So what's up with Pudge??

last modified: Friday, August 28, 2009 (10:42:56 AM CST)

So, its been a relatively quiet year for me with lots of ups and downs. The year started out pretty rough, with my mom becoming very ill, so I spent the biggest share of the beginning of the year taking care of her. Unfortunately, she lost the battle and passed away at the end of March. She was my last living parent, so that was really tough for me.

In the middle of this, my oldest son and his girlfriend broke up after 5 years and 3 kids. >_< This brought his oldest daughter, who is 3, to live with me full time. I have enjoyed her immensely, but she is definately the most high strung of all the grandkids. She keeps me busy, but paying for daycare was an expense I wasn't expecting to ever have to deal with again. She starts pre-school the day after Labor Day - I am so proud. ^_^

The economy hit both my boys, and they both lost their jobs at the end of last year. They both moved in with me, and for awhile the house was quite crowded. Josh eventually went back to work, moved out, and is now going to school full time. Jon worked for awhile, but his personal issues have kept me a nervous wreck this entire year. He seriously needs rehab. >_<

Mother's Day was tough, since it was the first without my mom. To make matters worse, one of my dogs died in my arms on the way to the animal hospital. He had been sick for awhile, and we knew he wouldn't live much longer, but it was still tough to let him go - especially on Mother's day. ;_;

I ended up going to Anime Expo in July and getting to spend some quality time with Jenn - which has been one of the high points of my year. I even bought some artwork (believe it or not), and also got to hang out with Linda and Midori as well as a few other Beta friends. Its always fun to get to see the people I share this hobby with. ^_^

After Expo, I took my mom's husband to Las Vegas for a couple days. He had been really down since mom died, so I wanted to do something to perk him up. He had actually come to California with me for the entire AX trip as well, and spent the week with my brothers that live in California. It was really good for him. I didn't win any money in Vegas, but I didn't lose any either, so I consider the trip a success. ^_^

Work has kept me busy as well, and I have definately done my share of travelling this year. I will be going to Alaska to work the week after next, which I am totally looking forward to. I have never been to Alaska before, so I am totally stoked. The week after that is AWA, and I will get to see Jenn again - YEAY!! I will also get to see Baylor and AO again, as well as finally get to meet DuoTrouble in person. Midori will be there as well, and I expect a few other Beta members. I am really really looking forward to seeing everyone again. ^_^

I guess that is all. I just wanted to let some of the people who I haven't talked to for so long know that I am still alive and kicking, but to apologize for being so silent. cough Tex cough I really miss talking with you all, and I will try and do better here in the future. I am just really busy between work, Aurelia, and stressing out that I don't always get to see how things are going in everyone else's lives. I hope you all are well, and know that I have been thinking about all of you!! ^_^

Into God's Hands

last modified: Sunday, August 26, 2007 (7:21:44 PM CST)

At 2:45 you left me and went home to God.
I have never felt so much sorrow in my heart.
For 46 years, the world was a better place because of you.
I am sure that dad is happy to be with you once again.
I find comfort in the fact that we too will be together again one day.
Rest in peace my sister - I will miss you dearly.

Am I really the first?? @_@

last modified: Thursday, May 31, 2007 (10:48:35 PM CST)

I was finally able to get my hands on some artwork from Marchen Awakens Romance. I see so little of the artwork, and when I do see it, i always get outbid. Not this time, though. I got a nice little lot of rough sketches, at a really decent price. ^_^

But then I came on RS to see the other galleries that have MAR artwork, and I can't find a single one. Could I really be the first person to ever collect MAR artwork?? Its a great series, I find that so hard to believe, yet I can find none. *_*

Not sure if that makes me special, or just a lonely girl! -_-

The Good and the Bad of Things

last modified: Saturday, April 07, 2007 (9:47:42 PM CST)

I am sure that many of you have read my customs horror story on Beta.

http://www.anime-beta.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=260786&sid=7baa8a638f24e50acd9ef01c93d60f2e#260786

I have emailed Stephen, and am hoping that I can get the cel replaced somehow. ;_;

But, I also wanted to sahre some good news that was waiting for me when I got home. Luckily, the other cel that came in the package was undamaged, and is absolutely gorgeous. It was my #1 OP cel I wanted from Basilisk, and it turned out absolutely stunning. Thanks to Kata for piecing it together for me. ^_^

http://sailover.rubberslug.com/gallery/inv_info.asp?ItemID=200196

My other exciting news is my OP genga set that I finally talked another collector out of. I have been buggin him for a few years for it now, and he emailed me last week and said he was ready to sell it. Finally, my biggest wishlist Hikaru No Go OP has come home, and it is going to be buried with me.

http://sailover.rubberslug.com/gallery/inv_info.asp?ItemID=200185

Thanks so much to Jason for keeping his promise to me and giving me the oportunity to own this magnificent piece of artwork. ^_^

So, sometimes you have to take the bad with the good, but hopefully everything will all work out in the end. ^_^

So cels aren't my only obsession @_@

last modified: Sunday, March 25, 2007 (8:27:15 PM CST)

Apparantly, having given up bidding on cels for Lent has led me in a totally new direction. Just goes to prove that I most definately must be somewhat Obsessive/Compulsive (well, in my own wacky way).

My latest obsession is online shopping for my grandkids. I'll bet I am winning around 3 auctions per day. Last time I looked, I had 47 auctions on my watch list. O_O I spend hours online combing websites and eBay looking for things to buy my little girls.

And here I thought I would be saving money during Lent. Turns out I am spending more then I was before lent started. Somebody please help me!! *_*

Ok, how in the world did this happen??!? @_@

last modified: Saturday, February 24, 2007 (5:22:08 PM CST)

Ok, so I finally had a chance to sit down and take a look at my things I received, scan them and upload them. Not much - only a few things. That is great!! For someone who is trying to slow down, two items in a month is pretty darn good. ^_^

Then I took the time to update my coming soon folder. O_O OMG - how in the hell did I ever let it come to this?? Call it deprivation, insanity - I am just not sure. Somehow, though, I have 13 cels and a genga set in my coming soon folder. >_< I truely do need some help!! sigh

Just a little something new

last modified: Thursday, January 25, 2007 (8:24:25 PM CST)

So, I finally decided to break down and scan some things. It has been a really busy start to the new year, and I don't see things slowing down, so I decided I better get it done before there was not time to do it.

Wanted to say thanks to Baylor for the nice SDK Christmas presents. Thanks to Tex-Chan for a new obsession, and thanks to Remi for making me go where I never wanted to go.

Yep, tis true. Two new sections, Kenshin and Bakuretsu Hunters. Texxy - your Marron's made it so I could no longer resist, and Remi put up a Hiko cel for offers that I just couldn't resist.

Now, I really do need to take a break.

Upload complete

last modified: Sunday, September 24, 2006 (9:18:46 PM CST)

After a couple weeks of scanning, and a week of uploading, I finally am done updating my gallery. I did a new design, and added all but a few pieces of artwork, which I choose to keep offline.

It has been a real bear to re-scan, especially since my scanner is on its last leg. I am basically done with this hobby. As I have mentioned in posts on Beta, I will only be buying wishlist items from this point on. For as much as my last one cost me, I am sure I wont be adding too many. @_@

I also erally like how the new design turned out. I have to thank AnimeObsessed for the banner idea, and BleedingOrange for designing it for me - its perfect. ^_^

This hobby is great, and I have made some really wonderful friends along the way. I did a small thanks to them in my site text section. It was all really deserving, though. These people are the reason I so love this hobby.

I must say, though, I don't miss getting up early to watch auctions end, or staying up late at night to watch for dealer updates. It makes the hobby so much more enjoyable. ^_^

For the love of good friends and the naughtyness of Yaoi!! @_@

last modified: Friday, August 11, 2006 (11:07:02 AM CST)

Mailman just came - Package for Nida!! OMG, its a present from my good friend Linda!! HOLY CRAP - its my ultimate (and I mean ULTIMATE) Ai No Kusabi wishlist. O_O

Though not the cel, its the shuusei genga set from it, and I could just die!! Oh, the images this set gives me is just WOW!! *_*

Nothing better then seeing that Iason is taking good care of his pet Rikki!! Thanks Linda - you are an awesome friend!! Wow - now this is what I call a present!! Wooooooo!!!!!!! ^_^

Does a happy dance

Its like déjà vu over and over and over again @_@

last modified: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 (9:59:18 PM CST)

Ok, is it just me, or does it seem like the same galleries are on the front page of RS EVERY single time I come on here. Is it that only one or two people are updating, or is it just that I don't visit enough to notice other's updates?? I mean, I am not complaining - or maybe I am, however, just seems to me like I am in the Twilight Zone. So, who updated now - ah, same as last time I looked. What about now?? Yep, same as before. I'm beginning to wonder if I have had too much to drink. Oh wait, I haven't had a drink since AX. Arghhhh....... maybe I need more sleep!! @_@

Along with offers - things going to eBay

last modified: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 (9:59:47 PM CST)

Well, I figure if I am going to do this, I better not procrastinate at all, so on top of offers, I moved some things to eBay as well.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZpudge031791QQhtZ-1

I am hoping these will go to good homes, and hopfully I will see them in another RS gallery. I started out with Basilisk, Samurai 7 and Hikaru No Go.

I guess I will just keep listing as auctions end until everything is gone. Argh, that sounds so sad. ;_;

Its time to wind down my cel collecting

last modified: Monday, July 31, 2006 (8:03:24 PM CST)

I have come to the decision, that after 4 years of cel (eratic) cel collecting, its time to bite the bullet and stop. I will only buy or bid on cels or sketches that are on my wishlist. It may be a year before I buy another cel or genga.

I know people who collect this wy, and they seem happier with their collections then I do. I just tend to be a very very impulsive collector, but those days are over.

So, I am selling off the biggest share of my collection. Anything and everything that is showing in my gallery is up for offers. I think I am only keeping about 15 things total - less what the Hikaru No Go. Even alot of that is on the chopping block as well. ^_^

I am sure I won't be around RS or even Beta as much, as wishlists just don't pop up that often, so nothing new to ever update. I will be watching other's of you update, though, and I wish you well with your collections. I am not getting totally out of the hobby, just making a drastic change in collecting habits. ~_^

Offers Accepted

last modified: Sunday, July 23, 2006 (4:43:20 PM CST)

Accepting offers on everything in my gallery except Hikaru No Go and Samurai 7. If you see anything you are interested in, please send offer via feedback. Thanks!! ^_^

Don't Usually Weblog, but.........

last modified: Monday, January 30, 2006 (4:42:35 PM CST)

Since Beta is down, I can't post my wonderfully exciting - although scarey news. Many of you know that I am going to be a grandma from both of my boys. The due dates are May 8, and July 4th. Some of you knew that my youngest son Josh, whose baby is due May 8th, had his g/f airlifted to Peoria hospital last weekend when she went into premature labor. The doctors did what they could to keep her from delivering early, as she was only 24 weeks along, and they were hoping to get her to 28 weeks. Well, that didn't happen, and as of today, I am officially a grandma!! ^_^ So, lets get to the statistics:

Kaila Bethini Dieckmann was born at 6:37 AM this morning. She weighs a mere 14 oz. and is only 11" long. She is breathing on her own without the use of a ventilator, however, being so small - it will be a tough road ahead. I will try and keep everyone updated as things progress!! ^_^