Edward Scissorhands has nothing on us...

If your husband tells you, "Sure, I can trim up the boy's hair." , be sure and distract him. Then, run, take him to Super Cuts, Fantastic Sam's, or Great Clips. But don't turn him loose with a trimmer. Hunnybunny really thought he could do it, but the more he took off, the more he had to take off, if you know what I mean.

I loved Johnny Depp as Edward! In fact, back in Tennessee, someone named their salon, "Scissorhands" after this movie.



It was all smiles at first. Pickle posed for the camera. But as this haircut progressed, he was looking more and more like....an inmate!
See, even Pickle is astonished at the amount of hair he lost!

Here's the smile I love! What a good sport he is! The haircut does make you notice his big, baby blues!

And here's the cheesy one. He does this one when he wants something...followed by a big "PULEEEEEEEEEEZE!"

Rules for socks

I don't claim to be an expert on men, but let me tell you about a recent phenomenon I found....there are rules regarding the wearing of socks. Since Hunnybunny and I married in 2002, these rules have dominated and I was totally unaware of them. Finally, I asked him to break the silence so we can all be educated.

Top Ten Rules for Wearing Men's Socks

1. Socks can match either the shirt or pants.

2. Hunnybunny prefers that they match the pants because they blend in better.

3. You wear causal or dress socks with casual or dress shoes.

4. Never with sneakers.

5. Don't wear athletic socks with casual shoes. (running socks with oxfords)

6. Never wear dress socks with sneakers.

7. If you wear black shoes, then you wear black socks.

8. And if you wear white sneakers, then you need white socks.

9. You can wear patterned dress socks with solid dress suit.

10. And the cardinal rule is: Don't wear tube socks with shorts.

Also here's a link to some style rule commandments.

Ricky Tims on CBS

Thanks to my college buddy, Sandy...I knew it was coming up, but didn't watch. You can follow this link.

Here's the quilt I saw upclose, Bohemian Rhapsody by Ricky Tims.

The Top Ten Reasons Alton Brown Annoys me

You've seen this guy on your tube. As far as I'm concerned, he is the cooking anti-Christ. ( Just a figure of speech, people. Don't email me.)
Oh, he doesn't mean to be. He simply flies in the face of everything you've ever been brought up to believe about the kitchen, cooking, utensils, and procedures. Being the daughter of restaurant owners, sister to a sous chef, and not a half bad cook myself, this guy just grates on every one of my nerves.

Here are the top ten reasons why:

10. Hunnybunny likes him He really admires the way he cooks. Now he's getting more courageous in the kitchen. The jury is still out on if I'm liking that, but he does cook allot more. Now, if only he'd clean up!

9. I really hate the cheesy openings he does. And the gimmicks he does. Hasn't anybody told the guy that most people channel surf until he gets done with that?

8. Most of the time, he talks so fast I can't catch it all. I'm not sure he's a southern boy, but I could be wrong. He does live outside of Atlanta, but he talks like he's from up north somewhere.

7. He makes an entire program out of one food. I'd like to see what he can do making an entire meal....like Rachel Ray.

6. He makes me feel like I don't know what I'm doing in the kitchen. Dude, I grew up in the back of a southern restaurant. (My earliest memory is the smell of the bleach sanitizing dish pan.) I might know what I'm doing, but not when you're on TV.

5. Hunnybunny tells me while I'm cooking, "But Alton says.....". and now we are buying even more kitchen gadgets, like whisks. Whatever happened to using a fork to beat your eggs?

4. He uses "Uh" as a catch phrase. I guess that's not enough to dislike him for. The idea is to get you to watch the show and I'm told that appeals to his male audience.

3. He refers to himself as "The Culinary Bill Nye". Yes, he does take the science of cooking to the masses, but that's quite a boast. Bill Nye rocks!

2.Now we have to watch him every time "Good Eats" comes on, regardless of whether someone else would like to watch something.

1. He cooks so much better than me! As Stan Lee would say, ' Nuff said.

Teach .....your children well......

I used to remember all of that song. But that was before my brain became M.I.A. Here's a couple of short Pickle funnies I thought you'd get a kick out of. We have always given our old cell phones to Pickle to play with. Probably not the best plan we've ever had as the batteries were still functional. And that means that even without a sim card, you can dial 9-1-1. You know where this is going.

Pickle has been learning why to dial 9-1-1 and apparently he's learned how. He hands the phone to me saying, "9-1-1, Mommy,9-1-1." He got a 'boo-boo' on his toe when he tripped and thought she should know about it.

Made with free image tools @ TXT2PIC.com
The other funny this week was as I was changing his clothes. "You can't see me, Mommy."
"Yes, I can, and even your tinney, heeny, hiney(tush).(hey, I don't make fun of your family-isms.)"
"No you can't, Mommy, my butt isn't open." It'll take a minute, but you'll figure it out.

Quilt Everyday.....with us!

The Quilting Diva is challenging us to Quilt Everyday. That has always been my dream anyway, so I'm in.

Happy Sadie Hawkins Day!

You recall our friends from Dogpatch, don't you? I'm only using this panel as it depicts the origin of Sadie Hawkins Day. Once every four years, on Leap Day, it's said that a woman can propose to a man. Most just go to a dance in honor of this swift spinster, and invite the dude to go.

I actually went to an ice skating party that had a "Sadie Hawkins" theme. I got to ask the college class President, Mark, if he'd like to ice skate with me, and he said yes. I remember how I felt after that....like I had hit the lottery.

We decided to go out to eat this evening, which I always feel is a bad idea with two boys and the Friday night restaurant crowd. "Bark at the Moon" came on the radio, to which I heard my 4 year old attempt to sing along.

"I don't know how he even knows the tune!" Pipes up the Rock Star when we turn to look at him.

"He watches you," reminds Hunnybunny, "and whatever music you listen to, he's going to think is cool."



R.S. turns to Pickle and says, "I really like the Bratz CD, Pickle."

Tag....I'm it.

I've been tagged by The Passionate Quilter, a new blogging friend, whose handle I don't know. My apologies.

DA RULES:

1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.

2. Post THE RULES on your blog.

3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.

4. Tag 7 people and link to them.

5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

The first random or weird fact about me is that I used to be a disc jockey back in the 80's. You know, when all the girls' hair was the 'closer to God than you' bit. Played top 40...it was my favorite job.

Next would be I had seven step-fathers. My mother was beautiful, what can I tell you? She just never found the right guy.

My husband claims I have an affinity with Darth Vadar as I am a Hosehead....a CPAP patient.

I didn't get a permanent driver's license until I was 32 years old. Drove on my learner's permit all that time.

I have sons 22, 12, and 4. Is that random enough for you?

I could live on the beach the rest of my life, but would have to wear 60 spf sunscreen as I burn very easily. But, I'd do it.

I really love vegetables. I'm a closet vegetarian.

I tag Deborah, Angela, Leanne, Suzanne,Leah and anybody else who doesn't mind getting tagged again!

More than just a little hacked......a quilting rant.

A friend and I went to a "Hand Quilting" class hosted by our local library. I'm always up for learning a new technique, getting new ideas, all that comes from associating with quilters. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. The entire 'class' was a "show and tell" of all the quilts she'd ever done. While I enjoy that, that wasn't why I came. Another thing was that she didn't know the terms. I'm serious, she had no idea what "traveling" meant in the hand quilting world! Also, she said she could only do one stitch at a time and encouraged us to do the same. While she brought "supplies" for us to use, the fabric we did our practice on was so chincey ....OOh....it just aggravated me! I can see not using your $9 fabric on a class, but not use the $1 fabric from Wally World!.

It wasn't just that. She wasn't very passionate about quilting. Sticking to cheater quilts and presewn panels doesn't constitute quilting to me. I think what bothered me most was the way she dealt with the beginners. She had no encouraging words for them, such as, "Hey, that's coming right along." or, if it's not good, (such as my case) "Don't give up. You'll get there!" would've been cool to say. She wasn't up on any of the new techniques,either. I'm just saying, it was a waste of both of our times. I've always felt like the teacher had to be as excited as the student. Well, that didn't happen, either.

The tell-tale sign that the class was unsuccessful? Everybody left before it was over.

Something quilty this way comes....WIP from the past

You all remember my Quilt of Valor that the Quilt Studio web ring took as a project? My part was the piecing, and I did have my issues with it.
The next step was quilting it, and it was done by the wonderful Deb at Contemporary Traditions. Didn't she do an awesome job?! She was kind enough to let me use her pictures. What's funny is her camera actually made the quilt look correct...color wise. My camera made it look like a cream color. I guess I need that Ott-Light after all!

I don't know about you, but I really love these feathers. Man, did she make it sharp!

Also, she gave us a tutorial
featuring this quilt. I'm still pretty apprehensive when it comes to borders, and she was nice enough to break it down for us.

So, go to her website and give her some love!

WIP Wednesday....on Thursday.

Don't get too excited....two posts in one day, that's not like me at all. But for those of you who thought I wasn't quilting, here you go. The binding is being sewn on. I've actually worked on some Boy Scout neckerchiefs this month, but that doesn't constitute quilting.
I'm determined to get this to the recipient by the end of the month or die trying. Of course, I've said that before in the course of two years trying to finish it. Glad he's a friend of mine.
Maybe it will turn out after all.



My first edge that even remotely looks straight. But don't ask how many times I'm ripped it out and started again. I know, I know, ripping is bad, that's why I use a scapel.

Since it's Valentine's.....

here's some love for Grandma Hunnybunny from your favorite little man!


This is kind of a new face....


This is making valentine cards with the Amazing Jo-Jo.




And what Dyl Pickle post would be complete without the appearance of Spiderman? Pickle is wearing The Rock Star's ("Bubbie's") shirt.

An unexpected day off...sort of

Too much ice and snow to keep kids today, so I have a day off....well, sort of. I have to keep my own, and one other. But that's because her folks work in TV and stations don't close.

Here are some pictures that I took on my recent trip to the roller rink with the Rock Star and Pickle. I did TRY to skate, but was so afraid of falling, I took them off. Thankfully, they allow parents to WALK beside the learners.


Here's The Pickle with his skates. After a couple of hours, Mommy wasn't holding his hand, and he was doing great! His BFF, "Skywalker", met him at the rink.










Sorry the pictures are so blurry. But he was skating fast and it is a digital camera. It reminded me of his dad when we were dating....always showing off.












He looks as if to say..."Uh, Mom...I sorta spilled my drink."
















It's nice to have a friend to have fun with!

Across the Universe

No, we didn't watch the Grammy's, but we watched Across the Universe. And to say it was...trippy..was understated. The music was covered well. How can you go wrong with Joe Cocker or Bono from U2? Bono certainly doesn't sound like an "Irish rock star", as he puts it in the blooper reel. But like a New Yorker. Joe Cocker actually had three roles in "Come Together" and I had to ask Hunnybunny if that was him. He looked old when he was young. But he still has the pipes.
The story had more to do with the Vietnam War and it's impact. But they tried to cover too many story lines. They covered Martin Luther King's assignation, too. And while that was important for the time period, they just had too many loose ends to tie up.





I think they were trying to actually tell a story. While the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts club band was definitely fantasy. The Rock Star asked for this for Christmas last year, and I think I've watched it a lot more than he has! I was around 11 when it was in the theatre, and a huge Bee Gee fan. Peter Frampton, who was just a kid back then, had gone triple platiunm with Frampton Comes Alive!. They did a great job covering the songs, but the story was just too out there. It was great eye candy for the rest of us, though.
The bottom line: if you don't mind the abstract, you'll enjoy it. Visually, it's a beautiful flick. But if you're looking for story content, don't bother.







I guess the boys from Liverpool will never be topped but their music will most likely outlive us all. Currently, The Legal Adult has been sporting a John Lennon look and he's so pleased when someone notices. Of course, the people that notice actually were at Woodstock. He constantly asks me, "What was it like for you to grow up listening to that music?" First of all, I was just a little tyke. I was the only 4 year old who could sing all the words to Strawberry Fields. It didn't impact my life. It was my brother (who was 10 years older) who owned the albums and the posters.
Do you think if John had lived he'd have piercings? I'm just sayin'....

If Rome wasn't built in a day.....

...how about the Parthenon? This was The Rock Star's social studies project on Greece. My idea was that he could do a newscast from ancient Greece, highlighting the top stories of the day. But, he didn't want to. This project was put together the night of the Superbowl. Between commentators and Tom Petty, you could hear hammers in my kitchen. I had offered to help, but they (Hunnybunny and R.S.) claimed they were "fine". You might notice the roof is red as R.S. wanted it to be, and Hunnybunny said it had to be "terracotta". Whatever.....you'd think they were picky old women haggling about the color to paint the house!
I tried to help them figure out how to put it together, but of course, they didn't need a woman's help. They found out the hard way that someone who puts quilt blocks together might know a little about construction. Live and learn, I guess.
The columns are dowels that were cut in half and nailed to a fancy board. Materials cost around $25 bucks! That just hurts..ah, well. The price of an education.
The other part of the report was a presentation. He kind of botched that. While the project was outstanding, the presentation ....not so much. He got a "B". But, on the upside, his project was put into the school trophy case. I'll be taking a picture to bore you with later.

Getting my ducks in a row

This January has been interesting. Instead of doing the annual resolution route, I have had a new approach. And I didn't even read about it online! I decided to really search inwardly to figure out and do what was important to me. Even though I didn't use a standard, "Hey, buy my program online! It will change your life!" idea, I still feel like I have needed to make some serious changes....for nobody else but me. So, I've been looking at my spiritual, physical, financial, and social life. In doing so, I'm amazed at the clutter I've had around me for so long. My mother was an infamous pack rat when it came to saving bills, papers, etc. I'm guessing that's where it started for me. Last weekend, Hunnybunny and I spent 3 hours cleaning out our file cabinet! It's no wonder we couldn't ever find any paperwork...I still had my tax return from 1984! I felt like we weren't going to have anything in the cabinet afterwards, but it slowly began to fill up with CURRENT paperwork. We even started our tax returns this week, which is way ahead of the game for us.
As far as the physical goes, I've been going to the gym a couple of days a week. Also, I have to ask: any of you watch Gillian McKeith on BBC America's "You Are What You Eat"? Well, if you get the chance, she's worth watching. She's a holistic nutritionist who makes people look at their diet and wonder why the heck they're feeling so poorly. (Just a caveat: she's really into what people's bowels emit, so if you have a weak stomach, don't watch.)
The next thing of any consequence for me is spiritual. I miss doing a bible study. Hunnybunny and I worked at a ministry long ago and we were in an in dept bible study all the time. It's time I found another one.
Socially? Well, that might be the hardest. I have little kids to take care of as part of my job and my day doesn't end until late. But I need to get out of the house and hang out with the girls. I feel like I'm swimming in testosterone most of the time.
I also need to make time to quilt. In the evening would be the most opportune time, but I make too many excuses like, "I'm tired", or, "I just don't feel like it." Actually, it's kind of like getting up for the day. Once you get up, you're fine. Well, once I get working on stuff, I'm fine, too.
Anyway, that's what I've been up to.

I guess I'm in love again....another movie review

What is it with me and younger men? When I was younger, I wanted an older man, and now, everything is opposite. My buddy, Jane, and I went to see the chick-flick, 27 Dresses last weekend to a packed house. You might recognize this young man from Superman Returns, X-Men , and recently, Enchanted(which I haven't seen). His name is James Marsden, and what a sweet smile he has!

The story is about a lady named Jane who had been in 27 weddings. She dreamed of the day that it would be her wedding. James Marsden's character, Malcolm (or Kevin as he preferred to be called) was a writer who covered the wedding circuits and ran into Jane at one of the stories he was covering. I won't give away too many details, but the twist is she's in love with her boss, and he's in love with her little sister. Little sister is in love with herself. I'm normally not a chick-flick person as I have to wait until it comes out on dvd to see it. Hunnybunny always says, "Oh, yeah, I'll take you to see that." But usually, if it's an action, war, stupid male humor, or sci-fi, then we just have to see it. So one of my resolutions this year is not to wait around on him. If I want to see it, I'll just call Jane, or Ally, or somebody else.

Heath Ledger is dead.

No, I'm not kidding. I feel like someone just kicked me in the gut. I really thought someone was pulling my leg, that this was a very elaborate joke, but all sources confirm that Heath Ledger, of A Knight's Tale, The Patriot, Monster's Ball, Casanova, and most recently, The Dark Knight, died today. Here's the link from the New York Times. Rest in peace, Heath.

Yet another New Year's

Okay, so I'm a little late with the New Year's subject. Everyone else has most likely posted their resolutions. And I'll most likely get to that. But I thought it prudent to go back over 2007 and find the good, and the bad
It's easy to start with the good:

1. Actually finished two quilt tops for charity.

2. Finished a quilt top for The Quilt of Valor Foundation.

3. Bought a Singer 201 at Goodwill for $9.75!

4. Bought a Singer 15-91 at the same Goodwill a week later for $25.75.

5. Bought a Singer 99K on eBay for $30.

6. The Rock Star got his Tenderfoot in Boy Scouts.

7. The Dyl Pickle turned 4 as Spiderman.

8. The Hunnybunny family came to visit from North Florida.

9. I have walked 106 miles since last May.

10. The Diva, Geronimo, She-who-must-be-obeyed, and Idgy joined my inhome daycare crew this year.

11. We visited our old stompin' grounds,Chattanooga, Tennessee.

12. And we celebrated our fifth aniversary.

13. I did teach someone to quilt this summer.

The bad:

1. The Legal Adult moved away, moved closer to his dad, then moved back to Kentucky.

2. Got a nasty heel spur which curtailed my workouts at the gym.

3. My husband's '93 Honda blew up, but I did get a new 2007 Kia Optima.

4. Laurel Burch passed away.

5. I accidently deleted my old blog.

6. Played a year long game of "Come here, no, go away" with the Legal Adult. He's back in Kentucky and apparently I'm at the top of his "Do Not Call" list. Hey, join the club. We've got T-shirts.

7. Inadequately dealt with middle school drama from the Rock Star.

And I think that's all ....now I feel cleansed having dumped the year on all of you. Thanks for your patience!

Boy, do I feel sheepish.....

to tell you that the "game" did not have it's intended effect. The game meaning what we did to The Rock Star at Christmas.(See previous post.) I was all for drawing it all out...but Hunnybunny didn't make him wait at all hardly.

The presents were opened, and all he (The Rock Star) asked was, "Is this all of them?" I let the question slide. Hunnybunny did, too. And then, a little later, he asked again. Hunnybunny told him to check the closet and the rest, they say, is history. I'll give him this much, he should have won the Oscar for acting surprised when he opened it. I did ask him straight out if he peeked. He said 'no', but the top of his ear turned pink. That's his indicator that he's not telling the truth. But I'll be alot more careful next year.

And to answer a reader who raised a valid question, no, he doesn't even know where to find my blog. Hunnybunny does, however, so I can tell you now what I got him. The picture to the left is the Serenity movie poster, but these characters are from the Firefly series that was short-lived on FOX. It's shown every now and again on The Sci-Fi channel, but I wanted to get the whole Firefly series for him for Christmas. It's sort of a sci-fi western, but it's really good. We've stayed up the last three nights watching until 1:00 AM. Nothing keeps me awake that long, so you know it's good.

As for me, I had a good Christmas, but did miss the Legal Adult alot. Guess it's time to let you all know he left Arizona. The former girlfriend was just that, FORMER, and she didn't bother to tell him before that she had a current boyfriend. So, his dad flew him to his place outside of Nashville. I'm just glad he's with family.

Here's hoping you all had a blessed Christmas!