This is the personal blog of Jennifer Pebbles, budding graphic artist, project designer for the Crafts industry (paper) and doting dog mom to Drake (lab) and Honey (Chihuahua/Terrier).
All images, designs and information posted on this blog are Copyright of Jennifer Pebbles. The images and projects I share are for "inspiration" only and are for non-commercial/personal use only. Please do not copy these designs and claim them as your own, submit them for publication, or share them on your blog. If you like what you see here, please share my blog address with your friends!
If you are interested in procuring any of my ideas/images/designs for publication or for product development, please contact me via email.
Hello friends and blog readers!!
I have moved my blog into a new space for 2006...I needed a change.
Anyway, it's here http://paperandink.typepad.com/thegoodlife/ so if you are linked to me, please update your list to reflect my new home....
I like the change already...It feels good to have something new!
See you on the other side!!
Jennifer
I will be back to post more about this. But for now, here is a great article to read that pretty much sums up my furious experience on Sunday.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5310192
I hate Bill Leavy.
Well, I am headed off to CHA and have 4 million things left to do. One of those things is not what I am going to share with you.
I stumbled on this on a blog today, and thought it would be fun:
The challenge is to search only Google Images and see what you find for the following topics, (I tried to find the best pictures for each one-
My hometown: Kamloops, BC
and I also lived in Bremerton:
The town you live in now: Redmond, WA
My Name: Jennifer
My Grandmother's Name: Well, since I have 2 grandmothers, Cory-
and Mary:
My Favorite Food: Phad Thai
My Favorite Drink: Red Bull
My Favorite Song: My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas
And last but not least
My Favorite Smell: Caramel
I hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better, HAPPY FRIDAY! See you next week with exciting news from CHA!!
| Your Career Type: Artistic |
 Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. You would make an excellent: Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic Designer Illustrator - Musician - Sculptor The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary. |
I have only one thing to say today people:
Today is a glorious day in Seattle
SEAHAWKS RAWK!!!!!
SUPER BOWL BABY!!!!!!
WWWOOOOOOOHHHHOOOOO
I heard through the grapevine that a couple of people are running into some difficulty in purchasing their copy and/or getting the link, so I wanted to direct you to the FAQ's and INSTRUCTIONS pages on our site. Just in case you need it now, here it is:
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If you have confirmed that your payment has been received and continue to have problems accessing your download page, please contact us at sales@digitalmemoriesmagazine.com
Please include your email address, first and last name, and your PayPal transaction number.
Please only contact us if you do not receive your dowload prompt after placing your CONFIRMED order, or if you do not receive a confirmation email from Digital Memories Magazine with download instructions at least 24hrs after your purchase has been processed.
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And it looks like 2peas is also having problems with their site too, as I can't get in and post my message in response to the thread where people are looking for help.
So far, the response has been really great!!! I am working on getting the rest of the items finished, and Jim will be back on Monday to help with any tech issues that I can't resolve on my own. That's my update for now! I will check back with you guys as the day goes on.
Well, it's finally here ladies!! The new issue of Digital Memories Magazine!!! Here is the cover and the 2 kits that come with, the DMM Creative Team Kit and the Exclusive DMM Designer Kit "Beloved" by Josie Celio. You can get them at www.digitalmemoriesmag.com
And......it's my hubby's birthday today! I know I have a lot of web-buddies who like to follow along with the crazy Pebbles Family antics, if you could throw him so love on my blog today, it will make him feel all warm and fuzzy.
Ladies, I haven't spent 5 mins with the man in 2006. I know, I know...but I had to get the mag finished and the website up, and work with my developer to code everything, and then he was leaving for a trip this weekend, and I was freaking out, etc...but it's all good in the hood! It's done...now I can just wait for all the emails to bounce and all the technical difficulties to come flooding in, right....I hope not. I am crossing my fingers and hoping that this will be the best birthday present I could ever give my hubby. Things have been rough for us lately, and he needs some sweetness in his life. He even got in a fender bender today, how lame is t hat. Send him your love ladies...if not for him, then for me.
I will edit this post in the morning to add a little more DMM info when I wake up. Right now, it's another 3am bedtime in the continuing saga that is Digital Memories Magazine, and I need to get some freakin' sleep.
First thing first:
I got this email from a friend today and it totally made me think of all you that I have gotten to know in digital land, even though we may not get to see each other in person (yet) we talk everyday...so here it is:
To all my Sisters, A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the Mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. "Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them." "Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too." "You'll need other women. Women always do." What a funny piece of advice! the young woman thought. But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life. (THIS SAYS IT ALL:) BUT.........Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you. Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still. **************************************************** Big hugs! Now, for those of you who don't know, I edit a little bimonthly publication called Digital Memories Magazine, and we are getting ready to put out our new issue at the end of this week...It has been a long struggle with this one....way more content, I had some email issues, mailing list issues, couldn't get the website configured correctly, etc...but now, it is just about ready to release to the masses....so keep your eyes and ears open!! If something goes wrong, BELIEVE YOU ME...you will hear about it from me. ok, so with all that said, it's time for another survey, because Andrea retagged me: What scrapbooking lines/products/etc do you dislike? ************************************************ Well, back to work...gotta get things ready for you!!!
Haven't I just gotten married?
Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
I really like everything except super duper matchy stuff, and kits that only have 2 colors. I like lots of variety in my pages.
What is the hardest thing you've ever had to scrap?
The hardest page for me so far was {me A-Z} because I couldn't make it look right, couldn't find the right picture, etc...but it turned out ok... the other page that was hard was my {pills} page, because it talks about having PCOS and the unpleasent side effects...it robs me of my femininess (if that is even a word:)
What technique do you use more than any other?
BW Conversions
Ever been published?
I just got published for the first time in DMM!! Haha, seriously, this is the first issue in which I actually have my work included...I haven't tried submitting to paper publications (maybe once??)...but I might try for HOF if I have time...not like I would get it!!! Being published online is totally fine with me, I have stuff picked for A Muse a lot more lately than I did when I first started with them, which is very validating...I even designed class cards for them...so that counts I guess!!
What's the smallest scrap of paper you save?
oh boy...pretty small for stamping...like smaller than an inch sq sometimes:)
Ever have any scrapbooking-related injuries?
does a sore butt count? from sitting too long in front of the computer... I have had a few paper cuts, pinched my hand with the mega marvy punches, etc.... serious weight gain, etc....
Finish the sentence "If I wasn't a scrapbooker, I would spend my money
RUBBER STAMPING!!!
Give us your best storage or organizational idea.
Convert a closet into a desk/armoire...hopefully a big closet, where you can also put in a desk space...and if the doors won't shut, put curtains over it. And use a good paper organization system. My desk looks like a hurricane hit it right now, so if anyone has good desk organization ideas....
(funny, when I worked at my last job, my desk was never like this when I worked...must not have been busy enough:)lol
You just won a week-long scrapbooking cruise for 5. Who's going with you?
My Husband because he has been such a big help with all this....the other 3 would be a difficult pick....can I win a scrapbooking cruise for 50 instead? I guess I would bring Traci and Jen, and Kathy for fixing my website and being a super talented genius!!!! But we would have to squeeze a few more of you into our suitcases....
You're turn!
After you've answered the questions, tag 6 of your scrapbook buddies!
ummmmmmmmm.....Everyone who reads this, consider yourself tagged....my digital sisters!!!
Big Hugs and Sloppy Kisses!!
Oh m' gosh, I got tagged by my friends today Traci, Lauren and Shabby Miss Jen, so even though I shouldn't be on my blog at all with the 3,598,458,976 things I have to do...I will make an exception because this is the first time I have been tagged ever!!! Yippee!!
But....before I do that I just have to say.....
GO SEAHAWKS!!!!
4 Jobs I have had:
Retail Sales Associate at Pier One, Bartender, Telephone Research Survey Operator, Branch Manager of a Staffing Firm.
4 Movies I love to watch:
hmmmmm...tough one, we are big movie freaks, but I like to put distance between the times I watch some movies....but I guess I would have to say Office Space, Club Dread, Best in Show, and Step into Liquid (a FABULOUS surfing movie--everyone should see it)....oh and we watch The Blue Planet Discovery Channel DVD set all the time.
4 Places I have lived:
Kamloops, BC Canada, Chandler AZ, Pullman, WA and Redmond, WA
4 TV Shows I watch:
hmmmm...don't watch tv much anymore, but when I do it's LOST, Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal and Jimmy Kimmel Live (tooo funny)...I like ABC:)
4 Places I have been to on vacation:
Florida and the Bahammas (when I was in 8th grade), Cabo San Lucas (honeymoon), Vegas (many, many, many wild and crazy times), Whistler (my favorite place) ...oh and Sun Valley where I tried to make friends with Bruce Willis!:)
4 Web Sites I visit daily:
Traci's Blog
2Peas
Digital Memories Magazine (what? I do:)
Designer Digitals
ScrapArtist
(I also visit just about everyone I know's blogs a few times to find stuff to keep me entertained:)
4 Favorite Foods:
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
McDonald's Filet-o-Fish Sandwhiches (what? I like em:)
Chocolate anything
Phad Thai w/ steamed broccoli and lots of peanut sauce
(I just gained 15 pounds typing that list:)
4 Favorite Places I would rather be:
at home with my snuggly hubby
Shakers....oh so sad that it is gone from the world forever
The internet...so I can connect with all you lovelies!!
Whistler....I want to live there
4 Bloggers to tag:
hmmmmmmmmm.....
I am going to have to say....
MandaBean
Katie Kaapcke
Burnsy
Susan aka: Chef
That's all the steam I have left in me ladies.....this mag is going to kill me, but it will be worth it to make you all happy and inspired!! Heck, I'll sleep when I'm dead!!!
Seahawks Super Bowl 2006 BABY!!! The Dream is alive!!!
Who's gonna win the game?....We're gonna win the game!!!!
Pebbles,
out.
we're going to win the game!!!!!
GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!!!!
and I think my eyes are bleeding, but the magazine is loooookkinnggg ggooooddd....
I LOVE RED BULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you know what feels really good after spending 5 days straight sitting in front of your computer for about 14 hours a day?
A shower.
Life's all about the little things:)
I uploaded the *sneak peek* cards I did for A Muse, some of the cards I made are horrid, but the stamps are totally the cutest!!! Don't forget I will be teaching at Rubber Soul in March for the ladies that live in King and Kitsap Counties...you can go to www.rubbersoul.com for more info!!
Just a quick post to let you know what I have been up to this week...working my tush off!!! Well, not really, the tush is still there in all its enormity:)LOL I am hard at work trying to finish editing the magazine so we can get it to all you excited folks out there in digi land!! I have had some little snafu's here and there which are annoying and delay things a bit, but hopefully no one will even notice when the next issue arrives.....
On another note, after much begging and pleading my hubby finally took me on a date to see "Brokeback Mountain" and it was awesome...I love a good tortured love story, and this really fit the bill, my liberal self was loving it to pieces... (of course "The Notebook" still ranks as the #1 tear-inducer, but Heath and Jake really had me bawling.)
I feel so sad for all the people who have to live a hidden life like this, especially for all the people over the years who have feared for their life and safety. It is so sad when you aren't free to love the people you love. I just want to give them all a big hug.
I have also been working on a project for A Muse and will have some *sneek peak* cards up in my card gallery tomorrow for you all to look at...the new stamps are soooooo darn cute. That will be about the extent of the time I have online this week until things are set for the mag...if you are trying to reach me, I may be a little hard to get a hold of, but I will get back to you as soon as I can.
I do have to say a big thank you to all the readers who downloaded the free copy of the first issue, and especially those who emailed me to share their feedback, it was so overwhelming to get such great comments...made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I know that everyone who works on this magazine feels just as gooey as I do when they hear that you are enjoying it.
That's all I got for now. Peace out and have a wonderful weekend!!
I know some of you are against making resolutions for the New Year, but I have so many things that need to be done...so I kind of have to make this list every year so I can stay on track and hold myself accountable for things I don't do:
So, here they are, in no particular order:
1. STOP PROCRASTINATING!!!: Make a list of things to be done each day and for the week and work through them without getting side tracked. Let the "angel on my shoulder" be in control for a change, not the "lil' devil."
2. Excersize: I am a big fat cow...the only reason I got this way is because I am lazy and I don't like to do anything that requires discipline or hard work...I used to be hot and skinny...and I know I can lose the weight if I just make is a habit to work out everyday. Do it, don't think about it!!!
3. Stop spending money: There is no reason to spend money when you don't have any...your bills need paying, you need money for a house one day. Say no to yourself, you already have so much more than other peaople, so why keep consuming...just stop. It will be hard at first, but you can do it....
4. Be Accountable: (this goes with #1) Do what you say you are going to do, don't put it off or keep people waiting. Have some backbone! What do you deserve? If you don't work hard for it, should you have it? Work hard and do what needs to be done and punish yourself severly if it isn't.
5. Be a better wife and Dog Mom: Keep your house clean and organized, cook healthy meals, support and nuture your husband...help him to be more accountable...don't let John enable you and don't enable him. Be tough, yet loving...and schedule some romantic time so it doesn't get lost when things are tough. Take your dog to the park, it's good for both of you!!! Play with her at least once a day...she is getting fat like her lazy mom!!!
6. Be a better friend and a better family member: Call your mother, call your in-laws, call your aunts and cousins...reach out to long distance friends...don't be afraid to call people on the phone...don't turn into a hermit like your dad did...connect with people, make relationships and work at keeping them...if you are ashamed of certain things, work at fixing them, but don't hide from the world because you can...put yourself out there. Feel afraid...it's good for you!!! Change isn't easy, but it's worth it in the end.
7. Be a CEO: You want to have a successful business? Well, that means a lot of work: blood, sweat and tears...so much can be accomplished in 15hrs...what are you doing with that time?? You have 3 things to focus on in order to make your dreams a reality...they are all within your ability to do, but you have to do them in order for them to exist. Thinking and wishing and dreaming will never get you anywhere if you aren't "DOING!" Remember what annoys you most about certain people: All Talk-No Action??? Don't be that person!!!!!
8. Take Risks: The worst that someone can say is no... and no isn't a big deal. Competition is good for you, it will hold you accountable. Submit your cards for publication!!!
9. Communicate: With your team, your husband, your creditors, your family, your friends. People cannot read minds, so don't treat them like they should already know what you are thinking.
10. Grow and Learn: 2005 was a great year for you to step out of the box and learn a whole lot of new stuff....but it will grow stagnent if you don't use it...Get back to what works and keep doing it...take more pictures...use old pictures...scrap at least 3 times a week if not more, stamp at least 3 times a week if not more...Devote 2 hours everyday to adding new tools to your belt...push the envelope...lead by example...prove yourself.
The main goal for 2006 is WORK BEFORE REWARD....if I can just conquer that every day, I will find it so easy to accomplish my goals...JUST DO IT...it will be worth it this time next year...and you will have so much more to show for it. Think about being debt-free, with a savings, a viable business, a house!, travel, getting your hair done on a regular basis! Make it happen!!! Earn the things you want in life...I challenge you Jennifer....to make it happen by this time next year!!! You know it isn't hard...right now there is nothing getting in the way!!! You are the only one standing between a good life and a difficult one....your "first reaction" is not your best reaction...count to ten, ask yourself..."Will this make my life better this time next year? Will I be working on one of my resolutions by doing this?" If the answer is no, then let it go.
LOVE YOURSELF!!! If not for who you are now, then love who you are going to be.
There can only be what is...make "it" a reality by doing it...Bodies in motion, stay in motion: Bodies at rest, stay at rest....Be In Motion!!!
Hi 2006...I hope we will become great friends!
Do you have a beautiful but relativly insignificant moment in your life that seems to stick around in the back of your memory for no real reason...it pops it's head up once in a while...not for any reason other than it's small but sweet impact, a thumbprint in your collective conscience...
When I was in high school, I knew a lot of smart and talented people...and a lot of dipshits...I left my high school the middle of my senior year because I became disinterested in all the cliques and hipocracy that we all put on each other...I am a sensitive person, and it just became an atmosphere that I didn't want to be in anymore, so I left, went and joined my friends across town for the remainder of my high school experience.
Right before I left my high school, I don't really remember when or why, but this one afternoon I have always remembered...there were a few people lingering around after hours in the gym setting up for a concert that night, and one of the people helping out was an "aquanitance" that I sort of knew through friends...one of those people who knows your friends and you may hang out at the same parties or dances together, but you don't really know them as a person or whatever...
Well anyway, this guy Ben was setting up and moving pianos and stuff, and we were chatting randomly about god knows what...and somehow, he was sitting in front of the piano and he was playing around or whatever, but then, I ended up sitting next to him on this piano bench and he said he'd play me a song...He then began playing "Imagine" by John Lennon, not only playing, but singing...he sat next to me and sang and played the most beautiful song I have ever heard...his voice was beautiful and I was so shocked and amazed that this one person, who I barely knew was at that moment, to me the most talented and interesting person that existed in my little world...I remember feeling a little sad that here I was leaving my school while there was a least one person that was worth getting to know...
It was a beautiful song, and he had such an amazing voice. It has always been a great memory...a brush with something so simple and so rare...
Over the years, I have remembered this song and that guy, only I couldn't really remember his name..."Ben-Something"...it escaped me and I never really thought too much about it, other than just occasionally..."I wonder what ever happened to him? He was so great!"
Well....fast forward to today. I am sitting in my office, John comes home from work and takes a shower, and then he's chatting with me about random stuff from his day and he says..."Hey, I found out today that the brother of one of the guys from my frat is in "Death Cab for Cutie..."
and I say, "Who is Death Cab for Cutie?" (because I guess I have been living under a rock for the past couple of years or so)...and he says, "You know, Ben Gibbard's band...they are huge."
And I say..."BEN GIBBARD!!! That's his name!!!...He's in a huge band!! Wow, that's so awesome!!"
and then I get on my trusty computer and start looking for more info and I find a picture:
That's him!! That's Ben!!...and a warm happy feeling just fell over me...
I am so excited for him! I think this is the coolest thing I have heard in a long time...Whatever success he has in his life, at least as far as music is concerned, he deserves it, because in my unimportant opinion, he is the most beautiful singer I have ever heard.
(warm fuzzies)
I am now such a groupie and such a fan!! Here is where you can listen to him sing...
This is what my dog looks like 9 times out of 10 when my husband holds her...he plays with her feet and she growls and gets all ferocious...which is hysterical...It was a total photo op and I had to post it! Doesn't she look like she's actually talking?? HAHAHAHA!!! Mommy loves you Honey!!!
Well, first I have to tell you all how much it means to get your comments. I feel a lot better now than I did a few days ago. Just a quick disclaimer on my little weekend drama, **totally unrelated to digital anything!** A friend told me something I should have heard about a long time ago, one of those things where it seems like everyone else knows but you, and you are the topic...I am glad she told me, it made me realize once again just how totally effed up some people can be. I used to be one of those people who generally believed that everyone has the best intentions, but 2005 has shown me that not to be the case. People can be mean, just for the sake of being mean, and enjoy it. While it may not be something I understand, it doesn't make it any less of a reality. So just in case you didn't already know, MEAN PEOPLE SUCK and what goes around, comes around.
So yesterday I got the WinkFlash Christmas Cards in the mail, 
and I have to tell you, we ordered the spendy ones and they were worth every penny we paid for them. They turned out great! So all day yesterday I worked on getting together my Holiday Newsletter to put in the cards and mail them out...as I started writing the newsletter, I realized looking back on the year, that it wasn't such a great year. Aside from the magazine and learning and loving Digital Scrapbooking...things have been pretty blah. So how do you try to make that exciting for people to read about? Well my friends, you write your crap ass year into a poem Somehow, it makes it a better read. I of course included these pages into the letter as well as to highlight the year in an honest way...because really, I don't have a life away from my computer. At least most of you have kids that need your attention. I just have a messy house and a laid back husband. Even my dog doesn't care if I ever leave this room except to feed her.
I am getting a little excited for the holiday weekend. My parents are coming over here for the first time ever in the history of Chirstmas! Well, they are coming over on the 23rd and we are going to go to mass at St. James Cathedral on the 24th, then catch the ferry over to Bremerton, hang out and open gifts for the rest of Christmas Eve, wake up early squirrely Christmas morning, drive to the In-laws house for breakfast, open gifts with them, hang out (take a nap) and then have Christmas dinner with the Pebbles family. I think we will come home on the 26th so I will have at least a week each to finish up the magazine and website stuff for the 2nd Issue (which will be on sale on JAN 7th **hopefully if all goes according to plan**).
We are not, however, planning a big celebration for New Years Eve. Face it, no one wants to kiss us but each other (that's what happens when you turn into an old married couple), so why pretend we are sexy and full of energy at some rager party full of pretty people? I think a night at home with Honey and some mint chocolate chip ice cream and a good movie sounds much, much, more fun! Maybe we will watch the Lord of the Rings Trilogy!!!.....
SIDENOTE: **(For those of you who don't know, I am a huge huge huge LOTR nerd fan! Ok, maybe not huge, huge, huge, since I didn't get in costume for the movie...but I was a pre-fan before the movies came out, and we did see the last one on opening night at midnight right after watching the first 2 on dvd...oh and that was also when John proposed to me...so since the first thing we did after getting engaged was go see Return of the King...and we did dress up like Arwen and Sam for Halloween one year....(I gotta find those pictures!!!!!!!!!!)....huge, huge nerd fan may be a little more accurate.)**
.....all I know is that I am not in any mood to "go out" for New Years. So that is that.
Jenn Olson said I should spend time being happy for the little things this week...so I am going to do something I never do and then be happy I did it...I am going to clean my house.
I will give you a moment to let that sink in.
Yes, I vow to clean and enjoy the cleaning process. Who cares if cleaning feels like someone is slowly stabbing me to death with a butter knife...it's all about the little things, and I know this one little thing will really make my neglected husband happy. And I will enjoy that happiness as well.
So that's what I am off to do. If you don't hear from me, it's because the piles of files and stacks of boxes have finally come to life and smothered me.:)
I am not going to sulk for attention, or talk about my drama too specifically in this very public forum...but ladies, let me tell you what...I am not in a good mood at all. I found out some stuff this weekend that was really hard to swallow, and since this has been a rough year for me as far as friendships go, it makes it difficult to acurately understand peoples intentions in this newest situation and so I am just trying to figure some things out.
Maybe I am ultra-sensitive? Who knows. All I know is that I am tired of feeling crapped on. I sure hope 2006 is better. That's my vent, I have got to get it out...one day I will probably sit back and laugh at all this and wonder why I was so upset in the first place...but I think for now I am ok with being upset.
I am such a bad blogger...here it's been an entire week without any posts from me...and I complain that others don't update theirs...tsk tsk.
Well, let's see what's new...looks like the time is FLYING past me...can't even begin to deal with the fact that Christmas is only 7 short days away, and we haven't even made a dent in our to do list...I still have oodles of magazine editing to finish and website mock-ups to complete...all trying to squeeze in before the end of the month...and then try to celebrate with family, along with maybe a few minutes to myself...gggaaarllggghhhh...
Some exciting news for me...I made the design team over at Jen Wilson Designs! I wasn't sure if I should apply...since I am a tad bit busy, and worried about the magazine and being unbiased, etc...but I realized there comes a point between being in this industry as a business person, and as a hobbiest...the business side is dominant right now, and I really needed something for "me"...so that is what being on this team is like for me...I am totally so honored I was chosen, I am sure the competition was outstanding...and I can't wait to play with her goodies!! Here are the pages I submitted for the call...
I am into sparkly bling on my layouts lately... I think it's fun! I wish I could make the sparkle look more realistic...but I think there are some limitations to digital..LOL!
Tomorrow is the 3rd annual Holiday Slumber Party, I am really excited to blow off some steam with the girls and see what kind of fun gifts we get to fight over! My number one goal tomorrow is not to forget the camera...something I have managed to do pretty much everytime I leave the house for an event.
I am hopefully going to get the DMM sneak peek and new cover up on the website this week before Christmas...keep your fingers crossed...It depends highly on my own computer skills and hours in the day. Thankfully John is a big help...he put up all the Christmas decorations in the house, and says he might even finish the Chirstmas shopping....he is the best husband in the entire universe.
I ordered my Holiday cards from Winkflash the other day...talk about cutting it last minute...they shipped out today from Rhode Island...hope they get here on Monday or Tuesday so folks have some chance of getting a card before Christmas is over:) Here is what they look like (since few people read this blog anyway, I won't worry about spoiling the suprise:) We splurged and got the 5x7 greeting card option...only because it was going to cost about the same to buy cards or make them at home. Now I just have to finish the holiday letter to update the family members on the mysterious lives of Mr. and Mrs. Pebbles.
For those of you who rubber stamp and live in Kitsap County or East King County, looks like I will be on the teaching schedule for Rubber Soul in March...so make sure you sign up for my class (I will post the times and info on my blog as soon as it's set in stone).
I think that's all I have to update you on this week...probably won't hear much from me until the magazine is all finished and ready to post...I have a meeting with Jim this week to figure out our timeline...either the mag will be up in the first week of January or the second...depends on what web updates we can implement and how long it will take...if we can make accomplish our goals to coincide with the next issue, then we will move ahead with it...otherwise, they will come out in stages and the magazine will be out earlier. I will let you know either way:)
6 days till Christmas folks! Hope this holiday season has been joyus for all!
So, I woke up this morning to my husband telling me that we scored some cookie treats. We have a neighbor who is about 1000 yrs old and in the summer and fall we see her in her yard either cutting the grass by herself with her little electric lawn mower, or raking her leaves. Well, if you know my husband, he likes to try to be of service to all the single ladies (lol)...and so when he is cutting our grass or raking our leaves, he will go and do the same for her...not for any reward, just because his mamma raised him proper!
So we got some home-made buttery melt in your mouth grandma cookies and a fruitcake from her because she told John that he is the only one in our neighborhood who does that for her. mmmmmmmm....christmas.
Some of you might wonder why I decided to put a horoscope column in Digital Memories Magazine...well, let me tell you why. I love horoscopes. I always have. I especially love StarScroll that you get in a little roll for $1.99 at the grocery store...I swear on the heavens that the people who write that scope are all knowing psychics. My horoscope last month told me that I would be breaking out in the Internet or Publishing industry....weird. This month is even weirder...I feel like they wrote this just for me. The point? I don't have one. Suprise!
I have been a little distracted this week. I haven't been feeling really well, my head feels fuzzy and I am having a hard time concentrating. I don't know if it's the bird flu or what. I am planning on spending a little more time away from the internet and see if that helps...like, for instance, I pulled out a typewriter the other day to work on stuff for the magazine. I just get so off task with surfing the world wide web...for example I found this yesterday...(don't ask me how I got to it????) www.milliondollarhomepage.com I wish I had thought of that. A million dollars would come in handy right about now. Hell, a million pennies would work too....I am not greedy.
We watched the Dukes of Hazard last night. I was pleasently suprised to see the boys of Broken Lizard acting and directing in this fabulous remake of the classic TV show. Broken Lizard, for those of you with taste might be unaware, are the genuis minds behind Super Troopers and Club Dread. We own both of these movies, and watch them frequently. If you haven't seen them, and can handle the blatent drug references and adult crass humor, I recommend them. ***WARNING*** these films are not for children. They are also not for most civilized ladies. My husband and I are movie fanatics...you would never want to play "Scene it" with us, because we would wipe the floor with you...my next gig, if DMM goes down the poop chute, will be as a movie critic. I will recommend all the movies you know you secretly want to see, but might be too embarassed to ask people about. Like, I just watched "Secretary" this past weekend, and LOVED IT!!! I thought it was such a great story...sure it's weird, and full of S&M...but that's what made it unique. I liked the non-typical gritty love story...and James Spader and Maggie Gyllanthal have such great chemistry. I am equally excited to go see "Brokeback Mountain." Now there is a unique plot if I have ever seen one. I think it comes out today, so I might have to do that tonight...just need to convince the hubby that a montana cowboy movie about 2 dudes falling in love will be worth his time. I will probably cry
like a little baby at it, because I am a pretty emotional gal. Like, I cried watching the Polar Express...when all the elves were marching into the square...I just got choked up. Don't ask.
Oh, I can't believe I haven't posted this picture for you all to laugh at! This is my hubby on Thanksgiving wearing my velour hoodie set. He thinks he is funny... I try not to encourage him. Instead I take pictures of his embarrassing behavior and post them on the internet.
This weekend I am going to do a little Christmas shopping, put up the Christmas Decorations and finish our Christmas Cards so I can get them in the mail...yes, that's right...haven't done those yet...I really want the full photo CARD that you open up, but at $1 a pop...I think they are a little outside my budget for cards...considering we have so many folks on our card list. So I have to come up with a more affordable option.
John says we should email our cards this year, which would be in keeping with the true Digital side of this venture called Digital Scrapbooking...but even I can't do emailed Christmas Cards.
At least not yet:)
Well, that's all the useless info I have available to share with you today. Have a fun weekend.
Guess where I rank in my political thought?
Close to Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and the Dali Lama... That's right, the Dali Lama...the flowing robes, the grace.
I just took the test on www.politicalcompass.org and it was really interesting... John is taking it again because apparently his score left him in political no mans land...completely disinfranchised....so we'll see where he ends up, he said he thinks it's because he didn't STRONGLY agree or disagree on any of the questions, which he feels he should have done...so mulligan for him.
I think this now gives me leverage for any political debate ever...."How can you argue with me? I am like Ghandi?"
:)
EMERGENCY!!! I have been reading some alarming posts in digi-scrap land as of lately, and I am very very worried...some of you (who will remain nameless because of your popularity and influence on others) have suggested the horrible act of stopping thier blogs.
This is serious people, we cannot let such a horrible catastrophe like this occur!! Did you know that for some people, reading about the lives of their internet friends is the closest thing they have to a life? Can you imagine what would happen if all of a sudden they didn't know about you and what you do on a regular basis? I can only imagine the frightening consequences.
Maybe something is wrong. It is winter, and lots of people have been known to get SAD or Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder...or maybe it's the stress of the holidays or being on too many design teams. Maybe it's the lack of inspiration that seems to be plauging so many of us...maybe it's eye strain....who knows? But I promise to do my small part in keeping you all online and creating...I have my own selfish reasons, but aside from that, I see you all as a light of inspiration to others and will not allow you to extinguish your brightly burning flame.
Besides, it's not like we all have super exciting lives to talk about...it's the humor in the routine that I enjoy...open up, share your true feelings with us...feel our hugs and hear our laughter through the computer monitor! Talk about your disdain for squirrels or your love of dryer fuzz...we care!
I hope that my words have helped you to see how valued and loved you are.
Merry Chrismahanukwanzakah to you and yours!
j-peb
I am procrastinating again...(remind me to add this to my list of don'ts for 2006)...I decided to read back to the beginning of my blog today to see what kind of stuff I wrote about, and I think it's kind of funny. I especially like my long story about the garage sale my husband and I were planning to have...
We still haven't had it, and I think...yep, it's December.
Keee-ryst. What a bunch of re-tahds. 
So last night I went to my friends Lori and Cory's house...here is a picture of them that I took a while back...(turns out, I have plenty of pictures to scrap after all!) They had a little wine and cheese event for my friend Tanya's 27th Birthday. It was fun to see my buddies, I haven't really had the chance to hang out much lately since I have been soul sucked by the internet. In 2 weeks we will have our annual Holiday Slumber Party, which I am really excited for. Boy oh boy, I will have some fun stuff to blog about after that. We get down right crazy. This year we are having an "Ugliest Christmas Sweater/Sweatshirt" contest...I can't wait to hit the local Value Village for that!!! Those pictures will be fantastic!
John, my lovely husband is on the annual Pebbles Man Family Duck Hunting trip this weekend. For those of you who read my blog, or know me in real life are aware that I am a huge blue state liberal, animal rights person...which my husband is not. He should be, most of his opinions about animals and the enviornment and general compassion and do good behavior reeks liberal...but alas, his conservative republican family has brainwashed him to a capacity I have as of yet been unable to undo...so he goes shooting once a year...but happily, I don't think he ever tries to actually kill anything. My parents are coming over to visit me today...and I am debating whether I should get up and try and clean up the house before they get here. I mean, they are my parents...they should know how totally undomesticated I am...so why try to pull the wool over their eyes??
Well, because if I don't, my mother will go on, and on, and on, and on, and on.......
sigh
I am trying to think of some other stuff to share with my readers about me and my life so you can get to know me a little better....but I can't think of anything good. The biggest thing in my life right now is making DMM look to you like what it looks to me in my head...I have a huge vision of what, when, why and how...now I just need to do the hard labor to get it done. And fight my self-diagnosed ADD and procrastination issues. And my financial limitations. And my always freezing hands and feet...I am also curious to know what everyone has on their christmas lists this year...I try not to shop because I have a spending problem, so I don't know what kind of goodies are out there for me to indulge in...I love books, art, clothes (but I am a chubette, so they need to be big), shoes and PURSES!!!! Send me some links people!!
Are you still reading this??
All the snow has melted away...no deep freeze yet. I think I might suprise my friend Carrie and get her a little Sweetie that has a parachute...but don't tell her. What other random thoughts are floating around in my brain...oh, our ants are back...I live in an ant farm...they co-habitate with us about twice a year, and I hate the little bastards...time to call the exterminator...can we spend any more money this month on dumb shit??? I have to get my green card renewed, and last time I checked it was $100...now it's frickin' $260 big smackeroos!!! WTF??? If you want to donate money to help keep my in the country, I have set up a tip jar for you to add to----->
I am not ashamed to ask for hand outs. I have been living here for 15 years, even married myself a yankee...I want to become a citizen, but that costs $400....and then I could vote, and some of you might not think that's a good idea:) But with Christmas, and winter no work season and other whiny self-pitying problems, I can't afford that either.
Maybe I will just move back to Canada, eh? Eat my Ketchup flavored potato chips and have a pocket full of "Toonies"...it would be fun!
Until next time....quack quack from your favorite American Hoser!
I just wanted to make a little pre-post (can't finish 'cause I am too tired...:) the point of which is to tell all my blog friends to UPDATE THEIR BLOGS!!! I have no life people, and if I can't read about your lives...well, then I have nothing to do but work...
I read a great book this morning...(yes, I speed read)...called "All he ever wanted" by Anita Shreve...such a page turner!! I couldn't put it down...(hence, why I read the whole thing this morning)...it's one of those books that kind of reminds you of a car accident...you know you shouldn't stare at it, but it's so tragic, it compels you...I suggest you put it on your Christmas List.
Okay...nighty night kiddies!!
sorry, but I just found this and everyone needs to add it to their favorites because it's the funniest thing I have ever read...Scott Adams' Blog
This just came over my email, and had to share...I was just boohooing at the JCrew catalog this past weekend...looks like they are my friend again...
After weeks of demonstrations, letters, and phone calls, J. Crew announced on November 30 that it would never sell fur again. We could not have achieved this major victory without your support. Thank you.
Most fur sold in the United States comes from China, where PETA undercover investigators found fur farmers routinely committing appalling acts of cruelty to dogs, cats, and other animals. You have helped us achieve a huge victory for animals throughout the world.
We now return to our regularly scheduled weather report...
It's frickin freezing Mr. Bigglesworth!
John just walked in the door with snow all over him, so of course I had to see what was going on...
Them there's some big flakes...yahoodoodlydoo!
I love snow, and we don't see it much in Seattle...this will probably melt by tonight....unless this is the deep freeze I have been predicting, then it could be here for a while...and so if you don't here from me, it's most likely because somebody slammed into a telephone/power pole and knocked me off the grid...this always happens around here because no one has snow tires, and Seattle only has like 2 snow plows and sand trucks...things pretty much come to a screeching halt.
Keep reading because I interrepted my earlier post to bring you this breaking weather bulliten:)
OMG OMG OMG OMG....stop everything you are doing and go to Andie's Blog right now!!!!
I love her and we are going to be the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer together with Lauren (because she digs this stuff too!!!)
it's really pathetic, but the reason why I haven't posted in a few day
s is because I love looking at my new sweetie...my internet home page is my blog, so I get to see her big head staring at me multiple times a day and I just didn't want that to go away...which means I need to update my blog banner or....just repost the photo!!!! ----------------------->
I know, I'm retarded.
So I have some big news...my aunt flo came to visit me yesterday! Ok, before you think I am a freakin' idiot for posting this on my blog, let me remind you that I have PCOS and the last time my dear aunt flo made an appearance was on January 8, 2005......nearly a year ago!!!! So this is big exciting news for me and I felt like sharing, okay? I mean, I am a woman...it's kind of like going through puberty again! Now I finally understand why I have been a raging female dog for the past couple of weeks...ask my husband, I have been snappier than a terrier!
Thank you for all the compliments on my sweetie...Mindy did a great job! I will make sure to send her on little adventures as often as possible...since the real me is stuck in front of my computer all day without a real life to speak of, I figure lil' jen should get to do all the things I feel like doing...Like wearing cute clothes...which is something my fat self doesn't remember how to do! I think one of the reasons I like lil' jen so much is because her head is bigger than her body, and heck, the only time you really see that is on MK Olson and Nicole Ritchie and crew...never on moi!!
Hmmmmmm...so what else is new.........workin' on the mag, hangin' at home, being poor.....that's about it. It was Mom's Birthday yesterday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! I should make her something and post it....but I can't right now because I have a special friend coming over to visit me tonight...a web developer (genius) to help spiff up the Digital Memories Magazine website and make it uber-exciting and fun for all you digi-scrappers to enjoy...he is my new best friend because when I asked him for help, he said "yes"!!! We are going to do some basic stuff for now because we really don't want you to have to suffer through downloads and password files and all that nonsense like last time....so we've got that going for us, which is nice.
Speaking of movie quotes, watched "Christmas Vacation" last night....it just isn't the Christmas Season until you see Eddie dumping his chemical toilet into the sewer.
Well, that's all for now folks....I think I will leave you a question to ponder while I am away (scraprascal style:) : "Where in the world would you go if you had a complimentary ticket to anywhere?"
Oh...and if someone could tape lost for me tonight...that would be really great...I may miss some of it due to my meeting....and Kate and Sawyer drama is my reason for living.
Pebbles.
Out.
I was right!! I do feel better now that I am a little sweetie!! Here she is, making her grand debut for all to see!!! I am so excited to have her...thanks to Mindy Terasawa from thedigichick.com!!
Little Jen is sporting the latest fashion with a MandaBean print T shirt and some chunky accessories...She comes fully dressed in her standard attire...black sweater, jeans and pointy toe boots. Today she is out on the town, checking out the sites and getting ready to do some Christmas shopping and celebrating the season with her girls at the annual Holiday Party.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I am back home getting ready to work on my to do list today, getting ready for Monday...Seattle is getting chilly...I think that a deep freeze is coming. Good thing the Explorer has some meaty tires.
Not much else to chat about today. I am so psyched for all the behind the scenes stuff going down with the magazine...I know you guys are going to be happy...2006 is going to be an awesome year for DMM and Digital Scrapbooking as a whole! Don't forget, we have a call out for submissions right now at our website www.digitalmemoriesmag.com so get on over there and start working on your deluxe creations for us to feature...don't be bummed that they need to be originals...I promise it will make it all the more exciting when you see it debuted in the magazine...
So, I guess that's it ladies...only a few more weeks until Jolly St. Nick drops down the chute with his bag full of goodies and cheer!! I can't wait!!
Sorry for swearing, but I can't help it!!! How cool is this....
Looks like Christmas is coming early this year!!!!! SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!
I thought I would write a quick little note to say a public Thank You to all the subscribers and contributors, sponsors and friends who have made the launch of Digital Memories Magazine so successful. I really have so much to be thankful for this year...I really need to thank a lot of people...Linda...if it wasn't for A Muse, I don't know where my creative vibes might have ended up...thank you for all your generosity and encouragement..(so glad you and I can also talk digi!!)...To Rhonna Farrer for making the 2peas 
Digital Board a mecca for all of us lost souls, and for pointing me in the right direction when I came stumbling in this past May...Thank you to Jenn Olson and Traci Murphy, two of my first friends on the peas board (and still going strong!!)...To Susan and Manda for letting me create with their beautiful designs and for sharing and supporting me and the magazine...to my ENTIRE DMM Team, thank you for being such an inspiration to me and our readers and for being so generous with your time and energy and friendship...to Jen Strange, for putting up with me and my unreliable communication methods and for her talent and giving heart...to Kristie David for promoting DMM and for being such a giving and talented designer...and of course to Holly and the DigiChicks, Katie and Designer Digitals, Nancie and Michelle and ScrapArtist...thank you for making such beautiful tools for my creative expression...Thank you to Lauren for making me laugh and for telling ghost stories with me...Thank you to my girls who support and encourage me even though they don't have the foggiest idea what I am talking about half the time...Thanks to Autumn for being my constant...(I really did miss you when you were on your honeymoon!)...and of course, thank you to my husband for not divorcing me...(yet)...even though it is obvious I am having an affair with PSE. Tomorrow, when I am eating my turkey, I will be thinking of all of you with warm fuzzies in my heart. I am truly blessed.
By golly I think it worked...and now that I managed to finish this, I can return to productivity.
Here is the layout I was working on of me and Traci...
I used the duo tone conversion thingy too with a soft pink overlay...
Alrighty then....nighty night my scrappin friends...pleasent dreams and warm wishes
Jen
Have you ever had one of those days? When you start to think that it's a good thing you are at home alone because if another person was around and could see you turning into a homocidal mainiac it might not be a good thing? Today I have had it with computer software...I am trying to work on assignments for the DMM team, updating the site, making invitations for our 4th annual Girls Holiday Party, and I can't get my PSE 4 to work.
Before I go on, I have a disclaimer...I love PSE 4...I gave it a good review in the mag, and I tell everyone to get it...I really really really love it...but my version is broken!!!! I can't express in sane english how angry I was today at it and how I wished it was alive so I could torture it the way it has tortured me...anything I tried to do would take 30 mins...pick a new tool...30 mins....change a color...30 mins....184628408 hrs later....STILL NOT WORKING!!!! So I finally broke down and removed it from my computer (for the second time) and am downloading the trial version as we speak to test to make sure it's just my version of the program, and not something else like my computer or (gasp) PSE 4.0 itself. {sigh} so irritating....
Aside from that things are good...I have all sorts of new ideas for the magazine and the website that are going to knock your collective socks off, so get ready for that annoucement in the coming weeks. I spent the weekend with the girls from A Muse...so much fun!!!! I met so many new wonderful friends and co-creatives!!! I even met a fellow digi-scrapper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Imagine my glee when she brings the Designing with Digital book for me to look at and lo and behold...she's in the dang thing!!! Traci Turchin, go on with your bad self!!! So fun....we learned so much. For those of you who stamp, you all must know Julie Ebersole and Lisa Johnson???? Two of the coolest stampers I have had the pleasure to meet....Julie is really a stamp goddess....and she is so cute and bubbly and full of personality!!! Lisa could be sisters with my friend Kathryn...love her!!! Every single one of the girls I met this weekend are talented and inspiring and I hope we all stay in touch.
I will post some pics later, for now the download is ready for me to install, so I gotta go see if it works...I will be back, you can bet your life on it...either cussing at the top of my lungs or singing happy happy joy joy!
Ciao...
PS...go lauren...it's bout time you got a blog for me to read!!!!
I need to stop feeling sorry for myself, and I think I know just what to do....
I need to get me one of those little sweeties from Mindy.
That would make me feel better.
I have been feeling pretty down in the dumps for the last few days, I don't know why exactly. Well, there could be a lot of different reasons why...maybe it's because I am cooped up inside my house all the time and rarely get to interact with other people except online. Maybe it's because I feel limited to the advancements I can make with the magazine because I am not superwoman-can-do-it-all. Maybe it's because I feel out of touch with some of my friends these days, both IRL and here. I want to scrap, but I don't have any pictures (see part above about having no life) to use...I think I have used them all. I have been stamping, and I love how my cards turned out, but I am bummed because I can't sh
