Amy's Extemporaneous Ideas Blog

My Attempts to Meet a Guy … in Rural West Tennessee (in my 40s no less)

2011-02-01T16:34:00.002-06:00

Through my IRL attempts, I ‘ve met men much younger than me. They are great to look at but are less “developed” than what I’d like in the emotional and psychological aspect of things. Not to mention they (the ones I’ve met) are also lacking in the accept-responsibility area … One even hit me up for a “loan” and when I told him I didn’t have it, I never heard from him again! And that was date #3!

Men that are my age, that I have met IRL, are married (and I want no parts of that), or are not my type – meaning that they have not taken care of themselves (the ones that I met) or they smoke or they drink much more than socially. Let me say that I am not snobby or extremely picky – but I do have standards!

So I created a profile on a dating website. And let me tell you, I have had no better luck! Most of the guys I’ve met are ones I deleted or blocked because of a variety of reasons; too old, smoke, not my type (not anybody’s type I promise you …), not been honest about who they are, or all they want to do is talk about sex … in detail … and they want to get into fetishes and freaky stuff … I’m no prude or anything, I just don’t want to start off the conversation about wild sexual stuff … well, not with strangers anyway! ;)

I have met a few interesting guys though. Unfortunately, they’re all an hour or more driving distance from here so it’s not likely we’ll be able to keep up anything other than an internet chatting session. I do think 2 people can do a long distance thing – but it has to start IRL first, you have to have incredible chemistry (IMHO), but it’s not the most ideal way for me to start up with someone … Maybe I’m not giving this enough of a chance. I just think if you can’t physically be with the person you like then things are doomed to eventually fizzle …

Here’s a rundown (names are close to the original) of the nice guys I’ve met and what their status is now:

Richard (met online): Lives in Arkansas – too far. He says he does nothing other than work and come home … WTH? Sounds pretty boring to me or maybe he’s not telling the whole truth …

Jeremy K (met online): Lives about 3 hrs away. We were “talking” via Messenger and text pretty regular for about two weeks. I liked what I was finding out about him. He was a good age for me, I was attracted to him, he likes to cook, he is responsible and protective of his child, his 9 year old son lives with him, and he has a sarcastic/dry sense of humor that I like. Then he just quit “talking” – I got no more texts from him, hear nothing from him when we’re both on Messenger, and I’ve heard nothing from him on Facebook either. I understand that sometimes people just come & go from your life and that maybe he wasn’t as into me as I thought … but it’s just a mystery as to why I suddenly stopped hearing from him.

Jeremy IDK His Last Name (met online): Lives about 3 hrs away too. We “talk” via Messenger and text, he’s a little shy for me – but he’ll be a great guy friend. He seems very nice …

Dwight (met IRL): we met through mutual friends and we started talking/texting. A week went by and things were fine – then he asked me if I’d like to “do something” with him that next weekend. I said ok – we had been communicating for a week so I just thought it would continue & then we’d go out. Well it never happened. I stopped hearing from him on a Thursday & on Saturday I still heard nothing so I sent him a message – (even though I made plans with my friends’) – I wanted to see if he still planned on going out. He at least replied back that he got sick & meant to call me the day before … Good thing I sent him a message – I would have never heard from him (but I had plans anyway)! I haven’t heard a word from him since then & I haven’t sent him a message either.

Brian With The Abs (met online): He has an incredible body!!! OMG – he has muscles everywhere! All the pix he’s sent me are of him taking his pic in the mirror with his cell – so I’m thinking he’s got a large ego … some of his text messages suggest that also. We haven’t met in person yet & I doubt if we ever will. I’m fine with just hearing from him (through a text) every so often. He’s really not my type and I’m fine with just being friends with an awesome body builder guy. I’m also flattered that he’d send me his pix!

Shane (met IRL): He’s 10 years younger than me and we really have only one thing in common. The age difference is not the issue – we just have nothing in common except sex. As incredible as that is, I want something more; a mental challenge, someone I can do stuff with in public. (with his job schedule & my job schedule it’s difficult.) I thought I could have a “relationship” based on one thing – but I can’t. It’s not really a “relationship” & that’s no one’s fault – it just is. And I don’t want whatever it is anymore.

Clay (met IRL): Oh boy. He was 13 years younger than me. There was never anything else besides a strong physical attraction. Yes, there was some strong chemistry there on both parts. Then he asked me to loan him $1000. I was nice about saying no, & I haven’t heard from him since…

Jeff (met IRL): I’ve known him for 23 years or so. We have always been just friends – we never were boyfriend & girlfriend. He was a great (virtual) shoulder to cry on when I first separated and we talked regular for over a year; texting, chatting, emailing, calling. He lives in another state and even came up here for a visit once. It was great & I developed feelings for him, but our timing sucks! He lost his job, is in a different state, and… is still married (though he says that’s gonna change). The “still married” thing is a HUGE red flag – I NEED to leave that one alone. The no job is a small red flag – lots of people are without a job now so it’s not a big deal to me – he has skills and is a hard worker & I know he’ll find a job this year. I just keep going back to the married part … he’s still married – even though he says it’s over. I think it’s a good idea if I steer clear of him for a while. I haven’t heard from him since around Christmas time …

That’s just my luck right now. I’m not consumed with finding someone – I have too much other to focus on. I know things will happen when they happen … I’m not going to rush or force anything. But I’ll keep my eyes “peeled” and I’ll start looking at the ring fingers from now on! :P

Buyer's Remorse

2010-08-23T11:57:00.010-05:00

Buyer’s Remorse. You ever have that? I slightly remember that feeling – but because of my money situation I can say that’s a feeling I’ve managed to cut out of my life! :) Yay for me, right?

Well, I’ve discovered that you can still have Buyer’s Remorse as it pertains to other areas of your life except it’s called cognitive dissonance. (That’s just a fancy word for Buyer’s Remorse.)

(Like the Cardinals sacrificing a top prospect for a short-term need when they sent rising 3rd baseman Brett Wallace to the Athletics for Matt Holiday.)

According to Wikipedia (and we all know the information on there is 100% true), it can be caused or increased by worrying that other people may later question your decision or claim to know of better alternatives. Hmmm – is there any one in your life that’s really good at giving advice? Just saying … Who isn’t insecure about some of the decisions they make? We all feel cognitive dissonance then. We’re all in the same boat!

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Except I wish that I would learn that lesson before I make the mistake. I seriously wish I had a crystal ball to consult before I make any major decision. That and the Coffee Ground Lady at my beckon call would be nice! ;) It seems to me that past decisions and the result would stick in my mind so I wouldn’t go down that road again … I guess I’m just stubborn – or insane as a friend kindly pointed out to me. I guess he was semi-right – I seem to be making the same choices, expecting different results. But in my defense I am always hoping for a different result, hoping things will be different this time … Hope is a major factor in many of everyone’s’ decisions so prior knowledge and friendly advice often goes out the window! :(

Unfortunately, lapses in judgment allow us to learn a lesson. My advice to you – try on clothes before you leave the store, do some research on major purchases, and don’t be afraid to take chances. Remember, we learn best by doing for ourselves! :)

Pampered Chef Ice-Cream Dipper for Sale!

2010-07-26T14:45:00.008-05:00

This blog post is WAY overdue! I was reading through past posts and I saw my top 10 list from July 2009! OMG, how quickly things can change in a years’ time!! Even though my life is so different now, some of my top 10 has not changed – and that’s a good thing!
Still on my list of top 10 things I can’t live without are:
1. Home – though I have moved into town now & miss my old house REALLY bad, I still have a roof over my head & more importantly, my own bathroom & closet! :)

2. Family – for those of you who didn’t know, I left Scott back in January. The divorce is pending, but I’m not divorcing his mom, his sisters, or my nieces & nephews! I love them & am so glad they’re still a part of our lives. Of course I still have my kids – I cherish them greatly – most of the time. :P (You know how life can be with teenagers!)

3. Love – I’ll just stick with the love from #2 right now. No need to complicate things …
4. Good Food – not so much into food anymore. I lost quite a bit of weight & food now doesn’t look as appealing and mouth-watering as it used to. I still like good food, but it’s just not on my top 10 list of things I can’t live without.
5. Computer – mine crashed back in March & I thought I was going to die!!! No Photoshop?! No digi-scrapping goodies?! OMG – I went through some serious withdraw!! Since then my brothers have come through & gave me their old CPU to use. It has none of my usual programs on it, but I can still email and get on the internet. I plan to get my old CPU fixed and back up & running in February – I just can’t afford it now & it’s become less & less of a priority. Getting basics like bread, milk, and eggs are more important.
6. Hi-Speed DSL – well I sort of could leave that one on my list. I’m a bit spoiled, but no longer need the super fast speeds, as I have no one playing Xbox 24/7! But I do miss those fast downloads & have quit playing almost all my fun games on Facebook because it’s too damn frustrating with all that lagging!
7. Ice Cream – same as #4. I’d replace this item I-can’t-live-without with my elliptical! Thanks Nick – always have to thank my little bro! :)

8. Pizza – same as #4, I rarely eat it anymore but anything prepared & delivered to me should make my list! :P
9. Air conditioning – uh, ya, still NEED this. No question!!
10. Pampered Chef Ice Cream Scoop – yes, it’s ultra convenient, but I’m not as big an ice-cream eater as I was last year. I have 2 of these scoops – does anyone out there in digi land want my other scoop?!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

2010-01-14T11:17:00.003-06:00

Ahhh – what a question! Do you remember the plans you had? I remember mine and remember that my plans changed from year to year: once I wanted to be a police officer, the next year I wanted to be a nurse, and then again I changed my mind and wanted to be a teacher! Well, none of those things happened. I ended up kind of doing all three things in one job (but I did not become Larry)! Talk about multitasking …!

Once I got to high school I decided on one career I really wanted to go into – but I didn’t dare tell anyone. See, I grew up right outside of Washington, DC – where most people are “successful”. I saw the other kids I went to school with as destined to go to college, get higher degrees, become doctors & lawyers (which many did become), and be “successful” like their parents. So I just kept my dream to myself – no one needed to know that what I wanted to be when I grew up was a good mother.
That was what I thought about – doing something good for my family, I’d be a stay-at-home mom. I loved the days I’d come home from school and mom was there to greet us. She sewed our costumes for plays at school. She was always the leader for our Girl Scout troops at school. Mom had the time to teach me to sew & cook, she had the patience required with 5 small children, and she was our first teacher! Of course I remembered things from my kid point of view – but it made an impression with me and so that’s what I wanted to do.
Life has a way of happening. The SAHM career was not going to work out for me. I was a stay-at-home mom for 6 months, after I got out of the military, and it was the busiest I’d ever been! It was clear though, that I’d have to go back to work - we just needed that additional income. So I had to get a job outside the house because there is no salary in being a SAHM.
I went back to college and got a degree in Family & Consumer Science (aka – Home Ec). The courses were exactly what I wanted to know more about and I had some experience in them already. Being a Family & Consumer Science Extension Agent is close to being a full-time mom. I just have MANY more kids to take care of! LOL! The pay is not great, but it’s better than what SAHMs get! ;) And – I can retire from Extension someday – can’t do that as a SAHM!

What did you want to be when you grew up? Did things happen the way you planned? Are you still working on that dream? I feel like I still have time to become whatever I want, when I grow up! LOL!

Toilet Paper Roll or World Peace?

2009-12-09T19:35:00.007-06:00

I do know that there are more serious things in the world today to be very concerned over; to stress about; to strive to solve - but I HAD to vent about my toilet paper roll predicament. It’s not that I’m a narcissist – it’s just that the solutions to this problem won’t take a bajillion dollars and the wisest of politicians & negotiators to solve. This one has a simple solution; it’s a real no-brainer!

So this is what I came home to one day after work:

No biggie, you say. Just put the new roll where it belongs. I agree. If the last person would have done that when the old roll ran out I wouldn’t be angry!! But no – for as long as we’ve been married, my husband rarely has done that. I’ve been keeping track of this behavior since this August and he has not once changed the roll of toilet paper! I’ll see variations of the toilet paper roll in a similar position – but never in the right place! This is really not the end of the world, and not the thing to make an argument over, just small behavior that indicates a person who won’t take the time to make things right. What else does this say?

For the record, this is how it’s supposed to look when one roll of toilet paper runs out and a new one is required! No excuses now. There’s a great visual, just in-case you had no idea …

So, like I said, the wisest politicians & negotiators weren’t called in and I didn’t spend a bajillion dollars either. Don’t you wish every problem was this easy to solve? Who wants to bet that the next time the toilet paper roll needs changed I’ll be the one doing it?

Jack Daniels Bread Pudding & other stuff ...

2009-09-19T20:16:00.020-05:00

You are in for a treat! Today I’m gonna share some secrets with you about an award winning dessert … Jack Daniels Bread Pudding. My husband’s, brother-in-law’s, nephew’s, and others’ favorite! Beware though – it’s not low fat, low sugar, or low cholesterol – at least not the way they like it. Another note before I reveal – it takes a long time to make. The original idea of bread pudding was to use stale or day-old bread, in the day before preservatives and commercial processing.

The 1st step is to rip your loaf of bread into bite sized pieces and let that sit out for 1 day. If you’re rushed for time though, you can cover the bread with foil loosely (we want the air to flow – but no germies or bugs to get in) and let it sit out at room temperature for 1 hour or more.

The 2nd step is to add milk (I used 2%, but whole taste better, skim tastes not so great), eggs (I have used Egg Beaters), sugar (sugar substitutes doesn’t taste so great – believe me they know!!), cinnamon & vanilla (I like the whole beans, but will settle for using imitation). Then cover loosely with your foil and let it sit out for another hour. If you’re worried about food safety, remember – you’re gonna cook this.

The 3rd step is to add the bread mixture to a casserole dish (I use a big dish so I double the amount of bread I use – not the other stuff) that is covered with melted butter.

Cook at 375 degrees for 1 hour – approximately. I wish there was “smell-o-internet”, because the smell of the bread pudding baking is HEAVENLY!

When you have 20 minutes left on your baking time, you can be making the sauce; that’s where the Jack Daniels comes in!! So the sauce is simple: Jack, butter (yes, real butter), and sugar. (Sorry Scott, no matter how you measure it, 100ML is not ¼ cup!) Mix those ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted & bubbly, then turn it on low.

When the bread pudding is ready, drizzle the JD sauce over it slowly (no splashing that way – the buttery sauce is hot & you don’t waste JD!)

I promise you, if you make this & bring it to a dinner, pot-luck, event, etc… Everyone will love you forever & ask you to bring it all the time! (BTW - my 13 yo dd took most of these pix!)

On another note – I have been lucky to be invited to be part of Amy Stoffel’s permanent CT!! I was only guesting for September. Pure luck. I am grateful & excited to be able to show off Amy’s designs – which can be found exclusively at Scrap Orchard! Here are a few of the LOs I made with her kits:

Reunion Time!

2009-09-06T14:03:00.004-05:00

I just found a friend of mine on Face Book from the USAF! She was at my first and second assignments ... and then we lost touch. But she told me about a reunion for people we were stationed with/hung out with. It happened in Branson. I guess I missed it. I wonder what all went on?? Hummmmmm ... I guess what happened in Branson stays in Branson? Good thing for the most part I guess.

(Me, Jen, and Steph at RAF Croughton on New Years Eve - welcoming in 1993!)

But Stephanie told me not to fret because the next reunion is in 2011 in LAS VEGAS!!! Wooo hoooo! THAT is one that I will be going to!! So spread the word - all USAF ppl who were stationed at RAF Upper Heyford are invited to one crazy reunion in 2011!

Hey, it's a year and 3 months away. Plan now. I have time to loose this weight by then. I better warm up my elliptical now!

What can you get done in 6 hours?

2009-08-31T00:46:00.004-05:00

Yesterday started out as usual. I woke up about 10 times after my alarm & finally got out of bed around 10:45 am (yeah – I know I need to get myself back in church – even had a friend from church tell me she was saving me a seat!) I stumbled outside to our extra fridge with the cold caffeinated bev-er-a-ges (imagine Frank Caliendo’s impression of George Bush saying that). As soon as I made it into the carport I heard the door click & I knew immediately what I’d done … I pulled the door closed a bit harder than I meant to! I knew I was LOCKED OUT!!

(Back Door - notice the brick steps? Only Chuck Norris could kick that door from down there!)

I did not have a cell phone to call Scott to come rescue me (as he does so often – he’s the family “rescuer”). I checked our hidey hole for the spare key, knowing there was a spare up on my computer desk that Jessica brought me last weekend (found when cleaning out my car). It was empty. Then I went to the front door to see if I pushed hard enough, if it would “give”, it did not. I checked all the ground level window screens, but even if I could get them off, the windows were latched.

(Front Doors)

I didn’t want to break the glass or kick at the door – not only could I envision the wrath of Scott at the damage he’d most likely have to repair (and the expense), but also the blood and injury I would have to endure just trying to get in the house! So I perched myself in my car – it was not locked.

(My van in the carport. Both Cole & Jessica were at their dads fo the weekend - I was supposed to pick them up at 4pm!)

For six hours I concentrated on the specifics of this grant I am writing for work. I read through the project material and two activity books related to this sewing project/grant opportunity. I planned out the activities for the entire year, got a supply list together, sketched the exhibit for the Chester County BBQ Festival – all while drinking my cold caffeinated bev-er-a-ge in the six hours I was locked out!

I didn’t go to our neighbors (through the woods a little bit away from our place) to call Scott because I was still in my PJs, had no bra on, and had not even brushed my teeth! Lucky there were face wipes still in the car from my recent overnight stay for an Energizing Tennessee workshop!

My nephew, Caleb, came barreling up the driveway at about 5pm. He was close by & rushed over here when Scott told him to come check on me – since no one was answering the house phone or my cell! Caleb had two of his friends in the truck – how embarrassing!!! I’m sure they all got a huge laugh out of the circumstances of me being locked out!

(My nephew! TY Caleb!)

While I was stuck outside, the few loads of laundry I planned to do did not get done. My dishwasher did not unload itself. The cleaning fairies did not sneak in for a visit! I wish they had. I would have asked them to let me in & then they could go on with their work! ;)

Get Monica's Store for 20$

2009-08-09T01:56:00.004-05:00

Can you believe it? Monica has lost her mind!! You can download everything in her store at Scrapbookgraphics for only 20$, until August 10th!! That's incredible because her things are mighty gorgeous.

10 things I'm Thankful for!

2009-07-27T19:35:00.005-05:00

I'm participating in the Scrappin' Survivor over at Ginger Scraps and I made a LO for the immunity challenge. I scrapped 10 things I can't live without (as of today). When I looked through the gallery, I was reminded of lots of things I left off my list!!! One person put sunglasses on her list - how could I forget those? I've been without my sunglass clip-ons (I have glasses already) since Winter, when they got destroyed in my coat pocket which was thrown in the truck & heavy stuff piled on top of my coat!

One of the things I did not forget on my list is AC!! Thank God for that! Very appropriate for today. I took a little nap after I got back from work & woke up to a 76 degrees F, stuffy house. My 13 yo daughter then informed me that there was something wrong with the water in her bathroom. We have a water pump cooling system so when the water is not working, neither is our AC! :(

Scott diagnosed the problem right away but his feet were hurting badly & he works outside all day long, so he asked me to run to Lowes (3 miles away!!) to buy a new pressure switch for our pump. He even gave me the box from the last one so I would get the correct switch!! This time, I was more than happy to get out & run his errand - I turned up the car AC full blast & was very cool on my way to Lowes!

My Layout Style?

2009-07-13T21:55:00.003-05:00

IDK if I have a style per say. I just do what I feel. It really depends on the photos I'm scrapping, then I pick a kit I think would compliment those photos. If I'm documenting memories then I'll include a bit of explanation journaling (who, what, when, why, and where) the date, etc... Because when I'm no longer around, I want people to look back at those pages and read the specifics on the layouts. Not go, "Huh? That's a pretty page, but what's going on?"

However - sometimes I'm in a playful mood & will create a layout just for the sake of creating. Like any design endeavor - I've noticed a trend lately of "More is Less". I think the result is very beautiful & there are so many pictures that really go with that look. IMHO - these layouts leave out crucial details - like the who, what, when, why, and how. Someday people will be admiring the page's beauty, marveling at how young the subject looks, and reminisce to the "good ole days", but they will have questions ...

Long Overdue Post!

2009-06-14T23:14:00.006-05:00

I've been gone the first part of June to wonderful, 4-H camp - we had so much fun!! I can't wait to scrap some of those pictures!!! I get to go again in 2 more weeks - I don't know if I can stand all this fun. Ha ha - I just hope we have great weather like last time!

I've been home almost 2 weeks now & am finally caught up in YoVille, Vampire Wars, and in my restaurant in Restaurant City (Sweet Potato Joe's). I even managed to get a few layouts completed!!

This is with the June Mega Collab kit at Sunshine Studios, Dear Daddy.

Here's one for my friend, Brian, with Moon Scrap's Born To Be Wild. (Aren't Brian's photos perfect?)

And I used Mimi's digi-Scrap's new kit, Tickle Me Blue. for this one. It's a RAK for my friend and co-worker Priscilla. She just had a baby last week (and did not have to go to camp)!

Sniff, sniff ... I'm a little sad because this is my last layout for the Scrap Orchard CT as I know it. It's a kit called Natural Charm by Matahati Designs.

I am planning on entering their CT contest - but there is NO guarantee that I'll make it 'till the end. There are a lot of fantastic digi scrappers out there who are also entering the contest!

Polka Dot Plum will be opening soon & i am sooooo very excited!!! I can't wait to get my hands on their goodies!

I am quite behind on making layouts with Monica's goodies too ... she has a beautiful new kit out that I have to get my hands on. I better get busy!

All Hail the High Priestess!

2009-05-26T22:12:00.003-05:00

I took this quiz today ... the results do seem pretty accurate. I do need to laugh and relax a bit more - I'm too serious & tend to keep my sense of humor to myself (I am sparing you all - believe me)! I do know a little about everything ... but just enough to get me in trouble, I'm by no means claiming to be an expert in ANYTHING!! (I had to include my disclaimer there.)

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Long Weekend = New Look for My Blog!

2009-05-25T17:02:00.013-05:00

Good evening everyone! I've been working on my blog & have it mostly how I envisioned! ;) I'm still used Polka Dot Plum's "We Give Thanks" kit and the knowledge I gained in the Digital Scrapbooking Class: Creating a Customized Blog! TY Christy, I'm sure your lesson print-outs will become a dog-eared as my Photoshop book! ;)

I managed to get some SB LOs done this weekend & since Cole is on laundry duty until he's 15, it made sitting here in front of the computer seem productive! :P

Other than that, it's been pretty quiet around here: off & on tornado, flood, and thunderstorm warnings. Scott had to run out & deal with his Xbox issues (I heard him remark to one of his on-line pals that he got the "red ring of death" on his actual Xbox)! Jessica has been surfing the internet in search of all things related to Twilight, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. Cole weed-eated the yard in between thunderstorms & has been glued to Spike TV otherwise. I even managed to condense our 12 page 4-H camp schedule to a 1 page tri-fold brochure! Nevermind that the font is only 8 pts! The kids still have good eyesight!!

Oh yeah - Happy Memorial Day! I am very grateful to the men & women in our armed forces and their families who make a huge sacrifice everyday, to make sure we get to maintain our way of life. And for peanuts I might add! I love all the branches of the military but have to say: Go Air Force!

A Busy Scrapping Weekend!

2009-05-17T18:38:00.011-05:00

Whew! In between loads of laundry and one round of the dishwasher I was able to scrap 7 pages! Wow! Scott even brought back Chinese food last night - I guess he figured that was the only way he was going to get to eat! Ha!

I've started to RAK my family & friends with digi LOs because #1 I love them, #2 I love digi scrappin', and #3 I'm running out of mojo with my photos! This has got me thinking about doing S4H. Just thinking. I'm afraid it would take the fun out of digi scrapping though, what do you think? I'm not that great with deadlines & if I started doing S4H then I'm afraid I'd be stressed out and this wouldn't be fun for me anymore. Plus - I have NO IDEA what to charge! Would I print the pages or get them printed out? I could offer to make photo books for people - then what would I charge? A friend of mine paid upward of $200.00 for a photobook of their wedding!

Ug - I tend to get carried away, thinking of the details. What about all the legalities? That in itself is enough to make me unthink this endeavor!

Doctor, Lawyer, and Guns joke

2009-05-08T19:07:00.011-05:00

My baby brother Nick sent me this joke. He is a passionate gun owner & we have a blast (literally) when he comes down to visit. I swear I think my husband loves Nick more than me because every time Nick comes for a visit he brings Scott ammo, hunting equipment, and twice he brought us gun safes (5' by 3', solid, heavy kind)!

Doctors vs. Gun owners
(A) The number of physicians in the U.S.is: 700,000.
(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are: 120,000.
(C) Accidental deaths per physician is: 0.171.
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

Now think about this:
(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is: 80,000,000
(Yes, that's 80 million)
(B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is: 1,500.
(C) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is: .000188.
Statistics courtesy of the FBI

So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.

Remember, 'Guns don't kill people, doctors do.' ;) JK, lol!!

FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR.

Please alert your friends to this alarming threat.
We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!!!!!

Out of concern for the public at large, I withheld the statistics on lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention!

I wonder what’s the number of gun crimes committed by doctors as opposed to the average legal gun owner? ;) JK, lol!!
Seriously though, IMHO – no matter what laws and restrictions you make on the legal ownership of a firearm, the criminals will still get their hands on them & continue to commit crimes.

And while I have your attention - let's teach our kids to handle guns properly and safely. IMHO - there is not enough emphasis on the legitimate use of guns for hunting and shooting sports. Thank goodness for 4-H and TWRA for their wonderful shooting sports programs!

Learning To Blog, (i)NSD Free"bee" Template Winner, and a Designer Call

2009-05-04T22:32:00.004-05:00

I actually have a few things to blog about tonight! I am taking a class through Digital Scrapbooking Classes on blogging basics. So, hopefully I'll be able to update the look of my blog & it'll look cool like some of my favorites! (I will not be posting a pic of Robert Pattinson\Edward Cullen tho - Flergs has way better pix than me & has a corner on that market!) I just have to work on interesting posts for my blog! ;)

I was more interested in human interaction here vs. getting a "Blogging for Dummies" book or wading through hours of help forums!

I was fortunate to host a chat at Scrap Orchard this past Saturday. I gave away some template free"bees" - that you can still pick up in the forum (you do have to join, but that's free too)! We were playing for points & I let everyone know I was going to post the winner on my blog - so here's the winner:

I looked for a few things in choosing the winner:
1. Definite color scheme
2. Journaling that included info such as date, places, etc ...
3. Design "flow" of the page
4. Personal touches on the template - your addition of shadows & other styles

Congrats to carriesmom! Thank you all for playing & I hope you use & re-use the templates. If you flip them you can create more LOs that don't look so much alike! I'll be posting more LOs in the digi world that I used variations of the templates.

I would like to announce that soon Polka Dot Plum will have their own store & Amy & Lauren are looking for designers!

I'm sure there will be a GRAND opening & great freebies, prizes, deals, etc. very soon. Doesn't the color scheme look great?!

Making Digital Ink Tutorial in Photoshop

2009-04-30T22:37:00.005-05:00

I posted the link to this tutorial in the forums at Scrap Orchard and Sunshine Studio Scraps, but it seems I replaced the file with some QPs. Oops! I know just enough about the tech stuff to get me into trouble - and most of the time I'm like a 3 YO - I want to learn everything myself!! So hopefully, I linked up the file correctly this time - if not, just post a message in the comment area & I'll have to PM you the complete zip file! ;)

Download Here!

My Heartstrings Have Been Tugged

2009-04-30T01:32:00.010-05:00

I need to explain how we acquired an orphaned bunny (I usually don't go out looking for abandoned wild critters)- let me just say that it started with a frantic phone call I got right before lunch.

Ring Ring (the phone always rings more when I am the only one in the office!)

Me: Hello, UT Extension
Caller: What? Is this the Ag office? (That's how we're widely known, but it's an old term.)
Me: Yes, this is UT Extension but our Ag Agent is at a meeting. Can I take a message?
Caller: Well, I heard that this was the place to call if you found abandoned animals & that you release them back into the wild.
Me: Well, that's a new one. (People have no idea what our office really does because through the years different Agents have focused on different subjects and Extension Agents usually do lots of "favors" for their communities, further blurring the line of our job description.) No, why don't you try the Wildlife Resources office?
Caller: (Tugging on my heartstrings.)My great grandson found a baby rabbit & I'm sure the neighborhood dogs got it's mother or else I'd let it go around here, I have a feeling the neighborhood dogs would get it. (Without it's mother it probably wouldn't survive long in the "wilderness" either.)
Me: (I thought about Scott's booming voice & knew he'd say not to take it in, but I couldn't knowingly let this precious creature perish. Better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission when it comes to Scott - it's EASIER anyway!)Well, we don't rescue wildlife and release them back into their environments but I have a full grown rabbit at home and have a smaller cage, water bottles, and food - so bring it in & I'll take it home.
Caller: Oh thank you!! I'll bring it right in.

So, that's how we acquired this precious creature. When the kids got home we tried to feed it some sugary strawberry juice - because it's what we had & I was thinking it would surely like a sugary substance (the baby bunny hadn't eaten since this family found it on Sunday). Cole and Jessica got on the computer to find out what else we should do & we got the cage padded down & ready. Tomorrow I'll get some baby formula and a better dropper, Jess volunteered to miss school and help me get those items and go to the Vet. A Vet visit is on my list but I want to make sure the bunny makes it through tonight & tomorrow. From what we read on the net, baby bunnies minus a mother usually don't make it. :( We're prepared for that option but we're hoping & prayin' the little guy pulls through. I'll keep you updated!

What is National Scrapbooking Day?

2009-04-26T15:21:00.005-05:00

If you ask Scott, he'll tell you this is an every weekend celebration for me! I tend to crank out as many LOs as I can from Friday to Sunday - so I have NO TIME for laundry, dishes, etc... Ha! Good thing my kids are old enough to fend for themselves and Scott is an excellent cook! ;)
But seriously, every year this is a fantastic event where you can scarf up all kinds of great deals on digital scrapbook goodies - and usually sites have fun games you can participate in & give you a reason to go out & get a new EHD!! ;) So you'll be getting lots of great FREEBIES!

Make sure you stop by Scrap Orchard and participate in their chats, I'll be giving away some great templates - and they have LOTS of other fun events planned for the weekend of May 1-3!!

You don't want to miss their bingo game & can download a card here.

Traveling Laundry Service?

2009-04-13T00:12:00.005-05:00

OK – I had this idea the other night for a business. You see, my husband has been working disaster recovery for a FEMA contractor since November. He’s been paying a laundry service to wash his clothes each week – I didn’t ask him how much & he didn’t tell me (maybe he’s afraid I’ll start charging that much for every load of laundry I do for him)! He was complaining that his clean clothes didn’t smell good and I noticed they were not as soft as they usually are (he came home once with a pile of clean clothes once – he begged me to re-washed them).

So I was thinking that maybe a traveling laundry service would be a good idea! There would have to be a couple washers and a couple dryers rigged up in a semi. Is that even possible? I would think so – if NASCAR can rig up a trailer to be ready for quick car repairs – surely you can rig up a semi for a couple washers and dryers? It would have to be a semi – that way you could go to the disasters – our customer base would be the FEMA contractors and subs. We’d just need a water source once we got where we were going.

Scott says it would never work – none of those guys would pay for their laundry to be washed. They’d rather sit at a local laundry mat for hours and feed their quarters into the machines. If the price was right I bet they’d let someone else do the laundry! Time is money too – and no one really likes doing laundry!

Let's Hear It For Friends!

2009-04-04T20:57:00.003-06:00

I made this digi layout for a young friend of mine. Alex tells me her room is covered with pictures of those who are near & dear to her. It reminds me of the importance of friends, specifically at her age. I notice how my two don't have that set, constant group of friends because we've moved around, changed schools 4-5 times, or I've been too lazy to take them places - not to mention having to go to their dad's every other weekend. Living in a rural area doesn't make the best situation for close neighborhood hangouts. As I look at the photos of Alex and her friends - I see just how important they are to each other!

Scrapbookgraphics Fan

2009-03-28T11:01:00.002-06:00

Look! I added a blinkie for Scrapbookgraphics. It's for their Spirit Club contest, I could win 25$ to their store! To add their blinkie to your blog, visit their forum.

Idea for a Business

2009-03-27T17:00:00.007-06:00

A few years ago I had to fly to D.C. right around Christmastime. I stayed until Christmas Eve and Scott handled all the gift getting and present wrapping by himself - he did a wonderful job too. I came home to a house all ready for Santa and gifts to be unwrapped the next morning!

That year there was a shop open by the mall that offered gift wrapping (for a fee of course). Scott took the presents there, dropped them off, and returned in a few days to pick up everything. Well, the quality of wrapping was not that great - but I didn't have to do it so I was still glad - until he told me how much he paid!! I forget the exact amount, but I remember it was a couple hundred dollars and I was quite upset!!! Also, after the kids opened up their presents, we realized that we were short a present for our son! I'm sure those of you with multiple children know the pouting & hurt feelings that occur when one child gets more presents than another. After all the stores had opened back up we went to the gift wrapping store to find they were no longer there!

What really ticked me off was the fact that I pitched this very same idea to Scott a few years back - not to rip people off - but to open up a store that just wrapped gifts! I thought about it & had a whole plan mapped out - my business professor at UT Martin would've been proud! I would love to pursue this idea one day, when I get the capitol and find a group of reliable employees. I'd call it something catchy like "Unwrapped". And I promise we won't rip you off!

Visit Bags & Bows to get supplies to wrap your own gifts in fancy ways!

A Random Challenge at Sunshine Studio Scraps!

2009-03-15T00:06:00.003-06:00

Yippee!! I thought up the Random Challenge over at the SUN. Won't you join in on the fun & games?

This Week’s Random Challenge is a Birthday Challenge! March is my birthday month so I put together this cute LO with Cinzia’s “What’s Your Sign” embellies. Your challenge is to put together a LO about your birthday!!! Maybe focus on a special routine you follow or tell us about a present you got that stands out in your mind. I’m guessing that y’all have many birthdays to choose a memory from – at least one or two! Ha! OR – maybe there are some scrappers out there who are celebrating their 30th birthday again like me!! ;)

Post back to the comments with a link to your LO and don't forget to post your LO in the gallery at Sunshine Studio Scraps!

It Snowed!!

2009-03-04T00:27:00.007-06:00

Yes - we got a good amount of snow - finally! And we got it this past weekend (March 1)- and what's more amazing is that it's still here!! If your not from West TN or don't live around here then you may not understand the kids' excitement as schools were closed for 2 whole days! You see, if you don't like the weather around here, just wait a day & it'll change! I thought for sure the snow would be gone by today - but it remains. It is getting very dirty though ...

On a totally different note - my BFF from Philly called me this morning to say that she would not be able to go on her cruise to the Bahamas!!! It seems the flights in Atlanta (where a different friend - not me - was going to fly out of to meet her in Miami) were all canceled!! Ha! That's karma baby!! :D Sorry Melissa!! Ha!

JK of course! But some part of me wishes I could go with her - OK, ALL parts of me!!

So I was looking at the collab kit I get to work with at Sunshine Studio Scraps, and you'll never guess what it's called ... Bahama Mama!!! Isn't that too funny!!!! I just have to make a LO for Melissa and Sharon!

March Maddness at Polka Dot Plum!

2009-03-02T15:15:00.003-06:00

Snag a beautiful desktop at the Polka Dot Plum CT blog! Thank you so much Justpattyanne!

Mozarella Sticks - from scratch?

2009-02-25T21:11:00.005-06:00

Yes - do not try this at home!! I got a new cookbook last week and have been salivating as I read through the recipes – I even spent $460.00 at the grocery store on Sunday! (We really were out of everything though.)

The recipe in the book has a scrumptious photo of perfect, restaurant looking mozzarella sticks – so I had to try it too. Well, the breading got all wadded up, egg mixture was everywhere, and the breaded cheese stick looked nothing like the picture! They’re back in the freezer and I’m going to try again tomorrow – using a long, flat pan for the egg and the breading. Maybe they’ll turn out better if I roll them through the breading?

I’ll definitely post the end result photos. In case you are wondering what terrific cook book I am so excited about, it’s the Gooseberry Patch’s Family Favorite Recipes.

Extemporaneous in Action

2009-02-23T21:28:00.002-06:00

Too bad my mind doesn’t work as fast as my mouth! Today I had the unfortunate experience of finding myself on the other side of a conference table, defending my choices to get work done. It was not a good feeling, my defense wall went up. I was overwhelmed – it felt very much like an ambush. I ‘ve already thought of a great way to defend myself – because tomorrow I’m going to back up what I claimed today with the numbers to prove it. I may have been caught off-guard this afternoon, but tomorrow is another story!

Yummy!! A layout you can use!

2009-02-22T00:47:00.005-06:00

Chocolate Magic Mix anyone?

I made this LO with Polka Dot Plum's Brrrr! kit and an alpha by Pamela Donnis - I believe it was on IKEA Goddess' blog as a freebie!

I tried to use a clear/clean font for the ingredients and directions but you can always send me a message if you'd like the directions. I got the original recipe from University of Wisconsin's Extension. I'll have to look it up on Monday.

The kids and I made this Chocolate Magic Mix one year for presents for teachers and friends. Of course it was so good that we had to make a large amount to keep here - but it didn't last long!

Welcome!

2009-02-21T18:23:00.000-06:00

Extemporaneous: 1. done unrehearsed, 2. prepared but without notes, 3. skilled at speaking unrehearsed, 4. makeshift

That about sums up how I tend to go about life. Not that I LIKE it that way, it’s just the way it seems to work out! I invite you to join me during my ramblings about my wonderful habit/hobby of digi scrapping, amateur photography, life with teenagers, a grumpy husband, a wonderful dog, and my hectic job that blurs the line between home and office on a constant basis!