Captain of the Toes

Friday...B is having

done. Ouch! And I couldn't illustrate the screw that will be placed inside his toe after they BREAK it. I'm only so talented with the Photoshop peeps!

Oy! Long story. Another day.

And I just got the reminder that my parents' wedding anniversary is coming up...on April 1st. Yes. That's correct. April 1st. Forty-one years I believe. That's like Hall of Fame worthy these days, isn't it? I thought I had a pic here of my parents on their wedding day. I'll see if I can dig it up, y'all will dig it. ;)

Favorite Lyrics Part 7

An oldie, but a goodie...

I Can See Clearly Now
by Johnny Nash

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Look all around, there’s nothin but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin but blue skies

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Peace out blog peeps!

Don't you think it would be cool...

if you could choose your name once you decided what you liked?

I would probably go with the name Violet. Not because of that brat on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. For the color. And it looks cool in Kanji, doesn't it? Yeah, I think I'd go with that. And of course, purple is my favorite color, so it's fitting, isn't it?

It's easy to spell, not many variations, probably easy to understand over the phone, only 6 letters, there's a flower named violet...what's not to love? And I would get to say "V...as in Victor" which doesn't happen enough, really. That's fun to say. I get to say "B...as in boy" and "N...as in Nancy" and "C...as in cat" a lot, so they're worn out.

What name would you choose if you could?

Expectations of Reactions

The picture doesn't go with the rest of the post, but it's my boys being completely bored on Easter. lol We left the grandparents' house soon after.

Anyway, the topic for today is Expectations. Most notably my expectations of how people will react to something I have given them as a gift. Especially if it's something I made. Or went to great pains to choose.

I'm not sure just how I can consistently under- or overestimate people's reactions. I mean, if I think they'll be sort of lackadaisical about the thing, they end up being overly ecstatic! And conversely, if I think they will be really excited about something, they end up being sort of, well, bleh about it.

It happens all the time. Maybe I am guessing their reaction would be the same as my reaction if things were reversed.

Let me at least say this much, I wasn't the only one confused by the reaction of the gift recipient. After intense questioning, B also said he wasn't sure what the person thought of the gift. The gift was a belated Christmas gift, which was not finished on Christmas, but I told the person that their gift was this item when it was finished. And that got quite the reaction, let me tell you! So B thinks maybe the reaction was so mellow just because the person already knew what it was.

We also aren't sure if maybe the person didn't say much due to being choked up over the gift.

I just felt kind of let down after this whole thing and now I wonder why I even do it? I know that giving is the best part, I really do. And I don't do it for the thanks. I do love the reactions though and I just wish I had a clear reaction to store away in my brain, you know?

Anyway, sorry I couldn't be more specific. I know it's me. I have to stop trying to anticipate people's reactions. I need to just be a blank canvas and accept whatever reaction I get. No matter how confusing it is.

So, my faithful blog-ience...does this happen to you too?

Some of my least favorite words...

There are some words that people use quite often that really bother me. Firstly, is the word "just". As in "just a quick layout I did..." or "just an old favorite photo".

According the merriamwebster.com, the word "just" as an adverb means "barely, only, simply". It bothers me because I get the feeling with that one small word, that the artist doesn't feel like his/her art is worthy of much more than a glance. I feel like yelling "TAKE PRIDE IN THIS! DON'T BELITTLE IT BY STARTING OUT WITH 'JUST'!" To me, the word 'just' in this usage tells me they aren't confident in their work. I've been guilty of it too, but since realizing the negative connotation, I don't use it anymore. If I feel like it's worth posting, worth people looking at, worth my time to create, it's not just anything!

It's something!

My other pet-peeve words are (in regards to photography or art): "great work, as usual." I hope to never be at a point in my arts or crafts where someone has the urge to say that to me. To me, that means I'm not growing creatively. That I'm stuck, and I'm not getting better. As a photographer, crafter, etc, I want to grow, to improve, to experiment. I think it's more of a compliment for someone to be shocked and awed by something you've done. Break the mold, the expectations. Break out of 'as usual' and honestly, this is the best thing anyone could do.

What words bother you guys? I want to know!

Don't Mess with Me!

Bought this so I could walk on the parkway alone without feeling like a sitting duck. I really wanted a taser, but Big 5 doesn't sell those for some reason. We were joking that I could get an AK47-style paintball gun and it would have better results. It was just too bulky to carry though. Gotta have my arms free to do the 'mall walker' stride.

I asked my cop friend to tell me what the stats are for women being hassled in that area, and I didn't hear back from him, so I took that as bad news. I personally think that being overweight (read: chubby or fat) will deter most perps, but there are probably a few bad guys out there that wouldn't care about that.

But seriously...I do feel safer. I'm glad to have it.

Peace out!

For Sale...

I'm going to sell prints of my photographs in my etsy shop. Click here for the photos I will offer as prints (obviously I don't want my family pics floating around out there). I'm pretty flexible as far as sizing goes, but I'd like to keep the proportions as close to original as possible. Also, if you'd like something in b/w, let me know.

Thanks all!

Peace out!

Thank you...

You know who you are! And I love you for it!

Hugs and kisses all around!

Lone & Red

Click to view larger in flickr

I'm realizing that people who say 'let me know if you need to talk' generally don't mean that. It's more along the lines of saying 'fine' when someone asks how you are, when you really aren't 'fine' at all.

There are a certain few people I know will listen if/when I need to talk. But I truly don't want to burden those people without the offered ears. And trust me people, sometimes I just need to talk. Maybe the talk won't be so pretty, most likely it'll be littered with f-bombs and s-bombs.

The few times I've reached out to those people who've offered their ears to me, I've been royally rebuffed. And that makes me scratch my skin.

Literally. I've got anxiety over God knows what, and I just wanted someone to listen, and when I bottle that anxiety...guess what happens. I scratch myself til I bleed and I pull hair from my head and hyperventilate.

I'm not saying this for pity or to freak anyone out or whatever.

All I'm saying is that if you offer to listen when someone needs to talk, be ready for that call.

And I can honestly say that every time I've said that very thing, I've meant it. I don't say that if I don't mean it, because I know how important that is.

Peace out all!

Happy Birthday to my Little Sis

She's my little sister, although she is a bit taller than me, I believe. I was joking with her that if she'd been born one year earlier, she'd only be 8 years old this year. And she replied that she acts 8 sometimes.

We have fun! She tells me stories that make me laugh til I cry and my belly hurts. When she visits, she drives slow, cuz she's used to the traffic (or lackthereof) in the small town she lives in. She likes snowboarding, aliens, and frogs (I think, she used to anyway!)

Happy birthday little sis!

A few things!

So happy for this sweet girl Rhian! And that is one of my favorite pics of her. Go check out her news!


Me and my sweet niece at her first birthday party. Such a little doll! She was tired and a little sick and she just snuggled up on me and played and then fell asleep. I can't even explain how much I adore her! She makes me smile!

No pics of the new car yet. I was going to do a fisheye but I used up the roll and haven't put a new one in yet. Digital has made me lazy! lol

And a tag!
You must post the rules before you give your answers.-
You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name.
Each fact must begin with that letter.-
If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name. -
After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers.-
At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name.
(Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details).

tagged by Gloria. She used her first name, I was going to do that too, but my first name is SOO long, and my middle isn't, but I don't want to put my middle name out in cyberspace. Hmm. I'll make up a name. And no, it's not my middle name.

o-overly emotional sometimes
l-loves photography
i-into crafts
v-very valuable
i-is hard on herself for a lot of stuff
a-always honest

this says i need to tag someone.
like 6 someones.
if it's not too lame for you
then i choose
rhian
monica
elizabeth
greta
kimmy
all of whom can be found to the right.
play if you want.
heck, it's always good to share a little something
about yourself. :)

Peace out peeps!

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Today is my gorgeous friend's birthday...
Elizabeth! She loves vintage finds, she clips coupons for fun, loves all things zodiac (in astrology, not the killer), has the sweetest sunshine eyes, makes lists, loves Seinfeld with me and has the most beautiful heart in the world!

If you have a chance, pop over to her blog and wish her a happy birthday and scroll through her posts to get to know her a bit and drool over her vintage goodness!

Happy birthday Elizabeth! I can't recall how we came to be internet friends, but I'm so, so glad we did!

Love you!

PS: I borrowed the pic off flickr, I hope you don't mind Elizabeth! :)

If this bed's a-rockin...

at 7:16 am it must be an earthquake.



The walls rumbled and the whole bed shook. B and I felt it, but the boys didn't. Nothing fell off the walls or anything. The town where it was apparently located (Wells, Nevada) had a lot of damage though.

There was a second, smaller one about 7:35 which we didn't feel at all.

We live near a municipal airport where they also have some military buildings, so they fly Apache helicopters quite often. When they come in low, all the glass things on shelves rattle a little. So when the whole bed shook, I knew it wasn't an Apache, which are quite loud and I can hear them coming.

Put Something In

Put Something In

Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-gumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before.

by Shel Silverstein

Eta: I challenge everyone to take Shel's advice, and when you've done it, and it's something you can post, post it and the poem, and link me up to it! I wanna see!

Favorite Lyrics Part 6

Another by Jewel, called I'm Sensitive.












I was thinking that I might fly today
Just to disprove all the things you say
It doesn't take a talent to be mean
Your words can crush things that are unseen
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way.
You always tell me that is impossible
To be respected and be a girl
Why's it gotta be so complicated?
Why you gotta tell me if I'm hated?
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way.
I was thinking that it might do some good
If we robbed the cynics and took all their food
That way what they believe will have taken place
And we can give it to people who have some faith
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way.
I have this theory that if we're told we're bad
Then that's the only idea we'll ever have
But maybe if we are surrounded in beauty
Someday we will become what we see
'Cause anyone can start a conflict
it's harder yet to disregard it
I'd rather see the world from another angle
We are everyday angels
Be careful with me 'cause I'd like to stay that way

Weekend

Click any of those for larger images in flickr.

Finished the charity quilt (it turned out so cute! I hope whomever gets it will love it as much as I do!). Got my hair cut (16-18 inches!!!). Bought a car (a charcoal gray Mazda6!!!). That's about it!

Peace out!

For Sweet Little 'H'

Click to see full photo on flickr.

So, this is weird. I went to see my GYN a couple months ago due to a feminine problem, and my regular GYN had stopped seeing non-OB patients. So I saw this midwife (you can see a midwife for general GYN visits, I had no idea!) So I started seeing her. She was super nice. Got me going on my thyroid meds again, did my annual exam (is it still an annual if the last time I had one was 2004?), etc etc.

The other day I call to follow up on my thyroid and stuff, and they tell me she has left their practice and moved to an office quite some distance away, and has taken her patient files with her.

I called and left a message for her nurse, and have not gotten a call back. But at this point, I'm already irked because if I had KNOWN she was moving, I would have asked her to a)leave my file at the old practice or b)sent my file over to my GP. Because both issues I was having can be handled by my GP. I was only going thru her since she did my annual exam.

So anyway, I'm irritated. That my original GYN never told HIS patients he was not going to see non-OB patients anymore, that the new doctor left without telling her patients, that I've never been called back regarding things she was handling before her move. I'm going to stop in to my GP's office and ask that my records be transferred.

That's all for today! Peace out!

52 Weeks...Week 33...

Click to see full photo on flickr.

Thanks for the comments girls! My neck is one of my least favorite spots on my body, but this photo actually made it look good! Seductive? I'll take your word for it. lol

Cleaning House

You guys are so funny! No, nothing juicy is getting deleted. I actually blurbed it...into one of those books. So I kind of didn't see the point of leaving all that on here.

But...

It's turned out to be a royal pain in the arse to delete more than one post at a time. So they may end up sticking around since I'm way too lazy to sit here and his the buttons that many times.

No worries! Just felt like cleaning up a bit and that felt like a good way. Mostly since yesterday was my two year blogiversary. Two years! So I wanted a clean slate, so to speak.

My lovely husband has offered me my own domain on which to do a blog, so I may end up deleting this one completely and doing that, depending on how much work it ends up being.

I will definitely keep everyone posted! :)

Bullets

*Rhi sent me the most awesome camera ever for my birthday! It's a little fisheye camera and I have been having a BLAST with it! Haven't had any pics developed from it yet, since it used real film. But as soon as I do, I will share!
*The snow has been amazing this winter! I am glad I don't have to drive far in it, but when it's fresh and new it's absolutely gorgeous! And so much of it! I made a little snowman today, with an actual CARROT nose! I took some pics with the fisheye camera Rhi sent me.
*I have 3 packages to send tomorrow. One is a VERY late bingo prize from October (eek! I'm so mad at myself for letting that happen!). One is a package full of fun stuff, sort of a cross between a late Christmas gift and a just because package. And the last one is a box full of birthday goodness for my little sis, whose birthday isn't til March, but I don't want to wait to send it. :)
*I really like sending cute little notebooks to people. Maybe because I love cute little notebooks so it's kind of like giving what you'd like to receive?
*Why the HELL is Solitaire Golf so DAMN hard people? I played this as a kid and I swear I won a lot. Out of like 950 games (they go quickly, don't judge me!) I've won 14. FOURTEEN! Wth??? I much prefer Pyramid or Freecell, but this Golf has me obsessed!
*Got a heart shaped cake pan (to make heart shaped cake) and some velcro (to make myself an MP3 player armband). It really IRKS me that if you don't have an iPod, the accessories out there are slim to nil. As if EVERYONE has an iPod. Maybe they do! But I know one person who doesn't, and probably never will. Can you say MONOPOLY???
*I plan to go walking around the indoor basketball gym in the mornings. We'll see how that goes.

I guess that's all for now! Peace out!