Karen

Friday Craft: Other Mother Box

January 30, 2009January 29, 2009 Karen

So I’m haunting the Instructables site when I stumble across this cute little box.

box

And when I read the description:

There are all kinds of strange and wonderful boxes showing up across the Internet to promote the new Coraline movie.

I thought, Coraline whadda? Never heard of it. So, I followed the link to the Coraline website, watched the trailer and now I must see it because it looks totally cool and creepy (and probably not suitable for small children). If you don’t feel like clicking over, then watch the below:

Spooky, right?

Upon further investigation, I discovered that this movie is based on Neil Gaiman’s book. I’m thinking this book, and the DVD of this movie, would be a perfect giveaway prize in October *insert scary, creepy laugh here*.

Anyway, I’m intrigued. And if you’re digging the box above, you can find how to make one of these boxes, for your very own, here.

Have fun!

Prompt Fiction

Fiction: Little Respect

January 29, 2009 Karen

Originally published on my self-hosted blog May 27, 2007.

Little Respect

“You’ll never guess what I’m doing right now,” the twenty-something woman with the long reddish-blonde hair sitting across from Lela said.

Lela shifted uncomfortably in her bus seat and directed a casual look out the window. She wasn’t eavesdropping, exactly; eavesdropping was rude, wasn’t it? But how could she not listen to the young woman’s conversation when the rest of the bus riders were relatively minding their own business and being quiet for a change.

“No, guess again,” cell-phone girl said with a smile.

Her friend, Joanne, sitting on her left, poked her in the arm. She gave Lela a sideways glance and then nodded toward the girl.

Lela answered with an imperceptive nod and tried to relay a silent message with her expression to stop bringing attention to them and not listen to the girl’s conversation.

Joanne didn’t take the hint and openly stared at the girl.

Cell-phone girl laughed. “No dope, not that … I’m on the bus for Christ sakes. Get your filthy mind out of the gutter.” The girl noted Joanne’s stare and with a grimace, twisted away from the two older women.

Lela noticed small spots of cherry red appear on the girl’s cheeks. She again glanced away and sighed. Young people nowadays … did they have no shame? Though she didn’t know what the person on the other end of the phone had suggested, she could imagine it wasn’t what a good Christian person would have said. She hated cell phones. No one bothered with privacy anymore. Cell phone users no longer cared about tact and diplomacy and treated any public venue like their own personal phone booth.

“So .. Friday night,” the girl said. “What exactly is the plan? Hang out at Brees? Or is Autumn having a party at her house? Oh, and what about Slade? He’s not hanging with us this weekend, is he?”

Lela couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose in distaste. Those names. How silly. What ever happened to good old fashion names like Mary, and Sally or even John? She issued a long-suffering sigh and leaned her head against the glass of the window. John. She missed her John.

“Hang on a sec, Trent,” the girl placed the tiny phone against her chest. Lela looked toward the girl and noticed she was glaring at Joanne. “What’s up, grandma? Hear anything exciting?” She snorted in the most rude way and continued, “A little privacy, please?”

Lela couldn’t help herself; she snickered at the girl’s words. She stiffened when she saw the girl shift her unnaturally bright blue eyes toward her.

“What’s your problem, you old hag,” the girl snarled.

Lela glanced down at her gloved hands and felt tears gather in the corners of her eyes. What happened to common decency? She couldn’t imagine any of her four girls talking like that to an elder. No one had any respect anymore. It was all about them and their needs and wants.

“Yeah I thought so, bitch.” The girl brought the phone back up to her ear and said in loud and icy tones. “Sorry. I’ve got two old biddies giving me the evil eye.” She shot Joanne and Lela a hateful look before bursting out laughing. “Yeah, I should. I really should. That’d really give ‘em something to write home to the grandkids about.”

The bus suddenly lurched to a stop and the girl stood up. “Wait. Hold that thought. This is my stop. Let me get off this bus of losers so I can hear you.” The girl pushed her way through the five people in front of her and stumbled awkwardly off the bus. As she hopped down the last stair, she tripped and nearly fell flat on her face. A woman, probably in her mid-thirties, witnessed the whole thing and laughed out loud.

The girl on the sidewalk saw the woman laugh at her and flipped her off. The woman promptly returned the favor and continued to hold the gesture long after the bus pulled away from the curb.

Lela couldn’t help but smile a bit at the woman’s boldness. Joanne again nudged her and giggled under her breath.

The woman turned back around in her seat and addressed Lela and Joanne. “Don’t you hate modern conveniences?” she said with a friendly smile.

Lela returned the smile and nodded shyly. Indeed she did.

Thursday Stuff

A Thousand Words Thursday

January 29, 2009 Karen

I saw this photo and it reminded me of this photo that my mom took during GD’s 16th birthday party in November:

birthday money, originally uploaded by PaceGuy.

November, 2008.

Since he turned 16, my mom hid one $2.00 bill in 16 various items (inside a candy bar, etc.). GD had an absolute blast finding the bills and he really got a kick out of having so many $2.00 bills – a unique bill for a unique kid.

Thanks for going to all of the trouble, mom. That will be yet another birthday that he’ll always remember.

You know, this picture was taken only a few months ago and yet, he looks so different now. My oldest son doesn’t even look like a boy anymore he looks more like a … like a … *gulp* MAN.! *gasp*

Wha?? When did that happen??

For more fun pictures, visit Cheaper Than Therapy.

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bloggersbest2 Okay, picture this – you’re trying to entice new readers to your blog. But they only have time to read one of your blog posts. Which blog post would you direct them to? Which of your blog posts really shines and says something about your life? Which blog post are you most proud of? Now take that blog post and submit it to the Blogger’s Best Carnival so everyone else can appreciate your greatness. 🙂

To learn more about the carnival, read this page.

The next Blogger’s Best Carnival: January 31st.

Project 365

Project 365: January 29th

January 29, 2009January 28, 2009 Karen

And here we go, another week of random photos. If you want to keep track of my photos, you can subscribe to the Project 365 RSS feed.

1. Here is the husband playing some sort of vision focus game on one of the boys’ old Gameboy DS’s. He’s wasting time while waiting for us to join him for Bible study. Which we do, in our home, every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. In case you’re curious, we use the teachings at the Truth or Tradition website in our studies. (Please look into it – it’ll really bless you and your family!)

2. GD, doing what he loves to do the most – goofing off with his online buddies. (That poor kid’s nose has really gotten big. He takes after me, poor guy. Hopefully, he’ll grow into that nose. In the meantime, I tell him to be proud of his crooked Cherokee Indian nose).

3. My husband was very proud of this pizza (made from scratch – except the crust). And I’ll be the first to admit that my husband? Was most likely a chef in a previous life (if I believed in previous lives) because he can seriously cook. He’s one of those naturals that can eyeball ingredients, throw something together and it’s fabulous. It’s gotten to the point that we all dread when I cook so in order to enjoy our meals, I prepare the ingredients and then he comes home and makes it while I stand by and “assist” him. Works for me!

4. Here is GD, standing outside the night we had the beautiful snowfall. As you can see, the flakes were quite big and quite lovely.

5. The husband, on the phone with a Carnival Cruise line representative because in case you’re just tuning in, we’re going on a cruise this summer!!! His goofy smile kills me. And look at his glassy eyes and his slightly flushed cheeks … wait a minute, does he look? No, couldn’t be. Wait, maybe …? Does he look like he’s got a good buzz going on to anyone? Probably because he does! He had a couple of beers after dinner so he was feeling QUITE good about the whole cruise thing. (That’s the only way I can get the man to agree to spend money – beer and good times. *winkwink*)

6. The day before our pretty snowfall, we had a full day of sleet and general ugliness. It always fascinates me how fast water freezes. Here you can see it literally froze as it was draining off our house.

7. And the obligatory weekly picture of me. I sort of like this picture though (even though it’s of me – bleh) because I don’t know what I did, but the lighting is flattering. Was it the back light from the window? Whatever it was, I want to do it again!

Blogger's Best

Hey Look! I’m Literate!

January 28, 2009 Karen

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Literate Good Citizen You read to inform or entertain yourself, but you’re not nerdy about it. You’ve read most major classics (in school) and you have a favorite genre or two.
Dedicated Reader
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I’m so re-lieved to know this! I would be so bummed if I couldn’t read all of these wonderful blog entries that I’ve been compiling for this Saturday’s Blogger’s Best Carnival.

Aaaand speaking of that … The 1st (monthly) Blogger’s Best Carnival is THIS Saturday. I’ve had OVER 200 entries -unfortunately, I can’t use most of them because they didn’t follow guidelines.

But anyway – if you have read any blog posts over this past month (or ever, really), that have moved you, or you admired that blogger’s honesty, or you could relate in some way, or you thought the writing was outstanding, or it made it you think/cry/laugh, etc., then please put that link in the comment section so I can add it to the carnival.

And YES! Please feel free to submit links to your own posts because DUDE! It’s all about expanding this wonderful blog community so toot your own horn!

Life

Enjoying Winter Wonderland, While It Lasts

January 28, 2009 Karen

It is really hard to blog when the kids are home.

It’s not that they are loud or anything (in fact, they’re so quiet that I forget they’re here a lot of times) or constantly tapping me on the shoulder to ask me questions (I miss those days), it’s me. I have to be completely isolated in order to write – okay fine, to think.

When the kids are home, I’m in “mom” mode. My instincts go into overdrive and every little squeak of their chairs or the tap of their keyboards distract me. It’s especially hard to concentrate when they have their headsets on (like now) and I can hear their conversations with their friends – they sound so grown up and I’m a little jealous that they’ve created worlds where I’m not welcome.

So if this post doesn’t make sense, you’ll know why. Because my focus is being constantly punctured by “kid presence.”

It snowed last night.

(Looking into our backyard)

In fact, it snowed quite a bit.

(See the snow level under our camper?)

And it was a gorgeous sight.

I know this, because I was out in it.

The husband came home early last night so he could drive me around. I had to go to Blockbusters in order to return some movies, Walgreens (for some Charcocaps – remember I talked about those yesterday?) and Harter House to pick up some arm roast for our BBQ sandwiches we plan on having Thursday night for dinner. (Yes, I’m one of those anal people who plan their menus ahead of time). He had to drive me because I was too much of a wuss to get out on my own.

Well, that was part of the reason, the other part was because I wasn’t sure if my Vibe, which sits pretty low to the ground, wouldn’t get stuck. And considering the husband drives an F150 truck and he loves to drive in this stuff anyhow, I figured I’d play the helpless female card and sweet talk him into playing my knight in shining armor.

There wasn’t much resistance on his end. ::wink::

So we’re out. And the streets are dead because they’re a mixture of slushy and slick and no one wants to be out in this mess. We pull into Walgreen’s when the snow starts. Big, fat, beautiful flakes began to gently descend from the heavens and it’s absolutely breath-taking. It’s the kind of snow that instantly covers your hair and shoulders the moment you step outside; the kind of flakes that drop softly, end-over-end until they land ever so gently on the ground – the crystals intact and shimmering in the soft glow of the street lights.

I felt like I was stuck in a snow globe. The world around us had been forced to slow down, even stop in some places. It was a magical moment.

We hurried home and opened the windows to show the boys. They were mesmerized and quickly stepped into their slippers to go outside and stand in the falling flakes. It was such a peaceful, happy, quiet moment because there was enough snow by this time to muffle the world around us. We felt isolated, yet together. It was a special family moment.

It’s now 10:57 a.m. and the sun is trying really hard to break through the clouds. Temperatures are expected to reach above freezing tomorrow and climb all the way to the 40’s by this weekend.

Our winter wonderland will soon disappear.

The husband is on his way home to pick us up for lunch. I have no idea where we will go, but it will be nice, regardless, because we’ll be together.

Tuesday Stuff

Turn It Down a Notch, Won’t You?

January 27, 2009January 27, 2009 Karen

heads-or-tails-large

Heads or Tails is hosted by Barb a.k.a. Skittles. Thanks Barb!

This week’s prompt: Heads – Loud

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We are not loud people.

In fact, it’s safe to say, we really can’t stand to be AROUND loud people.

I remember being shushed a lot when I was a kid. My dad got cranky when we were loud so I sort of grew up being quiet. It wasn’t until later that I really began to appreciate the art of silence.

Loud people make me nervous. Why do loud people feel so compelled to be loud? Insecurity? Attention? Why the theatrics? Loud people are obnoxious, irritating and definitely not cute, funny or even appealing when they’re loud. And don’t these loud people know that by being loud they are actually being counterproductive because no one really wants to be around a loud person?

Knowing when to shut up is a sign of maturity and a respect for those around you, quite frankly.

GD was a pretty quiet kid, MK? Not so much. He was a SCREAMER when he was little and his SCREAMS would make your ears bleed; they were loud and shrill and the tone was just one octave below your sanity level. When he got into one of his screaming fits (there were times NOTHING calmed that boy down), I actually went and sat in my car in the garage just to get my head screwed back on right before I felt calm enough to deal with him again.

lou35 I’m not a loud talker, though MK is. In fact, I had to constantly remind him when he was little (and occasionally still do now that he’s a teenager) to use his inside voice. He had a tendency to forget that the people he was talking to? Were standing right next to him.

I used to try and analyze why he felt the need to talk so loudly. Could he not hear himself? Was he just excited about something and couldn’t keep it inside? Was he trying to blow people’s eardrums? It was a mystery to me.

Loud people make me cringe. They physically hurt my ears. And loud shrill voices are the worst. In fact, its a pretty safe bet that if I find myself around that sort of person, I will politely, but quickly, exit the premises. There’s something so … uncomfortable about being around a loud person. Aside from the obvious irritating noise factor, there’s the fact that by being loud, that person is displaying his/her insecurities for all the world to see and I feel embarrassed for them.

The only time I’m ever loud with my children is when I’m scolding them. I talk in a pretty neutral voice most of the time so when I raise my voice, it really gets my kids’ attention (there’s a little tip for you new mothers – don’t raise your voice very often. Then when you do, not only will your kids sit up and take notice, they will know you mean business).

My kids do not like it when I raise my voice. I have a very harsh, even cruel, voice when I raise it and I’ve caught them actually cringing several times when I use it. Needless to say, they will pretty much do anything I ask them in order to prevent me from raising my voice.

*SCORE!*

I don’t like loud music UNLESS I’m really ticked off. Then I love to crank it up. When I get angry, it’s like my body puts off these intense heat waves and the music helps to absorb those nasty thoughts and anger vibes somehow.

My husband likes to play his guitar pretty loud. In fact, we have to shut him off in his office when he gets in one of his “moods” because it’s so loud it actually vibrates the windows and yes, our neighbors can hear it.

The only person who can not STAND loud noise, of any kind, is GD. And I think he might have sensitive ears partly because he was a preemie. Another reason I think he doesn’t like loud noises is because he’s just a sensitive kid. He has never handled strife very well in his life – he’s more of a smooth sailing, easy-going personality and doesn’t really “do” drama, of any sort or from anyone.

I think loud people, in general, are selfish and self-centered. I tend to get very impatient with people who don’t have enough sense to be quiet – especially when the situation demands it, like in a library, or during a movie.

“There are times when silence has the loudest voice”

How true, how true.