The newest addition...plus another one...one year later

As sometimes happens, blogging gets sidelined when life gets in the way. 2011 was a busy year - on the positive side, a new job, new city, newly engaged, another new member to our family (see below). 

On the not-so-positive side, lost a beloved four-legged member of our family, Patches. This one hit me particularly hard because I loved her dearly, she had been with me for so long and  she my very first pet when I started my very first grownup job in my very first new city, Philadelphia. 

PatchesCat takes over Camille's bed

She loved traveling in the car, which she had little choice but to do as I brought her and her brother with me anytime I traveled home to Ohio. In August of this year, we went through the Chick-fil-A drive-thru after an oncologist visit, and the girl at the window completely forgot to give me my food because she was so fascinated by the kitty hanging out on the passenger seat patiently waiting for her treat of chicken nuggets. I miss her.

The Chick-fil-A drive-thru has become somewhat of a theme in our family, where the four-legged members outnumber the two-legged ones. Camille, last year's new addition to the family, also loves the Chick-fil-A drive thru, as the one in Rocky River always gives her Scooby snacks. Though Starbucks might be a close second favorite, as she's been known to score a cup lid full of whip cream on occasion. 


You can see Camille - a Shar Pei/Lab mix - a year ago in my last post. She was my Christmas gift to my then bf-now fiance. Well, that little bundle of joy...isn't quite so little anymore. She's a big girl now and has been a great addition to our family, though still as mischievous and ornery as the day we brought her home.

CamilleDog one one of the rare occasions she's sleeping during daylight hours

About two months ago, Camille acquired a sister, whom she loves more than life. Gabby is a basset hound/border collie mix. 

Gabby catching 40 winks

As I mention above, I started a new job this year in a new city...though not just any city, the Motor City. So the fiance "jokingly" has primary custody of the girls...meaning they also have learned to travel well between our two homes, as he is based in CLE+. They're big fans of the car...though they prefer when it's reasonably nice outside and they can stick their snouts out the window and enjoy the wind and fresh air. 

Gabby and Camille in Daddy's car

Having dogs is a whole new adventure, one I love...except for when it's pouring rain or frigidly cold outside. Though as with any child, you're in it for the wonderful moments, as well as those that are more challenging. 

Latest addition

For Christmas, I got overly ambitious. The bf had been wanting a puppy...badly wanting a puppy. Every time he saw a dog on the street, on TV, in a magazine, in his dreams...all I heard (in the same voice you'd use to talk to an infant) was "PUPPY!!!!!" 

I thought I'd be uber clever and get him a puppy for Christmas. So when I went on Berea Animal Rescue Fund's site and saw a puppy that was part Shar Pei (which is the breed he is obsessed with), I couldn't pass her up. 

Within two days of deciding it was a great idea to add a puppy to our family, Camille was napping on our couch. She was just shy of seven weeks when I brought her home. Today she's just over three months and (I'm guessing) over 20 lbs - probably on her way to 80 lbs. 

Here are some of the earlier photos when she was a bit smaller:

Camille attempting to look innocent

I heart my ball

Catching some zzzzzzzzzzzzzs

We absolutely adore her...even when she's being insane. If you're looking to add a furry, four-legged member to your family, I can't recommend Berea Animal Rescue Fund highly enough. They were great to work with and are staffed by a crew of dedicated staff and volunteers. 

Dust bunnies gathering in a dark corner

Unfortunately, I've neglecting this blog this year. However, I do have a very legitimate excuse. And the excuse's name is 100 Book Ninja - my blog chronicling my journey to consume 100 books in 365 days. 

It is currently day 292 of my challenge, leaving me just over two months left to accomplish my mission. With just over two months to go, I am 76 books in, with 24 left to read. So for now, please check me out there. 

Still life, still painting

Our painting fundamentals class week 4 focused on still life - more specifically figures. Our instructor brought in a number of ethnic dolls, but I had brought in my bird from work and tackled him as my still life project.

Bird is the word.


Becky took on the ethnic doll project. Check out the detail.

Wicked t-shirt painting skills

I've learned in the last 24 hours that I have mad, wicked t-shirt painting skills. At work, we had our monthly Fun Lunch, which was themed Falls Office Olympics 2010. We were divided up into teams to then be pitted against each other for the ultimate awards - Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals - in four sports, T-Shirt Decorating, Straw Javelin Throw, Sugar Shotput and Dizzy Chair Spin.

I did some t-shirt decorating and think I did a pretty darn good job.

We took home the Bronze, but I think it's just because we didn't wear the wings to go with the awesome shirts.

Our mascot did wear the wings however...

Black + white + primary colors = Cat Stevens

For our third week of painting class at the Beck Center, we were able to choose two primary colors with which to add to black and white. Our challenge was portraits. Look like anyone you know?


I figured that portraits would be a reach for me. I was defaulting to my assumption that landscapes and more abstracts pieces would be where I would perform decently. I was pleasantly surprised when I finished the initial balance between positive and negative space.


But we were challenged to try mixing colors and testing different brush strokes, so I pushed on. I used blue and yellow as my two primary colors. I can't say that I'm unhappy with this week's outcome, which for me is saying a lot since I'm pretty shaky on my painting-ability confidence level.


Next up, Becky's "Cat Stevens"-type portrait. She actually followed directions and tested out more color and brush stroke styles than I did. I really like her use of color and playing around with different styles.


She finished her first piece early and had enough time left in class to try her hand at a whole person.


Becky has been painting in her downtime as well. She recreated a retro Barbie for her mom this past weekend. I love the collar.


Next week, we're breakin' it out - all the colors are fair game.

Mad Baker or Strawberry Shortcake?

My sister sent the image on the left to me last week with the caption, "Mad Baker." But as a Twitter conversation quickly pointed out, "Are you sure she's not a reincarnation of Strawberry Shortcake?"

So one must ask, is it Olivia or the embodiment of a beloved carton character?

Monochromatic for week two

Week 2 of Painting Fundamentals at The Beck Center was an exercise in monochromatic.

I chose crimson as my color to be mixed with black and white. My challenge seems to be using values correctly in my work. Though I suppose this is why our instructor is gently easing us into color one week at a time v letting us use the full spectrum right off the bat.

I spent too much time outlining my painting before starting the actual work. Though as Becky observed, I seem to have better functionality with architectural features. As class was about to conclude, I wasn't interested in finishing my painting at home, so I went old school on the birds. Remember the type you used to add to your drawings in elementary school - the solid wide V style. As you can see above, I took the easy way out and pulled the V bird style.

With my adoration of all things red, I thought that crimson would be a good color to start with, and when I first saw the piece we were working from, assumed it was a good selection as the piece also had a certain dark, foreboding aspect to it. But while working on it, too many of the shades were just too close to pink or mauve for me. A fellow classmate used green, which seemed to work much better - though he also seems to be comprehending the whole value thing while it continues to escape me. I should probably spend some at-home studio time practicing.

Becky, on the other hand, gets the values thing and its practical, real-world application. Check out the value scale at the top of her work. We joked that she's going through her blue phase. Hey, Picasso did it, why not a PR pro who's also a painter.

While I was DONE with this particular exercise when we got to the end of the night, Becky plans to finish hers, which I'm speculating she may just be at home working on right now. I'll post her "finished" piece when she shares a shot of it with me.

Additional note on the post from last week's class, Becky gifted her bat artwork to our friend Alissa, who named it Frank. Frank now keeps Alissa company in her 24th floor office in a certain historical office building in downtown Cleveland.

Next week's class is black + white + two primary colors. What are the primary colors again? Guess I better do some quick research since obviously I was out sick on that day of high school art class.

Bring it on book challenge, I can take you

Starting on October 21, 2009, I laid before myself the mighty challenge of consuming 100 books in 365 days. To chronicle the journey, I started a second blog, Bibliomania:

It's not just any ordinary challenge though...the gauntlet thrown breaks the challenge into a number of genres, including books recommended from friends, short stories, poetry, fantasy, teen and a couple more. It also forbids any rereads and doesn't allow for audio books.

I'm little over 25 percent of the way through the calendar and have successfully tackled 24 books, with 76 to go. Better get a move on.

If you're a book lover, you can check out the details and follow me here.

Bats in the belfry

I try to be happy and satisfied with the gifts that God granted me, but one thing that I've always desired was to be an artist. I would love the ability to competently draw, paint, create.

But low and behold, my creative talents, to date, have been fairly hit and miss. I went through a mosaic tile obsession, a time period where I was determined to learn how to quilt, then it was wood burning, then onto paper arts (though not scrapbooking), then it was crocheting (which did actually result in one blanket for my sister, next was knitting. I'm pretty positive there were a number of other attempts in between all of these others.

I think my biggest obstacle is that I would never commit to just one medium. My mosaic tile obsession lasted for a couple of years and did result in a number of creative trays and candle holders - though I learned fast that my grouting skills, which are critical to successful mosaics, aren't just bad...they're horrible. If it's just 90-degree angles, I'm good, but once you get into broken tiles, which are more creative and interesting to work with, I'm lost on the grouting. But I digress from the point of this post.

For a while now, I've wanted to take a painting or drawing class. I was interested in challenging myself to step outside my comfort zone, even if I'm positive the results are bound to be somewhat disastrous. So when my friend Becky approached me about taking a painting class at the Beck Center for the Arts, located right down the street in Lakewood, there was no reason to say no.

Our eight-weed Painting Fundamentals class started last night, and I had a ball. Most of the class was spent reviewing supplies and initial technique. Our instructor started us with a basic painting project - a black and white painting of a bat, so I thought I would share my initial foray into the land of painting. Heres my first take with the image I was tasked to recreate.

There were two bat pictures to select from, and Becky chose the other image. She's painted previously and definitely picked up on the theories the instructor shared much faster than I did. Here's her first project:


Turns out Becky is not a big bat fan, so she imagined she was working on a picture of a rabbit, you know a cuddlier version of a bat. I believe she "gifted" her painting to our friend Alissa this morning.

My parents, in particular, my mom would find the bat project more than a little ironic. During one of our family vacations, my mom came across a Big-Eared Eastern Bat (which I image looks a something like this). She wasted no time in making that my new nickname, as it matched with my innate ability to overhear any conversation of which I was a subject, especially when I was not one of the conversation participants.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the next class. If you're looking for art, theater or dance classes, here's a link to the Beck Center's Winter/Spring Class Catalog. It offers a great range of classes for adults and youth alike.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Oftentimes, a photo or illustration can tell the most powerful and distinct story about a tragedy. This week the New York Times ran "Op-Art: Scenes From a Catastrophe," featuring works from four painters, Mario Benjamin, Emmanuel Dostaly, Pascale Monnin and Patrice Piard, "that reflect on the disaster and its aftermath."



This is the first in the series is by Pascale Monnin from Port-au-Prince and is demonstrative of the tragedy and trauma of the last two weeks in Haiti.

It's a timely reminder, especially as there is a continued need for money and food and resources to help this devastated island nation. It's not too late to donate.

Way, way back week

Supposedly it's way, way back week on Facebook, and you're supposed to post photos from your past. Here are a couple when I was blonde, curly and perhaps more innocent...though there may be a question mark with the last one. Figured I might as well share the chuckles here as well.

Circa 8th grade

Circa mid high school

Random recent photos

Just a couple of random recent photos with editorial notes...

B Spot's Vanilla Bean Apple Pie Bacon Milkshake = Mike's Favorite. Thing. Ever. With. Ice. Cream.

Silver Patron + Shot Glasses + Recipe for Patron Silver Bell Shooter = Best. Office. Holiday. Gift.

Mike figuring out how to balance my heavy, beloved S'mores tree topper on our Christmas tree = Priceless

The 18" blingy Christmas tree that welcomes visitors to my office = Gaudy holiday cheer

Happy Halloween from the Italian bear

Would you like witch's brew or chicken parmesan with your pasta??

Happy Halloween from the stuffed bear that greets you as you enter Papa Bear's Italian restaurant in Canton.

My first visit to The Horseshoe

Wisconsin v. OSU. October 10, 2009.
We had an awesome time!

It was the radio

Eight years ago today, I listened to Peter Jennings narrate the 9/11 tragedy. I was on a business trip via car to Michigan and didn't actually see any images of the Twin Towers, Pentagon or Shanksville, Pa., until 7:30 that evening. I witnessed this tragedy through radio, which was still a heartbreaking experience. To hear his voice - and those of the other correspondents and people being interviewed - break with emotion was heartwrenching.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family and friends of those lost on that day.

A kick in the pants

Some days, it's just nice to be reminded...

Ahhh, for the love of fall

While many people are grudgingly being pulled into fall (probably due to the lack of more than two days over 90 all summer), I'm happy to run-full-speed-with-my-arms-wide-open into it. It's my hands-down, absolute favorite season of the year.

For the top 10 reasons why I love fall, see my post from this time last year. (Note that I did get to carve a pumpkin last year.)

2 going on...

My ridiculously adorable twin neices (though maybe I'm just a little biased :) celebrated their 2-year birthday this past Sunday with 40 of their closest friends and family. The theme was Elmo, which was evidenced most clearly with yummy Elmo cupcakes (though there were also s'mores cupcakes for those who didn't want to bite off Elmo's head - both types were baked by my friend Sarah of Sweet Bites).

Anyway, here are a couple of snapshots from the very memorable event. (Disclaimer: Photos may appear blurry due to photographer's inability to hold her phone's camera stationary.)

Olivia thoroughly enjoying her Elmo cupcake.

Cassie throwing back shots of milk to wash down the Elmo cupcake. Please note that poor Elmo's eye lies precariously alone on the table. Who knows what fate awaits the abandoned marshmallow eyeball.

As a well-stocked bar is always a staple of any party at the Bomba household, Livie took it on herself to begin playing bartender. Or at least she decided the quality of the ice would be vastly improved if she handled every piece of it.

Livie awaiting her next victim - I mean customer - to which to serve ice. Note the supporting cast of Uncle Mike.

Best. Summer. Ever. Period.

Unlike a number of my friends and colleagues, I've been thoroughly enjoying the cooler summer we've been enjoying here in Northeast Ohio. I'm not a huge fan of anything above 82 F. But my best summer ever was spent in the Southwest...in breathtakingly beautiful northern New Mexico. I try to justify the heat difference by saying at least it was a dry heat :)

Located in Cimarron, New Mexico, is Philmont, a high adventure, Boy Scout ranch spanning about 137,500 acres in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (part of the Rocky Mountains), where I spent the summer between my junior and senior years of high school. My parents were trusting enough (or maybe they just wanted to get rid of me for the summer) to put me on a train in Youngstown bound for New Mexico to serve on the kitchen staff at Philmont for three whole months.

This photo - taken by my friend and one of my managers that summer, Andrew - demonstrates pretty much what we did all summer - fun and shenanigans. Hey, we worked hard too. We just had more fun than should be legal doing it.

My days off were incredibly precious to me though. We spent time in Taos gallery hopping and haning out at the hot springs. But most enjoyable were the days we spent in the backcountry. Many a nights were spent on the front porch of the staff cabin on Urraca Mesa...others spent sleeping out under the stars in an unnamed mountain meadow under the very clear and vast New Mexico sky which seemed to reach for miles and miles. It wasn't hard to imagine all of the Indian lore and legends to be true.

The view from the staff tent - which I shared with Karen - was this - the Tooth of Time. Who wouldn't love waking up this every morning...ok except maybe for the mornings I was on breakfast duty and had to be at the Dining Hall by 5 or some other ridiculous time. Well, I guess we did have to get all of the hikers in and fed and ready to head out on the trail.

My Philmont summer was the most memorable, action-packed three months of my life. I have so many fond memories and funny stories. I have very few regrets in my life...but one of them is that I only spent one summer on staff. Wish I was there now.