Rischa's Rants, Raves, and Ramblings

I figured I should....

...post something on this blog every once in a while, so I'll show a little eye candy and be on my way. Here's a funny little something I made in Photoshop for my Photoshop group challenge.

The challenge theme I chose this time was "Funny" by the way.

As Porky Pig would say....

 

All is quiet

There's nothing much going on in the house today. Joel got off work at lunch time, came home and took a nap. Kolby is playing video games. The furry kids are snoozing. The Finchies make a "meep meep" noise every once in a while. Otherwise, it's just the sound of me typing this blog entry. I'm on my laptop because it has been storming. Every time the lights would flicker my desktop restarted. Annoying! Anyway, I just finished cleaning off some unnecessary programs from this computer, so hopefully it'll be smokin' once again. It had slowed to a snail's pace. Or like Katie Lynn said yesterday, "like a sloth on as skateboard"....or something similar. Heheh

I just finished making Rice Krispie Treats. Now we have the torture of waiting on them to cool before we can munch on them. I haven't made them in years. I forgot how easy they are to make. They're not QUITE as bad for you as some other yummy treats. They're not exactly healthy, though. Too bad. Everything yummy makes us fat. What a cruel trick!

Yesterday Kolby had his annual homeschool evaluation. He always dreads that even though he passes every single time with flying colors. She's very sweet to Kolby, too. We're both glad the evaluation is over, though.

Today started off very stressfully. Mom texted me to let me know Mam-maw had fallen and broken her hip. She has to have surgery tomorrow. Of course that has been all that I could think of all day. It's hard to live so far from family in these situations. I wish I could snap my fingers and be with her. I talked to Mam-maw and she said she was in a lot of pain. I wish I could take it away from her. She doesn't deserve to be in any pain. She's the sweetest person I know. But I guess it doesn't work like that. Sometimes it seems like the people who deserve to suffer don't and vice versa. Please pray, if that's something that you do, that she comes through surgery with flying colors and heals quickly.

In other news, I haven't been to the gym in 3 days. I'm feeling quite guilty about it. I was on such a roll. Maybe tonight I'll go if this head ache and queasiness goes away. Oh, did I not mention those things? Yeah, not feeling so hot today. All 3 of us (Kolby, Joel & myself) are feeling a bit sick in the tummy today and last night. I think we ate bad subs from Subway. The head ache is just a bonus for me. Ha...lucky me!

What would a blog post be without a little eye candy. Here's Queen Penny-Penny on her throne.

Click the image to view it a bit larger.

I'm going to go check on the treats and maybe set up the web cam to show what my Finchies are now doing. They're building a nest. One of them (Blake) is anyway. L8r!

Freebies! Who wants Free Photoshop Actions?

I don't recall sharing these before. I could look over 5 years worth of blog posts, but I'm just not that bored. So I'll either be sharing these or RE-sharing them if they've already been shared.

Here's what the B/W High Key action will give you:

The header of this blog was also done using the B/W High Key action. I've used it many times. It's fun to run the action and then drag the black and white image over the top of the same image in color and lower the opacity of the b/w image. It will result in a very cool look.

Here's the result you will get with the Dreamy action:

 

This may not have been the best photo for the before/after, but you see what it does. This action is good for wedding photography or dressy events or perhaps a little girl in a field of flowers. You get the point. Also, I created these actions in PSCS2, but I have used them in PSCS3, as well. I can't say whether they'll work in 4 as I just don't have it to try. If you try it and find out please let me know if it's a ya or nay.

DOWNLOAD HERE

You don't have to give me credit if you don't want to do so, but please don't take the credit yourself if any credit is given. ;-) That's just not nice.

If you want to show me your work just leave a link to your uploaded photo in the comments section. I'd really love to see what you can do with the actions.

Amazon, Videos, & Classes

First up: Videos! I've been thinking of doing Vlogs instead of typing out my thoughts here at the ole blog. I like watching vlogs and I'm guessing I'm not alone in that. It's more interesting to actually SEE the person and put a face with the rambles rather than having to read their writing and visualize what they're wearing. Hehe...teasing a little there. Well we are a bunch of lazy Americans, right? That's what everyone keeps saying about Americans is that we're lazy, right? Ha! I don't believe that shit and neither should you, but it does come to mind when talking about watching vids over actually using your noggin to read something. Even so, I'm doing the videos. Oh, and you don't have to be American to watch them. That was just me being silly. It might not be soon as I really need to learn to make more interesting videos. I have only made 1 so far and it's far from professional. It's pretty low budget looking, actually. I enjoyed it very much, though. I think what I'll do is use my YouTube channel and embed it here soit will generate some of the traffic from YT to here, as well. I'll do the same for the art blog IF I ever am able to get back into my creating. I miss it SO badly. It feels like I'm losin' my skills...however few they may have been.

Which brings me to my next topic. A new Portraits class. Ahh...Aren't I good at tying these meaningless paragraphs together? I'm patting myself on the back as we speak. Anywho, I had told myself I wasn't taking any more classes for a while. And really I haven't, but this one particular class will be lots of help to me I believe. It's a portraits class. I really enjoy doing portraits. I specifically like doing folk art, prim style portraits. I think it's my favorite thing to do. If you're unfamiliar with what I mean, have a look at Rachel, who I completed months ago.

 

She embodies my taste more than anything else I've done. She's simple, folksy, primitive looking, and it was fun to do. I have lots to learn, though. I'm not going to pick apart my above work because I do love her as she is, but I see things that could be improved or changed if I knew other techniques. I don't think I will ever be to the point where I don't want to learn how to do something more effectively. I would be bored if I got to that point. So I will more than likely continue to take classes and buy books.

Hehehe...I did it again. I added that last sentence in the previous paragraph JUST so I could go on to this paragraph and show you my new books from Amazon.

The Creative License

 

& the one I'm looking MOST forward to...

Altered Surfaces

 

I looked through Altered Surfaces while at Michaels and wanted to get it so badly that day. I knew it would be cheaper on Amazon, though, so I waited. It's a short book, but it's packed with info from what I've seen of it at the store. I got a couple of other books, too, but they're not that exciting. Just a couple of diet books and a cookbook. Oh, and 2 Moleskines which I'm looking forward to filling with portraits and which will be "Altered Surfaces" very soon.

I almost forgot to do my little bit of bragging. I've been making sales at my CafePress shop. It's a bit surprising to me that I've made sales there since I've yet to even advertise, but hey...I'll take it! Hehe

'til next time peeps!

Rainy & Sickly Day

Today couldn't suck harder if it tried. Well, I suppose that's a fabrication. It could be a hurricane outside and I could have a stomach problem to go with my cold. Anyway, today still sux! I've been fighting off this cold for weeks, but it finally won our little war. I'm "in the bed" kinda sick now. The DayQuil isn't touching this junk and I'm suckin' up the nose spray like it's crack and I'm a crack whore. It's also thunder-boomin' outside. I guess it's a good day for it since I'm in bed. I'm not missing out on anything since everyone's stuck inside. Also, rain can be quite relaxing to the bed-bound person. The thunder has gotten loud lately, though. The dogs are pretty miserable, too, as they haven't gotten to rid themselves of the morning energy burst they normally get. It's 3PM and they've only gone out briefly once all day long. That reminds me of 2005 when one of the hurricanes hit and they were inside for over 24 hours until it was safe to go out. They held it like champs! They didn't get far outside our door, though, before they all squatted. LOL If they could have they'd have said, "Ahhhhhh".

Geez, how did that last paragraph come about? I ended it talking aobut Pee? Really? Must be the cold meds. That's my story.

So on to something different. I skipped the gym yesterday and it isn't looking like I'll be going today, either. I was on such a roll that I really hate that I couldn't go. I haven't skipped 2 days in a row since we signed up. I was about ready to start running on the treadmill, too. I think I've built up enough endurance that I could take a few minutes of running at a time. I didn't want to start running right away and just totally blow my bad knee. Have I mentioned how bad having RA sucks lately?! I've had it over 11 years and it still ain't fun.

I haven't been a very good blogger lately. I know this isn't news, but what I mean is that I haven't been using images. I know people like to see images in blog posts. I do, too! So I better start using my camera again. I'd rather use my own images than someone else's. That's not to say I won't ever use images from Flickr or wherever else, but I enjoyed using my own. The entries lately are looking pretty dull, though, don't you think?

Joel may be traveling back down to the Naples area soon. I'd love to be able to go with him. It's so hard to do that for us, though, with all of our critters. I have no one around that would make a good sitter. I really loved Naples, though. It's beautiful and the place we stayed was awesome! I think it's the best place I've EVER stayed. As a bonus, it was around the time of our anniversary, too. Joel's Mom even sent us a basket to help us celebrate. Very cool of her, eh? Anyway, it sure would be nice to be able to hop in the car with Joel to go on these biz trips with him. I could take my easel and some paints or at least my sketchbook and enjoy some relaxation in a new place.

That's about all for now. The nose spray has kicked in so I'm going to try and get some rest for a while. If you've got chicken soup, you know where to send it! ;-) Later!

PS. For my next post I'll talk about Videos and my Amazon purchase.....

Nyquil Take Me Awayyyy

Yeah, I know it's Calgon, but tonight Nyquil is taking my troubles away I hope. Nose? Clogged! Head? Aching! Throat? Making me cough! I'm hoping that I'll be ready to dose off by the end of this entry.

So it has been a while....sue me! :-P I just haven't been in the mood for blogging. Not that there really is anything to blog ABOUT anyway. Hmm...blog topics? Oh, I know!

True Blood; Are any of you watching it? If you don't watch the show just skip to the next paragraph now because this one won't make much sense to you unless you're a fan. I can't tell you how much I love this show! And, no, it isn't because of Erick and his sexy eyes, hair, bod, and everything else! Although, it doesn't hurt. Jason and Bill aren't bad, either! Wait, where was I going with this? Ha! Teasing....I remember. I wondered after the premier season if the show could keep up with how action packed it was last year, but I'm not worried any more. I mean HOLY CRAP! Did you all see that half man half bull tonight? And WTF is in that stuff Pig Lady is feeding everyone? Oh, and who all thought Sucki was a moron for slapping Erick? I mean HELLO! He's a vampire, you dumbass! I know she's supposed to be our fearless heroin, but come on....she was coming off a little on the dumbass side there, which reminded me of her brother. It sure isn't hard to talk Jason into changing his mind, is it? If I wasn't getting sleepy and could remember all the names on the show I'd keep going with my theories, but it's getting harder and harder to concentrate. So I'll move on to the next paragraaaaaaaaph.........NOW!

Joel and I watched "Hung" after TB went off and were not impressed. I mean, really....it's about a man that's down on his luck with a big third leg. You don't even see the main character in the show! It hides behind a zipper the whole time. Not that I'm wanting to see the thing, but if it's centered around how huge it is then....well.....it's not good to have an invisible main character, ya know? Donny, the guy that the show is really centered around is only interesting beCAUSE of his "you know". Other than that he's just a football coach with a crap life. Most Pilot episodes pull you into wanting to see more. This one just made me want to watch True Blood, Nurse Jackie or Weeds to get that one out of my system. Seriously depressing show! Since it comes on after True Blood I'm sure I'll see it again. If that happens and it looks any more interesting the second go around I'll be the first to admit it has improved. It could happen I guess. For now, though, I won't be DVRing it.

So to let you know I'm not some couch potato that just sits around watching TV all the time I should probably report that I've been going to the gym for about 3 or 4 weeks now. Joel and I joined Anytime Fitness in Leesburg. It's working out very well for me. Joel has been having some health concerns and is seeing about it. He's only gone 3 times I think. I hope he can start going with me soon, though. It's more fun when he goes. He'll be seeing the doctor tomorrow morning to get some test results back. Wish him luck. I want our next 10 years together to be healthy ones. Which leads me to my next paragraph...

Joel and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary a little over a week ago. Well, celebrated might not be the best description of what we did, but we were together and we were happy with that so it was a success in my book. I had a doctor's appointment and some lab work done, so that wasn't exactly a dream come true, but the rest of the day was purely fun. We spent it in Orlando shopping, eating, and just enjoying one another's company. We ate at Bahama Breeze, which is our new favorite. We gave each other the gym membership. Haha...what are you supposed to get for your spouse after 10 years? We're not traditional. 

I had some other thoughts that were going into this blog entry, but right now I"m thinking about the back of my eyelids and how comfortable this bed and my pillow is so.... 

Flea & Sea

Today, well technically it was yesterday, we went to the Flea Market. I don't know why....we just did. I enjoy the flea usually, but today it just looked like a bunch of junk with price tags. I did buy a book, though. We were in and out of there in a half hour. We walked all of the isles except the dusty one out back. That isle, literally, has nothing but the same things all the time. Plus, a funny guy that always screams, "Bargain day todayyyyyyyy". It always cracks me up. He says it in the SAME exact way every time and yet it still makes me giggle the way he says it. I'll give him this....he sure gets attention.

After that we went to Planet Smoothie. I tried one that said it was for women. It was nasty. It left a horrible taste in my mouth. Joel joked saying I needed to lick my ass to get the taste out of my mouth. Sorry if that gives you a visual you don't need. His was pretty good. After that we went to the grocery store where we hit the jackpot on Sea Food. Yeah! My favorite! They had pre-seasoned salmon fillets for $3! We got 6 of them and froze 4. I cooked shrimp scampi and the salmon with salad and pasta. It was one of the best dinners I've ever cooked if I may say so. The dill sauce was like the icing on a cake. Mmm

The rest of the day was spent as any Saturday should be....napping and watching TV. I have more to say, but I must get back to sleep as it has been several hours since my last nap and I miss LaLa Land. Joel's there without me right now and I'm sure he's lonely. Later...

Can't Sleep

I can't sleep, so I thought I'd post an entry in my poor, neglected blog. Sooo....what to talk about. Since sleep is what I'm after at the moment, let's start there.

I try every night to get in the bed at the same time as Joel. He decides he's going to bed and 5 minutes later he's snoozing. By the time I take the dogs out, close both computers, wash my face, brush my teeth, check all doors, get into my Pajamas, etc... It's too late. I really wish I could simplify my life so I could just say I'm doing something and DO it right then and there.

Speaking of simplifying my life, I really do need to do that in ALL aspects of Rischa-ville. Did I just say "Rischa-ville". How lame! Must be the sleeping pill. Anyway, first let's start with my email lists; I get about a thousand emails a day from different subscriptions. Most of them I mass delete. Why do I do this? What am I looking for out of these lists? I waste an awful lot of time sorting. I even have folder after folder to help organize them all, but I still waste a ton of time going through them all.

Second; Pets. I love each and every one of my pets. I REALLY do. Just like everything else, though, I go overboard. I take in every stray or sad face I see. I'm like the old lady that lived in a shoe, but with critters. I can't even go on business trips with Joel or visit family with him because I can't leave them behind. I have given serious thought to finding homes for my parrots. I love them so much, though, it makes me cry to even think of it. Let's say I did find a new home for them, though. I could then have my own room to work on my art rather than sweating my ass off out in the garage, where my current studio resides. I could also move my sewing desk and computer desk in there.

Oh, and then there are my treasures; I have various collections that are just stored in boxes in the garage and the attic. Don't get me wrong, Joel has some, too. I can't speak for him, though. Back to the point, I have bird houses (can you tell I have a thing for birds?), Precious Moments figurines, Piggy banks, shot glasses, and other small collections that I don't even display and bring me no use or pleasure at all. Why?! Some of them were given to me, but I did bring it on myself by starting these little collections to begin with. I don't even like these collections any more. They're just fun things to collect for a while and then they begin to collect dust, so I box them up.

I guess the question I should be asking myself right now is, "What is missing in my life that I overdo everything?" Is it a boredom thing? A perfectionist thing? A challenge? What the hell? This is my struggle for the moment. At times I think to myself, "delete everything!" That would include email lists, collections, or anything that complicates my life. The, other times, I think to myself, "What if I regret it later?" What to do, what to do?

Ahhh well, moving on....

I've been thinking of joining a Gym lately. There's one called Anytime Fitness that looks promising. I like going for walks and bike rides, but it always rains in the evening here. I set my alarm for a bit earlier this morning thinking that I could go early before it got hot out, but it stormed!! Grrr! What's a flabby girl to do? I bought an exercise DVD by Jillian Michaels, that Biggest Loser chick, but she had me doing jumping jacks, push ups, squat thrusts, jumping rope, etc... I can't jump up and down on these arthritic knees! I tried it and my knees hurt for a week. I also could feel that the workout was an awesome one, though. My muscles were that good kind of sore that you feel after you've worked out. I wish I COULD do it every day. I just can't, though. My rheumy would fuss at me if I did. On a more productive note, I have started logging everything that I eat and drink. I downloaded an application that helps you track your calories on my iPod Touch. It's really great because you can do a quick search for your food and they have a list from all restaurants and grocery stores to make it easy. It's really a great little weight loss tool.

I think I'll go surf the net a while until I feel like I can catch those illusive "Z's". I can tell that it's getting harder to concentrate on writing so my sleeping pill is surely kickin' in. See ya next time....

Oh and P.S. Don't judge me by the grammar used above. I'm not even gonna proofread this entry. It's too long and I'm too lazy to do it.

Just Saturday

Just sitting here watching Juno remembering back when I was in her place. Things aren't quite as cool as they make it appear in the movie. Other than that I'm just having a lazy Saturday. I haven't been feeling very well and have been stressing about everything, so doing nothing is good for the body and soul sometimes. Penny is helping me.

I'm actually hold up in my bedroom staying out of Joel's way. He's watching the NFL Draft. He's been talking about it all week. I hate football. Well, I don't hate it, but I don't enjoy watching it at all.

Juno just went off, so I'm watching The Parent Trap remake. Before Juno was the last half of The Truth About Cats & Dogs. I wanted to watch Baby Mama, but I have that DVR'd and I'd rather watch it in HD on the living room TV.

I'm really not in a blogging mood right now. I'd rather watch the movie. I've been typing this for an hour and not much to show for it. I might actually close this blog. It costs 90 bucks a year and I never use it. I can always open a FREE one on Blogger if I miss it.

See ya...

Hilarious Animal Video

Mom just sent me this hilarious video. It's of animals that have made themselves drunk from eating fermented fruit. Check it out....