99 Things - What Have You Done?

I found this list on one of my fav blogs, Dropped Stitches.  Erin gives credit on her blog for finding it on someone else's ... "found this list on Somebody Heal Me by Diana E Lee. Diana is a chronic migraine sufferer and her blog is about updates in migraine treatment, study, etc. Then there was this cool list. I SO had to do it!"

I found this so interesting, of course I had to do it too, so here goes -- highlighted items, ck-done.  Of course, since I'm a bit wordy -- I've added some ... comments.


1. Started your own blog...YAY, now I just need readers

2. Slept under the stars...back in the day, on a trampoline with friends

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii ... we did take surfing lessons - LOVED it.  I never got to this level, but you never know about my future as a pro surfer :)

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland ... and I did not find it the happiest place on earth.  It was HOT and CROWDED.

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visted Paris...loved Paris!

13. Watched a lightning storm

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables...here's our first roma of the summer

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise...and was bored to tears

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone Rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung karaoke...badly

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt...wasn't as GREAT as I had expected

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person...and took photos and video even though you weren't suppose to :)

50. Been to the top of the Effel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling...a favorite activity for me and the hubby

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone Whale Watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Save a favorite childhood toy...a pink panther stuffed animal that I got when I was 5 - my daughter (who is 13) now has it

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle...our first Harley Adventure

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Publish a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car...just got one of these earlier this year - 2010 Outback

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stanger at midnight on NYE

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone's life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Gotten a tatoo

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swan in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Musings, but not really

I have not been doing such a good job at doing something creative each day as I had planned.  I have just been in a funk.  I'm tired.  I'm cranky.  And I think I have developed ADD ... is that possible?

Jenn had to talk me "down" from a mini meltdone this morning at the office.  I can't focus on anything for more than 5-10 minutes.  That goes for all aspects of my life:  conversations, work, crafts (even GASP ... knitting). 

What is wrong with me?!?  Today I actually had to come home from work early because I couldn't concentrate and was so so tired.  I fell asleep on the couch for a couple of hours.

Good thing my hubby called and woke me up ... so my poor kiddo wasn't left waiting for me to pick her up after school.  (Side Note:  when I picked her up she had ice on one of her fingers, from a 3 hole punch incident at school ... so off to the doctor we go just to make sure it wasn't broken ... whew, it wasn't). 

I'm sleeping at night, but it doesn't feel like it and I'm having some wacky dreams.  I guess all of this could be just plain ol stress.  Ever since I had my ankle surgery (and well, a bit before that) -- I just can't seem to get caught up at work or home for that matter.  Work is piled high.  Laundry (even though it is clean) is piled high ready to be folded.  I keep waiting for the damn laundry elf and he never shows up!  Tonight for dinner ... I ate butter beans, Mitchell had cereal and after much discussion, my dear daughter had to "cook dinner" by making herself some PastaRoni.  It was quite dramatic.

Please do not call CPS - this is usually not the norm at the house.


Random thoughts, as that is all I have these days:

* I may scream if one more person asks me (1) what happened to my foot (I tore a tendon); (2) how did I injure it? (I have no idea ... but I have got to start making up some wild stories for shock value); and (3) how much longer will I be in the boot (forever!).
* My car fob will not make the parking garage elevator open ... I have tried this several times lately.  Thankfully I was alone during these times.
* I am not really a people person and therefore I do not want to have casual chit chat with random "happy" people at my Starbucks.  People, SHUT UP and drink your coffee and let me drink mine!
* I do believe that I have developed an addiction to everything Law & Order.  I watch (well, have it on) for many, many hours a day.  My family is starting to groan and the first sounds of the theme song.  How could anyone not love Law & Order?

Well, I feel a bit better getting this out in blog land.  I will be taking some time off this week from work (even though I really shouldn't since it will put me even further behind) -- but I hope to try to relax, clear my mind, and actually get some crafting done.

Super Cool Give-Away over at ... A Diary of Lovely

A Diary of Lovely is having a super give-away from Bride Blu.  Check this out!  I love love love this!

Directly from her blog ...

Pretty?? You want one? Easy!


Cat is offering one lucky reader her Anabelle necklace (best seller!) in milky turquise or crystal clear (winners choice :))

Just head on over to her BLOG and enter to win.

The Help

I just finished this book last night.  It was one of those books that you don't want to finish because then, it's over.  I loved this book.  It's probably one of the best books that I have ever read.  Amazing that this was Kathryn Stockett's first book.  If you are reading this, take the time to read all the way to the very last page, after the acknowledment page.  Very interesting.  I'm hoping this will be one of my daughter's summer reads.

It's so hard to imagine having someone tend to your every need - for your home, for your children, for your food, etc.  (Hey, wait a minute, I think I have just described my role in the house).  I guess this still goes on in today's time to some extent.  For instance, I am one of the few people that I know that doesn't have a housekeeper.  At times I think it would be nice to have someone helping out in the house, then again, I don't trust anyone with my laundry.  Because really, can anyone do laundry as well as me?  I think not.

I try to remind myself to be thankful that I am able bodied enough to keep up with my house.  With that being said, PLEASE do not look under the couches as you may encounter a dust bunny the size of a small cat.  My latest excuse, I did have foot surgery about a month ago and am STILL in the dreaded boot.  I also try to remind myself how incredibly blessed I am that I have a nice home, I have a family and that I am able to enjoy it all without worry.

Next on the book list ... 

Review to follow.

Just One of Those Days

I just had one of those days today.  I just felt, nothing.  Ever have those days?  I got out of bed a little after 10am (yes, I slept late and didn't feel a bit guilty) and was just blah.  I didn't really want to go anywhere or do anything.  I stayed home the entire day ... I mean literally, I only walked out into the backyard twice.  I felt unsettled.  Wandered room to room.  Chatted with my mom on the phone for a while.  Then talked to Mindy on the phone for a while.  Still felt ... ???

I wasn't a complete bum, I did shower, dress and get my face on; however, the hair was a different story.  My latest Saturday hair style has been, the hat:

I was planning on meeting a friend at Starbucks this afternoon; however, due to the hubby scheduling an oil change for my car at the same time (can he not read my mind and know that I have plans?) that didn't quite work out.  Sidenote:  You may be asking, so why didn't I take his car?  Well, I must confess that I can't drive his car, it's a standard.  I have never really understood the whole driving a standard thing, must be a guy thing.  I mean really how am I suppose to drive, drink my coffee, talk on the phone and write notes while shifting gears?  Silly boys.

But, back to the story.  My friend, Chris, ended up just coming over to my house and we still had a good visit, just sans the caffeine.  :(  Humm, it just dawned on me that I could have made coffee while she was here, but I am out of hazelnut creamer and what is coffee without creamer?

My original plan (as of yesterday) was to get up and craft all day.  Well, it's after 9pm and I have yet to even pick up anything even remotely crafty.  Oh well.  Tomorrow is another day.

To add to all of this blahness, I plan to start a healthier eating regimen early next week and so I'm basically just wanting to eat all of my comfort food I want this weekend.  Tonight I made Pasta Alfredo for Addison and her friend (ok, you got me, it was pasta roni, but they like it).  And for me and the hubby ... grilled cheese sandwiches and fries.  Not just any grilled cheese ... the best grilled cheese.

This was made in the skillet with super buttered texas toast and three types of cheeses:  sharp cheddar, provolone and gruyere.  Served with thin, "fast food" fries.  I know it was bad ... but it was also SO good.

Stay tuned for what's for dinner tomorrow ... my evil plan is to have hubby take me to Texas de Brazil after church tomorrow as we received a BOGO free dinner there for our upcoming anniversary.  We'll see how that goes.

I Won! I Won!

I'm so excited.  I won a give-away from Baby.Got.Craft.  This is a cool blog (and I must admit, I have a little blog name envy ... love the name).  I won fabric.  YAY!  (humm, maybe I should really start getting out more)

TaTa

Mother's Day

When it's Father's Day, I call around to the kids to remind them.  Try to make sure everyone shows up at church.  Plan a lunch, etc.  My hubby just doesn't seem to get into Mother's Day that way.  It used to kinda hurt my feelings, but now, it is what it is.  Even though everything wasn't PLANNED out for today (like I would have done), it all worked out great.

It started out with me sleeping in until 10am.  Lovely.  Then Addison served me breakfast in bed:  orange juice, scrambled eggs and skillet toast (yumm, my favorite).  We then headed off to church and even though we were running a bit late ... "our" seats were available.  I was a bit sad when the boys didn't meet up with us at church, figuring I wouldn't see them today.

Afterwards, back home to rest a bit and wrap up a gift for Addison to take to a birthday bowling party.  Then in comes Ben, wanting Dad to help him work on his car.  Then in comes Stephen, gift and card in hand.  I should have known he wouldn't forget. :)  He even signed his brother's name to the card (I think I see a trend for the future).

So, what exactly does it mean when your children buy wine for you for Mother's Day?  Humm.

The card was super cute. 
Front:
"What if, on Mother's Day, someone else cleaned the house, did the grocery shopping, and then cooked the greatest meal you ever ate!  How does that sound?"
Inside, it plays Hallelujah:
"Don't get too excited - I said "What if." 


Stephen wasn't feeling well, so I gave him drugs and off he went to take a nap, but Ben did end up eating lunch with us at my favorite BBQ place,

So, it turned out to be a wonderful Sunday and a wonderful Mother's Day!  I also heard from my "second daughter," Jessica and Liz, Stephen's girlfriend.

Can next Sunday be Mother's Day again?

Mindy's Birthday Dinner

Friday night my core group of buddies (Jennifer, Donna, Renon and of course Mindy) gathered at my house to celebrate Mindy's birthday.  We have really gotten away from going out these days to celebrate.  I think it's much more relaxing, special and cozy to get together in someone's home.

Before dinner we got into a conversation about the book, The 5 Love Languages (as a side note, if  you haven't read this book, you really should).  The way I show love is by "acts of service."  I love to do special (well, what I consider special) things for my friends ... cooking, hand-made items, etc.  So for Mindy's birthday I wanted to host a little 'girls only" dinner party.  I think we should have dinner parties more often, it seems like such a lost art.

I set the big table for dinner that night, complete with the good china (again, my idea of good china), nice glasses and candles.

I set the small table with the goodies for the night.  The vino, glasses (complete with Mindy's special glass), Reese's peanut butter cups (Mindy's favorite), the cake and of course the gifts (not shown here).  Later the table was complete with beautiful flowers compliments of Jenn.

Here is a close-up of the cake.  I finally used my Giant Cupcake baking pan.  It was so cute when I took it out of the pan ... it really looked like a cupcake!

Foodwise we had:  Salad:  italian salad complete with italian dressing, pecans, dried cranberries and feta cheese.  Main Dish:  Boneless Pork Loin with Red Wine Cranberry Glaze (thanks to Guy Fieri).  This turned out pretty well, next time I would add more salt to the brine, add the sage leaf and the juniper berries which I left out (as a small container of the berries were $8) and cut the loin into cutlets before pan searing.  The cranberry glaze was a bit time consuming, but well worth it and really pretty.  Side Dish:  Mac and Cheese.  This was not just any old Mac and Cheese.  This was Ina Garten's baked Mac and Cheese.  This was pretty fabulous, even if I do say so myself.  Just a note, this is not anywhere near a "healthy, low fat recipe."  It contains a quart of milk, 8oz of sharp cheddar, 12oz of gruyere, bread and of course butter!  This was the first time that I have purchased gruyere cheese.  It took about $15 worth of just this cheese.  But, again, I say it was worth it!  As a side note, we all agreed that we would love to be friends with Ina Garten and be invited to her ultra cool house in the Hamptons.  You know her friends eat really well!

After dinner we chilled out in the living room with our vino and talked "boys," recipes, politics and the evilness of Oprah (well, that was mostly me) while Mindy opened her gifts.  Then we dug into the cake ... a perfect ending to a great evening with people that I adore!

Of course, there was an aftermath ... I tend to be a messy cook.

There would have been a time when I would have stayed up and cleaned the kitchen before going to bed.  Humm, not these days.  I'm still in the boot and by the end of the evening, my foot was not feeling so great.  I ran one load of dishes and called it a night.  Saturday morning I did another load of dishes and cleaned up the kitchen.  After left overs Saturday night, I was exhausted and left all of those dishes.  Thank goodness my hubby did another load of dishes this morning before I even got out of bed (yea for Mother's Day!) ... and there is still one more load to do.

Oh well, life goes on and it is the season finale of The Amazing Race tonight ... priorties!

Little Tidbits from Today

Just a couple of random things...

* I just polished off a box of Caramel Crunch'N Munch (I guess that's what I get for just eating cereal for dinner).  But, I had lunch at Campisi's (the real one) with the hubby today, so I wasn't really that hungry tonight.  I have not had C 'N M in forever.  Addison spotted it in the Dollar Spot at Target yesterday and 2 boxes had to come home with us. 

I just read the side of the box, Total Calories: 560 (oops). I guess I should have read that BEFORE downing the box. Well, let me not lie, that wouldn't have detered me.  I mean just look at this ... yumm.  Is there a better midnight snack?

* Market Street has Cupcake Chardonnay on sale this week for $8.99 which is a great price (and of course you get 10% off when you buy six bottles).  Why would you NOT buy 6 bottles?  I don't remember the last time I just purchased a single bottle of wine.

ooh, tasty! I think a shopping trip is in my future tomorrow (well, actually later today).

* I can take (2) percocet for my foot and still not go to sleep.  Hence me blogging at midnight.

Now I think I will search my recipes and come up with a dinner plan for Friday night ... time to celebrate Mindy's birthday and spend some time with my awesome girlfriends.

Goodies for Morgan

Morgan has received her non-pillowcase, pillowcase dress and is modeling it here:

Can't wait to start on the next project for her ... tutus! 

Isn't this tulle too cute?

  Classic cute pink and fashionable blue and brown.  Just need to get my elastic and ribbon and get to going on these for little Miss Morgan.

My Current Knitting Project - Entrelac Scarf

My current project is a scarf.  It has been slow going.  I had planned to finish up while I was off work recovering from surgery, but I just couldn't seem to concentrate on it or anything else (except Law & Order marathons).  But, I'm back working on it.

I think Entrelac is so cool.  I actually took a class at my favorite knitting shop, The Woolie Ewe.  We got to choose our yarn and here is what I chose:

This is Azteca, made in Spain.  50% wool and 50% acrylic. 197 yards, approximtely $16/ball.  It takes (3) balls for this project.

The instructions looked a bit complicated.  But Jill at The Ewe handed out an easier to read version.

Here is the diagram/pattern.

I got started on my project with the instructions and diagram.  But after I got the initial triangle bases done and was just down to repeating two rows over and over ... I made a set of "cheat sheets" ... "cheat stickies" actually. 

I took the diagram/pattern and instructions and created these notes.  One for each section that I would be repeating.  I labeled and numbered them - to keep them in order.

So now I keep these attached to my original pattern with a binder clip and rotate them (one behind the other) as I work.  The patterns for the sections are pretty easy to remember, but I like to have these "just in case."  It's also a good way to keep up with where I leave off and of course I always leave off where my next row with be a knit row.




Here's where I am at progress wise.  I'm about to log off and continue to work on it.  I basically have one more ball to add on and then of course finish it off with tassels.

Great Blog Give-Aways: Fabric and Yarn

Over at Sparkle Power enter to win some awesome Lola Pink Fabric.

Strings of Purls is giving away three lovely skeins of burgundy Jamieson Double Knitting yarn.

The Benefits of Having Surgery

One of the benefits of surgery is that I have gotten some yummy goodies from my peeps!  It all started with Amy giving me a box of cupcakes from Society Bakery (chocolate and red velvet).  These were so good, and of course, I had to taste both kinds!  Here's a pic of the chocolate ... yes, it was that good.

Next came a box of goodies from Eunice, from Tart Bakery.  A sampling of goodies that I did actually share with my mom and Addison.

Here is the before pic.  Petit Four.  Cake Balls and a Mousse Cup.

And here is the after.  As you can tell, these were just awful.  :)

Then today, Liz gives me a red velvet cupcake from Sprinkles.  Check out how pretty:

I did split this with Addison (since she was sitting in the room with me when I opened the bag).

After eating cupcakes from both Society Bakery and Sprinkles.  I have to say that the winner is ... SOCIETY BAKERY!  Tart still has a place in my heart (tummy) for those great goodies, especially the cake balls.

Thanks to all my goodie givers!

The Blog Addiction Continues

I am finding and following some of the coolest blogs these days.  And the amount of give-aways are AMAZING.  Over at Little Miss Momma is a give-away for a blog make-over from Dumplin Design Studio.  Go check it out and enter to win.

Philosophy Give-Away ... $250 Basket of Products

Fantabulously Frugal is a really great blog and they are having a great give-away.  A basket full of Philosophy products, valued at $250!!

Go on over and check out the blog and enter to win.

The Pillow Case Dress

This was my first REAL sewing project.  My old, hand me down machine died late last year, right before I was actually going to use it for some Christmas gift projects. So, off I went o JoAnn's and guess what, they were having a sale.  It was meant to be, $500 later, I had a new machine.  I was so happy that I could actually wind the bobbin and thread the machine all by myself!  Score!  I got my Christmas projects done and was hooked on sewing.

About a month ago, I decided to make a dress for Morgan (sweet little 3 year old cousin in Oklahoma).  She is the sweetest, cutest, lovey-ist little thing ever.  And no, I don't think I'm biased.  She reminds me SO much of my daughter at that age (a mere 10 years ago).  But I digress.  So my mom happened to be up visiting, so off we go to JoAnn's.  They were having sale on Simplicity Patterns ... ,$0.99!  Whoop!  I had sticker shock at first.  I couldn't believe that the regular price of the pattern was $16.95.  Wow.  Glad there was a sale or the pattern would still be at it's home in the store.  Ok, I have to digress again.  I have to say, I can't believe how many men were in JoAnn's.  Really guys?  Is nothing sacred?  Shouldn't you be over at the Bass Pro Shop?  Ok, enough on that.  We got the pattern, some cute fabric, ribbon and biased tape. 

Once at home, the creation began.  I actually cut the pattern out myself.  Again, a first:

Fabric cut.  Sewing, ironing, and more sewing done.  Here is the finished product:

I think it turned out pretty well for my first try.  I will be mailing this off to Miss Morgan on Monday to see if it fits before making more for her.  Yes, if you are doing the math ... I have had this dress laying around for a while.  Not sure why.  I just hate mailing things.  But, I'm biting the bullet and mailing it out, finally.

I have to give special thanks to my mom who supervised the project and walked me through the instructions.

Sew long for now ... :)

Yarn Give-Away over at STRINGS of PURLS

Strings of Purls is one of the cool blogs that I follow.  Go on over and check it out the blog and sign up for the yarn give-away:

Here it is, a giveaway to get you started on some Christmas knitting! After all, it is almost May. I don't know about you, but I have so many people I knit for that if I haven't started by now, I may not get it all in! These three lovely skeins of burgundy Jamieson Double Knitting yarn are enough to make a hat or mittens and get you on your way to some early-bird knitting.

Blogging Confusion

I keep having different blogging ideas.  They are all swishing around inside my head and I can't seem to choose just one thing.  I had two blogs going on at one time ... my "funny" one and my "spiritual" one.  Well, I decided to combine those into just one, The Interwined Life.  Now I'm thinking I want to add more stuff to the blog.  At this point in my life I seem to have an eclectic (yes, I'm going with that word, sounds much nicer that saying I'm a bit of an OCD, ADD spaz) range of interests.  Let's see if I can think of some of these:

* spirituality / serving God * my family * cooking (yes, I'm a wannabe foodie) * knitting * sewing (this is one of my newest endeavors) as I just made my first dress * crafts in general * wine * movies * girl time * fashion (when I can wear shoes again) * shopping * bargain hunting * finding deals * sharing experiences *

Well, you see where this is going.  I am a girl of many interests.  I feel like my blog title should be better.  I am reading through all of these cool blogs that I have started following.  They all have these cool names.  And I fear that I now have blog title envy.  I would appreciate any and all ideas.  I want something that encompasses all that I have listed here.

I am going to try and do something worthwild, crafty, creative, or foodie-ish each day.  I will be logging my progress here.  Basically, the ups and downs of my life while continuing to work, serve, tend to my family and find a creative outlet. [ I think I might have just come up with my blog blurb ]

Creative Outlet, humm, how would that be as a title?  The Intertwined Life:  Serving, Working, Creating.  That just might be it!  Does it really sound good, or is it just because it's 2am?

More later!