My new favorite way

to invite people over!
Use speed control on the right to make this thing go faster!
http://artpad.art.com/?j9ju59141r34 I should say that this invitation is merely an example... We are having a party, I just don't know if it's on the 15th or the 22nd of December. But you are all welcome to come!

Ella has been making pictures for friends quite a bit on this site. Here are a few examples of her work:
http://artpad.art.com/?j8y30y2t2ck
http://artpad.art.com/?j8y1ri15v66g
http://artpad.art.com/?j8y0nzkpvmc
I got to campus about an hour and a half early today so have been playing around on the computer... I still have 40 minutes left till we open. A cold front blew in last night and, if you click on my weather underground button, you can see just how chilly it is. I am very glad to have a winter coat!

Craft Night

My work hosted a Craft Night last night and Ella and I had a very nice time painting plates. I think I want to do it again on Friday when we have another session!

I made an error in not assisting Ella by putting a base coat on before she starting making her masterpiece. She started off with a lovely butterfly, then added a big green caterpillar, a fly, moth, and spider plus some blue sky, green grass and a sun. She named it her bug plate. I hope it fires nicely and turns out good. I really should have done a base coat... I'll post a picture when we get it back from the kiln.

Ella asked me what the colors are for Thanksgiving. You know, orange and black for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, pink/white/red for Valentines day... I suggested brown and orange were the colors. Ella wants to know why they don't make brown lights. Why don't they? Brown is one of my favorite colors! Does any one know the colors for thanksgiving and/or why they don't make brown lights?

Last week

Last week was such a busy one that I didn't get up all the pictures I had planned to post.
Sunday: Ella was fully recovered from her tummy bug and was ready to play! Clio came over and the girls had a super fun time. For our art project we made masks.

Then I worked just about all day long on Monday due to an Event at work... On Tuesday my boss threw a little surprise birthday party for me at work. It was odd, thoughtful, and-well-odd. All the coolest librarians came, though. I love those ladies!

Wednesday was no work or school for us girls so we did some errands before the shopping hell of post-Turkey day. I finally got my new sneakers! We also stopped in at Target and Ella got caught up in the Christmas spirit. She got some more ornaments for the tree and I got a few strings of lights. When we got home she was so rarin' to start decorating I figured, hey, why not!

I don't have a very clear picture of the finished product, but here is an "artsy" one. Note: very sparkly and a bit over the top, just like it's designer!
Thursday was my birthday. I am now 37! Boy, that's old. Ella baked some blueberry muffins for the occasion.

Then we headed over to Clio's for a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Michelle and Jeff. It really was super. Ella had a great time with her friends, we all ate good food, had nice conversation, then we went for a nice walk. And they let us take a plate of food home for Grandma Peg. G-Peg was happy for the evening visit and we were all tuckered out so we went home and to bed pretty tired out.

Yesterday Ron and I managed to get some exterior plastic up on the biggest and draftiest windows ever made while Ella worked on her garden and filled the important roll of "tool hander out girl". And Clio came over again to play, eat dinner, and have a bath.

Today Ella is going to Clio's while Ron and I try to paint and get that Neptune suite FINISHED!!! The weather has been good (thanks polluters!) so we are trying to get all this done before the cold returns.

Whew, that was a lot! I hope the rest of you are enjoying your holiday weekend.

Misery Loves Company

Ella had a rough night with a sore tummy and icky throwing up. This morning she napped on the couch (yes napped. See, I told you she was sick!) and her two best buddies stood (or laid) guard over our sleeping angel. She is currently feeling much better and has been able to keep all of her breakfast and lunch in her tummy. She's all cozied up on her little couch in front of NOGGIN sipping warm water, her requested beverage.
I hope no one else has a yucky tummy. It really is no fun.

Report to the General

Yeah, my reporting day has changed. I keep forgetting to do it on Fridays.

I am +/- 0..... Whatever. I am getting stronger and going to the gym 4-5 days a week before work. I am not going to let the scale bring me down!

I really need some new sneakers. It is especially noticeable on the days I do the treadmill. Maybe next pay day... Time to get work going. We open in 10 minutes!

Current Affairs

I have finished knitting the hat! Here is Ella heading out to catch the bus this morning...

Trick-or-treat pictures...

I know, these are a little late...

Ella hooked up with her BFF, Clio, for the big night. Isn't Dorothy (Clio) the cutest thing?SuperGirl and Dorothy were soooooo excited!

They started running amok before we even got outside!Mellissanda joined us for the door to door activities. She is a fun new friend at Ella's school and we are very glad that she moved to Clio's hood. It makes play time that much simpler. After the girls were frozen to the bone we went back to Clio's for yummy soup and salad. Clio's parents are the best! Thanks again for feeding us!

Halloween Night just wouldn't be as fun without you.

Crappy Monday

I have a horrible headache. It's rainy and cold. Work is very frustrating today. I still did my workout with Liz, but things were not smoothe for either of us this morning. I should check my horoscope and see what's going on in the stars...

http://my.horoscope.com/getHoroscope.asp?sign=9&day=13&month=11&year=2006
Of all the signs you are likely to experience the Monday-morning- blues today, thanks to a challenging aspect from the moon. You might find it hard to get motivated; unfortunately it looks as though work or school will be particularly demanding today! A piece of bloodstone might help provide the kick-start you need!


Daily Overview for November 13, 2006
Provided by Astrology.com
Quickie:Create a stronger air of authority around yourself today -- you deserve respect.Overview:Are you subtly exerting pressure on a person or situation because you desire a certain outcome? Your influence is more powerful than you think. It's time to really examine your motives and do the right thing.

http://info.detnews.com/horoscope/scopes.cfm?sign=sagittarius
SAGITTARIUS: Talk things over with your closest friend or significant other. Get clear about what you can and cannot accomplish. Someone else's opinion might stir enthusiasm and provide a sense of direction.

http://www.latimes.com/features/horoscopes/?track=mainnav-horoscope
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It's hard to say no when someone desperately wants you to agree. But that's what you do now, and your reputation as an independent thinker is still intact.

http://www.freewillastrology.com/horoscopes/sagittarius.html
Sagittarius Horoscope for week of November 9, 2006
Your soul's epic journey is in the midst of a plot twist that's so complicated and beautiful, it would be impossible to exhaust our discussion about its meaning. But I have to start somewhere, so here goes. Among the many opportunities you now have, these are among the most spectacular: (1) the possibility of making your existing problems more interesting than they've ever been; (2) the possibility of attracting fresh challenges that are more stimulating and useful than your same old predictable dilemmas.
*
SACRED ADVERTISEMENT "Is it bad to live without a hell?" poet Pablo Neruda asks in The Book of Questions. Let's add these queries to his: Is it dangerous to live without the awakening force that an enemy provides? Is it naive to think you can achieve great success without the driving motivation that comes from having ideas you hate? Consider the issue from another angle. Dentists love tooth decay. Treating cavities provides them with a steady income. Likewise, exterminators are dependent on termites, lawyers need crime, and priests crave sinners. Lots of people have symbiotic connections with nasty stuff. In fact, isn't it true that most of us nurture our feelings for the things we love to despise and fear? What's your favorite poison or adversary? Assume that your exposure to pronoia is changing you in ways that will require you to update your relationship with it. Speculate on how you’ll go about this task.

Well, okay. Back to work and head pain.

Knit for Need

I am almost finished with Ella's hat that matches the scarf I made last month... And then it's on to mittens. I plan on purchasing some thick fleece and sewing the mittens then adding a knitted cuff to match the hat and scarf. Pictures will be posted when the project is complete. I know a cute little girl who can model for me.

Our (Women's Center) Stitch-N-Bitch group has joined forces with AmeriCorps Vista for the month of November and we're calling it Knit for Need. We are making mittens for underprivileged kids... We have had a good turn out and people are donating yarn and stuff, too. I think a photographer is going to come today for an article in the Oshkosh Northwestern. It's good to get the free advertising, but I hope I don't look like too much of a dork.

Weight lifting and cardio/aerobic workouts are kind of fun. I never thought I would enjoy it, but it is starting to grow on me. Mostly due to the fact that I lift with Liz three mornings a week and it's right across the street from work. It was hard to motivate myself to go this morning but I DID and I made it through the 50 minute ordeal (with some whining). I am still having a few issues with the food part of this plan. It just doesn't jive with my family. I'm fine now that I have protein powder and shakes. Eating all that meat was impossible and I didn't want to go over on my Tuna consumption. Also, the wierdest thing is happening... I get up early feeling fully rested. I think I am going to take one of those super ugly "before" pictures and then an "after" picture sometime in January. Maybe every three months? I should have taken a picture last month when I began this mission. Oh well. These pictures will NEVER be posted on this blog anyway....

So, how are all the rest of you? I have heard that some of you actually read this not so very entertaining page but just don't comment. Maybe I should get one of those site tracker things like Ron has on his page. Then I would know when people visit! Another way of knowing would be to post my birthday wish list and see how many presents I get:

1. Electric mixer (the old mix-master deluxe circa 1964 has lost it's "oomph")
2. A new vacuum (bagless with a HEPA filter and upholstery attachment)
3. Pack of white ankle high socks (wmns size 9-10)
4. Winter coat (brrr... it's cold here. I have not purchased a winter coat since moving back from Seattle!)
5. Sneakers
6. Digital camera (that takes movies with sound and has at least 5 mega pixels)
7. A pedicure and manicure (a gift certificate to Salon Mode or my new FAVORITE Jacinda's Spa & Salon will work!)
8. A new water heater
9. Someone to insulate my attic
10. Help painting the back stairs and Neptune Suite
11. An evening of babysitting and $60 so that I can go out on a date with my husband

Some of you may be busy celebrating Thanksgiving , but my birthday is November 23 and I am proud to be turning 37. So, as you are devouring all that tasty food maybe you could sing a little Happy Birthday to ME!

3:33 Monday

Almost time to head home! Just another friendly reminder that tomorrow is Election Day.
Go Vote!!!
For up to date Election information or to enter Babblemur's election contest please go to:
http://www.babblemur.com/blog/

It's Friday

First - Report to the General: I have gained some, but have been lifting weights 3x a week and doing cardio stuff at least 2x more (I should be doing it three times as well, but it's hard on the weekends). I will focus on correcting the food stuff this week.

I have been meaning to post these pictures from Ron's birthday... Ella drew and wrote in a cute little card for him plus worked very hard baking him a cheesecake.














She enjoyed helping him blow out his candles, too. She even wore a pretty party dress for the occasion.














Last weekend the weather was very beautiful. Our family spent Sunday cleaning up the yard and preparing for winter.














Ella is a super duper helper!














Only 5 days till the Elections! We have all ready voted and I encourage all of you to avoid the lines and go to your local polling places to cast your ballot now. Then you can sit around on Tuesday, pop some corn, and watch the Election returns! Fun!

Halloween Super Girl pictures!

We decided to get some pictures before tomorrow's big trick or treat night... Here is Super Girl saving our living room from the Evil Legion of C.H.A.D. (cat hair and dust)!

Happy Halloween! Have a fun night.

Did you want those glasses WITH attitude or WITHOUT?

After the hot chocolate...

We went to a friends house and played in the leaves! Fun times!

Hot Chocolate Saturday

One of the really nice things about Autumn: A cozy kitty and hot chocolate on Saturday morning.Ella and Baubau can be so good to each other sometimes.
And Ella can stick her cold toes under someone else for a change!

I remember all ways trying to tuck my toes under my dad in the winter. He'd say "Go put some socks on!", but he was my favorite warmer upper. Now I understand that little toes can be quite pokie and sometimes leave bruises. And they never stay still. So I appreciate Baubau's help in the toe warming department.

One of those mornings...

It's not too often that I really make an effort to dress nicely (I guess it's all about low self-esteem, poor body image, and no money for clothes), but this morning I made that effort. I put on my new sweater and pants, and even found a pair of socks to match! I was feeling pretty good. I tromped my way down stairs to get my "nice" dress shoes to top the whole thing off when *squish* I stepped in a HUGE pile of cat vomit. I stood there for a moment, with one leg raised, in stunned silence. Then I started swearing. Good thing Ella had all ready taken the bus with her Pop cause she would have learned some choice words to add to that ever expanding vocabulary. I try to love Mamma Kitty for who she is and all, but some days I wonder (a little longingly) just how much longer she's going to be with us. How long do cats live?

Pumpkin Carving

Ella drew a face on the biggest darn pumpkin we could find...
Then she dug out it's guts...
slimy!
After a little facial reconstruction due to cutting errors she finished the project. Note the victims for next weekend are looking pretty scared...
Then we dug up some of the garden...
And planted seeds in hopes of our very own pumpkin harvest next fall.

After all the hard work we went in and roasted some seeds for a little snack.

It was a good Sunday!

Report to the General

General de Cline: -1 today. I thought I would be UP so I am pleased with how things turned out this week. My body is a little achey from all the weight lifting and trying to use that darn elliptical machine yesterday. Man, that thing is a WORKOUT!!! And it feels so awkward after using the treadmill. My bum hurts! I am going shopping today with Liz. I am a bit disappointed that I am not back down to my low point in July, but I have still made progress from last year. Today's total losses from my start date is -25.
I am setting a NEW GOAL today... I hope to lose 25 more pounds by July of 2007. That is an average of 2.5 pounds a month. I set my goal a little lower because those first 20 pounds just sort of flew off and then the next 12 were a struggle. I managed to gain some back (dammit) due to pigging out over the summer (mostly beer) but now that I am back in the saddle and have added the weights to my life I think I need to work on being more fitness minded and not just focused on losing pounds. Balance, Amy, Balance. So I am going to get stronger, healthier, and tone this flabby old body up! Onward HO!!!
Oh, shit, I think my trash can is blowing dawn the street. Ciao!

Knitting

I forgot all about knitting! I started a new project: Hat, mittens and a scarf for Ella. Scarf is first and it's about half done. Here is a picture. Ella picked out the yarn and it took a bit for be to get used to the extreme fuzziness, but now I am rolling right along with it. Any babies out there need a little hat? I'd be happy to make them one! Send me the head size and color preference!
I really need to get the scarf finished this week. It is DARN cold here. Don't believe me? Click on that Weather Underground sticker to the right of the page. Brrrrr.

Gettin' Ready for the Big Chill

Yes, that's right, we are preparing for the "Arctic Invasion"... At least that's what the forecasters are calling the winter storms that are heading our way. Ella is really looking forward to the snow. I am hoping to get the lawn mowed just one more time, and maybe rake up some leaves. Thankfully, it will warm up again early next week.
Here are some pictures of our sweet little darling. She loves her new daughter, Molly, who was given to her by her cousin Hayley. Molly goes everywhere and does everything with us. It's kind of nice because Ella has someone to talk to. She takes VERY good care of little Molly and we have birthday parties for her all the time.

Ella got all bundles up for her bus ride to school today. She and daddy have been taking the city bus together. It's a quick 20 minute ride to campus and we don't have to spend 30 minutes looking for parking! I think her favorite part of the ride is pulling the cord for the stop. *DING*!