A Slurpee Summer

I have dubbed this summer to be the "Slurpee Summer" because I have had a recent obsession, er, love of the cool drink the last couple of weeks. I love them. Like a lot. Usually I get the coke and add a bit of the cherry. So delicious.

I debated on the name. I couldn't decide if I should call it "An Icee Summer" (as an ode to my punny Bryson family) or "A Slurpee Summer" (I love aliterations).

A Slurpee Summer won. Since technically, 7-11's version is the Slurpee.

I just wanted to put this out there, in case anyone wants to join me on this grand, delicious, summer extravaganza.

And now I need slurpee (don't worry, this will be the first one today).

Though if I were in Rexburg, it would totally be a "Snoasis Summer." I just wanted to put that out there. :)

Block Picture Puzzle

My other little project this week was a "block puzzle" using a picture of Rachel. I figured it would be something cute for my mom to put on her counter or mantel.

For the blocks, I used these cute little cupcake boxes that I had lying around left over from the cupcakes that, um, my co-workers and roommates eat. Yes, I had been saving them. I knew I wanted to make this project and decided to use Rachel's face as the picture. To give the boxes a little substance, I cut up floral foam that I had lying around and put it a piece in each box. Another option that would be nicer, would be to get 3x3 wood posts and cut them to 3" squares. But that would cost money and I'm super cheap.

The boxes I used are 3"x3" and I used 6 so the measurements of the puzzle (and thus, the picture of Rachel) is 6" high by 9" long. I cut out the picture and on the back drew lines to cut up the picture so a section is on each of the 6 blocks. Once I was sure the lines would line up correctly, I cut them.

Then I took each piece and attached it to a box. For the other sides of the boxes, I attached cute scrapbook paper. Another variation of the project would be to attach other pictures in the same way so each side has another picture puzzle. That would be fun too, especially for kids.

 I knew my mom wouldn't take it apart so I just covered the other 5 sides with paper. The adhesive I used was my tape gun. To make covering the other sides easier on myself, I just cut three inch strips and then folded it over sides of the boxes.

As a finishing touch, I assembled the "puzzle" and tied a bow around it with some cute ribbon I had left over from Rachel's baby book.

I love that this project cost me nothing for the puzzle. I already had everything lying around! Yay!

Mini-Album

So because my mom's birthday (50!!!) and Mother's day was so close, we decided to do something extra special this year.

And because we're so awesome, we went to Idaho to visit her for Memorial Day Weekend. She had no idea. It was awesome. I'll post about that soon.

But I didn't want to go empty handed--I mean, it was her 50th Birthday AND Mother's Day and flowers we sent weren't going to cut it. So I came up with a couple of cute things for her. And yes, of course, they involve pictures of Rachel. This is one of the little projects. I'll post the other one soon.

*
The first project I put together is a mini-folding album of pictures of Rachel for Mom to keep in her purse (I also made Caitlin one).

I used little clear plastic playing card cases that I found in the dollar section at Michaels. I took the playing cards out and tossed them in with my games.

Then I measured the inside of the smaller (bottom) piece to make sure the paper would fit. The dimensions were 2.25" wide by 3.5" long.

I found some cute cardstock in my stash and cut long strips that were the same width as the plastic card holder (2.25"). I measured the strip and marked off "pages" every 3.5". I then folded the paper accordion style and sharpened the folds with a bone folder. Because I wanted 16 "pages" I made sure there were 9 pages on each side (so that there was a cover and a back page). The strips of cardstock weren't long enough so I attached them to each other using my trusty Tape Gun. (LOVE that thing!)

I cut out all the adorable pictures of my adorable niece and then decorated all the mini pages on both sides using the adorable pictures and other cute embellishments I had lying around.

When I was finished decorating, I used my tape gun to put adhesive on top of the front and back pages (they're still visible since the plastic is clear) and stuck them to the case pieces.

To finish it up, I used a cute ribbon to tie a little bow to hold it all together. Ta Da!

First Photoshop Experience

I've wanted real Photoshop for YEARS, but I just never could afford it. Then I found out that there is a "easy" version called Elements. Then my laptop died so no point in buying a program I couldn't use. Now I have a laptop again. And then I found the program 50% off. YAY! And they had a 'How to Use Photoshop Elements, book on sale too! YAY! Go Fry's!

So I read the first few chapters of the book to get myself acquainted with the program. And I like the book. The author is funny. It's not just a "How To" book, it's got some personality.

This is my first few pictures that I edited.

Before:

 After:

So cool! It looks 100 years old! I just wish I could figure out how to lighten the steeple.

Before:

After: 

And one last one...

Before:

 After:

Love that I can remove dates from the corner and correct the colors!

I'm excited to see what else the program can do!

Cup of Confetti Cheer

Yesterday was my birthday. Am I old enough to start groaning when my birthday comes around? I vote yes.

My first call of the day came from Erin. It was fun to talk to her and hear how things are treating her in Rexburg. (she's doing really well, by the way. :)

I hadn't told anyone at work it was my birthday because I didn't want it to be a big deal, and I certainly don't need a cake that I shouldn't eat anyway, so I wasn't expecting anything.

The morning went along swimmingly. For lunch, Cait had "reserved" me and we made plans to go to Pluto's at the mall. Sooooo delicious! I had a fabulous salad and Cait had their amazing tri-tip sandwich (her favorite). And I got an amazing Strawberry/Banana/Nutella Crepe! YUMMY!

Cait was sweet and got me a couple of new books and cupcakes from a little cupcake store down the street--oh, and a rock monster pet. Oh yeah, let's not forget that she walked into my office with a petsmart pet box and told me she got me a pet.

I was really nervous because I don't want a pet (actually I'd love one, but I don't want to pay for it or take care of it--so really I don't want one). I opened it up and saw this.

It's the perfect pet. I'm excited. :)

Then I got back to my office and saw this:

It was like birthday threw up all over my cubicle. My sweet co-worker Brittney heard Cait tell me Happy Birthday and took it upon herself to run to the dollar store (across the parking lot) and get decorations, balloons, and confetti--lots of confetti and decorate my desk. I have no idea how she got them put up and blew up 25 balloons before I got back. I was impressed.

I saw the confetti and said, "Oh! It's so messy!" Brittney thought that was so funny. It's sad that my first thought was pity for our cleaning people. They're going to hate me. hahahaha. But I loved it and it was fun to have for the afternoon.

I cleaned my desk and saved a cup of the confetti. It was just so pretty and sparkily! I mean, who doesn't want a cup of confetti?!  :)

Steven was sweet and called and so we got a chance to chat for a minute before I got a call at work that I had to deal with.

And I got to leave a few minutes early to take the mail. That was a nice little bonus.

All in all it was a lovely day and it was fun to get messages and texts from my friends wishing me a happy birthday.

I was reminded that...

(Cait got me this pin from her jewelers while we were at the mall. So cute! It's pinned to my purse now. :))

New Layouts and Time Capsule Mini-Album

Last week I shared some layouts that I had made for National Scrapbooking Day. I've continued to scrap this week for a couple of challenges (contests) and so I wanted to share.

This layout is for a Bling Challenge. The idea was to make the page sparkily. I was excited about this challenge because this is soooo up my alley (and the prize is $200 giftcard to Tiffany's--not that it will get you much, but still! It's Tiffany's!). This is one of my most favorite layouts ever. It really helps that it has one my most favorite subject matters--my family--more specifically my baby sister, Erwin, Erin and her new hubby, Jim. ;) (I LOVE YOU!)

This other new layout is for a Pink Challenge. Obviously. The picture is of the roses that were used in our bouquets when I was a bridesmaid for my dear friend, Lisa. The roses were gorgeously deep pink. I loved them. And the picture was perfect for a pink layout.

The next project I did was also for a challenge. It was a Time Machine Themed Mini-Album and so I made a Time Capsule documenting some of my favorite things for the first part of this year. It was pretty fun to put together. Conveniently I already had a mini-album kit waiting to be used so I didn't have to worry too much about gathering supplies. In addition to what the kit had (the browns/orange/yellows) I added some extras that I cut out from the packaging from another paper kit that I LOVE called "Note To Self" from Echo Park.

I had a fun time putting together this little book. I think it turned out pretty cute. :) Thanks for looking!!

Reality Check

Yesterday I was informed that our office is changing health insurance programs. Yikes!

I have NO experience with how insurance works and actual costs of medical care. You would think that I would know because I work in a law firm that deals with injuries (work and personal), but no, I don't.

Today I learned some interesting things about my health care costs when I've gone to the ER the last three times. I called my current insurance company and talked to the billing department.

• November 3, 2011: I went to have an MRI of my neck to see if my cervical dystonia was causing any damage (thankfully it isn't). Cost: $2,835. My co-pay: $50.00. Peace of Mind: Priceless.
• November 7, 2011: I pulled a muscle in my back, got serious pain meds, had a siezure, and then hung out at the ER for a few hours. Cost: $2,389.45. Really? That's it? My co-pay: $150.00.
• April 3, 2011: Serious case of the flu (like way bad), got a bunch of fluids and basically spent the night in the ER. Cost: $1,718.75. My co-pay: $150.00. Being alive: Also priceless.
• May 26, 2010: I crushed the very tip of my middle finger. I got an x-ray that said the very tip was broken, but there was nothing they could do for it except give me pain meds and antibiotics (it was a "compound fracture" because it was bleeding). Cost: $7,724.80. My co-pay: $150.00. Phew! Glad I didn't have a deductible!! Can you imagine the costs if I had actually broken something of value? Like my arm or leg? Goodness! Safety: Priceless. ;)

Lessons Learned:

1) I go to the ER WAY TOO MUCH!
2) Medical Bills are super expensive--even for the relatively benign things like getting the flu.
3) Deductibles are way bad. I never want to pay them.
4) I don't know how people pay their medical bills! I have a hard time paying my co-pays!

So yeah, I think it's pretty clear that I need to keep good insurance. Darn.