Through the ages

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Daily Coyote

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

Changes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Fall 2007 Brewery Artwalk



















Thanks to Sara for taking some of the pictures.

The Brewery Artwalk

It's this weekend. October 6 & 7.

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

Goals

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

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

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

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

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

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.

San Francisco

Matt and I are meeting my parents in San Francisco next weekend.

I have been nominated to plan all of our activities. I am the only one in the group to never visit NorCal. Sooo Excited!

I've been doing lots of research via yelp.com, love that yelp. I've also asked everyone I know what they think we should do.

So far my number one choice for one evening is a 3 hour walking GHOST tour of Pacific Heights.

weekend recap

HOT HOT HOT

HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT

HOT

It is very challenging to make polymer clay cooperate when it is all soft and warm. But I did make 15 new make up brushes and a couple of pendants. Everything is buffed and ready to go!

Best. Day. Ever

Seriously. I love game shows!

Temptation, the New Sale of the Century airs next Wednesday here on My Network TV, or what ever it is called, the old UPN network channel. They have 2 prime time episodes on the 5th, then beginning on 9/10 2 episodes everyday, check local listing for channel and air times. In LA it is on FOX 11 from 2-3.

My episode will probably air in November. I will find out for sure in 2 weeks. For dvr reference, my episode number is 1GT073 or 73.

I cannot report if I won, or what I may have won, or did not win for that matter. So tune in to find out! I promise you will not be disapointed, it is a thrilling game!

Today!

Today is game show day!!! It is almost 6 am. I had a dream that I was still getting ready and it was almost 9, since I need to be there at 7:45 I totally freaked out. But it was just a dream so I'm safe.

I started my winning streak last night at the LUSH store at their hair care party. I won a nice gift set. Yay!

Now for winning the game show! HOORAY!

Art

Here are some pictures of the mosaic in its home. And a few switch plate covers made to match. I LOVE their choice of tiles and selections of appliances.

The mosaic is framed nicely by the tile and the hood.




This is a crappy picture of the switch plates.


This is my first attempt, well second I guess, at a flat piece all made from clay. I guess I like that earthy striation effect. This has lots of texture. Actually more than I originally envisioned, it changed a bit in the oven adding some puckers and cracks. Much like the earthy striations! I think it is fine. I'm using the Antique Roadshow motto that if it happens during firing it doesn't effect the value, right? If value = vision? I will get it matted and framed. I hope to have a small series ready for the art shows in October.



This is the first attempt. I have an inspiration piece, which has loads of blues and bright pinks, you can see it in the last image. I've since added some blue and purples and then stopped working on it. I finally put it up on a shelf and will look at it sometime over the weekend. I think I'll scrap all the blues and continue with my favorite colors. I'm not a big fan of orange, but when I set out all my various product you'd never ever believe me.




There is the inspiration piece! I thought I knew who painted it, but I'm not so sure now. Those are the blended sheets of clay making up the ropes above.

Mindsweeper

Sometimes when I need a bit of distraction I play Minesweeper. It's a game where you click on the box and it gives you a number indicating how many bombs are in ajacent squares. You (not me) can determine which square will have a bomb based upon the numbers around the square. You probably have it if you have a windows based computer.

So I have never ever won a game. Never. I maybe play 0-5 games per day. I prefer freecell, but it is big and takes more thought and time. Minesweeper is simple and quick.

Truth be told I play these games at work.

I don't care that I always lose, but every single F2 (new game) I think this will be the one, this is the time I win.

Maybe tomorrow.

Tofu

This afternoon we are heading to Little Tokyo for the annual Tofu Festival. I'm excited to find some creations that are tasty! Especially some tofu ice cream.

I worked on clay project yesterday and hung out with my friend Michelle. It was a very nice Saturday.

Today prior to the tofu fest, I'm going to do more clay and maybe laundry.

Bump

Today was the tape day for Temptation.

I got there at noon. We had various briefings going over the game and the rules. Then we were put in private rooms in groups of 3.

We sat there for hours and hours. Waiting. One contestant from the morning crew was winning, winning and winning. Each time the person won, it would displace one of the 9 people from the afternoon group. They won 5 shows in a row, the most you can win. About 6:00 the contestant coordinator came to tell me that they were very sorry, but I would have to come back in 2 weeks. Myself and one other woman hung our heads and walked to our cars.

So my new tape date for the game show is in a couple of weeks. I'm ok with that. More time to buck up on trivia. More time to debate my clothing options. More time to practice hitting a buzzer, how does one practice that?

I'm a bit bummed out and I sure wish I didn't have to take another PTO day from work. Now that I've got the situation down, I can work a half day and do the show.

The person won some AMAZING prizes. It makes me even more excited!

Wear This!

I do not know what to wear to the game show. I'm really struggling with making a choice, so please help me decide.

Rules are as follows:
A nice pair of pants, jeans (with no holes in them) or a skirt (no minis please; it can be as short as 1” inch above your knees) paired with a pretty blouse or sweater. Please keep in mind that you will be sitting on a nice, cushy chair on the set and we want you to feel as comfortable as possible.

None of the following are allowed:
1. Blouses or shirts or an entire outfit that is solid black, red, bright pink or solid white;
2. Small prints or patterns (polka dots, checks, stripes, herringbone, plaid);
3. Turtlenecks or neck jewelry (it will interfere with the microphone);
4. Tube tops, halter tops, tops showing more than an inch of cleavage:
5. Sheer material (under all the lighting it may become transparent);

I wear lots of dresses. Here is what they said about dresses... No Dresses, or one-piece outfits (unless you don’t mind having the sound engineer attach the microphone battery pack to your undergarments). Do I mind? I have lots and lots of great dresses.

Here are some top/skirt/pants choices.

Teal with a drawstring right under the boobs. Crocheted sleeves.


Short sleeve v-neck sweater.


Green wrap shirt. It is too big for me, so pretend it fits.


Turquoise button down


The turquoise button down straight on


Light green t shirt with embroidery at the shoulder and waist, gathered under the boobs


Black twin set with the flowered skirt


The catch to this whole thing is the director can choose which one they think will look best with the other contestants. So my first choice, or yours, may or may not be acceptable.

Weekend!!!

Today was the longest day ever. And there is still a ton left, ugh.

We are going camping. I'm only semi wanting to go but I will not back out. We will leave either tonight or tomorrow morning. Once I am there it will be AOK. I just need to get there and that involves, shopping, driving, unloading, setting up tent, blowing up mattress, and calming down the dog.

I'm going to read a Michael Connelly book that my dad mailed me while sitting at the edge of the ocean. In the book they drive within a block of my residence. I have not read a good murder mystery in a long time. I also will "read" OK! and at least one other trashy rag.

A couple of weeks ago when I tried to sit and read on the beach the dolphins were far too playful to concentrate on anything but staring into the sea. That would be fine too.

The Perseid meteor shower is peaking on Sunday night. I hope that the sky is clear and we can watch shooting stars all weekend.

We'll come home early as usual on Sunday. Then I have to go out shopping and find something for the tv show. I tried shopping yesterday and go very frustrated that the one item I decided would be ok, was $149! WTF? Wrong neighborhood.

H&M and Target will fulfill my needs. And maybe just one nice top from a boutique, I'm eying a new one that just opened in Burbank. Carly something or other.

Temptation - The New Sale of the Century

I am taping my episode next week! I am just so excited, I can hardly stand it. I am required to find 5 outfits to pair with pants or a skirt.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR!!! OMG? National television. Eeeek.

I'm getting my hair trimmed tomorrow, and I plan to get my brows waxed Monday.

Nothing much

I've got the tape date for my big time network televsion gameshow debut! Soon I will have 3 television shows under my belt! That is more than some people who actually wanna be in "hollywood", I'll report details soon.

I have a request to bring in some jewelry for a co-worker. I'm not sure about the selling at work, but since she is HR, it must be alright. I still plan to ask if we can go outside just so I'm not crossing any lines selling my stuff at work.

I've started production on my Van Gogh inspired "painting" of course I'm doing it with clay, but it is flat like a painting. We'll see.