Thank you Martha

I made several dish towel aprons compliments of Martha Stewart. I really wanted to give gifts I made this year. Everyone needs aprons (THANK YOU APRONISTAS!!) I am going to make a modified one for Erin so it fits and one for Tim so its BBQ ready. I found several nice ones at KMart and the rest at the Dollar Store of all places. Not bad for like 30 min worth of work.

Making Garb

I received 8 yards of Salmon Linen from Lily. Linen. I couldn't cut it, I was terrified. Anything with Linen scares me. So I gave min and I did it. I cut the damn thing. I wanted new garb for investiture and Erin decided she needed to help me. She sat on the table and helped me pin and cut the fabric. She also thought it needed something and started adding scraps.

this makes me giggle

I work with guys like this. This makes me giggle.

How many days??

So here is the plan for the next week and a half (deep breath)....
Tonite - give in to the fact I do not have the time to make Truffles for Investiture . Sad as it sounds, I just don't have the time. So, I will plan out the baking for Sunday tonite.

Thursday - Pick up plants from school, work and then watch the kids (I love the kids.. I hope Lex makes me Soup!)

Friday - Get stuff together for Saturday and stop feeling like shit (stupid cold). Ship Val's gift and get Mom's present

Saturday - Relax at Investiture (ha!). Maybe I can sneak out and get his stocking stuff after Dinner (please be done by 6:30!!)

Sunday - while Hubby is out Shopping, Erin and I will get Baking stuff and start making some Placzek and cookies.

Monday - Work lots and finish the X-mas presents

Tuesday - all day meeting and food is provided (remember to bring said Placzek).

Wednesday - Work lots more

Thursday - 1pm and 6 pm - SCHOOL PLAY... BRING VIDEO CAMERA!!

Friday - Bake 24 mini Placzeks and a few more big ones..

Saturday - freak out and get/make food for Xmas Eve

Sunday - get stuff together for Xmas Eve

Monday - Freak out more and have a drink FINALLY

Tuesday - Watch my Kid scream with delight at what Santa brought

Wednesday - Dentist appt for the kid then DO NOTHING BUT PLAY TILL JAN 2nd!!


is it over yet?

Work in progress

Sorry for the rapid changes and the sort of strange header image. I'm working on a new design (thanks Charlie) and its in progress.

blood on the gifts

without fail, I have cut myself when working on a sewing project.

1) Erin's Hat and scarf - no blood - safe
2) 5 covers for the guild... still safe
3) Rabbit hat ..... yet safe still
4) present for Sam.... after working on it for an hour and when I decided to stop THATS when I get a nice slice on my finger.

Damn.....

Still.. not bad for an afternoon. I still have to finish Erin's hat and scarf (bright green like the Grinch at her request). And I need to get going on some other smaller presents....

December 1st and I'm already stressing about timelines.

NOTE TO SELF : START CHRISTMAS PRESENTS IN JUNE

Holidays and a 4 year old

Its like 5 days before Thanksgiving and of course, the streets have the Christmas banners, stores are decorated and some TV shopping shows are totally decorated for Christmas. I stopped on one this morning to see what they were pitching.

"Mom, its not even Thanksgiving! They can't do that! They have to wait until AFTER Thanksgiving." says the 4 year old bright eyed and bushy tailed at 7:30 AM.

"can't do what?" says I half asleep on the chair next to her.

"They decorated for Christmas! Its too early. They HAVE to wait for AFTER Thanksgiving" she says will all the power of an attorney.

Wow I thought. The 4 year old who declares "I want that for Christmas" with every toy ad on TV has observed the simple fact that its just too damn early for Christmas marketing. She's so smart.

Now I have to admit something. Friday I WANTED to hear Holiday music. Like Bing or Julie Andrews.. the stuff I grew up on thanks to my Mom and Dad. Well, mostly Dad who listened to WJYE on the way home from Grandma's house every Saturday or Sunday. They played the ''classics" from the 50's all the time and at Christmas played tons of Holiday music. It was cold and snowed a bit (not sticking but flakes were visible). I wanted to hear Christmas music. With some luck, I found a Best Of Bing CD in the car and it had 3 songs on it. I cried for some reason.

Blogging for Dollars

You may have seen the PayPerPost banner on the side. Yes, I joined the ranks and I actually like it. You heard me. I want to get paid for the time I spend reading the web :)

I found PayPerPost through one of the guys I work with who mentioned different types of WebAdvertising and I was curious. Get paid to blog about stuff? You have got to be kidding!!!So you mean I could actually make money from visiting other sites and if I like it and give a good review, I’d get paid? NO WAY!

It’s all true. I don't have to blog about everything and anything (I'm particular). I can pick and choose from what I want to review and if I don't see one I like, I wait a few days. I find some pretty interesting links and what is the best way to spread the word about new products? Word of Mouth.And I represent a pretty important consumer base – A thirthsomething female with a full time job who happens to be a wife, daughter, friend and a Mom of a pre-schooler .If I can help other Mom’s in my place find a good place to save money or get help, I plan on telling everyone I know .Thank you PayPerPost!

Adventures with Teddy

One of the rewards in class is being able to take home Teddy fir the weekend. We have to journal what we did with Teddy and his adventures are shared with the class. So far, Teddy has

1) Went through a car wash

2) Went to Subway for Lunch

3) took a nap in the car

Now, Erin and Teddy are getting ready for a sleepover at Tommy's. More adventures to come!

Let the Shopping Begin!!

Now that Halloween is over, Christmas has taken over my mind this year. Forget Thanksgiving. I want to get my shopping done now. Granted, we are about 50% done (thanks Honey!!) but I still have several people to buy for.

The ultimate questions looms over my head "You have Friday Nov. 23 off..... do I want to go shopping??"

Maybe. Yes, I said maybe. The last few years I got screwed out of some really good deals because I waited to go shopping. I could have saved a lot but I hate Black Friday. I used to work in the mall and I know the pain. BUT, I never had a plan. Just before we had the kid, we actually braved the crowds and my god!!! We got a really good sale at BestBuy on a PC Monitor. The problem was my plan was made that morning. I don't have that kind of spontaneity. I need a battle plan for the thanksgiving ads that disappear with 4 year old in the house. And do I really want to brave the stores? SHOP ONLINE!!!! Yes.... make them bring it to me. It may be snowing and I hate shopping wearing the winter gear.

Now all I need to do make sure I know WHAT I'm getting before the sales start.. hmmmm..... where is the Big Toy Book

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Happy Halloween from Us to you!

Survival of the fittest

This weekend was nuts. Two birthday parties for Erin in 2 days. Saturday being her classmates and Sunday being Lexi's. Now, granted, Sunday was a family one as Lexi is my niece. Saturday on the other hand -- we have now entered into the next phase of parties. Drop off and come back later.

I've done this only with family. This was a first and I admit was a bit nervous. 15 little girls running around puts me on edge. Erin was remarkable well behaved and when I went to get her, she only debated the amount of time she could stay once and when I called her, she apologized for not hearing me. Overall, she did really well and had a good time. Me on the otherhand, was a nervous wreck and was beat by the time Sunday came around. Thanks to MiMi for a wonderful dinner.

16 straight days of a good kid (minus the occasional whine, but hey, she got over it herself). It feels like the calm before the storm and I'm waiting it. I could be wrong. I hope I am. I'm tired of feeling sick to my stomach until 2:30pm every day waiting for a phone call. Just be GREEN bear, GREEN.

Zombie Bazooka Patrol - Zombie Shake

Guilty Mommy moment. Found this band and with it being Halloween and all (and having a best friend who has thing for Zombies), I needed to post this.

No worries for 6 months!

Just got back from the dentist. I had a phobia for so long about dentists. Every time I went, I had some work that needed to be done. The idea of mouth pain makes me sick.

NOT TODAY!!!! Had my cleaning and for the 2nd time in a row......wait for it... NO CAVITIES!! Just need to watch an old filling that may need to be replaced.

I have a new tooth brush and I am a happy girl. Its pink. Mine.. all mine.

Knight beat up by 4 year olds

Knight beat up by 4 year olds


Originally uploaded by melblackrose Sir Otto was beat by 3 four year olds. He had no chance of getting away. Poor guy.

More Scroll Work

Here are attempts 2 and 3 of some practice scrolls.

#2 - Based on 15th Cent. French- this is my fav



#3 - Not sure and I'm not fond of the colors but hubby liked this one better.

First Scroll Attempt - not so good

Here is my first Illumination attempt
Vining sucks
its too big
and I can't color in the lines....

Kid vs Candy

kid verses candy

Note - 90+ degree weather and chocolate. Bad mix

Multimedia message

YEAH! IT WORKED! I can blog from my phone. Wait. that could be bad.

Story behind the picture. Park. Water. Bread. Ducks. Massive amounts of Ducks coming on land to eat said bread from hands of 4 year olds. Oh the glee..

First Day of School Part 1

Its 7:40 and we will leave in about 20 min to go to school. Real school. Not day care. School. Damn, I'm gonna cry.

Today is only a half day - 11:30 dismissal. Not terrible, but strange. I remember having to go to school all day on the first day. Boy, times have changed.

I woke Erin up and she immediately got dressed. New dress and shoes. She's currently laying upside down on the couch waiting. She wants to be alone.