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?

7 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.

7 Comments

The Loafer’s Club

August 13, 2009 at 9:47 AM (Family Life, Friends, Honey, Muggins Q. Mouse, Our Boy, The Ab-Cat, Whatever)

Girls Week is going swell! We have been quite busy.

I have to work this morning, but after that minor inconvenience, I believe we are going to lunch at Bennigan’s. Our newly discovered, favorite restaurant. That we just heard filed for bankruptcy. We are so on the ball around here.

The Ab-Cat is craving a Monte Cristo, otherwise known as a deep fried heart attack with fries. The Boy ate my leftovers once and asked me what the heck  that was? He said it was like a sandwich inside a doughnut. Which makes me think of Jim Gaffigan. We love Jim Gaffigan around here. Hot Pocket.

O.K., back on task.  Mousey would like to order some yummy chicken wrap thing she had previously. That statement requires no meandering follow up.

Mousey’s swim schedule has put a decided crimp in our schedule. Or cramp, as the case may be. She has to be there at 5:15 and be picked up at 7:30, so that right there messes with any dinner plans we might make. I don’t like to eat dinner at 8. It interferes with my bedtime schedule. Eating at around 4 would be too much for Mouse. They don’t like vomit in the school pool. So, by default, lunch it is.

The television dvd of choice for Girls Week 2009 has been “ER”. We are thoroughly enjoying the exploits of County General, in Chicago.

Yesterday, some Gals came over to bead. There was a little teaching, a little stringing, and quite a few do overs going on. The Oreo Mom and I had a little class for Philly’s Mom and Tea4Grammy. Philly’s Mom wins for most do overs. Tea4Grammy needs an extended crimping class. The Oreo Mom was just banging the bracelets out! Keelyody came and brought snacks and watched. Cause she is a big old hunk of honey.

Hard at work.

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The spoils.

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We finally ate dinner when The Mouse came home at 7:30. Ab and I were starving, so we’ll not be doing that again. We had spaghetti with jar sauce. Which we probably have not had since the last time Honey was out of town. He would never in a million years eat jar sauce. Snobby Day-go.

 We then settled in comfortably for an evening of quality TV. And ate ice cream, popcorn, and I believe Ab washed hers down with chips.

We are going to decide later how we will loaf  this day away.

3 Comments

Way Back When-sday-The Hostler’s

August 12, 2009 at 6:47 AM (Family Life, Friends, Way Back When-sday)

Since I told you about our Girls Day out with the Hostler’s the other day, I thought it would be fitting to show you some way back pictures.

This was the first camping trip we took together. It was at a Yogi Bear park here in Michigan. Here are young Mousey, Ab-Cat. Nurse Lauren, The Boy and Za-Autumn at the pool.

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This was at their house. It would appear that swimming together was a common occurrence.

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Another camping trip. This time to a Yogi Bear in Fremont, Indiana. This was taken at Das Essen Haus on our visit to Shipshewana. I guarantee it was the best meal of the week. Don’t feel sorry for the Boy being surrounded by all those girls. He never knew any different. Besides, it has come in handy for him to know how to deal with females. A girl likes a guy with skillz.

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With Yogi.

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I love to hear them sitting around talking about their memories. Because no matter what we adults thought was going on at the time, they always have new tidbits of information to share about what was really happening!

I hope they will always remember the fun they had together. I know I will.

4 Comments

Connect the Hearts

August 11, 2009 at 1:07 PM (Friends, From the Heart)

Well, THAT was a very fun day!

We met our friends, The Hostlers, at Max and Erma’s at 12:30, and we parted company after 11. No, we were not at the restaurant all day. They came back to our place to play Sequence for several hours. And talk. This is certainly going to stand out in my museum of recollection as the “Summer of Talking”.

We then had my cousin Vickie’s husband’s brownies, known around here simply as Sam Smoker’s brownies, and later still, ordered “Za”. That’s pizza for you unaware folk. I guess that’s what the kids are calling it these days. Or maybe Autumn just made that up.

As usual, our conversations ran the gamut. There is not much that wasn’t touched on. Mousey may have even learned a thing or two.

One thing that I kept thinking was how all 4 of our girls had turned into lovely young women. Really lovely, inside and out. And I am so thankful that our families have grown up together, and have a wealth of memories to share. Some of those memories are humdingers too!

Whenever I get all reflective like this, I always remember the first time I met Rachel, probably 16 years or so ago. It was such a God thing.

The small church we were attending at the time was having a ladies Christmas party. I was going, but my heart wasn’t in it. My friend Shari had just moved across town, and she was the one I most likely would have hung around with. Don’t get me wrong, I probably knew everyone there, but you know how it is. You like to know who you are going to sit with, or stand and talk with. All the while including others. Cause we were not those snobby  kind of gals.

But there is usually one gal with whom you share a different level of comfort. You just know her better. Your hearts are connected.

So after much kvetching to Honey, we decided I was going. I didn’t want  to go, but it was the right  thing to do. A lot of wonderful women had gone to a lot of trouble to make this a special evening for the churched and unchurched women in our little congregation. I knew in my heart that it was not all about me, there would be opportunities to get to know others better. So I resigned myself to an evening of gal chat, with very pleasant women, but not the friend that my heart was connected to. I was missing Shari.

The ladies in charge put together a lovely evening. I was doing alright, feeling a little off my game and awkward, but alright. Towards the end of the night, there was a gal that I didn’t know standing by the wall in the foyer. She looked alright, but maybe a little off her game and awkward.  Her family had just moved to Michigan from Ohio.  She didn’t know too many of the women there. We started to talk and before I knew it, we were laughing and having a grand old time! When I got home that night, I told Honey that I met the funnest girl! We had just clicked!

At church the next Sunday,  she told me that when she got home that night she told her husband that she had met the funnest girl!! She hadn’t really wanted to go to the party either! Looking back on that night, I am so thankful that we went! It was a great early Christmas present from the God who cares about awkward girls, feeling a little off their game.

And Rachel, I still feel like my heart is connected with yours.

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I thank my God every time I remember you.

Thanks for the good time, Girly-Girls!

P.S. God is so good, my heart is still connected to Shari’s as well!

3 Comments

This and That

August 10, 2009 at 9:30 AM (Family Life, Friends, Muggins Q. Mouse, Television, The Ab-Cat, This and That)

Our Girls Week has begun. And we have begun enthusiastically. I should change that last word. We have begun slothfully.

That’s much better.

Mousey  left to go camping with her other family last Thurs, and the Men left for their annual “Fitching Fiesta” on Friday afternoon. That left The Ab-Cat and I to our own devices. We managed, admirably I might add.

I’m certain that after I picked her up from work around 1-ish, I had a nap. So I could be all rested and perky for our evening of entertainment.

After much discussion, and texting with LMNOP, it was ascertained that LMNOP would not be joining us. Because she had to work the entire part of the weekend that we were available. I should change that statement too. She was available before 11, which works for me, because I am a ridiculously early riser and have been up for at least 6 hours, or after 8 , I think. Which doesn’t work  as well for me. I turn into a pumpkin 2 and 1/2 hours later. Plus, I already have my jammies on, and the bra off. Not a good combo for going outside the house.

We told her we would catch her later in the week. I think her commitments at work are less involved.

On Friday evening around 4, The Ab-Cat and I decided to go and see a movie we have seen before. Because we like to do that. She took us out for dinner at Arby’s, to take advantage of their super duper special of 2 subs for 4 dollars. Scrum-tru-lescent! Then we headed over to a neighboring town to catch “Star Trek” again. We loved it, again. Mousey would have loved it as well, because she is all Chris Pine this and Chris Pine that. But we couldn’t sit around not doing ANYTHING until she came home Sunday afternoon! We had to do something!

Saturday started off with a bang. Or rather a clap, of thunder. It then proceeded to rain the entire day.

I read a book, “Catering to No One” by Diane Mott Davidson, that was pretty decent . I was on the computer for hours, and Ab and I started the first season of “ER”. Which she LOVED! I started watching “ER” from the very beginning, and was loyal for many, many years. I’m not too sure when I lost interest, but it was sometime after Mark Green died, and after it became the Abby Lockhart show. I never liked her.   I was surprised how many of the story lines I sort of  remembered.  

It’s a good thing we didn’t have to be anywhere, as I did not get out of my jammies all day. I was very calculating as well. I even planned to get the mail at around 8 p.m., so it would not seem odd at all for me to be in my jammies at that time. Oh, I would have  pulled the wool over someones eyes all right. If someone had been looking at me.

 S.L.O.T.H.

Sunday was better. I did  dress for church. We went to a yummy Arabic restaurant near our house and then hurried home so I could put the jammies back on. Evidently, the jammies and I are one.

We welcomed The Mouse-a-Lina home around 4. She was grumpy. We let her be.

Ab and I proceeded to watch very enlightening television about hurricanes, tornadoes and lightening, before we put in the second disc of “ER”.

Then the only real excitement came in the form of a beast of a storm, that blew out of nowhere. It was gone as quick as it came, leaving no damage in our yard, although it looked like out trees and bushes were doing yoga. There was a little minor damage. It blew off a pillar. I can handle that. RIP coleus.

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Today, we are getting together with our dear friends, The Hostlers. I guess I will have to dress.

 The sun is out. It’s going to be a glorious day!

 

 

 

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