tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48926544477211512632024-02-18T22:11:24.913-05:00gemgirlart<strong>a mixedmedia dabbler's artistic escapades</strong>gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-42666129364626723312014-04-13T16:54:00.003-04:002014-04-17T06:57:06.592-04:00Welcome Back, Kotter!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkXxQ8S1cXlg1R0Y48_MZOgM-X4rVijG6XXHMb1aSI5kGBo47-2MnD_VwNNFQGzU7T0nUHLlBeBvX9XUi7h0aArb_fP8szsGt75UGspWe5LrZRC2pO_bxKyrqO-UYXlQACWQOQVkKP5o/s1600/artroomcleaning_jan2014.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkXxQ8S1cXlg1R0Y48_MZOgM-X4rVijG6XXHMb1aSI5kGBo47-2MnD_VwNNFQGzU7T0nUHLlBeBvX9XUi7h0aArb_fP8szsGt75UGspWe5LrZRC2pO_bxKyrqO-UYXlQACWQOQVkKP5o/s320/artroomcleaning_jan2014.jpg" /></a><br />
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Hi! Two years ago (or thereabouts) I moved this blog over to Wordpress, and my website to a new host. <i>Well guess what?</i><br />
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<b>Ooops, I Did It Again</b> - I only made a couple of posts there, and have since moved my domain & hosts again (and lost my email in the process! whatta dope I am!) and am in the process of rebuilding the site, and am thinking I may just pick up where I left off on good ol' "Blogger", and keep my blog here - WHERE IT BELONGS! ;-)<br />
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Since then I completed my 365 self portrait project (which, you cannot view, as it was all on Flickr - see next) - I quit Flickr (and deleted my entire account) - I reopened my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/gemgirlart?ref=si_shop">Etsy shop</a>, started <a href="http://society6.com/gemgirlart">Society6</a> and <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/gemgirlart/shop">RedBubble</a> shops - have started a couple new painting series - got a supershort pixie haircut (then immediately started growing it out! hah!) - became an AiC Art-O-Mat artist - participated in this year's (2014) Twitter Art Exhibit hosted right here in Orlando Florida - became the luckiest lil art gal when Mr Gem started a new job with a major arts & crafts retailer (HOLLA!) and mostly just became all DIYsy and much more focused on art than photography. I still love it, just - since the "Fall of the House of Flickr" I kinda felt a little lost, photography-wise and didn't feel I had a good place to both show & share, so I kinda stopped taking as many pics.<br />
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But now I realize that place is gonna hafta be here and on my OWN website - where I make the rules, and where changes are only to be foisted upon me by - ME ;-D<br />
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So, welcome back. It's gonna be fun. Promise!<br />
xoxo gemgemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-26348572669384280812012-03-16T14:43:00.005-04:002012-03-16T14:47:15.930-04:00Ch-ch-ch-changesJust popping by to leave a note: I am currently in the middle of getting my shite together to (hopefully!) migrate this blog over to my brand spanky new Wordpress blog on my recently REclaimed gemgirlart domain. Closed down for good the old gemographics website, and completely switched webhosts. Lotsa changes coming - all good and all in good time!<br /><br />Til I get my head wrapped around the next step - check ya's later!<br /><br />XOXO<br />~ gem ~<br /><br /><i>ps - 5 months between updates / posts?!? THAT will not be happening anymore!</i>gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-69558436281039414732011-10-13T15:38:00.007-04:002014-04-14T16:36:09.419-04:00I Say: MOO to You!Hey now 3 posts in 2 days, nothing like making up for lost blogtime ;-)<br />
Anyway, today's 365 picture is showcasing a few of my recent MOO rectangular stickers (labels) made from some of my ATC cards.<br />
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I was contacted a few weeks ago by a Moopresentative that had seen my new label size stickers on Flickr and asked if I had any interest in a little spot in the <b><a href="http://us.moo.com/ideas/gemgirl-art.html">ideas section of the Moo website</a></b>. I said sure! and sent them back the requested bio-type info and some explanations of how I use current and intend to use any future Moo printed products. I've long been a fan of the Moo Mini Card, and have also used them to do postcard prints of some of my work, as well as a set of standard size business cards. I love the quality and the uniqueness of their product designs as well as their online designer interface <i>(with <a href="http://us.moo.com/about/printfinity.html">Printfinity</a> you can have every single card be a different photo design which I love! Variety is the spice and all that ...)</i> I'm in the planning stages of some new (Rounded Edge!) business cards and more postcard sets, plus possibly some more labels and stickers. That's what I was doing in fact - on the Moo website ordering a <b><a href="http://us.moo.com/about/paper.html">sample paper pack</a></b> before I decide on what I want for this batch, when I saw the <b><a href="http://us.moo.com/ideas/gemgirl-art.html">link to my page</a></b> there :))<br />
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Anyway, I think it turned out pretty cool, and wanted to share if you are at all interested :) <br />
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*<i>and of course now I really feel some pressure to redouble my efforts at getting some new stuff into the Etsy shop! In fact, I just had an Etsy message commenting on the Moo stickers and asking if I sell them, eek! And I really have been working on some new collages, just not getting them to the completed stage as fast as I'd thought or hoped to ... Need to step it up and not blow an opportunity, here!</i><br />
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<b><i>ta for now, then! xox gem</i></b>gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-53910854693153077912011-10-12T18:12:00.005-04:002014-04-16T12:57:28.047-04:00Upcycled Rice Bag PillowTa-Da! As promised (to myself) I made a quick & easy craft today - one I've been meaning to do for awhile but yaddayaddablah just put it off along with everything else.<br />
Anyway, I've made a cute decorator throw pillow upcycled from a rice bag.<br />
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I got a <b><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/5948586832/">buncha cool ricebags</a></b> from my friend Patricia over the summer, and I figured I'd either make a tote bag or pillow out of them - the pillow seemed easier and quicker <i>(and just all around more doable with my limited patience and sewing skills)</i><br />
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This one was a practice run with the smallest of the bags - and while I could have gone the <i>"Super Easy Cheaty Route"</i> and just stuffed it as-is with fiberfill and zipped the sucker closed, I didn't! I cut off the top portion with the zipper and handle, re-sewed around the entire perimeter with a straight machine stitch, filled it with polyfill, then sewed the top shut. It's a bit wonky <i>(Unstraight Threadlines! hello, good buddy!)</i> and the top is kinda "rustic" with it's ravelled edging, but I think it turned out cute enough for what was literally a 20 minute top-to-bottom completed project. Including the 5 minutes it took me to rethread my sewing machine, which I still have to haul out the manual for cuz that's how often I use it :D<br />
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I ran outta polyfill so I only made the one, but since that was my goal, I'm happy :) And I plan to do a bit more involved of a job on the others and might even use pillow forms on them - we'll see! <br />
Let's hope this is the start of a nice, productive, creative roll for me ...<br />
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<i><b>LATER!<br />~ gem ~</b></i>gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-17980394686838435102011-10-12T11:44:00.004-04:002014-04-14T17:11:34.406-04:00Hi Hey HowdySooooo ... 10 months later ...<br />
Yeah yeah whatever. I'm still working on it. <br />
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I did however start and kept current with the 365 project, so the year hasn't been a total loss. I'm on Day 120 of 365, and haven't missed a one - so there.<br />
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<br />Anyway. Today's goal:<b>MAKE ONE THING.</b> <br /><i>And nope, this blogpost don't count </i>;-p Catch ya later with a photo of said thing! You betcha!<br /><br /><i><b>xoxo gem</b></i>gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-19732425586666646602011-01-08T23:28:00.004-05:002014-04-14T17:13:40.992-04:00Gem Says: Start Over<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;">
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<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/5333006049/">Gem Says: Start Over</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/gemgirlart/">gemgirlart</a></span></div>
Soooo. Hello.<br />
Happy New Year! <br />
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We don't even talk about last year anymore, that hideoderous and horrible thing - <i>it's sooooo last year</i> ;-)<br />
Onward & upward!<br />
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Lots of personal goals and fun things on my to-accomplish list in 2011. One of which was to not just all the time <i>look</i> at other people's art, whether photos on Flickr or fave'ing stuff on Etsy or following fun bloggers. But actually purchasing real-life handmade original ART. I have some prints, and a few paintings traded with other artists, and a lotta ATCs and PCs and other lovely swap-art - but do you know? I really think this piece is my first actual boughten original art. Ya know, you see someones pictures and ya maybe even follow their link to their Etsy or Artfire or wherever page, and maybe ya even fave-save it, but you never go on and BUY the thing?<br />
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Well, that's what I usually did. I'd make excuses about the price or I didn't NEED it or gosh, I'm an "artist", I can and/or should just make one like it myself <i>(boy thats a big one for me, and you know? I can and should but I never DO.)</i> So anyway along came Aimee of <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mazerdesign">MazerDesign</a></b>, who I've followd randomly for awhile on Flickr, Etsy and Facebook, and she shows up with this lovely little 6x6 collage painting and it fairly SHOUTS at me <b>"Hello? It's Me! I belong with you!"</b> and it was like right before New Years and since I'm all about "This is the Year!" "The Time is Now!" and I had Christmas gift money I was told in no uncertain terms I was only to spend on MYSELF, and I went straight to Etsy and I bought that little painting, like literally within minutes of Aimee listing it. It's titled <i><b>Emerging</b></i>, and it's my goal and motto for the coming year, though I'd say in my case it's RE-emerging ... from my artless, craftless, avoidance-bound existance of 2010.<br />
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So, thank you Aimee! and here's to 2011,<br />
with more blogging, more arting - both creating & buying, a 365 <i>(did she just say? ... yeah she said it ...)</i> loads more photo shoots, revisiting my own Etsy dreams (including oddly enough a shop based solely on 6x6 paintings which I adore completely and another reason Emerging was like, so meant for me) and just basically starting my 2nd life ...<br />
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Peace out, homies {heart}<br />
~ gem ~gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-55916259300234040942010-05-21T10:22:00.004-04:002014-04-14T17:17:27.609-04:00Yumbombs<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;">
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<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/4624467093/">Yumbombs</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/gemgirlart/">gemgirlart</a></span></div>
Here's a super quick, super easy SUPER yummy food recipe. If you don't like this you might be an alien! <i>(Vege-vegan friends, just add something in place of the meat! and you can still eat ...)</i><br />
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Went to my inlaws for a brunchy type visit and mum-in-law made these biscuity potato-y cheesy ham things and I was all "Slaaghhh!" <i>(thats drool-laden foodie speak for - "Wow, these are delicious!")</i> so the next night we decided to make them ourselves. Here's the recipe I found online that most closely matched them: <b><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/ham-potato-puffs/detail.aspx">Ham Potato Puffs</a></b> - and I didn't follow the directions exactly - didn't measure any of the ingredients, didn't use the parsley or garlic powder, and the only biscuits I had were the "jumbo" kind - which made them a bit too bready, so - the next night we tried again, cause there in fact WAS leftover mashed potatoes from the 1st batch <i>(imagine! leftover mashed potatoes! I know thats the whole point of the recipe, to use up leftover stuff, but still. I don't remember hardly evvver having leftover mashed potatoes. Unless it was like, the day after Thanksgiving or something)</i> Anyway.<br />
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Day 2: <br />
I used crescent roll dough in place of the buttermilk biscuits and added some cooked chopped bacon to the potato mixture. Still didn't measure anything, just dumped all the ham cheese & bacon into the mashed potatoes - ALSO! I added a pinch of salt & pepper this time - and than scooped spoonfuls into the muffin cups, in fact I made sure to fill'em real full, as ya can see from the picture. THESE were much better than the first batch - a bit tastier with the added salt, and definitely better with the smaller amount of bread outer shell. I would try next time with the smaller (regulr) size of buttermilk biscuits though. What I love is this is soooo easy and ya really don't have to fuss with measuring - just dump all yer stuff <i>(I'm thinking you non meat eaters could add broccoli or any other chunky veg you like - I'd just cook it first before adding)</i> into the potato mix, fill your pastry-lined muffin tins and 20-25 mins @ 350* you are eating some DEElish lil yummies. Both days we had ours with a mixed green salad & sliced tomatoes. I'm thinking they'd made nice appetizers in a smaller, minimuffin format too, yeah?<br />
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SO! Get with the mixing and enjoy what I now refer to as <b>Cheesy Potato Bombs</b> =D<br />
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xoxo<br />
~ <i>gem</i>gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-23647200323821269292010-04-06T17:50:00.003-04:002014-04-14T17:26:38.048-04:00Most Determined Deco, Ever.<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;">
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<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/4498213670/">Most Determined Deco, Ever.</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/gemgirlart/">gemgirlart</a></span></div>
So, once upon a time I played with a fun group af mailartists over at a site called Nervousness.org {heart} ~ I haven't been there in a really really long time, and as far as I know it's not nearly as active as it used to be, blahblahblah, etc and so on. <br />
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Anyway here's the story: A pink & brown themed deco was travelling around Nervousness to be filled with art and then sent back to it's owner <i>(who was a friend of an Nness friend on another mailart site, or something)</i> - the gal before me on the list had an accident with it - whereby her toddler daughter snatched it off the desk and brought it to her in the shower = utter ruination! SO. She makes an entirely NEW pink and brown deco to make amends, does up her page inside and sends if off to me. I make my page:<br />
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And mail it on <b>May 29, 2007</b> from a postoffice here in Florida to my galpal Pequad in Pennsylvania. Pequad was so named for her love of Kewpie dolls, and I had added a supercute Pequad Fairy to the back of the envelope, and I was SO excited waiting for her to see it! Only ... she never saw it, cause a few weeks or so go by and we all start wondering: <i>"Hey, where's the deco?" "Hmmm I dunno, I mailed it on x-date, it should be there by now!" "I haven't got it yet." "Oh, craps - guess it's lost."</i><br />
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So now <i>I</i> sit down to make yet a THIRD deco for this poor poor chica who probably is thinking my Lord what was my friend thinking sending my deco off to these nitwits?" and I'm all boohoo 'cause Pequd's never gonna get to admire my lil tribute to her, and I'm just sure there's an evil mailman holed up somewhere with stacks and stacks of our long-lost artwork surrounding him in his bunker of madness, plotting his revenge on mailartists worldwide.<br />
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New deco is made, sent yet again to Pequad (though I don't think I bothered with the envelope trappings this go-round) and it was rec'd just fine and last I heard/kept up with the updates on the <a href="http://vb.nervousness.org/showthread.php?t=16196">original post</a> it was in Australia. So I don't know if that one ever even made it to dear Denise, the intended recipient.<br />
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Cut to, today <b>April 6, 2010</b> ~ I see the mail on the counter & there's a yellow bubble mailer, I'm not expecting anything (hmmm?!) so I check it out and first thing I see is a big Return to Sender sticker, marked <i>"not deliverable as addressed - unable to forward"</i> - flip it over and PEQUAD FAIRY! hellloooo! I definitely remembered the envelope, if not what was inside it. I was WAY surprised when I read the original postmark date:<br />
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and doubly surprised when I see the recent post office cancellation stamp of March 23, 2010 - from HONOLULU, HAWAII! How d'ya get off track from Florida to Pennsylvania by way of Hawaii!? And why does it take 3 years!? It's a bit wrinkly and some of the Sharpie writing on the front has bled, though the address is still perfectly readable (and as far as I know - valid - it's where I sent my makeup version) so I really have no idea why it was marked undeliverable - but everything was intact! It's a mailroom miricle!<br />
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So, now I'm thinking I'm just gonna send it on to Denise myself, and let her decide it's fate at this point, yeah?<br />
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x0x, gemgemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-70931829759709666612010-04-03T13:38:00.002-04:002014-04-16T12:57:28.051-04:00Corkboard Project<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;">
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<span style="font-size: 0; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/4486695005/">Corkboard Project 5</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/gemgirlart/">gemgirlart</a></span></div>
Hi Hello Howareya?!<br /><br />And yes this is my first blog post of 2010, so Happy New Year as well!<br /><i>(I'm so lame. and full of shame. and take the blame!)</i><br />Anyway I worked on this lil project last month and wanted to quickly share it with you ...<br /><br />I had an inspiration board hanging over my sewing area - only it wasn'y very inspiring. Plain 'ol wooden framed, cheap mass market cork message board - nice size but corkboards always piss me off due to the fact theres hardly any cork on em! it's like a millimeter thick layer then ya hit particleboard - bah! altogether maddening. I also tried those "cork only" squares that supposedly you can attach right to the wall with doublestick tape? Uh, no. ya can't. I hate that stuff, anyhow, but it was a nice thicker piece of cork, SO! one day I decided 'Hay! Why don't you combine the two?" - and here is what I did:<br />
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<br /><br />1) Since the original board was rectangular and the cork squares were, well - square - I had to cut them to fit. Ruler & craft / utility knife were a must!<br />
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<br />2) Since I'd be cutting and attaching the cork squares to the wooden framed board and there'd be a buncha ugly seams leftover, I decided I'd also go ahead and cover it with fabric and edge it with ribbon, too. This would also make it way easier to reattach my button collection to the outer edges of the board <i>(through the fabric ribbon instedda into the cork - brilliant!)</i><br /><br />3) I went with a nice piece of better quality red felt for the backing and I have this FAB wide roll of B&W striped fabric ribbon to use for the edges, and decided to also add a second coordinating ribbon <i>(B&W polka dots, narrower width)</i><br />
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<i><br /></i><br />4) Used plain ol hotglue to attach everything as it was really the easiest, most secure way - plus I'm super impatient, so - yeah. Cut & glued the cork pieces onto the board, within the framed edges - and cut my red felt large enough so that it would wrap just around the back edges, making sure to pull it evenly tight at each side as I glued it down.<br /><br />5) Cut lengths of the wide striped ribbon to fie the edges/sides and running a thin line of hotglue tacked those down, mitering the corners so it looked nicer. Since it was striped it was pretty easy to keep it straight & even (though I didn't get it 100% on the top edge, but hey! that's how ya know it's handmade with <i>lovvvve</i>, heh.)<br />
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<br /><br />6) I ran a length of polka dotted fabric ribbon around the entire edge of the board in one piece, just putting a quick thin line of hotglue and keeping it stretched taut as I pulled it round. That's it!<br />
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<br /><br />Reattached my buttons and hung it back on the wall.<br />Happy fun project, that's ready to hang more inspiring bits upon -<br />Have a hophop Happy Easter tomorrow, friends!<br />XoX, <i>gem</i><br clear="all" /><!--3-->gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-72377935967782065732009-10-24T18:15:00.003-04:002014-04-18T07:45:17.953-04:00Today Is ...<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;">
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<span style="font-size: 0; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/4040219915/">Today Is ...</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/gemgirlart/">gemgirlart</a></span></div>
... the first day of the rest of your life ...<br />
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Yes - big fat whore posting of my current destash boxlot of paper sCRAPs listed on <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300360463672">eBay</a>. {bid.bid.gobidNOW} See, I've been collecting up all the random-mess-ness from my desks and stash spots and adding them to this Priority Mail Box in order to send them away to another home, and clear my space so I can create again! It's mostly good stuff, I just need it outta mah face at this point so I can move on! 'Cause all I do now is stare at the piles and have no motivation to figure out what I was trying to do with any of it. So I got the urge to purge, and it's coming right along :)<br />
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I thought that was an appropriate chipboard quote to include, and once the box is completely packed to the brim it'll sit right on the top so when the lucky recip opens'er up they'll get a nice message to boot :)gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-74050743031569666702009-10-11T08:27:00.001-04:002014-04-18T07:54:13.760-04:00Blogiveaway Winner #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yeah yeah, I was late drawing and did it this morning.</div>
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Congrats to <b>LIZ B.</b> on winning the totebag and keychain, and to runner-up winner <b>Jennifer P.</b> who'll get the other pink totebag.<br />
Thanks so much for playing, everyone!<br />
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~ gem ~gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-19913989002808351602009-10-09T09:18:00.002-04:002014-04-18T07:45:39.584-04:00BoxTops for Education!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;">
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<span style="font-size: 0; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/3989046090/">BoxTops for Education!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/gemgirlart/">gemgirlart</a></span></div>
beepbeep! drive-by posting before I head up to school to help with Pride Day ... But while I had shool on my mind - here's a shameless request:<br />
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Anyone who would be willing to collect these little <b><a href="http://www.btfe.com/">BoxTop</a></b> coupons and send them to me, I would greatly appreciate it! and will even send you a small piece <em>(at least 4"x4", probably collage)</em> of original artwork in return :) I have 2 collection deadlines - the first is OCTOBER 30, so I'd need those here by Oct 28, but you can collect & bundle all you can save until mid February and I can turn those in for the spring collection. Save'em up and when ya have a nice batch contact me <em>(here or through Flick'r)</em> and I'll get you an address to mail them to.<br />
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Even better would be if you want to sign up to support our school via the website - you don't have to be local or have a child in this school! So it's a perfect way to help especially if your own children are grown or you don't have any who are doing the BoxTops for Education thing. Just go to www.btfe.com and sign up & support <b>Liberty Middle School (Orlando)</b> - there are some great online shopping partners including Oriental Trading Co and Barnes & Noble, where we get a portion of sales our supporters submit by going through the BoxTops Marketplace.<br />
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THANKS!<br />
XOXO gem<br />
<br />
<i>ps ~ can ya tell I am a newly appointed coordinator and still in that early-on gung ho idea phase</i>? :Dgemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-24343445012631373712009-10-06T10:00:00.002-04:002014-04-18T09:01:44.015-04:00Paper Alpha ProjectFinally! A new post, and a "new" project :)<br />
Follow along if ya wanna make something similar <i>(not that ya couldn't figure this out on yer own, I mean really. How easy could a project BE?)</i><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: 130%;"><strong>Paper Covered Wooden Alpha Wallhanging</strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span></em><br />
<strong>STEP 1</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynIXL6LMga_ION0fDCn8K1F254quO2Tel7CQPIbyNpAlQOGYLw_zYYXvQJrIzQn3MWS3op9GZh-bpgg-zkcsL-oJ6uKSFOAKohHwvSz58Syzhd6rcmouWwxJAWh6PF8pTOarTw_UX4pY/s1600/step01_papers_oct2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynIXL6LMga_ION0fDCn8K1F254quO2Tel7CQPIbyNpAlQOGYLw_zYYXvQJrIzQn3MWS3op9GZh-bpgg-zkcsL-oJ6uKSFOAKohHwvSz58Syzhd6rcmouWwxJAWh6PF8pTOarTw_UX4pY/s1600/step01_papers_oct2009.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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Choose your letters and papers. I'd wanted the word <strong>CREATE</strong> to hang above my artspace, and my kids got me the letters for like my birthday or Mother's Day <em>(LAST year.)</em> and so I already had them here. Mine are white-painted wood and about 7" tall. If you've been to the craft shop or discount store you KNOW they have a dozen styles to choose from, so just get whatever size or type you like! Then I collected up some semi-complimentary scrapbookpapers, but you could use bits from your scrapbox, vintage book pages, wrapping paper - whatever!<br />
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<strong>STEP 2</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7Z34UbrdFYw-AToPafjGt2VhQR_IlaphtUQVjmBtAqKTaCapdWtrY_uAGjbLWUD1JGs9IiZFmrs1jouuCIBKzuOtfchYySKwfQqqnq8PglUhxQNsLutspljm1ebd8K6HQClHOxaO2Z8/s1600/step02_gelmedium_oct2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7Z34UbrdFYw-AToPafjGt2VhQR_IlaphtUQVjmBtAqKTaCapdWtrY_uAGjbLWUD1JGs9IiZFmrs1jouuCIBKzuOtfchYySKwfQqqnq8PglUhxQNsLutspljm1ebd8K6HQClHOxaO2Z8/s1600/step02_gelmedium_oct2009.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
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Apply adhesive to the FRONT of your letters. I used gel medium, but you could use whatever type of glue ya want - even a gluestick. Yep. Gluestick.<br />
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<strong>STEP 3</strong><br />
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Lay your letter facedown on the paper - I'd precut mine to about the size of the letters, and lined up at least one edge, just to make the cutting easier and to not waste too much of the paper. You can also hold it up to the light and see if you like the "arrangement" of pattern on the letter and if not scoot it around - if ya use repositionable glue - that, or figure your approximate placement before applying glue. I didn't care so I just went with the "however it lies" approach :D<br />
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<strong>STEP 4</strong><br />
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Press down real good! You want your paper to be really well adhered to the letter, so make sure you press out any bubbles & wrinkles, and really get the edges good too.<br />
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<strong>STEP 5</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQZPhZf8h_Qux0I2Zhkr3aLaibBUhGGPUOFHxceqakRV5h3-ViCCfUJss_1IbZ78REfWmqJ3d_TjqR0lABDuuhGyia2d29aePRh-tyM57RIak6QtfRCI-ceoP08Ua_XvqHAOdV5G7Bmg/s1600/step05_letterstack_oct2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQZPhZf8h_Qux0I2Zhkr3aLaibBUhGGPUOFHxceqakRV5h3-ViCCfUJss_1IbZ78REfWmqJ3d_TjqR0lABDuuhGyia2d29aePRh-tyM57RIak6QtfRCI-ceoP08Ua_XvqHAOdV5G7Bmg/s1600/step05_letterstack_oct2009.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had a sort of assembly line process, so once I did the previous steps for each letter, I stacked'em up to let them dry. I actually let them dry/cure overnight, but not for any benefit - I just ran outta time to work on them any further the 1st day :D But yeah, they should be completely set & dry before ya cut.<br />
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<strong>STEP 6</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWtELZ0OQ8ulwfO5MEmvWLZ9gD56vWLoetA9sTt1Sxl8oceUTFqsWUvIx8hNtoenhdjrBAbMqS1oHRPbw-q1ivYeYCpsl5I3UmHbR14Y7wunMX_5P_pofvriOHKbGfmwLt03gl_WSKXQ/s1600/step06_cutaround_oct2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWtELZ0OQ8ulwfO5MEmvWLZ9gD56vWLoetA9sTt1Sxl8oceUTFqsWUvIx8hNtoenhdjrBAbMqS1oHRPbw-q1ivYeYCpsl5I3UmHbR14Y7wunMX_5P_pofvriOHKbGfmwLt03gl_WSKXQ/s1600/step06_cutaround_oct2009.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cut away the excess paper. Now, the way you do this is kinda up to you & however you find it to be easier. I used a craft-knife and laid the letter flat & facedown on a cutting mat, and trimmed around the edges. I found it to be a little hinky 'cause the wood was pretty soft and my blade kept digging into it. So on some I tried using scissors on the edges, and the blade to cut out the middles <em>(like on the A and R)</em> - I say it's your choice because no matter how you trim the paper away, you are still going to have to do the next step:<br />
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<strong>STEP 7</strong><br />
<em>(for which there is no picture cause I was so busy and focused on it I forgot to take one.)</em> But you need to sand all the edges now - both to remove any leftover hangy-bits of paper, and to sorta age the edges a bit <em>(if that's a look you wanna go for</em>). I used a foam sanding block - I think it was actually a nail file thing for fake nails, but it works great cause it's flexible and can mold to the shape of the letters plus it's got a few different "grits" of sanding material. So anyway I just used that to rasp off whatever paper was uneven or leftover along all the edges of the letters. I also took this time to reglue any loose paper along the corners and edges. There weren't many 'casue I'm a pretty good gluer :-p<br />
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<strong>STEP 8</strong><br />
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Now you can skip this step if you want, like if you used really pretty coated or fancy papers or something - but I went ahead and sealed mine with some acrylic sealer - I used matte finish here but you could go gloss or spray it with glitter or whatever the heck!<br />
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<strong>VOILA and FINI!</strong><br />
You are now ready to hang your fab new motivational phrase <em>(or kids name or house numbers or whatever you made!)</em> on your wall - go for the funky haphazard "drive a nail and hang the letter" approach or do the anal retentive thing and use a laser level and snap a chalkline <em>(hello! - waves to all you Type A's out there - hehe)</em> All I really ask it that you #1) don't wait a year to complete this super simple project like I did, and B) ENJOY IT!<br />
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*plus I dig that if you mess up or just wanna do a different look later- you can just yank'em down and recover with something else! Like you don't have about 169 pounds of random scrapbook or saved papers lying around to pull from. You know you doooo. And they're just sitting there. Mocking you.<br />
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SO MAKE THIS CRAFT. TODAY.<br />
or at least this weekend ;-)<br />
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xox, gem<br /><br /><br /><b>*** UPDATED APRIL 2014 ***</b><br />Just to show you - I've since re-papered those letters (a couple years ago actually) and moved them into a different spot:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb52Ko50KO_H6JhLtd5nqEcbJQCvN3JIdevdCNXUuS3uGkuiwEOjWZqH2BHWMId8pZj3feX7bKV3OevkToxbjbvizybCBZOp4ulAtqu7pyOkKhMPxGW1ay0AG6Tt08YKiPv7NX7ClBlE/s1600/createsign_01wall2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb52Ko50KO_H6JhLtd5nqEcbJQCvN3JIdevdCNXUuS3uGkuiwEOjWZqH2BHWMId8pZj3feX7bKV3OevkToxbjbvizybCBZOp4ulAtqu7pyOkKhMPxGW1ay0AG6Tt08YKiPv7NX7ClBlE/s1600/createsign_01wall2014.jpg" height="200" width="139" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCmPiyTOZEUbumPLqzBaB3p-kPxfGgHlORbQeUarVKu5JhcCOIQGs9CQWAZElDcBpMPhehEbKmmn6KYwFIbm9cjY3e0zZIZMsV26clH3sqKDEwxwY14G48ZuGX7LSx280PCP0lU5L2Hs/s1600/createsign_02wall2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCmPiyTOZEUbumPLqzBaB3p-kPxfGgHlORbQeUarVKu5JhcCOIQGs9CQWAZElDcBpMPhehEbKmmn6KYwFIbm9cjY3e0zZIZMsV26clH3sqKDEwxwY14G48ZuGX7LSx280PCP0lU5L2Hs/s1600/createsign_02wall2014.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><br /><br /></div>
Plan to do a studio room tour in the near future! so you can see this whole space :)<br /><br />gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-6061609874705820962009-10-04T12:31:00.003-04:002014-04-18T11:57:47.151-04:00* Blog Giveaway! *<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;">
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<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/3979963209/">* Blog Giveaway! *</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/gemgirlart/">gemgirlart</a></span></div>
Hubs brought me home a few new grocery totebags the other day, and I thought since I:<br />
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A) haven't blogged ANYthing in EONS and<br />
2) it's October, and breast cancer awareness month,<br />
<br />
I'd do a lil bloggity giveaway for ya's!<br />
Just comment here once and I'll put ya in a drawing to receive this great pink reusable fabric tote, and a super pretty pink heart keychain. Link this giveaway on your own blog <i>(or Twitter or Flick'r or Facebook or wherever ya post!)</i> and be entered twice!<br />
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Random drawing on Saturday, OCT 10th!<br />
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A reuseable tote (good for the environment!)<br />
Pretty in pink to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness<br />
FREE = my own personal stimulus package ...<br />
Awe, just lookit me, being all damn kinds a helpful :D<br />
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Hearts, gemgemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-68442852054135680602009-07-06T10:29:00.001-04:002014-04-18T12:20:27.825-04:00Is That A Kitten In Your Pocket, Or ....<br />
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:D<br />
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I know! Don't laugh at me! Y'all know the whole deal where there's these strays in the n'hood I've been trying to catch. And my favorite little grey one stays here all day and spends most of the morning inside now. But it's a bit of a battle between him & Weezer and Tonka <i>(who REALLY seems to have an issue, which is weird.)</i> Anyway!<br />
<br />
Last evening my oldest comes in and says to me "hey come see this", and he's riding his bike and tells me to come to the end of the driveway, so I assume he's gonna show me a biketrick. Only when I get to the end he's laughing and I look down the sidewalk to see my youngest walking home, holding SOMEthing. and I start to laugh too 'cause I realize it's a freakin' KITTEN! and a totally different one than any of the others we've seen. I know. I KNOWWWW! Even poor Mr Gem is at the point where he just looks at us <i>(me, mostly)</i> and shakes his head and walks away :D<br />
<br />
So we're all sitting out in the garage/driveway, watching "my" grey kitty and playing with this munchkin <i>(who seemes to have a wee bit of a cold or eye infection - hence the squinteye, here)</i>, and up walks the MOM and her OTHER baby - HAHA! It's like wacky cat central or something. Only mama was mean <i>(or - maybe just mad that we snatched away her baby)</i> cause she kept hissing and chasing away my grey kitty which was pissing me off. Eventually they left and he was still sitting on the window ledge in the morning, so -shrug!-<br />
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So anyhow. This lil doodle is living in younger son's bedroom (quite comfortably, I might add) until we figure out what to do with'im. Hehe.<br />
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xoxo <i>gem</i>gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-25046219634805361002009-05-15T12:02:00.001-04:002014-04-18T12:23:42.154-04:00Goodwill Friday ~ May 2009ACK! I missed posting in April. Boooo. I was hoping to at least manage one post a month, sheesh. Anyway.<br />
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I went out this morning hoping to find a small occasional-type table or bookshelf sorta thing to put in a small hallway of ours. Didn't find THAT, but I found THESE! :D<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>Pink textured plastic coated paper box</b> (a For The Cure pink ribbon item) - <br />
it's made for hanging file folders. I NEEDED this, really!<br />
<br />
<b>Small linen covered trinket box</b> - the little blue pulltab? The whole inside is lined in that color. This may end up a lucky parcel container.<br />
<br />
<b>DICE CUBE!</b> the coolest! It's actually a game box - it contains all the pieces for like chess and dominoes and cards etc etc - that stuf'll be repurposed for altered art projects and etsy ... I'm keeping the box (I actually have a small collection of dice, so it's perfect)<br />
<br />
<b>Scrabble and Uno RummyUp games</b> - for altered art pieces and etsy ...<br />
<br />
<b>Uglyass shadowbox and small gallery style frame</b> - will be repurposed for my own art crap. (It's seriously hard to find decent shadowboxes here!)<br />
<br />
<b>Glass fishbowl</b>. I dunno. I'll put stuff in it. Probly not fish.<br />
<br />
<b>Cute white beadboard boxy container thingy</b> (will hold rulers or scissors or other ARTifacts) Currently holding a 3pc wooden utensil set - brand new and nicely made.<br />
<br />
<b>Wooden beadboard scalloped edge peg shelf</b>. AWWWYEAH, kid! Two things about this - first it will be repainted white (they painted it blue and IGGG, they did a terrible job) - I have a THING for white beadboard these days apparently - also ... there is a sticker on the back that says it's from HomeGoods ... Now, the past week I keep seeing these ads on TV for HomeGoods, which I guess is like a discount decorating store or something ... but I don't know where there is one (I've looked it up since, there's 4 within 20 miles of me.) Anyway I thought it was funny that's where this shelf came from -shrug-<br />
OH! and it has a plate ledge! Which are handy for propping skinny canvases, actually.<br />
<br />
-=whew=-<br />
<br />
Oh wait! I also got a decent size 3-drawer plastic bin system and a pair of cute jean shorts - both brand new and both Target surplus merchandise. WHEEEEEE!gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-89352199100161401872009-03-23T08:40:00.001-04:002014-04-18T12:25:31.537-04:00My Sunday Sucked<br />
<br />
<br />
This is just soooooo ridiculous.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
We're walking Tonka 'round the neighborhood yesterday noon ...<br />
On our way back home and starting past my neighbor's driveway - WHAM! outta nowhere Tonk takes off towards neighbor Steve who's out working on his front walk ... I am hanging on for dear life and KNOW what's rapidly coming - which would be me on the ground <i>(mmmm, concrete - so comfortable!)</i> and my head into Steve's car bumper <i>(yeah that was pretty bad)</i> - and this lovely image was the result. Which actually here doesn't even look all the bad but consider it also extends partway down my calf, as well as where my hip smacked the ground, the heel and wrist of my hand is all cut and scraped, the back of my shoulder bruised, plus a knot on my head and cut on my ear.<br />
<br />
Now a couple things: Number one, I have no idea WHAT made him go after the neighbor like that - he does bark at him through the fence, but really in the <i>"who are you, what are you doing, what's going on?"</i> kinda dog way - and I was pretty much face down so I don't even know if he was happy or teeth bared or what. Stuart thought it was just freak timing of us passing by right as Steve stood up from some pruning and caught Tonka's eye as a threat? So uhhhh, yeah - thanks so much for "protecting me" by dragging my ass up a concrete driveway and into the back of a parked car! Wheeee! Danger averted! Good dog!<br />
<br />
And secondly - I normally do not have so little control over him! Yes I am about 115 to his 130-140 and it does sometimes take all my body weight to reign him in when he wants to pull <i>(and I've figured out ways to maneouver the leash to have a better hold, etc)</i> but this was completely unexpected and I had no time to react other than to try and keep up. At which I clearly failed ;-) And thankfully Stuart was with me so he was able to get ahold of Tonka right away, and he didn't do anything ...<br />
<br />
But my poor neighbor! Like I said, I couldn't see what Tonka's demeanor was, but if <i>you</i> saw that big beast thundering toward you I'm sure you'd be more than a little concerned, even if he was smiling! He kept asking "are you okay are you sure you're okay?" and came by later to check on me again, and I felt soooo bad. Like, Hi? <i>I'm</i> the idiot who couldn't keep her dog from charging at you, yet you're telling me I shoulda just let go of the leash and how you shouldn't have even been outside and then it wouldn't've happened? Dude! <br />
<br />
So now I am very stiff and sore and the scrapes all sting and of course after the whole freak Natasha Richardson ski accident I was all paranoid I wasn't going to wake up this morning <i>(and I said many prayers of thanks everytime I did wake in the night - you better believe it!)</i><br />
<br />
BUT! the bruises are gonna be something to behold, I tell ya!<br />
<b><i>*ooOoh the colorrrsss*</i></b><br />
<br />
So yeah - Happy Monday!<br />
~ gem ~<br />
<br />
<br />
Oh and I fully admit to being a bit of a drama queen, I mean it's not like I need freakin' skin grafts or anything! But still. <i>*makes pitiful pouty face*</i>gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-85259495837159955992009-03-12T13:45:00.003-04:002014-04-18T12:35:28.792-04:00Another Day, Another Dog Tale ...<br />
<br />
But yeah, it's about the same dog ;-)<br />
And turns out he's a 10 month old purebred Bichon ...<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Anyway. To continue yesterday's <a href="http://gemgirlart.blogspot.com/2009/03/doggone-it.html">story</a> ... we left off with me serendipitously running into DJ's owner on a walk during the morning, and I was awaiting her to come by and pick him up that afternoon ... And just to fill in even more of his backstory <i>(which I'd learned from the "birthmom" on Monday and it was confirmed by Miss Shelby yesterday)</i><br />
<br />
See, Original Owner had to sell him because she had other pets <i>(including DJs brother, and if I remember correctly his mama too)</i> and Deej and the brother didn't get along ... He was picked up by a nice girl named Miss Shelby, who was buying him on behalf of her boss, as a companion for his elderly mother. Miss Shelby is her caretaker. This was Saturday, and <i>(this is the part I don't really know much about)</i> he somehow got out/loose in the middle of the night, then I found him around 9AM Sunday morning. Our neighborhoods are not that far apart, but he had to come past a really busy street to get here, so =whew!= is all we can say about that!<br />
<br />
And Miss Shelby <b>DID</b> post lost puppy notices immediately, I just never saw them (hint: Craigslist = great place for lost pet notices! It really hadn't occured to me to look there)<br />
<br />
So unfortunately, even though I'd FINALLY! found the proper owner, Miss Shelby let me know that her boss (the elderly lady's son) was wanting to REsell the poor little guy, because it turns out the lady was scared of him (I guess he barked at her and was a little too jumpy) and they weren't going to be able to keep him. Even Miss Shelby said she wished she could take him but with 3 dogs of her own, well ... I said I'd be happy to keep him until they were able to either find a new owner or decide what to do, but as much as I liked him, there was no way I could buy him <i>(and any of you who've read Tonka's story know I already have a Very Expensive Pet and just could not justify paying for another dog I wasn't even in the market for to begin with!)</i> It really wasn;t even alot of money - the guy was only looking to get back half of what he'd originally paid, but the bottom line is Mr Gem's patience was already at it's limit with me this week <i>(bless his big'ol let-me-have-my-way-without-complaint HEART!)</i> so to lay out money for the dog woulda been a Not Very Smart Thing for me to do ...<br />
<br />
blahblahblah ... So he spent another night and then Miss Shelby called early this afternoon to say she had some folks that wanted to come look at him, and could she arrange to come get him - I'd given him a mini bath just this morning so at least he was pretty clean and dry ... I packed up his food and some toys that had become his faves while he was here, and when she came & got him I just said to please call me and let me know how it goes, and that he was welcome back if he didn't go to a new home right away<i> (which, come on, I knew he would! Look'it'immmm! Awe! hehe)</i><br />
<br />
AND! ding!ding!ding! We have a winner!<br />
She actually stopped by just a few minutes ago - before I could even knock the story out, geez! - to let me know an older couple took him home and they said he'd be the only pet and a very spoiled little dog and they understood what a rough week he's had and that he'd probably be sad for a little while but that was okay ... So yeah, I'm a little bummed he's gone but also very YaY! that he's going to a nice home, and I'll be honest - that pup was wearing me O.U.T! so I'll be glad to get back to my regularly scheduled life now ... right after a NAP.<br />
<br />
Oh and also, just so you know ~ Miss Shelby was incredibly apologetic and extremely grateful to me and felt really really bad that I was so burdened by the responsibility for this pup all week <i>(and she was more than miffed at her bossman for the whole convoluted mess which was basically dumped in her lap)</i> - but like I kept telling her - It's all good! I just wanted to do the right thing <i>(like I'd hope someone would do for my dog)</i> and hey! I got to spend a few days playing with a supersweet, cute new puppy! She did drop off an Outback giftcard to thank me, and while that SO wasn't necessary, I thought that was a really cool and nice thing to do ...<br />
<br />
So - Final Kisses and TUMMY RUBBIES for DJ<br />
<i>(or, whoever you are now!)</i><br />
Buh Bye, booboo! And for Pete's sake, stay put! :D<br />
<br />
XOX gemgemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-10768002253695836172009-03-11T07:45:00.003-04:002014-04-18T12:34:19.430-04:00Doggone It!<br />
<br />
Okay, so the story goes: I saw this little white blur run by my driveway <b>Sunday morning</b>, trailing a leash ... Watched & waited to see if it's people came running after it, no one did. I went and checked it out - found this dude sitting at the end of a neighbor's driveway ... I'm always worried about lose dogs getting hit on our street, so after finally cornering the muddy lil sucker in the cul-de-sac I brought him home <i>(asking a couple neighbors on the way "Is This Yours?" or "D'ya Know Who's It IS?")</i> ... Bring him inside to the many eyerolls of my husband and children ... he has no ID except for a rabies tag - call the 800-number and the nice recorded man tells me to try calling back during business hours <i>('Cause you know. Most dogs prefer to lose themselves Monday thru Friday between the hours of 9AM and 5PM)</i><br />
<br />
So I take some pics, make some signs, hang them at the entrances to our neighborhood, figuring he must be a dog from the 'hood ... 8PM rolls around and no calls, so we crate him for the night ...<br />
<br />
<b>Monday Morning!</b><br />
Call my vet to make Tonka's bath appointment and "oh by the way I found a new dog ya think you can scan him for a microchip or run his rabies tag, hmm?" - yes to the chipscan, but no to the tag since it's not through them ... but try calling the LOCAL numbers for that vet clinic and they should have the info (ding! duh!) ... 4 calls later <i>(all of whom said "You know it might be easier for you to call our corporate number" and I'm all yeahhhh maybe if they were OPEN before 10 am our time...)</i> Anyway. 4th call = score! Tech tells me his name is DJ and he's a Bichon and here's the name number and address of his owner - HOORAY! <i>(and also, hmmm - 'cause I'm thinking that's kinda alotta info to give out, but I'm not a weirdo stalker or anything so it's okay. I just figured I'd hafta leave MY info and THEY'D call the owner, but what do I know ...)</i> First thing I do after hanging up is say: "DJ! >perk< is that your name? Are you DJ? Hi DJ!" .... *Oh and a little interesting sidenote here - a few years ago we adopted a puppy from one of the groups that run out of the Petsmart on weekends - sadly and unbeknownst to us at the time - he had parvo, and he didn't even make it a week. I was devastated. His name? DJ. So was I meant to be the one to find this particular lost dog? Maybe. Though I tend to overanalyze kooky kosmic things like that ....<br />
<br />
ANYWAY! I'm all YaY DJ, we found your Mommy, let's call her! Which we do and I leave a message 'cause no ones home ... We wait hopefully all day for the callback (in the meantime I've taken down the found dog signs, right?) and finalllllllly at like 6PM I get a ring "Hi this is Mz You Found My Dog calling you back, do you still have him?" and I say "Yup, he's laying on my lap right now!" and she laughingly says:<br />
"You want'im?" and I reply with some laughter of my own "Ohhhhh Noooo, you don't <i>WANT</i> him!?"<br />
<br />
So. A very nice and informative conversation later I've learned that this lady sold Mr DJ to someone in our neighborhood THAT Saturday, but she doesn't remember their name or info, etc and she's all worried "should I come get him?" etc - <i>I guess she had to sell him 'cause she has some other pets, including DJ's own brother, who he doesn't get along with</i> ... So I say well, he seems to be doing okay here and I'm fine with keeping him and I'll put the signs back up and work on trying to track these folks down ... just keep my number and if they call YOU, pass my info on and we'll go from there ... That was ? ... right, Monday night ...<br />
<br />
We are now at <b>Wednesday morning</b>, and 2 new signs, 200 printed flyers (which were hung on as many neighbor's doors as we could manage yesterday, the rest hopefully today) an L&F ad in the classifieds and NO CALLS later ... he sleeps at my feet as I write this update :) Poor lil dooder.<br />
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<br />
I'm getting concerned because he seems to be getting Very Attached to me (and vice versa, to be honest!), and while I'd happily keep him, he is a bit like having a toddler in the house and it's wearing me out! Plus Mr Wonderful Husband has been extremely patient, I just don't know how much longer that's gonna hold ... Now, I do have 3 people in mind who I think would want him, and if that didn't work I know my vet would be able to find him a GREAT home. Lastly, I'm sure his original owner would come get him if it came to that ...<br />
<br />
SO! The saga continues, be sure to tune in to see what happens next on "The Days of Our Dogs" ... haha!<br />
and - Happy Wednesday :)<br />
<br />
~ gem ~<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>ps ~ I know what's bothering me most is that he is SUCH a sweet little dog, and in the 3 days I've had him? I've not seen even <b>one</b> sign or ad or anything for a lost dog matching his descrip ... I don't get it ...</i>gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-28366112925836677012009-02-25T15:42:00.003-05:002014-04-18T13:20:47.520-04:00Tonka Update<br />
<br />
<br />
I haven't given any new news on Tonka in awhile and figured I'd squeak in my February blog posting at the same time ... So!<br />
<br />
He's doing great! We started him on immunotherapy for his (outdoor) allergens at the beginning of the year - a specially prepared mix just for him, which I administer(ed) in gradually increased dosage injections every other day during the "loading period" - YES! I actually was able to do the injections myself! I didn't think I'd be able to <i>(and Mr Gem cannot, as he is EXTREMELY needlephobic)</i> but Tonka's such an easygoing guy he made it quite easy for me. So we are currently on the every-10-days timeframe from the second, more concentrated dosage vial. And so far so good - once we got the dosage up and then went to the more concentrated formula, he did have a slight recurrance of hotspots and itching, but we've kept that pretty well under control with Benedryl, and we did some pulse antibiotic therapy just to be sure he didn't come up with any infections. I am also trying to be meticulous about wiping him down, especially his paws! with babywipes when he comes back inside after walks or playing in the yard. He is also pretty limited as far as being allowed outside. Which is HARD, especially for such a big dog, and one who was used to being outside, all. the. time. But it's for his own good, so I try to limit him to about 10 minutes of "laying in the sunshine" time then I call him in :)<br />
<br />
Sorta cool thing happened, too - Mr Gem actually met the former owners a couple weekends ago - really randomly! He was walking Tonka around the outside of our neighborhood and this couple pulled up in their car ... Said they were on their way to church and saw the dog: "where did you get him" "what's his name" etc ... and when he told them Tonka - they were like "Omigosh, it IS him - he used to be our dog!" - See, the vet couldn't say what had happened to Tonka after they'd turned him over to them <i>(which made sense, 'cause if he'd been put down or something you wouldn't wanna have to find that out, you know?)</i> but when they saw him out walking they had to stop and find out if it was him ... They were very happy to learn he'd been adopted and said that he looked wonderful and they were so glad he was in a great home and being taken care of so well. They had originally adopted him from a shelter when he was 2 years old, and he just ended up outside all day because they both worked. And with all his health issues they just weren't able to care for / afford him anymore ... SO! It was nice to give them some closure/relief, as well as for us to know that Tonka wasn't either upset OR overjoyed to see them again - <i>(that was the first thing I asked about!)</i> - Daddy said he just wagged and sniffed like he would have with anyone else, so it was nice for us that he seems to know he's really "home" now ... But isn't that funny, meeting them outta the blue like that?<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
And so the other thing we have to do is make homemade dog treats ... Tonka cannot have any commercially made cookies, snacks, chews, etc - so I researched some homemade dog treats online and found one I thought would work - doublechecked the ingredients with our vet and with a few minor adjustments to the recipe, I've come up with my own version that works perfectly for Tonka!<br />
<br />
<b><u>TONKA'S COOKIES</u></b><br />
<br />
3 C oat flour<br />
1/2 C oatmeal (old fashioned OR quick cook)<br />
1 TBSP oat bran<br />
2 TSP baking powder<br />
1 1/2 C milk<br />
1 1/2 TBSP blackstrap molasses<br />
<br />
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F<br />
- Mix dry ingredients in large bowl<br />
- Mix wet ingredients until smooth<br />
- Add wet to dry and mix together to form dough - if it is too wet just add a little more oat flour (I knead small batches on the table and just add flour as needed)<br />
- Roll the dough out to 1/4" thick and cut with 3" dog bone cookie cutter ... You can also make larger or smaller bones or alternative shapes, just adjust the rolled thickness accordingly.<br />
- Bake the bones 45-60 minutes for the larger ones, less for the smaller - until they are lightly browned.<br />
- Turn OFF the oven, and let them finish drying - overnight, or until crisp and firm - they should not move when you press on them.<br />
<br />
<i>*The original recipe called for BARLEY flour, and the addition of 1 1/4 C of peanut butter. Our vet said we should leave out the PB, and I found oat flour to be better than the barley, so I changed that. I also cut the milk down to half a cup, and replaced the rest with water. I've also made it with all water with no real difference. I've made them in bone shapes, heart shapes and even with a round biscuit cutter, I just adjust the thickness and cooking/drying times if needed.</i><br />
<br />
OH! And if ya wanted to, you could eat them yourself, obviously. I mean, they aren't GREAT, but they're not terrible either :D<br />
<br />
That's it, I gotta run - the laundry's calling! and I've been screening all day so I think it's on to me now ;-p<br />
<br />
~ gem ~gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-73194017219627239852009-01-15T10:50:00.004-05:002014-04-18T13:25:14.944-04:00Happy New Year and ...<br />
Here's a little bitta fun factoid stuff about me.<br />
YES. I'm cheating by using a Flick'r post as a "new blog update", but - deal with it. I'm busy.<br />
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<i>Not reallllly, but I'm hungry and making noodles for lunch, so ...</i><br />
Repeat of info on Flick'r:<br />
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Tagged by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rollrcoastrgurl/3180501463/">Shanda Panda</a> for the 16 Facts meme ...<br />
Here's my picture (taken Jan 14, just for this post) & response:<br />
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1) I am 37 and am still afraid of the "Thing Under the Bed" - I cannot have any part of my feet go under the edge of the bed and will still occasionally leap into bed from across the room when I get the feeling "it's" there.<br />
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2) My most hated housework duty is cleaning the scrambled egg pan. ewww.<br />
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3) I have man-hands, ala Sarah Jessica Parker or Kyra Sedgwick.<br />
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4) Shortly after the birth of my 2nd son and when Mr Gem was living & working on the other side of the state while I stayed behind with the boys & sold our house, I drank an entire bottle of wine one night by myself. I then promptly sacrificed it all to the Porcelain God. I have not had even a sip of wine since and cannot stand the smell of it to this day. That was in 1997.<br />
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5) I was never the girl who dreamed of her wedding day or even having a family. I always imagined myself living the Bohemian life in Paris, drawing and painting by the edge of the Seine ... <i>*and yet, I am happy with the life I got ...</i><br />
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6) I have colored my hair for fun since I was 12 and discovered <i>Sun-In</i> - I am really not sure what my true haircolor is anymore though I suspect it's called "Squirrel Brown" :D<br />
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7) As a kid, I actually had a dalmation dog named <b>Spot</b> - so cliche it's original!<br />
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8) My middle name is Lynn. pffft.<br />
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9) My hub & kids' initials are SAP, NAP and JAP. HAH! I dunno, it makes ME laugh ... <br />
<i>I guess that's not really a fact about ME, huh?</i><br />
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10) A few years ago we got a puppy and he died within a week. I slept with his collar under my pillow for 2.<br />
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11) I have never had a broken bone. =knockwood!=<br />
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12) I still have windshield glass embedded in my forehead from a car wreck I had when I was 18. Sometimes it comes to the surface and looks like a Bindi.<br />
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13) << I've worn contact lenses since I was that old. <i>I learned I needed glasses in the 3rd grade when they did eye tests at school, and I ran out of the office/clinic crying.</i><br />
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14) I LOVE brussels sprouts!<br />
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15) I have to drink my milk with ice so it's really cold. Also if I use a colored plastic cup it usually has to be blue, 'cause that makes the milk seem whiter/milkier - I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT use a yellow cup for milk! NO! that's peemilk! (I dunno. My brain just makes weird associations)<br />
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16) My closet is color co-ordinated, right down to matching hangers. Don't believe me?<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemgirlart/515090982/in/set-72157602169450995/">Check it out</a> ...<br />
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17) I do not wear lipstick. The picture above is me with lipliner pencil lightly applied over lipbalm, and then swabbed off. That's as far as I go.<br />
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18) HAHA I <b>just</b> remembered it's only <i>16</i> facts! durrrr -eyeroll- <i>*geeee, do I like to talk about myself, I dunnnooo ...</i><br />
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That's it, then! Hope you enjoyed :D Thanks Shanda for the tag, and since I travel in very small circles, I will probably tag alot of you that have either already done it or already been tagged by "one of us" --- so don't feel bad if ya don't wanna or can't do it! it's all good :)<br />
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♥, gem<br />
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<br clear="all" />gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-17246594944665325492008-12-10T15:56:00.002-05:002014-04-18T13:30:10.585-04:00Christmas Clothespin Card Clips Craft<br />
This may be my one any only blog posting for December, so may as well make it a holiday craft post!<br />
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This is for a fun, fast and VERY easy (and cheap! Hello?!) holiday project that you can do to create a nice display for all your holiday greeting cards. I saw this in Martha Stewart Living magazine, December 2008 issue in the Good Things section ...<br />
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Basically you take some wooden clip-style clothespins and some scrap wrapping paper (or any paper you want ... I coordinated by using wrapping paper that matched my Christmas decorating color scheme for this year: red & white) a good gluestick, a sharp craft knife and a length of ribbon or cord.<br />
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Slather one side of a clothespin with the gluestick, place it firmly down on your wrapping paper (on the backside, obviously, so the pattern is on the front of the clothespin) let it dry a bit, then cut around it with your craft knife to trim away the excess paper. Repeat on other side, and for however many clothespin clips you'd like to make. String a length of ribbon or cord wherever you'd like to display your cards, and start clipping 'em on up!<br />
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Merry Christmas!<br />
xox gem xox<br />
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gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-75723956831268248002008-11-04T09:29:00.005-05:002014-04-18T13:38:36.833-04:00YES WE CAN, and Yes I Did!<br />
<b>** HAPPY ELECTION DAY, USA! **</b><br />
Please, please, please - if you have not already - DO get out and VOTE! I know the lines may be long and tedious but it will be so worth it at the end of the day. Please don't let this opportunity pass you by, don't make excuses or rationalize why you can't, won't, don't need to, etc ... JUST GO DO IT. <br />
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<b>Then wear that sticker Loud ' N Proud!</b><br />
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I am done, I early voted last week. But I have errands to run today and I am wearing my <b>I Voted</b> sticker because it's a badge of honor and priviledge. I am sooooo emotional today, all teary and excited and nervous <i>(I was watching the CNN video of the Obamas voting in Chicago and I just started bawling. I'm the biggest crybaby.)</i> - so incredibly hopeful that this is going to be the start of the turnaround of our nation. Not just economically, or with our global-community standing, but - HUMANLY, too. I really feel Barack Obama is the one destined to put us back on a course of greatness - I truly think he has what it takes to not only lead us forward as a nation, but inspire us as a PEOPLE. And I hope you do too. So!<br />
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<b>Go Rawk that Vote, yo!</b><br />
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XOXO gemgemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-77134654768291848592008-10-03T10:06:00.002-04:002014-04-18T13:49:42.705-04:00Found Fridays ~ Oct 3, 2008<br />
Revisting the 'ol "Found Fridays" concept I posted about almost one year ago ... See, I'm one of those weirdos who sorta collects random things she finds along her way throughout her day. Little lost toys, things in books from the library, funky old rusted metal things from streetside, other people's grocery lists left in shopping carts or forgotten on store shelves (<i>I am always SO curious to read what other people have on their lists! It's so dorky.</i>), basically any little thing that catches my eye. I'm like a magpie or something <i>"Oooh, shiny thing BAWK, must get SQWAWK, snatchgrabstuffinpocket"</i><br />
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So this is the small batch of stuff from this week:<br />
1) Blue plastic circus horse thing from a parking lot<br />
2) Palm tree bling medallion from a neighbor's driveway<br />
3) Bluejay feather from yard<br />
4) Little pink size 1 baby shoe by "Koalababy" found on streetcorner<br />
5) a purple plastic "G" <i>(for gem, natch!)</i> found in parking lot<br />
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Sometime, someday, somehow they'll all end up in a piece of art ...<br />
or maybe they'll just be languishing in a basket or bowl with other found items ... <br />
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Well! take care and have a great weekend!<br />
~ gem ~gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892654447721151263.post-30547489764102981312008-09-25T14:28:00.005-04:002014-04-18T13:53:36.286-04:00Tonka's back!<br />
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So, this is Tonka :)<br />
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He is a 5 and-a-half year old, 130 pound American Bulldog <i>(mix - Mastiff, maybe? I mean, he's HUGE.)</i> and we just adopted him. Here's his story:<i>(sit still. it's a lonnng one.)</i> <br />
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Tonka had been living at our <a href="http://www.chickasawtrailah.com/">local vet's office</a> since July 25 (2008), as much of his back-history as I know is that the owners had to give him up because they couldn't care for him any longer ... I think they had kept him as an outdoor dog, and he has severe allergies which caused him to scratch alot and of course those areas got infected. He also had a hematoma (collection of blood under the skin of the ear flap) which the vet had to surgically remove. He has about a 2" scar there now, but it's okay! He is allergic to: Corn, Soybean, Beef, Chicken, Duck, Rice, Pork, Lamb <i>(HIGHLY allergic to lamb! baaa!)</i>, Potato, Pea - all kinds of weeds, a few trees, a couple types of grasses, some dust mites, penicillium, cockroaches, black and fire ants, and of course; fleas. WHEW! So he MUST be kept as an indoor dog (a main reason I think he wasn't quickly adopted.) not to mention the superclose eye you have to keep on his diet so he doesn't have a flare up. He's on a special RX vet pet food made from mostly oat flour and kangaroo <i>(Um. I know. I'd never heard of such a thing either, but there ya go. Bring on the 'Roo meat!)</i><br />
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Anyway, we got a newsletter email went out from the vet's on Sep 9 saying that they had a couple dogs needed to be adopted. Tonka sounded pretty cool, and since I got Weezer, the boys had been wanting a dog, so I called and got more info on him. When I heard he weighed 130 lbs I was like "Ohhh. Wow, that's big." and pretty much thought that was the end of that. I called Mr Gem up at work anyway and said "Hey! You wanna 130 pound Bulldog?!" ... After a bit of a laugh he said, Well, sure let's go look at him, at least. This was a Friday, and his next day off was Sunday <i>(when the vet is closed)</i> so we wouldn't be able to go see him 'til Monday. Well that didn't work for me ; ) so I called'em up and asked if they'd let me have him over the weekend; figuring that would give us all a chance to meet him, see how he did with the boys, the kitty, etc ... They said sure! so I went and picked him up before the kids got home from school. And I have to be honest. When I went back into the kennel and got my first look at him? I was thinking: <i>Oh. GOD, no. He's Gi NORmous.</i> And I really though about saying "nevermind." But I'd said I'd take him and when we went out in the yard area to "meet" he was really playful and sweet so I thought Well, he deserves at least a chance, right? ... And he hightailed it for the door when we went out and LEAPT! into the backseat of the car, and sat there as happy as could be on the 5 minute ride home. They gave me a bag of his special food for the weekend, and said if there was any trouble just bring him right back.<br />
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Not only was there no <i>*trouble!</i> but he was downright AWESOME! He got along with Weezer (the cat) who was completely intrigued by this super big walking fur thing, they played and pawed a bit but nothing worrisome <i>(a 5 yr old dog and a 5 month old kitten, I mean come on!)</i> - he signaled at the door to go outside no problem, he didn't bother at my neighbor's Labs when they came out, just kinda sniffed and peeked at them through the fence slats, then pee'd on the boards and went on his way. He didn't dig or jump up on the fence, - we had kids, teens and people in and out all weekend and while he woofed a few times at cardoors or people coming up to the door, he didn't jump or bark or bother anyone once they came in, let them pet him and scratch his ears and everything. My 11 yr old who is the one I was concerned about not being comfortable with such a big dog took to him immediately! With hugs around the neck and they went out and ran <i>(Tonka gallops, actually)</i> and played ball and chased had a fun time. He slept at the foot of our bed at night <i>(on a Blues Clues blanket on the floor)</i> and oh yeah ~ he SNORES. heh. Everyone seemed real happy, we all loved him right away! and he seemed quite at home from the minute he gallumped in the door.<br />
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Then we got serious and discussed it, and realized exactly what it would mean to take on this animal. He has the special diet, right? Well it's food that costs $75 a bag, and he goes through <b>two</b> a <i>month</i>. And it's not for a few months while his skin clears up then he can have regular food. It's FORevER. Plus this breed is prone to hip displaysia, and his size and age means he may be getting into that stage where more health issues will be coming up. We decided we just couldn't afford to keep him. Sigh. So we were pretty bummed on that Monday when we brought him back. Everyone at the vet understood, and appreciated that we'd given him a little break away from the kennel at least ... We did also offer to foster him for awhile or even just take him on weekends now and then until they could find an owner.<br />
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Sooooo. About a week and a half goes by ... Now understand, I am the impulsive, snap-decision, just get-what-I-want-when-I-want-it type, and Mr. Gem is ... NOT :D But I got the feeling he was hoping I would go back and get Tonka myself - he really was the perfect "Daddy Dog" if you know what I mean by that ... Mid week I started doing a bit of number crunching with our income, regular bills, where could we cut, etc - and realized <i>(though this was actually something I already knew, pretty much)</i> we are Very Wasteful $penders, and actually <i>would</i> be able to manage his food bill and normal vet visits, and even pet insurance if we thought that would be worthwhile - IF we would just make some changes in our spending habits as far as groceries and impulse buys, etc. Which we really needed to do anyway. I felt good about my plan, and was barely able to keep quiet! but I did ...<br />
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<b>Tuesday, Sep 23:</b><br />
I called Stephanie <i>(adoption coordinator at the vet)</i> to ask after Tonka and see if he'd been adopted yet <i>(I was SO SURE he was gonna be gone! I almost didn't wanna call and find out)</i> He had not, and she said he was probably only going to be with them another week, then they'd have to see about getting him in a rescue group. I said "Hold that thought. We very well may be coming to get him. Can't promise, but if hub goes for my new budget plan, we'll come get him tomorrow" - She also told me that he was back on antibiotics, beeeeecaaause, there actually WAS a teeeeny bit of <i>*trouble</i> when we'd had him over the weekend - <i>see we ordered pizza one night and when the box was put in the fridge apparently it blocked the door from closing all the way, which no one noticed until doggy was there and snarfing up something off the floor. Seems he managed to knock the box down so some pizza slid out - he probably got two whole slices down before we got him outt there. Sooooo. We did tell them this when we brought him back and I could tell they were really concerned about it and I fel soooo bad! We'd been so careful with everything else - the garbage can, the cat food, making sure no one left food laying out anywhere ... it was just one of those stupid accidents but I still felt terrible knowing we'd set his recovery back by several weeks ...</i><br />
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<b>Wednesday, Sep 24:</b><br />
After the kids went to school I casually asked hub what he had planned for the day. Nothin, really. Well, says I - why don't we run to the bank, on the way back <i>go pick up your dog</i>, then maybe you could clean the pool when we get home ... Eyebrows up he's all "What's that? Dog? Excuse me?" - so I explained the plan, that Tonka hadn't been adopted and wouldn't be there much longer. He was tentative <i>(so normal.)</i> but agreed it looked like we would be able to do it - not easily! but not to the point where we'd be strained, either. YaY! I called the office and said Hi it's me, we decided we're gonna come get Tonka ... She said "Yeah, they've been expecting you to come today" <i>(hehe. I guess I'm pretty transparent.)</i> - So after we ran our errands, we went to the vet - filled out the paperwork, had his records transferred over to our account, got a goodie bag filled with his meds, special shampoo and wipes, some wet food so we could make "meatballs" to put his pills in, plus the rest of his dry food, and some flea treatment as well. Then they brought him out and we were so happy to see him, and I guess he was happy to see us - he came and flopped down on the floor and laid there, then ran out the door when it was time to go!<br />
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The kids were VERY surprised when they got home and saw who was there!, and very happy and glad to find out we'd be keeping him, even if it meant making some sacrifices ... He's SO worth it --- <i>(I'm giving up my craft store trips, if that tells you anything. I mean seriously, at this point I think I can craft-shop right in my own house, so I'll be fiiiiiiine!)</i><br /><br />Anyway that's the *START* of the story of Tonka ~ expect many more pictures and tails (harhar) to come!<br /><br />~ gem ~<br clear="all" /><!--3--><!--3-->gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14774748359482589898noreply@blogger.com2