Atomic*LuLu

Affairs of the heart

atomiclulu — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:20:50 +0000

You have seen the 1999 version of the Thomas Crown Affair.

Did you know there was another?

Steve McQueen Faye Dunaway 1968

Yes, those two beautiful people made the original back in 1968. Not only old school action, split screen highlighting the effects. The clothing also was fabulous. Theodora Van Runkle created 29 looks for Faye that transition between scenes in one stylish catwalk.

It’s added to the Que for “Movies I need the Hubbie to watch” when we get finally moved. I tease him about being a modern day Steve McQueen. He doesn’t get it.

What I really drool over in this film are the beautiful Jaeger-LeCoultre watches.

My Favorite

Test Your Skills

atomiclulu — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:27:26 +0000

Renovation

Like you, I have heard the cliches:

Life only gives you what you can handle.
When Life gives you lemons make lemonade.
You have to learn to crawl before you can climb.
God gives you these challenges because he knows you can handle them.

This weekend proved that to be ever so true. The last few months as I have shared with you, have been so full of highs and lows. The lows were certainly sad and frustrating moments that strained heart strings. The highs however seemed to balance them, because they were so good, the bad didn’t seem so bad. If that makes sense.

Our Highs were life moving forward in celebration of new things. Beautiful green paint in a sunny room; where my daughter finally feels she has a home. Spending time with my mate picking choosing discussing plans. Having those plans fall apart because of life and then laughing at the end result – “she made a cake trifle”. Darling absolutely darling of you dearest husband.

Our Lows saying bye to loved ones, realizing certain loved ones are trapped and lastly admitting there is nothing we can do for them but love them and let them live with their decisions. Those decisions however do not need to become our legacy or even remotely impact our life now. Those won’t be “lows” in our future.

Keep Moving Forward.

Dear Bad House:

atomiclulu — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:07:09 +0000

I have felt sad and almost anxious about closing this chapter with you. You kept your roof over our heads for four years, providing shelter and a place to call home. Even though you were not ours and we paid to have the use of you each month, we tried our very best to treat you with respect and dignity.

I guess I do feel bad to leave you House. I know your owners are not going to give you that same respect. Four years, two AC incidents in the middle of summer, no repairs and a unit outside that still sounds beat the hell up. I am glad in two weeks I will not have to worry about it being 91 degrees out in Atlanta GA and not having AC.

As I look down at the three inches of water in my walk in closet and think to the water pouring out of my kitchen ceiling light, I am reminded of all the vacations I had to take during those AC incidents. Vacations I paid for to the nearest hotel so my family and pets would be comfortable.

No House it was not your fault and I truly blame you not. Despite several attempts to tell your owners about the dishwasher that caught in fire, the disposal that flung shrapnel at my brother, or the mysterious ant infestation that keeps popping up in the oddest places every time I get you exterminated. They did nothing to help you. Hell, there is a sinkhole in the front yard that threatens to split the driveway in half, much like your sister house did across the street.

I’m sorry your owners have ignored, failed, and neglected to provide for you. I will make sure I don’t do the same in my House. My new old house, where I am sure things will break. I will however fix them. I hope your owners do the same for you. Give em Hell House…. Or at the very least don’t work at all until the really for real fix you.

Humble Pie (Or Lemon Ice Box Pie)

atomiclulu — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:00:44 +0000

I learned this weekend that I love my husband.

Don’t look at me like I am stupid. Of course I have always been in love with him. I even like him. I found another reason yet to love him. For him.
The house was crazy, in a surprise turn of events we were told a showing was going to happen Saturday. I am still in a state of packing and getting ready for a garage sale. No Problem. I wont panic. Truly my house was BEAT UP. Not a simple dusting here folks, like carpet stained-godknowswhatgrowinginthesink-is that one of our pets or did we just find a wildthing- didn’t we bake that last year and then put it in the fridge- mess.

(Lies)

It wasn’t a simple fix, it wasn’t even a “lets power through this”. He rolled up his sleeves, dug in and was right there by my side for 48 hours straight to get done what must be done. It was exciting and truly, despite the panic, amazing. I really don’t feel moving into our future there is not ANYTHING I can’t solve with him as my team. Showing went off with out a hitch. Now as I pack each room, most tedious “stuff” is done and it will be easy to pack wipe and put out.

Relationship Lessons Learned:

Hydrate- Talk Slow – Stay in the moment.
Dont think about the past or other situations focus on now and how this is going to work.
Ask for help and be ready to give it.
Keep talking. Even if it seems you are talking too much, for now just keep talking. No one is a mind reader.

Smile. Even if you are scared nervous or anxious it makes it easier for another person to communicate and even for you to listen. Smiling takes effort and uses muscles in your face. You have to stop think and smile. It lets your heart brain and mind calm down for three seconds so someone else can or even you yourself can talk it through.

Let a man lay carpet. Really. It sucks.

Tell your family you love them. Often and through the day on a rough day.

Make a pie.

Lemon Ice Box Pie

Ingredients:

2 packets (14 crackers) graham crackers
6 tbs melted butter
1/2 cup sugar, divided in 1/4 portions
4 eggs, yolks and whites separated
2 cups fresh Meyer lemon juice (or any fresh lemon)
2 tbs lemon zest
2 cans condensed milk
9 inch spring form pan

Directions:

Preheat oven at 350. Process the graham crackers and 1/4 cup of sugar in a food processor until fine and add the melted butter and pulse until butter is incorporated. Pour into spring form pan and spread out the mixture evenly and 1/2 way up the sides to form the crust. Press a measuring cup against the side of the pan to even out the crust. Set aside.

In mixing bowl, whisk the condensed milk, lemon juice, zest, eggs until well incorporated. Poor mixture into the pan. Whip the meringue by combining remaining 1/4 sugar and egg whites until stiff peaks and spoon on top of the pie, spreading evenly to seal the pie. Bake for about 25 minutes or until top of meringue is golden brown, remove and allow to cool. Cover well with plastic wrap and place in the freezer overnight. To serve, do not defrost. Remove from freezer and run a knife around the edge pie to release the meringue and then release the spring form pan. Run knife in hot water, slice and serve.

Optional: torch the sides of the meringue of each slice before serving. The cake will last a week in the freezer if well wrapped.

Hit The Wall – WIP Death

atomiclulu — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:26:02 +0000

The blanket that wasn’t

I picked up these beautiful wools a couple of weeks ago from Fleece. They were so full of spring and promise I was utterly excited to start a new baby blanket pattern. One that I could create for all sorts of new moms through summer and fall. Vibrant colors for those new trendy nurseries, whites and creams for historic vintage and heirloom nurseries. Every taste.

Week three (yes I said three) 10 rows in, I am at a stalemate. That pattern is not interesting. It has no color pop or interest to me. It is taking forever and unfortunately like most knitters with start-itis if I don’t start seeing results and beautiful transitions in patterns (ie shawls) I get to the frogging point.

Baby Blanket was frogged last night.

I am now sick to my stomach.

Birthday Freebies

atomiclulu — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:06:29 +0000

Let’s face it, every year you think about the free short stack you missed at Denny’s. Does every birthday have to be about food?

I want shoes jewelry and other things besides stuffing my face! I looked for some freebies and birthday treasures from companies I adore. Please share some if you know of others! I love makeup and nail stuff. Pedicures and underwear hahaha. Thanks to my friends at Julep for setting me up for nail polish!

IHOP- Get a FREE meal on your birthday and exclusive offers when you sign up forPancake Revolution.

Moe’s- Receive a FREE Queso & Chips just for signing up Moe’s E-World. Also receive a FREE burrito on your birthday!!!

Red Robin- Get a FREE Burger on your birthday. Must join the Red Robin Red Royalty.

Sephora- Receive a FREE Benefit Kit (That’s Real Mascara & Watt’s Up Highlighter) when you join Beauty Insider.

If you don’t want junk mail to hit your inbox, simply filter the emails out! That way the coupons and deals are automatically filtered into a handy little folder, ready and waiting for when you need them.

American Eagle – Adults – 15% off. Children receive an unknown freebie.

Aveda – Sign up at least 28 days before your bday and get a free Personal Blends Pure-Fume
Barnes & Noble – Children get a free cupcake at their cafe. Children at heart get nothing.

Boondocks offers a free unlimited pass on the day of your birthday
Borders Bookstore – Free small coffee or tea
Brunswick Bowling – Join the Bonus Zone and get a free game of bowling on your birthday.
Chuck E. Cheese’s – Their website promises a birthday special as well, which many people have said is 20 free tokens.
Columbia Sportswear – 20% off coupon
Cost Plus World Market – They won’t say what it is, but they promise a “surprise gift” on your birthday.
CVS – If you have an Extra Care Card, register it online and get $3 ECB on your birthday.

DSW Shoes :: $5.00 On Your Birthday!
Famous Footwear :: Free Birthday Surprise!
Hallmark – 20% off coupon for one item and a free card.
Hot Topic – $10 off coupon on a minimum purchase of $20.

Journeys Kidz offers 15% off gift card for your child’s birthday
Kmart – Children get $5.00 Birthday Bucks, a birthday crown, happy birthday certificate, and birthday Fun Pack with surprise goodies!

Munchkin Radio offers free chick-fil-a kids meal, free kids meal from Chili’s, free pizza buffet from Rock Creek Pizza and free ice cream from Marble Slab

Nickelmania offers a free gift on your birthday
Old Navy – Join their email club and you’ll get a coupon on your birthday.
Proctor & Gamble – They’ll send you a batch of BOGO coupons for various products.
The Children’s Place – Register for their Birthday Club and receive 15% off on yours and your child’s birthday + coupons during your birthday week.
Toys R Us – Sign up ahead of time and once your child’s birthday rolls around, they’ll get a personalized letter in the mail. Plus, bring your child into any Toys R Us and they’ll get a hat & balloon before having their birthday announced over the loudspeaker. You’ll also get a $3 gift card in mail.
Ulta Beauty :: Free Birthday Surprise!
Walmart PictureMe Studio :: Free Birthday Portrait Collage!
World Market :: Free Birthday Gift!

Benefit Cosmetics – Hip up their brow bar as indicated on your bday and get your Kahlo’s trimmed.

Cable and Gauge – knitwear for style! Some items they have sent out as free birthday gifts include free jewelry and free scarves.

Az on the Rocks - Yep couldn’t leave my homies out. Back home you get a free day of climbing on your birthday.

Julep – Use Promo Code FREEBOX for a gift box of nail and beauty products!

Begin the Campfire

atomiclulu — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:35:51 +0000

How to Build a Campfire for Cooking – instructions courtesy eartheasy.com

The object is to have all the wood turn into coals at the same time. This gives an even fire with no flames reaching up to burn your food or blacken your cookware. It also yields the longest cooking time from the coals.

Prepare the site
- Select a fire site at least 8′ from bushes or any combustibles. Be sure no tree branches overhang the site.
– Make a U-shaped perimeter using large rocks or green logs. If using logs, they’ll need to be wet down from time to time. If breezy, have back of firepit face the wind.
– Put a large flat rock at the rear of the firepit to act as a chimney. The “chimney rock” will help direct the smoke up and away.

Lay the kindling
- Fill the fire area with crumpled paper or tinder.
– Lay kindling over paper in layers, alternating direction with each layer. Use thin splits of wood or small dead branches. Do not put kindling down “teepee style”. The whole fire area should be covered with the kindling stack.
– Set a bucket of water near the fire area. Light the paper to start your fire.

Build the fire, grade the coals
- When kindling is ablaze, add firewood. The wood should be all the same size, as much as possible. Use hardwood or hardwood branches if available. Distribute wood evenly over fire bed.
– As soon as the last flames die down leaving mostly white coals, use a stick to push the coals into a higher level at the back end and lower level at the front. This will give you the equivalent of ‘Hi’, ‘Med’ and ‘Lo’ cook settings. Or, level the coals to your preference.

To cook, set the grill on rocks or wetted green logs. Put food directly on grill or in cookware and prepare your meal. If cooking directly on the grill, a small spray bottle or squirt gun is handy for shooting down any rogue flames, usually caused by food drippings.
As the fire diminishes, bank the coals to get the most heat from them.After cooking, add wood for your evening campfire. Before retiring, extinguish thoroughly and soak with water. Turn rocks in on fire bed. It will be easy to reassemble the next day if required.

New Favorites: Camp wear

atomiclulu — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:09:36 +0000

Reblogged from Fringe Association:

I have got camping fever, people. West Texas road trip fever. Live in a van fever, even. I'm way past due for an outdoor adventure, and editing a book of camping recipes (with corresponding drool-inducing images of savory foods in cast-iron skillets over open fires) is not helping. Then along comes the preview for the new issue of Pom Pom Quarterly.

Be Fabulous

atomiclulu — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:46:11 +0000

Yes He Does

It is definitely a Brian Eno day.

Highlights from the week:

Pixie has decided to go to prom, been a mad dash for hair dress and more. She looks great so far. Last piece is indeed the dress.

Pixie tried to give blood the other day (now that she’s 18) and was very saddened (she actually almost got teary) to learn she could not because Iron and Hemo’s are down. Yep she’s potentially anemic. Doctor’s visits underway.

The Great Move is in full swing. Things are getting packed and packaged and donated. Goodwill should be loving me now. Between housewares clothes and kitsch I have restocked their store. I would have loved to do a carport or garage sale. Unfortunately packing all this up, to then try to sell it, to then pack it back up only to donate it… Yep. Too Much Work.

New Car Had First catastrophe. We went on a GPS induced route of madness last night and ended up in a puddle. A puddle that was almost as deep as my tire wells and prevented us from moving. J had to drive an hour to come get us and then pull me out with the Jeep. He’s my hero. Ok, is it crazy that I find him incredibly sexy when he is fixing or making something? Like when he’s all manly and crawling through mud to hoist my car out, I just want to rip off my clothes and yoddle like Tarzan. *Sigh* so cute. Sorry. Car is great no issues just covered in mud.

Blog. You may have noticed its appearance has changed a little. I am trying to decide if its time to go Pro and really have a big kid blog. With my sixth anniversary gone I am really thinking it might be time.

Then again time is something I am not always graced with between life wedding kid graduation college and all these “big life” events that keep flying at me. I joked with J the other night “watch now I will get pregnant”. I regretted it almost as soon as I said it. While I am convinced my uterus has gone to Fiji, you know just when you least expect it .. Life hands you a funny.

I leave you with this Friends – The Pixies. I think sometimes J forgets I was a child of parents who loved me to love music. Haha. We had dinner the other night and our waiter was singing Pixies. One of my faves. Always has been. J commented the same and asked if I had ever heard of them. I just smiled.

Happy 6th Blogiversary LuLu

atomiclulu — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:46:26 +0000

Six years already ….

On April 11th I celebrated owning talking posting running this little blog for six years. I think that is longer than I ever had a LiveJournal (Kym made me think about that yesterday) and even longer than I have had a MySpace or FaceBook account open. Well I take that back, I think I had my FB open in 2007 but I wasn’t really interested in posting in it.

I have talked about everything on this blog from personal, fashion, crafting and even my time in SecondLife.

It has been a seriously epic journey and even at times when my world was quiet or I wasn’t feeling up to par on being social, this blog has certainly kept me company. I have had reader friends come into the blogging world and leave. I miss them and appreciate their contribution.

Happy Six LuLu – You have been a good companion.