Cat pics....

Yes, I'm late as usual.....funny thing is in real life, I'm normally the one who's there first. I hate being late! So......

My excuse is I spent the morning at the neighbor's house making Christmas cookies. In case you missed one of my previous posts....My neighbor's son Lane has cancer. He had his leg replaced with a rod right before Thanksgiving....and goes back to Duke tomorrow to have his staples removed. Poor kid has them from the top of his foot all the way up his leg. (Looks likes yours Debbie:)) It was his dog that ran off......and him and the dog were curled up on the couch watching cartoons today. (LMAO....that's when the dog wasn't on the floor humping their cat...still don't understand dogs, they sure are strange creatures...))) They also got a new puppy, so it was interesting to watch everyone play.

It rained all morning, so I still haven't got good pictures to show you of what Chris sent.....But I do have lots of cats photos to share.......

First we have Otis curled up in Drew's lap......with Fred under neath....see her tail, it's black?! You can also see part of her black ear.

See, there she is.....she said she had to breathe!

And here's my oldest kitty sleeping in the bread basket on top of my bread....Nice!

And here's Sphinx....he found a piece of plastic bag, and kept getting it stuck on his nose when he would breath in....it's right in front of him on the floor...here he was spitting it out, It was so freakin' funny!!!!!

And one last pic of Fred.....sitting where she sits best! Daddy can't prop his feet up anywhere without her sitting on top.

...well...I think I'm ready for a cookie now, ready to sit down and relax......and ready to possibly take a nap.........

Until Next Time.....

I did a happy dance today....lol!

What a great week so far....bear with me here, OK?!

Choopy, my neighbor's dog came back.....or should I say that the doggie police picked him up (one city over, mind you!), and after a short stay in the big house, he is now happy to be at home!

My oldest Drew will celebrate his 14th birthday this week! I must tell you...time has gone by soooo quickly! They tell you it does, but you just don't realize it till your little man comes home from school one day and tells you he got his official hug! I am so proud he is taking it slower than I did! I felt the need to take on the world at the age....and we'll just say, that Drew is happy to kick back and enjoy each day at a time! AND.....GET THIS!!! This is really exciting to us!!! He went to the allergy doctor today and found out that he is DONE with allergy shots!! Woo-Who!!! He's been getting them every week for over 5 years now.......and with in the past year, we were able to go to every 2 weeks, then every 3...and now....NO MORE!!! I think I'm more excited than he is, ....he's just glad to be done with it!!!! I am so proud of him for putting up with this, and trusting us when we said it would make a difference! For real, for real!!! I am proud of you Buddy!!! Very Proud!!

On the mini front......I haven't made anything...but I did put a few things that I have into MarshMallow Manor to get a feel for what I still want. I've got lots of ideas.....just need to get my butt in gear!

Here's a pic for Nikki....If you haven't checked out her Christmas ornaments http://nikkinikkinikki72.blogspot.com/2009/12/pudding-and-falling-in-love.html ...you should! As soon as I saw them, I thought of my childhood and how I used to draw these Christmas puddings All the time. I grew up in Wales....and we had these school work books that we keep everything in, and everything often included drawings....What?? I think they're cute......and I was probably 4 or 5. Glad I still have stuff like this.....

and this. Here's 2 newspaper clippings from Wales.....One is from Saint David's Day......and the other is from a fund raiser walk........Ladies~ What is Saint David's Day, and do you still dress your girls up like this for it....It has been a long, long, time and I have forgotten why were dressed like this...and the kids always ask when I bring out this pic....Must of been in the spring, cause I also remember having daffodils around this time, too?!

And while I thinking about it...any one else having a problem when opening up other blogs from my page? Everytime I open up some elses blog, it throws me off line....And all I want to do is read your blogs!! Just wonderin gif anyone else is having this problem...or is it just me??? Dang on computers!!!!

So......I still have a post to do about what Chris from Candid Canine sent me! There's lots of little goodies to keep me busy! And I've got a few pics for a cat post!! Aren't you excited?! LOL

...so until next time.......

See what a little bit of paint can do...

Yesterday, while playing around in photo-shop, I made some big decisions about Marshmallow Manor! I decided to repaint that ugly blue couch.....and I'm thinking I want to stain the 'fireplace' with something that contains a green tint.

The couch and chair were really easy to paint. First I gave the whole thing a rough sand...then I painted it Brown (I used Liquitex, Basics acrylic paint) .....I pounced the brush over where the material on the couch would be to make it look like leather...

Then I painted all the trim black.

I just can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE MY NEW COUCH AND CHAIR!!!! I am so glad I took the risk and painted my 30 year old toy a new color! It just looks soooo much better than the blue did!!

And while I had the black paint out, I went ahead and painted the inside of the gourd. See how good everything is starting to look!

.....and Now , about them floors......

((they need to be shiny!)) Let me see what I can go do about that.....

Until next time.........

On a roll here.....

I actually got some stuff done yesterday. Well....I've got a lot done this week, but it mostly consisted of grocery shopping and cleaning....and I got 75% of my Christmas cards done. They're stamped, stickered, addressed.....and just need to be signed! Feels good to know it's almost done!

And then yesterday.... I started tinkering.....
I got the gourd hollowed out! It was a lot easier than I thought, and I didn't hurt myself, hehe! First I washed and scrubbed the outside of the gourd to remove any dirt......then I dried it. Next I drew an oval with a pencil onto the outside of the gourd. And then I used the Dremel to cut out the oval. I didn't cut to close to the line at first, just wanted to get the oval cut out. Then I went back and sanded the edges back to where I wanted them. Once I was done, I washed off the pencil marks, just took a little wet cloth to do that. Next I pulled out the insides....really easy to do by hand! And then this is what you'll have:)

I found an old plant stand that I cut down to use as a base.....

...and painted it black. I still want to stain the outside of the gourd, just haven't made that final decision yet. But I really, really, like it so far!

And!! I got the bathroom wall Grouted!!! And it works perfectly! If you've ever been afraid to grout polymer clay...Don't !! It wipes right off the tiles.....and is beautiful when it's finished! Just look!! ((And cause I know someone will ask:)......I used the premixed grout that comes in a bag from Michael's by Triangle Crafts~it's called white Mosaic grout))

I also think I want to add a 'chair rail' across the top of it...or maybe a little shelf? I just love how that brown brings out the best in those tiles!!

...and last but not least! Here's Otis and Fred, who actually might be a Fredericka....hanging out in Otis's bed. Otis barely fits in there alone, but Fred, (yes, we're still calling her Fred!) just wiggled up in there, too!!

....so until next time.....

Katie

.....and for the record, I can't wait till I can type with all my fingers again!!

A Game....

I've got so much to talk about...even I'm overwhelmed! LOL!

Kim from Flowers and Art http://flowerkim.blogspot.com/ asked me to join in a game earlier this week, and well....I'm behind. You have to answer 8 questions about yourself and pass the ball on to someone else. So here goes:

1. The names you are called by...Well, guess that depends who you ask! The kids call me Mom......My friends call me Kate......My Mom and Susan:) call me Katrina....And when it's Katrina Marie....I know I'm in trouble, Hahaha! Some of my friends also call me Katie....which to me, was the friendliest of them all, so that's why I named my blog Katie's Corner.....sounded inviting!?!

2. 3 Items you are wearing.......

*My fuzzy leopard slippers

*Black and pink stripped sweat pants....

*And my 17th Street Surf Shop sweatshop

(Don't joke, I'm ALL about being comfortable!!)

3. Three things you did yesterday, last night and today.

Yesterday I worked on minis!!! (Pics to follow!!)

Last night I watched The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly with the bf and was in bed by 8! I was sooooooo tired!!! And today~well, it's still early, so let's think.......I fed all 13 of the cats! (That's including the 6 outside!) ...as you can count, They're all still here!

4. Name 2 things you eaten......

I'm currently drinking my breakfast, does that count?? (Love my Carnation Instant Breakfasts!!!) and I had a couple of bites of Carrot Cake before I went to bed last night....I'm a sucker for sweets!!

5. 2 people I have rung today.....

(LOL...does ringing the kids count??? LOL)

I called Mom yesterday morning to see how she was......and I......can't think of who else I called?! I really hate calling anyone!

6. 2 things I will do today.....

That's a good question......not to sure what I'm gonna do today.......It's Saturday, the kids are gone....and I have a quiet house to myself:) Might just lay on the couch and watch movies??

7. 3 best loved drinks:

(lol, I am sooooo borning!)

Water

Milk....

Gatorade....the fruit punch and berry one!

8. Three things I intensely wish.

1. That my neighbor's dog would come home! He's really the glue that is holding that family together and Lane is heart broken without him!

2. That my family could get over the BS long enough to Be Family! Oh....did I just say that out loud???

3. And then what about Happiness and Good health for everyone.....

And now the ball goes to Tessie from Casey's Minis http://caseymini.blogspot.com/.....

OK, I'll be back shortly with a mini update:)

Thanks Kim!!

Virginia Beach's Murals.....

Sunday morning the kids were restless.....so we took a drive down to the strip, and the kids took pictures, of the murals, from the back seat of the car. I started a skate shop for Drew a while back, and it's one of those projects that sit on my desk, and begs for me to finish it. I haven't found the perfect thing to put on the outside yet, so that's why it's still sitting.....So I thought we'd go look at some inspiration: Wanna go with us??

First is one of our favorites! Coming from a military background...this means a lot to me!
*taken from www.roadsideamerica.com:
Virginia Beach, Virginia - Flagship Motel's Military Might Mural
Mike and Sam's "A Celebration of American Heroes," proudly honors the men and women who battle to keep America safe from terror. On the 60-by-180 foot back wall of the Flagship Motel, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Mike McCloskey and Sam Welty painted a composite of Atlantic Fleet vessels and support aircraft to remind all of the September 11, 2001 attacks aftermath and contributions made by our military.

And here's a link to a better picture: http://www.angelfire.com/art2/largemurals/

Another favorite of ours is all the sea life murals.....Like this Shark....

...and this Killer Whale.....

...or what about an underwater scene......(wish the kids had said something about this, cause I woulda gone back around the block to get better pictures!!)

This sun is everywhere....but this one is our favorite!

This would be cool on top of a building!

...it's a haunted house......and now that I think about it, I've never been in it......

The outside of the indoor, in the dark....miniature golf building....

A memorial to honor for fallen officers....
(This mural and several others were done by 2 brothers that go by the name T.A.L.ent. Murals.....You can find more of their work here: http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/557396474ricQNK

And look...there's even a pineapple!!

Thanks for riding along with us. We still haven't figured out what to put on the side of the building.....I want whales.....Drew wants a battleship on top of the water with whales swimming underneath.....and the bf says we can't have whales on the outside of a skateshop....that we need something more manly.....So, I dunno......first I gotta get the 'cinder blocks' glued on.

I know, I know.....I jump from one thing to the next.....I will be drilling that groud for the fire place this week, I promise, just don't have full use of my hands yet, and well, we all know that even with 2 working hands, I will still have problems. So stay tuned......I actually have ZERO doctor appts this week....so maybe I can get something done?

So, until next time:)

We're Back....

Well Hello there!.....Now that I've had some sleep, I think I'm ready to blog.....

The drive from here to Washington DC is Normally so pretty this time of year! The leaves are changing colors....and I love seeing all the reds, oranges, and yellows! But Not this time!! LOL, This is what I saw for 4 hours!!! FOG.....so boring!!! And yet, kinda neat.....and Very eerie!! I was waiting for the headless horsemen to come riding through the woods at any moment!

Thanksgiving dinner was yummy! But I have to say my favorite part was making blankets for St. Judes hospital.....My Mom, My Daughter, and Myself made 7 blankets total that will go to special kids this Christmas!! I was really glad my Mom thought of this, cause to me, that's what this time of year is really about!

**Warning: Gross pictures to follow**
However........ I must say the High-light of my weekend was the rotary cutter! Wow! It really makes cutting fabric quick.......And it cuts right through your finger like butter. If I've said it once, I said it a thousand times.....Me and tools just don't mix! LOL.......Remember what I did with the Dremel! Yeah! case closed!! Hehehe

So the next time your cutting fabric with rotary cutter, don't try and carry on a conversation with your kids......You'll look away for a minute, and next thing you know, you'll be cutting right through your finger! Look at what I did to the nail....Luckily I didn't cut all the way through the finger...And I was able to put it back on. And my kids were even kind enough to 'dr' me up!!

And before I go thought I'd leave you with a cute pic!! Here's Fred and Otis napping on the coffee table!

Aweeeee!

LOL.....until next time!