Close Encounters of the Ketchup Kind

Mel and Michele are at it again... Prompting us to share and write about a celebrity encounter that we've had. I have a sneaking suspicion that a few of my friends, by nature of our friendship, may write about Imagination Movers, which is fabulous! I'm choosing to zero in on an exchange that prompted a positive change in my life...

'KETCHUP WITH US' - PROMPT #16

In 57 words or less, tell us about a "celebrity encounter." (We'll let you interpret those terms however you like.) 

And, if you can, include a picture. 

Unemployed & not having a direction.

Love to scrapbook and paper piece.

At a Movers VIP party, I was approached by Scott Durbin... asking about my work.

One thing led to another; the gears turned... and The Crafty Insomniac was born!

Thank you, Scott, for the vote of confidence!!

We Coulda Been Twinnies...

I've been struggling with this assignment for days. Mel and Michele have asked us who our doppelgänger is, and I'll admit... it's been a challenge for me! I was considering asking for suggestions, but I was terrified that I'd get answers like Rosie O'Donnell or Mama June.

Then it dawned on me. It may not be as true anymore, but it was when we were kids. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos from when we were young, so you'll just have to use your imagination.

We met when we were only nine and ten, and the resemblance was undeniable. Cousins... Identical cousins!

Today we look a lot different, as different as our lives, but it was always fun trying to fool people when were together back in the day!

Me and my cousin Melody

When I Come Back...

This time, Mel and Michele asked the loaded question, If you could walk in someone else's shoes for one day, who would you choose?  This was an easy one for me.  I always said that if there is such a thing as reincarnation, I'd love to come back as one of my family's pets.  Today, I choose Willie.

You came into this family tiny enough to fit into my hands, and you've been a pampered pup ever since.  You have your own chair at the dining room table, complete with a blankie to make it more comfy.  You have a car seat for road trips.  Milkbones are not good enough for you...  no!  Your treats are beef jerky and string cheese!  You have an eight-year-old little girl wrapped around your finger (or paw, as it were).  Mom has your face tattooed on her body, for Cripe's sake!!  Yes, when it comes to The Life...  you, sir, have got it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, for your consideration...  

Willie Jo Mosher

(Utterly humiliated in his bellhop costume that Miss Sassypants ordered up for him...)

And I am so totally not joking about my mother's tattoo...

She doesn't have a tattoo of my face on her anywhere!!

He's My Guilty Pleasure!

On the Road Again...

Just can't wait to get on the road again!

Oh, yes.  My secret is out.  Willie, you are my guilty pleasure.  Those braids.  That guitar.  That headband.  That voice!  The weed...  not so much.

It's all Gram's fault...

(He's been known to moonlight, too...)

And since I can't embed a video in here for some reason, click on this link:  Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground

It's A Holiday... Recipe!

Our family is not quite "normal."  I think we've established that already.  The holidays are no exception.  So when Mel and Michele prompted us once again, I couldn't resist sharing.

'KETCHUP WITH US' - PROMPT #7

SHARE A FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPE. THERE IS NO WORD LIMIT. 

(WELL, LET’S NOT GET CRAZY. HOW ABOUT NOTHING OVER 1000 WORDS?)

Christmas Eve is a Crocker Family tradition.  We take turns hosting, and it's always snackie foods...  dips, meatballs, shrimp, cookies, libations...

I usually bring a chicken wing or taco dip, nuts and a cookie tray.  Please let me share my favorite cookie recipe with you - passed down through at least six generations, Miss Sassypants being the latest.

Grandma Drew's Soft Sugar Cookies

½ c. shortening

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

2 T cream

1 t vanilla

Add to:

2 ½ c. flour

¼ t baking soda

½ t salt

Roll out and cut; bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Icing

Confectioners sugar

Shortening

Vanilla

Cream

Stick with this recipe, and Santa's cookie plate will look like this on Christmas Eve:

Whatever You Do, Don't... Fall... Asleep!

As a teenager, I was a horror movie junkie.  But to be honest, I had one real love.  He lived in a boiler room and he terrorized you in your dreams.  Johnny Depp was one of his first on-screen victims.  I even had a poster of him in both of my bedrooms!  (Yes, I had two bedrooms.  Don't judge!)  So when Mel and Michele asked us to Ketchup with them again, I was ready!

'KETCHUP WITH US' - PROMPT #4

In 57 WORDS OR LESS, retell the plot line of your favorite horror movie. And, if you can find one, be sure to include a movie clip of your own.

Nancy's parents and their friends offed child killer Freddy Kreuger years ago, and now he wants revenge.  He comes to you in your dreams, so whatever you do...  DON'T.  FALL.  ASLEEP!

  I'm your boyfriend now, Nancy!

Dude! Don't Cuff Me, Bro!

This time around, Mel and Michele ask us to tell about a time we were caught red-handed. I'll admit... I've struggled with this one. I mean, basically, I'm a goodie two-shoes. Sad, but true. I am a rule follower. If I ever get in trouble, even as a kid, it was almost always because of something stupid and thoughtless that I did.

'KETCHUP WITH US' - PROMPT #3

Tell us in 57 WORDS OR LESS about a time you were caught 
red-handed, like a rat in a trap, with your hand in the cookie jar.

This morning, I was in the shower... and my mind wandered (as you'll have). All of a sudden, it came to me! My badass moment! And man, it was a good one.

So, without further ado, may I present - Ketchup with Mel and Michele #3:

The year: 1999. So many changes! One change - my bank. I closed my account not realizing I had one check outstanding.

Next thing I knew, a bench warrant in the mail! Check to the parking garage: bad!

Went to court to fix it - THEY BOOKED ME! HANDCUFFS! FINGERPRINTS! HUMILIATION!! All over $32!

I've never told my husband...

Crush Me... Please!

It's time to KETCHUP with Mel and Michele as they ask the age-old question...

Tell us in 57 words or less about your biggest celebrity crush from childhood. Or, you know, now. Either way.

Here goes...

I was twelve; you were twenty-four.  We shared the same birthday and I thought it was fate.  I loved you from the moment you waxed on and waxed off...

Ralph Macchio, my first celebrity crush.

Those puppy-dog eyes...  that headband.  Oh, Daniel-san!

KETCHUP WITH US - prompt #1

Oh, yes...  this is what finally prompted me to get my blog started, because I have the best advice ever given by an older person whom I've admired. 

The advice is:

It's better to fart and bear the shame...  than not to fart and bear the pain!

This sage advice came from none other than my very own...  GRANDMOTHER!

 Yep, there she is...  Barbara Crocker.  Gram.  No doubt practicing what she preached.

 A classy lass, indeed...  she always had a clever quip to share!  The best sense of humor ever, I might add - twisted - that might explain why I am the way I am.  Alas, she left for the Big Bingo Parlor in the Sky back in March of 1997, but I see a lot of her in my girl...  in a good way.

Thanks to OldDogNewTits and AccordingToMags for prompting me to remember such sage advice from such a fun and crazy lady!