Art Is Subjective

I wish I knew more about art. I want to be one of those people who can walk through an art gallery or a museum and know all about the painting, and the artists who painted them. I think it is fascinating the things that people paint. I don't know that I prefer portraits, like this Catherine The Great, painted by Sergey Smirov. Now, don't get me wrong. This painting is beautiful in it's own way. I love the checkerboard trees, and the fullness of her dress.

I just don't think I can see this hanging in my home. I prefer paintings that are a little more modern, with bold colors and clean lines. Wow, that kind of sounded like I knew what I was talking about right there, didn't it? Don't be fooled. I know nothing.

I think it's time for a trip to the library. I am sure I can find lots of books about art, maybe even an Art For Dummies type book. It can't be that hard to learn, can it?

Maybe I will do a little research online. I think I'll try and find a painting I would hang in my house, and show you what my taste is really like.

Fishing Rod Holders

I have a line of these fishing rod holders across my yard right now. Junior and Ryan have been making them, and I think they came out really great. Ryan painted them black last night, and he had a ball doing it. He is itching to go to the lake so he can use them. I would rather hold my fishing rod, but that's just me.

Brandi, My Little Entertainer

Brandi is a born entertainer. I wish I could put into words how funny this kid is. I am thinking about following her around with a video camera, and sending the footage to a professional who does video production DC so that I can show the world this kids talent. I think a company like 522productions.com will be able to put together a video showcasing the best parts of her personality. I especially want to capture the relationship she has with Junior. They go at each other all the time, and it is hysterical to watch her hold her own against him.

Maybe Santa will bring me a video camera so I can follow them around for a couple of days. Trust me; she will crack you up.

Brandi's Bag

Here's a look at the finished product. Considering I made it up as i went along, I think it came out pretty good. If I had it to do over, I would put the "BOO" a little higher up from the black bottom, but otherwise, I think it came out great.

The handles are still pinned...I need to finish sewing them.

Kasi is already asking what hers will look like, and I still need to finish a blanket for my sister before Sunday, so I need to get crocheting!

Games People Play

Online games are addicting. I used to avoid them at all costs, but lately have found myself being sucked in. I should have seen it coming, too, considering how much I love playing video games. I remember playing the original Mario Brothers game, and Donkey Kong. Video games have advanced so much since then, and to be honest, I find the majority of them confusing these days.

It's a good thing there are gaming forums where I can find the help I need to understand these games. I can also read what other people think of games before I go out and buy them, because lets face it, games these days are expensive.

Commissioned

I was asked by someone to make a sign for someone else, and even though I am 500% sure the person this is for doesn't even know this blog exists, Junior insisted I black out the name just in case. So I did. Just imagine a nice name under there. I am not sure if I like the stain...it is a lot darker than I expected, and the poly isn't exactly as shiny as I like...except in the letters. I hope the person I made it for likes it.

Possibilities

Three months from now, Christmas will be over.

We will once again be facing a new year; a year full of promise and possibilities.

I have been thinking about a lot of things lately, and how I wish we were already living in a new place. I hate packing, and I hate change, but I am really looking forward to this.

I have been asking the kids what they want for Christmas, and I haven't gotten many good ideas. I was browsing online for ideas, and came across beach cruisers for sale. These bikes look kind of old fashioned, and I think my girls would love them. Come to think of it, Kasi did mention that she wanted a new bike a couple of months ago.

I just don't want to get them too much stuff, because it would just be more stuff we have to move in February.

Not Done Yet

I started crocheting Brandi's Halloween Trick or Treat beg. I put "BOO" on it, which can mean two things...Boo, like her nickname, or BOO, like what a ghost says. I am making it black and white, with a ribbon handle, so even after Halloween, she can use it. Here's the "BOO":

I will post more pictures when it is completely done. I am also trying to finish a baby blanket for my sister's shower next weekend...we'll see how close I get! lol!

Racing

I have a lot of online friends who are really into motocross racing. I love checking out their pictures, because these riders are awesome. I love the height they get on some of their jumps.

I know they spend a bunch of money on their sport bike accessories and on their uniforms, if that is what their jumpsuits are called. It's money well spent, though, because it helps to keep them protected.

I would love to go watch one of these races in person, just to see what it's all about. My husband would probably pass out if he heard me say that, because he has been trying to drag me to all kinds of races for years. Maybe I am finally ready to go see one.

I Have An Idea...Now To Figure Out How To Do It

I was walking around Walmart with the girls yesterday, and Brandi noticed the trick or treat bags. They have the well known pumpkins, and then some plastic bags that looked like they wouldn't even hold a 1/4 pound of candy without ripping. Every year we end up dumping the kids bags a couple of times during trick or treating, because they never hold all the candy.

I think I can solve these problems by crocheting a bag for each kid. I have the idea of exactly what I want in my head, I just need to get it down on paper.

Wish me luck, and keep an eye out for pictures!

Another Bunk Bed Idea

I am still trying to find the perfect Bunk Beds for the girls. When we move, they will probably end up sharing a pretty small bedroom. To give them more space, I plan on getting bunk beds. The only problem I am having, besides money, is that every time I find a set I think I like, a day later I find something better.

Check out the set I found today. They don't go directly on top of each other, they are kind of, well, you can see in the picture. They aren't exactly what I need for a small room, but they are really cool. Hopefully I will find something more like what I need tomorrow.

Then I really need to stop looking.

Em Grace's Etsy Shop

I have almost 300 elephants in my collection. (yes, I just walked around my house and counted, and came up with 287, not including my jewelry) The thing is, though, that most of my elephants are just that, elephants. I am wanting to add a little variety, and think this little girl holding an elephant fits that bill nicely.

I found it in em grace's etsy shop, along with a bunch of other cute little figuring ornaments. She has one that is a penguin in a giraffe suit, and it kinda makes me wish I collected either penguins or giraffes.

Do any of you guys scour etsy like I do? If so, let me know if you find any elephants!

Movie Reviews, And More

If you are anything like me, when you have a big purchase to make, you do your research first. I will spend weeks pouring over my options before I make a decision. I will look up personal reviews, written by people who have actually used the product. These are great, because you get honest opinions from people who know how the product works, and have tested it for themselves.

I found this site called ProductReview.com.au, where you can find reviews written about everything from movies to vacuums. I am a big movie buff myself, so I found myself drawn into reading those reviews. I was especially interested in The Sixth Sense. When I watched this movie, I had no idea what the big shock at the end was that everyone was talking about. Reading what other people wrote, I discovered that I am not the only person who really loved this movie, and who never saw the shocker coming. Watching for a second time, I was able to see all the little things I missed the first time, because I didn't know what to look for then.

Of course, I had to check out what the reviewers thought about my favorite movie of all time, The Princess Bride. There were only three reviews, but all of them were glowing. I guess I'm not the only one who sees the greatness of this movie. If you haven't seen this movie, you have GOT to rent it. No. You have to buy it. Trust me when I say you will watch it over and over again. I love that my copy is now loved by my daughters.

So, the next time you are in the market for a movie, or even a car, check out ProductReview.com.au. They have all the reviews you need to make a smart decision.

Inspiration Struck

This may come as a shock to you all, but I am totally addicted to etsy. I keep finding the cutest things, and wish I could buy everything. I have also decided that I am going to try and do the majority of my Christmas shopping on etsy. Tonight I was browsing the polymer clay creations, which, by the way, I really want to learn how to use, and I found buttons.

Adorable little buttons.

And I got to thinking...I don't sew. I have no use for buttons, but they are so flippin' cute. And then it hit me.

Magnets. I can buy those little round magnets at a craft store, attach them to the back of the buttons, and voila, Christmas gifts!

The buttons that really caught my eye were these colorful little critters. I found them in Tessa Ann's Etsy Shop.

Aren't they sweet? She has a wonderful selection of buttons, in all designs and colors. I plan on buying a whole bunch, because of course I will keep some for myself. (I have a small magnet obsession, too) She has Halloween ones and Christmas ones, and fruit ones and patriotic ones...oh, just go look for yourself!

First Impressions?

This is the oddest thing I have heard in a while. There is this website called Attractive Appearance, and basically, it tells you what is wrong with your face. You upload a picture of yourself, and visitors click on the parts they find attractive, and also point out any peculiarities in your appearance. Seriously, how can this be a good thing? I don't think I need strangers telling me my nose is too small or my eyes are too far apart. I know my own faults. Why would I want other people pointing them out for me? This is supposed to let you know what kind of first impression you make on people. I don't base my first impressions solely on how people look, but on how that act and treat me. I just think this is a little weird.

Handmade Christmas

I am going to try and make this Christmas a handmade one. I am determined to buy most, if not all, of my gifts off of etsy.

I found this adorable Baby's First Christmas ornament in Carolyn's Clay Qt's etsy shop, and fell in love. The hardest part was picking which ornament I liked the best.

There are the cutest twin ornaments, and I am excited to get one for my newest nieces or nephews next year. They aren't due to arrive until March, so I will just have to wait.

This one is going to be perfect for baby Jake, and for whatever my sister Colleen has in October. I hope she has a girl, because I love the ornament of the little girl in purple, too.

Being Monitored

Some of you may already know that I have been thinking about going back to work. In the past, all I have ever done is fast food and being a grocery store cashier. I would love to find a desk job somewhere that didn't require me to wear a uniform, and didn't mind if I was online during the slow parts of the day. The problem is I am not really qualified for that kind of work, and it would be my luck that if I did find a job like that, the boss would have some kind of monitoring software on the computers, and I would be fired in a week for spending too much time blog hopping. I watched an Employee monitoring tutorial and its crazy how easy it is for someone to monitor your computer usage without you even knowing it. The software can be downloaded to your computer from another computer, and you would never know.

I am not sure I would want to work for a company that didn't trust it's employees.

Somewhat Wordless Wednesday

This is a picture of my girls looking at some kind of gross little critter at the zoo. I love how I picked up their reflections in the glass. I took so many pictures, and when I got home and downloaded them, I couldn't remember what half the animals are called. I think next time I will take a little notebook and write down the names as I go. Or does that make me too much of a geek?

New Watch

I have a watch that I wear almost all the time. It is brown. I wear mostly black. Brown and black don't usually go together, so I want to find a nice black watch.

I found this Patek Philippe and almost had a heart attack when I saw the list price: $218,900. That's insane! I could buy two houses with that kind of money. I will admit that it is a beautiful watch, as are all the ones I looked at. I just can not justify paying that much.

Maybe if I win the lottery one day I will buy it. For now, I will have to settle for just admiring how beautiful it is. Unless, of course, one of you would like to buy it for me? It would make a wonderful Christmas gift!

Etsy Question

I ordered a little ring for Brandi from a seller on etsy. I placed my order, and paid, on September 3, almost two weeks ago.

On Saturday, I sent a messgae to the seller, asking what the hold up was, and got no reply.

On Monday, I sent another message asking the seller to either reply to my message, or refund my money. I told the seller I was prepared to report them for not sending the item I ordered.

I got this reply early this morning:

I am very sorry for the delay, I will be happy to send your money back :)
Please request me for the amount of payment & I will accepted :]

I find it odd that there are happy faces, when I was clearly upset in my message. Second, the seller knows exactly how much what I ordered was. Third, I really want the ring...why won't the seller just send me the darn thing?

What are your policies for shipping an order? If it is going to take a week or more, do you let the buyer know? I don't want to over react, but I think others need to be warned about this person. I should have noticed before I paid that I was their first buyer.

Oh man. I should have read the shop policies first, because apparently this is a teen aged girl who is more interested in having anyone who reads her policy to be her friend on myspace. I think I need to accept that my money is gone. This is from her shop policies:

I was made in the Philippines on October 18 & shipped here to Washington United States I am still young, but take my own responsibility. I'm a true Asian, I speak my own language. If you really want to get to know me & be a friend of mine please feel free to add my personal myspace account >> http://www.myspace.com (I deleted the link...I'm not pimping her myspace)
I add most E V E R Y O N E. Unless you are too old for me, no picture, or just someone I should stay away from. I'm friendly & listen to people, some I just hear their words. I take my time on most of everything. I am a high school student. & Have my personal life to deal with. Although in my spare time I will assists you in any of your needs or just to keep in touch. Anything you would like to know? Just let me know[:

Crap.