5 Reasons To Use StumbleUpon

Okay, so don't kill me, internet, but I actually haven't been pinning a lot lately. Don't get me wrong. I love to glance at the app every now and then, but I haven't been hardcore like on-the-actual-computer pinning.
(That's the technical term. You know what I'm talking about.)
I have been using StumbleUpon. Have you heard of it? It's kinda like Pinterest. Except, more men use it. And me, apparently. 

Reasons Why I Think You Should Use StumbleUpon

1. (Better) Creative Content. Pinterest has a Design section, yes, but to me, it just feels like an awful lot of inspiration, rather than tutorials. I can Stumble through the Graphic Design interest (my favorite) and see TONS of tutorials, freebies, and other articles that aren't available on Pinterest. I think the reason that some aren't on there is some just don't have pinnable images. (I try to keep my favorites on both, if possible.)

2. You actually read the articles. I don't know about you, but I rarely click through on Pinterest. And when I do, I'm often disappointed that it is linked to a picture, or worse, to a website that just  repins things and doesn't give the source. Or worstest, TUMBLR. Ahhh. I love StumbleUpon because I actually read the articles. And comment. And give love to the original writer.

3. You find the best stuff from all over the internet. Stumble all of your interests. It will find you some awesome, funny, and sometimes weird things from all edges of the internet. Because you aren't limited to using pictures, like you are on Pinterest, you can find some really cool articles. Or Javascript games. Like this one called Incredibox that lead to Dakota and I fighting over who could be the better mixer.

4. Lots more interests to choose from. 512! :) And if you "Like" (or Thumbs Up) enough pages from a website, SU will ask if you want to see more pages from this page, essentially adding it to your interests list!


5. Channels. Channels are like Stumbling a certain website. For example, recently, Dakota and I have been very into watching TEDTalks. They are very interesting, and make you think. TED has a channel on StumbleUpon. So I can stumble through TEDTalks and learn some new things! Some other channels I follow: The Beauty Department, DeviantArt, Food Network, and Cosmo. I just recently got into using the channels feature and can see how it will be VERY ADDICTING. Have you tried reading The Beauty Department? That is one of those websites that I can just keep clicking links all day long. 
I know StumbleUpon won't replace Pinterest in the blogging world, but at least give it a chance. You never know what kind of fun, interesting stuff you will come across!

Stretched Ears and Handmade Plugs

 

There is something you might not know about me. I might have mentioned it here before, but I'm not sure so I'm going to assume most of you don't know. Except for Abigail. 

I have stretched ears. Gauged. Whatever you want to call them. And they are actually pretty big. (Size 00.. I would say about the size of a dime.) Especially most people can look at me and not even realize my ears are stretched.

(My last employer didn't know I had gauges until about a year after I started working there.) Seriously.

I don't know if I could do it again if I had a do-over. But now that I've had them for nearly five or six years and the pain I went through to get them (hurt worse than my tattoo.. no joke.) I don't want to get rid of them. 

The thing is, I want new plugs. I've had this set for most of the time I've  been at this size, and I love them. They don't fall out while I'm sleeping. And they look like regular earrings to most people. Except once I had an interview and the interviewer had gauges so she realized.. I would've had to take them out to work there, or wear fleshies. Kinda glad I didn't get the job after all.

 So I've been browsing Etsy today looking for some ideas.. What do you guys think?

Bullet Plugs    I love these! Especially since my favorite gun to shoot is a .357 Magnum :)  Octopus Plugs

I think these would be seen as plugs right away, but they are adorable. (Did I really just say an octopus is adorable?! It is aqua, afterall.) 

Anchor Plugs

My brother is in the navy, so these make perfect sense.

Yellow Rose Plugs

I'm not really a yellow person, but I love these.

Zombie Cameo Plug

And we all know I love zombies, yes? Zombie cameo? Count me in!

 So you can see my dilemma. Too many choices.  And I haven't gone through all 119 pages of my search results on Etsy. Do you know other handmade shops that make gauges! Let me know!

What do you think? 

Do you have pierced ears?

Do you think gauges are gross? (I've heard this many times.)

     

Color Me Rad {Fresno} Recap

On Sunday, Abigail and I (along with her mom and sister) did Color Me Rad 5k. It was so much fun. I am still sore, but that is mostly my own fault.   I have been walking a lot, but I didn't think that the park I have been walking at is flat, and the 5k had hills.  This added a level of difficulty. I have to hand it to Abigail, though, she kept me going. Mostly because I didn't want her to leave me and never be able to find her again. But also because she bought my ticket and made me run down the hills! I love that girl.

The thing about these pictures is, next year I can use them as "before" pictures. It is just more motivation for me to step up my weight loss! I had such a great time, but along the way there were so many things I knew I should share, some that we knew to do, and some we learned when we got there. So here they are, and if you have more, let me know! 1) Arrive early. Like, an hour or more before your wave. Imagine all the people headed to the same place, on top of normal traffic. Imagine the parking, and the cops blocking entrances.  We waited in line for at least 30 minutes. People were getting bored so they were throwing their color bombs everywhere. 

2) Take a before picture. Because when you are all colorful, you will have forgotten what it was like to be clean. 

3) If you want pictures, bring a little ziplock with you for your phone. I saw other people doing this and I was amazed that I didn't think of it! Color Me Rad made it really easy, because the ziplock they gave you the sunglasses in was appropriately sized. 
My phone is still a little bit orange. And I kept having to wipe off the camera. But once you get all colorful, there is no place clean to wipe off the screen or the camera! 4) Keep your mouth closed during the color stations. 
At one of the liquid color stations, the guy sprayed me in the face. Does not taste good. Although, I will have to admit, that the liquid color wasn't as bad as the powder. The powder made my mouth feel funny. But I wouldn't recommend ingesting either one, haha. 5) Bring towels for your car for the ride back home. Trust me, the color gets everywhere. 6) Take lots of after pictures!  This was my favorite part. I didn't realize I was so colored until I took pictures! And even more so when I did comparisons!

7) Wear a costume! Make it fun! The Color Me Rad swag people made some money off of us. The blue shirts were included with registration, and so were the sunglasses and bibs. Everything else we bought. If I had planned better, I would have designed us a shirt. How sad is it that a graphic designer bought shirts she could have made herself? (I even designed a shirt for someone else doing the 5k!) Next year, when we sign up (and we WILL be doing it again) I will be spending some time on the design, and maybe we will make tutus! 

Thank you again Abigail for taking me. You're the best.

Balance

  I am struggling to find balance in my life. I feel like the things I care most about are suffering.I hate that my blog goes so long without a post. I hate that I haven't been creating in the way that I want to. I hate that I concentrate so hard at work daily that I come home and don't even want to look at a computer screen. But there are people who have so much more responsibility than I do and are able to handle the kind of balance that lets them be a mother, a blogger, work in some capacity, and still have enough brain power to cook? So obviously, I am missing something.   I have been reading a lot about Balance. Life Balance, actually. It all started when I was talking to Abigail on the phone while I was making pancakes. I was telling her how I wanted so bad to blog more, but I just could never find the time. She told me I just needed balance.   And that struck a chord with me. She probably didn't think much about it at the time, but it really stuck with me. My life is off balance. And has been for a while. And only now am I feeling the effects. I constantly feel like something is missing in my life, and I'm thinking that this is what I needed. To find balance in my life.  

   So how can I do it? That's kinda why I'm pouring out my heart in this way. How do you find balance?    

Updates

Happy Sunday Everyone!  I'm back for two days in a row, can you believe it?
I've missed it here. I've missed pouring my heart out to you. I really have. So, I figured we should get back together.
Here's what is going on with me:
-Filled out my graduation application, to graduate in May with my AS Degree. -Got cut down to part time at my job (unfortunately) -Had two interviews for graphic design jobs -Started running with the Zombies, Run! 5k Training App -Lost 11 lbs. and 4 inches in my waist, 2 in my neck, and 1 in my hips. -Have more energy -Been spending a lot more time with my man.  -Oh, and there's this:

Now, now, before you freak out. This isn't an engagement ring. Dakota and I have been spending a lot more time together lately, and after much discussion we have decided we will be getting married (someday) but Dakota wants me to have some serious bling apparently (I wonder if he has been looking at my Pinterest board?) and to be honest, as much as I love and adore him, I don't think I'm ready to get married yet. 
Anyway, this ring is like a pre-engagement ring, or a promise ring. Some have told me that we are way past a promise ring, but really, I think this is what a promise ring is for. Couples that love each other but may not be ready to get married, even financially. I just don't feel the need to rush. Dakota and I have a great relationship. I love him as much as I would if I shared his last name. And some day I will. But honestly, I do want a big wedding. I want my family there. I want my family there. When Dakota and I finally do get married, it's going to be a bash of EPIC proportions. And we just aren't there yet. 
I do have a question, though? Which hand do I wear it on?? It feels better on my left hand, but I don't really want to field questions of when I got engaged. Opinions?!?

Photography - DJ and Julia, Part 2

First of all, I know I have been gone a lot lately. Truth is, a lot has been happening around here. Not the best stuff. But we are working through it. The other day, to get my mind off of it, I finally went out and got some more pictures of my brother and Julia. I got some pictures of them in New York, but it was raining, and I was a wuss about getting my camera wet.
Plus, it was cold.
Anyway, I took advantage of the sunshine the other day and got some pictures. Now that Julia has her ring and everything, you know.

Let me know what you think. My mom was happy.
And that's all that matters right? Pictures of her son without his glasses.

I think he looks weird, but who am I to judge.

I love these people.

Why I really need to get organized...

Because this board stares at me. It expects me to do something with all these pins. You know, rather than stare at them? Do I have all my household stuff in one, awesome, binder? ...That would be a "NO"
Do I have a nifty grocery list plan? ... Sorry..
Do I have my recipes in a cute, decorated binder? ....They are in a sheet protector! But no. 

But, I certainly love knowing that those pins are there.
Because I might need them. 
Someday.
Maybe.
I am a pin hoarder.
I need help.

Do you have boards that you wish you would actually put to good use?

Don't even get me started on my "weight loss" board. Follow me on Pinterest, and I will show you some cool stuff. Promise.

Designer or Artist?: Getting Inspired

Every year, there it was, under the tree, wrapped with my name on it. I would be happy every time I got one, because they were all different, but I was never really surprised. I received art supply kits for Christmas since I was in Kindergarten. And I would use every last piece. The markers, the crayons, the watercolors, the colored pencils. Every piece would be loved and used.
I used to consider myself an artist.  But now I consider myself a "designer".
When did that change? What is the difference?
A designer creates artwork. An artist can design. So where do we draw the line?
I think it has something to do with that designers don't create for themselves. And artists do. In my opinion. 
But artists create for other people.
It's a conundrum. 
I need to inspire myself. Look at what I used to create, and be inspired. I used to create for myself. For the fun. But do I do that?
I'm trying to now, for sure.
But I need to get inspired.

So in this journey, I decided to show you some of my more favorite pieces I have created.

1) A converse shoe made with the gradient mesh tool in Illustrator. I am working on a post on how to use this tool. It really is an amazing tool. I had so much fun doing this. It was for an assignment for my Digital Imaging class. As was #3. Actually, #3 was for the same assignment. But this one I enjoyed so much more.
2) Rocko's Modern Life. I drew this probably 6 years ago, for my exboyfriend. I don't even know if he still has it. Maybe I should ask for it back. Think he would give it back after all these years? Who knows. This is hand drawn and colored.
3) This rose was created, like number one, with the gradient mesh tool. It isn't perfect, but I love it anyway. 
My goal in having this blog is quickly changing. I not only want this to be a resource for you to grow and learn, but also as a creative outlet for me to grow and learn as an artist AND as a designer.

Do you ever look back at your old work and get inspired? Do you create for yourself?

Currently

I think that I am actually linking up with Currently two weeks in a row! Aren't you proud of me? I think I am getting the hang of this blogging thing. Now to just get people to read it. And to like me. You like me don't you? Sometimes I require reassurance. 

Reading: Going to dive into Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern for the my new book club that I joined. #literaryjunkies.

Click their button on my new Networking page to check it out!

 I am so excited to be apart of this. I love reading, and I love talking about books even more.
I hope to start it tonight, if I am not too tired.

Wishing: For my brother to be safe. He just left on his first deployment not too long ago and I am very worried. It's a scary thing. But I am oh so proud of him. When he left home to go back to his new base, I hugged him for like 5 minutes straight.
 He is a punk, but he's my little brother. My only one. Watching him leave and knowing he was going to be deployed for the next 6-8 months was very hard. Very hard.
I don't know how military wives do it. I know I couldn't. 
Cooking: Not much lately. But the other day, Dakota made enchiladas. He cooked a roast in the slow cooker and everything! And since I played the sick card, I didn't even have to help! Of course, I offered my  expertise opinion, but he didn't listen. Stubborn men.
Thankful: For the man that I was lucky enough to find four years ago. He is stubborn sometimes and onrey, but I love him so much, my heart has never felt so full as it has these past few years. I'm sorry, I just had to gush about him a little. I am very grateful.
Loving: The cat that Loki is becoming. He is so playful. Such an adjustment from antisocial Scooter. He loves getting into the windows. I think he just likes to see outside since he is an indoor cat. He loves playing with ribbons and boxes and really anything he can get his hands on. 
Today he raced into the bathroom with Dakota to hide under the curtain but slipped and fell in the bathtub. Which was still wet from Dakota's shower. It was hilarious! He was so embarrassed. 
But also, he loves curling up next to me. When I lay in bed watching TV when Dakota's at work, I usually have both cats on top of me or next to me. They really are like my children. I am becoming a crazy cat lady.  And to think, I used to think of myself as a dog person. Not quite sure anymore.  

Linking up with "Currently" over at Harvesting Kale for quite possibly the longest post I have ever written.

My Life In Numbers

One sunny day in math class, while I was daydreaming and looking out the window, my teacher said "So when are you ever going to use this math stuff?"
"Pfft. Never." I thought, oh. so. snarkily.
He went on to explain how everything in life can boil down to a mathematical equation.
A number.
Don't get me wrong, I still don't like math. But he's kinda right. 
Like Jason Michael Carroll says..
"Numbers all around, flying by, up and down,
Some as slow as Christmas coming,
Some like the speed of sound,
And we all wonder, what they mean,
The highs, the lows, the in betweens,
Most of them mean absolutely nothing
But some of them mean everything"

So here are some numbers that reflect a little about my life:
21: The number of years I have called earth home
2009: The year I graduated High School
4: The number of years Dakota has been my one and only
2013: The year I hope to graduate college, with an AA degree
1: The number of cats currently trying to sneak onto my lap
2: The number of cats that completely have my heart
10: The number of quarters currently in my desk
3: The number of alarms that wake me up every week day morning
2: The number of times I wake up 2 minutes before the alarm every day
34: The number of times I tweet on any given day
127: The number of posts that come through my BlogLovin' every day
57: The number of posts that come through my BlogLovin' that I actually read
15: The number of times a day I call Dakota a dork
18: The number of times a day I tell Dakota how much I love him
11: The number of times it takes berating myself before I get up and do the dishes
3: The number of times I hiss at Loki before he gets my drift
4: The number of times I cuddle Loki like a baby
2: The number of people that now think I am crazy
3: The number of times a day I get my twitter password wrong before I remember that I changed it
361: The number of people who follow me on Twitter
27: The number of people who actually talk to me on Twitter
45: The number of minutes I spend on Pinterest before I remember what I was looking for
20: The number of minutes looking at the blog with the info I was looking for 
15: The number of times I have seen the movie Hope Floats
15: The number of times I have bawled like a baby during Hope Floats
27 28 29: The number of times today I have listened to I Ain't Your Mama
29.5: The number of minutes I spent thinking about this post before actually writing it.
1.5: The number of years I have worked at Waterman
15: The number of bottles of liquor currently in my home
0: Numbers of gallons of milk currently in my home
82: The number of emails I get on a daily basis at work
27: The number of emails I groan at before replying to them
3: The number of times so far I have tried to end this post
4: The number of times I have successfully restarted this post 3: The average number of times I edit a post after publishing because I see minor, but glaring, errors
  2: Hours before Dakota gets home 2: Hours before I need to go to bed
10: The number of Jessicas you probably know
1: The number of awesome Jessicas you know.
*Hint, that's me :)

Linking up with Greta :) I'd love to read your numbers!

I would like to thank the academy...

Pesky Pippi has nominated me for the Liebster Award! I am very honored, and unsure as to if Pippi has ever actually read my blog. I think it is only because of that time I suggested that she hurt her back in a lively match of Penguin Races. And, just to clarify, that's like horse racing, but with Penguins. Yeah, that happened.

The rules of the Liebster Award are as follows:

Each person must post 11 things about herself/himself.

Answer the new 11 questions.

Create 11 questions for the new people you will be giving the award to.

Choose 11 new people to award and send them the link to your post.

No tag backs.

11 Things about Jessica

I have to watch movies at the movie theater. If I try and watch movies at home, I fall asleep. 

I love to cuddle up on my boyfriend's side of the bed when he's gone.

I speak to my cats like children.

I love buying make up but don't ever put it on for work.

I love long hair on men. Just not longer than mine. Case in point.... 

I love country music best of all, but you will also catch me listening to Jazz, Hard Rock, and even swing music. I can't help it. It makes me dance.

Most people in my life call me Jess. Even at work. I am only Jessica to my boss and when I'm in trouble.

Dakota and I are agnostic, but don't really talk about religion on my blog. I don't want my beliefs to squash those of others. Or for theirs to squash mine.

Even though Dakota and I don't have any children, I typically have 2-4 teenage boys in my home. My brother in law and his friends. Let's just say we go through a lot of food.

I love twitter, but sometimes I think I am just talking to myself. 

Questions I was asked to answer:

What is one piece of advice you would give to your high school self?

Stop being such a smart ass and pay attention. 

What scares you? 

Being alone. Especially in the dark. 

What’s your favorite dessert? 

Peach cobbler. Hands down. But I have brownies in the kitchen.. *brownie break*

What makes you laugh? 

Pop culture references. I like the jokes people don't get. Which is probably why people don't laugh at my jokes.

What boosts your confidence? 

That long look and sorta smirk that Dakota gives me when I have actually put effort into my appearance.

How do you like to spend a Friday night?

With a drink and my best friend and my Dakota. That's all I really need.

Sunrises or sunsets?

I am a sucker for sunrises. Especially because I am always awake for them. They require more effort than sunsets, so I think that's why too.

Do you have any pets? 

2 cats. Scooter and Loki. 

Describe a happy moment. 

A lazy Saturday morning where I can curl up on Dakota's shoulder and fall back asleep. Best feeling in the world.

What’s your favorite happy hour food?

 Mozzarella sticks. :)

What makes you stand out?

That I am very laid back but am also very scatterbrained most of the time. And my sense of humor. 

My new questions for award winners:

What song can you play over and over again?

What is your favorite hobby?

How do you dance when nobody is looking?

Coke or Pepsi?

What is your favorite blog to read?

What is your favorite fast food?

What is your dream job?

What is your favorite color?

What is your favorite holiday?

What makes you happy?

What kind of music makes you dance?

I nominate these bloggers for the Liebster Award:

Melissa

Blog   //  Twitter

Jess

Blog   //   Twitter

Delilah

Blog  //   Twitter

Chelsey

Blog   //   Twitter

Kristen

Blog   //   Twitter

Lesley

Blog   //   Twitter

Sarah

Blog  //  Twitter

Mandey

Blog   //  Twitter

Rachel
Blog  //  Twitter

Rachel

Blog  //  Twitter

Greta

Blog   //   Twitter 

Julie

Blog   //   Twitter

My New Sister

Well I announced this on my facebook page a few days ago, but for those of you who aren't friends with me, I have an announcement to make! I am getting a sister! No, my parents aren't having another baby. 
My brother is getting married!

He left on Friday to be deployed, so we don't know when they will get married. But I am so excited! Julia is the sweetest, nicest person you will ever meet. My brother definitely needs someone like her! <3 And because I love you and because it is Halloween,  I am giving the template I made to create the collage above to my readers! Click here to download the PSD file.
Disclaimer: This file was created by me and is my intellectual property.  You are free to use it for noncommerical work, but please do not redistribute as your own.  That is stealing and it makes me sad.
Happy Halloween, Friends!

Friday Letters

Dear Friday, You know I love so much when you visit. But this week, since I have been gone, I am so far behind on everything. Thank you for being here, one last day to work before the weekend. 
Dear Vegas, I was so glad to see you and act like a tourist in a town I have been to veryy many times, just never got to experience the strip or the bars or much of that. 

Dear Nana, I loved spending time with you and talking with you. Hearing stories I had never heard before. Hearing your stance on religion, which I had never heard, but is remarkably like mine. I feel more and more like you every time I see you. 

Dear Bed, I have missed you. It was so hard to get out of you this morning. Hotel beds are great, but there is nothing like my bed. 
Dear Dakota, no matter where I go in the world, (don't worry I never go far) I always love coming back to you the most. You really do complete me. I hope you know that.
Dear Loki and Scooter, I am so proud of you guys for getting along better. It is a little more difficult to share a bed with two furballs instead of one, but I love having you guys with me. Especially when I go to bed and you follow me in there. That feels great!
Happy Friday Loves! I am sooo glad to be back!