Maid in the shop

I got an Indonesian maid! She has been with us for a week. This maid is not employed to do domestic chore for time being. She is currently helping me out in the shop.

She arrived here last Wednesday and since then, she has been following me to the shop every day. I like her as she is young and daring (not afraid to approach customers and talk with them), and initiative. So far so good. She able to operate the computer and key in receipts, helping me with the filing and stocks. Some more she is a Chinese, so it is an advantage as most of my customers are Chinese. Just that I need to monitor her, don't let her go overboard (you know what I mean? :p

Actually she was recommended by my MIL, this maid used to work in a hair salon for 2 years before went back for CNY this year. MIL said that this maid can be lazy if she wants, so I need to be strict with her.

Now that she is with us, it is our responsibility to apply the necessary visa, bring her for medical check up etc. Sigh! It is not cheap to employ a foreign worker. How much? Anyone can roughly tell me how much would it cost to get everything done? I never employed an Indonesian maid before.

If I Had Unlimited Resources, I Would...

I'd build the perfect dream house for my boyfriend and I to live in complete with an amazing kitchen so we can cook tons of yummy things together, an art studio equipped with everything we need, and an amazing music studio.

How To Have A Quirky Love: Romantic Ideas For Summer

Summer Love by QuirkyLove on Polyvore.com

Summer can be wonderfully romantic season. It's the perfect time to relax and have fun. Try to remember all the things you used to love to do as a kid on summer vacation, most of them make for amazing date ideas.

• Draw love notes and pictures in chalk. If you want you can do it as a surprise for your partner.
• Go berry picking then make something delicious with your berries.
• Have a water gun or water balloon fight. You can combine this with giving your car a much needed scrub down.
• Make homemade ice cream. It's really easy, here's how.
• Watch fireworks together on The 4th of July.
• Blow bubbles.
• Go to the park and play. There's tons to do there (play frisbee, fly a kite, swing, or just go for a walk.)
• Pick wildflowers.
• Plan a picnic together. Make your favorite foods to bring with you. It doesn't need to be super fancy, simple sandwiches work just fine. If you want to make them feel a little more special take cookie cutters and cut them into cute shapes.
• Star gaze and wish on the shooting stars you see.
• Eat watermelon together, and don't worry about getting messy, that's half the fun.
• Watch the fireflies together. You can even participate in a scientific study just by counting how many you see and reporting it to Firefly Watch.
• Make your own lemonade (or limeade). Add different flavors like strawberry and then give your special mix it's own name.
• Fill a beach ball with a small amount of sand. When you throw it the sand will make it fly in tons of directions. They're fun to chase.
• Go to any fairs your town has and ride the ferris wheel (don't forget to kiss when you get to the top!)

I Never Believed This Was Possible - But Now I Do

Reflection of a heart

Love as a savior. I believed that it was possible for others but I never thought it would work that way for me. Even though it was what I'd always wanted I figured love would be the thing to finally destroy me. I was actually ok with that but now I know that it doesn't have to be that way for me.

The Secret Garden

Everybody has a secret and mine is that I don’t like gardening. I don’t like being outside. I don’t like activities out in nature. I don’t even like the bugs and bees, and especially not the spiders that come with anything outdoor related. I’m not a camper, or a hiker, or even a stroller in the world outside my protective walls . . . and I like it that way.

Here’s the thing though, I love all the beauty nature brings. I love the flowers and trees and foliage and even a few bugs. I love the unbelievable colors and textures and shapes in nature. So, my solution is to create my own little world or nature in my own little way.

Here is my version of the cut flowers I just picked outside to put in a vase in my studio. The beauty is they won’t wilt and die, but on the downside they don’t give off a nice aroma either. This is my one sure way of being able to preserve nature.

There is another little secret about this bouquet of flowers. I can’t share the details with you yet, but they are planning to bloom in one of my projects, that will hopefully be out soon. I will let you know when they start sprouting, and where you need to go to get your own fresh bouquet and become the avid gardener that I am. ;)

Bored of eating

Re-phrase myself! Bored of the food here.

Everyday I have been eating "tapau" from the nearby cafe. Not nasi lemak, then it will be salad chicken rice or fried rice. Boring! Unless the food is good then I would look forward to them, but sorry! Damn unappetizing and boring. Once a while I will simply just savor burgers, buns or waffles to fill up my hungry stomach in the evening. Sometimes I would tapau first before open up the shop but not much Malay food choices. I have a Malay staff so we only eating halal food in the shop.

So my clever hubby came up with a suggestion last weekend. To turn the storeroom into a mini kitchen. He has bought a mini rice cooker and a pack of rice. And he has been thinking of constructing a wall-mounted rack to put an induction cooker. A good idea but I am concern about cooking in the store room. I heard that induction cooker is safer than using gas cooker but the idea does not sound appealing to me than having eating take-away.

Anyway, wait till he starts to do something with it. For time being I have purchased a fire extinguisher. The food court and SCR are expecting to open next month so I hope not to eat the same food from the same cafe soon.

Music Monday: No Doubt- Simple Kind of Life

I love the visuals in this video, especially Gwen's pink hair. Watching her and Tony together is heartbreaking. The song was written about their breakup.

Big goals

Managed to catch some highlights of 2010 FIFA World Cup this morning in Tabuan Food Court. Just could not believe that Germany youngsters trashed out the England team with a convincing 4-1 win and a passport to quarter final with Argentina!

During the match a very contraversial goal by Lampard was denied. Replay showed a clear goal in, but referee denied England a goal, otherwise the score would be 4-2. Nevertheless Germany played a good match and well deserved to be through into the next round. Not much effort from England and they defended badly. Which team you expect to win this year World Cup? During 2006, I supported the Germany team, but they did not through the final. And in the Final, it was a tough match between Italy and France which Italy won. I bet France to take the previous cup but alas! Italy won on penalty and Zidane, one of my favourite players were send off on his last World Cup match. As for this year, it is pretty hard to bet who will win. I will place my bet when there is only left 4 teams in the Semi!

Happy Bunday! June 27th, 2010

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There's a new sheriff in town. The hat definitely makes him look like he means serious business. I really want to see Toy Story 3, it looks adorable.

I hope everyone is having a lovely S(B)unday. I woke up feeling a bit ill but my absolutely lovely boyfriend made me some food and gave me some cuddles and made me feel much much better. I'm still a little tired but I'm hopeful that I'll still be able to have a mostly good and pain free day :)

Warm Fuzzies: Foxes on a Trampoline

Foxes are one of my favorite animals. I once saw a documentary about foxes they had domesticated for use in the fur industry but in the process the foxes got spots in their fur and floppy ears so they were deemed unusable. So instead of being used for fur they were used as pets (they pretty much acted like dogs). I thought it was so so cute and wanted one but I don't think that would be a good idea since I want  to get a bunny eventually :P

Women behind the big wheels

My old car deserted me again. I do not what is the problem this time. Did not have time to check on her lately. but my guess is the starter since totally no sound or light when trying to start the car. So for time being she will be laid idly in the house.

As I drove hubby's car this evening to pick my two kids from baby sitter, I could not help but like to drive his car compared to my old car. Yes! I starting to love driving my hubby's 4W car. And I noticed that many ladies (friends that I know) are driving bigger cars. Called it daring or status quo, it is rather not easy to drive big car. I feel heavier. And it is definitely not easy to find parking too. Lastly not to mention the climbing out and in, especially when you have a lot of stuff to carry around. However I still like the feeling of driving a big car because I feel I am towering over all those smaller cars. *wink*

It's a Step Forward but I Still Feel Like Screaming

Migraine: Abnormal Brain Activity Not Restricted To Attacks

"There has been increasing evidence that the processing and perception of sensory stimuli is abnormal even outside of attacks," said Dr. Sprenger. "Now our findings underline that abnormal brain activity in migraineurs is not restricted to attacks - that there is an extensive alteration of functional connectivity in multiple networks reflecting the migrainous phenotype, emphasizing that migraine is a disorder of the brain."

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I know it should be encouraging that they're learning more about migraines and how they work (and to a degree it really really is) but I want to yell something along the lines of "No shit Sherlock! That's why I ran into a door earlier today. I had no idea it was that close!" Maybe doctors will stop looking at me so funny when I tell them I have aura symptoms ALL THE TIME, I don't get them 30 minutes before attacks like a lot of people. It's constant for me which makes it hard to walk because I'm dizzy and can't see straight. BAH! I'm super dizzy I'm going to lay down now.

I hope this isn't too forward but what exactly do you have illness wise ? For a long time they just said I had chronic pains and I could have early bone loss, but now they think its just Endometriosis boohoo ! Lol at least it will have a name...

I have chronic migraines with aura, pernicious anemia, a problem with the way my heart beats, and what my doctor is suspecting is endometriosis. I'm going to go in for a laparoscopy soon to find out for sure.

I hope you can get your medical problems figured out and treated soon. I know it's no fun not having a name for what is causing you pain <3

Ask me anything

Happy Thoughts: June 23rd, 2010

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Things that are making me happy today:

• My new camera arrived in the mail last week and so far I'm really really liking it.
• Watching Carl Sagan's Comos on Hulu
• I found this super cute recipe for breakfast cakelets (they're breakfast cupcakes!!) that I can't wait to try. 
• I cleaned out under my bed on Monday and found, my iPod (it's been missing for over a year!), the book I was reading, the super cute Jack and Sally dolls my boyfriend gave me as a present, and my fuzzy pink bunny slippers, among a bunch of other things :)
• Being able to lay down, listen to my iPod, and read a good book <3 
• My boyfriend and I are going to go to the Pinkberry they just opened here this weekend. I can't wait to try it :)
• My new medication seems to be helping my heart stay much calmer.

What's been making you happy lately?

Father's Day Cupcakes

So yesterday was Father's Day, I surprised my dad with strawberry, chocolate chip, chocolate frosted, strawberry topped cupcakes! I think my dad really liked them. I also made him a card that looked like a strawberry and put a Steak and Shake gift card inside. My mom got him a nice hardback book about baseball. We sat together and watched the Braves game (they won yay!) and some other shows. It was a nice day. I hope everyone else had a great Father's Day too!

The super cute cupcake toppers are from Paper Glitter. Her stuff is so adorable and she has a bunch of free printables, definitely check it out!

Music Monday: Poe

I really love everything I've heard from Poe. She has a really 90s cool-chick feel, which is what I tend to gravitate towards music-wise, fashion-wise, attitude-wise...you get the idea. I'm not exactly sure what I like about the 90s aesthetic so much...I was drawn to it as a little kid when I'd see the "big kids". I feel like I never quite realized that everyone was moving past it, I forget that people don't remember a lot of the big bands from then anymore (much less the smaller bands). I guess I just live in my own little world sometimes.

Anyways, I love Poe and I love this video.

Happy Bunday! June 20th, 2010

Sorry I haven't posted much this past week. I've been feeling really lethargic and fuzzy so it's hard for me to think clearly but hopefully my new medication I just started will help take care of some of that. Next week will be better :)

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

DID YOU KNOW ? Everytime I see a BLT I think about you and racing to the coke machine. Just thought you should know xP.

Haha, lunch during freshman year was pretty epic. I remember being told not to run a few times so we would walk a couple of steps then take off again. I'm actually drinking a Cherry Coke right now :D

Ask me anything

As I age

Okay, my birthday is just in a couple of month time. Hitting the double 3 is not what I wish for, but I guess I just have to accept that I am going to be in my mid-30s soon.

How do you feel when you are in your 30s? Down the road along the way, you may wonder what you have done, achieve and what you have not done and achieve, right? Some good and bad memories, but nevertheless life goes on.

As I age, I tend to forget things. For instance my anniversary. Yes! I just remember my wedding anniversary is one week overdue. And hubby also forgot about it! I guess the new shop has taken too much of our times that we forget about the important date. But alas! Nothing much to cheer about. Just grateful my hubby is by my side through hard and good times.


Then one morning I suddenly thought of my little girl. She will be back this Friday. I thought of my girl singing to me. I miss her voice and songs! I remember her saying to me that she will look after me when I grow older. Yes! My 4 years old girl has promised to look after my old age. Isn't it sweet? And when I asked her what would she wants to be when she grows up, she answered me "I want to be like mummy.". Lol!

On my birthday, I would only wish for one thing...GOOD HEALTH! Or maybe I should directly say how I wish I would be 16 again! Lol! The health and energy of a sixteen years old. I remember I used to lose weight easily when I was younger but as age catching up. it is getting hard to get rid of that bulging tummy. Coupled up with me sitting in the shop most of the time, it does not help either way.

Okay, I leave my wish on my birthday. Time to get down to work! Or I would turn idle and feel old. *wink*


glitter-graphics.com

Fatherly Words of Wisdom

I've been sorting through old CDs that I saved a bunch of pictures and documents on. I don't really care about most of the stuff anymore (like the folders and folders of Sailor Moon pictures) but you never know what you'll find if you go looking. I found a word document with quotes from my dad. I figured I'd post them here just in case I lose the disc and also to share the insanity. As you can tell we were watching a lot of Star Trek reruns when I made this :)

Quotes From My Father:

"You can lead a drowning man to water, but you can't make him walk the dog."

"Aye Captain Jerk, I mean Kirk."

"A door is a door and a jar is a jar. How can a door be a jar?"

"I am Piccard! You are not."

"It's almost Piccard like."

Music Monday: Veruca Salt

I love girls with guitars <3

Nasty at night

As I was complaining about lack of sleep in my previous post, I realise that my Baby Jay is almost 10 months old now. In 2 weeks time he would have his JE jab. He has 6 teeth growing out; 4 on top while 2 big white teeth on his lower gum. What ever he can grab he will put into his mouth. So everytime we reached home, we had to make sure the living room table is clear and everything is out of his reach. Otherwise he will just speeding in his baby walker and grabbing everything in sight!

Now that he is growing, he seldom have longer sleeping time at night. Usually by the time I reach home after closing shop, he will sleep on my bed before I transfer him to his cot. Once a while hubby will bring him to the shop and wait for me till closing.

I noticed that Baby Jay tends to wake up frequently at night. Most of the time he is not hungry. Just cry for no reason. Or probably he just want to have a cuddle from mummy. I guess baby at such age more attach to his parent. However my Baby Jay is not afraid of strangers. He does not mind anyone to carry him! Gosh!

Baby Jay will wake me up at least twice or thrice a night. Some more he does not drink his milk that frequent at night now. Just tend to suck on the bottle nipple. Shit! There goes the milk! Wasted if hubby does not want to drink it. (Yes, he does drink the unfinished or untouched milk sometimes)

Once a while Baby Jay would not goes back to sleep but wail till I have no choice but to put him in between hubby and myself. There! After a while, he will doze off to sleep. Sigh! Threesome is a crowd in our bed, and now I am wondering when my 4 years old girl back from hometown, how we are going to share the bed together? Or maybe we would need to pull another bed for all of us?

Happy Bunday! June 13th, 2010

In need of sleep

Not the world Cup fever, mind you. I got the sleepy bug in my body.....

Lack of sleep is the culprit. Some more most of the nights Baby Jay does not give me a good night sleep. So, now I look like a panda in the shop. Lol!

My life in the shop is like the ocean. One minute a big wave of people in the shop. The next minute, my shop is empty. I am short-handed (need to employ one more staff) and unable to serve all. I am cashier cum promoter. My staff has only joined a week and she is not familiar with the computer system. She is totally helpless with keyboard and could not type well, so not to mention which alphabet is where. Lol! Anyway, I will give her some more times to get use to the system.

Hubby is getting better with the system and he can help me with printing bills. However he would not be here to help most of the time as he got works to do and during the weekend, he is taking care of Baby Jay. Yes! The responsibility has swapped between us. He is taking care of Jayden on weekend and night. I take over when I am home. Hmm, why could not he continue till the next morning so I could have my much needed sleep? Lol!

Anna Sui Inspired Nail Art

Anna Sui is one of my favorite designers. I love her uses of purples and blacks and roses.

Products used:

• O.P.I.'s Maintenance Nail Envy Nail Strengthener (Used for both bottom and top coat.)
• Orly's Veriwinkle
• L.A. Colors Art Decor in Black

Freebie Friday: June 11th, 2010

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• Free Father's Day card workshop at Michael's (In Store Ages 3 And Up)
• Starbucks VIA Ready Brew
• Murad Eye Lift Illuminator (Registration Required)
• 2010 Vans Warped Tour 10- Song Digital Sampler (Downloads in iTunes)
• California Almonds Tin (Quick Survey, This is just an empty tin, you don't get any almonds but the tin is great for a craft project).

Enjoy!

Little chat from my shop

I took a break last night. After been taking care of the shop 12 hours a day for almost 2 weeks, I finally given a much deserved break last night. From who? From hubby and SIL.

Since they want to close the shop on my behalf, I took off around 6pm, went to the hair salon upstair and have my hair washed. Great feeling. And a treat from hubby too! *wink* My head felt light and body much refreshed after a wash and massage by the shampoo girl.

New girl came early this week, but being only 20 years old she did not have much experiences and very shy. However she is hardworking when asked her to do this and that. I need to train her more to talk to customers. One more sales promoter wanted. It is hard to look for staff nowadays. Everyone want higher salary but expect less work and easy job. What are those young girls thinking about?

Review: Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit

The Breakdown:

The Claims:

• Treats and prevents acne.
• Face wash that fights the bacteria that causes acne long after you wash your face.
• Moisturizer that dissolves oil so that acne medication can penetrate your pores.
• Spot treatment that will reduce redness and pimples in just one day without over drying skin.
  

The Products: 

• Acne Control Cleanser (benzoyl peroxide acne cleanser 4 fl oz)
• Acne Control Moisturizer (salicylic acid acne medication moisturizer 2 fl oz)
• Fast Clearing Spot Treatment(salicylic acid acne medicine treatment 0.5 fl oz)

The Price:

• $17-$20 seems to be the average but you can get a $5 off coupon from Clean & Clear's website, and I don't think $12 is too bad for three products.

My Review:
I've been using Clean & Clear's Advantage Acne Control Kit for over a month. For some reason my skin has been very bad lately. I think it may have something to do with the medication I'm on because it's been even dryer than normal. It was very itchy, which made me scratch, which made me break out. Using this kit seems to have really helped with that. Even just using the moisturizer gets rid of that uncomfortable itchy feeling. I can see definite improvement in my skin. If I stop using the face wash for a couple of days and go back to my old one I start to break out again. Even though it has pretty strong acne medication in it I haven't felt like it's dried my skin out, in fact I feel like it's done the exact opposite. My only complaint would be that the spot treatment sometimes burns when you put it on. I haven't noticed any skin irritation from it though so I don't think it's hurting my skin at all, in fact I think it works really well as a spot treatment. This kit has been amazing so far.

A very important thing to remember! Because this product contains strong acne medication it makes your skin much more sensitive to the sun so be extra sure to wear some kind of sun protection. I personally use Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer Lotion For Sensitive Skin SPF 15 and/ or Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry- Touch Sun Block SPF 100+ depending on how much sun exposure I'm going to be getting that day.

I hope this was helpful!

Warm Fuzzies: Popcorn Kittens

I normally try not to get sucked in to watching cat videos (one video can turn into hours of watching clips), but I couldn't resist this one.

The worst!

I could not stand it. Its basic amenities are the worst!

The toilet is the worst I have ever seen in a shopping mall. Out of 5, only 2 doors could be locked properly. One is taken for its storage of equipment. Even its handicap toilet has been used as store. Now I wonder why would they bother to have a handicap toilet if it is not for people to use but to keep stuff?

There is not a single day where I can see a clean and dry toilet. Sigh!

It has been almost 2 weeks since in operation but my phone lines have not yet done properly. This morning the contractor came to test on the phone lines but yet again, everything is fine. So I wonder why there is no single dial tone?

The management of the plaza is another story. Or probably I have been in this line before and see differently from different shoes. Or probably I could not expect too much from them as now I am one of the tenants here.....

Lady Gaga's Alejandro

Today was the premiere of Lady Gaga's latest video, Alejandro. I'm still sort of speechless after my first viewing. I think it's gorgeous. Alejandro was a song that had to grow on me but I eventually fell in love with it. The imagery used in the video wasn't anything I would have expected for this particular song, but I love that about Gaga. Unpredictability and freshness is what makes her art and music exciting and interesting.  There is a definite sense of drama and conflict in the video but I couldn't help finding it to be strangely serene.

If you haven't seen it yet by all means go and watch it!The feel free to tell me your first impressions or interpretations. I'd love to hear them.

Happy Thoughts: June 8th, 2010

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Things that are making me happy today:

• I accidentally left my phone charger at my boyfriend's house and he was sweet enough to drive over to my house and give it to me <3
• I got some new colors of polymer clay to make things with.
• And it was on sale!
• I've been able to put some of the little presents my boyfriend has given me on to the new shelf I put up last week.
• I've been able to get a lot of organizing done.
• I got my first issue of Martha Stewart Living in the mail.
• I've been using my mom's old laptop and it's been working so much better than my computer. It's helped a lot with my stress levels.
• I can sit on the bed now when I'm on the computer and it makes my cat Cosmo extremely happy <3
• My boyfriend bought me the cutest Hello Kitty planner this past weekend and it's been helping me keep on top of things.

What's been making you happy lately?

Mark Ryden

I've been a fan of Mark Ryden for quite some time. I first discovered him through his cover art for Jack Off Jill. Watching this video of him paint is just breathtaking.

Happy Bunday! June 6th, 2010

In honor of my friend Grace's birthday, a birthday bunny!!

Freebie Friday: June 4th, 2010

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When I'm bored I look around for freebies so I thought I'd post some of the cool ones I stumble upon. I hope you enjoy them :)

• Free Thong From American Apparel  (You have to sign up for their newsletter.)
• Two Free Yogi Teas (You have to send an ecard.)
• Crest 3D Whitestrips
• Free Origins Mini Facial (In Store)
• True Citrus Packets
• Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo
• Have A Tree Planted in Your State For Free :)

Lose my voice

Must be I talk too much! *laugh* My voice also become husky lately.

Today I woke up pretty early. My Baby Jay is my alarm clock. He wakes up on time, around 7am but today is exceptionally early. Both my kids are early birds, so I do not rely much on my alarm clock to wake me up. Lol!

My new staff would be coming middle of the month. At least with a new staff, hubby can leave and do his own stuff. He has been helping during the weekday. I could not wait to get him out of sight as almost everyday he is complaining about no staff and freedom. Lol!

First week at shop

For a start, I am glad that I finally make through the tough week. Stocks came and unpacked, stock checking, arranging and final preparation before the opening last weekend. But the tough test was only started.

A bit messy on first day. I still have lots to familiarise, especially the computer software and some hard-to-please customers, but other than that, everything is fine. Luckily got my family and friends to help me while I am looking for staff. Pretty hard to find workers now due to Gawai celebration, but hopefully I will be able to get one soon.


glitter-graphics.com


Ok, enough online for time being. While no customers around, I better have my dinner. Hungry me....cannot wait till shop closes at 10.

Happy Thoughts for June 2nd, 2010

(Credit: D Sharon Pruitt)

•  I made a holder for my paintbrushes and one for my pens and pencils. All I used were some mugs I had (an Alice in Wonderland mug and a Skelanimals mug) and some bath salts. A lot of people make these to hold makeup brushed and use beads or rocks or sand but I prefer bath salts. They smell so nice. 

Here's a tutorial: 

• I put up a new shelf by myself. 
• My heart monitor comes of on Thursday. I can't wait.
• I got a mini soccer ball that I won in the mail this week. I can't wait to play with it at the park with my boyfriend. 
• I found a package of origami star paper that I forgot I had. 

Anniversary Weekend

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I had an amazing time this weekend with my boyfriend. Our anniversary was on Sunday and to celebrate we went to a drive-in movie on Saturday. It was such a cool experience. I made a bunch of different kinds of popcorn (I'll post pictures as soon as I'm able to) and brought stuff to make coke floats and sandwiches. It's only $7 per person for a double feature. We saw Iron Man 2 but didn't stay for the second movie because it was getting rainy and we were a little tired. We've already been talking about going back, hopefully with a big group of people. I think it'd be so fun to tailgate and throw a football or something around while we're waiting for the movies to start.

I was going to post pictures from this past weekend but my camera has decided to die. Well...it's not completely dead, the lens is just stuck out. No matter what I do I can't seem to fix it. I've tried everything except opening it.  I really don't think I'm going to be able to get it to work again >.< It's heart breaking. I use my camera all the time. I've been looking around at cameras online. I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to get a new one.