We all scream for ice cream! I was out running errands today and got a craving for the cold confection. Perfect for a warm summer day. I had to go to the grocery store to pick up a few things anyway so off I went. I never keep cold treats in the house and it's been awhile since I actually went down the ice cream aisle. I charged down the aisle past the giant tubs of ice cream and sherbet to get to the section that has the smaller sizes and I about died. Did you know that they make itty bitty servings now?! They even come with their own little spoon! They were only a dollar each and I just had to pick up a couple. I got one Starbucks and one Ben & Jerry's. What you see is what you get for your serving size (pic below). Nutritionally, it's not the best but c'mon, it's ice cream. Not exactly a health food. :)
Be sure to check out Ben & Jerry's Halloween section of their Web site here. You can see their Flavor Graveyard of their "dearly de-pinted", the spooky mansion, pumpkin patch, laboratory, library and more. They really have a ton to look at. In the library, you can read the history of Halloween and there are links to costume and magic shops, real haunts, etc.
Heads up that this is going to be an uber long post! But it should be entertaining so stick around. : )
I spent some time today in craft stores checking out materials for the craft show I want to do with my cousin next month that I talked about here. The bad news is that my initial plan has fallen apart. I was thinking about doing mosaic pots and cloth baskets. If I were to do the pots, I would need to put a higher price on them than I was originally thinking due to the cost of materials. I find that craft shows are like garage sales. Meaning that you can't get decent prices on the things you sell at them. The cloth baskets aren't looking very good right now because I can't seem to find the right material and if they don't sell, I don't want a bunch of baskets sitting around that are in fabrics that I normally wouldn't choose. I have to make something that appeals to the "normals" yet is still something I would like, in case it doesn't sell very well.
After wandering around for awhile, I came up with multiple ideas but all seemed to be too costly or time intensive for a craft show. They may be ideas that I could use if I ever start an online business though. So I'm sort of back to square one. I'm good at cross-stitch and can whip out a bunch of small ones in time for the craft show next month but I don't know if they will sell in these economic times. I have thought of an idea but it's something I've never done before and I could completely suck at it. If it works, I think I would make some good money on it. Here's a hint. : )
In one of my posts, I talked about how my new job had me scheduled as the only driver on Tuesday night and I was kinda' nervous. We ended up having a church come in and do a fundraiser that night and our dining room was crazy busy. Thank goodness I didn't have to deal with that! But because of it, there were tons and tons of dishes to be done, which I did have to deal with. Plus we had corporate coming to our store the next day so extra cleaning had to get done that we normally don't do (lights, oven, etc). The night manager ended up letting a cook stay on until close and they called in someone else just to do dishes. He worked on dishes for 3 hours straight if that gives you an idea of how many dishes we had to do. The night manager was really cool and helped me with prep so the night ended up going fairly well and we were out of there around midnight (we closed at 11).
Now you may be wondering what this "Draceneaology" is all about, hmm? Well my buddy Eve borrowed a meme from my buddy Diane where you post your name followed by "ology" and answer the below questions. Here are my answers!
***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice?
ranch
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
I haven't eaten in a restaurant in years due to my sensitive tummy but I like most restaurant food to-go. Today I had Chinese. Yum!
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
I haven't had it in forever but I'm gonna' go with grilled cheese sandwiches!
What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Ham, mushrooms and extra cheese.
What do you like to put on your toast?
Jelly and real butter. I have this fantastic rhubarb jelly right now.
***********TECHNOLOGY***************
How many televisions are in your house?
Two...one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Although I only use the one in the bedroom a few times a year.
What color cell phone do you have?
Black and it lights up blue when I get a call/message.
Do you have an Ipod?
Nope...don't see the point.
***************BIOLOGY******************
Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Left! I think that means I'm a Southpaw or something? I'm ambidextrous with a lot of things though so you wouldn't necessarily know I'm a lefty unless you saw me writing.
Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Hmm...tonsils and a suspicious freckle.
What is the last heavy item you lifted?
Stacks of pans filled with dough...yesterday. I have a beautiful bruise on one of my arms from all the dough stacks I've been carrying. That'll tell you how heavy they are.
Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
Hmm...I'm gonna' go with "no" on this one cuz' I think they mean literally being knocked out.
************BULLCRAPOLOGY**************
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Yes, please!
If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Oooh...Dark Mistress Of The Night. Has a nice ring, yes?
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Hells no! What's wrong with you?
************DUMBOLOGY******************
How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
Zero! I'm goth for goth's sake.
Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
Hmm...a couple years ago at some holiday gathering? (My uncle is a cop.)
I'm a good girl, people, I don't break any laws EVER. Didn't believe that? Yeah, me neither. I'm just really good at not getting caught.
Last person you talked to?
My cousin.
Last person you hugged?
Vampire Kitini. Yes, he IS a person. Seriously, you don't want to argue this point.
**************FAVORITE-OLOGY****************
Season?
It's a toss-up between spring and fall.
Holiday?
Halloween...duh. Do you read this blog ever? hee hee
Day of the week?
I used to say any day that I didn't work but now that I have a fun job, I'm gonna' go with any day that I don't have to get up early for work. Sleeping is one of my favorite hobbies.
Month?
October
***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************
Missing someone?
Not especially.
Mood?
creative
What are you listening to?
Cradle of Filth
Watching?
Like Eve said in her answers, I'm watching my screen.
Worrying about?
Not making enough $$ at the new job. I hate bills!
I should say "no" to keep up my gothiness so "no".
Sleeping Alone Tonight?
Nope! I'll have Vampire Kitini and a giant teddy bear and really that's all I need cuz' boys smell and have cooties.
***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************
Do you always answer your phone?
nope
Its four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
Depends on the night. Most nights I would really wonder. If it's a bar night, it's probably a friend wondering if I made it home okay. The bar nights have been few and far between lately though. Drinking is expensive!
If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Black...all black. I bought special contacts for that but they hurt my eyeballs so much I can't wear them. : ( BIG waste of $$.
What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
I haven't been to a Sonic since I lived in Ohio and don't remember adding any flavors. Lime comes to mind though now that I think about it.
Do you own a digital camera?
Yep and if you ask Diane, myself or anyone that's seen the pictures, I need a new one!
Have you ever had a pet fish?
A few. Gordo was the last one. He hung on for quite awhile. Even tried to commit suicide once. I got out of the shower and he was laying on the blanket next to the tank. He was a shimmery gray color when I got in the shower and he was dried and black when I got out. I thought he was dead so I went to scoop him up and he started moving! I put him back in the tank and he hung on for another few years. Never regained his original color though. True story.
Yes, but you really don't want to see them. Although I haven't tried since I've been lifting all that dough. I bet they look awesome now!
Can you do a chin up?
Not sure? I don't have anything around the house that I could practice on.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
excited
Do you have any saved texts?
Yep but not intentionally. My phone saves them all until I delete them and I just don't make that kind of effort when it comes to phone organization. That's my assistant's job. hee hee
Ever been in a car wreck?
Unfortunately.
Do you have an accent?
When I lived in Ohio, they said I did. I'm pretty sure that's from when I lived up north. Say ya' to da' U.P., eh? ha ha (Insider Michigan joke.)
What is the last song to make you cry?
Can't think of the last one. It's been awhile.
Plans tonight?
Catching up on emails/blogs. I've had a couple of crazy busy days.
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
yep
Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
Let's see...a lighter for a co-worker, Taco Bell and that's it!
Have you ever been given roses?
A long long time ago in a galaxy far away. They sure were purty though.
Current worry?
Wondering what I'm going to do about next month's craft show.
Current hate right now?
Bills! I'm stuck because I can't get out of my mortgage or my car lease.
Met someone who changed your life?
yep
How will you bring in the New Year?
That's too far away to think about.
What song represents you?
I'm a mutt of multiple songs, like anyone is, but this one is pretty accurate. Plus I found a video of it set to Underworld. Even better!
Name three people who might complete this?
I have no idea!
Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
It would depend on when and where I'd end up.
Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
yep
Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
yep
Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now?
Time will tell. As of now, I'd say "no" because I have hang-ups about relationships but you never know when the right one will come along, or so they say.
Does anyone love you?
I think so. It's hard to tell if people mean the words.
Would you be a pirate?
Ahoy, matey!
What songs do you sing in the shower?
I typically don't sing in the shower but occasionally I'll belt out whatever happens to be stuck in my head.
Ever had someone sing to you?
yep
When did you last cry?
A couple months ago when I left a job that I had been at for eight years. I cried because of how horribly I was treated.
Do you like to cuddle?
The last time I cuddled, I enjoyed it but I'm not normally a cuddly type of person. As a friend once said, I'm like a cantaloupe. I have a rough exterior but I'm sweet on the inside.
Have you held hands with anyone today?
nope
Who was the last person you took a picture of?
I have no idea. Does Vampire Kitini count? Most of the time I'm taking pics of my surroundings.
What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school?
oldie's
Do you believe in staying close with your ex's/prospects?
Not usually. They are ex's for a reason.
Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Brand new and shiny with fully poseable arms!
Do you like pulpy orange juice?
nope
What is something your friends make fun of you for?
My oddness. But then they're really not friends, are they?
NOTE: There appeared to be some words missing from some of the questions so I filled in the blanks (in green) with what I thought should have been there.
1. What is on the walls of your room?
I have to assume that they mean bedroom. Well I took everything down when the realtor came through but I did have Night Watcher by Joseph Vargo over my bed (below). Love his work! Then I had a 3D Halloween scene in a black picture frame on the opposite wall.
2. What type of music do you listen to?
Anything but country and jazz.
3. What do you want more than anything right now?
Someone to buy my home!
4. Do you get scared in the dark?
Heck no. I am the goddess Nyx, you know.
5. What's yourworst fear?
Ooh I know. Being shot with a drug that makes you paralyzed everywhere except for your eyes. You are completely aware of everything that's going on and can't do shit about it.
6. If you could do anything right now, what would it be?
I'd go someplace warm and swim under the full moon.
7. What’s the most meaningful gift that you’ve received?
I was living up north years ago when I was just a young pup (18). I was in an abusive relationship and working at a bakery. It was a small town so everyone knew everyone's business. One of my regular customers gave me a book for my birthday and wrote a note in the front of it. It said this:
"You are a very special young woman. Out of all bad comes good and growth. Know you are cared about and in my thoughts."
I received that book exactly 10 years ago today.
8. Do you have a crush?
Nope.
9. Who is your favorite celebrity?
Tim Burton - for his creativity and his mind.
10. Could you fall in love with someone that you know must leave?
I have before.
11. Share a favorite quote of yours.
I have so many! Here's one:
"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment."
- Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
12. What’s your weakness?
Every day I say I'm going to do certain things and every night I say that I'll do them tomorrow. When other people rely on me to do something, I'll have it done before you can blink an eye but when I'm the only one affected, I put it off.
13. Do you believe that we all have a soul mate?
I'd like to think so but if that's true, then some people never find theirs.
14. What were you doing before Sunday Stealing?
Watching Stargate Atlantis. There's a link to the show's page on the right side of my blog.
15. What do you get complicated about the most?
I'm guessing this meant conflicted? My answer would be family. Sometimes I'll have a good time with them and good conversations and I'll think that everything is okay and then the next time I see them, they're completely different people and I don't want to have anything to do with them.
16. What turns you off the most from a potential partner?
I have a few things that are pretty high up there. Can't say one turns me off more than another. I don't like men who brag about themselves though. There's a fine line between having good self-esteem and having a giant ego.
17. What is your worst habit?
See answer to #12.
18. When was the last time that you were jealous?
I haven't been truly jealous in many years. I get little faux fits of jealousy when someone talks about something they have that I would like but can't get.
19. Have you ever had a “friend with benefits”?
These questions are kinda' personal! The answer is yes.
20. Do you use sarcasm?
No way! See, I just did right there. : )
21. At the moment, what’s your favorite song?
I don't really do favorites but lately I've been listening to a remix of More Human Than Human by White Zombie. Kick ass song! I went to YouTube to see if I could find it and lo and behold I found part of the song set to The Covenant screenclips. Even better! Great movie, by the way.
22. What is your favorite day of the year?
Halloween!
23. Describe your love life.
Complicated. Yep, that about sums it up.
24. When was your last one night stand?
Seriously? Geesh my personal space is being invaded. Awhile ago.
25. How many past lovers are too many?
If you don't know the number, then that's too many.
My dad came over for my birthday last night and it went surprisingly well. He gave me a card with some moolah. He was going to bring a small cake or cupcakes but instead he brought a box of honey buns (not the Little Debbie brand). I don't like them but it was the thought that counts. He wanted me to keep em' but I sent them back with him. I also gave him the almond milk that I bought for the occasion. (He's lactose intolerant.) If any of you out there are lactose or gluten intolerant, almond milk isn't a bad substitute. You will taste almonds but you also get that milk texture.
I saw my mom today for Mother's Day and she really appreciated the gift I made for her. She even made a spot for it on a shelf in the living room. Awww. We spent a few hours just chatting and hanging out and it was really nice. While I was there, she gave me a birthday card and a Dahlietta Louise Dahlia (below). Purty, huh? The card she gave me is on the right and the card I got from my dad is on the left. Her and I are also going to go horseback riding for the other part of my bday gift. I haven't done that in forever and I'm definitely looking forward to it.
So the birthday time with each of my parents was good. Not the nightmare that family time can be sometimes. : )
1. tastefully fine or luxurious in dress, style, design, etc.: elegant furnishings. 2. gracefully refined and dignified, as in tastes, habits, or literary style: an elegant young gentleman; an elegant prosodist. 3. graceful in form or movement: an elegant wave of the hand. 4. appropriate to refined taste: a man devoted to elegant pursuits. 5. excellent; fine; superior: an absolutely elegant wine. 6. (of scientific, technical, or mathematical theories, solutions, etc.) gracefully concise and simple; admirably succinct.
This award came from Diane, a purty awesome gal. Thanks, Diane! Check out her blog(s) and I'm sure you'll agree. She was handing out this award to all the mothers out there. I am the mother of a furry fellow whose code name is Vampire Kitini. A picture of the handsome fellow is below. Don't all mothers think that their kid is the cutest? : )
Mr. Kitini wanted to point out that even though his mother has a sucky camera, he still looks adorable. He may sound a bit conceited but that's because everyone that comes over gushes about how beautiful he is. He just can't help his cuteness.
I always make my mom something for Mother's Day and this year, I picked a cross-stitch pattern. Keep in mind that this is for my mom and we are complete opposites so instead of vampires and gothy stuff, which I would prefer, it's all bright colors and fluffy stuff. : ) Below is the finished product framed and all. You can see it better if you click on the pic. One of these days I need to get a better camera cuz' I would have preferred to take the pic without the flash but without it, every picture comes out with a yellow hue. Bleh.
UPDATE 6/25/2009: I removed a good chunk of this post due to blog content changes.
Years ago, on the night before Easter, I lay in my bed trying to fall asleep. I was probably 10 years old at the time. The Easter bunny was coming to deliver candy and I couldn't wait. Easter candy is so different from all the other candy out there. You've got the chocolate rabbits, the malted eggs, Cadbury eggs, etc. Seriously, it's better than any other kind of candy. Halloween is my favorite holiday but I never got excited over Halloween candy. It's always tootsie rolls, mini candy bars, etc. Nothing with character. Well, I guess candy corn has character but it's not the same as biting into a chocolate covered marshmallowy pink raspberry flavored goodness. You probably think I eat bon-bons all day long. : ) I actually have no candy in the house and don't buy it except for maybe a couple times a year. I don't get a sweet tooth that often and when I do, I typically sip hot chocolate. I figure it's safer to drink the sugar in the open than to be found sitting in a dark closet licking the hollow of a Cadbury egg. Okay, enough of the candy porn.
The real reason for this post was to talk about the time I saw the Easter bunny. I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep and there was a full moon shining into my bedroom. I was on my side with my eyes open (cuz' I was excited for the candy) when I noticed a shadow on the wall. It looked like two long bunny ears but they were standing straight up. Hmm...strange. Then one of the ears bent down and then came back up. I jumped out of bed and over to the window to see what was casting this shadow. There was nothing there. It wasn't my parents trying to be funny because they just wouldn't make that effort. I just think it was bizarre that I saw bunny ears on the night before Easter. And no, it wasn't some sleepy kid imagining things. I saw a bunny dammit. : )
Dear Mr. Bunny, if you're out there,
Would you please bring me some chocolate deliciousness tonight? Pretty please? Cuz' if you don't, I'm going to have to go to the store on Monday when all the sales start and I really would prefer to eat some candy tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Cadbury Licker
I saw this video and had to add it to this post. Cracked me up!
