dress is done!

ok, done as much as I can without a zipperfoot for my sewing machine. I know I have one, here, somewhere... and if you could SEE my house right now, you'd understand why I can't find it! ;)

anyway, aside from sewing the zipper in - it's done! what do you think? I wonder if it's going to fit her?! ;) LOL - that bow at the neck it's not attached I haven't decided if it's staying or not.

Looking out my dungeon, er, I mean basement window - I really shouldn't complain~ we have kickass new windows that really brighten it up down here... I wish we had this tree on *OUR* lawn. We might as well since the wind is blowing all the leaves onto it anyway. Our tree is ugly and {imo} messy and spindly! It's branches intertwine with the electrical wires. I wish they'd come and take'er away! I'd LOVE to plant a Maple Tree! :D

Here's the dress I've been a slave to lately. I really LOVE the way it's coming along - but don't be fooled - it's not been easy! ;) I'm going to put a black turtleneck on her under the dress along with black tights and white gloves. She has the Minnie Ears that we got at the Disney store. I can't wait to see her all jazzed up! :)


I've yet to decide if/what I'm going to dress up as. I might just skip out this year :(
Dawson has been home with a flu bug Monday, Tuesday as a precautionary today was ready to return and then barfed! So I called the dr. and they said he needs to stay home the rest of the week... I think I need sanity in a bottle ~ surely I deserve it! :P Steve is booking next week OFF woot woot! I pray there is progress on this mess of a house - he has done ~NOTHING~ and I just know that the likelihood of a kitchen finished by Christmas is about as believable as flying pigs. {sigh} need to remind myself of my favorite motto: *could be worse* ;)

Have a blessed day!

match shmatch!

that's what *I* say! I've been working away on knitting mittens. Perhaps I shouldn't have jumped into another project that requires "pairs". I found that newfie pattern that I mentioned, and I don't know why but it just doesn't look right {pictured above}. So I found another pattern and it's ok, but I think I used needles that were too big for the pattern so it looks sorta funky... now I have 2 mittens without a pair. I started another of the -ok- pattern on smaller needles and I'm only just starting the mitten {past the ribbing} so we'll see how it goes. I think I need to quit torturing myself :P LOL

my house is in absolute chaos - as Brandi mentioned: she'd be a basket-case. I do often feel that way but it's just not going to make an already crazy situation any better so what's the good in that?! ;)

My son has been home sick for 2 days now, and THAT is frustrating! I'd take reno mess anyday over that. I'm sending them both to bed early tonight and hoping for a miracle that their ok and ready for school in the morning.

lots more to babble about but I REALLY need to get sewing on A's Minnie Mouse costume!! :)

update with pictures

This is the day I danced in my house! Oh how I HATED that wallpaper!!!

This reminded me of myself - when I was little I'd sit and watch people work on stuff :)
And the wall is DOWN! :D woot woot!!

Feels like we're living in a huntin' camp!

All we're missing is a woodstove.

Yesterday Dawson had a halloween party and he knew last year that he wanted to be Frankenstien this year. He is home sick today :(

oh ya...

I forgot to mention that I got the other sock finished! So I can now put sock making on my resume ;) My dh took today off, his dad is coming and I believe they are planning to tear down the current diningroom - which will become kitchen -open concept dining/living area. I so so SO cannot wait for this to all be done! I'm excited!! :D First the closet came out...

So today when they aren't needing my help, I'm going to start on a pair of mittens from this pattern called Newfie Mitts. The pair I'm making will be for Ally and she picked pink and green, no wait, black and purple, no wait, purple and green, no I mean, um um, um, um, um, I mean PINK AND PURPLE! {eye roll} and yes that is how she decides on EVERYTHING! wonder where she gets her indecisive-ness? Me or her dad? ;) LOL

new recipe

I'm feeling like junk! :( STOOOOOOOPID coughing - ugh!

trying out this new drink recipe - it's simmering.

I got it from a mom at dancing, I tweaked it a bit.

• Apple Juice
• Pineapple Juice
• 7 cinnamon sticks
• cranberries
• sliced apple
• sliced orange

I added the orange and I couldn't remember how many sticks, so I guesstimated. She also said to add all-spice {I think it has nutmeg in it, and I don't know if I *like* nutmeg THAT much} so I ditched it. You're suppose to simmer it for 3 days. I boiled it for 1/2 hour and it's been simmering now for an hour. The berries have all bursted and it smells sinnfully delicious! I can't wait to indulge!

........if you're lucky I'll take and share a pic... do ya feel lucky? ;)

here ya go!

new window

So this is Pearl new swingy-thingy... Steve and I got the parts while on one of MANY trips to the home depot -MAN i HATE that place! I was SO super excited for her to see what we made - the fabric is from some old t'shirts. Go on ask me what Pearl thought of this super cool contraption...

She was PETRIFIED! {eyeroll} I think she will warm up to it, she did "touch" it today.



Not the best picture, but this is the new front window that is AMAZING!!!! and our door too, that's new, not sure if I had posted a pic of it before.

chit chat

We've been a little busy lately - only not really getting all that we'd hope to get done - we did get a few things accomplished.

first day of snow

it's bittersweet - that first day of (non-accumulative) snow. Today's that day.

FINALLY!

i want to SCREAM from the rooftops -

MY HOUSE IS GETTING CLEANER!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{and yes that many quotations ARE necessary!}

I would take pics but it's not done done YET!

I need to sort {gulp} my scrap-crap and I'm dreading it.

clean up...

I'm fighting with every ounce of my being today NOT to give in to the lingering 'feel like crap' feeling. Last night {since Steve was home} we ate early. Totally finished supper and cleanup by 5:30! So everyone had plenty of time to play, work whatever... I started cleaning the bathroom {insert GAG!} GROSS!!! I hate and I mean HATE cleaning the bathroom. It's just SO disgusting... I think everyone should just clean it after they use it - whether it's toilet, sink, shower - so all I have to do is the floor and mirror. ;) would that be too much to ask?

Today I am cleaning the basement - ok, make that trying to clean the basement. I think I should have pretty good success... so far I have the stairs/side entry done, the furnace room done, the vacuum fell on my head :( and I've started the den area. Pretty good dent. I'm anxious to have the furniture flipped around but I needed to take a break. And I have to flip the wash. I think I'll cheat and skip baking for the kids - I made cupcakes yesterday and I think it won't hurt for them to have that again today ;)

Once I get the scrap-crap all sorted I am going to start having an open invite day to come and use my stuff for a small fee day. I just want everything organized first! I also want to get my sewing hat back on b/c there are a TON of ideas floating in my head - including some window coverings for the basement. I just want to make some quilted valences - more for accents not to block light out... so I'm unsure about it just yet. I'm REALLY enjoying how much brighter it is in here!! :D

I'm making a leftovers- "shepherd's chicken pie" sorta thing for supper - :) hope it turns out!

making decisions

I'm the absolute WORSE decision maker. {no joke!} I've been looking around at my house and it's making me feel depressed and disgusted with myself. Especially all the stamping/scrapbooking supplies that I've hoarded over the years that sit untouched. It seriously disgusts me. I have made so many purchases based on "classes I'll have" that your head would spin! I need to get rid of a BUNCH of this stuff- any suggestions? I'd like to sell some of it... I know I'll never get what I paid for it :( but even if I could get something at least it would be a stress lifted off of me!

We got our new windows today!! The livingroom window is AMAZING!!!! I love it! :D it's so BIG and BRIGHT! the basement windows are also pretty cool... I'm really happy that we went with the guy that we did!! We saved some SERIOUS cash! cost after installation - was less than windows ONLY at all the other places we inquired!! Tomorrow I'm going couch hunting, not buying but it takes me SO long to make a decision on stuff that I'd better start looking -NOW! I want my livingroom back in order before Christmas!

This weekend we're hoping to tear down the diningroom!!! :D I CAN'T WAIT! :D

grumble bumble.

that's me! :P nothing really great to say so I didn't say anything.

I made a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings - the store I shop at ran out of Turkeys so we had a 6lb chicken instead. It was yummy!

Dh pulled the UGLY awning down today and then proceeded to remove our livingroom window! So the only thing seperating us from the elements is a piece of plastic... did I mention it's 6 celcius right now? {that would be 42.8F} brrr... starting to feel the fall chill.

Our new window is planned to arrive tomorrow. I can't WAIT to have my dang house back so I can finally get it in order!

where do you.... ?

do your best thinking?

this morning I was bent half over upsidedown washing my hair {takes just as long to do this than to have a full shower!} and apparently I should bend over more often! I had a bunch of great ideas -can't remember them now that I'm right side up tho'..

Last night I was *finally* able to attend an Epicure Selections tasting party (yes that's what it's called!) the stuff is SODA-licious!!!! :D

Bet ya didn't even know I left! but I had to take miss Allypants to the dr. to prove that I was right and that she's well enough to be at school! :D

Happy Friday - check back later I might get crafty - or not ;)

and now for the REST of the Story!

1 Reese's Peanut Butter Cup not so bad right? It was that or, I open the caramilk bar sitting on top of the fridge - and have a square or 2... b/c you know what's a square or two...? Jillian (from biggest loser) was in my head YELLING at me... and I LICKED every bit of melted chocolate from my fingers... you know I could NOT stop at a square or 2 of a caramilk bar and since it's a FAMILY size bar... I figured the pb cup was my better choice ;)

didn't end up doing much today... made rice krispie squares - yes I know Jillian I'll burn them off later... man! you never let up do you!?

ok... yup still a waste of a day! ;)

going to an epicure tasting party this evening - I'm looking forward to 'grown up' time!

3 to zero in 1

huh? yup, 3 posts to ZERO posts in 1 day! ;)

guess what today is? it's Thursday, what'dja think I was going to tell ya? {snicker} want random? I like the way some alphabet characters look better in lowercase than uppercase.
I think the alphabet looks better like this:
aBcDeFgHiJKLmnOPQrsTuvwxyz how's that for RANDOM!

I wii fitted today, for 42 minutes. I should commit myself, no not to the pysch ward {shut up!} I know you were thinking it! ;) LOL - but to how many minutes I wii fit each day - and maybe just MAYBE I'll see some results. Any other wii fitters reading this? Anyone have the Biggest Loser {Gillian or Bob? - does Bob even have a training, what's it called? it's not a 'game' so is it a video?} welcome to my world ;) anyway, what was I saying? oh ya, I wonder if I really want Gillian yelling at me in my own home - b/c you KNOW she will!

ok - sad life today. whatever, like yours is any better! YOU are the one reading this! LOL :P

Maybe I'll have something better to say / share later! ;)

this is unheard of

THREE posts in ONE day??!?! I know what you're thinking... and no aliens have NOT taken me away {altho' some days I do wish they would!} not today... but I wanted to share the rest of the set. I haven't put anything on the inside designer paper and I'm not sure if/what I want to.

feeling liberated!

Man I just WENT for it today! :D and did it feel GOOOOOOOOOOD! :D

I sat at my table and made something with whatever I wanted, and if felt so GOOD! I didn't care if the paper was a specific name/brand, nor the ink I used or the ribbon etc. turned out being 90% the ususal product anyway {eye roll} but I just didn't think about it and it just HAPPENED!

I have to make some cards to go inside. I think I forgot to mention that Donna and I won the friends 24-7 set at stampinpalooza on Saturday. We have joint custody! ;)

...it's time.

for that update!

where to begin? For a while now I've not really been 'feelin' the love for the stampin' company that I am involved with. I had made up my mind that Stampin'Palooza was going to help me decide whether or not I want to continue with it. I did not have a great experience - I'm not about to lie about it. I'm teetering towards letting it all go. I haven't taken action yet, but I'm sure I'm done. What does this mean? nothing really. I am still planning to have my own little *thing* helping friends with cardmaking/creating. I even hope to get back into scrapbooking. I think for now it mostly just means that *I* will be able use whatever products I want. However I have an awesome friend that also sells SU! and has offered to help out my customers. I might rejoin if a 'good' deal arises .... we'll see. My demo-ship is still 'good' until December 31st.

So now that is off my chest! :D

My hips & back have been hurting a lot lately. it sucks.

I went to the Mill Store in Port Dover on Sunday. I *LOVE* that place! :D I picked up some fabrics that I needed {oh shut up!} ;) LOL - for Ally's halloween costume. She started out wanting to be Strawberry Shortcake, and I did find a costume for $25. I was sort of relieved, but then she changed her mind... and now wants to be Minnie Mouse {sitting down?} $54.50!!!
Tell me *THAT* isn't crazy?! Ok, ya she will wear it everyday! She will probably even start to only eat cheese, but I was NOT taking out a loan for a halloween costume! So I went on a fabric hunt! :D I got all fabrics and the thread/zipper for less than $20! Ya I have to make it, but that's part of the fun.
Dawson wants to be Frankenstein. I found his giddy-up at Value Village (VV) for $10 make-up for $3 and I still have black hair paint-spray from last year.
I need to figure out MY costume - Maybe I'll go scour the VV racks on Friday.

Steve got the flashing up around the door last night while I took Ally to dancing - she LOVES her dancing classes. She wanted to stay after her class was over to watch her teacher take her own class. I love how Ally has such enthusiasm!

I think that's a fair update. Ally's battling a titch of a sore throat, nothing a little honey won't help :) Dawson can FINALLY tie his own shoes - {eye roll} ;)

I need to update - but not tonight

maybe tomorrow ;)

it's STamPiNpaLooZa day!!!

ok, I guess officially it's tomorrow - but there's stuff tonight too! ;)

Donna is on her way here to pick me up and I'm really looking forward to a great mini-getaway!

Hope you have a great weekend! :)