Below you will find one of my favorites of Claude Monet, it’s called, ‘Monet’s Water Garden and the Japanese Footbridge’.

Next is Dorothea Lange. What a fantastic woman she was. A photographer who captured real lives of migrant workers and their plight. She showed the world how they lived. Her story is an amazing one. This one is called, ‘The Migrant Mother’.

Now for a more current artist that I really admire and respect Norman Rockwell.  This picture really sums up all of his paintings. What an American historian painter!  The story behind this painting is also amazing. Check it out! This one is called, ‘The Four Freedoms‘.

Hi everyone!

Well, I did it, I am now a current student at AIO (Art Institute Online -based out of Pittsburgh, PA ) again, but this time in the Graphic Design Assoiciate of Sciences Degree Program. I’m a bit nervous, but SUPER excited! Recently, I finished my first class (Art History - 17th Century to 20th Century). It was a bit dry, but I learned a LOT! I now have much more appreciation and respect for the artists of times past. And I’ve become a fan of several of them. Namely, Monet, Mary Cassatt, Dorothea Lang and some of Balla’s work. I’ll post some examples in my next post.

Work-wise- I am currently on lay-off from Group Photographers Association, once again. I have several kettles on the fire for online business’s. I’ll let you know what they are as soon as they become a reality. I’ll let you in on one of them. It has something to do with Affiliate Marketing. My Zazzle stores are doing okay. I haven’t had any time to work on them as much as I want to. Now that I’m off work, I’ll be able to work on them both more, that’s if I don’t find a j-o-b soon.

Otherwise, my life has been running pretty well. But, I am improving on it. In the next post, I’ll also tell you more about the Law of Attraction that I am involved with.

See you all next time!

Hello one and all!

I offer no excuses for my long absence from posting. Suffice to say, life happens!

Today, I would like to talk about just that…Life.  In particular, my life.  Currently, I am in job limbo, along with millions of others. I am in good company.

During the past 3 months I have been hitting the pavement giving local Graphic Designers my updated, and if you ask me, a pretty nice resume - minus actual work experience in Graphic Design field.

It’s been two(2) years since I graduated, so my skills are ‘outdated’, to put it mildly. The most commonly used software in the industry, Adobe Creative Suite, has now been upgraded to 4 now and my skills still lay in CS2! Therefore, I have decided to go back to school. I am in the process of enrolling in SFCC’s (Spokane Community College) self-paced classes of Photoshop and Illustrator for the, very soon to start, Fall ‘09 quarter (classes begin Sept. 21). They offer CS3 on the Mac computer, which is the most commonly used computer in the industry. I’ve been using the PC. This will be a stretch for me.

Also, I’ve been seriously considering further my education even more by either going for my AA or even a BA in Graphic Design, which I should’ve done when I was attending AIO (btw means Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division) back in 2005-7. <Best laid plans!>

So, as you can imagine, I’ve been relying on the Grace of God and the generosity of others for my well-being, which has been very humbling and embarrassing for me. No, I am not eligible for Unemployment nor did I ’settle’ for any mediocre job. I guess, I’ve become too set in my ways…stubborn and bullheaded, to be honest. And now that the ’season’ for Photographers to be sending in their Fall season sports photos, I may have to go back to my good ol’ stand-by job at Group Photographers. Not that I am complaining, don’t  get me wrong. I love working there, but it’s not the job I want for the rest of my life. I want to be a Graphic Designer. I went to school for two years to be one, and darn it, I WILL be one!!

That’s is all for today. I will earnestly try not to take so long to post again. Till then, take care of yourself! 

I am not an expert when it comes to building a website! No way! I am learning SO much about it though. We (my partner and I) have a website through Joomla and our shopping cart is with VirtueMart. It’s been taking me sooo long to get it up and running! I never realized how much work goes on behind a website. Although, I did take a class on HTML and a little bit about CSS’s. That’s website building from scratch. I’m working with all the specifics on our products and the images. Wow!! Just thinking about it gets me exhausted! I told my partner that we ought to have a party when it’s all done and running. Yeah..she in Canada and I in Washington State… yeah right!!

The one thing I am stuck on right now is how to delete the SKU window of the ‘New Product’ page. It won’t let me submit it without a SKU. What I’ve learned about SKU, is that it is a specific number for a specific product. I’ve contacted the VirtueMart forum to see if anyone knows there. I saw a question very similar to my problem, but it was for an older version of VM. I have VM 1.1.3 and the answer was for a VM 1.1.1. :)  I’ll keep plugging away and see what I can do. Yes, I did submit my question for the VM 1.1.3 version, on how to delete the SKU. I’ll let you know what happens.

So, I decided that since it’s taken so long to create this website, that we should have pamphlets handed out to advertise Positive Cards at Zazzle. That has been done and I hear they are on their way! Thanks, Annie!

I hope you all will stop by our website when it’s up and running! And again you’ll be the first to know about it’s premier!

That’s it for now! I hope and pray that all of you have a great week/weekend!!

I’ve been super busy creating our first website! Anne P. from Ontario, Canada and I have collaborated on an online business called Positively Cards. Yes it is the same name as our Zazzle store. We have expanded to our own business. Since there is so much negativity in our world, we wanted to do our bit in putting more positivity into the world. It’s not up and running yet. I will let you all know as soon as it is.

We believe that we have an unique product to offer you. I won’t say too much here yet, but I guarantee that you will like all of our products.

I didn’t realize how much work it is in creating a website. Our website is hosted by Vista Prints.

Health Foods

My New Year’s resolution for this year was to start eating more healthy foods when I’m ready. Now I am ready.

I went to our local Huckleberry’s Natural Foods store the other day and bought a lot of healthy foods. The night before, I had made a list from a couple health food recipe magazines. So, I made a salad called Sweet Potato Apple and Avocado Salad and as the name is, so are the main ingredients. I found this recipe in the February issue of Vegetarian Times Magazine pg. 67.

 Sweet Potato Apple and Avocado Salad

1    lb. sweet potatoes, peeled

         And cut into ½” cubes

1    cup frozen corn

¼   cup unsalted hulled pumpkin

      seeds or pepitas

1    medium red apple, diced (1 cup)

½    small onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)

¼    cup chopped cilantro

¼    cup lime juice

1     Tbs. olive oil

¼    avocado, finely diced

 1.        Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, cook for 3 minutes.  Add corn, cook 1 – 2 minutes more or until potatoes are tender. Drain in colander  and rinse under cold water to cool. Drain well.

2.        Toast pumpkin seeds in dry skillet over medium-high heat 3 – 4 minutes or until seeds begin to pop.  Transfer to plate and cool.

3.       Combine apple, onion, cilantro and lime juice in large bowl.  Stir in sweet potatoes, corn and oil and season with salt and pepper, if desired.  Stir in avocado and toasted pumpkin seeds just before serving.

Per ¼ cup serving: 179 calories, 1 G protein,

  9 G total fat (1 G Saturated fat),

23 G Carbohydrates.,  0 MG Cholesterol,

117 MG Sodium, 4 G Fiber, 8 G Sugars.

Yup! You read correctly! I have a new online store.

Most of these products are also customizable. If you want to put your image/design on these products or if you would like some other design on them, just email me and let me know what you want, I’ll do my best to make it to your satisfaction.

I’ve heard that the secrets of the millionaires is to have multiple streams of income.  This is what I am attempting to achieve. Now all I need to learn is to market my wares.

If anyone has any ideas for me, all are welcome. I am involved in several network marketing websites. I’m sending pictures of some of my wares to friends and family. Do you have any more ideas? (more…)

Mona (my 15 yr. young feline roomie) is standing on my…errr.. her lap and keeps walking around and around in circles. It is very frustrating for me to type or do anything on the computer. I truly love her dearly and she IS my angel! However, she gets my goat when she walks around in circles on MY lap. I keep telling her ‘Either lay down or get down’! But, I don’t think she understands. But, I do know she understood my frustrated tone! Also, it seems that she is ALWAYS on my/her lap! There are time, however, that I do not let her up. Like when I am in a hurry or I’m just going to be online for a little bit or when I am just too tired for her to be on me.

Here is a picture of my angel…

I have other pics, but this one is the best I have of her. She was about 13 years young here. She still runs around with Max (my 4 year old) chasing each other. I think that’s what she does to keep her girlish figure! I’ve never had very much medical problems with her. She sure gives me SO much joy and unconditional love! I think with the very little frustrations she gives me, that’s why I can forgive her of them.

I got my blood test results today. I have just a little bit high cholesterol count, about 14 above the normal. And my other counts are just on the border of being normal and high. The doc has recommended me to eat less fat, red meat (I don’t eat at all, anyway) and more fiber. In other words More Fruits and Veggies! Also, to do 20-30 mins. of aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week, which I already do anyway, too. I walk to and from Safeway/Wal-Mart/the library at least 3-4 times a week. That makes about 15-20 minutes one way.

That’s all to report for today! Still looking for that ever elusive job!

Ciao for now!

You can find my most current Easter designs on the blog panel to your lower left. How do you like them? I’ve also made some Mother’s Day ones. I realize that Easter is coming up shortly, so I thought I better get going. Since, my computer was sick for so long, it really made me fall behind.

Yes, it’s back! My baby is home!! SO, good to have her home! I am making up for lost time by spending a lot of time with her. She is running like a brand new computer! Wow! More speed, brighter colors, more memory! They found a few virus’s! It’s really funny, I was sick with the cold the same week my computer was sick! Amazing! 

I saw my first robin a couple of weeks ago. Recently, I read that there is a flock of male robins that fly in from the north, heading south. Than a flock of females and babies come in a few weeks later. So, those male robins are the first sign of Spring!

Photo is thanks to http://www.coffeecreekwc.org/pages/showgallery_birds.asp

I really like Spring! Everything looks new and refreshed! Nature comes alive with bright colors! The trees grow new leaves, lawns begin to grow again and flowers begin to bloom. Even people seem a bit nicer! Perhaps it’s because the weather is warmer and they come out of their homes from being hibernated from the snowy outdoors.

I’m writing today’s blog from a computer at the local library! Yes, my beloved computer is in the computer hospital. It is due home sometime tomorrow, baring no complications. <crossing fingers, toes, eyes> That is why I haven’t written anything this whole loong week!!

My favorite comfort food(s)- A dear friend of mine asked me that recently and I had to think a bit. I know Fig Newton cookies and Oatmeal/Raisin cookies are in the top 2 of my favorite comfort foods. Mac n’ Cheese with catsup is one, but I’m not sure if its on the top of the list or not. spaghetti is up there too. GooGoo Cluster ice cream in the summer is another and for a summer drink PINK lemonade NOT that white one. Bush’s Chili, ohhh yeahhh Lentil Soup!! Yummy!! My mom used to make the BEST homemade Lentil Soup!! She made it with ham hock!! I have been trying to make that same flavor in mine, but alas no such luck!! I guess there’s nothing like Mom’s Homecookin! I sure miss her! She’s been gone for 25 years or so, now!! She is and will always be with me in spirit, in fact, I feel her sometimes and I do talk to her as if she was with me, because she is!! Perhaps not in body but always in spirit.

Well, I digress, and my time is almost up here at the library computer (one hour only, per day) :(  I’m so glad I was able to have this time to share with you! While you’r here, please leave me a note on what your favorite comfort foods are. What foods make you feel really good?? One I forgot is that new food group (well it should be) is dear ol’ chocolate, especially Dark Chocolate!! Yummm!!

Oh and one more thing… Not only my dear computer was sick, I have been as well, with what, you ask?! Yes, you guessed correctly.. a bug/a virus just like my computer! Go figure!!

Till next time, take good care of yourself!

I am incorporating Fridays to be ‘Favorites Day’ here at Rant Raves and Reviews!

Since today is Friday, it is ‘Favorites Day’! On Fridays I will be sharing one of my favorites of my life.

Today will be my Favorite place to live!

Here is a picture of my favorite place to live. It’s up in the mountains by a small man-made river, with 2 dogs, 4 cats, a garden in the back, a horse in a stall next to the garden and small shed for storage of food. The 2 dogs would be rottweilers. the 4 cats would be the two I already have and a tortoiseshell and an orange one, not long-hair. In the garden I would have fresh veggies and herbs.  I’d also have a boat and a small pier. I’d have full water rights and live with propane for lights. Yes, no computers, no phones, no tvs. But, I would have an emergency line to the nearest fire & police station.

This is my DREAM HOME!! What are your thoughts? What is your most favorite place to live?

I saw this picture at a Tacoma Fair and HAD to have it! You know how that is!!

Thanks for your time! Please leave me a comment, question or suggestions! See you next time!