Tantalizing tidbits from our NYC trip

1. Our toilet in our hotel room was set for someone at least 6'4" tall. We literally took the phone books from the room and put them in front of the john so our feet would touch the ground. Too funny!
   
   
2. While we were waiting at the airport - we saw the unhappiest looking lady I've ever seen. She literally sat there for about 2 hours with a scowl etched in stone on her sour puss. I found it profound that although she literally looked in terrific pain, she wasn't wincing, or whining, or exhibiting any anger whatsoever. She was just completely unapproachable. Oddly enough, her husband looked relaxed, but I noticed he never once looked up from his paperback.
   
   
3. The first place we stopped to eat in town was some rip-off deli in Times Square. We ordered a $24 triple-decker ham sandwich to split and some fries. I tried to tell Carl we should leave as soon as I saw the menu - it was obvious we were in a tightly-clenched tourist trap!
   
   Anyways - our sandwich came out and it was HILARIOUS! The lower story was one layer of white Wonder Bread piled 5" high with a POUND of Virginia ham. Next was a thin slice of white Wonder Bread. Layer 2 balanced delicately a shell of a head of lettuce stuffed with a POUND of bacon. All topped up with one more thin slice of white Wonder Bread. The sandwich was at least 9" tall. Kinda gross really - we just destroyed it - and chalked it up to vacation sucker syndrome. :)
   
   
4. We were victorious in our new game of "Spot the Air Marshall" on our return flight home. He sat right next to my husband. Here's the clues:
   
   
   • When we got on the plane, and we were some of the very first, he was already sitting on the plane in on our aisle. Our seats were in the second to last row. He sat on the aisle.
     
     
   • He didn't pick up a magazine or book or anything during the entire flight. Not even the Skymall catalog. Who can resist at least cracking it open with all those essential goodies inside? Doesn't everyone need belt-buckle wine bottle opener in solid pewter and monogrammed with your initials?
     
     
   • He had no carry on luggage and we did not see him at baggage claim - we looked for him. He had on a jacket which he did not remove for the whole flight.
     
     
   • He pretended to sleep a little bit - but I could tell he never fell asleep. My hubby was asleep - but this guy just "rested his eyes."
     
     
   • He didn't eat the pretzels. If you flew for a living - you wouldn't either.
     
     
   • He was the last person off of the plane.
     
     
5. It's impossible to find a public restroom when you are wandering around the city. We say signs posted for $10 restaurant charges for "non-customers". Brutal - whaddaya do?
   

New York City - we came, we saw, I sprained my ankle

Here's some new pics of our recent rambling, relaxing and rainy sojourn to the big apple. We decided to just head to the big city with no plans and no expectations. Subsequently, we did a LOT of walking and walking and walking trying to decide what to do, ha. We definitely took a "ground floor" tour of NYC. Somewhere in the middle of the trip, I sprained my foot - so we were forced to spend some time inside and enjoy our hotel room, too.

Enjoy the pics -

The Plaza, Central Park • April 2006

The Alice In Wonderland Statue, Central Park • April 2006

Giant $13? malt at FAO Schwartz • April 2006

Rockefeller Center • April 2006

View down the Brooklyn Bridge • April 2006

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Best & Worst Dressed at the Oscars

Here are my best and worst pics for Oscar fashions.
Some were dazzling and deserving...
...others dull and disappointing.


First the best....

I thought Uma Thurman looked umazing, Keira Knightly looked very grown up in Vera Wang, Jennifer Lopez was vintage Hollywood glamour, and Terence Howard just looked hot. Sandra Bullock looked simple and stunning and Michelle Williams illuminated like a ray of sunlight. And she gets my vote for best make-up too - great lipstick. Lastly, I thought Meryl Streep looked simply marvelous!

Then the worst...

Dear 'ol Dolly, she just missed the mark in a basketweave cotton candy concotion. Her song should have won though - she was robbed! I think Ludacris looks nice, he just should have lightened up. Naomi Watts looks like she went through a security shredder. It just looks messy. Jennifer Aniston looks completely boring. Plus, the dress is jsut devoid of personality, it must look better in person. Joan Rivers's head looks like the Barbie doll head where you could put on her makeup and style her hair. That featherduster dress is ugly too! Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter are a fright. He's starting to look like Elvis Costello. And Charlize was probably statuesque and stunning - and the dress probably looked better in person, but that dress was meant for a mannequin. It's a museum piece and just too sculptural off the runway.

The recipes I make to impress people.

We're plugging along on the South Beach diet... so far I've lost about 6-7 pounds in January - even with a booze bender in honor of my fake half-brother's 40th birthday. The hubby has lost a solid 10. Here's a few legal and border-line illegal recipes we've been enjoying on our "diet" lately... some of which have attributed to my extra treadmill times this last week.



Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
This is a super yummy recipe. I usually double it and I make it with whole wheat noodles. It's delicious and worth splurging on once in a while. I got this recipe from my Aunt Vida. Thanks Aunt Vida, my thighs think of you often!

2 eggs
1 cup of velveeta (regular or lowfat)
1 cup cottage cheese (regular or lowfat)
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (regular or lowfat)
1 cup uncooked macaroni
1 cup sour cream (regular or lowfat)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix sour cream and cheese ingredients. Beat eggs and add to cheese mixture. Prepare macaroni noodles by package instructions and drain. Combine noodles and cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Cook approximately 45 minutes until dish browns on top. (May take up to 55-60 minutes if you double the recipe.) Cool 10 minutes before serving.



Pesto Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas serves 4
Pizza lives on! We eat this all the time - I just go easy on the cheese. I figure that the tortillas we buy have 14g of fiber each...so that has to be legal - even good for us, go figure? Go figure my figure!

4 Whole Wheat Tortillas
4 Tbsp. Pesto (I use Classico® Brand Basil Pesto)
Turkey Pepperoni
4-5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Marinara sauce or Ranch Dressing for dipping

Preheat oven to 450. Lay out tortillas on 2 baking sheets. Spread 1 Tbsp of pesto over each tortilla. Layer on turkey pepperoni slices. Cover each with approximately 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and sprinkle 1/4 cup of parmesan on top. Sprinkle black pepper if desired. Cook for 8-10 minutes until cheese begins to bubble and brown.
Cool for just a minute or two and then fold each tortilla in half. Cut each into 3 wedges and serve with marinara or ranch dip.



Chocolate Chip Trail Mix Muffins makes 12
These are a good quick breakfast with a glass of milk or a late night snack. The original recipe I adapted this from made 12 servings, so I figure 1 muffin is the equivalent of 1 "good carb" serving.

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur® brand)
1 cup Splenda or Splenda baking blend
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 cup applesauce (no sugar added)
1 mashed ripe banana
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup crushed walnuts
1/4 cup broken up banana chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup chocolate chips (I use a little more - DAMN SWEET TOOTH! :)
Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, Splenda, soda and salt. Beat eggs, add applesauce, oil and mashed banana. Mix into dry ingredients and stir until blended. Add in nuts, fruit and chocolate chips. Spoon into lightly greased muffin tins. Cook for approximately 20-25 minutes, until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool and enjoy!


Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Measurements don't matter with this recipe... just make the salad to your taste.

fresh spinach
fresh strawberries (quartered)
green onions or scallions (chopped)
crushed walnuts
vinaigrette dressing (Brianna® brand raspberry or strawberry vinaigrettes are nice - but really any Italian type dressing will do.)

Toss together and enjoy. Suprisingly sweet and dessert-like. Great dish for big dinners parties or weeknight suppers.


Crustless Savory Ricotta Pie serves 6-8 - VERY EASY!!
I make this all the time. I change up the ingredients based on what I have in the fridge... just about anything works. I've used turkey pepperoni, canadian bacon, deli lunch meat (turkey and ham), various sauteed vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, onions, green onions, grated carrots, artichokes, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Sometimes I add pesto a little tomato sauce for a different flavor. This also works if you cook it in individual muffin cups - great to heat up for a quick breakfast. (usually makes about 18 individual tarts). If you don't care about calories - make this with your favorite pie crust recipe... it's extra dreamy then. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner - serve with a side salad and fresh fruit - yum!! Cheese lovers beware - this is way too easy to make.

One of my favorite incarnations of this recipe: Spinach, mushroom and sausage

15 oz. container of low-fat ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 eggs
2 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp of olive oil
3-4 cups fresh spinach
1 white onion
2 cups sliced mushrooms
12 oz of reduced fat sausage
2 Tbsp. Sun-dried tomato pesto (optional)
salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 350. Saute spinach, mushrooms and onion in olive oil and garlic. Brown sausage. Beat eggs and mix with cheeses, pesto and salt and pepper to taste. Add sauteed vegetables and crumbled bacon. Pour into baking dish. Cook for 45-50 minutes until brown (35-40 for muffin tins). Cool at least 10 minutes.

Some stuff I got for Xmas

Here's a few of the odds and ends I got for Xmas— Thanks everybody!!


I sure do smell purdy...

It sure took long enough for this to come out on the mac... maybe by the time Sims 3 comes out, they'll have the Nightlife pkg out for us applephiles...

I LOVE MY NEW IPOD!! I figured out how to rip my DVDs to it. I LOVE TECHNOLOGY! Thanks honey...

The library is finally complete. Now I can sit for about 10 days and watch the entire series... thanks Terry!

I totally dig this necklace, it's much cooler in person. It looks great with a tee or tiara (I assume). My husband paid good attention this year. Thank god for Amazon wish lists!

Thanks again everybody...
freelulu out.

Some of my art stuff...

Here's some of my art - some old and some new. I love to do collage (feeds my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder!) and I just watched a documentary on the collage artist Ray Johnson - seems that he was an odd man. I understand odd men, if I had a penis, I'm sure I'd be one. Anyway here's a bit about Ray... Ray Johnson at wikipedia.org
Okay, back to me. :)



Every time I start to doodle... it ends up looking like a bird. I guess I have unresolved subconscious issues with our feathered friends. Oh yeah, did I mention that birds are gross? They freak me out.



Oh to be a love genius - the world definitely needs more of them. Not the Spederline and Bennifer types - the real kind, like good ol mom and pop.



This collage was made from one issue of InStyle magazine. The "vase" is a picture of jello... the sunflower petals are blond hair and the flower center is a rock and pearls.

Thought you could use a taste of freelulu on the first. Happy New Year Everyone!

New Years Resolutions?

I thought I would do what everyone else is doing today and make a resolution to keep up with all those things that slip away throughout the year...

1 a diet (I'll start Tuesday when I have to go back to work) I'm shooting to lose 20... it's a real possibility. The harder thing will be keeping the hubby on it. Pistachios be damned!
2 Keep up with this blog... my husband keeps telling me I have lots to say so lucky you!
3 Work on my website - this may be the year I finally advertise. ha! I made almost $200 whole dollars last year! That's in piddly ass commissions of 2 or 3 dollars at a time. I do love the cafepress thing though... www.freelulu.com
4 Take a vacation - we always say we're going to and never do. Since New orleans (our favorite place to go) is off limits, we're going to have to find a new place. Hawaii anyone? Europe? who knows... wherever it is, I better get busy on #1 so I can wear a bathing suit.

freelulu.com has new products!

New lightswitch covers and throw pillows!


Brand new coordinating designs and decor ideas. Lots of themes to choose from, something for everyone. Check back often because Christmas will be here before you know it.. Sign up for the newsletter, and you'll receive coupons for freelulu studios and notification of new products. Lots of new stuff coming, so stay tuned!




Underground efforts are afoot to advertise for freelulu.com. Pretty girls have been sporting freelulu gear and are showing you how funky and free you can look after setting your lulu free. I've decided my hot girlfriend's chestal regions will make great advertising areas... and interest seems to be growing.

Come on, you know you want to join in on the fun. Order a shirt today. I'm going to take over the world $2 at a time. Those huge commission checks will start rolling in any day now! Spread the word... The freelulu fever is catching on. Let's keep the world guessing wonder why your lulu needs to be free! Mine is on the loose, and never locking down again. Ah, to be myself. You should try it.


freelulu.out.

My husband's blog

The hubby is totally into poker... and his poker name shows it. He thinks if you have level lemons, and a level head, and level luck... you're sure to win. If it were only that easy...
Level Lemons blog

May the flop be with you.
freelulu out.

Found a funny website today

This is an interesting site...
Askthebrain.com
it generates "answers" to word profiles with info it pulls from across the net.

When I put in my name, the ads come up about curly hair, dying your hair red, and beautiful colored curly hair. Weird.

When I put in Carl's name.... came up with 2 lovely porn "expert" opinions.
How does it know? Ha! I mean about the hair - not the porn. Ha!

Anyways... here's a peek at what they're about...

Have you ever searched for something on a search engine and been startled at the results? They're not what you were expecting but are somehow really funny. Ever got book recommendations from Amazon are uncanny but just don't fit any normal line of human reasoning?

Those moments were the inspiration for this site, AskTheBrain.com. What happens when you trust computers to make up their own minds about very human things? The results can be entertaining, hilarious or just plain impolite. It's an automated encyclopedia that brings together the best information from around the web on over 200,000 topics. Try searching for anything at all in the search box above.
More information

Cheers, enjoy!
freelulu out.

More Reality Obsessions

Hey there again, sorry it's been so long since my last post, I've been busy ... and lazy.... It's time to tell you once more, how much I hate Julie Chen. I just don't get it. That's really all I have to say this evening, just I don't like her. At all.

My cousin Burton is on the Battle of the Reality Tv Stars on Bravo. He's the Burton from Survivor Panama that was allowed to come back into the game. Check him out - root for him too. I think he wins money if his team wins. Yeah for money! I'll tell you an interesting little story about Burton.... I found out that he was my cousin at my grandmother's funeral. We were all standing outside, waiting for things to get underway, and some of my grandmother's neices and nephews (Burton's aunt and uncle) were talking about him on Survivor. He had just gotten kicked off the show and was getting ready (we found out later) to get voted back on.... and they were talking about that "crazy Burton". They had no idea that my husband and I are obsessed with that show and haven't ever missed an episode. It was quite a coincidence. The following week, we were watching the show, and Johnny Fairplay decided to pull his grandma trick. My grandmother brought me one step closer to my favorite tv show ever... and Johnny Fairplay's brought him more money. Just an interesting week for grandma karma. RIP Nanny, I love you. Anyways, watch the show if you get a chance, there are tons of reality wannabes on there. Some of the bigger "stars" too - not just the generic Real World Losers. (Yeah You Tanya and Trichelle!)

Anyways, my newest reality loves are Rock Star: INXS and Tommy Lee goes to college. Here's my predictions:
Rock Star: 1st place: Mig - 2nd Place: Marty - 3rd Place: J.D.
Tommy Lee: Chemistry: D, English: B-, Band: C

Well, I've got to get to bed, sorry so boring, just trying to get the hang of this blogging thing. Not sure if it's for me or not. A really easy way to divulge WAAY to much information. :)

Welcome to my brand new blog

Hello there... Let me introduce myself.... I'm Kathy freelulu... so, hey ya'll.
I live in hot as hell Texas and am listening to my husband snore on the couch right now while I'm setting up my first blog. I don't fancy myself a writer... but I thought this would be a good way to promote my shop and artwork. I have a store at freelulu.com .... check it out sometime. I just spent all weekend updating it when I should have been working on other things. Like real work... I'll pay for it tomorrow though, no need to worry. :)

I spend my days slaving away as soul-sucking creative director. I like the paycheck, but hate the corporate world. Someday I'll get to be the crazy lady in the country who has 4000 mannequins in her barn and noone knows what she's going to do with it. :)

Anyways... I'm 35... I just switched into my new target demographic last week, and I'm really not happy about it. I want to be targeted with Lindsay Lohan news instead of damn Donald Rumsfeld. And I'm much more likely to load up my ipod than minivan. Not sure how to receive my new status... I will keep you posted. I'm watching my mail... waiting for the Lillian Vernon catalog instead of Victoria's Secret and Ensure coupons instead of Absolut.

That's enough for tonight... don't forget to go check out how I wasted my weekend at freelulu.com ... and buy some stuff!
Have a great week!