Friday, May 28, 2010
Snow Day, Scrapped
I know you didn't think I'd let a snow day go by without taking pictures and scrapping at least two pages about it! (You did know that, right?) So what if I'm four months late? :)
The Pastor's Ass
I lifted this from a friend:
The Pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won. The Pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again and it won again.
The local paper read: PASTOR'S ASS OUT FRONT.
The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the Pastor not to enter the donkey in another race.
The next day the local paper headline read: BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR'S ASS.
This was too much for the Bishop so he ordered the Pastor to get rid of the donkey. The Pastor decided to give it to a Nun in a nearby convent.
The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day: NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN.
The Bishop fainted. He informed the Nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey so she sold it to a farmer for $10.
The next day the paper read: NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10.
This was too much for the Bishop so he ordered the Nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild.
The next day the headlines read: NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE.
The Bishop was buried the next day.
The moral of the story is this: Being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery -- even shorten your life. So be yourself and enjoy life. Stop worrying about everyone else's ass and you'll be a lot happier and live longer!
The Pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won. The Pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again and it won again.
The local paper read: PASTOR'S ASS OUT FRONT.
The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the Pastor not to enter the donkey in another race.
The next day the local paper headline read: BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR'S ASS.
This was too much for the Bishop so he ordered the Pastor to get rid of the donkey. The Pastor decided to give it to a Nun in a nearby convent.
The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day: NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN.
The Bishop fainted. He informed the Nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey so she sold it to a farmer for $10.
The next day the paper read: NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10.
This was too much for the Bishop so he ordered the Nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild.
The next day the headlines read: NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE.
The Bishop was buried the next day.
The moral of the story is this: Being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery -- even shorten your life. So be yourself and enjoy life. Stop worrying about everyone else's ass and you'll be a lot happier and live longer!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Nostalgia
A long time ago I observed that people who did not go to college had a tendency to drag out the styles of their high school years a little too long. In the late nineties, I saw it in the form of bangs teased six inches above the head and jeans that were pegged tight enough at the ankles to cut off circulation. Yes, I am willing to admit that I once did the same thing, but I also had enough sense to quit. (Though some part of me still wishes for big hair to come back in vogue - it looked good on me. I don't miss the amount of time it took to accomplish the look, though.)
I will also admit that I don't have much of a sense of style today, either. I mostly wear solid-colored short-sleeve shirts and jeans or capris. Boring, I know - but I digress. I'm not sure why college seemed to be the defining factor, but it seems that inevitably those who are holding on to long-buried fashion trends didn't make the journey into the hallowed halls of higher education.
Why do we tend to live in the past? It seems that lately I've been stuck in the nineties; reminiscing about high school and college days, thinking of old friends, big mistakes, and fun times. I've spent a few hours lately updating my playlist with songs that flood my head with random memories, and I'm not ashamed to admit I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
It seems that every song has its own memory attached; One Headlight reminds me of a particularly bad date during my college years. Shine brings back Friday and Saturday nights cruising the strip with the radio cranked up as loud as it would go. When I hear Whomp, There It Is, I inevitably remember a rainy day riding back from a band trip to Indianapolis (was it the state football championships?) with the entire band hollering along. Informer takes me back to the physics class spent outside shooting off model rockets; the teacher used mine for a demo, shot it straight into a power line, and I wound up losing points because it didn't go far enough. Some kid in a blue Iroc-Z drove by about that time, thumping out Informer from speakers that he obviously felt the need to show off.
I loved Color Me Badd, but didn't dare buy a CD because I knew my parents would throw it out since every other song title had the word "sex" in it. My college roommie and I would clean our dorm to Alanis Morisette's Jagged Little Pill, cranked up loud enough to motivate us to actually do the work. I used to laugh hysterically to the line "pissing the night away" in Tubthumping, because at first I didn't know that "pissing" could mean also mean drinking. More Than Words was the anthem of my first summer at Bible camp. I think they must have played Brown-Eyed Girl at least a dozen times at our senior banquet.
Funny how music can take you back. Over the last few years, I've quit listening to the new stuff. It doesn't hold the same appeal that it used to. I'm just not a fan of the hip-hop, synthesized, unoriginal stuff. Granted, not all of my nineties stuff was much better, but today's music just doesn't do it for me anymore. I am much more likely to listen to talk radio, or the nineties station that I can only pick up for about ten minutes when I cross the Georgia state line on I-24.
Maybe it's because life was simpler then... or was it? I suppose I've really just traded one set of complications for another, and even though retrospect tells me that the problems of yesterday are far less serious than the ones I have today, it never seemed so at the time, not in my limited experience. Even so, when I find myself buried in bills and work and death and sorrow, I wish, just for a moment, I could backtrack to the days when homework and boyfriends were the biggest concern, and Def Leppard and Sheryl Crow strained from the radio.
I will also admit that I don't have much of a sense of style today, either. I mostly wear solid-colored short-sleeve shirts and jeans or capris. Boring, I know - but I digress. I'm not sure why college seemed to be the defining factor, but it seems that inevitably those who are holding on to long-buried fashion trends didn't make the journey into the hallowed halls of higher education.
Why do we tend to live in the past? It seems that lately I've been stuck in the nineties; reminiscing about high school and college days, thinking of old friends, big mistakes, and fun times. I've spent a few hours lately updating my playlist with songs that flood my head with random memories, and I'm not ashamed to admit I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
It seems that every song has its own memory attached; One Headlight reminds me of a particularly bad date during my college years. Shine brings back Friday and Saturday nights cruising the strip with the radio cranked up as loud as it would go. When I hear Whomp, There It Is, I inevitably remember a rainy day riding back from a band trip to Indianapolis (was it the state football championships?) with the entire band hollering along. Informer takes me back to the physics class spent outside shooting off model rockets; the teacher used mine for a demo, shot it straight into a power line, and I wound up losing points because it didn't go far enough. Some kid in a blue Iroc-Z drove by about that time, thumping out Informer from speakers that he obviously felt the need to show off.
I loved Color Me Badd, but didn't dare buy a CD because I knew my parents would throw it out since every other song title had the word "sex" in it. My college roommie and I would clean our dorm to Alanis Morisette's Jagged Little Pill, cranked up loud enough to motivate us to actually do the work. I used to laugh hysterically to the line "pissing the night away" in Tubthumping, because at first I didn't know that "pissing" could mean also mean drinking. More Than Words was the anthem of my first summer at Bible camp. I think they must have played Brown-Eyed Girl at least a dozen times at our senior banquet.
Funny how music can take you back. Over the last few years, I've quit listening to the new stuff. It doesn't hold the same appeal that it used to. I'm just not a fan of the hip-hop, synthesized, unoriginal stuff. Granted, not all of my nineties stuff was much better, but today's music just doesn't do it for me anymore. I am much more likely to listen to talk radio, or the nineties station that I can only pick up for about ten minutes when I cross the Georgia state line on I-24.
Maybe it's because life was simpler then... or was it? I suppose I've really just traded one set of complications for another, and even though retrospect tells me that the problems of yesterday are far less serious than the ones I have today, it never seemed so at the time, not in my limited experience. Even so, when I find myself buried in bills and work and death and sorrow, I wish, just for a moment, I could backtrack to the days when homework and boyfriends were the biggest concern, and Def Leppard and Sheryl Crow strained from the radio.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Last Day of the First Grade
I blinked and it had passed. One day he was trotting proudly into school, showing off his cool new "pack-pack" and clutching a box of Kleenex, the next he was loading up in my car, a sticky, sweaty mess from playing all, sans one front tooth.
He made such incredible strides this year - from not reading much of anything to starting his first chapter book tonight, from counting to adding two-digit numbers, and from not spelling anything to not missing a single word - ever. I somewhat wish his confidence level had gone up a bit more than it did, but I'm still quite proud of how much he's been able to do.
It's been a tough year. The first semester all three of us were in school and money was really tight. Between lack of time and lack of funds, I felt like a rotten mama. Then when Jeff graduated and I shifted into second semester with its tougher classes and my workload at my job suddenly pushed me into fifty-hour workweeks, I thought I'd lose my mind. At one point Braeden asked why I didn't have time to play with him anymore. It broke my heart.
I got out of school two weeks ago, only to get very, very sick - sick enough to finally spend most of Thursday night in the emergency room with a ridiculously fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, and complete inability to catch my breath. Two breathing treatments, a shot of an antibiotic, a couple of pills, and goodness knows how many dollar later, I went home. Oh, and my car's been broken down since I got out of school - just got it back Friday. So between being sick enough to be unable to walk across the house without gasping for air and not having a car to go anywhere, it's been a miserable two weeks. Not how I wanted to spend my first two weeks out of school.
Thankfully, today I felt a little better. And since Jeff was working, I decided (rather spontaneously) when I picked up Braeden that we would have a night out together. We went home for a quick potty break, then headed out to Chattanooga to see Shrek Ever After and get dinner. I figured I could handle walking through the parking lot if I got to sit down for an hour and a half to rest. :) The movie was pretty good, and I tolerated the 3D glasses without a monstrous headache. Then I took Braeden to Kanpai, where he oohed and aahed and clapped with delight at the show our very good chef put on for us. I figured since I was two-for-oh, we might as well go to the bookstore. I picked up 1984, Atlas Shrugged, Wicked, and a couple of books for Braeden, then plopped myself in one of the leather chairs to rest (again) while Bebo played at the train table.
It was a good day. I'm feeling better, even though it'll be a few more days before I'm totally back to normal. School is out for all of us, at least for a couple of months. And I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend time with my little man, watching him giggle at the movie, cheer on our waiter, and read the first two chapters out of his new book on the way home.
Yup. Life is pretty good.
He made such incredible strides this year - from not reading much of anything to starting his first chapter book tonight, from counting to adding two-digit numbers, and from not spelling anything to not missing a single word - ever. I somewhat wish his confidence level had gone up a bit more than it did, but I'm still quite proud of how much he's been able to do.
It's been a tough year. The first semester all three of us were in school and money was really tight. Between lack of time and lack of funds, I felt like a rotten mama. Then when Jeff graduated and I shifted into second semester with its tougher classes and my workload at my job suddenly pushed me into fifty-hour workweeks, I thought I'd lose my mind. At one point Braeden asked why I didn't have time to play with him anymore. It broke my heart.
I got out of school two weeks ago, only to get very, very sick - sick enough to finally spend most of Thursday night in the emergency room with a ridiculously fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, and complete inability to catch my breath. Two breathing treatments, a shot of an antibiotic, a couple of pills, and goodness knows how many dollar later, I went home. Oh, and my car's been broken down since I got out of school - just got it back Friday. So between being sick enough to be unable to walk across the house without gasping for air and not having a car to go anywhere, it's been a miserable two weeks. Not how I wanted to spend my first two weeks out of school.
Thankfully, today I felt a little better. And since Jeff was working, I decided (rather spontaneously) when I picked up Braeden that we would have a night out together. We went home for a quick potty break, then headed out to Chattanooga to see Shrek Ever After and get dinner. I figured I could handle walking through the parking lot if I got to sit down for an hour and a half to rest. :) The movie was pretty good, and I tolerated the 3D glasses without a monstrous headache. Then I took Braeden to Kanpai, where he oohed and aahed and clapped with delight at the show our very good chef put on for us. I figured since I was two-for-oh, we might as well go to the bookstore. I picked up 1984, Atlas Shrugged, Wicked, and a couple of books for Braeden, then plopped myself in one of the leather chairs to rest (again) while Bebo played at the train table.
It was a good day. I'm feeling better, even though it'll be a few more days before I'm totally back to normal. School is out for all of us, at least for a couple of months. And I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend time with my little man, watching him giggle at the movie, cheer on our waiter, and read the first two chapters out of his new book on the way home.
Yup. Life is pretty good.
Friday, May 21, 2010
R.I.P.
A couple of months ago I posted about the sweet Husky mix who adopted us. Sadly, we came home from a trip to Mom's to find that she had died. I miss her terribly. She wrapped us around her little paw so quickly. Thankfully, Jeff found her around the back of the house, so Braeden didn't have to see her swollen body. I can't get the image out of my head, and I'm so grateful that he doesn't have to worry about it.
It was all confusing to Bebo. He'd been exposed to death, but not the death of someone close. Every day he used to tell me "I love you and Daddy and Spazz and Fritz and Sizz and Buddy and Lucy more than anything else in this world." Now my sweet girl - the only other female DNA in our household - has left us.
I still halfway expect her to run up to me when I come home. Maybe, as Bebo asked, our pets really will go to heaven with us. I think I'd like that.
It was all confusing to Bebo. He'd been exposed to death, but not the death of someone close. Every day he used to tell me "I love you and Daddy and Spazz and Fritz and Sizz and Buddy and Lucy more than anything else in this world." Now my sweet girl - the only other female DNA in our household - has left us.
I still halfway expect her to run up to me when I come home. Maybe, as Bebo asked, our pets really will go to heaven with us. I think I'd like that.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Q&A
Yay! I scrapped! I've been trying for several days, but I guess it's been so long that I nearly forgot how. Hopefully this is a good start...
And for the story behind the pictureless page - ever answer those silly surveys that meander through Facebook, Myspace, or email? I thought it would make for a fun random snapshot of me today, and since I rather enjoy doing pages without pictures, it seemed like a good idea. :)
And for the story behind the pictureless page - ever answer those silly surveys that meander through Facebook, Myspace, or email? I thought it would make for a fun random snapshot of me today, and since I rather enjoy doing pages without pictures, it seemed like a good idea. :)
Monday, May 10, 2010
Bucket List
After seeing two posts on Facebook regarding wish lists/bucket lists, it occurred to me that I don't really have one. I need to fix that, but I also need to give it some thought. Stay tuned...
Friday, May 7, 2010
Summer... finally. :)
Nope. It's not the heat I'm excited about - not even remotely. What's got me all excited is simply this:
School is out. I am done with mandatory studying for a while. Yes, I have some review to do, but no more assignments to turn in, no more projects to, er, create, no more late night classes, and no more nights with barely four hours of sleep.
I can scrapbook, I can clean my house, I can do whatever I want. Mostly.
Yeah... I haven't looked forward to summertime this much since I was a senior in high school!
One more thing - admittedly, it was by the skin of my teeth, but I managed to hold that 4.0 again. :)
School is out. I am done with mandatory studying for a while. Yes, I have some review to do, but no more assignments to turn in, no more projects to, er, create, no more late night classes, and no more nights with barely four hours of sleep.
I can scrapbook, I can clean my house, I can do whatever I want. Mostly.
Yeah... I haven't looked forward to summertime this much since I was a senior in high school!
One more thing - admittedly, it was by the skin of my teeth, but I managed to hold that 4.0 again. :)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
New Kids in Town
I've already introduced you to Lucy, the husky-mix who mysteriously appeared a few weeks ago. She's completely endeared herself to all of us.
But apparently my little household is trying to expand into a zoo, because we've added two more members to the family. I haven't picked names yet, but I couldn't stand to wait to share the pics with you. :)
Note: I would have preferred not to use the flash, but the rambunctious little critters simply won't hold still long enough!
But apparently my little household is trying to expand into a zoo, because we've added two more members to the family. I haven't picked names yet, but I couldn't stand to wait to share the pics with you. :)
Note: I would have preferred not to use the flash, but the rambunctious little critters simply won't hold still long enough!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Newest Member of the Family (I think)
A week ago Monday, I took Braeden to school and came home to find this pretty little lady in my driveway. It startled me, because Buddy is quite territorial and I was shocked that he had let her get so close to the house. But then he came bounding around the house and the two of them took off the yard like they been the best of friends since birth!
I really thought she wouldn't stay for long, and that maybe one of the neighbors had a new pet. A week later, I've finally come to the conclusion that someone dropped her off here. Jeff has refused to let me feed her, but something tells me she's getting plenty to eat anyway (and he's warmed up to her quite a bit, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's a vet trip in her future). She never lets Buddy get out of her sight, and she is really good with Braeden. It's obvious she's got Husky in her - which is cool, because I've always thought Huskies were sweet, lovely dogs. She's very playful, but also slightly cautious around us. Thankfully, she's never so much as growled or snapped at anyone, and now that I think about it, I don't believe I've heard her bark a single time.
I decided she needed a name, so I picked Lucy. Jeff said that entirely too overused, but Braeden really liked it, so Lucy it is. :) We have no idea how old she is, but I would guess she's still got a bit of puppy left in her. Buddy's getting old, and I think she'll be good for him.
Lucy isn't the only new addition, though. In a few weeks, we'll also be adding a gray-and-white kitten! Sizz is a great cat, but because he's indoor/outdoor, I can't pet him without breaking out into hives - and of course he wants up in my face at all times. Our friends have a new litter of kittens, and Jeff actually gave me permission to get one for my own (indoor) cat. I'm so excited!
So... meet Lucy, and in a while I'll hopefully have some kitty pictures for you, too!
I really thought she wouldn't stay for long, and that maybe one of the neighbors had a new pet. A week later, I've finally come to the conclusion that someone dropped her off here. Jeff has refused to let me feed her, but something tells me she's getting plenty to eat anyway (and he's warmed up to her quite a bit, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's a vet trip in her future). She never lets Buddy get out of her sight, and she is really good with Braeden. It's obvious she's got Husky in her - which is cool, because I've always thought Huskies were sweet, lovely dogs. She's very playful, but also slightly cautious around us. Thankfully, she's never so much as growled or snapped at anyone, and now that I think about it, I don't believe I've heard her bark a single time.
I decided she needed a name, so I picked Lucy. Jeff said that entirely too overused, but Braeden really liked it, so Lucy it is. :) We have no idea how old she is, but I would guess she's still got a bit of puppy left in her. Buddy's getting old, and I think she'll be good for him.
Lucy isn't the only new addition, though. In a few weeks, we'll also be adding a gray-and-white kitten! Sizz is a great cat, but because he's indoor/outdoor, I can't pet him without breaking out into hives - and of course he wants up in my face at all times. Our friends have a new litter of kittens, and Jeff actually gave me permission to get one for my own (indoor) cat. I'm so excited!
So... meet Lucy, and in a while I'll hopefully have some kitty pictures for you, too!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Hairy Situation
We've let Braeden have long hair. Jeff & I didn't care what anyone said; it looked cute on Bebo. He liked it, too - until today. One of his buddies from kindergarten said he looked like a girl. :(
I hate mean kids. I'm glad Bebo isn't one of them. However, it broke my heart to hear him say he didn't like being embarrassed, and so we plopped him down outside to buzz it all off.
:(
Here's before and after. I really hope he grows it back out soon. I will miss his long locks. But I guess if it keeps him from being embarrassed, I'll go with it. It's sad... hopefully someday he won't care what anyone else says and he'll just do his own thing. In the meantime, I'm going to have to get used to this super-short haircut!
I hate mean kids. I'm glad Bebo isn't one of them. However, it broke my heart to hear him say he didn't like being embarrassed, and so we plopped him down outside to buzz it all off.
:(
Here's before and after. I really hope he grows it back out soon. I will miss his long locks. But I guess if it keeps him from being embarrassed, I'll go with it. It's sad... hopefully someday he won't care what anyone else says and he'll just do his own thing. In the meantime, I'm going to have to get used to this super-short haircut!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A Scrapbook Page, a Picture (or Two) and a Rundown
I've been a little MIA lately... no excuse, except undeniable busy-ness. In an attempt to giving it to you in a nutshell, here goes:
- We totally enjoyed the snow! (see below for what happens to poor old Thomas)
- Jeff finally got his NCLEX scheduled for March 29. I never dreamed one person could have so many things go wrong in trying to get a two-year degree! (Okay, so the night program is 2 1/2 years, but who's counting?) In the meantime, he's doing sixteen weeks of training at Memorial. Tonight he goes back to the night shift, and I can't say he's disappointed about not getting up at 4am to go to work. :)
- Speaking of school... I'm in full-blown basketcase mode. I enjoy being back in the classroom, but juggling school, work and family is a lot harder than I'd dreamed. I don't get much "me time," but I did decide today to throw together a quick scrapbook layout. I've used the design several times now, and I think I will make an entire book out of it - it's quick, easy, and looks pretty nice (even if it was my idea!). :)
- Braeden is, at the ripe old age of almost-seven, burned out on school. It's frustrating to me, because I was the little nerd who absolutely loved school. . . but really, I think they're just pushing too much too soon. He is still doing pretty well - all A's & B's - though I think if he really tried, he'd be a straight-A student.
- Braeden will be seven in a little over a month... I can't fathom where the time has gone. Jeff & I are seriously considering getting him a Wii for his birthday, though in reality it would be for the whole family. I also procured tickets for a fifth visit to see Thomas at the railroad museum later this spring.
- Also coming up... it's time for the annual mother-daughter weekend with Mom. We'll be going to Gatlinburg, renting a condo, and mostly just chilling for the weekend. We're both too tired to get very excited about shopping. lol I'm very much looking forward to the break, and crossing my fingers that the weather warms up considerably in the next two weeks.
I suppose that's all. Jeff will go to work soon and I want to spend some time with him before he goes. Hopefully it won't be two more months before I post again.
- We totally enjoyed the snow! (see below for what happens to poor old Thomas)
- Jeff finally got his NCLEX scheduled for March 29. I never dreamed one person could have so many things go wrong in trying to get a two-year degree! (Okay, so the night program is 2 1/2 years, but who's counting?) In the meantime, he's doing sixteen weeks of training at Memorial. Tonight he goes back to the night shift, and I can't say he's disappointed about not getting up at 4am to go to work. :)
- Speaking of school... I'm in full-blown basketcase mode. I enjoy being back in the classroom, but juggling school, work and family is a lot harder than I'd dreamed. I don't get much "me time," but I did decide today to throw together a quick scrapbook layout. I've used the design several times now, and I think I will make an entire book out of it - it's quick, easy, and looks pretty nice (even if it was my idea!). :)
- Braeden is, at the ripe old age of almost-seven, burned out on school. It's frustrating to me, because I was the little nerd who absolutely loved school. . . but really, I think they're just pushing too much too soon. He is still doing pretty well - all A's & B's - though I think if he really tried, he'd be a straight-A student.
- Braeden will be seven in a little over a month... I can't fathom where the time has gone. Jeff & I are seriously considering getting him a Wii for his birthday, though in reality it would be for the whole family. I also procured tickets for a fifth visit to see Thomas at the railroad museum later this spring.
- Also coming up... it's time for the annual mother-daughter weekend with Mom. We'll be going to Gatlinburg, renting a condo, and mostly just chilling for the weekend. We're both too tired to get very excited about shopping. lol I'm very much looking forward to the break, and crossing my fingers that the weather warms up considerably in the next two weeks.
I suppose that's all. Jeff will go to work soon and I want to spend some time with him before he goes. Hopefully it won't be two more months before I post again.
Friday, January 22, 2010
My Apologies
I know I don't exactly have a huge readership, but I have been somewhat inundated with an increasing amout of spam comments lately. To combat that, I've switched to approving comments and requiring word verification.
I'm sorry - I know it's obnoxious.
I'm sorry - I know it's obnoxious.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Lately I've found myself with the urge to make cards - not for the church, for once, but just for myself. Of course, I have to pretend I don't know how notoriously bad I am about forgetting special occasions... :)
Anyway, here are two I've recently made. The first is a Valentine's card for my nieces & nephews, the second is my Christmas thank-you (which, obviously, I still need to send out. Note to self: add this to today's to-do list!)
I am still trying to make some for church, but I am restricted somewhat in my creative license, since the cards have to be totally flat. I can't put a lot of stuff on them, or it becomes difficult for people to sign their names to the cards. Sometimes it is fun to simply do whatever I want, and not worry so much about bulk.
But alas! - no card making for now - I have housework and homework, and the shower is seductively whispering my name. :)
Anyway, here are two I've recently made. The first is a Valentine's card for my nieces & nephews, the second is my Christmas thank-you (which, obviously, I still need to send out. Note to self: add this to today's to-do list!)
I am still trying to make some for church, but I am restricted somewhat in my creative license, since the cards have to be totally flat. I can't put a lot of stuff on them, or it becomes difficult for people to sign their names to the cards. Sometimes it is fun to simply do whatever I want, and not worry so much about bulk.
But alas! - no card making for now - I have housework and homework, and the shower is seductively whispering my name. :)
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
2010 Calendar
It's been so long since I scrapbooked... long enough that I'm even desiring to get glue on my fingers and little scraps of paper in my hair. Since Christmas with the in-laws didn't pan out for me (long story - Jeff & Braeden went and I stayed here), I'd thought that I would have a chance to do a little catching up, but - well, let's just say there have been complications.
I did, however, get started on Mom's yearly calendar. Yes, I know it's late. I think I'll just start the dang thing with February, if Shutterfly will let me do that. This year I opted to keep the design very simple, and I think I like the results so far. At least having a somewhat cohesive theme makes the actual scrap work much faster, right?
So... here ya go. June, May, and July (in that order).
Oh, and Mom already knows, so it's no surprise. In fact, I was so busy at the end of last semester that I barely had time to make her an IOU!
I did, however, get started on Mom's yearly calendar. Yes, I know it's late. I think I'll just start the dang thing with February, if Shutterfly will let me do that. This year I opted to keep the design very simple, and I think I like the results so far. At least having a somewhat cohesive theme makes the actual scrap work much faster, right?
So... here ya go. June, May, and July (in that order).
Oh, and Mom already knows, so it's no surprise. In fact, I was so busy at the end of last semester that I barely had time to make her an IOU!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Christmas Decor
I've had the best time decorating this year. :) I love the turquoise-red-white combo, and since it works so well with my multitude of snowmen, I went with it!
The centerpiece on our table
A wreath I made using a styrofoam base, ribbon, and my Sixxiz Big Shot and Cricut (Winter Wonderland & When It's Cold Outiside carts)
Another view of the wreath
My many Snow Buddies - sadly, they are now discontinued. :(
More snowmen
Puppy Chow! YUM!
A music box... Frosty skates around the pond. Braeden will sit and stare at it forever!
The centerpiece on our table
A wreath I made using a styrofoam base, ribbon, and my Sixxiz Big Shot and Cricut (Winter Wonderland & When It's Cold Outiside carts)
Another view of the wreath
My many Snow Buddies - sadly, they are now discontinued. :(
More snowmen
Puppy Chow! YUM!
A music box... Frosty skates around the pond. Braeden will sit and stare at it forever!Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Bummed
*sigh*
I am trying to be thankful. Really I am.
Unfortunately, I am doing a rotten job.
My Thanksgiving plans are a bust. Every year I go to Mom's. We have our big T-giving dinner, and on Black Friday Mom & I load up and hit the craft stores for the latest & greatest. It's one of my favorite things to do all year - and Mom, Gabe & Katie are all sick. Worse, Jeff is working two 12-hour shifts that day. Oh yes, 'tis true - he'll work 7a-7p at Grandview and 7p-7a at Memorial. So it's just me and Bebo, with no time to get & thaw a turkey (something else I was really looking forward to). I have no idea what we will do.
Worse... it looks like our time in this little house is limited. Our landlords want to sell and there's not a snowball's chance in you-know-where that we will qualify for a loan to buy it ourselves. Guess we should have signed a lease. I'm just heartbroken. I love this little place. We were so lucky to get it, and now we'll likely have to move into some crappy little duplex or apartment because that's about all there is in this county.
I just want to cry. :(
I am trying to be thankful. Really I am.
Unfortunately, I am doing a rotten job.
My Thanksgiving plans are a bust. Every year I go to Mom's. We have our big T-giving dinner, and on Black Friday Mom & I load up and hit the craft stores for the latest & greatest. It's one of my favorite things to do all year - and Mom, Gabe & Katie are all sick. Worse, Jeff is working two 12-hour shifts that day. Oh yes, 'tis true - he'll work 7a-7p at Grandview and 7p-7a at Memorial. So it's just me and Bebo, with no time to get & thaw a turkey (something else I was really looking forward to). I have no idea what we will do.
Worse... it looks like our time in this little house is limited. Our landlords want to sell and there's not a snowball's chance in you-know-where that we will qualify for a loan to buy it ourselves. Guess we should have signed a lease. I'm just heartbroken. I love this little place. We were so lucky to get it, and now we'll likely have to move into some crappy little duplex or apartment because that's about all there is in this county.
I just want to cry. :(
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Rip-Roarin' Good News
Wait for it...
Wait for it...
Wait for it...
JEFF PASSED NURSING SCHOOL!!!!!
AND HE HAS A JOB WAITING FOR HIM IN CARDIAC ICU!
Can you tell I'm excited? :)
Wait for it...
Wait for it...
JEFF PASSED NURSING SCHOOL!!!!!
AND HE HAS A JOB WAITING FOR HIM IN CARDIAC ICU!
Can you tell I'm excited? :)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Leap of Faith?
I freely admit that I am not good at discerning God's will for me. Jeff tells me that it's silly to even try, because God can work with whatever direction I choose. On the other hand, I read verses like Jeremiah 29:11, which make me think that my husband might be off base a little. Whatever the case, I am at one of those crossroads... but it isn't necessarily an either/or situation. I could theoretically choose Path A, Path B, or both.
Before I lose your interest, allow me to explain...
It's not secret that I love photography. I've been dabbling in it for a few years now, but with my recent purchase, I've taken that dabbling to a much higher level. I truly love taking pictures, and with each shot I take, I get a little better. My parents are encouraging me to pursue it - so much so that Dad even suggested I drop out of nursing school and start my own photog business! I brushed it off... for a while.
The thought has been niggling at me ever since. Now I'm questioning whether I'm doing the right thing in continuing school. I love photography, but I don't know if I can make a serious living at it, especially if something was to happen to Jeff and it was up to me to support Braeden alone.
Then there's the question of whether or not I am really truly good enough. I'm getting better all the time, and I'm on the verge of saying "Yes!" - but it's a scary jump to make. I am my own worst critic, you know.
The most logical choice seems to be to pursue both. However, I can't quit my day job just yet, so that means juggling a budding business, nursing school, and work. Can I realistically do that? I just don't know.
For now, I am taking it one day at a time. I'm putting myself out there, waiting patiently to see if God nudges people my direction. In this small town, word-of-mouth could be my greatest advertising. It's just a waiting game now. Perhaps someday I can quit my other job and spend more time taking pictures. For now, though, I have a test to study for. Pray for me, please? I'm really not sure what to do...
Before I lose your interest, allow me to explain...
It's not secret that I love photography. I've been dabbling in it for a few years now, but with my recent purchase, I've taken that dabbling to a much higher level. I truly love taking pictures, and with each shot I take, I get a little better. My parents are encouraging me to pursue it - so much so that Dad even suggested I drop out of nursing school and start my own photog business! I brushed it off... for a while.
The thought has been niggling at me ever since. Now I'm questioning whether I'm doing the right thing in continuing school. I love photography, but I don't know if I can make a serious living at it, especially if something was to happen to Jeff and it was up to me to support Braeden alone.
Then there's the question of whether or not I am really truly good enough. I'm getting better all the time, and I'm on the verge of saying "Yes!" - but it's a scary jump to make. I am my own worst critic, you know.
The most logical choice seems to be to pursue both. However, I can't quit my day job just yet, so that means juggling a budding business, nursing school, and work. Can I realistically do that? I just don't know.
For now, I am taking it one day at a time. I'm putting myself out there, waiting patiently to see if God nudges people my direction. In this small town, word-of-mouth could be my greatest advertising. It's just a waiting game now. Perhaps someday I can quit my other job and spend more time taking pictures. For now, though, I have a test to study for. Pray for me, please? I'm really not sure what to do...
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Creative Therapy
Yay! I actually scrapbooked something!!!
Okay... so it was a digital page and didn't use my new goodies, but still... I was in serious need of some creative therapy. :)
Should you be bored enough, you might want to peek at my photo blog. I've uploaded some new pics there from the weekend.
Oh, and guess what? I have my first paying photo session Saturday! woot!
Okay... so it was a digital page and didn't use my new goodies, but still... I was in serious need of some creative therapy. :)
Should you be bored enough, you might want to peek at my photo blog. I've uploaded some new pics there from the weekend.
Oh, and guess what? I have my first paying photo session Saturday! woot!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Today... 10/27/09
I've sat here five minutes at least, arms crossed, debating whether to gripe, update, or attempt to say something funny. Alas.... I'm not feeling especially comical this morning.
I'm tired. And grumpy. And I don't feel good, either. I have an incredible amount of stuff to do, and not enough time to get it all done.
Tonight I have clinical at a nursing home, and I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you that I am not especially thrilled at the prospect. Nothing against the elderly - but nursing homes weird me out just a little. I can remember as a little kid being flat-out afraid of them. Perhaps it is the poor care that seems to be standard in such places, but the overwhelming smell of stale urine and the awkwardness of attempting to converse with someone when I really can't understand a word that is spoken puts me in a serious state of uncomfortable. My great-aunt had MS, and while I always felt pity for her, I felt so uncomfortable - I knew she was trying to communicate but I didn't see her often enough to distinguish her words into something I could respond to. All that to say this - I'm nervous about tonight. We are just taking vital signs (probably including a rectal temp or two... ew), and maybe changing a tube feeding... but still.
It doesn't help that I am losing my hearing. I've known for years (since I was in first grade or so) that my ability to distinguish sounds was less than perfect, but until now, it hasn't interfered with daily living. Now I'm in the search for an amplified stethoscope because I simply cannot hear a pulse or respiration. I find myself having to say "What? Could you repeat that?" entirely too often. After the first of the year, I think it's time for an appointment with an ENT specialist... and maybe even a hearing aid. *sigh*
Last night I totally busted my tail picking up the house, but it finally got done. Well, except for the mopping and bathrooms. I only had time to do so much, but the laundry is caught up, rugs vacuumed, beds made, etc.
I also put together the cutest treat bags for Bebo's class. Should've taken a picture... didn't have time. But I think I will steal Mom's Sizzix die for the bags for Christmas. I have some brilliantly cute ideas for party favors. :)
Gotta go...
I'm tired. And grumpy. And I don't feel good, either. I have an incredible amount of stuff to do, and not enough time to get it all done.
Tonight I have clinical at a nursing home, and I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you that I am not especially thrilled at the prospect. Nothing against the elderly - but nursing homes weird me out just a little. I can remember as a little kid being flat-out afraid of them. Perhaps it is the poor care that seems to be standard in such places, but the overwhelming smell of stale urine and the awkwardness of attempting to converse with someone when I really can't understand a word that is spoken puts me in a serious state of uncomfortable. My great-aunt had MS, and while I always felt pity for her, I felt so uncomfortable - I knew she was trying to communicate but I didn't see her often enough to distinguish her words into something I could respond to. All that to say this - I'm nervous about tonight. We are just taking vital signs (probably including a rectal temp or two... ew), and maybe changing a tube feeding... but still.
It doesn't help that I am losing my hearing. I've known for years (since I was in first grade or so) that my ability to distinguish sounds was less than perfect, but until now, it hasn't interfered with daily living. Now I'm in the search for an amplified stethoscope because I simply cannot hear a pulse or respiration. I find myself having to say "What? Could you repeat that?" entirely too often. After the first of the year, I think it's time for an appointment with an ENT specialist... and maybe even a hearing aid. *sigh*
Last night I totally busted my tail picking up the house, but it finally got done. Well, except for the mopping and bathrooms. I only had time to do so much, but the laundry is caught up, rugs vacuumed, beds made, etc.
I also put together the cutest treat bags for Bebo's class. Should've taken a picture... didn't have time. But I think I will steal Mom's Sizzix die for the bags for Christmas. I have some brilliantly cute ideas for party favors. :)
Gotta go...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Update
There's not much (new) to tell... I run around most days like a chicken with its head cut off. :) I'd love to scrapbook, but can't fathom finding the time right now. "Fall break" was this week, but there was no real break involved - instead, we got slapped with even more work than usual.
However...
I'm going to Mom's this weekend to take family pictures. She has lots of goodies waiting for me - some Estee Lauder makeup freebies, a Stampin' Up order with lots of Halloween goodness, a new Cricut cartridge, and some new Sizzix dies - to go with the Big Shot she got for me! Woot! I have no idea when I'll get to play, but I sure hope I can find time somewhere!!!
However...
I'm going to Mom's this weekend to take family pictures. She has lots of goodies waiting for me - some Estee Lauder makeup freebies, a Stampin' Up order with lots of Halloween goodness, a new Cricut cartridge, and some new Sizzix dies - to go with the Big Shot she got for me! Woot! I have no idea when I'll get to play, but I sure hope I can find time somewhere!!!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Welcome Back, Autumn!
Words cannot express how thrilled I am that autumn has finally showed her beautiful face! The sky is crisp and clear for the first time in a month, the air is clean and cool, and the breeze is positively delightful. I can wear winter clothes again (I love sweatshirt weather!), and it's not unbearable to simply be outdoors. The windows are open - well, at least until the skunk visited last night - and I can hear the birds and the wind and I am just plain happy.
Some people experience depression when the cold air returns. Not me - I thrive on it. I feel lighter and happier and alive.
So far it's been a good week. I turned down fast food and made generally good choices (though I need to work a little harder at getting enough water). I've stayed entirely too busy to exercise, though, between class, a project, studying for a test, and year-end inventory at work. Lots of overtime and long, late nights are the norm this week. Saturday I'm having a yard sale (if the weather continues to cooperate). One entire room of the old house is packed with junk to get rid of. Here's to hoping someone finds treasure in my trash!
Hellooooooooooooo, fall!
Some people experience depression when the cold air returns. Not me - I thrive on it. I feel lighter and happier and alive.
So far it's been a good week. I turned down fast food and made generally good choices (though I need to work a little harder at getting enough water). I've stayed entirely too busy to exercise, though, between class, a project, studying for a test, and year-end inventory at work. Lots of overtime and long, late nights are the norm this week. Saturday I'm having a yard sale (if the weather continues to cooperate). One entire room of the old house is packed with junk to get rid of. Here's to hoping someone finds treasure in my trash!
Hellooooooooooooo, fall!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Just because I'm not a Democrat...
...it does not mean that I am illiterate.
Neither am I uneducated. I hold a bachelor's degree in business and am working toward a nursing degree. I know many more who think like me and hold doctorate degrees in a variety of fields.
I am not a racist because I disagree with the President. I do not care that he is biracial - that makes no difference in my opinion of his time in office.
Owning guns does not make me a violent person.
Just because I express my opinion - sometimes emphatically - it does not mean I am a hate-mongering, un-American, riotous person who does not deserve to be a citizen.
I watch Glenn Beck's show on FOX. That does not make me one of the "sheeple." I am inundated with liberal media everywhere I go - media that shows only one side of the story. To be entirely fair in my assessment, I need both sides of the issue.
I do not believe global warming is the issue the media has made it out to be. That does not mean that I am careless with my resources or that I am unwilling to treat the planet and its inhabitants responsibly.
I believe the best way to "fix" the ails of our society is for government to get its nose out of every single aspect of our lives. This includes health care reform - if you want to improve it, keep the government out. This does not mean I am above caring that people do not have insurance.
I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman. That does not mean I am homophobic.
I am tired of being singled out by the media and other liberal Democrats. I am tired of being called illiterate, inconsiderate, un-American, ultra-right-wing, and terroristic. I am tired of constantly being accosted for daring to speak up in favor of less government and a closer adherence the Constitution.
Enough is enough! If you can't find anything better to do than call me names, then shut up! For eight years I have listened to the media and Democrats rant and rave about how awful President Bush was. Yes, he made mistakes. No, I did not agree with everything he did. But he was never afforded the respect his office demanded. Now the tables have turned, and President Obama can apparently do no wrong. To dare to call him out is be deemed a racist pig. When conservatives stand up and refute the ideas and laws and bills that are being shoved down our throats, the best the liberal media can do is call us names and make fun of us! There is no honest debate; no refutation of our arguments. It's nothing more than belittlement and name-calling.
And I'm sick of it.
Neither am I uneducated. I hold a bachelor's degree in business and am working toward a nursing degree. I know many more who think like me and hold doctorate degrees in a variety of fields.
I am not a racist because I disagree with the President. I do not care that he is biracial - that makes no difference in my opinion of his time in office.
Owning guns does not make me a violent person.
Just because I express my opinion - sometimes emphatically - it does not mean I am a hate-mongering, un-American, riotous person who does not deserve to be a citizen.
I watch Glenn Beck's show on FOX. That does not make me one of the "sheeple." I am inundated with liberal media everywhere I go - media that shows only one side of the story. To be entirely fair in my assessment, I need both sides of the issue.
I do not believe global warming is the issue the media has made it out to be. That does not mean that I am careless with my resources or that I am unwilling to treat the planet and its inhabitants responsibly.
I believe the best way to "fix" the ails of our society is for government to get its nose out of every single aspect of our lives. This includes health care reform - if you want to improve it, keep the government out. This does not mean I am above caring that people do not have insurance.
I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman. That does not mean I am homophobic.
I am tired of being singled out by the media and other liberal Democrats. I am tired of being called illiterate, inconsiderate, un-American, ultra-right-wing, and terroristic. I am tired of constantly being accosted for daring to speak up in favor of less government and a closer adherence the Constitution.
Enough is enough! If you can't find anything better to do than call me names, then shut up! For eight years I have listened to the media and Democrats rant and rave about how awful President Bush was. Yes, he made mistakes. No, I did not agree with everything he did. But he was never afforded the respect his office demanded. Now the tables have turned, and President Obama can apparently do no wrong. To dare to call him out is be deemed a racist pig. When conservatives stand up and refute the ideas and laws and bills that are being shoved down our throats, the best the liberal media can do is call us names and make fun of us! There is no honest debate; no refutation of our arguments. It's nothing more than belittlement and name-calling.
And I'm sick of it.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Just Gotta Share
I gave my friends the files for the photos from the engagement shoot... and they had trouble getting them printed. Wal-Mart said the pictures looked professional and thought they had scanned them or something.
Hee hee... they thought the pictures looked professional!
Hee hee... they thought the pictures looked professional!
Weekend Recap
I wanna scrapbook!!!
No time. Must do homework. :) This weekend was soooo busy! Both of the photo sessions went beautifully. Pics of the first are already up on my photo blog, but it will be a couple of days before I get to start processing the second session. I also baked cookies (yum!), and managed to get most of the data for the medical interview entered into the form. A few finishing touches and it will be ready to turn in - five days early, I might add! lol
Tonight is my first clinical skills test. I have to prove I can wash my hands. It's not difficult, but it definitely isn't as obvious as you might think. Pretty sure I can pass, though. (wink, wink)
Gotta go now. It's time to wake up my boys for the day. Maybe I'll get to scrapbook later this week. Cross your fingers for me!
No time. Must do homework. :) This weekend was soooo busy! Both of the photo sessions went beautifully. Pics of the first are already up on my photo blog, but it will be a couple of days before I get to start processing the second session. I also baked cookies (yum!), and managed to get most of the data for the medical interview entered into the form. A few finishing touches and it will be ready to turn in - five days early, I might add! lol
Tonight is my first clinical skills test. I have to prove I can wash my hands. It's not difficult, but it definitely isn't as obvious as you might think. Pretty sure I can pass, though. (wink, wink)
Gotta go now. It's time to wake up my boys for the day. Maybe I'll get to scrapbook later this week. Cross your fingers for me!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
It's here, it's here!!
I have a new camera... woot!
Check out my photo blog for some pics: First Photos. We're going to the fair tonight, and I'm looking forward to playing there, too. (Assuming, of course, that it does not rain.)
Check out my photo blog for some pics: First Photos. We're going to the fair tonight, and I'm looking forward to playing there, too. (Assuming, of course, that it does not rain.)
Monday, September 7, 2009
Itchy, Excited, and a Wee Bit Tired
Ever had a bug bite the inside of your nose? Seriously... how do you politely scratch that?
...
The weekend wasn't terrible, though the kids fought a good bit and were, on schedule, up at the very crack of dawn each morning. Gabe & Katie were beside themselves with excitement that their Aunt Amanda was coming for a visit. I let them wear their pajamas all day Saturday, which won me the Cool Aunt of the Year award. (Or is that big sister?)
While I was there, my scrapbook order from Scrapbook Pictures came in. They are hands-down the best developer on the web. I'd been accumulating digital pages for more than a year, b/c I usually wait for a sale to place an order. Mom usually likes duplicates of anything with Gabe & Katie, so I just had the order shipped to her house. Right on cue, it arrived Saturday afternoon. I love seeing my pages printed... it's so different from looking at them on the computer.
Oh, and guess what? Jeff & I got an early Christmas present - a really nice Brinkmann gas grill! Woot! It's one of those things we have been putting off for years... at the beginning of every summer, we swear we'll get one, but there never seems to be money for it. Since Mom & Dad are coming to my house for Christmas this year, and it would not be Christmas without grilled filet mignon, they just had to get us a grill that would do the steak justice. :)
Got lots done today - worked at the old house for a while, got grocery shopping done, and am slowly catching up on laundry. Going to try to pick up this evening before bedtime.
One more guess what? - Thursday I get my new Nikon D90!!!! WOOOT!!!! And - I have an engagement photo shoot on Saturday and a family shoot on Sunday. (I might be the slightest bit crazy for doing those with a camera I've had for 24 hours, but I'm crossing my fingers there time Friday to practice with it.) I am really excited at the prospect of taking pictures again. I've missed having the camera be a permanent extension of my right arm. :)
Okay, gotta go. Much left to do before bedtime. Hope you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend!
...
The weekend wasn't terrible, though the kids fought a good bit and were, on schedule, up at the very crack of dawn each morning. Gabe & Katie were beside themselves with excitement that their Aunt Amanda was coming for a visit. I let them wear their pajamas all day Saturday, which won me the Cool Aunt of the Year award. (Or is that big sister?)
While I was there, my scrapbook order from Scrapbook Pictures came in. They are hands-down the best developer on the web. I'd been accumulating digital pages for more than a year, b/c I usually wait for a sale to place an order. Mom usually likes duplicates of anything with Gabe & Katie, so I just had the order shipped to her house. Right on cue, it arrived Saturday afternoon. I love seeing my pages printed... it's so different from looking at them on the computer.
Oh, and guess what? Jeff & I got an early Christmas present - a really nice Brinkmann gas grill! Woot! It's one of those things we have been putting off for years... at the beginning of every summer, we swear we'll get one, but there never seems to be money for it. Since Mom & Dad are coming to my house for Christmas this year, and it would not be Christmas without grilled filet mignon, they just had to get us a grill that would do the steak justice. :)
Got lots done today - worked at the old house for a while, got grocery shopping done, and am slowly catching up on laundry. Going to try to pick up this evening before bedtime.
One more guess what? - Thursday I get my new Nikon D90!!!! WOOOT!!!! And - I have an engagement photo shoot on Saturday and a family shoot on Sunday. (I might be the slightest bit crazy for doing those with a camera I've had for 24 hours, but I'm crossing my fingers there time Friday to practice with it.) I am really excited at the prospect of taking pictures again. I've missed having the camera be a permanent extension of my right arm. :)
Okay, gotta go. Much left to do before bedtime. Hope you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Seriously Questioning My Sanity
I. Am. So. Tired.
Class days absolutely wear me out! My workday starts at 6am, and I have to rush from here straight to class. It's 10:30 or later before I get home, and I still have to do my nightly posting before I can go to bed. That much thinking is utterly exhausting!
This weekend, instead of resting, what am I doing? I'm going to watch my niece/sister & nephew/brother so my parents can have a break. Thing is, those two heathens are up at the butt-crack of dawn - and worse, they're an hour ahead of me! So instead of sleeping in, I can look forward to being out of bed by 5am my time.
There is no rest in sight for today, either. I have assignments to turn in (since internet access is iffy at Mom's), grocery shopping, laundry, and packing - not to mention that Jeff will almost certainly ask me to clean the house before I leave.
I'm so tired I can't keep my eyes open!!!
Okay... enough complaining. I have my coffee, after all. [insert weak smile here]
School is interesting. I am not as socially challenged as I thought I might be. I like the instructors, and there are several of my classmates I find quite agreeable. So far the homework isn't difficult, just time-consuming. The amount of reading required in a 48-hour period is almost unbelievable, and so far the topics are not overwhelmingly fascinating - but give it time and I think it will be. I really enjoy seeing Jeff during my breaks, even if it is just briefly.
Braeden seems to be adjusting well to school and the new routine. I do think we are going to have to correct some attitude problems, though. He was a bit of a monster when I talked to him on the phone last night. I'm not sure what's going on with him, exactly, but it's going to have to be curbed quickly!
I must go now. It's shaping up to be a horrendous day of work, and I have much to do.
Class days absolutely wear me out! My workday starts at 6am, and I have to rush from here straight to class. It's 10:30 or later before I get home, and I still have to do my nightly posting before I can go to bed. That much thinking is utterly exhausting!
This weekend, instead of resting, what am I doing? I'm going to watch my niece/sister & nephew/brother so my parents can have a break. Thing is, those two heathens are up at the butt-crack of dawn - and worse, they're an hour ahead of me! So instead of sleeping in, I can look forward to being out of bed by 5am my time.
There is no rest in sight for today, either. I have assignments to turn in (since internet access is iffy at Mom's), grocery shopping, laundry, and packing - not to mention that Jeff will almost certainly ask me to clean the house before I leave.
I'm so tired I can't keep my eyes open!!!
Okay... enough complaining. I have my coffee, after all. [insert weak smile here]
School is interesting. I am not as socially challenged as I thought I might be. I like the instructors, and there are several of my classmates I find quite agreeable. So far the homework isn't difficult, just time-consuming. The amount of reading required in a 48-hour period is almost unbelievable, and so far the topics are not overwhelmingly fascinating - but give it time and I think it will be. I really enjoy seeing Jeff during my breaks, even if it is just briefly.
Braeden seems to be adjusting well to school and the new routine. I do think we are going to have to correct some attitude problems, though. He was a bit of a monster when I talked to him on the phone last night. I'm not sure what's going on with him, exactly, but it's going to have to be curbed quickly!
I must go now. It's shaping up to be a horrendous day of work, and I have much to do.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Unbiased Media
Right....
Check out this article:
McCain Battles Angry Crowd
Folks, I watched the entire thing on TV yesterday.... Yes, the crowd was angry, but the vast majority of it was not angry with McCain, but the people who are trying to force this bill through!
In fact, I listened to one woman who practically begged Senator McCain to tell her how the crowd of people could help him fight this bill!
Good grief, I am sick to death of the spin the media is putting on this stupid thing!
Check out this article:
McCain Battles Angry Crowd
Folks, I watched the entire thing on TV yesterday.... Yes, the crowd was angry, but the vast majority of it was not angry with McCain, but the people who are trying to force this bill through!
In fact, I listened to one woman who practically begged Senator McCain to tell her how the crowd of people could help him fight this bill!
Good grief, I am sick to death of the spin the media is putting on this stupid thing!
Monday, August 24, 2009
It Begins...
Here I am, in class... more than an hour early. Am I a goober or what? Jeff & I came over early so he could do skills practice and I could run some errands at the student center.
I like that I'm not the oldest person in the classroom... in fact, I'd say I'm pretty average, age-wise. I sorta expect this to be a bit boring - lots of paperwork and stuff, some of which I'm already familiar with by virtue of watching Jeff go through the program.
Anyhoo... wish me luck. I sure do hope I'm cut out for this!
I like that I'm not the oldest person in the classroom... in fact, I'd say I'm pretty average, age-wise. I sorta expect this to be a bit boring - lots of paperwork and stuff, some of which I'm already familiar with by virtue of watching Jeff go through the program.
Anyhoo... wish me luck. I sure do hope I'm cut out for this!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
It's Friday
Well...
Today is the last regular weekday before school starts. The last remnant of semi-calm before the craziness truly begins. I'm tired - no, make that frazzled - and it hasn't officially begun yet.
Makes me just a tad bit nervous.
But... it's okay. I'll be fine. I have (most) everything I need. Financial aid will roll in soon so I can buy the remaining textbooks, and I have all the techno stuff I need (laptop, retractable mouse, etc.)
Monday. It all begins on Monday. I'm nervous, and a tad bit worried - what if it's not for me? What if I hate it? What if, what if, what if.
Pbbttt.
I'm just being silly. I'll do fine, and I'll see it through to the end no matter what, cause that's just the kind of person I am. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy my weekend with my family, do a little cooking, and maybe a little scrapping. We'll hit the bookstore and shoe stores tomorrow and maybe even catch a matinee.
And I'll leave you with a "regular" page that I did yesterday. Mostly I've been doing school album pages and cards. Kinda nice to have no set parameters to work in.
Good day to you!
Today is the last regular weekday before school starts. The last remnant of semi-calm before the craziness truly begins. I'm tired - no, make that frazzled - and it hasn't officially begun yet.
Makes me just a tad bit nervous.
But... it's okay. I'll be fine. I have (most) everything I need. Financial aid will roll in soon so I can buy the remaining textbooks, and I have all the techno stuff I need (laptop, retractable mouse, etc.)
Monday. It all begins on Monday. I'm nervous, and a tad bit worried - what if it's not for me? What if I hate it? What if, what if, what if.
Pbbttt.
I'm just being silly. I'll do fine, and I'll see it through to the end no matter what, cause that's just the kind of person I am. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy my weekend with my family, do a little cooking, and maybe a little scrapping. We'll hit the bookstore and shoe stores tomorrow and maybe even catch a matinee.
And I'll leave you with a "regular" page that I did yesterday. Mostly I've been doing school album pages and cards. Kinda nice to have no set parameters to work in.
Good day to you!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Why God Made People
Conversation with Bebo:
B: Mommy, before God and Jesus made people, who did they talk to?
Me: I guess the angels or the animals.
B: Do angels talk too?
Me: I think so. They aren't like us, but I think they probably talk.
B: Was God and Jesus lonely before they made people?
Me: (stalling, not sure how to answer the question)
B: You know what? God and Jesus made people so they'd have someone to talk to. That way they wouldn't be lonely.
Sometimes I am amazed at how intuitive that little boy can be!
B: Mommy, before God and Jesus made people, who did they talk to?
Me: I guess the angels or the animals.
B: Do angels talk too?
Me: I think so. They aren't like us, but I think they probably talk.
B: Was God and Jesus lonely before they made people?
Me: (stalling, not sure how to answer the question)
B: You know what? God and Jesus made people so they'd have someone to talk to. That way they wouldn't be lonely.
Sometimes I am amazed at how intuitive that little boy can be!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
First Week of the First Grade (Recap)
We survived the first week of school, and I didn't cry once. Yup, first grade is definitely easier than kindergarten.
Braeden had one slightly unhappy incident, but other than that, he seemed to enjoy himself. On Friday he brought home a folder with all his work for the week - writing the days of the week, months of the year, colors, and, of course, the alphabet; several color-by-number worksheets, and a categorizing worksheet. I have a feeling the teacher spent the week feeling out the kids to see what they could do.
Naturally, the best part of school is recess, and he is quite proud to be playing on first & second grade playground - it's a promotion from the kindergarten playground, which was a pretty cool setup in and of itself. He gets to play with all the first grade, so he sees his kindergarten buddies - none of which are in his class.
When I asked him what the best part of first grade is, he said "I like to play outside in my new playground." Asked what he learned, he replied, " ...." (No answer.... blank stare.)
In other news -
Mom and Dad told the kids about the adoption, and that they would be changing their last names. Katie wanted to change her name to "Princess." :)
Jeff & I went on Wednesday to pick up our syllabus for the fall, and he gave me the "grand tour" of campus. Took all of five minutes to do that. LOL The Allied Health department is getting a new building, but it's not quite finished yet. Should be interesting to see if we start the semester in it or if we have to move midstream.
I'm getting excited... one week from Monday I start school. Granted, the first few days are going to be boring - orientation, paperwork, etc. But I'm looking forward to it anyway, and I freely admit that I am more than a little bit nervous. I keep wondering if I'm too old for this, if I'm going to handle this new way of thinking that Jeff keeps telling me about, and if I'll make some new friends in the process or just run everyone off.
Nerve-wracking stuff, that. But I am up for the challenge, and like my enthusiastic little first-grader, I plan on charging right into the fray.
Braeden had one slightly unhappy incident, but other than that, he seemed to enjoy himself. On Friday he brought home a folder with all his work for the week - writing the days of the week, months of the year, colors, and, of course, the alphabet; several color-by-number worksheets, and a categorizing worksheet. I have a feeling the teacher spent the week feeling out the kids to see what they could do.
Naturally, the best part of school is recess, and he is quite proud to be playing on first & second grade playground - it's a promotion from the kindergarten playground, which was a pretty cool setup in and of itself. He gets to play with all the first grade, so he sees his kindergarten buddies - none of which are in his class.
When I asked him what the best part of first grade is, he said "I like to play outside in my new playground." Asked what he learned, he replied, " ...." (No answer.... blank stare.)
In other news -
Mom and Dad told the kids about the adoption, and that they would be changing their last names. Katie wanted to change her name to "Princess." :)
Jeff & I went on Wednesday to pick up our syllabus for the fall, and he gave me the "grand tour" of campus. Took all of five minutes to do that. LOL The Allied Health department is getting a new building, but it's not quite finished yet. Should be interesting to see if we start the semester in it or if we have to move midstream.
I'm getting excited... one week from Monday I start school. Granted, the first few days are going to be boring - orientation, paperwork, etc. But I'm looking forward to it anyway, and I freely admit that I am more than a little bit nervous. I keep wondering if I'm too old for this, if I'm going to handle this new way of thinking that Jeff keeps telling me about, and if I'll make some new friends in the process or just run everyone off.
Nerve-wracking stuff, that. But I am up for the challenge, and like my enthusiastic little first-grader, I plan on charging right into the fray.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
First Day of the First Grade
First grade was so much easier than kindergarten - at least for me! I don't think Bebo noticed the difference. I didn't think we'd ever get him to sleep Sunday night. He was in bed at 8:30, but didn't doze off until after 11 - and I spent all day doing my best to totally exhaust him. Three days in, he's sleeping a little better, thank goodness.
Naturally, he was a little slow waking up. One of the nice things about Jeff working night shift is that he can go with me to school stuff for Bebo. Once we got him ready for school, he was raring to go. I did the obligatory first day pictures (for which he was completely uncooperative), and we loaded up the truck and headed off.
He was such a little pro! :) He waltzed right into the school, stopping to brag about his new "packpack" to the principal, then marching straight to his classroom (but his backpack was so heavy he was slowing down by the time we got to the other end of the school). We were the first ones there, and he couldn't wait pull out his supplies for his teacher.
He's six, and he's a boy, which means that details are not exactly his Thing. So I had to pry out every little tidbit of info about his first day. He said they wrote a little, and colored a page. He was tickled to play with his kindergarten buddies at recess, and he enjoyed pizza in the cafeteria. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine as to how his day went!
Naturally, he was a little slow waking up. One of the nice things about Jeff working night shift is that he can go with me to school stuff for Bebo. Once we got him ready for school, he was raring to go. I did the obligatory first day pictures (for which he was completely uncooperative), and we loaded up the truck and headed off.
He was such a little pro! :) He waltzed right into the school, stopping to brag about his new "packpack" to the principal, then marching straight to his classroom (but his backpack was so heavy he was slowing down by the time we got to the other end of the school). We were the first ones there, and he couldn't wait pull out his supplies for his teacher.
He's six, and he's a boy, which means that details are not exactly his Thing. So I had to pry out every little tidbit of info about his first day. He said they wrote a little, and colored a page. He was tickled to play with his kindergarten buddies at recess, and he enjoyed pizza in the cafeteria. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine as to how his day went!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
On Heaven & Subways
Another Bebo conversation:
"Mommy, before I was born, when I was in heaven and was still being made, I looked down here, and guess what I saw?"
"Tell me!"
"Well, I just saw dis earth (waving arms around), and right there was a subway train! It was really nice."
Ah, yes... gotta love the imagination of a 6-year-old!
"Mommy, before I was born, when I was in heaven and was still being made, I looked down here, and guess what I saw?"
"Tell me!"
"Well, I just saw dis earth (waving arms around), and right there was a subway train! It was really nice."
Ah, yes... gotta love the imagination of a 6-year-old!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I have a new brother & sister!!
I have not said a great deal about this, but for the last two years, my parents have had custody of my sister's two youngest kids. She has made a lot of bad decisions and could not / would not take care of her children. (The oldest lives with his dad, her ex-husband.) Mom & Dad recently decided that it was time to pursue adoption, and on Monday they went to the lawyer to begin the process... and in a mind-numbing twist, my sister & her husband just gave up and signed the kids over for adoption. Today they took the papers to the judge, and by 8am, I had a new brother and sister!
WOOT! God is so good! It's been hard to be patient, as this has dragged on for more than two years, but His timing is perfect, and when it finally came together, it happened faster than any of us expected. I feel pity for my sister, and I can only pray that maybe this is what is needed to wake her up.
For now, though - I am praising God for his blessings!
WOOT! God is so good! It's been hard to be patient, as this has dragged on for more than two years, but His timing is perfect, and when it finally came together, it happened faster than any of us expected. I feel pity for my sister, and I can only pray that maybe this is what is needed to wake her up.
For now, though - I am praising God for his blessings!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Orienting
It has started... we went last night for orientation and to meet B's new teacher. Once again, we have a "newbie" - this is her first year teaching at JES. (Last year was his teacher's first year in a kindergarten class). Grannie & Peepop went with us, since they will be keeping Braeden about half the first semester while Jeff & I are in class.
Just like last year, it was a complete zoo. I am often surprised at how rude people can be - during the assembly, the adult would not shut up. No wonder kids are so misbehaved!
Anyway, his teacher is Mrs. (Ms? Miss?) Wilson. Braeden thanked God for her in his prayers last night, and I think he is already smitten! She seems very nice. His classroom is enormous - more than twice the size of his room last year. Only one girl from his kindergarten class is in his room this year, but I don't think it will be the end of the world for Braeden. The kid has never met a stranger. :) He found his seat and immediately took his place, and when it was time to go, he asked if he could stay all night!
I loved school just as much when I was that age. He is definitely a child after my own heart!
Just like last year, it was a complete zoo. I am often surprised at how rude people can be - during the assembly, the adult would not shut up. No wonder kids are so misbehaved!
Anyway, his teacher is Mrs. (Ms? Miss?) Wilson. Braeden thanked God for her in his prayers last night, and I think he is already smitten! She seems very nice. His classroom is enormous - more than twice the size of his room last year. Only one girl from his kindergarten class is in his room this year, but I don't think it will be the end of the world for Braeden. The kid has never met a stranger. :) He found his seat and immediately took his place, and when it was time to go, he asked if he could stay all night!
I loved school just as much when I was that age. He is definitely a child after my own heart!
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Mantra of My Life
It seems to me that I am always exhausted. Always tired, never getting in bed early enough, and not sleeping once I finally do lay down.
Today is worse.
I don't have milk for my coffee (cannot drink it black), can't stomach Mt Dew this early in the morning, and I'm fried. The weekend has taken its toll. Death - church - visitation - bachelorette party - funeral - wedding - devo at my house.... From one emotion to the other, from one event to the next... I'm just on the verge of insanity. Can't think straight to save my life. I have forgotten so many silly things - like leaving the keys in the front door!
And it's not me at the center of everything - I'm just on the fringe!
Yesterday I let my girls in Sunday school just talk through some of their grief. They hadn't really had a chance to do that, especially not with each other, and I knew they would need it. Then it was off to the races. We had to get the house ready for the teen devo after evening services, which meant cleaning (inside and out), shopping, and raiding the church pantry for stuff we needed.
Tonight we go to the elementary school to fight the mob and meet Bebo's teacher. Grannie & Peepop are both going with us, so it is going to be quite the family affair. :)
Oh, and in the midst of all this, my car broke down Wednesday and is still sitting in the Taco Bell parking lot. I am completely stranded, and I promise that we do not have money to fix it until the end of the month.
I don't know whether to laugh or to cry.
Today is worse.
I don't have milk for my coffee (cannot drink it black), can't stomach Mt Dew this early in the morning, and I'm fried. The weekend has taken its toll. Death - church - visitation - bachelorette party - funeral - wedding - devo at my house.... From one emotion to the other, from one event to the next... I'm just on the verge of insanity. Can't think straight to save my life. I have forgotten so many silly things - like leaving the keys in the front door!
And it's not me at the center of everything - I'm just on the fringe!
Yesterday I let my girls in Sunday school just talk through some of their grief. They hadn't really had a chance to do that, especially not with each other, and I knew they would need it. Then it was off to the races. We had to get the house ready for the teen devo after evening services, which meant cleaning (inside and out), shopping, and raiding the church pantry for stuff we needed.
Tonight we go to the elementary school to fight the mob and meet Bebo's teacher. Grannie & Peepop are both going with us, so it is going to be quite the family affair. :)
Oh, and in the midst of all this, my car broke down Wednesday and is still sitting in the Taco Bell parking lot. I am completely stranded, and I promise that we do not have money to fix it until the end of the month.
I don't know whether to laugh or to cry.
Friday, July 31, 2009
The Fuss Keeper
Between the funeral, a wedding tomorrow, and a broken-down car, it’s an understatement to say that emotions are running pretty high. We were headed home after the graveside service and a futile attempt to get the car to start, and Jeff & I started arguing about what we were going to do to get the car fixed. (It was nowhere near the high intensity that our fights can get, but we were both definitely tense.) Braeden looked from one of us to the other, then suddenly threw his arms out to the sides to grab our attention.
“Mommy, Daddy. You just better quit arguing right now! That’s not good.” Of course, it put the damper on our anger right away, and we apologized to him and to each other. Then he said, “I’m good at stopping arguments. I’m the Fuss Keeper. I make you quit fussing.” We laughed a little, and agreed, then he said “I don’t like it when you fuss. I just want you to listen to God."
That brought me to tears all over again!
“Mommy, Daddy. You just better quit arguing right now! That’s not good.” Of course, it put the damper on our anger right away, and we apologized to him and to each other. Then he said, “I’m good at stopping arguments. I’m the Fuss Keeper. I make you quit fussing.” We laughed a little, and agreed, then he said “I don’t like it when you fuss. I just want you to listen to God."
That brought me to tears all over again!
Saying Good-Bye
Today we buried Hannah Newton - one of the spunkiest, sweetest kids I've ever known. Dear one, I hope you are enjoying heaven, and I hope you also know that the rest of us can't wait to meet you there.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A Wedding & a Funeral
What a strange week this is turning out to be. Tonight I go first to the visitation at the funeral home, and then to a bachelorette party for one of my other "kids." Tomorrow afternoon is the funeral, and then wedding preparations start. I offered to help, since the funeral and wedding are at church, and they will be really crunched for time to get everything decorated.
The mix of emotions could prove to be disastrous... please keep all of us - the preacher who has to shift gears so quickly, the youth group who just lost one of their leaders, and all the rest of us who love both these girls and will be torn between being heartbroken for one and joyful for the other.
The mix of emotions could prove to be disastrous... please keep all of us - the preacher who has to shift gears so quickly, the youth group who just lost one of their leaders, and all the rest of us who love both these girls and will be torn between being heartbroken for one and joyful for the other.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Please Pray
One of "our kids," a girl in the youth group at church, was killed last night in a car accident. She had just graduated high school and was about to go to college.
Please keep the Newton family in your prayers.
Please keep the Newton family in your prayers.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Conversation about the Future
(The following discussion occurred this evening, and I was typing as fast as I possibly could, which is pretty dang fast, so I got most of it word-for-word.)
"Mommy, when I'm an adult, I'm going to have a daughter."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. I'm going to have lots of kids. A daughter and a son. Guess what?"
"What?"
"They're going to live with you!"
(smothering a laugh) "Is that so? Where will you live?"
"Oh, I'll live with you, too. I'm gonna be kind to them. You and Daddy are going to be kind to them, too."
Jeff pipes in with "Tell Mommy what their names will be."
"Atomica. That's a boy's name. And Sassafras - that's the girl's name. When we live here, we're going to have a big family, and you will have three babies then! You can name their last names. You have to choose before they come. They will be upset if you don't."
"Why don't we make their last name McCain?"
"Oh, yeah. Good idea."
"What job are you going to have?"
"What job? Oh, I'm going to work Dad's job, too, okay? He makes pizza, so I'm going to do his job, too." (nodding vehemently)
"That's not his only job. He makes sick people feel better, too."
"Oh, yeah. I'll have to go to school, too, when I'm a grown-up so I can learn that."
"What kinds of things will you teach your kids?"
(pausing to think about it) "How to learn to color and write. I'm going to teach them to draw pictures, and uh, I'm going to teach them to be good friends - yeah, that, too!"
"Will you take them to church?"
"Yeah, I will."
"What if they misbehave?"
"If they misbehave, I'll put them in their beds and tell them to think about it and do what your father says. I'm going to be their father, and I'm going to be good. They won't get what they want always. Not everybody always gets what they want. I'll say no, but if I get more money, then they can get a toy - but it can't be expensive. It can be a little toy, though, okay?"
"Will you have a wife?"
"I will."
"Who will it be?"
"It will be... I suppose... the kid's mom."
(smothering a laugh... again) "That's true. Who do you think their mom will be?"
"The same name yours is, okay?"
"So you're going to marry somebody with my name?"
"Yeah. I will. And don't forget, you have to bring me those flowers before the wedding. They're for the wife, okay? Then I'm going to get the flowers for the wife, and you can help me. You know what? I think I want to have a different name, okay? Like, uh, Daddy? That would be better. When I'm a grown-up, that will be my new name. I'll still have my old name, too."
"What will be the best part about being grown-up?"
"Um, being a daddy. Yeah, that will be the best!"
(Jeff came back in the room about this time.)
"I'm going to be just like you, Daddy."
(Jeff melts.... completely)
"Dad, you can help me take control of the kids, you know? Yeah, you could. If they don't like the food that they eat, we're going to give them anyway, cause it's good food. That way they will grow legs and arms (giving thumbs up sign), and so they have to have healthy food. They have to eat their food right instead of slobbering all over the place - that way they'll have legs. You can help me control them."
*sigh* I love my little boy!
"Mommy, when I'm an adult, I'm going to have a daughter."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. I'm going to have lots of kids. A daughter and a son. Guess what?"
"What?"
"They're going to live with you!"
(smothering a laugh) "Is that so? Where will you live?"
"Oh, I'll live with you, too. I'm gonna be kind to them. You and Daddy are going to be kind to them, too."
Jeff pipes in with "Tell Mommy what their names will be."
"Atomica. That's a boy's name. And Sassafras - that's the girl's name. When we live here, we're going to have a big family, and you will have three babies then! You can name their last names. You have to choose before they come. They will be upset if you don't."
"Why don't we make their last name McCain?"
"Oh, yeah. Good idea."
"What job are you going to have?"
"What job? Oh, I'm going to work Dad's job, too, okay? He makes pizza, so I'm going to do his job, too." (nodding vehemently)
"That's not his only job. He makes sick people feel better, too."
"Oh, yeah. I'll have to go to school, too, when I'm a grown-up so I can learn that."
"What kinds of things will you teach your kids?"
(pausing to think about it) "How to learn to color and write. I'm going to teach them to draw pictures, and uh, I'm going to teach them to be good friends - yeah, that, too!"
"Will you take them to church?"
"Yeah, I will."
"What if they misbehave?"
"If they misbehave, I'll put them in their beds and tell them to think about it and do what your father says. I'm going to be their father, and I'm going to be good. They won't get what they want always. Not everybody always gets what they want. I'll say no, but if I get more money, then they can get a toy - but it can't be expensive. It can be a little toy, though, okay?"
"Will you have a wife?"
"I will."
"Who will it be?"
"It will be... I suppose... the kid's mom."
(smothering a laugh... again) "That's true. Who do you think their mom will be?"
"The same name yours is, okay?"
"So you're going to marry somebody with my name?"
"Yeah. I will. And don't forget, you have to bring me those flowers before the wedding. They're for the wife, okay? Then I'm going to get the flowers for the wife, and you can help me. You know what? I think I want to have a different name, okay? Like, uh, Daddy? That would be better. When I'm a grown-up, that will be my new name. I'll still have my old name, too."
"What will be the best part about being grown-up?"
"Um, being a daddy. Yeah, that will be the best!"
(Jeff came back in the room about this time.)
"I'm going to be just like you, Daddy."
(Jeff melts.... completely)
"Dad, you can help me take control of the kids, you know? Yeah, you could. If they don't like the food that they eat, we're going to give them anyway, cause it's good food. That way they will grow legs and arms (giving thumbs up sign), and so they have to have healthy food. They have to eat their food right instead of slobbering all over the place - that way they'll have legs. You can help me control them."
*sigh* I love my little boy!
The Problem with Marion County Schools
I just read an article in the local paper that said two of our county schools (a middle & a high school) have just been removed from the High Priority list for No Child Left Behind. One of the other high schools is still on the list - incidentally, it is the school Bebo would attend if we are still here.
Now I understand that you have to take NCLB with a grain of salt, but it is still a measure of how well the schools are doing - and it only serves to confirm my very strong feelings that I will not, under any circumstances, put Bebo in the public school system here past elementary. He deserves better than that. If it means I have to home school him, so be it. If it means we spend every penny we have putting him in private schools, so be it.
I'm pleased with the elementary school to this point, and since Jeff & I are in school ourselves, it makes sense to leave him where he is. But after the fourth grade, he is going to school somewhere else.
End of discussion.
Now I understand that you have to take NCLB with a grain of salt, but it is still a measure of how well the schools are doing - and it only serves to confirm my very strong feelings that I will not, under any circumstances, put Bebo in the public school system here past elementary. He deserves better than that. If it means I have to home school him, so be it. If it means we spend every penny we have putting him in private schools, so be it.
I'm pleased with the elementary school to this point, and since Jeff & I are in school ourselves, it makes sense to leave him where he is. But after the fourth grade, he is going to school somewhere else.
End of discussion.
Monday, July 27, 2009
I'm Moving
Well, at least Braeden thinks we should. Today he told us, "I want to move to a bigger town. This one is too small. Let's move somewhere big . . . like New Mexico."
Friday, July 24, 2009
More Cards
This first one probably is better suited for a wedding, but it was easy enough to crank out a mass amount, so I'm not going to worry about it. I used a Cuttlebug folder, Offray ribbon, and a Stampin' Up sentiment.
I LOVE this one - one 12x12 piece of American Craft paper and half a sheet of cardstock got me a dozen cards. I also used Stampin' Up punches and stamps.
Thanks for checking them out!
I LOVE this one - one 12x12 piece of American Craft paper and half a sheet of cardstock got me a dozen cards. I also used Stampin' Up punches and stamps.
Thanks for checking them out!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Lingerie Shower Card
Tee-hee. This was more fun than it ought to be! I lifted the idea from a card I saw on 2peas. I have to say that I almost quit before I finished it - the card just looked goofy until I added the trim. (And I can't tell you how tempted I was to add nipples! LOL)
Now if I can just find lingerie that cute for the shower!
Now if I can just find lingerie that cute for the shower!
Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey Two Scoops; Trim - Modern Romance & Offray; Gold vellum & kraft cardstock; Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder
If you would like the pattern, I'll be happy to email it to you.
If you would like the pattern, I'll be happy to email it to you.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Cards
It meant I had to clean up my scraproom (gasp!) but I finally started working on my last big batch of cards for church. With school coming up, I'm going to need the extra time, and besides that - I'm just ready for a break. I've been making the cards for five years or so, I guess, and it's time to let it go. I've run out of adhesive and will have to make a Wal-Mart run before I can finish assembling, (and let me tell you - making a dozen or so cards at once and putting them together assembly-line style is the way to go!) but here are the "prototype" cards, anyway. Keep in mind that the church cards can't be dimensional because people write all over the insides, so I can never get as creative with them as I'd like.
Actually, this is a birthday card I made for Dad - not a church card at all. (American Crafts, Stampin' Up, Cuttlebug, Offray)
A simple anniversary card. (Stampin' Up, Offray)
Sympathy card (Cuttlebug, Rubber Stampede)
Birthday Card (Stampin' Up)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Just a Little Post
Yippiee!!! I'm going to see Harry Potter this weekend. Money has been tight since the hospital cut back everyone's hours, so I figured I'd have to wait until it came out on DVD to see it. But then Domino's called and asked Jeff to pick up a few weekend shifts, so I'm going to get to go after all! Even better is that I get to hang out with my HP buddy. :)
Tonight is the gospel meeting again ... sigh. We didn't go last night. I can't honestly say I've been crazy about the speaker so far. He seems to prefer soapboxes, and I just don't get into that. I guess I'll drag Braeden tonight since Jeff is working.
This crazy comfortable July weather has me itching to be outside. Last night we went to the park, which I was surprised to find we had all to ourselves. I took the camera just for fun, and scrapped the pics. Jeff says I should've called the page "Midsummer Day's Dream," but I informed him that we were there at sundown, so Midsummer Night sufficed quite nicely. :)
Tonight is the gospel meeting again ... sigh. We didn't go last night. I can't honestly say I've been crazy about the speaker so far. He seems to prefer soapboxes, and I just don't get into that. I guess I'll drag Braeden tonight since Jeff is working.
This crazy comfortable July weather has me itching to be outside. Last night we went to the park, which I was surprised to find we had all to ourselves. I took the camera just for fun, and scrapped the pics. Jeff says I should've called the page "Midsummer Day's Dream," but I informed him that we were there at sundown, so Midsummer Night sufficed quite nicely. :)
Monday, July 20, 2009
Another Page!
I am doing my best to catch up on a little scrapping... I still have to wrap up B's album in the next couple of weeks (ACK! We meet his teacher August 3 and first day of class is August 10 - gotta get moving on that kindergarten book!) But I also wanted to jump into a few challenges that I've missed the last several months, so this page is for a challenge at 2peas to adapt a template or quickpage to suit your needs.
Guess I should take more pictures... I'm running out of stuff to scrap!
Guess I should take more pictures... I'm running out of stuff to scrap!
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