Man, I am a Slacker (in more ways than one!)

Yes, I am a slacker.
A lazy slacker.

Some of the slacking can easily be blamed on the inconsistent phone situation in my new apartment, you just never know when it may or may not work. Some of my slacking can easily be blamed n my boss for giving me a pile of work to do this week, I only took off one day, gosh! And some of it is just plain 'ol laziness.

I had a FABULOUS time with Greta and Elizabeth last weekend at CHA. I was worried about them coming, but it all turned out way better than I imagined. I can't wait to see them again. They are like your best friends you just met.
I also saw my pal Carol (I don't see her nearly enough) and April (and her mom, love her!). Saw Candace, working the Mimi booth, she is rockin' it with Thermoweb these days, very cool. Saw Michelle Hill, I met her back at in September at Scrapfest, surprised she remembered me and even noticed my hair was way darker. She is so super sweet and genuinely nice, I love that.
Honestly, I didn't see any products that really knocked my socks off. The 7 Gyspies booth was amazing, I just love their stuff! I hope to incorporate some of their stuff into some classes this fall. Around the Block is coming out with some way cool papers, love the colors. All in all though, there was nothing that was...Wow! I saw a lot of bling, everywhere. Words, flowers, frames, papers....all bling!! Guess that is a new trend.

I met the cutest girl from Pebbles Inc, Trianna, hopefully I can get some direction from her about my product ideas. I am always coming up with these, just don't know what to do with them!

I am working on some scrapbooking this weekend, for sure. I got so many freebies last weekend, I have been dying to do something with them, they are taunting me.

Also, there are only a few days left to sign up for the Birthday Card Swap, this is so low key and is fun to see everyone else's style. I need to get my butt in gear and send out the emails to remind everyone this weekend, as well as my August Newsletter. Plus, samples for the August classes, I need to order some new double sided paper.

Well, at least with the unbearable heat approaching, I can take shelter inside with my trusty air conditioners and just catch up on my scrapbooking. That is...after I go to the laundromat tonight and catch up on the clothes. Hopefully I can sweat off some pounds while I am at it.

Alright, back to work....ugh!

(ps. no pictures from the wild weekend, because the girls took all the photos with the killer cameras and I didn't really have to, for the first time ever. Check out their cool blogs for some awesome photos!!)

They Don't Win Much...

but I still like 'em.
I tried to explain to Max last night what it means to be a fair weather fan, seemed like a necessity as we sat at Wrigley Field.

Got a couple photos with my crappy digi cam...

I love this picture with the sign advertising Hebrew National...perfect!

Just a quick shot of the game while it was still somewhat light.This is what happens when you try and take a picture with a crappy camera and no flash...shaky hand symbol....crazy blur!








Now I am just waiting for Greta and Elizabeth to arrive for our Girls Weekend, their plane was delayed from New Orleans...4 HOURS!! It's Ok though, 'cuz I know nothing bothers these girls and they will be here in time for tomorrow!
We are going to the 2peas Reception, that should be interesting. I love to see people in person, to see if they match their picture, but I am totally shy in these kinds of situation.
Oh well, gotta run, I am sure there is something else I could clean again...lol.
Can't wait for tomorrow!! Oh wait, tonight...the girls will be here.

edited: btw, the paper was still in the door, still searching for the hidden camera though!

There's a Wacko in my Basement

Which is nothing like a wocket in my pocket!!

Seriously.

Have you ever met someone or more importantly, been in the vicinity of someone and just known that there is something just whacko about them? Before I moved in, the landlord told me there was a nice fireman in the basement who is never home. Sounded good to me. Well, in reality, there is a crazed fireman in the basement, who is always around and completely weird.
About a week after I moved in, he was apparently cleaning out his apartment and had a ton of his belongings (man you can tell alot about a person by their crap!) in the laundry room. I didn't know this until Max went down to get out his bike and informed me that the "guy downstairs has a pile of naughty magazines on the washing machine, you should see them!"
Nice.
So, I went down to check it out myself and there they were, a huge ass pile of Playboys spanning many years, some vintage, I'm sure. And I saw all the other unusual crap. I took out Max's bike for him and didn't do laundry for a couple days until I was sure everything was gone.

Then, a couple weeks ago, Max was outside the yard bringing back in the trash cans (even though we are only responsible for our own) and the guy pulls his car out of the garage and hits one of them. Then curses something (I assumed not directly at Max) and proceeds to school him on garbage cans.

Then, last week, while I was hammer eyelets at my dining room table he proceeded to pound on his ceiling and start yelling at me. It was 8pm. Clearly not a sleeping time and he should be happy I wasn't doing it on the floor like I usually do!

Then, over the weekend, the plumber came to address the water issue and needed to get into his apartment, well he would have none of that! He yelled some obscenities and told us to have a nice day in so many words.

Then, on Sunday, I hear some guys talking like truck drivers loudly right outside my window and guess who it was...whacko guy! He was loud enough to totally make out all the f-bombs and what he was saying with my windows shut and air conditioning on!

Then, yesterday, I was closing my windows last night which were opened all the way, when I suddenly hear some guys outside yelling at me. I look out and see some guy on a jog running toward me, yelling, no one else in sight. I didn't know if it was whacko guy because it was dark. So, I ran over to the dining room window, looked out at the yard.....AND IT WAS HIM! So, either he was yelling something to me that ended in "...use your head" or he was yelling to himself. I don't know which is more creepy.

I met the landlady, finally, over the weekend and explained about the guy being a pain with the plumber. She tells me, "yeah, he is kinda a whack job." Oh sure, tell me...NOW!

So, the plumber came today and whacko guy was letting him in the back door of the building and I had to leave my backdoor open. Now, all I can think about is this whacko going into my apartment after the plumber leaves! I am paranoid about it. I put a small piece of paper in my bedroom door and closed it, so I can tell if someone went in there.
But, what if that paper is gone?!?!?!
Then what.
Besides carefully searching my house for hidden cameras.

Recent Projects

So, here are just a couple, I took more pictures but of course they were blurry...I love my digital camera...NOT!!

The first is a little mini book I made back in February as a V-day gift but haven't made one since because I was afraid they would retire that punch from Stampin' Up! But to my delight, it made it in the new catalog. Yay!
This is just a simple page with a great picture of my brother and his girlfriend, Katie. They are always willing to be photographed, so I have countless pictures of them. Plus, they dress for the occassion, so the pictures generally look great. Good pictures always makes scrapbooking easier.That's it for now. More to come next week, because I am going to Marilyn's house to scrapbook and "have cocktails"...that was the invite and I am not passing it down!

7 More Days!!

* Only 7 days and Greta and Elizabeth will be here. Wow, time flies.

* 8 days and I will be drooling at CHA. I have taken a look at some sneak peeks of new products that will be at the show and I am loving some of the stuff. Can't wait to see it in person and get a better look!

* Need to figure out what to do with my living room, I stink at decorating and I need to get those couches to my place this weekend!

* Gotta visit the Ikea for some little stuff that is still missing and a bookcase. If I had that, I could empty that last box...woo hoo!

* Got Cubs tickets for next Wednesday night, so when I should be getting ready for the visitors, I will be at Wrigley guzzling beer and complaining about their suckiness!

* Need the damn plumber to come and fix my water crisis before next Thursday.

* Max is coming home today from the Dells, haven't seen that little guy in 3 days. That should have been a perfect opportunity to get all this done! hahahaha

* Need to place an order for upcoming class, but I have to figure out what I need first (and want).

* Gotta get my act together for these teen classes I was asked to put together, but first I have to figure out what the heck teens like these days?? (besides themselves)

* Everything that is hangable in my apartment that is now just propped against walls, needs to go up. Man, I stink at that too.

* Need to get some curtains in there too, everything is so white, it is blinding!

* Should try to think up a way to display my stuff instead of it all sitting in that box, before the class on the 28th would be good.

* Planning on posting some of the projects I have actually been working on lately. Made a whole card yesterday and jumped for joy literally. Also, pissed off the downstairs neighbor by setting eyelets...oh well.

* Gotta stop thinking about that Canon Digital Rebel, I swear I dreamt about it last night. Only 2 days left for the big rebate I was going to take advantage of, but the flippin' IRS messed everything up....just let it go....grrrrr.

Truly need to get all this done this weekend and have "family time". I'm exhausted already. Phew!

The Header is Gone

If you have seen the header to my blog, please send her home....Momma loves you header and we all miss you dearly!!!

Help, it's gone people!!

UPDATE: She's back, unharmed, hit the republish and it's all good now...phew, that was scary!

All about Swapping!

I am trying to get a Swapping Group going, so I thought this would be a good refresher as well as a basic information guide for anyone who hasn't done it before.

Swapping is a fun way to make new friends with similar interests and get back some amazing projects. I have hostessed many swaps both online and locally and can't wait for this new group to form.
The first thing I want to stress is that my Swaps are STRESS-FREE! I have been in swaps that although they produce wonderful projects, they made the whole process miserable and I never want anyone to feel that way about my Swaps.

Now, what do you do if you are a member of the Swap Group?? Well, first you tell me you are interested. Then you will receive special email notices of open (new) swaps and decide if you want to participate. If it is a theme or project that doesn't interest you, just don't sign up for that swap, wait for something that appeals to you. I am planning some Card Swaps, Scrapbooking swaps and 3D Projects, just to start out with.

Why would you want to swap with us? Well, you will mass produce one idea about 10 times and get back 10 different projects. So, if the swap is Cards, you will make 10 of the same one and get back 10 different ones! It is great to see new ideas and different techniques.

Are there any rules of Swapping? Well, the first rule of swapping is... Don't be a flake!! A flake is someone who signs up for the swap then half way through or even right before the due date, decide not to participate. No one likes a flake. If you look at the due date and can't commit, don't. That is why the due dates are there, so that you can decide on what fits into your life. And remember, these are supposed to be stress-free so don't feel like you have to sign up because you can be a member of the group, choose as you like. Also, each swap will have directions listed so if you can decide if you can meet the requirements.

Can I be in the group if I don't live near you?? Why of course! There are always directions about mailing in your swaps to me and I mail them back, no problem. In fact, I love to have people in the group that "ain't from these parts" because it makes the group more diverse.

After I sign up how do I know how many to make? Well, after everyone signs up by the deadline, I will send out an email to let everyone know how many of their project to make and any last details. This is the absolute last chance for anyone who wants to back out to speak up!

So, that's about all the basic info.

Now, the first official Spazz Swap!

The Birthday Swap

I never have enough birthday cards, do you?! So this is a perfect swap to get stocked up and use all those paper scraps we have. This is also an easy swap, so it is a great way for newbies to get their feet wet.

This swap is for full cards only. Each person will make birthday cards using their own supplies. It is really that simple.
Just remember that everyone should be producing work that they are proud of, so that everyone is receiving great cards that they are proud to give out to family and friends. These cards can use stamping, paper crafting, quilling, painting, digital scrapping...whatever your heart's desire!

Details: No one needs to provide envelopes. Whomever signs up first gets first pick of theme. There does not need to be an inside greeting, but you are welcome to do so.

The sign-up deadline for this group: August 1st!
Just so that I know who will be in the group!

Swaps are due in my hot little hands: October 1st

So, get those ideas swirling in your heads, I am looking forward to some great cards that will cover at least my immediate family! (that would be only 12! lol)
If you know anyone else that would like to join us, it is open to anyone...the more the merrier.

And remember even if this swap does not appeal to you, there may be one in the future that does, so make sure you send me an email and let me know you would like to be in the Swap Group so that you will receive the email notices.

Thanks everyone and Happy Swapping!!
(if you have any questions, just ask, I am happy to answer!)

A Benadryl Buzz

The mosquitoes were mad crazy about me this weekend. They wouldn't leave me alone for a second. I wasn't smelling pretty or anything, they were just attacking me left and right. I always get a pretty bad reaction from the little bites (which in my case are not so little), but with the countless bites covering me, I am having some sort of allergic reaction. On my right hand alone I have five bites and on my right foot, I've got...let's see...1 ... 2 .... 21 ... 22!! Good lord! So both my ankles are cankles now, a great look in flip flops, let me tell you!
In order to keep this crazy swelling and itching to a minimum I have slathered a bottle of Caladryl all over and have taken enough Benadryl to tak down a horse.
So, today is less than productive to say the least and I could just lay my head right on the desk right now and sleep for an hour.
And yes, before I hear it....I was wearing the cancer causing Deet laced Deep Woods OFF like it was my signature scent.
Gotta go concentrate on not itching!

Friday Funk

Man, I am so crabby today I think I could rip the wings off a butterfly just 'cuz.
I am going camping again, except this time it is an adult trip with friends and family. Many years ago we took a camping trip with a ton of people and tried to make it a Memorial Day ritual but everyone seems to be busy that weekend nowadays so we have attempted to move it. This particular weekend was not exactly my idea, it just happened to work out with everyone's busy schedule. So, as usual, I was in charge of the planning. I found the site that could accommodate 20 of us that would not be in close proximity to a family with small children. Also, made sure that it was affordable for everyone. Careful planning was involved in this task.
Called everyone, got a head count and made the reservations.
Then, this week, one by one, people started cancelling.
As more and more people cancelled I have grown more and more angry.
Some of them haven't even called to cancel, just haven't returned my calls. We're talking family...not just friends. So, our big ass camping trip has turned into a get together and made me realize that I never want to be in this situation again.
Of all the siblings (6), I am probably the busiest. And as much as I like to us my mad Martha skills and plan little events, the constant cancelling and excuses has killed the thrill.
I know I will have a nice time this weekend (love camping regardless), but it is so disrespectful of people to act this way and I really thought that with all my family finally past the teenage phase, they would have started to think of someone other than themselves.
People who cancel last minute suck.
Enough said.