Lucky Red Hen —

Day 1 of What I Did (or did not do) Today

by Lucky Red Hen on July 12, 2006

In honor of CW, I am going to post the next handful of blogs with my daily life. She has this CRAZY idea that all our lives (and by ALL I mean those of us in this close-knit blogland) are just honkey dorey and nobody has any problems. Pshaw.

Murphy’s Law: bad things happen in 3’s. This week I found out there’s a divorce happening in our family, 1 in our neighborhood that’s a friend and my SIL had an emergency surgery to remove fluid from her lungs (one side was working at 3%).

Last night we had kinda-distant cousins stay here on their way back to Minnesota; 2 adults and 5 kids. The oldest is 17 & acts like the world is ending, next is a normal boy who behaves splendidly, then a normal girl with beautiful eyes, 4th is the stomach flu victim who barfed on my bathroom shag rug and last is a 9yr old girl the size of my 6yr old boy. That last one was the 1st one up this morning and came up to our rooms freaking the dog into a barking frenzy from her kennel and giggled as it happened. I was right when I thought I needed to wear pj’s to bed last night instead of my undies; just knew I’d get a wake-up call and I didn’t want to warp whatever child was doing the waking. I drove the mom & kids to the park to play while the hubbies talked “shop”.

Received a box in the mail from My Lisa with a return-envelope & 2 quarters so I can send her the pictures I took this weekend of her boyfriend, who lives in Utah, and her, who lives in Seattle. She also sent a frame so I can print the best picture and drop it on his doorstep.

I made an appointment for our dog to get spayed/neutered next week along with her shots. Called GNC to make sure they had Melatonin “chewables” in stock so I wouldn’t waste a trip. Returned the call of a client requesting a headshot photoshoot and more kids pics. Talked to my landscaper about getting our sod. Rode my bike up to C&B’s to show-and-tell and borrow the trampoline tool so my landscaper can take ours apart to then put it back together. B is an EXTREMELY organized guy so when I couldn’t find our own tramp tool I knew he’d have his and know exactly where it was. Stopped by T’s and let her sit-and-start the bike. We agreed that it’s friggin’ hot. Drove down to the DMV and registered the bike; liked the ring of the lady who helped me. Swung by GNC and picked up the Melatonin and let the kids look at the water feature outside the store. Kept explaining to the kids that in order to get the ice cream treat they had to be super good while we ran errands. That was a tough request for 2 siblings that find joy in bugging each other (I know y’all are going to say that’s what they do; it’s just annoying). Swung by the motorcycle shop for 2 tiny tail lights. The guy was really nice and didn’t charge me — points for the parts guy. I’m sure I’ll make up for it in other parts I’ll need. Talked to the service dept. about a 2 minute shifter fix – they said to drop by with the bike and they’ll adjust it. Sweet. The kids finally performed to my satisfaction so we swung through DQ for ice cream cones. The girl got the order wrong and gave us 3 cones and a Brownie Batter Blizzard (ephen yummy) when I only needed 2 cones (kids) & blizzard (me). I didn’t realize it until I drove off. Stuck with the dilema of what to do with the extra cone I decided to eat it because it’d melt faster & messier than the blizzard that’s in a cup. Pulled up to a kid holding a “get your car washed” sign, explained the situation and offered him the blizzard. He was thrilled (I hope my kid doesn’t accept food from strangers). Funny thing though… on my way home from dinner the car wash was closed but the cup and spoon was sitting in the grass right by the corner he was standing on. Litterer.

Finally reached H and insisted we sit down so she can fill me in on life. My kids wanted to run through the sprinkler so I told them to go ahead and get their clothes wet. My son couldn’t believe his ears and said, “No, mom, that would not be good.” I have a pretty tight leash on those kids – he knew they’re not supposed to just jump into the sprinklers with clothes on. They sure had fun though and I got caught up a bit with H.

Went home. Attached my new license plate to the bike and installed the tiny lights then hubby pulled up. No, didn’t make dinner – but I’m going out with girls for dinner. Rode my bike (for myself, of course, but mostly for CW tonight) to dinner and had a lovely time with Lisa, Carina, Sistah & baby, Tiffany & kids, Melody’s Garden, Compulsive Writer, Sister Pottymouth, ~j and WendySue. Got to ride into the sunset with CW (one of her 7’s) on my bike.

Swung by a friends to talk with her hubby about his motorcycle search then ran into C on my way home. She freaked and insisted her hubby was home and would want to see so I reluctantly (just kidding) rode to their house and showed off, yet again.

Got home, iced my back, spent time with my hubby and now writing the blog. I’m spent. It’s been a long day. Tomorrow I hope there’s not as much to write about because I just realized how long this ephen post has gotten.

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Family Golfing

by Lucky Red Hen on July 2, 2006

Left to right starting at the top: hubby’s dad/mom, hubby & I with our kids, hubby’s preggo sister & her hubby. Then the next picture is hubby’s sister & her hubby and daughter, hubby’s brother & his wife with their baby then hubby’s 2 youngest brothers.

While we were on holiday with family (hubby’s side) there was a golf course to set the perfect backdrop for pictures… until the sprinklers turned on! Nobody got wet, but we all sure bolted off the greens pretty fast.

Speaking of golfing, I went with Bowler Girl and Azucar for MY FIRST TIME (golfing, of course) last week and had a blast. Surprised that I was not completely and utterly horrible (I mostly kept the ball on the green and only lost 1 ball), I left with excitement looking forward to my next time. However, within the hour my back was KILLING me (I’ve got 3 bulging discs in my lower back from a fender bender years ago) enough to visit the chiropractor immediately then put on a strict regimend of ice and ibuprofen (then another Dr. appt with another tomorrow). It’s been 9 days and I’m still dying — eek. One cool thing from it is I now have a portable electro-shock device that attaches to my back for a little relief. Or to my children if they misbehave.

Just kidding (about the children).

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“Why DON’T you want to look at porn?”

by Lucky Red Hen on June 9, 2006

This question was asked of me while I was closing a blog after barely logging on. The blog belongs to someone I love so I really tried to read what he had written but pretty-much-naked chicks in provocative poses kept popping up everywhere and I couldn’t read without being forced to navigate around them. Even the friends that left comments had porn-like avatars and animated critters bouncing their naked boobies.

Now, I’m not so prude that I can’t move my browser box to cover the offensive material and continue on with the reading. But the pictures kept following me and popping up where I was trying to read. There was a slide show running on the side with a different girl in each frame, barely covering her nips and/or foliage — extremely distracting.

No wonder it’s so hard for kids and adults to avoid the addictive trap of pornography.

So I closed the page altogether and was instantly attacked with the following:

“You’re not even going to read what he wrote?” in a snippy tone.

No, I don’t want to look at porn while trying to.

“Why DON’T you want to look at porn?” in an accusatory tone.

Um…

I’m not sure how to answer that. I’m sure y’all can imagine people being asked “Why DO you look at porn?” But I was caught off guard with the question the other way around. So I’ll use this forum to write a simple reason —

I believe there is a time and place for provocative nudity… in private with your spouse.

That is what I believe. There is nothing wrong with my POV just because it might contradict yours. My perspective does not harm anyone so there is no basis for an argument. I DO NOT love this person ANY LESS because he choses this behavior. That’s not the kind of person I am. I DO NOT feel that I am a BETTER person because I am against porn. I’m not that kind of person either. Because the question was asked of me I just wanted to give an answer.

And there you have it.

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David Spade > Snarky

by Lucky Red Hen on June 8, 2006

David Spade (a.k.a. Joe Dirt) is more than Snarky. These 2 pictures about put me over the edge in hottness. It’s not that he’s physically secksy (although that rigged fantasy trail on the Tilt-a-Whirl begs me to differ) but his snarkiness gets my motor running. NONE of my friends that have found out about my feelings for DS agree or understand but they love me anyway. So this post is for you, Mr. Spade, I am your biggest fan and I don’t just like you for yo’ bawdy.

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Quilts – at the end

by Lucky Red Hen on June 4, 2006

These have been done in the last year. There is one missing because I don’t have a picture of it yet – it’s a blue/white pinwheel for my nephew (2nd to make me an Aunt).

Actually I think this was made over a year ago because I just saw the little guy who has this blankie and I think he’s almost 2. Eek! Fun monkey fabric.

I about killed myself over this one. My FIRST full-size-adult blankie. Baby blankets are quite manageable because they’re smallish. THIS one, phew. I decided to make a blankie for a friend that is so kind to everyone. Don’t think he gets as much as he gives. I joked with him once that I’d trade him a professional framed photograph of his brothers work (he’s locally famous for his photos) for a blankie. I meant the blankie I was already planning to make for their last baby but he tried to make it seem like it would really be for him. So, with his wifes permission, I set ahead to make him his own. I thought it’d just be 2 pieces of fabric, sewn right sides together, turned right sides out and stitched around the edge – maybe tacking it down here and there so it didn’t lay funny. But I couldn’t find the fabric I had pictured in my mind because they only made that kind 45″ wide and not 60″. Then I went off the deep end and picked this Bullseye pattern because it’s a masculine design and he’s very meticulous so it fit. I busted this blanket out in about a week and gave it to him on his wifes birthday (SHE insisted I take it to him that day instead of waiting until Christmas). The whole family loves it and that makes me happy.

I dabble in purses. These were my first 2 and I’ve made a couple since. I might make some wallets similar because I cannot find the perfect wallet to hold all my frequent-purchase cards (like the buy 10 get one free at Bajio and stuff).

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Quilts – in the middle

by Lucky Red Hen on June 4, 2006

Then I got a little better with time and practice…

This was my first attempt at the triangle edges. Jeannine showed me how.

This was for my niece and the first time I used higher quality fabric from actual quilting shops (Stitching Corner in Orem – LOVE them). I emailed my SIL links to fabrics and she picked out what she wanted. She was the first baby to make me an Aunt!

The story about Kira and Olivia (both adopted and born 7 days apart) was so precious that I had to make them special blankies. They’re babies adopted by my friends friends. Made with a lot of love.

This is Olivia’s blankie – different from her sisters.

Threw together this yellow & red (bad pictures, I know) blankie for my daughter.

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Quilts – from the beginning

by Lucky Red Hen on June 4, 2006

Per Compulsive Writers request (well, insistance), I’m going to post the quilts I’ve made that I actually have pictures of. In the beginning of my quilt making days, I started out small and simple. My MIL taught me to sew as an adult (my own mom attempted to teach me but as a young girl I had NO attention span for it) in 2001.

My son’s blankie was the first quilt ever. Notice how the backside, that’s supposed to be 1 whole piece, has a border on it? Well, measuring isn’t my strong suit and I made the top too big to fit the back and had to jimmy-rig the back to fit. That was an ordeal — being my first quilt and all.

The second was made from some squares I bought on eBay (that’s the middle) then the checkered lavender fabric was vintage that I also got on eBay. That was my first time stippling (quilting by hand with the machine in a puzzle-shape pattern but using no pattern, just eyeballed it).

My first attempt at Yellow Brick Road (although not my last). I made a handful of these because I didn’t realize all the fabric would make so many. So there are a few with these same fabrics floating around out there. Maybe about 3 or 4 more.

This is little Jenna on her blankie. She’s bonded with it and still? sleeps with it (she’s 5ish). Well, the last time I talked with her mom she told me about how she couldn’t go to sleep without it. That makes me feel mushy inside. LOVE it.

Diane’s quilt was made out of much love for “Other Mother” so her grandkids would have a blankie they’d use when visiting Nana and Papa’s house. Her favorite color is blue and I used vintage replicated fabrics.