I've moved! Find me at Wordpress...

http://www.eis4em.wordpress.com

Making a change....Hop over

I am in the process of moving my blog over to WORDPRESS...for a variety of reasons that I'll explain later. Just check here as you normally would. I'll keep you up to date on when I'm finished and ready to sweep the floors here.

For now, if you care to read my father's day post, click on this....

The ABC's of Me

A - Age: 46

B - Bed size: King-waterbed

C - Chore you hate: Washing and waxing cars

D - Dog's name: Lilly

E - Essential start your day item: Coffee

F - Favorite color: yellow orange

G - Gold or Silver: silver

H - Height: 5'8"

I - Instruments you play: My IPOD Nano (I can't play a note!)

J - Job title: Mother/domestic goddess/artist

K - Kid(s):5-David, Scott, Caroline, Andrew and Jeff

L - Living arrangements: Big, 5 bedroom house in the suburbs with a front porch and a weeping willow in the back yard.

M - Mom's name: Ann

N - Nicknames: Em, Emmy, Emmerson, Baby Cakes-(hubby's)

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: pneumonia 2X when I was a kid

P - Pet Peeve: People who talk incessantly about other people in their life whom you know nothing about, or worse, people who talk incessantly about their kids. Yawn...

Q - Quote from a movie: Carrie to Mr.Big: You can't leave New York! You're the Chrysler Building! The Chrysler Building would be all wrong in a vineyard!

R - Right or left handed: right

S - Siblings: I'm an only child

T - Time you wake up: Summer hours? Noon and I go to bed about 3am.

U- Underwear: I like those cheeky boy shorts

V - Vegetable you dislike: Okra

W - Ways you run late: Spending too much time on the computer

X - Xtra things you like: sewing, painting and reading

Y - Delicious beef stew, stuffed green peppers, chicken bruschetta

Z - Wild Cats

****
Feel free to copy and paste this and post your own version on your blog. If you like memes like I do, you'll find this one irresistable. Thanks Kim!

We all have a touch of genius...says Liz Gilbert

Just a little Monday Something

Last Friday I began the South Beach Diet. I was sitting in the waiting room of the outpatient care center where my mom was having her eye surgery. I felt fat. I looked fat. I felt out of breath. That morning, I brought my South Beach book with to read. As I read, the words just gelled with me and made so much sense. I felt empowered by the book in my hands and in the course of a moment, I decided this was the day I would begin making changes. I have two weeks before my upnorth vacation. Phase one is two weeks. The time is NOW.

I am on my 4th day of phase one and I feel very, very good! This diet, (although, I argue it should be called The South Beach Lifestyle), is amazing, because if you give up the bad carbs (white stuff-rice, potatoes, sugar, white bread and fruit) for the first two weeks, you totally lose hunger cravings and feel full most of the time. There's so much you can eat in phase one, although I miss strawberries dipped in Splenda. I can resume them in a week and a half when phase two begins. My nightly treat is a bowl of sugar free chocolate pudding made with skim milk. It's so good and really hits the spot.

I need this weight loss. Lately, I feel so heavy. Almost so heavy, it's difficult to lift myself off the sofa. My bones ache. My feet hurt. I'm shooting for fourty pounds. I am going to pray every night for the will power to carry this diet to it's completion and for success. During phase two I can eat everything except sugary stuff...and I can have bread and rice as long as it's whole wheat and brown rice and in moderation.

South Beach just makes so much sense to me. It's all about eating the right foods and giving up the crap we've been stuffing our gullets with all these years. America is getting fatter and fatter and it's because we all consume processed, bad stuff and eat too many bad carbs. SB is all about relearning how to eat healthy foods. I'm ready.
-----------------

I love the new Starbucks coffee blend. It's called Pikes Place. What makes it so good is it's much milder than other Starbucks coffees. It doesn't have that bitter, strong bite that is so characteristic of their coffee. I brew it at home and I love it. It's my little luxury on a daily basis. Try some.
----------------

Lately, money has been tight and I've been enjoying the simpler things in life and I haven't been going shopping. Surprisingly, I don't miss it. I really don't. I have turned to free things for fun, like reading and blogging and taking Lilly for walks, enjoying the very balmy weather we've been having here in Chicago. If I want a new book, I take a quick trip to the Goodwill and choose from their selection. I'm amazed at the fantastic books I find there. I usually score lots of contemporary novels and almost always take home a lucky find.

--------------
I've been thinking about some of the things I've been reading in the Sylvia Brown books. I want to believe her in the worst way. I think she's truthful, it seems like she's authentic, although on YouTube videos, she seems to have been caught making mistakes and seems complely off base. A fellow bogger wrote me privately and told me of a lady ghost she had in a house she lived in for 18 years. She actually saw her several times and the story seems just so amazing to me. I definately believe there is something beyond our life here on earth. There just has to be. Gosh, I really would love to see a ghost. Have you seen one? I'd love to hear about it.
-----------------

I have been so inspired by Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is such an incredible book. Easy, entertaining, interesting, heart wrenching, spiritual and inspiring are the adjectives I can throw out there to describe it. I can only recommend it with all my heart to you reader. The first '4 Beads' is probably the most powerful thing I've read to date. It almost moved me to tears. ''As far as the 'beads' are concerned, you'll have to read the book to find that out.

Why does this post seem like I'm a spokesperson for South Beach, Starbucks, Sylvia Brown and Elizabeth Gilbert? I don't know...I just love them all!

I have been feeling disappointed in myself for not writing the kind of quality blog posts I'd like to be posting. But, as much as I'd love to turn a crank in my brain and pop some quality content out to the internet, it just doesn't happen that way. Inspiration has to come naturally, on it's own. It's not something to be forced. One must wait patiently for the words to flow. Since I consider it a delicate balance, I wait with anticipation for my future inspiration to arrive. Comm'on universe, I need some help.

Easy breezy sunny sunday...

The cats behind the patio window looking out at me.

Little Vladdie (short for Vladimir), he's growing so big.

Sweetness, adorable and such a good personality all rolled into one cat.

Fletcher and Markee lazing away on the table.

Just some pictures of the cats basking in the sun on this lazy, beautiful Sunday.

Wednesday night ramblings...

I am so into reading these days...I have Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil going now, in addition to Icy Sparks, and now I've begun, Eat, Pray, Love. I love where books take me. I take something wonderful and inspiring from each novel I manage to devour. These books will take me to Savannah, Ga, Kentucky, Italy, Indonesia and India, respectively.

I look forward to two weeks at the lake where I can delve into these books and hopefully finish them. I will feel like I really accomplished something if I do.

-----

Today I had a bit of pampering-I decided on the cheap route and went to the local cosmotology school and had a manicure, pedicure and hair cut-all for $41. I love to have my hair combed and sectioned off and trimmed. It feels so good. Except, there's always that time while getting a shampoo that the girl always seems to miss that itchy part at the base of the back of my head. I'm lying there looking up willing her fingers to that spot with my mind. Sometimes I get bold enough to tell her "Can you get right here?" and I proceed to show quickly show her the spot.

-----

I'm contemplating getting a tattoo somewhere on me. I only want one, and although I used to think they were a negative thing to get, I now think of them as something that could be an expression of my artsy personality. I don't mind a little something fun to look at on my skin. I'm thinking of a spool of red thread with the thread going around my ankle as though it were an anklet. Hmmm...I'm not sure.

-----

There are so many times I wish to just lop off my hair and have a short style for a while. The only thing holding me back is my husband who would DIE if I did that.

-----

Lately, it's been nice to wake up refreshed in the morning. I changed my habits a bit and am now staying up a bit later and waking up a bit later. I don't feel tired like I used to. I feel refreshed. It helps that the days are so much longer now that summer's almost here. No more feeling like a Lazy Jane all day because I am pooped.

------

Lilly is coming to the lake with us this year. She and I will walk two miles a day (God willing and if my will power endures). I also plan on art journaling to my Soul Journal prompts. This is going to be a good year. This all, in additon to spending some quality family time together.

-----

I've been reading a bit of Sylvia Brown lately. I'm unsure if what she says is true. I would hope that she wouldn't be a huge bamboozler. That would be terrible. Just awful. But, if what she says is true, she gives me hope. I wonder if spirits visit their families, and watch over us. I believe in ghosts. Do you? I'd love to see one.

Rambling thoughts

My coffee this morning is particularily delicious. I love, love, love, Dulce de Leche creamer. It's theBEST.

---

Sometimes, I feel like I give too much of myself to people. I reveal too much.

----

I hate days when the inbox is stagnant. I love emails from friends. They cheer me and make my heart happy for brief moments in time. Do I need to get a life?

---

Birds are one of my favorite animals....I love to see them in my yard. Every day, I try to throw out stale bread for them. Today, I went the extra mile. I filled up the broken bird feeder and set it on the grass by the willow tree. I hope they appreciate the extra treat today. The damn seagulls are chasing away the sweet black birds. It's the black birds I really love.

---

Last night I had a dream we were moving into a lovely old house. I discovered the basement late in the dream. It was glorious with 10 finished rooms, one better than the other. The possibilities of what I could do with each of those rooms is endless...one especially for an art studio. I was so excited when I was sleeping!

----

I am getting tired of people calling me and asking me to do stuff for them. When I think about it, I don't really ask anyone for anything. This past Thursday at 8pm a person I don't hear from very much called me and asked me if I could type up their resume for them.

WHAT? NOW?

NO.

Maybe tomorrow, I said. They never called.

GOOD.

----

No good deed goes unpunished. Just when I think I've done something good for someone, they surprise me by doing something completely out of character and basically slap me in the face. It makes me think twice about doing nice things again. Maybe my perception of what nice is, is distorted. Maybe the problem is with me.

-----

I'm considering going back to school to begin a whole new chapter of my life. My husband has given me encouragement to go back and start. He's never done this before. It's like I've entered a room with the freshest of air and all of a sudden I can breathe much clearer. Silly, I know, but that's how it feels to me. I'm excited about my new beginnings.

----

I love the longer summer days. I look out, the suns still shining and then I realize it's almost 7:30pm. It's so lovely having long, lazy days to look forward to.

---

I know, in the near future, this mama bird is going to witness a birdie leave the nest. It's scary and saddens me, but yet, I know it is the course of nature. The advantage humans have is we continue on relationships with our birdies long after they are gone. I'm sure animals don't see eachother after they leave. That is very sad to me. I'm glad I'm not a bird.

----

I have an urge to lie down in the grass and feel the wind in my hair. I want to look up and see the birds and the clouds and breathe in the scent of the outdoors.

----

Tuesday nite Honesty Scrap

There are a few requirements to accepting the Honest Scrap Award and they are as follows:

1) Risa presented me with this neat award, so thank you very much Risa!! Please visit her artsy blog at: http://risasmuse.blogspot.com/

7 honest things about myself

1. I'm a bit of a hypocondriac. When I was a little girl, I used to live next door to this woman who had contracted polio when she was a kid. She had a hump on her back from it and I was always thinking I could catch it from her, not realizing I was inoculated against it and would never get it. To this day, I hear about some disease and I'm always thinking I might get it, catch it or

whatever. Oh, yes, after watching the Farrah Story, I'm already thinking this hemmoroid on my butt from birthing 5-10lb+ babies is going to turn into anal cancer...better watch that, it just might! (See, I am nuts.)

----

2. I hate fish. No matter how hard I try, I can't get myself to eat it. On the rare occasions I've tried it, I can't help feeling grossed out the entire time its in my mouth, thinking about the ugly fish that I'm eating that smells bad and it's just so disgusting be making contact with my tongue. I don't mind shrimp. Go figure...they are uglier than fish.

------

3. Fingerprints give me an uneasy feeling-especially if I see a person's fingerprints on their hands, say when they're talking....and using their hands. I get a secret shiver up my spine if I catch a glimpse of them. They're gross. I hate finger print smudges anywhere.

----

4. I have a slightly intense fantasy crush on Chris Noth, the guy who plays Mr. Big on SATC. Incidently, I tend to go weak in the knees at the sight of any tall (6'4" perfect), dark haired, blue eyed, handsome man in a suit. I secretly, think one day he will come to his senses and sweep me off my feet....lol...My husband just rolls his eyes.

----

5. I have a deep desire to grow into a wise, hip, long white-haired old lady who finally has her crap together (despite her minor hypocondria!).

----

6. I've always had this inate feeling like in another life I lived on the East Coast. My soul seems to pull towards there. My distinct thoughts are, I might have been a whaler's daughter. Just the thought of the sea , saltbox houses and harbor towns make my heart skip a beat. When I visit the east, I get such a feeling of belonging there, of familiarity. It's almost scary.

----

7. I say I'm a city girl, but in all honesty, even though I live in Chicago, I don't explore my city much at all. I actually prefer peace and quiet to the city (although, I do love NYC, and crave it on occasion), and I dream of one day having a quiet cottage on a lake with a porch, lots of books, an easel, paints, and grandchildren in the yard.

----

8. One more for good measure. I watched a show called the Science of Human Attraction, and in one part it talked about when you find someone you're attracted to, you tend to love their smell. It's something with the man's sweat glands blending with a pheramone. I agree with this. My husband has a smell that I absolutely love. I can't describe what it smells like, but it's really nice, and it's just for me. When he's not in bed, I can smell it on his pillow. No matter what happens, that smell keeps me coming back for more and just might be the glue that keeps us together. He tells me he loves the way I smell, too-especially my hair. He says I smell like his Emmy. Aw....now, isn't he sweet? And a keeper?

----


I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog which I have proudly done!

I must select at least 7 other worthy bloggers & list their links so here they are listed

Life According to Lizzie

Gypsy Mermaid Life

Aimslee's Antics

Kai's Blog...

Deb at Cucaroo

Duda Daze

Lisa Hurwitz Art

Violet in the Middle

3 New doll designs for June!

Guardian Angel Annie

Oui French Girl

Frida Kahlo

I just finished these after working on them all weekend. Here they are! They will be available on Etsy June 5th!

Update on my boob....

I took the second mammogram today and I was okay. The radiologist read it while I was waiting and he gave me the all clear. It was benign. Thank you God...I'm okay for one more year.

Clever Meme with Song Titles-Try it!

Using only song titles from one artist, cleverly answer these questions:

Pick a band/artist: Elton John



1. Are you a male or female: "Island Girl"

2. Describe yourself: "Sweet Painted Lady"

3. How do you feel about yourself: “Blessed”

4. Describe an ex boyfriend/girlfriend: “Blue Eyes"

5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: “Sacrifice”

6. Describe your current location: “I'm Still Standing”

7. Describe where you want to be: “Take Me to the Pilot”

8. Your best friend(s) is/are: "Honkey Tonk Women"

9. Your favorite color is: "Grey Seal"

10. You know that: "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"

11. What’s the weather like: “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”

12. If your life was a television show what would it be called? "The Bitch is Back"

13. What is life to you: "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

14. What is the best advice you have to give: "Mama Can't Buy You Love"

15. If you could change your name what would you change it to: “Nikita”