Just Call Me "The Tag Ripper!"

In order to create a little extra income for myself I list things on Ebay pretty regular. I've been really cleaning out the closets lately and listing things that I think are out of style or that I really should just give up on and get rid of. There are just some things I'm not meant to wear again....sigh.

A couple of weeks ago I listed a wool coat on Ebay. It was a nice coat...I thought. (Picture is a little hard to see I know) I got it out of the closet and tried it on. I haven't had it on since college. It never did fit exactly right so I think I only wore it a couple of times. After trying it on I decided I had other coats I liked better and I should just try and sell it.

When I first got the coat it had a HUGE white tag just inside the hem. It was at least a 3x3 inch white tag that read Dillards. When I wore the coat unbuttoned the front would fold back and you could see this HUGE tag so I cut it out.

So anyway...I put the coat up for auction and a lady (and I use the term 'lady' loosely) bought it. I forgot to mention in the auction that I had ripped out this huge white tag. This lady was VERY upset when she got the coat and found that I had ripped this tag out. I can't believe she even saw where the tag had been. She must have looked it over with a fine tooth comb. To be honest I had totally forgotten about the tag. The Preston & York tag and the tag with all the details about the coat were still at the neck of the coat.

I know I'm going on and on about this but this chick sent me numerous emails about how horrible this coat was and it's a 'filthy rag' and she couldn't believe I would even try and sell it. Then she just went on and on about how I had ripped out a tag from the coat. I tried to explain to her the tag I ripped out was no big deal and that she didn't need it but she wouldn't have any part of it. She actually left me negative feedback that read, "justifying ripping out tags with 'who needs tags'? BEWARE!"

So BEWARE of the Tag Ripper! You never know where I might strike next.

Pick a Petal

I created this card for an elderly couple, Harold and Delores, who live down the street from us. We help each other out on occasion. They let Hubby borrow their old snow blower and Hubby works on their mower and helps Harold with other things around the house and garage. They have been married 65 years. Good excuse to break out my new stamp set I thought.

I used the Stampin' Up! Pick a Petal and Lot's of Thoughts stamp set to create this card.

Still Being Crafty

Yesterday I hosted a Creative Memories All Day Crop. I used to have a crop every Tuesday night but I got a lot of excuses from customers about hauling all their scrapbook materials out for only a couple of hours...so now I have it all day long once a month and I get different excuses...haha!


We had a good time...I think we did anyway. We got a lot of issues ironed out, many funny and sad stories told, many calories consumed (chocolate!) and of course many scrapbook pages completed. I don't think we got as many completed this time as other times. I think there was more talking this time around. I only completed 16 pages. I usually get at least 20-25 pages completed.....I'm slacking.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

All through the house not a creature was stirring not even the cat.

REAL Knitters Don't Look!

I'm been knitting my fingers to the bone lately but I couldn't post about it cause it was a gift. I made a baby afghan and hat for my friend Meagan's little Hannah.

I used the garter stitch ruffles baby blanket pattern. For those of you who know me you know I do not follow any directions to a T. It said to use size 13 and 3 needles. I didn't have those of course so I used size 11 and 4. haha! I used Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino yarn in chocolate and soft pink.

The hat I made is the cabled baby beanie pattern. I followed it pretty closely I think. I wanted to make booties but didn't have enough yarn but I hated to waste what yarn I had left so I made big sister Abby a hat for a baby doll. These are MY models and this is the REAL Hannah modeling her hat and blanket. I just love it that her mom humors me in this way.

Happy Easter!

Sissy woke up this morning so excited to see if the Easter Bunny had arrived. She got up an hour before Bubby (which NEVER happens) and checked out both their baskets and hunted all the eggs. She hid them all back for Bubby. He found two and was content to carry them around and point to the other eggs and say, "Sissy!"
Later we attended Easter church services. Looking at this picture all I can think about it how cold it was today and under dressed my children are. haha! But so were all the other children in church so I guess it's ok. They didn't seem to mind.

Light Reading

I caught Sissy doing a little light reading this afternoon. What almost 5 year old doesn't like a little James Michener and Herman Wouk?? I'm sure her Papa is very proud right now. haha!

New Arrivals

Yesterday was the first day of spring (according to the calendar). We had many arrivals. First arrival was beautiful baby Hannah. She belongs to my good friends Meagan and Jamey. We are so happy that mommy and baby are doing just fine. Yesterday also brought sickness back to our house. I don't think it's actually ever left it just hides for awhile and then springs to life when you aren't expecting it. Bubby woke up saying 'go' and then what sounded like 'doctor'. I wasn't sure till he said 'go fish' and then I KNEW he was sick and wanted to go to the doctor. There is a huge fish tank in the doctor's office and he loves looking at them.

So, I would have to tell you that I'm VERY tired of cleaning up puke. He feels so bad and I think he takes after me cause he's a big complainer. Last night I went out to run an errand and came home at 7pm to find him sound asleep on Daddy. He NEVER does that. He looked so cute and pathetic at the same time.

Third arrival was the snow! Yes, I said snow. I KNEW we hadn't had our LAST snow yet. I could just feel it. Actually, this one doesn't feel like the last snow either for some reason. Yesterday I was going to go out and take a picture of my tulips that are just starting to brave the world and poke their heads up but I never got out cause of Bubby. So today you can view them as I do....with snow on them.

Favorite Thing

Ok...stay with me for a minute .....I get excited about containers to put THINGS in and now I MUST talk about some.

I was invited to my friend Stephanie's house a couple of weeks ago to a Tupperware party and found these fabulous little storage containers. When I saw them it was like a hallelujah chorus went off in my head.

You are looking at FOUR FlatOut 4-cup Tupperware containers. Notice they are only about 4 inches high total. This is four tops and bottoms!

These adjustable containers flatten out or expand to the size you need. Here are the same containers fully expanded. They are over a foot tall expanded!! Think of the space I am going to save. Think of the things I can put in that saved space!
I'm sure some of you are rolling your eyes at how boring a post this is but I just find this fascinating....haha!

Creme de Menthe Brownies

Happy St. Patty's Day...a day late. I made these yummy brownies for a lunch Hubby was having at work. OMG! They are so good!! I know it's boring that you are only getting one picture of them. I seriously just do not have time to take step by step pictures like PWC does. Both kiddos are alseep right now and I swear I only have seconds before Bubby wakes up. Once that happens it's all over for today!

I found this recipe in the Paula Deen Celebrates! cookbook. (Love this woman!) She says they are a staple at Savannah St. Pat's parties. And no wonder. They look beautiful and taste delicious! I didn't even know what creme de menthe was until I asked my dear friend Meagan. She knew right away! heehee! So, off to the store I went with the kiddos to purchase a $12 bottle of liquer at 10am.

Recipe

4 ounces (4 squares) unsweetened baking chocolate

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

4 large eggs

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup flour

Filing

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

4 tablespoons green creme de menthe

Icing

6 ounces (1cup) semisweet chocolate chips

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a 13x9 baking pan with Pam.
2. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter over simmering water. Cool slightly. (I don't have a double boiler so I did mine in the microwave very slowly.)
3. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk until blended, then add the sugar and continue whisking until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the cooled chocolate mixture, the salt, vanilla, and flour. Beat with the whisk until all the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
4. Pour the batter into the 13x9 pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool in the pan.
5. Make the filling: Beat together the butter and sugar until well blended. Stir in the creme de menthe. Blend well. Spread over the cooled brownies. Refrigerate in the orignal baking pan until the filling is firm.
6. Make the icing: Melt the chocolate chips and butter in the double broiler (again I used the microwave). Stir until smooth. Pour the warm glaze over the filling. Tilt the pan to ice the filling evenly. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens.
7. To cut the brownies, remove the pan from the refigerator and allow the brownies to come to room temp. so the chocolate wil not crack. Cut into 48 brownies. EAT!

Favorite Thing

Check out my new plates from Target! (Thanks Mom!) Very springy and cute I think. Look how they match my glasses I bought a couple of weeks ago. They were meant to be together.

Those Evil Little Things

Every year I feel guilted into buying those stupid Girl Scout Cookies but every year I do it anyway. This year I only bought TWO boxes and felt so good about myself. They came yesterday. Those stupid evil little cookies. They are so good! I open up the box and have one which of course leads to two or three more. They only come two rolls per box so of course everyone (by everyone I mean my hubby) can tell just how many I've eaten in a day. Before you know it I've eaten a whole roll. Then I figure I might as well just finish off the box and get rid of the stupid little things. They are so expensive too. You know how many Oreo's I could get for the same price as two boxes of Girl Scout Cookies?? A lot!

Off to The Big City

My mom and sister were able to come and visit last week. We took the kids to the Discovery Center in The Big City. Everyone, including Aunt Workout Queen, had a good time. There are lots of fun learning things for the kids to do. Bubby just wanted to throw balls and run around. It was nice to have an extra set of hands to help me out.









Bubby had a great time crawling in and out of the playhouse. Fedex sponsered a play area and you could pretend to fly an airplane and load shipping boxes into the cargo hold.




We ate lunch at Panera, had dessert at Cold Stone Creamery and did a little shopping. Check out this super cute little pink chair Grandma bought for Gracie. It was a great bargain and both of the kids just love it. What a good day!

I'm Alive...Really!

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Somebody has been sick almost all month. We have been to the doctor more times in the last 2 weeks than in the last year. It's just ridiculous!

Gracie had the worst of it I think. Very high fever and throwing up. Yesterday I just knew she was on the mend and I would take her to school today and we would get life back to normal a little but last night she woke up screaming that her ear hurt. This morning she said it hurt and she couldn't hear out of it. Scary!! So, off to the dr. we go again. Raging ear infection. We were just there on Friday! More meds and more rest. Now if I could only get more sleep.....

Relaxing Day of Shopping

I decided yesterday that I would run to the Big City and get a closet organizer and some shelves from Lowes and of course hit Target for a minute. I left by 9am and I planned on being home around lunch time. As soon as we pulled off the interstate at the Big City Bubby threw up! I couldn't believe it. I pulled off at the nearest gas station and gave him a bath in the restroom. He thought this was great fun! You would have never known he had just been sick. I wrapped him in a blanket I had in the car, gave him a little juice and we were on our way to Target. He threw up all the juice before we even got across town to Target! ARG!! So, I had to take him into Target wrapped in a yellow blanket and cowboy boots. (Keep in mind it's 30 degrees outside)

The last time I was in Target I found a bunch of shirts for $1.25....not this time. Everything on clearance wasn't his size. So the stinker got a new $25 outfit! He did look really cute in it. Such a big boy.

I finished my shopping and we were home after lunch which wasn't so bad. He acts like he has a cold but that is about it. No more throwing up which is a good thing.

What a Visit!

Grandma and Papa have come and gone already. We didn't do a whole lot while they were here but it was a lot of fun. They were amazed at the snow...I think they thought I was Photoshopping the snow photos that I've been sending them.

My dad couldn't sit still very long so I put him to work on the front walk...haha! (Actually, he chose to do the front walk himself...so no hate mail!)It's always been my dad's job to fill us up on sugar and sweets. He's the one to bring home the candy and ice cream...especially the Dilly Bars. Since he's become a Papa this has not changed. We had to make a special trip to the DQ to pick up a sack of Dilly Bars and then of course the kids were allowed to eat them at 5pm instead of supper. What are Papa's for!?