Monday, March 12, 2007

Completed 'Pancreatitus Layout'


finally did a page 2

She said she was doing her Homework

Elaine working on Penmanship

Kiddos

Cinderella Dress


I wanted to take some clear pics of Elaine in the dress I sewed for her a few months ago, before she outgrows the dress.

Feeling Productive

Today I wrote a letter of recommendation for Micah to get a college scholarship through his FFA. He had to turn in the letter this afternoon. So pray for him on that. He wants to go to college in Kentucky because he heard about this college where tuition is paid off with Work-study, preventing the students from gaining lots of college debt. They have a good music department.
Micah mowed our yard today, since the trailer park management said it had to be done by tomorrow. Jimmy is working at the Cracker Barrel. He's training a replacement at the Elk's lodge. So that job is ending soon. He's happy that the schedule conflicts between the two jobs are gonna end. Cracker Barrel is giving him plenty of hours. We'll only have to schedule around school, theatre and Cracker Barrel soon. Jimmy was supposed to have tomorrow as his day off from the Cracker Barrel, but they contacted him and said he HAS to work at 5pm. So he's peeved about not getting any day off and that I wont be able to stay at the theatre as late as I want.

I had a mid-semester grade update for my Design class. I have a 98 project average and a 85 test average. This week I have to turn in my little 50's statues and some statues made from Popsicle sticks that I haven't started yet. Tomorrow is another test in Design class.
Last week in Spanish I made an 86 on the quiz and a 94 on the Exam. :)

This weekend I finished painting that last wall in the kids bedroom and I painted one wall of my office with the same light blue. The existing dark blue paint in the office can make it feel small. I thought an accent wall would brighten things up, and it has. I still want to get Elaine some educational posters. I think I'll get some sheets of bright poster board and make her some posters about shapes, telling time, etc. She's been practicing her penmanship this week. I took pictures.

A buddy sent me this link to a website that sells scrapbooking supplies for only $1. The shipping is like $8, so I don't know how much of a deal it is in the long run. But here's the link for any of yall that might want $1 craft goodies. http://qbaroo.com/dollarscrapbooking/

Earlier today she was repeating herself a lot. I told her that she talks too much (no idea where she gets that from) and she replied, "You're so right mommy." I nearly bust a seam laughing.

I'm getting together stuff to mail Mark (my brother) in a care package. So far I have some Mrs. Baird's pecan pie snacks, his birthday card, some self-addressed stamped envelopes, a sketchbook and some candy. I want to get him a disposable camera, some decent ink pens for drawing, some reading material, and toiletries. I'll see what we're able to find/afford. Mark's birthday is March 25th, so I want to get his package in the mail to him soon.
I'll post some pics and then get to my Personal Development homework. *big fun* :(

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Sounds good


I brought my little statues to class yesterday, because I needed to touch up the paint on the sewing machine. My TA, Jesse, saw the statues. Jesse said, "Hhmmm", loudly. I reacted, "What? What's wrong with them???!" He said, "Nothing, they're just really good. What's your major again??"

Some of my classmates hate me. But sounds like my grade will be good. A torn up book, a found object statue and the Geebra are due tomorrow. I'm still working on the torn up book. The 6 statues and two Popsicle stick statues are due next Thursday.

Lipstick Lainey


She calls my lipstick, "mouth pretty". Lainey asked for her mouth pretty in the car yesterday. She puckered up her mouth and circled the pucker with my lipstick. GORGEOUS!

Elaine in the Back yard March 6th

Trying to lift himself into the Tire Swing

Legs Dangling

Diggers

Chalk Artist

Chalk artist Allan


He decorated our coffee table and his dresser with the same chalk. But it wipes off easily.

Alpal smiling on the swing

Al running w shovel

"Yay"

Elaine with her "treasure"

She's so funny. What's with the tongue?!?!?

I'm tired of being sick...

and the kids are sick of me being tired.

Yesterday we made burritos for a late lunch, as we have many times before. But I didn't know the meat wasn't our typical super lean ground beef. Times like this I miss my gall bladder. I was sick ALL NIGHT, reading in the bathroom. I've had to change the sheets on our bed. And I'm generally very tired from not being able to rest for long. When I woke up one time this morning, Allan was pulling things out of my underwear drawer and wearing the bras like necklaces. Then another time I woke up I noticed he had pink dots on his shirt. I found a bottle of bleach spray on the floor in the living room. He had climbed up on to the kitchen counter and pulled down the bleach, and sprayed it on himself....evidently missing his eyes. And most recently, he snuck into my office and stole a purple scrapbooking marker to color his face and legs. THEN he broke one of his bedrails, by snapping the metal pole that holds the netting. The boy is a mess today.

I forgot to tell yall about Allan using a black scrapbooking marker as a Q-tip last week. Grey is still coming out when I clean his ears.

I'm skipping lecture today, since my body is being so unpredictable. (hard to sneak out of a auditorium-style lecture hall when we have assigned seats). Tonight I have a major Spanish quiz. So it's kinda good that I'm home all day to prepare for that.
I checked my Nutrition syllabus. During 'deadweek' (week before final exams) I can take any missed exam for a 10point deduction. So I have all semester to prepare for that test that I forgot about last week. Sounds good to me. A 90 is better than a zero.

Hubby is being very hush-hush about his schooling with me, but said he's graduating June 24th still and everything is taken care of.

Between eating lunch yesterday and feeling sick from eating lunch, I took the kids into our backyard to play. Elaine "dug for treasure" and found a quarter. She never did find the dime I put out. I guess she'll find it next time she's digging. Allan was more interested in the swings and playing with sidewalk chalk on the deck. He did help Elaine dig a little. I'll post some photos from that and then crawl back in bed with my Spanish book.

Monday, March 05, 2007

March 2nd at the Park

Allan sliding

All smiles.

Sun in their eyes

SOLO Climbing


After a few lessons from Daddy, he was able to climb up the big ladder on his own. (I was under the ladder, in case he fell).

Teaching Allan

helping Allan climb

Weekend Update


I sewed some lace for a collar to this collar-less cardigan that Trisha gave to me. It's still too small on me in the arms (where I carry my weight), but it'll eventually fit.

Disappointing news: I completely forgot that I had an online test this last Thursday for Nutrition. I remembered this morning. The trouble is that I do all of my Personal Development and Nutrition homework on Mondays and Tuesdays, respectively. The test was on a Thursday and I hadn't checked my day planner. So, I'm disappointed with myself. There is no sense in writing stuff down, if I don't check my day planner. I can recover from missing the test. I had an 'A' in Nutrition so far. It's actually a pretty hard class. The readings are dense with anatomical information.

I have a big Quiz in Spanish this Wednesday. I'm still doing great in Spanish. :D I want to take both Spanish 3 and 4 in summer school. That would make this following Fall/Spring my last year of college. Wish me luck with Spanish. Hubby says he'll help me when I take Statistics to cover my math credits.

I heard from my brother on myspace on Friday night. He reached his destination (I assumed Iraq, but actually he's in Kuwait) safely. Instead of responding to all my questions about how he got there and details about what he's up to, he only responded to my questions about care packages. Later when I read an email that he wrote to my mom, calling one location "The big K", I figured that he isn't allowed to directly talk about locations and plans in emails. He said that he's been eating McDonalds and waiting to get to his "final destination".
He wants a disposable camera, a Tattoo International Magazine, some HICKORY flavored beef jerky, some Big Red Cream soda in cans, some Dr.Pepper in cans. He seems picky. :p I wont be sending him that magazine, but I am passing along his request to the rest of the fam. I just don't think that since we are some of the few Christians close to Mark, we shouldn't be sending reading materials of a top-less nature. What does that say about Christ followers? I'm gonna look for some Artist-related reading material or magazines related to his other interest. He's supposed to be living on the base. I have his address, if anyone needs it.


All on Wednesday Jimmy worked from 7am-3pm at the Elk's and 4pm-Close at Cracker Barrel. Then Thursday he worked from 10am-close at the Cracker Barrel. He worked 60 hours last week and is scheduled to work another 60 this week. He ended up calling in sick (tired) to the Elk's for Friday. After he called in, I let him sleep late. He was SO achy from working that many hours, standing on his feet. He kinda needed a mental health day. We took the kids to the park, let me look at the thrift store and after long nap we went to Garland. We ate dinner with Allan, Fumie and Steven but then Jimmy was getting tired. He was scheduled to work at10 Saturday morning for Cracker Barrel. We called it a night and headed back to Denton around 11pm.
On the way, Allan projectile vomited in the new van!! We had to pull over. Luckily I had new clothes for Allan in his diaper bag. I had to cover his carseat with a blanket and then launder it when we got home. He was fine after he threw up. Allan fell right to sleep.

I worked on my clay sculptures all weekend. I made a dress form that I don't like, so it wont be turned in for the assignment. I made a tea kettle last night that is still sitting in our oven. I need to paint it. And I need to paint the sewing machine I made. From researching online, I've learned that the body of my clay sewing machine is more like the novice/young housewife model of Singer from the mid-50's. The expert version was black and more tapered.

I'm gonna get on to my online classes and do any/all extra credit surveys that are attached to my Nutrition class. There are a bunch. Maybe they will help cushion my grade after missing that test. I'm still pouting over that one, but trying to be practical.

a housewife's dress


The proportion on this one looks funny (the chest looks too large). But this is supposed to be a knee-length dress. So you have to imagine it atop a pair of legs for it to make sense visually.
Her clothing colors were chosen to match our bedding, in case I ever have the dress on my dresser in our bedroom.

Vacuum


I tried to use a similar color-scheme on all the statues. This one introduced silver, so I had to work that in elsewhere. I painted the ribbon at the collar of the dress silver, to make the vacuum tie-in. All the objects have to relate to each other.

An Apron


The polka dots were a pain to paint. Jimmy says it looks like a cookie.

a piece of cake


that was supposed to be a strawberry on the top, but it looks like a frosting heart. I guess that's fine too.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Doth thow cup runneth over??

Start the MOVIE already!!


What, no sour patch kids?

Returning popcorn to their home after the movie.


not really.








This guy doing construction on campus, let our class take over his truck for 10 minutes. He hammed it up taking photos with us.

School today , My summer Job opportunity

Jim said he had two calls this morning from neighbors wanting to buy our Taurus. He told them what all is wrong with it and they were still interested. He didn't get specifics worked out over the phone, because he was working at the Elk's lodge at the time. So the neighbors are supposed to call Jimmy back some time later. Jim worked all this morning and then I went to class, and Jimmy just left for work tonight at Cracker Barrel.
I brought my Geebra to lecture today and got lots of compliments. My classmates said they hadn't bought the supplies for the project yet and were surprised I was done with it. I just wanted the mixed-animal print Geebra to be seen so if anyone else has a similar idea, I don't look like a copy cat. During the lecture time today, the class had to bring all our popcorn statues and put them in funny places on campus. We had to take photos to prove we attended the event. So I'll share some of those later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Job opportunity:
I walked over to the trailer park's management office and talked to Trina while paying our Lot rent for March. Trina is looking for a new babysitter for her granddaughter. The baby is a newborn and has been staying with a very old lady in the trailer park. Trina would feel better if the child was with a young mom (Trina actually said, "someone that isn't going to have a heart attack while babysitting").

Trina said she had three young ladies in mind from the neighborhood and I was one of them. Evidently, Trina's first choice for a babysitter has twin sons and just had a newborn of her own. So that young mom couldn't handle a second newborn around the house in the daytime.

I told Trina that I couldn't do it during this Spring, because I go to classes three days a week. But if she hasn't found anyone in May when summer starts, we could "re-evaluate". Trina would bring the newborn to the trailer park around 8am, when she is heading to work in the management office here. So if there was an emergency, the baby's grandma is next door.

This summer I am only taking Spanish online classes (NO in-person classes), so I will be home with my kiddos all day. I like the idea of earning money this summer by watching another kid. A newborn is easy in one respect, because the girl wouldn't be crawling much yet and meals are just formula. I didn't want to COMMIT to anything until we see how Jimmy's work schedule/school schedule plays out.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Quick update

I gotta get back to my nutrition homework, but I wanted to fill yall in:
Today in Design class we were told about 6 small projects that all have to be done in the next week or so. I made one of them today. So expect more photos of odd projects.

Jimmy did our taxes today, because he needed the Tax info for registering at Devry. We're getting a good refund this year. That will help get us all caught up after buying the oh-so-necessary new transportation.
To get him registered this week, we have to pay back tuition (around $400) to Devry.... THEN he can register for his final semester. Jim called a few 'we buy any car' places. They offered only $200!! We need enough to cover at least Jimmy's back tuition. We would be fine if a) we hadn't bought the van OR b) Rent wasn't due this week. We put a sign on the back of the Taurus, saying it's for sale. Maybe we'll get a better offer from a neighbor on the car.

I talked to Keila in the theatre today. She says I don't have to paint for about another week at least, because they are behind on building the set which I will be painting. I went by the theatre department office. They didn't have a free script reserved for me, so I have to go to the library soon so I can read the play I will be painting for.
Gotta run, but that's about it for today.

a Zebra and a Giraffe


... met at the dollar store, where I purchased them.

Giraffe Zebra discussing world politics

they Frolicked

Then some time later a Geebra was Born

Geebra wondered why he had Giraffe-like horns on his striped side.



Geebra wondered if he'd look better if...


his neck wasn't created from spare leg fabric.

Geebra decided he just had to be content with who he is.


The End.


Geebra is a project for my Design 2 class. We were told to buy two stuffed animals or dolls and make them into one creation. This is what I made this afternoon after class. He's twice as fat as either original doll. I think it makes him cuter. I like the dual mohawk and eeyore-like tail.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Early birds


Gracie and Allan were up playing an hour before Elaine woke up (see her hand on the top bunk).

Gracie and Allan are buddies from the church nursery. She is one week younger than him.

Pancake tots


I made pancakes this morning for the kiddos and the spare kiddo I was babysitting today. They went over well, but the girls needed a bath...syrup in their hair!
Jimmy worked 10 hours strait at cracker barrel today. He came home and went strait to sleep. We get to take the new Van to church tomorrow. I still haven't rode in it, because Jimmy has been at work essentially since he bought it on Friday. Tonight at the Cracker Barrel the power went out for 30 minutes. There have been dust storms all over Denton with an orange sky. The mister was blown off our roof here.
Jimmy works tomorrow at 2:30pm, after church. We're seeing Dave tomorrow too. Hopefully the guys can get the Taurus jumped and get it to start, to at least get it home. We're afraid that it might get towed away by the business it is parked in front of. If the guys can't get it to start, we're gonna have to call a tow truck to get it home.
Dave said he'll change the oil on the new van for us.

Princess Elaine of the pancakes

Classic Allan


My son running in heels...makes a mother proud.

Gracie


This is the daughter of my church friend, Trisha. Trisha has babysat for us 4 or 5 times. This is the first time anyone outside of their family has babysat Gracie.
Trisha had a day of shopping and lunch with some girlfriends. I was rewarded for babysitting with a new pair of black heels. :)

Alpal looking charming.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Jimmy bought a van!


He woke up at 5am today and rode his bicycle to the Taurus about 3.5 miles from our house. He kept trying to get the car to start, but it wouldn't. And now, the battery on the Taurus needs a jump. He rode the bike on to the Denton Elk's lodge, to work. He noticed a van for sale across the street. It was marked at $2500. Jimmy took a test drive on his lunch break and got the owner to sell for $2000. It's a 1995 Ford Windstar. It seats at least 6. It's inspection doesn't expire until September.

Jimmy had to get back to the Elk's lodge to cook their dinner. But he wanted to show me the van and bring me some of the stuff out of the Taurus. We're gonna try to sell the Taurus to one of those places that doesn't' care if it's running or not.