~ a straight tequila night ~

hello :)

2009-12-09T15:13:03Z

I'm here. For now. I've missed you all.

happiness

2009-02-09T13:14:08Z

a philospher's stone??

2009-01-17T03:56:45Z

Mexican scientists have discovered a way to transform tequila into diamonds. Even the brands that sell for three dollars a bottle work fine as raw material. The catch is that the diamonds produced are too small to be used for jewelry. But they do have numerous practical uses: in surgical instruments, for example. You now have it in your power to preside over a comparable alchemical change, Libra. What could you do that would be like turning lead into gold or tequila into diamonds?

Fascinating...

Lead into gold sounds like a fine idea. But why... why would anyone want to turn tequila into diamonds??

;)

great googley moogley

2009-01-15T15:09:23Z

so, i've started entering this giant stack of information my father collected into my family tree program [luckily he has documented 90% of it]. someone was trying to save paper, so they minimized the font - it's tiny. CRAZY tiny. my head is swimming from the squinting.

but... i have found that a couple of cousins share this strange addiction, so i have someone to share my victories with.

yahoo !!

Writer's Block: Back to School

2009-01-14T17:37:36Z

What fictional high school—from tv, film, or a book—would you most like to attend? Or would you rather never go near high school again, fictional or otherwise?

View 502 Answers

Are you kidding?

West Beverly...

settling in

2009-01-14T14:16:36Z

At home.
Officially jobless.
R is "grounded" due to medical treatments assigned by the doc that would make school difficult today.

So, I'm back in contact with cousins I haven't seen since 1985 or that I've seen only at funerals and weddings within the past few decades and I'm going to wrap up into a big warm quilt with the wee princess [who really isn't so wee anymore] and enter as much of the existing family tree research into the fancy-schmancy program ;)

I have my father's research. Some of it I've had for over 5 years. I have a cousin's research [copies that he shared with my father]. I have my own research. I have a stack of papers 6 inches tall sitting on the floor at my feet.

Gotta go. Gotta type.

Then to scanning the photos.

Awesome :)

- - -

UPDATE: Now I remember why I stopped when I did. Some pages are missing. People just appear in the 1300s in Scotland. Where the page states "entry 1 on this page is entry 12 on page XX"... page XX is missing. Grumble. I suppose I enter the humans and work on connecting them later. I believe there is just a missing box. I hope. I think there were two copies, but I don't remember why...

umm... about that...

2009-01-11T20:49:06Z

e was off playing poker with friends in markleville last night.

the oldest was off playing cosmic bowling and then having a sleepover for a friend's birthday.

the other three kids and i were snuggled up on the floor with blankets and pillows, eating egg and cheese sandwiches, watching practical magic, and having fun. the girls were HORRIFIED that the witches in the movie didn't have big pointy hats and crooked noses with giant warts ;) i let them know that in real life, real witches didn't look like that. real witches could be very sweet and nice.

open-mouthed stares.

"real witches?"

... long discussion ...

ending with "so mommy, when can we make spellbooks?"

Writer's Block: Comfort Food

2009-01-09T13:19:05Z

When times are tough or you're feeling down, what's the one food you can count on to make you feel better?

View 504 Answers

Scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa. A little gross, I know, but... mmm :)

of course it is

2009-01-08T12:30:42Z

Your Word is "Love"

You see life as possibility to form deep connections with a few people.

Relationships are the center of your world, and you always take time to bond with those you love.

You are caring and giving. You enjoy helping those you love.

And when it comes to romantic love, you feel passionately ... even in a very long term relationship.

What's Your Word?

monstermommy @ 2009-01-01T00:03:00

2009-01-01T05:04:26Z

In 2009, monstermommy resolves to...

Eat more pet rats.
Get back in contact with some old bats.
Spend more time with my rosary beads.
Pay for my cemetaries on time.
Stop clubbing with nakedricci.
Buy new rats.

I think I shouldn't buy new rats if I'm only going to eat them...

Yummy

2008-12-19T01:56:39Z

gingerzombies 016
Originally uploaded by batsmeow

Here they are :)

mmm ;)

2008-12-13T23:42:29Z

Gingerbread dough is in the fridge. We can start rolling zombies in half an hour. This is very exciting ;)

i'm awesome

2008-12-13T00:25:14Z

we just made black and purple popcorn balls for our Christmas tree. we're considering gingerbread zombies... R wants gingerbread demons, but i think that might make baby Jesus sad.

monstermommy @ 2008-12-05T21:26:00

2008-12-06T02:26:40Z

In 2008, monstermommy resolves to...

Volunteer to spend time with creepy dolls.
Find a new indiana.
Connect with my inner sushi.
Spend more time with my indianapolis.
Apply for a new goth.
Ask my boss for a velvet.

. the secret .

2008-11-13T04:05:38Z

so, I'm reading this book the secret, have you heard of it? i had. for months, people had been recommending it. people who seemed to have absolutely nothing in common. eventually, i gave in and picked it up. I'm about half way through and I'm noticing some things...

to be fair, these are the types of things I'd been noticing sporadically for the past year or so, but for the past few weeks, it's been overwhelming.

more tomorrow [i think]... it's just been too much.
but kinda neat all at the same time.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-04T03:46:16Z

sheila
Originally uploaded by batsmeow

Welcome to Stepford :)

take it!!

2008-10-23T18:44:36Z

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Non-conformist, Visionary, and Independent

-1 Abstract, -2 Islamic, -4 Ukiyo-e, -10 Cubist, -4 Impressionist and -2 Renaissance!

Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which exists independently of what may appear to others as visual realities. Western had been underpinned by the logic of perspective and an attempt to reproduce an illusion of visible reality. It allowed the progressive thinking artists to show a different side to the world around them. By the end of the 19th century many artists felt a need to create a 'new kind of art' which would encompass the fundamental changes taking place in technology, science and philosophy. Abstract artists created art that was diverse and reflected the social and intellectual turmoil in all areas of Western culture.

People that chose abstract art as their preferred artform tend to be visionsaries. They see things in the world around them and in people that others may miss because they look beyond what is visual only with the eye. They rely on their inner thoughts and feelings in dealing with the world around them instead of on what they are told they should think and feel. They feel freed from the tendancy to be bound by traditional thought and experiences. They look more toward their own ideas and experiences than what they are told by their religious upbringing or from scientific evidence. They tend to like to prove theories themselves instead of relying on the insight or ideas of others. They are not bound by common and mundane, but like to travel and have new experiences. They value intelligence, but they also enjoy a challenge. They can be rather argumentative when they are being forced or feel as if they are being forced to conform.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

kane hodder

2008-10-23T18:22:26Z

kane 01
Originally uploaded by batsmeow

.squee.

crafting again

2008-10-02T18:55:55Z

I finally [after years of searching] found a crochet pattern that I like for fingerless gloves. Most of the ones I'd come across were really bulky, but these are made with baby yarn, so they're soft and thin. Lion Brand Yarn has also come out with baby-weight yarn in black, so this little goth heart of mine is pleased. I started a set last night when Project Runway began and worked for about 1.5 hours. I had a few spare minutes this morning and then just used one of my often-wasted 15-minute breaks to put in a little more work. They are supposed to be 17 rows long. I'm at 19 and may keep going until they cover my entire forearm. I love the armwarmer-length gloves!! I may have a complete set to show you by tomorrow afternoon.

Squee :)

monstermommy @ 2008-09-08T08:51:00

2008-09-08T12:52:22Z

Sigh... no long-hair options for boys.

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

.: naked :.

2008-09-04T11:56:32Z

Well, he didn't totally hate it ;)

---

Mainstage Theatre, 124. W. Ninth St., Anderson, presents “There’s a Burglar in My Bed” by Michael Parker.

When: September 4-6, 11-13, 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Eric T. Schroeder and starring Sheila D. Schroeder, Sean Michael Johnson, David Whicker, Ashlee Witham, Martin A. Stapleton, Christina Pease and Abby Dennis.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the box office or reserved by calling (765) 644-5111. Group rates are available.

.: shit - fuck - damn :.

2008-08-22T14:41:00Z

so my website had been hosted for several years by a company that was cheap. i wasn't especially happy with the service, but they were cheap and i didn't have dollars to throw into upkeep. seriously... anyway, over the past few days, i've had little to no luck accessing email. that happens sometimes, so i wasn't freaking out. today i was annoyed and went to their helpdesk to submit a problem - or tried to. I couldn't get the site to load. I couldn't get their homepage to load. I can't get my site to load.

at this point, i'll be using my lunch break to investigate other options.

Laughing Squid has been recommended.

any other suggestions?

thanks!

oops! i did it again

2008-08-12T15:06:44Z

When we got a new set of bedroom furniture, we moved EVERYTHING out of our room to make the process easier. Things were boxed, bagged, stacked, and generally disorganized. For awhile. Somehow in all of the commotion, I've misplaced yet another address book/calendar, so please help me out...

I promise this will be the last time. This year ;)

I need:

- Your address [mailing]
- Your email address [or alt emails to the one I'm using here]
- Anniversary
- Birthdays for each person in your family

Thanks :)

I can't get polls to work/post from my work computer, so I've made comments viewable only to me. If that doesn't work for you, feel free to email me at sheila at batsmeow dot com.

:)

Back home again...

2008-07-28T14:29:02Z

My kids spent a couple days at their grandmother's home up north. I know a lot of parents would would say that with a little glimmer in their eyes, thankful for a "break" or for some time to themselves. I am not this parent. I hate being in my house without the kids. I avoid taking days off work when they're in school and won't be home until after 3. Having them all gone for two whole days was causing me more stress than I can explain.

I was home on Thursday to take them for dentist appointments. Mostly good news - nothing unexpected anyway. After that, I took them home to work on cleaning [we've been little whirlwinds lately] their rooms and to pack for grandmas. E was coming straight home from work and our goal was to have everything ready when he walked in. Short of a last load of laundry that had another 10 minutes in the dryer, we were. We used that extra time to gather up the trash to take out and to sweep yard debris off of the patio. We were ready to go soon and packed into the car. Kids with their gameboys and coloring books, E at the wheel, and me with my "fashion drawing" reference book. We drove up to Kokomo and stopped for dinner at IHOP [J's choice]. It was fun and good. After that, we swung by Walmart to get him a swim suit and to get me sketch book. We ended up getting more than that, but... We ended up at E's mom's place late late late. We sat and played and talked and I tried to be friendly and happy, but I just wasn't feeling it. I don't like these trips.

E always spent weeks with his grandparents in the summer. Because my grandfather lived with us and my grandmother lived across the street, we didn't need special trips to visit. We just went to the kitchen or for a short walk and we were there. This is not part of the "normal childhood experience" for me. I don't think E or his mother really understand that. Also, during the dropoff visit, E's mom commented to him that her husband was hurt/upset to not get a Father's Day card from the kids. Yes, I dropped the ball on that this year. We always get him a card and gift. Always. He is E's stepfather, but the kids' grandfather and isn't treated any different than if he were blood relation. The real issue this year is that it was the first Father's Day since my dad passed in October. And Father's Day was only a week after what would have been his 81st birthday. Just looking past the "Grandpa" cards was tearing my heart... I couldn't consider looking at them and actually picking one. I was hoping they'd understand. I don't think they put enough thought into it to get to that point.

We got home at 2am after the drop off, which is unfortunate as my alarm rings at 5:30 for work. Luckily the morning was relatively easy and the afternoon was spent at a team-building event. I hate these things, really, but it wasn't that bad this time ;) When I left work, I called E who suggested I pick him up at work and we hang out in Indy instead of heading straight home. Good plan. Very good. Keeping the fussy mama out of the empty house is amazing!! We ended up at a HUGE buffet for dinner made mostly of sushi and a giant Japanese beer. After that, we strolled through Michael's looking for scrapbooking supplies and charcoal pencils. Then to the Fashion Mall to walk around and look at way overpriced baby outfits and to watch a movie.   I squealed when we went to check shows/times and I found out Gonzo was showing :) I highly recommend it, BTW.

Home late again. I don't think we started watching a movie when we got home... I could be wrong. We got up early Saturday morning to crawl around town looking at other people's junk. We did find some good deals - a couple of Gamecube and Gameboy games for under $1 each. Some DVD storage racks [sleek, black, perfect-sized]. Clothes for the girls.  and a Pink CD ;) We came home around 4 and dug through the giant crate of theatre stuff that will eventually become Eric's theatre scrapbook and then headed out to the grocery and office store before we finally settled in to watch some movies. The Ruins was interesting, but felt only half-done. I like explanations and I didn't get any... We stearted Shutter. We didn't get far enough in for me to really form an opinion... it's enjoyable so far, though.

I was highly frustrated that I want to include newspaper clippings of E's show reviews and other promo materials in the scrapbook. I want to copy them onto acid-free [etc] paper so they won't fall apart in a few [some of them are over 15 years old already], but the office store refused to copy them because of copyright issues. I need to find some way to get that done. Maybe I'll call a scrapbook store later today. They must have run into this before.

Yesterday we went up to get the kids. Left the house at 8am. Drove until I saw a sign for Amish fudge and made E pull over. We went through the "free tastes of cheese" aisle and then headed for the "free tastes of fudge" counter. I walked out with a bottle of sasparilla, 1/4 pound of fudge, homemade Asian trail mix, and some gummi fried eggs to share with the kids. We finally made it to his mom's around noon. We sat and talked for a bit, checked out her landscaping, and packed the car. Then... further from home to spend a few hours swimming in Lake Michigan and exploring the dunes. I've been to Mount Baldy before, but never with someone quite as energetic as the kids !! They climbed up and slid back down more times than I care to think about. Just doing it once had my knees screaming! They still hurt today, but everyone had fun - despite the sunburns. Home last night at 11pm when we threw everyone in for showers and unpacked the van. The house is a mess right now, but hopefully the kids will sort through some of their things today while I'm at work.

Speaking of which... back to it!

.: CRAZY :.

2008-07-23T12:45:59Z

Eric is directing the next show at the theatre. He’s asked me to [1] assistant direct, [2] make costumes, [3] arrange props. Because I’m assistant directing, he wanted me to watch auditions and give my advice. He needed to cast 3 men and 4 women. Because auditions had spotty attendance, he asked if I could stand in and read some of the parts in the audition pieces. This is nothing I haven’t done before and while I don’t really enjoy it, it would be hard for him to read a part from offstage and still –really- watch auditions. By the end of the day on Sunday [day 2 of auditions], I noticed he was asking me to read more than what was really necessary. In fact, some of the girls who came to audition for real were just sitting… I figured he was just doing it to annoy me ;)

Strangely… no. He’s offered me the lead.

I’m not sure how I feel about that.

But… as the lead female, I will get to kiss the hot guy from Starbucks ;) A lot. And I don't have to run around in my bra like the other actress would ;)

- - -

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