*tap* *tap* *tap* - Is This Thing On?

It's gotten a little dusty around here, hasn't it?

Oh2122 has been on a self-imposed hiatus for longer than I expected. Best laid plans and all, but the extended absence did clarify an imbalance for me.

Too much blogging, not enough creating.

So I'm still on a mini-hiatus. I'll be quietly working on a few things and will reopen the shop at a later date. In the mean time, I'll be easing back in to blogging in general.

Thanks for dropping by!

Have a wonderful day!

On Hiatus

We're all recovering, but alas the busy season is upon us so Oh2122 will be on hiatus for the remainder of April.

I will return in May (if not sooner).

Thanks for stopping by, and come back soon!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The majority of the Oh2122 household is now firmly lodged under the weather. The lone holdout is Monkey, who's 2 year molars are finally breaking through.

Yay.

I'm slowly trying to creep back into the swing of things, but I wanted to share the Not-Bob's-Garden progress.

Day 1

Day 3
Day 6

(Insert "Lost Week" here...)


By day 18 they needed to be relocated.

These will be planted along an unattractive fence that abuts our property.

These will find their home on either side of our almost never used front door and in window boxes on the back porch They're already sprouting the next length of stem.

Apparently the water in our town makes EVERYTHING grow taller than expected.

Hmm.

I'm off to drink a few gallons... 5'8" here I come!

Ironic Indeed

Sorry about dropping off the radar like that. I'm still here and all is well.

We've had a few colds, Monkey is still teething, and we're knee deep in a Spring Cleaning that must be done before Monkey's birthday party in April.

(The whole town is like one big brush cleaning project. Every day brings the smell of yard waste burns and fresh piles of leaves for compost and mulching. It all has to me done before the rainy season ends, or we'll be in big trouble when brush fire season starts!)

Add to that the feeling like I've been more Blogger than Crafty lately, and you get an impromptu Blogcation.

Which is ironic, given that Liz at Inventing My Life generously graced me with this last week:

I haven't been feeling very crafty, but I am working my way back.

I have to.

Monkey is expecting a giant Handy Dandy Notebook cake, and if I can't find a green striped shirt, I may have to make one...

Subliminal Gardening

Monkey and I started some flowers this week.

Mini sunflowers for our planters, and giant sunflowers to line the ugly fence in our backyard.

I've been fixated on planting sunflowers for weeks, and had no idea why.

It wasn't until I explained to Monkey that not all flowers are called "daises" for the 100th time that I remembered this:


That would be Bob and his crew in Sunflower Valley.

(And yes, I can name the whole crew and sing the theme song too.)

WIP Wednesday

I know it looks like it's done, but trust me.

This is still a WIP.

The hammering did not go quite according to plan, a few of the wraps are wonky, it feels just a tad too wide when worn, and it has a slight lean to it.

And this clasp? Not crazy about it. It needs something more.

All in all it's cute enough for my wrist, but I won't be subjecting anyone else to it until the design is just right.

Also a WIP? My finger.

Close encounters of the pliers kind!

(Side note: Get that girl some moisturizer, STAT!)

Monkey's New BFFs

Monkey and Hubby have been making their hands talk to each other for a while now, much to the delight of Monkey, so I decided it was time for him to make a few new friends.

Friends of the cotton variety.

A quick Googling provided a variety of methods, but I choose the simplest variation.

A little stitching in the corners of the mouths, button eyes, and yarn hair did the trick.

15 minutes later - two new friends!

Flung

And the winner is....SONGBIRDTIFF!

Who has a fab blog, BTW. Check it out!

Happy weekend all!

WIP Wednesday And I Need A Nap!

In between teething toddler fun and Flinging, I have been working on some new additions for the shop.

Not everything has gone according to plan.

For example, this:

Is actually the second, and unfinished full version of a bracelet I have been working on for a while.

That's the 16 gauge copper again, and I have the bruised fingertips to prove it!

Then there's the aftermath of the complete rewiring I did on the bracelet for the fling:I know I left a desk in there somewhere...

You can enter my Fling until midnight EST on Thursday, and some of the SITSers giveaways are still going on. There are over 300 giveaways listed. I've left so many comments, the word verifications are starting to talk to me again...

I'm going to take a nap.

Fling on.

FLING!

Today is the SITS Spring Fling!



The hourly giveaways are happening on the main page, but don't miss the Mr. Linky. It's chock full of individual giveaways. I was on by 8:30 this morning, and I'm #160!

If you haven't been over there to check it out...

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

Go! I'll still be here when you get back.

Choosing to ignore the 6ish inches of heavy wet snow we got yesterday, I am giving away a piece of spring bling. It is made from glass beads shaped like leaves, flowers, and flower centers that are individually hand wired and hung on bright silver steel (chosen for strength).

Then length is adjustable, but if you win, and are concerned about the fit, I will gladly adjust it prior to shipping.

All you have to do to win it is to leave a comment by midnight on Thursday March 12th, and answer one question:
What's your favorite part of Spring?

WIP Monday

Spring!

Um....

Spring?

* Waving Meekly *

Just thought I'd poke my head of of my office and announce that I have not disappeared, despite the lack of posting and participation.

I've been fighting some slumping creatively and some sneezing physically. The change of seasons always takes a bite out of me, and I think I'm letting it get the best of me this week.

Hello? Weather? Please stop sending me snow. I'm all stocked up, thanks.

Thankfully Hubby and I have a date planned this weekend, thank CUPCAKES for Aunites!

Next week's SITS Spring Fling is shaping up to be a blast, so mark your calendars.

March 10th!

See you all then!

Mabel's Labels Are The Cupcake

There are times I wish I could break my own rules and swear in a post. This is one of those times and the phrase in question would be:

"Holy **cupcakes!** It stayed on!"

A while back, I entered the Mabel's Labels BlogHer '09 Contest, and while I didn't win, I was sent a very cool consolation prize.

These are Mabel's Sticky Labels.

(Like the... um... artful use of MS Paint?)

I inherited a specific genetic tendency from my father. Let's call it the warranty-voider gene. He told us a story not too long ago about a company that approached the fire department with a tool they proclaimed to be indestructible. Dad said that sounded like a challenge. Add to that my klutziness and my toddler's fascination with disassembling, and you usually have a recipe for disaster.

So upon receiving the labels, I read the directions, grabbed Monkey's oddest shaped sippy, and got to work.

After applying the label, I ran it through the dishwasher.

Then I gave it to the toddler tornado and waited.

One bowl of spaghetti...
And a gratuitous run through the dishwasher later...
It didn't budge.

Not one centimeter.

I'm seriously considering a set with MY name on them.

Memes And Labor Vibes

I was recently tagged for a fun meme by the crafty and fab and OVERDUE Sylvia.

She's reached and passed her due date.

It's her first.

And she's not even complaining!

I can not even imagine. I was 4 days early and I still groused my way through that last week.

Ok, last two weeks.

If she hasn't already had her little one, he will be commanded to appear by the end of the week, so check her out, and wish her a short labor!

Here are the rules ... (She changed them, and I changed them again! DOUBLE HA!)

Step 1: Respond and Rework. Answer the questions on your own blog. Replace one question that you don't like with a question of your own invention.

Step 2: Tag other un-tagged people... Or just open-tag anyone who wants to play!

1. Make a list of things you can see without getting up.
Diplomas, filing cabinet, yarn basket, craft supplies, candle.

2. Favorite Football Team.
The New England Patriots.
Though to answer otherwise would call down the fury of a hundred relatives upon me.

3. What are you wearing now?
White tee, light blue running pants, socks. Hey, It's a snow day!

4. What's the last thing you read/are currently reading?
You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore. LOVE HIM! His best is definitely Lamb, though.

5. Who was the last person you hugged?
Monkey, after retrieving him from time out for trying to flip his chair at the dinner table and laughing about it.

6. What's you current obsession/addiction?
Perpetually my piles of notebooks, but I'm trying to get a system in place for them. And a system for blogging... and a system for Esty... So, systems, apparently.

7. What was the last thing you said aloud?
"Raloo, Monkey. See you soon. Be good for Daddy."
Then I ditched Hubby and hid in my office until bath time!

8. What was the last thing you bought?
Coffee and cookies at Starbucks. Monkey's had "Mem-yahs" in it.
M&Ms to the rest of the world.

9. What are you listening to right now?
Monkey and Hubby horsing around in the other room.

10. What is your favorite type of bath product?
Clean and fresh smelling soaps with matching body lotion. Grapefruit, mint, etc.

11. What is your most challenging goal right now?
Getting myself organized!

12. Say something to the person who tagged you:
Sylvia: Thanks for the tag. This was a hoot! I hope by the time you read this you'll be snug at home with your sweet baby!

13. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished, anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Here in MA. If home base was paid for, travelling elsewhere would be a breeze.

14. Favorite vacation spot?
Ireland. I would go back right now if Logan wasn't CLOSED DUE TO SNOW!!!

15. Favorite children's book?
And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss.
It was actually rejected 29 times before it was published. Can you even imagine what was like to have been those 29 publishers?
Dude! You passed on Dr. Seuss!

16. What is your most favorite Candy Bar of all time?
Milka Bars, (Made in Germany and hard to find here, dang it!)

17. What was the first tape or CD that you bought for yourself?
You know, I have no idea. Probably something by NKOTB, back when they had a name and not just an acronym.

18. Describe your perfect day.
Sleeping past 8 and waking to mild, 65 degree weather. After a great workout, a leisurely meander through B&N followed by lunch at The Border Cafe. An afternoon of shopping, a quiet dinner at home, then reading until bedtime.

19. What's your favorite sweet treat? (Sylvia's question!)
Jell-O No Bake Cherry Cheesecake. (Oh, the SHAME!)

20. What would you do if you won the Lottery?
Oh, do I have plans for this! To sum up: pay off several houses, college loans, set up college funds for all of my cousins and siblings, donate like it was going out of style, and buy shoes. And books. And a place to store the shoes and books.

21. Aside from blogging, what is your favorite past time?
Reading.

22. How many pairs of shoes do you own, and what's your most prized pair? (My question!)
I love shoes. No, I really love shoes. I have, I'm stunned to say, 37 pairs. And I didn't count flip-flops. (That brings it up to 42.)

I put a pair of heels on my Christmas list a few years ago - black and white spectators with wingtip detailing and corset lacing on the toe. I quite literally did a happy-clappy-squeal-and-bounce when I opened them, and tried them on immediately. I was promptly mocked by the whole family.

They're just jealous!

23. What is your most favorite movie of all time?
Hm. That's hard. I'm not sure I can narrow it down. Anything Harry Potter, Hamlet with Mel Gibson, before he went nuts. Dogma, definitely, and it's much funnier if you went to Catholic school.

24. What is your favorite food to eat?
Rice-a-Roni, Herb and Butter flavor. Might as well just plaster it directly into my arteries, but *drool*

Remember to let me know if you play along!

Flashback Filler, Day 4

If all had gone according to plan, the first wave of my spring shop update should have be ready to go this weekend.

Really, what are the odds of everything going according to plan?

Ever?

(Teething toddler, lingering head cold, and insurance company? I'm looking at you.)

I will be adding things to the shop a little at a time over the next week, plus actual content will return! Someone got a delivery from Mabel's Labels yesterday....

Also, If you had not already heard, the SITS Spring Fling has been moved to March 10th. (Thank GOODNESS! I will be ready, but I am very grateful for the extra time to tweak and adjust.)

Hope everyone has a fab weekend!


**********************

From The Summer of 2008:

Back Off, Ladies. He's Taken.

TheScene:

Dinner time in our house. We enter upon a discussion involving produce and washing it before consuming it.

Lights up.

Hubby:
I don't know. The FDA is getting a lot better at tracking the problems.

Me:
Yeah, but I'd really like them to prevent the problems before they start. I'd appreciate not having to wonder if my spinach is going to kill me.

Hubby:
Hmm. First it was the spinach. Now it's the tomatoes. What's next? The Parmesan cheese? Oh my GOD! It's THE FLORENTINE CONSPIRACY!

Me:
(rolling eyes)
*snort*

Monkey:
Mummy! Dinn-uh! Dinn-uh! Dinn-uh!

Fade to black.

Flashback Filler, Day 3

*The summer wind, Comes rolling in, From across the sea...*

Thought we could use a change of song...

*hm hm-m-m, hm h-m-m...*

**********************

From The Summer of 2008:

Dear Barnes And Noble,

I am sorry I have to tell you this, but...

I am seeing someone else.

I never meant to hurt you, really. It's just something I had to do for myself. I'm trying to improve my life. Streamline. Optimize. Living greener and...

Do you really want to hear all of this?

Ok.

It's been going on for about a month now. Sometimes we meet online. Then, only when things are ready, do we meet in person.

I still think about you every day. Really, I do. I think about you there too. I know you don't want to hear that, but it's true.

Your card is in my wallet even now... yes, that card is in there too.

Yes, I do love your discounts.

Of course I love the squishy chairs and panoramic views from the second floor.

You don't understand. There's free Wi-Fi there!

You charge! Who charges anymore?

They are not used! They're just pre-read.

Yes I do miss being the first... the only...

Of course I remember those nights when we stayed up so late. Hazy summer nights filled with Frappucinos and wizards and neon wristbands.

We'll have that again. Someday.

No. I can't stop it now. I want to, but I can't!

We can still see each other. Just not all the time like... before.

And the time we spend apart will make the time we do spend together special.

I have to go.

No, I really have to go. The book I ordered is in.

I'll see you around.

Flashback Filler, Day 2

*Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Impanema goes walking...*

Another flashback today, this time to a NaBloPoMo entry for the theme "Letters."

*And when she passes, hm hmm hm-mm-mm-mm-mm, ahhhh...*

I'm still elbow deep in shiny bits, and there's a whole list of new blogs I need to blogroll and follow. I am WAY behind! I swear I will visit all the new readers and followers as soon as I get this muzak out of my head!

**********************

From April of 2008:

Parlez Vous Coffee?

So up here in the frozen, but happily defrosting Northeast, we have had a bit of coffee bipartisanship a'brewin for some time now. (Pun intended. Sorry.) There are two very large chains. One has a green logo, and blended, frozen cups of crack-addictive goodness... The other one serves "donuts."

(Can you guess which one I prefer?)

There's also a very funny commercial put out by the bakery-related chain where a group of people sing about the strange names given to the sizes at the green-logoed heaven. Perhaps they are singing in "Fratalian?"

Now you've got it.

I never really got the whole tall, grande, venti, why don't you have an intravenous option thing, but hey, when in Rome, don't piss off the lion making your coffee. So I learned. I have become very adept at chanting out my usual, as well as my husband's favorites.

That's a hoot in and of itself. When the 5'5" chick approaches the counter and asks for what amounts to 5 or 6 shots of espresso in a cup with some foam, eyes do bug. I do usually know what I'm saying, or so I thought.

Then came Saturday afternoon, at a branch location of my house of worship with a small but reasonable facsimile of green-logo land in it.

I approached the counter and the conversation went something like this:

TheCoffeeLady:
"Hi, can I help you?"

Me:
"Hi, yes. Could I please have a grande, low-fat, *copyrighted frozen drink*?"

TheCoffeeLady:
"A large?"

Me:
*Blinking, wondering if anyone else smells burnt rubber from the mental screech marks*

"Um, no, medium? A grande?"

Now, I've been an exchange student and a tourist in countries outside of the US. I am all for speaking the language of the country you are in. It's when you go to Germany and they're speaking Swahili that things get dicey.

So today, G is for large. Deal with it or go get yourself a cruller.

Flashback Filler, Day 1

I am trying very hard to be productive this week, and there are a lot of unfinished projects clamoring for my immediate attention.

Between the Barking Mad giveaway and my impending 1 year Blogiversary, I'm feeling a little introspective. (I know the math looks fuzzy, but I'm counting the anonymous before time too.)

So rather than upload a video of me humming random muzak to pass the time, I thought I'd dig into the archives of my long lost anon-o-blog and share the before with the fine readers of Oh2122.

Enjoy.

Or at least don't point and laugh, m'kay?


**********************

From March of 2008:

Dear Little Girl in Pink,

I am so glad you had such a good time at my cousins' birthday party this weekend. You seemed to take a special liking to my son. Who could blame you? Monkey is a shameless flirt, and obviously drew you in with his trademark squeals and smiles.

Running at my new little walker full bore and skidding to a stop, unbalancing him each time, looked like a lot of fun for you. You especially seemed to like crawling up next to him and the other children playing with an animatronic toy and whining, "Nooooooooooooo-wuh!" Only when he reached for it, of course, but you really did have to protect someone else's toy from the curious one year old.

And when you came up behind Monkey as he was crawling along after his beloved cousins, and proceeded to push him down to the ground with all of your might... well!

You may have just invented the best party game ever!

Monkey's father and I are glad we could provide you with such an entertaining playmate for the day. We'll be sure to reintroduce the two of you at next year's birthday party, when Monkey will be almost two. I'm sure he will remember you, sweetie.

I know I will.

All my love,

Monkey's Mummy

And The Winner Is:

Tori from The Sweet Jelly Bean!

Congratulations, Tori! These will be heading your way this week!

Thanks again to everyone who entered. Your comments were all so sweet, and will definitely help motivate my where-the-heck-is-spring self to get back to work!

If you're eagerly awaiting the Spring Fling, The SITSers announced this week that it will be moved to March 10th. Remark your calendars!

A Mossy Bit-O-Sunshine

It snowed here this week.

It's supposed to snow again this weekend.

And those cupcakes at the weather channel are talking about more next weekend.

I know Phil saw his shadow and all, but if this keeps up, I'm going to track that furball down and

We. Will. Have. Words.

There was a great surprise in my mailbox this week, though.

My snow covered mailbox... but I'm not bitter...

How fab is this?

I won it, courtesy of Erin At Every Heart Crafts.

I have plans for this yummy hint of spring already, and I can't wait to get to work on it!

Erin has a great Etsy shop, too. My favorite is the Green Bodhi Leaf, but you'll have to judge for yourself!