Crappy Saturday

Well, what a crappy start to this crappy day.

I slept very badly. I have something poking me under my left boob, I think 'cause the baby is pushing against it. It's been like this for almost 2 months. So, there is only one position to sleep in and it sucks to sleep in the same position all night long.

I woke up late, got to work, and realized that I was a 1/2 hour early. Then, when I went to log in, it won't let me because the network is down for maintenance. When they told us that earlier in the week, we assumed it would only affect e-mail and Intranet. Nope, I can't even log into my workstation to use our check-out software so I can process the morning books. That also means that when patrons start showing up in 20 minutes, we will have to write down their names, card numbers, and book numbers and then key them in later.

Right now, the only reason I can get online is that I am using a patron computer, not a staff one. So, needless to say, it's a crappy day. Hopefully by this afternoon I'm in a better mood 'cause the teens are coming for Teen Wii Day. I have to go pick up pizza and set up the system after lunch.

Cool Embroidery Sites

Lately, since decorating the baby's room, I've been getting into embroidery, especially vintage embroidery. Since I'm a cross-stitcher, it's only natural to do this, and I can do it with my feet up, unlike scrapbooking. Swollen feet have been a major issue.

So, here are some really cool blogs and sites that I have found and wanted to share with you. Enjoy!!

http://www.needlecrafter.com/ (lots of free vintage designs)

http://stitchybritches.blogspot.com/ (lots of free vintage designs, challenges, and drawings)

http://mytransfers.blogspot.com/ (more vintage designs)

http://www.feelingstitchy.com/ (lots of fun vintage and comtemporary designs)

http://pimpstitch.typepad.com/ (great stuffed items)

http://www.sublimestitching.com/blog.html (retail as well as cool ideas)

http://ninimakes.typepad.com/nini_makes/ (fun stuff, not just embroidery)

So, check out these sites and enjoy!!

Cool Website for kid's crafts

I was online looking for make and takes to have at the library and found this website:

http://www.makeandtakes.com/

They have a lot of ideas perfect for the season, of food, crafts, books, etc. Check it out!!

Forgot to post! Jenni Bowlin Page

Here is a page that I made after Scrap Etc. of Jenni Bowlin and I. I used her products and even one of her techniques, the paper flower behind the photo.

Pages from the October Tally Rally

I forgot to post the pages that I created at the October Tally Rally for Tallyscrapper. Here they are!! I have more that I will post later!

Thanksgiving Recipes that I'm using

This is a list for future reference of recipes that I am using this Thanksgiving. I will add more as the week goes on. Feel free to try any!

Grandma's Fruit Salad (my favorite)

Dressing on this salad keeps very well in the fridge. Easy to make the day before.

Ingredients:

6 red apples cored & diced (do not peel)
1/2 of lemon squeezed
1 C. mini marshmallows
1/2 C. walnuts chopped (not too fine)
1/2 lb. red grapes, cut in half (can use more if desired)

Mix together in big bowl.

Dressing Ingredients:

1/2 can of pineapple juice from crushed pineapple
2 eggs beaten with fork
1 tbs. flour
1/2 C. sugar (mix flour & sugar together 1st)
1 tbs. stick butter
1/2 C. Cool Whip (do not mix in with other ingredients on stove)

Cook until thick stirring contstantly in small saucepan on stove. Chill - overnight is best. Before putting over fruit add 1/2 C. Cool Whip.

Serves 8-10.

Prep. time: 30 minutes.

Update

Sorry I haven't blogged in forever. A lot has been going on that has been keeping me busy or too tired to get on here. Here is the update of the last 6 months:

I'm pregnant.

It's a girl.

I am 6 months along.

I'm huge.

I have a head cold/flu.

I still have morning sickness, unfortunately.

I've only scrapbooked once since getting pregnant. It was at a Tally Rally in SC.

I'm having fun thinking about the nursery.

I want to get started on the nursery.

Nursery will be red and white vintage. No cartoon characters or ladybugs please.

March can't be here soon enough.

I'm scared to death of the upcoming labor.

My sister-in-law is pregnant with her 4th kid.

Well, that is about it for now. I'll try to post regularly now, not in bullet form. I miss everyone!!

My wallet was stolen!!

You will not believe this! Yesterday, while at the grocery store, I did something that I know is stupid. I've never done it before. I had my purse in the cart, wide open. My back was turned and I heard the rustle of my keys. I quickly turned around and a black man was walking by my cart, with his hand in his cargo pocket (that big on that cargo pants/shorts have). I looked in my purse and didn't see my wallet.

He wasn't running, but walking quickly. I immediately yelled for him to return my wallet. I continued to yell and follow him throughout the store, calling for help. I was loud and swearing. He was denying having taken my wallet. I knew it was in his cargo pocket and I told him so. He pulled his upper pockets saying he didn't have it.

I got a stock boy to start following him and I went around the aisle to cut him off. So I lost sight of him for a few seconds. When I saw him again, I continued to yell and grabbed his cargo pocket. It was empty. Lots of people were watching us, some even following the man out the door. He left quickly and nobody got his plate number.

Needless to say I was hysterical! Somebody suggested that maybe I left my wallet in the car, but I knew I didn't. I did call home and check to see if it was in my totebag. It wasn't. I knew that man took it but his cargo pockets were empty when he left. The general manager asked the stock boy if he lost sight of him in the aisle, which he did, so we re-traced the thief's steps. I found it behind the Oreos, nothing missing.

The Sheriff showed up and got a copy of the security footage, but without the license plate, I doubt they find the guy. He might not even be in the system. My purse was just begging to be looted, that he may have never done this before.

How freaking crazy is that?? Needless to say I learned my lesson. My mom says that my big mouth came in handy. I can only blame these damn pregnancy hormones. They make you forgetful.

Children's Literature Book Club

I'm part of a book group that reads and discusses children's literature. Here is a post from the leader's blog about it. If you live in the D.C. area, you should come and participate.

I've wanted to be in a book club for years, but have never been able to find one that reads children's literature. I finally stopped looking and started a book club myself.

We've had a few meetings so far, and it's been pure heaven. The DC Children's Literature Bookclub (DC Kidlit for short) is a terrific mixture of children's librarians, teachers, library school grad students, bloggers, authors and parents. The meetings have been insightful, thought provoking and a lot of fun. It's wonderful to be able to have in-depth conversations about good books with fellow children's book lovers.

If you live in the Washington DC area, (or are in town for a visit) you're welcome to join us. We read a book from a different genre each month. All meetings are on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. at the La Madeleine Bakery in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Here's the upcoming reading list and schedule:


May 4- Early chapter book: The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
June 1- Juvenile fiction: The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
July 13- Non-fiction: We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
August 3- Poetry: This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman

If you'd like to join the bookclub and vote on upcoming selections, e-mail me at: wizardwireless [at] gmail [dot] com, and I'll be happy to add you to the group's listserv.

http://wizardswireless.blogspot.com/2008/04/book-club-bliss.html

National Scrapbooking Day

Today was National Scrapbooking Day, a sacred holiday for me. I took a day off from work so I could spend it cropping all day. Here is what I have created so far:

Scrap Etc. 2008 - Jenni Bowlin's project

Scrap Etc. 2008 Pics

Vanessa Hudson & I













Buttery Nipples at the Jack Daniels Bar













Jenni Bowlin & I













Angelia Wiggerton & I













Heidi Swapp & I (Sorry Heidi, it looks like my boobs are attacking you!)













Me & my Roommate, Dee













Shirley taking a photo of a drink













Wilna Furstenberg & I













Shirley & Wanda, fellow Tallyscrappers













Starbucks, a much needed beverage on the road













Evening at the Grand Ole Opry with Shirley and Theresa













My workspace during Wilna's class













Gretchen McElveen & I



















Whiskey Barrel Lids at the Jack Daniels bar



















Self-Portrait

Cool t-shirts by Amy Tangerine

While in Nashville for the Scrap Etc. event, I bought a couple of t-shirts from Amy Tangerine, who has the cutest designs!! You have to check them out. Click on the picture to go to her blog.

One of the shirts I bought was designed by Emily Falconbridge, a big name in scrapbooking, and the other t-shirt, which Amy is making for me since she sold out of it, is with Scrap Etc. on it. I will post pics as soon as I can of the t-shirts!

Thanks Amy!!

Check out my pages of old...

Here are some links to my past posts of scrapbook pages. I'm getting ready to scrap again so I wanted to go through what I have done.

Labor Day Scrapping (Last real weekend that I scrapped!!)
More Labor Day Scrapping
Ya-Ya's Challenge
Basic Grey Challenge
Trip to DC
Basic Grey Challenge
Heidi Swapp Challenge
Father's Day

Soon I will have new things to post!! Nashville here I come!!

I'll be back soon, I promise!!

I just have to say I miss scrapbooking!!! I've been away too long, with little available to express my creativeness. I've been cross-stitching a lot lately, going to Stitch n' Bitch nights at the library and at a local restuarant. It's been a lot of fun and I am making friends. But I really miss scrapbooking.

Today I visited a blog of a person who has invited me to her crops. Here is her page: Luv2scrapmilestones. She is so creative! I can't wait to meet her and to crop together. Here is a challenge blog that she is a part of as well: ChitChatChallenge.

This weekend I vow to work more in my new scrapbook room, to get it organized, and to get ready for Scrap Etc. in Nashville, which is only 2 weeks away!!!

Where I work...

Sorry for the delay in posts! Here are some pics from my workplace:

This is the front entrance to the library.

The view from the front door.



The Reference/Youth Services Desk












The cozy sitting area


The Children's books














My Desk

Children's Cozy Sitting Area

Pics picked for Schmap!!

The other day I got an e-mail from Schmap, an online city guide service, and they wanted to use two of my photos from my Flickr account for their San Antonio edition! Isn't that cool?? Here is the link to their site: SCHMAP

Here is what the e-mail said:

Hi Jess,

I am writing to let you know that two of your photos have been short-listed for inclusion in the fourth edition of our Schmap San Antonio Guide, to be published early February 2008.

While we offer no payment for publication, many photographers are pleased to submit their photos, as Schmap Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and are free of charge to readers. Photos are published at a maximum width of 150 pixels, are clearly attributed, and link to high-resolution originals at Flickr.

Best regards,

Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides

So, here are the links to the two photos that may be used:

Central Library 1

Central Library - San Antonio

So, when the guide is finished, and if my photos are in it (or not) I will post a link!!

The cutest picture!!

This is my nephew Trenton, held by my husband, on Christmas Eve. We gave him a puppy from Build-a-Bear, and when you squeeze its paw it says "Aunt Jessy and Uncle Herb love Trenton." I can't wait to scrapbook this!! It's so cute that I had to share it!

45 Minute Drive!!

We took a drive up to Lovettsville today, just so we could gauge the length of my commute. It took about 45-50 minutes to get there, and from everyone around here says, that's an average commute. The drive up is picturesque, with rolling hills and fenced pastures. The town of Lovettsville is small but homey, with a nice feel to it. We went by the library, which is about 4,500 sq. ft. It was quiet, with most people outside enjoying the unusual January weather. The branch manager was in today, Chuck, so we finally got to meet in person, after a phone interview and a video conference. I also met Kathy, who works the circulation desk. It was great to meet them, and to see where I will be working.

After meeting them, Ken and I headed over to the community center where there was a book sale going on. There I met my assistant, Barbara, and her daughter, and picked up some great books. Chuck bought me a Lovettsville, Virginia t-shirt too, as a welcome gift. It was a great day.

I start work on the 24th, with an orientation in Sterling, VA. Then I head up to Lovettsville the next day.

I just wish I had a place to live. We are still in an efficiency, crammed into one room and both cars. I know the dog hates it, and it's starting to get to me as well. We've been looking for a place to rent for over a week, and have beened passed over on the one application we put in because the other couple applying didn't have a dog. It was a great place too. Oh well. I'm not going to let it stress me out.