pink nostalgia

tax day 2012

 Hey-ohhh,

For years (mmm, nine to be exact), I have wanted to document tax day.  The end of busy season.  The day that you bound into the office and no one recognizes your bright-eyed and bushy tailed-ness.  The day when everyone asks, "Do you need help with anything?" and no one does.  The day when you plan to be done by late morning so that you can casually wander over to the other side of the office in order to be first in line when the lunch announcement rings over the intercom system.  The day when you can count on having at least two people sitting on your desk swinging their feet through the afternoon.  The day when you make a list of all the fun things to catch up on, including learning that dance.  The day when you laugh so hard that one of the partners sticks his head in your cube and smirks knowing the relief you feel.  The day when every single item gets crossed off your due date list.  The day your desk is completely empty (even though the residual files are in your file cabinet down the hall).  The day when you actually leave work at 5:00 and are reintroduced to sunlight. 

It's actually one of my favorite [work] days of the year.  It can be chaotic, but it's like the last day of school when everyone is buzzing with excitement.

This year, I took lots of photos with my new iTouch (thanks, Dave!).  A few screen shots of the music I was listening to, my breakfast (thanks, Rachel!), snacks (thanks, Jessie!), girl time (thanks, Angie!) and a few of my desk.  I whipped this page up last weekend with my roomies.  It is now on display at the store.

Supplies: Patterned paper, stickers: October Afternoon; Alphas: American Crafts; Pen: Sharpie.

As always, I don't know how to wrap up this post, so I guess I'll just stop there.  Cheers.

i'm a fan of the day trips

Last Saturday, I surprised Dave with an overnight trip to Austin.  It unfolded in layers.  Once we were at the vet's office to pick up medicine: "Oh hey, I got Barkley boarded so we could shop in Austin for the day."  Then once we were almost done shopping: "Oh hey, I booked us a hotel room so we can stay the night...and I secretly packed a bag so we can spiff up for dinner."  And once we got to the hotel: "Oh hey, I booked this special where we get snacks and a bottle of wine upon arrival."  Step into my web, Simon.  (I will be very impressed if anyone can get that quote.)

And that reminded me that I still haven't shared this page from our daytrip last year.

Supplies: Patterned paper: Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon.  Book paper: Glitz.  Envelope: KI Memories.  Alphas: Sassafrass, Making Memories.  Butterflies: Heidi Swapp.  Twine: The Twinery.  Buttons, cardstock, tag.

I lifted this page from the lovely Kelly Purkey.

Another new page later this week and then something big tomorrow...wait a minute, is that excitement in my voice?  Stay tuned.

looks like someone's planning a room: coming together

Two of my besties came by a few days ago to help me organize my room, and as promised, I'm blogging about it.  They both deserve medals for their patience with me.  Hey, my room, my OCD.  ; )

Still not perfect but so much better.  I'm no longer bogged down by the piles and cables and piles, and I'm excited to be creative in here.  

Here are some sneaks, and the before and after photos will be [much] later. 

final colors: Behr Fashion Gray and Behr Vermont Cream

final stack of patterned paper - donated about 1/3 of my stash to a local high school

the paper shelves (my favorite part of the room so far) and the sewing shelves (and yes, the fabric was all refolded to fit exactly and look pretty)

Happy Monday.

throwback thursday: back in the saddle again

Let's bring back Throwback Thursdays, shall we?!

My cousin Erin at Meme and Papa's house on Lilac, 1992.

Giddyup!

in need of some cajoling

A few weeks ago, I said to my husband Dave, "I’m thinking about giving up the blog."

To which he said, "Okay."

Well, okay then.

Obviously I haven’t blogged in a few weeks, so I assumed that my readers’ enthusiasm waned with mine.  But my blog stats are about the same as they usually are, so people must keep checking in to see…no new posts.  I feel I owe an explanation.

[A brief aside - thank you thank you for reading this blog.  I love getting comments and hearing feedback and seeing how many people stop in here.  So sincerely, thank you.  And even though it sounds like it, I'm not taking this hiatus lightly.]

Lately, blogging hasn’t felt fun.  I think about the tedium of taking and editing pictures and then I think about how easy it would be to just walk away and watch TV.  Plus, I have books to read, music to dance to, dinners to make (this is true but just barely).  Oh, and I haven’t told you yet, but we have cable now, so…that’s where the rest of my time is going.

I’m not even scrapbooking.  Yep.  Rut #2.

Part of it is my scrap room.  The redecoration is weighing me down.  It’s mostly done, but I’m trying to make it perfect in which case I’ve hit a [gray] wall.

Hey!  If you come over and help me with my room, I’ll blog about it.  : )

I can’t tell if blogging is like high school where you know it’s temporary and you’re prepared to move on at some point, or if it’s like a marriage where you just have to keep things spicy.

(Dave, you’re welcome. ; ) )

So, I’m going to push through it for a few weeks and see if that passion comes back.  I’ll work through everything on my list, and I might try a few new things to kick start some inspiration.

So, there it is.  That’s what’s up with the blog.  We’ll see how it goes.

my last [and latest] night

This is what I just came home to on the last night of tax season.

Dessert on counter/Pepsi in fridge/Enjoy while you wind down/DE

Just one more day.  : )

let's keep it clean, people

I like a good dirty joke.  It’s one of my many flaws.  But no one tells a good "dirty" joke like my Papa.

Papa: Hey Angela, wanna hear a dirty joke?
Me: Sure.
Papa: A white horse rolled around in the mud!
Me [rolling my eyes]: Paa-paaah.
Papa: Wanna hear a really dirty joke?
Me: Oh-kaaay…
Papa: TWO white horses rolled around in the mud!!
Me [looking around for someone to share my sentiment]: Paaaa-paaaaaaaah!

Meanwhile, Meme stands by just snickering.  : )

the caffeine is working

Hot tea in the morning, frappucino for the afternoon lull, and iced tea with my firm-catered dinner.

Yesterday was the first day that I felt hopelessly overwhelmed.  Two people yesterday asked me if I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  No.  No, there’s no light.  No.  Not until my list starts getting shorter rather than longer, and not until the hours I have left to work are less than the actual hours in the remaining days.

On the bright side, it finally feels like spring at our house.  Lots of light, fresh fruit, and flowers.

Seven more days.

provisions

Tax day is officially in one week.  Seven more days to either file or extend (I'm talking to you, Parker!).  I stopped by the grocery on my way home for some supplies, plus a few extra. 

1. Starbucks Vanilla Frappucinos, with lots of ice.  I would've also bought a 6 or 12 pack of the cute little 6 oz. cans of Pepsi, but either Pepsi doesn't make them or my grocery doesn't carry them.

2. low sodium V8, so I can pretend like I'm balancing out all of the chocolate

3. quick lunches, both new for me, so we'll see  [Edited to add: I just had the Chunky Vegetable for the first time.  It's really good.]

4. Kleenex for stress-crying

5. Mary Kay concealer for dark circles

6. VS Pure Seduction lotion

7. Whoopsie, how'd those jump into my basket?  From left to right, Orly Rocker Chick, Orly Etoile, Maybelline Posy Pink, Loreal Wishful Pinking

8. bananas

9. Fuji apples to go with 10.

10. Laughing Cow Light sun-dried tomato cheese

11. Special K granola bars

12. dry roasted almonds

13. Snickers.  I mean, c'mon.

I might also need just one little bag of Fritos...

Speaking of work, here's an email snippet from yesterday between one of my bosses and me.

Him: Good news [IRS letter was attached.  Subtext: "Angela, the amazing letter you wrote to the IRS convinced them to abate the penalty before they even assessed it!"]

Me: Coo

Him: Coo = short for cool?

Me: Yeah.  It's gangsta.

Him: Knowing you, I figured as much.

Peace out, homies!

bigger than my face

Look at what Dave bought me to help me out with my last week of busy season.

Oh yeah.