Lovely Fresh Herbs

I happily admit that I’m one of those non-preservative, non-artificial, non-modified foods, organic, vegetarian, natural, recycling, environmental, Eastern medicine types.

For longer then I care to admit to, I’ve made herbal things: soaps, bath stuff, flavored oils and vinegars, lip balms; and embraced Acupuncture (my messed up shoulder and arm are very grateful), herbs, and natural supplements. Prescription medication is always a ‘choice of last result’ for me.

I drive my family nuts.

So anyway, I thought I’d take a few minutes and share a few recipes and resources for those of you that just might want to spoil yourselves…  but be forewarned, once you make these yourself, you’ll never be able to look at a store version again.

Herbal Bath Scrub – In a Bag!
There are two ways to make these, you get to decide which you like better.  Personally, I prefer the bag, but hey – it’s all good.

You Need:

• Either a 3″ x 5″ muslin bag with draw string (Dharma Trading sells these) or
• Cheesecloth about 5″ square (you’ll also need some string or crochet thread to tie it shut)
• Slow cooking oatmeal; 1/2 cup per herbal bag
• Soap flakes; grated natural soap such as Ivory or a nice glycerin; 1/2 cup per herbal bag
• Freshly dried herbs. Okay you can use older dried herbs… I just like drying my own (told you I drive my family nuts) You’ll need between 1-2 tablespoons of the herbs per bag depending on how full you make it.

Making It:
Now comes the difficult part. Mix together in a glass bowl the oatmeal, soap flakes and herbs. Transfer this mixture to your ‘bag’ or the center of your cheesecloth square. Snug the ties on the bag or pull up the corners of the cheesecloth and tie securely with the string.

To Use:
Wet your bundle while soaking or showering and gently rub over your body! It helps clean, removes icky dry/flaking/old skin, and smells wonderful. Just hang it up to dry between uses.

Herb Variations:

• Restful: chamomile, lavender, rose petals,
• Awake: peppermint, mint, orange, lemon, costmary
• Happy: lemon balm, mint, rosemary, basil

Of course you can always use what every herbs you like – this is only a guideline. Another advantage of doing-it-yourself.

Muslin Bags with Drawstring

Variation on a Theme
Want a slight variation on those bags? Well, just leave out the soap flakes and oatmeal and add lots of herbs instead.

Now hang that herb bag under the faucet in your bathtub so the water hits it as the tub fills. You can also use it as a simple skin scrub.

Witch Hazel
Is there anyone that doesn’t have a bottle of witch hazel in their ‘fridge – especially during the summer? It feels so good smoothed over your face in the heat.

Be aware that there really is a difference in witch hazel – splurge and get the $4 bottle instead of the $1.75 one from your local health food or organic store. It seems silly I know, but you will notice a difference.

Get a couple of smaller empty bottles (with or without spray tops) – and divide up the witch hazel into them. Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of dried herbs to the bottles. Experiment! Neem, chamomile, calendula, lavender….  what ever you want to use. Let sit for a day in the ‘fridge before using, then spritz and cool to your hearts desire!

Sources:
Muslin bags and other wonderful stuff – Dharma Trading. I’ve been buying from them for well over 23 years now. http://www.dharmatrading.com.

Herbs and essential oils – San Francisco Herb Co. I have almost as long a track record with these nice folks.  http://www.sfherb.com.

Well it’s time for me to play again – I just have to convince the fur-kids that the herbs are not catnip; they keep trying to steal everything…

–Annie

Happy Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai kal de mubarak sha,Gézuar Krishlindjet, Mboni Chrismen, La Maunia Le Kilisimasi,Felices Pasquas, Hristos Razdajetsja, Shnorhavor Sourp Dzunount, Bon Pasco, Bon Anja, Frohe Weihnachten, Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun, Mboni Chrismen.

Shuvo Baro Din, Winshuyu sa Svyatkami, Zalig Kerstfeest, krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva, Sretam Bozic, Hristos se rodi, Feliz Natal, Selamat Hari Natal, Vessela Koleda, Noeli Nziza, Selamat Hari Natal, Mboni Chrismen, Feliz Navidad China Sheng Tan Kuai Loh, Mboni Chrismen.

Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritime, Sretan Bozic, Eftihismena Christougenna, Noeliniz kutlu olsun ve yeni yili, Vesele Vanoce, Sung Tan Chuk Ha, Glaedelig Jul, Mboni Chrismen, Mboni Chrismen, Melkam Yelidet Beaal, Poket Kristmet, Haid Joule, Rôômsaid Jôule, Melkam Yelidet Beaal.

Poket Kristmet, Gledhilig jol, Hauskaa Joulua, La ora i te Noera, Gilotsavt Krist’es Shobas, Frohliche Weihnachten, Afishapa, Eftihismena Christougenna, Glædelig Jul, Juullimi Ukiortaassamilu Pilluarit, Felis Pasgua, Boas Festas, Jwaye Nwel, Sing dan fiy loc, Boldog Karácsonyt, Gleðileg Jól,  Shub Naya Baras, a Salamet Hari Natal.

Idah Saidan Wasanah Jadidah, Nollaig Shona dhuit, Mo’adim Lesimkha, Buon Natale, Merii Kurisumasu, Mboni Chrismen, Hristos Razdajetsja, Rozdjestvom Hristovim, Mboni Chrismen, Hristos Razdajetsja, Priecigus ziemassvetkus!, Milad Majeed, Mboni Chrismen, Buon Natale, Frohliche Weihnachten.

Laimingu Kaledu,Schéi Krëschtdeeg, Boas Festas, Sing dan fiy loc, Arahaba tratry ny Krismasy, Moni Wa Chikondwelero Cha X’mas, Selamat Hari Krimas, Il-Milied it-Tajjeb, Il-Festi t-Tajba, Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin, Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Mboni Chrismen, Boas Festas, Geseende Kersfees.

krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva, Prettige Kerstdagen, Bon Pasco, Bon Anja, Filis Pasgua, Gledelig Jul, Mboni Chrismen, Bara Din Mubarrak Ho, Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas, Maligayang Pasko, Boze Narodzenie, Boas Festas, Felices Pascuas, Felicidades, Mboni Chrismen. Sungtan Chukha, Craciun fericit si un An Nou fericit!, Sarbatori vesele.

Hristos Razdajetsja, Rozdjestvom Hristovim, Noheli Nziza, Manuia Le Kirisimasi, Buon Natale, Boas Festas, Mboni Chrismen, Sheng Tan Kuai Loh, Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal,  Vesele Vianoce, Srecen Bozic, Geseënde Kersfees, Subha nath thalak Vewa, Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal, Wilujeng Natal.

Zalig Kersfeest, Wang swietie Kresnetie, Hristos Razdajetsja, Gledelig Jul, God Jul, Fröhlichi Wiehnacht, Mboni Chrismen, Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan,  Ewadee Pe-e Mai, Streken Bozhik, Kilisimasi Fiefi, Mboni Chrismen, Mutlu Noeller, Webale Krismasi, Veseloho Vam Rizdva.

I’d miilad said oua sana saida, Nadolig Llawen, Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Feliz Navidad, Chuc mung Giang Sinh, Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Mboni Chrismen, Cestitamo Bozic, Happy Christmas.

< Back to Wildly Wonderful Wearables >

Back on September 13th my right shoulder dislocated – again. Dislocated is such a simple, benign word that in no way whatsoever describes the pain or long-term effects of such an event.

A bit of history: this first happened back in 1986 thanks to my ex-husband moving my bike and not telling me. Dark room… bike in the way… over you go! Hospital time and a brand new experience to add to the diary.

Over the years it’s happened probably 12 times (though it feels like a lot more), and all but four of those times, I’ve managed to ‘relax’ enough to get the shoulder back where it belongs. Mind you, that usually takes hours, but I’ve been able to do it.

Not this last time, it was like one of those believe-it-or-not situations or the you-have-got-to-be-kidding me ones.

I live alone with the three fur-kids, in a two-story house. I had just finished my shower and was wringing my hair out… when…a moment of really awful pain, the knowledge that I was in deep do-do, and there was nothing I could do to stop what was happening.

My right arm ended up at a 90-degree angle over my head. I had to hold on to it with my other arm to stop any movement. Abject terror was the immediate feeling. Did I mention my front door was locked too?

So there I stood, in the bathtub, doing deep breathing exercises to force myself to relax. It took a long time, but eventually I made it out of the tub, down the hall to the office… knocked the phone off the receiver… and after a lot of angling and false starts, balanced my hand on my head and very, very, very carefully moved my other arm to dial Mike for help. I then managed (do not ask me how, I have no earthly idea), to get through my rolodex and call a neighbor that teaches nursing; told her to bring a knife to cut through the door to get to me.

Fast-forward two hours.

My arm is now back at my side, but won’t fully go back where it belongs. Boy am I beaten up at this point. I would have kept trying, but was pretty much told you’re going to the hospital. See I didn’t want to do that as I have no medical insurance (can’t get any).

They got some clothes on me (Modesty? You’re kidding right?) and down the stairs (no, you really don’t want to know) and into the car.

First stop was a Doc-in-the-Box a few blocks away. Not only couldn’t they help, the receptionist didn’t even know how to get to the nearest hospital; another patient very kindly provided that information.

Did I mention that this was the night of Hurricane Ike?  If you’re going to do it, do it all out!

An eternity later we got there…. Finally got into a room and they hooked me up with: an I.V, heart monitor, constant blood pressure monitor and oxygen. I am not kidding. No pain medication, but all this other stuff.

Two x-rays and over 2-hours later I was ready to crawl into the hallway and start screaming for help. Mind you, the emergency room was empty, this wasn’t a busy time – and still no pain medication.

We finally got some action (and let me tell you, if I had the name of the nurse that was so rough in moving me and my dislocated shoulder, I would be filing a complaint), I was knocked out for about 2 minutes while arm was man-handled back into place.

The doctor wasn’t happy with it sliding-back instead of popping-back.  The tendons and ligament are so stretched out, that they simply can’t hold the arm in.

Oh yeah, the inside of the shoulder bone is dented from my arm snapping back into place. I’ve developed a really high pain tolerance.

How much did this little jaunt cost me? Well paying the ‘room’ fee immediately meant a 40% discount; only $950 paid at that moment….  reach for the credit card in the purse. The doctor bill came later: $1141… radiology for four x-rays was a truly bargain price of only $72.

Six or so weeks later, I can’t move the arm even shoulder high. Between the pain and the risk of slippage, it’s a pretty scary situation.

Getting dressed is an experience (try putting a bra on with only one arm); loose, button, or stretch tops only. I have long hair – can’t use a hair dryer and using electric curlers is a real interesting adventure.

You lift with one arm, shift the car using two hands, even putting a seat belt on is a problem. Up until last week, I had a jerry-rigged board so that my mouse was in front of my keyboard because I couldn’t move my arm to the right.

I’m not even going to get into sleeping, showering or washing my hair. The cell phone goes everywhere with me now. Everywhere.

There are some new surgical techniques that are much less invasive – out patient, home same day in fact! Unfortunately I really don’t have an option anymore with this stupid shoulder of mine.

Anyone know of a nice program in the Dallas area that works with people that can’t get medical insurance? If you do, please don’t keep it to yourself…

< Back to Wearables >

You know, rev’s REAL HIGH and refuses to downshift. (shudder). Bad. Very very bad. Stupid Ford transmissions.

I did more research and figured it was between a Toyota Yaris and a Honda Fit. Both came in hatchback (have to think about the sewing and quilt shows) and get excellent mileage – 36MPG.

I looked at a few over the holiday weekend…. filled out online credit apps for both… and did the Internet request thingy.

The Honda folks (even though I contacted them first) were not exactly responsive shall we say; the Toyota dealer was on the ball. Emails asking specifics, giving me options, calls with what they have in stock (and some additional discounts).

When I asked about the credit check the Toyota contact told me – “You can get whatever you want”! I wanted to ask her who was going to pay for it then…. sigh.

I went to the Toyota folks just down the road yesterday afternoon to look at one seriously. You know how it’s all in the timing? Well, my transmission literally went as I was pulling into the parking lot – I sort of coasted into a parking place. No pressure here. AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH.

“Why yes, it’s the quietest car I’ve ever owned” she says to the sales person who’s looking at her funny.

4.5 hours later I was back home… with a brand spanking new Yaris. It was, of course, was more then I wanted to spent after taxes and all those other interesting things were added on – I’m trying to explain to the fur-kids about cutting back on those little expenses, like good cat litter. My only hope is to either strike it rich, inherit a lot of money, or find a gazillon shops that want lots and lots of my patterns! It’s going to be (gulp) a tad bit rough – but hey, the Sable was 15 years old, had 170K miles on it AND was flooded out 2 years ago.

The Yaris is an awfully cute little bug. And yes, another red car for those of you that know me! Every single car I’ve ever bought for myself has been red. My brother emailed me asking if I have to wind it up everyday – the ingrate.

< Back to Wearables >

But the sorry truth is that simply isn’t going to happen anytime in the near future…. sooooo moving right along….

Slight detour first: does everyone know about WOOT? Their tagline is One Deal – One Day. And at random times, they have WOOT Offs – even better pricing on stuff still in the warehouse. When it’s sold out, the next item comes up. And if that’s not enough, shipping is always only $5. I adore these guys.

So the week before Thanksgiving a WOOT Off came up; I’d checked on it throughout the day to see what was being offered. And that is how I got my Christmas present.

It’s a ROOMBA. $99. It was a fully guaranteed refurb and came with: the Roomba, a charging station, separate adapter plug-in – in case you didn’t want to use the charging station, two ‘Invisible Walls’, and a remote control that also allows you to program your cleaning times. Oh and they included an extra HEPA filter, long-life rechargeable battery and cleaning tool for your Roomba.

I’m in love. Wanna see my new toy in action? Click here.

Yes I realize I’ve lost it completely, but you have no idea how much I appreciate this little wonder. I have a two-story home, three furry children, several small businesses, no time, and that stupid Fibro that slows me down.

My regular vacuum in a decent one, upright with attachments; it’s also heavy and hard to lug up and down the stairs. Which means of course, that I’m not going to do it very often. Ummm at all.

I’ve been running this little gem for 3 weeks now. It does the downstairs Friday morning, the office and studio that afternoon, and the rest of the house on Saturday.

And it cleans – I’m impressed. No it’s not perfect, but I’m smiling every time I look at it!

Ecceles hides; Molly watches only from a safe distance; Leo originally ran when it headed for him, now he just steps out of the way and follows it. I swear nothing fazes that cat. Nothing.

I must sound like a one-woman advertising campaign for the Roomba folks – iRobot – but, you know when you find something you really, really like … you just have to TELL people about it!

Now if I could find something that would paint automatically…..

< Back to Wearables >

Eventually you find yourself disgusted enough to dig out. I’ve been digging out for the past 2 weeks; not completely done but about 85%. No taking bets on how long the lack of clutter continues either!

So, it started simply enough, I cleaned out one drawer. Then another. And another. Moved on to a shelf or two… under the desk (it’s a U-shaped desk that takes up three walls)… hmmmm the big closet where the file cabinet, supplies and extra computer stuff is kept.

This was not a good sign, I was digging into areas I hadn’t really ‘investigated’ in almost six years – and I was enjoying it. That is so wrong on so many levels.

As it happens a very good friend – okay, okay she’s also a niece – better Val? I’m sorry, but when I think of niece I think of my 10-year old niece Courtney, not another grown-up… see that means I’m getting older too – I tend to forget all about that most of the time. Anyway, she called and offered to come over that Monday to help.

I welcomed her with open arms and a determination to get the heavy moving taken care of. Lovely woman that she is, she also brought a veritable feast of fresh strawberries, cheese, crackers, lasagna, chocolate mousse, and white wine. Did I mention what a wonderful niece she is? Well she is.

We lugged, and hauled, and dragged and moved – not only from room to room, but up and down stairs for over four hours that day. She rode tyrant on me cleaning out the large closet in the studio; it’s always easier if you have another person demanding to know why you insist on keeping fabric scraps that are under 3″ in size and over 9-years old.

It was so bad, we had to load up the car with all the paper recyclables that had been collected so far and drop them off.

How can one room hold that much stuff?

As of today, I’ve made a total of 7 visits to the recyclables location and 9 to the Salvation Army drop-off trailer. And no, I’m not done.

All these pictures are from today. See that curtain? That’s the first time in 6 years I’ve taken the time to put one up!

Actually, it’s a 60″ x 102″ oblong table cloth that was on sale for $9.99 – I bought 2; the office gets one too. Just turned under the top and made a casing. Oh and the band holding it open is from the .99 napkin that matched.

The studio will NEVER look this clean and organized again. Ever. I just stood in the middle in awe. Wow.

I couldn’t get pictures of everything, but enough to show – and no there are absolutely, positively no ‘before’ photos.

The last two pictures are of the boys reaction to the ‘new’ room. Leo took over the bookcase (BTW, that bookcase is now over 28 years old! Best $20 I ever spent) since I took away two big fabric boxes he was use to sleeping on; and Ecceles for the first time ever jumped up to the top shelf to investigate. I don’t know which of us was more surprise at him doing that – he’s a bit of a flake.

Miss Molly is currently ignoring the whole thing.

And now on a personal note: Thank you again Val! Love you bunches – couldn’t have done a quarter of that without your help. Next meal is my treat.

Well, it’s time to continue my ruthless clean-out …. my closet is next up!

PS: The day after we did all that major moving: OUCH! At this rate, I’m going to take out stock in Tylenol.

< Back to Wearables >

I cannot image life without them.

Anyway, about two weeks ago a friend sent me animation about a cat trying to get their person to wake up because their food bowl was empty. I was laughing so hard I triggered an asthma attack – it was worth it.

Well it’s on YouTube now so I simply have to share! ‘Wake Up Cat’ is by an English animator called Simon Tofield and it is actually called ‘Cat Man Do’. He works for an animation company called Tandem Films. Enjoy.

< Back to Wearables >

I’m 50 years old and proud! This comic strip has me seething. I’ve contacted the Tribune editors and received, in my mind, the standard form reply. You know, the ‘oh we’re sorry this slipped through’ yadda, yadda, yadda.

Of course today’s so called joke makes fun of a woman that almost died from anaphylactic shock. This is humor?

Here is the contact information for the Tribune to let them know your displeasure over this insult. And if your local paper runs this strip, be sure to contact them too. No one can take advantage of you or insult you unless you let them.

I’m not letting them.

Contacts at the Tribune:
Mary Elson, Managing Editor Mary Elson
Leigh Hanion, Associate Editor Leigh Hanion

<Back to Wearables>

Back in February 2003, my mother, Dianna Scott died of complications from back surgery. My family is all in Michigan, while I live in Texas.

Mom was only 65 years old and dad at 82 was showing signs of senility; it was very hard on all of us. My sister Kelly, brother Ray, and myself had enough guilt passing back-and-forth to last the rest of our lives!

Adding to this horrible situation, my dear friend and partner Flo died five months before, and my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia hit the previous summer. A week after I came back from Michigan my position building Web sites at the Creative division of a marketing company was downsized. I think I was personally redefining extreme depression.

I had to channel this crushing grief into something positive!

For the previous few months, I had been kicking around an idea for a new wall hanging pattern but nothing was really gelling. Waking straight up one night, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

My folks loved to dance. I mean they LOVED to DANCE! They even met at a dance for goodness sake. Dad was also a professional drummer and an excellent pastel and charcoal artist, and while I would like to take a little credit for getting some of his talent, I can’t as he adopted me. Mom always swore we were so much alike at time we drove her nuts. Thanks Dad!

I emailed two of my cousins about the new pattern idea with the addition of a ‘this is a secret-don’t tell a soul’ warning.

I first bombarded them with all the individual dancer sketches, then the completed dancer designs. Next up were colored versions of the nine dancers. We moved on to the fabric versions: appliqué dancer pieces fused together… then satin stitch… then hand beaded…. then with sashing added…. then all the quilt blocks sewn together.

This incredibly detailed process was exactly what I needed – of course, I didn’t realize that at the time.

In hindsight, I’m surprised my cousins put up with all of that overkill, but at times Tam and Doe know me better then I know myself. Once in a while you just luck out with the family you get.

I took the completed top to a professional for quilting and Richard did an incredible job: in a word – stunning.

Once the actual pattern was ready, immediate family members received their copy in the mail. No explanatory letter was in the package as words were not necessary, simply the pattern.

My aunt Jeanette made a beautiful version for my aunt Judy – Mom’s sister – from fabrics almost identical to the original. We cried a lot of those good, cleansing tears.

Dianna’s Dance hangs in my upstairs hall – I pass it 15 or 20 times a day and it never fails to make me smile. Dad passed in November of 2005 so my folks are finally able to go dancing again, but now it’s across all those clouds; you’re talking about a really big dance floor.

If I listen real close I can hear her: “Ray, would you please slow down, you know my legs aren’t that long…”

<Back to Wearables>

Sometimes you just need to take five-minutes and moan about the hand you’ve been re-dealt. I say ‘re-dealt’ because for me, this is all about being gifted with a chronic medical condition. Barf.

Some days it’s tougher and that brief session just isn’t going to cut it. It’s usually a buildup of things – not necessarily all health related that have me turning into a raving lunatic.

Down here in Texas we’ve gone from over a year of severe drought and restrictions – to so much constant rain we’re having horrible flooding. While I fortunately am not effected by the flooding, the non-stop rain has caused the stupid bursitis in my hip to let me know it’s alive and functioning.

So I’m limping around with no visible sign of a problem (cue in funny looks from people), driving is one large ouchy trying to work the pedals, and you go up and down the stairs on your butt… which in itself is actually pretty cool for an adult, but the fur-kids want to play too. I’ll leave it to your imagination as to that scene on the stairs with the kids.

Let’s see: everything hurts, I’m limping severely, it’s 92 degrees outside/86 in the office… and I took my car in this morning to have the air conditioner recharged. I should be so lucky.

I’m waiting on the phone call that the car is ready so that I can walk about .5 of a mile and hand over $580 $620 for a new compressor and all that goes with it. I drive a 1993 Mercury Sable with about 165K miles on it – and slowly but surely I’m getting a new car… piece.. by piece.. by piece.

“It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want too…”

<Back to Wearables>