Celebrating the red, white, and blue...

 I didn't make this myself...It was actually a gift from one of my co-workers.  I thought it was really cute and festive though...so I asked her how she made it.  Basically...she put the rice in bowls and dropped a few drops of food color into each bowl and then layered the rice into mason jars. Easy. Breezy.  What I like about this is that you could basically do it for every holiday...orange, yellow and white for Halloween, green white and red for Christmas, red, white, and pink for Valentines...etc, etc!  So, thanks Tandy...for this July 4th inspired craft!...and stay tuned for some 4th inspired recipes this week!

It's not so much about the Present...as it is the Presentation!

I was invited to go to a baby shower this past weekend.  I get more requests to decorate showers than I do to actually attend them.  So, I was very excited to go to this one.  I typically try to flex my creative muscles a bit and try to come up with some clever/creative way to package my gift.  This time, In  enlisted the assistance of my friend, Sonia.

She sent me a link to a very ingenious idea...creating a closet for baby clothes as the gift's packaging.  I instantly loved it.  But the picture on just the link wasn't very cute (they just left the brown box as is)...and the how to was unnecessarily complicated.  So, I thought I'd create my own "How To" right here:

Here's what you need:
A sturdy box that is both wide enough and long enough to fit your outfits
Shelf paper
Wooden knobs

I stood the box up length-wise and cut the shorter lids (or flaps) of the box.  So I was only working with two flaps which would become the doors to my closet.  Lining the box with shelf paper is probably the easiest and cheapest way to change the color of your box.  This avoids messy glue or dealing with too much tape.  I embellished with scrapbook paper which I had cut in circles for a previous project.  You can embellish in a variety of ways...(just flex those creative muscles!)

I found the perfect wooden knobs at Wal-Mart in  the craft section.  There were several in a package for maybe a dollar or two.  I decided to paint the knobs to match my embellishment...and then hot glue them on the "closet doors."  Afterwards, I hung a little sign from the knobs which I constructed with scrapbook paper and stickers. 

Now for the inside...if you want to get fancy,you can line the inside as well.  I decided NOT want to get fancy. ;)  The original how to said to purchase a closet rod and saw off to size.  I thought that was silly...because a gift wrapping roll is perfect for the project and much easier to work with.  I cut it to size and wedged it in the box...there was no need to glue it in or anything!  Then I hung the real gifts inside.

Yes, it takes a little bit more time and effort than sticking your gift in a bag with tissue...but, it's worth it to hear the "awwwww's"...afterall, shower gifts are 50% present and 50% presentation!

First...here's a picture of the completed project...



 

And the inside...





 

A New Start

For years now, my CCL (cray-cray cousin Lisa for those of you just joining me) has been urging/pleading/insisting that I pull the plug on this blog and start anew.  And finally, I had to breakdown and agree with her...well, partially.  It's impossible for me to pull the plug on SueVee blog.  There's a lot of history here...funny history at that!  But, I have to admit that my life is totally different now than it was when I first began this blog.  I can't write about the same things...I have a different lifestyle, different interests, and well, different things on my mind.  So, instead of reading about the antics of a 20 something single trying to find the right job and right man...you'll be reading about the antics of a married 30 something who loves crafting/cooking/writing.  Hope you'll come back and join me to see what's happening in a day in the life of SueVee!

Character Profile...Birthday Edition

Name: Sonia
Nickname: BF

Favorite Food: Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Ice Cream, and Chocolate Chip Cookies (do you see the common denominator??)
 
Best known for:  Her million dollar smile...

Guilty Pleasure:  Watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette...and suckering me into watching it.

Super Power:  She knows everything that goes on in Facebook...and she doesn't even have a Facebook account!  How does she do it?!?

What you don't know about her:  She's one of those girls who scopes out People while standing in the grocery check out line...and loves to share the latest celebrity gossip...But she also is one of those braniac who sets her mind to something...and accomplishes it, regardless of how difficult it is. She is one of the most strong-willed humans I know.

Funniest moments shared:  Most of our funny moments shared are due to stupid things I do...and I could produce an endless list of that stuff...but  Sonia very rarely makes a fool out of herself...give or take one or two times (like the time she created a sensational singing group called Snaple (no, not the juice drinks...6 girls named Sonia,Nancy, Annie, Priscilla, Lisa, and Elsa)..there was just one problem..they didn't sing sensationally) 

They say that pictures are worth a 1000 words... I'm not sure what in the world was so hilarious...but this picture definitely captured the essence of our friendship...we crack each other up...usually about things that other people don't find quite so amusing...

Through thick and thin...the good, bad, and the ugly...she's been by my side...Always there to listen, laugh with me, and pray for me.  Whether we were in the same city or miles away...we always remain close in heart.

Happy Birthday, BF. 

Thanksgiving 2012

Typically Thanksgivings are spent in Okc...and they're pretty quiet...because we don't have a lot of family here.  But this year, one of my cousins in Dallas invited us to his brand new house, which sits on a few acres of beautiful land....to enjoy Thanksgiving with the whole family clan. 

I wasn't sure how this trip would go...First off, driving in the car with 6 people didn't sound like an amazing way to spend 3.5 hours.  Secondly...I knew my cousins in my age range wouldn't be there...and I am just not used to being at family functions with out them.  Usually it's the other way around.  Thirdly, driving back the same day with 6 people who just filled themselves up with turkey and pies..didn't sound like an amazing way to spend 3.5 hours either.


And so I was right about a few things...the drive there and back was slightly on the hellish side.  But the time spent with my family was awesome.  I got to really sit down and talk to my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, and nieces and nephew.  And...I'm thankful for each and every one  of them...

My beautiful nieces and cousins...

 

It was just me and these guys for Thanksgiving this year...

 

The trip was definitely worth being packed like sardines...although I definitely missed my cousins in my age range and my sister...

I'm thankful for a lot of things Thanksgiving...but maily for God's grace....because without it...there would be nothing else to speak of.

Happy Thanksgiving, blogosphere!

Oodles of Noodles

 My friend Shelley at work ordered several packages of noodles from groupon...and was nice enough to give a few of us girl a bag to try it out. Apparently these noodles have no calories, no carbs, no gluten and no fat. She's been wanting one of us to try them out and give her a review of how they taste. So, I decided to make them tonight.

 

 This is what the bag looks like..

 

The slogan on the back made me chuckle...

 

This is a blurry shot of what they look like before I added sauce, spice, meat, veggies, and eggs...so basically put...this is what they look like when they're truly fat free, carb free, calorie free state.

And this is what it looked like after I made a meal out of it.  I guess this proves I can make even the best of things fattening.

In short, my review of the noodles pre-good stuff is...they're completely tasteless.  it's like chewing water.  Ater the good stuff...it tastes like chinese lo mein....not too bad.

I work at a place where a lot of young, college grads work.  The girls are really fashionable and trendy...and put my cardigans to shame.  There's three particular girls who I think dress so super cute...and I make a point of making mental notes of what they wear and how they mix and match.

Well, yesterday, I was in the bathroom...and I could see from under the stall that someone was standing at the sink.  This someone had on black tights and some mustard colored peep toe pumps.  The shoes were super cute, but I totally thought pumps and tights were a no-no.  When I left the stall and went to the sink...I realized it was one of the girls that I think is particularly fashionable.  I was shocked!

I went back to my department and asked one of the girls whether wearing tights with peep toes was acceptable.  She said definitely not.  I thought I would look into this a little more.  I mean peep toe tights girl definitely seems like she would know about fashion do's and dont's...so maybe...just maybe she knows something my friend and I didn't.

So I researched the subject and found this article. Looks like I won't have to save my pair of peep-toe wedge heels for the spring!!!

 I interrupt this way back Wednesday post to show off my new toy...

Yes...it's my very own...brand new, purple, ecraft cutter!!

For those of you who have no idea what this contraption is...it cuts images, shapes, icons, letters, etc.  (I'm sure my sister is a little annoyed right now because when I lived in Florida for a while SHE was my ecraft cutter! Ha!)This will save me so much time and energy for my parties!  I'm so stoked and ready to try it...but I have very specific things that I need it to cut, and have been calling customer service for assistance, but the offices are in Long Island and have been closed due to Sandy.  Damn, Sandy!!

I've waited 4 years to get this baby...I guess I can wait a few more days!

 

Never fear...I'm still here.  I've been trapped in a bathroom for 3 days...painting, that is.  My mom was going to hire some painters for the job, but Matt volunteered us to do it instead.  *Sigh*  So, I spent the better part of the weekend taping, painting, cleaning...Bleh!  If I never see a paintbrush again...it will be too soon!!

I heard something so startling today...NEXT WEEK IS THANKSGIVING!  Seriously?  Where are the days going?  What's even more sad is that our plans are not quite nailed down yet.  I would love to join the fam in DFW, but I have to work the next day.  And driving back and forth in one day doesn't sound appealing...but what do you do?  Last year, the maternal unit and I went Black Friday shopping after turkey dinner.  We weren't after awesome things like TVs or laptops...we bought dumb things like towels and tupperware...Boy was I lamenting the next morning after I went into work after only 4 hours of sleep.  That won't be happening again...Ever.

Life seems to be moving in fast foward...and it's a little scary.  It was 20 somethin' degrees this morning, which means it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  I'm no where near ready for it.  Bahumbug!

So one of my favorite accessories to wear in the fall is tights.  Those of you who know me know that I've had an obsession with tights since I was a little girl.  I was born in Chicago and lived there until I was 5...and remember wearing tights around the house to keep warm...and sliding around the house was just an added bonus. 

So, today's post is dedicated to TIGHTS!...and to learn more about the do's and dont's on how to wear them...click HERE!

Thanksgiving in Okc is usually a little on the boring side.  We don't have a lot of family here, so it's not a very big gathering.  Usually it's just my family and aunt's family...and we're typically kind of a quiet group.  We just eat too much and then kind of lounge around in a sleep induced trance.

This picture was taken during Thanksgiving 2009.  We had just eaten...and I went to the room to lounge...and this is what I found...my kid cousin Les lying on my bed IN MY WEDDING DRESS, reading a magazine...just like it was a normal thing to do.  

Gotta say...it definitely made me laugh....and it still does!

S'more, Please!

In my house, smores are a much enjoyed treat...I used to just put a piece of hershey's and marshmallow on a graham cracker and nuke it in the microwave.  And yes, it was delicious and easy...

But then I discovered a new way to make smores...and I thought I'd share it with you because the result is even MORE delicious!

Line a cookie sheet with graham crackers...sprinkle mini marshmallows over it, and then sprinkle chocolate chips over them.  Put in oven under broiler...I would watch them because the marshmallows get toasty realllly fast.  Once the marshmallows are browned, pull cookie sheet out of the oven...and place graham crackers over the top and press down soo the ooze which will help the chocolate chips continue to melt.

Then enjoy!....my favorite thing to do is dunk them in milk!!

Oh, and by the way...I rocked the vote....did you?

I spent the weekend with 2 of my favorite girls...my cuzzies, Lisa & SueTee.  Sadly, it's been  2 years or so since I've last seen them...so it was a much needed, but extremely short visit.  SueTee was kind enough to score us some tickets to the very first home game of the Houston Rockets.  It was slightly weird to see Houston fans with beards cheering James Hardin on.  And although the Rockets lost...It's always fun to watch an NBA game...especially with these two.

Before the game, we had dinner at a fancy new burger and crepe joint called Guru.  Lisa and I had left early morning and had skipped lunch, so we were starving.  A nice juicy burger and fries were exactly what both of us needed.

I decided to order a "shroom burger."  On the menu, it was described as a burger with portabella mushroom, sauteed onions and peppers and swiss cheese.  I took my first bite, and wasn't highly impressed.  I was shocked because Lisa kept saying her burger was amazing.  And I totally wondered why mine wasn't.  I took the bun off, and added some salt...hoping that would do the trick.  I cut my burger in half and ate one half.  Then, I cut the other half in half...and after I did that, I took the bun off again because I noticed something was missing....MEAT!  Yes, I ate half of my shroom burger before I realized that it was made entirely of a portabella mushroom without any meat!  Who woulda thunk it?  I totally was expecting a mushroom burger with a meat pattie...not a portabella pattie!  Sooooo disappointing.  My cousins couldn't stop laughing because they knew that the shroom had no meat and thought I was just making a healthy choice. 

I don't know what was more bewildering...how my cousins who've known me my whole life could possibly think I'd order a vegetarian burger or how my mushroom burger had no meat!

Friday Funsies...

I've worked quite a few places since I started working at 16...and I've befriended many-a people these past 22 years (I hope I did my math right)...and actually have maintained a few of those friendships.

In all my jobs...the hilight has always been the people I work with and Paycom is no different.

Below is a pic of me and one of my favorites...Shelley.  She brightens my day every day with her wit and sunny disposition!

  

 Me @ work on Halloween.  My department dressed like animals...and I took the chance to dress up like the world's cutest puppy...Mousse! I was so sad cuz I got no treats!

 The whole gang...the gorilla in the back is actually my boss! 



Way Back Wednesday-Halloween Version

In honor of the holiday...I dug up a picure from Halloween Past.

I know this picture looks like it was taken in the 1970, but neither of these girls were even born at that time. It was Halloween 2002...and these are my BF's...Sonia and Nancy.

Sonia was getting married that year,so we decided to make the most of the entire year before she got hitched in August.  So, we decided to have a "Neewollah" (Halloween backwards) party at her house...70's style.  I remember I took off work that day to decorate...and the party was replete with a strobe light and 70's music.

Good times...great oldies...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

I'm off to finish my tail...I'm dressing up as Mousse for work today.  Although I hardly think I will be as cute as her.  Pics soon to come!

I'm so behind on all my shows...Luckily I have DVR.  But, for some reason, on Sunday nights my DVR is set to record Dateline and it cuts off 20 minutes of it every time.  Last Sunday's episode was especially interesting...It was about an African American woman whose father was a football player.  She was raised affluently and had no real connection with her family or the African American community.  After getting married and having her own family, she realized the importance of understanding her culture.  She took a class in college that required to research her family background...and she discovered that her grandfather was a hero in the civil rights movements.  He worked for a white restaraunt and owned a colored restaraunt.  Apparently he could recite the menu of the white restaraunt by memory and speedily.  So, when a documentary film maker came to the town to interview white Americans on their race views, he was the only black man that they interviewed...simply to hear him recite the menu.  But he not only used his time on tape to recite that...he also told the interviewer his feelings on how poorly he and other blacks were treated...although he knew doing so could lead to his death.  I'd love to tell you the rest of the story, but that's right about when the damn DVR stopped. 

Luckily I ran into my friend Ben..who is also a dead ringer for Jimmy Fallon...at Walmart as we frantically searched for last minute Halloween candy....and he told me about hulu.com.  Not only can I watch my chopped up episodes of dateline...But Hello again Kardashians, Joisey Shore huligans, and the rest of my  reality shows.  Should I? Shouldn't I?  Life has been pretty peaceful with just watching prime time and House Hunters and Pioneer Woman.  Maybe I should just keep this new leaf turned.

Ghoul's night!

 

The weekend was so crazy busy! Saturday was my ghouls night out accessory swap! I actually had a pretty good turnout! I didn't expect so many ghouls or so many fabulous accessories! A fun time was had by all...

Some of the decorations...

I made bats from egg cartons and ghosts from an old white t-shirt.



The swap goody bags...

 

My co-workers/friends...My boss doesn't really dress like that...she's dressed up as a doll!

 

Popcorn balls!  First time I've made them...but they were a huge hit!

A fun way to dress up water bottles...

Some of the beautiful accessories I scored!

 

Boot Scootin

Live blogging from my desk. I am a little early and a little behind with my posting so I thought I'd use the time. Its freezing this morning...woke up to a cool 67 degrees in my house.

I've seen so many people wearing boots today.. as in cowboy boots...makes me want a pair. An Indian girl in cowboy boots? Odd?

I leave you with a how to video for a little Halloween crafting.

25 Ways to Tie a Scarf...

 I don't know about you, but I love scarves.  It's one of my favorite accessories to wear in the fall and winter.  My friend Sue has an adorable pink polka dot scarf that she is about to try to swap at her "Accessories Swap" this weekend...and I'm hoping that I can nab it before anyone else does.  She told me she was ready to swap it out because she had no idea how to wear it...so, that gave me the inspiration for this week's blog! 

Above are two examples of how I used a scarf to amp up a simple outfit.  I thought it would be easier to SEE how to tie a scarf instead of  READING about it, so I found a great video with 25 examples.  It's very simple and easy to follow.  I hope this helps all of you who face the dilemma of how to wear your scarf and inspires you to wear a few to accessorize this Fall. Until next week!

When Somebody says how-do-you-do? Say you didn't.-Eeyore

Way back Wednesdays photo of the day:  Little me (circa 1985) and Eeyore at Disney World.

There's quite a bit of irony in this picture.  Most little kids go to Disney World and beg, cry, and plead to take pictures with Mickey and Minnie or the Disney princesses.  Not me...my heart skipped a beat when I saw Eeyore.  I'm not really sure why.  I hate Winnie the Pooh.  Any bear who wears a shirt, but no pants...is no friend of mine.  But I loved and still love Eeyore.  I think it was because my sister had this Eeyore stuffed animal that she wouldn't let me near.  So,it was possibly a case of wanting something I couldn't have.

 

The funny thing about this is...my co-workers now call me Eeyore.  They say I talk exactly like the manic depressive donkey.  That doesn't bode well for what they think of my personality. 

I showed them this picture, and they all had a good laugh...saying it explains alot. 

Poor me...and poor Eeyore...we're so misunderstood.