Funny Story....

Okay, so here's the funny story about the topiary. But, you know how some stories are funny to you, but then you go and tell them to someone else and they look at you weird? This might be one of those.

As you heard in the last post, I tend to craft quite a bit, and I like to spice it up. What happens to all of those crafts you ask? Well, I tried my hand at the craft show circuit, but that was a major eye opener (not to mention a blow to my self conscience!). So, most of the stuff is either up in the attic, at my Mom's, or in the heat of a hissy fit, thrown out. I know, that last one isn't very adult of me, but us artists are like that. Oh, right, the story..I'm getting there.

The hubby and I were up in the attic this past fall, doing some cleaning, and I came across these really pretty topiary's.

"Oooo, these are really pretty, I should put these out!", I say.

"Hmm.", says hubby.

I look at them some more..they really are nice.

"Where did I get these, honey? Why aren't they downstairs?", I ask. My memory ain't what it used to be, you know.

There is silence from the hubby, so I look up to see why he isn't answering me. He is staring at me like I've grown another head.

"What?", I ask.

"Really?", he says.

"What?", I repeat.

"You made those, honey. Don't you remember?"

I am shocked. He must be mistaken, I don't make anything that looks that good.

"I didn't make these, these are nice."

He stares at me. "Honey, listen to me, you made those, I promise. Look at the bottom, you probably signed them."

I did, and I had.

I figured out that what I see, and what others see, are two totally different things. Weird, right?

P.S. the picture isn't one of the topiaries in the story, I can't find a pic of those. That is one of the floral arrangements I've made. It was the closest thing I had, sorry!

A little crafty-ness

The hubby says that I have crafters ADD. I have tried lots of different crafts, but have not settled on one. Maybe I'm just looking for THE ONE. Maybe I'm just trying to prove to myself that I can do them? I don't know. I do know that I love crafting, whatever it is I decide to do that day!


Let's see....I've tried decorative painting, mosaics, floral design, decopauge, wire jewlery, scrapbooking, faux stain glass work, stamping, wooden box purses, took a sewing class, made faux topiaries (there is a funny story with that one!), stamp carving, paper mache, wool felt applique, and my newest adventure....hand embroidery.


Okay, so that does seem like alot when you put it in print. Hmmm, maybe the hubby is right, but don't tell him that!

I have taught myself almost everything I've done, with the exception of a One-stroke painting class, and the sewing class. The hand embroidery is by far my favorite. I think that it might be because it sort of links me with my Maternal Grandmother and my Mother in a crafty way.

My Mom's Mom quilted and crocheted, and my Mom did Cross-Stitch for as long as I can remember. Oh, I've cross-stitched as well, so add that to the list! I don't care for cross-stitching (sorry, Mom!) because I can never keep my place counting all those little colored boxes on the patterens! Ugh! I'm too much of a spaz to work the sewing machine, and hand quilting just seems like it would take too long. And with the emboidery, you can do anything you'd like. I have done two drawing that my kids did for me, a regular pattern, and I just finished my very first portrait! I need some work on my satin stictches, but I am very proud of how it came out.

Don't eat the ants!

Here is a funny story for you guys! But first, a little background, hmmm? We got a Mini Schnauzer pup last weekend, and although he is a cute little thing, I worry about him. *rolls eyes and twirls index finger near temple* And, he isn't potty trained yet, so that means I'm taking him out constantly (which doesn't guarantee that I won't find a surprise). We named him Chewie since he chews on everything! Soooooo.............

I take him out for the umpteenth time this evening (in the rain..ok, drizzle, but still) and he immediately begins to chew on stuff. I look away for 2 seconds, look back, still chewing. Okay, he really needs to do his "business", so I call him to get his attention. He looks, and I notice he has red clay on his muzzle. "Are you eating dirt?", I ask him. Oh, yes he is, but not just any dirt, nooooo. Extra Special Boy is eating ant pile dirt. And there are ants on his face. Holy........ I snatch him up, rush into the house, throw him in the tub, yell for the hubby, and start hosing him down. Ants are flying down the drain like they are on a water park ride, he's trying to escape, and I'm getting bitten! Add to that my hubby and two kids trying to squeeze into the bathroom for a look, when said bathroom is the size of a closet. There was some yelling going on, I will admit. There doesn't seem to be any emotional scarring, but I reeeeally hope that he learned his lesson!

Dang Leprechauns!

This St. Pat's Day, was the first time we'd ever been visited by Leprechaun's, and boy are they boogers! They toilet papered most of the ceiling fans and my plant. Along with a couple of the kids' favorite toys. They left green pencils (can you tell we homeschool?!) hidden all over the house, and filled our "treasure box" with chocolate gold coins and rolo's. They also turned the toilet water green, and left little green smudges (from whatever they used to do the water) all over the place! The kids thought it was hilarious, and can't wait to put the box back out next year! Hopefully, the little boogers will be a little more creative next year!

I was a bit under the weather for a bit last week, and boy did it suck!!! I had to be on antibiotics that didn't want me drinking caffeine! Ack! I thought I was dying from the withdrawl. I had already decided, before having to be on the meds., to stop drinking soda's. But, my morning coffee was something totally different. I wasn't giving up that! Well, show's what I know, cuz I did it for the last 6 days. I WILL be having coffee in the morning, that's for sure! I was so tired the first day, I alsmost dozed off helping my youngest with her math work. It felt like someone had drugged me. Then, came the headache. I had that puppy for two and a half days straight! Blech, I am so glad it's over. Although, now the allergies have kicked in. Things are blooming, which is pretty for the eyes, but not so much for the nose. Looks like it's time for more medicine!

I was also not supposed to be in the sun for long periods of time on the meds., and Saturday was a M & G in Greenville for the Greyhound group. All the rest of them had been inside, so now worries! WRONG!!! We were outside, with no cover, for 2 hours or so! I got a slight sunburn, and then worried all night about what might happen, thanks to the vague threats about prolonged sun exposer on the bottle. But, we did get to hang out with Sadie's Grey friends, and talk to alot of nice people. So, it was worth it in the end.

I'm getting excited about next years curriculum for school. We went to our local homeschool bookstore.....man, I could stay in there for hours!....and looked at some really cool stuff. We are having a curriculum fair at our Round Table meeting next month, so we can see types of curriculum some of the other families use. It's all hands on, and the families will talk about how they use it, pricing, etc. Hopefully, I'll be a little more organized next year, too.

Here are some pics. from the M & G. I know you guys are just dying to see those!

Sadie and her Foster Dad having a cuddle

Lovely Quinn ( 3 weeks off the track, I think ) who is petite, but a bit taller than Sadie, and Extra Large Orlando.

Quinn getting some lovin'. This little one was soo cute! He did not want to leave!

What lovely Greyhounds they are!

Weekend Update

We've been kind of busy around here the past few days. Co-op classes, surviving Friday the 13th, Awanna games, Meet & Greet, and rain...whew!

Thursdays are pretty busy for us, since we have co-op classes with our home school group. The kids are in 3 different classes, at an hour a pop. I'm on the class committee, so we have to be there about an hour before classes begin to set up, and stay til an hour after, to clean up. The classes run for 10 weeks, and we just finished week 8. We will have a break for summer, then start back in Sept. Along with getting things ready Thursday morning, the hubby calls and says he got an email about a homeschooling Mom in NC that is being forced by a judge to put her kids back in public school next year. I had to google! I was worried all day, even though there is nothing I can do for her. But, when stuff like that happens to one of us, it gets all of us in a tizzy. What if a judge ( or two, or three ) follows suit in our state? What does that mean for us? It's not all that fun, let me tell you! Luckily, it doesn't seem to be as big a deal as the ruling in Calf. They are going through a divorce, so it sounds kind of petty. Don't get me wrong, I am still worried about her and her kids. I don't think that is fair at all! But, I'm not as worried for my family now. Classes went great, the kids were happy...I was tired.


Friday the 13th was cloudy and chilly, and a great day for naps! That's about all there was to Friday....sorry!



Saturday, we were up and at our local high school for the Awanna Games. My son was chosen to participate, and he was very excited! And a little nervous, too, I think. I was not very happy with having to be there at 8:30 in the stinking morning! I looooove my weekends so that I can sleep in! My hubby is fabulous that way! They messed it up, but the kids had fun, so I guess I can over look it this one time. They came in third, but none of them looked very upset about it, which is good.



Sadie and her lovely scarf. It was chilly.


Later that day, Sadie the greyhound, my lovely ( but non-listening ) daughter and I headed to PetSmart for a greyhound Meet & Greet. I love going, but think I might be the only one. Sadie gives me the look the whole time we are there, and likes to show everyone that SHE rules ME. Moongazer ( the non-listener ) scampered around the store giving me frequent heart palpitations, and getting the venom voice every 5 mins. about crawling around on the floor. She's 5, and likes to pretend that she is a dog. I ruled that she is no longer allowed at Meet & Greets til she can listen better, which means that she probably won't be going ever again.

Frosty ( black ), and Lucy. Both very sweet girls!!!

Saturday night, the hubby and I dropped the kids off at his parents to spend the night. He and I headed over to my sister-in-laws for dinner, then home. Today has been another rainy day, but I hear it's going to get back up into the 70's in the next couple of days. Another exciting and glamorous weekend here in the Electric City! Jealous much!? Happy St. Pat's Day everyone!

Spring?

Well, the snow is all melted (the bucket is all that's left of our weird little snowman, Buckethead), and it was in the 70's this weekend! But, guess what our weatherman says...it's gonna be in the upper 40's on Friday! What???? Of course, that could change tomorrow, you never know with them. I think they do it so that we'll keep watching the horror they call the News.



What have we been up to? Well, the week was pretty uneventful. It got a little warmer everyday, so Sadie got walks in the afternoon. The kids did their school work, complained, helped me walk the dog, and complained some more. They spent the night with my Mother-in-Law on Friday night, so the hubby and I got a date night. Sushi and a movie!! Yay! Or so I thought....



The sushi was fabulous (even with the wait, and sitting with the octopus tentacle in my face), but the movie was not. The hubby has been dying to see Watchmen since he saw a preview and bought the graphic novel. I on the other hand, prefer my superhero's a little less gritty. I prefer the X-Men, and am breathlessly awaiting the new Wolverine movie! Not because of Wolverine, but Gambit! Oooo, he is wonderful.......wait, what were we talking about? Oh, yes, Watchmen...ugh! I am not a huge fan of gore (weak stomach), nor of the soft-porn disguised as R rated movies. This was both. I tried to leave about 45 mins. into the movie, but hubby got mad, so I stayed. I was miserable for 3 hours, people!



Other than that, the weekend was fine. We hit our local flea market for the first time in ages, but I didn't find anything good. We all got a bit of a sunburn, since we aren't used to being out for long periods of time. We visited our local goat farm to pet goats, see giant "polar dogs", tons of cats, sample free cheese and fudge, buy said cheese and fudge, and giggle as a very fat goat managed to escape and wander around at it's leisure. Today was church, lunch with my in-laws, and errands. This springing forward is taking it's toll, so I think it might be time to hit the hay. I forgot my camera when we went to the farm, so I don't have any pics to post, dang it! Maybe I'll just leave you with some of the kids and the dog? You know you want it!

Snow!!

This is not something that we usually wake up to here in South Carolina! I know alot of you northerners are over the whole snow thing, but down here.....WhooooHooooo!!!! It started on Sunday evening, about 4ish, with wet snow. Then, it progressed to huge flakes that fell all night. I took this around 7ish in the morning, Monday. An hour or so later, after breakfast, and layering, it was trashed! We had a blast! There were still traces of it left today, but barely. By tomorrow, you'll never even know it snowed. We had 5 inches in all!

We had a massive two day snowball fight! That's all they wanted to do! We have video, as well, and it's hilarious because they are constantly throwing snow at one another!

Sadie hated the sled! It scared her to death! I think that she's a little worried about the kids being on it....

This was not long after it started Sunday evening. Sadie wasn't sure what it was, but at least she went out and did her "thing". I was worried that she wouldn't, because she refuses to go out if it's raining (or dark!). The hubby actually got a picture of her "going" since we were so happy she did it, but I'll spare you that!

Our oldest. She is completely blind, so I was afraid that she might freak out a bit when she hit the snow. She acted like it was nothing! You go, Rosebud!

This was the day I wished we had a fence already! She wanted to play sooo bad! Check out the tongue!

He threw that at me!

Our gorgeous Ice Princess!

Our very own snowball tree!

Daddy is the designated sled puller for the boy....he's gettin big!

Her brother was nice enough to pull her for about 5 seconds!