Creative Shamative

Here's the deal. I've been feeling so uncreative. It's terrible. I moved to McMinnville 2 months ago and I now have a place to be creative, a whole room for the random craziness that is my design style and I have yet to do anything. Maybe I have a motivation problem. Consequently, I have also started drinking coffee again. Matt commented one day that he thinks there may be a correlation between the lack of creativity and the coffee drinking. Is there any medical research out there that backs his off-hand comment? So there is another thing I have to Google. My word, what would I do without Google?

Anywho...creativity. The lack in this department has also hindered the creation of blog number 2 that I spoke of in my last post. I can't think of a name. I've got no witty left in me, boo.

So, I may not be creative, or witty but I've still got my good looks and charm. That's right. Yesterday I was sitting at work, in my beautiful, figure enhancing scrubs. There I am just minding my own business and there's a 13 year old boy waiting for his sister in the waiting room. He's a talker the most. Just chatting my ear off. He tells me that it is his birthday, his 13th birthday. It's a big one and he thinks that he is ready to get a girlfriend. Here's the convo...

Random Kid: It's my birthday today you know...

Me: That's great buddy. How old are you?

R.K.: 13, it's sort of a big year.

Me: Yeah, you are a teenager now

R.K.: I know, it's sort of a lot of responsibility

Me: True

R.K.: Hey are these glasses real gold?

Me: Nope, you think we would just leave real gold glasses out like that, come on, you are 13 now, you know better than that.

R.K.: Yeah, well I think that now that I'm 13 it's about time that I get a girlfriend, you know?

Me: wow, well I think you have all kinds of time for that buddy, no hurry.

R.K.: Well, I was wondering what time you get off work?

Yeah, I kid you not. He said it, no shame. So I may be an uncreative coffee drinker but I can still get the young ones.

Any ideas for a blog name?

No Big Deal.

Yeah, I've really been MIA this time.

So, here's my thought. Let's not mix work and play. I'm going to branch off and start blog number two. Yeah, I know what you are thinking..."She can't even keep this one updated, how in the wide world of sports is she going to be faithful to two?". Exactly. We'll just see how it works. I have a lot of stuff running through this little head of mine, a ton that I am learning and I believe that it is worth sharing or at least getting off my chest. So, I want to keep Snail Mail going with Simple Spiel stuff but will be starting an additional blog soon with "life stuff". Check back soon...

Until then, here are a few pictures of non work related items of the 1980's sort. That's just how I roll.


Matt & Ryan


Tyson & Tracy


My GTGs Caitlin & Trac


Team PB & J

I'm a BIG Fan!

Here's my new favorite band...The Josh Cremer Trio!

I may be a little bias, but I tend to think the drummer really rocks the house and he is cute to boot! Look at him, standing there, holding his cymbal, rockin' the fauxhawk. Yeah Brother, sweet.

You can check out their stuff here:http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=201678264

Or, if you're in the Boise area check 'em out in person:

Mar 15 2008 7:30P
Music of the Vine Caldwell, Idaho

Mar 19 2008 9:00P
The Bouquet Boise, Idaho


A little birdie told me that they will have a CD out real soon, I'll keep you updated!

Save The Date

Mark it on your calendars now...April 5 & 6!





My friend Kim at sugarmamaproducts.com asked me to be a part of her spring shopping show!

Spring Shopping Affair
*Free admission and parking

Saturday April 5th: 10am - 6pm
Sunday April 6th : 10am - 3pm

Located at:

The Historic Broetje House
3101 SE Courtney Rd.
(on the corner of Oatfield & Courtney)
Milwaukie, OR 97222

Until then I am busy designing and making cards like crazy.

Hey, I don't ask for much. I let you into my world to see what's going on. Well, here's your chance to get involved I thought it would be fun to hear some of your card ideas. Leave me a comment if you have something you think would be great on a Simple Spiel card.

More info on the show to come...

Get your etsy on...

That's right...new cards have been added on my etsy site. If you have a minute go here www.simplespiel.etsy.com and check 'em out!

It's a beautiful day in Salem! I went for a run this afternoon and I could actually smell spring! I thought my etsy needed a little freshness too! :)

Cheers!

She's Back!

It’s been far too long since I shared with you about the women of “She”.

So…drum roll please…

You are getting a two for one deal today!
This is my aunt Cece & cousin Cherith!
They are two of my favorites! Growing up in Washington, away from my extended family I didn’t have tons of time with these two but in recent years the Lord has provided time for us, amazing time that I would not trade for the world. Time I wish that I could go back to…awe the good ‘ol days!

Aunt Cece inspired the card, “She…exudes warmth”. Her card was the first I created and there was no question at all about how to describe her. My aunt Cece is home to me. Just being around her makes me calm and if I could describe how she makes me feel without words it would be in a huge shoulders raised and then dropped sigh. She is my peaceful place. Aunt Cece is one of those people you can come to in complete confidence; she listens, never judges and is one of the most accepting people I know. More generous than you can imagine I am forever thankful for the way that she (and U.B.) have provided for me. Aunt Cece, thank you for always giving your whole heart, to being a mother to all, for supporting my dreams…I love you!

Cherith inspired the card, “She…has a knack for most things”. She really does! She has always been one of my best friends and more like a sister than a cousin. We share a passion for design and it was such an amazing two years we spent together when I lived in Cali during design school. I love the way she knows how I think. There is never a shortage of laughter when we are together. Cherith can make something out of nothing and never gives herself credit. She is a great cook and a wonderful wife and mother. Cherith, thank you for never giving up on me! Thank you for teaching me about so many things, and for trusting me with Chloe. You will never know how much it has meant to me to be able to be there for those crucial years. I am forever changed by your sweet little girl and the way that you care for her. I have no doubt that the Lord is faithful and I know that he will continue to give you the strength you need…you are my favorite!

Love is in the air....

...at least at All Fired Up!

My sweet friend Liz let me use part of her window this season for some Valentine's display. Of course I had this crazy idea that seemed good in my head but was sort of sketchy when it came to actually putting my plan into action. I must say I was excited when it came together! If you happen to be downtown Mac stop by and take a look! Also, if you have the time, venture into All Fired Up to get your paint on...Liz has all kinds of stuff to make this Valentine's Day a special one...even if you hate the bloody holiday!

Cheers!

I've been busy....

Christmas? DONE.
Valentine's Day? Ugh.
Despite my feelings...the show must go on. Simple Spiel's Valentine line is almost here! Here's a sneak peak at what I've been up to....





Happy Heart Day!

Plans....

Today I had plans...

1. Go to church
2. Come home
3. Eat (I have to put that on the list or I'll forget, seriously, and then all of a sudden I'm crabby. Who knew?
3.5 Watch the football game while I eat (this counts as only half a number because I can eat and watch at the same time, you know...double whammy.
4. Laundry (the never ending pile)
5. Put away laundry (my least favorite thing to do besides the grocery store)
6. Get caught up on e-mails
7. Photograph my Valentine line cards for etsy
8. Take a bath
9. Make some phone calls

So yeah, plans.

I accomplished #1, made an amendment to the list and had my rig washed then came home to tackle #3. After making a little P, B & J I turn on the game, a commercial comes on so I flip the channel and before you know it I am totally enthralled in a Lifetime movie.

Yeah, I'm admitting it. I watched one...the whole thing. It was terrible. I will say that Zach from Saved By The Bell was a cast member so you gotta support stuff like that right? I mean really, what's left after Kelly Kapowski, Screech, Mr. Belding and the rest of the crew at Bayside High? I guess Lifetime movies.

So here I am, blogging. Blogging about not much of anything while #4 (the laundry is staring me in the face). And all of this blogging started when I came to the computer to catch up on #3.5, totally missed the Patriot's win. Once the movie took over I forgot to switch back to the game. I guess I've always had a thing for Zach Morris, it's hard to break a bond like that folks.

I guess it's back to my plan.

But you know what they say about plans...

Holidays in Pictures...

This was my first Christmas ever in Grandview...yeah, you read that right. It was the first that my family has spent in our home and the first time that my parents have been in their own home for Christmas for their entire marriage...37 years!
Here's a few pics....because there is entirely too much to say...

The Holidays started with a trip to Seattle to see Liz, Jeff, Ralph & Judy. SO MUCH FUN!







After Seattle it was off to Grandview...


















It really was a great time. One of my highlights was that Cherith, Lyle, Micah, Kara and Chloe were able to join us and bring Tiny Gram. It was so much fun to have them all the way from sunny so cal...we really don't see them enough! Hope you all had a great Christmas with people you love!

I've found him....

...the perfect man. That's right. He's amazing. Brown curlyish hair, not too skinny, good dresser, passionate about what he does. He showers me with gifts, takes every chance he gets to be near me and I have no question at all about how he feels. And today he asked me out. On a date. Wants to take me to Applesbee's for some nachos and then bowling. How sweet. There's just one problem. He's in 3rd grade. Yeah, bummer. I've been volunteering in Tiffany's classroom and have had a great time getting to know her students. One guy (we'll just call him "Pablo") is a real great kid and has developed a bit of a crush. Today when I came to the classroom he gave me a bag of Kissables and asked me out. Kid are bold. Pablo is great...maybe he has a single uncle.

The best random outing ever.

Seriously. This made my day.
I was heading downtown this afternoon to buy more envelopes (story of my life) and I came upon a wonderful sight. We have been watching this drive-thru Starbucks being built on our side of town. The nearest drive-thru Starbucks has been in West Salem (7 or so miles) and although there is one inside the Safeway near our house, and three others fairly close, not a drive-thru. I know what you are thinking and you are right. I am just that lazy. So, we have been watching, waiting with baited breath for the blessed Oakhill drive-thru Starbucks to open. Today was the day. On my way to the paper store I spotted what looked to be a ribbon cutting ceremony. I tend to have a sense for these sort of things, I have worked for a Chamber of Commerce and I know the importance of a good ribbon cutting ceremony. The big ribbon, the bow, the HUGE fake gold scissors, the suits, the smiling faces and the newspaper cameras. Really, it's a good time had by all. So, back to the story. I get my envelopes...I'm driving home and when I pass this time the drive-thru is filled with cars! What an opportunity I think to myself. This is great...we can experience this double shot wonder of an establishment on the first day it is open! So I head to Pringle Elementary. I pick up Tiff and we head over. But this is no ordinary day at Oakhill Starbucks...no. This is the best random outing ever. It's friends and family day, and yes, we are friends of the bucks and sure, we have spent enough money on their products over the years that we should be family. This is our day. And to show their appreciation to us. FREE. Yeah, whatever we want...on the house. To top it all off we were also treated to about five rounds of samples while we were in line. Seriously, amazing.

2 venti, non-fat, pumpkin spice, no water, chai lattes...check
1 sausage breakfast sandwich...check
1 reduced-fat turkey bacon breakfast sandwich with no bacon...check
breakfast for dinner....nailed it.

Man, stuff tastes so much better when it's free.

It truly was a Christmas miracle.

Cheers!

Holidays Shmolidays....

It's that time again...I can't believe it! Click on over to my etsy shop and check out Simple Spiel's Holiday line! More updates on my crazy life will be here soon so don't give up on me! Happy Thursday!

Cheers!

It's been a long time comin'.....

Yeah...still alive and kickin' and I've got BIG news! After 4 attempts and countless annoying interactions I have conquered the Oregon DMV...I am officially a Oregon resident and I can now buy things not only in Oregon without tax but in any state in any establishment where they honor tax exemptness (not sure if that's a word)

Friday was the day, the DMV was in it's usual state of disarray. I experienced an old man who should no longer be on the road taking the driving test next to me who could not see line three on the vision test at all. And he's still on the road folks. Strange that the "nice" lady helped him cheat his way through the vision test but they gave me (a young, healthy adult with near 20/20 vision with my contacts) a tough time with my paper work. What's the world coming to? But then again the DMV has proved to be a world all it's own.

So I finally got to take the test. I haven't taken a test since college and even then I was not much of at test taker. I have test anxiety. So I'm freaked out. I've been waiting for this day for months. The day they finally let me take the written test. And there I sit staring at the screen thinking, "what if I fail?" I start thinking about speeds in school zones, safety corridors, etc.

I passed.

I missed one question.

Yeah one...about drunk driving...which I don't do...so why do I need to know? Right?

I got my picture taken, got my fake looking temporary licence and I was on my way. This could be the biggest accomplishment of the last 6 months.

No big deal, after the DMV I stopped by Bi-Mart and got a fishing licence too. I'm on a roll folks,and who doesn't need to be registered with fish & game as well?

So no one can stop me now...I'm taking over the world!

One thing I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving season...never having to go back to the DMV...fo sho!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I'll be ok...

...if I never have to go the the DMV again, ever.

So I'm not going to get to angry while I am typing this. I think I can, I think I can.

Here's a brief synopsis of the DMV saga so far. I'm trying to get my Oregon licence and it's been a fiasco. So, I have all my ducks in a row, my mom sent me specific papers from home. I've waited a few weeks to get some specific documents that show my residency here in Oregon, etc. Today is the big day, the day I brave the DMV lines, and take the dreaded written test to show that I do know what I'm doing. I studied up, felt ready, and got up at 6:00a.m. to be there right @ 7:30a.m. when they open.

So I'm standing outside the doors in the DMV "preline" (the line that forms before the bloody place even opens). What is crazy about this line is the there are no numbers to take to assure your place in it. And, you always get that one person who stands to the side of the line, carefully planning how they will make their "slip" into the line while attempting to be completely ignorant to the fact that an unofficial "preline" has formed.

So there I was entering the "preline" and truth be told I dominated it. See I got there early enough that it was just me and the good 'ol boys out and about in South Salem. Yeah, men who could have been my grandfather and looked at me like "I gotta come up with some dirty old man line to use on the blond girl, she might be into me." So the off hand comments began, and I decided to use the situation to my advantage. I proceeded to the front of the "preline" line.

Note: Being the FemaNazi that I am I would typical disagree with this type of behavior, putting up with comments and the such to get your way. But...I have decided that all bets are off when it comes to the DMV, it's a jungle out there my friends, a dog-eat-dog world and I'm sure as heck not going to be down wind from a bunch of stale cologne at the DMV.

So the doors open, I've got my little file folder of all my appropriate documents. I'm feeling good, looking good, which is important because I look about 18 and get carded all the time, so lots of peeps see my licence, I wanna be looking good.

My number is called and I approach the desk. After a bit of friendly banter I find out that all the info I was given the first time I came to the DMV was wrong. I don't have the right paperwork. I can't get my licence or even take the test today. I immediately loose it. I state my case. She won't help me. Yeah, she. See now I would give anything to be back in the "preline" to use to my advantage just the mere fact that I am a women.

Here's the thing that really got me. She treats me like an idiot, the whole time, telling me what a utility bill is, etc. And then she looked at my application. There was a box to fill in with how long you have been driving. This morning I wrote 11 years, and almost fell over. I've been driving for 11 years...proves my point...I am getting old. Anywho, she looks at the application and asks me,

"Are you sure you have been driving 11 years?"

Me:"Um, yeah, I turned 27 on Friday, got my licence when I was 16, pretty sure."
Her:"Oh....Ok."
Me:"Well, you have my Washington licence in your hand there and it has my birthday on it."
Her:"Right...." (with a questioning look, like I'm a minor trying to buy beer and if she can bust me she would be some sort of hero)

So not only is she being a jerk but now she is questioning my age/math skills, and we all know I'm sensitive about both.

So if I'm not already upset enough, I start to cry...yeah in the DMV. Call it lack of sleep, call it stress, call it what you will...I lost it. You should have seen the old men's faces on my way out.

Highlights....

Really there are too many to list. This may have been the best birthday yet. Turns out we took over 300 pictures this weekend. I've added them all to my blog, um, yeah right. But really this is just a peek. This may be a multiple posting day, I'm feeling generous. Read on with your bad self....

FRIDAY......

Tiff planned a whole weekend o' fun. I have wonderful friends, and she is one of the best.


Friday night dinner @ Montage with a few of my favs...Ashely, Jardon, Casey, Adrian, Tiff and Courtney!


Yeah, T.Middle was there too!


This guy was crazy! He was a fast mover, nearly running laps around the restaurant filling people's water (and sometimes topping off your wine glass with water, boo!) and making these rad foil art animals with leftovers. He made me this giraffe. Nice.

SATURDAY....


Saturday started with a great breakfast in McMinnville with the Palmer's. Thanks Gregg & Kerrie! We shopped around town, had lunch, and enjoyed the fall weather!

















SUNDAY.....

Um....yeah, the fun never stops...that's just how we roll.....














So, twenty-seventh birthday, check. It was a great one, thanks to everyone who made it special. I'll say it...I don't feel a day over 18...and that's the way I like it.

27 is the new 12.

Seriously...27. Please don't say it, "honey, you don't know old". See, to me 27 is old, it's the oldest I've ever been, you can at least give me that! When can you start pulling that "don't ask me my age" card? You know the type (and maybe you are one) the type that is forever 29. Well, I'll take forever 18. I woke up this morning to a mass celebration. Tiff has planned my entire weekend, along with a printed schedule. How perfect is that, not only has she planned super fun stuff but a schedule...she knows me all too well. 27 requires more pictures than previous days of birth so I will be sure to post a few. Happy Friday!

In other news....

Simple Spiel is in full holiday mode...putting together holiday gift packs and such. I'm headed to Cali. next week to get some inspiration from people I love in a place where I love spending Christmas. Look for all sorts of holiday fun real soon. I am also taking orders for custom Holiday cards....fun stuff. Please let me know if you would like a custom design or if you are interested in joining the revolution by giving Simple Spiel this year.
Cheers!