I Miss Fall

I never thought I'd say it, but there's actually something I miss about living back east - FALL! It is still almost 100 degrees here - that is just not right! I always loved fall - the turning leaves, the great fall clothes and that wonderful snap to the air when the weather first turns. It will get cooler here - and hopefully soon - but we don't get that "fall" feeling - it just turns from way too hot to beautiful - and as much as I love that beautiful weather that we enjoy here 9 months of the year, I do miss the fall. So, to get my fix, I head to the mountains - it's not fall, but at least there's a snap in the air!

Digi Boo Layout

Well, I'm still stewing on a bi-scrapual project, but I couldn't wait to use this kit! This is my co-worker's adorable little girl when she was younger - love those ears :)

Halloween is coming! I'm a big Halloween fan - it was always so fun to dress up and I am a huge candy addict! I'm thinking of making some kind of altered gifts for my nieces and nephew this year (of course filled with candy LOL) - just downloaded the fabulous new Halloween kit from Digichick to make them with. Now I just need an idea for what to alter - one thing at a time I guess. Whatever it is it's going to be super cute - this kit is amazing! And, I think a lot of it will be great for non-Halloween layouts too! Be sure to check it out!
Get Digi Boo! here

The Bright Side

Kim tagged me to play "Polyanna" - pick three negative things from your life and find the positive in them. Definitely a good idea - so much of life is what we make of it! So here's mine . . .

1. My family lives very far away - they live in Michigan, I live in Arizona - the upside of that is that I have really come to appreciate them. When I lived right there I took it for granted that I could go over to mom and dad's whenever, but now that it's a day's flying to get there I really appreciate visits. And, I think not having them right on top of me has actually made me closer, especially to my mom - I'm a lot more open with her now.

2. My job exposes me to a lot of very, very ugly things. As a judicial clerk, I spend a lot of time at work reading about horrible crimes and people's very sad and desperate lives. But, in doing that I've come to have more empathy for others - you just never know what led a person to a certain place - and it has made me very appreciative of my own life. I grew up in a normal, healthy family and I am married to a wonderful man who loves and appreciate me. So many people don't have those things and live much of their lives in fear and pain - I am so blessed!

3. I am a liberal in an increasingly conservative church. I struggle with this a lot. It has, however, taught me to speak kindly and not to jump to conclusions about people's motivations and beliefs. It has also taught me a lot of patience.

Please let me in . . .

I had to use the buzzer to get into work this morning because I didn't have my pass card to get into our chambers - I forgot my entire wallet in fact! I don't know when I've done that last! I took it out of my purse last night to get dinner - didn't feel like dragging the whole thing along - and I was in a hurry this morning - trying to finish a layout before I went to work. And so my wallet is still sitting on the counter at home - getting lunch should be interesting :) Talk about your senior moments, huh?

But, the good news is I did finish my layout - I used Holly McCaig's new Signature Collection papers and Worn Denim Alphas for a picture of my niece from this weekend. She's so cute - she was so intent on learning to build a house of cards - has to keep up with big brother you know! The papers are fabulous - I used them for the cover of my album too - I love the colors and texture!

This weekend's projects

This isn't the greatest picture, but here's my weekend projects (the outsides at least) - on the left is my quote book, on the right a little altered tin and in the center my own little lunchbox variety creation from a card box. Now I just have to finish the insides LOL.

Monday

Mondays are no fun - it's bad enough that it's Monday and time to head back to work, but Bob doesn't have to work on Mondays so it makes it even harder to leave - I just want to stay home and hang out with him for another day! Today started out early too! I didn't get the work done that I wanted to this weekend so I headed in early. Of course I didn't get that work done because I was busy with some altered projects - definitely a fun weekend! Pictures to come later today - I didn't get that far yet :)

Right Now - The Pub Blog Challenge for Today

Right Now I am . . .
. . . on the internet - should be working - oops
. . . doing research on the infamous water case. There are too many people living in the west and too little water - hence a near 100 year old fight over the water of the Gila River.
. . . thinking about CK HOF - to enter or not to enter, that is the question.
. . . wearing brown and blue - I love brown!
. . . completely addicted to the silverjewelryclub.com (there's a link on my sidebar if you want to join my obsession LOL)
. . . debating about going to the oral argument that starts in 15 minutes. Interesting issues, but I have so much work to do I'm not sure I should spend the time on someone elses case.
. . . wishing I'd remembered my granola bar for breakfast!

Love that Man!

I try to print my layouts as I make them - 8x8 at home - and put them in an album. The most recent was a fabulous red K&Co. gatefold album. I'm waiting for my new Bazzill album to come because the red one is full! Anyway, last week I took the album to work with me to show a few co-workers and when I took it home Friday I had left it in my briefcase. So this weekend Bob asks me "Where's the red picture book?" He just wants to look through it again! I love that man!

The close of a good week

Well, Friday is upon me again - time to wrap up the loose ends and head for the weekend! This has been a good week at work though! I finally (after three weeks) finished the horrible case I've been working on and now I'm starting into a water law case. The field of water law is enormous and confusing, but it's a fun challenge to "dive in" so to speak! I'm looking forward to working on this one!

Our new clerk also started this week - this is good for several reasons. First - I really like her. The job of working for a judge can be somewhat lonely - you spend a lot of time just sitting in your office reading and writing - so I'm very excited at the potential to have a friend here! Also, because I've been the only clerk I've been doing all the editing in addition to working on my own cases and that's gotten to be a little much in the last month. So, all in all "It's a good thing" (consider that my tribute to Martha's new found freedom LOL).

I also bought the new Blues Traveler CD, "Bastardos," last night so I've got some great tunes for the weekend - took a listen last night and it's awesome! Highly recommended. I'm hoping it will give me some new layout inspiration! Bob has to work tomorrow, so I'm planning on some movie watching and scrapping. I'm working on some things with the new stuff in the Digichick boutique - we certainly have some talented designers there - be sure to check out the new batch that came out yesterday! Lots of cool stuff.

Car Repair

This weekend my car's battery died - it had trouble last weekend, but made it through the week before totally dying on Sunday. In years past, if I had car trouble, I just had to deal with it myself. And so I am totally capable of changing the battery in a car. But, it was beyond fabulous not to have to. My wonderful husband researched on the internet to find a place to get the battery, took me to the place to get the battery and installed the battery for me too! I just held the tools! I've always been proud that I could take care of myself, but it's certainly nice to be taken care of from time to time! I never would have thought I'd say that.

On an entirely different note, if you want to read something scary about the state of our government, check out this article from the New York Times - apparently Michael Brown isn't the only hack political appointee out there running a government agency. All The President's Friends (you might have to register with the Times to get in, but it's free)

My Very First Kit

I was playing around this week and decided to try to put together a little freebie kit - so here's my first ever kit attempt - hope you enjoy it! You can download it at Scrapartist here :


Sandalwood Kit

Bad Day - Good Papers!

Today was not a good day. I was completely berated by a virtual stranger - I wasn't entirely innocent in this run in, but I definitely did not deserve the long and angry attack I received. I can't remember the last time someone spoke to me that way. It's a very bad feeling. I will remember that feeling and never speak to anyone that way. I see parents talk to their kids like that and it makes me want to cry. So, I apologized for my part and now I'll move on. Part of the moving on? Scrapping! How can anyone not be happy looking at these fab papers by Holly McCaig - FunkyBunch indeed!

My First Big Toot!!!!!!

I am so excited! MM called yesterday and left a message, but not which layout, which book, etc. So all morning I'm dying, waiting to hear from them - I finally just call back and sure enough - they want my "We are an Ocean" layout for the Graphic Pages book. It's my first ever layout in publication! It's due out in March - I'm not sure I can wait that long! I'm so excited to see some of my work in print! Somehow I feel official now - I am a published artist! Very cool :)

Five Things . . .

Okay, Andrea tagged me, so here are five things that you probably don't know about me . . .

1. I have an interesting family - we're multi-racial :) I'm all Dutch. I have four brothers, two of whom are Korean, one of whom is Hispanic - they're adopted - and then I have one other brother who is also Dutch. Oddly enough, however, to the best of my knowledge I am the first person in my family (we're talking extended family here too) to marry someone who wasn't Dutch.

2. I have an odd, almost phobic, dislike of cotton balls. I can handle cotton clothing (but not diapers!) as long as it gets lots of fabric softener, but I cannot touch cotton balls. I have to use a knife to take the cotton out of pill bottles and even that freaks me out a bit. Just the thought of touching cotton gives me the heeby-jeebies. Very strange.

3. I'm very musical - until I graduated from college I was heavily involved in music. I even played in a professional county orchestra for a while. Frankly that's the art I always thought I'd pursue. I still play piano and flute and sing in church, but my serious musical days appear to be past for now - Scrapbooking has taken over LOL.

4. I collect those flattened pennies that they sell at tourist traps. DH and I have a little collection from all the trips we've taken or anywhere we go that has a machine. I just bought an album for them in San Diego - now I need to alter it!

5. I played six on six girls basketball in highschool! It hung on in Iowa until the early 90's and I loved it and I was a starter! I could never shoot and in 6 on 6 I didn't have to - I played defense and you weren't allowed to cross half-court! So, I set shot blocking records, got beat up a lot and never had to take a shot! Also, you only get two dribbles in 6 on 6 - another thing I was never any good at that wasn't required - ball handling!

So, there you have it, 5 odd, little known facts about me :) I tag Kim aka SAHMom

Another Great Katrina Fundraiser!

This awesome kit was created by Michelle Coleman and Carrie Stephens! It's $6.99 and all proceeds go to the Red Cross for hurricane relief! Be sure to visit Scrapartist to buy yours :) Just follow the link below . . .

http://www.scrapartist.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25&products_id=123

Toot :)

It's official - I'm this month's Featured Artist at DesignerDigitals.com! I'm very excited and honored to have been chosen! You can see my layouts on their home page and be sure to check out the rest of the store too - beautiful stuff :)

http://www.designerdigitals.com/

Happy Labor Day!

For much of my childhood Labor Day was my favorite holiday - odd I know, but I lived in a tiny Iowa town - 2000 people, no traffic lights - here's some pictures of it today . . .



Labor Day was a big weekend in our town! It meant Big Sioux River Days! We had softball tournaments, a citywide cook out with lamb burgers, a poker run, a carnival, biffy races (that would mean carts made with toilets for seats) and our church's annual pancake breakfast. It was always so much fun and frankly the only exciting thing that happened in our town. So, Labor Day in Tucson is less exciting, but as a state employee, I do have the day off so that makes it a pretty good holiday! Hope you all enjoy it too.

Great Idea

If you have any interest in making papers or those cool handdrawn brushes, but like me, don't have a tablet (I know - I point out a sale, but don't buy it myself LOL) be sure to check out this great thread by Sarah Batdorf aka Annie Girl. She's shared some great ideas for hand drawing or drawing in PS to create! http://www.scrapartist.com/scrapforums/showthread.php?t=379 I for one can't draw very well (the main reason I haven't shelled out the bucks for the tablet yet), but I think I'll play around a little with drawing and scanning a design!

Great Sale!

If you're interested in a Wacom Graphire Tablet - Best Buy has the 4x5 on sale for $59.99 after rebate this week!

Even the Wind and Waves Obey

I took this photo at Point Loma in California this summer. I was looking through our pictures from the trip to San Diego and looking again at the power of the ocean - even on a calm day - I was reminded of the story in Mark where Jesus calms the storm. With everything going on right now I have felt particularly helpless and somewhat overwhelmed by the world's wars, disaster and poverty. Just like the disciples, at sea in the midst of a storm, I want to say to the Lord "do you not care that we are perishing?" Jesus calms the storm in that story and asks the disciples why they were afraid - if they had no faith. Faith is difficult in difficult times, but it is in those times that faith is most needed. Just like those disciples, I am helpless on my own, so I will hold to faith and continue to pray the the Lord will calm the storms raging in the world today.

My Latest

All the loss in the gulf has really made me count my blessings and remember what is most important in life and so I got out our wedding photos this morning - remembering what a beautiful day it was and honoring the love we share. This is one of my favorites. The papers, word art and cool metal flower are all from the soon-to-be-released Digichick kit for Katrina relief.

Human Nature

There are many beliefs about the nature of humanity. Mormons believe that each of us carries the light of Christ. The Reformed believe in total depravity - the idea that by our nature we hate God and our neighbor. I am always torn between the two. I have been watching the coverage of Katrina and see evidence of both.

I see the light of Christ in the compassion of ordinary citizens in reaching out to their fellow man - people giving food, clothing and shelter - even when they don't have much themselves. People risking their own lives to try to help rescue others. I see it in the outpouring of generosity by people from across the country in giving to the Red Cross and other organizations who can help. I see it in people who have opened their homes to total strangers.

On the other hand I see the depravity of man in the fact that it took us five days to go to the aid of those that we told to go to the Superdome and Convention Center for safety and then left there to fend for themselves. I see it in the violence and crime taking place. I see it in the racism and disregard for the poor that likely caused it to take our government five days to get there. I see it in the finger pointing between government officials to try to defend their poor response. I mean, seriously, we didn't go because the governor didn't ask properly - was there a magic word she was supposed to use? We all saw this storm coming, they knew that thousands of people would be unable to leave and yet nothing was done.

In 2005, in the richest country in the world it's just unacceptable that our citizens - individuals with inherent value as human beings - image bearers of God should be reduced to this and left to die in the streets. I hope that we have turned the corner in this situation and that we can do right by those who have lost so much in this disaster.

If you want to help there are lots of options out there. Scrapartist.com is having a half off sale and donating its profits to the Red Cross through Sunday. The Digichick.com will have a huge kit for Katrina relief available tonight or tomorrow. Stop by and give generously!

Totally Random Collection of Thoughts

I think that digital scrapping is spoiling me! I was all excited today to go to our big Target to check out the scrapping supplies - they've gotten some Heidi Swapp, Memory Makers, Lil Davis, etc. I get there and the stuff was in, but I didn't find a thing to take home. - I was so sad! Some of it just wasn't as good as what I'm able to get from the digi-designers. Other stuff (like Heidi Swapp plastic alphas) I thought were cute, but then I thought - "I'm going to pay $6 and use it once?" I just couldn't do it. So after driving across town for scrapbook supplies I struck out - but I did get a very cute brown sweater that will go with half the things I own - I really like brown :)

Also - if I haven't told you - I love Chinese food! I picked up take out from Old Peking (the best place in Tucson by the way) on the way home and it was so good! I worked at a Chinese and Korean restaurant for several years during and after college and ate there everyday, so you'd think I'd be sick of it, but I still love it. It's been a while since we've gotten it, so today was a real treat - Shrimp with Vegetables and House Special Lo Mein! Yum!

Finally - I found out today that I'm on the schedule to sing for the praise team at church this Sunday. I love doing it, but I've had a cough/cold for the last week and a half and still have a pretty sore throat. I'm hoping I'll be up for it by Sunday, because I hate to pass it off, plus I'm scheduled to sing with my favorite teammate. We always have so much fun singing together! I think I'll just have to drown my pain with Tylenol cough syrup and tough it out :)

See, totally random!

Page of the Day

I don't know how long I'll be able to keep it up, but I thought it would be fun to do a page of the day. I'm going to pick out something I like each day - from 2Peas, Digichick, Scrapartist and Fishscraps - and post it here. The artist's name will be a link so you can go and leave them some love! There's so many great digi-scrappers out there and I find so much inspiration from them - this should be a fun way to share.

The very first Page of the Day goes to Andie - love how she used the soon to be released hurricane relief kit from the Digichick!