Satisfying Saturday

Today was interesting. I got up early and drank a lot of coffee. Then I got the garbage out just in time for collection. I worked on a quilt and it turned out cute, except for the binding...which I cut too narrow. I haven't done that in a long time...don't know where my head was...but it wasn't in Florida. I had to make a JoAnn's run at 8:00PM for more material, which thankfully they had, so no harm done.

I had Rylee for a few hours while Jon, Shannon, Laurie (Jon's sister) and Maddie (her daughter) went to the ocean to mingle with Spring Breakers! Big mistake-huge. But at least Miss Rylee and I had fun! Although I got her an hour off her schedule (God forbid) and got a rep-remand from Shannon for it! Oh well, at least I didn't give her snus or whiskey!

Something funny: When Rylee was sleeping Angel layed by her door. Every sound Rylee made she ran in to tell me to check on her! Who needs a baby monitor with Angel around? Maybe I should pimp her out as a baby alert!

Tonight Angel and I watched an Jennifer Garner movie, Rose Hill...anyone seen it? I liked it. Then I watched a Underdog to Wonderdog on Animal Planet. I balled my eyes our for and hour even though I knew it would end well. I am such a sucker for sad stories!

Now...it's Iron Chef and good night!

Alaska or Bust

A joke from the 1970’s-when $50.00 was still a lot of money-that became a legend in our household: (This is for you, Mom.)

One day a man came home from work only to find his wife in the bedroom. There were open suitcases on the bed and she was packing.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I am going to Alaska. I hear Ladies of the Evening are getting $50.00 a screw up there! And don’t try to talk me out of it.” She walked into the bathroom to pack her toiletries. When she came out she saw her husband packing a suitcase as well.
“Now where in the world are you going?” she demanded.
“I thought I’d go along, I’d like to see how you are going to live on $50 bucks a month!”

Here's why cheers to the fish?

As Carol asked about Shannon's blog...why cheers to the fish...here is why:

Cheer's to the fish-comes from the fact that in the old days when fishing was the main livelyhood in the villages in Sweden. The story goes, when the men went out to fish, the families would gather and wish the fisherman good luck on their catch by raising a glass of cheer.
Hence the skol pu fiskan...Grandma always said it with an n-sound on the end. Over the years she said the toast had come to mean just good luck.
But whatever it started out as it is the only toast our family needs!

Snus, Whiskey & Me

When I was about 4-5 my mom had a meeting and dropped me off at my grandpa Larson's for a couple of hours. He wasn't used to taking care of little kids so mom gave him a long lecture about watching me and what not to let me do...play in the yard alone (too close to the highway); go down the basement (stairs too steep) etc. It appears, looking back, that she forgot to mention a few things.

After she left we had fun in the garden, feeding the chipmunks and picking crab apples. I decided I should eat one so Grandpa was peeling it. I took the paring knife when his back was turned to help. Of course I cut myself, it was bleeding which meant I needed a band aid. He didn't have one. So he ripped a piece of cloth and wrapped it round and round my finger and tied it around my wrist. Wow, now it looked like a bad injury!

Later we were having coffee. I was slurping mostly cream and sugar from a saucer. He liked to chase his coffee with a jigger or two of whiskey. He also like to chew snuff snus as it was called back in Sweden. The can was sitting open by his chair. I asked for a pinch. You won't like it, he told me. But as I always have to learn things the hard way, I kept begging, until he gave me the tiniest bit. Ugh! Horrible, instead of spitting it out, I swallowed it...then needed something quick to drink...yep I grapped the whiskey and downed it! Ugh Horrible! Not much was left in the jigger, but it was awful just the same. Still, I thought the adventure was fun. (Apparently, I liked a devilish adventure even back then.)

Grandpa told me it should be our little secret...the snus and the whiskey. "Oh sure" I promptly said, "I won't tell."
Apparently, Grandpa's don't know that little girls can't keep secrets!

The moment my mom appeared at the door I went running up with my bandaged hand in the air, "I had fun. I cut off my finger, chewed snus and drank whiskey! Can I come back tomorrow?"

Needless to say my mother wasn't as happy with the days events as I was, I think grandpa was in trouble! But I never forgot the fun!

The moral of the story is...When Rylee gets a little older-beware-Grandparents don't always do what they are told!

pure pleasure

You know when you read those stories, I survived the flood of 1949, or I survived the fires in LA...well I survived the over-night with Rylee! All medicines-check; food-check; entertainment-check; clean up-check; nap times-check; bed time-check!!! She went down at 7:30 and woke up at 4:30. I feed a big bottle and low and behold she wanted to sleep again. Now it's about 7:20. We are playing, well technically, she is. I am using this time for a quick finish.
Bottom line...she was sooo good! Nothing to survive...it was just fun. Pure pleasure in fact. Hope S & J are having fun.

What is your favorite

A shout out to Rylee who is going to bed like such a good girl. Just snuggling in with her blanket.

Which brings me to my question for you. Did you have a favorite blanket or stuffed animal you slept with? If so what did you call it? And do you have a favorite story about it?

Mine was a blue blanket with a silky blue binding. I called it my "silky bankie" and waved a ripped corner of the binding on my check while sucking my thumb. One day when my mom washed it and hung it on the line to dry, I needed a nap. She told me I couldn't sleep with it because it was wet and hanging on the line. Later she found me sitting on the ground and holding a corner of it, saying, "but I like it wet."

I will let Shannon tell her own story.
My nephew Drue called his a "lovey".
My nephew Ian draged his around until it looked liked swiss cheese with no cheese left.

UNCLE UNCLE

I give up! This weekend has been frustrating! I am working on two quilts and for the life of me I can't find the right f---ing fabrics to finish either one! I hate the fabric stores around here. I can't believe the difference between MN fabric stores and FL. It's unreal. Florida buyers have no taste! Online stores don't have much to offer either. I am going to call the owner of my favorite shop in MN on Tuesday and beg, yes beg, her to put her fabric online! It won't help with these quilts but maybe in the future. I need a trip home!

I went to the Fresh Market (while I was fabric shopping) and found the most delicious coffee,almond amaretto. I came home and drank four cups. I am sure I will be up all night. Oh joy. Also the best apples, Jazzy apples. If you have never tried them, go get them. They are hard and crisp and sweet. The produce at Fresh Market will make you cry. As will their meat, fish and bakery. If you haven't gone to one...DO!

What is with this hot weather? I was loving the cool breezes that were floating over us.

To you from me

name game

Couldn't figure out how to paste this yesterday but Shannon showed me today!


WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother and fathers middle names): Margareth Everard (No one would ever find me with that name!)

NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad): Gust Eugene (a real winner)

STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name) Rinco (I'm a bad ass)

DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal): Blue Dog (Blue Dog Detective Agency...sounds good)

SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born): Ann Crosby (I like it-I bet I'm a doctor)

SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning): The pink margarita (I won't be a mean super power will I?)

FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name): Code

STREET NAME:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie): Maple Spritz

ROCK STAR NAME (1st pet's name and street where you live): Dancer 33

YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of real name plus izzle): Conizzle

YOUR IRAQI NAME:(2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, first two letters of your middle name): Onan

YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets): Black Angel

STRIPPER NAME: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy): Peppermint Licorice

Ode to Jack

Happy Birthday to my older brother Jack!

We are six years apart in age. Which is miles apart in kid years! So, when we were kids we were at odds a lot. Because he was perfect...and I was the opposite.

He saved his allowance-I spent mine the day I got it.
He was smart and got A's. I was a smart ass!
He kept his room tidy. Mine looked like an Army obstacle course.
He was an Eagle Scout-I stole Girl Scout cookies.
He didn't chase girls-I collected boys .
He told the truth-I liked to embellish or fabricate.
He played in the band-I quit.
He sang in the choir-I was asked to sing quieter.
He got into college-I barely got out of high school.
He was on the Dean's list-I was on the shit list.

So Happy Birthday to Jack-who ironically turned out to be, my perfect Brother!

Somethings get better with age, like my appreciation for perfection and YOU!
Hope your day is as special as you!
(This songs for you Bro-wouldn't want to break tradition!)

Happy Birthday to you;
You belong in the zoo;
You look like a monkey
and smell like one too!

Love you!

Sleep Doggie

Today while Shannon was busy organizing, every thing in site, and Rylee was sleeping I was working on the computer. To make sure Rylee continued sleeping I was trying to keep the two dogs quiet. That is when I discovered that Angel likes the play pen! I popped her doggie pillow in there and put her on it...I didn't hear a peep out of her for over an hour. Even when Rio barked at the UPS guy. Even when Rylee woke up. So even if the pack-n- play I have at my house never works out for Rylee staying over-night now I know Angel will put it to good use!

Unrelated topic: Have any of you ever read the Education of Little Tree? If not I highly recommend it. I saw the movie of it was on TV today. I didn't catch it but it reminded me that I'd like to read the book again.

Done Day

Today I got a lot done. I worked on a quilt; sewed a few small projects; watched the Hallmark channel Feb. romance movies; & made a pot of vegtable soup. Day well done!
I really am not tired now and it is after 1 am. I am going to lay down and see if TV puts me to sleep.
Night Night.

Temperature and Torture

Yes, yet again we have frigid temps in Florida, or so they say! Yes, it was cool in the mornings and even I turned on the heat for a few minutes so I could get into and out of the shower with out turning into a Popsicle. But I still wore my Capri's and Tee, walked past those folks wearing parkas, and managed not to get frost bite! Go figure.

I wish you could be at Shannon's during the day and hear the three ring circus going on. A day in the life...
Rylee is asleep:
Picture Angel running around and using her shrill bark to say the following: Rio wants to go out...I want to go out...I want to come in...Rio won't let me eat any food...Rylee is crying, do you know? What are you going to do?...Are you going somewhere, don't leave me-don't leave me! Then picture her laying down sleeping quietly.
During those moments picture Rio's loud bark to alert that she is protecting the house from the UPS man, Fed-X man, mail man, neighbor etc.
Now picture Rylee crying!
Yep, that's a day in the life.
Cesar Millan HELP we need you. If one is not barking the other is.

The last few days I will say Rylee slept through most of it, I wish I could!!!

Wheels on the Bus

All my life I had the same bus driver. His name was Dayton Humprey. He owned the bus company and drove our route until long after I left school. He was the nicest guy. A big teaser (like my dad) maybe that is why I liked him so much. Everyone did. He had a saying for all of us. Wish I could remember them all, but sadly no. Maybe someday I will try to find out if anyone else remembers theirs. I remember my cousins' whose name was Rod Ustipak. He'd say, "Rod Used-to-peck and now he bites!"

Which brings me to when I would get on the bus...he would always say the same thing, "Connie's a good girl--when she's sleeping!" And on his face was the biggest smile.

For better or worse it looks like Rylee has fallen into the same category as me.
She's a good girl--when she's sleeping!

This post is for you Daytes! You made me smile every morning I got on that bus. When I was a young adult starting out, you helped me out by renting me the place where I lived and started my business - Connie's Hair Hut. And the price was so cheap ($25 a month) - I know you only did it because you cared. You were a very special person to me. You made a positive impact on a lot of kids over the years. You are fondly remembered by so many!