little scrapper

This crazy little side-kick of mine has seemed to enjoy all things creative since she could walk and talk! A girl after my own heart! She loves paint and can focus on it for quite a long time for her age (2). As an art therapist it has been so much fun watching her learn and develop creatively. My husband has been saying that I should set her up with some scrapbook supplies and a few extra photos she can play with while I'm scrapbooking. This way I can have some time to do my hobby and she will be entertained...

I tried it out a few weeks ago and it worked! She sorted through some of my old supplies and played while I scrapped at the kitchen table. It was so fun. I have set up a little box of scrap papers for her to play with when I scrap. If I'm scrapping at my desk I give her that or she looks through my little dishes of diecuts and talks about the shapes she sees.

Speaking of scrapping...I got a lot of pages done this weekend! I will upload them and post about them later this week. I love summer when I have shorter work weeks because I'm not teaching at the college. I truly enjoy being at home, playing with Ellie, cleaning, cooking, and organizing. It's when I'm most at peace and happy. But then the chaos begins again in September when I am juggling both of my jobs. It is not easy and I am grateful for this time to breathe. How do you all juggle work and life?

Thanks for stopping by....

Happy Tuesday!

busy. busy. busy.

What a busy week it has been. I started my new job and it has been a whirlwind! It is so overwhelming. Good. But overwhelming. I haven't had much of a chance to do anything for myself this week. Just now I worked on a layout. But I'm tired an in a bit of a funk so I'm not real happy with it. But the journaling was meaningful.

Anyhow...here are a few other layouts I don't think I've posted that I made over the past few weeks. Hopefully when I figure out my new routine I'll have time to do even one layout a week.

Christmas Day & Eve: Two page spread

Halloween: This was before I added the journaling.

1st Birthday: This page was difficult. I couldn't make any decisions and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Still need to add journaling. My goal is to do that while it's fresh in my mind!

Guard Christmas: This photo was also taken before I did the journaling.

Thanks for reading. Hoping to catch up on others blogs this weekend!

my other favorite hobby

 My good friend from high school is having a baby boy in April and I'm so excited! I knitted her the placket knit sweater in a really pretty yarn by Sirdar that makes a beautiful fair isle effect.

I knitted the same sweater for baby girl in the 6 - 12 month size and she has been able to wear it since she was little and it still fits her...

I also pulled out an old card I had made out of my stash of cards and bought her a little notebook that says "rest." When Ellie was little I always found having a small notebook around handy for writing down questions for the doctor, feedings, little memories I wanted to remember. I also used a cutout to decorate a plain aqua blue bag and stamped a little giraffe tag...everything was so fun to make and it was neat seeing my original bag among the sea of store-bought bags...many of which I saw at my own shower over a year ago!

Haven't done much scrapping since Friday night I think? So I have a few layouts almost complete to post. Things have been busy though. I'm on spring break from the college so yesterday I sent her to daycare so I could finish touching up the white baseboards. When my dad installed them we never got around to touching them up after we moved in. They look so much better. There are still a few more projects I need to get done but most of them involve my dh or my dad when he feels better.

I also have great news...which I really needed. I got the job! I start in a few weeks. I'm so nervous but excited!

Happy Tuesday!

change is good

"Change is Good" - mixed media on canvas

At least that's what I keep telling myself. Next Thursday is my last day at my art therapy job after 9 years. I'm having such mixed emotions. I made this canvas as a "going away" gift for the program. That is a tradition when a clinician leaves. It was therapeutic for me to paint. I started with layering patterned paper on the canvas and then covering a lot of it with white gesso and then some dark brown acrylic. I painted the tree with acrylics. I did a similar tree a few years ago after watching the movie Avatar. I loved the colorful, odd, trees and flowers. I punched out several butterflies out of patterned paper and layered them so they appear 3-D. I also added a few rhinestones and calender washi tape to represent the years I spent there. The letters are basic black vinyl letters. I wanted them bold. The painting is purposely darker in the upper left and gradually gets lighter in the upper left. It represents my mixed feelings. I have been feeling very burnt out for a long time and this is a needed change though I wish it could have been under my terms. I feel a bit cheated and angry. I'm trying to let go of that and face this as an opportunity. I'm just really scared. Here are a few close ups...

closeup of butterflies and the brightness

tree and calendar that represents myself and my time

Thanks for looking. Happy Saturday!

where is the sun?



Barn at an old New England apple orchard



Here in New England we have an endless week of rain to look forward to. I decided to post a picture from a beautiful Spring saturday several weeks ago when Cary and I went to see the animals at a local apple orchard. Not sure we will see the sun again for awhile. It is hard to remember that school is out, I have short work weeks and beach days are on there way. Here are a few more shots from that day at the orchard....

It was a such a beautiful day.

I am looking forward to seeing the sun again!

Happy Tuesday!



where's my inspiration?

 I am lacking motivation. Cary went out to a hobby store for a game night to try and meet some local guys to hang out with and I was going to scrapbook. I haven't in months. Not since before Christmas when all the challenges began for my Dad. I lost motivation for much of my artwork, except knitting. At least I kept doing that. This week was incredibly busy at both jobs. The kind of week where I remember that sometimes each of my two jobs could easily be almost full-time. I have continued to stay away from caffeine...except for chocolate. That would be pushing it! But this week I was put on a new medication for an issue I have been dealing with and it is knocking me out. I hate feeling like this. It will take some getting used to I guess.

I did enjoy seeing the bright sunshine when I woke up today after some restless sleep. Cary was so sweet and cooked an amazing dinner for me last night. So I made some pancakes this morning and we went out to the movies. Saw Arthur. Very funny! And now here I am....I got one scrapbook page done. Didn't really plan out the page too much. Just went with it. It was actually a page with two photos I took of Christmas Dinner. A bittersweet day. So it was somewhat therapeutic for me to do.

I have so many supplies for scrapping, cardmaking, ATC's...I just haven't felt inspired. I think one page might be enough for today. Sometimes I end up feeling guilty when I have so many projects and hobbies and am not really getting into any of them. I feel like I waste so much time sometimes! Anyhow, tonight I might look into some ATC challenges online and do some knitting. I know that creativity comes in waves...I would just like to get back into it, Maybe tomorrow...

Happy Saturday!

missing him



gingerbread haunted house cary and i made before he left

 It has been a challenging week. My guy left for the last phase of OCS (Officer Candidate School) so he is on a military base in the midwest. I miss him terribly already. He left Monday. So I am trying to keep busy. He'll be away until mid-March. We are trying to figure out an affordable option for me to potentially visit him just after Christmas. Not sure if it will work out. But it is only for 4 months so we'll make it.

Today I am feeling like I have a cold coming on so laying low. But will see friends this afternoon and my sister later tonight. Going to do a little studying for my state counseling licensure exam first. Hoping to go and study in the little coffee shop in town that I love.

I will be better about updating here!

Happy Saturday!

vacation coming to an end

a picnic at a local New England farm

My last week off of the summer is winding down...and so is summer it seems. I always feel sad when that shift happens. I love fall and all that comes with it but I am sad to see summer go. Also this fall will be a challenge because my guy is going to a military school for four months. So I am having more trouble looking forward to it. But I will try!

Here's a few memories from this vacation:

• A trip to the zoo...giraffes, gorrillas, bats, butterflies, and a dinner at Bugaboo Creek on the way home.
• A reminder to say what is on your mind. People are not mind readers.
• Baby calves at the farm peeking over an old stone wall.
• Mornings at the beach.
• Planting some new flowers in my balcony garden.
• Refocusing on the positive.
• taking lots of pictures but havent done any scrapbooking.
• Finished my ATC's for the next Art Therapy Alliance swap. I'll post later!
• Staying up late and sleeping in.
• Warm sun.
• A day of outlet shopping and L.L. Bean with my mom and sister.
• Too much work organizing and a crummy cold at the beginning of this vacation.
• Green Grass Yankee Candle.
• Wine from Johnson Family Winery I got on my trip to NY.
• Jello.
• The movie "The Other Guys"...so funny.
• Started seeming my "Hey Teach" Sweater.

Now today we are having a late summer/early fall kind of weather day. Makes me want to bake something. We'll see...
All-in-all it was a good week. Hoping today and tomorrow top of the week!

Happy Sunday!

today

ATC's I recieved in Art Therapy Alliance Swap

Random thoughts for the day:

I've been neglecting my blog. Things have been so unbelievably busy with life and work. Today I start a week's vacation (at home) and....I'm sick. Cary and I both have colds. Boo! I left work a little early yesterday and last night and this morning is the part of a cold where you don't want to get out from under the covers. But it can only be uphill from here!

I joined up with a 2nd ATC swap with the Art Therapy Alliance using collage as a technique. I would like to finish the four cards this week. I had so much fun on the last one and lvoe the cards I received back. Such a nice way to connect with other art therapists. I have been having some exciting things happen in my art therapy world at work recently. A little overwhelming and I feel like I am fumbling a bit but some exciting opportunities for me and my career.

In other parts of life I have been busy. I had my 15th High School reunion last saturday. I think I'm having a mid-30's crisis. Feel like I am not really where I'd like to be. I'm happy with my life but there are some key peices missing. I don't want time to pass me by in some areas. I am having faith that things will fall into place.

I haven't been scrapping much at all. But I signed up for Big Picture Scrapbookings class Big Idea Festival because it is using the August Cocoa Daisy kit which I haven't even opened yet. Hoping to play around with that a bit this week too. I am feeling overwhelmed with all I have done in the past few weeks and all that I have to do before the first week of September. I need a week to slow down and regroup and make some art!

Well...I'm going back under the covers until I feel better.

Happy Friday the 13th!

monday gratitudes

Presque Isle, ME ~ Memorial Day Weekend 2009

Today I am grateful for...

• a beautiful day off from work.
• money in the bank to pay the unexpected amt of taxes I owe.
• extra days off this week.
• my education.
• time to make cards yesterday.
• my stamp & paper collection.
• my board certification as an art therapist.
• knitting to relax my busy, over-thinking mind.
• yellow. a color I never appreciated before.
• spring being on its way in New England.
• an apartment with nice morning sun.
• lavendar.
• scented candles...current favorite is "Dune Grass" from Yankee Candles.
• country.
• use of my arms and legs.
• feeling better.
• future milestones to look forward to.
• upbeat music.
• Netflix DVD's to look forward to (thanks to my sister!)

Decided to post an old picture to remind me that (a) Spring will get here, and (b) I need to focus on simple pleasures.Yesterday I tried to relax and eventually did...but in the a.m. did my taxes and had an unfortunate suprise...doesn't pay in many ways to have to work two part-time jobs. I need to make some quick adjustments before too much more of 2010 goes by so I'm not in this position next year. But I was able to calm my thoughts with a little knitting and then sat and played with my new scrapping supplies and made a few cards. I'll post them later. More collage-y in style I think. Fun. Needed some of my own art therapy. Today I need to take my car to the dealer to have them look at my windshield. The rubber liner that holds it down at the roof line is very loose! Yikes. Then a quick trip to Trader Joes. I want to pick up a few things for dinner and some tulips. Maybe I'll splurge on 2 bunches this week.

Happy Monday!

content

Content. That is how I'm feeling. Last night I got home from work and a good workout. Sat and watched a a netflix movie (Season 5: Weeds), burned a candle and relaxed. It has been a long week and next week I have extra days off for Spring Break. I have the apartment to myself for a few days. Today the sun is out finally here in New England, I feel good and I'm going to take a friend to the nearest scrapbook store. She has never been and I'm really looking forward to it. But not before driving with the window open (I know almost 50' isn't warm by most standards but without winter so far...) and getting myself an iced mocha from my favorite small coffee shop. Content.

happy sunday

Bella's Mittens

Finished my sister's birthday present at the last minute! She asked me to make a pair of these after seeing mine. She never asks me for something specific so I was excited to make them. She'll be getting these today hot off the needles (well finished last night...with my over-organized personality... that is late!). This has been a busy week with the semester starting and all kinds of mixed up things. But they are finished and I can't wait to give them to her today.

Also posting a few cards I made earlier this week. Haven't had a chance to make more this weekend. These are more for the stash I'll set at the spring craft fair. Here they are....

******

Thinking of You: This was a fun card to make. Used two different Basic Grey papers and cut out some of the patterns to create strips. The Nook & Pantry line has a fun sheet of patterned paper "cookbook" and I used that a lot on this card.

Supplies: Patterned paper (Basic Grey: Nook & Pantry and Sugar Rush lines), Pearl brad (Making Memories), Paper flower (Making Memories), "Thinking of You" clear stamp (unknown), brown ink (Archiver's Ink), pink chalk ink (colorbox).

*****

(((Hug))): This next card came  together pretty quick. I have a set of rub-ons with text shorthand phrases that I hadn't figured out what I wanted to do with. Also used a variety of shape clear stamps I have in a set. Randomly stamped those in a line.

Supplies: (((hug))) rub-on (Imaginisce - Txt4U Rub-ons), assorted clear stamp shapes (unknown), brown and blue chalk ink (Colorbox), diamond glitter (Stickles).

*****

"Here Comes the Bride": This card is a little more ornate than I usually do. I started with the great Damask stamp I got a few weeks ago from Great Impressions. Added several paper flowers, rhinestones and a sentiment. I love the black and white Damask patterns I have seen on so many things lately, furniture, clothes, etc.

Supplies: Damask Stamp (Great Impressions), assorted paper flowers (Making Memories), rhinestones (unknown), "Here Comes the Bride" Sticker (K & Co.), black ink (Archivers).

*****

"Miss You": I cut a regular sized card down a little to make a smaller, square card. Used a new Hero Arts stamp and a misc sentiment stamp. Got my colored pencils out and some glitter. I like how this one came out!

Supplies: Flower stamp (Hero Arts), patterned paper (Basic Grey), "Miss You" clear stamp (unknown), scalloped square punch (EK Success), white gel pen (Ranger), Brown ink (Archivers), colored pencils (Prismacolor), glitter (misc.).

*****

I don't know how much time I'll have today for scrapping or cardmaking. We have to go pick up a coffee table some friends are giving us and then lunch for my sister's birthday. Maybe when I get home? We'll see. I have another busy week coming up and it's the first full work week in awhile so we'll see how it goes....one day at a time!

Happy Sunday!

catching up

The Bella's Mittens I knit: you can find pattern on Ravelry.com fashioned after the Twilight movie.

What I have been up to lately:

• Falling asleep so early at night (7:30pm last night)...like an old woman. Haven't been feeling well physically for a few months...no clear reason. Not terrible...just contributing to a feeling of been unmotivated.


• A guest at a N. Maine Halloween Wedding which was fun and unique...elegant and eery at the same time. Candles. Jack-o-Lanterns. Dark red roses. Black. A Nightmare Before Christmas cake.


• Work...work...work. Somewhat stressful waiting to see how the Governor's budget cuts may/will impact my clinical job.


• Knitting. Finished my mittens... which I love! Can't wait for snow...


• Ali McBeal on DVD. Hours and hours of laughter to go...


• Attempting to get back to my exercise routine that I let slide when I got sick. Slowly...walked a few miles several times this week. Feels good to be back.

What I want to be up to this weekend:

• A day with my sister tomorrow. Lunch and shopping. Overdue.


• Knitting circle. I haven't been going lately....need some help with checking the guage on a hat I started last weekend. Knitting with beads...a whole new thing for me.


• Vacuuming. Dusting. Cleaning up my apartment. Wierd but I like taking care of my home and I haven't been good with it lately. It makes me feel great to have a clean, organized house. Nesting comes out for me especially at this time of year.


• Cupcakes to be baked.


• Scrapping with my October Cocoa Daisy kit I haven't used yet.


• Reading before bed.


• Burning my Pumpkin candle.


• Taking a walk in unseasonably warm weather we ar due to have on Sunday.


• A quick trip to the apple orchard for some cortland apples and cider.

Happy Friday!

drawing and stuff

A charcoal & pastel drawing I did a few weeks ago from a photo I took in Cary's Maine hometown.

Just a quick post today. It was hard getting back to work after my vacation at home. Decided to skip my knitting circle tonight and just cook a good dinner and relax. After getting the oil changed in my car...a chore I have been forgetting and procrastinating about for months. Poor car. And a quick trip to Trader Joes too. Well...another work day to go tomorrow...

Happy Tuesday!

routine & treats

baby pepper and tomato plants

My routine and treats are getting me through...

Being at work today was a good focus. Distraction. Missing Cary like crazy but it is getting a little easier.

Keeping busy and positive.

Enjoying little treats.

Bought some amazing dark chocolate bars at Trader Joe's and am treating myself to a little each night ;)

Also went to my gym class tonight after work. I am enjoying getting back into my muscle conditioning glass routine. I used to go 3x week. In the last few months I started back on Wednesdays. This week I'm aiming for two classes. They really do make me feel good when I am done. Like I've accomplished something! Plus....I got my city resident beach sticker yesterday...so I'm ready for my first beach day...now for the sun to correspond with a day off! So I need to get my *$$ in gear and get moving at the gym!

Happy Tuesday!

today

Today I:

• am a little lonely...no one is available to scrap tonight.
• visited my family and Dad gave me a pepper plant and a tomato plant.
• ran out of dirt to plant my new plants :(
• sat outside to read on my balcony...One for the Money by J. Evanovich.
• slept in.
• walked the boulevard.
• am missing Cary.
• am enjoying my Peonies from Trader Joe's.
• am looking forward to my LYS's knitting circle tomorrow.
• borrowed Season 1 of Breaking Bad from my brother.
• organized my clothes.

Feeling a little bored and lonely today. Restless. Had a nice visit with my family. Talked for awhile with my dad and watched tv with my mom for a bit. Chatted with my brother and sister. The apartment feels very empty today. Cary's back tomorrow but then leaving again later this week. How am I going to go 2 months? I have to get it together! How do women make it through a year + deployment? I know it will get easier. I am someone who has so many hobbies and interests that I love spending time alone. I have always loved it. But today it is feeling very alone...

a day for just me

Fisherman at the Wheel - Gloucester, MA

Before I share about my day I have to share something pretty cool. My hometown...or I should say a landmark in my hometown... will be featured on the Massachusetts version of the Quarter to be released later this year.

As for the rest of my day...

Today was for me. I took my time. Went where I wanted - when I wanted. Selfish I know. But so worth it.

I slept in. 9:00am. That's late for me! Took my tme getting ready and headed out. I frequent a coffee shop in my hometown and they have a "frequent shopper" card. After 10 coffees you get one free. Today was my free day. I splurged....with the beautiful 60' day I had my 1st official iced drink since last summer. A large Iced Mocha Latte...worth the 8000 calories that were probably in it.

Then I went to the mall...the "grown-up" mall... as my dad calls it. We have 2 malls in our area. One is the "kiddie mall" my dad says. That one has the cheaper stores, teens hanging out, not as nice all around. The "grown-up" mall on the other hand is luxury! I browsed around Sephora, H&M, Macy's, took in the wonderful scents coming out of Williams & Sonoma....

I enjoyed myself.

I used up a small giftcard my work gave me on some new, cute PJ's. I also got a basic white Spring jacket. I also got these spring-like tanks at the Gap to wear under some sweaters I have....



and these cute bracelets from Macy's. I loved the ribbon "packaging."




I browsed around C.O. Bigelow and ended up with Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint - Pink.

Lastly, I stopped at Michael's to use my 40% off coupon on some cake watercolors. I got a small Moleskin watercolor book yesterday and really want to use it for a journal. But I want some portable watercolors to bring with me to work and wherever. I have some watercolors in tubes packed up in my stuff but they are not accessible right now and in general aren't as portable. I love this little set...

After all this I went to my parent's for a visit. Had some pizza with them and a cake my mom baked. Mmmm. I love visiting them. Made plans for later this week with my sister and headed home. A nice day to escape from my mess of an apartment, get out in the beautiful weather and just relax.

Tomorrow I'll share my second pair of fingerless Fetching gloves. Messed up a little with my pattern but my changes make them still work. I have one glove done...one to go. When I finish this pair I'll make a second pair with this yarn that will actually be the length I had intended...I'll explain tomorrow ;)

Happy Saturday!

letting go

I don't know why I take on other people's "stuff" so easily. Can others relate? It has to end. Today. I need to practice "letting go" this weekend. Yesterday I felt a little down about the apartment crap. Nothing new. It just gets to me some days and I feel like it will never end. Cary also left for his Guard weekend today. So I'm a little down. And junk with people in my life that I won't get into.

Letting Go.

I have decided to have a weekend where I do what I want to do. Some treats. A dessert. Maybe a new outfit or something from Sephora. Some time knitting. Some time with my family. Some time finishing my 52Q ATC's. Some time helping my dad with a cool, life story project of his. A scrapbook of sorts he is doing about his time in the Navy. He needs some scanner help.

That is the stuff that is important. Self-care. Family. Time. I don't want to focus on the junk.

Hoping to post some pictures this weekend. We are supposed to have beautiful weather here this weekend....50's. Which compared to last Monday is amazing!

Happy Friday!

finished

I finished my first pair of fetching gloves. And I bought this yarn today to start another pair...

Maybe for me....maybe for my sister...we'll see!

I'm trying to keep myself busy and stay positive. Work was long today and this apartment is still so very discouraging. I miss scrapbooking, decorating and enjoying my surroundings when I'm at home. Knitting is giving me a distraction and an outlet.

I just realized that Spring Break is next week. Which means I have Monday and Friday off. I thought I had another week to wait. That was a nice suprise. Cary and I decided not to go to NH for a night. We just don't want to risk spending the money with our bills and the economy the way it is. So we are looking for a low-key, close-to-home option for the Friday of my break. We really need to do something fun together...

Well...off to catch up on some things and finish my laundry.

Good night!

imagine this

So picture this...

You live in an apartment. Moved in in August. Just got settled. In November you are informed there is an extermination issue. Preventative treatments will be implemented in all apartments. Prepare in 36 hours. Bag all your belongings. Vacuum. Encase your bed. Etc. All in a 1-BR apartment. You do all this and more. You comply.

Fast forward.

December/January. You start getting welts. Think it's spider bites. Boyfriend has nothing and thinks you are paranoid. You think "I have hives."

Fast Forward to 2 weeks ago.

You find a bug on you. It's your fear. The "issue" your fellow tenant had is now your issue. You freak out. Don't sleep. Get covered with some more bites. Now so does your boyfriend. You are informed they can do a treatment in 48 hours. You can't possibly do all the preparations. They do a mini treatment two days later on Wednesday.

Fast Forward to this weekend.

You prep for the big treatment. You inspect and bag EVERYTHING you own. All your scrapbooking supplies. every sheet of paper. every book. movie case. basket. tub. Everything. Everything you haven't thrown out in fear of it being a hiding place for the "issue."

You load up your boyfriends truck with all your laundry. EVERY piece of clothing, blanket, towel. Everything that you haven't thrown away in fear of it being a hiding place for the "issue."

Your apartment is now filled with trash bags of everything you own. Your balcony is full. You have thrown out at least 5 contractor size trash bags of things you own(ed). You spent 6 hours doing laundry and bagging your clean clothes. You continue to get bites and not be able to sleep. You miss 2 days of work and spend hours doing all the prep work. You want to do it RIGHT. You are a Virgo perfectionist after all.

Fast Forward to Yesterday.

Exterminator says you did much more prep than others in the building. It appears you are the 4th apartment with an "issue." Exterminator confirms that in November you indeed did not have a problem. It has spread. Others are not "complying." He is optimistic for you. Compliments you on your organization. But you may still be in the line of fire in the future if your neighbors don't cooperate. He treats every surface, peice of furniture etc. You can't take your things out of bags for at least a few more weeks it is recommended. Or you may have to bag it again if the "issue" isn't eliminated. He says he'll be back to inspect in a week and to do another "less intense" treatment on 2/18. You pray it works. He is reassuring.

Fast forward to last night.

You run into one of your neighbors and get to talking. Comes out that you both have this "issue." She was the 2nd to have the problem. She lives next door to the original issue who was infested. You find out that the apartment underneath your is the 3rd issue. The exterminator has informed you that the heating pipes run vertically and they are likely attracting the "issue." Anyhow, this woman shares how she has consulted the Dept of Health and a lawyer. You commiserate. You find out she is in fear that she is being blamed for not "complying." She shows you her apartment. You feel for her but see that SHE IS YOUR PROBLEM! She will never beat the problem. She isn't complying. AT ALL. She isn't doing anything you have had to do to prepare for treatments. This is NOT an easy problem to beat but YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING. You work two jobs. Your boyfriend works nights. But she has done nothing. What the heck?

Oh my God. This has been my life. I'm so out of sorts. I feel like screaming or crying constantly. I need normalcy. My life back. My sleep back. My beautiful living space back. My art stuff. Everything.

When will this end? I am cautiously optimistic we will beat this. We have followed the exterminator's directions almost exactly. As much as is humanly possible. But if my neighbors continue to drag their feet the problem will persist in the building. We can't even move anytime soon or I risk bringing this problem with us. Also we can't afford anything else right now. So here we are. I hate people sometimes.

We plan on calling the Dept of Health ourselves and placing a complaint. We are entitled by law to a clean, insect-rodent free place to live. We have complied - which is our responsiblity. Technically our landlord is treating the issue. However who will be responsible for forcing our neighbors to comply? It is affecting my well-being and home. Someone needs to and the state needs to figure out who/how. I'm done.

I hope to get back to taking out some of my art stuff out of ziplocs and trash bags and do something creative this weekend. I need it badly. Also to live vicariously through the pictures in Better Homes & Gardens. I miss my pretty decorations. I take great pride in my home. But for now I'm off to catch up on my blogger friend's lives...I've been so out of the loop this past week or so.

Thank you for listening. I hope I haven't alienated all my readers :)