Would any of you...

Ever like to meet up as a group?

I'm generally pretty anti-social. Not on purpose or anything, it just seems to work out that way. I guess I'd just about rather hole up in my house than be anywhere else. You know, at parties, I hug the wall. But for you fine people, I'd actually put pants on and pack a suitcase.

Anyway, maybe I'm just dreaming here, we do come from all over the map. (Yikes, Berries!) But maybe we could pick some far off date (so that we could all save up) and some central location. (Nebraska? LOL)

I'm addressing this to "all" of us. Followers, authors, and friends that don't get to hang here much anymore.

I've never been really interested in going to one of the blogging conferences but something like that with all or some of you could be super fun!

Just somethin to chew on. Happy New Years, friends!

The fainting tree

Trees DO faint- if they are bumped really hard.

This is how it went:

7yo: "Mom, I just learned what happens when you do a 360 off the coffee table & land in the Christmas tree! It hurts!"
Me: "Whoa!! Are you OK? Don't do that again!! You could have knocked the tree over!!!!"

7yo went back to her dancing, I went back to my paperwork (or whatever it was I was trying to do at the time...)

One minute later:

THE TREE FELL OVER.

I did NOT get a picture of the tree, only this one of the pile of ornaments that ended up on the floor (ignore the scissors & stuffed moose- they were not on the tree)

My daughter thought the tree looked like it fainted! (I'm just glad I didn't.)

But, I didn't panic, I just raced over to set the tree back up. Then, I noticed the dirty tree water was dumping onto the battenburg lace tree skirt and the carpet AND the tree would just not stay up, no matter what I tried-- THEN I started to sweat a little. Add to that, the oldest yelling at the youngest something about not dancing next to trees. And, the middle being the man-- tying the tree (with some thick UGLY strap he found in the workshop) to the picnic table through the open window (on the 17degree windy porch) making me VERY cold (which btw could be another post: I literally had 4 shirts on [&2 hoods] yesterday and a scarf in my kitchen. I have never felt so cold in my life! and that is with the heat on!)

So, after lots of work- the tree was up again BUT no one wanted to decorate it! The pile of ornaments stayed right there on the floor for 24 hrs. until I finally did it myself.

I have to say, I'm actually kind of glad it happened, though. :) I had not decorated the tree at all the first time b/c the kids were so happy to do it themselves- I stayed busy with other decorating (or bills or whatever) SO,,, when I sat by the pile of ornaments (alone) with my Christmas music playing- I actually cried as I thought about my grandmother who passed away in February. She gave me an ornament every Christmas... She made Christmas day SUPER special for us when we were kids & I'm gonna miss her being there this year. It hadn't really hit me until that moment.

I will insist we tie the tree next year. Believe it or not, this is NOT the first time our Christmas tree has fallen over. I know. that is just kinda stupid. ;)

I don't know what's gotten into me lately...

But I've been very close to UNLEASHING a couple of times lately. Snarky is not my nature. Happy and with a strong desire to make sure everyone feels loved and important... THAT is my nature... So what is up with me lately? I'd give more details, but I like you guys and I don't want you to think I'm horrid for feeling the way I have been lately.

Dude!

Watch this, totally - beware, though, it's Youtube crack, you won't be able to stop once you start.

Totally kid safe, except for a randy sheep named Frederick (he's not in this episode, I think it's episode 5). You'll have to decide for yourself if it's a conversation you're prepared to have with your five year old. I told mine Frederick was in love. That's all I'll say.

Enjoy! Then go kiss your washing machine. And hug your refrigerator. Amen.

Blue, blue Christmas...

I think this must be what Elvis meant when he sang about those blue snowflakes. I prefer a Christmas of white... :)

Somebody motivate me to move my body...

in a manner that will result in a clean and tidy house.
For some reason, sitting here on the couch, isn't cuttin it.

I know I've been gone a while...

But what's up with Berries' blogspot address? I can't get there!

I'm working on a blog roll FINALLY for Wit and needed her address, but I wasn't able to find her. Anything else change while I was gone? Haven't seen Frank in a while.

Miss you all tons, and want you to know that as the days get shorter and colder you can expect to be seeing lots more of me 'round here... Can't wait to catch back up!

PS) If any of you have FB pages for your blog, please let me know so that I can hook up with you that way. Seems these days that the posts that I read the most of are the ones I catch on FB.

PPS) Ha, ha! No kitty news here... just wanted to make sure I had your attention ;-)

I think I am going mental.

For the last 3 days I have attempted to eat cheeze whiz toast.

Each time I eat my toast I taste soap.
I thought it was the butter. Yes, that's it. Must be soap in the butter.
So today I put no butter on my cheeze whiz toast. I taste soap.

I have examined everything. The cutlery. The dishes. The butter. The cheeze whiz. Nothing.

Okay, I give up. I make myself a new sandwhich to eat for breakfast.

Ham, cheese, mustard, miracle whip.

One third of the way into my sandwhich I taste soap.

I have gone mental.

A Birthday Party For Dawn

Today's the day.

There' a reason to celebrate!

It is Dawn's birthday.

I brought some cake, you did say you were 21 right?

It's a theme party being so close to Halloween and I happen to have Halloween on the brain.

I have my costume and I am ready to party!

I tried to pick something I thought you would appreciate.

A game or two?

In my craftiness I whipped up some neat decorations.

And don't forget the gifts, I wouldn't forget to show you how special you are to us.

I hope everyone joins in the celebration and adds their special touches.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAWN!

thoughts on courage...

Not mine, of course.

Cottage Courage is a contradiction in terms.

I mean this girl. Woman. Person.

That I were young enough to tilt at windmills,
and brave enough to not let anything stop me from doing it.

Amen.

It's Gwen's Party & You're Invited...

Alright ladies! Who ordered the Chip & Dale dancers???

Be sure to sign the guest book on your way in!

And add whatever treats to this post that you want to bring along...

(I can only imagine!)

BYOB? I thought you said BYOG!

Ok, the birthday girl has to get flowers on her birthday, if someone knows your favorite kind they can switch them, no water necessary!

Now, I KNOW I was supposed to be shopping for YOU,

 but come on, how is girl to resist pink AND ruffles.

Take a DEEP breath and blow! 

Now don't tell anyone what you wished for.

Come on, you are only 39 once.

Of course we can't forget getting you something special to show you how much we care!

Put on those party dresses girls and dance!

P.S. There is another birthday coming up in October.

It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want To…..

 

It is raining as I sit here in my new $6 WalMart sweats. (I get them from the men’s department because they have pockets. Who is the idiot that decided that women don’t need pockets?)

Anywho, I had a lovely day with my mom. You see it is our birthday today. Yup, I was the best darn gift that she has ever and will ever receive for her bday. We are simple people, went to Walmart and Carl’s Jr. for lunch. Hey, don’t judge, I got the large combo and a banana shake besides. I was Cel-A-Brating, let me tell you.

My problem is this. It is 7 PM and I am hungry and I thought that just this once someone would come home early enough to take me out to dinner. Yes I would have to change out of my sweats and put on shoes with laces, but seriously……where in the heck is everyone?

Is this what happens when you turn 39? Suddenly everyone but your mother forgets you? Heck even the dog went to bed about an hour ago. I want a party with a party dress and the whole 9 yards and sushi, there must be sushi at this party.

Excuse me while I go see if there are any Cheez-Its left. No pity party is complete without Chees-Its.

Gwen

Do you hear what I hear?

Stop the world. The kid is mowing the lawn...ah music to my ears.

The lawn mower and weedeater have been broken.

Boy, are the neighbors gonna be glad.

?????

Two things have been bugging me lately.
First off I am not a fashionista.

BUT, I am not stupid either.

I have been seeing two styles lately that are making me nuts.

*** Women, who for whatever reason have decided to bring Shirley Temple curls back in vogue. The only difference? LONG LONG ringlets.

Yesterday I saw my 5th do. The funny thing is 4 of them were on 40 somthings and one girl in her 20's.****

*** Women in their 50 plus range wearing sun visors. You know like the eighties all over again.**


Okay, so the visors I get. Keeping the sun off the eyes while you drive around town in your sporty car.

The ringlets???? come on I have 22 and 20 year old girls at home and this is NOT hip.

Who in their sane mind is going to painstakingly put shreds of sheeting in your hair, or spend hours with the curling iron.

All you gals from the states, need to speak up becuase we Canadians are always a little behind..what gives?

Giddy up girls.

Come on girls. (TS)
No need to be sluggish.

Or put on any more rubbish.
Oh sorry, that was me.

Just trying to make you all pee
like our little Gwennie.

Summer must have sucked out your brains.
Am I the only one who complains?

Life is getting a litte stiff around here in blogosphere
Get out that beer, start writing some cheer.

I don't like being the only one here.
My lips are turning into a sneer.

Hey Cotton, Hey Dawn, Hey Gwennie,Karen,
Mittens, Alaina, Fairfield House , Cottage Child.

Anyone, please
Get your arses out here or I will start getting wild.
TS, Stupid Bet, Becky and any I missed.

Life is boring here. Show me some clout before I burn out!

Get that girl a turtle neck, quick!

Salad dressing.

Yogurt

Sawdust

Screws

Glue

Tuna Salad

Lettuce

Croutons

Leaves

Coffee

Popcorn

Parmesan Cheese

What do all of these things and many more have in common?

They all fall into my cleavage and rest in my bosom. It is always interesting what I am going to find at the end of the day, as I strip off the old over the shoulder boulder holder.

Tonight it is parmesan cheese and sawdust. No kidding here folks.

I am glad that fall is here. These low lying, bust popping t-shirts, and tank tops are moving on , and there with them my daily treat. So long. I won't miss you. Although a cute kitten would keep the girls really warm and snuggly.

Oh wait that kitty looks like William!

What is your style girls?

2000's

1980's

1970's

1940's

1920's

1880's

Jane Austin style

I'm getting somewhere... I can feel it!

So y'all have really helped me see that my biggest dilemma was choosing between the red accents and the blue ones... so this is what I've done. I've narrowed it down to 3 (well 4 but one is a Behr color so I can't show you) paint body colors with plans to use the same black and white colors for whatever body I choose. As far as my commitmaphobia goes... I've decided why can't I just have TWO front doors and change them out when I'm in the mood (Yeah... I hate painting so much that two doors painted different colors that can be switched out sounds much better to me than actually changing the paint color when the mood strikes... and my won't it freak out the neighbors!)  I changed houses because the roof on the other one is not the right color at all... but I can't change the shutters on this house so that is also a problem...

This gray is green in tone and also is pretty a little darker.

(My roof is almost black and I have shutters to paint. I love the picture above but I'm thinking that black shutters will change it a lot?)

Darker shade of the color above with the right color roof, but I don't plan on painting the shutters to match the door!

Presto chango same body color new door:

Same green family lighter color now with red accent (door only)

Now that scape with the darker green/gray color...

Okay girls and TS, we are just choosing the body color now and that was the green/gray family.

The plan is to pick a color that lets me move easily between aqua accents and red.

Now I'm going to show you a few more body color combos and you get to vote for the best one!

Just remember the strong probability of having (blue) black shutters.

*this post still in progress*

Next body color family is a gray with some brown and possibly even some purple tones in it...

same color with red

and now the darker versions...

All these colors are beginning to look the same... maybe Cow is right... I'm nuts.

Final body selections light and dark shown with both accent colors:

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

First body color (lightest) with black shutters and wrong color roof...

do the shutters ruin it?

WHAT ABOUT THIS!!!!????
First body color (light) and then using the body color of the first/dark to paint the shutters...