Thanksgiving and the Holdays (MMSM)

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving.
I will admit that I have issues with Thanksgiving, in general. I understand the point of a day of giving thanks and being grateful for what we DO have, but I don't completely understand how over-stuffing ourselves with food is the best way to show that thanks. I enjoy the time we get to spend with our families and am grateful for the days off work. . .However, it is a holiday completely centered around a meal. That's the tradition in and of itself. Thanksgiving is a meal, plain and simple. I am glad that it's another holiday that all American can celebrate without infringing on another set of people's religious ideals, like Christmas does. This was evident on my car ride home from dinner with my family. I noticed every fast food joint, every grocery store, every package store was CLOSED for the rest of the day. On Christmas, you can still find a few open, because not everyone celebrates. Thanksgiving - everyone celebrates!! Well, everyone in America at least.

Now, we are full force into the Holiday Season and getting closer to my mom's Ball. I'm going to be moving at warp speed to get everything I NEED to get done and will try to work in what I want to do. It was a good thing I got my house (mostly) cleaned yesterday. It makes me feel so much better to wake up on clean sheets with a clean bathroom. I feel so much more productive in the mornings.

Ahhhhh - I'm rambling now!!

Staying on a positive note. . .How about some "Made Me Smile Monday" to start the work week out right!!

• These turtles had me ROLLING
• Top 100 funny one-liners
  
• Spacebook - Facebook in Space. Star Wars to be exact. Too funny!
  
• It made my day (IMMD) is an open post thing where people post what makes their day. It could be simple or something a bit more evil (I like the simple ones.)
• LOML has already informed me that this has been photoshopped. I DON'T care. I still think it's awesomely cute. Cute Overload has it entitled "The fool, he suspects nothing"

I will admit that though we had a very LONG holiday weekend, I got NOTHING crafty accomplished. I do want to get a Christmas necklace made for myself this week as I have a party on Saturday. The craft room, unlike the rest of the house, did not get cleaned. Hopefully I'll get to it because I have issues with crafting in a disaster area. Wish me luck!!
Happy Monday y'all!

Silent Auction Jewelry (TRT)

I've done it again. Done and gotten my head wrapped up in the world of vampires and werewolves in Forks. Dangit. I spent ALL of last week re-reading the four Twilight books. Not because of the new movie, but because I felt like it. Plain and Simple. While the images of teenage vampires are still swirling in my head, I'm trying to re-enter reality. Forgive me.

I did promise to share some pictures of the jewelry pieces I created for the silent auction a few weeks ago. Here goes: (there are two pictures of each - the first is the display of the whole set and the second is a close up of the main piece.)

It's "Totally Random Tuesday" as well:

• This is more organization than anything - 5 best recipe managers.
  
• How cool is this apron with conversions on the bottom - BUT I like the DIY idea better for this or any kind of info you often need while in the kitchen: conversions, substitutions, basic recipes, etc.
• Since I played the violin for over 5 years, I find this a bit interesting. Is this the future of violins? This one is cool.
  
• Yet another game- this one is scrabble like. Use letters before they disappear. Be warned, the letters you use also disappear. If you like word games, this is a good one.
  
• Famous last meal requests (as provided by Wikipedia). I find this interesting. I've often try to figure out what I would ask for as a last meal and am not really sure. What about you? What would you request?

How'd you like the jewelry??

I've Been Crafty Once Again (FGF)

Guess what!!
Crafty Hope (me) was actually CRAFTY this week!!
Now, I don't have any pictures to share. . .yet!
But, on Sunday I finished up some jewelry for a silent auction that's tomorrow. Three distinctly different 'sets'. One is a set of soldered earrings and a pendant necklace; one is a beaded set of earrings, bracelet, and necklace; and the last is a multi-strand chain and seed bead necklace. I'm pretty proud of all three.

In addition (YES - there's MORE!), the function at which these are being auctioned is a dance, with a theme. The theme is Bandstand (ranging from the 50's to the 80's; but we're leaning toward the 50's.) Since we take snacks for the dance, I decided to make some album bowls by melting them. I used both large and small albums for chip/cracker and dip containers. And, they turned out GREAT!

Yesterday was another crafty day for me. I made a brooch for my cardigan (that goes with the poodle skirt my mom made me) out of felt and buttons. It was so simple and is so fun! THEN after dinner with friends, I broke out the glue gun! I had decided that I needed some way to display my jewelry for the auction. So I found some netting, frames, and fabric samples at the thrift store. I glued in the netting, placed the fabric behind it, and slid the frame back into place. The earrings hang fine, I just need to find some small hooks now to get the necklaces and bracelet to hang. They're not the 'prettiest' things in the world - but I think they'll work!!

It's strange how much more like me I feel when I actually get to fit in some time to be creative!! Now to get through this dance and onto Sunday when I can RELAX!! Whew!

Read all the way to the bottom to find out more about this picture***

How about some "Feel Good Friday"

• What love means to a kid. Some of these are REALLY moving. I can't imagine what my answer would have been at some of their ages.
• Check out this papercraft castle. Seriously, it's a castle, made of PAPER!!
• What happens when a 71 year old ex-boxer defends his life, his wife, and his home. See for yourself. I love these stories of the unexpected victor - the David and Goliath-esqe tales.
• This is from May 2008, but how come it's the first time I've heard of this? In any case it's good news, a way to decompose plastic bags.

So that's it. Now go on, enjoy your Friday and the rest of the weekend. I'm sure as heck gonna try. I might even sneak in some more crafting if I'm lucky!!

***That picture up there was taken a few weeks ago at the beach. Those are just the bottoms of someone's shoes. LOML and I call this picture "The Beach of Lost Soles" :)
We think it's funny!!

Halloween Wrap-Up

How in the world is it Friday already??
How did that happen? Where did the week go?
I'm not complaining by any means, but this week has just slipped away from me.
I don't really have much to say and I still have a TON of Halloween links to unload on you. . .so, let's do it!!

Food

• Here's one Halloween food roundup
  
• And a spooky edibles gallery (7 items)
  
• Mmmmmm - a pumpkin spice cream cheese recipe
  
• Lastly, nummy-sounding pumpkin swirl brownies
  

Crafts/Costume

• Create costumes with household items for a more frugal Halloween
  
• And, here's some DIY Halloween projects for kids
  
• If you're not the 'pumpkin-carving' type, here are a few no-carve ideas. I really like the little ones with the ribbon wrapped around them!
• Craft you some paper pumpkin ornaments.
  

General Tip

• Use petroleum jelly to keep pumpkins fresher, longer.
  

Something fun for your Friday!

• These candy corn traffic cones were sighted in Washington DC

So, whether you're trick-or-treating with the wee ones, scaring up some fun at a party or local establishment, or haunting your own house -

Have a safe and heart-pounding Halloween!!!

Working Through It (Halloween-style TRT)

"As soon as you're born, you start dying; so you might as well have a good time"

~lyrics from 'Sheep Go To Heaven by Cake

I try to remember these words when I start feeling down about what's going on around me. They help me remember that I'm the only one who can make a REAL difference in my life. Yes, they may be morbid; but that's kinda who I am. I need to remember to LIVE and HAVE FUN doing it before I'm all out of time.

You may have read my POOR ME post yesterday, and I want you to know I'm feeling a bit better about life now. I won't apologize or give excuses for yesterday, because that's how I was honestly feeling THEN.

While I'm not all better, I realize that it was just a day. A day to be thankful for, a day I got to experience, and a day from which I can learn.

Now, to get back to the business of LIVING. . .
Here's some "Totally Random Tuesday" Halloween-style:

• Here are some festive ways to "kill" time: quizzes, lists, etc for Halloween/horror movie fans.
  
• Check out this Halloween fantasy mask tutorial.
  
• These Bloody brain shooters look awfully gross, but I LOVE the ingredients and how they turn out. You totally want to drink that, don't you?
• Look for something to give you the creeps, check out these seven haunted objects. I've heard LOTS of stories about the first one.
  
• Make some eyeballs in a jar - Halloween tutorial.
  

You getting in the Halloween mood yet??

Question: What quotes motivate you?
To end this post, let me share one other that really sticks in my mind

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
~Dr. Seuss

Birthday Review (and a Special Edition of Halloween MMSM)

What a very strange weekend it was . . .
LOML offered to take me out of town for dinner and a night at a hotel, but I chose to stay in town and watch college football instead. Fortunately - Alabama won. It was a nail-biter and an overall good game though. We tried to hook up with a few friends, but that never worked out. THEN, I got pissed at the place we went to watch some more football, because they changed the big TVs to games that held no interest (Iowa) and then to a UFC (fighting) thing. I was SO MAD!! We left early, me a bit downtrodden.
My spirits were raised on Sunday when we visited with my family. We carved pumpkins and ate gumbo. I got one of those AWESOME Margaritaville Blenders (frozen concotion maker) from my family. I can't wait to use it!! We also had a yummy Tirimisu cake that my mom ordered from New York. As soon as the cake was eaten, we got a call that a close family friend had passed. Seriously! LOML and I left soon after and went to see a movie before finally heading home.
It was a busy weekend, but definitely left my spirits dampened. Perhaps that's why I was having all those ill feelings about my birthday in the first place. It was destined to be. . .less than celebratory.
On the other hand, the outpouring of good wishes I received via twitter, Facebook, blog comments, and e-mail was overwhelming. A BIG HUG and THANK YOU to all of you for thinking of me, if only for a moment. It really meant a lot!!

The conclusion of my birthday, means one thing - the lead up to Halloween!!
I've saved a bunch of links from last year and a few this year to share this week.
Let's get this party started with some Halloween-Themed "Made Me Smile Monday"

• How about these owl cookies - they look good enough to, well, eat. They are also not completely Halloween specific and can totally be made any time of year.
  
• A gallery of Star Wars pumpkins
• Mmmmmm - vampire cookies!!
  
• Beer Fairy costume - LOVE IT!!

Lastly, does anyone have any great blended drink recipes for me to try in my NEW, AWESOME machine? I've got the bushwacker and margarita down pat (well, not for this machine, YET) and I can make a pretty mean smoothie. But, if you've got any other suggestions, recommendations, or if you wanna come over and try it out, lemmie know!! Ohhh - anything for Halloween perhaps???

I Survived Another Year (FGF)

Well, tomorrow is another birthday for me (I'm not looking for well wishes and congrats or anything, stay in your seats.) As I gain another year, I think about how birthdays affect me. . .

As a kid, I was constantly counting down to my birthday, checking out party planning books from the library, making lists of what I wanted, and on and on. I drove my mom and other relatives CRAZY with reminders. I did everything but send out Save the Date cards for it. Even when LOML and I started dating and into the first few years of our marriage, I made sure he knew exactly how many months until my birthday and reminded him of some of the presents I would want. Now? Now, it's. . . well. . .different. I feel like I'm less juvenile about the date of my birth. Yes, I still want to celebrate it, and I still look forward to it. But, it's just not what it was.

Now, a birthday is AGE, MORE AGE. I feel like it's New Year's Eve and I need to set some resolutions or something. I probably should. . . I feel like there's so much I should have accomplished by this point (age). At the same time, I'm thankful for another year - another year with my my wonderful husband, another year with my family and friends. I guess that's the attitude I should take instead of the "poor me without kids", "poor me without a definite career path", "poor me who's overweight" . . . GAH! My birthday should make me happy and make me want to celebrate, not wallow - RIGHT?

I spend so much time focused on my lists and plans and whatnot, I'm tired of planning and doing. I've asked LOML to plan the day for me. I have planned NO MEALS and have left it up to him. I only ask that we watch the football game at 2:30 and have some fun the rest of the time. Let's see what he comes up with. . . I hope I haven't dug myself a hole with this. He knows what I like, he should be able to do this. Right?

Alright, enough introspective B.S. - It's "Feel Good Friday" How about we find something to feel good about:

• This is such a cool shot of bubble popping
• Delve into the wonderful world of Tim Burton (I'm not sure if it's Tim Burton's style or his use of Johnny Depp that I like more!)
  
• How bout this lady who has been collecting cans for her community swimming pool. It took 30 years, but she got it done
  
• This bowl full of ferrets just makes me HAPPY!
  
• How about a "Post-it love video" to round out the week and make you feel good?
  

So that's it. . .I guess I'm off to celebrate my age. Or something.
Let me know - how do birthdays make you feel?
Maybe tomorrow I'll wake up feeling like a kid again - maybe that'll be my birthday wish!

Dropping In (TRT)

Don't think I've forgotten about blogging.
Last week LOML and I took vacation and stayed pretty busy.
This week, I'm sick. We'll see how that works out.
For now, let me throw some random (for Totally Random Tuesday) links at you:

• Top 10 how to cooking videos
  
• I just love optical illusions, playing with your mind through your eyes. Cool stuff. Here's a collection of video optical illusions.
• Meet the real life invisible man.
  
• Are you a nerd dork, geek, or dweeb? This simple chart can help you figure that out!
  
• They have a point - Are we seeing the general collapse of civility?

Hopefully, I'll be back to regular posting soon.

Starting to Re-Do the RV (ThTh)

LOML and I are still trying to prepare the RV for our upcoming camping trip. (I was going to link to the post where I mentioned our trip, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe I didn't mention it. We're taking the RV on a camping trip here soon. . .)
You have no idea how nasty an RV that has been closed up for close to a year can get. Blech!! It smells(ed) like old lady, mold, and I dunno what else. I've gone through almost a whole bottle of Febreze on the upholstery and mattress.
I'm also constantly jumpy while in there - on the lookout for any sort of too-many-legs-creatures.
But, it's coming along. The beddings have been stripped and washed, I've started wiping down surfaces, and now I'm envisioning ways to decorate the place. You know, really make it ours: re-doing the upholstery, replacing the cabinet handles with something modern, painting the brass pieces some other sheen, etc. . .
I was able to pull down most of the valances down from over the windows after I took these "before" pictures of the place. Here's just a sample of what I'm dealing with here (please overlook the cleaning supplies scattered throughout)

The Bedroom

The Dining Room

The Bathroom

The Kitchen

Now for some samples of what I currently see in my head.
Here's the first set of pictures I found of a trailer that was re-done in a warm, and cozy way. It really gave me an idea of some of the travel trailer decorating possibilities.

But WAIT, there's more!! Here's the one I love the most. It's absolutely perfect!! You have to go (NOW) and see how this rv was renovated. The colors and decorations are simply perfect. Even LOML likes this one. He says that he's not concerned with how the trailer is decorated, but he's already told me his opinion of color options. . .

In any case- in addition to all the other treasures I search out in thrift stores, I have now added decorations for the RV to the list. AWESOME!! I better get busy. I think I might even try my hand at sewing again to make curtains and seat covers. Watch out!!

But first, speaking of thrift stores, it's 'Thrifty Thursday":

• Here's some tips on getting started with canning. I am interested in this, but haven't progressed far on my research.
  
• I may go ahead and make this non-toxic cleaning kit for the RV. Hmmmmm
  
• Again, for the RV - turning old jars into hanging lanterns AND/OR turning tin cans into garden lanterns.
  
• Another tool to help you find and map garage sales in your area. This one is supposed to be better than yard sale treasure map.
  
• Check out how an 100 foot tall oak tree (that died) was turned into art.

It's time to get back to work on that trailer . . . Wish me luck!!

Thrift Mania (FGF)

I know this should have been posted yesterday as part of a Thrifty Thursday post, but I really did run out of time. I worked and ran errands and grocery shopped and made chicken stock and crafted and cooked dinner and did as much as I could without blogging. I did edit the photos for this post though!

Anyway, I've done quite a bit of thrifting lately and wanted to share all my fabulous finds with you!! Here they are in chronological order.

This first one was a weekend thrifting excursion several weeks ago. I found a ton of little baggies of embroidery floss. The ones pictured are only about 1/8 of what I actually bought. Some was already on cards and others were still new like the above. However, I've already put the rest on cards and into my floss box (until I filled it and can't fit these leftovers.) The stuff on the left is just some miscellaneous items from a 'grab bag' type collection.

1. Thrifty Craft Items, 2. Miscelleanious Thrifted Jewelry Pieces
This one was also several weeks ago. On the bottom is a set of matching vintage pillowcases. On top, a vintage daisy brooch, embossing supplies, cross-stitch pieces still in their small embroidery hoops, and a little bag of jewelry pieces. You can see the jewelry pieces better in the picture on the left.

Below are my favorite AND most expensive finds as they were in an antique store. However, I have to say I feel like they were worth it!!
1. Four Pounds of Ephemera, 2. Vintage Button Cards
On the left is four pounds of paper from an estate sale that they had all bundled together. On the right is a collection of button cards and loose buttons that were in a gallon zip bag.

1. Vintage Sewing Box, 2. Inside Old Sewing Box, 3. Wood Spools Found in Old Sweing Box, 4. Vintage Bufferin Bottle
Here's the best part - a old sewing box with all the notions still in it. My favorites were the wooden spools of thread and the glass bufferin bottle with grommets in it.

1. Sep 23 Thrift Store Finds, 2. Inside Vintage Cookbook/Magazine
The above were my goodies from this week: a collection of vintage McCall's cookbooks/magazines, a small glass jar, and a few jewelry pieces. On the right, you can see a sample of the pictures inside the cookbooks. Too cool!

I do have to tell you my "Tale of Thrifting Woe"
During lunch on Wednesday, I ran to the thrift stores and ended up not buying anything at all. I did spot a few things I considered snagging, but decided that I didn't want to bother with checking out right then. Instead, I would think about it until I got off and if those items were still on my mind, I would come back and get them. On the list were two apothecary jars (one large and one small) and a necklace. Sure enough, when I got off, I wanted to get those item. Most specifically, I longed for the large apothecary jar. Wouldn't you know it - IT WAS GONE!! Someone had purchased MY JAR in the 3 1/2 hours I had been at work. The nerve of that person!! I was distressed, but bought the other items instead (you can see those in that last picture.) A lesson was learned!

As you can tell, most of my thrift store purchases are crafty related. I hope to work some of them into my projects at some point. We'll see how that works out.

Now to distract me from the sadness, here's some "Feel Good Friday"

• Advice from a 90 year old
  
• Kaleidoscope - I just love them and have a few collected. I could just stare and stare at this. Fun stuff.
  
• Kitties can sleep anywhere
  
• If you didn't hear, 8/28/09 was the last day of reading rainbow on PBS (according to what I heard on NPR, they don't have the funding and this is not the best way to get kids to read. It's apparently believed that they should be teaching kids the basics of reading, not reviewing books.) It sucks!! That was one of my favorite shows as a kid. It def spurred my interest in books which continues to this day. But, most of all I LOVE the theme song. Watching this video and hearing this song gives me goosebumps and makes me a little weepy to know the ride is over. Enjoy!
  
• Share a little comfort with Kraft Mac & Cheese- Click the button and Kraft will donate a box of the orange goodness MMMMmmmm, makes ya feel good to give!!

What have you been thrifting lately? If you haven't - go on out there and discover all the wonders that exist in your local thrift store, just don't take the stuff I want!!

Have a fab weekend!!

Furniture and Lists and Craft Bags - OH MY!! (WWWW)

The title is a homage to The Wizard of Oz's 70th Anniversary (which I think is today)Not really much to say today.
Last night LOML and I picked up the other dresser (chest of drawers) and placed it in the only open spot in the bedroom. He now thinks we may need to rearrange the bedroom. That's an undertaking I'm not sure want to engage in. It's not that we have a lot of furniture or anything. I just can't fathom another way to set up the room that'll satisfy me as much.

I do have to admit that I'm simply insanely happy that we now have a place for me to put all the clean laundry, instead of storing it in the laundry room until it was worn and dirty again. It's such a relief!

Let me mention that on the way to get the chest of drawers, I was amazed to realize that my husband doesn't know me at all. He mentioned that we need to make a list of all the tasks we need to get done before we take vacation with the RV (like get the new tags, finish cleaning it, make some bank deposits, etc.) I looked at him like he was crazy and informed him that I've already made the list. If anything, I am a list-maker. I may not refer to the list, complete ANYTHING on it, or remember where I put it; but I sure as hell am going to make one. Come on!!

What else? Ummm- I haven't reported on the content of my craft bag recently. For those of you just joining us, I craft (hence the Crafty Hope blog name.) Since I'm always on the move and I never know when the crafty urge or some spare time is gonna hit, I carry some sort of bag with me most of the time that contains the supplies for at least one project. I've been carrying around the current craft bag/supplies for several weeks now without mentioning it yet. I even took some photos for your pleasure!Let's see. . .it's a beading bag. Basically, it's an old purse with several spools of wire, 4 pairs of pliers, and a bunch of beads. The beads are mostly loose in plastic bags. Sorry the picture's so bad, but I didn't have much time to snap the shot and couldn't risk them rolling away.
So that's it.
OH WAIT - It's "Wild, Wild Web Wednesday":

• dating video from the 80's. Oh dear- this is just awesome and awful at the same time
  
  Dating Montage
  by smithy00101
  
  
• New Nintendo DS game sounds awesome and inventive. Getting to use your imagination to work the game is pretty cool -
  
• If you haven't heard about the trend of deciphering music videos into their literal meanings, you should def check these out to get a better understanding of literal music videos.
  
• fancy fast food
  
• This what a trailer for Ghost Busters would have looked like in 1954
  

I'll close on a positive thought: We're halfway to the weekend now!!