I admit it, the 365 blog was a failure. I don't have the time everyday to get on and blog. And my camera which was going to take pictures of my creations is not something that I can even get my computer to accept anymore.
But I have been working to save money to buy a new camera and today is the day! I have researched and, for my needs, it came down to a canon or a nikon, specifically the canon rebel tsi or the nikon d5000. I am leaning towards the nikon because it takes better pictures in low light.
I admit that wanting to have pictures for my blog is a large reason why I want a camera. I also want to create art. I want to learn something new and I want to capture my kids while they are still young. Time is fleeting! I wish that I had had a camera when my kids were young. I really miss my babies.
But anyway, life goes on. I am going to rectify what I can now, and change my errors. It means if I have to save for four months to buy a camera then that is what I do.
I just got a great new book for my birthday. It is called The Artistic Mother. It is everything that I long to be in a book. My eldest child gave it to me. Will report back on what I am learning. I think the 365 project might just be on hiatus, because the universe seems to be moving to help me meet my goals. TTFN. Gonna go buy my camera!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
ebay and a wish list
We went on vacation last week. Cruised on down to San Diego with all of the kids and my hubby. 2 10-hour days in the car to get there, but SO worth it! We went to the SD zoo- a phenomenal place, love the animals and how well they are cared for. I am one of those people who are on the fence about zoos. I love that people can go and learn and appreciate animals that they have never seen in nature, but on the other hand, it makes me sad that there are zoos. It would be best to have animals in their natural habitats. But the San Diego zoo was a phenomenal place.
Also went to Sea World, and Disneyland, Coronado Beach, and the Science Center. I also cut my hair off really short, but I love it- so easy to take care of! It was a whirlwind time away, but really fun and relaxing too. Hard to believe we did all that in just 5 days!
I was wishing that I had a really good camera. I want the Canon Rebel so I think I am going to have to dedicate my savings to it this next four months. I really want a good camera. I took the little digital point and shoot thing that I have on vacation, and it does the job, but has this delay thing that makes me crazy. You have to shoot and anticipate like 3 seconds in advance. I can't tell you how many shots that I missed because the flipping flash and delay would be taking their sweeeeeeet time.
But before we went on vacation I was stocking up my sewing supplies for the big blitz that I am planning. I found that you can buy all sorts of things on ebay, especially things like sewing materials. I think people go and buy them from estate sales and yard sales and things and resell them. I bought scads of thread and notions like snaps, set snaps, needles, buttons, elastic and tons of bias tape and just everything that you would find in your grandmother's sewing basket. I figure that I have saved a ton of $$ over buying stuff like that at Joann's, even with shipping.
On a side note, I made a ton of women's cloths last month from some old flannel that I had left over from Christmas jammies (instructions for cloths are on the Hillbilly Housewife website) and used them this time round. I was thrilled that they worked really well, even better than the store bought pads. I had no leaking, none! and that in itself is pretty much miraculous. I have been told that there is a chemical in the store bought kind that enhances blood flow, causing more symptoms in women. I can say that that seems to be the case for me. I am sold! I admit that I was nervous using them at work on the first days, as a leak could be really embarassing, but nothing like that happened (although it has before with the disposable kind) And I am thrilled that this is my little way to stick it to those companies who charge so much for those disposable things. I never have to pay for them again! Woo hoo! I feel victorious! And hmm, if I save 8 bucks a month, in a 100 months, I can pay for my camera with the savings!
Well, off to watch the Olympics, women's figure skating!
Also went to Sea World, and Disneyland, Coronado Beach, and the Science Center. I also cut my hair off really short, but I love it- so easy to take care of! It was a whirlwind time away, but really fun and relaxing too. Hard to believe we did all that in just 5 days!
I was wishing that I had a really good camera. I want the Canon Rebel so I think I am going to have to dedicate my savings to it this next four months. I really want a good camera. I took the little digital point and shoot thing that I have on vacation, and it does the job, but has this delay thing that makes me crazy. You have to shoot and anticipate like 3 seconds in advance. I can't tell you how many shots that I missed because the flipping flash and delay would be taking their sweeeeeeet time.
But before we went on vacation I was stocking up my sewing supplies for the big blitz that I am planning. I found that you can buy all sorts of things on ebay, especially things like sewing materials. I think people go and buy them from estate sales and yard sales and things and resell them. I bought scads of thread and notions like snaps, set snaps, needles, buttons, elastic and tons of bias tape and just everything that you would find in your grandmother's sewing basket. I figure that I have saved a ton of $$ over buying stuff like that at Joann's, even with shipping.
On a side note, I made a ton of women's cloths last month from some old flannel that I had left over from Christmas jammies (instructions for cloths are on the Hillbilly Housewife website) and used them this time round. I was thrilled that they worked really well, even better than the store bought pads. I had no leaking, none! and that in itself is pretty much miraculous. I have been told that there is a chemical in the store bought kind that enhances blood flow, causing more symptoms in women. I can say that that seems to be the case for me. I am sold! I admit that I was nervous using them at work on the first days, as a leak could be really embarassing, but nothing like that happened (although it has before with the disposable kind) And I am thrilled that this is my little way to stick it to those companies who charge so much for those disposable things. I never have to pay for them again! Woo hoo! I feel victorious! And hmm, if I save 8 bucks a month, in a 100 months, I can pay for my camera with the savings!
Well, off to watch the Olympics, women's figure skating!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Oregon orangutan predicts Colts will win Super Bowl--
Oregon orangutan predicts Colts will win Super Bowl--
Well, if that's the case, then we Washingtonians know that it will be the Saints to win.
Now how dumb is that? Letting an orangutan pick your bet for you? I guess its about as dumb as a groundhog weather predictor, but still.. Isn't there better stuff to report on?
Went with Monkey to go pick up his corsage for his date to TOLO tonight. While driving there saw the first sign of spring-- so super early this year, but the pink rhodies of our neighbors are in bloom. I couldn't believe it! And not just one, a whole bush of them. It's not even March yet.
Also saw something that I am going to take a picture of- made me laugh right out loud.
Well, if that's the case, then we Washingtonians know that it will be the Saints to win.
Now how dumb is that? Letting an orangutan pick your bet for you? I guess its about as dumb as a groundhog weather predictor, but still.. Isn't there better stuff to report on?
Went with Monkey to go pick up his corsage for his date to TOLO tonight. While driving there saw the first sign of spring-- so super early this year, but the pink rhodies of our neighbors are in bloom. I couldn't believe it! And not just one, a whole bush of them. It's not even March yet.
Also saw something that I am going to take a picture of- made me laugh right out loud.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Cancer free is the way to be!
You know, I am remarkably blessed. Just amazingly so...
I am still cancer free after a year. And it was confirmed by my doc yesterday.
Looking back on that time in my life, when I was diagnosed, you would have thought that that would be terrifying and stressful. But, for me, it was a blessing. It sounds sick, I know, and I do not mean in anyway to demean or diminish those who are still fighting. (My prayers are with you, fight on, you can do it!) And I know that I had it easy. I almost don't deserve the title of cancer survivor, because mine was cured, quickly and apparently efficiently.(praise GOD!) And now, a year and a bit later, I am still well and I am so grateful.
As for the 365 project, I am still chugging away. Since my last post, I have made a big dent in getting our bedroom back in order and remade into a haven of peace and calm.
I made plans with a friend to take a photography course. I want to be a "real" photographer and learn about f stops and what slr is and not have a phd (point here dummy) camera anymore, but a real one with lenses and flashes.( hoo hoo hoo!)
And, we still have Jack here until tomorrow, so we are taking him out to dinner tonight for our last night with him. I told him he is my son who lives in China, now. I am really going to miss him. He bought an itouch as his thing that he wanted most from America, (boys are just the same everywhere:)
And finally, I was taken to task last night in my bible study group because I called one of my ladies, honey. ( I actually think I called them all that at one point or another) but this woman took special offense at it. Now, if you know me, I call everyone honey or hon. The post office guy, salesclerks, my students, my husband, my kids, the neighbors, they all get it. I do not discriminate. It's a general term of friendliness for me and a part of my speech that I am not even conscious of. But I was lambasted by this woman in front of everyone in my group because she thought I was being demeaning to her and to the other ladies in my group. I was not meaning anything like that in any sort of way. I don't know what to do now, though because I cannot imagine being in a group with this woman and I am the leader of the group, so I can't just not show up, not when all of my precious other ladies are counting on me to be their guide. And because it is an unconscious habit, I can't be sure that I won't do it again. In my head I was trying to formulate a defense, and even in that I used the word honey.
I was so upset, I just bawled as I was leaving last night. I know that Jesus said we would face opposition on his account, but sheesh, I never expected it from a fellow church member. And I know, reading this, it sounds like a little thing, but this woman really blasted me and really embarrased me. She was trying to draw others into her wrath in her comments (She said to another woman, I saw you wince when she called you THAT (like I had called her son of Satan himself or something else just as hideous instead of an innocuous, hon) and now I am not sure how to deal with the other members of my group. I just have no confidence now and I was trying to do a good thing. Do they all think poorly of me?
My precious son said, Mom you should have said Honey,let me tell you something, if you don't like honey, I can think of a whole host of other things to call you.
At least my family has my back.
More of the continuing drama next week.
I am still cancer free after a year. And it was confirmed by my doc yesterday.
Looking back on that time in my life, when I was diagnosed, you would have thought that that would be terrifying and stressful. But, for me, it was a blessing. It sounds sick, I know, and I do not mean in anyway to demean or diminish those who are still fighting. (My prayers are with you, fight on, you can do it!) And I know that I had it easy. I almost don't deserve the title of cancer survivor, because mine was cured, quickly and apparently efficiently.(praise GOD!) And now, a year and a bit later, I am still well and I am so grateful.
As for the 365 project, I am still chugging away. Since my last post, I have made a big dent in getting our bedroom back in order and remade into a haven of peace and calm.
I made plans with a friend to take a photography course. I want to be a "real" photographer and learn about f stops and what slr is and not have a phd (point here dummy) camera anymore, but a real one with lenses and flashes.( hoo hoo hoo!)
And, we still have Jack here until tomorrow, so we are taking him out to dinner tonight for our last night with him. I told him he is my son who lives in China, now. I am really going to miss him. He bought an itouch as his thing that he wanted most from America, (boys are just the same everywhere:)
And finally, I was taken to task last night in my bible study group because I called one of my ladies, honey. ( I actually think I called them all that at one point or another) but this woman took special offense at it. Now, if you know me, I call everyone honey or hon. The post office guy, salesclerks, my students, my husband, my kids, the neighbors, they all get it. I do not discriminate. It's a general term of friendliness for me and a part of my speech that I am not even conscious of. But I was lambasted by this woman in front of everyone in my group because she thought I was being demeaning to her and to the other ladies in my group. I was not meaning anything like that in any sort of way. I don't know what to do now, though because I cannot imagine being in a group with this woman and I am the leader of the group, so I can't just not show up, not when all of my precious other ladies are counting on me to be their guide. And because it is an unconscious habit, I can't be sure that I won't do it again. In my head I was trying to formulate a defense, and even in that I used the word honey.
I was so upset, I just bawled as I was leaving last night. I know that Jesus said we would face opposition on his account, but sheesh, I never expected it from a fellow church member. And I know, reading this, it sounds like a little thing, but this woman really blasted me and really embarrased me. She was trying to draw others into her wrath in her comments (She said to another woman, I saw you wince when she called you THAT (like I had called her son of Satan himself or something else just as hideous instead of an innocuous, hon) and now I am not sure how to deal with the other members of my group. I just have no confidence now and I was trying to do a good thing. Do they all think poorly of me?
My precious son said, Mom you should have said Honey,let me tell you something, if you don't like honey, I can think of a whole host of other things to call you.
At least my family has my back.
More of the continuing drama next week.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
totally fallen off the wagon!
Ok, so we are really busy right now, and the first thing to go is usually any time to myself (ie time to blog, read personal email, or create or make anything)
And I was standing in my ubermessy bedroom on Friday morning, with its beautiful new carpet, and my gorgeous new-to-me-sewing/craft/computer desk ($40 at the Goodwill and its huge and solid oak!)( thank you God!) and I looked around at all of the boxes that I still have to unpack and find places for the junk that is in them, beating myself up for not having them taken care of and I thought, it's ok. I can leave them there for a little while longer. I am not going to beat myself up over them still being here. I was busy taking care of the really important things this week... helping out my baby sister, making what might be a once in a lifetime trip for our Chinese exchange student pleasant and hosting impromptu teenage guy get togethers. (I need to keep waaaaay more frozen pizza in the house) So while those things aren't tangible, they are real. They require creativity and patience and a joyful attitude.
And today I have time to do something, so I am blogging, and I will sew something from the stash of projects that I want to make on my beautiful new crafting desk. I'm also going to go get my nails done, just for fun:) and I will get one box, just one, put away, tidied up, and taken care of.
I hope that you have a great day too!
And I was standing in my ubermessy bedroom on Friday morning, with its beautiful new carpet, and my gorgeous new-to-me-sewing/craft/computer desk ($40 at the Goodwill and its huge and solid oak!)( thank you God!) and I looked around at all of the boxes that I still have to unpack and find places for the junk that is in them, beating myself up for not having them taken care of and I thought, it's ok. I can leave them there for a little while longer. I am not going to beat myself up over them still being here. I was busy taking care of the really important things this week... helping out my baby sister, making what might be a once in a lifetime trip for our Chinese exchange student pleasant and hosting impromptu teenage guy get togethers. (I need to keep waaaaay more frozen pizza in the house) So while those things aren't tangible, they are real. They require creativity and patience and a joyful attitude.
And today I have time to do something, so I am blogging, and I will sew something from the stash of projects that I want to make on my beautiful new crafting desk. I'm also going to go get my nails done, just for fun:) and I will get one box, just one, put away, tidied up, and taken care of.
I hope that you have a great day too!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
made my bed.... does that count?
I am falling behind in my quest. I admit it. Not too many tangible creative things made (I want to sew....)
Monday I was finishing my cafe notebook, all the innards are there, it just isn't decorated.
Tuesday, I started doing the velcro dots for my numberline for my classroom. GREAT idea, but it needs a zillion velcro dots which I HAVE ordered from feiner supply, but they aren't here yet, and I was using what I had in my classroom. I'll post a pic of it when I am done with it.
Also, Tuesday, I made a new room arrangement (we had gotten new carpet in our upstairs rooms) and I guess that you could say that that is a tangible thing because you can walk around and touch it, but it doesn't feel creative.
Yesterday I made it to spin class and to our church's marriage building class, doesn't count as a tangible thing.(sad face)
I have a ton of ideas for things I want to make, and fabric sitting here just waiting to be used, but it is the TIME/people-need-my-ATTENTION factor that is so hard. I wish that I could give up sleeping, but I am a mess without enough zzzz's.
And I can't believe that it is Thursday already. Where does my time go?
All righty, gonna whip myself back into shape... Tonight, I will make something creative or at least start it. I can do anything for 15 minutes:)
Monday I was finishing my cafe notebook, all the innards are there, it just isn't decorated.
Tuesday, I started doing the velcro dots for my numberline for my classroom. GREAT idea, but it needs a zillion velcro dots which I HAVE ordered from feiner supply, but they aren't here yet, and I was using what I had in my classroom. I'll post a pic of it when I am done with it.
Also, Tuesday, I made a new room arrangement (we had gotten new carpet in our upstairs rooms) and I guess that you could say that that is a tangible thing because you can walk around and touch it, but it doesn't feel creative.
Yesterday I made it to spin class and to our church's marriage building class, doesn't count as a tangible thing.(sad face)
I have a ton of ideas for things I want to make, and fabric sitting here just waiting to be used, but it is the TIME/people-need-my-ATTENTION factor that is so hard. I wish that I could give up sleeping, but I am a mess without enough zzzz's.
And I can't believe that it is Thursday already. Where does my time go?
All righty, gonna whip myself back into shape... Tonight, I will make something creative or at least start it. I can do anything for 15 minutes:)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
bread, wine and the play offs
I am very excited that my beloved Cowboys FINALLY won a play off game. It was awful, that thirteen year stretch without a play off win.
Now, we are on to the play the Vikings next week. I think it is really sweet that Romo is going to play his childhood hero. I mean, can you imagine? I think that is how you would know that you had really arrived. The guy's jersey that you wore in middle school is now across the field from you and he is trying to beat YOU! And it is a testament to Favre's staying power. I really do like Favre, he's a class act, but it is time for the Cowboys to win and win and win! Go Cowboys!
Friday night was my book club. We read Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. It is a book about Dr. Paul Farmer, who is a modern day saint, as far as I am concerned. He is trying to cure Tb around the world and to bring Haiti simple, good medical care. I couldn't believe that I was reading about a doctor trying to cure tb (yawn as a subject) but I was riveted. It was a fascinating, well written, interesting book. I couldn't put it down!
As to what I have made, Friday I worked really hard to get my CAFE reading notebook set up. Put in the individual pages for each kid and am getting things in place to start an intentional reading assessment center for my kids that I need to target with a lot more intensive instruction. I have to catch them up. I won't let them fail.
Saturday, I made a choice. I was feeling pretty blue in the early afternoon. I have been working really hard and haven't had a lot of time to recharge me. So, I decided to treat myself and go and get my nails done. It was really relaxing. I love that chair that you sit in for the pedicure. It rolls up and down your back. It leaves me a bit sore the nest day, but it is fabulous otherwise. Releases all that stress! The toes are Cowboys blue! The fingers are french manicured. I feel pretty, girly, and relaxed. And, you have to admire the salon that I go to--they had the football games on. I got done right in time to see kick off.
I have been trying to not go and spend money when I am emotional. Its a goal to stop that kind of spending, but I have been good now for 4 months, so getting my nails done was a small treat, and well worth it.
I made bread this afternoon. We were out and I didn't feel like going to the store for more. I want to become more self reliant and less store reliant. I haven't made homemade bread in a while. My picky family only likes the creepy white wonder type bread, much to my eternal sadness. How could you not just love homemade bread. I used Chocolate on my Cranium's white bread recipe. I made 3 regular white loaves and a 4th cinnamon bread for breakfast. I have this really cool bread proofer to my oven. It makes bread rising a snap, especially in the winter when our house seems cooler.
Gotta go put the bread in the oven......
Now, we are on to the play the Vikings next week. I think it is really sweet that Romo is going to play his childhood hero. I mean, can you imagine? I think that is how you would know that you had really arrived. The guy's jersey that you wore in middle school is now across the field from you and he is trying to beat YOU! And it is a testament to Favre's staying power. I really do like Favre, he's a class act, but it is time for the Cowboys to win and win and win! Go Cowboys!
Friday night was my book club. We read Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. It is a book about Dr. Paul Farmer, who is a modern day saint, as far as I am concerned. He is trying to cure Tb around the world and to bring Haiti simple, good medical care. I couldn't believe that I was reading about a doctor trying to cure tb (yawn as a subject) but I was riveted. It was a fascinating, well written, interesting book. I couldn't put it down!
As to what I have made, Friday I worked really hard to get my CAFE reading notebook set up. Put in the individual pages for each kid and am getting things in place to start an intentional reading assessment center for my kids that I need to target with a lot more intensive instruction. I have to catch them up. I won't let them fail.
Saturday, I made a choice. I was feeling pretty blue in the early afternoon. I have been working really hard and haven't had a lot of time to recharge me. So, I decided to treat myself and go and get my nails done. It was really relaxing. I love that chair that you sit in for the pedicure. It rolls up and down your back. It leaves me a bit sore the nest day, but it is fabulous otherwise. Releases all that stress! The toes are Cowboys blue! The fingers are french manicured. I feel pretty, girly, and relaxed. And, you have to admire the salon that I go to--they had the football games on. I got done right in time to see kick off.
I have been trying to not go and spend money when I am emotional. Its a goal to stop that kind of spending, but I have been good now for 4 months, so getting my nails done was a small treat, and well worth it.
I made bread this afternoon. We were out and I didn't feel like going to the store for more. I want to become more self reliant and less store reliant. I haven't made homemade bread in a while. My picky family only likes the creepy white wonder type bread, much to my eternal sadness. How could you not just love homemade bread. I used Chocolate on my Cranium's white bread recipe. I made 3 regular white loaves and a 4th cinnamon bread for breakfast. I have this really cool bread proofer to my oven. It makes bread rising a snap, especially in the winter when our house seems cooler.
Gotta go put the bread in the oven......
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