Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Is it just me?

I have just converted to blogger beta. I read that I can "customize" my blog layout with drag and drop. I thought I would be able to add a third column, which I have been wanting to do, so I upgraded.

Now that I am upgraded and can't go back, I find out that I lose my custom template and have to use one of their boring ones. I also find that I can't "drag and drop" a third column in. I am also trying to copy in some code from my old template, which I saved in Word, and it won't accept it. For some reason code that worked in blogger won't work in beta. hu?

I am so frustrated!!! How can something that is supposed to be so easy make me feel so stupid?

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Gone Gone Gone I Been Gone So Long

You know, my last post was on Thursday, only five days ago, but it seems like a really long time.

December is a really crazy busy time for me. Let alone the whole holiday spirit, shopping and decorating thing, I have a part time job and after that help my brother Cheez with his on-line mall processing orders (the bedwarmers are divine by the way!) . Yes, if you place an order, I am the lovely assistant handling your order.

So anyway, being a retail business, this is a crazy time of year. If you notice my posts being reduced and my visits to my bloggy friends lacking, it isn't because I don't want to be there, I am probably just pulling out my hair over some order problem or am comatose in front of the TV late at night because I can't think any more.

I remember growing up when it was the day after Thanksgiving and I was chomping at the bit to put up Christmas decorations. I would do the decorating and could never understand why my parents weren't as excited as I was to get going on it!

When I got married and had my own home to decorate, I was very particular about my decorations. My kids didn't like "my tree". It is all silver and white, not full of color as they would have it. It was my tree, I was going to decorate it the way I wanted and don't touch it because I will do it! Dang it! I told them that when we finished our family room I would buy a second tree and it would be theirs to decorate. And decorate they did. Talk about decorations! Full of color, home made ornaments, most of them made at school. It was a great tree.

Lately though, I haven't been as excited to decorate. I have been so busy that it has been one of the last things on my mind to take care of. I want the decorations up but the whole process of getting them there seemed like a chore.

A few years ago the girls put up their tree and I didn't put my tree up in the front room. This year, however, the girls put up MY tree while my hubby and I were out shopping. And you know what, I think it is fabulous. It isn't decorated exactly the way I do it, but it is up and it looks great. A few years ago I probably would have "redone" some of the decorating. At this point in my life, though, I realize that there are just some things that are not so important.

I now know why my parents didn't chomp at the bit to decorate. They were just too darn busy! Perspective is a wonderful thing.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Thursday Thirteen - Christmas Movie Favorites

Thirteen Characters, Quotes or Events I love from Christmas Movies:

  1. Frosty – the original
  2. “she dinks imb cuuuuuuute” Rudolph
  3. “messy, messy, messy” the evil magician in Frosty
  4. “Bumbles bounce!” Yukon Cornelius in Rudolph
  5. Bergermeister Meisterberger – love the name, Santa Claus is Coming to Town
  6. the Charlie-in-the-Box on the Island of Misfit Toys - Rudolph
  7. The Snowman that sings “Silver and Gold” – Burl Ives is the voice, Rudolph
  8. the sad little spindly tree Charlie Brown picks
  9. “fra-geee-lay. It must be French.” “It says fragile dear” - A Christmas Story
  10. “It’s a major award” - A Christmas Story
  11. when the little boy can’t put his arms down. “put your arms down at school dear” – A Christmas Story
  12. when the crossing guard swallows his whistle - Frosty the Snowman
  13. the Santa in Frosty the Snowman.

I will be working at the office today instead of from home. My work day will be longer so I won't visit you until tonight or tomorrow - BUT - my pledge to you, I will visit everyone who leaves a comment today!

What are your favorite Christmas movies, characters or lines?

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Monday, December 04, 2006

It's been HOW long?

Today, my hubby and I celebrate our 19th anniversary. We like to joke around that we have been happily married for 5 years.
Anyone who is married, or has been married, can relate to that statement. Marriage is hard work. Once the courtship ends, it isn't all roses and starry skies. It is dirty laundry, socks on the floor, bills, dirty dishes, his family, her family, his traditions, her traditions, kids, dirty diapers, not enough sleep, unemployment, and on and on and on.
Over the years and through it all, we have made it this far. We have ridden the roller coaster up and down and for the most part, are on the upturns.
He makes me laugh, something that I need in my life. I can get to serious and focused on things. I ground him, something he needs. He can be too playful and unfocused on some serious things.
If you ever want an example of opposites attracting, we are the poster children for that kind of union. Things that were fascinating and wonderful at the beginning can become annoying and irritating later on, but most of it keeps things entertaining. IF we choose to laugh at life.
My hubby asked me this morning if his contract was still good, if I was ready to re-up for another year. I said, "yeah, sure". I told my friend that and she said "you didn't re-negotiate"? Well, I didn't know I could!!!
So after 19 years (next year I will officially have been married longer than I was single) Here is to another 19 years of being happily married for 5!
Love you honey!

Friday, December 01, 2006

Things that go BUMP - into your home!

Think your dead bolt is keeping you safe? Think again.
The average person, read criminal, has available to him the Locksmith tool of the trade. They can use a "bump key" and open your lock leaving no sign of forced entry.
I heard about this last night on a radio news program and after doing a Google and You Tube search, I am amazed at the amount of information out there. There are tons of instructional videos to teach you how to make your own bump key and use it successfully.
This is a brief news clip which demonstrates bump keys and gives information on protecting yourself against this happening to you.


Thursday, November 30, 2006

Thankful Thursday Thirteen

Welcome to the last in my series of Thankful Thursday Thirteen Extravaganza. My final Thursday in November celebrating all things wonderful and worth being thankful for.
You can visit my other lists starting here.

  1. makeup
  2. acne cream
  3. brushes
  4. hair dryers
  5. my pillow
  6. my blankie (ahhh, to be in bed with my blankie . . . .)
  7. doggie-poop-free grass (no explanation needed)
  8. teddy bears
  9. clean drinking water
  10. being out of debt
  11. indoor heating (it's 15 degrees outside - it sucks!)
  12. brownies ( chewy, rich, chocolate, mmmmm, don't you want one!)
  13. milk (can't have a brownie without milk)


Ok, while you are eating your brownie, if you need a laugh, be sure to check out yesterday's Wordless Wednesday post below.

Have a fabulous Thursday!!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Wordless Wednesday

alien song





(this isn't mine, I don't know who to credit but it always makes me laugh. enjoy!)

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Now that's odd!

My dear friend Anthony at My Sick Mind has tagged me for some "internet fun". I get to select six of my favorite oddities to share with the world.

According to the rules…
Each player of this game starts with the “6 weird things about you”. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says “you are tagged” in their comments and tell them to read your blog.
So, Anthony, World, here we go:

  1. Deal me out: I have (just a tad of) OCD in my veins. Therefore, I can't enjoy several card games such as Spoons or Pounce. I am too busy straightening the card piles.
  2. PJ's are our friends: I have to wear PJ's to bed, even in the heat of summer when I am complaining about the heat. Something to do with a fear of having a fire and ending up on the street in my underwear or, God forbid, less.
  3. Don't mess with my shower: I am a tad fussy about my cleanliness. I have a way I shower, an order of doing things you might say, that I execute every time. (can I hear you say OCD?)
  4. Make it a Virgin please!: This may amaze some of you and be really really weird to others, but I have never had a drink of any alcoholic beverage. Just consider me your designated driver!
  5. Those are what???: I don't like caviar. Nasty looking. Nasty tasting. Just plain nasty.
  6. It was only a dream: 20 years after graduating High School, I still occasionally have dreams that I am failing French class and won't graduate. I see the big seating chart with a black X through my name. Something to do with fear of failure I am told.

There you have it. So, we all have issues, now you know a few of mine. I would like to pass this fun on to six of my newer blogging buddies:
Tara @ Coffee Crochet
Colleen @ the Colleen Scene
Jennifer @ Wilson Six - (who by the way sent me a cute notepad. Check out her stuff)
Molly @ These Little Moments
DK Rymer @ A Flyover Blog
Becky @ Absent Minded Housewife

If you don't like playing along, blame Anthony. He started it!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

My Scariest Day!

It was a beautiful day. The kind of day that makes you want to be outdoors. I was enjoying the sun dappled shade of a towering oak when I noticed a young girl setting a picnic for one. She was lovely, with golden hair that fell in natural tendrils around her face. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue that rivaled the sky on this warm summer’s day. She wore faded blue jeans and a blouse the color of a lime. She was barefoot, having taken off her sandals, and I noticed her toenails were painted pink with little white flowers on them.
As I was also alone that day, I decided to venture a little closer and introduce myself. Perhaps we could picnic together. I enjoy making new friends and the park is usually a great place to find them.
As I was getting closer I could see the items she was setting out for her picnic. She had lain out a red and white checkered blanket on which she had her opened picnic basket and a small stool to sit upon. She pulled out her utensils, a cloth napkin and finally her meal. An odd meal, I thought, it looked like cottage cheese.
I had gotten close enough to introduce myself and quietly cleared my throat. That is when we made eye contact for the first time. Then all hell broke loose. She let out the most horrific scream I have ever heard. I covered my ears, in vain, trying to block out the noise. She started waiving her arms in the air, swinging at me, and yelling “get away, get away from me”!
I didn’t know what to do, my heart was beating so fast and I didn’t know what had set her off. I tried waiving my hands back at her to tell her to calm down. That set off another wave of screams. This time she picked up her napkin and started swinging it at me. She knocked me off balance and I fell to the ground. Before I could get up she picked up one of her sandals and started swatting at me. I was so terrified the only thing I could do was quickly crawl back up my line, into the safety of my web, in the sun dappled shade of the towering oak.
Copyright 11/2006
Linda Voss
aka Domestic Goddess

Thursday, November 23, 2006

"Thankful" Thursday Thirteen

Welcome back to my month of Thankful Thursday Thirteen. If you are interested in my previous Thankful Thursday Thirteen lists, because they really are worth experiencing, you can go here and here.

And because today is the ACTUAL Thankful Thursday, I will give you not one, but two lists. That's right! Two lists for the price of one!

Where else would you get this kind of thankfulness value!

So, on with the lists!

  1. nice people (mean people, not so much)
  2. teachers
  3. neighbors with tools
  4. neighbors with tools who are willing to share
  5. scrapbook stores
  6. scrapbook supplies
  7. my scrapbooking buddies
  8. paper products
  9. Bryers Reeses Peanut Butter Cup icecream
  10. comedians with family friendly humor
  11. Veggie Tales (ya gotta love Larry Boy!)
  12. colors
  13. rainbows
and list two:

  1. teeth
  2. dentists
  3. Novocain
  4. q-tips (water in my ears just drives me batty!!)
  5. ears
  6. water
  7. bats, no wait, not bats, um - deodorant
  8. ibuprofen
  9. anti-depressant drugs (yes, the Goddess is a highly functioning medicated individual and will chat with anyone about it who is interested enough to ask)
  10. brooms
  11. vacuums
  12. spell check (I actually spelled vacuum right)
  13. eyes
now my wish for you - "Have a very happy Thanksgiving day (those non US folks can just have a fabulous Thursday)." I am off to make pie!

Monday, November 20, 2006

You'll never look at it the same way again!

Today, I have a fun, fast, and easy crafty crafty project for you. I am going to show you how to make this cute tote from *ta dum* a placemat!



First you need a placemat. Fold it in half (the sides of the placemat will now be the top of the tote) with right sides together and stitch together on each side.








Now you are going to take the corners and fold it to a point.
You want the side seam to line up with the imaginary mid-line from the bottom of the tote.
Measure in 2" on the seam and draw a stitch line. Sew along line.



Do this on both corners. It will now look like this.







Turn the bag right side out. It will now have a squared bottom.


(inside view)







Now you need some coordinating Gros Grain (pronounced "grow" grain) for the handles. Measure 12" plus how long you want the handle. Cut two. (In my sample I used 24" - 12" for the handle length and 6" for hang down on each side.)
Pin the ribbon where you want the handle to be sewn, with the 6" hang down on each side.





Stitch the ribbons. You can do a fancy stitch or just zig zag. I like to stitch a rectangle with an X in it. You just need to secure it well.
Do that on both sides. Now that the handles are sewn on, tie a double knot with the 6" hang down.


Now you have a cute tote. This is the perfect size for carrying scriptures (Scripture Tote), can be a purse, can be for knitting or other crafty crafty projects.







Friday, November 17, 2006

Tacky is as Tacky Does - or - O.J., it isn't just for breakfast anymore.

I remember when O.J. Simpson was revered as a great ball player and all around great guy. Remember him in the Airplane movies? Remember the commercial (Avis car rental I believe) where he ran through the airport terminal?

Then I remember when I reacted with a literal jaw drop when the verdict to acquit him came from the "Trial of the Century".

Now I am somewhat stunned as he comes up with one of the most unbelievably tacky stunts imaginable. If you haven't heard, He has now authored a book titled "If I Did It, Here's How It Happened", where in he details how he would have carried out the murders, if he had in fact done it.

Is O.J. that desperate for money and decided to "get gain" at the cost of the memory of his wife and dragging the families through this again? We know that some time after the acquittal, He was ordered to pay about $33 million for costs of the crimes, in a civil trial, but it is understood he has only paid some thousands of dollars to the families.

Or, is he just feeling left out of the spot light and this is the only way he can think of to get attention.

Shame on you Mr. Simpson. For bringing this tragedy back into focus in a way that mocks the event, the judicial system, the families, and your participation in the murders. Yes, we all believe you did it. Yes we feel like this is finally your confession. Who knows, maybe you do have some bit of a conscience that prompted this, but I doubt it.

My thoughts and sympathies go out to his children. It is bad enough that they had to lose their mother in this horrific way but now they have to live through the memories and added press all over again.

I would hope that the American public would show their disdain for this pathetic attempt at the spotlight by not wasting their hard earned money on it.

What will the next books be, author Kato Kaylin with "Testimony, The House Guest's Guide", and "Face First, Using Your Deposition as an Audition"?

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Thursday Thirteen

Welcome back to my Thankful Thursday Thirteen extravaganza!!
As a reminder -

In homage to the month of November, I will be posting Thursday Thirteen’s this month of things I am thankful for. Last week's list.

(These lists will delve deep into my thankful pot because I am not going to list the typical: husband, children, God, the internet, parents, friends, job, family, the internet, freedom, liberty, the internet, etc., so consider those already listed)


  1. cell phones. I feel so much safer when driving along in:
  2. cars
  3. containers.I love containers.They make me happy
  4. mountains
  5. flowers
  6. bees buzzing
  7. peanut butter
  8. peanut butter m-n-m’s
  9. when I don’t have to cook
  10. when someone else cooks
  11. delivery pizza
  12. UPS (even though they don't deliver pizza)
  13. public school(my kids and I would not make the poster children for homeschooling)

Wordless Wednesday















(mmmmmm, peanut butter filled Kong)

Monday, November 13, 2006

Would You Pass 7th Grade Biology?

As I was driving my daughter home from school today she quizzed me from some flash cards she had made in Biology class.

My deduction was that I would flunk 7th grade. I know it has been a while since I have been in 7th grade, but I don't even remember studying some of the things she was quizzing me on.

I consider myself an intelligent person but this is kind of damaging to my psyche. Are all the 7th graders running around smarter than me?

I am going to give you the mini quiz she gave me. See how you do. I guess I am either trying to validate that it isn't just me (misery loves company) or that I really need to go back to school.

1. What are Heterotrophs?
2. What is Light Reaction?
3. What is Dark Reaction?
4. What are Autotrophs?
5. What is the formula for Density?
6. Explain Photosynthisis:
7. What is Stage 1 in the Respiration Process?
8. What is Stage 2 in the Respiration Process?
9. What is Mitochondria?
10. What is Respiration?

Answers are in my comments. Good luck!



Friday, November 10, 2006

Is your child as safe as you think they are?

My kids are teenagers and therefore we don't belt them into car seats. Although sometimes they act like 3 year olds.

I was over at Plain Jane Mom's and she mentioned this video. It is a very powerful video and I have enough friends and family with young children that I felt the need to share it.



If you know someone with young children, please take the time to share this with them.


An open letter:

Dear owner of the vehicle parked in the carpool drop off lane,

I have noticed several times, while dropping my children off at school, that your vehicle has left the parking lot and made it's way to the carpool drop off lane.

I wanted to bring this to your attention as I would be a little concerned if my vehicle wandered off on its own. Because I can't imagine that you would actually park your car in the drop off lane. Your vehicle may be having separation anxiety as you have left it on it's own while running into the school to conduct whatever business you had to attend to.


Perhaps you ought to have a talk with your vehicle about the fact that the carpool lane is for picking up and dropping off students and not parked cars. It may be interested to learn that while it is only longing to be closer to you, it is in fact causing problems for those of us who are trying to drop our children off. It is blocking the flow of traffic and causing our vehicles to pull into the driving lane, blocking the flow even more.


Furthering the problem, I have noticed that several times your vehicle has brought along a vehicle buddy, causing that vehicle to think it is alright to park there too. This is making the drop off lane even shorter and causing even more of a traffic backup.

Perhaps you should think of leaving the radio on in your vehicle to keep it company or get it a puppy to love in your absence. Just remember to crack the window.

Thank you for taking the time to deal with this issue and making the carpool experience run smoother for everyone. Your vehicle included.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Thursday Thirteen

In homage to the month of November, I will be posting Thursday Thirteen’s this month of things I am thankful for.

These lists will delve deep into my thankful pot because I am not going to list the typical: husband, children, God, the internet, parents, friends, job, family, the internet, freedom, liberty, the internet, etc., so consider those already listed.

Without further ado:

  1. refrigeration
  2. Albertson’s meat department (I can’t imagine having to “get” the meat to that stage on my own. Eeeeewwww)
  3. washing machines
  4. computers
  5. the sound crunchy leaves make
  6. sunrises
  7. sunsets
  8. sunrises the next day (It would suck to be in darkness all the time)
  9. Birkenstocks
  10. gravity
  11. modern plumbing
  12. Louis Armstrong singing “Wonderful World”




  13. soft pajamas

Wordless Wednesday














(you are either going to say "too funny" or "eeeeeewwwww". C'est la vie!)

Monday, November 06, 2006

Get out and VOTE!

Tuesday November 7th is Election Day.
Remember to take advantage of living in a free country and let your voice be heard.
GO VOTE!!




These are Get out the Vote posters.










Even though they aren't from this current year, I like the messages that they convey.











To look at more posters, go to this website.










Saturday, November 04, 2006

Help Me I'm Melting!

You know, I used to be cool. Kinda hip anyway. With the times. My clothes were in style and I listened to the current music that was popular. It wasn't until my daughter turned about 13 that I started noticing the dreaded "generation gap" rearing it's ugly head.

Now a couple of years later, things start popping up that make me actually feel a little bit, dare I say, old-ish.

We like to listen to some of the same music. I like, for instance, Evanescence and Linkin Park. And we have raised our kids to appreciate all kinds of music; classical, jazz, the essentials like Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald etc. Much to my chagrin she has recently taken up Country music. I don't know where I went wrong. But sometimes when she has music on (and I use that term loosely) I think to myself "what is up with all that noise and screaming".

I remember when I was a teenager and I had the radio on (as usual) and my dad came by and said "this sounds like jungle music". Well obviously he just didn't get it. So now I think to myself, am I not "getting" it or has music really just gotten as crappy as it sounds. I think the later is true.

I remember the good original rap. Remember Run D.M.C? The music was actually fun. The version of "Walk this Way" with Aerosmith. Classic! Rap today, ugh. And the whole Hip-Hop thing. I would rather listen to my daughter's Country music than Hip-Hop.

I have transitioned to the lower waist band trend so I don't have the dreaded "mom" jeans. I still prefer my Birkenstocks and I hate the pointy high heeled shoes that are popular now. My wide-ish feet don't like them and my lower back doesn't want to be tweaked out of alignment. (am I sounding old-ish?)

I just don't know why the times keep changing and yet so much is the same. I remember in grade school when my mom wore a paisley skirt suit set. I thought it was the most unattractive pattern imaginable. Dare I say hideous. Wouldn't I have been surprised to learn that in my high school years I would love "fish in ecstasy" as we called it. Paisley and argyle. Thin ties and big shoulder pads. Skinny jeans and big sweaters.

It is kind of funny to see the big hair and skinny pants starting to wend it's way back into the social conscience though.

Maybe when it does I will be cool again.


Friday, November 03, 2006

The Enabler to my Love Affair

As you may remember, I confessed earlier to having something on the side. Yes, my love affair with the internet.
Today I feel a need to talk about my enabler to that love affair.
It is my web browser, Firefox. Not just Firefox, but the new version 2.0. I love the whole tab functionality thing that Firefox offers. It allows me to open whole folders at a time, link to new websites and get a new tab up so both sites are open – I don’t lose one for the other. No making choices as to which site is better. I can have them all.
And now, oh- - be still my beating heart, automatic spell check. What more could a girl ask for. When I type in my blog, when I leave comments in someone else’s blog, it automatically does a spell check for me. This is great for those words you look at and they start looking wierd, weerd, weird, so you think you may have misspelled it, but you aren’t sure. (i before e except after what?) A girl does want to look good now doesn't she.
All this is wrapped up in a hot foxy little browser that I can spend my day with flitting around the internet. I long ago gave up that other "e" program and haven’t looked back since.

Food for Thought Friday

This week I am going to share a really yummy recipe that our family loves. It is super easy and can be done in the crock pot or on the stove top. As you know, I am all about easy and this fits the bill.

Taco Soup

1 1b. ground beef
onion, chopped
brown and drain, combine in pan or crock pot with:

1 can kidney beans
1 can tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can tomato soup
1 pkg. taco seasoning

Serve with grated cheese, taco chips and sour cream.


Just a note: beans, tomatoes and corn are put in with the liquid included.
This recipe can easily be doubled.

For more Food for Thought Friday recipes or to play along, visit SlackerMoms-R-Us.


Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I want to do before I die.

(no, this isn’t an announcement, just an idea)

  1. photo safari to Africa
  2. learn sign language
  3. visit Egypt
  4. learn archery
  5. visit Italy
  6. go back to school, earn degree in English
  7. be a published author
  8. visit Jerusalem
  9. serve a church mission with my hubby
  10. finish training to earn my black belt
  11. pay off my house early
  12. see my girls get married and be happy
  13. be an awesome grandma

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Wordless Wednesday




Sighting of Blue Men

The Goddess and family had a fabulous outing last night at the Blue Man Group concert. I have created a brief video for you of some of the things we experienced.
(be warned if you are at work that there is sound involved, if not, turn the sound up!)




It was so much fun. The concert was very interactive and filled with modern technology. We texted specific messages to them and got messages back throughout the concert. No more "flicking your bic", you hold up your cell phone instead.

They are such a percussive band that it was an awesome feeling. With their big drums you could literally feel the beat. We were on row 1 (not the floor seats) down close to the stage. Awesome!

Great fun was had by all and we would go again in a heart beat. If you want to see more of the Blue Man Group you can go to their web site.


Saturday, October 28, 2006

Halloween meme

Thanks to Kailani, I am now going to regale you with scary tales of Halloween thingies from my life.

ooooooooohhhhhhhooooooooooo *scary sounds*

Halloween meme

1 - What was the scariest movie you have ever seen?
I remember watching Psycho, when I was about 12, with a bunch of other girls. When they turned the mom around and you saw her shriveled up scary face, talk about jumpy screaming girls.

Another scary movie is Watcher in the Woods. That is about as scary as I go for. I am with Kailani though. Poltergeist was one creepy movie.

2- What was your favorite Halloween costume as a child?
I remember having a witch costume, black hat and all. I was so excited to dress up, I put it on to play the day before. I remember some jerk driving by "It isn't Halloween yet!" What a humbug.

I have to say my absolute favorite was Little Bo Peep though. I won a costume contest in grade school.

3- Given enough money what would be your fantasy Halloween costume?
hmmmm, I would pay big bucks to get my hubby to dress up with me and we could be Raggedy Ann and Andy. I don't think there is enough money in the world though.

4- When was the last time you went trick or treating?
probably 6th grade. They did have trick or treating back them. We used pillow cases and didn't have to worry about weird things in the candy.

5- What is your favorite Halloween candy?
peanut butter m-n-m's

6- Tell us about a scary nightmare you once had.
I had a nightmare that monsters were chasing me around the yard when I was little.

I still have bad dreams that I am failing High School French class and won't graduate. I can see the graduation seating chart with my name and a big X through it. That is really frightening. Something to do with fear of failure, go figure.

7 – What is your supernatural fear?
I don't really believe in aliens but if they ever showed up with those big black glazed over eyes, I think I would throw up.

8-What is your ‘creepy-crawlie’ fear?
um, spiders.

9- Tell us a time you saw a ghost or heard something go bump in the night.
never seen a ghost and I hope I never see one.

10- Would you stay overnight in a real Haunted House?
I would have to say, NO.

11-Are you a traditionalist or a creative carver of your Jack-o-Lantern?
I don't like the goopy guts and opt for paint. Preferably my girls just make sugar cookies and decorate them like jack-o-lanterns.

12- How much do you decorate the house at Halloween?
I used to decorate a lot. Now it is pretty much up to my girls. I just don't want to bother. Would rather spend my time blogging or scrapbooking or . . . .

13- What do you want on your Tombstone?
"Curiosity killed the Goddess". I don't know. Hopefully something like "lived long enough to have fun, died soon enough to not be miserable, was caught up on her scrapbook"



I hope I didn't scare you too badly. This time I would like to tag:

I'm an Organizing Junkie

Oh, the Joys
SlackerMoms-R-Us

Friday, October 27, 2006

Food For Thought Friday

It is the end of term, no school today, so last night my daughter had a Halloween party here. We had a house full of giggly girls. Needless to say we are all draggin' our wagons today.
You are going to get the recipes from the party. We had Ghost Chili, which is really more of a chicken and bean soup, they decorated sugar cookies to look like pumpkins and played with goo. What more could you ask for. Three recipes for the price of one!

Ghost Chili
1 lb. chicken cooked and cubed - I use canned
3 cans white northern beans
1 can diced green chilies (7 oz)
1 can chicken broth
1 Tbsp. dried onions

put everything in the pot and cook. Stovetop you can heat through and boil a bit, Crockpot cook on high 1 hour or low 2-3 hours.

When ready to serve stir in 16oz sour cream.

To make it yummy, I like to crumble corn chips in it and put in shredded cheddar.


Pumpkin Cookies

I didn't have time to make cookie dough so we bought Pillsbury cookie dough in the tube. They are actually really good. The recipe I will share is my yummy Butter Frosting and how to decorate like a pumpkin.

Butter Frosting
1/2 c butter, softened
dash salt
1 lb. (4cups) powdered sugar
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

you know the drill.

Add food coloring to make it orange. Give the kids chocolate chips and candy corns to make the jack-o-lantern faces.


Goo
8 oz Elmers glue
food coloring
1 cup water
combine in a bowl. In separate bowl combine
2 Tbsp borax
1/2 c hot water

Dissolve borax in hot water. Add to glue mixture while stirring. It will start forming a blob. Keep stirring until the whole thing has blobbed (very techincal term). Knead it together to get a tad of the extra water out. Store in airtight container.

this stuff stretches, blobs over your hands, kind of bounces ect. The girls liked to stick a straw in it and blow huge bubbles. Generally fun stuff to play with.

For more Friday recipies go to SlackerMoms-R-Us.


Thursday, October 26, 2006

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen reasons I get up at the ungodly hour of 6am and go to aerobics class.


1. it is offered free at my church
2. I have lost 40 lbs and don't want to gain it back
3. I want to lose more weight
4. misery loves company
5. I can actually feel my ab muschles
6. it is a social extravaganza
7. to keep my heart healthy
8. I can take on anybody!
9. I feel strong
10. I feel better after I excersize. It is just getting up that sucks.
11. my clothes are getting baggy again
12. I'm just no good on my own
13. I AM WORTH IT!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Wordless Wednesday
















(the Goddess during one of her earlier home improvement painting projects.)

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Olly Olly Oxen Free!

An invitation to everyone visiting; lurker or regular commenter - please leave a comment. I would love to meet everyone and visit your blogs (if you have one).

And now, a little enlightenment on the term Olly Olly Oxen Free from Wikipedia.


Olly Olly Oxen Free
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Olly olly oxen free is a phrase used in children's games, which is generally used to indicate that people who are hiding (in a game of Hide and seek, for example) can safely come out into the open.
Origin
The exact origin of the phrase is unknown, but etymologists suspect it is a childish corruption of a phrase that would have made more sense in the Hide-and-seek context; such as "all ye, all ye, oxen free!", "all in free", "out’s in free", "all set free", "All ye all ye outs in free", or "All the, all the outs in free"; or possibly a corruption of the German "Alle, alle auch sind frei", (literally, "Everyone, everyone also is free").

This ends today's educational snippet.


Sunday, October 22, 2006

To whom it may concern,

I just wanted to take a minute and thank you for the dozens of daily emails that you have been sending me, letting me know about all the many wonderful products and services that have been woefully missing from my life.

As a woman I was completely unaware that Viagra was for me and that it would make such a difference in my life. The fact that I can now get it at such a fabulous price, along with Xanax and Vallium, is wonderful. Although, I think you need to use your spell checker because you have a little problem with your spelling.

I can't wait to try out the latest hot stock tip that you have pointed me toward. Especially that I will now be making $400-$500 per week with your tips on increasing sales from my home business and will have all that extra money to invest. I guess my next step is to find a good home business to apply these new marketing tips to.

I will not be using your medications to increase my size by 100-400% as I am actually trying to lose weight, thus getting smaller. I will be more interested in your new end-all-beat-all weight loss ideas and medications. I am a little confused though, as to why you want to offer me both.

I also wanted to let you know that it is such a good idea how you put "must read" or "very important message, you need to read" in the subject line. That really gets my attention and lets me know to pay said attention to your emails. Otherwise, I might miss them.

As far as finding girls, girls, girls, I already have two teenage daughters and I don't think I really need any more females in my home right now. That is so sweet of you to think about me as an adoptive parent though.

In closing, I hope this finds you well and not overworked from the vast amounts of email that you are putting out.


Friday, October 20, 2006

Better Living through Pharmaceuticals!

As a person who has dealt with, suffered through, battled, succumbed to, and been highly medicated for depression for many years, this is a tongue-in-cheek phrase that my husband and I use to describe life with said depression.

(yes, I know, you are all shocked that the Goddess, as lovely and witty as she is, has this problem. See, pharmaceuticals. I'm tellin' ya. And a bit of therapy.)

Anyway, I was listening to an audiobook today, Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now, by Gordon Livingston, and he had some very interesting thoughts on depression.

This is what he would tell his patients: "The good news is we have medications that will help with your depression. The bad news is that medication will not make you happy. Happiness isn't simply the absence of despair. It is an affirmative state in which our lives have both meaning and pleasure." People need to look at the way they are living with an eye to change.

He said that a lot of times we expect changes to occur through medications, therapy etc. but don't change the way we are living. We have the same uneventful, boring, sad existence.

We are what we do! . . . . When all is said and done, more is said than done.

He was talking about how many times we get burned or hurt by people who say they will do one thing but don't follow through, actions speak louder than words type of thing.

If we don't change our actions, we can't expect our lives to change.

He said that every person needs three things:
  • something to do
  • someone to love
  • something to look forward to
If we don't have those things in our lives, how can we expect to get better.

This list of three things reminded me of a list that Gordon B. Hinckley* gave when talking about what every new convert to the church needs.
  • A friend in the Church to whom you can constantly turn.
  • An assignment. Activity is the genius of this Church.
  • To be constantly "nourished by the good word of God"
It is really so true that in life we need to feel a purpose, have things to love and look forward to. I wonder if this is why I have so many hobbies and interests instead of just picking one and sticking with it.

There are so many great things in life to learn and do. I have so many ideas and interests that I would love to follow. My main problem now is lack of time to do them.

Anyway, this is something I have been thinking over today and I just wanted to share these thoughts.

*Gordon B. Hinckley is the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons.


Food For Thought Friday

I am joining SlackerMommy and putting up a recipe to share with you.

This is a really easy Pasta Salad recipe that was told to me by my friend Becky and I kindof tweaked. This is probably one of the only recipes you will ever get from me that doesn't have exact measurements.

Pasta Salad
1 bag pasta
1 can red kidney beans
1 can chicken ( I like the Costco cans)
frozen broccoli
Mayo
dried parsley, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper

Cook pasta. While that is cooking put frozen broccoli in colander, run hot water over it. Put beans and chicken into a large bowl. Add Mayo. (pretend you are making tuna for a tuna sandwich) Put in enough to cover and make creamy. Sprinkle in seasonings to taste.
When pasta is finished, pour over broccoli and drain. Add to the bowl. Stir. Taste to see if you need any more seasonings. EAT!

easy peasy.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen reasons to bookmark my blog and visit frequently.

1. good clean fun for the whole family.
2. frequent pug sightings
3. improved gas mileage*
4. whiter brighter teeth*
5. 4 out of 5 dentists surveyed recommended this blog to their patients who read blogs *
6. I'm just a darn nice gal
7. my pug likes it
8. depression flees, good feelings abound, it is a mental health boost*
9. it is 100% free
10. it is an F bomb free zone
11. improved job performance*
12. crafty ideas
13. how many Goddesses do you really get to hang out with!


*statements not evaluated by the ADA, FDA, CDC, FBI, NAMI, CIA, your boss, or the PUG. Your mileage may vary.


Wednesday, October 18, 2006

I'm. To Crafty for my Crown,

to crafty for my crown, I. had. to. put it down.
Oh, I am a quilter, you know what I mean, as I do a little dance with my quilt top.
My quilt top, quilt top baby, I do a little dance with my quilt top.

*stops singing*
ahem

you may remember in a previous post I mentioned I was going to start taking a quiliting class. Well, I can't believe that it has been 6 weeks already but I have finished my quilt class AND, get ready, MY QUILT TOP!!!!!

I am so impressed with myself. I didn't think it was possible to go from never quilting before to having this:
(yes, that truly is the Goddess peeking around the quilt top)


Now comes the best part. I don't have to do the actual quilting. I am taking it to someone to quilt on a big machine. Wahoo!! If I couldn't do that I don't think I would have taken the class. There is no way you would get me to wrestle that on a sewing machine or heaven forbid, hand quilt the whole beastie.

Anyway, I am so impressed with myself (I think I may have mentioned that) that I wanted to share my joy with all y'all!




Wordless Wednesday













(after having stolen a dum dum sucker from my daughter's bag)


Monday, October 16, 2006

The Great Pumpkin is 40!

Can you believe that It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is celebrating it's 40th anniversary?

I remember as a kid gathering around the tv on one specific night to watch the show. Back then we only had 6 or 7 chanels and you couldn't buy the video. What was a VCR?

Anyway, you can join in on the fun.


Friday, October 13, 2006

Say bye bye to the bling bling!

During January 2005 I, at the tender age of almost 37, got braces. This is go round number two with braces although this time was a totally different experience (highest on the list was Dad didn't pay for this set). The first was done in Jr. High school by my dentist. I had minor work done and also didn't wear a retainer. So, you guessed it, there was some movin' goin' on.
I figured since everyone was going to know that I had braces - kinda hard to hide, that I would have fun with them and got the GOLD!
Can you say bling!! (My hubby called them my dental bling)






Well, on Wednesday, I got to spend 3 hours with my friendly Orthodontic staff and have said Bling removed!! WAHOO!!





They gave me a lovely parting gift full of all the naughty forbidden sugary treats that I was to swear off during my brace wearing stint.

So, here's to all the apples, corn on the cob, popcorn and other sticky stuff - Watch out!








Thursday, October 12, 2006

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I would rather be doing than work:
(don't get me wrong. I work part time from home and all-in-all, that is a great gig. There are just days when I wish I didn't have a job)

1. blogging
2. working in my garden
3. knitting
4. working on my quilt
5. scrapbooking
6. taking my pug for a walk
7. mowing the lawn
8. taking a nap
9. reading
10. organizing my house
11. stitcheries
12. getting together with friends
13. watching a movie


Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Friday, October 06, 2006

Nature's Helicopters

Do you remember these? We called them helicopters. The dried fallen seeds from the Maple tree. As children we would pick them up by the handful, throw them into the air and watch as they slowly sailed to the ground.

I have two maple trees in my yard, planted 10 years ago. As I have walked in the yard through the seasons doing yard work, playing with the kids, taking the dog out, I have watched the progress of these seeds. They start as tiny clusters of flowers, barely noticeable among the budding leaves, grow to the green double headed seed, then change to brown and finally drop to the ground, trying to find purchase in the dirt.

It has been many years since I have thrown these helicopters into the air, until this week. I bent down and picked up a few. Then one at a time, laughing and reliving moments from my childhood, tossed them into the air and watched them twirl to the ground.

I don't know why it has taken me so long to do this again, but since that day, every time I go out by my trees and see the seeds among the blades of grass, I pick up one or two and relive all over again.