Can I be any more absent minded?

I forgot to bring my work laptop with me. To work. This is right up there with the time when I showed up for work on a holiday.
DH went right back home and brought it for me (we were carpooling and he had the car) but this was pretty stupid. I generally don't take the laptop home with me so in order to not forget to bring it, I keep it with my purse near the kitchen desk or on the stairs where i sit to put my shoes on. Yesterday, we were getting ready to paint the Family room so I removed everything from there and all the Family room stuff is *everywhere*. But it is no excuse.

Anyhow, we bought 2 fans yesterday as well as the paint for Family Room. Name of the shade of paint is 'Ornate gold' or something like that. It's a really pretty shade of mustardy gold. We got these fans - for family room and Master BR.
Hunter 52" Yorkshire at Lowes. The center part has English Bronze finish and the blades are Dark Walnut.

Hunter 52" Georgetown at Lowes. This has one Umber finish with fontanta accents (no idea what that is) and the blades are reversible, Antique Cherry/Bretton Forest. I love this one more.

I know they're very similar in color and style. I can't decide which one goes where. Probably doesn't matter that much. Decisions Decisions.

We have never installed a ceiling fan before, it ought to be an interesting job. I'll post pictures when it's all done and the room is ready.

Nails

I have a love-hate relationship with my nails. I love the when they're properly shaped and looking nice. I don't like the grooming part, but I like the look. So I procrastinate until they become insanely long and start getting into things. Then I cut and file them. I tell them to stay nice for a month. They never listen and start growing the next moment. Sigh.

They grow too fast. Do you have that problem? A co-worker keeps telling me they're really nice and that her nails don't grow and that I should exchange them with hers. I'm happy to do that if she could tell me how to do it.

2 weeks ago we were at the mall (Fair Oaks, if you must know) and there was this guy at a stall. He called us as we were passing by and asked me to show him my nails. I hid them, naturally. Thinking how'd he know that I hadn't cut them in more than a month? Reminded me of school assembly time, really, when we had to show the PT teacher our nails so she could make sure we weren't into vanity. Anyhow, upon his insistence I showed him a nail. So he worked his magic and what resulted was pure euphoria! I have never seen my nail so Glossy! And smooth as silk. They're naturally pink but this seemed to bring the color out some more. Ofcourse I gave him the outrageous price to get my hands on the magic potion (ok, nail buffer. Does it matter?)


You want to hear the kicker? He assured me that this will last atleast a month. If not more. I wouldn't have to buff before a month. I'm looking at my nails 2 weeks later. They have frikin' grown out of it already. Sigh. I can't win. Atleast they looked nice for 2 weeks.

Oh, and I have been warned by the above mentioned coworker that my nails would fall off by using this. She was warned by her friend. They're kids just out of college and would believe anything ;) Frankly, if the nails fall off, that'd put me out of misery. I'm willing to take that chance.

Answers

Jenni: What crafts did you do (besides make ball point pens ;)) before coming to the US and how did that change after your move here?

My sister (A) and I were very into crafts. We didn't have any particular hobby per se, but we were always doing something. Making Rangoli and Henna patterns comes to mind. Every year, we'd make this colorful Rangoli on Diwali. It is made on the floor with colored powders, flowers, rice, etc. and then accented with Earthen Lamps. The design is first chalked on the floor and then filled with these. Loved that. I still try to do it here and she tries to do it in her home now. We made a lot of wall hangings using various materials. Using ribbons, beads and thick rubber rings, using cardboard cut and shaped into something and decorated with velvet papers, mirrors, beads and golden threads, many different ways. I don't have a single picture of the wall hangings :( I do have Rangoli pics back home though.

Cross-stitching only started after coming to the US. A had bought me a long stitch kit when I was visiting India, and I finished it in like 2 days after coming back here and went to Michaels to look for more things like that. That's how I discovered needlepoint and cross-stitching. :) Back in 2002!

I think the major difference in doing crafts has been that here I do it as a hobby, as something that relaxes me. There it was more about decorating our home with beautiful, handmade things. And the projects were quick! We gave away more wall hangings than we kept.

Karin: What got you started scrapbooking? What is your favorite project thus far?

Always wanted to do it. I just loved browsing the scrapbooking aisles at Michaels et al. It looked very detail oriented, very interesting hobby. Not to mention, I had all these photos of M that needed scrapping. When I heard about digital scrapbooking, my initial reaction was that it would not be as enjoyable as traditional. But once I tried it, I found it fit like a glove. I was comfortable with Photoshop already and this was just what I needed. No mess, no fuss. I don't have to obsess about my writing being messy, or ink running, or glue and glitter getting into my hair! Ctrl + Z is my best friend ;)

My favorite project! That's tough. I have a few Layouts I *Adore*.
Besides the design, I love it because I took this picture on his second day, he was sleeping in my lap. Just brings back memories.
This was my first Creative Team layout. This photo is my favorite EVER! Any LO with this is a hit.
I just love this LO. This was the first layout done by me that I loved. Mind you, this was after doing about 30 or so!

Thanks for the questions. I really enjoyed going down the memory lane on the first one, and talking about my new passion in the next.

It's official, I'm addicted

Addicted to my laptop, that is! Hubby has been saying it for a long time, but now I'm starting to believe him. I almost never do anything without having the laptop within hand's reach. When I cook, it's on the kitchen island. When I clean, I try to finish it fast so that I can get back to scrapping or surfing. I hardly watch an entire episode without doing something on the computer while commercials are on. I logon as soon as I come down in the morning (only weekends, though). Toothbrush, washing face, brushing hair is all done upstairs. If it was done downstairs, I'd do it *after* checking email ;) One rule I do have is that laptop doesn't go upstairs. Or I'll sleep very late.

Today, we had some friends over. While they were here, I thought (more than a couple of times) I have to check my email. Believe me, I was having fun conversations, but I still wanted to just check the email and pop into the gallery at DST once. I had posted a LO today (as I do just about every other day) and it's always nice to read the comments :)) See, while writing this entry, I opened the gallery to see the comments. Sigh.

Scary thing is I was doing the same on dialup. Speed does not deter me! Oh, and I'm not always on the net either. I scrap.

Yes, I have a problem. And that's the first step to making it right, correct? LOL! I will try to limit my computer time at home because I can't limit it at work. It's just...wrong.

Now I'm going to switch it off. It's 11PM.

Trying Something New..

A new recipe. I tried it yesterday and it turned out yummy. It will appear here after I make a recipe card ;) I figure I have to get started on that recipe booklet, so I'll keep trying new recipes and making cards and sharing them here too.
*If you're a scrapper and have any links to recipe kits, please feel free to share*

A new style of layout. I have been in a rut. Haven't tried anything new in a while. Once I got comfortable with a style, I adopted it as my style. It works. I can now churn out a layout in less than an hour. But I need to try new things so today I *did*. I'm thoroughly impressed with many scrappers and how cool their seemingly messy style is! Yenny comes to mind, though there are others whose names I don't remember, but I do identify their styles.
So this is what I came up with. I sort of did it in the Go layout before, but this is far messier. LOL! Long list of credits here. Any feedback is appreciated :)

Sweet Loving You

Jouraling is sweet little things about him :)

Credits:
Following are by Lori Wiley of Diamante Designs. Available at Scraptastics.com

Background Paper: Valentine February Sampler
Heart: Valentine February Sampler
Knotted Ribbon: Life's Little Moments Collection ~ Tender Thoughts
Silver Brad: LLM ~ Tender Thoughts
Felt Flowers: LLM ~ Tender Thoughts
Journal Paper: Vintage Flaire
Staple: LLM ~ Believe
Photo Corner: Vintage Flaire
Sweet Loving You Wordart: LLM ~ Tender Thoughts
Screw head: LLM ~ Mystical Moments
Florish Brush: Be Free
Spiral Brush: TDS Valentine Mega Kit
Stamp behind photo: Vintage Flaire Alpha
Boy Alpha: Rubbed Alpha
Tape Measure: Grandma's Closet

Others credits-
Both Frames: Jen Wilson Messy Brushes
Hanging Tag: Michelle Coleman
Stitching: Gina Miller
Distressing Brushes: Nancie's Digital Distressing Kit
Font: Carpenter

Some of my CT layouts would still be the same old style, but that's ok. I can always do more just for me (and I always do)

And it continues...

The absentmindedness continues. Today is a holiday at my company, and I showed up for work :rolleyes. None of my previous employers had MLK Day as a holiday, and generally only the Government Employees get it. I did't bother to check. Imagine my surprise to see a nearly empty parking lot. I did get to the gym at work, and did my 5K. Again. Yay for me! But I still feel stupid.

Moving on, I just finished this 2006 Review layout. I LOVE the colors here. So pretty!

Year 2006

Credits:
Layout Design is Lifted from Erin's Year in Review
Yellow Background: Meredith Fenwick Faraway
Green Background: Meredith Fenwick Faraway
Red Cutout Paper: Michelle Coleman Writter In The Stars
Circle Stitchig: Diamante Designs Let Yourself Shine
Butterfly: Diamante Designs Let Yourself Shine
Flowers: Michelle Coleman Flowers For Mom
Buttons: Michelle Coleman Savoir Faire
Twisty Tie: Diamante Designs Let Yourself Shine
2006 Alpha: Diamante Designs Felt Alpha
Photo Strips: Michelle Coleman Art Inspiration Collection
Overlay on Yello: Michelle Coleman Bleached Borders from Savoir Faire
Fonts: Bradley Hand ITC and Carpenter

Losing my mind

Something is up. I am being more absentminded than usual. Day before yesterday, I didn't notice my boss had sent me a meeting invite. I didn't notice it because the way I've set up my inbox, his mails go into his folder, and it wasn't expanded. It doesn't show new mails in the main inbox folder. I keep checking my mail throughout the day. Didn't expand, didn't notice. Thank goodness, I was in on time and was able to attend it. It was an all day event, started at 9:30, ended at 5:30. Gahhhh!

Also, day before yesterday, I show up at the daycare to pick up M. We have to enter our password and check him in/out for the door to open. When I tried to check him out, it errored out, saying that he's already checked out. I just didn't read what it said, and since there were people behind me, I decided to checkout on my way out. The door was opened by someone and I entered. His teacher Jessy was going to use the bathroom and she saw me and said she'll be there in a minute. I went to his room, he wasn't there. I checked with the other teachers there, and asked if Jessy's class was here (sometimes they're at the gym at this time). They're supposed to be here. Mild panic sets in. Jessy came running and told me my husband has already taken him, and she forgot to tell me earlier. I think, okay, he must have gotten off early and taken him. But why didn't he tell me? My cell phone was off (battery out, I don't recharge it like I should) so he must be trying to call me. Okay, I think of going to Costco to pick up the prints I had given the previous day. Get into my car and then realize, it is HIS turn to pick M up, and also that I had given him the Costco receipt to get the prints THAT MORNING!! I just forgot that I had dropped him off in the morning, and he was going to pick him up!
Yesterday, I excused myself from the meeting around 4:00 to call DH and tell him to pick M up because I'm still in the meeting. He told me he was just going to go. And then he said "You forgot again!! It's my turn again. You dropped him off." I said, no, that I was just reminding him to pick him up. LOL! Nah. He didn't buy that :p

Anyhow, I wasn't able to run much yesterday because of the meeting at work. I only got 2 miles as I had 45 minutes to get down to the gym, change, run, shower, dress up, and heat my lunch and bring to the meeting. If it wasn't for the 100 miles by April 1st challenge, I'd have skipped yesterday for sure!

I haven't shown a Layout in a while. Here is one I did with Sophia Sarducci's stuff.

Niagara Falls

Journaling: May 2002. We were just about to go for the Maid of the Mist tour when this picture was taken. The view from the top of the tower was amazing. And the air was cold, even in May. I hadn't brought any jacket with me, and had to buy one on our first day there.

Credits:
Everything except stitching is from Sophia Sarducci Panty Drawer kit here
Stitching by Christine Nash

I had lost hope..

That I would get to hear this comment again "You have nice hair. Where do you get it cut?" I'm serious, I had lost hope. I have always had nice hair until about 1 1/2 years ago. When Mehul turned 4-5 months old, my hair started falling. I freaked out initially but after reading that it is normal, and the hair just grows back, I was fine. It did grow back. Small fuzzy fiber-like hair started coming out, and I thought it would be fine once it gets longer. Wrong. As I was nursing/pumping for Mehul, my body was devoid of all nutrition for itself. No matter how much I ate, I was always tired and I was looking sick. I look back at the photos and see the dark circles around my eyes. In the hind sight, I see the importance of proper nutrition, but at the time I was so tired to cook anything! The job I had at the time required me to be at work for a minimum of 10 hours, add 3 hours for commute. Talk about missing out on family time. And forget about time for myself! I did enough 70 hour weeks than I care to admit.
Anyhow, back to the hair. As it grew longer, it changed texture and became more and more fuzzy. I drizzled conditioner after each wash, I changed shampoos, but nothing was helping. The hair wasn't healthy, you could tell by looking at it. There was no luster, and no body. And I wasn't healthy either. I dropped weight and was ecstatic about it, but I didn't look healthy. It is not the way I wanted to look! I left that job after the initial length of the contract finished. They wanted to keep me, but I had enough. Time to take care of me, my Mehul, and my life. I took back control, started cooking and eating at home more, started going to the gym, I started taking the multivitamin again, and I changed the saloon.
I have been going there for about 8 months now, and they *know* haircare. I was talking to my hairdresser at my last haircut, and she said she went to cosmetology school, and has to take classes every couple of months to keep their knowledge current. Those people know what they're doing. They give me advice on what to do.
And it's working! I was so thrilled to hear this comment today from a cute girl at work. Yeah. It feels good. I didn't even have time to straighten/set my hair this morning, I just washed, ran the hairdryer once to dry off a little bit, and that's it. I have the shine again. It feels good. I *will not* let it happen to me again. Not having a stressful job is helping too, as I have a lot more time for me now.

Among other things going on, I'm meeting DH for lunch. Nothing special, but it is my Birthday so he is being very nice to me :) He didn't wake me up for Mehul's milk bottle in the wee hours of the morning. Mehul said "Happy 2 you" to me in the morning. So cute. I am planning on leaving a little early today. Not much planned for the weekend. We may have some friends come over, but they haven't confirmed yet.

I did a LO last night (Finally!)

A Snow Day

Snow picture from earlier this year. These papers are so yummy and perfect for snow.

Credits:
Everything except the 2 big Snowflakes is from Diamante Designs at TDS
I have used the Chilly Day papers, Felt Alpha, Post It collection, and Handle with Care labels.
Snowflakes brushes are from Michelle Coleman at ScrapArtist.