Muffin Monday

Since all the pics I took last night are gone, you get more pics from Saturday night.



You know, when Muffin was being oh so helpful as I scrapbooked...



Although she can be a sweet cat, last night she went to shredding my couch at 12:30. Not amused.



Here's an old pic for you, but look at that face. How could you not love it?

posted from Bloggeroid

Saturday.

Since it's almost 5pm, I think I can sum up my one day off this week... Productive. Work. Success.

We've been put on notice, this is our last day off until after the election. Instead of resting, I have really accomplished some stuff.

Like getting over the stomach bug. Ugh.

Really making a dent in the Christmas orders for Pressed Clovers.



Yes, Christmas has exploded all over my house and glitter is popping up everywhere.

Muffin is helping... Yeah right.



Did I tell you she chewed an entire stack of pages ready to make into two books? Yeah, not a happy mommy.

I installed a new toilet seat I got for my birthday and only dropped the screwdriver in the toilet once.

I halfway swept.

So yeah, I'm ready for a nap but instead plan on working on my books a bit more and maybe making an apple cake. If I jack the air conditioning down far enough, it almost feels like autumn...

Because you haven't seen an Ellie pictures lately, I'll leave you with a picture or two from dinner last night!






Leave me a message and let me know what exciting things you are getting into this weekend! Or a link to your favorite autumnal dish!

posted from Bloggeroid

Thirty Things on Thursday - 10

Today's Question:  Describe your most embarrassing moment. 

I'm not sure what to say here. And I'm not sure if that's because I've had so many embarrassing moments, how do I pick just one? Or because I usually forget them shortly thereafter and therefore can't remember a stand-out pick?

Well, here is one of the more recent ones for your enjoyment. 

Imagine with me a huge important oh-la-la military function.  Hundreds of folks in their fancy dress blues and I'm there supporting my man.  I'm in a black dress with a dramatic low back, hair in a swooped up-do, and we were looking good. 

The first mistake was not reading the directions to the stick-on bra. The second was wearing shoes with non-adjustable heel straps.  So we arrive, we are feeling pretty good, even if my fancy shoes were more like flip flops as I tried to keep the heel straps in place.  We found our table with all my man's supporters - his boss, his boss' boss, and that man's boss and a few other co-workers scattered in there, too. I'm the only gal at the table. 

Before we are all seated, I shuffle to the restroom (trying to keep those shoes ON MY FEET) and attempt to re-stick one side of the stupid bra.  It will NOT stay affixed to the skin on my right side, no matter how much I beg, pray, etc. I shuffle back to the table, holding my right arm tight against my side in an effort to actually keep the bra in place. 

Once it's our turn, we go to get our desired meal for the night and as I'm in line, I feel something shimmer down my bare back. I try to ignore it, but it happens again. Then again at the table... um, yes - that would be my bobby pins falling from the up-do and now littering the floor whenever I go. Not like I'm not enough of a nervous wreck since I have NO idea how to eat at a formal setting and I discovered I've claimed the bread plate of the man sitting next to me ... oops.

Yes, it's a long story.  I'll skip over other parts (like my cheap rhinestone bracelet literally snapping in two and falling off my wrist....or the random inappropriate thing I said to the highest ranking man at the table.) 

Let me say, by the end of the night, I had Picasso boobs as I could no longer hold the evil bra into place and the right side has now slipped down to rest near my right ribs. The cups on those suckers could float a small cat they are so well molded, so it's not like it flattened out with my boob no longer in it. Oh no, it's a perfectly perky boob protruding from the right of my ribs. 

Not until I got in the car did my man ask what the pokey thing was that was jacking up the front of my dress - OH!! That would be the UNDERWIRE which has slipped from the bra and was creating a mini tent at the very top of my dress! Hairpins have escaped every which way, my shoes were worthless... let's just say I was one hot mess. 

And this folks, this was the impression I left on those big wigs in the military. Ahhh... I can't help but laugh. Because heck, what else can you do? 

Thirty Things on Thursday... you are definitely making me relive some GREAT MEMORIES (sarcasm... hahahaha)  Hope ya'll enjoyed it. :) 

Technology

Last night I spoke to a group of college students about registering to vote, what to expect on Election Day and so on. After working all day plus some, I presented starting at 7:30 pm.

Midway through, I saw a flash of light - a camera phone - and then I got nervous. What if someone is recording this, unbeknownst to me, and posting it to You Tube? Are they making fun of me? Will they try to prove what I'm saying is wrong? What will they do with it?

To tell you how paranoid I am, I checked You Tube last night.

You know, it's really frustrating that you have to worry about things like this. Where are the basic manners of people anymore? (not saying this group, heck if I know if they recorded it...but I do know they were taking pictures)

Earlier this week I was sitting in my car in a parking lot, finishing up a phone conversation. I look across at the person parked in from of me, and it seems she's taking my picture. What? I have no idea why or what she would do with it... Maybe make fun of the girl talking in the parking lot. But why? It's not that exciting or entertaining. But you know what, I've seen similar posted on facebook. People don't recognize privacy anymore.

I'll say this about last night's presentation...If I find anything posted online, I will contact the organizer. Not that I will, but it's sad that is a concern to even consider.

Technology...a blessing and a curse.

posted from Bloggeroid

Muffin Monday + Macy!

Mondays are kickin' my butt, let me tell you.  I figure you are in the same boat.  So this morning, let me not only jump start your week with Muffin, the adorable kitten we all love, but also with MACY, who makes everyone smile.  I'm sure you are included in this "everyone."

Muffin is really missing me being at home, I think, and is acting out in bad ways.  Here she is beside my bed (yes, that's a bobby pin in the floor).  She is trying new stunts, like laying beside the bed and making annoying meow noises instead of getting in bed to be petted.  I think she's just trying my patience.

Because my nights are getting later, I really try to visit her in the morning, when she's a happy baby.  Her bib says Keep the Cupcakes Coming.  A girl after my own heart. <3  I love starting my day off with her in the mornings. I think it makes me appreciate my day just a little bit more.

Friday's Letters - 12 ... on Saturday again.

So life has become very hectic as our office is preparing for the 2012 General Election.  You wouldn't believe the work required on the back-end, stuff you'll never see.  This morning, it's stuff 3,000 ballots for those voting by mail. Indeed.

So here is my week, which really went by in a blur:

Dear Lord, thank you for the beautiful scenery you give me.  Sunsets and sunrises, foggy days, cloudy day - they are always so interesting when I actually take the time to stop and look. I appreciate you giving me this little present every time I drive to work.

Dear Macy, I know you are going to be grown three months by the time I get to spend any amount of time with you. So the mornings I get to swing by your house in the morning before work are what keeps me going... and I'm so thankful you are a morning baby and are all giggles, smiles and love in the morning.

Dear "students,"  You make my day when you enjoy my class so much and get excited about working on Election Day. Your enthusiasm for being part of the process - part of history - is very encouraging when I'm tired and thinking I sound like I make no sense. Thanks for keeping me going.

Dear Pressed Clovers customers,  I'm so thankful for you! Another book is flying through the mail system to arrive at a happy Grace's house!  I have a very exciting order to fulfill before December, so I'm looking forward to wrapping up this election and beginning on this new adventure!

Ok, I'm off to get back to work! :)  Thanks for reading!

Thirty Things on Thursday - 9

Keeping up with the Thirty Things ....

Week 9: List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

1. My parents (do they count for two?).  Ok, They count for two. They are awesome. Seriously great parents, consistent when we were kids, they backed each other up, they didn't argue or complain about money in front of us, they supported us in what we wanted to try if they could afford it and they raised us in the Church.  As we became adults, I'm finding out some of the trials they survived and the tough times they had when we were kids and I respect them all that much more.
   
2. My grandmother. She was a very strong woman who kept her 12 kids clothed and fed with little money coming into the house. She was a Christian woman, knew the Bible and hummed hymns in the kitchen. And she never spoke poorly of anyone... she just wouldn't say anything at all. I wish I could be much more like her.
   
3. This might sound silly, but Laura Bush. I have looked up to her since she first came on the scene because she has such poise and grace under any circumstance.  She is someone I've wanted to learn more about and mimic, although I'm nothing like her.
   
4. Paulene.  When I first met Paulene, she was so very shy and quiet. Since that time, she has turned into a mastermind  behind her own Etsy shop, proudly selling her designs on stationary and invitations and doing VERY well at it. She's much more talented than me and confident - she's definitely an inspiration to me that I admire greatly.
   
5. MJ. MJ is very much like Laura Bush, but she's actually someone I know! :)  It's with her support and encouragement I have volunteered in leadership positions and tried for other areas of personal growth. She is a great influence and sports a huge heart.  I'm thankful to have her as my friend and mentor.
   
6. My Ex BF.  We were friends for a million years and I made a very tough decision to let him go so I could move forward.  But make no mistake, he was a huge influence on my life - especially during the three years we dated.  He helped teach me to stand up for myself, to logically present my "case," to debate with the best of them, and he made me feel very beautiful despite being one very chunky monkey.
   
7. Grace.  She and I really butted heads for a while there, and I know me - I didn't change. But one day she did and I can't imagine how difficult that was to do. She is someone I greatly respect now and I'm so glad we are friends! It's a crazy story to look back on, but she is a much bigger person than I am. I have a lot to learn from her.
   
8. Sherry!  Sherry is one of the most unique individuals with a radar for people. She can tune into what the issue is in a blink.  It's amazing. I've turned to her for counsel many times over the years and I respect her opinions. I wish she lived closer, although she probably glad she doesn't so she doesn't have to listen to me as much!
   
9. YOU. You, the bloggers, the commenters, and the readers. I love to see what you are doing, to learn from you and how you handle adversity in life. I've been inspired by your talents, your faith, your positive energy. So thank you for sharing your life with me!
   
10. My parents counted for two! :)

OK. that's a long submission - but there you go. I hope you notice I rarely look up to celebrities and such. I have little time for them. It's the people in my everyday life that I have the greatest appreciation for and look to for their input and direction.