Oh Goodness . . .

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I am seriously failing at the "4 blogs a week" goal.  However, there are some new developments in my life that I would like to share.  Things are a'changin' and I'm doing very well, which is probably why I haven't been blogging—I'm busy with other things!

 Joshua and my future plans have taken a turn.  I don't have tons of details to share right now, but when I do I promise I will have an ENTIRE post dedicated to what our lives are turning into.  Some of these developments are a little disappointing, while other are very exciting.  Overall, things are good and I am thankful.

My BFA project (which I don't know that I ever mentioned here, but has been ALL over facebook and flickr) has gone very well!  It's been so much work and a lot of sweat and tears, but I am very excited to see the final product in a couple of weeks and be able to tally up how much money we have raised for Birthright!

Joshua and I both go into the Juried Student Exhibition at SEMO!  I have been entering for the last FOUR YEARS and never gotten a single piece accepted and this year I had THREE get in (a ceramics piece, and TWO websites).  Obviously, I am thrilled and I cannot wait to go to the opening and awards ceremony on Friday.  Pictures afterward, I promise.

I started reading a Chuck Palahniuk book, specifically "Diary", and I think I have found a new author love.  He is fantastic, even if bizarre at times.

Well, I'm sure there is more, but that is all for right now.  I have decided that, while I probably will NEVER blog 4 times a week (even after graduation) I think I am OK with that.  This blog is for me, and not anyone else in particular, so it is silly of me to try and model myself after people who do this full-time.  I have about 3 or 4 other things that I do full-time, and until at least one of those goes away, one or two posts a month or however often I remember will just have to do. :)  I'm sure you all won't mind.

They grow up so fast

She's getting so big!  And Yare is even bigger than her . . . They're going to get fixed soon thanks to the SNAP Program (Spay and Neuter Assist Program) through the Human Society.  It helps people with low income affordably take care of their pets.  $25 to get a cat spayed or neutered and $35 for dogs.  If you have a pet and are having trouble affording this care, I highly recommend it.  You fill out an application and once you are accepted, you have 60 days to pay the fee.  Then the Human Society gives you a voucher to take to any participating vet to have the procedure done.  The only requirement is that they have their shots.  We just got our acceptance letter in the mail today and I am so excited!  We're finally going to be able to take care of our little kitties now that we've gotten this help, and they are finally old enough to have the surgery.

They may be getting big, but they still like to take naps with their mamma :)

This is her "I'm sleepy, why are you taking my picture" face.  :P

xoxo Alyssa

pea.ess.  Like the new typeface?  I think I'm going to stick with this one.  It's a little easier to read than Courier . . .

Goal Update:

So, as most of you can tell, I am minorly failing at some of my goals that I posted a couple of months ago.  For instance, I have not been blogging four times a week . . . but who's counting ;)  I really am going to try and do better, for those of you who enjoy reading this blog, but I just thought I would give an update on the goals that I set, whose results might not be quite as evident to those who read here.  

1) Get Etsy shop running:  This is going slower than expected.  HOWEVER!  I do have some merchandise for sale at a local consignment shop called Annie Laurie's.  I have a small table with some business cards there that have been in place for about three weeks now.  I haven't gone in to check on sales, but I have noticed an increase of "likes" on facebook, which I am assuming have come from the business cards on the table :)  I should find out in the next week how much (if anything) I have sold, and I am very excited :)  So, while this isn't an etsy shop, it is a step in the right direction!

2) Read 1 hour a week:  This is going OK.  I usually do read for about an hour a week, but lately it has been materials for classes.  The goal was to do more pleasure reading and take time for myself, but it just doesn't seem like there has been much of that lately.  I know this goal will become easier after I graduate, but for right now, it's definitely one of the most difficult.

3) Blog 4 times a week:  I know, I know . . . . fail.  I'll do better next time, I promise!

4) Keep checkbook balanced:  This one was been going pretty well.  We haven't had any of those unexpected surprises I mentioned in the first goals post, but I probably haven't been as on top of it as I should be.  Money is a little tight right now with Joshua commuting to KC nearly every weekend, but we have high hopes of things getting a little easier in the next month or so :)  I guess, until then, I'll really have to stay on top of this goal!

5) Be proactive with Anavah House:  I have had good intentions with this goal, but haven't actually *done* much, which I suppose is the actual definition of "proactive".  *le sigh*  I'll have to get something together in the next couple of weeks while Joshua is out of town so he doesn't feel like we haven't made any progress while he's gone :)

6) Create product line for BBRC:  I have all sorts of ideas for the line and can't wait to start sketching :)  This goal is a little more long term, so I'm not so worried about not having anything actually *made* yet, hopefully that will come to pass sometime in the next couple of months or shortly after graduation :)

7) Get REAL business cards:  I did this one!  They should be coming in sometime in the next couple of weeks :)  I am SO excited!

Well, thanks for listening and caring!  Hopefully I"ll be able to do better with my goals in the next few weeks.  I think I"m going to add another one to the list . . . 

8) Create regular blog feature:  I have heard from other bloggers that it helps keep you on schedule with your blogging (and attract readers) if you have regular "features" on your blog.  Some you might know from other blogs are "Ten Things I Love Friday/Sunday" or "DIY Wednesday".  I think I might do a little better with my blogging if I have something like this in my line-up.  Now to brainstorm ideas . . . . :)

Thanks, again guys!  Love you all!

xoxo Alyssa

image courtesy of weheartit

Christmas Presents!

I got a few Christmas presents last week from my in-laws and just wanted to share the awesomness with you :)  There were some etsy shipping issues so they were late, but sometimes it's nice to have presents on days that aren't holidays :D

I love my new key and leaf rings and the hat is probably my favorite thing ever :)

xoxo Alyssa

I know this is irritating . . .

Normally I get really annoyed when bloggers use their blog to earn extra entries in giveaways on the blogs that they follow, but I want to take this class bad enough that I will do it!

There's a giveaway on Rachel Denbow's blog, Smile and Wave.  Check it out!

xoxo Alyssa

I have bag envy

Sometimes I wander etsy and look at all of the pretty things I know I will never own.  Sometimes I limit myself to only looking at things that I could feasibly afford, but yesterday I mentally splurged a little and looked at some snazzy camera cases and other bags.  Bask in their loveliness.  Click on images for shop pages, should you feel the urge to send me a special present.  Just sayin . . . I wouldn't object . . .


Camera Bags (in order of personal OH-MY-GOSH I WANT THIS preference)

I feel like this would make me look like I was backpacking across Europe.  I wouldn't mind that.

SO PRETTY.  Such good craftsmanship, too.  Alas, even this shipping for this one is out of my price-range—it's from Hong Kong.

LOVE this fabric AND color.  The only downside is the lack of dividers on the inside, but that might almost be better for me, because I don't have multiple lenses to carry with me.

Purses, in the same order of preference

UHhhhhhhh . . . I love zippers.  And red.  

This bag is made by my good friend, Jade, and her boyfriend, Bob.  I bought a bag from them a few months back, and I am IN LOVE.  They have such good construction and craftsmanship that I would not mind owning this cute little clutch :)

I'm not one for labels, but this little Dooney and Burke clutch is really dainty and classy :)

Last but not least . . . 

SUITCASES.  My greatest addiction.  I have quite the collection, but all of them are weekender size, nothing of substantial size . . . which is why I've been drooling over these two.

American Tourister makes SUCH good luggage.  I am a huge fan . . . 

This one looks like the perfect companion to my little red, hard shell carry-on . . . 

Be back a little later this week.  Joshua is going to start going out of town again this weekend, so I'll have a little more free time :)  Talk to you later!

xoxo Alyssa

A Weekend Rescued!

Well, my plans for this weekend were supposed to include finishing up work on the apartment and hosting a housewarming party where both sides of our families would come visit, see the new place, and get a better feel for the work we will be doing at the coffee shop.  However, due to lots of snow and my dad's sudden case of the sickies, it appears that neither of our families will be able to make it to the party tomorrow (hopefully to be rescheduled) and because of our lazy attitudes and general blah-ness, the apartment is no where near finished.  We haven't even finished moving our stuff over from the old building or unloaded the stuff that has been in our cars for two weeks.

(Feel better Daddy!)

However! Tonight we had the pleasure of going to see The Mikado performed by music and theatre students from SEMO and it was FANTASTIC.  I knew it was supposed to be funny, but what do you expect when you hear that an opera is funny.  Exactly.  My hopes were not the highest for the humor side of the evening, but I figured at the very least the music would be great.  We had a good friend (Aaron of Concerning Humans) playing Nanki Poo, and he was wonderful!  The script was absolutely hilarious and Joshua and I have several new one liners that we will be quoting on a regular basis, such as , "Chop it off!  Chop it off!" and "She has a right elbow that people come from MILES around to see . . ".  It was so great.  I highly encourage the viewing of this opera if you should ever get the chance, it was absolutely hysterical.

And now, I leave you with suspicious kitties.  Enjoy!

 Yare was working on his cat-like reflexes.  He hasn't quite mastered stealthiness yet . . . Have a happy Sunday!

xoxo Alyssa