a ReiNstatEmENt.

Well in looking at the date of my last post, it looks as though I haven't been here in about a month. That is why I am reinstating my blog. It has been a crazy month, but I am ready to return so I can share, create, and be inspired.

To start things off, I decided to share some photos I have gathered from various blogs and sites that are inspiring to me. Enjoy!

Much needed vacation...

Ahhh...why does life have to be so tough sometimes? I feel like it never ends. But there is an upside...vacation. And that is exactly where I will be from tomorrow afternoon through Monday. Dave and I are driving to LA to visit Heidi and Jon and I CAN'T WAIT!!!! It is going to be so much fun and I get to go to the beach...yea! I plan on taking a million pictures of course. Speaking of pictures, below is Dave and I's newest obsession. The Golden Spoon, they serve over 20 flavors of completely fat-free frozen yogurt....and man is it good. Cheesecake and Peanut Butter are my favorties. The picture is from when we went to the Grand Opening and got FREE ice cream. I went with old fashioned vanilla and sprinkles :) Good because it tastes good, but even better because it's guilt free. We went three times in the last week...hehe. The only bad part is the toppings, they can get dangerous, but with fat-free ice cream do I really have to worry? Sorry for those on the East Coast, this is a West coast only francise.

New and exciting things are coming...

I know I shouldn't want them to, but I can't wait for the next ten weeks of my life to go by. Not that I am not doing anything worth while here, quite the contrary actually, but I love change and new things and that is coming very soon. I have moving fever and have already started some of the planning process. I have our route planned and our budget (now all we have to do is save the money). I have also decided-no scrapbooking-until we move. I know it sounds crazy since it is usually such a part of my daily life, but I am feeling uninspired and overwhelmed by it. I am going to focus my energy on my internship and doing the best possible job I can and our move, new ideas for our new apartment, selling old stuff, packing, planning all of that. And I am going to try and just take more pictures without thinking about how I am going to scrap them and all of that. I have this gut feeling that Pittsburgh is going to be the place for us. I didn't have that feeling about Arizona, and it definitely wasn't. I am starting a new chapter in my life now that school is over, we are saving money for a house, and have big plans and goals for ourselves. It feels good. It feels right. Here are some pictures that I took while out on a walk down the canal (manmade) that runs behind our complex. The first is a really cute car I saw, the second is the canal at sunset, and the third is obviously a street light, but I love the way it came out.

self portrait

One of the challenges on Elsie's blog today was to take a creative self portrait. I love doing this, and having a digital camera makes it easy to take a ton and keep the good ones :) Also some new exciting things are happening in my life so I will hopefully be blogging a little more often. Busy morning though, gotta run.

a new chapter...

I have so many things I want to write about right now. So many thoughts and ideas going through my head I don't really know where to start. I guess I will just pick a spot and go with it.
Well, yesterday was officially my last day of class....FOREVER!!! I will never have to sit in a classroom for school again (unless of course I choose to go to grad school, but we will cross that bridge when we get there :). I still have two tests next week, but NO MORE CLASS! It is a weird feeling that I don't really think has sunk in yet. This has led me to other thoughts about where I am going next and what I want to allocate time for. A blog that read from Ali Edwards has been exploring the idea of taking what she calls your life temperature. This consists of weighing your priorities and trying to achieve a sort of balance that works best for you. Also, in leu of spring, (even though we really don't have that springy feeling here in AZ) I have been itching to clean stuff out, simplify, and focus on what I want to be a part of my daily life. We have 13 weeks left here before we go to Pennsylvania and I can't wait to go through all my stuff and get rid of some of it. I am definitely not a pack rat and have never had a problem getting rid of stuff. I hate when I start to feel like my stuff overwelms and controls me. I just went through my closet last week and got rid of two bags of clothes. I still had stuff from highschool in there (and I graduated 6 years ago!). It felt good and makes getting dressed in the morning easier without have to weed out all the stuff that doesn't fit, or is worn out. It is better for the self-esteem too I think. So, that is my goal for this first week without classes. Set a sort of schedule for myself and really think about what I want to do and stick to it (that is always the toughest for me). Well that does it for now. I will keep you updated on the process :)

12 Days later...an update :)

Well it has been a long time since I posted. I am not even sure if anyone really reads this other than my sister. Dave says he checks it every so often, but he is here everyday and knows what goes on in my day-to-day so I am not sure that counts:) Anyways here is an update on various things along with some photos.

Easter: Went out for a fabulous breakfest at the farm then for dinner we went to our friends for dinner. Their little girl Jackie got a pirate kit in her Easter basket, we had fun playing pirates :)

CKC Mesa: No photos for this one. But, I did shop and got all kinds of new goodies. I also got some freebies for volunteering, books and kits and what not. It was a good experience overall.

School: Almost there, only a couple of classes left. Everything is in order for my intership (so far at least). And I am enrolled for all but one Summer class. I can't wait to be done :)

Scrapping: Cleaning the studio today and going through pictures that I haven't been through in a while to gather some older photos and really old ones (the ones from my grammy) to be inspired and challenge myself to scrap some new stuff. Like I said I got lots of new goodies that I dying to use :) I will share the layouts in my gallery.

Random: Dave got a tattoo!! It isn't done quite yet, but here is the outline. Also he was a sweetie and bought me flowers the other night as a surprise :) Love them!

Enjoy the pictures and have a great day!

sick.

Well I have officially lost track of the days and have not written in quite a few. I am sick of school. Sick of Arizona. And yesterday was VERY sick to my stomach. I am hoping to get all things back in order and on my way to not being sick. I will let you know when I get there and will soon post easter photos.

DAY THIRTY: New Etsy Shop!

Well, I have taken on yet another creative endeavor. I have opened and Etsty Shop! I will have a wide variety of items here from scrapbooking, to glassware, to photo prints. I am currently working on adding to it and will continue to do so throughout the week. Check it out and help spread the word!

DAY TWENTY NINE: On my mind

Just wanting to share some things that are going on with me right now and on my mind.
*Submitting lots of pages for publication (hopefully)
*Trying some new techniques on my pages
*Throwing around ideas for a book and hoping to work with Heidi on it
*Happy that my herbs are doing so well (except the violet, its not dead yet though)
*Not wanting to go to school, I would rather be creating
*Reminding myself I need to call Dad and Marlana
*Looking forward to the weekend (food and fun)
*Not looking forward to the weekend (I have a paper to write and two tests to study for)
*Happy that the weather has cooled down some again (high of 68)
*Trying to come up with ways and contacts to break into the world of creating as a career

quick note

I recieved a copy of the book I was published in today...absolutely fabulous! Here is a link Journaling Your Story. I am super busy this week and will write more later :) Have a great day, night, week, whatever!

DAY TWENTY EIGHT--spontaneous photo op

I am so excited to share these pictures! I brought my camera with me to campus yesterday to take some pictures between classes and just documenting my day and I had my first spontaneous photo opportunity! At first I was taking pictures of the fountain from afar, then I tried to sneak up on the birds to get some close ups and when I got there, I was sitting on the edge of the fountain and they were perfectly happy splashing and playing with me right there. I was so glad I brought my camera. I am still new to photography and am learning but I am proud of these pictures! Enjoy!

DAY TWENTY SEVEN--spring.

In the two years I have been here I have never really considered Spring to be a season that Arizona experiences. Afterall, it is already 85, I am in shorts and the AC is going. However, I have realized that this does not mean that we don't have a Spring, it is just...different. The smell of orange blossoms, especially in the cool night air is a sure sign. That and the smell of fresh cut grass ( I guess we have that all year round, but I am more aware of it this time of year). Spring here means getting up earlier to beat the heat to get stuff done. The sound of kids in the pool. But not for long, once it reaches the 100 degree mark ever migrates inside like it was winter. I am trying to enjoy the lively atmoshpere while it lasts :) (By the way I did not take these pictures, thank you yahoo images)

DAY TWENTY SIX--sorry sister.

Sorry Marlana if you checked my blog...I told you I was going to post pictures last night and I didn't :) Anyway here is that post.

1. I got my internship!!!! This summer I will be working at the Petersen house for a couple of months. I went yesterday, and it wasn't even like and interview, she just told me what we were doing and said welcome aboard! I am so insanely excited. Here is a low down on what I will be getting to do (beware, unless you are into history and design, this might sound boring). Yesterday I got a tour of the house from a very knowledgable woman named Judy. Amazing. I learned so much, it was a lot to try to take in and remember though. Anyways, I will be stopping by in a couple weeks to pick up some literature to read before I start the project and to do a textile analysis for one of my classes. Then, come May I will be helping in the planning for the makeover of one of the upstairs bedrooms. It is currently in 1930s style and we will be changing it to late Victorian/ 1900s. I will be gathering resources on draperies, furniture, wallpaper etc. I cannot wait!

2. This week since I was on vacation I decided to start an herb garden. I obtained a shelf from Dave that I put in front of our window by the stairs. I went to Lowes and bought a peppermint plant, african violet, and generic foliage house plant (those are the ones in the picture) a basil plant and a rosemary plant(they are outside because they need more sun). I also braided some hemp together and hung it about the stand to hang the herbs to dry once they are large enough to pick. I am so excited. I am determined not to let these plants die.

3. This is my last day of "vacation" I technically don't have school until Tuesday, but today is my last homework free day, then its back to the grind stone. That is ok though, I have had time to try new things and relax for a while and no I only have 1.5 months left. :)

4. Right now I am importing all of our cds into our iTunes (what a task), preparing items to take to the postoffice which include a letter for my grammy for her birthday, an art journal I am starting with Heidi, postcards, and stuff I am sending to the lawyer. Also hoping to squeeze in some reading, the grocery store, and crafting :) Enjoy the day.

DAY TWENTY-FIVE--I lied.

Ok so I lied and didn't post for two days. I am going to stop saying I am going to do that, because I realized it never really happens. Anyway just a quick post right now. I am getting ready for an interview at the Nils Petersen House in Tempe, AZ. It is for my applied study and I would be so relieved it all went well. Keep your fingers crossed. I also have a meeting for work. Yesterday I went to Lowe's and went plant shopping and started an herb garden. Pictures will be posted later.

DAY TWENTY-FIVE--I lied.

Ok so I lied and didn't post for two days. I am going to stop saying I am going to do that, because I realized it never really happens. Anyway just a quick post right now. I am getting ready for an interview at the Nils Petersen House in Tempe, AZ. It is for my applied study and I would be so relieved it all went well. Keep your fingers crossed. I also have a meeting for work. Yesterday I went to Lowe's and went plant shopping and started an herb garden. Pictures will be posted later.

DAY TWENTY-FOUR--crawling out

Well I think I am finally crawling out of a funk I have been in. I have a week off from school and plan on doing some things I haven't otherwise had time for. Hopefully it will rejuvinate me. Also I am not sure why I am still counting days on here, seeing how I haven't written everyday, but oh well. I am going to write everyday until school starts again though. I will be posting pictures of my fun adventures this week. Tonight we are cooking Thai food, or a variation of it. A pork loin with this coconut-curry-peanut sauce, a thai veggie slaw, and some sort of spring roll or wonton. I LOVE FOOD!! I will post recipes if everything turns out well. I should post recipies on here from my collection. I just organized them onto recipe cards. Oooo good idea, when I make the recipes in the future I will take a picture of them, print it out and attach it to the card. Nice. Well ta ta for now.

DAY TWENTY-THREE: burnt out, winding down, finding creativity

I know I sound like a broken record, but school is burning me out! I just finished a 7 page argument/research paper. Have a huge assignment due Friday (I think) and chapters to read. School related is my internship. Letters to be written, phone calls, transcripts...I can't wait for it all to be over. At least spring break is next week. I am hoping that the homework will be minimal and that I can refind my creative self. At least the house is clean and pretty, that always helps my mind be at ease. Dave bought me some beautiful sunflowers for the dining room. They make me smile, and I got good healthy food from the grocery store today. That is all. Oh and I updated my gallery on twopeas :)

DAY TWENTY-TWO: books.

I would officially like to announce that at this point in the semester homework has taken over my life. So much. All the time.

I have also come to the realization that if I can't do one thing everyday (*cough, *cough, this blog) that is OK. Every few days is good.

I just realized today how many books I am currently reading. Simultaneously. This list does not include text books that I read excerts and do research in. Ok here goes.

Son of Witch by Gregory Macquire

Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino

Living Out Loud by Keri Smith

A History of Valentines by Ruth Webb Lee

Gender, Nature, and Nurture by Richard A. Lippa

Same Difference: How genter myths are hurting our relationships, our children, and our jobs by Rosalind Barnett and Caryl Rivers

Images of Myth in Classical Antiquity by Susan Woodford

Happy reading to everyone else enjoying books and lucky for you if you have no homework!

DAY TWENTY-ONE-long time no post.

Well it's four days since my last post. Been wrapped up in homework and work and generally things I am not too fond of having to do. They leave little time for being creative and spending time reading and outdoors and stuff. Still spend too much time sleeping. It's not that I don't like it (obviously I do that why I spend so much time doing it) but I would rather be living than sleeping, even if by living I mean simply walking or reading. I need a motivater in my life. I am self motivating, but only about certain things and only so many at once. I need someone to whisper in my ear and remind me of those other things. A fairy godmother would be nice.

DAY TWENTY--target love <3

I love Target. I think everyone does. Cheap. Cute. Well Designed. These are the goodies I picked up there today in addition to pictures I sent from Yahoo. A polka dot dust pan/broom, 2 orange dish scrubbies, yellow recipe cards (which I plan to transfer my recipies to tonight), a turquiose bracelet, big skull print hoop earrings, an acrylic alpha stamps set, multi-colored dotted packaging tape...all for $16!!! Love it. Going to take tonight to figure out the rest of the next few days. Dave is out of town on work so I am on my own. Rented Marie Antionette, Trust the Man, and Running With Scissors. Going to enjoy my new bed, watch movies, and create.