Inspired by moments of intense emotion, echos of past events, and
the CD liner and lyrics to "Tear You Apart" by She Wants Revenge.
I need an exorcism, STAT!!!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Accoutrements of Youthful Subculture - I *HEART* My Docs!
Bloggy-land has numerous scrapbook challenge sites. Category Stories is one of these sites.
The prompts for the the CS challenges are posted bi-monthly, and have included: "Relaxin""What would you do with a cool Million?" and "Best Day Ever," to name a few.
I'm always intimidated by the enormously talented scrap artists who post at these sites, however, since my personal mantra is "do something every day that scares you," I decided to post a layout to Category Stories, who's current challenge is Shoes - "what are they to you? Do you love wearing them, loathe shopping for them, or fall over in pure bliss when you find that most fab pair of sliver ballet flats with the cute leather detailing and buckle on the side.......(ok, um, that last one may have just been me...*ha*)"
What woman can resist talking about her shoes?!
My favorite shoes ever are actually boots. Dr. Martens boots to be specific. The journaling reads:
"I couldn’t part with my first pair of Dr. Martens until the soles were worn thru and the uppers cracked beyond repair. I didn’t get rid of them until I couldn’t deal with cold, wet feet any longer. My current pair have been constant companions on many adventures, treading many miles & dancing for hours in underground clubs. I LOVE these boots."
(Click on the image to view it larger!)
Edited: I just remembered a related Doc Martens story. My Dad's (conservative) cousins visited San Diego from Ohio and their 18 year old son had recently joined the Navy, on the side became a punker, and bought his first pair of Doc Martens. My sister told Cousin Janet, "You know, Linda got her nose pierced and it all started with 'those' (docs)."
Yeah, I'm such a rebel! haha!!!
The prompts for the the CS challenges are posted bi-monthly, and have included: "Relaxin""What would you do with a cool Million?" and "Best Day Ever," to name a few.
I'm always intimidated by the enormously talented scrap artists who post at these sites, however, since my personal mantra is "do something every day that scares you," I decided to post a layout to Category Stories, who's current challenge is Shoes - "what are they to you? Do you love wearing them, loathe shopping for them, or fall over in pure bliss when you find that most fab pair of sliver ballet flats with the cute leather detailing and buckle on the side.......(ok, um, that last one may have just been me...*ha*)"
What woman can resist talking about her shoes?!
My favorite shoes ever are actually boots. Dr. Martens boots to be specific. The journaling reads:
"I couldn’t part with my first pair of Dr. Martens until the soles were worn thru and the uppers cracked beyond repair. I didn’t get rid of them until I couldn’t deal with cold, wet feet any longer. My current pair have been constant companions on many adventures, treading many miles & dancing for hours in underground clubs. I LOVE these boots."
(Click on the image to view it larger!)
Edited: I just remembered a related Doc Martens story. My Dad's (conservative) cousins visited San Diego from Ohio and their 18 year old son had recently joined the Navy, on the side became a punker, and bought his first pair of Doc Martens. My sister told Cousin Janet, "You know, Linda got her nose pierced and it all started with 'those' (docs)."
Yeah, I'm such a rebel! haha!!!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
SHARKS Rockin' the Tank!
San Jose's beloved Los Tiburones advanced in the playoffs last night after beating the Calgary Flames 5 to 3 in a historic first time 7th game played on home ice.Oh man was it loud!!! Even Paul was so excited he jumped up and down with joy and if you knew Paul... hee!!!
GOOOOOOOO SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Skunk Boy and the Running Monkeys
The weekend in review...
I ran in "The Relay." Remember back to April 2006? The Relay is Calistoga to Santa Cruz, 12 peeps, 2 vans, 199 miles, 2 days, 24 stinky armpits, 0 sleep, and multiple porta-potties. (Ewwww!!!) The Running Monkeys came in 76th out of 2o2 teams!!! A big difference from being 5th from last, in 2006.
My legs this year totaled 13.9 miles: 4.7, 5, and 5.6 miles. Along with a team of younguns, I kicked butt!!! I ran my fastest race paces since 2001! I had a great time hangin' with the kids, laughing and causing general sleep-deprived mayhem. I think the best moment was hearing about Mark's San Francisco run, where he had to hurdle a skunk and ended up getting sprayed anyway. Evidentially, his van captain thot it would be a good idea to spray him down again with Febreeze. Evidentially, that ended up smelling like poopy-diapers! They finally tied his shoes to the luggage rack on their van. I am still laughing. I am so glad I didn't have that encounter!
Good times!!!
The Relay is also for a good cause, Organs R Us. This year online fundraising generated $213,106.78. Wow! I don't think they're done calculating yet.
Big thanks and hugs to my fantastic friends who donated towards this worthy cause and my team. You ROCK!!!
Hummm...what's next?! : .)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
13 is My Lucky Number!
They only give medals to the FINISHERS!!!heeeeeeee!!!
I DID IT!!!
13.1 miles!!!
I can hardly contain my excitement!!!
{See Linda JUMPING UP & DOWN in happiness!!!}
(If you recall this from the same time last year [paragraph 8] you know why completing this race is such a huge accomplishment for me!)
13.1 miles!!!
I can hardly contain my excitement!!!
{See Linda JUMPING UP & DOWN in happiness!!!}
(If you recall this from the same time last year [paragraph 8] you know why completing this race is such a huge accomplishment for me!)
Monday, April 07, 2008
Would Chuck Taylor Wear These?
But they're cute, Yeah?!
Happy Monday People!!!
Habe a gud week!!! : .)
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Let Me Introduce You to My New Little Friend
I'm in LOVE!!!My city has an "ahem," hard water problem. Supah hard water. I think its so strong it attracts dirt.
If there's one thing I can't stand, its a dirty bathroom and I've been slacking in the cleaning department lately, but only because I haven't found anything that would remove the scale, the gak, the grossness.
I dove into Smart & Final. You'd think I would have tried there before as its only 2 blocks from my house, but, I don't get to that strip mall often. Luring me from the shelf with its siren song was this beauty.
It'll take some elbow grease and multiple applications, but already parts of my shower doors are sparkling!
No harsh chemicals, no phosphorous, ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly, does not cause you to pass out within 3 seconds of being in its presence.
Love, love, LOVE!!!
(Really now...I gotta get out more! : .|)
Friday, March 28, 2008
Come to Me, My Little Pretty!
I'm in a shopping kinda mood...
My camera Guru, Dubin and MadRetz helped me decide on this:
I bit the bullet.
Wanted one for a very long time.
Droolingly coveted Mad's.
Didn't want to purchase until I could say f-stop and depth of field without hesitation.
I got the deal too, since the 10 MP version is due out soon, so say it with me..."discount." Very good, class!!!
Love, loVe, LOVE!!!
hee!!! giggle, giggle!!!
My camera Guru, Dubin and MadRetz helped me decide on this:
I bit the bullet.Wanted one for a very long time.
Droolingly coveted Mad's.
Didn't want to purchase until I could say f-stop and depth of field without hesitation.
I got the deal too, since the 10 MP version is due out soon, so say it with me..."discount." Very good, class!!!
Love, loVe, LOVE!!!
hee!!! giggle, giggle!!!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Plop, plop, fizz, fizz...
Oh my Buddha!
The Burns' rock the blackberry glazed bbq'd ham. And the basalmic glazed roasted veggies. And roasted yams.
Got an Eastor basket too!!!
Oh, wait...We had FONDUE for dessert.
Imagine this...
Rich, melted milk chocolate and
strawberries
oranges
bananas
fujiapples
cheesecake
ricecrispietreats
poundcake &
creampuffs for dipping.
I had to stop eating after the first few bites. It was just too much. (Did I just say that?!)
A gud Eastor.
Didn't get much art done this weekend...Lots going on. Chores, gym workout, journaling, ran of course, took photos for the MadMonk's new business venture, Birdie Buddies.
I finally met her newest companion, Lola, a bleu-and-gold macaw. I had to laugh, I had the song rambling thru my head, Lo lo lo lo lo la, Lo lo lo lo lo la, looked up the lyrics and the song is not about what I thot! LOL!!! LOLA! So my piece. I also posted it at SIStv, but I added the crown as an afterthot. She's a beauty, rescued, and is in birdie rehab, but sweet nonetheless. Greeted me with a loud HELLO! Evidentially, she doesn't talk to anyone except the MM. Haha!!! They don't call me the Pied Piper for nothin'!!! Animals and kids, they just love me!!! : .)
The background is masking tape, painted with gesso, then diluted acrylic splatters. The yellow paper is old dictionary pages painted w/ acrylic, I outlined some spatters with black pen as an accent. The milagro is from ARTchix Studios, and the crown is also out of the painted dictionary paper with rinestones.
I've got more bbq to eat tomorrow (beef rib night at Andy's), cycle class, tea and chat with an old "friend," etc, etc, etc...
Y'all have a gud week, Friends!!!
XO
- Moi : .)
The Burns' rock the blackberry glazed bbq'd ham. And the basalmic glazed roasted veggies. And roasted yams.
Got an Eastor basket too!!!
Oh, wait...We had FONDUE for dessert.
Imagine this...
Rich, melted milk chocolate and
strawberries
oranges
bananas
fujiapples
cheesecake
ricecrispietreats
poundcake &
creampuffs for dipping.
I had to stop eating after the first few bites. It was just too much. (Did I just say that?!)
A gud Eastor.
Didn't get much art done this weekend...Lots going on. Chores, gym workout, journaling, ran of course, took photos for the MadMonk's new business venture, Birdie Buddies.
I finally met her newest companion, Lola, a bleu-and-gold macaw. I had to laugh, I had the song rambling thru my head, Lo lo lo lo lo la, Lo lo lo lo lo la, looked up the lyrics and the song is not about what I thot! LOL!!! LOLA! So my piece. I also posted it at SIStv, but I added the crown as an afterthot. She's a beauty, rescued, and is in birdie rehab, but sweet nonetheless. Greeted me with a loud HELLO! Evidentially, she doesn't talk to anyone except the MM. Haha!!! They don't call me the Pied Piper for nothin'!!! Animals and kids, they just love me!!! : .)
The background is masking tape, painted with gesso, then diluted acrylic splatters. The yellow paper is old dictionary pages painted w/ acrylic, I outlined some spatters with black pen as an accent. The milagro is from ARTchix Studios, and the crown is also out of the painted dictionary paper with rinestones.
I've got more bbq to eat tomorrow (beef rib night at Andy's), cycle class, tea and chat with an old "friend," etc, etc, etc...
Y'all have a gud week, Friends!!!
XO
- Moi : .)
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Happi Eastor Sweeties, BOK! BOK!!!
So, I'm a lil slow on the uptake!!! I wuddha liked to have posted these sooner!!!
Made me giggle!!! Hope you get a giggle too!!!
Habe a gud Easter, kids!!!
XOXO!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
I have, like totally, the BEST friends!!!
check this!!! my very own chocolate!!! (and full exposure of my secret identity too...)
choklit from my soul sista!!! yummmy!!!
she know's what makes my tastebuds happy!!!
choklit from my soul sista!!! yummmy!!!
she know's what makes my tastebuds happy!!!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Doot, do doot, do doot!
Madame Cupcake (go check out her Etsy too, such cute stuff! The link is on her blog!) said my blog was missing me (hee!), so here's a pictorial essay for y'all!
Friday I had lunch at Specialties. Estor and I splurged and got the "special." Holy Ham Hocks, Batman!!! Ham, bacon, sharp cheddar, mayo, & sweet hot mustard, on potato, poppyseed bread! MadRetz, you shoulda got the cookies the other day!!! "Organic," (that means good for you, right?!) oatmeal/grain, chocolate chip. Crispy, chewy, textury...OH YUM!!!
I allowed myself the splurge because I RAN EIGHT MILES ON SATURDAY!!! WHEEEEEE!!!
This is what the sky looked like. The weather was breezy, but FABULOUS!!!
(I made some awesome curry chicken salad w/ apples for for dinner! (No picture!))
Cherry blossoms (?) On my walk thru the Santa Clara University campus this am. Gorgeous!
This squirm was playin' tag with his buddy! He's cute, kinda like the Geiko Gekko! Underneath this timid expression, HA!!! you think he'd be asking "Hey Lady, do you think you could spare an acorn for a poor hungry squirrel?" But no! Lil Spitfire!!!
Finally arrived at my destination...you guessed it, Starbucks!!! Got my chai and I was giggling so loud at the comics, this lady turned around and glared at me! Sheesh! Disapproval for laughing?
Whatever.
If there's anything I miss about my old house, its my washer and dryer. I went to GLM Launderland, anticipating that I could save some ducats. WRONG! I lost $1.75 (that's what it costs to wash a load!) in one machine and ended up spending the same amount as I would in the washroom downstairs at my complex. I guess I did save time, got 4 loads at once. Doncha just love the 70's decor? I think the patrons were holdovers from the 70's too!!!
Oh, Friday nite, I was invited to the Sharks game by my buddy Steve (an old friend, I was thinking of him 3o minutes prior to the call and the phone rings...Synchronicity!!!)
My beloved Los Tiburones are on an 11 game winning streak, franchise record and are hoping to make that 12 right now against the Oilers! We're in 2nd place in the Pacific Division!!!
I also got Happy Mail!!! More birthday celebrating for me! Ragged, how'd you know how much I love green???!!! Just in time for St. Patty's Day too, even tho' I found out I'm not Irish!!!
I LOVE IT!!! Its sooo cute!!! Thanks so much!
Last of all...some art. I keep getting inspired, and writing ideas down, but have been unable to get much completed. This training business takes up a lot of time!!! I finished up some mini art/daily cards, as well as a few for a bloggy pal that I'll show after she receives 'em!
Last week's run! 7 miles, with HILLS!!!
Obsessed with bleu, yellow, and birds lately. I braided the nest out of corregated cardboard strips.
Speaks for itself!!! Pix of that day's sky in the bkgnd.
Okay, another splurge, but only b/c I ran the 8 miles (8 miles = approx. 800 calories, I figured I could afford it.) Don't this make you smile? "Cake slice for 2?" Riiigggghhhhtttt! ahahah!
Habe a gud week, Friends!!!
Friday I had lunch at Specialties. Estor and I splurged and got the "special." Holy Ham Hocks, Batman!!! Ham, bacon, sharp cheddar, mayo, & sweet hot mustard, on potato, poppyseed bread! MadRetz, you shoulda got the cookies the other day!!! "Organic," (that means good for you, right?!) oatmeal/grain, chocolate chip. Crispy, chewy, textury...OH YUM!!!
I allowed myself the splurge because I RAN EIGHT MILES ON SATURDAY!!! WHEEEEEE!!!This is what the sky looked like. The weather was breezy, but FABULOUS!!!
(I made some awesome curry chicken salad w/ apples for for dinner! (No picture!))Cherry blossoms (?) On my walk thru the Santa Clara University campus this am. Gorgeous!
This squirm was playin' tag with his buddy! He's cute, kinda like the Geiko Gekko! Underneath this timid expression, HA!!! you think he'd be asking "Hey Lady, do you think you could spare an acorn for a poor hungry squirrel?" But no! Lil Spitfire!!!
Finally arrived at my destination...you guessed it, Starbucks!!! Got my chai and I was giggling so loud at the comics, this lady turned around and glared at me! Sheesh! Disapproval for laughing?Whatever.
If there's anything I miss about my old house, its my washer and dryer. I went to GLM Launderland, anticipating that I could save some ducats. WRONG! I lost $1.75 (that's what it costs to wash a load!) in one machine and ended up spending the same amount as I would in the washroom downstairs at my complex. I guess I did save time, got 4 loads at once. Doncha just love the 70's decor? I think the patrons were holdovers from the 70's too!!!
Oh, Friday nite, I was invited to the Sharks game by my buddy Steve (an old friend, I was thinking of him 3o minutes prior to the call and the phone rings...Synchronicity!!!)
My beloved Los Tiburones are on an 11 game winning streak, franchise record and are hoping to make that 12 right now against the Oilers! We're in 2nd place in the Pacific Division!!!
I also got Happy Mail!!! More birthday celebrating for me! Ragged, how'd you know how much I love green???!!! Just in time for St. Patty's Day too, even tho' I found out I'm not Irish!!!
I LOVE IT!!! Its sooo cute!!! Thanks so much!
Last of all...some art. I keep getting inspired, and writing ideas down, but have been unable to get much completed. This training business takes up a lot of time!!! I finished up some mini art/daily cards, as well as a few for a bloggy pal that I'll show after she receives 'em!Last week's run! 7 miles, with HILLS!!!
Obsessed with bleu, yellow, and birds lately. I braided the nest out of corregated cardboard strips.
Speaks for itself!!! Pix of that day's sky in the bkgnd.
Okay, another splurge, but only b/c I ran the 8 miles (8 miles = approx. 800 calories, I figured I could afford it.) Don't this make you smile? "Cake slice for 2?" Riiigggghhhhtttt! ahahah!Habe a gud week, Friends!!!
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Let the Celebrating Commence!!!
Today, March 8, 2008 ~ Things for which I am GRATEFUL...
Chocolate Fudge Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting!
(At the store, I was weighing the slices for the biggest piece of course and a lady next to me noticed and commented. I said "You're reading my mind." And she laughed and said "I'm looking in a mirror!" Caught in the act of a guilty pleasure, giggle! I love those interactions!)
Mike Palm's comment "Anything for you Linda, you know that!"
(When I thanked him for making an extra effort for me.)
Sharmaine game me a You Make My Day award on her blog today!
(Yesterday, Australia time.)
Tomorrow is SpRiNg Forward!
(More daylight and running in the evenings, not at the gym!)
The Sharks won their 8th game in a row!!! Whee!!!
(That requires extra exclamation points!!!)
Oh, and SEVEN miles of trail running (including HILLS!!!)
for me today!!!
Oh my Buddha! I am so HAPPY!!!
Chocolate Fudge Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting!
(At the store, I was weighing the slices for the biggest piece of course and a lady next to me noticed and commented. I said "You're reading my mind." And she laughed and said "I'm looking in a mirror!" Caught in the act of a guilty pleasure, giggle! I love those interactions!)
Mike Palm's comment "Anything for you Linda, you know that!"
(When I thanked him for making an extra effort for me.)
Sharmaine game me a You Make My Day award on her blog today!
(Yesterday, Australia time.)
Tomorrow is SpRiNg Forward!
(More daylight and running in the evenings, not at the gym!)
The Sharks won their 8th game in a row!!! Whee!!!
(That requires extra exclamation points!!!)
Oh, and SEVEN miles of trail running (including HILLS!!!)
for me today!!!
Oh my Buddha! I am so HAPPY!!!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Today Would Have Been Her 77th Birthday
And she would so say 29th !!! : .)
Happy Birthday, Mom!!!
(miss you much)
Happy Birthday, Mom!!!
(miss you much)
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Happy Birthday to Meeeee!
She's 29 today, people!!!(and if you believe that...)
The ohsohappy B-day Girl herself. She loves to take self-portraits : .)(And write about herself in the 3rd person!)
I had a lovely lunch with MadRetz and a visit from Mary and Megan (and GIFTS, yay!!!). Phone calls from Kiki-Carumba and Roma, Aldien, and Kathy. Text msg. from Bun-Bun!
That made me very happy!!!
I can't have my cake tho'! Titanium implant, implanted on Friday. Now the aliems from outside space can track me. No beer, wine, dairy or refined sugar until next Friday, sheesh!
Then its all about the white cake with buttercream frosting and the Lemon Drop Martinis!
Yeah Baby!!! I can't wait!!!
(Cupcake photo by Crysti @ Every Stock Photo)
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Bibbity Bobbity Bacon!
It may be the hydrocodone (medication of choice of the glamorous and famous) talkin' or if you you know me at all, my LOVE of BACON!!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Release Your Inner Princess!
Saw this tonite. It was darn cute!!! So happy and perky. Little vignettes of each of the Disney princess stories, colorful and musical.
Estor bot a blinking tiara for her friend Mike. I so wish I had a card in my camera!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Scraptastic!!!
Busy weekend! The usual, exercise (see last post!), some shopping (groceries), and art!
Inspired by this! (Bot it at stamp club on Thursday.)
Made the wire heart on the cover, buuuuttt, not sure what to do with it!!!
Made these!!!
Stealthy, sweetgum Ninjas! See Nudge-Nudge!
And...Elsie Challenge #8 - Group 4 Photos, Paper Adventure 08 #8 - Something Old, Postcards from Here - Love, a daily card (at a Skosh More), and Starbucks Love, an actual scrapbook layout! whee!
Panda Love pixs taken at the (world famous) San Diego Zoo, last fall.
Elise's prompt was Something Old...As a kid, I didn't like dolls, I preferred stuffed animals. Smokey the Bear & I first met at a flea market. We share many memories. He was the inspiration for my fire prevention poster, with which I won my 2nd grade fire prevention picture contest! : .) Smokey sports a coffee stain on his jeans, spilled coffee during a camping trip with my Dad. He's missing his belt and has a hole cut for his mouth for a pacifier because at one time, I wanted him to be a baby. Smokey's been a great friend, and altho' he's quite old and a little worse for wear, I still love him.
Christina's recent postcard prompt was tell a story about someone or something you love. Since I don't have a "someone" I had to art about a "something." Disneyland, I love Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth! Fun with girlfriends, rides, fuds, excitement!!! I had in my mind a Mickey Mouse icon head milagro, but it ended up being a Burning Mickey! I like the result, even if its not what I had envisioned.
A Starbucks Love layout. I saw a photo on flickr that I had to copy, so I spent part of my work day Friday shooting pixs. Zoolander was on yesterday and Mugatu said " Are you not aware that I get farty and bloated with a foamy latte?!" And I had to make the piece. I love the juxtaposition of the elegant layout with the off "off" quote, hee!
Finally, I wanted to share an article with y'all. I was so impressed with what these kids are accomplishing. It made me ask myself..."What are you doing to help the world, Linda." Yeah. What?!
9/11 Victims' Kids Help in New Orleans
Inspired by this! (Bot it at stamp club on Thursday.)
Made the wire heart on the cover, buuuuttt, not sure what to do with it!!!
Made these!!!
Stealthy, sweetgum Ninjas! See Nudge-Nudge!
And...Elsie Challenge #8 - Group 4 Photos, Paper Adventure 08 #8 - Something Old, Postcards from Here - Love, a daily card (at a Skosh More), and Starbucks Love, an actual scrapbook layout! whee!
Panda Love pixs taken at the (world famous) San Diego Zoo, last fall.
Elise's prompt was Something Old...As a kid, I didn't like dolls, I preferred stuffed animals. Smokey the Bear & I first met at a flea market. We share many memories. He was the inspiration for my fire prevention poster, with which I won my 2nd grade fire prevention picture contest! : .) Smokey sports a coffee stain on his jeans, spilled coffee during a camping trip with my Dad. He's missing his belt and has a hole cut for his mouth for a pacifier because at one time, I wanted him to be a baby. Smokey's been a great friend, and altho' he's quite old and a little worse for wear, I still love him.
Christina's recent postcard prompt was tell a story about someone or something you love. Since I don't have a "someone" I had to art about a "something." Disneyland, I love Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth! Fun with girlfriends, rides, fuds, excitement!!! I had in my mind a Mickey Mouse icon head milagro, but it ended up being a Burning Mickey! I like the result, even if its not what I had envisioned.
A Starbucks Love layout. I saw a photo on flickr that I had to copy, so I spent part of my work day Friday shooting pixs. Zoolander was on yesterday and Mugatu said " Are you not aware that I get farty and bloated with a foamy latte?!" And I had to make the piece. I love the juxtaposition of the elegant layout with the off "off" quote, hee!
Finally, I wanted to share an article with y'all. I was so impressed with what these kids are accomplishing. It made me ask myself..."What are you doing to help the world, Linda." Yeah. What?!
9/11 Victims' Kids Help in New Orleans
By STACEY PLAISANCE, Associated Press WriterThu Feb 21, 8:01 AM ET
Sixteen-year-old Caitlin Leavey remembers people she didn't even know coming to her family's aid with food and comfort after she lost her firefighter father in the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11.
On Wednesday, she and more than a dozen other young people who lost parents in the terrorist attacks were hanging siding on a house in New Orleans — their way of helping a city and its residents recover from the loss inflicted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
"It feels so good to be able to give back," Leavey said as she hammered away. "I know what they went through. I know what we went through, and I wanted to give back."
This week, Leavey and the others are working with Habitat for Humanity in the Musicians' Village, a housing initiative launched by New Orleans natives Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis in the Upper 9th Ward to help displaced musicians.
More than 40 candy-colored homes have already been built, and 23 more are under construction, project spokeswoman Aleis Tusa said.
The youth, ranging from 9th- to 12th-graders, arrived in New Orleans on Sunday with the help of Tuesday's Children, an organization that provides support to family's affected by the Sept. 11 attacks.
Besides manual labor, the teens took a tour of flood-damaged neighborhoods and learned about the city's levee system. They also visited the Aquarium of the Americas and French Quarter.
"It helps so much to be here because we're working with people who have been through what we've been through and care just as much as we do," said Thea Trinidad, 17, of Pawcatuck, Conn.
Adult chaperones say the visit goes beyond helping storm victims.
"Helping heals," said Candy Cucharo, program director for Tuesday's Children. "Doing for others, you're no longer viewed as the one needing help. Helping others builds resistance and helps strengthen your mental and emotional well-being."
Leavey was 10 when she lost her father, Joseph G. Leavey, a New York City fire lieutenant who led firefighters from Ladder 15 as high as the 78th floor of the south tower before it collapsed on Sept. 11. She said the New Orleans visit was a rewarding way to honor his memory.
"My dad was always helping people, painting and fixing the firehouse, just doing whatever he could do," Leavey said. He even helped a woman get her cat down from a tree.
"He was great," she said, smiling.Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Listen...You smell something?
Sorry, Ghostbusters is on. One of my all time favorite movies!
Productive weekend finally. I didn't spend much $$$, did some tv viewing, a couple of workouts, had lunch with Julie and Bill (chorizo y papas burrito, yummmmm!), made art, finished the gel xfer tutorial (its over at Nudge-Nudge if you're interested), paid attention to my eating (well, except for the burrito) and my H2O consumption, talked to my Dad (he's got the flu, "how?" I wondered aloud, "oh, you got the flu shot." hummm, does that seem like its working in the correct manner?), considered doing my taxes, managed a potential problem returning a hand vac at Target, talked to Karen about my b-day weekend, dropped my laptop on its almost brand new $80 replacement power-supply (*$%&#! so now its busted!), listened to my oh so considerate neighbor's new surround sound system thru my walls, blah, blah, blah, blah.
The coolest thing happened on Valentine's Day! (A cool thing happened today too, but more on that later!) During my department meeting, I was thinking about the 2 X-mas cards I haven't sent. I was gonna mail 'em with the Valentine's cards I was gonna make, ha! When I got home that afternoon, the childhood friend I reconnected with in May (Oregon) had sent me her X-mas letter and photos of her kids and us at the anniversary party! Synchronicity!!! She said she found it on her desk, all addressed, never mailed. The same state my card to her is in. It was just funny.
Anywhoo, on to the art!
The gel xfer example...Yes, I hand cut the letters for the band's name, Sublime! A pain in the ... If you check out Nudge-Nudge, you'll know why I'm annoyed.
My take on the Postcards from Here prompt Journey. Christina's prompt was tell a story about a journey. I started out thinking about Dan Eldon's quote, "The Journey is the Destination." (If you don't know Dan's story, check out his book w/ the same title on Amazon. It will touch you.) I love that concept, so I used the quote on the front and my story, which is an excerpt from an Antonio Machado book (roughly translated...) on the back.
Wanderer, your footsteps are the road, and nothing more; wanderer, there is no road, the road is made by walking. By walking one makes the road, and upon glancing behind one sees the path that never will be trod again. Wanderer, there is no road--Only wakes upon the sea.
I printed the edited photo directly on linen cardstock and tore the edges, that's it!
This is for Sista Linda's Elsie Challenge #7 which was take an artistic photo. (Now that I think about it, MadRetz may have actually taken this photo! Or I took it with her camera, or ???) OK, a Twin Peaks moment for Sobe Life Water, the commercial with the lizards and such dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller. Almost scary! Simple, printed on linen cardstock (how I love the texture) and embellished with the alphas (love Alice in Wonderland too!) and the flowers.
Are we through yet? Geezohpete!
Elise's PA 08 prompt, the Little Picture. (You know, we always talk about the BIG picture, what about the little picture?) You recognize the Morro Bay pix Hockneyized at Big Picture Labs? I inked the alpha stickers with gel pen. Remember that Wendy's chicken sarni commercial??? hee!!!
Last of all, Elise's PA 08 prompt "Make a Big Statement." I've always loved this quote from the Lee jeans commercial, "Whatever you do, don't FLINCH!). I think about it every time I think something will hurt, mentally, emotionally, physically.
Recycled cardboard, verdigris embossing powder, Prima flower, brads.
Oh, and I did one more thingy, but it was a "I have a bad attitude," venting piece and y'all don't need to see that. (It absolutely does not reflect a bullet-proof positive attitude!)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, ok...I'm done now!!! Got get yourself a bowl of ice cream as a reward!
I hope y'all have a gud week! Catch ya next weekend unless something EXTRAORDINARY happens to me in the next few days!
Productive weekend finally. I didn't spend much $$$, did some tv viewing, a couple of workouts, had lunch with Julie and Bill (chorizo y papas burrito, yummmmm!), made art, finished the gel xfer tutorial (its over at Nudge-Nudge if you're interested), paid attention to my eating (well, except for the burrito) and my H2O consumption, talked to my Dad (he's got the flu, "how?" I wondered aloud, "oh, you got the flu shot." hummm, does that seem like its working in the correct manner?), considered doing my taxes, managed a potential problem returning a hand vac at Target, talked to Karen about my b-day weekend, dropped my laptop on its almost brand new $80 replacement power-supply (*$%&#! so now its busted!), listened to my oh so considerate neighbor's new surround sound system thru my walls, blah, blah, blah, blah.
The coolest thing happened on Valentine's Day! (A cool thing happened today too, but more on that later!) During my department meeting, I was thinking about the 2 X-mas cards I haven't sent. I was gonna mail 'em with the Valentine's cards I was gonna make, ha! When I got home that afternoon, the childhood friend I reconnected with in May (Oregon) had sent me her X-mas letter and photos of her kids and us at the anniversary party! Synchronicity!!! She said she found it on her desk, all addressed, never mailed. The same state my card to her is in. It was just funny.
Anywhoo, on to the art!
The gel xfer example...Yes, I hand cut the letters for the band's name, Sublime! A pain in the ... If you check out Nudge-Nudge, you'll know why I'm annoyed.
My take on the Postcards from Here prompt Journey. Christina's prompt was tell a story about a journey. I started out thinking about Dan Eldon's quote, "The Journey is the Destination." (If you don't know Dan's story, check out his book w/ the same title on Amazon. It will touch you.) I love that concept, so I used the quote on the front and my story, which is an excerpt from an Antonio Machado book (roughly translated...) on the back.
Wanderer, your footsteps are the road, and nothing more; wanderer, there is no road, the road is made by walking. By walking one makes the road, and upon glancing behind one sees the path that never will be trod again. Wanderer, there is no road--Only wakes upon the sea.
I printed the edited photo directly on linen cardstock and tore the edges, that's it!
This is for Sista Linda's Elsie Challenge #7 which was take an artistic photo. (Now that I think about it, MadRetz may have actually taken this photo! Or I took it with her camera, or ???) OK, a Twin Peaks moment for Sobe Life Water, the commercial with the lizards and such dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller. Almost scary! Simple, printed on linen cardstock (how I love the texture) and embellished with the alphas (love Alice in Wonderland too!) and the flowers.
Are we through yet? Geezohpete!
Elise's PA 08 prompt, the Little Picture. (You know, we always talk about the BIG picture, what about the little picture?) You recognize the Morro Bay pix Hockneyized at Big Picture Labs? I inked the alpha stickers with gel pen. Remember that Wendy's chicken sarni commercial??? hee!!!
Last of all, Elise's PA 08 prompt "Make a Big Statement." I've always loved this quote from the Lee jeans commercial, "Whatever you do, don't FLINCH!). I think about it every time I think something will hurt, mentally, emotionally, physically.
Recycled cardboard, verdigris embossing powder, Prima flower, brads.
Oh, and I did one more thingy, but it was a "I have a bad attitude," venting piece and y'all don't need to see that. (It absolutely does not reflect a bullet-proof positive attitude!)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, ok...I'm done now!!! Got get yourself a bowl of ice cream as a reward!
I hope y'all have a gud week! Catch ya next weekend unless something EXTRAORDINARY happens to me in the next few days!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Saturday, February 09, 2008
There Are Decaffeinated Brands on the Market That Taste Just as Good As the Real Thing
I must disagree. The real thing is ohsomuch BETTER!!!
Running on Treadmill ≠ Running Outdoors on the Trail
My cells sang. My aura glowed YELLOW with HAPPINESS.
I listened to the birds speak.
I smelled the dirt mingled with the smell of the trees and grasses.
I saw the sunshine sparkle off the Loch.
I did my first 5 mile run in almost a year.
It was a very, very good morning.
Running on Treadmill ≠ Running Outdoors on the Trail
My cells sang. My aura glowed YELLOW with HAPPINESS.
I listened to the birds speak.
I smelled the dirt mingled with the smell of the trees and grasses.
I saw the sunshine sparkle off the Loch.
I did my first 5 mile run in almost a year.
It was a very, very good morning.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Mike Ness ROCKS!!!
Social D! Social D!!!
I had tixs tonite to Social Distortion at the Filmore in San Francisco!!! OMG!!! I am so lovin' this tattoo'd man!!! (His band is pretty good too! : .) I'm still on a high! I don't know if I'll be able to sleep!!! (This concert was as good [better? hard to decide!] as the one I went to in September when Social D played the Catalyst in Santa Cruz!)
Best moment of the evening...My concert buddy Paul and I were standing upstairs by the "restaurant" and who walks by, not 5 feet away from me, ready to go back stage!!! Ooooh yes! It was the man himself!!! Eye contact even!!! Swoon!!!
I call it Rockabilly, I was corrected as Social D is one of the leading bands in the American hardcore punk movement. Yes, there was a mosh pit, there always is! Either way, when Mike Ness sings, I.am.in.LOVE!!! sigh. What is it about me and these bad boys?! hee!!!
P.S. Don't forget to VOTE!!!
Paul found this pix online somewhere...I'd like to credit it.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
When its over...
Not enough time to do art stuff this weekend. A lot of time for couching. My muse vacated the claustrophobic premises of my mind and I only got one piece done b/4 it went. I still need to do the Elise Paper '08 Challenge, "The Little Picture" and the postcard challenge, "Journey." sigh.
This is Bun-Bun and Brob. (That's short for Brobdingnagian...Look that one up!) Obviously a bunny and an elephant, yesh? They are really good friends. I took this photo at Anthropologie b/c I couldn't decide on either as a bebe gift for one of my running buddies, even after playing with and making up stories about them for 20 minutes : .) I ended up with Fat-Bottomed Girl Zeeba! (If you read the comic Pearls B/4 Swine, you'll get why I named her Zeeba!) The pix ended up on the gift card. (Sorry, no pix of the Zeeba. I boxed her already.)
This is the only art piece I completed. Its for the Elsie Challenge this week, embellish a floral accent. I guess they're not enough by themselves. Me being me, didn't want to "waste" the branch sticker, so I traced and cut it out, cut the paper flower from the background paper, mounted that on a felt flower and finished it off with a stitched on crystal.
Other highlites of the weekend, guaranteed to blow your top:
A viewing of Sweeny Todd. You can read Madretz's spot on review, 3rd paragraph of the post. While you're there check out her pukey cute kawaii banner in her most current post. It is sooooo freakin' TUTE! I love it!!!
Forgetting to pay the rent (to the tune of a $25 late fee) and beating myself with a 2 by 4 in the hopes that I WILL NOT FORGET NEXT MONTH!!! (Its not like the first doesn't come EVERY MONTH! Arrrrgggggghhhhhhh!!! Grrrrrrrrr! I'm so mad at myself.)
Oh so fresh 5 loads of laundry!
And the winning of the SUPERBOWL by the underdogs, the NY Giants. What the HECK!!! I feel sooo sorry for the Patriots!!! To finish their undefeated season with a LOSS! Ay Carumba!
This is Bun-Bun and Brob. (That's short for Brobdingnagian...Look that one up!) Obviously a bunny and an elephant, yesh? They are really good friends. I took this photo at Anthropologie b/c I couldn't decide on either as a bebe gift for one of my running buddies, even after playing with and making up stories about them for 20 minutes : .) I ended up with Fat-Bottomed Girl Zeeba! (If you read the comic Pearls B/4 Swine, you'll get why I named her Zeeba!) The pix ended up on the gift card. (Sorry, no pix of the Zeeba. I boxed her already.)
This is the only art piece I completed. Its for the Elsie Challenge this week, embellish a floral accent. I guess they're not enough by themselves. Me being me, didn't want to "waste" the branch sticker, so I traced and cut it out, cut the paper flower from the background paper, mounted that on a felt flower and finished it off with a stitched on crystal.
Other highlites of the weekend, guaranteed to blow your top:A viewing of Sweeny Todd. You can read Madretz's spot on review, 3rd paragraph of the post. While you're there check out her pukey cute kawaii banner in her most current post. It is sooooo freakin' TUTE! I love it!!!
Forgetting to pay the rent (to the tune of a $25 late fee) and beating myself with a 2 by 4 in the hopes that I WILL NOT FORGET NEXT MONTH!!! (Its not like the first doesn't come EVERY MONTH! Arrrrgggggghhhhhhh!!! Grrrrrrrrr! I'm so mad at myself.)
Oh so fresh 5 loads of laundry!
And the winning of the SUPERBOWL by the underdogs, the NY Giants. What the HECK!!! I feel sooo sorry for the Patriots!!! To finish their undefeated season with a LOSS! Ay Carumba!
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