MORE happy doggies... and contented kitties 
Dar's camouflage only works in winter.
Beauregard is never happier than when he's sleeping on the heater...
Unless maybe someone put a can of tuna up there for him.
THEN he might be even happier. Some prints have moved in
as well as some hand stitched cards
and there's even some new originals!
Actually, maybe I shouldn't call them new... 
since they're on vintage wood pieces (i.e. antique chopping boards)
My hair really does grow slowly.
In honor of this auspicious occasion I've decided to pay homage to hairstyles gone by.
crank whirrrr chugga boom (and other time machine sounds)
Welcome to 2001.
long layered bob... curled under. Rockin bright orange Abercombie and Fitch corduroys no less.
Now for 2002
... slightly longer
Looking lady-like for a dance at North GA College. 2003 was layered... 
...and auburn.
2004 was less auburn and more sepia.... 
...cause I was clearly stuck in the 1800s with my sister.
In 2006 I moved to the Caribbean...
and the sun/surf nearly turned me blonde.
I loved it even more so in 2007 when I got fantastic swooping bangs.
Now it's 2009 and I'm back to my natural brunette self
which my husband loves. 
It's just kind of long and straight,
which Paris (the place, not the person) says will be in next Summer so it stays... for now. 
Hmmm... I did really like the black.
It might be time to dye it back.
(Who doesn't?)
One of my favorite things is finding signs that are funny... unintentionally. 
Wah me?! 
MMMM... Wing Fat
One, a contemporary nondenominational sort Services were held at night Inside a small theatre.
The other being more traditional, and clearly defined as Baptist held services in the morning inside a library.
Both being brand spankin' new, neither had actual churches in which to reside.
But that's ok, because, you know- "where two or more gather".
I would end up leaving the Baptist Church at 2:00 in the afternoon, then I'd go home and change into something less "churchey", then I'd hop on a train headed for The Village, By the time I'd get home it would be 10:30. My entire Sunday was completely consumed in the going to and coming from church. Church had completely taken away the element of Rest from the Sabbath.
Clearly, I had to choose.
At first I was leaning toward the contemporary one
which I won't name
Because I loved it's purpose- to minister to those who might be interested in coming to know Christ, but felt like they didn't belong in a church.
A church for artists... and you know, other unique individuals.
I wanted to be a part of that- a group that reached out to the surrounding mission-field
and I definitely know how it feels to believe you don't fit in.
The traditional church had it's advantages as well
Grace Baptist Church meets not very far from my house. I don't even have to take a train, and the services aren't so early that it makes it difficult to go.
Externally they both had benefits. I had to choose based on content. While the worship is anything but modern at Grace Baptist, The service is timeless because it is crammed full of God's word. (Which, incidentally, is mostly why I go to church in the first place.)
Sure, there might be a few familial anecdotes thrown into the sermon, as you'll find in all churches- because they make the lesson relatable, but I never felt like I was watching a show about the pastor with a few bible verses thrown in.
I've gone through the Bible cover to cover more than a few times, but I left each sermon at Grace Baptist with something new to think about.
A deeper understanding I hadn't reached on my own.
Meanwhile, at ******** I couldn't help but notice more and more scriptural snafus.
I'm no Biblical snob- I'm aware that many verses have multiple interpretations. It is the living word of God, after all.
But the Pastor was getting the basics wrong, even within what little scripture the sermon would cover.
I asked my parents what I should do- maybe I should ask how he had reached his interpretations?
Their advice was the typical parent stuff- "do what you think is right" But I knew the general consensus was that no amount of amazing music and worship could make up for a weak scriptural foundation.
It was during the sermon at ***********, that the story of Jonah and the Whale was horribly mis-told (Seriously- it made me question whether the sermon had even been written with a Bible present) that I mentally filled out a membership card for Grace Baptist Church.
Where I've been going ever since
and have yet to walk away from a single sermon without having learned something new
and a feeling of closeness to both my Creator and fellow man.
The End.
No?
Well... it is!
I should know- I just mailed a check for over $10,000 solely for this semester's tuition.
Oh medical school.
My husband will only be with you a few more months, but oh my these months are long.
Actually 49 weeks...
still less than a year.
I digress.
The point is we are officially completely totally broke.
Like skipping-lunch-so -I-can-afford-dinner broke.
Using-the stove-for-heat broke
ANYHOO
I figure I can't be the only one in this predicament, you know, of not having money but still needing things, so about once a week I'll be sharing my hard-won knowledge about how to survive when you're
Broke In The Big Apple
Today's tip is for the ladies:
You've probably already heard about this,
but it was big news to me, so I have to make sure
Until Jan 26, or while supplies last Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Carson Pirie Scott and Nordstrom will be giving away free makeup as part of a lawsuit settlement.
So stop adding hot water to your dried up mascara tube and get yourself to a department store!
Out of all the paintings I've ever done, this is my mom's favorite. I'm glad to see someone else loves it too.Click here to see part of the treasury.
Also, I realize the lines and breaks are a little wonky in my last post. I'll probably fix it soon, or maybe I'll have some hot chocolate.)
Sha-kin's Friday Feature (as promised in the post New In Oh-Nine.)
Did you know that I am a member of a very large and very active team of Etsy artists and crafters called The {newnew} York Team? Well, I am... and so is the lady that is my first Friday Feature:
Simone Tan
Simone has an Etsy shop chock full of handmade goodness, including some verrry cute bags.
Shakins: You're so well traveled! Would you name all the places you've lived:
Simone: Hamburg Germany, Oberlin OH, Nanjing China, Taipei Taiwan, Hong Kong, San Francisco CA, Brooklyn
Shakins: Education?
Simone: Another person who couldn't figure out what she wanted to do with her life and went to law school.
Shakins: You have Kids, right?
Simone: One amazing daughter.
Shakins: How does she inspire you?
Simone: My daughter has a wonderful perspective on life (well, all kids do, but I'm proud) and this incredible ability to get it down on paper without any hesitation. These are some sketches she made when we were at the Natural History Museum
Shakins: Soooo... the world wants to know; what's your favorite ice-cream flavor?
Simone: Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean
Shakins: What's your greatest accomplishment?
Simone: Having a happy family, (sounds so totally corny, but in the end I think that's what life's about)
Shakins: Absolutely! What's on your mind lately? Simone: Why isn't anybody buying the pac-man bag? Do I really want my phone to tweet me all the time? What's up with Plurk? And why is the CPSIA such a mess? Can you believe that pilot?
Shakins: Wow. That's a lot to think about. Phone tweeting has it's advantages I guess. Anyhoo- I was wondering: What's your favorite item in your shop?
Simone: My pac-man bowling bag .
Shakins: You have so many great bags- why is that particular one your favorite?
Simone: It looks like a very normal purse, but you take a closer look at it and there's the monster looking right at you. The zipper color matches the tiny little bits of purple in the sweater and the inside lining is soooo soft. I covered and handstitched the inner seams with black flannel tape. In short, I just love that thing. I know, I should just keep it.
Shakins: Oh that's cute! You're so creative! O.K. I have to ask- What's your favorite item of mine?
Simone:Night Owl-I love the texture, the colors and that tiny unobtrusive owl. There are plenty of ways to do it wrong-It's just fun to look at. I like the message. Ballerina's I like the expression on the faces of the Ballerinas, you can read all kinds of stories into that painting.
Shakins: Aww... I'm blushing. I wasn't expecting you to name 3 favorites! I like the Ballerina painting too. I never thought I'd still enjoy simple art like that as an adult. What surprises you the most about your adult life?
Simone: How it's not so different from high school. Similar insecurities, cliques, etc. I still feel like a kid, but then I look in the mirror and wonder who that middle-aged woman is.
Shakins: I hear that! You're stuff is so colorful and cheery. What's your favorite color?
Simone: I think pink, at least for now.
Shakins: If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be? 
I'm messing around with the html, and am using this as my test post.
This is only a test.
Were this a real blog emergency then real blog emergency information would follow.
Changing your template is quiet the process since your widgets are lost when you delete your blogger.com provided layout :(
BUT... I'm almost back to where I was, widget wise.
Wow! What a way with W's I have today.
Whew!
Sounds mythical right?
Well hang on to your (hand knitted) socks because...
THAT PLACE EXISTS!
... and it's called Etsy Labs.
Every Monday, Etsy Labs opens its doors to crafters of all persuasions, in a weekly crafting free-for-all. Somtetimes there will be a lesson on a particular craft for those who would like to learn it, and other times it's a come-with-what-you-will-and-work-on-it in the fellowship and bounty that is Etsy Labs.
I've missed it for a few weeks because of the holidays and family being here and whatnot, but now that the holidays are over, I fully intend to find myself on a train to 325 Gold Street around 4:00.
If you're into arts and crafts...
COME!
photo credit: yourseceretadmiral
a weekly (ok, probably bi-weekly) featurette about artists I love (newnew ladies this means you!)
"Broke In The Big Apple" - I was going to start a new blog for this idea, but decided I'd rather incorporate all my cash saving creativity into my trusty rusty old blog here!
"Things I Love About..." will be brought back in oh-nine, with a VENGEANCE
'cause there are lots of things I love.
and of course you can expect continued exercises in my unabashed narcissism which automatically tells me you'd be interested to know what I did over the weekend, what I cooked for supper, what hilarious thing someone I know said, and of course, lots of pics of my paintings.
That is all.
