BOO!

:: loving this picture of Sam

Ah, pumpkin gutting and carving. You would assume that getting that goopey, slimey, stringy, cold guck out of the pumpkin would be great for two young boys. Nope, not in this house. Last night, Tom and I had two girls.

Ewww, gross, 'I'm gonna puke' is what was heard.
I gutted three pumpkins, while Tom did his own and roasted the seeds. Which no one ate, but him. The boys and I had cheese curls...at least the color was right for Halloween.


Hope you have a safe and spooky Halloween!

Technology Woes

No pictures.

No office computer.

The virus won. My computer is dead. Fried. Toast.

My camera, I can't get a battery to last more than 4 pictures. I am on my third rechargeable unit and multiple batteries, none of which are working. Even a brand new non-rechargeable battery lasts maybe 8 pictures. Perhaps it is time to look at the camera and not the battery. I just figured out how to use this one and am not ready to purchase a new camera because I want a nice SLR, which isn't going to be at the price point I can afford.

Better get making more goods.

As the calendar shows, it is Halloween costume making time. I have a standard base that I try to use for every costume, and that is the zipper hoodie. The warmth of the sweatshirt is usually enough to keep my goblins warm, and super easy for them to put on themselves at school or parties. They also tend to last longer through dress up time for years to come. At any given day, you may see a slug, skunk or multiple bats flying through our home.

So, just as I figure out how to make an easy wearable costume, Big Boy changes it up and wants to be Radioactive Man (not from the Simpson's, but a nemesis of Hulk). Basically a day glow green Hulk. There goes my sweatshirt idea. It ended up okay, not my best, most creative, but I guess that is what happens when you teach your children to think for themselves and make their own decisions.

Little Man was going to be a squirrel, Mr. Octopus from Spiderman, and many other random people and animals. We went to Target to get the zipper hoodie for the squirrel (with an acorn loot bag) and he told me he wasn't going to be a squirrel. He was going to be a snake. I couldn't be happier. Easy. That is tonight.

He can't change his mind again.

Well, he can. But in this house, you get what you get.

The Real Farm

I lived on a farm for two years when I was in first and second grades. I loved living on that farm.

We didn't have a large variety of animals. Chickens, ducks, maybe a rabbit or two. The chickens for sure, I was the egg collector. I loved that job.

Every Autumn, I gather the kids to take them to a pumpkin farm. This year, we went to a real farm, instead of the overpriced suck-you-and-your-money-in farm. I'm so glad I did.

If I only knew that the Kelkenberg farm, just a couple miles away, had two angora goats, I would have used them as my reference for the two goat bags I did. Love this picture with the rooster.

My boys love animals. And I can see the wheels and eyelashes getting ready to spin and bat for a pet other than our bad luck fish.

The Chicago City girl of years past is slowly fading and the Farm girl is inching back. I felt so at home on the farm.

Maybe, someday.

Monster Bash!

Coming Soon To ETSY...(after I sort out my computer problems)

Feedback

In Etsy, there is a place to receive and give feedback on your purchases. Usually it is, great customer, thanks for your order, fast shipping. But every once in a while, I get one that tugs at my creative hands and pumps me up.

I guess I am truly an artist.

this is the most amazing artist i have ever seen - i absolutely love my purses - i encourage EVERYONE to look at her shop and don't hesitate to ask carrie to create something amazing for you also.

Final Goats

These little goats are in a box, all packed firmly, waiting to be opened. I hope Patti in Texas enjoys them.

I've signed up to do a Girls Night Out to benefit Crisis Services this Tuesday. I'm looking forward to hearing comments about these monsters, instead of reading comments. It will be nice to get out. GG's Cookies will be my table neighbor, as well as Spoonbender Arts.

The following day, the unsold Monster Bags will be photographed and listed on Etsy. It's been a long time for a new, unclaimed purse to make it's way there. I am enjoying the custom requests, but it's nice to make the monster from my imagination without borders.

Does the blog look different? My brother suggested I change the background of my blog. I enjoyed the crispness of the black, but perhaps it was just too much. I can't get the header to fit nicely into the box, nor can I find where to eliminate the box. Bear with me... Also can't attach a new link.

Final vacuum of my nose today...can't wait to stop the saline. The salt taste sits in the back of my throat and tongue. Just plain gross.

Where I've Been

1. Under anesthesia
2. Wrangling little boys
3. Church (I know, sit me down and call me Susie)
4. Fighting with my "rechargeable" batteries.
5. Wondering if I should continue this blog.

You see, I don't think anyone is reading it. Well, seven people did last week. So, for you seven that keep coming back (mom, Meredith, Judy, who else is there???), thanks.

I'm even considering dropping Twitter and Facebook. Am I becoming a hermit?

Maybe it is just the past couple weeks bringing me down about computer time. I had a very bad virus that attacked my computer registry, so even if I deleted it all, as soon as I start up fresh, it's back. Hiding in the registry. It's a pesky little one.

The nose surgery went well. I had no bruising or swelling. It was, however, the most uncomfortable week of all time. It's hard to be 'sick' when you don't look sick. I was pretty tired and did a lot of sleeping the first 4 days, then I had to get moving. I had boys to entertain. Even now, two weeks after the surgery, I'm still sniffling, snorting, snoring, trying to clear my nose of all unwanted objects and trying to learn how to keep my mouth shut. For 38 years, I have had my mouth open 95% of the day. This wasn't the quick fix. But, I'm learning. Maybe I'll crochet a chin band that goes over my head and chin - like a front headband - to keep my mouth closed at night. It is really a difficult thing, I never realized how much my mouth is open. But good news, my nose trick is safe. I can still blink and my nostril moves. Thank goodness for the little things!

Finished the goat purses, what a labor of love for those two. They were challenging and rewarding at the same time. Today, they should arrive at their new home in Texas. I hope they are welcomed with open arms and filled with wallets and phones and tissues and maybe a carrot or two.

Let me know if you are out there...it's lonely inside this box.