Friday, October 31, 2008

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

I generally pride myself in the fact that I don't lie to people... I really don't think there is any such thing as a white lie. Not saying that I have a perfect record I have made my mistakes...
I have caught 2 people in lies since I have been here... both relating to business... or business relationships anyways.
Both have "white lied" really for nothing that would have made any difference AT ALL. One said she got my mailer and I later realized that it had been returned to sender. The other cancelled a meet up and lied about the reason... I later saw her that same day.
See not even a big deal... but when you get caught in even a harmless lie... you lose accountability. PERIOD. Both people I will strongly hesitate to do business with in the future... or at least hesitate to take them for their word.
It's still a small world after all. Be careful what you say to someone... even a stranger!
Happy Haloween! I have an errand to run... then I am going to install hardware on cabinets that are finished [less than a quarter of them]. I'll post pics!

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Loyalty

He can say that he wants to take your money and give it to those who are not willing to work for their own.
He can raise a toast to Rashid Khalidi on video
We don't even know where he was born
He has a dinimished value for Human life
He associates closely with those who are responsible for this national/worldwide financial crisis.
However his lemmings I mean followers I mean supporters continue to blindly support him. Why?? Is this loyalty out of pride? I just don't understand.... are they actually listneing to the news? Do they actually listen to the radio? Or do we consider SNL a reliable source?

I don't know about you but I believe in LIFE... LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

I don't believe in abortion, socialism and freeloading.

If a meteorologist were to forecast rain today, wouldn't you at least consider grabbing your umbrella? Think about it.

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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Random Post

My friend Katie's man posted this video and I got a kick out of it...



He also produces professional news and documentary videos... check out his webiste! T60 Productions


More random thoughts...

I started on the kitchen cabinets yesterday... it's gonna be great! Very Excited!

We got out first frost last night

Every morning I wake up to the radio alarm clock... for the past week the first thing I hear every day is of a fatal shooting... what is going on??? Sad and scary.

7 more days to vote!



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Monday, October 27, 2008

Corn Maze



Saturday afternoon we headed out for our afternoon fall adventure. We knew we were heading to a place with a corn maze... I was expecting to find some pumpkins too, however they did not have any. It was a neat place! There were 2 corn mazes... one haunted [after dark], one not-haunted. We went during the day into the non-haunted of course... I'm a scardy cat :)
They also had a bunch of bonfire pits (you would have to book ahead of time), some kid's activities : things to climb on and duck races, and we saw a field with hay bales designated for paintball... It would be a great place to go back and spend the day with a group!



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Friday, October 24, 2008

Haloween memories...

Reading PErik's entry about carvng pumpkins with his sons brought back memories of the Wickstrom Haloween tradition ...
Every year my Dad would take Holly Ryan and myself to Sunny Acres on Rt 64 in West Chicago IL. But first we would go across the street to the Old North Pancake house for dinner where usually at least 3 of us would order Chocolate Chip Pancakes... FOR DINNER!! Yay! Could you tell it was Dad's night out?
After dinner we went across the street to pick out our pumpkins... He acted like every pumpkin we showed him was really really great as we carefully sorted through to find the perfect one!
Then we brought them inside and sifted through all the junk. Never failed, Ryan would always try and scare me and Holly by turning his back or hiding around a corner while putting on a scary mask. Makes me laugh just thinking about it... because he often succeeded.
Then it was time to check out. Dad always picked up a gallon of cider to bring home we were then allowed to pick a treat [for dessert]. I ALWAYS chose a pretzel rod dipped in white chocolate.
Then home to carve... Mom would wash salt and bake the seeds once we dug them out of the pumpkins. Great fun, great memories!

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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Heard this on the radio today

I can't take credit for this "notice" just thought I'd share...
it's from boortz.com Nealz Nuze

CHANGES IN THE WORKPLACE

You small business owners out there are preparing for life under a Barack Obama presidency. One of our listeners sent us some new rules for small businesses based on Obama's ideals of change and fairness:

As of November 5, 2008, when President Obama officially becomes president-elect, our company will instill a few new policies which are in keeping with his new, inspiring issues of change and fairness:

1. All salespeople will be pooling their sales and bonuses into a common pool that will be divided equally between all of you. This will serve to give those of you who are under-achieving a "fair shake".

2. All low level workers will be pooling their wages, including overtime, into a common pool, dividing it equally amongst you. This will help those who are "too busy for overtime" to reap the rewards from those who have more spare time and can work extra hours.

3. All top management will now be referred to as "the government." We will not participate in this "pooling" experience because the law doesn't apply to us.

4. The "government" will give eloquent speeches to all employees every week, encouraging its workers to continue to work hard "for the good of all".

5. The employees will be thrilled with these new policies because it's "good to spread the wealth around". Those of you who have underachieved will finally get an opportunity; those of you who have worked hard and had success will feel more "patriotic".

6. The last few people who were hired should clean out their desks. Don't feel bad, though, because President Obama will give you free healthcare, free handouts, free oil for heating your home, free food stamps, and he'll let you stay in your home for as long as you want even if you can't pay your mortgage. If you appeal directly to our democratic congress, you might even get a free flat screen TV and a coupon for free haircuts (shouldn't all Americans be entitled to nice looking hair?)!!!

If for any reason you are not happy with the new policies, you may want to rethink your vote on November 4th.


Ask yourself honestly, how do you stand to benefit from his plan?

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Website Updated .. for now :)

I just finished updating the photo descriptions on my website... hopefully the extra verbage will get me some more hits!
Today I made some really unique samples for an interior designer I met with last week, I hope she's as excited as I am :)
Tomorrow I have another project at Mike's boss's house, I'll post pics!
I am getting the itch to get started on the kitchen... maybe next week I'll start painting the cabinets and take down the wallpaper... The backsplash will have to wait until I can save up for the tile!
I have a headache... maybe it's from so much computering??

Did you vote on my next painting?? (Scroll Down for Options vote in upper Right) I still have a tie! BTW any foliage on any painting I plan to do in fall colors :)
If you voted in the comments, I logged it in the tally, thanks!

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Monday, October 20, 2008

Habitat Monday

I went back to Habitat today to help out in the office. The ladies in the office were very nice and very happy to have a volunteer. I spent the day making copies and doing some data entry. Not bad, I tend to be a bit more of a physical labor/ people person. But I don't mind doing a little office work now and then.
I was amazed with the wonderful women I met today, both working hard for a cause they believe in. Both foster mothers of multiple kids. How brave and compassionate. Very admirable.

I should be doing more. I know I'll find that niche.


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Sunday, October 19, 2008

What should I Paint?

I have decided to do some oil paintings and see how they sell. My friend at Elegance by Design offered to display them in her shop... so we'll see how it goes!
My thought was to take some pictures of things here in Oklahoma for inspiration, so the other day I was driving around looking for some interesting "subjects" then again yesterday Mike and I did some driving around and took some more pictures. Here are some pictures I am deciding between for my next project, please feel free to vote! I will paint what you vote on and then post the finished painting!
This could be fun! It also makes me more accountable to get going!
#1

#2

#3


#4


#5



To view more oil paintngs by Katie Stenglein :
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Friday, October 17, 2008

First day at Habitat

Today I finally did my first volunteer shift at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. I had fun... it's actually a lot busier in there on a week day than I expected.
My job was to sort through a corner with a bunch of CARDBOARD boxes containing drapery rods. And then organize the drapery rod and miniblind section of the store. Not too bad... however only like 5 mins in I had already found 2 Brown Recluse Spiders. I'm glad I found them in the beginning... I was on my toes after that and actully saw no more :)
Remember my earlier post : After we MOVED we learned that they like cardboard. Yikes!
Like I said not a bad day I will go back :) Actaully I signed up for a different job monday. We'll see what I'll be doing.
Happy Friday! Have a good weekend!!

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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Mighty to Save

I LOVE this song! It's no Perik and Crew... but Hillsong will do :)
It's kind of a long version... but this is one of those songs I just wish would go on forever anyways!



They were singing this the first time we went to Coweta First Assembly... maybe that's why we kept going back?? J/K well, maybe not kidding :) There were even a couple crazy pentecostals cheering, hooting and hollering... loved it!




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Sunday, October 12, 2008

A great weekend with and old friend and a new friend!


Linx

My friend since Preschool, Sheri, came to visit with her Hubby Steve and their 2-year old son Shawn. As you can guess, preschool was a long time ago for me so Sheri and I are old buds... However, Mike and I had the priveledge of meeting her Husband, Steve, for the first time. Steve is an American soldier, He has been over seas for our country the last few times I've seen Sheri, so it was great for us to finally meet and befriend him!
We enjoyed a couple of home cooked meals, a bit of window-shopping, a "Safari" adventure, and some late night game and trivia playing!
All was fun and relaxing, however, Safari was an absolute delight! There is a place called Safari Santuary that is tucked into the countryside, literally 1/2 mile outside of our neighborhood. It's open to the public on sat and sun, only. I have been dying to go since we moved here and was delighted with the experience! There were at least a dozen tigers, 4-5 lions, a Liger, (yes! a cross between a lion and a tiger), puma/mountain/cougars (we learned that these are all different names for the same animal), linx, 16 foot long snakes, donkeys, ostrich, lama, sheep, loose chickens, ducks and pigs just walking around! There are also monkeys, wolves, alpaca , alligators, and a zebra!
Safari was very interactive and kid friendly... a must-activity for any or all future visitors!
We were able to feed the big cats raw chicken legs and all of the others animal crackers. One of the monkeys was really funny, he dipped the crackers in water before eating it... kinda like dunking cookies in milk. :)
Here is a video of me feeding a Tiger:



It was cool... but also a bit scary! They were only 6 feet away... [that's only one of me!] There are more pics and videos on Mikes Blog check 'em out!
All in all a great weekend!


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Thursday, October 9, 2008

Today I Must Hussle!

I was supposed to be on a job today... however my supplies went to Palos Heights... Yikes. Anyway I called early enough yesterday that they were able to overnight a new set of designs which I received today. I am happy about the prompt service... however now I have to rearrange my schedule.
I am now doing the job tomorrow... but I also have out of town guests coming tomorrow... which I am very excited about, but I have a time crunch on my hands! YIKES! I have been cleaning and getting things ready all morning. In another hour I should have the house cleaning finished. Then all I have left to do is finish trimming the bushes I started on yesterday and rake up my MESS!... Then, finish up my meal planning and grocery list... then a trip to walmart! There were also a couple of activities I wanted to look into for the weekend... but that's no big deal... Now that I put it that way... I am not in that bad of shape... I might even have time to make some browies!


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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Favorite Sammy

Yesterday I enjoyed one of my favorites for lunch... a roast beef sandwich with swiss cheese and red onions (I put a little red onion on just about anything), usually some lettuce too... but I didn't have any.
I remember a conversation in my mom's kitchen a few months ago where Mike and my brother, Ryan, were making fun of me for choosing swiss over american to pair with roast beef.
Sorry guys it's just better!

What's your favorite sandwich??


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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

He is Listening

Yesterday I was sitting in a waiting room (not literally). I felt torn between a decision and a necessity, a passion and a routine. I found myself face down before God a couple times. I asked of him "Lord you know my needs, you know my desires, you know my passions, show me where to go next." Between sunday and monday I surrendered my heart and my will to Jesus a couple times. (It's easy to get caught up in routine and sometimes we need to reinstate our commitment to Christ as christians, the first time should not be the only time)
That little voice reminded me of a volunteer opportunity that I have been hesitating to commit to. I have been putting it off thinking "I just need to book a little more work", "I just need to get a little bit ahead before I commit my time", "How can I commit my self to others when I have nothing good going here?"
God answered immediately and filled the need that I was going to try and "band-aid". He opened the door as if to say "you have nothing holding you back, now make that commitment".
I poured my heart out, he was listening. He answered immediately and loudly. He cares about every single persons needs, give your worries to God today, he really cares! :)

Thank you for being a loving God, thank you for your intimate involvement in our lives.
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Monday, October 6, 2008



It's Monday again... wow! Is it just me.. or do the weeks just FLY by? I spent last week catching up on my contacts... I need to pursue Kustom Kate more this week. I have also decided that it's time to look into some options for a part time income. The extra income will be very helpful and I will also have some structure. I just keep finding myself running in a circle... it's time to change things up a bit.

Ideally I would love to find a work-from-home situation where I can have some flexibility to pursue painting... but I think I need to keep my options open.
I am hoping that my ears will be open to any guidance or opportunity.... I am counting on God to lead me a bit (or a lot).

I really don't want to get wrapped up in something full time where I won't be painting. Paint really is my passion. I don't care if I am painting ceilings, walls, canvas, furniture ANYTHING!! Will this economic situation still afford a place for me?

I am open to suggestions.... or prayer :)

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Thursday, October 2, 2008

Home :)

I had a nice trip back to IL... Every minute was packed with visiting and projects! It was fun... but long too! The last couple days I spent with my friend Katie... we put a nice finish on some of her kitchen cabinets... something I promised to help her with before I moved. We were both very pleased with the outcome. She is going to send me pictures when she gets all the doors and hinges put back together... I'll post before and afters!
Next trip home will be Christmas... I think that will be a short visit, but we are hoping to see some more friends next time! I think Mike and I are going to try and make it to Stone for Christmas Service. We'd really like to see everyone!

Now I am back home. I have spent the first half of the day catching up on business and trying to get the wheels turning again... One thing I really don't like about going out of town as an entrepreneuer is that inevitably you tend to lose ALL momentum. The next week or so will be lots of hard work getting things going again. We have one more trip this fall and that is it for a long while!

I really prefer a long weekend here and there. Then you don't tend to lose touch with everything so much. Anyways.... here we go. This afternoon, I am going to be working on a couple samples I started a couple weeks back and some pedestals for Elegance by Design in Tulsa. I am also considering formulating a project or 2 that I could possibly put together for a class maybe at the library or park district... just coming up with ideas anyway. I also need to open up a bank account for Kustom Kate here. There is no 5/3 bank in OK.

Tonight we will be watching the debate... I am also considering baking some cookies :) I like Mike's idea about popcorn for the debate too!

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