Blah, I'm feeling wretched this morning. Braeden was up most of the night coughing, hacking, sneezing. I tried to keep him propped up but it didn't help much. I do think he got more sleep than me though. Poor little guy. What do you give a child now for such symptoms? Everything I took as a little girl is off the shelf now or not allowed for toddlers.

Anyway, thought you all should know BleuDame is having a fabulous online sale of up to 90% off their fall/winter items. You won't find these things just anywhere so scooping up their sale items is a good thing. Be sure to look at the 3-tone scarf and winter hat set, it's adorable. And if you don't want to buy it but you know how to crochet you can probably give it a try, it doesn't look too difficult. Crocheting is something I have always known how to do, since I was a wee tot.

Still tackling sewing. I did make a Spiderman pillow for Braeden and he loves it. He took it to daycare this morning. =o)

Labels: Bleudame, brae, health, sewing

So this morning my Mom and I went looking for a sewing machine. My Mom doesn't sew. She didn't really know what to suggest, but she knows I have been really down lately and she wanted to spend time with me.

We went to Wal-Mart of course, it's our place, I know it's not a good company and all but the price is right and I can't afford to go elsewhere.

Anyhoo. I chose a Brother LS-2125i because it was the one that said it would be easy to use plus I thought it was cute and it was affordable. I had read that Singer sewing machines are not as good as their reputation claims...they require frequent repairs and such.

Then I needed scissors and thread and fabric. So I had fun looking through everything. There was a lady shopping there who picked out a nice yellow fabric and I asked her to help me. She didn't work there, but I felt she could give me good advice. She seemed excited to help and wished me luck after showing me which threads I would need and helping guestimate the amount of fabric to buy.

My Mom and I left with all my new sewing supplies in hand. She was laughing because she could not believe that I had bought a sewing machine. Lol.

But now...seven hours later I have finished an apron. It's got A LOT of flaws and the stitching is far from perfect, but it is complete all the same. I chose a halter apron pattern and I used tinkerbell fabric.

What do you think? I think I am going to trim it with a black ribbon, but that will have to wait until tomorrow because man oh man my back is killing me now! Lol. But I'm excited and can't wait to make something else!

Labels: sewing

This is a b-list movie from the 80s, directed, written and produced by Rick Sloane.

If you are ever in the mood to watch a "movie" about hobgoblins that resemble teddy bears which have been burned and left in melting plastic...only to then have patches of gray hair randomly glued to their backs...

You should watch Hobgoblins.

If ever you wish to be entertained by the sound of your own hand smacking your forehead every five seconds due to the sheer moronic audacity of the dialogue ten definitely, by all means, watch Hobgoblins.

If following actors and actresses through their fantasies (controlled by hobgoblins) which lead them to impending doom...or "Reputation Road" and "Club Scum" this is the movie for you.

For horrible spandex outfits, big hair, neon lipstick and absurd van shaking...yes, yes, I am sure you get the drift.

One of IMDB's memorable quotes...

"Roadrash: Must have been a rowdy crowd tonight."

Which is why this movie was chosen to be on a Mystery Science Theatre episode.

Labels: Hobgoblins, horrible movie, MST

That's it, I've made a decision.

And I'm going to explain it all out here so you can know, but also so I can get my thoughts out there for myself. =o)

First off you need to know that I do not like shopping. One of the reasons is because I have a hard time finding things I like to wear. I end up finding them at places like Rugged Wearhouse where you have to pick through a bunch of not-so-great items just to find one or two cool items.

The problem is that I don't really have a defined style. Sometimes I feel dark and I'll clip on blue streaks in my hair, paint my nails black and go Emily Strange on ya. Other times I feel like being June Cleaver and I'll wear polka dots and ribbons in my hair. The list could go on, I just always try to put something together that fits my personality, all facets of it.

So if I learned to sew I could find fabrics that I love and I could make my own things. Maybe even have a little side business if it all goes well.

What do you think? Am I crazy?

Ok, don't answer that last one, I know I'm crazy, but I honestly do prefer being called strange, ok? =o)

I'd love to make vintage style mini dresses and a-line dresses from the 40s and 50s. We'll see what comes of this new grand idea of mine. =o)

My first pattern will be for aprons, lol. Because that is probably the easiest way to go. So if any of you want one just let me know and once I learn how to make them you can have my debut vintage aprons. =o)

Labels: grand idea, sewing

Man oh man. I received another award. Lol. From "On A Limb with Claudia" who happens to be an extraordinary writer and receiving an award from her about how I am "real" truly meant a lot to me. Sometimes people wish for objectiveness from a writer, but for me it is all about exactly what I am thinking and feeling. I'm a "wear it on my sleeve" kind of gal. I don't expect agreement from anyone. You can fight me tooth and nail about what I say and sure I'll fight back, lol, but I welcome it. One thing I cannot stand is someone who can't speak up. It doesn't matter the topic. If you have something to say, SAY IT. Or shall we say, BRING IT. =oP

So thank you Claudia for the award. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful cyber blog friends out there. And may I just say she gave out awards to other fantastic blogs so heading over and reading her page would do you some good. There is never any harm in reaching out wider on the web and stumbling across something you then find yourself wanting to read every day.

Labels: blog award, claudia

I hope the New York Giants lose the playoff game tonight. Yes, it is true, I want the Packers to win, BUT there is another very valid reason for my wanting the Giants to lose.

The Giant quarterback has told his college sweetheart and fiancee, Abby McGrew, to get layered up for tonight's bitter-cold playoff game in Green Bay -- because she has to brave the elements and suffer through the action from stadium seats if he's going to win.

Eli believes he's jinxed when McGrew watches his games from the cozy warmth of a stadium suite, Manning's oldest brother, Cooper, told The Post.

You have got be flippin' kidding me. With the wind chill it feels like -26 degrees at that game and without the wind chill it is still below 0 degrees. If I were his fiancee I wouldn't go to the damn game at all with his superstitious attitude. If he had the pull to get me a warm seat and chose not to because he is so ridiculous than he and his team deserve to lose.

Plus, even though I am an Eagle's fan, I really think it would be fantastic for Brett Favre to kick Tom Brady's BEHIND! Especially after the lousy game he played tonight. Had the rest of the team not carried him it was possible the Chargers would have been heading to Arizona for the Super Bowl. Good grief, throwing three interceptions in a play off game! Maybe McNabb gave him some bad pointers. Lol. (I'm allowed to bust on McNabb, I'm a fan.)

But who knows, as it stands right now the game is tied 20-20 and the Giants are playing harder than ever. But Brett Favre never quits and he never slows down, so I'm still hopeful.
SOURCE

Labels: football

Because at 9:30 p.m. on a Saturday night Braeden is watching Scooby Doo in his room and Brian and I are laying in bed with our laptops comparing facts about Chuck Norris and Vin Diesel.

I decided to let you share in our laughs.

I am in love with Vin, not because I think he is a fantastic actor but because I adore his voice. All he'd have to do is call me on the phone. =o) I must warn you, there are explicit facts to follow.

Vin Diesel invented black. In fact, he invented the entire spectrum of visible light. Except pink. Tom Cruise invented pink.

If you freeze frame #3,000,547 of The Empire Strikes Back, you can actually see Vin Diesel cut off Luke Skywalker's hand with a Ginsu Knife.

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Vin Diesel.

If you rearrange the letters in Vin Diesel it reveals his credo: "I End Lives."

There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Vin Diesel allows to live.

Crop circles are Vin's way of telling the world that sometimes corn needs to lie the fuck down.

And Brian has always been very interested in the facts about Chuck Norris. So much so that Santa left a book (that has now been pulled off shelves because good ol' Chuck decided to sue the writer) of Chuck Norris facts for him to peruse.

Leading hand sanitizers claim they can kill 99.9 percent of germs. Chuck Norris can kill 100 percent of whatever the fuck he wants.

Once a cobra bit Chuck Norris' leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

Chuck Norris can delete the Recycling Bin.

Chuck Norris was originally cast as the main character in 24, but was replaced by the producers when he managed to kill every terrorist and save the day in 12 minutes and 37 seconds.

Labels: brian, chuck norris facts, funny, vin diesel facts

The Associated Press reported today, President Bush called for about $145 billion worth of tax relief to stimulate a sagging economy and fend off a possible recession.

During his presidency he has called for tax rebates before, but now seven years later, the economy is in an even a bigger slump.

Bloomberg reported the stats on unemployment: "The U.S. unemployment rate in December climbed to 5 percent, the highest in two years, from 4.7 percent the previous month. Employment growth in the U.S. was 1.33 million last year, down from 2.26 million jobs a year earlier."

And in all his ridiculous vagueness President Bush stated the following: "Yesterday I spoke to members of the congressional leadership from both political parties," Bush said. "I was encouraged by those discussions, and I believe there is enough broad consensus that we can come up with a package that can be approved with bipartisan support."

In other words he is saying he sees a problem, he went to Congress for advice, they told him what he should have already known but due to their far superb vocabulary we will need to wait until he looks up all the words in his dictionary. Once he pronounces all of the words over two syllables he will come back to the public and actually tell us what he plans on doing. Because his statement didn't verify a damn thing.

In reading reports across the web it seems the general consensus is the president seems likely to offer a plan that will include $800 rebates for individuals and $1,600 for households. So we'll see what happens.

You can watch a video below:

Labels: economy, life, money, politics

Labels: snow

I would like to dedicate this award to all my fans, I couldn't have done it without you.

**waves hand Miss America style and looks around an empty room**

Haha.

No seriously, I received my first ever blog award and it just happens to be part of a collection...the 2nd Annual Golden Spork Awards!

Don't knock it man, I'm psyched! Two fellow blogger friends of mine received an award for best overall FuriousBall and Newt's Muse. I couldn't agree more, both of their blogs are ones that I check daily.

My award is the "Social Butterfly" Spork Award, claiming "(They could make friends at a funeral.)" Hehe. I wonder if I could, or if I would? Thinking about it, I probably would. I have no desire to sit in a room with people who are crying and just ignore them. I can't do it. Impossible. Really. I have made it a lifetime job to make sure I am compassionate and sensitive to other people. (I thank my mama for those traits).

Thank you, thank you!

Labels: blog award, friends

9:05 a.m. on a Thursday morning.

Yesterday it was 60 degrees in the morning...today it was 34 degrees.

There is a lot of work to be done so I made it to work early. The server crashed. We still cannot get to our files or e-mail and I have not been able to get any work done.

Underneath my office a new audio system is being installed. It requires new wiring. They have been drilling into the ceiling (my floor) for the last 35 minutes. The entire office is shaking.

And now they are hammering.

Did I mention I went to bed and woke up with a sinus headache?

Labels: life, work

Thanks to Odat for the quiz!

You Were a Mouse

You quietly examine life's lessons and see multiple meanings in things. You are also good at discovering details and remaining in the background.

Labels: quiz

Braeden woke up before 6:30 a.m. on this fine Saturday morning in January. He is a complete contrary mess this morning. Crying at the drop of a hat! Argh! Right now he is playing Dig Dug and so is at least quiet but who knows when the next tantrum will arise. It's not even his fault, it is my own. He just wants to paint, that's all, but right now I'm too lazy to get up and get things ready for him. So he is mad at me. Bah.

We were so busy for the holidays, constantly out and about, driving from here to there. All I want to do today is sit, write, play games, read, watch a movie and perhaps Wii with Brae and Bri.

I know I need to get this blog back on track. I need to write more and less and sporadically. I have been doing well so far over the past week or so. Since things are less hectic now it should be easier.

Life has just been so crazy. My Mom had to put her dog down last night. I wrote about it briefly on the music section as a tribute post, but really there isn't a way for me to express the sadness she is feeling. She is a mess and there is nothing anyone can do; time is the only healer in this situation. Lucky was her unconditional, loyal pup for 12 years.

My brother is looking for a job and so he is all nuts right now. I'm sending him ideas left and right so we'll see what pans out.

And my Dad is out of commission with a bad knee which I wrote about in detail on the wellness section of this blog.

But, as Brae says when he is up to bat, "today is a new day." (Thank God for movies like Chicken Little that inspire such positive outlooks.) ;o)

Labels: brae, family, Gregory, life

John Belushi - "I owe it all to little chocolate donuts."

Labels: quote

He is my Wii champion. One of the greats. Braeden in all his 38 inch tall glory, wearing Transformer pajammies and spiderman socks...is currently boxing on the Wii that we received for Christmas. Braeden has already knocked out three people and is working on a knockout for yet another person who is nearly 80 points stronger than him.

In addition to bowing, Braeden can and will beat me in Wii bowling. With very little effort he strikes all 10 pins down at once or walks away with a spare. My four-year-old is a Wii champion of sports. He even gets birdies while golfing though I'd have to say golfing is the sport he is having the most trouble with. My guess is because he doesn't know how to calculate the stroke based on the wind mph and angle.

Brian has been playing his new pc game, Caesar IV and I think I have just as much fun watching him strategize to complete the scenarios as he does playing. As for the Wii he is pretty fine golfer and bowler though I think he is most interested in playing Super Mario Paper. I bought him Guitar Hero for our PS2 but that hasn't been opened yet.

The only bad thing about the holidays when you have multiple families to worry about is that you end up lacking time to be with your own or on your own rather. I haven't been able to pick up a new book yet but I have squeezed in play with Cake Mania. I'm also enjoying the Wii but haven't opened "Dancing with the stars" yet which I think will be fun.

Last night we had dinner at Brian's parents house because Kristin and Ben flew in from Michigan. It was a mini-Christmas since we didn't see her last week. It was good to see her and the spaghetti rocked, but Brae wasn't in good spirits and it was a bit trying to deal with him while also trying to have fun.

Brian, his Dad and Ben hooked up their new turn table. We ended up listening to Genesis, Rainbow Brite and Flash Beagle on vinyl. I have to say it was pretty awesome and certainly brought back fond childhood memories.

Brae fell asleep by 10 p.m. last night and boy did he need it. He was quite contrary. Brian and I managed to stay up to watch the ball drop in New York on television. Of course we watched the Dick Clark celebration and I have to say I think I admire Dick Clark even more now that he is persevering and continuing on in his tradition of hosting the celebration even after having a bad stroke. He is awesome.

And so Happy New Year. I wish you all the best for 2008. Good health and happy times. Be well friends!

Labels: brae, brian, family, new year