giving up

The dining room is done. The Bathroom is done. I am done. I can't breathe! Damn freaking dust. All thats left is Laundry (sort, fold and more washing). That I can tackle tonight. So now, its Coffee and a movie while I regain hold of my sinuses.

The Young Victoria is in order I do believe.

crazy cats and sneezing

I have to use 2 vacation days that I moved in order to complete some project at work. Yes, everything is scheduled for the month of December.

I opted to take today to clean the dining room as I have some 200 boxes of cookies coming tomorrow.

2 hours into the cleaning I can't stop sneezing (yes mom, I will dust more). While taking my break (and to blog this), my cats are going nuts. I tossed a wind breaker on the ground (yes yes yes, i know, why didn't you jut hang it up? 'cause its project #4.... so shush). Now, I'm watching Ribbon go nuts jumping onto the windbreaker - it makes noise. Spaz Kitty!!

Dining room is almost done. Laundry is started. Sigh... not how I wanted to spend my day off but I do get to spend it in peace and I meditate while I clean ... Ommmmm I will have a clean home..Ommmmm

happy halloween!

I dressed up for work. I'm a Geisha. And yes, I made the Kimono. The hair is a wig, not mine thank goodness.

So everyone knows, my face is itching like a fiend! But I look good and I have the Halloween spirit.

retail therapy

There is something to be said about going to Amvets and finding something you have been looking for.

I have been on a quest to get a tan overcoat. I refuse to pay more than $20 . I'm frugal. So there, on the rack was a hook! Holding my coat (teehee). For $10.98, a Lands End trench. My size. No stains or rips. How can I say no? I was fortunate as it started to rain just as I was leaving.

I checked out the current coats at Lands End. I think I may have saved a bundle! The coats run $60 to $120... I paid $11. You do the math.

halloween homemade

On some blog somewhere, I found that someone (sheer genius) took a piece of muslin for a table cloth and then embroidered the corner with a spider web. Simple. Creepy.

I wanted to do it. So Thank you Dollar Tree, I found the flour sack towels. All I did was embroider the web and spider in the corner. Its now proudly hanging in my kitchen as a valance over my blinds.

I need to do a second one. Erin wants a bat. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend

(photo to come as soon as I get a chance).

books and a guardian angel

Someone left me a bag of Celtic books and some other goodies. Strangely, there are the very items I need. The books have the basic celtic knotwork designs and images for me to use for a scroll for Erin along with some embroidery things I want to do.

Here's the deal.. I have no idea who left it for me. I wasn't at the event and my friend took it for me for me. All she remembers is 1)she was tall 2) blonde and 3) never saw her before.

I can not for the life of me figure out who it is. This person used my SCA name.. so... yeah. no idea.

To whomever it was.. THANK YOU!!

fall

Its time to start this again. Life is winding down in some areas and gearing up in others.

The kiddo is in 2nd grade and has a new responsibility of making sure homework is written down and completed, none of this pre-printed stuff. So we are thrust into the world of "did you do your homework?". Joy.

I'm also tightening the budget more and looking for alternate ways of doing things. One that surprised me was getting rid of shampoo and conditioner. Replace the shampoo with Baking Soda and use a Vinegar/water mix for the conditioner. I used it this morning. I have to say, my hair feels clean is soft. And no, it doesn't smell. Both of these options are very inexpensive so I'm going to stick with them for a while and see. Tim won't do it.. But maybe I can convince the kiddo to do it. She is partial to the smelly conditioners. I'll be posting on how that goes over the next week or so since its going to be a long term experiment.

I've also been trying to do something with my tomatoes. Since I'm not a huge fan of eating them and Tim can only eat so many, I have resorted to freezing them. I'd love to learn to can them but that will have to wait. It’s a process I've read about but haven't been able to put it into practice. I need some tools too. So for now, I have several bags of frozen tomatoes. The oregano came in quite nice this year and I've that drying. The Rosemary not so much but it’s the first year. My poor pepper plants just wouldn't grow. I got 2 green ones and a red one that fell off early and didn't get a chance to change. :( I will try again next year.. Maybe onions too. But I need to research that one first to see what is involved.

There just hasn't been enough time to go the farmer's markets with Events and family things going on every weekend. I wanted to get some more berries to freeze but I missed it. But Damn, I will get to Blackman Farms next week for apples. That is a must. I'm also looking for a good deal on pork and beef raised locally. That can freeze and since we don't eat the meat as often we did, it could last quite a while.

Rummy

In prep for the trip, I got a deck of cards from the Dollar store. You'd think in this house, we'd have tons. Nope.

I cracked them open and started playing Solitaire. Erin became interested and helped. She had seen Papa play and wanted to learn herself. After some lesson, I went to go finish dinner. Upon walking back into the living room, I find her playing Solitaire herself.

Just before bedtime, she wanted to play "Goldfish"... Go Fish. After a few matches, it was War. Now, she seem interested. I think its time to introduce Rummy to her.

I play on and off. Only with my Mom. I was about Erin's age when I learned to play at my Grandmother's house. We'd play on the sun porch and we'd keep score all summer long. She'd kick my ass. I stopped playing just because thats what you do when you are a kid. Now, I'm bringing it back. I've re-read the rules and I think I remember them. I'll jot a few notes down before we leave and then give it a whirl with the 7 year old. I figure its a nice time sink when you are camping and need to kill time.

Mom, expect a phone call in the next day or so to clarify the rules.

alseep

The Kiddo is passed out on my lap after watching Doctor Who and insisting on wearing the skirt I just made her for Pennsic.

She's too cute when she is sleeping on me. She may be 7 but she's my baby gir

planning

For you Mom, since I don't update this often enough. And Sam, I know you read this too.

Pennsic prep is well underway. This will be the kiddo's first vacation away from Tim and no TV on top of it. No DS, no radio... It will be interesting. I think we'll need to find a kid friendly drum circle to let her wiggle a bit.

My clothes are mostly ready. Once more check of garb and I should be good. Then I just need to add in the mundane essentials. And shoes. I will forget shoes. For Erin, well... we are working on it. She has 3 tunics, a viking, jammies, hood and a cloak (that needs to be hemmed a lot). I am making her 2 more tunics, 2 skirts... I'm almost there.. I think. 3 weeks.. I can do it.

Not to mention I have an AOA to do as well. NO FREAKING GOLD THIS TIME! and a Knighting and another AOA... ok. Sew first.. then scroll. Food and Packing and then I can focus on the 2 out of kingdom scrolls.

Yep, I am rambling. What more do you want from some who has a pile of fabric cut and pieced sitting in her living room. And a tent and popup in the dining room.. and a tote of food that is marked " DO NOT OPEN 'TILL WAR!".

The sewing for tonight has stopped due to hand issues. I've been hand sewing to stay cool. Big mistake. 2 coifs and a skirt, lining in a coat ... and teaching Erin to hand sew.

Now I have cat next to me, so typing is a challenge. So there is where I am and where I am headed. Crazy.. as usual.

in a hurry

There is a woman whom I often run into during the morning rush in. She must live near me because I have been behind her or she's driving in front of me... very fast. I do believe she is trying to read my bumper stickers but need new glasses if you know what I mean.

So this morning she was right behind me and weaved her way in and out to get ahead. With all that hurried driving, her parking spot was... one away from mine.

I stroll into the building and she's impatiently waiting for the elevator. I opted for the other one. Hmmm.. Mine arrived the same time as hers. And she pushed her way onto the elevator first (no doubt she stood right by the floor buttons).

Sigh... I've seen her do this on more than one occasion. I've given up rushing in most cases. Its not worth it. She never smiles.. never seems happy. So with that, I am going to enjoy my drive this evening and get there when I get there.

elevator antics

I truly dread the elevator in our office. There are 4 on our wing - 2 go to our floor and up. Now.. we are on the 5th floor and the top in 10.

Morning - The regulars know the routine... let those who need to scan their cards scan them and then press the button. While that is happening, you wait. Patiently. The others see it fit to push their way onto the elevator and push you out of the way while you try to press your floor. Not to mention the fact they don't move to the back of the elevator. For heaven's sake.. if you are on floors 8, 9 or 10.. do you really need to stand by the door? And when I am shoved to the back of the elevator, don't glare at me when I try to get out.

4:30 pm- Good Luck. This is the prime GO HOME time for 10, 9, 7 and 6. There have been countless times when, as soon as the door opens on 5, the mass of groans and complaints surface. Not to mention I'm lucky if I can get on the elevator. There is either no room or someone is button happy and closes the door on me.
This is not your personal elevator folks. Manners, please.

And before anyone says "why don't you take the stairs?".. we can't. The stairs are emergency exits only. This is total suckage.

The only bright side is that a few gentlemen actually will allow the women on or off first, hold the door and are polite. But only just a few.

rag curls

I bit the bullet last night and tried rag curls. Needless to say, with my hair being so short, I have accomplished a very tight curl. I only tried the back of the head so I think tonight I will try the rest of the hair. I used the soft foam curlers and well... can we say curly?

Yes Mom.... I am crazy and tried rag curls. Now, if I can just get the kiddo to sit still...

skipping rocks

I never mastered the art of skipping rocks. She was trying and then just wanted to see how far she could throw.

tgif

This week has been.. well.. interesting. I am convinced someone once said to me "May you live in interesting times". This week proved it.

I can't give much detail but I had to do something this week that I really dreaded doing. But it was something that had to be done. Kind of like going to the dentist (that's next week) or going to the Girlie doctor. You just HAVE to do it. Well, I did it. I was prepared. Concise. And passionate. I channeled my best friend who happens to be a lawyer to make sure I stayed focused (and looked good too). And I lived.

Along the way, I have gotten to know some people as well. People I never intended on knowing.

So to lighten the mood.. here's a shot of me and kiddo. School held an International Food fest and our country was Sweden. ABBA was playing in the room. yeah.. ABBA. thus the Viking helmet and braids.

helper

More on the hedge saga (i actually just forgot this bit as my arms are still killing me)

While I was outside mowing the lawn on Monday, the Kiddo comes out and asks if she can make some Pink Lemonade - you know, those little single serve packs you add to a water bottle.
I said sure.. told her how to do it and off she went. Not 5 minutes later, she returns with a water bottle for me. Hands it to me...I was for me.

I drank it without thinking and thanked her from the bottom of my heart. She wasn't prompted to bring me something to drink. She did it all on her own.

As it turns out, the drink was supposed to be lemonade... the regular kind. It tasted off so I asked her how she made it. And there I see the empty Lemonade Kool-ade pack on the counter. She used the whole thing in the water bottle. No sugar. She thought it was the same as what she had.

I told her it didn't matter. I like lemon water.. I added a little sugar and it was fine.

My kid... for all that she messes up on...she more than makes up for it when she does stuff like this.

vintage

I have been on a vintage kick of late. Specifically the 1940's clothes. Now, given I am not a small or medium NOR do I have unlimited amounts of cash, I have to work with what I have and go for a vintage style.

With luck, I own several items already that I can use and Old Navy had some dresses I can use. Also, Target had knee socks.. that I can pull to my knee. I know! Crazy.

Hair is easy. I have short style now so Curlers and fake victory roll is in order. Red lipstick. Check.

So far, I can pull it off.. but I would love more. The day dresses are so nice to wear around the house and super comfortable too.

Pictures to come as soon as I charge the batteries on the camera.

woman vs hedges

It all started a few years ago when we tackled the hedges with a chain saw. It was nice for that summer then well, they grew back. These hedges are very tall and wide so getting to middle of them is hard. I usually trim the fronts and Tim does the top.

So yesterday, I was sitting outside with the Kiddo and I happened to look at one section that has been dying. Some weed of some sort strangled the hedge and one section is dead and another is half gone. I made the mistake of making a clean spot. So 30 minutes later, the dead area was cleared and the half dead was pruned. It was 5 pm by now so I got to thinking "why can't I just start trimming the hedges?". So I did. The section along side the driveway is almost where I want it and I rounded off the corner to the sidewalk. There is almost no green on them yet so I was cutting branches and it made for very easy work. If the weather is nice this weekend, I will work on it some more.

There are a few more spots that are dead or dying so I think I may yank them out. It will thin them out just enough. Whoever planted them originally planted them way too close together.

slacker

I am a total slacker with the blog. With Facebook and Twitter, I have learned to condense my thoughts to 140 characters or less.

I promise more posts. really. Things may slow down a bit in life so I may just find a few minutes to post pictures of the kiddo and stories of her crazy ideas.

really... I promise.

April Fools Continues

Its been awhile. But all I have to say is its April 3 and its day 3 of summer like weather. Its 9:30 am and 71 degrees. I am sitting in my driveway with the kiddo. she's playing and I am surfing the net (equivalent to reading the paper I suppose) and drinking coffee.

Ok..so she went back in the house. I am soaking in the sun a little bit longer...