My Birthday Gift Art

Ok, as promised, I finally got around to scanning in the artwork that Bridget did for my birthday. Such talent...I'm so glad she indulges me with my favorite characters, mostly Vegeta from Dragonball!

Chibi = little, or baby


Favorite poses of Vegeta...


Pencil draft of Goku


The inked version
Oneesan = big/older sister


Vegeta looks like a teenager! So kawaii! (Cute)


Ivy saw me scanning them and wanted a copy to color...quite the little artist herself! Plus, she wrote her own name when I showed her the letters!


And of course Riley needed one too! He let Ivy color the tail and hair, then did the rest.


There's one more comic style drawing, but it isn't quite finished yet...I'll post it when Bridget's done. It perfectly describes me to a 'T'!

Who's is it this time?

Hmmm...birthday cake picture...must be someone's birthday around here...

Hehe, yay it's me! Oh man, if I admit it's my birthday, I'll have to acknowledge that I'm (gulp) 29. Woaw. It's kinda funny that out of my friends, I'm among the oldest, yet at work, I'm such a spring chicken I haven't even hatched yet! (Almost all my co-workers are 55+) There's a shift for ya!

John 'tried' to surprise me with a party yesterday, but as I had to work both nights, he needed to confess why I had to get up early. But it was fun, never the less! We had yummy chicken and pizza, and an even yummier cake that Karen made...oh that icing! Bridget bestowed upon me a bunch of drawings of my fav characters from Dragon Ball which is always a treat! (I'll scan and post later...)

So today is pretty quiet...a normal 30+ hour day. I merely stay awake by sheer willpower...and alot of coffee (bletch! Icky!) But still lots to do! Going camping Wednesday so laundry room here I come!

Happy Birthday Bridget!

And what's a better cake design for a fellow Japan-otaku than a Kimono cake! I wish I could order this cake, but the company's back in NY. Phooey!

Anyhoo, Ureshii tanjoubi tame watashi no ritoru shisuta! (Happy Birthday to my little sister! And no, I didn't know all those words...I had to look some of them up, but I knew Ureshii, tame and watashi no!)

I can't believe Bridget is 17 years old today! That only means one thing...I'm getting old! If she's 17 and I'm 12 years older than her, that makes me...wait, nevermind. I don't wanna think about it for another 11 days...

Happy Birthday lil sis!

This is why...

PHILOSOPHY OF HOUSECLEANING


I don't do windows because ...

I love birds and don't want one to run into a clean window and get hurt.



I don't wax floors because ...

I am terrified a guest will slip and get hurt then I'll feel terrible

( plus they may sue me.)



I don't mind the dust bunnies because ...

They are very good company, I have named most of them, and they agree with everything I say.




I don't disturb cobwebs because...

I want every creature to have a home of their own.




I don't Spring Clean because...

I love all the seasons and don't want the others to get jealous




I don't pull weeds in the garden because..

I don't want to get in God's way, HE is an excellent designer!




I don't put things away because...

My husband will never be able to find them again.



I don't do gourmet meals when I entertain because...

I don't want my guests to stress out over what to make when they invite me over for dinner.



I don't iron because ...

I choose to believe them when they say "Permanent Press".


See, I have perfectly good reason for it all.

The Workbench Progresses

Well, the new workbench is slowly coming along. The butcher block top is about half-way done and the main frame just got assembled tonight. Tomorrow, a pair of shelves will be added to the bottom of the frame. Within another two weeks, the top should be finished & bolted into place and the vise can then be mounted to the front of the table.

Happy Memorial Day

Before you head out to a family barbeque or light the fire on your own grill, please take a moment to remember what this holiday is about. Too often, I believe we as a country take our armed forces for granted, mostly remembering to thank them a few days a year, if that. But every man or woman that served in any branch of the military needs to be reminded how thankful we are. I don't think Memorial Day should be limited to the fallen, rather to thank the existing military while we can. So, please, if you have retired, active duty or reserve military memebers in your family or circle of friends, thanks them for me. I hate to think of where our country would be without our brave defenders.




Remember all gave some,
but some gave all.

So lets see if I get the whole list...
My Father (Coast Guard)
My Sister (Army)
My Future Brother-in-law (Army)
My Uncle Ken (Coast Guard)
My Step-Mother (Air Force)
My Uncle Therald (Navy)
My Uncle Fred (National Guard)
My Grandfather "Pa" (Army)
My Grandfather Chuck (Army)
My Great-Uncle Eddie (Army)
My Cousin Joey (Navy-Marines)
My Husband's Uncle Robert (Navy)
My Step-brother Charles (Marines 12-09)

Thank You for all your determination and sacrifice, all in the name of serving your Country.

Bridget the Fantastic

It's funny what kind of talents emerge in the different people that belong to your family. My mother is the world's best cook/baker, not to mention the best at crafty stuff. My father has a fair bit of good art talent as well as excellent writing talents to him, and Kim is such an awesome medic it blows my mind with her confidence in procedures to patch us up. John is a computer deity in every sense of the word, and I've been told that I'm a very good author for my DBZ Fan-fictions.

Then there's Bridget.

I think she knocks us all back for a loop with her original artwork. She is so fan-frickin-tastic that real words don't even portray her true awesome-ness. Let me show ya!


This was a self-portrait she had to do as an assignment in art class. Sou Kawaii oyobi kanbashii! (So cute and sweet!) It think it looks like a younger version, even if she thinks it doesn't look like her.



This is her original character Naiyru Mikage. Yes, she has cat-like ears and a tail for she is a (nice) cat-demon-who has a very elaborate story behind her. Bridget's working on a whole manga (Japanese style comic book) for this character. I've seen a few pages in progress and can't wait to see more.



I think the best part is that she indulges her Oneesan (Big Sister) with my obsession with Dragonball. This sketch is of Vegeta's eyes as Super-Saiyan (FYI hair and eyes change from black to blond and green in a powered-up mode.) I got to see the real drawing and the scan just doesn't do it justice. I don't know it you can see it but the shading on the pupils was spectacular. She swears it wasn't a trace, (I believe her!) and was drawn from memory of watching the show with John and I.

I love her artwork so much, I've commissioned her to draw a couple of scenes out of my stories. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

To see more of her work, visit her Deviant Art page at:
http://naiyru.deviantart.com/

The next project starts

My new project for the next month will be a workbench for the garage. I decided to try making the top out of 2x4s, butcher block style. When all is done it will be 6' by 2', 3' high. This pic is the first two boards glued and left to set. Another 14 will be added over the next few weeks. I'll post more pics as it comes together.

Assassination of Rodrigo Rosenberg

This video was leading to riots in the street in Guatemala. It was handed out by the family of Rodrigo Rosenberg at his funeral. I thought I would do my part to spread it around a bit more. Additional translations can be found in the comment threads on YouTube.

Hehe...

You are Lois Griffin! Though generally kind and motherly, you have a tough side too. You have many talents, including piano skills, wrestling skills, putting-up-with-Peter skills, and a strange affinity to attract 80's rock band members. You come from a wealthy family but gave it all up for true love like the tough woman you are. Watch out world, don't mess with Lois (or she'll show you who's really boss)!

Yeah, as you can probably guess...nothing new going on around here. Ho-hum. Thought I'd at least take a quiz and post something...