Fun and Funky

Camp Leti

2010-06-09T18:32:00.000-05:00

So Camp Leti officially started yesterday and what a day it was. The kids had a great time...at least that is what they said. We started the day early which was tough for all of us since it is technically our "vacation." We spent the day at Tia Shannon's with the two most handsome boys ever! The kids got to start off with an early swim followed by a picnic lunch and trip to the library.

Deja and Alex gave me hard time about reading this summer but I got through to Deja. However, I am still working on Alex. We made trip by the snow cone place to get a treat on our way home because it was hotter than you know what! They got to swim some more when we returned while Sutton took a nap. We also took advantage of our time while he was napping to tie-dye our camp shirts. I think that was a real hit with all of them.

We were all pooped by 5:00 and moving slow. That is when I asked myself, "what did I get myself into?"

Abby going in for a splash!

Simon our Superhero!

Ah, Sutton Button is ready to go in...it was short lived and he was back in the pool before we knew it.

Camps kids

Sutton doing the dead boy!

Camp Spa! The girls were giving each other foot rubs in the hot tub.

The kids tie-dying their camp shirts and bandanas.

What an awesome day with some pretty cool kids!

Deja's Spring Recital 5/18/10

2010-05-19T19:58:00.000-05:00

Another Season of Pollen

2010-03-13T15:22:00.000-06:00

So we are entering the Spring 2010 season in full force, or at least when it comes to allergies. I will admit that had I taken my Doctors advice I wouldn't be dealing with a runny and stuffy nose, itchy eyes, sneeze attacks and irritated throat. Now I fight it and am taking everything I can so that I can gain control over this mucus madness. Not only is it annoying but we will be leaving for a camping trip in a few days.

The nice piece of this season is that we are now on Spring Break! Yea....it is official. The past few weeks have been hectic, as life always is. I had a couple of photo projects at work with very little time to complete them. They all got completed and turned out great. I was definitely pleased as well as the big man.

I started my break a little early yesterday by going with Deja's 5th grade class to the Ft. Worth Museum of History and Science to participate in their CSI exhibit. Talk about super cool! The kids loved it. It was great and quite the experience for them. We spent that afternoon with my niece, Sofia, at the park. Talk about a treat...she is just so cute and has quite the personality. We closed the evening off with the AISD art exhibit where my oldest niece, Alex, had two pieces displayed. Way to go Alex! I think Sofia enjoyed it too.

So today I rested, partly due to the "may cause drowsiness" side-effect of allergy meds.

Fun and Funky's Pink Spring Flower Layout

2010-03-07T22:10:00.000-06:00

Simple, simple Pink Spring Flower layout, 5x7. Another quick layout I made while playing in PSE today. I know there are so many more elements that are fun to scrapbook with but I am still learning how to make my own. I have used many freebies from Shabby Princess that I love but still want to learn how to design my own. Anyhow...here is a simple 5x7 layout that can be turned into any fun project you want for the Spring.

Click Here to download Fun & Funky's

Pink Flower Layout.

Have fun Creating!

Creamy Boy Birth Announcement

2010-03-07T22:05:00.000-06:00

Here is a simple baby boy birth announcement I created today. It is simple because I am still trying to learn how to "design" and create elements to use digitally.

Click Here to download Fun & Funky's Creamy Baby Boy Birth Announcement, 5x7.

Have fun creating!

Sofia's 1st Birthday

2010-03-07T16:12:00.001-06:00

So our youngest member of the family turned 1 a couple of weeks ago. It's hard to believe that a year has already flown by. Her personality is shinning strong and she is a strong little girl. If she wants something she is going to make it known and isn't going to give up until she is satisfied. Everyone in her house was sick the week leading up to her birthday. I was surprised they went forth with the party but it went well. She was a bit overwhelmed but what other little person isn't with that many people crowding their home.

Opening gifts was pretty typical for any 1 year old. She wanted to play with something right then and there. It didn't matter if there were 50 more gifts to open. Now the cake...that was funny. She didn't hesitate and dove right in. She had the best time digging into her personal Red Velvet cake by Red Oven, her dad's special request.

Fun and Funky's Blue and Brown

2010-03-07T13:59:00.010-06:00

This morning I woke up determined to create something to share. I will admit that I didn't put a lot of time into this so it is fairly simply. I love to create invitations and usually prefer 5x7s when making them. This is why I decided to create a 5x7 paper. I may use this for a project but I hadn't decided yet...first priority was to share something. This paper won't look good blown up so I wouldn't go bigger than 5x7 when you use it.

Have fun creating!

Download Fun and Funky's 5x7 Blue and Brown Flower paper

PS...Please let me know if you have problems downloading the file.

Fun and Funky's First layout!

2010-03-06T22:38:00.010-06:00

Some friends wanted to know how to create a layout so I am posting one here for them. I am just learning how to use Photoshop for digital scrapbooking but am having a fabulous time doing it. For cool ideas and digital products visit some of my favorite sites, CoffeeShop and Shabby Princess. Their links are at the bottom of my page. Have fun creating!

Taking a park

2009-07-13T22:49:00.002-05:00

Taken at our Family Reunion in Lubbock, TX July 3, 2009
Let me start off by saying, what a week it has been! It's late Monday night and I am still exhausted from a week of traveling across the state of Texas. My goal is to take time to update my blog tomorrow when I am rested and have more time.

Me and Deja

2009-07-13T15:23:00.001-05:00

DSCF1922
Originally uploaded by msleti

Me and Deja on a hike in Palo Duro Canyon. July 6, 2009

What day is it?

2008-12-16T21:13:00.002-06:00

Goodness...it is hard to believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone. Then to top it all off...Christmas is next week! I can't believe it. I didn't realize until we hit November 27 that Thanksgiving was so late. This threw so many things off for me as well as many others.

I was bummed to soon discover that a Christmas and holiday tradition would soon be trampled on. Shannon and I have been baking Christmas cookies for a few years now and always seem to get it in no matter what life has thrown us. This year would be different. It is such a rush and thrill to see our creations especially after working on fumes. We basically spend an entire weekend together layered in sugar, flour and everything in between. Over the past few years the kids have taken their role in the process which has been interesting.

Just when I was realizing the time crunch Shannon calls and expresses her fears. What I failed to remember was who I was talking to and dealing with. Shannon doesn't just let things slide to the way side. She would find a way and there was no way around it. At the time I was not quite sure how it would work and quite frankly didn't see it working. Well...she didn't give up.

This past weekend was really going to be the only weekend for her to bake on top of finishing putting up her trees and designing, baking and assembling 3 gingerbread houses. Oh...and be Mommy and wife. I knew I would be missing out on this years bake-a-thon and was torn but what could I do. I was so shocked when Shannon calls and tells me what she accomplished on Sunday. Then, as if that wasn't enough, she calls Monday afternoon to let me know she finished.

Now...we aren't talking about 1-2 types of cookies and a couple dozen. We are talking 12 different types on average while doubling or tripling a batch. It is mad baking at it's best. I was so sad to know I had missed the madness and thought about all our memories. Let's just say we can get tickled about the simplest things and do some silly things at 3:00 or 4:00 am.

So in a nutshell...life has been busy and I don't even know what day it is. The kids at school have checked out but just send their bodies as routine. Everyone is just walking and moving through the motions and barely doing that. People are falling sick left and right...me included. Stress has found a new meaning and it's not pretty. Oh...and as if we didn't have enough to deal with Mother Nature decides to confuse us with extreme weather.

So we move on to tomorrow and the day after. I still don't know what day it is!

Change is good...right

2008-09-17T19:10:00.003-05:00

So we are in our 4th week of school and things are busier than I imagined. I am enjoying my new position but miss PPCD so much it's crazy. I miss it for a couple of reasons...the kids (my own class) and the fun! The kindergarten students are a hoot for the most part and bring a challenge for me since I have been working with 3 & 4 year olds for the past 6 years...mainly with disabilities. For the most part, the teachers have been receptive to my suggestions and cooperative in this team effort. However, we have a long way to go and a big plan to work through.

Deja is enjoying 4th grade so far...no complaints as of yet. She is doing much better with organization and responsibility too. Now, it is just the 4th week of school and this all could change with the change of the wind I'm sure. It is my guess that they have been doing quite a bit of reviewing which has keep their load light. I suspect that the pace will pick up from here on out. She seems to take more of an initiative and even expressed interest in trying to make the Battle of the Books team. I support her in that decision and goal whether or not I think she will be chosen.

Moving on to other fields...thanks to my dear friend, Shannon, I am back in the dating arena. It is going well but nothing serious yet. I am completely cool with that. I am enjoying getting to know a really nice gentleman but have some reservations. I am working through them and trying to keep an open mind. I do admit that I am picky and just think too much about things that are really trivial. I am working on that and hope that I can set all that aside for once. If anything changes...I will definitely keep you all posted. Hee hee

Oh...two more of my close and dear friends, Rosa and Mel, donated some of their precious time to me a couple of weekends ago and helped me clean out Deja's room. Oh my goodness...let me tell ya what that was like. Pure madness! She had so much crap it was unreal. No...seriously...call it Sanford and Son for sure! After a couple of days we got it cleared. I still had a ton of stuff in bags and boxes in my house for a future yard sale my sister and I are having. For those of you who don't know what my house looks like...it is a super small town home. I needed to pass out maps so you could navigate your way through. I am so being serious on this one. Well...I got all that into my storage shed, which is stuffed to the max now, and was able to get my house in order. I still need to get Deja's bed painted and moved in and get decorations since we are redecorating. It went from pastels...mainly purple with butterflies and flowers to red, white & black. I painted 3 walls white and 1 red. Her bedding is white with a simple floral pattern that works up for the foot of the comforter up. Much more of a "big" girls room.

Slowing sliding in

2008-08-11T20:52:00.003-05:00

So last night I purposely stayed up late because I could. That sounded like a good enough excuse. I wasn't exhausted so why not read and watch some tube. Besides, Deja was staying the night with Gammy and Papo so I didn't have to be 'Mommy' for the night. I also told myself I could sleep in in the morning.

The morning quickly came and my body didn't cooperate with my original plans! What the honk! I was wide awake at 7:15 am! Can I just sleep until 9:00...please? No. My body had a different plan, from where I don't know. I would like to know so I can make sure they never arrive again. I tried to keep my eyes closed tightly in hopes that I would drift off to sleep but that never happened. Despite the change in plans I got to lay in bed for a while and watched reruns of the Golden Girls. Love that show.

I finally accepted the fact that sleeping in wasn't in the cards this morning and got my Mexican tail up and showered. After I was up and at 'em I made my way up to school. I was eager to get my things in place since changing rooms. I also wanted to get some sort of rhyme and reason to my boxes for my new roomie, Mel. Since I will be in Kinder classrooms more than at my desk, Mr. Perales put Mel and I together. I couldn't have asked for a better roommate.

In the short period of time I spent up there today I was able to get my boxes moved and hid, my desk and computer set up as well as get some housekeeping completed for a new teammate. As I sat at my new desk, in my new room (in timbuktu) and in my new position I quickly realized how different this year will be. I won't have my own class to greet on August 25. I won't have name tags and lunch tags to make or centers to set up for that first day. There are so many things I am going to miss about having my own class. Will it get easier?

Oh My Goodness

2008-08-10T20:32:00.002-05:00

Time has flown by this summer...or at least it is starting to feel like it. I think when ESY (extended school year...Special Ed summer school) started and ended had a huge impact on how the summer played out. Even though Deja and I took a vacation I still feel like we need one. I have come to realize after many trips that not all vacations are relaxing. In so many ways it feels as if last school year just ended and now the new year is around the corner! Yikes...I'm not ready!

I barely recall our last day of summer school as it sort of flew by. I feel like I was a mere speck of paint in a overly chaotic painting trying to be seen and heard. The kids knew I was barely breathing and they fought me for every bit of air. They were all over the room like jelly on toast! It was mad! Some how and some way we survived, barely, and made it out of there alive on Thursday. It was sad to watch them leave as that was my last time to have my "own" class unless I teach next summer.

Then the weekend vastly arrived for us to celebrate my Mom's 60th birthday! I can't believe it! As a child 60 sounded and seemed so old. I know now that it isn't but it is still 60. My Mom doesn't look 60 as if there is a 'look' for it. I think was is hard about watching my parents hit the 6th decade of their lives is the confirmation that we are all growing old and there is nothing we can do about it. Either way...our family had a great dinner together in her honor...I think she loved it too.

And there is school. Deja will be entering 4th grade and that alone makes me sad. I can remember vividly the day she was born and I hope I never forget. As much as she is still a little girl she is growing up so much. I find myself watching her and reminiscing on when she was a baby and toddler. I loved her giggle and voice! But it does please me to watch her develop her personality and passions just as much. She has grown into quite the scientist which was never what I expected. Love it!

To wrap up all the events August brings year to year comes her birthday. She will turn 9 on August 23 when we will have a pool party and sleepover. I had to make some major changes in our budget this month after a surprising find that I didn't get the check I was expecting. My summer school payment authorization form wasn't turned it! That is another story in itself. So one of me dear friends...like another sister...has graciously offered her home & pool for the event. I can't even begin to thank her enough! So those plans are underway where I have no doubt it will be grand no matter how small. I finally got the invitations made and mailed which was a bit later than I wanted but it is done.

Flying by...

2008-07-22T22:08:00.002-05:00

Deja and I are having quit the vacation so far. We survived NYC twice sore feet and all...but loved it! I don't have a favorite moment or site yet...too many to choose from, no doubt! We saw the typical tourist must sees....Empire State bldg, The Today show (was on there 3 times that morning), Tiffany & Co, FAO Schwartz, American Girl store, Toys R' Us (rode the ferris wheel inside too), Times Square, Grand Central Station, Radio City Music Hall, Ground Zero, South Street Sea Port, Chinatown, Little Italy, Statue of Liberty & a broadway show...Phantom of the Opera! Oh...about 1/4 of Central Park. We divided this all up in 2 days and we were going non-stop from early morn till the wee hours of the night.

While in the city we met up with TJ, a friend from H.S....and Diana's brother...and had lunch. So the city was quite the adventure to say the least. Would love to go back when we have more time to cruise on through vs. flying by.

The Jersey Shore and Pine Beach/Toms River were wonderful and relaxing. We had wonderful hosts and couldn't have picked a better place to stay.

So we caught a train out of Trenton, NJ and are now in Quantico, VA with our cousins. Our plan so far is to go into DC for tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't storm!

I'm off to bed. Nite Nite

Summer Vacation

2008-07-12T20:48:00.003-05:00

I am so pumped and ready for our trip this week. Deja and I will be joining a long time friend, Shannon, and her two sons to NJ on Wednesday. We will be there for 6 days when we take a train to Quantico to visit my cousin, Carlos, and his family. We haven't seen them in at least 3 years, maybe 4, so I am excited.

Deja and I have never been to any of the places we are visiting and are a bit overwhelmed with all the possibilities. Luckily, Shan is quite familiar with the area and will help us layout an itinerary. I think the plan so far is to go into the city at least 2 days. I know that we may not see everything on my wish list but we sure will try. I really want to spend a day on the boardwalk and beach too.

While in Quantico, we will go into DC to go site seeing as well. Deja is pretty excited to see the White House as well as I am. As I said, I'm so overwhelmed by what all there is to see and do.

Birthday Bash

2008-07-07T21:53:00.005-05:00

So another birthday has rolled around and I am starting to feel he uphill battle. This past week was a fun and eventful celebration of another year completed and a new year to come. I got to have drinks and bar food with some friends last week at one of my new fav spots. Please don't ask where because it is embarrassing to admit. LOL My teammates at summer school also brought lunch on Wednesday for me which was so yummy! Homemade enchiladas, tropical salad, brownies galore & ice cream. It was great! Oh...homemade Spanish rice tambien. LOL

As if that was not enough partying...my two best friends suggested that we go out on Friday. So that we did. There were 8 of us total that night...a nice group. Melissa was freakin' hilarious at dinner and I think I am not the only one to think so. Dinner was great....at Mi Cocina. Let's see...who was there: Melissa, Joe, Jay, Jack, Masaki (Jack's wife), Mino (Masaki's sister) and Jimmy. Jay, Jack & Jimmy are brothers....some of the best men you will ever meet!

So after dinner we walked over to 8.0 to party some more...some of us stumbled over there while others walked. They had a great live band so I got my groove on the dance floor. OK...like as if that took much. I did have some help from my wonderful friends. They were just pouring the drink down my throat. LOL I think I even got some random chic to get on the dance floor with me. What's up with that. The night was just filled with lots of laughter amongst friends. I loved it!

Concert in the Gardens

2008-06-28T22:38:00.004-05:00

My dear friend Karrie called me up yesterday morning to let me know that she had 2 tickets to the concert in the gardens that night...Friday night. It was actually a concert and laser show. So Jay and I took advantage of the opportunity and enjoyed a great concert.

The weather couldn't have been any better. It wasn't too hot, actually pretty mild with a slight breeze. We listened to the Fort Worth Symphony play some selections from Harry Potter, Star Wars and more while having a picnic & a glass of wine. Oh...they actually played the entire Star Wars Suite from the Trilogy. It was great!

I felt bad because Jay planned ahead and brought his camera. However, after I pointed out that there was a blurb about photography & video taping on the tickets...that it was prohibited...he left it in the car. Well...there were some people in the audience taking pictures. We tried with the cell phones but they didn't come out great.

I have added two pictures I took of the fireworks on my cell and one from their website. That one is the laser show.

Liquid Medicine

2008-06-27T11:44:00.003-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, Deja stayed the night with a friend so I had a "free" night. I had already put a bottle of wine in the fridge to chill so I could relax with a good Lifetime movie. Ha
My two best friends joined me for some beers at one of mine and Mel's favorite spots, The Big Apple. OK...it's quite the dump but you gotta love the Big Apple. This is a place we like to go when we need a "lift me up" so to speak. It is an odd mix/crowd...difficult to describe.

We always manage to meet the oddest people out there but it makes for an entertaining night. So last night we saw this guy who has been there before and who has something wrong with him. LOL He tends to made the oddest noises and yells out things frequently. Then it dawned on me who he looked like...."Edward Rooney" from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I kid you not.

It was a fun evening with good friends.

Staying Afloat

2008-06-26T17:46:00.000-05:00

So, I just completed my first week of summer school and I am thrilled beyond belief. LOL I have held out on using a bit of liquid to take the edge off but will open up the vino as soon as Deja heads out the front door to a friend's house for the night.

I think we finally came up with a good system that allowed us to actually breath during class. The kids are starting to adjust to our new faces and the new schedule. We have students who come from various campus' in the district so they are not all familiar with our lovely faces. I have only one student from previous summers and one from my home campus. The other babies are brand new.

One of my dear and childhood friends is one of my assistants, Rosa. She is wonderful and such a blessing in the classroom. She is destined to teach. God only knows...she is a mother of 4 great boys. My other assistant is good and very helpful. I am just not sure how to read her and I am sure she feels the same about me. You see...I am quite goofy with my class. I also have a serious issue with animal noises and I don't quite think she understands me. LOL Who does for that matter! She doesn't always answer Rosa and I when we initiate conversation and she rarely smiles and laughs. You gotta laugh! That is a must in my classroom and it is the best medicine!

Now it is Thursday evening and I am childess and about to hang low. OK...I might step out to get a brewski with my crazy friend Mel.