Get Well with Fun & Fast Notes, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

What a weekend. I really needed it though because I was really lacking some R&C (rest & creativity). I finally got around to unpacking my stuff from the retreat earlier this month. Yes, you heard that correctly. My craft supplies were still packed from the retreat I went on almost 3 WEEKS AGO. No wonder I wasn’t getting any scrapping or cardmaking done.

I took photos of some of my scrapbook layouts today. The book is still coming along slowly which isn’t going so well since pretty soon 2008 will be over and then I’ll have to start working on that. Anyway, you can find my pages here.

Anyway here’s one I made using Kristina’s latest color challenge. I definitely need to get back into doing challenges. They really get me thinking creatively.

Helloooooo Luv-ah!, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

YES! I found shoes for the wedding that don’t suck, are comfortable, and can be worn for other occasions besides a wedding!!

The moment I saw them, it was like Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City episode where she finds the perfect pair of Christian Louboutins or Big’s last night out on the town. I was stoked when I tried them on and discovered they felt awesome. And they’re Nicole Millers! Even MORE stoked.

I spent probably half an hour or so at DSW trying to decide between these and another pair from my favorite designer Tahari, but after getting the bride’s blessing (who’s priority was that I be able to wear them other than the wedding–she’s SO awesome) I decided I had to get the Nicole Millers. They were just way too hot!

The other day I went to the grocery store to do some much needed shopping. Lately I’ve been adventurous in the produce arena, trying stuff I’ve never had before. They had brisket on sale (and luckily they cut it into smaller, pot-roast style cuts) so I decided to make a crock pot roast.

In addition to the usual mirepoix mix of carrots, onions, and celery, I decided to try parsnips. Parsnips, if you’re not familiar with them, look a lot like an oversized albino carrot. Apparently they’re a close cousin to the carrot and is often confused with the plant used for making hemlock, but they’re more starchy like a potato.

So I was at the checkout counter and the cashier turns to his coworker, parsnips in hand, and asks, “What kind of carrots are these?”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not celebrating his lack of knowledge on an obscure root vegetable. I didn’t even know it WAS a parsnip until I looked at the sign above it. But that just got me thinking: how much do kids know and understand about food nutrition? And I mean real food, not anything that comes in a box or in a paper sack.

My parents were immigrants so I’m sure their knowledge of the local food was limited when the first arrived. And I know there are fruits and vegetables in the produce section I have yet to try, let alone know how to prepare, all because we never ate them as kids (parsnips being one of them). No wonder we’re getting larger and larger as a nation, living out of drive-thrus and pizza boxes. Food needs to be wholesome again I think. I long for that.

Welcome to my Sickness!, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

So I have seen the dark side… and I discovered I actually kinda like it!

This is one of my finished pages and my favorite so far. I do like scrapbooking so far, but boy, it’s definitely more frustrating than making cards that’s for sure. I mean you have more elements to think about: the photos, the layout, the journaling, the embellishments, etc. I don’t know how anyone can actually look forward to it.

Still, I have to admit I have a lot of fun with it. I guess it’s somewhat like a sadomasochistic high. No matter how much torture I put myself through just thinking about a page, I ultimately enjoy it. Yep, sicko I know.

So what do you call it when two out of 3 people (integral cogs, mind you) in your department are out of the office for various reasons and you, the only one left, comes down with a cold?

The Perfect Storm.

Actually, any event where multiple piles of crap hit the same fan could be constituted as a Perfect Storm. It’s been one of those weeks. Surprisingly I’ve emerged in once piece.

Tonight I’ll be heading out to my local scrapbook store to meet up with some awesomely crafty ladies. I’m being very crafty these days! Too bad my craft area is in such disarray that I don’t even want to work in it right now.

The Downstairs Crop Area, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

This year’s first retreat was a blast yet again! We took an alternate route this time since the last route was more the scenic country route. Definitely preferred taking the major highways this time. It just felt faster. We also signed up for the extra day on Thursday. The weather couldn’t have been more PERFECT. Thursday was a little warm, but Friday it cooled down significantly. There were some new people there I don’t remember seeing at the previous retreat, and there were some familiar faces too.

We had one of the upstairs rooms this time in the loft area that overlooks the main crop room. It was a great location because not only were our crop stations right outside our bedroom door, we got to be in the main room with everyone else this time.

It was a great experience yet again. I think this is definitely something that’s going to be a regular item on my calendar.

So today was supposed to be my last day off. Instead it turned out to be the day I would run around town spending money like crazy on bridesmaids dresses and car repairs (well, only one dress).

The new tires weren’t so bad. In fact, when I took it up to Discount Tire, they inspected the other rear tire and discovered a leak in that one as well so they repaired both rear tires and rotated them to the front, then put the new tires on the back. All is well now.

And then I went to Goodyear to have my state inspection done and an oil change. While I was there I went ahead and asked them to look at my brakes because there was a slight vibration on them when I pressed the brake pedal. It turns out my car needed some major repairs done do it. The brakes were going bad, the air filter needed to be changed, and the belts were cracking. The timing couldn’t have been worse. I wasn’t able to have the belts changed because it would’ve cost well over $1000. Maybe next time.

So I guess all these repairs came at a pretty good time. I’ve been wanting to lose weight anyway and since I probably won’t be able to afford to eat for the next few weeks, I’ll be svelte in time for my friend’s wedding! It’s a win-win situation

Believe Me, She Was More Excited Earlier When She Arrived Home, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

She was so excited to see me that when my nephew brought her upstairs, her whole body was wagging with excitement. I was excited to see her too.

And look! Auntie Elaine gave her a haircut too! It looks like Izzie had her own weekend retreat

Gee, It’s Good To Be Home, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

After almost 4 days of cropping R&R with 17 other ladies out at Lake Whitney, this is what I come home to: a flat tire. Luckily there was no blowout Wednesday night when I first noticed it, just the sound of metal knocking on the pavement. And since my friend was driving to the lodge, I figured I’d wait and check it out when I got back into town. By the way, that screw wasn’t the only foreign object I found stuck in my tire. I also found a nail.

My vacation was awesome. I almost slightly regret not getting the full pampering (massage and pedi) but I was perfectly content just scrapping along. I have a few photos to post a little later.

I have another day off tomorrow but I’m going to spend it running around town like a chicken with my head cut off, taking care of a lot of things I’ve been neglecting. In the meantime, I’m going to spend some quality time with my Izzie.

Look Alikes, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

I dropped Izzie off last night at my sister’s house so she could stay with her cousins while I’m at my retreat. It made me kinda sad because as I was walking toward the door, she followed me and kept looking up at me as if to say, “…W-what? ARE YOU LEAVING ME HERE?!”

And boy, the second I got into my car, I was already starting to feel the lack of her presence. Even when I was walking around my apartment later that night, packing and preparing for my trip today, my heels felt an inconsolable loss because she wasn’t right there underfoot. I even put Farley on my nightstand when I went to bed last night as somewhat of a stand-in but it didn’t really work very well.

So I decided to repost this picture of her because I’m a sissy for missing my puppydog.