JJM Handcrafted

Buy HANDMADE this holiday season

2009-11-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

JUST DO IT!!!

Don't miss the fantastic annual event Craftmas Bizarre 4! For four years running folks have been doing all their holiday shopping at the fabulous Fake Gallery !

BUY HANDMADE! 100% lead free, not made in China.

Free Wassel & Free Waffle bar and crafty demos and lots of surprises.

Sunday December 6th, 12p - 5p

The Fake Gallery
4319 Melrose Ave (at Heliotrope)
LA CA 90029

FREE PARKING

Mention JJM Handcrafted sent you and you get in Freeeeeee other wise have your $2 buck ready.

If you want to cry

2009-11-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

read my high school friend's blog. Today's entry is particularly heart-wrenching. When he posted the link on Facebook he suggested you have kleenex at the ready.

Background, so you know what you're getting into...

His lovely wife died suddenly while 6 months pregnant. His blog is dedicated to his and his children's heartache and healing. It makes me cry frequently.

I hope he doesn't mind my posting the address. But I think anyone who would read it would certainly have nice thoughts in their head for him and his family. I really do believe that the kind/warm things you think about someone far away, whether it is crying along with him or sending love via the waves of the internet, I know that energy helps.

http://www.anitaslove.com/

Chris Brown

2009-11-11T19:05:00.000-08:00

I like Chris Brown's music. According to some of the more popular gossip blogs I'm supposed to stop liking him and boycott his music because he beat the crap out of Rihanna.

I'm pretty sure that he'll never beat the crap out of me and maybe I should feel more strongly about Rihanna thing, but I don't.

I really like his new song I Can Transform Ya. So catchy!

New stuff for the Brewery this weekend

2009-10-22T08:30:00.001-07:00

Drink in style with this glow in the dark skull flask

The unfinished monkey

Sea Monkey or See Monkey?

I debated a long time on the background. Put it out there for comments and the overwhelming response was GREEN. I extruded a variety of greens, and started some vines. The vines needed a little more punch so I added some color. Then my extruder broke. Tragic. It is the most important tool I use. So rather than continue with the strands of clay I filled in the background with solid pieces. First I did it in yellow, not good. Then I did it in cream, again not good. I settled on blue. It is a bit brighter than I like and it looks a little ocean-y. That's fine, he can be a Sea Monkey or maybe See Monkey.

pondering

2009-08-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Which FOX news program will be the first to interview someone from the Kopechne family? (fyi "the Chappadquiddick incident")

Why do torches from the hardware store come fully fueled and ready to go? And cost $16. And the professional kitchen torches come sans fuel and are double the price?

Is it because the hardware torch must sit upright whereas the creme brulee torch can be used perpendicularly?

Is Italy a good destination for the Christmas holidays? Specifically Rome?

If not Christmas, maybe Australia or Japan in January or February?

Emma

2009-07-31T10:01:00.001-07:00

I know in my heart she is communicating to us it is time for us to let her go. We just don't want to listen.

She's 14 and a half years old. It isn't like she's going to recover from old age, one never does.

We just need to accept the signs and not wait to long. Waiting to long will be too painful. For us and for her.

I wish she would just die in her sleep, it would make it so much easier.

Up in the gym working on my fitness

2009-06-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

For months my co-worker-friend Melina and I would bitch to each other about our figures and lack of discipline to stick with a workout routine. We decided to try working out together, hoping that would keep us motivated. And accountable. She lives in a hilly neighborhood, so we started out hiking up around the back hill of her house. OMG, straight up, just when you're ready to die, it flattens out for a few steps. That kept us interested for a little bit but at one point she mentioned The Bar Method. We both agreed to try a class.

We took our first class on May 23rd. The class starts out simple enough, deep knee bends with some arm punches. Then you pick up your 2 or 3 pound weights and you do arm lifts and variations arm lifts. After about the 3rd movement and 50th rep I gave Melina a look like what have you gotten us into. Had I only known what was to come.

My first clue should have been a conversation with a women in the lobby while we were waiting for the earlier class to end.

Door opens sweaty women pour out
Random Girl: Oh I bet their happy that's over.
Melina and I look at her with blank faces.
Random Girl: is this your first class?
Us: nodding yes
Random Girl: Oh then you have NO IDEA what I talking about.

The class is comprised of bar movements at the ballet barre, mat stretching and other various stretching between active muscle work, core work and but lifts.

Things like this:

At the barre out arms distance, with your hands resting lightly on the barre. toes and heels together, stand on tippy toes, tuck your butt up, suck your gut in, bend knees a foot. Little up little down x32, down down hold x32, pulse x32.

Second position (toes pointed out feet just at hip distance) tuck butt, suck in, put one leg behind you, hinge forward, lift leg to hip height and lift the leg up an inch down an inch x 32. Followed by little adjustments, toes pointed, flexed, knee bent..... x 1,000,000

Feet together, knees bent, ball between your thighs. Squeeze, tuck, up, down, tuck tuck tuck, squeeze squeeze squeeze.

All this butt and thigh work is rewarded with crunches. Followed by back dancing, as they call it. On your back, feet together butt tucked, squeeze..... right, right right... left, left, left

And on and on. Your muscles just quiver and shake. They really encourage the shaking, the more you shake the more your core muscles are working, it builds change that is repeated by all the instructors. The instructor walks around the room giving praise and encouragement, telling you how beautiful your shaking is, how beautiful you are. You do wonderful stretching in between, a itty-bitty break.

After that first class we took advantage of the trial offer of unlimited classes for 50% off for 1 month. The first couple days after that first class, I thought I might die. Melina felt the same. Our muscles hurt so bad, to sit, to stand to walk. OUCH.

We have stuck to it! I've gone to 13 classes! I'm still sore all the time. I have a really hard time with Arabesque movements, my lower back just burns, but less and less each time. I know if I stick to it, at some point I'll see it in the mirror.

Both Melina and I plan to sign up for 3 more months. I'm excited for results.

In the meantime, my legs hurt every time I move, so its just better not to move.

Caffeine

2009-06-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

Why oh why can't we be friends? I love coffee, especially with half and half. Nothing beats a hot creamy cup of coffee.

However, I just cannot deal with the effects. My heart jumps, I feel like I'm having an anxiety attack and then there are the calories from the cream.

I need to quit you coffee.

Up Next

2009-04-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

Kinetic mobiles. They should make for a good summer project!

And more

2009-04-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

A colorful primate.

One more

2009-04-11T10:27:00.001-07:00

I neglected to post the clown yesterday. He is creepy.

arty stuff

2009-04-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

The bird again.

Small salt and pepper shakers

Pie server in blue

Super crappy pictur of the owl. It looks so much better in person. I think I will sand it just to finish it up a bit more.

Tree

Sunday

2009-03-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

We started our day with coffee and Rock of Love 3. Such trash. All the girls are whores and Bret is in DIRE need of a makeover. Rock the haircut Bret. Do it. Bald is Rock N Roll.

I'm putting the No Kneed bread. I'll put it in the oven in just a few minutes. Matt is making Vietnamese style chicken soup and we're both drinking a bloody mary.

I plan to finish up a new art piece and start making some rings. I found an easy wire twist ring that will show off a bead nicely.

A nice long walk and watching Rachel Getting Married is also on the agenda.

Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match

2009-03-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

Did you know that male Northern Mockingbirds sing both day and night from February - November. They have a spring song and a winter song. The single males sing more than the partnered males.

I have a male who I would like to find a partner. So if you have a single Northern Mockingbird, probably a female is preferred (are there gay birds?), please send her my way.

Let's make a love connection.

Seriously, the bird sings all night. Not solid singing, but anytime a car drives by or a person walks by, or a plane flies overhead he sings away. He's going to become bird soup if he can't find a ladybird friend.

Long Weekends

2009-02-15T10:11:00.001-08:00

For valentine's day I got Matt House of the Dead - Overkill for wii. Zombie killing at it's best. It is multi-player so we get to rid the world of zombies together. It is a pretty hilarious game lots of cussing and half naked girls, including half naked girl zombies!

We had a lovely valentine's evening at the local sports bar/wings joint. We figured it wouldn't be a hot valetine date destination and we were right. We spilt wings and spinach artichoke dip, both of which were sub par. We then came home to play House of the Dead. It was a perfect low key night.

Today we walked with Emma to starbucks, she'll probably sleep the rest of the day. It is a bit farther than she is used to walking these days. She is really showing her age, I can't belive she'll be 14 years old in just 3 weeks. She's getting a special pupcake from the local dog bakery.

We're going to spend the rest of the day watching movies and playing the wii. We have Secret Life of Bees and Hamlet 2. Later, we'll walk over to Blockbuster and return Hamlet 2 and exchange it for Pineapple Express. I really like the combo of both by mail and looking in person at the store.

Tomorrow! I do love Monday holidays. Tomorrow I plan to do some baking. I'll probably start one of the breads tonight and make a couple other loaves tomorrow. Both Matt and I loved the Spiced Prune bread, it doesn't sound appealing but it is really good! Especially toasted with butter, the prunes get all carmalized and crispy.

My birds have been spending more and more time in the feeder. Throughout the day the male bird comes to the feeder and coos. Sometimes the female bird comes to join him and they both sit in the feeder for a little while. I hope that I can catch them making the nest. According the the internet one of them sits in the nesting area while the other gathers nesting material. Then it comes back and lands on the back of the one in the feeder to hand off the twings and leaves.

It will be fun to have another batch of baby birds!

Professional Juror

2009-02-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

Seriously. Jury duty again. This time it's for District Court which is under Federal jurisdiction. So I can't even use the I just did jury duty excuse, since that was Superior Court.

This trial is expected to last 4-5 weeks.

As far as jury duty goes, Federal is way better. Better food options and they pay more.

Free

2009-02-04T18:01:00.000-08:00

We're done with the 30 days of restriction! But honestly I was off as soon as we hit Aspen. Come on! Free vacation food or restriction and not eating? Um and the whole open bar all the time, hard to decline.

Sadly I'm back on coffee. I am especially busy at work right now and it is a treat for me in the morning. If I need a quick break in the afternoon I go back for a half caf/half decaf, save the cup and register a gift care and it's free. I'm far less concerned with the caffeine than the half and half I add by the bucketful. Seriously I need to make myself switch to whole milk or something. Either that or exercise extra everyday to burn off the dumb fat calories.

We're still cooking everything we eat. I'm still making any breads we eat. We're not using sugar. We don't have any junky food in the house. Except for salted caramels, I try to only have a few a week. Soon enough they'll be gone. And ideally I won't make any more.

Matt is still choosing not to eat a number of things no caffeine, sugar and very limited dairy. We've both had the occasional alcoholic beverage. In fact I plan to have one shortly.

Overall I don't feel any different. I don't have any food alergies that effect my everyday life. Shellfish and I will never be friends and I know my limits on other fish, those are easy to control. It was a good January challenge. I'm glad we did it.

Our first dinner out in a month was to our favorite place Pitfire Pizza Co. I seriously love that place. We had a lovely dinner on the patio near the fire pit, which is a great new addition. We split a big salad and the winter special spare rib pasta. I had a sangria and Matt had a beer. It was a warm 75 degrees and we took our time walking home. Well worth waiting a month!

Market Research

2009-02-02T17:27:00.000-08:00

I start a new market research study tomorrow. Sadly this isn't driving sporty new cars, but rather using hand cream.

The cream is approved for human usage, which is good, seeing how I am human. I do have ridiculously sensitive skin so hopefully I don't break out immediately upon usage. It is nice to get compensated for doing something you do anyway.

So anyway I use the hand cream 3 times a day, fill out a couple forms and they pay me money.

I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a whore for products.

Aspen a photo essay

2009-01-31T15:33:00.000-08:00

Michelle and I in the toasty warm Monster Energy Drink viewing suite. Catered, open bar and heated! So lovely.

The viewing suite overlooked the superpipe.

Early in the day, hardly any people.

Oops.

Escorted out.

Me standing at the base of Aspen mountain. Burr.

Michelle and I with the slope and style finish behind us.

View of our viewing suite from far away. Just below and to the left is the ESPN broadcast booth. The judges are above and to the left.

Smiling, happy camera man.

Gretchen is the local favorite. She fell 2 out of three times. Once really, really hard. She is super cute.

Pack them in!

Michelle and I getting ready to snowmobile! I'm terrified at this point.

Cold. Why didn't I bring a freaking scarf? I was cursing myself. It was fun to go snowmobiling. But I was nervous a lot of the time. It was hard to steer and the whole shear cliff drop off thing...

Michelle took a turn at driving along the flat mountain top.

Inside the warming booth drinking hot cocoa!

Up at the top!

Our breakfast, lunch and activity pals, Tom and Cheryl.

There was a group of Russians who also were snowmobiling. One of them was an Olympian who plays for the Detroit Red Wings. Pavel Datsyuk‏. Michelle and I are about as far away from sports as you can get so we didn't know who he was. He was just the handsome Russian in the Olympic snowsuit.

Sleds! Can you imagine?

The crowd watching the Next Big Trick on snowmobiles.

Levi LaVallee team preparing the top of the mound of snow for a soft landing. Completely futile in hindsight.

Levi after the DOUBLE BACK FLIP!!! video to follow at the end

The crowd assumed he hit it, but sadly he fell off on the landing. He over shot the landing by the entire mound of snow.

One of the most fun activities was handing out Monster Energy Drink swag while waiting in line for the shuttles. You would have thought we gave people $100. So freaking excited. Here some of our favs.

Michelle and I at the top of Aspen Mountain for the fancy Monster Energy Drink private party. It has been a long, long time since Michelle and I have been to a party like this. The last time was Hustler's 25th! We had a BLAST. Seriously so much fun.

We rode up and down the gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain a few times. It was gorgeous.

After every few runs on the superpipe a group of kid snowboarders or skiers take a run down the middle of the pipe. My new friend Chase, the next big snowboarder who is 14 and sponsored by Monster, told me that this clears away the slush created by the snowboard. We chatted for a long time and I learned a ton from him.

This boy is a local kid who lost his leg in an accident.

After each competitor this guy would follow filming from an on the ground angle in HD. They were able to get some amazing shots.

The crowd watching the pipe.

This is one of the guys who rides for Monster.

At the end of EVERY race the competitors take a few swigs off the signature monster drink container. Fantastic branding and marketing, so impressive.

Shaun White the winner of the superpipe.

Crappy video of Levi LaVallee doing a double back flip.

teaser pics

2009-01-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

I'll recap later after I recover a bit. The Monster Energy Drink people are the best hosts ever. The week was filled with food, fun, amazing athletes and crazy parties.

Me in front of the judges station for the snow cross competition.

Sleds (snowmobile to the non snow sport enthusiasts)

So snowy! Snowmobiling 11,200 feet up! On a clear day you can see the Continental Divide all the ski slopes around Aspen and the backside of Vail. On this day you could not see 10 feet in front of you most of the time.

Toasty warm by the fire in the lodge.

Food Update

2009-01-16T16:27:00.000-08:00

The diet is going well! But I'm ready to stop being so restrictive. I'm going to be thoughtful in my choices while in Aspen, but I will eat dairy and wheat. I'm looking forward to it. Some fine cheese and a warm cookie? Yes, please. And probably a cocktail overlooking a snowy mountain, dreamy.

Matt and I plan to continue making everything we eat. I also hope to introduce some of the raw ideals after this month of restriction. We are loving the coconuts, fat, whole, young, milk, cream and even flour so many options from just one item.

I make a smoothie every morning with kefir or yogurt and loads of fresh fruit along with other good for you stuff.

I don't miss sugar, except at work and it is a birthday and they have pie... I miss bread every day and think about it all the time. Matt of course, does not miss it at all.

We got a Wii Fit and I been using that everyday. It isn't the best work out but it is better than nothing. And it is readily available at 5:15am. Once it is light later I'll go back to swimming in the evening.

So we're happily continuing along. But I am looking forward to going out to dinner with Matt in February. I miss that more than anything, the nice walk to and home from dinner, no distractions of home... just a different eating experience.

Birds

2009-01-13T16:28:00.000-08:00

I think the mourning doves will nest again. On Sunday morning, one dove was on the wire outside our bedroom window cooing loudly. They live around here year round and they don't really every make noise like that. Then later in the day one dove was sitting in the bird feeder. They traditionally do nest in the same location, so chances are they're getting ready to set up shop.

I'm pretty excited. It was lots of fun to watch them grow and become grown up birds.

In other bird news, we have a hummingbird that rests in our front tree daily. Every afternoon he/she comes and hangs out for a few minutes, flies away, comes to rest.... Have you ever heard a hummingbird sing? It is this weird frequency pitch and rather than sound like a chirp it is more of a grind. He/she sticks out their tongue on each sound and it is easily the length of the entire bird and pin thin.

The wild parrots that live at the park a block away seem to be multiplying. It is pretty crazy to hear wild parrots squawking in this desert town. In fact they are flying over head as I type.

Diet Update

2009-01-09T17:10:00.001-08:00

We're on day 9. No sugar, no processed foods, no wheat, no caffeine and no alcohol.

We were finally feeling normal and sane by about day 5/6. We are making everything we eat. Although I did use one can of beans and one can of tomato paste, both neither had anything other than beans and tomatoes so I figured it was ok. I still take advantage of the free lunch, I usually order salad or a baked potato and bring in some sort of protein from the night before.

Matt has been making coconut milk from fresh coconuts for smoothies. We've been using coconut oil in various items, in hot water with some agave nectar or to cook up some potato pancakes. Coconuts are supposedly really good in assisting weight loss and overall health.

I don't feel like I'm dieting, we're eating a bunch, it's just all healthy stuff. I still crave some sort of salty treat when I come home. I've been attempting to pacify the cravings with olives.

I'm sure I'll struggle in Aspen. But I'll try hard to mostly stick to eating healthfully.

Tomorrow I'm making beef stock. I'll use some of it to make some french onion soup. I can't wait.

I'm also going to do some baking this weekend. I'm trying spelt and coconut flours to see what I can make.

Aspen

2009-01-05T21:54:00.000-08:00

My friend Michelle enters contests online. She wins tons of stuff, seriously. Pricey rugs, handcrafted lamps, Christmas ornaments for tv shows...

She just won the Party with Danny Kass at the X Games in Aspen. Unfortunately, her boyfriend can't go with her. But fortunately for me, I get to go with her.

The prize consist of
round trip airfare
shuttle from Denver to Aspen
hotel
VIP tickets to the Danny Kass party sponsored by Monster Energy drinks..

We leave on January 21 and return on the 26th. I'm thrilled she asked me to go along. We will for sure have a blast!

movies

2009-01-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

We joined Blockbuster's movies by mail (and in the store for the same price)

Today we watched Bigger, Stronger, Faster. It was really good. All about steroid use in America. Fascinating on so many levels. The director Chris Bell did a great job.

In a little bit we'll walk over to Blockbuster and turn it in and come home with either Momma Mia or the Dark Knight. Momma Mia is my choice, but I may concede to Dark Knight. I promised Matt that he's enjoy Momma Mia, I might have been lying.

Detox

2009-01-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

We're on day 3. We both slept HORRIBLE last night. Finally at 3am we got up and watched a bad Lifetime movie, and went to sleep around 5.

Overall I'm feeling 90% great. The other 10% is filled with a mild headache. Aside from the sleeping thing of course.

We're treating ourselves to some organic grass fed Nebraska beef. YUM. I wish it wasn't a million dollars, but whatever, we're not eating out this month. It all evens out in the end.

I made a Jewish rye with oat flour. It is very tasty, but flat. Flat like the dilly bread I failed at twice. I don't know what I'm missing. I think something is flawed in my raising process. It still tastes good, but it is flat and dense.

I think I need to boost my exercise so that I am worn out in the night time and just can't stay awake.

Fortunately Matt is 100% on board and we can support each other through the struggle.

New Year

2009-01-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

Matt and I are starting a 30 day elimination/detox diet.

No caffeine
No alcohol
No wheat
No sugar
No processed foods

It will be hard, but 100% worth it.

Confession

2008-12-12T16:50:00.000-08:00

I LOVE the new Britney Spears album. Who am I kidding? I love all of Britney's albums.

I especially love If You Seek Amy (so clever with the sound alike words spelling f.u.c.k. me) and Unusual You. You should download or buy the actual cd.

I also really enjoyed her documentary on MTV. She breaks my heart a little bit. She wonders why some stars are able to go to the grocery store and she can't. And clearly she cannot, I see the 15+ cars waiting to follow her every move.

Busy

2008-12-11T05:49:00.000-08:00

That is what I am. Busy working 10 hour days. Busy making holiday orders. Too busy.

Change

2008-11-05T16:16:00.000-08:00

A new day.
A new beginning.

Brewery Artwalk Fall 2008

2008-10-24T16:54:00.001-07:00

I'll be in building 624!

Dia da los Muertos

2008-10-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

This year's Fall Brewery ArtWalk is on November 1&2. I am taking full advantage and doing lots of fun skull art.

6x6 panel with a rough sketch of my skull. you can see some of my color palate off to the side.

Flowers play a big role in Day of the Dead festivities and most skulls have flowers for eyes.

This is step one of many to create the flowers. I chose a hydrangea flower.

The classic "Skinner Blend", a perfect transition from hot pink to purple.

Next up is a sparkled blue. In the background you can see clay in various states.

The beginnings of a flower.

It is really hard to picture what you'll end up with, but you just have to have faith and picture things in a different dimension.

And finally, petals! Sorry for the crappy quality image.

Almost a flower.

Eyes and the early dental work.

Say cheese

I'm don't totally love the nose, but sometimes living with it is better than debating.

Finished? I'm still on the fence about doing my traditional swirly sparkled clay in black in the white areas, or I'll just paint it white. I'll probably try the clay and see if it is too much.

I like the way it turned out. It has lots of texture and is really sparkly, I do love the glitter.

Sugar skulls made out of clay.

Resin bottle cap sugar skulls. Some are magnets and some are pins.

my drawings for the bottle cap pins and magnets

And the Obama logo! Thanks to A Patchwork World for the DIY on the resin bottle caps! I want to encase everything in resin! I also did some YES WE CAN.

I love that Obama has all his logos and catch phrases on the site in high res. Make some Obama art of your own! I plan to make funky Obama shirts to wear both days of ArtWalk. Fun Fun Fun!

6 years

2008-10-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

Matt and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on Sunday. Modern tradition calls for candy. Chocolate is candy, right?

Off we went to the 90210 to get chocolate.

We started at www.edelweisschocolates.com, we waited a long time behind a fancy old lady who bought $75 in chocolates. She comes every Saturday to buy chocolate. Lucky! She was the typical old Beverly Hills actress, perfectly coiffed and wearing fancy jewels. Too bad I don't know old movie star types. We got some chocolate peanut butter bars and marshmallows coated chocolate and rolled in nuts.

We continued to walk throughout Beverly Hill seeking out www.teuscher-beverlyhills.com . This was a totally different vibe, new innovative and hip. Here we got the signature Champagne Truffles and a few other small, small pieces of chocolate.

We ate the marshmallow chocolates in the car, they were alright, nothing great. Once home I cut the 3 pieces of chocolate from Teuscher in half, one for each. OMG this is amazing chocolate. I've thought about it frequently since. YUM. The Edleweiss was only ok.

For our dinner out we went to a place that I think looks cool from the outside. We had no idea what we were in for, fortunately it ended up out great. The Next Door Tapas Bar, no sign outside, just a valet parker. No clear entrance you kind of wander through the dining area to find the bar. On our first venture in we backed out and wondered if we were entering the right door. I pulled Matt in and into the darkend bar with big funky chandeliers. I suggested we stay for a drink, especially since the valet parked our car. Midway into the drink the other couple sitting at the bar ordered some sliders, not listed on the menu. So of course we also have to order the sliders. They were great! We proceeded to order tuna ceviche, carpachio with roasted artichokes and some fancy ham from Spain. The pigs roam free along the countryside in Spain eating acorns, dreamy. We also lucked into pepitos fritas, the computer crashed and the kitchen got the order twice, that was served with a spicy cheese sauce. For dessert I had a honey caramel pastry thing and Matt had a coffee something. Again super good!

It was a fun weekend. I'm a lucky girl.

I also got some flowers!

Kitler

2008-10-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

Cats that look like Hitler.

This little baby kitler is available in my neighborhood. He is especially adorable, I love him already.

For more kits that look like Hitler visit
www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com

This is by far my favorite.

some new art

2008-10-06T18:36:00.001-07:00

I really like this style. I keep coming back to it. It feels 60s mod.

9 oz. Flask

Bowl

faux abalone flask

Trashy tv

2008-09-28T12:56:00.001-07:00

Fall TV!

On the DVR for this week

The Amazing Race
Mad Men
Sunset Tan (shut up)
Family Guy
The Hills
90210
Fringe (we haven't watched this yet)
Project Runway
Top Design
America's Next Top Model
Survivor

Good times!

vacation

2008-09-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

We are planning a grand Mexican Riviera vacation. We're debating between a glorious fancy all-inclusive or a funky little hotel.

I'm normally anti all-inclusive since you don't get to experience the true local flavor. But some of the all-inclusive resorts are so very nice that it is hard to not want to eat in their 5 star restaurants and swim in their saltwater pools with a swim up bar.

I suppose one could have more difficult decisions to make...

Online Glasses

2008-09-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

I've discovered the joy that is glasses for under $30. No reason for not having glasses to match my shoes. And since I already have an online shoe obsession.... Many thanks to the blog!

bread

2008-09-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

I think I will try making the dilly bread again today. I realized about 45 minutes into the first rising period that I forgot to put in the egg. So I mixed it in and set it in the warm oven to rise. It never did double, but it was close enough.

After stirring down and putting it back into the oven to rise nothing happened, nothing. A lump of dough. It did smell wonderful and we did eat it. It tasted great, just like mom's. But it was not light and airy like bread should be.

And really, there is never enough for toast the next day... So I'll make more today and hopefully it will be more successful.

Weekend update

2008-09-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

Matt has a new contract job. He is the guitar tech for a major pop star. So far everything is going well and he likes everyone in the band. He'll meet the star tomorrow. The stars don't show up until the day of the show for sound check. This will keep him busy through at least October. It could be extended to include a world tour! World Tour!!! I'm a total mix of emotions. Happy for the opportunity and experience, sad that he'll be gone, and jealous that he gets to see the world without me.

I don't have anything nearly as exciting going on. Today we are having flank steak and dilly bread for dinner. One of my most favorite meals since child hood. My sister has also blogged about the meal (2/14/08). I'm not really sure if we have the right cut of meat, it is skirt steak not flank. But it will work nonetheless.

I've been really good about exercising. I try to swim laps for an hour a day, I've only missed 3 days out of the last 15. This morning I swam laps for 45 minutes then did a 50 minute deep water class, I am beat!

I think I will hire a personal trainer. I need someone to tell me what to do and make me do it.

I have a bunch of artwork to do. Unfortunately I'm missing some inspiration and drive.

FREE

2008-09-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

I was released from jury duty! No 10 weeks of jury service for me. Hooray! The judge told us to watch for the case in the news.

The Candidates

2008-09-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

Only 59 days to decide who will be our next president. Since I had to drop out of the running, you have to pick from one of these....

John McCain and Sarah Palin

Barack Obama

Adventures in Game Shows Part 2

2008-09-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

Monday I am a contestant on Trivial Pursuit - America Plays!

I went to the audition last night and they call me for Monday today! I don't know much about the show other than it is based upon Trivial Pursuit.

Exciting!

Sarah Palin

2008-09-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

I love all the internet gossip about McCain's VP candidate.

Did Palin fake her last pregnancy and claim the DS child as her own when truly it is her daughters? News broke today that her daughter is currently pregnant!

Clearly abstinence only sex education works, always has always will. It works so well that your 17 year old daughter is pregnant, potentially with her second child.

Awesome.

I find this much more salacious than Obama the conservative rumors that Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya.

It is a Lifetime movie in the making. One step up from Mother May I Sleep with Danger?

Jury Duty

2008-08-22T22:09:00.001-07:00

I reported for jury duty last Thursday. Early in the day my name was selected and was told to report back today.

Luckily I didn't need to report to court until 1:30. Matt came home yesterday after few days on the road with a band. so we had a nice morning together. Actually, he slept in late and I chatted with my dad on the phone.

Jury duty usually provides great people watching, so many weird and interesting people. While sitting in the hallway waiting, the famed attorney Mark Geragos walked down the hallway. I got really excited for a minute that perhaps he was the defending attorney. He is one hell of a snappy dresser! I would love to hear him argue cases, but alas he walked into another courtroom. In case you don't know who Mark Geragos is, he defended Scott Petersen, Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder...

Today consisted mostly of paperwork. A multi-page questionnaire. They'll now review and pick the perfect jury beginning in September.

So at least for now, I'm free to go about life as usual.

Costume Party

2008-08-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

We went to a Song Title Costume party last night. Lots of fun! It was especially fun to try to guess the different songs, some were really hard, others super easy! A great effort by all.

Me, You (Ewe) Light Up My Life by Carol King

Matt, Monkey Man by the Rolling Stones

Creepy sheep

Interspecies Love

Our Hostess, One Eyed, One Horned, Flying Purple People Eater - Rose

And host, Or as Buffalo Soldier

Little updates

2008-07-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

We leave for vacation on Saturday. We'll be hanging out with Matt's dad and wife, our nephew Rob and seeing a bunch of other family. I plan to do some reading - Eat, Love, Pray - sTORI Telling (!!!) and the book about shoe addicts my mom gave me for my b-day. We'll spend lots of time on the boat fishing. Relaxing!

Hopefully I can get over my new allergy to sunscreen. So far I've tried 4 different kinds each time I get a really bad rash and hives. Awesome. Next up to try is some Aveeno baby stuff.

Matt left his job 2 weeks ago. It just wasn't the right job. I can relate to that and sometimes it is just better to end it in its early stages then stay and be miserable. Sadly, the economy has this self perpetuating message of doom. I love NPR, but come on enough with the doom and gloom. Plenty of things are AOK. Entertainment is one of them. People still go to concerts, they still want to go see their favorite bands. They want to escape the economy doom and gloom for 2 hours. For Matt it's just a matter of finding the right gig.

That gig may have presented itself today. It is a fantastic opportunity for Matt to go out on the road with a band for 2-3 months. I don't know what I'll do with myself without him for that length of time. I'm pretty dependent upon him. I miss him when he's just gone for the day. We pretty much do everything together. But it is a great gig, he'll do a great job and it will be awesome to add to his resume.

Maybe I'll blog more if he isn't home!

It's about time!

2008-06-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged much. No reason, just preoccupied with other things.

I spent pretty much my whole day Saturday at the eye doctor. They are trying to fit me back to toric lenses. I wore torric my whole contact wearing life until about 3 years ago when the switched me to soft lenses. Finding the right fit has been a challenge. About 7 hours of challenge. Including 4.5 hour at the eye doctor on Saturday and a prior appointment a week and a half ago. Saturday's appointment did not bode well for my evening plans. A or B, B or C, C or D always gives me a headache, so unfortunately we skipped out on evening plans.

Last weekend we went camping at the beach. I randomly pick weekends throughout the summer to go beach camping, in January. They book up within a week or so of becoming available. I happened to pick a perfect weekend it was easily 109 here and 95 at the beach.

For the first time ever we took Emma in the Honda FIT with all our gear. Everything we needed easily FIT, we flipped up the double back seat and she ends up curling up and laying down. It worked perfectly. Loads of room for both us and Emma. She was a lot less crazy, I think it is because she can't quite see outside.

We had a great time. We drove around a bit looking at sod farms and strawberry fields. The strawberries smelled so amazing while driving down the road we had to stop at a roadside stand and get some. Super tasty!

Camping was great, the moon was full and bright and the stars were out in full force. We even drove down the Pacific Coast Highway a bit to find the perfect spot of beach to call our own and play in the ocean's wake. Even Emma had a great time.

Next time we go it's over the meteor shower weekend in August. I have jury duty the next Monday.

Banner Day

2008-06-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

Today is about equality. May all the newlyweds today and tomorrow and beyond enjoy their lives as a single union. Equal to a man and a women, equal to a couple in love, just equal.

Happily ever after.

A day trip to Catalina

2008-06-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

We took the boat over on Matt's birthday. It is a quick hour on the boat each way.

After eating a bunch and walking around we finished off our time on the island at lover's cove watching the tide come in.

Look what the waves washed up on to the stairs at lover's cove! A heart shaped rock.

Triumphant Return

2008-06-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

We were watching Scott McClellan on the Daily Show when we heard the flapping of wings. One of the adult birds was returning to the nest. Then we saw the baby bird flapping behind. They both landed on top of the feeder and the parent fed the baby then they snuggled up to each other and settled in for the night.

Thank goodness. I like to think that it was the baby that I rescued. He must have been just sitting on top of the ledge above the window and the momma bird came to his rescue and they'll spend another night together.

He missed his first day of bird school and hopefully he'll get a good lesson tomorrow.

Pictures and video

dinnertime

2008-06-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

I couldn't get this to post in the last post.

Flying the coop

2008-06-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

The baby birds have been preening their feathers and flapping their wings for the last few days. I knew they were just minutes away from flying away. I've tried numerous times to capture the preening and flapping on camera but they freeze when ever I would stick my camera out the window.

You can imagine my surprise today when I came home from work to find the nest empty. Well, not so much that the nest was empty but that there was a baby bird INSIDE my apartment on the window sill looking out at the nest/bird feeder on the OUTSIDE. Poor baby bird.

I tried to take some pictures but my media card was locked. I didn't have time to play around and figured it was more important to get the bird safely outside. As much as I've loved watching the birds, I don't want to live with one in my apartment.

I found a box and cornered the bird on to just one section of the sill and captured him in the box. I then went outside to the grass and set him free. He flew up into the tree right in front of the nest/feeder and has set off to make a new life. I don't know if the birdies will come back to sleep or if that is it. I will keep you posted. In the meantime a slew of baby bird pics. And a pic of the poop left on my heater and window sill.

ps. While walking Emma I spied the baby bird on the ledge above my window. I hope he finds his way without his parents to guide him. I put out some pine nuts on the outside window sill just in case they come back hungry.

Yum, let me puke in your mouth
'

Maybe if we crouch low enough she won't see us

Hanging out

Look I have a wing

Poop

Empty nest

The first time they were left alone

More baby birds

2008-05-20T17:22:00.001-07:00

Making the switch, the dad is in the front.

Momma and her 2! babies. The other egg hatched sometime in the last 24 hours.

Climbing in

Puffing up. I don't know if she puffs up because she is trying to look big for me, or if it is for the babies. I assume she is afraid of me and is trying to look as big as possible.

Settled in for the night.

Baby Bird

2008-05-18T18:05:00.000-07:00

I was chatting with my dad on the phone this afternoon and he asked about the birds. So I peeked out the window and there was a tiny wet baby bird sitting with her daddy! Amazing.

When the dad switched off with the mom I took the above video. Hopefully the other egg with hatch soon.

I can now tell the difference between the mom and dad bird. They both sit on and feed the baby. When the dad was feeding he kept trying to tuck the other egg back under his body, it was really cute.

The little baby's eyes are still closed, but his down is all fluffy and full. He flaps his little wings when he is eating, so cute.

This has been a great weekend. We had sushi on Friday. We took the boat to Catalina for the day yesterday and this afternoon we watched Juno.

I'll post the Catalina pics later this week

Twins

2008-05-16T16:17:00.001-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I heard the bird make some noise. The same noise they'd make when landing when I had seed in the feeder. So I peeked out the window to see what was up. The bird had gotten up to go somewhere and had just returned. There are 2 little eggs in the nest, so we're going to have twins!

I have done a bit of research and it seems the bird is a Mourning Dove. They were nearly eradicated a few years ago, the spotted Chinese dove had pretty much taken over. The spotted dove is not native to SoCal, the mourning dove is. The spotted doves nest high in the trees, making them an easy target for the crows. The crows ate all the spotted dove eggs and slowly the mourning dove has made its way back. They nest closer to the ground and closer to humans, and the crows are afraid of people so they tend to leave the nest alone.

Traditionally they nest in pairs, but there is only room for one bird in the feeder. I'm assuming it is the same bird sitting all the time, but really they could be switching it up and I just can't tell the difference. According to the link below the boy bird sits in the morning and the girl bird in the evening and night.

Mourning doves tend to have about 3 broods a year and return to the same location to nest year after year!

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Mourning_Dove.html

Birdie

2008-05-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

A number of years ago my mom and dad gave me a suction-cup window bird feeder. For a long, long time I'd keep it full of seeds and let the birds entertain Chase-er-meow-meow.

Today, while watching a young hoodlum get arrested in the front yard, I notice that rather than bird feed in the feeder there was a BIRD. A lovely dove has made a nest in the feeder. I have long neglected the bird feeder; the cat is dead and the couch is now in front of the window. And I ran out of bird seed ages ago.

It is clear that the bird has eggs in its nest. It sat not moving at all the entire time the guy was being arrested (he was actually not arrested, it was the neighborhood "security ambassadors" who stopped him and gave him a "warning" for 30+ minutes.) She did sit up to rearrange herself and there are some little eggs gestating under the warmth of her belly.

Matt and I discussed her potential names. He'd like to use our future cats name Sir Cattington of Mousingham, but I vetoed and went with Birdie. Ok, so not really a veto, I'm not that cool, he relented.

So Birdie will have baby birds and I will take pictures and share them with you.

Unfortunately the feeder is dirty from age and the winter rains. So no clear pictures though the window.

Chase-er-meow-meow loved the feeder, especially when the Squirrel came to visit.

Summer Concert Series

2008-05-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

I love to go see shows at the various outdoor venues in the LA area.

This year we are seeing Beck, Spoon and Mgmt all at one show. I'm super excited for all 3! They are at the Hollywood Bowl towards the end of September.

But it is Death Cab for Cutie that is the show at the top of my list! I bought the new album, Narrow Stairs today. It is so much better than anything they've done in the past. I cannot wait.

Sadly the stupid ticket pimps got all the freaking Radiohead tickets. Assholes. I hate them. Seriously minutes after the pre-sale pre-sale there were 100s of tickets being sold by the brokers available for 9x the face value. I'm just not willing to spend $300 to see them, not worth it.

We will however probably go for a nice drive along the canyon roads surrounding the Bowl to listen to the sounds wafting up to our ears. I am tempted to go and buy a ticket from a scalper, but the last time I witnessed that the tickets were fakes. Man was that guy pissed off. He nearly beat up the guy who had the real tickets for the same seats.

Playboy Jazz festival and at least one or two shows at the Greek are also on the roster.

weekend fun

2008-05-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

This morning we went to the Bob Dylan exhibit at the Skirball Center. It was pretty awesome with all sorts of bits and pieces from the first 10 years of his musical career.

Then we went to have lunch. Indian buffet. Yum! I'm not a huge fan of buffet but this one was really good.

This afternoon I turned all my Lush shower jellies into salt scrubs. I have a potent Whoosh heave salt scrub and a Joy of Jelly soft salt scrub. I used the immersion blender on the JOJ so is would be smoother. I can't wait to try them out tomorrow.

Shortly we're going to go over to the carnival. It is a crappy little carnival with an even crappier selection of food. They set it up for the weekend at the park and we rarely miss it.

Friday

2008-05-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

This has been a long week. My co-worker and I discussed Wednesday that it felt like the third Monday in a row.

I made reservations at CUT to celebrate our birthdays. I'm super excited they say it is the best steak in town. And Wolfgang Puck actually cooks there! Hopefully someone famous, that I can recognize, will be dining at the table next to us. I'm also excited to ask the waiter all sorts of questions about the Nebraska beef.

I'm really loving this season of Survivor. It was so good yesterday. The girls are wickedly manipulative and those boys fall for it every time. I'm not sure if James would have fallen into their trap, so maybe it is good he left for medical reasons. Those boys will never trust another woman.

LOST was also fantastic last night. So many twists and turns. And WTF is up with Jack/Claire's dad? I'm eager to watch again with Matt this weekend. He came home for the last 5 minutes.

36

2008-05-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

I'm 36 today.

I woke up and had a nice happy birthday text from my dad.

At work my co-worker brought me my favorite bagel and a side of cream cheese. There was also a fun birthday mylar balloon. Then my boss brought me two cupcakes! Later in the morning, when my other co-worker arrived I got card signed by all my work friends and a pink and white rose plant to keep in my cube.

Matt also called me from the Stagecoach Festival to give me birthday wishes. This is the first birthday in 11 years that we've been apart. Of course this day is extra special to me because this is the day he asked me to be his wife.

In the evening time I went over to my friend Michelle's and we went together to see another friend's one woman show. It was great fun and Shelby did a great job writing the show and and even better job performing. It was super fun and we all laughed a bunch. Kudos to Shelby!

After Single Girl's Biceps Michelle and I went out for Indian food. It was super delicious and we had a nice time chatting and enjoying the nighttime air on the patio.

Now I'm home, Emma is walked and I'm almost ready to go to bed.

36 will be a good year. I like number combos that are divisible.

Lush Spa Party aka my birthday party

2008-04-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

Back in March I won a spa party at my favorite Lush shop. I decided to turn it into my birthday party. Me and 4 of my girlfriends were treated to foot soaks, scrubs and massages. We each got a lemony flutter/ocean salt/dream cream hand and arm treatments, on both arms! Then the facials, FANTASTIC. They started with a face massage with cleanser, then on with the fresh masks. I just love the Fresh Face Masks, they always make your skin feel smooth as silk.

The images are in no particular order, blogger sucks like that, but we all had a super time. I love how happy and relaxed we all look.

A big, huge thanks to Sarah, Alissa, Rene and Asia! You all did a wonderful job.

The amazing Rene

Rose with Catastrophie Cosmetic

Sarah asking trivia questions. We all won prizes!

Asia rubbing Elizabeth's foot. Sarah and Alissa talking to Rose in the background.

Rene giving me a Sweet Japanese Girl massage. SJG is a great facial scrub/cleaner.

Alissa and Sarah giving arm massages. Alisa did mine and wow!

Discussing what type of moisturizer to use. We choose the gorgeous, Gorgeous. It is a lovely, lovely moisturizer.

Michelle and Shelby with their feet in a bowl filled with lemons and bits of Big Blue bath bomb

Rene putting Cupcake Fresh Face mask on Shelby

Monster Mask!

mmmmm Cupcake, it smells good enough to eat.

Sarah discussing product with Elizabeth

Rene working his Lush magic

Elizabeth with a combo Fresh Face Mask. It looks like Catastrophie Cosmetic and maybe Cosmetic Warrior?

Playing trivia

I'm really not sure what I've got going on here.

Elizabeth and I chatting while getting our feet done!

Rose against the wall of bombs

So much fun.

I'm off to soak in the tub!

OMG 90210

2008-04-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

A new Beverly Hills 90210 is in the works! At first I wasn't too excited, I thought for sure they would screw it up and make it dumb like the Hills (which I totally watch).

But now there is a possibility that Jennie Garth might reprise the role of Kelly Taylor. God willing it is Kelly McKay by this point. One article said that she could open up her own shop like she had on the only true 90210. Um, seriously, her shop? Now Wear This was Donna's brainchild. She was the one who moved past her learning disability to see that she does have potential and can be a hugely successful clothing designer. Kelly was her partner. Kelly's true love is public relations well that and social work.

Jennie, please do it. I mean really who else can survive being caught in a fire, raped in an alley, shot in the stomach/losing the baby and your memory, no one that is who.

And Mr. Thomas, the creator, if you need any assistance I'm just across centerpiece park, let's talk.

Deleted

2008-04-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

My dvr hard drive became corrupt overnight. The entire contents of my hard drive were deleted.

My HGTV show, my game show, a bunch of pay per view movies we've yet to watch, 6 episodes of DOOL, 90210... all of it gone.

All the timers, all the pre-set recordings. All gone.

Fuck you dvr. I love you and all but right now you are on my shit list. We are officially broken up.

Weekend

2008-04-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

I wrap up the car study tomorrow. So far I've enjoyed the experience, but I am ready to get back to normal.

We're going shoe shopping this weekend. Really the last thing I need is shoes, but sometimes I just cannot resist.

I completed first aid and CPR training today. Ideally I won't ever need to recall any of the lessons.

Pain in the neck

2008-04-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

I did something to my neck a number of weeks ago. It is really more shoulder to neck region. I'm sure I need to build muscle or something.

I chose the method of waiting until it goes away rather than go to the doctor or anything. After about 4+ weeks of semi not sleeping and waking up 3+ nights a week in pain I figured I should do some follow up.

I started with the chiropractor. I went once 1.5 weeks ago. It felt better briefly. Today I called my doctor. I have convinced myself that if I could just get 5 solid nights of sleep in a row I would feel better. I knew that my primary care MD would kindly offer a solution from big Pharm in the shape of a muscle relaxer. She's done it in the past when I had a never-ending spasm in a different part of my neck. Sadly she is on vacation so I was sent to see Dr. Kim.

Dr. Kim had quite a bit to say to me in regards to taking care of myself. Like why did I wait? I don't know, I just kept hoping it would go away. But now with the lack of sleep I'm feeling a little crazy so maybe sanity kept me away? I don't know, but let's just deal with it now that I am here.

He lectured me about the 12-24 pain killers I take a year when my bone spur is acting up. Really, 12-24 A YEAR? Freaking Rush Limbaugh took 30+ A DAY. A GD day.

I said to my girlfriend before the appointment that if my doctor replacement tells me to just take some Advil I will go insane. I want to sleep for more than 2 hours a night without changing my position 1000000 times because everything causes my neck/back to hurt. So Dr. Kim suggest I take 2 advil 4 times a day.

He mentioned how I can become addicted to muscle relaxers and that he is very hesitant to prescribe them. And that I should really suck it up and let the huge dose of Advil to do its work after about 5-7 days.

I begged him to just to let me have something so that I can get a few solid nights of sleep.
After much coaxing he finally gave me 5 days of 1/2 strength muscle relaxers. He made sure to tell me that they were half strength because, clearly I am an addict.

That was on Monday. I've slept great every night since then. I'm not strung out on pills and I haven't started stealing to support my habit. I've just slept really well, and as a result my neck is way less painful.

Artwalk!

2008-04-05T19:57:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the Spring Artwalk at the Brewery. Today was a great first day and there was loads of foot traffic. I hope to do equally as well tomorrow.

The car study is going well. So far I've driven the Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Aveo and I have the Mazda 3 now. The Mazda is the best of the bunch, but still not as good as the Fit. The other Fit owners all agree that they've made the right decision in their purchases, even after driving the super cool Scion.

So we've been driving Japanese cars in America for a long, long time now. The only American car in the bunch cannot even hold a candle to the foreign cars. Come on Detroit, but a couple Japanese cars, take them apart and figure out how to copy them. DO IT. I am EMBARRASSED at how poorly the Aveo compared to any of the other cars in its class. That is just dumb. I'd like to buy American, but the cars they make in the class I can easily afford and enjoy to drive are crappy. Step up car makers.

eeek!

2008-04-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

So as you may recall we purchased a Honda Fit in June 07. LOVE IT.

A few weeks ago we got a market research call about the Fit. I'm the primary driver so I answered all the questions. Simple questions like, when thinking about driving with passengers, you like the people to feel like they are riding a roller coaster and have near death experiences. 5 for completely agree 1 for completely disagree. Just so you know that is a 1, I do not like it when my passengers feel like they will die because of my driving. Chances of death are high enough in LA, I don't need to add to the anxiety by driving like an a-hole.

So anyway, I was told they'd be getting back to me soon. I got another call last Friday and I'm the perfect candidate, exactly what they are seeking.

I went to the first night of the study last night. We met with a market researcher type dude and talked about our likes and dislikes about various sub-compact hatch back cars. The cars we all owned Scion XA, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa.

Over the course of the next two weeks I will drive a Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo, Scion XD(!!!), Honda Fit and the Mazda 3. They are all brand new save for the Mazda it is certified used and fit the class. We each drive the cars for 3 days, switching off at a local gas station. The market researchers wash and gas up the cars and off we go in our next new drive.

At the end of the 2 weeks we meet up again. This time it is in a ballroom with all 5 of the cars. We go one on one with a research person and go over each aspect of the cars we like and didn't like. We also are taking pictures everyday of things we do, things we like and stuff in the car that we like or don't like.

They are working with a car manufacture to develop a car to be released in 2013. Exciting. I'm so cutting edge! At the end of the study they give us $400 cash and say thanks. $400 and no gas expense for 2 weeks!!! And bonus, Matt is thrilled to be driving the Fit.

It was fun to gang up with the other Fit owners. A Scion guy said that every single person who drives a Fit is obsessed with it, they cannot stop saying how absolutely fantastic the car is!

I'm most excited about the Scion XD. I really wanted a Scion XA, or at least the option to test drive one. (I prefer the Fit in hindsight) They stopped making the XA in 06 and we couldn't wait for the release of the 08 comparable Scion. It looks so awesome, sleek and sassy.

And HOORAY!!! Matt started his new job today. We are both so happy for him to have this great opportunity.

Joshua Tree in bloom

2008-03-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

Ocotillo

Various flowers along the lower elevation in the park

Joshua Trees in bloom. They smelled really sweet, like fruity nectar. The tree and the bloom was teaming with bugs, it creeped me out.

You can see the snow capped mountain off in the distance.

It was so pretty.

Calico Cactus

Cholla Cactus Gardens also known as teddy bear cactus. They are not soft, the spines will jump out at you and embed barbs under your skin. Or so the brochure states.

Cactus buds

Desert Senna

Catching some warm rays of sunshine.

The sunset at Keys View.

Check out all the orbs in this! The next picture was taken just a second later but without a flash.

wildflowers along Mulholland

2008-03-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

I tried to find a bunch with the random purple flowers but they were in a place where I couldn't pull over.

Next up the flowers of the High Desert.

Time for a break

2008-03-18T16:47:00.000-07:00

We are going to Joshua Tree on Friday. I think that every single wildflower is and will be in bloom. I cannot wait.

The last few days on my home from work I've wanted to stop and take pictures of the flowers. There are black eyed susans everywhere. In a few patches there are a few purple flowers in the bunch. It is so pretty. I just need to find the right patch and resist the urge to just keep driving and go home. (It is the end of the day and all)

So this weekend we will take a break from walking the dog, surfing the internet, answering the phone and listening to the radio. I won't think about proxies, or anything.

I might go pick up sTORI Telling to read while sitting at the pool. Also, Tori is doing a book signing the end of the month, I will not miss this opportunity like I did with the yard sale. Well depending upon the line, that yard sale was out of control.

Breaks are good I sure do need one. A pool, the desert, in the room and outdoor hot tubs, full moon and hiking. And of course the whole weekend with just me and Matt, that is the best part.

I'm also ridiculously excited to use some awesome combinations of LUSH products in the hot tub.

Springtime!

2008-03-10T16:43:00.000-07:00

This is my most favorite time of year in Los Angeles! It seems that every single tree is bursting with flowers. The hillside along Mulholland is spotted with yellow and white daises.

Today it was at least 78 and a perfect blue sky to match.

Hi

2008-02-27T16:17:00.001-08:00

I am blogging on THIS!!! So exciting. The laptop arrived on Friday. Matt was out of town so I had the weekend to play around and get it all hooked up. After some tech support from my dad I got the modem and wireless connection all set up. I love it! Couch surfing! Also, it is Hi-Def and plays HD-DVD, the 17 inch screen is gigantic. We streamed LOST in Hi-Def and it was amazing to see the difference. Hooray prizes!!!

I know I still owe pictures of the furniture. But it just isn't all set up exactly right. This weekend I will have all the pictures hung in their new spots, and the shelves filled with our treasures. So thank you for your patience, and check back soon.

In the meantime look at the new bag I ordered for the laptop.

Through the ages

2008-02-09T19:24:00.003-08:00

Baby Matt and his cousin Chris 1967

Deborah 3 1/2 and Joanna 1. On the back in my mother's handwriting "Little Princesses"

Halloween, I'm guessing in Minneapolis. We had round columns on the porch in Junction City.

Matt remembers touching the bunny's fur. March 1971 (he also remembers catching the jacket on fire after bumping into the space heater. His dad had stop, drop and manually roll him.)

Joanna's 3rd Birthday. 1975

Fishing

Kindergardeners

Dress Up!

Deborah and Joanna with Grandma Jean in Minneapolis

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

This picture says Joanna 1977, but it is clearly Deborah.

The summer before Junior High also in 1977

3rd or 4th, when do you get the new front teeth?

5th The teacher grabbed Matt and combed his hair to the side, which is the reason it is different than all his other school pics.

In Betty's office at Church of the Covenant in Junction City.

On the front porch in Junction City.

Dance Recital!

Matt at 9 or 10.

Playing baseball at 11 or 12. He didn't like playing ball.

WTF with the perm?

I loved this girl scout outfit. So cute. This is Kansas, note the round columns.

I must be about 3 or 4.

8th grade

1987

1992

My 23 Birthday

October 2002

Undecided

2008-02-04T16:39:00.000-08:00

I still do not know which candidate I will select tomorrow for Super Tuesday. And I'm kind of concerned that I won't have a polling place. Not concerned enough to attempt to locate any sort of paperwork to see what it says on the booklet.

I knew where it was before we got rid of all the furniture.

Finished

2008-02-03T20:50:00.000-08:00

We finished the last piece tonight. Thank goodness. I'm 100% over building furniture for a really long time.

Now to get the house back into order. I'd love to leave the laundry baskets filled with papers and the stereo, but I suppose I should put the stuff away and hook up the surround.

I will take loads of pictures when everything is put away and pretty.

Assembly Required

2008-01-29T20:21:00.001-08:00

It is HARD work. Seriously we worked for like 10 hours getting these 3 pieces together. They look really nice and I'm eager to get the rest set up and done. Maybe by next weekend everything will be back to normal.

Pictures

2008-01-26T17:32:00.001-08:00

My mom sent an Amaryllis for Christmas. I took it in to work since I spend the majority of my time there anyway. It was really beautiful!

This was what was outside Britney Spears place
the day she got out of the Hospital.

Outside our window today.

LOOKIE!!! New chairs.

I will post picture of the prizes after the furniture arrives. I hope it is assembled! HOORAY prizes!

Prizes

2008-01-22T16:56:00.001-08:00

My prizes from the game show started to arrive yesterday! So far I have the 3 chair, the printer and the laptop.

The furniture is being delivered to "curb side" on Monday. I'm taking the day off to help bring it up and rearrange our current set up.

The only glitch is the laptop. They sent me a different one than I won. And it appears to be used. I hope they can work it out and get me the correct pc or something in the same price range.

I've been terrible at posting. Not much to say I guess.

You can watch a re-air of the show on Thursday. The second show of the day.

TOMORROW - Temptation

2008-01-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

My episode of the game show is on TOMORROW, January 10!

Check this website for show times in your area.

http://shop.seenon.com/index.php?v=sso-temp-about-schedule

Temptation

2008-01-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

The game show airs in ONE WEEK!!! Thursday January 10. Check local listings. It's probably on Fox or that new My Network TV channel.

In Los Angeles it airs at 2:00 pm on FOX 11.

We went on a very long 80% uphill 6 mile hike at Malibu Creek State Park. How was it all uphill? We just kept going up, from one trail to another. Little did we know that the trail looped around the mountain to the sloping side of the hill, a gently slope down. We were SORE the next couple days.

We were seeking out the cage left over from Planet of the Apes in 1966. We searched and climbed all the way up to the top along cage trail and no cage. All 5 of the Planet of the Apes movies were on NYE, it was fun to see where we had just been all aped out.

We did see these

Almost at the top

Emma. Look at her little gray snouty-snout

This is not really interesting

2007-12-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight we are having chicken that is rolled around cheesy stuffing with cranberries, salad and garlic bread. We will watch Days of Our Lives with dinner and then Intervention. We also have the movie Let's All Go to Prison, but we'll probably watch that tomorrow.

This weekend we watched Waitress and Superbad. Superbad is super funny. Waitress is only ok.

On Wednesday we're having dinner with my brother in law Jeff. We are looking forward to seeing him, we always have a great time hanging out. I think we'll go to Marmalade Cafe. I plan to give him some presents to take home to the family. I hope he has room, otherwise they'll be late to arrive in TX.

I had plans to do laundry and go to the gym today, but instead I worked late and sat in traffic.

I guess I'm nearly done Christmas shopping. I have a couple more things to get Matt, but nothing big. We're just doing one big gift for the both of us. I got to choose it, and my choice was a fancy drill. Exciting I know.

Tomorrow, I hope to not make an excuse not to go to the gym. Matt has gone everyday for almost a week! So impressive. And so much better than paying and not going.

I'm not too excited for Christmas. It's hard to get to excited without kids to get all jazzed over, and since I just have the 25th off, it doesn't feel like much of a holiday.

Favorite Blog

2007-12-13T17:51:00.001-08:00

The Daily Coyote

It is awesome! Great pictures and an even greater story.

Changes

2007-12-12T16:11:00.000-08:00

My husband has been considering changing jobs for a few months. He really wasn't being challenged and had clearly reached his potential with the company. He lost his job on Monday. Now there is nothing standing in his way from finding a new and better opportunity. Well nothing except the writers strike and much of Hollywood being in shut down mode. I know the right thing will come along.

We both expected Monday to come sooner or later so we were prepared. It doesn't suck any less to be out of work for the holidays but at least we won't worry about money.

DONE

2007-12-08T17:30:00.000-08:00

I am finished with arts and craft shows! FINALLY. I'm over it. Sales were bad, attendance was worse and one can only hear your stuff is so awesome, how do you make it and are those MICROPHONES so many times in a three month period.

I've had shows nearly every other weekend since October. I'm ready to sleep in and do other things for a number of weekends in a row.

I'm going to take JJM Handcrafted in a new direction next year. I don't think that weekend shows are the right path. I have 3 goals for next year.

1. take amazing pictures of every item
2. revamp website and etsy site
3. explore wholesale

Cashmere

2007-11-27T19:12:00.000-08:00

I used to think I wanted a really nice thick terry cloth robe. I was wrong.

Cashmere. I want a cashmere robe.

Ebay has a nice selection. Just think how cozy it will be to lounge in my cashmere robe?

Handmade for the Holidays

2007-11-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

Finally, Handmade for the Holidays is almost here. I am super excited. I've handed out every single postcard, hung posters and sent a load of emails. I am ready. A co-worker reports daily how many times she saw the commercial and any other bit of publicity she notices.

It will be GREAT!

I have a nice holiday display lined up. Pictures will follow on Sunday.

I have be an absent blogger due to the workload, creating, shopping, planning...

happy Thanksgiving

The zoo

2007-11-07T17:36:00.000-08:00

We went to the zoo yesterday. Here are some pictures and a video.

They opened the new Gorilla exhibit on Monday and had special early viewing for members. The exhibit is great, a lot like the Chimpanzee exhibit.

While we were standing watching the apes, a woman turned to me and said "excuse me". I leaned in to hear her and she asked me to pick up her child and place him on her shoulder. I looked at her, then at her kid and said no. She replied, really, you won't? No.

WTF? Why would I want to pick up your 4 year old kid, lift him up 4 feet and place him on your shoulders? Hell no.

A lion pooping. Everyone else was shitty, the kids, their diapers, the moms so why not the lion. I assume the lion was pooping because he walked around and kicked dirt all over behind where he was standing after he was finished. Like a cat does after pooing in the litter box. And then the girl lion went and stuck her nose in his butt, I don't know what that means.

I don't really like the color in these, I'm still learning with the new camera. It was dusk, I'm sure there is a setting. We look jaundiced, and our teeth are not that yellow!

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T17:41:00.001-07:00

My entry into the pumpkin decorating contest.

Proud First place winner!!! $75.00

Morton's Salt Girl. I should have stood just like her, but whatever, I'm more than satisfied with the pumpkin winnings!

Personal Day

2007-10-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is a personal day. I decided Wednesday to ask if I could take Friday off, it was no problem.

On the to do list

1. Michael's Arts and Crafts. This is employee appreciation week at Michaels, and it seems that I'm an employee. All I have done is shown my work, filled out a bunch of paperwork and complete a 70 question quiz about stealing, smoking pot and having issues with authority. Check, Check and Check. I passed with fling colors. It was much like the MMPI, but for people who work at Michaels. Honestly, it made me uncomfortable. But I digress.

So Employee Appreciation Week at Micheal's means 50% off my complete purchase. That's right, 50% off my ENTIRE purchase! I plan to take advantage and restock my supplies.

At some point in December I will teach a class, it is nice to be appreciated in advance.

2. Laundry.
3. Sleep in past 5:30 AM.
4. Make 20-200 items for goody bags for the Handmade for the Holidays. 200 is pretty ambitious, but that is what I'm shooting for. It is worth it. 200 people will have my business card and a little slice of clay with a hole in it. I plan to do an abstract flower. They can hang it on something or whatever. I'm sure I'll also make a few beads and maybe some other fun easy things.

5. Make a pot of crock. For that I need to go to the grocery store. So I imagine the day will start with a trip to the grocery store and maybe jamba juice. I think pot roast will be on the menu. Or maybe I'll be a super good wife and try to replicate Matt's mom's chicken and biscuits recipe. Never having had it, nor knowing what it tastes like will likely be an issue.

I'm looking forward to a nice day off!

So much going on

2007-10-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

I've been approved to begin teaching a polymer clay class at Michael's. Now to come up with a lesson plan and a project. It is hard to think beginners. I plan to teach my first class in January. I hope that works with their schedule. If not, that'll have to do. I'm busy busy busy.

First up
10/21/07
Barnsdall Art Park October Arts and Crafts fair. Sadly, I cannot find one single thing about the fair online to link you up. I doubt that is a good thing. Let's hope that the word is out in other ways.

10/27/07
John Burroughs High in Burbank. Their first arts & crafts fair. I haven't a clue what to expect, but its local and inexpensive. The funds support the school arts, so that is good.

11/10/07
Craft Republic This one is at the fair grounds in Pomona. I'll rock the Inland Empire.

11/23/07-11/24/07
Handmade for the Holidays This should be awesome. The day after Thanksgiving and at the busiest intersection in Hollywood? Across the street from the Grove (big mall) and they will flyer every car to inform them of our fantastic handmade items. No lead here.

12/7/07-12/8/07
Fashion Co-Op Holiday I'm super excited about this show! I was invited to vend at another event this same week in December. That event looked just as awesome, but it came with a hefty price tag. I debated all weekend long what decision I would make, do I risk it and go for it, or not. I was still on the fence when I learned I was accepted into the Fashion Co-Op show. Hooray. This show was a third of the price of the other, and it will be just as great. It's at the same exact location of the other show, so I still get to experience showing in Santa Monica.

So all of that and my full-time job and holiday stuff! My job, btw, is going great. I'm learning a new responsibility and things are just great.

Random on a Thursday

2007-10-11T18:17:00.000-07:00

Emma slipped jumping up to the ledge above our sidewalk. I had her on a short leash and I didn't see that she wanted to jump up, so of course I feel totally responsible. She is walking a little off, but I'm sure she'll be fine. Just a little sore maybe. Poor baby. I feel terrible.

I redesigned my website and put up a blog just for submissions to art shows. You can look at them if you so choose.

www.jjmhandcrafted.com
www.jjmhandcrafted-art.blogspot.com

Tonight for dinner we are having grilled artichokes and grilled zucchini. The zucchini has been marinating for a few hours in a combo of Cabernet, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and various spices. I know I have two acids, the wine was an after thought. I will sprinkle the artichokes with Parmesan and salt and pepper.

This website freaks me out. Are you left or right brained?
clockwise or counter

Tomorrow is our 5th wedding anniversary. The traditional gift for number 5 is wood. I got my DH a wood plank cookbook and cedar and alder wood planks. You can't get much more wood than actual pieces of wood.

Tomorrow we might go to the fancy restaurant just down the street. I need to find the menu to confirm its stuff we'd like to eat. We can get all dress up and walk over and toast to our love and commitment.

Artwalk Pictures

2007-10-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

From the Fall 2007 Brewery Artwalk

Thanks to Sara for taking some of the pictures.

The Brewery Artwalk

2007-10-05T23:40:00.001-07:00

It's this weekend. October 6 & 7.

I'm in building 624, come visit me and see some art.

Goals

2007-10-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

I have a goal to do 2 or 3 art/craft shows per month between now and the end of the year.

I have applied to a bunch and I'm awaiting replies for some and gearing up for others.

This weekend is the Brewery Artwalk! My most favorite show ever.

I hope I hear all positive things from all the other shows, no rejections, please.

Business

2007-09-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

I'm gearing up for the fall/winter art show season. I've applied to a few that I should hear back from in the next week. I've been accepted to shows at a couple new events. Sometimes those are great, sometimes not so much. But each time I do show I learn something new to take with me the next time.

I've also decided it is time for some professional pictures. I've selected 10 items to start. My frustration with images knows no bounds. The color is off, the white background is yellow, the detail is lost.... Or I spend an hour or so editing the image. I do not enjoy it. So time to outsource. The person I've selected takes AMAZING pictures. I have given her free will to do what she wants creatively. I know my best work is when someone gives me a general idea and says go for it. So I've submitted the items and I just cannot wait to see what she comes up with.

Of course I'll post the images here!

Newsy

2007-09-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

We have a GREAT time in San Francisco with my parents. We walked all over the place, ate loads of good food, and laughed a ton.

We were in Union Square late on Friday night waiting in line for the trolley. A nice toothless man with a pocket full of city guides sold us some tickets to ride. Willie Sparks was his name, played drums in Sly and the Family Stone and Graham Central Station. Upon Willie's suggestion Matt googled him when we got home and he could be who he said he is. Anyway, we gave him money for tickets he got from people who were done traveling for the day, or found on the ground, or garbage. Nice niche he's cut out for himself.

I ate BACON and STEAK!!! Really, really good steak. Dry aged for 6 weeks, so tender and moist. YUM. That did it for me, no need for meat for a while.

I am sad to report that the second big art weekend I had planned in October has been canceled. The Rotary Club of Studio City decided to cancel the event due to road and bridge construction at the location of the event. It makes sense, but I was really looking forward to doing my vary first local show. Oh well, maybe in the springtime.

In good news, since that show has been canceled Matt and I can go away for our FIVE year anniversary. That makes the cancellation AOK in my book.

I'm planning to do a few other various one off events throughout the holiday season, I'm super excited. I hope to do more shows than EVER.

I guess that is it. I'll post pictures later.

Carnivor

2007-09-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

We are still doing pretty good with the no meat diet. It has been 256 days.

I had a tiny bit of prosciutto when my sister was visiting in April. And fish a few times here and there, but no ham, no chicken, no steak. No ribs, no fried chicken and no bacon.

But this weekend.... ANYTHING GOES.

Bacon, I love you. I'm sorry we've been apart for so long. Even though we haven't hung out in a long, long time I think about you almost everyday.

I'm not bacon obsessed, ok I am, but I think about bacon a lot because I walk past the little cafe every morning and can smell the bacon as I pull into the parking garage. It isn't MY fault.

And then I get emails and catalogs from Vosges, I mean just look at this picture

How could you not think about bacon when you pull this out of your mailbox? I'm not saying, ok I am saying, that I want to eat that chocolate bar.

I've been ordering from Vosges Chocolates ever since my dad bought me a Red Fire Bar after touring the History of Chocolate exhibit at the Natural History Museum in early 2003. Vosges Chocolates make kick ass chocolate. Freaking expensive, but still kick ass chocolate.

So meat, whether you are drenched in chocolate and are of the bacon variety, or even if you are a fillet from a cow, wrapped in bacon, watch out I have my eye on you.

Temptation Debuts

2007-09-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

I watched the premier and second episodes of Temptation. It was much better than the Idol show.

I was shocked to see Mark on the second episode. Mark is the man who won, and won, and won the day that I was bumped. I'm excited to see the people I hung out with get stomped.

It is fantastic that I was bumped that day! He is on FIRE. Seriously. He hit the buzzer every single question in an entire round.

I still do not know when I will air, maybe next week I'll hear. I imagine it will still be in the later October early November time frame.

Have you watched yet?

A Wrinkle in Time

2007-09-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

RIP Madeleine L'Engle

You meant a lot to my childhood. Thank you for being so patient and agreeing to sign stuff my dad would bring to you at the Episcopal Church general convention. Deborah and I treasured those autographs!

Travel safely with Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin throughout the galaxy.