Life On My Planet

How to be a total ass to a creative person

2012-01-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

Over the last few weeks I've heard comments like these said to myself and to friends. I've also seen it so often online that I've lost count.

There is value in creation. There is value in capturing perfect and totally imperfect moments in photographs, paintings, music and all other forms of artistic self expression.

"Why?" Don't ask me why, it sets my teeth on edge. You can ask what inspired the creation or questions that dig deeper into the history of the piece but when you just say why with that tone I'm pretty much getting the feeling that you are implying that what I'm doing is pointless and I'm not super inclined to be nice to you at that point. The why is because I can!

"You/She/They have too much time on their hands" This may be the comment that pisses me off most of all. Really? Who are you to judge how others spend their time? Tibetan Monks have a tradition of creating beautiful mandalas out of colored sand. Once the piece is finished they sweep it up. If "they have too much time on their hands" is your first thought, you might have missed the point. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, some of us choose to spend our time on art or gardening or whatever makes us happy.

"I could do that" Wow, dismissive much? Ok, so go do it and good luck to you. Of course, this one is best if it comes with a really snotty voice and if you add in complaints about how much they are charging you win a gold star for asshatery.

For creative people, IME, the act of creating is like breathing. We have to do it. It is where we find our bliss. There is value in any time spent doing things that make you happy. Don't be the person who goes around licking the red off everyone else's lollipop.

Time flies like an arrow

2011-12-22T16:49:00.000-08:00

Fruit flies like a banana. That is my best friends favorite quote and it alwas makes me think of her.

Trying to get back on track.

2011-12-22T16:48:00.000-08:00

It's been so long since I've blogged for myself and I'm totally out of the habit.

This has been our first winter in Texas and it has been a doozy! Have you been watching the weather the past month...it's been insane! We've had far more than our share of ice, sleet and snow. But this week our temps are back in the 70's and I can feel the call of Spring which is one of my happy seasons. I took this yesterday...

Blah days make me feel blah. I've realized that I'm GREATLY influenced by my surroundings. I need brightness and happy things around me.

Super awesome tween room

2011-09-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

Tea decided she was ready for a room makeover so we are trying to create a fun, cool, artsy, totally Teag room on a budget.

After months of her laboring over the choice of paint we finally ended up with Wild Grape walls. It ended up being the perfect color and she LOVES it. Now we needed something for the windows. Curtains are kinda pricey, especially anything in fun, bright colors and designs. We came up with the idea of using sarongs. While searching for a curtain rod one of my crafty friends suggested a bamboo pole.

It worked perfectly and fits the feel of the room so much better than a formal rod would have.

bamboo pole from Lowe's - under $5
3 sarongs from turtle island imports - $11.95 each (your window size determines how many you need)
and hot pink twine that we already had but I know it's just a few dollars

and here was the result....

Life and Loss

2011-03-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

February 26, Saturday. Life was good... great actually. Chris and I went to the Toyota dealership and I came home with my first ever new car. A gorgeous blue Prius!

February 27, Sunday. I called my Dad and my Grandma. Everyone was doing ok. My Gma has been sick for years so she wasn't doing fabulous but she was okay. She was always up and down. She had emphysema and COPD and was on oxygen full time. But we had a good talk and I went on with my day, just like usual.

March 1, Tuesday. An early morning phone call from my Dad, Gma is in a coma.

March 2, Wednesday. Great news! She is awake and talking to everyone. Chris is still at work on the rig until tonight so I feel like I've been given a chance to get there and see her and tell her again, in person, just how much I love her. I call during the day to check in and she is doing really well and still talking. I spend all day preparing for our trip to Florida. Chris is going to get home around 11pm, sleep until 3-4 and we are going to get on the road.

March 3, Thursday. I've fallen asleep waiting for the alarm. The phone rings at 4am. She's gone. I'm in shock. I really thought I was going to get a chance to see her one last time.

It took us 20 hours to get to my grandmother's house. We intended to stay for just a few days and ended up being gone for 10 days. I lost one of the most important people in my life then Chris lost his job, then we had a car accident that trapped us in Louisiana. I feel like things just started spinning out of control with bad news on top of bad news.

Tomorrow is March 17, two weeks since she died and I still feel totally lost without her. Every day of my life I could feel her love. She was my constant. She was always there for me and even when I made stupid choices she loved me. My life just doesn't make sense without her in it and I'm just so sad. I tried to call her at least every two weeks to check in and just blab to her about the mundane details of my life. I still can't quite grasp the fact that I'm never going to speak to her again.

So that's what that feels like

2010-08-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

It has been so long since I've been able to craft I think I'd forgotten just how much fun it is to start with an idea, figure out what you are going to try and then working until you end up with a finished product.

This was just a little craft, nothing fancy but it was fun and it filled a need and made my daughter super happy.

Now that she has pierced ears we are quickly collecting teeny little earrings so I was trying to find an easy solution that was a cuter option than the boring plastic things you can buy online.

Supplies

I cut out the design and then prepared to trace all the pieces

All traced, then you have to cut everything

Lay out and glue

All Done! added ribbons for hanging and for holding the earrings (would work well for hair clips too).

"Me" Time

2010-06-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

yea, two entries in a row!

Do you feel like you need time to yourself, away from your family? Some people probably don't and I think that is totally fine because it's right for them.
I've never had much time away and I was always fine with that and actually pretty judgmental about people that were constantly going out or away.
The kind of Mom I wanted to be was around most often and family came first. And it worked and I still believe that is how it should be when you have little kids.

But my kids are not little anymore, my husband doesn't come home after work every night and I find myself firmly in a rut and increasingly unhappy about not getting more time "off". I do think even the most dedicated, present parent needs some down time to recharge. If you have great sleepers it could be a few hours of napping a day, or your kids might go off to school and leave you to your own devices for 6 hours.

I do not fall into those categories. My kids, obviously at 14 and almost 10, do not nap. They do not go to bed early either. They don't pop off to school. They don't even go to any classes or sports unless I take them.

I am ever present... or maybe they are ever present. I guess it depends on who is telling the story. And my husband is gone for at least half the month.

I know that at this point in my life I NEED, notice I did not say want, some time away from the kids, the house, the dogs, etc. I don't often feel like I have any idea how to spend "me' time. I'm painfully dull and practical is some areas so constantly shopping and ignoring the budget isn't an option and neither is just driving around wasting gas. I'm really not a girly girl so the things some of my friends do just do not interest me.

So while I'm not 100% sure how to fill my "free" time, I do know I need to think of a few options. I doubt the budget has the flex room for a deprivation chamber so this is really the easier route.

School's Out For Summer...

2010-06-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

And if you are me it's been out for way longer than just the last few weeks/days.

The prep and packing for the move and then the chaos swirl of moving, unpacking, new dog, visiting MIL, working away for weeks husband pretty much adds up to a big ol homeschooling FAIL for us.

The kids are doing some basic grammar, math, reading etc. most days but its not consistent and not terribly exciting.

I'm feeling tremendous pressure from myself to get a plan together for this coming year. To see if my slacking has caused them to fall behind in any area. To get my act together. Sadly I just feel completely unable to even figure out a starting point. I have no idea what to do or how I want to do it.

I'm feeling so uninspired with everything. What do you do when you feel like that? How do you figure out a jumping off place to kick start the other ideas?

I'm definitely feeling like a harried homeschooling housewife lately!

A penny for my thoughts

2010-06-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

My blog isn't read by thousands or even hundreds... maybe tens on a good day. I doubt my little opinions, thoughts or whines mean much to anyone but it is a place for me to get out the stuff in my head without addressing it to any particular person.

I'm sure by now you have seen footage, read articles and formed opinions on the situation in the Gulf. It IS horrible, no two ways about it. It is a huge environmental disaster and BP has really seemed to screw up every attempt to solve the problem while not being honest about the severity. The impact of this screw up can't even be fully calculated just yet but it is obviously not good.

I am seeing tons of stop all drilling comments and slogans along similar lines. Screaming for alternative fuels.

I am a big supporter in alternative energy, saving the earth and basically not being a wasteful douche. But here is my irritation.... This isn't just about your car or changing a few lightbulbs. Do you have any idea how many products you use daily that contain some form of petroleum? Here are a few...

Ink, Dishwashing liquids, Paint brushes, Telephones,

Toys, Unbreakable dishes, Insecticides, Antiseptics,

Dolls, Car sound insulation, Fishing lures, Deodorant,

Tires, Motorcycle helmets, Linoleum, Sweaters,

Tents, Refrigerator linings, Paint rollers, Floor wax,

Shoes, Electrician's tape, Plastic wood, Model cars,

Glue, Roller-skate wheels, Trash bags, Soap dishes,

Skis, Permanent press clothes, Hand lotion, Clothesline,

Dyes, Soft contact lenses, Shampoo, Panty hose,

Cameras, Food preservatives, Fishing rods, Oil filters,

Combs, Transparent tape, Anesthetics, Upholstery,

Dice, Disposable diapers, TV cabinets, Cassettes,

Mops, Sports car bodies, Salad bowls, House paint,

Purses, Electric blankets, Awnings, Ammonia,

Dresses, Car battery cases, Safety glass, Hair curlers,

Pajamas, Synthetic rubber, VCR tapes. Eyeglasses,

Pillows, Vitamin capsules, Movie film, Ice chests,

Candles, Rubbing alcohol, Loudspeakers, Ice buckets,

Boats, Ice cube trays, Credit cards, Fertilizers,

Crayons, Insect repellent, Water pipes, Toilet seats,

Caulking, Roofing shingles, Fishing boots, Life jackets,

Balloons, Shower curtains, Garden hose, Golf balls,

Curtains, Plywood adhesive, Umbrellas, Detergents,

Milk jugs, Beach umbrellas, Rubber cement, Sun glasses,

Putty, Faucet washers, Cold cream, Bandages,

Tool racks, Antihistamines, Hair coloring, Nail polish,

Slacks, Drinking cups, Guitar strings, False teeth,

Yarn, Petroleum jelly, Toothpaste, Golf bags,

Roofing, Tennis rackets, Toothbrushes, Perfume,

Luggage, Wire insulation, Folding doors, Shoe polish,

Fan belts, Ballpoint pens, Shower doors, Cortisone,

Carpeting, Artificial turf, Heart valves, LP records,

Lipstick, Artificial limbs, Hearing aids, Vaporizers,

Aspirin, Shaving cream, Wading pools, Parachutes

So, are you totally innocent? I doubt it, no one is. Obviously we should make changes and do what we can but blindly bitching about the evil oil companies and workers makes you look at best shortsighted. We don't want them to drill "here", or "there" but we keep buying stuff and using stuff that requires this material. We create the demand they are filling. And unless you live totally off the grid in a fully sustainable lifestyle, which means you most likely would never see this blog, you are part of that demand.

- Michelle (Venus)
*vegetarian
*eco conscious
*wife of an oil industry worker on a natural gas rig

Crafty Spaces

2010-05-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

Many people consider me a crafty person. So if I'm so damn crafty why am I a total blank on how to set up my new craft room?

Well, blank is exactly the right term... I have thoughts, ideas, inklings but I'm just not sure where to start or where to go with it. Plus it needs to be on the cheap.
I'm just unsure so feel free to give me your opinions.

I have the one window pictured and a closet. The room is about 10x10

Swimming Upstream

2010-04-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

I'm really struggling with some issues lately.

I feel like I really don't have anyone to talk to that can understand or advise so I'm on my own. It's so hard to have Chris gone so often... not that I know he could help but you know, he married me so he has to listen to me.

There is so much that I want to accomplish. I feel like I'm on the verge of some big things and I'm just not sure where I'm going to end up... I guess that's part of the adventure.

John Burroughs is totally my man right now.

Leap, and the net will appear.

Full of Potential... or salad

2010-04-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

I can see a glimmer of normalcy on the horizon. Chris will be home Saturday and he is going to finish building the furniture which will get rid of lots of boxes... I swear I hate boxes right now.

Mostly right now my days are spent dealing with The Dude. It is like having a 60+ pound toddler, fun in some ways but holy cow a seriously exhausting amount of work.

I got a new camera and while I really have no clue how to use it I haven't let that stop me. Flowers are, in my opinion, a great practice subject. They don't wiggle, squirm, whine or run away. Those the windy days lately were tricky. lol Here is my nature album of my trying out my new camera.

From Nature

I'm also at a point where I'm finally ready to deal with my weight and eating habits. I haven't had soda in almost a week and no candy/sweets in 3 days (I pigged on Easter). I'm slowly adding in exercise at a level that I can maintain. Once the pool is ready for Summer I will also be swimming daily which I hope helps. Today I was inspired to start a visual food journal. I take a photo of most of my dinners anyway for the veggie blog so why not take it another step. This is for me the ultimate accountability. If I put it in my mouth I have to be willing to share a picture of it with the world. I've thought about making it a separate blog but for now it is just a flickr album, we'll see what happens in a few days/weeks. There are a few earlier pics on there but the full programs starts today April 8.

What I Nom

Ok, it didn't even take a week. I started the blog lol I need to find a new template and pretty it up and add my pics but here is the addy. http://whatinom.blogspot.com/

Randomy Randomness

2010-04-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

I posted this on a msg board last night and thought I'd share it here so I can remember it...

We've been in the house for 18 days.

Day 1, we unloaded the uhaul.
Day 2, Dude got fixed and stayed overnight.
Day 3, Get Dude... less than 2 hours later he's bleeding and has removed his stitches. The vet meets us and takes him back.
Day 4, Dh leaves to go back to work. Get tv/internet
Day 6, Dude comes home... full of crazy.
Day 11, finally get wireless network running, my laptop Dh home around 11pm
Day 12, MIL arrives
Day 13, Dude starts training classes
Day 18, waiting for MIL to leave for airport. Dh leaves in the morning for another week.

Days that weren't listed often went like this....

So here I sit on the morning of Day 19. The Dude is for now quietly playing in the back yard... probably destroying something or chewing on rocks, yep he does that.

I didn't sleep so well last night and I'm the only one awake so far, it's kinda nice to have these moments to collect my thoughts and prepare for the day.

My number one goal for the next few days is to regain some kind of routine. I really haven't had a chance to settle in even though it has been almost 3 weeks. I do not like being in limbo, my friends know this and constantly point it out... thanks. lol We have most of the rest of the furniture that we need but it was delivered yesterday and Chris leaves today so odds are it's not going to be set up in time. Now yes, hear me roar, I guess I could try to put the computer desk and bookcases together but let's get real here and realize that I'm probably NOT going to do that.

I'm going to focus on getting into my kitchen and cooking meals, getting the kids back to bed at decent hours, working on Dude's training.

Eventually, I know everything will be set up and ready and the house will be settled. I just wish it was sooner.

Home Sweet Home

2010-03-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

*deep sigh* The worst is over, I think.

We have moved, it is officially over... all of our stuff is here and we've closed on the house. We need a few big pieces so we can finish unpacking (bookcases, entertainment center, etc).

The house is amazing, which we knew. It is 20 years old so of course it needs some work but we expected that.

Thursday 3/25, My mother in law is flying out for a week so the new routine will have to wait until April 1. I need to get back on track with a lot of things... cooking, blogging, school, crafts. I feel too up in the air with all of this recent upheaval. I need my constants to ground me and make me feel centered. I will get up and clean the kitchen in the morning and that is one of my most zen moments of the day... I want, no, I NEED more of those.

Run, Venus, Run

2010-03-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

I love my life. I have an amazing family.

I try very hard to be a good mom. To fulfill all my obligations to the best of my ability. To learn and grow in ways that will make my family and house happier. I'm moving ever closer to a more simple, eco-aware, homesteading kind of life and that is a major goal of mine.

But sometimes, like now, I fantasize about running away. Just for a day... not forever. Just a day of no one else in my head, no thoughts of what anyone needs or mentally mapping where all my little ducks are at the moment.

Just one day, one night of freedom. Of being blissfully selfish.

And while those thoughts are still there under the surface, like a dream. One of my kids will make me laugh so hard that I can't catch my breath. Or do something so sweet and genuine that I can feel my heart actually ache with love for the people they are and I know there is no where else I'd rather be.

Sometimes, being "free" isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Holy Tight Schedule, Batman

2010-02-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

I've just really looked at our timeline...

In 14 days we close on the house.

In 15 days we pick up the uhaul and load it.

In 16 days we drive out and start unloading.

In 17 days we finish unload (if needed) and drop off the uhaul and are officially living in TX.

Not one box packed still and I have no clue what all I need to do! LOL

It's all going to be ok.

2010-02-18T11:46:00.000-08:00

I feel very frazzled lately. I'm not blogging because I don't like or want to be a mopey Debbie Downer blogger.

I've been feeling more and more stress and irritation lately. This is hard... Life is hard! Being a grown up and moving forward and doing great fulfilling things is HARD!

But good. It is all good. And this stress is temporary for soon another stress is going to take it's place. I need to stop allowing the stress and drama to pull me down. I do not have to choose to let these feelings rule my day.

I'm focusing on the positives and just how amazing my life is. I have the best friends, both online and off, in the world. I have awesome kids that make my life better in every way, even when they are being snotty. I have a husband that has dedicated his life to making me happy and his hard work allows me to stay home and teach our children, follow my creative passions and is the sole reason we are soon moving to a beautiful new home.

Life is Good and I am lucky and appreciative.

Stress, you can go Suck It! because I'm over letting you run the show.

Menu Planning Blues

2010-01-28T13:20:00.000-08:00

Some weeks its so easy and other weeks it is torture... guess which this is. lol This what I have so far. Our weeks are so weird with Chris coming home and leaving on Wed/Thur so I try to do easier stuff when he is gone and it's just the kids and I. I should start planning a full 14 day home/away meal rotation. That's a great goal but I just need to get through the next few days.

Fri - Pizza - yes the frozen not healthy kind, whatever lol
Sat - Red Beans and Rice
Sun - Broc Cheese Soup
Mon - My Anniversary, I refuse to cook
Tue - Taco Salad
Wed - Pasta with Garlic White Sauce
Thu - hmm? leftovers? fend for yourself and have cereal for all I care?
Fri - Crock Pot Chili
Yea, Good enough.

Feeling the stress

2010-01-23T10:55:00.000-08:00

Stress, for me at least, isn't just a vague panicky feeling. It is a physical manifestation... I FEEL it in my body. I feel it up my back. The unpleasant tingle of tightening muscles, of raw nerves.

This process, this stress, of buying a home. Of getting paperwork in order, waiting for inspections, waiting to see what the seller will agree to fix... waiting waiting waiting.

Secure the loan... open up your bank account, your educational history, a million little details that supposedly tell them all they need to know about who and what we are. All they need to know to decide our future.

I feel like a scientific specimen. Flayed open, tiny pokes, constant prodding. Organs, thoughts, actions.. the minutiae of my life held up and inspected.

Soon this roller coaster will stop and with luck we will have the house of our dreams. And while I anxiously long for that reward I cannot say I'm enjoying the ride.

Oh Happy Day!

2010-01-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

The seller has accepted our offer. We have an executed contract!

The home inspection is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I'm super anxious and excited.

I know this really isn't news for anyone but I felt like I still needed to blog about it. This is such a HUGE moment for us. This spring I will be living in my very own home. I'm already thinking about where to put the furniture and reading books on composting and urban gardening.

This is honestly one of our biggest dreams come true.

12 of 12 January

2010-01-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

It is January 12 so it is time for 12 of 12. My friend Brian does this a lot and I always mean to do it but never quite make it work. But I did it!

Here we go

1. First thing I see in the morning... see the layer of dust lol

2. I really like it so far and I've just started.

3. My tags and biz cards arrived from Vistaprint today. woot

4. It was my day to update the veggie blog.

5. On the road

6. Mr. Men, Little Miss toys LOVE these

7. Main library building with weird art thingy in front.

8. Mancala

9. Yum!

10. Belly rub time

11. Yea, just some of that healthy vegetarian eating. lol

12. Evil kitty that can't sit in my lap she wants to be on my chest, up in my face.

And the search continues

2010-01-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

Buying a house is a total emotional roller coaster. I'm already feeling the effects and we've barely started the process.

I realized last night that I was not at all being honest with myself. I was getting stars in my eyes over updated baths and double ovens. But the fact is we live a certain life in our home and the space has to support that or we... I will end up hating that house in a few years and I so do not want that.

Because we homeschool, I have a home business and my husband is home every other week for 7 days we must have not only a certain amount of space but it also has to be arranged right to be useful to us. A giant living room looks great at first but once it's covered in school books and crafty bits because we have no where else to work, it's not going to seem so awesome.

So we are still searching, but maybe with a bit more of a realistic eye. The right space first, cosmetic updates second most important. We have years to make this house a home and we can tackle projects one at a time until it is perfect.

New Year, New Projects

2010-01-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

So my friend Empress asked me to join her in starting a vegetarian blog that seemed more real life... no perfect kitchens and blingy cameras. I was totally on board and this was what we ended up with...

The Real Mom's Vegetarian Starter Kit

Recipes, reviews, handy tips and stories from the trenches of picky kids, pickier husbands, successful meals and total disasters.

And I've decided to try the 365project... again! Last year I failed but I have a good feeling about 2010. You should join me!

Venus 365

Resolutions

2010-01-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

Oh, why not... what's it going to hurt.

1. Lose weight, I think this one is a required resolution.
2. Read 50 books, at least 5 of those being never before read classics.
3. Get my new house set up and start a garden and composting.
4. Make at least one new vegetarian recipe each month.
5. After the move, find a local shop to carry some of my toys or attend at least one craft show.

I am very much looking forward to what this new year has in store. I hope you all have a wonderful new year.

Christmas and looking ahead

2009-12-25T20:31:00.000-08:00

Another Dec survived!

Ok so I know we have a few more days but really doesn't Christmas feel like the end of December to everyone? That extra week is just a formality because as soon as you open those gifts, if you are anything like me, you start thinking about de-Christmas-izing your house and plans for New Year's Eve and of course all the big things you are going to do in the next year.

2010... This is going to be a biggie for me personally. My son will turn 14, just one year away from legal (with an adult) driving. My sweet sweet baby girl will turn TEN! And the biggest of the bigs is that we will be buying a house and moving... hopefully for the last time ever!

I want to set down roots and plant things that I will see grow. I want a place that my kids can call home, and this apartment is not going to work for that. The first week of Jan we are going to contact our realtor and lender and see where we stand and get this ball rolling along. :)

But more of that in the weeks to come...

I hope you had a great holiday no matter what you celebrate. I'm sure most of you have seen them so I'll just put a link to the pictures in case you missed them. Enjoy your last few days of 2009, make them count.

Christmas Kids 2009

Making pasta is kinda hard

2009-12-20T20:53:00.000-08:00

I did it on my own with no helpful tips or anyone to tell me how wrong I was doing it. And I don't (yet) have pasta machine so they are ugly, I know, but the taste was AWESOME.

Homemade Spinach Ravioli with Alfredo Sauce

I would like to practice more with pasta... having actual counter space in my kitchen would be a great start. Feel free to share any pasta tips or links to pasta machines you love. ;)

Peanut Buttery Goodness

2009-12-19T17:35:00.000-08:00

Buckeyes are a gift from the dessert gods... they are simply AMAZING!

There would be holiday mutiny if I did not make them so that's what I did today. I thought I'd give you a little pictorial. Here is the recipe I use... Buckeyes

Get your ingredients ready:

Here is your pb dough:

Roll your little balls and place them on wax paper then stab them right in the head:

You have to freeze your pb balls then melt your chocolate

Dip your frozen balls into the chocolate, chill to set then ENJOY!

And we had "rat-patootie" for dinner. My kids refuse to use the real name thanks to Disney's Ratatouille movie. lol

Dinner: Partial FAIL

2009-12-18T19:47:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had falafel and tabbouleh, both from mixes I found in the greek grocery.

The falafel was fine, the tabbouleh not so much.. no, not so much at ALL. A photo...

So it's almost Christmas, and then almost 2010... where does the time go? Not just "wow that year flew by" but 2010, holy crap!!! I swear as a kid I thought we were going to be living like The Jetsons by the year 2010 but here I sit with no jet pack or flying family car.

I'm getting the last of our holiday stuff tomorrow and I dread the stores but I will survive and of course bring back any crazy stories.

Holiday Greetings

2009-12-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

My sweet girl at our homeschool holiday party.

New blog home

2009-12-15T21:22:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the new year... seems fitting.

I've imported all my old posts but since I'm no longer really a fiber goddess and I don't blog about knitting I figured it was finally time for a change. Enjoy the new digs and make yourself comfy. :)

Calling all cooks...

2009-12-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

That hummus was HORRIBLE... maybe the garlic?

If was just off, flat... not right.

Do you have a hummus recipe that you love? Please Share

Well that's a new twist

2009-12-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

Cooking when you can't smell or taste (except for super strong odor/flavor) is really hard.

so I made hummus today and I have NO idea what it taste like. lol But here is the process with a basic recipe that can be turned into any flavor you prefer.

I started with dry beans and an over night soak then cooking the chick peas. Once you have that done you can start. Or you can just buy canned, whatever works.

2 c chick peas (garbanzo beans)
3 cloves garlic, minched
3 T lemon juice
1/4 c water
3 T tahini
1/2 - 1 t cumin
1/2 t paprika

Step 1: Place cooked chick peas in your food processor with garlic lemon juice and water process for about a minute, until smooth. If too thick, add more water.

Step 2: Add spices

Step 3: Add tahini

Step 4: Adjust to your taste and Viola!

GERMS!

2009-12-06T15:32:00.000-08:00

gah, we've been under attack this past week. The evil head cold has kicked my butt so the cooking thing has pretty much not happened. It's been all easy meals and clean out the fridge nights.

This is a great easy meal, so easy the kids or your husband could do it. ;) I kid, I kid. lol But it's really easy peasy. this is a great option if you are off pasta/carbs.

Spaghetti Squash

cut in half lengthwise, scrape seeds, bake cut side down for 30-45 min @ 350. Scrape threads, add sauce and fresh parm. cheese and enjoy.

So fresh you wanna smack it

2009-12-02T20:32:00.000-08:00

Today's dinner that is... Fresh corn chowder.

Kid requests for next time... less corn, puree more of the soup and less jalapeno (they are heat wussies I only used one). But they ate without real complaints because they knew this was waiting...

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-trifle/Detail.aspx

Today was made of yuck

2009-12-01T18:09:00.000-08:00

I am a southern girl... I was born in the south and I've always lived here. I do not enjoy cold, windy, rainy days... at ALL! But that is what I got today and I had to go out in it multiple times.

My daughter, Teagan, is not feeling well so she couldn't go with me and had to stay home with the 13yo. Here she is later in the day hamming up the pitiful while

drinking her tea.

A head cold never looked so cute.

As far as food, it was basically meat free fast food.
Total crap comfort food otherwise known as Cincinnati Chili

Here is how I ended the day

homemade hot chocolate. yes my oversized mug says Princess... you gotta problem with that?

Lazy Dinner

2009-11-30T16:42:00.000-08:00

ok so tonight was not very exciting. just a simple breakfast.

pancakes
home fries - SO GOOD!
morning star maple flavored sausages - I personally do not want to use lots of "fake" meats but sometimes it's just easy and I'm not above it at all. lol

Meat Free Mania

2009-11-29T17:03:00.000-08:00

We are now a meat free house but its kinda complicated.

Ok if you read in order you just read about my internal organs trying to mutiny. Well I'm not cool with that so I made a pretty drastic decision... NO MORE MEAT for me or soda or fast food (at least for the most part, I'm not going to be a militant weirdo that freaks if you get a french fry near me).

So my daughter has been a veggie for almost a year and I figured that even if I did get my gb taken out you have to change your diet so I might as well try to change my diet now because what do I have to lose... Well Chris took it one step further and decided the whole house should go veggie. He will not be fully veg when he is on the rig because it is really too hard at this point but all the meals I make are veggie or vegan.

Going to share our faves and not so faves here. :) so expect lots of food posts in the future.

Red Bean Burgers

So good! I just made another batch for the freezer but actually made 12 patties instead of 6 because they were so huge you could barely finish one.

Mock Tuna Salad

tuna melts

eh... still working on this. won't call it a miss just yet but it needs some doctoring

Thanksgiving

Not even a full month between posts

2009-11-29T16:37:00.000-08:00

I'm getting better. ;)

Ok so... lets see what I have to catch you up on.

I had a bad gall bladder attach on the 14th, it lasted about 3.5 hours and it sucked wind! But I survived and the next day (the 15th) I got up and felt better... until round 2 started! I've never had back to back attacks like that and it was horrible. I know, I know... you are screaming GO TO THE DR AND GET IT CUT OUT YOU FOOL! right about now but I refuse for a few reasons.

1) I don't want to lose any organs until I really have to.
2) Lots of people have side effects from removing the gb
3) You can still have problems with gall stones even if you remove the gb.

To make matters more fun, on the day of my 2nd attack I had to go to the grocery store because the boy had a stomach bug and it was not pretty. Neither was me walking through the store hunched over and shuffling. lol

on the 16th I turned 34! and the boy was better but still tired and the girl got the bug... GAH. and I was off solid food trying to baby my gall bladder. And of course, did I mention that Chris was working in Texas through all of this. Sigh

There has been another huge change but I'm going to give that it's own entry...

Halloween

2009-11-08T14:46:00.000-08:00

How cute were we. :D

Teagan's hair went a little flat but it started off super cute and she got new glasses.
h

Have a fling!

2009-09-20T19:32:00.000-07:00

One of my coolest friends is having a big Fall Fling Sale!!

http://tastyjewelry.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-fling-sale.html

She makes the most awesome stuff, you must go grab something... or lots of somethings!

Go get 40% off!

There is NO excuse for my behavior.

2009-08-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

It was June when I last updated... seriously?

Let's see. We had a Teagan birthday

the rest of the pics are here... http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsvenus/sets/72157621702460697/

New school year started

We've adjusted our activities a bit, now we are doing... Cam = golf lessons, Teagan = Girl Scouts, Both = Chess, Bowling.

All of the curlies in my family have given up shampoo, you can read a bit about that and see our updates here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsvenus/sets/72157621708652510/ I might do a whole post about this in the near future.

I've made a few toys but mainly goofed off on facebook. :D

Inability to deal with stress

2009-06-06T18:22:00.000-07:00

It is interesting to be faced with a flaw we didn't realize we had. I tend to thing I'm a fairly strong, stoic person. Can you say DENIAL? I know you could.

Man it stings to be so wrong. I haven't even had that bad of a day. This is how it all went down...

Hit the grocery store which is always kinda tiring, IMO.

Had to drop the hammer on the kids for constantly breaking the rules. I hated that. I hate feeling like the bad guy even when they basically drove me to the bad guy store and bought the outfit for me. Then after they were in for the night they tried to weasel more perks out of me. ARGH!

The dog barking at everything, every knock, every movement out the window... it HAS to stop. Her bark is brain piercing and sets me on edge faster than anything.

I got my first two orders through my new site. YAY! But then... "omg I have to do 6 toys and find the right socks for them and have them perfect" set in and I started feeling overwhelmed.

Chris will be home in 24 hours and the house needs to be cleaned and organized. And then I start feeling panicky about all the stuff we have to get done during the times he is home. And he is really tired when he is home so I often feel like his weeks home, which I first thought would be like time off for me, are even more stressful than the weeks he is gone.

The dog is STILL not figuring out the house training thing. I do not think she gives a shit. If we manage to get her out when she feels like going that's fine but if not it doesn;t bother her to go right on the floor. She esp. can't be trusted near carpet. So we are "tomato staking" her right now... leash on and with a person 24/7 or crated. So I go in my room and Teagan had her leash on the doorknob, went to get water and left her alone on my carpet... yep you guessed it. At least it was only pee.

That was my last straw, I was on the phone with Chris and I yelled at the kids and dog (BAD MOM!) and shut myself in my room and got all teary. Yes, there are some um, hormone issues going on right now too but seriously I HATE that I am this shakable. Ugh, it may well be time for happy pills because I'm not sure how I will do when/if the time comes that Chris isn't just gone for 7 days but maybe 14 or 28.

Now I have to try to find some bit of happy and perky and get ready to do INUIY in 2 hours. Or at least tap into the bitchy side of it all instead of the whiny. lol

I'm so bad lately!

2009-05-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

We've been busy busy busy.

I've been planning the new school year and I'm almost ready for the purchase part. That is always the most exciting (and often nerve wracking) part of the school year. And then the boxes start arriving and you get to go buy new school supplies... sigh, it is just bliss.

Or, I'm a weirdo... that's also possible. lol

Things are going well in Casa de Fibres.

I'm having a website made, that's my big news. WOOHOO! The husband is getting back into the swing of work after the 6 week layoff.

The little found dog's former owners never searched for her as far as I can tell and after seven weeks I am no longer searching for them and I finally feel like she is ours.

We have a moving update... the new plan is to move when our lease is up in November and rent a house there. It's foolish to buy (IMO) without living there for a while anyway and if we have to rent regardless, we might as well rent there and make sure we like it before setting down roots. I will miss the fabulous friends I have made but I guess that's to be expected.

Ok I think that is it for this quick update... I'll be back soon with a link to my brand new website so stay tuned!

Frustration

2009-04-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

We are planning on moving, not sure if I have blogged about that but I think I did. We are moving to TX. We were hoping to move by the end of the year. Our apt lease is up in Nov. and we can go month to month but we would have loved to have that be a short term option. But it seemed like pushing the move until Spring 2010 was more realistic.

Now the time off work is eating our savings and pushing back the prospect of moving even further. It is so frustrating. Our apt is small and at first it seemed fine but as time goes on I swear it feels like the rooms are shrinking in on us. I'm so tired of not having my own washer/dryer, esp. today after having a pukey girl last night. I'm sick of putting quarters in the loaded machines to find out after the fact that they are broken. Ugh so many other little annoyances. I do not know how we can possibly live here for another year, year and a half... TWO?!

I'm so tempted to start researching the rental market in TX and just heading out when our lease expires.

Has it really been THAT long since the last entry?

2009-04-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

Wow, bad blogger indeed!

I've had a bunch of orders. You can head over to Sole Mate Toys to see some of my recent orders.

There is also a long story involving a new addition... The kids found a dog, so far we can't find the owner so she is here at least for now. We are calling her Pepper.

this is the day they found her

After grooming

I've become the mother of a teenager since my last post. Wish me luck.

I ordered some business stuff from vistaprint and I LOVE IT!

And last but not least... my husband has been home since March 16 with no end in sight. This layoff might be the death of me. ;)

My lolcats

2009-03-28T18:35:00.000-07:00

My furry girls.

Would you like to touch my monkey?

2009-03-25T22:16:00.000-07:00

Zombie Monkey

Serious Monkeys

creative energy

2009-03-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

A local real life friend helped me out yesterday. I needed my biz cards tweaked. She is awesome and if you need any graphics work done or website design... or anything you should go to Cara Creates now!

Clint Eastwood is stealing Gorillaz from myspace...

2009-03-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

RULES:

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?

stop me if you think you've heard this one before - the smiths

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

mr.vain - culture beat

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

whoomp! there it is - tag team

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

step on - happy mondays

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?

missing - everything but the girl

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?

i ran - flock of seagulls

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

space oddity - david bowie

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

just like honey- the jesus and mary chain

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

the ballad of peter pumpkinhead - xtc

WHAT IS 2 + 2?

stigmata- ministry

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

nemesis - shriekback

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

yellow - coldplay

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

cannonball - the breeders

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

the hardest button to button - the white stripes

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

good vibrations - marky mark

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

smack my bitch up - prodigy

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

i wanna be adored - the stone roses

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

velouria - the pixies

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

take me out - franz ferdinand

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?

my favorite game - the cardigans

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

relax - frankie goes to hollywood

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?

clint eastwood - gorillaz

SIGH

2009-03-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

Doing my "homework"...

I just wish the actual start of the process wasn't so damn far away. September is when we tentatively decided to get serious and get a lender and agent involved.

Friday 5

2009-03-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

Stranded!
It's the "stranded on a desert island" question! You can only take one thing from each category. What is it and why are you taking it?

1. A food that can be planted and regrown.
2. A person you haven't seen in a long time.
3. A book you (were) read as a child.
4. A celebrity.
5. The entire episode run of a television show (it's a very nice desert island).
(sic)

My Answers...

1. hmmm rice, easy to grow and to cook
2. Angie, she has a green thumb and is pretty resourceful
3. Lord of the Flies
4.Bill Nye or Ed Begley Jr... they are geniuses and can totally hook up our hut.
5.McGuyver.. DUH!

http://community.livejournal.com/thefridayfive/

Productive Day

2009-03-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

getting through the day...

2009-03-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

this helped...

the result...

I have one more turtle to finish for this order.

Irish Eyes

2009-03-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

today can totally...

2009-03-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

nataliedee.com

Happy Pi Day

2009-03-14T12:01:00.000-07:00

too cute not to share

2009-03-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

I guess I shouldn't skip again

2009-03-12T21:03:00.000-07:00

Twice in a row is poor form. I'm working on orders. Last night I went to bed at 9pm with a headache. Tomorrow I'll be back to my usual updating.

Clover and Japanese Plums

2009-03-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

Bridge

2009-03-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

Let the education begin...

2009-03-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

A peaceful moment

2009-03-07T19:51:00.000-08:00

No lizard, Spock options?

2009-03-06T17:04:00.000-08:00

You Are Paper

Crafty and creative, you are able to adapt freely to almost any situation.

People tend to underestimate you, unless they've truly seen what you are capable of.

Deep down, you're always scheming and thinking up new plans. Your mind is constantly active.

You are quite capable of anything you dream of. You can always figure out a way to get what you want.

You can wrap a rock person up in your sheet of trickery.

A scissor person can sneak up and cut you to pieces.

When you fight: No one can anticipate your next move

If someone makes you mad: You'll attack them mercilessly when they're unprepared

Are You Rock, Paper, or Scissors?

It's grass-tastic!

2009-03-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

Divy made this possible

2009-03-04T14:17:00.000-08:00

She sent me these fuzzy socks and I think they make the most awesome monsters! These are Tooth Fairy Pillow monsters, they have a pocket on the back for the tooth/money and they hang on the doorknob to make the Tooth Fairy's job that much easier.

It's about time!

2009-03-03T16:47:00.000-08:00

I finally bought decent scissors. WooHoo!

Rare dragon-cat photographed

2009-03-02T16:27:00.000-08:00

Do not meddle in the affairs of kitties for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.

How I feel about project 365 tonight

2009-03-01T17:39:00.000-08:00

more animals

Last day of February

2009-02-28T17:42:00.000-08:00

So sweet

2009-02-27T12:04:00.000-08:00

Both of my girls are just precious.

A boy and his cat

2009-02-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

the "bad" cat

Teagan now has her own flickr. She is taking, editing and publishing her own photos. She is without a doubt one of the coolest 8 year olds around. http://flickr.com/photos/othercoraline/

Photo of the Day

2009-02-25T17:12:00.000-08:00

What I should be doing...

2009-02-24T15:38:00.000-08:00

I did get some veggies in the freezer before they went south and I watch High School Musical 3 with the girl. I think Mr. Monkey (orange/brown) will be started tonight while I watch a chick flick.

A reading we will go

2009-02-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

Today's reading pile. Fluff books are finished and now I get to start the photog book *clap*

Bonus Post!

2009-02-22T16:26:00.000-08:00

This amuses me SO much!

I found this on Teagan's digi cam. She wrote the song herself ;) get your Dramamine ready but it's worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVFNT-7_570

Azalea heaven

2009-02-22T16:21:00.000-08:00

More pics are on my flickr

It's that time of year again

2009-02-21T14:41:00.000-08:00

Teagan wanted "fancy" hair for the parade... My first attempt at "hair hearts"

OMG I screwed it up

2009-02-20T22:07:00.000-08:00

:( i had such a good run. I just realized it is 12:06 DAMN I missed Friday

I feel like such a cliche

2009-02-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

but I am loving taking pics everyday. I wish I could take a class or something to really learn how to take great shots. I started a new set on flickr for all of my recent nature type shots.

Today's 365 pic

some others...

one of the koi fish in the apt. pond. I am determined to get a better picture of him before we move.

testing out a shot, weird crop because I didn't want the apts. in the frame. I'm going to work on this more because I love the roots and I think I can get a neat image

Showers and Flowers

2009-02-18T14:54:00.000-08:00

My wonderful children

2009-02-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

I took this photo for some family and friends that wanted to see the children and then I decided that I would make it my photo/blog of the day.

I know all parents are biased but I really adore my children. They are two amazing human beings and I feel very fortunate that I get to be their Mom.

Spring is springing in the south

2009-02-16T14:24:00.000-08:00

Heavy pic entry so be warned...

And my new cheap, cute shoes ;)

The weeks of being husband free

2009-02-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

are very lazy... want proof? Exhibit a = dinner

A lovely valentine

2009-02-14T16:28:00.000-08:00

to myself... I ordered these the day before yesterday and they arrived today. It's true love. This is my one cosmetic vice.

Friday the 13th

2009-02-13T11:03:00.000-08:00

but my picture is more like "Child's Play"

Almost perfect

2009-02-12T10:03:00.000-08:00

Who wants to bring over a Corona and join me?

Fresh

2009-02-11T16:31:00.000-08:00

Today I decided that I wanted salsa and guacamole. Did a few errands and hit the produce store... I didn't make the stuff yet but I will either tonight or tomorrow.

Still clicking away

2009-02-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

Project365 is still going well, I haven't missed a day yet and that is absolutely due to having a camera phone, especially during our vacation.

Here was today's shot

Best balls

2009-02-09T21:10:00.000-08:00

yum

I don't have enough

2009-02-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

the last 24 hours... wow

Central Market is a religious experience

2009-02-07T15:42:00.000-08:00

And going during Chocolate Festival is even better... samples everywhere.

the day and the vacation overall has had ups and downs. I wish we could stay longer but tonight is our last night here in TX. We are on the road tomorrow... another 7 hours in the car, yay.

To make matters worse the boy has started puking so... yea this could be fun.

But here is my little veggie posing on a veggie at Central Market this morning.

0206092356.jpg

2009-02-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

0206092356.jpg
Originally uploaded by ItsVenus

How the boys spent their night. It was a great game apparently. Stars won 10-2

feb5

2009-02-05T18:17:00.000-08:00

feb5
Originally uploaded by ItsVenus

It took 7 hours but we are here!

Light reading

2009-02-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

After 12 hours round trip this is going to be me even more than it is currently. *twitch*

Lazy day

2009-02-03T15:57:00.000-08:00

The husband being home is still kind of a weird transition. This week is even more odd because we are driving to Texas this Thursday for a little visit. Our hotel has wi-fi so I should still be able to post.

Teeth

2009-02-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

Just playing around

2009-02-01T16:30:00.000-08:00

The secret is in the....

2009-01-31T11:29:00.000-08:00

Brownie wait, what?

That's right folks. Super special brownies that are totally legal I might add in case you were thinking I would dare do such a thing.

Doesn't that look yummy?

Are you dying to know what the secret is? Ok, Ok I cave... the secret is HERE

Now I'm sure many of you will EWWWWWWWWWWWWW at first but really I pinkie swear you would NEVER know!

It's daughter day

2009-01-30T09:32:00.000-08:00

My artsy shot for project365

And my sweet girl.

LOLfat

2009-01-29T16:46:00.000-08:00