It's Muse, bitches.

Hey lambwhores- I bet you were wondering if I had died or something yesterday, right? Well I didn't die. I was just EXHAUSTED after a really busy Tuesday. Because on Tuesday....I went to the Muse concert in Minneapolis with my super fun and awesome friend, Krysten.

Me leaving my house to drive 2 1/2 hours to get to Minneapolis.

Once I got down there Krysten and I went to eat at Flame in the Rosedale Shopping Center. Seriously- if you have never been there you need to because they? Have fantastic fries. And we obviously had smores this time.

You know you want to eat me.

Then we literally raced to the Target Center (don't judge us for being kind of late- the conversation and smores were fantastic). We missed most of Passion Pit's set BUT the last three songs they played? Were our favorites off the cd so I'm ok with that. Also on the concert with us was Dena and her sister Dara. In retrospect, I wish we would have gotten a group picture. But...that's ok. I at least got my picture with Dena & Krysten.

 Dena & I before Muse started.

Krysten and I looking all twinsies and awesome.

So then Muse started. I've seen them before (Chicago- March 2010) and even though I knew what I was going to be seeing, it didn't matter. This concert was just as amazing. They can rock it out so well. Even if you aren't a huge Muse fan, you would enjoy this concert because it's a show. It's a visual adventure where the music is almost like a soundtrack to it. It's hard to explain but very much worth your ticket money.

They opened with a really mellow interlude of sorts and then went immediately into Uprising. I don't know if there is another song of theirs that would have gotten everyone into party mode.

They played all of their big hits off of every album. I believe here we were listening to Supermassive Black Hole which is a song I loved BEFORE Twilight, but now every time I hear it I think of the baseball scene in Twilight. :)

And during the encore, I can't even remember what song it is now, but they drop giant eyeballs from the ceiling full of glitter. It was pretty cool to watch them bounce around anyways but I'm kind of glad I didn't get covered in glitter. At least today.

The end of the show--- so good. So very good.

Overall, it was a great concert. I had a lot of fun and I think I had more fun at this one than the one in Chicago. Mostly because Matt (with me in Chicago) knows pretty much nothing about Muse and was kind of a lump on a log. But Krysten knew them and she was having as much fun as me so that always makes it a better experience. The drunk girls behind us were annoying. They kept screaming out every other band name they knew EXCEPT for Muse so that got old really quickly. Oh, and the fact she kept dropping her cell phone and once asked us to get it for her. It's like great- I know you're drunk, but put it in your pocket or something. Oh, and then she started bitching that the beer stand was closed which I assumed was standard knowledge- once a concert is half over they close stuff down. Either it's common knowledge and she's an idiot or I'm super smart and don't even know it.

I'm probably just super smart.

But after the concert, Krysten and I pretty much got lost getting to our cars. We remembered we were in ramp 4A. We remembered walking through a skywalk. BUT...we weren't allowed to get into the skywalk from the Target Center- the security made us take the stairs. Fabulous, except those only take you to different levels of the Target Center, not what we wanted. So because we couldn't figure it out, we went outside, walked around the building- found a parking ramp, went in there only to find it's parking ramp B. No sign of A and honestly? We don't see a building that would look like A. But we DO see that B is connected to a skywalk. So we go in and are confused, because the wall says skywalk is level 2. The elevator buttons say skywalk is level 3. Nice.

We finally find our skywalk, get to A, level 4, and our cars. Only to find there's no way we're getting out because as smart as we are....we parked near the exit. Obviously not good when EVERY car in the 4A ramp is trying to get out this exit. Nice. So we sat and chatted.

Patiently waiting to leave...

What was sad was that some drunk dropped a cd out of their car and Krysten and I had to listen to it being run over and crushed. It was sad. The Hummer really did a number on the poor cd. We were going to rescue but by the time the cars were done it was more of a funeral than a search & rescue.

Now if you remember my post about the LAST time I tried to leave Minneapolis from a concert (Lilith Fair- July 2010) you'll remember is was awful. Not only did I get the tour of the Minneapolis ghetto, but I got a tour of the outer Minneapolis perimeter but in none of my journeys could I find a detour (since every way I knew how to get home was tore up from construction) that would actually tell you how to get to 35W. No where.

This time? Either my super smarts kicked in, my GPS actually did it's job, of MnDOT actually fixed the fucking roads, because I? Didn't get lost. I was a little confused when it told me to take the Penn Avenue exit so I could get onto E394 but then REALIZED it was going to then take me to 35. I tried calling Krysten (who needed that exit) to tell her I found it like retard easy, but she didn't answer. I was hoping she wasn't at the same gas station she was the last time where people were actually shot down at. (No- that didn't happen when she was there but it DID happen. We call it Murderapolis now.)

The only suckish thing was that that way takes FOREVER until you start figuring out you're going the right way. Luckily I saw signs for Duluth and then everything was happy.

And this time I didn't almost fall asleep at the wheel! I think the fact that this concert wasn't mellow compared to Lilith Fair, and listening to old school Xhibit and of course, my Manchester Orchestra, I did ok. I had to stop in Hinckley for gas and they had a scary guy working the register. Pretty sure I'll see him on America's Most Wanted someday.

I pulled into my house around 2:30 a.m I believe. Or 2. Something like that. I know I was really tired and really happy to see my house. You'll notice all of my makeup has subsequently worn off. Considering I put it on a 9am....not bad.

And really glad I went to see Muse. Krysten and I are going to see Maroon 5 at the end of October so it'll be another fabulous night I'm sure. And already? I'm craving the fries from Flame. It's probably a good thing I don't live near there, right?

the Next Queen of Heaven

Oh little lambies--- I bet you were thinking this was a post all about me, weren't you?? Well... it's not. But I can certainly bring the goodies for tomorrow. Or my milk shake to the yard. Whatever.

Today is my day to review Gregory Maguire's book The Next Queen of Heaven this is released...today I believe...for TLC Book Reviewers.  Description: With the new millennium approaching, the eccentric town of Thebes grows even stranger. Mrs. Leontina Scales begins speaking in tongues after being clocked by a Catholic statuette. Her daughter, Tabitha, and her sons scheme to save their mother or surrender her to Jesus—whatever comes first. Meanwhile, choir director Jeremy Carr, caught between lust and ambition, fumbles his way toward Y2K. The ancient Sisters of the Sorrowful Mysteries join with a gay singing group. The Radical Radiants battle the Catholics. A Christmas pageant goes horribly awry. And a child is born. Only a modern master like Gregory Maguire could spin a tale as frantic, funny, and farcical as The Next Queen of Heaven.




Everyone knows that I read a LOT and I love all kinds of books. And usually the first sign of me giving a good review or not is whether I feel pulled in. And I have to say--- this book didn't pull me in. I didn't feel like the story was really worthy of a book. None of the characters are particularly appealing. While I was sympathetic to the gay choir master who dreams to make it big and has a gay friend dying of AIDS, the rest were pretty much take it or leave it. Honestly- the story should have just been about Jeremy (the gay choir master), his friends, and them being in the little religious town. The only time I perked up was when it switched to their point of view and then their interactions with the nuns who let them use their home to practice their music. I didn't like reading about Tabitha, who becomes the leader of the family once their mother falls ill after having a run in with a statue. Tabitha is a spoiled brat. Her brothers are essentially useless and aren't really strong enough to carry a story on their own. Throughout the whole thing I just got more and more annoyed. In fact- it didn't really feel like anything was happening until the last quarter of the book and then it all happened relatively fast. I didn't feel as if the story was frantic, the only funny part was the Christmas pageant (mildly) and I wouldn't say it was farcical. I struggled to finish this book. A book this size should only take me a day, maybe two to read but this took me THREE WEEKS to read. I just couldn't make myself read more than 20 pages in a sitting. I really struggled with finishing it. I wasn't satisfied with the ending either. I mean, how does Jeremy's show end up? What happens to Tabitha and baby? I just felt like I had a lot of unanswered questions and I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

BUT--- I will say that there are some people out there who would love this book. The description truly doesn't give enough of a description. While these things happened- they were all minor pieces of the story so I don't know. I'm really not sure what to think about it.

**If you are interested in reading this book, I will send it to you for free. The first person to comment on this post saying they want it----it's yours. :)

I conquered Saturday.

LOTS of stuff to just get off of my "blog it" notepad.

1. I was FEATURED! I know. It's a big effing deal. It pretty much means I'm famous. Go HERE to see me all featured. You should go there and tell them that they have increased their awesomeness by recognizing me as their leader.

2. I got my crafty on! Seriously. It's ridiculous how much I got done:

This was meant to be for a Get Sketchy challenge for last week but I forgot to upload it. Whoopsy. But aren't they cute?? You can buy them in my Etsy shop. Like RIGHT NOW.

Sorry- turn your head to the right. Blogger is being a whore about pictures again. But I made these cards for this week's Wee Memories challenge which had a fruit theme. I obviously had to go with apples because this weekend in Bayfield, WI is Apple Fest. I love, love, love Apple Fest but Matt hates it. So I don't get to go. But I hope to next year. You basically eat everything apple and then obviously cheese curds. Nothing in Wisconsin is complete without cheese curds. Om nom nom.. :) But if you love these, you can buy them HERE.

And then I worked on my submission for the Get Sketchy challenge this week. Again, turn your head to the right. *sigh*. Anyways, this sketch was kind of hard for me and I figured the best way to use up scraps was to use my last six round cards, my last six big flowers and the left over paper from the apple cards. I really love these cards and if you agree, buy them HERE.

3. THEN after I got my crafty on all afternoon I had my sister in law come over. She dyed my hair. I'm Cocoa Bean! Are we loving it? It's a darker chocolate like brown with red tint. I actually dig it a lot. I don't think my husband likes it, I got the "it's...nice" response but I love it. I've never dyed all of my hair, only have done blond highlights, but this? Is fabulous. I'm totally loving it. And my eyes DO look bluer/greener in the mirror. (I'm naturally blue eyed, but they will turn green with certain shirts. Kind of cool.) I am HATING the layers in my hair though. Seriously- when I say "I'm growing my hair out" that means "don't put super short layers in stupid". Yet--- I forever end up with layers. Annoying.

So it's Sunday and I'm not only super tired from Jackson being sick and up every hour of the night, but I have a wicked headache. I need to get some housework done and that sucks as well. This week is going to be crazy busy again so be ready. Like super ready. ;)

Up From The Blue

If you don't ever read another book, let this book be the last. Seriously. I finished reading this book at exactly 1:12 a.m. this morning and I literally can't stop reading it.

Up From The Blue- Susan Henderson

This is a book I got through TLC Book Reviews to read and while I was ever so impatiently waiting for it to arrive, I kept hearing such amazing things about this book. I saw video trailers for it, I listened to an online chat about it and the whole time I kept practically attacking my mail lady and demanded that she double check to see if my book came. Anyways.

Tillie Harris's life is in disarray--her husband is away on business, the boxes in her new home aren't unpacked, and the telephone isn't even connected yet. Though she's not due for another month, sudden labor pains force Tillie to reach out to her estranged father for help, a choice that means facing the painful memories she's been running from since she was a little girl. An extraordinary debut from a talented new voice, Up From The Blue untangles the year in Tillie's life that changed everything; 1975, the year her mother disappeared.

Honestly? That give this book no justice. If you are a parent, a child with a parent suffering from depression, or a parent going through depression yourself, this is a MUST READ. I was immediately gripped during the beginning chapters where Tillie begins labor. Because I've been there, I could instantly connect with her, but anyone who hasn't given birth would feel the frantic feelings described in the beginning.

And then it takes you back to Tillie's childhood. You get to see the inner workings of a troubled military family. Phil, the older son who does no wrong because he wants to be the best soldier he can be. Colonel Harris- a high ranking military official who runs a strict household. Mara, the mother, who is so obviously depressed and on the brink of implosion, incapable of mothering the two children and the subject of whispers amongst the perfect military wives/mothers. And then Tillie- an unruly yet lovable, eight year old girl. Tillie adores her mother, she can see the good in her unlike everyone else and defends her mom. She senses she's likely a disappointment to her father and her brother can't be bothered with her. Yet she feels like her mother is hers alone and you can really relate to her feelings for her mom. Because as children- we've all been there. No matter what a mothers (or fathers) faults are it doesn't matter because you are in love with them. They are perfect to you if to nobody else.

The greatness of this story as that even though it's a novel you feel like it's real. You are hoping that the mother can just pull herself together and be the mom she wanted to be. You are hoping that the father could just see that there is something medically wrong with her and that it isn't her fault, she truly isn't capable of pulling it together on her own. And then you feel this immense sadness for the children who don't understand and you just want to assure them that no matter what- their parents love them.

Now, you know I always try to read a story and bring some of my own life experience to it and this one was no different. For years, since Olivia was born, I have struggled with depression. I have felt so awful that I thought I'd be better off dying, and I thought everyone else would be better without me. I've been so happy that I look at those times and wonder what the hell was I thinking. But most days? I'm not in the middle. I'm sad a lot and sometimes when driving alone I wonder what it would be like to just keep driving and never come back. To just start up new somewhere..anywhere..because I can't bear the feeling that I am a terrible mother, a terrible wife, a terrible friend, a terrible daughter, etc. I may not be any of these things but a lot of days I feel this way. And while I can take all the medication I want I know that's the only thing keeping me from dangling too far down. So I could sympathize with Mara through the whole book. She wants to be everything to everyone, she wants to be a good wife and mother but she just isn't able. But she loves her children anyways. And every attempt she makes to do better it was always for them. So no lie, I cried when reading this and found myself nodding and saying, "Yes-- that's really how it is!" There is a part in the book where Mara tells Tillie, "I'm trying. I'm trying for you, ok?" and that? Just made me so sad because I remember saying this to Olivia when she was just a week old. I was alone at home with her, and she never stopped crying. I would rock, crying myself, and tell her I was trying, just for her.

I highly recommend this book. The end for Mara? Made me so sad and I felt awful for everyone. But the end of the book for Tillie? Gave me hope. Because she was a mom and it made me think that maybe, even though it was all awful, it really had a happy ending.

New Stuff, Piercing

So I got a ton of stuff done this weekend to put into my Etsy shop, so for the next few posts you are going to see me pimping it out. Last night my set went almost immediately, which is awesome, so one of you needs to buy this:

Aren't these cute???? My local scrapbook store is closing (big sad face here) and so I've been going there every few days to grab up what I can on clearance. So I came across this pear stamp which was cute...but then I saw the pear paper. HAD TO GET IT. And I realize...I may never use this stamp again. But that's better than having virgin stamps. Which I totally have and WILL eventually use. So do you love them? Like really love them? Then go and buy them. You know you want to..

Anyways. For the last two weeks, Olivia has been asking to get her ears pierced. I've asked her before and she's always said absolutely not because I'm honest and I told her it would probably hurt. Apparently- she didn't care because there is another girl in preschool who has her ears pierced. And now it's what the cool kids do and she wanted it done. Matt and I talked to her about it, she knew it was going to hurt, etc and I told her fine, she could get it done.

I didn't think she'd actually do it since we have to hold her down for regular shots.

So on Saturday Matt and I took the kids up to the mall and Olivia was beyond excited. So much so that we had to tell her to stop talking about it otherwise we weren't doing it. It was seriously non-stop. We get to Claire's and when I told the sixteen year old girl about needing to get a piercing done she totally looked petrified. Which didn't help. We had to wait 20 minutes for a manager, which was fine.

When it came time, Olivia hopped up into the chair, totally bouncing when she got her ears cleaned, they put the dot on, and I'm filling out paperwork.

She made it clear to the lady she wanted to hold the bear- so there she is, clutching the bear.

We told them we wanted both ears done at the same time, which was just fine. (Thank you to everyone on FB who suggested this- you are wise and awesome) She picked out silver balls and they got everything ready. So you see the two ladies getting ready to pierce her while Matt holds her hand. And then they did it. At first...nothing. As soon as the ladies moved away...

Totally understandable. Tell me that face doesn't break your heart??

But then I kept telling her we were all done and that she needs to look in the mirror...and she was THRILLED. Seriously. Tears instantly stopped and she kept looking from side to side. So while Matt went to pay for them I took her over to the earring carousel and explained to her that if we take good care of them she could get big girl earrings.

She immediately tells me she wants the big balls (the size of quarters) and the huge feathers. Um... fashion diva?? *sigh* She is not wearing those. I couldn't have "dangly" earrings until I was 13 for god sakes.

Yes, I actually do stuff.

Guess what? I actually DO stuff with my crafty bits. (I bet you thought I'd talk about my lady bits, huh?) (Perverts.)

I'm so freaking close to finishing a birthday present for Krysten. I have Sam's all made. Then I have to put the finishing touches on a package o' birthday lovin' for both of them. So obviously- craftiness will happen there.

Over the weekend I got a few scrapbook pages done and so I'm going to show you. Just so you can see that the huge new stash of stuff I got will not go to waste. Oh no. AND I just got a few more pictures printed because I'm really far behind and I'm getting to be a bit...overwhelmed. Yup- that's the word I should use here.

This page is obviously all about Jackson. One minute he was happy, chillin on his homemade throne reading books. The next minute (after I moved the strategically placed pillow leaning against him) he burst into tears. It's rough being two, folks.

OOh--- some of my favorite pictures of my kids being nice to each other. Here's a fun fact- I have a LOT of stamps...yet I hardly use them on pages. I don't know why. I can't explain my crazy yall.

Hey- blogger is being a whore and won't put this the right way. But this? Is a super creepy bunny that comes during Easter. This year both of my kids have whacked out eyes. It's like all three of them are possessed.

Part one of two pages- Look at this face and tell me you wouldn't eat him up???

Part two of two.

And as a testament to how far behind I am....these pictures are from 2007. Seriously. Olivia is only 2 in these pictures- wow. The other two girls are my cousins who live in Florida and are adorable.

Anyways. So I got that stuff done, and two more pages done tonight. I have a long ways to go and Matt is picking up pictures for me right now. As well as putting gas in my van AND putting air in my tire.

Don't laugh- I tried to put air in my tire today except that it was SO loud and I freaked out. Mostly because I had visions of a tire blowing up in my face and I'd end up like that girl on that one Law & Order episode that had no face. Well that was because someone threw acid on her face but I bet the effects would be the same and yah. All of that flashes in my head in the span of 2 seconds. It kind of makes me psychic, right?

Of course I'm right. I'm always right.

Oh- and before I forget. Buy stuff from my Etsy shop. My kids need winter jackets, hats, boots, mittens, and snowsuits. Mommy be broke. ;) I'm taking orders on holiday cards and invitations like right now. Hurry up and get your request in so I can fit you in before I lock myself up working on our family cards. :)

Question of the night: Do you have any hobbies? What kind of stuff do you do?

These are my confessions.

I have no snazzy way to introduce my latest confession. And honestly? This is really the first time that I'm admitting it to myself because guess what? It's really hard to deal with on your own.

I? Am a shop-a-holic.

And by that I don't mean that I buy super expensive things and own a bunch of fabulous stuff. That's actually not the case at all. Pretty much the only difference between normal shopping sprees and a real shopping addiction is the fact that finances be damned- you are still out there shopping. And that is definitely me. If I feel bummed out or sad, I shop. If I'm ever bored (which really isn't often), I shop.

Let's say I'm making my weekly trip to Target for house stuff. I'm loaded with coupons and I'm doing really well. If I see something I want (a book, a cd, a shirt, a necklace, a purse, or some other random thing I don't need in my house) I put it in my cart. Then I roll around for awhile, take it out. I should know better- I don't have the extra money. Then I have the ability to talk myself into it and leave the store before I change my mind. I will literally hold something in my hands and pace until I no longer feel guilty about the purchase. If I have an extra $100 in my paycheck? It is gone within hours of my paycheck being deposited. It's like I can't help it.

But usually when I get home and start looking at the things I've bought- I get sick. I'm seriously sick knowing that all the money I just spent I could have used on house stuff. My savings. Whatever.

I can spread $50 over two weeks for necessities like you wouldn't believe. But give me $50 for two weeks of fun stuff? And I feel like Lindsay Lohan being taunted with a crack bowl.

So after watching a show about shopping addiction about two months ago I decided that I had to be done. While I'm not able to completely cut myself off I've given myself an allowance. The rest of what I would have spent needs to go back into the savings. I won't lie- it is AWFUL. I have to avoid some stores because I just can't do it. My next problem is that almost all of my clothes are too big for me. Which is a really nice problem except that I know that I have to gradually buy new pieces. One at a time and for as cheaply as possible.

The one thing I have had a REALLY hard time cutting back on is my scrapbooking stuff. Especially now that my only scrapbook store (we have a Michaels, but it's not as awesome) is closing at the end of this month so that will make that problem a bit easier. But until then? The clearance sales??? Is killing me knowing I could be buying that stuff.

I will admit- seeing my savings account having a positive balance that is steadily climbing DOES help. It is nice having the extra $20 to take the kids for happy meal dates on Fridays. It is really nice to be able to buy a movie and not freak out if I'll have enough gas money for the next week.

But it's hard. It's probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

Fortunately, one of my super awesome and wonderful and fabulous blog readers, Amber, surprised me with an entire box of goodies. I almost cried when I opened the box up. She had no idea of what a struggle I've been having since I'm running out of stuff for the kids' scrapbooks so the fact she literally loaded me down with awesome stuff is amazing. I won't lie- my panties were totally wet going through it all.

I mean, seriously. It took me forever to put it all away because I just don't have a huge space to begin with!

So Amber- you rock my world in more ways than one. You are one of my favorite blog readers (and commenter!), I love our back and forth emails AND I think we'd be kick ass real life friends. I'm way cooler than the churchy ladies you hang out with. ;)

But with that- do you struggle with a shopping addiction? How do you manage it?