Oooops! Did you catch that? I mean ghostly friends....
I'll be spending a nice quiet evening home alone with my hubby. As I blogged last year, we don't get the little goblins and cute fairy princesses at our house. Bummer!
The boys have been teasing us to dress up as Pete Pan and T. A twisted take on a grown-up/grown-out-of-style Peter Pan and Tink. That would be too funny!
The boys will be out-and-about trick-or-treating or just hanging around with friends. A.J. is SO excited that Halloween is finally on a Friday. He is dressing up as a pimp! Yes, A PIMP! White pimp hat with a black band with a large blue and yellow feather (one of Hooligan's large tail feathers! - Guess the Trick was on him. Not really. It is one that he molted on his own!) White fur coat. Huge white Paris Hilton-type glasses. Cane. And a pimp facial expression he's been practicing - looks more like he's sucking on a lemon! A true pimp! Go A.J., Go. I'll have to add a photo later.
Happy Halloween my friends. Be Safe! AND DON'T STEAL YOUR KIDS' CHOCOLATES!!!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Quirky Quirks
What are yours?
I have several. Yup, I admit it. I have several.
Here are the top ten:
1. When I take the paper wrapper off of a plastic straw, I always roll it up - like quilling a strip of paper. I remember paper straws. Do you?
2. I can't stand wrappers of any kind on the kitchen counters - but I can have stacks of paper on any other flat spot! Go figure!
3. I do things repetitively. Like log onto Internet Explorer. Log off. Then log in 10-20 seconds later.... OR re-read a sentence a couple of times before moving to the next line.
4. I have a habit of double-clicking the mouse and open too many of the same windows!
5. I chew the inside of my cheeks. I've heard this isn't good, but at least I don't chew my fingernails anymore. Haven't done that for at least 10 years or more.
6. I roll up my worn undies like burritos every morning before my shower.
7. I take my contacts out left-eye first, and put them in right-eye first.
8. The pockets of pants have to be pushed all the way in before folding and all the seams on the cuffs and the bottoms of my T-shirts have to be turned right before hanging them on the hanger. Yes, I hang up all T-shirts, I can't stand folding them.
9. I need to rinse out laundry soap cup using the washers water filler and then fill it 1/2-way with water. Then I set it on the little white plate for the next person to use.
10. I love to talk on the phone and visit while doing chores around the house. Many of my friends can probably attest to this. I just love to be on the phone multi-tasking. It helps pass the time....
So there it is. Ten of my Quirky Quirks - even if you didn't care to know! LOL
Don't ya just love these frig magnets? I had to share. So from my home full of men, to yours....happy day!
I have several. Yup, I admit it. I have several.
Here are the top ten:
1. When I take the paper wrapper off of a plastic straw, I always roll it up - like quilling a strip of paper. I remember paper straws. Do you?
2. I can't stand wrappers of any kind on the kitchen counters - but I can have stacks of paper on any other flat spot! Go figure!
3. I do things repetitively. Like log onto Internet Explorer. Log off. Then log in 10-20 seconds later.... OR re-read a sentence a couple of times before moving to the next line.
4. I have a habit of double-clicking the mouse and open too many of the same windows!
5. I chew the inside of my cheeks. I've heard this isn't good, but at least I don't chew my fingernails anymore. Haven't done that for at least 10 years or more.
6. I roll up my worn undies like burritos every morning before my shower.
7. I take my contacts out left-eye first, and put them in right-eye first.
8. The pockets of pants have to be pushed all the way in before folding and all the seams on the cuffs and the bottoms of my T-shirts have to be turned right before hanging them on the hanger. Yes, I hang up all T-shirts, I can't stand folding them.
9. I need to rinse out laundry soap cup using the washers water filler and then fill it 1/2-way with water. Then I set it on the little white plate for the next person to use.
10. I love to talk on the phone and visit while doing chores around the house. Many of my friends can probably attest to this. I just love to be on the phone multi-tasking. It helps pass the time....
So there it is. Ten of my Quirky Quirks - even if you didn't care to know! LOL
Don't ya just love these frig magnets? I had to share. So from my home full of men, to yours....happy day!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Coast to Coast Ghosts
When we were up in Portland last week, I bought this book at Barnes and Noble.
As you may know, they have a whole section dedicated to October and all October has to offer.
This one caught my eye. There were tons of scary stories and the likes, but these are "true" stories of hauntings across America. I think I saw a ghost once in an old, decrepit, vacant house window on a back country road up in Washington State once and I swear I've heard my name called before when no one else is around. Probably just my imagination, but if I have to be open and honest, I'll always keep an open mind about such stuff.
I don't think our current house is haunted, but I swear, sometimes, I hear talking. Sometimes, I hear music. OK. Really, I do. Most times, it's Wonka talking in his sleep. It sounds like mumbling teenagers in the basement. Other times, it's the birds, Hooligan or Scallywag, our parrots, talking. They have a whole vocabulary. BUT, other times...well, sometimes I wonder.
I'm probably just getting old and have voices in my head.
BUT, and this is NO JOKE, in 2001 we lived in Gold Hill, Oregon in a very old house on the Rogue River. The property has the main house, that we were renting, and several small cottages. The main house, which had been vacant for some time, used to be the "lodge" where all the cottage dwellers would come to for dinners and parties. The house had 3-stories with creaky hardwood floors and knotty pine walls. We joked with the boys, that the knots were "eyes" watching us.
Well, the day after we moved in, we had just returned from grocery shopping. All five of us walked into the living room and then into the dining room on our way to the kitchen. Once in the dining room, we all stopped in our tracks. There was the most god-awful rotten meat smell. It was so strong! We went into the kitchen and put down the groceries. There was no smell. There was no smell in the living room.
We went outside onto the little deck off the dining room. There was no smell. Outside. No smell. Into the basement. No smell.
Dining room. Rotten meat!
This was a bit freaky. The smell lingered.
That afternoon, as the cable had not yet been hooked up, we put in the Ghostbusters DVD, as a joke to counter our recent experience.
The smell disappeared. The whole time we lived there, there was NEVER a smell again.
BUT, there was another weird occurence. The boys and I were sitting at the table in the dining room playing Scrabble. Off the kitchen, there was wooden door at the top of the stairs that led down to the basement. We heard it creak open. As a joke, Ty yelled to our "visitor", "Shut the door!" AND IT CLOSED! Now, keep in mind you had to turn the old knob in order to open and close the door. You couldn't just slam it shut and have it latch! We never liked the basement, but it housed the washer and dryer. The laundry was never so backed up!
So there it is. I am a border-line believer... I highly recommend Coast to Coast Ghosts by Leslie Rule. It's an interesting read.....it might just make you a believer.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Check it Out!
Nope, you don't even need a library card.
It's our first fire of the season. Tonight it's pretty chilly in the house. Gotta love a fireplace insert! Heats up the iron box and then radiates the most wonderful warm.....
The fireplace insert was one of the very first "remodels" we did to the house - four years ago. The original fireplace just wasn't very efficient. It was dirty and drafty. Now, the fire practically starts itself. It's designed to load, light and enjoy. When the box warms up, we turn on the blower fan that was original to the fireplace and it's like having forced air. I've never regreted the investment.
I have to admit, though, after hauling in the wood, loading the box, and cleaning out the ashes for the next 8 months, I'll be happy to give it one final cleaning and open up the windows to let the Summer Sunshine in......
Here's to Fall and Winter and Spring.....and keeping warm!
It's our first fire of the season. Tonight it's pretty chilly in the house. Gotta love a fireplace insert! Heats up the iron box and then radiates the most wonderful warm.....
The fireplace insert was one of the very first "remodels" we did to the house - four years ago. The original fireplace just wasn't very efficient. It was dirty and drafty. Now, the fire practically starts itself. It's designed to load, light and enjoy. When the box warms up, we turn on the blower fan that was original to the fireplace and it's like having forced air. I've never regreted the investment.
I have to admit, though, after hauling in the wood, loading the box, and cleaning out the ashes for the next 8 months, I'll be happy to give it one final cleaning and open up the windows to let the Summer Sunshine in......
Here's to Fall and Winter and Spring.....and keeping warm!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Welcome to My Home...
For those of you that have seen Francis Coppola's 1992 film rendition of Bram Stoker's Dracula, can't you just hear the voice of Gary Oldman, as Dracula, saying..."Welcome to my Home". I love that movie. The music, the cinematography, the acting, the special effects, the make-up, the costumes and the locations.
As a matter of fact, this was the movie Phillip and I saw the night he finally came home from L.A. after being gone for 3 months, freelancing. This was the night A.J. was conceived...Ooops! You didn't need to know that, right? Oh, well...anyone can do the math....November 1992. July 1993. He was due in August, but we induced 2 weeks early, before Phillip had to leave again to freelance for Disney. Oh, the life we lived back then.
So back to Welcome to my Home. Phillip and I were in Portland for the last couple of days on business, but I got the chance to visit a few stores looking at the Halloween decor items. What I found, was that most things were either over-the-top gore-y - even for my taste, or too corn-y. I did buy some little ornaments for my naked, patiently-waiting-for-me-to-get-off-my-laurels-to-decorate-it tree.
I didn't find much that suited my style, but I did find some really cute pumpkin bells that I tied onto the branches with some black waxed linen thread. I also bought a couple packs of little resin critters - a witch head, vintage-looking pumpkins, black cat, skeleton head. Now, all I need is a few spiders and some ghosts.
When I got home, I decided to put up a few "homemade" and not-so-homemade pieces I have "collected". I still need to get into the black and orange Halloween totes and get to the other stuff I have. But, for now, the mantle - ours is L-shaped - is beginning to look a little festive.
This little couple, I bought in October last year on First Friday in downtown Grants Pass. We were celebrating Phillip's Birthday with our friends, Jeff and Kris. They were in a store on "G" Street in a display of Day of the Dead decor. They are knitted finger puppets. They are in love! Sweet!
Here we have a fun birdcage. I found it several years ago at a yardsale. It was rusty when I bought it. I like to think it's vintage, but the reality of it is, it was probably a shop-class project. Who knows? I like to use it in displays around the house with various seasonal accents. The crow. Well, I just found him last week at the Dollar Tree. I was looking for one to accent a pair of "witches" boots that I want to make, but since I haven't made them yet, I thought he'd look good next to the cage.
I found this resin sign today at Michael's in Springfield on our drive back from Portland. Simple Halloween bones.
Ok, even I admit this one is a little creepy, but it's October!!! I found this old mannequin hand in a box of junk at the Salvation Army. I think my heart skipped a beat when I discovered it. Tons of decorating potential. The doll head was just the ticket to creepy don't ya think?
So, there it is so far. I want to find some cheesecloth to rip up and distress to put under the whole lot of goodies, decorate the panes of my mantle window, and find an old, blinky-eyed, 3-4" in diameter, balding doll head to put in an open, metal framed box I have....Seen any in your parts of the country - let me know!!!! Happy Haunting...I mean Hunting!
As a matter of fact, this was the movie Phillip and I saw the night he finally came home from L.A. after being gone for 3 months, freelancing. This was the night A.J. was conceived...Ooops! You didn't need to know that, right? Oh, well...anyone can do the math....November 1992. July 1993. He was due in August, but we induced 2 weeks early, before Phillip had to leave again to freelance for Disney. Oh, the life we lived back then.
So back to Welcome to my Home. Phillip and I were in Portland for the last couple of days on business, but I got the chance to visit a few stores looking at the Halloween decor items. What I found, was that most things were either over-the-top gore-y - even for my taste, or too corn-y. I did buy some little ornaments for my naked, patiently-waiting-for-me-to-get-off-my-laurels-to-decorate-it tree.
I didn't find much that suited my style, but I did find some really cute pumpkin bells that I tied onto the branches with some black waxed linen thread. I also bought a couple packs of little resin critters - a witch head, vintage-looking pumpkins, black cat, skeleton head. Now, all I need is a few spiders and some ghosts.
When I got home, I decided to put up a few "homemade" and not-so-homemade pieces I have "collected". I still need to get into the black and orange Halloween totes and get to the other stuff I have. But, for now, the mantle - ours is L-shaped - is beginning to look a little festive.
This little couple, I bought in October last year on First Friday in downtown Grants Pass. We were celebrating Phillip's Birthday with our friends, Jeff and Kris. They were in a store on "G" Street in a display of Day of the Dead decor. They are knitted finger puppets. They are in love! Sweet!
Here we have a fun birdcage. I found it several years ago at a yardsale. It was rusty when I bought it. I like to think it's vintage, but the reality of it is, it was probably a shop-class project. Who knows? I like to use it in displays around the house with various seasonal accents. The crow. Well, I just found him last week at the Dollar Tree. I was looking for one to accent a pair of "witches" boots that I want to make, but since I haven't made them yet, I thought he'd look good next to the cage.
I found this resin sign today at Michael's in Springfield on our drive back from Portland. Simple Halloween bones.
Ok, even I admit this one is a little creepy, but it's October!!! I found this old mannequin hand in a box of junk at the Salvation Army. I think my heart skipped a beat when I discovered it. Tons of decorating potential. The doll head was just the ticket to creepy don't ya think?
So, there it is so far. I want to find some cheesecloth to rip up and distress to put under the whole lot of goodies, decorate the panes of my mantle window, and find an old, blinky-eyed, 3-4" in diameter, balding doll head to put in an open, metal framed box I have....Seen any in your parts of the country - let me know!!!! Happy Haunting...I mean Hunting!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Don't be late for class.
Geez. Haven't heard that in a long time - you know, it's been a long time since Class of 1986, but I just want to remind everyone about my Friendship Keepsake Box class on October 25 at Scrapbook Connection in Grants Pass, Oregon 11am - 3pm.
It's amazing what you can do with a naked papier mache box, some Super Sculpey, cookie cutters, a selection of new Graphic 45 paper products, a little fiber, felt, Mod Podge, some paint, rub-ons, ink, stamps, buttons and a "vintage" key.
Not only will we be making the box, but we'll be creating a few little trinkets to put in the box too!
A heart-shaped "rock" to hold a tiny scroll of wishes, the mini photo album, a chipboard clock, and the muslin bag full of friendship quotes.
Even the inside of the lid is embellished with a small envelope pocket and bookmark!
Hope to see you in class! Don't be late!
It's amazing what you can do with a naked papier mache box, some Super Sculpey, cookie cutters, a selection of new Graphic 45 paper products, a little fiber, felt, Mod Podge, some paint, rub-ons, ink, stamps, buttons and a "vintage" key.
Not only will we be making the box, but we'll be creating a few little trinkets to put in the box too!
A heart-shaped "rock" to hold a tiny scroll of wishes, the mini photo album, a chipboard clock, and the muslin bag full of friendship quotes.
Even the inside of the lid is embellished with a small envelope pocket and bookmark!
Hope to see you in class! Don't be late!
Friday, October 3, 2008
It's raining again....no oh, it's raining again....
Couldn't you just hear Supertramp???
So, it has officially been raining for two days! Summer is OVER!
The trees around town and on my way home in the country, are starting to turn those beautiful Fall colors - russet reds, vibrant yellow, rusty orange. I love, love, love it!!! (the colors, not so much the rain!)
9 years in Washington State did me in when it comes to the rain. 9 years x 9 months out of the year - RAIN, RAIN, and MORE RAIN!
But, although, we do get our fair share of rainy days, you just can't beat the seasons here - and all the beauty that comes with them. I really do like Grants Pass, Oregon.
On to the next fun stuff...
Here are a couple of fun decorations I found at Craft Warehouse.
This darling Witches Hat on a Candle Holder. Too stinking cute. Did I buy it? NO. I just admired it and then went to the fabric store and the Salvation Army to find fabric and a old candlestick so I could re-create my own. It'll probably cost more than $22, but at least it'll be original, right?
Then, I found these darling little creatures. I've always liked this type of vintage Halloween decor. Very Nightmare-like too! Did I buy these tricksters? NOPE! But, I did buy some papier mache to sculpt my own. Will I? Who knows! Who has the time? Someday, maybe....???
New word of my life - AMBITION. Go ambitious one...Go.
So, it has officially been raining for two days! Summer is OVER!
The trees around town and on my way home in the country, are starting to turn those beautiful Fall colors - russet reds, vibrant yellow, rusty orange. I love, love, love it!!! (the colors, not so much the rain!)
9 years in Washington State did me in when it comes to the rain. 9 years x 9 months out of the year - RAIN, RAIN, and MORE RAIN!
But, although, we do get our fair share of rainy days, you just can't beat the seasons here - and all the beauty that comes with them. I really do like Grants Pass, Oregon.
On to the next fun stuff...
Here are a couple of fun decorations I found at Craft Warehouse.
This darling Witches Hat on a Candle Holder. Too stinking cute. Did I buy it? NO. I just admired it and then went to the fabric store and the Salvation Army to find fabric and a old candlestick so I could re-create my own. It'll probably cost more than $22, but at least it'll be original, right?
Then, I found these darling little creatures. I've always liked this type of vintage Halloween decor. Very Nightmare-like too! Did I buy these tricksters? NOPE! But, I did buy some papier mache to sculpt my own. Will I? Who knows! Who has the time? Someday, maybe....???
New word of my life - AMBITION. Go ambitious one...Go.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Woo Hoo.....
I'll say it again...Woo Hoo! It's finally October. One of my favorite months.
It's Fall.
It's my sweethearts birthday month.
It's the month of Halloween.
And finally it's the 1st year anniversary of my blog. Can you believe it? A whole year of blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada (credit to Elaine of Seinfeld fame!) and just plain words, words, words.
Some happy, some sad. Some stories from home, some from my travels. Lots of family. Lots of mushy sentiments about my hubby. Some funny tidbits about the boys. A bunch of daydreams and some actual progress.
All in all, it's been a good year!
So in honor of October, here is the first of my Halloween decorations. The tree is not fully "dressed" yet, but I have some fun things in mind. Spiders and ghosts for Halloween. Then a few little fall colored paper leaves for November. Then, some snowflakes and icicles....and santa hats on the spiders....and a few miniature red and white candy canes. Oooohh, now your talking festive!
And in honor of my first anniversary, I'm thinking about doing one of those fun drawing/giveaways that every-other-blogger-online does. Usually to celebrate their 100th post, but I think a one-year anniversary is just as good a reason.
So, stay tuned!!!
It's Fall.
It's my sweethearts birthday month.
It's the month of Halloween.
And finally it's the 1st year anniversary of my blog. Can you believe it? A whole year of blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada (credit to Elaine of Seinfeld fame!) and just plain words, words, words.
Some happy, some sad. Some stories from home, some from my travels. Lots of family. Lots of mushy sentiments about my hubby. Some funny tidbits about the boys. A bunch of daydreams and some actual progress.
All in all, it's been a good year!
So in honor of October, here is the first of my Halloween decorations. The tree is not fully "dressed" yet, but I have some fun things in mind. Spiders and ghosts for Halloween. Then a few little fall colored paper leaves for November. Then, some snowflakes and icicles....and santa hats on the spiders....and a few miniature red and white candy canes. Oooohh, now your talking festive!
And in honor of my first anniversary, I'm thinking about doing one of those fun drawing/giveaways that every-other-blogger-online does. Usually to celebrate their 100th post, but I think a one-year anniversary is just as good a reason.
So, stay tuned!!!
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