Dreams of Nyssa

working on it

2012-01-27T22:51:00.000-07:00

One of the many projects on my list of things to FINISH, is the editing and uploading of the last of the photos from my Project 365:2010, daily photo project. I'm only 15-months or so behind. Better late than never, right?

So...that's the plan. Only 95 photos to go.

one little word

2012-01-20T07:00:00.004-07:00

I am not a person that makes New Year's resolutions, but I do like the idea of choosing one word that I can focus on through out the year. I have chosen a word in the past and this year I have done it again.

I guess, in a way, you could call it a resolution.

The word I chose for 2012 is FINISH!

That means....

FINISH what I have already started.
FINISH anything new that I start.

FINISH projects.

FINISH my classes.

FINISH this post.

2011: A year in scrapbooking

2012-01-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

I only managed to scrap one page and make one card in 2011. That's really not even enough to bother writing a post about, but since it has been YEARS since I have scrapped a page (and this blog did start out as a scrapping blog after all) I figured I needed to write a post about it. If not only to remind myself that I did indeed scrap one page (and one card, I can't forget about the card) but also to complete my trio of year in review posts.

Here's to hoping that 2012 has a lot more scrappiness in it.


Three Generations layout Feel Better card

2011: A year in yarn

2012-01-06T20:41:00.002-07:00

I worked on a lot of different yarny projects in 2011, but by the end of the year, I only managed to completely finish three. For me, that is actually pretty good. What makes it even better is that a couple of my completed projects were large ones.

Spumoni {ripple}

Chunky Knit Beanie

Brownie {ripple}

2011: A year in photos

2012-01-04T23:11:00.001-07:00

As predicted, it really is hard to post a year in photos post when you don't really take any pictures during the year. This is the first year that I didn't participate in a daily photo project and it shows. I went from taking a photo a day to almost none for the year.

But, that's okay. We didn't really do anything to take pictures of. This past year found us mostly at home. With me taking non-stop classes, there really wasn't much we could do. So, we watched a lot of Netflix and I did a lot of studying.

January

The beginning of January was a sad one. A mass shooting is not what one wants to have happen in their hometown.

February

The in-laws sent me flowers for my birthday. A very nice surprise.

March

Teeny tiny green leaves started to grow on our tree (So happy we didn't kill it) and we finally found a painting for our wall, that we both loved.

April

Lots and lots of studying (with only 5-weeks to finish up a 15-week course). And the only photo I took the entire month, was this one, of my cat.

May

The husband made yummy meals and creatures have been exploring the backyard.

June

My parents celebrated 50-years of marriage.

July

The husband's brother came for a visit.

August

I scrapped for the first time since 2009 and the backyard was invaded.

September

Skies were stormy and I started work on a yarny Christmas present.

October

Unseasonably warm days (some in the 90's) and I did a lot of shredding. Paper clutter, be gone!

November

We celebrated Thanksgiving with family and then had one of our very own.

December

Christmas was very low key this year, and at the end of the month, the year ended on a lazy note.

The sock attempt

2011-12-29T18:54:00.000-07:00

I really have enjoyed this past week. No classes, a 4-day Christmas weekend, and since the husband is off of work until next year, I don't have to spend time driving back and forth picking up and dropping off. It's days like this that I find myself thinking...

"Hey, I should totally knit a sock!"

Never having knit a sock before, I figured it couldn't be all that bad. I mean lots and lots of people knit socks. That means it's easy and fun, right?

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Things I have learned so far about knitting a sock:

1) I have learned that I don't have enough fingers to use 4 needles and the fingers that I do have, hurt. Like, A lot.

2) Starting over from the beginning is not so bad, but only when you are 4-rows in.

3) Mistakes happen, learning how to hide them will keep me from having to repeat lesson #2.

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I really really really hope I love knitting socks.

Sock yarn is gorgeous. Have you seen this stuff? There are so many pretty yarn colors available, I just want to play with them all!

Brownie {ripple}

2011-12-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say that the Brownie {ripple} has been completed and is now in the hands of Nephew 1.0.

He really does like it and I think he appreciated it more than I thought he would. He told me he bought a girl some knitting needles in exchange for some fingerless gloves and he is now awaiting a scarf and a hat. I have a feeling that anything I make for him in the future will be gladly accepted.

As for the Brownie {ripple}........

I started with a chain of 171 using a 6.0 mm (J) hook. A smaller hook size would have been ideal but I couldn't find one in my stash at the time. With the larger hook, this blanket worked up pretty quickly and the drape of the entire blanket is really nice. If I ever make another ripple blanket though, I will probably go with a smaller hook size.

Pattern: Neat Ripple Pattern from Attic24

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice and Lion Brand Wool-Ease

Hook size: 6.0 mm (J)

Chained: 171

Finished Measurements: 55 x 54 inches

And just in case you are on Ravelry and are interested in more details, here's the link:

Brownie {ripple} on Ravelry.

I knit a hat

2011-12-14T00:36:00.000-07:00

What's a person to do when they run out of yarn in the middle of a project? They start a new one, of course.

This past weekend, I ran out of yarn and had to put Brownie {ripple} on hold. I was just too comfy at home to go out and buy some more.

The yarn was purchased a year before with the intention of making a hat or two, but instead found itself sitting in a bag in the closet. I searched online to find a pattern that used the yarn and needle size that I already had. Pressed play to watch Charmed on Netflix and a few episodes later.....Viola! A hat!

Click to view larger sizze

Yarn: Lion Brand, Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Grey Marble

Pattern: Chunky Knit Beanie (knit flat)

Needles: size US 13 circular

I cast on 44 stitches and then followed the steps for the large size pattern. I knitted 10 rows of garter before changing to stockinette and then knitted the entire piece for about 6 1/2 inches before starting the decrease rows.

I knit the hat flat and seamed it up at the end. I totally learned how to do the mattress stitch and now know that there is nothing to fear from seaming. I actually kind of liked it, although I would still prefer not to have to do it.

Finally Friday

2011-12-09T23:27:00.001-07:00

I cannot tell you how happy I am that it is Friday. This past week has been so exhausting.

At work, I began what I thought would be an easy peasy software conversion update. I started on Wednesday and had hoped to complete the conversion that same day. I had to run an error check on all entries from 2004 to 2010. I ended up with 8592 errors that needed fixing before any converting could be done. I am fixing errors that people made that worked there before I did. Some are really dumb, others are because of new fields that the software program created in 2010. Some entries require just a zero to be entered into an empty field. Others are much more involved. Needless to say, I still have not run the conversion.

Every night this week, I have barely been able to keep my eyes open. Last night was the worst. I even fell asleep while crocheting. Like right in the middle of a stitch. That has never happened before.

Speaking of crocheting.....Brownie is almost finished "cooking". Only a couple of rows left to go.

Isn't it pretty?

Meet Brownie {ripple}

2011-12-04T22:56:00.000-07:00

I think it's about time you all met Brownie.

I started working on Brownie back in September, but had to put him aside in order to concentrate more on studying for my final exam (I think I may have mentioned something about said final exam, maybe once or twice). Now that all that stressful study time is over and done with (at least for now), I can finally get back to spending my evenings on something much more creative and fun. This really is good thing since I do plan on giving Brownie as a Christmas present.

So, here we go again, the pressure is on and the countdown begins. 20 days and counting.....

Eek!

2011-12-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

Do you know what happens when you poke a praying mantis with a stick? Well now you do.

This picture isn't mine, but I would have totally taken a picture of my own if the thing hadn't scared the heck out of me!

Thankful

2011-11-30T21:57:00.000-07:00

In the 7 years that I have had this blog I have not really written about Thanksgiving except maybe to ~~complain~~ share the bad. I don't know why I do that. It is the good memories/happy stuff that I want to remember, not the bad.

Starting now that is going to change.

*********

This year, the husband and I spent Thanksgiving at my parents' house. It was a smaller crowd than usual, only 30 people and all of them family. Everyone showed up right on time, but something happened with the oven so the turkey was not completely cooked. So, we had to wait. 30 hungry people, waiting at least an extra hour for turkey. Luckily, the majority of the turkey was cooked, so enough edible pieces were able to be cut off and 30 hungry people were hungry no more.

I am thankful for my family and the time that we can get together and visit. That extra hour gave us more time to catch up.

*********

The day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday to most of you) the husband and I had our own Thanksgiving. Every year, usually a week or two after Thanksgiving, the husband will cook a turkey just for us. He really really really LOVES to cook and this way we are able to have our own leftovers. This year, he invited a co-worker, whose wife is deployed overseas, to join us for dinner. It was nice to share our own Thanksgiving dinner with someone other than just the two of us. All the food was very yummy and looked pretty too.

That husband of mine sure does know how to cook and for that I am thankful.


The husband's deviled eggs

Fresh fruit cup. Yep, the husband made this too!

I made it!

2011-11-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

Yay!

I survived my final exam.

What a wonderful feeling it is not to have to worry about this class any longer.

My life can now get back to normal.

Well, as normal as my life can be.

Too bad this wasn't my final final exam. Lucky me, I get to do it all over again in 15-weeks.

A less whiney post

2011-11-23T00:01:00.002-07:00

2 lessons left to complete.

1 quiz left to take.

1 day until Thanksgiving with the family.

2 days until the husband cooks our own Thanksgiving dinner along with added guest.

5 days until my final exam.

I have a feeling that I just might make it.

panic is starting to set in

2011-11-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

So much study-ing left to do.

I only have 16 days left until I take my final exam.

I still have 8 lessons and 2 tests that I need to complete. 8 lessons may not sound like much but those lessons involve many many hours of online reading and many handwritten exercises that I will need to complete. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there are no hidden surprises, like the extra lessons that were not on the syllabus, that I encountered in my last course. Plus, somewhere in the next 16 days, I need to fit in Thanksgiving and some regular old house cleaning. Grocery food shopping would be an awesome accomplishment at this time as well.

As if the stress of completing my lessons before the deadline were not enough, while working through the course there have been many references to reviewing information/notes from the other specialty classes in the program. Only one problem, one of the courses that the instructions refer to is the next class, the one that is supposed be taken after my current class. How can I review notes and follow steps from a class that I have not yet taken?

Yarn, Cats & Clouds

2011-11-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

I am so behind on uploading photos. I really do need to upload something new. Something new and different. Something other than yarn, cats or clouds.

Do you have new pictures to share?

31 days of clouds :: day 31

2011-10-31T12:00:00.002-07:00

We often praise the evening clouds,

And tints so gay and bold,

But seldom think upon our God,

Who tinged these clouds with gold.

~Walter Scott

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Whew! I cannot believe that this project (and the month of October) is over. It feels like it all just started. I am very surprised that I made it through to the end. October was not a cloudy month at all. Probably about 75% of the month was cloudless. Maybe that is why I like clouds so much, I never really get to see them.

The above photo is totally unedited. Isn't that sky amazing? It was so beautiful. I don't remember ever seeing such a gorgeous sky.

If this is your first visit to my blog, click on the button below to see what this project was all about and for links to all the other cloudy posts.

31 days of clouds :: day 30

2011-10-30T23:36:00.000-07:00

sunset clouds

31 days of clouds :: day 29

2011-10-29T23:59:00.002-07:00

“Behind every cloud is another cloud.”

~ Judy Garland

31 days of clouds :: day 28

2011-10-28T23:59:00.002-07:00

The weirdest clouds I have ever seen.

31 days of clouds :: day 27

2011-10-27T23:59:00.001-07:00

"When the sun has set, no candle can replace it."

~ George R.R. Martin

31 days of clouds :: day 26

2011-10-26T22:57:00.000-07:00

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm,

but to add color to my sunset sky."

~ Rabindranath Tagore

31 days of clouds :: day 25

2011-10-25T23:59:00.001-07:00

Sunset skies.

31 days of clouds :: day 24

2011-10-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

Arizona sunsets (with clouds, of course) are the best! Don't you agree?

31 days of clouds :: day 23

2011-10-23T21:44:00.000-07:00

backyard sunset clouds

31 days of clouds :: day 22

2011-10-22T23:59:00.005-07:00

Clouds help to make the most awesome of sunsets. Especially in Arizona.

31 days of clouds :: day 21

2011-10-21T23:59:00.001-07:00

Give yourself the freedom to soar high above the clouds.

31 days of clouds :: day 20

2011-10-20T23:59:00.001-07:00

Clouds on clouds, in volumes driven, Curtain round the vault of heaven.

~Thomas Love Peacock

31 days of clouds :: day 19

2011-10-19T23:38:00.001-07:00

When clouds appear like rocks and towers, the earth's refreshed by frequent showers.

~Old Saying

31 days of clouds :: day 18

2011-10-18T23:30:00.000-07:00

Out of all of my cloud photos, I have to say that this photo is one of my favorites. I took it during my summer of jury duty from 16-floors up.

The clouds looked awesome and the actual storm that hit (exactly at the same time I was driving home) was even more so. So many downed trees, so many roads closed, so many cars on the road. Rush hour is definitely not a good time for a storm.

31 days of clouds :: day 17

2011-10-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

* blue *

31 days of clouds :: day 16

2011-10-16T22:40:00.000-07:00

“You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

31 days of clouds :: day 15

2011-10-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

I hope the clouds will come back tomorrow. They were supposed to come back today. It's been 8 straight days with no clouds. Just lots of big blue sky. If it weren't for this project I probably would forget what a cloud looked like.

31 days of clouds :: day 14

2011-10-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

"Those playful fancies of the mighty sky"

~ Albert Smith

31 days of clouds :: day 13

2011-10-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

Rainbow at sunset

31 days of clouds :: day 12

2011-10-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

Cloudy reflection

With the way the clouds are, it kind of makes the building look as though it were see through.
I love that.

31 days of clouds :: day 11

2011-10-11T19:49:00.000-07:00

Downtown clouds

31 days of clouds :: day 10

2011-10-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

A 16th story view

31 days of clouds :: day 9

2011-10-09T18:53:00.000-07:00

October Skies

31 days of clouds :: day 8

2011-10-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

Not a single cloud could be seen floating in today's sky. That kind of makes things a bit difficult when you're working on a daily project on clouds.

No worries.

Thanks to jury duty, I have back-up. Yes, you read that correctly. Jury duty, one of the best experiences I have had in a long time.

16-floors up gives you the best seat in the house to watch an afternoon monsoon.

31 days of clouds :: day 7

2011-10-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

tree, cloud, sun & sky

31 days of clouds :: day 6

2011-10-06T22:21:00.001-07:00

The approaching storm.

The temperature dropped 20-degrees from yesterday. Winter is here for a visit, but only for a couple of days. From what I hear, summer should return sometime next week.

31 days of clouds :: day 5

2011-10-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

How can storm clouds be so fluffy? They just kept growing and growing.

31 days of clouds :: day 4

2011-10-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

How sweet to be a cloud floating in the blue!

~ A. A. Hodge

31 days of clouds :: day 3

2011-10-03T20:40:00.003-07:00

The 100 degree temps are not that far gone but it still kind of feels like summer.
Well...maybe just a slightly not so hot version of summer (90's).

I hear some places are already feeling a bit winterish.
Not here though, we still have a few more months before that happens.

What's the current temperature where you live? Is it starting to feel like winter?

31 days of clouds :: day 2

2011-10-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

A cloud cannot cast a shadow unless the sun is shining beyond it.

31 days of clouds :: day 1

2011-10-01T23:50:00.001-07:00

“Remember even though the outside world might be raining, if you keep on smiling the sun will soon show its face and smile back at you.”

~ Anna Lee

31 days of clouds

2011-10-01T23:30:00.036-07:00

I have been doing a lot of blog reading of late and when I came across Nester's 31 Days of ______ challenge to commit to blogging 31 days in a row on the same topic, I just knew it would be something that I would want to do. For the past few days I have been tossing around the idea of joining and trying to decide on a topic.

31 days of making a house a home
31 days of finishing old projects
31 days of removing clutter
31 days of scrapbooking

31 days of my cats (LOL!)

Then it hit me. I don't really have the time. It is so hard for me to admit that. Normally I would join and then worry later about my homework, housework, etc. But then, I realized this is what has caused me so much stress in the past. I always put my homework (and of course the housework) off to the side. And since I don’t think anyone wants to read about 31 days of homework, I may just have to sit this one out.

But this thing is big! You should see all the other bloggers that have joined (611 so far). It probably would take 31 days just to read them all! Maybe that should be my topic, 31 days of 31-dayer blogs.

If I was going to participate it would have to be something that would work for me. Something simple. Something that would not cause my brain to overload and explode. I don’t know if my topic really fits in with all the other 31-dayers. I don’t really have any secrets or ideas or tips to share.

So on that note, welcome to:

I just like them.

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Click the thumbnails below to view each day's post:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27

Day 28

Day 29

Day 30

Day 31

Wordless Wednesday: 19 years ago

2011-09-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Out with the old, in with the new

2011-09-26T17:30:00.001-07:00

I thought it was about time for a bit of a change.

I really love the look of blogs that have white backgrounds, but when I try to use white as a background it just never looks right. I always end up with the darker colors. Go figure.

So tell me, what do you think?

Before

After

It's that time again

2011-09-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

I am almost finished with my current yarny project, so you know what that means. That's right, it means it's time to start a new one. That seems to be my M.O. Start a project, get close to finishing (as in only a few rows left to go). Start a new project. Rinse and repeat.

This is the pattern I will use.

Neat Ripple Pattern

And this is the yarn.

And I shall call him {Ripple}. Brownie {Ripple}.

feel better [a card]

2011-09-08T23:12:00.001-07:00

Last month, a friend of mine managed to injure herself quite a bit. I wanted to send her something, so I made a simple little card to send her way. She should have it by now, so that means I get to share.

In the midst of my card making process, I have discovered (and become addicted to) Liquid Pearls. Have you used these? Am I the last person to jump on the Liquid Pearls bandwagon? On a whim, I grabbed the last 3 colors that I saw on the shelf at the local scrapbook store and now I am hooked. I had never used them before but now I feel the need to own every color.

Supplies used:
Liquid pearls (platinum pearl)
Colorbox chalk (burnt sienna)
My minds eye (fresh linens: kitchen curtains)
Chatterbox (greenhouse scarlet paisley)
Making Memories rub-ons (destination)
Prima flower

How I spent my evening

2011-09-06T23:57:00.001-07:00

ARGHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Viruses suck!

In fact, I am still trying to make sure everything is working okay. Every single file and program under my user name is hidden. I have a lot of files I need to go through and edit. Luckily, it didn't seem to touch the husband's files. Thank goodness!

more circles

2011-09-05T16:34:00.000-07:00

....and now for the superhero section of the blanket.

Why yes, the husband did choose these colors. Why do you ask?

Yarny things

2011-09-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

My poor neglected Something Scrumptious blanket. It has been so long since I worked on it. Actually, it has been awhile since I have worked on any crochet or knitting project. It has just been way too hot to work on anything yarn related. Evening temps inside my house average about 82 degrees and it is usually only down to 80 by the time I drag myself to bed. I cannot wait until cooler weather arrives. Until then, you get a photo from last year. So far this is my favorite color combo when it comes to these circles.

This one's my favorite

2011-08-29T07:00:00.001-07:00

This commercial makes me laugh every single time I watch it. :-)

[Things I ♥ Thursday] Cupcakes

2011-08-25T07:00:00.002-07:00

I really love cupcakes. Not for how they taste, but for how they look. I bet the cupcakes in these pictures taste as good as they look. At least I hope they would. I must admit, I have never eaten a yummy looking cupcake such as these. Maybe that is a good thing. If I ever discovered a cupcake that I liked.....I would be in trouble.

1. Cherry Limeade Cupcake, 2. Toffee Crunch Cupcake, 3. Chocolate Buttermilk Cupcake with Creamy Vanilla Almond Frosting, 4. Tres Leche Cupcake

All photos in this mosaic © their respective owners.

Today is the day

2011-08-16T15:25:00.001-07:00

3-day weekends are awesome. It's the first day back to work that is hard.

I took a day off from work yesterday to start on my new online course that I purchased last week. After I made my purchase I received a message that it would take 3 days to activate the course. By time I got the email yesterday afternoon, I was not in the mood to start.

I had a wonderful weekend full of doodling, card making, and scrapbooking. There was no way I was going to ruin it by actually doing classwork. So, today is the day.

And because every blog post needs a photo you get this one of my Cairo kitty (taken almost exactly a year ago). She had just started on a new med & was not looking too happy.

Scrappity-Doo-Dah

2011-08-11T00:00:00.021-07:00

Well I did it. I scrapped a page. Can you believe it? The last time I attempted to scrap was a few months after we bought our house in 2009 and I still haven't finished that page.

Last month, I came across the sketch of the week over at Sketchy Thursdays and decided it was about time to scrap again. I started the layout that week but didn't actually finish it until this week, almost a month later. Yes, you read that correctly. It took me a month to do a page. A month!

It is such a simple layout too. It would have taken everyone else 10 minutes to complete. But not me. For me...it took about a month.

Supplies:
Patterned paper:
Basic Grey Kioshi "Yuriko"
Basic Grey Wisteria "Pond"
Lettering:
Doodlebug Simply Sweet mini rub-ons,
Thickers Lullaby Charcoal
Basic Grey Fruitcake mini monograms
Fun stuff:
Maya Road sheer mini birds
Effervescence Border Punch
Signo white Uni-ball pen
Bazzill cardstock

Wordless Wednesday: downtown

2011-08-10T08:27:00.003-07:00

I have been Retweeted!

2011-08-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

I am not really that big into Twitter, my postings are few. But the chance to win a gift card for simply posting a tweet was easy enough. So, I did it. I posted a tweet. A tweet that other people actually liked.

Whoa! What? 8 people that I don't even know like my tweet? Woo Hoo! Seriously, I feel so popular.

I didn't win anything, but that is perfectly okay because I think being retweeted is just as good as winning, at least for me.

I'm such a dork.

Wordless Wednesday: butterfly kisses

2011-07-27T00:00:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile

2011-07-20T23:10:00.000-07:00

I took a month off, maybe more.

A month off from school, the computer, and pretty much anything computer related.

I've enjoyed not having to study. Being stress free and not under any type of deadline really does help a person get a wonderful night's sleep.

I've enjoyed watching the rain. The thunderstorms that pass through most afternoons (monsoons for all you southwestern folks) will forever be exciting to me. I could do without the humidity though.

I've enjoyed watching Battlestar Galactica, the new one. I had never watched it when it originally aired on TV. I thought it was too boring. But thanks to Netflix, I got to watch each episode from the beginning and I have to say, I really did love it. I even loved how it ended.

But my time off is quickly coming to an end. It is about time for me to get back to doing computer things, like sign up for my next class or pay bills or maybe even order some new checks, seeing as I am now down to only three.

50th Wedding Anniversary

2011-06-13T22:05:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

They celebrated this special milestone by having a party with lots of family, friends, good food, laughs and mariachis. It was a great night. It was wonderful to see all the people that came out to celebrate this happy occasion with my parents.

I love them both and I am so proud of my parents to have been married this long. They really are an inspiration.

m.o.j.o.

2011-06-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

I feel the scrappy mojo slowly returning.....

My cat's eyes are awesome

2011-06-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

....and it is not just me that thinks so. Check out this blog post which features none other than my spoiled kitty, Cleo.

Wordless Wednesday: kitty cat

2011-05-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

Bring on the granny circles

2011-05-24T00:00:00.001-07:00

One thing about getting caught up with going through my project photos is that I can finally update projects that have been waiting on a photo.

Take this blanket for instance. Wouldn't be too interesting to talk about without a photo now would it? Well it probably wouldn't be an interesting post with the photo either but at least you have something to look at while you read. I think I worked longer on taking photos of the blanket than I did actually working on the blanket. I started about a year ago and so far only have only managed to complete 20-25 circles. I hope to remedy that soon.

it's over

2011-05-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

My class (and final exam) are finally over and life can now get back to normal. Whatever normal is. I have been taking these classes for over a year and I really don't know anything different. It will only be for a few weeks (before I have to start another class) but I plan to make the most of my time away from the books.

Maybe now I can find some time to finally finish uploading my 365:2010 project photos before I end up being a FULL year behind. Ten months late is not too bad, is it?

stud·y

2011-05-14T17:33:00.000-07:00

stud·y /ˈstədē/
Noun: The devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on an academic subject, esp. by means of books.

I am finding it extremely difficult to focus on my studying today. Maybe it is because the current subject matter is exactly the same as what I do every day at work. Therefore, I feel as though I am at work on a Saturday (except it's not as interesting) and it is putting me to sleep. Maybe chocolate will help.

Unavailable

2011-05-13T09:45:00.002-07:00

Wouldn't you know it. The day I finally decide to sneak in some time to update the old blog is the day Blogger is unavailable. I can't complain though. I really shouldn't be blogging right now. Right now it should only be about the studying. Only 6 days left to finish my class and take the final exam. My brain hurts.

...xyz

2011-04-30T23:59:00.002-07:00

And so the April 2011 Blogging Challenge has come to an end.

I am not a writer like the majority of the bloggers that participated, but I still had fun with it. It really got my mind thinking on things other than work and school.

It has been a long time since this blog has had any type of regular posting and after a month of almost daily blogging, it is pretty much a habit again. But now the challenge comes in trying to find something new to post about. Writing a post based on a letter of the alphabet actually made finding something to write about easier.

I will most definitely have to attempt this challenge again. Count me in for next year!

W

2011-04-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

1. W, 2. W, 3. Capital Letter W (Takoma Park, MD), 4. W, 5. W, 6. W, 7. W, 8. W is for Gabriel's Wharf, 9. W, 10. W, 11. W, 12. W, 13. W

Verdigris

2011-04-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

ver·di·gris/ˈvərdəˌgrēs/
Noun: A bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate. The green of Greece.

1. verdigris wonderland, 2. 5 centimes on nail!, 3. Verdigris, 4. orb of verdigris

Unfinished

2011-04-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

project started 9/2009

When it comes to crafty things, I leave a lot unfinished. I can't work on them because I feel guilty that there is something else that needs to be done. I always tell myself that I will work on my projects, after.

After, I finished my class. After, I clean the house. After. But after never seems to arrive.


project started 11/2010

Currently, on my desk I have 2 unfinished scarves (one that only requires a few more rows to make it complete). An unfinished birthday card that only needs to be glued together. An unfinished scrapbook page with all the items I want to use on the page stacked right on top.

These are only a few of my projects, the few that I have out where I can see them. There are countless others that have been stored away (out of sight, mostly out of mind).

I usually try to make myself feel better about it by calling them works-in-progress and not what they really are, which is....unfinished.

Television

2011-04-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

T is for Television.

There are a few shows that I find that I must watch each week.

Rules of Engagement. I didn’t think that I would like this show all that much but I find that it makes me laugh more than any other. The character Adam (played by Oliver Hudson) is simply the funniest. Did you know his mother is Goldie Hawn?

The Big Bang Theory. This is a show that I can kind of relate to, what with all the superhero t-shirts, action figures and plethora of comic books. It is just like my house. Plus it is quite the funny show.

Then there is the good old Doctor. I didn’t think I would like the new Doctor (he is no David Tennant) but he has grown on me, or maybe it is the combination of the new Doctor and Amy Pond. Either way I like it. The new season (Doctor Who in America) started last Saturday and I am already looking forward to the next episode.

This week I just started watching the first season of Glee on the old Netflix Instant streaming. I saw the pilot episode when it first came out but then missed a few so I stopped watching. Now I can watch them one right after another. So far, I find it to be a good show and it is a great way to spend my lunch break.

Sunset

2011-04-27T11:00:00.005-07:00

S is for Sunsets

Ravelry

2011-04-26T22:53:00.000-07:00

Do you Knit? Crochet? Like to play with yarn?

Do you know about Ravelry?

Ravelry is a place for knitters, crocheters and other lovers of yarn. It is a place to keep track of your current and finished projects, yarn stash and tools. There's also a ton of free (and paid) patterns available. I am amazed at the amount of creativity and information that I find on this site. It has grown so much over the years and it just keeps getting bigger (and better). Oh...and did I mention it was free to sign up?

My Ravelry Page

Quick

2011-04-26T08:28:00.002-07:00

Q is for Quick Post.

Now, you read it. Now, you don't.

2011-04-24T22:12:00.001-07:00

I have a habit of saving links to websites and photos I find online. I am also guilty of sending lots of emails to myself of pages that I come across and don't want to forget. Thing is, once I save the link or send the email, I pretty much forget all about that webpage or photo that I was so keen on remembering.

This is where Pinterest comes in. Pinterest allows you to create a page of visual bookmarks. If I come across photos or ideas that I want to remember, I can pin it.

Pinterest allows you to create different pinboards to better categorize your awesome finds. Not only is it a place for me to keep all the visual ideas I find online, but it is also a place to find things I would not have found otherwise. I have discovered quite a few new sites by looking at what other people pin.

Pin·board (pĭn·bôrd): n. a visual collection of things you love

Here are a few lovelies that I have found on Pinterest:

tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com

kotijakeittio.fi

beautyineverything.com

I even came across a picture of mine that someone pinned! :-)

Source: flickr.com via Secretly on Pinterest

A bit a of a warning though.....it can become addictive.

Oops!

2011-04-20T23:59:00.003-07:00

O is for OOPS!

O is for OVERWHELMED.

O is for OUT of ideas. OUT of time.

O is for this day is OVER and it's time to get myself to bed.

Nope

2011-04-19T23:37:00.000-07:00

No such luck at locating my driver's license and debit card, and now it looks like it may be awhile before I can even get new ones. The debit card should be no problem to replace, the driver's license is a whole nother story.

Normally, I could order a duplicate license online and receive it in the mail within the week. It is a very quick and easy process that I have done many times for the husband and myself either because we moved or the husband needed a duplicate copy of his license. My license doesn't expire for another 20-years. But since my photo "expired" I am required to go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to get an updated license. If I go in person I am required to take identification with me. I checked online to see what I forms would be acceptable:

A driver's license...nope
A passport...nope
A military ID...nope
A birth certificate...nope

In order to get a copy of my birth certificate I need to mail in a form with a copy of my driver's license, which of course is not going to happen. I do have the option though of getting my signature notarized, but then again I would need ID. It will take approximately 15-20 days for me to receive a copy of my birth certificate. The cost for the certificate is $15.00. Or if I would like to expedite the service I can go with another company that will charge me the $15.00 for the certificate and an additional $30.00 to mail it. There is an option to go in person to pick up the birth certificate but since I was born prior to 1990, that option is not available to me.

I am still keeping the faith that they will show up. Hopefully sooner than later.

Mushroom

2011-04-18T22:33:00.000-07:00

M is for mushroom.

Lost

2011-04-17T22:37:00.000-07:00

I have lost my driver's license and debit card.

I last used my debit card on Wednesday afternoon. I know I had it Thursday evening but when I went to pay a bill on Friday afternoon they both were missing from my purse. There are only a few places they could be, but when I looked they were not there.

I hope that once I post this I will find them. Actually I am positive that once I admit to the world that they are gone, that they will suddenly show up.....or does that only happen AFTER you replace them?

Kitties

2011-04-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

Have I really gone halfway through this project without talking about my kitties? Well that's just not acceptable.

First there is Cleo.

Fat. Loving. Demanding.

She is set in her ways. Has a daily routine. Only eats dry food, which she won’t even let you watch her eat. Is a huge scaredy cat. Does not like to be held. Oh, and she really likes feet. People feet, that is. Just don’t you dare try to touch her furry kitty feet.

She is the biggest (and furriest) cat I have ever owned.

Then there is Cairo.

Skinny. Loving. Nosey.

Loves, loves, loves boxes. Will turn anything into a toy. Loves to eat French fries, chips, anything she can get her sneaky little paws on. Uses me as furniture. Follows me everywhere.

She has always been skinny but is even more so since she got sick. I feel so sad that there is nothing that we can do for her.

.j.j.j.

2011-04-15T11:24:00.001-07:00

jovial, jerk, jump, January, July, juniper, juxtapose, jinx, jaguar, jeep, jersey, jeans, jimmies (you know, the chocolate sprinkles you put on ice cream), joyful, jerky, jive, juice, java, Japan, jammies, jackwagon, jolly, Jumpin' Jack Flash, jolt, jaundice, jocky, jazz, jumbo, Jello, joule, Jewish, judge, justice, jury, jelly, journey, jog, jay, jiggle, jingle, jester, jambalaya, jellyfish, janitor, jejunostomy, juror, jackrabbit, jumper, jest, joust, jungle, junk, jealous, jagged, jugular, jets, jointly, jukebox, jetset, jewelry, jeopardize, junior, jacquard, just, jejunum, job, jade, June, jitterbug, Jamaica, jersey, jars, Judge Judy, java, junket, jogging, jetpack, Jupiter, Juggernaut.

Inappropriate

2011-04-13T23:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at work there was a baby shower thrown for another employee. As is usual for my work place, the invite was printed on a sheet of paper and taped to the door. It had all the usual items one would expect to find on an invitation:

* Who the shower was for.
* When the shower was to be held.
* Where shower recipient was registered.

And printed on the very bottom:

"For those who bring a gift, you will be entered into a raffle for a special prize."

What????

I found this to be quite odd. Tacky even. I believe that attending a baby shower (gift or not) is a way to celebrate with others that a baby is soon to arrive. Nothing like a little bribery to get lots of gifts (although, I cannot fault the recipient as she was not the one in charge of the invite).

Is this the way things are now? One brings a gift to a party with the expectation of compensation?

Am I the only one that feels this way?

H...

2011-04-12T01:00:00.002-07:00

Hat

Heart

Hinge

And last but not least, the Husband's favorite...

HeroClix

Goals

2011-04-11T10:22:00.001-07:00

I am not one for making long term goals. Something always comes up and throws a monkey wrench into the works. I have learned to only make short term goals, like daily, weekly and monthly. A year is just too long.

My goal for the month is to finish my current online course. Or hopefully have at least have 75% of the coursework completed.

So…..

My goal this past weekend was to study. I had high hopes of completing a large chunk of the course lessons. I did manage to sit my butt down for over 5-hours straight on Saturday but I only managed to make it through one lesson. This course is a lot more labor intensive than I thought it would be. I only have 5 weeks left and I haven't even gotten to the 2^nd quiz (there are 6).

My goal for the week is to finish filing my taxes. Yep, I am one of those people. I have until the 15^th right?

My goal for today is to actually make it through the day. Monday is always the longest day of the week for me.

My goal for the moment….to finally write a post for the letter "G".

Flowers

2011-04-08T23:28:00.000-07:00

Last Spring was so different. It was so green. So pretty.

This Spring, on the other hand, has been brown and dry. The desert is still trying to heal from record freezing temperatures that we got back in February. It was only a couple of days of freezing temps, but that is all it took. The plants that did survive are just now starting to grow back.

Last week the temperature got up into the 90's. This weekend the temperature is supposed to drop down into the 50's (30's at night).

I miss seeing flowers. I hope the plants survive.

etc.

2011-04-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

Diary

2011-04-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

di·a·ry /ˈdīərē/ Noun
1. A book in which one keeps a daily record of events and experiences.

I received my first diary, a Christmas present from my parents, at the age of 10. Being only a child of 10, my entries were short and to the point and not really what one would deem important. What I ate for dinner. What movie I watched. Are just a couple of examples. But that wasn’t always the case.…the first space shuttle landing, Ronald Regan’s inauguration and the freeing of the hostages are just a few historical moments that I have come across.

By the time I reached Junior high, I was writing down every single thing I did each day. I would start with my 1^st class of the day and pretty much go on from there. There were daily entries concerning whatever current boy I had a crush on and lots of entries about Duran Duran. Lots and lots of Duran Duran.

I didn’t really have a diary in high school. I did have a journal which I allowed others to write in as well. Written on the first page, it says:

“This is a book of abstract feelings and emotions.”

And that is EXACTLY what it ended up to be. The book is filled with lots of song lyrics, doodling, code words and favorite phrases that I no longer have any memory on their meaning. Oh…and apparently I wrote poetry. Looking back I wish I had kept more of a personal journal during those years. There is so much I don’t remember. It bothers me that I didn’t preserve those moments.

I did keep a journal for most of my first year of college. It has so many memories that I am very happy to have captured. Not just memories of what I did each day but the feelings and emotions that went along with it. That is the one I keep safe. The one that is just for my eyes only.

I have tried to keep a journal as an adult but my entries always end up being more about feelings and emotions, mostly written during times of frustration, sadness or anger and not about actual moments that I would want to remember. That is probably why I don’t really write just for me anymore. It got to be too complicated.

That’s where this blog comes in…

It’s short and to the point. It’s what I had for dinner, what movie I saw, and few historical moments thrown in between.

Clouds

2011-04-04T09:00:00.002-07:00

I have a thing for clouds.

Blanket

2011-04-03T22:03:00.001-07:00

B is for blanket.

In particular my Spumoni {ripple} blanket which I am happy to say is finally finished. It feels good to be done. This is the first blanket I have made that is not a gift for someone else. This one is staying with me. I look forward to taking it to work where I hope it is does a good job at keeping me from freezing to death at my desk.

Now that I have finished my ripple blanket I can spend more time working on my starburst granny blanket. I like to call it Something Scrumptious. I fell in love with this blanket the first time I saw it and just knew I had to make one for myself.

Even though I actually started working on it last July I haven't gotten very far with it. I put it aside to work on Christmas presents and haven’t worked on it since.

The pattern is a circular starburst granny square and if all goes as planned the finished blanket should hopefully look something like this.

Gorgeous afghan & photos by: sandra juto

an Adventure

2011-04-01T23:25:00.000-07:00

I came across a blog today.

A blog with a challenge.

A challenge for April.

A challenge to write a post each day for every letter of the alphabet.

I thought "Hey, I could do this." Of course I always think that regardless if I have the time for a project or not. I am always up for starting a challenge, it is the finishing that I need to work on. (Well that's not technically true anymore. I did manage to complete 3 years of taking a photo-a-day. But I still haven't finished sharing all the pictures yet so in my mind I didn't really finish).

After I signed up to participate, I started to think of what I could write about but at that exact moment the computer decided it didn't really want to work anymore. It kept talking back and showing me the blue...screen that is. I spent the entire evening putting it in time-out.

And now here it is after 11:00 p.m. BUT it is still April 1st. I am still in time to begin the challenge.

You know what... forget that. I changed my mind. I will no longer think of this as a challenge, but as an Adventure!

Interestingness

2011-03-31T22:18:00.000-07:00

Well that's Interesting.

Today Flickr came out with a few new photo sharing options and of course I just had to try it.

I can now share photo sets in addition to just sharing one photo. I think it is pretty neat. It looks like a normal mosaic, yet you can click on each thumbnail image and Whoosh! Off you go to the actual photo. Go on....try it!

These photos are considered to be the 24 most Interesting photos I have uploaded to Flickr. Well at least as of today. It is always changing.

If you want to see more of my Interesting photos, click on the Interestingness link. Just a warning though.....you may want to prepare yourself as you may encounter lots and lots of fluffy furry kitty photos.

Not so easy on the eyes

2011-03-29T23:45:00.000-07:00

After all the courses I have taken so far towards my certification, I thought I would just breeze right through this current online course of mine. The subject matter should be familiar and when I printed out the syllabus the lessons appeared to be quite short (only 4-5 pages of instruction per lesson) when compared to my previous courses. I figured I wouldn't have a problem with working all day then spending and hour each night to work on my lessons. That is until I got to lesson 3.

Lesson 3 says...

Again, although you have already taken a course in anatomy as a prerequisite for this course, Book Four is an anatomy workbook and the material is specific to information commonly encountered. Please read sections C-N. Follow your reading by doing the exercises in the book.

So guess what section I am currently on...That would be section E. It took me days to get through reading the first two sections. That's right, Days! As in more than one. There are over 420 pages to read for this lesson. Four hundred and twenty!!!

It wouldn't be so bad if I was reading from an actual book that I could take and read anywhere, but the information I need to access is only available in online form.

After a full day of sitting in front of the computer screen, my eyes hurt. I go to bed with eyes so red they look as though I spent the evening at the bar instead of being the goody two shoes that I am.

Only 10 more letters (sections) to go. Hopefully the next time you hear from me I will be further along in the alphabet.

It's time to buckle down

2011-03-18T00:18:00.000-07:00

The book I need for my next course has finally arrived.

And with only 8-weeks left in which to complete a 15-week course, I guess I had better get busy....

I've been away

2011-03-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

It's been about a week since I have been online or even turned on the computer. I have to say I have quite enjoyed my time away. But I knew it couldn't last. I figured it probably was time for me to check my email, start my next online course and basically see what all I have been missing.

As for around here...

Spring has arrived. Well at least in our front yard. The tree we bought last year started to grow leaves and as of today is surprisingly quite full with tons of tiny leaves. The leaves are a very bright green and so far it is the only tree on our street with new leaves. I think the surprise hard freeze we had in February is to blame. Lots of plants didn't make it.

And for even more excitement....

It's here! Our painting has arrived!

It looks so much better in person. I no longer wonder if I made the right choice. I have to say I really love looking at it. The colors are so amazing and it makes me smile every time I catch a glimpse of it. I had been waiting until I found a painting before deciding on any decorations for our home. Now that the decision has been made I look forward to painting the walls and adding a few accessories here and there.

smoosh

2011-03-03T23:12:00.000-07:00

Someone sure looks comfy.