Im Back!

My sincerest apologies for being inactive during the entire month of April! Spring is a time of new starts so I intend to be a better blogger during May. Hopefully everyone had a pleasant Easter and is now busy with their gardens or tending to other spring projects. Things certainly have been busy here so I cant wait to share some projects that I’ve been working on or that I have in the hopper. But right now, I have a batch of very ripe bananas that are screaming to be baked. See you soon…promise!

Happy Birthday Barbie!

As one of the most influential women in my life *cough*, I feel it appropriate to take note of Barbie on her 50th birthday!

Magic Moves Barbie, I loved your blue fur gown and awesome moves!

(Yes, I had her!)

And Crystal Barbie was oh so flashy in her iridescent dress (and crunchy too!).

(Yes, I had her too!)

And Peaches and Cream Barbie, you were always one of my favorites. So much so, I dreamed of having a peach wedding all through childhood.

(Unfortunately, I did not acquire this doll and I'm still a little bitter.)

Happy birthday Barbie! If it weren't for you, my childhood memories would be cut nearly in half!

Bird's the Word?

At the start of 2008, I decided to live the year by a single word instead of several resolutions. Resolutions that I knew I wouldn't be able to keep. Hoping that '08 would hold some excitement, I chose the word celebrate. By choosing one single word, I found myself looking for ways to use it. Ways to put it into action. I posted about a few instances throughout my blog journey; graduating from college, a new job, my first sale on Etsy! But the truth is, I was able to find ways to celebrate in even the smallest every-day details. That's when I knew that my word was working! And even though '08 is now past, celebrating will continue because I made a point to make it a part of my life. If you chose a word last year, I hope you were successful in putting it to use. If not, why not choose a word to live by in '09? Share it with your loved ones so that they can help you to live by it as well.

So, what's my word for 2009? You'll have to stay tuned to find out!

Say hello...

to our 'ittle friend. Ladies and gentlemen, this...is Barney. Max was spending time with his 'little' today (his little brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program) and came home with a Bearded Dragon. I okayed a lizard, because I was told that a cheap little $9 one would be cool. Barney here, did not cost $9 but we wont dwell on that little detail. Lets focus on the real issue at hand. I have...a lizard...in my basement. And it better stay there.

Alright, so the little guy is kinda cute, in a lizard sort of way. Anything's cute when its smaller than the size of my hand. But these things don't stay that small. They get big. And ugly. And it now lives in our basement! If it wasn't for the cool program that Max is involved in, I'm not sure Id be so hip and cool with Barney taking up residence in our basement. But, its something good for Max and his little so I am cool with it. How harmful can a little lizard be right?!

Adventures of a travelin’ girl…

Sometimes, I have a pretty sweet job. Or maybe it’s just a regular job with a few sweet perks every now and again. Either way, its days like this when I am happy to be in Corporate America playing the role of a successful, high powered business woman. Im not really all that successful and not the least bit a high powered business woman, but I play one on tv. Okay, so I don’t play one on tv either.

Back in the spring I was asked to co-present at a large conference in Chicago with one of the banking institutions that we do business with. Apparently I was such a smash hit (gag me!) that they asked if I would co-present the same presentation at a conference in Grand Rapids, MI. Okay, so you’re going to fly me to Grand Rapids, put me up in the Amway Grand, feed me, entertain me, make me stand in front of a hundred people for an hour, then send me on my way? Where do I sign?

Let me just say that I am NOT an experienced traveler. I don’t think I have been through a major airport since the 9-11 attacks. As a matter of fact, I stepped off of a plane the very morning those horrific things took place and haven’t been back since. I remember all the hype about increased security measures, shoe bombers, all that. But when I was preparing for my trip, I forgot to make myself familiar with the new airport guidelines. I checked myself in online, was all set and ready…so I thought. I didn’t check my bag, decided to carry it on with me so I wouldn't have to pay the ridiculous fee that the airports are charging these days. Mistake! Thank God I was at the airport at a non-busy time because otherwise, I would have been mortified. As Im standing there…shoeless…how can anyone be comfortable in an airport security line without any shoes on? Anyway, Im watching them scan my computer, my bag, my purse, then…my suitcase. They might as well have started blowing sirens or something. The lady indicated that there was a problem and they would need to search my bag. Omg. Right there, for everyone to see, are the contents of my suitcase. Thank goodness I packed my cute undies right? Someone forgot to remind me that big bottles of anything liquid are NOT allowed on a plane. For crying out loud, what am I going to do with a bottle of Dove hairspray? Its Dove! A symbol of peace! How harmful can a half empty can of hairspray be? Fine, take it. Oh, and this Clean and Clear facial soap…fine, you can have that too. And the lotion. And my toothpaste. They picked up my bottle of Channel perfume and I about went postal on them…oh, but it was okay. Wshew! I then got a brief lesson from the should-be retired security officer as to what’s allowable and what’s not. And then he gave me a Ziploc bag to put all the allowable stuff in. Him handing me that plastic bag was like being handed that little plastic cup at the doctor’s office. Here, fill this up!

Alright, so Im finally through security and waiting at the gate with plenty of time to spare (which for me is a small miracle in and of itself). Im boarding the plane just like everyone else, and as I give my ticket to the ticket-taker-guy, he slightly glances up at me and says in a tone that is barely audible, ‘thank you Supermodel Miller.’ Lol!! I chuckled, said thank you, walked away, then rolled my eyes. Where was he when they were searching my private belongings?! I should have corrected him and stated that today I am not a supermodel; I am a high powered business woman. I’m only a supermodel on the weekends.

Changes

No matter how tightly we try to hang on, summer is slipping away. With the passing of Labor Day, summer’s unofficial end, fall is certainly upon us. But what a great time to celebrate! Autumn is such a splendid time of year with a multitude of things to look forward to. A fresh start to school (except for me, yeah!), the kickoff to football season, vibrant colors, festivals, harvest, food, Oh the food!! *sigh* Fall has become my most favorite time of year. I just wish the beautiful leaves would hang tight a little longer and the crisp air filled with sunshine would endure a few weeks more. But to everything there is a season right?

In tune with the season’s change, I have updated my blog just a bit. With the new month comes a new banner, one of my favorite ways to express creativity. You may also note that I’ve updated my blog lists and categorized my favorite selections. I am always on the lookout for wonderful and inspiring blogs!

I look forward to sharing this fantastic season with you!

Fun with Flowers

Thank you everyone for your kind words in regards to my I Did It! post. Though I have a long way to go before I make it to where Id like to be professionally, I realize that this first event is a very important building block for my future. I intend to have a lot of fun along the way and I hope you'll all join me for the adventure.

I mentioned that the centerpieces we used for the event would come in handy for a few other projects. First up (because my other ideas haven't come to full fruition), is some basic fun with pictures. I am a very visual person, love pictures of pretty things. Max laughs at me all the time when he asks about a magazine I'm "reading" and I reply with, I don't know what it's about, I'm just looking at the pictures! Don't worry, I know how to read...I just really love pictures. I know you're not suppose to judge a book by its cover but I do. I really do! And pictures are worth a thousand words aren't they? I digress but one thing I have been enjoying recently is playing around with my camera and trying to understand how it works best and how to take decent pictures. It's hard for me to leave something in its original unaltered state. That's why we have hobbies, so we can play right?!

I took scads of pictures of these centerpieces, both at night and during the day to see how the lighting effected the pictures. Then, I uploaded them to a photo editing software and started playing around. I bought Corel Paint Shop Pro last semester but was way too busy to take the tutorial to learn how to use it. I still haven't done that but Ive had fun trying to learn on my own. I find I learn best through trial and error. Until I learn the right way then I wonder why I wasted so much time trying and erroring... So this post is nothing more than a reason to show you some pictures of flowers and to talk about the fun I had playing around with the images.
Before:

After:
The pictures look a little fuzzy here on Blogger so I hope to get a Flickr account open soon so photos can be viewed in their best format.

Let me introduce you!

It has been about a year since I first discovered blogs. When I first heard the term “blog” I thought it was a medical term for some sort of yellowy mucus or an illness of some sort. But when I inadvertently stumbled upon my first blog evah, I was instantly hooked. It didn’t take me long before I was surfin blogs on a daily basis, then soon after, I started one of my own. Im still trying to determine what all my blog is suppose to be about, what its true purpose is, but until I have more time to devote to it and its readers, it is what it is. But aren’t blogs just great? I love ‘em and look forward to checking in each day with some of the worlds most creative and interesting people.

Recently, while checking in on a regular favorite, the writer mentioned having just discovered a particular blog. She claimed it to be awesome, so of course I had to check it out. Check it out I did, and I was instantly 100% hooked, impressed, amazed, and inspired by this woman that I am about to introduce you to. Her website is chock full of stories that will have you in stitches, crying tears of empathy, or shaking your head in amazement (Confessions, Home & Garden). The site boasts amazing photographs (Photography) that she takes herself and recipes that could make even Betty Crocker’s mouth water (Cooking). She calls her husband “Marlboro Man.” Perhaps you’ve already heard of her, perhaps not. Either way, get super comfy because once you start reading about this fabulous lady and her life, you wont want to stop. Simply put, she’s amazing. I hope you will enjoy, as much as I have:
The Pioneer Woman

Future Fortune

Another normal day at the office. Doing my work, punching numbers, lots of daydreaming about all things crafty...the usual. Went to lunch, scarfed down some delicious Chinese, then cracked open my fortune cookie.
I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. ~Author Unknown

(I think I'll hang onto this one...just in case.)

One year ago...

It is hard for me to believe that it was one year ago today that Max and I "joined forces." Our past several years together have gone by so quickly, memories seem as if they happened only yesterday. No wonder we have a hard time remembering how long we've actually been together. We've come a long way, and I cant wait to see how the next 50 years turn out!

See Cat Run!

I thought I would give the blog's video feature a go today.
This looks like something Max would do with Calli...(we all know Mandy is too lazy to even think about giving this a whirl!)



Happy Friday!

Dream Glow Barbie

Thanks to my friend Kristal, you all can now have a visual of the Barbie I referenced in my birthday post. Id like to introduce you all to Dream Glow Barbie!

She was special. The shaw around her shoulders came off and could be placed around her parasol...the perfect accessory for a date out with Ken...who was also outfitted with glow in the dark stars on his matching tie and vest. Im sure they were a sight to see walking around in Barbieland, especially at night!

When doing a little research on ole Barbie, I ran across many others that I had as a kid. I had so many Barbies that I could probably fill a year's worth of posts detailing them all. They just dont make them like they used to though...!

They say its your birthday...

Today is my birthday. I’ve always thought it to be pretty special to have a day all to myself, “my day”. The one day out of the year when I can wear what I want, eat what I want, do what I want, and not feel guilty for it. Just one day, that’s all I need. I don’t need presents or parties or all of that, just knowing that the day is mine to do as I wish is simply enough. But, presents never hurt… ;)

Maybe it’s because I’m another year older, or simply because its summer time but nostalgia is setting in and I find myself thinking back to when I was a kid. Childhood was a much simpler time, a great place to have been. So I share with you now, my favorite birthday memory.

Im not sure how old I would have been, but I would say early elementary school age. My dad was out working and my mom had plans to be somewhere else that day so she took me to Grandma’s house. As a kid, I was a Barbie fa-na-tic! Couldn’t have ever had enough Barbies, it just wasn’t possible. For this particular birthday, I was getting a new Barbie but I couldn’t have it until I got to Grandma’s. Was this bribery to make sure I behaved for the two mile car ride to get there? I’m not sure, but I do remember the anticipation of getting that much wanted Barbie. She had a long pink ball gown type dress with stars all over it, and they glowed in the dark! Oh she was beautiful. For the few days leading up to my birthday, I would sneak into my parent’s bedroom and just look at her in her box…with the lights out of course so that I could see the cool stars on her dress. Once we arrived at Grandma’s I received my Barbie and was in heaven. But, as much as I loved Barbies, the doll isn’t what makes this birthday so memorable.

Growing up, the radio was always on in the kitchen playing country music. It was a part of every day and I had no idea how many memories I would have that relate to the comforting sounds that came from that little box. Each morning, birthdays were announced over the radio and every once in a while we’d hear a name that we’d recognize. As a child, this was astonishing! Almost like being famous! As my birthday approached, I remember mentioning something to my mom about my wonder if they would announce my birthday. I dunno, she said, I guess you’ll just have to wait and listen.

So when I got to Grandma’s that day, I immediately told her that we needed to have the radio on to listen for the birthday announcements at such and such time. She looked at me like, uh huh, okaaaay… But I was serious, I needed to be a witness to if my name was called or not. So, the time came, and we turned on the radio. Grandma was in her rocking chair, I standing beside her, and the names were called. Jill Deno! Oh my goodness, that’s me! They called my name, it’s my birthday and they called my name!! I was so excited! And my Grandma being the wonderful person she was, sat up in her rocking chair, cocked her head with the “Oh!” expression on her faced and just looked at me. Like, ‘Did you hear that? They called your name!’ For a brief moment, I was famous. How on earth did they know that it was my birthday?! I don’t know how many names were called that day but I felt like the most special birthday girl in the world. They knew…that it was my birthday. Amazing. As soon as my mom came to get me later that day (or morning, I’m not sure how long I was really there) I HAD to tell her all about it. And as mothers do, she played along as if she had no idea how on earth they would have known it was my birthday. It was one of those simple things that moms do, which they think goes on unnoticed, but it really didn't. A Barbie and a radio announcement, such a simple act of kindness that turned out to be one of my fondest memories of childhood.

And that my friends, is my favorite birthday memory.

Springtime Beauties

I've had my eye on these flowers for the past week, anxiously awaiting their arrival. Today, the spring sun and 70 degree weather brought them into season.
I just love these flowers! So simple yet so georgous with their full, ruffly skirts and perfect shade of pale pink. It's too bad the ants love them as much as I do.

Spring has Sprung!

Hello friends! It has been a month since my last post, I really cant believe it! School has been keeping me very busy, that is for sure. Im down to just over a month to go and then I'll be back to my normal blogging routine.

Today is officially the first day of spring and fortunately Mother Nature was nice and gave us sunshine and 50 degree weather. Much needed love Im tellin' ya! We still have some chilly days ahead so I thought this little picture I found out on flickr was appropriate for these last few days of March.

Happy Spring!

Something New

Go here to make your own library card.

Frustrated!

Im about to share some information with you that could be classified as "TMI", too much information. But I have to share...

So my dog Mandy has this little problem...she...likes to eat my underwear. Why? I dont know but I wish I did. She has done this ever since Max and I have been together. And gosh darn if it isnt usually my best or favorite pair of undies. Does she eat Max's underoos? Oh no, just mine.

For those of you that dont know Mandy, she's...sensitive. Or maybe spoiled is more like it. We've figured out that she does NOT like to be left...for any period of time. If you leave her, you better pin her up or you'll likely pay for it. If we dont pin her up or put her outside, the bedroom door is shut or all undies are placed up high.

So tonight, after spending some time on the computer and getting rather sleepy, I headed for bed. After I turned on the light I stopped dead in my tracks. 1...2...3...4 pairs of underware, laying on the floor, eaten. Ohhhh I was mad. Two of the four were salvaged from a previous ransacking-no loss there, the third wasnt pretty but salvageable, and the fourth...well the fourth makes me the maddest of all. Just a couple of weeks ago I cleaned out my sock and underwear drawers. I pitched a ton of things that I no longer wear or that did not *ahem* fit. Now, Im particular about my undies and what I like so when I finally found "the ones" I picked up several pairs. To my horror, Fruit of the Loom apparently has discontinued this style. But why?! Needless to say, Mandy has eaten all of them. So anyway, as I was cleaning out my drawers, I found one pair that I had forgotten about which was completely untouched by Mandy dog. You would have thought I had just struck gold or something! So guess which pair was number 4...yeah.

So why did Mandy eat my underwear since I was home all evening with her? Simple. I didnt share my pizza crusts with her. She has developed this bad habit where she thinks she gets to lick every dish when we're done with it. Im trying to stop that so when I was done with my pizza tonight, I threw away the crusts. Now mind you, I did give her two bites but she knew there were more that I wasnt giving her...hence the reason for eating my underwear. She was mad at me. That's what she does. If she's mad at you she will find something of yours and eat it. So she received a spankin' and was told that she couldnt sleep in bed with us tonight. Take THAT Miss Mandy. *hmph*

Free Sample!

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The "Word"

Have you been reading about picking your "word" for 2008 as much as I have? I've seen it mentioned on several blogs that I frequent and I must say, it's really had me thinking. It appears to have started with Alie Edwards, though I have no idea if this is her genuine idea or if she was inspired by someone else. Instead of making resolutions, which we all know how easy those are to bend, break, and forget, you choose a word to live by throughout the year. So, I've been thinking about what my word should be and I cant seem to settle on just one, or at least cant find "the" one. You can read about Alie's word here, see a giant list she compiled from her readers' words here as well as what to do once you've found your word here. Check out the list and maybe some inspiring words will be your "word" for 2008. If you decide to join in on this craze, let us know what your word is and what it means to you.

Out Sick

What is with this sickness Ive had lately?! Is anyone else experiencing what Ive had? Please, someone say its not just me. Unfortunately, I think the holidays are to blame. It all started with my face breaking out. Yep, zits. Big ugly ones. Ugly enough to make my husband say 'ugh, your face DOES look bad!' Thanks honey. No, that's not really a sickness, but its the start of several weeks of feeling down right cruddy. Then, after we returned from the bowl game I came down with the flu, the cold type flu. I "thought" I was over that then I started to come down with something else, except I just couldn't put my finger on it. Then, on NYeve, I started to loose my voice and then it went ka-put all together. Once my voice came back (three days later) a cold set in. Not just any cold, but a cold with the works. You know the kind; aches, sneezing, coughing, runny yet stuffy nose. Can someone please explain to me how your nose can be stuffed up, unable to breathe, yet constantly drip? What's going on in there?! Like little cold bugs are having a party in my nose, taking up all the breathing room and spilling their drinks. Ugh, so frustrating. So add to all that the itchy eyes, sinus pressure, headaches, lack of sleep, the list goes on. Oh boy I love this time of year. I usually only get this crud once a season so lets hope this is IT! The good news is that after those single digit degree days we had last week, today and yesterday were in the mid 60s! People were on the golf course I tell ya, in January, in Indiana!! No wonder Im sick... Anywho, I just wanted to drop in and explain why Ive been MIA for the past few days. I do have some exciting news to share with you later this week. I'm not sure when yet, as school started today, ack!! So once I get a few minor details squared away, its "extra, extra, read all about it!" See ya then!