Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

Think I might just use dates for my titles...so much easier than thinking up something! I know I said that before..this time I think I mean it!

Just hanging out in the sCRAP room today. Working on finishing up a layout I started before I left for Arizona. I have to say, I've done so much scrapping (for me anyway) this summer and so far..fall. I seem to be much more organized with my time, getting everything done that needs to be and still having some good afternoon hours to play, as well as night hours too! I'm happy bout that, it feels good.

I'm feeling very contented with life right now and that is fabulous. For awhile I was kinda feeling restless...like, what do I do with myself...is this all there is...kinda feelings. I've got some irons in the fire (at least in the planning stages) and that has made me feel more alive I guess...that and the fact that I've been able to really get into my scrapbooking and stamping...that is helping a heck of a lot too! I'm trying not to stress about our impending winter weather...instead I'm looking into various ways to escape it, if even for just a weekend..I think if I can do that every so often, I'll be able to tolerate the winter blah...ick...and crap!! I will say that being in Arizona didn't do much to help me accept this plan though LOL! I WILL definitely be making a move outta here after Miss Mandi is done with high school...no doubt about it....b bye!!

so, yeah, spent 5 glorious days in Arizona with my sister. Had my Sonics....took sooooo many stinkin' Sonic pics that I am seriously going to do a mini album! I know, I know...a mini album about Sonic??? yep...

Here are just a couple of the pics I took....the first one Shari took of me, right after I landed at the airport..we seriously drove right to the nearest Sonic!



Then, here I am having my Cherry Limeaid (another day..yep, went there A LOT!!)


Okay, so I wanted a pic of Shari and me at said burger joint and, well...lets just say..I SUCK at the whole self portrait thing (so need to work on this skill)....anyways, this is the best of what I got..hee hee...and it will be in the mini, I'm just saying..

What else did I do, besides eat at Sonic you ask? Well, I finally made it to Melrose Vintage!


What a totally fabu store this is! So stinkin' cute inside....just how I'd love to decorate my home (well, if I was a single girl..can't say I'd do that to Roger...all frilly stuff's and floral pretties)..it was soooo cool to wander around inside, check out every single corner cause they had every single corner filled with amazing stuff! I bought myself a way pretty charm bracelet made by a local artist..she incorporates pieces of antique jewelry from her family into them...it's awesome! Also got a blingy, vintage-y photo frame, perfect for a picture of Miss Mandi!

Then it was time to venture on to Mystic Paper! I can't even tell you how I wish we had a Mystic Paper here! I scored myself some Graphic 45 (nobody carries them around me), some vintage labels, a ton of odd bits and bobs to add to layouts here and there, and some fun Halloween stuffs..can't wait for it all to arrive (had to ship it home to Chicago)...we actually hit Mystic Paper twice this time...

also did some antiquing at one of the local antique malls...got myself some cool things for the sCRAP room! I am so on my mission to redo this room....that is going to be my fall/winter project. It will involve paint, furniture and some major overhauling but I can't wait...I'm all inspired!

besides doing some mall shopping and hitting the Lucky Brand store (total bonus...scored myself a couple new pairs of my favorite jeans..the Sundown...why can't we have a Lucky Brand jeans store here either? I mean....)the crescendo of my entire trip was a class with Carol Wingert!!! I have been wanting to take a class with Carol forevah!! She just rocks creativity! I was able to spend an entire morning/afternoon playing in her class at Scrapbooks Etc., and we made the prettiest mini album...(will have to share that later...I still need to finish off a few pages). Carol then joined Shari and me for a yummy lunch at the fabulous Tia Rosa restaurant! Last time I was in Arizona I had wanted to go to this restaurant but didn't get out there...it was worth the wait! I really enjoyed getting to chat with Carol for a few hours, getting to know her better! What a lovely lady she is and such a talented artist! I was a total geek (of course) and Carol was nice enough to sign my copy of her book "Lifelines". Of course, as a scrapper, no event is complete without a picture...

There ya have it! I've only been back two days now and unfortunately it feels like a lifetime ago that I was there! Had the wildest plane ride home in my life...lets just say, if I wanted, I could be living as a wife with a super old Iraq-y dude, in IRAQ!!!...um, yeah...like I said, WILD ride home!!

Switching up the tunage too...playing some ear candy from Stephanie Meyer's Twilight playlist...loving these songs (just a few here on the blog though)...nothing else jamming in the sCRAP room but these! Can't wait for the movie...Shari might even fly in to see it with Mandi and me..how cool would that be?!

so until next time,
Blessings!