My Life and Tribulations...

Family, Family

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:04:02 GMT

Anna called today...just to say hi. Of course when I get phone calls and messages early in the day, I always tend to get nervous. Has something happened to my dad?

But she really called to gossip, lol. She asked about Chris getting sick, Christine getting married, Emily switching schools again, and how she wants to go back to work. Our conversation tonight makes me miss my mom. But Anna was so sweet...she said, 'I hope Scot at least invites you to the wedding.'

In the big picture, I'm not even mad. I'm just sad that my 'family' made me lose my best friend in the end. I miss our conversations. The thing I always cherished the most was that I could say anything, good or bad, and it didn't matter.

Daily December Album 2010

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:11:11 GMT

So as I'm getting ready to start my Daily December album this year, I saw on Ali's blog about ReVerb10. It gives you a new prompt for each day of December. Since I thought of doing a much more simple DD album this year, I thought it would be fun to add these journal pieces in too.

This is the first prompt. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

Well, in one word I would describe 2010 as accomplishment. It took a lot out of me, but I got Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps opened and running. While my store is just 4 months old, it's been quite the journey. I am ever so thankful for my artist Aki, my lovely Design Team (especially my DT Coordinator Stephanie Kraft), and my ever so helpful husband who cuts all of the rubber for me!

My one little word for this year was strive and I think I did a great job at doing that. I strived to get all of this together, done, and I'm still striving for my store to do even better.

In a year from now, I hope to say that my year will have been balanced. I'm still learning how to work 2 full time jobs and make time for everything. One of my goals for SCRS is to sell enough stamps to break even. If I can accomplish that, I will be ecstatic! So that will be my new word for 2011.

Managers Conference

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 06:38:25 GMT

This last weekend was our Managers Conference. As usual, I had a fabulous time. We just got new trainers for Las Vegas and Vancouver, BC. It was nice to finally meet Matt and Tami...but I did wish that Raquel and Josh were still here.

I had a really weird dream about a week ago. I was talking to Scot and he screamed in my face to never talk to him again. I haven't talked to him since the high school reunion. It's just been weird, because I know him and Christine got engaged, but didn't say anything to me. I can't figure out if it's just Christine who doesn't want me to know...or if it's my Aunt who doesn't want my dad to know.

In someways its sad to lose that much of my best friend...considering Scot and I were so close for a decade. I know deep down we still care for each other and if anything were to happen, I know we'll always still be there. But there are times I miss our silly chats, fun shopping excursions, and just being best friends.

Speaking of which...Shannon is DC right now visiting Catherine. Of course I'm super jealous that I can't be with my girl besties. But again, I had a fabulous time at the conference and wouldn't of missed it for anything. I got my 5 year anniversary award and bonus. I'm using my bonus to get a new Digital DSLR. I'm so excited to get a new camera!

The big 2-8

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 04:17:29 GMT

Tomorrow is my birthday and it's nice that I took the day off. I've had a wonderful weekend celebrating with Trish and Yvonne. We went all over town and had dinner at The Melting Pot. We also went to Ben Franklin Crafts and Impress as well.

Then today Brent took me to see Alice in Wonderland. Jack, from work, told me prior that it doesn't follow the original, so I was bummed after seeing it. But we had a great day together celebrating! We ate Dim Sum at Jade Garden and it was delicious!

Though I've had a blast this weekend with my new friends, I'm actually more hurt and sad this year. I know that there's a lot of stuff going on right now, but out of my local group that I normally hang with hasn't acknowledge me at all. We've always made it a point to go out for all of their birthdays and no one has said anything to me...especially Jenn.

But I did get a great card from Catherine and I wish I could celebrate with her in person. I miss her so much! I haven't seen her since New Years and who knows when I will next. Since she'll be starting school in the fall again, I might have to try and make a trip out there. We'll see. Maybe she'll surprise me and come home for Christmas again.

Anyhoo- I hope you all had a great Easter.

Oh, Hawaii

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:04:20 GMT

I saw on Facebook last night that my cousin Sandra and her family went to Hawaii. They went to Hilo, as I saw the pictures of the school, the church, and the beach. It makes me miss my mom. I didn't even know they were going, so I'm not sure if Sandra went to go see my mom's grave or not. I didn't see any pics, so I'm guessing no...or she might of thought that was too weird to post on Facebook.

Anyhoo- I had a pretty exciting day yesterday. I wish I had more crafty friends who live around me. My illustrator sent me three of our final images and I can't wait to start making stamps. I hope to get my store opened this summer...but we shall see. In real life I'm jumping up and down, though I don't have any one really to share the same kind of excitement.

Hmm...

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:57:46 GMT

Wow, it's been exactly a year since I've posted on here. Even though I'm still posting my artwork on blogger, I still really want to use this account.

Funny this is, I got some spam comments on here and thought I would log in and get rid of them. I'll have to pencil in some time to play around, re-arrange, and update stuff on here.

Next week Brent and I are going to the Olympics! We're very excited to be going to Vancouver and seeing the men's quarter final hockey game! I know it's going to be super crazy up there, but it should be an incredible experience!

I hope all of you out here on LJ are doing well!

Revolutionary Road

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 10:25:19 GMT

I haven't seen the movie yet, but in my book club Jamie is hosting this month and she picked this book. It's not something I would normally read, so I'm glad she picked something else then my typical suspene murder mystery book.

I'm only through Part 1 of the book, but right now I feel like it's Desperate Housewives...in the 50's. At least this book will have good discussion questions and it'll be interesting to see how different people value and view things.

I am a Leo fan, so I'll eventually go and see the movie. It's weird to see them starring in another movie together...but I'm just so tempted to yell, "I'm king of the world." Lol...

We went to go look at a couple more houses today...and I think we're almost ready to make a final decision on which one we want to make an offer on.

Anyhoo- Brent got sick on Friday, so we're laying low for the Superbowl. Which will be nice. And then I can finish up making valentines. So all have a great Sunday!

Happy Chinese New Years!

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:37:13 GMT

Brent and I went out to eat dinner tonight and I got my favorite, Peking duck. Brent wanted Beef Broccoli and you should of seen the look on the waitress when Brent asked for Chinese Broccoli. I wanted to laugh so hard...I think she thought he didn't know what he was ordering.

The food was fabulous and they were so sweet to give us free dessert and a gift card for the same amount of our dinner. It was the best Chinese food I've had since I've left Portland, lol.

On our way home and out of nowhere, Brent asked if I wanted to go to the movies. So we went and saw Gran Torino. Now I know some may not agree, but I thought it was a great movie. It protrays that part of Hmong life so well.

I laughed at all the typical things that people say to me everyday! I laughed so hard when they said Hah-mong, when it's really just Mong and the H is silent. I thought they did a great job of explaining how Hmong people don't have their own country and that its a race and culture.

Unfortnately racism is a still a part of life and it still exists even if it is or isn't shown in movies or on TV. The things that were said in the movie are things that are really said in real life and I didn't find it offensive enough to think it's a bad movie. I went to a high school where we did have Hmong gangs. They fought with the Hispanic and African American gangs all the time. I've seen the Hmong gangs fight and shoot people at almost every Hmong New Years celebration I've been to. I have seen many of the things from this movie happen in real life.

They casted Hmong teenagers who had never acted prior to being in this movie...so yeah, I can see why people would think the acting was more on the poor side. But this movie wouldn't of been protrayed correctly without a Hmong cast.

What this movie showed is what my dad has been fighting against all my life. He came from Laos with nothing...was able to get his medical degree and provide a great life for me and my siblings. He's always tried to show people that higher education can be achieved and have greater things in life. If anything, I think this movie will teach people a bit more of our culture and show what one of our struggles are.

Gran Torino

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:23:36 GMT

I haven't seen this movie yet...but everyone keeps telling me I must, because it's about Hmong people. :) I did a little research on it and the people casted in the movie are actually Hmong. I was reading about how some of the cast found out about it. It made me laugh and I would of been skeptical as well.

"The open call was specifically looking for potential Hmong actors. In a 2009 interview with The Grand Rapids Press, she recalled, "I didn't believe it, 'cause the tent said, you know, 'Clint Eastwood movie' or something like that, 'Hmong people needed.' And I'm like, 'OK, yeah right. Like this would happen.' Out of all people, Hmong people? No."^[1]

I was surprised that the main character's name is Thao, which happens to be my clans name. My real last name should be Thao, not Bliatout. My dad hasn't said anything about the movie yet...which I find surprising, as I'm sure he's already known about it for some time.

I'm hoping to see this soon and then I can comment a bit more on it. But from what I've seen from previews, I do believe it's pretty true. There are Hmong gangs...and don't mess with the Hmong mafia. :)

I'm still alive!

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:57:33 GMT

Okay, sorry that I have been not posting at all. In a quick review of things, my car got totalled out. Brent and I are sharing his car right now and I've been working around his schedule. So, life has been pretty crazy.

Europe was wonderful and I'll take time to write about our trip later. I did post pictures up on Facebook if you want to see them.

Anyhoo- have a great weekend all!

My Car Got Stolen!

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:13:58 GMT

Today Val and Flip came over to watch the Ducks game. Then we were leaving to go to dinner...and my car was gone! :( So...hopefully they find it soon. And we're leaving this week! Ugg! I really hope they find the car before we leave...

I leave in 10 days!

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:34:29 GMT

I am so excited for my trip! It's gonna be an awesome experience and this is the first real big trip for Brent. I know he's just as excited to go too. And it'll be nice to see Drew and Lisa.

Anyhoo- still just trying to wrap everything up at work...and trucking along. I'm gonna have to start packing this weekend, lol. Hope all of your weeks are going well!

I miss having mood icons...as I don't have any on blogger. :( Sad times.

Sunday, Sunday

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:18:49 GMT

I am going to go to Target today. Last year I bought a cheap white long sleeve shirt for Lee Denim Day. Well, I can't seem to find it...and I'm also missing a shirt from Hollister. I brought it home for the wedding, but never wore it. But I'm wondering if they're lost in my dad's house somewhere?!? Just like I never found my glasses...but I guess you always lose things at big events like a wedding, eh?!? At least I didn't lose my phone like my FIL did and D'Juan lost his wallet at his. So, I guess a shirt and a pair of glasses isn't too bad.

I also need to go to Safeway...I need milk, apples, and to fill my perscriptions.

Hope you're all having a great weekend so far!

Ouchie!

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:31:28 GMT

I hate getting shots! My arm has been killing me all day. I could not be very productive today at work...as I kept moving around. I really want it to stop hurting, lol.

15 days until I leave for Europe! Yeah!

September Already?!?

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:55:27 GMT

Wow, where did the summer go? It feels like I was counting down to my wedding forever. And now its already Septemeber! I'm bittersweet because that means Fall is coming back. I must say its my 2nd favorite season next to spring. Being in Denver the last 2 years made me miss seeing the leaves turn color, the fall wind, and the rain. I am super excited to see it all this year, lol.

I think I've moved most of my crafty stuff over to my new blogspot. But that does not mean I am leaving LJ. I paid for this puppy, and I will always use it. I just won't post all of my artwork and stuff on here like I was doing. I will still ramble, complain, and share my life. Anyhoo- I hope you all have a great holiday weekend. It's back to work for me tomorrow!

Anyone else watching the premiere of the new 90210? I have no expectations for it, as I think nothing can compare to the original, but Brent said we'd watch 4 episodes before we made a decision on either watching or ditching it. I need to figure out when Grey's comes back on.

Moving my blog...

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:16:36 GMT

Okay...the time has come. I am moving my blog to www.sparklecreations.blogspot.com. Please update your links for me! Thanks everyone!

What I've been working on...

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:32:28 GMT

Since I need Future Posting for while I'm in Europe...this is what I've been working on. It's still a work in progress...okay?!? Let me know what you think!

http://sparklecreations.blogspot.com/

Santa's Laundry?!?

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:40:55 GMT

This is the same sketch from my card before...but with my new Stamping Bella Christmas stamp. Isn't it so cute?!? I used liquid applique on Santa's cuffs.

Paper: CTMH Deck the Halls (Retired)
Stamps: Stamping Bella, CTMH Say It With Style
Buttons, Copic Markers, CTMH Brads, Liquid Applique

Since I am leaving in 18 days, I have been working like crazy to get DT stuff done. I have Bella Color Challeges done til the last week of October. I'm so proud of myself, lol. I really only needed to do them through I was gone, but I figured I would be exhausted by the time I came back and wouldn't want to think about it. Speaking of...I'm gonna give away a prize the week of my Bella Color Challenge #50. It will be my 30th color challenge that I have done since I took it over from Katie. I am letting you all know now, because whoever has done all of my color challenges will get entered to win my Bella prize! That gives you 6 weeks to get crankin on those color challenges! Here is the Master List of all of the Bella Color Challenges. I will be counting from BCC21 through BCC50.

I also have all of my 3 Little Dreams(Sept is the last month)/Created By Courtney challenges done til I get back. I thought I was gonna need them for Katie since I was gonna be gone, but not really now since September will be it's last month.

And lastly, I'm in charge of a challenge for the Bella Bash this month, which is on September 17th. 2 days before I leave...so sorry you haven't seen any of my cute Fall or Halloween stuff yet. But it will come within time, lol.

I'm off to see Breanna (Brent's niece) today. Hope you all have a great Holiday!

Snowman Riley...Improved Christmas Card

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:18:39 GMT

I am not good at sewing. Last year Lauren Meader bought a mini sewing machine from Rite-Aid on sale and I bought one. I think I only made 1 card with it and I never used it again, lol. It's been sitting around forever and I made the decision that this weekend I would play with it again and practice a little. So, not really straight lines...but I think it gives my card character.

This paper is super old and retired. But I still had a few scraps left. And now I've used it all up on making Christmas cards! And here's another Christmas/Winter Riley. Josh, my co-worker (the one thats getting married next weekend) is Jewish...so I get to make a Hanukkah card this year. I don't usually put Merry Christmas on cards unless I make it specifically for someone who does celebrate and believes. But in this case, it was all that I had at the moment that fit in my die cut, lol.

Paper: CTMH Deck the Halls (Retired)
Stamps: Snowman Riley by Hanna Stamps, CTMH Say It In Style
CTMH Buttons, Copic Markers

The Ducks killed the Huskies today. Sorry that the Cougars didn't do well today too...but tomorrow Brent and I are going shopping. He needs a new pair of pants and shoes. Then I'm not sure what we'll be up to. On Monday we're gonna go see Breanna (his niece) and probably go watch a movie. Hope you're all enjoying the holiday weekend!

Save the Date Cards

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:09:13 GMT

Since my wedding was on 4th of July weekend, I got lucky as 6 months prior was about Christmas. So, I killed 2 birds with 1 stone. Obviously this only worked because Red was one of my main wedding colors. These are the same cards that I was talking about finishing them at the Album Retreat last year with Teresa DeWitt.

I loaded up my cricut and cut all of those circles within 30 minutes. You'd be crazy to think I'd sit there and punch that many out, lol. The tag was ment to go inside...and when you pulled it out behind the snowmen, it was a STD card. And since I'm a sucker for stamps with my name in it...the greeting is just perfect! I haven't found any "new" cute Christmas saying with "sparkle" in them. Let me know if you see one!

The Bank...and Adults

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:54:29 GMT

I ran my errands this morning...and was quite amused. I ordered Euros and Pounds last week and got my call from Bank of America that they were in. I figured I'd exchange some money now and pull some out of the ATM later while we're over there. Just in case something happens and we can't use our credit card.

Anyhoo- B of A is super busy...totally fine...as I work in the financial industry, I understand. The lady in front of me in line is fighting with the Customer Service lady about her negative balance. Her account has been negative since July 11th. She asked when they would send it out to the collection agencies...and the CSR said, we give our customers 180 days to pay us back before we send them to collections. Wow, I thought that was pretty nice...seems longer than I thought it would be. So then the lady is making up some crazy story about how she talked to another personal banker at another location and about removing the NSF fees and blah, blah...The CSR tells her, there has been a note put on your account that we can only refund NSF that are bank errors, not user errors. The lady gets mad, blah, blah.

Some guy comes up to me and asks me how he can help me. I tell him, I'm just here to pick up my money. So he starts to help me and this old guy gets up from the couch and starts yelling, I was here before her, why isn't anyone helping me?!? OMG! So I kindly just counted my cash, signed my papers, and left. WOW, I feel bad for those guys today. Those are the moments I don't miss from working in a store, lol.

Another Wedding Invitation?!? Oh, my!

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:27:09 GMT

The best part of sporting events for me is getting garlic fries! I didn't have any on Tuesday, as since Moneytree had the suite at the Mariner's game, we got a free dinner with it. I think I was one of the only few who ate the yummy Italian salad. Most were eating the pepperoni pizza, chicken strips, and nachos. I did have a hot dog too, lol.

But tonight at the Seahawks game, I just had to have garlic fries. So that made me happy...and I still have a full bag of carmel corn. Brent ate like 2 handfuls of it and said he was done. But its cool, it'll take me the whole week to eat it. And maybe I'll bring it to work. By the way, since when did lime green become cool again?!? I lovey green, so I'm thinking I need a green Seahawks baby tee.

Tonight or this morning I guess I should say, I'm working on my first few pages of my wedding album. I actually had to make another wedding invitation because I don't have any more. And I've been hoarding these rub-ons for months! So I'm glad that I finally made myself use them. This page is pretty simple, but is to show off my lovey invites. Now gotta work on a page for my Save the Date cards.

Everyone have a great Saturday! I'm going to the bank, post office, and the mall. Then I will be forced to watch the Ducks game, lol. But I will be probably be crafting away while Brent watches the game. My Beavers lost on Thursday...sad times. But I'm over it already, lol.

Christmas Tree Riley

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:13:31 GMT

Since I was in a Christmas mood, I figured I might as well make a Christmas card. 1 down...many more to go, lol. I don't have a full set of this paper pack yet, just a few 6x6 pieces. I really want a pack of the Holiday buttons, so I may need to invest in those soon.

I don't think that I ever shared with you all that some of my wedding gifts were scrapbooking stuff. I got a gift certificate to Stamping Bella, some Making Memories brads, paper, and stickers. Plus, my cousin Stephanie's SIL is a CTMH consultant, so she bought me a gift certificate to CTMH. Which I haven't used yet...and am so excited that now I can use it and get those Friendship Alphabets instead of the Card Kit. As you could tell, Brent wasn't too thrilled with these gifts, as they were only for me. Unfortunately, we never got a "Brent only" gift.

Well, here's my 2nd love. Isn't he just adorable?!? Simple and cute card...can't be too difficult if I have to mass produce. I think I use my Cuttlebug too much, as I keep thinking, I should of embossed the background. But I dig it.

Paper: CTMH Evensong
Stamps: Hanna Stamps, Sentiment by Stamping Bella
CTMH Buttons, Copic Markers, Crystal Stickles

I hope you all have a great Friday! I'm going to the Seahawks game!!!!!!!!!! My first one so far!

Cool Stuff...Christmas Stamps...Oh, yeah

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:26:25 GMT

Okay, so I saw on Amuse's banner on Split Coast that they're releasing new stamps for Halloween. Shame on me, as I've been in Seattle over 6 months already and I still haven't been to the Amuse store, lol.

But...I saw that they made these new "Seattle" stamps and I must have them now. I guess I'll have to get myself downtown one of these days.

I have been debating back and forth on doing Christmas cards or not...but I realize that I don't think I can not make cards, lol. Am I crazy?!? No, I think I just can't find it in my heart to go to the store and buy cards when I have piles of paper at home. I am trying not to spend money on things that aren't Europe related until I get back. But since I still have a Paypal balance that I use for my Bella stamps, I used some of it to buy some Elzybell stamps. And these are the ones from Europe, so full size stamps, not the mini ones from Amuse.

I have lots of Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper from last year, so that will be the bulk of what I make my cards out of. I always send a picture of Brent and I from the Gala...and I will also include a picture of us from the wedding and one from Europe.

It's been a Bliatout tradition to send out our Christmas letter. My mom use to write it every year and thats what my extended family looked the most forward to. My brother has since been writing it...so I usually just send Brien my paragraph about me for the letter and send my card and picture seperately. But now that I'm married, I will carry this on to our little Smith family, lol. So I'm thinking I will write a Christmas letter too. Plus, it'll be easy as Brent and I have done alot this year. Moved to Seattle, got married, and we're going to Europe.

Last year I finished all of my Christmas and Save the Date cards at the Album Retreat. Thank you Tresea Dewitt (one of my roomies) for helping me glue everything together! Maybe I should of gotten the mini ones from Amuse to cut down on the coloring, huh?!? Oh, just another excuse to me more Copics, lol.

I do all of my Christmas shopping on Black Friday. What I loved about Denver is that people aren't as into it as they are in the NW. In Portland, I've gotten hit by carts, shoved by people, and have seen people fight over the last TV, Ipod, etc. In Denver people were relaxed, nice, and just let me through to what I wanted. I'm scared of traffic this year, but I'm hoping that I can get Dana and Breanna to go with me this year. When Dana and Brian (Brent's older brother) were still married, they'd come down to Portland for Thanksgiving. Dana and I would get up at 3:30am and go shopping, lol. But now I live only 20 minutes from her, so I'm sure she'll be up to going with me.

This Christmas will be weird for me this year, as my parents will have moved into their new house. But it works out nice because Brent's family celebrates on Christmas Eve...and then we'll wake up early on Christmas day to open presents with Michael and Emily.

My OC Chrismukah spirit is coming back to me...and I haven't even gone to Europe yet, lol.

Bella Color Challenge #42

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:17:00 GMT

Wow, where does the summer go?!? Can't believe it's Labor Day weekend already! Unfortunately, I still have to work today and tomorrow, but I do have Monday off. For those traveling, please be safe!

My co-worker Josh is getting married the weekend after Labor Day. I thought this would be a cute card for him...as his one of his wedding colors is like a smokey plum. The other color is "pool" but didn't want to use it for the color challenge, lol. Sorry.

Bella Forum

Colors-
SU: Black, Creamy Caramel, Perfect Plum, and Lavender Lace
CTMH: Black, Desert Sand, Smokey Plum, Petal

Paper: CTMH Cardstock
Stamps: Blingafella, CTMH Say It In Style
CTMH Bigger Brads, Copic Markers, Rhinestone

Tonight something funny happened...Brent started his own blog. Okay, not a crafting one, but a sports one...which is more suited for him, lol. I have been teaching him how to set up his Blogger account. I hope he enjoys it...but he informed me today that means he'll be on the computer more, so I'll have to share that time with him. I just laughed. I actually don't spend that much time on the computer...its just that it sits on my desk. So when I craft, I'm sitting right by it.

So...what do you think of Dan's move on BB10? I've been waiting for double elimination week...I hope my guys still make it to the top. I almost think they should of put Ollie up to get him out this week. Oh, well. Just wait til Grey's comes back! I'll be so thrilled on Thursdays, lol. Happy Thursday all!