Happy Valentine’s Day

I finished all the Valentine’s day cards and got them mailed out in the nick of time. But I realize there are many people whose addresses I don’t know, so I decided to make a special card for them, too.

Enjoy a giant cupcake...

Unfortunately, all the nifty shiny doesn’t quite show up in the picture, but pretend it’s there.

I’ll also forgo the annual love poem (mostly because I’m too lazy to get up and select one), but I’ll urge you to think love-ful thoughts all day.

Aw hell, I can’t break tradition

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
And so are you.

(I knew that one by heart.)

New Holiday Traditions…Starting with Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day Card from several years ago

While I was spring cleaning (I figured I’d get a jump on it…), I found a Valentine’s Day card I’d made for my sister. It made me smile and it made her laugh, especially considering she hadn’t lived at the address on the envelope for several years.

As Valentine’s Day looms ever closer I remembered that card and wondered, “Why did I stop making those again?” In fact, I had always made small cards and homemade gifts for my family and friends for the major holidays…and it always made me feel good (along with, I hope, the people who received them).

Working Valentine's Day Card Line Art

So today I cleared a few hours from my schedule to start that tradition back up again. I’ve created my mailing list, gathered together my sketchbook and art supplies, and I’m hunkering down to make some magic.

This year, though, I’m going for something a bit different. Instead of signing every card, I’m thinking of doing general love cards which can then be passed on to others. I figure that way the love can keep on spreading.

Now if I can just nail down a basic design…hmmm.

Valentine's Day card sketch and finished product

(The picture above is the card I designed for one of my sisters. After finishing though, I might just keep it for myself.)

Still Talking About Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

A few weeks ago I finished a book called Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. (It’s not out yet and won’t be until July, but I received an ARC from the publisher.) When I finished the book, which I simply could not put down until it was done, I was breathless and bug-eyed.

I tend to read a lot of books. Lately however, the quality of the books I see coming out are mediocre at best. OK reads to pass a few hours. No phenomenal voice or stunning prose, but not utter crap either. Just words on one page to another. Then I get my hands on this book and, sweet mother of all that is good and holy, I am in awe.

First is the subject matter: It’s disturbing. There’s no other way to put it. It’s stomach churning and will likely give you nightmares, especially if you have weak sensibilities to begin with. But oh my goodness it is well done.

Subject matter aside, it was incredibly easy to read. The writing was so smooth, and sometimes funny, that it’s rather easy to forget that you’re supposed to be disturbed and then it hits you a few pages later.

Annie O’Sullivan, who narrates the story in a series of sessions with her therapist, has a raw conversational voice that just sucks you into her plight. When she gets snatched away by a psychopath, tortured and raped, you’re right there with her trying to find a way to escape.

When I finished it, I immediately gave it to my sister (we have a sort of book club thing going on) and when she finished it, she called me panting and screaming and exhausted. Yes, that’s the kind of book this is. You get physically wrapped up in it.

Then she gave it to some of her co-workers (apparently our book club thing has extended to her workplace) and they all had the same reactions.

To me, that says something about a book. When all these different people read it and have such a strong reaction, it’s a book with staying power. In fact, every one of us immediately went searching for more writing by this author. Um…turns out this was her debut novel. Still, I can’t wait for her next and I pray it will be as enthralling.

Frankly, I think this book has spoiled me. I tried to read a couple other books and they did nothing for me. I finally had to break down and re-read Wuthering Heights and Pride & Prejudice just to reset my literary brain. (Classic literature does that for me.)

Here’s to finding the next great reading experience.

Eliminating Camera Jitter

Since few people have the precision of a surgeon, photographs are bound to have some level of jitter unless you have an image stabilized camera which will take it into account or a tripod. But, this is one ingenious way to nip it in the bud completely — and for less than a buck. (Heading off to Home Depot.)

Candid Shots of the Niece

Today, I’m on baby duty. It’s a tough job, but I’m trying to keep the niece under control with one hand while getting work done with the other. I consider this practice. :)

I was able to snap a few shots as she’s trying to help me on the laptop…

Hi Auntie
I'm a Star!
Hello World
Peekaboo

My Sister, the Stylist

Well, the amazing has happened. My sister got a write up in the local paper this morning and I’m so proud of her. Go SissieM!!

Be sure to visit her website and if you’re ever in the south Florida area, make sure to pop in and get your hair done. :)

5 Reasons I Blog

Lynn tagged me and I’ve run out of excuses. :)

Here goes…this meme is all about why I blog. The idea is to post 5 reasons why I blog and then tag 5 other people to do the same.

  1. So I can post positively adorable pictures of my niece.
  2. It’s a way to collect my thoughts and get feedback at the same time.
  3. Networking with other bloggers and meeting new people.
  4. Helping others by sharing things I’ve learned.
  5. The money, of course. (Blogging can be very lucrative.)

Actually, there are quite a few more reasons why I blog, but those are the superficial ones.

Now, to tag some people…

  1. Belle Wong
  2. Linda Buquet
  3. Andre Chaperon
  4. Splork
  5. Darren Rowse

You’re all it. :D (Wonder who’ll actually participate.)

I Save Babies!

Or, more accurately, my blood helps to save babies.

While I was donating blood this evening, I asked the gentleman whether it would be best to donate whole blood, plasma, or platelets. He responded that, for me, they prefer to take whole blood because I’m a pedia-donor. My blood is only given to children aged 0-4 years old.

At first, I thought it was a bad thing that my blood was only good enough for babies…then I thought about it, I’m helping to save babies, precious little people. That puts me right up there in the special category and asked him to explain how I ended up special.

Apparently, most adults have a very common (and harmless) virus which may adversely affect young children, so when a donor comes along without it, they milk her for all it’s worth. I’m one of those donors. Woo and hoo. :D

Okay, I’m tired now. I’m gonna eat and go to bed.

(Sorry, no gory pictures of the blood letting process. You’re welcome to see my past ones if you like.)

Cuteness Incarnate

Breanna Montage

Sung to the beat of Barbie Girl by Aqua (you remember that one, don’t you?) while wiggling the baby:

I’m a sexy girl, in a sexy world
I’m Breanna, I’m the baby.

Yeah. My sister’s nuts, but it’s oh so cute to watch.

She can walk! SHE CAN WALK!

SissieD and Breanna

The other day while watching my niece, the most amazing thing happened. Eager to share the news, I immediately called my sister at work and the following conversation ensued.

SissieD: Hello my sister.

Me: She can walk! SHE CAN WALK!

SissieD: What?

Me: Breanna, she can walk.

SissieD: By herself?

Me: Well, no. But, she can still walk.

SissieD: What?

Me: I kinda have to hold her up while she does it, but I swear she understands and knows how to put one foot in front of the other. That’s walking.

SissieD: But, you still need to hold her up?

Me: Yes, but that’s beside the point. She…can…walk.

SissieD: Riiiiiight. Whatever you say.

Me: I’m not crazy. I saw it with my own eyes. She can walk.

SissieD: Alright, I believe you. Just make sure she doesn’t walk off when you’re not looking.

Sisters, gotta love ‘em.