Author: CWR

A story!

Way back in the 90s, college had given me a lot of new habits.  Once such habit, being more brazen with my words, was dubbed “saucy” by my unimpressed mother.  I had seen some SNL episodes by then, and kept telling her it was “Sassy!” not Saucy.  She was not moved.

I have in this way perhaps an unconventional relationship with my dear parents.  I am pretty unrestricted. This especially comes out when trying to convince them to do something dramatic.

Yesterday, I was determined to remove a bookshelf and put a clothes rack in its place.  My father was pretty sure this was a bad idea, and did not see how I could accomplish the task.  I have my belongings packed into that room, and it is stuffed to the gills.  But I persevered!  The shelf is now temporarily stored in the garage, and he and I got some good exercise moving it.  My mom and I maneuvered a clothes rack into the shelf’s place.  Things are happening slowly, but I am happy!

Clock Makeover

I started with this clock.

The face of the clock had to change.

First, I thought I had to remove the back to get to the front.  So I removed all of the guts – the battery, the clock parts, the hands… only to find out I just needed to pry the top plastic piece off!

I learned how clocks are assembled though!  Good things.

So first, I picked a design. Jessica Smith, on her blog A Smith of all Trades, inspired using lyrics as art.  Her “Born This Way” art is gorgeous!

Skotte and I are huge Pearl Jam fans, with one of our favorites being “Given to Fly”, so I picked a verse from the song to put on the clock face.  I used GIMP to make the circle and arrange the text.

And he still gives his love, he just gives it way.

The love he receives is the love that is saved

And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky

A human being that was given to fly.

I printed it on some pale pink scrapbook paper cut down to 8.5×11 inches.  Luckily, the clock face was less than 8.5 inches!  (I kind of wish the pink color was brighter, but it works.)

After cutting out the circle, I put a coat of sparkle mod podge on the lyrics.

While waiting for it to dry, I put the guts back onto the clock.  After it was dry, I put it onto the clock.

I cut out one inch tall numbers using my Cricut machine, and the original cartridge with which it came.  I carefully glued (with more sparkle mod podge) the numbers onto the lyric face.  (The aren’t perfectly aligned, but it’s close enough for jazz, right?)

It needed one last thing. Butterflies, of course!  Cathe Holden, from Just Something I Made, is a total craft goddess.  You have to check out her blog!  Pertinent to this project though, she has a free printable of butterflies and moths. I used GIMP again to manipulate a few images to colors that I wanted, and printed the sheet out on 4×6 inch photo paper.  Perfect size for my project.

I carefully cut out four butterflies, and then sparkle mod podged them into place.  Then I let the whole thing dry overnight.

This morning, I messed with the hands, and the clock seems to be working ok, so I put the cover back on.  And Voila!

New Clock!

I can’t wait to show Skotte when he gets back from Origins.

I think I am also going to have him spray paint the bells and hardware a pink to match the face instead of the gold.

My family has been trying out a new methodology for living.  A new lifestyle, if you will.  It has been full of ups, downs, joys, frustrations, a shift in the balance of kitchen power, sometimes tasty, and sometimes fodder for comedy.

But, I will tell you hands down, my favorite part of this experience has been Shakes.  Banana shakes, blueberry shakes, strawberry shakes, pumpkin shakes, chocolate shakes, peanut butter banana shakes…  The last one is my favorite, and I’ve had it 3 days in a row.

Peanut Butter Banana Shake*

What’s in the shakes – XANGO FAVAO™ Protein (Vegetable) powder, XANGO FAVAO™ Fiber, oatmeal, water, your fruit/veg/cocoa powder/nut of choice, and ice cubes.  The best ones also have a half of a banana for texture.

If you don’t drink them right away, they get quite thick.  Get a spoon.  I kinda like letting them get thicker sometimes, and then watching the liquid as I turn my glass sideways.  Some days, the shake doesn’t move!  (I might be thirty-five, but I still like to play with my food.)

* – Using my new Bacardi mug, but there is no rum in this health drink!

We had some sad news yesterday.  Skotte’s uncle passed away.  It was fairly sudden and altogether unexpected.  Although we knew he had pressing health issues, it seemed workable.

So today – please send thoughts and prayers to Skotte and his family as they heal from this loss.

He was a quiet man

A man with purpose and a big heart

Loyal to his family and his Wildcats

A lifetime architect

The framework of a humble sturdy honest man

Always had a beautiful smile to give

My father-in-law sent me this link.  You gotta check it out.  This girl can pronounce any word in reverse in seconds.  It’s hard to even think if she’s correct because they go so fast.  Truly amazing feat.

http://www.wimp.com/wordbackwards/

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My mom and I have started enjoying some healthful shakes each day.  I am even thinking about digging out my juicer for some other choices.

It’s kind of funny to drink it in a Bacardi mug, but I love this mug!  I got it recently during a Facebook promotion.  I drink all of my shakes in it!