Family Fun, and Grades

We went to Family Fun Night at Rick & Regina's church on Saturday night. The kids played at the church's playground. Regina gave them balloons (tied some to each child) and they ate Nachos and cupcakes. Jimmy played dodge ball and horseshoes.

Our check engine light was on, so we went to Garland this last Sunday after church, to use Big Allan's tools. One of the messages that a code reader found was about the gas being low quality, so Jimmy put some gas booster stuff in the tank. Jimmy replaced a spark plug and changed out some fluids and the engine light went away. :) Thank God for easy/cheap fixes.

Today I had to do the mock-interview in my Senior seminar class. I think it went well. The one critique I received was that if I was truly interviewing to get a job painting murals for a church... I should leave the pictures from Cabaret and my 14foot tall nude statues out of the portfolio. Nix anything taboo or nude in general.

I got a 100% on this week's Spanish quiz. All that's left for the class is the final exam. I can complete it any time before next Tuesday. It's gonna take some preparation before I'll be ready for it. It covers the full semester worth of info.

In Statistics, I got a 86% on the Exam I took last Thursday night. I have a 85.25% exam average (which counts as 80% of my grade for the class), and the final is optional. I only have to take the final if I need to boost my overall grade, once homework grades are factored in. I'm waiting to receive back my last homework grade.

There is no Final Exam for my online computer skills class. The professor just gave us time to re-submit any homework we'd like before Thursday. I have one assignment for that class that I intend to work on tomorrow night after work.

things looking up

I put the kids to bed in their room and they keep individually sneaking into my bed. I went to bed the other night and found both of them draped across the top of the mattress.


Jim's fevers have ended. I went ahead and ordered the Prid salve for the abscess on his head. My friend Cher said that she took one of her teenage kids to the hospital for the exact same thing earlier this year. She was told to let the puss drain and then clean the area with rubbing alcohol to keep it super clean. Then she'd put a bandaid on it. And the abscess was fine after a couple rounds of cleaning and alcohol.

Elaine got her report card yesterday. She is considered 'Developed' in every category. Also, Mrs.Wallace pulled Jimmy aside and said that most of Elaine's classmates are at the 'A' level of reading. Mrs. Wallace went through all the books in the Pre-K (levels A through D) and she could not find a book that would stump Elaine. Elaine could read them all. Jimmy told Mrs.Wallace that the kid's Bible he reads to Elaine is for forth graders, so maybe that's helping.
*Her school portraits also arrived. I'll get on top of mailing them out soon.*

Jim and I went to look at portfolio cases yesterday. We looked at Michaels and Office Max. I didn't want to spend $70 on a portfolio (the binder + the clear page protectors which are sold separately). Instead of a larger portfolio, I bought a nice binder and some 8 1/2"x 11" page protectors. I just have to get the photos of my murals printed.

I missed this meeting that was at our church on Sunday, because Jimmy was sick. So on Monday night I got a call from Sheryl, the lady who is in charge over the Nursery (newborns to potty trained). Sheryl is getting married next week and moving away to Florida in July. She said that my buddy Denise is gonna be the new head of the Nursery volunteers and I have been promoted to the second-in-command. Sheryl said that she and Miss Tina prayed about it and decided that if I was the boss over the nursery, my talents might get trapped in just the nursery ministry. I wouldn't be able to help with the Youth group, like I have in the past.
Denise is gonna do great as the boss! She plans to teach full lessons weekly to the toddlers. I know I'd be a great helper with that, but I don't have the time right now to PLAN weekly lessons for the kiddos.

I have a statistics exam tomorrow night.

Uggg

Jimmy has a fever. He's had a fever or chills all day since he woke up this morning! He slept most the day. I checked on him and one time he'd be sweating with no blankets and then the next time I checked on him he was all bundled up and clammy. He's only eatten PBJ sandwiches. I hope he feels better soon.

I am frustrated because we missed church, and I couldn't run my errands today without Jim to drive me. Tomorrow is Regina's birthday (my friend/boss), and we were supposed to go pick up a pair of kitchen scissors for her today. So tomorrow I might have to show up empty-handed for her birthday at work. :( Maybe I'll get to run by a store in the morning before work. *hoping* She bought me a new dress for my birthday this month. I don't want to snub her.

In other news: I re-dyed my hair today to cover the Grey. I bought a couple boxes of hair color when they were on clearance for $2, like 2 months ago. I used the brown hair dye this time, instead of Red. I didn't get all the red covered, but it looks okay....kinda like highlights.

News this week.

The store I work at is officially moving into Golden Triangle Mall. They are getting the space that is currently the Lunar Golf (black-light indoor golf). Here's what the new location's store front looks like right now.
The space is a LOT larger. There are seperate breakrooms and storage spaces already constructed, so that's gonna be nice. Rick wants me to come up with some ideas on what the store's front entrance should look like. There are two large gates that open/close the front of the store. Whatever I paint will be hung over both gates (not like lunar golf has their current sign over one of the gates). This will be big!
It also sounds like I'll be painting dancer silhouettes inside the store for Rick. He'll of coarse pay me for the work and it'll be GREAT exposure. Think how many people walk through a mall in one day! I'm thinking this can lead to more mural work. *smile*

Rick & Regina had dinner with my family yesterday and then we all met at the mall to look at the new space. It's gonna be a lot of work to get it ready to open up. All the walls are currently BLACK. So there will be lots of priming before any fun painting takes place. I think I forgot to mention on here that I got a raise. 50 cents more per hour. It'll get me an additional $80 per month (before taxes).

My school project on Christian hypocrisy went REALLY well. I'm trying to figure out how to add my powerpoint slides to this blog. I'm looking into it.
I got applause at the end. I also got some tough questions from the crowd. I really feel like God gave me the words to say in response. Here was one of the tougher ones... (keep in mind that I was talking to theatre majors, including 1 homosexual and a transvestite).

Question: "You said it is a Christian's job to warn others. So is it alright to make signs that say 'Fags go to Hell' instead of the ones that say 'God hates Fags'?"
My Answer: "Saying something is 'alright' is tricky... I believe that it's a Christian's job to win souls for Jesus, with Jesus. And no one will want to hear about the Savior from a person who's opening statement is 'Fags go to Hell'. That's just not very welcoming and approachable. I believe the truth of the Bible, but that sign probably wouldn't be the best opening line to witness to people."

I got a 92.5 on my Spanish Quiz yesterday. I have a Statistics Exam on Thursday night.

Jim has a bump on the back of his head that was full of puss like a zit. It's round like a quarter and thick. It popped the other day, so it got a little deflated. But it's still there. Jimmy's hair has stopped growing on that spot. Regina at work thinks it's called an abscess. She knew someone who use to get them all the time. They use to put this 'PRID' salve on the guy and the salve pulled all the toxins out and dried up the abscess. I looked for the stuff at Drug emporium, but haven't found it. Regina said the stuff was in a small metal tin, like how bee's wax is sold some times. I'm gonna keep looking.


Tonight, when I got off of work, Jimmy drove Regina and her son home from the store. They showed Jimmy the campground that is on their land. Jimmy hadn't seen it until tonight. It's near a creek and it's very nice. There are swings, a fire pit, a gas grill, benches and a john. Regina said Jimmy and his friends are welcome to camp there. He's forming a plan. It's nice to know of a place that Jimmy can use all his camping gear without driving far. It's 20 mins from our house. After looking at the campsite and showing the kids the donkeys again...
Regina and I made dinner in her kitchen for everyone. Elaine was very helpful. Regina wants Elaine to sleep over at her house some time, so they can play Barbies and paint their nails. We left Rick and Regina's after dinner, but I got some cute pics while we were there.

Kids on logs at the campground this evening:


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p.s. I have to do a presentation in class, convincing them that I am qualified for a job. It's done like a mock-interview. I have to pick what type of job I am applying for, so my professor can prepare questions to ask me. His suggestion is that I pretend I am interviewing to paint a mural in like an Italian restaurant or something.

I have to put together a professional portfolio in the next few days! Since I'm "interviewing" for a mural job, I'm supposed to only include painting-related stuff in this portfolio. (No charcoal)

I found a coupon for 20% off any one item at Michaels. I think Jim and I are gonna look for a portfolio there first. I found presentation cases online, but I can't wait the time it would take for shipping.

I also have to pick out pictures from my previous painting work and get them printed out at Walmart ASAP. Their photo developing prices are the cheapest we've found.

Guess what?!?!

I drove a car today!

Regina said we needed to start my driving lessons. So Rick and Regina took me to their house after work and I practiced driving around the gravel roads that lead around their neighborhood. Then she had me driving on longer stretches. I drove super slow, so she had me put the emergency blinkers on. hahaha.
Then without much warning, she had me drive on the freeway!! It was less than a mile, but I maintained the right speed and didn't die or anything.

My 25th Birthday

My bosses had a Balloon Bouquet waiting for me at Work on Friday. Regina drew my haircut (bangs & pigtails) on the teddy bear on one of the balloons. :)
Regina surprised me with Mint Chocolate Ice cream cake with a red/white polka dot candle. Rick, Regina and one of their sales reps all sang me Happy Birthday. :)


Jimmy spent the day making me a nice dinner. He made a Salad: Spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, almonds and home made Raspberry Vinegarette Dressing.
Breadcrumb Stuffed Artichokes (which he doesn't even like, but I love).
And he made home made broccoli cheese soup. :) Yummy.

key lime dessert!

Elaine quote of the day

She was watching 'Catch' and the episode was explaining that hospitals aren't scary. I asked her if she remembers when I went to the hospital.

Elaine said, "Yes. Remember when I was three! The first time you went to the hospital they gave you a baby. The next time you went to the hospital no body gave you a baby!!" She sounded like she thought this was an injustice. :))
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p.s. The tree across from our house was hit by lightning last night and split in half.
You can see it behind our van in this pic. There is a black streak all the way down the center of the trunk that split in half.

Statistics Test

I earned a 91% on my Statistics test that I took last Thursday night.

Phew!

I earned an 81.5% on my Spanish Exam
I took my 3rd Statistics Exam tonight. I feel like I did really well. I should know my grade on Monday.
I got 100% on my last project for my computer skills class.

For the advocacy project, I talked to my professor and decided on an interesting topic. He said that "Any time people portray themselves differently than they are, then it's a form of theatre." So with that in mind, I'm tackling the topic of Christian Hipocracy.

**This is me treading gently**

I know I'm gonna use the verse about a plank in your eye. I know I'm gonna mention that we all sin, regardless of being Christian or not. I get 10 minutes to talk to 20 students about the topic. I'm up for any suggestions about this. I'm gonna pray a lot and see what is given to me. I have a little over a week until I present my topic.
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Elaine has been oddly fascinated with height this week. She keeps drawing pictures of herself and a classmate, Cora. She draws two girls side by side, but one is taller than the next. Elaine keeps telling me which one is her; the tall one of course. I wonder if she gets teased about her height or what is up with her sudden fascination with height.

They seem to be getting measured in this drawing.

Today Elaine's teacher told Jim that Elaine's reading homework is from the Kindergarten curriculum, instead of Pre-K.
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They hired another girl at work, to replace the last one. So now I'm not working on Tuesdays or Thursdays again (unless special circumstances come up). I'm glad that I'll have some more free-time leading up to finals week. I only have 4 more weeks of classes!!!
My boss, Rick, said that his business is gonna move in the next year... for sure. So it's gonna be interesting to see what God does with the business in the future. I'm praying that they have success leading up to the move and following it. It sounds like the new store will be more high-traffic than where we are now. One thing has been decided for sure: They are gonna have me paint some simple murals in the new store. *Yay for getting my skills visible*
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I told Jimmy that instead of going out to celebrate my birthday (after I get off of work at 6pm), I just want him to make a good dinner and rent a video for family time.