Pages

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Whirlwind Tour

Yes, that's it.... it's true, I've been away on a Whirlwind Tour.  No, no, NOT with some awesome, hunky, lead singer & his band.  If you do want to imagine that, please feel free to imagine me with Adam Levine & Maroon 5.  *sigh, drool, drool.....*  Anyhoot, I've been on a Whirlwind Tour of the Math Learning Center!  YES!!  I am there full time now.  Thank.You.God!!  Not that Structured Studies was absolutely horrid, but it wasn't really what I wanted to do.  I'm back in Math, which I love.

The 'whirlwind' part is that I'm doing all THREE grade levels now!  I have been dealing with 6th graders exclusively for the past 2 years.  Before that I had 1 year with 6th and 8th graders.  And before that was 6th and 7th graders.  Trying to get into the swing of 7th and 8th grade has been a little crazy.  Add to that, that I have 5 classes (we have an A/C and B/D day schedule) that I'm alone in.  I've ALWAYS co-taught with another teacher.  A little different without 'backup'.

For all of the kids who come to the Math Learning Center, it's their second Math class of the day.  And most kids just looooove having another Math class (insert heavy sarcasm here).  For the past week, they've been moaning & groaning and I was getting sick of it.  So, for the past 2 days this is what I've been telling all of the classes:

After doing the Bellwork question:  "24 Game"  - You may use any of the following operations +, -, x, or ÷ to make 9, 10, 17, 22 equal the total of 24.  You may use the operations as many times as you like.  You may only use the numbers 1 time each AND you must use ALL of the numbers to reach 24.

So, between the other teacher and I, and the students, we came up with 8 different solutions.  For example:  22 - 17 = 5, 5 + 9 = 14, 14 + 10 = 24  OR 22 + 9 = 31, 31 - 17 = 14, 14 + 10 = 24 and so on.

Anyway, they told me what they got and I added to those until we had 4 or 5 examples on the board.  I then asked them if they all added up to 24?  Yes.  Did everyone get to 24 the same way?  No.  Good, because NONE of you think the same way.  You are all different people.  You all see things differently.  Math can be looked at the same way!  It doesn't have to be done the same way to get the same answer.  Sometimes you can do it a different way to get the same answer.  It's what works best for you!

Every year, you (students) are asked to come to school with a toolbox.  In that toolbox you have, what?  Pencils, paper, markers, erasers, etc.  This class (Math Learning Center) is NOT to give you another Math class because you all love math (insert groans & 'No way', 'I hate math' here), it's to give you 'tools' for this (I point to my head) toolbox up here.  This class is to give you different tools so that you can succeed in your other Math class.  This IS the class where you stop us and say 'I don't get it!', 'You're going too fast!'.

I've got a couple of more classes to say that to, but hopefully KNOWING that this class is to help them learn how they/their brains need to learn will help have a better year.  At least it should cut down on the whining.  I hate whining.

Ok.  That's it in a nutshell, my Whirlwind Tour!  What band would YOU like to have a Whirlwind Tour with?

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Sweet News!

This morning I had the sweetest news.  I got a call from our Middle School Principal telling me that he and the head of Human Resources had finally made a decision about the Math Learning Center position.  Guess who got the job.  Yup!  THIS GIRL!!  *sigh*  I do have to remain in the Structured Studies position for a week or two until they find someone else to replace me.  I know that I would have been ok if I didn't get the position.  There would have been some reason God kept me in Structured but, I am sooooo glad that I'm not.  I know that it would come down to a daily struggle to maintain a positive attitude and know that I was doing some good.  I hope that the two weeks +/- that I am there will help those students who are continuing from last year to have a good start.

The other sweet news is that my Fitbit came.  I'm so excited about counting my steps.  Does that sound weird?  I'm hoping that I do more in school than I do here at home.  I am on my feet 95% of the day at school & here.... let's just say I'm not.  I've been 5,817 steps today and the day still isn't done.  I know I won't have 10,000 in.  Last night was the first night it logged my sleep & I'm at 96% efficiency.  Ha, good to know I'm a slug.  It also tracks my activity levels, which have been... well, pretty level today.  I'm excited to see what this little baby can do.  King T has had his on too & it's weird how he's done tons more steps than me, even though we've been to pretty much the same places. 

Well, off to start a little fire in the fire pit.  Enjoy the stars & the last of the peepers.  Happy Labor Day!

Are you doing anything special for Labor Day?

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Keep On Movin'

Well the summer is really winding down.  Our first Superintendent's Conference Day is Thursday.  Hopefully I will find out what my assignment will be.  If not, I will know on September 4th.  The.Day.Before.School.Starts!!  I know, I know, I know!!!  I'd like to be a little bit settled before I greet students on the 5th.  *sigh*  I know I have a job, in the Middle School, where I wanted to be.  Doing what?  Who knows.  So I just can't sweat it.  I will know almost all of the 7th & 8th Graders.  Hopefully, I'll get to meet some of the incoming 6th Graders too.

I've been working on the Jam Room a little bit today.  It's really starting to get out of control & bother me quite a bit.  I've tossed lots of plastic ware in a box.  I think I might ask Bigfoot & Bigfootess if they'd like to look through it & take what they want.  They're looking into buying a house.  Not sure how well that will go.  I don't think they're as prepared as they'd like to be money-wise.  That will come as they learn more about the buying a home.  They're going to get another snake. (insert shivers & ooglieness).  They have a ball python now.  I told them that I'd let them have my first grandchild instead of a snake.  They didn't go for that.  My mother & I are terrified of snakes.  We won't be visiting unannounced and even then we won't step into the house until they confirm that everything oogly is put away under lock & key.  AND it's well hidden from our eyes.  Anyhoot, I'm hoping to make some progress on that room before Thursday.

After riding my bike yesterday for the first time in a couple of years I was able to break through this s-l-o-w weight loss wall that I've maintained for about 2 weeks.  It was only a half pound, but now I'm just 3 pounds away from the weight I was 7 years ago.  It's only 19 lbs. since January but, it is going away. 

I've been looking for a pedometer for the past 6 months.  I've turned away quite a few since I've looked.  I've read reviews & looked at prices.  I decided I wanted a pocket pedometer.  One that I could put in my pocket & not have to clip someplace.  Then, I read the reviews about not getting correct step counts, resetting on their own, blah, blah, blah.  Well, the other day King T & the Lego King and I went to a local mall to 'get out & do something' (someone was getting bored of staying home & recovering from surgery... but I won't mention any names).  At Olympia Sports they had a pedometer that you wore like a watch by a company called Mio.  I bought it... tried it... hated it.... took it back.  It only started counting steps after 10 steps.  Then, if you quit moving for a few minutes, the step counter turned off & you had to push the start button to have it go again.  Definitely NOT something I'm going to remember to do every time I move.  So, I did some more research & found a thing called a Fitbit.  Ever heard of it?  I was impressed.  It will count all of my steps & my stair climbing & upload all by its little self to the computer when I get home!  It will track how much sleep I get if I wear it to bed.  And I can even wear it when I'm dressed up & all snazzy & stuff because it can hook to my bra!!  I bit the bullet & paid the big bucks (average price is about $100).  I can't wait until it gets here.

The advantage of King Turd having gastric bypass is that he has to be more active.  That in turn makes me more active and the trickle down affect is that it makes the kids more active.  Leading them to have a healthier future.  I continue to weed out prepackaged foods & look for high protein, low fat, low carb meals instead.  That's one of the big changes for King T.  He MUST get in a certain amount of protein every day, so I've been trying to look at labels more & think a little more about how & what I cook.  A simple change that we will make is switching from regular yogurt (plain has 16 g of protein) to Greek yogurt (plain has 22 g of protein).  I have to figure out how to use our rice cooker to steam veggie as we're going to try & do that more too.  Small changes... a little at a time.

Hopefully, I will keep on movin' and get all that I want accomplished done... eventually.  What are you doing this last week of summer vacation?

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!


Friday, August 17, 2012

Hey, Ya'll Watch This!

You know that Redneck saying that starts out 'Hey, ya'll watch this!', then everything proceeds to go awry?  I think that's how my summer has ended up.  I thought I would be posting once or twice a week, and here I haven't posted but, once a month.  I've left you hanging on a few things, the search for Adam, my husband's surgery, my progress on organizing.  This week has seemed the craziest yet!  For the most part, the craziness has ended on a good note or just ended.  I'll try to fill you in, in the order that they happened.

Adam:  The search for Adam still continues.  I really feel at this point in time that he is dead.  There has been no contact from him at all & he's missed important events that we all know he wouldn't miss.  There has been no activity on any of his accounts, he hasn't been to his job, called anyone or seen by anyone.  There have been two separate occasions where people have gone to two psychics from the area & both have said that he's within 3 miles of his house.  I personally had a dream that he was hugging his grandfather who died years ago.  Currently family & friends are meeting nights & searching the area woods, step by step.  I can't help with that because I know that I wouldn't be able to get that sight out of my head. EVER.  So I do what I can & continue to pray.

King Turd of Poop Mountain:   The King's gastric bypass surgery went really well.  Originally it was scheduled for August 1st, but they called and moved it up to July 30th.  He was the first surgery of the day, so we had to be up there bright & early.  Did you realize that there are two 3:30's in a day?  Ugh, neither did I.  I hope I don't have to see that again anytime soon.  The doctors, nurses and staff were absolutely wonderful and very attentive.  I was able to bring him home on Thursday.  I was worried that he'd try & do too much (as per his personality) but, he's been a very good boy & has not.  He's been eating what he's supposed to (liquids only until this week) very thin 'gruel'.  Proteins in first & then sip, sip, sip liquids to stay hydrated all day.  We're still adjusting & it will take time.  Currently I'm trying to use up all of the 'bad food' and get it out of the house so that I can replace it with a healthier version.

As for getting things done around here?  Hahahahahhaaa!  What a laugh.  You can check out my high hopes here in this particular post.  Between running here & there & everywhere and being the only driver (until today - King T can now drive again) I was a little busy.

My Redneck month started when I brought The King home from the hospital.  Then our cat, Stubby, went missing and is still gone.  I am devastated.  We've searched & called & contacted neighbors.  I am so sad that we can't find him.  The whole family has had a variety of appointments.  Add to that, the Princess has a job as a dishwasher/food runner/kitchen staff at a local restaurant and her hours are generally 4 or 5 until closing.  Which runs sometime between midnight & 1:30 a.m. and I have to go get her.  Then add those appointments almost every day in August - you know, so that you're ready for school.

This week put a real twist on crazy, the thing is, is that so much happened that I've got my days mixed up.  I can't remember what happened first & that bothers me.  So sometime this week the following happened:

My best-friend asked if I would help her look at an apartment, not that that's crazy.  She's the girl who has, all her life done for others, she's a nurse, that's what she does.  Now though, she's gotten to the point where she feels she needs to make a change.  She & I both hate change, I think that's why we get along so well.  Anyhow, she's nervous about having her own place & making it on her own.  I think that she deserves to do for herself & that it would make her stronger as a person.  

A notice was sent out from school about a job opening for the Math Learning Center.  I applied.  I found out that a couple of other people did too.  When I handed in my Letter of Interest, the secretary said that they had to do 'Call Backs' first.  Crap.  We'll see.  I'll find out August 30th where I'll be & what I'll be doing for the year.

My mother needed me to go with her to Lowe's with our trailer to pick up some lattice for her back deck that she's having re-done.  Long story short.  My mother had a stroke about 10 years ago & her memory for numbers isn't as good as it used to be (which bothers her as she was an Account Clerk for the County before she retired).  So anyhoot, we get there & she didn't measure before we came.  Who goes to Lowe's for a specific item that you need to know a specific amount and you don't measure?  Then she drove me crazy when we got back saying that we needed to go back & get something else because she couldn't think how to fix the situation.  She just needed to add a couple of 2x4's in a few spots to make the lattice that she did get work.  *sigh*  So we got that worked out.

Oh, I forgot... in between all this, part of King T's healing process involves a lot of walking.  So, Bigfoot & Bigfootess had brought over a treadmill for him.  Both the King & I were using it.  We wore it out & it quit.  So, our SIL had one that she said we could have.  The craziness was I needed to get this big, dead honker out of my bedroom & get the other one home, up the steps & in there instead.  With no help.  *gulp* 

So (hopefully) the last craziness.  Another friend just moved & had stuff that needed to go to the landfill, but they didn't have a trailer.  She was totally stressed about the junk that they had to get rid of just sitting around forever.  I was totally stressed about moving the treadmills & NOT having King T help & hurt himself.  Then *bink* the light bulb went on.  She has 3 strong boys plus her husband!!  So they helped relieve my stress by moving the treadmills for me and I let them use our trailer to haul junk away. 

THEN..............

She calls me the next day.  Her 12 year old daughter was out riding her bike and got hit by a car.  She & I have known each other for almost 20 years.  We have children the same age (born within days of each other).  Her daughter is the same age as The Lego King.  I was sick.  They took her by helicopter to the hospital.  And my friend was calling for prayers & phone numbers to call a few other people on their way.  I immediately contacted fellow prayer warriors to pray.  And by the grace of God, she came away with a minor concussion, a bruised lung, bruised bones & severe road rash.  No permanent damage.  Thank God she was wearing a GOOD bike helmet.  It took a 2"x3" chunk out of her helmet.  They were able to bring her home that night.  I haven't been down to see her, but her mom sent pictures & she is in pretty rough shape. 

God's grace... that's all we're living by.... God's grace.

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!




Sunday, July 15, 2012

Zero And Still Counting

Have you ever had one of those times in your day... week... year.. life, when you've had big plans & were all gung-ho and then when it came right down to it, you lacked motivation?  *Ahem*  Yeah, well that's me right now.  There are all these things that I've wanted to accomplish this summer & I haven't had the motivation to do them.

I'm beginning to think that something is wrong with me.  I could blame it on the heat, which has been horrid.  I could blame it on being too busy, which I am, sort of.  I could say 'I'm lazy', but I know I'm not.  I could say I've had tons of appointments, I have, but not that many.  I could blame it on a myriad of other things too.  Blaming isn't getting anything done.

I just read a book called "10 Simple Solutions To Adult ADD".  I was thinking it'd give me some great pointers for dealing with King T and the Lego King.  Guess what?  I think I have ADD/ADHD!!  No, really!  I was reading through that book & I'm thinking 'wow, I do that and that and that AND THAT!!'  There are so many things that were in that book that just explained me!  It gave a bunch of tips to help people deal with stuff.  Things that I do already to remember things, get things ready for myself.  It explained why I do some of the things I do, why I think the way I think.  Very interesting.  I told King Turd that we both have ADD at least and that I think he has ADHD.  It was just strange to pick up that book & see so much of myself in it.  Weird!

I was wondering if I should ask my doctor for some ADD/ADHD meds.  Maybe that would help keep me focused.  Then again, is focus the problem or lack of motivation?  Is there a difference?  Guess I'll have to Google it.  So, anyhoot.  Tomorrow starts a brand new day, a new week - a cooler week says the weatherman.  Maybe I can get some things accomplished.

Other reasoning as to why I haven't accomplished anything is that King T will be having his gastric bypass surgery on August 1st.  Maybe I'm waiting to get things done while he's here at home.  I'm afraid if I'm not keeping myself busy, he'll be driving me nuts at the end of 4 weeks & I will be begging to go back to school - even to Structured Studies!!

How motivated and focused have you been this summer?

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!

 PS.    Please continue to pray for Adam & his family.  They haven't found him yet, nor has anyone heard from him at all.  The longer the time, the colder the trail.  Someone knows something.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Lost...

I think you all know by now that I live in a rural community.  The surrounding towns have an average of 3,000 people living in & around them.  I'm not totally in the boondocks, but pretty close.  We do have 'big cities' nearby with populations closer to 13,000 people (yeah, we're hoppin').  Anyhow, when something happens in our little communities it tends to hit everyone, as everybody knows everyone or is related to them somehow.  Even 'shirt-tail' relations count around here.  A month ago, the Thursday before Father's Day, a young man in his 30's went missing.  He hasn't been heard from since.  Foul play is suspected.  This week, the local Sheriff's Office will be conducting a dog search in the surrounding area around his home & where he hunts.

How does this affect me?  Well, his dad was the best man & his mom was a bridesmaid in my first wedding.  I can't imagine how they're feeling, if I am feeling lost myself.  I still consider them 'family' as Bigfoot & the Princess are cousins on their dad's side.  The Princess has spent many a hot summer day with their youngest daughter - they're the same age - in their pool & riding bikes & hanging out.  We still speak when we see each other & give one another hugs.  However, we don't ever really search each other out or call on the phone to chit-chat.  Sometimes, I don't think about them at all; like you do with friends who are no longer close acquaintances.

There is this big, heavy weight on my shoulders to call or stop in.  The thing is, is that it would be out of the ordinary for me to do that.  It's not something that we would have done normally throughout the years, so I feel as if I'd be like a nosy neighbor.  "Oh Hi!  I just heard you had something devastating happen in your life.  Thought I'd stop by & let you know it's affected me too"  How callus... shallow...

What I can do, and I have been doing is pray.  Praying without ceasing.  Whenever I think about this young man or his family.   I send up prayers for his mom & dad, his sisters, his children (he has 2 young children), his grandmother & aunt.  I send up prayers for the Sheriff's Department - that they'll have a clear lead.  That they'll find him.  That if there was foul play, that the person(s) will be caught.  I pray for strength for the future, in case his mom & dad have to raise his 2 children.  Pray, pray, pray.... that's all I can do when I feel lost...

Please join me in prayer for Adam & his family.  Thank you.

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Schedule? What Schedule?

One of the big things that I've been rolling around in my brain since summer break started was how am I going to get all the stuff done that I want to get done?  Isn't that just about everyone's summer vacation to-do list?  The only way I can think to get stuff done is to have a schedule of some sort.  I know I MUST do this, as King T will require a bunch of time come the first week in August (recovery after surgery).  I also know that he'll be bored stiff & will want to be entertained like a small child.  I on the other hand don't want to spend every waking moment doting on him, he'll have to get up and move in order to feel better & to heal properly.

This morning, while I was taking my shower, (all my good ideas come in the shower - it's the only place I have totally to myself) I came up with a couple of pretty good ideas.  The first one was to schedule a daily time for each task.  Similar to classes at school.  A bell rings & you change classes.  This would work well, if every day was the same at my house.  But it's not.  With the Princess working this summer at all different hours and the Lego King going to the mini-classes at school and King T being home every other day during the week, I figured that it would get interrupted to many times for it to stick.

So, on to the next brilliant idea!  I could do something similar to the above breakdown, but schedule in 1/2 hour increments instead.  Like when you have a big job & you work on it for so many minutes at a time.  That way, if I needed to run an errand with/for King T, pick up the Princess, take the Lego King to class I can take a break out of what I'm doing.  I figured if I went to each room & listed down what needed to be done, then I assigned a certain number of 1/2 hour increments to it in order to get it done then I would have some sort of 'schedule'.  This way I can also have an excuse tell someone that I'm busy & will be with them when I'm done.  I'm hoping this works anyhow.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Schooooool's Out For Summer!!!

Ahhh, good to be back!!  I've missed you all.  Ok, sorta missed you all.  The end of the year was really crazy and I appreciate that you waited patiently for me to come back.

I'll try & see if I can remember all that I need to update you about.  Hmmmm....

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

I Am Not Dead

Nope, I'm not dead.  The past month & a half have been extremely busy.  More than I can ever really remember at this time of year.

And, just yesterday I had more heaped on my plate.  I was told I no longer will be doing 6th Grade Math.  I should be very glad to know that I still have a job - so I get to 'express my interest' in working with 2nd Graders, High School Structured Studies or Middle School Structured Studies.  Oh Goodie!!!  Do I want a headache or a headache?

Saturday, April 14, 2012

One Project Down

One project down, a gazillion more to go.  Sometimes it seems that way anyhow.  The project that I've been working on is a new coat rack.  You saw the picture of the mess that was driving me nuts yesterday.  Today I'll show you the finished results.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Well, Look What The Cat Dragged In!

Would ya just look what the cat dragged in?  Yup, it's me.  I'm still here, thinkin' about you all, but not having much to say myself.  I wish I could tell you that I've been fabulously busy, but that's not really true.  Yes, things have been going on like 'normal crazy' around here, but not 'OMG Crazy!'

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Rite of Passage


Wow!  I am the mother of two 'adults' & a pre-teen!!  Can't believe they made it this far without me burying them in the back yard with my other 27 kids  selling them to the gypsies  going out of my mind.  It was a little more trying with Bigfoot, as he was the oldest & the first to push my buttons me to my limits.  As the Princess came along, I got a little bit better at knowing what was 'arms & legs' & what wasn't.  In other words, I knew a little bit better about picking my battles.  Her getting a tattoo?  For me & her step-dad?  Not 'arms & legs'.  For her 'real' dad (using terms loosely) - well, let's just say something is going to hit the fan when he finds out.  She had every opportunity to tell him beforehand & she chose not to.  So now she has to deal with the fallout instead of being upfront with him.  Choices.  Her choices.

So, the tattoo.... She'd decided that she wanted one more than a year ago & has been looking at tattoo flash ever since.  I have 4 tattoos & all but the little hummingbird are my own design.  She decided that she would design her own.  Her design is of two intertwined hearts with the Japanese word(s) for Friendship in the middle.

The Princess' rite of passage:

Touched for the first time - Ryan doing line work

Adding color was painful.  She was a trouper!
The finished product.

It looks even nicer now without the redness in it.  I know that tattoos aren't for everyone.  I didn't get one until I was 40 (it was my birthday present from King T).  I got Classic Pooh - stuck in Rabbit's hole on my ankle.  Pooh's head is on the outside & his butt is on the inside.  I have a vine with pink & purple flowers connecting  them.  It amazes me to look at some of the work that people have had done - some gross, ugly stuff (at least to me), stuff that was done poorly & stuff that is pretty amazing.  I saw a spider tattoo that looked 3-D with the shadowing - not necessarily the spider part... but the 3-D effect was incredible.  Anyhoot, she's very happy with it and that's what counts.

I've been slowly working on a project.  It should be finished soon & I'll post about it, including pics (come on, I know you're impressed.  'Cause I'm all cool & stuff 'cause I know how to upload pics now).  Until then, have a great rest of the week.

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!


Friday, March 16, 2012

A Mommy Meltdown & An Organizing Update

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, contrary to popular belief.  I want to say that I've been crazy busy, but it hasn't been all that bad.  Although, a week ago, I had been running around all day at school and then had meetings almost every day/evening and I kinda had a meltdown.  A 'Mommy Meltdown' and I ran away from home.  I grabbed my keys & stomped out the door hollering 'I'm outta here!!!'  I got a mile down the road, called my friend and said, 'I really, really, really, really need a 'time out'.  Can I come & veg on your couch for a little bit?'  She told me she had just put on a pot of coffee.  I got to her house, texted the Princess & said I was okay but I needed and was taking a 'time out'.  Her reply?  'Good to know.'  I made it back home a couple of hours later & felt much, much more relaxed and able to deal with crap stuff.


MOVING ON.....

So anyhoot, the organizing thing.  I have kept my desk cleared off (you can check that out here).  I have kept the herb & supplement bottles filled for just a week (you can check that out here).

I do have to say that what has inspired me most to keep things in order was a blurb from a sweet little blog called 'Clean, Smart, Simple Style'.  AlexisAnne said, "First of all, It's much easier to keep a clean house clean. Clutter attracts clutter, whereas clean shiny surfaces draw attention to the one stray item out of place and remind you to put it away."  I had heard the 'keeping a clean house clean' thing and the 'clutter attracts clutter' part too.  What I hadn't heard was the 'Clean shiny surfaces draw attention to the one stray item out of place' thing.  WOW!  What a statement!  I finally got it.  THAT has been what has kept those places picked up.  As soon as the one thing that didn't belong there appeared, I have been taking care of it right away.  With this thought process now stuck in my brain, I think that I will have even bigger successes!

MORE 'NEWS'....

We have been getting quotes for putting up our pool deck.  The weather has been so warm & beautiful here it's amazing.  I'm not sure if King Turd of Poop Mountain called the one guy & said come do it or not.  But that has been one thing that we've been working on.  Hoping to do some more organizing this weekend.

Sunday the Princess turns 18!  She's asked for a tattoo for her 18th birthday.  *sigh*  It's with mixed emotions that we said that we'd get it for her.  I mean, I have nothing against tattoos, I have 4 myself & King T has quite a few & his left arm is in the process of being 'sleeved'.  So this is our take on it.  She's 18.  She's old enough to get one without our permission.  We decided that we'd do this for her.  We want her to get something that she loves (we've discussed how it's gonna be there forever) and is beautiful.  We don't want her to get something that she can 'just' afford or that will be done badly or not an appropriate size, just because the tattooist only does an item 'this size = this $$ amount'.  So, we're taking her to a reputable place, a place that make sure the environment & equipment are clean & sterile.  To a guy that does amazing work & is not afraid to tell you that it won't look good at that size, color, area.  He's said that his work is his signature & he takes great pride in what he does.

That's what's been going on around here.  A little of nothing & lots of everything.  What have you been up to?

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Decorating Dilemma

Awhile back, I found a nice leather charging station for a couple of bucks at the Salvation Army.  I knew exactly where I wanted to put it & how I was going to use it.  I've been very, very careful when I go to a thrift store & I have put several things back because I could not think where exactly I would put them or how I would use them.

Leather Charging Station

I needed to get a surge protector so that all of our electronics didn't get zapped, however I had to find one that would be less than 12" long.  It wasn't on my priority list, but last week I remembered
while I was out, to look for one.  Since I had cleaned off the cabinet in the corner of the kitchen, I knew I wanted to put it there:

Shelving unit in the kitchen

See where I put it?  On the bottom shelf?  I was all excited. Well... It didn't work out.  The angle of the top of the charging station didn't allow room in the back (the area where you hide the cords) for the surge protector AND the charger plug-ins.  So now I'm in a quandary as to what to put there.  I've looked on Pinterest & I've Googled & I've looked on Amazon & Ebay, nothing jumps out at me at a price I'm willing to pay.  I thought about using the other basket that matches the one on the middle shelf, but it isn't weighted.  I'm afraid it will tip over if the iPad falls/leans to the front of it.

Do any of you have any ideas?  It can't be any bigger than 8" x 12" and it must be able to accommodate (not necessarily all at once) an iPad, iPod/iPhone & 2 cell phones.  More brains are better than one!

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Ta Daaaa!

Well, I did it.  I finished another project that has been on hold since August or September.  Not because I wanted it to be, mind you.  I just couldn't find the 'parts' that I needed.  I had been looking at different organizing blogs & pictures on Pinterest about how to organize spice cabinets.  At our house we take a lot of natural herbs & vitamins and there were tons of bottles all over the counter.  So I asked my mother if she could please look for a wall mounted spice rack (my mom is an awesome garage saler - she finds the best deals!), she ended up finding this one:

Herbs & Vitamin Rack
I loved that it got some of the stuff up off the counter.  The problem was that not ALL of it was off the counter which still left it looking cluttered & a mess.  So, I started looking for solutions.  I found some amazing spice cabinets & storage options.  I really thought about those tins that have magnets on the bottom & I really liked that idea, but I didn't want to start all over again.  I really liked the spice rack, but it needed to work better for our family.  Monday, the Princess & I went to Bed Bath & Beyond & found empty spice containers (finally) that would work for us.  (BTW, I did find those little tins at Michael's in the wedding section $24 for a set of 30)  So, with a little bit of scrapbook paper, my round punch & some rub-ons this is what I came up with:

New containers & labels for my Herbs & Vitamins.


Refillable bottles
I put what didn't fit in the bottles with our other herbs & natural remedies, I will fill them as they empty.  Now, I do have to say this is NOT for everyone, especially those with small children (although all of our herbs & supplements DID NOT have child proof caps, anyhow).  These bottles DO NOT have child proof caps.  My children are 11 & older, and we rarely have children that are younger here, when they are, they're supervised at all times.

Labels & general dispensing info
 I thoroughly washed & dried the bottles & lids.  Then lightly roughed up the top of the lid with a scrubbie so that the double sided sticky stuff would stick.  Using my handy-dandy round punch, I punched out circles, added the big rub on letter, & then finished up with writing the rest of the words & basic dispensing info on the top.  I also used my handy-dandy label maker to put exactly what the 'official' brand name of the herb was & other info that would be needed to replace or for overdose information and put that on the side of the bottle.

So there you have it!  More of my Big Plans completed!

Have you had any 'Ta Daaa' moments this week?

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I Need An EMT!

Quick!!!  Send me an EMT, I think I broke my arm..... from patting myself on the back so much!  I know, I know, that was bad wasn't it?  You're welcome.  And yes, you can use it any time.  Again, you're welcome.

I have been a busy girl this week.  I'm so proud of myself.  Remember my 'Big Plans'?  I've accomplished some of them!  Oh yes I have!  One of the main things that's been bugging me for quite awhile was my desk.  It sits right in my kitchen.  I use it every day and it's an eyesore.  Here judge for yourself:


The 'eyesore' of the kitchen.  My desk!


 I added those baskets at the top & in the cubbies not quite a year ago, thinking that they would help keep crap stuff corralled.  It did/does work for the stuff that's in there (except for the one to the left of the printer that one was a mess).  The top of the desk is just a big dumping ground for everything that comes off the table at dinner time.  To the right are the bamboo desk accessories that my mom found at a garage sale (back in May of last year) for $5 - brand new!! 

So anyhoot, I started out on Saturday morning clearing the whole thing off, dusting it down, etc.  Midway through, I knew I wanted to get a light that would mount under the lip (just above the Skype camera) so the Princess & I made a trip to Wally-World.  Found this great cheap little light, $10 bucks.  Came home plugged it in, GAW!!!  I was blinded!  It was just at the height that it shone right in your eyeballs!  I need to find something that will mount & then shine straight down onto the desk.  Keeping my blinded eyeballs peeled.

After much sorting (yes, I even sorted ALL of the paperwork), I was able to add to the donate box, and fill a garbage bag about 3/4 full of paper/trash.  Ready for the reveal?  Here's what it looks like now:

The 'Wow there's really a desk under there!' desk!
I ended up not really finishing until about 11 that night.  I didn't rush myself or give myself a timeline.  I just knew I wanted to accomplish the feat & I wanted to do it right.  Most of the stuff that was on there I was able to relocate to where it actually needed to go.  Some stuff needed to be handled in a two step process.  Like, I had a pile of random email addresses that had to be entered onto the computer & put in my ipod.  I also had bits of paper with short lists on them.  Things like, movies I'd like to rent or books I'd like to read.  Things that my brother, mom or someone mentioned that they wished they had such & such - so I keep my eye out for it or use that as a Christmas or Birthday gift idea - things like that, that I wanted to put in 'Notes' on my ipod.  So, it's been clean for a few days now.  Pens, pencils, rulers, etc are to the left of the computer screen, to the right in the back of the little bamboo holder are bills & paperwork that is still 'in process', in the front is a spot that holds note paper.  The red thing with the pink was a birthday present from my kids.  It's a Hallmark Blooming Expressions says 'I love you' in it.  To the far right is an antique tea tin that holds odd business cards, extra key tags to various stores etc.  The baskets hold:  1-pay stubs, 2-paid bills & recent warranty booklets, 3-bills to pay, 4-tape, white out, envelopes & 5-calculators & check books.  I also straightened up the small drawer (that you can't see).

There has also been two other projects that I've been working on that I will reveal once I've completed them.  Four more days of vacation!!  I wonder what else I can get accomplished?

So how have your 'Big Plans' been going?

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Big Plans

February Break!!  I can't wait.  I have Big Plans!  Ok.... so maybe they're not like, you know, BIG PLANS.  But there are a bunch of things I want to do and get accomplished.  So I think that the best plan of attack for getting my big-list-o'-stuff in my brain is to write it all down.  Then I can maybe pick & choose. 

I'd really like to work on the Jam Room.  The downstairs hallway is pretty bad.  Then I can't forget my craft room.  Then there is my desk.  And I really shouldn't forget my bedroom. 

Hmmmm, that's kind of a lot isn't it?  Considering that I've been invited for a day of cheesecake & wine at a friend's house.  I also told the Lego King that he could have a friend over.  And I'm sure that the Princess will want to have a friend or two over too.  And a friend asked me to babysit her dogs & guinea pig - at her house (so I have to let them out in the morning, afternoon & night).

Dang... maybe I must rethink my Big Plans...

Guess I'd better 'organize' my thoughts & plans before I 'organize' my crap stuff.... much purging should be done too.

What are your Big Plans for February Break?

Bye!  Love you!  Have a good day, Dear!
 
Blog Design by A Mommy's Blog Design © 2013