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    May 15, 2008

    capturing Time, Week 12

    TIME to REFLECT

    Reflect

    It has been a week or so and I am done wallowing....feeling depressed.  When I look back at some of the things we have been through and have accomplished, I know that this is just something we must face and conquer.  Not alone for the Lord always walks with me.  And I know I am STRONG through him.  We are going to get through this.  Funny how a picture can make things clear for you. Yes that is little bald headed Lexi....she didn't have much hair until she was nearly 2....and me.  I am not saying this picture is solely responsible (your prayers have brought lots of peace)...but it did remind me of how far we have come. So now I am ready to deal with every thing.  I am not so silly to realize there will be days when I will feel down again.  But I am READY to deal with it from here.  I can thank the Lord for that, can that you all for all your kind thoughts and prayers.  so THANK YOU....

    Week_12_reflect_title Week_12_reflectpic

    I think I would be lost without my circle punch lately.  Some of the scraps are pattern paper, some fabric.  Here's my tip for you.  Use a glue stick and some cardstock for the fabric.  I used the glue stick in a little area on some left over cardstock, then pressed the fabric onto it.  Let it dry and then punch my circles.  If it doesn't go through the first time, no worries.... just trim it with your scissors. 

    I'm in Love....

    with this kit.  Just Cre8's June kit has been revealed.  It is such an awesome kit and I love love love it.  These papers are so bright and so much fun.  Love all the elements Sue put together.  Here are my creations for this month.

    Laughter_small

    Love_2_small

    Nina_small

    Rplivelovelaughprojectlarge_for_p_2
    Rplivecloseup
    Rplovecloseup
    Rplaughcloseup
    So you better get over there.  I have a feeling these kits are going to go very fast!  If you want details on how some of these layouts were put together, you can check out the gallery under the name {Just Ronda}....(as well as the teams other fantastic cre8ions!). Or at my SIS gallery.

    Time...will be posted later today!

    May 14, 2008

    Music to live by....

    seems so important to me right now....

    to take my mind of things been reading, knitting, and creating.

    music always on in the background...

    my playlist right now...

    Breathe - Anna Nalick
    Pocket Full of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield
    Stop & Stare - One Republic
    New Soul - Yael Naim
    I Feel it All - Fiest (love these too: My moon My man & 1234)
    No Air - Jordon Sparks & Chris Brown
    Starlight - Muse
    Time after Time - Quietdrive
    Shout to the Lord - American Idol version
    Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
    Linger - The Cranberries
    Calling You - Blue October
    Think of Me - David Archuleta
    Handlebars - Flobots
    All Around Me - Flyleaf
    I am I said - Brooke White
    The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
    Forever - Chris Brown
    Wake Up - The Arcade Fire
    Soul Meets Body - Deathcab for cutie
    Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
    Three Little Birds - Bob Marely

    So what is on your playlist?  Got songs you just love to listen too?

    EDIT: Must Add Mad World by Michael Andrews & Gary Jules, Dare you to Move by Switchfoot, and Falling away with you by MUSE (really love them and their music).

    May 13, 2008

    Q&A

    So where to begin?  I know you all probably want an update and I will try but right now things are so UNCERTAIN that I don't know quite what to say...so I guess I will do some FAQs that we tend to get lately.

    Does Andy have a job at Frontier or not?  We don't know.  He is in the next class but that class could happen in a month or two or never.  So technically NO.  He doesn't get paid.  We have no benefits through them, meaning medical insurance or flight benefits.  Right now we are paying out of pocket for Health care.  it isn't a small amount....

    Can he get his old job back?
    Yes & No.  He can without going through the interview process but he would start over like he never worked there.  He would be a first officer and his pay scale and seniority would reflect that.  He would also have to get an apartment in Cincinnati area because he would be on reserve.  Plus we have no idea if there will be a job there in a few months because of the merger with Northwest.  They could decide to close that base (Base of operations) altogether.

    Can he get a job at another airlines?
    Yes and he is working on that.  But those things take time.  It isn't a short process and sometimes it can take MONTHS.  While he is putting out his resume to lots of places, we have to know that the fit is right for us...meaning the pay has to offset the reserve schedule.

    What is Reserve?  it means one of two things.  He has to be located within so many miles of an airport and has a beeper.  Those days of reserve he has a window (hours to be possibly on duty) and sits with a beeper for a POSSIBLE call.  The other reserve is where he actually sits at the airport and may or may not get used.  Either way you have to be close or at the airport....not the airport you live by, the airport where your job is.

    How does that effect the job?
      Well most of the jobs he is applying to are in another state.  There are only so many airlines based out of the Denver airport.  Frontier, United, Lynx, etc and most are not hiring.  So you see he will have to have an apartment or a "crash Pad" (multiple pilots sharing a space) in whatever city he is based. 

    He has so much experience, can't he just go work for another airlines?  LOL...this is funny to me because this is the part that always frustrates us too.  The airline industry isn't like most industries.  While his experience gets him the interview, it means nothing for pay or seniority.  Those things start all over when you go to work for another airline.  Pay, Seniority (meaning bidding for trips), and Seat (First Officer versus Captain).  It doesn't matter that he has been a Captain for the last 8 years of his career or that he was a check airman (training new hires & upgrades).  He starts over.  Period.

    Pilots make lots of money though.  Even at a new job he would be making lots, right?
    LOL....I wish that was true too...maybe then these tears of worry would go away.  When he started with Comair years ago his first year salary was $12,000.  It depends on the airlines...the bigger the planes, the more passengers, usually means more money.  However most first years make $30,000 or less.  Most cases...less....lots less. 

    So what are you two going to do?  Right now we don't know and it is in the LORD's hands.  He has sent out his resume to many airlines.  He has some interesting prospects that could work out better for us than we ever dreamed.  But right now that is an IF.  He still has a couple paychecks coming to him and we do have a savings.  Something I am hoping not to tap into but it is there if we need it.  So we are taking things one day at a time.  It could be that I will be returning to work and him looking for a job in another field.  It's not the way we want it to go but we will do what we need to.  And we are trying to cut back on everything so that we can be ok. 

    How is Andy holding up?
    Andy is doing ok.  If you talk to him he sounds pretty positive but I can see he is very upset.  He is not used to being at home so much and I think he is feeling useless....He has been trying to keep busy doing household things so that has been good.  But I still see the worry in his face.  I know he feels like he has let us all down.   Its been hard on him. 

    the kids?  The kids are doing pretty well.  I don't want them to have to deal with some of this.  I tell them the truth when they ask about it.  I don't lie to them.  But I don't want them to worry either.  Lexi is more acutely aware than Anthony.  She even offered us her bank account and piggy bank....broke my heart.  I told her to keep it.  Anthony cried when I told him I might have to go back to work.  He is my sensitively boy.

    And how are you?
    I am lots of things....scared, upset, worried, frustrated.... but mostly right now I don't want to talk about it.  There are things I don't share about this whole process and I am trying to deal with those on top of the situation.  Some days are better than others.  Some not so good.  Most days lately involve tears.  So I think I will end this q&a here.  I thank you all for all your prayers and wishes for my family.  They do mean so much to me.  I am sorry I haven't answered some emails lately...it's just been hard.

    I know you all probably think I am crazy because YES I am still creating.  But for me, it is an outlet and something that occupies my time without having to think too much. So here are some sneaks for the upcoming Just Cre8 reveal (May 15th!) for June's kit.  My favorite kit so far.

    J8sneak1 J8sneak2

    And don't forget to SPY.

    May 09, 2008

    Lotus Paperie

    Things are really changing over there.  Vanessa's DT call brought lots of talented people.  I applaud all those who tried out, especially those not picked.  It is hard to put yourself on the line and not get picked up.  Trust me I have been there more than once and even as recent as a month or so ago.  Don't take it personally...just keep going!  I am thankful to be picked up again for another round.  Joining me in again in this adventure is Jessi & Tania.  Some new faces are Gillian & Chrissy.  How awesome is it that I know both of this talented girls.  Pretty cool to be on a DT with friends.  So here are my current creations with the BLAST off Collection.

    Ronda_palazzari_challenge_70
    This one I will tell you I embraced my inner robot.  It was inspired by a piece Vanessa found..go see here.  I thought about Anthony's messy room.  Instead of being exasperated by the state of his room, I decided to embrace it.  To embrace the legos lying about along with the clothes on the floor.  To embrace the underwear hanging out of the drawers.  He is in transition now...no longer a little boy but not yet a man.  I am trying to cherish the kid in him for I know that Time goes by so fast.

    Rp_challenge_71 Ronda_palazzari_challenge_71
    This second one was based on Vanessa's sketch.  Yummy sketch.  I decided to add some digital brushes to the pattern paper as well as my journaling.  I "painted" on the black cardstock using the liquid pearls in the kit.  I then cut out my flower pattern from that painted black cardstock.  Punched a circle from that same blue pattern paper and added a button to complete the flower.  Stitches here, there, everywhere.  I like how this one turned out and I love that this kit offers such versatility to create two totally different layouts.

    Ronda_palazzari_dt_call
    Lastly I asked Vanessa if I could submit a digital layout to the call even though she is a paper company.  She welcomed the idea for me to stretch my digital legs.  (thank you).  I had this picture of lexi & kayla from the photo shoot in the backyard.  I really liked this picture a lot so I just started playing with new tricks I learned in my Jessica Sprague class. For me my digi layouts need to reflect the way I traditionally scrap.  I liked the way this one turned out.  The focus is definitely on that picture.

    Img_2305
    And lastly a thank you to Jessi...the flowers are beautiful my friend...as are you!

    May 08, 2008

    capturing Time, Week 11

    TIME for PRAYERS

    Prayers_pics_2
    lots and lots of prayers.  A couple weeks ago or so I told you about Andy deciding to leave Delta/Comair airlines to go to Frontier Airlines (see this post).  Then I told you I was having a really bad week but didn't really elaborate (see that post).  That was the week Frontier Airlines announced plans to file Bankruptcy.  I was freaked but everyone reassured me that this was the "restructuring of assets" bankruptcy and not the "going under" bankruptcy.  His class date was supposed to be May 7th. And then they called to push it back until the 14th stating they wanted to do so more hiring.  Yesterday, after my post a phone call came through from them....the class was postpone INDEFINITELY.  I wanted to vomit.  I can't even tell you how many emotions are rolling around in my head, how many tears have fallen from my eyes.  He is currently unemployed right now and we don't know what will happen.  He can go back to Comair.....as a new hire with a reserve schedule and pay that would be a loss for us so really it ISN'T an option. He would make more money at Starbucks than at Comair.  Frontiers says they may have a class but have no idea when...it could be months or a year from now or possible never.  We are all in shock around here.  So I am relying on prayers and HIM to get me through this.....it's all I know to do. 

    • Prayers that we will be ok,
    • Prayers that we will survive this,
    • Prayers to see the positive side,
    • Prayers to be strong for the kids,
    • Prayers to rely on the Lord's wisdom and not my own,
    • Prayers that a job will surface. 

    I can't lie...it hasn't been easy.  Even now as I write this...tears.  I really can't talk much about it without them surfacing so I have been avoiding people and the questions that seem to follow.  I am just not ready to deal with it right now.  So more prayers that people will be patient with me.  Part of me wants to pretend like nothing has happened...it is easier that way...but sooner or later I will have to deal with all these emotions, stress, and shock and we will have to make a plan.  Maybe later.....

    Week_11_prayers_title_2 Week_11_prayers_pic

    May 07, 2008

    TODAY

    • I am finally updating my blog
    • I am going to downtown Denver to My Favorite bookstore The Tattered Cover
    • I took Lexi to school and chatted along the way
    • I am going to chat up with an Old Friend
    • I am going to clean up the mess of a desk
    • I am happy to see the rain because the plants and grass need
    • I am THANKFUL it isn't snow instead
    • I am going curly because I can't fight the rain
    • I am spending time with the hubby & kids (early release day from school)
    • I am expecting an email from Phil (hint hint Pop)
    • I am in love with TODAY

    Word up Wednesday over at One Little WordGigi has some amazing words up there about TODAY.  Yes if you haven't figured out, that is the word this 25th go around.  I love it.  Says so much.  I created this little mini to capture all of my TODAYS.  I decided I wanted to "Discover the beauty in TODAY" kind of mini, an appreciation of the little day to day life things.  So I made the whole family take pictures and join in.  There are some artsy shots in there from the kids...quite impressive.

    Today_mini_cover_2 Img_2253
    Ronda_mini_peek_2
    This mini album started off with miss FANCY PANTS.  I used their new acrylic as an album cover and design.  I also used the Celebrate paper line throughout the mini.  Such yummy bright colors.  I also took some old book pages and Mod Podge them together and then walnut inked them.  There are photo strips on the hambly transparencies with journaling on the backside.  (If you missed it, Jessi did at tip at OLW on how to create those photo strips.)  So I suppose you want to see inside, huh?
    Img_2254 Img_2255
    Img_2256 Img_2257
    Img_2258 Img_2259
    Img_2260 Img_2261
    Img_2262 Img_2263_2
    Img_2264 Img_2265
    Img_2266 Img_2267
    Img_2270_2
    So what are you doing TODAY?

    May 03, 2008

    Confessions....

    • I am a shoe-a-holic and these make me very weak (SHOES)
    • I have tried to back off Chai tea but have failed miserable (and I am ok with it)
    • I love reading children's book...the Golden Compass is on my night stand right now
    • This ART makes me happy..strong women, beautiful women, REAL women
    • I want a pair of these "Venti Sized" in a nice Aqua Color
    • I am a Learning NERD....love to learn new things...knowledge for knowledge sake
    • I am afraid of the dark
    • I have gone on vacation and searched through the phone book for a local scrapbook store
    • I believe we need to parent and guide our children, to raise them to be independent
    • I believe LOVE conquers all and so does a POSITIVE attitude
    • I believe that chocolate chip cookies (homemade) are always OK
    • I think this movie just might do the book TWILIGHT justice.....we will see
    • I feel Family dinners really make a difference
    • I love the beach and watching sunsets but hate dislike the sand that gets everywhere
    • I am disappointed with TV this week (Bachelor:London Calling, American Idol)
    • I rarely make my bed but tell my kids to make theirs...they don't listen..go figure
    • I have 8 bolts of drapery fabric in my basements for over a year.....I really should do something with them
    • I watch Pride & Prejudice every couple months....the BBC version
    • I like to stay up late and sleep in.......

    May 01, 2008

    capturing Time, Week 10

    Time to DREAM

    Dream_time_pic

    This week's word is dream.  Lexi has been having trouble sleeping.  I think she has been taking on a lot...in her mind she stresses.  She worries about her future, about college, about her grades.  She has been soaring this year, really soring.  She has had all A's and one B on her report cards.  She has a vision of where she wants to go and expectations for her life.  So last night we told her to crawl into my bed, even though "Daddy" was home.  We talked to her about letting go of the stress and remembering to BREATHE....sounds funny but you will find in stressful times we tend to "hold" our breaths.  So Andy slept in her bed and Lexi slept with me.  She finally got a good nights rest in the comfort of our love.

    Week_10_dream_title Week_10_dream_pic
    Img_2031
    So this week I grabbed an transparency from Karen Russell.  I love the words on this one.  Super simple to create.  I trimmed the transparency to 4 x 4 and flipped it upside down on paper.  I then just dropped (literally) paint on the backside.  I then took it an placed it with the paint side down onto my white cardstock.  I used my fingers to push the paint in all directions.  It is an easy way to add that little something extra to your transparencies. 

    Time for a recap:
    Weeks 1 - 10

    1. ME
    2. PLAY
    3. GRATITUDE
    4. SPRING
    5. UNPLUG
    6. GO
    7. EAT
    8. FAMILY
    9. READ
    10. DREAM

    April 29, 2008

    so if you have been wondering.....

    where I have been, the answer is Unplugged with lots of FAMILY time......

    • Taking my dad to the doctor, elevated PSA, biopsies....
    • PRAYERS answered benign...but he is still sore;
    • Mom has bad upper respiratory infection and her oxygen stats are low
    • she is on oxygen at home and doing much better
    • My brother Jerry & SIL Sandra "GJ" came to town....
    • And their daughter Jessi...(she's moving to the area...YES)
    • had lots of good time with them
    • homemade pizza (Andy's specialty) one night and BBQ ribs the next night
    • impromptu visit with the In-laws,
    • a hour or two soaking up some sun
    • Babysitting the Finnster, love being with him
    • he is such an outdoor boy
    • puts on his hat and signs please
    • how can I resist?
    • Time with the hubby & kiddos,
    • hanging out reading, playing
    • Church and Sunday school together
    • Sunday hang out with Adam, Kari, & Finn
    • Easy going, soaking up the sunshine,
    • playing games, grilling brats & veggies
    • Time for me Monday and my house has been bothering me, making me depressed...
    • living with 8 people makes a house hard to clean, we manage pick up but I was ready for more....
    • tackled some deep spring cleaning (but dust kicks up my allergies which exhausts me)
    • FINALLY cleaned out my front room
    • supposed to be a living room BUT for us is a library
    • I am ready to go the extra step and decorate it
    • will show you when it is done...love the color going in there...bold

    and now for the pics of the adorable nephew....such a good way to end a post....
    Img_1860 Img_1873 Img_1859_2
    Img_1892  Img_1864_2
    Img_1902

    My Photo

    Random [Thoughts]

    • [TIME]
      "One thing you can't recycle is wasted time." Anonymous
    • [Strength]
      “Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.” August Wilson.