Another week at FSAM

Well it is time to start thinking about getting ready to go to market again. I am only going every other Sunday this year and I pray that sales will stay up. I heard that over Father's day there were lots of customers there. I really do hope that the trend keeps up.

I would like to make up some REALLY long heat pads for the shoulders and neck. I have inserts cut, they just need to be sewn and filled. They take a lot longer to do because after I add some corn I have to stitch across the pad to make about 8 chambers. I can't wait to get more done up and get some covers made so I can sell them.

So in short if you have nothing to do on Sunday's stop on down to the Fulton Street ARTisan Market in Grand Rapids, MI It is at the corner of Fulton and Fuller.

Paperwork

God how I hate the inevitable paperwork. So I will admit it, I get assistance with childcare so that I can work. Well recently the state of Michigan decided that they don't trust the daycare people and want the parents to verify hours. Whatever, why should they trust me? lol Anyway, to do this you need a pin number and you need to know when you worked and when your kid was at daycare and blah, blah, blah. So they never sent me my pin number thanks to my caseworker screwing up my approved dates for daycare. I have been fighting with this stupid government for ummmm a month at least to get a pin number because if I do not verify hours my daycare lady does not get paid. So basically the poor woman has not gotten paid for watching April in over a month. Poor lady, I am so glad that she is understanding. Well anyway, I got my pin number yesterday. Should be good to go right? Wrong, I now need to have the times when April was dropped off at daycare after school and when someone else like my boyfriend picked her up from daycare. Of course I have no clue of these times cause ummmmm, I am a bad mom and don't pay attention. lol So now I wait again to talk to the daycare lady and get these hours so we match up. Cause guess what if she reports different hours than I do ummmmm she doesn't get paid.

OK Off my soap box.

Summer Time

Well summer is upon us and it is HOT out there. My computer is even overheating, which means I need to spend money on one of those laptop fans.

I worked 10 hours today, which is nice for the paycheck. But I wasn't planning on it and I left the AC off and the poor puppy was home in his crate with no water or AC.

Oh yeah, I haven't introduced y'all to our new puppy. Please meet our Miniature Pinscher, ZEUS!!!!

Ugghhh Court

Well today was another Friend of the Court Hearing. I really hate going to those. Well today's was my own fault as I am ordered to pay m y ex-husband support and I didn't do it when I was off work. OOPS my bad. Not like he ever does anything to help me. Just causes me headaches, I asked him to switch vehicles with me cause he is a mechanic and is trying to sell his van. I was like ummmm lets just switch vehicles, you will have a newer one that with a little bit of work (that he keeps promising me he will do for me) will gain him more money than the one he is currently trying to sell. Seriously, I do not know what the deal is. OK So we are also going to court to get my support payments reduced to a more manageable amount and for whatever reason they hauled my butt in on a Show Cause warrant when we have yet to go back to court to determine the new payment amounts. Jerks anyways. The thing is that when the new amount is determined it is retro active to February. I tell ya Friend of the Court is STUPID.

OK Rant over, back to your regularly scheduled show.

TIme to drum up business!!!!!

Time to drum up business.


Do you know of anyone in need of an All Natural Therapy Pad? Check out my shop at http://MondrysYknotShop.etsy.com

I've been away AGAIN!!!!

Well now, aren't these spiffy digs. Welp, I went and got a new job. Been at it for 2 weeks now. So much fun, it is however a paycheck, which is really nice.

Got a new item going I just have to get it finished...

Need to work on my crocheters bag and my samples for the Etsy Friends team challenge/giveaway. I need to get more listed in my shop too. ;)

I need more hours in a day, but I think everyone does.

Breast Cancer Awareness

I recently got this video in an email. It is about a type of cancer that is not well known. This cancer is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer. It is a killer cancer. Even the cancer help centers are unaware of this. PLEASE, PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO. I IMPLORE ALL OF YOU TO TAKE NOTICE OF THIS.

Well What Do Ya Know..

The EtsyFriends team is having a little treasure hunt with some awesome prizes.

Head on over to the blog for the hints and list of participating shops. Oh and the list of prizes. Over $15 worth of prizes... efpromotions

And A Process Begins...

Well as many of you know I had a little contest here on my blog, for people to help me design bags for knitters and crocheters. Well, I had a HUGE response, I didn't realize that it was such an important thing and that there weren't many if any out there that meet specific needs.

Well I am starting the process of making the winners bag. Jen and I have been in contact and she has told me her needs for a knitting bag. Wow she knits on a loom and takes them with her. I would have never thought of making a bag for a loom knitter.

So the first step in creating the bag is designing the bag. I stayed up late last night drawing out my ideas and I think I have a plan.


In this blog, I will tell you about the process as I make the sample bag. Can't be wasting good fabric on the prototype now can we. Enjoy, and Jen if you are following this, let me know if you want something changed. Also any of you other yarnies see something that you would add or subtract in your own bag feel free to let me know.

Remember when I get bags made, they will be for sale in my etsy shop... MondrysYknotShop

Smart Idea

"Hi friends,


This may seem like a funny email but I was so surprised by what I discovered I had to share it with you.


When I think of the job situation in this country, I can't help but think this helps in some small way.
I don't know how many households there are in the U.S. But if these were the only things we bought think of the impact....




(She wrote:)
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA .


So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here - from a company in Cleveland OH !


So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets....yep you guessed it Bounce was more money and made in Canada, the Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!


So my challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!


If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time!


Besides, you might save a little green in the process.


Stop buying from China ..........

We should have awakened a decade ago......

Lets get with the program.... Help our fellow Americans keep their jobs ... And create more jobs here in the U.S.A.

And The Winner Is........

OK so with the move, I sort of forgot about my contest for the yarn bag. I have drawn a winner though...

AND THE WINNER IS... Jen

Jen will be emailed for further info on her winnings.

Thank you everyone for entering and remember to watch my shop for bags using ALL of the ideas given here. I hope to make a bag that we can ALL use.

We are moving AGAIN

Well, it is official. We plan to be out of this house on Tuesday the 3rd. That is if all goes well. =) We are having issues getting the water to run through the pipes which sucks, hopefully we will get that running tomorrow. When all is said and done, we will have 4 bedrooms, a craft room/laundry room, living room, dining room, kitchen and bath all in a mobile home. =) Here are some before pictures, as in before we cleaned it out from the previous owners. Why do people do this, seriously?

Winter Poem

WINTER Poem

It's Winter in MICHIGAN
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At thirty-five below.

Oh, how I love Michigan
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Michigan
I'm frozen to the friggin' ground!

OMG, I got my Rachel Ray recipes mmmmmmmmmmm

The Rachel Ray Site

Hot Dog Pizza-Dillas
Serves 4

Ingredients

* 4 beef or pork hot dogs
* 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus extra for drizzling
* 4 10-12-inch flour tortillas
* 1/4 cup mild chunky salsa (4 big spoonfuls)
* 8 squirts of ketchup (about 1/4 cup)
* 1 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
* Mustard and relish (optional)

Preparation

Using a small knife, cut the hot dogs in half lengthwise, then into 1/2-inch pieces.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Have a grown-up helper (GH) handle the hot pans if you're still playin' T-ball and aren't tall enough to clear the stovetop. Add the EVOO, one turn of the pan. Add the dogs and cook until browned all over, 2-4 minutes. Drain the crispy dog slices on paper towel-lined plates and pour off the excess fat. The sliced hot dogs are your "pepperoni."

Add a drizzle more of EVOO to the pan, then add one tortilla. Cook for 1 minute, then flip the tortilla over with tongs and turn the heat to low. Place a big spoonful of the salsa on half of the tortilla, then spread it around with the back of the spoon. Add two squirts of ketchup and mix it into the salsa. This is your "pizza sauce." Top the sauce with a quarter of the cheese – a big handful of each kind. Top the cheese with a quarter of the crispy hot dog pieces.

Ask a GH to help you fold over the tortilla to form a half-moon shape. Press down on the folded tortilla with a spatula to flatten the pizza-dilla and make it stick together.

Cook the pizza-dilla, flipping it carefully once more with a spatula, for 1 minute per side. Slide the pizza-dilla onto a plate and let it cool for 2 minutes, then cut it into four wedges, like a pizza, and serve. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make four pizza-dillas. Eat plain or top with more ketchup, salsa or even mustard and relish – whatever you like on hot dogs works here!

How do you?

How do you do it? I mean really, how do you survive in this economy? I know money is tight for everyone, and we are doing everything in our power to make it but, What kinds of tips and tricks do you have to make it?

I have gotten rid of nonessential items. (Internet is essential right? lol)
We shop the sales more than we used to and even utilize the food banks when needed.
Hubby and I do not buy anything for ourselves unless is it mandatory.
We are even getting out of our high priced rental and trying to get into a much more economical modular home in a park.

So what can you say that you are doing to make things easier on your family?

The Knob

If this doesn't make you laugh, you're dead!!!!

A woman visited a plastic surgeon who told her about a new procedure called 'The Knob,' where a small knob is placed at the top of the woman's head and could be turned to tighten up her skin and produce the effect of a brand new face-lift. Of course, the woman wanted 'The Knob.'

Over the course of the years, the woman tightened the knob, and the effects were wonderful, the woman remained young looking and vibrant.

After fifteen years, the woman returned to the surgeon with two problems.
'All these years, everything has been working just fine. I've had to turn the knob many times and I've always loved the results. But now I've developed two annoying problems: First, I have these terrible bags under my eyes and the knob won't get rid of them.'

The doctor looked at her closely and said, 'Those aren't bags, those are your breasts.'

She said, 'Well, I guess there's no point in asking about the goatee.'

Washing Clothes Recipe

-- Imagine having a recipe for this!

Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave
the new bride the following recipe:

This is an exact copy as written and found
in an old scrapbook - with spelling errors
and all.


WASHING CLOTHES
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water.
Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is
pert.
Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water
Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to
smooth, then thin down with boiling water.

Take white things, rub dirty spots on board,
scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don't
boil just wrench and starch.

Take things out of kettle with broom stick
handle, then wrench, and starch.

Hang old rags on fence.

Spread tea towels on grass.

Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub
porch with hot soapy water.

Turn tubs upside down.

Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair
combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell
and count your blessings.
===================================

Paste this over your washer and dryer.

Next time when you think things are bleak,
read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give thanks.
First thing each morning you should run and
hug your washer and dryer.

For you non-southerners - wrench means rinse

AND WE THINK WE HAVE IT ROUGH

Todays One Liner

Today's One Liner

"If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME stuff, why didn't he just buy dinner?"

Homemade Kahlua Recipes

Yes that is right Homemade KAHLUA!!!!

Here you go and enjoy responsibly =)

HOMEMADE KAHLUA
4 c. sugar
4 c. water
2/3 c. instant coffee
2 c. vodka
3 tbsp. vanilla
Mix; simmer 30 minutes. Cool. Bottle in containers.


HOMEMADE KAHLUA
4 c. water
2 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. instant coffee
2 tbsp. chocolate syrup
Boil water. Add sugar, coffee and syrup - let cool - add:
1 qt. vodka
2 tbsp. vanilla


KAHLUA
5 tbsp. instant coffee
1/3 c. boiling water
1 jar caramel topping
3 c. sugar
2 c. boiling water
1 1/2 c. rum or vodka
3 tbsp. real vanilla
Mix instant coffee in boiling water. Add sugar to boiling water. Then add vanilla and caramel. Let stand about 10 minutes. Put in liquor. Then put in bottles.

OMG Email of the Day!!!! Proof That The World Is Nuts

Thanks go out to my Aunt who sent this to my sister who sent it to me. =)

Proof That The World Is Nuts

In Lebanon , men are legally allowed to have sex with animals, but the animals must be female. Having sexual relations with a male animal is punishable by death.
(Like THAT makes sense.)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
In Bahrain , a male doctor may legally examine a woman's genitals, but is prohibited from looking directly at them during the examination. He may only see their reflection in a mirror.
(Do they look different reversed?)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
Muslims are banned from looking at the genitals of a corpse. This also applies to undertakers. The sex organs of the deceased must be covered with a brick or piece of wood at all times.
(A brick?)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
The penalty for masturbation in Indonesia is decapitation.
(Much worse than 'going blind!')
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
There are men in Guam whose full-time job is to travel the countryside and deflower young virgins, who pay them for the privilege of having sex for the first time. Reason: under Guam law, it is expressly forbidden for virgins to marry.
(Let's just think for a minute; is there Any job anywhere else in the world that even comes close to this?)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
In Hong Kong , a betrayed wife is legally allowed to kill her adulterous husband, but may only do so with her bare hands.

The husband's illicit lover, on the other hand, may be killed in any manner desired.
(Ah! Justice!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
Topless saleswomen are legal in Liverpool , England - but only in tropical fish stores.
(But of course!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
In Cali , Colombia , a woman may only have sex with her husband, and the first time this happens, her mother must be in the room to witness the act.
(Makes one shudder at the thought.)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~
In Santa Cruz , Bolivia , it is illegal for a man to have sex with a woman and her daughter at the same time.
(I presume this was a big enough problem that they had to pass this law?)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
In Maryland , it is illegal to sell condoms from vending machines with one exception: Prophylactics may be dispensed from a vending machine only 'in places where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises.'
(Is this a great country or what?

Well, not as great as Guam !)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
Banging your head against a wall uses
150 calories an hour.
(Who volunteers for this stuff?)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure.
(Is that why Flipper was always smiling?)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
The ant can lift 50 times its own weight, can pull 30 times its own weight and always falls over on its right side when intoxicated.
(From drinking little bottles of ???)
(Did the government pay for this research?)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
Butterflies taste with their feet.
(Ah, geez.)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
(I know some people like that.)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
Starfish don't have brains.
(I know some people like that, too.)
*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
And, the best for last?

Turtles can breathe through their butts.
(And I thought I had bad breath in the morning!)