A Tutorial on the Other Blog

I got a post up on the Fairy Creative site. It's a tutorial on my Thread and O-ring necklace. Enjoy!

Not the Kinda Thin I Wanna Be

You know that phrase 'being spread out too thin'? That's EXACTLY what I'm feeling right now. I made it through the long Mardi Gras society weekend: Sat- a bowling thing and Sun- a summer party at my mom's house (what all the gumbo was made for.) Fri night was spent with two of my best friends.

Tonight, LOML and I are having dinner with friends. Tomorrow, he has plans to meet with a friend. Thurs, I have plans for dinner and painting. Friday, the nieces are spending the night. Saturday, I'm celebrating a friend's birthday. GAH- too thin!!! My house needs some attention (the craft room especially), my husband needs some attention, the CAT needs some attention, and I (ME) need some attention.

I can't seem to get up in the mornings because I spend half the night thinking about all the other things I need to do. But, I really LOVE seeing my friends. I get really down in the dumps when I don't hear from them for a while. I feel ignored, unloved, and forgotten at those times. But, as well, times like these just wear me out.

I know I'm acting like a big baby and there could be worse things than having too many plans. I just want it ALL: a clean house, time to myself, time with friends, time with the hubby, time and energy to do it. I'm just spread too thin!!

I wish I knew how to say no sometimes, and also that I didn't have a tremendous guilt complex when I do say it. My biggest worry is the craft room. I would really like to have it clean when the girls come over on Friday. I wish there was some way I could trust that they could help me clean it. But, I know that won't happen. So, while hubby meets with his friend on Wednesday. I'm going to go into manic warp-speed to try and find the floor and surfaces of the craft room.

Since I missed out on yesterday, lemmie spread some smiles today:

• Tug o war
• bananas for sale
• free photo booth
  

So, that's where I'm leaving it: wishing for some more time to accomplish everything, being totally exhausted, and looking for an answer. Anybody got some suggestions?

New Recipes To Try (ThTh)

While I've still been hesitant to go into the craft room (it seriously needs some cleaning and organizing before I can really feel comfortable being creative in there), I've let my creativity spread to the kitchen.

The last few days I've done some serious recipe experimenting. And I'm proud to report that we've survived. I am a pretty strict recipe-follower, but there are those recipes that just plain fail for me. These have NOT!

First, on Tuesday I knew I wanted to make something different and new. I remember that I had received an intriguing daily recipe from My Recipes. I brought it up to LOML and he agreed. Looking over the recipe, I realized had everything but the pork chops for the Honey and Spice Glazed Pork Chops. That was easily and inexpensively remedied. And the results were out of this world good. I paired the sweet and savory chops with some broccoli, a sweet potato, and some fresh bread. SO GOOD!!This afternoon I got a craving for some granola so I pulled out my trusty granola recipe and set to work. LOML and I could barely let it cool before we were trying to devour the whole sheet. I was able to save a bit and am looking forward to having some for a snack tomorrow too!!

Several weeks ago, LOML pointed out a recipe he thought looked good and I bought most of the ingredients. But, with all the other stuff that's had my attention, it's not been a priority. Today he mentioned it again. So I made him some Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad for dinner. It was not near as nummy as the pork chops, but still very delectible and worth the time it takes to chop some of the ingredients. I did have a hard time finding the greek seasonings specified, but found a recipe to make that too. I don't think it was completely necessary as I misread the recipe and only put 1tsp instead of the 1Tbs. I did made some, and the extra spices I had to buy made it a bit more costly. I do recommend it though!

Let's get a few "Thrifty Thursday" links out here. And hey, there are all 'food' related too!!

• Inexpensive DIY Kitchen updates
  
• Make chicken stock like a pro
  
• Flexible casserole recipe
  
• 8 surprising uses for olive oil

Now, I'm gonna sit back and enjoy my 'dessert' of Rogue Mocha Porter before calling it a night.

Whew! Catching Up (TRT)

That was TOTALLY unintentional!! I had planned to blog but a whole host of other activities got in the way. I've been a busy girl:

First there was all the planning, shopping, packing, and driving to Grand Assembly in Birmingham. (Sorry Ben, I had NO free time to visit but would have loved to have seen y'all, trust me!!) Then there was the full weekend of Grand Assembly activities before heading home.

On the way home, I picked up half brother #2 (out of 3.) He and I got to pal around for two days (and go to the Harry Potter midnight showing) before the other two came for a visit. I also had the nieces that day. We had a blast and everyone got along so very well (see picture at top). Then brother #1 took #2 home while #3 got to stay for a few more days. Then, it was back to Verbena to take him home and a frantic drive back to Fairhope so I could have Margarita Friday with LOML.

The weekend was spent making gumbo with my mom and then a pool party at Wigenout's house for a Mobile Al Tweetup. Yes, it was a bunch of people who twitter relaxing in the pool and grilling out (that was before we started playing Rock Band.) Sunday was a complete day with LOML at last: brunch, the beach, dinner and beers, then another showing of Harry Potter (he hadn't seen it yet.)

It was back to the grind yesterday. And, I'm trying to get back in a routine today.Through all of that, I was as crafty as I could be: I made some handmade gifts for Grand Assembly and crafted at the beach the other day. Hopefully, I'll get back in the swing of that as soon as I can get the craft room in order. I'm a little scared of it right now. REALLY!
It's "Totally Random Tuesday" so here's some of the internet I found interesting:

• creative puns for smart minds
  
• Daily routines of writers, artists, and other interesting people. I don't know why I find this so interesting. I guess it helps me see these individuals as just regular people too, not just superstars
  
• cat going to the moon

Okay, so that's long enough. I just NEED to get this posted. I'll be back ASAP.

Three Days for the Fourth (MMSM)

What a lovely little three-day weekend we had. Summary:

☼A full day of shopping to find a beautiful dress
☼Only a coupla margaritas (reduces the chance of suffering the next day, if you keep the number low)
☼Mama's Ribs, MawMaw's potato salad, and Ree's death by chocolate
☼Watermelon Jello shots
☼Two little girls who only seem to get along while they are in the water
☼Eight(at least) fireworks displays from a single spot on the beach
☼Pancakes the size of dinner plates (Mac & Jerry's in Robertsdale)
☼Breezy Fairhope Beach (me: crafting, LOML: windsurfing)
☼Italian food at the G place
☼The entertaining awkwardness that was the G-place's attempts to close
☼Retaining my 'cheap date' status with a trip to the bookstore
☼Losing that status with the purchase of 2 tickets for Transformers 2 (a TOTAL waste of money!!)
☼Starting the week off right by working out first thing!
☼A/C in the office!!

And now for some "Made Me Smile Monday":

• the hauntening (not scary at all, totally humorous)
  
• Ninja entry sign
  
• The beer prayer (would definitely be appropriate posted on my fridge right now)
  
• Animal testing for clothes
  

I hope your 4th was enjoyed as well; and hope that you and I have as smooth and fun a week!!

This Snuck Up on Ya (FGF)

BOO!!! Scared ya didn't I? I've been lurking just around the corner (out of sight) waiting for the perfect time to sneak up on you. Really!!

For a quick update: the storm has passed and Mawmaw's doctor has declared her to be CANCER FREE!! We've very pleased and excited. I thank all of you for your kind words, thoughts, prayers, good vibes, positive thoughts, and everything else. Whatever ya'll did - it worked!! I sincerely thank you.

Everything else has been crazy and crazy HOT around here. I'm just trying to make it through the days. Grand Assembly is coming up and I'm trying to find dresses, fit into dresses, and get some gifts done. I'm off work today and plan on doing some serious shopping (in the gosh darn heat that is Southern Alabama). Wish me luck!!

For now, here's some "Feel Good Friday"

• Maybe this just makes ME feel good, but check out these new images from the Walt Disney/ Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland.
  
• How about 50 summer crafts for kids.
  
• With the summer heat coming on, so are sunburns. Here (from Men's Health) is a list of how to beat the burn. I think this will work as well for women as for men.
• While thinking about sunburns, think about these 10 of the coolest places in the world to swim.
• Just fun- a Star Trek and Monty Python Mashup. He He he he
  

So that's it for now. Let's see if this will post since I started it yesterday and blogger is trying to argue with me about saving it.
Happy a Happy and Safe 4th of July!!

Update on Mawmaw

For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook or Twitter, I wanted to do a quick update on the status of my grandmother. Even if you do follow me there, I'm sharing a bit more here.

So, the surgery happened.During the process of the surgery, the surgeon and radiologist realized that the nuclear dye stuff they had injected was not moving into my grandmother's lymph nodes like it should. In fact, it was not moving into her lymph nodes at all. Basically, this meant that there was some blockage. This could either be caused by some swelling in her breast (from a bruise or the like) or be caused by having cancer filling up the nodes. As such, it was a best bet to go ahead and remove ALL her lymph nodes in that arm for testing. They should have the results of this test tomorrow, but her follow-up is not until Wednesday. So, we don't know on which of these days we'll get the news. Upon asking the surgeon what the next step would be if the lymph nodes are cancerous, he said that NORMALLY he would refer a patient for chemo. Unfortunately, because of my grandmother's age, the chemo therapists would most likely refuse to administer the treatment. So, we're hoping and praying that the lymph node tests are negative for cancer. I just hate the waiting. This whole process seems to be about waiting.

I've been spending a lot of time at my mom's house. In fact, Friday was the only night I have spent at my house since Monday. I miss LOML SO MUCH!! I miss my crazy cat. But, I can't bear to leave my mom and grandmother right now. It's such a tug-of-war. I'm taking it day by day right now.

SO, that's it for now. Tomorrow is Made Me Smile Monday and hopefully I'll be able to check in with some happier thoughts.
Til then!!

Packing Up and Getting Ready (TRT)

So, my grandmother is having her mastectomy in the morning. I'm trying not to focus on it (I'm neurotic, I'm already worried enough.) I'll be staying at my mom's house for the next several days while Mawmaw is recovering. LOML and I have plans to see Steeley Dan on Friday night and I'll be at home that night, but then who knows what for the rest of the weekend.

I packed up this morning. Best part by far- packing the craft bags. I haven't mentioned my craft bags in a while and today seems like the perfect opportunity.

First off, yes I said bagS. There are two sets. One is more for at my mom's house and is all jewelry (beads, pliers, chain, wire, findings, etc.) supplies. The other bag is a general sit-in-the-hospital bag. In addition to the craft supplies I have books, magazines, and my game boys. So what other crafts are going with me? Well, some pretty standard stuff: embroidery floss, scissors, o-rings, glue, a crochet hook, large jump rings, shrink plastic, sharpies, doodle book, colored pencils, and a clipboard. I really would love to take more to soothe the hungry crafty spirit that is eating at my soul. But, I've got some gifts I need to work on and I only wanted to take some specific supplies for those. Besides, I might come up with some really great stuff just using what I've got rather than the multitude of supplies I have in the craft room.

Now, it's "Totally Random Tuesday" Let's get to it!

• 10 items needed for your home bar (sounds like a shopping list for a trip I need to make).
  
• 
• Harvard Psychiatrist explains the neurobiology of Zombies. I love this article, it touches me in so many ways, my love for horror/ sci-fi as well as my love for psychology and the human brain (I do have a BS in it). Of course, LOML's not going to like that I found a logical article on zombies b/c I do have nightmares about them (it's a purely unconscious/irrational thing- I KNOW there are no zombies, most likely). Anyway, it's a fun article.
  
• wal-mart bingo card app for your iPhone
  

So, with lots of prayers and positive thoughts I prepare for tomorrow.

Want, Need, and Desire To Do (MMSM)

I actually tried to get in and create in the craft room last night. I was so excited about squeezing in some time for creative purposes. I played around with some collage, but it just wasn't working for me. I looked around the room and realized that it was the space (or lack thereof) that was limiting my muse. I REALLY want to clean it up and do some work on eventually getting my etsy shop opened.

But, I'm conflicted. My grandmother's surgery (mastectomy) is scheduled for Wednesday morning. I'm planning on staying with her and my mom on Tuesday night so I can be at the hospital with them first thing Wednesday morning. After that, who knows how long I'll be staying in Mobile to help out with things and be at the hospital. The problem is, I should really spend some time with LOML tonight before I spend so much time away. We have plans to see Steely Dan on Friday night, but between tonight and then- there's little time for him in my plans.

I guess I should just see what he wants to do. If he just wants to browse the internet for hours on end searching for property, I can get into the craft room. If he doesn't, I'll entertain him in some way or another. In the meantime, I'm making lists of what craft items to pack for the hospital/mom's house. Hopefully, I'll be able to find everything on my list in the craft room without the overhaul it needs.

Oh, and my weekend -
Friday: Margaritas
Saturday: Tour of the Fantasy (Carnival Cruise Ship) in New Orleans then dinner and beers (AWESOME) at Hopjacks in downtown Mobile.
Sunday: Looking at property with LOML, some limited time in the craft room, True Blood's season opener (GREAT!!) on HBO

Now, while I contemplate what to do, here's some "Made Me Smile Monday" for you!!

• Top websites for laughing at others - http://yepyep.gibbs12.com/2009/05/top-websites-for-laughing-at-others/
• 10 awesome moments from Seasme Street with 40th anniversary coming listed on this one blog. While I do like C is for cookie and grover's near and far, they didn't list my two favorites: 1) Hole in the bucket AND 2) anything with the aliens (yip yips) Here's where they discover the telephone
  

• Top 100 funniest one liners. I'm not sure about funniest, but there are def some on there that you'll want to remember. My favorite on the first page: "We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public." He, he, he - then I NEVER have to grow up, right?
• Funny and clever tip jars.
• Unintentionally funny headlines. Some are NSFW, some are just tasteless, there are a few real gems in there though.

Oh, the picture at the top? While riding to New Orleans I found this face in my muffin. How cool and creepy is that?
Have a great week!

A Feed Change (ThTh)

Okay, I need to go ahead and apologize to any of you who read my blog in a feed reader. I realized yesterday that my blog is being 'scraped' for its content. Basically, my content is being stolen. The easiest way for me to fix this (for a starter) is to shorten the feed, forcing readers to go to my site and read the entire blog post. It's all very technical. . . blah, blah, blah fancypants geek speak miscellaneous BS. Thank goodness LOML speaks geek, can translate for me, and was able to come up with this simple solution. (However, I am actually geek enough to be able to go in and change the feed setting myself.) You can thank the jackass spam blogger.
I know I don't have that many readers in the first place and the content that was stolen was not anything important (it was a post from this week.) It's a good thing I have a Google Alert set up for 'crafty hope' so I can be alerted to anything that refers to me (mostly).

I've got a meeting in Mobile tonight (for my Mardi Gras society) so I can't get into much more before going ahead and sharing my links for "Thrifty Thursday":

• Check out these yummy-looking popsicle treats from Parents.com. I'm not trally a huge fan of posicles because of my sensitive teeth. I will admit that I love pudding pops (they seem softer and melt faster, plus they are just awesome). HOWEVER, a few on this list look SOOO GOO: peanut butter and raspberry!! Ice Cream Sandwich on a Stick!! Holy cow, I'm ready to go out and buy me some of those popsicle kits. I thought they were just intended for Kool-Aid. I have been proven wrong one again.
  
• You can build your own Hobbit house for a STEAL!!!
  
• Here are some uses for inexpensive salt.
  
• I know school's out and you may be trying to find something to keep the kiddos busy. Check out these top 20 thrifty easy crafts for kids. In order to be thrifty, the majority of these are also recycling things you would normally just throw away.

So that's all for now. It's almost the weekend at long last!

Quick Concert Review (WWWW)

The concert was really good. The two opening acts were also very good. They were. . . uh. . . Marianne Keith and Tyrone Wells. Not too shabby!
I also bumped into a few friends, but otherwise had a nice time just hanging out with G.
Since I was out partying on a Tuesday night (seriously-I haven't done that since college. . . I think), I'm exhausted today. At least I'm in better form than G. You should have seen the crowd. It was such a weird mixture of ages and types of people. At least during the wait between performances we were entertained with people-watching.

Since I'm not up for much more, let's go ahead with some "Wild, Wild Web Wednesday"

• Jesus Loves - I don't know who designed this, but they seriously did not take a good look at it before it was produced. C.R.E.E.P.Y. !!
• Have you ever muted a show or movie and either watched it that way or just added different sounds? It changes the WHOLE THEME doesn't it? This post from mental floss has found some you tube clips that do just that. Funny how a simple sound change can impact the message.
  
• Manhattan 1609 vs 2009, a Pictorial from National geographic.
  
• It's a blog of hospital food, really!!
  
• Rendeznew helps find a mid-way point for people from different areas. This is great if you've got friends or business contacts spread out all over and want to meet in a central location.
  

Enjoy your hump day!!