It was Time for a Change

Isn't it funny how much better you feel when the sun is shining? It makes me want to sing!

Sunny Day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street

Come and play
Everything's A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That's where we meet

Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street

It's a magic carpet ride
Every door will open wide
To Happy people like you--
Happy people like
What a beautiful

Sunny Day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame street...

How to get to Sesame Street

Amazing Artwork

Check out these life like sculptures.

Freaky, don't you think?


You can read about the artist, Ron Mueck here.

From My Random Brain

Yes, I've been AWOL for a few days. Sorry I haven't been around to visit all of you. I'll get back in my regular blogger's groove in a couple of days. Right now, I'm taking a mini-vaca.

I just haven't had anything of worth to blog about. Heck...this probably isn't worth blogging either, but here goes.

I'm listening to Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth on my drive to and from work. The word stupefy was used in the narrative to describe something this morning. Stupefy...stupefied...to make a strong impression on someone with something unexpected.

His use of the word got me to thinking that I don't think I've ever used this perfectly credible word to describe surprise or astonishment. And that got me thinking about the words I do use. And that got me to thinking about those particular word origins.

Instead of stupefied, I will more than likely be dumbfounded (dumb + confound) or flabbergasted (origin unknown, but maybe from flabby or shaking + aghast). But what about being thunderstruck (Thor's din) or bowled over (I pictured bowling pins falling over when I read the meaning...overcome with amazement) or even gobsmacked? I love that word, gobsmacked. When I looked up the etymology for that one I found that it means...gob-mouth, smacked-clapping hand over mouth in surprise...utterly astounded.

So the next time someone drops a bombshell on you, try using a new word to express just how open-mouthed, wide-eyed and stunned you are. But, above all...don't be speechless when there are so many wonderfully expressive words in the English language.

The Black Dress

I found this postcard at a local shop recently.

The Black Dress, 1960 by Alex Katz

As Coco Chanel said, "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." and "Fashion fades, only style remains the same."

I've never thought of myself as being particularly stylish. (I do try)

How about you?

Doomed

Good Grief, a person can't win for losing. Researchers now saying that too much sitting is bad for your health regardless of how much other exercise you get. (not that I get enough exercise anyway) What is a person to do when they have to spend 5 days a week sitting in front of a desk?


Did you know too much salt is detrimental to your health? Never mind the swelling it can cause. Yesterday, I brought a Amy's meal for my lunch. You know organic, vegan, no preservatives, nothing bad for you except the sodium content. In my Tortilla bowl and black beans, one serving had a whopping 720 grams of sodium. Wow. Amy, you do everything else so well...please fix that!
Speaking of good for you...I just had a delish snack of sweet fresh cherries. Yummy! I brought them as part of my lunch yesterday but forgot to eat them. Cherries are low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. They are also a good source of Dietary Fiber and Vitamin C.

I don't like exercise. I'm sedentary by nature and profession. I like food too much. I'm doomed!

Drawn That Way

These guys were some of my favorite Saturday morning companions when I was growing up. Remember waking up early? Making your own bowl of cereal? Watching cartoons until noon?

The Flintstones

Rocky and Bullwinkle...Boris and Natasha

Popeye and his spinach

The Jetsons
Mighty Mouse

Yogi Bear and Boo Boo

I know it's a cliche, but folks they don't make 'em like they used to.

Hats and Showers, but Not Shower Caps

Thought I'd give you a peek at how I spent the better part of my weekend.

I made another hat for the fellow.

he was busy pulling things out of my purse as fast as he could

This one is a little too big. I was too lazy to go find the measuring tape. He'll be able to wear it next year as well. I'm having a lot of fun with these fast little projects. I keep buying pretty yarn, so I'm making a girls hat next.

I also made 45 invitations for one of Rachel's friend's upcoming baby shower. I blurred out the personal parts.

I confess, I'm a semi-plagiarizer. This design is not completely original. I found a design online that Rachel thought would be appropriate. Then I drew the train taking away some elements of the original and adding others, inserted our information, set the size, etc. Then I printed them out on card stock and cut to fit purchased envelopes. I've made invitations for a number of parties over the last couple of years. I'd love to come up with my own completely original designs and offer my cards for sale.

That's a Quote

I read some quotes today that I would like to share.

What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork. -Pearl Buck (I loved all of her books and would never consider them needless paperwork....has anyone ever read East Wind West Wind?)

Imagination is more important than knowledge -Albert Einstein (do you think that parents today put too much emphasis on their children's school work and not enough emphasis on their ability to imagine?)

Noise is an imposition on sanity, and we live in very noisy times. -Joan Baez (amen)

My favorite thing is to go where I've never been. -Diane Arbus (I love exploring! Just getting in the car and driving down roads I've never driven....stopping to take photos of interesting things...love doing this!)

and finally my favorite quote of the day is:

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. -Anonymous

Ice Feathers

These beauties were on my windows earlier this week.

I'm reminded of gossamer costumes and much dancing about like the Sugar Plum Fairy.



I'm being creative today, designing and printing baby invitations for one of Rachel's friends and crocheting another hat for Elijah. See you soon!

Pincushions, Patterns and Project Runway

Fans of Project Runway, it's time to get out your needles, threads and stylish pincushions. Get ready to make a 3 piece suit using the best lawn turf available or maybe a cocktail dress out of products bought at the local Dollar Store. Like my mother used to say...put on your thinking caps kiddies and get ready to create something fabulous from nothing.

Watch Season 7 starting tonight on Lifetime with me. I'd love to have someone to talk with about the show the day after.

Speaking of something fabulous. Don't you think this wildflower pincushion is a cutie?

You can find easy instructions here.

Thank You

For those of you who said a prayer for my Dad, I just wanted to let you know he came through the surgery just fine.

saltwater aquarium in the waiting room

Thanks for your prayers and well wishes.

A Hat for Baby

Over the weekend, I crocheted a new hat for Elijah
....something guaranteed to keep his head warm.

Something to keep his ears warm.

He liked it.

I think it looks like one of these:


Elijah's new hat makes him look a little like he's wearing a helmet.
Rachel and I laughed our heads off. He looked so stinkin cute!

The Weekend In Review

Lazy, lazy, lazy.
Piddle, putter, play.
Washed a dishwasher load of dirty dishes.
Collected the trash.
Vacuumed.
Streamed the rest of Series One of The Duchess of Duke Street on my new Roku.
Went with Rachel and Elijah to visit my parents. (My daddy is having surgery tomorrow, please pray everything will go well)
Watched 2 movies from Netflix....I've Loved You So Long and The Very Thought of You.
Washed a load of clothes.
Spent the day in my jammies.
Took a few more ornaments off the Christmas tree.
Crocheted a warm hat for Elijah.

That's the way I roll most weekends. How about you?

Frightful weather/Delightful sunlight

It's frigid outside, so I'm trying to make some inside fun today. (that's my way of saying I'm using avoidance behavior rather than getting on with the cleaning my house needs)

trying to capture the sun in the kitchen window

attempting to catch reflections on the hall wall

pretty sparkles (trying to imitate Char here)

crackling with age

don't ya know the little birdie told me so!

The Big One

I'm not a Alabama fan, (War Eagle!), but I've got to give them their dues this morning.


Congrats to the University of Alabama on your national championship win.



(to my family members who would call me a traitor... this is a once in a lifetime nod to Bama...to my family members who are celebrating today.... Auburn's time will come around again)

Enough said about football.....

New Trend?

It looks like graffiti is going mainstream.

What's your opinion? How would this art form fit with your decor?

Keep 'em White

Love Your Smile

10 surprising habits and foods that protect your pearly whites

By the editors of Prevention.com

Save your beautiful smile!

• 1. Limit Carbs to Mealtimes
• 2. Don't Drink and Brush
• 3. Increase Your C Intake
• 4. Have Tea
• 5. Sip with a Straw
• 6. Boost Calcium Consumption
• 7. Protect Your Smile When You Swim
• 8. Have an Apple a Day
• 9. Smooch Your Partner
• 10. Go for Whole Grains

For the Furtherance of Your General Knowledge

(As most of you know I spend my day making phone calls)

While I've been listening to the phone ring today, I've scoured the Internet to bring you this pertinent information....

-The most common day of the week to have a heart attack is Monday. The second most common day is Saturday. Whee, I'm good for another week

-If you stop getting thirsty, you need to drink more water. For when a human body is dehydrated, its thirst mechanism shuts off.

-The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45 percent when a person looks at something pleasing.

-Most common day of the week to commit suicide.....Wednesday.

-Five foods that help lower cholesterol: almonds, oatmeal, fish, red wine and soy. love almonds

-Foods that feed cholesterol: dairy products, processed meats, fast food fries, tropical oils and baked goods (the kind with trans fats in them). Hmmmm, everything I like

- Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair. (really? why?)

-Job satisfaction hits an all time low... "Even Americans who are lucky enough to have work in this economy are becoming more unhappy with their jobs, according to a new survey that found only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their work"

-Tartan plaids are in style again. Need some new pumps? How about these?
-A "clue" originally meant a ball of thread. This is why one is said to "unravel the clues" of a mystery. love this random stuff

-Tablecloths were originally meant to be served as towels with which dinner guests could wipe their hands and faces after eating!

-The fear of vegetables is called Lachanophobia. brussels sprouts and boiled okra have always scared me



Don't you feel better informed now?

You're welcome. I was glad to be of help.

Mirror, Mirror...what does my Lipstick say about Me?

My company is gone.
The house is quiet.
I have the crud.


In lieu of an intelligent thought provoking post, I thought this might be a good time to ask you what your lipstick looks like? It seems the way we apply our lipstick says something about our personalities.

Enlarge to read

L'oeal Saucy Mauve

This is what my current tube looks like. I think I'm a sharply angled curved tip/rounded smooth tip combo...which is exactly who I am in real life.

What about you?

The Week in Pictures