Thursday, August 31, 2006

Makeup Meme


Yes, that is a picture of my makeup drawer. This would be the exact same drawer Arwyn decorated with liquid makeup. Anyone who is not sans penis might want to stop reading now. Unless you are interested in makeup, then by all means, keep on reading.

Very Mom started this little project and I decided to play along. I've invested too much time in it to stop now! I know absolutely jack shit about makeup, but I sure do seem to have a lot of it. And this is after I threw some out during the Arwyn Decoration Project. Here are the contents:

  • Maybelline Shine Free Pressed Powder in Soft Cameo - I really love my powder. It may be only the second one I've ever tried, but why fix it if it ain't broke?
  • Clinique Stay-True Makeup Oil Free Formula in Stay Beige - I don't like the word beige. I tried all the cheapo brands, then decided to fork over the bucks. I'm not ecstatic with it, but don't feel like spending the time and money to try 15 different kinds to find something better.
  • Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture SPF 15 - for a long time this was the only moisturizer I could use that didn't make me break out. I have freaky skin.
  • Sonia brush from Target
  • Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer - picked up from a sample basket at the dermatologist's office. Never been used.
  • Neutrogena green concealer - don't apply this to your lips as I did once when I was about 9.
  • Eucerin Extra Protection Moisture Lotion SPF 30 - picked up from a sample basket at the dermatologist's office. Never been used.
  • Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion SPF 15 - ditto on the sample.
Eyes
  • Brow/Last Brush
  • Revlon lash curler
  • Covergirl pencil sharpener
  • Estee Lauder Automatic Eye Pencil Duo in Khaki
  • Estee Lauder Color Intensity Microfine Powder Eyeshadow in Khaki and Honeydew - Bubs got me these for Christmas one year when I was experimenting.
  • Loreal Wear Infinite Eye Shadow in Iced Latte
  • Revlon Fabulash Mascara in Blackened Brown - I like this a lot.
  • Revlon Sleek Cheeks Creme Blush in Pink Light - also purchased during the experimentation phase (this was 5 years ago?), even though I hate blush and don't think I need it.
  • Two La Cross tweezers
  • Maybelline Smoked Kohn Eyeliner in Cocoa Brown and Brandied Raisin
  • Covergirl Smoothers Eyeliner in Slate
  • Covergirl Perfect Blend Eye Pencil in Black/Brown
  • Mary Kay Eye Defining Pencil in Violet - violet??
  • Bath & Body Works Catch-My-Eyeshadow in Stardust - I love this eye shadow and they don't make it anymore
  • Max Factor Lasting Color Eyeshadow in Nude Scene - the color I wear the most. I bought this trying to emulate a friend who's eye shadow I had admired. It, of course, didn't look the same. I didn't even ask her what her's was, because I'm lame and didn't want her to know I was staring at her eye shadow
  • Revlon Wet/Dry Shadow in Thundering and Stormy
  • Cover Girl Professional Eye Enhancers in Fields, Grey Groove, and Charcoal Frost
  • Clinique Pair of Shades Eye Shadow in Seashell Pink - this came in a "free" goodie bag for buying so much Clinique product. Its very pretty.
  • Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Trio in Sunburst Duo and Rum Spice - kind of garish looking. Haven't ever used it. I think it was free also.
  • Aziza Night & Day - I think this was something super cheap from WalMart. I've kept it because I like the medium color.
  • Maybelline Expert Eyes in Almondine, Raisin Wine, and Creme de Cocoa - I like the raisin one the best. Very nice fall color.
  • Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow in Utaupia - so clever with the names.
Lips
  • Loreal Colour Riche in Red Rhapsody and Bronze - bought the red trying to find that illusive perfect red.
  • Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Crushed Grape - the fave of what I have.
  • Maybelline Moisture Whip in Plum Crazy
  • Ten Glass Finish Lipgloss in Quartz - cheapy from Target.
  • Vaseline Lip Therapy Advanced Formula - The only item in the drawer that I wear every day. And its ADVANCED. No stupid vaseline for me.
Maybe I should just throw the whole lot out and start over. A lot of what is in there is really OLD. I haven't been wearing makeup at all most days this summer. Its been really nice. I don't have to worry about it getting messed up in the heat, I can rub my eyes, and I don't have to remove anything at night. Is anyone still reading? Hello??

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls


This is a cool water feature in one of our local libraries. We joined some friends for story time and a playdate after. This is a brand spanking new library and it is very pretty.


Don't ask me what is up with the song lyric post titles. I have a hard time thinking of titles and it is usually late at night when I'm posting. Anybody know any songs about libraries?

It's been a typical 2-year-old emotional roller coaster around here this week. Evil devil spawn one minute, sweet as pie the next. Sheesh. I mean Arwyn, not me. har har har

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

I Think I'm Turning Japanese, I Really Think So

I am now officially an internet rockstar wannabe. This is my very first Cram Cream purchase from colorful cute. It is very cute and also colorful. The Fine day Cutie Cloud notebook says "I cross everyone's mind. Let's go to remaining the nature like the cloud it." We aren't going to discuss the glob of black paint on the cover ARE WE DEAR HUSBAND OF MINE???


I have just discovered the flickr group! I asked Bubby if he thought it was a mistake to Google "cram cream". His reply? Probably. But I was quite delighted with the non-porno results. Now if I can just talk him into the shower curtain...

Monday, August 28, 2006

Post Emmy Wrapup

Back when I worked for a living (har har har) I used to write an article for our in-house newsletter called Hollywood Leta. In that vein, here are my thoughts on last night's Emmy awards.

  • I was cracking up at the writer (can't remember his name) who's thank you speech was all the people he wouldn't thank: his eighth grade teacher who told him to sit down and shut up because he wasn't funny, God who stole his hair and that's just not cool, man.
  • Why did Simon Cowell feel the need to share his plethora of chest hair with us???? Ewwww.
  • I freaking cried during Dick Clark's speech. Perhaps this was due to the three beers I had consumed over the course of the evening, but it was just so sad how he was struggling to talk.
  • I still love Tom Selleck and have since he was Magnum P.I.
  • After Steve Carroll didn't win I was forced to eat another brownie in a fit of depression.
  • Katherine Heidel looked nervous and awesome.
  • Why did they keep showing shots of Annette Benning and Warren Beaty? Were they in the front row? Was the camera man too lazy to get a good shot of anyone else? We saw them! MOVE ON.
  • Did anyone see Martin Sheen's glasses? How could you miss them?!?!
  • I HEART KIEFER. 24 rocks.
  • Yay for The Office! I freaking love this show and thanks iMollie for convincing me to watch.
I cannot possibly say how glad I am that it is time for fall shows to start! I have hardly watch tv all summer and I desperately miss all my friends inside the box. Thanks, Bubs, for watching Scooby Doo with Arwyn in the other room so I could get my fix.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

More August Birthdays


Tuesday was Bub's big brother's birthday. Happy 35, BW. He is an airplane aficiando and I always try to incorporate that in some way into his cards. Everything except the B sticker was cut from an old book that I found at a yardsale.


Today is my mom's 65th birthday. If you haven't figured it out quite yet, the baby of the family was also a surprise baby and my mom was 34 when she had me. Which doesn't seem all that old nowadays, but she did already have three older kids. I'm going to go call her to wish her a happy day.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Flashback/Vintage/Retro/Whatever Friday


This picture has April 1979 written on the back in my sister's girly handwriting. That would make me about 3 1/2. I don't remember too much about this photo op. My brother said that is a Valiant in the background, and I do remember the old green car we had with the cracked dashboard. I liked to pick at the foam coming through the cracks. The white farmhouse in the background is my grandparent's and the lot of dirt behind me would be the huge garden that we planted every year.

This would have been a few years before my older brother (who is nine years older than me) started teaching me to play softball in our front yard. These lessons usually ended with me running into the house in tears because he yelled at me. Then he would call me a baby for crying. As I was constantly reminded, I was the baby of the family and there was nothing I hated more than being called a baby, except perhaps "Booger", which was another of his lovely nicknames for me. As torturous as this all sounds, I loved softball with a passion and longed to live up to his expectations of me. Those lessons were intended not only to improve my skills, but to make me tough. In later years, my nickname on the softball field was "Face" because I always had my game face on and didn't let anyone get to me. Thank God they didn't know all they had to do was call me "Booger".

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Chinese Water Torture

Arwyn abandoned her beloved Shaggy doll to the tortures of the bathroom sink.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Bye-Bye Mamaw Ruth

I've been dreading writing this post, but knew I needed to do it, for my own peace of mind if nothing else. Last week my only remaining grandparent, my Mamaw Ruth, passed away. She was 87 years old. Six years ago, she had a stroke and has since lived in a nursing home, a prisoner to her body's deterioration, but still mentally acute.

When I think of my grandma, this is how I picture her:


This photo was probably taken about 20 years ago in my parent's house, but that is how she lives on in my mind. She was sharp as a tack, wiley and witty. My grandparents lived next door to us and I spent many, many hours with them. My mom went back to work when I was three and Mamaw babysat for me a lot. I got off the bus at her house after school for many years, until I was deemed old enough to stay at home alone. After school, I always had a cheese sandwich and an RC and watched cartoons on their giant console tv. I spent hours sprawled on my stomach on their living room floor, watching Cowboy Bob, Heathcliff, Woody Woodpecker and Fat Albert. Mamaw had her favorite shows as well, and I was soon introduced to The Price is Right, Another World, Different Strokes, Dallas, Fame and every year The Sound of Music. She told me I "got on her nerves" because I followed her around the house from room to room. If I stayed at their house until after dark fell, I would call my mom (on our party-line phone) and tell her to turn the porch light on. Mamaw would watch out the window as I ran home as fast as my feet would carry me, sure the Boogeyman would grab me in the middle of the garden.

This picture was taken at the Orangeville Community Center when I was about 3 or 4. That's me in front (obviously) with Mamaw to the right of me in the green suit. My grandpa is also in the picture, on the right side at the very far end of the table. You can just make out his arm and half his face. They went to the community center for lunch during the week and I tagged along, just me and all the old folks! I had a lot of friends there! I still have a small rolling pin that one of the men made for me.


Some days we would go to town to run errands. We'd stop at the farmer's Co-op to get gas and if I was lucky, she'd let me tell the serviceman to "fill'er up". My favorite place to go was the drugstore, where I could get a piece of Super Bubble or a Dum Dum sucker (butterscotch was my favorite flavor). I don't remember her ever swearing, but she said "fiddle sticks" and "hen's teeth" a lot. I loved her ham and navy beans, mashed potatoes (Hungry Jack) and biscuits (also Hungry Jack). She would say I "didn't eat enough to keep a bird alive" (those days are long gone!). I always sat on her lap and she would count my ribs (i.e. tickle me). I didn't like it when I grew too big to set on her lap.

The longest months of my life were the winters that Mamaw and Papaw spent in Florida. I would cry when she called and ask when they were coming home. They were probably gone all of four months, but it seemed like a lifetime to me. Mamaw had an entire fence row planted in irises and I knew when the flowers started to bloom, it would soon be time for them to return. I would check every day to see if I could spot their truck and trailer sitting in the drive.

Mamaw loved to make quilts and I can remember her sitting on the end of the "davenport" (couch) stitching away and there were always needles, quilt pieces and pattern pieces cut out of sandpaper on the arm of the couch. I have several of her quilts and I will post those some day.

My aunt and uncle and their three kids lived in Kentucky, and when they would come to visit either my cousin S would spend the night with me or we would all stay at my grandparents, camped out on the living room floor. I was always the first one to wake up, and Mamaw would start her day with a cup of hot tea.

When I got older and learned how to cook, she liked for me to come to their house and make Rice Krispie treats and "sit a spell". She always had a bag of the colored marshmellows in the refrigerator. The second semester of my freshman year of college, I decided to come home and return to school the following fall. She threatened to "yank a knot in my tail" for quitting school. I promised her that I would return and I did, graduating a few years later.

I am thankful that she got to see Arwyn many times, and Arwyn knew who "Mamaw Roof" was, even if she won't remember later. The last time I saw Mamaw was at Arwyn's second birthday party when my parents brought her down for a visit. She had never been to our house before and we sat in the yard for a couple of hours. It is difficult for my husband to comprehend the scope of our loss. She had her first stroke before he met her and couldn't talk much in later years. He didn't know her the way we did. It is hard for me to let her go, moreso knowing she is the last and the one I was closest to. I miss you already, Mamaw.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Somebody Come and Play

Today we went to the park. Doesn't she look lonely in this picture? Doesn't anybody want to play with me??


Then our friends showed up and the day was saved. Yay! We have THREE playdates this week! This is a good thing for both of us.


This is what her hair looked like when we were ready to leave. No, that's not lice, it's sand. She was covered in the stuff. Needless to say, she had a bath as soon as we got home.


We are having a hard time with naps these days. She lays in her bed, kicking the bedframe, calling for "Mooooommmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyyy", singing songs to her stuffed animals, etc. Today I went in twice to settle her back down. If I don't go in, she just gets louder and louder. Then I decided to go ahead and get some things done outside, since it didn't seem like she was going to go to sleep. While I was going in and out the door 50 times, moving furniture and using the staple gun, she finally fell asleep but only for about an hour (she's normally down for 2 hours). I am NOT ready to give up naptime. NOT AT ALL. I don't know what to do. Put her down earlier? Let her stay up later? Quit giving her all the crack and caffeine she can handle????

Monday, August 21, 2006

Uncle A

We had a really good weekend. My big brother came to visit, so we spent some time with our extended family, talked about all sorts of things, and then ripped out all the gigantoid bushes around our house! I thought about taking some photos, but I'm really kind of afraid to look. There were two smallish trees in the front corner of the yard that Bubs has never liked, so while they were at it, they took those as well.

Last night Bubs and I headed to Lowe's to scope out grass seed, fertilizer, etc. It looks like we'll be re-landscaping in the spring. Thanks, Uncle A, for bringing your big truck!


Here's Arwyn modeling her Mrs. Potato Head earrings.


And here she is modeling her cousin's pj's.


Arwyn was lucky to survive the weekend, as Sunday morning she got into my make-up drawer, got the lid off the liquid foundation and proceeded to pour it over everything in the drawer. What with that neat trick and sticking foam parts up her nose, we're entering dangerous territory here.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Not Quite a Brownie (But Not a Girlscout Either)

I tried a new brownie mix tonight. I know! We are SO adventurous! They should really rename it Giant Box of Chocolatey Goodness. I've never iced brownies before, so it was really more like cake, but YUMMO.


I can run it off tomorrow, right? Does going up and down stairs to do laundry count for anything?


Here's Arwyn having a ball jumping on our bed whilst the sheets were being laundered. She didn't even get any chocolately goodness. She's just jumpy naturally.


I could be reading my on-the-verge-of-being-trashy celebrity magazine or making cards, but here I am blogging about brownies.

Nightly rant: someone stole our recycling bin. WTF??? I would like to recycle, people! If you call the garbage company and request another bin, they will tell you they are out of bins. What the hell is this about? Recycling should not be this difficult.

Vintage letajoy

My sister recently gave me some old photos and I thought I'd share them with you all. I was going to call it Flashback Friday and post one every Friday, but I discovered that title is already taken.


This is my mom and I circa 1979. We are on my grandparent's backporch. Notice the aqua colored walls. Papaw was hip and he didn't even know it. The backporch housed the deep freeze, washer and dryer, metal cabinets, (soda) "pop" storage, a door to the cellar, and also served as Papaw's smoking room. Papaw smoked skinny little cigars and he was only allowed to smoke outside, on the backporch, or in the car. Notice little Leta's granny panties. Hey, I was four. I didn't have a choice in the matter. Did those things go up to my earlobes or what? I'm not sure what sort of watch I have on (possibly fashioned from a rubber band?) but I have it on in several of the other pictures. I'm looking rather tired and/or pissed off. My mom still has the daisy pin and earrings. I might have to raid her jewelry box the next time I visit. Just like when I was four, only this time I'll refrain from drawing a clown face on myself with lipstick.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Hip Hip Hooray!

A very special little girl turned one yesterday. Svea is the daughter of a very good friend of ours.


I hope you had a rockin' day, sweet baby! You are getting way big way too fast!


Cardstock, ink, printed papers, ribbon.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Lunch with the Cousins


Monday we had lunch with the Bub's cousin and her daughter (second cousin? third cousin once removed? what the heck does "once removed" mean?) and some other family members. Arwyn was so sweet to her and actually willingly shared her cookies at lunch. When we were leaving, she went around and gave everybody hugs and kisses and told them "Wuv You".

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Bubs worked all day Sunday so we had to find ways to entertain ourselves.

My sweet baby before church:


Swimming in the poooooooooooooooooool:


Drinking da water:


Taking a baff:

Monday, August 14, 2006

Another Saturday Night

Saturday night we went to a cookout at a friend's house. The last time we were there earlier in the summer, we had to keep a close eye on Little Miss A. They have fun climbing play equipment which she was just learning how to navigate. Two months later and she was able to do it all by herself and we were able to sit down and have a conversation with adults!

Just hanging out at the picnic table like a Big Kid. The only thing she consumed the whole evening was Cheetos, orange soda and possibly some bugs. I know, I let her have soda! GASP! I'm hoping she spilled more than she drank.


Arwyn had a fabulous time and loves their daughter Chelsea. When we got up Sunday morning the first words out of her mouth were "Where's Chelsea?"


After we all got soused, we helped Arwyn perform daring and dangerous feats on the slide.


No soda for you, but sure have all the beer you want. Her hand is on an empty bottle which never touched her lips. Don't send me hate mail.


She cried when we left, but it was a good evening. We went home, washed off the Cheeto crumbs and sand and called it a day.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

You Can Eat It Every Day!

An exciting Friday night in the Horstman household: we all went out for ice cream! Excuse me, frozen custard. Whatever.

Arwyn thought the paper from my cone would make a great hat:


Then she tried to force-feed me:


I'm really not sure what happened here:


She still has the little plastic spoon they gave us for samples. It is now broken and currently residing in the cup holder of her carseat. When she sees it she says, "Don't break it!" which is exactly what she did. Ahem.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Safe & Sound

Thursday afternoon I saw this fall in my backyard:


Then later there was also this:


Then I proceeded to SLEEP THROUGH the rest of the storm! Anyone who knows me knows that I usually freak out and pace around the house during storms. Nope. Snoozed in the recliner while Jeff Lyons droned on in the background.

The good news is, nobody and nothing got hurt. Who do you think we are?
iMollie? The even better news is there are now 400 million little sticks for Arwyn to help pick up and throw on the stick pile. Every single time we leave the house. Every. time.

And a note to our neighbor who is apparently having some sort of Redneck Reunion: You can only blast "Sweet Home Alabama" from your crappy speakers so many times in a given 12 hour period before I want to ram my eyeballs out with metal grilling skewers. I didn't even know that version existed. Or that one. Sweet Lord, how many ways can you skin this cat? For reals.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

ATC Swap


I just participated in my first-ever ATC swap hosted by this gal. For those of you not in the know, ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards and they are miniture works of art that serve as business cards for artists and some people trade and collect them. This series was themed "Get Smart Girl". I also made the orange/polka envelope to mail them in.

I'm looking forward to getting my swap and seeing what everyone else made.

On the parenting front, we have had a smooth week so far. Today I stayed in my pj's until 4 p.m. BECAUSE I COULD. Arwyn has been sweet and cooperative, playing on her own without whining. Some might consider it a miracle.

Thanks 1 and Thanks 2


These were commissioned by a friend of ours. Cardstock, printed papers, ink.

Monday, August 07, 2006

My Shadow


My little copycat has to have her glasses now any time I have my glasses. And if I push them up on top of my head, so does she. If we are all in the car going somewhere, she announces from the backseat, "Daddy glasses. Mommy glasses. Arwyn glasses. MY glasses." If she can't get her glasses to perform properly, she throws them down in a mini-fit of rage and says, "I drop it glasses!"


Arwyn spent the weekend at my sister's so Bubby and I could enjoy an adults-only birthday party out of town (it wasn't as naughty as it sounds). I learned that I am getting a bit too old to drink and stay up til 3 a.m. two nights in a row. Yesterday I thought I might expire from lack of sleep. I'm just practicing in case we ever have another baby. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Makin' Bacon and Hen-dawg in the House


Last night we went to visit some friends who have a new baby (and an older baby). Arwyn had a BLAST playing with all of the babies, in the sandbox, on the swingset, and did not want to come home. This may be the only picture where the (real) baby wasn't crying. She didn't like the photo session too much.


Arwyn has been playing with these hair clips non-stop for two days. She wants me to put them on her fingers and leaves them on until they make dents in her skin. Fun! For some reason she has started saying "fwumps" instead of "fingers" which I know she can say. Maybe she's trying to say "thumbs"? She's making up her own language?


Mr. Henry came over this morning. Funniest moment of the day: Henry had some gas, Arwyn said "Henry needs change diaper." Henry indignantly said, "No, I don't!" And he was right, he didn't.

Arwyn has perfected her scowl and now uses it to great effect on family members and strangers alike. She has also added a very teenager-sounding HUFF when I say something she doesn't agree with. Age 2 going on 15.