It Just Dawned On Me

Of Course I've Been to the Thrift Store

2012-01-19T00:29:00.000-06:00

The secret to finding good junk at junky places is to go often and dig. You must be willing to get dirty and touch questionable things. You must be able to see beauty covered in dirt and possibilities that spray paint can reveal.

Digging--that's how I found this adorable treasure. I was hunting through a jumbled pile of sheets and bed skirts and lumpy blankets when this adorable baby hat surfaced.

Of course I put it on and sent a picture to Molly and Sarah before I even got home because it was that cute. Perhaps not on me, but still!

There ya go! Just as I promised--adorable!

I'll add it to my "too good to let go of but have no idea of what to do with" pile.

Except I think that might be a closet.

or perhaps alot of the stuff in my house.

But you never know--things like that come in handy!

Shades of Green.... Or is it Blue???? and Wood Tones

2012-01-17T00:22:00.001-06:00

Before Christmas, March seventeenth, my Baby's wedding day, was far, far away in the future. Kind of like--next year!

Then about December twenty-seventh in the middle of the night, panic set in! I'm sure it was the middle of the night because that's always when thoughts of doom take your mind hostage! I realized that March Seventeenth was suddenly only ten weeks away. Much different than "Next Year!"

Molly and I headed to the big city the the day after New Year to search high and low for Bridesmaid dress fabric. We had been searching diligently for affordable ready made dresses, but apparently our definition of affordable is vastly different from the world's definition.

Also, it seems that our definition of modesty is a bit different. At the end of summer, we looked at all sorts of close-out racks. We found affordable dresses. Oh yes, we did. They seemed to be short on cloth. Hemlines were too high and necklines were too low. Hello--if we are going to buy an expensive bridal gown, I certainly don't want the wedding guests to be looking at the bridesmaids!

So, being the m~~artyr cheapskate thrifty~~ mother that I am, I decided to make them. Apparently, besides the fact that there are not affordable bridesmaid dresses, there is no such thing as the perfect color. Here's a tiny selection of the vast quantities of bolts of fabric we perused at places such as Joann's and Hancock's for the right color for the dresses. At last we found what we wanted (kind of) at our very own hometown WalMart store!

See that pretty aqua (turquoise? Teal?) tulip print? See it? It's right there in the center on the top row. Our final choice. Girly, vintage-y and almost the right color.

While I've been working diligently in the seamstressing (notice that stressing is part of that word. Amazing coincidence, no?), the bride, groom and the bride's father all addressed, licked and stamped invitations.

And in other news, our other daughter and son in law have just started building their new home and.....

wait for it.......

are doing it themselves.......

'sigh.'

Whatever were we thinking when we encouraged all this do-it-yourself stuff in the past! :)

This photo was taken the first day they were framing. They had some wonderful help--Les and his dad, my dad, Josh and Molly. On Saturday, they were joined by a couple of church members. Today all the walls, both exterior and interior are up. Next (I think, maybe) is sheeting (covering the outer walls with sheets of wood like the one propped on the saw horse) or maybe putting on trusses (the triangular thingies that are the 'ribs' of the roof.

I'm so thankful for the help they are having in this somewhat 'do-it-yourself' building project.

So anyways.....Not much rest for anyone around here. Maybe we can get back to normal after the wedding in March. Or maybe after the house is finished. Or....well, probably never...

Besides. We really aren't too normal, I guess!

How to make Frozen Lemonade

2012-01-12T21:05:00.004-06:00

Empty contents of can into pitcher. Look for the instruction to tell you how much water to add.

Turn the can round and round and round. Keep looking.

Keep Looking.

Look at the lid.

Hold the can at arms length and squint.

What's that? Right there above the blue box in a teeny font? Could it be?????

Maybe they could attach a little plastic magnifying glass to this.

I'm glad to know that it's gluten free, guaranteed and distributed by Wal-Mart. Perhaps I'm the only one who needs instructions for this??

Things I'm Afraid Of

2012-01-05T22:15:00.001-06:00

That I will be pushing a loaded shopping cart through a store

and will crash into unwisely displayed breakable items.

That little kids will think these are normal piggy banks

Knives and forks loaded point up in the dishwasher--

I might fall and put an eye out!

That bridesmaid dresses to be made from this bolt of fabric will turn out

Like this:

Instead of something like this:

Perhaps I have the wrong kind of Fairy Godmother?

EEK! Molly's getting married in about 10 weeks and I have LOTS to do!

*images were borrowed from a Google Search.

The Christmas Mother was Sick

2011-12-27T12:57:00.002-06:00

This post shall be blessedly devoid of accompanying photographs.

Or should it be "The Christmas that Mother was sick?' Because the above title sounds like I was a Christmas Mother. Not just a Mother who was sick. After all, I'm a mother all year round, have been for the last twenty-three-ish (or is it 24? She was born in 1988--you do the math, I can't even remember how old I am most of the time.) years after all.

So anyways, Christmas night we were watching a movie based on one of Jeanette Oke's books where the mother dies of scarlet fever. Uplifting? Well, I'm sure there was a somewhat happy ending but Father and I became weary and we went off to bed before we watched the whole thing.

And then at two o'clock (a.m.) I awoke with that feeling of horror and dread that proceeds (or is it precedes?) the throwing up process. I was able to go off to sleep for a bit but soon woke up thinking I was on fire or being roasted by the cat at my feet who usually can't even keep them warm and then I went into the bathroom and divested myself of the apple I had eaten for supper. Nothing like throwing up and getting apple peel in your teeth.

Then I got really cold and went back to bed and then I got really hot after a bit and the whole process repeated itself (sans apple peel, thankfully if you can be thankful for anything.)

And then the kids came over and there was much merriment and laughter from the kitchen while I lay in bed and was miserable and covered my nose from the unearthly horrible smell of cooking.

You'll be glad to know that I came into the living room and sat in my red chair far from the maddening crowd* and breathed to myself and watched them open their gifts. I sat weakly there with one hand propping my head up to keep it from rolling onto the floor and thought of the movie from the night before and was thankful that even if I was sick it was not from Scarlet Fever and I probably would be able to participate in the next Christmas. I'm positive I looked ethereal and wan, yet strong and brave as I sat alone far from the breathing space of anyone else.

And then I wondered if anyone was keeping a diary and was writing about how sad it was that Mother was ill this Christmas. And how much they missed my cheery face at the breakfast table. And how sad it was I wasn't playing cards with them. Or if they wrote how poor Father had to do all the dishes all day and keep the kitchen cleaned up and the Christmas trash hauled out.

And at that part, I was still sad I was sick, but was glad I didn't have to clean the kitchen at least.

*Fun Fact that has nothing to do with Mother being ill--I always thought that Far From the Maddening Crowd was the title of the book by Thomas Hardy. I actually shelved the book for many years, still seeing the title as Far From the Maddening Crowd. I was sure it was a book about a person wanting to be alone although I have read one Thomas Hardy book and died of boredom throughout it (I didn't read it all) and so I wasn't even going to read the book flap to enlighten myself and then one day I realized it said Far from the MADDING Crowd. And I just read about the book on Wikipedia and realized it was probably as deadly boring as I thought it would be--It's about Sheep Bloat and such. And that Madding and Maddening mean about the same thing--frenzied. So even if I misspelled it, I was correct in the meaning. And there is a character named Bathsheba Everdene and I wonder if Suzanne Collins took this name for The Hunger Games Katniss from this book. And I'm glad she didn't use Bathsheba for a character.

I'm excited for The Hunger Games movie coming out soon--how about you?

So--Should I or should I not throw my toothbrush away?

Got Merry?

2011-12-24T22:55:00.004-06:00

Have a Blessed Christmas!

A Cozy Fireplace

2011-12-21T20:27:00.002-06:00

Find a cozy chair, brew up a spot of tea and curl up in front of this lovely crackling fire!

*Found courtesy of the Susan Branch Blog.

A Myth

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

My mother and my sisters have this fantasy.

I've perhaps helped perpetuate the myth but it's time for the reveal and it ain't pretty.

They think I live in a clutter free house. I've shown you my craft closet. Seriously! I don't know where they get the idea that I can have all the junk I have in my house and it's not cluttered.

In fact after my cluttered fireplace hearth post, my sister said she was glad to see that I had clutter.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen--the truth shall be revealed:

I made the picture extra large just for you dear family.

Clutter is taking over. You just don't realize that when you call to let me know you are coming I work like a madwoman to stick it all in some closet or drawer before you get here!

The Little Buckaroo was Born or A Cowboy Nativity

2011-12-14T18:45:00.000-06:00

Remember that Garage Sale that was not really a Garage Sale, but a Giveaway Extravaganza? (Is it proper to capitalize Garage Sale?) I posted about the Shirley Jones Skirt and the Amazing Mr. T Camping Experience? Well, I had the amazing luck to find amongst the treasures of the Extravaganza a box of Christmas ornaments that included a number of ceramic cowboy hats!

And there were just enough!

Three for the Kings (the visiting cowboy had his own).

Two for Mary and Joseph and the shepherd boy who laid his reverently at his knee

while bowing before the baby Jesus. (it's hard to wear a hat with a sheep on your shoulder)

And one left over for the Heralding Angel!

Just Sharing Information

2011-12-12T22:28:00.000-06:00

Don't be jealous if your fireplace area doesn't look as festive as mine. To duplicate this look, you must mix Fall decorations, random objects moved from places in the house, piles of knick knacks and sparkly stuff and other tidbits that you may or may not use in decorating for Christmas.

Do you have any fishing floats? You know those awesome glass balls (well, I think they are awesome, so you must too, ok?) that fishermen tie to their nets in the ocean? What? They don't really do that? I'm sure they do. And I'm sure that the ones I purchased at a garage sale here in Oklahoma were washed up on some shore when they came loose from the nets.

Well, anyways, I have this basket of them that I've collected from various and sundry places. I really like the basket and I really like the floats and I really like to put them in front of a light source so the light shines through them and shows the pretty colors. Really. They are pretty--just not so much in this picture--dusty as they are.

I have one less float today. I moved the basket so Les could put out the Nativity and as I sat it on the brick, one of the floats rolled out and broke.

And did you know that Fishing floats not only break, but they explode upon impact with brick? It must be all the gases and such that built up when they were floating, lost upon the surface of the sea, before being washed up onto a distant shore, found and sold in an Oklahoma garage sale.

I had glass bits clear across the room!

Not quite the Christmas glitter I had in mind!

Happy Decorating!

The Cat Under the Christmas Tree

2011-12-10T21:52:00.001-06:00

Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to another edition of "Gratuitous Cat Photos."

We'll begin our presentation with the soft focus, glow-y photo. It will put you in the holiday mood!

And will make you feel better about your photographic skills! Let's pretend that I deliberately didn't focus this picture so it would be all full of that holiday 'bokeh' that so many photographers are talking about.....

Next up! Fresh and colorful (kind of)! Find the kitty in the snowy cloth beneath the Christmas Tree!

Yes, her "Patch"y hat gives her away! You should see her try to sneak up on birds in the yard in the summer--snowy white coat against a field of green!

" All Right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my closeup!" Or not! But you get the picture!

It's kinda sad to see our Patchy cat sleeping alone under the Christmas tree. Last year, she had the World's Most Spoiled Dog to keep her company.

Well, it's sad until I remember all the times we came home early to let out the World's Most Spoiled Dog. Or got up at night to let out the WMSD. Or when I see the scratch marks on our doors from the neurotic WMSD. Then it's not sad.

But one cat under a Christmas tree--kinda lonely.

Guess we better get to wrapping presents!

What's for supper?

2011-12-08T20:27:00.001-06:00

I hate deciding that! It is inevitable that whatever I decide to make, someone doesn't like or isn't in the mood for it or had it for lunch.

I've been pinning all sorts of things on my Pinterest boards and decided to check that out and found this terrific loaded potato soup!

It called for bacon and I hate the mess and smell of frying it so I checked online to find how to make it in the oven. Just line a sheet pan with foil, lay the bacon in a single layer on it and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. If the bacon is thick, you might have to turn it partway. No frying, no flying grease, no smell! Just dump the grease off the foil and throw it away--not even a greasy pan to wash.

And then, Les wanted to know what kind of muffins we were having. Well, none at that point! But I pulled out a cookbook, looked up a recipe for sweet muffins, added some cranberries and walnuts. And we had a feast!

I adore technology! I use it all day at work, and for lots of things at home!

But nothing beats pulling out a trusty cookbook that you won in 6th grade in the bread competition at the county 4-H Food Show!

All the splatters in this book are mine! It has my favorite recipes for banana bread, muffins and biscuits in it.

I guess you could say we had a little celebration supper--Molly's finished with school for the semester and has a few weeks of brain rest!

Good Morning

2011-12-01T15:16:00.001-06:00

If God can create intricate, delicate beauty such as this every day, can anything be too hard for Him?

Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you! Psalm 55:22

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Saga of Cyber Monday

2011-11-25T22:53:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was definitely a Monday from beginning to end.

--We had staff development at the beginning of the day, then to compensate, had a shortened class schedule, which resulted in every class being a huge rush.

--I was teaching a Chemistry class in the library about magazine databases (yes, I was teaching Chemistry. But the teacher did not let me address anything scientific. A good thing!)

--It was the first day of the annual book fair. Which I run.

--I never got my lesson plans finished. From last week either.

--I teach Reading Remediation fifth period, which, of course, did not coincide with the planning period of the Chemistry teacher. (by the way, students in Reading Remediation do not like to read, in case you were wondering)

--I went to the bathroom once.

--Sitting down (except for the aforementioned bathroom break) did not happen.

--I did not get a lunch break.

--I realized at the end of the day I had consumed one cup of coffee, 1 can of Coke and part of a bottle of water--something tells me that this is a bit below the recommended daily fluid intake!

--two student computers refused to go online. Laptops would not open files created on a desktop.

--not all of the charger outlets for the laptops work and I tried to figure out which ones.

--one of the floor outlets quit working.

--the Mac I'm currently using for email decided it didn't like our school internet filter and refused to allow me online.

--I spent the afternoon without shoes as a tiny stress reliever/rebellion. Luckily, I wore black, not navy socks with my black pants.

--a boy asked me what I did all day.

--I honestly didn't know what to tell him.

By the time I left the building, my necklace was too tight and weighed at least a million pounds around my neck, my hair was gross, my clothes were too, too.... just too something..., I was incredibly hot and sweaty, my earrings dragged at my ears, my rings were both too loose and too snug and my watchband was cutting off circulation to my hand.

So I went home.

And saw this thing plugged in right at head level behind my red (a.k.a.throne) chair. As I leaned closer to see what it was, a sharp pain exploded above my left eye. Funny, in spite of the day, I had not noticed a headache. As I backed away, the pain receded. When I leaned in again to look, the pain increased. It was pulsing with the blink of that consarned plug-in thingy! That thing was pulsing and sending out death waves right behind the chair I had planned on sitting in and not getting out of until bed time.

And then Les and Molly laughed at me because, clearly, I was the pest that the thing was designed to repel.

And so I stormed into the shower, scrubbed off my skin, violently washed my hair, slammed the shower door, folded a load of laundry, sorted and washed laundry, firmly shut the garage door numerous times as I de-cluttered the dining room table, vigorously closed the washer and dryer, sternly snapped the almost dry shirts that were hung up from the dryer, and vehemently cooked chicken, macaroni and cheese and green beans for my family who then went into the living room to watch television, leaving me to forcefully clean the kitchen.

All. By. My. Self.

Then I ordered some Christmas presents, bought MYSELF some books and went to bed.

The end.

Of a very, very, long day.

(however my anger and frustration at home did have a very productive (if somewhat noisy) side affect!)

The Unforgettable Turkey Dinner

2011-11-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

We used to eat Turkey a lot. My mother-in-law would put it on early in the morning in the electric roaster and then ask us all out to eat lunch. There was always plenty, no matter how many extras joined the family for dinner.

One Saturday, we were getting dinner ready and waiting on my father-in-law's parents to arrive. Crystal was buttering the bread, and I was taking care of the turkey. Was that the time Crystal dropped a three pound bowl of Country Crock Butter on the kitchen carpet? I don't recall. Our family dinners are filled with messy memories.

But anyways, back to the turkey. Bonnie usually put her turkey in the roaster while it was still frozen. Didn't have to worry about thawing it, allowed for spontaneous turkey baking and we didn't like the giblets anyway so if they cooked away inside their little paper bag, no one cared.

This will probably horrify you roast, golden baked turkey purists, but we like the turkey falling apart. In fact, I'm hungry thinking about it now!

As I said, we were waiting on more guests and everyone had their little jobs to do--much chatter and laughing and kid yelling was going on. I was fishing through the broth to get all the little yummy juicy pieces out (and popping a few in my mouth!). I felt a bony piece and pulled it out to dump in the 'discard' pile...

and stared straight into the empty eye socket of the flesh-less turkey head.

I shrieked and dropped the horrifying thing back into the broth! Bonnie and Crystal came running (well, all the way from the other side of the table) and wanted to know what was wrong. At that point I had figured out what it was and started to laugh (and be grossed out).

We then used the strainer to hunt for the offending thing a bit, but decided we didn't really care to find it.

And then Grandma and Grandad arrived.

And wondered why no one else was eating turkey.

And that's the last time we ever baked turkey without thawing again....

Sunday Afternoon at the Castor's

2011-11-20T14:51:00.001-06:00

I'm cold. I wish I had a fire in the fireplace but that would mean someone would have to go out and bring in some wood. And then someone would have to eventually clean out the ashes and clean the soot and smoke off the glass fireplace doors. And since my name is a synonym for someone, I guess that I will just put on an extra sweater and my slippers. And find a blanket.

Yesterday's high was 71 degrees. Today's so far is 36. Cold chill!

My husband is napping in the chair, which is why he won't be carrying in firewood or doing any of the other -fireplace-ish stuff. He loves Lifetime movies. And right now there is some trashy murderous movie on Lifetime playing on the TV that he is obviously not watching but if I turn it off he will be wide awake and wonder why I turned it off. Because he was listening too it. Next up after "Lies My Mother Told Me" is "Terror in the Family" and then "The Pastor's Wife. All stories of lovely families with a murderer in their midst..... Oh well, at least it's not football. But these movies make me feel all negative and angry. Have I ever told you how easily influenced I am by movies and books. And advertising.

I am so tempted to buy anything advertised with an Eddie Bauer/Lands End, outdoorsy type theme. Then I look at the price. And consider if I really will be snowboarding or heli-skiing in the near future. And reconsider. But it would be good to look at least as if I were such a sportish person, right?

He was watching football last night. With his eyes open and everything. I had to leave the room. He has evidently forgotten that one of the reasons I married him was because he did not watch football. I'm not sure what to do about this breach of contract.

Hey! I've switched channels to "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and he didn't even notice! Yay! Much better.

I must cease and desist this blogging for today. I must read the chapter of the book for our church book study and I'm online Christmas shopping and looking at Pinterest and checking out the Eddie Bauer Airstream trailer online.

Busy, busy, busy!

Bragging on a Bargain

2011-11-17T06:00:00.001-06:00

I was at the thrift store looking for teacups when I spotted this box.

I peeked inside, and sure enough, it really was what the magic marker said it was!

I hurriedly shoved it under my coat before anyone could see it and headed for the checkout line.

Okay, not really.

Look at the purple pile. Can you see the paper stuck to the fabric? A bit of original feed sack label perhaps?

I wasn't wearing a coat and I didn't want to be accused of shoplifting and there was hardly anyone else in the store. But I did keep a VERY close eye on it while I was digging through the books!

(You might wonder why I was looking at the books because it is clear that I have plenty since I'm willing to tear and shred them for craftiness. But yes, I do look at books everywhere I go! I'm greedy that way! And I found some treasures, just so you'll know. That won't be torn, shredded, pasted or anything else.)

I didn't really look at my treasure till I got home, but in the box were 52 completed flowers and 23 little stitched together bundles of hexagons to make a total of 75 flowers. There was also a needle with a bit of thread and the cardboard hexagon template with a very curious old fashioned lady on it.

I love Flower Garden quilts and always wanted one!

Now I can make my very own! All those little pesky hexagons are already cut out.

Except for the ones that separate the flowers.

And except for the fact that these are all sewn together by hand with tiny, even stitches.

And I can't see well enough to sew by hand much. Cause I'm oldish.

And the fact that there are forty other unfinished projects (not necessarily started by me, just like these quilt pieces) in my ~~crap~~ craft closet (which is highly organized, comparatively, to other craft closets).

Perhaps my grandchildren would love to sew together a Flower garden quilt using pieces of authentic 20th century fabric purchased by a 21st century person.

Wonder what the quarter that I spent on this box will be worth according to inflation?

Wonder what these pieces cost the original owner of this fabric?

Wonder if I will work on it a bit and someone will just sell it for a pittance at some garage sale.

Why Teachers are Weird

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Have you ever wondered why teachers are so weird? And willing to make total fools of themselves in front of the most critical audiences on the planet?
Middle aged women who rap poetry--perhaps poorly. Poor poetry or poor rapping? Not sure which.

Does it make you curious why teachers laugh at their own dumb jokes?
Did you know punctuation kills? Watch out for comma placement!
"Let's eat Grandma!" Oh no! Poor Grandma!
"Let's eat, Grandma!" Much better!
(personally I think this is totally hilarious and not dumb at all!)

I'll tell you why--cause we are desperate for entertainment. Appropriate entertainment that is.

When you repeat the same thing multiple times a day to the same blank-eyed stares, sometimes you've just got to rap badly.

Or tell dumb jokes. That you can laugh at.

It's not about entertaining the students. Oh no.

It's about entertaining yourself to save your sanity.

And suddenly, you don't really care if you look foolish, or sound dumb, or like your mother or like that 7th grade science teacher.

You're just a person who needs some levity to push back the sea of savage beasts that are swarming around your desk and threatening to engulf you.

And you are not afraid to mix metaphors.

Because you've come to realize the blank-eyed stares of the savage, swarming beasts is actually the Zombie Apocalypse and it is already here in the form of America's Youth.

Believe it. Or not.

Seven Things You Don't Know About Me

2011-11-14T19:25:00.001-06:00

My sister Andi knows I'm in a blogging slump so she has passed on a reward. It's a questionable reward if you ask me. It's a reward that sounds remarkably like a ~~punishment~~ assignment. Hmmmm. As a public school librarian, I've seen this trick before.

But what the hey--I'll play along because, as I said, I'm having writer's block or bloggers block or something.

1. I'm a great listener. You can tell me anything. Unless I'm thinking about Pinterest or the dream I had last night or that book I'm reading. Then you can still tell me anything and I will nod and make the appropriate sympathetic noises but I won't remember the conversation later. But that makes me a terrific listener--right? So discreet!
2. I am thrilled when all my hangers match and my shirts hang the same direction!
3. My career as a librarian has made me a wee bit obsessive about organization in my personal life.
4. I fantasize about the good old days of education when kids stood in corners, had their heads thumped and got busted at home and at school.
5. The thought of being confined or restrained horrifies me. In fact the picture of a person wearing a straight jacket--shudder.
6. The sight of an empty stage makes me want to grab a microphone. An long empty hallway begs me to do cartwheels. So to keep myself safe, I never go to school alone. Who knows what would happen?
8. I'm really bad at numbers. Like, really bad--I might have numerical dyslexia. Or it might just be dislikia.....Bwahahaha! I crack myself up! Which is a good thing cause no one else is laughing with me these days.

And since I can't blog without pictures: For your viewing pleasure, my husband, daughter and mother-in-law in Kenya! I love these people!

This Week...

2011-11-10T21:18:00.001-06:00

I'm so tired! Remind me to never again have Freshmen and Sophomores doing research in the library 7 days in a row! I've still got three to go!

Did you know that librarians are cheerleaders, naggers, dinner host-ers, lightbulb changers, doorknob fixers, picture shrinkers, book pushers, student advocates, brick carriers, computer programmers, app searchers, free stuff beggars, chair repairers, nose wipers, techno-wiz's, paper reader's, information advisers and parental stand-ins? Sometimes all within the same class period. Especially if there's at least forty students in the library? (not really about the nose wipers but I do advise some students to go check themselves out in the mirror in the back room. If you know what I mean....)

This has been an up and down week.

Highlight of the week: Sophomore student who was previously in my reading class is citing (writing a bibliography entry) a book for his history class. (info: said student is a wee bit hyper (this is a wee bit of an understatement)). The room is filled with college recruiters setting up tables for college lunch for Seniors. (Yes, the library is a hopping place!)

He yells out (because of course that is what all teenagers do eyeroll) "Hey, I remember this! You taught us this last year!"

I darn near swooned! I was so proud. In spite of the yelling. I had taught something someone actually learned! And it's so amazing that sometimes the 'someone' who learned something is not high on the list of suspected learners!

Low blow of the week: I'm prodding Freshmen in English to actually write on their note cards. I move about the room, checking source cards, looking at note cards, reminding them to punctuate and add page numbers and what have you.

Smiling student: "Go away, you're getting on my nerves and I didn't ask for your help." And his eyes weren't smiling...... There's something really creepy about someone being deliberately rude while smiling.

By the way, I didn't go away. Smiling student did. He forgot that it is my room.

Lesson for the day: Some times nagging works. Sometimes nagging backfires.

He just better not ask for help in the future.

Not that I'm vengeful.

Now for the "Helpful Hint of the Day."

Most of you... Oh let's get real--probably all of you "It Just Dawned on Me" readers are past the ages of needing this hint most likely but I must share the awesomeness that is known as "EasyBib."

Remember typewriters? Remember having to type a list of the books you used while researching and having to make sure that everything was in order and error free? Didn't you hate that?

Do you even remember that?????

Behold!

1. Install the EasyBib app for free on your iPhone.
2. Open the app and point your phone camera at the handy-dandy barcode on the back of book. You know--the one they would scan at the store. Not the library label barcode, silly.
3. Wait a minute while the app takes the picture and automatically cites your source in MLA, APA, or Chicago style.
4. I KNOW!!! Who ever thought that Bibliography making/source citing could be soooo muuuuuchhh fun!!! No writing. No typing. No hunting through one of those pesky guides to remind you of punctuation and capitalization rules.
5. Email the citation to yourself, copy it into your Bib page and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

I realized just now what is wrong with this week. I have had to go to school for five days! For the previous four weeks, I have had one day off a week for Fall Break, taking people to the airport, Parent Teacher Conference, taking people wedding dress shopping...... Man! A five day week is hard!

Just out of curiosity, will you please let me know if you find anything about this post interesting?

Wait. Did that sound needy???

No, Really.....

2011-11-08T20:14:00.000-06:00

Arrgh! I've sat down to write a post numerous times lately! But Pinterest gets in the way. Or I get sleepy. Or I'd rather read a book. Or I neglected get my camera and I need the pictures on it.

Hey! Speaking of cameras, did I tell you what I have pictures of?

Well of course I didn't because I've not been posting anything!

We've been shopping--dress shopping.

Specifically for an ivory, lace covered, flowery dress of the 'train including' variety.

You know the kind I mean:

Of course, none of the above dresses are THE dress, but we had a wonderful time watching Molly play dress up! My favorite picture is the one on the lower right. Or maybe the one on the upper right!

It was fun. We found a dress. Not just A dress, but THE dress. We had time to go to Hobby Lobby and Pier 1.

A successful day!!

C'Mon Get Happy! It's Halloween!

2011-10-30T21:59:00.000-05:00

I'm afraid you're gonna think this blog is all about me! Me, Me, Me! I use the word "I" way too much, I realize.

But, after all, it's MY blog and "I" can write about whatever "I" choose too, right??

Besides, I can't think of anything else.

Since it's dress-up time, I had to share these pictures with you. We are having "Twunk or Tweat" at church on Halloween Night and Sarah came over to get a costume from the costume closet. (Yes, I have a closet devoted to costumes, don't you? It's the one cool thing (or perhaps eccentric) my daughters can brag about on me! When your family is in plays and likes to play dress up for various occasions, it just seems to make sense to have a costume closet! Besides there's all those awesome vintage (old and ugly) clothes to be had for pennies at garage sales and thrift stores!!!)

So, Sarah was getting one of my old bridesmaid dresses to be Princess Peach. She and Jake are making their pickup into a castle and will be Princess Peach and Luigi (or is it Mario...) for their "Twunk or Tweat" vehicle. I think we will be clowns. Or perhaps Wizard of Oz characters. Or something. No plan is yet in place. Hopefully we will know before 5:00 on Monday Evening!

While looking for the perfect old prom/bridesmaid dress to portray Peach, Sarah tossed a random assortment of clothes out in the floor and these two items fell together! They were destined to be an outfit even though each had been ~~tossed/thrown~~ carefully stored in the closet at separate times.

Behold! Shirley Jones, AKA Shirley Partridge!

(please ignore the scary eyes...Les took this with his iPhone. Or perhaps it was an eyePhone.....)

"I think I love you so what am I so afraid of?

I'm afraid that I'm not sure of,

A love there is no cure for......"

Then Shirley decided to work on a new composition while she waited on the kids to get home from school and Reuben Kincaid to come over and check out her newest costume idea before the big tour!

Can you believe this awesome outfit was free?????? What was someone thinking? (This comment could apply equally to the tosser and the taker of the garments!!!)

It is a family tradition to hit up junk shops, thrift stores, garage sales and antique shoppes when on Fall Break. While visiting an antique store last weekend, a man came in and was talking about his garage sale. My aunt asked him for the address. He said he was finished with the sale but we were welcome to come and take whatever we wanted!

It was like heaven. Well, perhaps heaven will be cleaner, better organized and have higher quality stuff, but still! Most of those amazing props used in the Silly Story "A Very Busy Camp" were free! Can you believe I didn't even have to pay a dime for Mr. T? Can you believe I actually own a Mr. T. Doll? I never dreamed I would, that's for sure! I admit that I would never purchase one, but you never know when a free Mr. T doll might just be the thing you need!

You would be amazed at the great stuff my mom, sister, aunt, niece and family friend hauled out of that garage. Probably you would be amazed that we took it.

But it was fun!

And how awesome is that skirt, anyway? It was a perfect fit--meant obviously for me!

My husband is so proud......

A Very Busy Camp!

2011-10-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Mr. T. went camping.

He was grilling a nice trout over his campfire for supper.

An elk came by so Mr. T. decided to go hunting.

While he was gone, a couple of cowboys dropped in.

The cowboys preferred beans and steak for grub instead of fish, so they left.

Old Santy and one of his reindeer came along, but the weather was a bit warm for them.

So--

they flew out of sight.

Goldilocks and her friend were walking through the woods and saw a lovely campfire with a fish cooking over it and decided to have a snack.

"I wonder who this camp belongs to?" Goldilocks asked her friend?

Suddenly, she had the eerie feeling that someone was looking over her shoulder.

Slowly, she turned her head and...

"EEK!" Screamed Goldilocks!
"AAAH!" screamed Goldilocks' friend!

"Ruff, Ruff." "Yap, Yap" barked the puppies!

"Someone's sitting on my log! Someone's warming by my fire!

I hope no one has eaten my fish!"bellowed Mr. T.

He was in a bad mood because he had missed the elk by a long shot.

He was afraid his friends were going to call him Mister Completely instead of Mr. T.!

The End!

Such as it is....

Cause I ran out of pictures.

Special thanks to Popcorn and Bookworm for their assistance in setting up and loaning props

for this ridiculous, nonsensical story.

When on Fall Break

2011-10-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Keep an eye out for the small things

Race down a dry river bed

Investigate an abandoned beaver lodge

Gather clams and search for pearls

Peer into a coyote (or bobcat, or skunk) den

Watch for flaming branches

Don't forget to look up!

Take the road less traveled by

How to take a shower

2011-10-24T20:13:00.001-05:00

First make sure you have enough quarters. That's right. You are camping at a state park and if you want water to come out of the faucet, you must feed money in!

Look for bugs. Shoo them off the hooks you will be hanging your clothes on in a futile attempt to keep them dry. Don't waste your time killing them. Plenty more are ready to take their place.

Don't look at the floor too closely. Your bare feet will be there and what you don't know won't hurt you.

Try not to feel awkward by the fact that only a door with a questionable lock separates your bare body from the rest of the campground.

Plan ahead. Don't stuff the clothes you are taking off on top of the ones you are putting on. When you and everything else is wet and drippy, this becomes awkward.

Remind yourself for the 14th time that yes, in fact, you did lock the door.

Put your money in and stand back to avoid a blast of frigid water. Don't knock your towel onto the floor when you jump. Oops. Too late!

Adjust the temperature. Forget any attempt to find "comfortable.". Your choices are cold, lukewarm and scalding. Remind yourself it doesn't matter, you have a limited number of quarters anyway.

Wet yourself (seriously? With water. What were you thinking?), soap up and rinse as quickly as possible. Contemplate the odds of repeating before you run out of quarters only partially rinsed.

Remind yourself you are camping and everyone will be outside anyway.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone