Online Security

I have to do continuing education classes for work and I went to my first one for this year yesterday. It was actually really interesting - an FBI agent talking to us about cybercrime and online security. Useful stuff! So, I thought I'd share some of what he told us. First of all, it is pretty scary how at-risk we all are - a recent AOL poll showed that 81% of home computer users don't have basic security measures in use. Not only is that bad for them, it's bad for all of us due to the growth of spyware and so-called botnet armies - people take over your computer to use it to attack other computers and you never even know! So, if you don't already have security software get some and if you do, make sure it's updating properly and that you have all your software updated too. The FBI polls people too and found that 90% of companies have had some sort of internet security problem and 64% have suffered financial losses, but only 9% of those are reported to the authorities - I guess they don't want to start a panic. Totally understandable. And, it appears that now the whole spyware thing is a bigger problem than viruses - they can actually steal your information (passwords, usernmaes, etc.) right from your computer and email it back to someone who in turn drains your back account before you even know the information is gone! Definitely going to make sure that my anti-spyware software is running properly! So, what can you do? Well, here's some tips and resources he gave us . . .

Stay Safe Online Top 8 Cyber Security Practices (from www.staysafeonline.org)
1. Protect your personal information. It's valuable.
2. Know who you are dealing with online.
3. Use antivirus software, a firewall, and anti-spyware
4. Be sure to set up your operating system and Web browser software properly, and update them regularly.
5. Use strong passwords or strong authentication technology to help protect your personal information.
6. Back up important files (and keep off-site copies)
7. Learn what to do if something goes wrong.
8. Protect your children online.

Some resources
1. Identity theft (FTC) - www.consumer.gov/idtheft
2. Reporting Internet Crime - www.ic3.gov
3. Identifying hoaxes - www.snopes.com, www.hoaxbusters.org
4. Information Sharing - InfraGard - www. infragard.net

There you have it, lots of resources for staying safe online. I love that there's a place to report these things (www.ic3.gov) - they collect reports and if they get enough of one thing, they can actually investigate! I just always felt like there was nothing I could really do about the stuff I see, so it's nice to know there's something that can be done. By the way, sorry that none of the web pages are links, you'll have to copy and paste, I was just too lazy to create links for everything today LOL!

I won a National Leadership Award, but don't get too excited

I hardly even know where to begin, I guess I'll start from the start - I got this phone call from someone in Congressman Tom Reynolds' office . . .

The Call

Now, Tom Reynolds is a fairly well-known Republican and I've been a registered Independent for a number of years. Plus, they don't even say my name right. But, I did go to a Christian college and I've done a lot of volunteering and what not, so I think maybe they're overlooking my liberal leanings. But, I am, putting it mildly, very suspicious at this point. So, I get on the internet to check this thing out. Turns out this is just a giant fundraising scam! They'll give you the "award," but if you want in on the "press release" they mention in the call, it's gonna cost you $300. And, it sounds like there's even more opportunities to give money to get a congressional award - this guy called back and got the whole leadership award "experience," check it out on his BLOG

I just couldn't be more appalled by this. I mean seriously, what have things come to that 1) I'm suspicious when I get a call from a congressman (and yes the calls are actually from the congressman's office!) and 2) congressmen are basically selling congressional awards! Just when you thought these people couldn't get any worse, they come up with some new travesty. Unbelievable.

Rockin'

We're scrapping about celebrities in Life is Better Shared at the Digichick this week and I chose Bono as my subject, so I got all rockstar inspired and created this fun paper pack called Rockin'! It's a gift for everyone who creates a new layout for Life is Better Shared this week - you can use any of the prompts so far, it just has to be posted to the Life is Better Shared gallery by March 29! So, swing on over to the Digichick and join us!

Is it 5 yet?

Today is really dragging on! I have a rather tedious case at work right now and I'm having a hard time making myself work on it. There's something about a five part statutory test that really puts a girl to sleep! But, I'm forging ahead - hopefully I can finish in the next day or two. On a brighter note, I made a Costco run at lunch to get some new trash bags and a city map. While I was there I found some really yummy-looking mushroom burgers! Vegi-burgers can be really good or really bad, so we'll see, but I'm excited to try them! Costco is an odd scene during the day though - I saw a lot of retirees who just seemed to be hanging out there - getting some samples and burning some time. Kind of a weird way to pass the day if you ask me, but to each their own I suppose LOL. As much as retirement appeals to me at times (like today LOL) I don't know if I'll actually be able to hack it when the time comes. I'm just too easily bored without something I have to do! Okay, back to work, this thing isn't going to write itself!

Clean Floors and March Madness

Okay, I know that a sweeper is not quite as exciting a purchase as a Vera bag, but I am super-excited about my new Shark sweeper! Our floors are just always a mess and it's making me nuts! Between all the plant parts that inevitably find their way into the house and our white tile kitchen floor - seriously people, who puts a white tile floor in a kitchen? - I just can't keep up with it! And, I really hate dragging the vacuum out all the time. So, I finally broke down and bought one of these - it's cordless so I can just whip it out and sweep up a little day to day. Or at least that's the theory LOL. Loving it so far!

In March Madness news - our beloved Arizona Wildcats lost yesterday to Villanova. I'm bummed that we're out, but glad that they played well - one of our better games of the season, in fact. And, Marcus Williams played out of his head! I'm definitely looking forward to next year - we've got some fantastic players returning and moving into leadership roles and, from the sounds of it, some good prospects coming in too! So, for the rest of the tournament, I'm cheering for Gonzaga :) And, it would be awesome if Bradley could keep going - gotta love the underdog!

I also made a trip to Borders this weekend to pick up a Moleskine notebook for my purse so that I have a place to jot down layout ideas, color schemes, etc. While I was there I also got a great book on Artist's journals and collage, etc. It's called Artists' Journals and Sketchbooks Lots of great ideas for topics to journal on and techniques to use. It even has several pages of altered slides! How great is that? Highly recommended if you're into the collage look that's all the rage these days!

And, finally, if you haven't already, I'd really encourage you to swing by the Digichick and pick up Val's A Tiny Seed kit. Not only is it a great kit, all the proceeds are going to an orphanage in Bangladesh. One of my cousins was actually adopted from Bangladesh, so it is near and dear to my heart (along with Korea and India - I've got cousins and sibs from all over I tell ya!). Only $4 and it's for a great cause!

Brand New Bag

Okay, so that you can all appreciate the enormity of this purchase, let me preface this post by saying that I am not a designer-goods-buying kind of girl. I have never understood the urge to pay way too much for something just because it was the "right" brand name. I'm just to cheap I guess LOL. But, I finally broke down and bought myself a Vera Bradley bag! I simply could not resist her new java blue pattern! I mean come one, blue and brown, how am I supposed to resist spending too much money on that? And, not only did I buy the fabulous tote pictured at left, I got a matching hat (because it was only $10 LOL) and a curling iron cover. I have been saying for years that someone should invent one of those and it turns out Vera Bradley's been making them for quite some time :) So, now when I travel I don't have to wait for my curling iron to cool down. One of life's little inconveniences solved and a fabulous new bag to go with it!

Hooked on Idol!

I am such a hopeless American Idol addict! Every year I swear I'm not gonna get so involved, but once again this year I will be racing home from the gym to get there in time for the results show tonight! There's definitely some talent in this year's pool, but I am totally in love with Taylor Hicks! His dancin' just kills me and he just lets it fly - I love that! I'm also loving Paris, Mandisa and of course the ever popular Chris, but Taylor's my sentimental fav at this point. Okay, obsession moment over LOL

If you haven't checked out my Life is Better Shared workshop at the Digichick now is the time! We're on the second prompt this week and it's all about romance - I just loved doing this week's layout! And don't worry about being "behind" either - no such thing in my world :) Just jump right in!

New Stuff and Big Sales!

So Carrie is on fire right now! Be sure to swing by Fishscraps right now! There's a great new freebie up, which I am downloading as we speak - it's pictured at left - and a bunch of new kits that are just fantastic!







In fact, I just finished a layout with her new Sunset Skies kit - I love all the color!










Also, if you haven't been to Scrapartist in the last few days - check out the great spring sale! If you haven't gotten Hope Wallace's Antique Type fonts yet, they are 50% off right now, and I consider them a must-have for anyone who's doing collage style layouts!

P.S. - hope you like the redesign, I felt like a new header was in order today :)

Retro Green Freebie!

It seems like March is the right time for a green paper pack, so I thought I'd share this one! Enjoy :)

Retro Green Paper Pack

Little bit of this . . .

Little bit of that - that's today's post LOL. I realized I hadn't posted in a while, so an update seemed in order! Life is Better Shared is off to a great start - people are creating some great albums - and the first prompt will be going up tomorrow!

And, our Scraplift Challenge at Scrapartist has been great fun too - this week's subject is MirandaM - love that girl's stuff! And, if you haven't seen it in people's signature lines already - we're giving our featured artists a custom blinkie to show off! So, be sure to post layouts in the Scrapartist gallery - we're always on the lookout for artists to honor!

Carrie's also got some great new kits up in the Fishscraps Bait Shop - be sure to check them out - fantastic color schemes and of course Carrie's fabulous designing style! The new creative team has been great fun to work with so far too - so many talented ladies there!

In non-scrapbooking news, we had a fun weekend with Bob's family this week! His brother just bought a new house, so we went out to see it and then out to Bedroxx - possibly the best place on earth for kids! They have bowling and video games and tickets for prizes - just a rockin' place! I mangaged to bowl both games I played over 100, so I was excited - I am just not very good at bowling LOL.

I'm also a little bummed this week because Ye Olde Lantern - the place where we got engaged and had our rehersal dinner, as well as many other special occasions - closed last week. The Elks club bought it and will be completely remodeling it, but it sounds like it will be open to the public some of the time, so we'll have to check that out I guess. I stopped by the building this week hoping to buy a painting or something as a keepsake of sorts - we really like a lot of their old landscape paintings. The Elks guy told me they're keeping everything for now, but that I should stop back in a couple weeks when they've made some decisions, so I'm still hopeful that we can get something! It's just hard to see the old place close - it's been open since 1924! I guess when you fall in love with an old place you take a chance and we certainly enjoyed it while it was here - so goodbye Ye Olde Lantern, we'll miss you!