I'm Moving!

Hi Everyone!

Well, this is the last post for Bella Fortuna Studios. I had originally chosen the name because it was going to be the name of my jewelry line. However, things have changed over the last couple years and I have decided on a different name for my new jewelry business. You can get the scoop on my jewelry, my other art work and my crazy little life at my new blog www.shop1031.blogspot.com. I also have a new shop opening up on etsy.com at www.irisgonyea.etsy.com that I'll be filling with my brand new jewelry designs that you can take home for yourself. I think it's going to be an awesome year with lots of exciting things happening, so I hope to see you there!

xoxox
Iris

So much to do!

Okay, I'm super busy today because I'm getting ready for my first jewelry show this weekend and there's so much left to do! Luckily I have an awesome family and my parents were here past midnight last night helping me get things ready.

I did want to share a couple quick pics from our weekend in South Carolina though. We had a great time visiting the boy's family and participating in a big surprise birthday party and an early Christmas. All in less than 3 days!
And on Thursday, Stella and I visited the dog park for the first time. At first, she didn't know what to do with so many other dogs running around but eventually she relaxed and started running around with some new friends. The whole thing was so cute.Looking around at all the other dogs.
Finally chasing a new friend around. I forget she's still such a baby compared to adult dogs.

Okay gotta go make some jewelry! Hopefully I can post some pics later, but in the meantime if you're in Austin on Sunday I'll be at the Tapestry Dance Company from 10-3 for their Holiday Open House complete with food, drink, crafts and dance demonstrations! It's free and open to the public- find the directions here.

Headin' South! kind of...

I'm off to South Carolina to visit D's family. Just a quick trip for the weekend, but since I'll be traveling I won't be making any jewelry. Makes me a little sad. I will get to catch up on some reading though and I might do some journal work- and that makes me happy. :D

So, I hope you all have a super fantastic weekend and when I get back I will be sure to post some pictures of the last few necklaces I've made and a few pairs of earrings. I tried today, but I've run out of time and it's very overcast so the pictures were awful. Okay, gotta go pack!
xoxo

A Little Gratitude

Today I'm filled with this weird feeling, like I should be doing something. I just don't know what that something is. I know I could get some Christmas shopping out of the way, or do laundry (why is there ALWAYS laundry to be done?), or just clean up the house in general; but none of those things feel like what I'm "supposed" to be doing. And I don't know how to figure out what that thing is.

So instead, I'm going to make a list. These are the things I'm thankful for- and I'm only going to list the first 10 that pop into my head because I need to throw the pooch in the car and head over to my mom's house!

I'm thankful for:
1. My family.
2. That my family gets along with each other.
3. My mom's cooking.
4. Pumpkin pie.
5. D. (otherwise known on this blog as "the boy")
6. Stella, my pooch. (otherwise known as "monster", "crazytown", and "wingnut")
7. Technology that helps me keep in touch with my friends and family that are far away, like cell phones, facebook, email, text messages, and smoke signals.
8. The opportunity to visit D's family in South Carolina this coming week.
9. The holidays. I'm one of those suckers that really believes in the spirit of Christmas and that everyone is really the best version of themselves this time of year.
10. Financial Security. I'm not talking about being rich, because I'm not. I'm talking about knowing you'll be able to make the mortgage payment because you're not living beyond your means and your partner (or whoever you share a bank account with) is responsible and doesn't drain the bank account without telling you and you're both on the same page about what to spend money on. Having similar financial goals and spending habits is so important for your peace of mind. It really is a blessing.

Okay, that's it! I'm off to spend some time with my crazy mom and aunt. Trust me, I say crazy with all the love in my heart. I look at their love for each other and friendship as adults and I can only hope that I have that in the future. Of course, I don't have a sister so.... I'll have make do with some really good girlfriends or cousins perhaps.

Happy Thanksgiving!!
xoxoxo

Vampires and acrobatic dogs

The past couple of days have been busy and there's definitely not enough daylight even in Texas. I'm having trouble forming any type of coherent thoughts right now, so here's a list of what I've been up to.

1. Watching New Moon 12:01am Friday morning with my mom and a million giggling, screaming teenage girls. It was great. And it made remember how cool my mom has always been. Not the you-can-drink-alcohol-when-you're-underage-in-my-house-as-long-as-you-don't-drive-type of cool. But the kind of mom who's up for anything as long as it's not life-threatening, like waking up at 3am to take two freshmen girls to the cowboy breakfast (San Antonio rodeo tradition) and THEN going to work, or taking the bus down to the coast at the spur of the moment to surprise my dad while he was working out of town, or hosting a sleepover for all the girls in the eighth grade knowing full well there would be no sleeping that night. I hope when I have kids and I'm in the middle of work and mortgages and homework and PTA meetings, I can remember to have the same enthusiasm for otherwise foolish pursuits.
2. Watching New Moon the Friday night with a twenty-something friend who is also un-apologetically enamored with the Twilight saga.
3. Watching New Moon with D on Sunday. Yes, for the third time. What?
4. Trying to tire Stella out in the backyard so she doesn't try to eat my laptop.
5. Paying for molto expensive vet visits. $320 for x-rays! Really?

So here's a couple shots of my crazy pooch outside to make you smile.
She's obsessed with rolling around in the grass and doing somersaults over and over. So funny.
I have a tough time getting pictures of her that aren't blurry since she isn't still for long, but I like them anyway. Ciao for now!
xoxo

This might be a keeper

Okay, this is a quick post so I can get back to work making jewelry. Usually I make a piece (of jewelry, art, whatever) thinking it's a great idea and then once it's finished... I hate it. I think, "Ugh! What was I thinking? This is crap." But I think I really like this piece. I'm posting a quick picture I took with my phone even though the shadows are a little out of control.
Tell me what you think.
The large focal bead is carved bone on an aged brass chain. The other beads are wood cylinders, crazy lace agate rondelles, aquamarine rondelles, and violet and gold glass beads.
And, of course, a couple pictures of my little dog. The light is bad at night in my living room but she's just so cute! I bought this little shirt for her on clearance to make the boy happy and I totally expected her to go crazy and promptly tear it to shreds, but once we got it on her she just pranced around and went about her business chewing on every item in the living room.
And a black and white portrait once she tired herself out. I know she'll be small for such a short time, I feel like I need to record as much as possible. She's growing so fast- in the ten days between vet visits she gained 4 pounds! 9 and 1/2 weeks old and she's 14 pounds. Big puppy.

Green chicken and sleepy puppies

Tomorrow is my birthday, people. It's a big one, too. I don't have anything amazing planned, but I am going to spoil myself a little with a pedicure and a massage- two of my very favorite things. Unfortunately I have to work those in between doggie walks, a doctor's appointment, and an airport dropoff. Hmmm... now that I think about it, I might have to save those for Friday. That stinks.

So tonight I made some green chicken enchiladas that were really good and really easy- which makes them taste even better, I think. Want the recipe? Okay, shred some chicken (the rotisserie kind from the grocery store or used the canned kind in a pinch). Toss it in a pot with a can of Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, season with some minced/chopped garlic, salt, black pepper and cumin. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it reduce down. Now warm up some white corn tortillas in the microwave and spray some Pam in a casserole dish. Place a tortilla in the dish, place some of the chicken mixture in the center and add a little monterrey jack cheese or some of that yummy white Mexican cheese and then roll up the tortilla to make an enchilada. Repeat this until you fill the casserole dish or have made as many as you'd like. Now pour about a third of a can of Green Chicken Enchilada sauce over the top of the tortillas to keep them moist and pop it in the oven (350-375 degrees) for about 5 minutes. Then add some more cheese on top (if you're a cheese hound like the boy) and the rest of the green sauce and put it back in the oven til it's bubbly, probably 10-15 minutes. I served it with some white rice with corn and poblano peppers mixed in and a salad, but you could also use mexican rice or some squash and zucchini. I should have taken a picture, but I didn't think about it at the time. Oh, and this little dish came courtesy of my mom. She's awesome.

And finally, here's a couple of pictures of Stella in my car. She's so funny when she gets tired, it's like she......just.........can't.........go.............on.
And instead of snuggling up on the seat, she finds comfort in laying on my purse. I guess she likes Juicy.

Something Shiny

On the trip to Oklahoma to pick up the puppy, my mom and I were somewhere and she spied something shiny- I think it was on the ground- so we stopped to pick it up and it turned out to be a hair pin with pretty rhinestones. I said, "good eye, Mom!" And I thought to myself, when did I stop looking for things? I remember always finding little curiosities everywhere I went, but lately I think I have been walking around with blinders on. Like I've been so focused on trying to get through traffic, or mark things off my list, that I haven't really been noticing the world around me. So, I put the barrette aside and now it's sitting on my work table. I feel like it's reminding me to keep my eyes open throughout the day. I think it's working too, because on one of our walks I found this great little branch with two little acorns and I picked it up and put it next to my barrette. That's progress, right?

A new post?! Holy Smokes!

Oh, there's just so much. So much has happened, but I won't go on and on about what a bad blogger I am. Perhaps the events over the past couple months will be revealed through my future posts, but for now I can only tell you about what's happening right now. So here's the big announcement....

WE HAVE A NEW PUPPY!!

She is a Great Dane and after much deliberation, her name is Stella. I like to call her Stella "The Sequel" Gonyea! (spoken like Bruce Buffer from inside the octagon, of course) And if you don't know what that means, then you don't watch MMA and just don't worry about it. Back to the pooch, of course she's completely perfect when she wants to be and the rest of the time she's a typical 9 week old puppy- crazy.
Thank goodness she sleeps a lot, because between the middle of the night and the 7am walks, I'm wishing I could take 3 naps during the day! So while she's sleeping and not needing constant supervision (to make sure there's no potty accidents in the house), I'm trying to get some work done- creative and otherwise. I started making jewelry again and I really am looking forward to working in my journal again and maybe even making some books. I miss books. So more soon on the puppy and maybe pictures of my work.

Getting from Here to There

Okay people I've got lots to share, but first things first. My awesome friend Cristalynn and I are going to read The Success Principles by Jack Canfield together and work through the exercises and talk about the chapters and our take-aways, questions, revelations, and whatever else comes up. So, if anyone else out there would like to read along with us, or even at your own pace and just check in and discuss periodically, consider this your formal invitation. Excited, yet?

Well, you should be.

Why are we undertaking this particular challenge at this particular time? It just so happens that each of us are in a period of transition. I am moving on from school back to work, and she (oddly enough) is moving from work to school and then back to work again. Make sense? Well, it doesn't have to, people! (Sorry, I already had my Red Bull this morning- sugar-free of course.) The point is this: Each of us are ready to start living the life we've imagined. And this book, which has been patiently residing on my bookshelf for about 2 years, has really great principles and exercises and tools to help you get from where you are to where you want to be. So if you're interested you can find the book here or get it used here, and take this little journey with us. I know it will be worth your while.
And finally I just wanted to show you two cranes I made last night while I yakked with Cris. They're made from junk mail. Just needed to make something, anything.
xoxox,
Iris

Early morning ramblings

I can't believe it's four in the morning and I'm watching Air Force One with Harrison Ford. I really don't know how these things happen. One minute, it's 10 pm and I sit down to check my email and the next... well, it's four am!

Tomorrow I'm going to try to upload the photos from my recent trip to California and post a couple of the best here. We visited some family north of Sacramento and then tacked on a couple days in San Francisco. The weather was beautiful (no humidity!) and everything was in bloom and green. Such a nice change of pace from dead, brown grass. That's what happens when you heed the water restrictions, people!

There's something about artificially colored flowers...

HAPPY (belated) 4TH OF JULY!!!

Okay, this is gonna be quick. I just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive and well. I finished up my first summer semester on Friday and started class for the second session yesterday. No rest for the weary my friends.

A short I-List or a couple of things I'm into right now:
1. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott Odell. Actually a young adult book written in 1960, it's required reading for my new Youth Literature class. It's so good and heartbreaking at the same time and it's really short so I finished it in a day.
2. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. I bought this book on super clearance at my campus bookstore like 3 semesters ago and I said, "oh, I'll read this when I have some free time." Of course, I hadn't read it and the book hibernated on my bookshelves until this weekend when I saw the preview for the movie coming out with Amy Adams and Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci, whom I love. And I'm loving it- how she writes really long sentences going in several directions all at the same time.

Okay, this was supposed to be short. I have to stop and take care of some commitments, but I'll be back tonight with a couple pictures and the rest of my list. I know you're on pins and needles. I can feel it.

Ooooh, pretty...

I really wanted to post an update, but I'm pretty tired. And I just realized it's three in the morning. Hmmm... that's no good. So here's a pretty picture for you. I wanted to post about something I made, but I've been pretty distracted the last couple of days. I have finals this week and a research paper due on Wednesday. Really, I'd like to know why professors insist on requiring research papers- 10 pages, mind you- during the summer sessions. I can understand a five or six pager, but 10! Give me a break!

Lists are easy, so here's a list for you.
Things I'm loving right now, otherwise known as the "I-List"
1. Jason's deli party trays and free delivery. They let me be the hostess with the mostest with minimal effort.
2. Keeping the house clean all the time. Makes it so much easier for last minute entertaining.
3. My mom. She's the best, hands down.
4. My boyfriend. I asked for a huge favor and he said yes when he really didn't have to and it would have been perfectly acceptable to say no. And as he said yes over the phone without hesitation I thought to myself, "Wow, he really does love me." And I felt so grateful. And, by the way, I didn't take advantage of his generosity and go through with my plan because really, it was too much. But I thanked him nonetheless.
5. Facebook. It's just nice to see what my cousins and friends are up to.
6. Iced coffee from starbucks.
7. Summer dresses and flip flops.
8. Twilight. The movie, the book, the saga.
9. Rice Dream rice milk.
10. Air Conditioning. Today it was 102 degrees outside, heat index was like 115. Basically hot enough to make you want to jump off a bridge and end the suffering -- as long as you landed in a nice cold river or lake, or ocean.

Okay, people it's bed time. Til tomorrow...

Second collage and a crazy bird

Alright, people, I'm posting because I promised I would and I hate to disappoint. This is Collage number 2. I haven't tried to title these because they're really just exercises. I like to use my own photography whenever possible but I love the look of old photographs. I especially love photos of my mom and other women in our family when they were young women - teenagers, early twenties. This image is taken from a photo of my aunt. I'm not sure, I might add more to this later.... hmmm. We'll see.
I must go get some rest because tomorrow is a busy day- farmer's market, shop for baby gift, drop off at airport, baby shower, and the rest of the day I need to get ready for flea-marketing with my mom on Sunday. Oh yeah, we're gonna go sell some junk! Tomorrow I'll share a new technique I learned - well, I think I learned it a long time ago, but just found out about it again.

Oh, one more thing, we have some crazy-ass bird in our front yard that is determined to sing every night.... in the middle of the night!! Like at 2 and 3 am! Right now he/she is singing at the top of his ever-loving lungs! (I just decided that he's a he. We don't need to further encourage the stereotype of a crazy female.) Omigosh, this bird is so loud! You have no idea.

So Much to Entertain

Have you all seen Pride and Prejudice? The one with Kiera Knightly and Matthew McFayden that came out a couple years ago? Well, if not then you need to Netflix it right now, or OnDemand it or old-fashioned Blockbuster it-- whatever it is you do, get your hands on it and watch it because it is one of the best love stories ever and this film has a gorgeous score and amazing scenery. Just beautiful. Anyhow, there's a scene in which Jane is trying to convince her sister that she is over the boy who jilted her months earlier and she tells her that "London is so diverting. There's so much to entertain." Well that's what my life is like right now. There is just so much going on and so much I want to do and take advantage of and experience this summer. That is, aside from the 102 degree weather.
First, I want to share our newest addition. And no, I'm not expecting. In fact, I purposely have stopped drinking the water because every girl I know it seems is having a baby. Anyhow, D and I were exploring a local furniture store a few weeks ago and stumbled across this artist's work. Not only were the pieces affordable, but D and I both really liked the work without either one of us launching into a sales pitch to persuade the other.

Unfortunately this photo isn't great, but I wanted to share right away. So that's our new painting leaning on our mantle next to an antique mirror that came with D and a black ceramic lantern I picked up in Cabo. There's also a sunset photo of the Catalina foothills in Tucson, AZ and a vintage photo of an estate on the edge of a cliff I picked up at an estate sale. I love it (the painting) in my living room, I think the blue and aqua play off the pumpkin walls well and there's just a touch orange to pop off the canvas.
Okay, very quickly, because I absolutely must go to bed- I've got school tomorrow, people! I wanted to share some little projects I've been working on. In an effort to make art-making a daily practice, I've been trying to complete some type of little project each day. So a couple nights ago I was curious to try a transfer/collage technique I had been tossing around in my brain. This is the result- it's about 5 x 7 inches and again not the greatest picture, but it's better than asking you to imagine, isn't it? (I'm having to rely on my iphone because I've got some iPhoto/camera issues going on.)

I'm pressing it right now to hopefully correct the warp that took place. The second collage I will share with you tomorrow.

Back to the Desert

March 25th!
Really?
That's pathetic.
There's no excuse.
Moving on.

So I'm home from dropping Cristalynn at the airport. She flies home today and I'm sad to see my oldest friend go. We've known each other since we were teeny little 17 year old freshmen. We had a great visit though and it was so nice to have someone to hang out with and talk to about creative endeavors and artists and art and gardens and perhaps most importantly, the future we each want to create for ourselves. I feel as though each of us are at a turning point in our lives, myself with an impending college graduation and reentry into the full-time-trying-to-make-something-of-yourself world and her in the midst of a career change. I find that unless you yourself have a passion for art (or some other typically right brained vocation), then it is very hard to explain how important it is to have it be a part of your day, everyday. And how when you haven't been creating at least something, then you feel not-quite-right and unfulfilled and you're just not you're usual laid-back, happy self. So it is very nice to have someone that can relate. And someone to "make stuff" with.
We had a great time visiting the McNay Art Museum and the Botanical Gardens, even though we almost melted in the South Texas sun. And she even introduced me to 30 Rock, which by the way, in case you haven't heard is by far one of the best shows on television. We watched the entire first season in a span of 48 hours I think. I hadn't laughed that hard in a very long time. She helped me get my studio in order and helped me organize my photos and actually put them into albums! Major accomplishment. And I taught her how to carve stamps and work with water soluble oil pastels. All in all, we had a great visit and although being between jobs is hard, I'm thankful that we had the opportunity to spend that time together. When else would you be able to take off for three weeks unless you were unemployed?!

I Love Clouds

Monday was one of those great days in South Texas when its cloudy and overcast, but there's actually no humidity. Believe me, days like that are few and far between, so I enjoyed it immensely knowing full well that soon we will have no escape from the sun and the only breeze will come from my ceiling fan. We had lunch on the patio at one of our nearby restaurants and headed over to Milberger's Nursery to check out the herbs and palm trees for sale. Unfortunately this fall one of our potted palms by the pool bit the dust (now, it is a big potted stick) and D is obsessed with finding it's replacement. While he strolled through the palm forest and inspected the unending variety, I checked out the selection of herbs and contemplated following through on the intention to create an herb garden out back. Still thinking... I stumbled across some beautiful hibiscus plants that reminded me of my Aunt Trish. I remember her always having those in her back yard in Houston and in the kitchen she kept a single bloom in a glass holder. It's funny the details you remember.

I thought the bark on this tree was really cool, I think it would make a great background texture for a piece. D, on the other hand, said it looked dead and reminded him of the trees in Missouri... depressed.
Aaahh, back to work- I have much to do before I leave on Friday.

So, here's a thought for today:

"We are the only species on Earth capable of preventing our own flowering."
-David Whyte

Happy Square Root Day!

Yesterday was Square Root Day; did you know that? It was a day for Geeks to unite the world over and celebrate this 5-9 times in a lifetime event, myself included. I love that kind of stuff! In honor of the day I examined my roots and contemplated my next hair color, drank a root beer, listened to The Roots old album, and attempted carving a beet into a square.

It's harder than you think.

Anyhow, enough with the mathematical revelry. I thought I'd share some photos from my recent jaunt to Colorado. We shared a condo with some friends and spent a few days attacking the mountain. Well, they attacked, I really just tried to survive. Fortunately it snowed every day so most of my falls were cushioned by all the fresh powder on the ground. I think I did pretty good for my first time skiing and I even handled being in the cold again like a champ.

This is a view from the lift of one of the ski runs. (I didn't attempt this one.)

A view from the condo. Love all the snow! It makes everything white and shimmery and lovely.

Look at me! I crashed immediately after that picture was taken. Ha! just kidding


I loved Colorado! The mountains were beautiful, so different from the landscape I'm used to.

I love trying new things and going new places, doing things for the first time. First time to Colorado, first time skiing, first time on a ski lift, first time skidding down a mountain on my backside... good times.

Don't worry, I'm still here

Okay people, I don't know what's wrong with my iphoto or card reader or computer or what, but suffice it to say that something is being temperamental and testing my patience. So, I still thought I'd check in and let everyone know I'm still alive. Tomorrow I will share some recent events with you starting with my latest travels. It's funny, a couple weeks ago I was talking to a friend about how I realized that since I'd started my blog, I'd hardly written about art, travel, food or the other fabulous things that make life worth living. And yet, those are the things I seek out on a daily basis, so what gives? I don't know...

Va Bene!

My last post might have seemed a bit melancholy, but my intention was pointed more towards optimism and the promise of good things to come. Perhaps this quote will communicate my thoughts better... Or maybe is was melancholy? Ah, no matter, va bene!

Quote of the day:
The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are
for what we could become. -Charles Dubois

I can't remember where I first saw this, but I know the words struck me as I read them. That might be one of the hardest things about change- letting go of who you used to be in order to be someone better, happier, healthier. I have been an artist that doesn't make art for a long time, but that's not who I really want to be. I want to be someone who creates everyday, someone whose life is infused with art and color and beauty. But in order to be that person I have to let go of all the habits that prevent me from living that life. I have to write and sketch and draw and paint and photograph every day, not just once in a while. Because I want to make a living as a creative, I have to make studio time a priority and fight for it when daily life interferes. And I have to be willing to share my work with others no matter the response, because if I never show anything to anyone I'll always wonder if I made anything worth looking at. Let's face it, I love my parents and I think they have great taste, but between you and me I think they're a little biased.

*Okay, I was going to post a couple pages from my sketchbook, but I'm having some technical difficulties. I'll have to figure it out in the morning. Sorry kids.

Throw It All Away

At the beginning of each year, I usually find my self - like most other people- reflecting on the year gone by and taking stock of my accomplishments, or lack thereof as it may be. As I have repeated this process at the beginning of 2009, I've come up with a list of things I'm not going to do this year. A list of Anti-Resolutions, if you will.

What tops the list, you ask?

I have resolved that this year I'm not going to hold on to the memory of all the things I haven't done. I'm not going to feel guilty about my lack of accomplishment. I'm not going to lament the dreams that didn't come true or the plans that never saw fruition. I'm not going to regret the opportunities I let slip through my hands or berate myself for not doing more. In short, I'm going to let go of the past. Because no matter how much I beat myself up, it doesn't change a thing. I think I've finally realized that.

In honor of this new Anti-Resolution, I'm posting the lyrics to one of my most favorite songs by one of my most favorite bands, Toad the Wet Sprocket, from their album Coil. I happened upon this song as I was completing my workout yesterday, and I just had to share it.

Throw It All Away

Take your cautionary tales
Take your incremental gain
And all the sychophantic games
And throw 'em all away

Burn your tv in your yard
And gather 'round it with your friends
And warm your hands upon the fire
And start again

Take the story you've been told
The lies that justify the pain
The guilt the weighs upon your soul
And throw 'em all away

Tear up the calendar you've bought
And throw the pieces to the sky
Confetti falling down like rain
Like a parade to usher in your life
Take the dreams that should have died
The ones that kept you lying awake
When you should've been all right
And throw 'em all away

With the time i waste on the life i never had
I could've turned myself into a better man

'cause there ain't nothing you can buy
And there is nothing you can save
To fill the whole inside your heart
So throw it all away
Won't fill the whole inside your heart

Help me empty out this house
The wool i've gathered all these days
And thought i couldn't do without
And throw it all away

Music by glen phillips and toad. lyrics by glen phillips.

The IList

Well, my eyes are very itchy and I am trying to go to bed early tonight, but I promised I would update today... so I will. (D is trying to enforce an early bedtime and is ,as we speak, threatening to confiscate my laptop!) So I'll make this quick.
A short list of things I love right now. We'll call it the "I List". Not only is that a great knock off, but it sounds very of the moment and apple-y, don't you think.
The IList:

• Blogs. I love to read other people's blogs, all the time, everyday.
• My new iphone. It's amazing and I love it. Really, love it.
• Coupons. Just started clipping coupons again. Last week I saved over $40! Can we say new shoes? Well, shoes that are 75% off anyway!
• Podcasts. I am addicted to podcasts. That I can hear on my little ipod at the gym to distract from my burning muscles as I log hour after hour on the elliptical.
• Ipods.
  
• Technology. Right now, I am in love with all the amazing things we can do from anywhere in the world.

I did say I would keep this short, so until tomorrow.