Swappage

I am hosting an Artist Trading Card Swap over at SIStv.

The theme is

The Wizard of Oz/Wicked (the musical)/The Wiz

here's a sneak peek at my cards

"You say WICKED like it's a bad thing"

Thanksgiving Silly Shots

A few silly pictures from our Thanksgiving at 'The Lake'

group shot (minus my mother-in-law)

just the boys

the girls in hats

the cousins in hats

Tagged

Okay, I was tagged by my friend Linda.

The Rules:

1. go to your pictures

2. upload 4th picture of 4th folder

3. post

4. tag 4 of your friends

pic of Evan from last January... apparently celebrating an OU related event ; )

on another note... I promise to play catch up (hopefully tomorrow) with this week's happenings, since I haven't posted much lately.

Exactly 5 years later

We are taking Evan back to the Childrens' Hospital tomorrow. It will be exactly 5 years since he was medi-flighted there when he was 9 months old. And luckily we are going there under much better conditions. He will have a thorough once over and some tests.

Five years later and I still feel my insides speed up when I think about it. Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day and it will help to release the grip of those horrible memories that have hung on the past 5 years.

It's Amazing How Such a Small Thing...

can be such a big thing ; )

a couple more pics of Evan's teeth - minus one

Bring on the Tooth Fairy!

Evan lost his first tooth this morning!

When asked what was the coolest part about his tooth coming out, Evan answered "Look, I can stick my whole tongue through the hole!"

I am wondering what a tooth goes for these days... $?

'Tis the Season... to go Totally '80s?

Okay, so today wound up being the day. The day I have avoided the past two holiday seasons... the day of decking the halls and all of that fa la la la la business. Last year we only put up a small prelit Christmas tree and a couple of outdoor decorations. The year before that our house was void of a Christmas tree of any size and all but a wreath outside. Evan wasn't having my lazy, bah humbug 'tude this year. And so out of the attic came the big tree and all of the trimmings. As well as all of the outdoor decorations to be found. After a day of battling evil strands of lights and squished artificial tree limbs, we have a full-fledged Christmas tree up. All the outside decorations are in place including lights on the shrubbery. I have not used outdoor holiday lights in my adult life. But since I now have a 5 year old, I guess I'd better get use to putting more effort into his holiday memories... heaven knows the infinite amount of memories I have of decorating the outside of my house as a kid ; )

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Notice the new tunes? I decided to bust out the '80s song archives... like totally. Gotta love all of the synthesized goodness that came out of that decade. I remember in 1984 (for my 9th birthday) I got my first portable radio. It was a cassette player and AM/FM radio. I got a mixed tape of popular '80s songs. I was one happy kid. I wonder if Evan has ever listened to a cassette tape... geez...

Cocktail Hour at the ER. And Flying Tether Balls.

Cocktail Hour at the ER

So who knew that the ER served cocktails? I didn't... until last night.

I went to the ER because I wanted someone to have a word or two with my gallbladder. It was acting up again. Anyway the nurse gave me a lovely (not) "G.I. cocktail". I would rather have something frozen and fruity, thank you very much. To top it off... instead of having words with my gallbladder the nurses and doctors wanted to talk to my heart. They had me hooked up to all kinds of heart monitors. And my heart must have been enjoying the attention because it was going a little haywire. I tried to convince everyone that a little haywire is 'normal' for my heart especially when I am in lots of pain... which I was! However it wasn't my heart that had me curled up in pain. Unless my heart had shifted to a lower right abdominal area, I was fairly confident that they were barking up the wrong organ. Why is it that the only medical professionals that don't get overly excited about my heart issues are the cardiologists? Everyone else finds it very glamorous evidently... even when it is the less glamorous organs that I want them to look at. uuggh!

Flying Tether Balls

Yesterday at school, Evan had a right of passage... of sorts. He had is first bloody nose. A good wallop from a flying tether ball was the culprit. The school didn't call me. So I didn't find out until he got off the bus after school and had blood all over his shirt and pants. Evan seemed beyond the trauma of the ordeal by then. This sounds pretty bad, but I am surprised he made it almost 6 years without an occurrence such as this.

The Loving Decision

Anna Quindlen
NEWSWEEK
From the magazine issue dated Nov 24, 2008

Same-sex marriage was beaten back at the ballot box. Now here’s a history lesson on why victory is inevitable in the long run.

One of my favorite Supreme Court cases is Loving v. Virginia, and not just because it has a name that would delight any novelist. It’s because it reminds me, when I’m downhearted, of the truth of the sentiment at the end of “Angels in America,” Tony Kushner’s brilliant play: “The world only spins forward.”

to read the entire article go to:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/169157

Tuesday Tidbits

For some reason or another I am feeling strange today. Not a sick strange or necessarily a bad strange... just got an out-of-the-ordinary vibe. I'll update if I come across a possible reason for said strange vibe.

Evan's school had it's monthly skate night last night. We went. I think he would have gone with or without me. He would have hopped on his bike and pedaled like mad across town and up the gargantuan hill to the skating rink, if I didn't drive him there. And why you ask? Because Shelby was going! That's become a no-brainer these days. They had a splendid time. The last activity of the night was an outdoor 40 foot inflatable slide. It was a little intimidating to Evan and even to me. Evan asked me to go with him for the first descent, but after that he was done with me and sliding on his own. Nothing quite like zipping down a monster of a slide in the dark and freezing cold. What a rush.

On a safer note... I had the luxury this morning of browsing the new bookstore totally at my leisure. Up and down every isle. Not looking for any specific thing. Plopping on the floor to flip through books. Lounging in a comfy chair while I browse the sales circular. Avoiding the kids play area ; )

My hubby will be taking in a Metallica concert tonight. His best friend got tickets. This is a small dream come true for Markas. Though Evan is urked that he can't go with Markas. I have tried to help Evan understand that this concert isn't like the concerts for the preschool set that he has been to. Evan reminds me that he knows who Metallica is and that he can rock out to them better than I can. My poor child has no hope of appreciating music like "This World Is Your World" or "The Farmer in the Dell". He was listening to Metallica in the womb (not my doing... I played classical stuff!), so no wonder he doesn't like his music class at school. Now if his music teacher let the kids sing "We gotta fight.. for the right.. to paaarrrty!" by the Beastie Boys it would be a different story.

Okay, don't bother sending me the 'we are bad parents' comments... we are aware that we have warped our child. At least he should grow up appreciating all kinds of music... well except maybe "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" and "I'm a Little Teapot". That stuff just doesn't have any cool points with Evan right now ; )

Virtual Shopping (Vol. 2)

more virtual shopping...

steamed vegetables shirt

Wonder Woman cuff bracelet

rhythm of polka shirt

All of these fun goodies can be found at one of the following sites:
www.signals.com
www.thewirelesscatalog.com
www.whatonearthcatalog.com

Virtual Shopping (Vol. 1)

Yep, it's that time of year again. Time to start working on my virtual shopping list. My friend Linda got me hooked on this last holiday season. I mean if it is truly the thought that counts in gift giving, than this is the way to go. Especially during this less than stellar economic period.

example: "Hey {friend or family member name}, I didn't actually buy this {fun item} for you, but here is a picture of it just to let you know I am thinking of you this holiday season." ; )

So here are a few things that I am virtually giving to myself this year ; )

alien gnome bandits - garden accents

doormat

cowgirl slippers

All of these fun goodies can be found at one of the following sites:

www.signals.com

www.thewirelesscatalog.com

www.whatonearthcatalog.com

Toot!

Bragging Alert!

I am going to toot my own horn now!
One of my layouts found its way to this cool blog.
check it out!
http://www.boysmamaxtwo.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Jenn!

All Boy raffle tickets in Jenn's etsy shop. I love her scrap goodies!

www.boysmamaxtwo.etsy.com

Ladies Who Lunch

I have lunch plans with my girls today. We are ladies who lunch! I love saying that. It makes me want to dress up in a big hat, white gloves and a girly-girl dress ; )

A Love List to Myself

I came across this 'assignment' on the Operation Nice blog.

A Love List to Myself

I love:

how easily I amuse myself

my penchant for whackiness

that I enjoy hanging out with my creative side

that I am organized

that I am comfortable in my own skin

my smile

that I am a genuine person

that I am not quite like anyone else

how patient I became as a mom

how I hum and I don't even realize it

my perceptiveness

my green eyes

that my scars tell a story

that I am a walking contradiction, a study in duality

my love of cool old things, polka dots and cookies

that I still have my inner child

that I am learning new stuff all the time

that I am not afraid to put myself out there

Cousins

Evan & Alon

Summer '08

(check out more of my recent layouts on my SIStv page)

More Adventures in Public School

My child doesn't want to go to school. It took about 10 weeks to go from uncontained excitement over school to a daily struggle to get him to go. It weighs down my heart and frankly it pisses me off. In preschool even if he was sicker than anything, he would still plead with us that he could make it to school. He would cry if I told him he needed to stay home. Lately, in the world of Kindergarten, I have to prompt him through his morning and talk up the fun things about school (in his world it's friends and PE). On the ride to school, he lists all the things he doesn't like about school instead of all the cool things about school. I realize that in a lot of ways he is bored with school. He needs more action and adventure. He needs more positive! As a parent I always internalize these things... analyze my part in it. Maybe I catered too much to his way of doing things, his way of learning. Maybe I was too praising in his accomplishments. But of course that is a big load of reheated dog doo! To me it's a no-brainer... Evan needs to learn in a way that suits him best. He needs praise and positive feedback.

It is beyond disheartening to consider that Evan's school was given an eager learner who loved school and in such a short time it has turned him into a less confident learner who has to be dragged to school. What is wrong with this picture? Some days I truly believe the only reason he wants to go to school is to be with his 'other half', Shelby.

Boxed Breakfast

My nephew Alon who is 5 years old.

This picture is an instant classic and will likely haunt Alon for years and years to come ; )

"You just can't beat toast and jelly on a sunday morning....unless of course you add one box."

(picture and comment from my brother Scot)

Sick Day version 2.0

It's mine turn today : /

But I only wish that I could hang out in bed all day and flip channels. It doesn't work that way when mommy is sick.

p.s. happy news...Evan is back to full speed today! You would never know he was so sick yesterday.

Friday Randomness

Sick Day
Evan is home from school today. His first kindergarten sick day. My guess is his stomach didn't like the sheer volume of junk he ate last night... between his soccer party and a neighbor's birthday party... let's just say the kids weren't eating veggie and fruit platters. Anyway, we will have a lazy Friday hanging at the house.

My Perceived Dilema
I think my brain may be ready to go back to work. However I worry that the rest of me may not be as ready. It is very frustrating. I often feel like I have all of these things I want to do (ie my brain), but my health/energy (ie the rest of me) just isn't up for it yet. If I am having a 'good day', I want to get back out into the 'real world'. If I am having a less than stellar day, I want to hide out in my own little world forever.

If only Quality Control Manager was a paid postion open at the bakery down the road... that would be sweet ; ) lol

YES WE CAN!

Okay, so my eyes are very puffy this morning.

(I cried tears of joy last night.)

And some of my neighbors must think I am really off my rocker.

(I ran around my front yard in my PJs last night.)

My heart is filled with hope today.

(America got it right this time.)

Poor Evan. I woke him up and brought him to our room when the announcements of Obama's win started coming on last night. He dozed off and on in our bed as we kept telling him about being a part of history and what a glorious day this was for our country.

Markas finally took Evan back to his bed. Evan kept saying he was excited about the news, but would have more energy to show it after he got more sleep. (He woke up this morning very excited indeed!)

Markas got this shot of me watching the TV and rockin' one of my Obama shirts. He also seemed to enjoy watching me melt down into a blubbering mess last night. Markas was actually more stoic about things than I was. (Often it is the other way around.) I imagine that he was moved not only on a political/patriotic level, but also on a more personal level. Markas is half African America and knows what it means to be a 'man of color' in America. So although he was not a blubbering idiot like myself, I know he feels this moment in time very deeply.

I thought we witnessed a more genuine McCain during his concession speech. Way more true to who he probably really is than what we saw during the final few months of the campaign. McCain handled himself last night in a way that commends my respect.

The image of the First Family Elect coming out onto the stage last night absolutely gave me chills. Heck, it still gives me chills! Wow!

This is history. History of a magnitude that won't fully be realized for some time.

Yes certainly because of the issue of race. But I feel that history will also tell a story of change and hope and a better way to lead this great nation.

This Mama is for Obama (to quote my shirt that I am wearing today)

In so many ways today seems like any other splendid fall day. I have an energy flowing through me that has me a little amped up. Not sure what it is... excitement, anxiety, hopefullness...? While running errands this morning I felt a buzz in the air... a twinge of electricity. But that is probably because I am a blue fish in a big red sea! So maybe the 'red sea people' aren't feeling the same kinda vibe that I am. Who knows. I seriously doubt my state of residence will turn blue anytime soon. So for know I tell myself "just keep swimming"! (quote from Finding Nemo)

ordinary fall day picture #1

ordinary fall day picture #2

out of the ordinary fall day picture

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This is a quick layout I did for a 'Rock the Vote' posting on SIStv.

I used the lyrics from the timeless Bob Dylan song Blowin' in the Wind.

Rants from the Left Side

my cards for the 'liberal rant' artist trading card swap at SIStv

I wanted to get these finished today on this election day eve. And no I am not the only one participating in this ATC swap ; ) I may be a rare breed in my neck of the woods, but it is nice to know there are plenty 'lefties' in other parts.

last game of the season & fixin' a tricycle without a reason

The Maroon Fire Jets Finish a Super-Duper Fall Soccer Season!Sharing a laugh at the last game (on Saturday).

Evan getting into scoring postion by the goal.

Evan giving us the thumbs up.
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Tricycle Mechanics Unite!

Evan loves to take apart his bike and tricycle especially now that he has is very own tools to use. He had lots of fellow mechanics from the neighborhood to help out today. They took his tricycle apart and managed to put it back together. Not sure if all of the parts made it back onto the tricycle though... it hasn't had a test drive yet ; )