Reconnect

Jason and I decided to go up the Cities on May 26. We booked a "Spa room" at the Courtyard Marriott near the Mall of America. Basically it was a hotel room with a king bed and whirlpool. Very nice. :)

I decided that since this was going to be a romantic weekend away, that I wanted to do a picnic. On Friday night, we ran to the store quick before Jason left for work and picked up some stuff. Friday night I cut, chopped, baked and dipped. We ended up having french bread with spinach dip, cheese cubes, chocolate dipped strawberries, crackers, lunch meat, cupcakes, and sparkling grape juice. I packed a tablecloth and also the glasses that Ma made us for our wedding.

Here are the chocolate dipped strawberries and the cupcakes:

And here is everything in the room once everything got all set up, we decided to have a picnic on the hotel floor, LOL. :)

Jason even surprised me and put the fabric rose petals in the hot tub! Of course we couldn't run that in there, so we sprinkled them all around the edge to dry. It was so sweet.

I really felt that Jason and I reconnected this weekend. We openly talked about a lot of different things and I feel that we are stronger than ever now. We really needed that weekend. Even though it's been about a week and a half, I'm still smiling and laughing about some of the things that we did. I still feel like we are so much stronger now. It's never easy to talk to your significant other, but it is well worth it. You can't keep things to yourself.....that I have learned.....it's much better to lay it all out so to speak.

Refocusing

So now I really should be packing since Jason and I are going away tomorrow night, but ya know what, I'm in the mood to write, so that's what I'm going to do, lol.

I've had my eyes opened up again. I have realized that I have been very selfish again. I had this realization last fall too, and thought I had gotten better, but I haven't really. I'm not going to go into details, but let's just say that I have had more than a few mis-steps. A few big ones too, but ones that no one really knows about but Jason and I. I'm working to improve those, and will continue to do so.

I've recently come to the conclusion that I am a very private, yet open person. Yes I know that makes no sense, but hear me out here. I don't like talking about me to people I know. Such as co-workers, families, friends. If they ask questions I answer, but I have a hard time spilling my guts to them so to speak. I'm not really sure why. Now online, I have a couple close good friends that I can talk to about anything. With them, I'm an open book. Probably because they don't "know" me and I guess I feel that they won't judge me. Maybe that's it. So I'm a very private yet open person.

Anyway, I went off on a tangent there, like I said, I'm in the mood to write, so who knows where this will end up going, lol. :)

Back to the selfishness. I was doing what I was doing under the guise of what would make me happy, finding myself so to speak. Maybe I shouldn't say guise that's not the right word.....I was doing what I was doing, thinking I was finding happiness and working on me. It turns out that I wasn't. Happiness has been with me all along. I have everything I need right here to be happy. I have a very supportive and loving husband, a roof over my head, and a steady job.

I think that there is one thing missing there though....God. Now don't get me wrong, I have always believed in God. But never really felt like I had a "home" so to speak. Back when I was in confirmation, I never really paid attention, I regret that now. I want to learn more, I want to find a church that I belong to, a home to to speak. I want that feeling of peace that I get periodically to stay with me longer than a couple minutes. I want to pray to Him and to listen to Him. I have finally realized that He is the missing link in my life. So I am going to explore different religions and find a church here in town. One of the guys that I play with often on xbox live has been talking to me quite a bit lately about God and religion. He's a very religious family man, great fun to play with on Halo too. But we have been having some interesting conversations about God and religion, and I can feel the love of God through him. He is passionate about his religion and I truly feel that God has put him in my life at this point to help me figure this out. To smack me upside the head and tell me, hey, this is what your missing. So Thank you God for smacking me upside the head. I'm actually paying attention this time too. :) Who knew the effect that playing video games would have on me. :)

So now I'm going to explore religion and get to know God. Accept him into my life. I'm both excited and scared to go on this journey, but I'm ready to do this. I need to do this. I can do this.

Kenny Chesney

Jason and I went to the Kenny Chesney concert in the cities on May 13. It was a freaking awesome concert!!! I had very high expectations for it and he surpassed them!! He made the audience feel like part of the show and that he was happy to be here, it was amazing. I want to go and see him again! It was a wonderful night, I yelled, screamed, sang,and danced the night away. While he was on stage, I think I only sat down for one or two songs. Looking back, I don't think that there was one song that I wanted to hear that he didn't play. He hit all of the ones that I loved. Next time, maybe floor seats. ;)

And of course, since I'm a spending whore every now and then, I bought some stuff, lol. :)

Relationships...

Isn't it funny how one little conversation can change everything. A lie that has been going on for five years. In a relationship that can make or break you, I guess. Something that should have been said that very first time that it happened, or in this case didn't, but not a word was said. A very important part of a romantic relationship. Something that in my opinion can make or break you. At first it didn't seem like a huge deal, but after 5 years, it is something that slowly eats away at you and makes you almost feel resentful of people that can do this, and makes you feel broken, so to speak. A conversation that is one of the hardest things that you have ever had to say...and then you wonder if it was the right thing to do. Maybe that lie should have been kept longer, but then the person keeping it would be more and more unhappy. But this lie will more than likely make the other person unhappy, but shouldn't the truth be put out there?

Doesn't everyone deserve happiness? I think they do. But what do you do when you don't know what will make you happy? All of these thoughts and what ifs swirling around in your head all the time. Would this make me happy or would this make me happy? Hard to know what can and will make you happy until you are there in the moment and reflect on it.

Another important part of a relationship is communication. Sitting down and sharing your thoughts and feelings. Your thoughts, dreams, what you would like in the future, what you are thinking now. Even if you have a hard time sharing your thoughts and feelings, it is necessary in a relationship. You can't keep them from your significant other, if you want to make your relationship work. If you don't share your feelings, thoughts, hopes, dreams, even the little things like how your day was, the other person feels emotionally detached, wondering if something is wrong, wondering what to do. It's one thing to talk about video games and movies, but another to share your more intimate thoughts. That is what makes a relationship. That is what makes or breaks you the relationship. It does not help a relationship to be silent and either ignore the person or to pretend nothing ever happened. At least that is my opinion.

Job

On a whim this weekend, I looked through the job postings in the newspaper. I typically don't do that, I usually just look online. Some of you may remember a previous post about me regretting not applying for a library job. There was an ad in the paper for a Library Assistant 1 job. (The other one was a Library Assistant 2.) I submitted my application and resume this morning. I'm crossing my fingers that I get an interview. The only thing that I am worried about is that I'm overqualified. The only requirements are a high school diploma, and 6 months clerical experience. I have an AAS degree, and 5 years clerical experience. If you could send prayers/good vibes that if the position is right for me, I at least get an interview. I'm so nervous. But I'm so ready for a change. It's past time.

Ultimate Compliment

For those of you that know me, I'm definitely not fashionable. I've never been. For the most part I've been a jeans and t-shirt kinda person, but have always enjoyed dressing up. Growing up, life on the farm didn't call for that often. I had *tons* of play clothes, that I could go out and get dirty and it didn't matter. I've never really been huge into clothes, as long as it's comfy, and fits, it's all good. I used to hate going clothes shopping since I could never find anything I truly loved and ended up settling on clothing that kinda fit.

Since losing weight, this has all changed. I now actually enjoy going shopping, and trying clothes on. Honestly, I'm getting very picky with what I wear and buy now. I've been buying clothes that I *love*. Especially when we go to Torrid, up at the Mall of America. I've ordered from Torrid online many times before, mainly when I get emails with sale or half off clearance stuff, but I also have to guess on the sizes. I have some stuff in my closet that I'm still waiting to fit into, which I'm very, very,very close to. :) But Torrid is my store, for the most part. LOVE that store.

Over the weekend, Jason and I were up at the Mall of America, and I desperately need work pants again. I have a terrible time finding work pants too, I have no idea why, but they never quite fit me right. So I went in there to look for pants, and other stores. Guess what, I left with other clothes, but no pants. Typical me, huh? ;) I honestly didn't pay attention to prices when I was in there, I just wanted to try stuff on and see if I liked it or not, thinking that for the most part, I would end up not liking it. Granted, I did leave about half the clothes I tried on in the store. ;) For those of you that know me well, I'm a bargain shopper. I hate paying full price for anything. I'd much rather wait for it to go on sale than pay full price. Unless I *LOVE* something, then I will reluctantly pay full price. I paid full price for everything at Torrid. I ended up getting 3 shirts, 1 jacket thing to go over two of them, so I can wear them to work, a skirt, and another pack of bangle bracelets.

This morning I decided to wear one of my new tops to work. It's a short sleeved, black v-neck top, with bright pink trim along the v-neck and below the bust. Since the shirt is low cut, I'm wearing a tight black tube top underneath the shirt so I don't pop out. That would so not be a good thing at work, LOL. I'm wearing it with a knee length black skirt. I have my hair straightened, and then pulled back in a wide headband. Minimal makeup, foundation, powder, mascara, and I did my lips as well. I felt pretty good about myself when I left the house. Especially when Jason's jaw dropped when he saw me. But I get to work, punch in, am sitting at my desk and one of the people that I support comes in and says, "You look so fashionable as usual." I was shocked, I have *never* been told I'm fashionable. That is the ultimate compliment in my opinion. Needless to say that made my day. :)

wow...

So next Sunday I have to drop off my stuff at the LSS for the scrapbooking garage sale. So far I'm working on paper. I love my paper, have a ton of it. I have pared it down to 21 1/2 inches of paper. :D That is impressive to me!!!!!! Now I need to go through and package the other paper up and price it and toss it in a box to go to the sale.

Better get back to work! :)

Lyrics

I love music. I honestly couldn't survive without music. This morning, I'm sitting here, checking out my boards with CMT on in the background, and a song by Rascal Flatts comes on that I've heard before, but today I really listen to the lyrics. So powerful. Here are the lyrics. This song is well worth the download.

Stand

by Rascal Flatts

You feel like a candle in a hurricane

Just like a picture with a broken frame

Alone and helpless

Like you've lost your fight

But you'll be alright

[Chorus:]

Cause when push comes to shove

You taste what you're made of

You might bend, till you break

Cause its all you can take

On your knees you look up

Decide you've had enough

You get mad you get strong

Wipe your hands shake it off

Then you Stand, Then you stand

Life's like a novel

With the end ripped out

The edge of a canyon

With only one way down

Take what you're given before its gone

Start holding on, keep holding on

[Repeat Chorus]

Everytime you get up

And get back in the race

One more small piece of you

Starts to fall into place

Ooohhh

[Repeat Chorus]

It's been a while since I wrote an actual blog entry so I thought I would share some of what's going on in my life, which at the moment will more than likely be boring to everyone, but oh well. I don't care.

First, I still love my hair. I was so nervous going into work at first, but everyone complimented me on it and seemed to really like it. So the good news is, I still have a job, LOL. :) Seriously now, I wasn't worried about getting fired.

Speaking of work, one of the new instructors that was hired less than a year ago is leaving us. :( She is so much fun, went out with her to a happy hour and had a blast. I'm sad that she is leaving, but on the other hand, it is a great opportunity for her, so I'm happy for her. I'm still looking for a new job. I really don't want to be an Administrative Assistant anymore, I don't think it's me. I enjoy doing the paper work, creating documents and such, but I need a change. As for what kind of change, I have no freaking clue. I've been watching the job postings here at work, and also the state/county jobs and also looking in the newspaper and online to see what all there is. There have been some that have piqued my interest, but upon looking further into them, I don't think that they were for me, or if I did, then the pay is too low. My dream is to go part time somewhere or be a stay at home wife.

I'm working on making stuff to put up on Etsy for sale, to see how it goes. It's cheaper than ebay so it's all good. I figure why not. I've got nothing to lose. I gotta keep plugging away at that. Aside from working on that stuff, I've been going through my scrapbooking stuff for the scrapbook garage sale at my LSS (local scrapbook store) the end of the month. I stopped in last night and paid for my table. They saved the number 1 slot for me, LOL, it was hilarious. :) I also sorta got offered a job there too. I will think on that for a bit. I love the store, and as long as it's very part time, which I think it will be, mainly filling in for people, I think I will take it. But I'm not 100% sure yet. I think it would be a great diversion from the normal work I do though.

Jason and I have been talking about kids again. We've been trying to get pregnant since December, 2003. So we have been trying for 3 years 4 months. As much as it kills me to say this, I don't think that we will be having kids. We've been to the dr's and everything and the next step would be fertility drugs. We aren't ready for that and I don't know if we ever will be. It kills me that I've not able to give Jason the kids that he wants. I remember him saying that he wanted to be a dad before he was 30....that obviously didn't happen. I just want everyone to stop asking me, so are you two ever going to have kids? I smile and say, possibly. But in side my head, I want to strangle them and scream and cry do you know how fucking bad it hurts that we haven't been successful in getting pregnant??? Do you know how bad it hurts to be asked that damn near every time we get together and see family?? It kills me. I just want to cry. So now, for those of you that watch our ebay stuff, expect to see a bunch of baby clothes/items up in the future. I get tears in my eyes every time I walk into the spare bedroom and see that stuff. We were thinking ahead and bought it on clearance thinking that it was a great deal and that we would get to use it one day, but for now, all it causes is pain, and it's taking up space, so selling it goes. It's going to be hard to go through that stuff. Anyone near Roch want/need a highchair? We have one of those to that needs to go. So please, don't ask couples, when they will be having kids. You just might get strangled.

Now onto happier things. Jason and I are going to see Kenny Chesney on Sunday, May 13. I'm so looking forward to that!!! It's going to be an awesome concert. I'm just say that I have to work on Monday and can't get the day off. :( Then on July 12 (Jason's birthday) we are going to go and see the Twins. My first baseball game ever. I think it's going to be so much fun. :) We got 2nd row seats on the third baseline by the bull pen. I guess those are decent seats, I don't know, LOL. All I know is that I better see Joe Mauer while we are there, LOL. Last year I kinda started to get into baseball since Jason had it on. He had it on in the background in the evenings while I scrapbooked, and I started watching it. So now he's finally going to take me to my first game. :)

Speaking of scrapbooking, I'm taking a class on Digital Scrapbooking over at www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com It's a four week class and with different lessons and chats with the instructor each week. Last nights chat seemed really slow and unorganized. I wasn't impressed at all with it. But I did get one LO (layout or page for you non-scrappers) done, and now I need to do another one. I'm actually learning to use PSE 5 (PhotoShop Elements 5.0) rather than just stumble around it. I can't wait to see what else we learn in the coming weeks.

Now onto the gaming part of my life. It was announced earlier this week that Halo3 beta will be released to those who got accepted on May 16 and run through June 5, I believe. 21 days of playing Halo 3. It's going to be sweet. I'm so looking forward to it!!!! I love Halo, that is the one game that I can pick up at any time and just play. I'm not the best at it, but it's so much fun. And that's all that matters. Jason downloaded something on xboxlive marketplace last night and played it for me this morning. It was kinda like a making of Halo3. So cool, and showed the game in action. They are adding a bunch of stuff in to make the game more interesting, rather than just run around and shoot basically. I can't wait!!! I wonder if I can find a link on youtube or something to link here. Wow, that didn't long to find. I found it. Check it out. :)

http://www.youtube.com/v/84Xj6Lg-NkI

Since this is my blog, and it is all about me, I need to vent for a minute. I just got back from going to the bathroom, (yea, I know, you didn't really to know that, but it's part of the story here, so deal with it), and a co-worker happened to meet up in the hallway with me and we chit chatted as we walked down the hall, then I go into the bathroom and she goes into the stall next to mine and is still chattering away! WTF??? Why do people think it's ok to talk to you while your in a public bathroom??? It's like, leave me the hell alone and let me pee in peace. That is one thing that really irks me.

Want to know something else that annoys me? No? Well too bad, you are anyway. Since your still reading this massive entry, you must be bored. I hate the squeaky sound of windshield wipers when the window is sorta wet, but not quite. That sounds is like fingernails on the blackboard, I hate it.

Now since I need to end the entry on a good note, here are a couple of things that make me happy.

My red hair. I feel that this is so totally me. I love it. I'm a bit concerned about keeping it up, but I hope Jason will think that it's so totally worth it.

I love snuggling up on the couch and watching a TV show or a movie. It's so warm and cozy and loving. I love the rain. I love sitting by the window, reading a book, listening to the rain, watching it hit the window, I just love it. I remember when I was a teenager, it was down pouring outside and I commented to dad, I've always wanted to dance in the rain. He grabbed me, and pulled me outside and we danced in the rain. That was one day when he wasn't drunk, one of the happy memories. I loved the spontaneity of it, it's one of my fondest memories with dad. I hope that dad does stuff like that with mom and the girles. I'm afraid that he doesn't. They need to have happy memories like that too......

Oh, I'm looking for book recommendations. Anyone have any? Lately I've been into kinda vampirey/dark books, but nothing too, horrorish, lol. Let me know what your reading, always looking for new books to check out. :)

Hair

Lately I've been itching for a change of some sort. There are many things that I could change, but after reading a thread on 2peas about party hair, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to get my hair done how I've always wanted. I looked at the dress code policy at work, and there was nothing about natural colored air. I figured since I wasn't going pink or green or anything I should be fine, since the policy didn't specifically say anything. I talked to Jason, and he was so excited about it. I called around to salons this morning to see if anyone had appointments for today open. Of course one of the more expesive salons did, but that's fine. I took it. I got really nervous after making the appointment, and especically after Mary Ann, my stylist, started rinsing the colors out. She really didn't say anything, except that it's vibrant. Umm...ok. Once my hair was rinsed out, and then washed and conditioned, she gave me a little bit of a trim, and finally started to straighten it. Then she cut it a little more and gave me more of an actual style than I came in with. Finally I got to put my glasses on and looked at myself in the mirror. I LOVED it. So much. It's EXACTLY as I imagined. I am a bit nervous about going back to work on Tuesday, but I hope that everyone will be accepting of it. I feel this is me. This is who I am. This makes me SO HAPPY. I think I found part of me again. So very happy.

If you want to see more pics, then check out my slideshow like below. :)

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/AmPooh/?action=view&current=1176004367.pbw

Dangerous

So some of you know that I don't really like coffee. But I will admit that every now and then I treat myself to Starbucks. Typically a Venti, non-fat, Cafe Vanilla Latte. Or if it's warm out, a Venti, non-fat Cafe Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, no whip. If I want to splurge even more, I get the whip cream on there, LOL. My office is far enough away from Starbucks at work, there is one at Target, but that is far enough away from the house as well, where it's not convenient, and there is one about a mile away from the scrapbooking store. Typically I get one maybe once a month. Although when I picked up the girlies I splurged and had a latte on the way up and a frappuccino on the way back, and then my scrapbooking retreat weekend, I splurged as well, since Starbucks was right below us.

So I just read the local news blog, where there all of business type news is updated daily. I read that the Hy-Vee that we do all of our grocery shopping at is being remodeled to include a full Starbucks, complete with seating area. This store is 0.8 miles away from my house according to map quest. There goes my diet.....I'm going to be in trouble.......

Dreams

My chocolate of choice is the Dove Dark Chocolate Promises, kept in the fridge of course. On the wrapper of each piece of chocolate, there is a "promise." On one of them I recently got it said, "Make a list of your dreams." So that is what I'm going to do.....some of these may not be dreams per say, but things I want to do...some of them will never happen, others may. I thought this was kind of fun.....

~Dreams~

~Work part-time or be a stay at home wife

~Open my own craft business, starting on Etsy, to see how it goes.

~Continue my weight loss journey, so I'm not considered overweight.

~Move out of our current house into one better suited for us, preferably in the country.

~Figure out who I am

~Be completely, 100% debt free

~Figure out what makes me happy

~Embrace my creativeness

~Look into a new job

~Vi st the ocean

~Go to Paris

~Be a mom

~See Kenny Chesney in concert

~Be more confident

~Go to CKU

~Be comfortable in my own skin

~Embrace who I am, when I figure it out

~Put myself first and not everyone else

~Hop on a plane for a spur of the moment trip alone somewhere I have never been

~Be more spontaneous

Tagged

I've been tagged by Denise. Here we go. :)

Each player starts with 10 random facts or habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their ten things and include these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 10 people to tag and list their names. Don't forget to leave each of the 10 a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog.

1. My favorite colors are pink and black.

2. I couldn't live without books and music.

3. I love bubble baths.

4. Half the time I can't form proper sentances and screw up my words.

5. I'm still trying to figure out who I am.

6. I've been told many times that I'm too positive.

7. I wear black 90% of the time.

8. When I'm tired I twirl hair around my fingers.

9. Before falling asleep I rub my feet together.

10. My living room is red and I <3>

Now I'm supposed to choose 10 people to do this, so whoever wants to can!!! Leave me a comment to let me know if you did this. :)

Various Pics

Here are some various pics from the past couple months. :)

I picked these up at Target after Valentine's Day for under a buck. I thought they were cute! :)


















This is the cake that I made for Valentine's Day. My writing really sucked so I did stars and didn't leave enough room....gotta pre-plan better and practice my writing. :)

I took this picture after I finished scrapping/working on a project. Have everything I need on the table. Cell phone. Pink xbox controller, to adjust the music. Remote to adjust volume of music. Various scrapbook supplies. :) What can I say, I'm a messy scrapper, lol.

I love this picture of Jason. One of my fav's ever. :) He was just sitting on the couch, and I told him to stay there, lol, and snapped away. :)

Shower & New Pics

Yesterday my sister-in-law and I threw a bridal shower for my future sister-in-law. It was a blast but a ton of work!! I was dead on my feet when I got back home, but it was a blast. Before leaving the house for the day, I had Jason take pictures of me in one of my new dresses. This is one I got off of ebay. :)

Job?

For a while now, I haven't been happy in the area where I work. Basically, it's not challenging to me, and I spend the majority of my days trying to look busy since I can get most of my tasks done right away in the morning. Some of the people that I work with, are great people and I enjoy them. Other ones are so "clique-y" and it drives me nuts. With all of the crap that goes on in the office, it seriously feels like we are back in high school. Granted, I know that no matter where I work, nothing is going to be perfect and in fact, some areas are going to be worse than where I am. With everything that has been going on lately, I've been thinking more and more and more about moving on.

With the talk of moving on, and leaving the area that I have been in for 4 years, I've been thinking a lot. Specifically about my happiness and what would make me happy. Now, I don't have a crystal ball or anything so I truly can't predict my happiness. But after a bunch of thinking, literally months and months, if I were in a perfect world, I would make the amount of money I am making now, but working part time. Sadly, this isn't a perfect world and we can't make it on a part time income. That makes me sad. Since I'm not able to look for a part time job, I've been scouring the job postings and seeing if anything interesting jumps out at me. I love to read and last year, I think it was in December, I found a county job, working at the library as a Library 1 or something like that. It sounded almost perfect for me, since I love to read. The job description basically was working part time helping people search and look up stuff and the other part time doing clerical work and updating the website. I thought about applying, but didn't. Looking back I regret it.

This past week, I've found two jobs of interest to me. Both of them have a higher base pay rate than what the job I'm doing now. One of them is a pharmacist assistant, which only requires a high school degree, which I obviously have, lol. I remember growing up and thinking I would work in a pharmacy like mom did. :) I also did take a TMA class back after high school, so I do have a bit of knowledge and it did interest me. But will this keep my interest?

The other job I found was for a CME Assistant. CME stands for Continuing Medical Education. Basically it's a glorified secretarial position, which is what I actually went to school for and it requires that degree. But I'm thinking that I don't want to be a secretary anymore. Granted, from the job description, this would be different, but kind of the same.....So I don't know.

Another part of me, wants to stop working completely and to start selling some of the crafty stuff that I make. But I'm scared to death that it will fail. I've been buying a bunch of stuff to alter/decorate and work on to get started here, but what if it doesn't sell? I know I'm not anymore talented than the next person, so why would anybody buy what I sell?

Basically I want a job that keeps me busy and is challenging. But also part of me is almost scared. What if I fail? What if I move into another area and things are worse there than in the area I'm currently working in? Plus I hate job interviews and I don't want to go through the whole interviewing process. I suck at interviews and speaking in front of people. I guess I need to do some more soul searching to figure out what exactly I want and what to do about it......I guess I need to make a decision.....

Apron

I decided to try my hand again at sewing. It has been years since I've attempted to sew!! The hardeset part was figuring out how to thread the bobbin, lol. The seam ripper and I got to be very good friends as well. I'm glad I had one on hand, lol. I am impressed with how it turned out, although there are many little mistakes. But I figured it doesn't matter, since it was made by me. I will admit that I'm very proud of myself for managing to make it.



Oh, and don't mind me in the pics. They were taken last night after work, about 9 p.m. after I finished the apron. I literally tossed my hair up with brushing it, and my face is all shiny, LOL. So don't look at me, look at the apron, lol.

As always, you can click on the pictures to make them bigger. :)

Artist? Talented? Creative?

So at work, people ask me to bring stuff in that I make and when they ask I do. So yesterday I brought in the 10 LO's I made at the retreat, some letters that I altered (very simply) and an invitation that I made. Now, all of the LO's and everything were very simple, I'm beginning to think that is my "style." Less is more. Although you couldn't tell that my looking at all my supplies, LOL. But anyway, back to the story. But everyone kept stopping by my desk, and telling me that I'm such a wonderful artist and that I inspire them. That I'm so talented and that I blow them away, that I'm so creative. I have such a hard time taking these compliments.

I don't believe that I am any of those things. Now if someone were to tell me that I was crafty, that is one compliment that I can take. I think truly believe that I'm crafty. But I truly don't believe that I'm anymore talented than the next person. I compare what I do to other people, either online or thinking back to the retreat, I'm not any of those things. How do I accept these compliments when I don't believe them? I've tried to brush them off and say, thanks, but I'm no more talented than the next person, and then they keep going on and on. So I've simply taken to smiling and telling them thank you. Should I be embracing this? If so, how should I do that? Should I just keep doing what I'm doing, smiling and not believe what they say?

Scrapbook in a weekend!

This is the book that I did in a weekend for a gal's retirement party at work. The party was on February 14, and their "theme" was white, red, and pink. The book is an 8x8 book. If the pics look a little squished, click on them to make them bigger. I had to manually enter the HTML code for all of them, since blogger sucks.

The tags on each page, each member of the department wrote sometime to the person who was retiring. The guest pages were pulled out and the guests signed them. The second to last page, they wanted left blank so she could add pictures. The very last page was a pocket so she could add more pictures, and I tucked in an invitation to the party.

More Guitar pictures

Here are more pics that were taken on January 20, 2007. :)