It's the Year of the Dragon, y'all. I'm a snap dragon, myself. Part of me has snapped and the rest of me is draggin'. Speaking of dragons, the Postal Service has new stamps out today. Oh, and another lovely price increase. But cool stamps.
Book Fair at Son's school starts today. I've working sales tomorrow afternoon until about 8:00 pm. I've also volunteered to bring in something for the cake walk, so I've got to make a decision on what to make and then make sure I have everything I need for it.
All of the kittens have their eyes open now. They're getting big too, and look like real cats and not just balls of mush and fur. Da Vinci is the only problem. I have to fight him to eat at every feeding. He's lost about a half an ounce in weight (which is a lot as a kitten) but he did finally eat really well this weekend.
Neighbor girl and her mom came by last night to see him. They want to take him to their house for the weekend. I explained that he has to be fed every three to four hours and they'll have to stimulate his butt so he can poop. Mom doesn't seem to thrilled about the idea now, but I think if the daughter wants to do it, they'll go for it.
I started a new book this weekend, since I finished The Mill River Recluse (the ending was wonderful!). I'm now reading The Magicians by Lev Grossman. Only about a chapter in so far, but it's starting out well.
I have all the supplies for the Mardi Gras mask. No I just have to get it put together and have a plaque made, and I can put it in the mail.
Not much else to talk about. We stayed at home the whole weekend with kids and kittens.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
It's Friday and I'm in love!
Big weight gain for all the kittens over the last couple days. No one has their eyes open yet, but that doesn't stop them from exploring and climbing right up the front of us during feeding time.
***
I made it to my art desk yesterday and actually made something! This is a Bic Round Stick pen, covered in a polymer clay cane I made. The cane has silver leaf in it. Doesn't look too fancy yet, but should look better after I get it sanded and polished.
Anyway, I made it because I was experimenting with canes for the Mardi Gras mask I'm making to send to NYC.
Wait. Have I even mentioned the mask? If not, the short story is that I've been asked to make one to be hung in a Cajun restaurant. Not gonna say which one for fear of jinxing myself (and no, I'm not really superstitious, but still) right now, but if all goes the way it should, I will definitely be back here telling all about it.
***
The crazy wind the other night left a huge mess in its wake. I live in the suburbs, so half the people out here have trampolines (apparently, they never watch AFV). After the wind storm the other night, half the neighborhood trampolines are missing. The other half are twisted and completely mangled. A tree in the park was blow over from the roots. We tied out porch swing down so it would stop banging into the house like a battering ram.
***
This afternoon I'll be going over to Son's school to help set up the Book Fair. I worked over there most every day it ran last year, and this year I decided not to. Partly because of two Daughters instead of one, partly because of kittens, and mostly just because I didn't feel up for it. I'm fairly certain that I'll be running the whole thing one of these years, so I'm fine with avoiding it now. I did, however, sign up to work a couple shifts on each night it runs late and I'm signed up to bring Yummies for the cake walk that happens those nights, so that's enough. Am I meeting the PTA Mom quota? I don't know and I don't care. I'm doing what I can without stretching myself past my boundaries.
***
I started designing my Etsy banner last night, but when I uploaded it, it was all blurry. Of course, I got discouraged and gave up. Not a completely bad idea because I have a better idea of what I really want it to look like now, so I can redo it and get it figured out and not be left with the nagging feeling that I could do better.
***
Now I'm off to find some lunch. Thanks for stopping by. Tell your friends. They certainly want to read about kitties and art and children too, you know ;)
***
I made it to my art desk yesterday and actually made something! This is a Bic Round Stick pen, covered in a polymer clay cane I made. The cane has silver leaf in it. Doesn't look too fancy yet, but should look better after I get it sanded and polished.
Anyway, I made it because I was experimenting with canes for the Mardi Gras mask I'm making to send to NYC.
Wait. Have I even mentioned the mask? If not, the short story is that I've been asked to make one to be hung in a Cajun restaurant. Not gonna say which one for fear of jinxing myself (and no, I'm not really superstitious, but still) right now, but if all goes the way it should, I will definitely be back here telling all about it.
***
The crazy wind the other night left a huge mess in its wake. I live in the suburbs, so half the people out here have trampolines (apparently, they never watch AFV). After the wind storm the other night, half the neighborhood trampolines are missing. The other half are twisted and completely mangled. A tree in the park was blow over from the roots. We tied out porch swing down so it would stop banging into the house like a battering ram.
***
This afternoon I'll be going over to Son's school to help set up the Book Fair. I worked over there most every day it ran last year, and this year I decided not to. Partly because of two Daughters instead of one, partly because of kittens, and mostly just because I didn't feel up for it. I'm fairly certain that I'll be running the whole thing one of these years, so I'm fine with avoiding it now. I did, however, sign up to work a couple shifts on each night it runs late and I'm signed up to bring Yummies for the cake walk that happens those nights, so that's enough. Am I meeting the PTA Mom quota? I don't know and I don't care. I'm doing what I can without stretching myself past my boundaries.
***
I started designing my Etsy banner last night, but when I uploaded it, it was all blurry. Of course, I got discouraged and gave up. Not a completely bad idea because I have a better idea of what I really want it to look like now, so I can redo it and get it figured out and not be left with the nagging feeling that I could do better.
***
Now I'm off to find some lunch. Thanks for stopping by. Tell your friends. They certainly want to read about kitties and art and children too, you know ;)
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The howling of the wind does a nice job drowning out the screams of my victims.
Why am I posting at 3:30 in the morning? Because the insane howling wind is keeping me awake.
I actually came to report that I *made it to my art desk* last night! I discovered that chopping up clay in a food processor is way more fun than it should be. I suck at making Starry Night canes. My leaf-shaped ceiling fan blades look much more awesome in green than in mud brown. I need to clean my desk and my shelves. Sometimes I enjoy the view of the mountains more than I enjoy drinking water, breathing, or having a heartbeat.
***
No one should be awake right now. And from what I can tell by a quick glance out the window, no one else is. That, or they're all lying in bed, willing themselves to sleep. I tried that for an hour or so and then gave up.
So now that I'm awake, I'm gonna rant about a couple things.
I'M SICK OF POLITICS!
Also, as human beings, it's in our nature to move and be active. We are animals. That said, when did we get so lazy and fat that Physical Education had to become a CLASS that's taught in school? Seriously, it's against our nature and the very way we're designed for us to be in the collective shape that we are.
Oh, and all you wonderful people who are taking initiative to get healthy, for whatever reason, kudos to you. Not the candy bar, those are TERRIBLE for you. But really, I commend you for taking charge of your life, and probably lengthening it in the process.
On the other hand, all you Stepford wives in the suburbs who wear yoga pants all the time and constantly talk about the four hours you spent at the gym and how many calories you ate and what a cow you are.... Shut up. To the woman who weighs 115 lbs and wants liposuction... You're an idiot. There's more to life than being rail thin and having your hair and nails perfect all the time. And those of you who put makeup on to pick up your kid at the bus stop when it's right behind your house and you don't even have to come outside... You're actually pretty goofy looking and the makeup isn't helping. Neither is the milk mustache. That actually just makes you look like your brain is short-circuiting.
Okay, actually the last paragraph was all directed at various mothers at Son's school,and while we're on it I've got more to say. Most of them also suck terribly at driving and obeying basic parking rules (like NOT parking directly behind someone's car when the only way they can get out is to back up). "Pull forward" means pull forward. "Do not leave car unattended" means do not get out and walk away. Pulling your kid out of class five minutes early so you can beat traffic out of the parking lot is ridiculous. There are 19,000 people in this whole town. A traffic jam is six cars at the light. Get over yourselves.
***
Ghost kitty lost her cord yesterday and had her first bath last night. Like Specter, she's content to let the warm water run over her and she'll just go to sleep.
The kitties all got weighed yesterday, and while their weight hasn't doubled over the last week, they are all growing and gaining weight. They're all love to be cuddled and touched, so they should all grow up to be wonderful companion pets. Shadow still doesn't really want anything to do with them, but that also means she isn't being aggressive.
***
I'm going back to bed now. Hopefully the wind will die down long enough for me to get some sleep.
I actually came to report that I *made it to my art desk* last night! I discovered that chopping up clay in a food processor is way more fun than it should be. I suck at making Starry Night canes. My leaf-shaped ceiling fan blades look much more awesome in green than in mud brown. I need to clean my desk and my shelves. Sometimes I enjoy the view of the mountains more than I enjoy drinking water, breathing, or having a heartbeat.
***
No one should be awake right now. And from what I can tell by a quick glance out the window, no one else is. That, or they're all lying in bed, willing themselves to sleep. I tried that for an hour or so and then gave up.
So now that I'm awake, I'm gonna rant about a couple things.
I'M SICK OF POLITICS!
Also, as human beings, it's in our nature to move and be active. We are animals. That said, when did we get so lazy and fat that Physical Education had to become a CLASS that's taught in school? Seriously, it's against our nature and the very way we're designed for us to be in the collective shape that we are.
Oh, and all you wonderful people who are taking initiative to get healthy, for whatever reason, kudos to you. Not the candy bar, those are TERRIBLE for you. But really, I commend you for taking charge of your life, and probably lengthening it in the process.
On the other hand, all you Stepford wives in the suburbs who wear yoga pants all the time and constantly talk about the four hours you spent at the gym and how many calories you ate and what a cow you are.... Shut up. To the woman who weighs 115 lbs and wants liposuction... You're an idiot. There's more to life than being rail thin and having your hair and nails perfect all the time. And those of you who put makeup on to pick up your kid at the bus stop when it's right behind your house and you don't even have to come outside... You're actually pretty goofy looking and the makeup isn't helping. Neither is the milk mustache. That actually just makes you look like your brain is short-circuiting.
Okay, actually the last paragraph was all directed at various mothers at Son's school,and while we're on it I've got more to say. Most of them also suck terribly at driving and obeying basic parking rules (like NOT parking directly behind someone's car when the only way they can get out is to back up). "Pull forward" means pull forward. "Do not leave car unattended" means do not get out and walk away. Pulling your kid out of class five minutes early so you can beat traffic out of the parking lot is ridiculous. There are 19,000 people in this whole town. A traffic jam is six cars at the light. Get over yourselves.
***
Ghost kitty lost her cord yesterday and had her first bath last night. Like Specter, she's content to let the warm water run over her and she'll just go to sleep.
The kitties all got weighed yesterday, and while their weight hasn't doubled over the last week, they are all growing and gaining weight. They're all love to be cuddled and touched, so they should all grow up to be wonderful companion pets. Shadow still doesn't really want anything to do with them, but that also means she isn't being aggressive.
***
I'm going back to bed now. Hopefully the wind will die down long enough for me to get some sleep.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Four.
Four years ago, the man who would become Husband asked me to be his girlfriend. He also hinted that I was not allowed to say no. Seven months later, we'd be married. Today, to mark this special occasion, I've gotten out my cake tools. Decorating cakes for more than ten years was quite enough for me, so I only do so for special reasons now. Even more special is the fact that Husband doesn't know I'm making the cake.
***
I weighed myself today. I am down 5 1/2 lbs and can fit into smaller pants. Score one for me. Hasn't been hard and I haven't made huge changes to my diet. Just a lot more activity now, largely in part to my fitbit.
***
Kittens are well and wonderful this morning. Not much to report today. No eyes are open yet, but their ears are slowly unfolding.
***
Older Daughter is learning her colors. She can now correctly identify red, black, green, blue, yellow and pink. Purple and blue are a little bit lacking yet, and white is not registering at all.
I'm giving serious thought to changing Younger Daughter's name to Baby No Nap, because she never sleeps. Then she's miserable by 4:00 and I can't let her go to bed before we've even eaten dinner.
***
Husband, who is crazy scared of needles, is donating blood for a blood drive at work today, after they got an email that pointedly said they needed A+ blood type donations. I'm so proud of him <3
***
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a huge fan of cooking. I've been known to state that I am allergic to the stove. Husband did most of the cooking for the first couple years we were married. That said, I find a special satisfaction in cooking for my family and friends. They get good food made with lots of love, and that makes me very happy.
***
I went out and bought a polymer clay book yesterday, because I'd borrowed it from the library and renewed it too many times. The inspiration and tutorials in it are wonderful, though, and I was struggling without it.
***
That's all I've got for right now. Maybe something more exciting will happen with kittens today and I can come on here and brag about it.
"Taking food alone tends to make one hard and coarse. Those accustomed to it must lead a Spartan life if they are not to go downhill. Hermits have observed, if for only this reason, a frugal diet. For it is only in company that eating is done justice; food must be divided and distributed if it is to be well received. " -Walter Benjamin
***
I weighed myself today. I am down 5 1/2 lbs and can fit into smaller pants. Score one for me. Hasn't been hard and I haven't made huge changes to my diet. Just a lot more activity now, largely in part to my fitbit.
***
Kittens are well and wonderful this morning. Not much to report today. No eyes are open yet, but their ears are slowly unfolding.
***
Older Daughter is learning her colors. She can now correctly identify red, black, green, blue, yellow and pink. Purple and blue are a little bit lacking yet, and white is not registering at all.
I'm giving serious thought to changing Younger Daughter's name to Baby No Nap, because she never sleeps. Then she's miserable by 4:00 and I can't let her go to bed before we've even eaten dinner.
***
Husband, who is crazy scared of needles, is donating blood for a blood drive at work today, after they got an email that pointedly said they needed A+ blood type donations. I'm so proud of him <3
***
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a huge fan of cooking. I've been known to state that I am allergic to the stove. Husband did most of the cooking for the first couple years we were married. That said, I find a special satisfaction in cooking for my family and friends. They get good food made with lots of love, and that makes me very happy.
***
I went out and bought a polymer clay book yesterday, because I'd borrowed it from the library and renewed it too many times. The inspiration and tutorials in it are wonderful, though, and I was struggling without it.
***
That's all I've got for right now. Maybe something more exciting will happen with kittens today and I can come on here and brag about it.
"Taking food alone tends to make one hard and coarse. Those accustomed to it must lead a Spartan life if they are not to go downhill. Hermits have observed, if for only this reason, a frugal diet. For it is only in company that eating is done justice; food must be divided and distributed if it is to be well received. " -Walter Benjamin
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Ze Kitties... Zay GROW!!!
Kittens are eating quite a lot now, compared to a few days ago. They're also spending quite a bit more time awake and moving around. Haven't weighed them yet today, but that also is a noticeable difference when it's feeding time.
Specter (the all-black male who will be going to my sister) seems to take great comfort in being in water. We bathe him in the sink and he goes right to sleep. Ghost is definitely the leader of the group, loud and pushy. She'd rather be cuddled and stroked than sleep. Da Vinci is my little sweetness, that's all there is to it. He loves to nuzzle my hand and sleep next to my leg while I feed the others.
Some neighbor kids came by just a bit ago to see them, as I've gotten word that they might be interested in taking Da Vinci home with them when he's old enough. I'd love to see all the cats be with people I know.
***
On a separate note, I bought some logo design software today. If I plan to make anything of etsy, I'd better make some effort and take it seriously. Getting the mask done and sent to NY would probably work wonders for getting my name out there too... Yeah, I've got to get on that.
***
That's all I've got for today. Time to finish making supper and take some medicine for this headache I'm developing.
*yawn*
Specter (the all-black male who will be going to my sister) seems to take great comfort in being in water. We bathe him in the sink and he goes right to sleep. Ghost is definitely the leader of the group, loud and pushy. She'd rather be cuddled and stroked than sleep. Da Vinci is my little sweetness, that's all there is to it. He loves to nuzzle my hand and sleep next to my leg while I feed the others.
Some neighbor kids came by just a bit ago to see them, as I've gotten word that they might be interested in taking Da Vinci home with them when he's old enough. I'd love to see all the cats be with people I know.
***
On a separate note, I bought some logo design software today. If I plan to make anything of etsy, I'd better make some effort and take it seriously. Getting the mask done and sent to NY would probably work wonders for getting my name out there too... Yeah, I've got to get on that.
***
That's all I've got for today. Time to finish making supper and take some medicine for this headache I'm developing.
*yawn*
Monday, January 16, 2012
New Year, New Adventures
As usual, it's been a long time since I posted.
If you've come from facebook, you all ready know the story of The Kittens. If not, a short summary; I was going to get a new kitten for husband anyway so that Shadow Cat could have a playmate during the day when kids are gone and I'm busy.
There weren't a lot of options and the people on craigslist were blowing me off. We were supposed to go look at a Maine Coon mix in Fort Collins, but the lady gave it to someone else before we could get there.
The next day, I happened to glance at craigslist again and there was a post saying a stray had delivered a litter and left them and the poster didn't know how to care for them. I went and picked them up, and it's now five days later.
There were three, then we got an email later that night saying they'd found a runt and he had been out in the snow all day. We went and picked him up only to discover that he was a whole ounce under weight (a lot when you're supposed to weigh 3.5 ounces) and he had a cleft palate. We named him Spirit, and cared for him the best we could. He died two days later, but he was warm and loved while he was here. We're going to bury him in the flower garden when it warms up outside.
The other three kittens are eating, sleeping and growing just like they should. We're keeping the only girl, and we've named her Ghost. My sister will be taking one of the boys, and his name is Specter. The last one, who we call Da Vinci, has two potential homes.
So that's where we are now. Not a lot of free time between The Kittens and Younger Daughter. Younger daughter is now 8.5 months old and is pulling herself up to stand. When not standing, she crawls all over the house and tries to eat every bad thing she shouldn't have.
I do have some inspiration and ideas, though! I just need some time.
When I'm not caring for kids and cats, Husband and I run all over town looking for Skylanders. Yes, those goofy toys that all the young kids obsess over. Today, a new batch was released and they're all ready gone. Husband stalks them on the internet though, so he went out and got a couple sets this morning.
We also got fitbits. What's a fitbit? It's a Super Pedometer. It counts steps, of course. But it also counts flights of stairs, how many calories you burn, distance, and at night you wear it in a strap on your wrist and it calculates how well you sleep and how often you wake up. It's an amazing little device. It also keeps all your information on your person fitbit profile and updates whenever you get within about 15 feet of the charging dock. It only has to be charged about once a week. It's very motivating, and I have quite a few of my facebook friends as friends on fitbit, so we try to outdo each other. We got them because I have a goal to lose 70 lbs by October, as that's when my youngest sister is getting married and I'm NOT going to be a fat bridesmaid.
I'm all ready down 5.5 lbs, so it seems to be working.
So that's where we are now. I'm doing Pay It Forward on facebook again, and have a couple other things I want to make, so hopefully I can make it to my art desk sometime soon.
If you've come from facebook, you all ready know the story of The Kittens. If not, a short summary; I was going to get a new kitten for husband anyway so that Shadow Cat could have a playmate during the day when kids are gone and I'm busy.
There weren't a lot of options and the people on craigslist were blowing me off. We were supposed to go look at a Maine Coon mix in Fort Collins, but the lady gave it to someone else before we could get there.
The next day, I happened to glance at craigslist again and there was a post saying a stray had delivered a litter and left them and the poster didn't know how to care for them. I went and picked them up, and it's now five days later.
There were three, then we got an email later that night saying they'd found a runt and he had been out in the snow all day. We went and picked him up only to discover that he was a whole ounce under weight (a lot when you're supposed to weigh 3.5 ounces) and he had a cleft palate. We named him Spirit, and cared for him the best we could. He died two days later, but he was warm and loved while he was here. We're going to bury him in the flower garden when it warms up outside.
The other three kittens are eating, sleeping and growing just like they should. We're keeping the only girl, and we've named her Ghost. My sister will be taking one of the boys, and his name is Specter. The last one, who we call Da Vinci, has two potential homes.
So that's where we are now. Not a lot of free time between The Kittens and Younger Daughter. Younger daughter is now 8.5 months old and is pulling herself up to stand. When not standing, she crawls all over the house and tries to eat every bad thing she shouldn't have.
I do have some inspiration and ideas, though! I just need some time.
When I'm not caring for kids and cats, Husband and I run all over town looking for Skylanders. Yes, those goofy toys that all the young kids obsess over. Today, a new batch was released and they're all ready gone. Husband stalks them on the internet though, so he went out and got a couple sets this morning.
We also got fitbits. What's a fitbit? It's a Super Pedometer. It counts steps, of course. But it also counts flights of stairs, how many calories you burn, distance, and at night you wear it in a strap on your wrist and it calculates how well you sleep and how often you wake up. It's an amazing little device. It also keeps all your information on your person fitbit profile and updates whenever you get within about 15 feet of the charging dock. It only has to be charged about once a week. It's very motivating, and I have quite a few of my facebook friends as friends on fitbit, so we try to outdo each other. We got them because I have a goal to lose 70 lbs by October, as that's when my youngest sister is getting married and I'm NOT going to be a fat bridesmaid.
I'm all ready down 5.5 lbs, so it seems to be working.
So that's where we are now. I'm doing Pay It Forward on facebook again, and have a couple other things I want to make, so hopefully I can make it to my art desk sometime soon.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
As the Hangman says; "No noose is good noose".
Younger Daughter was born on May 4. It was difficult getting anything done in the weeks before she came, and now it's impossible to get anything done.
Older Daughter has officially turned two, and her attitude matches. We go through multiple daily temper tantrums and screaming fits. She also refuses to eat anything that isn't sugary. So she pretty much isn't eating.
Older Son finishes kindergarten today, and then it's an entire summer of telling him repeatedly to stop doing that, stop fighting with your sister, stop chasing the cat (yes, we got a kitten a few weeks ago), get out of that, please go outside and play, etc.
I'm fairly certain that come the beginning of the new school year, I'll be capable of nothing more than drooling on myself or pulling my hair out by the handful.
As an update, I taught myself the basics of crochet. I've gotten 95% of the baby blanket done, and come to a dead stop making any progress. I have no desire to finish it. I don't suppose that really comes as a surprise, though, as my unfinished projects are the basis of this blog.
Also, not surprisingly, I've taken a new interest. Dollhouses and all the miniatures that go with them. I've built a couple before, but nothing intricate or worth talking about.
What is surprising, though, is that Husband seems to have caught the bug, and he wants to build dollhouses. He's gone so far as to start looking through woodworking magazines and taking trips to Home Depot and the hobby stores just to do price comparisons for all the various materials.
On another note, the year is almost half gone and I haven't made any progress on my Pay It Forward projects. I haven't even got any ideas for most of them. I had some ideas for a couple of them, and I didn't bother to write them down, so naturally I've forgotten them.
Now, the clock is insisting that I need to get Older Son ready to go to school. I have to relish the mornings of no time commitments now, because that will all be over as of the middle of August.
Older Daughter has officially turned two, and her attitude matches. We go through multiple daily temper tantrums and screaming fits. She also refuses to eat anything that isn't sugary. So she pretty much isn't eating.
Older Son finishes kindergarten today, and then it's an entire summer of telling him repeatedly to stop doing that, stop fighting with your sister, stop chasing the cat (yes, we got a kitten a few weeks ago), get out of that, please go outside and play, etc.
I'm fairly certain that come the beginning of the new school year, I'll be capable of nothing more than drooling on myself or pulling my hair out by the handful.
As an update, I taught myself the basics of crochet. I've gotten 95% of the baby blanket done, and come to a dead stop making any progress. I have no desire to finish it. I don't suppose that really comes as a surprise, though, as my unfinished projects are the basis of this blog.
Also, not surprisingly, I've taken a new interest. Dollhouses and all the miniatures that go with them. I've built a couple before, but nothing intricate or worth talking about.
What is surprising, though, is that Husband seems to have caught the bug, and he wants to build dollhouses. He's gone so far as to start looking through woodworking magazines and taking trips to Home Depot and the hobby stores just to do price comparisons for all the various materials.
On another note, the year is almost half gone and I haven't made any progress on my Pay It Forward projects. I haven't even got any ideas for most of them. I had some ideas for a couple of them, and I didn't bother to write them down, so naturally I've forgotten them.
Now, the clock is insisting that I need to get Older Son ready to go to school. I have to relish the mornings of no time commitments now, because that will all be over as of the middle of August.
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