being 30something

things that I'm not going to talk about

*the fact that I was up until 2:00 working on a project...because someone who gave birth to me blogged about me procrastinating. For the record, I was not procrastinating on this one...I just have a lot of stuff going on right now

*how horribly wrong the show - The Secret Life of American Teenagers - is. So awful. So after-school special

*how rainy & wet & gross the weather is

*the fact that one week of relaxing the "watch processed sugars" habit puts about 5 pounds directly on my thighs

*how much I'd rather be home right now playing with my new lens (yippee!) and the August Cocoa Daisy kit

be good.

now that's good pie.

Ah, CHA. The place where scrappers go to play (and by play, I mean some work their butts off, some walk the show, and some do both). Got back later than expected last night after hours of delay in NY. All worth it though...

These girls are simply the best. Barb, Em, and Josie. So much fun from pizza on Friday night (although, I really don't understand Chicago pizza), to the show on Sat, and the 2Peas Social on Sat night. Em is really good at winning things. Miss you three already! Come visit soon.

And honestly....what is the deal with the size of my forehead? This is not the first time that it has been that prominent in a photo. Freakishly large forehead. Attractive, eh?

It really just wouldn't be CHA w/o an F&W dinner, now would it? Michele, Kimber, Linda, Summer, Sherry...you girls rock. Even if Summer won't share her pie, and Linda won't share her scope. I still *heart* you. Oh, and big news for Kimber & Summer! They just got approval on their NEW BOOK!!! You know you want to submit....go check it out Kimber's blog or Summer's blog. And let's not forget Linda's book, Sherry's book, Michele's book, Kimber's first book....phew! That's a talented group!

I don't have photos of all the other lovely ladies that I got to see/hang out with/chat with...but it was a well-needed reminder that I really am surrounded with wonderful, creative, amazing women that I am proud to call friends.

And now....drumroll....some of my product faves, live from my living room floor....

Scenic Route Sonoma

Scenic Route Surprise and Appleton

October Afternoon Hometown

October Afternoon Weathervane

October Afternoon Good Cheer

Ocober Afternoon Nightlight

American Crafts Romance (with Flair!) and new Thickers

some weeks require drastic measures

It has been one of those not-enough-hours-in-the-day, combined with not-enough-sleep-so-I'm-cranky, with a dash of allergies-really-do-suck weeks. So, at the market last night, this little (over-priced) pint of ice cream made it's way into my cart. Emotional eaters unite. (for anyone wondering, it's good...but pomegranate is a hard flavor to hit, and I think they missed it)

So. Working today...hopefully ducking out a bit early to get the red in my hair touched up. After all, I'm shacking up with Michele tomorrow, and hanging with Barb & Em...what would they think if I had roots showing? Then it's home to see the boys (they're returning from PA/NY today), and to give Hope lots of hugs before she leaves for CA. And I still need to finish up a few things before I fly out to Chicago tomorrow...

be good.

say what you need to say.

because I'm loving that song by John Mayer lately, and because I'm just home from 4 days at a family wedding extravaganza...I'll just say what I need to say.

To those that enjoyed ignoring me, subtley (or not so) tearing me down, and/or shooting me dirty looks at every opportunity, I say: you may make me cry, you may make me miserable, but you will not make me go away.

To those that questioned whether or not I was going to have more kids every time I got within 50 yards of one of the toddlers, or (gasp) carried one of them, I say: did you not watch the movie in 5th grade health class? you don't get pregnant by picking up somone else's baby. and no, I'm not having more. thanks for checking.

To the DJ who introduced me as "Kristina" after having "Katrina" written down on the script, I say: you suck. and you picked sucky music.

To those that laughed with me, hugged me, and let me take photos of their kids, I say: you give me hope. and I love you for that.

To the hotel desk clerk who wouldn't let the cousins into the pool b/c it was after 9:30, I say (with my tongue sticking out): party pooper.

To whomever invented the adhesive strips that will hold the top of a sleeveless dress up when you simply don't have much else to hold it up with, I say: bless you.

To the cousins who made my kids feel so comfortable and so included, I say: you guys totally rock.

To the inventor of the greek wedding ceremony that repeats everything 3 times, I say: seriously. seriously? seriously.

To anyone who missed my blog while I was gone, I say: damn, I'm glad that's over...it's good to be home.

more from ink by steph...

and there's more...

phew...it's a good thing that I *heart* deadlines!

2 days...12 projects...

in a CHA project crunch...on top of everything else! so just a quick peek of the new halloween squeeze punches from Fiskars...totally adorable!

winding down from the weekend...

parades.

fireworks.

hot dogs.

sierra nevada pale ale.

pool parties.

perfect weather.

good times.

running with scissors & rolling with the punches...

It has been a bit of a chaotic week. Already. It's Tuesday. It's one of those weeks where my work life is so busy that I get half way home and realize that I'm still wearing a hairnet, and I'm covered in goop/glitter. It's busy at home, too...my days and nights are sort of blending together in a fog of extra bold coffee and not enough food (that part is blamed on the market that I got a sandwhich at today. new guy. put a freakin' tomato on my sandwich. dude. meat, cheese, lettuce. that's it.). Anyway...

*HUGE congrats to my friend Paula on getting TWO requests for layouts from TWO scrapbook mags in the same day. Now that's a good day! She's a rockstar, but she's just figuring that out.

*Happy news for me from Fiskars...I'm the newest member of their design team! I'm so looking forward to working with this team. Totally intimidated, mind you, but totally excited.

*Loving Ronee's book...Modern Memory Keeper..and wishing that I had time to really go through it. I peeked at my layouts, peeked at a few more, then put it down. Forcing myself to get some work done first. Ronee did an absolutely amazing job on this book...you should check it out!

be good.

i'm procrastinating...

I should be working on some stuff...but I have a wee bit of writer's block right now. So I'm procrastinating. I've cleaned out my in-box. I've rearranged a few folders. I've contemplated a new blog banner. I'm hoping that writing this post will get some word-mojo flowing.

The big news for our weekend - Hope is now a licensed driver! She took her test (2nd time) on Friday, and passed with flying colors. I let her drive to her soccer conditioning on Friday, and then let her have my car to take to her Dad's for the weekend. So far, so good. She's restricted to driving in our town for at least a week...I want her to get used to being in the car alone before she ventures beyond our little bay. After the week, she'll have to really beef up her efforts (meaning - actually MAKE an effort) to get a (very) part-time job to fund the gas tank.

I know you thought that my weather whining would cease for the summer...but you were wrong. It's been SO rainy over the past few weeks that I have mushrooms the size of toddlers growing in my front yard. And it's hot. Which means that it's steamy. Which means that my hair looks like s**t. VT is supposed to have beautiful summers...I'm getting tired of waiting.

I bought a book this weekend. In & of itself, that is not newsworthy. I own a lot of books. What is significant about this purchase is that I bought it without any kind of discount or coupon. Full price. Hardcover. That's huge (the act, not the $19 price tag). I willingly paid full price for this book b/c it is compiled by a freakin' hilarious blogger that Mo mentioned to me last week. It's funny...when Mo told me about her, she used her full name, not her blog name. I had no clue what she was talking about. Then I googled, and found that it was her blog...the one that everyone reads. I honestly had no idea what her real name is. Anyway, she put together this compilation of essays written by some of her favorite bloggers...Things I learned about my Dad (in therapy). I've laughed out loud, literally (so would that be LOLL?) several times.

That's about all for now. See? Told you...no word mojo.

be good.