Me as of Right Now

Card Positioning System #247

2011-12-07T05:18:00.001-08:00

The sketches on CPS are always fun. I often try to combine this with a challenge with colors, but not this week. This is the sketch this week:

And this is my card:

The card is 5.5"x6". The sunflower and button are actually stickers. The button is raised with foam tape. The sentiment is a rub on.

Thanks for stopping by!

UnstampaBelle's Tree Challenge #5

2011-12-01T06:18:00.001-08:00

UnstampaBelle's Challenge #5 is looking for Trees. You get an extra entry if you use a die cut or punch.

I must admit, this is out of my norm. Making a tree out of paper scraps looked so much better in my head. I don't have a tree punch and I couldn't believe that I didn't have a tree die cut. The star is a die cut that I've had in my collection for a while. I wanted to step out and use non traditional holiday colors. I love the hot pink and if you know me, you will know that green in my favorite color, especially the lime/spring green color. The pink card is 5.5x6. The bottom edge of the triangle of each color I put foam tape so they stuck out a bit for some dimension.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jellypark Challenges Give Thanks Challenge

2011-12-01T05:44:00.001-08:00

Jellypark Challenges has alot going on. It definitely worth checking out. I must admit, I have never used a digital stamp. To be perfectly honest, I've never heard of it until last week. I feel so out of the loop. Anything to help me keep my stash to a minimum to clutter my house!

I made three cards this week that fit this theme. All of them have circles on them, and rub ons (no stamps). I hope they still qualify.

These first two I made for another challenge, Clean and Simple Challenge #167 and #168.

This other card was for Sketch N Stash #75. They have such a wonderful sketch and design team.

Thanks for stopping by!

CAS-ual Fridays #29

2011-12-01T05:27:00.001-08:00

CAS-ual Fridays 29 is good for two weeks! Very nice sketch, easy to follow and create a nice looking card.

The card is 5.5"x6" green cardstock. I used two colors of pink. The darker pink I put my sentiment and gems on. The sentiment and flower are by SEI Rub On. The flower is actually on white cardstock that I cut out and adhered to the lighter pink cardstock. The colors don't really show well in the pic. The greens are more compatible IRL.

Very simple and very clean.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch N Stash #75

2011-12-01T05:18:00.001-08:00

Sketch n Stash #75 is another new challenge for me. The DT is very inspiring. I like the fact that they encourage you to rotate the sketch to work best for you and add as much bling at your want as long as they can recognize the original sketch.

I stayed true to the sketch. The yellow cardstock is 5.5"x7.5". I used two different patterned papers from K&Co. The sentiment is chipboard. I used two color ribbons, green on top of yellow. The circle is cut from green vellum and the flower is a satin flower from Prima. In the corner, I used my favorite gems for that little spark.

Thanks for stopping by!

Clean and Simple #167

2011-12-01T04:48:00.001-08:00

Because I enjoyed the challenge from this blog for 168, I thought I would give this a try. I know I'm working backwards. This is truly a clean and simple card.

The brown card is 6x6. The circle is 4.25". I used by new circle cutter by Martha Stewart. The patterned paper from Crate Paper as well as the center strip. All edges are inked with brown ink. The sentiment is a rub on. The center strip has two brads in a green that resemble small buttons.

Thanks for stopping by!

Clean and Simple Stamping 168

2011-12-01T04:35:00.001-08:00

This is my first time to participate in this challenge. Clean and Simple Stamping 168 is the last challenge for the fall.

I love the samples they have using this sketch. I still have some papers from Crate Papers. I made this around Thanksgiving, so it made total sense. The sentiment is a rub on. I don't have a die cut system. It would have made my attempt of the scallops so much easier. Instead, I had to be inventive (or creative) and punch out 10 circles and space them so they were even. All of this topped off with a dark brown grosgrain ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Less is More Week 43 A Bit of Bling

2011-12-01T04:22:00.001-08:00

Occasionally, I like to make clean and simple cards. I was super excited when I found a blog that has a challenge for such things.

Less is More Week 43 Challenge was to use a Bit of Bling. I love to use the gemstones as the center of my flowers. I love the little sparkle that it gives the card.

It's hard to tell in this picture, but the card has several layers. The card is 6x6 (brown) but light green cardstock strip in middle of card. I cut three squares 1.25" in a medium colored green and three squares 1" in olive green. I stacked the layers, added these cute pink flowers by Prima with the gems in the center for that little bit of bling.

CPS Challenge 246

2011-12-01T03:53:00.001-08:00

I loved the sketch because of the contrast of the circles and the straight lines. CPS Challenge 246's sponsor this week is Stamping Bella.

I like using pink and brown together. The flowers are chipboard from Basic Grey. I have to say, it looks so much better IRL that this photo.

Thanks for stopping by!

365 Cards Challenge Day 271

2011-12-01T03:35:00.001-08:00

This is my first time to play in this challenge. 365 Cards Day 271 Challenge consisted of making a card using only cardstock, a saying, one patterened paper and two embellishments.

I didn't want to 'cheat' so I used the same ribbon in two areas on the card but used that as my two embellishments. The patterened paper is like printed rice paper, very frail.

I am not one to make many male cards, but this would work perfectly.

Thanks for stopping my and looking!

Thankful I have Time to Create

2011-11-24T10:03:00.000-08:00

My work schedule this week is a little wacky because of the holiday. I am working Thanksgiving night and Black Friday night. I am glad that I have time to make some cards and participate in some challenges.

I didn't realize how many challenges are out there! Thanks to Daily Dare Challenges, there are easy to find in one simple spot. I know that was ALOT of work and I wanted to acknowledge her work and effort. I know this list was made earlier this year because some of the blogs are closed.

I made this card for {Freshly Made} Sketches #12. I love pink and green together. This card is 7.5 x 5 white card stock with green vellum paper. I am using up my stash, so I don't remember where the circle die cut is from. I really wanted to put a flower on this somewhere, but it just didn't look right.

This card is so out of my element. There is no green on it at all. I think it turned out great. It was for a couple challenges: For Your Inspiration Challenges #18 had a photograph of a gorgeous sunset in the mountains and the challenge was to make a project. The sketch came from My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club (MFTWSC47). The flowers are from Prima. The sentiment is a rub on. Flower center is a textured button. Heart Song Inspiration Challenge #25 was for a circle card or a Thank You.

Ah, another card without green or flowers...this was really a stretch for me. Color Throwdown Challenge #169 had four colors (my equivalent of red, teal, light blue and dark brown) for you to use for your project. I don't have the exact colors but I do believe that they are close enough. The brown leaves are punches. The other embellishments besides the buttons are stickers that I must have gotten as a bonus for something. I just happened to pull them out of my stash. I don't remember ever seeing them before. I used brown chalk ink on the edges.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

More Cards, More Challenges

2011-11-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

My work schedule keeps me from posting everyday. That would explain the overload of cards on each post.

I wanted to find some more challenges to play. I hit the jackpot last night adding about 50 new blogs to my 'follow' list. Thank you for all the blogs for having such awesome design teams and have such wonderful challenges.

So let's get the party started. I am very much in love with Crate Paper. I bought this kit from Scrapbook Steals several months ago. I love the orange (and obviously the green). I have made at least a 2 dozen cards with this kit. I'm curious how many projects I can create with this kit.

The Crazy Challenge asked for a shaped card for CCH #94. I made a circle card last week but wanted to make another. I used the same sketch as the one last week, but with different colors/papers. All the flowers I use are by Prima. The cardstock I have had for years (trying not to be a hoarder anymore) from CTMH.

This card I made last week but wasn't able to upload it and I missed the cut-off date to enter into the challenge. I still wanted to post it, since I really like it. This is Basic Grey papers and the a rub on by Basic Grey. It looks shockingly bright against these other fall colored cards. It was for CPS #244.

I didn't want to miss this week's challenge, so I got right on it! I love the sketch. I love layers. I was able to use so many scraps from the Crate Paper stash. The is CPS -Card Positioning Systems #245.

Sketch Inspiration #247 was for a scrapbook page, but I wanted to make a card. I like the way it turned out. The card measures 5.25" x 5.25". The metal saying I have also had for years and not sure which company made it. The ribbon I got from the Target $1 bin. It works beautifully.

Scrap Our Stash Challenge had a recipe that asked for:

5 embellishments (flowers, button, red dots)
4 words or letters in your title (A gift for you stamp by the Stamps of Life)
3 pictures, which I used stamps from The Stamps of Life of a bowtie, flower, and three dots. I used the Versa Stamp pad on the brown cardstock to make a subdue background.
2 pattern papers (Crate Paper)
1 solid paper

Tuesday Morning Sketches is one of the blogs that I just found last night. I loved this sketch and wanted to make it, but I missed the cut-off.

One of my common themes with all my cards is a flower and it has green somewhere on the card.

Mojo Monday is always fun to do. Their sketches are wonderful. I tend to make larger cards with their sketches, 7.5 x 5. Luckily I can find envelopes at Walmart for these larger cards. This is for Mojo Monday #216.

I wish all a Happy Thanksgiving. This is the first year it's only me and my youngest. And I have to work Thanksgiving night shift. We are going out to eat Wednesday night (which this is the first year I'm not cooking anything), and watch the parade on Thursday morning. At least there is one thing that hasn't changed. ~Traci

Love these sites!

2011-11-17T08:49:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun this morning playing with my stuff. It was fun to find some great sites to get ideas from and to be challenged.

First, Mojo Monday #145. I know, it's way late, like June 2010, but I wanted to try out my new circle cutter I got over the weekend.

The ribbon is from my daughter, flower from Prima, bloom is a rub-on from Imaginisce Twitter Talk collection. There is usually green and a flower on my cards. My signature? Maybe. The circle cutter is by Martha Stewart, which I absolutely love. It is so easy to use. Thanks Martha!

Now for a current Mojo Monday challenge #215. I hope I can post it in time for the challenge. There is so much talent in these challenges. Very inspiring. Want to let them know that I am enjoying their blogs.

This is using Imaginesce Twitter Talk like, the orange dot paper and blossom stamp. Flowers and buttons in flower middles are Prisma.

These are some other cards I made using Crate Paper products for a new challenge blog for me called Crazy 4 Challenges, C4C113 where the challenge is to use three different papers, three embellishes and three dies or punches. I had so much fun with this that I made three cards.

All of these I used papers and dies from Crate Papers Mia Collection. The flowers are by Prima. I like to put gemstones at the center of my flowers.

Fall is the Season for Creating

2011-11-16T14:25:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I've been creative. Moving into a smaller space has certainly impacted the creative urges. This past weekend, I pulled everything out of my closet and put it in the dining room, since we don't seem to eat there any more.

I also got some cute stamps from The Stamps of Life. Here is what I created.

We Have Been Excommunicated

2011-05-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't been on a bike in like, hmmm, let's see, about 25 years. And I'm not quite sure why I chose to ride bikes on this day, other than it looked like fun. The thought of riding along the beach with the breeze blowing through my hair. It sounded very enchanting.

We drove to Venice Beach. I've never been, even though Alyssa had. Her one memory of the beach had to do with a naked man.... I won't go there.

We picked up the bikes at the main parking lot for Venice Beach. They were $8 a hour. We had a choice between a cruiser or a mountain bike. My only criteria was they had to look girlie. So cruisers it was. I wish I thought to rent a lock so we could have dropped off the bikes and wandered around. Note to self: get locks next time.

We headed north toward Santa Monica Pier. The pier looks far away, not sure if we would actually have the strength to ride that far. My first few pedals were shaky. My word, it's been a while. I've heard over and over again, you never forget how to ride a bike. I found my center of balance and got those pedals going so I was going in a forward motion. The coordination between pedaling and keeping the handle bars straight was a challenge. Straighten up, push right leg down, straighten up, push left leg down, don't freak out when the jerk rings his bell warning me that he is passing me. Doesn't he realize that I haven't been on a bike in over 25 years?

The sidewalks are wide at the beginning. The sand is on the left side of the sidewalk. That is where I need to fall if I have to. Those wide sidewalks begin to narrow as we ride north. They narrow because the number of people begin to increase, in both directions. Alyssa is behind me. She sees my bike weave in and out between the other bikes. The ones that are passing me, or avoiding me and oncoming traffic. Somehow I forgot how to stop this thing. Oh my! I reverse pedal, and nothing. Next thing I know I am laying in the sand, with the bike beside me. And laughing! No broken bones, no other bike beside me. It's all good.

Back up and onward toward Santa Monica pier, which is getting closer and closer. At the pier is where I wished we had that lock so we could walk the pier. But we had to get back. I guess I became over confident and because I ended up in the sand again. Not exactly sure what happened, but did realize that I had an audience this time. There was a bathroom/shower building and a man and a woman. I could hear words of encouragement from the woman that it was okay to crash and there is no reason to be embarrassed. That was the further thing on my mind. I told her that I wasn't embarrassed. That must have been the wrong thing to say because she then went off and was soon yelling at us that we have been excommunicated from the homeless community. Oh, okay. I told Alyssa, no sudden moves and just keep on moving.

What a day!

I've Got to Get Back to This

2011-05-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

I did an excellent post yesterday on this, but it totally disappeared. So, I will attempt to do it again.

It's been 7 months since I last posted. That is too long! And so much has happened. I am sure there is more than this, but at least you can see all the changes I've been through:

I started a weight loss program fully intending to get the lap band. The insurance company requires each patient before they have surgery to attend a 12 week program about nutrition and life style change. I took this class to heart and followed everything to the T. First, I started a 1600 calorie diet. I learned about proper portion size, which was actually one of my major problems. I also attacked the sugar addiction and have beaten that. After the 12 weeks, I had lost 20 lbs and chose not to have the surgery. I had found that I was able to make the lifestyle change that I needed. As of today, I've lost 34 lbs. Another 30 should do it for me.
Along with the diet, I am continuing with yoga. I do it about three times a week, sometime more sometimes less. I have discovered a website called YogaVibes that has wonderful classes and some for free.
Juliana decided to move to TX to be close to her boyfriend, Hai. It was hard to see her go, especially in the middle of her senior year. She was determined and I wished her well, with tears in my eyes.
Because Juliana moved, we certainly didn't need to live in that huge house any more. A week after she moved out, Alyssa and I moved into a cute 1000 sq ft apartment. Even though I love the smaller place, I certainly don't like apartment living. Noisy neighbors above and below. My lease is up in Feb and will look for a duplex, closer to Santiago HS.
Alyssa got her driver's permit and takes her test for her license in July, which means I need to be looking for a car for her...YIKES!
I quit my job at St Bernardine's and started working at Corona Regional. The biggest change was from working days to nights. At first it was miserable, I had a terrible schedule, working every other day. But now that I am setting my own schedule, it's much better. I find that I have more time with Alyssa by working nights.
I started dating again. I took a 6 month break because the men had so much drama. I certainly needed to re-evaluate the type of men I was attracting or were attracted to. I stepped out of my comfort zone and have dated men of different faiths, different cultural backgrounds and even life long bachelors. It has been very interesting and am finding that I am liking these men more than I thought I would. I am still looking for a long term commitment. I am hopeful.
I started taking Argentine Tango lessons. I started taking lessons in Temecula with a man I was seeing. And when that relationship ended, I felt it was time to look for a new studio and I am so glad I did. I will write about this later, because there are some wonderful video clips I want to add.
I became a Nana. Tara gave birth to a precious little girl, Noelle on April 28th.

That is quite a bit of changes for the last 7 months. I devoted 2011 for the year of change for me. I am willing to step outside my comfort zone to see if there is something better out there for me.

Some things that are coming up for me are:

Alyssa and I are flying to TX in June for Juliana's graduation. Hopefully we will be able to see Tara and Noelle.
I am going on an Alaskan Cruise with the Travel Meet-Up group in July.
Planning on going to NYC with Alyssa in October. Nothing definite yet.

I certainly need to get back to writing in this blog. I love to write and I have so much to say!

Post Cruise Post

2010-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

I've been back from the cruise for more than a week and so much has happened in these past 10 days I hope I can remember all the fun that I had.

Thanks goodness for those scopolamine patches. I put it on earlier in the day as my doctor told me. I felt no queasiness at all while on the boat. In fact, I didn't feel it until I took it off when I was back on land. Highly recommend it.

The group I was with totalled 109. Such a small number considering how many other people were on the boat. My roommate, Missi, was quite the party girl. Even though I never saw her shenanigans, I certainly heard about them. I was rather disappointed in the food at the buffet. There is a difference between quantity and quality of food. This was apparent on this cruise. At the dining halls, at dinner, the food was wonderful. But the buffet, it wasn't very good.

Since I didn't get off the boat in Ensenada, I had a nice quiet day to myself. I took my book and sat on the Serenity deck (for adults only) and enjoyed the morning. I walked around, discovered the art gallery. I so wanted to go to the art auction on Sunday. I worked out and took a couple of naps. It was a true vacation day. I did meet someone. Spent alot of time talking and getting to get each other. On the last night on the boat, we met up at the piano bar, where it's obviously okay to smoke. The smoke was really bothering my eyes to the point that I couldn't even open them. I knew our friendship ended when he told me to 'buck-up' becasue of the smoke. Goodbyes were said and that was that. His story will be added to my new blog that I am fornulating about all the crazy dates I've had in this past year.

I would cruise again. In fact, I am looking forward to it. I certainly want to cruise to Alaska.

Goodbye Renae

2010-10-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

I want to say Goodbye to my sister in law, Renae. She passed away this morning from cancer. My brother loved her dearly. She will be missed by a wide range of friends and family who have extended their hands and love to my brother and his boys for many years. Rest in peace Renae.

Countdown to the Cruise

2010-10-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

I signed up for this cruise in May 2010. At the time it sounded like a good idea. It was 13 Meet-Ups going together for a weekend cruise to Ensenada.

I saw many positives in signing up:

1. I've never been on a cruise and I can go and share a room and get a good price
2. I can see if I like it and then go on a longer cruise next time
3. Since I chickened out of going on the Alaska cruise in August, I have to prove myself
4. A nice getaway for the weekend since I didn't have a vacation this year

And with positives, there are also negatives. Like:

1. I get seasick...now what? (remedy: s patch behind the ear)
2. The group I am going with a a little wild. No, let me take that back, they are alotta wild. (There are only 106 of us and several hundred who aren't part of our group. So, there is hope)
3. I don't know my roommate. What if I don't like her? (I met her, and well, she is a party queen and I am not. I am hoping the opposites getting along saying works. If not, it's only for the weekend, right?)
4. I am not getting off the boat. This isn't really a negative, it's just a statement. I was trying to even up the positives with the negatives.

The purpose of this is not to bad-mouth the party maniacs I will be spending the weekend with. That is their choice. I guess it's to question myself why I would put myself in this surrounding. I guess in the back of my mind I knew that I didn't have to party with them. I've traveled alone many times and can march to the beat of my own drummer.

I am sure when I get off that boat on Monday, I will be a different person than I am today. I have a feeling that God is going to let me work on my patience again and to build up some tolerance to others not like me. I am sure I will have opportunities to show some compassion. But the dreamer inside me hope to find some passion. It always sounds so romantic to meet someone on a short trip. I was hoping it would have happened to me when I was in Florence last year. But it didn't. It was wonderful just hoping and dreaming that it would.

Apple Bread Recipe

2010-09-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, the girls and I went to Glen Oaks for apples. There are only two orchards open each day. That day Snowline and Los Rios Rancho were open. I chose the latter because of the BBQ. We left home hungry, drove the hour to get there and was so pleased with the pulled pork BBQ sandwich. The girls got tri-tip, which was nice but not as tasty as mine! After our bellies were full, we sauntered into their store. After a few minutes of looking around at everything apple, the tour started. I didn't know exactly what the tour was about, but I did know there is only one tour a day and we might as well go. Being a small orchard, the owner went through the process of how the apples get from the tree to our house. It's good for school tours and I learned a thing or two. So back to the store we went. I finally bought an apple peeler/slicer/corer. Been wanting one for years. Then the girls and I headed up the street to the orchard. We decided to pick 1 pint of raspberries (which is quite a bit) and 1/2 peck of apples. We got Spartans and Granny Smiths which are both good for baking. Do you have any idea how many apples are in a 1/2 peck? Believe me, more than you can imagine!

Once we got home, I searched for apple recipes. Alyssa made pork loin with apples, which was nice. But this bread recipe takes all. I hope you enjoy it. I got it from http://www.recipe.com/.

Apple Bread

3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
3 eggs, beaten
3 cups peeled, chopped cooking apples
2 cups sugar
2/3 oil
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour two 8x4x2in loaf pans. Set aside.

In medium bowl, combine four, soda, salt, cinnamon and paking powder. Set aside.

In large bowl combine eggs, apples, sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir in flour misture just until moistened. Pour batter into prepared pans. Banke for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes our clean.

Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes before removing. Cool on wire racks.

You asked for it-here's the recipe

2010-09-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all that voted for my soup. I found a recipe online and tweeked it to make it to my taste.

Thai Coconut Fish Soup
10 servings

3 TB oil
1 lg onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, sliced
1 TB freshly grated ginger
2 large jalepenos, stemmed, seeded, deveined and finely chopped
6 roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
juice of 2 limes
3/4 c smooth peanut butter
2 c chicken stock
2 cans of coconut milk (I used one of low fat and one regular)
1/2 bunch cilantro, leaves only, finely chopped
1 tsp salk
3-4 dashes of Tabasco
2 lbs of white fish fillets (I used Swai), cut into 1 in cubes
1 lb of cooked shrimp cut into 1/2 in pieces

Directions:

In a large stock part, heat oil. Add onion, garlic, ginger and jalepenos, cooking until tender. Add the tomatoes, lime juice and peanut butter, stir until well mixed. Add chicken stock, 1/2c at a time stirring the keep the mixture smooth. Add coconut milk, cilantro and Tabasco. Add fish and shrimp. Cook until fish is white. May serve with cilantro garnish and lime juice.

Enjoy!

Day Trip to Coronado Island

2010-05-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

The girls and I took a day trip to Coronado Island not too long ago. We picked up the ferry in San Diego and took a calm 30 minute ride to this little island. I've heard about this island from several people and just had to see for myself.

I just love this pic os Alyssa. That smile is priceless.

If you look closely, you can see her nose ring. It's a black hoop. She is so proud of it.

And someone stole my hat, probably because the wind blew it off my head

The island had one little patch of sand that we called 'the beach'. We were the only ones that brought towels to lay out on. We walked around the shops which took approx 45 minutes and ate lunch. One thing for sure is, I will not go back to this little island unless a special someone would like to take me to the resort there. Then, and only then, I will think about it.

Today's St. Paddy's Day!

2010-03-17T13:09:00.003-07:00

Wear Some Green!

How do you get Jessi out of Juliana?

2010-03-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

2003

Wow, do we hear that alot. Not only Juliana, I mean Jessi, but all of us. And to explain the story, it gets rather boring.

Well, obviously Alyssa hasn't heard the story in a while because she forgot the answer when a friend asked her yesterday. Tonight at dinner the conversation went something like this:

Alyssa: My friend Jessie asked me why we call you Jessi when your name is Juliana. How did you get Jessi out of Juliana?

Jessi: (with astounded look on her face) Uh, you're my sister.

Laughter breaks out...what the heck?

Mom: What does that have to do with anything?

Jessi: Do I have to put this on my forehead? I got tired of people saying and spelling my name wrong. I liked the name and that's that.

Of course, please consider that when Juliana was in the 5th grade, we went to Meet the Teacher night before school started for the year. When the teacher asked her name, she said Jessi. I looked at her in amazement. What? She was changing her beautiful name into something so ordinary? A few years later she tried to change it back but it was too late. Now she goes by both names, which is nice. Occassionally, I call her Juniwhana, which is how Tara used to call her.

2010

Angelina Hat

2010-03-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

While we were in the Fashion District of LA, we came upon a shop that we thought was going to be a fabric store. It was raining cats and dogs and we only had one umbrella (I didn't bring one...Jessi did!). As we looked in the window, the shop owner was standing in the doorway inviting us in. A lovely Asian woman runs this store with her sweet husband. They encouraged us to look around. The shop was long and narrow, much like the shops are in New York. Going down the main aisle, Jessi found this hat that resembled a hat that she had wanted to get for one of her designs. She tried on different colors. She decided on the black...because black goes with everything.

It's called the Angelina hat the shop owners told us. It's similar to the one that Angelina Jolie wore in the movie, The Changeling, which is based here in Los Angeles in the 1930's.

The shop owners knew of my frustration of wanting to find the fabric store. It just so happened that the husband found a plastic bag from the fabric store with the address on it. It was right over by where we parked, so not too far.

This impressed upon me the kindness of others. When many people think of large cities, busyness and stuffiness are some first thoughts. Of course, to me, safety is an issue. Everyone we encountered, if they spoke English, they were very nice and willing to help. Even if it didn't add a cent to their pocket.