Weekly Challenge #15

Keys.

It is all about keys for this week's challenge.

Do you have keys on your key chain you have no idea what they are to?

You know the ones that meant something once but now you scratch your head in wonder and ask yourself, "What the heck does this go to?"

If so, take time this the week to purge 'em from your being.

Oh, and don't forget about any you may have hanging out somewhere in your home too.

The neighbor's keys.

Keys belonging to friends.

Keys to your storage.

Go through those too and channel your organizational inner self.

Get rid of the ones you don't need and label the others.

Peace and Love Peeps.

On the Agenda

Woke up this morning feeling frisky.

Feeling fine.

With purpose if you will.

About darn time as my living space is in shambles.

I need to clean.

I need to do laundry.

I need to organize.

I need to make my world right again.

Other than the above, I will be watching the Seahawks and Green Bay dueling and there is an end of the year celebration for work I will be attending.

Whatcha' got going on this fine Saturday internets?

Peace and Love Peeps.

Thursday is the New Friday

In case there was any doubt, we have the shirts to prove it.Well, at least two of us do to date. His wife got him the shirt for Christmas. I was told last night there is one on order for me.

I wasn't going to go last night as I was tired, swamped, had to be up very early this morning. Add to all of that, I was in the midst of a herpes outbreak directly related to end of the year stress and the sickness.

I just love me some cold sore action don't you?

Oh and do you see my dry nose too? What a work out it has endured the last week or so.

I knew it would do me good to spend time with some of my favorite people and who can resist a text saying "We need some Monica"?

So I dragged myself out into the wet and cold.

When I arrived some of the boys were playing pool. We haven't done that in awhile because of the pool leagues.

It was pretty funny to hear them smack talk.

As is the norm, food was consumed.

So much for eating healthy...

I polished the fries and pizza off with a massive sized coke. Oh my. No goose and lemonade again?

I caught a lot of flack for this. Some of the boys thought flashing the shocker sign was fitting for the occasion.
And another decided he needed to mull over whether what they were saying about my non drinking status in the ale house was cool or not.

Good times.

Meet Sparky

Arriving home this evening from the usual Thursday night, my little friend Sparky was hanging out for all to see.

This made a lot of sense as he spun a web the day before last and caught in his silky web this fine evening were yum yums waiting for him to devour.

I quickly, and I mean quickly, reached for my camera and snapped these for all of our viewing pleasure.

I say, "Hey there little buddy."

Then I zoomed in on him.

Apparently Sparky was not ready for his close up. He quickly scampered right back up to the rafters, which is where he is most all of the time.

Any of ya' know what kind of spider he is?

I am curious to know. I certainly hope my decision to live in perfect harmony with him is not a bad one. I would be unhappy if I found out he is poisonous and has to be kicked to the curb or back to the woods.

Got Me Thinking

Last night, as I was watching C-Span for the latest and greatest on the New Hampshire primary, I found my thoughts turning toward this individual. Ms. Chelsea Clinton sure has grown up hasn't she?

Now I know you might be thinking Mo actually watches C-Span? The answer is yes I do. Not often but I do watch. I like to be aware of what is going on in this great country of ours. Don't you?

Anywho, my thoughts went a little something like this:

With your parents being who they are, where do you go? What do you aspire to be? And do you feel inadequate all things considered? Your father is a former president and currently your mother is a US Senator. You've grown up in the shadow of politics and success pretty much your entire life. Do you doubt your successes?

And lets keep it real folks. The press, America, and the world at large were not so complimentary of the poor chickadee during her stay in the White House. How many of us were all that and a bag of chips during our teenage years? At least we did not have to endure the world watching us go through the awkward stages like she did.

She seems to be doing well for herself and is well adjusted but honestly, I have to wonder how she feels in her private moments...

Dollars and Cents

By now most all of ya' know I am a numbers girl.

It is what I do for a living.

It is how my mind works.

I have an inclination toward analysis.

My checkbook is balanced to the penny.

I hope something that has happened to me twice since the first week of December is not a sign of the times.

I would like to believe this is simple human error.

What am I referring to you might be asking yourself right about now. Or saying just get on with it and tell us Mo.

Overcharges people. Charging me for more than I purchased.

Once at our Cheers in December. Couple of days ago at the grocery store.

I am not talking huge overcharges but I paid more than I should have twice now.

$.02 and $3.84 to be exact. Not enough to warrant a visit back and a discussion with customer service but enough for me to scratch my head in wonder.

So I am just throwing this out there. Check your charges from time to time. You might be giving your money away too.

$3.86 x all of us over a period of time = profits for another

I work too hard to be giving my money away. I bet you do too.

I leave you with this random fact I learned yesterday: In the pioneer days, the symbol for currency was US. The "S" was placed directly over the "U". Over time, people got lazy and, instead of "US" overlapping, they shortened it to an "S" with two lines through it.

Sheesh. These days I think it would be safe to say we have gotten even lazier and more often than not, fail to do the "S" with two lines through it.

I know I am guilty of this.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Game Day!

Good morning and Happy Monday to all y'all.

Do you know what today is?

What is that you say?

The BCS National Championship game?

Even if you didn't say that, this is what I heard.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs LSU Tigers baby!!!

Both teams are all about defense so I predict it is going to be a brawl with a low point spread.

I'm wearing my colors in support of the Buckeyes as I head out the door this morning.

You did know I was pulling for Ohio State right?

I hope they win. Although, LSU is deserving too. After my beloved Longhorns (Hook 'Em!), I'm a Buckeye fan through and through.

Sorry Ace. I know your intent for the above scarf wasn't to go against your Tigers but it works perfectly today.

Can kick off hurry up and get here already?

Weekly Challenge #14

With the holidays behind us, it is time to get back to "to do/chore like" action with the weekly challenges.

This week I challenge you to back up your most important and precious files stored on your computer.

Purchase an external hard drive.

Start burning cds.

Do what ya' gotta/want to do, but please don't let the blue screen of death or continuous boot loop catch you off guard.

I speak from experience. It is not fun or pretty.

New Year's Pictorial

Rang in the New Year rather early.

Jasmine and I were up, showered, and in front of the computer all before 6:00 AM.

There we are. Making sure peeps executed so the books would be balanced as much as possible going into 2008 and to close out 2007.

After a short nap, I headed over to watch some bowl games, bbq, and relax with some peeps I have not spoken of lately.

I'm totally diggin' the aluminum Bud Light bottle. Keeps the beer ice cold and this is always a good thing.

This ball was chillin' in the yard and pretty much begged to be caught on "film".

Leave me alone with my camera and some bottle caps. I will arrange them for an eye pleasing picture. Go figure.

Adam and Jen cheesing for the camera.

Jen and I happy we found some Cheeto Puffs to snarf on while dinner was being prepared.

One of my personal mottos and shirt I was wearing for the day.

A southern girl MUST have her blackeyed peas to ring in the New Year. It is tradition peeps!

We like our hats in the PacNW.

After dinner, two of the crew decided they wanted to go check on the neighbor at one of the local bars.

Felt a little bit like home with a stuffed coyote greeting you from behind the bar.

After a few more beers and a shot, we like to take self portraits of a different perspective.

While the boys drank, I had another bottle cap moment. This time it was with dollar bills. Yep, that is me; sitting at the bar on New Year's day drinking a coke and arranging money for an artistic picture.

Made it home before 11:00 PM with a wish I had left earlier. However, I made sure two of my friends were safe and sound without a DUI to speak of.

That is more important than a few hours of sleep right?

Current State of Being

Head in a fog.

Alternating between drips and the stuffies.

Kleenex surrounding my very being.

I'm ready to be well again.

My mantra has not served me well to date.

I welcome any get well vibes you wish to send my way. I need 'em.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Feeling Under the Weather

Feeling a bit under the weather.

Literally.

We are being slammed with three separate systems back to back which will be bringing more rain, snow, and wind our way.

Also, my nose is stuffy and my throat feels a bit crappy.

My mantra for the day, as I take a little road trip down south, will be "I am healthy. I am well. I will not be sick."

Hopefully the power of positivity, an increase of the vitamins, and Sudafed will kick whatever I might be getting before it takes up residence in my body.

The good news? I had an adjustment and a massage yesterday so my body doesn't hurt like it was.

God bless you Maricel. I am sorry I made you work so hard last night.

And I am just throwing this out there but isn't Nyquil supposed to allow you a good night's rest? If so, why did I toss and turn and sleep like crap last night?

Hope you and yours are well. In both mind and spirit.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Sparky the Spider

I have a friend who hangs outside my front door.

That is not him or her.

About five months ago a spider took up residence directly above my door.

Now I don't normally like spiders. But I thought I would let this one hang out as long as it wanted as it chose my door to make its home.

Most all of the time it is curled up doing whatever it does in the roof area.

Sometimes it will spin a web and hang down. Chilling. Ready to greet whomever is coming and going.

I have been greeted by a newly spun web first thing in the morning.

I have come home to find "dinner" in the web.

We have learned to co-exist.

I believe it is one of God's creatures and we share this planet. If it wants to be my special friend, so be it.

It deserves to live in harmony. Even if this means you have to duck and look up upon entering or exiting my home.

We discussed this yesterday and apparently not everyone shares my views. If I come home and find my spider gone, I will know who and where to look to first.

I have decided to name it Sparky for the following

1. The presence of its being sparks lots of eeks and ewwws
2. The presence of its being sparked a little debate yesterday among friends
3. The person who totally gets where I am coming from has a special connection to a beagle named Sparky

If you are coming by, Sparky is welcome to stay as long as he or she wants. Just remember to look above your head so you aren't surprised. Hopefully one of these days I will be able to take a picture for you...

There Were 46

Images from NYE

46 creations.

A fabulous ringing in of 2008.

Birthday, anniversary, welcome, and thank yous.

Glitter, embossing powder, and inks on my hands.

Finished products greeting me on the table early this morning.

This girl has a warm fuzzy as she heads off to take care of business.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year dear Internets!

I hope you and yours have a great celebration.

Me and mine? We are hanging at home.

We will be lucky if we make it to midnight.

And it is all good. It is perfectly ok as this is how I am choosing to ring in the new year.

Quietly. Time in reflection. Snuggled warmly and safely in my home. Gone are the days of hitting the streets and tearing it up.

See ya' on the flip side peeps. Peace and Love.

Saturday in Review

Saturday was spent with Ace. He called and woke me up around 11:30 AM. Now before you go on and hate on me for sleeping in, I had been up until well after 4:30 AM. From the day before. Working in the wee hours. Doing what I do.

The alarm was set for noon anyway. However, I was not happy about being told to get up. To make myself pretty as he was getting ready to get in the shower and be over. I admit it takes me a while to get ready and I can be easily distracted but I didn't want to hear that before I had even rolled out of bed.

I listened though. I got ready, ran a quick errand, and sat on the couch to wait for him. Mark the day! I was ready and waiting.

After he arrived, we exchanged gifts.

All of his goodies were in this . A box he can use again. Being green is good!. The box is full of things he won't buy for himself but I know he will use.

He knows me all too well. He blessed me with three new striped scarves, a book, and two absolutely beautiful handmade bookmarks. They are almost too pretty to use.

Post gift exchange we headed out. First up was getting a bite to eat. It is a darn good thing where we ate offered buckets of because I was starving. He was too but refrained from snarfing on the nuts.

Our service was horrible. Absolutely terrible. Ace had to flag down someone to take our drink order and even then it took at least ten minutes before we got a strawberry lemonade and a tea.

A single man was seated after us and he got his order taken before us. Um, excuse me? Then, it took at least twenty minutes for us to get rolls, a burger, and a salad. Did I mention the joint was empty?

And lord help me, I was honey until she took my card and overheard Ace and I talking about how that is one of my pet peeves. I didn't like to me called honey or sweetie when I lived in the South and I surely don't like it now. Especially if you are giving us piss poor service.

She almost made us late to the movie. I recommend you do go to see . It is inspiring. The audience in our theater applauded at the end. Post the movie we wandered around the mall for a bit and then headed back to my place.

I promptly put him to work getting my new computer up and running. After a call to Qwest, my new desktop tower is internet connected but it looks like my iTunes library is indeed lost forever. Oh, and my speakers work again.

Did you know the backs of the computers are color coordinated so you know what accessory goes with what input? Ace got a good laugh at my expense.

I have said it before and I will continue to say it. I am not mechanically inclined. I need help and am not afraid to ask for assistance when it comes to putting electronics together.

After a few harrowing minutes, everything was in working order. I decided we needed ice cream. So we went to Cold Stone and treated ourselves to a like it size treat. Ace was denied lots of butterfinger for his combo. See how boring his looks compared to mine? I told him he should have asked for more but he went with the flow and took it as it was prepared.

Bellies full of a sweet treat, we went our separate ways. Another day spent with one of my favorite people.

Good times y'all. Good times.

Weekly Challenge #13

This week's challenge is to give yourself permission to not make any resolutions.

So many of us look to the new year for change. For improvement. For motivation. For action to be taken.

Make 'em if you want but allow yourself to make none if you choose.

Will I be making any you might be asking right now?

Maybe. Maybe not.

I have not decided but what I do know is if I don't make any, and choose to treat each day as if it were the new year, that is ok too.

Thank You For Coming

"Thank you for coming."


Words usually spoken by service workers or a host/hostess right?


Words you don't expect to hear from the po po sitting on your way out of a restaurant.


But words T and I heard as we passed the three policemen getting a bite to eat at Puerto Vallarata after ten tonight.


My response? "No. Thank you for all you do."


Who knew my city's finest would be so polite?


Now that you know where we ate dinner, I just know you want to see what we selected don't you? Don't even try to hide or deny it. You have come to know and love the food pictures.


On the menu this evening was none other than .

We splurged and had two cheese enchildas, rice, beans, chips and salsa, and a glass of ice tea.

All this after a girly night of running errands.

A perfect way to end a crappy two days.

Remember how I said earlier this week I was blessed to have great friends? I called T earlier today and asked her if she would mind coming over tonight. I needed some girl time with one of my best girls.

Without missing a beat she said she would be over.

We started off with the Starbucks drive through, hit up Paper Zone (got the paper and envelopes for the New Years cards), Impress (who doesn't love to browse their LSS?), Bed Bath & Beyond (still out of the gadget), Bath and Body Works (last of Ace's Christmas present), and Ulta (Christmas shopping for T).

Good times.

T, Thank you letting me vent. For listening. For laughing with me. For a fantastic night of just being girly with me.

Earlier in the day I was fortunate enough to have a long lunch with Maricel. We were totally caught up in catching up I forgot to take pictures. Shocking I know and goes to show you how off of my game I really am doesn't it?

She picked up Pho for us and we gabbed and gabbed at my place.

We had a surprise visitor come a knocking mid way through. Ya' wanna guess who that might have been?

Ok, I won't make you do that right now.

It was Pete. Haven't heard that name in a while have you?

He read a book and kind of listened in while we talked. Later in the evening he asked if we ever stop to take a breath in between gabbing and I said he should see it when we all get together. If he thought he heard cackling through the door when it was the two of us, he hadn't seen anything yet.

Boys. They just don't get it do they?

I'm tired, frustrated, irritated, and just plain tuckered out so I am outta' here for the time being.

I hope you and yours are in a much better frame of mind and body than I am right now.

Peace and Love Peeps.

It's On

Thursday night is here and we have reason to celebrate.

A very important vote came through. Like an once in your career lifetime kind of vote.

It's game time y'all. EDITED post game: Texas kicked some serious ass!!!! 52 - 34

First up is dinner with Kyla at Outback. Then I am off to the local Cheers to celebrate with those most deserving. Their efforts had a large part of making the above happen.

Peace and Love Peeps!

For Anna and Cheryl

And anyone else who is interested!

I thought it would be easier to answer the questions in a separate entry than an answer on the comments section.


First up is for Anna. She asked who Hasse is. He is quite simply one of the best people you will ever meet.

I realize more and more I am so very blessed to have great people in my life. People I can trust. People who love unconditionally. People who will be there for you in a heartbeat. People of integrity and character. People who will stand beside you, behind you, and in front of you depending on what is needed or desired. People who celebrate the big and small with you. People who will hold your hand, lend a shoulder, and pass the tissue if you need to cry. People who support you. People who give hugs just because and laugh with you more than at you. People I love and that love me.

I know I am blessed because not everyone has these kinds of people in their life. I hope you do.

Hasse is one of those people. His name is Tyler. We call him T but I called him Hasse long before T, To keep him and T (Traci) separate here, I refer to him as Hasse.

Anyway, he and I work together. In the same building. Our paths cross quite frequently. What I do impacts his success and vice versa. He is, without a doubt, the best of the best. I'm not just saying this because I love, respect, and admire him. He has the awards and results to prove it.

He was my first house sitter. He helped me get back in the game and helped to keep me sane while I was going through my divorce. He has a heart of gold and will give you his last quarter if needed. He's a good ole boy who loves to hunt, fish, camp, and his big truck.

We exercise together. We share a love of Mexican food. We vent with one another. And trust each other with our deepest, innermost goings on.

He's my boy and I love him dearly. When Maricel said he was a good friend, she was right. I go a step further and say he's a great friend. I am glad God brought us together outside of work so we could love, laugh, and live together.

Now for Cheryl. I started out with Stampin' Up. I have T to thank for this. Bear with me if you have heard this before. I think I have blogged about it once before.

I woke up one day about six years ago and realized I didn't have any hobbies other than reading to speak of. My life consisted of work, work, and more work. Still does but now I would like to think I have struck a balance.

She was invited to a Stampin' Up party and invited me to go. I went, realized how much fun this could be, and placed an order. The rest is history.

Unfortunately once I moved, T went to Cali, and the demonstrators I knew moved too (gotta' love the Navy), I relied more and more on Paper Zone, Impress, and Rubber Soul for my supplies, ideas, and classes. Oh and publications and the internet too.

My primarily creative outlet is making cards but I also art journal, scrapbook in a non traditional way, and other miscellaneous projects.

I sit down once a month and try to make the upcoming anniversary, birthday, and holiday cards in advance. It is for me just as much as it is for the recipient. There is something comforting about playing with ink, stamps, paper...cutting and gluing...takes me back to a simpler time. A bonus is when I can combine the creative with time spent with my gal pals.

The only downside? The amount of money you can spend on this hobby. One of these days I think I will add up the amount spent on stamps and punches. It will be staggering I am sure but honestly I can say, I use my supplies on a regular basis. A single stamp may set you back seven plus dollars but it can be used over and over and over so in the grand scheme things, it is cheaper than buying cards in mass quantity.

So, with all that being said, allow me to break down the supplies and stock used for this year's cards. Thank you for you interest Cheryl!

Creme Paper: Virtual Pearl Curious Collection from Paper Zone

Blue Accent Paper: Plasma Blue Iridescent Curious Collection from Paper Zone

Square Scallop in Blue: Scallop Square punch from Punch Bunch (purchased from Impress)

Square Punch in Creme: Square punch from Family Treasures (purchased from Rubber Soul)

Snowflake Stamp: Stampin' Up Frosty set stamped with Tim Holtz's Distress Ink in Weathered Wood

Joy Love Peace Sentiment Stamp: Single stamp by Impress stamped in Stampin' Up's Classic Brilliant Blue Ink

Glitter: Squares sprayed with adhesive spray purchased from JoAnn's and sprinkled with Prisma Ultra Fine Glitter obtained years ago from Rubber Soul

Next up? Happy New Year cards. I already have two designs in mind. When should I expect you? I'll put the music on, make sure there is more than water in the house, and munchies too...

For Cheryl

Cheryl wanted to see the finished product of the cards I sent out this year. Being a woman of my word, this is 2007's mass produced card.







The next time I decide glitter on multiple cards is a good idea, y'all be sure to remind of Christmas of 2007 ok?