A Summer Job?

It's weird not to be putting the kids to bed right now.  During the school year, I am very strict with bed times.  During the Summer, not so much.  I think it will take me a week or two to adjust to our new non-schedule, and then things will be right in my world.  At least until school starts back up in August.

The kids are planning all kinds of activities for their Summer.  Camping is high on their list, as well as swimming at my mom's house.  I am thinking, and stressing, about money, but what else is new.  I want to be able to camp for a week this year, but I don't think it's going to happen.  I may have to get a job selling Illinois home insurance, or something.   I know being a salesperson is a hard job, especially when you have to sell a business insurance policy.  But, I am a fast learner, and I think it might be something I am good at.  That is, as long as I am able to do it over the phone.  I am not good with the face to face stuff.  At all.   But giving out business insurance information  over the phone can't be too hard, right?

Or maybe I should just go back to working fast food for awhile?

Fish

It's the end of the school year, which means Brandi is bringing home every single thing she made in class this year.  Among the endless pictures was this cute little fish.  It was part of a river project a group of four students did.  Each kid had to make a fish, and this was Brandi's contribution.

Colorful, isn't it?

Ryan's New Truck

 Junior has this friend.  Let's call him Bob.  They have been friends since high school, and that have that type of friendship where they can go months without talking, and then spend an entire weekend fishing together.  Bob is also the guy who always helps us move.

Well, now Bob is moving.  He lives in a mobile home, and he is having it moved onto his dad's property so he no longer has to pay lot rent.  The only problem with this is that his dad won't let him bring all his "junk" with him.  One of his biggest pieces of junk is an old truck.  His solution to this was to give the truck to Junior to fix up for Ryan.

I was not consulted, which is probably a good thing, since I never would have agreed to this.  The truck is falling apart.  I know there are things with the engine and transmission that need to be fixed, which means the darn thing doesn't even run right.  Or at all.  Cosmetically, it doesn't look too bad.  If Ryan adds truck bed rails and/or truck bed caps, it would look pretty good.   I am sure there will be other go rhino parts he will want to make the truck look better, but he will have to save up his own money.  The truck may have been free, but I am not paying for the repairs.  Luckily in a few months Ryan will be old enough to get a job after school, so he can make and save his own money.

As far as getting his license so that he can drive this truck, he will have to wait a year or two.  I just don't think he's ready to be behind the wheel.

Win A Gift Certificate To CSNStores

Anna is hosting a giveaway for a $60 shopping spree to CSNStores.  If I win (which I plan on doing) I am going to spend the money on a kitchen item.  They have a nice selection of Rachael Ray items, so I will probably pick something from that.  Or I might buy shoes.  Who knows.

If you want to enter this giveaway, go here.  Good luck!

Our Neighborhood

I took a walk around the neighborhood tonight, and for the first time I really looked at all the mobile homes that are in here.  Most of them are really very well kept, with a few exceptions.  In the lease we signed, there were a lot of rules, and for the most part, the tenants seem to follow them.  My favorite is the one that states "all yards must be kept clean and organized".  Everywhere we have lived before, Junior and his junk has taken over our yards.  I love that he is not allowed to do that here.

That is one of the reasons I hate it when people refer to this neighborhood as a trailer park.  When I think of trailers, I think of tin roofed, metal sided messes.  In his neighborhood, most of the mobile homes are vinyl sided with vinyl shutters and shingled roofs.  Our house has wood siding, but it looks really nice.   There are several houses in here with wood siding, and they all look nice.  I refuse to live in a dumpy place again.  I had enough of that at the duplex.

I Think He Needs A Haircut

Check out all it's hair! 

The grass is growing like crazy. 

I think tomorrow I might take a pair of scissors to it.

I can honestly say that this is the weirdest elephant in my collection.

And I love it!

Parties

 I spent today making food and cleaning house for Kasi's birthday parties that are coming up this weekend.  Tomorrow night is her slumber party, and then Sunday I am having my mom and a couple of family friends over.  We were originally going to have it at my mom's house, (she has the pool) but the weather isn't going to cooperate, so I'm just going to do it here.  That means that I will clean the house for one party, and then turn around and re-clean it for the next party. 

My kids better appreciate this.

As I was cleaning today, I started thinking about Ryan's birthday.  For the past three years, we have done a Halloween themed party for him since his birthday is the first week of November.  This year, he is going to be 15, and I am worried that he won't want to have a party.  I hope that is not the case, because I love getting the kids dressed up, and having all the kids who come to the party get dressed up.  My little nephew used to love Elmo, and I found the cutest Sesame Street Costumes online at www.costumekingdom.com that he would flip over.  I don't think he would wear them himself, but he has a new little sister who would look adorable in this costume:

I mean, what kid wouldn't look adorable in that?

Hmmmm......

I have been neglecting this blog.  I blame my new food blog.  I used to post food posts here, but now that I have that other blog, I have been posting over there.  And since I have not done one creative thing in months, I have nothing to post about.

I have a list of things I want to get done...I have to start another baby blanket, I have wood crafts to paint, I really want to get some clay to play with...I just can not find any free time!

Hopefully once the kids finish school next week, I will find time to be creative with them, and then I'll have something to post about!

Designing Business Cards

I have been seeing a lot of people on blogs and even Facebook asking about the benefits of bloggers having business cards.  I will admit that I have thought about this, too.  I mean, as bloggers, we are basically our own business, so why not promote it any way you can?  I know at the conferences it is great to have something to hand to fellow bloggers as a way of remembering you, and your website.

I have looked at custom business cards and am excited about the idea of designing my own.  Of course it would have some purple on it.  I want something that will depict my three kids, as a boy and two girls.  I can't decide if I should put all of my blogs on one card, though, or if I should get separate cards for each blog.  I guess that since each blog stands on it's own, each should have it's own business card.

How do you do it?

A Unique Little Elephant ~ Week 1

Check out my elephant!

He's growing "hair". 

I'm pretty impressed, because it's only been about a week, and the grass is pretty high.

I wonder what it will look like next week?

Don't worry...I'll keep you posted! lol!

It's Wedding Season

It's almost June, which means wedding season is going to be in full swing.  I got married in June.  In fact, June 22 will be my 15th wedding anniversary.  Not bad, right?  As most of you already know, I did not have a "real" wedding, with a reception and cake.  I was married in the courthouse, with only close family there.  I was planning a big wedding, but God had other plans for me, and it never happened.  That doesn't mean I don't dream about having the big white wedding someday.  I mean, I would love to pick out discount wedding invitations, China patterns, flowers, a dress and a cake.   I already have my wedding cake topper picked out, too.

You're surprised it's elephants, aren't you?  But you have to admit they are adorable.

Maybe for our 20th anniversary Junior and I will renew our vows, and have the celebration we never did.  The girls can be the flower girls, and Ryan can be the best man.  I think that will make the day extra special.

Let's just hope Junior and I don't pull a Jon and Kate and get divorced a year after renewing our vows.

Celebrating A Little Early

Since I am going to be out of town Friday, which is Kasi's 13th birthday, we celebrated a little early.  She has been hinting around that she wanted a cookie cake, so yesterday we got her one.  The picture doesn't do it justice...it really was a very pretty purple (which is her favorite color), but for some reason, purple never photographs well.  The important thing was that she loved it, and she enjoyed eating it.  Junior has some other special things planned for her on Friday, so I know she will have a great birthday even if I'm not here.

The Joys Of Camping

Almost every year, Junior and I take the kids camping.  We usually go to the same camp ground, and we try to always get the same camp site.  If any of you are regular campers, you know there are good sites and there are bad sites.  The camp site we like is right on the water, with a little beach where the kids can walk right into the water to swim.  Some of the sites have a drop to the water, and we try really hard to avoid those.

A couple of years ago, my mom gave us an awesome tent for Christmas.  Last year when we camped, the kids and I slept in it and Junior hooked up an air conditioner to it.  I didn't think it was possible to do that.  I always assumed that only motorhomes could keep you cool while camping, but I was wrong.   We slept so good in the cool tent, I didn't mind that I was sleeping on the ground.  Well, maybe I was sleeping on an air mattress on top of couch cushions, but still.  I wasn't in a bed, and I still slept like a baby.

We are hoping to camp again this year.  I love being able to get away, and not have to worry about anything.  We're just hoping that this year, Kasi stays out of the fire pit.

Kid Sized Picnic Table

It has been a while since I have done anything really creative, so I was thrilled when Junior decided to make my mom a picnic table for Mother's Day.  It is eight feet long, and small enough for the kids to sit at.  The last time we were all at my mom's house, the kids sat on a blanket in the yard to eat, and Junior didn't want that to happen again.  Check out how much the kids, and my mom, loved it!

Our next project is an adult sized table to match this one!  Hopefully we will get it done before the summer is over.

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all you moms out there are enjoying your special day!

School Is Almost Out For The Summer

I can not believe that the kids only have three weeks of school left.  Their last week is three full days and two half days, which makes no sense to me, but it is what it is.  I am looking forward to sleeping in and spending time with three of my favorite people on earth.

And as mush as I am looking forward to it, I also know that Summer break will go by too fast.  Before long, Brandi will be in third grade, Kasi will be in eighth grade, and Ryan will be in ninth grade.  Ninth grade, and old enough for his learners permit.  It scares me to death to think about him operating a vehicle, and I will most likely make him wait until I think he is ready.  Who cares when the law says he can drive.  I am his mother, and he will wait until I think he is responsible enough.

The things I am dreading the most about a new school year, though, are the PTO fundraisers.  They are always the same things, year after year.  I wish they would come up with something new.   I know there are a variety of fundraising products available, they just have to look for them.   I know what you are thinking, too. That I should join the PTO and voice my opinions.  Let me assure you, that will not happen.  I am way too shy and self-conscience for that.  I may send them a letter, though, letting them know about Fast Track Fundraising .  

It is time to stop the years of trying to sell over priced wrapping paper and candy, and try something new.

A Unique Little Elephant

Junior knows that there are two things that he can bring home from the store that will make me very happy.  The first, is chocolate.  he gets extra points if there is peanut butter in it.

The second is an elephant.  Now, it is hard to find unique elephants that I do not already have, but he does surprise me every now and then.  Sunday night, he ran to Lowe's with Ryan, and the girls and I stayed home.  While there, they found this little guy.

I don't think you can get any more unique!  The elephant is a hollow container where I can grow grass, which will look like his hair.  I love it!

Top Droppers ~ April

Thanks to my top droppers for last month:

My Gypsygoods ~ Life, creative moments, saving money, nature, eco-friendly tips. Supporting & promoting the handmade community. 

Moonangelnay on Etsy ~ A contemporary handmade, fine art, photography, crafts, gifts, jewelry, fashion and Etsy focused blog, sharing weekly features, tutorials, original works and interviews of the new artists of Etsy.

 Ruth's Creations ~ This is my blog where I write, among other things, about my online business selling crocheted items I make. Part of my sales are donated to Demelza House Children's Hospice, the favored charity of British actor Daniel Radcliffe. 

Kreated By Karen ~ Let me show you my sewing projects while I talk about my kids, dogs and life!

The Sewing Mom ~ Personal blog showcasing my fabric creations. I also talk about family, friends, hobbies, cooking and daily life.

 My Opinion Counts ~ I have opinions about just about everything. 

Serian Man ~ Some thoughts on teaching and the exploration of the land of the hornbills, my beloved Sarawak, on the island of Borneo.

 Quantum Indonesia Translogistic ~ about freight forwarding, transportation, export, import, cpo, coffee, sea transportation, air transportation, financial news

Losing It - Getting Fit ~  Losing It - Getting Fit: Advertise and Be Seen - Entrecard Widget Is Above The Fold! 

Seek No More ~ Seek No More is an online community whose main purpose is to provide a place where both experts and newbies can learn, interact and discuss business, career and entrepreneurial opportunities.