Middle Earth movie casting causes wars, not politics

THIS IS WAR!

As you know I am a big fan of Game of Thrones. Not just the books but the recent series that aired on HBO. It has been pretty well done and manages to capture the books almost to perfection. Now that season one has wrapped up, the casting for season two begins; as well as the insanity of its fans. Dear Lord, sweet baby Jesus, small kittens and butternut squash, are these people frigging insane. To be passionate about a series is one thing, to be outright insane to the point of rage and assassination plots is quite another. I love to read the casting choices for series such as this because I love to see the vision that the director, producers, and writers, have for these characters. Do they always match my vision? Certainly not. Do I trust that they know what they are doing most of the time? Sure. If I don't like their choice am I going to scream, shout, ban the series and burn all of the books whilst stalking outside of the directors mother's home? HELL NO. Do people act like this? YES, YES THEY DO. I have found that the fans of the Peter Jackson movies are a little bit more on the insane side as opposed to the Game of Thrones folks. Just take a look at Peter Jackson's Facebook page after he posted pictures from his upcoming movie, The Hobbit. These people are insane. I noticed this after the picture of Fili and Kili was posted.  Here is the offensive picture below:

Apparently Fili, or Kili or whoever he is didn't fit the "dwarvy enough" look and people FREAKED THE HELL OUT. "Dwarves are not hot!" they screamed. "He's too thin!" they yelled. "Peter Jackson, we don't like this so we are going to burn your house down and rip out your entrails and feed them to whoever the guy is that played the dwarf in Lord of the Rings! And then let Gollum roast your bones." Ok, no one really said that but I'm certain that they were thinking it.
Frankly, I'm all for the hot dwarf. Especially since it's the guy that played Mitchell in BBC's Being Human. Yum. No one wants to see a hot guy with a huge misshapen nose and the gut of a 45 year old redneck that likes to watch an obscene amount of WWE and NASCAR while slammin' his Schlitz and crushing the cans with his eyeball. Seriously, we don't. So, really people, just calm down. Really, CALM DOWN, before I get all hipster on you and send each and everyone one of those stupid Keep Calm and Don't Jerk On It Too Long, poster. I'm fairly certain that if the Rock was cast as a fairy or some crap (wait, this happened and ended horribly didn't it?), that the world wouldn't come to an end. Stop arguing just because the cast doesn't fit your perfect imagination and believe that the vision of the person that devoting their life to this project has some idea what he is doing. Also, get a girlfriend. Or a drinking habit. Something where you aren't spending every second of your life worrying about whether or not the Hobbit has enough hair on his toes.
Peace
Jules

It's been too long

Yes, yes, I know. It's been forever since we last posted. Sometimes life just gets in the way of fun things like blogging and laundry and dishes.. and sleep. The good news is that some great things have happened over the past few months. Lori was transferred to a job that she loves and I made high honor roll in my classes! See, we middle aged folks are smart! So, where did we leave off? Ahh, yes, the firewalk. Well folks, I can say that I actually did walk across fire!

 I also broke an arrow with my throat. Say what?! Yes, I actually did this. It looks a little something like this. 

It was a pretty awesome experience and I would in all honesty do this again. It is not as hard as you would think that it is and really, it's all about working through your fears.

I have also been experimenting with my iPhone photography skills. My eldest daughter suggested I sign up for an app called Instagram and I have been photographing like crazy since then. It's a great interactive photo sharing program and I have come across a few folks that run a daily challenge for your photos. If you happen to have this app or wish to try it out look for @JoshJohnson and his daily #jj_forum and weekly #jj_challenge. You will be amazed at what you find. There are some really fantastic iPhotographers out there. Here are a few of my personal photos.

I'm definitely not a photographer but I am pretty proud of what I have posted so far. Feel free to add me at @motherhellfire if you are on instagram. I would love to share your photos.

Onto something entirely different, my 8 year old has become intrigued with the show Extreme Couponing. I know, I know, everyone is thinking "oh Lord, another one" but I will be honest, we do not go overboard. I am not clearing out rooms for a stockpile or anything of the sort. We just clip and match when we can and still buy all the normal things as usual. The only difference is that my grocery bill has dropped about 60.00 per trip. I can't complain about that. It's quite lovely in fact. I have managed to score free lunchbags for my girls with the purchase of their backpacks for the upcoming school year. Purchases that I would have made regardless only this time, I am looking at the prices more carefully. I have also come across several sites that have been extremely helpful. These people are "hardcore" couponers and obviously much better than I am. However, I have found that these people are gracious to share their secrets and I have managed to come across a lot of great deals and free things because of the hard work that they put into their sites. Here are two of my favorites, raining hot coupons,  Saving well spending less if you are interested. As I come across things I may post more great finds. I have been coming across many. While I will not flood this blog with them, that is not what this blog is about, I find that sharing is helpful to many that may not know where to find these things. Believe me, it's not been easy for me.
As for what the future holds, I am currently reading the 5th book in the Game of Thrones series, A Dance With Dragons,  by George R.R. Martin. I have to say, I LOVE this series. Unreasonably. I came across it late last year when HBO started running some light promo for the series that would start in April. I was intrigued and found that it was based on a series of books. I am a book junkie so of course I had to go buy the entire series. Little did I know that 1, each book is well over 1000 pages and 2, that they would be absolutely amazing. This is likely one of the best series I have ever read. If you have an opportunity to check them out, please do so. You will not be disappointed. In the meantime, I am going to go read until my eyes bleed. I will keep you updated on how it all turns out. Maybe I will do a 5 book review.
Until then folks! ~Jules

Firewalking. No, seriously. Walking through fire

I had a dear friend post yesterday that she is putting together a group to attend a firewalking session in the near future. At first I was intrigued but found that as the evening progressed that I was putting more and more thought into this event. After a few panic attacks, hyperventilation, and a case of the shakes, I said yes. So, dear readers, this girl is going to walk on fire in April. Am I excited? Yes. A little crazy? Maybe. Completely insane? Pretty sure that I have been for some time.
I will post the results and maybe pictures after the event and let you know if I have made it through or just received the world's worst pedicure and exfoliation. Although, I think I will get through just fine (tell that to the panic boiling inside my soul). More to come on this event in the future.

Jules

Rabbit, Rabbit

I never could resist spitting it out first thing.  So today I will jump the gun and fire off my good luck in the new month early.  And if you have read my last post, or know me in general, you know my luck has been less than great lately. 

In an effort to A. Get off my a$$ and do something, B. be more proactive on my etsy shop, C. hopefully inspire some creativity (and inventory) i have a plan!  I am going to make something new everyday in March. 

I am happy to report that I am finally past the worst of my car troubles.  We replaced the Hub's Cruiser with a Focus that gets incredible gas mileage (important when he's a reporter driving all over).  The price was reasonable and the payment wont be crippling.  its the first NEW car I've ever bought!  So the stress over the old car is past.  On to the dental work....

in my new 31 day plan, I will post pictures of my successes (and failures, I guess).  I;; also post links to my store, in case any really vigilant reader wants to follow my progress.  Wish me luck kids and a happy March to you all!!

the calm before the storm...

Good morning and hello!  its been a while since my last post, life has decided to make me it's toilet seat.  I'm being shit on left and right.  i try to stay optimistic during these times, everyone goes through them.  I tell myself that it will get better, then you're done with your bad time for a while.  Well, this one seems like its lingering.  every time i turn around something else (expensive) is wrong.  and its wearing me down.  I'm carrying around that anxious feeling that generally precedes a breakdown. 

its kind of a weird place to be for me, as I am generally quite optimistic.  There's always some light at the end of the tunnel.  But I must say, I can't see one right now.  So please forgive the absences, you two, but I'm having trouble getting motivated.  It hasn't been my winter.  Enough whining for now, I will pull up my big girl pants (figurative people, I can't take a fat joke right now) and move on.  I had a post planned on a intensive look at the Fresh Beat Band show, since my 3 year old adores it and I have been subjected to it all weekend.  Perhaps in a little while, I can cheer up and explain to you why it really does look like Shout is trying to abduct Kiki every time he stands beside her.

may your week go better than mine (and i realize its all of Tuesday...)
Lori

Bringing in the dough

It appears that January has finally given up the battle and passed the beating stick to February. In celebration of the month of "Love" for those that have spouses, and "Thanks for showing me how much I suck at relationships", for those of us that are single, I decided to get crafty in the kitchen and make a several loaves of bread to stuff my face with.

I have to say, I am quite proud of the outcome. Now, you may say "hey, everyone has a bread machine so what are you bragging about?" Well dear readers, I did not use a bread machine. I have rebelled against the evil machine and opted to make these glorious loaves by hand and use *GASP* an oven! I started off with an Amish sweet bread which was a huge hit with the kids, and last night, I decided on a basic white bread. Thanks Julia Child! While I am an absolute novice at this I am impressed that they came out as well as they have. I have found that my mixer rebels against large batches of dough so that means a lot of kneading by hand which I seem to need a little more experience with as the loaves have come out a tad dense but otherwise they are delicious. I may never buy bread from the store again. Yes, I am a grocery rebel!
Alas, I seem to have found my calling. Bread maker extraordinaire.
For now, I am off to put my bakers cape on and kick February in the face. Until we meet again readers! Oven on, and away!

Jules

The allure of a kit

Good morning!  Its Thursday, which means my anger level is down to a 5 (allow slight elevations for weather related driving).  I'm grateful for the upcoming weekend, if only to clean my sty house.  Other than a whirlwind day of bleach and vacuuming, I'm going to be doing some sewing.  I have been mentally beating myself up for not adding anything to my Etsy store of late, and my goal this weekend is to toss up some listings.  The first thing I'm working on, is a kit!  I absolutely adore kits.  The idea of everything you need being included into one package is so alluring.  I'm a sucker for anything packaged together.  I can't help myself. 

So...I'm working on a small kit!  I finished a very cute burp cloth, with oranges and lemons. I have a onesie planned in that same material in a patch and I have a pacifier clip in a matching ribbon.  A very cute baby shower gift, if I so say so!  I'll post links to my Etsy listing shortly.  Can anyone recommend any additions to my "kit"? 

hope your weekend is wonderful!

Lori

A will and a sewing machine

If there is any one thing that I can say about Lori, well, there isn't. You cannot summarize Lori into one word. Instead, I have started a list of reasons why Lori is awesome.

1. She is funny as hell, even if she doesn't think so.
2. She understands written sarcasm better than anyone I know.
3. She understands my written sarcasm better than anyone I know.
4. She is the only person I know that would text me from a bathroom stall while violently ill and will me her sewing machine.
5. She is the only person I know that can cause me to almost wreck my car by reading said text.

It doesn't get any better than that folks. That is a true friend and I must say, I am happy to call her such. Also, she uses the term fickle, fickle, wh*re when referring to the month of January. You can't go wrong with a friend like her. I think that I am going to pack up my "I want to be a vampire" box of glitter and send it to her so that she may coat herself from head to toe in awesome. Take that Cullens.

Jules

Winter Office Garden--Victory is mine!

Its January, which frankly, has sucked ass for me.  That said, spring is just a dream on the breeze.  The cold, ice laden breeze.  To combat this cruel joke of nature's I treated myself to an amaryllis for my birthday (the day after Christmas, mark that down).  I took it into the office, since my 3 year old likes to take every plant I have at home for trips in his dump truck, and went about growing it.  Following the directions of take bulb, put in dirt, water, I managed to get it going right away.  So now, a month later, i have flowers.  Big, beautiful, crimson flowers.  Clearly failing botany in college was no impediment to my plant savvy. 

Feel free to admire my pulley system for keeping the stalks upright.  Any crafter worth her yarn carries some embroidery thread around.  take a close look at the unblossomed bud.  Yes, you are seeing 4, FOUR, buds there!  its a double double blossom!  I'll take some pics of that for follow up when they bloom out. 

Take that January, you fickle, fickle wh*re.

Love, Lori

Plain Jane to Elderly Amos

While I have been slacking on postings I have been busy at home. Well, sort of. It has been a hell of a week. It started off with my father having a heart attack which resulted in two stents. Good times there. However, he's doing fine and back to his regularly scheduled shenanigans. Prior to all of this excitement I had been working on a few projects.

I have been staining trim throughout the house that was dull and hideous, repainting some cabinets, and this plain Jane bookshelf that has been annoying me for at least 6 months. I realize the photo's are not of top quality but give a girl a break. I took them with my iPhone as I have a teenager that has taken off with my camera (which I am sure I will never see again), but you can get the gist. 

I can't remember where I picked this little shelving unit up but I obviously felt that it needed some love. I have been trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to do with it for a while. The struggle in my decision was the hideous back panel of 1984 wood paneling. Who decided that was a good choice? I could have taken it off and kept an open back or thrown a flat piece of wood on the back but that was more trouble than my "I want it done today" attitude wanted to deal with. I went with my DIY failsafe and opted to paint the ugly little thing. 

Cute enough I suppose, but I opted to go a step further and make this little gem look like it walked out of my Grandmothers back room of "half of these things are older than Jesus". So, off I go with a dab of black here and there, another coat of white paint, some fantastic sanding skills, and poof! The Elderly Amos shelf was born. 

Granted, I probably did this all wrong. Sanded in the wrong spots, blah, blah, blah. But I love it. It no longer looks as though it belongs in a house full of 1980's "country" color themed goods. No longer will little figurines  of cows, little boys and girls on haystacks with apples, and roosters, be suitable for this shelf. Instead I shall fill it full of my grandmother's old cookbooks and tuck it in a corner in my kitchen. Elderly Amos will look wonderful full of my Ancient Annie cookbooks. I am going to go ahead and pat myself on the back for this one day project. I am quite proud of the outcome. 

Jules

I Hope its Not My Sewing Arm...

Good (Monday) morning!  Its snowing here (again) and I am hard at work at the library.  Just taking a minute to check in and report on my weekend.  I made it to the craft store, where I have fallen in love with some lemon and orange printed fabric.  I have a million plans for it and am already having visions of sending my husband back to the store (he works close to it, its a half hour from home). 

At somepoint this weekend, I managed to strain my shoulder.  What started out as an annoying ache has now ballooned into throbbing pain where I can't lift anything.  I sincerely hope this isnt going to screw up my crafting plans.  Its seriously impeding my son lifting, but he weighs 50 pounds, fabric is pretty light.  That said, it hurts to move the mouse on my computer....ah, well, lets carry on...
After a weekend of hemorrhaging money, things are starting to level out.  I say this and wait for something new to come crashing down.  My car has been repaired.  I bought a new microwave after my husband managed to break ours cooking some pizza.  all that's left is the upcoming tooth we get to buy my husband.  He has to have an implant, to replace the ones he lost in high school playing baseball.  So what do you do when it seems like you are paying money out every time you turn around?  You get to crafting, and hope someone notices your stuff on etsy!  This week I am dedicating myself to revamping my etsy store.  New pictures, new items.  Maybe get Jules to rewrite my descriptions, with all her wordy talents.  so stay tuned, I hope to have something entertaining to share with you.  I hope every one's Monday is off to a good start.  Stay warm!

Lori

I like potato salad! then you're not in the f*cking club

I've been listening to Mitch Hedberg and quoting him as often as possible of late.  Give him a listen if you havent.  And if you have, go give him another.

Its Friday.  Thank God, I might go beat a random student if I had to deal with much more.  This whole month is shapping up kind of crappy in my neck of the woods. Im ready to call it a January.

That said, we're only 2/3 in, so time to pull up my big girl pants and get on with it!  Cleaning is the main thing on my mind of late, which is really code for *move the furniture around*.  When I tell my husband I'm going to do a big clean, he knows not to try to walk around in the dark for a while.  I love this kind of cleaning as A. you always feel like you've accomplished something. B. you can pitch so much stuff that people didnt even realize was laying around. C.  your room looks new and shiny.  So tonight, I start in the living room. 

I just found a wonderful tutorial at suttongrace.com

http://suttongrace.blogspot.com/2009/06/repurposed-entertainment-center.html

i want to make this for my son, who wants to help Mommy cook all the time!  Its just beautiful and I'm sure i can turn one of those old entertainment centers up on freecycle.  progress reports to come, go give that blog a look, I really liked it.

enough for my musings. Hope you all have a good (light on the snow) weekend!

Lori

Car headaches

Hi, I'm Lori and I hate cars.  I didn't use to even consider cars, other than "my car needs gas" or "my car is filthy".  That was before the great "PT Cruiser Debacle of 2011".  Yes, readers, we are a whole 19 days into a new year and already, I have a named debacle.  The beginning of this sordid affair, starts in 2007.  Newly pregnant, with a husband that drives a lot for his job, we had to have a new (used)car.  After moving 4 times in 3 years, money was a little tight, to say the least.  We ended up with a  2004 PT Cruiser.  The payment was low, the husband liked it well enough.  Being still a little bit young, we made the cardinal mistake of taking too long a term to pay of this stupid car.  We now owe so much more money than its worth (see husband and his LOT of driving=beaucoup mileage) and its breaking down, its not going to last long at all.  So we need a new car.  But don't want to roll over such a huge balance.  Did I mention its at least a grand to fix?  yeah.....So I'm in a quandary.  Do I pay loads of money (I don't have, btw) to fix a car likely to break down again or do I beg some car dealer to take advantage of me again and roll over a giant balance and end up in this same position 4 years from now?  Its giving me headaches and stress and frustration.  I want to do what's right for us, but God help me if I can figure out what that is.

So end rant!  Has anyone else dug themselves out of this kind of (gaping, depressing, seemingly endless) sort of hole?

Lori

pass me that glue gun

I've been tooling around with all my random pieces of "stuff" and here are a couple of barettes that I'm more than passingly fond of...

I loved these little pretties and finally got around to using them!  they're listed at my etsy shop, feel free to drop over and take a gander....

WaxPhilosophical.etsy.com

thanks!
Lori

while I'm at it....

I posted a couple pics of my first sewing project last week.  Here's a pic of that being used as intended!!!

not a terrible fit, not bad for my first try, if I do say so.  *pats own back*

No Eye Contact Monday

Morning, I shan't sport with anyone by calling it good.  I'm having a particularly rough Monday, but like all days, it will pass.  in the mean time, I'm working away at the library, but my mind is on my etsy store.  January is always a time for self improvement (intended anyway, lol), which makes me think about all the changes I would like to make.  My store is something I love, but haven't done a lot with.  I have a twitter associated with it (@WaxPhilosohica), a FB page, I have the means to promote it.  But I find myself letting it slide. 
So....this is the year of my etsy domination!  I will NOT let things go!  I will renew listings promptly!  list more items!  My question to any readers that happen by is this:  Where do you find your motivation?  when something becomes tedious, what do you do to keep going?  I understand that etsy is going to have a feature for a shop makeover in the coming months, much like their Christmas boot camp.  I'll follow along with it, and post my progress here.  But please, email us your ideas for motivation. 

Happy Monday!
(there!  bad attitude overcome!)
Lori

Morning musings

This is my first official post so hopefully it's mildly amusing. I have to start off by saying that Lori has been far too generous in her comments about me. She is wildly funny, crafty, smart, and by far the most amazing person that I know. The concept of this blog was her idea and I'm happy to be part of it. I hope you all enjoy it as well.

Now, on to my morning musings. 

Over the past few weeks I have noticed a trend in a new "fitness" craze called Zumba. In my attempt to find out a little more about this "aerobic" craze I came across this little gem. Once you get past the 2 minutes of babble, the fun really starts. I recommend you pause and start off around 2:50. 

About midway we get the benefit of a shirt lift and an ab roll. I have to say, I nearly peed myself watching this. 

Not to slam aerobic fitness such as this (yes), but I am not sure I could get through a class like this without a depends and a bottle of whiskey. I'm quite confident I would be escorted out whilst the tears of amusement were still streaming down my cheeks. 

Upon further investigation I discovered the Zumba clothing line. Once again, I am filled with joy and amusement. As you can see from the video above, there isn't a lot of exertion involved with these "routines". In order to make it look as though you are really shakin' it, Zumba has created these lovely pants. 

Please take notice of the straps of which you can apparently add to for added effects of movement. In one video I happened across the instructor had more straps than she did pant.

 Zumba also has a plethora of accessories to choose from as well, such as this lovely piece of jewelry that anyone *fitness conscious hobos* would love to wear.

I believe the description states, Who says name plates are no longer in style? Our signature necklace doesn't have your name, but does show your passion! Really? If I see someone wearing this I'm beating them with a strap off their pants.  

Now that I am more amused than ever, I am off to find a man that can lift his shirt with as much ease as the gentleman above so I can motorboat his abs. 

Jules

my first sewing project. wildly complicated and clearly difficult.

tweaks and adjustments

Good afternoon!  While I while away the hours at work, Jules has been hard at it, updating out design.  She's a master at it now, her services are available at unreasonable rates.  So now that we are all gussied up, its time to get to it!  Last night was the ground breaking on my sewing machine!  How does someone who calls herself a crafter get to be 31 and never have touched a sewing machine, you ask?  well, long story short, a childhood friend maimed her finger in one as a young child, and all I could see was that finger when I thought about using one!  But desire overcame fear and last night I banged out a reusable coffee cup sleeve.  Is there anything more fun than a rotary cutter?  I feel like its been missing my whole life.  But the sleeve, I was so proud of myself!  are the seams straight?  not really.  is it well put together?  not especially.  But its my first thing!  I overcame my fear!  this means I will be producing terrible things for your amusement/enjoyment!  got tips for me?  send em!  I'm posting pics of my masterpiece (lol).  Hopefully more to come soon!

Lori

And so it begins....

Hello!  and Welcome!  This is Lori and I'm happy you found us!  Since this is my innagural post, I'll introduce myself.  Im a mom of a three year old wonder.  Im a library tech, which works out well for me since I LOVE to read.  I am a crafter.  I approach everything as if I know how to do it, to mixed results.  I want to learn EVERYTHING!!!  I see something on Etsy and can't help myself.  I am at the craft store/harware store/thrift store before I know it.  I am a multi tasker.  and I love blogs, especially those that give tutorials and tips. 

Jules is the best friend I have never met.  We met online, through a group that doesnt bear mentioning.  She's one of the funniest people I ever "met" and the smartest.  When she gets going on a topic, prepare to be educated.  and for your sides to hurt, you won't stop laughing. 

So thanks for stopping by!  check back with us, we'll post as often as we're able.  Please email us with any questions, thoughts, etc! 

thx-
Lori