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.

Under the Knife

I'm scared.

I'm hungry.

I'm excited.

I'm having my nose fixed today, need to be there in less than an hour. I hope my super smell sense isn't compromised.

I'll be able to breathe through my nose with my mouth closed next time I check in here.

Good vibes, please!

Angora Goat - The First Born

Individually needle felted each precious lock of angora.
Visions of a big man in a red suit at this point, thinking, "this isn't working correctly".
Wa-La...he did work. This is so wild and natural, I love how it came out, despite all my 'issues'.
The horns, or eyebrows as a dear friend saw them first, need a brow lift. They are slowly creeping down and straight. I think a couple stitches in place will be just right.

Now, fingers crossed that the customer likes what she sees!

p.s. this isn't a real angora goat, just a monster purse made to resemble a goat.

Joe Rogan deviated septum operation

As usual, Joe Rogan has chosen "colorful" words, but since my mom sent me this, I figured it's safe to share.

I'll be getting this surgery in a bit over a week. And my doc uses the gauze that Joe talks about.

Enjoy! (thanks Mom)

Mr. Green Jeans: Bug Invasion

This is the last picture ever taken of Mr. Green Jeans. I noticed him and his less colorful friend (below) this morning after dropping O at Pre-K. I grabbed my camera assuming he'd be gone. He was still there and extremely compliant. He is on our mailbox that is home to Mr. SpiderWeb. I went to add my State Sales Tax Forms to the outgoing mail and he was still there. Clearly, there was something wrong.

I hope he wasn't stuck, not that it really matters.

After Mr. Mailman flipped the mailbox cover, Mr. Green Jeans was no more.

Flattened.

Poor little guy.

But his friend below, made it through the morning unscathed.

Whispers Are Never Good

My full time job has me sitting at the computer all day. I am what some may call, fortunate, in that my computer is in my living room.

Fortunate, I am. I can get my kids on the bus and to daycare when then need me to, I can run to the school in 4 minutes if something is forgotten or someone is sick. I can start dinner on my lunch break. I can throw a load of laundry in the washer as I print a 70 page document. And my commute is the quickest and most comfortable.

However, with all good things, there are some not so great things. Working in my house gets lonely, the scenery is always the same, some feel that since I'm at home, I'm not really working. And the worst part, is that I never leave work. It is with me all day and night.

Wednesday, I was trying to finish up some emails before I "left" work. That is when the whisper started.

I can always tell when my kids are up to something. It gets uber quiet, with a side of giggle and a whisper.

It was shortly after that, when my 3yr old came running into the living room and said, "Mom, you're fat." And as he was running back, I told him how sad that made me and how unkind it was to call people names.

Another whisper.

Minute later, "Mom, you're weird."

Frustrated, I continued to work, because, I had to finish.

Another whisper.

Thirty seconds later, "Mom, you're stupid."

It was about that point when the d in stupid flew through the air that I thrust my chair halfway across the floor and said, "That's it!"

Both of them went to their rooms, were instructed to clean their rooms (50% effective) and to write (6yro) and draw (3yro) me an apology.

The little guy asked how to spell 'Sorry' (as seen in yellow, center of picture, his version SOHH). Temporary heart melt. Got over that quickly.

"Children," as my girlfriend said, "are the only things in life that can bring you the most frustration AND the most joy, but there isn't much in between." Because of Wednesday, I believe that statement.

So, after discussing with them, showing them how hurt I was, I did what all good mothers do.

I bought myself a little frame purse.

Thanks, www.Oktak.etsy.com

Two Bags Done, Two Bags Gone

After I changed my banner (happy now, Mom?), I realized I never showed you two of my four commission pieces I have been busy with. The one above, GG Cookie, is for my very talented baker friend. I love how the cookie came out. GG's Cookies makes these amazing decorated sugar cookies. She is extremely creative. Leave a comment if you would like more information on Gretchen's contact information - she ships cookies!

And this is Nubert. Nubert and I got in a fight. He wasn't cooperating with his strap, so I had to go get more yarn and remake the strap, twice. In the end, he came out better than I thought. Just in time for his vacation to New Hamshire. Lucky Monster.

Dear Blog,

You sit there waiting. Hoping for something new to display.

I have so much running through my head, yet can't put anything worthy into words.

School has started and so my taxi service is in full swing; work is work; kids are, well being boys with all the potty words and craziness; and me, well, I'm trying to keep it all together.

I keep counting the days. Whether it be counting until the weekend, or until my next trip to Chicago, or until my sinus surgery, or to my next art show, and when days are rough, I count the days until I can retire. And when I mean retire, it really isn't to lay around eating bon-bons. It is to finally do the things during the day that my soul needs to do so that I can be fresh and happy for my kids as they get off the bus. Retirement is 32 Months, 21 days, if you are counting along. Months seem so much shorter than 'just under 3 yrs'.

There was a goal a couple posts prior to this. Your update is that one purse is finished, sold and received (Thanks Bonnie and Jill!), and the two other bags are in the works. I had to dye my own yarn for the eyes. I was looking for an amber color and was coming up empty at all the yarn shops. It looks great, yet once it is washed, I hope it retains its color. I have a couple test swatches to go in the washer soon. Working on two similar bags at the same time is rough, it just seems to take quite some time to get all the parts completed. I still have two snouts, half a strap and four pupils to go. After that, I'm only half way. These are two angora goat purses and the angora didn't enjoy the washing machine, so it will either be needle felted after bag felting or hand sewn in (please, no!).

Although I love a challenge, this one has proved to be an extreme challenge.

But, without a challenge, what would I do. Who would I be. How would I grow.

I wouldn't grow. I'd be bored. And I'd look for a challenge.

So, thank you blog. Thank you for begging for some text. You just helped me.

Sincerely,
Carrie

P.S. I know, I know, the banner says Spring 2009. Suck it.