Part 2 of 100 freakin' things about me (Let's hope I don't disappoint)

51. I shouldn't be left alone with scissors.

52. The reason for # 51 is that I'll cut my own hair. If I get frustrated or annoyed with my hair, I'll get a pair of scissors and cut away.

53. It never and I mean NEVER turns out well.

54. But sadly, I still do it.

55. Luckily my philosophy is "It'll always grow back". Thankfully it has, so far.

56. I have a bad habit of always throwing away the pizza cutter with the pizza box.

57. I'm compulsive about checking the locks on the doors at night.
Matt says I'm scared of ninjas.

58. But he's wrong. I'm scared of heavily armed men (think "Panic Room") breaking into our home to take us all hostage or possibly sell us to sex slave traders.

59. I have an escape plan all ready for when/ if that ever happens.

60. Can you tell I'm a little paranoid?

61. Actually the paranoia isn't so bad anymore. One day I took a deep breath, said "they'll either get us or they won't" and I was able to sleep at night.
It sounds so well adjusted doesn't it?
It is... sort of....just don't talk to me about Zombies.

62. I feel all women have the right to govern their own bodies. Period.

63. I believe all mothers deserve jewelery or other pretty things on their children's birthdays. We should celebrate the fact that we kept them safe and alive for another year. Even after they move out, we still deserve presents because... well, we just do.

64. I'd wear flip flops year round if the weather would let me.

65. Because my feet get claustrophobic.

66. I like to drink cheap beer. PBR or Miller High Life is just fine with me.

67. I dated a boy who was soo embarrassed that I drank cheap beer.
I could never understand why, especially since he wasn't paying for my drinks!

68. I don't understand why people are so against legalizing marriage for Lesbians and Gay men. They say it's because it lessens the meaning of marriage. How? I don't get how letting two people who are in love get married diminishes the institution of marriage. What does tarnish the meaning of commitment is watching celebrities treat marriage as if it were a tourist attraction, nice to visit but sure not going to live there.

69. Heehee, 69.

70. Yes, I do let the 15 year old out for a laugh now and then. And no judging because you all know you laughed.

71. There are few absolutes in this world. One of them is:
Never and once again I mean NEVER, let your aspiring cosmetologist roommate try to bleach your hair blond. It will turn it clown orange and damage it irrevocably.

71. Another absolute is: Never let you ex-boyfriend shave your head.

72. Because He won't do a good job, possibly on purpose.

73. and unless you are tiny and small boned, IT WILL NOT LOOK GOOD!!!!!

74. Here's the proof:
(but dang, I was skinny)

75. I am a terable speiller.

76. Okay, I exaggerated a little bit but I'm pretty bad. Thank goodness for spell check.

77. I was bitten by a Brown Recluse spider.

78. It abscessed and made a huge hole in my thigh.
It was really gross.

79. I love telling people the story and watching them turn green. :)

80. Sometimes I'm mean like that.

81. I have a over active imagination (if you couldn't tell earlier. )

82. My favorite quote is from "The Hotel New Hampshire".

83. It is: "Just when you think you're memorable, there's always someone who forgets your name. "

84. I've found that to be true many times.

85. Another absolute is: If you are a mother and wearing something nice, one or all of your children will get, wipe or drip something on you right before you walk out the door.

86. I really hate the Little Mermaid.

87. Really, really hate her. I mean, she's a freakin' princess but she only wants what she can't have. She sees a boy(doesn't even meet him just sees him) , leaves her entire family for him, gives up her voice and tries to get him to fall in love with her. UGH!!!!!! Then when it all hits the fan, she doesn't even save herself. The stupid boy has to do it for her. ACK!!!

88. Maisy loves the little mermaid. I try not to taint her joy with my "over analyzation of a stupid movie" (direct quote from the husband) but I do talk about how Ariel made some poor choices and maybe next time she shouldn't sell her soul to the devil just to get a husband. Oh, but I say it in a much nicer way. I promise.

89. I used to write bad poetry.

90. but then again, who didn't?

91. -laughing- I can't tell you that one.

92. I was a theatre geek in high school.

93. I've used the same needle for all my embroidery work for years. It has the perfect bend in it and I freak out when I have to use a different needle.

94. I don't wear make-up.

95. I've seen all of John Waters' movies. Even Pink Flamingo. It's really gross and I don't recommend it.

96. I know all the words to "Say Anything" and still dream of finding my Loyd Dobbler (sorry Matt:)

97. Some of my favorite phrases are: "Jiminy Christmas" "For the love of Pete" "Son of a Beech nut" and "If they don't stop that, I'm going to go knock them down".

98. I haven't had to knock anyone down just yet.

99. You know what i don't understand, how is it okay to say fudge instead of f-u-c-k? I mean, if the intent is the same then wouldn't fudge now become a bad word? That's just something that continually puzzles me.

100. WOO HOO! I made it. Jesh, it was like pulling teeth towards the end. And trust me, I'm never doing this again.

So you're all safe from here on out!
Thanks for baring with me and Thanks Angelina for reminding me to finish.

101. You know what's horrible, now that I'm done I keep thinking of things to add. Like that I'm an official member of the Rocky Horror Picture Show Fan club. I have a card and everything.
and.....
oh. please someone stop me!

Amy Butler, somedays I just don't know about you....

I did it! I finally made something just for me. The Chelsea Bag by Amy Butler.
And I love it, sort of...
The fabrics are awesome but I'm not a fan of the little clutch.
I should have remembered that when I started making it.

The handles were a pain in the hiney and I really should have used a thicker interfacing...
But gosh darn it, it's one pretty bag.
(Thank you Capello for talking me into it)

If you can't tell, I'm currently in love with the Heather Ross "Lightening Bugs" collection.

All in all, I'm happy with it. I do have to say it was fun walking into the local fabric store, Sarah's Fabrics, and have them all comment on my bag. Not one person asked if I made it, they just knew I had (because I bought the fabric from them) and then they stopped & talked "shop" about the pattern and everything. I was in heaven.

So, Amy Butler, I forgive you for being really wordy when you write your directions, for being confusing and I even forgive you for those damn handles even though they almost made me cry.
Just 'cause the ladies at the fabric store said I did a good job.

arggh. 100 freakin' things about me. (let's hope I don't disappoint.) Part 1

1. I work on this list when I'm trying to fall asleep at night. what does that say about me?

2. I have a myspace page and sometimes I feel dirty for having it.

3. I love to read. Mostly crap books, no "real" literature for me. If it's depressing or thought provoking, I want no part of it. The world around me is sad enough.

4. I am envious of all writers. Even bad ones.

5. I have issues with textures of foods. It can taste wonderful but if the texture is the least bit funky then I won't eat it. This bothers other people immensely. (especially my mom and husband)

6. I have 5 tattoos. and i only regret one of them.

7. I have worked with Developmentally Disabled Adults for the past 9 years. I never would have picked this career as a kid but I'm glad I did.

8. When people try to tell me how wonderful I am for working with Developmentally Disabled Adults, I become very uncomfortable. I do not view myself as a saint for working with these guys, they're awesome. Just like everyone else there are some great and not so great people. No medal is needed for working with them, just some patience.

9. If you couldn't tell, I'm a Democrat. But for the record, I feel that ALL politicians are sleazy, power hungry jerks. This may be a wild generalization but I don't think so.

10. I desperately want to win the lottery.

11. but I rarely buy a ticket.

12. Two of my tattoos are for my children. They are 3 stars , one inside another. They symbolize the fact that i love them for the person they were, the person they are and the person they will become.

13. I live within a mile of three of my ex-boyfriends. Oh, what's weird is that they all proposed but none of them had a ring so it didn't count.

14. I stopped smoking over 5 years ago on the day I found out I was pregnant with Maisy. I still really miss it. A LOT.

15. I have never left the United States.

16. I have always lived in the Midwest.

17. I did visit New York City. Not being able to see the sky without looking straight up really bothered me.

18. I love living in my semi-small town. I like walking downtown and running into someone I know. I love the community and the fact that people actually smile at one another.

19. I was raised Southern Baptist.

20. Which is the reason I'm not religious. At All.

21. I'd really like to be a Buddhist but I don't think I'm a good enough person. I can really hold a grudge.

22. I try not to be judgemental.

23. I try not to say mean things about other people.

24. I don't always succeed, that's why I'll never be a good Buddhist. -sigh-

25. I have met my true partner in crime. She lives in Tucson, Az. I miss her terribly.

26. My husband and I drank at the same bar, hung out with the same people and went to the same parties for over a year before we met each other. He has random pictures of his friends and I'm in the background.

27. I would love to have segment on This American Life. I would talk about my favorite graffiti in the bathrooms at the Replay. (it sounds lame, but trust me, it would be cool)

28. This American Life makes me cry every freakin' time.

29. I also cry at movies. It is embarrassing for the people I am with because I do not cry "nicely". Lots of loud sobs, snot, hiccups and red cheeks are involved.

30. I had a hard time telling the difference between my left and my right until I was in college.

31. Thankfully my daughter does not have this problem. At 5 years old, she can reliably tell the difference between her left and right. I am constantly amazed by this.

32. I am not a nice pregnant woman. I am mean. I have threatened to fight good friends when they teased me while pregnant. I even told Matt (poor Matt) to stop getting his "mouth breath" all over me. The poor man was just breathing.

33. I get really mad when women try to make other women feel bad for getting an epidural during labor. I have had a child with and without. They both have their pros and cons. If you ask me my opinion I'll give it but otherwise, I keep my mouth shut and strongly believe others should too.

34. I believe in having a firm handshake.

35. Being a mother was the greatest thing to ever happen to me. It's not perfect and neither am I but it's better than anything else.

36. I am an only child.

37. People often say "you don't seem like an only child."

38. I have no idea what that means. Are only children normally freakish, social outcasts?

What makes us so different from others?

39. My favorite band is the Old 97's. If you've never heard of them, go out and do so. They write some of the most amazing lyrics ever. My one of my favorites would be:
"Saw her sitting at the bar you know how some girls are/
always making eyes well she wasn't making eyes/
so I saddled up beside her settled down and shouted hi there/
my name's Stuart Ransome Miller I'm a serial ladykiller/
she said I'm already dead that's exactly what she said"

40. I have a thing for Rockabilly boys. They're just too cute.

41.They would probably be horrified that a 30 yr.old mother of two finds them "cute".

42. I prefer roller skates to roller blades.

43. Don't ask me when was the last time I wore either.

44. I really wish I was a morning person.

45. I try really hard but I'm pretty horrifically unpleasant before 9am.

46. Too bad I have to be at work by 8am.

47. I am boring when it comes to food. I like it plain but good. Please don't try to take me to a fancy restaurant, I won't like it. But I will smile and pretend I did then order pizza once I get home.

48. I'm a huge sci-fi fan. Very few things are as exciting to me as talking to random people about different sci-fi / fantasy authors. Yes, I know that makes me a huge dork.

49. When something makes me really happy I'll clap. A lot. and sometimes jump up and down. and I might shove or hit you. But it's all meant nicely. People at work think I'm weird and only my true friends find this endearing. :)

50. I'm finding it hard to write 100 things about myself so I'm going to take a break. I'll be back later for part 2.

Glad you stuck around this far.

The overgrown garden revisitied

Thank goodness for lots of rain and a very mild beginning to a Kansas summer.

The front yard is OBNOXIOUSLY over grown and I love it!

You can barely see the little bits of weird yard art Matt has everywhere. There's a wire fairy-thing in there somewhere.

just because it's pretty.

I love hostas. They are one of my favorite plants. We have all different kinds all over the front and back yard.

And yes, that used to be the driveway. It's much better as a garden.
Trust me.

okay, "secret projects" may have been a little strong

Mostly they are just projects that benefit me and only me!
These fabrics are beginning of a bag that had me frustrated, irritated and almost in tears last night. But actually getting some rest and um, reading the directions helped me not hate it as much as before.

This is NOT a finished project of mine.
Nope, I did not make this Country Cutie. I borrowed it from my mom's house (or if you must know, stole it from the basement) so I could make a pattern from it. I'm hoping to create an updated version. One with a color scheme and fabrics that I like. I'm even day dreaming about an entire wall of these in various sizes and color combinations. They'll be a beautiful addition to my collection. You know, when I get the time......

oh, please. Say you still love me.

Jeez, I had no intention of being gone for an entire week. It's amazing how quickly the time goes, especially when working on such important things like birthday parties for small people.

But I am prepared to bribe my way back into your good favor......
with Favor Bags.
I got a little excited when making these drawstring bags for Maisy's party and have a few left over. So if you know any little boys who would like a train bag (I have 2) or any girls that love Tinkerbell (I have 4 of those) just send me an email and I'll send them your way.

Also here's a picture of the Mama Backpack I made for Maisy. It's just the perfect size and the drawstrings make it easy to put one of her babies in it for Farmer's Market.

The tutorial for this at HappyThings is fantastic. The directions and measurements were easy to understand and follow. I highly recommend any of her tutorials, they're all awesome.
(oh, and that's where i got the favor bags from too. )

okay, I swear and cross my heart to write much much more this week and all following weeks until Arlo's birthday (but that's not until November).
I even have a secret project that I'm working on. I'm soo excited and I'll absolutely show pictures when I'm done.