Here's to more Light and Joy to come!
28 December, 2008
03 December, 2008
Who are you judging?
Forewarning: Jew rant! If you aren't Jewish, well, this may not be interesting to you at all. If you are, well, it may be just a little interesting.
I recently came across an interesting post by the descendant of an Anusim on Daas Torah: http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2008/08/descendants-of-marranos-anusim-iii.html
Before I get started here I want to thank Nancy for posting that. Like Nancy, I am also a descendant of Puerto Rican Anusim (on my father's side-so hi! we're cousins!) and Mexican anusim on my mother's side.
Now then, I am pissed off by the responders that took apart her post point by point and 'refuted' it. First, that person does not actually know what they are talking about. ncyid enough to reply to those points, and someone again tried to refute what she had to say. Um, get over yourself? Customs need to be entirely and absolutely Jewish in origin? Stop cutting your son's hair on their 3rd birthday then. Have fun researching the rest of your customs too, you might be surprised. Even horrified! Fun for the whole family!
Second, as someone descended from people who fought and struggled to hold on to who they were, some of whom very recently began to give up only to have people in my generation say "wait! This is important!" how dare anyone question if we should be 'part of the Jewish people', or as another poster put it, although more compassionately, 'rejoin the Jewish people'. Excuse me? Rejoin? If y'all want Rabbinic sanction on us, then make it happen. I'm more than willing to do whatever little dance a rabbi thinks I should do to convince them that, 'yeah, really Jewish!' for the sake of my kids, but dude, treating us like outsiders? Like Gentiles who aren't actually Jewish? Step off. I know who I am, I know who my family is, and I'm going to raise my kids to be PROUD of who they are, thankyouverymuch.
Third, 8 generations of documentation isn't enough for you? Oh really? How far back is your documentation? Where did you get that straight blonde hair? How about those sparkling blue eyes? Don't tell me your bloodline is 'pure' and then tell me and my cousins that having actual written records of where our family comes from that it isn't 'enough' because YOUR rabbis can't agree with each other (Sephardi rabbis FTW!). You want documentation? How about our genealogies. Heck, how about a DNA test? (MtDNA For the win, I did it, you can too!) Makes me wonder how many of my 'accepted' brethren would pass a DNA test? (I'll still accept you! Much love!) I'm not sorry we didn't live in a shtetl, I unashamedly do not teach my son Yiddish (Ladino for us, thanks, bye) and our history and struggles are just as real as any other group of our people. We are Sephardi and PROUD OF IT, so whatever issues you have with having to prove just how Jewish you are, keep them to yourself. You want to change the world? You want to make sure our people don't disappear and that horrific acts like the Holtzbergs deaths mean something? a Jew is a Jew. Accept it, get over it, and figure out how to bring us all together instead of trying your hardest to continue to keep us all apart. Peace out! (Oh yeah, and? PR Jews FTW!!!!!)
Next time: Hanukah! Yay! Much happier ;)
I recently came across an interesting post by the descendant of an Anusim on Daas Torah: http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2008/08/descendants-of-marranos-anusim-iii.html
Before I get started here I want to thank Nancy for posting that. Like Nancy, I am also a descendant of Puerto Rican Anusim (on my father's side-so hi! we're cousins!) and Mexican anusim on my mother's side.
Now then, I am pissed off by the responders that took apart her post point by point and 'refuted' it. First, that person does not actually know what they are talking about. ncyid enough to reply to those points, and someone again tried to refute what she had to say. Um, get over yourself? Customs need to be entirely and absolutely Jewish in origin? Stop cutting your son's hair on their 3rd birthday then. Have fun researching the rest of your customs too, you might be surprised. Even horrified! Fun for the whole family!
Second, as someone descended from people who fought and struggled to hold on to who they were, some of whom very recently began to give up only to have people in my generation say "wait! This is important!" how dare anyone question if we should be 'part of the Jewish people', or as another poster put it, although more compassionately, 'rejoin the Jewish people'. Excuse me? Rejoin? If y'all want Rabbinic sanction on us, then make it happen. I'm more than willing to do whatever little dance a rabbi thinks I should do to convince them that, 'yeah, really Jewish!' for the sake of my kids, but dude, treating us like outsiders? Like Gentiles who aren't actually Jewish? Step off. I know who I am, I know who my family is, and I'm going to raise my kids to be PROUD of who they are, thankyouverymuch.
Third, 8 generations of documentation isn't enough for you? Oh really? How far back is your documentation? Where did you get that straight blonde hair? How about those sparkling blue eyes? Don't tell me your bloodline is 'pure' and then tell me and my cousins that having actual written records of where our family comes from that it isn't 'enough' because YOUR rabbis can't agree with each other (Sephardi rabbis FTW!). You want documentation? How about our genealogies. Heck, how about a DNA test? (MtDNA For the win, I did it, you can too!) Makes me wonder how many of my 'accepted' brethren would pass a DNA test? (I'll still accept you! Much love!) I'm not sorry we didn't live in a shtetl, I unashamedly do not teach my son Yiddish (Ladino for us, thanks, bye) and our history and struggles are just as real as any other group of our people. We are Sephardi and PROUD OF IT, so whatever issues you have with having to prove just how Jewish you are, keep them to yourself. You want to change the world? You want to make sure our people don't disappear and that horrific acts like the Holtzbergs deaths mean something? a Jew is a Jew. Accept it, get over it, and figure out how to bring us all together instead of trying your hardest to continue to keep us all apart. Peace out! (Oh yeah, and? PR Jews FTW!!!!!)
Next time: Hanukah! Yay! Much happier ;)
20 October, 2008
C is reading Twilight...
Me: We have a beautiful son.
C: Yeah. Maybe we should have named him Edward.
Me:...
Me: I am blogging that.
(Side note: He is actually named for his grandfather, Edward. Just not actually Edward. It's a Jewish thing. Also, a confusing thing. As in: "Oh! What an unusual name! Is he named after anyone?" "Yes, his grandfather, Edward." "Oh...um...how?")
C: Yeah. Maybe we should have named him Edward.
Me:...
Me: I am blogging that.
(Side note: He is actually named for his grandfather, Edward. Just not actually Edward. It's a Jewish thing. Also, a confusing thing. As in: "Oh! What an unusual name! Is he named after anyone?" "Yes, his grandfather, Edward." "Oh...um...how?")
20 September, 2008
another commercial
(Scene: watching the Burn Notice season finale. Which was AWESOME.)
C: That's right I keep forgetting he was a navy seal. You know, I don' really think about SEALs as spies.
C: Although, they do have all those commercials that are like "How many men are in this scene. Too late, you're already dead. Sucks to be you. NAVY SEALS."
C: I should totally write commercials or the military.
N: Them and the corn industry.
C: That's right I keep forgetting he was a navy seal. You know, I don' really think about SEALs as spies.
C: Although, they do have all those commercials that are like "How many men are in this scene. Too late, you're already dead. Sucks to be you. NAVY SEALS."
C: I should totally write commercials or the military.
N: Them and the corn industry.
girl talk?
I wrote this in response to a blog on Momformation, and thought it should go here as well. There's girl-talk, and then there is just people-bashing, and I very much feel they are different. I personally work very hard to keep any complaints about my husband very general and minimal, and prefer to vent about the aspect that's making me upset (instead of "Augh, he never does ANYTHING around here!" I go with "Augh, I can't stand this mess!" or "The baby is driving me CRAZY.") I have two reasons for this: 1) so that I am more likely to actually talk to my husband about issues I'm having rather than venting behind his back and 2) Because I remember the exact day my mom went from listening to the other girl scout moms bashing their husbands to actually joining in. Within a year she was miserable, 'trapped', dissatisfied and shrewish, and every week she had new things to complain about to her 'girlfriends'. Oh, and she stopped talking to my dad and starting barking at him instead. The effects on their marriage of her 'harmless venting' has been years of emotional fallout for both my parents and us three children. It shut down communication in the entire family, and they are working hard now to try and open back up to each other after years of nagging, resentment and 'keeping it all in'. I would much rather not wind up in that situation to begin with. Seems to be along the lines of loshon hora?
19 September, 2008
HFCS is, like, TOTALLY ok.
C: I saw another one of those high-fructose corn syrup commercials today.
N: Oh?
C: Yeah, it was like,
lady: look, popsicles.
dude: but, like, high-fructose corn syrup. uh, durrrrr.
lady: yeah, whatever.
dude: waaaah, I'm fat, why didn't you bring enough for me?
N: ...
C: YES!! *drinks root beer*
N: Oh?
C: Yeah, it was like,
lady: look, popsicles.
dude: but, like, high-fructose corn syrup. uh, durrrrr.
lady: yeah, whatever.
dude: waaaah, I'm fat, why didn't you bring enough for me?
N: ...
C: YES!! *drinks root beer*
12 September, 2008
daring bakers, ciao
I am no longer a Daring Baker, unfortunately. Too many issues logging in which meant I have not been able to participate for a while, coupled with my desire to go food shopping a maximum of once a month and some really pricey ingredients (occasionally) mean I am going back to just being an observer. I may try some of the challenges after the fact, but I am cutting out the stresses in my life and when cooking becomes stressful it just causes indigestion. So, go bakers! I enjoy seeing your culinary journeys. I hope to be able to join in again someday.
heading into fall...
Classes start in about two weeks, and for the first time I am taking a class that I care nothing about and one that I am terrified about. Of course, if I would sit down and study instead of surfing the net...or sleeping...I wouldn't be so apprehensive. So, if E stays asleep once I hit publish I will go and do that. Or maybe clean the kitchen.
Our month of no spending made it to almost 2 months of no spending, which was pretty amazing for us. E decided yesterday to break C's phone, unfortunately, and I do mean break, so we went to the mall (augh!) and got him a new one. At least he was eligible for upgrade. Unfortunately, we did not get a free-upgrade phone. Nope, my tech-junkie hubby got an iPhone. Which, granted, is a blast to play with and I lurve it, but still. Not necessary. I also decided that when I upgrade (as my phone has been having issues for quite a while, such as turning off randomly, battery not working, battery not charging, sim card not registering, etc.) I will not be getting an iPhone for myself. I saw a cute little phone I would like instead, and if they have a similar one that is *free* I'll get that. I am waiting until my phone really truly dies though. We also returned to Costco and, amazingly, didn't buy much. Still more than we really needed, but about 1/2 of what we used to buy. Baby steps, indeed. That should be it for a while, it helps to stay away from stores though. Oh, right, C needs shoes. Because his are broken (how does his stuff get broken so fast) and then we are done. Oh, wait, we need to repair his bike. I think we are truly done then? I already know what I am making for gifts for the holidays/birthdays, I just need to get on that. Oh, right, and no-shopping does not apply to food, although really we have so much food that I manage to put it off for over a month each time. We are really blessed.
We are entering phase 2: get rid of all this crap! We were in our friend's nice, almost-empty apartment the other day, and when we came back I said "I'm jealous of A&B's place. C agreed; "yeah, what IS all this crap?" So I am going through and getting rid. Baby stuff has to wait until almost the end of the month; Jellibeanz takes trade-in, so I'll be going there and then whatever they don't take I am donating to Sienna House, which is where I donated my maternity clothes and whatever non-kosher food we get in our food bundles. I am also tempted to give the trade-in voucher to A&B for baby K, but we'll see.
The main problem with our place is my stuff. My craft stuff, actually. I just have so much of it, and it is taking up way too much space. A lot of it is going to become gifts and stuff for my etsy shop (once I sell my patterns I am going to turn it into a real shop) but still, way too much. I realised the other day that I actually detest doing papier-mache, so I recycled all the supplies. This may not seem like much, but I was raised by a packrat daughter of a packrat to be a packrat, and it is HARD to undo that many years of training. Seriously, my grandmother has an apartment full of stuff, and half a house full of stuff. My mom is almost as bad. I am going to get there, but it takes some doing. Ok, a lot of doing. My big problem with getting rid of stuff is finding some place to donate it. Craft supplies, for the most part, I can't recycle, and I know if I can't find a taker it will just go in the trash and I cannot STAND knowing that perfectly usable items are going to the dump. Ugh. Oh right, and all those patterns? (I have rescued close to 400 from going into the garbage) I have decided I am DONE storing them. The truly vintage are going on etsy, the rest I am dividing into manageable bundles of kind and giving them away. Hi, Freecycle! You are my friend! There's a burden off my mind. oh, and several boxes out from under the desk.
When we move, I want it to be simple and fast, and I do not want to be burdened with boxes and boxes of "what is this, and why do we have it?" It's not a good feeling to be wallowing in stuff, and I want to get back to how it was when I first moved out on my own, before my previous 23 years of stuff caught up with me.
Well, I'm going to go work on that a bit more. Or perhaps study. We'll see.
Our month of no spending made it to almost 2 months of no spending, which was pretty amazing for us. E decided yesterday to break C's phone, unfortunately, and I do mean break, so we went to the mall (augh!) and got him a new one. At least he was eligible for upgrade. Unfortunately, we did not get a free-upgrade phone. Nope, my tech-junkie hubby got an iPhone. Which, granted, is a blast to play with and I lurve it, but still. Not necessary. I also decided that when I upgrade (as my phone has been having issues for quite a while, such as turning off randomly, battery not working, battery not charging, sim card not registering, etc.) I will not be getting an iPhone for myself. I saw a cute little phone I would like instead, and if they have a similar one that is *free* I'll get that. I am waiting until my phone really truly dies though. We also returned to Costco and, amazingly, didn't buy much. Still more than we really needed, but about 1/2 of what we used to buy. Baby steps, indeed. That should be it for a while, it helps to stay away from stores though. Oh, right, C needs shoes. Because his are broken (how does his stuff get broken so fast) and then we are done. Oh, wait, we need to repair his bike. I think we are truly done then? I already know what I am making for gifts for the holidays/birthdays, I just need to get on that. Oh, right, and no-shopping does not apply to food, although really we have so much food that I manage to put it off for over a month each time. We are really blessed.
We are entering phase 2: get rid of all this crap! We were in our friend's nice, almost-empty apartment the other day, and when we came back I said "I'm jealous of A&B's place. C agreed; "yeah, what IS all this crap?" So I am going through and getting rid. Baby stuff has to wait until almost the end of the month; Jellibeanz takes trade-in, so I'll be going there and then whatever they don't take I am donating to Sienna House, which is where I donated my maternity clothes and whatever non-kosher food we get in our food bundles. I am also tempted to give the trade-in voucher to A&B for baby K, but we'll see.
The main problem with our place is my stuff. My craft stuff, actually. I just have so much of it, and it is taking up way too much space. A lot of it is going to become gifts and stuff for my etsy shop (once I sell my patterns I am going to turn it into a real shop) but still, way too much. I realised the other day that I actually detest doing papier-mache, so I recycled all the supplies. This may not seem like much, but I was raised by a packrat daughter of a packrat to be a packrat, and it is HARD to undo that many years of training. Seriously, my grandmother has an apartment full of stuff, and half a house full of stuff. My mom is almost as bad. I am going to get there, but it takes some doing. Ok, a lot of doing. My big problem with getting rid of stuff is finding some place to donate it. Craft supplies, for the most part, I can't recycle, and I know if I can't find a taker it will just go in the trash and I cannot STAND knowing that perfectly usable items are going to the dump. Ugh. Oh right, and all those patterns? (I have rescued close to 400 from going into the garbage) I have decided I am DONE storing them. The truly vintage are going on etsy, the rest I am dividing into manageable bundles of kind and giving them away. Hi, Freecycle! You are my friend! There's a burden off my mind. oh, and several boxes out from under the desk.
When we move, I want it to be simple and fast, and I do not want to be burdened with boxes and boxes of "what is this, and why do we have it?" It's not a good feeling to be wallowing in stuff, and I want to get back to how it was when I first moved out on my own, before my previous 23 years of stuff caught up with me.
Well, I'm going to go work on that a bit more. Or perhaps study. We'll see.
06 September, 2008
out of context
Both from C:
"Quick, go nice some more bacon out of him." (MySims)
"Apparently, all crabs secretly look like fingers." (Fingerpuppet)
An update that makes sense soon,I promise.
"Quick, go nice some more bacon out of him." (MySims)
"Apparently, all crabs secretly look like fingers." (Fingerpuppet)
An update that makes sense soon,I promise.
04 September, 2008
happy birthday, little guy!
Wow. One year. That's just amazing. Beyond amazing. and you, E, are a complete nut. You started this life with your eyes wide open, wanting to know, and that hasn't changed for a second.
I can't wait to see what this next year brings us. I love you, baby boy.
04 August, 2008
14 July, 2008
happy birthday to me
For my birthday I slept in. Ok, I got up at 6am to deal with a diaper, and THEN I slept in, until around 9:30. bliss!
Then, C took me here:
It's the Well Within Spa, and it is fantastic. I got an hour in the hot tub, and then 2 hours of massage, facial and scalp treatment.
Then we met my parents and sisters at the Laughing Monkey Cafe for lunch. Dad and I were the only ones who enjoyed the meal, but that's ok. I think I'll be going back for their samosas. delicious!
I was dazed for the rest of the day. I finally recovered just in time to go to bed. Best Birthday Ever.
Now it's back to the real world, and the realisation that our rent is late. oops. c'est la vie!
Then, C took me here:
It's the Well Within Spa, and it is fantastic. I got an hour in the hot tub, and then 2 hours of massage, facial and scalp treatment.
Then we met my parents and sisters at the Laughing Monkey Cafe for lunch. Dad and I were the only ones who enjoyed the meal, but that's ok. I think I'll be going back for their samosas. delicious!
I was dazed for the rest of the day. I finally recovered just in time to go to bed. Best Birthday Ever.
Now it's back to the real world, and the realisation that our rent is late. oops. c'est la vie!
04 July, 2008
10 months, and Happy 4th!
Since all the fireworks displays around here have been cancelled (fires and such) we went over to Gilroy and had a little backyard bbq with my parents. It was really, really nice. E played with the little inflatable pool, but didn't go in as it was already too cold, and then we watched the fireworks from around the fire dish. Even the traffic driving home was nice!
20 June, 2008
jumping back in...eventually
Wow, things have been a bit crazy around here! E has 6 teeth now and can crawl, we had Mother's Day and Father's Day, graduations were last week, I switched my minor from East Asian Studies to History, passed my Japanese class and got an A in my Ling class (despite the prof...ugh...I'll tell you later), applied for a year extension at part-time, which I am waiting for approval on, had The Final Garage Sale with my mum...except that after clearing out all the garage sale things there is still a garage full of more things (who knew they were so densely packed? Besides the termites, that is), so we may have a ...denouement garage sale? In addition, 3 very large fires all within 10 miles of us all within the last few weeks have added to the festivities (including the one burning right this moment set by some idiot motorized arsonist). Anyhoo, going to get back into the swing of things with posts soon, as well as actually publishing a few I have already done and waiting for photos. Main comp is still down, so I am making due with the laptop. This means download pic, edit pic, move over to external hardrive so that my laptop can still function. stupid Windows. I'll be back soon!
04 June, 2008
oooooh, a meeeeeeme
Whilst browsing today, I saw a meme and decided, hey, why not? I have 5 minutes to kill before jumping on a bus, so here goes:
it's about me me me me meme
Now if you really want to know...
what was I doing ten years ago 1998
I was still being homeschooled; or rather, reading and studying whatever I wanted. I as taking a few courses over at the community college, probably theatre, perhaps tennis, maybe the anthropology course? I was going up the line in Rainbow, moderately involved with youth group (this may have been the year I went to Mexico? seems right.)
5 things on my to-do list today
-babysit Dovid and Feiga
-finish cleaning up the bedroom
-study for my Japanese oral final
-do some laundry (esp. those diapers!)
-actually sleep
snacks I enjoy
-queso fresco+guava paste
-cashews
-crunchy dill pickles
-gefilte + olive dip
-grapes
things I would do if I were a billionnaire
-travel
-get a nice little house
-pay for my siblings to go to college
-buy my dad a little plane :)
places I have lived
San Juan, Puerto Rico - Estate Tiperary, St. Croix - Corpus Christi, TX - Gilroy, CA - Ingleside, TX - Port Aransas, TX - Edinburg, TX - Sacramento, CA - Arcadia, CA - Santa Cruz, CA
6 people I would like to know more about?
I already feel like a voyeur as it is, but I suppose mostly relatives that I didn't get to learn much about. My Bibita, my great grandmothers and grandfathers, my grandfathers...I suppose that's already more than 6 :)
it's about me me me me meme
Now if you really want to know...
what was I doing ten years ago 1998
I was still being homeschooled; or rather, reading and studying whatever I wanted. I as taking a few courses over at the community college, probably theatre, perhaps tennis, maybe the anthropology course? I was going up the line in Rainbow, moderately involved with youth group (this may have been the year I went to Mexico? seems right.)
5 things on my to-do list today
-babysit Dovid and Feiga
-finish cleaning up the bedroom
-study for my Japanese oral final
-do some laundry (esp. those diapers!)
-actually sleep
snacks I enjoy
-queso fresco+guava paste
-cashews
-crunchy dill pickles
-gefilte + olive dip
-grapes
things I would do if I were a billionnaire
-travel
-get a nice little house
-pay for my siblings to go to college
-buy my dad a little plane :)
places I have lived
San Juan, Puerto Rico - Estate Tiperary, St. Croix - Corpus Christi, TX - Gilroy, CA - Ingleside, TX - Port Aransas, TX - Edinburg, TX - Sacramento, CA - Arcadia, CA - Santa Cruz, CA
6 people I would like to know more about?
I already feel like a voyeur as it is, but I suppose mostly relatives that I didn't get to learn much about. My Bibita, my great grandmothers and grandfathers, my grandfathers...I suppose that's already more than 6 :)
04 May, 2008
29 April, 2008
Daring Bakers:April
I did make the cheesecake pops, and they were FANTASTIC, but I made them back around the 12th and my main computer promptly died so I don't have any pics right now. Gah. Once I get a card reader I'll upload my bouquet-o-cheesecake pictures, but in the meantime I am going to make some more for a bbq coming up, since they were a hit with the neighbours and at Avi's going-away-to-Israel-again party. :) So good.
Hooray! I finally just got out the card reader for the laptop, as the main one is still defunct. Here is that pic of those yummy, yummy pops! DL and I are going to make them for Shavuot. whoo hoo!
Hooray! I finally just got out the card reader for the laptop, as the main one is still defunct. Here is that pic of those yummy, yummy pops! DL and I are going to make them for Shavuot. whoo hoo!
21 April, 2008
Pesach!
I've just been plugging along, 1/3 of the way through the quarter and I passed my first Japanese test, have been engaged in very productive family therapy, and went to two seders. It's been intense, but really great. Too bad I don't have time for much else!
04 April, 2008
30 March, 2008
Dar ing bakers challenge!
This month the challenge was a party cake by Dorie :)
I did a small variation on the layer cake requirement. I made a mini layer cake. I made cupcakes, sliced and stacked them to make an itty-bitty layer cake. It was ok, but I put way too much alcohol in the frosting. I'll explain later. :)
:update time!: So, the issue with 'too much alcohol' was I made the frosting out of confectioner's sugar, cocoa and alcohol. It was barely spreadable, so I added 'just a little more' alcohol. It was definitely spreadable. Instead of just adding more sugar to it I went ahead and poured it over my cake. The taste was great, but those fumes were amazing. It was like chewing a shot. Just a little overpowering, to say the least. Good thing it was such a small cupcake! I ate the rest of the cupcakes for breakfast with a little butter; they were delicious.
27 March, 2008
Apron Swap
I'm going to start putting up my backlog of posts; maybe I should post without the pictures from now on? We'll see.
Anyhow, for my very first Swap-Bot swap I joined the Flirty Apron Swap. It was a lot of fun, actually, and I got to try out some new stitch functions on my machine. :) My partner was Heather, and since she seemed to enjoy retro styling I got to choose between some vintage-reprint fabrics I had culled from the remnants bin at Hart's. I settled on this kitchy print for the pockets and front waistband. For the main fabric I used a pretty swirly yellow, and then I decided to back it with blue, to make it a little more 'protective' of clothing. I'm afraid it may be too heavy. Anyhow, did some edging with red, added a 'flirty' ruffle and sent it off. I hope it's flirty. C said "hubba hubba" when I tried it on, but who knows. ;)
Anyhow, for my very first Swap-Bot swap I joined the Flirty Apron Swap. It was a lot of fun, actually, and I got to try out some new stitch functions on my machine. :) My partner was Heather, and since she seemed to enjoy retro styling I got to choose between some vintage-reprint fabrics I had culled from the remnants bin at Hart's. I settled on this kitchy print for the pockets and front waistband. For the main fabric I used a pretty swirly yellow, and then I decided to back it with blue, to make it a little more 'protective' of clothing. I'm afraid it may be too heavy. Anyhow, did some edging with red, added a 'flirty' ruffle and sent it off. I hope it's flirty. C said "hubba hubba" when I tried it on, but who knows. ;)
20 March, 2008
Finger Puppet Swap
This one was fun! My partner said she liked bat wings, but not pastels, and has a toddler girl, so I hope they like these!
I took a sock of mine (I don't want to say 'old sock' because that sounds worn-out and grimy; this was a 'formerly worn' sock.) and sewed the basic shapes out of one top, using the original cuff for the bottoms.
I left enough room for fingers and then sewed them off to be fat little bean-like monsters.
One of them I embroidered little horns on the back of the head; they look a bit like eyes though. :)
I really love them; I think I may make more, and they can keep K's monsters company.
I took a sock of mine (I don't want to say 'old sock' because that sounds worn-out and grimy; this was a 'formerly worn' sock.) and sewed the basic shapes out of one top, using the original cuff for the bottoms.
I left enough room for fingers and then sewed them off to be fat little bean-like monsters.
One of them I embroidered little horns on the back of the head; they look a bit like eyes though. :)
I really love them; I think I may make more, and they can keep K's monsters company.
04 March, 2008
26 February, 2008
happy!
I forgot about this happy little potato from last year. It was the last one in the bag, and it just looked so cheerful about finally getting cooked!
25 February, 2008
overalls
I finished these quite a while ago; I've actually almost finished one other pair and there are 3 more cut and waiting for my machine, but I really love these and E has just grown into them (they were the size small! How is 9-mo-size range small in an infant pattern?) so here's a pic! Hopefully, more to come.
Oh, and I ordered a new machine. Because I deserve it. Also? The QUOTE for repairs on my other machine won't be ready for another week. Just the quote, not the repairs. Are you kidding me?
20 February, 2008
wine box into makeup box
My mom had an old wooden wine gift box that she gave me to stash my utility knives in. Except they didn't fit correctly. However, I did just order some new supplies from E.L.F., and I realised that the new brushes kit would fit perfectly in the 'neck' portion of the box. So I recovered the top with some contact paper to match my decor...
Then I took out the wooden 'neck' holder and flipped it upside down, just to better define that smaller area. I nailed a piece of elastic across the inside top, and then used packing tape to create a little 'box' across the lower 1/4 of the top, so all those little doodads wouldn't fall down every time I shut the lid.
I think it worked out pretty great! All the tools are in the small area, except for lip brushes, which are up above with the lip sticks, and the eyeshadow brushes, which are up with the eyeliners and such. In the main area I have all my compacts, powders, foundation, etc. Next I'm trying ot find my roll of sticky-backed magnet tape, so I can repurpose an altoid tin to house some leftover makeup samples that don't have any sort of case.
Oh, and I still need a box for those knives. Easily accessible razors+increasingly mobile infant=very bad.
Then I took out the wooden 'neck' holder and flipped it upside down, just to better define that smaller area. I nailed a piece of elastic across the inside top, and then used packing tape to create a little 'box' across the lower 1/4 of the top, so all those little doodads wouldn't fall down every time I shut the lid.
I think it worked out pretty great! All the tools are in the small area, except for lip brushes, which are up above with the lip sticks, and the eyeshadow brushes, which are up with the eyeliners and such. In the main area I have all my compacts, powders, foundation, etc. Next I'm trying ot find my roll of sticky-backed magnet tape, so I can repurpose an altoid tin to house some leftover makeup samples that don't have any sort of case.
Oh, and I still need a box for those knives. Easily accessible razors+increasingly mobile infant=very bad.
18 February, 2008
A success!
Yesterday I drove on over to Gilroy and was quite productive. First I borrowed Dad and picked up a convertible crib, which matches all the other furniture we have for E, and it is very cute and the family that sold it was also very cute and I am very happy. The only problem is I had to choose between driving home with the crib or with E, so the crib is still in Gilroy :)
Second, turns out K found the family pattern stash and wanted to toss it all in the recycling! So I claimed it instead. I am keeping a few for myself, and the rest I'll probably put up on Etsy for a couple bucks a piece. 2/3 are from the 80s, 1/3 from the 70s, so it's a nice mix. the majority are either super cute or super dated, so I think they'll find appreciative homes soon.
Third, I got some supplies to make some alphabet posters for my friend's daughters, and a few for E, inspired by a poster I saw on ohdeedoh. Mine are a lot smaller; the ones for Cara's girls are going to be 11x11, including chipboard frame, and E's will be about the same size. I'm doing 3 for E; one Roman alphabet, one Katakana and one Hebrew. I may do one in Russian, too, but since I didn't take much Russian that one may take a bit longer. I'm also doing the girls' in pink, white, and brown to match their room, rather than the white and rainbow colors I'm using for E. I'll try to remember to post pics when I'm done.
Second, turns out K found the family pattern stash and wanted to toss it all in the recycling! So I claimed it instead. I am keeping a few for myself, and the rest I'll probably put up on Etsy for a couple bucks a piece. 2/3 are from the 80s, 1/3 from the 70s, so it's a nice mix. the majority are either super cute or super dated, so I think they'll find appreciative homes soon.
Third, I got some supplies to make some alphabet posters for my friend's daughters, and a few for E, inspired by a poster I saw on ohdeedoh. Mine are a lot smaller; the ones for Cara's girls are going to be 11x11, including chipboard frame, and E's will be about the same size. I'm doing 3 for E; one Roman alphabet, one Katakana and one Hebrew. I may do one in Russian, too, but since I didn't take much Russian that one may take a bit longer. I'm also doing the girls' in pink, white, and brown to match their room, rather than the white and rainbow colors I'm using for E. I'll try to remember to post pics when I'm done.
14 February, 2008
fabric ahoy!
I mentioned the other day that I had gone to a FANTASTIC fabric store; well, it's Hart's Fabrics (hooray website!) and I bought some really, really great remnants!
This first group is for the living room; the floral fabric I've already turned into cushion covers; at least, almost, but my machine broke! The three on the left will be part of a 'throw quilt', combined with some neutrals and other aqua/turquoise fabrics I have. The canvas, well, I think I may have to make it into a bag, or something, because I love it but have no idea what to do with it!
This next group are going to E. The top two are a super cute animal print that I am turning into a cover for his bed, the other two are going to become bibs, I think. We'll see!
These two, again, I have no idea what to do with! They are canvas, so I think they will also become bags of some sort, but I have to wait for the machine to come back. Oooh, maybe a headband!
Finally, this cute little cotton print. It remind me of a show I used to watch about gnomes; one was a doctor and helped hurt animals. I can't remember the name and no one I have ever asked has the faintest clue what I am talking about! This might become some summer bibs, we'll see, perhaps a cute lining for something for me, another headband, etc.
I am going through my horrendous stash though; I'm going to destash pretty soon, getting rid of anything that isn't natural fibers, or just not my taste. I have 3 bins that are entirely vintage, so that should be fun for someone! Then I'll go back to Hart's; I have my eye on a couple of things :)
This first group is for the living room; the floral fabric I've already turned into cushion covers; at least, almost, but my machine broke! The three on the left will be part of a 'throw quilt', combined with some neutrals and other aqua/turquoise fabrics I have. The canvas, well, I think I may have to make it into a bag, or something, because I love it but have no idea what to do with it!
This next group are going to E. The top two are a super cute animal print that I am turning into a cover for his bed, the other two are going to become bibs, I think. We'll see!
These two, again, I have no idea what to do with! They are canvas, so I think they will also become bags of some sort, but I have to wait for the machine to come back. Oooh, maybe a headband!
Finally, this cute little cotton print. It remind me of a show I used to watch about gnomes; one was a doctor and helped hurt animals. I can't remember the name and no one I have ever asked has the faintest clue what I am talking about! This might become some summer bibs, we'll see, perhaps a cute lining for something for me, another headband, etc.
I am going through my horrendous stash though; I'm going to destash pretty soon, getting rid of anything that isn't natural fibers, or just not my taste. I have 3 bins that are entirely vintage, so that should be fun for someone! Then I'll go back to Hart's; I have my eye on a couple of things :)
11 February, 2008
Hooray for Monday!
What a weekend! 300+miles and 2 birthday parties later, I am home and exhausted. E is next to me happily licking a rattle while I am ready to go back to bed. Again. :)
We drove up to Brentwood Saturday morning to meet up with Cici and head up together to Isabella's party (my mother-in-law's husband's daughter's daughter; = E's cousin). She is turning 1 on Wednesday, and since Noah's party was the next day they decided that just having a weekend of birthday parties would make it easier for everyone to make it. Anyhooo; very cute party. Jen (Isabella's mom) has a cute little townhouse...
interruption: difference between townhouse/apartment/condo? I really need to look this up. continuing...
and Isabella enjoyed opening her presents. However, it felt borderline high-pressure, especially since I have E's first birthday coming up to plan and I'm way too competitive. I think it was the fact that she had hired help there? Taking professional photos? Otherwise it was really sweet; she had a large frame and mat for people to sign with birthday wishes, and I LOVE that idea, and cupcakes instead of a big cake which I am definitely doing. Afterward we went to Little Gym with her, and it scared me. I am sorry. Isabella loves it! Unfortunately her cousins had already had a long day (and cupcakes. and candy) and we had to leave before the time was up. E only cared about his shoes the whole time anyhow. A learning experience; check out a couple sessions before enrolling! will do.
We stopped by Vikki's and Garrison's house on the way back, and Cici convinced them to keep all three of her kids overnight so we could prepare for the party the next day. So we drove down with only E, and proceeded to eat tortellini and watch School of Rock (YEAH!). I think she ironed a tablecloth? I dunno. We are productive!
We did clean up and set up the next day for Noah's party; it was Cars themed (again! Hooray convenience!) and a lot of fun. Oh so much food.
I made Noah a little cloth backpack/stuffsack with dinosaur buttons on it, and packed it with a kaleidoscope, some dinosaur window stickers and some learning trading cards. I honestly felt really self-conscious leading up to him opening it, since he was getting SUCH! COOL! store-bought presents (Cars toys, basketball hoop, slot cars (I want!) etc.) but he actually loved it! Even the other kids loved it! They kept taking turns with the kaleidoscope, so I definitely feel motivated to do more home-made and simple presents. I really should have taken a photo of it, since it was a cute little bag. Maybe next time I'll remember.
Right afterward I headed back home, dropping of Kat (my sister-in-law, not my sister Kat. Their names are 1 letter off) at her new house in Campbell, picked up Cam from work and got home. Ah, sweet relief! Just kidding. Cam stayed up all Saturday night playing WoW, so he passed out. I *nearly* had a tantrum, but it wouldn't have done any good(since he was asleep), so I made dinner instead and felt a lot better :) He did make me breakfast this morning, so I think we're even. Not that I keep score. Much.
Oh! I found a FANTASTIC fabric store here in town! I am in love with this store. I raided their remnants bins and came away with some fabrics for E's room and some to make cushion covers. I'm so excited; I want to go back! First I have to clear out my stash though. I have 12 bins of fabric. I'm serious. The majority of it was handed down, but still, I need to do something about this! I also have a huge bin of unfinished projects, and bin of mending, and a bin of yarn (acrylic, but with good memories, so right now it's staying). So no shopping! Today. C has the car anyhow. ;p
We drove up to Brentwood Saturday morning to meet up with Cici and head up together to Isabella's party (my mother-in-law's husband's daughter's daughter; = E's cousin). She is turning 1 on Wednesday, and since Noah's party was the next day they decided that just having a weekend of birthday parties would make it easier for everyone to make it. Anyhooo; very cute party. Jen (Isabella's mom) has a cute little townhouse...
interruption: difference between townhouse/apartment/condo? I really need to look this up. continuing...
and Isabella enjoyed opening her presents. However, it felt borderline high-pressure, especially since I have E's first birthday coming up to plan and I'm way too competitive. I think it was the fact that she had hired help there? Taking professional photos? Otherwise it was really sweet; she had a large frame and mat for people to sign with birthday wishes, and I LOVE that idea, and cupcakes instead of a big cake which I am definitely doing. Afterward we went to Little Gym with her, and it scared me. I am sorry. Isabella loves it! Unfortunately her cousins had already had a long day (and cupcakes. and candy) and we had to leave before the time was up. E only cared about his shoes the whole time anyhow. A learning experience; check out a couple sessions before enrolling! will do.
We stopped by Vikki's and Garrison's house on the way back, and Cici convinced them to keep all three of her kids overnight so we could prepare for the party the next day. So we drove down with only E, and proceeded to eat tortellini and watch School of Rock (YEAH!). I think she ironed a tablecloth? I dunno. We are productive!
We did clean up and set up the next day for Noah's party; it was Cars themed (again! Hooray convenience!) and a lot of fun. Oh so much food.
I made Noah a little cloth backpack/stuffsack with dinosaur buttons on it, and packed it with a kaleidoscope, some dinosaur window stickers and some learning trading cards. I honestly felt really self-conscious leading up to him opening it, since he was getting SUCH! COOL! store-bought presents (Cars toys, basketball hoop, slot cars (I want!) etc.) but he actually loved it! Even the other kids loved it! They kept taking turns with the kaleidoscope, so I definitely feel motivated to do more home-made and simple presents. I really should have taken a photo of it, since it was a cute little bag. Maybe next time I'll remember.
Right afterward I headed back home, dropping of Kat (my sister-in-law, not my sister Kat. Their names are 1 letter off) at her new house in Campbell, picked up Cam from work and got home. Ah, sweet relief! Just kidding. Cam stayed up all Saturday night playing WoW, so he passed out. I *nearly* had a tantrum, but it wouldn't have done any good(since he was asleep), so I made dinner instead and felt a lot better :) He did make me breakfast this morning, so I think we're even. Not that I keep score. Much.
Oh! I found a FANTASTIC fabric store here in town! I am in love with this store. I raided their remnants bins and came away with some fabrics for E's room and some to make cushion covers. I'm so excited; I want to go back! First I have to clear out my stash though. I have 12 bins of fabric. I'm serious. The majority of it was handed down, but still, I need to do something about this! I also have a huge bin of unfinished projects, and bin of mending, and a bin of yarn (acrylic, but with good memories, so right now it's staying). So no shopping! Today. C has the car anyhow. ;p
07 February, 2008
cupcake hero? YES.
I have made my boozy cupcakes. I call them: Toblerone-Schnapps Cupcakes. Although maybe a better name would be alcohol-enhanced box-mix cupcakes. They are delicious.
To Begin!
I took a package of Toblerones, melted them, added about 1/4 cup of Buttercotch Schnapps and then froze them in an ice cube tray to harden. Freezing was probably unnecessary.
Next, I took a package of Duncan Hines Devil's Food cake mix (on sale! $1 each! Score!) I followed the instructions except I subbed 2/3 c. of Creme de Cacao for 1/2 the water. Next time, I'm thinking I'll sub ALL the water with creme de cacao. yum. I also threw in a bag of walnut baking pieces, because I had them in my pantry and that's how I roll; just throw everything in the pot (or bowl, in this case) cook, and eat. I placed my toblerone-alcohol bites on top of some of the cupcakes to hopefully serve as a filling.
Finally, I took a container of Betty Crocker Whipped Chocolate Frosting and stirred in 1/4 c. of butterscotch schnapps and creme de cacao (total, not individually).
I frosted the cupcakes and then found some bright blue sprinkles and added those! (Again, that's just how I roll. I'm an impulse cook.)
Verdict: The cupcakes are light and tasty, but you can't really taste any alcohol in the cakes themselves. The filling is a little gooey, as intended, and the frosting, oh, so good. Just boozy enough, in my opinion. I am definitely making these again, although next time I think I'm going to use creme de menthe instead of butterscotch, just to mix things up a little. :)
To Begin!
I took a package of Toblerones, melted them, added about 1/4 cup of Buttercotch Schnapps and then froze them in an ice cube tray to harden. Freezing was probably unnecessary.
Next, I took a package of Duncan Hines Devil's Food cake mix (on sale! $1 each! Score!) I followed the instructions except I subbed 2/3 c. of Creme de Cacao for 1/2 the water. Next time, I'm thinking I'll sub ALL the water with creme de cacao. yum. I also threw in a bag of walnut baking pieces, because I had them in my pantry and that's how I roll; just throw everything in the pot (or bowl, in this case) cook, and eat. I placed my toblerone-alcohol bites on top of some of the cupcakes to hopefully serve as a filling.
Finally, I took a container of Betty Crocker Whipped Chocolate Frosting and stirred in 1/4 c. of butterscotch schnapps and creme de cacao (total, not individually).
I frosted the cupcakes and then found some bright blue sprinkles and added those! (Again, that's just how I roll. I'm an impulse cook.)
Verdict: The cupcakes are light and tasty, but you can't really taste any alcohol in the cakes themselves. The filling is a little gooey, as intended, and the frosting, oh, so good. Just boozy enough, in my opinion. I am definitely making these again, although next time I think I'm going to use creme de menthe instead of butterscotch, just to mix things up a little. :)
rock the vote
Or at least get out of the house and get to it! The three of us did manage to get ourselves over to the polling place, finally, even though it really is about 2 blocks away. we are so lazy. Anyhow, it was fun, Ephraim got to see his first electoral process and we got to politely and firmly decline way too many "I voted" stickers. It was weird; they really didn't tell us how to fill out anything or submit our finished packets, and I even had to find myself a pen, but they were ALL ABOUT those stickers. Weird. Anyhow, I wore my new coat and the SHOES that Mariko sent me! I love these shoes. LOVE THEM. I would wear them too much, but I don't leave the house that often ;p. I DID wear them to the Cheesecake Factory in Union Square on Monday; I felt oh-so-stylish. Until Ephraim had his very first meltdown! yay! He did pop out a tooth in less than 24 hours though, so it was understandable.
04 February, 2008
01 February, 2008
cupcake hero!!!
Oh my Word I have to do this month's cupcake hero challenge! I must! pardon me while I get completely shnockered in the name of cupcakes. and booze! lots of booze. LOTS.
29 January, 2008
random
E: A mama mwaaa na ehhh ma ma
C: Do you think he's hungry?
E: Mama mama mmmmaaaama amama
Me: Yeah, probably
C: He calls for you now, when he's hungry
Me: He calls for me all the damn time
C: All the damn time!
E:*laugh* a haha maaaama na nananananaaa haa ha
C: Do you think he's hungry?
E: Mama mama mmmmaaaama amama
Me: Yeah, probably
C: He calls for you now, when he's hungry
Me: He calls for me all the damn time
C: All the damn time!
E:*laugh* a haha maaaama na nananananaaa haa ha
navaology
No, I haven't been out of bed yet, but I am planning on pie for breakfast! Or pie soup, as the case may be.
Q. What is your salad dressing of choice?
A. Balsamic + olive oil
Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
A. ew; none.
Q. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
A. Right now, I Love Sushi
Q. On average how much of a tip do you leave at a restaurant?
A. 20%, although sometimes my math skills fail me.
Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
A. Sushi.
Q. What are your pizza toppings of choice?
A. Pineapple, or anchovy, mushroom, olive, feta, and/or caramelised onions
Q. What do you like to put on your toast?
A. Cottage cheese, or peanut butter
TECHNOLOGY
Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?
A. A picture of some greenery by Jeffery Freidl
Q. How many televisions are in your house?
A. 1. I am going to keep it at that number or below with every ounce of my being.
Q. What kind of cell phone do you have?
A. Motorola razr.
BIOLOGY
Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
A. Ambidextrous, although my parents convinced me to only write with the right in grade school, as I was writing backward with the left and the teacher wanted me put into 'special classes' for being dyslexic.
Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
A. Blood. splinters. a baby.
Q. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A. bins of fabric. Ephraim.
Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. Yes. I ran into a pole in 3rd grade. On foot.
B.S.OLOGY
Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
A. Perhaps.
Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
A. I don't know that I would; I'm used to this one.
Q. what color looks good on you?
A. bright red
Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
A. I don't think so
Q. Have you ever saved someones life?
A. A few times; I don't keep track of that, for some reason. Maybe I should; it would be a good confidence boost!
Q. Has someone ever saved yours?
A. Yes. Doctors & nurses. My Mom.
DAREOLOGY
Q. Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
A. Sure
Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
A. No.
Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?
A. Absolutely. I shouldn't be online so much anyhow.
Q. Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
A. If it's tasteful. If it's porno, no.
Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
A. Yes, slowly.
Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?
A. No.
DUMBOLOGY
Q: What is in your left pocket?
A. no pockets
Q: Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?
A. No.
Q: Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?
A. carpeting and linoleum. My dream house has all hardwood floors though. Perhaps a little tile.
Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower?
A. How do you sit in the shower? A bath seat? I should get one; then I could take naps in peace.
Q: Could you live with roommates?
A. I do. They also hog my bed.
Q: How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
A. None. I should get a pair for summer. Beach trip!
Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops
A. Never
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A. A mom. I win!
Q: Last person who called you?
A. Cameran
Q: Person you hugged?
A. Ephraim
FAVORITOLOGY
Q: Number?
A. 2, 7, 13, 40. I like to diversify.
Q: Season?
A. Autumn.
Q: Holiday?
A. Thanksgiving
Q: Day of the week:
A. Tuesday; Ephraim and I are both Tuesday babies.
Q: Month?
A. November
CURRENTOLOGY
Q: Missing someone?
A. A bit
Q: Mood?
A. Exhausted.
Q: Listening to?
A. Ephraim fussing; eating my bed frustrates him.
Q: Watching?
A. Ephraim kicking me. ouch.
Q: Worrying about?
A: My back. ouch again.
RANDOMOLOGY
Q: First place you went this morning?
A. No place yet.
Q: What can you not wait to do?
A. Go back to sleep!
Q:What's the last movie you saw?
A. Everything is Illuminated
Q: Do you smile often?
A. I think so, although I should do it more.
Q: Are you a friendly person?
A. moderately. I am very shy.
tag! you're it!
Q. What is your salad dressing of choice?
A. Balsamic + olive oil
Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
A. ew; none.
Q. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
A. Right now, I Love Sushi
Q. On average how much of a tip do you leave at a restaurant?
A. 20%, although sometimes my math skills fail me.
Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
A. Sushi.
Q. What are your pizza toppings of choice?
A. Pineapple, or anchovy, mushroom, olive, feta, and/or caramelised onions
Q. What do you like to put on your toast?
A. Cottage cheese, or peanut butter
TECHNOLOGY
Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?
A. A picture of some greenery by Jeffery Freidl
Q. How many televisions are in your house?
A. 1. I am going to keep it at that number or below with every ounce of my being.
Q. What kind of cell phone do you have?
A. Motorola razr.
BIOLOGY
Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
A. Ambidextrous, although my parents convinced me to only write with the right in grade school, as I was writing backward with the left and the teacher wanted me put into 'special classes' for being dyslexic.
Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
A. Blood. splinters. a baby.
Q. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A. bins of fabric. Ephraim.
Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. Yes. I ran into a pole in 3rd grade. On foot.
B.S.OLOGY
Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
A. Perhaps.
Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
A. I don't know that I would; I'm used to this one.
Q. what color looks good on you?
A. bright red
Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
A. I don't think so
Q. Have you ever saved someones life?
A. A few times; I don't keep track of that, for some reason. Maybe I should; it would be a good confidence boost!
Q. Has someone ever saved yours?
A. Yes. Doctors & nurses. My Mom.
DAREOLOGY
Q. Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
A. Sure
Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
A. No.
Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?
A. Absolutely. I shouldn't be online so much anyhow.
Q. Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
A. If it's tasteful. If it's porno, no.
Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
A. Yes, slowly.
Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?
A. No.
DUMBOLOGY
Q: What is in your left pocket?
A. no pockets
Q: Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?
A. No.
Q: Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?
A. carpeting and linoleum. My dream house has all hardwood floors though. Perhaps a little tile.
Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower?
A. How do you sit in the shower? A bath seat? I should get one; then I could take naps in peace.
Q: Could you live with roommates?
A. I do. They also hog my bed.
Q: How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
A. None. I should get a pair for summer. Beach trip!
Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops
A. Never
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A. A mom. I win!
Q: Last person who called you?
A. Cameran
Q: Person you hugged?
A. Ephraim
FAVORITOLOGY
Q: Number?
A. 2, 7, 13, 40. I like to diversify.
Q: Season?
A. Autumn.
Q: Holiday?
A. Thanksgiving
Q: Day of the week:
A. Tuesday; Ephraim and I are both Tuesday babies.
Q: Month?
A. November
CURRENTOLOGY
Q: Missing someone?
A. A bit
Q: Mood?
A. Exhausted.
Q: Listening to?
A. Ephraim fussing; eating my bed frustrates him.
Q: Watching?
A. Ephraim kicking me. ouch.
Q: Worrying about?
A: My back. ouch again.
RANDOMOLOGY
Q: First place you went this morning?
A. No place yet.
Q: What can you not wait to do?
A. Go back to sleep!
Q:What's the last movie you saw?
A. Everything is Illuminated
Q: Do you smile often?
A. I think so, although I should do it more.
Q: Are you a friendly person?
A. moderately. I am very shy.
tag! you're it!
28 January, 2008
daring bakers : january
I did it! Finished my lemon meringue pie at 10:30 (cut it close, I know). Up until the last minute I wasn't sure I would be able to do this one, but we finally got a car on Saturday, and were able to go grocery shopping yesterday, and I managed to do the cooking tonight while cam distracted E (mostly). No pictures yet; Cam is playing WoW so the main computer, with memory card slot, is being used.
I am letting the pie set up a little, although I will say I scraped off any filling left in the pan and ate it (YUM!) The meringue, I have to admit, I hated! It tastes really good, but it is the first meringue I have ever tried that simply would NOT set up! I finally got it to the point where it would almost hold a peak and spooned it over, but I was disappointed because I like having a big fluffy cloud of meringue on my pies. Oh well. Pictures and taste test results tomorrow!
I did sub rice flour for the cornstarch, as I realised at the last minute that I do not, and have not ever, had cornstarch, and have constantly subbed other things for it.
After an evening in the fridge the filling did firm up appreciably, and was still rather tasty. As you can see in the picture the filling does still ooze quite a bit (do you like the drips on the meringue?). The meringue was good, and still very light despite being, I felt, somewhat compressed. The crust was very good, I did make it with whole wheat flour, and I think next time I will do my own pastry-crust-lightening technique to make it a little flakier, but all together this was a tasty pie. I agree it was a little too sweet for me, but Cam liked it. He wanted a little thicker filling, so maybe some more corn starch there (or, I dunno, actual cornstarch) next time.
I am letting the pie set up a little, although I will say I scraped off any filling left in the pan and ate it (YUM!) The meringue, I have to admit, I hated! It tastes really good, but it is the first meringue I have ever tried that simply would NOT set up! I finally got it to the point where it would almost hold a peak and spooned it over, but I was disappointed because I like having a big fluffy cloud of meringue on my pies. Oh well. Pictures and taste test results tomorrow!
I did sub rice flour for the cornstarch, as I realised at the last minute that I do not, and have not ever, had cornstarch, and have constantly subbed other things for it.
After an evening in the fridge the filling did firm up appreciably, and was still rather tasty. As you can see in the picture the filling does still ooze quite a bit (do you like the drips on the meringue?). The meringue was good, and still very light despite being, I felt, somewhat compressed. The crust was very good, I did make it with whole wheat flour, and I think next time I will do my own pastry-crust-lightening technique to make it a little flakier, but all together this was a tasty pie. I agree it was a little too sweet for me, but Cam liked it. He wanted a little thicker filling, so maybe some more corn starch there (or, I dunno, actual cornstarch) next time.
26 January, 2008
A confession
Since the Pioneer Woman, Ree, and now a few other bloggers, have started confessing their phobias I feel it might help me to do the same. This has been plaguing me since E was born, and it is driving me crazy. I'm hoping that by writing it out I can at least lessen the hold this has over me.
I am terrified of someone hurting my baby. I have flashes, almost waking terrors, of the things people can (and do) inflict on helpless children, and I am so, so VERY scared that could happen to my son. I worry that something may happen to us, and that he will be abused and wonder why we left, why we don't love him. I worry that he will be hurt and wondering why this is happening to him, why no one is stopping the pain. Then I cry and cry and cry because I know that there are children out there suffering this way, and I wish I could stop it from happening, from every having happened, but I can't. I feel so helpless. I don't want fear to paralyse me, I don't want these terrors to take up so much of my time, of my thoughts, and I don't want to spread this melancholy to other people as well. I want to spread joy, I want people to see and experience the joy and love and pure happiness that having him has brought me.
I want to be able to protect him without fearing for him, but I know that will never be the case. I know I will always worry over him, because if I could I would make it so he never feels pain, that he never experiences regret, that he never meets the twisted side of humanity, but I can't. All I can do is make sure he knows he is loved, and try to keep my own fears from infecting him. I want him to be free, and happy, and secure in the knowledge that we will protect him, as long as he lets us.
I am terrified of someone hurting my baby. I have flashes, almost waking terrors, of the things people can (and do) inflict on helpless children, and I am so, so VERY scared that could happen to my son. I worry that something may happen to us, and that he will be abused and wonder why we left, why we don't love him. I worry that he will be hurt and wondering why this is happening to him, why no one is stopping the pain. Then I cry and cry and cry because I know that there are children out there suffering this way, and I wish I could stop it from happening, from every having happened, but I can't. I feel so helpless. I don't want fear to paralyse me, I don't want these terrors to take up so much of my time, of my thoughts, and I don't want to spread this melancholy to other people as well. I want to spread joy, I want people to see and experience the joy and love and pure happiness that having him has brought me.
I want to be able to protect him without fearing for him, but I know that will never be the case. I know I will always worry over him, because if I could I would make it so he never feels pain, that he never experiences regret, that he never meets the twisted side of humanity, but I can't. All I can do is make sure he knows he is loved, and try to keep my own fears from infecting him. I want him to be free, and happy, and secure in the knowledge that we will protect him, as long as he lets us.
24 January, 2008
beautiful films week: 7
And finally, A Series of Unfortunate Events!
I have the book series, and I did enjoy the movie. Although it strayed a bit, and I think Carrey as Olaf may have been to the (slight) detriment of the character I think they did a good job, and the film is really very pretty.
Yes, there are some things I still nit-pick them on, but I still like watching! :) I actually have the materials to replicate Violet's dress, I really should get on that! OH, and the closing credits? Fantastic.
23 January, 2008
beautiful films week: 6
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Is it breathtakingly gorgeous? No, I wouldn't say so, but it is a beautiful film. It's striking and memorable; different scenes get stuck in your mind, and all the details in them stay fresh, a testament to how all the elements work together to impact you. It's honest, but in a sort of fantastic way. I love it, with all the flashbacks and piecing together, like living in a surrealist painting. Very fun.
Is it breathtakingly gorgeous? No, I wouldn't say so, but it is a beautiful film. It's striking and memorable; different scenes get stuck in your mind, and all the details in them stay fresh, a testament to how all the elements work together to impact you. It's honest, but in a sort of fantastic way. I love it, with all the flashbacks and piecing together, like living in a surrealist painting. Very fun.
22 January, 2008
beautiful films week: 5
This is in honor of my sister Katrina, whose birthday is today (Happy Birthday! Sorry I couldn’t make it!) This is her favorite film; in fact the first image is the poster in her bedroom.
I love this film, which is especially surprising since I didn’t expect to. Everyone who described it to me portrayed some crazy film about prostitutes and drinking, which I was NOT interested in. But my sisters convinced me, and I LOVE it. It is truly beautiful; my favorite scene is when they are singing and the moon joins in. :)
I love that all the characters are not only flawed, but redeemable (even the villain, to an extent, although you know he isn’t going to take the opportunity to be the good guy). It’s very touching, underneath the barrage of IMAGE, and fun to watch.
21 January, 2008
super productive
I have been on a crafting/cleaning ROLL these past few days. whoot! I made up 4 changing-pad covers (3 still need ties, but that can wait until after my nap ;)) almost finished another set of overalls for E (they just need snaps), repaired his winnie-the-pooh honeypot lamp, and have gotten started on sorting through the 4(!) boxes of papers that had piled up. I'm so excited! As I said though, I need a nap. Plus I'm waiting to hear if Sydney is actually coming up today. Hoping hoping hoping. Oh yeah, and I've been car-shopping on Craigslist. My goal is to have a car by the end of the week. finally. :) Now I'm going to make up a grocery list in hopes of actually getting to the store this week. I need to do my daring baker's challenge, and I've been wanting to do the cupcake challenge too, but I need to finish clearing he kitchen just a bit. Oh, and have ingredients that aren't pasta-related.
20 January, 2008
Operation: Portland
So, Operation: Portland is a go. It has been for a while now, as I slowly (ok, forcefully) insinuate the idea into Cam's subconscious (shove it down his throat). What is it, you ask? Basically it's "Let's move to Portland! Portland is great! Let's live there!" Not actually Portland though, probably Hillsboro, as there is a Pharmacy school there, housing prices are AWESOME (compared to here; although, anyplace has awesome housing prices compared to here) and there are about 30 Walgreens within 30 minutes, so all he would have to do to find a job is transfer. yay! We would be going in the summer of '09, 'if' he doesn't get into UCSF. Or, even if he does get in and still decides to go to Oregon. I am hoping, since I love Oregon, but we will wait and see. Plus, we are going to tour the campus and town when he gets an interview, just to be sure. It would be awful to go up there and find that he hates the school, or I hate the town (doubt it) or something. :) So far the staff seems pretty cool, and very friendly and communicative. Yay! I say Yay a lot. Also Whoooot.
Oh, and congrats to Cara, Mike and Emily on baby Samantha. What a cutie!
Also, I had a very productive day today. Maybe I'll post pics tomorrow, as E is currently fussing and spitting up on me. ew.
Oh, and congrats to Cara, Mike and Emily on baby Samantha. What a cutie!
Also, I had a very productive day today. Maybe I'll post pics tomorrow, as E is currently fussing and spitting up on me. ew.
beautiful films week: 4
One of the most beautiful films I have ever seen; I would watch it on mute if it weren't for the fact that the music just makes it even MORE gorgeous. i love how they choose one color for each scene, and then just make it explode. I doubt that made much sense, but that's how it feels, as though you are swimming in that color. That reminds me, I wanted to copy their costumes a while back. That could get pricey.
19 January, 2008
beautiful films week: 3
A film about the battle between emotion and control, and what happens when that becomes translated to government vs. resistance. Probably a bit different, this film is not in the same genre as most of the 'beautiful films' out there, but I love it. The sets are beautiful, and the austerity vs. art shown throughout showcases both. The story itself is also beautiful, and it's very hard not to get caught up in it. Absolutely one of my favorite films.
18 January, 2008
beautiful films week : 2
Amelie!
I know, who hasn't seen Amelie? But I can't really list off beautiful films without mentioning it! Although as I write this I have 2 more favorites that just popped into my head. They will have to wait! My favorite scenes? Faking the letters. I just love those so much. Oh, and I love this Japanese movie poster; I found it a nice change from the different versions of the movie/soundtrack cover. Although, this is also from one of those more popular scenes, so oh well on the 'originality' side.
17 January, 2008
Beautiful Films Week
Well, I've decided to jump on the Beautiful Films bandwagon, but since I'm getting started late I'm going to go a week from today, and maybe a couple extra :)
First up: Monsoon Wedding
I LOVE this film. I own the soundtrack and have seen it about 6 times, despite not actually owning it. The whole film is beautiful, and touching. Colorful, honest, and a little envy-inspiring (as in, Why am I not Indian? kind of envy.) It really is such a great film, and sends you on several different character plots that all interweave in a way that isn't distracting, but does establish each character independently while contributing to the overall storyline.
Oh, and the scenes? Beautiful. All of them. Even the shots of 'grimy' places are still pretty. I'm going to go watch it on netflix now. woohoooo!
::Edit:: after reading another's review on it, I did want to mention that it does deal with child sexual abuse. It treats it in a very good, respectful, and (I feel) gentle way, and one that I haven't seen before, but it is still very emotional.
First up: Monsoon Wedding
I LOVE this film. I own the soundtrack and have seen it about 6 times, despite not actually owning it. The whole film is beautiful, and touching. Colorful, honest, and a little envy-inspiring (as in, Why am I not Indian? kind of envy.) It really is such a great film, and sends you on several different character plots that all interweave in a way that isn't distracting, but does establish each character independently while contributing to the overall storyline.
Oh, and the scenes? Beautiful. All of them. Even the shots of 'grimy' places are still pretty. I'm going to go watch it on netflix now. woohoooo!
::Edit:: after reading another's review on it, I did want to mention that it does deal with child sexual abuse. It treats it in a very good, respectful, and (I feel) gentle way, and one that I haven't seen before, but it is still very emotional.
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