Shenanigans

I am having way too much fun to conjure up an actual post. I apologize, NaBloPoMo. Really, I do. My favorite teenager is spending the weekend with me, and I just haven't the time! We're too busy being awesome!

A Sight To See

Oh, yesterday was a day, folks. A good day, but a day. When I left work, heading to get my tires rotated, and eat dinner with my loverly husband, it looked like this.

About 5 minutes later...it looked like this.

While we waited for my Jeep to be taken care of, we decided to take our chances riding bikes at a local green way. We checked the weather, and 40% chance of rain wasn't going to stop us, so off we went. 

About 4 miles before we got caught in a downpour. (We just rode 4 miles. Please excuse the hot mess.)

 

Luckily, we were close to an overpass! We ducked inside like good little wayfarers, and hung out with some pigeons. We also spotted a teensy snake swimming in the water you see there. When I approached to take his picture, he politely refused and swam to the other side of the stream. Hmph.

 

We waited it out, checked the radar on my handy dandy Droid and were back on our way in no time. We finished the trail, which was a little over 4.5 miles, and headed back the way we came. Right as we returned to the very same overpass, the bottom dropped out and it poured again. 

We waited as long as we could, but we ended up finishing the last couple of miles in a light sprinkle. We were drenched, but it was hilarious.

 

By the way, my husband's a genius. He left his dress shirt in the truck (rode in his white undershirt), and brought me a clear poncho (I felt like a Hefty bag.).

9 miles later, our clothes were pretty dry, but we sure were a sight to see.

Chicken Little

I thought it was about time for an update on our little silkie babies.

Ponyo and Sosuke have now moved in together. Since Momma chicken (Noir) would only take care of her wee black birdie (Sosuke), we had to move the two babies in together. Ponyo was so lonely, and starting to think she was a person. :P

Wanna see 'em in their humble abode?  They're currently residing under our carport, so excuse the gorgeous surroundings.

It cracks me up that the one we had to help out of the egg (Ponyo), has turned out to be the biggest. They are definitely funky chickens.

Photo Foolery

I just have a ball messing with the filters on my Droid's little camera app. It's called FX Camera. I'm not sure if I've said the name of it before. A lovely lady I know was talking about the Hipstamatic (I think that's what it's called) app for her iPhone, and I went in search of the equivalent.

Yeah, so how insane do I look in that picture?! I love it. Helena Bonham Carter, eat your heart out. I could totally be the next Bellatrix LeStrange. I just need some grungy teeth, more extreme bed head and a corset. And maybe to look a little more maniacal.

Oh, and the application brings out different hues, which is awesome. This one makes my eyes look reeeeaaaaally creepy green. They're fairly creepy green anyhow, but not that bright.

Anyhow, free camera application. Check it.

Bwahahahaha!!!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat

I'm planning a tea party! It will be a Mad Tea Party, of course, and it will be in celebration of Mr. T's and my 7th wedding anniversary. I think I've mentioned how mental I was at my wedding, so this is my chance to be a calmer version of me, and actually enjoy myself.

It's next year, and I've already been searching far and wide for inspiration photos, and this one is right up my alley. Colorful, but simple. I'm not going for the exact same thing, but pretty similar.

I googled "tea party", and found this image. Can't remember where, and didn't save the link! Not mine!

There will be all kinds of wonderful things, people! I'm going to make Alice In Wonderland themed invites, and "Eat Me" cupcakes. There will be "Drink Me" bottles of something...not sure what yet. It'll be nonalcoholic, of course, so my drinking friends can thank me for that later. I love you, guys! There's just so much, I can't think of it all. Must. Make. Lists.

Which leads me to the guest list. *Insert creepy, intense, impending doom movie music* I'm afraid I won't be able to invite as many folks as I'd like. There were over 100 people at our wedding, and I just can't plan/afford a party that size. After all, I am leaning towards starving artist here.

Another problem with the guest list is that some of my friends don't like each other. They're all awkward. Now, while I respect people's feelings, I want our closest friends to celebrate with us, and if that means they have to put up with people they don't like (SOBER), then that's what they'll do, because they love us. Right? Will that fly? I mean, I'm not heartless. I won't make them cuddle, or invite exes. I just want my very different friends to be cordial. That's not too much to ask, is it?

Moving right along! I now need to sell my house, buy a new one with a gorgeous fenced in back yard (This part is something we've been wanting anyhow, so why not expedite that little task?), and purchase LOTS of funky tea cups, twinkle lights, Chinese lanterns and multicolored tulle. Oh, and put my friends to work.

What a hodge podge of awesome it will be!

Standing In The Light

I've loved this song for a very long time, and I thought it was about time to share it.




It's completely gorgeous, but my favorite lines are:

-I've known folks as smart as dogs, I've known folks like bumps on logs, and they're all fine by me.

-I've got room enough to die.

Moderately Coherent

One can only hope I'm moderately coherent at this time of night. It's after one in the morning, and I can't sleep. Might have something to do with the fact that I didn't wake up until after noon yesterday, which is still today because I have yet to sleep, but not really.

My failure to doze might also be a direct result of my obsession with Comedy Central. What began as a quick search for a specific Tosh.0 clip (Yes, that's his wiki, cause I'm still meeting people who don't know who he is, and they need to know. YOU need to know.) turned into an all nighter.

I'll leave you with yet another Scottish man that makes me happy, and I'm going to attempt to get some sleep.

Jokes.com
Danny Bhoy - Scottish Breakfast
comedians.comedycentral.com
Futurama New Episodes Ugly Americans Funny TV Comedy Blog

A Day Missed

Do you see this?! THIS, friends, is a day missed of NaBloPoMo. I was simply far too busy to sit in front of my lovely laptop, but I'll make it up!

Wizarding World of What?!

 Credit where credit is due.

Alright, Mimsians...can I call you Mimsians? I don't think I've ever told you lovely people what a Harry Potter nerd I am. It's pretty bad. I'm slightly obsessed, and by slightly I mean totally. I love it.

I grew up on magicians, wizards and Jedi and learned early on that good eventually conquers evil. I think Fantasia was my first introduction into the world of magic. After Mickey Mouse was introduced as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, I was hooked. Then there was Sword in The Stone, Star Wars, Willow, Legend, The Last Unicorn and the list goes on. Hooked, I say.

Obviously, the Harry Potter series is my cup of tea. Neglected munchkin goes from underdog to chosen one pretty much overnight, makes friends, experiences free will, chooses love and finds his place in the world? What's not to love?!

So...I'm sure you've all heard tell of this whole Wizarding World of Harry Potter gloriousness by now? Oh. My. Goodness. The husband person and I are totally going. I don't know when, but it's happening. It's just a matter of time. I am beyond willing to spend some most all of my hard earned money in order to feel like a kid for a day or two, and a stroll through Hogwarts and Hogsmeade will totally do the trick. A glass of butter beer probably wouldn't hurt either. Squee!

Anonanimal

I just adore Andrew Bird, and the way he communicates. His brain makes me happy, and I like seeing things the way he sees them. I wish someone would say those things about me.

I can't tell you how many articles I've read arguing the fact that he makes no sense. First of all, art for art's sake, people! Some things are just beautiful, whether you understand them at all. I don't understand children most of the time, but their gibberish thrills me to my core. Second of all, this man makes more sense than most. He's a poet and a musician, and he does gorgeous things with the English language.

That being said, if you have any trouble figuring out what he's celebrating in "Anonanimal", I'm pretty sure I've got the lyrics right.

I see a sea anemone
The enemy
See a sea anemone
And that'll be the end of me...

While the vicious fish was caught unawares
In the tenderest of tendrils
Underneath her tender gills

And I will become this animal
Perfectly adapted to all music halls
I will become this animal
Anomalous appendages
A non-animal...

Hold on just a second
Don't tell me this one, you know
I know this one, I know this song
I know this one, I love this song
Hold on just a second
Don't tell me this one, you know
I know this one, I know this song
I know this one, I love this song
I know this one

Underneath the stalactites
The troglodytes lost their sight
Uh oh

The seemingly innocuous plecostomus
Though posthumous
They talk too much
They talk too much

See a sea anemone
The enemy
See a sea anemone
That'll be the end of me
That'll be the end of me
Vicious fish was caught unawares
In the tend'rest tendrils
Underneath her tender gills
 
And I will become this animal
Perfectly adapted to all music halls
Oh, and I will become this animal

Anomalous appendages
A non-animal...

Maybe it's just me, but I think this man is a genius. I've seen him in concert, he carries a sock monkey in a suit around with him, wears scarves, has a farm and is all kinds of adorable. If you don't like him, well, that's fine. I might beat you up, though. Just sayin'.

To The Moon

I have been all kinds of busy lately, and haven't been doodling or painting much. Which is why this little number has remained unfinished for quite sometime.

Well, I'm setting a very attainable goal for myself. I will finish this water doodle this week. You can hold me to that. I should be posting the finished product by midnight on Sunday.

The Sketchbook Project

I mentioned how excited I was about signing up for a project on Art House Coop a few posts ago, and I can't wait to receive my materials. I don't want to blather on and on about it, but it's called The Sketchbook Project and it's going to be awesome.

I signed up last week, so I should receive my wee sketchbook in 2-3 weeks! Then I get to fill it up! Once it's complete, I just mail it in to be put on display with the thousands of other sketchbooks sent in from all over the world. They'll be exhibited in galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the country. So excited!

Scottish Manliness

I love this song soooooo much.

 

Travis

What is it about Scottish men that gets to me?! It's not just the accent, is it? It can't be. It helps, but I like them before they even talk. Am I alone here?

Sean Connery

Ewan McGregor

Gerard Butler

All three of these men have made me a little swooney, at one point or another. 

I even met three people from Scotland on a business trip once, and I fell in love with them, too. Danny, Gary and Jacqui.

Jacqui was a cute little freckly blond with a scratchy sort of voice. She was a mother of three, and missing her teenage boys something fierce. Basically, she was the sweetest thing ever, and adorable to boot.

Danny was tall and hilarious, and every one called him Donny. It did sort of sound like Donny when he said it, but I was pretty sure I'd heard Gary call him Daniel. When we ended up in an elevator together, I asked him to clarify. He cracked up, told me it was sort of an inside joke at that point and asked me politely not to tell. Donny it was.

Then there was Gary. Dude was all kinds of attractive and masculine, and he smelled sort of like eucalyptus. What? I wasn't sniffing him. He just sat near me, and I had to breathe. Perfectly innocent. Well, he made the mistake of saying my name. More than once. Like a lot. With that accent. I seriously fought the urge to follow him around like a lost puppy for the remainder of the training. Anyhow, he explained to me all about heather, how it's not a weed, and that Scottish grooms wear it on their lapels to represent love and commitment. Sigh. Luckily, he was old enough to be my father and never once acknowledged the fact that I was a complete mess around him. So polite. It also helped that my adorable husband was waiting for me in the lobby everyday, so his Scottish manliness didn't have a lasting effect.

Sounds like I'm a horrible woman, but I'm not. He was Scottish, therefor I couldn't help it. I just don't know why I couldn't. Any theories?

Reach Out & Touch Faith

Aaaaand I can't get enough of Johnny Cash right now.
I'm pretty sure the three members of Depeche Mode were beyond stoked when they learned that Cash had done a cover of their song. He didn't ask, and Depeche Mode didn't mind. While they were inspired by Elvis & Priscilla Presley, Johnny Cash was singing it for an entirely different reason.

When The Man Comes Around

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Johnny Cash? Well, I do. I've been singing his songs since I was a little bitty girl, and I love his "gospel" music as much as the rest. His voice combined with the words of the Bible seriously move me.

Oh, The Excitement!

May I ask you a personal question? Nothing scary. It's harmless personal, just something that interests me.

What did you get excited about when you were little? I mean, really excited. I'm talking jump up and down, annoy the heck out of your parents, keep you awake at night with anticipation excited. Remember that level of enthusiasm?

little, curly headed me

 Little, curly headed me got really excited about quite a few things. I jumped up and down about puppies, drove my mother crazy about going swimming and couldn't sleep when my mom told her boyfriend to take a hike. I would get so excited about these things I'd get the hiccups.

I guess that last boyfriend one might need a little explaining, if you're new around here. My mom's boyfriend was not always a nice man, and he needed to leave. Each and every time she threw him out, I believed he was gone for good and it would just be my mom and I. I'd get so excited that I couldn't even sleep. I just knew we were going to spend every day playing games, coloring, letting the dogs in the house, singing songs, cleaning and listening to music together and life would be grand. He finally left for good when I was fourteen. Good things come to those who wait, right?

Anyhow, I'm blathering about all this because I tapped back into that next level excitement yesterday. I came across a link that I simply must share. It's called Art House Co-op, and it's uh-mazing. There are so many rich and gorgeous things to find there, I-I-I just can't contain myself. I've even signed up for a project and am all kinds of stoked. Squee!

What did you get insanely excited about as a little person, and what do you get excited about now? I want examples, people. ^_^

Good Day Sunshine

 I'm still battling whatever this crud is that's giving me achy muscles and a sore throat, and I felt pretty rotten at the office today. I thought some sunshine might do me good, so I decided to take some photos at the lake on my way home.

I didn't even make it to my Jeep before looking up, and seeing this gorgeous blue sky.

 

A bit closer to my house I pulled over to get some shots of a gorgeous tree. Those didn't turn out so well, but I did make a new friend.

This little duck waddled all the way across the street, up an embankment and into a corn field to see me.

The Upside?

I'm feeling less than awesome today, so please excuse what I'm certain will be a mediocre post. My throat feels like I've been eating bits of steel wool for the past 2 days, and my body feels like I've been trampled by a draft horse. I'm pretty sure it's a combination of allergies, and being an old hag.

Sleeping alllll day is great, though, right? I think I'm on my fourth run through of Coraline, and I haven't seen all of it yet, I keep passing out. Have I mentioned my obsessive compulsive tendencies a few million times? I think I have. Yeah, well, some things are just comforting...when you're a little crazy.

The upside? My napping buddy, Kimchi Kitty, is feeling much better. Thanks again to everyone who sent loves, hugs and prayers for my feline friend. You just don't know how much it means to me.

Keeps Hands And Arms Inside At All Times

I had unexpected plans come up on Mother's Day. I'd already arranged to see my mom this coming Sunday, so when some friends from church offered us a couple free tickets to Six Flags we took them up on it. Mr. T. isn't a huge fan of roller coasters, so he stayed home with our recovering kitty. Instead, I transported my favorite teenager. I had a really good time, despite wishing Todd were there. I remedied that by texting photo updates to include him. Wanna see?

Jacob (goes to church with me) and Jake (Jacob's friend from school)

Jake (I heart this kid. He wore a storm trooper shirt, was very calm and covered in freckles.)

Kayla (favorite teenager/pseudo little sister) and I

And Jacobi (Jacob's little brother, and one exhausted 3 year old)

Did you catch the name of the boys? Jacob, Jake and Jacobi (Juh-co-bee). Yeah. Try keeping up with that. And Jake's name is Jacob, too.

What'd you do on Mother's Day?

Chickens Included

I think Mother's Day is the perfect opportunity to highlight the two newest members of our family, don't you? You've already "met" one of them, but she wasn't nearly as adorable/fluffy a post or so ago. She also didn't have a name at the time, so she and her feathery sibling get another post all to themselves.

Ponyo (with those funny little chicken feet ^_^)

 

And Sosuke (with that funny little haircut)

 I'm convinced that Silkie babies are the cutest baby birds on the planet. They have wee fuzzy legs, people. Feathers. On. Their. Feet. If shiny little black eyes, teensy wittle wings, peeps and fuzzy bums and legs aren't the definition of adorable, then I just don't know what is, and someone needs to get to redefining.

Anyways...Happy Mother's Day to all manner of Mom's, chickens included.

Fastidious Prime

Guess who's lying next to me right now. I'll give you some hints. He's not so tall, but he is dark and handsome. He also happens to be incredibly brave and strong, pretty close to that ever alluring Byronic hero. And he purrs.

That's right! Kimchi Kitty!!!

He's a little drugged up still, so he's kind of wobbly. His surgery went well, and the vet found some weird unidentifiable plug-like object wedged in his little kitty intestines. I'm not so sure what the thing is yet, but I'm bringing it home after Kimchi's follow-up on Monday. I'm pretty sure I know someone who might recognize this wee culprit.

It sounds like the work of my husband, the mechanic. 

 Looking particularly menacing on Cinco de Mayo. :P

He's a computer technician actually, but he can do everything. The only downside to my multitasking man? He leaves little bits of his multi-purposed life all over the place-for my kitty to munch!

Have I mentioned my obsessive compulsive tendencies lately? Even if we didn't have a feline that eats anything that might possibly resemble a bug, clutter drives me insane. I don't have much to complain about, I know. I mean, being cluttery isn't the worst character flaw. Being murdery is the worst, but being cluttery is easily second.

I come home and seriously ponder gathering all the little washers, screws, zip ties, rubber gaskets, L.E.D. bulbs, fuses and pocket lint, and using them to concoct a weapon of mass organization. This is an every day thing, people. I mean, I've had time to plot. I'd call my creation Fastidious Prime (What? I love Transformers.). His first mission? To force untidy husbands into submission. *evil laughs persist*

Anyhow, I'm pretty sure that Mr. T will be a little less likely to leave things lying around now. Kimchi is pitiful. He's got a shaved belly, and two large incisions. He's all sleepy/stumbly, and has a bandage around his right arm. It's not a leg. Two arms. Two legs. Don't argue with me. It's not worth it.

My two main concerns at this point, besides keeping things tidy, are making sure my bleary kitty eats and doesn't contract an infection. It's another bout at the vet, if either of those two things are problems. I've got stinky soft cat mush, and antibiotics. Wish me luck Pray.

P to the S
If we go to the vet Monday and find out the wee object is something of mine, I'll die. I'm not missing anything, but who knows what the cat ate, really? It sounds like something ugly, and I don't own ugly things. It must be Todd's fault, right?

Say, "Hello" To My Little Friend

As promised, here are some photographs of the newest member of our humble household. She had a little bit of a rough start, but with some help she's doing just fine.

She (I am willing her to be female simply because I do *not* want, or need, another rooster.) wasn't exactly ready to come out of her cozy little shell, but if we hadn't motivated her to do so, she wouldn't have made it.

But she did, and we're oh so thankful. 

She's even fluffing up, and we hope to sneak her into her momma tomorrow.

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

I've been playing with the camera on my Droid again.

It appears that I have lots of toys...

...and an unintentional feline slash poultry theme to my life, as of late.

I'm hoping to pick my Kimchi Kitty up from the vet today, and our chickens had babies! Two of the three little silkie eggs hatched, and two out of three ain't bad (Yeah. I just referenced a Meat Loaf song.). Well, one of the chickadees needed a little help. The momma wasn't taking care of it, so Mr. T and I had to help it out of it's shell and it's spent the night snoozing under a heat lamp in our kitchen. She's very wee, and getting fluffy! I'll post pics soon.

There He Is!

I was looking up some old NaBloPoMo posts, and came across something I forgot to do. Remember when I said I was making a ginger bread man, complete with gumdrop buttons, for my sexy librarian friend at the public library? If not, you can read about it here. I know you'd all cry yourselves to sleep tonight if you missed one of my enthralling posts, and we can't have that.

Well, I forgot to post pics of the finished product! For shame, I know. So, with no further adieu...here he is, complete with gumdrop buttons.

My librarian friend told me that the kids loved him, and he was a puppet show hit. Every time he had a part, the kids would yell, "There he is!" ^_^

And while we're on the subject of fun artsy/crafty things, I've been working on getting some more items into my etsy shop. I haven't had a lot of spare time, as of late, so it's been difficult to get anything accomplished. I hope to have a few little things I've been working on uploaded soon, and I'll post pics...famous last words.

MegaWhatsel?!

Hiya, folks! Did I tell y'all when I got a new phone? It's a Motorola Droid, and a huge step up from  my ghetto Razr. There are a lot of things to adore, but the camera is pretty exceptional. It's a 5 mega pixel with a dual L.E.D. flash, and I'm in love.

Needless to say, I've been taking a lot more photos lately. I'm no photographer, but I love playing with composition, and perspective. What do you say I post some of my favorites here now and again, hm?

I'll start with just one...

How appropriate that he's looking up. ^_^

Things Are Looking Up!

This is how pitiful my sweet Kimchi Kitty was before our last trip to the vet...

And this is him today. 

It may be a lousy shot of him being held captive at the vet's office, but at least he's a live captive. Do you see him willing me to open that door? Such spirit. Just yesterday I wasn't so sure he was going to come home again. When I opened that little metal box, he all but climbed in my mouth. And he's found his purr again!

Is he cured? Not quite. His blood work looks perfect. He doesn't have a temperature. Antibiotics didn't do squat. X-rays don't capture anything out of the ordinary. Conundrum, anyone? So...today the vet administered a barium x-ray, and low and behold, it shows what appears to be a hairball.

Of all things, a hairball. Who knew hair could try to kill my kitty?! He's got a good 12-14 years left in him, and I've got an awesome vet, so that's not going to happen.

Currently, they're still trying to coax my clogged-up kitty into eating, in hopes of avoiding surgery. If he would just eat, it should get things moving naturally. Otherwise, they're going to have to open him up. While the vet can't be completely positive that it's a hairball, we should be finding out soon. I'm just thankful that he's feeling better. Fluids have certainly put the meow back in him.

A Little Help

Sometimes you need a little help looking on the bright side. Well, I guess I should just speak for myself, hm? Sometimes I need a little help looking on the bright side, and it's good to know that  it can be as simple as walking into your kitchen. 

Allow me to (re)introduce you to some feathered friends of mine.

This is Casey Jones.

This is Madeleine.

These little birdies, and the new camera app I discovered for my Droid, have been helping me to focus on the positive. Looking up isn't always easy, and I'll take all the help I can get.

Looking Up

 
*Googled "Up" and found this gorgeous image here.

You know when you feel overwhelmed, and you just want to run away and hide? Yeah, I've been feeling that a lot lately. Work, church, home, and the interwebs all seem to be taking more out of me than I've got to offer. So...what do I do?

Well, let me tell you. I sign up for NaBloPoMo, cause that just makes all kinds of sense. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. Maybe I'm losing mental stability. It just seemed like the thing to do, so I went with it.

This month's theme is "Look Up". I'm certainly trying.