One decision in life you'd change and why

i don't believe that you should live your life with any regrets. you made certain decisions for particulars reasons. maybe you thought that they weren't the best at that time, but everything will work out in the end. GOD has a plan for you even if you don't think so. if everyone lived with the guilt of past regrets, would they truly be living at all?

Most interesting accomplishment of 2010 so far ...

the best thing i could think of is that i got over passing out when i get my blood drawn. i used to ALWAYS faint whenever the lab tech would come at me with the needle, but since i was in the hospital this year b/c i didn't have enough blood i was forced to face my fear. and i passed (not passed out). i had to have four units of blood when i was in the hopital. i have to have blood draws regularly and have no problems anymore.


ps. these topics are way too heavy for me...

When it rains I like to ...

... complain, then i watch and wait. then i put on my golashes, and go outside to take pictures and hunt for rainbows.

Today is brought to you by the letter S

some sketches

The clip-on tie

clip-on ties are a cop out unless you're under the age of 18 or in a law enforcement career.

Favorite food at Thanksgiving dinner

i love thanksgiving dinner! in fact we had it just last week for our Sunday dinner. my fave part is mixing the corn, mashed potatoes and the stuffing together. YUMMM!

Your guilty pleasure

my guilty pleasure is sitting on the beach, listening to music, eating chips and just sitting there taking pictures for hours. i'm not really sure that it would qualify as a guilty pleasure, but it sure is a pleasure.

35 things I want to do before I am 35

ok this topic is sucky, so i'm skipping it. sorry.

anyway. i will talk about something that makes me happy. birds. it's really strange, but i really love watching them. lately, meaning today, i saw a huge flock/swarm of birds on their migration root. it actually made me happy. i really love observing animals and their behavior patterns. even when i was in florida at disney, i was content watching the many new species of birds and their roosting habits in the evening. there were particular trees that they would all meet at in the evening for rest. it was really interesting to me. here's a pic of them getting ready for the night in animal kingdom.

My life predictions for 2011

i predict that the sun and moon will rise and set creating days. days will accumulate and turn into weeks. weeks will turn into months and then it will be 2012. also it will snow. i know, i know. i must be psychic, but i do know this. oh yea and eventually the frozen water will melt and the earth will become warm. then suddenly the leaves will start changing abnormal colors and begin falling off the trees. omg! i'm good, maybe i really do have ESP!

sorry for the sarcasm, but really who knows exactly what that will happen in 2011. and would you really want to know? that would take the adventure out of it. i do predict that no matter what happens life will go on.

I wish I could be more like ...

...the person i pretend to be.

You just opened your own restaurant, what are your featured menu items?

my restaurant would definitely feature my favorite things to eat. SWEETS. the atmosphere would be like an old fashioned soda fountain, but with a modern twist. it would have black and white checkered floors, chrome tables and a jukebox. it would have a wide variety of ice cream flavors and sundae concoctions, as well as, a complete line of designer cupcakes. i would also feature old fashioned penny candies for an added treat. now i just need to come up with a name...

I think my calling in life is/was

ok, i know i was off the grid for a bit, but i'm back and ready to ramble.

my first reaction to this topic was for me to think of it career wise. lately, myself and many of my co-workers have been contemplating other careers we could have. health care seems an obvious choice b/c of the job security. but i really don't think i could handle it. if i even get close to a gnarly smell -- upchuck. so that's not doable for me. i have all of these ideas and aspirations, but i don't think they're really achievable. i'd still like to design clothes for plus size girls. i think that current plus size designer are probably a size two. that's why nothing ever fits me right! oh and i love art. it really is like home to me. i know it's strange to say that, but it's always been there for me. i couldn't be an art teach to small children, i'd lose my mind. maybe the elderly or college aged kids. what i've always wanted to do is write and illustrate children's books. it's something that i've always come back to, since i was about seven. lately i think it would be cool to design greeting cards too. anyway i don't really know what my calling is in life, but i'm going with the flow and putting it in GOD's hands. who knows maybe i'll be a pharmacist like my mom told me be!

test

inspired

i was inspired so i decided to paint pics of my aunt's family's dogs. one for my aunt and two cousins for christmas. they don't read this blog, so i'm going to post them for you.
it's a triptic, each one is 5x7

this is chester.

blizzard.

and romeo.


i also made cookies this weekend for the cookie exchange. i made 7 dozen mexican wedding cakes.

owl

the painting started with this one that i made for beth's bday card.

i found these cute little owls

ThinkGeek :: USB Robot Owl
aren't they cute?
they move their heads and open and close their eyes. very neat.

i was once bitten by a ...

Goose. At the Michigan City Zoo. I have since learned to keep my distance from waterfowl.

if you owned a movie heater, what kind of movies would you play?

i would definitely show old movies. they don't necessarily need to be black and white, but that would be good too. they would be movies that are good, but have been around forever. it would be so cool to see splendor in the grass or planes, trains, and automobiles on the big screen. i would probably show movies that i like now, but was too young (or not alive yet) to see in the theater.

the color blue & its potential contributions to world peace.

blue is a claming, relaxing color, thus it makes it viewer more peaceful. as far as world peace goes i'm not sure how blue can really help when our president just announced that he's sending more troops overseas.

in other news. i finished the last harry potter book and now i'm feeling blue.

i have this neighbor ...

i have this neighbor who lived behind me (her parents stil do) that i've known since she was little. and now i'm going to be in her wedding this coming year. i'm kind of looking forward to it.

i have this other neighbor that lives next to me. the mom and kids are not nice, but the dad usually waves when i mow the lawn. i don't understand why they would be so cold. i introduced myself to the mom when they moved in and she coldy said hi and walked back in the house. that was about five years ago. i really wish they'd move.

the people that live across the street from us might be dealing. the mom and the kids have been arrested three times now. and the blasting rap music and profanities is just down right rude and annoying. i wish they'd move too.

your three favourite words & why.

comquat
i liked this word when i was younger. i think i just liked how it rolled off my tongue. there was a comquat tree in the VUCA at school.

the other two words are going to be ones that come to my mind first.
ok.

oleo
try to say it. it's pretty cool, kind of like comquat.

resplendit
this was in my harry potter book and i've recently enjoyed saying it over and over again in my head. i have yet to incorporate it into my vocabulary, but am waiting the proper time and situation to do so.

immunity vs. immortality

when i think of being immortal my mind quickly goes to thoughts of vampires. in vampire life there is always a constant struggle of never really being able to belong or having a connection to the human race. they are usually ostracized or "live" lives of constant movement so they won't be found out about. they can't stay in one place for very long if they never age.

as for immunity, i think that would be great and all to not be sick. but if you never had that feeling, would you really be living. to skip different natural human suffering, is almost like skipping over an emotion. although you wouldn't have to worry about health insurance!

name the person who influenced you the most growing up & why.

my grandma.
i was very lucky growing up b/c i had two moms. my mom (whom i LOVE more than the moon). and my gradma. she was an amazing woman. she never backed down, was smart, funny and wasn't not one to be messed with. we were a team. she taught me so much, not just bookwise, but common sense wise. tonight i made my mom and i our own thanksgiving dinner, just how my grandma taught me. i never thought that we could miss anyone more than her. i feel her around a lot, but not a day goes by that my mom and i don't mention her. she was our everything.

my grandpa was pretty awesome too. he died when i was three, but i remember how much he loved me. he loved me enough to visit me after he died, just to say good-bye.

gratitude.

trying to play catch up here.

when i think of gratitude i think of when i say my prayers. i always start out telling GOD how thankful i am for the sun, moon, stars, tree, grass, clouds and the animals. then i thank Him for everything He has given me, like my family, friends, a job and a home. i also thank Him for giving my mom and i a second chance on that rainy august night. i always pray for my grandma and grandpa, because i was so blessed to have them. finally, i pray that He watches over myself, family and friends in the future.

now i am thankful to have the internet once again.

who would portray each of us in a movie?

this is a toughy.

beth - julia styles
'becca - courtney cox
mikey - john goodman
melanie - demi moore
matt - david copperfield
patti - helen hunt
me - sandra bolluck (?)

my favorite author(s) is(are) ...

Growing up my favorite authors ranged from Judy Blume, Anne Martin and Michael Crichton -- in that order. Right now, I can't say that I have a fave author. I like JK Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, Jane Austen, but not since I was younger did I find an author and read every book they have written. My fave author though is probably Dr. Seuss, he transported us to magical places as children, places of dreams and dreaming. He created different worlds, and unusual creatures that really took a hold of childhood imaginations and plus everything rhymed!

panic

i panic at loud, shrieking noises, like fire alarms. go figure! oh and fire. i still don't sleep soundly b/c i am usually scared of it. my mom and i escaped death we were very close to succumbing to the smoke. i don't think i'll ever stop panicking around fire alarms.

what are you most passionate about at this time in your life, and why?

my passion fades in and out, but i have always been passionate about art. it's my home. it makes me feel more like me than anything else. it's the one thing i've always turned to at hard times and good. i don't necessarily have to be creating art, even looking at it is good enough for me.

i am also passionate about nature and i think that feeds into my art since. my art usually reflects my love for nature. like to try to capture the gifts of nature in my artwork. that's why i mostly take pics of flowers, clouds, animals, etc.

if i had a ...

unicorn, i would ride it all day and get all my wishes granted.

ps, i'll add a drawing on monday ;-)

Your favorite book (as a child or adult) and why.

my favorite book as a child was go dog! go!. i loved looking at all of the photos of dogs playing games in the trees. it kept me entertained for hours. when i was in high school my favorite book was jurassic park, i read it three times. i loved the science and thrill of it. right now i am reading the harry potter books and i think that they will probably be my faves for awhile.

sorry about the late posts, no internet at home for a bit.

Grammar Police - an idea whose time has finally come?

i think it's time for the grammar police. the improper use of the english language drives me crazy. everyday when i log on to facebook i am surrounded by the improper use of your and you're, to and too, the list goes on. it drives me bananas. i can't say that i am not at fault. i'm sure that i am. please people i plead with you, proof read your statuses and comments for the sake of humanity and english teachers everywhere.

Which would you rather get first - your peg leg or your hook?

this topic is definitely something that i've never really thought of. i mean i've done the usually would you rather be blind or deaf thing, but this is a interesting. thanks 'becca. after our lunch discussion i would have to say leg first. i would need the full cooperation of my arms in order to reteach my body where my new center of gravity is. once i was able to be properly balanced then the hook could be put in place. now to think of a good pirate name! arrgh.

the present

presently, i am thinking back to this day (in the photo) and being on the warm beach, sketching and listening to my ipod. instead, i am in my pjs, posting and getting ready to start the final book in the harry potter series.

as for the rest of my day, it was a really nice furlough day with my mom. her simple medical procedures went fine and everything is ok. so i am thankful for that and the nap we each took today. i'm going to be wishing for a nap tomorrow when i'm back at work.

write a haiku

branches on fire
a chill gust snatches the flames
blackened twigs remain

what color hair would you really want?

PINK
this was a topic that i submitted. everyone thinks i'm litte miss goody two shoes, but one day i just want to shock them. i sometimes think of dyeing my hair pink, just to rebel. i know i probably won't do it. one day i'll shock ya, just wait. maybe a streak of pink!

5 Ways to Lose a Fight

I've never been in a physical fight, i try to avoid those at all possible. i'm more of a lover, not a fighter.

1. Walk away, okay, RUN away.
2. Don't show up. Just avoid the parking lot.
3. Before the first blow, immediately drop to the ground and play dead.
4. Start crying uncontrollably.
5. One word. VOMIT.

Cause(s) close to your heart

i think that i hold strong feelings when it comes to animals and nature. i am definitely a conservationist. we have so many gifts in this planet that people really don't appreciate anymore. everyone needs to be thankful for the tender grass, the glisten snow, a cool rain, the sound of waves at the beach, the sounds of the birds in the sky. everything that people take for granted is deteriorating. conservation is something that i've strongly believed in since high school. i think that's why i take the kind of pictures that i do. i want people to see the beauty in the nature.

how has your life as an adult turned out differently than what you had anticipated in high school?

well in high school, i wanted to be a zoologist. i really love animals, so i thought i would be working with them and studying them. i enjoy research, observation and i knew my genus and phyla pretty well. i always knew i was going to go to valparaiso university, there was no alternative. it's the only school i applied to.

my mom found out about a scholarship for students who are talented in art, so she had me go for the interview and the portfolio review. and i got it. the only thing was that i would have to declare an art major to get it, not a biology one as i had planned. so i researched what i could do with art and found design.

it's kind of strange that i ended up in art b/c my mom always wanted me to be a pharmacist. sometimes i wonder what would have happened if i was a pharmacist, but then i don't think i would have ever found me. i've always expressed myself in art, i would draw my feelings to people rather than talk. once i went to VU and met other people like me, i felt like i finally found me.

i always believe that GOD has a plan for everyone, sometimes we get off track, but he's always there and we always get to where we need to be--eventually.

The most interesting thing that happened today.

today, was pretty much a normal day for me. woke up, went to work, worked, came home. we did have an amusing day playing with patti's daughter's my little pony castle. it was also really great to see the talent that we get to work with everyday. patti brought in one of her gorgeous paintings and ryan finished his michael jackson illustration. it's so inspiring to be surrounded by talented artists everyday.

i think i'm making some progress on my holiday sections, well the first one. we're getting there, the next few days are really going to be hectic though.

and i think i may be getting sick. i will fight to the end sinus infection, you will not win!

what 7 songs would be on the soundtrack of your life?

ok this is really hard for since i really love music. i don't know if these would actually be a soundtrack or even a good one, but these songs are ones that i've listened to over, and over and still love. some remind me of growing up and some are newer, but here they are.

Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve -- probably my all time fave song

Chocolate by Snow Patrol -- this is my highest played song

Learning to Breathe by Switchfoot -- love them and this is my fave

Wonder by Natalie Merchant -- reminds me of driving with my friends to high school

Nowhere & Everywhere by Michelle Lewis -- college memories

Closer To Myself by Kendall Payne -- a song about finding yourself

Time by Chantal Kreviazuk -- loves it

Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-Lot -- i know all of the words to this one and everyone gets a kick out of that

With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker -- listened to the "Wonder Years" soundtrack way too much

I Miss You by Incubus -- one of my fave bands

Stuck in the Middle With You by the Stealer Wheels -- i love my oldies

Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson -- my ringtone

Even Angels Fall by Jessica Riddle -- love this song

Rockin' Robin by Bobby Day -- probably one of my first fave songs

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper -- my first tape :-)

Crazy (remix) by Britney Spears -- i'm a closet brit fan, love my pop music

Wonderwall by Oasis -- high school

King of Wishful Thinking by Go West -- ahh MMC memories

One Big Love by Patty Griffin -- makes me think of car rides with 'becca rockin' out to Patty

Over-rated by Gavin DeGraw -- any song by gavin will do, i love music (period)

Stranded by Plumb -- one of my top played

Joker by Steve Miller Band -- everyone in my high school knew this one


ok, ok i have to stop now. i didn't even include any No Doubt or Christina Aguilera, Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20, Kelly Clarkson, Counting Crows, OAR, Augustana, THE BEATLES... I really could go on and on and on.

past

thought i would share some old photos.

baby me



my grandparents at my great-grandparent's farmhouse in Pennsylvania.

conspiracy theory

this subject was a tough one for me. conspiracy theory let me think. well maybe there are more than a few things out to get me, but i'm not running around with a hat made out of aluminum foil on my head, thinking that "they" are going to read my mind. There are a few things...
my stomach -- it's out to get me, really, how come everything that tastes good, gives me heartburn?
so that includes the makers of tums or any type of antacid, they're in on this thing too.
target -- they know just what i like, too tempting and the clearance aisles make so happy. i'm like a moth attracted to the bright red glow of that target logo.
aliens -- well, maybe they ARE out to get me. *puts on foil hat*
crafty books -- i buy them. i don't always do what they instruct. they look like something i could do, but do i do them? no.
kodak -- they used to be out to get me and my money, until i went digital. hahaha
beanie babies -- i mean really, the toy makers at ty brainwashed the american public to stand in lines for hours in hope of getting that one elusive toy. how long did you stand in line to get your peace bear? and now look, you can't even give those dust collectors away.
there are more for sure, but for now i will leave you with this. the vampire phenomena. think about it.

orange.

health care & heath bars - any connection?

ok i don't really get this topic. health care works, but i think it could be better. and heath bars, well i'm allergic to nuts so i don't really eat those. but if i did eat one i would definitely need health care. in lieu of me trying to make something up about this topic i'll give you a photo for friday.

if i could have one gadget named after me, it would be ...

April's ART5Y Apparator
Just point the transfiguration device at the desired painting, hit the button and be transported into the painting of your choice. Become one with your favorite painting, by living in it. Time is limited to one hour in each piece of art. Become the Mona Lisa, discover a Starry Night, or go crazy in a Pollock!

(i've been ready way too much Harry Potter)

frenemies

definition:"Frenemy" (alternately spelled "frienemy") is a portmanteau of "friend" and "enemy" which can refer to either an enemy disguised as a friend or to a partner who is simultaneously a competitor.[1] The term is used to describe personal, geopolitical, and commercial relationships both among individuals and groups or institutions. The word has appeared in print as early as 1953.[2] from wikipeadia

i don't think that i have any frenemies. if you and i don't get along we probably just don't hang out or talk to each other. i think that frenemies seem to come into play in more forced social situations such as school or work. i would rather not waste time on people if we don't get along, why would i want to keep them as close as i would a friend?

potential new year's resolutions for 2010

i don't make new year's resolutions. i can't say that i never have. i think that when i was younger i would do the the whole "i'm going to try eat better and exercise" thing, but i never followed through. so i don't do them. i do like to make goals or "challenge" myself--something that i need to do more often. my goals this years would be to work on my photoshop art. i used to be SO into just fiddling around and coming up with some cool stuff (like above), but i just don't do it anymore and i hate that. i also want to start working on my book. it took a quiz on facebook for me to realize or remember what i've always wanted to do--write and illustrate a children's book. i also want to stop neglecting this website and i think that this is a start. i want to continue on my reading, which i have done really well this year. and lastly just make more art, whether it's photos, or just a few doodles, it's something i need to do for me, it's my own therapy and make me, well me.

A different/unique holiday tradition you participate in...

our tradition is slightly morbid, yet celebratory. our family, mostly my mom and i mark the day my grandmother died. 12.22.00. we do things in remembrance of her. sometimes we go to the michigan city beach (yes, in the cold) or go to olive garden b/c that was her favorite place to eat. 12.22 isn't just the day she died, but we discovered that those numbers show up in her life quite a few times. the most notable was that was the address of the old farmhouse in pennsylvania where she grew up. they're her numbers and now they are ours. everytime we see them on the clock, we always think of her. she is the reason i take so many flower photos or collect owls. they're all memories of her.

my irrational fear of ...

well here goes nothing, nobloplomo time and i'm going to try to do it. my friends are such a good influence on me ;-)

i have given this great thought and i have a lot of fear, but they are common ones, like death, snakes, etc. i don't think those are necessarily irrational. mine is probably more of an anxiety than anything, but i have this irrational fear of being ill or fainting when ever, but mostly when, i'm in a social situation or especially in a confined space, like the south shore train. i get all high anxiety, but then once i'm in the sitaution for a bit i'm fine. heck i haven't even passed out in about 8 years, but i did before then. i've fainted in my getting my cast off when i was 7, in painting class, during an eye exam, and whenever i get my blood taken. it's doesn't consume me like it used to, but it's kind of always there. and just to let you know that if i ever do pass out, i'll be fine, just slap me a couple of times. ;-)

coincidence?

we had a garage sale about a week ago, so i posted a listing on craigslist. this was my security code. yee ha!

omg

i have my computer back!! yes! i am so excited, i've had it for almost 2 years and only used it about 5 times, but it's set up once again. I need to get my desk reorganized and then i'll really be living large. it's just a good feeling to be using MY computer -- it's all MINE!! yippee!

hard work

before

after


i made another perennial garden this year (i'll take pics of the other one soon). i had been gathering plants that were on sale for awhile and decided that it was time to finally give them a new home today. it took me about three hours, but it's done. i eventually would like to get some mulch, but i'm pretty pleased. i always feel so much better working in the yard, planting flowers or mowing the lawn. it makes me feel very close to my gram b/c we would plant the flowers together ever since i was little girl.

IF: drifting

drifting made me thing of the owl and the pussycat. i know, they are supposed to be in a green boat, but i thought a raft would make it a little more interesting.

IF: Theater

henrietta just finished her first ballet performance. there was a little trepidation at first, but she was able to overcome her fears and ended with a standing ovation from the crowd.

warm weather

i'm so glad it's starting to get warm. i think it helps to be outside more, close with nature and in fresh air. i say that as i'm on the internet inside the house.

spring

spring snow?! you've got to be kidding me. haven't we been tortured enough?! i don't even want to photograph it b/c it makes me ill. busy day yesterday at the time garage sale. i was the hand stamper and paper passer-outer for a few hours. that was intense. there were so many people it was crazy. it just goes to show people that newspaper advertising DOES work. there thousands of people there and they read about it in the paper. amazing. it was fun though. i walked around a bit and saw 3 friends that i was able to chat with for a bit. i also found an old polaroid camera and a few little owls. i really enjoy looking through that kind of stuff, it's kind of like a hunt to find something you like. sometimes you find stuff, a lot of times you don't. i think i should have lived in a different era b/c i love old things so much. now i'm just waiting for spring to come back, i miss the birdies.

i can hear them...

the sandhill cranes.
i've heard them all weekend. i'd love to go find them and photograph them. it's not that far away. i just have to convince my mom.
Here and here are some info about the cranes. it says that they migrate until april, maybe we'll save it until photo day with 'becca.