Gamer Girl

Once in a land far far away (meaning the 90's), I played Tetris and another Tetris like game on Nintendo. I then moved to Sim City on the computer. But since then I haven't really played games like that.

Last summer while visiting my sisters they kept asking me join some games on Facebook so at least they had more friends/neighbors there. I did join a few but never played. And then around the end of September, I received yet another request to be neighbors with someone else. But knew my sisters were playing that game too. So I joined thinking I would only set it up and then be neighbors with those who needed neighbors. But...I started playing. And playing more. It didn't help that Michael was out of town when that request came in so playing a game is a great way to pass insomnia time since I don't sleep much while he is gone.

By the time he came home, I was really into Farmville. I didn't tell him at first about it. And I thought he would notice but he didn't until coming and seeing me play. He then joined because he said to me that just seeing me interested in a computer game made him happy. He loves games and plays many Facebook games and has just other computer games too.

I am really laid back about the game. I don't play it to compete with others. I play it because I like just the game overall. Until recently Farmville only went to level 70. And I reached it and wasn't sure what to be doing with it even though I still liked it. But they increased levels and added features again to make it more interesting for those of us in the higher levels.

At about the time I reached level 70, I saw an article about FrontierVille. It is a game put out by the same people that do Farmville. I really didn't think anything much about the game UNTIL I read that they were comparing it to Little House on the Prairie and I loved the books and TV series so I signed up immediately. I still don't like it as much as I like Farmville but playing these games has gave Michael and I yet another common interests. And he likes that I am now his Gamer Girl.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. ice water on such hot summer days
2. the opportunity to design my sister's wedding invitations as well as reception
3. some cute stickers to mail to a friend
4. a friend finding a very cool journaling site (750words.com)
5. an email about getting another book to review - always feels good

Elegance

Paulo Coelho had some quotes by Coco Chanel on his blog a couple days ago here is one that I liked....

Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress. Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future. Elegance is refusal.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...a wonderful evening with Michael. We had some quality time together and it was good for us both. And connecting with another old friend that is very caring, thoughtful and wise. She offered me some very good advice for helping with my grieving process.

Summer of {Mail} Love

My friend Kathie over at Two Frog Home is hosting the Summer of {Mail} Love. I think it is a great idea especially for someone like me who just enjoys sending mail love!

SARK

Tonight night there is a free first class of Dream Boogie by SARK. And I didn't think I could commit to it. Anyway - SARK did offer a free recording that will be sent after the first class but in looking around on the Dream Boogie page of her website she had this recording. It wasn't anything new when starting your dreams really but still things I needed to hear. She has other videos and print outs on that site too. I think SARK is always inspiring so I look forward to the recording I get.

Living in this World

From Creativity Bootcamp which I just found the other day and am really thinking I want to take a better look at it and start working with the prompts:

When you live in this world; when you see life as this amazing collection of artistic creations, you cannot help but yearn to be a part of it. You almost cannot resist the urge to create yourself. The wanting becomes desire, the impossibilities become attainable, and the obstacles begin to melt away. Your world becomes different and the meaning of your life now includes the need to create. And once you have gotten to this place, the little things that you have thought were standing in the way of you being more creative just melt away one by one.

Operation Nice - What I Love to Do

Over at Operation Nice she did a doodle of all the things she loves to do so I decided to list them for now but would like to do this in my art journal as well...

Things I love to do....

Read
Create art
send out mail love
create graphics
dream
listen to music
go to concerts
talk with friends
write/blog
people watch
watch movies
sing
organize
listen to the rain
collect quotes
be of service and help others
bake
go to museums
travel
drink tea
take day trips with Michael
laugh
be NICE
take photos
learn new things
meditate
collect images that inspire me

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. talking with my sister
2. being able to check out old movies from the library
3. little sticky flags to mark important places in my books - Although Michael would argue that I didn't need them for Eat Pray Love as almost all the pages are marked. Of course he is mistaken on that - not ALL the pages but I will say the majority of them.
4. getting to see Oprah's show with Julia Roberts about Eat Pray Love movie that will be coming out in August
5. the actual letter in my hands that says I show no signs of cancer. They told me it right after the appointment, but having the letter saying it just made it even better.

NOVICA

I sometimes enter some giveaways around the web. I haven't won yet, but I will one day! Anyway, Leslie Love Veggies does awesome giveaways and the one I entered tonight is great. It is a $75 gift certificate for NOVICA --- You can enter the giveaway HERE.

Side note: A couple years ago just a month or so before I read EAT PRAY LOVE, I stumbled upon NOVICA. And really loved so many things there from the home goods to the jewelry - everything is just so pretty and unique. I then read EAT PRAY LOVE and if you have read it you will know it is mentioned in the 3rd section of the book on her Indonesia trip. I was reading the book in bed and squealed because I recognized it.

Transformation

I am rereading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and this quote is from the section on Italy - Chapter 25 (Bead 25) page 75. Liz is talking about all the changes the Augusteum has went through. But I like what the message of the quote....

"It is merely this world that is chaotic, bringing changes to us all that nobody could have anticipated. The Augusteum warns me not get attached to any obsolete ideas about who I am, what I represent, whom I belong to, or what function I may once have intended to serve. Yesterday I might have been a glorious monument to somebody, true enough -- but tomorrow I could be a fireworks depository. Even in the Eternal City, says the silent Augusteum, one must always prepared for riotous and endless waves of transformation."

American Idol?

When I was at my parents back in April, they watch a lot of reality tv and one of those shows is American Idol. I had maybe seen one episode the first season and none since.

Anyway...lately people are posting links that I follow that have American Idols from this season. And they are videos I like so posting them.

This first one is Lee DeWyze Hallelujah which is one of my favorite songs and he did a good job.




This next one is from the other top contender from this season Crystal Bowersox and this is from before she was on the show. It is to promote a website for street musicians. I guess the "video, produced, directed and edited by Mark Schimmel was shot in one day and features eight street musician groups singing in eight different Chicago locations. The project, which contained over 48 audio tracks and multiple visual elements, took over 9 months to complete."

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. a fabulous appointment today. The scan I had today gave me the all clear. Only have to go back once a year! So that was GREAT news!
2. a celebration late lunch at a newish place in GJ - McAlisters Deli. Michael had went to one on his trip to Austin. And raved about the ice tea (something I don't like) and I said we had one here. He had forgot. So today we went for a celebration lunch there and it was really good.
3. a kind and understanding doctor - I had a reg doctor appointment this week as well and we discussed how things are going emotionally with all the hard times I have gone through lately. And he really listened and helped.
4. reconnecting with a friend. With the death of my friend, I contacted another friend that I knew would want to know. We hadn't talked in a long time and had a really good heart to heart. And we both expressed thanks for meeting each other through our friend.
5. Chocolate

"Window" Shopping

Tweak Boutique - Love the Asymmetrical Necklace and the Duet. I really think the "hoot" owl earrings are so cute but I just can't wear earring anymore



Meme Craftworks - I am sure I don't sew well enough to make it but it is really cute


Tape Swell - I love some of their tapes. But what I don't get is why you save buying 2 individual tapes instead of buying the combo packs. You can get 2 individual tapes for $14.00 or a combo pack for $20

Forget and Find

"I wanted, in a messy, maddening way, to go on forgetting myself and yet, to find myself too." ~ from Lighthousekeeping by Jeanette Winterson

Bacon and Cheddar Deviled Eggs

Okay I know I am in the minority but I have never been fond of Deviled Eggs. I thought they were kind of blah even though I really like hard boiled eggs and egg salad. A friend on Facebook liked the Incredible Egg website a while back and I saw this recipe for Bacon & Cheddar Deviled Eggs and that made me decided to try them again.

I halved the recipe as it is only just the two of us. And we loved them. They are definitely a keeper. They would be great for a summer grill out or picnic!

Bacon & Cheddar Deviled Eggs
Adapted from Incredible Egg

I halved recipe full recipe on the website

7 Hard Cooked/Hard Boiled Eggs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream (used low-fat sour cream)
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice (didn't use it as I didn't have any around)
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
1/8 cup finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (1 oz.)
1 tbsp. chopped fresh chives OR green onion tops

Directions:
* Cut eggs lengthwise in half. Remove yolks to medium bowl. Reserve 2 white halves. * Finely chop remaining 2 white halves.
* Mash yolks with fork. Add mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice and pepper; mix well.
* Add chopped egg whites, bacon, cheese and chives/green onions; mix well.
* Spoon 1 heaping Tbsp. yolk mixture into each reserved egg white half.
* Refrigerate, covered, to blend flavors.

Print Friendly

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. a fabulous Mom whose birthday was yesterday!
2. calls, emails, cards, notes and comments from friends and family during this hard time. I appreciate everyone kindness.
3. a holiday weekend - we are going to go up to the Mesa on Sunday
4. the kitty cats - who are just adorable and make me smile
5. Michael's toe finally starting to heal. He had a fight with the refrigerator door and he lost. His toenail didn't survive. But he is finally healing from it.

Happy Birthday!

Gratitude Friday

I need to really do this as I found out the beginning of the week a friend of mine from Ohio died. So I have 2 people I am close to die within 10 days of each other. I am having a hard time dealing with the overwhelming feelings of grief.

So I am forcing myself to do this...and see...

I am thankful for...
1. Lemonade
2. Old movies and popcorn
3. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
4. Mickey Mouse mug to have a nice cup of tea in
5. Love from family and friends

Weekend

Michael made sure I was distracted all weekend. We watched A LOT of movies (one being Avatar as we hadn't seen it) and then went shopping. I had some left over money left on a Kohl's gift card and then had another one from a promo they sent. I wish there was SMELLO-Vision as the candle we bought today are so amazing. One is Eucalyptus Mint and the other is Jasmine Basil.