This is George. I drive by him every week on my way home from work.

George is an old and vernerable cactus with many moons of experiencing the foibles of humans.

Now George is as festive as the next cactus, perhaps more so. Note the happy banner of hubcaps and other various acutrements.

Also if you look very closely, you can see a barbie attached to the single hubcap. Please note the odd star-like spidery thingy as well. As you can see, George likes getting dressed up even with no where to go, but every cactus has his breaking point...

...And this is George's. Poor George He is not Scottish nor is he a crossdresser. He is really a very staid cactus with discriminating tastes. George feels very embarassed right now. The wolf whistles from the passing cars are enough to make his branches wilt.

See the wilting? He just can't feel like the manly cactus he is in a skirt. He doesn't mind the lights at Christmas and actually enjoys the various colored ropes that are perpetually draped about his head.

But a skirt? Really folks, have some decency! Leave a cactus his dignity.

Room redecoration

So about 6 months ago I decided to redo my room. I got all gung-ho about it and pulled stuff apart and bought various fabrics and such, then....well, nothing. My room has been a mess since. I did finish my blackout curtains, more from necessity than desire, but I've decided the next couple week are going to be dedicated to finishing this project. I haven't done much so far because things never work out quite as I plan, but here's what I've done so far: I recovered two lamps (very pleased w/ the results), designed/measured/calculated supplies necessary for my book cases, hung pictures/mirror/hats/various wall stuff, figured materials needed for my new earring holder, bought everything but the actual lumber for my new bookcases and finished the cover for my comforter to match my new room stuff. I did organize all my plastic tubs of stuff and labeled them. I also loaded up mydesk unit (got bookshelves and desk) in my room, though it does need to have all the stickers removed (that's what happens when you get something for free, always a catch). I am looking for handles so my dresser and desk unit match, but that is proving trickier than I had hoped due to size of handles and coloring desire. Here are some pictures of my finished lampshades. Like I said, pleased with the results.

This is the biggest lampshade. It started off as a red silk type shade. I am using this fabric (something I've had FOREVER) as the basis for the room. You can't see it well, but it's got this kind of turquoise/teal color in the leaves...that's the color of my curtains and some of the pillows. Comforter cover is that deep rose color.

This is a smaller lampshade (bedside table size). The color worked with the room theme, so I just applied some trim (super fun) and cut out some of the leaves and flowers from scraps of the material I had. Then I used fabric paint to trace around and inside the cutouts after glueing them to the shades.

(small lampshade from a different angle)

(another pic of the big lampshade w/ the ribbon I used...still not sure how I feel about that ribbon.)

A few of my Favorite things...

(An amalgamation of my favorite things...not counting the food/cooking)

It seems the theme for this past weekend was love (go figure since it was Valentine's Day weekend), so with that in mind I decided to devote this post to things I love. I have four major loves in life: shoes, books, cooking and sleep. The order in which they fall fluctuates depending how much I've had of each recently, but I love shoe and book shopping (even if I don't ultimately end up buying something) if only because of the smell of the store, though bookstores are starting to stink like coffee with makes me sad :( I also love cooking and experimenting on my friends though I don't get to do it as often as I'd like. I believe that presentation of the food is almost as important as the food itself. If it doesn't look good, no one will want to eat it. I love setting the table with china and goblets even just for a casual meal. It give it a certain je ne se quois. As for sleep, well that's just self explanatory. And as much as I love sleep, I abhor the snooze button. I'd rather set my alarm for the last possible minute (ask my friends that I went to Disney World with...I've streamlined my morning routine) and just pop out of bed when it goes off, then doze for a few minutes to have the horrible sound of the alarm go off AGAIN over and over. Though I will say that there have been time where the only thing getting me out of bed is the realization I will get to go back to bed in 12 hours (or however long). I firmly believe it should take no longer than 15 minutes to get ready and go in the morning. 20 if you do make-up and want breakfast. But I'd rather stay up late then get up early...my poor children if I ever have them. :)

Some amusing animal pics I found...love them!

Title definitions

So I've recently been working on my fiction writing. I have about 3 or 4 books started but not finished. I have the hardest time with the middle of my books. The beginnings go smoothly and then my brain skips to the end. Sigh...makes writing the middle difficult especially when my characters do not want to cooperate. As for the title of my post: I know we're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but how often do we judge one by it's title? So I often re-title my books as I go along so that it fits better or is catchier or what have you. I do have to say that I am proud of myself because I have a fairly decent short story done...maybe I'll post that here sometime. I dunno. Also I feel the need to explain the title of my blog for those who are not as strange as I. In "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll, the white queen tells Alice, "Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast". One of my other favorite quotes from Lewis Carroll (and I have many because they are so nonsensical they are wise) is from "Alice in Wonderland" (which is different from "Through the Looking Glass" though they both contain Alice and Wonderland). The king says, "Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop." Thoroughly wonderful advice, no?

Superbowl Sunday

So it is officially Superbowl Sunday, and while I have no particular feelings one way or the other about it, my local team (the Cardinals) are in it this year so Superbowl parties abound-more so than normal. Should be interesting, though I dread the drunks if we win. :^S Life was good, if busy, this past week. Not much to say cuz I didn't do or think too much. Oh, have been good about going to the gym-yay me! Also went to a baby shower today were there were more pregnant women than not. This is indicative the sanity that does sometimes prevail. Namely, being preggers in AZ in the summer is miserable so most try to time their pregnancy to fall during the winter months. Life's been quiet but that won't last long. It never does. So my goal for this week is to work on finding a new pianist for Ward Choir (since the one I have is engaged and wants to go to church w/ her fiancee) and visit the family. And now I'm off...gonna argue with my computer and find out why it won't open pdf files. Fun, no?