Have a Really, Really....

and many many more, my bloggie good friends!

Q&A: Julia of Red Otter 580

Talented Julia, AKA: Red Otter 580

1) Describe who you are in 10 words or less.

A youthful "old soul" who loves pink and paper

2) Tell us what you do for work, and who you do it for, OR how you spend your days. (besides blogging. HA!)
 I am the Art Director at an engineering firm. I get to create fun marketing materials for a whole bunch of left-brained guys who think Dilbert's their mascot!

(ED Note: Julia declined to answer question 3: "what method of organization do you use," which of course leads me to believe that she might actually have a desk that looks like mine. ;-)

4) Share a defining moment in your life, which had a direct effect on who you are today.
The summer I was 11 my mom volunteered me, on the spot, to teach a group of older girls from our church a camp song I had learned. I was terrified--I hated any form of public speaking! But I denied the urge to run and hide, stepped forward and sang my little heart out. They clapped. I think it was at that moment that I realized I didn't have to be afraid of getting in front of people.

5) Please tell us the story of the biggest belly laugh of your life.

I guess my first laugh, ever, was a belly laugh. My parents busted a gut listening to this blond little thing belly laugh in her highchair.

6) What work of art, creation, project, photo, etc. are you most proud of?

I love my Pink Lemonade journal I made last summer. It was filled with so many of my favorite things!

7) Which children's book influenced you the most?
Dinotopia--I'm not sure if it's an official "children's" book, but I love it. I remember getting it from the library and drooling over the world unfolding from each page!

8) What is your favorite pie? Favorite flavor Ice Cream?

Pumpkin Pie. Forever!

9) Which blog post of yours has had the most comments?

Surprisingly, it's the blog posts that I'm most vulnerable that seem to get the most comments. The posts when I talk about personal disappointment, depression, or frustrations at work and with life! It's so neat! I don't feel as alone after reading people's comments. It helps!

10) What message would you like to leave for the world? (here is your chance)

I believe all change is good. Some times we just have to be more flexible to "deal" with the change!

The Bogart Chair

Had latkes at The Bogarts on Christmas. Best latkes EVER. Seriously. And this chair in their basement? Faboo. 

Thanks Bogarts!!! 

xoh

The "Catolouge" Vol. 1

When people ask me if I always knew that I wanted to be a graphic designer, I say "absolutely."

I think back on the greeting cards, posters, dioramas and other collateral that my parents probably have in a Klein's box on some shelf in the dark. 

One of these things resurfaced a few years ago... it's The "Catolouge" (catalog) 

Elena and I made this when we were 10 (?) years old.

She kept it all these years, and passed it back to me on a big birthday.

She & I were 2 of a kind.

While most girls were playing Barbies, we were having important meetings to map out a plan for our product empire.

We imagined a life that was filled with things of luxury and convenience.

We poured all our wishes and enthusiasm into this catalog. 

We were very detail-oriented. 

Each item had a name, a description, and usually listed the materials it was made from.

The misspelling of the word "Reclining" has given us the giggles even to this day.

Can't you see this one in a nice teak? 

If I had only known that someday, through knowing Elena, I'd marry a man in the plastics biz...

this also doubles as a sex swing...

(it was the 70's)

This would be a top-seller if it was available today.

El, do we have the patents on any of this stuff??

Here's where you would snuggle up with David Cassidy or in my case, Apollo from Battlestar Gallactica.

What do YOU wanna be when you grow up?

;-)

xoh

Moody Monday 12/22/08

cabin fever.

A Gift from Mina

Usually, I run to get my camera when I see Mina out in her bathrobe.

How cute is she?!!!

Then I think: 

what if someone was taking surveillance pics of ME in my furry robe with bed hair?

Nah.

Anyway... she was waving & gesturing for us to come over there,

so I sent hubby across the street with the varmints.

there was alot more gesturing, 

and a few minutes later, they came back with a bag.

3 pairs of hand-knit booties with a note....

"If the booties are too small, please return to me, 

I know of someone that might be able to use them. -Mina"

We love you Mina!

xxooh

We Gotz Madd Snomanz Skillz

if u can reed thiz plz sendz helpf.

Snow Day...

If my brain doesn't go numb from playing too much Uno, 

I'll be back tomorrow with something clever & witty.

xoh

Varmint Games

pic from gadgetshop.com

Q&A: Lecia Phinney....

...my new friend AND hero, from the blog:  A Day that is Dessert

1. Describe who you are in 10 words or less. 

Mother and wife who loves all things beautiful and good.

2. Tell us how you spend your days. 

After getting my first grader to school and my preschooler to preschool, I go running, sometimes with a friend, get ready for the day, run an errand or two, then pick up at preschool again. I spend the rest of the day playing with my boys, supervising piano practice and homework, reading with them, cooking, and getting ready to do it again the next day. I don't watch TV, so in my free time in the evening I read other blogs, write my own blog posts, read, and spend time with my husband.

3. What organization methods do you use to keep all your bits and pieces in order?

I sort the mail at the recycling bin. I have a file system with a folder for each month, and subfolders inside for each week. I use these to keep things I'll need that week or that I need to attend to that week. I use an electronic calendar that is shared with my husband and that my son's school calendar is also downloaded onto.

4. Share a defining moment in your life, which had a direct effect on who you are today. 

I have had breast cancer twice - once at age 28 and once at age 35. Though I'm perfectly healthy now, at age 39 I have the perspective of an older person - seize the day, life is short. It's partly why I blog, to give my boys a real sense of their childhood and who I am right now, because you never know.

5. Please tell us the story of the biggest belly laugh of your life. 

One of the funniest moments of my life happened when I was in labor with Abbott. My bed had been raised up for some reason, and wouldn't come back down. So there I was, in labor, towering way above everyone else. Another bed had to be brought in and raised to the high position, and I had to scoot to the new bed unassisted (I was too high up for anyone to be able to help me). I already had an epidural in place so was actually able to laugh about it not scream.

6. What work of art, creation, project, photo, etc. are you most proud of? 

I am most proud of being home full time raising my boys. Before having children, I never imagined I would do that. After Abbott was born, I took one look at him and realized there was no way I would return to my career in medicine.

7. Which children's book influenced you the most? 

I have always loved books. I can't remember one particular book as being the most influential, but I do have fond memories of reading the Narnia series and the Little House on the Prarie series.

8. What is your favorite pie? Favorite flavor Ice Cream? 

My maternal Grandmother's lemon meringue pie, and Tom Douglas' coconut cream pie. Haagen dazs peanut butter ice cream.

9. Which blog post of yours have had the most comments? 

Three posts: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pumpkin Prowl, and Washington Park Arboretum.

10. What message would you like to leave for the world? 

Always give the benefit of the doubt. Wag more bark less. Tread lightly on the earth. "Love is something if you give it away, you'll end up having more." Seize the day.

Gifts from Holiday's Past...

MJ gave me this...

 from here.

It's just ONE of the reasons I love her so.

xoh

Moody Monday 12/15/08

Hubby checks out the town Christmas Tree.

Happy Trails.

A reindeer leaps up from the smoke.

Neon feeds on rain.

Respect the Moon.

Random

THIS is what my sitter drinks. 

It gives her the energy and the patience 

to wrangle my varmints,

so that I may attempt to finish my work.

How scary is my desk?

(totally random neighborhood snowman.)