tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91810041957436035382024-02-06T22:16:15.110-06:00MamalaudeJanet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-20871603870574135162010-12-06T10:16:00.004-06:002010-12-09T12:30:53.072-06:00Done! Complete! Finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Good Morning!<br />
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I think I am finally heading towards the end of my Christmas projects! Phew. Nothing like stretching them out until right up to the mailing deadline. I thought I would share some more before and afters. I never remember to take photos while I am in the process, so I don't see too many tutorials coming from me in the future. Oh well. I am happy to answer any questions though. <br />
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I guess I'll start with the ornaments. I started with a paper mache ornament form from Hobby Lobby, and sculpted a Santa face with using Claycrete (papier mache or paper pulp). After it dried for a couple of days, I painted and glittered away. Here are the two I completed:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUQ8PW4-iWgXXactp4fsTNVBqoH4lFLKJz8QwhmIip9qWx51HjeZc1KbkNqw1l8oOoWm5INVtczc2ZvbdKX16EKyxWBwT7lGxohQcowJsDaljKC1kK9UJ8yK4sibuog3Ya18F-jSG-3yC/s1600/DSC01157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUQ8PW4-iWgXXactp4fsTNVBqoH4lFLKJz8QwhmIip9qWx51HjeZc1KbkNqw1l8oOoWm5INVtczc2ZvbdKX16EKyxWBwT7lGxohQcowJsDaljKC1kK9UJ8yK4sibuog3Ya18F-jSG-3yC/s320/DSC01157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnikZyVpVLqDZ46j3h3SLapKHV4HamVu5CRtE3pf8WvLd-nzP9UUpIbG1SIukJ5jlbYA4XHSVAPftOE5Weat4UCXd6UBTE0Bcw7stZxRxj_wUBTm51p9dOUbufQFsvJNOsBTROeGWPJrIr/s1600/DSC01166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnikZyVpVLqDZ46j3h3SLapKHV4HamVu5CRtE3pf8WvLd-nzP9UUpIbG1SIukJ5jlbYA4XHSVAPftOE5Weat4UCXd6UBTE0Bcw7stZxRxj_wUBTm51p9dOUbufQFsvJNOsBTROeGWPJrIr/s320/DSC01166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KJ-vKC134uEE6IeC7c_5_pN8U4D3R6KBI5TXj2ipl7MGbSporTRfHQh0a9N6UeEx-GeSj3qXQW8suIKg_CYipYuMopYpnI-9li4JYIBAQITToz8ACTrHSYDcqSmGq2qGUVfXTgXoGWr7/s1600/DSC01171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KJ-vKC134uEE6IeC7c_5_pN8U4D3R6KBI5TXj2ipl7MGbSporTRfHQh0a9N6UeEx-GeSj3qXQW8suIKg_CYipYuMopYpnI-9li4JYIBAQITToz8ACTrHSYDcqSmGq2qGUVfXTgXoGWr7/s320/DSC01171.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also worked with paper and Styrofoam cones to make a full-sized Santas. They take forever to dry, but the finishing process is pretty simple. I like to use the small bottles of acrylic paint (whichever is on sale) for the detail work, and I typically seal them with a water-based satin varnish for durability and a slight shine. I worked with more glitter than usual this year (Martha Stewart brand except for the tree Santa). I now have glitter EVERYWHERE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQly3snyRFWd_dK782kESUVy9mQ4Ta8S3uzjsJ6eOTyFJCD0wzVW_BFom-4vHkmeKoFfGSMTzwV4yuGt2fcskRyvmLY0DxQ99Qwzt0K4ZYbqYZHTCKhBx7V6t_a6JS7jF13TiKX_c9801L/s1600/DSC01155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQly3snyRFWd_dK782kESUVy9mQ4Ta8S3uzjsJ6eOTyFJCD0wzVW_BFom-4vHkmeKoFfGSMTzwV4yuGt2fcskRyvmLY0DxQ99Qwzt0K4ZYbqYZHTCKhBx7V6t_a6JS7jF13TiKX_c9801L/s320/DSC01155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmPLs6J525pMiRm1NGAB6SPDOzRRtENYOPlLSoijEavhy1kKfEmbwgCdv2n4ZPFED5knW0eWJaK6dA5RzLXULAR7IZxX4SNa5CfgzbKFwg2oKafjcs0x770uCufM83wgdtRLlrTMXXRyw/s1600/DSC01125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmPLs6J525pMiRm1NGAB6SPDOzRRtENYOPlLSoijEavhy1kKfEmbwgCdv2n4ZPFED5knW0eWJaK6dA5RzLXULAR7IZxX4SNa5CfgzbKFwg2oKafjcs0x770uCufM83wgdtRLlrTMXXRyw/s320/DSC01125.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVXax6EQYclwH-xFxfbdJVYHL7N2O_QxuNcCafk4xMOwVnW5n660At_cKasbb6B8btKPh_SWm0cB01Mukk4AKAKti_Td1eqLBsUORBdKdGk-tHilM7zyCPsVvHlYs1CB1N1J71aVtvtPL/s1600/DSC01169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVXax6EQYclwH-xFxfbdJVYHL7N2O_QxuNcCafk4xMOwVnW5n660At_cKasbb6B8btKPh_SWm0cB01Mukk4AKAKti_Td1eqLBsUORBdKdGk-tHilM7zyCPsVvHlYs1CB1N1J71aVtvtPL/s320/DSC01169.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had hoped to get more done, but I found it really hard to work around our two rowdy dogs. I tend to wind up working at either the dining room table or the coffee table (which is right at tail-swiping level). Not ideal for sure. I have got to come up with a better craft space solution! Maybe for next year, eh?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I just need to get my entire house decorated and finish my shopping. No pressure, no pressure at all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab39/iheartnaptime/iheartnaptimebuttonsundayscoop.jpg" /></a></div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-77244745121039116422010-12-01T10:01:00.000-06:002010-12-01T10:01:16.427-06:00Happy December!I've been slaving away again (ha!), working on some more Santas. It's an exciting life, I must admit. All men, all the time...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZThMi1wGnrGrj3lMAZXy_RjNWyhT3-tTCz89haDt_0EQXLUffm7yuvuFvKKhPW9qEfHNt88GpUHHnM3xPO6F7qL2z8pPWzAc6h4ycnvo5tDVJ9TbvjIojWLtCegxB1WJaPGMMKovfmlCD/s1600/DSC01155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZThMi1wGnrGrj3lMAZXy_RjNWyhT3-tTCz89haDt_0EQXLUffm7yuvuFvKKhPW9qEfHNt88GpUHHnM3xPO6F7qL2z8pPWzAc6h4ycnvo5tDVJ9TbvjIojWLtCegxB1WJaPGMMKovfmlCD/s320/DSC01155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tree Santa, which will need some patch work (I was trying to speed up drying by putting them on a rack over a heating vent overnight. Crack is whack, yo.), was made on a Styrofoam cone. The other Santa was formed on a paper cone. The paper cones are easier to work with, but I prefer the finished product I get using the Styrofoam. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXhoRzrd73Unh5xXU5N3iRx-69lp9maqrisP0WvMaZrDYnvjzgK54mktxC9c54vlNlXsz-OFdegHmQ8O4ksowbK3ccIHkcTSJ8RZAeV0_XmreYug0RyNe6r3vIb7C7FycpX-bjCcT-jKX/s1600/DSC01158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXhoRzrd73Unh5xXU5N3iRx-69lp9maqrisP0WvMaZrDYnvjzgK54mktxC9c54vlNlXsz-OFdegHmQ8O4ksowbK3ccIHkcTSJ8RZAeV0_XmreYug0RyNe6r3vIb7C7FycpX-bjCcT-jKX/s320/DSC01158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decided to experiment this year with some paper mache ornaments I found at Hobby Lobby. I'm hoping their faces don't dry up and fall off. That would be bad. Very bad.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToxfL5igOzESmPpVuM3mauNCYtTQOWooXgt6bLBspBmRa5cMMNYEnsqP2IYJdKQ6g4yew4rQfhgSrVCnruCLZBRN9SZx8a6uQmhdjSQzFGil7OuxIRiWg0osja-kImKUTnC4i-fcgGqiG/s1600/DSC01159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToxfL5igOzESmPpVuM3mauNCYtTQOWooXgt6bLBspBmRa5cMMNYEnsqP2IYJdKQ6g4yew4rQfhgSrVCnruCLZBRN9SZx8a6uQmhdjSQzFGil7OuxIRiWg0osja-kImKUTnC4i-fcgGqiG/s320/DSC01159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not sure that I care for this flat heart ornament.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaHFuUDgYgJZfxajxhmnJ3VU5c8b9R0xjJTKNRNjTX_gKLq0mQVrPN_qRERhEsZxvptzbV8LlqsHW07OhkTPbpaVsVOoW7LH3n-cGD_JpHfk4pDAhjL3GaHuLu9FKTFZmAffBwbF_HtZl/s1600/DSC01164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaHFuUDgYgJZfxajxhmnJ3VU5c8b9R0xjJTKNRNjTX_gKLq0mQVrPN_qRERhEsZxvptzbV8LlqsHW07OhkTPbpaVsVOoW7LH3n-cGD_JpHfk4pDAhjL3GaHuLu9FKTFZmAffBwbF_HtZl/s320/DSC01164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A close-up of the cone Santa. He might need a little patch work too. Hopefully they will be dry enough to paint in a couple of days.</div><br />
I don't know about anyone else, but I am so glad that it is finally December! It always seems like one of those months that begins so full of promise, don't you think? Whether or not that actually pans out is something else, but just the idea of possibilities is enough for me most years. I still don't have any Christmas decorations out, but I figure I will be ahead of the game if I have them out before December 22nd. I've managed to run pretty late the last few years (we were replacing flooring last year). I will post some pictures once I get them up. Until then, back to another afternoon with just me and my jolly men... oh yeah. Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-60508345596349204322010-11-24T07:45:00.001-06:002010-11-24T07:47:44.994-06:00Here Comes Santa ClausI just wanted to post a quick update on the Santas I have been working on. I finished the first one.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIQVVYprIF6lv6dVpqQW2x7iHTawDGDsMdrOlaHYdN6o0mXf5phpWYMSbK8ZPQG66UalvvB8xSXVJjzfAhOR8ijwUFrKDWCRUBwR214z-0fNfcVPyuSCbXsnA3rplpZ1W6qZ-8MzAc1D0/s1600/DSC01154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIQVVYprIF6lv6dVpqQW2x7iHTawDGDsMdrOlaHYdN6o0mXf5phpWYMSbK8ZPQG66UalvvB8xSXVJjzfAhOR8ijwUFrKDWCRUBwR214z-0fNfcVPyuSCbXsnA3rplpZ1W6qZ-8MzAc1D0/s320/DSC01154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is a reminder of what he looked like before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcytY2YPNBNyF6XJCMTBcBF4vgRr-hBOR1MXcWqm2CPOGkwMO7sdah8Tmy0LHu1wa8UUpdeQLhNm7rsv_MmSaRRSOttLuTvwuF4KY2N-k2HlcvbcBdrcayJvpsNZsOjGQ-SK1l6s8cPme2/s1600/DSC01124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcytY2YPNBNyF6XJCMTBcBF4vgRr-hBOR1MXcWqm2CPOGkwMO7sdah8Tmy0LHu1wa8UUpdeQLhNm7rsv_MmSaRRSOttLuTvwuF4KY2N-k2HlcvbcBdrcayJvpsNZsOjGQ-SK1l6s8cPme2/s320/DSC01124.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sorry about the dark picture. It is a little dark and gloomy here this morning, but I wanted to get the picture up before I get too busy later on. One down... </div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-78119471969051833602010-11-24T07:34:00.000-06:002010-11-24T07:34:03.572-06:00Eat More HamI love Thanksgiving. It is definitely my all-time favorite holiday, even though it is usually just me and the kids anymore. Most years, I get up early, put the turkey in the oven, and settle down to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by myself. You have no idea how much it pained me the six years I had to miss it when we lived in England! I even have a favorite float, Tom the Turkey.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9imyLu9Y2BMm7z4vCQgDbU-B2sHrTjaDolaKwZRtGZ9tPvv0cfdhXPTOYFmMnyd13iR2Y7tfrioRjH36TeMIvzoWDGGT22u8m8spxboPO3CRxRBp5OzeKia0OCTcZGs-5vimxhWqSYmN/s1600/tom_turkey_float_1674073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9imyLu9Y2BMm7z4vCQgDbU-B2sHrTjaDolaKwZRtGZ9tPvv0cfdhXPTOYFmMnyd13iR2Y7tfrioRjH36TeMIvzoWDGGT22u8m8spxboPO3CRxRBp5OzeKia0OCTcZGs-5vimxhWqSYmN/s320/tom_turkey_float_1674073.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know what it is about it, but it just makes me smile... and started yet another collection of mine. Perhaps the collection was also influenced by the Steiff turkey that my mom had when I was growing up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7FPuP3SDOzlyDMl9Z6PcilS9nz3mIfmL4TDm0_OsJwE6iXFRYfmmmBZ2aS7uTsk1A7kXCe1tivnszjeRe07_tk219gIGiw6HWggiMvk9QJjDrDYwNIs7oDB-yPoLPP9M3umUctWey4oZ/s1600/steiffturkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7FPuP3SDOzlyDMl9Z6PcilS9nz3mIfmL4TDm0_OsJwE6iXFRYfmmmBZ2aS7uTsk1A7kXCe1tivnszjeRe07_tk219gIGiw6HWggiMvk9QJjDrDYwNIs7oDB-yPoLPP9M3umUctWey4oZ/s320/steiffturkey.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I sure would love to have one like it now! I know it is kinda ugly, but it takes me right back to when I was little. Instead, I have several Jim Shore Heartwood Creek turkeys that I love almost as much. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhRewt84mf0q3YHjRXL3iACL3CjWNi73Ry-Gtn2DU0s0H_PGAnvQ-j6107w1EP5QQ9r0aYevp6Fhyphenhyphen7ZwrrdE36xMeNdB3Ousg0C0gBqmKjeAqsUWpFYDJxQUc0ocZmM-OJ_gkqMhX8fZb/s1600/Thanks+turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhRewt84mf0q3YHjRXL3iACL3CjWNi73Ry-Gtn2DU0s0H_PGAnvQ-j6107w1EP5QQ9r0aYevp6Fhyphenhyphen7ZwrrdE36xMeNdB3Ousg0C0gBqmKjeAqsUWpFYDJxQUc0ocZmM-OJ_gkqMhX8fZb/s320/Thanks+turkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNroHunv71_RDmsUuIaDdt3Aeb7vMiuL7Wu1Zn_UX1MwB60fuab5QDL3EzM5ieeN0H3OOM5hyzNdvoWwZ91jMh-MO_z6Vcwx3mmFGKS6WtkJNa6r4mxVQRZvxSSjR_k1xHCS3DakyCKR1/s1600/boat+turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNroHunv71_RDmsUuIaDdt3Aeb7vMiuL7Wu1Zn_UX1MwB60fuab5QDL3EzM5ieeN0H3OOM5hyzNdvoWwZ91jMh-MO_z6Vcwx3mmFGKS6WtkJNa6r4mxVQRZvxSSjR_k1xHCS3DakyCKR1/s320/boat+turkey.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jVFLo7HgGK2woy_PNmC97gXkHZF44sn8JaruCcP1HU7vbEEqWP_7r8MciAVUTr-XTjK3hSwtQqCVC-tQAWxo4tAFamve8xR7eG6SGKIu-8-3clCEYDbGDnPVp_d0-yXaEJtQPZtbX6Of/s1600/tall+turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jVFLo7HgGK2woy_PNmC97gXkHZF44sn8JaruCcP1HU7vbEEqWP_7r8MciAVUTr-XTjK3hSwtQqCVC-tQAWxo4tAFamve8xR7eG6SGKIu-8-3clCEYDbGDnPVp_d0-yXaEJtQPZtbX6Of/s320/tall+turkey.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also have a couple of random turkeys, such as this glass candy dish and a set of Christmas ornaments/placecard holders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyVI8zyygUfjLTf-YcXHxtKv82G2RFzr5GawE6pCXJyv5GaQ7HSSsUzx0KsmfhW2zfUOaMalFU5P_2UQgLfHqHuodAC63AlZ8WkZhN2dQOYnref4aXXZOulv2GE6gGbBoyACiGZENjFur/s1600/Glass+turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyVI8zyygUfjLTf-YcXHxtKv82G2RFzr5GawE6pCXJyv5GaQ7HSSsUzx0KsmfhW2zfUOaMalFU5P_2UQgLfHqHuodAC63AlZ8WkZhN2dQOYnref4aXXZOulv2GE6gGbBoyACiGZENjFur/s320/Glass+turkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW7jRANmjESH1aPd4G5At5t-FYB5GVjYod_rEngMColOiS689MWmiAU28yEqaFmsPgfJ5D6J42LmiCbL_ZCssGAQWuszrQzC9HYaSmDHqQ37mTcokVAahIEYrFMKAxIDnpe5jg5VjDNKi/s1600/placecard+turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW7jRANmjESH1aPd4G5At5t-FYB5GVjYod_rEngMColOiS689MWmiAU28yEqaFmsPgfJ5D6J42LmiCbL_ZCssGAQWuszrQzC9HYaSmDHqQ37mTcokVAahIEYrFMKAxIDnpe5jg5VjDNKi/s320/placecard+turkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite has to be the turkey that my mom and I painted in 1996 while they were visiting us in Oklahoma. We were looking for something to do (we lived in a very small town), and found the paper mache forms at Walmart. She was nervous about painting one, but I think they both turned out great. I keep mine out all year (on a ceramic lettuce leaf plate). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxCrb9d5gpBKVyXiCELKGJIhJPBa5741T5k1CfC_pgPzW4Gs1MCEKAQuWpD4QTgSwcFvjuAYuKxROdae_cs56FEAGc0G_zkUhh_0BFzjGw13jtqtptRRXsWEuHDX-R2mVj0UA-aaE9cLT/s1600/Fred+turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxCrb9d5gpBKVyXiCELKGJIhJPBa5741T5k1CfC_pgPzW4Gs1MCEKAQuWpD4QTgSwcFvjuAYuKxROdae_cs56FEAGc0G_zkUhh_0BFzjGw13jtqtptRRXsWEuHDX-R2mVj0UA-aaE9cLT/s320/Fred+turkey.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It figures that I prefer ham over turkey though, eh? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-67831459195626695292010-11-19T13:47:00.001-06:002010-11-24T07:48:19.397-06:00Checking InI know, I've been very quiet. I've just had lots going on in my head lately... and I've started working on some projects. Here is the start of the latest Santas (and a snowman for good measure):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rUcrikTxX7j9i6yoVwv1hDj0Llq3tjuyExXbE34U3ETY88YLeS-qhxHOwvuIX8DxYx4uceA2QJPtMbh917cUASMgdvErNGGSfmU9owmf3Md7rOcIbRh8B7K7J_7VUmuzAnugcAR8Zcob/s1600/DSC01122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rUcrikTxX7j9i6yoVwv1hDj0Llq3tjuyExXbE34U3ETY88YLeS-qhxHOwvuIX8DxYx4uceA2QJPtMbh917cUASMgdvErNGGSfmU9owmf3Md7rOcIbRh8B7K7J_7VUmuzAnugcAR8Zcob/s320/DSC01122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwInUuckbhvyJSjpw5anrJd1fOh2EFOdkM-GzA6XtlibmWVLf-2O4Jrx1HLeRQn8Z7s3d4rcF2KK40FgxYMzSOElSDDorbN-CA55cW_OONZVOJft9WNFYtKW7Ux8RqXJjogiFtyC5QfwKB/s1600/DSC01125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwInUuckbhvyJSjpw5anrJd1fOh2EFOdkM-GzA6XtlibmWVLf-2O4Jrx1HLeRQn8Z7s3d4rcF2KK40FgxYMzSOElSDDorbN-CA55cW_OONZVOJft9WNFYtKW7Ux8RqXJjogiFtyC5QfwKB/s320/DSC01125.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like to work with Styrofoam cones for the base (although you can use almost anything), and Amaco's Claycrete (paper pulp). You just add water to the paper pulp and mix it up. I tend to use my hands to do this even though the instructions say not to. Then I just slap it on the cones, adding a little at a time, and smoothing it out with my fingers as I go. Sometimes I use actual carving tools, sometimes I don't. For these, I was working with a metal BBQ skewer and a plastic spoon because they were handy. Whatever works is my motto. Once you are finished with your figure, they just need to air-dry for a couple of days before they can be painted. I'm not sure how many I will get done this year since my normally winter-dry hands are already in pretty bad shape from working with the clay. It just seems to suck what little moisture there is right out of my hands. I hate that. I'd take a picture of them to share, but no one needs to see my cracked and bleeding cuticles. Lovely, eh? :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-39420822914910165832010-10-24T07:43:00.001-05:002010-10-24T08:12:27.194-05:00My Handiwork<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I definitely wouldn't call myself an artist. I am just someone who makes stuff for fun. I really like to work with crochet, decoupage, soft sculpture, paper clay, and polymer clay. Unfortunately, I tend to give most of it away, so I don't have a lot of photos to share, but here are a few of the things I have done.</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMOu_Gas-07RjaYS0sKkUGUldH-AW98tXF3XZyRgaYXjY49Kh9EnLAbUk2-hXnlG5oLUQ5eadhu6JjXrL8TaEN9SFfR1_Z10DSifFYSxtqJ87uAGNyt7IHWwlf2C6HqMlvqea2h_BuP3T/s1600/Doilies+July+2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMOu_Gas-07RjaYS0sKkUGUldH-AW98tXF3XZyRgaYXjY49Kh9EnLAbUk2-hXnlG5oLUQ5eadhu6JjXrL8TaEN9SFfR1_Z10DSifFYSxtqJ87uAGNyt7IHWwlf2C6HqMlvqea2h_BuP3T/s320/Doilies+July+2006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Some of the doilies I crocheted. Call me old-fashioned. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I don't care. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl8AGY6RGKGoFHfPrxcEqlH2aXS99pk99NaLrA3tioE3-MV9Pj0Qc4lIVOGAyKNMQEh2n3Sz0oJEVJwrzuXql7OUp6w8YBikSlcixEkgXpTKX8ZKkyi_ZB_AUd_zICISG635dRKOcT7gO/s1600/My+art+projects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl8AGY6RGKGoFHfPrxcEqlH2aXS99pk99NaLrA3tioE3-MV9Pj0Qc4lIVOGAyKNMQEh2n3Sz0oJEVJwrzuXql7OUp6w8YBikSlcixEkgXpTKX8ZKkyi_ZB_AUd_zICISG635dRKOcT7gO/s320/My+art+projects.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A wish box I made for myself when I was feeling a little lost. It did help.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQWLA37ADGmigVmhaa4j_CE1miIKW6raytbXJvYBOz20F4O-AMtWJir8Kq2O5aYpgg1wnNUH4hlWuUo0TmniS4eY5c8uBzuoYs8P49xVc-tLdrGVnZZAqWPj4ShgVSwREdwrZSYvuGg-v/s1600/Pictures+for+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQWLA37ADGmigVmhaa4j_CE1miIKW6raytbXJvYBOz20F4O-AMtWJir8Kq2O5aYpgg1wnNUH4hlWuUo0TmniS4eY5c8uBzuoYs8P49xVc-tLdrGVnZZAqWPj4ShgVSwREdwrZSYvuGg-v/s320/Pictures+for+Blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A ring box and postcard box for Jeana's travel-themed wedding.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This last set of photos I will put after the jump because they are a tad risqué. :) I'll have to see what else I can dig up later.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3pg5gciw0zEjt-SzuPF0uVKwyAW1cwQeIQRPlxRAXzu0pMr0U90m7Ur5H-PxMHJ44Kk5LTYdEgGjbjNN4-h5pZF1UbSA1ODLAmaiKEHVBs3Oke-DMdKHVXcReM3v11vOUMjFAt42iXw2/s1600/My+art+projects1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3pg5gciw0zEjt-SzuPF0uVKwyAW1cwQeIQRPlxRAXzu0pMr0U90m7Ur5H-PxMHJ44Kk5LTYdEgGjbjNN4-h5pZF1UbSA1ODLAmaiKEHVBs3Oke-DMdKHVXcReM3v11vOUMjFAt42iXw2/s320/My+art+projects1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">She is just under 3 inches tall, and all the coloring on her is done with polymer clay, not painted on. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I've made a surprising number of nekkid sculptures. They are my favorites. I'm not sure what that says about the goings-on in my mind... or if I've just been single for way too long now. Oh well. It keeps me out of trouble, right? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-8520976913408941072010-10-17T15:22:00.001-05:002010-10-17T15:30:17.815-05:00It's the Final CountdownIt's almost here. Bran and Don's personal holiday...<b> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>Halloween</b></i></span>. At least they thought it was when they were little. They didn't understand why everyone didn't get to go door-to-door and be given candy on their birthdays too. Silly boys. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInQJ5brYALXtjgAOhu6flY9cKd4vfixoO4JHqkUoIfc0xnIg_X6-UtbrrPh4uo2qGBM0WrCwz_bd2y1ViZhsjSypZJ3fdW_kXX7szY2q7KTcbm-y9x_KBVzJD2e9xzdbiw3pwuo7QSWIS/s1600/DSC00996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInQJ5brYALXtjgAOhu6flY9cKd4vfixoO4JHqkUoIfc0xnIg_X6-UtbrrPh4uo2qGBM0WrCwz_bd2y1ViZhsjSypZJ3fdW_kXX7szY2q7KTcbm-y9x_KBVzJD2e9xzdbiw3pwuo7QSWIS/s320/DSC00996.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part of our mantel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59HRcDXpLPvtytAgLDjxhuJBAhWokNii2ONrg6uvSI5G4re89_q2JnLrpzueD456V9GH6i6_QeyYwDpRodaQULwMWO05O3N5zukfzUaiIKo1IrDTDEMZWjUFmNKZeV4vTlkBOKTokT6r7/s1600/DSC00997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59HRcDXpLPvtytAgLDjxhuJBAhWokNii2ONrg6uvSI5G4re89_q2JnLrpzueD456V9GH6i6_QeyYwDpRodaQULwMWO05O3N5zukfzUaiIKo1IrDTDEMZWjUFmNKZeV4vTlkBOKTokT6r7/s320/DSC00997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The other side.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUBXlYPCze2uPTNsdJNjZfkhcihMDMzWvkXK5zr3lnN6GhrnweaeswOLqXfDIAf7BQOCyBdwdmf1GENpmjIO0lDh3iYmADbzkeSb0_D_hxjZxQerDAotm8xmZDEg32lHrG-KaVXpcRbWX/s1600/DSC00979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUBXlYPCze2uPTNsdJNjZfkhcihMDMzWvkXK5zr3lnN6GhrnweaeswOLqXfDIAf7BQOCyBdwdmf1GENpmjIO0lDh3iYmADbzkeSb0_D_hxjZxQerDAotm8xmZDEg32lHrG-KaVXpcRbWX/s320/DSC00979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All lit up at night, but taken prior to putting up the fake webbing (and Euthanasia's mask kept falling off). Yes, we named our bust. Doesn't everyone? She was a Halloween decoration from Michael's that we picked up a couple of years ago, painted gold, and now leave out all year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruzrY8AZG5ViF3MAPsDHk8SpJsz8T-xVVHx4wPb3dR8p0lN5v9MLUNGoRJa0qV2SjaXinVWQgxNDUXa0ZJejnmhHcr786svrYWJSSpcDugF449drsUpx23Cnv-bZkahK4bj1J_yVCV5qL/s1600/DSC00993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruzrY8AZG5ViF3MAPsDHk8SpJsz8T-xVVHx4wPb3dR8p0lN5v9MLUNGoRJa0qV2SjaXinVWQgxNDUXa0ZJejnmhHcr786svrYWJSSpcDugF449drsUpx23Cnv-bZkahK4bj1J_yVCV5qL/s320/DSC00993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We add masks to some of our stuff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7A2owkTff6OA0Qck8UEzNIk4CBQkkvi-GxkQd92jnHXl8EUGZeTySi3rqLWVBQlx7dcY8ikLhbmWP4sx90EaShyphenhyphenAMDjCEQH3uYZvNpDFPc_epqTnwz2S0jgV7RpgX21A5I0YVbVedBiC/s1600/PB020482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7A2owkTff6OA0Qck8UEzNIk4CBQkkvi-GxkQd92jnHXl8EUGZeTySi3rqLWVBQlx7dcY8ikLhbmWP4sx90EaShyphenhyphenAMDjCEQH3uYZvNpDFPc_epqTnwz2S0jgV7RpgX21A5I0YVbVedBiC/s320/PB020482.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jM9RM8MPR3wFf4g5UFmV0HVKYGM2g3g1KfXfCaGdsmi3dgJ0VPFAzTupuW7njuwKFbqmVS3CPa78z2u1dQD-yXmAotrnQVnw6Q3LoL4JVQ6wFC9uOcc5bSDjwAs_jEs5UfxAES6xNW4P/s1600/DSC01001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jM9RM8MPR3wFf4g5UFmV0HVKYGM2g3g1KfXfCaGdsmi3dgJ0VPFAzTupuW7njuwKFbqmVS3CPa78z2u1dQD-yXmAotrnQVnw6Q3LoL4JVQ6wFC9uOcc5bSDjwAs_jEs5UfxAES6xNW4P/s320/DSC01001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some favorite plates.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Less than two weeks to go.......................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Linking to <a href="http://www.thestoriesofa2z.com/2010/10/halloween-mantel-linky-party.html">The Stories of A to Z Halloween Mantel party.</a></div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-8272655373352367062010-10-15T18:19:00.000-05:002010-10-15T18:19:53.724-05:00Show Us Your Life - OfficesThis week, at <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2010/10/show-us-your-life-office.html">Kelly's Korner blog</a>, everyone is sharing their home office. I wish I had an office. We finally have a spare bedroom that could be used, but right now it is filled with some of my daughter's things while she is deployed. Plus I share a computer with Bran (Word to the wise, the hooks on the back of the bathroom stall doors at Barnes & Noble will not hold the weight of a backpack full of text books and a brand new laptop. That's all I'm saying about that, right Bran?). Sigh. So, until I can find a small desk to fit elsewhere in my house, in the kitchen it is.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRLcyab09Igu_u27rNc3RjRnY4UjVapME-FkFYfjbg8tVTfPx2CMss6UtdA8S2oAANebQMFSwbTpNdzoBCLRfgZ9kxsbE9q4Zpp4qINFUI1UJhVF3_QvvyBcx5cikCP1dBhX-Q8OyHjgT/s1600/DSC00974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRLcyab09Igu_u27rNc3RjRnY4UjVapME-FkFYfjbg8tVTfPx2CMss6UtdA8S2oAANebQMFSwbTpNdzoBCLRfgZ9kxsbE9q4Zpp4qINFUI1UJhVF3_QvvyBcx5cikCP1dBhX-Q8OyHjgT/s320/DSC00974.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Normally, the table and stools would be pulled out more into the room, but I was worried that our two Huskies were going to slam into it and send the computer flying (that is Penni in the photo above, Max was outside). The two large plastic bins in the front of the picture hold dog food. They go through both of those in a month. I am soooo glad that I'm not the one who has to clean up the backyard! The Coke cooler was a gift from Don, and stores our BBQ tools right now. Oh, and the ceiling fan is copper and I can't live without it. For anyone younger who wonders why their mothers insist on keeping their ceiling fans, I have an answer for ya. Hello.......... hot flashes, people! Must. Have. More. Air.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMt6zG4pXnYGF7LRufEyh5iERUfM0R2g2BuBPti3bt0IbcDFNKFOvqpcIWuThkwhdPldHAXyGWVHwXRNUwz8S92SOJ1HjPru_v17j0OXqtDH5nKQ76PYEfZGMY_4cgHPt2PE5HyWmqozX/s1600/DSC00975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMt6zG4pXnYGF7LRufEyh5iERUfM0R2g2BuBPti3bt0IbcDFNKFOvqpcIWuThkwhdPldHAXyGWVHwXRNUwz8S92SOJ1HjPru_v17j0OXqtDH5nKQ76PYEfZGMY_4cgHPt2PE5HyWmqozX/s320/DSC00975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just a closer yet still blurry shot of my little corner of the world. The table was a bargain from Cost Plus World Market because it was scratched. I need to repaint it again. I like the distressed look, but not that distressed. The stools came from Target on clearance during one of their Global Bazaars. They are surprisingly comfortable. I bought some fabric to recover them (tiny red/white polka dot), but I'm still trying to figure out what I did with my electric stapler this summer in the mad dash to Jeana's wedding. I have no clue. I could have sent it home with my mother-in-law, for all I know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdN1T8v8QSYffzHwAZUQ-w5Hw9cHfm4RxYpbXjedPQ-U3yfLQSuZ1Pzuh1F584xZRroaFiGVAFxmdCzdIosXBFj5_fZXklm8WrFEkaDMi55CRmsM3CjMofEv27ww3hQfcGlgXCMeUiGe_V/s1600/DSC00977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdN1T8v8QSYffzHwAZUQ-w5Hw9cHfm4RxYpbXjedPQ-U3yfLQSuZ1Pzuh1F584xZRroaFiGVAFxmdCzdIosXBFj5_fZXklm8WrFEkaDMi55CRmsM3CjMofEv27ww3hQfcGlgXCMeUiGe_V/s320/DSC00977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This stool is supposed to be at the counter, but there isn't enough room right now, so we are using it to store dog stuff by the sliding door. Awwww... she looks so innocent, doesn't she? She's not. She would eat my house if left home alone long enough. I'm not exactly staying on topic here, but this is part of the reason why I am a cat person:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81ZKviKCVZmmVANay1wRy0kW2u6RTQO9OZvGskJtHuPkA5XAbGB2sqUjvwrataCMrhqLmXDbryZ295mwDYR7Kfkdbzu5_ts3waDAN0wbDxL2op2V7HH1YoNC2JAEs8XPXMn8wJ0dhUx5D/s1600/DSC01184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81ZKviKCVZmmVANay1wRy0kW2u6RTQO9OZvGskJtHuPkA5XAbGB2sqUjvwrataCMrhqLmXDbryZ295mwDYR7Kfkdbzu5_ts3waDAN0wbDxL2op2V7HH1YoNC2JAEs8XPXMn8wJ0dhUx5D/s320/DSC01184.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">Mud</span>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mud, mud, and more mud. Because we have Huskies and they like to do this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xuPDGPbXpa7MpJTX80GzeFnjSO8mcTxTZfj2aoeY7NplvpDfOtryoVY1uvvYUhNgSrKBCUeXKI5jLKrG6JOYSQWr9ceTyDwqkb5Bfm-g4auDMOBptKhSvJfUWznhK849lbgGxiBqY69O/s1600/P2130691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xuPDGPbXpa7MpJTX80GzeFnjSO8mcTxTZfj2aoeY7NplvpDfOtryoVY1uvvYUhNgSrKBCUeXKI5jLKrG6JOYSQWr9ceTyDwqkb5Bfm-g4auDMOBptKhSvJfUWznhK849lbgGxiBqY69O/s320/P2130691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxI3izjaeVJP2zXJLyS4l_JM9HYwjMNui-sfy8hxios7lgBkEfJL_CgruZo3HzRxLcQtQyvYq0tj9ShzfXdAO1OBhLL7kWTKZCK7pYaVtJ9Aycb9kOIT88ODPtsen21h03FcgNe1tAlZtM/s1600/P2130684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxI3izjaeVJP2zXJLyS4l_JM9HYwjMNui-sfy8hxios7lgBkEfJL_CgruZo3HzRxLcQtQyvYq0tj9ShzfXdAO1OBhLL7kWTKZCK7pYaVtJ9Aycb9kOIT88ODPtsen21h03FcgNe1tAlZtM/s320/P2130684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">... while running at full speed... both in and out of my house. They also shed the equivalent of a small animal each and every single day. We have fur where fur should never be found. Fur and mud. Maybe what I really need is a mud room, not an office? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-48023906040549031722010-10-10T16:23:00.002-05:002010-10-10T17:25:13.314-05:00Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are...<div class="MsoNormal">I had planned to do this post on Monday, October 11<sup>th</sup>. I’ve bumped it up though because I am royally ticked off. Please excuse me for ranting.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The <a href="http://www.hrc.org/">Human Rights Campaign</a> is running a Facebook app right now where you can donate your status to them in support of <a href="http://www.hrc.org/ncod/">National Coming Out Day</a>. I wholeheartedly believe in this cause, so I willingly signed up. Yesterday a “friend” posted this in response to my latest status update:<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">ah.....don't think so, the Bible still says its a sin...and it's not going to change with the times, its rock solid</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-3jf3Vj850&feature=related">Cue the Pet Shop Boys -</a><br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8-3jf3Vj850?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8-3jf3Vj850?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">WTF? Really? I’m all for intelligent conversation about our differing opinions, but how does a comment like that help anything? Tell me what it is about a gay relationship that you personally find threatening. Tell me about how it has impacted your home, your marriage, your life. I’m a good listener. But don’t just condemn it because some book told you it was wrong ~ and I’ll spare you my opinion on organized religion and Christianity in particular, m’kay? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But maybe I should cool down and start at the beginning...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He was 13 years old that afternoon. He wanted to talk. Even though I was distracted, I could see it was important. He started shaking.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Mom, I’m.... I’m gay.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Is that all? I thought you broke something!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Relief flooded his face, and we both started laughing. His announcement wasn’t a surprise. I had suspected for a long time. All I’ve ever wanted for my kids is for them to live in truth. This was his.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Eventually, most of our extended family was told. Some had reservations.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“He’s too young to know for sure.”<br />
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My response:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Did you like boys when you were 13? Well, so does he.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have no illusions that everyone will accept him for who he is. I worry every day about some idiot out there choosing to take out their issues on my son simply because he is gay. But for now, I am here for my son. So are his siblings, including his straight twin brother. We even threw him a surprise “Coming Out” party one year.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvjfBYT1s8LMALi3PXvUCv7e6uvXs-hXgLxNKp9MN35QkYJ9NciLxTGQsLEt36D_-c_sWY6OP2giOK0Hhmz74WqHdlwQJJdd2YX2yozdb2JweJax3uVe7B7gYjoTSvDmb0F9-SRxoY-Wg/s1600/Bran+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvjfBYT1s8LMALi3PXvUCv7e6uvXs-hXgLxNKp9MN35QkYJ9NciLxTGQsLEt36D_-c_sWY6OP2giOK0Hhmz74WqHdlwQJJdd2YX2yozdb2JweJax3uVe7B7gYjoTSvDmb0F9-SRxoY-Wg/s320/Bran+party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Surprise!</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Today, he is a strong adult who is secure in who and what he is. He recently graduated from college with degrees in Psychology, Sociology, and Women's Studies.... with honors... in 4 years. I can't help but wonder how different his life might have been if he had felt he had to hide his true feelings and live life in the shadows. I'm glad he didn't have to.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_YYXFZBJSHWVjW_1CavGHdZvDW5jVNPWyUp2149dRRYOKDfD4KgY5GNndSp0XxhvSbEMc19L1e9xAw36dW6ERKUpBFJaRvOcbMhrGMfUP4TN3Vfo4Nw7hHVn6CENl0viyCpaj93k4zIP/s1600/IMG_6871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_YYXFZBJSHWVjW_1CavGHdZvDW5jVNPWyUp2149dRRYOKDfD4KgY5GNndSp0XxhvSbEMc19L1e9xAw36dW6ERKUpBFJaRvOcbMhrGMfUP4TN3Vfo4Nw7hHVn6CENl0viyCpaj93k4zIP/s320/IMG_6871.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Bran, sweetie, I love you. You are spectacular just the way you are. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But back to the Facebook rant. My "friend" continued to spout religious dogma at my page for a while last night. One or more of my children might have been a little less than kind in response. I can't say that I blame them. I didn't go to her wall and post my personal opinions for her friends and family to see (man, this all sounds so junior high, doesn't it?). But I am also not deleting it. I want it there. I want others to see how far we still have to go to before we will finally have equality and acceptance for everyone. I'm hopeful that it will be in my lifetime. Too many young adults have died recently thinking that there was no hope for them. No hope for a better life. They were so wrong. If you personally know someone who might be at risk, please let them know that <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/">it does get better</a>. Oh, and please consider attending a National Coming Out Day rally tomorrow. They will be <a href="http://174.121.137.58/~dbhrcorg/ncod/facebook/ncod10_events_map.php">occurring all over the country</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a parent, I have pretty simple wishes for my kids. I want all three of my children to live happy, healthy lives. I hope they all someday find the love of their lives, get married (legally!), have 2.5 kids, and live happily ever after. Especially the 2.5 kids because I think I’ll be a fantastic grandma... and I'm selfish like that. Are you listening, oh children of mine?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Note: Bran gave me permission to post his story and photos.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-58668089891674473792010-10-08T17:44:00.000-05:002010-10-08T17:44:09.803-05:00Show Us Your Life - KitchensI was reluctant to post my kitchen on <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2010/10/show-us-your-life-friday-kitchens.html">Kelly's Korner blog</a> this week. It isn't fancy. It needs some cosmetic work. It seems like everything in it has started to break all at the same time. But we've had so much fun here, cooking and dancing together, that I've decided to bite the bullet and show it anyway. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sFwvxIDV-nQ8xUnLs0mll-1P_JiX1kLrEtUOD0t9PJevuB8t2FSNiDw3AafLnWqOkGTLnc8EwQSjX5nd8B4ta4YGY-8kWcuXqUw8ya6T_3mBi5NOmHeHPvhWEO1Mnsef3N4iaD96rbZL/s1600/DSC00962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sFwvxIDV-nQ8xUnLs0mll-1P_JiX1kLrEtUOD0t9PJevuB8t2FSNiDw3AafLnWqOkGTLnc8EwQSjX5nd8B4ta4YGY-8kWcuXqUw8ya6T_3mBi5NOmHeHPvhWEO1Mnsef3N4iaD96rbZL/s320/DSC00962.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the view I see all the time from my computer. We replaced the counter and back splash 10 years ago, but the counter is starting to show some wear. I would love to replace it with butcher block. I took a few of the doors off, but I still need to trim out the openings. I am hoping to paint the cabinets this winter. Maybe. I've been saying that for a while now. I'm leaning towards antique white on the top cabinets, dark red on the bottom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4ytm4Cyox-ZajorMJQttBbv3XftS61tnDMTfj17x7yOvHdS7WuBXkBsiTcV1oz3JydT3xEiyyrdoZ0BY5zk6JhzbXwHDHv6toLwp-Jcd6bE1rimsg9YMlCf8oAU3ujanYJS7KwSRYE17/s1600/DSC00959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4ytm4Cyox-ZajorMJQttBbv3XftS61tnDMTfj17x7yOvHdS7WuBXkBsiTcV1oz3JydT3xEiyyrdoZ0BY5zk6JhzbXwHDHv6toLwp-Jcd6bE1rimsg9YMlCf8oAU3ujanYJS7KwSRYE17/s320/DSC00959.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the other side of the kitchen. We replaced the microwave not too long ago, but we haven't gotten around to fixing the missing tiles underneath. Oops. I'll have to get right on that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59qMliGvj88VpvGvyhZo6klyHLZWEJ8G0s3bvvbjEncrHoGl8d5CRtDnucGzPW_r3IiwP1Wq7plZIUI5OpYKaRqVCj4YC6Apy2DDBbju4M6yJq7W5xRh0LxXp3LXbI-6zL_f7A30Md5b3/s1600/DSC00947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59qMliGvj88VpvGvyhZo6klyHLZWEJ8G0s3bvvbjEncrHoGl8d5CRtDnucGzPW_r3IiwP1Wq7plZIUI5OpYKaRqVCj4YC6Apy2DDBbju4M6yJq7W5xRh0LxXp3LXbI-6zL_f7A30Md5b3/s320/DSC00947.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love the Coke handles, but they were discontinued before we finished buying enough for the entire kitchen. Some of the lower cabinets have blue and white ceramic handles that I picked up at Hobby Lobby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa2KxwR_nmHCKzZS-GZYi-uQNzM_8cXPqKT-KOc8YBnALLE9qLreeXyImk2aLjGEapeC0IjBi5oWZ-pUdwlA4Qxbp-42vDryuAz7mXp8Gv9-WkjYW5L6PHUhnifYpfxgmAL3_b-cZJK-n/s1600/DSC00964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa2KxwR_nmHCKzZS-GZYi-uQNzM_8cXPqKT-KOc8YBnALLE9qLreeXyImk2aLjGEapeC0IjBi5oWZ-pUdwlA4Qxbp-42vDryuAz7mXp8Gv9-WkjYW5L6PHUhnifYpfxgmAL3_b-cZJK-n/s320/DSC00964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrO3fJ5_B_QHGV5n_AZLI1WBHn31habIV_O8W46Jl1Fuio3JwtC6avzAUqKZHMgl53u5WgGkvDVMKUq24nhKwouNAq_jaoukBR-iQwYheXPhbNwed9NlB72lTieoFGcZeIzTJSAUmPo_b/s1600/DSC00957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrO3fJ5_B_QHGV5n_AZLI1WBHn31habIV_O8W46Jl1Fuio3JwtC6avzAUqKZHMgl53u5WgGkvDVMKUq24nhKwouNAq_jaoukBR-iQwYheXPhbNwed9NlB72lTieoFGcZeIzTJSAUmPo_b/s320/DSC00957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is another one of my accidental collections. I have no clue how it started, but I love them. I would show you my cute little bargain table and stools, but I can only handle so much embarrassment for one day. Which is why I am posting this picture last and then scooting out of here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknENwi4neM-a4EbgetCAeFFoQpRebgjWcBojUu5csG3zC5f9Sc1pNuHM4XktlyhXGbZm9YEg3qrkHtVZRBeBSiUgEFDMgy5rrf1pF5Ds9NSKatEtm6fiMW0ECAcHdYVlBfsoFPwILLprN/s1600/DSC01257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknENwi4neM-a4EbgetCAeFFoQpRebgjWcBojUu5csG3zC5f9Sc1pNuHM4XktlyhXGbZm9YEg3qrkHtVZRBeBSiUgEFDMgy5rrf1pF5Ds9NSKatEtm6fiMW0ECAcHdYVlBfsoFPwILLprN/s320/DSC01257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">All adult beverages were consumed by people of legal age</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been living with college students. I thought it was bad when my kids were little. This is my reality some mornings. Help me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-21604700475289581022010-10-07T15:56:00.000-05:002010-10-07T15:56:56.615-05:00The Accidental CollectionOurs started out innocently enough. I was out of town helping to care for my mom after surgery, and Bruce was home with the kids. His sister was coming for a visit the day after I was due back, and he was worried about our "eclectic" furniture looking shabby. What is so wrong with a burnt orange couch from the 70's anyway? So... he went shopping without me. Big mistake. Huge. If you live with someone else, don't buy furniture without them. Especially if you know they might have an opinion about it. He wasn't going to tell me before I got home, but one of the kids spilled the news over the phone. He bought a matching couch and love seat.<br />
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"Oh Jan, you are going to love them."<br />
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Yeah. This is pretty close to what I came home to (we didn't take any pictures):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUISJR0TeLRbBoHO9rfjgKgLMhuF0SpDwZ4VP-Ef02R9Zq8cjd3Z2YqMq_cvgNAlgTY7BvljMZ5Mn1PapSZM9glgNllJNEAzjEyLV7CM_rREyWcXPio4H8hi9Jt6PdITR1nIU1XW8SGC90/s1600/14840843_tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUISJR0TeLRbBoHO9rfjgKgLMhuF0SpDwZ4VP-Ef02R9Zq8cjd3Z2YqMq_cvgNAlgTY7BvljMZ5Mn1PapSZM9glgNllJNEAzjEyLV7CM_rREyWcXPio4H8hi9Jt6PdITR1nIU1XW8SGC90/s1600/14840843_tn.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were blue, which is my favorite color. They also had a trellis pattern with tiny pink rosebuds, ruffled skirts, and oak trim. They were also a very shiny velour that shed all over our clothes. And just to top the whole thing off, he bought an afghan to drape over the back of the couch that he said matched perfectly. An American flag afghan that he paid $50 for at a small boutique. I was speechless when I walked through the door. We ended up trading the furniture out for another set that we BOTH agreed on. We kept the afghan because he loved it. This is what we ended up with:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU2wyFAyGmRztZVuAKaxPpz0wrk3D6GRTVvxSBlgxSuXr078AWHTn8WcKo11uTiAnYmRCfnEfMYO1E10LJ1HwkMCcdTBiZzLx2bEN1SGCGtb0v2nMEfPaZJpuFmIEo8V-VpABkSjaJhmu/s1600/bran+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU2wyFAyGmRztZVuAKaxPpz0wrk3D6GRTVvxSBlgxSuXr078AWHTn8WcKo11uTiAnYmRCfnEfMYO1E10LJ1HwkMCcdTBiZzLx2bEN1SGCGtb0v2nMEfPaZJpuFmIEo8V-VpABkSjaJhmu/s320/bran+birthday.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Bran with his rat tail circa 1997</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can see the afghan folded on the back corner of the couch. It was normally draped all the way across the back. My dad said he didn't know if he should salute our couch or sit on it. My entire family thought this whole thing was so funny that for every single birthday, anniversary and Christmas from there on out, we were gifted with patriotic items. Bruce loved it. It grew on me over time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After Bruce died and we moved out of base housing, I packed most of the Americana away, but it slowly started creeping back out again. Especially anything with the Statue of Liberty on it. Our first piece had been a Hallmark Christmas ornament that was given to Bruce one year:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisEQY_a0QN-jsAjLpifvmMlJCGBCbebS4B872966Fe6ge5uA1z0qPh-u0UR22S0OxKco8rmizjSWCofcbCgonmxcoy9sTc9yKcYXcIomYj8sw97UNzEoLfaMs5Td8b0T9vw-snoCRCPOp/s1600/DSC00066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisEQY_a0QN-jsAjLpifvmMlJCGBCbebS4B872966Fe6ge5uA1z0qPh-u0UR22S0OxKco8rmizjSWCofcbCgonmxcoy9sTc9yKcYXcIomYj8sw97UNzEoLfaMs5Td8b0T9vw-snoCRCPOp/s320/DSC00066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The ornament is in the middle behind the yellow butterfly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It plays the National Anthem when the tree lights are first turned on. It cracks me up every single time. Other items we have with Liberty on it include a bottle opener, tin sign, nesting doll set, glass ornaments, magnets, and even a small tomato cage. My all time favorite is this one though:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqWFCbhVqZu9MVGUbrs2VJM5QohSJJGriZaHu-hv9kauOy5RamDplSTIdByqowcR40kFweqS3TMG16UV0R3mqn1caaSpQUP-0CUHHIgnCEyNH6nvDxyjQlcN279QbtRxdjhg6i0er4hd0/s1600/DSC00937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqWFCbhVqZu9MVGUbrs2VJM5QohSJJGriZaHu-hv9kauOy5RamDplSTIdByqowcR40kFweqS3TMG16UV0R3mqn1caaSpQUP-0CUHHIgnCEyNH6nvDxyjQlcN279QbtRxdjhg6i0er4hd0/s320/DSC00937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A Statue of Liberty ice bucket. I suppose it could be useful for a 4th of July party, but I keep it out year round. I can't help myself. It makes me smile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What kind of accidental collections do you have? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-59770415899282156492010-10-06T14:06:00.003-05:002010-10-08T09:55:35.683-05:00Through the Keyhole<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwl3GKwChkYo-omdtAJcoaoCJyD0Vmxn2x92hxfzDFzaoZ_JrE1UtvsSuI-UPYUTKjX5cP9aZbxGkhNCYKUkv1cvY1VQde6jSTn7jrOfS7l38mPDvnwinYY83LzsF-dyUnjhC5r7ubPqW/s1600/DSC00920.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwl3GKwChkYo-omdtAJcoaoCJyD0Vmxn2x92hxfzDFzaoZ_JrE1UtvsSuI-UPYUTKjX5cP9aZbxGkhNCYKUkv1cvY1VQde6jSTn7jrOfS7l38mPDvnwinYY83LzsF-dyUnjhC5r7ubPqW/s320/DSC00920.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
I fixed this up as a quick project earlier today. I bought the plaster keyhole a couple of years ago at Hobby Lobby when it was 50% off (making it $6.99). It was kind of a murky brown, which I wasn't thrilled about. I gave it a quick coat of Champagne Gold by DecorArt. I then added some clip art of an eye found online (don't remember where from though), resized it to fit before printing, then gave the eyeball itself a coating of Aleene's Paper Glaze to make it look a little more real. After adding some black card stock at the bottom of the keyhole, it was done!<br />
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<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I decided to add this project to the following link party:</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lovinmylovebugs.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z78/mikerin3/Rachelle%20Czuk/featureyourselffridaybuttoncopy.png" /></a></div><br />
</div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-72046119390478217112010-10-02T13:17:00.000-05:002010-10-02T13:17:44.958-05:00Show Us Your Life - Dining RoomsI decided to try this link party thing again. This week on Kelly's Korner blog, everyone is sharing their dining room. I guess you could still call ours that. Sometimes it is an office. Sometimes it is my craft room. Here is how it looks today (and yes, I had to clean it first):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmw0ZnDu0Hfomp3i7e7XhKWHSZfWnwYJ69KGSG90Gf3jb4XGOPtPeg5bR1FqRo_kqbregRGqv4zmQkLCgn_8OHd08UzZT9bZzuOtmYYNn-igfevaBvTVXMmg0EUwg9_zqVb4UEodfB3jQ/s1600/DSC00864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmw0ZnDu0Hfomp3i7e7XhKWHSZfWnwYJ69KGSG90Gf3jb4XGOPtPeg5bR1FqRo_kqbregRGqv4zmQkLCgn_8OHd08UzZT9bZzuOtmYYNn-igfevaBvTVXMmg0EUwg9_zqVb4UEodfB3jQ/s320/DSC00864.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Don's dog Penelope was keeping me company, as always</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The table, sideboard and chair against the wall all were purchased in England when we were stationed there. The metal dining chairs are from Pier One.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9KWwE4MjBMc1K3BXjrci7mEoBjruO1z2HEv6KLTsqZ-sknWuAV2gAPxSyXsmHhYSgKazPkeVcjBBSLOoxST3jW4p-tUOfLM0UwxWcfGn2eJLjErSYHeqf77aXzjJyqb5uCFPW-PqjXl5/s1600/DSC00861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9KWwE4MjBMc1K3BXjrci7mEoBjruO1z2HEv6KLTsqZ-sknWuAV2gAPxSyXsmHhYSgKazPkeVcjBBSLOoxST3jW4p-tUOfLM0UwxWcfGn2eJLjErSYHeqf77aXzjJyqb5uCFPW-PqjXl5/s320/DSC00861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My mom bought the corner cabinet in the early 1960's. I finally got around to painting it earlier this year. I have in it some of my favorite Cornishware dishes (the blue and white stripe) that I picked up at various car boot sales in England. I don't think I paid more than a pound or two for any of the pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0SuTHmtq8F15r_iXkMygX9hFcVJegFTDRQHUjN5xVclurYZGH2JK5R7-a4SAKnR9we_FSSAZQtReGN3rRMYdKKkNIuM1_xOYmsbnXg5CL02U-HOmgJSNz-S1xjwh7Sv1TdnvQ78grsX9/s1600/DSC00862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0SuTHmtq8F15r_iXkMygX9hFcVJegFTDRQHUjN5xVclurYZGH2JK5R7-a4SAKnR9we_FSSAZQtReGN3rRMYdKKkNIuM1_xOYmsbnXg5CL02U-HOmgJSNz-S1xjwh7Sv1TdnvQ78grsX9/s320/DSC00862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More Cornishware is on the shelves above the sideboard.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisen67Ya6fxCAQEaBuCrNIf-lTD8GRYEHdnV8UsSLgrBV2C4bfIdcpPY_SQG4CSPLo_zmdFkuVDFC_jDNWqspVxhVyc6KxgDDG06Px9MYUd_VaA0HTkOI8aiPLtRSKFYJnk-9yrMuOBl7d/s1600/DSC00869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisen67Ya6fxCAQEaBuCrNIf-lTD8GRYEHdnV8UsSLgrBV2C4bfIdcpPY_SQG4CSPLo_zmdFkuVDFC_jDNWqspVxhVyc6KxgDDG06Px9MYUd_VaA0HTkOI8aiPLtRSKFYJnk-9yrMuOBl7d/s320/DSC00869.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The melamine plates in the corner cabinet and on the shelves came from Pier One, Target and Moda Home (I think?).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlFEP_PfLRDyV5lwb0J9RKBIhPHb_cORDdkC082rb_fr4cuD-Lm1W4wYFggFivWRj2GAVuORL-sViLV42kAoJg3rE00MYOD0yytB2mPRb1HAqLltRr75Pyudr2qlOKV2QkBTePSP_pCh7/s1600/DSC00870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlFEP_PfLRDyV5lwb0J9RKBIhPHb_cORDdkC082rb_fr4cuD-Lm1W4wYFggFivWRj2GAVuORL-sViLV42kAoJg3rE00MYOD0yytB2mPRb1HAqLltRr75Pyudr2qlOKV2QkBTePSP_pCh7/s320/DSC00870.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know it might be a bit much for most people, but I like being surrounded by mementos from the life we have lived. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And color just makes me happy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-49795117599104534152010-10-01T02:23:00.001-05:002010-10-01T21:15:59.314-05:00What Do You Do?You know how it is when you walk into a roomful of strangers, and the first question they ask is "What do you do?" I never know how to answer that one anymore. I used to be someone's wife, but I've been alone for a long time now. I'm a mom, but my kids are grown. I'm a relatively recent college graduate, but I don't have a job. Just who am I anyway? How did I get lost somewhere along the way?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU21DGZ9BFWahtfPT_Gu-09eBO6zR3thQiAYBBmhsVQN0UIW_9CdJJluT3Q_elJ-S5yVVHUkNMB0dyVzHH_Uv3tEQGli4hVg3BIKtU_3DtbcyyCCQuAfeHKHpB66j9nCAF9O4pdaObMG6u/s1600/Brucejanmarriedlife8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU21DGZ9BFWahtfPT_Gu-09eBO6zR3thQiAYBBmhsVQN0UIW_9CdJJluT3Q_elJ-S5yVVHUkNMB0dyVzHH_Uv3tEQGli4hVg3BIKtU_3DtbcyyCCQuAfeHKHpB66j9nCAF9O4pdaObMG6u/s320/Brucejanmarriedlife8.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
This is who I was in 1982. Bruce and I had been married for two years. I loved him with all my heart and soul. We were already dealing with infertility, but we were happy. And we were lucky. Time and medical science gave us a daughter and twin sons.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRn5YAoZ5CMwAMxPb8ErqN8pPJFDl9jeb5PfqahpGAoUksZEXVnp8XcTvgcWvGnb3VrWPfHVgxzh6Q0ms9r6l2DNIAzL-eawnvaFeqgbWDJQM9jC31a_WnCowpmBaxjdvArX7gkYs2cY9/s1600/Bruce+and+kids+at+Stonehenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRn5YAoZ5CMwAMxPb8ErqN8pPJFDl9jeb5PfqahpGAoUksZEXVnp8XcTvgcWvGnb3VrWPfHVgxzh6Q0ms9r6l2DNIAzL-eawnvaFeqgbWDJQM9jC31a_WnCowpmBaxjdvArX7gkYs2cY9/s320/Bruce+and+kids+at+Stonehenge.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bruce with Don, Bran, and Jeana at Stonehenge 1990</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were also given the opportunity to live in some pretty amazing places thanks to the military. It wasn't always easy being away from our families, but I would have followed Bruce to the ends of the earth. North Pole, Alaska came pretty close. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GrNf03CSMiQvK1RrRvvSRrLS3bH-Zsgad1tyzB7wzTX332kGfBkFK_IbyaE4jrgdhmKKc32aOS3D1TY8yGFKoiZlTMsZ8SMUwZ-DDXtq8e4zF786Jr9Ze__TW_4Ntfugj5WCGngAe2yq/s1600/Oklahoma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GrNf03CSMiQvK1RrRvvSRrLS3bH-Zsgad1tyzB7wzTX332kGfBkFK_IbyaE4jrgdhmKKc32aOS3D1TY8yGFKoiZlTMsZ8SMUwZ-DDXtq8e4zF786Jr9Ze__TW_4Ntfugj5WCGngAe2yq/s320/Oklahoma.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Don, Jeana, Janet and Bruce in Oklahoma 1996</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then, one day, after a very short illness......... Bruce was gone. Just like that. I will never forget having to tell our kids that Dad would never come home again. It tore my heart into a million tiny little pieces. Twelve years later, it is held together with gum and shoelaces. But our kids? They are made of such strong stuff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfDkXhOnwnn8CDq4hDjulWjsbq70RE86UTvnldUI2KvbeiVqFFIx188eAdHPgi4GalvIRAXQSX8Z5eec7jrYj7s1TDr8jYhbmEJ3hv0BiPsNiSdomp-YR1KmreJZPwLjJK_RqmzbT16Ac/s1600/IMG_6902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfDkXhOnwnn8CDq4hDjulWjsbq70RE86UTvnldUI2KvbeiVqFFIx188eAdHPgi4GalvIRAXQSX8Z5eec7jrYj7s1TDr8jYhbmEJ3hv0BiPsNiSdomp-YR1KmreJZPwLjJK_RqmzbT16Ac/s320/IMG_6902.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jeana, Don and Bran - Summer 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo by Becky Novacek</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two of them have graduated from college (both triple majored). The third will graduate next year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWInzbXItBXx818Wqz8ZVcPdwwcf-gmgg-GXZrtuphlneSzJMeGs8plSHCSgDBL9FyGZYwhVz3sqTj3J0aaTTyc8KB1hp10Q8MW1F-1nPu-MQdDMjoKQGtr5mXYRZwlu05g8FTLAIATWA/s1600/P5080080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWInzbXItBXx818Wqz8ZVcPdwwcf-gmgg-GXZrtuphlneSzJMeGs8plSHCSgDBL9FyGZYwhVz3sqTj3J0aaTTyc8KB1hp10Q8MW1F-1nPu-MQdDMjoKQGtr5mXYRZwlu05g8FTLAIATWA/s320/P5080080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jeana - Class of 2009</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0_A_A3YXK8ScihdOv2skiAp6y0WKFWguY2xmH_H_F_WIeSWuQy8ITtClNannebdCRbddaA1rbSVavhEJPGHiEGzFuYKzs7twx0Tf8ErVKQfU-dAO1OQZebKrDhR1V7cp0zGCA5EM-6Qw/s1600/DSC00354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0_A_A3YXK8ScihdOv2skiAp6y0WKFWguY2xmH_H_F_WIeSWuQy8ITtClNannebdCRbddaA1rbSVavhEJPGHiEGzFuYKzs7twx0Tf8ErVKQfU-dAO1OQZebKrDhR1V7cp0zGCA5EM-6Qw/s320/DSC00354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bran - Class of 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeana got married this summer while home on leave, and is currently on her third deployment to Iraq. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL1_ZazTKJ9lJwQkCC4GuGP_-_0opk59XAMctrb-XpPmc2Nk9TtnokvfgRRF2trI9fbememXJO5RBcuPfC_CbXvhTi5lCKB3Slto8iCr5RxLxysVWVp2eAyJqtE7IM8TPXqdNP6ypVYnc/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL1_ZazTKJ9lJwQkCC4GuGP_-_0opk59XAMctrb-XpPmc2Nk9TtnokvfgRRF2trI9fbememXJO5RBcuPfC_CbXvhTi5lCKB3Slto8iCr5RxLxysVWVp2eAyJqtE7IM8TPXqdNP6ypVYnc/s320/IMG_3280.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jeana and Brandon - June 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo by Tammy Burroughs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am someone's mother-in-law. If it hadn't occurred to me that I was getting older before then, well, it has sure sunk in now. I will be turning 50 next year. 5-0. I don't want to waste any more of my life. I feel like I have been treading water for too long. I do have this to show for some of my time:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrTEfFrdSxHt31v46YCsuK2x6HiPujBfQ7lGiZVmsRJy2DVr4iEFRyvtlCmoSVvPLLMn0d3aOtWWdPZXBD7flUfyUYLuaicoOTuQOZUxkOu1I7ZqLnUFIlwnYoOCM6w-4wshgM0DlbSfF/s1600/Jeana+pictures+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrTEfFrdSxHt31v46YCsuK2x6HiPujBfQ7lGiZVmsRJy2DVr4iEFRyvtlCmoSVvPLLMn0d3aOtWWdPZXBD7flUfyUYLuaicoOTuQOZUxkOu1I7ZqLnUFIlwnYoOCM6w-4wshgM0DlbSfF/s320/Jeana+pictures+040.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Janet - Class of 2006</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I want more. I want to live fully, not just exist. If you could start all over again, what would you want to be when you grew up? I am open to suggestions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-33938387820146546122010-09-30T13:06:00.000-05:002010-09-30T13:06:11.819-05:00Show Us Your Life - Master BedroomsI have no clue what I am doing, but I decided to add my master bedroom to the list on "Show us your life - Master Bedrooms" on Kelly's Korner blog. This is my master bedroom:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxYMvsefzwXEqNkT5QfI81Q7ZNfFchk-sZdEJYxiSFSP4uliqAaEB1C2XDCswbMe3MeEfYgAq3UG9V9or0A9W9ZJx7wjAKRtg4rW_ynhQ47YoCwtejOVluA0FT89toenM-puyas2LyOWL/s1600/P9020613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxYMvsefzwXEqNkT5QfI81Q7ZNfFchk-sZdEJYxiSFSP4uliqAaEB1C2XDCswbMe3MeEfYgAq3UG9V9or0A9W9ZJx7wjAKRtg4rW_ynhQ47YoCwtejOVluA0FT89toenM-puyas2LyOWL/s320/P9020613.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm a widow, so my room can be as girlie as I want. The steamer trunk was a gift from my grandmother. The rocker in the corner is one that my mom used to nurse me in when I was a baby. Even the girdle in the trunk came from family (it was my great-grandmother's!). Here is another angle:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChpRiiuuMBCfpZ_p7O59G2_il_LuTYwL9Axk7b-1qQRuS-I4Ln3LOWshVjp-Uq7RbDthdlW86fhyHfeM8klIVFWUljJmU8vrEkBVlmlFg8pmhrrtDn2ZeyIIgjrczCaZ_-_7Kh_hizxDe/s1600/P5100127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChpRiiuuMBCfpZ_p7O59G2_il_LuTYwL9Axk7b-1qQRuS-I4Ln3LOWshVjp-Uq7RbDthdlW86fhyHfeM8klIVFWUljJmU8vrEkBVlmlFg8pmhrrtDn2ZeyIIgjrczCaZ_-_7Kh_hizxDe/s320/P5100127.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will probably repaint my room sometime soon, but for now, I like it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181004195743603538.post-80220946296009471932010-09-30T11:54:00.001-05:002010-09-30T15:21:07.650-05:00From the Beginning...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB0H-sN5c6171TQF35acRVvMyU3Kk-U1UXI8ghanBpmZaXf_8KWlyCBu2prxkYBudBaeSg9lgFmYKRyISSARkBRJpNnydpbO4VjeXKRHTWKf3tOvBzDf9-6OBQRlFhOTxxYtrFgibVMXA/s1600/DSC00658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB0H-sN5c6171TQF35acRVvMyU3Kk-U1UXI8ghanBpmZaXf_8KWlyCBu2prxkYBudBaeSg9lgFmYKRyISSARkBRJpNnydpbO4VjeXKRHTWKf3tOvBzDf9-6OBQRlFhOTxxYtrFgibVMXA/s320/DSC00658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Why now? Why blog? I guess I am just trying to find a spot for myself in this big ole world. A spot where I belong, dog fur and all. I hope this will be it.</span>Janet@Mamalaudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09049743803819855950noreply@blogger.com0