Obamanation

Warning: political post.



I hate a hypocrite more than a thief, and that's saying alot.



This just in:



Obama said sometimes we (I guess he meant politicians) say things are worse than they are and sometimes say things are better than they are. Huh? No shit? He actually said (I'm paraphrasing) that a few years ago we said things were better than they actually were and now we are saying things are worse than they probably are. Deep breath Meredith.



So when he was preaching doom and gloom and catastrophe a few weeks ago to sell his Bill on the campaign trail...wait no, he wasn't still on the campaign trail it just seemed like he was. Anyway, he was doing what? Embellishing? Exaggerating? Lying? No...you're kidding.



Okay off the soapbox, it's safe to come in now. BTW, I am sooo impressed with myself for coming up with the title of this post. (toot, toot)<---that's my own horn.

If I won me the lottery...

Anyone know that song by Beth Hart?



The other night while I was laying down with Little d she says "Mom, remember that game Mimi was checking online...those numbers?"



I thought and must have had a puzzled look on my face.



"Those numbers...with that ticket?"



"Oh, the lottery?" I finally caught on.



"Yes, the yah-tery." We're still having trouble pronouncing "L" at the beginning of a word. "I think if we get all that money, I was thinking...Dad...could..."and here her eyes got very big and she sat up in bed"...Dad...could...get FIRED FROM HIS JOB!!!"

I busted out laughing. I just thought that was the cutest way to say that she wanted Dad to stay home. "Sweety, the reason there is so much money is because A LOT of people play the game, but very few actually win. So the chance of us winning would be very small." I failed to add that if we did actually win, D would have to keep working just to pay taxes. tee-hee.

"Well." She said with all the determination of a four year old, "Tomorrow, I am going to get on the computer and I am going to beat all those other people!"

I won't lie, I have thought about winning that much money. (I don't even play, so the chances of me winning...slim.) But here's a funny. My first order of business would not be to build the dream home. My first order of business would be to track down our former family doctor and lure him back to our city. He left here because he wanted to build a low cost clinic and there was not enough support in this community for that. So I would track him down, and offer to build him a free clinic if he would be our on call physician.

He was the type of doctor who called you the next day to see how things were going after a doctor visit. He returned many of his own calls, not relegating them to his nurse. Although God bless her; we also loved Nurse Margaret. The day he had his going away party I made up a basket of snack packs and bottled water for the road. (He was travelling to Amarillo.) We also sent a bouquet of flowers to Margaret. In his thank you note he said that she had been having a rough day and those flowers 'made her day'. In conclusion...he is missed. I trusted him to be knowledgeable and here's a shocker...actually tell us when he didn't know the answer. There are too few doctors who genuinely care for patients, at least here.

Second order of business. Fun! And get that house built. The tricked out version of course!

Is it Thursday? Because I have a gripe!

In case you don't know how I feel about telemarketers, read THIS. This morning I get a call from the Better Home Products of Texas Corp. I have been receiving calls for several years from this company. They employ handicapped workers and I'm sure are generally a good cause. I have ordered light bulbs (no they don't last five years) and dish towels (the most expensive set I've ever owned) in the past. But they call pretty frequently and I usually don't answer the call.

Today I chose not to answer it. Little d, however, made the opposite choice. As soon as she said hello, her face turned red. She realized it was a stranger. "Just hang up, baby," was my solution. And I guess that was my mistake. I should have taken the phone and said not interested and hung up myself. BUT, I was fixing milk for Little m and in a rush, so I didn't.

The woman (and she is the same lady who has been calling me for years-very distinct voice) proceeds to call back. I don't answer and the machine picks up. She leaves this message in a nasty voice (I wrote it down word for word):

"If you had any home training you wouldn't hang up in peoples face. That's very rude. Whoever you are. And if your parents knew any better or they taught you that they didn't have any sense either. Losers."

Straight up. Where to start. I think this pi$$ed me off for several reasons. I hate being called back from a telemarketer. Yes it's happened before. Although usually the salespeople hang back up on me. Real mature. Anyway, the fact that she was berating my FOUR year old daughter just set me off. And then the name calling "Losers". Sheesh.

So I call the number back. Busy signal. Surprise. Keep in mind, I never complain about service. Bad food, bad waitress, bad cashier, bad haircut. Nope. Don't complain. But this was different. This time they invaded The Lair. And that is NOT ALLOWED!

So I googled them. They don't have a webpage, which I already knew. But the Better Business Bureau had their info. Even--get this--an 800 number!! Sweet! So I dial the toll free number and get this as soon as the phone picks up "Hot singles are waiting for your call, dial blah blah blah" Shit.

Fast forward to me dialing the regular listed number. A woman answers and could not be more apologetic. She says she will call me with the results. And because I had cooled off immensely I told her that I understand that some of their employees have mental illness and that...but she cut me off and said that it shouldn't have happened. And I couldn't agree more.

Another challenge?

Okay well, I know it seems like I just did a color challenge, but I was late in the week on the last one and this time I am getting to it a little earlier. These colors (CTMH-black, grey wool and white daisy) were hard for me. I wanted to do something that didn't look too somber. I usually don't even use black for a sympathy card-too depressing. So I struggled to use them. This is what I came up with:

I probably personally wouldn't use it, but I am going to add it too my Market Days stack. Okay let's be truthful, that stack is pretty small right now. I truly need to get on it!!

I've decided to add the card details to the bottom of my posts for those of you who are interested.

A few words about other stuff. I haven't posted a personal entry in a while mainly because I am low on funny stories. The post yesterday was written while I was laying in bed recovering from surgery last month. I didn't even edit it enough, it was disjointed and without a clear ending, but I just haven't had alot of time. I did a workshop yesterday out of town and came home to a surprise visit from my inlaws. (A story for another day). And right now while trying to type this post I am interrupted to wipe a booty (not my own) and write a grocery list. Whew! And where the hell is spring? Darn groundhog! OK. I need to go shopping for groceries so must. get. off. of. HERE!

Card details: all CTMH

Paper....Grey Wool CS, Black CS, Glossy White CS

Stamps.... Intrinsic Backgrounds, Faith, and Treasure Life

Ink.....Grey Wool, Black, Versamark

Other.....White Daisy embossing powder.

Things She Doesn't Yet Know

She goes about her day dancing to music in her head. She loves to make us laugh and smile. She dreams of princesses and fairies and weddings! Her vivid imagination creates a play land of friends and dolls from inanimate objects such as crayons or bits of string. Her heart feels genuine care for her little sister as she takes great care to make her happy.

She becomes engulfed in movies or television programs and then just as quickly turns away and finds something new to imagine. Her world is quite small and protected now.

She doesn't realize that her mother loves her more than life itself. That her mother's heart will forever be changed simply because she was born. Her four year old mind can't comprehend that there is someone who watches almost everything she does in complete fascination. Whose heart aches with fear at the thought of her starting kindergarten. With just the thought of entrusting her care to a practical stranger. She doesn't yet know that her mother loves to watch her peaceful still form in sleep, sweetly curled up in a fuzzy Hannah Montana blanket.

Our Little d. We love her so much.

Do Over

I couldn't stand that card from yesterday the more I looked at it. Sooo. Here's the do over. I didn't follow the sketch quite so literally this time. And I forgot to link the Card Positioning Systems webpage yesterday, so now you can click HERE to see it.

Card Positioning Sketch Challenge 106

Hello my name is Meredith and I am addicted to online card making challenges. Three in three days. Hmmmm. Here's the sketch:


I am not as thrilled with this card as some of my others. I think I like the concept, but I should have played with the layout a little more. I don't know. I was in a hurry. Maybe I'll try doing another version some other time.

All products CTMH: Footprints and Playful Flourishes stamps, colors, Twilight, Desert Sand, Taffy, Creme Brulee and Chocolate. The last three colors were used on the sponging. Also the star fish are second generation Desert Sand.

Another thing...this time change has screwed me up royally.

Feelin' Bearied?

I joined another challenge. The House Mouse Monday Challenge. This week the challenge was to use chipboard. On this card I stamped the image several times and layered some of the paper pile. I colored the image with EK Success pencils, and stamped the sentiment with Tiny Typewriter in Brown Bag. (When they titled that set tiny, they were NOT kidding! It is a trick to work with it.) The swirls are Playful Flourishes.

Here's a detail of the chipboard. Again the new camera is STILL on backorder. :(

It seems that when I concentrate so hard on incorporating a challenge's parameters in a card I have great difficulty with the layout of the pieces. How weird.

My first ever challange!!

I've decided to play along with my first ever online card making challange. I have been watching the challenges at KWernerDesign.com and never seem to have the time to make a card. But today I couldn't pass it up since it used one of my favorite all time color combos...pink and brown.

She used Stampin' Up colors, but allows substitutions for other brands, so I chose Chocolate, Desert Sand, Blush and White Daisy. I also used DaisyD patterned paper. Here's the color challenge:


And here's my card. I used the stamp sets, Annotations and Spot On Backgrounds.


It was fun, but you would have thought I was building the shuttle as long as it took to create this card! (What is up with the spacing on blogger...uuggghhh!)

A blog award!

I am so honored that Lindsay of Southern Girl Florals chose me for this award. I've seen it on other blogs that I follow, so I am thrilled to be able to put it on my blog!

Now I'm supposed to list 7 things I love and then tag seven people with this award.

1. I love my family first and foremost. They keep me sane in an insane world!

2. I love my faith. It has seen me through tough times and helps me realize the adage "every cloud has a silver lining."

3. I love to be creative. This usually means papercrafting, but I also love decoration and crocheting.

4. I love to read. I could literally spend hours lost in a good book or a pile of magazines.

5. I love to laugh! I find such stress relief in laughter. Thankfully I am surrounded by funny people.

6. I love music. I can't really sing, but I love to pretend I can. In the car. Loudly. Alone.

7. I love being hugged by my husband. Of course I love being hugged by others too including the girls, but when D hugs me I feel safe from the whole world, and it's a great feeling. Sometimes when he pulls away I say, "I'm not done yet." So that's kind of joke with us now, and one of us usually says it when we hug.

Now to tag other bloggers I think deserve the Kreativ Blogger Award. This is hard because I have a HUGE list of blogs that are in a file I call "More Blogs, Crafty". So to narrow it down is tough!

1. Deep Fried Kudzu

2. Booth #32

3. Wizard's Hangout

4. Sparkle Creations

5. Just Give Me Stamps

6. Traveling Mama

7. Crafting the Web

All those sites are hyperlinked so check them out. They really are inspiring in so many ways! Thanks again Lindsay!!

Poppy is 90 years old!

Today my grandfather turns 90 years old. I can hardly believe it. I have such fond memories of his storytelling and spunky personality. He always has a story and a smile. His life has not always been easy that's for sure. He fought in WWII and raised a family on a barber's income. He became a fishing guide and was very good at what he did. Both fishing and cutting hair. He is a very loving person. Always having a hug for someone he sees.

He grew up in New Hampshire and only spoke French until about the 7th grade. A devout Catholic, his faith has seen him through much. He married my grandmother and together they had three children.

I never tire of hearing his tales. Some old people (you know this is true) tell the same old stories over and over until you could repeat them verbatim. Not Poppy. I seem to learn something new about him every time I am around him. And lately, I'm not around him often enough. Hopefully we can get to go see him soon. Until then, I am sending this card to wish him a Happy Birthday!

Products used: CTMH It's a Guy Thing Paper, Catch of the Day stamp set, colors: cocoa, new england ivy, barn red, colonial white.

Cabin Fever Layouts

I decided to use Cabin Fever as my theme for my March workshop. I know I'm ready for spring! I used all the silly pictures of the girls to illustrate the stuff that keeps us occupied!

Here are the photo details since there are some of you that might want to know. (Left to Right, Top to Bottom) Little m with marker on her face. Little d a few years ago with marker on her face. D dragging the girls around on a Dora blanket. Little m playing in the pantry and sitting in a plastic container. D being tackled by both girls. Little d posing in a wedding dress with a beach ball. Little d tackling Little m on their toy Dora couch. Little d standing on a Fisher Price dollhouse looking out her bedroom window. Little m looking out the back window.

And here's a close up of the banner.

Products used are CTMH Emporium paper, Boutique Borders stamp set, Friendship Alphas, small and large stamp sets, Bamboo, Buttercup, Crystal Blue, and White Daisy cardstock. I also used Spot-on Backgrounds on the pennants to make them look like patterned paper. The journaling reads: "The crazy things we do to keep ourselves amused in these four walls we call Home."

Butterfly Soot Stamping Card {and crazy hair}

First up a card. My workshop group in MV wanted to try the soot stamping technique and they wanted to use spring colors (CTMH-Paper Garden Level II) so this is what I came up with. I probably wouldn't have chosen these colors on my own with this technique. I'm not a fan of mixing the dark grey tones with the spring colors, but I aim to please! This group is really sweet and are so enthusiastic!

You can find the technique instructions for soot stamping HERE. It's very easy and makes a dramatic impression in person.

And next. Little m right out of the bath with...CRAZY HAIR!

Have a great day!!

It's Official!

I'm neurotic!!

First let me tell you plans for a relaxing week with hubby and kiddos is shattered. He has been called on to work all week. This is good because they are practically begging him to be technical advisor while the actual TA is on a job in Russia which means (say it with me now) JOB SECURITY! And it means overtime! This is sad because well, he's going to be working.

In light of this he has been doing his Great Garage Cleanout of '09 this weekend. Well yesterday anyway. So on to why I am neurotic...

Shortly after he came in yesterday from the garage someone started pounding on our door. Now, you all know how I feel about unannounced visitors. Anyway. I put on hold finding something to eat and went to answer the door. It's the next door neighbor and he is telling me that the field behind our house is on fire.

{Let me pause to tell you that we live in the city limits, but our back fence is the city limit line. So right behind our back fence in unimproved pastureland. Recently the land has been sold and there were plans to make a subdivision out of it. The brush has been cleared about 10-20 feet behind our fence.}

Okay so you know what my first thought was? No, not let's get the kids out of the house. It was, 'crap my house is a mess, and if it catches on fire it will be a disaster'. Then my second thought (as I'm going to the back door to check the status of the fire) is 'and the laundry isn't done, I don't even know if we have enough clean clothes to flee the house in.' To be fair, we leave the back door window open all day and I hadn't seen anything back there that would warrant me panicking and D had just come in from outside and he didn't notice anything amiss. So no there was not a fire knocking at our back door, and no the smoke was not even that heavy, I think our neighbor was just a little panicked. But still, I do seem a little neurotic for thinking about the cleanliness of our house before thinking "Oh my gosh a fire! Let's get out of the house!"

So today I have been doing laundry and cleaning most of the day. You know, in case of a fire!

Some feel good music...

I still don't know how to upload a video clip. So the best I can do is copy and paste this YouTube video. If you are in the mood for a little Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay take a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If_BpSJehSw&eurl

A blog I frequent posted the video. I love this song. I must admit, I like the old school version better, but this will do in a pinch. ;)