So Much

I have been up to so much lately, it's ridiculous. And since So Much is the reason I've been neglecting my blog, I thought it only fitting that I dedicate a post to it.

First up were the Where The Wild Things Are birthday posters:

I promised some friends of mine that I'd do posters for their munchkin's third birthday. So, I whipped out my copy of Where The Wild Things Are, my watercolors, and voila! Said munchkin dressed up as Max for his party and everything. SO adorable.

And what better gift can you give for a Wild Rumpus party...than a monster?! It took me a few more non-blogging hours to hand-sew this little guy, but I think it was worth it. He turned out pretty fun.

And then there's the cake decorating class that my friend, Annie, and I have undertaken. This coming Wednesday is our last class. We've learned a lot, but we're pretty transport-a-gazillion-things-and-bake-cakes-for-no-apparent-reasoned out right about now.

These guys are the little cupcake toppers I made us as an alternative to the dreaded CLOWN HEADS everyone else gave in to. NO CLOWN HEADS FOR ME, THANKS.

We had to ice little bodies for them. My vampire was a little funky with a ruffly iced bod, but Annie's chicken turned out pretty darn cute. He kind of looked drunk after a while, cause our icing wasn't quite stiff enough to hold up. It was quite entertaining.

And these are the roses (on a lovely beach towel that I brought to cover that germ ridden cake class table) that made it quite obvious that I didn't make my icing the right consistency. They kept sort of morphing into little wilted blobs. :( Practice makes perfect, right?

I've also got a photo of my first cake, but blogger doesn't seem to want me to upload it. Huff. Anyhow, I put a green and orange owlie on it. ^_^

Aaaaaand I made three separate Homecoming shirts for a few of my favorite teenagers. We tie-dyed them, and then I used a textile marker to draw an image on them, and fabric paints to color them in. It was fun, but time consuming. I also have pics of those that this flippin' Mac won't let me upload right now.

So, there you have it-my legitimate excuse for neglecting my blog...this time. Hopefully I'll manage to get those other photos uploaded someday, for your viewing pleasure.

That is all. I've got brownies cooling in the kitchen. They're begging to be decorated.

Story Time!

I'm in the mood to tell a story to all my faithful followers. All *counts on fingers* two of you (Seriously, since I quit blogging/commenting regularly my vast array of readers have given up on me.). :(

So, as I was saying...a story.

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there lived a beautiful curly haired queen. Let's call her Heather, shall we? Okay! So, Queen Heather lived in her humbler-than-most-castles castle, with her handsome king. His name was Todd. King Todd.

Well, one day Queen Heather was running late for a very important meeting with her dear friend Princess Ari! Queen Heather should have hopped on her trusty steed, and been on her way to The Land of Hunts like a fortnight ago, but the evil King made her late! He forced her to sleep in, to finish the second to last Harry Potter book, and refused to help her be on time! Forced and refused, I say!

Despite her extremely agreeable nature, the queen decided to challenge the king. Outraged at this, the king threw a sock at her head! Yes, a sock! It hit her hard, but she managed to drag her half-conscious self to the bathroom, and dispose of the sock in the water closet forthright.

This angered the king even more, and he threatened to dispose of one of the queen's most prized possessions-her flesh colored brazier! :O This frightened the fair queen something awful, so she begged the king to have mercy, and he did.

Then the king locked himself away in his study, refusing to see the queen off for her outing. He knew everything was really all his fault, but he was a stubborn king, and slow to accept due blame.

The poor mistreated queen had no choice but to leave without a proper farewell. She bid no one adieu, and parted to The Land of Hunts.

Upon arriving at her destination, the queen sent the king a telegraph. He responded promptly with an apology, and all was well again.

Queen Heather and the fair Princess Ari were then free to be jovial and celebratory, and they all lived happily ever after.

The End

Temporary Insanity

Things are just a bit psychotic, as of late, but I have every intentions of posting/commenting regularly again. Between work and art and guitar and blah de blah de blah I've been having trouble finding the time, but I will...soon. I love you beautimus bloggers!

For now, follow me on Facebook, if you aren't already. Oh, and go check out my Etsy shop, MadShiny. I finally added some more handmade goodness!

See?

I uploaded this sleepy fellow a while back, but for some reason Blogger doesn't like the pics of my newest items. Ho-hum. He'll do for now.

Fantastic Indeed

There's no amount of praise I can give for Wes Anderson, his usual cast of characters, or Roald Dahl that can express just how awesome this is going to be. So, I think you should watch the trailer (again if you must). And you must.



Glorious, isn't it?

"I Disagree With You So Everything You Ever Say Must Be Wrong" Is Not A Good Rule To Live By

Over at Just A Titch today I read about how some people are reacting to President Obama's education speech. You should all go read that speech, btw. Open that link in another tab, folks. If you haven't already, you should really read it.

Having read this message, I am inspired. I find absolutely nothing wrong with it. It's full of truth and positive reinforcement, and I am glad the youth of our country heard it today.

I'm having a really difficult time comprehending how someone could believe that it's an attempt to "brainwash" or "indoctrinate" our country's children into anything other than believing in, and applying themselves to, getting their educations and succeeding in making the world they live in a better place.

So, what's the deal here?! Bashing this man for no apparent reason is not okay!

The only sense I can make of it is that they're scared. People are afraid of a lot of things, for a lot of different reasons, right? So, let's say they're afraid for themselves, their children and country. They're afraid of the unknown. I can understand all that. I'm a worry wart. I totally get the anxiety.

One man leading an entire country is something to be concerned about. We can't read his mind, or see the true desires of his heart. It's stressful, but what's really to fear here is that people have still not learned to harness their ignorance, set their differences aside, and respect and love one another.

If an individual doesn’t care for President Obama’s plans as the leader of our country, that’s one thing. Worry. Talk about it. Fine. But ignorantly (Because OBVIOUSLY they can’t have read his words, right?!) claiming that he’s going to “brainwash” our children with an encouraging, well-written speech about education?! Whatever.

I know I sound like a scripture, or a Bob Marley song, (and I'm fine with either) but love and respect is the answer here, folks! I know it's my belief, and not necessarily shared by all, but I have to say it.

We are all created equal, even if we don't always agree.

I don't normally talk politics. People get angry and opinionated, and I always sound naive and silly with my love and understanding for your fellow man talk, but I had to vent.

To be completely honest, I disagree with a lot of things that President Obama believes in and advocates for. I didn't even vote for him, but he is the President of our country. I have the utmost respect and love for him, and I refuse to be separated or blinded by difference of opinion. The man can make great things happen. This speech is one of them.

Sweet!

I get so incredibly excited about some of the strangest things. At least in my opinion. Maybe it means I'm getting older. I don't know, and I don't care. I'm just anticipating the heck out of a cake decorating class coming up in October. Squeeee!

It's that same excited I used to experience when I was little, and something outrageously amazing, like a trip to the beach, was being discussed. Of course, I was the kid that got excited if a trip to the post office was discussed. It didn't take much. I was just generally happy to leave where I was to go somewhere else. As a matter of fact, I'm still that way. The unknown is full of opportunity, man! :P

Anyhow, I am currently looking forward to a cake decorating class. One of my oldest friends (Annie) mentioned it, and I went berserk. I mean, the potential we have for being awesome at this is pretty high, folks. I'm figuring with our powers combined...we're going to rock this.

What does this mean? What if we are so great at this that it cannot be ignored? We might open up our own little bakery! We could share our awesomeness with the world via things that can make people fat! How wonderful would that be?!

As an artist, this is just one more medium that I haven't tried and I am so looking forward to seeing what can be done.

So, come October y'all better be ready for some photo documentation of my cake decorating debut. I have a feeling it's going to be monumental.

Simple Love

This video makes me cry, and I think everyone should partake. It's not so pretty. It's not at all complex. It's a simple song with a simple animation expressing something that I've always believed.

It might seem silly to some of you, but I still think it's worth sharing.

"Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying"

As much as I'd like to believe that I have all you glorious blogging friends o' mine holding your breathe for my next post, I'm glad that I realize how silly that is. For one, you'd all have kicked the bucket by now. :O For another, this oh so dark and shiny unmusical* blog just isn't that important. I mean, it's an important creative/communicative outlet for me, but in the scheme of things? It's one more thing I put pressure on myself over, and then avoid.

So, as part of an effort to stop stressing myself out over every single thing, I'm trying to be a little less neurotic about blogging/reading blogs. Being prescribed a low dose anxiety medication has made it quite evident to me that I put a lot of unnecessary stress on myself. ^_^

That being said, I'd like to make a few things clear. I like reading your blogs, and comments. They make me happy. But I want all of us to remember that if life gets in the way, that's a good thing! If we're too busy to read blogs, we shouldn't worry about offending someone. We're just busy living!

I realize all of this is for me (and my fellow worriers) and maybe not for you. So, feel free to giggle and roll your eyes at my neurosis ( I do), and skip on down to the fun little bit of listy goodness I ganked from Ari.

Outside my window…
A mass of fluffy white feathers that are hard to decipher into separate silkie chickens.

I am thinking…
That I need to finish sewing the camera cozy I'm making my mother-in-law, that sabbath is such a sweet bout of sanity in the midst of an always chaotic week, and I like Snow Leopard.

From the kitchen…
I hear bird seed bouncing across the linoleum, and smell hazelnut creme oil burning on the kitchen table.

I am wearing…
Less than I should be. Hey, I'm home sick on a Saturday. Don't judge me.

I am creating…
Water-colored ink drawings that I've deemed "water doodles" to sell on my Etsy shop, a green scarf that I've been "creating" for over half a year now, and a wealth of hand sewn goodies for people I love.

I am going…
To a friend's place tonight, if this cough doesn't completely destroy my voice. I hope Todd will come with me.

I am reading…
The last Twilight book. I should finish it tonight! I've been trying to take it easy. Todd gets a little lonely when I devour 700 page books in a day or two.

I am hearing…
A tall black man singing "My Jesus, I Love Thee" accompanied by piano, and thunder.

Around the house…
Grass, bugs, chickens, dogs and an occasional neighbor person.

One of my favorite things…
Clean pajamas fresh out of the dryer or puppy breath. It's a toss up. I like the combination.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Complete some of my artsy/craftsy projects, spend time with Jessica and her munchkins, finish Twilight and Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban, enjoy Sunday with Todd and sift through a wealth of stuff to be set aside for our upcoming yard sale.

*I read one too many tweets concerning people's annoyance at blogs with music players. :(

That's It...

I've had all I'm going to take today. Despite the fact that I've now been prescribed, and am hopped up on, anxiety/antihistamine meds(who knew these two were related?!) I am ready to rip someone a new one. No joke. I've had all I'm going to take today.

Problem. I'm not very assertive. Expressing my anger usually brings about the same reaction as the following adorable puppy(thanks google images ^_^).

In college a friend of mine told me that I had the intimidation factor of a declawed kitten, and he was right. Sometimes I wish I could be mean. Though, I'd probably feel bad about it later.

So, back to my anger and disdain.

I long ago accepted the fact that my tonsils hate my guts, or at least my ears, nose and throat. So, tonsillitis hanging on for dear life? I can deal. Breaking out in little red stripes that itch a lot? Been there. Done that. For years. And now I have meds for it! Which seem to be helping. Whether it's an allergic reaction to my antibiotic/the world, or stress-these wee little white pills are just the thing.

What I can not accept today, little white pills or not, is a pushy person. Not today. Maybe tomorrow, but NOT today.

I'm at work, minding my own, when I get this call. This chick on the phone starts blathering on about how she needs some healthy marriage classes. I work for a non-profit family services agency. I'm used to calls like this, but before I can refer her to someone who may be able to help her she starts getting all belligerent. Seriously.

Apparently my name is on a website, along with a friend of mine, as offering healthy marriage counsel.

Whatchu say?! TIME OUT. Not so.

I tell this lady that it's a mistake. I politely (as always) inform her that I am not trained to, nor have I ever taught such a course.

Does she say, "Oh, okay. Thanx. Bye!"?

OF COURSE NOT. She proceeds to treat me like I'm a liar, and explains how much she needs this course.

Now, I feel bad for her and all, but oy vey! I am not a healthy marriage counselor, and I'm not lying! My tonsils hate me, despite uber huge horse pill antibiotics. My chest, neck and back look a little like I was attacked by a hoard of angry pixies in dire need of manicures, and I'm doped up. So, best be easin' up out my face 'fore som'n bad hap'n. A'ight?

I'm ready for bed now.

x_x

Lymphoid Masses From Hell

I'm quite sure that I've griped about my tonsils before. I have every reason to moan and groan about them. They are absolutely useless to me. Always have been. Never once have they saved me from a respiratory infection. Never once have they done anything other than get infected every single time they had the opportunity.

Why haven't I had them removed you ask? Well, my theory is that my mom and I moved so much that no one physician ever had the chance to see how much of a recurring problem I had. Why my mother didn't get proactive about this eludes me. She likes to see me suffer. That's not true, but I have. Oh, how I have suffered.

I'm suffering right now, as a matter of fact. In the scheme of things I know I'm not really burdened or anything, but my throat hurts. A lot. It seems like it's always hurt, and I am so very tired of it. I've chewed enough Aspergum to kill a man, had so many hiney shots I don't even flinch anymore and gagged on so many doctors...well, it just sucks. Will it ever end?!

Today, I got my answer. I sat patiently in the doctor's office this morning, awaiting the gagging swab, the burning shot in my bum, but it didn't go down like that at all. Instead, this doctor actually listened to me! He didn't even swab my throat. When he asked what the reason for my visit was, I told him I had exudative tonsillitis AGAIN. He looked at my throat, grimaced slightly, nodded and asked me a few more questions. After I finished explaining how I'd been getting tonsillitis just like this no less than twice a year(usually more like 5 times) since I was about 3 years old, he asked me why in the world my tonsils hadn't been removed.

I could have kissed him. I shrugged.

He requested yet another round of antibiotics, and the usual shot in the butt. He then told me that he has an ENT that he'd like to refer! An ENT! An expert that can gank those rotten, good for nothing tonsils right out of me. ^_^

I know recovering from a tonsillectomy is less than pleasant as a child, let alone as an adult, but I'm willing to deal. The thought of not being sick 5 times a year makes me absolutely giddy. Perhaps I'll lose some weight from not being able to eat too!

I am so excited at the prospect of surgery I could...pee.

Monday

I've been thinking a lot about this today. I think it'd be safe to say that approximately 75% of everyone I know has an aversion to Mondays. We cower and cringe at the thought of her. Sort of like this.

(any excuse to squeeze in some Klimt ^_^)

Now, the other 25% are the optimists on a quest to redeem or save Monday, to turn it into something else-something worth celebrating. Still, they know it doesn't like them...and it has a club.

My theory is that Monday is tired of being the day that everyone hates, or at least has to try not to hate. She's fed up with being Monday. Can't say's I blame her, but I don't enjoy the punishment.

So, what can we do? I propose that we give Monday a new name. Perhaps that's all she needs. A new start, a chance to recreate herself. Maybe then she'll not feel like reciprocating our distaste for waking up early to go to work anymore. Maybe she'll have pity on us.

What's your nomination? I already have one from MadamRaspberry. Her vote is for Princess Mon, which I think sounds Jamaican and I like it. What say you? Pick a name! This could save us all!