Erin Dancing at Masked Ball

on my honor....

She's offically a Daisy Girl Scout. The ceremony was simple and short. She got her pins and was so excited, she couldn't stop smiling. She's been going every other Monday for 2 months and has worked on 3 badges (which I still have to add to her vest).

Just playing

Just playing with color on an image. She's still a cutie

just to note

rain, gloomy days, depression and ho hos are not a good mix. just saying....

in search of free fabric scraps

In the ever eternal quest to save money, I refuse to spend money on clothes for me, my kid or her dolls. More so, her dolls. I will gladly make the child a Halloween costume and not buy it.

The cost for this was about $15 for the dress as opposed to the $30+ I'd pay at a store. The tights were extra and can be worn whenever (yes, she will, i know my kid). Not bad.. its cute and bright and whimsical.

So, for Christmas, I want to expand the doll clothes collection. I have the patterns but little fabric that is current. I have enough to do a patch work skirt and a halloween costume. I'd like to make some period clothes for her Elizabeth doll ( I found the patterns) but I'm lacking fabric.

Anyone have scraps of fabric they want to part with?

she tried

Erin has been on a "I can braid" kick. She tried to do her own hair. This is what the outcome was. Not bad if you ask me. I did have to redo it but I soon won't have to do her hair at this rate.

Baby Cakes

Saturday was Mary and Barb's baby Shower for Grace. I was honored to make the cake. Its a 3 tier pound cake with white frosting. I used Mom and Dad's recipes and it came out tasty. The frosting didn't come out as smooth and I need to play with the frosting a bit but overall, it was good.

Would I do it again? Not this big but maybe for Erin or Tim's birthday.

Pumpkin Tim

A few weekends ago Erin and I went apple picking at Blackman Farms. I adore this farm. They have wonderful pumpkins, great apple trees and a small area for the kids to run. Its a FARM... with real animals. You can even get a real turkey or side of cow. This picture is of the pumpkins.. they are PERFECT pumpkins. Thank you Blackman farms.

1st Day of School!

Its the 1st day of school for the kid and she's now in the 1st grade and gets to wear a uniform.
She was so excited, we had to be at the bus stop almost 20 minutes early. She recited all the rules she knows she HAS to follow while we waited. I have never seen a kid so excited about the bus. I wished her luck and she was was on that bus before the aid could get off!

This was outside our building.

This was outside our building.
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

Better Packing

I've done this trip enough to know how to pack and I messed up. In order to take the least amount possible, I totally missed a day for a shirt. And a long sleeved shirt. Those rooms get cold.

So off to the mall I went yesterday. Macys. I now LOVE Macys. And I bought 5 pieces (4 shirts and a cami) for $49. There was a sale and I took full advantage of it getting 2 tees at $4.99 each.

Speaking of the mall. When I went on Monday, there was someone walking around with what appeared to be secret service. Ear pieces and all. I couldn't get around them at one point. I have NO idea who it was. Not a clue. Secret Service, in the Fair Oaks Mall. Silly.

Where did the summer go?

I just found out that Soccer ends next week. I'm happy because that means I get to have my nights free again. I'm sad because all I'll hear from Erin is "I'm bored...". what can you do?

But really, where did the summer go? Its already August. I need to finish getting school supplies and shirts for school. And shoes.. and a backpack. I've already dropped $180 on uniforms. I just hope that they will last 2 years.

Today the lawn needs to be done.. again. The house needs to be cleaned... again. I really wanted to do something fun today. Roller Skating maybe. I doubt that will happen...

Here's Johnny!

At the one hotel we stay at in VA, the hallway looks strangely like the one from the Shining. Whenever I walked out of my room I swear I'd see the kid on the big wheels come down the hall or the twins at the other end.

Awesome

Hulkamania never died.

Prince of Darkness

At Erin's Dance reherasal, we had to go down an alley to get to the back of the stage.
If you have seen the movie "The Prince of Darkness", this alley looks like the one where Alice Cooper and his gang of homeless crazy people attach the one guy with a bike.

awesome.

Vacation Recap

Its about time I recapped our Vacation. The trip down was about 8 hrs. Note- when traveling with Erin, add like 2 hours to the trip. She knew the trip was long but not that long. It should have taken about 6 (including a stop for lunch). Columbus was hot. 90 degrees and no relief. Erin was amazed by the room. Our view was the best




I forget she hasn't been in many Hotels (she's been in one). The convention itself was awesome. We tried a bunch of new games and Erin got a chance to Demo a bunch as well. Several made their way home too. She also was introduced to painting Minis. I had to tear her away from the table. The convention also had a kid's room where they could go and we didn't have to stay! I actually got to go play a game with Tim and I tried the Mech Warrior video game - it was awesome. Expensive but awesome. All in all, a good convention.



The down time we wandered over to the North Market. Its what the Broadway Market should be. But they did have wonderful ice cream.

There was a nice pub near the hotel and I got hard cider. Yipee!!

We did find Mongolian BBQ which was really good (b.d. mongolian). And we did end up ordering room service. Erin was all over that.

I think the highlight was the Columbus Zoo - best zoo ever. The exhibits were fantastic and well planned out. They had misters at certain points - for the animals and the people. Here's Tim and Erin at the Chimps. It should have been by the Gorillas.


We never even made it to the Water Park or Jack's Landing (amusement park). It was that big. My favorite part - feeding the Lorikets.

Ok, second best part - going to Joe's Crab Shack. nomnomnom.... here's Erin getting down with the server during a musical break.



On Monday we headed over to COSI (the Science Museum) and got in for free. YAH reciprocal program. They had some really nice hands on stuff and an Egyptian exhibit. So freaking cool.
All in all, it was a really good trip.

Would I do it again? Yes but with a case of water and Iced tea.

Talk about hostas

Talk about hostas

Almost There

Its Thursday. I am off tomorrow and have only 2 more days of work till Vacation.

I need a Vacation. Like.. 2 days ago.

mmmmrrrrrrr.......

6 days and counting

So I live .. so far.

Survived my Birthday.
Made it through the Fundraiser event at school.
Had a good time at Champs
Did some gardening for Mom but not my own.
Soccer is well underway
The team won last night
Coming up....
Rehearsal for the Recital is tomorrow and Friday
Saturday Is the Recital
Sunday is Father's Day
Monday and Tuesday is Soccer and somewhere in there, I need to figure out what we are taking with us on the trip.

Is it vacation yet???

Day 2

More treadmill today. 30 min- 1.5 miles at 3. The foot was in pain. Would have gone longer but needed to get back to work.

We had a surprise firedrill so I got to walk up the stairs. Fun. No. Not really.

Back is dealing with the pain. As long as I don't sit for too long and the hips are tucked under, I'm good.

Ok. Work. Gotcha.

Day 1

Yes, I joined the gym. I went. 30 minutes later, I am pooped. 20 min on the treadmill (Walk - I am no runner). 5 min on the Eliptical (never been on it before and wanted to try it..) and 5 on the Bike (cause I loves the bike). I just wanted a solid 30 min ...

I am sorely out of shape. I'm going to be a puddle for a bit.

Cutting the line

we went to the Caz Carnival. Erin loved the slide. She always had. Heck, we even went on the Gravitron together. Yes.. she's 6. She's already a ride freak.

So, here she is cutting the line.

Loose Teeth Vintage Inspired Sundress with Petticoat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Loose Teeth Vintage Inspired Sundress with Petticoat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Oh I so want this! If I ever had a free moment, I would try to make this, but alas, time isn't something I have right now. I adore the 40's and 50's style dresses (I have one on I found at Sears of all places).

Cake

We celebrated mom's and Erin's birthday together. Ice Cream cake was in order.
Notice the pop.. and the Ice Cream.. SUGAR RUSH!
After 2 pieces she was bouncing off the walls. Yea Birthdays!

My Girl

While on vacation this Spring break, we went to Rochester for the day. On the agenda was the Strong National Museum of Play. We had a blast playing and looking at old toys.

Before we left, I was able to get one shot of me and Erin. We are sitting on the Seseme Street steps.

She's 6 and still loves to hang on me. She kept petting the side of my face while we were taking the picture.

Are we there yet?

In roughly 8 hours, I will be on vacation. Yes.. Vacation. I am sitting here staring at my monitor contemplating the course of action that needs to be taken today.

I'm not getting very far. Instead I'm making lists of what to do next week.

And I'm hungry.

Time for coffee. Coffee makes everything better.

I <3 Roku

My husband is the best. For Christmas we got the Roku - paired with Netflix.. I shall never want for another DVD again.

I have the option to watch pretty much anything I want. Horror, comedy, documentary.... If you took a look at what we watch, you'd see a ton of Kid shows. The child has a new found love of cartoons.. particularly cartoons we don't normally get. So she is currently laying on the couch recovering from being sick and watching every episode of Johnny Test and the Fairly GodParents. She has also watched the Addams Family, the Munsters, the Replacements, The Emperors New School and Growing up Creepy. Who needs Tivo...

because of Roku, I can work. She is quietly chilling like all sick kids should. Although, if I have to watch the Replacements again, I will scream.

glass

It was so nice today, Erin and I went for a walk to the park after dinner. This is a crap shoot. The park near the house is very convenient but deadly.
1) Glass all over the place
2) random on fire trash cans
3) glass
4) kids who think its ok to swear
5) glass

Did I say glass? The local teens feel the need to drink in the park and proceed to throw the glass bottles on the ground, breaking them and not caring. There is a garbage can in the park (most of the time anyways).
Think about it for a minute. Playground = kids. kids = playing. playing= falling down. glass + falling down = very very bad. On the outside of the park along the fence someone broke a mirror. A fairly large one. WTF?

So I started picking up the glass. And then the looks started from the other parents and the kids on the court. It was either "what is that crazy lady doing?" or "She's a nut and a bitch". I even got some of the kids to help. Not one parent helped.

Erin even said next time we go to the park, we need to bring a garbage bag and help and maybe the president will come to the park and give us an award. 'cause babies can't play on glass.

She's a smart kid. Glass may be better for the environment but its horrible for the playground.

Updates

I really have been too lazy to post anything. Between the PTA, Ice Dragon, work, March and the fact I am sick, blogging is the last thing on my mind.

Erin is now 6... yes 6. Grandma got her a Razor scooter for her birthday.. totally kewl.

I start a new job on Monday (same place, new position)

Pictures are forthcoming.. really. eventually. now its time for some needed snuggle time with the 6 year old. she does make me feel better.

deeply saddened

All of Buffalo and Western NY is deeply saddened this morning. Flight 3407 from Newark to Buffalo crashed in Clarence last night. All souls on board we lost including one on the ground. This happened in a residential area and could have been much worse. I'm friends with frequent fliers and they are all fine.

My prayers go out to those who died. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to the families and friends. WNY may be a region with a city, we certainly have a small town feel. This will affect us all for a very long time. There is a flight path over South Buffalo as well... incoming us it for the southerly approach. I can't help listening more closely now. I grew up right behind a small craft airport(small jets would land there too) and I never even imagined this could happen.

Weather in Washington

This made my day.  I've been int he DC/VA area during snow. They really have no idea what to do.

is it spring yet?

I am so done with the snow.  Really done.  I want to put the boots away for good and wear sandles and skirts.  

Not to mention I want to clean.  Really clean. Like if someone comes in as asks me for something, I will ignore them, then yell and throw something at them.  I get in those moods of Manic Cleaning.  Tim's a smart guy and leaves me alone.  I love him for that.  The kid and the cats don't get it.

Its time to purge.  

Tooth # 2

Tooth # 2 came out finally on Saturday January 17th. This one I had to pull out. She was brushing them before bed and said "Mom, why is my tooth and gum blue?". Yeah Blue. The gum was bleeding and the blood was pooling underneath the tooth. It had to go. She's getting so big.

Accomplishments

This weekend I got in the mail a pattern for 18 inch doll clothes. I flat out refuse to pay $30 for a dress for a doll when I won't pay that much for me. I have a bunch of scrap fabric and I know where to get half a yard pretty cheap. All I needed was a good pattern. Well I have 3 packs of patterns now.

This one was a simple peasant dress and we opted for a Valentine pattern (its what I had). Snaps in the back and some lovely lace from Aunt Sammy (Thanks Sam! you saved the day!). Its outfit # 2 that I've made and I think it came out just fine.

The kid has requests for more so expect some more American Girl shots. oh joy...

"Yes we can"

That statement echos today on every news channel. Today is a long awaited day. A new beginning. Barack Obama becomes the 44th president of the US.

I'm sure the news channels will have coverage and Twitter and Facebook will be alive with comments.

All I can say to Mr. Obama is "Good Luck Mr. President."

way cold...

I don't mind the winter. Its the cold that kills me. Its 7 degrees and feels like -13. So we have a "snow" day today and they are off on Monday. Its been a morning of Doctor Who and the Addams family.

My kid is strange. But I love her

Back to work. Calls await....

Welcome 2009

We were fortunate enough to have Tim's niece babysit the kid last night so we were able to go out to party. Yes. An adult party. with booze. and music. WOOHOO! Tim's sister and girlfriend have a huge party every year and I missed last year. Some unexpected friends made an appearance as well which made the night even better.

My plans for this year? I have no idea. None. Plans for today. Coffee. Movies on the couch and laundry. Fun day.

Happy New year all.