I'm not only quirky...

but I am a blog geek too! I swore I would NEVER start reading blogs - not to mention actually write one. I made this solemn non-blog reading promise because I knew what would happen - I'd get sucked in. I'd want to keep reading. I'd want to be a voyeur into people's lives. Blogging is like a dream come true for the Mrs. Cravitzs' types of the world (and if you don't know who Mrs. Cravitz is I'm not going to explain - it would only depress me to realize there are adults in this world who have NO idea about Samantha's nosy neighbor or Darron's annoying boss, Mr. Tate). Anyway, I'm not saying I'M a Mrs. Cravitz but it has been mentioned once or twice in my presence.

So I DID start reading blogs. I even learned the "big names" in blogging (The Pioneer Woman, Dooce, Cathy Zielski) and yesterday one of those big names, Jen Lemen, actually read MY blog AND commented and I was excited. I wanted to tell someone and then it happened I realized I AM A BLOG GEEK! I mean really I can live with the quirky thing but I'm not sure I'm ready for blog geek. It was an eye opening realization and I'm not admitting it to anyone - well except for the people reading this blog because, well, you know you're a blog geek too - but I won't tell if you don't :-)

So Jen Lemen if you are reading today THANK YOU. Thank you for making my day. Seriously!!!

TTFN my friends!

2008 - Day 2...

Happy New Year! We rang in the New Year with the flu. Only Alex avoided the nasty virus. I guess it pays to be a temperamental teenager with little patience for family time :-)

Due to all the bodily emissions happening in our house I have had very little contact with the outside world. I'm at a loss for words. I can't even complain about traffic or Walmart - I guess I could go on about Target's ludicrous return policy but then I've already been there and done that - I hate to be repetitive :-)

So that's it today. Maybe tomorrow when I head back to work and become immersed in real life I'll have something to say but for now maybe you should savor the silence - moments such as these are rare :-)

TTFN

Oh and I'll be putting up lots of Valentine's themed signs in "the shop" this week (I mean really, you all know how I feel about pink) so if you get all warm and gushy about the Hallmark holiday of the year check it out!!!

All that is left...

is to ring in the New Year. We anticipate, we participate and then we undecorate. It was a nice Christmas but over much too quickly.


Here are highlights from our Christmas card photo shoot. Remember, I told you. They were less than ideal. The lighting was bad. The resolution was fuzzy but you get what you pay :-) and in this case it was a do-it-yourself operation!

I'll be back soon.

And then there was Mario...

in handcuffs. WOW. I watched the, what I am sure is to become a holiday classis, "Christmas in Handcuffs" last night while wrapping gifts until 1:00 a.m. (I'm still not done - those darn curling ribbon bows). Let me just say that My Marvelous Mario has redeemed himself after that whole beauty pagent circuit fiasco. He was cute, he was charming, he was entertaining, he was in a blindfold and handcuffs! Is there anymore to discuss? It's the Christmas present that just keeps on giving :-) So as skeptical as I was about the entire affair I was pleasantly surprised about what a cute little movie it was. Well except the main chicks extremely bad hair at the beginning - very disturbing :-)

I am ready to start celebrating. Presents are wrapped (well almost), cookies are baked, cards are sent, shopping is done. Now all that is left is the good spirits and good cheer!

Here is wishing you and yours the very merriest of Christmas's and great kindness and blessings in the new year!

TTFN!

Mighty Spouse saves the day...

who knew he was such a keeper. The HotY proved his worth once again by taping Christmas in Handcuffs. I still haven't had a chance to review but believe me you will know when I have.

Baking, Shopping, Wrapping and Paryting this weekend. Crazy Crazy Crazy. And you know what - the week is going to pass by in the blink of an eye and we will just be left with dingy snow and cold weather for the next three months. No pretty lights or festive decorations to brighten the day. SIGH - Christmas let-down. I'm already dreading it. But I've got to ignore it - this is the week. The final countdown!

We took the kids' Christmas picture last night. 74 pictures and the one that we got is not the greatest either. I've got a non-smiler, a fidgeter and a poser. The odds were not good. But I found one that should work. I'm picking up the results tonight - we'll see how it turns out. If you get one of these pictures I just want you to keep one thing in mind - 74 pictures and this one was the BEST - just keep it all in perspective :-)

Okay gotta go - on-line last minute shopping to take care of :-)

TTFN - and Merry Christmas to you and yours if I don't make it back this way before the big event!

I don't know how to tell you this...

BUT I missed Christmas in Handcuffs. I don't know how it happened. I mean sure I missed one episode of Mario Dancing with the Stars and I missed that Miss America (but caught it as an encore due to the info from Deb) but Christmas in Handcuffs? How does a person forget something like that. It makes me hang my head in shame - I've failed my magnificent Mario... :-)

TTFN

It's happening again...

Christmas is fast approaching and I'm not ready. I thought I might be ahead this year - but I was wrong. Yesterday I was at a party and they had one of those count down to Christmas signs and at first when I looked at it I was thinking that it was December 17th. I panicked. December 17th? How did that happen? Where was I? You mean we celebrated the HotY's birthday and I don't even remember? WOW that hasn't happened since I was 21! Seriously, for a minute there I was truly wondering where the heck the time went and just where was I? Then I saw it - I realized the error of my ways - it was NOT December 17th - there were 17 days left until Christmas. I felt so much better, I just bought myself 10 more days!

Anyway, I might not post much between now and Christmas - but don't give up on me. Don't forget about me. Don't stop checking in on me. I'll be back really. Besides have you seen the previews for Christmas In Handcuffs? That movie is just begging for my commentary :-) I can only imagine the quality cinematography (really, Mario, shirtless - need I say more?) and riveting storyline...

TTFN

Well, yes...

yes, I am still crabby for those of you who have been wondering. Last night was beyond fabulous and the fun just keeps coming :-) Okay, well maybe I am dwelling on it but it's my blog and I can do what I want!

We got more snow last night. I had to take the girls to dance and it was NASTY! If they hadn't missed last week they would have missed last night. That will teach me for being a lazy mom.

Oh and before I move on please tell me why kids want to eat snow. It's dirty and who knows where it has been before it floats to the ground and I don't even want to think of what happens to it once it hits the ground. Holy Bananas! I hope I instilled the fear of snow into them about this - GERMS - snow is FULL of GERMS! Anyway, I digress.

After dance we went to McDonald's. I know but it was snowing and the HotY was in the Big City for the day so we were at loose ends - I wasn't cooking if I didn't have to. Soooo anyway, got McD's and headed for home with every other insane person on the road. Once home we got stuck in the driveway, almost took out the neighbor's nieces' car who insists in parking in the street directly below our driveway, and finally spun our way up the drive after coming at it from the other direction. Man I was happy. So as we are getting out of the van I drop the bag with the fries - of course. I few hit the ground but I'm not sure how many as the dog was all over them before I even had a chance to look. If I was happy before I was practically giddy now. After supper, since it was snowy and I was in such a delightful mood we made peanut butter star cookies. A fun family event. I was hoping to share some of the cookies with co-workers but that won't be happening. This particular batch of cookies will not be consumed by anyone outside of the family. There was mandatory hand washing before beginning but that was not a deterrent to the licking, smelling, rolling, worm cookie making and tasting that went on during the process. Do you see why I am not sharing? Isn't it bad enough that someone out there had to buy that poor apple bearing the Syd lick of approval? You know in thinking this over I may be blowing that snow eating thing out of proportion considering the other things I have to worry about (did I ever tell you that Syd picked up a jelly bean from the floor of a big box retailer and ATE IT - do you see the pattern here? - Let me give you a hint - starts with an "S" ends with GERMS in the mouth).

So maybe you can understand why I may be a little crabby. MY CHILDREN ARE OUT OF CONTROL and it's all their dad's fault...

I'm CRABBY...

I’m in a bad mood a crabby, don’t talk to me, nothing can go right today mood. Really. I’m not sure what exactly happened. I was running behind, I had a bunch of stuff to drop off at the post office, the bag the packages were in had a hole in it, my pop tart, that staple of the all-American breakfast, was smashed, and it’s cold and snowy and icy. AND despite the ice and snow SOMEONE pulled out right in front of me and then proceeded to drive 10 mph. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR double GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. So do you see where I am at?
(Maija, I just want you to know that I know it is warm in AZ and I know your pool is filled and at just the right temperature so I’m coming to visit – as soon as I can get a plane out of this frozen tundra!)

So I’m going to try to get over it. I’m going to try to make the rest of the day better than the start. I’m going to try to smile – I can’t promise I’ll mean it but I’ll try!

Have a GREAT day everyone! Mine’s been fabulous so far :-)

Oh and here are four of the reasons for the post office drop-off.




I was part of an ornament exchange hosted by the FABULOUS Deb Damboise. It is hard to tell from the pictures but these are beaded, dangley ornaments. I have these all over my tree and I love them. So shimmery and shiny and glittery. I'm thinking of putting some of these in my Etsy Shop but I'm not sure how much to charge. They are VERY time intensive! Anyone have any suggestions?

It's happening again....

that cold thing. And that snow thing. And that winter coat thing. I don't like it. And it has been happening EVERY year for as long as I have been around and I'm still not used to it when it happens for the first time. YUCK! So yes, it snowed last night. Accumulating snow. Cold freezing snow. Icy, white snow. Dang I hate snow. And we are supposed to get more snow tomorrow. I wish you were here :-)

So I finished a HUGE and AWESOME custom order for 4 Merry Christmas signs. It is going in the mail today. Here is one of the sets - each Merry Christmas set was different. It took a lot of time but I hope the buyer likes it.

The HotY took the pictures while I was trying to get other things together so I can't take responsibility for the set-up or the quality or that pillow in the background. I think he was trying to atmosphere!!!

Okay, have a great weekend. Keep warm.

TTFN

And I was worried...

I really thought I might have to put my DWTS fascination on the shelf because I promised myself that if Marie Osmond won the finale I was going to stop watching (it’s a matter of principal – and I find her to be one of the most annoying people ever not to mention all those teeth and her equally annoying brother Donny). ANYWAY, I was a little worried that I might actually have to follow through on this threat - but thank goodness it was all for naught.

America knew, they knew, that Marie would be the end of DWTS. It would have been all too obvious that DWTS had nothing to do with DANCING and everything to do with STARRING (although that STAR thing – debatable!). I’m so glad I get to keep watching (although I know this is a big disappointment to reader Shirley :-)). And Marie, well she can go back to playing with her dolls…

There was something else I thought I had to say but I can’t think of what it was. I’m already picturing your disappointment! If I think of it I’ll get back to you!

I promised pictures so here they are – nothing spectacular but I wanted to get something out here. It’s been all blah blah blah and not much on the visuals lately.

Crabby - this kid is always crabby these days. I think he believes it's his job as a teenager to be crabby. Get over it - it's Christmas. I'm going to keep taking picture until he smiles. He's gonna love it :-)


Jingly Bells - it's all about the Jingly Bells. We even have Jingly Bell parades - really, I'm not joking about this. And this girl - CAMERA HOG! Get the camera out and she is dancing and posing all over the place - begging to be the center of attention - she is SOOOO like her father.


The one and only picture I got of Syd decorating the tree. Why? Because she was too busy running around being Syd and debating over which ornament was worthy of her attention. If she didn't like an ornament she would hold her hand up and say - I don't care for that one. Again, soooo like her father!


Merry Christmas!

I'm here - I'm here...

Sorry for the lapse in posting but you know it was Thanksgiving and there was cleaning and cooking and eating and shopping! How can five days pass so quickly? I wanna be a kid again when the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed to last FOREVER!

Thanksgiving was at our house. It almost always is. But before you start giving me all kinds of credit for hosting 15 people in my home I have to admit that even though we provide the house my mom and dad do most of the work. They bring the turkey and stuffing and all the other assorted odds and ends. I make the potatoes – but they are good potatoes! Actually this year I did a lot more of the cooking than I usually do – including the potatoes :-) I made Cinnamon Rolls and Banana Bread and Oreo Pie and Pecan Pie and Potatoes and some other things but I’ve forgotten already. All that food has given me a food hangover. The eating frenzy is but a blur :-)

Yesterday we spent several hours decorating the Christmas Tree. Three kids, two pets, two broken ornaments and six timeout threats! The holiday spirit is upon us!

I’ll post more tomorrow – with pictures. In the meantime if you need something to do check out my Etsy Shop – heck check out Etsy in general – it’s a great time waster!

TTFN!

Some days...

Do you have those days, those days when you feel like whatever you are doing is not enough? That you should be making a difference? That you should be helping some one in some way? That you need to know the perfect words to say? The right things to do? The insight to give someone exactly what they need to make it over the hump?

I feel that way. I wish I were Oprah. She seems to do this on a daily basis. But then again, if you make it your occupation - your claim to fame - is it the same thing as feeling it in your soul and just doing it for the sake of doing it - being the right thing? For reaching out simply for the act of giving and not for publicity or fame or glory? I think it must lose something when it becomes contrived.

Regardless, this feeling of needing to do more makes me feel helpless. It makes me wonder what message it is that I am missing. That I'm not hearing and giving. It frustrates me. I don't know what to do with these feelings. What am I supposed to do? Who am I supposed to tell? Let's just say I'm having one of those days.

So if I'm supposed to be helping you - giving you my hand and I'm not, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you aren't hearing the words you need to hear. Feeling the care you need to feel. I'm sorry.

I know this is kind of weird and doesn't make a lot of sense but I feel like I have a responsibility to the world today and I'm not sure what it is so I'm just putting it out there. Maybe it is all because that dang Bachelor didn't pick either woman and they are both heartbroken and I feel like they need a friend. I don't know - I'm grasping - I just know that I feel like what ever it is I am doing with my life it is not enough.

Man, I think I need to go and roll around in some glittery sprinkles for awhile...

Oh and here's my hand ~} take it if you need it, I don't mind.

Out of my element...

It doesn't happen often, but on Friday I had to make a little trip to Menards. Do you have Menards? They are like scrapbook stores for men. There are tools and wood and plumbing fixtures and hunting things. I was totally out of my element.

I was there because I was looking for little hinges. I knew they had them. I bought them there before. So in went in search of and found the hinge section. There were hinges for everything you could imagine – except crafting projects. Now really, I know this is a guys guy store but is it too much to ask for little hinges? I mean guys must make little things too. Besides I KNOW I got them here last time I bought little hinges. So I went in search of a sales person (you know there had to be a plethora of them hanging around because we all know men never ask for directions or where they can find an item). I found a guy and told him what I needed and he looked at me kind of like “no wonder you can’t find them – you’re in paint and you NEED to be in hardware” I told him I just came from hardware and didn’t find what I wanted there. Nevertheless, we traveled back to hardware and he said, while pointing to an entire section of little hinges “there is nothing here that will work?” to which I sheepishly answered “oh I didn’t see those I was looking on the other side”. I was so overwhelmed with all the testosterone hanging in the air I never thought to look on the other side of the aisle. I mean I was looking at an entire wall of hinges why would I think there would be even MORE and that they would be on the other side. Who knew. So I got my hinges and I’m happy but I paid the price I was totally out of my element :-)

In other news, the Etsy Shop seems to be doing okay considering I’m new at this. I have sold three things and have some custom orders. Check out the new stuff I’ve added when you have a chance. I love the SNOW sign if I do say so myself. By the way, I promise I won’t turn into the Etsy equivalent of a pesky Mary Kay saleswoman. You know her, she’s always telling you how fabulous you look BUT that you would look even better with a touch of Mary Kay Magic. Anyway, I might mention the store a time or two but I promise not to make it the topic of the day every day - seriously.

By the way , this post is dedicated to Shirley, who claims that I talk entirely too much about DWTS. I don’t, really, I don’t. Oh by the way – it’s the dancing show night. There, I’m not obsessing, I’m simply informing. Really Shirley, it’s the truth :-)

Did I tell you...

that my super special ESP does not carry over to DWTS. Jennie is safe - this week. I was a little worried for a moment there. I'm getting concerned though, I really don't know if she is going to make it through to the finals. And if Marie wins the whole tamale I am not sure I will continue to watch. I mean really, Marie, with the silver disco ball trophy? And yet, my magnificent Mario when home with NOTHING??? That's what I'm saying!!

I'm getting excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas. WooHoo! I might even be okay with a little snow. I noticed that we have these VERY tall posts marking the curbs in the parking lot at work. I can only surmise that these are so the snow plows know where to go - but man they must be expecting A LOT of snow. I hope those pole placers are just overly optimistic - or pessimistic depending on what season you are :-)

Short and sweet today. Sometimes it just works that way.

Have a great day and don't forget to buy your turkey!!!

TTFN.

One week and two days...

Am I living in some surreal world because I just cannot believe that Thanksgiving is almost here. When did this happen? The last time I checked my kids were looking for their swimming suits – oh wait my kids will wear their swimming suits anytime – weather is NOT a factor (I’ve told you it is all about picking my battles – right?)

We will be having Thanksgiving at our house. My family will all be present. I love it. Thursday will be a hub-bub of family activities and Friday – well we will brave the shopping. We don’t take it too seriously so it really is fun. Some people might call us crazy but that’s okay I’ve been called worse :-)

Thanksgiving dinner at our house means one thing - house cleaning and grocery shopping – but I’m telling you I like all that busy hustle and bustle this time of year. It adds to the anticipation(I’m okay with Holiday anticipation – it’s just that surprise anticipation that drives me over the edge)-.

I am afraid my friend Jenny Garth may be departing DWTS this week. Not that I think she deserves to go – but I have a feeling that the Marie Osmond fans of the world have joined forces this week and it’s all but over for Jenny. We’ll see how I do with this prediction. So far my DWTS super special ESP has not been super special OR accurate!

I have sold one item from my Etsy Shop. I can’t believe it. Now just to sell about 200 more :-) If you haven’t checked it out – please do so. If you have suggestions please tell me. I’m all about making things better.

Have a great day and do a little thanksgiving of your own this week.

TTFN

I told you...

I was tired. So tired that I haven't blogged since last Wednesday. I hadn't even realized it had been so long. Life, it gets in the way every time! :-)

BUT just because I have been tired it doesn't mean I haven't been productive. I've been busy - really. I went to the grocery store, did some laundry, played a little wii, made manicotti (which really is a job in itself - manicotti, my go to dish when I really want to impress someone or when I'm just feeling particularly domestic - it's a good thing). Oh and I FINALLY opened that Etsy Shop I have been talking about for a month and a half! Yes, it's true I'm a procrastinator, but I eventually get to it all, really, just ask anyone. I might not be fast but I'm reliable! Seriously
(the HotY asked me to quit saying "seriously" so often and I've been trying but every once in awhile you just have to do it - go with the seriously thing - Seriously :-))

So according to the rules of Etsy you do not want to flood your shop right away, you want to gradually add things so that you get exposure on the home page etc. There are only three things in my shop right now but I will be adding 2 or 3 new things every day so please check it out. Let me know what you think. Tell your family, friends and neighbors because really, wearing glitter to work every day has to have some payoff :-)

Alright, here it is - the Etsy link. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5389774
I'll put a link over on the side so you can find it easily.

Okay so now, go, shop!!!

TTFN

Tired...

I am so dang tired tonight I can barely keep my eyes open. I hope you all appreciate the effort I am making for you. Sitting here, typing, holding my eyelids open and yawning every sixteen seconds just so you, my loyal readers, have something to look at instead of the bed :-) And you know that is really where I want to be - in bed and I'm going to be - soon, so don't be expecting anything too great.

Okay, let's get to the good stuff so I can lay my head down.

Jane Seymour - DWTS - GONE!!! Gone Gone Gone!

And Marie Osmond's dad passed away. What is this some kind of weird and macabre contest between she and Jane? I can tell you one thing, when, Mario calls and asks me to be his partner for the show I'm declining. I don't want anyone I know dying!

I've been thinking about who my dream DWTS contestants would be and here is my list:

Jimmy Smits
David Beckham
Eddie Murphy
That short little gruff kind of guy that is married to Rhea Perlman - I can't remember his name.
Bruce Willis
Conan O'Brien
Elle McPherson
Keri Russell
Valerie Bertonelli
Tiffany Thiesen
Gwen Stefani
Jennifer Love Hewitt

So that's the list and I had to be somewhat realistic and not pick any big superstars because really have you seen any big stars on the show yet? What do you think? Additions? Revisions?

Okay that's it, I'm off to bed. That list took entirely too long and I'm not even going to bother to make sure I have the names spelled correctly so if you have a correction pass it along.

Good Night.
I'm going.
I've lingered too long.
TTFN...

The Bed. Thebedthebedthebedthebed The.Bed.

The Bed. So did that title exhaust you and make you want to crawl into a nice warm, flannel sheet covered bed? Because really I can’t think of many things that feel better than a good bed. Seriously. But that isn’t really what this post is about. This post is about THIS Bed.



This bed which has been in my family for five generations. This bed, which is an original craftsman style. This bed, which has seen many transformations through the years. This bed, which is one of my most treasured possessions.


This bed belonged to my Great Grandfather; I don’t know when he got it. I don’t know if it was new or used or something he shipped over on a boat from somewhere – but it was his and maybe my Great Grandmother’s but again, I don’t know (why hasn’t anyone bothered to inform me of the little details about the bed? Doesn’t my family know I want to know about stuff like this? Details, I’m all about the details). Eventually the bed belonged to my mom (and I have no idea what happened to it from the time my great grandfather stopped sleeping in it until my mom started but let’s just say it went from him to her). And then when I was about 11 my sister and I started sleeping in it – with striped sheets because really a person needs to know if they are over the line and using more than their share of the bed! Ultimately, when I got the Brat (said in the most loving of voices – really) to realize she was old enough to sleep by herself in her own room the bed became mine – and mine alone – no more striped sheets either. I loved my bed. I loved the way it looked all dressed up with a fluffy comforter and a pile of pillows, sunlight streaming through the window and settling on the warm wood. My bed…


A few years ago the bed went to Alex where he slept in safety and comfort for three years. His time with the bed was short-lived. He graduated to a bigger bed last Spring when the bed became the property of the Lauren & Sydney and is once again sporting striped sheets (I’ve noticed Syd has a hard time staying on her side of the line – so far Lauren isn’t complaining but I know the day will come).


I can’t tell you how much this bed means to me. It is part of my heritage, a big part of my life and the lives of my friends. My closest friend, Roxann, cannot step foot in my home without visiting the bed and talking about all the days and nights we spent lying there planning our futures and spinning our dreams and talking about BOYS! The Bed – it’s been there through it all. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy knowing it carries my family’s history. I hope the bed will accompany at least one of my children to adulthood I’m not sure who is going to inherit the bed or if there will be a fight for it. My sister and I never fought for the bed – it is as if the bed adopts its new owner and from there it is just a given. The bed knows


So the bed, it’s been a big thing in my life and last night, after a long absence, I slept in the bed and it felt like home. Lauren has a terrible cold and she crawled into our bed. It wasn’t long before Syd was crying and wanting me to sleep with her. So rather than fight the battle at 1:00 a.m I crawled in with her and realized that the bed was still a good fit. I had a hard time falling asleep because I was so busy remembering bits and pieces of my life from when the bed was still mine. I mean technically it is still mine. I see it every day and lovingly dust and polish the headboard and foot board but it’s been a long time since I have actually spent a night in the bed and it really doesn’t BELONG to me anymore - today it belongs to my girls’. I hope they have as much fun as I did planning their lives and dreaming of their futures while lying in the bed. It’s a good place.

TTFN. May you have sweet dreams in your own little bed.

Fear of failure...

and other reasons for doubting myself.

Okay so I had this great idea that I would craft some things and open an Etsy shop. For the past three weeks I have been working on items to put into the shop. My craft room is a mess. Every flat surface is covered. I've got glitter in my hair. And every night I have the same second thoughts and plaguing doubts.

What if no one likes my stuff? What if they think the quality is bad? What if it doesn't sell? What was I thinking?

It really shouldn't be a big deal because it isn't like I have invested hundreds of dollars into these projects - although I have invested hundreds of hours.






So I don't know quite what I am going to do yet. And the Etsy thing, when I think about it, is really just an illustration of my chronic procrastinating when I am on the verge of putting myself out there regardless of the situation. I mean really, what if it doesn't work? What if I am a failure? What if I offend someone? What if someone rejects me, doesn't like me, scoffs at my ideas? Those are the fears that hold me back, that become greater than the anticipated success. Ugh.


Sooooooooo, as far as this Etsy thing is concerned I'm just going to do it and hope that people realize that my items are handcrafted and not machine made perfect and that I'm a beginner and learning as I go. Who knows - my embracing this one little thing and just doing it instead of throwing it away may start an entirely new phase in my life - or maybe I'll just make a couple of bucks...


TTFN.