The Road to Oregon

My Dad was invited to a 50th wedding anniversary party honoring one of his navy buddies and wife, longtime family friends, the Millers. I invited myself along, because that's the kind of thing I do. I wanted to visit the Millers and since my Dad was going to make the trip from Texas, via California, I thought he'd appreciate some company on the drive up. According to Mapquest, its approximately a 7 hour drive from the Bay Area to just over the Oregon border.

It took us 12-1/2 hours, and not because my Dad drives 60 miles an hour, but because we had to stop every half hour so I could stretch out my back and take constitutionals. All that stopping allowed us to enjoy beautiful and interesting scenery...

This is my dad standing in the Chandelier Tree, which has a hole cut in it so you can drive thru. Apparently, drive-thru trees are very popular in the California Redwoods. This particular tree was 315 ft. tall, 21 ft. in diameter and 2400 years old. Now, I always thought that you had to cut down a tree and read its rings to know how old its is, but maybe that's a Redwood Forest myth, like Bigfoot. (More on that later...) Note the Steven Speilberg touch pinging off the windows of the cars in the background. I was rather proud of catching that little extra : .)

Closer to Oregon, we lucked out and saw two of these guys...

Imagine this monster elk in your front yard! I think she/he was showing his (her?) best side, hee!!! (Actually, if you know me at all, you know I took this shot on purpose, elk butt...uh huh huh.)


We finally arrived at the Holiday Motel. I couldn't decide if the place was quaint, complete with 1960's decor and musty smell from that earlier age, or a new setting for the next Psycho movie...You decide. Really now, you have to be suspicious of lodging that has no web page. Obviously, this place was not visited by the Travelocity Gnome. Unfortunately for me, the manager over-booked and gave someone else "our" room with two beds, so I got to sleep on a roll-out cot. For 4 nights. I missed my tempurpedic greatly.

Back to the Millers. We've been friends for as long as I can remember.

This is my cousin Beth, me, Nancy and Darrell, Nancy's bro, I'm guessing sometime in 1966 - 1967 .


My family would take the long drive from So. Cal. to visit their family in Oregon. I have some of the best memories of swimming in the local river, eating sandwiches from their deli, exploring the Oregon Caves. (That's me, probably the last time I wore a bikini, my mom, Nancy, Bertha, my itty-bitty (at the time) sistor Mika, and Darrell hangin' at the Illinois River.)

I was so excited to be reunited with Nancy. She is still as gorgeous, sweet and amazing as I remember with a great husband and two very wonderful sons. I hope we make the effort to keep in touch! I also had the opportunity to meet the Miller's extended family. A truly gracious and fun loving group of individuals.

The Millers and their family sure know how to party. Because of their generosity and kindness, living in town and owning local businesses (pizza parlors and breweries), active in the community and their church, they know practically everyone in town. There were close to 200 people at their house to help them celebrate! The band played, people ate, people danced, it was a wonderful time. (These are the relative ladies rockin' out!!!)

Here's a shot of the happy couple, serious wedded bliss!!!

I think the most fun I had however, was hanging with the Good Ole Girls from Texas (Bertha, her sister Lor, cousin Patty, and Sis-in-Laws Cally and Jo) on Memorial Day, the day after the party. They taught me how to play canasta, we drank beer and ate leftover cake, all before lunch of Wild River Pizza and more beer. Lor got us all together, lined up the husband/father gang of military veterans and we waved flags and sang God Bless America in their honor. It was so cool! I had such a sense of family and really enjoyed being included with the girls.


Of course, the fun eventually had to end, and Dad and I were off early the next morning to trek back to Cali. We detoured through the Avenue of the Giants and stopped at the Legend of Bigfoot. He does exist...LOOK!!!

A shot of me and the hunk! Me laugh, me cry, me fall in love with Bigfoot (as quoted by the MadMonk after I gave her this... ME WRITE BOOK, It Bigfoot Memoir) I think he has a wife tho' Patty. Yeah, please DON'T tell her where I live!!!

It was a long and painful trip home, but all worth it, the time traveling with my Dad, celebrating the Millers, meeting their family, eating tons of pizza and drinking lots of beer. I'm happy for all the great memories!!! (I have so many more fun photos, but I spared you all the zzzzzzzzs!)

Yah, that new meme going around...

Tagged by MadRetz. Can you tell I'm procrastinating? The week/weekend update seems like a major task and I'm just not up to that yet.

So, back to the meme. I know, its supposed to be 7 unusual things about me, but the more I thot about it, the more they started to be about neurosis, ocd behavior, angst inducing activities (altho' there are a couple of things that are pretty ordinary).

Do you really want a glimpse into my psyche? : .D Here we go!

1. I like to have a hand towel and a dish towel in the kitchen. I can't stand it if they are used for the other's purpose. (That goes for the kitchen sponge as well...I like a dish sponge and a sponge for cleaning. My X-MIL once took the dish sponge and wiped kitty grime from the outdoor cat rubbing itself on the corner of the fridge, and went back to washing dishes with it. I was totally grossed out. I love cats, but...ugh!) Cross contamination, not!

2. You know how you wrap the towel turban-like on your head after washing your hair? I hate to have it covering my ears. That goes for shower caps. I do like the blanket over my ears tho'. Remember that urban legend about earwigs???

3. MadRetz sez I am the pickyest eater of everything. I like all fuds except beans (especially lima beans) and rice pudding, but I like 'em how I like 'em. For example: "Grande, non-fat, xtra hot chai latte, no water, no foam, xtra squirt of chai syrup..." And a defining sense of self!!! Do you remember those scenes in When Harry Met Sally? How she orders fuds in a restaurant? HM, high maintenance. But I'm not, really.

4. Speaking of fuds, I eat things in order. Starting with veggies, then protein, then starches. I won't take a bite of one thing and then another. Each fud has to be eaten in succession.

5. I know where all the bathrooms are in Disneyland. I have a small bladder and I drink a lot of fluids.

6. I used to drag race. At the track of course. No illegal stuff for me.

7. I sunbathed topless in the South of France, wheeeeee!!!

A shot of some grass by the sea in Northern California. Unusual.

Friday yo!

Last week/weekend was good and not so good. I promise to post an update and photos soon, but until then, here's a shot of another of my little grilfiends, Bannie. Her mom invited me to watch her younger bro's baseball game and Bannie and I were goofing off, taking pixs with her camera phone. Of course, I had to edit it in iPhoto.

Bannie's so photogenic : .)

TGIF!!! Hope you have a great day!!!

Weekends and Scrapbook Kits

Hurray!!! I received my first scrapbook kit from the Red Velvet Kit Club today!!! (Honestly, it was the photo of the red velvet cake (yum!) on the blog that got my attention, not the scrap potential, I swear!)

I thot it was going to be a challenge to come up with a layout, especially since I usually horde anything scrapbook related, and I was worried I would be bound by supplies I didn't pick out myself, but I was able to create something right away! (You can click on the photo to get a more detailed view.)

(Hee, hee! Get the movie reference???)

I guess I was on a roll because I came up with this too (its not finished yet, however). Elsie Challenge No. 11, scraplift a color combination. I also lifted the design, it's based on the t-shirt I bot at Paper Source while shopping in SF with MadRetz last Thursday. I printed out a copy of the t-shirt and made a template for the pool wasp. Tres cool, huh?! The ohsosubtle background is made using a Heidi Swapp mask and a nerf ball to sponge on ink. That's me in the Rhone River, below (the Roman Aqueduct) the Pont du Gard in the South of France. Anywhoo, the layout needs some embellishments or something, so if you have any ideas, post 'em in the comments.

Looking forward to a fun filled weekend. MadRetz, her hub and I are going to the Maker Faire tomorrow. Crafting and geekiness intersect, I'm guessing somewhat like the Bermuda Triangle. I've never been...according to the website "A two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It's for creative, resourceful folks who like to tinker and love to make things. We call them Makers." I'm shocked that MadRetz's hub actually wanted to go, he avoids most crafty things like the plague (Hi Jimmy!), it must be the "engineering" part that is tempting him. MadRetz and I will craft, the hub will geek.

Have a gud weekend, I know I will!!!

Self-Portraits

I'm such a dork, but I'm having so much fun taking pictures of myself!
(Mad - I think I may be channeling Elsie-Cakes!!! Gotta practice those poses, hee!!!)

Over-exposed, edges blurred, color faded.
(yeeeeesssss! done on purpose! its not a user error!)

SMOOTCH!!! : *)

I hope y'all are having a gud day!!!

That's a ...

NEGATIVE, Ghostrider.

Just because of some sore hamstrings from the most recent core exercises. sigh.

PT Update

Well, it ends up that last week wasn't the week. I got more core exercises to do and scheduled an appointment for tomorrow. I "might" be cleared to run on the treadmill and go to step class on Sunday. I did walk more miles last week than I had run the weeks prior to physical therapy. That's something to dance about!

Cross your fingers, say a prayer, send good thoughts!!! I'll need all the help I can get!!!

HaPPy DaNCe!!!

Dr. Steve said we might try some impact exercise next week.
So right now I'm quietly doing the "I might be able to run soon happy dance."

Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Art with Sis

Here are the flowers that Alika and I made for our art project today. (She passed on the journal idea.) We started out using acrylic paints on watercolor paper applied with different objects: bubble plastic, bottle caps, pen tips, a comb, fabric, screen fabric, cheese cloth, and ribbon. Once the paint was dry, we punched the flowers and attached them to skewers. The centers are beads. We also made leaves out of the painted paper.

Sis didn't like her paper at first, she thought her page was a big, mucky mess, but it sure created colorful flowers.

Here's my girl with her bouquet. Maybe she'll give it to her mom for Mother's Day.


Oh...My bed stinks. Not the sleeping part, but the NASA formulated memory foam part. The sales manager at 1-800-Mattress assured me that the smell would go away in a couple of days. So far so bad because I got the tempur-pedic pillows last Monday and I can still smell them. Must be the combination of the pillows plus mattress because I woke up this morning with a sinus headache and allergy symptoms, I'm way too sensitive to strong scents.

I sure hope the smell goes away soon, I sure did get a great night's sleep last night and I would hate to have to return the mattress and miss out on all that good slumber.

Won't you be my neighbor?

Please won't you be my neighbor : . )

This walking thing has really given me an appreciation of the neighborhood in which I've lived off and on for the past 17 years. Yeah, the real estate is pricey here, but it is amazing. There's a gazebo in front of the local library, historical homes with stories to tell, blooming gardens, a sense of community.

Starbucks in hand, I toodled thru the local farmers market. Its small, but everyone is sooo friendly. The strawberries were so tasty and the perfect compliment to homemade shortcake and whipped cream, yum!!!

My new tempur-pedic bed was delivered today, hurray!!! Its now sporting super soft hot pink jersey sheets and my Pottery Barn Kids flower applique comforter. I can't wait to try it out tonite!

Got a piece done for my grilfiend's birthday Arting with my little friend Sis tomorrow, I think we'll make some journals. A good, good weekend!

Incredible Pukey Cuteness

I bot these at Safeway. To avoid eating a pint. So far I've had two. Aren't they just too cute!!!

P.S. The Sharks won tonight! 3-2. I got to go to the game, actual playoff tickets in my hot little hand!!! It was so LOUD at the Tank!

P.P.S. PT is going well. Altho' I'm still on IR (injured reserve) and can't run, Dr. Steve said he's gonna have me race ready for Disneyworld in January, Yay!!! : .) (I hope that's a promise he can keep!!!)

The Burt's Bees lip balm is for scale. So you can see just how tiny pukey cuteness can be. The white thingy is the spoon. It comes on top, in the lid.

Ice is NICE!!!

This no running thing SUCKS!!! : .| (Excuse the %@#$&!)

I feel anxious and twitchy. A lot. All this un-expended energy running amok in my body. (Haha! I can still make a joke!)

I am allowed to walk, however, as long as I don't go very far. Believe me, my leg tells me right away if I've overdone it! (Who knew it could communicate!) I walked an entire 2 miles this morning. (The last run I did 3 weeks ago was 7.5 miles of hills, sniff!) Granted, it was beautiful and breezy, almost like a Cover Girl commercial. (Am I remembering that correctly?) Short walks, along with lots of stretching, use of ice packs, myofascial release rolling over this foam roller, and some core stabilization work on my cool new fitness ball is the extent of my exercise these days. I am obsessed with my physical therapy. It's pretty much all I can think about.

While on this walk, I scoped out some local real estate that is for sale. A 2 bedroom 1 bath condo around the corner is going for $425K. Uh huh. A 3 bedroom, 935 square foot house is going for...$620K! An itty-bitty, almost 50 year old house going for over a half a million dollars!!! Can you believe it?! My dad always told me to save my nickels and dimes, but I think its gonna take saving a few quarters and maybe some dollar bills for me to come up with a down payment for housing here in the bay area. I should be able to purchase in about 5 years if I stick to my savings plan.

As if the no running thing wasn't depressing enough.


I've been having a pity party all week, but MadRetz came to my rescue today and helped to create a distraction by agreeing to make a trek with me to Bezerkley for some retail therapy and lunch. (Quiet you, voice of buyer's remorse! I'm on track for that condo purchase!) On the way we navigated potholes, road construction, the wall of death, gas-guzzling, monstrous SUVs, and cell phone talking drivers, finally arriving at one of our favorite scrapbook stores Scrapbook Territory. It was jolly fun as usual, but honestly, just how many sheets of decorative paper and little doodads do I think I need? I could almost open my own store. (oooh, how I love art supplies!) A couple of hours later, we left the shop, happy, happy scrappers. (Again voice QUIET!) Now, to do something with all of these supplies.

All jokes aside, I find that the universe (GOD?) speaks to me. The PT and chiropractic with its physical adjustment, is also performing spiritual chiropractic. Being forced to slow down and walk, ruminate over the state of myself, I feel as if I am finding the path to the inside. As Julia Cameron says in Vein of Gold, I am "outward bound for inner voyaging." An internal adjustment is occurring along with the physical therapy, scratching at old "scabs" and allowing for healing on all levels.

I'm not sure I'm explaining this well...Will I allow the healing? Lots of emotion anger, tears, but in the end, understanding that all is for the best. I'm trying to be patient.

Top shot obviously of my cool, new fitness ball and foam roller (and my very lonely mountain bike). Bottom shot of some of the goodies I bought today, Basic Grey, yay!!!

Zero to Snore in 3 Minutes

Looks innocuous doesn't it? A little white pill.

My sinuses do not sing to the glories of spring. Even after two years of immunotherapy (read: shots every week for 104 weeks), I still need a little help with congestion and post-nasal drip, so after a trip to the allergist, I was prescribed Zyrtec-D. One of the warning labels on the bottle said "may cause drowsiness."

Aaaah well, the opposite occurred for me and I experienced three, count 'em, three sleepless nights. I'm talking NO SLEEP. NO SLEEP makes Phinner very cranky. Just ask MadRetz. We were at Disneyland the weekend I started taking the meds.

Yesterday I refilled the prescription. This time, I actually read the prescription information provided with the prescription. It says this medication contains PSEUDOEPHEDRINE.

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE is not good for Phinner. Phinner's heartbeat skips and Phinner's general practitioner said Phinner shouldn't take medications with PSEUDOEPHEDRINE (Sudafed) because it causes Phinner's heart to race. Bad for hearts that skip beats. And no wonder I wasn't sleeping. My heart was racing, I was wired!

Note to self: Always read prescription information before taking medication. Always have a discussion with the doctor about new meds.

Thinking...There is a positive side effect to this medication...Appetite supression.

I may be able to loose some weight while taking this, hummmmm...

The other recent development in my life, and no, its not love...I finally went to get my sciatic issue checked out at a local sports therapy clinic. 6 visits in a week and a half. Numerous treatments...chiropractic, cervical traction, electrical stimulation, ice, heat, stretching, and myofascial release using the most modern of torture devices. The right side of my body has been in pain ever since. Dr. Steve says "scratching at the scab" that's been over my sciatic nerve for 2 years. Yep, I can feel it.

AND no running. I.CAN'T.RUN!!! I can't run. I can't run.

You might as well tell me to stop breathing.

I had to bail on the two races I've already paid for. I've had to bail on my friend who was flying out from DC to run the half marathon with me, and the 11 other people that are on my relay team. (Remember last year, the mountain lion story and getting lost in the vineyard?) I so can't deal with not honoring commitments I've made.

I have no clear vision of the future of my running.

I am so sad.

I AM GOING TO GAIN WEIGHT!!!

Arrrrgggghhhhh!!!

Thinking...I can't think of a positive side of this right now...

Oh wait...See above under PSEUDOEPHEDRINE.


That's my tadpole. Symbol of transition. Big, big transitions, experiencing lots of them. AGAIN. Ahhh, that's life!

Elsie Challenges and More Self Portrait Layouts

I spent yesterday creating. Yay!!! That makes me so happy!

Today, I ran 8 miles and my right leg is killing me. I guess I need to go to the cracker (chiropractor). Pass the Tylenol!!!

As a treat after running, I bought myself a chai latte frappuccino from my favorite corporate giant, Starbucks. Calorically dense, but ohsotasty, YUM!!!

My friend got us tickets for the Sharks game this evening. Added bonus, we get a tour of the Shark Tank. I hope I get to see some hockey players up close and personal, but I'm guessing we just get to see the inner workings of the arena. One can dream about meeting Scott Hannan, right???!!!

See below for art!


I love my KittyVille Hat!
(Elsie Challenge #6, Ribbon Cluster)

Some of my kid friends. Madeline noticed that in most of the photos we take together, I'm to her right...Looks like its true here too! : .)
(Elsie Challenge #8, Group 4 Photos)

Thoughts on risk from the Artist's Way, Week Seven.
The background took me 4 hours to complete. Process, I was so involved in the process, that I didn't notice the time flying. I wasn't happy with it, so I kept layering and layering acrylic paint, then I découpaged and stamped. Click on the photo to see more detail.

I know, I know...

I've been a bit lax in my blog updating.

(My good friend Estor at her desk...Her phone takes cool photos!!!)

Its either laziness or maybe banality, or prosaicness, busy-ness, too much sugar, yada, yada, yada...I haven't felt like I had anything to say that would interest anyone.

Anyway, in the past month and a half, I find after making a list, I have been doing mucho!

• Went to Mary's to craft, made the coolest necklace! (See similar bracelet here.)
  
• Been doin' some scrapbooking.
  
• Had a mamogram, my 2nd! Sorry, no photos. Squashed boobies are not my idea of interesting photography, even if my doctor likes 'em! The photos, not the boobies, altho' maybe...Lets not go there, ewwwww!!!
  
• Went to Tahoe and ran in snow and listened to the ice on Lake Donner cracking!
• Watched a Sharks game.
• Sold my engagement ring. (Yes, I've had it all this time, 7 years to be exact. Albatross, GONE!!!)
  
• Visited the Hideaway with MadRetz (Donated the wedding dress. Yes, I've had it all this time. Another albatross, GONE!!! I AM SO FREE!!! WHEEEEEEEE!!!)
  
• Indoor rock climbing.
• Communed with the fishies, invertebrates, and marine mammals at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
• Saw Catch & Release.
• Went to Southern California to visit my Dad.
• Went to the world famous San Diego Zoo and saw PANDAS!
  
• Had dinner with my blonde haired, bleu-eyed cousin, whom I hadn't seen in a year.
• Celebrated my 43rd b-day with my bestest grilfiends (I LOVE the journal Ragged! Thanks! Photos of all my booty, soon!)
• Saw El Labrinto del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth), deeply disturbing and moving.
  
• Oh, and work and design class and running, and eating way too much, of course!

Fast forward to next weekend...MadRetz, another friend, and I are off to Disneyland to continue the birthday celebration. Are we excited!!! Its "A Year of a Million Memories!" Hummm, I'm very curious how they spin the marketing for that theme! Along with riding the usual favorites, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Its a Small World (Itsasmallworldafterall, itsasmallworldafterall, itsasmallworldafterall, itsasmall,smallworld!) we'll be able to see 2 new shows, Jedi Training and the High School Musical. (If you haven't seen this movie on the Disney Channel, I highly recommend it! Kids love it!!! It has all the good things, a lovely story, singing, dancing, and beautiful actors.)

Oh, and another major development, I signed up for DisneyWorld Marathon 2008, so MadRetz and I are off to Florida in January, we can't wait!!!

Other than the above...I've been lurking on your blogs, causing a permanent dent in my sofa, and trying to break a world record of the most weight gained in a 6 month period. Gotta figure that one out! I hope you are all well!!!

Belay on!

I went indoor rock climbing with Bill and Julie yesterday. In all fairness, I had to take a belay (to belay is to control the the rope fed out to the climber) lesson first, so it wasn't all about me climbing, but also supporting fellow climbers. In the lesson, I learned about harnessing, how to tie climbing knots, how to work the grigri (A grigri is a hand-sized belay device designed to help secure rock-climbing. Also a talisman that protects the wearer from evil or brings good luck. Appropriate, don't you think?!), and how to stop a climber from falling too quickly.

This is Bill belaying Julie.

Julie climbing. Yes, this climb is as high as it looks. One of the highest in the rock climbing gym. If Wikipedia is correct, there is a grading system to rank the difficulty of the climb. This one is a 5.7. "Class 5 is considered true rock climbing, predominantly on vertical or near vertical rock, and requires skill and a rope to proceed safely. Un-roped falls would result in severe injury or death." Probably not in the gym tho', there's a lot of padding under the floor. Plus, there is always someone belaying you.


I attempted the same 5.7 at the end of the day. My arms were really tired and sore after the belay class and trying easier climbs. I could only make it about 2/3rds of the way up, arms screaming in pain, but mostly paralyzed by fear. Bill sez that rock climbing is a confidence builder. Yeah.

Really, I wasn't rocketing uncontrollably to the floor, really I wasn't! This expression is all for effect. Besides, Julie was belaying me, so everything was copasetic : .)

A Rhetorical Question

So annoying little moments...you know the ones, those where you get stuck with a service charge for your parking decal because you had to add a class after the registration period, the salad that caused your stomach to be distressed after lunch, the website that crashes (twice) while you are trying to get hotel reservations for Disneyland, as well as no confirmation of the reservation so you have to call to confirm, the cost for class supplies and registration (being forced to buy 100 sheets of construction paper instead of the 50 you need and the health service fee paid for the health service you won't use), the pie crust that isn't flaky because you had to put it in the fridge last night, the glass of wine that is just a little bit "off" because its probably been sitting around too long...are all to balance out the fact that your life really is great and these are minor speed bumps in your otherwise perfect existence, right?

Oh How I LOVE Starbucks!

I managed to sleep in until 9:14 this morning!!! Making up for those late nights last week.

Made a jaunt over to Starbucks to have a chai tea latte, grande, non-fat, xtra hot, please, and work on the reading and exercises in the Artist's Way. Week three has touched on one of my favorite subjects, synchronicity. Jung's loose definition of synchronicity is "a fortuitous intermeshing of events." I equate synchronicity to asking and receiving. I think we often don't recognize the magical occurrence of synchronicity in our lives, we don't notice that some thoughts and events are interrelated. You're thinking of a friend you haven't seen in awhile and a couple of days later, the phone rings and its that very same person! You want to visit the Grand Canyon and you receive a email about a fund raising organization who sponsors hiking events there, combining your love for the outdoors with your zeal for community service. What delight we find in paying attention!

Afterwards, I went to Andy's Pet Store, which has stood on the very same corner for the past 56 years. I've lived in the Silicon Valley for almost 17 years and have never been there, so I thot I'd go in for a peek. I met a lovely Macaw named Ruby who greeted me with a clear "Hello" and admired the paw size of a beautiful Akita who was just 9 weeks old.

Arrived home, cooked lunch and completed scrapbooking challenge #2. I'd share it, but its a bit personal and embarrassing. Its about my crush on my favorite Sharks hockey player.

Right now I'm chilling some dough for my first experiment in making pie crust from scratch. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I hope you had a good weekend!!! I know I did!!! : .)

The other side of me

All month (what am I saying, all year!) I've been on this emotional roller coaster, alternating between joy and sorrow, grabbing happy and spilling tears, lots of them.

You, my bloggy pals, Cate, MadMonk, MadRetz, Ragged (oh and Anon, you know who you are
: .) always make me smile and laugh, a bright light in sometimes dark days.
Thanks so much for being present on the page and sharing this *space* with me!

I'm glad to be making a transition into the new year, I'm excited for what's in store.
I suspect that I will be faced with new and unique challenges in 2007 and all I can say is
GAME ON!!!

Happy New Year!!!

More, More, More

More scrapbook pages...

MadRetz gifted me with a cool book called 52 Scrapbooking Challenges. Challenge #1 is to use words - adjectives or a favorite quote - in a layout. The quote I choose is from the movie, "A Beautiful Mind"

*I need to believe that something extraordinary is possible.*

So appropriate considering the December I've been having.

The accordion book was assembled from a kit purchased at my (now defunct) favorite scrapbook store. Guess I'll have to plan the 2007 Disneyland trip so I can fill the pages!
Hee!!!

Yesterday's Art

Blogger is so not cooperating this morning. Is it because I need to switch to the newer "better" version? (Hear the sarcasm?)

This pix was from a magazine ad for flooring. I loved the image, but couldn't think of what to do with it, and it languished in my scrap folder for over a year now. MadRetz and I often talk about grace (physical and spiritual) and the piece was born : .)

MadRetz took these pixs during our first visit to Sharon Wheat's studio. A few minutes prior to these pictures, I was crazily snapping away with MadRetz's camera and afterwards, Sharon was teasing me about having an itchy trigger finger. I love those laugh out loud moments.

Obviously, its been awhile since I've drawn anything. My first piece drawn in the sketch book I received from my bloggy friend. I'm thinking this guy looks like a character from South Park, a scary South Park character. Can you guess who its supposed to be?

Oh, and I made this on Christmas day for my co-worker's little girl. I also bought yarn to do some felted bowls using instructions in One Skein. Turns out I need circular and double pointed knitting needles. Ragged, I am so gonna need help with the lingo..."CO45 sts?" "Working in the rnd?" "Dec as foll, changing to dpn when necessary?" Oh, and I also need to learn how to knit, since I only know one stitch. I wonder what it costs for a ticket to Raggedstown for lessons? (The lingo is actually not that cryptic..."cast on 45 stitches, working in the round, decrease as follows, changing to double pointed needles when necessary") hee!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

XOXO!!! : .)

Drawing Mid-Term & Final

One of my friends mentioned to me that they had checked my blog to see if I posted projects from my drawing class. I appreciated the reminder : .)

The mid-term project was to collage an emotion. If your guess is jubilant, then you're right!

To create the piece, I used two photos I took of my friend's daughter during the annual family X-mas card photo shoot, as well as some magazine photos. I drew the image in pencil and used water color paints and markers to color in the image.

The final project was to do a self-portrait and then create a mask that is our alternate personality, fantasy, other persona. The drawing above is the self-portrait from the first class meeting, below is the self-portrait for the final project. I used pencil here also. I think I've improved my technique, altho' my eyes are way bigger than I realized : .)


Girl G, my girlfriend that's a goalie, was the inspiration for my mask. Unafraid to face pucks flying at her at 70 miles per hour (well, if its Calvin shooting), she exhibits a bravery that I can only wish to have. The goalie mask offers protection, but also communicates an air of toughness. The mask was drawn and colored using sharpie markers.


I received a gift of a sketch book from my bloggy pal Willie, so I need to continue practicing and creating. Next class...Design. I'm excited!