Random Tid Bits

1. Ever since I researched Cuckoo Clocks I keep seeing adds all over the online for me to buy one. Image is linked up if you are interested. 





2. I got this note to write both of my boys inspirational letters before their dreaded state testing. I am. I'm getting to it. I'm also going to write a few extra. That way if kid's parents dropped the ball they aren't sitting there without a letter. 


3. I'm trying to work ahead, but with this rain never ending my brain hurts. 


4. Mica was so excited to try out soccer. It's been going on for 2 weeks now. He hasn't even been able to go to a practice yet, due to rain and storms.

Another rainy day in Omaha. This is taken at a long stop light through my windshield.





5. I managed to squeeze 3 guest speakers and 2 tours. Yep the end of the year is coming up! 

Tri-Spinner Fidget Spinner Toy Review

I love creative toys. I have a box full of them. I just got another Tri-Spinner Fidget Spinner http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XJZDXDF to review. I think these things are so much fun, and relaxing.

It comes in a small box. It's so perfect for a gift. I plan on giving my boys Tri-Spinners for Easter. They'd work great for any holiday really. These fidget toys would even fit in a stocking at Christmas time.

Glows in the Dark:

This one is a light grey color. Guess what? It glows in the dark!

Here it is not glowing-

Here it is glowing-

Spin:

It spins for about 5 minutes if you give it a really good spin.

It's not meant to stare at. It's just meant to spin, and sometimes look at. It's for people that love to fidget. I know a few of my art students have them. They are great for anyone with: ADD, ADHD, and on the spectrum. My sons don't have any social issues. I do notice that they always have something in their hands though.

What I Love About This Toy:

• There isn't any noise 
• It takes up very little room
• It's glow in the dark
• It helps increase concentration 
• It's not expensive: $20.99, but on sale for $14.99 with Prime

If you have kids what kind of things do you give them for Easter? What kind of things did you get when you were younger? I got a basket with a spring outfit in it. 


I received the Tri-Spinner mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Elephant Ring Review

I got an Elephant Ring to go with my Elephant Necklace and Earrings.

It came with a little box, which makes it perfect for a present.

Material:

The ring is fairly thick. It has the surface width of 10 millimeters. I like it because people can see the elephant pattern.  It's 18-karat gold-plated. It has many elephants standing nose-to-tail that go around the entire ring.

I like that it can go with many different things. I can be worn to dress up, or down.

There are small rhinestones that fit into the bodies of the elephants. They are not flashy, just stylish.

I love the look of it. I have a very patterned tunic dress that I will wear this with. Again I like that it can be worn with just jeans and and t-shirt, or a dress. It's very versatile.

Since it's spring I took some photos of the ring with our dwarf Magnolia.

The ring is so pretty! I'm hooked for sure!

Elephants are a Hindu symbol for wisdom. They also stand for longevity, happiness and good luck. With my surgery coming up, I should be wearing this all the time. LOL 

Cost and Sizes:

It's $13.99, which is such a great price! It's perfect for a gift. I don't like to spend a lot, but enjoy getting people a little something. 

It comes in sizes: 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

When I'm not wearing my ring(s) I often put it here, for peaceful keeping.

Where do you keep your rings when you're not wearing them?

I received the Elephant Ring mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Nose Job! Yikes!

I had my ENT appointment yesterday. The doctor was running behind, per usual. I'm not saying usual with this particular doctor. Just usual with doctors in general. I rushed over there, was nervous about finding it, then had to wait.

It wasn't really a great day for feeling good. It's been raining for 4 days straight. Mica said, "Mom I think you get headaches from the barometric pressure. I've often wondered that. Dang that kid is so smart at times. He's a classic book smart kid, but needs step by step instructions to make his bed.

I figure I should get some selfies before I get my nose job soon. I won't really fix my nose in any way other than to make it straight, and get those polyps out. I haven't noticed in awhile how messed up my deviated septum is because the other side was swollen with polyps. Now that the polyps have gone down my nose looks really off. Day with rain my eyes are horrible!

Off to the side of my face I have a chicken pox scar. Kids always ask what that is because no one really gets chicken pox anymore with the vaccine that's available.

Nurse's First Question:

"Have you had a CT scan lately?"

Me:

"No." The last one I had was 11 1/2 years ago when I was prego with Mica. He was breech, I was low on fluid, my birth canal was tilted funny, so they wanted to see if there was room to have him if they got him turned around. There was room, but they couldn't get him to turn. Never try to have a doctor turn a baby from the outside. Opt for the C-section. There's my advice for the day. It hurt worse than the epidural, or post C-section + it puts stress on the baby. What was I thinking?

Anyhow I didn't tell the nurse all of that. I'm pretty sure 11 1/2 years ago isn't a recent CT scan, nor does it have anything to do with my nose.

CT Scan: 

I was thinking, Oh God this is going to be a hassle + expensive. I'm sure that later part is still true. Hassle not so much. They had a scanner right there in the office.

See all the grey. There's suppose to be white spots in there. Yep polyps have taken over where I can't see them. :(

Check out my nose! It gets even more crooked inside!

Eye Sight Loss Scare:

All the grey by my eye is polyps. Yep if he digs in to get them out, and hits my eye I'll have seeing problems afterwards.

Meningitis Scare:

Do you see the thin line of white? That's bone. Below that is all polyps. If he hits that bone I could get Meningitis. He asked me if I knew what Meningitis is? Umm yep! Isaak had that at 2 months of age! I know how scary it can be. It can cause hearing loss, and brain damage. Not to mention high fevers, high white blood cell count, and pressure on the brain. Fun stuff! Not! Sometime ignorance is bliss.

Polyps central.

My messed up nose!

It has to be sawed, and put back together like a jigsaw puzzle.

I know they have to tell you everything. Travis wants to know everything. He wants to look it up, study it. He's already read all about Septoplasty - Deviated Septum Surgery. He's watched YouTube videos on it. Me on the other hand, I usually like to research the heck out of things. I'm not feeling it with this. It makes me more worried. I'm not saying I can't handle the information. Put it on the table. I'm not about to go look up what he's going to hack away. 

He'll do a CT Scan, while the surgery goes on. That way he can see what he's doing.

He wants my allergies to be up to par because I can't blow my nose for 3 weeks after having this done. I'll miss 2 weeks of work, but will not be recovered for months. Yay! Not!

I'm thinking mid to end of June. Then I won't miss class, I'll have recovery time, I can also be home with the kids and spring allergy season will be over. I'll have to talk to Dr. Shakir - my allergy asthma doctor. 

I was doing great with all this slammed down information. Then a muscle car almost hit me on the way home - all black with bright green wheels was driving pretty fast on the express way. 

Then I started crying after talking to my parents. I could barely get out what to say to my youngest sister mainly because I just talked to my concerned parents. I pulled it together when I talked to my older sister and aunt. They were more, "Oh Alissa you'll feel so much better after this surgery! They have to tell you everything." 

Not quite the nose job I want to have. I really don't even mind my nose. Sure it's crooked, but it's my nose. I've grown to love it through the years. If it's so crooked it's restricting me from breathing it needs to be fixed.

I'm pretty sure the boys are freaked out with all the talk of this stuff. Isaak is usually filled with empathy. He said, "Mom I wish I had a different Mom that didn't have allergies. Then maybe I wouldn't have them. I would have skin problems either." Thanks son. He is a bit right. Kids do say what's on their minds. It really didn't hurt my feelings per say. I agree with him. Allergies, asthma and all this nose stuff sucks!

WW: Brothers {Linky}

Me, "You boys look so great with your dress up shirts on. Let me take a good photo of you."

Isaak was trying to kiss Mica. Go figure considering that Isaak's in a kissing is gross phase.

Why not annoy Mom more! He stood up to lift his shirt up.

Mica couldn't stop laughing, but was trying to respect my picture wishes.

Finally I got a few.

Elephant Necklace Review

I love elephants. I have elephant earrings, and now I have an Elephant Necklace made by: Vogue Jewelry. Soon I'll get an Elephant Ring too! YAY!

It comes in a cute gift box:

This came in the box too:

I'm not sure what the above leaf is. It's too small to be a bracelet, but looks like it should be one.

Material:

Rose and White Gold Plated.

I think the body of the elephant looks pearl like, which is my birthstone. It seems to change color slightly according to the background. Sometimes it looks clear, then it looks white, and other times it foggy.

My end of the day tired face:

Our Dwarf Magnolia is blooming behind me and the necklace.

 I don't know that the elephant is my favorite animal, but I do love it! I think my favorite animal is a hedgehog. What's your favorite animal?

I received the Elephant Necklace mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tri-Spinner High Performance Fidget Toy Review

I love gadget type toys. Now that Mica's getting older I still like to give him small things, but I don't want to break my wallet. One thing I see him do often is fidget with things. He usually has Legos in his hands at all times.

I decided to check out Tri-Spinner. It's a gadget that a few of my students have. Creative type people in general are fidgeters like Mica is.

To be honest I don't care if my students have fidget type toys in class, or even while I'm talking. I won't however let Mica take his fidget toy to school. Just because this art teacher doesn't mind if my students have toys in class, Mica's teacher may mind.

Tri-Spinner is Great For:

• Highly Creative People
• People with ADHD and ADD
• Anyone on the Spectrum 
• Anyone That Loves to Fidget
• Reducing Stress
• Increases Focus 

Other Facts About Tri-Spinner:

• There is no need for oil
• It's small enough to fit in your pocket
• It's only $9.99, so not too expensive
• It's on Prime
• It's made by XSPIN
• It spins for up to 3 minutes

Check Out the Top 10 Performance Management. Performance Management covers in detail the Following Tips:

1. Set Goals
2. Avoid Clouding Your Judgement
3. 360-Degree Feedback
4. Self-Assessment 
5. Prepare for the Performance Review Discussion
6. Discuss Positive Aspects First
7. Be Mindful
8. Include a Plan of Action
9. Make it a Conversation
10. Hold a, "How Can I Help You?" Attitude

Do you like fidget type toys? 

I received the Tri-Spinner mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Instilling Empathy

One of my goals as a parent was to make sure my kids felt empathetic towards others. 

I think it's safe to say that they both are empathetic towards friends, teachers and family too. They still have "me" time, which is important as well.

Looking back, that's kind of an odd goal. Seeing how some people are towards one another today it's a great parent goal to have though.

Mica is very self directed. For awhile I think Isaak could have be pushed down, and Mica would not of even noticed. I think that's why Isaak's both sweet and sour. If he's played with he's sweet. If Isaak's messed with - watch out!

Isaak has a harder time taking "me" time than Mica does. He relies on others to make him happy.

I make my kids play together at times.

Mica pulled this thing last year where he didn't want to play outside with Isaak. I had to push him out the door. Then Isaak would come in and say, "Mica won't play with me because he's pretending that he's blind and deaf." I had to go to the door and yell out, "MICA play with your brother! Stop pretending to be blind and deaf!" Mica would yell back, "You told me to play. I'm playing!" I'd yell back, "Play superheroes, basketball, or throw a ball back and forth, but don't play blind and deaf!" The neighbor's probably thought we were crazy!

This year they go outside with boxing gloves, or foam light sabers and fight. It's their form of play. I'm just glad Mica will go outside with Isaak.

Reading:

I checked out the book Wonder for the 2nd time. Mica read it once already. Now Mica and I are taking turns reading it to Isaak. Isaak will read to us too. It's just that the book is a little long for Isaak. Plus he's still not sure what he thinks about books without pictures.

If you've never read Wonder it's a must read! By the end of the book you'll have empathy towards Auggie - a boy that has face deformities, his sister, his friend, and even Julian - the boy that bullies him.

Source

The book is so different because the author R. J. Palacio gives the reader the perspective of each main character. I've almost started crying 2 or 3 times, while reading it. 

Wonder is being turned into a full length movie starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, which play Auggie's parents. 

Isaak's seems to be enjoying the book!

I had an odd thought this weekend. 

Do you believe that we're all born innately good? I do. I think we're born without prejudice, and biases. Possibly all those that are miserable, murder, threaten, and society labels as "evil" were once good.

Maybe all those that struggle deeply in this thing called "life" were abused/traumatized some time. I'm not say all criminals were were abused. If you look at criminal's backgrounds I bet you anything that the majority were traumatized verbally, physically, and/or sexually. Many were probably in foster care, and a lot were raised by a single worn out parent.

I'm not saying that we should let evil acts go. One that has gone through abuse could pick themselves back up, and make a go at life, while others don't have it in them. I'm just saying that I wish that the negative cycle in some families would stop.

Possibly maybe that one kid in that family just needed a good friend, someone that would stand up for him or here, mentor or teacher in their life that changed that negative cycle into a positive one.

What are your thoughts on showing empathy towards others?