How To: Gothic Punk Screaming Banshee Costume

A few days ago I really let my 10 year old kid have it. I yelled and I yelled, and I yelled some more. I was so mad. So hurt. So FURIOUS.

By the end of my rage, I honestly didn't know why I was yelling.  And upon asking her if she knew why I was yelling, she didn't know either.

Darn it. Hate it when that happens.

Frankenstein and His Beloved Bride: A Picture Tutorial

Halloween Cupcakes: The Toxic Bite!

I'm a horrible, horrible, terrible person.
And I've misjudged.
Well, not misjudged. I really did judge quite right.
Maybe I spoke too soon. Too much. Maybe.
Maybe not.
Well, let's just say I said a person was something, that they sometimes can be in brief spurts of time, but they aren't always that way.

Probably hardly ever that way. And my subconscious just ran away will the horrible, horrible, terrible thoughts I was having, and before you knew it, I sat down at my computer, type typed typed away and hit "Publish."

Willow Smith Halloween Costume How-To :Whip Your Hair!

HAIR.

4 letters. So much meaning.

It's important. Yes it is.  And it's caused me a WHOLE LOT OF TROUBLE in my life.

My hair is thick and coarse and wavy and frizzy. But it doesn't seem the least bit curly. How in the heck can that be? I don't know. I've been asking God that myself for the last 35 years.

My Little Pony Make-Up Step By Step Tutorial

There comes a time in every child's life, where they have to choose.

Choose between good, evil, or someplace neither here nor there.

The time has come for my child, and she has chosen the path less taken. Or maybe it's the path more taken. I don't know. My feelings are hurt. Anyway. . .

She has chosen. . . .the store bought costume.

How To Make A Dora The Explorer Costume in 5 minutes

Oh my goodness.

I've got an Explorer.
And her name is Dora.

Barley Risotto & A Giveaway: The New Sonoma CookBook by Connie Guttersen RD, PhD

UPDATE:

The winner is . . . .

Ashley Murray-
Please contact me at nickiwoo.thehomeguru@gmail.com in the next 48 hours to claim your prize!
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Why does anybody love another?

Looks?
Brains?
Heart?

Maybe. I'm sure all those things played a part in my attraction to my husband. But what really reeled me. . . .

He always dresses up on Halloween.
When I found that out, I was a goner.

How to Make a Giant Centipede For Your Yard

My kids play a lot of sports.
Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, and Soccer.  And let me tell you, we hear a whole lot of stuff on the sidelines. 

News about divorces. Catty nonsense about Hoochie Mama parents. Dumb mumblings about people's cats and dogs that we care not about. And lots and lots of rude remarks about life in general.

This past weekend as my kid played her heart out on the soccer field, among a group of similarly sized, talented and aged children (she plays on a Co-Ed team), we encountered the ramblings of one extremely boorish idiot.

Now to be fair, I've been knowing this guy is an idiot since I first met him 2 years ago. So, this is no revelation. It's just that usually he retains his idiocy for the love of his family and for the humiliation of himself alone. But this weekend, he enveloped the entire team into his fold. Making me want to to dig a deep hole, cut off his baby maker, throw it inside, and cover with dirt.  And I know that's not nice. And I really shouldn't say that. But please, just listen.

How to Make an Inexpensive Snake Wreath For Halloween

I hate snakes.

No, no. Really. I HATE SNAKES.
I know that hate is a really strong word, but trust this. Snakes bite. And wiggle. And seem as if they should be slimy when in fact are very soft and warm which is quite deceptive if you ask me. Nope. I don't trust them one bit. You shouldn't either.

How To Make a Giant Spider Out of PVC Pipe

A few weeks ago, when we were having all that trouble with the bully, one of the neighbor kids did something really kind and generous for my daughter Soledad.  While she sat on the bus being ostracized, he leaned over stroked her back and told her it was going to be okay.  Then he handed her his last Oreo cookie and told her to feel better, and walked her off the bus.

It was just a little thought.
But it was HUGE. To her and to me.
He exhibited the type of character that I hope all my children have one day. He didn't look aside and try to ignore the injustice that was going on. HE didn't join in. He didn't laugh.  No. He stood up, and made a difference. He showed love and compassion when he didn't have to. Even when, quite possibly the bully could have turned on him.