Slipping already

Ok so I'm not doing a very good job of that 'photo-a-day' thing for 2009. So far I have only taken photos on January 1. Today I know I will because it snowed and stuff tends to look cool when it snows.

So does only having an account of 363 out of 365 days make me the Queen Slacker?

(must get that photo blog started... must get that photo blog started...)

Happy New Year!

It's 2009. Brand new year. Fresh, clean, slate.

I feel the winds of change blowing and I think they're sending me in a positive direction. Yes. Finally.

The little dude and I had a great day today. Build-A-Bear, Starbuck's, and painting. He's still pretty excited about seeing The Tale of Despereaux yesterday as well, which is cool. I hope when he's a little older he'll be interested enough to want to read the book - right now it's a little above keeping his interest. The worst part for me was dropping him off. It's too quiet and too clean without him around. Such is life, but I'll look forward to when he's back. :o)

I also took pics today. Going to Build-A-Bear made it pretty easy, but I really need to keep it up for tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that. Like I said a couple posts prior, my goal for 2009 is to take a photo, any photo, every day. I'm thinking I'll create a special blog just for that. Details to follow.

Yeah, I know I still need to move the 'thinking out loud' stuff too. I'm working on it. For that one I want to have the domain name first. I have a domain pointing here - www. scrappingviolet.com. You can still get to it via the blogger address, but it's nice that the domain works too. I've had it for a couple of years. Had grandiose designs for it too. Finally gave it up, killed the hosting, and pointed the DNS here. :o)

I keep thinking of an old M.A.S.H. episode that was about NYE - Col. Potter was dressed up like Father Time and giving a toast to the 4077th as they ring in 1952 and hoping 'may she be a damn sight better' than the previous year. Well I have the same sentiment for 2009 and have very high hopes that it's a damn sight better than it's predecessor. For everyone. May you all find your joy in 2009, and if you've found it, may it sustain throughout the coming year and years to come.

Something accomplished.

Despite feeling like absolute crap today, I accomplished two things:

1. I got my new DVD player to work with my TV-that's-too-old-to-work-with-said-DVD-player-right-out-of-the-box. I was able to buy an $18 gizmo (a stereo RF modulator) and an s-video cable. That paired with the (now) old-skool red/white/yellow cable got me back in business and able to watch movies on something besides my laptop or the Xbox.

2. I have made peace (kindasorta) with the colony of grey hair that has decided to take up residence on my head. Most people worry about roots because that means dark roots are showing; I worry about roots because that means there's that pesky colony of grey. I'm going to give 'going natural' a go. Well at least until vanity gets the best of me.

Yes, I know this doesn't have anything remotely to do with being artsy or crafty. But I still haven't launched my other blog. Bear with me! :o)

Violets Are Blue

I'm in a funk today. I hate being in a funk. I've been in this damn funk the better part of the last couple weeks. I really need to get out of it. Fast. I hate spending bits of my day crying over nothing. Well not "nothing" but stuff that normally I'd just be a bit sad about for a little while then move on.

I think the root of the problem is being so damned frustrated and restless. I hate being frustrated and restless too. Turns me into a grouchy old curmudgeon.

I'm just a ray of sunshine, aren't I?

Coffee? Didn't help.
Dr. Pepper? Didn't help.
Chocolate? Didn't help.
Running to my favorite hip-hop music? Helped some. But not enough.
Although the new number on the scale lifted my spirits some.
Chatting with one of my favorite people today? Helped a little.

Sigh.

I guess I can hope that the combination of tomorrow being another day and the hope that tonight's episode of South Park will either be really funny and make me laugh or one of my favorites and make me smile, might turn things around...

Easily Distracted by Shiny Objects

Yet another shameless addiction of mine is the Silver Jewelry Club. They have lots of pretty, sparkly, shiny stuff and it's CHEAP. All you pay is shipping. I buy little silver rings mostly and the occasional beaded item. If my fingers weren't so teeny I think we'd have a much bigger problem, but lately they've been pretty stingy with the 5's and 6's. We'd also have a much bigger problem if they featured bracelets.

Check out these cute earrings from this morning:



I didn't buy these. SHOCKER, I know! While they're pretty, I think they'd look much cuter liberated from the earring post and worn through my nose or my bellybutton. Most likely the bellybutton. The design would suit that piercing much better if I still had that pierced. I used to. I don't anymore. I'm debating on getting it re-pierced. Even moreso now that my little eyes have spied those-darned-earrings-that-I-know-I-can-easily-retrofit
-into-a-belly-ring.

So this begs the question - should I?

Giggles are good. Laughter is even better.

I laughed my ass off today. Even though I was having one of *those* days. Hell, I very well be having one of those weeks.

I think being silly today may have turned my week around. It just wasn't looking good. Frustrated and restless yet again. And it was eating at me and putting me in a crappy mood. I'll take the even sore-er abs over that funk I was in anyday.

It's good to be silly. It's even better to have people in your life who like to be silly too. :o)


P.S. I am still seriously eyeing that antique armoire. However, I am not re-thinking my taste in music...

That which does not kill you...

Sometimes you just gotta suck it up and deal with it. Because it's not all about you. It's about your kid. Today I did. It didn't kill me either. I knew it wouldn't. I'm also well aware that that this isn't the first nor the last time I'll be sucking it up and just dealing with it. Because it's not all about me.

Therefore I do not feel one ounce of guilt about sitting here and playing Brain Age and The-Stupid-New-Game-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named-For-
Fear-of-Sucking-Others-In. Not one ounce. :)

Classic Quote of the Day

"Jesus is coming out pretty soon. We'd better get out of here!"

Wish I could take credit for that, but it's not my quote. This is a prime example of 'out of the mouths of babes.' This is what was carefully whispered by my friend's 5-year-old son this afternoon while we took a few moments to sit in the chapel at the Mother Cabrini Shrine before heading out.

If you've never visited the shrine, you should. You don't have to be Catholic or devoutly religious to appreciate the place. It's gorgeous and the views and statuary are breathtaking. Especially on a clear day like today.

Lookee! I changed my banner!

Found a pic. Photoshopped a bit. Came up with a thought-provoking slogan. Beat the code into submission. I like it. :)

I just am.

Today I just am.

Today I am content. Content to be me. Take me or leave me.

Today I looked frickin' fabulous in a t-shirt that hasn't looked right on me in YEARS. Today I also chucked a t-shirt that didn't look good on me then and still doesn't look good on me now. Clearly me and that shirt are just not meant to be.

Today my skin looked great (for a change) and my hair did too. Even though all it's wanted to do the past two days is curl. Instead of fighting it, I used it to my advantage. It's so much easier to embrace the freckles and the curls and work with them rather than fight them.

Today I laughed. So much.

Today I sang Beach Boys and Beatles tunes at the top of my lungs while in the car. With the sunroof open. Didn't give a crap who heard me. Thankfully my son isn't at that stage where he wants to bury his face in shame. Yet. The 60s channel on XM rocks. As does my iPod tunez selection.

Today I watched two favorite movies and laughed even harder at them than I did the last time I watched them.

Today I finished that damned painting. I like it.

Today I also realized I'm out of canvas. Must go buy more tomorrow.

Today I thought of someone. Just a little bit.

Today I made some decisions. Good ones.

Today I changed a few things. For the better.

Today... I just am. :o)

Banners and Letters and Pretty Pictures - Oh My!

Looking ^^^ up there today I'm thinking I need to change out that banner and also figure out how to fix the titles and stuff that Blogger automatically puts in so it doesn't look so crappy.

Pretty sad that someone who useta get paid an obscene amount of money to design websites and still kindasorta works in tech can't freaking figure out how to fix it... or at the very least beat it into submission. Hey, I can only work as well as the technology I am provided with! Cut me a wee bit of slack here!

I need to think of something witty to say this time. Hmmm... Off to peruse my newz junkie stops and see if something strikes me this evening... stay tuned...

Oh yeah. That reflect-y blog post about my fantabulous weekend in "the-middle-of-freakin'-nowhere-Central-Texas" I keep teasing people with and am getting harassed about not yet posting? It's in progress. I promise. Sue totally inspired me with hers and right now mine is in brain-dump mode. I must finesse before I throw it out here for the whole world to see. Yeah. I know. That hasn't stopped me in the past, but in the past I haven't exactly been saying anything remotely profound either. Just spewing bile and anger. I digress.

Again. Stay tuned...

What happened to March?????

That is the question du jour. It feels like this month just barely started, now here we are. The month coming to a close. I feel like I have accomplished nothing, yet so much at the same time. I guess we'll see where April takes me.

This weekend was full of events. I tried to spend a fair amount of time on my own. My plan for total and complete solitude didn't quite pan out, but it's fine. I had some stolen moments and that was enough for me. I still have a lot of shit to sort through in my scary, scary head, but it's all good. I think I know where I'm headed. Now I just need to get there. With my sanity and a fair amount of integrity still intact. At least that's the hope.

I have proven that I can stick to a plan. And take the high road. And choose joy. All at the same time. Some of those things have been very hard for me to do. Especially taking the high road. I am known for falling into ruts of pettiness and childish behaviour every now and then. And not the good kind of childish behaviour either. I think that's diminished over time as I just don't have time, the energy, or the inclination for all the freaking drama.

I. hate. drama.

I've had to experience some drama lately and I friggin' hate it. Bad drama. We're talking junior high antics sort of drama. Why? Why is it necessary? Please explain this to me? I chose not to get drawn into it. I reacted to it. Not directly to the offenders. Unfortunately to an innocent bystander who hates drama as much as I do, if not more, which I'm truly sorry for. It fucking pissed me off is what it did. It burned a few bridges and caused me to turn and walk away from a friendship (although if this person were truly my friend, none of this crap would have went down in the first place) because once someone pulls that kind of shit with me I am D.O.N.E.

Funny thing is I am sure there was some level of expectation that I would bend to the Irish and Sicilian blood that runs through my veins and fuels my nasty, nasty, temper and raise a huge fit. Nope. Sorry to disappoint. And also that I'd bend to the Spanish blood that runs through my veins and go on some crazy revenge kick. Nope. Sorry to disappoint yet again. I am sorry to say that it's just not worth my time or energy. And though the two latter options may be oh-so-tempting, I choose to turn around, walk out of the room, and close the door quietly behind me as I leave.

Instead I choose joy. It's a very simple thing to choose really, but it gives me so much peace and contentment in my world. It allows me to focus and surround myself only with those who make me happy. And that's huge for me since I'm such a moody-broody artist type. You all know who you are too. I think I may have mentioned at least once or twice or three times or even shown you how glad I am that you're in my life and how much it means to me that you're a part of my world.

I also choose joy in the things that surround me. The way the sunlight falls upon something and gives it a fresh look. The strides my tulips are making as they pop out of the soil and get ready to bloom. The silly giggles of a 4-year-old. The fine mist of green that's slowly starting to take up the rolling hills around me, which means one of my favorite times of the year is upon us. The color ORANGE (and I am sure E is jumping for joy at this revelation!). I even have a (very) unhealthy addiction to orange post-it notes at the moment. Which could be very, very bad.

What gave me the biggest joy (and not to mention the biggest shock) this weekend was the fact that the obnoxious bright blue Qwest sign that adorns the top of the Qwest building downtown actually got TURNED OFF during Earth Hour this weekend. Most nights you can ride the freaking light all the way out to the burbs. Hell, on evening flights you can see that bloody sign from miles and miles away. It's obnoxious. But they turned it off for a full hour on Saturday, and that my friends brought me such joy.

So what does April have in store? To be honest, I have no idea and really no expectations other than reduced drama and hopefully getting my car situation sorted out. Among other things... Stay tuned...

6-Word Memoir

So shamelessly swiped from Lee's blog! ;o)

Here are 6 words to sum up my life: my memoir:

Journey
Creative
Driven
Joyful
Laughter
Friendship

Dodged the bullet

The massively heavy snow bullet at least. I woke up this morning expecting a shitload of snow. Enough to make me exceptionally cranky. Not a fan of the fluffy white stuff. Well, unless someone happens to be bestowing a free lift ticket to Breck upon me, in which case I am happy to partake of the fluffy white stuff - so long as it stays in the mountains and doesn't follow me home!

Good news is, even though I'm freezing, it doesn't seem to have done much around these parts. A few inches and wet roads is all. Of course all the news stations are saying "be prepared for more snow and blowing snow through this afternoon..." Meh. As long as we're talking mere inches and not feet, I'm happy.

This week I'm home. Next week I'm a traveling fool. Chicago the first half of the week, Seattle on the weekend. Can't wait!

We were supposed to be British tonight.

But sadly, someone's week kicked her ass, so we'll have to be British another time. Bloody hell.

Maybe if we wait another day I'll actually agree to the floppy hats. ;)

Karaoke Night in Denver!

Last night was karaoke night. Not like some weird official deal or anything. No, just an evening singing karaoke and throwing back shots of tequila (chased by a Heinekin. Or two.), followed by - you guessed it - more tequila (Reposado this time) and potato vodka mixed with cranberry. Potato vodka rules. It's also good for fueling drunk-dialing. And drunk 'how-to-drunk-dial-101" voice messages. From Aim. Sorry. Couldn't let just one person have all the fun drunk dialing now right?

Sorry I don't have pics. I think I took like one. And she'll kill me if I post it.

Bad week. Bad day. But a silver lining.

This week has been crap. Like really really crap. Nothing major mind you. Just... I think trying would be a good word. My "Monday" has managed to bleed into my Tuesday and my Wednesday. Work-related stress mostly. Which doesn't help with the stress caused from the other things I have going on in my world right now. Not elaborating on that just yet. I will. I promise.

I think today was about the worst for me. I'm really tired. I'm really sore from two-a-days at the gym. I've been dealing with one fire drill after another at work and needy customers. Today I had to schedule payments for bills and that just sets me off regardless of the kind of day I happen to be having. I'm probably PMS-ing. And I've got those winter blues pretty big time. To top it off, IM was being snotty. My internet was being snotty. And I had to re-boot my computer several times today. I think I spent a good part of the day looking for a fork to stick in me (because I was so done) or a nice hot poker to stick in my eye.

And you know what? The craziest shit got me through. Insane chats with Aim over all the stupidity in the world. There's lots. Feigning complete and utter disgust at D's obsession with Lindsay Lohan getting nekkid (dude, you realize you need help. Like seriously. Like you're 18 years older than her for god's sake!). One was a so just-waitin'-for-HR-to-scold-us convo between me and my partner in crime involving using low-cut shirts as a means of begging forgiveness for breaking stuff. I laughed so hard. The other was one of those "throw it all out there" convos with a new friend (well not sure if this person considers me a friend, but considering the massive amounts of over-sharing going on, qualifies as a friend in my book). It was no different than our usual inane conversation when we're just so done with talking about work. But it made me feel better. And I don't know if you even read this website, but I just want to say thank you. For being you. For making me laugh. Because I really needed it today. For making me feel comfortable enough to just throw it all out there. And that your parting words to me made me smile. Seriously. You rock.

Now what? Well. After dealing with the complete and utter disappointment after realizing LOST is not on tonight (no Sawyer-oogling for me!) I think I'll find a good movie to watch. Right now I really like Catch and Release. But considering my mood, I might just watch Titanic. Back when I had the short-lived-job-from-hell, I think I watched it on a nightly basis. Something about natural disasters and ship wrecks I guess can make the situation your in not seem quite so bad. Or rather "Hmmmm... I guess it could be worse. I could be drowning in the icy waters of the North Atlantic in 1912. Sucks."

40 Things You Have NOT Been Asked in a Survey...

Courtesy of Heidi!

1. Do you personally know anyone in prison at the present moment?
Not really, but I probably do. I used to hang out with some rather shady characters.

2. Have you ever logged onto a boyfriend/girlfriend/crush's myspace?
Who hasn't?

3. When is the last time you ate peanut butter and jelly?
Thursday, except it was just peanut butter. Does that count?

4. Do you have a desk in your room?
Yes, and it is a total and complete disaster.

5. Have you ever gotten naked at a party?
No comment.

6. What kind of car do you have?
2004 VW Jetta.

7. Are you named after one of your parents or grandparents?
Nope.

8. Can you walk a straight line when you're sober?
Not so well...

9. Do you know how to throw up gang signs?
Yeah. See #1.

10. Have you ever broken a rib?
Yes. Snowboarding. And it sucked.

11. Would you rather be a girl or a guy?
Girl

12. Who is the most spoiled person you know?
No comment. She reads this blog.

13. Would you rather have a million dollars or true love?
True love. Hands down, true love.

14. Have you ever had sex in church?
Ok, it depends on how you define "church." If we're talking within the sanctuary itself, then the answer is no; If we're talking about the church grounds and other buildings that happen to be on church property, then I have no comment.

15. Is your boyfriend/girlfriend a marine?
Nope

16. Do you watch the Grammys?
Kinda. I flip back and forth and somehow manage to catch what I want to see.

17. Would you ever work for the border patrol?
To borrow Heidi's response, not if I have to talk to people. People suck.

18. Which one word would describe your last relationship?
Heh. Heh. Heh. Yeah, no comment.

19. Would you rather date someone 2 years younger then you or 2 years older?
I'm indifferent. I don't think 2 years either way is enough to make much of a difference.

20. Have you ever had an eating disorder?
If you consider starving myself down to 98 lbs in a vain attempt to be a size 2 to be an eating disorder, then trying to maintain that unhealthy weight for nearly a year, then yes I have.

21. Do you have a porn collection?
Doesn't everybody?

23. Have you ever been in an interracial relationship?
Nope.

24. Is your birthday on a holiday?
I share a birthday with John Stamos. Isn't that holiday enough? I also share a birthday with Bill Clinton, but John Stamos is way hotter and more deserving of his own holiday IMO.

26. Do you have any friends or family in the war right now?
A couple of friends in Iraq.

29. Do you like polar bears?
Sure. Polar bears are cool. That's an odd question.

30. Have you ever been cheated on?
Yes.

31. Why are you doing this?
Because I'm a sucka for surveys.

34. Did you lose your virginity to your neighbor?
Eeeeuuuuw! Gross!

35. Did or do you think your childhood dreams will come true?
I sure hope so!

36. Do you wear your sweetie's clothes?
I did when I had a sweetie was closer to my size. Although I did wear my sweetie's shorts when I was preggo. I never gave them back either. Mua-ha-ha-ha!

37. What's your opinion on gold?
Quite lovely but I'm allergic. Sterling silver or platinum please.

38. Are you a country boy/girl or city slicker?
Total city slicker. Makes living in the 'burbs insanely painful.

39. Is your car a 2002 or higher?
Yes.

40. Do you want to hit something?
No, but the day is still young.


I just realized there are only 35 questions here. Hey Heidi, what'd you do with the other five questions?

Why Ask Why?

Million dollar question of the day - why the hell do women show up to the gym in full makeup? Why? Why? Why? Especially for a kickboxing class! "Barbie" in my kickboxing class this morning was totally done up in full regalia. She usually is anyway, but I do believe that I could have scraped a bunch of it off with my fingernail today. Funny thing is, Barbie ain't all that. Midway through class she shuffled back to the 2nd row next to me (she's really tall and I think she nearly took our instructor out with a couple high-kicks, so moving was a good plan) and I got a good look at her. I won't comment any further because I'm working really reeeeeeaaaaaalllly hard on the "mean girl" thing. I'm not a "mean girl" per se, I just tend to say mean shit out loud that others only dare to think. Or type it. On my blog. For all to see.

On a more random note, the guy at the front desk asked me for my phone number. And for the record I looked like crap from having my butt kicked in kickboxing (not literally, but that class does kick your butt!) and the only makeup I was wearing was tinted moisturizer which I'm positive I had sweat off by that time. I politely declined. Apparently I still got "it" whatever "it" is.

Open Letter to that Jogger Chick

Just what are you accomplishing by jogging with your jacket open? Are you too hot? Perhaps trying to burn extra calories by overcoming the wind drag created by your jacket flapping open? Wouldn't a lighter jacket and/or hand weights accomplish either of those goals a bit more efficiently?