Long time no see...

and a fun Google search from Miss Sadira of Foolsewoode!

So the whole leave my letterpress post at the top of the blog did absolutely nothing to help me find a printer in Northern Arizona. But, never fear....Sadie and Megan are coming to my rescue and hopefully after all the excitement of the holiday weekend dies down, I'll have more to report on the letterpress front. Until then, I am participating in this little game....

"_______"
You KNOW you wanna do it too! Come on...all the cool kids posted about it in their blogs.

Here's the deal....
1: Type in “[your name] needs” in the Google search:
Dina needs a husband right away
(Mission accomplished. haha! Some in my circle might consider this my own personal motto. Ouch!)

2: Type in “[your name] looks like” in Google search:
Dina looks like an animal responding to a strange noise
(Ohhhh reallllllyyyyy?!?! Maybe this is how I attracted said husband. winkwinknudgenudge)

3: Type in “[your name] does” in Google search:
Dina does not come across as very likable
(Well that's just plain mean.)

4: Type in “[your name] hates” in Google search:
Dina hates being filmed
(Actually I am pretty camera shy. I can never figure out what to say and I'm quite clumsy. Even as a child, I usually wound up looking like a big dork in all our family home movies)

5: Type in “[your name] goes to” in Google search:
Dina goes to the police with her wild ideas and the police chief, aware of her mental instability, takes her story with numerous grains of salt.
(I don't even know what to say about this!)

7. Type in “[your name] eats” in Google search:
Dina eats an apple.
(Actually I have been on an apple kick lately, so this is spot on.)

8: Type in “[your name] has” in Google search:
Dina has nice tetas
(Thank you. I think.)

9: Type in “[your name] died” in Google Search:
Dina died of severe head injuries.
(ohpleaseohpleaseohplease say this will not be true! I always envisioned myself dying in my sleep, or drowning, which I suppose is really no less horrible.)

10: Type in “[your name] will” in Google search:
Dina will be headlining a "Divas" weekend at Butlins
(Have your people call my people. Make it happen.)

A cry for help!

For those of you who know me in real life, you know I am a graphic designer. For those who don't...now you do! :) For many years (20 to be exact. wow.), I've been mostly designing for the corporate world, which tends to be quite "by the book" and not very exciting or overly creative. Not that I don't enjoy it, I do, but I stumbled across a fantastic opportunity to finally bring to life some of the wild ideas I've had stuck in my head or sketchbook for far too long. However, unfortunately, I've run across a stumbling block of sorts...

Now, we all know that living in a small town has plenty of benefits, but there are also a few drawbacks as well. Especially when trying to locate the services of certain creative individuals and businesses. We simply do not have a lot of resources at our fingertips like those who live in bigger cities. So, I'm throwing this out into the blogging world in hopes that someone picks it up in a Google search, or stumbles across this post and exclaims "I CAN HELP!" and sends me an email.

I'm currently designing a line of social stationary. You know...note cards, letterhead, calling cards, etc... that I would like to have letterpressed either locally or at least by someone here in Northern Arizona. At some point, I am hoping to be able to convince this person to teach me a few tricks of the trade and be able to purchase a press of my very own in the future, but for now I will just need their expertise and willingness to print my stuff. I've spent hours upon hours searching the web for a letterpress in Northern Arizona, but have basically come up empty-handed. Does anyone out there in bloggyland know of anyone nearby who might be able to come to my rescue? I promise you will be handsomely rewarded with a lifetime supply of all the bespoke paperie you could ever want or need.

Deep Conversations with Niko...

This morning, while trying to scurry out the door for work...

Me: Niko, meet me in the grown-up bathroom, we need to brush your teeth and hair.
N: Oooookkkkaaaayyyyyy (as he's running ahead of me down the long hallway)
Me (upon arriving at said bathroom and there is no Niko to be found) : Well, I suppose you musn't be in much of a hurry to get outside to have fun if I beat you to the bathroom.
N (from behind my closet door) : Mom...I didn't want to scare you, but I'm coming out of the closet. I've been in here for aaaaaages and I just can't take it anymore.


Ohhhh, reeeeeaaaaallllllllllyyyy.......

Family Friendly Fun-tastic Friday!

Well I might not be posting daily, but I'm posting regularly. Hey, it's a start people! :)

Guess what's happenning in Prescott tomorrow night? YUP! That's right! It's the official opening night of The Arizona Revue at the historic Elk's Opera House!

Now before you go off thinking this is some sort of small town local "talent show" of sorts, let me set the record straight...these are the professionals bay-bee! Visit their website to check out the performer's bios. You'll be impressed!

I've been attending this show with my mom every year since...since...since, well, it wasn't even called the "The Arizona Revue", it was "The Arizona Jamboree". And that's a long time. It's always chock full of singing, dancing, a little local and not so local humor, as well as the loverly Ms. Melissa Ruffner...a local historian and story-teller, who has been referred to as The First Lady of Prescott. You really won't want to miss it. Seriously. Get your tickets now because it does sell out rather quickly. Here's the skinny:

SEASON:
2008 May 25th-September 6th
Doors open at 6PM, Pre-show starts at 6:30PM, Showtime is 7PM

LOCATION:
Elks Opera House • 117 E. Gurley St.

TICKETS:
Hassayampa Inn or Prescott Chamber of Commerce
General Admission Adults $20.00
Children (12 & Under) $10.00.

If your feeling a little flush in the pocketbook or are visiting from out of town, you might want to check out the Dinner and a Show or Overnight Packages offered by the Hassayampa Inn.

Year after year the Arizona Revue has been our summer ritual, only this year it will be quite a sad evening for me. As I mentioned, this is one of my mother and I's sort of "Girls Night Out" evenings, but these past 4 or so years we've included my grandmother. She had an awful fight with Alzheimer's for many years and passed away recently. For about the last year of her life she was so angry and could snap at you or get violent at the drop of a hat, but I will always remember her sitting next to me, watching the show, singing along and smiling from ear to ear. She'd lean in and whisper to me "WOW! They are really good aren't they Cookie?!" probably 10 or 12 times throughout the evening. It was as if she had found her happy place again.

Family Friendly (and not so family friendly) Funtastic Friday!

If you happen to be in Prescott this holiday weekend, boy are you in luck! There certainly is no shortage of fun stuff to do these next few days, that's for sure! This is just a small sampling of the stuff you won't want to miss....

I know I already posted about it, but it deserves yet another mention. If you haven't already got your self out of bed and headed over to the Prescott Farmers Market, I highly suggest you do so. Why not pick up some fresh veggies to throw on the grill this Memorial Day from some of our local farmers. Surely, they will taste yummier than those from the big box store. Come on now, set that alarm clock early, program the coffee pot and get out there. I know there is a touch of rain in the forecast, but don't let that stop you....I promise, you won't be disappointed.

If you find yourself sans kiddos this holiday, why not take a drive out to Chino Valley and visit Granite Creek Vineyards? Did you know they are hosting a Summer Saturday Music and Picnic Series, all summer long? It's open from 1-5pm, admission is free, and although it's a bit late to reserve one of their homemade wine picnic lunches (they require a 2 day advance notice), you could always pack your own yummies (perhaps from the Prescott Farmer's Market?). This weekend Shri is on the schedule, but check out their website for a full summer schedule. Once C and I find our healthy-selves once again, this is going to be one of the first things I am putting on our social calendar. Tres Romantique, dontcha think?!

This weekend also happens to be the 34th Annual Phippen Western Art Show on the Courthouse Square. The show runs all weekend long and features some of the top Western Artists in the country. Growing up in Prescott, I cannot remember ever NOT attending this show on the square. It never, ever disappoints. I look forward to it every year. Yes, this is coming from me...lover of all things mod and kitsch. Not to mention, it draws quite the crowd which happens to be great for those of us into "people watching". Oh, and you won't want to miss the Quick Draw & Auction happening both Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

If you cannot make it downtown, or don't feel like braving the crowds with your kids, the Phippen Art Museum out on Highway 89 also offers the The Family Discovery Center. From the website: "At the Family Discovery Center, families can find activities such as art projects, puzzles, computer software and games along with books that pertain to the current exhibit and general art. It is available to children and their families during museum hours."

If you looking for something with a little more excitement and edge of your seat action, the Arizona Adrenaline have a game this Saturday against the Utah Saints. Kickoff is at 6:30pm at Tim's Toyota Center in PV. I have yet to go to an Adrenaline game, but I hear it's really a ton of fun...and did you know that they are on course to clinch a playoff spot? Adrenaline football might be just what I need to get me through my summer hockey withdrawals.

Now, I realize this next event is not child-friendly, but I have to post it anyway. My nephew Derek attends the Zaki Gordon Film Institute in Sedona and their 8th Annual Short Film Festival is being held this weekend. C and I are unable to make it, which I am absolutely heartbroken over. The entire weekend looks like an absolute blast and it's killing me to know we won't be there to support D and his film, not to mention join in on all the festivities. Hello.... Vegas night?!? A screening of Juno and a Q&A with the producer?!? Insane raffle prizes?!? How crazy fun does this sound!?! I wanna go so bad. Sigh. :(
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Whew! Looks like I better get better already. Just look at all the fun I'm missing out on! Never fear though, as I will be relaxing and hopefully getting to feeling like my old self again. If all goes as planned I will be spending this evening with the ever-so-loverly Miss Sadira of Foolsewoode and some girlie friends playing catch-up, nibbling pupcakes and sipping on some sort of cocktail. Tomorrow we have 3, yes count 'em 3 (!!!) birthday parties to attend. 2 are of the kiddo variety and both happen to be happening at Peter Piper Pizza within an hour of each other. The other, later in the evening, is a more grown-up affair. And Sunday, we are hosting a family BBQ at our place in honor of my father's 59th birthday. Come on antibiotics...work your magic.

If you haven't already guessed...

I've been a bit under the weather these past couple of weeks. It happens every year about this time. The dry, burning sinus headache. The throbbing pain in my temples. Ahhh, the sacrifices we make in order to live in the beautiful town of Prescott. But what good is being surrounded by all this beauty when you can't even get out and enjoy it?! Guess I picked a bad time to try and start my regular family friendly Fun-tastic Friday posts 'eh?! Never fear however, I've got some great stuff coming up tomorrow for those of us who are able to breath "on the outside".

Hopefully soon, the high pollen season will pass. Until then, I'll have to be content with staying indoors, reading my newest favorite magazine and cozying up with my best boys. If anyone has any ideas on how to rid yourself of an awful migraine-like allergy related headache, I'd really appreciate them. I'm desperate!

Oh, and online shopping....


Seriously. How insanely cute are these?!? I took it as a sign that I was meant to have them when the only size left is mine.

Because my brain refuses to put a coherent thought together.

I've been under the weather this past week with an insane sinus headache/infection and ear infection, but I didn't want to neglect my poor blog, so I'm cheating, and posting this, which I copied from the loverly Miss Liz.

The rules say you can only type one word.

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? C
3. Your hair? boring
4. Your Skin? peely
5. Your mother? generous
6. Your favorite thing? chocolate
7. Your dream last night? sexy
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal? travel
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your ex? miserable
12. Your fear? drowning
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? fulfilled
14. Where were you last night? sofa
15. What you're not? skinny
16. Muffins? fresh
17. One of your wish list items? puppies
18. Where you grew up? Prescott
19. The last thing you did? critiqued
20. What are you wearing? black
21. Your TV? eyesore
22. Your pet(S)? dog
23. Your computer? hypnotizing
24. Your life? charmed
25. Your mood? dopey
26. Missing someone? gramma
27. Your car? empty
28. Something you're not wearing? undies (teeheehee)
29. Favorite Store? sephora
30. Your summer? hectic
31. Like someone? many
32. Your favorite color? black
33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? yesterday
35. Who will/would re-post this? sadie