Tuesday, March 28, 2006

New News...

Well, things are going excellent at my new job. I’m very busy from the time I get there until I leave. But, that is good because it makes the days go by so quickly, and I’m heading home before I know it. With all they’ve got for me to do, it looks as though I might be working full time relatively soon. They are also looking at moving the business to a newer building up north and the company is expanding every day. We have a new president that was hired this week and she is awesome. She’s really smart and very business savvy. One of the coolest things about the company where I work is that nearly everyone in the office is a woman. I’ve never worked in an office with so many other accomplished ladies. I’m definitely the youngest but they are all really smart, fun, and talented people and I really feel like I can learn a lot from all of them.

Our garage was broken into last night. I went to get in the car to drive to work and saw the contents of the glove compartment and a few things from the garage all thrown around inside the car. Tim FORGOT to lock the car last night. I was so angry at him all morning. I’m constantly telling him to lock the car and he just can’t seem to get it into his head. I’m hoping now that his MP3 transmitter and cell phone were stolen out of the car that it will sink into his head that we live in the city and need to keep everything locked ALL THE TIME. I mostly just feel pissed that someone was in my car. I feel like I wasn’t to sanitize it or something. I guess we’re really lucky that they didn’t damage anything or take anything of real consequence, but all the same it makes me really nervous to leave our house for our vacation next month.

I’ve been reading Harry Potter books incessantly for the past couple of months. I started at the beginning and I am now a quarter of the way through the latest book. I guess I’ve been reading them too much, because I find myself wishing I could put little spells and charms on things. With the car thing this morning, I was wishing I could put some sort of jinx on the car that would make everyone who tried to touch it without my consent, break out in purple boils or something awful like that.

The planning for my 80’s party is well under way and I expect that my web invite will be out for public consumption within the week. I’ve been pretty busy with freelance and trying to get some of my other projects out of the way before we go on vacation, but it’s all coming together now. I’m back on Phase 1 of the South Beach diet. I’ve been trying to get in shape for this trip. It’s going pretty well, I’ve already lost 5 pounds in the past week. I found another dress I might want to wear to the wedding but I decided to leave the rest of my shopping for when I get to L.A.

*yawn* Well, I just finished up some free lance work and I think I'm just about "computer'ed out" for the day, so I’m going to go take a break…

Sunday, March 26, 2006

4th Richest Man in the world drives 15 year old Volvo...

Latest Business News and Financial Information | Reuters.com

And he flies coach. This is an interesting story. Sometimes when I get all materialistic and want nicer stuff, I need to remember that on of the richest men in the world drives an older car than I do. Damn, I need to be more frugal!

_____________________________________

By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA (Reuters) - IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad, ranked 4th richest man in the world, drives a 15-year-old car and always flies economy class, in part to inspire his 90,000 employees worldwide to see the virtue of frugality.

The billionaire Swede, who turns 80 on March 30, explained his legendary habits during a rare television interview in Switzerland, his adoptive home for nearly 30 years.

His fortune was recently estimated at $28 billion by Forbes magazine -- trailing only Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, U.S. investor Warren Buffett and Mexican industrialist Carlos Slim.

"People say I am cheap and I don't mind if they do. But I am very proud to follow the rules of our company," Kamprad told French-language Swiss Broadcasting Corporation.

Asked to confirm he drove an old Volvo, he said: "She is nearly new, just 15 years old, or something like that."

Interviewer Darius Rochebin teased that Ikea employees were always told to write on both sides of the paper.

"Why not? If there is such a thing as good leadership, it is to give a good example. I have to do so for all the Ikea employees," Kamprad retorted.

"Everything we earn we need as a reserve. We have to still develop the IKEA group. We need many billions of Swiss francs (dollars) to take on China or Russia," he added.

Ikea is the world's biggest furniture retailer, with 202 stores in 32 countries.

Known for its inexpensive self-assembly furniture, the family-owned business claims its hefty catalog is the most widely read publication after the Bible.

After flirting with neo-Nazism after World War Two -- for which he has apologized -- the small-town Swede set up shop in his garden shed, selling watches, pens and Christmas cards.

"I bought seeds for the garden and had great success with it, going around to all the houses in my village. After that year I could buy myself my first bicycle," Kamprad recalled.

When Sweden's Social Democrat government launched the "Million Homes Project" in the 1950s, he saw an opportunity and got into the furniture business.

He stumbled upon the "flat-pack" idea in 1956 when an employee took the legs off a table to fit it into a customer's car. It saves a fortune in transport, storage and sales space.

"Our idea is to serve everybody, including people with little money. We have to keep costs down," he said.

His home in the Swiss village of Epalinges near Lausanne above scenic Lake Geneva is mainly decorated with Ikea furniture, apart from a few family pieces.

In keeping with Swedish tradition, Kamprad said he prepares and brings glogg, or hot wine, to "good neighbors" at Christmas along with his three sons.

Last week he made a donation of 500,000 swiss francs ($379,900) to the Lausanne cantonal art school, where his son studied.

"I'm not afraid of turning 80 and I have lots of things to do. I don't have time for dying," Kamprad said.

($1=1.316 Swiss Franc)

___________________________

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Yummy...


Okay, I got this lotion from Jaqua and it smells sooooo good. It is taking all my will power not to eat it. You guys should really check this stuff out... Posted by Picasa

Sunday, March 19, 2006


The FIRST Holly St. High Prom Committee meeting was a success! We had a blast even though Jenny and I were the only ones representing in our 80's garb. This 80's prom is going to be amazing... Posted by Picasa

playing catch up...

My personal opinions about life, love and the pursuit of happiness have always been relevant to my own life. If things are going badly, I start to feel hopeless. But, if things are going well, as they are right now, then it’s hard to feel sad or down about anything. Sure, bird flu is a scary prospect, and there is always the chance that Dick Cheney could shoot me in the face, but I can’t help but feeling okay with all that is wrong in the world when things seem to be going so right in my own personal sector.

This job has fixed me. I was wandering aimlessly, unhappy with my status, feeling lost and without purpose. This company is so perfect for me. It’s small, and there is room for me to make a difference in my day to day life and see results of my hard work. Everyone I work with is really interesting and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better. The space I have is really pleasant, my computer kicks ass, and I have plants now. It’s the office I always wanted and the job I never knew I could get. The only bad thing is the tension I feel when I imagine that it’s going too well. Is something bad waiting around the corner to squash me? Is a giant anvil going to drop out of the sky?

And in other news, we had a lovely St. Patrick’s Day. We spent the evening having dinner at Charleigh and Blaine’s house. We had Corned beef and Cabbage, Potatoes and Guinness. It was delicious! I had never had the corned beef thing before… ( I know, what kind of irish girl am I?) and it was so tasty! Then we went climbing yesterday and I did a 5.10-. This is only the second time I climbed something of that difficulty, and my arms were killing me, but it was so worth it. My goal by summer time is to be climbing 5.10’s regularly. I really want to start learning to lead climb. Eh, all in good time.

Also, I found a dress online to wear to Erin’s wedding in April. And now I’m trying to decide what shoes to get. I like these ones, and these, but I’m not sure. Anyway, I’m having a dinner party tonight for all the girls. They are helping me plan my 80’s Birthday Party. So, I really need to get started on whipping this house into shape.

more later...

Friday, March 17, 2006

Happy St. Patricks Day!



Part of embracing my freckles is embracing my ancestry, so...

Here's to IRELAND! As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

Here are some toasts for you to memorize for tonight. I expect each and every one of you to drink a pint of Guinness!

TOASTS & BLESSINGS

May the light always find you on a dreary day.When you need to be home, may you find your way.May you always have courage to take a chanceAnd never find frogs in your underpants.

Here's to lying, stealing, and cheating!May you lie to save a friend;May you steal the heart of the one you love;and may you cheat death.

Here's to the old lady up the hill.If she won't drink it,I will!

May the dust from your wagon wheels blind the eyes of your enemies.

Here's wishing you the top o' life without a single tumble.Here's wishing you the smiles o' life and not a single grumble.Here's wishing you the best o' life and not a claw about it.Here's wishing you the joy in life and not a day without it.

May Christ and His Saints stand between you and harm.Mary and her Son.Patrick with his staff.Martin with his mantle.Brigid with her veil.Michael with his shield.And God over all with His strong right hand.

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow,And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

May the sun shine all day long,Everything go right and nothing go wrong.May those you love bring love back to youAnd may all the wishes you wish come true!

Walls for the windAnd a roof for the rain,And drinks beside the fire.Laughter to cheer youAnd those you love near you.And all that your heart may desire.

I could have wealth beyond my dreams,But where is the joy in that?And I could travel the seven seas,But I would always come back.Everyone could know my name,And there would be no peace.I could have undying love,And heartaches still increase.No, if I were wealthy beyond my dreams(And where is the joy in that?)It wouldn't buy friendship such as yours --And there IS joy in that!

We're on this Earth together,And if we would be brothers,Fight not just on your own behalfBut for the sake of others.

A world of wishes at your command,God and his angels close at hand,Friends and family, their love impart,And Irish blessings in your heart!

When the wind is howlin' in everyone's ears,May you hear a soft, lilting breeze.And if the rain is crashin' down,May it only be dew at your knees.If the ground 'neath your feet should quiver and shake,I hope you'll be standin' with ease.And never go hungry or wantin' for much;May God grant you all that you need!

May the sound of happy musicAnd the lilt of Irish laughterFill your heart with gladnessThat stays forever after.

May the grass grow long on the road to hell for want of use.

May your doctor never earn a dollar out of you,May your heart never give out,May the ten toes of your feet steer you clear of misfortune.And before you're much older,May you hear much better blessings than this.

May your troubles be as few and far betweenAs my grandmother's teeth.

Here's that we may always have a clean shirt,A clean conscience,And a guinea in our pocket.

May your past be a pleasant memory,Your future filled with delight and mystery,Your now a glorious moment,That fills your life with deep contentment.

May your day be filled with blessingsLike the sun that lights the sky,And may you always have the courageTo spread your wings and fly!

May we live in peace without weeping.May our joy outline the lives we touch without ceasing.And may our love fill the world, angel wings tenderly beating.

May the frost never afflict your spuds.May the outside leaves of your cabbage always be free of worms.May the crow never pick your haystack.And may your donkey always be in foal.

May the leprechauns be near youTo spread luck along your way.

May your right hand alwaysBe stretched out in friendshipAnd never in want.

As the sun rises goldOver the Emerald Isle,May your oat's hot steamWarm your hard work smile.

May the blessings of light be upon you,Light without and light within,And in all your comings and goings,May you ever have a kindly greetingFrom them you meet along the road.

May you work like you don't need the money,Love like you've never been hurt, andDance like no one is watching.

Dance as though no one is watching you,Love as though you have never loved before,Sing as though no one can hear you,Live as though heaven is on earth.

Like the goodness of the five loaves and two fishes,Which God divided among the five thousand men,May the blessing of the King who so dividedBe upon our share of this common meal.

May the cool rain quench your flowers' thirstRenew your spirit,And wash your troubles away.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,May the clarity of light be yours,May the fluency of the ocean be yours,May the protection of the ancestors be yours.

May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities, and promises.May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.May you go into the night blessed, sheltered, and protected.May your soul calm, console, and renew you.

May luck be our companion,May friends stand by our side,May history remind us allOf Ireland's faith and pride.

God bless the corners of this house and all the lintel blessed,And bless the hearth and bless the board and bless each place of rest,And bless each door that opens wide to strangers as to kin,And bless each crystal window pane that lets the starlight in,And bless the rooftree overhead and every sturdy wall.The peace of man. The peace of God. With peace and love for all.

Here's to a long life and a merry one;A quick death and an easy one;A pretty girl and an honest one;A cold beer -- and another one!

Here's to you and here's to meI pray that friends we'll always be,But if by chance we disagree,The heck with you and here's to me!

May you be buried in a casket made from the wood of a 100 year old oakThat I shall plant tomorrow.

May you live foreverAnd may the last words you hear be mine!

May the hinges of our friendshipNever grow rusty.

Here's to us!Who's like us?Darned few, and they're all dead!

May you live to be a hundredAnd may I live to sing at your wake!

'Tis glad I am and glad I'll beThat you like knowin' the likes of me!

May the Irish hills caress you.May her lakes and rivers bless you.May the luck of the Irish enfold you.May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

May those who love us love us.And those that don't love us,May God turn their hearts.And if He doesn't turn their hearts,May he turn their ankles,So we'll know them by their limping.

May you live as long as you want,And never want as long as you live.

May your glass be ever full.May the roof over your head be always strong.And may you be in heavenhalf an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

May the enemies of Ireland never meet a friend.

May the road rise to meet you.May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face.May the rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Here's to you and yoursAnd to mine and ours.And if mine and oursEver come across to you and yours,I hope you and yours will doAs much for mine and oursAs mine and ours have doneFor you and yours!

May the roof above us never fall in.And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.

Here's a toast to your enemies' enemies!

May you have warm words on a cold evening,A full moon on a dark night,And the road downhill all the way to your door.

May there be a generation of childrenOn the children of your children.

May you live to be a hundred years,With one extra year to repent!

May the Lord keep you in His handAnd never close His fist too tight.

May your neighbors respect you,Trouble neglect you,The angels protect you,And heaven accept you.

Here's to your coffin!May your coffin have six handles of finest silver!May your coffin be carried by six fair young maids!And may your coffin be made of finest woodfrom a 100-year-old tree,that I'll go plant tomorrow!

May the saddest day of your future be no worseThan the happiest day of your past.

May there always be work for your hands to do,May your purse always hold a coin or two.May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane,May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.May the hand of a friend always be near you,And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

May your troubles be lessAnd your blessings be more.And nothing but happinessCome through your door.

There are good ships, and there are wood ships,The ships that sail the sea.But the best ships are friendships,And may they always be.

Bless you and yoursAs well as the cottage you live in.May the roof overhead be well thatchedAnd those inside be well matched.

May the luck of the IrishLead to happiest heightsAnd the highway you travelBe lined with green lights.

May brooks and trees and singing hillsJoin in the chorus, too.And every gentle wind that blowsSend happiness to you.

May you be poor in misfortune,Rich in blessings,Slow to make enemies,And quick to make friends.
But rich or poor,Quick or slow,May you know nothing but happinessFrom this day forward.

May you have food and raiment,A soft pillow for your head,May you be forty years in heavenBefore the devil knows you're dead.

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks.May your heart be as light as a song.May each day bring you bright happy hours,That stay with you all year long.

May you have warm words on a cold evening,A full moon on a dark night,And the road downhill all the way to your door.

For each petal on the shamrockThis brings a wish your way,Good health, good luck, and happinessFor today and every day.

May peace and plenty be the firstTo lift the latch on your door,And happiness be guided to your homeBy the candle of Christmas.

May green be the grass you walk on,May blue be the skies above you,May pure be the joys that surround you,May true be the hearts that love you.

May the face of every good newsAnd the back of every bad newsBe toward us.

Here's to the four hinges of society.May you fight, steal, lie and drink.When you fight, may you fight for your country.When you steal, may you steal away from bad company.When you lie, may you lie at the side of your sweetheart.And when you drink, may you drink with me.

May the roof over our heads never fall in.And may we as friends never fall out.

May you haveNo frost on your spuds,No worms on your cabbage.May your goat give plenty of milk.And if you inherit a donkey,May she be in foal.

May you be poor in misfortune,Rich in blessings,Slow to make enemies,And quick to make friends.But rich or poor, quick or slow,May you know nothing but happinessFrom this day forward.

May you get all your wishes but oneso you always have something to strive for!

May your heart be warm and happyWith the lilt of Irish laughterEvery day in every wayAnd forever and ever after.

Health and a long life to you.Land without rent to you.A child every year to you.And if you can't go to heaven,May you at least die in Ireland.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;Love your neighbor as much as yourself.

Get on your kneesand thank the Lordyou're on your feet.

May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.

May the most you wish forBe the least you get.

May the blessings of light be upon you,Light without and light within.And in all your comings and goings.

May good luck be your friendIn whatever you do.And may trouble be alwaysA stranger to you.

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light.May good luck pursue you each morning and night.

May God grant you many years to live,For sure He must be knowing.The earth has angels all too few,And heaven is overflowing.

May you always walk in sunshine.May you never want for more.May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.

May you have love that never ends,Lots of money, and lots of friendsHealth be yours, whatever you doAnd may God send many blessings to you!

May you always have walls for the winds,A roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,Laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,And all your heart might desire.

May God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you,A moonbeam to charm you,A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.

May you live long,Die happy,And rate a mansion in heaven.

As you slide down the banister of life,May the splinters never point the wrong way!

May your troubles be lessAnd your blessings be more.And nothing but happinessCome through your door.

May I see you grayAnd combing your grandchildren's hair.

Wherever you go and whatever you do,May the luck of the Irish be there with you.

May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.

A sunbeam to warm you, Good luck to charm you.A Sheltering angel, So nothing can harm you,Laughter to cheer you, Faithful friends near you,And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.

May you be poor in misfortune,Rich in blessings,Slow to make enemies,And quick to make friends.But rich or poor, quick or slow,May you know nothing but happinessFrom this day forward.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Vases & Vessels

Vases & Vessels


Ooooh! Cool vases...

Bringing in the cheese...

This is my office. Have you ever seen such huge windows in an office? That big butterfly comes with it. ;) They offered to take it down, but I kind of like it. Anyway, the whole space is mine and I get to decorate it any way that I like.

I told Tim that this evening I was going to get together all the stuff I want to have in my office and then traipsed off singing, "Bringing in the crap" (to the tune of "Bringing in the sheaves") To which Tim replied, "Don't you mean bringing in the Sheep?" "No, it's definitely sheaves, although I'm not sure what a Sheave is." I responded. " It must be Cheese. That makes sense. Bringing in the cheese." He said. Ahh Tim, he loves his cheese.

And in other news, there are more pictures here of the office. I spent some time getting to know my boss a bit better. I went throuigh piles of samples of work they have done. It's so exciting all the amazing displays they have done. I am so looking foward to putting my stamp on some of those samples. I know that I can really be effective in this job and so far, that is the most gratifying part of it. They need someone like me to help the company become more successful. I won't just be another face in the office, I have the opportunity to be really helpful to them.

Anyway, Tim is making some dinner involving cheese, so I need to go be supportive and eat it. :) Posted by Picasa

Saturday, March 11, 2006

I ski, therefore I am...

…a skier. Not a very good one mind you, but I did it. Today at Winterpark, no lessons….just a few (knee knocking) runs down the bunny slope and then on to my first green. I smiled all the way down the hill. I had so much fun. Skiing is so much easier than snowboarding! There was no way I could have been that successful at boarding.

Anyway, I did only 4 runs total. The last one was really steep (even though it was a green) and kind of icey. I fell down three times and whether it was nerves or whatever, I just didn’t have enough strength to go again. My muscles had been so tense all day, (even on the ski lift!) that I just couldn’t do anymore. But the point is, I had fun. I definitely want to go again. Tim made it so easy, he was really patient and supportive while I snowplowed my way down the hills. I would not have had as much success without him there to encourage me.

We were able to get a few of our friends up there with us and I really think it was a fun bonding experience for all of us. (Thanks to Charleigh for staying with me as I tumbled my way down that mountain…) Anyway, my knees are so sore from falling, I think I’m just going to go have a glass of wine and lay on the couch for a few hours. *yawn* I am exhausted! Posted by Picasa

Thursday, March 09, 2006

The details...

Okay, so this job that I landed is going to be so fun. That is the most important thing to me. I didn’t want to run out and get some job that I’d be bored doing, it’s just not worth it. After spending all that time in the military, I feel like I really deserve to do something that I love. Anyway, my job will be to make design mockups of huge Christmas installations for client bids. For instance, say that some hotel wants to decorate their entire building and lobby for the holidays. The sales people from our company meets with them, they discuss colors and themes etc. Then, they take pictures of the space that we will be decorating. Then they meet with me, we sketch out the ideas, and then I create realistic images of what the building will look like once it is decorated. Eventually, I’ll be designing their website and doing promotional pages for them.

Anyone who knows me knows that this is the PERFECT job for me. They asked me at the last interview why I wanted this job and I told them, “Are you kidding? It involves Christmas and Graphic Design! The only way this job could be more perfect for me was if you had a rock climbing wall!” I like to think fate smiled on me. My first resume that I sent out, my first job interview, and I landed it. I was so worried when I finished with the military that I’d end up doing some job I hated just to make ends meet. But Tim has been so successful that it’s allowed me to take my time and find a job that I really love.

And in other news, the garage sale went really well. We made way more money than I thought we would, and also, we sold Tim’s P.O.S. car! That thing has been hogging space in the garage for ages, and we sold it. Plus we were able to get rid of a lot of things that had just been lying around. Our landlord is coming for the maintenance survey next Tuesday, so we wanted to make sure the place is tidy and well kept. I mean, it usually is, but during the winter, things tend to get crusty cause it’s too cold to really want to do anything. :)

We are going skiing on Saturday. I’m a little nervous about it. I mean, I haven’t skied in 10 years and the last time I went snowboarding, it was a major disaster. I’m glad we’re going with friends though. Charleigh and Blaine and everyone are coming up with us. So, at least if I look like a fool, I’ll have friends there to remember it for eternity.

Monday, March 06, 2006

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so thrilled! :) I'll write more all about it, but right now, I'm going out to celebrate!

*skips away*

*runs back*

Oh yeah! I KICK ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wooohooo!

*skips away*

Sunday, March 05, 2006

It’s thongs hanging out
Topped with spiky femullet hair
White leather belts
Artfully ripped zip-up sweatshirts
Hair in the eyes
Roughed up vespa’s
Helmets with points up top
No makeup
Just black eyeliner
And chuck taylors
Poking out from underneath booths and stalls
Filled with girls and boys
And everything in between
The dim lights
The neon jesus
Our photo booth doesn’t work anymore
But when it did....
The pictures of kids plastered on the walls of the bathroom
Spoke about how much fun
It can be
To have enough style to take you to the moon
And back
In the Sputnik.

more later about our night...which may or may not have involved roller girls, cream corn, the double decker paddy wagon, and really good single slices of pizza as big as my head.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

FLIGHT 001: Shop By Category

FLIGHT 001: Shop By Category

THE VIEWMASTER! I had one of these...a red one. I had the Bambi reel. It always made me sad. They show him with his mother in one picture, and the next picture you see him walking beside the big stag. You know the stag is telling him that his mother is gone...heartbreaking. *sigh* I want to see that again.

And in other news, I have a THIRD interview next Monday for this job I'm after. I should find out whether or not I got it then. I'm all discomboulated about it. I feel like I should apply for a bunch more jobs, just so if I don't get it I won't be let down so much.

*yawn* and now... to bed.