Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Monday Weigh In

As promised....176 (gulp). I guess that's better than what was showing on Friday. I'll even adjust my sidebar. Grrr. I just love my metabolism.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Bears Out For A Walk (I Need To Be Too)

So, what do you get when you eat at LaRosa's four days in a row while spending four days in Cincinnati at a writing conference?

A five pound gain! (Thankfully, the scale is down a bit since that shock on Friday when I came home).

Yes, that's right. I ate pizza each of my four days in Cincinnati last week, and I am declaring that that every Monday will be public weigh in day here at "4th and Goal". It absolutely needs to be. Feel free to join me, any of you "wishful shrinkers".

I am mighty pleased with my stamping this weekend. This is a card I made last night. I was kinda going for a little Northern Lights effect, inspired by yet another talented lady over at Splitcoast Stampers, Rox71. She does some amazing scenic stamping.

Anyway, I feel I need to get the shoes on, charge the IPod and get walking before the evening falls, just like these bears. I loaded some more of my cards over on Flickr. Go check them out.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Furs Class Father


Furs Class
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.
My dad is the greatest, so he is most deserving of this "Furs Class" card I made for him (along with the new set of luggage I bought him).

I actually saw a very cute stamp at Michael's last week that was a small postage stamp with a rabbit and the sentiment said "Furs Class", so I'm confessing here...I'm not original, but I thought to myself, "I can make something like that", and I must admit, I like my version better.

I'm playing around with my rabbit stamps right now for my very first swap that I signed up for. Who knows, this might end up being *the* card I submit. We'll see. I also signed up for an Alaska ATC swap too. I'm kinda psyched about participating in them.

I found a stamping artist over on Splitcoast Stampers. She's just amazingly talented, and she has my style. Here's the link to her blog . You know how I fret over not being able to do layouts? Well studying her cards is telling me that I can be simple and let the image be the focal point of the card. Afterall, I buy stamps because I like the image in the first place. I also admire how she incorporates her own doodling on her cards. And the framing of images...yes! Cute is okay (I'm still a kid at heart). Seems like cute is not "in" in the stamping world and that it is all about collage and vintage stuff. Just not me.

Here's wishing you all a great week.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Prediction: June 2007

...I will have a job different than the one I am doing now. I am seriously considering launching "Operation Secret Job Search". I can't continue with what I am doing. It is draining and no longer rewarding. I need rewarding.

Sketch of a Workshop Attendee


Sketch of a Workshop Attendee
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.
The two day workshop is finished. It went very well. Basically, my role was to sit in the back of the room and just watch. I decided to pass the time on a sketch. This is the back of a teacher that was in attendance. (She has two feet, though her legs were crossed at the time of the sketch). I'm actually quite pleased and surprised by how how it turned out. I'm still fearing the sketching of a person's face. Hope to sketch M's face tomorrow.

I took another nap tonight, thus chosing sleep over Curves. I'm disappointed in myself in this regard. I guess I'm having difficulty "incorporating". Eating is still going great though. The great thing about tomorrow is that I'll be done with work in the early afternoon, which will allow for a nap if needed, but I'll still have time in the day for Curves.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Vacation Longing


Webcam/Sitka Alaska
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.
I am very fortunate to say I have been to Alaska. I've actually been there three times since 2000. There is a little island we visit, which is where the small town of Sitka is located. I frequently visit their webcam just to take in its beauty. And, well it is beautiful there tonight. 60 degrees, sunny and clear. This is quite rare in Sitka, as it generally rains there daily. It is part of the Tongass Rainforest.

I'm guessing I'll be visiting the webcam often during the next couple of months and taking a look at some of our past photos from past trips. M and I are not going there this year because we typically have to save up for such a trip and we were just there in August 2005. So, this is definitely an "off-year". Also, I've got a very expensive fall right around the corner with football. So, my bank account is saying, "no, not this year."

I really do need some type of vacation though. It has been a very draining year at work, and I need some time away for my mental well-being. M and I are talking about doing something, but keeping it simple. We already know this year's vacation will consist of just a couple of days, and it we'll go somewhere that is within driving distance. We've even tossed around the idea of just checking in at a newly build hotel about an hour away from our home and just swimming in their pool.

But, we will go somewhere. My mental sanity insists that I do this each summer. We just don't have it nailed down yet.

In other thoughts...

Today went well at work with the conference. So far, so good. I'm relieved by this, so much so that when I made it home tonight I took a much needed nap that was filled with some good quality zzzz's. I confess I missed going to Curves, but man I needed some good sleep, so in essense, I was doing my body some good. I PROMISE TO MAKE IT TO CURVES TOMORROW, and adopt the T, R, S schedule for this week.

Also, my eating was great today. Certainly helps having a plan. I deviated a bit, but I was within my point range. Camera, here I come. I will have you by September 1!

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Eye on the Prize

In just three more days, I will finally be able to take a long, much needed breather from work. Love the "off-season" at work, and I don't think I've ever been so ready for it like I am this year. On Monday and Tuesday we have a conference to put on, and I'm not so sure how ready for it we all are, but I am just keeping my eye on the prize...Wednesday afternoon. Everything will be done! Say goodbye to the group that isn't too fond of me.

Speaking of keeping my eye on the prize, I really do want my new digital camera. However, there is absolutely no way I'm going to meet my goal by 7/14 like suggested in my sidebar. The scale is not budging and I know I have to somehow add some cardio to my routine. I am back at Curves, but through this "time-off" from exercise, I've learned how to maintain. I guess that's a good thing. But, I really, really do need a new camera. I'm going to reset the goal date of 163 lbs by 9/1, which is the day before kickoff. I really do want to have my new camera when I go to the Texas game. That's a must.

So, in the spirit of having a very concentrated effort/run, allow me to share tomorrow's plan...

B~
Protein Shake-2
Cheese-2

L~
SB Protein Bar-4
SF Pudding-1

D~
Subway Roasted Chicken Sandwich-7
BBQ Baked Lays-4

S~
Yogurt w/flaxseed-3

E~
HulaHooping-10 minutes
Curves
20 minute walk around neighborhood, or at lunch tomorrow

Monday, June 05, 2006

Incorporating

I've got some things I need to incorporate into my daily life. Here goes:

My IPod ~ Yes, my IPod. I worked very hard losing weight to meet the goal of getting one, but yet, I haven't really incorporated it into my life. I'm a fool, really. But right now, I simply listen to the radio, or on the computer, and definitely in the car. But, I can't really figure out when I should be listening to the IPod. Maybe when I stamp? Maybe I should be taking walks and listening to it then? (though I'm not quite ready to pound the pavement or treadmill). When I travel (ie, airports, subways, etc). I don't know. It just hasn't become a part of my life as I thought it would. Of course, it took me years to get used to having a cell phone, and I'd say I hadn't really put it to good use until about six months ago.

Curves ~ I went back to Curves tonight. Whoa! Things have changed. New owner, new managers, new dressing room, new water machine. Maybe I should go away for three months again. Honestly, I think all of these changes are for the better, because I have been known to bitch in the past about how crappy my local Curves was. I'm excited to know that they want to revamp things a bit, update the look, have contests with prizes (wow!), etc. I shouldn't have any problem getting back into the swing of working out at Curves three nights a week, but I will admit I will miss the extra 45 minutes of the day I experienced not being able to work out.

Water ~ I'm not getting enough water. I drink way too much Diet Coke/Coke Zero. I'm excited that a Giant Eagle *finally* opened in our suburb so there is a good chance I can start stopping by the store and getting me some of their yummy flavored water. Hey, it's a start.

Cleaning ~ I put that in for my Mom, not that she even gets on a website, let alone this one. But seriously, I have a hard time maintaining a clean, organized house. I'd much rather veg and surf the internet. Or stamp. Or something, anything!

Reading ~ I'm such a hypocrite. I'm averaging one book a month, if that. And I've got some good books lined up on the "To Read Stand".

Okay, this list is making my head spin. Better get off the computer and start incorporating!

Sunday, June 04, 2006

A Relaxing Sunday


June Sketch#1~Brutus Buckeye
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.
It was nice to get to do a little cardmaking today. I made two cards using the June Sketch #1 on 2Peas. (Visit my Flickr stream for the other card). I love having a clean, organized studio. Makes all the difference.

Boston Scribbles


First Sketch in my Sketchbook
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.
I had to go to Boston this past week on business. I really like to visit that town because there is so much to see and do and I just find the area so interesting. Five years ago, I had to spend a total of seven weeks there (spread out over the year), and I feel like I really know the city. I can maneuver myself on the T (the subway) and get to anywhere I want to go.

Anyway, the business part was okay. The highlight was definitely hearing Carl Anderson talk to our group. I read his book in preparation, and I think teachers will find it useful.

For fun, a group of us went and ate at the original Cheers on Beacon Hill, and Fire and Ice at Harvard Square. Love, love, love Fire and Ice, which is a mongolian barbeque. The one night after we had eaten at Cheers, we walked across the street to the Boston Public Gardens. I had my sketchbook with me, and did a sketch of a view from the bench I sat down on.I guess I must explain where on earth that came from...

Last weekend, I ran across a lady's Flickr stream and I was just blown away with pictures from her sketch book. I started doing a little bit of research/Googling and came across the book Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission To Be The Artist You Truly Are, written by Danny Gregory. I must say "Wow" with this book. It is speaking to me. Highly recommend it to all of you! I think I need to learn how to "let go" a bit, and think the book will help me overcome my rubber stamping hurdle, "is this the right way to do this?" question that I always ask. THERE IS NO RIGHT WAY!

Being an only child, I used to draw all the time when I was growing up just to entertain myself. It was the way I played. My dad was an artist and used to sketch and paint each evening, and I remember what an influence that was on my actions. Then, I remember I had a very shitty art teacher in fifth grade that sort of put the brakes on my passion for art. Then, by high school, art was out of the question....you either were college prep or you took art. Never an "and" to that. So, my art went by the wayside. I think my interest in stamping is actually me crying out to go back and pick up where I left off in fifth grade.

I promise this blog won't become a sketchbook sharing type of blog, but I will keep you posted as I get back that "creative license". Hopefully, in time, you will notice it.