Rischa's Rants, Raves, and Ramblings

Day 3 & An Incredimail Stat

This is day 3 of my "alone time". I don't remember it being this miserable when I was single. I guess I had a more exciting life back then. I worked 2 jobs at a night club and enjoyed the night life quite a bit. I had places to go and people to see. So when I got home and it was just me I was perfectly fine with that. Plus, I was never alone for too long at the time because Kolby was with me. When he went to visit my parents it was only a few miles away. Not a few hundred. Joel is saying the rain and lack of work may send him home sooner than he thought, though, so that's good. It will mess up the plans we had for him to pick up Kolby on the way back, but we can always go get him Friday.

So anyway, I have to admit that it isn't totally horrible being alone. I haven't had to do nearly as much cleaning, I get the whole King bed to myself, I can cook (or not cook) anything I'd like, and Joel's alarm doesn't wake me up at 5:30 AM.

Joel called between the last paragraph and now and says he'll be home tomorrow morning. Yay! Thank you RAIN!

I haven't been creating much art; Digital or Real LIfe. I did make a little something in PSP a few days ago just so I wouldn't forget how. I used a tutorial. It took me a while to find a tutorial with all free materials, but I did it. It's a Christmas one, which isn't my favorite, but it let me stretch my PSP skills so I'm happy enough. I made several tags and an Incredimail stationery with it.

Here's my tag:

And you can download the matching Incredimail Stationery HERE.  

I also did some updating on my Photoshop Group's blog. I gave it a Christmas background and added a couple of gadgets to the sidebar. Check it out!

www.PhotoshopPhemales.Blogspot.com

Okay, that's it for now. I've got chores to work on.

Alone & Packin' Heat

I'm drawing a blank on what to blog about. I had something in mind when I went to Typepad.com, but now that I'm here I don't remember what I was intending to say. Well, I guess I'll just state the facts of the day to get things started.

Joel is in Fort Walton on his business trip. You know, the one I was supposed to go on with him. Anyway, this is my first day all alone. Kolby is visiting my family in GA. It's just me and the critters. I'm not afraid to be alone OR admit online that I'm alone. Why? Because I'm packing heat! Haha! So don't any of you weirdos get any ideas unless you like the taste of hot lead!

I haven't really done very much with my day. I'm almost done with my usual chores. I did go for a run. I'm enjoying the runs. Even though they almost kill me. lol It will take me a while to work my way up to jogging more than a couple minutes at a time. I took Lacey with me. She might be getting too old to run for any length of time. I thought I should probably take the larger of the two girl dogs since I was alone and it was night time. It's too hot to run during the day. I called Joel before and after the run so he'd know I made it home safe. A girl can never be too careful with all the crazies in the world. There are a lot of runners/walkers at night in our neighborhood. It's pretty safe. There are lots of cops that live here, too.

After I got back from my jog/walk I had some Chicken Corn Chowder. I love that stuff! I'm yearning for some more sugar cookies with cream cheese icing now. I'm forcing myself to wait until my Sunday night shows come on, though. That way I can have a little treat while I watch Dexter and Californication. I hate that last week was the last "Curb" of the season. The Seinfeld reunion was great!

Alright, I'm outta here. It's time to feed and water the birds and then the gliders. By that time I can slip into my gown and watch some shows before bed. Oh, and the cookies....can't forget those!

(Photo taken with my blackberry) 

Thanksgiving Day 2009

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving feast and family time was excellent. We had a pretty okay day. I got up at 8:30 and started cooking right away. By 1 PM our feast was ready. The turkey took a bit longer to get to its optimum internal temperature. It always takes longer than the recipe says. It was extremely yummy, though, once it was finally ready. I'm more of a fan of the fixins than the bird, though. I enjoyed the gravy and the green beans most. I think Joel is a fan of the stuffing & gravy. Oh, and the pumpkin pie with whipped cream. I'm not a fan of pumpkin pie, so I had red velvet cake with cream cheese icing and pecans. After that things pretty much slowed down to a halt. Joel got interested in something on TV and in his computer and I took a nap.

I haven't heard from or called any family yet. I guess now is as good a time as any. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Bitch-fest; A Few Thoughts

As the title says, I have a few thoughts. The problem is, none of them are in any sort of order. I'm a tad on the scatterbrained side right now. I have all these thoughts and I still don't know how to start this entry. My main thought at the moment is that I'm frustrated. With what you may ask? With everything! That's my problem. My head is so full of thoughts that I have no room left to organize them.

Randomly, let's start with something everyone can understand. The rest may be a bit too personal to air on a blog. So, I was all planned and ready to tag along on this business trip with Joel to Fort Walton Beach. I've been there once before and was looking forward to seeing those gorgeous beaches again. Then, at the beginning of this week, the week before our trip, Joel finds out he will be going to Las Vegas in February. This is somewhere I've always wanted to go. Joel knew that if it ever came up that he had to go out there on business that I'd be pissed if I couldn't go. So I know what you're thinking, why not just go on both trips? Well, we have Sugar Gliders, Parrots, dogs, & a turtle. I have to have someone that I trust come and house sit and critter sit. I always ask Mom. We commission her. No, we don't pay her with money. We pay her by letting Kolby come to visit them in GA for a little while. Kolby loves it there and they enjoy having him. He also is very useful to them on the farm and around the house. Mom also has a job where she works Tuesday to Thursday each week. I can't exactly keep asking her to come critter and house sit for me. She has regular customers that need their do's done. She's a hair stylist. Plus, she has to find someone to look after Mam-maw. So why am I not excited about the Las Vegas trip? Well, if I've learned anything about Joel's work place it's that things change at the drop of a hat. So where does that leave me this week? I'm no longer looking forward to a trip that is finally here. I'm now facing yet another week without my husband with a "promise" of another trip to look forward to in February. That doesn't exactly make me feel great.

So with the previous paragraph over and you're now understanding one of the reasons I'm frustrated/depressed right now, you're probably saying to yourself, "Why in Blue Hell would anyone take on so many animals?" The answer, other than we're STUPID; Well, everyone has dogs or cats. That's normal. So I won't even explain our 3 dogs. We came across a parrot, Rambo, first. Kolby wanted one for Christmas of 2002. After that and falling in love with little Rambo we became friends with Rambo's breeder. We'd go see her and either rescue or adopt her feathered babies. We now have 4 and some teeny little finches. This breeder also had Sugar Gliders. Joel fell in love with one of them and talked me into bringing him home when the original person scheduled to pick him up never showed. Well, we then learned they're really happier with a room mate. So we set out looking for 1 and ended with us having 4. From there we came across, via a SG forum, random gliders that "needed" a good home. We thought we could save pet population ourselves for a while. Why did we not know how to say no? It isn't that easy when people ask you to take in their pets and you see they're in a bad situation. We eventually learned that, for our own sakes, we had to start saying no. So we have. Not before the critters took over our lives, though. We constantly clean after them, feed them, give them attention, etc... That doesn't leave a lot of time for us. Also, we can't just take off over night like normal people. We brought this all on ourselves. I know. It doesn't make things any easier to admit that, though.

Hmm, what else is frustrating me? Oh yeah, I have a brand new damn illness! I was diagnosed with PCOS. Yay! More medicine! More doctor visits! More issues with eating! Lucky, lucky me! I know I'm throwing a pitty party for myself.

I have plenty more gripes, but who the hell wants to hear that? I would guess that no one would. So since I have to get up early in the morning and fix Thanks-friggin-giving dinner I'm getting offline and going to get ready for bed.

I hate the holidays! I really do!

How's it goin'?

This whole blog thing has been great, but it appears that I've lost interest in it as I always do with these types of things. I started blogging before it became something that EVERYONE does. I started this blog back in 2005. The first year I blogged every single day; Sometimes even twice. I only enjoy my hobbies for as long as I'm the only one doing it. Somehow when I say that out loud it makes me feel a bit petty or self absorbed. The truth is, it shows my self esteem issues. When I see someone else doing something it zaps my confidence in my own abilities. Hey, I never claimed NOT to have issues. Oh, I could fill this blog for years upon years with my issues! So anyway, I suppose I could say that I'll make a better effort to keep this thing updated. I guess I can always try, but no promises.

I would love to have this new and exciting news to blab about. I'm afraid I just won't be able to do that, though. It's pretty much dull city around here. Same old shit just on a different day. Kolby's visiting my folks in GA, Joel's being overworked at his job, Penny's still an attention whore, and I'm doing the same old shit. Actually, I'm off to burn a few disks to get some stuff off my computer, so......see ya!

I figured I should....

...post something on this blog every once in a while, so I'll show a little eye candy and be on my way. Here's a funny little something I made in Photoshop for my Photoshop group challenge.

The challenge theme I chose this time was "Funny" by the way.

As Porky Pig would say....

 

All is quiet

There's nothing much going on in the house today. Joel got off work at lunch time, came home and took a nap. Kolby is playing video games. The furry kids are snoozing. The Finchies make a "meep meep" noise every once in a while. Otherwise, it's just the sound of me typing this blog entry. I'm on my laptop because it has been storming. Every time the lights would flicker my desktop restarted. Annoying! Anyway, I just finished cleaning off some unnecessary programs from this computer, so hopefully it'll be smokin' once again. It had slowed to a snail's pace. Or like Katie Lynn said yesterday, "like a sloth on as skateboard"....or something similar. Heheh

I just finished making Rice Krispie Treats. Now we have the torture of waiting on them to cool before we can munch on them. I haven't made them in years. I forgot how easy they are to make. They're not QUITE as bad for you as some other yummy treats. They're not exactly healthy, though. Too bad. Everything yummy makes us fat. What a cruel trick!

Yesterday Kolby had his annual homeschool evaluation. He always dreads that even though he passes every single time with flying colors. She's very sweet to Kolby, too. We're both glad the evaluation is over, though.

Today started off very stressfully. Mom texted me to let me know Mam-maw had fallen and broken her hip. She has to have surgery tomorrow. Of course that has been all that I could think of all day. It's hard to live so far from family in these situations. I wish I could snap my fingers and be with her. I talked to Mam-maw and she said she was in a lot of pain. I wish I could take it away from her. She doesn't deserve to be in any pain. She's the sweetest person I know. But I guess it doesn't work like that. Sometimes it seems like the people who deserve to suffer don't and vice versa. Please pray, if that's something that you do, that she comes through surgery with flying colors and heals quickly.

In other news, I haven't been to the gym in 3 days. I'm feeling quite guilty about it. I was on such a roll. Maybe tonight I'll go if this head ache and queasiness goes away. Oh, did I not mention those things? Yeah, not feeling so hot today. All 3 of us (Kolby, Joel & myself) are feeling a bit sick in the tummy today and last night. I think we ate bad subs from Subway. The head ache is just a bonus for me. Ha...lucky me!

What would a blog post be without a little eye candy. Here's Queen Penny-Penny on her throne.

Click the image to view it a bit larger.

I'm going to go check on the treats and maybe set up the web cam to show what my Finchies are now doing. They're building a nest. One of them (Blake) is anyway. L8r!

Freebies! Who wants Free Photoshop Actions?

I don't recall sharing these before. I could look over 5 years worth of blog posts, but I'm just not that bored. So I'll either be sharing these or RE-sharing them if they've already been shared.

Here's what the B/W High Key action will give you:

The header of this blog was also done using the B/W High Key action. I've used it many times. It's fun to run the action and then drag the black and white image over the top of the same image in color and lower the opacity of the b/w image. It will result in a very cool look.

Here's the result you will get with the Dreamy action:

 

This may not have been the best photo for the before/after, but you see what it does. This action is good for wedding photography or dressy events or perhaps a little girl in a field of flowers. You get the point. Also, I created these actions in PSCS2, but I have used them in PSCS3, as well. I can't say whether they'll work in 4 as I just don't have it to try. If you try it and find out please let me know if it's a ya or nay.

DOWNLOAD HERE

You don't have to give me credit if you don't want to do so, but please don't take the credit yourself if any credit is given. ;-) That's just not nice.

If you want to show me your work just leave a link to your uploaded photo in the comments section. I'd really love to see what you can do with the actions.

Amazon, Videos, & Classes

First up: Videos! I've been thinking of doing Vlogs instead of typing out my thoughts here at the ole blog. I like watching vlogs and I'm guessing I'm not alone in that. It's more interesting to actually SEE the person and put a face with the rambles rather than having to read their writing and visualize what they're wearing. Hehe...teasing a little there. Well we are a bunch of lazy Americans, right? That's what everyone keeps saying about Americans is that we're lazy, right? Ha! I don't believe that shit and neither should you, but it does come to mind when talking about watching vids over actually using your noggin to read something. Even so, I'm doing the videos. Oh, and you don't have to be American to watch them. That was just me being silly. It might not be soon as I really need to learn to make more interesting videos. I have only made 1 so far and it's far from professional. It's pretty low budget looking, actually. I enjoyed it very much, though. I think what I'll do is use my YouTube channel and embed it here soit will generate some of the traffic from YT to here, as well. I'll do the same for the art blog IF I ever am able to get back into my creating. I miss it SO badly. It feels like I'm losin' my skills...however few they may have been.

Which brings me to my next topic. A new Portraits class. Ahh...Aren't I good at tying these meaningless paragraphs together? I'm patting myself on the back as we speak. Anywho, I had told myself I wasn't taking any more classes for a while. And really I haven't, but this one particular class will be lots of help to me I believe. It's a portraits class. I really enjoy doing portraits. I specifically like doing folk art, prim style portraits. I think it's my favorite thing to do. If you're unfamiliar with what I mean, have a look at Rachel, who I completed months ago.

 

She embodies my taste more than anything else I've done. She's simple, folksy, primitive looking, and it was fun to do. I have lots to learn, though. I'm not going to pick apart my above work because I do love her as she is, but I see things that could be improved or changed if I knew other techniques. I don't think I will ever be to the point where I don't want to learn how to do something more effectively. I would be bored if I got to that point. So I will more than likely continue to take classes and buy books.

Hehehe...I did it again. I added that last sentence in the previous paragraph JUST so I could go on to this paragraph and show you my new books from Amazon.

The Creative License

 

& the one I'm looking MOST forward to...

Altered Surfaces

 

I looked through Altered Surfaces while at Michaels and wanted to get it so badly that day. I knew it would be cheaper on Amazon, though, so I waited. It's a short book, but it's packed with info from what I've seen of it at the store. I got a couple of other books, too, but they're not that exciting. Just a couple of diet books and a cookbook. Oh, and 2 Moleskines which I'm looking forward to filling with portraits and which will be "Altered Surfaces" very soon.

I almost forgot to do my little bit of bragging. I've been making sales at my CafePress shop. It's a bit surprising to me that I've made sales there since I've yet to even advertise, but hey...I'll take it! Hehe

'til next time peeps!

Rainy & Sickly Day

Today couldn't suck harder if it tried. Well, I suppose that's a fabrication. It could be a hurricane outside and I could have a stomach problem to go with my cold. Anyway, today still sux! I've been fighting off this cold for weeks, but it finally won our little war. I'm "in the bed" kinda sick now. The DayQuil isn't touching this junk and I'm suckin' up the nose spray like it's crack and I'm a crack whore. It's also thunder-boomin' outside. I guess it's a good day for it since I'm in bed. I'm not missing out on anything since everyone's stuck inside. Also, rain can be quite relaxing to the bed-bound person. The thunder has gotten loud lately, though. The dogs are pretty miserable, too, as they haven't gotten to rid themselves of the morning energy burst they normally get. It's 3PM and they've only gone out briefly once all day long. That reminds me of 2005 when one of the hurricanes hit and they were inside for over 24 hours until it was safe to go out. They held it like champs! They didn't get far outside our door, though, before they all squatted. LOL If they could have they'd have said, "Ahhhhhh".

Geez, how did that last paragraph come about? I ended it talking aobut Pee? Really? Must be the cold meds. That's my story.

So on to something different. I skipped the gym yesterday and it isn't looking like I'll be going today, either. I was on such a roll that I really hate that I couldn't go. I haven't skipped 2 days in a row since we signed up. I was about ready to start running on the treadmill, too. I think I've built up enough endurance that I could take a few minutes of running at a time. I didn't want to start running right away and just totally blow my bad knee. Have I mentioned how bad having RA sucks lately?! I've had it over 11 years and it still ain't fun.

I haven't been a very good blogger lately. I know this isn't news, but what I mean is that I haven't been using images. I know people like to see images in blog posts. I do, too! So I better start using my camera again. I'd rather use my own images than someone else's. That's not to say I won't ever use images from Flickr or wherever else, but I enjoyed using my own. The entries lately are looking pretty dull, though, don't you think?

Joel may be traveling back down to the Naples area soon. I'd love to be able to go with him. It's so hard to do that for us, though, with all of our critters. I have no one around that would make a good sitter. I really loved Naples, though. It's beautiful and the place we stayed was awesome! I think it's the best place I've EVER stayed. As a bonus, it was around the time of our anniversary, too. Joel's Mom even sent us a basket to help us celebrate. Very cool of her, eh? Anyway, it sure would be nice to be able to hop in the car with Joel to go on these biz trips with him. I could take my easel and some paints or at least my sketchbook and enjoy some relaxation in a new place.

That's about all for now. The nose spray has kicked in so I'm going to try and get some rest for a while. If you've got chicken soup, you know where to send it! ;-) Later!

PS. For my next post I'll talk about Videos and my Amazon purchase.....