February 16

Today would have marked my mother's 61st birthday.

She's been gone almost three years. It will be three years on May 13th. The day before my son's 8th birthday.

I keep waiting for the sharp stab of pain to disappear. For the tears to stop coming to my eyes when I think of her. To stop cursing everything in sight from taking her far, far too early. For knowing just how damn much she is missing.

And I keep on waiting.

Fabric Acid Trip

I am a self proclaimed fabric nutcase. I love to look online and see all the wonderful styles and prints. It makes me want to learn how to design and print my own fabric. The other day as I online window shopping I came across this doozy of a fabric choice:

Dude, what in the hell was the designer smoking when they came up with this design?! It's like the elephants are frolicking in the Land of the Great LSD trip. And of course I immediately start to wonder what I could make with such a fabulous fabric. 

Even more importantly - do you think I would be able to get a contact high? If so, damn, I'd have to buy the whole bolt. "Sorry kids, mommy's busy playing with the elephants and giant polka dot mushrooms."

Pretend I'm saying something worth while

Blah, blah bla blahablah blahblah blah blah blah.

And then I was all, "Oh no, he didn't!"

Blah blah blah blahblahblah-de-flippin-blah blah blahblahblahblah blah blah blah blah blah blahblahblah blahblahblah blah blah blah blahblahblahblah blah blah blah blah blah blahblahblah blahblahblah blah blah blah.

I know, I mean really.

Blah blah blah blahblahblahblah blahblahblahblah blah blah blah blah blah blahblahblah blahblahblah blah blah blah blahblahblahblah blah blah blah blah blah blahblahblah blahblahblah blah blah blah-hah-hoo-ha.

You totally agree, don't you?

Blah blah blah-hidey-ho-ranger-joe blahblahblahblah blahblahblahblah blah blah blah blah blah blahblahblah blahblahblah blah blah blah blahblahblahblah blah blah blah blah blah blahblahblah blahblahblah blah blah blahblahblahblah blah blah blah blah blah blahblahblah blahblahblah blah blah. BLAH.

I'm so glad we had this talk.

Happy 2012

Hello! Happy 2012! Was 2011 good to you, or like myself are you looking for better and brighter times in 2012? I am still on the path to be able to help support the family with my Etsy shop and with the few fairs I've started doing. I still have to work my 9-5 job, but I will get there one day. Mark my words (insert evil cackle here).

In other words, I totally resemble this definition. And I see nothing wrong with this.

I cannot pass up a good fabric sale. At least I can honestly say I use what I buy. So far I am gearing up for 2 shows in March, a possible show in April and maybe an Open House. I guess I better get sewing. With my trusty Diet Coke and sewing machine by my side I will not fail! Perhaps a super hero cape is needed? 

Teenagers and Halloween

I have a 16 year old stepson.

(and yes, I totally just heard all you parents of teenagers suck in your breath and mutter sympathetic words. I hear you. I now know why gerbils eat their young while they can.)

We will call my stepson Al. Al's not a bad kid by any stretch of the means. He's just a teenager, which makes him inherently a pain in my ass. Last night the hubs and I took the two younger kids trick-or-treating and left Al at home to pass out candy. This was probably a huge mistake on our part, but alas the 7 year old wanted mom & dad to go with him. We warned the teenager not to eat the whole bowl of candy while we were gone. When we returned home a good part of the candy was gone. In Al's defense we had quite a bit of kids out and about trick or treating. So later in the night, after the festivities had ended, I casually mentioned to Al that he might want to make sure and brush his teeth well.

Him: "Why do I have to brush my teeth well?"
Me: "Because of all the candy you ate."
Him: (sigh, eye roll) "It wasn't a lot. I only ate like 10 pieces." (sigh, snort, eye roll rolled so far I wondered if he rolled his eye balls around the whole perimeter of his head.)

*crickets chirping*

Me: (blank stare, while figuring out teenager candy math. 10 candy bars + 6 whoppers - 3 twizzlers he fed to the squirrels + 8 suckers= 10 pieces)

Do teenagers really think parents are that stupid? Wait. Don't answer that. Just lie to me and tell me it gets better.

Happy Halloween

Just a quick Happy Halloween! May all your tricking be safe and your treats be yummy. My kids have already played in their costumes. Enjoy the pics!

And what is Halloween without jammin' to some Thriller?

(And if you made your/your kid's/your dog's Halloween costume I would love to see pictures! I couldn't make Aaron's costume as Batman needed muscles. Muscles Mom! I need MUSCLES! What-ever.)

Freezing my bon-bons off

It is freakin' cold outside. I have not been able to get warm since the weather turned a week and a half ago. Not to mention this wind is strong enough to blow Dorothy and her little dog back to Oz. As a native to the wonderful land of Michigan, you'd think I'd be used to this stuff. Usually I embrace the cold - the chance to wear sweatshirts and sweaters, make chili and soups. This year not so much. I feel like an old fart mumbling about my damn joints aching due to the cold. It doesn't help that I am a cheapskate and refuse to turn the furnace up, instead I yell at everyone to put another layer on already! Except I look stupid yelling at myself. And I already have on about 54 1/2 layers on. It's not even winter yet. I am not going to make it through these cold months without turning into my grandma. Someone please stop me if you see my stuffing tissues inside my sleeve. For real, a girl has got to draw the line somewhere.

In other news the only thing truly amusing me right now is watching my kids trying to do the "worm" and my daughter running around driving her "spaceshit".

Spring I need you already!

(but check out this super adorbs jacket pattern I just bought. Adorbs, what am I, a freaking valley girl? WTF?)