Category: Daily

We spent 2.5 hours unwinding a skein of Bambino!

This afternoon I went to the Rock-n-Roll Craft Show with Chris and Kym.

After the show, we went to Pi.

After Pi, we went to Knitty Couture.

Perfect day.

And now I’m just trying to figure out if I should have my hair all cut off again, or if I should continue to let it grow.

(I’m not purposefully letting it grow—it’s just that I haven’t had a haircut in over two months, so growing has happened.)

((My hair normally looks something like this. Sadly, right now it looks like I’m wearing a very awkward helmet, and I’m actually having to use a blow dryer, which makes me feel a bit too bothered. PLUS, we’re going out of town next weekend, and I really don’t feel like dealing with electronic hair equipment. Also, I really love Alice’s hair.))

I would create a Grow or No Grow poll, but I lack the energy. Oh, man! Tomorrow is the final day of NaBloPoMo! Is there anything you needed from me before I go? ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>

The Pudding House has fun house flooring.

Siddeartha
This is an actual photograph taken a few moments ago.

As you can see, Sidney is fine—despite the half moon hole in her left ear.

(What you can’t see is the pleading look in her eye as she begs for more turkey. I’ll spare you that wrench of the heart.)

((Another thing you can’t see is Harper. She’s back in her room thanking God for making us a No Spank family.))

All is well, although I’m currently fighting the urge to write a short story about Siddeartha—the half-moon-in-her-ear Brahmin cat who sets out on an ascetic journey to seek enlightenment. The only thing preventing this event is the tiny wise voice in my head that’s saying, “Dude. Really?!” ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>

Personified Candy Canes: Erratic or Erotic?

Last night, nine of us journeyed out to a local light display, where we boarded a train and marveled at millions of lights.

PLEASE NOTE: This light display is in St. Louis, Missouri. Although it may share a name with a truly fantastic display across the ocean, I can firmly say that the two events are not related. (I just spent thirty minutes looking at the photos of the other display, and suddenly I want to board a plane and go. Absolutely lovely.)

ONE MORE NOTE: This entry is not intended to disrespect the local display. We loved it, and were merely “in a mood” while riding the train. Our kids are still talking about how much fun they had. We will most definitely be returning.

Most of our journey looked a lot like this:
Lights

And this:
lights2

And that’s sort of what you expect when you go on a “millions of lights” adventure, right?

However, we also saw a little bit of this:
marshmallowman

My 12-year-old Nephew (M12YON): For some reason, that makes me feel a little uncomfortable.

Me: Is it because he looks like he’s been poked in the privates by a big toasted marshmallow skewer?

M12YON: Is this journey Rated R?

We continued to ride.

candyrumps

My Sister: Whoa! Hey there!

Jeff: Someone’s hanging low!

That’s all it took for the seven of us (the girls retained their delightful innocence) to see past the magic (and tune in to our inner Porky’s).

We were now taking a ride on the Lickerish Express.

(Please know that all inappropriatisms (and that is NOT a real word) were kept under our breath. The Puddings are very considerate of others when they spew dirt.)

candycaneballs

M12YON: What is that down by his leg?

Me: You know how candy canes roll. As soon as the lights go out, they get all junkie.

M12YON: I don’t like the look on his face.

Meredith: His arm is going the wrong way! Wheeee!

Regardless of (and perhaps because of) the Candy Porn, The Puddings are now fully dipped in the Christmas Spirit.

We’re in. ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>

NaBloPoMo Freak Out!

This morning I was drinking coffee and checking e-mail and WHOOSH! our internet connection quit. No lights were blinking. Frogs began falling from the sky. Veiled horsemen began circling outside the house. People (mostly me) were flipping out.

(Actually, Jeff detected my sweat and sent me off to the shower so he could fix it in peace. I shaved my legs for the first time in ages! Also, I used really excellent shower gel. If you talk to me today, don’t be concerned if I take a lot of breaks to smell myself. MmmmmmVanilla.)

All of this to say: Because we don’t know if the connection will blow again, I am literally puking out my NaBloPoMo entry. I’mtypingasfastasIcanBarbaraGordon!

Tonight we’re going here. We’ll be riding a shuttle bus dressed up as a train, and we’ll be feeling The Christmas Spirit, and I’m planning on taking the video camera, but chances are I’ll be crying entirely too hard to actually take it out of the case. (The Christmas Spirit gets me Every Single Time. Don’t even get me started on Amy Grant’s Christmas album. The one with Tennessee Christmas? I can’t even drive while listening to it—much more dangerous than texting.)

I hope all is well with you and that you can’t really detect my Frantic. You know, I’ve heard at least 849 people say that God never gives you more than you can handle. Clearly, if losing an internet connection affects me like this, I can’t handle much. This explains why I tend to swim in gravy. Calm water gravy. Not money gravy. So many different gravies out there.

Tomorrow is another day! A day flavored with pumpkin! ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>

Meredith is a carnivore.

Prey
She read it to us this morning as “I am thankful for the Thanksgiving turkey, because I love the prayer.”

However, I do enjoy picturing Meredith hunting and seizing a wild turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner. It’s all about the prey, you know.

(The first part is about her grandparents’ dog—an animal Meredith will never attack and eat. Hopefully.)

‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>

I have toothpaste in my hair.

This afternoon I had a dental appointment.

Once again, we discussed my sensitivity. (Oral. Not emotional.)

Once again, I sang the praises of my night guard.

Once again, the hygienist had to numb my mouth before cleaning my teeth (I tend to kick my legs and howl like a (very unsexy) werewolf when she touches my sensitive spots).

As she finished the polishing, the hygienist accidentally let her instrument (seriously, I tried to come up with a better word, but I’m sort of in a hurry over here) slip, and it buzzed over my face and bonked me on the back of my head, where it left a pea-sized dollop of orange-flavored polish. (I always choose the orange. I’m a real sucker for anything that smells or tastes like citrus. With that said, please know that I’m entirely unable to eat citrus fruits (or tomatoes, for that matter) because of the way my face responds.)

I’m burning a lemon-scented candle as I share all of this information with you. (Shout out to Tempe for the lemon-scented candle!)

Finally, we’re now in the home stretch of NaBloPoMo. And I know I’ve sort of sucked—what with the puking up of photographs and videos and whatnot. For that, I halfheartedly apologize and hang my head at a roughly thirty degree angle.

In semi-related news, today I received this:

Maizey, Chilling with the Bananas

It’s a phone and it’s made of corn and it’s the first phone I’ve ever had that holds a QWERTY keyboard.

In other words, I’ll now be a lot more active on Twitter—if you care about that sort of thing.

Specifically, I’ll be Momspotting. (This has absolutely nothing to do with blood, so you can turn off the wince.)

Personal message to Diana Ellis: I have your old phone number. In fact, within minutes of setting up my new phone’s voicemail, I received three messages for you. The first two calls were not pleasant. (I won’t go into specifics other than: One of my Christmas wishes is for you to get your credit back on track. And Heaven and Nature sing.) The third? Well, it’s past time for you to schedule your eye doctor appointment! (I don’t mind taking your messages, but I’m not going  to set up your appointments, Diana. Call the eye doctor. You look pretty today. You’re welcome!) ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>

The Fluid Pudding Family Caramel Apple Salad Recipe

Oh, people. You’re making this NaBloPoMo thing easy when you ask for things like recipes.

And, please know that I fought the urge to say Recipe: Throw 12 apples into a large bowl. Add 64 Brach’s caramels (wrapped or unwrapped). Happy Thanksgiving.

Since you asked, here is the recipe Grandma used.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 carton (8 oz.) Cool Whip
  • 4 cups diced Granny Smith apples
  • 1 cup chopped salted dry roasted peanuts, divided

In a heavy saucepan, combine flour, sugar, pineapple with juice, egg, and vinegar. Bring to a slow boil, stirring constantly; cook on medium until thickened. Refrigerate until cold. In a large mixing bowl, fold cooled pineapple mixture into Cool Whip, then fold in apples and 1/2 cup peanuts. Pour into a serving dish and garnish with remaining peanuts.

So, yeah. Absolutely no caramel included, but it TASTES like caramel is included. And I suppose that’s what matters.

Enjoy your Friday. ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>