Jacksonville

Welcome to Jacksonville Florida! Well we really were not welcomed and after a week we still havent met up with anyone from my DH's work nor his sponsor or anything. Though for being a week here we have accomplished ALOT. We both have a car BMW 325i and a BMW 540 (or something like that). We have put in an offer on a house with a pool that has been accepted we are just waiting for all of the paper work to go through, we will hopefully close by 28 February, around this date is when our household goods from Japan is suppose to arrive. We have been in our rental house for a couple of days and the girls started school on Monday at Oakleaf Junior High. I have shopped a bit and purchased a few things from Joanns & Michaels.  Yahoo! Now all I need is all of my CTMH, Cricut and ippity items to arrive.. We thankfully had cable and internet installed yesterday, yeah!

As I am typing this I am watching DYI, where they just redid this bathroom so GORGEOUS! A part of a tree as a sink, a nickel plated tub, garden view, body dryer.. umm can I find him in a home improvement store?

Have a great day everyone!

This is nothing against My Pink Stamper, it is just unfortunate that after this Blog Designer, Whitney Bennett from Special Made Blog Design spruced up Robyn's (My Pink Stamper - MPS) blog her business received a bit of a boom. I was one of the people on her list of blogs scheduled we had the idea and most of everything completed, I paid her 1/2 payment for the blog design..

I am contacting you regarding your design.  As you have seen, I have gotten pretty behind on my blog designs.  We got many blog orders really fast and had no idea what was about to happen unexpectedly.  Right after many of you placed your order, we had many things occur to our family.  After having 2 surgeries, 2 deaths, and many more complications, it caused me to get behind on my work.  We were closed for 2 weeks for a family reunion where my grandpa took everyone on a cruise.  When we came back we were hit really bad with the flu.  We have been back now for 2 weeks and our family is finally recovering.  My baby boy has needed so much attention because he has been in so much pain.  I know that many of you have waited so patiently for your blog design and I truly appreciate it.  I am now feeling so overwhelmed trying to catch up on my work and trying to take care of my little baby.  I have a handful of designs half done.  I know a lot of you are just waiting on your illustrations and some of you are waiting on your full design.  I will be discounting your blog design since you have had to wait so long for your designs.  I do really apologize and appreciate your patience as I work through your designs and get them to your liking.  I wrote out a plan this morning and this is when I am planning on starting each of your designs:

11/02 - Julia

11/03 - Heather

11/04 - Glenda

11/05 - Emma

11/06 - Michele

11/09 - Gale

11/10 - Nadia

11/11 - Sandy

11/12 - Sonya

11/13 – Rosie

As stated, I will be working on a new one each day.  I am going to try so hard to start each design on the date stated above, and just pray and hope nothing else happens to us right now.  I really appreciate your patience in understanding.  2 months ago I had no idea of the things that were going to send our life in the opposite direction.  Thank you so much for your understanding.  Please email me with any questions.

Whitney Bennett

SpecialMadeDesigns

Test Blog

I have emails between us from August to December... Now I know that things happen, and she had familial issues but once she said she would NOT follow through with her obligations I proceeded to contact her to refund my money which she never replied or responded and or refunded my money to me.. Immediately after this she started a different venture with making photocards with another woman, I don't believe that site ever really took off either (http://yourcardbakery.blogspot.com). Now I know you make think why not file a claim with paypal, well after 30 days what can I do? As a digital product what repercussion do I have for someone who does not follow through with their promise. I mean she had a test blog the design was close to complete. With the work she completed if I was more computer literate I may have been able to piece together the blog she showed.. However payment was for her to install the blog which never happened. I was so BUMMED and jaded for a while against paying designers to redo/design my blog. 


The design currently on my blog is by A Blog to Brag About  The Pixelista (free) she also does custom work, custom blogs created my grab me button as well as my signature (when I was no longer as jaded and paid for this design, a wonderful friendly honest person to work with,I look forward to working with her again), a lot of other elements come from free sites Shabby Blogs/The Cutest Blog on the Block etc..


Now I know you guys must be thinking hey girl its been over a year get over it and move on I have moved on however I just wanted to apologize to anybody that may have paid her to redesign your blog and did not follow through with it especially if you had chosen her best on my recommendation. I have said this is in the past, I have also moved my blog so that post may be gone as well. 


I am just editing the original post and giving props to the People who have helped improve my blog for free and or with a fee..




Special Made Blog Designs Keep checking my blog within a few weeks I hope to have my complete ultra unique blog completed and uploaded by Whitney. She is easy to work with and her works is awesome.


****DISCLAIMER**** Paper Crafters Anonymous (Heather) is not holding MPS responsible or putting any blame on MPS, unfortunately MPS helped propel this persons business and it boomed more than she could handle..


This was originally posted on 9/6/09.. 


Hello everyone, no craft post today however I will be talking about changing the look of your blog. Now it is not as hard as it seems. As a matter of fact there are many outlets on the web that offer free designs so that you can personalize your blog to something fancier than the standard blogger template looks and colors.. If you have visited my blog more than once and or even sporadically you will have noticed I change my look sometimes too often sometimes not so often. It just depends on my mood and sometimes you will visit while I am in the midst of seeing which background works with my blog set up.

There are free options and I may repeat some that you already know and use but you might be able to find something you haven't seen before from the new.

Currently my header was made by Shabby Blogs and I added everything title and photos to it. The Blog background is from Aqua Poppy Designs her Free Backgrounds..

So without further ado, to spruce up the look of your blog you can use these free sites:
Shabby Blogs- Free Backgrounds, Headers, Buttons
Cutest Blog on the Block - Free Backgrounds, some with matching headers and buttons, & blog tips
Aqua Poppy Designs- Free Backgrounds
Hot Bliggity Blog - Free Backgrounds
Gisele Jaquenod & Birdie- Free Templates
Yummy Lolly - Free Designs

These are just a few of the places you can find online. I like to use the designs that are easiest to upload and do not include me messing with the original blogger template. You just go to customize add a gadget and drop the code under html and save.. That is the easiest for me. Although there have been times when I have altered my template with code via blogger but when I have gone to change the look I could never get anything to work correctly.

When changing the style and design of your blog, you could also opt to have someone completely redo or create something unique just for you.

Top on my list for paid services is:
Special Made Blog Designs Keep checking my blog within a few weeks I hope to have my complete ultra unique blog completed and uploaded by Whitney. She is easy to work with and her works is awesome.
Aqua Poppy Designs offers customized service, however she is currently on maternity until further notice
Hot Bliggity Blog
Yummy Lolly as Acorn Glue her custom design site - though she is currently not taking any requests if you like her designs and styles keep a look out on her blog for when she is

There are many other sites to choose from, you could also purchase premade templates.
For an example Delicious Design Studio your options are endless from free to a little out of pocket to $$$ out of pocket, it just depends on who you choose and how much personalization you are looking for.

Have fun updating your blogs for those that find something interesting from these sites. If you know of a different site please let me know.. I love changing things on my blog.
Have a Creative Day! - Heather

Traveling Time

My last day in Japan was filled with friends & tears. Our house inspection went outstanding it was surprising that they said we should not have cleaned, I guess after 7 years they would be doing a complete overhaul on the place.? We stressed over nothing..

I went to lunch today with Girl Scout Leaders and the DMM & Adult Leader. After we had lunch they presented me with an Outstanding Volunteer Award after reading a letter from a Girl who was in my Troop 2 years ago and other Leaders. I felt so honored and /.privileged and even had to hold back my tears to hear all of the touching things about me. Girl Scouts has given me as much if not more than I have given it, I look forward to pursuing Girl Scouts in Florida as a Leader or in any other capacity needed.

We had a farewell dinner with our closest friends and their children, this also made me go all misty eyed looking down the table and new and old friends realizing that I am leaving tomorrow morning and that I will miss them all sooo much. In little parts I have realized that I am Officially leaving Japan but until I hit the ground in the US of A I will not fully comprehend that I am leaving it all behind. I have loved the past 7 years and would have welcomed 3 more but I am ecstatic to return to the States. Who knows maybe in 3 years we will be here again. though I don't think I would come full time just in the Summer or whenever he would not be deployed..this is looking to far into the future though.

We have had many changes to our tickets and plans all the way down to the last minute CSD was open today. Currently my DD's and I are traveling from NRT-DFW-JAX and being picked up by my DH's sponsor and taken to the Lodge. We arrive in JAX at 1435, 1.5 hours after taking off in Japan. This is soo hiliarious to the kids.

DH is traveling AMC Yokota-SEA with the cats and then the next day on the 14th he will travel SEA-DFW-JAX hopefully the weather is good and the cats will be able to travel with no problems. Keeping my fingers crossed for you DH.

To my fellow Atsugians, peace out I loved it here see you on Facebook and I'll keep you posted of all the wonderful deals stateside like at Target or Pier 1 ha ha!

Last Minute Shopping

Taking in some last minute shopping before moving to Florida.. Took my first trip to La La Port yesterday, and although I only went to 2 stores it was enough. From La La Port we took a leisure trip to Ikea and spent lots of time there picking out rooms and designing things and just walking around. Too much fun!
Thanks Celie for letting me tag along with you!

Claires: 3000¥

                                          H&M  Hair Bands, Hair Clippies, 4 rings, necklace 2 pairs of tights
                                               2800¥

                                           Franc Franc 1000¥

                                          IKEA 1200¥ including the Blue Ikea Bag

                                         one of the rings from H&M

                                          another ring from H&M

                                         a GREAT butterfly ring from H&M

                                         Love this flower locket, Gorgeous also from H&M  



A great haul for shopping I was really happy with everything I bought I have a great use for those little wooden boxes, my butterfly ring has received a few compliments already. We are leaving on Thursday my Dh is trying to work out the one snafoo in the traveling plans. He is currently scheduled to fly AMC to Seattle then go Commercial to Jacksonville. Where I am scheduled to travel with the 2 girls, the 2 cats out of Narita to Jacksonville. It is not so much the traveling without my DH that bothers me it is that I am responsible for the kids, the cats and should something go wrong how am I suppose to let him know?
Hopefully his command will get behind him and help us out so he can be on the same route we are traveling.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day! Thanks for reading my blog for those that are still with me. As soon as I can I will get back to Crafting.. The soonest possible moment after landing in Florida..

<3 to all of you, Happy Crafting!

Eating in Japan: Yakiniku

Yakiniku

I thought originally that it was a Japanese thing, but it turns out to be Korean! I also found out that many Japanese people love Korean food. I equate it with American's love of Mexican (I am a big fan anyway).


So what is Yakiniku, you ask? It is a "cook it yourself" kind of place. You get your meats, veggies, and fish, and take them to your booth where a grill awaits you. It's right in the middle of your table. This is one of the first places my Husband took me to when we arrived.  I remember that when we first arrived at this restaurant and realized we had to cook our own food I was telling my husband are you SERIOUS? I pay for food have to pick it out and also have to cook it myself, well that is just CRAZY! Honestly though the kids love it, love that they get to cook their own food, we section off the grill or take turns a family of four we use all 60 minutes up to that last minute.

They also have plenty of already cooked food to choose from. They have sushi, ramen, rice (of course), salads, french fries, and a bunch of other things that tend to vary. And the desserts and ice cream- yummm! The Ice Cream! Many Many different flavors... Vanilla, Chocolate, Green Tea, Blueberry, Strawberry, Melon & others I have not tried.. Oh, there is a large assortment of different sauces for the meat as well, very delicioso!


It is "all you can eat" at this place. Basically you pay for the amount of time you plan on eating, if you go over you pay extra. If you waste food, you pay extra. We paid for 60 minutes, which is the smaller amount. If you have a lot of people, 90 minutes is better since you are sharing a grill. You can add all you can drink beer as well. We had a grpoup of 12 and did this one night, for the serious beer drinkers it was great.

This place is always busy when we go, sometimes there is a line going out the door and down the stairs. It is a great place for families to go out to eat.  This Restaurant has been upgraded since we first arrived 7 years ago. It has a much better flow as well as a better selection of food, FANTASTIC!

Moving

Moving Day, we  had 12 Crates.. My husband likes to say that 4 of them are my craft supplies alone, I am not sure he is telling the truth.

Happy New Year!/ DT Call @ MPS

Welcome 2011! We had a nice News Years Eve at a friends house where we played the Wii and did some Karaoke.. It was really nice to spend New Years Eve with good friends..

Our moving date has changed to January 13th, 2011... Due to traveling with pets and the fact that the Flight can only accommodate 2 pets per flight.. So here we are in house for an additional week on stick furniture.. Thankfully we have internet and cable still, I am hoping we call them in time tomorrow before they shut it off.

It is a little disheartening though that we are not leaving and then again it's nice that I get an additional week with my friends. Though with the new year there are many craft related opportunities, ie Design Teams and Calls, if you have read my Bucket List then you know that being on a Design Team and having something Published is on my bucket list. Unfortunately having everything from my house on a boat back to the US puts a damper on entering things like this. Another reason I am SUPER excited to go ahead and move forward so I can get back to all of my household goods and craft supplies.

I hope all of you have a great 2011, I know for me personally 2010 had some ups and downs and passed by so quickly! I look forward to 2011 and what it will bring.

Check out My Pink Stamper Robyn has 2 opening for her 2011 Design team!