SPF: Good Night

My comfy bed, originally uploaded by scoobers1.

I have not posted in about a week just because I've been so busy but always make time to check in on Jenni and Sandi. Jenni participated in Self Portrait Fridays, created by Kristine at R&O. I always loved the concept and decided that I would make it a weekly obligation. Sunday, I found out that Kristine has retired SPF. I am a little sad but realize she has much more important things to focus on and I wish her the best.

I hope that I can keep up with the blog because it has become a means to keep in touch with some very important people in my life. Also, it gives me an outlet to spew random thoughts/events, vent frustration and encourage creativity that I know is still in me and wants to get out.

For now, thanks and good luck to Kristine. May you find the peace you seek. And good night!

SPF: Rainbows

Color, originally uploaded by scoobers1.

This week Miss Kristine said she would like us to show her a rainbow.

This rainbow sits, neglected, on the easel in my dining room. It beckons but I simply ignore it since the last disaster. When I get over the hideousness of the thing I created I shall give it another shot. Until then, the easel, the palette... my rainbow of colors shall remain an accent piece, unused.

Since reading the subject of this week's assignment, I have a song stuck in my head and it will not go away. It's not completely unrelated because the original version does mention rainbows. However, it's the angry version that I have stuck in my mind, for some reason.
Remember those clapping games we girls used to play at recess?
Bo-Bo-Ski-Watten-Tatten? Miss Mary Mack? Miss Lucy (had a steamboat)? Yes, I know you are all singing them in your heads now. You're welcome.

We used to sing one at the YMCA that went something like this:

Say-Say oh play mate
Come out and play with me.
And bring your dollies three,
Climb up my apple tree.
Slide down my rainbow,
Into my cellar door,
And we'll be jolly friends
Forever more. More. One, two, three, four!

We used to follow it up with this little ditty,

Say say oh enemy
Come out and fight with me
And bring your pistols three
Climb up my thorny tree

Slide down my razor blade
Into my dungeon door
And we'll be enemies
Forevermore - More - More, One, two, three, four!

Nice, eh? Did you play?

SPF: My Drawers

YOUR SPF ASSIGNMENT: July 20th, 2007

Your silverware drawer.

No cheating and cleaning it out. AS IS. BONUS POINTS FOR THE MESSIEST MOST UNORGANIZED. lol. I dig this game.


For some reason, Kristine at Random and Odd wants to see our silverware drawers. I get no points for this one because this is the ONE drawer in my house where you can actually find what you need. Cheese spreader... check! Wine cork... check! Corn on the cob spears... check!


Happy SPF. Did you play?

SPF: Protection

This week Kristine wants to know how we ward off danger, evil and anything that may bring us harm.
SPF Assignment for Friday, July 13: How do you protect yourself? from the sun? from the bugs? from all things bad? alarms? sprays?



This is a picture of the hole in my wall where my fire alarm used to live.
Last week, I was folding clothes in my bedroom when a noise I had never heard before nearly blasted me out the sliding glass door. All I can say to describe it was that it sounded like a fire truck had driven through my living room or someone had set off three of those air-horns people use at football games. So deafeningly loud.
I was totally freaked out thinking that the dryer had caught fire or that I'd left some hair appliance plugged in somewhere. After searching every room, sniffing the air like a hound dog on a trail, I found nothing and the alarm stopped on its own.
Ten minutes later, it went off again and just as I was walking by it with a basket full of laundry. I had to laugh afterwards because I actually jumped, screeched and ran away from it. It was something cartoon-like.
Fighting all urges to smash the thing with a hammer, I found a screwdriver and pried it off the wall and disconnected the wiring.


This is what I found.


See the yellow 'thingy' inside the fire alarm apparatus? Looks burned doesn't it? I took it to Home Depot and they confirmed my suspicions. My fire alarm was starting on fire and making itself alarm!

Ironic. I was protected by the very thing that tried to burn my house down.

Next project on my to do list... install new fire alarm.
Happy SPF the 13th! Did you play?

SPF: Fresh

Stuff Portrait Friday: Assignment for June 21, 2007
Air Freshener
How do you keep your house smelling good? Is it open windows? Is it Febreeze? A fan? Removing all children from your house thus removing teenage FUNK stank?

This week Kristine over at Random and Odd was a cleaning fool. This week I am not. This is how I keep my pad smelling oh so fresh, so fresh, exciting... and so inviting to me. (Have it stuck in your mind now? heh heh... gotta love Kool and Gang).

ambiance, originally uploaded by scoobers1.

Candle from Tres Amigos- scent unknown
Incense from Pier One- scent is Zanzibar clove & Cedar and Balsam

Happy SPF, everyone! Did you play?

SPF: Back to Basics

YOUR SPF ASSIGNMENT: June 15th, 2007

– Back –

My back has been out since last Thursday. Let’s see your back..or the back of something..or sing baby got back and YouTube it. Doesn’t matter to me. You get to show me ‘your’ back.

PB&J, originally uploaded by scoobers1.

I didn't really want to take a picture of my literal back so I decided to go Back to Basics. How much more basic can you get than peanut butter and jelly? Suddenly, I'm reminiscing about kindergarten, long summers, my Grammas and home. I can think of quite a few comfort foods but nothing stands the test of time like a good ol' PB&J. The only difference now-a-days... whole grain wheat bread and crusts left on. Still delicious!

SPF: My Bounce

Self Portrait Friday assignment for June 8, 2007
Kristine over at Random and Odd had a rough week last Friday. This week she has her 'bounce' back and thus inspired this weeks assignment:

Show me your bounce. (this could get interesting!)

SPF is usually light and fun but this weeks topic of "Bounce" for me involves a time of letdown, anxiety and self-dislike but eventually resolve.
I received another email from someone who I have considered a friend for most of my life. Everybody has their problems and issues but we two have never quite been able to communicate effectively when a conflict arises.
Being the sensitive and emotional Cancerian that I am, I tend to take things to heart, am very emotional and super sensitive. I recognize this in myself and try to react and respond to situations in an objective manner and to use kind words in order to spare others any pain. Another thing about me is that I HATE conflict of any kind. This is probably the reason that I avoided the debate team in High School, keep my opinions to myself and change the channel immediately if Jerry Springer or Judge Judy come on.
I am also prone to anxiety attacks when confronted with certain kinds of stress. In this case, insulting, insensitive and hurtful comments. This is not the first time my friend, a Gemini, has been hostile and cold to me. I am tired of feeling hurt and sad over the way things have gone. Even more so, I am sick of being made to feel bad about myself because of the things she says and the way she has treated me in the past, and now.

Friendship should not be exhausting. Friendship should not be such hard work.
I have decided that I can't go on like this anymore. Although, it is a tough decision and it makes me a little sad to have to do it, I also feel a sense of freedom and relief when I think about not having to hold my breath for another angry response or endure another stinging and spiteful remark.
I am going to concentrate on the important people I have around me now... to be a good friend to them while I get respect, love and encouragement in return.



I have bounced her email back to her (a feature I have only recently discovered on my Macintosh. It's genius.)

She will not know that she hurt me for the last time.

SPF: Show Me Your Brush

Hair Care, originally uploaded by scoobers1.

This week's Self Portrait Friday assignment was inspired by the Bravo show "Shear Genius". To be honest, I have never seen the show. I have never seen it because, I am sorry to say, I have never heard of it. Don't get me wrong, I do watch more than my share of television but I am more of a sitcom/movie type of person.
This week's assignment could not have come at a better time. Yesterday, I got my hair "did" at Tangles, as I do every six to eight weeks. My hair dresser would tell you that I need to come more often. Case in point... I did a little snipping and cutting on my own head last week because I thought I needed a wisp of bangs. Pictured above are the "CONAIR Culprits". I don't regret the choice I made but I do wish that I had left the job to the pro.
Luckily, when I came home to mess with my new-do I cleaned out my brushes!

SPF: Small and Pink

This week's Self Portrait Friday assignment was to post a picture of something small and pink.

A Good Night's Sleep, originally uploaded by scoobers1.

I was at work and had been thinking about what to do for SPF when Lou pulled a couple of Ambien out for her patient. Lucky, I had my camera with me. For a night shift nurse, this is a handy drug to have in your patient's arsenal... for the patients and the nurses! : )

This was another idea I had at the last minute to deviate from the working world. I have a series of "Dragonfly" drawings in my bathroom. They are my favorites in the house so I thought I'd share.

SPF: Framed

State Fair, originally uploaded by scoobers1.

This week's Self Portrait Friday assignment was to take a picture of your favorite frame, photo or some other creative "frame" idea.
I'm a couple days late for SPF but I've been working so I hope my tardiness is excused.
Frame: 2006- Chicago. It's been waiting for a photo. Laura made a comment about the lack of a picture. It was sitting on an end table with an insert that said "Place Photo Here", like I wouldn't know where to put the photo, but it's been almost a year, so perhaps I needed the reminder.
Photo: 2004- Arizona State Fair. This is one of my favorite pictures of my mom and dad. It's been waiting for a home. It has one in the frame from Chicago and now sits on my living room end table.

Weekly News: SPF

For my weekly new experience, I am participating in my first "Stuff Portrait Friday". Now, every week there will be a new experience and SPF!
Every week Kristine will assign a new project for Friday.
Will you play?


YOUR SPF ASSIGNMENT: May 11th, 2007
– Put something you own in your hand and take a picture of it. A handful of something.




This a handful of my music. I am an iTunes addict and I love my shuffle. It pretty much goes with me everywhere (except work). Yes, it says scoobers on it : ) Rock on!