Pubbed again!

The special card issue of "Ready Set Create" is out, and I'm excited to say I have made it into another issue! ...actually, 5 of my cards are in this one!
What a fun thing to wake up to! :)

Winter's Reading list

Spring is finally here (?) so I'm moving my Winter reading list over to make room for my Spring one....(Besides, it was filling up the whole side over there - it's been a looooong winter!)

Winter Reading List
* "Counting Blessings" Kerry Blair
* "This Just In" Kerry Blair
* "Mummy's the Word" Kerry Blair
* "American Bloomsbury" Susan Cheever
* "Ghost of a Chance" Kerry Blair
* "Country Brides" Debbie Macombre
* "Tending Roses" Lisa Wingate
* "Life Artist" Ali Edwards
* "When Christmas Comes" Debbie Macombre
* "The Gift" Richard Paul Evans
* "Home to Holly Springs" Jan Karon
* "Cape Mayhem"
* "Dead Man's Float"...a Jersey Shore mystery
* The Memory Keeper's Daughter (CD)
* Finding Noel - Richard Paul Evans (CD)
* And Then Came Heaven - LaVyrle Spencer (CD)

If Only......

I've been working tonight - 7 hours just circling numbers in the phone book...
Everyone went to bed and my MP3 player has played through 2 batteries, so here I sit, alone in the silence circling....
At times like this, I give my imagination license to run free and unfettered - and my dears, tonight it ran completely amok.

This is where my thoughts led me tonight....

If only....I were a writer - I would begin by re-writing every fairy tale, and start liberating princesses!
Cinderella would no longer be held hostage by unattractive and evil tempered step-persons. She would make her escape by dark of night, and wander the kingdom until she was taken in by a kindly retired school marm. She would exchange cooking and light housekeeping for an education. After which, she would win a scholarship and attend the university where she would study by day, entertain at the karaoke hut by night, and volunteer at the local orphan's day camp on the weekends.
When Prince Charming strolls in and tries to pick her up - she will tell him to take his sorry Royal butt back to his throne and park it!
Cindy prefers the not-so-charming but much more sincere abacus nerd.
She will marry him, and when the Prince's kingdom is invaded by Huns and overthrown, she will be snug and secure in her million dollar compound with her doting mate and their slightly clumsy but genius children. (Heck, maybe she will even mastermind the overthrow and instate a democracy!) She will hold seminars during the summer empowering young maidens to take charge of their own happiness because as everyone knows, Princes are overrated anyway - they are big-eared mommas boys who cheat on their wives! Ha ha!

If only.....I were a painter - I would find a way to infuse music into my paints. Music is pure emotion pesonified - so when you looked at my work, you would not only be enthralled by my use of color and light, you would also be profoundly moved by it's rhythm, passion and love. You would leave my gallery emotionally spent, but ever so much the better person for it.

If only.....I were a dancer -
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I'm sorry - I've been hunched over my desk for 7 straight hours, my muscles are tense, cramped and aching - there's no way I can even imagine this one - this division of the arts that will have to do without me!

If only......I could do any other job besides circling phone books!

Good night - it's time to put my imagination to bed.

How to Deal....

I left this as a comment on someone else's blog a while back, but I dredged it up today, because I'm feeling the need to take my own advice. Life has been a bit of a struggle lately. So, here's some advice to me - apply it to yourself as you will...

Here are a few of the solutions that I apply, depending on where I'm at in life...
1. Wallow. Sometimes I just allow myself to feel dang stinking BAD! I cry, I stay in bed all day, I watch stupid stuff on tv...you get the drill. It purges all that yucky karma out of me, so that I can just get over it and move on. *NOTE, The moving on part is very important here, as people do not enjoy being around people who choose only to wallow - all the time. It's very annoying. (That is why wallowing is best done alone - it is not a group activity!)
2. Laugh. Sometimes, bad things happen, then more bad things happen, and on and on until it just begins to feel so ridiculous, that there is nothing else to do but laugh about it. Laughter then produces more laughter, which scientists have proven produces hormones which actually make you feel better, which then makes the problem seem smaller - after all, how can bad things happen to happy people?
3. Escape. Removing my self completely from an unhappy reality is often the only way I can cope. Read a book, re-arrange a room, take a weekend vacation...do something positive to change your situation (or at least your outlook!)
4.Talk. Talk to a trusted good friend, who knows you well enough to take what you say for what it's worth, feel your pain, comfort you, and then tuck your "secrets" deep inside and hold them there forever.
5.If all else fails, as the song says: "Search, Ponder, and Pray."
(I've had to use this one a lot over the last few years...maybe that's why my knees are so bad!?!)

Love is in the air....

It's been a slow weekend, and not much blogworthy to report, the highlight of our weekend was going to see the movie "27 Dresses" (cute movie!)... so I thought as it's the week of Valentine's, I would like to share some Valentine ideas/recipes/etc. this week.
The first one is this yummy looking "Baked Hot Chocolate" that I saw on "Good Things Utah" (a local morning show) I haven't tried it yet, but the lady who sampled it on the show said it tasted like liquid brownies! Mmmmmm!



Baked Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:

9 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 ounces butter
4 whole eggs
1/4 cup sugar

Combine chocolate and butter in a mixing bowl and melt over a double boiler; combine eggs and sugar in a separate mixing bowl and warm over double boiler until warm to the touch; transfer egg mixture to mixer and whip until fluffy; fold whipped eggs into melted chocolate; divide evenly into 4 bake proof dishes and bake at 350 degrees for 17 to 20 minutes.

Chef: Kevin Donovan
Executive Chef - Log Haven
Original Recipe credited to Heidi Friedlander

For more information on Log Haven Nature, Nurture, Nourishment
Visit: www.log-haven.com

Puppy Ponderings...

What makes dogs think they are people?
Seriously.
If say, you brought a goat into the house and fed it and cared for it, would it jump up and wag it's tail whenever you came in the door? Would it protect and defend your home as if it were his own? Would he grovel at your feet and roll over for a belly rub?
I think not.
So then, what is it about dogs that make them think this is proper behavior?
The canine pictured above is our resident "pup" who goes by the name of Anthony.
After our last dog.....left home.....I made a decree that there would never be another dog in this house. I was tired of the mess and the smell, and the animal hair in the carpet, and all other things associated with having a pet, and I was done.
(This doggie had to be taken away because he did not do well around small children - and there were a lot in the neighborhood. He was always biting them, then the police would come - not good.)
The kids went over my head and brought this one home anyway. (Typical!)
For that reason and that reason alone, Anthony and I can never be friends.
(At least not while anyone is looking!)
He does however, think he's one of us, and as I am matriarch of the family, he tries to appease me.
There have been times that I've been "lonely" and "bored" enough to pay him a little attention. (wink wink) .....I do take him on walks with me, you know just for - "utilitarian purposes" - no one else will go with me, and a woman does need a little protection in this world after all...
Sometimes I like to "mess with his head" and play little "psych" games with him, (you know, like "who's there Anthony? - go get 'em!) ...but this only confuses him and he doesn't even get what I'm trying to get him to do (he's a lot like my husband in this way...) The dog I had as a kid would play this game with me - proving that not all dogs have the same mental capacity - but I digress....
I did manage to teach him several tricks (thanks to The Animal Planet) which he does very well - but he's not great at obedience otherwise...
One day, I was feeling unusually magnanimous, and I sat down on the floor next to him and patted my lap for him to come and sit with me.
He was stunned.
He looked around as if to say; "Who, me?...really?....are you sure?" Hilarious.
I did finally convince him that I was sincere, and he did come and sit on my lap for a bit, but he didn't stay long, and he went directly downstairs to his bed - possibly to wake up from such a bizarre dream!
One year, hubby decided we needed a new family picture, so he invited his niece to come over and do some for us. Anthony sat back and watched as we arranged everybody on the couch, and once everyone was in place, he trotted right up to the center of the group, turned around and smiled for the picture!
Cracked. me. up.
I could go on and on about his little quirks, like how he paces the floor and lets the kids know it's time to go to bed, or how he loves to go camping so much that he completely freaks out whenever hubby goes out and moves the trailer, and will even charge down the stairs and ram his head into the front door, but I don't want to be a bore...
E.B. White said that

"A really companionable dog is an accident of nature. You can't get it by breeding for it, and you can't buy it with money, it just happens along."

For whatever reason, this dog has chosen us and made us his.
Period.

(I tease the kids that I would never waste my scrapbook supplies on him, but I never said I wouldn't blog...ha ha!)

Aftermath

Yesterday's storm was definitely one for the books. Heavy snow and high winds caused chaos across the state. It started here around 9 am and continued until around 4:30 pm.
Over 200 accidents occured across the state - the worst one was right at the front door of my little town. 12 deisel trucks, and over 20 cars were mashed and mangled together, closing the freeway for hours, and sending all that traffic up my street until late in the evening.
*** You may have to click on this link [# 1/28/08 - Extreme weather causes problems across Utah] on the extreme left to watch the video - it does run a commercial first, sorry...

Here in my back yard, the canopy that cover(ed) hubby's hot tub is now belly up against the shed. We had a swimming pool ladder standing next to the gazebo - and it is now on the roof of the shed! I would have liked to seen that, I can't figure out how that happened!


I was used to this type of storm where I grew up at the mouth of AF canyon, but I have never seen one like this here. It was one of those days I was very thankful to have nowhere I had to go.

Aauuggghhhh!!!!!

White out!!!
It's a blizzard out there, and I am not amused!
I was supposed to go meet hubby and go to SLC to a Jazz game tonight, but there is no way I am leaving this house with the snow coming at me in horizontal waves!
Chicken you say?
Lilly livered house hider?
You bet. That's me.
I'll be under the bed if you need me.

In other news, I just finished the book "Tending Roses." Such a heartwarming story - I really loved it, but it also stirred up a lot of emotions for me. The story relates to an aging grandmother, which reminded me a lot of what we went through with my mom. I wish her final days could have been more like this instead of the family turmoil we had.

I suppose by now, that the whole world has heard about the passing of Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley. We are so sad. He was more like a loving grandfather than the leader of a worldwide organization. I loved his sense of humor and his humility.
I will miss seeing his face and hearing his voice.

The best of both worlds

...is what I'm hoping for.
Hubby and I had a long talk the other night, about things I'm having a really hard time coping with. I told him how useless I feel not being able to go back to work because of current health issues, (and how afraid I am to try.) So, he went and found me some work I can do at home! It's going to be a little random - sometimes lots of work, sometimes not so much, and it's a tedious and boring job (as are many of them over there)...but it pays fairly well. I will have deadlines, but can work on my own schedule.
Not exactly my dream job, but for now it's a solution for something I've been needing.
Sometimes prayers are answered before they're even prayed.

This guy's been here!

My sister forwarded this to me the other day, and I had to laugh out loud - Jeff Foxworthy knows a lot about rednecks, but how did he get to know us Utahn's so well?
(Ha ha - yup, I know all these people!)

Enjoy!

FORGET REDNECKS; THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAD TO SAY ABOUT UTAHNS!

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September to May, you live in Utah .

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Utah .

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Utah

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Utah .

If 'vacation' means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Utah .

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Utah .

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Utah .

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Utah .

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Utah .

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Utah .

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Utah .

If the speed limit o! n the highway is 75 mph -- you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Utah .

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Utah .

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Utah .

If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly' you live in Utah .

If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your friends, you live in Utah .

Bling Bling

- A winter diversion...
I've had a hard time sleeping lately, and things have been slow on all my favorite online "hang outs", so I went on a "treasure hunt" for some others last night....just want to share some of the "eye candy" I found...

I've always been fascinated by the Art Nouveau style, it is so romantic and elegant - with an ornate simplicity (if that term even makes sense!)
So, I Googled "art nouveau" (then clicked on "search images") and found these amazing ones: (I've added links to the websites where I found them so as not to get in trouble for hi-jacking images!)

Is this ring not just the coolest?

...and I love this necklace!

...and this one... Wow!

And wouldn't you love to live in this place - like the set of a silent movie...

One of those stained glass panels that this era was so famous for;

A common subject of Art Nouveau artwork is the fairy - so that sparked another search...and I found this amazing piece of artwork titled "Oak Fairy"

Then I came across something that reminded me of another artist I've been interested in (Carl Larsson), so I searched him next - LOVE this painting of his...

...which led me to stumble across some beautiful dolls by Annette Himstedt that were inspired by his artwork...(There are so many gorgeous dolls out there in haute couture and perfect hairstyles, but the ones that look unkempt and frazzled are the ones who always win my heart...kindred spirits?)

Now you know why I never get any sleep - one thing leads to another, and I just go round and round...and round and round.... Ha ha!
(See #1 of Granny's top 10)
There were so many more gorgeous images I would love to share, but I can't possibly list them all - this post would be way too long (and it would take me all night to upload them!)...so if you get bored one night and feel so inclined, check them out (the jewelry is my favorite!)
Now you know why I stumble around all day with bags under my eyes the size of steamship luggage...it's all in pursuit of artistic inspiration.....yup - that's my story.

Book Club Revisited...

My book club has started up again after the holiday break. It was nice to get out and talk to other "grown ups"! I've been holed-up in the house too much lately. We're going to be reading "Tending Roses" by Lisa Wingate this month.
Yay! Something to look forward to!

On Making Resolutions.....

I really don't like making them - I'm not good at them.
But that doesn't mean that I'm going to quit hoping & trying to improve myself.
If I were so inclined, my wishes for this year would be to not only stay well, but to maybe even gain some ground healthwise - what a blessing that would be! ....And not to waste my energy chasing frivolous goals with my hobby, but to only do things that will be meaningful to friends & family with it. Creating stronger relationships is a constant goal.
I was just reading another favorite blogger's post, and this is what she had to say about the new year

"i'm blessed because i'm ending the year with every member of my family still here. and i'm also ending it with the same ol' Husband i started the year with.

a new year is always looked at as a new beginning. a chance to start again and to make resolutions. but the cool thing is, every day we are allowed to live is a chance for a new beginning.

that is the coolest thing of all. no need to wait until December 31st to make changes. changes can begin right now. no waiting till midnight. no waiting period."

...kind of gives you a new perspective - where it would be nice if we could be magically transformed into a perfect creature with the coming of the new year, for us change is more like a drip in a cave, ever so slowly shaping us into interesting formations!...for me, right now, I'm going to be glad for the things that haven't changed.

Celebrating with the Oldies...

New Year's Eve at my house was the anti-celbration of the year.
I was just not in the mood! I sent myself to my room and popped what I thought was the new Pirate movie in the player, and didn't realize until it was almost over that it was # 2 instead (the one that I really didn't like)...it took me that long to figure out because I slept through most of it!
When I woke up, I went downstairs to watch # 3 with hubby. I guess we had it a bit loud, because we missed all the midnight fireworks on the street outside - didn't even notice that we missed the new year!
...Then, I had planned to make up the black eyed peas today, but scratched that because I know nobody here would eat them but me - so why waste the energy? (and the food!)
...Somewhere back in the past, my teenage toes would curl! Never thought I would be this boring...
Happy New Year anyway...

The Zen of Sarcasm

My friend Lucy posted this elsewhere, and I loved it - so I borrowed.
Words of wisdom for the coming year...

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do
not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not
walk beside me either.
Just pretty much leave me the heck alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a
broken fan belt and leaky tire.

3. Its always darkest before dawn. So if you're
going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the
time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be
replaced, you can't be promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like
everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both
feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try
missing a couple of car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a
mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize
them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is
probably not for you.

10. Give a ma n a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and
drink beer all day.

11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that
person again, it was probably a wise investment.

12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to
remember anything.

13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the
windshield.

14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know
them.

15. The quickest way to double your money is to
fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light
side and a dark side, and it holds the universe
together.

18. There are two theories to arguing with women.
Neither one works.

19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much
when your lips are moving.

20. Experience is something you don't get until
just after you need it.

21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

22. Never, under any circumstances, take a
sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

A Gingerbread Tale

(Explanation - my friend Beth coined a phrase (yon candied maid) and posted it on her blog, it captured my imagination, and as a result - this poem was born! I wanted to paint a picture to go along with it, but good grief, it's less than a week till Christmas, and I have better things to do!
So I borrowed this image from Sew Custom Embroidery)
Now, without further adieu,

The Gingerbread Maid
by Pat Taylor;
A dastardly tale of treachery and dough...

Once there was a cookie
So warm and soft and fair;
Frosting for her frockery,
Gumdrops in her hair.

Her gown be-jeweled with sprinkles,
Licorice lined the hem;
A pair of lemon slippers -
She was so proud of them!

She oft' did go a'strolling
Along the brown sugar beach;
She longed to see those places
So far beyond her reach.

One day, as she thus wandered
Down by the frothy sea,
She spied a rugged sailor
A swarthy knave was he!

His face, it smacked of mischief,
A glint was in his eye -
He said, "Ahoy, yon candied maid,
What brings yourself this way?"

She shyly turned away from him,
Then blinked a lash or two.
She said "My mother warned me
Of strangers such as you!"

The sailor, he laughed heartily
At such a smart reply -
He said, "You have no trust in me -
A fine bloke such as I?"

He cast his eyes upon her,
He looked her up and down;
She looked so darn delicious
In her fluffy frosting gown!

He said, "Why don't you sail with me,
Across the milky foam?
You'll see amazing places -
Oh how you'll love to roam!"

Miss Cookie then did falter,
Her resolve, it was remiss;
Alas, how could mere gingerbread
Resist words such as this?

She gingerly stepped aboard his ship,
As it rocked to and fro;
She felt the wooded deck beneath
Her lemon frosted toe.

He led her to a cabin, such fine security!
Steel bars adorned each window -
Secured with lock & key!
He said, "You'll be safe here my dear...
(from everyone but me!)

The launch, it went just perfectly,
And e'en before you knew -
They were skipping 'cross the ocean waves
'Neath brilliant skies of blue.

They journeyed on and on,
And as they traveled so,
He told her tales of wonder
of the places he did know.

The maid, she watched him raptly,
Absorbed in every tale;
She'd n'er heard stories such as this,
Some even made her pale!

As evening crept across the bow,
She said, "When do we dine?"
"I'll serve you dinner first", said he;
..."And then, you will be mine!"
(insert evil laugh)

Full stunned, the maiden sat upright,
Her eyes grew large as dishes;
"Before you lay a hand on me -
I'll go swim with the fishes!"

Just then, the wind began to blow -
The ship began to roll;
As the sailor tried to save the ship,
The maiden took control...

She sped across the starboard side,
And climbed up on the railing;
She turned and looked him in the eye,
And said, "Ta-ta, I'm bailing!"

She threw herself into the sea -
That churning milky foam...
And cried, "At last - I'm free of him!
This cookie's headed home!"

She swam for hours and hours;
Until her heart did flutter -
She kicked and kicked and kicked so hard,
The sea, it turned to butter!

At last, she crawled onto the shore,
Exhausted, sore and dazed;
Her lovely, fluffy frosting gown
Was now only a glaze!

The moral of this wretched tale?
Of course, that's right, you guessed!
You'd better listen to your mom -
She always knows what's best!

LOL! Sooo sorry - I'll admit, I wouldn't know a pentameter from a haiku, but I had fun with this anyway! Thanks for the inspiration Beth!
(P.S. You owe me two nights' sleep!!!)

Spider Wars

As I've puttered around the yard this summer, I have noticed that we have an over abundance of spiders nesting everywhere this year. There are so many that it borders on alarming! (Did you see Arachniphobia?...I didn't, if I had, I'm sure I'd never sleep again!)
I've been on hubby's case to spray for them before cooler weather sets in and they all start moving into the house! He got as far as to buy the spray, but has yet to use it.
This does not make me comfortable.
Last week as I was cleaning on his side of the bed, (what a mess! This man was "Mr. Tidy" when I married him - things have changed!) anyway...I found a spider living in his little pen holder - a really nasty looking spider! He was in a tricky spot so I couldn't just take a shoe and smack him, so I grabbed the nearest weapon I could find, which happened to be my hairspray. I soaked him down good (which he really didn't like much)...but he made a quick getaway, and I haven't seen him since.
However....the other morning I woke up with a strange welt on my cheek. It wasn't a mosquito bite, because it wasn't itchy at all - but is a definite bite of some sort.
Could it be that our little spider remembered me and was seeking revenge?
If that is the case, I'm sure you know what this means....
WAR.
Next time I see that little buggar (or any of his kind) - he is TOAST.

Harry Potter!!! (don't worry - not a spoiler)

Well, I'm about 2/3 through the book, and I had to relinquish it to my daughter...(she reads, I catch up, she reads, etc.)
I'm anxious for my turn again, it's getting so intense! Right now I'm thinking the only way this can end is that everybody dies!
But, Miss Rowling is much more clever than we - I'm sure she has more twists and turns ahead.
I've been thinking about all the mega-tons of money she's made off these books....if only I could do this "writing thing"....I mean, how hard could it be really?

(Scratching head...)

Opening scene: a classroom - two boys, Jerry Trotter and his best friend Juan, sit taking notes as their professor scratches something on the chalkboard. Juan whispers "Aren't you glad to be back at Frogsnorts Jerry?"
Jerry glances up at the professor, then whispers back: "For sure - anything is better than living under the floor at the Fursleeze!"
The Professor speaks without turning around...
"Do I hear talking behind me?"
"No you don't"
"Yes I do"
"No you don't"
"I said - I do! Now shut up!"

Jerry and Juan exchange a confused look... Juan says "What was that all about?"
"He seems to be having an argument with himself." says Jerry.
They return to their notes, but the Professor starts mumbling again...

"You must go - I need it NOW!"
"No, can't you see I'm busy?"
"I said NOW! I must find the last gorecrutch before someone else does!"
"Can't I even finish this lesson?"
"NOOO, you must go NOW!"
"Alright, alright, geeze - don't get your slots in a knot!"

Professor Squirrel turns and addresses the class.
"I'm sorry students, but I must dismiss class early - study chapter 3 and be ready for a quiz tomorrow."
The classroom utters a consecutive groan, and Squirrel runs from the classroom.
As they leave the classroom, Jerry and Juan are joined by their friend Germimony, she grumbles about having to leave class early, and only getting to study one chapter.
Jerry and Juan roll their eyes....
Juan says: "Wasn't Professor Squirrel acting a little nutty today?"
To which Jerry replies "No more than usual, why?"
"I've never heard him arguing quite like that before - who was he talking to anyway?"

Just then a ghost swoops up through the floor issuing a morbidly mournful moan. He is flying so low, that his knuckles are barely clearing the floor, and the bags under his eyes are nearly there too.
Juan says: "Hello Rick - how are you feeling today?"
Rick just rolls his eyes, and sinks through the floor.
"Who was that, Juan?" asks Jerry.
"That was the Sniffindoor ghost, Clearly Bedless Rick. His bed was stolen as a prank 100 years ago, and he hasn't slept since."
"Oh, yeah, I've heard of him - poor bloke." Replies Jerry.

Meanwhile, Professor Squirrel hurriedly crosses the school grounds and enters the forest. "Faster, faster you idiot!"
"I'm going as fast as I can with this extra baggage on my head! You're throwing off my balance!"
"Gripe, gripe, gripe, must you always complain?"
"That's it! I've had it!"
Professor Squirrel starts unwrapping the turban on his head.
"I'm sick of your mouthing off - you can just go find some other poor slob to leach off of!"
He points his wand at the back of his head and mutters a curse. The disgustingly slimy face on the back of his head slides off into the turban Squirrel still holds in his hand.
He sets the pile of fabric with the disembodied face down on the ground, and runs over the hill, never to be seen again, as the face shouts:
"Come back here, you half of a two faced moron! You can't leave me like this!"
But the Professor never looks back.
"Hrrrackinfrackin Bozo, Now what am I supposed to do?" Gripes the Dark Hoard.
He picks up a twig from the ground with his serpentine tongue, scoops up a berry, and utters a spell igniting a tiny fire, and begins to roast it for his supper. As he waits for it to cook, he begins to sing: "I ain't got no body, and nobody's there for me...."

Back at Frogsnorts, the three friends are facing a happy dilemma,
"Well," Germimony chimes in, "We have the rest of the day free - so what should we do?"
"Let's go visit Baghead!" said Juan.
"Great idea, Juan!" Jerry says, and they go skipping hand in hand over the grounds and into the forest to Baghead's hut.
As they near the forest, Germimony whispers: "Shhh, do you hear singing?"
The boys stop in their tracks and listen.
"Ugh!" they both grunt at once, and Juan says: "Whatever it is, it sounds like someone's stepping on it's tail!"
They tip-toe ever so softly toward the sound - suddenly Germimony gasps: "Holy cow! It's Moldywart!"
Juan claps his hand over her mouth, "Are you mental? Don't say his name out loud!"
Okay, okay, but I know I'm right, it's He-who-will-not-be-blamed!"

********************************************************************************

Ouch! My carpal tunnel is killing me, and I've got nowhere to go with this - Sorry to leave you hanging, but this is a little harder than I thought...
(Tee hee!)

Hats off to you, J.K. Rowling! You've done it again!

Beautification Project

This wasn't on my list of things to do today, but I was feeling ambitious and wanted to get out of the house. I feel so sad every time I look at my poor lawn that had been trampled by that nasty old backhoe - I had to do something to perk it up a bit.
I moved the tree slightly closer to the house - I want to get some shade out of this deal one day! I would have moved it more, but I got tired of chopping at all those monstrous roots that were left by the last tree that occupied this space.
This is my "Before" shot...


...after adding the blocks....

...some top soil and a few little flowers...and Voila! "Fini"

These are some of the roots I had to contend with. I started chopping at these with my shovel, then deciding that was for the birds, I loosened them up a bit, and then yanked them out with my bare hands!

It feels good to accomplish something like this, and my yard is a happier little place!
(Now to get some grass growing over that gaping wound...)

My new toy...

Finally got it out of the box - and it works!
Feels good to be stitching again! It will take me a while to figure out all the in's and out's of this machine - but I'm back in buisness!