Your Couture Kid

Your Age By Chocolate Math

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:41:00 +0000

I just found this on Time of Your Life's Blog! You HAVE to try it! If you put it on your blog, please provide a link back to her blog to pay it forward!!

For those of you who are mathematically challenged, take a minute and get a calculator....

Okay, ready??

First of all, pick the number of times a week that you
would like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10).

Multiply this number by 2.

Add 5.

Multiply that number by 50.

If you have already had your birthday this year add 1759
..If you haven't, add 1758.

Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number

The first digit of this was your original number(i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).

The next two numbers are
YOUR AGE!

THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2009) IT WILL EVER WORK,
SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS.

The moral of the story...if you want to know someones age, instead of just asking, whip out your calculator and ask them how many times a week they crave chocolate!

Who wants to make that?!

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:31:00 +0000

Sounds like something that smells bad, but it is actually my *new* blog!

Every day is a day for the Closet Crafter to creep out of her closet and try a craft that she has wanted to try for years. She buys the materials, gives the instructions and shows the results...the good, the bad and the ugly (did you see that Lavender Honey Soap!) Some days she shares a tip and others she shares a crafty giveaway or blog.

She is entertaining and very sweet (unlike her counterpart). She laughs at herself and pokes fun at herself. This is a blog with a purpose. This is a blog to follow and join. This is a blog where all Closet Crafters can come out of their closets and wave those Closet Crafter Flags high in the air and no longer feel ashamed for the hours and the dollars that they have spent at Michael's and Hobby Lobby for craft projects that they never even started!!

Okay....you get the point! Put it on your blog list to visit everyday...you never know what you might find!!

And, yes, I purposely made the whole thing a link!

What do you do??

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:21:00 +0000

I have a dilemma. I am in a quandry. I am actually pretty peeved!

I love to blog hop. I hop to this blog and that blog, seeing what's going on, join some and leave comments on others. I love to go to the small boutiques all over the web to see what creative genius is happening, and to see my competition!!

So, imagine my dismay and surprise, when I hop over to a blog that has joined mine (thanks by the way) and from THAT blog, go to an online store that she has posted about and click on in to go to their boutique where I see A COPY OF THE FOOTSTOOLS THAT I MAKE!

ARE YOU F-ING KIDDING ME! Not just an "Oh this is similar" to my footstools, but ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME!

There is the tutu around the edge, stuffed top, fabric covered, legs painted and SHOES ON THE LEGS!

PEOPLE....get your own ideas for Criminey Sakes! I don't steal your material! I don't see what you are making and then say...Hey, I can make that! I come up with my own darn ideas! It takes time and thought and creativity, and you go and take it like it is yours!

I am constantly on the look out for cute things, not so that I can make them, but so that I can SELL them in my shop. I have often seen darling things, things that I could easily make myself, but would never do it with the intention of SELLING it like it is my own!!

PLUS, she priced LOWER than me! I am so mad that I have popped stitches, steam has come out of my ears, foam is at the corner of my mouth and large chunks of hair are scattered over my keyboard.

I am not going to name names, but I am certainly hoping that the culprit will see this post and realize that that is JUST PLAIN WRONG! NOT NICE! All is NOT Fair in love and crafting!

The upside...mine are SO SO SO much cuter than hers! So, for the REAL deal tutu cute couture footstools ....go to Your Couture Kid, and NO WHERE ELSE!!

Thank you for listening!

Guilt is Great!

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:36:00 +0000

For those of you that don't know, I had surgery and had my ovaries and tubes removed. I can not drive for two weeks, which will be Tuesday next week. So, why is guilt good??

Well, hubby promised me he would stay in town for all of July. He travels to DC for work but guess what??

He tells me is leaving today and not coming back until next Friday....which leaves me here alone and STUCK in my house not being able to drive!
Frankly, I was amazed that he lasted this long.

Abbe is not such a great nurse, by the way....I think it has something to do with her being a DOG!

So, why is guilt great??

Here is the benefit of Guilt......

1. New Fendi purse
2. 2 dresses from Vera Wang Lavender Label
3. Totally cute sundress from BlueFly
4. 1 week trip for me and kids AND hubby to Watercolor in Florida in August
5. Dinner of my choice last night
6. This time I actually got not only flight information, but hotel info WITH phone number!

Hmmmmm.....wondering how to score some jewelry swag!

notNeutral Melamine Snack Set Review and Giveaway

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:13:00 +0000

I want to thank livingroomsdirect.com for contacting little old me to do a Review and Giveaway!

First off, this is THE go to place for not only your large living room furniture pieces, but all those great accessories that you love to scatter around the house!

They asked me to review and giveaway one of their fabulous Melamine Snack sets from their notNeutral Collection! First of all, those of you with little ones, know that color is the bomb, and these sets come in the greatest colors!!

What I really love about this set is that it comes gift-boxed in eco-friendly packaging and include two trays/dishes, cup, bowl, and an easy-to-hold fork and spoon. The shapes are perfect for baby’s first table foods, and the cool colors and shapes will be a hit with pre-schoolers as well. The box can then be decorated by a child and reused for carrying toys or lunch.

Oh, and they are dishwasher safe, PBA free and they exceed CPSIA safety requirements. Basically, they are the bomb, and one lucky reader will get to choose their own Melamine Snack set in the color of their choice!

How do you enter??

EASY!

Leave a comment here letting me know the color you would choose and be sure you leave your email address with your comment!

For Extra Entries:

1. Tweet about this giveaway, and leave a separate comment letting me know you tweeted!

2. Follow my Blog and leave a separate comment telling me you followed, or that you already follow...promise I will follow you back!!

3. Blog about this giveaway and leave a separate comment here with the link to your blog post, and be sure to link back to my blog in your post!

SO, that gives you FOUR ways to enter! The winner will be announced by Random Integer on August 1, 2009, so you can enter until midnight July 31, 2009.

Good luck! This is a great product!!

The Misadventures of Fee and Scary

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:54:00 +0000

***The names and places of this story have been changed to protect the innocent***

There was a couple who decided to go for a drive to the nearest lake resort for the 4th of July weekend. Let's call them Fee and Scary. Scary was out of town on business, so Fee picked him up at the airport, which was on the way to the Lake.

Scary does not travel light. He already had one large suitcase, and had packed 2 more suitcases that were in the car plus his golf clubs. Fee had one small bag. They were going to spend their 4th at a place called The Last Resort on Earth you Would Want to Spend a Weekend.

Scary was the designated driver and Fee was the direction giver, which is never a good idea. Fee accidentally told Scary to turn the wrong way. As he was yelling at her, she decided she did NOT want to spend the weekend with him! He pulled over, she hopped out of the car and sat on the pavement in 104 degree heat. She only crawled back in the car when she was too dehydrated to walk.

Apparently, Fee and Scary weren't the only ones with this idea. They were joined by HUNDREDS of other people in their state who decided to bring out their kids, boats, dogs, beer and no sunscreen.

Fee and Scary drive up to the complex and are greeted by an overweight security guard that stops them and asks them if they are checking in and their names. Of course, if they had told them their last name was Hussein, he still would have let them through...they still aren't sure why he was carrying around that walkie talkie thing that he never seemed to use.

The first night at dinner, Fee was being checked out by this very attractive blonde chick. Of course, Scary likes this and decides to make conversation with her and her husband. Scary will talk to anyone and everyone. And, no, it did not end up as a swap fest. Turns out this woman has a child that goes to the same school as Fee's kids. Fee was relieved that she wasn't a weirdo stalker chick just after her bod.

Did I mention that all the elevators seemed to not be working and that the line to get to the rooms was as long as the big sale day at Wal Mart the day after Thanksgiving? It took Fee and Scary 30 minutes to get to their room.

Saturday morning, Fee did not want to get out of bed and face the elevator and beer drinking boat driving non sunscreened crowd at the pool, so she and Scary watched 4 movies in bed. Of course, Scary wanted to do more in bed, but Fee was still dehydrated and would have none of that!

At 5 pm, Scary was getting antsy, as his ADD had kicked in, and he begged Fee to go golf. And, off they went to the golf course, after waiting 30 minutes for the elevator.

The course was empty, dry and unattractive. The ground was so hard that both Fee and Scary broke several tees trying to pound them in the ground with the heads of their clubs. Golf was fun, and even more fun because Fee beat Scary, which she lorded over him for hours.

Dinner that night was a buffet in the large dining room. It was like being in another country. The dessert table befuddled Scary. He asked Fee to come and look at it with him, and she walked over. Everything was labeled "Assorted Desserts". Scary stops a waiter, who does not speak English, and asks him what the desserts are.
The waiter looks at the table and says, "Assorted Desserts." Good think Scary did not know how to read, otherwise he would have still been standing there scratching his head in dismay.

After another 30 minute wait for the elevators, Fee and Scary get to their room and watch another movie. Sunday morning they awake and civilization is calling to Fee in a big way, but Scary refused to leave until Wimbledon was over. Of course, if it were the College championship softball game, he would have made her wait for that too.

While the men were duking it out on the court, Scary made his way to the bathroom. When Fee had had enough, she finally got Scary to shower and she made her way to the bathroom. She noticed that there was quite a bit of toilet paper in there.

She flushed.
She watched the water rise to the brim.
She realized they were in trouble.

Fee got a hanger and tried to fish paper from the toilet. Scary walks over and says he can fix it, which is amazing since he can't even change a light bulb.

He flushes.
They watch the water rise and flow over the edge.
They realize they are in trouble.

Scary was suddenly ready to leave paradise.

The moral of the story....if you want to leave a place you don't want to be at, stop up the toilet.

Stay tuned for more misadventures of Fee and Scary!

Staring into the Abyss

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:29:00 +0000

"Heellllooooooooooooooo"

"Is anybody out there????????????????"

Maybe I'm feeling sorry for myself. After all, I no longer have ovaries, so it could be the hormones...by the way, I got put on the hormone patch, which really makes you feel sexy...NOT! And, I am now thinking of changing my name to Hormones, Headaches and Hoodwinks...what do you think?

But, I digress. I make it a point to visit tons of blogs, and then more blogs from those blogs. I leave comments on most of them and follow lots of them. So, (this is where I get whiny) why don't I get the same in return??

I feel like I am screaming into the abyss and no one listens, hears or responds. It makes me sad.

Yes, I am having a pity party.

I decided to start a blog called Follow The Leader. It is still in it's infancy, and hasn't even been updated yet...I am on a list, but the designer, April Showers, is one talented chick and well worth the wait...but, it is running.

This is my thought process. I go to my dashboard, look at the blogs that I follow to keep track of the posts. That is how I stay in the know as to what they are doing, and it makes me feel connected. I have a measly 9 followers, and yes, one of those is me...isn't that pathetic?

My other blog, I Want 2 Make This, has 19 followers and seems to be doing better, but it also has a focus. I go to SITS and leave comments and follow some more, but don't get the follow back...some of you do, and I am so grateful for that...well, at least 8 of you do anyway! I feel like your blog grows by comments and follows, so I started this experiment with Follow the Leader.

Here is how it works....you sign up with McLinky and follow the 5 blogs in front of you...or more if you want and you follow Follow the Leader...that way you know when new blogs join up. You can list as many blogs as you want, but the idea is to pay it forward. You follow them, they follow you back. Get it??

More traffic, more comments, more bloggy friends. So far I have 4 signed up...2 are mine, I really AM pathetic (really whiny now)!

If anyone is out there and reading this......go to Follow the Leader, sign up and get some followers and for those of you have a trillion followers, what's the secret to your success????

Reid = Hubby = Reid = Hubby

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:33:00 +0000

I have been thinking about this and thinking about this, and it is time to come clean.

Jillian...how COULD you! You pick the guy who can't perform over the guy who is a neurotic mess?? Breaks my heart!

Why is this so upsetting to me? I'm gonna tell you why!

While watching last night, I came to a realization that Reid could be Hubby's long lost twin brother that his mother never even knew she had because he was actually born about 20 years after hubby.

Let me compare these two men and you will see....

Reid...doesn't open up easily
Hubby....doesn't open up easily

Reid...over analyzes everything
Hubby...haven't you been reading this blog??

Reid...afraid of commitment
Hubby...haven't you been reading this blog??

Reid...totally funny in a neurotic kind of way
Hubby...haven't you been reading this blog??

Reid...a complete gentleman
Hubby....a complete gentleman

Reid....Jewish
Hubby...Jewish

Reid...sells real estate
Hubby...is in real estate

I think they even kind of resemble each other. I think Jillian putting him on the spot like that was unfair.

Jillian...having been with a man that is a neurotic mess 90% of the time, I can tell you that you can't rush them! You have to know that they are committed and love you, no matter that they can't SAY it. Reid is coming back and coming back with a vengeance.

These neurotic Jewish boys don't give up once they realize they have lost what they didn't really know they wanted because they have analyzed it to death. Case in point...hubby and I broke up several times due to his lack of taking that next step when it was time, but he always came through in the end.

That neurotic analyzing brain is actually quite fun and funny. You will spend your life laughing, living and having fun. They are the best kind to have. They are the most tolerant, loving, sweet, kind, generous and supportive men you can find.

Yes, they will drive you crazy to distraction, but at the end of the day, they are the best...

Haven't you been reading my blog??

Gem and Gem

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:21:00 +0000

I made this Cheeky Monkey for Gem over at Sage & Savvy, and she just posted the review! Click here to read it and leave some comments!!

You know it is a great product when the kids love it!

Thanks, Gem!!

By the way...if any of you would like your own one of a kind footstool, Your Couture Kid is the ONLY place to get it! Order yours today (we are having a small sale on them till the end of August...hint hint)

Speaking of Gem...my darling hubby got me the most fantastic right hand ring from Gem in Chicago, Ill.

I am a big believer in the "right hand ring". In fact, since my first divorce, I have made it a point to always wear one. I keep them for a few years, until I find another that I love, sell the old one on eBay, which finances the new one!

I found this Israeli designer named Arik Kastan. He dabble in rose gold and moonstones, and his work is fabu! Anyhoo, I found this ring and fell in love. Sold the old one, but couldn't find the one I wanted for sale on the internet!

I found his jewelry on sale at two stores. I called both. One store, they were totally rude. The second, Gem, was lovely. They said no problem to order the ring for me from the designer...even though they didn't carry that ring anymore!! LOVE this place!

It arrived today, and I have to say it is even more beautiful than the pictures! Thanks Gem!!

If any of you are in the market for great jewelry from hard to find designers, then this is THE place for you to go. Not only is the customer service great, but the merchandise is phenomenal. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!!

Amazing how I feel better already!!

What's For Sale?

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:57:00 +0000

For those of you that love your TSE Cashmere, then this is the week for you! Check out what's for sale on eBay!

Oprah and her Favorite Things

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:08:00 +0000

Okay, I am a sucker.

No, no...I really am. I started to follow Oprah on Twitter.

I wonder if that will get my footstools noticed to be on her favorite things. You never know. Stranger things have happened. After all, hope springs eternal. The glass is half full. Yada Yada Yada.

I'll keep you all posted!!

PS. I don't know if any of you watch Entourage, but Sloan (Erik's ex) was wearing BOYFRIEND JEANS on the first show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Emergency Rooms and Ease

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:04:00 +0000

I have been having some trouble with one of my incisions from my surgery, so last night I call the ER at MD.

Now, MD is not like all other hospitals. The people that go there are REALLY sick. I mean cancer sick, so the ER is not hopping with people who cut themselves while slicing up an onion.

It is quiet when we get there, only a few people in the waiting room. We get put back in a room, after hubby says that we have two kids at home that need to be picked up. Okay, he antagonized the triage nurse....it was more like this....

"Look, I don't mean to be difficult, but we can't spend all night here. We have two kids that are 8 and 5 at home ALONE, and we need to get back there. "

Everybody, put down your phones, we didn't really leave them alone! They were with my parents...no need to call CPS!

The triage nurse said she had to page the Dr. and would put us in a room as soon as she could.

"When is that going to be? Where is the Dr. coming from? Humble or here in the hospital? What ER doesn't have a Dr. already here? This is ridiculous. We have two children at home ALONE."

We get put back in the room...I am convinced she did this just to shut him up. And there we sit for 2 hours waiting for the Dr.

Hubby walked out of the room about every 15 minutes, or during the commercials on TV.

"Where is the Dr? Is there a Dr. here? Isn't this a hospital? What if my wife was dying? This is ridiculous? We have two children at home ALONE and can't spend all night here!"

By the way, I am sitting in a chair, and he is laying on the bed in the room. Finally a Dr. comes in and says that because my surgery was done by a Gyno, that they have paged the Gyno on call and that when they get here, they will have to look at the incision and decide what to do.

"When is that going to be? Where is the Dr. coming from? Humble or here in the hospital? Aren't you a Dr? This is ridiculous. We have two children at home ALONE."

After another hour and a half, I tell hubby that I will just call my Dr. in the morning. He finds the Dr. who does the ER and says...

"Look, we can't wait any longer. You looked at her. Will she die? Can she live with this? Will it stop bleeding? Do we really need to see the Gyno? Aren't you a Dr? Don't you know what you are doing? We have two children at home ALONE."

Later that evening he looks at me and says...

"You are one of the most difficult people that I have EVER met."

My response, while I am laughing so hard that I peed my pants, "Have you ever looked in the mirror??"

Ode to Kids

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:14:00 +0000

I am so excited that my kids are coming home for the day and night! I was cleaning up my pictures on my computer last night and found these pics.

I had forgotten that I had them, it was like finding a treasure! Don't you love when that happens!!

So, I want to share and give you some background....
DD, who will be known from here on out as...Sassy Gal, and Brattitude Boy, were once again fighting. So, to punish them and myself, I told them no TV for the rest of the day. For those mothers of young kids, I think you understand what punishing yourself when announcing the TV is being away means!!

So, for dinner...yes, it's McDonalds and please Don't judge...they had a picnic on the driveway. Please note that they each had their own beach towels to sit on, and that the towels were different, because we would have had Armageddon if they were not, and they were put in opposite corners to eat.

Why the driveway? Because Abbe poos all over the back yard, which is very small, and it only gets picked up once a week when the yard dude come, please don't judge!

Anyway, they looked so cute that I had to get out the camera and take pics. I had forgotten about them until the other day and so I wanted to share!

And these I had TOTALLY forgotten about! Yeah to Little Brother, who took these at Passover Seder. Note, that Sassy Gal does NOT like to smile, and we blew her hair dry and used the Chi, she is getting to be so grown up....sometimes!! And look how handsome Brattitude Boy is! And if you asked him he would say he was dressing Fancy and that he looked gooooooood, no he is not shy!!

Hormones, Hot Sweats & Headaches

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:25:00 +0000

Hello, world! Yes, I am alive and well, and without ovaries. Today is really the first day since the surgery that I am sitting at the computer with the intent to actually do something.

Shhhhhh, don't tell my doctor!

A brief history of events...

1. Got up at 4:30 am on Tuesday the Seventh and head over to the well oiled machine called MD Anderson. It is amazing how that place works. By the time the Anesthesiologist gets to me...it is now 7 am...I have a massive headache and have gone to the bathroom 7 TIMES! Yes, I have a nervous stomach.

Versed to the rescue! LOVE that stuff. Instant relief! Don't remember much after that...vaguely recall the OR, the nurses, moving to the OR table, putting the mask on me and reminding me to breathe, wrapping my legs in the decompression do-dads, strapping down my arms for multiple IVs. After that...nuthin.

2. Shaken awake at noon by my mother telling me to wake up because I get to GO HOME! Success! No cancer no more ovaries and done through various slits made in my belly button and abdomen. I was relieved and also wanted to sleep! But, that was not to happen.

Dragged myself up...with the help of several nurses...peed on command, had the IV's removed after being shot up with some anti nausea and pain meds, got dressed, put in a wheelchair and ever so gently got in the car to go home.

3. Ahhhh...my own bed. Nice cool clean sheets and total silence. Slept on and off most of the day.

4. Vicodin and Senacot have been my friends...pain and stool softener...for the past few days.

Some bleeding from my sites, so I am changing bandages constantly. Not feeling great. Very sore and bruised, but I am Cancer free and now have no woman parts left, even my boobs seem to be deflating to less than an A minus, if that is even possible.

The hot flashes are hitting about 4 or 5 times a day. HATE THEM! But, can live with those. It's the dang headaches that are killing me! I have a constant headache. Thought it was the anesthesia, but that's long gone. Thought it was the pain meds, but they are Tylenol based, and should be working on my head too.

NO HORMONES! That's GOT to be it! So, I have decided that I will definitely need some kind of hormone replacement. I can't live with the headaches, am afraid of the weight gain that I keep hearing about from lack of hormones, don't want the acne, so hormones it is!

I appreciate all the kind comments regarding my health. I am doing well, recovering slowly, and my ex...who has my kids for the month of July...is bringing them home to me tomorrow overnight...which will be the best medicine I can possibly get.

I need a big huge hug and sloppy kiss from Brattitude boy and from DD. I miss them terribly and can't wait to have them in their own beds, even if is for one night and means I will owe ex BIG TIME!

Some things are worth paying up for!

Love you all!

Blood Donor

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Hoping everyone had a very happy 4th of July, with lots of fireworks!

Now that THAT's out of the way....

On Friday, I get a call from my vet. Abbe was there for the weekend. They asked me if she could be a blood donor for a sick dog. I said of course!

So, my bernadane...

Saved a Chihuahua. I can't help but laugh that my HUGE dog saved such a peanut! Good Job Abbe!!

On to other news. This weekend, hubby and I went to the premier white trash resort in all of Texas. Yes, it was quite a weekend, and hubby fit in perfectly when he stopped up the toilet and it overflowed all over the bathroom floor of our room!
Good Job Hubby!!

I won't be posting for a few weeks...but I will be back, hot flashes and all with less hormones but more bitchiness soon!!

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:05:00 +0000

This morning I spent it at the hospital doing all the usual pre op stuff.

First....10 vials of blood drawn. 10 VIALS! Happy to say, that although I am WAY dehydrated, everything there looked normal.

Second...Anesthesia. If I could walk around with a permanent IV drip of Versed, then I would be one happy camper!

Third...Doctor. This was the kicker. Could be I go home the same day, but chances are, will be there 3 days. Could have an up and down incision or side by side incision. Could need a bowel resection. Might have lymph nodes removed. Possible to have cancer. Definitely having out both ovaries. Hmmmmmm....do I pack a bag or not for the hospital??

Fourth...more blood drawn. Yes, that's correct. Another vial. They never did test my blood levels for ovarian cancer (hitting myself on the head). Of course, this could be an indicator, but may not be an indicator.

So, what did I learn? NOTHING!

PS. My doc just called to let me know my levels were low for cancer indicator. What does this mean? She is feeling much better about my ovaries, but those darn parts could still be cancer!

PPS. She is being really nice to me. I wonder if my divorce attorney talked to her...we use the same one.

Nirvana aka Target

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:24:00 +0000

Today I discovered Niravana. It was a dream come true. I wandered into this place by accident, and found a shoppers paradise!

Sheesh, not Target itself! Of course I've been there!! The kitchen section of Target!!

For those of you that don't know me, I don't cook. In fact, I only go to the grocery store when it is absolutely necessary. My poor kiddos live on pizza and chinese and the occasional fried chicken. If anyone wants to have me over for dinner, we accept all invites...my kids are hungry!

But, I have a new blog, I Want 2 Make This!, and it involves making crafts. So, I needed some pots and things for the kitchen. Since I don't cook, my kitchen accessory drawers are pretty barren, and having avoided the kitchen section of Target for the last 42 years, this was an eye opening experience.

300 dollars later, my drawers are no longer barren and they are filled with fun colored whisks, thermometers, graters, spoons, spatulas and clippie thingies! Some new pots are in the cabinets and new knives are in the knife block.

Thank you Target for this wonderful shopping experience. Will I start to cook? Doubt it, but I will try making soaps, candles and lip balm in the kitchen! Now...how do I turn on the stove??

Don't you love pictures!

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:26:00 +0000

I LOVE when I get pictures in the mail! (Thanks, Mom!!)

Usually, I am the one behind the camera...that is when I remember it, and then the pics are all on the computer and don't get printed to ever put in a scrapbook. Of course, the pictures from the Family Honeymoon Cruise (yes, we took Brattitude and DD) are printed and still sitting in a pile. Scrapbooking is also something I never get around to doing.

Anyhoo, my brother was the official camera dude in Vegas, and my Mom, who DOES get the pics printed out sent me some yesterday. YEAH!!!

Here are a few that I scanned in for your enjoyment...Okay...for MY enjoyment, but hey you get to benefit too!!

Me and Hubby at the party Before Vic & Anthony's.

Me and Mommy, isn't she cute?

The Fam....minus my older bro and sis in law. Note my younger bro...note that he is single...anyone know any nice Jewish single gals for him?? He is a *catch*!!

Just wanted to share!!

Wordless Wednesday

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:33:00 +0000

Committed

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:17:00 +0000

We did it! Hubby and I have been looking for a house, lot, underpass, or any place that is a good place to live for a LONG time!

Here is some background info...hubby has some commitment issues. Case in point...we dated for 3 years. He gives me the ring (and it is really gorgeous) and says let's get married. We set a date. One week before the date, hubby says he isn't ready. We cancel the wedding.

Case Study number 2. Hubby lived in Washington DC. Part of our relationship was that I could not move. This was a decision made by the wonderful divorce courts of Texas. They don't let the mom move. He was *just about* to move about 4 times and couldn't do it at the last minute. Once he said he just couldn't get on the plane, and a couple of times he canceled movers the day of!

So, as you can see...if hubby says it is going to happen, NEVER count your chickens first!

We have been under contract with several different properties over the years. And, this last lot, we were under then over then under again. FINALLY we close today! Now, this post could be premature, because as you now know...hubby and commitment don't mesh.

BUT, if he doesn't commit, then he is going to be committed! I feel like we are doing a bad hokey pokey. GET ME OFF THIS CRAZY RIDE!

So, we have an architect and the seedlings of a plan for the lot. We lovingly refer to it as our "bowling alley". Long and narrow, but it will be all ours. We drive by often and gaze at the house that is decomposing on the lot with love. We imagine and talk and dream. We put our right foot in and then take it back out.

The seller is sick to death of us...can't blame him and at this point the mere fact that he is selling it to us is a miracle in itself!

So, today we go and sign the papers. We get the keys to our bowling alley. We work on plans and who knows...maybe in 5 years...hubby will commit to actually building!

This is a Tough Week

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:07:00 +0000

This is a tough week for me. For those of that don't already know...most of you do know this...I am divorced, so hubby is step daddy and daddy is ex #2. The month of July my kids spend with ex #2. Which is in a day and a half.

Normally, this is not so emotional for me, although it is always difficult to let your kids go for a month, but this time I am also having major surgery. The bright side is that I know my kids will be taken care of. The dark side is that I don't want them to worry and if they were home with me, then they could see me get better every day.

I am sad that they will be leaving. I already miss them and they haven't left yet. I am nostalgic and overindulgent because of it. I think this surgery, which takes place in a week is a major factor in this as well.

I have to board my dog because hubby will be at the hospital with me, which will be for almost a week, so no one will be home to take care of her. This is another person to miss.

I have so much to take care of, and working for myself and not being able to blog for a while adds stress to this week. I feel I need to get all my ducks in a row. I will be home after a week, but pretty much bed ridden for 2 weeks after the surgery. This means that I won't be having computer time. This means not being able to fulfill sales or ebay sales. This means major stress!!

Then there are my blogs. One I just started, and it is gaining momentum and I hate to stop that smack dab in the middle, and the other one, this one is finally getting comments and friends, and I hate to stop this one as well! I will be back, but it will be hard.

And, finally, the surgery itself....

Let's just say I have been sick for the past year and after many many tests the conclusion is that my ovaries are not so good. I have already been through cervical cancer, but honestly that just entailed taking out my cervix and uterus. I am not upset about losing the ovaries, so much as worried about what they are going to find.

I am at the best hospital for cancer, MD Anderson, with the best doctor. I am not worried about the hormonal changes, but I am worried about the big C. This won't be just getting rid of the ovaries, but could mean many months of treatment, being sick, losing my hair and other things.

I have to be able to take care of my kids, my hubby, my business, my blogs, my dog and my life.

This week the pressure is on to get everything organized before the big surgery and saying good bye to my kids for a month. I can only handle one day at a time this week, and if I could sleep it would make it easier, but I can't sleep eat or think right now.

Taking deep breaths and lots of Tylenol and just hoping to get it all done.

The Many Faces of Brattitude

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:20:00 +0000

Brattitude is a 5 year old boy who is an imp a love a pain a joy and everything in between. He screams like a girl laughs like a loon and has eyelashes that make your heart melt. He knows all the words to Queen songs, Abba songs and even some Rod Stewart. He says he sings as good as they do. He is coordinated with sports and scared of his own shadow. He still has dimples instead of knuckles and a squishy butt. He fights with his sister and cries when she fights back. He talks back knows everything and is never wrong. He knows when to be sweet and is afraid of no one and nothing. He is the most precocious cutest precious kid in the universe, and if you ask him, he will tell you how cute he is. He makes you laugh smile and groan in frustration. He is my son and I love him.

Here are the many faces of my brattitude boy....

Look Mom! No hands!!

I'm stronger than the dog!

I'm such a monkey!

A young Richard Nixon.

What would you do?

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I almost got up in the middle of the night to write this one...

I was lying in bed and was thinking about this post and starting laughing so hard the bed was shaking! Hubby woke up because I was laughing so hard!!

Here goes...

This weekend, hubby and I were out to eat. This is the norm for us, because I don't cook, unless you count ordering in! There we are sitting at one of our "spots", which would be any one of 4 favorite places that we seem to frequent the most, perusing the menu when the waiter walked up.

He asked to take our drink orders. I look up and what do I see????

A BUGGER hanging out of his nose! Not just a small bugger but a long bugger that seemed to be attached to either another bugger or nose hairs or something. But, this was a gravity defying bugger.

I couldn't make eye contact...or bugger contact. I couldn't look. Now, I find bodily functions HILARIOUS, so it was taking all my will power to not laugh. (I am cracking up just sitting here, swear, my darling daughter just asked me if I was crying!)

After we give him our drink menus I lean over the table to hubby.

Me "Did you see that Bugger hanging out of his nose?"
Hubby "yes" ( he does not find the same kind of humor that I do)
Me "What if it falls in someones food??"
Hubby "I am sure that won't happen."
Me "I couldn't look at him!"
Hubby "Me neither."

I am sitting there thinking about this and worrying. Hoping that bugger finds a home before our food is brought out. The next time the waiter walks up the bugger is gone!

What happened to it? Did it fall on it's own accord and if so, where did it land? Could it be in someone's food? Do they make bugger nets for noses, like hair nets for heads? Did someone tell him and he got rid of it the proper way?

The real question...should we have told him and would you have told him??
And, can you believe this is my life!!

Flip Flops and Toenails

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:42:00 +0000

I am giving myself an award for being the most patient wife on the planet! I love hubby, but sometimes I wonder about him...

Saturday, we are getting ready to go and run our errands. The kids were at their fathers, so we slept in late and hubby was rested (for a change). I hear him upstairs getting ready (I was ready, he takes longer than me, I think he is a woman), so I take the dog out and then go to put her in her room.

The dog's room is the laundry room, and because it is 105 outside, she can't stay in that heat. I hear hubby flopping past the laundry room. I notice he left the light on in the bedroom and the door open. As a general practice, we shut the bedroom doors so the dog won't go in and chew everything up...especially shoes.

I turn the lights off and shut the door...grumbling about why he can't do it himself...and go downstairs. Here is how the conversation goes....

Me "You left the lights on in the bedroom and the door open."
Hubby "I am wearing Flip Flops today."
Me "I see that (speaking in my mommy to a child voice). What does that have to do with the lights?"
Hubby "I am wearing Flip Flops."
Me "Okayyyyyyy. But, what does that have to do with the lights?"
Hubby "I am wearing Flip Flops." (Did I mention that I think that he might be retarded??)
Me, looking at him like he is crazy and getting annoyed, "I heard you and I see that, but WHAT does that have to do with you not turning out the lights? Are you saying that because you are wearing flip flops you can't turn out the lights?"
Hubby "Exactly!"

It is at this point that we are now in his car. He drives a stick shift, which is an important fact in this story.

Hubby "It's hard to drive a stick with flip flops on."
Me "It's hard to turn out lights with flip flops on."

Hubby laughs and I look down at his feet to see just how much trouble he is having with the clutch, which is when I notice it....THE TOENAIL!

His big toenail was SO long! It was a talon, a claw, a sharp object used to spear things!

Me "When was the last time you cut your toenails?" (note this is said very calmly and nonchalantly)
Hubby "Why? Do they need to be cut?"

I started to laugh. Not just chuckle, but full blown pee in my pants tears rolling down my face can't breathe laughing. I am thinking of writing this on my blog. I am thinking about how obsessive he is. I am thinking about the flip flops.

Me, gasping for air, "Is that your Coke Toe nail??"
Hubby "That's not nice. You aren't nice. I am stopping at the drug store first!"

I watch as he stops at CVS and runs inside...leaving me in the 110 degree car with no A/C on, which is my punishment for making fun of him...coming back with...

TOENAIL CLIPPERS!!!!!!!

I believe it takes a very patient person to live with someone that is like this. Part kid, part man. But, in the end I love him, ticks and all, even toenails!

What do you get?

lbrochstein@comcast.net (Lee) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:24:00 +0000

What do you get when you cross a St. Bernard and a Great Dane? No, this isn't a riddle!

What are you going to get when your crazy hubby wants one of his own? No, this isn't another riddle!

Hard to resist that face, isn't it?!?