I'm Baaack!

It's been a long time since I've posted any updates, but I've been busy!

My six months at the ARTgarage ended in June. It was a neat experience to have work in a gallery. Now I'm hoping to develop my website sales more.

I've been exploring all sorts of new creative things, especially since I got my new camera equipment and Cricut machine for my birthday. I also spent several weeks perfecting the art of digital scrapbooking as I created our adoption portfolio. I'm excited to try making custom digital designs! Please let me know if you need anything made: invites, cards, photo books/albums, annoucements, etc.

Our vacation out west in June/July was absolutely amazing! I returned with great photos and unforgetable memories! Lots of inspiration too! I promise to post photos to FB soon.

Today I listed individual items for sale on chimpstrash.com and started setting up a shop on etsy.com. I feel like it's all coming together! Now, I just need some sales under my belt...

I'll post more info with links for viewing (and buying) my creations soon!!

Cheers!

Recently I’ve learned that…

*There’s nothing like using an old-fashioned desktop computer.
*An apple IS as good as _________. (Fill in the blank with any sweet, unhealthy snack.)
*Your bad day brings out the best in your spouse.
*It’s okay to be overflowing with creativity and have no place to put it.
*BLURGHleehooble! (Oops- some spilled out!)
*Cell phone cameras can give you the same experience as the fancy ones.
*It’s okay to only read half of the book from the library (or a quarter)… you still get something out of it.
*Dave Matthew’s lyric about naked “looking good on you” still amuses me every time I hear it.
*Internet coupons aren’t widely accepted.
*Breakfast for dinner can be the best dinner you’ve had in months.
*Nothing makes me feel as happy & girly as getting a new purse.
*Good friends should be visited more often!
*Traveling a rough road with your best friend is better than sailing the smoothest sea by yourself. (Cliché, I know – but it’s true, especially when the ends totally justify the means.)
*Doing something that lets you know you’ve “still got it” is amazing!
*If it’s ‘broke,’ even if it still works, your husband will fix it! (iHappy)

Oscar Nominated Movies

The Oscar nominees were annouced this morning, and I think for the first time, there are 10 (instead of 5) movies in the running for the top spot. Each year when I watch the Oscars and/or hear about the awards, I feel like I'm missing something because I haven't seen most of the movies. This year, I'm going to try to see them all! That means I have 32 days to see nine movies (already seen one.)

Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds (check!)
Precious
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Think I can do it? I've never been a real dedicated movie watcher, but I'm really going to try!

Strange Memories

Here's how my brain just worked:

1) Saw a posting for an event called "Scribble Cookies" (children's art class at the De Pere Community Center)
2) Remembered the first time I used a "Paint"-type program on a computer. I think I was 7. It was winter and I was at Notre Dame elementary school, which I never attended!??
3) I was watching Mr. Belvedere the first time my legs ever fell asleep.
4) In the summer, I was playing under the willow tree in the front yard and then went inside to watch The Cosby Show before bed. I remember having a Jell-O pop while I watched it. (I'm sure it's not a coincidence that Bill Cosby advertised them! - They were SOOO good!!)
5) I better take the dog out and head back to work.

Our brains must hold pieces of information together through some type of common bond, so I'm guessing all of these events happened in the same year of my life. How strange.

Ah yes, another Tuesday.

When I have a day that's not so great, I like to focus on the things that made me smile...

*This morning, Riley was playing with a plastic-wrapped toothpick. I took it away. About 15 minutes later, Riley was playing with a plastic-wrapped toothpick. I took it away. I sent a text to John asking if he knew where these toothpicks were coming from. He said, "They're in my guitar parts case" (or something like that). Regardless, they were coming from an upstairs room Riley had no access to. As I was going up the stairs to investigate, I discovered Java carrying yet another toothpick in his mouth down the stairs. What a tricky cat! He was feeding sharp objects to his sister! Those two and their shenanigans!!

(new pet pics taken today)

*Glitter seemed to cover the earth early this morning. I'm not sure if it was frozen fog or what, but it sure was b-e-a-utiful!

*Did anyone else have fun playing with the Target coupon flip book that came in the mail?! I think I had waaay more fun than one was intended to with such an item. John can verify- I was laughing out loud at the stupid faces I was creating!

First Mandatory Music Monday of 2010

Well, for the first time ever, it was a success! Last year, John and I decided to have Mandatory Music Mondays, where we watch no TV and only listen to and appreciate music.
Since we both got home from work, we have done the following:
-I listened to Sirius while making dinner and putting away xmas decorations.
-John played the banjo for several hours (which he is still doing as I write this).
-We unintentionally talked about music while we ate dinner in silence.
-We went to a bar for a bday and played darts while listening to some kind of obnoxious tunes.
ALL without watching TV!! Feels great, except I kind of missed watching Jeopardy while we ate and I know I'll feel like I'm missing something without watching the news before I go to bed. All in all, I enjoyed it. Great way to spend a kind-of anniversary with my husband. (We started dating 12 years ago today!)

One other note about today...
I witnessed a serious car accident and got to know a little 4-year old as she kept warm in my car while her mother was taken in an ambulance. It's a long story, but those are the important details. I'm glad I was there to help!