Well dearies we're off. Terrified that the summer will end without us having squeezed every ounce of fun out of it. The fam and I are off on an impromtu weekend trip. I will post again when we return, with all sorts of tales of fun and misadventure. Until I return I have a questions for you all that I have always wondered about:
If Cinderella's shoes were such a perfect fit then why did they fall off in the first place?
Was it just an extra bit of magic from that wonderful fairy godmother (why didn't I get one of those)? Or can we say that perhaps Cinderella wanted to be found, and it was just an elaborate game of hard to get. If that is the case, you think she would have left a better clue than a shoe. Honestly that was a pretty big gamble, I mean its a little hard to believe that she was the onle size six and a half in the kingdom, but then maybe her shoes were such a perfect fit that they really would only fit her, but if this was the case then...(see above question). You see my problem, I just can't figure it out, so I'd love to hear what you all think.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
The Hills Have Eyes...
They also have perfectly sculpted noses, blindingly white teeth, and large breasts, but what don't they have? You got it no matter how deeply you look, not an ounce of intelligence.
I have been thinking about this since I read Surcie's post about something similar. Let me explain, so last week I went visit my family. One of the things my sister and I always do on these visits is watch TV together. Now I know what you're thinking...huh? But seriously its good bonding time. We stay up late and watch all the shows that we're too embarrassed to watch with our parents around. So my sister introduced me to this show called "The Hills." Ok you've probably all already heard of it, but until recently I didn't even have cable so I'm not really up with what the cool shows are. So we watched "The Hills" together. Well, let me tell you what...I was appauled. This show is a reality show about some girls that live in L.A. They are a perfect example of what happens when you give someone everything they've ever wanted for 20 years. Seriously, these girls were ridiculous, their dialogue was absolutely insipid. In the episodes that I watched poor Heidi had deal with the devastating reality that her ape like boyfriend wasn't "treating her like a princess" (a line that she really would have been able to pull off better if she were four and dressed in costume jewelry). And then there was poor Lauren who had to make the daring decision to join her equally ridiculous boyfriend at the beach house, or go to Paris (a dramatic decision obviously engineered by MTV the show's mothership). Oh poor things! (my hand is on my forehead as I feign swooning). I thought to myself while watching this show what is the big draw? What keeps shows like this one on the air? Well the easy answer is: we do...I mean I admit it I was watching it too, but the bottom line is that it was entertaining. Like the bearded lady at the circus, my sister and I were drawn to this show, like the people slowing down and grotesquely straining their necks to see a car wreck on the side of the road. So then my next thought was what's wrong with that? and I think there are two answers to this question.
1. Nothing, its just entertainment, it doesn't matter. (This is the answer that all of the viewers have come to, and that is why the show continues to be popular).
But then there is answer number two and that is where the problem lies for me.
2. Its just entertainment, it doesn't matter. That's the answer. Its just entertainment, it doesn't matter, but all the while this entertainment that doesn't matter is seeping into our lives, taking up our time, soaking into the psyche of our little girls, and with this entertainment there is a message. The message is this...its ok to be a stupid person void of any depth, if you have the right clothes, lots of money from mom and dad, and a boyfriend; and if you don't have those things its o.k. to be absolutely, supremely selfish in order to get them.
Before being a mommy I was a social worker and let me tell you I have worked with children who have watched their father, weapon in hand, threaten their mother's lives. I have worked with children whose mother's have put their drug addiction before her own little ones even to the point of knowingly sacrificing her children's for those vile drugs. I have watched siblings, who feel they have no one but each other to count on being forcibly taken away from each other by the foster care system. I have worked with tired, broken souls trying their best to heal themselves and protect their families. And I can tell you: these. things. mattered.
So instead of seeing Lauren work at Teen Vogue, I'd like to see her helping (dare we say voluteering) in a child abuse shelter, or an inner city school, or somewhere else where there is need (Heaven knows there is plenty of that to go around). Instead of showing girls what they should have maybe she could show them what they should be. Can't we change the emphasis from what we can get to what we have done? I for one don't have time for this kind of entertainment anymore.
I have been thinking about this since I read Surcie's post about something similar. Let me explain, so last week I went visit my family. One of the things my sister and I always do on these visits is watch TV together. Now I know what you're thinking...huh? But seriously its good bonding time. We stay up late and watch all the shows that we're too embarrassed to watch with our parents around. So my sister introduced me to this show called "The Hills." Ok you've probably all already heard of it, but until recently I didn't even have cable so I'm not really up with what the cool shows are. So we watched "The Hills" together. Well, let me tell you what...I was appauled. This show is a reality show about some girls that live in L.A. They are a perfect example of what happens when you give someone everything they've ever wanted for 20 years. Seriously, these girls were ridiculous, their dialogue was absolutely insipid. In the episodes that I watched poor Heidi had deal with the devastating reality that her ape like boyfriend wasn't "treating her like a princess" (a line that she really would have been able to pull off better if she were four and dressed in costume jewelry). And then there was poor Lauren who had to make the daring decision to join her equally ridiculous boyfriend at the beach house, or go to Paris (a dramatic decision obviously engineered by MTV the show's mothership). Oh poor things! (my hand is on my forehead as I feign swooning). I thought to myself while watching this show what is the big draw? What keeps shows like this one on the air? Well the easy answer is: we do...I mean I admit it I was watching it too, but the bottom line is that it was entertaining. Like the bearded lady at the circus, my sister and I were drawn to this show, like the people slowing down and grotesquely straining their necks to see a car wreck on the side of the road. So then my next thought was what's wrong with that? and I think there are two answers to this question.
1. Nothing, its just entertainment, it doesn't matter. (This is the answer that all of the viewers have come to, and that is why the show continues to be popular).
But then there is answer number two and that is where the problem lies for me.
2. Its just entertainment, it doesn't matter. That's the answer. Its just entertainment, it doesn't matter, but all the while this entertainment that doesn't matter is seeping into our lives, taking up our time, soaking into the psyche of our little girls, and with this entertainment there is a message. The message is this...its ok to be a stupid person void of any depth, if you have the right clothes, lots of money from mom and dad, and a boyfriend; and if you don't have those things its o.k. to be absolutely, supremely selfish in order to get them.
Before being a mommy I was a social worker and let me tell you I have worked with children who have watched their father, weapon in hand, threaten their mother's lives. I have worked with children whose mother's have put their drug addiction before her own little ones even to the point of knowingly sacrificing her children's for those vile drugs. I have watched siblings, who feel they have no one but each other to count on being forcibly taken away from each other by the foster care system. I have worked with tired, broken souls trying their best to heal themselves and protect their families. And I can tell you: these. things. mattered.
So instead of seeing Lauren work at Teen Vogue, I'd like to see her helping (dare we say voluteering) in a child abuse shelter, or an inner city school, or somewhere else where there is need (Heaven knows there is plenty of that to go around). Instead of showing girls what they should have maybe she could show them what they should be. Can't we change the emphasis from what we can get to what we have done? I for one don't have time for this kind of entertainment anymore.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Yummy!
Here is one of my latest scrapbook pages for little man. This day I had spent forever trying to get little man to provide me with one of those perfect photo ops. He was playing in the pool (ok maybe 'playing' is being a little optimistic, since every time I put him in there he cried like he was on fire or something). I wanted one of those adorable photos in his little swimming suit, but little man wouldn't do it.
He refused to be cute while he was being forced to stand in that wretched, torturous swimming pool. So I got him out, but he was still absolutely indignant at the horrors he had been forced to face, and would not stop crying until a cookie was laid on the table as a peace offering.
'Ah yes a cookie, that will be enough to compensate for all of my pain and suffering mom.' And well little man I have to tell you that you may have won the battle, but I won the war, because I got my photo op after all.
And seriously, he is so cute isn't he?
He refused to be cute while he was being forced to stand in that wretched, torturous swimming pool. So I got him out, but he was still absolutely indignant at the horrors he had been forced to face, and would not stop crying until a cookie was laid on the table as a peace offering.
'Ah yes a cookie, that will be enough to compensate for all of my pain and suffering mom.' And well little man I have to tell you that you may have won the battle, but I won the war, because I got my photo op after all.
And seriously, he is so cute isn't he?
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
"Let me 'splain...no there is too much, let me sum up"
Can anyone tell me what movie that line is from?
Well dearies, its been awhile. I know you all don't want to hear it, but wowsers, I have been busy. First you must all stand up and cheer for me, because one of the things that has been keeping me busy is that the Song Bird got an order. Now while I have filled several orders since I started this one was momentous because it was the first time a stranger has just walked in off the internet and ordered from my website. I was so proud. She really liked the collage type design in the Olivia announcement, that's also one of my favorite ones so it was fun to make her one like it.
Just for good measure I also made her some other new designs that also had the collage thing goin on.
And I also made her this one because I just couldn't reseist doing some recoloring on this photo.
She ended up choosing the first design. It was such a fun project to do. I just love making announcements for people, so I hope I will get more orders soon so that I can keep on doing what I love.
After I finished up that project Shane left for a business trip, so little man and I decided to go to Utah to visit my fam. What a fun trip. My good friend Sara was in town for the first half of the week. So we shopped and went to the zoo, and the park, and had afabulous time. Then the last half of the week I spent just hangin' with my family. I spent some good quality time with my sisters, and my parents. Little man got to really spend time with my parents which was so fun for them and so good for little man. We had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves.
Well dearies, its been awhile. I know you all don't want to hear it, but wowsers, I have been busy. First you must all stand up and cheer for me, because one of the things that has been keeping me busy is that the Song Bird got an order. Now while I have filled several orders since I started this one was momentous because it was the first time a stranger has just walked in off the internet and ordered from my website. I was so proud. She really liked the collage type design in the Olivia announcement, that's also one of my favorite ones so it was fun to make her one like it.
Just for good measure I also made her some other new designs that also had the collage thing goin on.
And I also made her this one because I just couldn't reseist doing some recoloring on this photo.
She ended up choosing the first design. It was such a fun project to do. I just love making announcements for people, so I hope I will get more orders soon so that I can keep on doing what I love.
After I finished up that project Shane left for a business trip, so little man and I decided to go to Utah to visit my fam. What a fun trip. My good friend Sara was in town for the first half of the week. So we shopped and went to the zoo, and the park, and had afabulous time. Then the last half of the week I spent just hangin' with my family. I spent some good quality time with my sisters, and my parents. Little man got to really spend time with my parents which was so fun for them and so good for little man. We had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
More Babies
I just finished doing a set of baby announcements for a friend. I have to say that I am pretty happy with how they turned out. I hope that she likes them too. Of course she said that she liked them, but you never know really. I mean, its not like she would say, "Nicole I hate these dumb things, why did you even make them?" Oh well, my self-esteem is telling me that I need to trust that she was telling the truth, since believing otherwise really isn't going to do me any good. Anyway here they are.
First I made her a few designs to choose from. This first one looks a lot like the "Madison" design that is already on the website. She told me that was one of her favorite deisgns, so I tried to make her something like it, only not so girly.
The next one is my favorite because it was such a lot of work to make. I know it doesn't really look like it, but it was. I also learned some new tricks on this one, which was really fun.
The last one was the one that she finally chose. It is a nice clean design, I just love the way that one little eye is peeking out to see what's going on.
First I made her a few designs to choose from. This first one looks a lot like the "Madison" design that is already on the website. She told me that was one of her favorite deisgns, so I tried to make her something like it, only not so girly.
The next one is my favorite because it was such a lot of work to make. I know it doesn't really look like it, but it was. I also learned some new tricks on this one, which was really fun.
The last one was the one that she finally chose. It is a nice clean design, I just love the way that one little eye is peeking out to see what's going on.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Litigation takes the fun out of everything
I mean it. What is the deal?
Wait, let me explain. So today I got a lovely email in my inbox it read:
Dear Nicole,
Thank you for responding to the River Ranch website regarding the moth you found in your Popeye Spinach (including the photos) we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. River Ranch does everything we can to try to prevent this type of thing from happening. We would like to send you some free Popeye coupons for any inconvenience this has caused. Would you please email your address and I will send those coupons right away.
Thank you again,
Terry
Customer Service
River Ranch Fresh Foods,LLC
Isn't that nice? and I mean that sincerely, they responded quickly and appropriately to my bug problem, but still I can't help but hear a hint of worry in their admit no wrong doing, and offer coupons to pacify the customer email. I mean wouldn't it have been more truthful if Terry had just said, "We do our best, but hey! moths love spinach. What can ya do?" or even better than truthful it would have been downright funny if she'd said, "Ok you caught us, we're using Popeye to sneak bugs into the diets of all Americans. Can we buy your silence with some coupons." But of course Terry can't say something like that, because I just might be a crazy, mean lady who has her lawyer on speed dial and has been just waiting for the day when I find a bug in my spinach.
Yes I admit, finding the moth in my spinach was very gross, but really I'm going to live. And I do understand, moths probably do really like spinach. Now I know that I complained ALOT in that last post about the bug, but part of that was just showing off for some of my blogger pals. Really I think that the world might be a better place if we all cut each other a little slack now and then. Ya know what I mean? Then Terry could write witty emails to the complaining customers, and make them laugh. I mean really I think I would take a good laugh over a coupon for free spinach any day.
Wait, let me explain. So today I got a lovely email in my inbox it read:
Dear Nicole,
Thank you for responding to the River Ranch website regarding the moth you found in your Popeye Spinach (including the photos) we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. River Ranch does everything we can to try to prevent this type of thing from happening. We would like to send you some free Popeye coupons for any inconvenience this has caused. Would you please email your address and I will send those coupons right away.
Thank you again,
Terry
Customer Service
River Ranch Fresh Foods,LLC
Isn't that nice? and I mean that sincerely, they responded quickly and appropriately to my bug problem, but still I can't help but hear a hint of worry in their admit no wrong doing, and offer coupons to pacify the customer email. I mean wouldn't it have been more truthful if Terry had just said, "We do our best, but hey! moths love spinach. What can ya do?" or even better than truthful it would have been downright funny if she'd said, "Ok you caught us, we're using Popeye to sneak bugs into the diets of all Americans. Can we buy your silence with some coupons." But of course Terry can't say something like that, because I just might be a crazy, mean lady who has her lawyer on speed dial and has been just waiting for the day when I find a bug in my spinach.
Yes I admit, finding the moth in my spinach was very gross, but really I'm going to live. And I do understand, moths probably do really like spinach. Now I know that I complained ALOT in that last post about the bug, but part of that was just showing off for some of my blogger pals. Really I think that the world might be a better place if we all cut each other a little slack now and then. Ya know what I mean? Then Terry could write witty emails to the complaining customers, and make them laugh. I mean really I think I would take a good laugh over a coupon for free spinach any day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)
