#199

I feel like the next post should be special since it's going to be No. 200, so I'll warn you now, it won't be, please don't expect much from me.
I'm still coughing and it's making me mental.
Went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday, and it was a bit ho-hum. It was worth my while, but I don't think I'll go back. Typical Farmer's Market, a lot of people looking, not so many buying. I did have one complaint...

Busy, I know, but just so much fabulosity on an 8' table.

Fabulous signs are courtesy of my awesome sister, wasted on the reams of people who seemingly are unable to read. Screw 'em, I think they're the bees knees.

So. Many. Little. Tags.

Beaches in a bottle.
I decided to keep this bag, by the way.
I'll do what I want.

The little tree is there to represent how these are good for the environment.
It's in a coffee cup, because the cozees are for take-out cups.
The cozee is on the cup to demonstrate what to do with it.
The wall behind the tree is for me to bang my head on the next time someone says, "Are these cuffs?"
Oh, f*$% you and your cuff.

Braaaaaaaaaaains.
I still love these. 

Oh, COME ON.

  ...I made dog cookies. I labeled them "Pooch's Pumpkin Cookies" and put them in an old dog dish. I know there's a picture right there, but clearly, it needs to be explained, since so many people were super excited to try my pumpkin cookies (and while I do make a mean pumpkin cookie, MY NAME ISN'T POOCH). Could I have made it clearer? Am I missing something here? Is this not as blatantly obvious as I thought?
By about the 6th person, I was very tempted to just say yes! Try them! They are deeee-lish.

For God sake.

Up next: garden pictures!!

Pneumon-ya?? I hardly know ya!

That's a stretch, I know. But I got sick, and then I got sicker, and then I got a little sicker, and 3 visits to the Dr later, they FINALLY sent me for an x-ray, and told me I have pneumonia. So I've been doing a lot of sitting on my arse and watching tv. Now, after being sick for... 5 weeks? I am annoyed. I am annoyed with my inability to do anything, to walk the dogs, to put my garden in (my poor cucumber plants!), to walk up the stairs without having to stop at the top. I feel like, a very, very old person. I am also annoyed by the fact that I went to the doctor 4 days after I started feeling bad, because I knew this wasn't just a cold, and no one took me seriously. I went, and went, and f-ing went, and only after three weeks did I get an x-ray. Anyway, I'm still good for nothing, still annoyed, the weather's so bad (rain and more rain) that I'm afraid I'm going to start growing mushrooms.

So there's a been a lot of tv watching. And these commercials? Some of these, they're not okay.
First up, there's the Febreeze commercials. All of them.  Not that there's anything wrong with them, but you can't tell me that that family sitting around the garbage can can't smell, oh, I don't know, garbage. And then, Oh, and then, there's the two ladies in the minivan full of trash. Ooooh, that woman. That woman's an asshole. I don't like the way she says, "Smells like LAUNdry, fresh out the DRYer, or a MAAAAN, fresh out the SHOWer."  Normally, I'd say she must've slept with the casting coach, but I can't imagine anyone not running from that STUPID haircut. Like, did she get drunk with some asshole friends and they did they to her? Does she have very specific hair loss? I don't understand why someone would do that on purpose. What can it possibly look like when it's down?? Like some weird Lenny Kravitz/Friar Tuck hybrid bullshit.

And then there are the commercials for online dating sites. Is anyone surprised that people who sign up for Match.com are three times more likely to find a relationship than others? These are, after all, the people who are actively looking for a relationship. And oh. Dear. God. Christian Mingle. I feel the same way about them that Dr. Sheldon Cooper feels about Will Wheaton.  I hated the commercials anyway, and then they came up with that jingle. Ooooh, that jingle.  I just have a hard time believing that God is running a website to make sure all the good Christian's get married off so that they can start making other good Christians.

Does anyone watch The Deadliest Catch? Elliot Neese is single-handedly ruining this show. Who cares about his trailer-park drama with his baby-mama? 

Sewing has taken a definite backseat. I have yet to do anything with the jersey I bought, but I have a plan, that involves drafting my own pattern since I can't seem to find what I want online, and I'm two hours away from the nearest place that sells patterns (shocking, I know).  I have some zip pouches to make for the farmer's market that I'm hoping to make it to. 

In case any one's wondering, this is, in fact, how boring my life has been lately. Cross your fingers for more excitement in the near future. 

To paint. Or not to paint.

 So, the dresser started off looking like this. Dirty. Moldy. Bird-poopy. Oh yes. A nasty mess, fo'sho'.

"All I want is a room somewhere..."

I'm feeling a bit of a draft in the back.

So I started to clean it up. I took the back off; part of it was broken, and replaced with some sort of drywall/cardboard mixture, which was most like asbestos (cough).
And then all the little wooden blocks that were holding the tracks up, well, they fell out. Turns out they were just glued in there, with what I have to assume was 80% pure horse; whatever the ingredients, it didn't hold up to water. 

That's some nice looking wood.

 But I persevered. I scrubbed everything with a mixture of oxyclean and bleach and let it dry. Then I sprayed everything with vinegar. So now what....

You never know what you'll find when you clean up your drawers.

Of course, it's not in perfect condition. It needs work. Way, way more work than I'd originally thought. Where it was sitting on the floor may be beyond saving; I may have to bring in a product to preserve rotten wood, which means I'll have to end up painting it. But I'm undecided. Oak isn't my favorite wood, and I was originally just going to peel off the veneer, but now I'm undecided... Thoughts? Tell me what you would do :D.

You looking at my cans?

Merry old soul, indeed.

These will look really nice in my place. Y'know, sometime. Soon, hopefully. :P

My ghost etiquette isn't up to par...

Let me just preface this by saying I'm not someone who's easily frightened. Jump out at me, and I'm scream like a girl and get a bit of a shock, but in general, I'm not a scaredy-pants. The only movies that had any sort of lasting effect on me were The Woman in Black and The Exorcist, and even those didn't leave me laying awake at night or anything (who am I kidding? I didn't sleep for days!! ... I kid... one day, tops).  I'm not scared of being out at night, or in the dark, or aliens or clowns, or whatever it is that kids these days are scared of. My sister and I, and later on, our Ma, had heard voices at my grandparents old house, and odd as it sounds, it wasn't something that seemed scary. What I would best describe as voices from another room: you could hear them, but you couldn't understand them. Earlier this week, I decided I was going to go down there (the house has been empty for several years) to finish stripping the paint from a door that I had started last summer (yes, yes, I know, slack. But the house isn't regularly heated so I wasn't working on it). It was finally a mild day, so I turned the furnace on, and headed down there with hounds to do some work. I was there for about 15 minutes, and the hounds were alternating between walking around and sniffing everything to laying on the floor. Royston walks into the living room, over to the corner sniffs around the table, stops and looks at me, just turns his head and stares, just as the windmill music box starts to turn and play (you have to turn the windmill to play the music). That struck me as a little weird, but I figured y'know, there was no heat all winter, the mechanism is just warming up and started to play (I'm ignoring the dog connection. Cause I want to. So I am). So I'm working away for the next few hours, listening to music, stripping layer after layer I after layer of paint off this door (the house was built by my grandfather's uncle, and the door under the stairs is something from a ship (scavenged, stolen, who knows), complete with the hand carved brass "Lamp Room" plate), when I realize the music doesn't sound right. I go check out the cd player, and the dogs make a beeline for the door, and I realize that the music is alternating between playing normally, and fast forwarding. Rocco's pawing at the door and looking over is shoulder as if to say, "If you don't open this, I'm making my own way".  Needless to say, if that door hadn't opened, I'd have helped him. (To be clear, I cleaned up what I was doing, and picked up my mess before I left, I did not run out screaming. Not so far as you know).

Artist's depiction of the actual event.

Two days later, my cousin and I went scavenging around the old house where our grandfathers grew up (that's my grandfather sitting on the steps, so this was taken around 1914-1917). I'll spare you a depressing current picture of the house in its dilapidated state, and just say we were looking to save

This is actually not the spooky house. Never mind the children of the corn.

anything that could be used and (much to my father's chagrin, as I'm using his garage), I made some great finds.

The saved in the nick of time mantle.

I didn't know I could feel this way about a hinge. Gorgs!!

The "I have a dream!!" dresser.

Stay tuned, this is going to be a bookcase.

Sewing has been kind of put on hold for a bit.That bag should get finished annnytime at alll...

Also, I've been dreaming about gardening. Is that weird? Tomorrow I have to take a look at my seeds, and see what I need to plant early.  EEEEEE so exciting. Stay tuned for a list of what I'm planting  (you're on the edge of your seat already, aren't you?).

What's everyone else up to? I'm linking up to Somewhat Simple, so if that's how you found your way here, well, hellooo. :D

Give me strength*

*A blog post in which I rant and ramble.

Oh Lordy. Okay, who has seen the ads for the "Playtex Fresh+Sexy Wipes"? While I appreciate the humor behind "A clean beaver gets more wood" (heh), seriously, just f-off already. You can see the ads here, and yes, I chuckled when I read them, but there's no chance in Hell I'd ever buy these. Would you? Do you live in your car with no access to a shower? (In which case, I'm sorry for the tragic turn your life has taken, and I hope things come around for you).  'Cause unless you're really paranoid, and keep catching a whiff of something that smells like dumpster juice, I'm betting that these are a)unnecessary and b)a big ol' waste of money.

There's some movie on; I'm not really listening to it, it's some 80's mob extravaganza, but I did just overhear "He should die of hemorrhoids." Wow (and again: I laughed). You'd have to really hate someone to wish that on them.

Looking for ideas for a housewarming gift. I'm thinking some useful things in a reusable container (fascinating reading, this. I don't know if I should thank you, or apologize). Pictures when it's done.

Working on some bags. And I may have some upcycling projects that are top secret at the moment, so shhh! More to come!

*bag preview!*

I spent 2 days this week planning my veggie garden. Yay!! It's supposed to be nice this coming week, so I should be able to start turning the soil, and then get everything turned and fertilized. Finally, a use for all these coffee grounds!

Also, I've been reading the reFashionista blog, and inspired to refashion some things of my own. Will this happen? Who the hell knows. I think it's the impending Spring: it's giving me all kinds of loony ideas! (Loony because sometimes I really don't like to sew. It's like baking: I like it when it's going well).

And be warned: there will be a dog post coming up.

What're you reading? I just finished John Dies at the End, by David Wong. Very strange, but I have to say, I loved it!! and can't wait to read the sequel.  I'm about in the middle of Bossypants (by Tina Fey) and it's enjoyable; it's a really quick read, and it's so funny.

If you're still with me, thanks for dropping by. I hope you come back! It gets lonely on this here blog... 0_o

Note to self: when you have a song stuck in your head, keep it to yourself.

I no longer remember what it was that I had in my head, but I was complaining and my dad comes out with this:

"It's fine, the goose drank wine, 

the monkey chewed tobacco on the street car line.

The line broke, the monkey choked, 

They all went to heaven in a little rowboat".

I can't really get the tune across, but believe me, it's a doozy. And I cannot get it out of my head. Thanks Pa. (edit: this is seriously a song? wow).

Also: am I the only person who hates Valentine's day? I don't celebrate it, I don't want anything for it, don't buy me flowers or cards, or anything else. I don't understand what the hell the point is. I can't see what it is other than a)a big commercial holiday to fill the gap between Christmas and Easter, and/or b)a cop out for all the arses who don't do anything nice for their significant other for the rest of the year. So to you, Valentine's day, I say Booooo. BOOOOOOOO (and no, I'm not bitter. I just refuse to take part in this farce of a holiday).

So let's see. Bought some material.

Made some stuff.... 

The bags are for me... 

How could I resist this material? I mean, seriously.

Made a wee baby card...

Got some awesome material from my awesome sister....

 ...who just happens to have a birthday today (how'd you like that segue? Btw, every time I see that I saw "say-gue" in my head).HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST SISTER IN THE WORLD. Maybe next year I'll get you that clown-o-gram.

Love you!

It's a cold, cold, cold night tonight...

... to steal a little something from Bon Jovi. So I'm making some baked potato soup. And drinking more coffee (both more than normal, and more than I probably should).
I've linked up the Somewhat Simple party, want to check it out? Click-clicky!

 I've been busy, see? To quote what I keep seeing on the interweb, CREATIVITY IS MESSY AND I AM VERY CREATIVE.

Just a sneak peak, as it's for a birthday present. The tags make me happy.

 At my parent's house, the dog's aren't allowed on the carpet, hence the temporary chair gate. The big buy knows the boundaries; the wee is without boundaries. Every time you look away he's creeping in a little closer, like a wee furry ninja. Is this not the saddest thing you've ever seen?

 Baby quilt that will hopefully be quite suitable for a wee babe who's hoping to bag a moose.

Got some lovely quilt books for Christmas. The top one has a CD with quilt patterns, which are just lovely. I put together an apple core quilt before, but it was all by hand, so I'm interested to see how well this goes with machine piecing. The bottom book is a fabric artist (yes? artsy quilter? I'm not sure) from the South Shore of NS, and her work is AMAZING. Hopefully one of these days I get the ambition to try something like this. On a much, MUCH smaller scale.
Speaking of ambition, I have none. I can't believe the month of January is almost over, and I've accomplished almost nothing. So let me just put this out here:

Goals for the month of February

1. Gym. Gym and more gym. I've been slack, and this needs to stop.
2. I am probably single-handedly keeping a sugar plantation somewhere in business. This also needs to stop. 
3. Finish all some of the WIPs that I have hanging around here. 
4. Write. Something. Anything. Please. 

And there it is.  I'll check in with that at the end of the month. 

Also: cold weather, please f*&# off already. K, tks.

Now here's something that's been in my craw lately: That GD Nice N' Easy commercial with Kate. Y'know, "And after all this time (or whatever the Jesus the line is) Kate still looks like Kate". Yes, because if Kate hadn't been dying her hair with that shitty boxed dye from the grocery store, her grey hair might be showing, turning her into the inevitable aged gorgon all women attempt to fend off. 

Unrelated: I think I'll get my hair dyed. Seriously. Unrelated. I'm just bored. 

I've been working on some birthday presents, and some of them, not to give too much away, have put me in mind of Absolutely Fabulous, and one of these days very soon, I'm going to have to re-watch it. Do you watch it? Do you loooove it?  I love, LOVE that show. Like, I watched it so much, I'm pretty sure my dad still gets a facial tick when he hears "Wheels on fire, rolling down the roooooaaaaad". Ha! Love it!

And since my sister's bday is coming up one of these days/weeks/sometime in the near future, I have the perfect present in mind. It may or may not be related to the fabulous source of vintage clown masks I've found. That's right, Benore, be afraid. (I kid. There's really no need to be afraid. I'm well away you'd sick your dog on me, and/or beat me with a club. I assume you keep a club on hand for those infrequent, but necessary, clown beatings).

Attn: crafty people: What's one thing you would hate to do without? Could be anything, as long as you find it particularly handy.

And a month has passed. Whoops.

Well, hello thurr. I do mean to blog more, and quite frankly, I'm surprised that it's been over a month! Of course, with Christmas, time does tend to pass alarmingly quick. Anyone else make a New Year's resolution? Mine is to not listen to Taylor Swift this year. On the tv? Change the channel. On the radio? Change the channel. On the PA in the grocery store? Sprint towards the doors with my hands over my ears singing "Good King Wenceslas" at the top of my lungs. Oh yes, I am serious.
I did join the gym in October, and dang, I was doing good. Lately, I've been having some sinus issues (termites, or sinusitis? Who knows) so I'm blaming the slackassery on a mixture of that and the snow. Who the hell invited the snow to winter? I mean, Jesus, some people.
So let's see, in reverse order, made some things for Christmas:

 (beach glass wreath)

 (Ornament made of an old grater with Fimo gingerbread men)

 (Makeup bag. This was my first attempt at freezer paper stenciling. Swoon.)

(Cozy little meeses).

(Not a creature was stirring, indeed).

I made other things, another bag, pj pants, a buttload of baked goods (not literally, I actually put the stuff in cute little bags and boxes. Let me just say, I was plenty tired of packing fudge), and a whole set of photo booth props. Where are the pictures, you say? Yes, good question. I must take more pictures...

Tonight I tried using my printer to print on fabric. Hallelulia.

SOOO happy with the results. I took a piece of freezer paper and ironed over the type when I was done, hopefully it'll set the ink a little better (I'd have used wax paper, but I had none, and even though I know the ink is supposed to be permanent, I figured it couldn't hurt).

Now I'm trying this neat thing where I finish what I have started before I start something new. I'm not enjoying it, but it is effective. So first up, bind the baby quilt that I was making for a friend, and then get to work on some birthday presents.  I ordered some material yesterday from Fabric.com, I'm so weak!! But it's lovely... and I think it's a good thing that my Grandmother didn't have access to the internet....

Let's see. What else? I'm making a (let's be honest here) half-hearted attempt at eating better. I had roaster cauliflower for supper, but yesterday I ate a bag of Hershey's cookies and cream kisses. See above: I know I'm weak. At least they were on sale? Yea, I know. Poor excuse. Here's my problem: I LOVE sweets. Chips? Pop? Fast food? No problem, I'd rather have good food. But put chocolate in front of me, and I'll see how much I can fit in my mouth at once. So, any fellow sugar junkies out there have any tips?