Boy I'm writeative today!

On the topic of cousins...

I wish we all lived closer so we could throw the whole gaggle of goobers together more often. Can you imagine all 10 together? Yes dad, you have 10 grandchildren!

My two goobs are so funny when it comes to cousins. A insists that Cousin R is "his" cousin, while Cousin T is M's. For some reason those are the only two names they remember. They're always talking about Cousin T and Cousin R. Now just to get them to remember Cousins M, I, E, S, C and Cousin YTBN (Yet To Be Named - when the time is right that is.)

Need to have a big ol' picnic somewhere with all the picnic-type goodies.

I've figured it out!

I know why I'm so antsy... I want to create. I want to sew, I want to quilt, I want to make a big mess and have something ultimately wonderful and meaningful to show for it.

I think that's what I'll do. I'll quit my job and become a Creator. No, I do not mean having more kids... that's a "big mess with something ultimately wonderful and meaningful I wish not to do again. I'm going to start my own little creative studio where I'll make things that I feel like making and maybe schlep them off to a farmer's market or craft show or somesuch thing... EGAD!!! I'm turning into my father! (love ya dad!!!!) I'll sew, quilt, bake, cook, etc and just have fun while making a few bucks on the side.

Of course I'll have to make time to do the "other geeky stuff" I like doing as well. You know... online RPG's, watching shows on Sci-fi and all those other fun channels too. I think I'd also have to make time to get my bum back on the erg (ergonomic rowing machine) and get in shape too.

Hey, maybe I can do a test run while on VACATION!! hehe.

Stir crazy

Getting anxious for vacation. No, I'm not going anywhere. Vacation in this family means you just don't go to work for an extended period of time.

3 weeks... ahhh... well, to be completely accurate. 26 consecutive days of no work. Ahhhhhh, I'm ready! Now I just have to get through the next 8+ days without completely losing it. I just want to be home with my family, enjoying the holiday season, enjoying their company, enjoying life together.

Now I know that it's not going to be perfect, some days are going to be stressed, rushed, whatever. And I know that my mind is painting a wonderful picture of my vacation that will most likely be way way way off from reality, but dangit... I don't care. I'm just ready for a good long time at home.

today's phrase:

Mommy you have to speak daddy's mind.

OMG I laughed so hard. He meant that I had to CHANGE daddy's mind. Still makes me giggle.

Then M and I had this conversation:
M: Cranberry, look mom, it's a compound word cran berry.
Me: no honey, cranberry is one word. Cran isn't a word on its own.
M: But berry?
Me: Cranberries are a type of berry like strawberry, blueberry, boysenberry...
M: And girlsenberry?

Love my kids!

A day late, but... happy thanksgiving

It was a pretty good day. We brined our turkey (OMG!!! Delicious & juicy!), made crescent rolls from scratch as well as a chocolate-vanilla mousse. M made the sides, corn & potatoes (not much more to do than open, stir & pop in the microwave). A helped to swirl the mousse.

The only thing that was bad about the day was that A was being a little crazy and tossed his stuffed lobster toy on top of his 6' stand-up halogen light. Yep, by the time I got there Lobster was smoking, almost to the point of flame. Poor kiddo was absolutely distraught. Somewhere I have to find a new lobster either for birthday or Christmas.

Ended the day watching White Christmas with the kiddos & then some history shows (Terry Jones' Barbarians - or something like that) with C. The first was really good & the second really irritated me - can you imagine what the world would have been like if the Romans hadn't screwed it up? Ok, that's a post for another time. Right now it's time to go to the park!

Do grumpy toads live in toilets?

Can I buy a singing dog?
Grampa's going to take me turkey hunting.
Tie me kangaroo down sport...
Can I read your book mommy? I'm a good reader.
Do kids and germs hand in hand?
Singing dogs sing at night.

Yes, these are parts of A's topics of conversation this morning... What an imagination!

so here it is...

the fish top... now just for the borders & backing. yay!

Gone fishin'

I'll actually get to go to my work Christmas party this year. While this normally isn't a big deal and I don't get too worked up over it, they've moved it forward so more people can participate and not have to come in during their vacations. So, in order to save a bit of money in participating this year I've decided to make a lap quilt out of the fabric scraps I've accumulated over the years. This is what I've come up with:

I'm hoping that it'll not be too frou-frou and that there will actually be some interest in it. I figured I'd tie it instead of quilt so that the green yarn adds a bit more to the fish/underwater theme. I'm also hoping to find some pre-quilted material that's inexpensive to use for the back. That'll help to thicken it up without me having to buy another whole thing of batting. Now to just get it done!

saving face

Faces are finally on M's doll quilt. Some have freckles, some don't. Eyes range in color from black and brown to blue and green. One step closer...

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

No, no snow.

*sigh*

I miss winter. I miss hot chocolate on cold days. I miss watching the snow fall. I miss coming in from the cold and having your body tingle as you get all warmed back up.

~but~

I don't miss driving on snow/ice. I don't miss my nose freezing shut. I don't miss...

Who am I kidding? I still miss it all. Well, except maybe the driving thing.

*sigh*

Getting to know me...

I was tagged from Jules to do this... and what the heck... seems like fun

1. Explain what ended your last relationship? Erm... me being thousands of miles away.

2. When was the last time you shaved? This morning before church

3. What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m.? See above question LOL

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago? Reading Jules' blog.

5. Are you any good at math? Yep. I love algebra... been awhile since I've used it much, but I remember being the weird one who really enjoyed math in school.

6. Your prom night? Not bad. My boyfriend at the time was stationed in Hawaii so I went with friends.

7. Do you have any famous ancestors? William the conquerer? Not sure if that was proven 100% yet. Someone or other from the Mayflower. Governor of Nebraska awhile back...

8. Have you had to take a loan out for school? Oh heaven's yes... paid off though

9. Do you know the words to the song on your myspace profile? I don't have one, so no.

10. Last thing received in the mail? paperwork from the Social Security Administration

11. How many different beverages have you had today? water, black cherry vanilla coke, rootbeer. Yikes! Need to drink more water!

12. Do you ever leave messages on peoples answering machines? Yeah, but sometimes I don't.

13. Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to? Erm? I couldn't tell you... I don't really know...

14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach? Yep.

15. What was the most painful dental procedure you have had? Root canal last spring.

16. What is out your back door? The world.

17. Any plans for Friday night? just gaming... yeah, I'm a gamer geek :)

18. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair? Yep... but haven't been there for years and years.

19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns? Nope, but I like the cheesy flavor.

20. Have you ever been to a planetarium? Yep, in or around Chapel Hill, NC.

21. Do you re-use towels after you shower? Yep.

22. Some things you are excited about? My kiddos, quilting, my Tivo & actually being able to watch shows! I'm currently into Top Chef while I await The Dresden Files on SciFi

23. What is your favorite flavor of JELLO? Red.

24. Describe your keychain(s)? My house keys have a "P" with Pooh bear sitting on the side. My sister bought it for me years ago when she lived in FL.

25. This question is MIA.

26. Where do you keep your change? Change? Oh! That's the stuff my kids run off with.

27. What kind of winter coat do you own? Well... I have a black one, a leather one and my swim parka. But I never wear them.

28. What was the weather like on your graduation day? Probably nice. I didn't participate in my college graduation due to moving across the state to start my first "real" job.

29. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed? Open mostly.

30. Did U read this far? I hope you did! Now you are tagged! Steal this from me.

wow... he's old

talking with the kiddos about Veteran's Day. The following conversation took place...

M: A long time ago daddy was a veteran.

Me: No, daddy's a veteran now, he was a soldier a long time ago. Back in the first war in Iraq.

M: You mean World War I?

Me (laughing): no honey, Desert Storm.

I'm happy she's learning about all of this. I even heard her last night thanking her daddy for saving the country.

So, here's to all soldiers - past and present - thank you for saving our country.

Quilt update #2

Here's the dinosaur quilt... the top is finished (why oh why can't I seem to finish the borders of the doll quilt?). Now it's time to put the thing together. I'm afraid, very afraid. Honestly, I think I'm having an anxiety attack over it.

Did my duty today

I voted!

It'll be interesting to see how things turn out tonight.

Not real thrilled with the polling place, as I think things could have been set up a bit better. Yay for the coloring table for the kiddos though.

We have a writer in our midst

M has completed her second book. The first was about snow and how much she loves it. This one is about hearts and how pretty they are.

I do have the originals bound and have also scanned in the pages to make copies. If I had a decent color printer (or at least cartridges for mine) I'd print off a bunch and send them out. But for the moment I just have black & white laser copies.

They may not be much, but they are wonderful and so very creative. But for your perusal here are scanned copies of her book...

He really is hollow!

A: Mommy, I ate too much food and candy.

Me: yeah, are you full?

A: yeah

less than a minute later

A: Mommy, I want a piece of lipsquish (licorice)

Me: I thought you were full?

A: I have one more spot left (pointing at his tummy)