Rischa's Rants, Raves, and Ramblings

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!

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.....

Just Saturday

Just sitting here watching Juno remembering back when I was in her place. Things aren't quite as cool as they make it appear in the movie. Other than that I'm just having a lazy Saturday. I haven't been feeling very well and have been stressing about everything, so doing nothing is good for the body and soul sometimes. Penny is helping me.

I'm actually hold up in my bedroom staying out of Joel's way. He's watching the NFL Draft. He's been talking about it all week. I hate football. Well, I don't hate it, but I don't enjoy watching it at all.

Juno just went off, so I'm watching The Parent Trap remake. Before Juno was the last half of The Truth About Cats & Dogs. I wanted to watch Baby Mama, but I have that DVR'd and I'd rather watch it in HD on the living room TV.

I'm really not in a blogging mood right now. I'd rather watch the movie. I've been typing this for an hour and not much to show for it. I might actually close this blog. It costs 90 bucks a year and I never use it. I can always open a FREE one on Blogger if I miss it.

See ya...

My Narcissism Results!

I'm pretty happy with my results of the test from the previous entry. I scored a total of 7 out of a possible 40 when it comes to being narcissistic. I'm quite relieved to know that I'm below average. Yay me! Wait, did that just bump me up to an 8? Haha

Here are the complete results and my answers to the test...

1    A. I have a natural talent for influencing people.                              A  1

2    B. I am essentially a modest person.                                                 A

3    B. I tend to be a fairly cautious person.                                           A

4    A. When people compliment me I sometimes get embarrassed.           B

5    A. The thought of ruling the world frightens the hell out of me.       B

6    B. I try to accept the consequences of my behavior.                        A

7    A. I prefer to blend in with the crowd.                                           B

8    B. I am not too concerned about success.                                        A

9    A. I am no better or worse than most people.                                  B

10   A. I am not sure if I would make a good leader.                             B

11    B. I wish I were more assertive.                                                    A

12    B. I don't mind following orders.                                                  A

13    B. I don't like it when I find myself manipulating people.              A

14    B. I usually get the respect that I deserve.                                    A

15    A. I don't particularly like to show off my body.                           B

16    A. I can read people like a book.                                                   A 1

17    A. If I feel competent I am willing to take responsibility for making decisions.   B

18    A. I just want to be reasonably happy.                                           B

19    A. My body is nothing special.                                                        B

20   A. I try not to be a show off.                                                         B

21    B. Sometimes I am not sure of what I am doing.                              A

22    B. I rarely depend on anyone else to get things done.                     B  1

23    A. Sometimes I tell good stories.                                                   B

24    B. I like to do things for other people.                                           A

25    A. I will never be satisfied until I get all that I deserve.               A  1

26    B. I like to be complimented.                                                         B  1

27    B. Power for its own sake doesn't interest me.                               A

28    A. I don't care about new fads and fashions.                                B

29    B. I am not particularly interested in looking at myself in the mirror.  A

30    B. It makes me uncomfortable to be the center of attention.           A

31     B. People can't always live their lives in terms of what they want.   A

32    A. Being an authority doesn't mean that much to me.                       B

33    A. I would prefer to be a leader.                                                  A  1

34    B. I hope I am going to be successful.                                           A

35    B. I can make anybody believe anything I want them to.                 B  1

36    B. Leadership is a quality that takes a long time to develop.            A

37    B. I don't like people to pry into my life for any reason.                A

38    B. I don't mind blending into the crowd when I go out in public.    A

39    B. There is a lot that I can learn from other people.                       A

40    A. I am much like everybody else.                                                  B   

Total: 7

• Authority: 1, 8, 10, 11, 12, 32, 33, 36             2 out of 8

  • Self-sufficiency: 17, 21, 22, 31, 34, 39      1  out of 6

  • Superiority: 4, 9, 26, 37, 40                       1  out of 5

  • Exhibitionism: 2, 3, 7, 20, 28, 30, 38           0 out of 7

  • Exploitativeness: 6, 13, 16, 23, 35               2  out of 5

  • Vanity: 15, 19, 29                                         0 out of 3

  • Entitlement: 5, 14, 18, 24, 25, 27                 1  out of 6

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you take the test be sure and leave your results in the comments OR if you post your results on your blog leave me a link so I can see please!

10 Things About Me

I'm taking a prompt from a fellow blogger and listing 10 things about me that you may not know.

1. I would rather be at home than anywhere in the world.
2. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 21. Doc said I was the youngest AND the most aggressive case he had ever seen. I'm good now with the meds, though.
3. I have quite a few furry and feathered kiddos and love each of them SO much.
4. I REALLY enjoy www.Twitter.com. More than I should probably. I wish everyone I know would join so I can see their tweets. I especially love posting Twitpics.
5. I hate Facebook, but I do love that I have reconnected with lots of old friends there.
6. I also hate talking on the phone. I often don't answer or even look @ who's calling.
7. I'm surprisingly quiet until I get to know someone. Then I'm quite talkative.
8. I really love doing lists like this, but I fear saying THAT comes off narcissistic.

9. I have 6 blogs. Hehehe....some of them are secrets. I won't tell so don't ask. ;-)

10. I constantly struggle with trying to get to bed @ a decent time like everyone else. I can't seem to do it even though it seems like it should be easy. Even when I worked very early I stayed up at night.

I have no idea why the 10 is separate from the rest, but it won't go away without me retyping. I hate when stuff like that happens. Oh well...I'm too lazy to retype all that. It won't work with copying and pasting....tried it.

Now it's YOUR turn! Don't forget to leave me a comment with your 10 things linked or listed. ;-)

Getting to know your friends 2009

Instead of sending this each time I get it, I thought I'd post it here...

Welcome to the 2009 edition of getting to know your Friends. 'press FORWARD' then change all the answers so they apply to you, and then send this to your friends including the person who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known!      1.  What time did you get     up this morning? 9:15 2.  Diamonds or pearls? diamonds 3.  What was the last film you saw at the cinema?  I don't remember. I prefer HBO on my home TV since we pay so much for it already. LOL 4.  What is your favorite TV show? Weeds 5.  What do you usually have for breakfast Coffee with either cereal or grits. If Joel's home then pancakes. 6.  What is your middle name? LeClair (after Great Grandmother) 7.  What food do you dislike? sushi & guacamole 8.  What is your favorite CD at moment. Don't listen to CD's. I have a play list I listen to on my art blog, though, if I want music. My favorite is piano music with no lyrics. Otherwise I listen to talk radio. 9.  What kind of car do you drive? A Tucson (compact SUV) 10.  Favorite sandwich? Grilled Cheese 11. What characteristics do you despise? Dishonesty, narcissism, snootiness, know-it-alls 12.  Favorite item of clothing My blue satin night gown 13.  If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Australia .14 Favorite brand of clothing? Fruit of the Luim or Hanes (comfy stuff lol) 15.  Where would you retire to? Where I live now, Central FL 16.  What was your most recent memorable birthday? 32nd 1/17/2009 17.  Favorite sport to watch? Dog agility (good answer, Fern! I'm keeping that one) 18.  Furthest place you are sending this? Not sending it. Putting it on my blog for all to see. 19.  Person you expect to send it back first? No one since I'm not sending it, but Mom will be the first to comment. ;-) 20.  When is your birthday? Jan. 17 21.  Are you a morning person or a night person? Definitely night! 22.  What is your shoe size? 8-1/2 23.  Pets?  Many 24.  Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Hmm...I'm starting an online business, but I already shared that. 25.  What did you want to be when you were little? I don't remember when I was really little, but I had planned to be a Psychiatrist when I was in High School. I don't know if I told anyone that back then, though. 26.  How are you today? Happy as can be 27.  What is your favorite candy? Hedgehogs that Candice sends me at Christmas. 28.  What is your favorite flower? Orchids, Daisies, Tulips, Bouganvillias....oh, just one? lol 29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Hmm...I guess the day of the neighborhood yard sale. March 12-14th. Kolby comes home from GA then, too. 30.  What is your full name? Rischa LeClair Heape 31.  What are you listening to right now? The running water from the turtle's aquarium filter and my dogs snoring. 32.  What was the last thing you ate? Pancakes (Joel was home till 12 today. lol) 33.  Do you wish on stars? sure do 34.  If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Magenta 35.  How is the weather right now? Perfection!! Sunny....not too hot, but warm. Mid 70's. 36.  The first person you spoke to on the phone today? Kolby, my handsome son 37.  Favorite soft drink? Coca-Cola (which I can't have....dieting *sobs*) 38.  Favorite restaurant? Palm Tree Grill 39.  Real hair color? Dark brown with Auburn tones. 40.  What was your favorite toy as a child? Caroline doll and then my He-Men action figures. Yay for tom-boys! 41. Summer or winter? Summer, but prefer Spring 42.  Hugs or kisses? Depends on who. Both from my fellas (Kolby and Joel, of course) 43.  Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate ALL the way! 44.  Coffee or tea? COFFEE!!! 45.  Do you want your friends to email you back? Always 46.  When was the last time you cried? Last night, but it was something sweet. 47.  What is under your bed? Dust, magazines, and whatever Penny has dragged under there. 48.  What did you do last night? Watched tv with Joel, blogged, talked to Candice, took photos, etc... 49.  What are you afraid of? Loss 50. Salty or sweet? Sweet if I have to choose just one. 51.  How many keys on your key ring? 3 52.  How many years at your current job? 16 (Mom) 10 (Wife) Artist.....just started 53.   Favorite day of the week?  Friday     54.   How many towns have you lived in?  5   55.   Do you make friends easily?   Online friends, yes. In person, not really. I never really go anywhere to make friends any more. 56.   How many people will you send this to?  Again...not sending.   57.   How many will respond?   None....not sending, ya know. ;-)

I can't believe....

...I'm still awake! I've been getting in the bed at 10:30 pm or shortly there-after. I've been so proud of that. I totally screwed that up today by taking one of the longest naps ever. Oh well, one day gone bad doesn't break me. I will get back to it tomorrow.

I've been Twittering, but not blogging. I thought I'd wait for something interesting to happen, but since that hasn't happened.......I caved and I'll just start back writing about regular old stuff that happens to me during my day-to-day activities.

I have a bit of a tummy ache right now, so I'm cutting this short. Tonight is one of my two Methotrexate nights, so it's to be expected. RA is a pain in....well, I was going to say rump, but it's really a pain in everything. :-/

Night all! Or morning....or whatever. See ya!

I'm a Star!

See?

 

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

What did you think I meant? :-P

I know....I'll post a real blog entry soon. I've been sucking at this whole blog thing lately.