Me...not me..Birthday MeMe

This year, to commemorate my forty-somethingth birthday, I decided to do the MEME that's been going around. Instead of a list, it provides pictures of what is me, and what is not. See how many are like you, and consider yourself tagged!


Me

Definitely NOT me



Me!!!


Not me...

Me....still after all these years.

Hunnybunny likes her, (gee, wonder why?) but so not me.

Heck yeah, me....but not until retirement I'm sure.




Nope, not even close.


Me



Not me.

And last, but not least.....

Me...oh, so me.

But just not me.

Carnival of The Crazy Hip Mamas #35

This week the carnival topic is: “Something I made that I was REALLY proud of…”. or “Something I tried to make that didn’t turn out quite right…”

Well, I guess I'll take the question of something I made that I was really proud of... and the answer is: my first quilt. I started taking a beginning quilting class a couple of years ago, and all I had was desire and all the books I had read. After six weeks, we were taught the basics, but I took a little longer. Binding continues to thwart me. But, I 'gotter done' as they say. Now if I could just finish something else???

WIP Wednesday

....is once again NOT done by me. My 'student', Geronimo, did this snowball block. She is really coming along. We worked on fabric straightening, cutting, and measuring, and she did great!

WIP Wednesday

Well, I wish I could tell you it's MY WIP, but it isn't. Remember I told you about the changes coming up for me in regards to The Amazing Jo-Jo and now keeping his little brother, "Idgy"? Well, he hasn't started yet. But my friend Carrie took a part time job during the morning hours. She keeps a daycare that I help out with from time to time. The kids she keeps are out of school for the summer, so the GIRLS are at my house. I'm so happy that the estrogen level is about to go up, I could shout. The eldest I'll call Jeronimo and her little sister, Kemo Sabe. My boys certainly have enjoyed having them here. The Pickle and Rock Star are being led around with an invisible ring in their nose. It's been awhile since I've seen that.
Jeronimo wants to learn to quilt, so I've been teaching her. She made this block by herself. You might recognize the fabric, it's scraps from the bug jar quilt. I kinda feel like the blind leading the blind, since I've never thought of myself as a teacher. But she is a real quick study! The Kemo Sabe is going to get into it as well.

The Rock Star isn't just another pretty face....

or just good with the guitar. He won 4 awards at the award day ceremony at his school! Two of them were for scholastics, and of course, two were for being the best artist on his team, and in the sixth grade. The award he's sporting in the picture is for having a 3.5 average and better all this year. I'm pretty stoked...

Finally, something I can contribute to.....

I belong to a ring of Mommy-bloggers called The Crazy Hip Blog Mamas. I had joined back when there were less than 150. Now, there's over 1,000 members. This week the carnival topic is: “Introduce us to your current favorite band. Doesn’t matter what genre, or how old they are or how long they’ve been around. If you dig ‘em, we want to know about ‘em! “.

Ya'll know I have a thing for Top Ten lists, (Thank you, David Letterman!) so I'll try to answer with my top ten. Consider yourself tagged and let's hear who you like.

10. David Bowie. Now, don't give me that look. I've been a fan of his since "Major Tom" came out when I was a kid. He seems to look better with a little age.

9. Aerosmith! . Yet another of my quilty pleasures. I may not want to look at Steven Tyler, but I certainly love to hear him. And Joe Perry's easy on the eyes, too.

8. Elton John. Yes, I know, Mr. Fantastic himself. I think I liked the 70's Elton better.

7. Train. These guys are really great!

6. Fleetwood Mac. I think I used to have every album they every made. Even Stevie still looks great for having an AARP card.

5. Keane. They are really great... have sort of a Beatles sound.

4. The Beatles. According to my eldest brother, I was the only 3 year old who could sing every verse of Strawberry Fields and get it right. Need I say more?

3. Creed. I sure do miss them. I'm glad Scott Stapp is still singing. He actually went (and was expelled) from Hunnybunny's college. I got his solo album and like it alot.

2. Evanescence.. She's really good.

1. Nickleback. I really like Chad. He's great!

WIP Wednesday

Just when you thought I'd never do anything quilty again, my inspiration comes back. And for the time being, my depression has gone. So, while it's on hiatus, I submit The Boy Scout Quilt for your inspection.


This was quilted by stenciling with a Quilt Pounce. They work pretty good, but kinda messy. Since the Assistant Scout Master was the leader before the Weblos crossed over, I thought a Pine Tree design would work. My son's patrol named themselves the Pine Tree Patrol...Lord knows why. I helped them make their flag last year.
I wondered why it took me this long to make this quilt. I think fear of not knowing how to do certain things certainly played a part. Isn't that just like us as women? We put off doing something because we're afraid of how it's going to turn out.
This quilt certainly is full of flaws, but it also stands for all the things I learned making it.
All that's left to do is bind it, (which I reek at) and put on a sleeve, (most likely at the same time. And oh, yeah, I have to put a label on it, don't I?

And last but not least, a movie review....

Of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Of course, there were several posters to pick from, but Orlando Bloom is so handsome and adorable, I had to pick his.

We actually took the boys to a drive-in. Hard to believe they still exist, but we went with The Pickle and the Rock Star.

I had my reservations about the idea of taking two boys, in a confined space, out to a picture. Between fighting over the popcorn and drink, several "I gotta go", you know where, breaks, finally they settled down.

And the Pickle actually sat outside our car in one of those camp chairs with the Rock Star. Apparently, Pirates is a movie they could agree on.

As for the movie itself, better not get up if you can help it. They have lots of loose ends to tie up, and honey, they were 'a-tyin' them. The music was great, like the other two movies, but really loud. Could be because I was in a car. Keith Richards made his appearance as Jack's dad, and it was really funny. But there are several melancholy moments, also, when the two lovers are working it out.

While it was a great flick, I will tell you this: it just didn't end right. Don't get up and leave until AFTER the credits, or you'll miss something great.

Another Anniversary in the bag....

Yes, five years ago this past week, we celebrated number 5! We didn't really get to do much, but we did actually hire a babysitter and go out to dinner. He's a wonderful man that I love very much, and it's been great being partners!

Guess who CAME to dinner?

Yes, friends, I have been absent this week, and I apologize. Hunnybunny's Grandmother, Aunt, and Sister came and spent this past week with us. We had a good time as seen by these pictures. Here's the 4 generations of Hunnybunny's ....or is that Hunnybunnies? Oh, well, you get the idea.

He certainly loves his Aunt Hunnybunny! She spoiled him rotten, along with everyone else.
This is Great Aunt Hunnybunny. She is the only other family member I've met. She came to our wedding, and she was kind enough to drive everyone here for the week. The Pickle absolutely loved her!
And of course, nobody is like his favorite girl, Grandma Hunnybunny. I think he kissed her to death.
Here's a better shot of the women in my men's lives. He is certainly one loved little boy. They also loved on the Rock Star, but I didn't get any pictures until it was time for them to head back to the panhandle.

Following the Yellow Brick Road

Well, it ain't Emerald City around here, but I'm starting to wear a path around my subdivision. So, in essence, I'm walking the yellow brick road. Yeah, well, it's Friday, so try and come up with blog fodder this late in the day....

Top Ten Reasons Why I Am Walking Daily:

10. They say it's good for you, and you know that we all have to do what they say.

9. Having to run to keep up with a 3 year old is wearing me out.

8. It's the only exercise I'm coordinated enough to do.

7. I get to jam out to the mp3 for at least 30 solid minutes.

6. I am on a walking team for the WOMAN's Challenge. We're virtually going across the country.

5. I'd actually like to get up to running in the future, but as they say, you gotta walk before you run.

4. It gets me out of kitchen duty....well, at least the stacking and clearing of the table.

3. I'm terrified to try on a swimsuit this season.

2. I started Weight Watchers, and they encourage it, which helps allot with number 3.

and the number one reason I'm walking around my neighborhood........

I need to lose the equivalent of a fourth grader.

Tagged with a Meme

Well, Ms. Debra tagged me last week. I'm just now getting around to her meme.

Even more than you wanted to know about me:

1. I am such a creature of habit. Got to have my cup of Joe every morning, or it's a bad morning, if you know what I mean. Fortunately, I married a coffee addict as well. And hey, Starbucks is within walking distance! You can't beat that.

2. I used to be a "disc jockey" back in the '80's. It was a top 40 station at the time with a living legend, and doing overnights in front of him.Fairly intimidating. But he's been around forever. Jocks are now called "AP"'s (On Air Personality). Disc jockey then meant you cued up your own records, did your own commercials, and filled out your logs. I'm not sure if they even use logs anymore. Hunnybunny was a jock, too. He worked for was a Christian stations.
This is the job I still dream about at night. If it's been a long day, I have dreamed of picking out records, doing commercials, and actually talking on the air. I guess I still miss it, but I'm a little old to go back. Once you've been in radio, it's like a disease...it's in your blood and it never goes away.

3. I have this thing about the ocean. I want to live there someday. Don't know if I'll get to. What's funny is that the boys don't really care for it much.

4. This is the first time I've ever been "unemployed"...since I was 15! That is, going to a formal job, not keeping children like I do now. I really like it. But it took a lot of getting used to. The little boy I keep, (The Amazing Jo-Jo) will be off to preschool with the Dyl Pickle this fall. His newborn brother, Idgy, will be coming in June. So, three days a week I'll have one, and two days a week I'll have 3!

5. It's killing me watching the Rock Star get more mature. His voice is changing, he's getting a mustache, and truthfully, he really doesn't NEED me. He just chooses me, and that's pretty cool.

6. The Legal Adult has really come full circle. I'm so proud of him. I was proud of him, anyway, but he didn't believe it. He turns 22 on Monday, and I'm feeling a little nostalgic about my baby. I was just a kid when I had him, (21 about to be 22)and now he's half my age.

Anyway, that's all I can think of.

Folks with weak stomachs may not want to see this

but this is for Grandma Hunnybunny and Aunt Hunnybunny who faithfully read this blog to see pictures of their Dyl Pickle. We refer to it as his "mutant ability". His tongue is so long he can touch the tip of his tongue. Unfortunately, he can also use his tongue to wipe his nose.

Hope he doesn't turn into anyone we all know....



By the way, I'm becoming the mother of a 22 year old this Monday. It's really hard to believe. He sure has turned into a man right in front of my eyes. Isn't he cute?

Trouble with Wheel of Mystery....

or Winding Ways. What ever you choose to call it. You recall this ambitious picture of a quilt I've been trying to finish.Well, I've been working on it. But it's not going together very well. This first block I did was great!Until I figured out it was supposed to FINISH at 9 inches to allow for the seem allowances. You take an inch all round off of that, and it'll go into the design. So, I tried to make it work the correct way. (It's amazing, I didn't know you were supposed to actually READ the directions with the templates!)Looks great, huh? Look again. It's shy 1/8 of an inch on top and bottom right. So here I go once more, determined not to be thwarted by a block. Yeah, right....I'm sure I'll get it, but don't know when.

As for that Singer 201 that I got at Goodwill? New power cord made it work fine, but I found a short in the pedal cord. A small price to pay for a good machine.

Renaming your children

I had no idea how much my second born resented being referred to as "The Boy Scout" until yesterday....he hit my home page and read about himself.

"Mom, I really, really HATE that you call me the Boy Scout in your blog!"

He caught me somewhat off guard, "Why does that bother you?"

"Well, you know how much I hate scouting. It seems like you're rubbing it in my face because you make me go."

Now before I get ugly emails, let me explain. We moved here 3 years ago May 31st. No family, (The Legal Adult had not moved up here yet), no church, no school friends...nobody. I met a scoutmaster at the bus stop that August, and he said my second born might enjoy scouting. Second born was on the bandwagon and became a Weblo. It was all good. Until he crossed over into Boy Scouts. Oh, my..the thought of having to work for merit badges, hike, do service projects, sell popcorn...was just too much for the Second Born. He wanted to quit. He was having personality conflicts with others in his troop. At this point, we have spent a lot of money in uniforms, camping equipment, and time for meetings. Previously in his life, I had let him get by with quiting, and I always regretted it. Back in Tennessee, he had been involved in baseball. We bought all the equipment, spent boo-koos of moola on registration fees, uniforms, athletic equipment, not to mention the time it takes for practice and games. After 4 years, he says he doesn't want to do it. And there you go, I let him quit.

This time was going to be different. He had made the commitment, he was going to see it through. Fortunately, I've not been alone in this. A special scout leader named Chip has been a great help. He was Second Born's scout leader, and he's the one I'm making the scout quilt for. He knew that S.B. didn't want to be there, but he also recognized, like me, that sometimes we make our kids finish something to get them ready for life. So, he's actually provided an incentive for S.B. to stay in scouting.

I know when he gets older, there are going to be jobs he hates, people he doesn't want to work with, and bosses he doesn't like. If I teach him that you just move on when something gets a little tough, he's not going to be prepared. So, I make him stay in, like it or not. And actually, for the most part, he really likes it. He just likes us all to believe that he doesn't so he can get out of the obligation.

I said all that to say this: no longer will the Second Born be referred to as The Boy Scout. With his kind permission, he will now be referred to in The Jury is Still Out as The Rock Star.

Debut of "Loose Strife" and a yard sale goes bust

Our community holds a yard sale twice a year, in the Spring and in the Fall. So, I signed up to participate. My buddy, Jane, (of Goodwill hunting fame. Okay, it's not funny, but it's early)brought her stuff and allowed her son, The AC/DC Fan, to spend the night with the Boy Scout. Well, I got up early to get it all out there, and it started to rain. sigh...so I kept taking clothes off the tree, putting them back, it was nuts. Finally the weather cooperated. However, the yard salers did not. I probably only had 7 or 8 actual stops. Jane sold the most, including the wildest set of boots I'd ever seen. My prize was selling my octagon table that I had bought some 9 years ago at a yard sale. The going price was a whopping 4 bucks. This little gal loved pedestal tables and mine was pretty heavy-duty. I'm glad it found a good home.
We were entertained by our sons, calling themselves "Loose Strife". I feel like I'm watching "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", but unlike Bill and Ted, Boy Scout and AC/DC are actually pretty good. They set up their amps right on my steps.

Of course, Mr. Dyl Pickle had to get in a few pictures. He was our 'greeter' for the yard sale, telling the customers about each toy and how old he was when he played with it. Not a bad salesman. But he'd rather be in the walnut tree.

Lightening struck the same place twice

Yesterday, I went into the Goodwill again. I was looking for a sewing machine cabinet for the Singer 201 that I picked up there for $9.75. Behind a couch, table, lamp, and chair...there was a cabinet! Upon inspection, I noticed it had a Singer head in it. Another BLACK Singer. The difference was that this one had all the presser feet, power cord, bobbins, button holer, etc. As best I can figure, it's from 1948, and it's a Singer 15-91. It also had a whole slew of wound bobbins! I kept thinking..."But I really don't want to spend $45 dollars on this. Hunnybunny will kill me!" But all the gadgets were compatible to the 201, and they were $10 bucks a piece on Ebay.

Then the manager walked out. She had seen me perusing this machine and said, "We've had this for 3 weeks and here it sits. I'm gonna mark it down."
"Down to what?" I asked, thinking it would be around 5 bucks or so.
"25.75."
"Consider it sold!"





Singer doesn't have any records for the serial number except that it was made in Canada around 1948. She cleaned up like a new penny with some shaving cream. I know, that sounds crazy, but it works on those old machines.