My Etsy Shop is Officially Open
I finally got my Etsy site up and running. Thanks to those of you that helped motivate me to do it. I will give friends free shipping if you happen to be interested in anything in particular. You can check out my creations here: www arabellejewelry.com
Piper Blog Update
After a much too long hiatus, the Piper blog has finally been updated. If you're curious as to what my little Mini-Me is up to, take a look here.
For Your Viewing Pleasure
A long lost friend from high school was looking for a cool gift for a friend and asked me about my jewelry. This made me remember how many pictures of beaded jewelry I already have pictures of and since none of you, except Gina and my sister, have seen my jewelry I decided to share some here. They are the same ones I uploaded to my Facebook album if you want to check them out there. Arabelle is my business name and it is just a twist on my name - Erin Bell. I am trying ot move away from beaded items and do more of my own silver work, but I am finding the transitioning to a medium that requires more time and detail (not to mention hazardous chemicals and a flame at times) wasn't the best idea when you also decide to have a baby.
I don't have many pictures of my silver items yet, but the first picture is of some earrings I made with metal clay. I donated some to a charity auction and a person that lost the bid asked for some similar and this was the picture I sent them. The rest are just pictures of items I have submitted to juried art and craft shows in the past. Enjoy! (I hope)
I don't have many pictures of my silver items yet, but the first picture is of some earrings I made with metal clay. I donated some to a charity auction and a person that lost the bid asked for some similar and this was the picture I sent them. The rest are just pictures of items I have submitted to juried art and craft shows in the past. Enjoy! (I hope)
Overdue Quirk Tag
So I believe I have technically been tagged twice on this and like so many things, it was put on my "To Do Later" list (it's amazing what's on that list). So here goes...
1 - I am a pyro. I love playing with fire. I love the smell of spring burning. When we go camping, it's my job to collect the firewood while Mike sets up the tent. This is really only because I know the sooner the firewood is collected, the sooner I get to light the fire. I am not particularly good at lighting fires either, but that may just be a subconscious attempt to keep me playing in the fire. Now we have a wood-burning stove and use it as our primary source of heat in the winter (the heat envelopes you). I am generally the one that lights and tends the fire and unfortunately I have the scars to prove it. I think it's hereditary. My great-grandpa was still doing spring burning in his 90s.
2 - I have a thing with 11s, but you now know that.
3 - I LOVE MILK. Breakfast is not complete without it. I drink 2 gallons per week. I will sometimes turn away from chocolate if I don't have milk to wash it down with.
4 - I can't really drive a stick shift and I didn't really learn how until I was 26. My parents didn't own cars with standard transmission when I was old enough to drive so I didn't have to learn then. My cars had always been automatic. I did learn to drive a tractor as an early teen, but killing the tractor in the middle of the field (or running it into the ditch while your grandpa tries not to laugh at you) isn't quite the same level of stress as killing a car in an intersection. I was forced into driving a stick when I was an Area Soil Scientist in Ogden, UT. I had an old Dodge truck with a hydraulic probe/auger attached to the back of it that was used for sampling soil. I didn't have to use it much, but sometimes it was an absolute necessity because you can't just dig a hole that 10 feet deep wherever you want just because you want to know the soil texture. I taught myself to drive this truck by driving around the empty parking lot of Iomega (remember zip disks?). It was a great way to break up the time in the office. My first trip that wasn't just down the street and back from my office was to Logan. The trip went well and I was able to take back roads all the way to the office in North Logan and thereby avoiding the humilation of killing a big Dodge truck with a hydraulic probe in downtown Logan. I haven't driven a stick since the ol'Dodge, but could probably do it if I absolutely had to.
5 - I am a recovering Reality TV addict. The list of shows I have seen every episode of is long and a bit embarrassing. I am proud to say watching much less these days.
6 - I have a really good memory for phone numbers. I used to be better, but cell phones are starting to affect that only because I never have to dial some numbers.
7 - I hate having to call people on the phone when it's for nonpersonal or business reason. I can strike up a conversation face-to-face with just about anyone and experience no anxiety in doing so (I have years of waitressing to thank for that), but my heart will beat hard and fast and I then turn into a toungue-tied idiot that doesn't make sense. It's not like that all of the time, it's just really annoying when it does.
OK, there's my 7. This quirky girl is now going to go take a shower not that it's 2:30 in the afternoon. It seems to happen a lot at this time of day.
1 - I am a pyro. I love playing with fire. I love the smell of spring burning. When we go camping, it's my job to collect the firewood while Mike sets up the tent. This is really only because I know the sooner the firewood is collected, the sooner I get to light the fire. I am not particularly good at lighting fires either, but that may just be a subconscious attempt to keep me playing in the fire. Now we have a wood-burning stove and use it as our primary source of heat in the winter (the heat envelopes you). I am generally the one that lights and tends the fire and unfortunately I have the scars to prove it. I think it's hereditary. My great-grandpa was still doing spring burning in his 90s.
2 - I have a thing with 11s, but you now know that.
3 - I LOVE MILK. Breakfast is not complete without it. I drink 2 gallons per week. I will sometimes turn away from chocolate if I don't have milk to wash it down with.
4 - I can't really drive a stick shift and I didn't really learn how until I was 26. My parents didn't own cars with standard transmission when I was old enough to drive so I didn't have to learn then. My cars had always been automatic. I did learn to drive a tractor as an early teen, but killing the tractor in the middle of the field (or running it into the ditch while your grandpa tries not to laugh at you) isn't quite the same level of stress as killing a car in an intersection. I was forced into driving a stick when I was an Area Soil Scientist in Ogden, UT. I had an old Dodge truck with a hydraulic probe/auger attached to the back of it that was used for sampling soil. I didn't have to use it much, but sometimes it was an absolute necessity because you can't just dig a hole that 10 feet deep wherever you want just because you want to know the soil texture. I taught myself to drive this truck by driving around the empty parking lot of Iomega (remember zip disks?). It was a great way to break up the time in the office. My first trip that wasn't just down the street and back from my office was to Logan. The trip went well and I was able to take back roads all the way to the office in North Logan and thereby avoiding the humilation of killing a big Dodge truck with a hydraulic probe in downtown Logan. I haven't driven a stick since the ol'Dodge, but could probably do it if I absolutely had to.
5 - I am a recovering Reality TV addict. The list of shows I have seen every episode of is long and a bit embarrassing. I am proud to say watching much less these days.
6 - I have a really good memory for phone numbers. I used to be better, but cell phones are starting to affect that only because I never have to dial some numbers.
7 - I hate having to call people on the phone when it's for nonpersonal or business reason. I can strike up a conversation face-to-face with just about anyone and experience no anxiety in doing so (I have years of waitressing to thank for that), but my heart will beat hard and fast and I then turn into a toungue-tied idiot that doesn't make sense. It's not like that all of the time, it's just really annoying when it does.
OK, there's my 7. This quirky girl is now going to go take a shower not that it's 2:30 in the afternoon. It seems to happen a lot at this time of day.
More 11:11
Did you know that Veterans Day is always on November 11 (11/11) because WWII formally ended at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month? I didn't know that until yesterday. Just thought that was kinda interesting.
Post-Election News Vacation
I didn't watch the news or read it online for the first couple of says after the election. It wasn't really intentional, it just happened. It was kinda nice suddenly having this time back in my day again. I hadn't totally realized how much of an information junkie I had become. Instant gratification has the tendency to make to go a bit overboard with things. Not quite like these people, though. I bet all of the talking heads on the news channels feel this way.
Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are
Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are
44
I found out during my early 20s that there was actually a religious cult in Montana that was centered around the number 11 (no, this isn't how I ended up in Montana). I found a book that their leader published. It was a little too "out there" even for me, but I still have the book. I was simply fascinated by the fact that there were actually other people experiencing 11:11 "phenomena". I found many people online that were "normal", so to speak, just like me (that probably depends on who you talk to) that also saw 11s a lot. I even found out that my sister did but neither of us had ever mentioned this to the other. Google 1111. It's surprising the number and variety of search results you will get. That photo of the Japanese Maple leaf, btw, is compliments of www.1111.com which doesn't have much to do with 1111 other than that is their PO Box #.
I am not sure what it means exactly, other than I do notice it more at certain periods of life than others. I asked my redneck psychic what he thought about me seeing 11s and he told me maybe the 7 was just burned out on the sign (his answer is an example of why I like this man). If I had to pinpoint a reason for myself, I'd say it's a message from the Universe to pay more attention to what is going on around me.
11 is considered a master number in numerology, along with 22, 33, 44, ... Without getting too much into explanation that I would have to look up even to explain (and you may not even care), master numbers are just more "special" than the other numbers.
So now to the point of my post. Obama will be the 44th President. I looked up the "meaning" of 44 in a book called Angel Numbers by Doreen Virtue. I look at numerology the same way I do horoscopes. They may or may not have meaning for you, and they often only have as much meaning as you give to them. This is what the book said:
"Many angels are with you now. You can ask these angels to help you with anything that brings peace to you and your loved ones. Don't tell the angels how to fix a situation; just ask them to fix it. The Divine and infinite wisdom of the Creator guides you (through the angels) to a wonderfully ingenious solution."
Just like a horoscope, a lot (or little) can be read into this. In light of the all the crap that is going on in this country, I choose to believe this. I choose to believe that Obama will have the divine guidance necessary for returning our country to what it was and more.
Today's horoscope (I don't normally read them) compliments of Frances Drake via the Bozeman Daily Chronicle for Aquarians (me) is:
"Important people notice you now. Furthermore, they are impressed, even if you don't do anything special. Therefore, make the most of this, because it won't always be easy. "
I am not sure who these important people are (could it be you?), but I think they must be OK if they are impressed just by me being me (Honestly, I really don't have to do anything special to be special because I am special).
Yep, I choose to believe my horoscope (and possibly my delusions) today, too.
Thanks, Gina!
I just stole this from your blog. Too cool not to share...
Clockwise Or Counterclockwise? - video powered by Metacafe
Which way does the dancing girl spin for you? Only clockwise for me.
If you see this lady turning clockwise you are using your right brain. If you see it her turning the other way, you are using left brain. Some people do see both ways, but most people see it only one way.
See if you can make her go one way and then the other by shifting the brain's current.
BOTH DIRECTIONS CAN BE SEEN.
Experimentation has shown that the two different sides or hemispheres of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. The following table illustrates the differences between left-brain and right-brain thinking:
Left Brain
Logical
Sequential
Rational
Analytical
Objective
Looks at parts
Right Brain
Random
Intuitive
Holistic
Synthesizing
Subjective
Looks at wholes
Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain activities. Left-brain scholastic subjects focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity.
If you look away, she may switch from one direction to the other.
~~~~~~~
Now see this from New Scientist.
Bring on the dancing girl
OK, hands up if you can make her change direction. No? Only clockwise? How about making her stop?
This strangely compelling, animated silhouette of a woman spinning gracefully has been doing the rounds via email lately and the New Scientist office was one of many that spent a guiltily non-productive afternoon staring at her.
Why? Because some people see her spinning clockwise, some see her moving counterclockwise, and most, if they stare long enough, see her switch direction. Some can make her change at will. But no-one, it seems, can make her move in two directions at once.
All pretty spooky since she is an unchanging animation of only 34 frames in a constant loop. What seems to be happening is that the two-dimensional image does not contain enough three-dimensional information to tell the brain which way she is spinning. So your brain helpfully fills this in, as brains do in many optical illusions. Only, in this case the brain can do it one of two ways.
How about the stopping? Well, perception of time is pretty subjective, and our experience of inertia is that when things make a 180-degree change in direction, they have to slow and stop first.
What this animation does not involve is different sides of the brain, as the initial post claims. What you see is purely due to your perceptual and cognitive flexibility.
What is a little scary is how threatened by this some people clearly feel. The blogosphere is rife with arguments and ingenious explanations of the lady, with some people simply refusing to believe it isn’t an animation tick that really changes direction every few minutes.
Even more common are the people who are sure they know how to make her change direction. According to them, the trick is to hold your head or hands in certain ways, tilt the screen or look at her out of the corner of one eye. It was what they were doing when they saw her change – so it must work. Right?
Debora Mackenzie, New Scientist contributor
Clockwise Or Counterclockwise? - video powered by Metacafe
Which way does the dancing girl spin for you? Only clockwise for me.
If you see this lady turning clockwise you are using your right brain. If you see it her turning the other way, you are using left brain. Some people do see both ways, but most people see it only one way.
See if you can make her go one way and then the other by shifting the brain's current.
BOTH DIRECTIONS CAN BE SEEN.
Experimentation has shown that the two different sides or hemispheres of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. The following table illustrates the differences between left-brain and right-brain thinking:
Left Brain
Logical
Sequential
Rational
Analytical
Objective
Looks at parts
Right Brain
Random
Intuitive
Holistic
Synthesizing
Subjective
Looks at wholes
Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain activities. Left-brain scholastic subjects focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity.
If you look away, she may switch from one direction to the other.
~~~~~~~
Now see this from New Scientist.
Bring on the dancing girl
OK, hands up if you can make her change direction. No? Only clockwise? How about making her stop?
This strangely compelling, animated silhouette of a woman spinning gracefully has been doing the rounds via email lately and the New Scientist office was one of many that spent a guiltily non-productive afternoon staring at her.
Why? Because some people see her spinning clockwise, some see her moving counterclockwise, and most, if they stare long enough, see her switch direction. Some can make her change at will. But no-one, it seems, can make her move in two directions at once.
All pretty spooky since she is an unchanging animation of only 34 frames in a constant loop. What seems to be happening is that the two-dimensional image does not contain enough three-dimensional information to tell the brain which way she is spinning. So your brain helpfully fills this in, as brains do in many optical illusions. Only, in this case the brain can do it one of two ways.
How about the stopping? Well, perception of time is pretty subjective, and our experience of inertia is that when things make a 180-degree change in direction, they have to slow and stop first.
What this animation does not involve is different sides of the brain, as the initial post claims. What you see is purely due to your perceptual and cognitive flexibility.
What is a little scary is how threatened by this some people clearly feel. The blogosphere is rife with arguments and ingenious explanations of the lady, with some people simply refusing to believe it isn’t an animation tick that really changes direction every few minutes.
Even more common are the people who are sure they know how to make her change direction. According to them, the trick is to hold your head or hands in certain ways, tilt the screen or look at her out of the corner of one eye. It was what they were doing when they saw her change – so it must work. Right?
Debora Mackenzie, New Scientist contributor
Inventory
After the week from hell last week, I am going to start this week off by taking inventory of things that make me feel good.
- I love my new used fridge. I loved that we were able to pay cash for it. I love that it gave me an opportunity to throw away all of those condiments that I was saving for some unknown special occasion. I love the roominess of this fridge. I love that it isn't as wide as the last fridge so there's room for the broom and stepping stool on the side.
- Thanks to my over-generous in-laws and a Nintendo employee discount, we got a Wii and Wii Fit about a month ago. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Wii Fit Board. I have a video game mentality. There's something about beating the high score the can really drive me. Who knew that it would work with exercise. I would exercise on my own, but I was horrible about pushing myself to the point of actually getting much benefit from a workout. Depending on the "game" I am playing, I can actually get to the point of sweat dripping from my hair. A lot of the games are rated on how stable your body is and where your center of balance is. Not surprsiningly, my center of balance is off. Could it possibly be from caring a kid aroung all of the time? The Wii Fit is helping me be more aware of how I distribute my weight around, finding my balance. I like thinking that finding my inner balance will help me find balance in other parts of my life.
- I love how many friends I have reconnected with via the internet. Four people just last month. I kinda feel like I have been gathering people closer to me, but from a distance because none of you are here. It has helped me realize that not having many friends here is not the problem. My problem has been primarily with the lack of a real connection with people. Connections don't have to be made face to face. I have had more of a chance to strenghthen the relationships I do have here and it's been really nice remembering why I was attracted to these people in the first place.
- I love that being "green" and saving money are often one in the same. I love that the little ways I try to save money around the house, is also good for the earth. I love that I have become a little bit obsessive about recycling. I love the reusable grocery sacks from grovery stores. I still like to have some plastic sacks around the house, but the reusable bags are the bomb. I read somewhere if you leave them next to the car seat you'll never forget to take them into the store. I love that being more money-conscious is helping me to waste less food. I love that organic foods are beomcing more and more mainstream and more affordable as a result.
- I love that I have already voted. I wouldn't have guessed that I would have voted for Obama when he won the primary, but that is who my vote went to and I feel good about it. Even NRA-loving Mike voted for Obama. I love that I don't have to go out to do it tomorrow. I am proud of myself for being as aware as I am this election. I am looking forward to all of the political ads from TV going away. I am looking forward to the us vs. them and no in-between attitude fading into the background. I am looking forward to it all unfolding. I want to believe that there will be change regardless of who is elected. I think we are entering a new and long-overdue era of accountability from our elected officials. People are tired of the BS and aren't willing to put up for it anymore. Who needs reality TV, reality is pretty exciting in itself.
- I love that I am almost halfway through a book I started before I was pregnant, before I got into my reading rut. It's a long one and from a series I started when I was in Middle School. The last book only came out a few years ago so it will be really nice to find out what happens in the end. Mike and Tom will finally get to ask me what I think about the ending. I love that I am now going to go read that book while Pip watches some cartoons.
May your day be as great as mine.
- I love my new used fridge. I loved that we were able to pay cash for it. I love that it gave me an opportunity to throw away all of those condiments that I was saving for some unknown special occasion. I love the roominess of this fridge. I love that it isn't as wide as the last fridge so there's room for the broom and stepping stool on the side.
- Thanks to my over-generous in-laws and a Nintendo employee discount, we got a Wii and Wii Fit about a month ago. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Wii Fit Board. I have a video game mentality. There's something about beating the high score the can really drive me. Who knew that it would work with exercise. I would exercise on my own, but I was horrible about pushing myself to the point of actually getting much benefit from a workout. Depending on the "game" I am playing, I can actually get to the point of sweat dripping from my hair. A lot of the games are rated on how stable your body is and where your center of balance is. Not surprsiningly, my center of balance is off. Could it possibly be from caring a kid aroung all of the time? The Wii Fit is helping me be more aware of how I distribute my weight around, finding my balance. I like thinking that finding my inner balance will help me find balance in other parts of my life.
- I love how many friends I have reconnected with via the internet. Four people just last month. I kinda feel like I have been gathering people closer to me, but from a distance because none of you are here. It has helped me realize that not having many friends here is not the problem. My problem has been primarily with the lack of a real connection with people. Connections don't have to be made face to face. I have had more of a chance to strenghthen the relationships I do have here and it's been really nice remembering why I was attracted to these people in the first place.
- I love that being "green" and saving money are often one in the same. I love that the little ways I try to save money around the house, is also good for the earth. I love that I have become a little bit obsessive about recycling. I love the reusable grocery sacks from grovery stores. I still like to have some plastic sacks around the house, but the reusable bags are the bomb. I read somewhere if you leave them next to the car seat you'll never forget to take them into the store. I love that being more money-conscious is helping me to waste less food. I love that organic foods are beomcing more and more mainstream and more affordable as a result.
- I love that I have already voted. I wouldn't have guessed that I would have voted for Obama when he won the primary, but that is who my vote went to and I feel good about it. Even NRA-loving Mike voted for Obama. I love that I don't have to go out to do it tomorrow. I am proud of myself for being as aware as I am this election. I am looking forward to all of the political ads from TV going away. I am looking forward to the us vs. them and no in-between attitude fading into the background. I am looking forward to it all unfolding. I want to believe that there will be change regardless of who is elected. I think we are entering a new and long-overdue era of accountability from our elected officials. People are tired of the BS and aren't willing to put up for it anymore. Who needs reality TV, reality is pretty exciting in itself.
- I love that I am almost halfway through a book I started before I was pregnant, before I got into my reading rut. It's a long one and from a series I started when I was in Middle School. The last book only came out a few years ago so it will be really nice to find out what happens in the end. Mike and Tom will finally get to ask me what I think about the ending. I love that I am now going to go read that book while Pip watches some cartoons.
May your day be as great as mine.
