Um.....

*gasp*

*splutter*

*inhale*

*breathe out slowly*

I'm alive and the family is doing fine. This has just been one hell of a semester at work. I don't believe I have ever been this busy. Thankfully spring semester is quickly winding down and I'm waiting patiently for my calendar to start opening up.

The etsy shop is doing well (although I haven't listed any new markers in the past couple of weeks, I'm in the middle of felting 100+ beads to then embroider then wire up.)

Update:
Shelby is now 18 and has been accepted to UT.

Jed is 4 1/2. He is doing well overall although we have some concerns with some sensory issues. I've been battling with the decision whether or not to send him off to kindergarten next year. If I sent him, I would save gobs of money however I wonder about him being the youngest in the class and am seriously leaning towards keeping him out one more year. I've heard that parents can regret sending their child to kindergarten too soon but they rarely regret holding them back.

I finally got a new car. The old XTerra had over 207,000 miles and was sucking down gas at an alarming rate. Things were starting to rattle and fall apart. A couple of weeks ago I traded it in for a little Nissan Versa hatchback. It is so cute (although every other day I look at it and wonder if it is actually ugly) and the gas mileage is phenomenal compared to the old car.

Jay is working again which has been a huge relief although I'm a bit worried what I'm going to do for that week and half that Jed will be out of school in May.

We are getting ready to put the garden in and it is even larger than last year. I'm wondering at what point will my husband stop enlarging it each year.

I need to catch up with everyone else but first I have to get through Prom weekend. All this stress of corsages (omg what if is not a wrist corsage) to dresses is making me crazy but it should be over this weekend. However I'm guessing it will just be replaced with stress about graduating.

*deep breathe*

Okay that wasn't that hard. You know when you put something off for a long time and then you just keep putting it off longer because you have put it off for so long in the first place and it just keeps getting worse? Well that was me and updating the blog. Now hopefully the next update will be even easier and much more timely.

Jelby Update...

Thanks to Jen at Piddleloop, my etsy shop has taken off. By the end of the weekend I had sold half of what I had in stock and have that many more custom orders. I'll probably fall asleep while counting all of the sheep.

Here is part of my first shipment out.




I'm also now putting together some sheep stitch marker holders. They can also be used to hold keys, usb drives or whatever you feel like.



At this rate I think I am going to have to teach Howard and Jed how to felt and embroider.

No, Howard Did Not Eat the Computer...

Howard really hasn't torn anything up! It is unbelievable. This is the best dog I have ever met. A friend of ours had found a bunch of abandoned puppies. He gave Howard to his dad but when his dad priced out a fence, he decided that he really couldn't keep him so he sent him back. My husband had his eye on this pup from the very beginning. So when the puppy was returned, my husband acted quickly. (Our friend's father is still regretting giving up the dog.)

He came to us already potty trained and knowing how to walk on a leash and how to sit. He has since learned Down and Shake. He and Jed get along fabulously although Jed tends to be a bit rough with him which is good in a way since it establishes Jed as more alpha. He takes a small interest in the cats but only when hyper otherwise he pretty much ignores them. He realizes when he is allowed on beds and couches (in the evening) and when he isn't (at night while we are sleeping). He is a bit mouthy however that isn't unusually for puppies this age.

Our two outdoor dogs have accepted him. There still is a little growling here and there but overall they are getting along very well. We are still feeding them separately and Howard does stay inside at night and during the day some while we are home.

As you can see he is totally at home here.



The other things which have kept me busy over the last few weeks too. Not just my wonderul new puppy. Weekend before last Jed and I went to visit my college friend Lori and her family. She has twins the same age as Jed. While there we went to a Halloween festival. There were hayrides, bounce houses and one of those painted forms where you put your face in and get your picture taken.



And there was pumpkin bowling:


Then there was Halloween. Thankfully Jed asked to wear his costume from last year. As you can probably guess the costume was HUGH on him last year. It seems to fit a bit better this year.




We also got Shelby's college application submitted. Now to wait until January to find out if she got accepted.

I've also been busy making felt beads and stitch markers. I finally opened my etsy shop. The sheep stitch markers seem to be a bit hit so this weekend will be devoted to making a few more of those. I'm also bouncing around an idea for Christmas ornaments with embroidered sheep. If you want to check out the shop, you can find it at jelby.etsy.com. While you are there, hop on over to Piddleloop and check out her wonderful project bags. There is one in my future once I sell enough markers.

Meet Howard...

More info after I get back home. I hope the house is still intact.

And the Countdown Begins...

...to the day my car falls completely apart.

I have over 194,000 miles.

The fabric panel on the backseat door is coming off.

The driver's side visor just broke over the weekend. Unless I tie it up, it dangles annoyingly.

I have a scuff of white paint on the front bumper from losing a battle with a pillar in a parking garage.

The trunk light is burnt out.

My driver's side window is now hesitating a bit before going up or down.

Every now and then the entire instrument panel will zero out, even when doing 60 on the interstate.

And I only have one more payment left.

Mediocre Wednesday...

It was one of those good/bad days...

Good: Yesterday I received some previously thought lost cash. It was an old account that I had in college that I had completely forgotten about. This month has been a tight one so the extra cash is definitely welcomed.
Bad: I couldn't find the check this morning on the rush out so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to deposit it.


Good: I got everyone to school on time, including the teen who had to be there 30 minute early but neglected to get up in a timely manner. Jed is still insisting on being dropped at the door.
Bad: While waiting for drop-off time to begin, Jed and I sat in the car listening to the radio while he proceeded to show me every single one of his favorite Pokemon in his Pokedex. Unfortunately my battery died from the 20 minutes of radio listening (probably because of dirty battery terminals, an old car and the fact I had forgotten I had my lights still on.)

Good: I finally received my invite to Ravelry over the weekend (man is that site addictive if you have a love (or even an interest) for knitting or crocheting. I've already picked out my next project.
Bad: I won't have time to get the yarn until this weekend. Which in a way is good since I really should finish up the tank for Shelby, some reports and some felting.


Good: It is Wednesday, only 2 more days until the weekend.
Bad: Still two more days until the weekend.

Reputation...

Today I stopped at my local Starbucks for my weekly treat. It was the usual location where I had "The Incident". I ordered "Caffe Latte", *pause*, "add Cinnamon Dolce syrup."

The barista looked up from the register at that point and said "Oh!". I sheepishly replied "Yeah it's me!"

So apparently the memo was sent to the store informing them that I am correct in my ordering practices. I'm not sure whether to be proud that I made a difference or embarrassed that I'm now known as a troublemaker.

Does It Make Sense...

...for a 17 year old to be driving a Jaguar?

...that today's high is supposed to be 90 and it is October 8?

...that although it is already 80 outside, I am literally freezing in my office?

...that someone I know who is in jail has more spending money (for cokes, junk food and such) than I do right at this moment?

...that I have to lock my house down airtight every day now for fear that a family member might go in and steal yet more stuff from us?

...that it is only Monday and I really wish it were Friday already?

Spreading the Happiness...

(otherwise called being lazy and borrowing from Cursing Mama's What Makes Me Smile Wednesday comments box and expanding upon it here, just may be a regular Thursday item round here...)

What makes me smile...

Yesterday we finally received the ACT scores we have been waiting on. The teen took the test back in spring and did pretty good however it was on the lower end of what the college of choice is accepting, about 4 points below the average incoming freshman. Since our list of colleges is short (due to location, in state tuition and the fact that we get a discount at a few) we wanted to up her chances of getting admitted. So we signed her up for an ACT Prep class over the summer. It cost an arm and half a leg but thankfully she dedicated herself to the classes, all 32 hours of it with nary a word of complaint about attending even though it did take up some of her free summer time. She worked hard and it paid off. She pushed her composite score up 3 points by increasing 3 of the 4 subscores between 4-6 points. Only one went down but that didn't matter since she rocked on that one in spring and the college supercedes the scores which means the top score out all attempts count. So taking the reading score from spring with what she got this fall she actually hit the target score, the exact average of the incoming freshmen. I am so proud of her (and so glad that the money was not wasted on the class). The next step is to get the application in before the priority deadline of November 1.

Add this also to my son who now INSISTS on being dropped at the door. He actually complains a bit if I even suggest walking him in which actually is a good thing this week. It is Book Fair week. It is ever so difficult to walk a child down a hall lined with new books especially when they include books with sharks, Pokemon, Transformers and fish on the cover. I'll probably relent on Friday and let him pick something out since he has ever so nicely asked to get something from the Book Fairy.

And to round out everything, this morning I bought my first latte in quite awhile from my usual location. And they rang me up just as I asked without a single argument. I wonder if they already received the memo from corporate.

Oh and one more thing that causes me to smile is just now remembering that it is Thursday which means a new Grey's, Ugly Betty and Dirty Sexy Money.

This,That and the Other...

After waiting 2 weeks for another reply from Starbucks on my supposedly illegal ordering method, I finally broke down and called the 800 number. HA! The customer service representative completely and totally agreed with me. I have the right to add any syrup on the menu to any drink that I want without paying for the "Special" drink. He is supposedly sending a memo out to the location where the girl basically argued with me. Plus he offered me a couple of free drink coupons.

I have the hiccups right now. Blech.

Monday began the first day of No Smoking in any enclosed workplaces such as restaurants and bars (the only exception are those places 21 and up only). The local radio station had their General Manager announce early Monday that they were instituting a ban on smoking in cars while listening to their station. They also mentioned that they had equipment that could detect smoke in cars and in the future they would be able to disable their radio while the driver was smoking but until then everyone was on the honor system. To further their point, they started calling people on their cell phones telling them they knew they were smoking and asked them to refrain from smoking in the car since it was polluting the djs' work place. One guy called in and said that his co-worker was so mad upon hearing this that he went out his car and chain smoked 3 cigarettes, blowing the smoke directly into the radio. What amazed me were the the number of people who believed it and then got seriously angry.

My hiccups are now gone thanks to my (should be patented) hiccup removal routine. Seriously, I have found a way to get rid of hiccups 99% of the time. I unofficially collected during my college drinking days. I would see someone with the hiccups and would talk them through getting rid of them and it worked almost every time.

Found out over the weekend that our lawnmower is also equipped with Squid Power.

My Tivo is getting full very quickly. Too many good new shows and great returning shows. I'm trying to stay caught up however the last few evenings I've gone to sleep around 9:00, not to get up again until morning. Often I'll sleep a couple of hours and then when my husband comes to bed, I'll get up for a few hours and watch a couple of shows. I cherish those few hours. A couple of times Shelby will come down and ask to sit with me but I always run her off. After spending the day taking care of people I need my Me Time. No one there talking, asking questions, or anything. She doesn't quite understand but then again she can retreat to her room anytime she wants. For moms, it's just a bit harder to escape everyone (and being at work doesn't count). So hopefully tonight I can catch up with a few things still on my Tivo (Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Heroes and last nights Dancing with the Stars.)

I really need my Me Time and possibly a second Tivo box...

Squid Power...

We were driving home late last night when a voice piped up from the backseat.

"Mama, we have Squid Power."

"Squid power?"

"Squid Power Mama, we have Squid Power."

"What do you mean Jed?"

"See the picture Mama? It says Squid Power."

High beam indicator or Squid Power, you tell me...

After I stopped laughing, I found out that Squid Power makes my car go super fast. What are the chances that I'll be able to find another car equipped with Squid Power?

How's It Going?

I am tired of surly teens.
I am tired of bills.
I am tired of sinus headaches.
I am tired of being grumpy.
I am tired of messy houses.
I am tired of driving.
I am tired of getting up early in the morning.
I am tired of cooking dinner.
I am tired of dirty dishes.
I am tired of pooping and peeing cats (that aim for the stairs).
I am tired of drama.
I am tired of my gas guzzler.
I am tired of obstinate pre-schoolers.

Honestly, I think I'm just tired.

(No worries though, since I'm sure everything will be a much better after a good night's sleep.)

A Stream of Conscience Ramble....

Bullets disguised as paragraphs.

I finally got a response from Starbucks but it mainly said that my concerns had been passed on to the right people. I still didn't get my question answered although I did have one more barista mention that I was ordering my drink wrong however she did it my way.

I'm in the market for a new car. I have almost 200,000 miles on my gas guzzling XTerra. I can't believe that I'm actually considering something compact. I love the roominess of my current vehicle but with around 100 miles a day being driven I really need to find something more gas conscious.

Why am I suddenly concerned with how much I'm spending on gas? It is really starting to set in that the next 1 and maybe 2 years I will have two kids in school. Jed will be in Montessori for 1-2 more years and Shelby starts college next year. Even with the price break I will be getting if we get her in UT, it will still cost an arm and a leg since we promised her she could live on campus.

I've actually considered going back on the campus living thing until I realized that we will drive each other absolutely nuts (which in turn will annoy the hell out of my husband) if she continues to live in this house will going to college. The less I know will probably be better.

This weekend I'm needing to devote my time to finishing up Jed's carpet. I have a stupid cat that has chosen the alcove as a pee spot. I've gotten rid of half of it but there is still more carpet cleaning and enzyme soaking that is needing to be done.

I also need to attack my weed infested garden. We have not touched the garden in weeks and there are more weeds in there than plants. Although we finally got some rain last week so the okra is sending out new growth and the pepper plants are still going strong. The green beans even have quite a few new beans. I just need to work around the shoulder high weeds (and if you think I'm kidding, remind me to post a picture of it later.) Oh and the potatoes need to be dug up.

This weekend should be one more attempt at summer with temperatures nearing 90. Yay, just perfect for working in the garden (NOT!).

I also need to figure out a way to photograph my stitch markers and other felted goodies (I foresee a felted embroidered or perhaps beaded ring in the future.) I'm trying to get enough sets of markers finished before I open shop.

At least one good thing out of this entire week is that the new Fall season of shows are starting up. By the way have I ever mentioned how much I love my Tivo???

Oh yeah and another good thing is that I'm very close to connecting up again with a handful of people I knew in high school. I guess with Shelby being in her senior year has gotten me thinking about the people I ran around with my last two years of high school.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend that does not involve cat pee, 90 degree heat or a great potato scavenger hunt.

Dear Starbucks...

(email sent to Starbucks today pertaining to this morning's visit)

I often stop by the Starbucks on Merchant Drive in Knoxville Tennessee. This morning I ordered my usual, Venti Caffe Latte with Cinnamon Dolce syrup added. I was told that I had to be charged for the promotional drink. I have been ordering it this way for the past 2 months with no problem and was very disappointed when I was told that I couldn't get it that way. The promotional drink comes with whip and sprinkles which I don't want, where as the Latte is simply the drink with flavoring. Why would I want to pay more for something I don't even want? I see no reason why cinnamon dolce syrup cannot be added to ANY drink on the menu. After all, it is listed on the Syrup Menu. I would not expect to be able to add any of the seasonal syrups (i.e. pumpkin spice) this way since they are not listed individually on the syrup menu. However, the cinnamon dolce was added to the permanent menu few months ago.

I have a friend who is a barista for Starbucks in another state and she mentioned to me just the other day how the company stresses customer service. I have always received excellent customer service from all of the other baristas at this location however this one person was a great disappointment. Instead of trying to remedy the situation, she argued with me about how impossible it was to ring it up the way I requested. I had exact change this morning and therefore not enough to purchase it as specialty. Her only suggestion was that I order a smaller drink. I left the store empty handed. On principle, I refuse to give a store my money if the service and product is of lower quality than what I usually receive.

As mentioned before, I have had repeatedly fantastic service from this location however today's experience has put a damper on all of that. I'm unsure if I will return.


(no response as of yet...)

Day 3...

This morning he even asked if he could be dropped off at the door.

Like I would say No.

And the Boy is Four...

We had a great time Saturday. He got is Rocket Fishing Rod (which was a HUGE hit with all the kids), a GameBoy, various Transformers, board games and a fish cake.

I was rather proud of the fish cake. And the avocado colored (not flavored) icing was tasty.



Now I never expected great changes at four however I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. We are only 4 days into 4 years old but I'm loving it. (Hopefully I haven't spoken too soon, hold on a sec while I find some wood to knock on.)

You see morning drop offs at school have been marginally rough. It used to be really bad when he was super clingy and at least once every two weeks one of us would be in tears when I left. Over the last few months it has gotten better. It was still taking me 15-20 minutes to extricate myself out of the classroom but at least it was minus the tears.

However Monday all of this changed. On a whim I asked if he was ready to be dropped off at the door like the big kids, after all he is four you know. He actually agreed. Since he never has shoes on in the car, we pulled into a parking spot in front of the school. He climbed up front and we put his shoes on and listened to one more song on the radio. Then after I got my hug and kiss I drove up to the front door. And off he went with nary a look back. And unbelievably he was willing to be dropped off again today.

I do have to admit on Monday as I drove away, there may have been a tear or two in my eye....

Where Has This Week Gone?

I can't believe it is already Thursday. Where has the week gone?

Every night this week has been a late night. Tuesday night I taught my evening course. Yesterday was a doctor's appointment and a 2 hour ACT prep tutoring session that lasted until 8:00, so we didn't get home until almost 9:00. Tonight is another 2 hour prep session but unlike last evening I will have Jed with me. We will probably end up at a fast food place that has an indoor play area. I can knit while he plays. What makes this week all that more hectic is the Birthday Party on Saturday.

My boy turn 4 on Saturday. We are having his party the same place as we did last year, a small playground behind a local elementary school. They have two covered areas with picnic tables. It is a perfect setup. Entertainment is provided for the kids in swings, jungle gyms and slides. I'll send someone out to pick up 4 or 5 pizzas. We'll then have cake (blue of course).

The party theme is rather bizarre this year. Last year we did dinosaurs. Blue cupcakes with a plastic dino on top of each one, dinosaur noses for each child, dino plates and goody bags.

This year we have Transformer invitations, goody bags and plates but he has requested a fish cake. More specifically a Blue cake with a rainbow trout on it. Lord help me and I thought I was getting off easy with avoiding creating a Transformer on the cake. Now I have to figure out how to do a fish that resembles a rainbow trout.

I'm sure by now you have noticed the repetition of blue cake. For some reason Jed believes that all birthday cakes must be blue. Not just the icing but the cake too. Every time I bake a cake he is always disappointed that it isn't blue. So for his birthday it will be blue cake. (By the way the blue cupcakes were quite creepy last year as I'm sure the blue cake this year will be, but if that is what the birthday boy wants, I can oblige.)

So here it is Thursday and I feel that I am not the least bit prepared for this party (at least I don't have to clean house). Time is running out to get everything done. I've bought the goody bag stuff. I'm still contemplating on a pinata however knowing my son I fear that he will freak out when someone tries to break the fish or transformer pinata so I may just skip this for this birthday.

And to top it all off, I haven't decided what we are getting him yet. He has really only requested two things. First he has asked for is a Rocket Fishing Rod (the boy is OBSESSED with fishing) which is grandfather is getting him. The second item is a Game Boy Advance. His three cousins each have one and he has wanted one for quite awhile. However I'm not sure how adept he will be at playing it. And it is a bit too expensive to let it just sit there (although I am a game junkie so I'm sure I could put it to use). I've been looking around at a few games that might be appropriate for him such as Dora and Candyland (yes Candyland and Chutes and Ladders on a Game Boy).

So between now and Saturday, not only do I need to decide on the Game Boy or perhaps yet another Transformer (I'm finally getting adept at "trans-n-forming" them) but I also have to find a small window of time without small children so that I can purchase whatever I finally decide upon.

And another peek at what I finished over the weekend. Still need to work on photographing these things and color correction a bit more.

My Latest Addiction...

...and no it is not a new Starbucks drink (although both the CDL and the PSL are now both vying for my attention).

No, my latest addiction is compliments of Jen who is part of the community. I've can't stop myself from checking the new listings on Etsy every now and then. Well, its more like every spare minute I find, I hop over to the Time Machine 2 page and hit refresh. You just never know what wonderful treasure or inspiration you might find.

I've already found two items that will be perfect Christmas gifts for the teen (one of which may be given early).

And the irony of it all is that before rediscovering Etsy, (I had bought some stuff around Christmas last year) I have had an idea wandering around my head for some little items I might like to make and sell. Because the initial investment is so minimal, I'm working on pulling a few items together and hope to post them in the next couple of weeks. If I enjoy doing it, then I will continue. If not, then I will not be out much. Especially seeing as I like to create. I like to make things just for the sake of making it. If I could sell it too, all that much better.

So this weekend will be spent gathering a few more supplies, creating and photographing some things. Well, this will be spaced in and around cleaning all of the upstairs carpets (thank you my dear cats for the stains and such).

Here is a little glimpse of what I'm working on...

A Gold Star for Jed...

...but none for me.

Jed's dental appointment went far better than I ever expected. Doc decided to go with no gas and no Novocaine since the cavity was so small. Jed did very well through the drilling however as they were prepping for the filling, he started to close his mouth and somehow got his cheek pinched. He started, as he would say, freak out, just a bit and it was started to go downhill from there. However, Doc quickly put the filling in just as the tears were beginning the fall and we were done.

He calmed down rather quickly when he received his a new toothbrush and another thing of floss. He was so excited because the toothbrush was blue and he had just finished up his other box of floss (the one he received at his cleaning two weeks earlier). We then went to check out the Treasure Chest however the contents were very dismal. A set of Disney princess chalk, Eeyore chalk, a couple bottles of bubbles, a couple of candy necklaces (to keep the business coming in???) and a ton of cheap plastic kazoos and mini frisbees. He finally settled on some blueberry scented bubbles (blue of course) along with the promise a new Transformer.

As we were leaving the office, Jed asked if we could stay there for awhile and play with the toys. I took this as a good sign that he would not be scarred for life about dental visits. So while I called my mom to let her know how brave he was, I let him play in the waiting room for a short bit.

Now comes the bad mom part and where I lose my gold star. We were back home and it was after a lunch of applesauce and milk he asked if he could have a piece of gum. I was definitely NOT THINKING when I said sure. Two bites down and he was in tears because it hurt. Bad, bad mom. But it gets worse...oh, yes it does. Later that afternoon, after a nap he asked for another piece of gum and I thought about it for a minute, really I did. But apparently my thinking was too not clear or too in depth. Oh his jaw is probably not sore anymore from the drilling and filling insertion. Never did it cross my mind that the gum might be tugging on the new filling nor did I remember my previous visits when they advised me to avoid all things chewy and sticky for awhile (with trying to calm Jed down, they neglected to tell me to avoid these things.) Rinse and repeat the earlier scene but with much more crying. Stupid, stupid me...

Wel,l the bright side of it all, we caught the cavity very early and he isn't afraid of the dentist although he might now be afraid of chewing gum. Hey, it just might be a win-win situation!

Note for Kim: Seems like my Blogroll has all of sudden decide to work. Not only work, but it appears to be working better than every before. It is now detecting sites with new material that it never worked with before such as Typepad I believe.

Visitor...

Last week I was digging up a few new potatoes when I lifted a bit of potato plant and jumped about a foot in the air.

A box turtle had found a nice shady cool spot to hide. Jed promptly picked him up and declared him his new best friend. The turtle, not to happy about being pulled out of his shady hiding spot withdrew into his shell, although he did keep an eye on us for quite a while.

(click on picture for a larger view)

Jed then asked me to take a picture of him and the turtle. (Please ignore the not-so-good pseudo haircut. I had just bought a new pair of hair scissors and he was in dire need of a haircut so we played barbershop the other night. I placed him on a barstool, clipped a towel around his neck and attempted to trim the hair around his ears and across the forehead. The front is a bit too blunt for my liking but it will do until we can get a REAL haircut. As a side note to this side note, the Barbershop game almost backfired on me. As I was finishing up his hair he asked when when is it going to be his turn to cut MY hair. I quickly dodged the bullet by explaining that mama's do all the hair cutting in the house. I'm allowed to cut his hair and Daddy's hair and no one else is allowed to cut hair. Thankfully he bought it.)

(click on picture for a larger view)

After hanging out for awhile, the turtle tried to make a getaway. I had to do a lot of persuading to get Jed to agree to let him go. He really wanted to keep him forever and ever. We finally moved him to the edge of the woods. We said our goodbyes for a good 15 minutes which including having the turtle promise to come back and visit. (See, the turtle was getting away so fast that my picture is blurry.)

(click on picture for a larger view)

Looking at all the turtle poses and pictures today, I started playing around. I'm always looking for photos that I can do black and white for my mantle. Here is what I started out with followed by the finished product. Not too shabby for someone who hasn't a clue what she is doing.

(click on picture for a larger view)

ETA: UGH! I have got to figure out how to keep the formatting of the paragraphs changing mid-post.