Ugh...Starting Over

Photo has nothing to do with this post...I just needed one, and I like this one.  So you get to see it.

So, I cleaned my office...I'll post some pics of the fiasco at a later date.  Don't you worry, I took them.  One of the main reasons I cleaned my office was because I couldn't make anything in it anymore.  I've gotten to where I really feel like scrapbooking.  The thing is, I feel like I'm starting over.  I'm a good solid two years behind now, I think.  I was a different person two years ago.  What was important then, is it still important now?  And I have to say that I am not liking the way some of the photos I printed look.  Just call it, being super picky...and having to train my eyes to see good photos all the time.  It's just when your eyes have poured over thousands of photos looking for the very best ones, it gets hard not to be.  I know this is bad, but I haven't really been taking many photos of my family.  When I do, I use Mariphone.  I actually love that girl.  And I love some apps that I downloaded...a lot.  I will share with you if I get a chance this weekend.  I guess the key idea to me at this point, is how different I am now then I was two years ago.  I have grown in so many ways, mentally and in my photographic abilities.  Anyhow, I am planning on trying to get some prints printed in the very near future.  I just haven't decided where to print...via web or one hour photo.  Bare with me.  I promise layouts are coming.  That is something that I am really excited about.  I can't wait to use my new perspective in my scrapbooking...I just have to figure out now, what I want to scrapbook and scratch out my anally planned pages.  Have a good Friday!

All I Asked For...

As you guys know, Erik took Wolfie hunting.  Before he left in a frenzy, I tried to get my old camera ready for him to take.  I erased a Compact Flash for him and was going to put it in the camera...oops it takes SD Cards.  Erik didn't want to wait for me to upload pics...yadayadayada.  Anyhow, I told him to please take some pictures with his phone.  He said he would.  Well, my friends this is the photo I got.  The only one I can present here.

This is why I can never trust my husband when it comes to photos.  This is essentially the only photo they took.  Forget Wolfie shooting his bow, forget the scenery.  Just put on some fake mustaches and take a pic.  Wow, if only I could have gotten this picture in full resolution.

On another note, I'm going to attempt to clean my office today.  So I can make some projects.  I'm feeling crafty again.

How to be a Reading Junkie...I mean Avid Reader

I am quite aware that I have an addiction to reading.  I am a reading junkie  avid reader.  I just wanted to share a few tips with you so that I can enable you to be one too.

Reading can be an expensive hobby...if you read eBooks that is.  I mean the local library is always a place to go, but I prefer to read electronic books now.  So, I have become quite obsessive.  I have downloaded three reading apps to Mariphone...

Right now, I read a lot of books that are free.  That's right, free books out for the taking.  Most of those books are available at Amazon and some at Barnes and Noble too.  I read Maryse's Blog.  Her Genre is Romance.  I'm sure there are probably people who recommend non-romance novels.  She provides all sorts of reviews and tons of book recommendations.  Every Friday, she releases the Freebie Friday List.  So I head over to Amazon and download the books that seem interesting.

I also read a lot of books from people who choose to write and publish their own books without getting major publishers involved.  This means, I can read a lot of really good books for $1.99, $2.99, or free...again.  Some of the best stories I've read, or the characters I have loved most come from people that have chosen to self publish.  Some of them, I'm sure have been rejected by the Big Publishers because their work wasn't deemed good enough.

Now onto the E-Reader Apps.  I have found that Nook is usually cheaper than iBooks, and has a much larger selection of books.  I have not compared the prices to Amazon...as I usually do Freebies.  Though, I have bought a few books since I started with their Kindle App.  Buying Books...or getting Freebies is a BREEZE with Amazon.  I find it easier as they don't constantly ask my password and the books automatically download to their app.  With Nook, I always have to refresh my app before they download.  I really like the layout of iBooks better than any other reader.  The appearance is much neater, and it will tell you how many pages you have left in a chapter.  I find this helpful at 2:00 a.m. when I tell myself I'll just finish this one last chapter.

Don't forget to check my What I Read Page.  I've posted lots of books on there that I have found worthwhile.  I don't post all of the books I read on there as some of them want to make my gag myself with a spoon...such as Gabriel's Inferno.  It started out so good, but by the last third I wanted to jab my eyes out.  I had to finish the stupid book, though because I had already read so many of the 549 pages.  Which I will say, I skimmed through the last pages.  There is a sequel, but I would rather throw myself into an inferno before reading it.  Anyhow, I try to keep that page up to date....

So, that's all I have.  I hope it was somewhat informative.  Reading has always been such a huge part of my life.  I want to share it with others, too.  Have a great Saturday, everyone!

The El Paso Caveman

Apparently, this story has made national headlines.  I have to say that this story entertains me like no other in a long, long time.  It has apparently made it to Regis and Kelly...or whoever the host is now with Kelly.  I am posting the news story.  And then I will share the link for the entire interview.  It is hilarious.  I would also like to add that he chased off people by running after them naked.  That is how he was discovered by a local news station.

Caveman News Story
Entire Interview

A Hunting We Will Not Go

So, Wolfie and Erik are going to go Elk hunting without us.  :(  I told Erik that hunting is a family activity.  However, I couldn't take off work to go.  Wolfie is actually very excited to go.  We bought him a bow and some arrows.  Since only the men are going, Wolfie will have to get up and hunt.  I am really excited about that.

Erik explaining to the boys about No Scent, Elk Calls, and bows and arrows the other day.

Erik and Wolfie before they left this evening.

 The face of one of the boys that got left behind.  He was so sad :(

 The roses that Maddie and JoJo decided to pick after Dad and Wolfie left.  I put had to put some boyish toys in the background to make it better.  I mean really?  I have two men going off to kill animals and the other two arranging rose bouquets.

All I know is that no matter what, I won't have another Elk head in my living room...since it's Grandpa Rolf's tag...and that makes me somewhat happy.  We don't have room in the living room for that sort of thing.

Almost Never Clever Cell Phone Blog Hop

Hi there everyone.  Welcome to the Almost Never Clever Cell Phone Blog Hop.  You arrived from Nat's blog.  She has the best wedding album going on, and she has tons of clever tips on her blog.  I will forgive her for being a Nikon user :)  Last time, I talked about why I like using my cell phone to take pics and how I use them in layouts.  Today, let's talk about using our cell phones for artsy and storytelling photos for everyday life.  Who doesn't like an artsy or storytelling photo?  I think that we can all create artsy/storytelling photos if we start thinking of our phones as a really good DSLR camera.  We can use it to create perspective.  Because our phones are with us all the time, we have it at our disposal whenever we need it.  Here are some pics that I've taken when I've been out and about.  AND...GASP...I even had my huge DSLR with me on some of these days and chose to use my Mariphone (that's my phone's nickname) instead.

 This truck was so loaded down with pallets the bed was only a foot off of the ground.  You can only see this in New Mexico, people.  True these pics are not artsy per say, but they tell a story that speaks about my home.  It is so NM.

Road construction has become part of everyone's lives in the United States.  I have never seen so much road construction in my life.  I love this crane.  It was huge...they dismantled it the other day so I was glad to get the pic.

An okra flower in my garden. (DSLR available)

DSLR available

DSLR on hand for this, but I wanted to Instagram it!

I finally figured out how to use the blur filter on Instagram.  I was wondering for months how people achieved this look.

Another instance where I wanted to Instagram a photo instead of using my DSLR...which I had on hand this day.  My mother was like why don't use your camera.

The story of my boy, the writer.  He loves school so much.  A pencil is almost never out of his hand, and he always wants to know how to spell words.

Another way Instagram can make the everyday look artsy.

I know that my followers have seen this pic before.  I just had to share it because it is artsy, and it is a story.  We had to suffer through a huge hailstorm out on the lake.  It wasn't pleasant and it's fortunate we were in a cove, or it could have been much worse.  I plan on putting this picture in a layout called, "A Hail of a Storm."
   I hope you enjoyed this post.  If you liked it, please subscribe via email or follow my blog.  Now you are on to your next stop, Tammy.

And just incase you are lost, here are the links for the entire blog hop.

Nat: Almost Never Clever http://www.almostneverclever.com (You came from here)
Mariah: Its Fun2Scrap http://www.fun2scrap.blogspot.com/ (You are here)
Tammy: Your Memory Connection http://www.yourmemoryconnection.com/ (Next Stop)
Ginger: Ginger’s Life of Spice http://gingerslifeofspice.blogspot.com/
Danielle: EcoScrapbook http://ecoscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Jen: Down Home South Jersey http://downhomesouthjersey.com/
Beth: Scrapping Wonders http://scrappingwonders.com/
Katie: Katie Stories http://katie-stories.blogspot.com/
Zaira: Hacer Scrapbooks http://hacerscrapbooks.blogspot.com/

A Book Recommendation, Under Eye Circles, and Streaking

Our new tarantula...this has nothing to do with this post.  I just didn't want it to be pictureless.

So...I read a really, really good book this weekend.  I loved it.  I couldn't stop thinking about it even today.  It was a FREEBIE on Amazon with your Kindle app or device.

So this is the story of a Gypsy girl, a federal agent, and a psychopath kidnapper.  It was SO good.  I couldn't stop reading once I picked it up.  I copied the summary from Amazon, because I am not actually a good summarizer.  

Czigany “Cezi” Romney is perfectly happy. Yes, she’d have liked to have graduated high school, perhaps even attended college and become a CSI rather than working for her father and Uncle as an asthmatic sidekick. But leaving Armadillo Creek would be impossible. A gypsy without family would be like a ship without a rudder - directionless, unable to function. Her family loves her, but struggle to contain their disapproval of her unorthodox behavior and worst of all, she’s still single, childless and her chances of marriage are waning quickly. Eighteen is practically over the hill. At twenty-six many doubt anyone would want her.

At thirty-four, Stillwater is a seasoned federal agent who has come up through the military and special ops. His scarred face reflects the life of man dedicated to protecting his country. Currently FBPA Agent John Stillwater and his team suspect they are dealing with a nationwide white slavery ring, but lack evidence to prove it. A murder in a nowhere town in Texas leads John to investigate with his team.

Cain McIntosh’s career is making him rich. In his chauffeur-driven limo, his tailored suits, his ten thousand dollar watch and his private jet, Cain visits different towns each week and finds the girl of his dreams. Or so he says as he convinces her to come home with him and meet his family. Unfortunately, the girl who agrees to go, knowing she will be the envy of her friends, is never heard from again. His perfect operation grinds to a halt by a short gypsy woman who deflates his ego and a large Fed agent’s relentless pursuit.

Read this book...

So last night, Erik and I are sitting on the couch watching Boardwalk Empire and we hear screaming.  I asked Erik, what in the heck is that?  So we pause the TV (good old Tivo) and listen.  We hear screaming and shouting.  So we go outside, all incognito under the cover of the porch light.  I asked Erik if we should call the police.  He says no because our neighbors probably already have.  So we hid in the shadows and all of the sudden here come four guys running down the street in their underwear.  It reminded me of Old School.  My neighbor comes out yelling at the mass number of kids...between twenty to thirty.  They also woke up JoJo who was crying.  So I yelled, "You woke up my baby."  Some girl yelled she was sorry.  The crowd disassembles, running down the street.  The Assistant DA shows up, as she lives in our neighborhood and tries to hunt them down.  About five minutes later, the police showed up, because my good ol' trusty neighbors are good for that sort of stuff.   

Onto the next subject...I woke up this morning and my eyes had the hugest bags and dark circles I've ever had in my life.  What in the heck happened?  I have no explanation.  I actually had to get an icepack out of the freezer and apply it to my eyes.  This is a new development...I am going to have to say allergies are the problem.  It looked like I had two black eyes...Which when I got to school the assistant principal actually had one...from falling down a mountain.  My only explanation is that I saw four random boys running down the street in their underwear and apparently the sight apparently pained my eyes :)   P.S.  My neighbor was disappointed that she did not witness the streaking as she was on the phone with the police.

Back to Reality...and Fall Gardening

Erik and I enjoyed three days of solitude and quiet.  His parents took the kids camping at the lake.  My dad took them to launch rockets at the spaceport.  During that time, we did pretty much nothing.  We watched Monday Night Football at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Tuesday, we ran a few errands and planted our fall garden.  Tuesday evening we went for happy hour with some friends.  Wednesday we watched The Campaign with Will Ferrell.  It was pretty funny.  I laughed and laughed and laughed.  Will Ferrell comedy is so up my alley.  Then we rented 21 Jump Street and The Avengers...taking a break to watch the Presidential Debate.  The boys got home this morning at 7:30 a.m.  Rolf, called and said, "It's back to reality for you guys."  And so it is.  But I did have a restful three days.

So, I took a few pics of my garden.  This is our first attempt at having a year round garden.  We planted onions by seed, brussels sprouts..gag, carrots, celery, spinach, and lettuce.

 Celery, lettuce, spinach

 Brussels sprouts, amongst the Asparagus.  Asparagus is a two year crop.  

Carrots

This summer, I learned a few things...

• plant more okra than 6 plants.  It took forever for us to get enough for one meal.  Next spring, we'll plant at least double if not triple that amount.
• plant more black beans.  If we decide to.  we only got a few pods this year.  Not even enough for a meal in fact.  
• build a large trellis for the Campari tomatoes...if we decide to grow them again.  They didn't start producing until late in the summer and the tomatoes are very small.  I'm not sure it's worth it.  
• plant pumpkins earlier...we ended up tearing them out because there was not way they would produce anything before we needed them.

I am really hoping all goes well with this garden.  I am truly looking forward to my fresh spinach again.  It tastes so good, and it saves us quite a bit of money at the store.  We eat it with almost every meal.

October?

The Three Little Joshes

October, already?  What the hell happened to September?  It seems like it never even happened.  As soon as we know it, it will be Thanksgiving and then Christmas.  

The boys will be leaving in a bit to spend three days with the grandparents.  This will be the longest we've ever been without them in 11 years of marriage.  We haven't been without all three of them for more than one night.  I'm excited, but it a way a little bit sad.  It's going to be pretty quiet around here.  On the other hand, I plan on being pretty irresponsible.  

Have great day!