Thursday, August 31, 2006


E-ma Hope and baby Allan. He was being squirmy. Posted by Picasa

E-ma Hope and Lainey Posted by Picasa

Scott has re-nicknamed Allan as "Mr.Happy" because of his disposition. Scott and Hope are gonna be in Garland until at least Saturday. Posted by Picasa

Scott and Lainey Posted by Picasa

Allan was fearless on the swing and liked it when Margo's dog, Gus, joined him swinging Posted by Picasa

She's signing "I love you" Posted by Picasa

E-pa Scott and the kids playing in the backyard at Margo's house last night. Posted by Picasa

Bongo kids at Margo's house Posted by Picasa

Monday, August 28, 2006


The happy couple: Married 4 years. Posted by Picasa

Jim's new job, 1st day of UNT & more short updates

Sunday was my turn in the church nursery, Jimmy helped in K4C for the 3rd week in a row and Micah was working with the Youth (since he's 18, he's a leader over the youth now). So after we all worked all the way through church time, we rewarded ourselves by meeting with some other church people for lunch at a hole-in-the-wall. We had a missed call on our cellphone during church, so we called back Jimmy's parents. They were in town from Florida! Surprise!! After lunch we headed strait home, but Dave and Hope beat us their. (I was so glad that I vacuumed the night before. LOL). We all went to Garland to have dinner with Scott.
Pawpaw isn't looking good. He's lost a lot of weight just since last week...at least it looks like it in his face. He was under a blanket, so I didn't see much of his body this weekend. He's sleeping a lot. The nurses have him on morphine. Nurses from Hospice check on him 3 days a week. Some of us want Margo to have fulltime help with her for Pawpaw. The paperwork is in motion for that to happen. Just waiting now. Pawpaw's kids have all been taking turns staying overnight with him. Margo hadn't had a good night of sleep in a while, she said. Scott slept in the room with Pawpaw, so Margo could sleep in her own bed. Anyhow, continue praying for Pawpaw to have less pain and have peace.
I was an early bird today; up at 8am online re-arranging my schedule. (I couldn't swap classes all weekend because the website wanted people to wait for Monday). I'm happy with my schedule now. I didn't have class until 6pm, so we spent part of the afternoon with Hope at Walmart. She bought baby Allan a potty chair, some underwear, a fireman outfit and a Backyardigan puppet ("Paublo"). When we got home I was talking about the toy and Allan repeated, "paubo, paubo, paubo". He's growing up so fast. Hope got Elaine a booster seat for the car, since she weighs enough not to need a big ol' carseat anymore. Elaine weighs 46 pounds and she needed to weigh 40 pounds to use this type of seat. Elaine also recieved a Chef Dora doll. Both kids got new sippy cups too. Elaine really likes the chef Dora and kept talking about Dora cooking all the way home from the store.
On the way home in the car, the Denton Elk's lodge called Jimmy and asked if he could start working for them this Wednesday. He'll be making chicken fried steaks and potatoes.
We were home about a half hour before I had to leave for my Sociology class. I made a pot of coffee, since I hadn't made any yet all day. The class was really interesting. The topic is Marriage and Family as a social institution. For instance the different dynamics of family and special topics like same-sex couples, adoption, divorce, family violence, yadda yadda. The professor has lived in Washington working for some congressman on legislation. Did yall know that some congressmen are trying to legislate to stabalize the American family?? I haven't heard which congressmen, yet. But what they want to do is mandate how many hours a mother has to spend with her children and how many meals a family HAS to eat together. That's too wierd. The class only meets Monday nights and since next Monday is a holiday, my homework isn't due for 2 weeks. :)
Jimmy hosted a Fajita night tonight, but only Micah and Robert were able to show up. Jimmy used some of the 'Ben's legacy' beef for the Fajitas. SO SO GOOD. There are very little leftovers. Micah's housesitting for some friends, so he had to eat and run. After Jimmy fetched me from class, I ate and read my syllabus online for my online anthropology class. Looks like it's gonna be a boring attempt at brainwashing, but It'll help me graduate sooner.
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Jimmy has a second interview at a Mexican restaraunt tomorrow. Originally they told him that he wasn't what they were looking for. But for some reason, their top choice person didn't work out. So they asked Jimmy to re-interview.

So far he's working Wednesday and Friday Morning-Lunch at the Elk's lodge, and Thursday mornings delivering Thrifty Nickels and now he might be able to pick up a night job too. Praise Jesus. Things are looking up for us this week.
On the same 'yay for the world' train of thought: it's been pouring down raining for two days now. Mucho mucho neccesita!!
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Early early this morning I tried calling and re-calling Midland's admissions office to find out if they've recieved my UNT transcript yet. I couldn't get through on the phone. Everyone and their brother is calling the admissions office. The operator I spoke to was nice, but no help. I can't register for my one class with them until they process my transcript. I have until Friday to register for Spanish.
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I have class at 12:30pm and 2pm tomorrow. I get out at 3:20pm. While I am in class, our landlord and Jimmy are gonna try to fix our hot water heater. Jimmy's interview isn't until 6pm. I bet he'd like a HOT shower before the interview. :)

Saturday, August 26, 2006


Daddy was sitting in a chair, wrapped in a blanket playing x-box. Elaine hopped up in the chair next to him, grabbed up a blanket and a x-box controller. THEN Allan was trying to sit in the chair with Elaine, so we set him up with his own chair, controller and blanket. They want to be just like their daddy. Posted by Picasa

My kids at a birthday party the other weekend. Posted by Picasa

AHA! I caught him smiling! Posted by Picasa

Elaine said she "want hat be just like mommy" Posted by Picasa

Allan at bathtime Posted by Picasa

just waiting

My financial aide information has been processed at UNT. So now I know exactly how much money to expect. I'm just waiting on the school to pay my student account and then refund the leftover money to our joint account. Just a few more days.

Friday, August 25, 2006

YAY's & B000's of today

Booo: No word yet on whether I've been approved for the memorial loan to cover my textbooks until my financial aide arrives. I hope to hear from the Memorial loan people tomorrow, so I can go buy my textbooks for classes.

Yay: I'm eager for school to start. Did I tell yall that classes start at UNT this coming Monday? I'm taking 13 hours at UNT this semester. But I only have to go to campus 3 days a week. That'll be great when Jimmy finds a job.

Another Yay: Online last night I found about a dozen cooking jobs for Jimmy to apply for in our area. Some had online applications, so I filled those in on the spot.

YAY:
I went on campus and with no hassle, did the paperwork to have my official UNT transcript mailed to Midland College's Admissions department in case I got accepted.


Little Yay: I was 2nd of the 3 people in line at the registrars office. This frazzled freshman behind me in line asked if I thought ALL the freshmen classes would be full by now (3 days before school starts). I told him it's unlikely. He's bound to get into something he needs. Then the freshman asked where the English department is. I made a guess, but told him I wasn't sure. It was my turn at the counter, so I did what I came to do. Once I was done, I went around the corner and grabbed a campus map and handed it to the freshman and pointed him in the right direction. I felt good that I took a second to help him. It put a little jump in my step.

Yay: the last two days, I've gone for 30 minute walks. Today I even jogged some of the way. I had 3 small meals today, instead of 2 huge ones. I think that'll help my metabolism. I actually forgot about dinner until Jimmy had pizza; I just had one slice.

BIG YAY!: I was admitted to Midland College! I saw on the internet tonight around 11pm. So, I'm glad I already have it in the works for them to recieve my transcript and scores (the UNT Registrar said they'd be mailed within 2 days from UNT). The Midland website wont let me Register for my one class until they've seen my SAT Scores on the UNT transcripts. Midland's semester begins Monday too, but registration doesn't end until September 1st, a week into classes. Since Midland is in Texas, I bet they have my transcript by Wednesday. I'm gonna keep checking online to see when that block on my paperwork is gone, so I can register.

Booo: Midland has this policy where Tuition is due the same day as I register online. This same policy is also at UNT beginning this semester, but at UNT I qualified for a Short Term loan to cover just my tuition until my financial aide arrives.

BIG B000: I learned on Midland's website that since I'm only taking one class from them, not the minimum 6 hours, I wont qualify for financial aide. The class I plan to take from them is one that is completely full at UNT, Spanish One. I need to take Spanish now if I want to graduate within 2 years (I'm aiming for 18 months -December 2007). The tuition is going to be about $300 for the online class. I don't know how much my textbook will be, or if the reading material is gonna be online too.

In sumation, I'm praying that my UNT financial aid arrives super soon, so I can pay for my tuition at Midland and our rent in 10 days. I'm trying to treat my body better with more structured exersize and eatting healthier portions. Yay me.

p.s. YAY US!! Since it's 1:30 in the morning, it's our 4th Wedding Anniversary! We talked and aren't gonna celebrate until next month. We just can't. September 21st is the anniversary of our first date, so we'll celebrate then.



Tuesday, August 22, 2006

To Graduate

This week I’ve been spending a lot of time plotting out my schedule for this semester and doing my best to estimate the fastest and most beneficial way to graduate. I’m gonna list out what I need to graduate and how it needs to happen.

::Still required to graduate with a BA degree in Theatre Design and a Minor in Drawing::
Spanish 3
Spanish 4
Lighting Design
Senior Colloquium
Art Appreciation for Majors
Drawing Studio
16 more hours of 3000 or 4000 level classes
One math class higher than Algebra


:: Fix Incompletes::
Costume 1
World Theatre to 1700

To take Spanish 3, I’d have to either test into that level of competency OR take the two elementary-level classes that precede it. I was registered for Spanish one last fall, but I had to drop ALL my classes when my surgery was scheduled for the first day of classes. When I tried to register for Spanish this fall, the class is already full.

My plan ‘B’ is looking more and more appealing. I applied for acceptance to Midland College. It’s a junior college like Devry or NCTC. Midland offers Spanish one online and it costs significantly less than UNT for the same class. Spanish one at UNT costs $562 dollars for tuition plus more for fees. Where as Spanish at Midland would cost $299 including tuition and fees. Spanish at UNT also requires attendance 4 days a week, plus a lab; so the online class at Midland sounds so appealing. I’ll let yall know if I get accepted to Midland and how the whole Spanish situation works out.

Lighting Design and Senior Colloquium are theatre classes I need, that aren’t available this semester.

Before I decided to Minor in drawing, I took Art Appreciation for NON-majors. Now I am required to take the same class at a more difficult level. At least I already own the textbook. Drawing Studio is my final class to finish off the requirements for my Minor. I have to pass a portfolio review in the spring before I can take this final class.

42 upper-level hours are required to graduate from the theatre department. I get upper level hours every time I work on a play or take ANY class in ANY department that is at a 3000/4000 level. I only have 16 more upper level hours to go. This is where I can have fun with my schedule, taking religion-related classes and anything else like that. To get financial aide each semester I have to take at least 12 hours of classes, so needed classes like this come in handy.

I need a level of math higher than algebra. My advisor suggests that I take Statistics at NCTC, because they don’t require me to take algebra first. This plan would have me taking one math class instead of 2, which should get me graduating sooner. Again, Junior colleges are cheaper than UNT, so that’s an added benefit too.


This Fall’s schedule might change in the next two weeks, but for now…

Design 2
Design 2 lab
Renaissance History (upper level)
Marriage and Family (upper level)
Americans Culture in Society (upper level) -ONLINE
Intro to Physics Lab (retake- since I got an ‘F’ last Spring)

Hopefully adding: Spanish One ONLINE from Midland College
(Also, I'm fixing my Incompletes from Dec 2002)

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Jimmy didn't get hired by the Mexican restaraunt, but he has a phone-interview coming up with the Denton Elk’s lodge. It’s a PT job for Wednesdays and Fridays cooking; mainly chicken fried steaks and mashed potatoes. The guy who called from the Elk's lodge earlier today knows our Pastor, Chuck.

I forgot to update yall sooner

With no decision about what type of cancer it is, Pawpaw's doc gave him three options.
1) Chemotherapy, which would probably leave Pawpaw in worse shape than he is now.
2) Radiation, which would have to happen daily, so Pawpaw would spend all his time at the hospital from her on.
3) Pain management and he gets to spend his days at home with his family.
... I'm sure yall can guess what Pawpaw decided. Margo got a bed from the hospital and set Pawpaw up in their living room. There is room for her to have a bed in the livingroom too, so she is handy. Hospice has been sending nurses to take Pawpaw's bloodpressure and check all his stats. They are on call. Hospice upgraded Pawpaw to a much nicer hospital bed. We were in Garland on Saturday when the new bed was delivered; so Dave, Mike and Jimmy helped unload the moving truck. We saw Karen, John (Deer), Mike, Karolyn and Caitlyn. Baby Allan said "Pawpaw" for the first time, in front of Pawpaw. They both smiled.

Jimmy, the kids and I attened a kid from church's birthday party at 10am in Lewisville on Saturday. The kids had a blast. Originally just Dave and Jimmy were gonna go to Garland Saturday afternoon. But since our family was already in Lewisville (and my plans with church ladies fell through), it made sense not to back track to Denton to drop us off. We saw Steven, Fumie and Allan while we were in town too. By the way, Steven turned 30 this last week (He's single ladies!! :D ).
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My favorite pair of fat pants got a hole in the middle of the butt AND a lady from church just gave me a whole rubbermaid container full of clothes that are 1 size too small. -Maybe my closet is trying to tell me something?

Monday, August 14, 2006

Some pics from last week


Dave at dinner. Posted by Picasa

Baby Allan was really annoyed and fussy at Babe's until he discovered Creamed Corn. He about ate his weight in corn.  Posted by Picasa

Scott was impressed when Elaine wanted a second serving of "leaves" at Babe's Chicken Shack last week Posted by Picasa

He likes watching Jimmy or Micah X-box so much, that when he gets tired of watching TV with Mommy, Allan grabs an X-box controller and waits for someone to take his suggestion. By the way, some friends from church were getting rid of this chair/ottoman set and a matching sofa, so we have new(to us) living room furniture Posted by Picasa

So do you think we should try watering those tomatos, little man? They don't look so good. Posted by Picasa

Berta mailed Elaine a copy of SnowWhite that she bought off of Ebay. Elaine had never seen the movie before, but already had the doll and the princess-themed blanket. When she saw the movie packaging, she fetched her princessy goodies. Elaine sat at the computer and watched SnowWhite twice through the first day she got it. The next morning she wanted to watch it again.  Posted by Picasa

Allan playin in the tub. He got another bath just to get banana and food off of his face/hair. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, August 13, 2006

short update

Pawpaw is out of the hospital. They don't know what type of cancer it is still. They found that his confusion is caused by chemical embalances. His sodium and potassium are out of balance. That's all we know for now.
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Micah starts his senior year of highschool tomorrow, so he'll be around less. I don't register for classes for another week and then UNT starts the week after that. I'm praying that my student financial aide arrives in perfect timing. (There have been semesters were $$$ arrived a week into classes, so I was a week behind in reading assignments).
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I'm gonna try my hand at altering a pair of jeans. I have one pair of jeans that are too snug and one pair that falls down even with a belt. I'm gonna try to alter the larger pair to be a perfect fit. I'll do before and after photos.
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Yall remember the recent charcoal drawing I did for Marci from church? Her sister, Dawn, wants me to do a drawing for her too soon.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

We didn't hear a lot

We didn't hear a lot about Pawpaw today, but then not much new info was obtained since yesterday. The doctors still don't know what type of cancer is spreading in him. The spots they have found of cancer are small and kinda random. Without knowing what type of cancer it is, they are unsure of how to treat it. They are doing what they can to keep him from feeling pain though. All day today Pawpaw was only awake for a total of 30 minutes. He's doing this thing were he sleeps for 2-3 hours, then wakes for only 5 minutes.
Jimmy's father, Scott, is extending his visit. He had planned on leaving today, but now it sounds like he'll be here at least until Friday.

Tonight I made jumbalia and we tackled a bunch of chores as a team: got most the house vaccumed, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned up the deck, Elaine cleaned her OWN room, I did some laundry, yadda yadda.

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

PawPaw is in the hospital again

He was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance yesterday morning around 11am. When Jimmy and I reached Garland, it was apparent they had rushed out in the middle of breakfast. Pawpaw has been disoriented and has had trouble hearing, on top of the recent achiness. He had lots of blood drawn yesterday and another cat scan. The good news we heard was that they were able to get Pawpaw to eat some soup and 1/2 a hamburger at the hospital. Uncle Jim said that Pawpaw had some of his appetite back, which is a little of a relief. Today we'll hear results about what's what from all the bloodwork. I'll keep yall posted.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Fall 2006 at UNT

Last night I worked on figuring my schedule for Fall2006. I don't have a theatre assignment at all for the Fall, so it's a good semester to play catch up on things.

I'm gonna start my Spanish classes for sure. The class meets 4 or 5 days a week, depending on which day I go in for the Spanish lab. (I was supposed to start this class last Fall when I was ill).

I'm planning to re-take the Physics lab that I just Failed this spring. It'll only take 30minutes-90minutes out of each week. The grade will be replaced on my GPA once I pass the lab.

I want to take care of my incompletes from when I went into labor with Elaine during finals week. I read over the 2002 contract I signed for the Incompletes. It looks like I have to re-take the classes because it's been forever since I was issued the Incompletes. So that sucks. I'll be re-taking Costume and Theatre History up to 1700. But it does gaurentee that I have enough courses in my schedule this semester to get financial aide (need a minimum of 12 hours).

I might also take a special problems class for scenic painting. Randal talked about offering this class, but I don't know if it's official yet. I'm gonna email Randal (my scenic design professor). The class would teach a handful of students all the steps neccesary to pass an entrance exam into a Scenic Painting Union. The class would cover all the painting techniques neccesary to be certified. The class seems like a smart career move... if it's offered this Fall.

My advisor has been upgraded to the head of the theatre department, so I need to find out who my advisor is now. I don't register for two more weeks.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Hunter Cole Lambert

It's a Boy!
My big sis Pamela was blessed with her son at 5:50pm today. He is 19" tall and weighs 6 pounds & 15.5 oz.

Jim and I are gonna try to see them tomorrow. It sounded like she had a big crowd of family with her today. And we didn't want to take the kids to the hospital, adding to the crowd.