Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Buy Nothing Day

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with laughter, love, and good food. :)

Tomorrow is Buy Nothing Day! Instead of fighting crowds, spending money, and bumping into people, we will be at home relaxing and spending some time together!



Have a wonderful holiday...And don't forget...BUY NOTHING!
~Karen

Crocheting, Drums, Books

Here is what I am calling a "scarflet." I hacked it together the other evening. I love the vintage button on it. I didn't follow a pattern. I think I will make one for me.

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The drums are reproducing. The small set has suddenly grown and it is encroaching on my territory! I think Kevin waits until I am asleep or out of the house, and then he brings in more instruments! He denies this. ;)

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Last night we watched "the other Boleyn girl." It was a good film, although it is historically inaccurate, and deviates from the book bearing the same title. I think the acting was good. And now I will skip the book. I have far too many on my plate as is. Here are the books I am currently reading:

What your Kindergartner needs to know

Homeschooling for Success

And I am skipping around in this book to help learn more on crocheting. The cover boasts that is has solutions to every problem you'll ever face while crocheting...We'll see. So far it has helped. And the images used to demonstrate different stitches are easier for me to understand.

Please go here and look at the amazing book deals! We usually get our books from the public library, but there are always books a person wants to own....This site is addictive. I spent hours looking up books. Kevin got several math and physics books. I got the kids lots of books.

Oh, for everyone who recommended a book or books: THANKS! I will try to post the list soon. And I did send out some bookmarks to all of you! Thanks for the input! All of them look like good reads!

Have a great week! Eat lots of yummy foods and have good family fun!

~Karen

Monsters and a Princess

I painted this canvas and two wall plaques. The canvas took a long time. These are for a little boy about to get his own room! I hope he likes them. If he doesn't, I think Moe will like them. I am pleased with how they turned out.

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Mimi got some dress up clothes. This look is more of an everyday outfit now. She tried to sleep with the crown on. Later she told me it didn't work out.

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We got Moe a new chimp. He initially named it "Boots", but decided he liked "Diego" better. Notice how sad the old one looks! He looks like he needs medical attention! Maybe he has the mange! LOL :)

Have a great weekend! Hope you get time to relax and enjoy one another!
~Karen

MOE! UGH!

This sweet angel put neon orange play-doh in his ear this morning. I removed the play-doh I could see, and then we packed up and headed to the pediatrician's office to get it looked at. Of course, there had to be more...I know my son! The nurse pulled out about a dime size blob......He promises never to do it again. He said that when he put the neon crayon chunk up his nose!

I think I better keep a close eye on him. ;)

OH MY!

New Star Trek! Oh my! Kevin, we have to find a sitter.....We are going on a date!

School House Rocks!

We have been watching some School House Rock! Come on now! You remember "Conjunction junction, what's your function?" :)

Anyway, there is a song titled "Tyrannosaurus Debt"

Watch:



Here are the lyrics:

TOUR GUIDE: To your left, folks, is the Washington Monument, to your right, the White House. And over there, just beyond the Capitol, is the National Debt!

TOURISTS: Oooo! Wow!

There's something huge
Red, white, and blue
That's grazing in D.C.
It's gobbling up the taxes
That are paid by you and me
It doesn't seem to notice
We really can't afford
The billions that it's costing us
To pay its room and board

It doesn't roam
But seems content
To dwell on Capitol Hill
As long as trucks keep pulling up
With tons of green-back bills
We've got to feed the big guy
We really can't forget
It has an awesome appetite
Tyrannosaurus Debt

TOUR GUIDE: The debt was born in 1790 when our new government took over 75 million the colonies spent in the Revolutionary War.

We've got to feed the monster
So it doesn't get upset
It's got an awesome appetite
Tyrannosaurus Debt

TOUR GUIDE: Alexander Hamilton, our first Secretary of the Treasury (he's on the 10, you know), wanted a federal debt to provide a reason to establish taxes to support our new nation.

The debt was young, they kept it small
They didn't know back then
In 1812 another war would make it grow again
By '66 the Civil War had cost the nation millions
The government in Washington now had a debt of billions

TOUR GUIDE: The Civil War ran up a debt of almost three billion dollars that still wasn't paid off by World War One.

We're spending money we don't have
Or so it would appear
The deficit is that amount we overspend each year
Though congressmen and senators
Make vows to cut its size
Despite their honest efforts
The debt just seems to rise

TOUR GUIDE: Now the debt's over 4 trillion dollars and still growing...

A balanced budget would be great
To spend within our means
To stop the monster in its tracks
Before we bust our seams
It feeds on just the interest
Its appetite is whet
It never, ever stops to rest
Tyrannosaurus Debt

TOUR GUIDE: And this is the U.S. Treasury. It sells Treasury Bonds, bills, and notes, and savings bonds to finance the debt. The U.S. government promises to pay the owner interest plus the value of each bond at a future date.

We've got to try to tame the debt
And bring it down to size
To let it grow unchecked like this
Is certainly unwise
The debt's a monster problem
That we really can't ignore
I guess we should be grateful
That it's not a carnivore
We've got to keep on servicing
Our trillion dollar pet
It's got a monster appetite
Tyrannosaurus Debt

A fiscal misadventure
With trillion dollar dentures
Tyrannosaurus Debt

TOUR GUIDE: Feeding time is ALL the time.

~Karen

Crafting Away

This is for a sweet little girl about to get her very own big girl bedroom!
How exciting! It is a shadow box from Dollar Tree! I painted it, and glued in a flower! It even came with the hardware to hang up! You can make all sorts of fun things with these cheap-o boxes...Perhaps a handprint or footprint....or a little felted bird...oh, the possibilities!

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A scarf for Kevin! It sat unfinished for months, and Mr. Observant never even noticed! ;) I hope it keeps him warm!

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More dishrags...They are easy to make, and they eliminate the need to waste paper towels and napkins.

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Bookmarks for all bibliophiles. Does anyone read anymore??? Recommend a great book and I will send you a bookmark!

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I made these little houses from scrap wood my friend Melissa gave me. They were fun to make, and they bring a smile to my face. Thanks Melissa!

Have a great weekend! Hope everyone is staying warm!

Get Involved

Today's post is about thanking my dear husband Kevin. He volunteered for the Obama campaign. He went door to door talking to people, helping register them, and encouraging them to vote. Thankfully, we live in a country where we can vote, and we can voice our agreement or disagreement with the state of affairs.

Thanks Kevin!

President DRE 700

Voting Machines Elect One Of Their Own As President

Lots of Playing!

Moe wants to fly upside down. He says it is "more funner."

He particularly likes the crashing part.

Diego, our family pet, was a big part of the weekend. He was diapered, breastfed, and even offered food at mealtime. I think the dress highlights his rosy cheeks! He is a Fur Real pet chimp. I think he was worth all $12 spent on him. Even though he takes batteries, he rarely has working ones in him. The chimp is hard to find. I think I ended up getting him off Amazon.

I made these magnets and a pendant out of vintage wood poker chips. I got them at a yard sale. I altered them. I hope the recipients will enjoy them. I think I have 40 or so left, so I hope to make more for the holidays.

This is Mimi's drawing of Ernie and Bert (from Sesame Street). I am very impressed! I am proud of her. She was sitting on the couch with Moe. He asked her to draw them, and she did.

****In other news****

We are making progress in the garage. Those of you who know me personally know that its' state is a source of frustration. Since cleaning it all in one day seems like more work than either Kevin and I are willing to put in, we decided to get rid of one thing a week. So far we have made progress. Shoes were donated to Goodwill, a stroller has found a new home, and several unused holiday decorations went to a friend.

My parents were supposed to visit today, but canceled instead. They claimed they had too much yard work left. It kind of hurt my feelings, but I guess it is their loss. I am glad I am married to man that values family and spending time together over material things or the state of the lawn! And to be honest, I hope we pass on those values to our kids. I guess it all comes down to balance.

Have a great week! And don't forget to vote! OBAMA!!!
~Karen