nothing like a little motorhead, young jeezy and rick ross to start my monday morning.

The mixed cd Jeff made for me solidifies the fact that he and I were meant to be.
The said mix are all songs that are basically inside jokes to us but I like the mix of metal and rap. Good way to start my morning...some ace of spades followed by "everyday I'm hustlin"...yeah..I'm ready to get this morning started.

The weekend went by way too fast but I made sure I enjoyed every minute. And I know I said I would dedicate mondays to a blog I love but I'm moving that to another day. Monday's are now dedicated to weekend love.

Saturday started at the greenhouse, again. It's addicting..buying plants..and I feel like there's never enough. Now we're making plans to make our backyard into more of a hangout. After the greenhouse, we headed to the market. Good people watching there.

So I think I made the mistake of picking out a bad plantbecause I later noticed little aphids flying out it when I was transferring it over to a bigger pot. Super. Now there's little webs crossing over to my other plants. I'm trying the soap water mixture that was suggested to me on the SC message board. Hopefully that'll do the trick. Any other suggestions?

I've got to get crackin on my June layouts. Ofcourse I get hit with creative mojo a week before our deadline. Off to scrap!

Tina

a smear and lox kind of day.

today I hit the ground running. issues as soon as I walk through the office door. I love/hate mornings that start out this way. love because I know the day will fly by. hate because of all the demands...everyone needing things right this very moment when if they took care of their own issue weeks ago, it wouldn't be such a rush today. but this is my strong point with my position. I'm a problem solver. Solve, move one.
opted to pick up breakfast for everyone at a local bagel joint. craving smear and lox like crazy...something I eat maybe once or twice a year. a little stinky but totally worth it. I'm a much happier Tina when my belly is full.
Dare #138was a fun one this week. unfortunately the light cyan and yellow ink were out in my printer so I wasn't able to scrap it. instead I did a little faux typewriter work on a polaroid my sweet hubs took of me yesterday.
 
All about your signature style. What's your go to item?
Next week I'm going to start a bit of formatting to my blog. I've mentioned this before about taking advantage of my piece of the world wide web. Monday is blog love day. Thursday is retail therapy day. This is an effort for me to blog more and sort of organize and share the things I've come across. I'll probably fill the other days with pictures and short entries. We'll see. :)
I'm also working on branching out with my prints. You'll see some things like journals, postcards and other items I'm trying to work out.

 

well folks, hope you all have the most superb weekend. I certainly will, as always. :)
Tina

I just gained 8lbs for not fowarding you and 7 others that email.

I seriously can't stand these emails I get from a certain coworker. They drive me INSANE. I don't mind a few forwards here and there but enough with the grumpy Maxine 'toons, the precious moments (blegh) crap and the oh be happy because I sent you this email with the sh*ttiest sparkly graphics. Yet this woman constantly complains about being overwhelmed with work. shyeah right.

ok, my rant for the day.
going forward...my weekend was relaxing and fabulous.
mothers day was good, certainly unlike the past several years spent in a crappy, boohoo for me mood. If any one should be in a crappy mood on mothers day, it should be my mom. 'nuf said.
visited with the inlaws saturday and now realize how much my mother in law keeps up with my blog....hello linda.
j also endured a good bit of sunburn. poor guy. google farmers tan...you'll spot a photo of my husband. 
sunday was spent in my backyard. i now understand why people garden and take so much pride in their work. even though we've live in our home for a good 6 or 7 years, this is the first time I've actually gardened.  I was really inspired by this book:
 

 

I'm ashamed to admit I haven't really embraced the whole organic lifestyle but I'm taking baby steps. I do want to recycle more and I've accomplished that so far with my gardening. I haven't spent a dime on containers and finally found a use for all the wood wine cases I've picked up from garage sales in the past umpteen years. They look great but now I need more. Wonder if I could ask the liquor warehouse? I'll give it a try or maybe head to the salvage place. Not fully sure if I'm ready to do the compost thing, especially with our bear problems. Seems like it would just be an open invitation for them.

Didn't get a chance to watch the buttons movie but I will soon from the reviews I've gotten. It's so hard to stay inside and watch movies when the weathers so nice. I'll have to wait for a rainy day for that one.

that's that.
tina ;)

oh, hey monday...I didn't see you there.

my weekend went as planned and that was because most of it was unplanned.
drove around a bit on saturday morning and hit a few garage sales. spent a whole $1 on a vase.
opened all the windows in the house, the warm fresh breeze was invigorating.
transplanted some of seedlings. can't believe I have't killed them.
babysat my nephew who wasn't feeling well but was still his happy self. amazing kid.
had bbq and enjoyed the most delicious corn of the cob. light on the butter, heavy on the salt.
watch an oldie, Me, Myself and Irene. forgot how funny certain scenes were.
enjoyed a busy but relaxing sunday all to myself.
took old dog to the park and found this random rock stack.
 
also made coffee stop because my home brewed coffee was a little off.
went to war with laundry and won.
sat in the sun and ate breakfast. currently on an eggs benedict kick. not so great on the waist.
 
the smell of bounty and fresh air in my bedroom made for the best nights sleep.

kicked off 'roid week.

and even though monday came too quickly, it brought the sun again and for that I am grateful.
happy monday.

so typepad is wigging out on me again...this is going to be brief.

• National Scrap Day shenanigans tomorrow at SC. Check here for the list of challenges and give-aways.
• May SC reveal was amazing. Kits still available and plenty in the shop so if you're lacking inspiration, start there then head to the gallery.
• I updated my SC on paper gallery over there <<<<<<<< with my latest layouts.
• Dare #126. Inspiration:decor.

lastly.....

a loud yawn and a drawn out stretch.

Life...
I can't really complain. My weekend was one of the best. Nothing out of the ordinary.
The sun was out, the weather warmer, the sound of geese flying over our home....finally. She's (spring) arrived, fashionably late but here none the less. I had great intentions of getting up bright and early saturday to change my winter tires but after a late night, that was a no go. Staying in bed was a much better option. A treat to myself as I'm always up early to get things done. Why not just lounge? I did feel a tad guilty over my laziness but that later passed.
Love...
Garden planning. Going to the greenhouse on my lunch break to check out all the flowers perfectly lined up, ready to be taken home. Purchased a few knowing that it's still early. Getting so excited about Memorial day weekend which will entail me being knee deep in dirt.
Paper...
I got creative, sneaks peeks of Studio Calico's May goodness will be up later this week. I can't get enough of their exclusive papers this month.

Still trying to catch up on blogs so I apologize if for my impolite blogger behavior.
I'm also in the process of a blog revamp. Guess I'm looking to change my format or the way I blog....I want to take full advantage of my little piece of cyber space. I'm pulling inspiration from certain blogs that I love and am always drawn to. I know I'm a visual person and expressing myself through words isn't always easy. More later this week. Back to coffee sipping.

I am currently....

catching up on blogs a la google reader.
about to finish my last sip of ice tea.

looking at my inbox and prioritizing the day's work load.
wearing my favorite old school Gap jean jacket. perfect worn in.
on the hunt for some new sneaks and wedge heal pumps.
ready to take on the week.
listening to the Weepies.

been out of sorts lately. writing seems hard. so much easier to translate my feelings through photos.
did manage to break out my May Studio Calicokit over the weekend. creativity felt forced but eventually turned into something I enjoyed. helped moving my stuff downstairs so I could watch movies and converse with J while slicing up paper. The sneak is tonight...oh and there is a give-away for the nifty Carter alphabet stamps.

 
that's all
t

words fail me.

what I see outside

what I feel inside

happy friday, Tina

something out of nothing.

It started here:

I left work at 5:30am in open-toed sandals because the snow was just about gone. This was what it looked like when I left work. Picking up a bucks for friend I was visiting. I knew I should of just gone home because I later got stuck in her driveway and had to shovel my way out. Good thing it was Friday. It takes a lot for me to lose my cool on a Friday.
Considering my car barely made it up my own driveway, I knew I wasn't going anywhere on Saturday. Being stuck in the house led to the purchase of  this:

Isn't she beautiful! Can't wait to get out there this summer and explore with this lovely.
Then after a little internet shopping, I caught up on some blogs.
This makes me want to break out my linoleum cutter.
SFgirlbythebay's interview with HulaSeventy.
apartment therapy for some nifty ideas.
After some internet inspo, I decided to catch up on some challenges.
The Art is Found: board books, hosted by Kara.
Dare 91: Typography.

Finally got to play with my RVA kit combined with a little Studio Calico.
So while everyone was working in their yards, camping and enjoying 90 degree weather, I hibernated. Guess my new shorts won't be making their appearance this week.

Happy Monday,
Tina

operation:get out of work early...

is in full effect. 2 hours until freedom and creative time. countdown begins........now.

one last thing. GG was so good last night, thoughts Vee? Jenny is getting to be quite the b*tch.  Hills once again was good in all it's awkwardness glory.

hi's and lo's.

-feeling the usual Monday blues- low
-spilling coffee directly on my crotch-low
-not giving a damn about it-hi
-knowing that time only goes forward-hi
-finding out there's a family of unwanted critters residing in our garage-serious low. We spent a good part of the weekend in operation:kill mice and we're up 2-serious hi.
-having to throw away an altered book from a round robin I did years ago because the pages were used as a nest0-low, very very low.
-having a clean garage-hi
-forgetting my Monday soundtract I burned to get me through my day-lo
-pandora radio to the rescue-hi
-craving the songs on my youth, listening to Aaliyah, 311, Fugees-hi

1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/77346902@N00/349304940/">Bravo's Work Out</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/74526606@N00/425442726/">Healthy Eating</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/19112945@N00/485502452/">#203:  working out</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/7396767@N05/1270625231/">Working out</a>

-realizing how unhappy I am with my weight-hi and lo. If I can quit smoking cold turkey, I can lose this extra 20lbs I've been carrying for the past year. Time to take a bite out of this muffin top. Watching Work Out on Bravo and seeing them run around in tight, white pants and look damn good motivates me-hi
-after eating well my first day of operation:muffin top, I come into work this morning to see the candy bowl has been filled with an obscene amount of chocolate-lo. But, like I mentioned above, if I can turn down a cig, I can turn down chocolate.-hi

Yeah, lot's of missions going on, the big one, operation:get your shit together is a combination of it all. Hi's are great but knowing that the lo's are fixable is even better.
Today, operation:positive monday.
Laters,
Tina

feelin' it.

1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/67074597@N00/137233639/">insadong stamps Seoul South Korea</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/46973832@N00/2225425251/">time for poems !!</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/46973832@N00/2336631871/">Spring comes!!</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/55049166@N00/2385777035/">flower + toe</a>, 5. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/22554961@N00/2385180170/">for the show</a>, 6. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/37451064@N00/2385551750/">the bots</a>
Love those bots! photo taken by Cinnamon, bots created by Lockwasher

I'm know I sound like a broken record when I say this but man.......
I.
Love.
Fridays.
It's doesn't get any better, well, it can but it's very very good. The office witch has taken the day off. My creative energy is at an all time high. I've got a little spending money for some summer clothes. My back feels great thanks to my therapy........the list good list goes on and on. Oh yeah, the sun is shinning and it's supose to get up to the 50's this weekend. That may be a not chilly for you but it's just about t-shirt season for us. The snow is taking it's time melting into the ground but it's going.
I'm also lovin the Yo MTV Raps anniversary stuff they've been playin. J and I were kickin' it old school in the kitchen while listening to the songs we grew up with. Ice Cube's Today Was A Good Day.......yeah, that brings back memories of my b-girl ways as a freshman. That b-girl still exsists within me mixed in with a little metal ala Poison and Lita Ford. It's weird how certain songs fill your head with memories of your youth, good and bad.  Aahh..youth.

Happy Friday,
Tina

just a quickie.....

Here's some peeks from the May Studio Calico kit.
:) Tina

simple sunday.

The recent snow fall is not going to stop me from wearing my new spring flats from Old Navy. It's April and I'm ready to shed off some of this winter bulk. Today I will hopefully be motivated enough to start yoga. I did get an early start this morning, drove the dog to Starbucks to get a little motivation on ice and headed back to tackle laundry, the waffle mess my husband left me and our taxes. Yes, taxes. I have waited till the very last minute to do them. I really don't know why, not that it's really all that difficult. I guess I just look at it like homework. I hated homework then and I hate it now. But I can happily say that they are now done and ready to be mailed off.

leaving off with a listy.....
-downloading new music....currently loving Adele.
-I can't stop listening to the longest Death Cab for Cutie song, Stability. It moves me.
-I had the most exciting Friday night.......scrapping until 2 in the morn'. ;)
-Looking forward to the release of Juno.
-I'm secretly addicted to the Ultimate Fighter show...ssshhh...
-getting ready for the sneak peek premiere over at Studio Calico.
-looking through all the little goodies Vee sent me. Thanks girl!
-so happy the Office, 30 Rock and Scrubs is back!! When the heck is Gray's making a return?
-new Hills tomorrow. J says he can always tell when I'm watching 'cause it gets all quiet.
-posting some SC peeks tomorrow.

laters.
Tina

stating the obvious.

Hhm.....it's funny how these little fortune cookies can be so spot on at times but I know it's pretty generic. Not like most everyone's path can be difficult. But it is true. Thinking back at my most difficult times, I've been rewarded greatly from them. Just being alive and well. Owning a home, having a great partner and true friends and family. That's all very rewarding.
Guess I'm just waiting for, what I consider, the ultimate reward for this difficult path J and I have been traveling on for a few years now.  We're now taking the next step which is testing and hopefully a diagnoses and treatment. I've been reading a lot about Clomid and hoping that that will be the answer as all the other options such as in vitro are not covered by our health insurance. It's shocking to see the costs on these procedures. I knew having kids would be expensive but goodness.
And no, this isn't one of my usual pity posts. I'm going to stay hopeful about this. There are a million and one couples that are going through the same thing. One thing I'm not doing is talking to certain "friends" about this. I just can't take the looks that they give me when I'm update them on my situation. The "I'm sorry you can't get preggers as easily as I or my daughter or sister had" looks. I just can't.  But I do want to document this difficult path for my future so you'll read more about this as I go through dr apts and such.
On the brighter side, tomorrow's Friday!
I.
am.
SO.
looking.
forward.
to.
the.
WEEKEND.

Take care!
Tina