This and That

November 3, 2009 at 8:06 AM (Family Life, Friends, Honey, Muggins Q. Mouse, This and That)

Our Halloween had several activities going on, but none of them were trick or treat related. Our children have reached the age where this is all but a non-holiday.

Evidently, so have the kids in our neighborhood. We had a grand total of 7 knocking on our door. Maybe our ugly yard scared them away.

Speaking of our ugly yard, the City Sewer Guy called yesterday afternoon to set up another meeting. It will be the week before Thanksgiving. Still praying for that end result.

I wasn’t going to make our traditional Halloween snacks, until The Boy said that they were the best thing about Halloween anymore. Well, how could I resist that? They are SO yummy. Just what Honey and I need. Extra snacks.

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Thanks to LMNOP for taking the picture. I couldn’t get the flash to work and she is a professional. She also said that she knew  when she came in the house that the plate of cookies was staged for the blob. She’s like a little baby genius.

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I have been knitting a lot. Halle Berry enjoys napping in the nest-O-scarves.

The AquaMouse was in fine form on Saturday. Her team had their Division meet and they came in first place! She swam 3 events. A 200 medley relay with 3 other girls (her leg was the butterfly), and individual 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly. Her times in the  medley and the Fly qualified her for the Conference meet. Don’t I sound like I know what I’m talking about? I’m totally copying off the schedule paper.

What I do know is, if she does well at this next event, she qualifies for the State Finals! And that would be nothing short of AMAZING!!!! Imagine, our Baby Mouse swimming with the big fish!

She doesn’t think she will qualify, but she didn’t think she would make it this far. We are just so proud of that Fly Girl!

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This is her cute little stance. She always does it. The other swimmer is getting near her. She is getting READY to dive in!

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Off she goes! She’s a beast.

Today is that funky election day, so our high schoolers have no school. Mouse said last night that she heard it was because the voters were scared of the highschoolers.When did adults get so wimpy?

As a happy result, The Mouse and I are spending a half day together. She needs to go to the mall to have her glasses fixed. The arm fell off, and I cannot do my usual trick of jamming a toothpick in the hole to extend it’s life. The hole is too small. In all of my 35 years of wearing glasses, I have never encountered this phenomenon. I should have copyrighted it while I had the chance.

Since we will be in the area, a trip to the Value World will be in order. That ought to make her the happiest Mouse in the land.

AND, when Mrs. Schmenkman was here, and we were spending all that quality time together with the other Capri’s, we heard from Capri Patt that there was a new Sonic that had opened where there used to be a Denny’s. And it is RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE MALL. I have read many blogs telling of the unimaginable delight that is the Sonic.

I have been to Sonic exactly twice. Once, years ago with my family in Orlando, where they had ice cream, and where I did not, because I was actually embracing my low carb life style  in the correct way. The second time, was when Schmenky was here 2 weeks ago. Capri Patt and The Ab-Cat had ice cream, Schmenk ordered a  sugarfree limeade, that the worker girl did EVERYTHING in her power to switch to a CHERRY limeade, and I had a Diet Coke. With ice. That is one of the things that I have heard ya’ll waxing so poetic about. Supposedly, the ice at Sonic has magical properties.

It was a very good Diet Coke, but I don’t know about all that magical stuff.

All that to say, I have not eaten their food. So, perhaps today, Mousey and I will partake of the food. If we do, I will surely let you know. But I have to tell you right up front. Food is food to me. This annoys Honey to no end. He likes to think about food, and talk about food, and talk about how to prepare food. I could either enjoy a yummy meal or have a bowl of Cheerios. It’s all the same to me. I’m just meeting a need. The need of satisfying hunger.

Hope you all have a Tom Terrific Tuesday. Who was Tom Terrific anyway? I forget.

5 Comments

Mosaician Tribeswomen

October 27, 2009 at 6:23 AM (Friends, Pretty Things)

Capri Deb has many, many talents in many, many crafty sorts of endeavors. Some of her work can be seen here. Visit all over that site, there is a lot to see! She is an Artist.

She belongs to a lot of tribes. The Capri’s, of course, The Baguette’s, Running With Scissors, and more that I can’t think of! Another one of her tribes is The Mosaicians. Said, Mo-zak-ians. They like to mosaic. And this week, she taught us how!

Early on, Capri Patt decided to make a seahorse for her Florida house. She’s quick like that.

Schmenky started out drawing a rooster. But she had scale problems, and decided to scrap that. Next up? A tree with a sunset sky behind it.

I had no idea what to make. I have no vision. I copy. It’s what I do.

I said maybe a cat? I like cats. Capri Deb so graciously tried to help me. My brain was impossibly stubborn. I could not conceive how to start. I sat there with a pink nose and black cat pupils for an eternity. Then, I switched that horse in the middle of the stream.

We had gone to IKEA earlier in the week, where Deb bought some mirrors with wood around them. I traded my square piece of wood for one of the mirrors. Armed with that, and the mosaic  inspiration of Lisa and Patt’s sister, Laurie, I set to work mosaic-ing some water. Then I put some sand and rocks in. And then, Deb and I created a tree and some sun.

I can’t tell you when I have sat still that long and concentrated that hard! It was intense! Every piece of glass you cut is a decision. Every placement had to be thought about. Every now and then you got lucky and the piece placed itself. Deb makes it look SO easy! Schmenky and I are here to tell you, IT’S NOT! We are not natural tribe members!

Capri Patt did not whine nearly so much. She is fearless like that.

At the end of the first day, I had cuts all over my fingers. I bled on my wood. Our backs and necks were stiff. We were SO tired.

We were spread out every every inch of Deb’s table. That is her project , in the center. Not that she got to work on it much. She was helping us. Or me.

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Until her was grouted, Schmenky did not like it. It is beautimous. Capri Patt liked hers until it was grouted. It is beautimous. I liked mine before AND after it was grouted. It is beautimous.

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Leafless tree with a sunset sky, by Capri Lis Schmenkman

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The Seahorse without a Name, by Decisive Capri Patt

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Elements, by Capri Kel of The NutHatch.

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Thanks SO much Capri Deb, High Priestess of The Mosaicians!

Those look like professional quality mosaics to me!

4 Comments

The Capri Week

October 26, 2009 at 6:49 AM (Friends)

The Schmenkman’s are grieving.

They brought Paddy, the rescued beaver that they have been lovingly caring for all year, up to Michigan to live at the Howell Nature Center. It seemed like a total God Thing. It was the answer to a prayer that Schmenky hadn’t even prayed yet. She thought she had another year to keep her, since baby beavers stay with their mamas for 2 years.

Then, Capri Deb met her nephew’s fiance, who just happened to work at The Howell Nature Center, and they just happened  to need a new beaver to be a friend for their existing beaver. The previous beaver had passed away, and the surviving one was lonely. Deb mentioned that her SIL, Mrs. Schmenkman, just happened  to be caring for a rescued beaver that would need a home.

It seemed like a match made in heaven. It was not to be. Schmenky wrote about what actually happened here.

I would not have been surprised if Schmenky had gone back home with her husband, Mr. C, after the weekend was over. I was ever so glad  that she didn’t. She kept her plane ticket and went home last Saturday afternoon. It gave us Capri’s a whole week to love on her and keep her busy.

And a busy week it was! It seemed like we mostly ATE. We ate at Capri Patt’s. We ate at Capri Deb’s. We ate at Capri Kel’s. We ate in downtown Ann Arbor. And we noshed, and schnibbled, and grazed all in between! I’m pretty sure that I am not the only one turning over a new leaf this morning. I know Schmenky and I are taking ourselves firmly in hand.

We also joined a new tribe. The Mosiacians (say Mo-zak-ians), more on that tomorrow!

We did very little shopping. I know, I can’t believe it either! We did go to a local mall where Capri Deb has begun selling her wares. Her crafty, artistic, wares, get your mind out of the gutter!  She was selling some of her loverly mosiacs and sewing.  We found out later that she sold her first piece that very day! We were thrilled for her!!! She is a Superstar!

We took a few pictures.

A Tale of Two Schmenkman’s.

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Now we have a parade of mothers and daughters. Here is EEEK, or Da’Mama, and her daughters, Capri Lis and Capri Patt.

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Capri Patt and her daughter, Erin.

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Capri Deb with her daughters, Bermuda’s Jackie and Steph.

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The Ab-Cat and Capri Kel. Mousey had to swim.

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Fondue at our house. Their favorite things were the onion rings and the chicken. They chose wisely.

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We is The Capri’s!

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I heard someone talking about a trip to Capri, Italy for someone’s birthday, someday. That sounds like like a plan!

Tomorrow, The Tribe!

3 Comments

Potent Quotable-A Day of Sadness

October 18, 2009 at 7:58 AM (Friends, From the Heart, Potent Quotable)

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.  ~Kahlil Gibran

Paddy, The Schmenkman’s rescued beaver, has passed away. Their hearts are broken.

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7 Comments

47 Smacks

October 1, 2009 at 6:21 AM (Friends)

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Schmenkman!!!

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If you were here, I would make you a lo-carb cheesecake. Oh heck,  a regular one!

If you were here, I would give you a haircut!

If you were here, we could go to Red Robin and have that onion ring tower you like so well.

If you were here, we could have a fondue! Dinner AND dessert!

If you were here, I could give you a hug!

Since you are coming to Michigan later this month, instead of us Capri’s visiting you in Virginia, would you take a rain check?

Love you, Schmenk!

2 Comments

Bargains of the Month-September

September 29, 2009 at 6:28 AM (Bargains of the Month, Friends)

Here is my super-duper bargain for the month of September!

I’m pretty sure that I have mentioned my fondness for the “Life is Good” brand before. The t-shirts don’t fit me well, but I love the sleep pants. I found these while looking for a new pocketbook. Which I did not find that day.

I had a $10.00 coo-pin, that was sent to me in the mail because I have a Rewards credit card.  They would probably consider me a good customer. It could be used at TJ Maxx, Homegoods or Marshall’s. The trifecta of good shopping. It wasn’t $10 off on a purchase of  $75.00, like the one they sent me for my birthday, it was TEN FREE DOLLARS!!!

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They were 59 cents from Marshall’s! I heart them! Get it?

My Folks gave me some money for my birthday to put towards a new pocketbook. I had been looking for a replacement, as the handle of my current pocketbook was starting to come apart. For the last 3 years, this particular purse has fit all of my purse carrying needs, but I have never been completely happy with it’s appearance.

I began my quest  looking for the new pocketbook. I have many, many rules/guidelines for the pocketbook. You can read about them here. Or not.

Capri Patt and I were at TJ Maxx on Saturday and I scoured the purse section. I bought 2 that I liked, because part of the process involves taking it home and putting all my  junk into it to see if it all fits comfortably.  This was the winner. The other one was black, and everything fit awkwardly.

I was actually glad the black one was the loser. I was trying to expand my horizons and break out of the black/brown rut that I have been in for many years now.

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 I have grown very attached to the built in wallet feature, I may never have a wallet again.

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 My Parents also gave me this table runner for the anniversary of my birth. I put it here, because my table is always covered. With  dinner,  junk, school books, crumbs and laundry. Capri Patt gave me the stamp of approval when she came over today with Capri Deb and EEEK to get their hairs cut.

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Last, but not least is a bargain that Capri Patt picked up for me at Homegoods on clearance for $29.00. It is just what we needed to go with the new chairs to enhance our TV viewing pleasure. LOVE IT! Thanks C.P.!

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Anyone else find a bargain this month? Do tell!

5 Comments

A New Sassy

September 17, 2009 at 7:44 AM (Family Life, Friends)

I DO have a couple of things to share, but unfortunately, I have no time.

With BSF starting this week, 2 swim meets and the massive amount of brand new, must see television stored on our DVR? You Guys are getting second class service. I do apologize. You could complain to management, but he will tell you that he has been dealing with my insubordination for almost 24 years now. He can’t do a thing with me.

But I can tell you one happy piece of news!!!!

There is a new kitty in the family!!!!!!

Unfortunately, it not ours.

But HEY! Go check out the newest member of The Schmenkman household, here!!! I can’t wait to meet the precious little kitty witty boolie woolie!!

This brings their grand total of felines back up to 9. They were down one after the loss of the Grandfather of the clan, Buster. Who was a precious, irreplaceable member of The Schmenkman Family, in a cat suit.

I’m biding my time until October, when the Capri’s travel back down to EAST Virginia for The Capri Weekend Extravaganza.  Aunties are coming, Casey!

4 Comments

Sorry Schmenky, It Only Took Two Months

September 12, 2009 at 10:26 AM (Around Our House, Friends, Pretty Things)

I asked Capri Patt to help me get my house together before the Family Reunion we hosted back in July. Because she is my interior decorator.

She helped me do a TON of work about 6 or 7 years ago. Painting, shopping, pictures, rearranging. You name it, she did it. I was clearly overwhelmed by the ginormous walls in the house we had moved to 3 years before. And when I’m overwhelmed, I tend to not do anything. And I hadn’t.

Plain white walls, uninspired arranging, and no rhyme or reason to my selection of the knick-knacks. None of my junk from the previous house looked right with the new high ceilings. Like my neighbor once said, the wreath looks like a Life Saver over the mantle. Everything needed to be BIG.

When she asked me what I wanted to do, all I could think to say was, “I REALLY like your house”. So it began.

We have painted the entire main floor of our house, all 3500 square feet of it. Except for The Boy and Mousey’s bathroom, which is an abomination and undeserving of attention. We wall papered the dining room, we have shopped for some furniture, logged many hours in the Trifecta of Good Shopping,  Homegoods, Marshalls and TJ Maxx, looking for this and that, and loverly things. All the while, she has patiently taught me many useful skillz and transformed our boring beige house into a vibrant, comfortable home.

We enlisted Capri Deb’s skillz as well. She is a wonderful sew-er, no to be confused with a sewer!  Although, right about now, we would LOVE to have a wonderful sewer. She made beautiful cushion covers for our ratty leather couch, sewed many pillows, and has made many valances to grace our windows. She is really way more than a sew-er. She is an Artisian. Very diversified!

After Capri Patt helped me enormously, I did not do too much else.  I loved it so much and I didn’t want to wreck it. It had remained mostly untouched, except when she would come over and move things around. She likes to do that. It’s like “Where’s Waldo”. I hear she does that at other homes as well. Like a little calling card.

Sometimes, before she and her husband go south for the winter, she gives me little homework assignments. That I rarely do. I need her here, cracking that decorating whip.

She has been suggesting that we needed a couple of chairs for our family room. Or maybe I suggested it and she agreed,  because that big naked space has always bothered her. She looks at the big picture. My concern was providing more seating for our television viewing pleasure. See how our needs dovetailed nicely?

Honey had told me earlier in the summer to go ahead and get those chairs, as we had been planning to get them the year before anyway, but ran out of time.

She took me to a delightful little furniture store, cleverly named “The Furniture Store”, to look at some chairs she had found that she thought would be perfect for the family room. Another great thing about Patt. Not only does she shop for herself, if she loves you, she shops with YOU in mind!

My requirements were that they swivel and rock, to facilitate better TV viewing pleasure. Her requirements were size, they could not be too large, and the look of the fabric. Actually, I was all about the fabric too. Stain resistance was my goal.

I loved  the chairs she had chosen. And I really loved  the fabric! It was an upgrade, and that was a concern. You know, The Ford Fiasco Family Budget and all.  So we called Honey and tried to explain what it looked like.  Matches the existing furniture well (good), Micro fiber (GREAT), looks like alligator skin (pause on the phone). Well, not really alligator skin, but we could not find the right description of the fabric. Finally, he said to do whatever we felt best. Because he is a big old Hunk of Honey, and he has always been happy with End Results by Patt. But I’m sure this one had him worried. And that upgrade? Do they really consider $15.oo per chair an upgrade???

We bought them and they came some weeks later. I promptly locked them up in the dining room until after the cats had their permanent manicures. Because, as I have said before, they like to feel new furniture. With their claws.

I asked her to come over this July and help me stage our house. I wanted to spend as little cash as I could, so she just used things we already had. Really, she moved things around and took down stuff, because I am notorious for buying something that I have no place for. I’m pretty sure I drive her crazy.

As a matter of fact, she has banned me from EVER buying another picture frame or sign with words on it. Banned, FOR LIFE.

Here are the loverly new chairs, that meet both of our needs!

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The “alligator skin”

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The only other thing we bought were the tall things to go in the vases (that I bought last year at Ross Dress for Less for $9.99, while on the Capri Weekend Extravaganza). I don’t remember where we bought the tall things,  OR how much they cost. See yesterday’s post.

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Please pretend that the lid is correctly on the basket that holds our winter down throws. I know I will.

Mrs. Schmenkman has commented several times that she would like to see a picture of the new additions. Here you go Schmenky!

And a big THANK YOU to Capri Patt for her invaluable assistance in getting The NutHatch ready for it’s close up!! I heart you forever!

7 Comments

Things I am Loving

September 4, 2009 at 7:11 AM (Around Our House, Cats and Dog, Friends, Lists, Pretty Things)

I am resorting to the handy dandy list format, because I still feel as dry as a bugs hull. No identifiable juices flowing.

1. I am still loving my confetti lantana. I hope I can find another next year. That’s how much I heart it.

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2. I love, love, love this color of impatiens. And I especially like it paired with this yellow.

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3. Always love this kitty-witty. Halle Berry,  peeking a boo.

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4. Loving “Top Chef”, and ”Project Runway”. I was trying to get Mrs. Schmenkman to get on board and watch. So we could discuss it. She said no, all the drama reminded her of beauty school and the salon. I can see her point, but I’m still watching. Maybe she will join us soon for the biggest loser show. Maybe not.

5. And last, but NOT LEAST! I am loving having 2 new drivers in the house!!!! I love their new found independence, self confidence, AND, less schlepping for me!

Finally, something that I am NOT loving. Once, several years ago, on the first Capri Weekend Extravaganza that I was invited to attend, Capri Lis (aka, Mrs.Schmenkman) made a comment that I didn’t quite understand. She said she loved all God’s creatures, except the Japanese beetle. She thought that perhaps God had made a mistake. I had no comment about the subject, since I didn’t know anything about Japanese beetles. When I saw these scourges, I had the thought that they may just be a little beetle-ish. I asked Capri Patt, and she confirmed that yes, they were the dread breed. They done wrecked my sweet potato vine! Chewing and mating all over the place. Nasty bugs.

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How about you all? Loving anything? Or NOT loving anything?

6 Comments

Who’s THAT Girl?

September 1, 2009 at 7:38 AM (Confessions, Friends, Help Me Please, Whatever)

I was having a conversation with Capri Deb last week. We were discussing our blobs. We like to do that.

She was telling me about some of the posts she was planning to do and she had all these ideas! She always has loverly posts about her family, up North, her Grandson, her gardens, all the beautimous things she is making, cause she is a super talented girl who can make anything out of anything! 

I have had days like that also. Minus the up North, the Grandson, and the super talented girl  parts. The ideas just flow and before you know it, you have 5 posts in the can. Or in the drafts folder.

The creative juices are flowing, you have eyes to see everything in a humorous light, or  something meaningful or wonderful or amazing has happened!  There is so much to tell and pictures to share. Life is good!

And then some days, you have absolutely nothing to say. Not one little scrap of an idea.  Can’t even craft a remotely interesting sentence. And you wonder, how have you ever written a post in your life? How have I managed to keep this blob going for the last year and a half?  What have I ever talked about? I am the most boring person in the world. You are flat.  No fizz, no punch, no meaning.

Why is that?

Who is that  girl? Why does she come to ruin all the fun? I wish she would go home.

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