A Metaphorical Smack to the Head

I have very little updates on the past almost - good golly - three months in terms of crafts.  My mojo left me and is still struggling to find it's way back. Although, I am happy to report there have been glimpses here and there sort of like a magical creature flitting near your eye or a pesky garden gnome.  So...luckily I do have some card making to report.  However - before I get onto the crafty goodness - I must relay my latest obsession - none other than the talented crew from NCIS on CBS.  Just look at the loveliness...

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My father got me hooked on the show and all it's crazy, quirky goodness.  I would give a list of all the characters I love - but it would be ridiculously long.  The only one that drives me crazy is Director Vance so there you go - the short list.  Sadly - two characters are no longer on the show due to two separate, tragic shootings.  Watch the show to find out!  On a happier note - Mark Harmon has the greatest smile in the world which almost makes me forgive him for being a starting quarterback for the UCLA Bruins.  I'm a USC Trojan for life and frankly just writing those blasted words (UCLA Bruins) makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit.  Remember the smile...remember the smile.  I digress...I also love that nut Tony.  Many minutes were spent with my dad asking what in the world is wrong with that guy.  My dad would like to give him a good kicking in the gentles if you know what I mean.  Good times.  I love the show so much I've started watching it's Los Angeles spin-off.  Let's face it - LL is not to bad to look at and it's really a good time - although not as good as the original - at least not yet.  

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On a crafty note - I actually participated in a challenge today in honor of what used to be Humpday Challenge day on this little blog.  The sketch comes from Taylored Expressions and can be found here.  This is my humble interpretation of the sketchy goodness including the most hysterical sentiment in the world.  Let me just warn you that the lighting absolutely blows in these pictures - wish I took better photos - must work on that.

Here's hoping everyone had a rocking Wednesday!  Believe it or not I have a few more cards to present later in the week so look for those.  I hope the rest of the week treats you well.  I for one need to get my butt in gear and whip my bedroom into shape or I need to find Gibbs to give me a good smack on the back of the head.  Here's hoping I get my butt in gear because frankly if Gibbs shows up it means I'm hallucinating and I'm in far more trouble than I've ever realized. :)  Until then...

It's Been a Long Time. I Shouldn't Have Left You...

...Without a dope beat to step to...just kidding.  It has been a very long time and once again it is summer vacation for yours truly.  I'm still putting in a few hours at work - but thought this might be a good time to recommit to this blog - I do truly love doing it.  So I'm easing back in with a (drumroll please) Reading Pledge inspired by the great (and newly found) Caiti Santa Maria.  She did this great post on reading pledges and libraries circa 1986 (for me) and it really resonated with me.  I for one was in love with the Book Mobile.  I loved the weekly visits to this mobile library near a park very close to my house - although then it seemed miles away.  I guess it's like those silly stories your parents tell about walking up hill for miles with no shoes both ways to get to school - but I digress.  So I've made a list - and I've checked it far more than twice and have come up with a pledge number - TEN.

TEN!  I know that seems like a lot but I'm the only person I have to answer to and this is a fun exercise not hard work.  I've read that many books in a summer before - so at least I know it's achievable. A friend reminded me I was making it harder than it needed to be when I started debating about the length of books and how I would get them done - so I made a command decision and cut one of the longer books from my list.  The good news...I already have two of the ten under my belt and I feel like I'm making okay progress.  My deadline is Labor Day Weekend which is actually after school starts but really who the eff cares?  If anyone comes knocking down the door because I finished after school started...frankly they're getting kicked in the junk...so there!  So - here it goes - my list.  Thank you Caiti for the inspiration.

1. A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (completed)
2. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (completed)
3. Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova (in process of reading now)
4. Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
5. The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch
6.  Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
7. Semi-Sweet: A Novel of Love and Cupcakes by Roisin Meaney
8. The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted: And Other Small Acts of Liberation by Elizabeth Berg
9. This is Where we Live by Janelle Brown
10. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

So quick run down...there are no rules.  I have chosen books already living in my home or my nook.  This list might change at any time.  I've removed The Passage by Justin Cronin because it's so long and I just don't know if it'll interfere with my numbers - not that there aren't other books that are long as well - just saying.  There is one Pulitzer Prize winner on the list which is really enough in my opinion and some pretty fun reads as well.  There was one other I wanted to put on the list so it might be an alternate if any book gives me lots of trouble.  More on that if the time comes.  So that's it...I'll have some updates on what's been going on with me later in the week and will have cards to share (which is a minor miracle - more on that later).  I recently signed up for The Mother Load by Lain Ehmann on BPC - so I should have some updates coming from that as well.  I hope everyone has had a nice couple of months.  I for one have been spending the time with my father (the magic I needed from my previous post) and cleaning house.  It feels very good.  I hope everyone has had a lovely Tuesday.  Until then...