Twisted Memories

It was 1993.  Ya, I'm pretty sure it was early September and we were rich with OSAP money in our pockets.  The bills were hot and holes were being burned in our pockets.  Two weeks into school (maybe) and we had already skipped out on the day to venture downtown Toronto to Queen St. to participate in an episode of Breakfast Television and partake in some shopping and body modification. 

Three new roommates - One girl, two guys.  Two best friends, two strangers and two friends (all sorts of combinations).  Sounds like the plot line for a movie or something like that, it was just missing a love triangle.  An hour and half long bus ride to the centre of Toronto with tickets to the filming of a tv show in our hands. 

We spent the morning at Much Music and even got to participate actively in the show.  I got to compete in a bacon throwing contest (no recollection if I won or not but I did win passes to see a Kevin Bacon/Meryl Steep movie - I never went and still haven't seen the movie.  If I remember though it was the one where they go white water rafting or something.).  Andrew (or me asking Andrew's questions, I can't remember) got to ask a question of the relationship experts.   And I feel like there was one other thing that we were on camera for...maybe my birthday (Dave?  Some insight if you're reading this.).  I'd go back and watch the tape but it burned in a house fire I had in 2000.   

Following the taping we ventured out for some retail therapy and spent way too much of our school money on shit we didn't really need.  I bought a dress that was way too overpriced and not worth the 200+ dollars I spent on it.  Dave probably bought porn.  And Andrew bought a really expensive Twisted Sister vinyl record for 90 some odd dollars.  Ridiculous.  While I know we bought more crap, what I remember the most about that day is that we had fun and we laughed (mostly at Dave's expense - whistling and ogling over some long haired girl across the street who happened to be a dude will do that).

The other day I received a lovely surprise -  Andrew's mom and twin sister show up at my work bearing gifts.  Two types of gifts in fact.  One type was a gift from them simply because when they saw it they immediately thought of me (those are probably my favourite types of gifts... but not this time.  This time they brought me something else I shall covet even more.) They got me a tin wall hanging with Marilyn Monroe on it and a purse/bag with Marilyn on it (I think I'll store my make up in it).  The other gift was something of Andrew's for me to keep.  I was hesitant to go through the bag because I wasn't sure what kind of emotions would surface but it's almost like when I walk through the doors of my work, I'm able to pull my emotions together for the most part.  Andrew's mom keeps telling me to come by her place and we'll go through his things but I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it.  Inside that bag though, sat a brightly coloured vinyl record with a larger than life image of Dee Snyder of Twisted Sister on it.  And immediately my thoughts went back to that day in September in 1993. 

I'm honoured that she has entrusted me with it. I know it's silly and it's only a stinking record, but it was his and he bought it when we were together so it's more than just a record to me.  I'm going to display it in my house even though there is nothing here that compliments Dee Snyder/Twisted Sister.  I love it and I'm so glad to have it. 

Isn't it so hideous and glorious all mixed up into one?!

Me and Margie T.

"We have to be able to grow up.  Our wrinkles are our medals of the passage of life. They are what we have been through and who we want to be."  - Lauren Hutton

When I was 15 years old, I had the luck of meeting an amazing human being, and 23 years later I am still honoured to call her my friend.  A best friend.  She's not amazing to the masses - she's not famous or anything deemed by society to be awesome, but to those who know her, she's pretty rad.  I have so many memories that include her through the years, both good and bad.  But even during the not so great memories, she was a shining pillar in the darkness. 

She has shared in my triumphs, both loudly and stoically cheering me on.  She has tolerated my absences and whether she agreed or not she accepted my excuses.  She has cried with me during devastating losses and sometimes she just silently held me while I cried.   She has laughed hysterically with me, often at other people's expenses but sometimes even at our own.  She's stood up for me when other's have brought me down.   She knows me inside and out even if we don't spend nearly enough time together.  She still gets me after all these years.   We have done just about everything with each other at some point in time.  And I am eternally grateful that I have been able to share two centuries decades (Oops, thanks Tanya) of my life with her. 

So the very best wishes to my girl Margie on her birthday.  I know we'll share and experience so much more in our lives together and I'm so grateful to be able to call you my friend.  I hope only the best things come your way and I look forward to the days when we are both old, grey and wrinkled. 

Love you to the moon and back!  Someday when the pages of my life end, I know that you will be one of the greatest chapters. 

Good Friends Make You Laugh When Life is Sucking

I have been known to say "I neglect the friends I already have, I don't really need anymore."  But that's not overly true.  I received a text message the other day that made me smile. I smiled because I like when something old becomes new again.  Even when it pertains to friendships.  Maybe I'm starting to rethink this whole "I have enough friends" mentality.  It's not that I have enough friends, it's that I don't have enough time to share with them.  Throughout almost 4 decades on this Earth, I really have been blessed with an abundant amount of people in my life.  I am lucky to state that I have never felt alone in this world.  I know not everyone can make that statement.  Friendship...it's a weird thing. 

There are those friends I can go extremely long periods of time without actually speaking with but pick up right where we left off when we see each other again.  Cliche I know, but they accept my laziness and I theirs, and understand that sometimes life just gets in the way.  They don't hold it against me nor I them.   We are reliable when it matters the most and always just a phone call or Facebook message away. 

Then there are the friends I thought would be around always, the ones I have created amazing memories and laughs with, but now they have faded to black, and frankly I'm not terribly upset about it.  Nothing major happened, they've just clearly served their purpose.  It was a different time in a different world I supposed.  At first it was a little depressing, but after time I've come to realize that I don't really miss them in the proper sense of that word.  I've come to terms with the fact that they can't be bothered to try even if infrequently, therefore neither can I. 

And then there are the friends who I broke up with for very valid reasons but have some how made their way back into my life even if in a different capacity.  Those ones that disappointed me but over time I forgave, moved on and allowed them back in.  Sure it's not quite the same as it was before, but it's nice having them back even on a part time basis. 

And of course there are friends who are really just strong acquaintances but are so much more than just a person I know that I still refer to them as friends, even if I never ever see them.   And Facebook makes me feel this way about more and more people every day.  And that's not a bad thing.  It just reiterates how blessed I am to have so many diverse people in my life in some way. 

Then there are the people I once knew back in the day and thanks to social media, like Facebook, I've sort of kept in touch with them; but then something major happens and they're hurled into my life full throttle and it's a great thing.  It's crazy to know I grew up with these people, so to speak, and now with some of them, our kids are playing together and want to hang out with each other.  Two generations of friends.   How strangely weird and awesome.  I've found a way to meld my old life with my new life and that's exciting for me.  For the longest time I was the only one of my friends with kids.  Now, that's not the case.  I love having friends who are going through similar experiences. 

And then there are my kids who I hope will one day grow up to be my friends.  (Just 'cause they're pretty rad and so am I.)   We already kind of are, but there will always be that whole 'I'm your parent so I can't be you friend too' thing lurking in the shadows.  But I can tell you this without any bias, I would want to be friends with both my kids if I was their age.  They are pretty decent human beings thus far. 

And then there is my boyfriend/partner/mate/common law hubby/whatever you call him who is most importantly my friend in all those titles.  At this point of time in my last long term relationship I was feeling caught and trying to figure out how to get out of it.  I wasn't really having much fun anymore but because there were kids involved we persevered for another 5 years.  We weren't really friends anymore.  But at the 4 year mark with Eric I'm genuinely not feeling like that at all.  I'm quite grateful that we are still friends after this much time together.  I considered him one before we started dating, and I'm glad I'm still able to consider him one now. 

"In every one's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle our inner spirit. - Albert Schwietzer

Animal Planet

A few times a year I try to get away for the night to the big city with some of my favourite ladies (and sometimes even a couple of 'gents) for an evening of dancing and drinks. 
I need to make a disclaimer right off the hop that my intentions when I go dancing is to do just that, dance.  Even when I wasn't in a relationship my reasoning was the same.  I love to dance.  I love to lose myself on the dance floor.  I often close my eyes and just feel the music and move.  I don't take much stock of what's going on around me (unless of course there is a train wreck near by and then I won't be able to peel my eyes off her/him), I'm just in the zone. 

Often during all these times I sneak moments to look around and watch it all unfold around me.  The mating dance if you will.  The dance floor can often turn into its own episode of Animal Planet.  On Animal Planet they film it so we, the viewers, can watch the animals stalk their prey on the open terrain.  It's not much different at the bar just more confined quarters.  I can almost, quite literally, see the pheromones emitting from the males when they pounce upon a girl ( the prey).  The energy that exudes from them when they are in hunting form is intense.  They do not take no for an answer very easily, but when they finally do, they just quickly move on to the next.  They probably think they can coerce their way through our force field.  Oh and look out if one of the targeted prey is an easy target or a willing target.  All gloves are off with regards to the other hunters.  The only difference between the bar and Animal Planet is the subjects in one are dressed better than the other (I'll let you decide if I'm talking about the animals or the bar hoppers). 

This past Saturday was no exception to this rule.  The hunters were in fine form on the dance floor and the prey were easily coerced.  I saw a lot of gross 'mating' going on, if you will.  So to the pathetic animals who joined us on the dance floor, I say thank you.  Thank you for providing me with 5 hours of additional entertainment over and above my beloved dancing. 

Running for My Life

This past weekend we (Eric, Gage, myself, my brother, sister in law, and 4 friends) had the opportunity to take part in a 5K run/obstacle course created by Run For Your Lives that included being chased by zombies.  'Cause running 5K and completing physical obstacles isn't hard enough (especially when you are in as poor shape as I am!).  After doing some research in preparation to signing up, we discovered that you could do both!  You could complete a zombie shift AND run the course as a runner!  Win-win!

The creators and volunteers put together an amazing event.  I don't know how long they've been doing these but this was the first one in Canada.  I must say it was flawless (aside from the weather which is, of course, uncontrollable).  Everything went off perfectly (except for the total collapse of the starting cages, immediately after our particular heat, from the wind - thankfully no one was seriously injured).   It was probably the best experience I've had during an event of this caliber.  Right from the parking and check in stations, to the costume department and make up tents and the actual course and obstacles - amazing.  It really was so well done.  Kudos to all involved who put this together and helped pull it off.  I really am looking forward to doing this again if they decide to bring it back our way next year. 

I was blown away with the make-up department set up.  All of the people they utilized to transform us 7 a.m. beauties into scary zombies were so talented and friendly.  The pace was quick and kept us all excited for the next things to come our way.  They had a wardrobe department, air brushing stations, prosthetic stations, blood splatter stations, liquid blood stations, mudding and blooding stations, free snacks and bottled water stations, and personal belonging check stations.  They really did think of everything (they even had a make-up removal station when we finished our shift).   We looked so good after passing through all those check points. 

Walking out to our station (we were zone 3 - a stretch of forest) amongst the trees, which made for great cover and gave that shadowy, ominous feeling just built the excitement up for us.  I located a sign nailed to a tree and jokingly said I'd hide behind the sign and jump out and scare people.  Because there really was no way they couldn't see me.   Eric stood just ahead of me on the opposite side of the path thus forcing people to run closer to the sign and low and behold the runners were so focused on Eric that when I stepped out from behind my sign I really was scaring the shit out of them.  So gooooooood!  I suffered a couple minor injuries (two of which are actually making it difficult to type):  a wrenched ring finger that is bruised and swollen when it got caught on a runner as I reached for a flag, a thumb nail that has a pool of blood under it after some asshole runner grabbed on to me and kept running (a no-no) and I got punched in the face (totally by accident, the runner even stopped to apologize).  All still worth it though. 

Following our three hour stint as zombies (which went by so quickly, I'd have been content to do it for the whole day, it was that fun!) we counted all of the lives we stole and then headed over to make up removal and received medals, free t-shirts and beer tickets!  The medals are great quality and so are the shirts, they didn't scrimp on anything here.   We then made our way to the van to change clothes and get some food before we were due to report for our own course run.  The weather was turning a little at this point and becoming cooler and much more windy.   I was dreading the race (because I hate running) but now I was looking forward to it because I knew it would warm me up. 

We made our way over to the starting cages (titled Appetizer, Entree and Dessert - the Appetizers got released first) to line up for our heat at 2 p.m.  We decided it was best for us out of shape runners to take the Dessert position so we weren't glomming up the track. The dark clouds were starting to move in on us which made it even more appropriate.  Coming around the first bend we encountered our first obstacle (mud pits 1 - Holly - 0).  Covered in mud makes you feel even heavier than you are!  Aside from zombies staggering all over the course the next obstacle we hit were  the climbing walls.  And while they don't seem that high, after running and being caked in mud it was hard to find the energy to pull myself over them.  The 3rd obstacle was a maze of darkness that took me longer to figure out than I was anticipating.  After making our way out of the maze and through another couple of hordes of zombies we entered a darkened house (through a window) full of smoke with hanging electrodes that zapped you if you hit them.  It was hard to avoid them as they were everywhere and there were zombies in the house that scared the shit out of us thus making it even harder to avoid.  We then had to climb under barbed wire (yes real barbed wire) on our bellies through the mud,  through long covered tunnels on our knees through the mud (good luck if you are claustrophobic), up a fenced wall and down a slide into a pit of cold mud and bloody water and then under an electrified fence through the mud on our bellies.  It was a messy day but so, SO much fun.

I hope the planners had a successful day and it will be worth their effort to come back again next year.  It will be super great if they add some new obstacles and remove a couple of this years.  It was fun not really knowing what we had ahead of us when we ran the race.  I remember the feeling that came over me when I turned the corner to find the three mud pits....and then the feeling of the smile creeping over my face as I embarked on my mission.  

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Every now and again someone I know does something worthy of me singing their praises on my blog.  Today I thought I'd mention something I think is priceless (so I guess it's good that it's free financially as well).

I met a woman by the name of Rachel and her best friend Denise a couple years ago when I had the honour and privilege of helping a family work through one of the hardest things possible...the death of their child.   Rachel knew the parents personally, so when they called and asked her to help she obliged.  The situation I'm talking about involved a 3 year old so it was not the 'norm' for Rachel and Denise but she still stepped up to the plate. 

Rachel is an area coordinator and photographer and Denise is a photographer for a non-profit organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS).  NILMDTS is a group of volunteer trade/experienced photographers who donate their time and equipment to take remembrance photos for families suffering the death of a baby and provide heirloom pictures of the child. 

Many times walking away for the final time proves to be the hardest part for a bereaved parent.  They are trying to prolong the inevitable and fear they'll forget the uniqueness of the little toes or the peaceful look on that tiny face.  They are trying with all of their power to burn the appearance of their son or daughter into their brain to sustain them until they themselves die.  NILMDTS takes that fear away from a parent and allows them to just sit and enjoy those precious moments with their child.

People tell me all the time, it takes someone special to do my job and I suppose in a way they are correct but I truly believe it takes someone special, like Rachel and Denise, to provide this priceless gift to a parent who has had their world shattered and their dreams crushed.    The pictures are tastefully done and capture the essence of the little babies.  So while it's not the same as holding their child or having the baby as part of their day to day chaos, they will forever have pictures of the child who cannot sit at the dinner table with them or the child they won't walk to school on the first day.  They will at least have these photos.  And that's something to show the world that this baby existed and is real to someone. 

So I'm proud to say I know these two ladies even if fleetingly.  I'm grateful to know they exist out there and that I can recommend them to any grieving parent of a newborn without hesitation.  NILMDTS is a respected organization and should be commended for the gifts they are giving people.  The services are free and each family is provided with a CD of all the photos taken at no charge.  The parents can then select their favourites and print the photos themselves, or have them enlarged and framed at their own convenience with no pressure.   And since NILMDTS is a not for profit organization they can always use more volunteers.  So if you are a photographer and think you might like to make a person's life a little brighter at their darkest time reach out and contact Rachel or NILMDTS.  This organization is holding strong in Canada and throughout the USA so even if you aren't in my area you can find a local branch through their website. 

This is a link to an article that ran in a local newspaper in our area this week. 

It's not easy to work through the loss of a child no matter what age, so anything out there that can help ease that suffering is a blessing in my eyes.  I wish more bereaved parents were aware of this organization and I wish more medical professionals saw the value in it enough to pass the information along to a grieving family. 

Thank you Rachel, Denise and all the other countless volunteers who work diligently with grace and respect to assist these families at their darkest times.  You truly are angels. 

Psst, you gotta "J"?

Words...big words, little words, me likes words!   During the past couple of years I've really gotten into playing Scrabble on the computer.  Last summer I scored a Scrabble game at a garage sale for $1.00 so Eric and I have spent countless hours playing out on the back patio, enjoying the summer days.  I'm not going to be modest here, I've gotten somewhat good at it.  Finally having figured out the strategic moves that land me the most points, utilizing the bonus squares and high point letters.  I'm also secretly enjoying that Eric is figuring it out as well.  Makes for a much more challenging game.  And who doesn't love a challenge?  I bring all this up because I'm gearing up to fill you in on my latest craft project. 

Sometimes when I craft I amaze even myself.  I stumbled across this idea on, you guessed it, that "P" website a few months ago and pinned it to my board immediately.  I loved the idea for myself but most importantly it immediately made me think of my friend Tess.  I just knew she'd totally appreciate the idea if I could find all the components.  I wasn't quite ready to sacrifice my $1.00 Scrabble score just yet.  So this summer I've kept my eyes peeled at garage sales in hopes of again stumbling across a Scrabble board.  Last weekend my luck came in.  I found a decent (doesn't even look like it's been used) set for $2.00.  This new find was going to replace my old set from last year that was now missing an "i" tile.  So that now left a whole bunch of wooden tiles to be creative with.  This is probably my favourite project to date.  If not my favourite it's right up there in the top 3. 

I was able to buy a sheet of cork for 50 cents at a garage sale in the spring.  I knew I would eventually get all the components together so I snagged it up immediately with the idea that I would make this craft eventually.    And since then it's been patiently waiting amongst my crafting supplies for the right moment.  That right moment came on Saturday when I was finally able to donate my $1.00 Scrabble game to the cause.  I had some glue left over from a previous project so I immediately got to work cutting out squares of cork from the sheet.  I had enough letters to make 6 coasters.  Once I had everything ready to go, I started gluing the tiles onto the cork.  Upon completion (about 20 minutes) I clamped them all together between two boards of wood so they'd dry flat and straight.  The next day I went out and bought some high gloss shellac (I can't remember what it's really called but you know what I mean) in a spray can and went to town covering them in two coats.  What I was left with is a pretty awesome pack of coasters, all shiny and amazing. 

This entire crafting project cost me $1.50 for the supplies and $6.00 for the spray coating which I'll be able to use on future projects no problem as there is tons left.  Pretty decent if I do say so myself.  I'm actually kind of sad to part with these but I know Tess loves Scrabble probably more than I do, so I hope she'll actually use them.  If she doesn't use them I hope she'll at least put them out so other people see them.  Cause they are that great.

Inspiring

An adjective which also means uplifting, encouraging, exciting, moving, affecting, stimulating, rousing, exhilerating, heartening. 

I've been called many things, but rarely has it ever been "inspiring".  I'm a pretty rad person and up until about 5 years ago I would have never said that.  But I am.  Oh please understand I do have my faults and there are things about me that I would love to change or alter, but after this many years of doing it those habits become hard to break.    Seeing where I was 10-15 years ago and looking at how far I've come and where I've landed, I cannot help but think I'm pretty amazing, in fact one might consider the road I've traveled and the end results 'inspiring'.  But that's not why I was told I was inspiring tonight, and not by one person, but by two, on two entirely separate occasions. 

I'm not going to lie, it is pretty nice to hear that I've inspired someone to do something that causes no one any harm, makes people smile and brings out another person's artistic side.   And inspiring others was never my intention or goal.  It's just an added bonus. 

Tonight I was rewarded for my crafting efforts with a craft of my own!  Yup, one I didn't even make myself (ya, I've rewarded myself with crafts, so what?).  Someone I've paid it forward to sent it back around my way. 

Andrea showed up at my house tonight after dinner bearing homemade gifts.  A twine wrapped vase (and a sample pack of Nutella cause she thinks it's repulsive and she knows Roan will eat it).  Check it peeps, it's her first attempt and I'd say it turned out pretty awesome.  I'm going to put it in my new den with my yarn wrapped bottles.  It matches perfectly. 

And because most of us know I'm all about finding ulterior motives, I've decided I can never stop crafting if it means occasionally someone will feel inspired to make something themselves and then gift it to me.  Cause what girl doesn't love unsolicitated gifts? 

Thanks Andrea!

Dark Run, Blind Fury

So who doesn't love a story about an underdog trying to fulfill a dream while raising money for a number of charities?   I mean that sounds like the making of a great Hollywood production doesn't it?  And maybe if he's successful that will come to fruition. 

So here's the story:   My friend Stuart "T-bone" Gunn is attempting to beat the landspeed world record on a motorcycle.  Sounds pretty lame when you hear it doesn't it?  EXCEPT, he's registered 100% blind!  Yup blind.  Not blindfolded...actually blind...on a motorcycle going top speed!  Is he crazy???  Maybe a little.   Oh I should mention he also suffers from 90% paralysis on the entire right side of his body.  So lets make sure we understand the magnitude of this situation, he's physically disabled and blind, racing a high speed motorcycle around a track going as fast as he possibly can.  Sounds like disaster waiting to happen, but if anyone can pull this off, it's Stuart.  He's got his heart behind him.  And he's doing all this for bragging rights and to support a number of charities that are dear to that awesome heart of his. 

The bike he wants to be riding, the chair he normally rides.

The official date of the race hasn't been set yet and the logistics are still confusing to me, but I trust it is going to get done (I know the plan was for it to happen this year some time).   He's participated in numerous charity events to raise awareness and funds for this adventure and could use even more support.  Check out his webpage, Raspberry Ripple Racing  to read his story of how he's ended up where he is, and the details about the race.  Give your support with words or put your money where your mouth is, every little bit helps I'm sure.  It's a pretty surreal venture.   Since it doesn't cost you a cent, you could totally repost this and know that you're making a man smile with a single act of kindness.  The more people who are aware of this event, the better!  Do your part will you?  Help a man achieve his goal.  

Good luck T-bone!  I'm proud to call you my friend. 

Six Degrees

Today I went for lunch with an old friend, C.H.  We'd fallen out of touch for about three years but have recently reconnected.  So while we were out having lunch he was telling me about something he has started doing at work during slow times to entertain himself (no it wasn't that kind of lunch!).   Basically he has created a game, so to speak and unbeknownst to him, that we've decided (or rather, I've decided) should be called Six Degrees of Wikipedia (rather than Kevin Bacon, though he might be one option to start with now that I think of it!). 

The idea is to plug a subject you want to learn about into the search line on the wikipedia website and the free online encyclopedia will tell you in a few paragraphs a little bit about that subject matter.  In amongst the paragraphs you will find hyperlinks to other subjects that correspond with the one you are currently reading about.  The idea is to then click on one of the hyperlinks so it takes you to something else to learn about.  And then you click on a hyperlink on that page and so on!  Do it about six times and it's interesting to look at where you started and how utterly far and 'unrelated' you got to in six clicks. 

So let's do Kevin Bacon since he started the whole Six Degrees phenomenon as an example. 

1. Kevin Bacon:  An American film and theatre actor as well as a musician.
2. Typecasting:  The process by which an actor becomes strongly identified with a specific character. 
3. Opera:  An art form where singers and musicians perform dramatic work combining text and musical score.
4. Mozart:  A prolific and influential composer.
5. Keyboard:  A musical or electronic instrument.
6. Hydraulis:  A water organ.

So from Kevin Bacon to a water organ...Interesting.  Well not terribly, but you get the idea.  It's a great time killer AND you will learn tons of useless information and become a hardcore pro at trivia nights everywhere!  Mwahahahah, they'll never see it coming. 

So do it and leave your thread of results in my comments.  I'll be interested to see what other people are looking up and learning about.

One Man's Junk...

Is my friend Lesley's gain!  Not kidding, one Friday night I went for beers with my friend Lesley and at some point in the evening she questioned why I hadn't made her a craft yet.  I told her I specifically had something in mind that I wanted to make for her, but was lacking the 'base' of the project.  I had stumbled across one at a garage sale a week or two prior but it had mold on it, and even though I planned on painting it, I thought it best to wait.  I was pretty sure I'd eventually stumble across another one sooner than later.  And luck would be on my side.  The very next morning while out sailing through people's garages I came across TWO of the said bases I was looking for for a measley two bucks!  And I also got a pre-lit 7' Christmas tree for ten bucks at the same house, but that point is completely irrelevant to this post.  Double score! 

So to work I went transforming one man's junk into Lesley's treasure (hmmm, that could be a title for an adult movie too!).  I did a light sanding on the table just to help the paint stick a little better.  Then I used a primer spray paint and gave it a good base coat.  Eric was a doll and drilled four holes for me for the, what are those things called, round screw thingys, which I didn't put in just yet.  Then I gave the table a good four coats of navy blue gloss spray paint (2 cans in case you're wondering). Once they were all good and dry, I hot glued some twine around the bottoms of the legs and then screwed in the round thingy's.  Then I took a thicker twine and ran it through the loops securing the ends with some hot glue and then a thin (almost like dental floss, but a little thicker) string wrapped around the ends to hold it all together.  I kind of wish I had the expertice of tying a nautical knot, but no such luck. 

So voila (I really wish I was more saavy on the who photo editing aspect of things, as the colour doesn't really show up in the real hue)!  A nautical inspired table without being too 'in your face' obvious!  Perfect for my nautical loving friend Lesley and her new house that is screaming for more furnishings.  I think she completely dug it too when she saw it.  I hope she thinks it was well worth the wait.

Ground Bait

I know there is this phenomenon about bucket lists and having one.  I guess I have things I feel are in my bucket list, but I've never really sat down long enough or pondered its existance long enough to actually have a good solid list for the said bucket.  Maybe that's another blog post in the future.

Today I did something I never thought I would do in a million, kajillion years. It is something I wouldn't even consider putting in my bucket list.  Why you ask?  Because I hate running and don't have a care in the world to have bragging rights or to actually do it.  BUT,  today I signed up to run a 5K marathon in September.  What the what what???  I know right???? 

There's a twist though.  A brilliant, beautiful and innovative twist that had me at hello.  It's also an obstacle course!  And there are zombies chasing us!  And we have health flags.  And if we lose all the health flags we can still find health packs hidden in the terrain throughout the course.  And we get a medal whether we live or 'die'.  And my family is doing it with me!  And then there is an Apocalypse party after with 15 bands and food and beer tents and camping.  This is a 5K run I can get on board with.   

So we've signed up to participate from both sides.  We will be zombies (professionally made up and clothed by their trained and talented team) in the morning (stumbler zombies, let's not kid ourselves, I'm not running this course twice!), then we'll break for well... a break and lunch.  Then we'll run the course ourselves in the afternoon.  I'm hoping by being zombies first, we'll get to know the terrain and maybe scope out where the health packs are stashed for when I move too slowly and the zombies take all my health flags.  Then following the day of stumbling and running, we'll all hang out and drink beers, eat and watch bands, then camp out and head home in the a.m. 

My brother, Geoff, sister in law Anita, a couple of their friends, Eric, Gage and a couple of his friends will be joining me so I'm really truly looking forward to this adventure.  It is something I never thought I'd do or frankly never thought I'd want to do.  But now that I've signed up for it, I'm actually looking forward to having some bragging rights.  I'm excited, nervous and a little scared.  I'm just not sure if the nervousness and scaredness is because of the zombies or the actually running...

Check out the website and if you can find the opportunity you should join us!  We are taking over the world one brain at a time as the Ground Bait crew.  Put that name down as the group you want to eat brains with and you'll be paired up with us!  It's gonna be super fun and tasty.  What a great way to spend my birthday weekend this year!

Retro Bowls

So today while I was roaming the aisles of Value Village looking for inspiration for craft projects (and black pants and t-shirts for Gage to wear to work), I came across some vinyl records.  Eureka!  I had seen a few projects on Pinterest involving old LPs so I thought I'd browse the selection and work on a new craft idea (I'm starting to run out of corks).  Record bowls!  How retro!  So here's how I did it.  It was super easy and fun. 

First I picked out four records, each one kind of reminding me of a certain person.  So in the end, four of my friends are getting record bowl gifts from me.  I'm still not sure if my friends 'like' getting my crafts or if they are just humouring me but giving them away still hasn't lost its novelty on me yet so it's going to keep happening.  One day it's going to be you!  I know you're probably anxiously waiting...don't worry your time will likely come.  And I am pretty sure that once I finish my den, I'll have one of these retro record bowls on display on my coffee table. 

So all in all it took me about 20 minutes to complete all 4 bowls.  Pretty easy and not time consuming at all so it's an ideal craft idea if you have A.D.D.  I suppose you should take precautions and make sure you have your exhaust fan on or a window open when doing this.  However, I didn't notice any fumes at all as they were 'baking'.  Though, since the day was so beautiful, my kitchen window was already open. 

You are going to need a record(s) that you no longer use or listen to.  You will need an oven safe bowl (different sizes and heights are going to yeild you different shaped bowls, so have fun and play with some different sizes).  In my case, I used two different bowls, so I ended up with two versions of the finished project.  You will also need a cookie sheet (just to play it safe, you don't want to be scraping harden vinyl off the bottom of your stove). The cookie sheet sure makes it so much easier to get it out of the oven when it's firey hot too.  That's probably the main reason to use a cookie sheet as the records aren't in the oven long enough to worry about them melting all over your stove, unless of course you walk away and get side-tracked and forget about it (which could happen if you have A.D.D. and took my advice that this would be an ideal craft). 

You want to preheat your oven to 200 degrees.  Not too hot or you could end up with a hot, stinky mess on your hands.  And like I said, I was done all four bowls in probably 20 minutes so even at 200 degrees it still moves along quite nicely.  You want to place the bowl upside down on the cookie sheet and centre the record on top of the bowl.  Place the sculpture into the oven as shown in the photo (probably would have been nice of me to clean my over first but I was too excited to melt records to bother).  Depending on how good your oven works you might need to leave it in there for up to 10 minutes.  Trust me, you'll know when it's done. 

After taking it out of the oven you can leave it on the bowl and let it cool (the vinyl cools so much faster than the bowl or cookie sheet so be careful of those when handling) and use it as is (that's what I did) or you can then flip the bowl over immediately and place the soft record inside the bowl to get a more defined shaped.  You'll only have a window of about a minute before the vinyl really starts to cool off, so be quick if you want to go this route.  If you can't get it done in time you can put it back on the upside down bowl and throw it back in the oven for a few minutes to get it soft again. 

Once it's cooled off, it's ready for immediate use.  And you'll get an immediate sense of pride and usefulness (I did anyway).  You can use them for so many different things...

Fruit bowl. (Hard, dry or fake fruit, not fruit salad silly!)
A flower pot!  (You won't be able to see the label but you could use it as a planter since there is already a drain hole in place.)  
Key bowl.  (A place to put your keys and sunglasses when you get home or if you are a swinger you can use it as the key bowl when picking partners!  I shall not judge.)
Just a decoration or conversation starter.
A homemade gift for Christmas (if you do that sort of thing).
I suppose you could just hang it on your wall as art (but that kind of defeats the purpose of vinyl record BOWL).
Candy dish.  (Wouldn't jelly beans look so awesome in that? You could also use it to store your Halloween candy that you hand out to trick or treaters.)
Anyway, you get the idea.  So versatile and cool all at the same time. 

The records cost me a buck each at V.V. but I'm sure I can score some for cheaper at garage sales this season so I can assure you I'll be making more.  It was quick and fun and the finished project is pretty rad. 

Pop the Cork

Yesterday was Saturday.  In other words, GARAGE SALE day!  After dropping Gage off at work, Eric and I headed out to check out neighbourhood garage sales.  We made some pretty sweet scores (I'll post about them as they become relevant in my life).  The last garage sale we hit up netted me a pine calendar holder thingy.  No, I don't want to display my calendar in a pine country style frame, but I did envision it being a most amazing cork board.  Remember in my last post I still had about 200 corks left over?  Well here we go people!

So I started with the calendar display and I sanded it all down to smooth out the edges and clean up some of the wear and tear it had endured.  Then I wiped it down to rid the surface of dust.  I added a foam letter "R" to represent the last name of the recipient and a couple foam flowers.  It just seemed to be lacking something and I thought so three additions did the trick.  I then gave it two coats of white gloss paint and allowed that to dry. 

I laid out the corks to ensure they'd fit with ease (which thankfully they did, as cutting corks isn't entirely thrilling).  I then pulled them out once I had a basic pattern thought out and started gluing them into place with my hot glue gun. 

All in all the project took maybe 2 hours start to finish and I did it while watching tv so it went pretty quickly.  I'm finding crafting kind of cathartic.  So double win.  Looking at the finished project I'm positive I could retail that for at least $25-$30.  Rather I, as a consumer, would be willing to pay that (and maybe more) if I'd stumbled across it during the holiday season and I had the right person in mind (as we know, I clearly do!).  The actual pine calendar display thingy cost me $3 and I had the corks, the paint, the glue sticks and the foam letters from prior projects.  So $3.00 and the end result is this:

Sarah seemed genuinely pleased with her crafty gift.  And while I was there she showed me a brilliant Pinterest project she herself had just completed.  One I'll be storing in the back of my mind for my house (Which looked eerily like her house when I drove up to it.  Strange...)!

Anyway, another craft under my belt.  I'm really digging this new hobby of mine.  I've never really had one before so this is extra new to me.

Put a Cork in it, Will Ya???

I stumbled over some corking projects on Pinterest and I thought, hey I can handle that!  So I went out and bought me-self a glue gun!  It's a shitty glue gun but live and learn (since it only cost me 5 bucks, you get what you pay for).  It does the trick, it just makes me work harder to get the hot, lava-like glue out of the gun.  I like to pretend it's toughening up my crafty skin.  And third degree burns are all the rage now right? 

Anywhos, I messaged the two biggest wine-o's I know, Jodi and Margie to inquire if they were corked wine girls or screw top wine girls.  They didn't disappoint the trash magnet in me and responded with the screw top kind of girls.  Thankfully Margie's mom came through in the end.   Probably about two - three hundred corks 'coming through in the end'.  So a cork craftin' this girl went! 

 I made a couple initial cork 'wreath-like' projects.  One for the Jodster (A is for Anderson) and one for the source of the corks, mama Pat (T is for Thompson).  And then I found an old picture frame that Gage had knocked off the wall and I decided to make my friend Gill (another wine-o) a real, genuine cork board for her house.  Now she can properly mix her wine fetish with her role as a mom and pin her children's artwork on it! 

I had to buy the wood letters and the glue sticks so the letter projects cost me around $10 each.  But the cork board for Gill was FREE!!!!  Three projects for a total of twenty bones and I still have the glue gun to show for it and a bunch of unused glue sticks to rendevous with at a later date (or when my burn blisters heal).  Oh and of course about two hundred more corks!  I'm probably being generous in suggesting I used a hundred corks on these three projects.

Swoon

In March LB and I started the first of our 'concert' series this year.  We went to listen to Mr. Henry Rollins (formerly of Black Flag and Rollin's Band) doing a speaking engagement in Buffalo.  I've seen him in concert when he fronted Rollin's Band and now I've seen two of his speaking engagements.  I'm not sure what it is about this man, but I seriously crush on him.  He's just getting better and better with age. 

Anyway, nothing titilating to tell you about the show, just that we went and if the opportunity ever presents itself to you it would be in your best interest to check him out.  He's smart and funny and clever and nice.  An overall decent human being who is doing GREAT things for the world.  (And he handled a heckler remarkably well, with wit, decorum and a little bit of 'go fuck yourself shithole' attitude.  But he did it all with a smile and that made him more endearing.)  If you can't see him live do yourself a favour and check out some of his stuff on Youtube.  He a self-admitted work whore who even showed up on Season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race.  I loved him a little more that day. 

Crafting Queen

So lately I've found a new addiction.  Thankfully this addiction won't kill me.  I'm addicted to Pinterest, a new social community of sorts.  There are tons of ideas for household stuff you can make, brilliant things I never would have had the imagination to think of on my own.  But with a little insight and a picture I'm totally stoked to be crafty!  A lot of the stuff they suggest is made from old things that most would think is garbage.  Up until recently this girl would have been included in that statement.  Now I find myself slowing down at curbsides and stalking through someone's garbage (then sending Gage out to retrieve it).

The first project I decided to tackle was a doggy bed made out of a hexigonal 1970/80's side table.  We all recognize the style of table I'm speaking of.  It has a door on the front and it's got wood laminate all over it.  Overall, ugly.   So I found this sweet score in a pile of garbage after dropping Gage off at school.

I took the door off, the top off and I peeled off all the fake wood laminate and primed this out-dated puppy (no pun intended).  Then I gave it a couple good coats of semi-gloss white paint and taped out and painted some lime green stripes (to match Margie's living room).  Then once I got the colour on, I added foam letters spelling out Elliott's (the dog) name down the side and then painted over them.  I also added some dog prints in white along the top green stripe.  Then I hit up Fabricland and found some navy blue polk-a-dot flannel and used the top piece of the original table to cut out the pattern for the actual dog bed.  I borrowed my mom's sewing machine and stitched the bed and tore apart an old throw pillow for stuffing.  Then I finished it off with a big round white button in the centre of the bed.  

Roan said it looked like I bought the dog bed, so that must be a good thing right?  I'm pretty impressed with how my first craft turned out and I'm really looking forward to making something else.  Roan wants to keep our eyes open for other hexigon side tables so we can make one for our kitties since they seemed to like it.  Roan found Shakespeare laying in it before we delivered it to Margaret and Elliott. 


So it seemed Margaret liked the bed, but Elliott was a little wound up from Roan to actually test it out.  I hope he takes a liking to it.  He would look super cute in it.  So all in all, I had the white paint from my bedroom baseboards, the green paint from the walls in Gage's bedroom, I made the paw stencil our of hardboard in my recycle bin, I used the stuffing out of an old pillow for the bed but I bought the foam letters, the white button and the material for the bed.  All in all this project cost me 20 bucks and I have leftover letters for another project and leftover flannel material that I'll find a use for later.  I'm pleased with the end result.  Check it out!  What do you think??

Finished doggie bed!!

 

With Appreciation

A huge, gigantic, heart-warming, genuine thanks to one of my favourite people.  First for all of her advice -  even when I didn't want to hear it.  She was 100% right.  Second, for bailing me out.  Third, for coming to my rescue when it felt like I was terrorizing and torturing my kitty in hopes of saving her life.  Fourth, for reassuring me, that Nika's most recent, additional illness was not as a result of anything I had done. And fifth, for the beautiful flowers letting me know she's a true friend who wholey understands the pain and anguish I was going through this past weekend. 

Thank you Lesley.  With all my heart.  I love you, and appreciate you. 

Theme Parties Rock!

Theme parties are a lot of fun!  Part of the fun is the shopping experience before hand when out looking for just the right outfit, and part of the fun is that we're now at a point in our lives where we aren't embarrassed to make fun of ourselves.  Had this opportunity presented itself 20 years ago I'd have been too cool to bother.  (Though secretly I'd have wished for the nerve to pull it off.)

Last night a group of us headed out to an old friend/aquaintance's stag and doe.  It was 80's themed.  When I got married a decade ago (yeesh!) we did the 80's theme as well and I remember having lots of fun with it then.    Last night didn't disappoint.  It was a good night with tons of laughter, reunions with people I haven't seen in a long time, hang outs with people I wish I saw more, drinks a plenty and winning prizes! 

The best part was seeing everyone's outfits and the sea of neon colours.  There was so much polyester in that building, it should have been deemed a fire hazard.  I found my sweet dress at Value Village for $8.  It came complete with shoulder pads and a slew of stains.  I, embarrassingly, had the body stocking at home.  The shoes were also a Value Village score for $5 and the enamel earrings (which so reminded me of my mom) cost me $2.  I already had the crimping iron from Anita's summertime "white trash party" and I'm so glad I didn't do my usual Holly move and toss it in the garbage after using it (figuring I'd never have reason to use it again).

So here's a few pictures of the night.  If you want to see more you can check them out on my facebook page.  I'm so grateful for good times and good memories.  I really wish I had more desire to host a party like this of my own. I just can't be bothered.  So good luck to Mikey and Germaine on their upcoming nuptuals and thanks for the fun party last night.