Combining Blogs?

I am thinking of moving the cooking blog over to here -- just combining them. It doesn't seem like I get to post either place enough these days so at least there would be a few more posts.

Gratitude Friday

1. For the beautiful book I picked up at the library - truly inspiring
2. For the postcards arriving!
3. For the totally cute kittens we saw at Pet Smart. If we knew Chessie could behave with a new kitten we probably would have gotten one. It was like kittens on parade today.
4. For a phone chat with a really good friend this week. Lots of laugther. I wish we lived near each other.
5. For the chick flick - P.S. I Love You - really good movie.

Boxes Boxes Boxes

Our UPS guy probably hated us yesterday. I have been working on a postcard project for a client. We ordered the postcards just a little over a week ago and almost all the postcards were delivered yesterday. The company that we got them through - sent the majority of these 4" x 6" boxes individually and then 3 bigger boxes filled with the little 4" x 6" boxes. I am not sure I understand why you would send so many of them separately. The UPS guy had to scan them all in and then we helped him bring them up to our house. Yay for steps on the porch (yes that is said sarcastically).

It took us 2 hours of going through each box and mark whose cards they are and whatnot. Our hands were black with toner ink (from the shipping labels) and dirt that had collected on the boxes. The next step, after we get the last of them today, will be loading them all into our car, bringing them to the place they need to go and then unloading them there.

Thankfully the project is almost done for everyone involved!

Reflecting Time Redesign

Several months ago I started a redesign for Reflecting Time Productions - Michael's business website. And last week I had a little time now that I am done with my big postcard project so I worked on it and got it up. I am really happy with how it turned out. I still need to add graphic art to the services but Michael is better at writing the little blurbs for them.

Just a screen shot....click on the link to actually see the site.

Reflecting Time

Gratitude Friday

I express my sincere gratitude...
1. For a really great day -- off. We kind of played hooky today. I mean we got household things done - grocery shopping, running errands but we did some fun shopping (going to Target is always fun!), we picked up take-n-bake pizza and watched 3 movies too.
2. For Michael finally saying yes to some new clothes for him. We ordered 8 shirts for just a bit over $100. Found a great clearance sale plus found a $20 off coupon at Retail Me Not.
3. For Dove Chocolates - gotta have some chocolate!
4. For hair scrunchies to put my hair up off my back and neck because it has been so hot.
5. For beautiful spring mix of greens we got at Sam's. It just is so pretty and tastes so incredibly good. We had pizza and salad for dinner tonight and it was Fab!

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Update from Insomnia Land

*I am going through an insomnia phase. I should really tag entries that deal with insomnia so I can see if there is any pattern (like seasons changing). I am getting to sleep at 4:30 to 5am and then sleeping until about 10 - 10:30am.

* I picked up Glutten-Free Girl's book last week at the library at the same time I had on hold Bread for Breakfast. :) I am not glutten-free -- I just like her blog so figured I would read her book.

* Thinking of making pancakes for breakfast in the morning.

* Need to take some migraine meds before bed as feel one coming on -- want to nip it before it goes out of control.

* Need to make grocery list tomorrow -- and remember coupons.

* Dollar Tree opened! We went and got a few things (well 10 as I guess it was $10). It isn't as big as some others we have been in but it still had many of the things we normally get there.

I really thought I should do a life update but I am just so out of it with the insomnia that don't feel there is anything really to update. So going to go read for a bit.

Book Review: Stamp Artistry

Stamp Artistry: Combining Stamps with Beadwork, Carving, Collage, Etching, Fabric, Metalwork, Painting, Polymer Clay, Repousse, and More by Rice Freeman-Zachery

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a project book. It gives many projects to follow along step by step. You have to have some knowledge of stamping and just crafts in general. I am really not a project following type of person. I like to go off on my own direction and this book did give me ideas and techniques to us in my art. The pictures of the projects are beautiful because the projects range from fun to exquisite. The steps seemed clear but again you need some understanding of crafts.

I went between 3 and 4 stars but gave it 4 in the end. I thought of giving it 3 because if someone bought this as simply a project book to follow along and do, I don't think some of the items are easily available or needs new supplies that one might not have around. Not all the projects are that way so that is why it got a 4 along with the other reason stated above.

Again this book inspired me and made me want to try a several new things.

View all my reviews.

Um yes I am for Obama

Talking to my parents on the phone yesterday --- they said after reading our blog, "I guess you are for Obama." (yes it was said sarcastically - they know they have a bleeding heart liberal daughter.)

Just a few quotes by Barack Obama....

"If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress."

“My parents shared not only an improbable love, they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or blessed, believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success.”

“In the end, that’s what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope?”

"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington ... I'm asking you to believe in yours."

"Few obstacles can withstand the power of a million voices calling for change."

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

“My job is not to represent Washington to you, but to represent you to Washington.”

"People don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better."

"If we aren't willing to pay a price for our values, then we should ask ourselves whether we truly believe in them at all."

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America; there is the United States of America. There is not a black America and a white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America."

"I firmly believe ... that since 9/11, we have played fast and loose with constitutional principles in the fight against terrorism. But I acknowledge that even the wisest president and most prudent Congress would struggle to balance the critical demands of our collective security against the equally compelling need to uphold civil liberties."

"The true test of the American ideal is whether we're able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time. Whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them. Whether chance of birth or circumstance decides life's big winners and losers, or whether we build a community where, at the very least, everyone has a chance to work hard, get ahead, and reach their dreams."

"So let us say that on this day of all days, each of us carries with us the task of changing our hearts and minds. The division, the stereotypes, the scape-goating, the ease with which we blame our plight on others - all of this distracts us from the common challenges we face - war and poverty; injustice and inequality. We can no longer afford to build ourselves up by tearing someone else down. We can no longer afford to traffic in lies or fear or hate. It is the poison that we must purge from our politics; the wall that we must tear down before the hour grows too late."

Happy Father's Day!

I love you Dad!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Michael's Dad Frank and every other Father!

(photo of Dad and I right after I was born. I have that photo in a little photo clip that sits on my desk.)

Gratitude Friday

I express my sincere gratitude...
1. For a wonderful celebration last weekend for Michael's parents 50th Wedding Anniversary
2. For the Chinese take-out Michael picked up tonight for dinner. We hadn't had it in a while and it just tasted so good
3. For almost reaching 50 books and it is only June -- and enjoying them
4. For being open-minded. I know probably not the usual thing to express gratitude but I am thankful that I am able to look at things/ideas/people with an open mind. Just because someone looks different or has a different ideas or lifestyle doesn't mean it is wrong. Who are we really to judge another life.
5. I am also very thankful that some friends were able to get their dream house. I am so HAPPY for them! I know they worked hard to to get there and I am so glad they found their American Dream.

(Old) Friends High School

I think most people always say they don't want to remember high school. And of course high school always has times I think most of don't want to remember -- embarrassed, awful growing experiences, zits, high school dating woos but I do have several people from high school I remember with a smile and good memories.

I have a profile on classmates.com but I don't have a "paid" account with them. I have had a few people leave me guestbook messages yet I can't read them because I don't have a paid account. There isn't enough of them or enough looks at my profile to really make classmates.com an investment. Yet I enjoy talking with people I knew from high school.

I had one friend figure out the code I left on my profile to find me - code because it doesn't let you leave links or email addresses in your profile. So I had to do "I have a website it is my first name plus the word art dot com." And I actually have had one person contact me. And she lives in Colorado -- which reminds me I want to email her again as I am wondering if she got my last email. I emailed her a while back but didn't hear back from her.

Facebook is nice to have because you can look for profiles from your schools too but so far I haven't really seen many from my high school join there.

(Photo -- one of my senior pictures. I graduated 1986. Yep just keeping it real by embarrassing myself with that photo.)

Obama's Fist-Bump

So last week when Obama and his wife Michelle did the little fist-bump who knew it would cause so much of stir? I guess I didn't. It looked like a cute affectionate gesture. But of course it is being spun other ways.

Media Matters for America though did this article about the spin with photos of other people who have done fist-bump.

Book Review: Summer People

Summer People by Marge Piercy

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Susan and Willie are a husband and wife that live on the Cape with a little house next to theirs that houses their long time lover Dinah. Every summer the Cape is invaded by wealthy neighbors and Susan longs to be one of them. She ends up obsessed with her neighbor and in the course of that rifts happen to upset there long time comfortable relationship.

I am a fan of Marge Piercy. I have enjoyed her poetry and several books. For me, her books really are written in such a way that I can feel and see what is going on very clearly. They make me yearn to actually have been there after I look up from the book. I was wanted to know Dinah, Willie and Susan. I wanted to shake Susan to actually see Tyrone for what he was - a snob who used her. I wanted to tell Jimmy that how he is in his relationships isn't healthy. But what I loved most was the development of the characters and the descriptions of the relationship between Dinah, Willie and Susan pre-rift.

View all my reviews.

A Milestone to Celebrate....

Right now we are in Denver celebrating Michael's parents 50th Wedding Anniversary! We are very happy to be able to celebrate with you and honor your 50 years of marriage! We are so HAPPY for YOU!

Gratitude Friday

I express my sincere gratitude....

1. That I was able to repair my favorite summer skirt (but fear there is only one more season left in it)
2. For Family photos - I love looking through all the photos my sister's and I scanned last year for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary video
3. That laundry is done - washed, dried, folded, ironed and mended
4. For a simple pleasure - clean sheets
5. For Across the Universe soundtrack to sing to while I clean

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

In the busy....

I have been working so much that I haven't had time to really slow down and write/think. The graphic art side of our business is usually a smaller side but right now it has been extremely busy. So I have been sitting at the computer a lot more then usual but not able to surf, catch up on blogs, email and so on. I just am working working working. I been snappy and having a few melt downs but luckily I have Michael to help calm and center me again.

Change is in Progress

Tonight I took time out of work to go listen to Obama's speech. Damn he was so good. I have heard from some say (including McCain) that Obama doesn't have the experience to be President but just listening to Obama I can say that is false. He had that presidential voice and presence that I haven't seen in a candidate before. And that is EXACTLY why he is going to be a good president. I don't want another politician. I want someone who cares about every American. And he does. I have never felt so patriotic before in my lifetime then I do when I listen to him. I am proud to be an American...I feel hope for a positive future. In the past and definitely in the last 8 years I have not been proud or positive. I have actually been so scared I had to stop reading some news.

We listened to a little of McCain early and we had to turn it off as his voice just grates at me. He just creeps me. He has that smarmy smile and talks like a used car salesman trying to sell you a lemon of a car. But I really didn't want this post to be about him.

Because tonight was a good night that keeps on giving me that hope for a positive future....Obama for President!

Book Review: Chosen

Chosen: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Really reading my reviews of the first 2 books (Marked and Betrayed) could sum up this one too. I am not liking the lingering plot lines. I wish they would wrap the story up more and then move on to a new plot line in the next book. But this book ended where the other left off hanging to what would happen and this book did the same. I couldn't stand the sex/sexual scenes in this book. They seemed a little too grown up for someone just experiencing sex. And for being a young adult book.

But all in all I will still read the next so I can see what happens to Zoey Redbird and her friends. The books are a good story line and an easy read.


View all my reviews.