! I was going to post some neat-o wedding pics here, but I am feeling too lazy right now. I bought some fancy wedding underpants yesterday. I think I want to wear them everywhere...bye bye pudgy belly! They are surprisingly comfortable for underpants that start under your boobies and stop just above your knees. As if that's not the most awesome picture in your head now!!

I'll leave you with some lovely art from one of my fave Etsy shoppes: Sea Spray Blue.
Enjoy!

um...hi...how are ya?

I was going to take a break from blogging today after my love fest on Friday. But I just couldn't. I am addicted.

Sorry if I embarassed anyone with my post...I was going to remove after the insanity of it set it, but I thought...it's all the truth, so why worry. let people take from it what they want. If they want to joke and make fun, I will joke as well. If it made their day and they loved it, well I loved it too and I meant every word.

Anyhoo. On to lighter subjects.

I want this bike...or something like it. I wonder if it comes in orange. Does anybody remember "banana seats"?? I had an old banana seat bike that I used to ride when I was a kid and I think it originally was my uncle's...it was AWESOME! I miss those old school bikes. I really don't like my mountain bike, even though I've only had it for a year. I really want a touring bike, or a vintage bike, but they are hard to find. And new bikes run $400+.



Watched an awesome Joan Crawford movie on TCM last night. She is so cool. And Russ actually sat through it and watched with me. The look on his face when it was over was priceless!


I've decided I didn't like the Courier font for my Blog. Back to Georgia.


My eye hurts.


Lucas told me the other day that he is tired of going to Sumita's house, and he would much rather play at Najia's. HA! She's back on Monday, hopefully, so all will be better then???

More Beholder stuff...

Sarah Thibault:

Christopher Reiger:


Jennifer Sanchez...I love all her stuff...

Three Potato Four shopping...

SO fun.

Russ & I are moving furniture tonight, so all my house projects are starting to happen! hazaa! Hope to make an IKEA trip this week. But we are getting the brakes looked at on "Hugh" tomorrow, so we'll see where the money wants to go this week

Am waiting to hear back from Red Velvet support...for some reason their order system doesn't want to ship to me! Dang it! My tiny order just doesn't want to come. But am waiting patiently for my earrings and new purse! I love mail! Every once and awhile Russ gets some sort of cable or cable-related item in the mail too and it's very exciting (I guess...)

Want to start embroidering things. Need to buy a hoop or two. I heart old-timey crafts!

Mom-in-law is having a garage sale this weekend. in Mill Woods, if you're in the neighbourhood.

Gosh, I'm kind of boring myself right now! Work will be done soon, and I can go get Lucas and veg out at home...dang it...what's for dinner

To do this week:
- move furniture
- buy paint
- watch SYTYCD, and set it to record cause I always forget!
- buy wedding underwear
- finish wedding flower head piece

- go for a nice long walk (I wandered Friday night to clear my head, and it was very nice)

Bye to all my peeps. Until Friday...

later skater alligator

i don't like stamps but...

i like these


Studio Calico Check out the bicycle. Kara...Riff Raff...wink wink...

am having an interesting night.

lots of rum.

mmmmm...rum....

NOte to self: typing is difficult when you add rum into the mix. mmmm....rum...

I love Studio Calico. I love Tina A.

I love this gallery

Do you have a favourite scrapbooker? No matter what she does, it is always inspiring or useful or helpful? Tell me...I want to know all about it...

emotion, life, feelings, love, etc.

Sometimes I wonder about this whole blogging thing. But then I remember that I have a hard time expressing myself to people...my true self, my real self. And then I read this post: Nadia. And I remember that I have a hard time revealing my true self to others, and so do those others...

Every hug I receive is accepted with a full heart. Every hug I give is a miracle unto itself and is one I don't give lightly.

I love each and every one of you who read my blog and whom I consider a friend...even though I might not ever tell you. I have come to a realization as I approach the dreaded 30th birthday. I am not good at expressing my feelings. Not to my husband, or my friends. I wish I could tell all of you how much you mean to me, and how deeply I feel your loves and your losses. But I can't. And I don't know if I will ever be able to tell you to your face how much your presence in my life means to me. You have each taught me something about myself that I wouldn't have discovered without you. You have all reached a part of my soul that I thought didn't exist, or wasn't enough to make mention of.,

I want to recognize you by name, to make real your effect on my lif:
-Nadine, because you found true love and you live your life according to your plan and no one else's. Because you are "da bomb"
- Talia, because you love God and your family so much that it is an inspiration in itself that you are so good to your girls and to your husband and your faith, and to yourself. And you are so creative and humble, and refreshing.
- Kim, becuase of our bonding times at TM, and the fact that you have such a beautiful and wonderful son, and a new baby on the way and you have dealt with so much in your young life, and yet you are so wonderful and positive and full of life and hope
- Veronica, because you are so bitchy and awesome, and I can relate to your love life and your sarcasm and your cynicism, but I also know you just want to experience as much as you can and get as much as you can out of life
- Laurie and Nadia because you helped me find the artist within myself and helped to coax it out into the open. And because I can look to you as an example of what I want my life to look like in 10 years. You are such amazing and powerful role models to me and I thank you for that. You have no idea how much you inspire me everyday.
- Chantel, because I never had such an idea of myself when I was your age. You are so amazing and smart, and wonderful, and I don't even think you know it. It's hard for me to hear you say you want to be awesome like me, when I want to just be able to go back in time 5, 6 years and be as confident and mature as you are. And see what my life would be like then.
- K.C. Truth be told, I have a girl-crush on you. You are this talented, amazing woman, in this unsassuming and unknown body. But you are so cool and creative and it just blows my mind...I LOVE YOU! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!! If I was a boy...wait...I've said too much!
- Anam, because you have overcome so much in your life and have fought so hard for all the things you hold dear. I see a lot of myself in you, and sometimes that freaks me out and pisses me off, but mostly it shows me that if you can do it, I can sure try and make the most out of what I have as well. Your girls are so amazing and I can't wait to watch them grow up and become the wonderful women I know they will be.
- Juli, because you are so organized and I can only ever hope to be as "with it" as you are. You are so courageous to follow your dream and put yourself out there to be criticized, but to really make something of yourself that you are proud of and that you excel at so gracefully. You are my hero!
- Jill, because you love with all of your heart, even if that means it might get broken. You give the best boob hugs and I will always appreciate your compassion, especially when I'm feeling down. You make me laugh and make me think at the same time.
- Kara, because you are a woman entrepeneur! WOO! And you are honest and compassionate and loving and you put a little bit of yourself in everything you do. And you are a total sweetie.
- Kirsten, because even though I have known you only a short time, I have come to love your sense of self and your passion for things that move you and interest you.
- Lindsay, because you are so smart and smart and smart, and know so well what you want out of life that I wish I had such sense of self at your age. Plus you are my Saturday buddy and I am so lucky to get to spend one whole day with you every week (more or less!!). Your art is so beautiful, and you create such unique things and you aren't concerned with what is in style or "cool"...you just do what feels right!
- Lisa, the other, because you share my name and you are a mom and you deal with the same things I seem to deal with. And that makes me feel a little less alone in the Universe. And I have always loved your scrapbooking style...have I ever told you that? You have an unassuming way about you, but I know that mind of yours is always going, thinking of new ways to do things and smarter ways to scrapbook. Plus, I have a feeling that my attitude towards being a stay-at-home-Mom is similar to yours...
- Kennedy, because even though I give you a hard time, I want you to know that you need to find your self and your heroes and your role models and that there is such a big world out there for you to experience and figure out...on your own. Don't let anyone's opinion of anything get in your way.

Feelings...too much for me. Must stop now and get Lucas to bed.

I LOVE YOU!

Sorry for the sappy post...am feeling a little existential tonight. Hopefully I will get creative tonight and post something a little more "useful" later. My Techneek is up, so check it out.

later

VOTE NOW!!

BLACK

or SILVER

for my sister's wedding. there are no other bridesmaids, so I don't have to worry about matching. Also, would be wearing complimentary accessories.

Let me know what you think...by commenting here!

thanks...I love you...all of you...my fans!

fridays...

SO Fridays at work are kind of stupid. I'm the only person here, and yet I get calls all morning asking for things that I usually can't answer, so I just tell them to call back on Monday. Argh! I always seem to get the annoying patient who has all sorts of insurance questions or questions about the particulars of their surgery, and I just can't answer most of those. We do not advertise that we are open on Fridays...in fact everywhere our hours are listed it says Monday to Thursday...and yet here I am...Oh well. It gives me time to post on my Blog and catch up on the blogs I read. I mostly just want to sit and read a magazine today, I am so tired.


So I look totally hot today, but it is an impractical outfit. The skirt is too short for sitting at a desk and I am freezing...but I look hot! I took a picture, but am reluctant to try and get it onto one of the machines here to upload...maybe later. I also have pictures of my wedding shoes contenders that I will post later so we can start the vote! Am wearing shoes #2 today and LOVE THEM! They're "gladiator" style. I feel so retro...like B.C. retro! (or C.E. for those who don't believe in Chris)


I moved a bookshelf about 4 inches to the right yesterday and my back arms and shoulders are killing me. I hate that. But slowly forward I move toward my goal of having all my rooms sorted out by the end of the summer. Maybe I'll save moving the other furniture until next week...don't want to aggravate the injury!!


Lucas slept in his IKEA tent last night. It was so funny to see a giant white tent in his little room. I stuffed it full of blankets, and he fell asleep right away, with his book still in his hands. Evey kid needs a tent.



Hi Juli...can you re-invite me to your blog (if you haven't done so already). I forgot about allowing myself access, and my invitation expired. Thanks I love you, I miss you.



Am working on a nice set of paintings. That reminds me...need to use the typewriter...be back in a sec..........................................................................did you miss me? k that one was a bathroom break, but I will have to go and type up my little caption for the paintings. They are going to be quite wonderful if I do say so myself! The captions are from a song I have been really jonesing this past week. With my new ability to listen to my iPod over my car speakers (thanks Russ...I love you!), I have been listening to the main playlist. It's the default list when I plug my iPod in to the car. I was a BIG Silverchair fan back in the day. When their final album came out, I bought it and it was nothing like their earlier stuff. Which was dissapointing back then, but now that I have matured I really dig it...lots of cool melodies and big orchestral sounds. Song: Across the Night. Band: Silverchair.


I was supposed to go look for a bike helmet this afternoon, but I forgot my gift certificate at home, so I guess I will put it off another week. dang it.


I've decided to read through Elsie's fave blogs list today. First up Rachel Denbow, who is expecting a baby (how luckY). And she has this picture posted on her blog:

It totally makes me want to buy those alphabet cards from K&Co. Okay, it only sort of makes me want to buy them...I wouldn't actually put them to good use. But this is such a super idea for a kid's room!

I have decided to get some t-shirts made. With goofy sayings. All I need is to find some nice t-shirts, that fit me and look good (look nice) in some normal colours (nothing too bright!) and get them done up.

I also need to buy some good music. Am looking with longing at Friends of Red Velvet...especially Jeremy. He has such a lovely voice. Will spend the rest of my iTunes mother's day gift card today. Hoorah!

Anybody watch SYTYCD last night? They picked the top 20. One of the girl's names is "Oscar"...okay it isn't actually, but it might as well be. Weird. They have some controversy, as per usual. And one guy they couldn't take because he has a contract with some big ballet company, and they wouldn't let him go! WOw!

Just had a minor work freak out...moved someone's appointment that had already happened last year, all because she found an old note. ARGH! I was going crazy cuckoo for a moment there! All is well now...

Funniest thing written ever (today, on a blog): "i love how crafty my girlfriend is. because she leaves fun things like this around the house." with a picture of scattered buttons below. It's funny because my husband would never ever in a million zillion years of living with me say he thought it was cute or crafty or neat that I leave piles of buttons (or ribbons, or paper, or upcycled weird metal things) laying around my house. He calls it as he sees it and he calls it: MESS! (author of said blog is Will, boyfriend of Erin, who works with Elsie. see post here, scroll down until you see the buttons.)

Elsie's Blog Party on Monday was super fun! She always posts such neat pictures, and she had lots of guest bloggers to help her out! I didn't win anything (boo) but Chantel did!! See below...
Yeah, I know...Chantel wearing a nerd glasses necklace. I just can't see it! Am not desperately in love with any new Red Velvet stuff. Am still waiting for the perfect purchase.

Does anyone else love wood grain as much as me? The answer is: yes. And I would love this little bag, or just the fabric. Can you just imagine a big ol' duvet cover in this fabric!! With some light blue or bright yellow pillows on top! WOOT!

NOte to self: Add to the "things-you-should-not-do list search "wood grain" on Etsy. That is all for today self.

Anyways, I should sign off. I need to finish some letters before I go today, and this is nothing but an awesome, yet unhelpful distraction!

later skater alligator

P.S. not sure I'm as in love with Courier font as I thought I would be. I'll give it a couple of days to get used to, then we'll have to see...

Blogs visited today:
Bling on my Sewing Machine
Creature Comforts
Thompson Family Life
Design is Mine
Embers
Kelli Crowe whom I adore because she is so silly! She took pictures of everything she wore for an entire week and posted it! Hilarious!
Kitty Genius
Something's Hiding in Here
Twinkie Chan

Etsy sites visited today:
Made Ya Look
Tiny Bazaar
Eleen, that wood grain bag pictured above