Sketch Challenge Entry: Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 131

When I saw the challenge for this week posted on the sweetest thing's blog, I decided to take on the challenge.

Recently, I was given a bunch of metal key embellishments, so they've been appearing in many of my designs lately. They're pretty fun, and I thought this one would make an interesting accent in place of buttons or brads.

The notebook-looking background is actually embossed using one of Tim Holtz's texture fade embossing folders, which I distressed. The stamp is also a Tim Holtz product - part of his Stamper's Anonymous cling mount rubber stamps collection. I love the sentiment. I added Glossy Accents to the word "imagine," because it stood out to me in this quote.

Well, there you go - my entry into Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 131 (SSSC131). Let me know what you think.

Growing Up

I just got back from my lunch break. Today was my oldest's first elementary school field trip. Actually, it's a day of "firsts": first time going to school for a full day, first time on a school bus, first time on a field trip without one of us.

I had to work today, since it's Easter this weekend - lots of preparation going on at the church today. But my boss and coworkers were totally cool with me taking a longer lunch, so I met up with his class at the park to eat lunch.

While there, I observed several things: 1) being a kindergarten teacher takes a special gift - a gift which I do not possess; 2) my kid loves his teacher and classmates; 3) suddenly, my baby has become a kid.

My son is becoming more independent. It makes me happy and sad. I hope we're doing a good job raising him...regardless, he's growing up.

Five Reasons NBC Should “Save Chuck”

Hello, my name is Melissa, and I am a Chuck-addict.

I was not among the original fans of the show; instead, I was turned onto it by GMMR-in-chief, Kath, who suggested I check it out. Thanks to my local public library, I was able to borrow the first three seasons on DVD. It was a painless way to get hooked, and I am, indeed, hooked on Mr. Chuck Bartowski and his crew. Don’t worry, NBC; I plan on buying every season for my own collection, so I can watch it all again. I fully intend to turn my hubby into an addict once he graduates. Yeah, I’m a pusher.

I remember when, during the first season of Chuck, NBC threatened to ax it from the lineup. I remember “Save Chuck” was everywhere – even on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart (who is, himself, extremely awesome) tossed in a plea to “Save Chuck” during a couple of shows. NBC listened (for once) to its viewers and saved the show. It seems like every season, Chuck is on the brink of cancellation only to be renewed in the 11th hour, much to the relief of fans worldwide. (I’m assuming the fans are worldwide; if not, they should be.) This brings up an interesting question: why is NBC renewing crap shows like Parenthood and Law & Order (and all its inbred grandchildren), apparently without a second thought, while leaving Chuck fans in fear of losing one of the few shows that keep them tuned to NBC. Perfect Couples, Outsourced, Community, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Chuck are the shows that have coveted “Season PASS” status on my dvr. Literally, those five shows, out of all of NBC’s programming, are the only NBC shows I watch on a regular basis.

So, NBC, aside from keeping this viewer happy, here are five reasons you need to bring Chuck back for a fifth season. Really, I could have made this list a lot longer, but I figured five was enough to make my point. Anything more might be considered overkill.

1. Zachary Levi is brilliant.

I am obsessed with Zachary Levi. Don’t worry; my husband knows. He’s the one who called me out on it. I couldn’t really argue. Here’s the thing about Zac: he is extraordinarily talented, but incredibly humble. He brings Chuck to life in a way that no other actor could do. It has something, I’m sure, to do with the fact that Chuck and Zac are both self-proclaimed nerds. That, however, can only take an actor so far – at some point, the actor’s skill and the writers understanding of how to use the actor’s skills must align. This is essential in turning a character into a beloved part of pop culture. Zac and the crew of Chuck hit that point at about episode five. The writers have done an excellent job of writing for Zac’s strengths – all they need to do is write a musical episode, and we’ll be good.

Chuck is a complex character. He is, of course, smart and tech-savvy, but he is also a character with great heart and humility. He is willing to do what it takes for his family, his friends, the woman he loves, his country, and usually ends up doing things that put himself last. All the while, he is character that makes us believe that, if duty called, even we could be heroes.

Zac brings an honesty to Chuck that we wouldn’t necessarily expect from a character that, really, is very special. He keeps the character grounded in reality – no matter the spy gig, butt-kicking, Volkoff-taking-down-genius-planning, we believe Chuck as the guy next door. Often, tense moments in the shows are lightened by a funny expression on Chuck's face, or a brilliantly-delivered one-liner that makes the watcher, forgive me, chuckle. In an industry where actors can get complacent in their characters and "phone it in" (I'm looking at you, David Caruso - how does that guy still have a job?), Zac continues to develop Chuck into a multidimensional character as the show progresses.

2. Ellie & Awesome are…well, awesome.

Ellie and Awesome. I can really identify with Ellie - she is truly the "normal" in the midst of the hectic, secretive, dangerous, and risky plotlines of Chuck. Ellie and Awesome represent Chuck’s roots – they keep him grounded when his life seems a little too much like an action movie. The Awesomes (yeah, that’s what I call them) get married and have a baby, all while the rest of the gang is trying to bring down an international crime lord. The genius of this juxtaposition, and the brilliant ways in which Sarah Lancaster and Ryan McPartlin bring their characters to life, add the dimension of reality to Chuck.

3. The rest of the cast keep the storylines balanced.

Sarah, Casey and The General continually push Chuck to move beyond his comfort zone. They challenge him, typically underestimate him, protect him and guide him as he navigates the tricky double life of a spy.

Sarah: The romantic relationship between Chuck & Sarah has moved from fake to real over the course of four seasons; the writers have done a great job of showing the human side of Sarah Walker – her insecurities and fears allow the watcher to finally identify with this special lady. Regardless of our own ability (or lack thereof) to kick booty, we have all felt like hyperventilating in a roomful of relatives. Even though Sarah kicks butt & looks amazing, the relationship between the two characters isn't perfect - they have arguments, miscommunication, moments of doubt, and in the end, they show us that no relationship is perfect all the time. Yvonne Strahovski is excellent at bringing vulnerability and strength to Sarah.

Casey: Ah, Casey. He’s a little bit scary. Casey is fully and intensely devoted to country, guns and Ronald Reagan. The country-devotion is extremely admirable. The guns-devotion is scary. His level of Reagan-fervor is, well…it’s creepy. Adam Baldwin’s ability to make Casey communicate in large part via growling grunts and death-glares is wonderful, and actually very funny, especially since he’s not grunting or glaring directly at me. The current season’s addition of Casey’s long-lost daughter (and her new relationship with Morgan) has provided an interesting twist – suddenly, Casey seems like a real human being, rather than a government-programmed cyborg.

The General: she’s just good fun. She’s sort of like the principal of Chuck School – she keeps everyone in line, and runs a tight ship. Whenever she shows up in person, and stands anywhere near Chuck, the watcher just has to giggle a little at the expansive height difference between Bonita Friedericy and Zachary Levi. Plus, she’s a redhead, which is awesome.

Morgan Grimes and the Buy More crew keep Chuck grounded in reality, and usually provide the comic relief during the tense moments of the show.

Morgan: I heart Morgan. I think he is hysterical, and I love how much he loves his friends. Once again, the writers have really scored with this character – they have allowed Morgan to continue being Chuck’s best friend, confidant, brother-from-another-mother (wow, that’s lame) and sidekick. One compelling reason for a fifth season: Morgan as Chuck’s best man. Think of the opportunities for the writers – the bachelor party, the best man toast, Morgan losing the ring…the possibilities are extensive. Joshua Gomez is wonderful – his comedic timing and heart come through in every performance.

The Buy More crew: Jeffster’s musical performances are better than any bland background music. Both Jeff and Lester are just the right amount of creepy and crazy; they are absolutely hilarious and shameless and I love it. Big Mike is great – I love that he’s on his way to becoming a father-figure to Morgan…both literally and figuratively. Bringing him back as Morgan’s assistant manager was a stroke of genius.

4. The writing and visual effects are outstanding.

The crew of Chuck puts a lot of work into creating a high-tech world of international espionage that is both believable and unbelievable. It’s a fine balance, but these guys are up to the challenge, and they deliver. Repeatedly. The cool technology and technological concepts that show up in every episode are tools used by the writers and actors to create the world of Chuck, and the watcher feels like a part of that world each week.

The writers behind Chuck are amazing. They have such a good grasp of each character’s personality, motivations, idiosyncrasies, and what each actor brings to his or her character; the lines feel natural, the plot rarely feels forced or dragged. The writers, like the effects crew, walk the tightrope of believable/unbelievable every week, and they nearly always maintain their balance. As someone who dabbles in writing, it is inspiring to see a group of professionals who really know their craft. Given the amount of poor writing on television today (i.e., scripted “reality” shows), it really is a gift to see well-written scripts brought to life.

5. Really, what else is worth watching on NBC right now?

I was a huge fan of The Office, but my enthusiasm for the show has petered out over the past few seasons. In fact, last season I recorded every episode, but didn’t begin watching it until the summer. I got through the wedding episode, and deleted the rest of the season without even watching. I just wasn’t invested in the show anymore – I had lost the connection to the characters, and I didn’t feel the writing was all that brilliant any more.

I’ve never gotten into Parks and Recreation or 30 Rock or Parenthood. I tried; really, I did. An episode or two, and I just wasn’t hooked. Community, Outsourced and Perfect Couples are brilliant; if NBC execs are paying attention, they will renew all three of these comedies next season without thinking twice.

Jimmy Fallon is the saving grace of NBC’s late night programming, especially since NBC screwed Conan in favor of “Lame Leno” (my own nickname for him). Yeah, that’s right; I called you out on that one. What you did was wrong, and you know it. Let’s just get that out there so we can move on.

And that’s it. There is nothing else on NBC that I feel is worth watching. Really, NBC, if you don’t give Chuck fans a fifth season, what will you replace it with? Another show like The Cape? How about Chase? Both of those have really been winners…not. It’s difficult to pull in viewers these days – Fox has been busy building clever shows, ABC is beginning to pull together solid programming, and basic cable channels are giving you all a run for your money. Don’t pull a fan-favorite like Chuck when it has hit its stride.

Listen, I’ve been to Comic-Con; I was at the Chuck panel last year, and I can tell you, these fans are fiercely devoted to this show, and it is borderline scary to think about how much free time some of them have. Combining the power of fanatics and Twitter is a risky concoction. Please listen to the many fans who have begged and pleaded for this show. Please remember the first rule of marketing: it is easier and more cost-effective to keep current customers than to try to win over new customers. (The second rule is, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.)

Be Still My Drum-Like Beating Heart (Plain White T's, Part 2)

[author note: my wretched phone's camera sucks, so please forgive the terrible quality of the photos. boo.]

Finally, the date of the concert arrived. Colorado, along with two-thirds of the country, found itself suffering arctic cold and ice. The weather forecasters were calling for extreme subzero temperatures during the coming week. I was afraid that my date with PWTS would be cancelled. All day, I checked Twitter, sure the guys would post any cancellation news there first. It was Tim who finally posted a tweet about the cold Denver weather. I pounced on the tweet, asking if the band would be playing for sure. His response (yeah, he responded!) was, “Of course.” Yes! My date was still on! I waited impatiently for my hubby to come home and scarf dinner, so we could make the trek to Denver.

Stage Set

The concert opened with a band called Miggs, who were high-energy, pick-flicking bundles of fun. Their music was good, and I could see how they fit in on this tour. The next act was Parachute. I had heard of Parachute, and realized as they played that I had heard their music without knowing the band’s name. They were great – we loved the combination of piano-guitar-drums-bass-sax, and the vocals were amazing. The songs were fabulous.

Parachute

More Parachute

Finally, it was time. I had finagled my way as near to the stage as possible – about four people separated me from the T’s...although, all four people were taller than me, so that sucked. Still, I could see between their heads, so woo-hoo! They took the stage, the opening chords of “Irrational Anthem” blared through the speakers, and my heart filled with joy. There’s something about hearing music performed live, with passion and energy and love, that brings a connection to the artist and the music that a recording, however amazing it may be, lacks.

Tim (I took this for my kiddo; as a concession for not bringing him to see his favorite band,
I promised to take a picture of his favorite singer.)

The crew (my camera couldn't get them all in one shot)

The T’s played a combination of new and old music; I had been so obsessed with Wonders, I hadn’t bothered to check out any of their other music. Of course, I knew “Delilah”, "Hate" and “1, 2, 3, 4”, but the guys played some songs I had never heard before. They played “Boomerang”, “Welcome to Mystery”, “Last Breath” and “Cirque dans la rue” (one of my favorites) from Wonders. “Revenge”, “Radios in Heaven” and others rounded out the amazing range of this band’s talent. As my hubby, who hadn’t yet heard Wonders, with the exception of “Rhythm of Love”, put it, “I had no idea they were so much more than just a couple of guys with guitars!”

"Pledge allegiance; everybody stand up! This is our 'Irrational Anthem'!"

So, after the guys played “Our Song”, Tim said he was going to play “his song”. I had seen interviews with Tim in which he talked about writing “Rhythm” for an ex-girlfriend. Tonight, “his song” turned out to be a song called “Sunlight”, which he had written for his ex-wife. Tim said, seemingly abashed for some reason, that “she pretty much ruined my life.” He commented that he had written the song during some dark days, but that, even though things weren’t going well, he had written the song from a hopeful perspective. And then he played. Now, I’m probably biased, since Tim is my favorite T (although I dig them all), but listening to the song turned my admiration for ‘Bropez’ into full-on awe. He’s shied away from singing lead vocals until “Rhythm,” and on this tour, the T’s decided to put a few more lead vox on his shoulders. Brilliant. The song is beautiful, the lyrics heart-wrenching in their soul-baring honesty; his performance was authentic, and surprisingly tender, given the circumstances under which he wrote the song.

This is actually during 'Rhythm of Love'.

Another cool moment: the band left the stage near the end of the concert, and the stage lights went out. Suddenly, Tom was on a platform behind us, in the middle of the theater. He played a stripped down rendition of “Delilah”, and we all sang along with him. It’s pretty incredible to hear a theater-full of people singing a song together, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar. Tom made his way back to the stage, and the rest of the T’s joined him to close out the show with “Wonders of the Younger”.

'Hey There Delilah'

And that was it. Although we had been there for hours, and the T’s had certainly delivered, playing a ton of music, I still felt bereft. They hadn’t played “Body Parts”, which is my favorite song on Wonders. They hadn’t played “Map of the World”. They couldn’t be done!

They were. Once the urge to weep had passed, and we were on our way home, I realized that I had witnessed something only those who attend live performances witness: artistic greatness. Plain White T’s had been firmly entrenched in my musical heart. These guys, all five of them, are stellar performers who perform full-out, with energy and heart.

Blacklit carnival scene on the stage background

Obsession Confession (Plain White T's, Part 1)

A few years ago, when “Hey There Delilah” was in heavy rotation on the radio, I remember singing along like everyone else. My sister would sing it to my new baby, and he would coo and giggle. I remember watching the Red Carpet specials for the Grammys the year the song was nominated, when Tom Higgenson (although I didn’t know his name at the time) brought the Delilah for whom he wrote the song as his date. The Red Carpet interviewers made a big deal about Delilah’s presence, and she made it a point to clarify that she wasn’t there as Higgenson’s girlfriend. I don’t know if I even knew the band’s name, but I do remember thinking, “Dang, Delilah – the dude wrote you a Grammy-worthy song…what is wrong with you? Lock that down, girl!”

Fast-forward to one morning in November, 2010. I was getting ready for work, and had VH1’s Jumpstart on for background noise. Suddenly, I heard the intro to a song that literally stopped me in my tracks. Mascara wand in hand, my eyes were glued to the screen as “Rhythm of Love” entranced me with its mellow, upbeat acoustic guitar-centered song. Before the song was even finished, I had rewound live tv so I could record the video to my dvr. And thus began my obsession with the Plain White T’s.

Over the course of the next month, I listened to that song repeatedly, having bought it on iTunes as soon as it was available. My five year old son was equally obsessed, asking me to replay the song as soon as it had finished playing, and the two of us sang the song together, word-for-word. I followed the band on Twitter, became a fan on Facebook, and waited impatiently for their new album’s release. I had a gift card in my iTunes account, and earmarked a good chunk of it to purchasing the entire album.

Finally, the day came – I downloaded Wonders of the Younger, and listened to nearly nothing else for a full two months. Wonders of the Younger is like the audio interpretation of Tim Holtz’s designs – it is vintage, off-beat, circus-freak show, creepy-carnival-evoking, fantasy-igniting, creativity-inspiring.

After the first listen, my head was filled with ideas for music videos, films, books – all centered around this unique album. Each song stands on its own, but the songs fit together and create a world in which so-called “freaks” are normal. Is it strange to befriend a bearded lady, party with carnies, walk the plank of a pirate ship, pillage a village, share rose-scented kisses? Not in this world.

PWTS released their touring schedule for Wonders, and as part of my Christmas present, my husband (who tolerates my weird obsessions with random things/people/music/etc. with extremely good grace, although he usually wears a “you are ridiculous but I love you anyways” expression) bought us tickets to their Denver show. Meanwhile, I couldn’t stop listening to Wonders. By the date of the concert, I had every song memorized, knew which song was which simply by the intro, and could be found humming songs from the album under my breath nearly 24/7.

[to be continued]

It's 2011? Already?

I can't believe I have to start writing '2011' on everything. The last decade has gone by so quickly, and was packed with changes in my life.

In 10 years, I:

• graduated from college
• got married
• bought a house. Became a landlord, and bought another house.
• became self-employed.
• had a kid. *truelove*
• had another kid. *truelove*
• went to my 10 year high school reunion. *yikes*
• traveled to a bunch of rad places with family and friends.
• turned 30. *boo*
• became employed by someone other than myself.
• and so much more.

2011 brings a year of milestones:

• 10 years since college.
• 10 years of being married to my love.
• my love graduates with his MBA.

These milestones are pretty significant, and I've decided that this year's resolutions should reflect the same significance. So, here are my resolutions for 2011:

• to finish one of the four novels I've started. That's right - I've started four novels, and not one is even a complete first draft. This year, I need to get one to the point where it can be read and revised...like a real book.
• to continue the agonizing important trips to the gym. Upcoming family vacations will require time in a bathing suit, and after two kids, let's just say me in a bikini is currently not on any list of lovely things. I need to keep working on my fitness.
• create a portfolio of writing work. This is the resolution I'm most nervous to work on, because the portfolio will be part of my application to graduate school. Honestly, I haven't even totally decided on school again, but if I do apply, I'll need to be ready.

So, that's it. The desire to do something of significance is stirring, and so far, this is what I got. We'll see how long the resolutions hold.

Happy New Year! Here's to a great start to a new decade, which will undoubtedly be filled with amazing adventures!

New Cards & Tag

Inspired by Tim Holtz (and created with many of the items from his papercrafting line!)

NaNoWriMo 2010

Last year, I discovered NaNoWriMo, an awesome challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. The challenge begins at 12:01am on November 1 and ends at 11:59pm on November 30.
[details: http://www.nanowrimo.org/]

I participated in 2009, and finished - last minute, yes; but it still counted - a little over 50k before the stroke of midnight on the last day of November. I didn't write every single day, but my progress was pretty steady. Real estate was slow, and I was okay with that, as writing filled my down time. I began to dream of going back to school to get my master's in creative writing. After November, I wrote with some frequency...

Until this May, when I got a part-time job at our church as I phased my way out of real estate. [yeah; that's another post for another day] Now, I'm at an actual office three days per week, and those days are bu-sy. Don't get me wrong; I'm absolutely loving the job, and so excited to have it. But it has been an adjustment, losing 20 hours of what was essentially "free" time, during which I did important things like laundry, housecleaning, kid-corralling [blog updates] and writing. Additionally, mine isn't the only schedule to experience significant change in the past few months - with the kids starting school, and extracurricular activities taking wing, we do a lot of running around.

So, here I am, past the halfway point for NaNoWriMo 2010, and I am about 7,500 words behind the suggested word count for today.Wait; it's after midnight - make that nearly 10k behind. I wouldn't worry, but I have zero confidence in my story right now. Writing has become a struggle; a struggle that I would normally embrace, but I have no extra time or brain capacity to spare. This year, NaNoWriMo is less a challenge, more an agonizing struggle or a battle that I am nowhere near winning.

The beauty of NaNo is that it is a challenge for which the prize is bragging rights. To be able to say, "I did it!" is extremely empowering. Dictionary.com defines a challenge as "a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc." - for me, NaNoWriMo is a call to engage in a contest of skill, strength and creativity. Pushing myself beyond the boundaries of what I know I can do, and forcing me to dig deep to learn what more I am capable of doing. Encouraging me to turn off my "inner editor", that voice that interrupts the writing process with a snide "that's stupid" or "lame!" - at least, until the novel is done.

I don't know if I will reach my goal of 50k words before midnight on November 30. I do know that I will continue, despite the self-doubt, the time constraints, the doldrums of ineptitude, to try.

You aren't eating what?! Part 3

What I did was eliminate all gluten and dairy from my diet. I mean, all - no butter, cheese, sour cream, bread, crackers, Doritos, root beer (gluten - I know, weird!), lunchmeat and lots, lots more. For the first few days, I ate nothing but plain brown rice and plain vegetables. Then, I found a bunch of recipes online, and bought some GF (gluten-free) products. The recipes weren't that great, which didn't do much to encourage me during this transition...my family wasn't excited about it, either. I would have given up, except the diet was helping.

My stomachaches, gone. Acne, improving. Still feel the fatigue and lack of energy, but I'm hoping that will improve as I get better at knowing what to eat. I can wear pants today that were too tight a few weeks ago - I haven't lost a single pound, but my belly isn't full of air anymore. After about a week with not gluten or dairy, I accidentally had a bit of dairy - my mom invited us over for dinner, and made rice with a bit of butter incorporated. Afterward, Mr. Stomachache was back with a vengeance. Experiment successful - dairy was definitely off the team. I ate GFDF for another week, then ate gluten (no dairy) twice in two days. Again, the experiment showed that gluten does not agree with my system; it is also off the team.

So, where do things stand now, a few weeks later? Well, I'm sticking to GFDF - I may try to introduce small amounts again in the future, but for now, I feel too good without it. You might think that passing up pizza, bread, ice cream and the like would be torture, and indeed, it is difficult. But if I'm tempted to just eat it anyway, I remember how bad I felt before compared to how good I feel now, and suddenly, pizza doesn't sound that great. I'm learning to read recipes differently - when a recipe calls for cheese, I know to pick up some Vegan Gourmet from Sprouts. I made lasagna last week, a tough one as it calls for cheese and ricotta. An online search led me to a recipe for vegan ricotta (made with tofu), and voila - cheeseless, GF lasagna that every member of my family happily chowed.

Incidentally, I'm also cutting out meat. Since I'm going dairy-free, I figured I may as well go vegan - meat doesn't really appeal to me much anymore, and cheese is tougher to cut out than meat, in my opinion. Right now, my body is detoxing - my immune system is down in the dumps, and I'm catching every bug around. It's okay. I know I'm going to feel awesome once I get through it.

You aren't eating what?! Part 2

I've never been one to buy into the "what you eat affects your complexion" theory. I really just don't like to be told that cheeseburgers, chocolate and soda are bad for me. Sure, they make you fat and unhealthy, but they don't make you break out! Don't make me give up my beloved soda!

Here's the thing, though. Lately, soda hasn't even tasted that good. Neither have cheeseburgers. (Chocolate will always be good.) And I've noticed that burgers are on the list of foods that make my tummy hurt really bad. Plus, whenever I smell meat, raw or cooked, revulsion rises. Also, I've been more open to changing our diet since watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution last fall. So, I read the info on the sites with an open mind, and the sites lead me to a curious possibility: could food really be the root of all my physical problems? More importantly, could removing certain foods help me?

Here's what I learned: the acne, the bloating, the stomachaches, the fatigue, the daily headaches, the tingly hands and feet, the irritability, the chronic sinusitis, and the 'lady-parts' problems are all thought to be symptoms of a person with gluten intolerance. Most of these issues have been part of my life for as long as I can remember - in other words, living with pain of some sort has been normal for me. Apparently, it's not normal for everyone. Huh...who knew? So, now that the idea had been planted, what would I do?

...to be continued...

You aren't eating what?! Part 1

I've had issues with my stomach for years. While I love food, I hate the way it makes me feel. My stomach hurts, I'm bloated, and I feel like a giant slug. There are other issues, but I'm not sharing them on the Internets. Since this was the way I'd been living for literally years, I figured this was normal - doesn't everyone's stomach hurt when they eat? The past few months, my issues have been worsening to the point at which I basically stopped eating until I knew I'd be at home for the rest of the day/night and could slip into something more comfortable. Namely, sweatpants with a stretchy waistband. Hot, I know.

So, the tummy-thing wasn't really worth looking into, but I had to do something about my acne. Seriously, my complexion is worse now than it was when I was in the throes of puberty - unfair! Now that I'm getting fine lines and the occasional gray hair, it seems only fair that the need for salicylic acid is in my past, right? Unfortunately, my face hasn't gotten the memo, so I started researching cures online.

As most searches go, my "acne cures" search branched out to all kinds of different sites. Pills, creams, skincare systems, natural cures, and changes to the diet are the main categories of "cures". I tend to avoid medication, since most cause more problems than they fix. I've tried all of the creams, and most of the systems; I don't have the resources to pay $50 on face wash. I thought about rubbing a clove of garlic on my face, but ixnayed it as soon as I remembered how long it takes to get the garlic smell off my hands when I cook. So, I spent some time checking out the diet-angle.

...to be continued...

Fall

I think we can officially call it - school has started, the weather is cooling and leaves are turning. Summer is over. :(

After the long, long, looooong winter we had, I was loving the hot weather this summer. Here's to hoping snow only falls between the months of November and March this year. I'm trying to look for the silver lining, so here's my list of things I love about fall:

• Sweatshirts and sweatpants
• Wool socks
• Snuggling with my babies
• Hot tea and carmel apple cider (mmm...Starbucks!)
• Eye makeup inspired by football teams
• My kids in Halloween costumes (sounds like we'll have a paleontologist and firefighter this year)
• Autumn colors
• NaNoWriMo

Okay, so that's the list so far. Goodbye, summer. Until we meet again...

"Hello" Cards

Boy, I've been a busy little crafting bee lately. Well, actually, I've just been really bad about uploading photos. Since today is kinda dreary outside, and I'm sick in bed with some sort of bug (boo!), I figured this is a perfect opportunity to get some stuff off my 'to do' list.

Here are some cards I made, just to say 'hi'.

FYI - if flowers look cut off in any of these pictures, it's because I cropped the photo. In real life, the flowers hang off the edge of the card.

Birthday Cards for the Troops

So, Karen Giron has inspired me to get involved with Operation Write Home. I've got some ideas for getting my fellow local papercrafters involved as well, but for right now, see my contributions to this cause below.

It may not seem like much, but if this is something I can do to show my gratitude and appreciation for the people who risk their lives for my freedom, I'm doing it. I don't care how insignificant it may seem to us; it sounds like it means something to them.

My First Entry

I'm entering my first "Sketch Challenge". Karen at the sweetest thing... posts a weekly card-making challenge, but I've never actually participated. This week, however, I was inspired by more than just Karen's adorable sketch and example.

Here's what Karen posted that piqued my creative interest:

"The extra challenge this week is to create a birthday card and mail it to Operation Write Home and they'll send our challenge cards on to those men and women who are serving in the armed forces."

Thanks, Karen, for introducing me to Operation Write Home. I'm so excited to start creating handmade cards for our awesome troops!

Oh, and here's my entry:

One Year Down, One to Go

School is back in session, and while we are celebrating several important school-related milestones in this house, there is one that brings a sense of giddy anticipation: my husband has hit the halfway mark in his MBA program. That's right - he has two semesters left. Two semesters, albeit, of difficult work, long nights, study-filled weekends, and, for me, weeks filled with higher-than-usual hours of single-parenthood. Two semesters, and then we're freeeeee!!

Now, I know it's totally selfish of me to be so excited as I daydream about our lives a year from now. I promise, I love my family, and would (ahem, do) sacrifice my own hopes, dreams and desires in order to do what's best for them. I know my primary role as a mother is to chauffer, manage schedules, help with homework and piano practice, watch sports practices and games, and maintain our house's level of cleanliness. I know it and I love it. But I am excited for the day when I'm not trying to figure out how to be in two places at once; knowing that, as the kids get older and get involved in more activities, I won't have to juggle activities alone, or ask my parents to help out once again, helps get me through the day.

I also know I'm not alone in this eager anticipation. It's tough for my hubby to miss out on activities because he has homework or group meetings; it's tough on the kids when he's not able to put them to bed or take them to soccer practice. May 2011, we can't wait to see you - we shall ring you in with fanfare like no other month of the year!

I feel guilty for even thinking this way, let alone admitting it to the world at large, but here goes: I am looking forward to the freedom that will be added to my own schedule in a year. The freedom to spend more time writing, reading, hitting the gym, working on albums and creating cards, and maybe, just maybe, taking a dance class or two a week. When I don't have to squeeze 65 minutes out of every hour, when I don't have to feel guilty for leaving the boys at home with their dad when he has tons of homework. When I don't have to feel guilty for asking for help, even though I know the others in my life are just as burdened.

It will be glorious. But it's still 9 months away...

It's Been Awhile

Wow. This summer was insane. Lots of fun, but still crazy - I'm somewhat relieved that it's over.

We went on a bunch of cool trips between May and July: Disney World, several camping trips, a week-long camping tour of southwestern Colorado, and Comic-Con in San Diego. For the first time in a few years, I found myself without my laptop+Internet connection for days on end...and I was able to let go of my need to control everything, and actually enjoy relaxing time with my family and friends. It was incredible! [I will get around to blogging about some of these trips...eventually.]

Now that fall is near, school has started for two of my three guys - kindergarten for my oldest kiddo, and second-to-last semester for my hard-working hubby. In a couple of weeks, my baby will start preschool, and I'll be the only one in the house not in school. I get to manage the Family Schedule, chauffer to school/lessons/practice, and maintain our casa. Oh, and work three days a week at my new, totally amazing job at Crossroads Church...and, well, whatever else comes up for us over the next year.

It's going to be a crazy fall, full of changes and new adventures, but we're ready. I think. After I throw in another load of laundry.

Book Review: So Cold the River

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of So Cold the River, by Michael Koryta. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $24.99. ISBN 978-0-31605-363-1.

Synopsis (from the publisher):

It started with a beautiful woman and a challenge. As a gift for her husband, Alyssa Bradford approaches Eric Shaw to make a documentary about her father-in-law, Campbell Bradford, a 95-year-old billionaire whose past is wrapped in mystery. Eric grabs the job even though there are few clues to the man's past--just the name of his hometown and an antique water bottle he's kept his entire life.

In Bradford's hometown, Eric discovers an extraordinary history--a glorious domed hotel where movie stars, presidents, athletes, and mobsters once mingled, and hot springs whose miraculous mineral water cured everything from insomnia to malaria. Neglected for years, the resort has been restored to its former grandeur just in time for Eric's stay.

Just hours after his arrival, Eric experiences a frighteningly vivid vision. As the days pass, the frequency and intensity of his hallucinations increase and draw Eric deeper into the town's dark history. He discovers that something besides the hotel has been restored--a long-forgotten evil that will stop at nothing to regain its lost glory. Brilliantly imagined and terrifyingly real, So Cold the River is a tale of irresistible suspense with a racing, unstoppable current.

Analysis:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a great, quick read – suspenseful, with good characters and an intriguing plotline. From the opening chapter, Koryta captures the reader’s attention with vivid descriptions and flawed, but still likeable, characters.

I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks, secondary character points of view, and various characters’ back stories that were intermittently sprinkled throughout the main tale. Koryta uses these tools to move the story, to allow the mystery to unfold, and to foreshadow future discoveries by both the main character, Eric, and the reader. He allows the reader to be just a bit more omniscient than Eric for a good part of the book, while holding back some surprising twists that are revealed with perfect timing.

The supernatural elements of the tale are woven masterfully into the everyday natural events, and might be unbelievable had they not been written with such clear and realistic prose. Koryta’s descriptions bring these elements to life, and his ability to create such vivid scenes keep the reader on the proverbial seat’s edge.

Koryta’s background as a private investigator and newspaper reporter have served him, and his readers, well in his writing career. I will definitely add his previous novels (and any upcoming novels) to my “must read” list.

Book Review: Private

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of Private, by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $27.99. ISBN 978-0-316-09615-7.

Synopsis (from the publisher):

The police can't help you

Former CIA agent Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily--and his staff of investigators uses the world's most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.

The press will destroy you

Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multi-million dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of 18 schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover, has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.

Only one place to turn: Private

But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Morgan has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. With a plot that moves at death-defying speeds, Private is James Patterson sleekest, most exciting thriller ever.

Analysis:

It’s no secret, if you’ve read my book reviews, that I love mystery-thrillers. As one of the premier experts in creating tales of suspense and intrigue, Patterson, with Paetro, is continually on my reading list. This newest story takes its place among Patterson’s long line of terrific mysteries, and I sincerely hope the Patterson/Paetro team brings us more of Jack Morgan.

The story opens with a bit of Jack’s background – we learn that he was in the military, that he saw combat, and that he died. Intrigue? Check. We also learn that Jack is sort of the black sheep of his family – his father was in prison, and his brother is the “bad twin. “ Jack is smart; he’s not afraid of hard work, and he puts everything he has – mind, body, soul, and finances – into building his private investigation company into a worldwide resource of the rich and famous. He’s tough, but kind, and inspires the trust of both his clients and his employees.

But we learn that Jack, despite the above, is not perfect. He has commitment issues, and a guilty secret that weighs on him…even though he can’t remember the details. This story brings Jack enlightenment in several different ways – he learns uncomfortable truths about himself, his family and his friends, all while solving crimes and “whodunits” on several fronts.

This book is a fast-paced page-turner, perfect for reading at the beach, by the pool, or on the road. I cannot wait for a sequel...and a movie (Ryan Reynolds has my vote for the lead role).

Book Review: Love in Mid Air

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**


This is a review of Love in Mid Air, by Kim Wright. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $23.99. ISBN 978-0-446-54044-5.

Synopsis (from the publisher):

A chance encounter with a stranger on an airplane sends Elyse Bearden into an emotional tailspin. Suddenly Elyse is willing to risk everything: her safe but stale marriage, her seemingly perfect life in an affluent Southern suburb, and her position in the community. She finds herself cutting through all the instincts that say "no" and instead lets "yes" happen. As Elyse embarks on a risky affair, her longtime friend Kelly and the other women in their book club begin to question their own decisions about love, sex, marriage, and freedom. There are consequences for Elyse, her family, and her circle of close friends, all of whom have an investment in her life continuing as normal. But is normal what she really wants after all? In the end it will take an extraordinary leap of faith for Elyse to find--and follow--her own path to happiness.

An intelligent, sexy, absorbing tale and an honest look at modern-day marriage, Love in Mid Air offers the experience of what it's like to change the course of one's own destiny when finding oneself caught in mid air.

Analysis:

There is something both liberating and frightening about this book. It was difficult for me to read – not because it was trite or wasn’t well-written; in fact, the opposite is true. This book is very well-written, with exceptional plot and character development, and the subject matter is anything but trite. The reason this book was a difficult read for me is that I could see people I know in its shadows. In fact, I have been the person who has, on several occasions, watched someone she cares for make it through the destruction of a loveless marriage. I have seen firsthand the consequences of affairs and betrayal; of two people falling out of love; of the mild madness that settles upon overwhelmed, overworked, undervalued women.

The fact that Elyse and her band of friends are middle class suburbanites brings this story even closer to home, since this is my circle of friends. WE laugh, we cry; we complain about our husbands and our kids, but we never come right out and say that we feel claustrophobic in our lives. I think every mom, working outside the home or not, has felt the panicky suffocation of too much to do, too few hours in the day, and not enough of whatever it is that makes us more than “just a mom,” or “just a wife.” As women, we give ourselves over to our families, beginning with our husbands, trying to fit into a mold of what we think they need, and continuing with our children, destroying our bodies to give them life. We put ourselves last in every aspect of life, and over time, our relationships can fray. While this isn’t necessarily the central theme in the book, Wright’s ability to piant this into the background of the story creates depth and empathy in the story.

What this story does is move beyond the overwhelming life of a mom, into the rarely visited, but no less prolific, life of a dissatisfied wife. Interestingly enough, Elyse doesn’t mind being a mom – she doesn’t use her daughter as a pawn or excuse, and she doesn’t complain about the responsibility. I love that both Elyse and her husband, Phil, are such good and devoted parents; it brings balance, and tells the reader that the problem does, in fact, lie in their dysfunction as a couple.

Wright uses Gerry as the vehicle, the spark that lights the fire under Elyse, spurring her to move beyond simply existing. I like that Wright leaves the ending so open; that Elyse has no illusions or delusions of the nature of her relationship with Gerry, and that she is content with this as it is. I also like the fact that Elyse does not move directly from one dysfunctional relationship into another – too often, I’ve seen real-life examples of this co-dependency, and its consequesnces. Namely, people simply end up with the same type of person, in the same type of life, with the same type of problems that they left. Instead, Wright implies that Elyse is evolving into a new person; that she is stretching and growing, and hopefully, improving.

The friendships between the four women is also true-to-life, from what I’ve seen of people in the world. For the most part, the relationship between the four as a whole is somewhat superficial. In pairs, however, the friendship is deep and meaningful – each individual has a “BFF” with whom she has bonded, and with whom she shares and relies upon more than she does the group as a whole. I think Wright truly understands the nature of women – we are strong and somewhat self-reliant, but we all need that one friend who is there for us, regardless.

This book was well-written, and the story was wonderful.