semi productive day

Good day! Work done early. Went home to work on bears.

Several things to do tomorrow for 'Joe Green' entertainment evening, but can't do them till tomorrow anyway. Husband making chili (yummy). I just walked around the courtyard to see where to hang some lights. We'll have a fire in the firepit so that will be pretty. It's dark at 8 pm!

Oh! Sara e-mailed to tell me that word on the street is that Randy Quaid and his lovely wacko wife Evi were spotted eating breakfast at Magoo's! I'm hurt! He never called! He better never call me for bail money!

Here's a photo of 'Teddy no-eyes/ears'...

and AFTER the surgery!!

He's still only hand stitched but will have a full bodyectomy in a couple of days. I'm going to finish a few more faces tonight and hit the hay. Husband is watching 'Jacked' and The High Chapparal' DVD's simutaneoulsy . What a multi-tasker!

later dudes...

b        

                                               PS Here's Tom eating yogurt 

More of a relaxing day

An easy and early day at work. I used the spare time to wash clothes and that was about it.

Found a few strands of beads as potential Teddy Bear eyes.Was totally un-crafty today! I needed to send several emails for the Cowboy entertainment to-do on Wednesday evening. Husband will make a pot of chili and I'll make a pan of cornbread. We hadn't planned on any 'food' but when we received a follow-up confirmation email from Joe Green today...he mentioned that he would be playing at the BBQ(?)...well chili is as close as it's going to get to BBQ!

It's hard telling just how many people will be here and it will be around 7:00 pm, so I seriously think chili will fit the bill for first come/first served. There will also be chips/popcorn/pretzel snacks. MMMMMMMMMM tasty!

We are watching an amazing program about the National Parks on PBS. What beautiful scenery. Seeing Yellowstone Park makes me miss Wyoming...but it was in the 20's last night...so I have already gotten over it. But it is truly breathtaking.

Hope to doing something constructive to report tomorrow. We'll see.....

Nite...b

a beautiful Sunday

After a tasty breakfast at Bread and Breakfast...it was work, work work! Had a new employee today and she did better than we expected. The true test will be if she shows up again! She has tomorrow off but I expect she'll be here on Tuesday. It was a good day for her to see how busy and demanding this job can be...but it's really not a killer. Just cuz I'm sick of it is no reason to discredit an honest days work.

I have been racking my brain to find the right beads/buttons for the Teddy Bear eyes... I forgot! I make JEWELRY for living! I have tons of black onyz beads!! DUH!! Tomorrow...they shall SEE!!!

We are having a little 'to-do' on Wednesday evening here at the Lodge. Joe Green (Cowboy poet/singer/entertainer) will be traveling through here and will stay with us Tuesday and Wednesday and will sorta 'sing for his supper/stay' . Hopefully we'll have a decent crowd. I printed out flyers and contacted everyone I could think of here in town. He's a regular during the Cowboy Poetry Weekend here and since it's during the week...it will be fun. I'll attempt to take some photos.

It was another beautiful day in paradise today. Tonight the sky is clear and you can see the Milky Way. I'd like to eat a Milky Way right now!

I need to finish making out the True Value list. We have a few housekeeping/maintenance supplies that are urgently needed so we'll start the day out shopping! Monday's are slow(er) so we try to play catch up and then go home early. It's great after a full weekend.

I'll be back tomorrow...(God willing) and maybe I'll have finished a bear! We'll see.....

b

Quick update

Party day (such that it is). I made pasta salad instead of macaroni and cheese. Didn't feel 100% but much, much better. We were busier than I thought and I had less time than I planned on...so I'll make mac & cheese next time. Crab didn't make it but there are some amazing tuna steaks and shrimp. Husband is marinating the tuna in a Jamacian Jerk marinade. It smells delici-oso! Several people have arrived and it may be beer-thirty! I haven't had a beer in 3 WEEKS!!!! Not good for the fybromybodyhurts...so I have abstained...I usually drink O'Douls but I seriously think that causes me to feel worse.

It's sad. I really like the taste of beer. If they made beer flavored fizzies..I would drink them! Unfortunately...or fortunately...I have the real stuff so I'm going for the gusto...

Well well!! It is now 4 hours later and I am patting my budda belly, having enjoyed a wonderful meal!! The tuna steaks were great! Shrimp....mmmmmmmm good! Pasta salad - tasty. Beer - COLD!!! Enjoyed the evening and especially the company. Sara was here. We always laugh at the most irreverant things! That's what makes them funny!!! After all...just the slightest bit of sarcasm (I know...it's SO hard to believe that about me!) sets us into a new dimension of humor. Plus we think we saw a space ship (I know you are reading this Sara) Honest! It went straight into the sky. Perhaps it was the mother ship?? AHHHH...we can only speculate...

Oh wait!!! (I know you are reading THIS SARA!!!! Paul brought some SUSHI!!! Did 'I' get any...NOOO!! Wait...I was fixing a shower(s) for some guests! Good person that I am. That's OK...I'll make my own damn sushi...It was funny and ironic!

Well...no bear making tonight...It's 'nap' time. Had a fun day...Nite!

b

headache revisited

Holy Tylenol! I got home last night...cleaned the bathroom...ate some fish and BOOOOMMM! Headache from hell!! I had no earlier symptoms like a migraine was in the works...so I'm  not sure what happened. MUCH better today...except for the fact that I woke up this morning and seriously thought it was Thursday. I was just drawing a blank. It wasn't a bad 'work' day but I was glad to get home a while ago.

Bear production last night was nil as was everything else. May I'll do a few things later.

It was a little warmer today. The sun is glorious and the breeze warm. Love it! Bobbie and I stopped at the Town & Country convienence store for a fountain drink. I was sure I wanted the mamma jamma size...which I got...7 up...HUGE!...It's like drinking out of a 5 gallon bucket! I'm thinking, since this cup is plastic as opposed to the styrofoam one, I will force myself to drink more water. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I will actually consume more water if I have it in a cup (bucket) with a lid and a straw or in a bottle beside me than just relying on a glass of water. It's stupid...I agree...humor me. Don't even say it...why don't you put the straw in the GLASS!!! Cuz I don't want to...THAT'S WHY!

Odd and crazy news. Randy Quaid and his wife were arrested in Marfa, Texas yesterday for skipping out on a hotel bill in California. Of course the news media is having a heyday with this, and I still don't know the details (Randy hasn't called me yet! Imagine!!) Crap makes the world go 'round!

Let's see...Crimson Tide is coming on. Love Gene Hackman...love Denzel Washington...not sure if I love them for 2 hours together tonight. Yeah...I think I do.

I keep checking my spelling...there seems to be a different format here and I can't see spellcheck!! I NEED spellcheck! So if you see words that are mispelled...or just plan wrong...I am doing it deliberately!! K?

I mentioned the party for tomorrow?? Supposedly the crab that is coming 'may or may not' be coming...go figure...well, I was planning on making some sushi. I love sushi. I like (the veggie contents of) California Rolls...but I put crab in them. Crabifornia Rolls. I don't want to make them for the party...just me! Let's hope the crabs make it.

I got my free sample of Honey Nut Cheerios in the mail today. The mailman said I was the ONLY one in town to get one! Evidently he is not aware of my reputation of being the email queen! Free sample is my middle name...I am waiting for the Kashi stuff.

Did you know that Febreeze is the official deodorizer of the NFL?? Me neither. The things you learn on TV...

I will go now and give life to some bears. Have a great day/night! (Stage 2 - Bear body parts)

b

Trying to add some stuff...

Well...I figured out how to take a couple of photos and add them. Yes...it IS rocket science for me.

I have been cutting out teddy bears. Did you like the lovely photo of the pre-teddy bear felt? I think it looks like the skin that the creepy guy in Silence of the Lambs was making his lovely outfit out of!! Oh well! The bears are going to be cute. And this felt is nice. I'll take photos of the different stages of completion. 'How to make a bear in 106 easy steps...'

I just ate a piece of watermelon...or should I say I ate a crunchy type fruit type product shaped like a watermelon with absolutely NO taste. I mean NONE! But I ate it anyway. Don't even ask.

It was a nice cool day today. Low 70's maybe...sun off and on...some drizzle now and then...really nice. It will get warmer at the end of the week. Busier than we expected today and I couldn't wait to get home. Days are long and tedious when you have other (better) things that you really want to do.

I have another 'follower'. This is very exciting. Ginger is super super great and has had the most extra-ordinary life . Check out her blog. There are people that you meet that make a difference in your life? She is one in mine. (And her significant other!)

I mixed up some cookies tonight to bake tomorrow. Double Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies. White and milk chocolate chips. Finely chopped macadamia nuts. Real Mexican vanilla. Real sweet cream butter. The dough is delicious. I'm thinking the cookies will be BETTER! I'm not supposed to eat them. Guess what??

I need to find some tights on line. We are going to Vegas for our anniversary in November and I want comfort. I'm thinking long tunic style shirt with tights. Jeans and long shirt. Any shirt that covers the fat. And the butt. Perhaps cone shaped. With tights. I don't know WHY I want tights. I just do.

Well...I think I'll sew another muzzle on the face of a bear. Maybe a few. I'm in a sewing mood for another hour or so (sew). Have a good one and see ya on the morrow! Nite...

b

a beautiful day in the neighborhood

MUCH BETTER DAY!! Yipee! Headache a thing of the past. Must have been the arctic chill...well...it was 46 for the low, after all! And I loved it. Naturally it warmed up into the 70's and will be warmer straight through till December...but it was a great change. I think the headache was barometric pressure. Seriously.

OK. I unpacked the Teddy Bear felt box. It's some nice stuff (Aetna Felt Co.). I cut out the patterns(s) for the bears and read...yes I said READ...the instructions. That is not the norm for me. I usually make something...something looks a little off...THEN I read the instructions and say OH shit! That's how it usually goes. But not this time! I will cut the bears out after I take a shower after I finish this and after I drink the infamous tonic water. Only slight leg pain last night. Strange.

Watched a good but interesting movie tonight. 'Next'. Starring Nicholas Cage, Jessica Biel and Julienne Moore. A thinker movie. I liked it. DEA is on now...

I got a bead board in the mail today...I have one already, but this one has a cover!! I am notorioius for lining up a strand of beads and then knocking it over...so I at least can put a cover on it when I stand up! Getting this today reminded me that this was 'jewelry week'...but that plan changed.

Oh-oh...Woody is trying to block the suspect's exit..but alas! Suspect rams Woody's car and the chase it ONNNNN! He looses him...then..OMG! Spots the red mini van! TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!! Whew! Thank God the commercial came on...

Did you know that Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is not the cheesiest anymore? Not to me it isn't. Where is that nice heartwarming artificial orange color that I grew up with? Not in that box!!

We are hosting a birthday party for a friends this weekend and (actually 2 birthdays) a request for my macaroni and cheese was made. I make good macaroni and cheese. I spare no fat. I add fat and carbs. I practically fill each individual shell (we like shells) with velveeta. Then coat each one with cheese and serve bowls 'dipping cheese' on the side. MMMMMMMMMMMMM! Can you say...heart attack!! Another friend is in route to San Antonio and then on to the coast to bring back shrimp, oysters, blue crab and can hopefully find some tuna (at a store...no tuna in the Gulf of Mexico!)

Husband will do his magic and is planning to marinate the tuna steaks in a Jamacian Jerk type marinade and then grill. Another MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! He loves to cook and always will try the unusual and our friends LOVE it!

My signature cake is triple chocolate with chocolate ganache. I can't eat it anymore...but love to make it. It smells nutritious AND delicious while baking!!

Well...I think I'll close and jump in the shower. It's been real. Have a nice night!!

b

busy busy busy...

I am tired. I have a headache. My eyes itch. I used too many chemicals today. The groundskeeper (and I use that term very loosely) was mowing the grass. The cold front is moving in....yada yada...I'm whining. No, really, I have enough of a headache that even though I am writing this...I have not even opened the box that came today that contains the TEDDY BEAR FELT!!! And you know how I have been bitching about THAT!

Consequently, this will be a short one. Tomorrow will be an early day so I hope I feel better. I remember saying that this would be jewelry making week....but it may be a total Teddy bear week.

You know...I really want to open that box...but then I'll feel obligated to do someting so I'll be strong! VERY STRONG!!

Oh...it may be psychological...but after I drank the Tonic water last night..no leg cramps till around 5:00 am...AMAZING! I had another glass tonight but ended up taking 2 Bayer aspirin anyway just cuz I don't feel so good. As long as I am convinced..that's all that matters.

OK...that's a wrap. Head hurting. On the morrow!!

Nite....b

Interesting note...

I was just checking my email and there are always interesting headlines on Yahoo...I particularly like this one...

'Insane killer caught after 3 days on loose in Washington'

I wonder where the sane killers are??

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........

Waitin' for the cool down...

Another beautiful day in paradise...and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. But the cold spell is a comin' and I am GLAD! Don't get me wrong...I like summer and heat and all, but I like cooler, too. I was born and raised in Maine and lived in Wyoming. I have had enough of any temperature that is below zero!

Yeah...yeah...I know it's only a temporary cold snap...( I'm talking 45!!! degrees here!) but it's not 90 after all. And I know that is the LOW...but humor me! IT'S A COLD SNAP!!!

It's movie time again. A sad state when you have 100 channels and NOTHING is on! So we are watching Another Stakeout. I was going to work on a few stocking ornaments...but the moment has passed. Montana Sara (her name is Sara and she is from Montana..catchy, eh?) came over and we decided to recreate the ebay moment of finding vintage reproduction material (for the aprons). Let me back up. I was 8% sure that I had actually ordered material. Well....now I can't find when or where that I did...sooooo...we looked on a few fabric sites...and found some. I'll settle on a few pieces. It's weird...you buy it by the fat quarter, but can get it 'by the contiguous piece' (as quoted by the seller). Isn't that 'by the yard'?? Go figure...

I just drank a glass of Tonic water. I am sure it would be much better with gin in it...but here's the reason I opted for T water-neat. I have fybromyalgia. I think I mentioned that before...and also the fact that I thought it was fake??? Well...guess what..it's not. Sorry to all those fellow sufferers. Anyway, I think I am calcifying my liver with Motrin/aspirin/Aleve or have a kidney stone the size of a can of refried beans...cuz I hurt. Oh yeah...the tonic water...well...my legs are killing me, too! Not necessarily restless legs. Just screaming ass aches in the legs.

I was watching Getting Fresh with Sara Snow and she was talking natural remedies. She said that quinine is great for leg aches ( I knew that...didn't DO that...but I knew that) and perhaps a glass of tonic water which contains...you guessed it! quinine...would help. So I am trying it. I'll let you know...

Well...it's time to get wet all over and then prepare to press the BUY button on ebay! What an exciting night! Have a great one! Nite...

b

An update...

Well..what else can you call it...an update...I missed a few days...get used to it...if only I had the balls to say what I really mean!! You get the drift. Anyhoo...

Right now...we are watching Giant. I also have a few magazines to read and a blog to write.

Earlier...cut out some stocking and mitten ornaments and components...and sewed a few. Won't have the teddy bear felt till next week (I may have mentioned that before) but am making progress in the decorations department.

Earliest...worked. Not a bad day. Lots 'o laundry...many stay over guests. Tomorrow will be long and tiring. Not sure of the weather forecast but it was quite comfortable today. A slight rain storm in the afternoon.

Ate some leftovers for supper and have been drinking green tea for a few hours. Might not be such a smart idea...but too late now!

Still haven't received a confirmation on vintage fabric for the aprons..must check on that in a few minutes (maybe).

Finally...a few words of wisdom. If you live in an area with dust, dirt, grass, stickers, rain, mud, have a cat, use dusting powder and have hair...never buy a maroon colored bath mat. Take my word for it.

OK...I'm done for tonight. Must go horizontal. I'll attempt to read which will put me to sleep and then the tea will kick in...Have a good one!!

b

Holy Smokes! It's been a few days, eh?

Been a little busy here. Working yes...but 'craftin', too! And watching movies and not writing nothing!

Tonight it is the Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean...(LOVE Paul Newman!) and possibly but not probably making a few patterns for ornaments. I have decided on a nice selection to make.

Still waiting for the felt for the teddy bears. Hopefully it will be here tomorrow. I always save e mails with the shipping info...and was sure I had this one, but for the life of me I can't find it! Oh well, when it's here...it's here. I am anxious to make at least one asI know they will be cute. Oh yeah...still planning on taking some photos to post (!!!).

I was another easy day. And I hope so again tomorrow. This weekend is booked so Sunday will be long. It's even worse as the days are getting shorter. It's only 9:07 and it's as dark as if it were midnight. I can't believe it's already the 16th of September!!

I found some great copper jewelry findings on Amazon tonight (like I need them, too!) but I am at least waiting a full day before I order...in case I change my mind. Next week I am devoting to jewelry. I have made 30 hats and am working on another right now. Hey! I almost forgot about the aprons. Have material coming for them that I had forgotten about! Better check on it...

The bear just got killed in Judge Roy Bean...My favorite part in the movie is Bob..Bad Bob...the albino.

I know this is short..but I'm closing to relax...nite!

b

Well guess what!

Believe it or not! I am home. It was a short day for us and we are outta here!! It will be a bit more busy on the morrow..but what a great Saturday. Yahoo......!!

I am home and just mixed up "them biscuits'. The layered ones with the butter??? I'm thinking they will be yummy..will let you know tomorrow.

I have NO plan for tonight. I MEAN NOTHING. No crocheting...no knitting ..no nothing!Just biscuits.

Kelly's Heroes is on right now and doncha just LOVE Clint Eastwood!! Got's to go and turn the oven on...have a great a fun night!!

bye bye

b

Of course it's a full day later!

Way too tired to write last night. Way to tired to do anything but SLEEP last night! At first it was a little power nap...which turned into a deep sleep with me waking at 8:48 pm...thinking it was the next morning (ever done that?) getting up...taking a shower...laying back down thinking 'oh great...I'll be awake all night' and then waking up at 8:30 this morning! I'm guessing I REALLY needed that sleep. So now I feel better. Another easy(er) day today and should be again tomorrow...so I am taking advantage of the 'time off' to make stuff.

I am almost done another hat and found some chemo cap patterns. I have tons 'o yarn which would be perfect, so I'll make one of those next. I hope to get the knitting needles in the next couple of days...want to try the baby booties.

Husband grilled fish outside for supper. Perfect with a salad. Might want some chocolate later...but will opt for fruit. I may crack and have fruit with a side of chocolate....

I had ordered some honey with the comb in it as I had never tasted honey comb. Husband said it was delicious and he was right! We are going to attempt a new biscuit recipe tomorrow night...a layered biscuit. Sounds slightly complicated, but should be a breeze. Just a little more time consuming. A perfect compliment to the honey.

Torrential rain was predicted today...but nothing yet. The evening is still young, though. It was very foggy this morning, but burned off by noon. The temps are comfortable...upper 70's. Oh well...it's September. September 11th tomorrow. Makes the hair stand up on my neck remembering.

Getting ready to watch a movie...and old(er) one. Murphy's Romance with Sally Field and James Garner. It's a cute one. I've got time to take a shower so I can relax, too. I just won't close my eyes or I'll sleep till tomorrow!!

Have a good one!

b

Holy cow! It's been forever!!

Let's see...where do I start!! It's certainly been a while...OK...here it is in a nutshell...

Husband to hospital...Husband home from hospital...Hospital stupid...Husband to go back to hospital.

Me working...Me tired...Me being crafty (not sly like a fox...just crafty)...Me too lazy to type.

That's it. I did some serious organizing of craft stuff while Husband in Albuquerque at hospital. Damn I have a lot of shit! And I did some serious research for patterns and planning while on bloggless hiatus. Got in the really cute teddy bear pattern(s). I ordered plush felt (sounds interesting!) today and when it arrives, I will cut out all the bears I can so they will be ready to sew. I am guessing probably 15 bears total. I ordered 5 yards and it supposedly takes 1/3 yard per bear.

Since I AM the on line shopping queen...I found a great deal on knitting needles ($1.30 for 5 pair of various sizes) so they are on the way. I definitely need smaller needles than I presently have to make the baby booties...if not...I'll be knitting for the Sasquatch baby!

I'm now thinking about a few yards of vintage apron material. I got a book a while back with some cute styles...they might be good seller...but only a few. I have such grand expectations.

Enough craft stuff. The weather is beautiful. We had 1 1/2 inches of rain a couple of days ago! It was a virtual downpour and we desperately needed it. More rain is predicted over the next few days. We'll see....

It was a slow day today. At least we MADE it that way! We moved as quickly as we could and were out of here by 11:30! It was great. I think tomorrow will be pretty much the same. Thank God...since Monday was an 11 hour day. It's takes me so much longer to recover from these long grueling days. Actually, it has been that way for the past several days which is another reason I have shirked my blog. Sometimes it is just too tiring to write!

I watched a movie on HBO tonight...the Secret Life of Bees (I think...) It was very good. Kind of a chick flick...I think I need to see it again. Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifa, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson were the main actors. Right now...the Snows of Kilimanjaro is on. I love Gregory Peck.

I will sketch out a couple of patterns tonight and finish another baby hat (I'm only a few rows from the end)

Hopefully will be back tomorrow!! Ta Ta!!

b