If I can't brag here, who can?
If I can't brag here on my blog, then who can, right? LOL Sooooooooooo... I got my first test back today and am thrilled to share that the professor said as he gave me the test " I am honored to tell you that you received the highest grade in the class!" I got 24.5 out of 25.5. Since 20=100, you can see I did VERY well in extra credit points! Yeah me! I met with the department head of Graphic Design yesterday and we charted my courses for the program. Unfortunately things are going to go a little slower than I would have liked (due to transfer credits, the Fall Intensive program I am in now, the need to take 4 courses min per semester and requirements of certain classes in the programs) but I am super psyched about what will be coming up! It looks like I will be able to take exactly what I want, including 2 Marketing classes! I also got a call from unemployment this morning that my schooling has been APPROVED! This means that when I am laid off as "Christmas help", I will be able to collect unemployment while going to school! It's not much money and it's not forever, but it's better than nothing so I am really pleased! The Marriage Encounter Weekend Scott & I were going to go to in November has been cancelled. I am SO disappointed because I was really looking forward to it. We have child care lined up, the time requested off from work but nowhere to go... anyone got a cabin/room available for free in NH the weekend of Nov 16-18? LOL I think we are going to reschedule for our anniversary weekend (Feb 29) in 2008! I always say things work out like they should, so maybe there is a reason this is happening like it is! Don't forget, my Treat Bag at PolkaDotPotato.com is only available till November 3rd so scoop it up right now before you get busy and forget! :) Have a great night! XO
Ooooooooh template lovers!
A treat bag for templates lovers!  This template collection includes 7 brand new layered templates plus 1 Halloween themed template pulled from the "Duplicates" archives! :) You can grab this treat bag for just $2 right here! And if you love templates, you will definitely want to check out the new monthly sketch challenge I am hosting at PolkaDotPotato.com.  Pick up this template for free and join us on the challenge thread! :) In non-scrapping news, we had a super busy weekend... I worked on Saturday and the kids were literally all over the place with various friends! I definitely felt like a taxi! LOL I took my first test at school today! I can't wait to get it back on Wednesday... I don't think I failed or anything but there were a couple things I was unsure about. At least now I have an idea of his testing style and should be better prepared for the future! Have a fantastic night! :)
Just a rambling quickie!
Need to shower and get to school so this will be a quickie. Heard from the doctor's office yesterday and they have no record of my immunizations so apparently- without insurance- I need to get some immmunizations and tests to see what I am immune to so I can get that required info to the school. *sigh* Started at Modell's yesterday and loved it! Loved the girl I trained with and the rest of the staff and forgot how much I actually like dealing with living breathing human beings! lol I will be working again tomorrow! Drowning in paperwork lately- forms, photocopies and applications galore! Monster Mash tonight... Trick or Treat on Sunday! Can't wait! Happy Friday!
Life in FF>>
It feels like someone pushed the fast forward button on my life... everything is moving freakishly fast! Got several updates to post today: 1. There are just 2 days left to shop the Potato Bar at PolkaDotPotato.com! Don't miss out on the amazing savings! 2. Modell's called and I got the job! I start TODAY at 9am! Wish me luck! 3. I found out that 12 credits transferred in from my previous college experience! I was really excited about that until I learned that the Graphic Designs program is "packaged" so classes can't be substituted or prorated. Basically, I have to pay for 4 classes, I don't need to take. :( I still plan to see what I can do about that and will meet with the Department Head next week. I would rather take additional classes and get the most education for my buck, but I guess if I have to graduate early, that might not be the worst thing either! :) 4. The Sox won 13-1! GO SOX! Seriously, so many good things happening right now... I am feeling so positive about life, school, work and most of all, family! I have always believed things happen for a reason and I am even more convinced of that now! :) Hope your Thursday is fabulous!
Day #2 as a student!
I am up and ready to face Day #2 as a student! :) I had a totally awesome day yesterday! First of all, Doug took my car in to have the windshield replaced and then had my car inspected... I am now officially road legal with a week to spare! :) Second, I had a meeting with unemployment. I found out that my claim was approved! Yeah! (Now, let's just hope that my "former employer" doesn't appeal it.) I also met with them to discuss college as "approved training" and there is a chance I may still be able to collect while I am in school! How cool would that be? I wouldn't even be required to look for a job (though of course I probably will since the unemployment amount is so low). The woman I met with at NH Works was just beyond wonderful. I wish everyone could have such a great experience and feel like someone really understands their unique situation! In closing, I thought I would share a new layout I created using many many products from the super-dee-super amazing Fee Jardine over at Sweet Shoppe Designs!  And don't forget today's freebie at PolkaDotPotato.com:  Hope your day is great!
And so the secret is revealed!
Thirteen years ago today I gave birth to Megan! At that time, umarried and having my second child, I never could have imagined that right now I would be married nearly 12 years, have 2 more children and be posting on the internet that TODAY WAS MY FIRST DAY BACK TO SCHOOL! Yes, thats right, the secret that I have alluded to in the past few posts is that I made the decision to go back to college to pursue my Associates degree in Graphic Design at Hesser College in Manchester. I started my first 2 classes today & LOVED it! Right now I am just taking some "required" courses but the thrill of "doing something with my life" is beyond measure! I realized when I interviewed there a couple weeks ago that I had already achieved my #1 goal- to have a family & be a Mom- it was time for a new goal. Losing my job, though financially devastating to us, was just the catalyst I needed to make education a priority! So, between October 11th and now, I applied to college, was accepted, was awarded the financial aid (in govt loans) that I needed to attend and took the placement tests, scoring in the 96%ile in Reading Comprehension and Arithmetic! I have filled out more paperwork than I thought imaginable and have begun scouting for scholarships (know of any?). It's definitely a new chapter and I am thrilled! :) In other family updates... Dane and Dylan both tried out for the travel teams for basketball this weekend. Dane got cut and Dylan made the team! Its such a struggle to show our pure happiness for Dylan without making Dane feel worse. :( I hate that life isn't always fair. That's it for now! Have a fabulous Monday night! :)
Sat night fever!
Good evening ladies (and gentlemen, if Scott is reading this post!)... It's 9:45pm and the Sox are ahead 10-1 in the 3rd! Woohoo! Did you see that GRAND SLAM, baby? Woohoo! So, I have developed this nasty habit of waking up at 4am and not being able to fall back to sleep. It happened again this morning, so I came downstairs and started repackaging things for PolkaDotPotato.com. I got quite a bit accomplished. Yeah me! This morning Megan had the state meet for Cross Country. Dylan had basketball tryouts for the travel team 10-12pm. We raced home to grab lunch and then headed back out the door for the Cubmobile races at 1pm. We only stayed a short time, though, because Dane had travel tryouts 2-4pm. I had to leave at 230pm with Dylan to pick up Megan and take them to Fall Ball. Then back to grab Dane and take HIM to Fall Ball! We didn't even leave there till almost 530pm! I was SO tired by the time we got back, but have yet to take a nap. I hope I don't fall asleep typing this! I ran into my hysterical (in the funny way, not the freaking out way) friend, Barbara, at the ball field. It was so strange because I couldn't imagine WHY she would be there and yet I kept thinking it looked so much like her! Well, it turned out it was her and we spent some time catching up on life after ATD. I still have that news to share that I keep promising I will post about! I almost cracked and posted about it yesterday but then decided I just can't jinx it! I must wait till the very beginning of the "new chapter" before I officially say something! Monday.... I think Monday will be the big day! Well, gotta get back to the game and then to dreamland! Have a fab night!
The Announcement!
It seems that The Digi Shoppe is having issues with the domain expiration and many shoppers are not able to get in, so I have made the decision to move early! I don't have any product repackaged or uploaded yet but wanted to share my new home so you can bookmark it... I am extremely excited to announce I will now be exclusive to Polka Dot Potato! Maybe it's because there is DOT in the name (lol) or maybe it's because Ashley is such a savvy business owner, but I already feel like I am HOME! I am excited about the promotions we have coming up in the next couple months and think you will be, too! Just to update other things in my life... We got a new kitten! Macaroni has met his twin... Alfredo! Alfredo came from a student of Scott's. He is just the tiniest bit bigger than Mac but looks very much the same. He is adjusting quite nicely to life at the Giallongo home! (Pictures will follow soon) Yesterday, I ran around like a crazy woman... unemployment meeting in the morning, got gas, car wash, pre-employment urine test for Modell's, got new tires for the car (thanks, Dad!) and treated myself to lunch at Panera while I waited 2 hours for the tires to be installed. Last night was another "community input" session at the school... kind of silly that they call it that when they couldn't care less what the community thinks, LOL. It will be interesting to see where that vote goes in March because the "community" seemed skeptical about the numbers the school board was presenting, as they rightly should be. I've got some things to do this morning but should be back and hard at work getting things ready for PDP this afternoon! Hope you have an awesome Friday!
The Digi Shoppe is closing!
*sigh* It's always something, right? Just after making the decision to go exclusive at The Digi Shoppe, and working hard to get my products added to the store, Ashley has decided to close her virtual doors at the end of the month. I am sad but I respect her decision and wish her all the very best! What does this mean for you, sketch lovers? Well, 2 things... 1. Use the coupon code sayinggoodbye to take 35% off all orders of $5 or more now through the store closing on 10/31/07! Shop right here: http://www.thedigishoppe.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=452. I will soon be selling at a new location! Before I make the announcement here, I will make the announcement on the LayeredTemplates Yahoo list, so get signed up to be the first to know (and also take advantage of freebies, coupons, etc) Modells called and I have an interview at 2pm today! Wish me luck!
Rest in peace, Cheese...
We had a terrible tragedy this weekend and our beloved kitten, Cheese, passed away. :( I don't want to go into details because it was gruesome and I know I have some children blog readers, but suffice to say, we were all scarred by the incident. Scott & the boys built a cross and we all wrote messages of love to place out by her burial spot in the backyard. She was a beautiful kitten and our only comfort is knowing she is in heaven playing with Jasper. In other updates, Nicole turned 18 on Sunday! I keep teasing Scott about being the parent of an adult! Its hard to believe she wasn't even quite 4 years old when I met her for the first time! I scouted out a few jobs yesterday... I have kind of changed focus and am looking for something in retail for the holidays. I figure it's pretty timely and a discount at a store I may buy Christmas gifts from would be perfect! Topping my list of places I hope call are Barnes & Noble and Modells. Today I will be working a little more on the "turning point" I mentioned in my last post! I woke up at 4am like a little kid on Christmas morning, unable to go back to sleep! Less than a week till I will share the news, if there is news to share, LOL :) I will close today's post with my first 2 official layouts for Jacque Larsen! Isn't this stuff so much fun?  
Happy birthday to me! :)
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear me, happy birthday to me! :)Yep, its my birthday! The big 3-4! Funny, my Dad used to tell me that the odd years were the good ones, but I have a funny feeling that 34 is gonna rock the socks off 33... I mean how can it not? Thanks to all my buddies who sent me birthday wishes, especially to Jen who called me at midnight just like my Mom used to do! I feel so lucky to have such wonderful, amazing, supportive friends! So, yesterday may have been a turning point in life as I know it. I can't post details just yet, but if all goes as planned, I will make an announcement on 10/22! Please say a prayer that things work out like they should because I am feling more hopeful now than I have in.... well, probably years! Good things happen to good people, right? Hey- gotta do some bragging..... check this out.... Announcement! How excited am I? Well let's just say that Jacque is my scrappin hero, so despite the fact that I have been cutting back on commitments, I just HAD to apply for her team and I am beyond excited to be asked to join her CT! Jacque rocks! I've got another little toot, too! Stamping, Stationery & Scrapbooking requested a layout from me for the First Quarter 2008 issue of their magazine! Seems like forever since I had anything published (would help if I submitted maybe, eh? lol)! That's it for now... I may post again later if anything exciting comes up! :)
Still hunting!
Just taking a quick break from the job hunting to say hello! I have become even more savvy at keyword searching as I have begun the search for employment. Man, oh man, there sure is a lot of spam out there! Some of my favorite sites to search: Career Builder, Jobs in NH, Indeed, Monster.com, Craigslist, Jobs.net, and NHJobs. That's right, I spend at least 3-5 hours per day (maybe more) searching for that perfect job... or heck even a chance to show what I can do at the NOT quite perfect job, LOL :) Other than that, I am just kind of hanging around... muddling my way through life. I feel like I lost my groove. I know in my heart that things will be fine, but it is my nature to worry. I have a couple new $1 templates up at The Digi Shoppe... grab your Paypal password and SHOP! :)   Last day being 33... 34 has got to be better, right?
Saying hi!
Thanks so much to each of you who posted a comment on my last post and who took the time to send me emails with your support, thoughts & prayers. I really appreciate each of you so much! :) Overall, we had a good weekend. Saturday morning Scott and I took the kids up north to help Scott's parent's close up their camp. On the way back, we went to the Sandwich Fair. Saturday night we headed over to hang with our friends, Marc & Kim. Sunday we went to church and then Scott's parents came over with Cassandra and Teddy. The boys went to the NHSA Grass Drags & Water Crossing! They had a blast! I have spent most of my time job hunting, emailing, posting and making connections. There are some interesting things out there... I just need to have the opportunity to prove what I am capable of doing. My "resume" simply doesn't do me justice. I should have several new template collections up at The Digi Shoppe this week and have to announce some 4th quarter guests that are coming on board too, so be sure to check the blog again soon! :)
The Tribe has spoken!
It's almost unimaginable that what I am writing is true. I feel like I am in a crazy dream and I will wake up at 5am, get ready and go to work to start my Friday. If it wasn't my life, I don't think I could even believe this could happen. So, my boss finds out last night that she doesn't have a job to come home to (she is at the big trade show in Highpoint). Since we are personal friends I had a feeling my job was in jepordy. I wanted to just sleep in and quit but decided I would be the adult and face whatever my future would hold. Afterall, I had made a choice to work full time to support my family, not just for fun anymore. I told one co-worker on IM last night that I planned to fight for my job (should it be necessary) for the following reasons: 1. I like the work. 2. I like the people I work with. 3. I like the commute. 4. I like the hours. 5. I need the money. I got to work at 7am. I spoke with the owner who told me he would like me to stay but that we would see how things worked out. I thought that was odd. I did a couple hours of work and was then called in by the owner's wife. She told me that my 3 remaining co-workers would be voting on whether or not I stayed and said that I would need to plead my case to each of them. WHAT? I was baffled! I asked if my work was up to par and was assured that my work was top notch and that I was a hard worker. The issue at hand was whether or not I could be "trusted" since I was a personal friend of the former boss who is now considered enemy #1. As soon as I started talking to the first co-worker, I started to cry. I HATE CRYING! We talked for about 45 minutes, then I was allowed to go smoke and I called Scott for some moral support. I went back in and was then taken on by the remaining 2 co-workers... people I believed had been my friends... people that I have scrapped about and appear in my own personal gallery here. It was nearing noon so it was time for the vote. I headed to my cube and began to take down my personal photos, knowing what was coming. The vote was 2-1. The tribe spoke. I was voted off the island. The owner prepared a note for me to sign saying that I was voluntarily resigning. Of course I didn't sign it, since I did NOT resign. I was given my final check (as required when being fired) and sent on my way. I kept saying I felt like I was in the twilight zone. The very people that "voted me off" were saying they were sorry and wishing me well and offering me references. The owner was saying that he wished I could stay, yet he let me go. Is this crazy? Or am I crazy for thinking this crazy?? ...And anyone know of a job here in NH for a hard-working-marketing-loving advertising-creating-gal?
Playin with some actions...
If you aren't using actions on your photos, Why not? I laugh even as I type that because I used to tell my friend Melissa that a "real" photographer didn't need to make corrections with digital software! Hahahaha... I * love* playing around with different looks in Photoshop. Here are a few of the actions I love from Michelle Pearson...  This one uses Warm Sunshine... don't you love the added color to a slightly pale face?  I loved this photo before but look at it after running the Color Pop action!  OK, check this! Dane took this before picture... I ran the Fashion Glow "Beautiful" action in a matter of seconds and voila! She is an instant model! And yes, I am obsessed with Jen's little cutie Molly! Isn't she is just a dollface!? Well, its 10pm and tomorrow is another "work day" so I need to go tidy up and get my behind to bed! Have a great night! :)
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