Happy Halloween! Oh, and we have a mouse.

There is a house in the neighboring town, about 5 blocks from where I lived when I was Katie and Chris' nanny.
For many years, they have been going crazy with their Halloween decorations. I friggin' love this house.
They put a lot of work into it. Someday, my house will be this scary. I'll have to sit on a bench by the front sidewalk to hand candy to the little ones that are totally scared and refuse to go to the door.
Maybe I'll have to sit across the street. lol, sometimes that's to close for the little ones.

Oh and I caught a glimpse of our new household critter. We have a mouse. He's so tiny and scared the living crap out of me, but it was just short lived. You know how it is, when you see something like that, you are startled, because it shouldn't be there. I let the little guy know, in no uncertain terms that he had two very simple choices to make. #1)He can leave peacefully, just move on to another house. #2)He can die a quick but painful death. I'm sorry but there is no wiggle room here. Its my way or the highway. Anyway...I have glue traps and the old fashioned snap traps all over the basement right now. I'm going to get that little bugger if its the last thing I do.

Huh!

What do you mean, normal people don't color coordinate their pins? What?! I certainly have to disagree with that statement. I'm the most normal person I know and I have a habit of sticking them by like colors in my big heart shaped pin cushion.

Sheesh, Anyway, I have one of my little quilts quilted thanks to my handy dandy darning foot for the old sewing machine. It was a gift from my Mom and Dad for my birthday, along with a walking foot, which I'm going to use soon, to finish up some stray projects I have around here. First, I'll be binding that little dolly quilt. Just ignore the two blocks that are different because I just winged it on them. You see, I originally flipped my template when I cut out two colors. When I noticed that during sewing, I couldn't find the template I made, so I just cheated a little. Who cares, its for kids, not a national quilt show. Seriously, like a little kid would notice and flip out over it.

I've got a new problem. I'm in love with this quilting business. Oh, its not good at all. This is going to be expensive.

Atleast something was done around here today...

The Garage door is FIXED! YES! Sometimes its the little things in life that make us the happiest, like a garage door that functions as it is supposed to.

I was running around the house, picking things up, you know, the normal stuff, when I remembered that I wanted to run to the bank...so I did and then I went to the dry cleaners and the grocery store. I came home did some more laundry, swept the floor in the kitchen, distributed toilet paper to the three other bathrooms and started cooking dinner. Oh yes indeed. Then I realized there was no heat in the house. I cranked the thermostat to see if it would kick on...Nope, so I made the service call and an hour later, we had heat.

Yep, its the little things like a functioning door and some heat on a cold, windy night that makes an OK day something special.

lol, I must need a life or something..lol, if that's all it takes.

Guess what!

Sam just found out the class rankings for his Senior class. Guess who will be giving the Valedictorian Graduation Ceremony Speech. Go ahead guess. If you guessed Sam, you are correct, he is ranked number one. Let me tell you, he put a lot of work into getting that spot. He really gave up a social life outside of school to be in that position, but he got what he wanted.

First the phone rings....

Yep, my phone rang, so I answered it. I said, "Hello." The person on the other end of the line said this..."You jerk, you jinxed me!" Yep, no...hello, no...how are you doing. Oh and for the record, I didn't jinx her. How do I know this? It wasn't my idea to begin with...it was hers. Yes, my Cousin jinxed herself and tried to blame it on me. What is this world coming to! lol.

Fear not, I'm still alive

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

I didn't carve it...so, eat up Fuzzy Butt!

La, la, la...what's this?! Hmmmm, I guess I'll investigate. It can't hurt to check it out. Hmmm, smells interesting. I wonder if its edible. Well, there's only one way to find out. We just have to make sure that nobody is looking. Gotta check all the windows. There's always someone in there spooking me. Nope, nope, it looks clear. Wait, FREEZE! False alarm. OK, here we go...Ready, Set...

ATTACK!
OMG, his brains taste sooo good. I wish I'd been here earlier to get his eyeballs. The best stuff always goes first.

I can't believe I called him a Dill Weed.

I'm not even sure if that's a bad thing, but I did. I called the alarm company guy that was doing our annual overhaul a dill weed. At first I thought it was just internal dialog...because that's where all my good comments take place...but then I realized by the look on his face that I had said that part out loud. It's his fault really. They set off our alarm and I just kept doing what I was doing because they have a code that is supposed to shut it off. Well, they came looking for me and asked me if I would try our code because theirs wouldn't work. So...I strolled over to the key pad, siren blasting, as it has been for SEVERAL minutes. I flip open the cover, punch in the code. Nothing. I look at him and said..."so much for an easy job, huh." (When they arrived they thought this was going to be simple because its the first time they ever arrived here with all system ready and no flashing lights because of bad connections or broken sensors. Hey, I told them, like I tell everyone that there is NO easy job when this house is involved...somethings always screwy and it takes forever to fix.) Anyway, The guy looks at me and dares to say to me, "Are you sure you punched in the right code." To which I replied...as sarcastically as possible, might I add, "Uh, yeah Dill Weed, It's the same code we've used for the last 7 years." Then I saw the strange look on his face and I started laughing as I said, "OMG, I just called you a Dill Weed, didn't I?! I don't even know what that means." Luckily old Frank, had a sense of humor about it. Frank is a BIG guy. he could have squashed me with his toes. Anyway....after they re-programed the system and put our code back in there it worked. That's how my morning started...it just got worse as the day went on.
Then...I did this. Sam came home from school and informed me that not only was he hungry, he needed something halfway healthy to eat because he'd only had an energy drink for breakfast and then proceeded to skip lunch and ate three cookies instead. He was all sad that the pasta dish I made the night before was gone. I had it for lunch. Sam rarely eats leftovers, so I didn't think twice about it. Being the nice person that I am....and wanting him to have something healthy, I proceeded to recreate that pasta dish, minus the fresh spinach, because we were all out and minus the freshly cooked chicken because I'd used it all yesterday. Instead, I dug the rotisserie chicken out of the back of the fridge and chopped up the breasts off of that. I smashed some HUGE garlic cloves, chopped it and stuck it in a pan with some hot olive oil, cooked it up, shoved in the chopped chicken, then after that cooked for a couple of minutes, I poured in this new sauce that I found at the store that is not only spicy and yummy, its so much lower in sodium then the rest of the pasta sauces. I let that simmer while I dug out the pasta. We had 1/4 of a box of angel hair pasta, so I stuck that under my arm while I opened a half full box of linguine. I poured the linguine in the boiling water because it takes forever to cook compared to the angel hair. I then turn and drop a spoon that I'd picked up. I bend over to pick up the spoon from the floor, forgetting I had an open box of pasta tucked under my armpit, and spilt that sucker in a huge pile onto my freshly swept and mopped floor. How annoying is that! I took a quick picture, ignoring the 5 second rule, because it reminded me of playing Pick Up Sticks as a kid. So in a nutshell...today was interesting...especially when the garage door broke. Long story...but it wasn't my fault.

SCORE!

So... when I got home just a little bit ago, I grabbed the mail and stuck it on the counter. I started sorting it and found a package for ME. Before I looked at the return address, I tried to remember if I'd ordered anything lately, but suddenly realized the return label had my friend Tami's name on it. "Whaaaaat!" I got very excited, like when a kid sees his birthday present all wrapped up and just out of reach. I tore into that package and low and behold, the cutest darn toe socks I have seen in YEARS. OMG, I love them...LOVE THEM! Then I start reading the letter and I was all warm and fuzzy inside. A real letter, not email, but an honest to goodness letter. Then I remembered...and wondered....was I the recipient of the letter that Tami used to mark another thing off her list!? I think I was number 80! I sure hope so!

Thank you Tami! Tell Meredith (Tami's daughter), she has excellent taste in socks. I highly recommend her as your personal shopper if you are ever in the need of one for sock shopping.

It's been a long day.

That color is called Polar Sky, by Benjamin Moore. Nancy and I drove into the City today, to their apt on the upper west side. First we dropped stuff off at her parents house, then dropped stuff off at the apt and then we had to move the van because of street cleaning. We didn't want a ticket, so we found a garage and spent an arm and a leg to park it until I picked it up at 3:30. Anyway, I have to go back sometime next week and do a second coat. That paint is VERY difficult to see where you missed spots before its dry. Luckily, I don't think I'll need the latter again. I tried to make sure I got enough paint on when I did the boarders. Luckily I didn't have to do a perfect job so I didn't even bother taping. I just free handed it. Actually, I think it looks much better when I free hand the edges then when I tape it. Strange but true. I love doors with little windows above them. They are so cute. Oh and I didn't paint the woodwork because that has to be done throughout the entire apt before they move in. I just needed to get the wall paint up so when the Murphy bed is installed, you can see the new paint behind it. Hey I got paid good money for easy work...can't beat that. The light switch looks strange because I took the plate off to paint...don't freak.
I love this little window in the swinging door into the butlers alley toward the kitchen and the second door that leads to the back stairwell. I love the color of yellow and the black and white marble floors. It's cute.
I had the pleasure of driving myself home this afternoon. Nancy has something she has to do this evening and won't be home her normal time...plus, who wants to drive home in rush hour traffic from NYC. It was pretty stop and go for me and I was beating the rush. I thought I'd share a picture I took from the Triborough Bridge, while I was driving. Not bad for just pointing and shooting while I was watching where I was driving.

Birthday Alert

Today is Mandy's birthday. I've recently goated her into starting a blogger blog, basically because I never log into myspace, where she usually haunts. I know, its hard to resist Netters peer pressure. Anyway, Mandy is my Cousin Cindy's neighbor in Kansas. Pop over and wish her a Happy Birthday and encourage her to blog often. I'll drag everyone into my web of online blogging, just give me enough time to harass them endlessly.

What do yah think?

I managed to get one of the tops done last night, while watching TV...but then I was to tired to do the rest. I'll work on them later. There are a couple of issues but nothing that big...plus, what little kid is going to say, "Hey, look at this shoddy craftsmanship, the seams don't meet perfectly here and here." Let's face it...if they did say that, I'd yank it out of their hands and tell them to go make their own dolly quilt. OK, I probably wouldn't but still...I'd like to.

I'm not sure if this is my influence or not...

My friend Tami taunts me. First she went to visit Rue, when I couldn't and took pictures of her. Now she's moved on to my Cousins new baby, Beau...who is 10 lbs already and who I have not been able to see or hold yet. I mean, seriously! Grr. Anyway, here is how Tami taunted me....and I would have done the same if given the chance, for the record.

Guess who I saw yesterday!

Oh, he's so precious! Such sweet little squeezy cheeks!

Yep, that's little Beau.

The kids & I went to Mom & Dad's church yesterday for the soup dinner and while I was in the basement during the sermon with Philip (who really likes church acoustics, by the way), Deanna brought Beau down to change him. So I had to get the camera and take a couple of pictures to torture you.

What I mean is, so you would have a couple of new pictures of him.

See? I'm just looking out for you! ;)

You know you want them...

No, you NEED them. My boss plays tennis every weekend. Once he opens the balls, he won't reuse them the following week. We go through a crap load of balls. We'd also have foyer closet full of used tennis ball containers if I didn't dig them out and pass them on. I've got everyone I know around here, overstocked with tennis balls for their dogs. I've even given boxes of these to local nursing homes to use on the bottom of walkers. I've got a huge bag waiting for a home people....and they are calling your name. So, if you have dogs or kids, maybe even another use for these bad boys, leave a comment. They will gladly be shipped your way. I just hate for them to end up in a landfill after only being used for a few games. They need to be loved, abused, dirtied, left in the bushes for a season or two. Yes, they need to be worn out. Come on, you know you want them!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!! OMG, you have to check this out! I'd love to win it for my Rue Rue...but I'm just one person in a sea of many who think this woman has crazy mad talent. Hey, if you don't have a young daughter or niece to win it for, you could always enter and if you win...send it Rue's way. Hint, hint!

I can't make up my mind...

Well, my blocks are done. yep, all four sets, in two different sizes. I just need to figure out how to arrange them for the final top. I may have to lay them out on the table, take pictures of the different arrangements and let you, my favorite readers, decide for me. I already have several ideas for other dolly quilts and a heart project for myself. Ah, to find the time. I still have to finish the cookie quilt I started and I'd really like to make a Christmas cottage quilt but have the blocks be seasonal instead of just Christmas. My scrap basket is already filled to the top, as you can see...just imagine what it would look like after I get done with everything I'd like to make.

I'm in rare form...or not so rare afterall.

My Mother always tells me to behave and stay out of trouble...but she's just wasting her breath and I think she knows that. I really can't help myself. Sometimes I'm such a smart ass, it even amazes me. Well, plus there are some people that its just so easy and way to much fun to pick on.

I've been referring to the Lake down by my Aunt Carole and Uncle Gary's house as a mud hole. For the fun of it more than anything. All though, it may be one of the nicer lakes in their state, I firmly pretend to believe the entire state is just one big mud hole. After all, there has to be at least one state you tease and make fun of. I seem to have several but that's just my way. I am my Father's daughter, after all. I can't help myself...its genetic.

So, my Uncle sent me a picture of the lake with this sentence below the picture: "Now how can you call this lake a mud hole?" Of course, I replied as such: "It's not hard...you know Sewage Ponds look pretty from a distance, but I wouldn't want to swim in one." Hehehhee...ah, life is good. I'm sure he has just as much fun tormenting me as I do him. Like I said...its genetic.

Did I really just say that?

I was digging around in the fridge a few minutes ago and found myself saying in a very sing-songy voice that, "I hanker for a hunk of cheese." Thank goodness nobody was around because I was doing a bit of a oddball dance move in conjunction with said phrase. Dare I tell you what the move was? Why not...I kind of looked like I was pumping an old train cart, with my heels together, knees flexing. Yes, I know I'm a dork. After I recovered from laughing at myself, it took about 5 minutes for me to remember where I'd heard that phrase before. I thought I'd share so the tune would be lodged in your brain as well. View at your own risk. I will not be held responsible if you start singing it over and over and are slowly driven insane.

Happy Birthday Marianne!

Today is a big day in Texas....personally, I think it should be a state holiday or something, but nobody ever listens to me. Anyway, yes, it is Marianne's birthday. So.... do me a favor, pop over to her blog and send a few b-day blessings her way. She deserves them.

Happy Birthday Mare!

I can't believe Kare talked me into showing this....

OK, OK, against my better judgement I'm going to post a picture of my craft corner. It's a holy mess...but Kare said she wants to see it in all its glory during mid-crafting. That's what you are getting. I have stuff shoved everywhere because I just finished up Christmas ornaments and I had to pull stuff from everywhere to put together everything that I might need to make my ornies. That's why I have boxes under my little work table...the X-mas stuff hasn't been put back where it belongs. This is embarrassing...its a friggin pit. Well, I guess it could always be worse. Actually it has been worse. You should see what it looks like when I pull every thing out to re-organize it. THAT'S a disaster. The best thing about this room is that I have a TV across from my table so I can watch it while sewing. If I don't want to deal with the TV, I can log on to the computer and either play my itunes or go to AOL radio and jam out. This is what you can't see behind the sewing table...I have stuff all over the floor because I have to make room for it. Oh yes, its a mess, but its my mess and I can't live without all this crap. There is nothing more enjoyable then arts and crafts junk...its just so full of possibilities. Plus if Sam came to me and said, I need some wire, Styrofoam balls, craft paint, markers of every imaginable color, and any other number of strange items...I'd have them all dug out in about 5 minutes. No running to the store at the last minute, nope, I have it covered.
I mean, look at this...its two shelves of the big cabinet that is full of misc fabric that I've collected over the years. That's right, all the fabric that I'm using for my dolly quilts, I didn't have to go shopping for. Nope, I just opened up my cabinet and started rooting around in there. I even found stuff I didn't know I had. Plus I have a pile of fabric on the floor that has been laundered, pressed and is ready to go for a couple of projects I have in mind. Yep, believe me, if there was a huge storm and we were not allowed to leave the house...I'd be set. I have enough projects, that don't require electricity, to keep me busy for a very long time.

Just taking a break...but I'll show you what I've been up to

I needed a break, because I'm covered in little pieces of thread and seeing pinwheels where ever I look. So I got out my NEW mug and filled it up with some yummy hot chocolate. It sure is hitting the spot.
My evening and morning have consisted of sewing chains of quilt pieces together. It's much faster to just keep sewing them and clip them apart later. They need to be ironed anyway, so I can face them all the right way for pressing. After I press them, I put the blocks together to form my little pinwheels. Then I have to trim them up so they actually look decent. One down, a whole stack to go...One quilt block set done, another of this size to go and then I have two sets of tiny blocks to make. By tiny, I just mean that they are an inch smaller than the blocks above. I like the idea of this quilt but I think if I had it to do over again, I'd do a stacked coin quilt, because I could just cut everything with my rotary cutter...it would be soooo much easier.

You better ask... don't boss the Rue Rue...

My Mother was telling me that Rue has been enjoying picking up Apples with Grandpa Ken and Pears with MaMaw Millie. Mom said when she was helping her with the pears she tosses those suckers in the bucket with great force, like she's pitching a ball. Rue actually gets annoyed if you try to put the pear in the bucket, she'd rather you let her do that, thank you very much. Anyway, Mom told me this story about Rue helping Grandpa Ken out on the farm. I guess they have a very happy apple tree that produces a lot of tasty apples. Rue loves to help pick them up. On this particular day, Rue's 19 year old step cousin, Anthony was "helping" and I use that word loosely. Ken asked Rue and Anthony to continue picking up the apples while He climbed up in the tree and picked some. Rue was doing her thing and Anthony was being a bit lazy, he'd point at an apple and boss Rue, telling her to pick it up. Ken said, she'd shoot Anthony a glare, walk over, pick up the apple but instead of putting it in the bucket, she'd walk over to the fence and chuck it into the cow lot. Ken said it was hilarious. Rue would be doing her job, picking up apples sticking them in the bucket and Anthony would tell her to pick up another apple....again, she'd shoot him the look of death and proceed to chuck that apple into the cow lot. Don't mess with an ALMOST 2 year old...especially one who is probably smarter than you, ANTHONY! Anyway, when Ken got down out of the tree, he made Anthony go over and pick up all the apples that Rue had chucked. I guess he figured since Anthony's bossy tactics backfired, maybe it would teach him that sometimes you catch more flies with honey...or in this case more apples end up in the bucket instead of the cow lot.

Aw Rue Rue, she's a lot like her Auntie Netter after all!

It really works!

Part of me was skeptical about this glow in the dark yarn but after crocheting a few rounds of it and heading to bed, I discovered it does work. I shut off the light and noticed a strange glow from across the room. Yep, it was the yarn. Impressive. What am I making? A dolly blanket for the dolly bed that I'm giving Rue for Christmas. I'm sure she'll put her bear in it instead of her dolls but that's OK. She puts her "Baby" in the stroller and pushes him around. By "Baby" I mean her teddy bear which she refers to as "Baby." Ah yes, yet another thing I'm doing to avoid sewing together all those little quilt blocks that I just spent days cutting out. I'll get to it sooner or later.

How to avoid doing what you should be doing 101

First you dig out an old laptop case. I found ours in the garage when I was collecting all of the old computers to take to the recycling program. Clean it up a little, its kind of dusty. To think I almost tossed the case in the trash. I knew I could come up with a new purpose for it. I just had to think about it for a while.
Get out your glue and line the inside with blue and green felt. Start cutting out shapes with the felt. I actually cut strips of grass that fit on top of the green hill landscape. You'll see why below. I've been working on trees and plants, clouds and a sun, you know all the stuff you'd find in an outdoor setting. I have a lot of other ideas for designs. Actually if you think about it, the list could be limitless. I'm going to make balloons, kites, boats, animals, insects...you get the idea.
Next I took sheets of felt and sewed them together to form a felt book with a cloth binding. It opens up flat. I couldn't let the cover remain plain and boring, could I! Nope! Since the felt board is meant for The Rue Rue, I put her name on the cover and added a couple of felt flowers and leaves.
The shapes stick to the felt inside of the book. She can flip though the book and pick out the shapes she wants. When she's done with the pieces she doesn't want, she can stick them in the book to get them out of her way. Well, in theory anyway...you know how kids are. The book fits right in the case, so we shouldn't have to worry about misplacing the felt pieces. Notice below how the board can be flipped and it works as a body of water with a land mass behind it. Neat huh. It's a two in one special. With all the effort I put into making this felt board, I couldn't allow the outside of the case to go without some needed attention, could I. So I got out the paint pens and did a little free hand design, which I screwed up but I think I made it work.
Want to know how big that felt board is? Well, the felt book is made with whole sheets of standard sized felt pieces, which are the size of a sheet of computer paper. If any of you have extra time and felt shoved in a closet or drawer, feel free to dig it out and cut out shapes for Rue Rue. I think I will make a house for her next.

You can pay for you meal with your Blood Donor Card!

You can try to. My Cousin Cindy's daughter Danielle told me a very interesting story a minute ago and since I have not read this on their blogs, I snitched it. It seems that they ordered food at the Hardee's drive thru. Cindy pulled up to the window, and handed the cashier her red Donor card. She got a little embarrassed when it was handed back to her and after digging out her red Debit card, she dropped it on the ground and had to get out of the car to retrieve it. It was an honest mistake...the cards are the same color after all, same size as well. I'm just glad I didn't do it. I would pay good money to see the video surveillance camera footage of that event...I'm sure Cindy's face was priceless and I bet Danielle was in stitches!

You could win this quilt!

I just know its like wrapping yourself in sunshine...and I'm sure this quilt will feel as good as lounging in the sunlight streaming in a window on a cold winter's day. What? You don't think so? I think I must have been a cat in a previous lifetime. Well, that or I'm just a dork. Either way, you have until 7pm MST on Friday Oct 17th to enter and possibly be able to call this quilt yours. (Just follow the title link above or the link on my sidebar.) Interested? Visit Pig Tails and Snails. Good Luck! I'm only saying that because Karma is a tough customer and I'd like a chance to give that quilt a loving home. Wait, did I just jinx myself?

It's that time of year...

I have the basement decked out in scary decorations and Sam carved Pumpkins with his pal today. I hate to tell them, but they can't leave them sitting inside because they will mold and turn to mush way to fast. He needs to stick them in the garage or just let the stupid squirrels eat them like they do every year. They are not staying in the kitchen for more then two days. Mark my word, as soon as mold appears, those suckers are gone.

I'm working on something besides my dolly quilts. I cut out all the pieces and now I'm waiting for the ambition to sew them together. I really should sit down and work on my tombstones. I guess I can do that tomorrow while I'm waiting for the lawn guys to come winterize the sprinkler system. Knowing me, I'll be onto another project by then anyway.

Thanks for the pic KaKa...that about sums up my thoughts on that subject...

I've been busy adding to my clippings basket.

Trace, cut, trace some more, cut, cut, trace, groan because I flipped my template, toss the screw up aside, trace again, cut, cut, count, nope I still need more...repeat as needed.

I've been busy,for sure. I'm not even close to being done.

Help me win some cash!

Place your vote.

Why do I do it to myself?!

I had a bowl of Cherrios for breakfast this morning. That bright idea is kicking me in the butt. I have what I refer to as a morning stomach, its not a technical term and the only other way I could describe it is that in the mornings I sometimes have what I would call a sour stomach. Basically it means that if I indgest milk or eggs, I feel terrible for several hours. Somedays, it won't bother me at all, but on the days it does, its misserable. I often know I shouldn't eat cereal or eggs, I can just tell by the way I feel, but there are days when I feel fine until after I finish my bowl of cereal. Perhaps its just a matter of me not digesting certain things well, like peppers for example. I get a simular stomach ache from eating anything laiden with chunks of peppers and we are not talking hot peppers, but even plain old garden peppers. They torture me. As far as milk goes, I thought perhaps it was just a lactaid issue....but alas, its not. It doesn't really matter if I have regular milk or lactaid milk. I just feel crappy. I'll just take my time, stroll around the house, getting things done while moaning and cursing my craving for a bowl of yummy cheerios this morning. I should feel fine by lunch time.

There will be no Christmas for Uncle Gary this year!

That's right, you heard me. I was talking to his daughter ( my Cousin Cindy) today and it was quite an informative conversation.

It seems that several years ago, Uncle Gary told his Grand Daughter (Danielle) that there would be no Christmas if she wasn't a Huskers fan. Now, we all know that being a Husker fan is serious business, not for the weary or faint of heart. No, its a die hard type of relationship. Husker fans are not the kind to jump on the bandwagon, you're a fan in the good years and the bad as well. We also don't entertain the idea that for different collegiate sports, you can have different favorite teams. None of this only liking the football team for that college and the volleyball team for another. Oh no, not acceptable. You also don't parade around in the enemies logo...and by enemy, I mean any team the Huskers face, in any sport they compete in. I think I've made my point.

Anyway, my Cousin Cindy told me that there wasn't going to be a Christmas for her Dad this year. Yes, it seems as though the man has gone out and purchased a Kansas State hat. BLASPHEMY!

I think the water down in Kansas has finally gotten to the man. I swear they must put something in the water, I really do. Why else would grown men want to parade around in something with a big purple kitty on it?!

Yep, no Christmas for Uncle Gary, no Christmas indeed. After all...don't you know that Santa is a Husker fan. How do I know that? Well, you don't see Santa running around in a purple coat do you...no its RED! Uh, YEAH! Plus, big purple wildcats would eat his magical flying reindeer. Those things don't grow on trees, you know. I rest my case.

I promise I won't show you my ouchie

Oh its nasty! I took a chunck out of my knuckle on my left hand. How? I'm almost embarassed to mention it...but you know I will.

I was cutting veggies up, actually I was taking the skin off of a carrot with one of those gizmos...oh you know, a Julienne peeler. A normal person would use a carrot peeler, but not me. Basically because I couldn't find it. Someone used it over the weekend and didn't put it back where it belonged. Typical...and NO, it wasn't me that stuck it somewhere strange. The thing about a Julienne peeler is it has these little barbs on it that slices the veggie into little skinny strips. If you don't want to do that, you have to use the peeler at an odd angle. That's what I was doing. Maybe I should say, that is what I was trying to do...because I failed in a feirce way. At least I was on my last carrot.

Yeah, well I took a chunck of skin out of my middle finger knuckle on the side next to my pointer finger. A HUGE chunk. We are talking deep friggin chunk of skin. It was wide enough that stitches wouldn't work. I'm suprised I couldn't see bone or cartlidge...yeah, it was that deep. The funny thing was that it didn't bleed as bad as I thought it should. I was kind of shocked about that. You'd think with a hunk of skin that big missing out of your hand, you'd be dripping blood. Maybe its because I washed it out so fast and put pressure on it. Who knows. Anyway, I've been those special air proof bandages on it and I just change it every morning. It seems to be doing really well. When it doesn't look as nasty, I'll take a picture of it. I would now, but you might be eating lunch, oh and I'm a little embarassed because my nails are stained orange and green, from all the veggies I cut up. Normally I'd take a little bleach to my nails and whiten them right up...but there is no way in hell I'm going anywhere near my gash with bleach. Ouch! Heck now! It hurt bad enough, I'm not adding to my misery.