Craft blog love

I received my zipper pouches from Curious Bird today and I love them! I'm giving one of them to Cameo (Cameo, if your reading this.....Surprise!) If you haven't checked out Curious Bird you really should. Leya is one crafty, creative woman and you can find cool thrift store clothes, handmade bags, artwork and more. I really love all the craft blogs out there. Besides admiring their creativity it's also fun to visit their happy crafty worlds ( you won't find any internet drama going on there!) These blogs have inspired me to take a sewing class this Summer. I want to get crafty too.

Things I Love Thursday # 3

I love my daughter Olivia's artwork. Everything she does is great, but as with all art I have my faves and this is one of them.
More Things I love Thursday on Flickr.

In other news.....
Guess what? Your child can get Chickenpox even if they have been vaccinated.

Leave it to one of my kids to defy the odds.

Rebel Rebel

Troublemakers:

Malcom X
Martin Luther
Martin Luther King
Jesus
Susan B. Anthony

Can you think of any?

The Big 1-0....Happy Birthday Kirk!

After posting about muscle cars, global warming and silent birth, it's back to Mommy blogging. My son Kirk turns ten years old today. My rap loving, bling wearing, basketball playing son. These aren't the things I would of chosen for him to be into (except for the basketball.) Personally I like the California skater boy look myself. But it's not my choice, is it? I learned that one a long time ago with Olivia. When she was a toddler I loved to do her hair in pigtails or barrettes. Then one day this two year old decided that wasn't her style and would pull the pigtails/barrettes out as fast as I could get them in. My dreams of a living, breathing doll were squashed. Bummer.
Okay now, back to Kirk. He's got a great sense of humor, is a popular kid at school, the girls love him and he has lots of friends. He doesn't get the best grades at school even though he tries very hard. He has learning disabilities and school is difficult for him. Everyone has their cross to bear, right?
As you watch your children get older their emerging personality, their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses become more and more apparent. You get to see glimpses of the adults that they may become. And really, how much input do we have? Ah yes, the nature vs. nurture debate. I think it's a mixture of both. Take a predetermined personality and throw in your parenting style and Voila- a unique person.
How many of us, when we were holding our newborn babies, had visions of what this little human was to become. Maybe a leader, an artist, an athelete, a Nobel winning scientist? Does it always happen this way? No. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. As parent's we guide and discipline and we teach our children the things that we feel are important. Even then they don't turn out exactly like we expected and why should they? They have their own spirit. Having expectations is good for a child, when it's taken to an extreme it can become painful for the child and the parent.
My hopes for Kirk? To be a kind person, to defend the weak, to treat people with respect, work hard, to know himself and to be happy with his choices. So far so good. And if he grows up to be a basketball star? That would be cool.

What has she gotten herself into?

Katie Holmes due date is fast approaching and in keeping with Scientology's teachings she is having a silent birth. Are you kidding me, a silent birth? With no drugs? Only a man could come up with that shit. Can you say patriarchal?

Bad News

Listen up Earthlings. Sounds like the shit might be hitting the fan sooner rather than later. Interesting article from TIME magazine.

Once upon a time there was good country music

"They're gonna put me in the movies. They're gonna make a big star out of me. We'll make a film about a man that's sad and lonely. And all I have to do is act naturally." Act Naturally-Buck Owens


I've had too many posts about music lately, but I felt like saying something about Buck Owens since he passed away this weekend. He's probably best remembered for Hee-Haw in the 70's, but he shouldn't be. He did a lot more than that. He was a great musician and songwriter and very respected in country music. He sang with Dwight Yoakum and Emmylou Harris, played at the Filmore and even the Beatles covered a song of his. And how about the shout out CCR gave him, "A dinosaur Victrola listening to Buck Owens. Doo, doo, doo, Lookin' out my back door."
Good ol' Buck, good example of being so unhip....... you end up being hip.

AC/DC t-shirt and feathered hair

I want this car! How cool would it be to pull into the carpool line driving this thing. Of course you would have to be blaring some Ted Nugent or maybe Nazareth "Now your messin' witha.... son of Bitch!" And yes, I have just admitted to liking trashy, long hair, stoner 70's music. Along with show tunes, rap and 70's soft rock. You can blame this on MOM-101 , she started it.

You gotta love Samantha

Dude... get over it

Saw a bumper sticker today, it read: STILL PISSED AT YOKO. So like I say to all those confederate flag waving fucks. IT'S OVER. GET ON WITH YOUR SAD LIFE! MOVE ON NOW!(Well...you know...I just think it. Like I'd have the balls to walk up to some redneck and say that) I know, I know, the Beatles broke up like 30 years ago. Boo Hoo. Think about it, she actually did us a favor. Have you noticed how pathetic the Rolling Stones have looked the last fifteen years? The Beatles are remembered with their genius intact. Anyway, without Yoko we wouldn't have gotten the "Double Fantasy" album. Okay? Okay.

Things I love Thursday

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Yes, I love this piece of pottery. But I love how I acquired it much, much more! People who like to garage sale and thrift sale shop will tell you that the best part is the hunt, the anticipation of what's out there waiting for you. I found this piece at a garage sale, in one of those boring cookie cutter neighborhoods, for 3 dollars. The lady was probably getting rid of Grandma's stuff, "It's all so old!" Who knows? I do know that her ignorance was my gain. This did not start me on a Roseville kick though, I like the stuff but it's way too pricey for me. I'll stick with the more reasonably priced McCoy, I like the simple design better anyhow.
I couldn't find an exact example on ebay, but this gives you an idea of what these things are worth. Click Here.

It's baby anarchy

This is just so wrong! The last thing I need is a 21 month old child having the power to dictate when she wants to get out of bed. Which is always.
I have been spoiled by Billy. He loves his bed and loves to sleep, even asks to go to bed. He stayed in his crib until he was three, never thought of climbing out because he liked to be there. Ruby is the complete opposite. Goes to bed later, get's up earlier and most nights than not ends up in our bed kicking me in the head.
I have to admit I am a little proud of her. She climbs out like a pro and has never fallen. She also throws her night-night(blanket) out first. I'm thinking their are two reasons for this. She doesn't want it to trip her up on the way out and what good is freedom without beloved night-night.
I love a girl with a plan.

I saw a movie in a movie theater!

Okay, so it was Curious George but Mothers can't be choosers, right? This was Billy's first movie and he loved it. It was a little over one hour and he sat in his chair most of the time with the aid of M&M's.
I had heard that this movie was strictly for the under 5 set so I had planned to be bored out of my mind. I am happy to say that Curious George was actually kind of fun to watch. The animation was reminiscent of the book's illustrations, lot's of primary colors, so it was pretty to look at, and Curious George is just so cute, who can resist him!
The little monkey is a metaphor for all little kids. Adorable, sweet, innocent and at the same time frustrating, exasperating and well just plain CURIOUS! Here's my evidence. There's a scene from the movie where George get's a hold of some paints and decides to redecorate an apartment. Last week Billy got a hold of a marker (permanent.....OF COURSE!) and proceeded to decorate the treadmill and tv. All I can say is good thing he's so cute.

Tell me something I don't know

I came across this article today. I knew many "devout" Catholic girls that had abortions. I guess the sin of having an abortion was private, while the sin of premarital sex would be public for the whole world to see. If I was the Catholic Church I would be thinking something wasn't working quite right.

Things I love Thursday

This is the quilt my Mother made for Ruby when she was born. Even though she was in the middle of moving to Florida and crazy busy trying to get things situated with the Gold's Gyms she owned there, she took the time to make this for her Granddaughter. One of my favorite things about this quilt is that not only did she embroider Ruby's name on it, but my name and the names of Grandmas going several generations back. My Mom is so talented and creative. She learned to sew when she was a girl. Coming from a poor family, if she wanted new clothes she had to make them.
There is something extra special about a handmade gift. The time and thought put into it is the best way to say "I love you." Thanks Mommy!

Hey Babe, take a walk on the wild side

Risk taking 1988- Climbing into an old abandoned hospital with Cameo and exploring. At Night!

Risk taking 2006- Washing my kid's clothes without checking the pockets.

My how things change!

Is there a famine in Hollywood?

Can this whole bulimic Hollywood thing be over now? Exhibit A -Scroll down and look at her stomach. GOOD GOD! Someone get her a roast beef, NOW!

Ice cubes from heaven

It was perfect nap weather, cloudy and rainy. I had just dozed off when I heard the tornado sirens. I tried to go back to sleep. Before you think I'm crazy you must understand that after having hearing those things hundreds of times and never seeing a tornado you become desensitized. All of a sudden I heard CLUNK.......CLUNK.................CLUNK..CLUNK..CLUNK. It sounded like baseballs hitting the roof. I ran downstairs and the kids and I looked outside to see huge chunks of ice all over the yard. Suprisingly enough our roof and car weren't damaged. There aint' nothin' like Midwest weather!

It's a MeMe

A fun MeMe from Moonshine

1) What is your favorite word? Malfeasance. I love the way Frances McDormand says it in "Fargo"
2) What word irks you everytime you hear someone say it? You can have more than one. Any word if you say it in that quasi-intellectual, British way. You know who you are. (Gwenyth & Maddona)
3) Name the first concert you ever went to. Cyndi Lauper, 7th grade.
4) Name a song will you never get sick of hearing. "I'll Be Around" The Spinners-Now that's a love song.
5) What song, album or band influenced you most as a teenager OR what song/album is the soundtrack of your youth? You can pick more than one if you have to. In my early teenage years it was Duran Duran. I wanted to be Mrs. LeBon. In the later teenage years it was Led Zepplin. It was that bohemian hippie thing. Still love them today.

Things I Love Thursday

This is a thing I love. In and of itself it's not that special. It's a 36 year old bottle of Coke from Taiwan. Actually, it's the story behind it that makes it one of the things I love. And doesn't a story always make something better?
My step-father was in the Navy in 1970. He had been in school at SLU and dropped out. In the late 60's early 70's, if you were a young man not attending university, your butt was going to end up drafted and in the jungles of Vietnam. Tim knew this and enlisted in the Navy (less chance of getting shot.) One time they docked in Taipei and had a two day liberty. While Tim was there he bought a six-pack of Coke, drank five of them and saved one of them. I saw it sitting on a shelf for most of my childhood. This bottle of Coke had a history.
When they decided to move to Florida, Tim gave it to me knowing how much I had always liked it. And here it is on my shelf, 36 years later.
Check out Things I Love Thursday on Flickr.

I Love her too

My baby girl said "I Love You" to me for the first time last night. If she wraps me around her finger any tighter it might fall off.

Let's go back....way back

Cameo sent me this email over the weekend. Growing up in the 70's was so much fun!

YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL IN THE 70'S IF...

You wore a rainbow shirt that was half-sleeves, and the rainbow went up one sleeve, across your chest, and down the other. Loved the rainbows.

You made baby chocolate cakes in your Easy Bake Oven and washed them down with snow cones from your Snoopy Snow Cone Machine. Always wanted an easy bake oven, never had one.

You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked. Yep!

You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it. Banana seat, nope. Basket with flowers, oh yeah.

You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels. My roller skates looked like 70's tennis shoes with rubber wheels.

You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!) Oh God! I did!

You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island. No nightmares, I loved it.

You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days. No.

You had either a "bowl cut" or "pixie," not to mention the "Dorothy Hamill" because your Mom was sick of braiding your hair. Some people thought you were a boy. I remember an old man in an elevator called me "Son" one time. Horrifying.

Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession. Loved Holly Hobbie.

You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers. Yes, yes and yes.

You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon. Actually I begged my Grandparents for it.

You could spend hours playing Pong! I had pong on Atari.

You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits. My Grandma bought these for me and I even had the stage! I also watched the show every week.

You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once. I sure did and it never tipped, just almost.

You were really into ping pong and pogo sticks. Not really.

You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. Oh Yeah!

You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle). Yes I did.

You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Olson! Nellie Olsen was a bitch!

You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink. Never really went to the roller rink.

Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it "pretty" with the comb you kept in your back pocket. I'm not hip now and I wasn't back then. I always had long straight hair or short hair.

You had to make sure that no boys would grab the comb out of your back pocket and skate away at the roller rink! Like I said, no roller rinks.

You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie. I sure do. I also remember Lemon Meringue.

You carried a lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic. I had an E.T. lunchbox.

You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend. I never liked redneck guys.

Every now and then "It's a Hard Knock Life" from the movie, "Annie" will pop into your brain and you can't stop singing it the whole day. I loved that movie! Carol Burnett made the best Miss. Hannigan.

You had Star Wars action figures, too! No. But I liked Star Wars.

It was a big event in your household each year when the "Wizard of Oz" would come on TV. That and "The Sound of Music" and "To Kill a Mockingbird".


You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: "Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or Andy Gibb?" I loved Andy Gibb. Oh, who am I kidding, I STILL DO!

You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record albums. Grease was on of the first albums I ever bought.

You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom. You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts! Yep.

You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker. Actually I had a boom box, so I recorded songs off the radio with that. Little better sound quality, but not much.

You couldn't wait to get the free animal poster that came when you ordered books from the Scholastic book club. Double score if it was a teddy bear dressed in clothing. And the posters always had permanent creases because they came folded! My Mom wouldn't let me hang posters on my walls.

You learned everything you needed to know about sex and your period from Judy Blume books. I sure did. But I could never understand why Margret was so anxious to get her period

You thought Olivia Newton John's song "Physical" was about aerobics. Yeah, and I loved her headband.

You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rainbow designs. Yes I did.

You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer. No I really didn't.

How about about drowning yourself in Love's Baby Soft? The first "real" perfume you ever owned! Now didn't that make us feel grown up!

You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat. No, but I wished I did.

You spent your allowance on Smurfs and stickers for your sticker album! I wish I had all the money I spent on stickers and sticker books.

PASS THIS ON TO ALL OF YOUR 30 SOMETHING OR 40-ish GIRLFRIENDS. IT WILL MAKE THEM SMILE TOO!!!!

A thank you to another Betty

I'm still here, it's just been one of those weeks. Between another test and getting ready for my parents to come into town, there hasn't been a lot of free time to blog.
We are celebrating my Step-Dad's birthday tomorrow and I am going to bake him a marble cake from a box. If I was insane I might try to bake him a red velvet cake with buttercream frosting. Since having two more kids, baking cakes from scratch has gone the way of seeing movies in a theater. When Kirk and Olivia were younger I was a bit of an overachiever. I went to every school party, helped out with the fundraisers, cleaned the house every two weeks, had big birthday parties and worked out at the gym. Now it is such a different story. I don't volunteer for anything, I make it to the kid's schools only a few times a year, we invite just a few people for birthdays, I clean the house every two months and use the treadmill in the basement when I have a moment. It's not that I didn't like doing all those things, it just that now with two more little ones, I don't think I could do all of those things and not be one stressed out Momma! So while a homemade red velvet cake would be delish, I'm going to let Betty Crocker help me out while I go and enjoy my parents company.