This is me...

geckotree.com

2010-08-30T07:45:00.003-04:00

I got the new website up thanks to my best friend Jason a.k.a Thunderpeel.
I will be blogging there from now on but I'll continue to check back and read updates from the blogs I follow here. I hope you all take the time to do the same for me at the site and my new blog.

You can also follow us on twitter and facebook

Sometimes I am just blah

2010-08-18T11:10:00.008-04:00

Yesterday was one of those times. After work I came home, put on my jammies and did nothing for the rest of the day. I plopped on the couch and read my latest library book for a few hours until there wasn't enough sunlight left, then I got up and went to bed (the sun currently sets around 8ish). I read for a few more hours then turned out the light and tossed and turned until that hateful alarm went off...

I have a quite a few things I needed to do but I just couldn't bring myself to do any of it. I didn't even want to read that book. I just figured it was way to early(4:00 p.m.) when I got home from work to go to bed.

I hope today is a better day. I have laundry to do and other household chores I can no longer ignore.

I blame the weather. It has been so unbelievably hot this summer and it seems to suck all the life out of me. I long for the cool crisp afternoons of fall. Fall is the only time I feel alive. Kind of funny when you think about it. Fall is when things start to die. Interesting.

Okay so maybe I did do something. I took this picture right before I finally got up from the couch and thought about what to say when I blogged about it.

Tuesday at 7:16 a.m.

2010-08-17T07:16:00.002-04:00

Either I've been much to busy to blog or I have nothing interesting to blog about... Lets pretend I've been much to busy.

FREE AT LAST! FREE AT LAST!

2010-08-10T08:34:00.003-04:00

Atlas Super Kitty has moved into his new home and is enjoying more space and all the attention lovingly lavished upon him. Last night I slept. I slept undisturbed and torment free. Atlas’ new parents on the other hand were kept up all night by his wild shenanigans. Muhahahaha!

I knew I made a mistake shortly after bringing him home. He turned my world upside down, destroyed everything, and cost me an arm and a leg in vet bills. He refused to let me sleep and haunted my dreams when I did. I am not sure that I really regret the few months we shared. I know that I saved him from an otherwise unhealthy existence and made him strong and happy, but in the long run we just were not a good match. My good friend has been in love with him since the day I got him and I would not have parted with him for anyone else. This is for the best. In a few short months my life is going to change all over again and I have no idea what is going to happen. At least I know that my baby kitty from the bowels of Hell’s basement (god I hope they don’t want to give him back!) will be well taken care of in a loving and stable environment….

sniff sniff

NO! Those are not tears! I just got something in my eye…

left overs

2010-08-09T10:23:00.002-04:00

I heart nerds

2010-08-06T10:37:00.007-04:00

Tall, dark and dorky.

Socially Awkward.

Collects Comics and plays video/computer games.

4 eyes are better than 2.

Tries to get the girl, but always ends up in the "friend zone".

Believes zombie awareness/preparedness is vital to everyday life.

Thinks girl gamers are hot.

and somewhere in the shadows a basement kitty is lurking...

2010-08-04T19:04:00.013-04:00

Even looking through a dirty window, she could still see a bit of blue sky...

Tonight is free Jazz night at the art museum. I was going to go with a friend of mine. We had plans to listen to the jazz, sample the wine and ponder over the art collection. But, alas, my friend got sick. So now I'm home, creating my own art, sipping cheap red wine and eating a frozen white castle. Mmm classy! I should have stopped at the grocery store after I left the library (yes, I still check books out at the library and yes I enjoy it) but I forgot until after I started to get hungry peering into the vast emptiness that is my refrigerator.

So anyway, this piece isn't done yet and I have no idea where it is going. It started as an accident, but instead of having one of my bitch fits and tossing it out like i usually do when something isn't working, I kept repeating what my very artistic and talented friend Becky always tells me "you can always paint over it. Just let the art happen... blah blah blah..." and she is usually always right. Maybe my dirty window will evolve into something cool or maybe it will end up in the trash where it belongs (I salvaged a piece of cardboard from the trash to use as the canvas).

i heart coffee

2010-07-28T15:47:00.001-04:00

there is a cat in my bag!

2010-07-24T07:37:00.010-04:00

No, that is not The Green Lantern. This is proof that my basement kitty is a devil and belongs in the basement with all the other evil basement kitties. Look at those evil eyes! Help me!

No, that's not cheesecake

2010-07-17T07:02:00.004-04:00

A little too early for pumpkins...?

2010-07-15T08:44:00.007-04:00

Well that's because this bad boy is a tomato! My boss has been growing a variety of tomatoes in his summer garden. He has given me 3 different kinds all of which look like tomatoes. Red and round. Today he brings in this monster and I'm like Whoa! WTF is that! He calls them Mr. Stripey and assures me that they are great on sandwiches. I don't know... This thing is twice the size of a large tomato and has all kinds of weird nooks and groves not unlike a small pumpkin. The other normal looking tomatoes he gave me are delicious and I've been having them for dinner all week. I guess I will give this Mr. Stripey a go. I just need to figure out the best way to slice it.

I hate you NCsoft!

2010-07-12T10:10:00.008-04:00

On Wednesday, NCsoft is merging servers on Aion. I am more than a little upset about how they are handling the whole thing. I played the beta and paid extra for the special edition game pack that included a head start for character creation and naming. But with the merge, there is going to be a chaotic free for all renaming orgy. Basically you will have to fight it out over who gets what name. Whoever gets their renaming tickets and runs the fasted to the renaming location wins. That’s BULLSHIT! It is bad enough that NCsoft favors the opposite faction, making everything easier for them, now they are merging these heavily enemy dominated servers. So every five seconds I will be gang raped by at least 5 pigeon whores in full gold gear. Leveling is going to be even more fun now. Thank you NCsoft and Aion. (<---- me being sarcastic)

Happy Friday!

2010-07-09T07:16:00.003-04:00

We went to the vet yesterday to get Atlas' blood work. He is scheduled to go back first thing Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. I will drop him off and pick him up at the end of the day. This could be the ultimate win for me! Keep your fingers crossed that this solves my over-active, destruct-o-con, evil basement kitty problems! Yay!

Now, excuse me while I enjoy my Dunkin Donuts coffee and ease into my weekend. CHEERS!

Basement Kitty Strikes Again!

2010-07-07T12:46:00.005-04:00

Last week, Atlas Super Kitty knocked over his water jug spilling tons of water on the floor. Twice. He destroyed a nearly full roll of toilet paper and ate my favorite pair of summer shoes. Evil 3 - Girl 0

Yesterday evening my a/c decided to go on strike. It got up to 90 degrees inside of my apartment. I contemplated going outside to sleep in my car. At least it would have been cooler. But I stuck it out sweating in my undies with the fan blowing warm air on my back. Even at 90 degrees I must assume the fetal position. This morning maintenance came and fixed it (I hope) and said it should be cool by the time I get home from work. At least Atlas was hot too. He had to conserve his energy to cooling himself rather than terrorizing me.

I had my annual review at work and I got a small raise. Anything is better than a pink slip at this point. Also since my car is old and paid for, I down graded my insurance and should be getting a small refund. Yay monies!

This weekend begins a quest for a new pair of strapy, open-toe sandals that are both cute and comfortable and don't cost me skimping on my already skimpy grocery bill.

Don't talk to me, I haven't had my coffee yet

2010-06-25T07:43:00.004-04:00

It is Friday morning.
I am blogging about nothing and sipping coffee.
I should be working.
I have a lot to do.
It is hot.
I just want to go home and play Aion.
I watched Grandma's Boy for the first time last night. I laughed during the entire movie. I wish my office was that cool.
I have to get up early tomorrow because sister is having a community yard sale and I said I would help. I wonder if she will make me breakfast.
I am hungry.
MMMMM Coffee. Good.

Girl v.s. Evil Basement Cat

2010-06-21T10:09:00.010-04:00

Atlas Super Kitty has discovered he can now jump even higher than the window seals. He has made the top of the tall dresser, the top of the entertainment center and the bookcase his new play areas. What does this mean for me? It means I have to accommodate him by removing everything from the once safe areas and hide my stuff in drawers. Saturday morning I awoke to discover that he had found my ATCs that were hanging on this really cool wire frame thingy I got from Pier 1. They were out of the way minding their own business when my precious miniture peices of art were brutally attacked by a black, furry ball of evil. If I had any coordination and was not still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I might have been able to catch him and ... lets just say he would be short a few of those nine lives. Atlas has also discovered the box spring, or more importantly the space between the once intact lining and the box spring. Do you know what it is like to be startled awake by a spring going BOING! beneath your head? I am on edge over every little noise he makes. I'm afraid he is chewing and destroying stuff. I wish I can tune it out but I can't. It is a never ending battle. I have found my nemesis.

paper cuts

2010-06-18T11:36:00.008-04:00

The past 4 days seem to have zoomed by, but now that its Friday, the minutes feel like hours. I just want to get out of here.

The cubical walls are plotting against me I know it! They are slowly moving inward with the goal of pinning me to my desk so that there is no hope for escape. What if I have to go to the potty? Or even worse, what if I run out of coffee?!!

Now that I actually have a project to work on, I find myself missing all the time I just sat and surfed the web.

Why is Gen Y the selfish, all about me generation? All that work I did. All the blood, sweat and tears (there were a lot of tears), and paper cuts. All that money I spent to make something for someone else and I never even got a thank you. Un-appreciative brats! OMG! Do I sound like my parents?!! Well lesson learned I guess. Never waste your time planning, designing and creating wedding invitations and RSVP cards for someone else. And damn sure never offer to do it for free!

*image stolen from collapsing barrycade

Super Roybot is always online!

2010-06-07T12:54:00.002-04:00

Wow, I'm really bored...

Shoot the Star

2010-05-27T14:16:00.006-04:00

I remember when I was a little girl that if you found the image of an Indian shooting a start on your tootsie pop wrapper, then it ment something special. I just can't seem to remember what it is...

Is it obvious that I have nothing to blog about?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-26T07:21:00.001-04:00

coffee bars

2010-05-12T08:50:00.002-04:00

If I can do it, then so can you!

2010-04-30T07:25:00.005-04:00

My car was misfiring and causing me drama and more than a few curse words. Mostly I hate having to deal with mechanics. All my experiences dealing with auto shops have left much to be desired. Because I'm female, those dirty grease monkeys think that they can just dick with me and charge an arm and a leg for this that and the other... and because I don't really know much about car maintenance they probably could get away it.

Long story short, I went to Advanced Auto Parts and got a free diagnostic. Turns out I had to replace my spark plugs. I've done it only once two years ago with a friend who showed me what to do. Very simple. So I gathered up all my materials and changed those bad boys myself. Turns out plug no. 3 was burnt to a crisp and causing all the problems. Now it runs great! Before I started I also double checked with my friends to make sure I remembered correctly what to do and I found this site that I thought was pretty awesome with very simple straight forward instructions and advice. Not to mention pictures! I actually enjoyed giving my car a little tune up. The test drive felt great and left me with that deep satisfaction you get from doing something yourself.

On a Tuesday afternoon...

2010-04-27T13:34:00.005-04:00

slow dancing on a battlefield

every step might be the last

danger is intoxicating - both dulling and heightening the senses

lines are blurred as lovers become enemies and enemies become lovers

in the rules of combat, controlled chaos is still chaos

and nothing remains unchanged

My sister went to San Francisco and all I got was a pencil?!

2010-04-26T08:44:00.016-04:00

Actually I got 4 new pencils to add to my pencil collection. I love them! She also brought back a local news magazine with a picture of a Drag Queen (I love Drag Queens almost as much as I love pencils) a girly comic book and a post card with two dudes kissing on some steps taken in the 70s. Although the dudes are hot, what I love about this post card is the the old couple sitting a few feet away and the could care less expression on their faces. I'm not sure if they are aware of the P.D.A (Public Display of Affection) going on behind them or not but I like to think that they know and it doesn't bother them. That maybe they are relaxing on a sunny afternoon taking in the sights and pondering where to go for lunch.

I'm really surprised at how well my new cell phone camera takes pictures!!!

and when he finds me...

2010-04-19T08:44:00.002-04:00

he will love my my freakles and tired eyes.

I had another City of Heroes dream... I haven't played that game in almost a year

2010-04-16T09:45:00.002-04:00

Breathe air into my lungs
I feel like I’m drowning
I can’t fight alone
Stand up my Hero
And I will clear your mind
The Daring Duo!
Best friends who fight against the darkness

And then the sun comes into our rooms like a god
And wakes us from our sleeping dance
Wake up – obligations to fulfill
I’d rather stay here pretending that I am important
Than face the world and know that I am nothing

Wordless Wednesday... sort of...

2010-04-14T11:48:00.005-04:00

Dear Milton,

2010-04-12T11:46:00.003-04:00

I am coming for you. You can run but you can't hide. When I find you I am going to staple your mouth shut swingline style.

Stay away from my cubical you nastly little pervert!

Sincerly,
Elizabeth

tweet this asshat!

2010-04-08T12:19:00.001-04:00

Dear Lazy Overly Obese Guy who sits in the dungeon down stairs,

You are so fucking lazy I can't belive it!!! I hope you realize everyone knows how useless you are and that you are not fooling anyone. Dude you are on the verge of being fired! All your actions (or lack there of) are being documented and soon they are going to escort your fat ass out the door. Stop calling my desk, I'm not coming to help you do your job while you sit in the corner twittering on your cell phone. Who the fuck cares if you get tweets from Obama. FYI, it is not really him texting you. He has better things to do with his time than to send you love notes. You are a sorry peice of shit and it pisses me off to no end that all you do is complain about your job and how you should get paid more. Get over yourself. Maybe if you actually did your job then you might be in a better position than the entry level piece of shit job you've had for the last 8 years.

I hate you, your stupid fugly face and all your fugly children!

spring exploded all over my car

2010-04-07T18:29:00.003-04:00

More Coffee Monday

2010-04-05T08:51:00.010-04:00

I joined in on group meditation again last Sunday. I wasn't sure if they would be having a session considering it was Easter Sunday, but several people actually showed up. I've only been twice, but so far I enjoy it. It is a little different from the way I practice and my old sanghai, but I don't have any wierd or bad feelings about it. I think I will continue to attend.

My humble little altar. I made that little orange bowl when I lived in florida. I've been using it as an offering bowl... crap it's empty! It would be nice to say that the offerings were accepted but that would be a lie. I recently found it in a box I haven't opened since I left florida almost 3 years ago. I put it on the altar and it never even dawned on me to put anything in it. I've been a little scatter brain lately. I wonder if Buddha likes chips...? Just kidding :)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-31T17:38:00.001-04:00

Holey Faded Sweaters Batman!

2010-03-24T08:21:00.004-04:00

It is easy to live with your flaws and imperfections when you do not have to look yourself in the mirror… last weekend I acquired a large mirror. Damn!

I wore this sweater to work yesterday. It wasn’t until the end of the day that I realized that there was a big hole near the cuff of the right sleeve. The more I investigated the more I realized what a ratty wad of yarn my favorite green sweater had become. Not only was there a big ugly hole in the sleeve, but the entire thing was faded and random bits of yarn had been pulled free of the once neatly knitted pattern. My favorite green sweater was kind of gross to look at and I’m more embarrassed I wore it to the office. In fact I am starting to believe that all my sweaters are in pretty much the same condition. When I think about it, I can’t remember the last time I actually bought a sweater. I guess more than ever I need to go through my closet and do some spring cleaning.

I have filed my taxes and I am expecting a refund. Some (most) of which will go to bills, but the rest I am investing in a new spring wardrobe and a new sweater for the office.

Altas Super Kitty and Box

2010-03-23T10:32:00.007-04:00

What is it with cats and cardboard boxes? Out of all the little kitty toys I spent my hard earn money on, Atlas Super Kitty would rather play with an old card board box. He jumps on it, chews it, rolls around inside it... He zooms in like Batman to the Batcave and back out again. Funny kitty.

Atlas Super Kitty meets Box.

Atlas Super Kitty dominates Box

Atlas Super Kitty loves Box

Introducing...

2010-03-17T10:26:00.006-04:00

The

Daring Adventurous
Atlas Super Kitty
Champion of Justice

a.k.a Atlas

DoB: January 1st, 2010

Age: 10 weeks old

Origin: unknown but most likely is the spawn of an alien race of super cats or the bastard of an old mangy Tom that lives behind some smelly dumpster in Portsmouth.

Physical Description: tiny black kitten

Powers: Claws of Death, Super Pouncing, Seductive Purring

Weakness: Bath time, hair balls, catnip

Base of operations: Unknown, but it is believed there is a vortex behind the refridgerator that acts as a portal to his super secret hideout.

Atlas Super Kitty’s full time job is chasing down those unruly plastic balls, many of which are equipped with peace disturbing bells, and showing them who's boss! Atlas is skilled at scaling furniture and leaping out at criminals (specs of dust, bare feet, his own shadow…). Atlas' sworn vow is to protect his human from those pesky ZZZs that fly around when she is laying in bed. Sleeping at night is for the meek!

2010-03-12T08:22:00.002-05:00

My craft blog has moved here. Please check it out. Thanks!

jelly fishing

2010-03-08T08:15:00.006-05:00

I've been working on my website. I'm building it myself so it's not real fancy, but eventually I'll be moving the crafting part of my blog to it. Let me know what you think.

As some of you already know, I'm part of a altered art group local to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Junk It Up Altered Art Rebels. We get together once a month, to work on our projects and swap art. If anyone in the area is interested please come check us out. Our next meeting will be April 11th. See our group site for more information.

MMmmm Brains!

2010-03-02T08:42:00.006-05:00

My good friend Batman, sent me an awesome book that I've have been reading every day while I was home recovering from the Great Tonsillectomy of 2010. World War Z, An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks. Max Brooks is also the author of The Zombie Survival guide. (I have both books)

Zombies are the scariest form of horror I can imagine. They represent hopelessness. Hopelessness is my greatest fear. Max Brooks' novel World War Z is filled with post-apocalyptic views of survival, uncertainty, and humanities struggle to come together to fight for our right to exist. I really enjoyed reading this book and along with the zombie survival guide, I now feel better prepared to take on any zombies that come my way.

Hamburgers

2010-03-01T15:09:00.004-05:00

I've recently had my tonsils removed and could only eat applesauce. The entire time I dreamed of having a big, juicy, restaurant quality hamburger. I hardly ever eat them, but I have not been able to think about anything else all week. Today the doctor gave me a clean bill of health and said I can go back to a normal diet. Everything is still really tight inside my mouth and throat and people say my voice sounds different now. I know it feels weird to talk and yawning hurts like heck. But apparently that is normal and can take up to 6 months to loosen up.

Apparently, a tonsillectomy for an adult is much more painful and has a longer recovery time than that of a child. I don't recall it being all that painful (maybe the pain medicines did a good job?). Just very very uncomfortable. The scabs forming, falling off and reforming. But the very worst was the big disgusting ball of nasty goo that forms in the back of your throat. You can't cough or clear your throat for fear of irritating the wounds and causing bleeding, so the best you can do is spit it out, little bits at a time. It keeps you awake at night and constantly running to the bathroom.

I was in bed (mostly) from Thursday the 19th through Friday the 26th. By Saturday the scabs were gone as was most of the goo. My doctor was surprised at how fast I recovered. He also said mine were the biggest, nastiest tonsils he'd ever had the pleasure of removing and was surprised that the lab reported no abnormal results. All other test result are negative and I'm good to go. Hopefully this solves all my problems and I will be able to breath normal and sleep through the night.

Now, that I'm back to normal I can try and keep my blog updated. Only I don't know what to blog about since I'm not trying to promote my crafts anymore...

Chocolate anyone?

2010-02-17T10:26:00.013-05:00

Free to a good home:
one box of half eaten chocolates. Each piece guarantied to come with a fresh bite mark. I have painstakingly took the time to uncover the mystery of each piece of chocolate so that you wont be startled or disappointed when you bite into it....

I remember when I was a child and every now and again we got a box of chocolate as a gift to the family. Russell Stover Chocolates. All of them looked so pretty tucked neatly away in their little compartments and the inside of the lid to the box was a neat little diagram that told you exactly what you were going to get. It was such a special treat.

Today, I bought myself a box of $20 chocolates. I usually do not care for chocolate but for some reason I just wanted it. This year, I am no ones Valentine so there was no use in hoping that someone would get it for me. The chocolates are by Godiva (the only thing they had in the store) and I must say that I'm not that impressed. So far I've bitten through 4 chocolates and put them back(who cares its my box right) I haven't found anything special yet. The Godiva chocolates I bought were not pretty at all and flopped around the box and there was no diagram on the inside of the lid to tell you what was what. Big disappointment.

This will be the last blog post for a few days. Tomorrow I have my tonsillectomy.

Tonsillectomy Anyone?

2010-02-09T13:45:00.002-05:00

Dear Tonsils,

The countdown has begun. Prepare for your final departure. No longer will your gianormousness plague me by stopping my breath in the hopes to kill me while I sleep. Enjoy your last 8 days of clinging to the back of my throat like the useless parasitic lumps of flesh that you are. When the surgeon cuts you from my body I will not morn your loss but instead I will rejoice in a heavy drug induced fog and welcome the long awaited, uninterrupted deep sleep that has been missing in my life for far too long. Don't forget to take your friends Migraines and Dark Circles under the Eyes with you. I hope you burn in hell little fleshy lumps ... or become some med student's science project.

With deep loathing,
Lazy Bone

Snow

2010-01-30T14:16:00.005-05:00

Freak snow storm happening in Hampton Roads.

I only went out for a minute. It's still blowing pretty hard. Maybe once it calms down I will go back outside to play in it. This is my first real snow! I've been staring at it through the window all day. Its awesome!

Opps! I Bloggered!

2010-01-14T16:01:00.008-05:00

Thanks to my parents for sending me a new camera, I can now share my lastest creations!

Introducing my new paper doll!
Becky told me that our art group was planning on making paper dolls in February. I got so excited that I made one this week. This is my Valentine themed paper doll. I call it "Discounted" The idea I was going for was a doll in a shop for sale. She is dressed in red for Valentine's Day, but she has been damaged. She has no arms and a hole where her heart should be. She has been disgarded... discounted of having value... but she still has love left to give, if only someone will have her.

I need to fix her face. My finger got stuck to it while the glue was still tacky and it peeled up the surface of her eye. I didn't intend for the smearing of her "make-up" but I like how it turned out. Like she has been crying.

I am very pleased with her and can't wait to make my next paper dolly!

Happy New Year

2010-01-02T13:49:00.001-05:00

This morning I got up and made coffee the way I like it.

I opened a box that I had sealed for almost 3 years and it was better than opening presents at Christmas. This box was one of only a few that I brought with me when I moved from Florida to Virginia. It contained my favorite kitchen decorations (the only room in that home I actually decorated) and the hand painted dishes that my Florida friends made for me at my Turning a Quarter of a Century Birthday Party. (I wanted paint on pottery party. How nerdy am I?!!)

The last two days were physically and mentally demanding and I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. But with the help of my sister Sunshine and my new best buddy Andy from work I was able to get all of my stuff to the new place.

It feels good to be here. As I sip my coffee and look around at the bare walls, I no longer see emptiness. I see potential! I have quite a few ideas and I am very excited. The past 10 years have been … less than desirable. I am determined to make this year the best ever and the first of many more great years to come!

On a Wednesday

2009-12-30T09:13:00.001-05:00

Today I pick up the keys!
Tomorrow I move in!
Friday I start my new life!

Kurbert

2009-12-14T09:22:00.009-05:00

My camera is broken. I'm shopping for a new one. Trying not to spend much money because I'm moving into my new place in a few weeks. On top of deposits and moving costs, I have no furniture or kitchen items so I have to purchase those too. I did get a microwave 1/2 off (woohoo!) and a new set of silverware this weekend.

Saturday I had coffee with Becky and Denise and we talked about art. We set a new theme to challenge ourselves. It will be interesting... Denise, who is the same Denise from Odd Imagination, brought a basket of her babies in to show us and even let us pick one to take home!
Since my camera is currently in pieces I stole this picture from her blog. (click on the picture for a larger view) My little guy is the one circled in yellow. I call him Kurbert. He looks like a Herbert but his frog baby makes me think of Kermitt... so Kerbert it is. I love him almost as much as Blossom Bunny!

Sweet Potato Pie

2009-12-07T09:16:00.006-05:00

Besides helping my sister with her Stampin' Up Stamp-a-Stack holiday card making event, I didn't do much this weekend. I attempted to clean my room. I managed to pack one box before I got over whelmed and frustrated. Last night I made sweet potato pie. I guess I needed some comfort food from all the stress of packing my one box. LOL! I didn't take any pictures, but here is the recipe:

1 lb sweet potatoes
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1 unbaked pie crust

Boil sweet potato whole in skin for 40 to 50 minutes, or until done. Run cold water over the sweet potato, and remove the skin.

Break apart sweet potato in a bowl. Add butter, and mix well with mixer. Stir in sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Pie will puff up like a souffle, and then will sink down as it cools.

So simple, even I can do it!

27 days

2009-12-01T09:07:00.002-05:00

Things are moving a long at a snails pace. I cannot wait until I can finally move into my new place. The week after Christmas is my projected move in date. Keeping my fingers crossed.

In the mean time I have finished my holiday shopping, which was easy because I've cut back on my holiday spending this year. Just a few gifts for the family. I need to save every penny I can because I need to re-acquire almost everything I gave away when I first moved to Virginia. I really can't purchase anything at the moment because I have no place to put it. But after I move in, maybe I'll be able to drag my sister out shopping with me. She is a better shopper than I am and knows how to find all the good deals.

I am beyond excited about having my very own craft room! I am mentally planning where I want to put everything (I know, I'm a dork). I've been working on small tables, in closets and on the floor to create my crafts. It can be extremely frustrating. I'm hoping that with all the new space, there will be no excuse for not being organized and productive. I have an order due for mid January and I am looking forward to being able to create it in my new "Studio"!!!! I'll be posting before and after pictures. I am going to paint the walls. I've never had painted walls before. Every place I've ever lived has been void of color and art. Empty. But not the new place. I am determined to make it my home and not just some place I live. My crafty sister suggested painting with magnetic paint and then going over it with chalkboard paint. So that I can have a giant magnetic chalk board in my craftroom ..erm.. i mean my studio. I think I want to paint a tree on the wall. I love trees!

On a Tuesday

2009-11-17T11:04:00.004-05:00

My days are hollow
Filled with empty meaninglessness
I come to work
I drink coffee
I sit bored watching the clock tick away for 8 hours
I go home feeling worthless
I turn on my computer, I browse
I look, I wait
I only find more nothing
I sleep
I toss
I turn
I dream
I wake
I come to work

I am needy in my need to be needed
No one needs me
No one wants me
I am hollow

New stuff!

2009-10-28T09:05:00.041-04:00

I got my new soap box! I'm so excited and can't wait to make my next batch of soap. The first box I had was a disposible cardboard one that came with my first soap making kit. This one is a beautiful handmade wooden box by Granny Dean at Sunrise Soapworks and Candle Company. Very nice and a great low price! My next soap batch will be all from scratch and I won't be using pre-blended oils. I hope to get some made soon, so that I will have it ready by the holidays to give as gifts. Wish me luck!

Also, I purchased my very first peice of art. Say hello to Blossom Bunny. My friend and very talented artist Denise of Odd Imagination made this bunny and she has been sitting in her shop day after day without someone wanting to adopt her. Well, I've had my eye on Blossom Bunny since conception (I stalk Denise's Blog sssshhhh). I watched as she developed and evolved. I always knew I wanted to take her home. When I got paid for my big pink card order, I knew excatly what I wanted to spend it on. Denise really hooked me up with a very unnessary discount. I love having friends in high places :D
I don't have a lot of money to spend on myself so often times I am very picky about what I purchase. And I've never purchased art before because I wasn't sure what I wanted. To me art is very personal. It doesn't necessarily have to reflect your personality but I think it should mean something. Invoke feelings. Be more than just a decoration. I've always felt blank and so my walls and home have been blank. Now that I am learning more about myself and who I want to be and where I want to go... now that I am learning to look with new eyes and see things differently I am beginning to feel more connections to art and to myself. I like to believe that Denise created Blossom Bunny just for me.

Here she is inspecting my new soap box.

Blossom Bunny checking out my new card. She took a while to study it and I was nervous, but in the end she approved.

Blossom Bunny monitoring my computer activities. Not only does she make sure I don't wonder into forbidden sites but she also times my game usage so that I don't play for unhealthy amounts of time.

More adventures with Blossom Bunny Coming Soon!

America runs on Dunkin

2009-08-25T07:25:00.005-04:00

I have an ear infection. Having cotton stuffed in my ear is very distracting and uncomfortable.

I stopped for a bagel and coffee at dunkin donuts this morning. I have bought DD coffee from the grocery store and brewed it myself at home and it was so gross I ended up throwing the bag out. But for some reason coffee brewed at DD is so good! They even add the perfect ratio of cream and sugar to your cup for you. MMMMM Coffeee!

Anywhoooo.....

Here is another Roybot card. This one is going all the way to Minnesota. One of Hero's forum buddies is recovering from serious surgery and he asked if anyone on the forum wanted to send get well cards to help cheer her up. I know its silly, but Roybot always cheers me up.

More Coffee Monday

2009-07-27T09:51:00.003-04:00

Nothing blog worthy today.
I made it through the week of training hell and now my hours wont be so bad. Maybe I can actually get some crafting done. Working a full time job and taking on a part time one has left me with very little time to work on my crafts. I am working on a few new things though and hopefully I will have some pictures to post soon.

Pencils

2009-07-13T08:56:00.006-04:00

I love pencils!

I have a nice collection of pencils that started as a joke when co-workers would go on business trips or trips in general to other states. They would bring me back a pencil (I used pencils in my previous job quite a bit). Now it is kind of my thing to collect them. This is my collection of pencils I don't use.

On my trip to Minneapolis that I just got back from, it was my turn to pick up some pencils as souvenirs for my co-workers and friends. I also picked up a few for myself. I got two giant pencils, a pencil shaped pencil case with pencils inside and a few regular pencils. I also picked up a black and white cow spotted pencil from the airport I had a 2 hour layover in Wisconsin and my Friend Becky brought back a pencil from her trip to California last week. Yay Pencils!!!

HLH Glass

2009-07-09T13:44:00.016-04:00

HLH Glass which stands for Helen Lee Hoffman Glass Art makes some of the most interesting and beautiful lamp work glass. While on vacation in Minneapolis, MN I was fortunate enough to actually meet this artist, who is a good friend of my best friend that I was visiting. Hero bought me one of her underwater pendants and I got to see first hand her other creations. The pictures from her Etsy store do not do them justice! Helen is extremly talented and her work is very detailed. Every piece is created with love and has a special energy all its own. Helen really puts her heart and soul into her art and because of this she is able to create more than just pieces of colored glass. She creates magic! Having the privledge to meet her in person and spend the evening listening to her talk and entertain us with music was a real honor! Helen is a beautiful flower child who even though she lives the city life, still sees the world as though she is looking at a garden. Please take a moment to check out her art at HLH Glass.

Back to Reality

2009-07-09T09:08:00.007-04:00

Hell or Highwater by William Elliott Whitmore
"Smoke em if you got em,
drink your glasses to the bottom,
and toast me on another year.
Another year of hope,
another year of holdin on,
you drinkers by day, and bastards by dawn.

And I hope I will see you soon,
and Ill be home come hell or high water,
and I know i will see you soon.

Gather round friends and neighbors,
who make your living by labor,
and share with me this little time.
This little time that we have left,
to have a drink and catch a breath,
well it might just be what saves our lives.

And I hope I will see you soon,
and Ill be home come hell or high water,
and I know i will see you soon.

Smoke em if you got em,
drink your glasses to the bottom,
and listen to the howling dogs,
and oh how it pleases me,
to be in such company
and im so glad our paths have crossed.

And I hope I will see you soon,
and Ill be home come hell or high water,
and I know i will see you soon.

and Ill be home come hell or high water,
and I know i will see you soon."

I had the best time ever on my vacation and I'm sad I had to come back. On our last night together, Hero's friend Helen sang this song and played her ucalayly for us. It was the perfect ending to a new beginning.

Photos of my trip if anyone is interested...

Reggie's Banana Pudding Sauce

2009-05-19T09:48:00.010-04:00

I just had the most delicious tasting dessert! (Yes, I know it is not even lunch time yet...) A friend from work brought in some banana pudding to share with the office that he made with a jar of Reggie's Banana Pudding Sauce. Reggie is a Hampton Roads local and has been making his family Banana Pudding for years. His pudding sauce can be found at Five Points Community Farm Market and Machipongo Trading Company.
Please check out his website

Reggie's Banana Pudding Sauce is even a fun t-shirt! Check out his CafePress!

Junk it Up

2009-04-05T22:55:00.007-04:00

I joined Junk it up Altered Books and went to my first group meet today. I had a wonderful time. I've never altered a book before but I've always wanted to learn. Beth and Art, the groups organizers were very friendly and extremely helpful. They made me feel very welcome and gave me a lot of helpful tips and showed me how to get started on a book that they were generous enough to let me have. I'm very excited about all the different things I want to do to this book. Every one seemed very nice and I can't wait until the next group meet.

The before picture.

It's A Girl!

2009-03-20T10:30:00.002-04:00

March 17, 2009
7:07 p.m.
7 pounds, 14 ounces, 19.5 inches

10 fingers
10 toes
2 eyes
1 mouth
and 1 nose

My niece is the cutest baby ever! I just want to eat her chubby, little cabbage patch cheeks! I'm still recovering from being sick a few weeks ago. I still have a cough so I haven't even held her yet. But, I've been taking lots and lots of pictures. Out of respect for my sister's wish for privacy, I will not be posting any baby pictures on this blog. She is a first time mom and is not ready to blast pictures of her new baby all over the net. But she can't stop me from taking lots of pictures and framing them for myself!

My niece is the first baby born to our family in a very long time. I have 4 sisters and only one baby has been born between the lot of them. My sister Sunshine (the new mommy) has waited for this baby to come along for quite a while. Everyone is very happy and excited!

Wreak This Journal

2009-02-10T12:50:00.012-05:00

One of my sister's bought and sent the other 4 of us this book called Wreak This Journal by Keri Smith. The inside is filled with different things to write, scribble and spill on the pages. I brought mine to work with me because I get very bored when I have down time... I have a lot of down time.
So here are the first few pages. They are in order of when I "wrote" on each page, not the order of the book. I picked pages at random...
I love coffee, so naturally I had to do this page first!

I don't really use much in the way of office supplies at this job, so this page is kind of sparsely decorated.

Honestly, the first word I thought of was LOL, even though its not really a word, but I ended up writing soap instead. I guess because I am about to make my first batch of homemade soap. I still wish I went with LOL though...

My Afternoon Commute

2009-01-30T14:44:00.001-05:00

Sun Glaring through my window
Warmth is trapped within my space making it hard to concentrate
Long armed shadows stretch out to the east as the sun makes its westward descent
Dazzling rays peak through the winter trees
Tempt me not with your beauty for I dare not let my eyes wonder
The road before me is long and fraught with danger
To collide with the rush of life will lead to death or worse
Home, just let me get home is my silent prayer...

Just something I was thinking yesterday as I drove home.

Updates

2009-01-14T07:24:00.003-05:00

My..."friend" brought it to my attention that I haven't been blogging in a while. Well that is because I have been through a very interesting and complicated Month. But that is all behind me now. I have a few projects I am getting ready for. My sister's baby is coming at the end of March and I've been planning a baby shower including making about 60 invitations! Right now I am waiting on the materials I ordered to be delivered so I can start on them.

I had a nice Christmas and got some great gifts, including 6 new journals! Ha! I usually get one at Christmas, but I write in it all the time so I end up buying a few more during the year. But this year it looks like I'm set! :) Dad got me that soap making kit I wanted! I am excited to get started on that! I have a few things I need to get before I can begin though, but hopefully it will be soon! And two of my sisters that still live in Florida, they apparently are Etsy stalkers! Together they bought and sent me a few of the items on my favorites list! I was so surprised! It was great!

The best news ever! My birthday is next month and as a gift to me, my bestest friend in the whole world has bought me a plane ticket to Minneapolis (that’s where he and his family live) I wont be going until this summer, but I'm still so very excited! I've never been to Minneapolis or even that far north before. I'm already looking up all the things I want to do. There is a large Amish community up there and I would love to take a tour, but Hero (that’s my friend) has firmly said no. LOL! But, I will be in town for the Taste of Minnesota and the 4th of July celebrations! It’s going to be great!

much ado about nothing

2008-12-10T09:09:00.004-05:00

I haven't been posting to my blog in a while. Don't really have much to write about. I'm not making anything new for my shop until after the move. All of my equipment and supplies are packed up. I'm just updating my Etsy shop with re-listing and new photos of old items. Once I get settled in the new place I will start working on something new.

Right now I'm currently obsessed with the idea of making my own soap. I've been researching methods and processes, recipes... I've even ask Santa a.k.a Dad, for some soap making supplies for Christmas to get started. I'm not sure if I will add it to my store at this point. I just want to make it for myself. Maybe have some people test it out and get their opinions.

I have to get started on my holiday baking. I usually bake a lot of cookies and give them as gifts. Maybe I'll take pictures this time and post them to my blog...

Coming Soon

2008-11-01T13:31:00.005-04:00

Handmade Stationery Writing Sheets!
I took some artist sketch paper and trimmed it down adding a torn bottom edge. Then I carefully stamped every page by hand and paired them with beautiful textured, deckle edge envelopes accented with the same theme as the sheets. Each set contains 10 sheets and 5 envelopes and comes packaged in a clear top stationery box.

Why sketch paper?

After searching and sampling paper, I found that artist quality sketch paper is the best weight and texture for holding up to all the handling it takes to create my kind of stationery. The rougher texture holds the ink from stamping, yet it is still smooth enough for writing. And it is thick enough to be cut and torn by hand without damaging the sheets, yet thin enough to be labeled fine stationery.

Zoo Shots

2008-09-29T07:39:00.017-04:00

My sister and I went to the zoo yesterday. It was a nice day. Here are some of my favorite shots.

American Bald Eagle

Black Swan

"Almost.... almost...."

"mmmm tasty green leaves"

"Zzzzzzz...."

"To be or not to be..."

Zebra butt

This guy was so large, I didn't think he was real!

need more coffee....

2008-09-11T06:56:00.002-04:00

It is raining again.
I have been getting up early this week. I am not a morning person. I usually have a hard time getting to sleep and feeling rested. Every now and again I take some Melatonin. It gives me strange dreams but I feel like I actually slept and therefore able to wake up earlier and with greater ease. This morning I tried to go back to bed, but my tummy was grumbling so I got up and had a piece of toast.
Now I'm here at work... very bored. My boss is out of town, but hopefully will bring back some work for me. It is still quiet, but when you work in cubeville, it wont be long before it gets noisy. I sit surrounded by Chatty Cathys.(hehe) I'd rather be at home working on my October Project. A co-worker asked for a special card for his mother. I need to work on that this afternoon because he will be out of town next week.
I hope it stops raining by the afternoon.

a bit of rain

2008-09-06T17:08:00.008-04:00

The weather is not that bad. Raining off and on and a bit of wind. It might get worse later tonight but nothing serious I'm sure.

I got a few chores done... laundry, sorting scrap paper, general straightening of my work space.

My Hero asked me if I could make some invitations for a surprise party he is throwing. The party is at the end of October but he didn't want to go with a Halloween Theme. Instead he asked for blue and yellow.

I love this color. Blue Bayou. It is a retired color from Stampin' Up and I had to beg barrow and steal to get my hands on these double sided printed sheets! Not really, I found someone willing to sell me a pack online. I'm going to make pockets out of the paper and create inserts with the party info.

This saffron yellow color( also Stampin' Up) is some I've had on hand for a while and I think it goes really well with the blue bayou.

Hana

2008-09-05T12:25:00.004-04:00

Hurricane Hana is on its way. Most probably it will be down graded to a tropical storm by the time it hits us, but people are still preparing for the worst. I plan to stay home. I have extra water and candles. If the power goes out then I'll work on my knitting or read if its not to dark. I have a lot of cards and projects I have to work on. This is a busy month for me. I am preparing for a special feature for the month of October!

Work Space (the day job)

2008-08-27T20:03:00.011-04:00

I was bored at work. I decided to take a photo of the prayer flags my sister got me. Then I started taking pictures of my work space.

Pencil collection. Pencils from different states and countries. Started a few years ago when all my co-workers used to go on business trips and I was left behind. I would jokingly ask them to bring me a pencil(I used pencils a lot at time)

Motivational Sign!

This little button says it all!

Cubical Toys. All but the fat dude in the back were given as gifts. I bought the Baron myself.

Blah

2008-08-25T09:44:00.007-04:00

My weekend was kind of blah.
I did not accomplish much of anything.
I have been feeling kind of poopy lately.

I did take out those embossed pieces of card stock and started to mess with layouts for a set of Christmas cards. I have two sets I am working on. One with 3 shades of blue and the other will be red, green, and white. They all have the same dry embossed image of Christmas ornaments. I am not sure if I will add a stamped image or phrase or just leave them plain. I would like to incorporate some glitter or something to make them sparkle a bit, but I'm not sure. An etsy group I belong to wants to do a themed color and our finished projects are due August 31st. They are going with a fall theme. I have not made anything yet and I'm not sure if I will. Most of the time when I am given instructions of what I HAVE to do, I do not want to do it. I suggested that instead of a specific theme such as fall, that we just do a color and that way we have more room to be creative. But no one cared what I had to say. I hate to say it but the more I chat with this group, the more I feel like they are not for me. It could just be the state of mind I have been in lately but most of the conversations are really not relevant to selling or marketing. I find it hard to relate to the group. Most of the chat conversations are of a personal nature and not really relevant group business. I'm still new to the whole business side of crafting and I was hoping for more general information, tips, and ideas. Instead the conversations are all about husbands and children and vacations etc.... I don't have anything to contribute to those kinds of conversations and I feel isolated and not really part of the group. I'll stick it out a while longer to see where it goes.

My sister went to DC for a conference last week. She brought me back the usual pencil I always ask for and some Tibetan Prayer flags. I've always wanted some. They are brightly colored squares of linen that has been either printed on or woven with prayers or mantras in Sanskrit. You hang them outside and the wind over time will unravel them and the prayers go out to the world. I love it. But unfortunately there is a condo association where I live that prevents you from displaying anything other that a traditional door wreath outside of your home. It is not my home anyway. I just rent a room. I brought the flags to work and hung them in my cubical. It makes me smile to see them. The colors brighten up the sterile grey of the cube. One day I will hang them outside and let my prayers fly into the wind.

Introductions

2008-08-21T13:51:00.010-04:00

This is my new blog.
I guess I should start by saying a little about myself.

I like to make cards and paper crafts. I have started selling my creations in various online market places such as estsy.com and eCrater. Most of my business is through co-workers who need a simple birthday card to larger custom orders. Once I had an order for 17 handmade one of a kind art cards that was placed on a Monday due for Friday of the same week! It was a bit of a challenged because each card was a one of a kind creation different from the others, but it was an order for one of my bosses and the first big job I've had to do. Of course I said yes. Even though I cursed myself the whole way through, I was happy with the end result and so was my boss.

My best friend is designing a website for me and helping me with some interesting virtual marketing. I share all my prototypes with him and even though we argue about the prices I should charge and the kinds of cards I should make, I value his opinion and he has been very supportive and helpful. I don't know what I'd do without him. He is my hero.

My sister has also been supportive... in her own way. She is not as excited about my little business as I am and sometimes she comes off as indifferent. But, she has been drumming up business here and there by telling her co-workers and friends about me, so I know she cares.

My special friend, we'll call him Batman (on account of his obsession with the comic character) has been supportive of me in all the things I want to do. There is not much he can do for me other than continue to stay positive and be there for me. We live what seems like a zillion miles apart but everyday we get a little closer.

Those are the 3 most important people in my life. My Sister, my Hero, and my Batman. I love them all very much.