A Little Creative Time....

Feels like it's been awhile since I've sat at my drafting table and did anything creative. Though I did nothing all day I sat down just before bed and finally pulled this layout together. I've been playing with the different elements for a couple of days. My original intentions were to do a layout using this picture back on July 6th--mom's bday.

Another day of nothing...

Yep...today was another day of nothing. I had the day off so I took advantage and slept in. I woke around 8a to find a NCIS marathon on USA so guess what the tv's been on all day. I've managed to do a couple loads of laundry but that's about it. A lot of lounging has occurred.

As usual, I had grand ideas of all the things to be done around here. And as usual that's all they've turned out to be....ideas. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter!! I am enjoying the down time for tomorrow I return to bedlam. At least it's only a day and a half before the weekend.

Taking the plunge....

I have signed up once again to be a Stampin Up demonstrator. It's mainly for fun and to get paper and tools---because I do love SU cardstock! Things have changed quite a bit since I left. I have signed up for a website that will allow anyone interested in ordering to do so online AND to use their credit card (with no additional cost to me). Another benefit or online ordering...the order will be delivered right to your door!!

So even if you aren't a fan of wood mounted stamps, check out the paper and tools and other goodies.

My website: merryribnikar.stampinup.net

Nothing....

That would be word to describe my accomplishments this weekend: nothing. I did a lot of nothing. Normally by this time on Sunday evening I'm regretting the fact that I've wasted yet another weekend. This weekend however is different. While I didn't accomplish anything to speak of there is no point in obsessing over it now and suddenly trying to accomplish something. I took the time to rest....to sleep....to watch bad televsion. To just be.

I still have clothes that need washing and put away. There are things that need to be picked up. The studio (spare bedroom) still needs organization. And yet, the world goes on. Just a reminder of how inconsequential such things can be in the grand scheme of things! I still have plans to get many things accomplished and it will happen...in time. There is no law that says everything has to be done this moment and I have no one to please but me!

Today

...is daddy's birthday....he would have been 84.

Orphan

Good movie though not exactly what I expected. Didn't find it scary in the least but very suspensful. Esther is a real bitch!

Happy to see Friday....

Soooo very happy that Friday has arrived. Looking forward to a weekend to rest and revive and get ready for the new week ahead. I have been dragging this week--maybe moreso than usual. It's been a busy one. Also looking forward to maybe accomplishing something around home and certainly taking advantage of down time. Maybe make a list of projects I would like to do, things that need attention.

I guess where most look forward to the start of a new year I always look forward to the fall. It's always been my favorite time of year. My birthday is in the fall. The weather is usually cooler and then there's always lots going on with the holidays. To me, it's the fun time of year. So I say, bring on the fall!!

Kidz Kraftz with Joey

This is the project Joey has lined up for her kid's group. So cute and easy. Fun evening ahead with the girls. Seeing such bright and polite 10 year olds is comforting after a day of often geedy, ungreatful adults.

New Love

Yes...I know the picture is bad (I'll try to get a better one next time)....but I love, love, love the new Buc-ee's in Wharton. On the highway across from Walmart and it is H-U-G-E. Best of all...they have a Bucee's Beanery which I would equate to a redneck Starbucks meaning I can get custom made frappachino type drinks, coffee drinks, smoothies and hot chocolate. Not only closer than Starbucks, but cheaper too!! There's also a deli of sorts and you can order custom made sandwiches. Of course there are all the amenities of any good roadside convenience store. Cheapest gas prices in town (at least so far). I've found myself making late evening runs and best of all, I've found they're open 24 hours!!

A Lot of Nothing....

That's pretty much how I'd sum up my weekend if asked. I took advantage of no commitments and no real plans and basically did nothing over the weekend. I even passed on a scrapping day with the girls. Instead I opted to stay home, stay in and nap and watch tv (and there really wasn't anything on to watch!). I did manage to get to the grocery store and Walmart on Saturday. Sunday I scheduled a massage, had a nice lunch, picked up a few things at Target then did a lot more nothing at home.

I thought often of being creative but didn't expend the energy to do any. I did manage to start a new junk binder using an old textbook--thus a bit bigger.....because I ordered the wrong size binder rings! I just need to hit the hardware store for the screws and Hobby Lobby for some liquidtex (since there's a coupon this week). And I will have to scavange for textbooks but I was lucky and found one for a buck at halfprice books so maybe I'll find others. Now to just get the creative mojo going.

Chillaxin.......

That's how I've spent the day so far. I took advantage of the day off and slept in...really late. Like noonish. I can't recall the last time I did that but I definately needed it. I knew earlier this week I needed a day to just rest and karma dropped it in my lap!! Lucky me. Not long after I got up I heard the power was restored on campus but I have no intentions of going in before Monday. I'm thankful for the extra days...and I still have two vacation days and a personal day to take before the end of August!

No real plans for the weekend other than continuing to relax. Maybe get a few things done around here...maybe a little scrapping....certainly a lot of relaxing. Monday, the sprint to September begins!!

Darn, darn, darn....well.....

not really. Got to the office this morning to find there was no power which = no work today...and later I got a message that building is still closed tomorrow. I asked about being able to take off and ended up getting the time after all!

Since I was up I changed into comfy clothes and headed to Archivers--don't waste your time if you're contemplating a trip. Wait for the new stuff from CHA to come out. Stopped at Michaels--nothing new. Met Robin for lunch at Pappasitos--YUM. Stopped in at Hobby Lobby and picked up a few things for Joey then back home.

It's 3:30ish on Thursday afternoon and the idea of a nap is very appealing. Looks like I'll get the time to rest up from all the going. I'll need it when Monday hits after being out of the office for a week!!

I have to keep reminding myself it's only Thursday!!

TOO Fricking hot...

That's how I would sum up my San Antonio trip. I did have a great view from my hotel room of the Tower of the Americas (though I don't think I got any pictures). Meetings were intense and conference was very different with so many familiar faces missing and activities to a minimum. Just another sign that everything changes.

On the up side....ended up with a day off thanks to no power in the building--just wish I'd known before dragging myself out of bed! Now I have the day to recover, rest, whatever....

San Antonio bound.....

Sunday the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators annual conference begins in San Antonio and I'm attending. It's been seven years since I've been to a NASFAA Conference. Many things have changed in that time. Many friends are no longer part of the industry. While it's always fun to see colleagues from across the country, it will be bittersweet missing those no longer a part of it all. It will also be four intense days filled with lots of federal regulation and program changes. So much to learn in such a short time. It's gonna be a hot time in San Antonio for many reasons......

Fabulous Friday....

Yeah for Friday...can I get a holla?? Surprisingly the week seems to have flown and here it is the cusp of Friday. Still tons to be done at the office and home but some of it will just have to wait. Sunday morning we leave for San Antonio and the national conference. Lots of changes and lots of info about those changes ahead. Something tells me I'll be wanting a vacation by the time it's over!!

Lots to do to get ready for that trip too!

Just Tired...

I haven't accomplished anything in the evenings this week. Just too darn tired. Work is hitting that stage where catching a break seems next to impossible.
Sadly I see it only getting more hectic from here till September. So much to do and so many regulatory changes. All I can say to that is ICK.

I rest when I can and try to take it all in stride. The fun time of year when I start hearing I've ruined someone's life or other such nonsense. The time of year when you want to scream: Failure to plan on your part does not consistute an emergency on mine!! The time of year I really want to rip the F#&@(&@ phone out of the wall!!

As I say every morning...just another fun day in paradise!!

2002 Memories....

Happy Birthday Mom

Just because....

Just felt like I needed a picture and this was the only one that appealed to me at the moment. Although, I'm not feeling particularly creative at this moment. I would like to be but I also need to be headed for bed soon...work tomorrow and we're gonna be short-staffed which means it may be brutal!

Gonna be a busy week with the auditors in most of it. On top of that, gotta get things in order to be out of the office most of next week at the national conference. Yep, this time next Sunday I'll be in a hotel in San Antonio. Wish I could say it's going to be all fun but I have a feeing this one is going to be rather intense.

My to-do list didn't shrink all that much today and I have no one to blame but myself. But I'm okay with it. I got a few things accomplished and most importantly, I got some extra rest which is always good. Ohhh and I had a yummy dinner I cooked too (so rare for me lately to cook)!

GOAL:

To actually accomplish something today!!! I slept in...yeah me! Sheets are in the wash and there's a brisket in the crock pot-yum. I have started doing a mini sort of clothes and so far I've pulled a few things to go to the local shelter--things I've not worn in I can't remember when. Not doing the big purge today but starting small so I'll feel I've accomplished something.

Hoping to at least get little things done around here. I just have to focus which if you know me is like working with a kid with ADD! Of course based on what I was told many years ago in one of my education classes, I may have a mild form--yeah right. I think I would be able to accomplish more if I weren't so frazzling hot...even with the AC cranked down I'm sweating. Guess I shouldn't complain and just enjoy it...maybe I'll sweat off a few pounds....hmmmmm, clean surroundings and weight loss....hmmmmmmmmm.

Back to the tasks......

Houston's Freedom Over Texas July 4th Celebration

Too hot outside but just fine sitting inside watching Clay and the fireworks...no heat, no bugs, no crowds......sweet!

Wishful Thinking....

I just thought I was going to get out of the office early. Things were a bit chaotic--a glimpse of what is to come perhaps? I finally got away at 5p (every one else left at 4p) which means I actually put in 9.5 hours today since I never managed to get away for lunch (wishful thinking in that I would be able to get away early). It's that time of year and these things happen. I was wiped out by the time I got home and have pretty much been useless all evening. I still have three days in which to create and accomplish something!

Hoping...hoping...hoping....

...that things go smoothly at the office in the morning and that I'm able to get out of there at noon. It's not that I have all the much planned....nothing really....but it seems for a short week to have been a bit brutal and I'm looking forward to the down time. Thinking of maybe catching a movie in the afternoon or just coming home and playing....maybe a little creating since I got the new book club kit and it actually looks good to me. My order from Two Peas might be in which would be cool too. There are a few things on the 'to do' list for the weekend but at the same time, the world won't end if they aren't accomplished.

I really should take advantage of this weekend because now that I think of it, I leave next Sunday for San Antonio and the national conference and things will really heat up in more ways than one!!

Geez time is flying!!!