a wink and a smile | -m's- weblog

so behind...need therapy

argh...I'm so behind on *everything*!!  There is so much to do, everywhere!  Spring break doesn't help with routines, I tell you.  Not to say that spring break itself is terrible because that's quite the contrary.  But, just when I'm feeling it, and I'm back at getting things done pretty efficiently—including those pesky house chores—spring break comes and gives me a reason to "break the rules."  I have so much to catch up from—again, including housework, which, quite honestly, I'm not crazy about, but it sucks up creativity!  So, if only for that, I need to get the house totally squared away by mid-afternoon tomorrow.  Big day waiting for me.  ugh!  Sorry for the lack of enthusiam.

We've got spring cleaning to do, and I need to go through the kidlet's closets to do some weeding out :)  Of course, that always mean good news to them, because it means new clothes!  There was a time, not too long ago, when I was a huge, huge, huge Gymboree addict.  I literally have bought at least a couple of outfits from each of their line since who knows when.  The children's closets speak from themselves, and Megan's shoe collection (which is, in fact, much larger than mine) doesn't lie either, LOL!  After our recent move, however, I haven't had the urge to really shop.  I know, weird, right!!  I'm sure it had to do with all the organizing I did for weeks after getting our stuff.  They just had waaaaaaay too many clothes, really.  But now, not so much. 

I did do a little shopping today.  Just trying to get myself happy and motivated again, LOL!  Retail therapy at its finest :)  Particularly at Lush, which evidently, has now replaced my other shopping addiction (including Gymboree) LOL!  I went in to get a face mask; I wanted to try a new one.  I ended up coming home with two samples, one of which is 'crash course'...and I just gave it a try—I LOVE IT!  The only thing that stopped me from trying it until now is the fact that it has talc in it.  It smells so good, though, and its texture is just so smooth...and best of all, it feels so good on the skin!  It's evening time, but it's got me seriously feeling a bit energized right now, LOL!  So cool what a little self-pampering can do :)  LOL!    Thanks to stumbling upon the Lush in Lucerne which started it all!  I think I will be in love with Lush for a very long time :)  So, yeah, our Switzerland vacation is unforgettable in more ways than one ::wink::

I have not layouts to share, like I thought I would by now, as I haven't done one since... {shame on me, I know}.  Like I said, I have too many things I need to really, really need to catch up on.

Alright.  It's taken me too long to write out this post.  I'm multi-tasking...going back and forth with tidying up the kitchen, washing/folding laundry, typing, and watching AI...LOL! 

{march idea}

Everytime Gina puts out a new product, I'm totally loving it.  This one is no different, but I'm *really* loving this one—probably one of my very favorites that Gina has designed.  DDE's March Idea Notebook is amazing!!  Although I'm in Gina's CT, seriously, I was a huge fan way before that!  In fact, I'm still subscribed to DDE's newsletter, LOL!!

I really love the 'idea notebook' idea, so clever!  And for $3.00...seriously, I tell you, it's a STEAL!  I'm <t-------h-------i-------s> excited about it, LOL!!  And, since I haven't had the chance to scrap it, I had to blog about it :)  So, until I get a layout, or two, or three, with this kit...

-m

I'm sick and tired of being...

...sick!

Ugh.  Twice within a month.  How lucky can one get!  Though I feel a little bit better right now, I did spend the entire morning in bed—yesterday was worst, so I won't even complain.

Alrighty.

**apparently, I was so out of it that I never actually posted this post, LOL!  I wrote it on 12 March!!  Yikes!!**  So glad I feel soooooooooooo much better now :)

-m

sickies.yuck!

argh!  I caught the flu bug last weekend, and I'm am not just barely getting over it.  I totally lost my voice—which I'm happy to partially have back.  It was so bizarre!  I literally was totally fine one minute, and then I got some water to drink, and in the time it took me to drink a glass of water, I lost my voice!!  It went downhill from there, with the aches and pain, excruciating headaches...it was awful!!  I've been having up and down time this entire weekend/week.  Some hour I'm totally fine, and the next, I'm feeling my head spinning.  LOL!  Can't wait to get 100% better, especially since I'm way behind in several things I've committed to—that's the worst!

Ah...anyway.  There isn't a lot of things I hate, but seriously...being sick is one of them.

Lunar eclipse tonight/early morning on the 21st.  Yay!  I've always been fascinated with many things Astronomy.  After trying to photograph the moon during last year's total eclipse, I find myself wanting to learn more about {basic} astrophotography.  I created this page from last March's total eclipse...

I'm hoping to get some practice tonight. The weather isn't that great, however, and I'm not too optimistic about tonight's visibility :(  I'm actually pretty excited about it, especially since I wanted to try out the 40D's live view.  So far, I'm loving the live view feature...it's a handy little feature, for sure.

Alright, I'm doing a little early cooking, since I'm making some good chicken soup for dinner.  It's much needed...especially during these cold-weather-sick-times.

*• credits:  - Artsy Painted Papers, and Artsy Paper Elements {Jackie Eckles} - paper recolored; Digital Stitching, White {Katie Pertiet};- Tie Fastener {Katie Pertiet}; Clipped Tags {Katie Pertiet}; Altered Embellies, Star {Jackie Eckles}; Blasted Brush {Katie Pertiet}; Vintage Storyboard Frame {Katie Pertiet}; Clock Parts {Katie Pertiet}; Altered Embellies, Corner {Jackie Eckles}; Font used: century gothic*

be.still.my.heart

it.is.here.  :swoon:

i.am.{im}patiently

...waiting.  Each time I hear even the slightest 'truck' noise, I get up and look if the UPS man is here.  LOL!  I just know it.  As soon as I step out to go anywhere, the UPS man will pull up and leave a note on my door.  Seriously!  I'm even excusing myself from the gym today ;D  Good excuse, right?! 

Alright.  Something funny and totally adorable.  I got this in an e-mail just now, and it literally made me giggle.

Alright...back to stalking the UPS man.  LOL!

Rebel's gonna have company...

I've been contemplating upgrading my camera for a few months now, and this weekend, I did it!  I just got the mail that my new camera has shipped!!  I can't wait for it to get here.  Here's hoping that it lives up to all the great things I've read about it.  I've scoured through so many message boards, review sites, and opinion/rating sites, and it looks like for the most part, everyone is extremely happy with their 40D—I took into special consideration opinions of people who have upgraded from the XT to the 40D.  So...I can't wait!!  Here's hoping for better AF, spot metering, better balance and built, live view...and so much more :)

On the stamping corner.  Valentine's is coming up.  No plans.  However, I wanted to share one of my most favorite stamps, and it's totally perfect for Valentine's...and more.  You see A*Muse's "To the Moon and back" stamp?  It's the most adorable saying, isn't it?  My children says that to me all the time—including trying to out-do each other by saying, "but I love Mama to the moon and back, and to pluto and back..."  LOL! 

Check out A Muse for more new 2008 Valentine's release.  And, check out A Muse Artstamp's typepad weekly inpirations.  I just recently stumbled upon that blog, and it's so awesome to see the stamps in action.  Very cool, right?!

Alright.  I can't believe it's Monday again.  Last night, watching the Superbowl—which by the way was waaaaaaaaaaay exciting!—I felt like it was Friday!  Argh.  Laziness, here, at it again.

Fishies & Superbowl

we've got new pets...fishy pets, that is.  You know how fishes can be really relaxing to look at?  Well, I picked out two types of fishes:  silver dollars, and pictus catfish.  I got two each.  It's not so relaxing, however, because the catfish are crazy!  Little did I know just how energetic these fishes get!  Goodness!  They make me nervous!!  I'm hoping that they will calm down a bit as they get used to their new environment.  We'll see.  I'm afraid they'll give the other fishes a heart attack!  LOL!

Superbowl Sunday today, and though we aren't big football fans, we do watch...keep the tv on, anyway, LOL!  I'm one of those people who watches for the commercial and half-time show.  Little fact.  During the Super Bowl XXVII Half-Time show in 1993 {with Michael Jackson}, our team {drill team} was one of the people with the boards on the field performing!!  Pretty exciting, right?  It was the one and only time I've been right in the middle of the Superbowl action—very likely be the only time I was so close to the 'action.'  Very cool experience!

Happy 'superbowl' weekend! :)

ch.ch.change...

A bit of a change here.  Change is good, right?  I like how this blog looks better.  I like how the banner turned out; I think it's very me.  I actually scrapped last night, and hopefully, the inpirations just keep on coming! 

My lil' studio actually looks like a little studio now. Finally!  About time, don't ya think!!  B helped me install new shelvings for my rubbers—which I have been wanting to do forever!—and I can't be more happier with them.  Honestly, some of these stamps haven't seen the light of day in a looong time!  Hopefully, that'll change. It's really inspiring just to be in here! Makes me want to be creative! ::tra-la-la:: {capt underpants style}

Anyway.  Nothing much to blabber about :)  That's a good thing!  No news is good news!  LOL! 

Oh, *eta* this is the "before" stamp storage.   Yeah...not practical at all.

-m

duh*d...

ha...I did it.  I'm a dud!  Honestly, I thought it was bound to happen, especially since I window-shop a lot, and I only pick up a few things when I do.  I also have loads (gigs and gigs) of digi-stuff!  I picked up a couple of products from Catscrap, since they are having a sale, and one of the products I bought, Catrine's Alpha, I already bought back in November, LOL!  How embarrassing, right?  The good part, though, is their customer service :)  I thought I'd take a chance and see if they would help me out, and they did!!  Now, I have a credit for that product, and was off shopping again, LOL!!  So embarrassing though...gosh!!  LOL!

I'm trying to get back to the swing of things.  I've been mojo-less and unmotivated for far too long.  I'm hoping that the new year will refresh me.  B took me to a scrapbook store—a real LSS—after Christmas.  I haven't been shopping in a real scrapbook store in years.  Three years, to be exact!!  I've also not bought tangible scrapbook products in so long (again, years!)...so that was really exciting.  Of course, I told him that I wouldn't hold back.  That was fun!!  I'll add a picture of my loot after I get a chance to resize the photo.  I also continued to organize my studio, so then to Ikea he took me for some wall ledges that I wanted.  Just seeing the room more organize is motivating in itself.  So, yay!!  I'm happy and excited!!  :)

Ah...people are calling me...they are always calling me!!  Kids and dh...I tell you!!  Gotta run.

-m

• C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E •

...the coming of '08!!

-m

•credits:  2008 & foil stars - Gina Cabrera {DDE}; background swirl/star - Katie Pertiet {DD}; font-mailart rubberstamp

* It's Christmas *

...it's the most wonderful time of the year!!  :)  Christmas is here!

  Merry Christmas to all :)

-m

• credits: elements used from Gina Cabrera (DDE), ShabbyPrincess (The Shabby Shoppe), Anna Aspnes (DD), Jen Wilson (JWD), Syrin (Catscrap), Katie Pertiet (DD), and font (2Ps Gasoline).

>> holiday spirit <<

Getting into the holiday spirit now :)  I've been working in my scrapbook room, not scrapbooking, but cleaning up and organizing!  The mess is finally getting organized, and already, I'm feeling the mojo slowly coming back—at least I think so.  As the room started looking neater, I felt the urge to change my desktop to something more festive.  I'm really feeling the holiday season now!  It's cold, so despite no snow falling for the last two days, the snow on the ground and roofs are still present.  Anyway, my computer monitor is left on, and it's really awesome what a festive desktop can do to the spirit...

...the red just gives me a boost of energy!            

*****************************************************

On the photography front.  I can decide if I should go for another lens, or if I should upgrade my camera body.  I've finally decided on which lens I would like to add next to my equipment, Canon 10-22.  It's actually either the 10-22, 17-55, or 17-40L, although I'm really leaning toward the 10-22, just because I'm wanting a really wide angle lens.  Actually, the only real reason I added the L lens is because it's an L lens, LOL!  However, I've read about the 10-22 & 17-55 being pretty sharp and well-built.  Body upgrade would be for a 40D.  I'm been reading my eyes out, trying to figure out which would be the better idea for me...lens...body...lens...body...  Knowing me, it'll be a while before I finally decide to get one or the other.  I'm pretty indecisive with things.  Anyway.  I did however get some more pics of our Christmas tree, but this time, with smaller apertures...

...to get the starburst effect from the lights.

I really should be organizing some more.  For once, I'm actually pretty motivated to clean, LOL!

-m

• credits: {desktop image} - Corina Nielsen for little pink gem; Amy Martin for stitched stars; and Shabby Princess for everything else.

* • First Snow Day • *

It's snowing!  I'm not really all that excited, especially when I think about the cold and how hard it is to just go anywhere...but, hey, the children are all so excited.  Up until the other night, c was still wondering when Christmas will be here.  He wanted to know precisely how many days we still have left (I'm making us a little calendar today).  Anyway.  This morning, they were all too excited.  It's *really* winter now, which means that Christmas can't be too far :)  Tomorrow is Nikolaustag.  The children already have their eye on getting their boots ready for tonight, hoping that it'll be goodies-filled when they wake up.  Great timing for the snow to start falling!

I've been feeling really unmotivated and downright slow this past few weeks months!  I can't shake it off, and it's really starting to bog me down.  Actually, it's really irritating!!  LOL!  So, yeah, I'm irritated at myself, LOL!  Anyway.  There are just waaaaaaay too many things that still needs to be done.  My scrapbook room, for one, is still a huge mess!!  Just the thought of the boxes staring back at me is enough to suck up what creativity I actually have! LOL!  I really need to change that, and honestly, I just need to hit the gym again—it's a natural energy booster!  ::wink::  I've been really trying to get myself to keep at it.  This too shall pass...right :)  I've been saying that for a few months now, and I'm still positive about it, LOL!  I did get some layouts and a cd calendar done this past couple of days.  I have yet to print and bind my cd calendar—I like to bind things. {I have to make use of the comb-binder I sooooooooo knew I just had to have a couple of year ago, right?!?!}

Oh, and cookie recipes at DD.  Can you say...YUMMY!!  There was once a time when I actually baked, LOL!  It's been awhile, but I'm ready to really get back into it.  I'm hopeful ::fingers crossed:: that the recipes will jumpstart it.  I have a motivation problem, don't I?  LOL!

Here is my favorite cookie recipe.  I tell you...these are just delicious!!

Here's the ingredients:

Chocolate Buttons

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp baking soda
2/3 cup all-purpose flour

Directions:
-mix together butter, brown sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla
-beat in baking soda and flour {stir in by hand if needed}
-roll to about 1/16-inch thickness
-cut out circles on a lightly floured surface
-place on ungreased cookie sheet

**375° oven. Bake about 5 minutes {or until the edges are firm}

...pretty easy, right?

happy day!! -m

• credits:  all digital papers and elements are from DD.  Fonts used are:  splendid 66, al uncle charles, and my own topher

...turkey day is here!

gobble...gobble!!  :)  We are having a "quiet" Thanksgiving this year.  The turkey's cooking beautifully in the oven.  Everything else is ready to go except for the mashed potatoes, which are still whole potatoes at this moment, LOL!  We get to enjoy a bit of time before we 'gobble' everything up, LOL!  The kids are extremely excited.  I'm excited about the pumpkin :)  I'm not a pumpkin person really, but the pumpkin cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory is delicous—so I'm so ready for dessert!! ::wink and smile::

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

-m

• credits:  Uncle Patrick's Banquet {SMJ}; inspiration font.

november!

...can't believe it's November!  This year has been a bit crazy for us, so I'm a bit excited for 2008 to arrive.  For many people, like myself, this is the start of crazy, hectic, exciting season.  For the children, Halloween marked the beginning of the 'fun' season.  I love the fall season, especially in places where there is actually a fall season :)  Coming from SoCal, there isn't much 'autumn' in fall.  I haven't taken much pics this year yet, so I had to pull out some pics from past years to document Herbst in Germany.  I'm still missing it there...

************************************************************************************************************************

B is back, and it has been crazy-fun since!  We finally have our 'real' tv set up, and this place is a huge mess once again.  Everything I shoved into the storage room and b's office are seeing the daylight, LOL!  Good news is, I don't have to deal with them myself.  Actually, I haven't had to real deal with them since I've got my *kronky* doing all the work, LOL!

Halloween was fun!  I meant to come here and post a halloween banner in my post—obviously, that didn't happen.  The worst thing is that I've a Halloween felt banner started, but never got to finish it.  Next goal, finish it in time for Halloween 2008, LOL!

This past weekend marked the 1st annual Digital Scrapbooking Day (3rd November).  Unfortunately, I missed out on most of the events going on all over the web :(  I did get it on a couple of great deals very late in the evening—very early morning, actually.  I still had a bit of fun, I guess.  I love shopping, and ironically, didn't get to do much of that.  Good news is that I only spent a quarter of what I put away for this—although, the feeling isn't all that great, LOL!

yikes...gotta go...

-m

• credits: Scraplift Saturday no 36 on dd's blog hosted by Lynn G :) Scraplift of Vinnie's page. {Lynn Grieveson} Golden Bay paper pack; {Jesse Edwards} Fall into Fall paper pack; {Katie Pertiet} Tall and Thin Alpha Brushes-n-Stamps; {Fonts} al uncle charles; vni-hlthuphap

lazy.day

...it's so gloomy out.  I'm not really a rain person, so...yeeeeck!  Anyway.  I was cleaning earlier this morning, but after a couple of finished tasks, I decided that I've done enough cleaning for the day, LOL!  Look what I did instead...

...I made a myself a desk calendar!!  LOL!  {excuse the terrible photo...I tried}  I was really going to digi-scrapbook, then I thought I'd make a card (you know, actually try to send off some cards this year)...but somehow ended up with a calendar card instead.  I'm going to see how well this calendar works for me.  The calendar part, which uses Katie's Calendar Spots, and a printed paper from Andrea's Martha kit, comes right off—only the leaves hold it in place.  My plan is to make four cards (one for each season), and then print the calendar months as I go.  It's so cute *sitting* on my desk :)   The card and stamps (oval scallop and 'happy fall') are from A*Muse, leaves are Brenda Walton Creations, and ribbon from my stash (not sure exactly from where).

Alright...even lazy days go by very fast.  :)  I need to start preparing for dinner! 

-m

memories of cute little BUTTONS...

I'm starting to scrap again!  woohooo!  I think I'm starting to get back to the rhythm of it all.  Of course, it helps tons that DDE and DD both have so much incredible goodies—all ready and waiting for me to use!  And, to get with the season...I finished a fall-ish layout—although the pic is actually not a recent one...but I have to scrap 'em, right?!?!

I actually like how it turned out.  I wasn't expecting too much, being that any creativity I had in me has been completely swept away with all the drama and stress this last several months!  LOL!

-m

*credits for "Buttons" layout* {Jesse Edwards} Fall Into Fall; {Anna Aspnes} Tissue Paper Alpha; {Katie Pertiet} Photo Wraps no. 3; {Pattie Knox} Something to Crow About; {Font} Futura

m.u.s.i.c

I totally *love* Ingrid Michaelson's voice and songs.  Great voice, and her music are just refreshing, fun, and relaxing, too!  Anyway, found my way to her site earlier today, and there's a clip of her singing on Last Call with Carson Daly.  Wish I watched, but I guess that's the good thing with technology, we don't have to miss anything!  This song brings back memories—not that it's that old or anything—but memories of Europe.  I *ALWAYS* sing along in the car when we were traveling in Europe.  B is almost always the driver, and me, the navigator, is almost always free to goof around.  {And I often wonder where the children get their goofiness from—not me!}  :wink:  Anyway, there is a part in this particular song, 'I'd buy you Rogaine, when you start losing all your hair...'  and for some reason, I think it's so cute and would look at b while singing it, {LOL}  He thinks it's funny, and he goes, 'why do you look at me like that!'  LOL!  Meg and Cael LOVE the clapping part...and it took them a loooooong time before they actually got the clapping down to tune.  It takes coordination.  Persistent children, I tell you.  Anyhow.  I love "A Bird's Song" from her previous cd, too, among her many awesome music.  Check it out {Ingrid Michaelson on Carson Daly's show} on YouTube...

Who else?  Priscilla Ahn.  Super awesome voice!  Love her EP...can't wait for more!!  Her songs are are favorites, too; gets us through the long drives while traveling...and during 'quiet' times, too :)  My fave of her is "I Don't Think So"...I love the melody, the harmonica, and her voice just shines!

Alright.  I won't do a run down of what's in my ipod.  I actually haven't really bought any songs since moving, so I've been listening to the same songs for several months now, LOL!  I LOVE 'em...so, that's alright.  Oh, the only ones I have new are from James Blunt's new cd—"Carry You Home" is my most from his cd...but the entire thing is awesome!

So, what's my ipod like?  Songs go from '4 in the morning' to 'storm' to 'dream' to 'i don't think so' to 'umbrella' to  'sometimes' to 'breakable'...anyway, you get the picture—it can drive someone mad.  I need to organize it better, but I'm too lazy.  Not as lazy as b though.  His ipod is a mess!!

ah, enough rambling about that.  Gotta do homework.  Well, not me...but...

-m

desktop - updated ... yippee!

...since it was bugging me so, I have updated my outdated desktop!!  :)  woohooo!

...pretty cute, huh?  It was easy-peasy.  Now, I'm good through the end of November.  I changed it up a teeny-tiny bit, for the first time since I made the desktop :)  I think it's pretty sweet.  Jenn's Harvest Night kit is so adorable!  :)  Looking at it makes me want to scrap—which is totally a good thing since I have to crank out some layouts for my cts...Designer Digitals, and Digital Design Essentials.  Now that I've got my time back...HOOOOOOORAY!...I'm having a hard time trying to get back into the creativity of things!  Unfortunately, I'm already lacking in that department to begin with, but seriously, now, my mind is just blank.  It's awful, I tell you!  The *STILL* unorganized,therefore *messy*, scrapbook room may just have something to do with it.  arrrghhhh...  :)

better days

Had a little bit of fun this past week. 

First off, I met Katie for lunch on Thursday!  So cool, and we got to chat and laugh.  They put us at the very back wall of the restaurant, LOL!  I guess, where they put people who laugh a lot!  Anyway.  That was funny...especially since there was some kind of birthday surprise thing going on with some younger people, LOL!  Katie's is so nice, online and irl.  Oh, and I now proudly display this...

   

in my scrapbook room.  Pretty cool, eh!?!  I totally love it :)

To get the Halloween mood going.  We've decorated a bit—nothing much, orange and purple lights on the balcony, and a couple of hanging signs on the front door.  The coolest thing, though, are these pancake mold from Williams-Sonoma.  They are too cute and awesome!

We've used it already, and the first batch turned out...well...awful, LOL!  The second batch were too cute to eat!  The kids love them :)  I made them whole wheat banana pancakes with maple syrup.  Yum!!  We are planning to make some sugar cookies soon.  Unfortunately, the cookie cutters that Megan wanted is now no longer available.  I'm sad that I waited to get it, but I guess it was a summer product at WS.  It would've been so cute, especially since the kids love little ocean creatures.  Anyway, I'm sure we'll find the perfect cutters soon.  Snowflake ones would be totally awesome.  Of course, I'm not sure that they exist.  I guess I should go googling :)

I'm a huge dork when it comes to adorable packaging, and clever gadgets.  I don't deny that I buy things because they are "cute."  I can resist them, though, usually...just gotta get find that will power, LOL!  Anyway.  I found the new Reynold's Handi-vac at Target.  I'm so darn excited about these, LOL!  B thinks I'm a dork...but he already knew that long ago!  I've been wanting something like this, but I don't think that having another big gadget in the kitchen would be a good thing.  This, however, is small, and the bags are perfect (since they are like zip bags).  I couldn't wait to try it out, and here is my first use of it, LOL!

Before...

After...

...voila!!  So far so good :)  I even tried opening it, then re-vacuum-sealing it...and worked awesome!  I've also tried it out, of course, in the kitchen...and so far so good :)  I like to buy fresh veggies (frozen-able ones) is that a work, LOL!, and cut them up to freeze (like bell peppers...).  Haven't tried it yet, but I think these bags will work perfectly.  Also, with my Lush addiction, this may just be the perfect way to keep them fresh.  See the pictures above, with It's a Pleasure Treasure massage bars :)  I don't usually stash the products since I like them fresh, but those are one of my favorite products from Lush, and it happens to be, now, a discontinued product.  I only got four of them—used one up already—because I wasn't sure how to keep them "fresh."  I'm tempted to buy a couple more of my lovely massage bars before they are truly gone.

Okay.  So, last night, I realize how "out of it" I've been.  This totally proves to me, not that I need proof from myself {LOL!}, that things have been chaotic!  This is the way my desktop look right now... {excuse the mess}...

...didn't even realize until last night that I'm calendar is way off {notice red circled months}!  If there is one things I'm good at, it's keeping my desktop organized and updated—I'm always on top of this.  I'm so 'good' at this, actually, that even despite my desktop being 'good' for two months, I usually update the calendar months monthly, anyway.  Love Katie's Calendar Brush set for this—makes it so easy!   And, I've had the same design (from Gina Cabrera's Simply Irresistaible, Corina Nielsen's little jewel, and Natalie Braxton's ribbon).  As you can see, however, my desktop is stuck on June/July.  :(  So sad!!  This is on my to-do list tonight, especially because now that I noticed, it's really bothering me!!!!  I gotta update that—so sad!

Okay.  Craziness...over.  LOL!  Happy weekend!! -m

- personality quiz -

...hee...I love these things.  Okay, maybe not *love,* but I do like 'em.  Anyway.  Took this personality quiz.  Here's my result...just for fun!

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

I think it's pretty accurate, what do you think?  B+ is kinda nice, LOL!

drama

...with my Wacom.  Apparently, living near {am} radio station isn't such a great idea—more reasons than one.  We've got radio static noise on our supposedly crystal clear digital phone line, and my wacom {not the wacom!} isn't working properly because of it.  It's so weird to have to use a mouse again.  Feels like I will never get used to it, despite using only a mouse for years and years before my tablet.  Photoshop is just not right without it.  My workflow is dragged.  I just got to get into the right mode again.  Off with the stress on my shoulders, and I just need to let free.

ah...I feel better, LOL!  Actually, knowing that tomorrow is Friday is the most awesome thing!  I love the weekends!

-m

rough

...is the first word that comes to mind which defines this move.  We've moved plenty of times before, but this has been the "hardest."  I guess we can't always have a smooth move.  Needless to say, I'm still trying to get settled.  This past week and a half had been the roughest week and half—I'm so glad that it's over with.  Good news is...I still have my sanity intact, LOL!  {Although...}  LOL!  Anyway.  It's just been one after another, after another, after another...but...thank goodness, finally, things are letting up.  I see the light!!

Every move is sort of a 'new' beginning.  This time, I've decided to try and enjoy colors.  Having colors around the house is good for the soul :)  Makes me happy.  I'm a pretty linear-type person, so it's sometimes hard to bend rules—whatever they maybe.  So, in terms of designing, I really suck at it.  I think to straight and narrow, sometimes...but, hopefully, having bright splash of colors everywhere will help me out a bit.  Here are the first colorful additions to our new place—well, the light fixture came with the place, LOL!—but, I love it...so there it is :)  Oh, and as you can see, the background of the photos are pretty clean.  No, I didn't clean up.  These were taken during our first week here—no boxes yet.

Alright.  Gotta get back to fixing.  It's exactly midnight...and here I am, still fixing. 

Have a great week!

-m

• credits:  frame template-Nancy Comelab; doodles and buttons-Kate Hadfield; font-thinking of you.

...yup...still moving...

...so happy to have our things--finally!  I'm not too crazy about the amount of things we have though, LOL!  Gosh, seriously, I'm ready to toss so much stuff out--mostly b's ;)  Anyway.  I said I'd be happy to have boxes and boxes of our stuff filling up the house.  I got my wish, so I won't complain :)

I'm blogging using my computer!  Soooo missed this thing!  So much to do, though, before I can 'freely' spend my time glued to my sit in front of the computer.  Scrapbook room is looking alright.  I think e-bay is calling me.  Might be time to list some stuff I don't think I'll be using anytime soon.

It's past midnight, and I've got a whole lot of things on my to-do list for tomorrow, and to catch up on the to-do stuff I wasn't able to do today :}   One day at a time.  So glad that the weekend it almost here.  For some reason, Saturdays and Sundays make me feel like I have the right to do nothing at all!  :LOL:

-m