Her Pictures Say a Million Words!

Ok, so when I was in the store today talking about my blog, another little someone mentioned that they also had their own website and I had to check it out. All I can say is WOW! This chick's got some serious talent. I new she was a great photographer, but I had no idea you were AMAZING! I really hope you do great things with this gift of the lens, because you are wonderful at it. I wish I had this talent, it may help me get published!

Photo by April Bern.

The Farewell Tour

Ok, so I am in the last two days of the Simone farewell tour at the Big 'A' and I have to say, it has been the most fun I have had at that job in months! I made a cute little book to commemorate my time at the Big 'A' and had friends and coworkers sign in it, with spots for pictures to be added later, of course. I'll take of picture of it tomorrow and post it.


This is so ME, you can look at this picture and know me... So Funny!!
I took plenty of pictures today, as you can see. Before this day, I think I was probably about 45% sure that everything would work out and I would be better off for leaving, but after today I am feeling a solid 80%!! Thanks ladies, you really know what to say to a gal to make her feel on top of the world. It was so great to see so many people that I have taught over the years and I remember them, probably not their names, but I remember. I wish I wasn't so bad with names, especially on a day like today! Curse you weak brain!

Leslie Johns... still people still keep in touch long after leaving the Big 'A'.
To think all the people that I cursed with the Scrapbooking addiction... shame on me! tsk tsk. When you really love something, I guess it shows!

Laurie, you are a hoot! You say everything with a smile and I will miss that!
The two meanies!! Sarcasm flows in our blood and straight out our mouths at 100 mph.
This is the kindest woman in America! Sam, you are one of a kind.
Ahh... how I will miss that Archiver's apparel! Think I'll steal the apron for when I have to go somewhere nice! Melissa, Jen R. and Jen

This is my adopted sister, April. The sister I always wanted smart, nice and she likes crafts.

This is April's mom, yes, I know you're name is Judy, but you will always be April's mom to me. Everytime, I see this lady (or even a picture) I hear Beastie Boys, She's Crafty playing. It's your theme music Judy, rock to it!!

The smart and sassy Heather... what more can I say? You Go Girl (wow, is that outdated!)

This is me at the Make-n-Take weekend, giving impeccable instruction as usual...HA!

All in all, I think this final leg of the tour is going as planned, haven't lost a roadie yet. I have one more day then I am free... "Free at last. Free at last. Thank God almighty I am free at last." Ok, so, I know that was a bit much, but I will definitely feel like tomorrow when I walk out that door one last time. (as an employee that is, you can't get rid of me that easily.) It will be a whole new world on the other side of the counter.

Are you Illin'??

Well, earlier this week I woke up with that "scratchy throat, oh no, I am going to be sick" feeling. So, I rushed to the store for one of my favorite beverages Vitamin Water. This stuff rocks! I kid you not, two days later, not even a hint of impending illness. With the Power C, I had outsmarted that pesky little virus and was as good as new. So check them out! Their Website is ubercool. Check it out www.drinkbetterwater.com. Until then, get yourself some vitamin water and feel better!

Nectar of the gods!

Art Happens

Here is the art for the day. Feel free to create a little art for yourself today, just do it. No thinking. No planning... Just create. You will feel great! (and if you don't feel great that will show too!)

One A Week

I love Tara Whitney's blog, I am not as loyal to it as some people, but I enjoy checking in to see new pictures (she is an amazing photographer) and what she is up to. One thing that I love is that she is as busy as the rest of us, and she came up with a great idea of one project a week. I love it!!! I figure if you give yourself an attainable goal like that, you can accomplish it and possibily surpass it! And doesn't that feel great!! So, my goal of the week was to make a small keepsake book for my final days at the Big 'A' so that I can get important information from my gal pals so we can keep in touch! That project was done by Sunday afternoon and I kept going... I feel like I have gotten so much done now that I completed my simple goal. So, everyone, give yourself the One a Week Goal!!
You can do it

Scrapbook needs

As an avid scrapper and obsessive book buyer, I am always on the look out for great Scrapbooking or Stamping magazines or books. But lately, while working on my new project, I have asked myself, "What do scrappers want to read?" So, I am trying to narrow down a list and work on those type of articles for the new website, here is the preliminary list:

1. How to get things done fast and fabulous
2. How to combine papers and patterns
3. New product reviews (I never buy anything big without a thumbs up)
4. Tips and Technique
5. Scrappers Glossary / Encyclopedia
6. Step by Step Projects
7. Ways to be Frugal

I have been scouring the boards and websites to see what is on everyone's minds these days, but you never know with scrappers. So, for now, I have a lovely (not complete) five pages of frugal tips and I am working on Beginning Scrapper tips and necessities. Phew...Who knew there was so much information.

The end of the Big 'A'

So, I am official in the very last phase of my days at the big A. Tonight, I worked my very last Wednesday night shift and it was quite wonderful. Wonderful to know that next Wednesday there will be no rushing around, no craziness.... In fact, I am going to just sit and rest while Max is at soccer next week. I am going to enjoy the lack of the second job. My last two shifts are this weekend and I have to say that even though I am feeling tremendous relief knowing that I won't have to do it anymore, I am still gonna miss my girls so much. I am going to miss them to pieces. Also, being the Mac Gyver of the Scrapbooking world was super fun! I loved helping people with there projects. I loved hearing, "Oh you are so good at this." It made me want to scrapbook more. So, although it is with a sense of relief that I am leaving, it is also with a sense of sadness.

There are such "characters" that work at the store. They amuse me with their stories and some are such a sort of comfort that I will greatly miss just the way they greet me. (Shirley, I will miss the "Hi Sweetie" and big hug that I get every time I see you!!!!!) I will miss complaining with my best bud, Carol. I will miss the way that Laurie can complain about a person with a shitass grin on her face. That really kills me! I never thought that I would get so attached to working at a retail store, just because of the people.

The things I will not miss:

1. Cleaning Bathrooms. I don't like to do this at home.
2. Vacuuming. I can count on one hand the number of times I have worked and not done it.
3. Mean people. Yes, even scrapbookers can be mean from time to time.
4. The hours. I will be so happy just working one job again.
5. Dressing Up. This will make me want to look nice on my own time!
6. The lack of men! I have had it with all women environments!!!

I was watching Seinfeld last night and Elaine was complaining she had no women friends. Kramer says to her "That's because you are a man's woman. You hate women and women hate you." I swear it was my lightbulb moment. That's me!!! Not that I hate all women, but I hate the drama. I am a no nonsense gal. I get to the point always and rarely stop my big mouth for fear of offending someone. This logic does not sit well with some women and thus, I think they hate me. So working at the Big 'A'.... I had gal pals!!! And I loved them so much!!!!
Big kiss for my gal pals!!

So, the one thing I hope to come out of this ...... I will keep my friends and my sanity!

Recent Pages

These are the most recent pages I have done, besides the pages I made in the classes I took at the Expo. I had seen these new Scenic Route papers at Windy City Scrapbooks a few weeks ago and I loved the colors, but I couldn't envision how to use them wisely. Well, voila! I thought my first attempt was quite good, now we have to see if any of the magazines like them. *fingers crossed*
Who wouldn't love that sweet little face...awww!! Too bad his attitude doesn't match lately!

Review of the Chicago Scrapbook Expo

Not that my opinion really matters, but I will give it anyways... Like I do all the time.

The Scrapbook Expo is an annual occurrence in these parts and generally I enjoy it. There are usually new products, new ideas, and sometimes even a great deal. Well, this time, the expo had none of the above. Talk about a disappointment! First of all, the Expo is usually held in the fall and the last one was in fact held in September of 2004. So, this sudden change in dates, I think left some of the usual vendors out. I was sad to miss Lasting Impressions and this nice lady Joyce who only sells at shows and is usually there. I always got a great idea and deal from her. Also, there was not a lot of new product. Sure, Rusty Pickle had their new book at the show. And there was a vendor who was carrying all the new Bazzill Paper and someone even had Basic Grey. But all and all, it was the same OLD stuff.

I took three classes at the show and to be honest, as a cheap person, I didn't think I got my money's worth at two of the classes.

I took the Rusty Pickle class last year at the show and we made a 2pg layout as well as a little card book thingy (I know great description) and we got a ton more paper. But this year, just a little 2 pg layout and it looked similar to last year's pages!! Come on! Teresa Collins is a brilliant lady and I expected so much more!! Come to the midwest Teresa!

The Out of the Box Class was cute and a "different" idea, which I enjoy fresh and funky! So I enjoyed that part of the class and the teacher was very organized and well prepared.

By far, the best class was the Basic Grey class which was sponsored by Paperkuts magazine. In general, I am not a fan of the publication so I was uneasy at the prospect of them teaching a class. I had to take this class, I have been staring at this paper for too long and I don't know what to do with it. Well, this was well worth the time and money. We each got at least 8 sheets of paper, stickers, monograms, tags, ribbon and our very own distress ink pad! It was a deal. The instructor was very well prepared and there were 3 projects. Great Class!! Good job Paperkuts, I underestimated you!

So, all in all, it wasn't a waste of a day off, but I felt there should have been so much more. I expect good things from this show and they just didn't come thru this time.

There is a Memories Expo next month, but it is all the way in St. Charles and I had not planned on going, now I am thinking I may have to look into it in case they are making up for the slack this month!

Happy Thought

As an avid scrapbooker, there are things that make me happy that other scrappers couldn't care less about. There is generally one thing that all Scrappers have in common... We LOVE Color! Pictures like this get me excited, make me want to get out a coloring book and go to town. I love it!!
I would probably hang pictures of paper and colored pencils in my living room and everyone would mock me as usual. These are the visions that race through my head and make me happy. The thoughts that cloud my artistic brain all the time. And to think that my home and rooms are so boring in comparison...Huh! My life is mainly greys, browns, black and white... Yet my soul screams out in technicolor! It screams in KI pink and gorgeous yellows. I really need to consider changing my surroundings to nurture my soul. Have to add that to the To-Do List!

KI... YAY!! Love your patterns and color combos!

Ok, so I said Happy thought, right?! Well, yes, color is my happy thought of almost every day, but my happy thought for the last three days revolves around a phone call I received at 3pm CT on Saturday afternoon. My bestest friend in the world, unfortunately has relocated (a couple times) in recent years and not even within driving distance. Luckily, he somehow has impeccable timing on his phone calls and they always come when so desperately needed. So, he called me on Saturday, just to tell me that he had met a 9 yr old version of me while visiting "the girls" and just wanted to take her home had it not involved an amber alert. Apparently, this cute little angel (had to be if she was like me!) had him cracking up like crazy and talked his ear off. And to top it all off, she looked like me. I think he had mentioned this child one other time, because I felt a little deja vu when he told me. So, I had the permagrin going like nuts. It was so good just to hear his voice. Just to hear he was thinking about me. Just to know he is still there. In the middle of all the recent stressful chaos, he was a beacon of light. Man, I miss him so much. I truly think he has no concept how much he means to me, how much I truly, down into my soul, love this man, more than any other man. Love you Eric... So much!!

So, it brings me to my happy thought. I have so wanted to visit him when he lived in LA but I feared for my life should I have tried. But now that he lives deep in the heart of Texas, alone, I really wanted to visit him. Everytime I looked at fares, they were like $300! But, low and behold, I looked this morning, and the fare was $185 roundtrip, non-stop from O'Hare!! YAY! So, I can go and see my buddy, my happy. And, I can go before he visits in July. Which was my other happy thought, I get to see him in July... Definitely! YAY!

Still working on the house situation... Called a realtor. Hate those guys! They are like Used Car Salesmen but with homes instead of cars. And checking all the papers and any connections I have. Cross your fingers!

For the time being, I am happy, I am smiling... And I am missing my friend! But I know I will get to see him soon. Yes!

Kid on Bus: What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?

Napoleon Dynamite: Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!

Livin' Life!!

This picture reminds me of how crazy my brother is and how happy I am that he and his new kidney are living life to its fullest. Told him I wanted a picture of him and the girl by the statue and he instantly jumped up on top!! I hope he never loses that!

How funny is this picture?? U of I, KT and Andrew on top of a statue! I love that everyone is always willing to pose for me! Thanks Guys!

SS Sketch

Page I sent in for SS Sketches and wasn't picked up...Too bad, I really liked this one and thought my pictures had gotten better!! Darn!

My Boyfriend

The Killers...Awesome band, totally yummy lead singer (and yes, gay) that is currently my imaginary boyfriend!!

Sunday Boring Sunday

The Way I like it!!

Ok, so Sunday should be reserved for good things like staying in my pajamas til 4pm and working on fun projects, watching movies and ordering pizza instead of cooking!! Yeah Sunday! This is the kind of weekend day I enjoy as opposed to yesterday which was filled with driving all over the countryside, errands, family and exhaustion. I was so tired by the time I got home at 10:30, I couldn't move.

Lucky for me, the boss man is gone this weekend, so I can continue to work on some projects, yeah! And it is great timing because I am not in a rut! I am on fire! I cannot stop creating. I have 100 colors and patterns filling my every thought and I need to make something. So timing of high holiday could not be better!

Those keeping track... No moving plan yet, but working on it!
I have some thoughts on the recent Expo as well, but that will have to wait til tomorrow. And my bestest friend Eric called over the weekend, and I haven't stopped smiling since! Tell you all about it tomorrow. (yes, this is a mental note for myself because I will forget!)

Planned Insanity

Ok, so I have fallen behind a bit here (as usual), so I need to get myself on a "schedule" of some sort so that I can keep up!
I have come to realize lately that I am no good at handling stress or change. Which would explain why my offspring lacks this skill as well. I even, for the most part, hate surprises. I am a person that loves to have a plan and live by it. I person that relies on what she expects to happen. The problem with this mode of life is that life is not like that. Not at all. Things happen. Shit happens. Things rarely go as planned and you can't plan for everything. So when these little surpises happen *poof*, I flip! I go into a two year old temper tantrum, with the full kicking and screaming. I know it is childish and impractical, but it is me. So, now as I am faced with my impending move, I am in a constant state of frazzledness. (is that even a word?) I am in a permanent state of STRESS! I hate change and moving is one of the largest forms of change that there is. And then, there is the packing and cleaning factor. Two more of my least favorite words. And worse yet...... I have no plan!! YIKES. So, my melt down has begun. No sleep, too much eating, and worse yet, the bitchiness. I am in perma-bitch mode, look out. I can't relax at all and that causes my alter ego to emerge and chew everyone's head off.

Also, not planned, I have quit the part time job and I have to say although it was not planned, I am quite happy with this change. It seemed that between my regular job, being a mom and working this part time job, I had no down time, no "me" time. Also, it was sucking the life out of me. It was making me so unhappy and everytime I had to work, I was angry. Everytime I left work, I was angry and even thinking about it made me angry. So, will money be tight - YES! But I had to do it for my sanity. I took the job with the thought that I would be scrapbooking and teaching scrapbooking, which I love, but I am not doing that anymore, I only straighten stickers and vacuum. So my dream job had turned into a craft janitorial job! I hope that even though it will be rough financially, I will be happier and that is (as they say in the commercial) PRICELESS!

My boss has left the coutry, again, for two weeks so I am enjoying my first day of freedom. I have big plans to keep up on my blog, catch up on my crafts, surf the web for new and interesting things and just relax. I love this job, the freedom and casualness of it, delights me!

My man hunt is still on! I have not been actively pursuing men, but in my head, I am! I have also decided that about 10 pounds have to go! Men like the skinny and skinny I am not, anymore. So, with good intention, I bought a pair of yoga pants at the second hand store (gotta love $2 pants!) and I even put them on yesterday because I was going to go on a long vigorous walk. But then I saw how tight the pants were and didn't like my thighs in them, so I took them off, put on my trusty pj pants and ate an ice cream sandwich instead. So, my skinny plan is not going wel right now, but I am going to get off my butt and do it!! (need to psyche myself up!)

So, off to drink my diet pepsi and make some cards, only 40 more to go! I am always procrastinating!! Bad bad girl! At least the pepsi is diet! Leave you with this quote:

"I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the ones you get in diamonds." - Mae West

PS. I did send off my stuff to try and get published, so at least my ADD didn't stop me there!

It's the little things

I've come to realize lately that I have the mentality of a 80 year old man. I am a total crab about everything, you name it. And it is the little things that really bother me. Urk me. Make my skin crawl. Make me want to shout out profanity like a truck driver. So many stupid little things that I truly hate. Here's the short list (long list to follow):

1. People who drive, talk on the phone and thus cannot make a turn without swerving way out like they are driving a semi. If you can't talk and drive, don't.
2. Stepping in gum.
3. Putting on socks in the morning and then after both are on, realizing they are two different ones.
4. Men who wear black pants, black socks and brown shoes. I saw you last weekend at millennium Park and it was not a good look.
5. Really messed up sidewalks.
6. Waiting in line in the supermarket.
   
7. Guys who think they are hot.
8. Girls who think they are hot.
9. Bagging my own groceries at the supermarket.
10. Not having clean towels.
    
11. People who talk on the phone in a public place so loud that they can practically just shout to the other person, leaving no purpose for the phone.
12. Smelly people.
13. Putting away the laundry.
14. Really any sort of housework!
15. Doing things because you have to, not because you want to.
16. Working two jobs.
17. Moving.
18. Going to the bank.
19. Driving... I would love to have a chauffeur to drive me everywhere.
20. Having a ton of change in my pocket.

See, stupid little things that in this world bug me, irritate me, rub me the wrong way. I am generally a crabby person, but it seems as though I have aged about 40 years recently. I am UBER-CRABBY GIRL!

I figure at this rate something really rad has to happen soon. There can't be this enormous downward spiral with nothing to contradict it. So, I will wait and complain. And until then, I will continue to bitch and whine, so get used to it.

Go Cubbies!

So, today is opening day at Wrigley field and it has caused me to ask myself why it is that I love the Chicago Cubs so much. Is it because I have such fond memories of taking that afternoon nap with my dad with Harry Carey's voice in the background? Is it because as a young girl I enjoyed many afternoons with the girls in the bleachers at Wrigley? (back when the tickets were $7 and parents allowed 12 year olds to travel to the park all by themselves) Or is it because they are such losers and yet people adore and worship them?

Not really sure. Probably all of the above as well as the fact that they are soooo Chicago! I love this city and the fact that going to a game at Wrigley is so fun whether they are winning or losing, makes me appreciate and love this Team. I sure miss Harry though. So many times, even when I was young, when I would ask myself (or my dad)..."What did he say? Huh?" He added so much spice to watching the games on the tele. I don't watch too many games all the way through on TV anymore, but I am always up for a trip to Wrigley! (so if you have tickets, count me in!!!)

Go Cubs

"Hello again everybody! It's a bee-ootiful day for baseball."

-- Harry Caray

Happy Things

Ok, so it seems that my last post may have been kinda negative so I have been trying to concentrate lately on happy things! Lately I have been in quite a creative mood and I have been trying to harness those creative juices and actually complete some of my goals. One of my major goals this year is to get published and the first step is a step I have been meaning to accomplish for the past two years. I have posted layouts online. It was actually very easy and after it was done, I kinda thought “is that it?” I had thought it would be so much more. More difficult, more exciting, more… something. But it wasn’t. So, now my layouts are online and I am attempting to make myself known in scrapping circles. My layouts are now viewable HERE on 2 peas in a bucket and I also registered for Scrap Submit which makes it easier to get published (supposedly).
So brief list of things that put a smile on my face lately:
* Scrapbooking Blogs which are all conveniently listed here. It is so interesting to read about other people’s lives and see that they are not much different than me.
* This incredible stamping site that has a fountain of overflowing information and includes tons of ideas with SU stamps.
* New Beck CD…love the groove.
* The idea of making my own purse, which I can at this place in Chicago and I think I may, if I can afford one.
* New paper that is so wonderful and looks so fun! Wild Asparagus…even the name is too much!
* The idea that the ScrapbookExpo is only 15 days away! And then I can buy something. I have been so good on my buying freeze and still creating things! I am taking classes: Out of the Box by Quick Quotes, 10 Things I Love About You by Rusty Pickle, and Not At All Basic (Basic Grey) by PaperKuts.
* Mall Madness Game, bought it recently and still love it as much as I did in 1984!
* My Disney Vacation is only 3 months away!! Woo hoo!!
* I finished my taxes!!
* Max’s revived excitement for Soccer!! He is on the Bears and his schedule is HERE for everyone to check out, so they can make plans to come to a game.
* Only 5 days til I am Wrigley Field!! Cubs vs. Padres. Can’t Wait!
* The Color Pink, Everything Pink!!
* The Weather here lately, it is gorgeous!
I have to go now, back to the hum drum…..as I snooze my way through waiting for that wow moment!

The Punch List

Ok, so last year I had a list of people that I wanted to place on a boat and send into the middle of the Atlantic (or Pacific, I’m not picky), never to return again. Well, I guess that I have grown more bitter, because I now compile a list of people that I would like to punch…in the face. Now, mind you, most people I will never even encounter in my life and I highly doubt that they will allow me to fulfill my fantasy and not face jail time, but I have the list, just in case. (They are in no specific order.)

Ashlee Simpson – so funny she is at the top of the list, because I really do dislike this Jessica wannabe, no talent loser!

Jessica Simpson – as long as I mentioned her name, I was reminded that she needs a punch too for being such a dimwit. In case you are wondering, Nick is not on the list, because marrying Jessica was punishment enough!

Avril Lavigne - I am so sick of the whining she calls singing and anyone who doesn't know who David Bowie is, has been living under a rock and I don't like rock dwellers.

Brittany Spears - she needs a punch in the face for her own good! She had a great thing going and then she married that "dancer". Maybe a punch in the face will snap her out of it!

Jamie Fox - again, someone who needs the punch so they will snap out of it. Stop pretending you are Ray Charles, because you aren't. I am so sick of it. You have talent, so get over Ray, I know it is hard, but you can do it and if you need to punch, let me know.

Jimmy Fallon - man, Jimmy, I had such high hopes for you when you were my imaginary boyfriend and now you are ruining it. I had to dump you back when you made Taxi with the queen and now this new movie, Fever Pitch....yuck!! And I saw you on Leno last night and you really need to lay off the drugs. Makes me so angry when perfectly cute men do stupid things.

Paris Hilton – anyone who has that much money and still talks baby talk, automatically gets a punch!

Robin Williams – you could just take a valium, but maybe my punch would slow you down. If anyone is a poster child for ADHD, it is you.

My brother – for making me buy you food at the store that you insist that you want, and then not eating it. Don’t you know there are starving people in Africa. For wasting food….you get a punch, not as hard as some of the others, but you still get the punch.

Pat O’Brien – What a jerk! You know he is just by looking at him. And now, I hear that he is in rehab…Oh Pat!!

Billy Busch – from Access Hollywood. He is secretly a hobbit who interviews celebs with the dumbest questions.