Oh...you know

Blah blah blah blah.....blah...blah

2010-04-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

Seattle University thinks that Lake Sumter Community College sucks. That is what their letter to me said...or at least that is how I interpreted it. I can only go to SU if I start all over...from the beginning. No. I am not doing that. So that leaves one question, what will I do? I will get back to you on that one! Actually, I have a few options. A) Go to the School of Visual Concepts. Here they will teach me the same stuff a university would...for cheaper and no degree. I could freelance or get lucky and score a job from somebody who thinks creative degrees are as useless as I do. B) I could self teach myself and develop my own creative boundaries and guidelines for Graphic design....and then freelance. C) I could choose A, save up a bunch of money, hope Ben gets a hefty raise/ better job and then do my dream job. (Insert dreamy music and blurred vision here).

Dream Job

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From Kelly's brain via brainstorming

A Dream Job comes from the right side of Kelly's brain. It consists of an old house, gardening shed or similar structure that is packed full of herbs, flowers, art, and antiques. The shop would be open for business Monday through Saturday and Kelly would OWN it. Oh, and a few cats will call it home too.

Back to reality. I've been gardening a lot lately. We have daffodils, pansies, primroses, cyclamens, fuchsia's, English daisies and a lot more. Ben will be growing a bunch of vegetables this season too. Right now he has potatoes, onions and radishes growing. I also have herbs that are doing fantastic! Here are some photos of my flowers:

I've also been dipping and dabbing into some photography. I don't have a fancy camera, but it does take awesome pictures. With the help of photoshop I have been producing (what I think) are some pretty nice photos. My three favorites are below.

What do you think?

Enough babbling for now. On to the ladder part of our session- my current obsessions.

Vintage style photography

http://www.featherlove.com/

Important News!!!

2010-02-09T14:09:00.001-08:00

Not really....but I do have some new stuff to blog! Since we last chatted, I have been school hunting. I found a few schools that fell through for their own different reasons (bad reviews, inconvenient, annoying advisers etc...). However, I did decide to apply to Seattle University. I still have a few weeks to go until I find out if I will be accepted or not. So, that's that.

This past Sunday Ben and I went to the Bellevue Botanical gardens. We had so much fun! It was a nice relaxing time. We were hoping it would be a nice day, but it turned out to be the usual cloudy with a layer of mist overhead. This actually worked to my advantage because there was a lot of dew on the plants, which always makes for gorgeous pictures. Along with the many gardens and paths, there was a gnome house (so awesome!) and an old Japanese style house to walk through (and use the bathroom hehehe).

I am looking forward to the rest of this month! We will be celebrating my birthday and anniversary on the 28th! We are staying at this wonderful place called Treehouse Point. I can't wait to post pictures! Here is the website http://treehousepoint.com/

Random fact of the day (about myself): It bothers me when people abbreviate stuff or give it a nickname. Example: National Geographic is now called Nat Geo. WHY? That just sounds so dumb to me. One more: My hometown is Leesburg, FL but for some reason people insist on calling it "The Burg." Sigh....pet peeves are such a pain!

Recent Fabulous Finds:

Perfect for Seattle! (Price range: steep!) Sky Umbrella at http://www.momastore.com/

Mmmmm....smells so pretty! http://www.lollialife.com

Thinking

2010-01-21T19:25:00.000-08:00

This week I have evaluated my life and my future. I learned about some major changes at work that are just depressing. My amazing friend from work, Mizuho, is going back to Japan. her last day of work is February 2, 2010. She won't be replaced. This means only me and one other employee besides my boss. We went from having eight people to two thanks to the economy. This means I will have Tuesdays and Sundays off. No more normal weekends. *Insert hissy fit here please.* I'm tired of not having the money and time to do what I want. I would love to do some mini vacations with my husband, but money and time has restricted us from doing so. A baby would be great too, but it wouldn't be fair for me to bring up a child knowing that I didn't do my best to secure a future for myself, much less a future for my child. The whole world seems full of doom and gloom and I am determined to raise above it with a positive attitude. I want a decent job, with decent pay that is steady. I'm not asking for an unrealistic six digit salary. I'm a good worker, with great morals and great work ethics. I also happen to obtain some artistic ability, which I have made no time for since I moved here to the beautiful northwest. SO.....I am looking into the possibility of returning to school. I will definately have to take out loans, but hopefully it will be an investment. It will be a tough journey, but I am blessed with the best back up a girl could ask for. My family is amazing. My husband is forever supportive of whatever I do. My parents are always lifting me up and telling me of my potential. They love me no matter what mistakes I make and praise me continuously for the things I have achieved. Ben's parents, who I have learned so much from, have pushed me to see how much more I could be if I just put forth the effort. I have been blessed with the talent of artistic expression and I would kick myself a thousand times if I got to be an old cat lady who never used her God given gift. What better way to do that than to implement it into my everyday life by using it to earn a living. Now the big question is, where to go and what for. How about The Art Institute for Graphic design or Web Design? I will update you when I figure it out. :)

In the meantime I will be browsing through the endless sea of crafts, great Vintage finds and garden hodge podge. These are some of my most favorite things and they keep my creativity flowing. Here are a few pics of some recent finds.

Country Kitchen by Candy Pop at Flickr.com

I adore my kitchen. by Mattie & Den at Flickr.com

Mushroom Canisters! by The Dainty Squid at Flickr.com

I also just finished reading the book, "Feather" by Abra Ebner. Despite the frequent typos, spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and rocky start, the book was suprisingly swell. Note: I hated it at first. I must have somehow got ahold of a copy that hadn't been reviewed for errors. I did get it at a Half Priced Books and the author is from Seattle.....who knows? In the end, I was able to get over the errors and enjoy a good read.

Albums I've been listening to over and over again:

Couch Potato

2009-11-19T17:42:00.000-08:00

Ben and I have been watching our fill of TV at night after work. I'm not much of a TV person. I usually can't sit still long enough. However, there are a select few shows that do hold my attention . Then there are the shows that I watch for one reason or another and I have no idea why I watch them, because I really don't like them all that much. One of these is Dancing with the stars. I know...kind of lame right? I started watching it last season only because Steve-O was on it. I thought it was hilarious that he was a star on the show and I had to watch him dance. Then Kelly Osbourne is on this season and I think she is pretty cool too. While watching the show this season I discovered that I really do not like Joanna Krupa. I had no idea who she was before the show....and kind of wish I never watched this season so I could have avoided seeing her. For those of you who have no clue who I am referencing, she is a swimsuit model and a recent Playboy model as well. Those two things aren't what get me though. She has this attitude about her that is just super annoying. At the beginning of the show I noticed that she would roll her eyes when she got critiqued. Who does that? Her apparently. I think the show should've just said she got "injured" and kicked her off. I can't stand women like that! UGHHHH. AND to top it off she was always licking her teeth! I guess she thought her lipstick was all over but whatever....it was annoying. This is her picture so you can have a visual (the look on her face says it all lol).

I am so glad she got voted off!!! It took long enough. Then there is that crazy lady from So You Think You Can Dance. The judge...I think she is Marie Osmond? Anyway, she is soooooo abnoxious. I have to hit mute every time she talks. If it wasn't for her, the show would be a whole lot better. I do love watching the dancers though.

Blah Blah Blah

2009-11-12T18:56:00.000-08:00

I'm very disappointed in Threadless.com. I used to love their shirts. I could get an original design and a quality T-shirt all in one. Now they've switched to using American Apparel T's and I am not pleased. Those T's are super thin and stick to every roll I've got! Also, it seems that instead of people coming up with awesome new designs, they've just been re-creating old designs and adding a few new flairs to make it their own. Thumbs down for Threadless.

I am also angry with Yahoo. For months they've been changing my homepage to a "new and improved" page and I just kept switching back to classic view. Well, the folks over at Yahoo have decided that everyone should use the new format which means that they've tossed the classic page to the curb. Jerks.

On the bright side, I get to babysit my favorite little buddy this Saturday night!!! He is the cutest baby EVER (until I have my own of course). I think I seriously love the kid.

An Item I may just have to try:

The Mad Hatter Isn't Really All That Mad...

2009-11-09T19:02:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Alice In Wonderland. I liked it quite a bit. After all the hype about how craaaaazy and trippy it is, I was expecting something a little different. For a children's book it was pretty crazy, and I suppose for its time it was pretty trippy too. Although, I can't help thinking that the mad hatter really isn't as "mad" as I expected him to be. Hopefully Tim Burton's version of the movie will be good. I can't wait to read, "Through The Looking Glass." I was mistaken and thought that Tweddle Dee and Tweedle Dum were in the Alice In Wonderland Book. I guess I thought that because they were in the Disney movie right? Or are the two books combined in the movie? Either way....the whole thing is genius. I loved it.

I finally got a new winter jacket. Well, it isn't really classified as a "winter" jacket as much as it is a "rain" jacket, but I plan on layering anyway. One heavy jacket is too much for my liking. This one is a really thick rain jacket though and I LOVE it. Of course I had to pay an arm and a leg for it but I think it will pay off in the end. Here it is in all its glory!

A Day At The Park

2009-11-01T16:50:00.000-08:00

Ben and I had a picnic at the park today to celebrate the good weather. It was a little chilly, but the sky was super clear with only a few puffy white clouds. We went to a park along the Sammamish Slough that was perfect for a cheap getaway. First I made Ben stop a couple of times to take some pictures. He LOVES taking pictures! There were a bunch of random little trails that we explored as well. Then we walked about two miles down the trail to the Chateau St. Michelle winery and set up our picnic. Along with munching on all of our goodies, we did some people watching and I think we found a new hobby :). I also discovered these really tall trees that weren't hard to miss. They formed a huge wall along the trail. I was imagining that somewhere along the tree wall was an entrance to a secret garden. This sudden jolt in my imagination station couldn't have been from reading Alice in Wonderland could it? I highly doubt it. At the end of our journey I found this sculpture that was a fish (salmon?) on one side and a moon on the other. I liked the moon side the best of course. Time to go eat chicken chili and build a fire! Ta ta for now....

Guy Fantastico

2009-10-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

Guy Fantastico is the coolest guy on Earth. We first met when Ben and I were on our way home from Seattle last Saturday night. He was dressed in all black standing at the bus stop. He had leather boots, black jeans, a white T-shirt and a black jacket that said, " I am Guy Fantastico" on the back. His hair was black too...and all over the place. He carried his guitar with him and was playing a tune about the bus coming. Then when he saw the bus he started to sing about that. He continued on to sing that the bus had arrived and he would be finishing the song at a later time hahaha. Guy Fantastico definitely had some sort of drug flowing through his veins. Fortunately he got on the same bus as us. He didn't have his transfer ticket ready and he still needed roughly two bucks to pay the driver. All he had was a five dollar bill and the machine only takes exact change. He decided he would go from seat to seat asking if anyone had change for a five. Remember he was either drunk or high...maybe both, so walking up and down the aisle asking for change while the bus was moving was a very hard task to complete. He was running into everything and his guitar was twinging and twanging as he went along. Finally someone gave him two dollars just so he would sit down and shut up. He got quiet and I forgot he was there. When we were almost home I asked Ben if he saw Mr. Fantastico exit the bus. He said, "no, maybe he passed out haha." What do you know, when it was our turn to get off guess who followed? GUY!!! He walked in front of us down the road and began his hilarious song again. Unfortunately, we had to go our separate ways. I feared I would never see him again. Thankfully, I was wrong. Today I got off of work early. I went to catch the bus and none other than Guy Fantastico walked up to join me. He was dressed in the same garb only this time he wore a gold belt buckle that read, "GUY" in all caps. Awesome. He was not singing this time and he didn't get on my bus either. Sad face. I did manage to get some pics with my cell phone for every one's viewing pleasure. Sorry the quality isn't better...it was gross outside and I had to zoom in to be discrete.

Bologna Breath

2009-08-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

So, one of the many things that annoy me is people with bad hygiene. I get on the bus 5 days out of the week and most mornings all I can smell bologna breath. Don't know what bologna breath is? It is what it is...bad breath that wafts in and out of the surrounding innocent bystanders. It is like a thick smog of disgusting, green bologna smelling nastiness. Some people choose to have bad personal hygiene...and that's fine if they keep to themselves. Its an issue when they get on a bus full of people and mouth breath the whole way into Seattle!

Creepy Grocery Outlet Guy

2009-06-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

I was on the bus the other day about three miles from where I get off. The bus had just stopped at a nearby park and ride to pick up some new people. Among those few people was a guy (early 20's) who was a "quality assurance grocery bagger" at the grocery outlet. Of course he sat down right next to me. He explained (without me asking) that he was a great bagger and that he had just returned from a fantastic trip to Mexico. While he was in Mexico he met a girl who supposedly thought he was her "sex slave" LOL. Before I go any further....I have to say that this guy is no looker. I know that is a bit harsh....but its true. So, after he got finished with some details about him being a slave, he went on to ask me what my favorite Disney movie was. The first thing that came to mind was the Apple Dumpling Gang. Before I even got the whole title out of my mouth he was telling me what year it was made in. This brought on a whole new game for him because he could tell I was like....wow this guy is strange. So he started telling me his favorite movies, when they were made, and who the special effects director was. CREEPY! He knew waaaaay too much about this stuff. THEN, he got a little quiet and I saw his hand sliding across the seat over toward me. I look down and he is sliding his bus card over to me. He said, "Here is my bus card in case you need it." He also slid a penny over to me in case I needed that too. Finally it was my turn to get off of the bus. What a relief!!!

Hot Air Balloons and Remixed Classic Rock

2009-06-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

I went to the dentist this morning. Part of the procedure I had done was a "deep cleaning." I should have known when the assistant asked me if I wanted nitrous or not that it was going to hurt. Of course I accepted the nitrous though....for....precautionary measures. So, when the time came to get the cleaning done my dentist came in. When he shows up I automatically know its going to be painful. He gave me around 8 shots under my upper lip and in the roof of my mouth. I cried...I kicked...and I breathed in 356543216 gallons of nitrous from being so worked up. It was worth it though because it was smooth sailing from there. I think they turned the drugs up too because first I could have sworn I was hanging upside down in the chair. I was so happy that I didn't feel light headed from being upside down that I realized I wasn't really upside down. Then the classic rock that was playing suddenly turned into remixed versions. There were all kinds of cool effects added into the music. Lastly, (before they turned down the nitrous...BOO) a big rush of wind came from my right side and made my left cheek flap really fast and the next thing I knew I was on a hot air balloon ride. It was just fantastic. Wish you could have been there!

After the wedding....

2009-06-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

After the most amazing wedding on the face of the planet, Ben and I moved across country to a little town called Bothell, WA. Bothell is a suburb of Seattle. It is about 25-35 minutes away depending on traffic. We lived with Ben's parents the first two months we were here. During that time I was looking for a job....and exploring a little. It took about a month for my stuff to get here. What a mess! FYI: If you ever have fears about a moving company, they're probably true. Anyway, one fine evening I was attending a super secret book club meeting and met a very good contact who got me a job! I work at this "elite" athletic club in downtown where they have a children's center that is for members only. I started the job with hopes of a teaching focus on art. Now, not only do I teach art....but I teach music and bad manners too! Ok, maybe not the bad manners part, but I do love to act really silly with them. My boss and co-workers pretty much rock. I love it...I've had some pretty fun times there already. Oh...and since I work downtown I can't really drive. I mean, I could drive if I were made of money, but I chose to save 20 dollars a day for parking and ride the bus. Ben got a free bus pass through his work that I use which equals free transportation!!! I have a couple hilarious stories from riding the bus that I will have to share with you someday soon.

Good Stuff

2009-06-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

I know there are some folks out there who love me so much they want me to write every detail of my life down. That isn't going to happen. However, I will use this blog as a way to keep my friends and family updated with my "new life" here in Washington state.

Ben and I just moved into a cute little house that is a blast to maintain together. We both have awesome jobs. We have been very blessed and hope to successfully build a family from here! I have a lot of catching up to do with all of you so hopefully I can get a few new blogs up a week to get us up to speed :). Love you guys!