You.Are.Nuts

Suesan @ Frou Fru Gal created one of the coolest projects that we have ever seen.  So cool indeed that is was featured on Re-Nest. 

The first comment on the post was from "Sam I Am" and he said this:

 That poor settee. :(

The Slammed Settee Says:
Dear Sam I Am,
Thank you for your thoughtful, but misplaced, concern for me. Before my owner bought me, I was dirty and neglected. My upholstery was ugly and so last, last, last, last season. Powder Blue went out with geese, sunflowers and bunny rabbit decor. I was choking to death under my ancient varnish. My true beauty was hidden under that old finish. Now my natural grain and inner beauty shines proudly for all to see. I love my map. It's cool and now and unexpected. Don't cry for me, Sam I Am. I'm free and beautiful and everything I ever wanted to be.
Signed,
The Coolest Settee on the Block.

Mandi Says:
Seriously.  I only WISH I could come up with projects as amazing as this. Sam you are seriously delusional if you think this settee was better before.

Vivienne Says:
That Sam I Am, that Sam I Am! I do not like that Sam I Am!  We do not all have to like the same things, but there are ways to avoid hurting her feelings! That Sam I Am!  I do not like his attempt at a witticism... he'd be better off trying some constructive criticism!  
(On a non-Seussian note: I adore this settee and have told her more than once how awesome it is! Sam I Am should refer to the map... perhaps he could find where he left his manners.)

What Do You Say?

Spamilicious

The cute Jessica @ Mad In Crafts sent in this spam that she got.

"BOYCOTT AMERICAN WOMEN Why American men should boycott American women. I am an American man, and I have decided to boycott American women. In a nutshell, American women are the most likely to cheat on you, to divorce you, to get fat, to steal half of your money in the divorce courts, don’t know how to cook or clean, don’t want to have children, etc. Therefore, what intelligent man would want to get involved with American women? American women are generally immature, selfish, extremely arrogant and self-centered, mentally unstable, irresponsible, and highly unchaste. The behavior of most American women is utterly disgusting, to say the least. This blog is my attempt to explain why I feel American women are inferior to foreign women (non-American women), and why American men should boycott American women, and date/marry only foreign (non-American) women. BOYCOTT AMERICAN WOMEN! "

The Spammed Blogger Says:
Whoa there, Mister Obviously-has-issues-with-an-ex-girlfriend.  First off, I would like to thank you for putting all your dating red flags out there for the world to see.  If you really are cuckoo bananas, at least you have the courtesy to put it out there from the start.  Second, on behalf of all American women, I would also like to thank you for not dating us.  I would only suggest one change to your plan: In order to find your dream foreign woman, why don't you just move to a foreign country?  That's where they keep the foreign women, you know.  Good luck and God speed on your quest for true love.

And to all non-American women:  Sorry

Mandi Says:
I am so sorry everyone!  My ex boyfriend sort of went a little crazy when he found out that I am a bloglebrity.  Just ignore him and he’ll eventually shut up.

Viv Says:
I think this is a personal problem.  I think that Dudley McDateless here is right, but he needs to narrow his focus.  Dudley?  American women are more likely to cheat on YOU... to divorce YOU... to let themselves go because of YOU... to take half of YOUR money because of YOU.   (And they would deserve every penny... It's called hazard pay, Doofus.)   If American women are arrogant (I prefer the term, extremely self-confident, btw) it's because they have more integrity, guts, and self-esteem in their little fingers than you have in your whole, sad body. 
The mental picture I have of you?  You're sitting in a recliner, drinking a beer while wearing a wife-beater undershirt, scratching your privates, watching infomercials and wondering what the heck is wrong with women these days.... 
Why don't you stay off of amazing DIY blogs and stick to the things you know: bratwurst, beer and lottery tickets. 

What Do You Say?

The Case Of The Stolen Idea

The amazing Allison @ House Of Hepworths sent us over this comment from her coffee filter lampshade:

You should give credit where credit is due. Liz Marie did this exact project 4 days ago.

The Slammed Blogger Says:
Oh snap. I just got told. If I had copied another blogger, I’m the 1st person that would give credit where credit is due. But thanks for assuming that A) I actually know who Liz is, B) assuming that I copied someone and didn’t give them credit.
I guarantee you I did not copy Liz. Gluing coffee filters to inanimate objects is not a brand new thing. We all assume we are the one to invent something when in reality, this lamp shade was probably invented 50 years ago.
I ALWAYS give credit to other bloggers. Always. I am not that person who rips someone off and pretends I invented it. But thanks for the accusation. I appreciate that.
Well, at least thanks for introducing me to a great blog. Liz’s blog seems like one I will enjoy reading. If I ever link to her I’ll make sure I give you full credit.
Also, I tried to email you privately about this, but your email address is FAKE. I’m sensing a troll?
Oh, one more thing… in my coffee filter wreath post TWO WEEKS AGO I wrote this at the end… “And I’ve got one more awesomely cool project in the works with the remainder of my 250 filters. Hopefully I’ll finish soon so I can show it off to you. ”
How can I copy someone before they even post about it?
Allison

Mandi Says:
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Can you come back to me after I compose myself please? HAHAHAHAHA

Viv Says:
"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."  Ecclesiastes 1:9
"Thou shalt not use coffee filters for anything but making coffee; lo I deem that Liz has done it first."  The Wacky Commenter

I love how the commenter assumes that simply because she saw something, that thing is the Original Thing.  I don't want to delve into murky areas like narcissism or other personality disorders (cuz' attending the Snap Out Of It! school of thought does not qualify me to make psychological judgments...) but it seems to me that there is a sociopathic screw loose.  Alison, you keep on doing what you're doing.
(Just please try not to use paint, wood, glue, fabric, glitter, or coffee filters.  Oh!  Or burlap!....)


Mandi Says..Again:
Sorry cute girl but there is no way on this planet that Allison is going to check every blog ever created to see if someone has done this.  If she is like most she has no time to even read all the blogs in her reader let alone blogs that aren’t on her radar.  There are lots of creative bloggers out there and no idea is truly original…unless I come up with it.


***Updated to add Karl's Comment***
"Two wrongs don't make a right. You are all bashing this woman and making fun of her."
Um, yes Karl.  We are making fun of her.  Your powers of observation are incredible.  I'm sure that with such keen perceptive skills, you have noticed that this blog's sole purpose is to "out" mean or rude comments; to let a little sunlight into the room, so to speak.  "Stealing" someone's idea is a hefty accusation... especially if That. Is. Not. What. Happened with Allison's lampshade. 
So Karl:
Yay for using your name instead of "Anonymous"
Boo for being of the No-Reply Comment tribe and Boo for not having a profile so that we can contact you directly, as opposed to outing you here.
~~~~Vivienne

***Updated to add Mandi’s Comment***

OH SNAP! You just got told!  And to the rest of you….can you see why I love this girl so dang much?


What Do You Say?

Daughter’s Choice of Activities

Lisa @ Serendipity Chic Design received this comment after posting about how excited she was that her daughter did so well in a beauty pageant (see post here)

“No longer care to subscribe to the blog of someone who would allow their daughter to participate in this activity. Your right and all that but my right to stop my exposure to this skewed value system.
Have a good day!”

The Slammed Blogger Says:
Yes, my daughter does natural pageants. Yes, we have all seen Toddlers and Tiaras. For those of you who haven't, it is a documentary show of children and their parents being followed on camera the weeks before and of a pageant. They show the most dramatic bratty children along with parents who push their children to the limits. This show and some past stories have given pageants a bad name. Trust me, there are children out there who play the flute with not so great temperaments along with pushy parents. They just haven't made a show for this yet.

My husband and I are loving parents who revolve their lives around their children. We give them the freedom to choose if they want to do pageants, sports, modeling, skateboarding, chess, academic activities, etc. If they decide they don't want to do something, they don't have to. Our family is very open and we tell it like it is. (continued here)

Mandi Says:
First of all criticizing someone's parenting is just about the worst thing ever. If you read the post you can tell how much Lisa adores and is so proud of her cute daughter. Not every pageant mom is a white trash, 3 toothed terror that forces their kids to participate against their will like the moms on TV. And 3rd of all I always wanted to be Miss America but couldn't be because my mom was not awesome like Lisa. So there.

Vivienne Says:
I have a bunch of stinky boys who forget to brush their teeth or comb their hair, so I don't profess to know squat about beauty pageants. What I do know (as a former speech & debate coach) is that no one can be over prepared (or prepared too early) to carry themselves with confidence.

Anytime one encourages their child to grow in ways that help to build self-esteem, it is a good thing. Some kids build confidence with chess club, or baseball, or working on the school yearbook... Some do it by getting their first job at McDonald's... Whatever.

If the parents were pushing the kids to do these things and the kids were stressed from the pressure, that would be different.
The child wants to do it?
The parents are willing to encourage the endeavor?
pfft. Mutual consent. (In my opinion, a situation like this is the only way there would be room for that term with regard to my parenting, btw)

Bottom line assessment here? "Anonymous" has some deeply seeded trauma that causes an extreme adverse reaction to beauty pageants and anything associated with them, and they need therapy.
Or they are a Nosy Parker Know-It-All that needs to get a life. One of those, anyway.

What do you say?

The Debate Over A Pie Plate

One of Mandi’s best friends Kimbo @ A Girl and A Glue Gun was left a comment on this post about glass etching.

Is it just me, or are some of your phrases really rude?

The Slammed Blogger Says:

Dear Anonymous,
thank you ever so much for the kind words. Oh wait. no. take that back.
thank you for taking YOUR valuable time to point out the obvious.
Yes, my sayings are rude. but I wouldn't say REALLY rude.
more like funny rude and I will be accompanying my pan to any social events...so the people will know it's mine...and since they know me..no offense will be given (and I am not saying i'm rude...more like my sense of humor.)

and you can see the award that Kimbo gave her here.

After Kimbo’s post went live, Anonymous sent her an email that said:

"Anonymous here. I stuck my foot in my mouth
the other day. I am SO sorry about what I said and I hope it did not
ruin your week. I think you are brilliant most of the time, funny, and
your ideas are so great and original. I have have been a long time
reader of your blog.

You, and your wonderful readers have every right to be upset with me,
I know I was the moment I hit send! The pans did seem rude, but who
cares really, like you said, people who know you are the only ones
that would see it, and they wouldn't be offended.

Again, I am so sorry. If I could bring you a bouquet of flowers and
make you a nice casserole, I would ;)

I will no longer comment here, and you keep doing what you are doing. "

Mandi Says:

Kimbo is one of the funniest people ever to grace this earth. I actually copied the pie plate and use it to count my calories. As for anonymous her apology sums it up. Bad Day. So as a word to the wise, Don’t comment if you are mad at your husband, kids, work, the driver that cut you off, the employees at walmart or your dog. Cause it might be just as bad as drunk dialing.

Vivienne Says:

We all have bad days and do dumb things. (Some of us more regularly than others...) I love that Kimbo addresses Anonymous' comment with a sense of humor and rightly defended her choice of phrases, etched on her pyrex pans.

Even more? I love that Anonymous wrote a note of apology and admitted she might have over-reacted. It takes strength of character to admit a mistake... especially to admit it publicly.

What do you say?

Lazy and Gross

Kim @ One Happy Momma got this response to her post called Confessions of a Slacker Mom.
"I am not sure whether I should be reading this as a serious discussion...
Part of what you had to say is reasonable, or reasonably believable. And, some of it is totally lazy/gross.
Of course there is always room for a jammie day, what else is holiday time for?
My kids get showers every other day because they have such dry skin that they would be scale-y if I didn't, regardless of how much lotion I put on them.
We are not couch eaters and never will be, but I also have 4 kids, and that would just be a nightmare for me...
Everything else you had to say just came across like you don't care about the state of your house/kids. Maybe you weren't trying to sound lazy and careless, but that's how it reads. Just sad actually."


Our Slammed Blogger Says:
Yes....holidays...that's the only time I have jammie days too...HAH. More like "If I have nowhere to go why dirty more laundry?" Really it was a reminder to me that nobody wants to be judged by someone who doesn't even know them. And then I judged her and put her on the "jerks who don't even know me and are really rude" list.

Mandi Says:

Oh CRAP, The only time we don’t wear our jammies all day at our house is on holidays. And just cause Kim posted about how all of our houses really are you are going to call her lazy and careless? Welcome to motherhood.

Vivienne Says:

sarchasm - (noun) The gap that exists between sarcasm and the people who don't understand it.
I think Kim should let the dog just lick the baby and the dishes clean, then she would have more time to finish her sewing projects. Then they could eat at the table.

What do you say?

Fat White Lady

The lovely Amanda from Serenity Now received a crappy Anonymous comment on her blog a while back. The commenter called her a "fat, white girl". Amanda handled it beautifully.

The Slammed Blogger said:
I received my first nasty Anonymous comment here on my blog the other night.

"Anonymous" didn't agree with my conservative views. That's okay with me, honest! I read bunches of blogs each day, and I don't always agree with the writers' points of view. I'd be really bored if everyone agreed with me.

What I don't do is respond with name calling.

Yes, I know I'm fat. Yes, I know I'm white. Do you really need to point that out? Really? My weight is something I'm working on, and I can't help the pale. I think I have some albino lineage somewhere in my family tree.

Although "Anonymous" was correct in her (I know it must have been a "her" because a man would never sink to this) assessment that I am indeed a "fat white lady," it still stung.

No one likes to read their deepest criticism of themselves in print. On their computer screens. Where hundreds of other people will read it.

Not too many years ago, a comment like that would have pushed me into a familiar dark place. A place where a scoop of ice cream would mean running around the block a few times, doing stairs once home, and then hundreds of sit ups until feeling satisfactorily thin again and on the verge of collapse.

The words hurt, yes.

But instead of sinking into that murky hole, I chatted up a few blogging friends. Not only had they felt the sting of a nasty comment or two, but they knew just how to deal with it.

I used my delete button.

I deleted the comment, and I deleted my angry response to Anonymous.

Mandi Says:

To Anonymous: Ditto everything that Amanda said. Except the delete part….post it here instead!!
Amanda you are such a strong and beautiful person. I love that you were not afraid to share where that comment could have taken you and I am so glad that you have albino lineage in your fam, cause I do too and so that probably means that we are related! Holla Sistah!!

Vivienne Says:

Good job Amanda for working this all out in a healthy manner and taking the high road.

Once, at a party a very uptight woman looked down her nose at Sir Winston Churchill and said in a disapproving voice, "Mr. Churchill, you're drunk!" It was reported that Churchill gave her a brief glance and said, "Yes, but tomorrow I will be sober and you will still be ugly."

To the mean, anonymous commenter: Amanda can lose weight and possibly get a tan, but I fear you will always be a socially awkward dork who can't get anyone to talk to them at parties.

What Do You Say?

Really?

So one of our fave bloggers Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage got this ridiculous comment:

"How about leaving these "Shabby Chic" websites to people w/ some talent. All I have seen on yours is corny and cheap. Psst....How about some time spent on a personal makeover? Spotted your photo!!"

Our slammed blogger says:
Yep, my projects are on the cheap, because I hate spending money - but cheap a price-tag doesn't mean cheap product.
Yep, I'm corny. I'm a big old dork and proud of it!
And, yep, I need a beauty makeover. Any sponsors wanna hook me up?

Mandi says:

Dude. That is so beyond disgusting that someone would say this. Apparently she hasn’t been looking at Gina’s blog for very long because she has the greatest projects.

Vivienne says:

Seriously, what the heck with the nasty, spiteful, downright viciousness of this comment?! First, the entire premise of shabby chic is to find beauty in everyday objects and embrace the concept of repurposing and loving old objects. Perhaps this commenter went to the Snooty Le Jackwad school of design? This person is an everyday bourgeoisie, pretending to have some design and fashion pedigree.
psst... how about charm school? (Also? I'd like your Mama's address so I can smack her for not raising you right!)

What do you all think? Let us know in the comments.

The Nightstand That Survived A Nuclear Attack

This was originally posted at Vintage Revivals on Sept. 22, 2010

I had an enormous amount of traffic hit my blog last week. I was shocked so I did a little investigation and found out that my Tin Foil Nightstand was featured on LifeHacker.  I had never heard of this site before but their members have some pretty strong opinions that I thought were craziness.  Here are some of my favorites:

-"Funny the difference between comments on that site (Amazing, Wonderful. Almost peed my pants it's so beautiful.) and on Lifehacker (so bad you couldn't give it away, moldy, how to make sure no one will ever want to steal it).
I couldn't agree with us more. "

 

-"Agree 100% here. It just looks plain bad, if this was actually the intended result someone has horrible taste."

 

-"A patina should look like a patina. This just looks dirty." 

-"Initial thought upon seeing the thumbnail view here on Lifehacker: Oh Goodness (edited for language)  why would they make a perfectly good night stand look like an unlucky survivor of a nuclear attack?

After checking larger images on the linked site: Oh, I guess it looks alright up close. If we're gonna screw around like this I'd take it a step further and spray a nice sparkly gold over top the foil rather than grey paint ."

 

You may think I am strange but I think that its AWESOME that me,  a little ol' momma from southern Utah, can take an old piece of furniture and put foil on it, and cause such an uproar!  I think it just goes to show all of us "little bloggers" that our voices are heard.  

So keep talking ladies!  Also I think that I am going to take a page from my friend Mandi's book on comments:

"I always think of nice comment givers as hot, secure, cool people.

Mean comment givers are losers with a third nipple."

I just love her.

Oh Snap.

I recieved this comment in response to My Real Life Story  that talks about my husbands struggle to overcome an addiction to perscription meds.

"you sound like a typical co-dependent who needs to attend 12 step meetings as much as your husband does. truly, you are in a great deal of denial and need to get some education on addicts and addiction. do it for your children, please! "

I really want to post a snarky response to this but my heart breaks for you. I am so sorry that you are obviously dealing with the same problem.  You must have not read the entire post seeing as how I clearly embrace recovery from being co-dependent and do attend 12 step meetings with my husband twice a week. I also encourage anyone dealing with addiction to attend meetings as soon as they can.  You are in my prayers!

Love your guts,
Mandi @ Vintage Revivals

Sucky anonymous comments are the online equivalent of egging my car.

****This post was originally published on The V Spot April 12, 2009****

I wrote a post where I listed 10 things that bugged me. (including litterbugs and bad grammar....)

I got some fun comments... and then I read this one, from "Anonymous".

Add to the list housewives who bitch about they're lives. (grammar mistake intentional just to bug you).Count your blessings instead of whining about them.(From a mother of 3 boys who works full-time).

Gee, Mrs. Anonymous, are you saying that I can only let litterbugs, inconsiderate drivers, and telemarketers bother me if I am a mother who works full-time outside of the house? As a SAHM (of 4 boys!!!) I should not be bothered by such things? (In this case, no-brainers that bother everyone...?)

Are you saying that my dislike of Fritos, Corn-Nuts and the smell of Patchouli is a character flaw, as opposed to personal preference? If I went to work full time, then would it be OK if I did not like these things?

Is it your position that my expectations regarding RSVPs and spelling and grammar rules are ridiculous and that those expectations are created by my lazy, stay-at home-momminess? If I had a full-time job in addition to taking care of my kids, then would it be OK if I tried to instill an appreciation for common courtesy and the rules of the English language...?

You appear to be under the impression that I consider rudeness, littering, etc as blessings. (You said I should be counting them, after all....) You need to improve your reading comprehension. You appear to be under the impression that women who stay home with their kids are gin-soaked housewives, wearing robes and hair curlers, while watching their soaps and back handing their kids.

I don't feel the need to defend my list, so much as I feel the need to point out the hypocrisy and double standards in your bitter comments. Women who are Stay At Home Moms are fortunate, yes, but also smart, talented, funny, over-worked, under-paid, and waaaaaay under-appreciated. If any one of us want to make a list and let off a little steam, that is A-OK.

Mrs. Anonymous? You're an idiot.

Why don't you cool down and pop in here for a drink when you get off work?

Hate Mail #1

This comment was left in response to my Epic giveaway.

Anonymous said:
I'm sure someone would LOVE that....me I love MY style....not really into gaudy glam or a BIG ego
You walking around I'm AWESOME, I'm GREAT, Look at ME!!

Well yes dear, it is my blog you know.  And I am awesome.  Thats why you read my blog in the first place. The giveaway is for people who want my help, if you love YOUR style thats awesome and I am so excited for you, I would hate to have you win if you didnt need it.  Don't hate darling.

Love your guts,
Mandi @ Vintage Revivals