I Might Have A Problem

I might be a little too obsessed with finding random cool art on Etsy...But come on!  You can find such great things for dirt cheap! I love it! 

Here's what I'm thinking might be my next purchase....



I love it....I'd tell you where to find it but I don't want any of you snatching out from under me!

although, if you ask nicely and promise not to steal it from me, I might just fill you in....

Normally I Don't Do This

But after reading a number of articles about the debt crisis and some of the Republicans in government and I'm SO AGGRAVATED! I mean, seriously, the amount of comments about how Obama has put our country in this financial hole is RIDICULOUS!  Have the Republicans forgotten that there was a surplus when Bush got into office and HE lost it all?!?!?!  Republicans can't even agree within their own party and the Tea Party supporters are bullheaded idiots that have NO BUSINESS being in politics!  Obama certainly hasn't always made the choices that we've wanted him to but I at least give him credit for attempting to meet in the middle and move things along.  I don't think we'd be any further ahead if he had taken the hard line...

I found the following comment in the Chicago Tribune this morning and I think it's spot on...

Schmedrick McSchedrick at 8:51 AM July 29, 2011
Look at the countries with STERLING Triple A ratings: "Germany, Canada, France, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland are among those with the undisputed stamp of approval"---what does this tell you about those Socialist countries with National Health Care and small defense budgets, and liberal politicians--
Oh yeah, they can balance their books and pay theri debts.  When will the kooks on the right learn from what works instead of repeating what doesn't work.
While your at it, look at the life expectancy in those countries and the infant mortality rate, and the amount of vacation time each receives, and maternity/family leave benefits...yeah..the more liberal a country is, the better it does financially--huh, who would have thought...

Found in the comment section at the end of this article

An example of a no-good Tea Partier...Joe Walsh owes $117,00 in back child support for his 3 kids with his first wife..somehow he claims that they had previously reached an agreement for $10,000.  Seriously?  $10,000 for 3 kids for 8 years??  You think that covers the expenses for 3 kids in the 8 years you didn't bother paying????????  And he has the gall to criticize anyone about their fiscal responsibility?

Ok, now that I've said what I needed to say....Let's get on with a wonderful weekend!

Silver Spoons

I wandered across this lovely cuff on Etsy and I'm swooning a bit...

Such a pretty idea..such a sweet gift..I'm keeping it in mind for the next time I need a unique gift



The Cottage Path on Etsy

Team Jacob...If He Was A Lush

Supposedly this has no ties to Twilight or True Blood...but it's been described as "features an appropriate blood red color, sweet berry overtones, and just a bit of bitterness that make it a perfect companion for your fall activities." by the folks over at Uncrate.com...which makes it sound absolutely delicious to me!  Here's to hoping it's on the shelves now and I don't have to wait until the leaves turn brown!

Put The Pen Down And Step Away

The results of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest are in!  In case you aren't familiar with the annual award, the prize is given to the world's worst opening to an imaginary novel.  It was named after Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton who write the famous line "It was a dark and stormy night".

Are you ready for the awesomeness that is the 2011 winner?!?! 
drum roll please....

“Cheryl’s mind turned like the vanes of a wind-powered turbine, chopping her sparrow-like thoughts into bloody pieces that fell onto a growing pile of forgotten memories.”
Sue Fondrie
Oshkosh, WI

Wow.  The imagery...the power...the visions of shredded, bloody birds! It takes my breath away....ummm..not so much in the "What a gorgeous sight!" sort of way but more in the "For the love of god, get me out of this car before I puke!" sort of way...

Trust me, you're gonna wanna check out the runner's up.

2011 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest

Some of my personal favorites:

Napoleon’s ship tossed and turned as the emperor, listening while his generals squabbled as they always did, splashed the tepid waters in his bathtub.

John Doble

New York City

Veronica, two months pregnant and attempting to get her boyfriend to notice, and Ricky, who wanted to end things with his expansive girlfriend, sat at a table-for-two around lunchtime at the Olive Garden in Columbus, Ohio, eying the bottle of house rosé which, unbeknownst to them, doubled as the portal key to Khrysandelt: The land where everything glitters slightly more than normal.  

Andrew Allingham

Fairfax, VA 

As the dark and mysterious stranger approached, Angela bit her lip anxiously, hoping with every nerve, cell, and fiber of her being that this would be the one man who would understand—who would take her away from all this—and who would not just squeeze her boob and make a loud honking noise, as all the others had.

Ali Kawashima

Greensboro, NC 

Like a bird gliding over the surface of a Wyoming river rippled by a gentle Spring breeze, his hand passed over her stretch marks. 

Patty Liverance

Grand Rapids, MI 

Sounds of Summer

What I'm listening to....like right this second...

Perter James

Chuckette Norris?

For the love of god...

The most ridiculous story ever


Nothing to do with the most ridiculous story ever..but happens to come up when you search "ridiculous"
Which also leads to a website of "Ridiculous Comb-overs"

2 1/2 Weeks Til Vacation

I can't wait...









Good food, good drinks, sunny days, breezy nights, floating in the water, riding bikes, playing games and spending time with my favorite people....August 7th cannot get here fast enough!!

Happy Tuesday

Smart Sticky Fingers

Publisher's Weekly just recently compiled a list of the 5 most stolen books.  They separate the list into booksellers vs. libraries. 

Honestly, the list of the books stolen at the library seems more like patron censorship.  Which I guess also unintenionally includes junior high kids stealing The Joy of Sex to drool over.....

5 Most Stolen Books

Overheard At The Library

"I should sue the hospital because I had cancer 40 years ago and now my sphincter muscles are shot"
---Wow...overshare...

"Are dvd's going to be released on Friday's now because Tim* isn't here anymore?"
---yeah, that's how this works...we've spoken to Hollywood about it

"I'm very concerned that the library will soon be infiltrated by bedbugs, which will then lead to the entire town being overrun.  I've spoken to some exterminators about it and they suggested it would be ok if the books were microwaved for 30-40 seconds.  I figure 20 seconds should probably cut it.  Are there any metal rods in the books that I should be aware of? I don't want to ruin my microwave."
---I'm gonna go ahead and say NO YOU CAN'T MICROWAVE THE BOOKS! There is a metal sensor and yes it will eff up your microwave as well as the sensor we paid for! STOP BEING CRAZY!

"I was just thinking about your distinct gait.  Whenever I hear you walking behind me I know it's you.  It's a specific shuffle.  It's very sexy"
---ummmmm...Thank you?

*names have been changed in the ridiculous chance that someone talks to someone who knows someone who wants to flip out

Say Wha???

Dang

Sexy Scooter Time

This is almost like scooter porn...if you're German

You can thank me later

Best Buddies

Surya and Roscoe

My new favorite best buddy story.  Surya lives at the Myrtle Beach Safari and encountered Roscoe, a stray.  The two became quick buddies and are now inseparable. 

A Monkey and A Hound Dog










If that didn't make you laugh out loud, I don't know what will...and honestly, I don't know how we're friends.  Cause that was AWESOME!

EVERYWHERE!

WHAT IS THE WORLD TRYING TO TELL ME?!?!?!

Smoooshysmoooooooshy

I swear...Bulldog puppies are everywhere I look lately! They KILL me! If I see another smooshy bulldog puppy anytime soon I'm gonna grab it and start running...

Just Remember

I have this posted on my computer at work...This life IS pretty great

I Have Jars

Cupcake in a jar!!  OMG Martha Stewart...you've done it again...





none of that "Here's the ingredients, make it your damn self" stuff...oooooohhhhh nooooo...these are ready to eat in a jar...yup...exactly...Yet another thing I want to make for a party RIGHT NOW

Don't Drink The Tea

Dear Andy and Mike...

did you see this sign when you got kicked out of the party in Ohio for being cops? 

How I'm Gonna Feel About This Week

Cheap-o Technology

For all of the Kindle owners out there who want free books--

eReaderIQ

They have compiled a list of hundreds of free Kindle books from Amazon.  Granted, in true free book form, the majority of them are books that you've never heard of and probably wouldn't hear of otherwise.  However, if you're an adventurous reader and willing to try something new (especially if it's FREE), go for it!  I always keep an eye on the freebie list as there are a number of titles that do make a jump over into the mainstream...

Also, maybe the more exciting tool for those of you who aren't as adventurous--

Kindle Price Drop Tracker

Hosted by the same company, this allows you to follow titles that you're interested in and get a heads up when their prices drop!  Kind of like Farewatcher for books!

Happy reading!
p.s. Remember, you could ALWAYS just go get whatever book you want at your library!!!!!! for FREE!!

A Girl And Her Puppy

4th Of July Beverages

Raspberry Beer Cocktail

Photo by: Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Margaret Dickey

• YIELD: Makes 6 servings
• PREP TIME:5 MINUTES
• COURSE: Beverages, Beverages, Alcoholic

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup fresh raspberries*
• 3 1/2 (12-oz.) bottles beer, chilled
• 1 (12-oz.) container frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1/2 cup vodka

Preparation

1. Using the back of a spoon, mash raspberries in a bowl; transfer to a pitcher. Stir in remaining ingredients. Serve over ice.
*3/4 cup thawed frozen raspberries may be substituted.

Southern Living FEBRUARY 2008

This is what I'll be making this weekend...I can picture it now...sitting on the patio...with my beer cocktail...maybe I'll find another one to concoct while I'm at it!