Hi everyone! Just wanted to pop over here one last time before I delete this journal. I have started a new journal and would love to keep all the friends I have here. Please pop in and visit me at:

hopenathan

This will be my last post under this name. Take care everyone, I hope to see you in my new LJ home!!

wow, sorry everyone! i seem to be averaging a once a month update. not my intention at all apologies all around. i have however changed my LJ name. i've started a new journal all together, and have already friended most of the people that were on my list. my new LJ is:

hopenathan

you may be asking yourself why? well, that will be my new name, as we have both applied for legal, MATCHING, last names. yippee! we've also retired the old twogirlstudios. that idea just wasn't going to happen. it depended so heavily on BOTH of us being into arts and crafts and to be honest, Chris is never going to be interested enough to make that a career focus. hahaha!! so i am once again a solo gig!

with this new found understanding of the dynamic of our relationship, i am pushing forward with my art career. i am in logo developpment with a graphic designer colleague and getting submittals ready for shows. i'm hoping this will open up the door for lots of travel, as i have mapped out the things that are important to me for the next five years:

more travel / more live music
get the books published
gallery shows / annual fairs
lose weight (ugh)
photography
make a documentary
spoil the neices and nephew

yippee for getting my life in order! so, this will be the last post over here. i hope that you will all add me to your friends list again, this newly motivated chick will definitely be updating more, as there will be lots more to report. take care one and all.....

peace

Is anyone else glad that tomorrow is Friday? This week has been so, blah!! My little sister, her husband, and my niece had been here visiting for over a week and left on Sunday. I can't seem to "get over it" yet. I miss them so terribly when they aren't here. Ugh. I'm hoping to get some photography and crafting done before next week. Maybe that will pull me out of my funk.

This is my new Blythe Cherry Berry, and her name is Shalom. She is completely stock and I think she might stay that way. I had planned to send her off to the Blythe Rescue Mission, but I don't know, she is so charming. It's odd to go from having so many to just one. Oddly enough, I'm thinking I might need Star Dancer. I think they would compliment each other nicely. There is something about that wonky eye and her coloring that I am finding irresistable.....
What's going on in your neck of the woods?

I haven't updated in a very long time. Life got away from me for a bit. Should I be offended or hurt that a few people dropped me here and on Flickr? I'm not sure if I should be, but I am.

Massachusetts was great. Not sure that we're going to move there, though. It would be expensive to visit friends and family. With two nieces and a nephew, that is even more of a priority.

Still trying to get a business off the ground. Motivation, inspiration, and confidence are in short supply these days. However, I have been thoroughly addicted to reading online journals.

My Blythe family is now one Blythe. A Cherry Berry named Shalom. She is quite spoiled, having inherited the dolly things of a family of six. Good times.

OK, our trip to Massachusetts is right around the corner. We've booked the lodging, and have a few things we KNOW we'll be doing, including making the drive to Providence to see ANI!!!!! OMFG!!!!!! (RI peeps, any suggestions for dinner the night of the concert?)

We need ideas from ANYONE who lives in Massachusetts or has visited about how to spend our time there. Is there a restaurant we should really check out? What about tourist stuff? If you think there is ANYTHING in Massachusetts that we MUST see or do, please comment with the info. Also, can anyone tell me what the likelihood is for snow the second week of November? Neither of us is super skilled at Wintery driving YET! Thanks everyone!!

(x-posted to VOX!!!! I have invites if anyone here is interested.....)

my wallet was stolen today. while i was at work. right off of my desk, inside my handbag. today was a slow traffic day and I can account for every person that came through the door. someone that works for my staffing company stole my wallet right out from under my nose. then they tried to go on a spending spree at foot locker and a few gas stations. needless to say, all accounts have been temporarily frozen, all cards cancelled, all sense of safety at work, lost.


i've heard people mention how violated you can feel when this happens. I will admit that I never really understood. I figured, yeah, I would be upset, mad even, but violated? I never understood the violated part. until now.

I don't care about the shiny plastic cards that were in my wallet. I'm not even that upset about the fabulously cool wallet my girlfriend handpicked for me from a trendy boutique last Christmas. what bothers me is that someone that I interviewed, spent time with, and GAVE A JOB to, has broken the last shred of trust I had left. my personal photographs, gone. some of the first pictures I ever got of Chris, when she still had blonde tips. my first pictures of my niece, REAL pictures from FILM, not the digital versions that are now so common place. some of my brother and his girlfriend from when they first met. personal mementos that have no monetary value to anyone BUT ME.

I know that people will say that I should be glad. I wasn't physically hurt, neither was anyone close to me. some will say, what can I expect, leaving my handbag out where anyone can access it. however, my heart is broken, because our society is so hateful. so greedy. when I turned to the two people at work that I have been there for time and time again, it was my fault. I was surely mistaken. none of our employees would do such a thing. over half of the candidates I screen for criminal backgrounds have a record. over half the time, that record is violent. over half of the violent records involve children. and we employee them all, some of them, within the school system. I have hired my last felon. I will not return on Monday.

my wallet was stolen today and there was not a single bit of money in it.

I think I am going to let this journal go and just write over at vox....If you are on my friends list, and I haven't already added you at Vox, please add me there. I am using the same name twogirlstudios. If you want to leave a comment here that you added me, I'll add you too!!

Argh! I can't tell you how many times I've felt "scolded" or "corrected" on TIB. I hate it and wish there was a better resource for Blythe stuffs. If anyone on my Flist reads this and knows of a better option, please let me know! Never have I encountered a group of adult women that are so ready to cut someone's throat, and who want something for nothing. Sorry, end rant.

*Today the sky is covered in blah, with a dash of ho-hum for good measure.

*The bunny that likes to rest in the azalea outside my door is entertaining a friend today. How charming. There is nothing quite so lovely as a wiggling bunny nose.

*We are best friends with a couple our age. For various reasons, some unknown to me, they are heading toward seperation. I fear that I will not care to continue the friendship with them as individuals. I dread the complexity of it all. Lately I've realized, most of my current friends are really hard work.

*I want to move so badly, it's hard to be happy here. I love North Carolina, my family is here, my friends are here, a lot of my history is here. I want a clean slate, and a snowy winter, and strolls through falling leaves. I want to see other couples like us.

"Please don't think me dull or depressed. Just random thoughts now off my chest" MH

A dear online friend has pointed me in the direction of Gimme Your Stuff. I love the idea of swapping, and have been trying to join in on some swap communities. Unfortunately, I haven't found ANY that would let me in....Thanks BEA!!

I would like to swap with people from outside the U.S. but am definitely open to U.S. based swaps. I can swap almost anything from the United States:

Art and crafts supplies
Magazines
CD’s
Newspapers
Sweets/Candy or other small American (non-spoilable in the post) foodstuffs / ingredients
Just about anything small, and legal to send through the post!

My maximum value per swap package sent will be 50 USD. I will send by whatever is the fastest and cheapest method of insured post.

I would like:

Handmade clothings, shoes, or re-ment for my Blythe dolls
Jewish and/or Buddhist trinkets
Coffees or Teas from other countries
cute fabrics and/or buttons of all shapes, sizes, and colors
pez dispensers
cute pens/pencils/papers, any kind of cute office supplies
handmade jewelry and trinkets

I have 100% positive eBay feedback (user: twogirlstudios). I'm a crafty gal, just starting down the path towards my own little crafty biz. Leave a comment or email me at twogirlstudios@hotmail.com I hope to hear from some eager swappers soon!

I am spending more and more time daydreaming. I am never where I want to be anymore. Read: I don't want a "job" anymore. That might sound lazy, but it's not. I want to spend my time LIVING. Thusly, I've been reading about "simple living". The only drawback? I'm not seeing one.

The tomatoes and peppers I was trying to grow on my patio became a feast for a family of deer. I was really looking forward to homemade tomato sauce. *sigh*

I have been cultivating some internet crushes lately. I shouldn't say I'm cultivating them, more so ENJOYING some internet crushes. There are so many amazing women in this world. Don't get me wrong, I have found my life partner, and would literally swim through MOLTEN LAVA for her. But DAMN. Women are amazing. I love that you can "meet" so many interesting people, share in their life energy, and feel empowered by the whole of it.

I want to journal more effectively. If I were to write a small entry daily, would you read it?

Wow! What a weekend!

On Saturday evening at 10:01 my nephew was born! Ryan is 8 lbs. 2 oz. and he is 20 1/4 inches long. He has a head FULL of jet black hair and dark blue eyes that will likely turn brown like his parents. The majority of the weekend was spent visiting at the hospital. We stayed with my neice overnight on Sunday, and that girl is a character! AND she snores!!! Who knew? Pictures of the little Prince to come!

In our continued effort to decide where we'd like to "settle" we're planning a trip to Massachusetts this Fall. For work reasons we are focusing on the Boston area, but are open to any place that is truly amazing. Anyone who has an opinion of Massachusetts is encouraged to comment....
What do you think of Massachusetts?
Any "unknown" or out of the way, hidden towns/cities we should consider?
What places would you recommend for visiting?
How is the Salem Witch Museum and area in general?
What do you like and/or dislike about the area?

We are heading to Louisville this weekend for my little sister's baby shower. As soon as we get back it will be time for my OTHER sister to have her baby! Babies, babies, everywhere!!! I'm so glad we've decided we like being aunts, and have no real desire to be mothers. Please don't misread this, motherhood is an amazing thing, women who participate in raising children should be put on a pedestal, for they are truly Godesses. We are just not cut out for it, and we can recognize that. The little plastic babies that I have are quite enough, I think!

The fabulous hobbit, Carmen, gave me the letter "T"
If you'd like your very own letter, respond to this entry.

Choose 10 words beginning with your letter and explain what each word means to you.

1. Tea - sweetened iced tea, peach tea, a spot of tea. I will take tea anytime and in any style. My favorite beverage.

2. Takara - Thank you for the only Blythes I can afford!

3. Travel - if I could travel as a career, I would do it. Yay for adventures! Surprisingly, most of my desired destinations are on this continent. There are several spots in Europe I'd love to visit though.

4. Tomatoes - love everything about them, and all products made with/from them. Especially salsa, tomatoe/mozzarella sandwiches, and V8.

5. Twogirlstudios - my poor neglected little craft business and dream come true. If I would just commit to it, I know I could be successful.

6. Tori Amos - she is music to my soul. And she's gorgeous....'nuff said.

7. Turtleneck - Perfect for Fall/Winter, preferably in black. I really love wintery clothing, sweaters, gloves, scarves. I love winter.

8. Tall Caramel Macchiato - I love starbucks. Period.

9. Tattoos - I only have one, but definitely want more. I love seeing other people's tattoos and hearing the stories behind them.

10. Tacky - I love tacky obnoxious jewelry, tacky art, tacky home decor. I just love it all. The bigger the print, the bolder the color, the more in love I am!

I had an interview yesterday for a studio assistant position. The artist is local, in downtown, working mainly in papercraft. Apparently I am not qualified to make eight dollars an hour. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

so so so sorry that I've yet to update/upgrade! soon, my pretties, soon.

what's new with me:
my nephew is due in 9 weeks, my niece is due in 14 weeks. YIPPEE!!!!
religious studies have shifted to Judaism, still learning about Buddhism.
i am battling serious addictions to sushi and hot tea, but not at the same time.
my one and only pullip, Francesca (squall), decided to stay. i think i want cornice, too.

I am wishing I had more time to dedicate to Blythe. What can I say? I love that little lady and I just don't have the time I want to spend on her. I've finally reached the Nirvana stage, wherein, I tell EVERYONE that I am a "blythe person" and no longer care what people think. It is fabulous. I bring a girl with me to work almost every day. My wishlist is growing, but I am trying to get an idea in my head of how many I want total.

TV shows currently being DVR'd:
Shalom in the Home
Flip that house
Drawn Together / South Park
Little People, Big World (one of the best shows, EVER.)

If you are on my friends list, I want you to know how much I admire you. There is something that you do/make/say/believe that has really inspired me. I am moving towards a more meaningful, focused, yet simple lifestyle. You are here because I look at your journal EVERY DAY, sometimes more than once. Amy, (radiosilents), you are at the top of the list lately. Your work is amazing, and my art collection will not be complete until I have several of your pieces. Sorry to have lurked so long without much conversation, but we must talk soon.

I am not a fan of Summer. I don't enjoy being "hot". Can I come visit where it is cooler and not so humid? Preferably somewhere with lovely dollies to play with and pitchers of sweet tea?? Any takers?

Just a quick update. Sorry to have been such a bad journal-keeper person...We are going to upgrade this journal in the next couple days and then COMPLETE OVERHAUL!!! Stay tuned!

Oh, and by the way, we just signed a two year lease on a BEAUTIFUL new townhouse. When our lease is up, we should be ready for our move to Maine!!! YIPPEE!!!

Wow, it's been a long, long time since I updated. I should be lucky that my friends didn't get bored with me and leave!! :^) So sorry to the four or five of you! LOL

The last month was the rotted disquisting icing on top of a molded old cake. Loss, pain, fear, crash. I will not bore you with the details here, if you are super interested, email me. 2005 was NOT my year, but 2006 will be! I am about to reach Blythe equilibrium with five girls and a good sized wardrobe. I finally got a cheapy button maker so I can try my hand at it. (thanks honey!) I have started the process of decluttering my life and my mind. I think I have enough materials that I can actually "set up shop" so to speak, and will be purchasing my domain this weekend. YIPPEE!!

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that I have added as a friend. You are there because you truly INSPIRE me. Your work has made me FEEL and smile and reflect. You show me that I can do this, that I can have faith in my creative abilities. It reminds me that I am an artist and there are people in this life that will enjoy what I do. My creative confidence is very shaky, I'm very afraid of rejection/ridicule. I am my worst critic, and I am comfortable with that. Thank you for putting yourselves out there, you gave me the strength to do the same.

Congratulations me!! I was officially hired by my second choice school on Friday afternoon, at which time I promptly walked out of my office job. Please don't hate me for doing this, internet. At almost thirty I've never NOT worked out a notice. However, the things they subjected me to on a daily basis....if I could go into detail I would, but you'll have to trust me that it was horrible. I am now a teacher's assistant again and I start first thing tomorrow morning. Because we don't live in the city where the school is, we had to buy another car, and I won't even go into what we went through to get it. But now she is sitting outside my window, next to Stella, our Corolla. I've named her Miss Frances and I am in love with her cushiony goodness.

*Begin introductory journal entry here* I started this journal to meet other crafty people. To trade ideas, recipes, goodies, and possibly to have people to visit with during craft fairs and travel. I am a seasoned crafter, though I am just beginning to wade into the murky waters of doing it for profit.
My name is Hope, I'll be 30 in March, and I have an office supply obsession. I've yet to meet a pen, colorful binder clip, or post it note that I didn't fall in love with. I collect multi colored paper clips, push pins, and markers. Remarkably enough, I hate my office job. You see, I don't generally use the supplies at home, I just like the way they look.
I live in a crappy apartment with a devilish cat and a supportive, loving partner, Chris, who just happens to be in the midst of a love affair with Apple computers. We like watching movies and playing video games, and are planning a move to Portland, Maine somewhere in the near future. I have three Blythe dolls, who happen to be the only "children" I want right now. They have a better wardrobe than I do, and far more shoes. I love my family, especially my niece, who just turned one year old. I drink far too much sweet tea.
After many years of flip flopping, I've decided what I want to be when I grow up. In the next few months I will be embarking on a journey towards my teaching certificate. One day I hope to teach at a university in a quiet New England town.
Alrighty then, there I am. Typed out for all the world to see, just the basics really. If I friended you, please don't feel obligated to friend me back. I just added the people who's journals I check daily....as Kip would say, Peace out.