12.29.2007
Media Experimentation
I needed something to fill in what I knew would be a very unproductive day at school. These were taken the day we let out for Christmas break. I had them create abstract art at different media stations. Some of the stations had regular items they use already, crayolas, markers, pencil and ink. At three other stations we had less familiar medias, chalk pastels, oil pastels, and watercolor pencils. It was pretty fun to watch them experiment and try to utilize the most of their 6 minute station times. Some didn't have a firm grasp on abstraction, but others caught right on.
At the hospital
My niece had her tonsils and adnoids removed yesterday, which meant lots of quality time at the hospital. Everything went well and she recovering slowly.
12.17.2007
Update
Yeah, so my life has been so full of drama lately, and I'm sure you've noticed. Besides what you know, I'm sure the the last blog didn't help. Honestly, I hate that my life has been so overcome with stupid crap that only brings me down. I can't find the time to enjoy the things I love, including blogging. Much of that is also attributed to work getting busier and more hectic, and, of course, the holidays. Things are looking up for my family somewhat...friends on the other hand, well there's a lot to be accomplished, I think the issues only feel more intense when I don't blog because writing is a great outlet for me. There have been so many times I just want to drop everything and blog, but haven't had the opportunity, so here's a bit of what you missed:
1. I'm so behind on my Christmas shopping, but I've found a way to make personal attacks at people with clever gifts with inconspicuous messages.
2. I've learned what friends are in it for the long haul...and which ones are fair-weathered.
3. My kids continue to amaze me. We just finished our first critique on the portraits they drew, and they were incredible.
4. I overheard a student tell another student, "You can't hate Santa! That's really Jesus!"
5. Another said his parents couldn't participate in a parent/teacher conference because they'll never leave the house because they're illegal immigrants (they're not, he just didn't want to get in trouble)
6. The same kid also approached the diagnostician and said he needed to be tested for a disorder. When asked what disorder he thought he had, he replied "lying."
7. My personal bar at home doubled.
8. Tequila is the devil. I never drink the stuff, and never will.
9. In the past couple of days I've acquired a teddy bear that farts via remote control, and a stuffed cursing parrot.
10. I had to counsel a teen that witnessed her parents doing the deed. Yikes.
11. I danced to the Soulja Boy.
12. I've learned to live day by day, minute by minute. No hopes or expectations, just living.
13. My husband had a moment this weekend and I was able to witness it. He was there for someone when they were down, and helped them out of a dark hole.
14. I've never been more attracted to my husband.
1. I'm so behind on my Christmas shopping, but I've found a way to make personal attacks at people with clever gifts with inconspicuous messages.
2. I've learned what friends are in it for the long haul...and which ones are fair-weathered.
3. My kids continue to amaze me. We just finished our first critique on the portraits they drew, and they were incredible.
4. I overheard a student tell another student, "You can't hate Santa! That's really Jesus!"
5. Another said his parents couldn't participate in a parent/teacher conference because they'll never leave the house because they're illegal immigrants (they're not, he just didn't want to get in trouble)
6. The same kid also approached the diagnostician and said he needed to be tested for a disorder. When asked what disorder he thought he had, he replied "lying."
7. My personal bar at home doubled.
8. Tequila is the devil. I never drink the stuff, and never will.
9. In the past couple of days I've acquired a teddy bear that farts via remote control, and a stuffed cursing parrot.
10. I had to counsel a teen that witnessed her parents doing the deed. Yikes.
11. I danced to the Soulja Boy.
12. I've learned to live day by day, minute by minute. No hopes or expectations, just living.
13. My husband had a moment this weekend and I was able to witness it. He was there for someone when they were down, and helped them out of a dark hole.
14. I've never been more attracted to my husband.
12.08.2007
12.07.2007
On a brighter note..
My tree is up.
Happy Chrismahannuwanzaa.
Yeah, I went overboard. I went Clark Grissold crazy. I nest when I stress. Clean, decorate, chop all my hair off type crap.
Happy Chrismahannuwanzaa.
Yeah, I went overboard. I went Clark Grissold crazy. I nest when I stress. Clean, decorate, chop all my hair off type crap.
11.27.2007
Puppy love, lost
Today has been hard. Besides hearing news on one of my kids losing his dad to a bullet in the head, and having a girl cry in my arms because she had to testify against her dad in court over molestation charges earlier, I come home to find that someone close to my heart had died.
It's hard to talk about, and I don't even want to hear anyone else even bring it up. It's hard because I never thought this would be so hard. We rescued a dog a week before mother's day. My mother in law had a dachshund, but wanted another, so I really pushed the family in getting her one for the special day. I spent two straight days researching, and locating the perfect dog. We found him, adopted him, and brought him home. He was with us shortly, but this little guy never had a family, so he bonded instantly, as did I. I remember bringing him home vividly. He was the best. It was like he was home..he came in and went straight for the chair where he sat and played with a toy Snoopy we had for him. He didn't hesitate to crawl into bed with us, and the frequent trips outside to potty were hardly bothersome for me. Just the idea of handing him over was hard, but I knew he wasn't mine.
I'm not going to lie. I cried on the way to Abilene, I cried when we arrived, and I cried for days and days after we came back, without him. I remember when I left him for the first time we followed me outside on his leash. He sat on the lawn and had a look like he had no idea why I was leaving. After returning home I would call my mother in law to check on him like a new mother would with the babysitter on her first night out. When I talked to my mother in law, she said he was just spending a lot of time out in the front yard. I was determined he was waiting for us to come back, and it made me feel like I abandoned him. After time, it became easier...when we would visit, he would get so excited. After awhile he was beginning to catch on that my mother in law was his owner, his mom, but there was always a special bond there.
I was able to spend a lot of time with him during Thanksgiving, and I'm especially thankful for that. He was so playful, and loved everyone - even if they couldn't appreciate what a great dog he was. He was high maintenance, ALWAYS wanted to play, but throwing a ball for him to catch was easy work, and he never grew bored of it. He was good with the kids, they loved him, heck, even the mailman liked him.
There's a lot I'm going to miss about him. I can't believe I'm one of those people that let it affect me so. I use to make fun of the animal lovers, but he was family. Christmas will be sad without him. When I received the call I was at the store, with Christmas dog biscuits, and rawhide bones in the cart for his own Christmas stocking. He never got have his first Christmas - but glad he had a family that loved him as much as he did.
I can't explain how I feel right now - but now I know why dogs are so special. God created them to be our company, to make us smile, and love us unconditionally. I will miss that love.
It's hard to talk about, and I don't even want to hear anyone else even bring it up. It's hard because I never thought this would be so hard. We rescued a dog a week before mother's day. My mother in law had a dachshund, but wanted another, so I really pushed the family in getting her one for the special day. I spent two straight days researching, and locating the perfect dog. We found him, adopted him, and brought him home. He was with us shortly, but this little guy never had a family, so he bonded instantly, as did I. I remember bringing him home vividly. He was the best. It was like he was home..he came in and went straight for the chair where he sat and played with a toy Snoopy we had for him. He didn't hesitate to crawl into bed with us, and the frequent trips outside to potty were hardly bothersome for me. Just the idea of handing him over was hard, but I knew he wasn't mine.
I'm not going to lie. I cried on the way to Abilene, I cried when we arrived, and I cried for days and days after we came back, without him. I remember when I left him for the first time we followed me outside on his leash. He sat on the lawn and had a look like he had no idea why I was leaving. After returning home I would call my mother in law to check on him like a new mother would with the babysitter on her first night out. When I talked to my mother in law, she said he was just spending a lot of time out in the front yard. I was determined he was waiting for us to come back, and it made me feel like I abandoned him. After time, it became easier...when we would visit, he would get so excited. After awhile he was beginning to catch on that my mother in law was his owner, his mom, but there was always a special bond there.
I was able to spend a lot of time with him during Thanksgiving, and I'm especially thankful for that. He was so playful, and loved everyone - even if they couldn't appreciate what a great dog he was. He was high maintenance, ALWAYS wanted to play, but throwing a ball for him to catch was easy work, and he never grew bored of it. He was good with the kids, they loved him, heck, even the mailman liked him.
There's a lot I'm going to miss about him. I can't believe I'm one of those people that let it affect me so. I use to make fun of the animal lovers, but he was family. Christmas will be sad without him. When I received the call I was at the store, with Christmas dog biscuits, and rawhide bones in the cart for his own Christmas stocking. He never got have his first Christmas - but glad he had a family that loved him as much as he did.
I can't explain how I feel right now - but now I know why dogs are so special. God created them to be our company, to make us smile, and love us unconditionally. I will miss that love.
11.25.2007
In the Car
I meant to blog more while back home. I meant to take more pictures too. I decided since half of my pictures are taken while in the car, then this would be my "In the Car" series. The photos aren't meant to be interesting, or even good, rather it gives a small glimpse of my 5 days back home from my point of view, literally.
In the car I encountered snow. Snow is pretty uncommon in Abilene, so it was a nice surprise.
In the car the snow became a problem when I could barely scrape it off my windshield.
In the car I was amazed I was up so early for Black Friday. Black Friday was the shiz this year, even if I celebrated in West Texas.
In the car I bought donuts during my 7 a.m. Black Friday half-time.
In the car I visited family.
In the car I arrived at the best burrito spot ever. Viva La Popular - you are desired always.
In the car I encountered snow. Snow is pretty uncommon in Abilene, so it was a nice surprise.
In the car the snow became a problem when I could barely scrape it off my windshield.
In the car I was amazed I was up so early for Black Friday. Black Friday was the shiz this year, even if I celebrated in West Texas.
In the car I bought donuts during my 7 a.m. Black Friday half-time.
In the car I visited family.
In the car I arrived at the best burrito spot ever. Viva La Popular - you are desired always.
11.18.2007
Cowboys vs Redksins
While the games at Texas Stadium are always fun - tailgaiting and people watching before kick off tops my enjoyment list. The grill did it's job, and our first attempt at a real tailgate was a success. The fans were ridiculous, on both ends of the fan spectrum. Heaven forbid you be a Redskin fan! While the guy in the video got some crap, it's nothing compared to the other things we heard on the walk to Texas Stadium.
Once there, the game was one that made me more nervous then expected. T.O. was the star with FOUR, count 'em FOUR touchdowns and 170+ yards. Needless to say when I asked these "not-so-avid-anymore" foreskin, er, REDskin fans to take a picture for me, they were less then enthusiastic. The girl in the aisle seat REALLY didn't appreciate it! That's okay sister, you can use that finger to tell everyone back home that's how many games we've lost this year! That's right baby, 9 and 1!
Once there, the game was one that made me more nervous then expected. T.O. was the star with FOUR, count 'em FOUR touchdowns and 170+ yards. Needless to say when I asked these "not-so-avid-anymore" foreskin, er, REDskin fans to take a picture for me, they were less then enthusiastic. The girl in the aisle seat REALLY didn't appreciate it! That's okay sister, you can use that finger to tell everyone back home that's how many games we've lost this year! That's right baby, 9 and 1!
Galveston - The Beach
So I'm aware that there are much prettier beaches than Galveston, but coming as someone who can't even remember her first experience at a beach I have to say I fell in love. I can't wait to make it out to Cali this Summer. We were indecisive between NYC and Orange County (we have family there) but now I think I have been persuaded by the surf and sand to switch my vote to the west coast. Although I could spend endless days on the beach, living there would not be something I would pursue. Looking at all the beach homes on stilts and storm shutters made me wonder how they must dread hurricane season. There seems like there would be such an uncertainty to the stabilty of your living situation, especially now that mother nature has had quite the wild hair...but the view would be incredible to wake up to every morning.
Galveston - Spray Paint Artist
This was my first spray paint artist experience. This guy was out there all day, blaring some electronica, and painting some mystical masterpieces in about 5 minutes or less, for $20 a pop. Although the end result isn't my style, the guy has some major talent as had orders lined up for hours in advance. There's supposedly a lot of these type of artists in Mexico and it's starting to make it's way more prominent here.
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