Happy Leap Day!

I was just thinking how much it would suck to have February 29 as your birthday as a kid. It's bad enough having a summer birthday so that you can't celebrate at school, but to only have an "official" birthday every 4 years would be a bummer.


(Photo courtesy of iconomy vs. flickr)

My sister in law and her hub leave today for Spain! It's a belated honeymoon. I'm so jealous. Have fun, Shanny!

Have You Met My Fur Babies?

I don’t think you have. Mr. Orange on the left there is Owen. He’s probably more like a dog than a cat. He’s always up in your face, wants to play, begs for food, meets you at the door, etc. We brought him home as a tiny kitten and he hid under our couch pillow all night. He loves the warmth. And his chest and belly, as we say are “the whitest white we’ve ever whited”. He lets Q beat the crap out of him. Ryan usually says, “Run, Owen, run!”, but he doesn’t. He just sits there and takes whatever she has to dish out.

On the right is Miss Ernie. Yes, MISS Ernie. We adopted her with the name Stache (as in mustache—dumb). They told us she was a he. We named her Ernie, then we found out the truth, but by that time, I didn’t care to change it again. I call her Ernest when I’m mad at her. She was the runt of the litter, and all her brothers and sisters died. You can see a really sappy video of Kitten Ernie waving to you below.



She used to be my baby—my favorite. Poor cats. After Q came, they were pretty much shoved to the back burner.

Let me use this opportunity to segue into the dramatics that ensued yesterday. Ryan leaves early for work. That leaves Q roaming around while I am getting ready. Our house is fairly toddler-proof, but sometimes things are overlooked. For example, the permanent marker that was in a drawer last week that we didn’t realize she could reach (she can) and is now scribbled on our dining room table. Also, the baby hair mousse that I use on her hair every day that was left on an endtable yesterday. I had to send her to daycare looking like Slick Willy. GOBS of it in her hair—and on Owen. She moussed the cat.

It gets worse—I get home from work yesterday, and Owen is not eating or drinking. I really hadn’t wiped it off of him because I didn’t think there was that much on him, I knew the mousse was non-toxic, and I didn’t think he could reach his back with his tongue. Plus, per usual, I was late. Bad mistake. Ryan called Animal Poison Control, and they said the mousse was non-toxic but still contained alcohol. Ryan had to give him a bath with Dawn. We also kept him hydrated with syringes of water every 15 min or so. Ryan also put him in our bed with the electric blanket on where he stayed, under the comforter, for most of the night. Things were looking up a bit by 9ish, however, when he ate a cat treat. This morning, he seemed to be getting back to his old obnoxious self—under my feet and just generally in the way.

I get irritated with those cats on a daily basis. But I sure would have missed that fat ball of fur if anything would have happened to him (not to mention the guilt). Quinn too, I’m sure (well, maybe).

Red Shoes Surprise

I was so excited to find out that I won Catherine’s bloggy contest yesterday! What a nice surprise on an otherwise dreadful Monday. Her shop, Red Shoes, is so stinking cute—you must visit! I can’t wait to get my care package from her shortly. I will be sure to post lotsa pics after I do. Speaking of red shoes, look at this cute lil' bag I found on Etsy today. No affilitation with THE Red Shoes, but soooo cute nonetheless.


As an aside, I have to apologize about my lack of crafty posts as of late. I totally have crafter’s block (I have lost my crafting mojo, if you will), and I don’t know how to get it back! Perhaps this is due to the impending arrival of Miss Vivian (yep, she’s Vivian for sure) in NINE WEEKS. Eek! I’d just rather spend my (post-Q’s bedtime) nights vegging, gabbing on the phone, and honing my TV-watching skills.

Ahhhhh, Ye Olde Boob Tube. I just started watching Dexter. I wanted to see this when it first came out, but I didn’t want to order Showtime for one stinkin’ show (we already have a zillion movie channels). I was trying to figure out how you could get an audience to sympathize with a serial killer, but they do a great job. Michael C. Hall from 6 Feet Under is very appealing and likeable, really! It’s on CBS from 10-11pm EST on Sunday nights. I can’t make it that late anymore, so I Tivo. Definitely worth watching—interesting and actually kinda funny. And it’s only on Episode 3, so read the recaps for Episodes 1 & 2, and jump on in with me, won’t ya?

Red & Black at the Oscars

So did you watch? I Tivo’ed, then zoomed through 2 hours of red carpet and 3 hours of actual award show. I thought they were pretty boring—I loved the red dresses (in honor of the Go Red campaign), but all the black? Snoooooooozers. Ok, here are my highlights:

+ My new boyfriend, Javier Bardem’s, acceptance speech. Do you know the story? The Coens approached him to play the part of Anton Chigurh, and he initially refused because he was not fluent in English. They finally convinced him to take the part, and now he is completely fluent. Besides the fact that his speech was short and sweet and HUMBLE, the man is surprisingly hot without his “Dorothy Hamil wedge”, and he spoke to his mother in Spanish. Plus, I thought it too cute that he kissed Josh Brolin on the mouth.

+ Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova winning best song. Frigging Alan Mencken has won too many as it is. Lovely song, lovely film, and I’m SO glad they let Marketa come back and finish her thank yous after she was so rudely interrupted (GAWD).

+ Miley Cyrus almost durfing on her way to the podium. And why was she even there anyway? I really can’t stand the girl. Ugh.

+ My favorite dressed Women in Red: Helen Mirren (what a babe), Katherine Heigl, and Heidi Klum.


+ Jon Stewart in general. Loved all the political jokes. Ooh, and his instructions on how to come up with your own stripper name after talking about Diablo Cody’s history as an exotic dancer. I have heard this before, but Ryan hadn’t (in case you’re wondering, my stripper name is Boots East; Ryan’s is Brentwood Valkyrie).

And lowlights:

- Tilda Swinton winning for Best Supporting Actress. She was in Michael Clayton for like 10 minutes! Amy Ryan soooooo should have won. Plus, she looked horrible—hair, makeup, and that black velvet potato sack? Mascara is your friend, Toots!


- Anne Hathaway’s dress. Yeesh.

- Nicole Kidman’s scary appearance. The woman needs a new colorist. And plastic surgeon. I thought her nose was going to fall off at the podium a la Michael Jackson.

- The Freeheld chick’s spastic demeanor while accepting the Oscar for Best Documentary. Her awkward smothering Tom Hanks hug. And her co-director’s obvious embarrassment. Painful.

- Ohhhhhh, Kristen Chenoweth. I love you so, but your performance of that Enchanted song—well, we had to fast forward after you got up to dance with the man at the “park”. Cringe, cringe.

- I didn't know Deborah Kerr died!!! :(

All in all, a decent showing. Kinda boring, but nothing Tivo can't fix. See ya at 81, Oscar!

WIP Courtesy of Aunt Judy!

So here's a sneak peek at the quilt/comforter my aunt is working on for Q's room. I love all the fabrics! Some are Japanese and some are vintage. I so cannot wait to see how it turns out!

Now I need to find a backing, and I need your suggestions! I need to either find a king sheet or 6 yards of fabric. Would solid pink look better? Red polka dots on white? I found a flat sheet on garnethill.com, but they don't have the kind size. Booo! Any suggestions, all you seamstresses out there???

Also had to share this pic I snapped this afternoon. Ryan was reading Q a book on fairies. Then they proceeded to go on a fairy hunt around her room.

Hope you had a great weekend, all!

Nifty Nature

The pussywillows my mom brought me 3ish weeks ago are finally opening. Hey, I'm clinging to any little thing to get me through this God-foresaken month of February!

Also, check out the cool lunar eclipse that's happening right NOW as we speak.

"Happy Valentimes!"

… to quote a favorite line from 30 Rock (loves me some Rachel Dratch). Hope everyone is having a fun and happy heart day. I am a sucker for Valentine’s Day. I received some lovely roses from Ryan at work today.

I asked him the story on the color, and he said since Baby is due in May, and emerald is May’s birthstone, he wanted green roses. He called four stores looking for green roses, and the closest he could get was lime green. HA! What a character he is. Very sweet sentiment. We’re going out to dinner and a movie (No Country for Old Men finally) on Saturday night. My cousin & her hubby offered to babysit, so that was totally nice.

I think I told you before about my boss’ wife’s cookie business which is now in full swing! She has a little store downtown Lake Orion called Cookie Delites, and a website now too. Her prices are better than any I’ve found online, and her cookies are damn good. Especially this peanut butter kind she makes with a smooshed mini Snickers inside. Anyway, I had some delivered to Ryan at work. I’ve been tormenting him by implying that I may have ordered him a strip-o-gram or something. He’s been freaking out. Anyway, he liked his ½ dozen chocolate chip and ½ dozen macaroons (his fave), so I’m happy.

I also got him some blood orange tea from Adagio Teas. Amanda talked about it, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. All his family members are a bunch of tea freaks, and he’s been obsessed with blood oranges lately, so I thought it the perfect gift.

As for Q, I made up pretty unimaginative little treat bags for daycare with crayons/mini coloring book, heart tattoos, and candy. I bought the retro valentines from Fred Flare because I couldn’t bear the thought of giving her Dora or Pooh valentines, but I have been sooooo lazy that I didn’t have the gumption to make any either. I thought this one was a tad inappropriate, but I sent anyway. I would have been one short without it!


I bought her some candy with a train on the box (she loves trains), some felt play cookies w/ cookie jar, and some Fisher Price little people holding hearts and stuff.

XOXO all! Big smooches from Girl Land!!!

Beauty Meme

I received this little beauty regime meme in an email forward. Nice little timewaster. Nothing helps me beat the winter blahs better than buying a fresh springy lip or cheek color! Not going to tag anyone, but if you feel like sharing, please do comment. I can always use some good tips.

What Five beauty products could you not live without?

1. Pampered Hearts spa body polish! I like the grapefruit and oatmeal, milk & honey one.
2. Moisture gloves for when my hands get super chapped and dry. Slather on some lotion (sometimes I even use A&D ointment) and put on the gloves overnight!
3. Rusk W8less hairspray.
4. Round brush.
5. Etched glass emery board from Snazzy Creations. Never need to be sharpened and they have such cute designs!

What’s the worst beauty mistake you’ve made? Having my hair dyed PLATINUM BLONDE in college. Not a good look for someone with fair skin. I almost disappeared.

What’s your daily skincare regime consist of? Morning: Aveeno baby lotion before makeup. Night: Wash face with Neutrogena bar soap (never found anything else that works as well and DOESN’T make me break out) then Aveeno baby lotion.

What does your daily cosmetics regime consist of?
Benefit Some Kind A Gorgeous Foundation Faker, Maybelline concealer, Clinique double face powder, Maybelline Pinch o' Pink blush, Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in Raisin and Petal, Maybelline eyeliner, and Almay mascara, Bobbi Brown lipstick in Mauve. Yes, that’s a lot of makeup! But I don't really look like a hooker when I leave the house (that I know of), I swear.

Favorite Beauty treat? Bath bombs from Venus in Traverse City! We only go up there once a year, so always stock up (honey almond is the best…mmmm). Once, I couldn’t hold out, and I had to order them online.

What’s your favourite beauty store? Sephora! Or Nordstrom’s.

Favorite Budget brand? Maybelline.

Favorite Premium brands? Bobbi Brown

And what about Skin Care: Favorite Premium and Budget brands? Premium: Clinique I guess. Budget: Neutrogena

And Hair Care? Premium: Matrix Amplify—my hair won’t cooperate without it and it smells soooo good! Sometimes, I use Q’s Original Little Sprout baby mousse. It really smells clean and great too. Budget: L’Oreal Kids hair detangler (pear scent!). I use it every day.

What Fragrances do you wear? I have a ton that I trade off—Miss Dior Cherie, Kate Spade, Pink Sugar, Marc Jacobs Blush, etc.

What’s your “every girl must own one” item? A compact mirror. For veggies stuck between front teeth, bats in the cave... that kind of thing.

And finally, best beauty tip? Moisturize your face twice a day every day! Also, there are a ton of self-bronzers that are great nowadays. Mystic Tan is also a great way to sunless tan.

Pink & Frilly, Warm & Fuzzies

Check out this blankie made by my friend, Denise, made for Q! She said she started it before Q was born. Q received it in the mail yesterday, and she was so excited. It's soooooo soft and warm. We love it. So thoughtful, and she knows how I love handmade. Also in the pic is the super crafty Valentine made by Q (with lotsa help, I imagine) at daycare. Isn't it boo-tiful?????

Now something a bit disturbing-- a yo yo clown I found at that estate sale last week. I've kept him in my car because I'm not ashamed to admit he freaks the hell outta me. When I was measuring him to list on Etsy, I was uber careful with him and found myself talking nicely to him. Why did I buy him, you ask? Because he told me I'd be sorry if I didn't (plus, isn't he kinda cool??). He's now in my Etsy shop.

I'm planning a little giveaway sometime in the near future. I've already passed my 1 year blogiversary, and my 200th post is coming up. Eek.

Happy weekending all! We are going to Lansing to see the in laws tomorrow and eat at PF Chang's. Mmmmm....lettuce wraps.

Crafters for Obama!

So we made a good-sized donation last night, and I wanted it to go to C for O, but they were having server issues, and it didn't even take me to the C for O donation page. It just went into the general pot. Phooey. Oh well. I just think this is such a great undertaking on Julie's part! It's all pretty exciting.

Lost is Back!

And I know who the Oceanic 6 are because I peeked. Dangit!

I'm so excited about the new season. I have high hopes, but last season was so great that it has a lot to live up to. I've posted this before, but man do I love it. So here it is again for all you Losties out there.

Bits O' Red

Communication with the outside world has been restored! Our modem was fixed late Thursday.

Just received some new stationery from The Black Apple. Ryan says I've been making sneaky purchases lately. Nuh uh!



Isn't the beret-clad hedgehog just the bee's knees???

And finished painting the drawer pulls for Q's old/new dresser. We were going to buy a new one, but I have had the one we ended up using since I was a baby. Not super high quality, but sentimental value. Ryan slapped on a few new coats of paint then added these. We're going to line the drawers with woodgrain contact paper.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. We had fun with my bro and SIL and niece in Chicago. Went here and here.

Went to another estate sale last week and bought a lovely yellow/pink hand "coloured" print and the scariest frigging yo yo clown I've ever seen. Will take pics this week and both will be for sale in my Etsy shop!

I'm so ashamed at how much I've slacked in crafting. I've even had to force myself to estate sales...what's wrong with me?? Had great intentions of making Valentine's goodies, but I'm afraid it may be too late now. Dang-o!

Movie Meme

Mary Helen posted this amusing meme on her blog. She says that if you've seen over 85 of them, you have no life. I've seen 144. I REALLY have no life. I really think it's an odd melange of films, no?

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(x ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
(x) The Princess Bride
(x) AnchorMan
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
(x) Saw
(x) Saw II
(x) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
( ) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
(x) Scream
(x) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
(x) Scary Movie
(x) Scary Movie 2
(x) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
(x) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
( ) Harry Potter 1
( ) Harry Potter 2
( ) Harry Potter 3
( ) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
(x) Little Black Book
(x) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
( ) Robot
(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
(x) Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG
(x) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
(x) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
(x) Dumber & Dumberer
(x) Final Destination
(x) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
(x) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
( ) Flubber
(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
(x) Ghost Ship
(x) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
(x)Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
(x) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
(x) Just Married
(x) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
(x) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
(x) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
(x) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
(x) Ocean's Eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
( ) Predator II
(x) The Fog
( ) Ice Age
( ) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
( ) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
(x) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
( ) The Terminator 2
( ) The Terminator 3
(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
(x) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
(x) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
(x) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
(x) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
(x) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
( ) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
(x) Waiting for Guffman
(x) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
( ) Highlander
(x) Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
( ) Three
( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
( ) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(x) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
(x) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
(x) Dawn Of the Dead(x) Hook
( ) Chronicles Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
( ) Waterworld
(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
(x) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
(x) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
(x) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
( ) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
( ) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
( ) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
(x) The Matrix
( ) The Matrix Reloaded
( ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
(x) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal

I realize after studying this list that a) I have seen a lot of bad movies and 2) I'm uncomfortable with the number of Hilary Duff movies I've seen. Eek! Happy weekend all.