Blog Challenge 08.27.08

Today's blog challenge is "Tonight, before I go to bed, I'm going to..."

1) Work on homework
2) Plan some Christmas presents
3) Blog
4) Delete all the Olympics stuff off the Tivo and make sure it's set

I've already worked on some of my homework, and obviously I am blogging now. I'm pretty proud of myself, bc I wanted to commit to blogging on a regular basis. I have been doing a pretty good job since we got back from vacation! Granted, it's only been 10 days, but that's something!

I need to go check out my stash and start planning my Christmas presents. After that, I'll check the Tivo and head to bed. Only 2 more days left until the weekend!!!

*S*

Craving something sweet? Bring your appetite and head over to my baking blog, Cupcake Toujours

Just Around the Corner

Did you know that Christmas is in 120 days?

Hanukkah starts in 116 (December 21 this year).

I am so excited! I really love Fall, but the holidays are so festive!!

*S*

Craving something sweet? Bring your appetite and head over to my baking blog, Cupcake Toujours

OK, I'm Done. I Promise!

I should have gone home and cooked dinner.

I could have played Wii with my husband after dinner.

Iwould have stll had plenty of time afterward for homework.

Shoulda, coulda,woulda. I didn't. Instead, we went out to dinner and went shopping afterward.

In my defense, we bought a bunch of stuff to start making Christmas presents. I have been really anxious to start ever since I got a bunch of good ideas from the peas. We are actually a little bit ahead this year, and not playing "catch up" like usual. Therefore, I decided this would be a great year to make gifts for everyone.

I can't reveal too much bc some family reads my blog! However, I can show you some of the supplies I've purchased so far. As you can see, I'll be doing a lot of stamping!

Oh, I almost forgot the blog challenge today! The topic is "Why is creativity important?" For me, creativity is important so I can express myself. One of the reasons I have chosen to make gifts this year is that I feel they mean so much more than when they are bought. I can put my own personality into it, and put the recipient's personality into it, too. I haven't made gifts for my family since I was in grade school, so I'm excited to show my family how much I've advanced!

*S*

Craving something sweet? Bring your appetite and head over to my baking blog, Cupcake Toujours

In My Own Little Corner of the World

...just as in many others, children went back to school today. Once again, playgrounds were filled with the sounds of children's laughter, crossing guards dusted off their orange vests, and millions of multi-taskers had to hang up the cell phone in school zones.

I went back to school today, too! I am taking Business Statistics I (required) and World Cultures through Film (elective Social Anthropology course). I was considering taking another Government class, but once I received the syllabi for these two, I decided against it. I am going to have my hands full already!

I had hoped to be finished with my plan by next Spring, but at the pace I'm going, who knows when I'll be done!

So, who else headed back to school today? Any special first-day rituals? Feel free to share!

*S*

Craving something sweet? Bring your appetite and head over to my baking blog, Cupcake Toujours

The Shopping Bug Bites Again!

Well, Jay and I went shopping again today after he got home from work. And guess what - I got a new laptop!!! Jay thought that with school starting again tomorrow, I could really use an updated one. He's right, and here it is:

Of course, this one has a Vista operating system, and I've been using XP for the last 10+ years, so it's already driving me crazy! I will have fun learning all the ins and outs, I'm sure.

Also, I can't believe I forgot about one of my best finds yesterday! Stephanie and I stopped in to Kirkland's Home during our shopping outing yesterday, and Steph found the perfect painting for my new media room.

I love it; it will fit in perfectly with the theme and color of the new room (black and red). I'll be sure to post pics when it's hanging in its new home.

As I mentioned, I start school again tomorrow. I can't wait! Although I am taking a couple of challenging classes this semester, I look forward to it. I always feel like I am doing something useful when I am in school. Do you have any big plans to celebrate the new year? Please share!

*S*

Craving something sweet? Bring your appetite and head over to my baking blog Cupcake Toujours

Shopping Finds

My sister and I went shopping today, and did we ever luck out! I was on the hunt for some scrapping/cardmaking supplies, and I really hit the jackpot! Here's what I found:

Cutter Bee circle cutter, on clearance for $12.48(!), K & Company tag book, heidi swapp clear acrylic "thank you" stamp, corner rounder punch. The only thing I paid full price for was the corner rounder, which was $3.99

I needed to pick up just a few basics, and found these while I was at Wal-Mart. The tote is very roomy and has plenty of compartments inside and out. The markers are acid-free metallic markers, which I have never seen before. I thought I would give them a try. The stencil is a set of three; one of them is a large background stencil. I thought it would be nice to try with some glimmer mist. Obviously, the colored pencils are self-explanatory and a must-have item.

OK, so here we go with all of my Michael's finds (deep breath): cardstock in white, black, and neutrals. Four-pack of scissors, different sizes. Seven different spools of ribbon (dollar bin - YAY!) Bone folder and large acrylic block for stamping. Also one set of blending chalks and a tag-shaped mega punch.

Mike's finds continued: One pack each Pop Dots and Mini Pop Dots, plus a roll of regular adhesive dots (Dotto removable - I make mistakes!). One jet black Staz-On pad, set of 4 Tsukineko Brilliance pads, and 4 Versa Magic pads, plus Staz-On stamp cleaner. One bottle of white embossing powder, and one bottle of Martha Stewart turuoise glitter - this stuff is gorgeous! Eleven rubber stamps for various occasions, and 4 sets of clear acrylics from the dollar bins, along with a small acrylic block.

All told, I spent a lot of money, but it was worth it! I was able to use a few coupons, and most of the other items I got on clearance or on sale. I really needed to beef up my supply, as I feel I have been trapped doing the same old thing lately.

What good finds have you had lately? What projects have you accomplished? Come on over and share!

*S*

Craving something sweet? Bring your appetite and head over to my baking blog, Cupcake Toujours

Something Nobody Knows About Me

So the blog challenge this week at 2 Peas is "Something nobody knows about me is..."

I like to think I'm a pretty mysterious gal, so coming up with just one thing nobody knows was kind of difficult. Not only that, but I had to think of one thing that was not widely known that I am still comfortable revealing here.

So the big secret is... I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I went back to school a year ago, ten years after I first entered college. The first time around, I studied video production and, while I was good at it, I got burned out quickly. It's a very competitive industry, and it's hard for a woman to make a name for herself. (Believe me, this is not an excuse. I hate to pull the "gender" card. It's simply the truth.)

This time around, I am majoring in Financial Services, and upon completion, will be ready to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (R) exam, which is a very big deal in the finance world. Truth is, while I love the work that I do now, working as an investment consultant for a privately held financial firm, I am terrified that I might be right back here in another ten years.

I guess it's a good thing I'm usually up for change! I would love to have a successful career in this field; I can only hope the industry embraces me, too!

*S*

Craving something sweet? Bring your appetite and head over to my baking blog, Cupcake Toujours