Friday, December 31, 2010

Friday Funny

A man takes his Rottweiler to the vet and says, "My dog's cross-eyed.
Is there anything you can do for him?"
"Well," says the vet, "let's have a look at him."
So, he picks the dog up and examines his eyes, checks his teeth, etc.
Finally, he says, "I'm going to have to put him down."
"What? Just because he's cross-eyed?"
"No, because he's really, really heavy."

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Company for Christmas

While we're very sad that Grandma and Grandpa Martin left for home today, we are so happy that they came all the way from Nevada to spend Christmas with us!  This is the first time in 15 years that we've spent Christmas with extended family.  We had so much fun and ate so much food!  We ate, played games, ate, watched movies, ate, talked, shopped and ate some more.  Thanks G-ma and G-pa for traveling to our little corner of the world and spending so much time with us.  We miss you already!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Move along. Nothing to see here.

I wrote this for my memoir writing group a week or so ago.  I figure it's a story I'll never live down so I might as well record it before someone else does.  Here it is for your reading pleasure.  Just remember, I was only four so be nice...

Kerplunk: A Short Christmas Story

The year was 1974, give or take a year.  I was about four years old and my older sister, Chantal, and I shared a bedroom in the basement.  It was Christmas Eve and we were nestled all snug in our beds;  Chantal had the top bunk, I was on the bottom.  There was one rule that had been drilled into our heads before we went to bed that night: Do not get up until you hear the radio.  That was always the signal that Santa had come and it was safe to come upstairs and see our presents.

While falling asleep on Christmas Eve is never easy, I had every intention of staying in bed.  But then it hit.  I had to go to the bathroom.  I don’t know how long I fought it.  So many years later, I can only imagine the thoughts that must have been going through my worried little head.  Of course, the bathroom was upstairs so that wasn’t even an option.  What should I do?  Well, I did the only thing I could do.  Knowing I’d be in big trouble if I wet my bed, I carefully climbed up the ladder to the top bunk, crawled in with Chantal, and wet her bed instead.  Only I didn’t just wet. 

The next morning, I tried to explain to my parents what happened.  I don’t remember what, exactly, I said.  I may have made something up to explain why I was in Chantal’s bed.  Maybe I said I was cold or scared.  But at some point in my explanation, I said, “...and then all of the sudden, Kerplunk!” 

That innocent little statement changed this funny little incident that should have been quickly forgotten to the realm of legend in my family.  If we have a family gathering and the word ‘kerplunk’ comes up, you can bet that someone will tell the story.  Lucky me.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Yummy?

Sadie got a cute apron for Christmas as well as a Princess cupcake set.  I'm fairly certain the manufacturer doesn't actually taste the product before they package it because it was not good.  The directions were vague at best.  Adding 2 eggs to a microscopic amount of cake mix turns into a watery mess.  Sadie wasn't fazed.  She and Daddy baked and Sadie decorated all by herself.  Sadie was beaming as she showed off her beautiful creations.  She willingly gave them to anyone brave enough to try.  Sterling popped one in his mouth.  I was so proud of him for managing a cheerful, "Thank you, Sadie" before spitting it in the garbage.  I laughed when Sadie excused herself by saying she was too full to try one.  Well, at least the apron is cute.  We'll stick to our own version of Princess cupcakes from now on.
(Notice the beautiful Princess makeup smeared on her cheeks)

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas

We must have been good!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Our Happily Ever After

I have to show off this painting done by my friend, Deb Pottle.  She brought it over yesterday, just in time for Christmas.  About a year ago she told me she wanted to paint a picture of my family.  How exciting!  A few months ago she said she woke up with a picture in her head and knew just what it should look like.  She worked it up as a pencil sketch at first.  Then, in only three days, she painted this.  It's called "Our Story" and I love that we are all characters in our own little fairy tale.  Once I have it framed, it will go right over the couch.  It will be the first thing you see when you come in my house.  I totally love it!!

Friday Funny: Snowman Humor

  
This one is my favorite!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

How To: Glass Etching

The kids have their last day of school tomorrow before Christmas break.  I've been busy making Christmas gifts for them to take to their teachers.  I usually make signs with vinyl lettering since that's always on hand and easy to personalize and it's still somewhat a novelty here in my corner of the world.  However, several of our teachers this year are teachers we've had once, twice, or even three times already.  I mean, how many vinyl signs does one teacher need?  A while back, I etched some glasses for our family.  Each of my kids got to pick out an animal they wanted on their glass with their name.  I love how they turned out so I decided to make a set of etched glasses for Sadie's Kindergarten teacher.  I thought I'd include a quick tutorial since they are so easy and super cute!

Here are the supplies you need:
  • glasses (I'm using two sizes - large for the Mom and Dad, small for the kids.  I picked these up at Target for about $2 for four glasses.)
  • vinyl cutouts or stickers, tape, etc.
  • glass etching cream (I use Armour Etch)
  • a paintbrush to distribute the etching cream.  I cut the top part off the bristles to make it easier to control.
  • rubber gloves
First, make sure your glasses are clean.  Then put the vinyl or stickers or tape on wherever you don't want it to be etched.

Next, use the paintbrush to distribute the etching cream to the open spaces that you want etched.  Follow the directions on the jar.  Be generous.  I like to paint it on and keep going over it for a couple of minutes, adding more etching cream as needed.  I find I get better coverage when I do this.  Let stand for 5 minutes. 

Then, while wearing the rubber gloves, rinse off the etching cream.  You don't want it to touch your skin.  Also, I use our plastic utility sink for this as the etching cream will apparently etch my porcelain sink.  I'm guessing stainless sinks are okay (?).

Finally, remove the vinyl or stickers.  The etching will show up best when the glass is dry.
Easy, cute and personal.  Enjoy!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Deep Thoughts by Soren

"Why do I always have to wait for the moment I've always been waiting for?"

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Flame

Aren't these designs neat?  You can make your own at this website:  Flame
You can change the options and come up with all sorts of cool effects.  They make great wallpaper for your computer!