Category Archives: Community

My Ah-Ha Moment!

Good evening!!

My sister, Alex, just left to go home, after a VERY LOVELY visit this evening!! She has a way of helping me focus my thoughts, and making things that I’d previously thought would be near impossible seem strangely simple. How does she do that? AMAZING!!! You see, I had a really, REALLY bad stress headache at work today, and I IM’ed my husband and jokingly said that I should become an art teacher. Well, he laughed, I laughed, and I felt better enough to get back to work! When I stopped laughing, I kind of froze and said to myself, “Well, why not?”. My mom taught craft classes, I’ve taught craft classes,  maybe it is genetic!! I LOVE crafting, and I would LOVE to have a reason to do it, as often as possible!!! Anyway, I am not sure exactly how this is going to come to fruition but one way or another, with a little help from my friends, I am going to MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉

That’s More Like It!

Got home from work not too long ago, and I am happy to report that, TODAY WAS SOOO MUCH BETTER THAN YESTERDAY!!! WHOO!!! HOO!!!!!

Less stress!
Less yelling!
Less anxiety!
Less headache!
More work done!
More smiling!
More laughing!!

That makes me a very HAPPY GIRL this evening!!! My sweetie and I stopped off and picked up some made-to-order salads, which were quite delicious. Then we made a b-line for home so we could have our dinner, and get started with our evening!!!

I am going to do some more crafting on my journal this evening, and maybe do a little reading, although I am having some trouble getting into a new book. That is one of the dilemmas of having so many books – especially when almost half of them are yours because you inherited them. Their genres are TOTALLY different than what I am used to reading, which I know could be a REALLY GOOD thing, but I am having a hard time falling into a story.

Does anyone have any good books that they have read lately???  Talking about books, that reminds me – I have been talking with my sweetie about starting a book club, but I am not exactly sure how to go about finding book lovers like me! I had recruited one person, but now she is moving back to Arizona, *SNIFF*, so I am going to have to start over!! I LOVE reading, and I ESPECIALLY love reading books that have adventure, mystery, intrigue, some action, a lusty romance is always good, you know – kind of like one-stop-shopping!!

Some of my favorite reads are:

  • The Harry Potter Series
  • The Vampire Diaries Series
  • The Twilight Series
  • The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
  • Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
  • The Mortal Instruments Series
  • The Percy Jackson Series

But, what I would REALLY LOVE to read with a book club is all of the Jane Austen books! Jane Austen has written some of THE BEST heroes and heroines EVER!! They are complex, tortured, and ABSOLUTELY LOVEABLE!!!! Has anyone ever started a book club before??? How do you go about doing it?? How do you find people to join you?? If anyone has any ideas, or if anyone is in the Salem area and would like to join me – THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!! 😉

Anyway, I am off to go get get crafty for a little while before bed this evening! I am hoping to have a picture of my new journal to share with you by Friday!

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉

A Morning of Thanks!!

Good morning!!!

I wanted to stop and tell you that blogging, for me, was an activity that started out as a hobby and has quickly morphed into a PASSION!!! Because of this blog, I am now constantly searching and thinking of new things to share with you, which in and of itself has really forced me to ‘think outside the box’ on a daily basis! I also LOVE having a venue to express myself, no matter what mood I am in on any given day. Whether I am feeling ecstatic or blue, creative or literary, introverted or social, blogging has been a forum where I can just be my true self!!

What a GREAT FEELING!!

My hope for this blog is that it may inspire you to try something new, look at the world in a new way, or simply bring a smile to your day. If I have been able to do that for even one of you, then all of my hard work has been TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!

AND for whatever reason, my readership has been going up, up, up, which just JAZZES MY DAY!!! The number of ‘hits’ on my blog for January 2011 was more than double my previous BEST month – and that was August 2010!!! WOW!!! Thank you, to all of you who stop by and read my posts every day!! YOU inspire me, and keep me going!! I pray, even if it is in only a very small way, that I am able to do the same for you!!

THANK YOU, and have a FABULOUS day!! 😉

 

Happy Early Monday!!

Good morning!!

At least I assume it is morning, since it is so dark outside yet this morning! I have really gotten spoiled being able to not even have to get up for work until about 7 am!! This morning, I have an early morning meeting, so time is of the essence!! 😉 Even with that, I am really looking forward to a fun, and productive week!!! Unfortunately, and so unlike me, I do not have a plan yet for my week – I let myself get busy watching documentary’s last night.

One of the documentaries that I was watching last night that has really got me thinking. It was called, ‘No Impact Man’. Now I know that he is not the first person to try to bring the cause of being green and living a carbon footprint small life to the world, but for some reason, what he and his family did just kind of intrigued me! For those of you who don’t know, No Impact Man is based on a New York city man, Colin Beavan, who challenges his family, of three, to live without electricity, television, non-self-propelled transportation, producing garbage, eating out,  eating meat – or anything non-organic, for that matter, or purchasing anything new for an entire year. I think what intrigued me about this family, was it made me think, ok, I would NEVER want to go THIS extreme to go green, but what things can I do to help decrease my carbon footprint on the environment?

I could:

  • Turn my thermostat down one degree in the Winter, and up two in the Summer
  • Start recycling, to produce less waste
  • Purchase more bulk-type foods to reduce my garbage output
  • Wash my laundry with cold water, as often as possible
  • Start a compost bin in the backyard
  • Prepare to grown some of my own veggies this upcoming season
  • Go vegetarian once or twice a week
  • Take public transportation to and from work
  • Purchase fruits and veggies from the local farmer’s market, or directly from local farms when the season opens
  • Go television-less 2 or three times a week
  • Reduce the frequency in which I purchase clothes, and other material goods – in most cases used items work just as well as new
  • Get involved in an environmental project

Whew! Now that I have gotten that down on paper, so to speak, I feel MUCH better!!! 😉 I will keep you posted on which of these things I implement! Already: thermostat turned up: check, washing machine set to cold: check. I am on my way!

Have a FABULOUS day!! 😉

Happy Saturday!

What is your idea of perfect happiness? A lazy, naked Sunday hanging in out in bed with my Sweetie reading, watching classic movies, or other extracurricular activities.

What is your most marked characteristic? My smile

What is the trait that you most deplore in yourself? Fear

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Living without faith

What is your favorite occupation?
Being a designer

What is your greatest extravagance? Books! Books! And more Books!!

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being married 15 years in a time when divorce is something that happens as easily and as often as you change your panties!

Which word or phrases do you overuse? For fucksake! (Sorry Dad!)

Who or what is your greatest love? My family, hands down!!!

Who is your favorite fiction hero?
Auntie Mame!!!

What is the quality you most like in a man? Honesty, drive, humor and generosity

What is the quality you most like in a woman? Honesty, drive, humor and generosity

Where would you like to live? Paris, France

If you were reincarnated, and you could choose who you came back as, who would you choose? I would want to come back as one of the Cosby kids!

How would you like to die? Happy

What is your favorite journey? Discovering what my purpose is

Which talent would you most like to have? To be successful with anything I try

Who are your heroes in real life? Audrey Hepburn, Della Reese, Diane Von Ferstenburg, Isaac Mizrahi, Oprah Winfrey, Rick Steves, and JK Rowling

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Patience, but only because I don’t have any

What is your current state of mind? Pleasantly exhausted and happy to be done with Christmas shopping!!

On what occasion do you lie? Only when it saves someone from getting hurt

What is your motto? I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength

– Christina

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Christmas at the Capitol Building

I find myself relishing this amazing moment where I have an excuse to sit in the middle of Salem Capitol’s building’s marble stairs,  and just take in the lovely sound of school children singing Christmas choral music. There is nothing quite like listening to children’s voices singing at Christmastime in this seemingly magical historic building. The acoustics in here are full and rich – the perfect environment for having a nice break from a stressful day at work.

The children singing are made up of 3 or 4 of the local schools here, ranging from elementary school all the way to one of the high school’s many choirs. At one point in the 2 hour program, all of the schools sang together; a beautifully haunting piece in an echoing kind of arrangement and I could not help but close my eyes and just take in the angelic sound of those sweet voices – like the voices of angels sent straight from Heaven (this is where the parents sigh, and wish that they could be this “angelic” all the time). As I am sitting here listening, I can’t help but wonder who have walked these halls before us, who’s voices have been raised within these halls to mark the Christmas holidays both past, and who shall come after this in the future.

This event has given this Christmas season a sense of nostalgia – something that I have been longing for and have been sadly missing this year, until now that is. As the hustle and bustle of this holiday season can sometimes fly by in a mass of to-do lists, and obligations, I pray that each and every one of you reading this get to have at least one memorable moment to give you a sense of Christmas magic like these children have unknowingly blessed me with today – that or next time, we can  make a date and sneak some of our own Christmas magic by coming to the Capitol building and listening to the next round of carolers together. Sounds SIMPLY DIVINE!

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉

Getting REAL!!

Good morning! I  did my weigh in this morning and am up .2 pounds from yesterday, which is frustrating because the weight was falling off so quickly before, and now it seems to be inching up a little every day. UGH! I am not really sure what adjustments to make – I am counting every calorie, exercising more, stress level is down, and I am making sleep more of a priority – I am not sure what else to do. I pray for wisdom in this area, because I am a little stumped! I just don’t want to have weight loss surgery! I want to know that I did this without such invasive medical intervention!

Anyway, I am loving taking the time to tap into my creativity every day! It has really taken the edge off of my sometimes stressful life.

Also, I have started, along with my partner at work, Chris, walking through the Willamette University campus for about 45 minutes every day. Willamette University has such an electric and creative feeling atmosphere – that feeling is VERY CONTAGIOUS! When I was in both Junior and Senior high schools, I had always dreamed about going to Willamette. It has always been so prestigious and the grounds are both stunning and architecturally MAGNIFICENT! I just wanted, and maybe still do, to be a part of that school’s history! Well, for now, I will just have to be satisfied with my daily walks!

Can I confide in you? I am having a health issue and normally I would let it go, but this issues has really become a problem. The thing is, is that I am menstruating seemingly all the time, which can really make it difficult to feel normal, not to mention clean and absolutely un-GROSS! My mom had a total hysterectomy at 32, I think, and here I am at 35. My doctor suggests getting a DNC done, which she warns will be very painful! I have ALWAYS been a BIG BABY when it comes to pain! A DNC is basically where they go in and scrape out the lining of your uterus! SHUDDER!! That sounds HORRIBLE!!! I think my hesitation, besides the pain, is that I hear that it can make it more difficult to get pregnant; like we need ANYMORE issues in that area of our lives! My husband and I have been together for 16 years and we have NEVER even gotten pregnant. That is REALLY rough because I have always known that I was born to become a mom, and Jason would make a FABULOUS daddy!! It is really hard to not be constantly jealous of my friends and family who have kids; ESPECIALLY those people who you come across in life who either ignore, or take their children completely for granted – that has been REALLY ROUGH! Anyway, one way or the other, I am going to have to get myself to my physician and get this issue taken care of, OR I will have no other choice but to invest in Kotex – since I may be SINGLE HANDEDLY keeping that company in business!!! LOL! 😉

Has anyone else ever had a DNC done? I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject in the comments above! Is it really as painful as I am thinking it is? Were you able to have children after having one done? Anything to help fill me in on the details would be EXTREMELY appreciated – thanks!!! 🙂

ON A SIDE NOTE: I hear that is supposed to be some kind of AMAZING show of shooting stars this evening! If the weather cooperates I will have to check it out!

Have a FABULOUS day!! 😉

Tuesday Evening Update!

Well, I am still going through the Crafter’s Devotional, and tonight’s assignment is to color as if you were still a little kid. So here I am trying to think of something to color. The only thing I immediately thought of was houses, trees, suns, and rainbows – all of my favorite standbys just like when I was a little kid! I do however appreciate the exercise because it is helping me loosen up my creativity muscles so to speak!!

My husband and I live in a small condo, and I am actively looking for a little farm/cottage/or plot of land to call our home.  Someplace where we can have a small flower cutting garden, herb garden, and vegetable garden. I would also LOVE to have a space where my husband can do some woodworking, and I have a place to have both an art studio and a place to refinish/reupholster  furniture – HOW DIVINE!!! 😉 Ok, I can already hear some of you saying, “You? Get dirty?? Ain’t gonna happen!”, but, really, I am telling you! I want to get back to a simpler lifestyle, a lifestyle where you don’t watch life go by, you actually spend your life LIVING IT!!! I don’t forsee that we will be moving for at least a year yet, unless the good Lord has other plans for us, but I TRULY CAN’T WAIT!! 😉

I think I am coming down with something! I have been getting more and more congested, my right ear hurts, and now my neck and shoulders are really getting ache-ey!! I don’t have time to get sick right now, my work life is JUST TOO CRAZY BUSY to take ANY time off. At least, for the time being! I can imagine calling in sick in the morning, and my partner-in-crime, driving to my house, and picking my booty up, pj’s & all, and drag my sickie-self off to the office!!! I just love her – she really is a GREAT friend!!! I COULD NOT do what I do WITHOUT HER!!! 😉

Anyway, I am off to color some more…er…I mean, encourage my creativity!! What are some of the ways that you encourage creativity in yourself – I would LOVE to hear form you in the comment section above!!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!

Dreaming of Someday!

I am sitting in my craft studio day dreaming about my ideal future. I dream about one day making a living doing what I truly love; being surrounded by beautiful home accessories and home furnishings. Ok, that may not sound very romantic, but I imagine working with all sorts of fun and creative people,  who both create and are on the hunt for the perfect and unique treasures to help give their homes a special je ne sais quoi. Fabrics, textures, feathers, cashmere, all things sparkly, girly, and absolutely FABULOUS!!! I can hear the French music playing throughout the shop, and how I would ADORE taking a yearly trip to Europe to shop for new furniture and other home accessories! OH!!! Just the thought of it makes me SOOOO EXCITED – I wish I could just snap my fingers and make it my reality now!!! I am not sure exactly I am going to make this dream come true, or what it will ultimately be in the future, but, for now – it is such a beautiful sight in my dreams! I just have to stay focused on that, and ultimately it will be mine! I hope you will all be there to enjoy destination, as well as my journey!

With that, here are some pictures that are inspiring my dream business ideas!

I know these all seem very random, but to me they represent something like vintage girly, glam!!! Oh what a sweet life!! 🙂

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉

Blackberry Monday!

I would love to tell you that I am being proactive, and spending my evening exercising, planning for tomorrow and all that jazz, but really? I am pretty much just wasting my time playing with my new Blackberry!! I got it from work today, and I am trying to figure out how to work all of the features, and actually having fun doing it!!

You know, working in an IT department, it is really easy to stay up on all of the latest gadgets and techie goodies!! and yes, I am ashamed to say that have become quite a gadget junkie!! But you know, it is very common that I find myself sitting in a meeting on any given day, and all around me I see my co-workers sitting with i-pads, laptops, cell phones, pagers, and all kinds of other assorted electronics. It is amazing how difficult it is to talk to an actual person face-to-face now a days, I sometimes worry about upgrading my electronics because I feel like I am just feeding into the electronics as people/relationships/entertainment/life. Ok, wait – this posting just got heavy, really heavy all of the sudden!! Anyone seen the people in Wall-E???? Ok, I’m done! I will just have to make sure that I remember to disconnect as often as possible!! 🙂

Anyway, I am off to go sneak as much sleep as possible before I have to slip off to work again tomorrow morning!!

Before I go for the evening, I want to give a shout out to my dad – he took me and my little sister out for lunch yesterday to celebrate our October birthdays and we really did have such a good time!!! I love getting to spend time with my dad!! and he is so sweet! When I hugged him I just didn’t want to let him go because he smelled like home!!! Thank you for lunch – I love you, Daddy!!! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening!! 😉