MenoPause Sucks!

So what exactly is supposed to "Pause" now? It's not the monthly's and PMS seems to be permanent (at least the family thinks so). I can go from "WOOHOO - the day has started" to crying to depressed to angry - and that's just the first hour of the day when I'm the only one awake!! ARG!!

My memory is crap. It's never been the greatest but now...
If I don't write down EVERYTHING it doesn't get done. Luckily I can get up, start coffee, pack lunches & start breakfast in my sleep, or most days hubby would have to buy lunch. And luckily I've driven the same school bus route for the last 7 years - could almost do it with my eyes closed.


Don't get me started on hot flashes! They were gone for 2 years, now they are back worse than ever :( Hubby thinks "hot" flashes means I'm horny. WHAT?!! Are you Kidding?!!

I finally decided to go to a local herbal shop to see if they had something that would help. They gave me these pills to help with:

• Mood Swings
• Hot Flashes
• Insomnia
• Stress & fatigue
• Decreased Libido
• Improves memory

Now if only I could remember to take them. Put them on the table right where I set my plate - maybe then I'll remember.

Double Brownies

We love brownies :) But it took me a while to find a recipe that wasn't just chocolate. I've made this one many times, and we quite enjoy it. Don't always add the icing - it doesn't really need it. Do you have a favorite brownie recipe you might want to share? :))

DOUBLE BROWNIES

2 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/8 tsp. salt

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Chocolate Layer: Beat 2 eggs until foamy. Add granulated sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Melt cocoa and butter together in saucepan over low heat. Add to egg mixture and blend well. Spread in greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Set aside.

Butterscotch Layer: in clean bowl cream butter with brown sugar. Add 2 eggs and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Add remaining ingredients. Stir. Spoon over chocolate layer in small blobs. Spread as best you can. Bake in 350F oven for 30 minutes until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool and frost.

ICING:

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

3 tbsp. milk

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

Bring butter, brown sugar and milk to boil in saucepan. Simmer for 2 minutes. Cool Stir in icing sugar, adding more sugar or milk if necessary to make consistency for easy spreading. Spread over cooled squares.

Sweet & Sassy Cards

Since opening my shop on Etsy - I purchase very few "store" cards anymore. There is such a variety of beautiful handmade cards on Etsy that cost less than the ones at the card shop. Everyone LOVES a handmade card :) Sweet and Sassy Cards has some serious cards, funny cards (really!), unique ones and also a wonderful selection of cards, tags, place cards for a wedding! 

*Where are you from?

I was born in Buffalo, New York and lived with my family in what was once my great grandmothers house. I’ve lived my entire life within a 5 mile radius of that old house This Buffalo gal really does believe that home is where the heart is.

*How did you decide on your shop name?

I decided on my shop name when I sat down at my computer, signed on to Etsy for the first and the name I wanted was taken. Sweet and Sassy Cards seemed to fit.

*What are 5 things you want people to think when they see your product?

I want people to see my cards as:

• fun
• unique
• creative
• sweet 
• and sassy!

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?

Paper - without a doubt. Whenever I'm at a craft store, I grab a few sheets (or maybe more than a few) I really do like purple. There is one particular brand of paper that I cannot get enough of. I hate the idea of running out of glue, so I buy lots of glue.

*What do you do when you’re not being an artist? What activities do you enjoy?

My day job brings me lots of happiness and joy. I’m an elementary school library aide and have been for 18 years. I love it, kids are almost always happy and they are a pleasure to see every day. One of my great
loves is animals. I have quite a few critters that want lots of attention. Of course I love spending time with my so patient hubby and my grown children too.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?

Every time I start a new card it’s my new favorite. I really enjoy making custom cards and hearing the stories of who will receive it and why. It makes the process so special.

*What keeps you motivated?

Honestly, it’s sales. I love, love, love creating new cards, but sometimes when the sales are slow it’s hard for me to find motivation. I do know that I can turn to my Etsy friends for a “motivation renewal”. I’ve come to realize that sales ebb and flow.

*If you could give a piece of advice to a new shop - what would it be?

It would be the same advice that I received as a newbie - have patience. I think you can tell from the post above that I’m still working on that one myself!

*Are there other places on the net we can find you?

You can find me at
Facebook - www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-and-Sassy-Cards/292705589332
Twitter - twitter.com/SweetandSassyCa
Artfire - www.artfire.com/users/SweetandSassyCards

My new Puppy & Intelligence According to Pony Tails

Ok - it's not a real puppy :)

This is what I received for my birthday from my sister-in-law. Isn't it cute? Now I need to find something to put in the basket. She mentioned that there is also a "boy" to go with this one. Might have to find out where she purchased this and get that one too!


Luke found this on the internet. Not quite sure I agree. Though Luke thinks it's right on target since he wears his hair in a pony tail like the last one.

Almost burst out laughing on the school bus the other day, when one of the girls walked up with her pony tail on the top of her head :)