Otherwise known as, nifty things designers like me like :)To be fair, Nick and I have already celebrated christmas and I love everything. But, if ever you wonder "what does a designer find nifty?" now you'll know what at least one of us finds very fun. Will I ever get these things? Most likely no, but that is why it is a wish list.1. "Control z" pillows. The one thing on this list I actually do have. Fun story, I had them custom made on etsy from

By popular demand, I give you Grandpa Mudroch's kolache recipe

made my mudroch grandparents kolache today. it was the first time i made them and i learned the recipe has a few kinks...like the size of them being technically smaller than what the recipe says. but, they do taste good :) i just have some that are large enough for godzilla himse

so i'll post this morning to try to keep my missed days on the low end

I'd like to take a moment of silence and reflect on how much I love no longer studying for finals.

Currently reading:Who Needs a Road: the Story of the Longest and Last Motor Journey Around the World.This book, which I got on loan from ILS is a great, true story following a couple guys as they drive around the world. Interestingly, although the book was most recently printed in 1999 and the South Carolina library that I rented it from got it in 2000 I appear to be the first reader of its stiff, soft-cover bound genius.A great story about a group

Was having way to much fun playing with a Wii and forgot to blog yesterday. However lame that is I'm still proud of myself for doing waaaaay better at the challenge this time around than the la

i find my biggest problem with daily blogging is that i don't always have anything interesting to say daily that require more than 140 characters of text, like say twitter uses :Dso, i'll do 5 things that prove i'm a dork, as if I needed any proof.1. I love Mariah Carey's christmas cd2. I plan on watching "Holly's World" on E! this weekend, it's a new show about hef's ex-girlfriend Holly Madison. yeah, i'm that awesome :D3. the other day I was at

Say hello to Pussy Galore, she is one of 6 Bond girls that decorate my office

Today I've spent making a lot fireman hats via trial and error. About half way through the project I remembered when my mom used to tell a story about johnny who wanted to be a sailer. You tell the story while you fold a piece of paper back and forth. It works best with a large piece of paper, for my examples i'll use 11x17, which is really too small. When you use a larger piece of paper you can put the hats onto a kids head while you tell the story.

here is a post for postings sake. i am half way to making a whole month blogging! Which will be the first time i've ever blogged this much in my life. I'm proud.I'm so happy the holiday season is here, I love christmas. Last year I made the worlds greatest gingerbread house, courtesy of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer gumm

Yesterday I bought a $35 prelit 6'5" tree from walmart to put in nick and my apartment. It pains me to admit walmart had the best tree size for our place (very narrow) but I got over that quickly once I put all the decorations up :)Admitably I first bought a prelit tree at lowes only to get it home and find 1/3 of the lights not working...ugh, cue angry eyes from me. At least I hadn't put the ornaments on yet.Anyways, here is our tree :) I'll get

I am on the last leg of the journey. I'll be glad to sleep in my own bed tonight. I'll also be glad to be out of spotty Internet so when I write a long blog, say about how much the taco bell/kfc place sucked outside Kansas city...it will actually post.- Posted from the road, car trip status

Trip is going great, everyone survived so far :) grandmas 80th party went off without any major issues. Only thing that happened was we blew a fuse with the pulled pork. Next up Williamsburg outlet center. - Posted from the road, car trip status

Well I didn't know there were this many people in and around platteville. But, we got my dad and nicks bluray players :)We successfully navigated the sea of carts!- Posted from the road, car trip status

No connection, maybe this will work, maybe not. Happy thanksgiving! Tomorrow off to black Friday sales :)- Posted from the road, car trip status

We just made it into Iowa. Car trip family bingo is a hit, no winners yet but as soon as someones electronic device has a battery failure nick will get a bingo :)A pic of the weary travelers:- Posted from the road, car trip status

It's that time of the year! To wiscons

It's my mini me Christmas tr

Yesterday my mom and I went shopping all over town to finish finding things for my brother's Christmas presents. We also found some new Christmas decorations on sale at khols. Check out the new and improved stockings

Tonight was a great evening with Nick before I head over to my parents to help set up holiday decorations this weekend. We hit up Thai Cafe and decided to go see a new release at the theatre. I know what you're thinking...must be Twilight

First, I'd like to announce that I have totally dominated this web-coding and now "read more" actually takes you to the rest of the post. Ok...back to 80th Birthday fun! Thanks to working a couple years at the Edmon Low Library through the Cobb dinner series, I know how to throw a party :) The last months have been spent making lots of phone calls on everything from booking the location, to invite design (hey, just because I design them doesn't

Is it possible for them to have anything above terrible design?I'll give you there are a few exceptions but on the whole Christmas albums are HORRIBLY designed. Designers Macrap artists...CEASE AND DISIST! I rest my case in the images that follow.1. clip art+terribly creepy bluish dead toned face=2. I have no explanation except that I think I might will need therapy to get this image out of my head.3. I think he's thinking..."what kind of candy is

I decided it was time for a new blog design...stay with me, I'm sure it will take a few days to get all the kinks out of it. I found a blog template I liked the main design and now I'm taking their parts into photoshop one by one and remaking them to my liking...aka no red and no weird looking snake that says "cracked blog design out his mouth. You'll notice the top has already been changed to say "clear as mud" sans snake :PSo, at this point as

Yesterday night my sister and I decided to go to Edmond, pick up my mom and head to the mall for some christmas shopping. Anymore you can't walk anywhere without the mall guys haggling you over trying their new hair extensions or cosmetics or as the case may be weighted pillows. Annoying mall haggler: Would you like to try one of these weighted pillows?Me: No thanks I already have like 7 or 8.Annoying mall haggler: really? which ones?Me: oh, i have

Decided that blogging daily would require the use of my phone seeing as Internet is not going to be an option for the 12 hour car trip.P.S. Take that blogging challenge (assuming this app works that will be 2 posts in one day) :) Photo from last weeks Ruth and mom car trip :) you can hear more about that from my Twitter

Well, seeing as I've neglected my blog for...months, Bonnie & Val's thought to start another monthly blog seemed like a great excuse to start up again. So here I am.This weekend I pretty much finished christmas shopping, which, for someone like me who usually is more of a last minute shopper is a new accomplishment. On the topic of christmas shopping, I thought what fun it would be to get Nick a non-corny scuba diver ornament. (It just sounded

Convinced I can find a better "guy" for my friend Leah than the last few winners, I went to look for a Ken doll at Wal-Mart...to my dismay they all look like Zach Morris, tools.Which spurred on the idea to look on eBay, where I found these GREAT finds!1. Sun Lovin' Malibu Ken, with Peek-a-boo tan lines. 2. Shaving Fun Ken(who I'm convinced looks like Spencer Pratt and his creepy flesh colored beard). 3. Glitter Beach Ken (the cut-off shirt really

Last night right before the storm hit, I ran in for a quick couple items at Food Pyramid. As I checked out the power flickered...ergo rendering the card swipe machine unusable. The cashier said I could use a check.I wrote it in record-breaking time...and the instant that the check went through the power went out.SUCCESS!!! I am the power outage winner. Take THAT Oklahoma weather!(and yes, in the complete darkness that was Food Pyramid, I threw up

It all started off with Nick's usual birthday request...an angel food cake. This year I decided that since he has asked for it every year we've been together, it is time I get my own damn pan :)Who knew that would be so difficult??? I give you the condensed story of my travels for a cake pan.It all started off at regular stores in Stillwater, Wal-mart and Food Pyramid. I go to these places early in the week on a search for Nick's angel cake pan.

Spent the day with Nick in Tulsa yesterday. First we hit up none other than...Best Buy, since we can't go to Tulsa and not stop to see all of the new toys :)Then we went to Cinemark and saw "The Proposal". That movie was hilarious :)Dinner at in the raw. Dunwell sushi is very yummy. And also yummy? Their baked when order lava cake of sorts was patriotic, blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream, see I got red/white/and blue in. The fun part about

Big move happened in 2nd grade...Ohio to Iowa. This is our first house (other than the one we rented for a few months that I remember being on 25th ave and peach).I give you 3475 24th Ave, Marion Iowa(yes this is the first one I actually remembered the address too...not bad)Explaining numbers above :)1. This is the second house we moved from after my dad completed some form of a deck...at this point we consider it a curse. He built the 3 season porch,

This is our first house. I never realized that this house was so close to the Walnut Street home...to me they seemed a million miles apart. In reality, oh a good 15 minutes at the most.The memories that I have/have been told that I did...after all, I was very little.1. As soon as my mom had painted the kitchen I created a huge mural all over it with my colors. Apparently I've always had an affinity towards creating artwork on

Well, to start I don't remember the address/street for the first house I lived in until I was about 5...I think it was on Grover something or another, but I forget. Will add that one later after some help from the mom.So, we'll start with photos of places I remember more clearly. First up Walnut Street in Westerville, Ohio. I lived here from right before kindergarten until the middle of second grade.1. Somewhere in that general vicinity is where

***Update***Nick picked up the internet box from UPS and now, we're set. Hooray! Here is Tru:Blood, muddypebbles style. Not the same style box as in the show...but that will be fixed before the finale :P***True Blood is back, and since I am in love with the show/books, Nick and I had a watch party. Aside from putting up blood red streamers, our menu included Red Velvet Cake, Lafayette's Famous Burgers (which are amazing!!!! see recipe below), red

in the midst of all the drama caused by moving I forgot to mention, I totally won a shinny new red iPod nano from HBO's vampire blog "Bloodcopy". Not going to lie, I am totally excited. It just came in a few days ago...I find it the perfect bribery to finish putting things away ;)  Nick teases me that, it takes a vampire to know one...it isn't my fault I am constantly pale and my office has no windows to the outdoors.

Yesterday, Nick and I stood in line to set up our internet for the apartment. I should have taken the first clue that the internet site was down for ordering and turned and ran...but, I didn't.So, we finally get done there and they tell me internet will be ready on Friday.This morning I get a phone call, from at&t (and aparently the only true english speaking at&t person) to tell me that the internet order will be ready on the 15th, ok, whatever.

Since Friday I have been moving and packing along with Nick non-stop. It is almost a relief to be at work because it gives my back a much needed rest. This weekend I carried boxes up and down countless stairs and only now is the end in sight. I'd say we are 90% moved in...now comes the whole unpacking and setting up everything stage.Setting up identical shelves from Staples I'd say was the closest I came to loosing my mind this weekend. Between slamming

It's 8:30 and already I've been at work for a bit, packed my car and somehow put on a matching outfit. Today while I'm at work, Nick gets to finish packing...then around 11:20 we will get our keys and he'll get to move...while I'm at work. This work thing is a pretty sweet deal ;) Actually, Nick lucked out and got the next few days off. Moving will be...interesting to say the least seeing as we are bringing in things from all over the state.

i have to admit it was difficult  to come to work this morning after my only activities in the past 3 days have been working out and going to the pool. i could use a holiday every monday

this happened yesterday around 5:30pm, I just got sidetracked and forgot to share! so, here we go :)yesterday, at Walgreens some guy...who will remain nameless...was at the drive up arguing about how many pills that the insurance should be covering on his script of VIAGRA! lol. I now know that his insurance only covers six of a thirty day prescription.Lesson learned? Perhaps you think you are talking not that loud through the speaker and

Tonight I learned the reason why you really shouldn't try a new recipe you plan on bringing somewhere for the first time without a trial run.Simply put, Mayan Bundt Cake was a disaster...to put it nicely. When I would put the wooden poker in to see if it was done at 40...then 45...then even another few minutes later it would always come out looking not even close to done. Then I just decided at 50 min that this thing is going to burn before it finishes

Let the countdown to me living in the links begin...by this time next month I will be moved in, hopefully somewhat organized and enjoying life sans roommates, aside from Nick :)It will be nice to be away from regular apartment furniture and into a place with all of our own things. Couches, bed, desks, tables and chairs all of which I'll be able to do whatever to. I'm also excited about being able to put up art work that I was a little hesitant on

Today I had my first combined editorial and graphics office meeting. After a while of teasing about the crappy rainy weather it was joked that we all needed UV lights in our office, health reasons since there has been a major lack of vitamin D.Then it was brought up that I really needed the UV light, since my office had no windows, followed by..."Actually when we hired Ruth, she requested an office with no windows as part of her deal to work here...vampire

Today my fancy new wacom tablet arrived. I now look super awesome with wacom tablet on my left and mouse on my right. I learned today that if you use both mouses at once the one on the right overrides wacom's. (would I say I have two mouses? or two mice like the animal?....hmmm....)Anyway, I don't think i'll ever photoedit again without using the pen and its varying widths depending on how hard I press it. That makes it so much easier! I might be

knowing it is finals week and not having ANY!!!!i love being a graduate

Well, I forgot to blog yesterday...officially I think I'm about to give up daily blogging and go for 6 out of 7 days a week blogging. Seems to be closer to what I can keep up with :PValerie and Bonnie are much better at this competition, it will be interesting to see who wins in the long run. I'm keeping my eyes open to see who the winner will be:)I guess I should have known competition would have been an issue for me, I mean in softball, I cheer

I figured since i forgot to blog 2 days back, i'd just start at the beginning of the month...so here I go. last try for daily blogging for 30 days.Today I watched "The Spirit". It will now stand as my least favorite graphic novel to become a mov

helping nick with his resume and cover letter. since i am using mine as a template, i'm laughing myself to tears. graphic design has nothing to do with a police force cover letter and resume that i'm helping him with for class. something makes me think stuff like "I look forward to discussing what I can do to help with your fashion line" and ending a letter with "warmly"...just not the thing to

I've become completly addicted to the eighth Sookie Stackhouse book, From Dead to Worse. This book has been the end of me doing anything productive at home these past few days. Which, I suppose is kinda bad timing since I should really be focusing on packing. Good thing the next book in the series comes out in May, otherwise I might cry not knowing what Sookie will do ne

Just a thought for today. Through my observations on my iGoogle weather versus what it actually has been ouside...well lets just say its been the exact opposite all day. If it says rain, its dry. If it says dry it's raining. All in all, google weather predicting skills=F

Today I spent the day, you guessed it, packing. Lots and LOTS of packing as I get myself ready to move into my new apartment. I think packing could be a full time job for me...I totally did it from about 9-7 today...and I'm close but not done.On a side note, I noticed yesterday I was like 15 min late for hitting my Saturday blog...ugh, I'm so not good at this. Twitter is so much easier :)Well, this marks Ruth's Round 3 for the beginning of a month

Tonight Nick and I went to the OKC zoo's Great escAPE event, proceeds are going towards Sumatrian orangutans. It was so fun to see the apes and orangutans up close. Nick bought me a picture of one of the gorillas. She is so cute! Her name is Kalila, apparently she is very friendly and sometimes likes to spin around. Next time I go to the zoo, i'll have to look for her. She's in gorilla pen three.

As I go into further True Blood withdrawl, I find myself trying out louisiana spiced foods, reading (and LOVING) the rest of the Charlaine Harris books, and keeping up on all the True Blood gossip blogs can supply. I just noticed HBO put up a sneak peek of season 2 on their YouTube channel yesterday...so for your enjoyment I bring you the maenad attack :)&nb

Today was the employee benefit seminar. I can wrap it up in a brief statement, "OSU has great benefits, however if you get divorced and you forget to change your beneficiary your ex-wife will be getting your benefits if something terrible were to happen to you."Also, Hilbrett or whatever that sports store that is...total FAIL, they suck at keeping left handed gloves on ha

I now proclaim that Landry's (Laundry's???) Frozen Custard=very yummy. I had the Trevor Special...which is just a chocolate overload of goodness. I'm fairly certain that the excercizing that I did today was totally undid by the sundae, but I have no regrets.I decided I really needed ice cream today...particularly soft serve, after talking about the budget for next year and Missy teasing we needed a soft serve ice cream machine. I totally agree! :)

What is a sign that you work at a nice place? I'd say getting pranked called by the director is a pretty good hint :)He claims to be a person from the physical plant. Speaks sounding like he isn't the brightest crayon in the box, and calls to tell me that "They heard I didn't have no windows, and that they were gunna make my office real pretty."I was given several choices of poster type things to add to my wall...ocean being the most popular.Geh,

Made it home from my first day of work as a Senior Graphic Designer at Fire Protection Publications.This is me on the way to my first day!Everyone is very nice and made me felt very welcome there, they even repainted my office for me.I was wildly amused that my name was spelled right and had it already on the door of my office when I got there.Stay tuned...in the next few weeks I'll put up pics as I decora

To make up for the fact that I'm not the best at blogging, my new technique is to blog when I think of it. Today that means 2 blogs in 1 day...don't hold your breathe people...it surely won't be daily.At this point I'm lounging in bed and thinking in less than 12 hours I will be starting the next chapter in my life. I'll be making new friends, finding new challenges, and will be trying to learn everyones name as fast as I can while being on extra

Well...I'm doing better than I thought I would with this daily blogging. Yet, as I woke up this morning I realized I didn't blog yesterday. BOO! I am not so good at this daily blogging. Too bad it isn't like baseball and 3 strikes and you're out.As such, here I begin again with 30 days...hopefully I finish 30 consecutive days before next year :)Yesterday, it rained. I go into get groceries...come out and it is pouring rain and I'm in my little leather

Today I went to my first three year old birthday party...well, since my brothers about 12 years ago. The excitement of seeing all the munchkins running and screaming around is just so fun.I bought Connor, the munchkin of honor, a McDonald's Cash register. Best thank you in the world is what I got in return :)***high pitched scream!!! McDonald's!!!!*** followed by a brief conversation with mom about why he is supposed to open the other presents first

Today for lunch in honor of The Bloggess, I couldn't help but put Wolverines! as my name on my Chipolte order.now, admitably this is not the clearest photo, but here is evidence of my WOLVERINES! :)Bonnie had the genius idea and I admit that I am 99% certain I would have done it anyways...but now that I have a blog it is like encouraging me to do things like this just so I will have something to blog about for the next 28 days lol.Tomorrow...trial