Inspired: 31 Days 31 Ways

I am participating in 31 Days 2012 that The Nestor is sponsoring!!!  My 31 days will be:

Click this button to join 31 Days.

I will be sharing something that has inspired me to be creative each day in October, 2012.  I often see things - sayings and quotes - that I like to "set to visual music" by finding an image and then adding the words.  Can't wait!  I actually made a graphic this morning before I found this link party.  So, here we go...  Because I'm so visually inspired, there won't be descriptions. 

 October 1st

October 2nd

October 3rd

October 4th

 October 5th

October 6th

October 7th

Oct. 8th

October 9th

October 10th

October 11th

October 12th

October 13th

October 14th

October 15th

October 16th

October 17th

October 18th

October 19th

October 20th

October 21st

October 22nd

October 23rd

October 24th

October 25th

October 26th

October 27th

October 28th

October 29th

October 30th

October 31st

Keeping it Real?

If you are about keeping it real, then you will love this blog/club.  It is a hoot and I'm guilty of so many of the descriptions listed.  But, hey, after I'm dead, it won't matter that there's Underoos under my ottoman or or a dirty sock trail from the front door to the laundry room.  Anyway, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

By the way, the name is a little misleading, because the blogs on this site are written by some beautiful women, inside and out.

Our benediction from today's church service.

Jon Stewart

Is he the only one willing to tell the truth about how this nation is being run...and run into the ground financially?

The Daily Show - I Give Up - Pay Anything...
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

I am ready to give up on the Democrats and Republicans and have a party - or even just one candidate - who actually gives a shit about the normal working American family.  I want people to get rich, sure, I want people to prosper.  I don't want corporate America to get even richer on the backs of hard working Americans, like unionized firemen, policemen, municipal workers and teachers.  I don't want these people demonized so that GE can continue to pay NO FEDERAL TAXES while getting TAX BENEFITS of BILLIONS and all the while continuing to move jobs overseas because the US hasn't kissed their ass quite enough yet.

Where is my tax benefit?  I want to "pay" taxes like GE does and actually make a shitload of money on the deal.  Trickle up economics sucks for the majority of the nation, so why are we letting these jerks continue to bleed our nation dry???  The Republicans are Guilty.  The Democrats are Guilty.

Pretzels for Lent

Though the true origin of the pretzel is unknown, legend states that it has Christian and Lenten significance.

Our church bulletin states that the common pretzel was created for Lent during the Middle Ages, when people abstained from meat, eggs, milk, butter and lard.  Some say pretzels originated in Germany, while others say they started with monks in Southern France or Northern Italy.  If you turn a pretzel "upside down" where the two humps are on bottom, it symbolizes the way children used to pray - with their arms crossed and hands resting on opposite shoulders.  Some also say that the three open areas of the pretzel symbolize the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  If you turn the pretzel 180 degrees, it resembles a heart and reminds us of Christ's love and sacrifice.  And breaking the pretzel bread while eating reminds us of the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and passed the cup.  Here's an interesting article about the different histories of the pretzel.

Here is a simple pretzel recipe, even though it still uses dairy.  So, if we're going to cheat, let's go all the way and make the mall pretzel recipe here.  Or, let's just go to the mall and get some of those tasty pretzels...

Switchflops and Sewing and Backyarding

Last spring I bought a pair of Switchflops at the pool/spa store.  My husband didn't want me going with him to get the water tested after that.  But, I got a pair and some straps.  Then, I found them even cheaper at a drug store here in town - they were called Sierras flops and the straps fit between both kinds of shoes.  So, I have a dressy pair and a casual pair, and straps.  I want to try making my own straps, using instructions found here. 

How To Save With SwitchFlops By Making Your Own Straps

SwitchFlops have several different bases. The real savings come with being able to change out the velcro straps. As a matter, of fact if you are crafty you could probably do the same thing with a regular pair of sandals. I will show you how to make your own SwitchStraps or alter sandals that you own right now.
The straps for these sandals are probably a little bit pricey for me cause I have 5 kids but the idea is really cute. However, if you want to make your own here's how:
Materials:

• Measuring Tape
• Velcro
• Ribbon, Buttons (whatever creative items you can find to use)
• fabric glue or glue gun

1. Measure the sandal strap.
2. Cut two pieces of velcro using the measurement you did above.
3. Glue the ribbon, buttons or whatever other decorative items you use to the velcro in a "v" shape.
4. There you go, velcro it on to your sandals.

By the way, you can put velcro on existing sandals too if you like and follow the instructions above to make straps for it.
I will be listing a video for it on YouTube shortly.

Okay, also on my "to do" list for this spring/summer is to learn to make drapery panels for my huge windows.  I can't find curtains that I like and they are very expensive.  The windows in the living room and kitchen are rarely covered, so I would really need only dummy panels.  I also have some Pottery Barn fabric that matches my duvet in our master bedroom, and would like to make drapes for that room, but can't afford to screw up the fabric.  So, I want to buy an inexpensive sewing machine and try to make drapes.  And if I can pull that off, I might even try some simple roman shades for the smaller windows in the bathroom, kitchen and play room.  Think of the money saved if I can learn how to sew a huge square of fabric with a liner.  And it will be exactly the fabric I want, not some pre-measured, overpriced thing from the internet or a store.

I've already been stalking fabric online and have found some nice things.  Now to get busy and get to work!  Not to mention the work I want to do in the back yard.  I just need some pavers and a lot of dirt.  Then, get some things moved around and get the hidden bulbs out of the garage to drop in.  Of course, Abbie has no idea I'm planning this, but like the rest of my outdoor endeavors, once I spring it on him, he will get into the spirit of the thing after seeing the possibility of how it will turn out.

Ash Wednesday

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to your loving kindness.  According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.  Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sins.  For we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us.  Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I found this on Facebook:

On Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that every sinner has a future and every saint has a past.

Happy Presidents Day

I love the Jefferson Monument and also think President Jefferson was a very interesting man.

I love the cherry trees around the monument.  I used to say that, after retiring from teaching, I was going to be the head gardener at the Jefferson Monument.  Oh well, that didn't happen, but it is still beautiful!

Fabric for Chairs

I'm loving this Robert Allen Kiki Pinata.  I think it would do nicely in the kitchen chairs.  I need to find something coordinating for the windows.  We have a ton of windows in our kitchen, so I need to find something I'd love to keep for a long time.

Still looking...

Scented

My mother's signature scent was Youth Dew from Estee Lauder.  I react strongly to the fragrance - it takes me to so many memories of my mom, in some ways the essence of who she was.  I still have a bottle that sat on her dresser.  It is one of the few fragrances I can detect on someone.

My dad was all Lectric Shave and Old Spice, though he had some colognes I bought him later in life and he loved to wear them.  I gave him some Joop Homme and it smelled so good on him.  I have bought some for my husband and he rarely wears it, only when I ask him to.  Daddy also had Colors de Benetton (from me) and it smelled pretty good. 

I love perfume and the memories it brings.  I started with Charlie and haven't had a bottle of that in years.  I'm amazed they still make it. I suppose I had some Love's Baby Soft, didn't all girls of a certain age?   I also tried Colors de Benetton when I was a senior in high school.  I seem to remember Primo - a knock-off of Giorgio.  Then, a brief flirtation with Anais Anais because a friend wore it and it smelled good on her.  Not so good on me.  Funny story - I was shopping one Christmas and these two girls were trying perfumes and one said, "Gurrrl, smell dis anus anus - it smells so good!!!"  And they oohed and ahhed while I tried to keep from collapsing in uncontrollable giggles.  I think there was a bottle of Ciara in there somewhere, and some Cool Water Woman.  Also, a little bottle of tropical bliss that I bought on my honeymoon in Maui, called White Ginger.  I wear it usually on my anniversary.  While looking on perfume sites, I saw a bottle I recognized - Exclamation! Wore it in high school.  Let's see, what else?  We tried giving Mother different perfumes, but she only wore Youth Dew.  So, we would try them - White Shoulders, usually something Estee Lauder.

College, I wore some Lauren, by Ralph Lauren because a certain guy liked it on me.  It lasted less than one bottle, the perfume, not the guy.  He didn't make it that long.  I think I still have that bottle somewhere, or maybe I gave it away.  Then, I had a bottle of Joop and really enjoyed it.  I'd like to have another bottle of that.  It was supposed to have pheromones, and in the early/mid '90's I thought that would be advantageous.  Yet, it did smell very good.

Then I discovered my signature scent, I guess.  I've worn it off and on for about 20 years.  I kind of keep it a secret.  I like it, but it seems to suit more for winter.  I've tried and loved Kenzo Amour - it is also a winter fragrance - a warm scent on me.  It is pretty recent.  I've had a brief flirtation with Bvlgari.  I also tried SJP's Lovely, but it turned sour and harsh on my skin, like so many perfumes tend to do.  Maybe that is why I gravitate to a warm scent - they seem to do better with my chemistry.  I gave Lovely to a dear friend, because she is lovely, and I thought the perfume would do better on her. 

I need a new scent for spring.  Or, maybe I need to revisit an old scent for spring.  I think I need to get my box of cosmetic goodies and see if there are any bottles in there.

What would be cool, would be to have a bottle of each perfume and smell them one at a time, seeing what images, memories and emotions they would bring back to me.  That would be fun.

Now Smell This    a nice little perfume blog

Basenotes   another perfume site

Post Script:  I dropped by CVS on the way to the school and actually got to smell some Charlie (wow they had it!!) and some Ciara.  They both reeked of alcohol.  Yikes.  But I did notice that every actress and pop singer (as well as some bimbos who are famous for being reality show bimbos) has their own perfume line.  Who would have thought it?  

My Generation

I lost a dear cousin to pancreatic cancer on Tuesday.  Barbara Ann Nipper Carter.  She was 63.  Some of the family thought we had the same laugh and similar voices.  She was a wonderful woman with a great sense of humor and a generous and loving spirit.  That makes the third loved one I've lost to pancreatic cancer.  It is a shock to stop in your life and realize how many people in the older generation are gone, most of the uncles, a beloved aunt, my precious parents.  Everyone on my Dad's side is gone now from that generation.  And now, the first from my generation has gone.  Most of my first cousins are many years older than me.  My parents were both young in their sibling groups, and they had kids late in life.  So, that put my sister and I several years behind many of our cousins.  I think my oldest cousin on my dad's side is close to 70.  It kind of puts me between generations.  I was too young to hang out with many of my cousins at family gatherings, but many of their kids were too young to really hang out with me.  I'm in the middle.  Maybe that's why I've never really felt a certain age, not that I'm ageless, but more like a floater.  I'm worried about my aunt.  She's had so much on her and I hope she can get through this.  My uncle, her husband, isn't doing well either.  I'm praying for Barbara Ann's immediate family and especially my Aunt.

Penis Too Big?

I need to write this down now, so I never forget.  My three-year-old looks up at me while we are sitting on the couch and says, "Momeeee, my penis is too big!  I want it small again!!!" and I immediately started shaking with laughter.  I told him to leave it alone and it would go back down.  Now I'm wondering when that magical age is where they want it forever as big as humanly possible (or as non-humanly possible) so they can swagger when they walk, knowing that they carry a "big stick".  And, I wonder if there is an age where they get old enough to stop caring, like, maybe a hundred and twenty?

This reminds me of when John Campbell was about four years old.  He asked me where my penis was.  We had that talk and he acted genuinely sad for me because I didn't have one.

Hints of Spring

We played basketball today and, once again, John Campbell had a blast.  He is doing such a good job and having so much fun.  He's one of the stronger players on his team.  It is amazing to see how they improve every week.

We got above 70 degrees today and it was gorgeous!!!  The three boybarians played outside and had a blast while I had some quiet time.  We went to Hancock fabric and got something to cover my piano bench with.  And also got something to reseat my lyre-back chair.  Can't wait!  Then, went to get paint for the train table and the chair.

We are grilling out now - lemon chicken and hot dogs.  I've made a yummy corn casserole and some steamed veggies.  Should be good.  I hope to get to bed early and sleep hard tonight.

Here's basketball photos from today:

The Magician's Rod

I am ordering something special for Valentine's Day for the hubster.  He is a model train enthusiast, so I'm ordering a train print with a wonderful Emerson quote.  You can see it here and you can read the photographer's blog here.  Robin's blog, photography and her very spirit are wonderful.  She's an amazing person and it comes through in every photograph she captures. 

Since our eating area in the kitchen is pretty big, we decided that a separate dining room is a waste of space, so we are going to turn it into an office for Abbie, and he will also have his train table in there at some point.  Right now, it is still a toy room for the boys until we get the extra bedroom finished.  Once their things are moved in there, we'll paint and appoint the dining room into some kind of study.  It sure does feel nice to type those words out, even though it will take about 40 years to make it all happen.  Things move slowly around here.  But, by getting the print, I hope it will motivate us to create a lovely space to hang it.

This weekend, we are doing little projects around the house.  We went to JC's basketball game today.  He was so good - he got the first goal of the game!  Watching basketball is fun and watching the kids enjoy it makes it all the better. 

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Time to go to the Living Proof Ministries Blog and add your verse for memorization.  I'm really enjoying this and am thankful that my dear friend, Betty, invited me to participate. 

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 NIV

Something to think about in this political climate

A Tale of Two Moralities

But the truth is that we are a deeply divided nation and are likely to remain one for a long time. By all means, let’s listen to each other more carefully; but what we’ll discover, I fear, is how far apart we are. For the great divide in our politics isn’t really about pragmatic issues, about which policies work best; it’s about differences in those very moral imaginations Mr. Obama urges us to expand, about divergent beliefs over what constitutes justice.

And the real challenge we face is not how to resolve our differences — something that won’t happen any time soon — but how to keep the expression of those differences within bounds.

Finally Friday

We've had a week of being mostly indoors.  We've played in the snow, but the novelty wears off and then you are ready for things to be normal again.  I want to thank my local school system for giving me the opportunity of driving today.  For the most part, the city has done a great job clearing the streets.  I haven't seen dirty snow in the side of the road in many years.  Brought back memories of my Yankee beginnings.  There were a few icy patches, but I took it slow and didn't freak out.  I don't like ice.  I had a bad fall on the ice once, and the aftermath was not good.  My muscles went crazy and I was eventually diagnosed with polymyositis, a nasty and rare muscle disease.  So, to say I'm scared of falling on the ice is an understatement.  I did pretty well today though.  With three boys in the house, I get knocked around and tackled quite a bit, so I've toughened up a lot.  I still don't like falling and don't want to ever tempt fate with a bad fall - as it could bring another round of illness.  Now, if I could just convince my husband that moving furniture or other heavy objects is not a good idea for me...I'd be set.

I'm looking forward to a warm-up over the weekend.  I get to see JC play basketball tomorrow.  He is loving it and I can't wait to watch him.  I've always liked watching basketball.  In high school and college, the pep band for basketball games was a ton of fun.  It is inside and during the colder months, so it gives you something to do in the winter time.  And it is easy to understand.  And you are pretty close to the action so you can see what's going on.  Unlike football, were the field is a big distance from the stands.  I would love for him to continue playing all the way through high school if he's able.    Last week, I worked at a little band clinic and it was his first game.  We were at the same school, but I didn't get to see him doing his thing in the gym.  My husband videoed the game and I got to watch later.  JC did such a good job!  And he got an award at the end - best defensive player.  He had no problem getting right in there with the other kids and getting the ball away from them.  I can't wait to see it in person tomorrow.

Jackson Wynn gets to start soccer this summer and I can't wait to see how he likes being out there competing.  I think he may be a bit more aggressive than his older brother.  We'll see.

Mellow Fellow

I've had a deep, fulfilling relationship with a wonderful man since around 1995.  He is the strong, silent type and he is gorgeous.  His name is Elmer and he is my lovely purr baby.  He is currently sitting beside me as I type.  He loves to put his paw on me and "hold my hand".  And he even lets me massage his paw and play with his little fingers.  He's getting older, but he just keeps getting better.  And he's a total lover, my kind of man.

He's a total lap kitty.  He's worth the extra effort to get Blue Buffalo food.  And he even likes my husband, after about 8 years of just tolerating another male in my life.  At first, when he was still an outdoor/indoor kitty, he would jump from the floor directly onto Abbie's chest in order to be let out.  This happened about 4am each morning.  Abbie couldn't stand it.  Imagine an 18 lb. cat jumping onto your chest while you're in a deep sleep.  He's a big cat.  You can hear his paws on the floors when he walks.  He's got attitude.  Now, years later, he will follow Abbie into the bathroom, wait for him to get his shower, and then wrap himself around Abbie's ankles while he's shaving.  So, Elmer has accepted him into the family, finally.  He's been so tolerant with the boys - letting them pet him and love on him when they had a hard time being gentle.  He has never hurt them, even when they got rough. 

I need to get some recent photos and post them.  I now know what it means to be long in the tooth, as he is getting that drawn look a bit around his muzzle.  But, he's still a total charmer and so beautiful, even if his ears have lost a little fur and have some balding spots.  It just adds to his charm.  He's literally been with me through thick and thin.  I've known him longer than my husband.  As a matter of fact, the longest relationship I've had with a male (besides my dad) would be Elmer.  He truly loves me just as I am.

Wait Upon the Lord

Winter is often a time of waiting.  Life can go through long periods of waiting.  It is important to be waiting on the Lord during these times, because He is the One who delivers.  Nothing or no one else can.