Prontip & Co.

One down, one to go!

2009-10-21T14:25:00.005-05:00

Every day I'm reminded how completely opposite my two girls are. And it's even more evident at Halloween. For Elle, it's elaborate, out of the box and unique. God forbid someone else have the same costume. For Em, simple, comfortable, but still creative.

So this year it's a handmade Mom original bat costume! I hope to have Elle's costume done tonight. Stay tuned for up-coming photos!

Tim Strikes Again!

2009-09-09T13:23:00.002-05:00

I totally can not wait for this movie! To see the trailer, go here.

Creative Constipation...

2009-09-08T10:18:00.002-05:00

That's what I've got and I've got it bad! The studio is a total wreck, but I managed to squeeze out a little creative fix. What do you think?

Yard Sale Update!!!

2009-09-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

Well, true to form, my dear husband came to the rescue and let me have the sale in the mine! How cool is that! People came in droves just to look at the "cave". The local paper even came and interviewed us. My goal for the weekend was $300 and we doubled that!

Rain, rain, go away...

2009-09-05T08:32:00.001-05:00

My small part in the Old Route 66 Treasure Hunt is not going to happen. It's pouring! I've spent weeks getting ready. My items are tagged with nice, neat day glow tags. (Some computer generated!) All the Chambers of Commerce up and down Route 66 must be totally bummed. I had a goal of $300.00. Maybe next week will be better.

Stranger in my own skin

2009-09-02T08:40:00.003-05:00

It seems like forever and a day since I've posted on my blog. Life is different in so many ways, but at the same time it's still the same. I am evolving into the wife and mother that I knew was inside of me. Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself of who I am. I'm not a lump. I'm not unshowered. I'm not unproductive. I am creative. I am fun. I am charming. I am happy and healthy. What more could a girl ask for? More than anything I want to remember these things and set a good example for the girls. Even if they don't always follow in my footsteps. I do not want to wake in the morning and feel as though a stranger is living inside me.

This move has been good for all of us. Mike looks forward to work everyday. He also looks forward to spending time at home with his girls. He seems rejuvenated emotionally, spiritually, physically. All our girls seem to have settled into their new lives. They all have a long road ahead of them, and I will be there to walk ahead of them paving the route through obstacles and pitfalls.

Don't count your chickens...

2009-06-17T17:43:00.003-05:00

As some might know, I'm moving. Or should I say that we moved because my lake home is empty. Except for my eldest daughter who is in between roomies right now. We moved on the 26th of May to grand old Pacific, Missouri. I recently found out that it was named after the Union Pacific Railroad. But all that is for another post. What I am here to rant about this time is the things that we all dread about moving. I have moved A LOT in my life. My dad was in the Army and then a salesman. So yes, I've moved more than my fair share. Today I unpacked my last room. Which happened to be my studio. All the other rooms came first because you know one must eat, sleep and have clean clothing. And not to mention entertainment! So I was content with unpacking my favorite room last. The added benefit to that is that there would be no rush. So I opened each box with antisipation.

What's in a name?

2009-05-08T08:30:00.002-05:00

Does your name define who you are? Most names have a meaning. And many people are named after a loved one. Be it an aunt, a grandmother or sister, all my children are named after a relative. I'm under the impression that there was a great debate over my own name. My father tells me that he wanted to name me "Jade" or "Siam". This logic comes from my being born in Thailand. I suppose that it must have been trendy to name you daughter after a native rock or the countries old school name. But as most days, my mother won. My given name is Prontip. And yes, it does have a meaning. Divine Blessing. In my research on my name, I've found a couple of different spellings. Pontip, Porntip, Pawntip, just to name a few. Sometimes a Thai mother would bring her newborn to a monk and he would name the baby. It's not uncommon for older Thai's to change their name later in life because they felt it was the cause of bad luck. I've always liked my name. It makes me feel special. Unique. But as with other beautiful things like the Hope Diamond, and King Tuts treasures, it came with a curse. No one has died invoking my name, but some times I've wanted to crawl under a rock. It may be too unique.

When my parents brought me to the states, I was only 2 years old. My father was in the Army. So when my dad was gone on military assignments, my mom and I would stay with my grandparents. My mother did not speak English. I can only imagine how lonely and scared she must have been. My new extended family was not very happy about my dad marrying a foreigner. And that included our names. So they gave us new ones. Annie for my mom and Sandi for me. Why those particular names? Annie was a family name. That was a no brainer. And Sandi was easy to remember because it was the color of my skin. Wow! That stings.

I was recently asked what side of the racial fence I wanted to be on. Why do I have to pick? Why can't I walk the rails, arms spread wide, face up, soaking up the sun's rays? All my life I've been told what to do. Decisions have been made for me. Without my consent. I'll be 41 next week. Isn't it high time I made up my mind who I want to be on my own? I'm moving to a new town on the 26th. I decided it was a great time to use my God given name full time, not just online. But someone in my life has decided that's a bad idea. As a matter of fact, it's "stupid, weird, and unstable". Whoa! That doesn't just sting. Why don't you just cut off a little piece of my heart? I've been the victim of racial abuse all my life. I wasn't a white girl or an asian girl. I'm Ameri-asian. You can not pick the parts of me you like and throw out the rest with the trash.

Maybe I'll write more about this later, after I'm done crying.

They're at it again!

2009-04-29T08:50:00.002-05:00

Those gals over at 5 Minutes for Mom never cease to amaze me. They are always doing fun and fab things for us moms. Now they are having their biggest give away yet! Check out these prizes!

Mother’s Day 2009 Giveaways
Crock-Pot® Smart-Pot® Slow Cooker
Mother’s Day Bouquet from Teleflora
$300.00 gift card to The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Pride and Prejudice: Blu-Ray Edition AND a Blu-Ray player
HP Mini 1000 XP Edition
Kodak EASYSHARE W1020 Wireless Digital Frame with Home Decor Kit

So hop on over to 5 Minutes for Mom and check out all the details.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-29T08:33:00.002-05:00

I gotta another call...

2009-04-23T17:50:00.004-05:00

I HATE those words. Nothing makes me feel more ignored than those words. It makes me want to run out and spend about $500 on shoes, eat everything fried in sight, and then take a spa day. But when the steam stops pouring out of my ears, I go right back to doing what I did before. Wallowing in my own self-pity. Ugh! I hate Mike's Blackberry.

Plant a tree, get something free!

2009-04-23T09:35:00.003-05:00

I just saw on the Today show that the folks over at Figs and Ginger are giving away a free peice of jewelry to celebrate Earth Day! How cool is that? To read more, go to their blog. I wish I had seen this sooner. I just plant a Jap maple yesterday, but did not get very good documentation of me planting it. Bummer. But there is hope for me yet! My two girls will be potting their little redbud sprouts that they got from the Missouri Conservation Department. We are taking them with us to the new homestead in Pacific. So if you are into helping the earth and would like a little bling too, go here to submit your entry!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-22T06:47:00.002-05:00

For more WW, go to 5 Minutes for Mom!

Tackle It Tuesday!

2009-04-21T10:03:00.007-05:00

I love TT! Because more than ever I have a hard time motivating myself to get things done around here. So if you have the same problem, check out all the Tackle It Tuesdays at 5 Minutes for Mom where housework is blogable!

So on to my tackle. I bought this Japanese maple last year to replace the one the construction workers killed. It's beautiful. I just love it's deep weeping habit. It's perfect for the water garden. It's lived all winter on my patio. And thank the good Lord, it survived thanks to the mild winter we had. So now I need to plant it. The selfish side of me wanted to take it to the new house. But I really need to up the curb appeal on my lake house so it stays. I also have three August Moon hosta and various other plantings to fill out the beds. But my quandry is it is cold and gusty outside right now. So I will do the planting after lunch! I promise...

Ta-da! All done as promised. I even threw in the three hostas!

Not so Wordless Wednesday!

2009-04-15T09:58:00.007-05:00

I know, I know! It's supposed to wordless. One thing you can be sure of about me is that I do not always play by the rules. So anyway, these are my girls at City Museum in St. Louis. The place is incredible. If you ever get close to St. Louis, it's worth the drive into the city. To read more about this trip, see this post. For more WW, visit 5 Minutes for Moms.

Tackle It Tuesday!

2009-04-14T10:30:00.006-05:00

Painting, painting, go away! Come again... never! This has been my tackle for weeks! I would much rather be painting in my new home, not my old. But alas, it must been done. For more TT, go to 5 Minutes for Mom, where housework becomes bloggable!

Go, Dog, Go!

2009-04-14T09:27:00.003-05:00

It's official. The White House has another first dog. Senator Kennedy gifted a six month old Portuguese water dog named Bo to the first family. This family has never owned a dog. This breed can be one of the most challenging dogs to own. As a life long dog owner myself, I take issue with all of this. It is said that the Obama family did it's homework before settling on this breed. If that is true, then I can't help but think that they didn't give a flying fart about the facts. I'll just spill my guts here. Dog ownership is a privilege. One that is not to be taken lightly. It's my opinion that this is exactly what the Prez and fam has done. After all, they have already lined up a staffer to train and see to the dogs daily needs. So who's really the master of this pooch? With all the breeds in shelters across the nation, why this high dollar dog from Texas? Wouldn't it have been more inspiring to adopt a shelter dog and rally fellow Americans to do the same? Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with our presidents decision. It was short-sighted and irresponsible to say the least. I fear that the popularity of this breed will skyrocket. That will be a sad day for the PWD. They are already plagued with various health issues, then add unscrupulous breeding practices just to turn a fast buck into the mix. It's a recipe for disaster.

2009-04-09T11:16:00.001-05:00

Hello Spring, Goodbye Old Friend

2009-04-09T11:00:00.001-05:00

When I move, I'll miss my weeping cherry tree. For me, it's blossoms are the first tribute to springs arrival.

In the cherry blossom's shade by Kobayashi Issa

In the cherry blossom's shade
there's no such thing as a stranger.

And the winner is...

2009-04-02T23:01:00.003-05:00

Trish - Gluten Free in SLC. Check out her blog for yummy gluten free recipes! Trish has her choice of a fabric for a custom keyfob. I just want to thank all the participants of the 2009 Ultimate Blog Party. It was a blast! See you all next year!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-01T07:38:00.003-05:00

For more Wordless Wednesday's go to 5 Minutes for Mom!

Off topic.

2009-03-26T11:36:00.005-05:00

I want to be partying with the UBP right now, but something has been nagging me. I just need to get it off my chest. As some of you know, I'm moving. I am fortunate enough to have the ability to redecorate my home. I know what I like. And this time around I'm not letting others opinions of what my home should look like stand in my way. Either by accident, by "gifting" me hand me downs. Or flat out telling me what they think. (That should be a whole other post.) On to my dilemma. One thing I truly want for the new house is for the decor to reflect my personality. But does my personality meld with Mike's? I don't think so. We are polar opposites. Me = contemporary, eclectic, and a bit of wow thrown in for shock value. Mike = traditional, safe, and comfy. How do I make this work? As the sole decorator, do I have the discretion to choose as I please? Or should I incorporate every ones style into the home? Is there a happy medium? I don't know at this point, so I am enlisting the help of others. Off to the right you will see my poll. Please feel free to vote and additional comments are welcome!

Party Food

2009-03-25T08:55:00.006-05:00

Stopping in for the Ultimate Blog Party? Well pull up a chair and chow down on these!

These Thai spring rolls are a childhood favorite of mine. Mama San, my sisters and I would make these by the hundreds. For me this is one of my comfort foods. So if you want to make some of your own, I've included the recipe below.

Mama San's Fried Spring Rolls

1 lb. lean ground pork or meat of your choice
1 bundle of bean thread noodles/soak in warm water until soft
1/2 lb. fresh bean sprouts
4 stalks of green onion, chopped
2 eggs of mix
1 egg, scrambled for sealing skins
2-4 packages spring roll fresh/frozen rice paper type preferred
3 Tablespoons Fish Sauce
Ground Black Pepper

Fully cook meat of your choice. Mix meat, noodles, bean sprouts and onion together in large bowl. Add two eggs and mix well. Sprinkle generously with black pepper and fish sauce. Mix well. Gently separate spring rolls skins and cover with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out. Beginning at one corner with spring roll skin laid out in a diamond, mound mix and begin rolling up. When you come close to the opposing corners, fold them in let you would a burrito. Continue to roll and seal opposite end with a dab of scrambled egg. The spring rolls should be rolled tightly and be about the diameter of a quarter to a silver dollar. If you freeze spring rolls before frying, you will get better results when cooking. Cook slowly on medium heat in vegetable oil. Drain well and serve with sweet and sour sauce or hot mustard.

Star light, star bright...

2009-03-24T11:07:00.004-05:00

I wish for these prizes tonight! Folks, if you haven't checked out the prize list over at 5 Minutes for Mom, you don't know what you're missing! Man the list is huge! And there is something for everyone! So really quick, here's my wish list.

22 — $50 gift certificate to Target Stores
Provided by: Beginner Baby BlogPrize details: Everyone loves a gift card! Beginner Baby Blog would like to donate a $50 Target gift card to one winner.

26 — $30 gift certificate to TargetProvided by: Little Miss Hannah - Our Fight Against Gaucher’s DiseasePrize details: Go shopping!

47 – Choice of Pink or Green Fuzzy Monkey Headphones by Justice for Girls
Provided by: Seccy MamaPrize details: Brighten up anyone’s day with a pair of Fuzzy Monkey headphones from Justice for Girls. Works with all IPods and MP3 players! Also can be used with portable DVD players or computers! Value $13.00

57 – Artsy Mamas t-shirt ($15.00 value), button ($2.00 value), and bumper sticker ($2.00 value)
Provided by: Artsy MamasPrize details: Show that you are proud to be an “Artsy Mama” by proudly wearing/displaying your Artsy Mamas shirt, button, and bumper sticker! Artsy Mamas is giving away one fan pack to one lucky mama.

58 – Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
Provided by: Moms Who ThinkPrize details: From Amish Friendship Bread to Decadent Cheesecake and all the meals in between dessert, Moms Who Think has recipes you’ll love. We would like to donate a Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer to help make one lucky winner’s home cooking even easier. (winner’s choice of color, $349.99 retail value)

66 – Children’s “I’m An Author” Story Writing Kit
Provided By: Tara BrownDetails: Cherish Bound’s I’m An Author writing kit will help children write and develop beautiful stories told just by them. This prize includes an Author’s Artist Kit, 1 Giggles & Giddy-up Story Starter and a deck of Child Chat Cards. Winner will also have lifetime access to Cherish Bound’s Publishing Center. ($40 Value)

89 — $100 gift card to HomeGoods
Provided by: HG OpenhousePrize details: Get Spring! Get Savings! Get Happy! HomeGoods would like to donate a $100 gift card for use in-store. Happy Shopping!

95 — Kernal Seasons Popcorn Prize PakProvided by: Mom MavenPrize details: Kernal Seasons Popcorn Prize Pak includes a pouch of p
opcorn, spritzer, oil and 4 toppings-butter, white cheddar, parmesan garlic and kettle corn worth over $27.

97 — Set of one scrabble tile pendant and one glass tile pendant
Provided by: DailyDwellingPrize details: Monica at DailyDwelling would like to donate a set of handmade, personalized scrabble tile and glass tile pendants. Pendants valued at $12.

USC 21 — Free Fotomural - Custom black and white photo tiled mural on card stock.
Provided by: FotomuralPrize details: Make a real dramatic statement at your next big celebration or in your home A Fotomural Custom Photo Tiles can do just that. We take your pictures and make them into a “stop-in-your-tracks” pieces of art. (a $50 value)

USC 56 — 1 (One) $25 Gift Card to Target
Provided by: Full CirclePrize details: New mom Melissa (via fost/adopt) from Full Circle wants to pamper one winner and donate a $25 gift card to Target.

USC 58 — Handmade Retro Apron of your choice!
Provided by: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=59241 BoojiBoo!!Prize details: Beautiful handmade retro aprons just in time for spring! 100’s of designs and styles to chose from, there is sure to be one you love! Prize value is $28.50

WOW! When it's all type out it's really long! The above items are just on my list in no particular order. Please remember you must visit at least 20 blogs to qualify. Just go sign the Mr. Linky, pick out 20 new blogs and don't forget to comment on the blog so we know you were there. There's many more prizes so go check it out!

Tackle It Tuesday!

2009-03-24T10:11:00.004-05:00

I'm sorry to say that my tackle will not have photos. My camera is temporarily out of service. I'll try to add photos later if I get batteries. So please use your imagination. (that word makes me think of Spongebob) I've got a high shelf in my kitchen that is load with stuff. Stuff I don't need and can't for the life of me remember why I bought it in the first place. Some of it was given to me, some purchased and some found. Well guess what? It's not going to Pacific with me. So that's my tackle. I'll sell or donate it all. Hop on over to 5 Minutes for Mom join the tackle and the Blog party! Happy tackling everyone!

Things wives do...

2009-03-23T18:40:00.003-05:00

My title seems simple enough. Right? I just checked Mike's old email account for him because that's what wives do. After doing so, my small gesture seems even smaller. He received an email from Barbara in the Mining Department. Now I'm wishing I had the insight to check it sooner. A classmate of Mike's had past away on the 20th from brain cancer. His name is Brian and he was only 36. I can't even imagine losing a loved one at such a young age. My heart goes out to his wife, Angie and their two boys. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost Mike. Angie is truly a brave soul. In her grief, she is blogging. Read about her journey at Keep Believing and if you would like to help, your can at Keep Believing Fund. It's what she's doing as a wife and I applaud her for it.

Not just for basketball.

2009-03-20T18:00:00.000-05:00

March Madness could mean many things to many people. To me it means crazy Missouri weather, St. Pat's, and of course The Ultimate Blog Party over at 5 Minutes for Mom. Join Susan, Janice, and the rest of the fem bloggers of the world starting March 20th through the 27th. Show the love by blogging, reading, winning prizes, etc. Whoa! Hold up! Did I say prizes? Yep! I am offering a custom key fob in the winners choice of fabrics. I really wish I could offer more, but I'm in the middle of a move. And a big thanks to Pamela at Happy Panda for wrangling the prizes!

When you visit, don't forget to sign the Mr. Linky so fellow bloggers can find you! So, throw on your favorite party dress or better yet, your favorite PJ', grab a drink and let's party!

I'm on the prowl...

2009-03-20T07:41:00.003-05:00

For bargins! I know that men are traditionally the hunters and women the gathers. But as those of you who know me well, know that I can do both. And man am I in high form this week! I have been slowly, but surely gathering things I need to decorate my new home in Pacific. I decided from the beginning that I would not pay full price if I could help it. I totally scored when I went to check on one of my desired items for the living room. I need lighting because the home has very little hard wiring. So that means lamps and lots of them. And if you've ever shopped for lighting you will know it is $$$! I've had my eye on a trendy floor lamp for the living room for months at Target.com. But they were $160.00 each so I left them out of my original design for the room.
But low and behold. There they were on clearance!!! For $40.00! Yea me! I bought two, saved $220.00 and got free shipping to boot! I rock! Can you tell I'm pretty proud of myself?

Toy or Tool?

2009-03-18T10:32:00.005-05:00

Marketing is a fickle mistress. The Nintendo Wii Fit is marketed as a toy/game. But it's really not. As I naively found out today, it's a tool. A serious workout tool. OK, there are some of you out there that are actually in shape are probably rolling around the floor laughing your tight, heart shaped little butts off right now. Grab your bottle of Evian and get lost. And don't let the door hit your tight glutes on the way out. But for the ones that are brave enough to step up on that innocent looking little white pad, this ones for you.

I went the Wii Fit route because I have to do something and I just could not see myself taking a couple hours a day to go workout at a gym. Then add the embrassment of seeing my own big butt in a mirror up on a treadmill. It would be like looking into a bowl of cherry stems and seeing the last big round red cherry rolling around all by it's lonesome. I don't exactly want to be a stem, I'd settle for the pit with a bit of juicy flesh stuck to it.

Tackle It Tuesday!

2009-03-17T13:11:00.010-05:00

Go to 5 Minutes for Mom and show off your tackle!

As some of you know I'm in the middle of a move. Along with that move comes new redecorating. I'm going with fresh green tones and rich deep browns. I can't replace everything, so I'm rebirthing some of the things I love. One of those items are my Papillon's beds. They are currently white, khaki and pink. They love them too! So the plan is to do a mini redecorating for them as well.

Part One: Paint the baskets ivy green.

BEFORE

AFTER

Part Two: Sew new liner and cushions.

This is the fabulous fabric that I'm going to use! Wish me luck!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-11T09:53:00.001-05:00

My own personal blast from the past.

When it rains, it pours!

2009-03-10T09:31:00.004-05:00

When I checked my email this morning you could have knocked me down with a feather. I sold another item from my Etsy store! I could not be happier!

I guess I better get busy and whip up some more yummy items!

Spring is in the air!

2009-03-08T22:32:00.006-05:00

Well, I am very pleased to say that my Asian Crane Pincushion has already sold! Yay for me! I had so much fun making the first one, I decided to get into the warm weather spirit and whip up another one.

Chicken soup, cabin fever, cranes and constipation.

2009-03-04T21:19:00.003-06:00

Both my girls are home sick with the flu. So they have spent the day watching TV, eating chicken soup and a stepping on each others last nerve. You would think that the bug would keep them down enough to leave each other alone. They are so different when they are sick. El needs to be nurtured and waited on hand and foot. Em on the other hand needs her space with all the peace and quiet she can stand. Those who know Mike and I know which child takes after which parent and I'll just leave it at that.

Which brings me to my cabin fever. After separating the chicklettes, I snuck down stairs to the studio to relieve a little creative constipation. I have been itching to make some pin cushions and this was the result. I am very please with the out come. I am going to list one in my Etsy store. I especially like it because I added a sand pillow to the interior. So every time you poke in a pin, it sharpens it!

Midlife crisis?

2009-03-02T16:16:00.007-06:00

I think I'm having a midlife crisis. At least that's what I'm calling it. I don't think that I'm a vain person, but lately all I can think about is my weight and how I look. Some of this line of thinking has to do with how my husband looks. I can't help but think when others see us in public together they wonder what the hell he's doing with me. I've voiced this to him and he assures me that this just all in my little head. But then delicately adds that it would be in my health's best interest if I dropped some weight. He then adds that he and the girls love me and need me to be around allot longer. I get it.

What I don't get is some of these other moms in my community. I'm just going to call them the plastic PTA. You know, they're built like a sign post with two motionless orbs stuck to it. But that is not the only thing that doesn't move. When they smile at you with those blindingly white chompers, not a line of life shows on their perfectly spray tanned faces. And the other thing I'm clueless about is why after all the work they've done to their bodies do they then go and get a tattoo right on their back for all the world to gaze upon? It's like a designer label you can't wash off. We all have women like these in our schools, but we seem to have more than our fair share around here. They all seem nice enough. We chit-chat now and then. And I've even been invited out with some of them. Which brings me to the next subject that eludes me. When they go out, it's always on a weekday. It's always for appetizers and drinks. First, who's watching their kids? Who's helping them with homework? Cooking them dinner? Tucking them into bed? Second, who drinks in the middle of the week? Some of you may think that I'm just a fat, bitter old hag. You are entitled to your opinion. Just don't ask me to comment on what I think about you.

El and Em's Big Adventure

2009-02-09T09:54:00.002-06:00

The Chicklettes and I set out for our first road trip to Pacific is past weekend. We packed up the GT and headed out Friday afternoon complete with both Papillions in tow. Roxie puked before we even hit the highway. Yuck! Good thing I had her in the pet carrier.

It was so exciting to see the new house. There will be more than enough room for all of us. And hopefully we will have family and friends come visit often. We spent Saturday at City Museum in St. Louis. If you've never been there, you must go.

It is part art gallery, amusement park, and natural history museum all rolled into one. I could not even believe my eyes when I saw my baby girls climbing all over the outer mazes. They had to be 50 feet in the air! We also went to Union Station. That did not go as expected. We bought the girls some fudge and they both got food poisoning! The next day we went furniture shopping. We picked out this beautiful sofa.

I just love it! I can't wait to move and decorate our new home. I will finally get to furnish and decorate in my own style. No more hand me downs!

My New Look!!!

2009-01-07T14:07:00.004-06:00

I tell you what. Nothing makes a girl feel better than a new look. And boy do I feel great thanks to Beth at The Pink Tulip. She is totally revamping everything for me. First my blog, my eBay auctions, ME page, you name it. And not only does her graphic designs rock, she very reasonable to boot. So if you need a little cyber pick me up, check out her blog at The Pink Tulip or her eBay Store on eBay!

Tackle It Tuesday!

2009-01-06T11:47:00.004-06:00

From here on out my tackles will mainly consist of things that involve getting my house ready to sell and moving. My tackle today is to finish painting my first floor bathroom. I'm sorry to say, I do not have a before photo. But I will post the after later today. Do you have something to tackle? Blog about it, then let the world know at 5minutesformom.com

New Year Resolutions???

2009-01-06T11:30:00.002-06:00

Can you believe it's 2009? I can't! 2008 just flew by. I took off a year to revamp some things in my crazy life and now I'm ready to get back into the swing of things. My New Years resolution is to live a simplier life. You know, less clutter, less drama, less everything. So I'm taking the old saying "less is more" and putting my own spin on it. What about you? What's your resolution? Please feel free to comment! I'd love to hear about it. Will I succeed? Or will I cave to my old habits? Check back with me again to see how I'm doing.

Official News!!!

2009-01-05T10:47:00.000-06:00

Well it looks like the Larson clan is pulling up roots and moving. Mike took a job in Pacific, MO with US Silica. We are all so excited! We hope that this will be a great opprotunity for the whole family. Being a citygirl, I hope it will be my chance to share some of my own interests with my family. I miss being away from the arts. And being so very close to St. Louis will be the perfect chance to do so.

AWOL all summer...

2008-08-18T08:24:00.001-05:00

Is stupid forever?

2008-02-19T17:49:00.000-06:00

This post is just me thinking out loud. We all know that teenagers think we (real adults) are brain dead and they know it all. Does that ever end? On her birthday will my daughter instantly realize that her mother is a wise and loving being? And that all the advice I've given her in the 18 years of her life is in her best interest. Or is this a hopeless pipe dream?

Contests, blogging and other fun stuff!

2008-01-07T13:04:00.000-06:00

It's a bright new year and I have survived my bout with pneumonia. I'm so thankful for my friends and family that took such good care of me. And thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. I have to say that I'm very proud of my DH Mike, and the girls. They coped very well while I was down. Now that I'm up and around, I'm ready for life to get back to normal. (Whatever that is!) And that means cooking, cleaning, sewing, blogging and hopefully gardening soon.

So for a spiritual pick me up, I decided to head over to 5 Minutes for Mom. There is soooo much to read! One that caught my eye was the blog design contest being held by A Frog in my Soup and Sweet 'n Simple Design. As anyone that has seen my poor forlorn blog can tell you, I so need to win that contest! My blog looks like it's having an identity crisis. I know how I would like it to look, I just don't have the time. Something pink, sage green with stars. After being sick with pneumonia for seven weeks, I have alot of housework to catch up on. And that doesn't include getting the company books ready for tax season. So I must have someone do it. And after seeing Sweet 'n Simply's designs, I'm convinced she's the one to do it! Her website is so wonderful! It literally brought a smile to my face. Her style is just the ticket for my blog. Her company name sums it up nicely and that is what I need. As a matter of fact, that was my New Year's resolution. To get organized and simplify my life. Your blog should be a happy place where you can go and be yourself. To write, express your thoughts feelings and ideas. My blog is not these things. So if you are in the same boat I am, pop on over to A Frog in my Soup and Sweet 'n Simple Designs and sign up for a make-over blog style!!!

Sick as a dog?????

2007-11-28T15:44:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure what that means. But I feel like a dog for one than one reason. First, I have'nt been blogging at all. I admire ladies that find the time in their busy day to do so. I'm not one of them I guess. Second, is sewing. Or the lack there of. I have done a couple of customs, but that's it. What happened to sewing for the fun of it??? Third is the original reason I feel like a dog. I have pnemonia. I'm in the hospital for a couple of days. I've had the pnemonia for two weeks now. It stinks. So I have plenty of time to write, maybe do some video editing for some Youtube or check out some site and blogs.

I knew it!!!!

2007-10-06T18:35:00.001-05:00

This just in from Yahoo! news!!!

Hannah Montana's Total Sellout
Sarah Hall Fri Oct 5, 1:07 PM ET
Los Angeles (E! Online) - Miley Cyrus is a hot ticket, all right—maybe too hot, as disappointed fans across the nation (and their parents) can attest.

As tickets to the 14-year-old Hannah Montana star's Best of Both Worlds Tour continue to sell out within minutes, officials in several states are taking action against online ticket brokers for allegedly violating scalping laws.
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon filed suit Thursday against three ticket retailers, accusing the companies of fraud under the state's consumer protection laws and of violating a Kansas City ordinance outlawing scalping.
Tickets to the teen singer's concert had a top face value of about $63, but they were being resold online for upwards of $2,000, Nixon said, calling the practice a "blatant rip-off of consumers."
He named ticket-sellers GoTickets Inc., Tickets Now Entertainment Group Inc. and Ticket Solutions Inc. in his lawsuit.
Nixon also announced he had reached an agreement with Ticketmaster to release 2,000 more tickets to two of Cyrus' upcoming shows—1,000 each in Kansas City and St. Louis.
Meanwhile, Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has launched an investigation into five online ticket sellers, demanding documentation of their sales.
McDaniel said he was concerned that brokers were advertising tickets for sale before they even existed in order to determine buyer interest in buying those tickets at inflated prices.
He also said he would be looking into computer software used by scalpers to snap up large numbers of tickets on sites such as Ticketmaster, blocking average consumers from purchasing tickets at face value.
The companies named in McDaniels' investigation are Ticketliquidator.com, StubHub.com, Tickets-For-Events.com, TicketsNow.com and Gotickets.com.
Tickets to Cyrus' tour, which launches Oct. 18 in St. Louis, are currently selling through brokers for the average price of $230, a hefty price tag, especially when compared with the ticket prices of other in-demand acts such as the Police ($209), Beyoncé ($193) and Justin Timberlake ($182).
"It's the hottest concert ticket in the country, bar none," said StubHub spokesman Sean Pate.
"The market-driven prices...are skewing high currently, not unlike a company whose stock price soars after a positive earnings announcement," he continued, adding that fans might want to hold out for a downturn. "Although some people are purchasing, sellers will eventually have to adjust their prices to attract buyers."
The 54-date tour is on target to outsell the Police reunion tour, which currently holds StubHub's record for bestselling tour in company history.
Before kicking off the trek, Cyrus and her father and Hannah Montana costar Billy Ray Cyrus are due to perform a duet on next week's Dancing with the Stars results show.

Wordless Wednesday - The Mom's Overture

2007-09-26T08:39:00.000-05:00

I know this is supposed to be wordless. But I just could not help but share this!

Win a free vacum!

2007-09-21T10:16:00.000-05:00

THIS JUST IN FROM 5MINUTESFORMOM.COM!

Dyson Has Gone Pink — And We’re Giving One Away!

Written by Susan

Dyson is helping to find a cure for Breast Cancer. They have created a limited edition, oh-so-fashionable Pink vacuum and they are donating $40 from each sale to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The pink beauties are exclusively available at Target… but you need to hurry because they are already 50% sold out! And since these Pink All Floor vacuums are a limited edition, once they’re gone… well you know the end of that sentence.

We know every woman dreams of a Dyson — the effortless steering, the high-power suction, the clean air filter, the lightweight design.

The vacuum cleaner that doesn’t lose suction; 250 air watts; Root 8 Cyclone technology deep cleans; lifetime HEPA filter included

Certified asthma friendly according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Bagless design with easy-empty dust compartment; 46Hx13Wx14L”

Now is your chance to indulge yourself and at the same time support breast cancer research.

But yes… of course… one of you will get one for free. And not only that, since so many of you participated in our last vacuum giveaway, Dyson has offered to also donate the full retail value of a second DC07 Pink vacuum ($400) to the BCRF in honor of our giveaway.

If you want to be the lucky lady who gets this free Dyson Pink All Floors vacuum, please leave a comment and also link back to this post from your own blog. (If you’re not a blogger, we understand you can’t link back, but then perhaps just share the buzz with some friends.)

We do have to limit this giveaway to US shipping addresses, but Canadians if you’re close enough to a US border, you could ship it there and go pick it up.

We’ll draw the winner on Monday, Oct 1st.

But, don’t wait until then… hop over to target and pick up one of these limited edition pink vacuums. And then if you win our giveaway, you can give one to your sister!

Recalls

2007-09-13T07:55:00.000-05:00

With all the recent recalls from China, the powers that be are stepping up to the plate and offering us more options. I just saw on the TV this morning that you can sign up for recall warnings sent right to my email box. Needless to say, I was right on it. So check it out and add a new layer of protection for your family!

www.recalls.gov and www.cpsc.gov

Wordless Wednesday

2007-09-12T08:11:00.001-05:00

Before
After

This is my oldest daughter. She is in Cosmotology School. So with a new school comes new a new hair style!

Tackle It Tuesday - Bittersweet...

2007-09-11T12:08:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm happy to say that I was successful in my endeavors to acquire the very elusive HM tickets! But on a down note, I could only get 3 pre-sale tickets. They were sold out in fifteen minutes! I want more than anything to have this be a girls weekend with Lil' E and her mom. So plan B is to try again on Saturday and go for five tickets. I will then sell the three I've got at auction. I will of course call my friends and let them know of our predicament. Wish us luck!

How is this possible?

2007-09-10T08:30:00.000-05:00

We are Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus fans. And I mean big time. CD's, movies, clothes, perfume, etc. We've got it all. So of course when I heard HM was coming in concert I had to get tickets. Well the St. Louis show for October was already sold out. I looked farther down the list and low and behold, there was a date in December at the brand spanking new Sprint Center in Kansas City. Now keep in mind this building isn't even open for business until mid October. So imagine my shock when I saw tickets for sale on Stubhub.com for this venue.

Now let me back up a moment. I forgot to mention that my daughter is also a Mileyworld.com member. As a member she has the opportunity to purchase pre-sale tickets four days before the general public. The pre-sale date is September 11th.

As of Saturday, their were 17 individuals with tickets up for auction on Stubhub.com with nosebleed starting at $200 and floor tickets at $1200. (BTW, which is owned by eBay.) So my question is, how did someone get these tickets??? Well, I called Stubhub and asked them this very question. Their response was that these people MUST have the tickets because they guarantee that the purchaser will receive the tickets before the event or their money back.

I also contacted the Sprint Center via e-mail. They responded very quickly, but gave me a watered down, blanket statement.

"Sprint Center has no affiliation with Stubhub .com so we can not speak for them. Ticketmaster is our official company that you can purchase tickets for Sprint Center events. We do not sale any of our inventory to Stubhub. We go on sale September 15th."

So what's really going on here??? Stolen tickets? No tickets, but a scam to suck money out of well meaning loving parents? I don't know for sure. But one thing I can tell you, I won't take this lying down. Tomorrow, I'll be at my keyboard, credit card in hand ready to full fill my daughters dream. I have also contacted the KC Star. I am curious to see what they will do about this potential story.

Just who do I think I am?

2007-09-04T11:31:00.000-05:00

This question has been haunting me for years. The truth is, I don't know. I used to know the answer. Then everything changed. I grew up. Got married. Had a child. Got divorced. Got married again. Had more children. Blah, blah, blah. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Don't get me wrong. I love my husband and children. I just have this nagging feeling in my head. I feel like I've been living a lie of sorts. I realized this last year when a friend commented about how she "thought I was Super Mom and had my act together." Just what does that mean? In my circle of "friends" it means you are as close to humanly possible the Proverbs 31 woman. (I've heard that there is a woman's bible study about this.)

Here's a news flash! I am not that woman. I wish people would stop calling me things like "super mom" and Betty Crocker happy homemaker. More than anything, I just want to be myself. And who am I really? If I had to come up with a single word it would be "artist". And not in the snobby, cob up your butt way. I mean someone that takes something from their heart and mind, molds it together to share it with the world. Someone that is not afraid to bare their soul in a form that is highly tangible. Even my blog readers get the scrubbed clean pasturized version of me. And just not on my blog. This includes eBay, Etsy, and so on. I'm so afraid of offending someone that I just color within the lines. That's what good girls do right? I've been told my entire life to not rock the boat. Well, I'm getting sick of that. I feel like a zombie. There I am. A zombie in a stinkin' boat with one paddle, rowing in a circle. I don't know how to fix this problem. But one thing I do know, I will not color within the lines anymore...

What's your bag?

2007-08-25T16:29:00.000-05:00

Here is my latest creation. It is currently up for auction for The Gallery Fall Guest launch.

To see all the wonderful handmade items from The Gallery and their guests just click here.

Tackle It Tuesday!

2007-08-21T08:23:00.000-05:00

I have been looking forward to this tackle for two weeks! It's the first day of school! Now before you judge me as an uncaring, monster mom, let me just say that the girls were ready way before me. The natives were restless! So my tackle was to get them dressed, fed and out the door. I spent last week making them new book bags. Each girl decided the theme, colors and details. Maybe my WW will be the after math of the first day of school!?! To see more Tackle It Tuesdays visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

You go girl!

2007-08-07T08:24:00.000-05:00

Danica rips Wheldon after wreck-filled day at Michigan

August 6, 2007
By Bruce Martin PA SportsTicker Contributing Editor

BROOKLYN, Michigan (Ticker) -- Dan Wheldon has a well-deserved reputation of being a "lady's man."

But one female who doesn't seem to get along with Wheldon is Danica Patrick, who ripped the likable Brit for causing a major crash after Sunday's Firestone Indy 400.

The collision on lap 144 sent Patrick's Andretti Green Racing teammate, Dario Franchitti, for a flight that probably lasted longer than the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk in 1903.

"Dan just came up and hit Dario and Dario flipped around," Patrick said. "Dan drives really aggressively out there. He said it himself on pit lane at Milwaukee that he's tougher. I don't know if tougher means rougher, because he doesn't play completely fair out there. I even said that on my radio, 'Dan better play fair today. I'm serious because he likes to drive up and intimidate you.'

"Don't mess with us, especially Dario, because he isn't going to move. That's the result. People need to think when you are going 225 miles an hour what the right and wrong things are. The faster you move upwards, the slower you move backwards."

Those are the strongest comments yet from Patrick on Wheldon since their initial confrontation after the Milwaukee race on June 3. That's when Patrick was attempting to pass Wheldon in the first turn and believes the 2005 IndyCar champion cut her off and sent her off the track.

Patrick had one of the fastest cars in the race at that point and was able to continue, but she believed at that time Wheldon cost her a chance at victory. She charged at Wheldon on pit lane after the race and even grabbed his arm, which led Wheldon to refer to her as a yapping little dog biting at his ankles.

What followed was Texas Motor Speedway's infamous "Rumble at the Speedway" promotion by track president Eddie Gossage.

Franchitti and Wheldon spoke about the incident in the infield care center and said Sunday's crash was really no one's fault; they were just going for the same part of the race track.

"I went up just a touch, and Dario started to come down with normal superspeedway stuff and unfortunately we touched," Wheldon said. "Superspeedway style racing, you always run the risk of something like this happening. There was a lot of respect for everybody out there, but there were instances where I was guilty as well. It's just the law of averages."

Patrick was immediately behind the cars when Franchitti went airborne about 35 feet before landing upside-down on Scott Dixon's car.

"To be honest, it was because I was so close to Dario because when he got up in the air I was able to go underneath," Patrick said. "That was something.

"This is the first time I've finished at Michigan (in three races). We were having a good race out there, but there were some spectacular movements out there by cars. When you are going down the backstretch three-wide at 225 miles an hour plus, that's a scary situation - I don't care who you are. That's part of our issue with such a big track like this."

Race winner Tony Kanaan admitted he was disgusted with the style of racing he saw on Sunday.

"People were chopping people off, banging wheels and cars flying," Kanaan said after his second MIS win. "That's not a way to race. I definitely think a lot of people disrespect each other out there, and it's nobody's fault besides ours and the Indy Racing League not taking the measures with the drivers that have been driving a crazy race.

"I saw at least 25 potential cars that could have flipped at some point in this race. Only one flipped. Thank God he's OK. But I really don't think it's a way to race like that."

Patrick said there were many moments out there where she scared herself.

"I think that's why the Indy Racing League is such an interesting craft of racing because it is such a knife's edge," she said. "There are times out there at 220, I'm loose where the rear end jumps loose on me. You have to be ready for that. You have cars that are moving up and down on each other and intimidating each other and sliding around and moving.

"That kind of stuff is dangerous. I'm not scared for my life out there because I don't have time to be, but if you look at it, you need to be. Exciting passing and side-by-side makes it exciting but risky at the same time."

Wordless Wednesday - High Society?

2007-08-01T08:37:00.000-05:00

Tackle It Tuesday!

2007-07-24T08:28:00.000-05:00

Well, as the summer winds down and marks the up-coming school season. We are off for one more family vacation. We will be making our annual trek to the world famous (I really mean that!) Branson, Missouri. We will hit all our old haunts such as Silverdollar City & Celebration City. New for this clan will be Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. One must see will be a broadway style production of "The Promise" at The Mansion Theatre. Hillbilly and I have seen this and were so impressed that we are taking the girls. So my tackle is to get packed. I spent the yesterday cleaning like a mad woman. It's the OCD in me. Can't go on a trip with a dirty house. So my tackle will be to get packed. We also have to plan ahead so we can make the Queen's race on Saturday. Check out more great tackles at 5 Minutes for Mom!

Tackle It Tuesday!

2007-07-17T07:48:00.001-05:00

This is an old tackle that I did not get to post. And I can not take all the credit for this tackle. So putting up our pool was a group effort. And bless my in-laws for helping. They really did 90% of the work. After all, we did'nt have a clue as to what to do!

So the pool is up. But now we have another problem. The lateral arm inside the filter is broken. I am waiting with anticipation for the UPS guy to get here with the new part. As you can see the water is low. Our next pool tackle will be fixing the filter and the new deck. We are currently using the small 8'x8' deck just so we can get in and out. Hillbilly has started working on the new two tier deck/patio combo. It will be wonderful when it's done. I will post about that too.

Opps! She did it again...

2007-07-15T13:20:00.000-05:00

Well, not really "Opps." El once again drove her little heart out and it paid off. After drawing a terrible number (24 out of 25) she managed to turn lemons into sweet, tangy lemonade. This in it's self was a great life lesson. Hillbilly and I have been waiting for an opportunity like this to present it's self. We preach sportsmanship, playing by the rules and family values, so this was a real blessing.One of the high lights of the evening at the Mini Midway was the kart count. There were seven total in the blue plate restrictor class. That's much better than in the weeks past. And the frosting on the cake was the presence of friends. Little E and family were there as well as some other familiar faces.

Hot laps were a pleasant surprise thanks to the guys at Scott Racing Engines. When Elle came off the track she was beaming and exclaimed, "It's soooo fast!" Extra kudos go out to "K" and the boys for awesome job on Elle's fresh "new" motor. Midway runs an eight lap double inverted heat. There were a couple of crazy moments with spinning karts and dust flying, but those kids kept their cool and put on a fantastic show. We knew it could be another great night after she finished first and second in her heats. Needless to say, we were not disappointed. After a shaky first start, Elle pulled ahead of the pack and never looked back. I can't even start to tell you how proud we are of her.

Here are the results:

Rookie-Restrictor
A Ft-1)Elizabeth Larson 2)Tyler Todd 3)Elizabeth Stewart 4)Devon Stagner 5)Justin Wagner 6)Carter Darnell 7)Zachary Wagner

1st Ht-1)Justin Wagner 2)Larson 3)Todd 4)Darnell 5)Stewart 6)Stagner 7)Z. Wagner

2nd Ht-1)Larson 2)Stagner 3)Darnell 4)Todd 5)Z. Wagner 6)Stewart 7)J. Wagner
To watch the Youtube video click here!

IBC - The silent killer form of breast cancer

2007-07-11T08:05:00.000-05:00

My best friend from high school sent this to me. Please take caution as some of the footage is graphic and not suitable for children. I am sharing this on my blog in hopes of spreading the word about this silent, deadly form of breast cancer. Until today, I had never even heard of it. If you would like to help by posting the Youtube video to your blog, just copy/paste the embed link directly to your html. If you need help, just let me know.

Tackle It Tuesday - YouTube.com

2007-07-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

Well as some of you know, I am on a personal mission to learn as much techno-junk as I can. I just learned to produce and upload my own videos to Youtube.com. I was easier than originally thought. I got this little peice of hardware called Dazzle made by Pinnacle. I just loaded the software and hooked up my camcorder. Then I was off and running. I then signed up for an account on Youtube and the rest is history.

This was so easy and I highly recommend that you give it a try!

Now I know my A,B,C's...

2007-07-05T12:29:00.000-05:00

won't you sing along with me! This was so fun! I spotted this at CreativeOutletDesigns. She loves letters too! And this was a pleasant little destraction from my every day ho-hum.

So check it out here. You just type in your choosen word, and it gives you a mosaic of letters. If you don't like a particular letter, just click it and it will change to a new one. Play along, post it on your blog. Let me know and I'll come check it out!

Wordless Wednesday - Seeing Double?

2007-06-27T13:32:00.000-05:00

Tackle It Tuesday!

2007-06-26T13:19:00.000-05:00

This area was supposed to be a clean, organized activity center for my girls. As time went on, it got messy and out of control.

The shelves include items like arts & craft supplies, flash cards, activity books, electronic learning devices, and books.

I got sooo into the cleaning and organizing! I even got to use my newest toy, a Dymo label maker.

I love these retro jars for holding old crayons, rubber stamps, and colored chalk.

And here is the end result! Not bad if I do say so myself! Now off to the pool!

Fab Friday Finds!!!

2007-06-22T10:11:00.000-05:00

This day is bittersweet. A whole 24 hours has pasted and my dear darling little girl is now offically an adult of the ripe old age of 18! Yikes! So my fab Friday find is in honor of my eldest child. While searching for a birthday gift for the Editor, I came across these very hip pendants.

Imogen has a large variety of these beautiful pendants at very reasonable prices! So check them all out at Etsy.com

Look at me!!!

2007-06-14T18:46:00.000-05:00

I'm very proud to announce that I have just been accepted as an EtsyKids member. I've been looking forward to joining this talented group of crafters. So to get the very best of handmade goods for your little bundles of joy, just click the EtsyKids logo!

Etsy Kids is a diverse group of talented & dedicated etsy sellers making items for babies, toddlers, and children. We will be working together to creatively promote our shops & etsy in venues specific to this market.

Wordless Wednesday - Trophy Bling!

2007-06-13T11:17:00.000-05:00

Newly Listed at Prontip & Co.

2007-06-13T10:55:00.000-05:00

I've just listed a few freshly made super soft chenille baby bibs in my Esty store. I've really been behind on listing due to local custom orders. I love doing bibs because I can get really creative with my embroidery software. Check them out!

You've just been passed by a Girl!

2007-06-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

This catchphrase is emblazed on the backs of t-shirts and bumper stickers nation wide. But for this race team, it became reality on Saturday night. Our very own Queen of Karts dominated the dirt track on this hot June evening. We did not have high expectations when we pulled out of the driveway. Hillbilly had pulled her regular motor to ship it off to Scott Racing for a refresh. So she would be running her back up motor that we really didn't know a whole lot about. Hillbilly had his routine crew chief/driver pow-wow before her heat races. He informed her of his concerns about the motor. No big. He requested she drive it hard, and "if it blows up, I'll laugh and buy you a new one." The Queen let out a little giggle and said, "O.K!" She got out there and drove like a champ, placing second in both heats which earned her the starting position on the pole. Her finesse for the fast lane continued as she pulled ahead of a male monopolized feature. See the video here.Now a little credit to the boys. They tried with all their heart and soul to get around her but to no avail. With all the bumping and rubbing, you would have thought that a million dollars was on the line, not a $5 trophy. With three laps to go, the tension was unbelievable! I know she couldn't hear me, but I could not help but cheer her on! As the white flag dropped, I knew as long as she continue her proficient proformance, it was in the bag. The Queen kept the pedal to the metal, with a four kart lead, took the checkered flag! We whooped and cheered for our little racer. The Queen attributes her win to her secret weapon. Sweet, rich, Chocolate!!!This Father's Day weekend was especially wonderful for Hillbilly. Not only did his girl take first, she also sang the Nation Anthem at the opening ceremonies. As always, we wrapped up the evening at Waffle House!

Fab Friday Finds!

2007-06-08T10:11:00.000-05:00

It's a warm sunny day here in Missouri. And we have a new pool! So my fab friday find is all about cool water pools. I found this beautiful work of art at Esty.com. Check out ShineDichroicsuk for more trendy finds.

Insomnia

2007-06-04T04:47:00.000-05:00

Being sick is the pits. I've spent two days straight in bed. Well, now I can't sleep. It's almost 5 in the morning and I haven't even been to bed yet. And I feel terrible. I guess my internal clock is all screwed up. My family gets up in 1 hour. I hope they have mercy on me. I would try to sew if I thought for a minute that the machines wouldn't wake everyone up. I've got such a busy two weeks ahead of me. VBS starts the 11th and my dear friend Jules is coming for a visit on the 18th. We just put in a new swimming pool today and it is filling up. Hillbilly is going to see if some buds with a giant water truck will deliver some water to expedite the situation. That would be wonderful. And I would like to finish the flooring and painting before Jules gets here. Boy, I've got a full plate. But first, I must get some sleep...

Wordless Wednesday - Hello World

2007-05-30T11:49:00.000-05:00

Newly Listed at Prontip & Co.

2007-05-30T11:32:00.000-05:00

Although I am a little behind in my listing my own creations, I do have a couple of darling 4th of July hand-painted pots by Holly Nimmo. Holly is a dear friend and I personally own a coulple of her creations. She is a truely gifted artist and super sweet person to boot. So take a minute and check out her OOAK works of art in my eBay store.

Great day for a race!

2007-05-20T13:15:00.000-05:00

Well, we got a early start to Brighton/Countyline Speedway. The weather was beautiful. And to make the trip even sweeter, we had our new ride! I got a great deal on an '01 Suburban on eBay. I know, I know. I'm crazy!

We had an uneventful trip and arrived with plenty of time to set up. Our friends, S's & H's arrived shortly afterward. It was great to see them and get to race after a long, cold winter. The Queen didn't draw real well. There were about 15 karts there in the blue plate class so she was in Heat 2 and at the back to boot. As Hillbilly and I have discussed many a time, we just never know which driver we'll get on any given weekend. Her heat race was going just fine. She managed to hold on to 2nd place for the majority of the race until 6B tried to duck in under her. Needless to say, he T-boned her. They both got sent to the tail. This just took the wind right out of sails. She's positive that 6B has got it in for her. I guess I don't blame her after the Springfield indoor races. He hit her a couple times there too. Hillbilly and I have tried, in vain, to explain this to her. She is not convinced.

The feature race did not produce positive results either. We wish that she could be more aggressive behind the wheel. She's got the heart of a winner. And Hillbilly is doing everything he can to improve and maintain her kart. We did decide on the way home that we need to get some lower gears. And after the feature was over Hillbilly realized one of the wheel bearings was shot. So that will be on the repair list for this week. We are even paying her to drive. $10 to start and $50 to win. I guess that didn't work either...

So the night ending like this:

BLUE PLATE CLASS

1st Chandler Coates #7
2nd Devan Stagner #41
3rd Iassc Kjar #07
4thTyler Betts #6B
5th Ethan Flood #24
6th John Mitchell #32
7th Logan Harbison #23
8th Caeden Cornell #50
9th Jonathan Kjar #02
10th Elizabeth Stewart #6
11th Bobby Williams #1B
12th Dillon Taylor #8
13th Carter Darnell #36
14th Elizabeth Larson #95
15th McCoy Watson #M8O

Tag! I'm it!

2007-05-16T15:12:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been tagged by fellow bag lady, Wendy of Azalea Lane Originals. Hmmm... Seven random facts about little old me?

1. I was born in Bangkok, Thailand.

2. I am scared of most bugs. They are small, creepy and can go places they don't belong.

3. Back in the day, I could tie a cherry stem with my tongue.

4. I love to dance.

5. I was the only girl in my advanced art class.

6. I have gone streaking and skinning dipping. Again, back in the day.

7. I've got a lead foot and drag raced my Chevy, again back in the day!

So. Now I must tag seven other bloggers! So I choose:
Ribbon Rock Star
Suburban Oblivion
Becky D
Doni Dori
Beths Bagz
Not without my coffee
Bridget-Miles to go

Now go tag seven more lucky ladies!

Happy Mothers Day!

2007-05-13T09:03:00.000-05:00

"In 100 years it will not matter how much money you had, what kind of car you drove, how big your house was, or what designer labels hung in your closet. What will matter is that you were a mother. The single most important woman on earth in your childs life."

So celebrate this day with great joy and don't forget all the mothers and future mothers in your life.

Wordless Wednesday - Sleeping Beauty

2007-05-09T08:24:00.000-05:00

Tackle It Tuesday!

2007-05-08T09:02:00.000-05:00

One of my very favorite summer things is fresh herbs and produce. With all the screwed up weather we've had, it's no small wonder that I was chomping at the bit to plant something. I optted to go with a potted herb garden so if the warm sunshine went south I could just move it indoors. I am sitting outside on the back deck, blogging away, the hummers are chirpping and buzzing each other, I just pinch the lavender and feel instantly relaxed. I'm in heaven! I went with some of my favorites; lavender, cilantro, chives, basil, rosemary, lemon grass, thyme, and dill. New to me is the pineapple mint. I can't wait to use it! It's also guinea pig season. No we don't eat them! That's just the pet name my family uses for the nights I make something "out side the box" for dinner. Summer turns me into a mad scientist in the kitchen. I am re-discovering my love for cooking since I joined Weight Watchers. I've lost 4 lbs. in two weeks and feel better already!

Oh baby! Check out that sweet ride!

2007-05-06T20:43:00.000-05:00

Well I am very happy to say that Hillbilly's new 360 Sprint Car is done! As you can see it's totally different look from last year. He went with a sparkling and flashy purple for the chassis and bright white body. A special shout out and kudos to our buds, J & J, at Pro Dezigns for the fabulous graphics which include the hot new wraps. As soon as their new website is up I will post about it with a link. Another special thanks to all our sponsors; Larson Waterproofing, Mike's Dozing, Inc., ABC Powdercoating, and Pro Dezigns.

It was a beautiful warm spring night and great for racing. The track had plenty of water on it from the rain we got all the previous week. I must say that I was both excited and a little nervous. Hillbilly drew pretty bad, but that's just fine. His only goals for the night was to try out the new car, have fun and of course get it home in one piece. He accomplished all this and more. His girls all had a blast. And the icing on the cake was that we were home before mid-night!

Mother's Day Giveaway!

2007-05-02T10:07:00.000-05:00

Susan and Janice of 5 Minutes for Mom are at it again! This time they are giving away an iPod Nano and chocolate! Check out the details below!

Okay – an Apple iPod Nano that comes inside a pretty box of chocolates – how great is that?

Best Buy knows what us modern moms want for Mother’s Day… an Apple iPod Nano AND chocolate! That sounds just about perfect to me. (Oh and of course they know we love all things cute, so they made sure to wrap it up just right!)

Here are the facts (cause you know you will need to give some detailed hints to your husbands!)

The Apple iPod Nano and Chocolate Gift Set:

Features a pink or silver 4GB Apple iPod nano, slim enough to fit in mom’s pocket, purse or palm
Includes a variety of pink-foiled milk chocolate meltaways
Packaged in a mod polka-dot-patterned box inspired by the prism of iPod nano colors and this spring’s hottest accessory: dots!
Price: $214.99
Available in Best Buy stores beginning May 6,2007

Are female Bloggers a target?

2007-05-01T08:19:00.000-05:00

You bet we are. And the target gets bigger every day. I just caught a story on ABC's Good Morning America about cyber-stalkers targeting female bloggers. But there is help. Wired Safety is an online site dedicated to cyber-safety for all of us. There are great tips for all members of your family. To learn more about cyber-stalking check out the blog of Wired Safety founder, Parry Aftab. I know I do not have very many readers, but the ones that do, please spread the word. Be sure to add the Wired Safety logo and link to your sidebar. Keep each other safe!

Use what you have!

2007-04-30T14:00:00.000-05:00

*~* This a Sticky Post, so please scroll down to see my latest posts! *~*

Gyl, over at Rhembein is on a mission. And I have decided to join her. Her challenge is to use the supplies that you have on hand. What a great idea. Hillbilly will think that this is fabulous idea!
This challenge is for the whole month of April. So, take a look around! Have you got half finished projects? Piles of fabric, ribbon, beads? Get busy! Then stop back by my blog and sign the Mr. Linky so I can check out your projects!

What is this world coming too?

2007-04-30T07:50:00.000-05:00

I must lead a very sheltered life. There I am sitting on the sofa, enjoying my first cup of joe with Hillbilly. The news on our TV told the story of a childhood spat over a swing turned ugly ending up with a parent and children getting maced! What the heck!?! Did they say "children"! Yep. That's right, children. And small children at that. What is wrong with this world? Read the whole story here.

Happy Birthday to the Queen!

2007-04-26T10:27:00.000-05:00

Well, she's another year older. And that makes me FEEL another year older. She even wants older girl things for her birthday. Besides the usual Brats dolls, things like pet goldfish with cool tank that matches her room deco, clothes, cash, and cellphone top the list. I think I'll swing it all but the cell phone... Happy 8th Birthday pumpkin, mommy loves you just the way you are.

Wordless Wednesday - I've been robbed!

2007-04-25T11:43:00.000-05:00

Tackle It Tuesday

2007-04-24T09:41:00.000-05:00

In my mission to be more organized, I have decided to tackle a room each week. This week is my office. I was sorely in need of a new file cabinet. I was a little over-whelmed by the wide array of pieces, but I bit the bullet and jumped right in!

URL change

2007-04-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

Attention all readers! (Yea, all three of you.) I have changed my blog URL to http://prontip.blogspot.com

1st Hummer Sighting of 2007

2007-04-21T12:37:00.000-05:00

How exciting! I spotted the first hummer of the season today! He stopped by my very empty feeder for a sip while I was planting begonias. So I jumped up and ran to fill the feeder. I hope to have scads of these little acrobats around this season. I'm doubling up on feeders in hopes of attracting more. Wish me luck!

Ouch! That stings a little...

2007-04-19T12:26:00.000-05:00

OK, I know Zima is an alcholic beverage, so I apoligize to all that might be offended. But this is a very funny tongue in cheek look at mom's ride sent to me by my good friend and fellow mom, Lori H.

Fab Friday Finds!

2007-04-13T18:06:00.000-05:00

It's Friday and have I got a find for you! My handbag bud Beth makes these wonderful one of kind pin cushions. They are so sweet and whimsical. I've just got to get one!

Wordless Wednesday - Man's Best Friend

2007-04-11T08:58:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me from my dear friend Aimee and I think it was a perfect WW photo.

Extra, Extra, Read all about it!

2007-04-09T10:55:00.000-05:00

Once again the girls over at 5 Minutes for Mom have done it again! They have reached out, spoke up and informed us of the latest and greatest for woman and man kind alike. What's the big news you ask? Well it's just this. They have just posted about an organization called She Speaks. Here is an excerpt from their post. Want free stuff?

She Speaks is a new online network that does just that: it allows women to provide companies with feedback on their products.
And the bonus for you is you get to try out (and keep) products and services for free! All you have to do is fill out a quick online feedback form once you have used the product.
So how does it work exactly?

If you are a female, US resident over the age of 18, you can join SheSpeaks for free by logging on to www.shespeaks.com and completing a short profile. (Being a member at SheSpeaks is completely free and you will never be charged any fees.)
The profile tells SheSpeaks about the member’s interests and hobbies. Based on this information, SheSpeaks targets members with products and services of interest to try (and keep) free of charge. Once the member tries the product, they can come back and let SheSpeaks know what they think of the product. Did the member love it or hate it? Either way, they want to know. SheSpeaks shares this anonymous feedback with the company that makes the product or service. The company then tells SheSpeaks how the members have influenced their thinking about the product and SheSpeaks lets the members know.

This is my comment I left over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Race Mom said:
OK, I can hardly contain my excitement. THIS is my dream job. I've been saying this ever since I became a mom seventeen years ago. I buy something, use it. Sometimes it does'nt go as planned and I want to tell the manufacturer. (And I usually do.) And sometimes it’s fantastic and I again write the maker and sing their praises. I also do that with friends and family. They laugh and say, “You are so good at this. Too bad you can’t get paid for it!” Well, now thanks to you all, I can! Thanks a bunch for hooking me up!

Tackle It Tuesday!

2007-04-03T11:03:00.000-05:00

I guess I'm techno-geek. Sewing, computers, personal electronics, if it's the latest technology, it's on my must have list. That goes for my blog too. So today's tackle was adding video and music to my blog. To the right is my playlist from Finetune.com, and below is some awesome video from Youtube.com of free style tricks with a sprint car. I believe those are some Aussie blokes from down under.

And people think I'm crazy???

2007-04-02T11:38:00.000-05:00

Dyson Slim Contest!!!

2007-03-30T16:07:00.000-05:00

Yes - it is true! 5 Minutes for Mom is giving away a Dyson Slim Vacuum! And we know you want one!!!
I mean come on - the buzz about the Dyson vacuum cleaner is more like a roar, with housewives all over the world begging to hand over their vacuum bags and enter the new millennium of bag-free vacuuming. (I know - I am one of those women!)So when Dyson contacted us about their newest release, the Dyson Slim, I nearly stopped breathing with excitement. (Fortunately I didn’t completely black out - I mean good grief - we needed to write back and ensure that we could have a Dyson Slim to giveaway to one of YOU!)
For those of you who might not have heard yet about the Dyson vacuums, here is a quick overview:
Frustrated by the poor suction of his vacuum, inventor James Dyson began to dream about how to solve the problem. He went through 5,000 prototypes, but several years later he produced the Dyson cyclone - the first vacuum cleaner that doesn’t lose suction.
Now Dyson vacuums are everywhere, with a wide selection of different models to perfectly match your family’s needs. There are even models specifically designed to pick up pet hair like the DC07 Animal and the DC17 Animal.
The latest member of the Dyson family is the Dyson Slim. The Slim uses the same technology and sucking power as the other Dyson uprights, but weighing in at only 15 pounds, it is a lightweight version perfect for moms who are tired of toting babies and vacuum cleaners up and down stairs.
The Dyson Slim works for all floor types with a button that turns off the motorized brushbar to protect delicate rugs and bare floors. (I love how well the Dyson Slim works on my hardwood floors and especially on the foam play mats I have in Jackson’s play room.)
The Dyson Slim also comes with the Quick Draw Telescope Release wand that easily allows you to reach up to 16 feet for stairs and high-reach cleaning.
I also love that the Dyson vacuums use a lifetime HEPA filtration system that expels clean air while you vacuum.
Oh and did I mention the steering on this vacuum? It is amazing - you can effortlessly maneuver around tables, chairs, corners etc. It is unbelievable!
So how do you get in on this contest? Just visit 5 Minutes for Mom, sign the linky and add this same post to your blog!

Fab Friday Finds!!!

2007-03-30T08:09:00.000-05:00

In celebration of spring I sought out something near and dear to my heart. Birds to be exact. I am a self professed bird-nerd. I can't wait to see the new residents of my bluebird boxes and all the tiny hummers dancing around my feeders like a dainty ballet. So in honor of all my little feathered freinds I found this breath-taking necklace by MAugustaWoodland. This delightful creation captures the wonders of spring. Check it out by clicking the photo!

Wordless Wednesday - BBF

2007-03-28T16:24:00.000-05:00

Just in case you are not up on your abbreviations, BFF is Best Friends Forever. These two must be best friends because Little E and the Queen ended up in a little tire tangle at the races last weekend. The Queen stated that if anyone else had hit her it would be "a very bad."

BTW, Can you believe this is two little girls?

Once a bully, always a bully?

2007-03-26T10:27:00.000-05:00

Below is my very first blog poll. And it is on a very sensitive subject. Parents and coaches that resort to bullying seem to be a continuing problem in today's society. I would like to get my readers input on this subject. There is also a story behind my motivation to do this poll.

This past weekend my seven year old daughter raced at Park City Raceway in the Spring Madness Karting event. During heat races on Friday, another parent pointed out a child racing against our 6-8 year olds in the blue plate restricter class. This girl was eleven. I asked the track promoter why she was driving against younger kids and they referred me to a man I will call BG. I had a copy of the rules and gently pointed this error out to BG. BG did not like this. He began to yell loudly and got quite red in the face. BG told me she had no experience and would probably come in last. I did not believe him. He even had the nerve to bad mouth all the racers from Missouri. (I will not repeat what he said. It was profane.) He informed me I was out of luck and there was nothing I or any other parent could do. I stood there and watched his little show and when he was finished ranting I calmly told him he did not need to shout. I also told him that I thought he had anger issues. So not only did the girl race against our younger kids, they cheated by removing her muffler (more horsepower) and got 2nd place!!!

I found out the next day, when more racers arrived, that BG was involved in a physical alteration with another mother in 2006 when she confronted him at his trailer. He struck her, then her husband came to her aid. They were thrown out of the race because "she went to his pit area looking for trouble." So click here to vote. Please feel free to leave your comment, but please keep it clean and be nice.

Spring Madness Racing Weekend!

2007-03-26T09:33:00.000-05:00

Well we are back and mostly in one piece! It was a whirlwind weekend to say the least. We arrived in Andover in plenty of time to drop our trailer at the track in Park City and have a nice family dinner out with my sisters family at Johnny Carino's Italian restaurant. We started racing the next day at noon. We started the Queen out in the new black kart. It did not go well. Every time she got bumped, the kart would die. The Queen was not happy. Hillbilly later discovered that the carb was flooding out every time it got hit. Then her best bud Little E hit her early in the feature and got her kart hung on Queen's nerf bar. Little E's tire hit Queen's arm but she was OK. The Queen told Little E if it were someone else, she'd be mad. So the Queen finished 5th on Friday nights feature. Hillbilly and I decided not to use the black kart the rest of the weekend, so that meant pulling off some parts to put on the orange kart. After an hour and a half, we were at a stand still because the clutch would not come off. So at midnight we called it quits and went to my sisters. Hillbilly was up at the crack of dawn and off to the track to work on the motor and clutch. By the time we got there at 9:30 am, Truckie(dad of #23) and Hillbilly had it done. Saturday was a wonderful time with family and friends. My best bud from high school and her new beau joined us. My sis made Penne Bolenese in the crockpot, she brought the PS2 and we karaoke right in the pits. All our racing buddies made it except the M family. I think they were racing their micro somewhere. The racing was on again at about 10:30 am and the Queen looked really great in her heat races. The feature did not turn out so hot though. Her heart just wasn't in it. And the tach ratted her out. Her RPM's were really low in the straight aways. We just never know which driver we are going to get on these long weekends. We are going to take a month off and do new paint, graphics and get her motor freshened.

Etsy Sneak Peek

2007-03-21T11:07:00.000-05:00

I am ready to list my very first item on Etsy.com. It will be this charming pink and brown diaper bag. It is my largest bag; 16" x 12" x 4" and features four generous pockets and a handy clip to keep a binky or mom's keys close by. Check back next week and see the coordinating items. Click here to the link to my store!