Ebay Stashing!

It all started out so innocently. I clicked on an auction for a scissor fob that had a $1.99 starting price. I emailed the seller to ask what the wording on the fob said. She offered to do a "Buy It Now" at $1.99 + shipping, if I wanted it. Then I did the unthinkable: I clicked on "Sellers Other Auctions". What did I see there?? My oh, my! There were other things that caught my eye. I emailed her and asked if she would do a "Buy It Now" on a couple other items. We worked out the terms and here's what I got!!!


Whitmans Vintage Red
Sewing Set
Chart & tin $15 with shipping
(Retail: $16.25 not including shipping)







Whitmans Sewing Set with
Cloisonne 1930's Replica Tin
& Wynnewood Tin
Chart & Tins $12 with shipping
(Retail: $16.50 not including shipping)





Flowers of Friendship Fob
by The Needle's Content
Chart $1.99 with shipping
(Retail: $6 not including shipping)



I can't wait until I get these so I can start one!! (Like I don't have enough stash-to-do!!)

SBQ - Needles

How many needles do you use during a project?
Have you ever loaded up a needle for every color?
Do you use a new needle for every project or recycle your favorite needle?

I only use one needle during a project. I've never loaded up a needle for each color because I think it's too much work to load them, and to keep track of them. It'd be too easy for me to screw something up. I recycle my needles. I use them until I either loose them or they wear out.

Tick, Tick, Ticking

A few weeks ago, I took a soak in my tub. Afterwards, I came downstairs to relax before it was time for bed. As I descended the staircase I heard a ticking sound off to my right. Puzzled, I thought to myself: "What's ticking in the kitchen?" So I head towards the kitchen to investigate. Tick...Tick...Tick No wait! That's not ticking... It's dripping! Dripping water from the ceiling! Right above is the tub, which apparently sprung a leak at the drain connection. Immediately I called the landlords to let them know. Within a day or so, they had a plumber come to look at/fix the problem. Here's what I came home to one day after work:



Obviously, I was laying on the floor when I took the pic. I'm calling it the Big Black Hole. Talk about scaring the crap out of me when I first saw it!

The entire pipe from the drain to the main drainage pipe had to be replaced. The only way they could get to it was through the kitchen ceiling. The landlord told me that whoever put the original pipe in had it draining UP HILL! That would explain why it took forever for water to drain from the tub. Now... 30 seconds flat, the entire tub is drained. I'm a happy camper, except for the BBH.

As the Grass Grows: Hopes & Dreams

It was my turn to mow the lawn, so yesterday I started to mow knowing I'd probably run out of gas. I started with the front yard *just in case* I ran out. That way at least the front yard would look nice. I got a third of the way done with the backyard and sure enough I ran out of gas! I was sweaty and dirty and didn't feel like going to the gas station like that so I put the mower away. My intention was to get gas on my lunch hour today (which I did) and finish the job tonight.

When I got home from work, this was stuck in the door to my house:

Less than 24 hours before, I was mowing the lawn!!! My first instinct was to crumple the note up and throw it into the flower pot of one of her plants. That's why it's crumpled like that. While mowing, I had time to *think*. Here's the response I came up with:

HOPES

Most people have different hopes than yours. For instance:

“I hope the neighbors get a life and mind their own business.”

“I hope the weather is nice today so I get the lawn mowed.”

“I hope I don’t run out of gas while mowing the lawn.”

The last one is what I was hoping for yesterday. I started mowing the lawn knowing I might not have enough gas to do the whole thing, which is why I started in the front. At least I had enough foresight to make sure the front looked good. Some people don’t think that far ahead. Today, I got gas on my lunch hour with the intention of finishing the job tonight since I knew the forecasters were calling for rain.

Thank you again for being such a good neighbor, and looking after my responsibilities. It must be a tough job keeping track of your life and mine. I’ll give you a bit of advice so you don’t waste your time writing notes. Get the facts, first. :) Hope all is well in your household. Have a great day!

I took her note and folded up inside mine and taped it to her front door. I wonder if she'll have a temper tantrum like she did over the wet newspapers that were HERS. I'm beginning to think 1) Someone has TOO much time on their hands. 2) Someone gets a cheap thrill out of writing notes.

I felt like saying: "I don't need a gatekeeper, and before you try running my household you should get your own in order since you're supporting a grown daughter with no job and grandson. Obviously, your parenting skills are lacking. Instead of keeping track of when I mow the lawn and how I mow the lawn, perhaps you should be telling your daughter to GET A JOB." Did I really write that? Oh, but that would be way too harsh!

Chinese RAK

In today's mail, I received a special RAK from CJ in TX. Last year, she hosted a foreign exchange student from China. The student's mother sent a bunch cross stitch kits from China. Knowing I have a soft spot for oriental designs, CJ sent me two kits! The package also included two British magazines and a piece of Luguna evenweave. Thank you, CJ!


CJ sent along the cutest card, which I assume she made herself.

Tuesday Update 5/29/07

Overall, it was a pretty good weekend. Saturday was rainy. Sunday, I spent the day with S and his 2yr old son. We drew pictures on the sidewalk with chalk, played in the pool (Well, they played in the kiddie pool. I just watched.) While the little one took a nap, S mowed the yard and I stitched... on two different projects!! I worked on the cover of my needlebook for the class I'm teaching. I also worked on the Cardinal that will be finished into a pinkeep at the retreat next month. We went to McDonalds for supper (yuck!) and then to the park where we saw a mother turtle laying eggs. None of us had ever seen that done up close, so it was interesting!

I passed the "Mom" test. S told me that his Mom gave him her initial assessment of me. I have a pretty face and a nice figure, and that we seem to 'click'. LOL, I found it interesting that she'd say that about my body. Oh - She and S's SIL were talking me up at a recent family function. His stepfather told him that we act like we've known each other for years. His father told his stepmother that I seem intelligent, pretty quiet -- don't usually talk unless spoken too, and that I have a nice smile but don't smile enough. His father seems to "hover" whenever I'm around. It weirds S out sometimes (and me).

Monday was a holiday in the US. I got up early and planted Lily of the Valley that I had gotten from a fellow Freecycler (www.freecycle.org). Afterwards, I was tuckered out so I took a little nap.

Then I did some major spring cleaning! Cleaned the bathroom top to bottom, which included taking plastic off the window, vacuuming the window sill, wiping down the basebords and door, taking everything off the shelves and wiping them down, plus the usual cleaning). I swear I must've moved about 5 generations of dust bunnies out of my bedroom! I dusted and polished the furniture in there (2 dressers, 2 nightstands, bookcase, headboard and footboard, 3 jewelry boxes). As a residual, the hardwood floors are now very slippery. LOL I also cleaned the glass top tables in the living room and dusted the furniture in there. By the end of the day, I was tuckered out!

Great Stash Day!

For the past month and a half, I've felt really crappy healthwise... no energy whatsoever. A trip to the doctor resulted in me having to go have blood drawn today. 6 tubes!!! Depending on the results, I also may have to see an ears, nose & throat doc to determine whether or not I need to have my tonsils out. My doctor thinks my tonsils are unusually large and that I may have chronic tonsilitis, and that they may be obstructing my throat when I sleep. :(

It's only been in the past two days that I've actually felt like getting out of bed and doing something and not feeling like I needed a nap by 10am! I was feeling so -bleah- that the other day when I tried to stash shop, I walked down one aisle of Hobby Lobby, and then decided to go home because I had no energy to even enjoy looking. How sad is that?!

Anywho... Since I was in the big city for the lab work today, I figured I may as well pick up a few things needed to complete some projects. Wouldn't you know I picked up more than just a few things that were ON CLEARANCE!!!



At the LNS, I got:

Mill Hill Treasure 12151 - For biscornu to be completed at retreat in June
Just Nan Twinklings with beads & embellishments - 50% off

At Hancock Fabrics:

(2) 20x27 28ct linen - $1 each
(2) 20x30 14ct gold aida - $1 each
(1) 14x18 14ct pink aida - 25 cents
(2) DMC Cross Stitch Starter kits - $1 each
--- There's enough fabric to do two projects, plus floss, hoop, needle, and 4 additional charts. Plus it comes in an expandable zipper bag. Very cool since my 8yr old niece asked me to teach her!
(3) pkgs of notecards for 99 cents each
Spool black decorative trim - For needlebook
Spool gold decorative trim - For needlebook
1/2 yd. green oriental fabric - For needlebook

At JoAnn Fabrics:
1 yd. red oriental fabric - 40% off - For needlebook
Spool of tan/white ribbon - For retreat nametag
(2) 12x18 Hardanger - 50 cents each

Not a bad stash haul!!!

Teacher, Teacher...

Due to one little comment on one of my groups, I am now a teacher! A teacher of what you may ask? I am going to attempt to teach my students how to make a needlebook!

I was overwhelmed at the response. I was thinking I'd be teaching 5 or 6 people. I had 26 members sign up in the first day alone. It’s now 4 days later and my roster is up to 33. All I can say is “Wow!” I’ve never taught an online class before and I am going by the seat of my pants. The pressure is on, and I hope I don’t disappoint anyone.

I'm having a bit of a problem in my world as I can't find my PS Pins & Needles chart that I want to use for my needlebook. I'll be digging through more stash tonight. Hopefully, I'll find it. Otherwise, I'll have to choose something else.

I think this will be a fun thing. Fun for the ones who want to learn how to make a needlebook, and fun for me to create the classroom atmosphere.

Superb Sunday

Picnic, Hiking, and Biking... oh my! Picnic, Hiking, and Biking... oh my!

I bet you know where this is going. Sunday was another beautiful day. S invited me to his neck of the woods where we’d planned on riding the bike trail and having a picnic with his mother and stepdad. Our plans got a bit sidetracked when his mom informed us of a dedication ceremony honoring his deceased uncle, who was a veteran. Families could have a stone placed in the Veteran’s Memorial Park for their loved ones who served in the military. As they named off names, anyone who knew the person could say a few words. Some of the stories told were so heart-touching! We didn’t stay for the entire thing since it was getting quite lengthy and it was standing room only.

Afterwards, we went to a park located along the river and had a picnic. It was a nice day for it and the scenic area was perfect. I think that’s where I ended up getting a bit of a sunburn.

S took me hiking on the mountain biking trail they call the "roller coaster" which was located just off the bike path. Talk about *extreme* biking. Picture in your mind: thickly wooded area with gullies, hills, tree roots, fallen trees, and a path about 12” wide, sided with weeds and brush. That’s their idea of mountain biking fun. I didn’t mind hiking it, but biking it? I don’t think so. No thanks.

Once we got back to the bike path, we hopped on the bikes and rode for about 6 miles total. I *still* have not gotten myself a pair of bike shorts. My girl bits aren’t as bad as last time, but they’re a bit bruised today.

By the time we got back to his homestead, both of us were wiped out. He lent me some warm clothes to wear home, we ate some food and I was on my way. After the busy weekend, I slept really good!

Look at THAT Car Shine

Later in the afternoon, S came up with the idea that we should wash and wax my car. After all, it was a nice day. After spending $30 on cleaning supplies, we set to work. He washed the outside while I wiped the grime from the interior. Then he put the wax on. Guess who had to "wax off"? You got it... me! Of course, the whole experience couldn't pass without someone saying "Wax On, Wax Off" LOL For those not familiar, it's a phrase from the Karate Kid movie. How's that for dating us? While I was doing the "wax off", he set to work polishing the chrome wheel covers.

Apparently, S was under the impression washing and waxing my GTP was going to be a quick job. It took us about 4 hours and by the time we were done, both of us were wiped out!

After all the wax was rubbed off, he kept commenting "Woo Wee, Look at that car shine!" He must've said it at least 6 times! LOL It does look good. Now, I have to finish cleaning the inside and it'll be good to go for a few months.

Words of Thanks

I'd like to thank everyone for their congratulation wishes for my graduation. Thanks to Patti, Cheri, Elaine, Lisa S, Judy & John, Gayle, Rene, and my parents for the cards and gifts. Thanks to all my stitchy friends from the groups for all the messages and support. I appreciate each and every sentiment!

Graduation Day

A bright sun-shiny day met me when I woke up. As I got ready for graduation, I could hear a lawn mower going. Could it really be that the neighbor was finally mowing the lawn? S looked out the window and commented that the long grass was killing (literally) her mower. That’s what she gets for being a wench. After giving S a quick course in using my camera, we rushed out the door to get to the college.

I had to be there an hour early and told my parents if they wanted a close parking spot, they should go early. Lo and behold as S and I walked across the campus parking lot, I saw my mother in all her bright “pinkness” LOL Can’t miss that long black hair either. So, I quickly scan the crowd looking for my Dad. He was perched on one of ledges lining the walkway to the building. They were there before I was!

We did some quick photos with my parents before I rushed in to be with the rest of the class for lining up. I actually got goosebumps as the processional started. Several times during the ceremony, I had to keep my composure so I wouldn’t cry. Off to my right high up in the bleachers was my sister and niece… my sister looked like she just got out of bed. After I got my diploma, I looked up there and they were gone. They didn’t even stay to congratulate me afterwards. What the?! Off to my left in the bleachers was my friend, P. She gave me a big thumbs up right before I walked past to get my diploma. She had to leave early to go back to work. Later, I found out that she gave my parents a card for me.

It’s a good thing I ordered pics from the school photographer because the ones S took didn’t turn out, and no one else bothered to bring a camera because they assumed *someone else* would. We don’t know what happened to the photos of my parents because they weren’t even on the card. I was bummed about that.


After graduation, I invited my parents back to the house and we had Bourbon Glazed Grilled Salmon. S did a good job with it. It was yummy!

All in all, it was a great day. Beautiful weather, good food, and I graduated Magna Cum Laude (High Honors) with a Business Administration degree. Yay for me!!!

Arghhhh.... Neighbors!

Well, she almost made it month before she started her "antics" (to put it nicely). Every week, the “Shopping News” is delivered to our doorstep. For those not familiar, it’s a newspaper with lots of advertising (garage sales, want ads, auctions, etc). Last Wed, I picked up my papers and read them then threw them away. Up until yesterday, the neighbor’s papers laid on the sidewalk. Yesterday it rained. When I pulled in the driveway after work, I noticed someone picked up the papers and put them on top of my mailbox. Knowing they weren’t mine, I put them on top of the neighbor's mailbox and went into the house. Within 15 minutes, the neighbor had gone outside and took the papers off her box and threw them onto the stoop in front of the door under my mailbox. I was on my way to an appointment and didn’t have time to deal with it. When I arrived back home, I picked up the papers and knocked on the neighbor's door. My intention was to tell her that while I found it thoughtful of her to give me the papers, they weren’t mine. However, the grandson answered the door and I gave him the papers saying “I’m giving you your papers.” He took them, said “Thanks” and closed the door. Within 5 minutes, I heard the neighbor screaming... Yes screaming! I don’t know what... then I heard her open her front door and heard a loud “thunk.” I opened my door to find the wet newspapers up against my front door. I was HOT! I picked them up and threw them back at her door and told her they weren’t my papers. I even said, “Thanks” LOL Then I sat down to write her a note:

Donna,

While I appreciate the classy way you tried to give me the papers, they aren’t mine. I know this because I picked mine up last week and read them. Thanks for being a good neighbor. Have a good one!

P.S. When are you going to mow the lawn. It’s your turn.

I was still stressing out over it when S came over last night. After a few choice words about her, he said he thinks she’s going through menopause... and that I need to find a place of my own. At least he got me to laugh.

I mowed the lawn on Friday, May 4th. It's now the 16th and she has yet to mow it. It's at least 6" tall now and will look like a hay field when she gets around to mowing it. In essence, it'll look like crap just like it did the last time she mowed. :(

I find it extremely interesting that during the time she had her swing in the backyard, she had a sign on it "Do Not Touch" (For more read HERE and HERE) because she had an unreasonable belief that I'd take a baseball bat to it (I still think that's extremely funny!) and since she's had it in the front yard, no signs... and ALL the neighborhood boys play and rough house on it. Yet she's afraid I'd destroy it. LOL

For more on this saga, click on the "neighbors" label in the sidebar.

UPDATE: A note was waiting for me when I got home for lunch. "When did you mow the grass? It doesn't look like it's been mowed since I did it at the end of April. My daughter told me the papers were yours. Sorry" I wrote on a post-it "I mowed Friday night after work, May 4", stuck it to her note and taped the entire thing to her door. I have to admit that I do find it funny that she threw the temper tantrum, only to find out she was in the wrong. LOL

SBQ - Exchanges

How do you choose a project for an exchange? Do you pick solely on what you know of the taste of the recipient or are there other reasons you pick the piece you do?

When I'm involved in an exchange, I try to get a feel for what the other person likes and go from there, whether it's a particular designer or colors. So far it's worked out!

7 Things

I've been tagged by Megan for the 7 Things meme.

Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I was born a preemie. 4lbs. 6oz. I had to stay in the hospital two weeks longer than my mother, so she went home without her first baby.

2. When I sleep, I am most comfortable bundled up in a coccoon. If I get too warm, I’ll stick one leg out until it gets cold, then back in it comes.

3. I dislike cottage cheese and yogurt.

4. I will do things just so I can say “Yeah, I did that.” For instance, I’m don’t like sports, but I went to the last game played at Soldier Field before it was remodeled. It was the Bears vs. Eagles playoffs. Yeah, I did that!

5. I do not like lightning and thunder.

6. I am allergic to everything on Earth except cockroaches. How do you think that came about?!

7. Math is not my strong subject, yet I work in the accounting field.

I tag: Barb, Lisa, Erica, Glenda, Kim, Tessa, and Greg.

Meet the Parents - Part II

As you know, S took me to meet the family on Easter... His Dad's side of the family. We both figured it was time to meet the Mom's. S came with me to meet my parents. He said my mother is quite animated, so unlike me. LOL, he expected her to be quiet and laid-back like I am. Both my parents were quite talkative, and it seemed everyone got along just fine.

Later in the day, S's mother and stepfather were going to be passing through town so he invited them over to MY house. (I said "thanks" LOL) Luckily, my house wasn't too messy. We grilled out and invited them to stay to eat. I found it interesting that S gave them a tour of my house to show off my photography skills. Overall, it was a nice visit.

And not too painful, as far as "Meet the Parents" goes. :)

Happy Mother's Day

As I prepared the gifts for my mother for Mother's Day, I reflected upon what it must've been like for her to marry a serviceman and move halfway across the world at age 21. What strength it had to have taken to move thousands of miles away from everything she knew... work, friends, family... to a country where she knew no one.

For the first eight years of my life, my mom was a stay-at-home mom. She took care of her four small children. We lived in an old house in the country with no phone and she didn't know how to drive. My mom's only support line was my paternal grandma. From what I know, grandma made sure we all were OK when Dad was away.

Eventually, my mother learned how to drive and even got a job she stayed at for 12 years. She and my father moved out of the old house almost 30 years ago when they bought their first home, which they still live in. I can still see the excitement on her face the day my Dad stopped to look at the house when we were out for a drive. While my Dad was looking at the house, she came back to the car and told us kids to be very good so Dad would buy the house. It was a big step up for her (and my Dad), and she always tells people it's her "dream home".

She always took pride in her children, even to this day when she talks about us you can hear it in her voice. She has photos all over their house of her children and grandchildren, as well as her brothers, sister, and Mom. Family means a lot to her, and she tried to instill that value in her children. It's probably the reason none of us moved farther than 20 minutes away! LOL

More about my Mom: HERE

This brings me to Mother's Day... I bought her a big Pink Azalea bush, a small cactus that blooms pink flowers in the Spring (which she went bonkers over!). I also bought three pink helium balloons with various Mother's Day sentiments. Can you see a theme with pink here? My mother is a pink freak!

Wouldn't you know that the minute I stepped out of the car, the wind took the balloons off the cactus pot up into the trees?! My Dad, being the savior he tries to be, fashioned a long board with a hooked nail and got up on a step ladder to try to get the balloons. His leg cramped up and he quickly came down off the ladder and could hardly stand. Once it passed he wanted to try again! Silly guy!! I told him to leave the balloons up in the tree, but he wouldn't have it. He was determined to get them down, which he did. My mom was a happy camper, indeed. She loves all those cheesy things such as balloons and was already making plans to save them when the helium went out. LOL Kudos to Dad for saving Mom's balloons.

So We Finally Meet!

Unbeknownst to Deborah, the ILCS group has been working on a Quilt RAK for almost a year. Deb has been after me for quite a while to come visit her since I only live an hour and a half away. So when Wanda told Deb she was coming for a visit, Deb was very excited and wanted to invite me, too! LOL, little did she know it was already planned.

Deborah had been counting down the days for weeks prior to our visit. She was so excited to be able to meet Wanda and I. It made me smile every time I'd get an email and read the excitement building over this visit.

Wanda from Canada arrived late Thursday night, 8 hours later than planned due to problems with the plane. Poor girl had to go through customs twice! I arrived in IA around 11:30 on Fri, however due to my spectacular navigating skills I spend a LOT of time "touring" the city before I actually found Deborah's house. Wanda came out to greet me with a big hug! I also found out that Max had just come home from the hospital that very day! It was wonderful meeting Wanda, Max, & Deborah. After years of emails, it was like we were old friends.

Deborah showed us her stitching room... Boy, does she have stash! She also has stitching all over her walls. She has done some wonderful pieces. We were invited to the 84yr old neighbor's, who lives next door and also does stitching. She's done the most gorgeous stockings you've ever seen. She also has stitched light switch plates in every room. She's not a stash hoarder like *ahem* the rest of us are. LOL

When we were over there, Max decided to mow the lawn! Later, when we were reading his hospital release papers, it said he couldn't be lifting laundry baskets. I'm thinking if he can't do laundry, he shouldn't be mowing the lawn.

While chatting away, Wanda announced the real reason why we both came to see Deborah: The quilt RAK and pillow RAK's. I think Deborah went through a half box of Kleenex... she was so overwhelmed by the kindness of the group. She absolutely loved the quilt and pillows!


Wanda, Deborah, & Me
While I was there, Deborah gave me a hand-me-down from Miz Dee Dee II for Celeste: a cute little sunflower dress and matching hat. Celeste wasn't quite sure what to think about it, but she posed long enough for me to take a pic.

Celeste in Sunflower Dress
I left late Friday night with a standing invitation from Max and Deborah. I'm welcome back anytime! Boy, was I tired going home. I had a great time, though.

Honors Convocation

Tonight was the Honors Convocation... a recognition of the highest achieving students of the graduating class. I presented with the Phi Theta Kappa stole (National Honor Society), and a silver cord indicating that I graduated not only with Honors, but HIGH Honors. Both are to be wore at Commencement, and are mine to keep. I am so proud of myself!

A funny thing happened when the faculty was presenting me with my honors cord. It just so happened that my Music History instructor was presenting the cords. He said to me: "So we meet again" and proceeded to put the cord around my neck. As he did so, he bumped my cap which was then no longer seated properly and ready to fall off my head at any second. I still had three other faculty members who I had to shake hands with and then proceed off stage. As I did so, I continually had to adjust my cap to keep it from falling off. The college video taped the ceremony, so I'm the only dork on the tape who had problems with her cap. LOL

Much to my disappointment, not a single family member or friend bothered to take time to come and see me receive my recognition. Right now, I am feeling quite cynical thinking about all the events I've gone to for my family... and not one could come to support me.

First Try

Last night, I gave a go at hand-dyeing a piece of evenweave. I used the spray bottle method... not sure if I'm sold on that method. It came out darker than I anticipated, but I don't think it looks too bad for a first try.



I've had a lot of requests asking how I did this, so here goes:

I bought spray bottles at the Dollar Store ($1 ea). Put 1/8 tsp of powdered RIT dye in a quart sized spray bottle & then filled it halfway with HOT water. Shake it gently to mix until all is dissolved. You may want to fill up the rest of the bottle with water if you want lighter color. Get a piece of cardboard (a bit bigger than your piece of fabby) & cover it with plastic wrap. I used a trash bag that I cut open and taped it to the cardboard. I set the cardboard in my tub since I did it at night and it was dark outside. If it were daytime, I'd lean it up against something outside. Wet your material, crumple it up & place it on the plastic. Spray lightly to get the effect you want. Let it dry in the sun & then rinse till water runs clear. If you have some pieces laying around you might want to use them as "testers" before dong your main piece. This way if your piece is lighter than you like & you think you want to go darker you can just add more dye to the bottle , re-spray it & hopefully get the color you want & you'll know how much to put in the bottle for the next time.

Yahoo Photos Discontinued

Yahoo Photos will be closing:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/photos/photos3/closing/

I've moved my photos to the multiply www.multiply.com site. It was *really* easy. There's a transfer feature that will automatically move your Yahoo albums to multiply once you sign up. It went pretty smoothly. You can place restrictions on each album as to who can see it and who can't... Haven't really figured that part out yet.

Here's my new location: http://meari.multiply.com/photos

The President Has To Dress Me

Egads! Today, I made a trip to the post office and mingled amongst various coworkers in the office, and no one… I mean NO ONE took the time to tell me that the flap (think “tag” but only MUCH, MUCH larger) to my suit jacket was sticking out the back of my collar! At 4:30pm, the president of my firm followed me out of his office after I’d dropped off some billings. He was so polite about it, too. He says, “Excuse me, I’m gonna...” and he starts to tuck the flap back in. I was mortified that I walked around the ENTIRE day like that and not one person said a thing.

What Tarot Card Am I?

I am The Wheel of Fortune

Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success

The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

What Goes Around

Comes around. Not one of my favorite phrases, as often times I don't believe life happens that way. It's been my experience usually the guilty go free. But not in this case:

Back in February, there was a pretty huge fire in my city. The entire city block was sectioned off. Today, one lane of the street is still blocked against traffic and the remains of what’s left of the building stands in it’s blackened destroyed state. Two people have been arrested and put on trial for arson: The owner of the bar in the lower level of the building... ironically called “Cheaters”, and a bartender who worked for her.

Final Grades Posted

I'm doing one big HAPPY DANCE!!! Final grades for my Meteorology class were posted today. I got an "A"... an actual "A"! Woo Hoo!!! This was the first time I've taken an online class and I was very nervous about it. Science is not a strong subject for me, so I am very thrilled with the outcome.

Next week is the Honors Convocation ceremony. I received the official invitation letter in the mail yesterday. This weekend I'm going shopping for an appropriate dress to wear to HC and graduation. The letter also stating that not only will I get a special stole to wear, I will get a special tassel... and I get to keep both. How cool is that?!

Graduation, here I come! I still get choked up over the fact that I'm actually graduating. I just can't believe it, but it's true!