Nerd Talk

The words "fewer" and "less" are often used incorrectly and, unfortunately, most people have no idea what the difference is between them.  I try really hard not to arrogantly correct people who use these words incorrectly, but I can't help myself.  It's actually really simple - fewer you can count and less you can not.  You have fewer items in your cart than you thought (obviously you can count the items in your cart).  You have less dust in your house than you had last week (obviously you can't count dust).  Another easy way to remember fewer and less is to remember that you shouldn't be able to make "less" plural.  You wouldn't have less dusts on your desk but you do have fewer items.

Really, the only reason I bring up this topic is because the popular "15 items or less" signs really bother me.     How are we getting away with being so grammatically incorrect?  Didn't we learn this in 5th grade?

Thanks for letting me rant :).

Memorial Day Weekend

Somehow I completely forgot to blog in the month of May.  It is now June 1st and I'm finding it hard to believe that the year is already half over.
This past weekend Josh and I went camping with a few friends.  We started out in Durango, but due to a frightening dog attack on one of my friends, plans changed and we went to Pogosa Springs instead.  Thankfully, my friend is ok and healing after almost having a lip torn off.
I love Colorado but there are just some parts that are stunning.  Josh and I kept exclaiming what a beautiful country it was.  I'm quite thrilled that Josh and I both enjoy the outdoors so much.  We are able to experience adventures together while enjoying each other's company.  Our next adventure this summer: backpacking!  I'll be sure to write all about this new experience for both Josh and I.  The pictures below are from our trip this past weekend:

Colorado Springs In All Its Glory

First off, I'd like to announce that I LOVE COLORADO SPRINGS!  Ok, maybe that was a little excessive, but you get the point.

Josh and I moved here last October when he had to PCS from Fort Bragg to Fort Carson.  We're pretty outdoorsy people and were thrilled to find tons of parks, hiking spots, running areas, and mountain biking hills available.  Last Sunday we decided to try the Manitou Incline.  The Manitou Incline was originally a one mile cable tram built to support the construction of a hydroelectric plant and its waterline.  In 1990 the Manitou Incline closed after a rockslide damaged the tracks again and the Cog Railway decided to cease the failing operation and focus on the profitable Cog Railway.  Ever since then, people have used this incline as an intense workout.  The route is short and steep, gaining nearly 2000 feet of elevation in 3/4 of a mile.  After you get to the top, there is a 4 miles hike down the mountain.

Here's an old picture of the incline:

And here are some pictures of our trip:

Proofreading

I have a problem.  It's called proofreading.  I proofread everything - from magazines to facebook to personal emails.  It has become somewhat of a personal downfall.  I find myself getting high and mighty and often wondering why certain people do not know how to use an apostrophe or the correct form of they're.  I think I'd probably be mortified if I went back and read some of my emails or facebook posts.  I know that I'm not grammatically perfect and make the same mistakes that everyone else does.

I'm a Technical Writer and recently bought an amazing book.  It explains how to write for engineers and scientists but also reviews all the writing techniques we learned back in 5th grade. If you're ever in for some FUN reading, you should check it out!

Blessed

I often think about my life, the good and the bad, and am constantly reminded about how blessed I am.  I've been through some hard times, but never lost my faith that God was in control and would lead me through it.  I can honestly say that I wouldn't trade my life for anything.  I have an amazing husband, a wonderful job, true friends, and a loving family.  What more could I ask for?  God has faithfully led me through the dark areas of my life and blessed me with more than I could ever ask for!

I don't brag on my husband very often (definitely something I need to work on), but I'll spend some time doing just that.  He's definitely brag-worthy :).  I am so blessed to have met a true man.  He is a leader, a role model, and has a huge heart. He treats me with the love and respect that every wife deserves.  He loves his job and is great at it.  I'm so proud that he loves his country so much that he is willing to put his life on the line for it.  As much as I hate it, it still makes me extremely proud.

To wrap it up, here's a verse that I love.  "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9

Some recent pictures:

Two of my best friends in Colorado Springs

Josh and Zoey chilling on the couch

Zoey's new friend, Rambo

My sister, Emily, and good friend, Robin.

Meet Zoey

Josh and I have embarked on a very important step in our lives - we bought a puppy.  She is a boxer and her name is Zoey.  As precious as this little girl is, I don't think either one of us had any idea the amount of work 7 week old puppies are.  I've never had a child, but I can imagine it's something like having a newborn (just not quite as hard).  All she does is eat, sleep, and poop (and randomly play).  The first night we had her, we were up 5 or 6 times.  She would cry, we would take her outside, and then put her back in her crate.  An hour later, the same vicious cycle would happen again.  We were fighting to stay awake the next day.
Despite her puppiness, she's adorable and I think she already has Josh wrapped around her finger.  She loves to cuddle and be around us.  Here are some recent pictures, with more to come!

Crafts, Crafts, and DIGITAL Scrapbooking!

I never knew that something as trivial as scrapbooking could get me so excited!  I'm afraid to admit it, but I even had a dream (well...many dreams) about it last night.  I love crafts.  I find it ironic that as much as I fought my mom trying to get me to like crafts as a kid, that I grew up enjoying exactly what I hated.  Now that I think back, it wasn't that I actually disliked crafts, it was that I disliked doing what my mom desired me to do.  Sorry mom :(.
All that to say, I stumbled across DIGITAL scrapbooking the other day.  I am a designer (or at least try to be), and was thrilled to find out that I could combine my love for crafts as well as my love for the computer.  Some of these digital scrapbooking kits are incredible.  Here's a look at one:

I've been wanting to scrapbook my wedding pictures for a while.  With these resources, it will be so easy to make a digital scrapbook.  Don't get me wrong, I am in no way turning my back on the original scrapbooking method.  I still plan on creating my wedding album this way as well.
After spending hours perusing through some amazing designs, I decided that I was going to start designing my own scrapbook materials.  Why not?  I have a degree in graphic design - it shouldn't be that hard right?  We'll see.....
Also, feel free to check out my website.  It's still a work in progress, but something is better than nothing, right?  www.designbyalyssa.com