KubusKrafts

Take Action!

2009-12-01T12:09:00.004-05:00

Dec 1st, World Aids Day

Craft Show - Saturday, Dec 5th 9:30 - 3:30

2009-11-08T20:24:00.000-05:00

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me

2009-09-19T00:01:00.005-04:00

Come on everyone sing along........

A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME

Lyrics by Xavier Atencio and music by George Bruns

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot,

Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We kindle and char, inflame and ignite,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We burn up the city, we're really a fright,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We're rascals, scoundrals, villans, and knaves,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Happy Talk like a Pirate Day! Yes, yet another silly made up holiday like Valentines Day to honor something silly. It isn't meant to worship or make pirates into idols by any means. I mean really, pirates are Addled, Bilge-sucking rats, Scallywag scurvy dogs! They were horrible, horrible beings! They really did pillage and plunder and a hell of a lot worse than that. So why did a day to Talk like them come to be? Out of pure silliness. It's a day to make fun and have fun. And of course any excuse to drink a lot of RUM!!!

Only if all pirates could be as hot and sexy as Charlton HestonOr Orlando Bloom

Or Johnny Depp

Or hell, even Keira Knightley

In honor of the day I wanted to show you all my lastest tissue box cover that will be available at the craft show on Saturday, December 5thCute huh? I think it turned out great and I'm very happy with it. So enjoy the day and remember to Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho!

Never Forget

2009-09-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

Well surprise, surprise, come on open your eyes And let your love shine down

2009-08-02T14:07:00.028-04:00

HEY! Yes, I did come back even though I was so super tempted to stay. At 104 degrees it was still more comfortable then 83 degrees here since there isn't the humidity there. There is a smell out there (no not smog), it a smell you can only get in California. And the vibe is different. Nice place to visit, maybe even live there but then I remember the earthquake argument and decide I will stay here instead.

It was a great long weekend and John was surprised, to say the least. I first sent him a cake to his hotel in Berkeley. I figured if I didn't do something for his birthday he might think something is up. I mean, I am a thoughtful wife. He didn't think to take a picture until after I talked to him and asked for one. I do have to say that the cake was really good. (There was the tiniest piece left when I finally caught up with him) Since I don't know my way around Los Angeles that well, I had balloons delivered to the hotel that I was meeting him at. The latex balloons had lost most of their air by the time I got to them.

I'm kind of glad he was having a hectic weekend because it made it much easier for me to travel with little phone contact. I told him I was going to Great Adventure on Saturday and a concert Sunday night. That way if he called me and I didn't answer or he heard people and noise in the background I was covered. I made sure to take all precautions just in case and didn't need them because I hardly even talked to him. I did call him in the afternoon on his birthday and sang Happy Birthday to him but he was driving and busy so it was a short call. That was ok for me since the less time spent talking to him the less likely I would be to blurt out that I was in Los Angeles waiting for him. The Moment of Truth:

I got to the hotel a few hours a head of him. I had time to shower and even catch an hours worth of sleep, which I needed after one long day of travel and one long fabulous day in Disneyland. I pulled in around 12:30am Pacific time, I was tired but hyped up on adrenaline. He didn't arrive until 3:30 am and didn't come into the hotel until 3:50ish because he was busy eating something or other on the bus. Dan, the other driver who knew I was there, kept trying to through hints to John that it was time to call it a night and go to his room. Mean while, I'm in the hotel lobby with a fist full of balloons with butterflies in my belly. Shelia, the wonderful woman at the front desk allowed me to hide in the office just off of the front desk. When John walked in and gave his name she told him he had a package waiting for him. She turned to me and said something like "Can you bring that package there on the desk out for Mr Kubus?" Of course he couldn't see me in the office so I walked to the doorway and put the balloons threw first, then I stepped in behind the desk. He had a look of shock and confusion on his face, like it took a few beats for him to recognize that it was his wife standing there. I said, "Happy Birthday" and his jaw dropped. "What are you doing here?" he asked me. "I came to wish you a Happy Birthday!" I said. I turned to make my way out of the office and he met me in the hallway and gave me a big, tight hug. Glad he was happy to see me. I was worried that I might have showed up and screwed up some plans he had for his day off. But he was happy, bonus!

We all had happy tears in our eyes, including Shelia. She told me she loved surprises. So glad she was there to help me. I don't want to sound full of myself but damn that was a great surprise! He had no idea I was there nor thought that I was coming out to see him. Made me happy that I could surprise him and make his day. Of course it worried him a bit that I could hide it from him so well. I reassured him that I got a belly ache every time I had to fib a bit to him. I only had a few days to hang out so I made sure the first thing we did was go and eat. MMM, I love In-N-Out burgers and fries.We ate our lunch at the Brady Bunch House. Well, we parked out in front of it and ate.Then we drove up to Granda Hills and checked out a really cool Eichler homes.Of course we couldn't be in Los Angeles together at not go to Micheli's. It may be my favorite place to go together in California. Just feels like "our" place. And I finally got to go to the Disney Soda Fountain & Studio Store myself. After all these years of sending John to fetch me pins, I got to go and get my own. And while there I had a Pin Traders Delight Sundae. Yummy! But it truly wasn't as much about the sundae as it was the pin.

I hated to leave but I had to get back to work. Ugh!

And.......Before I went to see and surprise my husband I made a quick stop to see my boyfriend........

Yes, I went to Disneyland. Just for one day. I had so much fun!Met up with an online friend Dee and had lunch with her and her husband. We rode a few rides. It was great meeting them and they are a lot of fun.We shared Beignets at Cafe Orleans which I can officially call my favorite restaurant in Disneyland. MMM, Blackened Chicken Caesar, Beignets and non stop iced tea on a hot day, it was a great meal.

Had to show this one off. This is Briar Fox for those who don't know him, he is from Song of the South. As far as I know he was and still is a very rare character sighting so I was very happy to see him and get a nice photo with him.

My favorite character of the trip had to be Princess Minnie Mouse. How beautiful is this dress? Since it was just me in line waiting for a photo, I felt that I got some extra Minnie love. She kissed me and giggled (something new) and she was very interactive with me. I love the characters and like to collect pictures with different ones and some of the same characters but in different attire. This was a super nice encounter. And this really bad photo is of Dumbo flying during the fireworks! So cool!

John gave me a really hard time about going to Disneyland before seeing him. He teased me about how the only reason I came to visit and surprise him was because he was in Los Angeles and if he had been in eastbumblefucknowhere I wouldn't have done it. I say NOT TRUE! This birthday was a milestone for John and I wanted to help him celebrate it right. I would have gone anywhere to surprise him, this just happened to be a really fun place to do it!

Don't worry I wasn't slacking while gone, I crafted while away. Nothing for the craft show though. I needed a change of pace for a few day so I crocheted myself two purses. This was a kit I got from Mary Maxim called Dolly Bag. It came with the yarn, pattern, button and handles. I hadn't crocheted for a really, really long time but I had no problem picking it back up. This pattern was so simple and fast. So fast that I started and finished one purse on my trip out, went to Wal-mart got more yarn and started and finished the second one on my trip home.

Now that I'm back I'm back in craft show mode. The sweatshop has helped me finish all the sewing for any and all sports boxes. All I have to do is assemble. We have moved on to a few different things for this year. I promise to post once I have pictures.

Got a surprise especially for you....

2009-07-20T05:34:00.002-04:00

It's hubby's 50th birthday and boy do I have a surprise for him.

Can you guess?Yep, he's in Los Angeles working. So I've decided to fly out and surprise him. I've been planning and plotting for a few months now and FINALLY it's here! It's been so difficult trying to keep this all a big secret. I have to thank everyone who has helped me you plan this and those who encourage and reassured me when I got nervous and doubtful. Thanks to everybody who let me bounce ideas off you and thanks for listening.

Oh yeah, I did manage to work in a quick visit.........
Details when I get back! See ya real soon!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy 50th Birthday dear John, Happy Birthday to you!

2009-07-19T01:31:00.000-04:00

Love you, Have a Great Birthday!

I found my thrill, on blueberry hill....

2009-07-14T19:25:00.000-04:00

Yummy blueberries! I love blueberries and after 7 pounds of blueberries I'm happy that I don't need to pick again till next year. Don't get me wrong, they were delicious but we had blueberries, blueberry pancakes, blueberry muffins, blueberries with cereal, blueberries with vanilla ice cream, blueberries in all sorts of ways. So here's to a fantastic blueberry crop!Did you know T0ny Stewart changed his number this year? I guess that is they way it works in NASCAR. So I had to design a new pattern for the new number and new colors. I like it. And I've already had one happy customer!

Please to meet you, nice to know me

2009-07-12T19:16:00.004-04:00

I'm not much of a reader. I like to keep my hands busy with plastic canvas and if I'm sewing I can't hold a book. The last book I read was a Nora Roberts Sign of Seven Trilogy and I only did that because I was on vacation and needed a break from all the plastic after last years craft show.

Sweat shop worker Mom and Kimmy read a semi local author, Janet Evanovich. Well, she was born in New Jersey and writes about Chambersburg, which is all of about 5 minutes from where we live. In 1994 she released "One for the Money" and both mom and Kimmy were hooked. I myself not having any time to read, didn't understand what the big fuss was about. Until now.

With work having taken my streaming radio away and with reception kind of fuzzy I've started to rely heavily on my Sony Walkman. I listen to music to help me get threw my day and block out the noise. But listening to the same old stuff day after day get boring after awhile. I started wondering what else I could listen to to help pass the time. Books on CD. I mentioned this to mom and Kimmy and they said I should really start reading the Janet Evanovich books. So, I looked into it and to my pleasant surprise she has all most all of her books on CD. Hooray! So I got them from the library and started to listen. I started in order because One for the Money was just the beginning, she is now up to Finger Lickin Fifteen.

I was hooked. Not only are the stories interesting and well written, they are laugh out loud funny. They move really quick and hold your interest the entire time. At the end of the day I want to keep listening to see what is going to happen next. And I love CJ Gritt as narrator, she is wonderful with slight changes in her voice for different characters and gives great emotion to them as well.

As I said Janet Evanovich is up to number 15 in this series and we all hope she just keeps going and going with it because the books and so great. But Finger Lickin Fifteen was just released on June 23rd and Janet did a small book signing tour to celebrate and promote the release. And wouldn't you know it she came to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. So we went to get the book and have her sign it. Mom and I drove down right after work and got our book and ticket to hold our place in line. We got numbers 1234 and 1235, yea there were 1233 people ahead of us. But we waited anyway. It wasn't that bad. A lot of people were reading the book while they waited and everyone was so friendly and nice. Everyone had an opinion on who the main character Stephanie Plum should hook up with, Team Morelli or Team Ranger. Just go to her site and see for yourself. There was food samples in the parking lot and we got balloons.Some where around 11pm they announced for those people remaining to get in line, there were still about 100 of us or so. While in line we got the chance to talk to her daughter, Alex who was super nice. I thought it was really wonderful that she stayed until each of us got our signature and she took pictures with any and everyone who wanted one.
Mom was really happy to meet her and I thought it was pretty cool too. Now that I'm on book 7, Seven Up I understand more and more with each book why she is so well loved.

Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind

2009-06-21T21:21:00.011-04:00

Happy Summer Solstice to all! It's been a nice week with hubby home for a visit between jobs. He got to play with his radios and even got one fixed. It sounded great! We were listening to a station in Romania. He cleaned it up and took it with him on the road so he'll have something to play with.No big projects like in Father's Day's past. Yes, for the last 4 years we have had some sort of demolition/beautification project.

2005
200620072008This year the weather didn't cooperate with us making it difficult for us to work. We were hoping to get the floor laid in the attic but we would have to move everything out of the garage and with the rain that is a no go. We did get a head start a few weeks ago by taking everything down from the attic and organizing it. It's organized in the crates but not so much in the garage.
Once the floor is down and secure we will put everything back up in the attic and hubby will have his garage back to work/play in.

Mom and I went to Philly on Saturday to Bleed for Prest0n & Steve. They are the Philly morning show guys I listen to. I got mom to start listening to them too! For the last 4 years Prest0n & Steve have hosted a blood donation day for the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Red Cross. After finding out that my blood pressure meds won't effect me donating I signed up and mom decided to join me. We went to the Philadelphia Navy yard. They had close to 2000 people sign up to donate. It was very well organized. I was able to donate but mom couldn't because she had gotten a vaccine shot. She had to wait 21 days before she could donate. Next time she should be good to go. It was a really nice, well spent morning. We got to meet the entire morning show crew and even got them to sign their new comic book. I plan on donating again next year. They said that with the start of summer the supply gets really low and each donation can help up to three people. You just never know when you might need to be one of those people and wish someone had donated to help you. It didn't take that long and there was plenty of people to talk to who all listen to the show. They even were giving away free samples of ice cream and they were small desserts rather than samples. The guys were super nice. Mom told Steve she was a new listener and he asked her how he was doing so far. And they thanked us for helping out and donating.

I've got the sweatshop still working on sports but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I see little football holders and cactus on the horizon.

I'd like to teach the world to sing, In perfect harmony, I'd like to by the world a Coke...

2009-06-13T13:00:00.000-04:00

I came home the other night to ATTACK OF THE DIET COKE!!! What a mess! I had 4 cans explode and split up the side and another explode from the top. The force was so strong it blew the fridge door open.

Here is some of the carnage.....

*Sorry about the crappy cell phone photos but I just snapped a quick few before I cleaned up the Diet Coke before it leaked into my rug* No, I don't have poke-a-dot sheets and pillows....when the soda exploded and opened the door, it must have sprayed out all over the bed.

So now the question is, did they all explode at once like a suicide pack or was it a one can suicide and the others were just casualties of war?

"There's pride in every Americans heart and it's time we stand and say...

2009-06-12T13:02:00.007-04:00

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A." - Lee Greenwood

What a great and powerful song. One in a long list of American pride songs. After 9/11 this song was put back into heavy rotation on a number of radio stations.

I feel myself to be patriotic. I have a strong love of history and a great respect for things in this country taken for granted like our Flag, our Veterans, our men and women serving in our Armed Forces and our National Anthem.

The US Code states:

TITLE 36–PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS
SUBTITLE I–PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES AND CEREMONIES
PART A–OBSERVANCES AND CEREMONIES
CHAPTER 3–NATIONAL ANTHEM, MOTTO, FLORAL EMBLEM, AND MARCH
Section 301–National Anthem
Sec. 301. National anthem
(a) Designation.–The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.–During a rendition of the national anthem–
(1) when the flag is displayed–(A) all present except those in uniform should stand attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder,the hand being over the heart; and(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag

When I see a flag in a parade I stand. When I see a Veteran I say "Thank you for your service" and when I hear the National Anthem, I stop in place and stand until the last note. This is where this soap box rant is going.

Mom and I have been walking at night, getting some much needed exercise. We walk on the high school track because the track is easier on the joints and easier to keep count of how far you've gone. The last two nights the high school baseball team has had a game and at the beginning of the game they play the National Anthem. The first night mom and I were on the track, which sits next to the baseball field. We were pretty close to the dug out areas when we heard the announcer say, "Please rise for our National Anthem" Mom and I didn't even think twice and we stopped where we were and stood there until it was over. (Mom even had her hand over her heart) I was disgusted by others on the track who were running, jogging and walking also who kept on going. I know that may sound harsh to some, disgusted is a strong word and emotion but that is how I felt. Last, night we stood in the parking lot because you could hear it when you got out of the car and only when it was over did we walk over to the track.

What is wrong with people? I know the economy is in the toilet, we are still fighting wars for foreign lands and life is hard but come on, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I may not always agree with our government and I may not always understand why they do some of the things they do or the bills they pass and I may dislike some that are in office but our government is unique in that "we the people" decide who makes up the body of government we live by. However, I do support and have pride in our country. We do live in the best country in the world. I believe that so many other countries around the world dislike us because we are the best, the most free.

*stepping off my soap box* I just needed to vent, thank you for listening.

What are you doin, are you, Busy with your world, Well I wish you were busy with mine

2009-06-05T07:56:00.023-04:00

Day trips, strawberry fields, birthday cakes & yummy cakes, exercise, more football helmets, tinting windows, hillbilly golf and more. Yes, I've been busy, very busy. I know, I know, no excuse. I promise to try and blog better.

Got to Lancaster! WhooHoo! We were there the weekend of the Rhubarb Festival. Yick. I don't like Rhubarb and the Strawberry Festival was weeks away. I went for the food but Rhubarb wasn't it. On the plus side I found this cute little yarn shop. It was a fiber overload. Just when I thought I had seen it all I turned the corner and there was yet another room full. Betty was super nice and very helpful. I have to thank Mom, Kim, and Kimmy's mom for being so patient was inside drooling.

We also hit the outlets for a second or two and the market up on the hill. That isn't it's name but that is what we have always called it. They have a great fruit vendor and mom gets Ralphie's garlic bologna there.

Then the food came. I have one word for you Yummy. Ok I have another word for you, Rolls. At lastly two more words, Pot Roast. MMMMM!!! The food is so good here at Dienner's. It is always fresh and it's home made. The wait to get a table it worth it any time. I can be bribed to Lancaster with the promise of Pot Roast and Rolls. Kimmy's Mom got her peach pie which as you see in this picture she is guarding with her life. We came back with an extra passenger too. We stopped at a couple antique shops (I was wearing my good wife hat) to look for antique radios and found this little gem for a steal. I'm not sure what it is an whether or not it will even work but I bought it for hubby. If nothing else he can use it for parts. I was very proud of myself until we discovered that it was a bit to big for the trunk. It sat as the third passenger in the back seat forcing mom to ride the hump all the way home. And it did generate a lot of laughs. We had a really nice day.

If you didn't already know, for me, the kitchen just came with the house. If I had a choice, I wouldn't signed on for one. I don't like to cook. I like to bake but I hate the clean up so I don't do it very often and when I do, I try to convince mom to help because she just loves a clean kitchen. CEOreo knows when I'm in the kitchen it's going to be good.

When mom was in the hospital I got her a Paula Dean Magazine that had a fabulous Raspberry Lime Cake on the front cover. I made some changes and turned it into a Strawberry Lemon cake. It was so good! Too damn good! You can't go wrong with Paula and her 3 cups of butter. The recipe made enough filling and icing to make two cakes. I ended up freezing the extra icing in hopes to make another cake some day. Hope it keeps. But that was only one of two cakes I made that weekend. Just call me Betty Crocker. It was Sharon's Birthday and it was time for birthday cake. I had it in my mind to do something yarn/knitting/spinning related. And we needed to top last years ball of yarn cake.

Sheep. Fluffy, fuzzy, bug eyed sheep. Perfect. I also branched out and made a second cake from scratch, this time chocolate. I got the recipe from Hershey's website. It's call Black Magic Cake. It had a cup of black coffee in it (which I couldn't taste, I think it helped keep it moist). It tasted like good old fashioned chocolate cake. Decorating was pretty simple, what's the best way to make a cake fluffy looking, mini marshmallows. So the sheep cake was born. Sharon liked it but was a bit apprehensive when it came to cutting it. Poor little sheep. I said BAAA when she cut it with the knife to freak her out. Cartman and Annie liked it too! They love marshmallows.

I had a epiphany regarding bugs and curtains and decided it was time to take the curtains down and out of my bedroom. The problem is the curtains helped the bedroom to be cave like, which is the best way to sleep. So I went to the auto store and got window tint and painfully tinted the windows. I used the darkest tint they have 2.5% and it still wasn't dark enough. So I decided to go ghetto and spray paint the suckers with black paint. Aaahhh, much better now.

I've started walking again for my health. It is my favorite form of exercise. I dislike gyms because I feel like a hamster on a wheel when on a tread mill and I wouldn't run even if I were being chase by a pack of wild dogs (They would catch me anyway since I'm a slow runner) So walking it is. I'm also trying to watch what I eat, so chocolate cover donuts are out. I'm doing well for the most part but I do have my weak moments when the coco bean calls out. Mom ask me if I wanted anything from the drug store the other night (she was picking up some script). I told her chocolate. She scowled at me. Our favorite Pharmacist was working and she must have asked mom how we were doing with the walking and mom said good but I was craving chocolate. So she sent mom home with a very special prescription.
It made me feel good. So good I didn't' even need to eat it and I have it up on my shelf as a reminder that there are people out there that care about me and support me when I need the extra push.

Speaking of extra push......it still amazes me that toddlers have no consideration for adults, lol. I mean I pushed this child for over 30 minutes on the swing, I thought my arm was going to fall off. I'm speaking about the little man of course. Mom and I babysat Alex and his baby sister Maggie a few weeks ago. Mom and Dad needed a night out, bad. So while mom was on baby duty, I was on Alex duty. Which was fine by me, Maggie is still in the blob faze and not as much fun yet.
Alex and his mom, Kathy also went with us to pick strawberries. My mother, for reasons unknown to me, loves to pick strawberries. She doesn't even keep them!!! She mostly gives them away! I eat a few in the field while picking and I hit my strawberry quota for the year. Alex loves strawberries as you can see by the strawberry goatee he is sporting here.

Good for us we can't read! I couldn't resist this photo opportunity......ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.....

Lil' bro has introduced us to a new, addicting game. Hillbilly golf. Its common name is Ladder Golf. But it is called by a few other names as well, Hillbilly golf, Hillbilly horseshoes, redneck golf and my favorite Testicle Toss. What ever you call it, it is a lot of fun. I got my butt kicked but mom cleaned up. Lil' bro said it was because she is a hillbilly (she was West Virginia born and raised) and it is in her blood to be good at hillbilly games.

AC Moore had a sale on plastic canvas again! I was there when the store opened. I got a few dozen sheets to stock up.
When it was all said and done I think I ended up adding 160 or so sheets to my stock. Which is good cause I was running low. I got another football helmet order for a team that I needed to design a pattern for. I think by the time I get tired of doing football helmets I will have a pattern for all the teams. This time New England Patriots.
I think it turned out really nice. The customer was very happy with it and that is what matters most. I have also assembled three more Cowboys helmets and a Yankees box. The time is coming for me to sit down and make the final decision on what to make for this years craft show. I will let you know if I come across anything really cool.

M is for the million things she gave me......

2009-05-10T22:11:00.010-04:00

I want to start out by wishing all mothers and all women and Happy Mother's Day! Now time for the weekend recap.

I was planning on taking my mother, sweatshop worker Kimmy and her mother to Lancaster, PA for the day on Saturday. We were all looking forward to having a great time and some yummy pot roast. We didn't make it so we will be going this upcoming Saturday. Instead mom decided or let's say mom's health decided for her that she didn't need a trip to Lancaster, she needed a trip and overnight stay at the hospital.

*In my most TV Game Show announcer voice over cheesy game show music*
Yes, that's right! Mom you get to spend two glorious nights at the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Hamilton. Your stay will include two bags of fluids, a CAT Scan of your skull, 4 EKG's, an Ultra sound of your heart and coradordic auteries and several blood pressure checks. Also included in your stay is crappy hostipal food and several large pills that we're sure you will have a hard time swallowing. All travel accomidations will be provided by your local EMT & ambulance squad!

Mom was not feeling all the great Friday afternoon but insisted she cut the grass because after 10 days of rain it needed it bad. It was hot and sticky and of course she was not providing herself with enough fluids. She also had a recent medication change and she doesn't always eat properly or get enough vitiams. So while waiting for a table at Uno's she passed out and whacked her head on the floor. She says she doesn't really remember much more than herself not feeling good and getting up and walking over to me to tell me. But she didn't get that far. I turned to look at her and she was already on the ground. Passed out cold for about a minute and came to pretty slow. There were two men in the vastible asking her questions and helping me stay calm. I wish I could have thanked them because they really did help me stay level headed when all I wanted to do was freak out. EMT's came really fast, thankfully and they were great getting her hooked up and quickly to the ER. Later in the ER mom said there were two men and a women who mom mistaked for a man. She said her name was Meghan which then promtated lil' bro to provide some comic relief by telling me about a clip from Family Guy.

Lesbian Quartet | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

He is good for a laugh. Mom had to have a CAT Scan and when she asked why he responded, "They have to see if you knocked the hamster off it's wheel when you whacked your head." Poor mom, down and out and getting picked on. But she may have deserved it (not really) because she kept breaking the hospital machines. No kidding! Either she has evil super powers or this hospital needs some funding for new stuff. The EKG machine went screwy,twice, the automated blood pressure cuff wouldn't work, her TV had no sound, the fluid drip regulator kept beeping and had to be replaced and her room clock stop working in the middle of the night. Good news is that it appears to be low potassium and dehydration. So I busted her out this morning (well, they let her go, I didn't take her without permission but it sounded cooler). I mean it would have really sucked if she had to be in there on Mother's Day. But now, I will be keeping a better eye on her because she scared the bloody hell out of me and I never want to go threw that again.

So kids a word of advice, if your body is trying to tell you something, anything, listen to it. Don't ignore your upset stomach, light headed, dizzy, nauseous feelings because if you ignore them they will slap you down and down hard.

That is what I spent my weekend doing. Hospital duty, laundry, yeah fun and this:

This is a full sheet. 6141 stitches plus a whip stitch border. Needless to say this is a very limited edition. I did this piece entirely myself and I have to say that I appreciate my sweatshop workers a lot more after this. I am very proud I did it all myself but I realized how much I would rather cut, prep and assemble then fill in. I mean that is why I have a sweatshop.

I may did a little break after this and do something fun, small and quick for myself just to recharge a bit. I don't want to get burned out and loose my mojo, the summer hasn't even started yet.

But it's a beautiful day, It's a beautiful sunrise....

2009-05-03T10:49:00.018-04:00

Yes, I guessing most don't know that line or song or even artist. It's by Saving Abel and the song is Beautiful Day. It's a slow song, not my type and it's kind of sad. Now the reason I'm using it is not because I'm a huge fan of any sort, though I did see them open for Seether and Nickelback. They do have a few good songs (18 days and Addicted) and were really good live. I picked it because it will be a beautiful day when Saving Abel stops sending me text messages. While at said concert, I texted in during the show for a chance to win a signed guitar. Who wouldn't want a cool free guitar signed by a band? But by sending this text and entering to win, I apparently also was signed up to receive text message (about once a week) from the band. I no longer want to receive them but I haven't yet figured out how to make them stop, thus it will be beautiful day once I do.

This is three for one blog and all follow the beautiful day theme. Since I haven't blogged in a few weeks and already broke my goal of trying to blog once a week, I figured I would make it up to you all. (My faithful 5 readers). So I've broken this blog up into three parts. Why not just do three separate blogs? Feels like getting credit for something I didn't do.

Be very very quite, we're hunting dandelions, hahahahahahaha.
Sweatshop worker mom loves to do yard work when not working in the sweatshop. Her favorite pass time in the spring is hunting dandelions. And though I tease her about it endlessly, it is addicting to search for them, the trill of the hunt.
She's even got CEOreo out looking for them.So every evening when she gets home she goes out with her handy dandelion picker and a bag and goes to work.

She said the yard was becoming overgrown with them!!!!! Really?!?! OK, lets play a game, I used the larger format for this photo of our backyard. See how may dandelions you can find. Don't cheat by scrolling down to the answer. I'll give you a minute.

No cheating.

Ok you ready for the answer key?

Five. There are five dandelions in the backyard and it is considered over grown.

Too bad dandelion wine is not to my liking. I'd have a cellar full.

It's all fun and games until someone breaks a broom.

My idea of being an "outside" girl is sitting on the deck in the sun, chilling out and crafting. Sweatshop worker mom's idea is yard work. Now we know that she hunts dandelions but that is just a small part of her outside activities. She loves working in the yard. Loves it. She likes to cut the grass, pull weeds, trim and overall make the yard look great. And I must say that it always looks great and has a wonderful curb appeal.

I don't participate in those outside activities if I can help it. I have been tricked into assisting from time to time. I have helped with the beautification of the flower beds in the front yard and the rebuilding of the deck in the back yard, to name a few. Mom does all the other dirty work. However, she does not like to use the edger. She doesn't like the sparks that occur when you happen to accidentally hit the concrete. Since she seems to make a lot of sparks I have been entrusted with the edger job. I do occasionally make some sparks but I think it's cool. Of course it does wear down your blade quickly. Edging thankfully is not a weekly job like grass cutting. I usually edge about 3 times during the season and then in between mom uses the evil weed-wacker. So I was commissioned to edge for the first time of the season a few weeks ago. But I don't just get roped into edging, I also get clean up duty. That means sweeping. Ugh!

But if I'm going to do it then I'm going to put my heart into it like my mother does. Last year while sweeping, mom broke her broom, yes broke it. She was sweeping and sweeping and it just broke clean off and went flying across the yard. So this year she had to get a new broom. So she bought a cheap broom since it was for outside. I warned her that she should be a heavy duty broom since she has a super power of broom breaking. She said that this new broom would be fine. So, she got the broom at 5:30 pm while food shopping. She came home put the food away, ate dinner and was out in the yard by 7:00 pm. I was instructed to edge and sweep at approximately 7:30 pm. Yard work and clean up was nearing completion at around 8:00 pm (getting dark now). I was quickly sweeping and then.........I broke her new broom a 8:15 pm. This poor broom didn't have a chance. So now we have two broke brooms in the garage.And mom now has a nice heavy duty wooden broom that I got for her from Home Depot. If either one of us breaks that sucker, I'm just done with yard work.

We also have a new addition to our yard ornaments. I got this little guy for hubby and now that the sun has been shinning he is working. Kind of spooky but super cool.

BEST Hubby EVER!!!
YEAH!!! I got to see hubby again this weekend after not seeing him for many, many, many, many weeks. I missed him oodles. Of course I never get to see him with out some sort of work involved. I got to bring him supplies and I got to bring home, wash and return laundry. That is ok though, cause I get paid..........IN PINS!!!!! I think that is a great trade! HaHaHaHubby was in Los Angels for a few days and I didn't want to bug him about the Disney Soda Fountain and Studio Store. I know he is busy and seems to get annoyed with me when I ask. I get excited because he is there but I know he doesn't feel that way at all when it comes to pins, Disney and crowds. So I only mentioned it once and I prefaced with, "I know you are busy and I'm not asking for you to make a special trip but if you get anywhere near the store and have a chance, there are a couple pins that I would like" So not expecting anything I forgot about it. Until, he called me on a Saturday night at about 11:15pm, with him asking, "I'm here, what do you want?"

Such pressure and I have to move so fast because his patience runs thin. So I quickly looked up what was available and then we did the pin phone call dance. Now, the only way I can describe this is, imaging someone calling you while you are at any shopping store that you are extremely unfamiliar with and asking you to find them something that you have no clue as to what it is. That is what this is like. Hubby saw me in action briefly while on vacation this year. I told him I was running into the pin store while we were waiting for the parade to begin. 10 minutes, 25 pins and $200 dollars later, I was done, picked out, paid for and ready to go.

I know what I'm looking for but to have to describe it to him or worse have him describe them to me can be painful on so many levels. I urn to be there just doing it myself but I have to rely on him and use him sort of puppet like to get the goods. So after a short and painful conversation he ended up getting me 8 really excellent pins. Yeah him! But I decided that there has to be a better way. So because this tour takes him to WDW and DL, I made him a shopping list. Complete with photos, prices and descriptions, he is armed with an eight page list and ready to make his wife super duper happy. And I feel better about having to drive in NYC and North Jersey traffic several times, doing laundry and cleaning a bus. Wish him luck!

Because of my hubby's unique profession, it some times leads to some unique opportunities. But I learnt early on to always be & act professional, try & keep my cool and never ask for anything from anyone, photo, picture or otherwise. So imagine my surprise when I was offered the chance to meet the talent.

I'm not going to go into my hubby's job right now but he is currently working for Gavin Rossdale. There was a huge festival like concert event at the Meadowlands that they were a part of. I went up to North Jersey to visit hubby and we were hanging out and spending time with each other when duty called. Hubby has to go back to the venue and do some work. While there he introduced me to Gavin.

I have to say that in the 10 years I have been with hubby, I've never had a more positive and simply delightful experience. I saw him with Bush back in 1997, great show. His solo stuff is cool, it's mellower and softer. To me it's something you listen to while relaxing enjoying a bottle of wine at the end of a long week. I've liked what I've heard so far and I really, really like

Love Remains the Same.

Hubby introduced me and I get so nervous because I never know what to say to people. Famous or the neighbor next door I don't want to seem like a babbling idiot or embarrass myself or them. I know you will find it hard to believe but I can be quite shy around people I don't know. But Gavin could not have been a nicer guy. He introduced himself and his son. We chatted about the tour. I told him about the show I saw back in 1997 and started to borderline embarrass myself. I was nervous which rarely happens to me in those situations because I know in my head that famous people are just people. I guess because it was so out of the blue that I got the chance to say hi. We talked about the weather. Then he signed a picture for me. How cool is that!?!?! He is the only person that hubby has worked for that has ever done that. I thanked him and told him that he didn't have to do that but it was very sweet of him. As I'm freaking out inside. It was only a few moments but I have to say that he was probably one of the kindest people I've met in the business.

"Tammy Thx for letting us borrow your husband Gavin Rossdale XX"

If you made it this far, thanks for sitting threw and reading this very long winded blog post. I'm going to do better and try to stick to my goal of posting once a week. Next time, I will have some progress photos and maybe even a FO. It's a big one!

PS If you happend to find any gramatical erros in this post let me know. It took a very long time to compose it and I was just plain tired to keep re-reading it to fix anything. Thanks!

I'm feelin' so much better, But not quite feelin' fine

2009-04-12T20:34:00.011-04:00

Oh happy days for CEOreo, she got a bed all of her very own. Since she is having a harder time jumping up and getting down off of her chair we decided to get her a bed so she can be comfy on the floor. She took to it rather quickly and seem to be enjoying it quite a bit.

Happy Easter to all who celebrate. I got this funny card from a friend and I had to share.
I don't eat a lot of candy so the bunny knows better than to bring it to me. But I do have a weakness for those eggs. Remember the St Bernard with the whiskey barrels? Well, I have a Cadbury Egg Bunny....

FYI the craft cave is back in full swing, thanks to my cozy new couches.

Still working hard on all those sports tissue box covers. I hope to take a little break once they are all stitched. I would like to make something for me for a change. I'll let you know how that works out.

Maybe your mind is playing tricks, You sense, and suddenly eyes fix

2009-04-05T22:06:00.014-04:00

Yes, I do indeed have yet another set of new couches. Hubbby and I fell in love with them a few months ago and since they are being discontinued we had to hurry up and get them. I went and ordered them Monday, they delivered them Sunday and not only on time but 40 minutes before they said they would be here Maybe Ikea could learn something from themI was worried about the color being to close but it isn't. It is a nice compliment to the wall color. They are super comfy and have a fabulous warranty that covers almost everything, including sagging, drooping cushions. Maybe Ikea should offer something like that on their crappy couches. Aren't the pillows cool? They are a retro surf board design. So I now have a living room again and I can sit and chill out and craft comfortably. And they came as a set....delivered at the same time What? What is that I hear you asking.......how did we get them downstairs? Did I have a problem fitting things threw the outside door? Suggestion to Crate & Barrel, maybe make furniture with removable legs. Well, funny you asked. We had to make a few minor, temporary adjustments to get them in the house......

We took the door out. Yes, the door and frame came completely out making enough room for the couches to make their way into the house smoothly. And since it was out, when Mom and I reinstalled it we made sure it was insulated correctly this time. (Original installer was an asshat) Mom and I figured it out ok. It closes and that is all that really matters. Besides nobody will be using that door anytime soon. That was just part of my busy weekend. Mom and I took a quick trip to the World of Disney in New York City. It was a pin trading Saturday and we hadn't been in a long time. Don't worry I was multi-tasking on the train by working on crafts. I got a couple cute pins but all in all the store looks like it is ready to be closed. It is coming within the next few months when their lease is up. But I did get a super cool Lego set. Mom got it for me as an Easter gift. If I had know that it was going to be this cute I would have got another kit in the set. (Set of 6 different kits) My only problem with this is the box said for ages 5+, I'm 34 years old and Leg0s, were our toy of choice growing up, this being said, it took me over an hour to build this thing. 5+ my ass!

After returning from NYC we went out to a delicious dinner with Lil Bro & SIL. We went to Maggiano's Little Italy Sharon & I found it the night of the Seether concert. Apparently it opened that weekend. It is a bit of a drive but their chicken parm is super yummy and the desserts are incredible.

To finish off the weekend I attended a March of Dimes event - Belly Laughs for Babies! A group of comedians put on a show to benefit the March of Dimes. It was a great time! We went early to help set up for the dinner. and desserts! That pink looking cake in the center.....awesome!We also helped to collect tickets and give out wrist bands. It was a really fun night for a great cause.

I am so ready for a good nights sleep. The insomnia had been pretty bad the last two weeks, so a really good nights rest would be great. I'm going to give it a try on the new couches, maybe that will do the trick.

Belly Laughes for Babies

2009-03-22T18:45:00.003-04:00

Belly Laughes for Babies

Please come out and support a great cause!

Belly Laughes for Babies
a benefit for the March of Dimes
Presented by ROMA BANK

Sunday, April 5, 2009
Robbinsville High School Auditorium
155 Robbinsville-Edinburg Rd.
Robbinsville, NJ 08691

Dinner: 5:00 PM
Show: 7:00PM

Comedy Show featuring: Joe Bubliewicz, Joe DeVito, Jimmy Carroll and Scotte Bruce!

Donation:
$40.00 per ticket (Show only)
$60.00 per ticket (Show & Dinner package)
Catered by Amici Milano

Visit a participating Roma Bank location to purchase tickets; or send an e-mail to laughs4babies@aol.com for more information; OR mail your check made payable to 'Belly Laughs for Babies' to: Belly Laughs for Babies/March of Dimes, P.O. Box 2974, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690

Belly Laughes for Babies

Happy First Day of Spring!

2009-03-20T11:21:00.002-04:00

Guess someone forgot to let mother nature know.

I was a bit surprised to see this, as I'm sure others were this morning. Ok, Winter, you had your last word, now bring on the warmer weather!

Happy St Patricks Day!

2009-03-17T00:14:00.001-04:00

I just had to share this picture I took last August while I was in NYC with hubby. We were in a cab and I managed to quickly take this shot while sitting at a stop light. Keep in mind that this was AUGUST, not March, and this guy was no more than 5 foot tall on a good day. I could hardly believe my eyes and hubby just laughed and said "Really, where else would you see a leprechaun waiting for a bus and not think it's in the least bit strange, only in New York City" Happy St Patty's Day!

BELLY LAUGHS FOR BABIES

2009-03-12T13:23:00.004-04:00

Please come out and support a great cause!

BELLY LAUGHS FOR BABIES
a benefit for the March of Dimes
Presented by ROMA BANK

Sunday, April 5, 2009
Robbinsville High School Auditorium
155 Robbinsville-Edinburg Rd.
Robbinsville, NJ 08691

Dinner: 5:00 PM
Show: 7:00PM
Comedy Show featuring: Joe Bubliewicz, Joe DeVito, Jimmy Carroll and Scotte Bruce!

Donation:
$40.00 per ticket (Show only)
$60.00 per ticket (Show & Dinner package)
Catered by Amici Milano

Visit a participating Roma Bank location to purchase tickets; or send an e-mail to laughs4babies@aol.com for more information; OR mail your check made payable to 'Belly Laughs for Babies' to: Belly Laughs for Babies/March of Dimes, P.O. Box 2974, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690

We wanna be like you, we wanna be so cool....

2009-03-11T13:15:00.011-04:00

What an AWESOME show!!!!! Saving Abel was much better than expected. Their song 18 Days is pretty cool but it was the one or the two songs I knew by them.

Seether was incredible! They were my main reason for going to the show. They played Burrito, Gasoline, Fine Again, Breakdown, Broken, Careless Whisper, Rise Above this, FMLYHM, Fake It and Remedy. All great songs and some of my favorites. Took some video on the camera phone but it isn't that great so I will share this instead....very cool video

Oh yeah, Nickelback was there too! Sorry, got all caught up in the greasy mechanic that is Shaun Morgan (love you John). Nickelback had some really, really cool pyro. They had these flames that changed from a deep red to a cool blue. They put on a great and entertaining show. They played a really long set almost 2 hours and played the hits. Sharon and I came to the conclusion that they might just be the Poison of the new millennium, cheesy lyrics about partying and girls. But it's all good. Think the best part of their set was when Shaun of Seether joined them on a cover of Filter's Hey Man Nice Shot. Got home very late but so worth it. Still has me smiling.

A really super cool honor came this week as well. Remember my birthday cake?Well, I sent the picture to the fan section of the hoops and yoyo web site and it is the photo of the week this week!!!! Hoops and Yoyo go to fanFun and then Photo of the Week

Just wanted to give you a quick show review and spread the cool cake news!

I was dreaming when I wrote this,so forgive me if it goes astray

2009-03-08T22:23:00.010-04:00

Time changed this weekend! Love the sunlight at the end of the day, hate that I lost an hour and have been messed up all day.

It's been a busy couple weeks. Hubby is back to work (yeah!) I do miss him a lot. I just got use to him just being here and now he's off and running. I've been trying to keep myself busy so I can't miss him too much.

After over a year or more the local craft store finally had a sale on plastic canvas. A sale so good that everyone came out of the wood work and bought it all up before I even knew about it. I did manage to get my hands on some at the competition's store because they honor each others sale prices. So I picked up a few sheets.........96 to be exact. It should keep me busy for a while.And I have been keeping myself busy with these little gems. I designed the patterns a few weeks ago while I was hanging out with hubby in the wee hours of the morning. I am very happy with them and have already gotten orders for both teams.

I am really proud of them. I was hoping to get more done this weekend on them but we had an emergency phone call........a family friend had a baby girl this evening. She was scheduled for a C-section on the 23rd but her water broke and she call us to keep an eye on Alex, you remember him don't you? Well, now he is a big brother. Mom, baby, dad and big brother are all doing well.

So needless to say it has been a busy and exciting week or so. This week should be no different. Starting it off right by going to see Seether and Nickelback in concert tomorrow night with my favorite SIL. Be assured there will be a full report.....ok maybe not a full report, have to protect the innocent.

You say it's your birthday...It's my birthday too, yeah

2009-02-19T16:29:00.021-05:00

Our beloved CEOreo turns 8 today. These were taken when she was just a little pup, probably not more than 8 weeks old. John got CEOreo her first bone. Already spoiling her.This was her first birthday. We got her a cupcake from the regular bakery. If you blinked you missed it.Last year we got her a cake from the pet bakery,Bag of Bones Bakery. It's better for her since it was made just for dogs but I forgot to put it in the refrigerator, so she got half a cake. Apparently cream cheese frosting needs refrigeration. This year, Gregg, one of the owners of Bag of Bones Bakery, made sure to remind me a few times to put this one in the fridge. This year I made room just for her cake. The cake was so beautiful and she loved it! Of Course she loves most things that she can eat. And it's gone. Thanks again to, Bag of Bones Bakery for making such an awesome cake. I highly recommend them to all my doggie friends not just for cakes but for healthy treats, wholesome dog food and high quality dog toys. Oh yeah, it's my birthday too! Yes, CEOreo and I have the same birthday. I think that is part of the reason mom picked her.

My birthday weekend started on Friday with Eet Gud donuts at work. Sweatshop worker Kimmy gave me a gift card so I can go to Olive Garden and have some raviolis (yummy). Saturday morning I received flowers from mom, Ralphie and CEOreo. They are so cool. I think that once they are wilted beyond help I'm going to re-do the arrangement with artificial flowers.
Then I had a really nice lunch with my good friends Chris and Dave. I have known Chris for over 20 years. This is us in Animal Kingdom in Dec 07. They took me on Expedition Everest for my first ride. We went to Uno's and talked Disney and upcoming March of Dimes events. I got a gift card to Torrid, love there stuff, Ace of Cakes Season 1 DVD and a Disney Pin, love the pin. They keep me out of the house for a few hours over lunch so mom and her kitchen elves could decorate my cake. Mom made me a cool and different cake again this year. You can see lil bro and SIL Sharon assisted. Look out Ace of Cakes, she's got a team of hard working and talented cake decorators too!They made me these guys. Aren't they cute? In case you haven't been to a Hallmark store in awhile, let me introduce you to Hoops and Yoyo. They are a bit odd but really funny. I have a secret crush on them. I go to there web site all the time to play around with their e-cards. I am friends with them on Faceb00k. I even have a few of their ring tones.
And not only were they cute, they were delicious too! They were the theme to this years birthday. I got several cards that I'm sure I will were out (they are the talking kind), a cool manners book Hoops and Yoyo style, a christmas ornament, a fridge magnet and a t-shirt (from mom) all with them on it. And don't forget the talking gift bag too!

Lil bro and SIL Sharon also got me tickets to the Billy Joel/Elton John concert this summer. As you know SIL Sharon is an incredible knitter with a shared love of Disney. She found some really great sock yarn that have the Mickey colors and she said it screamed for her to make me a pair of socks with it. I'm sure that she will blog about it soon. But I have the first pictures.
The best part is that they can be seen threw to holes in my Mickey Crocs.Hubby got me a really cute penguin, a Reese Peanut Butter cup, a card mocking my list making habit and some pins. Mom got me some pins too. You know me and pins.
I had a great birthday. I relaxed, crafted a bit, had a nice dinner with a Mango Mai Tai and had yummy cake. I'd say that is an excellent day.

Why don't we get drunk and screw......

2009-02-14T23:22:00.008-05:00

We'll it is Valentine's Day after all. Thanks to Jimmy Buffett again for the great blog title. But it doesn't mean what you think it does, you dirty minded friends of mine.

My wonderful hubby has had a hobby for many, many years. Long before I met him he started to collect cool antique radios. He has more than a few. Until a few weeks ago they were safely stored up in the attic. He has finished everything that he had planned on doing on my honey-do-list. That doesn't mean everything got done, just what he had planned on finishing. He is now getting bored and he needed something to tinker with until he gets called back to work. So out came the radios. All over the living room. All over. (It's ok, breathe, it's ok it will get back to normal when he is back to work) The bar, the desk, the buffet table, the coffee table, the fish tank and on the shelf over the TV all have radios or radio parts scattered on them. It's a work in progress.

So today he was multi-tasking thus the blog title.

Unfortunately, not all the radios were stored safely. One got broken, pretty bad. But it became a challenge and now a work of art for John.

First, he glued the piece in place and then once dry covered it with epoxy, the bondo didn't work. Then he sanded it smooth and painted it. He found a color that was very close to the original, Hammer Tone Blue. You would never tell, unless he showed you where it was broken.

To make sure he keeps busy during the day, I got him a radio for Valentines Day. I secretly got it for him and he was very surprised.

While he's been fiddling around with that I have been busy cutting out plastic canvas football helmet parts. Sweatshop is busy working hard so we can try to be ahead of schedule this year. We have already sold three. The Superb0wl Helmets were gone before game day and bought buy the same guy. I've also been working on patterns for some baseball teams this year. I'll let you know how and if that turns out.

I hope everyone enjoyed this Hallmark holiday.

We know the CEOreo did!

Honey, Did that meatball taste funny to you? Our Vacation.

2009-02-01T20:14:00.012-05:00

Sorry, I didn't get to this when we got home but it's been a bit busy around here in the craft world, more on that next blog post. This post is about our lovely vacation to what is suppose to be warm Florida.

We left Trenton bright and early Monday morning to catch our flight to Orlando. All went smooth regarding our flight and rental car, except that one toll booth that didn't have anybody working at it and we didn't have any change, but I digress. We checked into the POP Century and our room was ready, which is always a nice surprise. We grabbed a quick bite in the food court and then off to Magic Kingdom. I was very excited since it was John's first trip there. I couldn't wait to tell him about all the cool little tidbits and trivia.

The hotel gave him a 1st time Visitors button to wear. They gave us both an Anniversary button too. That was really nice. John graciously wore his on his hat. He is a good sport. We rode the Jungle Cruise, Carousel of Progress and we went to see the Tiki Room. John went on Pirates of the Caribbean with me! Yeah and he survived the drop! Double Yeah! And then I tortured him by riding It's a Small World which we have both now renames It's a Creepy World and have sworn the ride off from any future trips. Been there, done that, no need to ever go back. We got to see Daisy Duck, Tinkerbell and her friends, Rafiki and of course Mickey and Minnie.

We had dinner at the Crystal Palace. The food is normally really good here. All in all it was ok for a buffet and for me it was about Winnie the Pooh and friends. I tried to make reservations that allowed us to see the characters without having to stand in line and wait a long time, not hubby's strongest quality. So we took pictures with Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger. Again, John was a great sport.

While we were enjoying our dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, chicken and meatballs, John asked, "Do the meatballs taste funny to you?" Mine were cold so they didn't taste that great to start with. But we didn't think any of it till.....later on that evening when the local EMS arrived checking us for dehydration. Yes, the EMS. They arrived about 3 hours after John, then myself got ill. Very, very ill. I think food poisoning but Disney will never admit to that. We didn't know if we were coming or going, well mostly going. We had fevers, sweats, chills, a stomach ache right out of Alien and only two rolls of toilet paper. Thankfully we had two garbage buckets. 'Nuff said.

THREE DAYS LATER!!! We had managed to drive ourselves to Key West and began to eat solid food again. Key West was great but a little cool for the area. Of course when I called home to say hi, we made it to Key West and we are starting to feel better but it is cold here, all we got from mom and Kim was "It's 63 degrees there HA! that isn't cold, it's 12 degrees here with a wind chill of -3 degrees." No sympathy.

We rode the Trolley around the Island again this year. And I got to go to the historic lighthouse.

And John dragged me to the Butterfly Conservatory which was nice as long as they didn't land on me. Freaked me out all the bugs, over 1,000 of them, just flying around you. But they were pretty.

And we were feeling much better because we were able to get our drink on at the Rum Barrel, which we will most definitely be returning to next year. I made a quick call home and to work so everybody could see me on the web cam on Duval Street. John did this for me the last fall when he took a quick trip to Key West without me. It was cool to see him waving to me from there so I wanted to wave to somebody at home too! We didn't get to see the sunset festival this year because they had some stupid ESPN Boxing match set up in the middle of the pier. That's ok because we just got some ice-cream and sat out on our deck with our new friends Ethel and Fred, the mourning doves. Who never stopped cooing. We sat there a lot since it directly over looked the ocean.

The best day weather wise, of course, was the day we left. We woke to blue skies and a morning temp of 71 degrees. But we were heading home.

We are hoping to try it all over again next year. We hope to spend a few nights in Disney again and maybe catch the Luau and make it to another park this time. And spend a few extra days longer than we have in the past in Key West. But I do know one thing we won't be doing next year, eating any meatballs.

Changes In Latitude, Changes In Attitude

2009-01-13T01:00:00.001-05:00

As you are reading this I am somewhere in warm, sunny Florida with my wonder hubby. We are on our vacation. My part of the trip is two nights in Walt Disney W0rld and his part is three nights in Key West.

This will be hubby's first trip to Walt Disney W0rld. Please pray for me that he has a good time and that we both are granted with great patience.

This was a test run this summer in NYC. I hope he feels some of the magic.

Key West will be wonderfully relaxing. Just a couple of Mai Tai's and beach chairs and we will be all set. This was the view from our room last year. This year we hope to be looking right out over the ocean. Of course will we be stopping every night on our way back to get some yummy banana ice cream.

I will fill you all in on our trip when we return. See you real soon!

Happy Delurking Day!

2009-01-10T01:51:00.002-05:00

Come out, come out, where ever you are.....It's Delurking Day! Yep, that's right. Read the site? Comment. Comment all the time? Cool, thank you! A little shy? Come on, comment - you know you wanna. Go comment all willy-nilly all over the blogosphere. You'll be glad you did. And trust me, the bloggers to whom you delurk to will appreciate it.

And you shouldn't just do it on this blog, you should also do it on the other blogs you may read where you haven't commented before. We know you're out there, reading the blog but never sharing your thoughts with us. We've been watching you (we're pretty sure it's legal now). I have lurkers. That’s totally fine with me, I am just thrilled that anyone reads me at all. I don’t want to add to the pressure or shame anyone into leaving a message. But it’s your chance to give me an idea of just how many of you are out there reading my blog, I'm just curious. I would still continue to blog my boring and sometimes crazy life and crafts even if nobody ever stopped by and said hey.

You don’t have to say a lot it can be a simple hello or you can tell me what you had for dinner, either tonight or last night. Or your favorite kind of cookie. Or, maybe, what's great in your life currently? It only happens once a year so let’s get out there and delurk!

2008 - A year in Review

2009-01-08T18:56:00.022-05:00

In January, we got a brand new Jeep. That we are still slowly modifying. I was hoping to drive it around and play in the snow last year but the only time it snowed enough for me to even think about playing, I was in Florida for my birthday. Oh well, maybe this year.Hubby and I took out yearly vacation to some place warm the second week of January. We went to Key West, Fl. It was so wonderful and we loved it so much we are going back again this year. Then I had the BEST birthday ever! I celebrated by going to Walt Disney World! My extra special birthday included the Pirates and Princess Party, total embarrassment at several restaurants and to be the Grand Marshall of the 3 o'clock parade. It was AWESOME! If you want to read more I have a complete recap here

Then the floods came. This is a sore spot for me. I recapped it all here First half of 2008 Part 1 and First half of 2008 Part 2.

Mom and I made many cool cakes this year.

My Pirate Ship Birthday CakeThis Chocolate Overload cake.Sharon's Ball of Yarn CakeHubby's Monkey CakeHalloween Party CakesMom's Birthday CakeI also dared to try some new crafts. This is my unfinished quilt. It will be a goal for me this year to get the quilt top sewn together. And this is the one Cross stitch piece I made and will probably be the last that I make for a long time. I like the holes to be much bigger when I sew. Like on Elmo. This tissue box cover was a secret Christmas present for Alex. My favorite 2 year old. There were a couple other secret projects like the Baby Carriage for sweatshop worker Kimmy. And the Christmas Card holder Sled for my friend Chris. If you look back in my Archives you will see that I got sucked into some crazy and silly Meme’s this year. And I'm not sure how we got anything done with our drunken crafting nights. In the late summer all of you had the chance to vote on some on the upcoming projects that I would be doing for the craft show. We were only able to finish a few of the winners but I hope to complete the rest for the next show. These are two of the favorites that we got to making. I also made a secret wedding card cake holder for Sairy and John in September. In the fall mom and I got new Bikes and took some great rides around town and beyond. I hope to ride a lot more this year and maybe even get to see the Eagle that I heard so much about but kept missing.

I found a fun fall hobby, Carving Pumpkins. I carved over 25 different pumpkins this year and I hope to add many new and different ones next Halloween. I had so much fun with these. Then I was lucky enough to make a return trip to Disney World on Halloween with Sharon. We attended Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party. The weather was great and I had a blast.In December came the Craft Show. This is what we work so hard for every year. I feel we did a great job this year. My sweatshop are the best!The holidays came and went and I was super busy. I didn't get a chance to blog at all. Here is just a few photos from the end of December.

Mom in her warm blanket. Made for her by sweatshop worker Kimmy for Christmas. Love that green color.I got my very own Light Box. Now I don't have to hold others for months at a time. As soon as I have something to take a picture of I will let you know how wonderful it is.I got a piece of real Flair! "Yo Ho Ho Ho I'd rather sit on Captain Jacks lap!"And finally I'm going to try to start a new tradition. After 7 years of marriage I hope to start taking a nice, sweet, civil picture of me and hubby next to the tree of Christmas Eve. I hope to look back on them 10, 20 years from now and think, "My goddess, I was so young and skinny"

To all of you who continue to visit my blog, I thank you. I wish everyone a safe, healthy, happy new year! Looking forward to a fun filled 2009!

A Tammy twist on an old favorite

2008-12-22T00:45:00.000-05:00

On the last weekend before Christmas, I've been really busy.....

We made 12 dozen meatballs
There are still 11 unwrapped gifts
We had 10 groceries bags after food shopping
We made 9 batches of fudge
Mom made 8 dozen cookies
There are 7 un-ripened bananas (waiting to be made into bread)
I had to go and buy 6 last minute gifts
I did 5 loads of laundry
We used 4 pounds of butter
I broke 3 of my fingernails
We had 2 new hair cuts and colors
And we made 1 trip to the ER (nothing serious Mom bruised her foot badly)

I also cleaned the upstairs of the house, got the oil changed in the Jeep, went to Home Depot and Lowes with hubby, went to the tanning salon and helped hubby get his old radios out from the deep dark corner of the attaic. Glad Christmas comes but once a year.

A bayberry candle burnt to the socket......

2008-12-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

This is a great tradition that was passed on to me by friends during yule many years ago. We had a holiday celebration where each person in our circle would give something (usually small, hand made and with special meaning to the giver) to every other person. I gave my home made fudge the first year. Some of the great things I received where runes, soap that was molded to look like the goddess , crystals in little bottles and other cute little items many of which I still have scattered threw out my room. But the first year I was invited to join in this festive exchange I was given a small bayberry votive and a note that read:

"This bayberry candle comes from a friend,

So on Christmas eve burn it down to the end.

For a bayberry candle burned to the socket,

Will bring joy to the heart and gold to the pocket."

I felt this was a great tradition and have done so every year since then. I was told the Christmas eve rule isn't in stone. You can burn it on Yule, Christmas eve or New Year's Eve and you will get the same positive energy sent out and with any luck receive your good luck and intentions back three fold.

And of course threw the decades that this has been practiced the sweet wish has a few different variations.

"A bayberry candle burnt to the socket brings food to the larder and gold to the pocket."

"Bayberry candles burned to the socket bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket!"

"To bring good luck for a year, they say,

you must burn a Bayberry Candle on Christmas Day.

And if the flame burns bright, and the light shines clear,

then heaven will bless you all the year."

Another variation is that sweethearts who light bayberry candles when they are separated at Christmas will be united by way of the gentle scent.

The bayberry candle tradition goes back to colonial times. And the origins are fuzzy. One legend says that the Bay Tree gave shelter to the holy family during a storm. Therefore, lightning is said to never strike it. But what seems to be more likely was that colonists could not depend on regular shipments from the old world, and were always searching for local alternatives. One such happy find was the bayberry bush. When colonists boiled the bayberry fruit, they found that it left a fragrant wax on top of the water. Better still, the bayberry wax was harder and more brittle than beeswax, whey they were already using. And, although making bayberry candles was considerably more effort, the colonists discovered that they burned longer and cleaner, with a brighter light than other candles. Because they took so much effort to make, many families saved them for special occasions, such as Christmas and New Year's Eve.

So what ever your reason to burn the bayberry candle during the holidays, I hope that it brings you luck, love, happiness and health in the upcoming year. Have a blessed Yule.

This is the Best thing Ever! If only it were true!

2008-12-16T18:02:00.001-05:00

Looking forward to some R&R

2008-12-14T20:35:00.004-05:00

After a long year of preparation, the day finally came, the West Windsor Plainsboro South High School 2008 Holiday Craft Show. Sharon and I get up early and headed to the high school. We got there and set up in about 30-40 minutes or so. I had a mild panic attack when I realized that I not only forgot bags but my cute little business cards too. I call for reinforcements and both hubby and lil' bro came to the rescue. All in all I felt it was a great success. I also got two orders that were happily fulfilled and mail one week later, thanks to sweatshop worker Kimmy.

Mom and I took a well deserved trip to New York City on Sunday for a little pin trading and christmas shopping. We ran over to see the Rockefeller Tree. The tree came from our home town here in New Jersey only about a mile from my house. I have to say it looks a lot bigger up there in the city then it did here. It was really pretty to see. The CEOreo also took a long deserved break from supervising. She is all wrapped up in hubby's coat. She is so cute. And hubby is home for the season. He is fixing things around the house at his own pace. Just taking it easy.

I want to thank my sweatshop for all of their hard work and dedication. Get some rest over the holidays cause spring will be here soon enough and we will be getting ready for next December.

Thank you all for you support!

2008-12-07T19:46:00.003-05:00

The craft show was a great success! I will have a complete update later in the week after some much deserved R&R. Thanks again for you support!

Sincerely,
Tammy

Quick Reminder! Come and see me this Saturday at the Craft Show!

2008-12-03T20:41:00.000-05:00

6 days left.....

2008-11-30T22:50:00.014-05:00

Thanks to every one for being so patient waiting for a blog post that actually contains some finished objects. This is just a sampling of the things I will have at the Craft Show this upcoming Saturday.

Sports tissue box covers

Christmas Countdown Calendar

Candy holders

Sport tissue box covers

Cute turtle paperweight/potpourri holder Potpourri Holders......

Gift card Holders...

Photo tissue box covers

Other Tissue Box Covers

Coasters

Hope to see you there!

Tis the Season to be NICE!

2008-11-27T12:24:00.007-05:00

Ok I know the blog posts have been a bit sparse but with good reason. Getting ready for the craft show can be a bit stressful when you are down to the last few days.....

Thought this was a cute holiday version of the typical...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, allergic to real

3. When do you put up the tree? day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Day

5. Do you like eggnog? Yick, no

6. Favorite gift received as a child? hard to say but probably something LEGO

7. Hardest person to buy for? Husband, brother, mom

8. Do you have a nativity scene? Believe it or not, yes I do

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Don't remember-must have blocked it out

11. Favorite Holiday Movie? That is super hard.....I can narrow it down: A Christmas Story, Scrooged, Elf, Muppets Christmas Carol and How the Grinch stole Christmas (the cartoon)

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? August

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm sure I probably have

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fudge

15. Lights on the tree? Yes

16. Favorite Holiday song? Holy Night (I love the way it sounds)

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes, I can list them for you will too!

19. Angel On the tree top or a star? We have to head of Mickey Mouse......sounds sadistic but it's styrofoam covered in Red glitter and John made it a few years ago for me and mom

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Christmas morning. this year it will be Christmas afternoon since mom has to work

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Rude stupid people who are out holiday shopping and are no way in the holiday spirit

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red and Green

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey, then you can have left over sandwiches

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? health and good fortune

As a rule, if you have read it, now it's your turn to do it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T20:18:00.004-05:00

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have not a single lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your waist and thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Because Sairy and Lesley said so.....

2008-11-21T13:33:00.008-05:00

Saw this and thought it would be fun. Need to blog something to let you know I'm still here. I hope to blog some finished objects this weekend.

1. Where is your cell phone? in my purse

2. Where is your significant other? Denver

3. Your hair color? brownish red

4. Your mother? swell

5. Your father? no comment

6. Your favorite thing? pins

7. Your dream last night? don't remember

8. Your dream/goal? pay off debt and never again be in a hole

9. The room you’re in? warm

10. Your hobby? plastic canvas

11. Your fear? tunnels, clowns

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? healthier

13. Where were you last night? home

14. What you’re not? spontaneous

15. One of your wish-list items? pool

16. Where you grew up? NJ

17. The last thing you did? holiday shopping

18. What are you wearing? jeans & sweatshirt

19. Your TV? off

20. Your pet? CEOreo

21. Your computer? HP

22. Your mood? tired but happy

23. Missing someone? Yeah.

24. Your car? Jeep

25. Something you’re not wearing? hat

26. Favorite store? World of Disney

27. Your summer? complicated

28. Love someone? very much so

29. Your favorite color? purple/gray

30. When is the last time you laughed? few hours ago

31. Last time you cried? two weeks ago

You read it, now do it

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

2008-11-10T13:53:00.002-05:00

Holiday Craft Show! Saturday, December 6th

2008-11-03T21:06:00.004-05:00

Please come join me at the areas largest Holiday Craft Show on Saturday, December 6th.

I decided that in order to allow myself the opportunity to complete all of my projects I needed to find a craft show that was later in the season. The only down side is that the is an admission price of $1 but I felt that the exposure was better for me since it is the largest Holiday Craft show in the area. If you come to the show please stop by and say Hi!

Thanks so much for all of your support.

Happy Samhain and Halloween Blessings!

2008-10-30T22:17:00.014-04:00

If you didn't know before I am Wiccan. Witches is the name given to the believers of Wiccan. Just like Catholics or Jews believe in Catholicism or Judaism. There are many misconceptions about our beliefs and practices. The Wiccan religion has gotten a bad rap for centuries. I'm not going to get up on my soap box but boy could I.

Here are a few misconceptions and explanation that I hope will clear a few things up:

Q: How can you tell the difference between a Good Witch and a Bad Witch?
A: There is no such thing as "Good" or "Bad" Witches. Witches just are.

Q: What can I do if a Witch casts an evil spell on me?
A: Witches don't cast evil spells. Witches do magick to affect their lives and the lives of others, but only with their expressed permission. To do any magick that affects the will of another would be in direct violation of The Wiccan Rede. Spells are more like focus prayer.

Q: Why do Witches ride on broomsticks?
A: In the olden times when the people's survival was more closely tied to the land, the practice of jumping through the fields on a broomstick was common. The Witch sitting on a broomstick was seen as a symbol of fertility and it was believed that the crop would grow as high as the Witch could jump.

Q: All Witches are females. Male Witches are called Warlocks.
A: Actually people of both sexes that practice Wicca are called Witches. The word warlock actually translates into "oath breaker". In the past this term was applied to male witches to be derogatory.

Q: Witches, Satanists, they're all Devil worshippers!
A: Actually neither Witches or Satanists worship the Devil. Witches live their lives by the Wiccan Rede and do not believe in Satan or the Devil.

Halloween or Samhain is our "New Year". Here is some information that I found to explain the holiday. This made it easier on me rather than type it all up myself.

You Call It Hallowe'en... We Call It Samhain
Author: Peg Aloi Posted: October 1st. 1996

Hallowe'en has its origins in the British Isles. While the modern tradition of trick or treat developed in the U. S., it too is based on folk customs brought to this country with Irish immigrants after 1840. Since ancient times in Ireland, Scotland, and England, October 31st has been celebrated as a feast for the dead, and also the day that marks the new year. Mexico observes a Day of the Dead on this day, as do other world cultures. In Scotland, the Gaelic word "Samhain" (pronounced "SAW-win" or "SAW-vane") means literally "summer's end."

This holiday is also known as All Hallows Eve ("hallow" means "sanctify") ; Hallowtide; Hallowmass; Hallows; The Day of the Dead; All Soul's Night; All Saints' Day (both on November 1st) .

For early Europeans, this time of the year marked the beginning of the cold, lean months to come; the flocks were brought in from the fields to live in sheds until spring. Some animals were slaughtered, and the meat preserved to provide food for winter. The last gathering of crops was known as "Harvest Home, " celebrated with fairs and festivals.

In addition to its agriculture significance, the ancient Celts also saw Samhain as a very spiritual time. Because October 31 lies exactly between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice, it is theorized that ancient peoples, with their reliance on astrology, thought it was a very potent time for magic and communion with spirits. The "veil between the worlds" of the living and the dead was said to be at its thinnest on this day; so the dead were invited to return to feast with their loved ones; welcomed in from the cold, much as the animals were brought inside. Ancient customs range from placing food out for dead ancestors, to performing rituals for communicating with those who had passed over.

Communion with the dead was thought to be the work of witches and sorcerers, although the common folk thought nothing of it. Because the rise of the Church led to growing suspicion of the pagan ways of country dwellers, Samhain also became associated with witches, black cats ("familiars" or animal friends) , bats (night creatures) , ghosts and other "spooky" things...the stereotype of the old hag riding the broomstick is simply a caricature; fairy tales have exploited this image for centuries.

Divination of the future was also commonly practiced at this magically-potent time; since it was also the Celtic New Year, people focused on their desires for the coming year. Certain traditions, such as bobbing for apples, roasting nuts in the fire, and baking cakes which contained tokens of luck, are actually ancient methods of telling fortunes.

So What About Those Jack-O-Lanterns?
Other old traditions have survived to this day; lanterns carved out of pumpkins and turnips were used to provide light on a night when huge bonfires were lit, and all households let their fires go out so they could be rekindled from this new fire; this was believed to be good luck for all households. The name "Jack-O-Lantern" means "Jack of the Lantern, " and comes from an old Irish tale. Jack was a man who could enter neither heaven nor hell and was condemned to wander through the night with only a candle in a turnip for light. Or so goes the legend...

But such folk names were commonly given to nature spirits, like the "Jack in the Green, " or to plants believed to possess magical properties, like "John O' Dreams, " or "Jack in the Pulpit." Irish fairy lore is full of such references. Since candles placed in hollowed-out pumpkins or turnips (commonly grown for food and abundant at this time of year) would produce flickering flames, especially on cold nights in October, this phenomenon may have led to the association of spirits with the lanterns; and this in turn may have led to the tradition of carving scary faces on them. It is an old legend that candle flames which flicker on Samhain night are being touched by the spirits of dead ancestors, or "ghosts."

Okay, What about the Candy?"
Trick or treat" as it is practiced in the U. S. is a complex custom believed to derive from several Samhain traditions, as well as being unique to this country. Since Irish immigrants were predominantly Catholic, they were more likely to observe All Soul's Day. But Ireland's folk traditions die hard, and the old ways of Samhain were remembered. The old tradition of going door to door asking for donations of money or food for the New Year's feast, was carried over to the U. S. from the British Isles. Hogmanay was celebrated January 1st in rural Scotland, and there are records of a "trick or treat" type of custom; curses would be invoked on those who did not give generously; while those who did give from their hearts were blessed and praised. Hence, the notion of "trick or treat" was born (although this greeting was not commonly used until the 1930's in the U. S.) . The wearing of costumes is an ancient practice; villagers would dress as ghosts, to escort the spirits of the dead to the outskirts of the town, at the end of the night's celebration.

By the 1920's, "trick or treat" became a way of letting off steam for those urban poor living in crowded conditions. Innocent acts of vandalism (soaping windows, etc.) gave way to violent, cruel acts. Organizations like the Boy Scouts tried to organize ways for this holiday to become safe and fun; they started the practice of encouraging "good" children to visit shops and homes asking for treats, so as to prevent criminal acts. These "beggar's nights" became very popular and have evolved to what we know as Hallowe'en today.

What Do Modern Witches Do at Hallowe'en?
It is an important holiday for us. Witches are diverse, and practice a variety of traditions. Many of us use this time to practice forms of divination (such as tarot or runes) . Many Witches also perform rituals to honor the dead; and may invite their deceased loved ones to visit for a time, if they choose. This is not a "seance" in the usual sense of the word; Witches extend an invitation, rather than summoning the dead, and we believe the world of the dead is very close to this one. So on Samhain, and again on Beltane (May 1st) , when the veil between the worlds is thin, we attempt to travel between those worlds. This is done through meditation, visualization, and astral projection. Because Witches acknowledge human existence as part of a cycle of life, death and rebirth, Samhain is a time to reflect on our mortality, and to confront our fears of dying.

Some Witches look on Samhain as a time to prepare for the long, dark months of winter, a time of introspection and drawing inward. They may bid goodbye to the summer with one last celebratory rite. They may have harvest feasts, with vegetables and fruits they have grown, or home-brewed cider or mead. They may give thanks for what they have, projecting for abundance through the winter. Still others may celebrate with costume parties, enjoying treats and good times with friends. There are as many ways of observing Samhain as there are Witches in the world!

True believers
Witchcraft is the practice of a nature-based or folk belief system, art or religion. Not all witches follow the same belief system. Some practice what is called the "Old Religion," which has its roots in pagan traditions and beliefs, following seasonal agricultural cycles (i.e. the harvests). Many witches believe in multiple gods and goddesses (polytheism). Witches may practice as solitaries, or in covens. Some witches trace their practice across several generations. Some consider witchcraft a religion; others practice witchcraft as a magical art.

Traditional Wicca is a modern witchcraft religion, based on the teachings of Gerald Gardner, which is built around the principle of a coven, or group. Other forms of Wicca include eclectic and solitary Wiccans, who may follow a mixture of varying pagan beliefs. Many formulate their own personal rituals as solitary practitioners.

The basic tenet of Wicca is the Wiccan Rede: "if it harm none, do as you will."

You can see the original article here

I also found some really great poems that are rather cute.

Twas the Evening of Samhainby Cather Steincamp

'Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place
were pagans preparing the ritual space.
The candles were set in the corners with care,
in hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there.
We all had our robes on (as is habitual)
and had just settled down and were starting our ritual
when out on the porch there arose such a chorus
that we went to the door, and waiting there for us
were children in costumes of various kinds
with visions of chocolate bright in their minds.

In all of our workings, we'd almost forgot,
but we had purchased candy (we'd purchased a LOT),
And so, as they flocked from all over the street,
they all got some chocolate or something else sweet.
We didn't think twice of delaying our rite,
Kids just don't have this much fun every night.
For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick
of giving a choice: a treat or a trick.

As is proper, the parents were there for the games,
Watching the children and calling their names.
"On Vader, On Leia,
On Dexter and DeeDee,
On Xena, on Buffy,
Casper and Tweety!
To the block of apartments
on the neighboring road;
You'll get so much candy,
you'll have to be TOWED!"

The volume of children eventually dropped,
and as it grew darker, it finally stopped.
But as we prepared to return to our rite,
One child more stepped out of the night.

She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen.
Her hair was deep red, and her robe, forest green
with a simple gold cord tying off at the waist.
She'd a staff in her hand and a smile on her face.
No make-up, nor mask, or accompanying kitsch,
so we asked who she was; she replied "I'm a witch.
And no, I don't fly through the sky on my broom;
I only use that thing for cleaning my room.
My magical powers aren't really that neat,
but I won't threaten tricks; I'll just ask for a treat."

We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones,
A candle, a crystal, a few other stones,
And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van).
She turned to her father (a man dressed as Pan)
and laughed, "Yes, I know, Dad, it's past time for bed,"
and started to leave, but she first turned and said
"I'm sorry for further delaying your rite.
Blessed Samhain to all, and a magical night."

Copyright (c) 1999 by Cather Steincamp

Samhain Night

The night is coming the veil is thin.
Hear their voices within the winds.
Light the fires and chant out loud,
Feel them walk within the crowd.
The summer is gone and winter draws near,
The veil will open, welcome them without fear.
Our loved ones past will soon be among our place,
See the veil thinning and you will see their face.
Embrace the night and let your magic be known,
The truth that is here will soon be shown.
Enjoy this time celebrate the worlds within your rites,
The veil is once again thinning, it is again Samhain Night.

Starrfire Price October 2003

Some witchy humor!

You might be a Redneck Pagan if...
If you think a goblet is a young turkey....
If you think Drawing Down the Moon means demolishing the outhouse....
If you call your coven mates "Bud" and "Sis"....
If you think a Great Rite is turning onto County Road 13....
If your Quarter candles smell like kerosene....
If you pronounce "Athame" as "Athaym" and "Samhain" as "Sammon" or "Sam-hayn"....
If your idea of the "Goddess" is the Coors Swedish Bikini Ski Team....
If your Bard plays the banjo....
If your 'Long Lost Friend really IS....
If your lawn is decorated with at least one, preferably two or more, plastic pink flamingos, whom you regard as your familiars....
If your Wand of Power is a cattle prod....
If your ceremonial belt has your name on the back and a belt buckle bigger than your head....
If you call the Quarters by invoking "Billy, Joe, Jim and Bob"....
If you call the Gods by hollerin' "Hey y'all, watch me!"....
If your favorite robe has the logo of a manufacturer of major farm equipment on the back....
If you've ever harvested ritual herbs with a weed wacker....
If your ritual staff is a double barrel shotgun....
If your ritual garments include any one of the following: plaid flannels, long johns, a pistol belt, or cowboy boots....
If you've ever blessed chewing tobacco or snuff....
If your ritual wine is Maddog 20/20, Night Train or White Lady 21....
If your altar-cloth is a rebel flag....
If you use junk cars to mark the four corners of your circle....
If your Eternal Flame just happens to be under a still....
If you use an engine block for an altar....
If, when drawing down the moon, you say, "Ya'll come on down, ya hear?"....
If your pickup truck has an Athame rack....
If your crystal ball is made of polystyrene (i.e., a bowling ball)....
If your High Priestess has a spittoon on her altar....
You might be a Redneck Pagan!

Do witches stay home on weekends? No. They go away for a spell

How do you make a witch scratch? Take away her "W"

When a witch lands, where does she park? In a broom closet.

What happens to a fast witch on a slow broom? She flies off the handle.

What happens when a flying witch breaks the sound barrier? You hear the broom boom.

Which story do all little witches love to hear at bedtime?" Ghoul Deluxe and the Three Scares."

How does a witch tell time? She looks at her witch watch.

Why don't witches like to ride their brooms when they're angry? They're afraid of flying off the handle!

What do witches use on their hair? Scare spray

Why did the witches' team lose the baseball game? Their bats flew away

What would you find on a haunted beach? A sand witch.

What did the bat say to the witch's hat? You go on ahead. I'll hang around for a while.

What does the Coven's softball team do on Halloween? They practice pitchcraft.

What is a witch's favorite subject in school? Spelling!

Of course no post about Samhaim is complete without Lorenna McKennitt and All Souls Night...sing along if you know it and if not the lyrics are posted below so you have no excuse.

ALL SOULS NIGHT by Loreena McKennitt

Bonfires dot the rolling hills
Figures dance around and around
To drums that pulse out echoes of darkness
Moving to the pagan sound.

Somewhere in a hidden memory
Images float before my eyes
Of fragrant nights of straw and of bonfires
And dancing till the next sunrise.

I can see lights in the distance
Trembling in the dark cloak of night
Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing
A waltz on All Souls Night.

Figures of cornstalks bend in the shadows
Held up tall as the flames leap high
The green knight holds the holly bush
To mark where the old year passes by.

I can see lights in the distance
Trembling in the dark cloak of night
Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing
A waltz on All Souls Night.

Bonfires dot the rolling hillsides
Figures dance around and around
To drums that pulse out echoes of darkness
And moving to the pagan sound.

Standing on the bridge that crosses
The river that goes out to the sea
The wind is full of a thousand voices
They pass by the bridge and me.

I can see lights in the distance
Trembling in the dark cloak of night
Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing
A waltz on All Souls Night.

I can see lights in the distance
Trembling in the dark cloak of night
Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing
A waltz on All Souls Night.

Final Thought....I think she says it best Patti Wigington

"Samhain Blessings to You and Yours!

On this night, the veil between this world and the next grows thin. The spirits of those who came before us are near, and they hear us when we call upon them. All part of the endless cycle, life and death walk hand in hand, side by side. Without one, we cannot have the other. As light begins to fade, we embrace the dark part of the year, knowing that without the darkness, the light is meaningless. Take time to reflect on what this new year means to you, and what it meant to those we call the Ancient Ones. May your ancestors look upon you proudly as you honor them tonight. Have a magical Samhain, everyone."

Friday Funny

2008-10-23T21:08:00.005-04:00

Before the funny I just wanted to let eveyone know to stay tuned for another Disney World Trip report. My favorite SIL Sharon (my only SIL but still my favorite) and I are going back to Disney for the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I'm so excited! I will have plenty of photos to share when I return.

On to the funny!

EVE'S VERSION OF THE STORY

After three weeks in the Garden of Eden, God came to visit Eve. 'So, how is everything going?' inquired God.

'It is all so beautiful, God,' she replied. 'The sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking, the smells, the sights, everything is wonderful, but I have just one problem. It's these breasts you have given me. The middle one pushes the other two out and I am constantly knocking them with my arms, catching them on branches and snagging them on bushes. They're a real pain,' reported Eve.

And Eve went on to tell God that since many other parts of her body came in pairs, such as her limbs, eyes, ears, etc...she felt that having only two breasts might leave her body more 'symmetrically balanced'.

'That's a fair point,' replied God, 'But it was my first shot at this, you know. I gave the animals six breasts, so I figured that you needed only half of those, but I see that you are right. I will fix it up right away.' And God reached down, removed the middle breast and tossed it into the bushes.

Three weeks passed and God once again visited Eve in the Garden of Eden. 'Well, Eve, how is my favorite creation?'

'Just fantastic,' she replied, 'But for one oversight. You see, all the animals are paired off. The ewe has a ram and the cow has her bull. All the animals have a mate except me. I feel so alone.'

God thought for a moment and said, 'You know, Eve, you are right. How could I have overlooked this? You do need a mate and I will immediately create a man from a part of you. Lets see...where did I put that useless boob?'

Now doesn't THAT make more sense than that tale about the rib?

See you real soon!

Up to my eyeballs in Pumpkins & Cake!

2008-10-19T21:31:00.018-04:00

I worked on a few pumpkins over the weekend. I have 11 more that I plan on carving before Halloween. I am going to try to do 3 a night over the next few nights. That way I will have them all carved before I go on my Disney Weekend Getaway.

After some practice on the practice pumpkin hubby John, got the hang of it and carved a pumpkin of his very own. It is his own design and I think it is rather cute.
He only carved one because I monopolized the cutting tool and I wouldn't give up any of my pumpkins to him. Here is the one I carved for SIL Sharon. Then here are some more of the Disney Pumpkin Collection.

Saturday mom and I had cakes to deliver for a friends Halloween party. I made an Eyeball Cake. I decided to try the marshmallow fondant again.....I did much better this time however I will not be using it again. Fondant is very difficult to work with and mom would rather not have powder sugar all over her kitchen. All I'm going to say is it looked like a powder sugar blizzard hit the kitchen.

John was home when we were baking...'nuff said
The fondant wrinkled and was over all a pain.
As a part of the design I put red veins on the eye which worked out nicely since it covered my fondant wrinkles.
Mom's design was a casket in a grave yard. She managed to wrangle some help from lil' bro. He cut the shape and mom icing ed the cakes though there are no pictures to prove it.

I love it! It turned out so nice!
The recipient loved them. We all had a lot of fun making them. This upcoming week will be busy with the getaway and plastic canvas prepping. But I do have good news as far as our craft show deadline.....it has been pushed back giving us a few extra weeks to work. More on that once finalized.

Friday Funny

2008-10-17T11:39:00.006-04:00

Sent to me via email today, I had to share.

Why Dogs turn on Their Owners

He looks like a derange Easter bunny!

The last two are my favorites

Multi-craft-tasking

2008-10-12T21:32:00.014-04:00

I have become the princess of multi tasking this weekend. From cooking and baking to pumpkins to bike riding to plastic canvas I have done all of it in a 48 hour period.

Tried to sleep in but for some reason I just have a hard time sleeping in on the weekends. But come Monday morning I feel like I could sleep all week. I started out Saturday morning with painting another cork board for my Disney pins. Then had a nice lunch for some friends. Then back home to hang said cork board and put pins up and away. I managed to carve a few pumpkins and work on a little plastic canvas. My goal was to get about 8 pumpkins carved....I hear you all yelling 8! That is a lot. But that is 8 of about 24 that I plan on carving before the big day. I know I have some sort of obsessive problem. Hubby and mom both played with the practice pumpkin and then decided that they would leave the carving to me.

See! Told you I like pumpkins. Yes that is one of my tattoos. Ok, so here are some of the cool ones I worked on this weekend.

I made spaghetti sauce on Sunday for dinner and made a practice cake. Sweatshop worker mom and I are making two Halloween cakes for a friend next weekend but I want to use the Marshmallow Fondant that I have heard so much about. So I made a cake and played a little bit with the fondant. It was ok but I think I need to make a smaller batch. We ended up using 3 lbs of confectioners sugar and it still stuck to the granite. I like it but I'm not sure I'm going to end up using it next weekend.

Lil' bro took mom and I on a 10 mile bike ride. It was a very nice ride on a beautiful day. Then we worked on plastic canvas. I know the craft show is coming really fast. Got the pizza coasters done and their boxes assembled. DONE!

Sweatshop worker mom assembled her first piece today. These dice are filled with potpourri. She did a good job. Then she felt a bit spunky so she decided to read and sew her first piece direct from a pattern. She is working on a potpourri lighthouse. She did a great job counting and recounting.

I also managed to get a football together. I like it.

It is big enough to hold the remote.

I also want to mention that hubby is home for the week. **Big Smiles** He got me some witchy day flowers a few weeks early since he won't be here on Halloween. He is the best hubby.

So back to work. I will keep you posted on pumpkins, plastic and what ever else I get into.

What a busy weekend!

2008-10-05T20:41:00.021-04:00

After food shopping Friday night, sweatshop worker mom and I decided that we were going to take a much needed day trip to New York City. It just so happened to be the first Saturday of the month so that means only one thing to me......PIN TRADING! Clearing my throat "Hi my name is Tammy and I am a Disney Pin Trader" Group: Hi Tammy" I love them little money suckers. The World of Disney New York City has pin trading the first Saturday of the month, so we decided to go. And before I hear any grumbles about plastic canvas we worked very hard on the train up and back. I managed to finish 2 pizza coasters and sweatshop worker mom finished turtles.

I also felt like we needed something extra since it has been quite awhile since she and I were up in NYC. So we went to the Empire State Building. It was mom's first visit there. It rained a little bit while we were in the WOD NYC and that scared away some of the people because we only waited about 30 to 45 minutes to get to the top. That is really good by Empire State Building standards.
Mom looked around and I did my best to point out the important things like
...The Statue of Liberty...
...Chrysler Building...
...the Lincoln Tunnel under water.
It was a beautiful day. A little breezy but not enough to close any of the sides off. The sun came back out and it got crowed so we were done and off to home. We walked about 4 miles. We came home and went to dinner with lil' bro. At dinner he asked if I would like to go bike riding and that sounded good. We rode for about 2 miles. I got my work out today.....wish I had quit while ahead.
Sunday morning came early and since I had a really hard time falling to sleep I ended up with about 4 hours. I got up and cleaned the upstairs.....lots of work (not really I just really hate doing it). Then mom and I went out back and worked behind the garage. Cleaning out brush, applying ground clear, laying down weed barrier and moving 16 bags of sand that were suppose to weigh 50 lbs but since they were completely wet I think they were more like 70 lbs. Lil' bro asked we yesterday to go bike riding with him at the reservoir. He and Sharon went early this summer and saw some bald eagles so I hoped to see some too. Mom stayed behind to finish up spreading out the sand and off we went.

I didn't get to see any eagles but i saw a chipmunk and these fellows...
The total trip around was 5.45 miles (lil' bro clocked us). It is really pretty. The only thing I can say is that I really hope I can move tomorrow morning since my body is not use to this type of strenuous activity.
After working on these pizza coasters STILL I needed to shift my focus for a bit. They are a pain and I really am just tired of doing them and wish they would be done already. So instead of throwing them across the room I felt the need to cut something. I carved some pumpkins. I carved one for SIL last week. It is really cool. Pirate, of course. So cool in fact I got a blog post dedicated to me on her blog. Check it out So as to not leave lil' bro out I carved him one too.

Remember the concert a few weeks back?
He likes them so it was a fitting pumpkin for him.

Then I got into the Disney pumpkins.....I love these so much. They look so cool when lit up.

Except this one......it looks cool both lit up and just sitting out in the light.

Ok, ok they aren't all Disney, I carved a scary one too.

Michael Myers from Halloween....it turned out pretty cool. I have several other patterns that I am planning on carving, as I finish a few I will post them. Mom says I have a small pumpkin patch going because I have so many pumpkins that I'm going to carve and they are all sitting around the craft cave.

Now I'm going back to work on the pizzas. Wish me lucky and speedy stitching....I just need to be done with them already.

Friday Funny!

2008-10-02T19:56:00.002-04:00

Sesame Street TBC

2008-10-01T18:33:00.006-04:00

This is Elm0..........This is Elm0 on R0gaine.......This is Elm0 after a quick shave.
I found these patterns on Mountain Harmony have to give credit where credit is due. She has some super cool plastic canvas patterns on the site. The Sesame Street ones are great and she has some really nice military ones as well.

I modified the pattern just a bit by stitching turkey loops to make Elm0 fuzzy. Then I cut him down and shaped his fur with scissors. I included Cookie M0nster, Gr0ver and Big Bird for the other sides. Once I have the entire thing finished I will post a picture the pictures in my flickr badge.

Candle Rings, DONE!

2008-09-28T17:35:00.003-04:00

Thanks to my trusty sweatshop all candle rings are done and with a week to spare.

They turned out very nice. I'm pleased with them. They are for a 25th wedding anniversary party on the 11th. We started out with 8 but then was asked for 10 total. Each has four pink flowers and four silver flowers. Sweatshop worker mom thought they would be nicer with the silver ribbon and she was right. That was just the right detail to make them look complete.So now off to the rest of the list of crafts left before the show. CEOreo is watching......

Congratulations Sarah and John!

2008-09-27T10:19:00.008-04:00

Today we spent celebrating Sairy and John's wedding. Case you don't know, Sairy is a friend from Stitch N Bitch. She married her sweetheart John today. They make such a cute couple. So today started out with me actually doing my hair and make-up. They should feel honored considering I don't get dressed up for just anybody, you know. Then the red dress and the awesome shoes. I think I clean up pretty well.

So do Roland and Sharon.

Roland drove Sharon and I, two hours to some place in Pennsylvania. Time was well spent as we did work on some plastic canvas. All I know is that we passed some nuclear reactors and some painted bears on parade. It was a little ways down the road. It was very nice. Beautiful rolling hills and such.

I wanted to make some thing different for them, so I designed a wedding cake. Sairy mentioned that her cake was to be three squares and her girls dresses were black and then carried a fall colored bouquet. So after a few nights thinking on it, this is what I came up with.The coolest part is the I made so there is a pocket underneath to hold their wedding card. Which is where this idea started from, something different for their wedding card. It really didn't take too long to do maybe 3 days or so. I used heart shaped plastic canvas to make the bottom, which really turned out neat. It has a art-deco feel to it. I hope they liked it.

We had a very nice time. Ceremony was sweet (I got to relive the 3 years of horror that I guess is now burned into my brain that I affectionately call Catholic Calisthenics). Hors' devours were good, when they got to us, food was good, the best man speech funny, music was definitely heading in the right direction when we departed.

I wish Sarah and John the best of luck and happy life together.

Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry ~ Tom Mullen

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike

2008-09-22T19:50:00.011-04:00

Thanks to the lil' bro mom and I now have new bikes. Now when we just need to get out of the sweatshop for a little bit we can go for a ride. I got us the helmets just in case, I mean it's been over 15 years since either one of us has been on a bike. But they really are the fashion statement of the fall (get it, fall, ha ha), don't you agree?

We will not only be able to save some gas money but get some much needed exercise. The only problem I am having is now that damn Queen song is stuck in my head!

I'm Going to Walt Disney World!!! TWICE!!!

2008-09-14T18:50:00.010-04:00

So I mentioned a few posts back about hubby and I going on vacation in January. He and I are going back to Key West, FL. We went last year for 3 nights and had such wonderful time that we practically booked our return trip for this year this time for 5 nights, as soon as we got home.
We stayed at Southernmost on the Beach Hotel. It was quiet and we had a view of the ocean and crashing waves on the shore. The weather was wonderful, everyone we came in contact with, whether it was the hotel, the restaurants we ate at or just people on the street, were so friendly and genuinely nice. And the best part, there were no bugs in our room or pool like we did in Jamaica.
We did the tourist stuff like took the Trolley Ride around the island, took our picture at the southernmost marker and went to Mallory Sq almost every night. But we relaxed too. We took nice strolls near the hotel, hubby went to the butterfly place and I sat on the dock sunbathing. So it was a no brainer to go back again.

I was also supposed to go to Walt Disney World in October with Sharon and friends for the Halloween celebration. I was looking forward to it so much. I love Halloween and I love Disney World so the two together is just the ultimate happiness for me. Unfortunately, life happened and I had to cancel my plans to go. This made me very sad. Very, very sad. I was upset for months over it. (And sitting here, even now typing this, knowing that things have changed, I still get upset that I wasn't going)

When hubby and I went to NYC a few weeks ago we went to the World of Disney NYC. We had some pictures taken and traded pins. It was a piece of happiness to hold me over till I could get there again, which I wasn't sure when that would be. John saw how happy it made me just to be there in the store, surrounded by a little Disney. He has never been to Disney World so he doesn't "get it". It isn't entirely his fault, he gets motion sickness and felt like it would be a waste since he can't ride any of the rides (so he thought). And he never had anyone in his life that he would have liked to take there or no one every asked him to go there. Then he met me, the Disney Dork.
He has heard about all of my trips, or at least pretended to hear. He hears about the pins and the trading and the characters. He has heard me say time and time again that I really love being there and how happy I am when I'm there.
So the time was quickly approaching that we had to make our flight arrangements for Key West and since I was with him face to face that weekend in NYC as opposed to trying to do things over the phone (he has Attention Deficit Disorder or as we call it, "look a chicken disease") We were discussing the cost of fuel and how it effects our airline tickets. After looking up some costs of tickets to Key West we decided that we would fly into one of the larger airports and then just drive to Key West like we did last year. Even with the costs of the rental car and gas it saved us a lot of money. So now we had to decided which airport to fly into. We talked about Fort Launderdale and Miami but there were no direct flights in or out so there would have to be long lay overs some where. I looked at Orlando. Cheap direct flights and all about the same amount of time with the nice drive. I'm sure you can see that I had a hidden agenda because he did. So I said, "Since we will be in Orlando and I'm not going to Disney World in October.......Will you go to Disney with me for a few days?" And he said yes! Hooray! Flights, hotel and rental car booked before he could even blink.

This made me very happy. I am very excited about going with my sweetie and getting the chance to try to show him why Disney World holds a special place in my heart. I'm going to take it easy on him though. No shotgun, cram it all in approach. No, we are going to take it slow and only do Magic Kingdom and Epcot. He will take some motion sickness pills and ride the extremely tame rides like It's a Small World, Jungle Cruise and Living with the Land. We can spend some quality time pin trading and character stalking. I'm so excited!!! (I can just see John reading this, rolling his eyes and wondering, what the hell he got himself into)

Of course if I could go to Disney World once a month I would be happy but life doesn't allow for that. Knowing that Sharon's trip was coming up quick we've been talking about it more and more. I've been telling her about how cool the Mickey's Not So Scare Halloween Party is and prepping her (or pimping her) to pin trade. Even though I now I'm going to January it doesn't stop the longing to go with her in October. She mentioned that I should just look at flights down because there is still room for me if I want to go. I found so amazing deals and mentioned to her that I was looking just for shits and giggles. She then reminded me that other than the flight, some food and some souvenirs that I was giving her money for anyway, the rest of my costs were covered. See, Ruth is a Disney Vacation Club owner (aka Disney time share) and has to use her points or loose them soon, so the room is covered. And I still have a valid Passholder Park ticket so I don't have to worry about the cost of getting a park ticket.

Sometimes I think she should have gone pre-law because she made a good argument. So I mentioned it to the hubby. He said that I should go and have a good time. My mom also said that she thought that I deserved to go and have some fun. So........I'm going. **Big toothy smile** I got a great deal on a flight and Sharon even switched her departure plans and is going to fly down with me. Goddess help the airline with the two of us all hopped up with Disney energy, together on a flight.
So now I'm going TWICE!!! Yeah!!!! **Doing a happy dance** Both trips will be relaxing and easier going than I'm use to but hey, that will be a nice change. And don't worry I'm already thinking about the next crazy, whirlwind, cram it all in trip with Mom to Disneyland next December.

Never Forget!

2008-09-11T12:13:00.000-04:00

Plastic Canvas and Peach Pies

2008-09-07T18:47:00.010-04:00

Once again mom had some talking peaches follow her home. This time she said they followed me instead of her thus making me help with the creation of the last peach pie of the season and my first official pie.....ever! It is a lot more fun to eat than make.
So here I am cutting peaches....yeah!

Peach are surprisingly slimey to cut.
I was allowed to decorate it too! These are the parts of the crust that CEOreo gets to eat since they are just crust and no peaches (peaches would not be good for her little belly)

It has to cool over night so it won't be runny when we cut it. So no pie tonight, that means, No Kim, I didn't bring you a piece in this morning because we didn't cut it, you will have to wait till tomorrow.

We also worked hard on the candle rings this weekend. Saturday night (aka Craft night) we enjoyed Monsters, Inc and Spaceballs while I cut out more patterns and Mom and Sharon worked on part 3 of the rings, the white.On Sunday Mom and I sat on the deck and all we worked on were the candle rings. We managed to finish and assemble 7 out of 10. Hopefully by the end of the week they will all be assembled and then I can finish them off with the flowers and be done with them for good.
A very productive weekend. I only have one more major project to cut out and then all the cutting will be done and then I can spend my time on sewing and assembling.

Drunken Crafting = Loopy Crafting

2008-09-01T19:28:00.018-04:00

It has been a very busy Labor Day weekend. Food shopping, cleaning, laundry and that was just Friday night!

All in all it was a very successful crafting weekend. I finished another secret project which I will reveal in few weeks, the sweatshop workers were out in force with fingers a blazing and my scissors need to be sharpened because I was cutting out patterns like a crazy woman.

Saturday evening sweatshop worker Sharon came over to assist sweatshop worker mom with the candle rings for the 25th wedding anniversary party. Each candle rings has 8 "teardrops" and each one has three colors. Round one was the light pink, DONE, round two was the dark pink, DONE, round three is the white, 1/10th DONE. We have a few more weeks before they are due to the customer and with the great progress this weekend I'm sure they will be ready for an on time delivery.
Saturday evenings entertainment included Walt Disney's Enchanted. What a great movie! I just love the bursting into song in the middle of central park like it is something that happens everyday.

Sunday we were working like mad! CEOreo allowed us to enjoy the weather and take the sweatshop outside. Sharon, Mom and myself sat out on the deck enjoying the sun, the fresh air and the 93.3 WMMR Back to School A to Z weekend while we worked our little finger, thumbs and wrists to the bone. We had some afternoon entertainment that included a brief burst of work from sweatshop worker Roland. However if you blinked you missed it, thank goddess for cameras. After 4 hours or so we broke for some much needed grub and dessert that was most excellent. Mom's township famous, Peach pie! Don't even ask for any because it is already gone.
The talking peaches say Hello! (inside joke)Then back to the sweatshop in the Craft Cave were the evenings entertainment including Labyrinth and Food Network. Since it was a holiday Sunday night we brought out some Angry Pirates which we made earlier and froze. MMMMmmmm! Not sure if it was the extra banana rum or the sun or pure crafting exhaustion but after a half a glass we all started to slow down and get a little....lets say loopy........Labor day for sure! Mom and I worked all day on the deck crafting. She completed round two of the candle rings and I cut and cut and cut out pattern after pattern until my thumb couldn't take it anymore. So after dinner we just rested. Believe it or not! Yes even we do rest for time to time.

I'm feeling pretty good about what was accoplished this weekend. I just hope that we keep this pace up and get as much on the list done as we can. 12 weeks to go and counting down!

Non Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks

2008-08-24T21:09:00.008-04:00

Ok sorry, don't mean to offend anyone....

National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing - NASCAR

Around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around (Yes there are 500) I personally don't know what is the point of watching cars go around and around and around but people love it.

Is it the trill of watching them go around and around at over 180mph? Is it the possible chance of seeing pretty amazing crashes? Is it the opportunity to drink beer and socialized with others who enjoy the sport? Is is the community of fans? Is it the tight uniforms the cute drivers wear?

I myself, not a fan. But then again I'm not a fan of any sport. I can respect that the drivers & crew are athletes. They train just like all other athletes do. I'm sure that if I were to see them in person I would at least be able to appreciate the speed and mere inches apart these powerful machines are.

With that being said and a little encouragement from sweatshop worker KIM, I give you the NASCAR Tissue Box Cover!

I designed 5 different TBC. The cool thing about them is that the covers fit the large tissue boxes, the ones that have something like 200 tissues. We are planning to make them for the craft show. I have a Dale Sr, Dale Jr, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Of course I had to make sweatshop worker Kim her fav Clint Bowyer, who drives the Jack Daniels #07 car. I will be honest and say it is a bribe. Bribing her to help me with the others. **Smiling and looking desperate**

***Sweatshop workers, start your sewing***

And the winners are........(I'm going to be very busy!)

2008-08-22T21:50:00.007-04:00

Voting has ended and the results are in. The Watermelon and Rudolph Patterns were the most popular followed by the Fire Engine and the Santa's Lil' Helpers. So we will be making these for the up coming craft show. Because of the time of year and the difficultly of some of the patterns I've decided to make only 1 each of the Fire Engine and Watermelon and 2 each to the Rudolph and Santa's Lil' Helpers. I'm excited to see how they all turn out. Thanks to all who voted!

I've also been trying to compile a list of other projects to make for the craft show. I wanted something different but not too hard. I'm trying not to over extend myself (too late). Here are a few of the other projects I hope to complete in time for the craft show.

Since Nascar is so popular around these parts my sweat shop worker Kim thought I should try some Nascar tissue box covers. This is the one I made last year as a gift for her. I'm only doing a few so I don't get stuck with them. She suggested Dale Jr, Dale Sr, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. I'm trusting her on their popularity as I couldn't pick them out of a line up. But if there is some one that I don't have that you may want you can always place an order.

Sweat shop worker mom and I decided that since these little guys were so popular last year, so cute and super easy we are going to make a few more of these little fellows. They are turkey baskets. They hold candy and have place for a name card so can be used as table place settings.

These are a few of the really cool patterns I have found over the last year that I'm just dying to make. These pizza coasters are awesome and the football candy holders are small and easy to make. They would be a great idea to give out at a football/superbowl party. Remember I do take orders.
This angel tree topper is one my wish list of to do items. I hope I have the time to make at least one of her for the show. She is a lot of work but so beautiful. I have a list of about 19 projects that I would like to complete for the show. Not sure I will even get to half of them let alone all of them but I'm optimist. I still have some items from last year like the Winne the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger and Tweety Bird tissue boxes. I have a variety of ornaments. A few candle rings. Monkey, Church and Crow coasters. As well as a few Birthday Cake slices. I will have a really cute Santa Countdown to Christmas Calendar and of course the Football Helmet tissue box covers.

I will try my best to post works in progress and finished object along the way. Don't forget to check out my FLICKR badge of completed Plastic Canvas projects. I have some of the pictures to items listed above already in the set for you to look at. As always thanks for stopping by.

Wirlwind time with my fabulous husband

2008-08-15T21:12:00.013-04:00

The hubby was around and in a close town so I had the chance to go out and visit him. The first trip was on Sunday, August 3rd. John was working for a few days in NYC and had some down time so I went to visit.

I rode the train up with my great friends Chris, Dave and Tim. It was nice not to have to ride alone. Makes the time go by so much faster when you are chit chatting. My other trips back and forth I spend working on Kim's baby carriage. Once we arrived at Penn Station we all parted ways. They were on their way to do some shopping, eating and catch "Avenue Q" I was off to catch a cab and head to the lower east side.

Once I arrived John promised me he would take me (and suffer threw) a trip to the World of Disney on 5th & 55th. So we hopped into a cab and off we went. My plan was to do a little pin trading and pick up a few new pins that were recently released. John was such a good sport. He was patient and pretended to have a good time. The characters come to visit every so often and I heard that Goody and Pluto were hanging out, so up stairs we went to have our pictures taken with them. This was John's first encounter with the famous friends. He grinned and took it like a husband who has a crazy wife. I appreciated it so much. It is one of my most favorite things to do while in Disney, character stalking. It is like searching and collecting treasure. The thrill of the search, the excitement of having yet another character checked off my list of who's who's. The pictures came out really cute........maybe I see a Christmas card photo......

After his Disney torture we went to Central Park. We just sat and relaxed and people watched. It was a beautiful day. John had mentioned that he saw a "duck tour" in Times Square we he went threw earlier. For those of you who do not know what a "duck tour" is I will try to enlighten you. It is a bus and a boat. These vehicles were built and used in war times and allowed the armed forces to drive threw the streets and then drive right into the water and then use the vehicle as a boat. We have done the "Duck Tour" in Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia and the "Hippo" tour in Toronto (same idea only Canadian). The tour guides are what make or break this tour. Our guide in NYC was not only funny but knew what he was talking about. So we drove around the city for a few blocks and then off into the Hudson River. It was great fun. I had to leave not too long after we returned to the hotel. I had to work Monday, I hate being a responsible adult sometimes. But I knew I would be spending more time with John later in the week so it was ok.

Thursday night, well more like Friday morning I drove down to Atlantic City. Thank goddess for my sister-in-law she chatted with me for most of my drive, she was working on her Olympic Countdown video, it is super cute, go and check it out HERE. After all was said and done we didn't get to our room at the Borgota until after 2:30am. John had some crazy drink so he was a bit buzzing and crazier and more goofy then normal. We had a great view of Atlantic City and the boardwalk from our room. We were on the correct side of the hotel for once. The lights at night were cool but of course they didn't come out in pictures so I took one in the morning.

Once John got up and moving (he is a night owl by nature meaning he hates mornings) we drove down to Wildwood. I haven't been there is years but it still looks the same.

The boardwalk is really nice and relatively clean but New Jersey standards. The beach was mobbed so we just looked at it from the boardwalk and didn't even bother making our way out there. Of course that meant that the boardwalk was pretty empty so we had a nice stroll up and back. Then we headed back to Atlantic City by taking the scenic Ocean Drive route. It is so beautiful. The houses are amazing.

Friday night was the opening ceremony for the Olympics so we watch it in our comfy room. Around 10pm we heard something outside that sounded like explosions. Considering we were up on the 39th floor they were loud. We looked out to see fireworks. It was really cool to see them from so high up.

Saturday we headed into Camden and took the ferry boat over to Philadelphia for a cheese steak. It was relaxing and Philly looks so pretty from out on the water. We floated right past the USS New Jersey which was neat. One of these day I will get done there to tour it. After returning to Camden John and I went to see a few songs of the show. John has liked the Counting Crows for a long time and turn we on to them. They have some really good stuff. I wish I could have seen the whole show but I had to leave to head home to catch the train to NYC, again.

This time I went at night and met up with John at the parking area and we went to the hotel together. I have to tell you that this hotel is very trendy and modern. The decor is cool and swanky. However I do have one complaint, do you think they could spare a large TV?

This little thing on a huge wall. It was really a funny site. We also had something that resembled Cousin It.But it was a nice hotel and the shower was great (fantastic water pressure) and the bed was super comfy , I want one. It was like a solid foam mattress but not memory foam. It was hard and soft at the same time and John and I both agreed on how much we loved it, which never happens with bedding. The room also had a balcony and a view..............I didn't say a good view, just a view. We went out for drinks at like 1am which is so not me. I was ready to fall asleep as it was and then add alcohol are you kidding me. Thank goddess we took a cab back because I would have never made the 15 block walk back, I barely made the 15 block walk there.

Sunday yielded yet another trip to the World of Disney. Last week I got a duffel bag with wheels for $20 additional if I spent the magic amount....I did. The bag is so nice John wanted one too. So we went back and spent the magic amount again and got another bag. I was kinder to him this time, no pictures with the characters.

Afterwards we went over to Central Park again to do some people watching. This time the weather was not as kind.....we got soaked. And when it rains all the cabs in the city either disappear or are off duty. Over 30minutes to get a cab. You would have thought we would have had better luck after seeing the leprechaun in the morning.

By the time we got one and got back to the hotel it was time for a nap. Of course the nap was more like a sleep and when I woke up I had to hurry up and leave to catch the train. That sucked. So I'm rushing around getting my stuff together, mad at myself for sleeping and worried that I was going to miss the last early train home. I wanted to be home before 10pm because again, I have to go to work on Monday mornings.

So much for rushing. No, it isn't what you think, I made the train. Got a good seat alone so I can work on my plastic canvas, departed on time and then it happened. We headed into the tunnel, you know the tunnel that goes under the Hudson (I have a fear of tunnels, a big fear, fear that leads me to believe that the tunnel will break or collapse or be terrorised while I'm in it leading it to fall on my head and trapping me and me dying) I don't like tunnels. We stopped. Stopped in the tunnel. The train was broken and after a few tries and an hour later we finally got out of the tunnel. I did better than I thought I would trapped in a tunnel. But I was very unhappy. Unhappy to be in the tunnel and unhappy that I didn't get home until 11pm. My wonderful SIL came and got me and showed off her Olympic Sweater. I was happy to be home and out of the tunnel.

But I guess it didn't bother me too much because Thursday I was back on the train again. This time I decided to stay over night which was nice but this morning 5am came really fast and wasn't pretty. John asked not to go to the World of Disney this round so I agreed but we had to do something. He decided that he wanted to go to the Guggenheim. But we had to eat first. So after eating in the TGIFriday in Times Square and we will never do that again after seeing the cockroaches living the life in the bathrooms we hopped in another cab and went to the museum. Now Guggenheim is a little ways up there 89th street to be specific so it was a bit of a ride. We got there all excited to check it out and.....wait for it.......it is closed on Thursdays. LOL We finally want to do something with culture and it is closed....ha...ha...ha...ha....ha....figures. So we began to walk back down to the front of Central Park to maybe so to the Zoo. Well, John and I aren't having the best of luck with the weather....it started to lighting, thunder, rain and then pour. We found shelter under some building scaffolding and decided to wait it out. A HOUR LATER it finally slowed down and stopped. John treated me to a carriage ride in Central Park.

It was so sweet. I'd never done it before so it was nice and a beautiful rainbow appeared as we were riding.

Afterwards we headed back to the hotel. We had to walk a few blocks to catch a cab. We caught one on 5th ave.......right in front of, you guessed it.....the World of Disney. We didn't go in we just got the cab and headed back to the hotel. We got pizza delivered and watched the Olympics until I had to go to sleep. Like I said 5am came really fast.

I had a wonderful time with my hubby, wish we could spend more time like that together. And we will when we go on vacation in January. I will tell you more about that in a few days and the surprise I got when compromising on our vacation. It is a good one!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM! Hope you like your present......

2008-08-12T21:44:00.004-04:00

Today, many years ago, my dear friend and sweatshop worker, Kimmy came into this wonderful world a kick’n and a scream’n. I just wanted to wish her a very happy birthday and show you all her birthday gift before she even gets to see it. I’m giving it to her in the morning when I get to work.

And ladies and gentlemen it is hot off the presses. I just finished it and it is due to be given tomorrow. Nothing like sweating bullets and getting hand cramps trying to finish in time. It is not only a complex piece to stitch with the stitches in a non-traditional pattern; there is so much of it, 25 PIECES!!!!

I made one for myself many years ago and it became my first “I swear I won’t make another” or as like to call them “limited editions” because of how much of a pain in the butt it was.
……but I guess it is true what they say, never say never…………… She has been eyeballing my limited edition piece for as long as I can remember and dropping her not so subtle hints about trying to make one herself or just receiving one of her very own.

Last year sweatshop worker mom and I made her this cake. Look so good you could almost eat it.
As a special treat for her birthday this year I decided to make her a baby carriage of her very own.
Pattern info

Book: Best of Dick Martin -- Fun For Everyone

Pattern: Baby Carriage

Level Of Difficulty: Hard

Time: About a month on and off because trying to hide it from Kim

I hope she loves it. If not, I know someone who needs a shower gift to give…..lol (sorry inside joke)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!

What would you like to see us make......

2008-07-30T21:14:00.005-04:00

Wanna help make us make a decision about what to make for the up coming craft show? Well, here is your chance! Each member of the sweatshop has choosen their five favorites from the "101 Tissue Toppers in Plastic Canvas Edited by Laura Scott released by House of White Birches". It is a great book with beautiful patterns and though it was hard to decide we did. Now we are asking for your help.....Pick you favorite five from our list. Please only pick 5. The top five we will be making for the craft show. Voting ends on Sunday, August 17th. Thanks for playing along.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFULD HUSBAND!

2008-07-27T19:41:00.008-04:00

On July 19th my husband, John, celebrated his birthday. I'm not going to say how old he turned but I will say next year he will be like Steve McGarrett in Hawaii.

John is a touched man. I would even goes as far as describing him as "special". He has a great sense of humor and makes every one laugh. I myself have grown immune to his comments but he still manages to get me from time to time.

Here is his most famous photo.......he takes one every time he gets my camera. I could do an entire photo album on shots of him just like this one.......

This is the first time in our almost 9 years together that John has been home for his birthday. John has an interesting job that keeps him away from home most of the time. So it was a real treat to have him home to celebrate. The brother and SIL volunteered to have a cook out for the special occasion.

Sharon and Captain Jack......Sparrow......made the Angry Pirate, it was a totally awesome drink she sort of made up. Very yummy.

I made the cake. John has a slight monkey addiction. He likes monkeys.........a lot. Monkeys in the zoo, on TV, on clothing, in pictures.....you getting my drift. I got him some monkey balloons for him.

Told you he likes monkeys.

He thinks they are cute, so what else would me make for his birthday cake but a monkey. Wilton's has a really cute pan so that is what we used. I also made the icing from scratch (thanks to Kathy I had the confidence to do it). I used the receipt from the box of Domino Confectionery Sugar. The CEOreo looked on just hoping I would drop something.

It was really yummy. John also has a little thing for bright and loud Hawaiian shirts so of course the monkey had to be wearing one. I was very happy with the way it turned out.

It was a very nice day, hot and humid but nice to have him home for a few days and nice to have him here on his birthday.Looks like he had fun! Love ya honey! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

80's meme

2008-07-25T13:08:00.020-04:00

Preppy or Rocker: Rocker always! Just wait till you see the pictures below.

Z Cavarricis or Guess Jeans and Espirit or Benetton?: Guess jeans and United Colors of Benetton. I have go clue who made my jeans, we shopped at K-mart and Sears. If I was lucky and hit a sale the Rainbow shop and DEB but that was a real treat. But no matter what brand they were they were pegged with wigwams.

Favorite Pop song of the 80s: I have one or two, I was more rock then pop but I loved
Tainted Love - Soft Cell (thankfully covered by Marilyn Manson)
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics (again, thankfully covered by Marilyn Manson)
Voices Carry - Til' Tuesday

Most Annoying Pop song of the 80s : Anything New Kids on the Block, remember I'm a rocker girl.

Hair Metal or Heavy Metal- Who was your favorite performer and favorite song?
Picking a favorite performer or song is like trying to pick my favorite child just impossible to do. But I will list who I listened to in the 80's and early 90's.....until grunge came along.....

AC/DC, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Baton Rouge, Cinderella, Dokken, Europe, Danger Danger, Trixter, Extreme, Firehouse, Great White, Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, Night Ranger, Roxy Blue, Anthrax, Metallica, Ozzy, Van Halen (Van Hager), Lynch Mob, Poison, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Def Leppard, Warrant, Faster Pussycat, LA Guns, Tora Tora, Dio, Skid Row, Kiss, Queensryche, Winger, Bullet Boys, Steelheart, Whitesnake, White Lion, Kix, Tesla, WASP, Saigon Kick, Slaughter, Jackyl, Iron Maiden and more I'm sure I'm missing. If it was on Headbangers Ball I listened to it.

What posters were on your bedroom wall or college dorm room? Johnny Depp, the Monkees, Poison, Warrant, Nelson, Motley Crew, Europe, La Guns, Guns N Roses, Kix, Def Leppard, Steve Via......lets put it this way if you were in a metal band that made it to the pages of Metal Edge magazine, at some point you were on my wall

What concerts do you remember most from the 80s? Poison. It was my very first concert. It was just after the release of Open Up and Say Ahh! They opened for David Lee Roth. Droopy took me to see them because he knew how much I loved them.

Favorite 80s movies Dirty Dancing, Footloose, Gremlins, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Heathers, The Christmas Story, Goonies, Breakfast Club, Better off Dead, One Crazy Summer, Spaceballs, Police Academy, Ferris Beuller, Back to the Future, Naked Gun, Outsiders, Mr Mom, The Lost Boys, License to Drive, Big, Stand by Me, Dream a Little Dream, E.T., Mannequin, Short Circuit, Ghostbusters, Howard the Duck, Karate Kid, Weird Science, Big Trouble in Little China, Nightmare on Elm Street, Adventures in Babysitting

Favorite 80s movie quotes
"Hey, if you hit the wrong note, we'll all "B Flat" Goonies
"Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die" Princess Bride
"Number 5 is alive!" Short Circuit

Way too many from The Christmas Story. We have seen this movie way, way, way too many times. Here is the proof.....go take the quiz yourself and see how you do!

You scored a 100%!

Congratulations! I applaud you on the multiple watchings of the movie. You must watch the marathons each year :^)

A Christmas Story
Take More Quizzes

Top 3 most memorable pop culture moments of the 80s for you President Reagan being shot, yes I know I was only 5 or so but it is one of my first memories. The Challenger Disaster because we watched it as a group in the all-purpose room. I have a bad memory that is all you are getting.

Favorite 80s cartoon The Smurfs, Fraggle Rock and Muppet Show even though not cartoons were directed towards us little ones, Capitan Cave Man, Grape Ape, Looney Tunes

Favorite 80s commercials:
Frosted Mini Wheats because they bring out the kid in you
Head and Shoulders because you never get a second chance to make a first impression
Juicy Fruit because the taste is really gonna moooovvve ya

Boy George or Wham? Rocker or not I have to go with Wham! and goddess bless his soul George Michael. I mean really, I don't think I've seen a finer ass on any man since the "Faith" video

Favorite one-hit wonder They don't know about us - Tracy Ullman

INXS or Depeche Mode As much as I like "People are People" did you ever see Michael Hutchence? I mean he was quite a hottie and he can sing, a perfect combination.

Poison or Warrant: Now you are just trying to rip my heart out. Of cousre I'm a huge Poison fan.....first concert ever remember but.....my goddess......Jerry Dixon....... (love you honey)

Did you ever meet a rocker or 80's pop icon? Where were you?

On my 18th birthday (thanks mom for letting me skip school) I got to meet Richie Sambora and David Bryan of Bon Jovi.

1998 Kiss 7th row MSG was incredible enough but after the show I got to meet Steve West of Danger Danger.
And Sebastian Bach of Skid Row! OMG! HE WAS HUGGING ME!!!! (love you honey)Of course I was shaking and super nervous when I got to meet Jack Russell from Great White. Love this man! Super sweet and the voice of an angel. And his incredibly sexy new (at the time) bass play Sean McNabb. Yummy! (love you honey)Steve Riley of LA Guns.Bill Leverty, guitarist from FireHouse.Mark Slaughter and Blas Elias of Slaughter. Blas Elias of Slaughter, again, YUMMY! (love you honey)I have also met but have no pictures of CC DeVille of Poison, all of Quiet Riot, Weird Al Yankovik, Tesla (they new I was getting engaged before I did), Dokken, Ratt, Tracii Guns, Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden and a few more that I'm probably forgetting.

Snap bracelets or Jelly bracelets? Sharon said "Jelly Bracelets and they would match my Wigwams (multi-colored socks we would buy from Trenton Joes)" I second that!

Fess up. Who had the garden weasel bangs? *see previous post* 'nuff said

Favorite 80s sitcoms: A-Team, Knight Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, Silver Spoons, ALF, Charles in Charge, Different Strokes, Facts of Life, Fraggle Rock, Head of the Class, Kate and Allie, Love Boat, Mork and Mindy, Moonlighting, Pee Wee's Playhouse, Perfect Strangers, Small Wonder, Smurfs, Tales from the Darkside, 21 Jump Street, Wonder Years, Tracey Ullman Show, Who's the Boss

Is Jon Bon Jovi still hot or what? Yes, yes and yes! (love you honey) Taken with camera phone at the Bon Jovi concert 07-15-06

"Double Dare" or "You Can't Do That on Television" Both. Love Nickelodeon. Watch out for the green slime

Who was your favorite Brat Packer? Judd Nelson, totally dude. Breakfast Club. hhhhhhhhot! Again second that!

Jellies or Reebok Pumps Jellies but my god how your feet would sweat in those things.

Favorite pizza parlor arcade game: Never played arcade games, my hand eye coordination not the best but I loved playing the jukebox at the local pizza joint.

Deep South "Good 'ol Boys" or "L.A. underground vigilantes wanted for a crime they didn't commit" Dukes of Hazzard

If you are reading this feel free to copy to your blog and have fun. If you are a regular lurker, why don't you take this as a opportunity to come out and introduce yourself, just say hi if nothing else. Please, I'd love to hear from you. Let me know where I can reach you back though. Blogger has a nasty habit of giving the "no reply blogger" response.

80's Hair Friday! Gimme head with hair, Long beautiful hair, Shining, gleaming, Streaming, flaxen, waxen....

2008-07-24T19:28:00.007-04:00

Just so you all know I was born with lots and lots of hair. So I had issues right from the beginning. My hair is naturally wavy and extremely thick. These pictures are all pre 1980 when I was about 3 or 4 years old.
Middle school came in the late 80's. It wasn't good to me.
Now these girls have big hair. These were great and best friends of mine in high school. Never kept in touch after graduation. I miss them. We had some great times together. I think we each carried the large can of Aqua Net Super hold. This is most likely 1990. The "Eighties" hair stuck around even after the decade had officially ended.
Then there was the ever changing period of time where the hair some days would be high and other days not so much. I had a grunge, hippie and goth period these lasted back and forth for almost a decade. I also went threw a "no photos please" period so thankfully there are very few examples to show you. You would think it is the 80's but it isn't these are my sophomore 90-91, junior 91-92 and senior 92-93 school pictures. Told you the calendar was changing but my hair wasn't.
Some time around 1996 I cut my bangs and I haven't grown them back yet. I thought I looked good. Ha! These were all taken between 1996 and 2000.

Since that time I have colored my hair black and red and have had blond and red highlights over my natural brown hair. I'm happy with my hair today, as I probably was in all of this photos. It could be a lot worse, I mean, I just hope that I don't look back some day wishing I still had hair.

I will be doing the 80's meme this evening, I promise. I just had to get the hair out there.

Tagged---A to Z meme

2008-07-24T11:37:00.010-04:00

I was tagged by SIL Sharon, stitchinwitch who btw knows that I dislike emails of this sort but I will play along and be a good sport since it is part of our really cool blogs. It's not like I don't have a list of events and crafts to blog about but this seems to be interesting and dare I say, fun. I tag sairy (sorry my dear but I was told I had to tag somebody) OK so here we go...

ACCENT: I may drop my "T"s from time to time in words like button and Trenton (hey if your from here you say it the same way I do)and I was bullied out of speaking incorrectly when it comes to words like wash and water (warsh and wooder) I don't have much of an accent. I was blessed with parents who are not from around these parts. I am also thankful for my education so that the words pen & pin, far & fire sound different (love ya mom!)

BREAKFAST OR NO BREAKFAST: I eat bad things for breakfast. Outside of the rare waffle I eat a lot of junk food for breakfast......yes I hear the yelling and lecturing coming from you even as I type this.

CHORE I DON'T CARE FOR: Cleaning the bathroom. Not sure why it just takes me so long to do it. If I could get it super clean in about 10 minutes I wouldn't hate it as much. Plus I always get interrupted when I'm cleaning the shower/tub so it takes that much longer......(yes Sharon I just threw a dig at you)

DOG OR CAT: Hello?! Dog! I have the cutest dog in the whole world and she is the best CEO ever.

ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICS: Camera and cell phone with camera. I was told once by my husband that I have a well documented life. I still, after many visits, take a picture of Cinderella Castle. I love so much that cell phones have cameras now. They just need to work a bit more on the technology so they quality is better.

FAVORITE COLOGNE: Victoria's Secret Vanilla Lace, yummy!

GOLD OR SILVER: Doesn't even matter to me. I have both.

HANDBAG I CARRY MOST OFTEN: I have a great little army green denim bag from Wal-mart. I love it. I hate having to carry one so I went with cool, practical and cheap.

INSOMNIA: On a few occasions I cleaned my entire apartment at 2:30 am....yes.

JOB TITLE: Records Data Reviewer Level 2 At least that is what is says on my paycheck.

KIDS: Nope. Not yet. Maybe someday. Maybe not. We'll see.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: A super cute house. We live in the upstairs and basement and my parents live on the main floor. We share the dog. The husband lives in the garage.

MOST ADMIRABLE TRAIT: Honesty. Though always the best policy not always the most popular thing. I can be brutally honest and that has at, many times, made people mad. Oh well, I say F**K'em.

NAUGHTIEST CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR: I slammed my bedroom door when I got in trouble. I mostly was a very good kid. And yes I did have my mouthy years but all in all my parents were lucky considering it could have been a lot worse. And to defend my dear brother he never smashed a pumpkin, he just would take it off your porch and move it down the street to the curb or another neighbor’s porch.

OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY: Yes. I was a really sick little kid. Don't need to discuss any further not the best time of my life.

PHOBIAS: I'm not really afraid of anything. But I do have a very strong dislike for tunnels, clowns, tunnel clowns and guns. The tunnels I'm afraid of them falling in on me. It doesn't stop me from going threw them I have a secret weapon....the Oscar Mayer Wiener song. Clowns bother me because they have the clown make up that makes them look happy and maybe they are all pissed off and ready to kill and you would never know by looking at them because they are all smiles and shit. Plus the movies Killer Clowns from Outer space and It, messed me up for years. I'm not comfortable talking about the tunnel clowns they upset me that much. They way they hide in the door ways just waiting to jump on your car. Guns are a nervous thing always afraid they are going to go off by themselves and killed someone. It is connected to a past life.

QUOTE: I like so many quotes there could be a blog of just quotes I love. Famous people, movies, music, from t-shirts but are a few:
"Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first" - Ronald Reagan
"All your dreams come true, if you have the courage to pursue them" - Walt Disney
"Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few, friend to one, enemy to none" - Benjamin Franklin
"Well, if crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight? They never mention that part to us, do they?" - George Carlin

(Maybe I will have to do a blog post on this in the future....as lesleygirl says "remind me")

REASON TO SMILE: There is someone out there in the world having a worse day then me.

SIBLINGS: Yes.....a brother.....When he was born people asked me where did your little brother come from? I responded with "He's from K-mart" I guess mom got him on a clearance blue light special or lost the receipt because we couldn't return him. In all seriousness he's a great guy and I'm very luck to have him as a brother. Plus he is smart (mouthed, sorry had to). Really, he must be he married my excellent SIL.

TIME I WAKE UP: 7 am ish during the week. I hate mornings so please don't speak to me before 10 am. I have a 10 to 10 rule. Unless you are bleeding on your way to the hospital don't call me after 10 at night or before 10 in the morning.

UNUSUAL SKILL OR TALENT: I can roll my tongue. I was told that you have to be genetically programmed to do this. Ooo! Ooo! Oooh! (jumping up and down excited that I remembered) I have a photographic memory. Thank goddess because my other memory sucks. It is great to just close your eyes and re-see things. It is also good because I can always remember a face but bad because I can never remember names.

VEGETABLE I REFUSE TO EAT: Most of them. The list I eat is shorter.

WORST HABIT: Bossy and controlling. I know it and I'm a big girl with my big panties on so I can admit it. I really try to be better but sometimes it sneaks but in. It is part of my OCD.

YUMMY STUFF: Pizza, pumpkin pie, rum, cupcakes, hamburgers with fries, circus peanuts (only in season during the summer), cantaloupe, pot roast, bread and butter

ZOO ANIMAL I LIKE MOST: Polar bears. They are so beautiful and cuddly looking. That is until you see their teeth and razor sharp claws.

My new business card

2008-07-17T21:53:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to show off some home made business cards.

It is CEOreo approved!

Another long night but at least I got my sofa....

2008-07-15T20:39:00.002-04:00

So I called this morning at the butt crack of dawn when they opened about my lonely sofa.....here's how it went...

THEM: Select Express & Logistics, how can I help you?

ME: Yes, I had a half delivery last night and my sofa is supposed to be delivered this evening between 5 pm and 9 pm. I want to be sure that I am first on the delivery schedule.

THEM: Yes, we have you here for 5pm to 9pm window for delivery.

ME: I'm I first on the list? because if not we need to get that done somehow.

THEM: Yes, you are listed first

ME: Great thanks!

FAST FORWARD TO THE 5:15 phone call......I call them

THEM: Select Express & Logistics, how can I help you?

ME: Yes, when I called this morning they told me I was first for delivery this evening and I was expecting them here at 5pm, are they on their way?

THEM: You are first for delivery and they should be there between 6 pm and 6:30 pm

ME: 6 pm is first for delivery?!?!?!

THEM: Yes, someone will be contacting you to let you know they are on there way

ME: This is crazy. Thanks.

FAST FORWARD TO 6:15 -they call me

THEM: Select Express & Logistics this is Mike. I wanted to let you know that they are filling up the truck with gas and are only 15 miles away. They should be there very soon.

ME: Great! (Thinks to self, I can still make SNB)

FAST FORWARD AGAIN TO 7:20 - I call them again!

THEM: Select Express & Logistics, how can I help you?

ME: How long does it take for them to get gas? I thought I was going to be over and done with this and on my way to my meeting this evening. What is going on?

THEM: They had to wait for the owner of the truck to bring them money so they can get gas.
(Thinks to self, are you freakin kidding me!)

ME: Well how much longer? I am missing my meeting.

THEM: They should be there very soon...Did you really want to go to a meeting?
(YES, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT KIND OF MEETING IT IS AND I DID WANT TO GO!!!!!)

THEY ARRIVED AT 7:46!!!!!!!!! So I was a bit over ready for bed by that point and missed SNB because of these guys. I was supposed to be first this evening however I was last again and I know that because I had to sign for the sofa and there were 5 other people who had already signed this evening. This is an independent company used by IKEA to deliver to you. And though almost every one I spoke with was very nice, I am still going to call IKEA and speak with them about how un-happy I was with this company.

But I have my sofa now :)

I'm pretty sure that I order both a loveseat and a sofa.....

2008-07-14T21:23:00.003-04:00

I love my loveseat, of course I would like to also love my sofa. Where oh where can it be? Well, I'll tell you what they told me...."We didn't have room on the truck for both." WTF!?!?!? They were supposed to be here on July 3rd, sofa didn't make it to the warehouse. Then they were supposed to be here on the 10th, sofa was there but they had to get the loveseat from the store. They finally got together for delivery. Ok set up delivery for between 5pm-9pm for them to show up at 8:55pm!!! WITHOUT MY SOFA!!!! So now that I have wasted an entire night waiting I get to do it all over again tomorrow night, what fun! I am not going to miss SNB on account of these guys. I'm going to call in the morning and ensure that I am first for delivery tomorrow night!

But the loveseat is really nice!

It's Elmo's World and we are just living in it

2008-07-06T17:26:00.002-04:00

Elmo, Elmo, Elmo. More fame and fortune then we will ever see. This little red ball of fuzz has stolen the hearts of children (and some adults) all over the world. But we were just concerned about our corner of it this weekend when we attended an Elmo themed birthday party for our favorite toddler, Alex. Alex turned two, the perfect Elmo age. He just about explodes when he sees him on TV, books, pictures or anywhere else he may happen to be marketed. So the Elmo theme was a no brainer for his mom, Kathy.

Inspired by famed sweatshop worker mom, Kathy wanted to try her hand at making and decorating her very own Elmo cake for said Elmo themed party. This was Kathy's first attempt at cake decorating. She did an excellent job, the sweatshop workers are very proud of her and had to tell you all about it.
She used the Wilton's Elmo cake pan and the Wilton's red icing coloring. She said that was the trickiest part, getting Elmo to be the right color red. Too little coloring he is pink too much it looks like Elmo didn't use his sun block. Here he is.............shortly before we cut him up and eat him....yummy Elmo!
What a great job!!! It is hard to believe that this was her first attempt at the fine school of cake decorating. However, she will tell you she had a good coach....sweatshop worker mom. But she did it all on her own and what a fine job indeed. We just hope that she keeps it up (her egg less chocolate cake was so yummy) so we don't have to wait until Alex's 3rd birthday until we see another cool creation.

As promised some finished projects!

2008-07-05T13:53:00.003-04:00

The CEO has spoken. We are off and running and getting a really solid start for the craft show.

Adorable coaster sets, don't worry cat lovers you will be represented soon.
The countdown to Christmas calendar.........as of today there are 173 days to go. The calendar allows you to count from 30 days out.
A better picture of my turtle.....thanks to my SIL for letting me use her wonderful light box!
I have gotten a few more books and I have a basic idea of what I want to make. Now I just have to get modivated to work.

I've been very busy.......The first half of 2008, a long and sad story PART 2 - The front of the house and rock beds

2008-07-05T00:27:00.006-04:00

If you re-call in the begining of the story there was a cement fairy that turned out to be an evil cement troll. This is that part of the story..........

A few years ago the pretty plastic canvaser and her sweatshop workers decided that they wanted some nice curb appeal. So they worked very hard on turning the front of the house into a fabulous rock bed.

This was a fabulous addition to the front of the house. Unfortunatly there were some ugly sidewalks creeping around (You can see the ugly blocks and bricks in the above picture towards the right side) So when the evil leakage occured in the basement/livingroom the sweatshop workers felt it was time for some outside help. They found the cement fairy. The cement fairy came and fixed (so we thought) the uglyness and evil leakage.

Looks nice but.............you missed a few spots...........

Crack in the side of the front porch.

More importantly, the trouth created by not finishing the job. Thus allowing the evil rain water to collect and leak into the basement/livingroom causing scattered belongings, heartache and dispare.
After TWO months of calling the evil trolls almost every day and leaving message after message after message (yes I said TWO months) Finally (after threating legal action) they came and finished the job. So then the sweatshop workers went to work restoring the fabulous front yard and rock garden.

Much better curb appeal.
So that is the end of our long sad story. At least it has a happy ending. With hope and luck the second half of the year will be devoted more towards crafting and preparing for the craft show in November.

As always, thanks for reading and sitting threw the goofyness that is my blog.

***NEXT POST will contain some actual finished plastic canvas****

I've been very busy.......The first half of 2008, a long and sad story PART 1 - The Basement

2008-07-04T23:20:00.014-04:00

Once upon a time a pretty plastic canvaser had a beautiful basement/living room.

The pretty plastic canvaser when not working on plastic canvas worked very hard on making this basement/living room beautiful.

One day (Feb 2008) the evil rain fell and flooded the beautiful basement/living room. Belongings were scattered about and life disrupted. But the pretty plastic canvaser found a cement fairy to come and fix the evil leakage. All was well for a short time. But the pretty plastic canvaser soon discovered that the cement fairy was not a fairy at all but more like an evil troll. The evil cement troll caused more horrible leakage by not doing the job they were hired for. (Story and pictures coming in a future installment of "I've been very busy.......The first half of 2008, a long and sad story") So once again life (April 2008)was disrupted and belongings scattered about. This was very sad. The beautiful basement was devistated and so was the pretty plastic canvaser.

The drain we had to put in to avoid any future water problems.Had to rip up the floor we worked so hard on putting down.Why might you ask? Well the evil leakage, once banished, leaves behind a secret weapon that will kill!

BLACK MOLD!!!

Slowly the pretty plastic canvaser started to regain some hope. She looked at this as a opportunity to reinvent her beautiful basement/living. To turn it into something that brings her more happiness and peace then before. So the pretty plastic canvaser began to sheetrock.

And paint.

And organize her basement/livingroom.

And lay new flooring. That we hope will never see the evil leakage or BLACK MOLD!

So things are moving along. And a glimpse of organization and order is upon us.

Soon we will have couches and begin to have craft night again.

The pretty plastic canvaser is very happy with the way her new and improved basement/livingroom turned out. Though the story has a little more ways to go. Such as basemolding and the replacement of the bar and curio cabinet. But for now she is very pleased.

You've got serious thrill issues dude... awesome!

2008-06-17T11:33:00.004-04:00

So it's not like I don't have 5 large patterns lying all over my bedroom that need to be cut out and it's not like I have 10 football helmets that I need to prepped for my sweat shop and it's not like I don't have a basement to re-do and it's not like I have about a zillion other things to do but......I just fell in love with this little guy, Righteous! Righteous!

We found him wandering around the Wal-mart craft area to our surprise. "Oh, I saw the whole thing, dude! First, you were like, whoa! And then we were like, WHOA! And then you were like, whoa." This is my first experience with the "globes". This Quick Count kit came with pattern, plastic, yarn and eyes. It was sold as a paperweight but I chose not to fill him with anything. The yarn was Needleloft and I have to say that I will never use that stuff again. It has the worse texture and I felt difficult to work with. It took me a total of about 6 hours to complete. The pattern said to glue the shell and head to the body but I stitched it together. I don't like gluing unless I have to, like his eyes.

So of course this new purchase lead me to search for others like him.....I won a pattern book this morning on ebay so there will be others coming soon. Now give me some fin, nogin dude!!!!

A sweet and meaningful statement........

2008-05-28T12:21:00.002-04:00

Beautifully stated.... As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Special Surprise Gift!

2008-05-18T15:23:00.003-04:00

This story begins with a day shopping at the craft store. Mom spotted these really cute Disney themed cross stitch kits. The kit included all the thread, a needle and a pattern so small I had to enlarge it to read it. I'm thinking these things are aimed at kids to work on. Maybe kids are more talented these days because I myself had a hard time stitching it, I can't even imagine trying something like this if I were 9 years old.But I worked on it and worked on it and worked on it with very little complaint. It took me a little longer to do then I thought it would, about 7 days or so. I worked on it at work during break time and for about an hour a night. But those at work with experience in these things said that was pretty could for a beginner.
I am quite proud of it. It turned out great! All the hard work was worth it because Sharon loved it. Well, she loves anything pirates and Johnny Depp.
So this story ends with a happy birthday to Sharon and three more little cross stitch patterns to work on. You didn't think I could leave the store without getting my three favorite villains? Yes, I bought myself Cruella Deville, Ursula and the Wicked Queen. Of course they might just stay in their packages and be displayed as is. I know, I know, I hear you all yelling that I should stitch them. We'll see.

Surprise Birthday Cake and Featured Sweat Shop Worker of todays blog is.....

2008-05-17T17:01:00.007-04:00

MOM!

Yes my mother not only slaves away at the sweat shop working on small evil holed football helmets and holly leaves.....how are they coming along, BTW? She is a mulit talented cake designer and decorator. She is as cute as Duff and has better ideas. She is the brains behind the birthday and holiday cakes around our neck of the woods. She comes up with the ideas and then has her own little sweat shop help her make them come to life.

This little diddy is a cake we made for the birthday girl, Sharon, a few years back. It is Dorothy's Ruby Slippers for the Wizard of Oz. It is made from pound cake and red glitter. And don't forget the slave labor that stood with her in the candy isle at ACME getting all those little YELLOW ONLY sweet tarts.

Here's one she made me many, many years ago for my birthday. It is a phone.

And the Cute little ducky in an egg for Easter.

This is a Grave Yard Pizza Cake.
A Stocking full of Candy.
Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo from South Park for my birthday. Gross but still adorable.
How about this excellent RC Car complete with Honey Glazed Chocolate Donuts for wheels.
How lives in a pineapple under the sea? I'm feeling the need to add another flicker badge with just cake pictures. A co-worker of Mom's was haveing twins so of course you need two cakes.
Dora the Explorer! Don't even ask for it! We are NEVER making another one of these!
Her talent rubbed off on me because I made her this cutie Pooh Bear cake.
And I made this super cool (ha get it!) Snowman Cake!
For my 30th birthday I went on a Disney Cruise so she came up with the idea of making a cruise ship cake. With help from my brother, Roland, they made this awesome cake. It was complete with peanuts for life boats and mini oreos for smoke stacks. Hey mon! Hubby John and I went to Jamaica and mom felt a cake of part of the island would be nice. The talent even rubs off on her son in-law because he helped with the beach chair. (They are crumbled vanilla wafers for the sand in case you were wondering)
How about this most super excellent cake! Yo Ho Ho! This pirate ship cake was for my birthday this year in honor of our trip to Disney for the Pirate and Princess party. Again made from pound cake. Complete with Rollo rum barrels and Milk Dud canon balls. And don't forget the stick of gum for the plank. Once again talent rubbing off on her daughter-in-law, Sharon made the sails.
We told Roland that when you turn 30 it all kind of goes down the pot. So we made him a potty. This potty had blue jello water (with a tottsie roll in it for dramatic effect), a lollipop flush handle, a cupcake plunger, and gotta love Sara Lee for the pound cake water tank.
We also dabble in cupcakes! Told you I need another flicker badge!
But now for the super special surprise birthday cake for Sharon this year. We all know Sharon is a knit wit (get it) I mean she is a wit at knitting. So mom came up with the idea of making her a ball of yarn cake, so we did.

Mom gets the hard jobs, like icing the bottom of the ball of cake.

She did a nice job, don't you think?
Then we covered it in Red Twizzler Twists. Added some chop sticks and called it a cake.
Sharon seemed very happy with the creation and the best part is she gets to eat it too!

HAVE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARON! ENJOY YOUR CAKE!

Sshh! Super Secret Birthday Gift!

2008-05-16T13:58:00.002-04:00

Case you havn't heard (or read my previous post), my wonderful SIL Sharon is having a birthday Monday, May 19. I have tried my hand at somthing unique for part of her birthday gift. Pictures are ready to go as soon as it is gifted to her. I would post progress pictures but am concerned with peeking. Stay tuned!

Ssshh! Top Secret Birthday Cake in the works!

2008-05-16T13:53:00.002-04:00

My wonderful SIL Sharon is having a birthday Monday, May 19. My totally creative mom has devised a plan for a cake like none before it. I promise to post pictures once it is given to Sharon. I would post progress pictures but am concerned with peeking. Stay tuned!

Featured Sweat Shop Worker of todays blog

2008-05-15T19:28:00.002-04:00

I thought it would be nice to introduce some of my sweat shop to you. I mean they do work really hard and they don't get paid. So the least I could do is show them off on my blog. And with craft show season quickly approaching I'm sure I will hear their cries of tired fingers and yarn that won't thread soon enough.

Kim is one of my co-workers at work. She started doing Plastic Canvas a few years ago. She has come a long way baby! She just completed this fabulous and funky tissue box. And the best part is she did it all on her own.

Kim went to Wally-world and got the crazy and bright, dare I say easter egg colored yarn. She followed the pattern and assembled it all by herself.

Way to go Kim!

Now rest up and enjoy the glory because you will be back to doing football helmets sooner than you think!

2008-04-21T19:54:00.008-04:00

My wonderful and talented SIL Sharon http://stitchinwitch.blogspot.com/ knitted made me this beautiful shrug for work and gave it to me as a birthday present. It is a great brown color and matches about half of my strappy shirts.

The specs:

Pattern: Unshaped Shrug by Just Call Me Ruby

Yarn: Laines du Nord Softlight in chocolate brown

Needles: Size 11 needles

Mods: None. Easy as pie.

I decided that I was going to try one of my own in black. I do not knit but I have crocheted since I was about 12 years old. I found a simple pattern and some great soft yarn and figured I would give it a try and if it turned out horribly wrong than I could just beg Sharon to make my one in black. I think it turned out pretty darn good for my first attempt at clothing. (I'm a blanket maker, got love those granny squares). The sleeves are slightly longer than hers and I don't think mine is as wide.

The specs:
Pattern: SusanB in Metro KC - Alternating V Shell Afghan #2
Yarn: Lion Brand Microspun Ebony 910-153 True black
Hook Size: I hook
Mods: Well considering this is a blanket pattern.....there were a few. I only went about 20 rows of the pattern. I used a DC along the long sides and a SC along the "sleeve" sides for borders. I also added a CH3 type fringe on the "sleeve" side and I joined the sides to make the sleeves with a sl st. Lastly, I worked using two strans of yarn together to make it thicker.

Now I have a brown and a black shrug so I can wear my strappy shirts to work this summer.

My Super Special Birthday

2008-04-10T20:47:00.005-04:00

AS SEEN SLIGHTLY SIMILAR ON OTHER BLOG SITES...............

We arrived on Thursday, Feb 21st. We had a great flight and our room at the Port Orleans French Quarter was ready when we checked in. I received a birthday button from the front desk. Sharon had called and had them prepare one for me without my knowledge. After having some beignets off we went for a day in Epcot. We headed straight for Soarin. Love this ride! Then we rode the land and went to see Turtle Talk with Crush. We did some pin trading on the way to World showcase. The skies opened up and spread some of that liquid sunshine. But we are strong Jersey girls so off for fun. Sharon got to see Mo’Rockin and Mom and I watched the Candy Lady in Japan. I even got a birthday phone call from Goofy. All in all a great start to my birthday weekend vacation.

Friday was a beautiful day. Sun was shining and the air was warm. And we all laughed when we were sent a picture message of the 4 inches of snow back home. We spent the morning at Downtown Disney and did some major shopping damage. Mom and Sharon got me pins for my birthday. I had a cupcake for my birthday lunch and even took a nap before we went to the Pirate and Princess party. Dinner was great, as always, at the Liberty Tree Tavern. The party was incredible.

Not only did we get to meet Captain Jack Sparrow, see the castle get bombed by Captain Hook but we got to do the Cha-Cha slide with Pirate Mickey and Pluto. We had so much fun! So, after having such a great time at the Pirate and Princess party Friday night, I wasn’t sure how the rest of the trip would measure up. I was in a great mood and was ready to enjoy the rest of our trip just as much. Not only did we get to meet Captain Jack Sparrow, see the castle get bombed by Captain Hook but we got to do the Cha-Cha slide with Pirate Mickey and Pluto. We had so much fun! So, after having such a great time at the Pirate and Princess party Friday night, I wasn’t sure how the rest of the trip would measure up. I was in a great mood and was ready to enjoy the rest of our trip just as much.

I’m always ready for fun in Disney World and I was feeling fabulous about our vacation so far. I was looking forward to a full day in the park with dinner at the Whisper Canyon Café and then finishing off with my favorite parade, Spectromagic. It looked to be a day full of liquid sunshine, so we packed our ponchos. Better to be prepared than wet. I started off my day with Mickey Waffles, boy they were good and we were making good time when we headed to the bus stop.

While on the bus to Magic Kingdom we traded some of our pins with three very polite and friendly children. My guess they were anywhere from 8 to 11 years of age. Their father tried to give Sharon extra pins for trading with us since what they were trading us weren’t exactly Limited Editions but there was no need for that. What pins we wear we are willing to trade so it makes no difference if I trade my crappy pin or your crappy pin that you traded me for a treasure in your eyes. I think it made us all feel better that we could make some kids day, to spread some magic. As we walked up to the park, Mickey and the gang were performing the opening celebration.

The first place we hit was the Photopass store to make sure our pictures came out and then off we went to character stalk, pin trade and oh yeah ride some rides. I saw Clarabelle Cow across the courtyard and headed over that way. All mom and Sharon heard was mumble and then off I went running. They caught up with me and I got Clarabelle’s autograph for my character quilt. They of course had to tease me about my character stalking and how I have eagle eyes when it comes to characters and pin trading. I was very excited to get her since she is a very rare sighting. Now off to ride some rides.

We started up Main Street USA and I saw a Cast Member with a pin lanyard up ahead. Again, Mom and Sharon teasing me for having eagle pin eyes. We all approached our “Magic Maker” and mom asked to see your pins. The “MM” told us that they were going on break and would be back in 20 minutes. Sharon quickly asked, “What are you a character?” Then my response was, “Yes they seem to be a character of some sort!” We all laughed. We continued to talk to them for a few more minutes when the “Magic Maker” wished me Happy Birthday! Birthdays in Disney World are the best. Every Cast Member made me feel so special by wishing me a Happy Birthday but not as special as “MM” when asked me how my birthday was going so far and when I told them great and they pulled me over and said, “I’m going to make it even better” because that’s when the magic happened! The “MM” asked us if we would like to be the Grand Marshal’s in the 3 o’clock parade. I scream “YES!” Thank you!” We were all yelling and jumping up and down. It was the best Disney moment I’ve ever had. I just kept thanking and thanking the magic maker. I gave MM a big hug and thanked again. I was so happy; I started to tear up and cry, something that I only do at Disney. Then the MM teared up. MM said that working there was the best job ever because you get to make people happy and bring magic into their lives. It was a fabulous moment. We made so much noise that some of the CM came out of the Emporium to see what was going on but once they saw MM they knew. We got our instructions as to how, where and what in, between more thanks. Then MM told us to enjoy our day and MM would see us later. Then we all started making the phone calls. Anyone and everyone in our phone book got called, whether the understood what an honor it was or not. I don’t think that if I had been give a million dollars I would have been any happier. It was an amazing moment.

About a half and hour after we were told the skies opened up and it began to spread some of that liquid sunshine and continued to do so for 4 hours. All day Sharon and I were sending out our good mojo and asking for the rain to stop. Rain, rain go away……. About 30 minutes prior to our meeting the sky cleared up and we could see blue. It was beautiful. Being as excited as we were we were at our meeting spot at 2pm even though we didn’t have to be there till 2:30pm. At 2:30 MM came down the path and asked us how we were doing. MM asked us if we were sure we wanted to still be Grand Marshal’s if not this was our chance to back out. We all said no way. So off to the back stage area we went. We told MM that our cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling we had been doing all day. MM asked us how our day was and said MM was glad the weather cleared up for us. MM told us that we normally would receive a certificate but the printer was down and it would be mailed to us. (We received it about 2 weeks after we got home) MM also gave us the tradional black Mickey Mouse ears with our names stitched on them. Super cool! We all immediately put them on and the good MM even had bobby pins for us. We waited for the Cinderella Castle winners to arrive. Still smiling we were all super excited.

Our cars arrived. We were in a red car that had a banner on both sides saying Grand Marshal. Roy was our trusted driver. I use the term trusted loosely because we were told that he lost a car in the mote around the castle, found out his dads air bags worked and was hoping to do ok driving since he seeing eye dog had passed away. These were just few of the jokes Roy and MM were telling us. We were laughing and whooping it up. One of the guys from the band told us that we need to learn to have a good time because it didn’t look like we were having any fun. We took a few pictures back stage and then the time came. It was so trilling to hear my name announced over the loud speakers for the whole park to hear. “Welcome today’s Grand Marshall, Tammy Kubus and her family from Trenton, NJ.” I almost started to cry again. But no time for that we have to wave to the 40,000 people or so lining the parade route.

When we first pulled out it was so overwhelming. It was exciting yet terrifying at the same time. All those people starring at you. But we soon developed a way to overcome this, find the children and wave to them. We waved to all the adults too but the children were a safety so to speak. It was cool to see them smiling and waving back. Another great thing was since they said were we were from the Jersey people stepped up and supported us. We got yelled at a few times, “Go Jersey!” I did take a short video and a few pictures while in the car but I wanted to just enjoy the experience.

Let’s talk about waving. We had to wave the entire parade route. I truly admire those who do this for a living. Our arms were hurting before we hit Liberty Square. We did get a 5 second brake at the bridge. It takes a lot longer than you think to travel that parade route. Although our arms were killing us at the end, none of us seemed to notice or complain and we were all still smiling. At the end of our journey we had some really cute pictures taken and MM gave me a ticket for a free 5X7 which I happily got before we left the park. The picture is framed and on my desk at home. Every time I look at it I smile and remember our magical day. We all had a wonderful time. It is an experience that will stay with us forever.

I don’t know if I can describe how much this meant to me or how special it was. Things like this don’t happen to me. And for me and my family to be picked and to hear my name over the loud speaker is just amazing. I’m still pinching myself. It was such a great honor to be apart of the magic. If MM gets to feel like that every day, then truly MM has the best job in the world.

The Best Birthday Ever!!!

2008-02-26T13:32:00.003-05:00

I had the best Birthday ever!!!! I will have a full report coming soon!

CRAFT SHOW!

2007-11-02T20:15:00.000-04:00

2007-10-31T13:29:00.000-04:00

Happy

Halloween!

Blessed Be!