NEW BLOG

I started over with my life, so I'm starting over with my blog.

The Life Artistic V.2
http://lifeartisticv2.blogspot.com/

LORDY!

oh em gee. I can't believe I've not posted in so long. Talk about sticking with it, huh?

So, I started Full Sail, and I'm loving it so far. I also love my Macbook very very much. I've been dieting and exercising, and I've lost 14 pounds since Christmas. Dieting is soooo hard working at the cafe because the food is amazing and so readily available, but somehow I'm managing it. I've also started a video blog, if Anyone wants to check out Erika's Small Town Life on youtube.

Erika's Small Town Life

So, the website that's been so amazing in helping my weight loss deserves a shoutout:

Caloriecount.com

It's an amazing site that helps you keep track of your calories you eat and burn each day. It also shows a graph of your weight loss and gives you an estimated weight goal date. Mine's currently May 19th, so hopefully I'm actually going to wear a bikini this year! Yay!

I've also been playing The Biggest Loser for the Wii. Jillian's my trainer and she's rough, but I highly recommend it. I desperately want my character to win, so it's inspiring to lose the weight. Also, it's like buying several workout DVD's at once.

Well that's all for now. I'm not doing the LOL thing anymore I guess, since I'm lazy!

have a good un!

RikaD

I'm aliiiive!

...And doing awesome! So I officially start my classes at Full Sail tomorrow. I'm getting my bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. I'm writing this on my new MacBook Pro, which I absolutely love! I can't figure out why people say it's so hard to switch to a Mac. It seemed pretty easy to me...
I heard it through the grapevine that I might be getting offered a part time job at one of the local newspapers too. Keep your fingers crossed!
I started going to Bible study on Thursday, and have been trying to make prayer a lot more active in my life. I feel a lot more peaceful lately. Everything in my life seemed to be awesome right now.
Well, I'm going to go play around on the Mac some more! here's an LOL:



see more Lol Celebs

have a good'un!
RikaD

ups and downs.

Well, the Addiction didn't make it into the next round. they came just a few votes shy of it though, which really frustrated Denny.
Today has possibly been the most stressful day I've had all year. i'm apparently doomed to be a couple of days behind on my classes no matter what. Hopefully my financial aid advisor can get things going with my student loans in time to Overnight me my laptop/books within the next couple of days.
Coffee Shop was sooooo so so so so slow today. We had two costumers. TWO! And poor Nina was probably eat up with costumers as soon as I left...

and, well, thats pretty much all thats going on in my boring life right now.

LOL!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Seriously, I LOL'd.
have a good'un.

RikaD

red tape.

Well, I'm almost through the red tape. All I have left is for my private loan info to go through to them and for them to process my questionnaire, and I'll officially be ready to start my classes at Full Sail. I'm very excited :D I'm also so nervous it hurts a little.
Denny finds out today at 3 whether or not the Addiction went through to the next round for the BOTB in Ohio. Cross your fingers and wish them luck!

The Halloween Train was very fun, but also extremely cold. And it's supposed to rain this weekend, so I don't even know if we're going to be having it....
I'm painting faces at the coffee shop on Halloween, and I've finally decided what my costume's going to be. But it's a surprise, so I'll post pictures then :)

LOL for your eyes ,dears.

see more Lol Celebs

Not that they'll have much room to complain, being filthy rich and all.

Have a good'un!
RikaD

delightfully terrified.

Well, I'm officially enrolled in full Sail University. I'm kinda freakin out because it happened so fast and it's so expensive. I mean, I'm officially in debt right now. All my extra spending money is going to go towards making payments on the private loan I had to take out for $2174 to cover the cost that wasn't covered by FAFSA and student loans. Which means no more eating at the restaurant unless I get something cheap. I'm also wondering if I should go and try to get food stamps again. They cut them out before but now I'm making way less money and I'm having to pay for college....I don't know.  My classes are supposed to start Oct. 26th and I'm kinda nervous. I mean, this all happened kinda fast. I wasn't even considering college 2 months ago!
I'm doing facepainting tonight at the halloween train and I don't have any paints! I went to look for them last night and apparently they're all gone. somehow I need to get to wal-mart today I guess.
My dad got a job as the criminal intelligence analyst at the sheriff's department. He finally got to quit his crappy nightwatch job, and he's never been happier.

well, here's an LOL. I'll try to post pics from the Halloween train later :)





see more Lol Celebs

that outfit made me laugh. Can you tell?

have a good'un
RikaD

ok ok, I know...

Yeah, I've been kinda sparse on the posting lately. It' hard to blog when there's nothing to blog about.
The Addiction had a show in Lexington today at the Malabu Pub. Hopefully they're on their way home now but I don't expect Denny until like, 3 or 4. I'm going to try and get some much needed sleep in between here and then. Try being the key word. I've been reading Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King and it may end up drawing me in.
I went to Jill's today and helped her scan and upload some pics to her Facebook. everyone has facebook :)
Full Sail contacted me and they're going to help me go through enrolling. My Finacial aid came through good, and I don't have to pay the enrollment fee. AWESOME. I'm really doing this...Wow...

okay, okay, LOL time.

see more Political Pictures
In the land of Russia, where shadows lie..

Have a good'un folks.

RikaD

...TA-DA!

I'm back :) Took a little unexpected break from blogging. McCrearyFest weekend really wore me down. I had off from work today and didn't get up until 1.
And while it was crazy at work on Sat., I only made $7 bucks in tips. People are pretty stingy at festivals it seems.
The Addiction's first hometown show was incredible. The Courthouse steps are almos tlike an ampitheater. and they redid a version of one of their songs into an acoustic version and had sarah Phillips come in to guest sing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJlUoE93VG4

There's a link to the video :)

anway, there's not much to blog about today. so that's it folks :)
LOL time:


see more Funny Graphs

Most of the stuff I learned as a kid came from Bill Nye. I still want a grass covered car.

Have a good'un.
RikaD

a foot in something...

I filled out my fafsa today. Jus thave to wait 3-4 days now.
Today's alreayd proving to be one of the longest days of my life. And it's going by super fast! at least it will until 2, which is when i'll have to go to work. Yep, 2-5 will feel like 8 hours.
I hate, hate hate hate waiting on pants to get dry. And It really gets on my nerves when people don't look to see whats clean before they decide they're going to wear it and NOTHING ELSE without a fight the next day.
I'm hungry and have no grocerices. And it's been drizzling all day. Hopefully, a miracle will occur and it won't rain during the show tonight. Speaking of the show, had to print out setlists and my dad's printer decides to go apeshit.

Ugh.I'll try to find something that makes me LOL:


see more Sports Pictures

okay so this got a littly inner giggle.

Try and have a good'un everyone.

RikaD

exited about school?...me?

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!!

Well, I found out that Penn Foster is privately funded and doesn't accept financial aid. But I'll credit them that they are very quick to respond to questions and very friendly.
However, I've found a lovely little online school that I can get my bachelor's degree in graphic design at. And they accept financial aid! Full Sail University. They also have a bachelor's degree of science for Music Business that Denny's interested in. We're going to locate our 2008 tax return (yes I know, we should keep better track of that crap) and then fill out our fafsa's. Actually I'll probably end up filling out Denny's for him, but that's okay :) I think the school he was looking at the become an RN, you have to already have an associates degree in nursing or whatever before you meet the requirements. I've been trying to think about degrees that will help us in this county, and you know what? I've decided if we got our degrees we could move to a bigger city and I would be perfectly fine with that. Because as beautiful as this place is, it's just not friendly for a musician and an artist who want to make livings doing what they love to live comfortably in. About the only degree that really will do any good here would be in nursing, or law, or something to that extent. It also all depends on how the band pans out. Heck, if The Addiction got signed we wouldn't have to worry about it anyway :) but I'd still get my degree. I just want to be able to say "I went to college, dammit."
Work was super busy to be so slow today. We're preparing for the big McCreary Fest '09. I think with the way the weather's turning we're going to be selling a lot of hot drinks. I'm almost scared, I've heard so much about how crazy it was last year. Wish me luck!
The Addiction have their first hometown show tomorrow. Hopefully they get a good turnout!

LOL time!

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I'm trying to figure out how on earth he got in that posistion...

Have a good'un!

RikaD

The ups and downs of Autumn.

I have mixed feelings about this time of year. My house stays really really cold for one, and we're planning on getting a couple of energy saving baseboard heaters this year instead of using the coal stove. It'd be nice to get rid of that thing and have room to build a closet in my room. Also I wouldn't have to worry about birds anymore, (I got another one out this morning.) We've been sleeping with an electric blanket the last couple nights, for whatever good it does ME. Denny tends to steal covers. Carma sure loves it though. She's sleeping under it right now. Shes a little mad at me cause I won't let her have chips.
I can use my thumb pretty good though, but I physically CAN'T bend it all way down. I'm afraid that I won't ever be able to again once the scar tissue sets up. Which means I'm gonna have to learn to adapt as far as artowrk goes. my hand writing might stay perpetually sloppy too. I feel sorry for Angie for having to interpret my writing on orders this last two weeks.
Speaking of work, I finally have a day off today. And I'm just wasting it. I guess I'll clean my house eventually. I don't really know. I'm thinking about taking all my dirty dishes to my mom's and using her dishwasher. Seriously.
Was going to try and bust out a piece for the art show this year, but saw in the paper that the prize is $5. Oh, but the "people's favorite" prize is $10! To put in perspective, last year the prize was $100 and a trophy. This recession must have hit the McCreary County Tourism thing hard this year.
Friday is Denny's show at McCrearyFest. This is their first hometown show. They have two country bands opening for them. That just says something else about this place huh? It's expected to be crazy at the coffee shop sat., since it's right smack in the middle of all the fun. Wanted to set up a booth to paint faces with amanda this year, but they decided to let me do it at the Halloween Train. Which is going to be awesome and I can't wait. Oh yeah, Shea, we need volunteers for the train. Wanna be a zombie? :D
Speaking of Shea, I love her layouts over at Lovin' Every Minute of It and snatched one from the place she gets hers. Hope you don't mind Shea :)

Here's your LOL lovelies:


see more Fail Blog

ummmm? okay then.

have a good'un.

RikaD

Whew.

Talk about a busy day. The way things usually goes is, right when Nina goes to the grocery store for more cake stuff, a million people come in all at once. and at least 3 of them order complicated drinks. My feet are killing me.
Well, the boys didn't make it into round 2, yet. They still haven't announced the wildcards yet though, so they still have a chance. But I have a feeling Denny's going to be down about it anyway.
I got my stitches out but I have to wear these strip things til they fall off. I still can't get my thumb wet either. I can use it a little more, though which makes my work day go a little easier.
Huh. thought I had more to blog about. Oh. well. Here's your LOL:

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I'm just amazed that the cat hasn't ate the lizard yet.

have a good'un.
RikaD

bite the bullet.

I've come to the realization that I've been avoiding college.
I'm going to be honest, I know when I got married, I told everyone that "it'll be a year off and then I'll go back". A year passed, and then another year, and then another. I got angry when a friend stopped me in Rite-Aid and asked me "why the hell I wasn't in college". But I was really angry at myself. I'm smart enough, dammit, so what's the problem? And do you want to know the truth? I'm scared. I'm terrified, because I'm afraid I can't do it. But Denny has decided to take online courses to become a RN. and He doesn't knw the first thing about college, and nevre intended to go. and you know what? If he can be that brave to just step out into the unknown and do it, well so can I. so tonight I'm filling out a FAFSA and then I'm applying to Penn Foster to get my associates degree in graphic design. The thought make my stomach clench, but I'm gonna do it.
A good reason why it needs to be done is because I only have $35 to my name, and it's going to cost $30 to get my stitches taken out today.

Alright, onto something less serious. Sat. was probably the most hectic day I've ever had. the plan was to leave for Ohio at 10:00 am, and I think we maybe left at 1:00pm. we got to The Underground by the skinof our teeth. The poor band couldn't catch a break since Derrick's guitar strap broke right before going on stage, and only Zac could go out while they fixed it. Zac played it off nicely I think though :). Derrick's strap fell off again on the last song and Denny just played his guitar parts while he sang, but the audience didn't know that he wasn't supposed to lay down his guitar, and they started clapping to the music inthe song, so it turned out great though. Denny thinks it was a disaster, but he's always like that They find out tuesday at 10 am if the advance. Denny's worried because the next round is right around when Joni's baby is due. I told him I'm sure it'll be fine.

and, LOL:

see more dog and puppy pictures

this looks just like Pooh! and everyone who owns a dog will know that the second they see a dead animal they're all up in that.

have a good'un.

RikaD

(Insert Witty Title)

yeah, I got nothing as far as titles go today. I got a paper cut on my left pointer finger trying to open the sterile gauze pad for my thumb this morning. I looked like I stuck my hand in like, a blender or something at work, covered in bandages like that.
Frustrated cause I actually bought some Gaia Cash for gaiaonline.com, and their cash shop isn't even working...
Ohio tomorrow! Can't wait to watch the guys play. I actually put the directions to The Underground and a mall into Amanda's TomTom ahead of time this time. that way we're not doing it at the last second.
Denny and Derrick and Jordan are going to Knoxville tonight to buy wireless systems.
Well, thats about it. I'm going to go call JJ Genoe and see if she's busy.
but before I go, here's your daily dose of what makes me LOL:

see more Sports Pictures

hee hee.

have a good'un.

RikaD

Hmm.

the first half of this day kinda flew by.the second half of this day crawled.
just got done adding people for the band. Denny wants me to max out the add quota for Cincinnati each day and I tell you, that's hard. i got to page 200 before I finally hit it.
I watched the show Eastwick last night, and I have mixed feelings. I love it, but I'm sad that it wasn't about the daughters from the movie. In fact it almost seemed like the movie made over, except the blond was the artist, the brunette was the prude, and the red head was the one with a million kids, where in the Witches of Eastwick, brunette is artist, red head is prude, and the blond is the mom. I know that's reading into it a lot, but I love that movie.I gotta say the guy they got to play Darrell could definitely pass for a young fit Jack Nicholson.
Vampire Diaries on tonight. I like that show cause it's the edgier version of Twilight.
I am super sleepy and I don't know why. I thinkI'll nap for like 30 minutes. so here's your LOL:

see more Lol Celebs
I <3 Data. I miss you Star Trek TNG

have a good'un
RikaD

a blog award?! awesome!

hooray! my lovely friend Shea over at Lovin' every minute of it gave me a blog award! I didn't even know what a blog award was lol.

and here's the survey that goes with it.

1. Where is your cell phone?in-planning
2. Your hair? up
3. Your mother? proud
4. Your father? happy
5. Your favorite food? manhattans
6. Your dream last night? nonexsistant
7. Your favorite drink? sprite
8. Your dream/goal? artist
9. What room are you in? studio
10. Your hobby? drawing
11. Your fear? bridges
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren’t? coordinated
15. Muffins? chocolate-cappuccino
16. Wish list item? tablet
17. Where did you grow up? McCreary
18. Last thing you did? eat
19. What are you wearing? capris
20. Your TV? off
21. Your pets? dogs
22. Friends? goofy
23. Your life? chaotic
24. Your mood? proud
25. Missing someone? denny
26. Vehicle? tnonexsistant
27. Something you’re not wearing? earrings
28. Your favorite store? bookland
29. Your favorite color? colorwheel
30. When was the last time you laughed? hour
31. Last time you cried? thursday
32. Your best friend? Amanda
33. One place that I go to over and over? cafe macchiato
34. One person who emails me regularly? myspace
35. Favorite place to eat? King Buffet
Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award!
1. You Can Only Use One Word!
2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!
3. Alert them that you have given them this award!!!
4. Have Fun!!

And since I don't really know that many bloggers, I'm posting those I know and some awesome blogs I found on 20SB.

1.A Punctuated Life

2. Mira Belleza Everyday: Painting On A Daily Basis 

3. Life of Leetid

4.Year of the Ox

5.hello, i'm zac.

6.Coffee Musings

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
okie dokie then. Today was pretty fun at work. Chicken and dumplin day again. I can't believe it's almost been a week since I did this to my thumb! it feels like I just did it yesterday. I'm worried it might be infected, and thinking about putting antibiodic ointment on it. I think it should be healed up enough for that right? mom found out she's lost 61 pounds. she's under 200 for the first time in 20 years and she's busting with happiness. I'm super proud of her :) and now that they've found her thyroid problem, when she starts taking medicine for that she'll lose even more.
Talked to the editor at The Voice today. he told me to bring some stuff in about the addiction and he'd do a piece on them for McCreary fest.

well, thats it. here's your LOL:


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I wanna see the video of how this went down.

have a good'un!
RikaD

you get what you pay for.

so, saw this awesome deal at Kroger's today. 10 boxes of frozen fettuccine Alfredo for 5 bucks. can't beat that, i think to myself. so I load up my cart with alfredo, and I get home and cook it, and it is awful. I mean, noodles are rock hard, not enough sauce, something crunchy in there....just awful. so i've got 9 boxes of this stuff to put up with. may be i'll feed it to Carma and Rambo if they're good.
Saw an old friend at wotk today and was shocked at how much she had changed. It's crazy when the last time you see someone they're a john deer lovin' redneck and 2 years later they're a scene chick. took me a minute to recognize her at first.
I made quite a few tips today, like i suspected. mwhahaha maybe i should do this more often.
no i'm just kidding. I want my freakin' thumb back.
I also made a really really pretty cafe mocha today. i was pretty proud of it.
Denny took out a loan to get a wireless system for today. he noticed that all the bands their up against this Sat. use them, so the whole band agreed to buy them. he's been wanting one for a long time anyway, but that means i can't get him one for christmas like i was planning. lunkily i know exactly what to get him to go with it now.
If you're reading this and you live in Cinncinatti OH, please go to The Underground and support The Addiction this sat. They're the underdogs really. 50% is audience response and two of the bands their against are from OH.
you can see show details on their myspace. www.myspace.com/theaddiction2 .

Well, here's you're LOL kiddies:


see more Political Pictures

it's not often I find and LOL that actually amkes me laugh out loud. But this one did.

have a good'un!
RikaD

um...ouch.

so, word's of wisdom, never ever ever try to change a bandage by yourself when the wound is on your other hand's thumb. you'll end up with the taste of medical tape in your mouth and the weirdest looking bandage ever. also, i hit my injured thumb with my left hand trying to break the tape with my teeth. it's hurting like crzy. when my dad wakes up i'll have him redo it i think but it works for now.
 as promised i took a pic of my little gash. keep in mind this wa before i cleaned it. WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT
hope you can still eat today. speaking of eating and restaraunts and stuff, i go back to work today. wish me luck.
on a lighter note i think my dog's gone crazy. she's now convinced there is ALWAYS a bird in the stove.

ignore my messy house. i'm injured for crissakes.

well, here's you LOL:

see more Lol Celebs

hee hee. this just tickled my funny bone.
have a good'un

RikaD

when it rains...

interesting night last night. The Addiction came is 2nd. Another bird got into my stove, and my dog was bent on killing it. i put carma on a chain and put her outside and opened the door to let the bird out. and I guess this FREAKIN huge spider was just waiting for an opportunity to come in the house. Also the bird is confused, cause it's dark outside and light in here so it doesn't know which way to go. So there i am with a bird flying around my head trying to kill a giant spider with a hammer while my dog barked outside. It was pretty hilarious. In the end though, i killed the spider and my dad came up to my house with gloves and rescued the bird. Another bird got into it this morning, but it knew to fly out the door. it was probably the same one. My stove pipe looks like a great home to bluebirds before they get trapped in it.
i changed my bandage myself this morning. it looks pretty gnarly under there. I'm going to take a picture next time. don't worry, i'll put a graphic content warning by the link when i do. Still not sure how i'm going about work tomorrow. I'll just have to see when i get there. hopefully Nina won't decide to give me the week off, b/c i have a feeling if people see their waitress is injured they're likely to tip more. also, i need to tip money b/c we're going to ohio next sat. b/c The Addiction is in the national BOTB at the underground in Cinn. OH. we're getting a motel and all the good fixings, so i need the extra money.
denny's recording. i think todays the last day before the cd's done.

here's your LOL:

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

and they will try too.

have a good'un!
RikaD

if stitches were fishes

still crippled.
my hub's band has a show tonight, 9pm @ cruisers in somerset ky. their myspace is www.myspace.com/theaddiction2
it's eerie how many women i've talked to in the last 2 days have had a glass break outta nowhere washing dishes. it's an undocumented phenomenon. i had my dad change my bandage today. i can move my other 4 fingers on my right hand now, but my thumb is crazy sore. i'll admit i'm desperatly needing to wash my hair but haven't quite figured out how thats gonna work yet.

I'm on bulletin posting duty for the band tonight. every so often posting bulletins on myspace announcing a countdown til showtime. denny saw other bands doing it so he thought it'd be a good idea.

so, here's your LOL everyone.

see more Lol Celebs
sounds like a plan!

have a good'un

RikaD

ps
ARRRR hope ye be havin' a bloody good talk like a pirate day.