Silly Boys!

I was trying to get a nice picture of my grandson, Anthony and my Jace.

This is what I got.....

NICE GUYS!

Silly Boys!

Thanks for making me smile Anthony and Jace!

Who's Ready for the Most Colorful Season Yet?

Dancing with the Stars is calling this the most Colorful Season Yet. 
Who's excited? 
Who's going to be watching this season?
 Do you have a favorite already? 
Are you and your family going to boycott the show because of Chaz Bono being one of the "stars"?
 I have been hearing so much controversy over Chaz being on the show.
 So.....I'm going to tell you what I think.

photo taken from http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/cast-announcement

I have watched Dancing with the Stars almost every season.  I've missed a couple of seasons...I missed last season because it was on during my dads death and with traveling and stuff I just ended up missing it.  Anyway, I love to watch the show and Earl and the kids enjoy it too. 

 I would give anything to be able to dance! 

Every year I have my favorites and then there are a few people that I don't particularly care for. 
I didn't care for Heather Mills, Kate Gosselin,
Pamela Anderson, Joanna Krupa, Jennifer Grey,
just to name a few.
 I've had my favorites like Kelly Osbourne,
Gilles Marini (oo la la),
Drew Lachey, Laila Ali,  Mark Dacascos, Mya,
 Cloris Leachman and so on and so on.

I am always surprised at how my perception of some of the "stars" are
 from maybe what I thought they'd be like.
 I start watching the show with an opened mind and if I do vote,
I try to base my vote on the dancing,
 because after all it is suppose to be a dancing competition,
not a popularity contest.


As far as Chaz Bono dancing...

SO WHAT!

 No, I don't think my children will want to change their gender from watching the show.
 
Actually,
 my kids won't even know anything about Chaz's
 gender change unless I tell them.
 Chaz is not going on Dancing with the Stars
to promote gender change. 

Chaz is going on the show to dance.

*** 

What about when Joanna Krupa was on the show?
 Did she promote posing nude for magazines?

Did your kids become "Jack-ass's" from watching Steve-O?

A computer genius from watching Steve Wozniak?

***

My kids didn't,
and I doubt if yours did either!
 I don't think that they will want to change their
gender because Chaz is on the show.

and
even if my kids did

they are my kids
and I will love them
no matter what!

I love color!
I love diversity!
I love to explore different cultures!
After all, differences in people are what makes the world an interesting place!

So my family will be sitting down together tonight and watching Dancing with the Stars with an opened mind.  I am really excited to see Nancy Grace, Ricki Lake, Carson Kressley,
David Arquette and Chaz Bono.


Yes,
a very diverse
and colorful
group of people.....

just the way I like it!


Good Luck to all of the dancers!

So Much Racism in 2011? Really?

     I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.  I actually do think quite a bit, but I tend not to share my thoughts.   I thought I would say what's on my mind and voice my opinion on racism. 

photo from http://lawbusinessrevolution.com/blog/2010/03/05/what-drives-you/

    

     I think of myself as a sometimes naive, a very trusting and easy going person.  I try to see the world in color and not just black and white.  This is not to say that I don't make instant judgements or assume the worst in people sometimes, but I honestly try not to.  I go by the theory of "treat others the way I want to be treated."  I believe that we all have the right to be individuals and to have our own opinions. 

     I also am not saying that I don't stear towards people that are like me.  I think that is normal, but it doesn't mean that I am not open and willing to make friends with people from the "other" group.  It reminds me of high school.  In our school we had the Socials, the Blacks, the Freaks, the Nerds, the Jocks, etc..... and everyone was suppose to be hang out with people from "their" group.  I liked some people from the other groups, but it is hard to "go to the other side" sometimes.  Peer pressure....that is a whole different subject.

     Back to the subject of Racism though.  I was brought up to believe that all colors of people are equal.  I was brought up that no race is dominant over another and that all people are just that, PEOPLE.  Skin color should not be what determines a persons character.

photo is from http://www.theupbeatdad.com/2011/07/pride-and-prejudice-teaching-your-kids.html

     I am also not saying that I like all people.  I think that there are bad white people, bad black people, bad people of every race, BUT, I also think in those same groups there are so many good people. 

     There are several reasons that I started really thinking about racism, but I'll share the incident that Earl had at work the other day. 
            A couple at Earl's work were talking about how a black family moved into the house next to them.  "The black family is renting and are probably on welfare" (the rent is $1,700.00 a month....welfare.... I don't think so!)  This couple talked about sabotaging the other family to get them evicted and of course how could the landlord do this to them....rent to a black family!  A third person jumps into the conversation and says how he calls black people "Monday's" because everyone hates Monday's.  There was more said, but you get the gist of it.

     I really don't understand their attitude and especially in this day and age.  I really thought that society had come further than this.  A family is being judged soley on the color of their skin.  Earl's co-workers refuse to get to know their new neighbors and they are already filled with hate for them.  Why are they not giving this family a chance?  Maybe they aren't nice people, but chances are, they are nice and will make wonderful neighbors.  Chances are they are just another family that wants to enjoy their new home and live a happy and productive life. 

     Maybe I live in a bubble and just refuse to see all the negativity in the world.  I am just shocked and really REPULSED that racism is so alive in this day and age.  Black, Asian, European, Spanish, Indian, Arabic, etc, etc......we are all people.  People with their own unique cultures and colors, but still, we are all people, and deserve to be treated as such.  I think that we are all trying to achieve the same goal, to make it through life being happy, loved and accepted and to see our children grow up to happy and healthy.

photo is from http://www.theupbeatdad.com/2011/07/pride-and-prejudice-teaching-your-kids.html

   
      I also believe that racism is one of the most damaging and unfair things that parents can teach their children.  The Upbeat Dad explains this well "One of my strongest beliefs is that no child leaves the womb with any level of prejudice towards anyone. Babies are born innocent and come into a world with all kinds of divisions – ethnic, religious, political, economic and the list goes on. But babies are as innocent as they could be."
  
  "As these babies become toddlers and then pass through the different phases of development, they learn about the world that they live in. It’s a scientific fact that 90% of brain development occurs during the first three years of life."

     "Here’s an approach: be proactive in addressing these topics to children from the earliest stages of their lives. Teach them to love and honor themselves because they are truly wonderful and special. At the same time, teach them to love, honor and respect others – whether they look like them or not."

photo from tcsidewalks.blogspot.com and edited by me
    

     Actually living in a bubble is sometimes kinda nice....I get to see the beautiful opalescent colors reflecting in my bubble.  Another thing, I like Monday's.  Monday's are a new beginning, a chance to go out into the world and experience life.  I also am so grateful that my parents taught me to have an opened mind and see the world as a colorful, diverse place where we are all created equal.

     “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” 
                                                                                                             Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Girl Can Loose Her Freedom, But Not Her Will to Be Creative!

Flipping through the channels one day I started watching MSNBC's Lockup.  I was really impressed by one of the inmates, Krystal O'Reilly.  Krystal's attitude and sincerity really impressed me and then I realized that she is very creative too. 

Krystal was making cards and stationary out of homemade crayons.  Her crayons were old magazines or newspapers, deodarant and tampons.  Krystal would rub the tampon on the deodarant and then onto a magazine or newspaper and the tampon would pick up the ink.  The she used a stencil she made and rubbed the edges with her "crayon" making pretty shapes on her letters to her son and mom.  (Krystal making her cards is at the 2:00 minute mark in the video)

I was so impressed with how creative she was and thought to myself, "Man, I think if I was in jail this would be me."  I hope I would be so creative anyway!

Thank you Krystal for sharing your story with the world and I wish you, your son and your mom the best of luck and that you have a happy life.

No More Babies at Home :(

Jace has slept with me and Earl since he was born. 

The last 2 nights though he has decided to sleep in his own room. 

 It was nice to have the extra room in bed,

 but I sure did miss snuggling up next to him.

Remember Mom, he's a big boy now. 

Jace woke up and immediately got dressed. 

 He brushed his teeth and came down ready to go to school. 

We got Ezie and Mallory off and then the wait began.

An hour and 10 minutes of waiting

...........

and waiting

...........

and waiting

Finally,

it's time to go sit on the porch and wait for the bus.

 and wait

.........

and wait

.........

but with a big smile on his face.

and then my baby was gone.

Hardly even a "bye mom"

gone just like that.



Jace should be home in 30 minutes

and we're all so excited to get him off the bus

and see how his first full day of school was.

I hope it was magical

but,

I bet I have a tired little guy tonight!

I sure did miss my Jace today!

The First Day of School for My Kiddo's

Today was the kids first day of school.  Ezie is in 7th grade,

Mallory started middle school and is in 6th grade

 and my baby, Jace started Kindergarten.

The annual shoes first day of school new shoes pic.

I am very proud of my kids because they settle for very inexpensive shoes this year

and Jace was content with a pair of new to me shoes.
(Thanks Levi & Leo!)

 Since Earl had lost his job the money just wasn't there for name brand shoes

and the kids did great about not complaining.

Thanks guys!!



Daddy getting Ezie and Mallory on the bus.

and finally Daddy and Jace walking into school.

Jace only had a 30 minute orientation today

and he can't wait until tomorrow

when he has a full day and gets to eat lunch at school and ride the bus.



The kids all had a great day!

Tomorrow will be my first day without having anyone at home :(

Jace told me not to worry that our dog Charlie

would be home to take care of me and snuggle with me at nap time

oh, and he also told me that I could play his computer games.



I Got My Blog Fixed! Yay Me!

People have been telling me for quite awhile that they couldn't leave comments on my blog.  I've changed my settings and tried several times to figure out what was wrong with it.

Well........the problem was me!

When I changed the colors on my blog last time I must have put white on white. 

Duh Sherry....White doesn't show up on white!

So now that my blog is "fixed"

I expect

LOTS

of comments!

Have a wonderful day!!

Prayers Needed!

My sister, Stacey, started having some hearing loss a few months ago and after getting it checked out found out that she has an acoustic neuroma (benign brain tumor).  Stacey is having the tumor removed today.  The surgery is a 6-10 hour process and she will probably have some balance issues afterwards along with a long recovery period. 

Please keep Stacey in your thoughts and prayers. 

Send lots of positive thoughts to her!

I know she will appreciate it and I definitely will!

Thanks!!!

If you would like to read more about acoustic neuroma, check out this site: http://www.anausa.org/ .

Making Rag Rugs

I've been making rag rugs lately.  There fun and inexpensive to make.  Earl and I have been going to thrift stores and buying old sheets.  I bring them home, wash and dry them, make slits in the fabric and then we rip the sheets into strips for me to crochet.  Earl and the kids have been a huge help with the ripping of the sheets.

Ezie and Mallory are helping with their own technique of ripping.

I guess you have to make it fun!

and hey, whatever works and they're getting along is fine with me!

and here are some of my end results....





I think they're turning out really pretty!  It's been a fun way to be creative and recycle, reuse and go green!

My Mallory Turned 11!

Mallory turned 11 last week.

Our neighbor gave her a certificate for her birthday to drive his red tractor around his backyard.

Mallory was so excited and nervous,

but she did a great job and had fun!

 Mallory with Bill our neighbor

and Jace riding the little tractor around the yard.

He has his mouth opened because he's showing Bill that he

lost his first tooth.

My babies are growing up way to fast.  Mallory and Ezie will both be in Middle School this year and Jace starts Kindergarten.  Earl got his job back at the bus garage and I am going to go full force into my sewing and crocheting business now that I am home by myself all day.

I did tell Jace that I need a "Pillow Pet" to snuggle with while I take my nap since he won't be home to be my snugglebuddy. 

I sure will miss my baby!

although Jace says,

 "I'm not a baby Mom!  I'm big now"

sniff....sniff

little tears in my eyes

What I Received From the Brown Paper Bag Swap

Sorry I know I'm a late posting this, but I left the charger to my camera in Maine and was waiting for it to get mailed back to me.  Now if I could just get all the beach sand out of it so it won't be tempermental.

I received this gorgeous and super creative art piece from Ellen. 

\

Ellen came up with a wonderful idea....I would have never thought of doing this in a million years.  Check out the people sitting under the tree.  So cute!!  Ellen you did an amazing job and I really want to thank you for participating in the Brown Paper Bag Swap and for being my partner.

My Brown Paper Bag Projects for this Year

This year for the 4th Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap I came up with something I really liked and really last minute.  I always have great ideas, but never seem to come up with the one I want to send or am happy with until after the mail out date.  Strange.....I know....but it is just the way my brain functions.

Any therapist out there with an answer to my problem???

 I made some eggs by covering plastic Easter Eggs in brown paper bag strips and then painting them.

I used a deli style plastic bowl for the nest and covered it in brown paper bag strips first and then added some ????, I can't think of what you call that stuff.

Brain Fart!!!!

I also made my partners a matchbox ornament. 

I covered the box with brown paper bag and then added a paper rose to it.

 I also made each of my partners 4 cards out of brown paper bags.

I made the owl out of brown bags and then embellished with printed paper and colored pencils.

and then I made the envelopes for the cards out of brown bags and lined them with printed paper.



I'll post the beautiful piece I got from Ellen tomorrow.

FlowerFairies and LadyBugs

I thought I'd share a few of the things I've made over the last couple of months.  I've kept really busy making things and it has actually been nice.  The computer is so addictive.

 I made these little Flower Fairy dresses for my friend Melinda.

They are made of paper and embellished with all kinds of goodies.

 I also made a couple of Flower Fairy matchbox ornaments for Melinda.

 and a Flower Fairy Ornament out of flowers, a bottle cap and a photo.

 I bought this little Lady Bug basket at the thrift store.

  It was all green and kind of plain,

so.........

 I spray painted it black and added some ribbon.  I think it looks much better now! 

A very quick and easy transformation of a simple thrift store item. 

 I hope Jill liked it!

I also made Jill some Lady Bug cards and a couple of matchbox ornaments and I crocheted her a tawashi.

I've got so many other pretty things that I made and received to share. 

Till tomorrow......

I Have Internet Service Again, Whoo-Hoo!

We have our internet service back again!!  I'm so excited to get back to see what everyone's doing and share my stuff with all of you.  I have so many things to post, buy I'm going to start with my flower garden "stump" and our front porch.

 This is two of my grandsons, T.J. and Jordan in front of our house at Easter.  Although the boys are cute, the porch and the yard left a lot to be desired.

 This is the "stump" that I planned on planting flowers all around to kind of hide it.

 Here is the stump after digging through the roots for a couple of days.  I know several of my neighbors were really wondering what the heck I was doing.  All I had to say is "just wait and imagine".

Here is the stump in May after adding a few plants and some gravel.  My neighbors are still shaking their heads and saying "Okay???" 

 Here is my stump now. 

The photo really doesn't do it justice.  Earl and I added rock gravel and then we got some river rocks to border the bed.  I'm still going to decorate it up with fairies and a door.  It is still a work in progress.

We extended the flower bed out some more in the front and on the side of the house.

 This is the top of our front porch.  Earl and I both really enjoy sitting on the front porch to drink our coffee and I love to sit out there and read and crochet.  The porch was kinda "rough" looking though.

 Now the top of the porch is painted white and looks so much better.  It's still a little rough, but the white really brightens it up and makes it look finished.

I LOVE it!!

 Then the floor of the porch got a paint job too.  One side is the before porch and the other with the beginning of it's new green makeover.  Such an improvement! 

Here is our finished porch.

It is so nice to sit out there and not have the crappiest looking porch on the block.

another view with my Jace enjoying some cool water on a hot day.

Thank you Earl, Ezie, Mallory and Jace for helping me with such a big project and for getting it all done before my mom and sisiters came for a visit.

Oh yeah, my neighbors seem to be very happy about the paint job on the porch and now they even like my flower bed. 

Imagine that!