I Wrote the Book

Hello there!
Have you written a book?  A short story maybe?  Do you even like to write?

I do dream about writing a book and then becoming famous and, above all, rich!  But I'm thinking that is not my path.

Yet, I HAVE written a book!  It's basically a book about me (surprise!) and it includes only a few years of my life--it's my blog book.

Here's the front cover of my book!  Zip took that photo of me while we were touring inside one of the caves near Mt Rushmore.  I like that photo of me!  :}

This is the dedication page.  I dedicated my book to Zip and me because without us,

there would be no book! 

We are standing on top of glacier in Alaska.  We have both been dreaming about doing this one day and we finally got to do it on one of our roadtrips.

This is my back cover.  You can see that my book encompasses the years from Jan 2008 to Feb 2011.  Zip took this photo of me while we were on a Princess cruise to Alaska.

Oh, just a closer look of the front cover photo.  I think you can even see that I'm wearing a Mt Rushmore T-shirt.

This is what I decided to put on the spine of the book because it really is all about me.

Here's a glimpse into some of the pages of my book.  When ordering your blog book, you can decide to include comments to your blog post or not.  I decided to include them in my book; I love reading your comments so keep them coming okay?

More pages of my blog book.

These are pages when I first started my blog, back in 2008.

WOW!  I love my blog book.  Can't wait for the next one.  I'll give another 2 - 3 years and then publish my second blog book. 

If you have a blog and want your very own blog book, check out Blog2print.

They do a fantastic job--the quality is superb, quick turnaround time, and very affordable.

As always, have fun in your life and then write about it.   :}

Yuki

Two Blogs!

Hola blog peeps!

I have some new news for you! 

In October, I started a NEW blog called, Art With Sprinkles and I'm really really excited about it. 
For many many moons, I've been thinking about starting a separate blog where I could share little bits and pieces of the stuff I create, apart from all my roadtrip stuff.

It took me a while to come up with a name for my new blog--oh the names I went through!  FINALLY, "Art With Sprinkles" became THE NAME I wanted to go with.

Art = I am an artist.  I love to create.  What I create is art (at least to me!).  I love sharing what I create.
 
Sprinkles = I love sprinkles.  I love the word "sprinkles"!  Sprinkles are colorful and fun.  Sprinkles make me happy. 

Art With Sprinkles = my art makes me happy like sprinkles on a cupcake!  

I hope when you peek inside my new blog, Art With Sprinkles, you will find colorful and fun bits and pieces of my creative creations that will inspire you to create your own art sprinkles. 

I've created a tab beneath my header where you can go (quickly) to Art With Sprinkles.

If you want to see what Zip and I are up to, please continue to check out this blog okay?!  :}

As always, have fun and ONLY eat cupcakes with sprinkles!  Why?  Because, as in life, a cupcake is sooooooo much better with sprinkles on it.
Yuki

My Most Favorite Scotch Tape

Hello there!
Have you thought about the scotch tape you use?  Do you love it?  Do you like it?  Do you hate it?

Well, I hate the "satin" gift wrap stuff--what a waste of money!  First of all, why does it say it's specifically for gift wrapping?  When you do use it on a gift wrap, it's so noticeable that I think it looks hideous.  Secondly, I take issue with "satin"!  I don't know why I take issue with that word to describe tape but I do!

And have you tried the tape that says it's invisible?  Really?  Really?  Invisible?  Like I can't see it at all after it's applied to something?  Please stop before I have to slap myself to wake up from this nightmare!

Then there's the tape that says it's clear (sorta like invisible) but it's really not.  There is nothing clear about the clear scotch tape I've used.! 

And if I'm not on a scotch tape hating spree as it is, let's talk the tape that won't stick even after pressing it down a number of times.  Shouldn't that not even be an issue?  Tape that won't stay taped down?

And please don't get me started on Magic Tape.  What the heck does that mean--magic?  What is so magical about magic tape.  I don't get it.

It's been hard dealing with all this UNTIL
I accidentally stumbled upon the MOST PERFECT scotch tape in the whole wide world.  It's so my favorite that I can't imagine my life without it now.  Buying two rolls of this tape was NOT an option; I needed at least three rolls.

Shhhh, I really bought tons of this tape because I love it so much!

Yes, it's from Dollar General and it's only $1 a roll (a HUGE roll may I add).  It is truly CLEAR--and it's so pretty in its clearness.  It is about 99% invisible when applied to anything, even gift wrap.  It is very very sticky.
It sticks really really well like something called "tape" should. Imagine that!

If you have issues with your roll of clear satin magic scotch tape, then you need to run to your nearest Dollar General store and buy a roll or two before I get there!  :}  Hopefully I didn't buy them all.  :} 

And please don't ask me exactly how many rolls of this tape I have because I may have to deviate from the truth a bit to not appear strange!  (And yes, I know Scotch tape is brand of tape!  So cry me a river and hand me a Kleenex will ya!)

As always--have some fun--buy some Dollar General scotch tape.  Life is too short to do otherwise.
Yuki

Meatloaf

Hello Blog Peeps
I just know you've been wondering how in the world does Yuki make meatloaf, right? 
YES!!!  I knew it.

Okay okay okay, calm down.  Here's how The Yukster makes meatloaf.

It came out sooooooooooooo good too. 

After I mixed all the ingredients together, I take half of the meat mixture and press into my meatloaf pan, then sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top, then press the other half of the meat mixture on top of that.

Some good vittles, let me tell ya!

So, have fun making meatloaf.  Why?  Because for one night, you won't have to ask yourself, "What's for dinner?"  You'll know the answer.  And, of course, it's just more fun when you know all the answers, isn't it?
Yuki

Obsessive Writing

Hello Blog Peeps!
Well, right  now, I feel like telling you a little something something about me and how my mind works (or doesn't work)!

Here's a photo clue.

Can you guess?  Well, if not, let's break it down into parts and maybe that will help.
First, you see the Mickey pen right?
The Mickey pen is on a planner (daily planner).
Yes, you got it!!!!!  It's my diary.  I am obsessive-compulsive about writing in my diary on a daily basis.

I've been keeping a diary back when it was called "keeping a diary"!  Nowadays, it's journaling or something crazy like that. 

For over 50 years, I've been writing about my daily life.  Depending on how much space I had--that determined how much I wrote. 

Currently, I'm liking a day planner type book that's available in all office supply stores.  My 2011 day planner happens to be pink for cancer awareness.  Last year, I bought a black day planner and covered it with some scrapbook paper.

When I was working, I would "write in code" in my desk calendar so if anybody sat at my desk and flipped through my calendar, they wouldn't really understand what I was writing.  But each year as I bought another desk calendar refill, I would rubber band the old one and keep them in my desk.  When I finally retired, I had a BUNCH of them to take home.  All  full of daily work stuff and daily living stuff.

I try not to be compulsive about writing but I can't help myself.  If I go a few days without writing (doesn't happen that often), I sit myself down and catch-up on my days.

Even on vacation, I write.

We were living in Germany between 1978 to 1981 and one day, I received a traffic ticket in the mail, claiming that I had run a red light based on a photo from a camera on the traffic light.  HA!  I don't think so.  I was sure they had made a mistake.  So I went back looking for that date in my diary and read my accounts of the day.  Oooops, I WAS on that street, doing an errand that day!  Oh my gosh!  BUSTED!!!!
I paid the fine and called it a day, knowing that I was wrong and I could prove it.  hee hee

So, there's a good reason to keep a diary right?  But that's not the reason why I keep a diary--to disprove or prove where I was on a particular day.  Nope.

The reason why I am compulsive about writing on a daily basis--my feelings, my memories, my thoughts, my dreams, my mistakes, my delights in life--is because I need to SEE that I have lived that day.

When I SEE my writings, I know that I have lived.  Silly as it may sound, it makes me happy.

I can concentrate on today, knowing that my yesterday is documented. 

I can also SEE that my penmanship SUCKS big time--oh my gosh! 

Find what makes you happy and then do it even if it doesn't make sense to others.  Why?
Because you'll be happier and have more fun!!!!  Yeeeeeehaw!
Yuki

Gobble Gobble--it's November!

Created by Red Hot Sharon Gabrielson

Of all the holidays, I really like Thanksgiving because it's pretty stress-free AND all about eating some yummilious food. It's also a time to reflect about how blessed as Americans we are. What a great country we live in, don't you think? I wouldn't want to live any place else.

We can be whatever we want to be; it's up to us. I like that.

I LOVE Sharon's page. I wish you could see it in person because the photo does not do it any justice. It's a beautiful page--love love love it.

GREAT job, Sharon!

I'm so thankful for the friends I've made through The Angel Company. My life is just so much richer with my Red Hots and angel friends.

Happy THANKSgiving y'all.

Vampira Yuki

Spooky Hellos!

Today I am Vampira Yuki, hanging out with my ghostie friends. 

I needed a little snackiepoo!

spooky spooky!

Oh yummy! Finger-lickin' good.

Connie, the gypsy fortune teller, and me (trying to look scary!).

Wonder if she has any blood left? 

What a pair! 

Tinkerbell with Vampira--both smiling.  I KNOW why I'm smiling but why is Tink smiling? 

That's right, I'm not smiling anymore!  Tink is toast!

Teddy Bear gone vamp! 

Marie the mouse is smiling now--just wait. . .

 

I didn't know ghouls wore sunglasses!

Well, hope you have a fun Halloween, filled with a butt load of candy and spooky stuff.

Vampira Yuki

Birthday Present

Hello there Blog Peeps!

I celebrated a birthday in August; had a wonderful birthday too.  Any day that I wake up is a good day wouldn't you say?!  Thinking about the alternative--not waking up--is NOT a good thing. 

With that said, let me tell you a story--About 2 months ago or so, I bought a most beautimus dress at Goodwill for $15.  When I bought it, I knew what I wanted to do with it too.  No, I didn't want to wear it!!

I wanted to display it on a dress form in my house.  So my search for a not-so-expensive-but-pretty dress form commenced.    Have you priced them?  Good golly, they are not cheap!

A good friend of mine, Lisa, knew I was looking for one and decided to buy me one for my birthday!!!  Yeeeehawwwww!  She and I went to the Warrenton/Roundtop Antique Show and she showed me all these dress forms made out of wire.  I picked one and here it is WITH my beautimus and cheap dress from Goodwill hunting. 


Isn't it gorgeous?  I LOVE them both--the dress and the dress form.  So perfect together.  And yes it IS a pair of Mickey ears in the background--you are soooooo observant!

If you were at the Red Hot Christmas party in 2010, you'll notice the beautiful necklace I won during the Red Hot Chinese Gift Exchange!!!!  It's from Lisa too.  Oh how I love that necklace--it's full of metal crowns and blingie charms.  When I had won it, my plans were to take it apart and use the charms individually but, as you can see, it's all still intact.

The Goodwill hunting dress is a size 8 (yikes) and the dress form is probably about a size 12 or 14, with extra wide shoulders and hips.  I tried every which way to get the dress on the dress form but couldn't.

Yes, I did the unthinkable.  I cut the dress in the back.  It hurt, let me tell you. 

Pretty bad right?  I did try to not cut the zipper apart but it still would not fit past the shoulders or the hips.  Major surgery was in order.

Even though this little lady should not EVER show her backside, I still think it looks perfect.  I love it.
Stay tuned to see my whole display with this dress, okay?
As always, if a dress won't fit, you MAKE IT FIT--and have fun while you're doing it.
Yuki

If Only

hello blog peeps!
I worked for 33 years for the US Army as a Federal Civil Servant.  Before that, I worked at odd jobs.  I've been working since I was 18 years old. Every day, Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day.

Not a part-time job.  Not a seasonal job. Not an "on-call" type of job.  No!

Eight hours a day, five days a week.  And let's not talk about the drive time to work and back!

Don't get me wrong!  I'm no different than anybody else who works a "9 to 5," five days a week job. 
But, in a way, I am a little different than most women in the workforce (just a little). 

Even though I've been married all my adulthood, I don't have kids.  BIG DIFFERENCE and I know it.

So here I am working, working, working--my weekends were precious to me. 
I wanted to do what "I" wanted to do on my weekends. 
And, trust me, I didn't want to waste my weekends doing housework, that's for sure.  Can ya feel me?

While I was working, everyday, I was filled with "if only" thoughts.

If only I wasn't working.
If only I had more time.
If only I just had one more day, I could .  .  .
If only the weekends were longer.
If only I could sleep till 9am.
If only I could stay in my jammies all day.
If only Mondays didn't come after Sundays.
If only I didn't have to get up so early.
If only I had more energy after work, I would cook dinner instead of buying something on the way home.
If only I wasn't so tired after work.
If only we could be on vacation.
If only I didn't have to set the alarm every night.
If only I could wake up when I wanted to.
If only I could call in "sick" everyday.
If only I could just stay at home and watch TV.
If only I could just stamp all day.
If only I could just
If only I could
If only I
If only
If

Yes. . . if only.
But. . . be careful what you wish for because you might just get it.

So, please come back as the saga continues
and
remember--
What may be done at any time will be done at no time. – Scottish Proverb
stay thirsty my friends
Yuki

Enough Scissors?

Hello there blog peepers!
Well, I'm ready to give you another glimpse into another one of my obsessive-compulsive obsessions.
Scissors.
Yes scissors.
I love scissors.  So affordable and so useful.  How can you stop at just one or two?

Here's my drawer of scissors before I organized them.

Such a mess right?  So I took all my scissors out of the drawer and I started to organized them by color and some by size.  Here are some of embroidery type scissors.

My Tim Holtz scissors.

My heavy duty scissors.

My Kai type scissors.

Scissors that fringe.

My yellow ones.

Gray ones.

Blue ones.

Green ones.

Oh! More yellow ones.

My pretty heart scissors.

Mickey scissors and cute polka dotted ones.

My clear ones.

Purple and blue ones.

Pink ones.

Here's my scissor drawer organized!

Much better don't you think?

But, much to my surprise--I found MORE scissors as I was working on my stamproom.

This is another scissors drawer!  Oooops

I just recently bought this one. So cute.

Hee hee, had to buy six of them!  Couldn't resist them.

Sooooooooooo cute!

Here's a whole mess of scissors I found here and there and everywhere in my stamproom.

These are soooooooo cute.  How could you NOT possess them?

Mickey ear scissors.  Love them!  I use one pair and just look at the other pair.

As always, have fun with scissors.  Just don't run with them okay?

Oh, in case you are wondering if I learned anything about me

and my obsession with scissors--glad you asked. 

Yes, I did.

I need more green ones.

Yuki