Today I Puttered Around....

....but I did do some creative things.  I worked on my Once Upon A Springtime mini which will be used as a baby book by the daughter of a long-time (40 plus years) family friend.  Alrighty, that was a sentence-ful.  I tend to include way more details than I need to.  The new Mama loves all things fairy and this is beautiful paper to work with.  Of course it is ~ it's Graphic 45!  I didn't buy A Lady's Diary though.  Just wasn't feelin' it.

I also opened my buddy Tracy's Halloween kit package, and did a video on that.  I need to go upload it....too hip - gotta go!

It's a Rocky Road

I was enjoying some Rocky Road ice cream, and every time I eat this brand and type of ice cream, I am reminded of a story from my childhood.  My father loved 31 Flavors Rocky Road.  I mean LOVED it.  He was a man of considerable education (possessing a doctor of dental surgery degree).  He decided he would go on an ice cream diet to get rid of the stubborn 20 pounds around his middle.  He vowed to eat ONLY Rocky Road and purchased an enormous tub of the stuff.  I don't know how many gallons he bought, but he came home with one of the large containers you see at the store.  The same container the employees scoop from.  At least 15 gallons worth, and probably more.

The ice cream was placed in the basement freezer.  My sister and I would sneak down frequently, armed with tablespoons.  I don't recall how many days his "diet" lasted.  I know it wasn't more than two or three.  But the memory will stay with me forever.

Downtown and a Tattoo

My son and I went to downtown Vancouver tonight, to a place called Hopeless Tattoo.  Yeah, I know.  Hopeless Tattoo.  It has been Jacob's wish for several years to have a tattoo done.  It's a cross, a very pretty one.  And there are some words too.  He will be 18 on September 4th.  We went to meet with the artist and get all the details.  Turns out the artist, Drew, was off tonight.  Jacob will go back on Friday to meet with him and put down the $60.00 deposit needed to make the appointment.

The tattoo will be my birthday present to him.  My husband does not approve, but has allowed me to to do this.  My late mother didn't approve either.  It's been the subject of much debate.  As for me, I am happy to be a small part of this tattoo.  An outward sign of Jacob's faith and determination to live a life pleasing to God.

As we walked along the sidewalk we came upon this wonderful piece of chalk art.  Good advice that bears repeating.

Gluteus Maximus

So....I am often stumped when it comes to blog post topics.  Today I want to talk about my butt.  That's a big muscle, that old maximus.  And I pulled it, strained it, made it unhappy about 10 days ago.  The left side I mean.  It's like the biggest and baddest charlie horse you'll ever have.  From the middle of the cheek all the way down to my ankle.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, and plan to ask her if there is some kind of stretching or other exercise I can do to make this maximus into a minimus.   Stay tuned for further details.

It's Independence Day

Happy 4th of July from war-torn Vancouver, Washington.  The neighborhood sounds like an enemy is invading from the sky.  Here is my cranky, crabby blog post concerning how we celebrate our nation's birthday.

The main issue for me is a 12 year old German Shepherd dog who is sent into hysterics at the first sound of a firecracker.  Said GSD is seen in the post below.  Each year she seems to get a little bit worse.  This year she added vomiting to her list of July 4th "festivities."  We have tried several medications from the Vet, as well as Benadryl, hoping it would make her sleepy.  Nothing works.  Not even a little bit.

There are fireworks stands EVERYWHERE.  I know very reputable and worthwhile organizations sell fireworks under the umbrella of fundraising.  I myself know of cases where a family is receiving food stamps, and thinks nothing of plunking down $250 for fireworks.  If you're wanting to support the organization selling the fireworks, why not just write them a check for $50.00?  It's deductible and a whole lot quieter.  Cranky, crabby and no damn fun.

I'm all for professionally produced fireworks shows, which happen for an hour, on the day they should happen, and in areas suitable for such presentations.  See, I'm not a complete Grinch.

Thankfully Miss Jessie's "little" brother has no problem with noises in the sky.  He will actually lounge on the grass and watch the colorful explosions, just like a human does.  His nemesis is the house fly....and we'll save that for another time.

Hurry....HURRY fireworks....hurry and go away. 

The Dog and the Squirrel

First let me say the squirrel lived to gather nuts another day.

As my son pulled into the driveway, home from his brief trip to the grocery store, he saw Miss Jessie dart across the lawn and into a large bush.  As he was walking to the front door with a gallon of milk in his hand, Jessie was hurrying to join him, squirrel in her mouth.  I was inside sitting at the dining room table working on my latest mini album.  Apparently having the master bedroom and the family room is not sufficient for my creative endeavours.  I need the dining table too.  But I digress.

I heard my son yelling, "Jessie, NO, get back" and I saw him waving the gallon of milk in front of Jessie's face in an attempt to keep her outside.  He succeeded, for which I am eternally grateful.  Having a squirrel loose in the house is one experience I can do without.

Hubby and son then went back outside and relieved Jessie of her treasure.  The squirrel was still alive and placed in a safe area.  After an hour, it got up and scampered away.  Our neighbors had several squirrels as, well, almost as pets.  I developed a fondness for the little buggers watching how they interacted with humans.  Squirrels beware: Miss Jessie was back on the prowl the very next day!

June 7th

6.7.11 - the day I lost my Mom.  Sometimes it feels like yesterday.  Other times it feels like a lifetime ago.  I find myself thinking the same few thoughts.  I wonder often what she's doing and what her world is like now.  I marvel at the irony of how we think of someone much more when they're dead, than when they are alive.  At least that is how it is for me.  And I ask God to tell her I love her, and miss her.  But most of all I ask Him to tell her I am happy for her!

Do You Remember?

Do you remember when you were almost 18 years old?  Do you remember when you knew everything, and politely tolerated the opinions of others?  And by others, I mean parents.  Ironic how the older we get, the more we see how much we really don't know.

I Must...I Must...I Must Increase My Bust?

Nope, not that.  I must attempt to post more on my blog.  Of course this is the 54th time I've made that statement.

Tonight we attended a performance of "Our Town" at my son's high school.  He had a good sized part, and did wonderfully.  Several of his friends came up to tell me what a good kid he was.  We found out this week that his school will be closing at the end of this school year.  They are a small, private Christian school and don't have enough students to continue.  So he will be attending public school for his senior year.  It will be the first time he has set foot in a public school.

I am dealing with a bipolar eBay buyer.  I wouldn't be surprised if she's reading this now.  She has stalked my feedback and requested my phone number.  Thankfully a buyer like her only comes along once every 18 months or so.

Creative Moms

My son's friend David spent the night last night.  Jacob was explaining to him the process we use to create our ceramic knobs.  David said, "That's very creative."  And then Jacob said, "My mom is the most creative person you'll ever meet in your life."  That made me so happy!