gdp's Comments

The Paper Mama : Our old home.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:42:01 +0000

Before we moved to Texas, we lived in Boston. My Mom and sister still live there. The fact of life in such an old town is that MOST homes are really old. When my BIL took down their shutters years ago, they were made with asbestos. He had to make sure he wore a mask the whole time that was approved to filter out asbestos. And he wore gloves. Honestly, if I were you, I'd look into someone who is an asbestos removal expert. It won't be cheap, but safety is KEY when dealing with that stuff.

The Paper Mama : 11 Things

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:57:14 +0000

I posted my answers, lame as they may be :) http://alytopia.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/meme-ree...

The Paper Mama : Aaaand, it's finally Tuesday.

Tue, 6 Nov 2012 14:54:46 +0000

I went to the early voting center last week, so my civic duty is DONE! Now, I don't plan on even looking at the TV until it's all done and over with. All the TV babble makes my head hurt!

the blind cook : Thoughts on winning MasterChef U.S. 2012

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:43:43 +0000

I think sometimes people lose sight (no pun intended) of the fact that people on TV are still real people, minus the halos and pedestals. My hubs and I watched all season and were so completely thrilled that you won. Truth is none of us at home were standing next to you tasting what you made so we have no room to judge. We left that to the three actual judges and I don't believe for a minute that any of them would have made decisions based on anything other than the merit of the food in front of them. I wish you nothing but happiness, continued success and hopefully better health in the future. Oh and maybe I hold a secret hope that I can taste your food for myself someday!

The Paper Mama : Currently...

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 17:07:40 +0000

I'll be your free assistant if all four of us can come and live with you for free :) Obsessing over: Toys for the kids for Christmas. It's beginning to look like "the list of things Mom would totally play with" Working on: Work :) Trying to close out a project that I should have been done with back in July but keeps haunting me. Thinking about: Finding a sewing project. Haven't pulled the machine out in ages Anticipating: Halloween! And my birthday. Both are not that far off Listening to: "Survival" by Muse...because I can't stop Drinking: Hot peppermint tea Wishing: It was 3:30 so I could go home!

The Paper Mama : Getting home.

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:02:58 +0000

Wow, it looks like R. really knows how to enjoy dessert! I had a stomach bug all weekend (BOO) but the kids tucked me into bed so I could rest and they read me stories, which is cool!

The Paper Mama : The never-ending struggle: sharing my kiddo online

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:19:56 +0000

I understand that you are torn. Honestly I never watermark any of my photos, with kids or without because I feel like it distracts from the photo. I know that sounds ridiculous. Also, people can find ways to work around them. The only real way to make the photo "less desirable to steal" is to put the watermark in a place that basically screws up the integrity of the picture, which is smack in the middle. I realize there is no way I can prevent someone who wants the shot bad enough from stealing it. I try to use Flickr whenever possible because the site bars you from saving images that you view. I'm always paranoid about my kids safety, but I've yet to have any creepy experiences, so for now, I'm OK with the pictures I share.

The Paper Mama : How to build a garden box!

Mon, 6 Aug 2012 15:25:48 +0000

Your little garden box grew SO nicely! My experience could be called "101 tragic gardening lessons I learned". First, I learned the hard way that some veggies are NOT good to plant in the spring in Texas. Then I had to pull them out and replant ones that ARE summer veggies here. Then some ick got to my summer squash. The a torrential rain tore the leaves off my hot peppers :( My tomatoes are all greens. My co-worker told me they will likely not fruit until the fall because it's too hot. UGH! The only things that have done well enough to use are my herbs! I made pesto with my fresh basil last week. WOOO!

The Paper Mama : El Pollo

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:42:31 +0000

Dude, I'll get an alpaca if you do :) Me thinks the homeowners association will not be hip to that. Funny, I think chickens are trending because I have no less than 3 friends who own them now, in various settings. My kids would DIE for any animal, but the truth is, we had dogs for 15 years and the kids took the last one's passing SO hard, we aren't mentally prepared for another animal that may or may not live long. I got upset when our last fish died. Of course, if I had it my way, we'd have horses and cows and ducks an alpacas...and a farmer to help me take care of them!

The Paper Mama : BlogHer or Bust + Links I love

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:09:58 +0000

Hooray for baby Felicity :) And WOO HOO for you for going to BlogHer. I REEEEEALLLY wanted to go this year because it's in NYC and I could have visited a few of my friends and gone to the conference...but it just wasn't in the cards this year with work and all. I've promised myself to make it a mission to go next year.

The Paper Mama : Documenting life.

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:19:33 +0000

Love that your garden is doing well! Mine was looking awesome, but we've had SOOOO much rain and the other day we had this wicked storm tear through. It pulled almost every leaf off my hot pepper plants and my tomato plant leaves are turning all yellow and spotty from too much rain :( So far, the only things that are doing well are my herbs! My beautiful basil looked like they might be ruined by the rain, but they seem to be bouncing back. Hey, we have that Pony book. It's one of our (yes mine too) favs. Ooh, sparkly skirt!!!

The Paper Mama : Don't like it? Move on.

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:44:45 +0000

Grrrrrrr. I just don't get some people. I know as bloggers we open ourselves to all kind of things, but how can people be so ugly to another person? In that moment, they have a choice to "click" and go on about their merry (or not so merry) business, but they choose to bring the negativity to YOUR space. And it IS your space. They have no say in what you do in it.

The Paper Mama : Hey you, celebrity.

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:51:46 +0000

Paying it forward is our way of being able to do something for someone else, no matter how big or small. In my experience, it doesn;t matter how big or small, it's the gesture that is most appreciated. It's funny, we have conversations all the time about what charities we would give to if we won the lottery. Believe it or not, in the very unlikely event we ever come into money, our plans include donating most of it away! Girl, your dream sounds like ones I have all the time!

The Paper Mama : What would I do over?

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:21:02 +0000

Oh and I'm sure I regret at least half of my hairstyle choices back in the 80s...some into the 90s. Like the time I stripped my haircolor and it turned orange and then wouldn't take any new haircolor because it was so saturated with chemicals. Sadly, my brother's first wedding pictures (as in he's been married more than once) have lasting proof of that disaster.

The Paper Mama : What would I do over?

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:19:02 +0000

See, now that's why I still don't have any tattoos (OK and maybe that pesky fear of needles thing)! I'm afraid I'll have instant remorse!

The Paper Mama : Links to love this week

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:05:49 +0000

I know, RIGHT about those shoes? I Pinned them the instant I saw them. I don't even care that I have nothing to wear them with, I WANT them!!!

The Paper Mama : Christina's Wedding

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:05:41 +0000

I love spontaneous weddings! They are so much more authentic. I planned mine in about a month and I would never go back and change a thing about it. Your friend's looked beautiful.

The Paper Mama : Weed Killer recipe

Thu, 7 Jun 2012 13:55:06 +0000

I had no idea! I've planted a container garden of summer veggies and just learned I need to worry about bugs (ACK)! I've been Googling all natural pest control formulas and I'm going to be trying out mixing canola oil, dish soap and water to keep away squash bugs! I sure hope it works because I am NOT up for using poisons!!

The Paper Mama : How to Regrow Green Onions + Links to love this week!

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 14:29:20 +0000

You love fun socks too? I have a drawer full of socks my hubs is embarrassed that I own :) I wear them even if they don't match what I'm wearing. ESPECIALLY if they aren't!

http://thewriterrevived.com/ : Miracles

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:36:16 +0000

I love this story! It made my day. Little miracles happen every day. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of that.