You Say Jump, I Say You Betcha and I'll Shout Too!

My goodness...it seems like forever since I last sat down here and talked.  What's that you say...it has been forever?  I know...I know.

So much going on around here at the Casita de Trash, I hardly have time to catch my breath.  You too huh?  Yeah...this is a crazy time of year for all of us...and talk about crazy...you will never guess what we were up to (or should I say down at) this weekend.  Instead of being covered in tinsel, glitter, and scotch tape...we were surrounded by tulle, perfume, and leather.

Oh you naughty boys and girls...I know what you're thinking, but no...not that.  Cat Daddy and I made the trip to Round Top for the first ever Winter Junk Gypsy Prom.  Can you say "Oh Law...Trash in a can-can!"?

Heidi...do you have any idea what a mischief maker Jackson is when he channels Buddy Holly?

I know I should have been decking the halls, but y'all know me....I can't resist a party...

and y'all also know Cat Daddy can't resist a photo op and we all know how the ladies can't resist him!

Animal magnetism with a splash of Hai Karate...what can I say?

"Be careful how you use it!"

They were lined up and waiting to bust a move!

I gotta stop here for a disclaimer.  For any of y'all who might be thinking the Gypsies are sittin' pretty with their new HGTV show...think again.  Sittin' is the last thing this family is getting to do these days!

Oh mylanta!

I do believe they are working harder than rented mules, what with the show's filming schedule plus trying to get their brick and mortar store built.  Sheesh...there is so much that goes into shooting just one episode...I can't begin to wrap my noggin around what they've been through getting 13 into the can.

(BTW...did any of y'all watch the sneak preview?  What'd ya think?)

In addition to coordinating the entire event...down to primping the hall...there were interviews, prep work for another shoot this week, running back and forth...all while taking care of sick babies and being sick themselves, but in the world of show biz...there are no days off...the show must go on. 

Walking in, we were hit with a blast of music from The John Evans Band and Baby Cakes...the show did go on and boy howdy...was it ever ON!

Lights...cameras...action...

and a whole lotta tail feather shakin'!

Told to wear their junkiest prom attire, the 150+ guests complied...whole hog and whole hearted.  It was a Texasified tangle of big hair, big hats, and big fun!

Folks came from miles around for this gaudy extravaganza and an extra, heapin' helpin' of whoppin' good times!

(Does she remind anyone else of "Jessie"?  I swear up and down...she was just as tiny, but way cuter!)

Sisters On The Fly were representing and they were just so gosh darn cute!   Their motto on their site reads "We have more fun than anyone." and let me tell ya...they were out to prove it.  They asked everyone to write a short note to Amie and Jolie and presented the girls with a huge jar full of love notes.  How sweet and thoughtful...right?

I'm telling y'all...SOTF girls are rootin' tootin' cute in fuzzy chaps!

I got tickled watching how many times the Gypsies had to replace kissed off lip gloss.  That gloss was outside the purse more than it was in it 'cause that outhouse-turned-photo booth hasn't seen that much action since...well gosh I don't rightly know.  I reckon since being replaced with indoor plumbing!  All I do know is the line to get a photo and a kiss with the girls was stretched out for a mile...and so were the grins! 

I don't know if I've ever told y'all, but I adore paper dresses.  I think it's one of the most fanciful and beautiful art forms out there.  Can you imagine my face when I got a load of this dress?  Stunning is the only word to describe it...simply stunning.

Alas, being paper, it wasn't necessarily built to last...talk about a paper trail.  Close to the end of the evening, I wondered if this gorgeous lady was going to be modeling her birthday suit, but the dress held up.  I didn't find out who the tailor was, but BRAVO!

Hmmm...I wonder if Royer's had any pies go MIA last week.

.This creation was another of my faves.  Queen of Hearts you ask?  Nah...I dub thee The Queen of Tarts!  Both of these ensembles deserved standing O's.

Look Ma...no pigtails!

See...I really was there...and no Janie isn't pretending like she doesn't know see me.  She's just a busy, busy woman.  With the show, I don't know if there ever is down time for any of them. 

Even Phillip takes a back seat to text messages....especially when there are sick, little ones back at home.  Sigh...I wish I had got a good photo of the two of 'em dancing...best couple on the floor.

It was a duke's mixture of glam...with some of that glam even arriving in matched sets!

At the end of the night all I could think was...

CAN I GET A YEE TO THE HAW?

Lest y'all get to thinking ol' Trash has forgot about my little teaser a post or so back...fret not.  A hint is hidden inside the tree of what else I've been cooking up besides Christmas cookies, but for now, it's time to take the...

TRASH OUT!

Jumping The Couch

This is such a crazy, rush-rush time of the year for me that without lists I'd be running around like the proverbial chicken muttering "Which way do I go...Which way do I go?"!  So-o-o like Santa...I'm making my list and checking it once...or twice.

Christmas Open House at Winnie & Tulula's?

Check!

Thanks Margo for taking the photo. I never seem to have a camera ready when I need it!

New flooring in living room?

Thanks to my oldest melon-head...Check!

(I knew the 1349 hours I spent in labor delivering that 9 pound...most of it head...bundle of Joey would pay off someday!)

SQUIRREL ALERT!!!

I just have to stop here and ask...

is it possible to be in love with a floor?

So much so...that if it weren't for Cat Daddy standing in the way...I'd marry it?

(BTW...is it really bigamy if one of the parties in question is an laminate inanimate object?  Just checking!)

Y'all...it was love at first click.  Forget the sound of reindeer hooves...give me the sound of lengths of laminate clicking together!  AH-H-H...music to my ears.

Watching it slowly come together, changing my room from boring to boardilicious, was worth all the broken nails, ragged knuckles and blowing a knee out it cost me to get it ready.

Pshaw!  Who needs two knees anyways...although Mr. OMH might disagree.

(Did I mention how OCD he is when he's working?  Oy vey!)

I am so crazy for this floor...I hate to place anything on it...except me!

Y'all know how a dog will roll on his back on the grass.  You know...with the legs straight up in the air and wiggling all around?

That's me...RIGHT...NOW!

(Move over Tom Cruise and I'll show you how I do crazy!)

I'll get back to my check lists just as soon as I can find my way to make it up off this beautiful floor and regain my senses!

Don't wait up for me...this may take a while!

Tonight there are so many gifts I have in my life to be thankful for...I don't even know where to begin.

Thankful for the mind numbing tiredness that engulfs me as I sit here and type.  The kind of exhaustion that wraps around me like a blanket on a cold winter's night.  A wonderful tiredness that comes from preparing food for those I love and who love me back.  Bone tired from standing at a sink washing dishes, but thankful for the hot water and suds in which to wash them, knowing I'll sleep soundly from a day well spent.

I'm thankful for the ability to laugh...at the antics of children and adults alike...as well as at myself.

 For rolls, a cake and a turkey that didn't come out quite right, but still graced our table beautifully and the hands I held as a small child's sweet voice said grace, I am so very thankful.   

Thankful for the ache in my back that came from carrying His special gift (in the form of a two year old) around on my hip and not from carrying around old grudges or hard feelings.

Blessed for my tired, achy knees that managed to hold me upright all day, yet still allowed me to kneel at day's end, bow my head and count my blessings...one.by.one.

Grateful for my eyes to see all the beautiful faces that surrounded me today and to see clearly what matters most.

Blessed beyond measure for my ears to hear the chattering around me, the lilt of happy voices, and to hear the most beautiful word in the world..."Nana"...spoken by two precious girls.  To hear "I love you more" spoken with a bit of lisp and in baby-ese and to know they do, I am thankful...even though I know it's impossible for them to love me more than I love them.

Thankful for my tongue that allows me to taste all the different flavors on the table, talk until the family throws me a roll to shut me up, and gives me the voice to praise Him. 

Rene' is having a giveaway on her blog Miss Gracie's House and she inspired my Thanksgiving post.  Sometimes I get so busy with the day-to-day, I fail to see all the small blessings in my life.  Not to make light, but simple things like indoor plumbing, a pillow, or breathing in and out that sometimes I fail to say thank you for.  Thanks to Rene', I'm going to be listing the gifts I've been given on a weekly basis.  It may take me the rest of my life to say thank you to God for all that He has given me, but He took the time to bless me....and after all...what time I have, is given to me by Him and belongs to Him.

All that I have...all that I am...all that I hope to be...

from a humble and grateful heart...

I say Thank you Lord.

Jumping Bail

Before y'all get to thinking I've lost my head and run off to join the pirate's life with Johnny, I thought I'd better stick my tangled mess out and let you know...don't pay the ransom...I escaped.

I've been running myself ragged getting ready for our big reveal at Winnie & Tulula's Christmas Open House.  So much so, that in my haste...I've hot glued my left hand to my hair and I'm really typing this with one hand tied glued behind my back.

All the vendors are working on bringing y'all a splendific eye-feast fit for a king...or in W&T Land...a queen and what a queen I might add.  Oh mylanta...Marie Antoinette no less!  Sorry Louie...you just don't cut the mustard and speaking of cutting...here at W&T's, we don't believe in cutting corners when it comes to good taste...only cake...and occasionally a rug!

The windows are being covered to heighten the anticipation (kinda like Christmas morning for grown-ups)...so sorry y'all...no peeking allowed.

SQUIRREL ALERT!

This is the one of the few times when I crawl into that window where my classic ass-et isn't ogled and my ten-point stance for getting up offa the floor isn't shared by all who happen by!

Ooohh...and did someone mention squirrels?  Just wait 'til you see what I got planned for y'all in the near future.  All I'm gonna say right now is sometimes you feel like a nut!

Now on with our Marie Christmas commercial before it's off with my head!

Me being me, I got to thinking about how Marie might spend her time...and money...if she were around now.  Something tells me that rather than lying around on a chaise nibbling pastries, she'd be hitting the streets of Paris for shopping on the Avenue Montaigne and stopping by Laduree's for macarons, BUT if she were in Athens...(Texas, not Greece y'all)...she'd definitely be stopping by W&T's for a heaping helping of je ne sais quoi and popping into Sweet Pea's Bistro for the same sweet little nosh.  Heck...at Sweet Pea's you can make it a full-on nosh-up. The menu is 2die4 delish, delectable, decadent, and divine!

Mes amies...you too can be a queen for a day...or night.  Just make plans to join us on the evening of the 25th or all day on the 26th.  We know how to treat you like royalty down here at the North Texas Pole.

Marie would say "Let them eat cake!"...and you see where that got her!

I say "What are you waiting for...an invitation?".

OK...in that case...consider this your hand engraved invitation.

Now...what do y'all say?

Trying To Jump Up Off The Floor

I thought there couldn't be anything sadder than the sight of a slightly (ahem) mature, chubby lady crawling around on the floor; ripping her knuckles a new one, all the while pulling up old carpet tacking and muttering to herself..."I am a girl...dadgummit...I am a girl!"

Maybe the sight of a shall remain clueless nameless slightly (ahem) mature coupla chubbies lassoing the old carpet and tying it to the back of a pickup to drag it outta the house is funnier...but not sadder.

Y'all...it was one for the record books!  Me in the driver's seat, heading that raggedy rug to the brush pile and Cat Daddy doing the heeling!  That's rodeo talk y'all for we're lazy, old and too stoved up to carry it.

No y'all.  Sadder was my face when I sat down to post about our monkeyshine adventure in DIY'ing and seeing that Blogger had disabled my blog!

My first thought was really...ya gotta be kidding me?

My second thought was gone...all my words gone.

I was beside myself.  I took the necessary steps to try and restore, but after reading the Help section, I had a sinking feeling I might not get it back.

Three years of posts...words I would never be able to rewrite...Bella's story...Cat Daddy tall tales...gone.  Comments I could never reread when I was feeling blue or lost or hurt...gone.  My sidebar with all the wonderful folks I have met...all gone, leaving me with a hole in my heart and a colorless world of black and white.

The photos I wasn't worried about.  Those were stored in my own folders and not just in Picasa, but again...the words...the tears...the love...gone.

(BTW...thank you Anne for your sweet post. I'm betting you wish you hadn't picked a disabled blog!  Oh...and if you see any misspelled words...spellcheck ain't working this morning either...grr!)

Thankfully...this morning all was right again.  I received an e-mail my account had been restored and an apology for the inconvenience it had caused me.

Inconvenience...really?  This wasn't an inconvenience.  An inconvenience is all my dining room stuff piled in every room of the house.  This was just a heap of frustration and one sleepless night.

It's not that I'm addicted to blogging (she says with her tongue in her cheek), only that there are posts I want my Trashettes to have.  You better believe this old gal when she says (with no tongue in cheek) I will be printing out certain posts with comments to begin scrapbooks for them and I will be backing everything up on hard drive.

Oh Roby...have I got a project for you!

This old heart just couldn't take going through that again!

Bella's photo was taken by photographer extraordinaire, Melissa at Foto Fabulous.  If you are in need of a superb people-person and are in the DFW area...Melissa is your gal!  Give her a call and you can thank me later.

Ahhh...it feels good to have color back in my world again!

Is Flitting and Jumping The Same Thing?

Never...and I do mean never...have I ever had such a hard time getting a post up.  It's not like it's bad news or I'm ill...on the contrary.  I spent last Saturday with all my girls at the Dallas Arboretum and had a wonderful day beginning with lunch at the Olive Garden.

The day was gorgeous, the temp perfect and I was with my precious Trashettes.  So what seems to be the problem you ask?

Ummm...the answer would be ME!

Since coming back from the Greatest Show On Dirt, I have been all over the place, running around like a chicken with her head cut off.

There are so many things to do with the holidays just around the corner and my SADD* is in full throttle.

I'll start one project...then run to the next room to work on something else...then remember I need to pay bills...etc., etc., etc.  I know I'm not alone here.  C'mon y'all...give.  How do you manage it all?

(*Squirrel Attention Deficiency Disease)

There has got to be a light at the end of this tunnel...or at least an "off" switch to stop this crazy merry-go-round I'm on.

I feel like things are piling up on me in my effort to get about a gazillion things done in just a few short weeks 'cause y'all know how fast Thanksgiving and Christmas will get here once the days get to rolling.

The worst of it...I'm temporarily, creatively depleted!  I'm trying to plan my window at Winnie & Tulula's for our Christmas Open House (the Friday after Thanksgiving...more info to come) and nothing is suiting my fancy.  Heck...even my space is in need of something...anything...besides dust for decor!

The last thing I needed to do was take a day off, but you know what?  I'm not sorry...nope...not one iota.  In fact...spending time with the ones I love is the only thing I am certain about these days.  This, I'm willing to bet a dollar to a donut on, we All agree on.  Am I right or am I right? 

Sometimes finding the perfect piece of junk isn't as important as finding a butterfly...or shutter bug!

If Grayzilla isn't in a photo...it's 'cause she was behind the lens...thank goodness and not me!  Y'all know the camera is in the purse on my shoulder, but never taken out for use.  Also...pay no attention to the date on the photos.  Seems like Kitten #1 is like her Mama Cat when it comes to techno-gear!

I really do wonder how some of y'all manage it all.  I know you have to-do lists as long as mine.  I just wish someone would do a post sharing how to get it all done...and not look like one hot mess at day's end 'cause right now...chaos is running amuk, amuk, amuk at the Casita de Trash!

Do you make lists?  I make lists...then forget where I put them.

Do you plan your day out the night before.  I tend to fall asleep right after I find a pen to write with.

Do you fly by the seat of your pants?  'Cause I gotta tell ya...I've been using that method and so far the only thing flying around here is fur...between me, myself and I!

Is it all make believe and you're really not as put together as I think you are?  You can tell me...I won't tell anyone.

Just between us girls...do you ever feel overwhelmed and burned burnt (aw...forget it) burned out?  I need to know!  I hate thinking I'm the only one out there who just isn't up to the tasks at hand.

Psst...I gotta tell ya...in addition to not being able to focus on creating anything but a disaster...I'm also at a loss for words.  Talk about running on empty.  I have nothing remotely funny, clever or witty to say or write.  This rarely happens to me...'cause talking is my middle name. (Actually...it's my first...but like in everything else I'm trying to do...I digress!)

I'm trying to read y'alls' posts early in the mornings, but short of leaving a "it's so pretty" comment, I have nothing to say.  Understand...it's not because I don't want to...it's just that I can't find the right words to make a coherent statement.  I guess it's finally happened.  Someone has hit my mute button.  I knew it was just a matter of time, but gosh...without my words I feel so nekkid...and that my friends is not a pretty sight. 

Help a girl out y'all.  Tell me how to recharge (and don't say rest 'cause we all know that ain't gonna happen until 'round about January) and refocus on blogging and junking.  Is it time to go a different direction...change my layout...get a haircut...take up yoga, hang gliding...what?  The suggestion box is open for comment, but hurry.  Something's bound to give around here and it just may be more than my Spanx can handle.

~Now...bring on that horizon!~