Is it just me...

I walked into the kitchen this morning and the morning sun was shining in. It felt so warm and inviting. Then I glanced outside, into the backyard. I stood there shocked. I don't know if it was all the bright light or what, but the yard looked much greener than it did the prior day. We are talking Ireland green...bright Emerald City green. It was just lovely. I guess Spring has sprung. I did see a couple dozen robins the other day...or maybe it was just the same one, over and over again.

Just one of those weekends.

You know how days start out and end up leading in a direction you didn't see coming. Yeah, that was my Sat. I was going to go for a walk at the Planting Fields and read a book...but stopped by the Leach house to grab the books for my cousins and ended up helping Jean take their brass bed apart and putting together another bed frame, taking the new one apart again because it was defective. We returned it then swapped it out for another one, took it home and put it together. Jean then sent me downstairs to watch TV while she finished the little bit of painting she had left. Her room looks lovely so far. I can't wait to see it completely put together. Anyway Jim came home, we ate supper and watch some TV and then I headed home.

Sunday was a little different. Please note: I didn't even have to bribe her to stand in front of that scribble scrable. I just thought it was funny and anyway, everyone who knows Raine, knows that she is FAR from stupid. I guess that's why it seem funny to me.
I spent the day with Raine. ( The second time in two weeks...!!I love it when that happens!! We went to brunch at Craftbar. If you watch Top Chef, you'll know all about Chef Tom Colicchio and his restaurants. Well, I wouldn't say I had a great meal. It was a bit of a let down actual. I ordered off the brunch menu and got the House Cured Salmon with Country Bread and Crème Frâiche. Though the bread was good, it was really burnt on the top and side. I'm not sure why I didn't say something and have it sent back but I'm always afraid that they'll spit on or drop my replacement. The salmon was good after the second or third bite. The first one grossed me out because it tasted very fishy, but it was fine after that. They were out of cinnamon rolls as well but that's OK, we made up for it with a great treat later.We went to the Brooklyn Flea market. Another disappointment. I guess I'm just used to the Chelsea flea Markets...but then again, perhaps its better during the warmer months when the can hold it outside. Who knows. Oh and our special sweet treat of the day? We went to the Brooklyn Jacques Torres Chocolate shop and had a Hot Chocolate to go with a yummy Chocolate Chip Cookie. I'd say the highlights of the day were spending time with Raine and that eating that cookie.
So Raine and I strolled around Brooklyn a little bit and took in the sights from the riverside. It was a misty,foggy day so it made Manhattan look much smaller than normal. That really isn't something that is easy to do, since Manhattan always seems to have a bigger than life feel.
The Statue of Liberty looked so far away but even though the fog, you could see Miss Liberty, standing as she has for many years, welcoming ships.
The South Street Seaport looked just as busy as always. This was a different view for me. I'm usually at the Seaport looking across toward Brooklyn. I've watched several firework displays above the river from the top deck of Pier 17.
Ah yes, it was a good day indeed. I went somewhere I'd never been and spent some time with a good friend. Does life get any better than that? I don't think so.

Felt food time...again

 

Well, I've been busy cutting out felt and either sewing it together or using special felt glue. I've tried to avoid the glue but it does come in handy for chocolate chips and for the little bits of red and green in the pickle loaf luncheon meat. I'm shipping this batch off as soon as I add a few details with my sewing machine....but first I need to get my rear in gear and quilt those baby doll quilts. So here's what I've been doing...its a little sampling: Breakfast anyone? The waffles are in the process of being made.
 
 
Taco anyone? These were just simply cut out. I didn't even bother sewing anything on them...I just glued little beans on the re fried bean blobs. 
Luncheon platter...with three types of cheese slices, turkey, bologna, and pickle loaf along with some lettuce and a few pickle slices if you are in the mood. I'm working on several different ideas for the bread slices. I'm not sure which style I like better. 

Cut salad, anyone? there are even cherry 'maters in there. She can dump out the contents and arrange them the way she'd like them.

How about some cookies and a little hot tea to go along with them. Yeah, I even made little tea bags and I stuffed them with the tiny scraps of brown I had, so it looks like there are tea leaves inside them.
 
 Last but not least, you can have your choice of three different types of pasta. With or with out sauce and with meatballs on the side.

OK, OK

Several people have emailed me asking when I'm going to post pictures of some more of the crafty stuff I'm working on. Well, its nothing to exciting. I'm making more felt food for the Rue. I'm done with most of the pasta and have moved on to sandwich toppings. Before I change the foot on my sewing machine, I need to finish quilting those dolly blankets. I finally got my machine to work....I suggested it would find its new home in a landfill if it didn't cooperate. On top of that, I've gotten myself into this 5 handmade things for 5 people deal and of course, somehow...like I don't know how...I've turned it into a 10 for 10 deal. I have all year though, so that's good. I've got several ideas and of course one person is going to be easy to knock off the list...he likes food. lol, don't we all. So, to answer every one's questions...YES, I will be taking pictures of stuff sooner or later. Relax, sheesh!

Just thinking about them makes me hungry....AGAIN!

Anyone like Sugared Puffs...you know, Popovers! Oh, they are good. I didn't take a picture because they were scarfed down to fast...but you should give them a try.

Sugared Puffs

For the Puffs:
Softened unsalted butter, for greasing the pan
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 Cup whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 Cup flour

For the sugar coating:
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Liberally grease a nonstick popover pan or an muffin pan with 1/2-cup indentations, with softened butter.
2) For the puffs, put the 2 Tablespoons melted butter, eggs, milk, salt, and sugar int a blender and whiz(hehe) for a few seconds. *(excuse that giggle...it was my inner child coming out. As a kid, if someone said, Whiz...it meant to pee. I regressed for a minute there.)
3) Add the flour and whiz(hehe) for 5 to 8 seconds, just until smooth. * I'm sorry...I'll try to stop)
4)Divide the batter among 9 greased molds, filling each 1/2 to 2/3 full.
5) Bake for 35 minutes, until the puffs are deep brown.
6) Remove from the oven, wait a few minutes until cool enough to handle, then remove the puff from the pans. You many need a small knife to help pry them out.
7)Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Thoroughly brush each puff all over with melted butter, then dredge in sugar and cinnamon mixture to coat completely. Let cool on a baking rack.

Makes 9 Puffs.

Make sure you have lots of people around or you'll want to eat them all yourself. Trust me...you don't want to do that. I'm not going to let you blame me when you won't fit into any of your clothes. Yeah, that means you MUST share.

Rue's bug adventure last year...lol, cracks me up.

This was taken by my cousins, in the church basement at Shannons Baby Shower last year. I heard about it but I didn't see this happening. I was off doing, who knows what.

Welcome Back, Old Friend!

What took you so long, Spring! I've missed you.

Five handmade things!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!!


This offer does have some strings so please read carefully:

* I make no guarantees that you will like what I make

* What I create will be just for you

* It'll be done this year (2009)

* You have no clue what it's going to be


I may make something crafty or artsy, a pot holder, a framed photo, a magnet, a poem, book, a short video, a playdoh sculpture, a cookie, a vest knitted from cat hair or something entirely different....basically whatever strikes my fancy.

Here's the fine print:

In return, all you need to do is post this text into a note of your own and make 5 things for 5 others. What could be more fun!!!! (change the above to stuff you do) Some ideas you could do for others: (mix CD's, collage, journal, painting, bake cookies, etc...)

Is it button time yet?

I've been going through my craft supplies. I've decided to use up as much stuff as I can. I had a big box full of buttons and felt like I should do something with them. I thought about making bracelets or necklaces with them but then that seemed to boring. I needed something a little more creative. So I sorted the buttons into color groups and started making designs. It started with a simple shamrock and then a heart, moving on to a red white and blue flag shaped like a star. Then I decided to go LARGE.
It takes quite a bit of time to sew each button to the fabric. What's worse is that I have issues placing the buttons on one at a time and ending up with the shape that I want. It just seems to get wonky. Instead, I put them all on at once, stitch the buttons around the outside and pray that I don't tap or knock the hoop while I'm doing the sewing.
Believe me, I've made a mess more than once. Often it totally changes the layout of my design. Sometimes for the better, but that's a rare occurrence. I really like my snowman with his red scarf and earmuffs. I still have to come up with a strap for his earmuffs but I don't have any tiny buttons. I might just use a piece of yarn or beads.
I love my pumpkin almost as much as my snowman. Then again, I'm a sucker for a nice shaped heart. I'd do more holidays but I think I need more buttons before I attempt it. I'm almost scared to even try to make a turkey...lol. Any suggestions?

Yesterday's snow day....

Everyone was home yesterday. We had about 10 inches of white stuff fall over night.
It's kind of hard to judge the depth of the snow because it drifted a lot.
The wind really kicked up and it snowed on and off most of yesterday. It was heavy snow as well.
I went out and helped scoop the driveway and sidewalk, but then quickly returned to the warmth of a nice thick blanket.
Our neighbor lady was trying to chat it up with me while I was scooping. I wasn't having it. I was to darn annoyed with them. Once again, they used their snowblower to do their driveway and their sidwalk, only doing a foot of ours, because they used our partially scooped driveway to turn around. It drives me nuts. I mean, seriously, My Dad and the neighbors all snowblow each other's walkways and driveways, plus half the neighborhood. It's not like the neighbors dislike us, plus I watch their dogs for them when they are gone for free...so you'd think they'd be kind enough to do a few feet of sidewalk. If we had a snowblower, I'd do the entire side of our street, and our favorite neighbors across the street as well. I just don't get people.

Cross your fingers...I don't want a black and blue nose.

My nose hurts. It's swollen and I've had ice on it for HOURS, in the hopes that it won't turn lovely colors tomorrow. I don't know if its broken or just a little cracked. What happened? Well, I was laying on the bed, Rue fell on my nose with her fist and all of her weight following behind it. It gave me an instant headache and hurt...OMG, did it hurt. Tisha and Rue got me some frozen veggies to put on it and then Rue got me a replacement package after she gave me a hug and kiss. She felt bad about it, the poor little girlie, but it was an accident afterall. She even went back to Grandma to get me some more frozen veggies before I even asked for them. Instead Grandma dug outthe ice pack and so I sent Rue back with the veggies before they thawed out completely. I finally took something to dull the throbbing nose pain I had. I'm telling you, it was even hard to smile. I'm hitting the hay now and praying that the swelling will go down and I won't be black and blue tomorrow for my Cousin's funeral.

I'm just a little distracted...

How can I tell that my mind is somewhere else? That I have a lot on my mind? I'll tell you how... I was cleaning up some things on my desk and as my mind drifted to some memories of my cousin, I picked up what I thought was a brush applicator of lip color with moisturizer in it and brushed it on my lips,then I realized that it smelt funny and my lips stung...and that's when I realized that I brushed cutical and nail moisture treatment on my lips instead.

I better start paying attention before I spray hairspray on my pits instead of deoderant....that wouldn't be good either.

What a sad day its turned out to be.

I found out this morning that my Cousin was found dead this morning by his grandparents. He would have been 30 this April. I'm still in shock over the news. I mean, its not something you can really brace yourself for. Looks like I'm going to be flying home this weekend for a monday funeral. We don't know much and probably won't until the autopsy comes back.

I made a few calls to let people know the bad news and left some messages for people to call me back. I went outside to scoop some of the snow and ice off the driveway and while I was out there a seagull pooped on my head. Uh yeah, super gross. I was pissed but then started laughing my ass off. I'd been thinking of my Cousin Jesse when it happened. All I could do was picture my Cousin and our Uncle Randy, sitting in heaven, busting a gut over the sight of me. Knowing those two, they sent that Gull for me.

I really need to blog, don't I!

I don't know what my deal is. I guess my creative juices are not flowing. I have not made anything new since December. Fear not, I've been brain storming...well, more like brain farting, but the creative juices are starting to flow again. I have several ideas for crafts, from painting, to quilting to beading...and I all I'm waiting for is that little boost of energy to start me off. Right now, I'm making a list of possible projects, both new and half finished. I'm sure eventually I'll get something accomplished. I was actually in the mood to make sock creatures on Sat. My problem is that I had a ton of single silly socks that I could have cut up and made things with....BUT, I couldn't find the bag of socks. I'm just not sure where I put them. I know I stuck them somewhere so they wouldn't be in my way...and now I have no idea where that is. Although....hmmmm, I might have one more place to look.

Anyway, sooner or later I'll be crafting.

I heard some sad news the other day. One of my old babysitters daughters passed away. She was only 39 and preggers with her first child. Her hubby was on a business trip and when he couldn't get in touch with her he started to worry. I guess he sent someone over to look in on her and they found her dead. I haven't heard what caused her death, but really, it could have been anything..even an aneurysm. It's quite sad though. I just can't stop thinking about her or her family.

OK, enough of this. I need to flip the laundry and drag the garbage cans back from the curb.

giggle, giggle....

I've got a secret...
I've got a secret...

..and I can't tell you about it until I have premission.

I'll post about it at a later date. I just can't spill the beans now or my name will be mud.

I just don't like the sound of Netter Mud, so mums the word.

For now, anyway.

Desperately seeking your garbage...<

Does anyone use this type of hand soap in their bathrooms? I know some of you may have kids, so its possible you do. If so, I need the straw from the pump. See the Panda and the Lady Bug. They pop right off when the soap is used up. They also have tigers and monkeys and red birds. I have an idea for a recycled Christmas ornie for next year...but I need a few more. If you happen to be at a friends house and in the course of snooping around or washing up... you notice they use this soap container, could you do me a favor. Just ask them to save the animal straw for you...for me. Thanks. Oh and I still need used Christmas cards. I only got a couple this year. It seems everyone was worried about the economy and didn't send out cards like they normally do. I did, I sent out like 75. Yeah and I was lucky to get 10 cards. Depressing. Anyway, I thought I'd ask...maybe you still have some collecting dust.

176

I saw this over at Sue's Good Yarns and thought, why not give it a go.

SUPPOSEDLY if you’ve seen over 85 of these films, you have no life. Well, I just happen to love movies...and books...and blogs...and crafts...so yeah, I suppose I don't have a life.
There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own blog, paste this. Then, put x’s next to the films you’ve seen, add them up, change the header adding your number. Have fun.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 9

(x) The Princess Bride
(x) Anchorman
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
(x) White Noise
(x) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 19

(x) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
(x) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 23

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
(x) Resident Evil 1
(x) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
(x) Little Black Book
(x) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 33

(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
(x) White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
(x) Robots
Total so far: 43

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
(x) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
(x)Eight Crazy Nights
(x) Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG (The Original)
Total so far: 54

(x) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
(x) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
(x) Dumber & Dumberer
(x) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
(x) Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber [the original]
Total so far: 64

(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
(x) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
(x) Hellboy
(x) Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
(x) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 73

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child’s Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
(x) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
(x) Just Married
(x) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
(x) Coach Carter
(x) The Grudge
(x) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
total so far: 86

(x) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean’s Eleven
(x) Ocean’s Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
(x) Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
(x) Predator
(x) Predator II
(x) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
Total so far: 98

(x) Independence Day
(x) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 107

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She’s All That
(x) Calendar Girls
(x) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 119

(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
(x) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday (the original)
(x) Reign of Fire
(x) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
(x) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 134

( ) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
(x) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf’s Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 140

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 146

(x) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
(x) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
(x) Highlander
(x) Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
( ) Three
Total so Far: 152

(x) The Jacket
( ) Kung *** Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
(x) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willa74
Total so far: 157

( ) High Tension (Haute Tension)
( ) Club Dread
(x) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
Total so far: 162

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 164

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 170

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
( ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
(x) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal
Total: 176

OMG, that's a lot of movies. I'm actually suprised by the number of spooky movies that I've watched. I can't stand scary movies, we all know that...but somehow, I torture myself with them. Add to this the number of chick flix's that I've watched im my day and the sports movies that I love, like Fields of Dreams or The Natural, well.....this list would go on forever. Plus I have a thing for vintage movies. I really love a good black and white film. Oh and Disney films and cartoons!, Yeah, but the only good thing about movies is that once you have seen a movie, the next time its on TV, you can blog, or do crafts while watching it...multi tasking at its best.

Start saving!

The School my Mom works at collects the "Box Tops for Education" symbols. They use them to earn library books for their elementary school library and since Mom works with the Special Ed kids, they benefit from the books...duh, right. Anyway, I thought I would start a little contest. I'm going to host a giveaway contest for the kids. What do you have to do? Well, to begin with, you just have to leave a comment letting me know you will help out. Leave me your email address or a link back to your blog, if your email addy is listed there. I'll send you my home address. Now take note of all the Box Tops For Educations products that you purchase and when you've used your item, clip out the small symbol and stick it somewhere you won't misplace them. For every 10 Box Tops For Education Symbols that you send me, your name will be added to the drawing. They even accept expired Box Top Symbols. I'm not sure when the final date will be for the drawing. I have to ask Mom when their deadline is for turning in the points. Stay tuned for updates, more info is to follow.

I've got some great ideas for the prize package, so you'll want to enter often. I'm even going to try to sew something special.....but that depends if "Satan" aka my sewing machine decides it wants to work.

I promise to start blogging again...SOON

I know, I know. I basically fell off the face of the earth. I wasn't feeling well and I came home to issues. I leave and everything stops working and needs repairs. I wish I was joking.

I've got some fun things planned. You know, revenge pictures for posting pictures of me online that I can't stand...just another day for me. Anyway, I've got some fun things planned. Well, fun for me anyway...for my victims...not so much fun, but they deserve it.

I've also got some ideas for contests. So stay tuned. When I'm feeling 100%, you'll hear all about it.

The Rue at Christmas...better late than never (I'll explain the strange hair situation later.)

I'm back...and I think I brought a bug with me.

Yes, I feel like crapola. I knew I felt off when I was packing my suitcases this morning. I was dragging. I even took a nap in the car on the way to the airport. Trust me, I never give up a chance to bug the living hell out of my father by talking him to death in an enclosed space. Yet, somehow, I was able to get a little shut eye. I slept on my flights to NY too. The further I got from Nebrasky, the more my nose started to plug up. I'm sure I was snoring up a storm as well, but I don't really care. I managed to spend most of my trip germ free. That never happens. Every Christmas, I fly home to Nebrasky and come down with some form of plague. This year, it just decided to work the opposite way.

Since I'm all napped out, I can't sleep. Lucky for you, I decided to post about a few of the things that happened while I was home.

Nebraska had a lovely ice storm the night before I flew home. Lovely! Luckily Dad picked me up and I trust his driving on ice and snow. It's probably the only time I trust his skills at anything. He did several screwball things while I was home before he got on my nerves and we spent days growling at each other. The man doesn't listen, that's part of his problem. Anyway, the funniest thing he did was pour warm strawberry syrup on Mom's light grey carpet instead of his pancakes. It was probably the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. I'm sitting to his left, Rue is to his right and Mom is across from him. Mom always warms up his syrup for him because that is the way he likes it. Yeah, he's spoiled rotten. Anyway,She never screws the lid back on the jar, she just sits it on top of it. She's done this for YEARS. Anyway, Dad is a bit distracted because he's rattling on and on to Rue. He then picks up the Strawberry Syrup bottle and with his right hand turns the bottle quickly upside down and back upright. Now I saw this and noticed the white lid flew off. Then I notice how big his eyes are as he looked at the floor for several seconds before he turns to face Mom and says, "the lid came off." So I say, "Did anything spill out?" And he says, "Well, yeah." Mom says, "well, don't just sit there, clean it up." Then Dad says something silly about not knowing how to clean it up and that it was on his slippers. So, Mom jumps up, and grabs a towel, then as she is scrubbing the red sticky crap out of the carpet, she starts growling at him for being so stupid to shake the syrup...which he's never done before. Mean while, Rue is leaning over her booster seat, wide eyed, saying, "Uh oh, Papah!" I think in the future, Mom should just pour his syrup for him and cut up his pancakes, like she does for Rue.

Oh and I fell on my butt while getting my parents mail. That ice storm was pretty bad. The roads were a mess. Mom and I were headed downtown for some reason and I told her to get in the car, I'd get the mail because I didn't want her to slip on the driveway. I managed to get all the way down to the street with out falling. I could just stand stiff legged and the wind would blow me in the right direction. Anyway, I was taking tiny little steps and just as I got to the mailbox, BOOM, I slipped and landed on my elbow. Mom said she heard me saying some very choice words after I hit the ground. I hurried up and looked around to see if anyone had witnessed my graceful act. Thank goodness, nobody had. Let me tell you, not only was I covered in snow, sand and salt from the road, I was pretty stiff and sore for the next few days.

I'll post pics of the baby shower, Rue at Christmas...and the annual ornament exchange but not now. I have to down load pics and get my Mother to upload the pics on her camera for me. All in good time.

I'm going to go to bed now. Cross your fingers for me and pray I don't start to hurl. I kind of feel like I could.

A quickie...

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy Holiday season...before I'm sucked in to the void, known as Nebrasky. Yes, I leave super early in the morning. When I say early, I mean early....my ride is supposed to be here at 2:45 AM. Any bets on when they actually show up? I don't even want to think about it. I just get more stressed out when I do.

Anyway, I got most of my Christmas cards out...with the exceptions of three people that I have to hunt up addresses for again. Oh and I'm very excited to see how many people have the wrong card in their envelope. Don't ask. I just realized when I went to stick a card in that I wrote the night before but didn't stuff in the envelope, that I had the wrong card for that particular envelope....yeah, so who knows how many I goofed on. Well, at least it will make them think a little, laugh a little and make fun of me behind my back a lot. Oh well!

I stalling right now. I don't want to pack anymore. I'm tired and want a nap but that's not going to happen. Anyway....Happy Holidays!

They got them!

Remember earlier in the year when I told the story about my Aunt getting beaten up in a robbery at her work place? Well, they caught the scum that did it. They were from Missouri and rumor has it that one of the guys had been turned in several years before for passing a bad check at the business. So, who knows, maybe it was about revenge...but I'm more inclined to think it was just stupidity that drove those guys to do something like that. I mean really, normal, sane people don't rob businesses and then beat the holy bejebbers out of the ladies who are complying to their every whim. Nope, it takes a special kind of jerk to beat up on unarmed women. It's just sickening. One of the guys they are keeping in Missouri because he stabbed and killed someone. The other guy admitted to the robbery in NE and then said he wanted to plea bargain....the dip wad! I mean seriously, he must have been a special kind of dumb to confess before working out a deal.

Oy Freaky Vey!

I had a nightmare a little while ago. Freaked me out a little too. I don't even want to talk about it because I'm trying to get it out of my head so I can go back to sleep. I did try sleeping right away...but I started dreaming the dream again. Yeah, so I decided it was time to get out of bed and do something else for a while. Hence, the blog post. I know I'm not supposed to post when I'm lacking sleep but I don't want to start a new book. On top of everything, my eyeballs feel like dry balls of fire, except they are nice and juicy with tears. I think its allergies, unless I was sleep walking and decided I needed to smear something in my eyes. I don't think that's the case though..I'm just being dramatic.

I'll make a list of things that I need to do tomorrow.
1) Mail a bunch of packages via UPS and two via USPS.
2) stop at an eye glass place and have them replace the nose piece I lost. I have no idea how I lost it but its not comfy with one nose piece.
3) Stop at Jeans at noon for Chinese food and help decorate their Christmas tree.
4) Laundry...the electricity was going on and off today so I didn't get any loads completed.
5) Run the vacuum over the floor and the steps because they are gross and I don't think anyone else will do it. I guess its just gross by my standards.
6) Complete the rest of my Christmas cards....I'm almost done!
7) Go back to the store and buy two more pairs of the cashmere flannel pj bottoms...oh they are heaven and I live in them when I'm at the house.
8) Dig out my recipe for Puppy Chow for Katie
9) Go to the grocery store and pick up the ingredients for Katie's Puppy chow.
10) Make the puppy chow and try not to eat any of it....and by puppy chow, I don't mean dog food. It's a yummy treat with chocolate. I'll post the recipe and pictures if anyone is interested or hasn't heard of it.
11) Find the cord to my camera...the cord to my ipod....the charger to my camera...the charger to my ipod...so basically anything that needs a cord or a charger is missing right now. How annoying is that.
12) Post pics of the prizes that Darlene sent me...I soooo need to get those on the computer.
13) Crap, I have to get up early to take Sam and Brianna to school in the morning. I almost forgot...so that means I have about 3 hours to sleep before I have to do that.
14) Call and book my shuttle ride to the airport and my return for my Christmas vacation.
15) Call Michelle and see if she is free on the 21st.
16) Call Raine because have not heard her voice in a while.
17) Delete about 400 emails.
18) Start my list for my vacation packing.
19) buy some more make-up because mine is old and its time to restock.
20) Find a nice size metal washer for a scheme that I have cooked up.
21) Give up on the list and read a book instead or at the very least go back and correct all blog post typos when I'm actually away enough to notice them.

Night everyone!

Did you miss me?

lol, probably not. Fear not, I didn't fall on my head or sleep walk into the bay. I'm safe and sound, feeling much better after that nasty bug I had around Thanksgiving. So, what have I been up to? Well, I mailed the baby shower invitations...FINALLY. That is checked off my list. I have most of my shopping done. I have all of my Christmas cards addressed, now I just have to write out the cards and mail them. I have not touched a single craft project, nope...not one. Instead I started reading the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer Uh yeah...I'm totally not into vampires or anything even slightly spooky but of course this series isn't scary, its just a big old love story/saga with some vampires in it.In Cousins daughter loved the series more than the Harry Potter series, so I was tempted. When Cindy told me it was worth reading I decided to give it a whirl. I started out with the first book, Twilight. I was kind of annoyed through the book but it was a fast read so I thought, why not give the second book a chance. If it didn't get any better, I'd just stop there. Well, it got better. Then I had to go out and buy the next next two books. As of this morning, I had all four books read. Yeah...and I liked the third and fourth book more then the first two. Granted I have issues with some of the characters because I think they are dingbats but I just have to remind myself that it was written for young adults, so maybe she dumbed it down so they could follow it. Maybe I'm wrong. Either way, I'm a bit embarrassed to say, I liked the series and I read the whole saga since Thanksgiving. Ms. Meyer is writing the fifth book and you can bet your sweet butt that I'll be picking that up when its published.

This week I plan on posting a few times. I still have to share what Darlene sent me....(I'm grinning from ear to ear as I type.)