Naturally Optimistic

Daily Dose of Dahlia is in the process of being updated for Feb! I'm so behind!!

(from www.helenjane.com ) The first five people who comment here will get something I make. A little mid-winter pay-it-forward action which I lifted from Helen Jane's website... Anyone wanna play? The only real rule is that you have to make this offer in your own web log.

I've had this one for almost 5 years! I'm jealous of Kate's new design . I need help. Any takers?

I should simply NOT be allowed to read " birth stories " right now (inmydelicatestate)as they leave me in puddles. *sigh* Good puddles.

While checking my (pathetic. meager.) blogstats tonight, I came across that as a referral. Yes, someone got to my site by searching for "Amonia & Jello." That is very weird.

*sigh* No one's updating their blogs today. Or rather some people are but I've already read those. Clearly I have a serious case of procrastination happening. Hmph.

Check out our new website: 4 Track Films Whohoooo!

I am a BIG fan of real mail. Decorated envelopes, romantic stationary, newspaper clippings, photographs, doodles, etc. I got my first "Pen Pal" from the TV show "The Big Blue Marble" - anyone remember that one? That was when I was 8. We still write to each other - although more sparingly these days. I have met her twice. It is a unique and special relationship which I am glad to have. My mother is also a Pen Pal. She's had hers for well over 40 years (probably approaching 50 years!). I think the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Corie over at Callalillie is partnering with Youngna to do a "Modern Letter Project." A throw back to written correspondence, the slow pace & art of something that was thoughtfully written and takes time to develop and to get to you. If you are interested pop over there to read the details and hopefully - sign up! I am very excited about this project and the return of decorated envelopes.

I was comparing my mentee to Jackson Pollock on my other blog and found this site which is SO VERY FUN. And yes, I'm a dork.

Doh! I forgot to include this fabulous link - All Sorts - by children's illustrator and crafty crafterson extraordinare Jen! I love the ideas, the pictures, the templates and my mentee loves being able to dress up Zoe (on her illustrator site) and rearrange her furniture. A great & inspiring site.

I've added a few more links to blogs I've been frequenting lately. These are amazing, inspiring, creative women and I love reading about their lives, seeing their creations and feeling a litte bit a part of their community. Check 'em out! Hello, My Name is Heather - amazing photography, sewing, fabric design, crafty goodess and adorable children Tree Fall Design - More crafty/sewy (?!) goodness and another adorable child to boot. Very inspiring. Little Shika - A fabulous quilter & she really really makes me want to learn that art. Great stories too. Pixiegenne - found via Little Shika - very creative & another inspiration to add to my list. Great ideas & photos. Piddleloop - Knitting, softies, crafty goodness. So much fun! Fricknits - More knitting and great writing. When I'm feeling low I can visit any one of these websites and gather inspiration and spirit to pick me up and get doing something again. A lot of these talented women have Etsy shops and ...

Okay, Maybe I am. Kidding! I'm not. I have been dead-ass bored at work this week so have gotten sucked into reading this blog and it is consuming my life! Okay, not really, just my boring "work" hours. I am totally hooked on her story and have enjoyed reading the all of it - well, it's hard to "enjoy" heartbreak but you get my drift. I'm only up to Autumn of '05 (and I know where it's at currently) but if you ever have...oh, I don't know, 40 hours to kill while handcuffed to a computer and you are at all interested in parenting/pregnancy/infertility/etc check it out. Laurie - thanks for pointing it out (ages ago!) I've checked in periodically but this was the first time I've devoted (hours) time to reading everything!

Oh this momentous occassion (post #700!!!!) I am feeling very light as we took a truck load of our junk (hopefully someone else's treasures) to Good Will this morning. This has been piling up since our last garage sale (Oct '04!!) and it was high time to get it out of here. I'm spening today cleaning and taking breaks to chat with friends online and do some sewing. It's so nice to have a Saturday to myself with nothing on my plate (officially). I am going to try to get to that banana bread later today too!

After reading my past few posts I realized I really need to step it up around here. Who really wants to know about my cell phone battery or the fact that there is no snow or contstant baby babble about the triplets? So, I promise to try to be better. I've finally downloaded my completely full camera and will have more pics to post and more room to take more pics. For now I leave you with Key Lime Pie from the Banana Cabana on Anna Maria Island on our honeymoon. Yum....

I admit it. I really love being able to sit on the couch watching 48 Hours Mystery on CBS while surfing the internet/reading blogs (and posting!) on my laptop in my new Vikings flannel pants & new hooded sweatshirt from Grand Superior Lodge (where we got married) and having the laptop battery keep me warm so I don't have to get up and turn up the furnace. Ah technology....

November was full of lots of ups & downs..... First we had the " Case of the Missing Husband " which kicked off the month. There was cheesecake and dinner parties and Friends stopping by. There was crime and there was SUCCESS ! There were a few wedding memories and thoughts of tomorrow's honeymoon . My Grandma's health is failing, but she's still hanging in there for now and I got to see her on Thanksgiving . A new baby was born, a lovely trip up the shore was taken and I inched towards my future . There were some surveys, a meme or two, a couple of self-portraits and lots of mindless rambling. All in all it was a good experience. I read lots of new blogs and really enjoyed sitting down for a few moments each day to be thoughtful (sometimes) about my life. I would do this again!

Oh! And with that last post I have officially & successfully completed NaBloPoMo !! Yay!

And since no one is here today and things are a wee bit slow....here we go! This is from Peder ... 1. What is your dream vacation? Having a couple of months to really backpack around Europe...of course also being able to afford luxury hotels when we're sick of the tent.... 2. First music album you owned? WHAM! Make it Big 3. Song you sing in the shower? I don't usually sing the shower as Steve's still sleeping. 4. First dream job when you were a child? Artist 5. Worst job you've ever had? Remote Encoding Center - part of my soul died. 6. Favorite spice? is "salt" a spice? ha. I'm so boring. 7. Old TV show you wish you had on DVD? Friends, Fawlty Towers or Monty Python's Flying Circus 8. Favorite game to play? I love all games! 9. Least favorite color? neon anything 10. Worst song ever? Achey Breaky Heart I now tag Holly & Michelle (via MySpace) to play along!

I'm a huge dork (noted) but I'm so excited because I sold my first item on the Amazon Marketplace! I listed a book last night and this morning I had the "ship now" notice in my inbox. Yay! I've listed many things in the past and they've never sold so this is a real treat. Granted I am making approximately $4 but still! That's $4 I didn't have yesterday!