Guess what I'm doing right now!

I'm eating oatmeal and returning emails. Yeah, so if you were one of those people that sent me an email, perhaps I'll get around to responding. (Just don't get your hopes up, because I'm already feeling jittery and I'm thinking about bolting from the house, in search of something fun to do.

Oh and this DOES count as a blog post, so now everyone can stop complaining. TA DA!

I had a nice day yesterday. I was at Rain and Chris' new place, helping them move boxes around. I carried many boxes up many stairs and I think I worked off all of those Halloween candy bars that I scarfed down last week. It was so nice to be able to help them out a little. Everyone knows how much of a pain in the butt moving is, especially if you don't have a little help. Rain felt kind of bad because she couldn't lift much because she's preggers. Yes, she's having a baby in early March! I'm very excited about that and dropped hints that I'm open for weekend babysitting.

Oh and by the way, Raine and Chris' cats are HUGE...the big old black fatty crawled under the new sofa and couldn't get out. Raine discovered that you have to lay him on his side and then slide him out. I feel his pain...that is why I never crawl under beds anymore, for fear that I'll get caught and have to scream for help.


See you around!

My blog broke 35,000 while I was away?! What the!

You turn your back on your blog for a few months and BAM, people start checking in to see if you've finally joined the living again. Yes, I'm still alive. Yes, I've been busy...too busy to blog or update on facebook or do any cool crafting projects. I've just been busy, that's all. Well, that's not entirely true. I have been fighting off all the germs floating around the region, and deciding to make my body home for a little while. I've had some major colds but except for a stuffy nose, I'm feeling pretty good these days. Perhaps if I can stay away at night, long enough to check my email and jot a few lines down on the old Blogger, I'll actually manage to blog once or twice a month. What? You really want me to post every day? I'm trying not to laugh, really I am...I just can't help myself. I'm not going to promise anything, but I will make an effort to show dyslexic ass every so often. If for no other reason than to stop all the "Where the hell are you?" emails and the "Are you dead or something?" emails. To answer those questions for you...I'm here, where else would I be and no, I'm not dead, not even a little bit. It's not so easy to get rid of me, you should all know that by now. It's only typical that when you want me to be around, I'm not and when you want me to shut my pie whole, I won't. Maybe typical is a poor word for that sentence...how about logical. Yeah, that works for me.

I'm out of blogging practice. Luckily for me, I'm not one of those bloggers that sits and ponders what I should write about. I don't plan or go over details and check for mistakes...I just type and what you see is what you get. I'm a grammatical nightmare half the time, its true, but that's the story of my life. Like I always say, If it bothers you, stop reading my tirades and blabbering lunacy. For crying out loud, don't you have something else to criticise? It's not like I get paid to do this, you know. I blog as an outlet, a way to relax and its a form of tortured entertainment on my part.


Luckily, I have several ideas for upcoming posts. Shocker! Maybe I'll post some pictures soon as well. I've uncovered my camera cord. It tried to hide, but I've always been good at hide and seek. Just ask the girls...we played for 1 1/2 hours the other night. Believe me, there are only so many place an adult can squeeze their ass into to hide. The girls declared me an expert at hiding. Of course I don't giggle when someone is close to me, so that helps. Oh yeah, why can a 5 year old that won't go upstairs by herself in broad daylight because she is scared, suddenly have no problem hiding in the basement with all the lights off when its dark outside? That's the current million dollar question, that really is only worth a nickle, so don't think you are getting a check for a million if you answer that correctly. If you answer it to my liking, I might send you a bright shiny nickle that I found on the sidewalk. Don't get to excited, it was probably left there by some gross teenager that thought it would be funny to stick it in his underwear before dropping it on the ground for someone to pick up. Ewww, yeah, that's why I always hesitate before picking up change on the ground. I don't care how lucky that penny looks. Gag.

OK, so much for intelligent blogging. Thank goodness I don't have to worry about being quoted and ending up with a bazillion links to my site. I don't think my site meter could handle the pressure. I'm off to bed. Hopefully a night of sleepless walking will recharge my battery and get those creative juices flowing again. Well, that and my good friend Raine always tells me not to blog late at night because I sound insane...well, more insane than usual.

Until the next time, tootle loo!

Has anyone seen my cord?

I've misplaced my cord for my camera. The laptop I'm using doesn't have a slot for my SD card and I can't transfer my pics until I find my cord. I have a feeling its still at the other house. I need to run over there and dig around a little. Until then, I can't show you where I've moved to or what I've been up to. Yeah, well I don't want to put you to sleep or anything. It's just that I'm a visual person. A blog post just doesn't seem complete without a picture attached. I don't need pictures when I read other peoples blogs though, so I don't know what my hang up is. I WILL find that cord. Then I'll share a lot with you....until then, you'll just have to keep your pantyhose on.


Oh get this, I'm heading back to Nebraska in a couple of weeks. I'm going to a wedding and NO, its not mine. I just know that they will all be so glad to see me again....like a month and a half this summer wasn't enough. Actually, I really didn't see that many people. It's a short list really. I basically hung out with my Sister, Mom, the Rue and Phin. I saw Shannon and Aaryn a few times too. Oh get this, Rue told me I was naughty and put me in timeout...though I'm not really sure what I did. It wasn't the first time I've been in time out and had no clue what I did that was so bad. Old habits die hard....lol. I spent a lot of time trying to burp Phin, who fought it. He was a little turd, to say the least. Phin was over 14 lbs on his 2 month check-up. I don't know what my Sister is feeding him! The Rue calls Phin her baby brudder. It's so cute. She can actually say Phineaus, which is more than my Father can do. We'll that's not entirely true, he can say his name when he remembers what he was named. Dad prefers to call little Phin, P.W. I have a funny feeling it might stick. It's just a little to close to G.W., as in G.W.Bush....ewww.

I'm enjoying my new job. The girls are a lot of fun. My only issue is that the kids are early risers. I'll be in the bathroom at 6:30 and I will hear them. What the hell! I guess they just have a natural clock in their little heads. I don't mind them being up as long as they aren't grumpy and most of the time they are perky and ready to get the day started. We spend a lot of time at the park, especially now that they weather has cooled off a little. Hopefully it will stay that way, but I'm bracing myself for an Indian Summer.

Well, its been a long day. I'll be heading off to bed now. I'll find that cord so I can show you some of the stuff that I've been up to. Oh and by the way, Sam is at Harvard now and from what I hear, he's having a blast.

Hello again!

After a long and exhausting summer I've returned to blogging. Have you missed me? I've got a lot to share but I've got to get some sleep. The new kids I'm taking care of are early risers. I kid you not. I was in the shower before 6:30 this morning and when I stepped out to towel off, I heard their chitter chatter through the wall. Oh yeah, its a good thing that I'm a jolly person in the morning...atleast after I've had a quick shower. Our days are filled with three hour jaunts to the park and random arts and crafts. I'm lucky that I have any hair left on my head after the girls get done brushing my hair into a giant fuzzball. The Humidity doesn't help either. I'll fill you in on all the details about the new job and the new house, ect...but let me tell you, I knew they were nice people when I first chatted with them and I'm 150% sure now that I've been with them for a week and a half. Things are good.

More to come, details of my summer and updates on the Rue and Phin...

You are excited now, I know it!

Deep breaths

I'm letting it go. I took several deep breaths and decided its not worth making an issue out of it. The next time it happens though, I'm blowing that boat out of the water. If you are lost and have no idea what I'm talking about, consider that a good thing.

Well, crapola!

I can't get my Sister to let me name her new baby. You'd think she'd do me a huge favor by letting me pick the name. I mean, seriously, she already named Rue. It's not like I'm going to have a kid of my own...so wouldn't it be nice if she just gave up and let me do it for her! I'd even let her have veto power to an extent. I mean its not like I'm going to pick a nerdy name...well, I do like the boys name Fletcher, so maybe I would. I won't pick one of the names in the top 20 for 30 years or so. I'm a little more creative than that.
Honestly this is a great deal that I'm offering her. When the baby grows up and complains about its name, which I'm sure it will...most kids hate their name, she can pass the buck to me. She can say, "Well, don't complain to me about it, I didn't name you. You need to take it up with your Crazy Aunt Nett, because she named you." Oh who am I kidding, she'll probably do that even if I didn't name the kid. Sigh....how depressing. Maybe I can sucker a friend into giving me naming rights. I could spread the idea around... Auntie Nett will promise to spoil your child rotten if you allow her to name it. Most of my friends have had their kids already and don't want anymore...but there is always Raine. Oh Raine....a hem....think it over. You know how I spoil my Rue! Don't even suggest I get a pet and name it! It's not the same and you know it!

Well, I better go work on my list of suggestions for my Sister. She'll turn them all down, but that's OK...its just fun getting her all worked up about it.

Don't get excited...I'm not back yet.

I guess you have all figured out that I have not been in the blogging mood. Yeah, well, I'm still not, so doing get excited or anything. I didn't even remind everyone of my birthday...I know, shocker.

Eventually I'll get back with the program. It maynot be this week or next week but sooner or later I'll feel inspired and won't feel like I have other things that I need to do instead.

I just need some inspiration.

Your rainbow is shaded white.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is says about you: You are a contemplative person. You appreciate quiet moments. People depend on you to make them feel secure.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

I suffered a tramatic event

It's true and I may never be the same.

I shutter at the thought of what happened.

Yep, a chill just ran up my spine. Not a good chill.

There are some things you are never meant to see.

There are things that you never dream of thinking of and thus never prepare yourself for.

I should have had a heads up, a warning...better yet, I shouldn't have had to deal with it at all.

All I have to say is that its a good thing I couldn't get the pictures from that SD card to download onto the home computer and had to put them on the laptop instead. On the home computer you have to check each and every picture you want to save...on the laptop, the picture just quickly flashes on the screen and is saved automatically.

I wasn't paying much attention really, but there was a sudden flash of something that drew my attention toward the screen...OMG, I shouldn't have looked up, but I did...and I saw way to much skin. I didn't see any "junk" if you know what I mean, but then again, I was to busy squeezing my eyes closed and screaming "MY EYES, MY EYES!"

I wonder if Workers Comp covers this kind of thing.

It totally should.

Excuse me while I go pray now...or heavily medicate myself, perhaps both at the same time. I'm kidding about the self medicating, I don't do that, but the idea of it sounds good right now.

My Cousin had her baby!

Aaryn Scott Kaster was born today at 4:17 PM. He is 7 lbs 2 oz. Aaryn and his Mommy Shannon are doing well. Pictures to follow...as soon as my Mom visits them tomorrow and takes a few and actually downloads them and sends them my way! I'll share them when they arrive!

I forgot...but guess who just remembered!

I never posted my X-mas ornaments for the Annual Christmas Ornie Exchange. Yep, 2008 snuck right past me and I never showed you what my primary ornament was this year. Its from a needle punch kit that I came across on sale at the craft store. I thought, "HEY- there is something I've never tried!" Yep and that's what the gals got and a few other people. I think I'm going to try to make a punch art design with Rue's name in it and have it framed for her bedroom. Then of course, I'll have to do the same with the new baby's room Let's just hope that my Sister keeps her name choice in check and picks a name with minimal letters. Which means, don't tell her I'm doing this or it will be a long name. Which reminds me...I need to go research names that have a flower or herb connection like Rue's did. I'm not happy with my Sister's choice in names this time around.

College admissions and April Fools Day

OK, no joking about this...but Sam got into some great schools. Yale turned him down but that's OK, because he got into Princeton, Harvard, Cornell, NorthWestern,Duke, NYU, and I think Columbia. He was wait listed at Brown and Penn. All in all, a good selection to choose from. He hasn't decided yet, but I have a funny feeling that he will go to Harvard. He's a legacy there and it seemed like his face lit up the most when he opened that email. Time will tell though.

As for April Fools Day. I don't have a lot of fun stuff planned. I have a headache so I don't want to go to all the effort to get something set up. Oh, OK, I lined Sam's bed, under the sheets and pillow case with tin foil and waxed paper. Hehe...so he's going to think that he managed to go the whole day without me getting him and then he's going to have the loudest bed in town.

Oh yeah, to day is my Cousin Shannon's due date. I spoke to her, no movement on the baby front. It looks like we won't have a April Fools Baby afterall....though there is still time left, but considering he hasn't dropped yet, its unlikely. The Doctor is going to give her a little time, since everything is going so well and if there is not action later...he'll induce. I can't wait! She's going to have natural childbirth...lol, oh, the filthy words that will be flying around the room that day! I wonder if we can get her Mom to make a voice recording. That could be fun to listen to.

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.