Just Another Wednesday

I'm sad to say that I don't have too much to say today. I KNOW! Me, with nothing to say??? That never happens. I wanted to give you the daily update though. I went to work, took pilates class, went back to work for another hour, came home, made dinner, filed my tax return online and now I'm watching t.v. and trying to clean up the apartment a little bit. So that's it...just another Wednesday in the life of Stacy K. Hopefully I will have something more exciting tomorrow! Goodnight!

Shopping Rocks!

I love shopping. I might even say that I am quickly becoming a "shopaholic" as I age. I never used to like shopping because I felt that things didn't fit me well and I always left feeling overweight, with my self-esteem shrinking. Also, I've never been terribly fond of seeing myself practically naked in front of a full length mirror with flourescent lights shining down on me. You'd think these stores would get a clue and set up more flattering fitting rooms! Oh well, this factor hasn't changed, but knowing that the clothes actually fit correctly before purchasing them makes it worth the short lived torture.

Despite the unflattering fitting room lighting, I did find a cute new top today. I used some of my Christmas gift certificate from my parents and bought myself a little present. I'll take a picture of me wearing it when it makes its first appearence. Until then, you'll have to imagine how darn cute I look in it!

I'm BACK!

Wow, what a whirlwind weekend! I headed down to CT (in the sudden snow flurry) on Saturday and arrived around 1:00 in the afternoon to spend time with my sweetie, then left at 4:30pm on Sunday to head to my parents house. I got there around 8pm and spent some time with them before bed (love you guys)! Then I got up this morning at 5:30am to head over to a 6:30am dentist appointment. Next, it was back to Concord for work at 8:30am. After a long day, I headed home to gather up all the laundry and lugged it over to the laundromat. Everytime I let it go longer than 2 weeks I always vow to get back on a once a week schedule, but it just doesn't seem to happen. Two hours later, I was back home hanging up the clothes that need to air dry and putting the sheets back on the bed. Woooo, I'm tired! Lots left to do around here, but I'm calling it a night.

I'm sad to report that I didn't end up with any exciting pictures this weekend, but since I hadn't gone back to my apartment I still had my camera with me at work today. When I left work around 6pm, the sky was the prettiest color blue I had seen in a while and there was one big star shining so bright. I thought I'd test out the night time feature on my new camera, and although it didn't come out perfect, I thought it still looked pretty. Enjoy your night!

Off to CT Again!

Just wanted to let you all know I might be MIA from the blog for the weekend. I'm off to Connecticut to go see Johnny and the last time I was there, my laptop couldn't connect to their internet (HATE that because it had always worked before). Anyway, I'm sure I'll have pics to share on Monday because I'll be taking my camera in tow to play around with it more and learn some new tricks. I'm also sure I'll end up with some duplicate shots like this one with the, "I sooooo don't want that camera in my face anymore" look. That seems to be John's favorite pose.

Ten Months to a New Computer Bag

It took ten looooong months, but I finally found a new computer bag for my laptop that I absolutely LOVE!!! When I first got my laptop last March, my co-worker Scott lent me a briefcase style laptop bag until I found one that I liked. Hehehe, good thing he knows me well enough to know that would be a while. I'd found some great ones online and seen some ideal ones in stores, but they were all about $100 and I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a bag.

Today I was browsing at Target (it's tragic that my work is right across the street from this store, too dangerous!) and happened down the luggage isle because I saw a big 50% off sign and I'm a sucker for a sale. Anyway, I found this great bag for only $15 that was totally perfect for me. It is professional, wonderfully padded, tons of room, pretty turquoise lining on the inside and sleek black on the outside, and the best part... it doesn't even look like a computer bag! Hope you find yourself a little bargain to smile about this weekend. Happy Friday!

Weigh in Day Tomorrow

Well, tomorrow marks the second week of the National Body Challenge. My mom, sister and I are doing it as a team and we have chosen to weigh in each Friday to help keep one another motivated. It also helps me from eating too much bad food over the weekend. Last week wasn't so good for me, I actually gained 3 pounds (ARUGH!)...but this week, I think it is going to be different. I worked out for the past three days and feel pretty good. It was amazing how quickly I fell back out of shape over the past few months by slacking in the exercise department. I was determined to stick with it this last summer when I was almost down to my goal weight, but alas, life got in the way. Okay, enough pity. Tomorrow is a new day, and a new weigh! Have a great night.

No More Sleeping In

As cute as he looks when he's sleeping in, there will soon be an early rise for this guy. I'm excited to let you all know that John was offered his first job today! Congrats Babe! After a few weeks of waiting, and nervous anticipation, he got the phone call yesterday from his very first interview. Although we're both really excited, we're also a little sad to say that this job is in Connecticut and not New Hampshire. So unfortunately, we won't be moving in together just yet. He was going to get the rest of the details today, so I'll keep you all posted when I hear more.

Also, note to Mom: sorry I couldn't call you back tonight. I didn't get your messages until just now (10pm) and didn't want to call the house too late. I wasn't feeling so well, so I took a nap when I got home tonight. I'll call you tomorrow. Love you!

Making Cards, Enjoying Friendship

Tonight, my friend Joanne came over to make some fun Valentine's Day Cards with me. I had taken a class with the *fabulous* Miss Jenn last weekend and decided to make valentines for some of my co-workers using one of her designs. Thanks Miss Jenn!

Joanne is new to the world of card making, but is always willing to give it a try. Especially when it means spending some quality time with ME! Hehehe. Joanne works with me and has quickly become a great friend. She just makes everything FUN, and tonight was no exception! Anyway, here are some fun pictures of our evening and the card I'm giving to my valentines. Enjoy!

What's "Weighing" You Down?

I know this is the second post of the day, but I needed to catch up since I wasn't around yesterday.

Anyway, I have joined the National Body Challenge for the 3rd year in a row!!! Mind you, the first year, I just signed up and didn't keep up with it. The second year (last year), I kept up with it for about three weeks. That is FIVE weeks short of the eight week challenge. Oops!

Well, this year is off to a rocky start. Lots of busy days and long nights this week, which translates into quick and unhealthy food. At least I have a great support group of my mom and sister. We are all in this together and I'm determined to make it happen this year. Tomorrow is our first "official" group weigh-in. I'll post tomorrow to let you all know how it goes. Goodnight!

It's a Jazzy Kind of Day!

Just wanted to say a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my wonderful niece Jazz! Her actual birthday was yesterday, but since I was away from my computer, I wanted to make sure and send the cyber wishes today. Welcome to the "double-digits" Jazz! Love and miss you kiddo.

Tonight I joined the NH Creative Club. It is a group of Graphic Arts professionals from all over the state. The group was formed to foster inspiration, creativity and education in this crazy industry! We get together once a month, over snacks and drinks, to partake in a presentation or workshop. Once a year there is also a portfolio review night for upcoming graduates in the graphic design field. Last year I was a "juror" for this event, and tonight I was asked to be involved again this year...very exciting for me.

Anyway, tonight's meeting was all about paper. Mostly paper mills sharing their new lines and paper sample books, but there was also one really interesting paper artist. Her name is Denise Ortakales, and she is a paper sculptor. Her work was absolutely amazing, and oh so inspiring. It is so wonderful to look at this field of work and realize just how varied each artist is, how unique we are in our own body of work, and how much we can learn from one another. I have tried to add a link to her gallery here, but her server is not working properly tonight. I'll add the link anyway, in case it works later on: (www.ortakales.com/gallery/)

You should check it out if you have a chance. It really is quite amazing to realize that she creates all these images by cutting/tearing/layering paper. Out of her presentation I take this thought away..."the brilliance of her work comes from the simplicity of using a common item to express her creative mind. Imagine what we could all create if we just looked at simple objects in a different way?" Have a great night!

Bronson Arroyo ROCKS...and so does my mom!

Last night was sooooo much fun! My mom and I went to the Bronson Arroyo show in Concord, NH. I bought her two tickets for x-mas and she asked me to go with her (after my dad declined--hehehe, thanks Daddy). For those of you that don't know him, Bronson used to be a pitcher for the Boston Redsox, but was traded to the Cincinnati Reds last season. He's also a singer and plays the guitar, and is now touring with a band from Cincinnati. The show was awesome and we even got to have our pictures taken with him and get his autograph.

The opening singer was a guy named Chad Perrone, who was also unbeliveably talented. He's an acoustic guitar player with a powerful voice and a number of beautiful love songs! I couldn't find him on itunes, but you can check out his website here and his myspace page here. I got to talk to him and purchased his cd, it is definitely worth a listen.

Okay, that's it for now. Home on a "snowday" from work, so I should get some organizing done!

Serendipity- A new adventure!

Hello everyone,
I finally decided to try my keypad at starting a blog. I wanted a way to capture my "everyday" in a simple, but special way. To reflect on the things in life that seem to pass us by so easily, but mean so much about who we are and who we become. I have found over the past year that my other friends who have blogs, and those blogs of friends I have yet to meet, have inspired me numerous times while reading their thoughts. I'm hoping that I can inspire myself and others by reflecting on my day-to-day activities in an entirely new and different way. I love the idea of serendipity...that everything in life happens in a mysterious way,
"by chance," but in a destiny kind of way. I know it sounds hokie, but just go with me on this one. How many times do you look at your life and say, "I never knew this is where I'd be, but this is exactly where I'm supposed to be."

I'll be back soon to post some photos...now that I'm the proud new owner of a snazzy camera. Still learning how to use it, but hoping to have some fun shots to share soon.