Random Tid Bits

1. I decided to get a bunch of design things done, that I wanted to get done. Now my scratch disk is full. I've even deleted a bunch of other things off.
   


2. All my students have been good through all this COVID-19 stuff, except for 2. I have had others not participate much. That's to be expected. I'm talking attitude.
   
   I had one tell me I wasn't a good person because I didn't grade her boyfriend's stuff. I missed his attachment entirely. I counted...that day I had 42 emails from the students. I apologized to him. Explained I'm human, and that it would help if he worked in the order of the assignment. Then I emailed the girlfriend telling her that I'm human, and it's not really her business. If he has a problem, he should contact me.
   
   I had another student that's having web issues. She keeps giving me her old file. Somehow that's my problem, not hers. She's had issues all through school. When the Director told me that she's had issues with the online learning, I think she just has issues in general.
   
3.  It snowed 6 inches last week. Now it's in the 60s. Hello Nebraska! What's the weather like where you live?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. I've messed with our weatherman some more. I really like him, so it's all for fun. He was talking about it being cloudy. I asked, "Is it cloudy with the chance of meatballs?" That was a few weeks ago.
   
   This week he kept saying his favorite word, "Spectacular". I told him the boys were outside digging in the "Spectacular" dirt. He reads the comments out loud, and often chuckles with mine. 
   
   

   

   
   
5. Isaak has a group chat with 3 or 4 girls. It makes him happy. Mica cracks up over it. Says he has too much drama in his life. 

Random Tid Bits

1. I kind of feel like I'm loosing my mind. It takes me longer to prepare for my classes these days with the change of everything being online. Then certain students don't respond at all.
   
   At some point they have to take responsibility. I don't like the system as much as them being here as well.


2. I splurged and got the boys some things for Easter. I didn't buy any clothes. Let's face it, they live in PJ pants, and their robes these days.
   
   What I got to keep them busy during COVID-19 Stay at Home Days:
   
   
   1000 Piece Puzzle
   
   They both like galaxy like stuff. Mica I think would do better with his own puzzle, but I know they are only going to do this once. I don't want to spend an arm and leg on something they'll do once.
   
   
   
   
   
   Stylus Pens
   
   For their Kindles.
   
   
   
   
   The 5th Book in the Series of Horizon: Liferaft
   
   Isaak asked for another Dav Pilkey book, but I think they are way too easy for him. I don't mind him reading easy things, but I don't want to buy them.
   
   
   
   
   The Copper Gauntlet
   
   Mica's much more realistic about what he wants.
   
   
   
   
   Stranger Things 3
   
   We all like Stranger Things, but we don't have Netflix. I got this awhile ago. It's not the nice set I've gotten in the past from Target. Oh well...it will do.
   
   
   
   
   
3. I always make a coffee cake for Easter morning, so I'm still doing that.
   
   
4. My Mom texted me and my sisters telling us that my Aunt is in the hospital again. She had a surgery to remove some skin, because a wound wouldn't heal. Then she had some small hernias to fix. Boy has it been a difficult surgery. In and out of the hospital way more than we thought. She's been to the ICU a few times. This last time she tried to call a cab to take her. She doesn't want my Mom or Aunt's to get COVID-19, so I get it. My Mom was upset. I don't know the extent of visitors she can have considering we're in the middle of a pandemic. She's single with no kids.
   
   
5. The next day my Mom texted me and my sisters telling us that my Uncle is in the hospital getting yet another unit of blood. This has happened over and over again, since Thanksgiving! He has an internal bleed from radiation he had.
   
   Of course they said on the news that we're lacking on blood, basic antibiotics, O2, masks and gloves. YIKES! What do you worry about most if you or someone you know gets COVID-19? For me it's O2.

Random Tid Bits

1. I've been tired, since Daylight Savings Time hit! Lights out early, so is my brain power. I've even bumped up my Vitamin D3.


2. Isaak's been put in 2 groups at school. One group doesn't seem like they'll listen to him. The other group had one sleeper and another one that left the group to go do what they wanted. He's pretty frustrated. I don't blame him. While it's important to learn to work with people, middle school is a rough time even without being in groups.
   
   I was in a group in middle school where boys were violating my space. One put his pencil on my chair and said, "Sit and spin!" Then he kept putting his hand on my upper leg. You could say I hated groups at that moment! BUT I asked the teacher if I could switch, and said the boys were doing things to me that wasn't acceptable. He didn't ask questions, he let me switch groups. I got in a group with one of my best friends at the time. We're still friends. It was a negative situation that turned positive.


3. Mr. Sunny is now pooping regularly. YAY! Not Vet follow-up.
   
   We actually have seen him grow. His tail is thickening up. Such a good thing! The Vet said his tail was too thin. His diet has expanded. He used to only eat 2 small mealworms every other day. Now he eats 1 superworm, and 2 small mealworms, or 1 cricket, and 2 small mealworms. We're attempting to breed mealworms and superworms. He could eat roaches, but after a fun back prick allergy test I know that's something I'm allergic too.
   
   
   
   
   
4. I had a student that came to me and said, "I'm sorry I wasn't in class. I had a reaction to a med I was taking." I asked, "Can I ask what med you had problems with?" She said, "Well I had an allergy flair up, so I took Claritin D, an Equate Allergy, a Zyrtec, and a Montelukast. No one could wake me up."
   
   If you know anything about allergy meds, she basically took 3 of a similar med; overdosing! Montelukast is the generic of Singular. It's, it's own bird. Basically it's primarily for Asthma. The rest of what she took are all the same type of drug!
   
   I don't worry about drugs with students as much as I do with them mixing drugs! I hear all the time about them being on an anti depressant, and drinking on top of that. Not good!
   
   
5. It might not stay this way, but as of right now Isaak has higher grades than Mica. Mica found out he had all A's mid way through. I think that went to his head. 

Random Tid Bits

1. A little update on Isaak: He's done homework all this week with no meltdowns. YAY! I think he's going to be ok.
   
   We do need to work on speeding up with everything. How does one do this? Going to a Therapist will take away from his classes, and homework time. He could use someone to talk to, but doesn't need to be taken away from his responsibilities when he's slow with his work already. He's just a slow moving kid with eating, testing, homework, and getting dressed. He's fast with his brain skills, and sports. He catches his own mistakes in Math. He doesn't always follow directions. Last night he did two pages of math that took all night. Towards the end he said, "I think I was just supposed to do even problems." I'd love to say he learned his lesson, but he did this last year too. I wanted to hug him for his efforts, and shake him for not knowing this.


2. I did read this article 5 Reasons to Let Your Sensitive Boy Remain Sensitive. It totally is Isaak.


Isaak's Drawing:



3. I'm so worried about a student we have! I think I'm the only one worried about her. In first year she was a firecracker. Full of energy, fun, outgoing, but never held still.
   
   She's now in third year. She's stand-offish with everyone, hasn't posted on social media at all when she usually does, doesn't show up to her classes, and there's talk that she's hanging out with really sketchy people doing drugs and drinking. I've told all the higher ups. I haven't heard anything back from them. I did do my last ditch effort to contact her. I messaged her on FB, and she did message me back. I know she's at least alive. Maybe not well, but alive. I told her that we have resources to help her, and that if she needs someone to listen I have a good ear. That's really all I can do.
    
4. We have a busy weekend planned. I won tickets to go to Rocky Horror Picture Show Live from a FB entry with my ENT's office of all places. Travis and I are doing that on Sunday.
   
   

   

   Source

5. Travis' boss gave him two tickets to see Kansas. I had to ask, "The band, or somewhere in Kansas?" I thought the band was nonexistent now. Travis assured me the band. They only have two tickets, so I asked if it's ok that he take Mica. Mica's never been to a concert - ever.
   
   Then I'll take Isaak and a friend somewhere.
   
   

   

   Source

Random Tid Bits

1. I said, "Mica we get to hang out with just you tomorrow." We were going to House Of Conundrum | Puzzling Omaha Escape Rooms‎. Isaak had soccer practice + homework, so he stayed behind. Mica said, "About that. Maybe you and Dad can just be quiet the whole time." I laughed and said, "Really? I know I'm goofy, but what does Dad do?" Mica, "He points out girls that are cute." I said, "Ok when he does that I'll just let out a big FART to distract the situation. Ok?" He walked away with his head down. 


2. Later on at the House Of Conundrum | Puzzling Omaha Escape Rooms a fellow Mom sat next to me. I noticed she wasn't by her middle schooler. I said something and Mica shot me a look to shut up. I said to the Mom, "I can't say anything without getting looks from my middle schooler." She said back, "I can't even look at my middle schooler." Win for me I suppose. 


3. I like to do many things at once. I know some say, When you try to multitask you never are great at each thing. What are your thoughts on this? I feel like I put all I can in what it is I'm doing, for each thing. 


4. I've played James Victore's audio book called Feck Perfuction in both my first year and third year classes. It's a really good book about following your own dreams, goals, keep the weirdness that you had as a kid present in your work, building a better version of yourself, sacrifice and more. It's design driven, so goes well with all we do at a design school. James Victore has such great advice, I've listened to the book three times. Once on my own, and two other times in the classes I have. I went to play it, and a student said, "Can you turn that down? I can't concentrate. It's too distracting." I wanted to say back, "Listen and you'll learn! Can you be quiet, so I can hear it. Your talking is a bit distracting." I bit my tongue, turned it down, and when the air conditioner piped up I may have turned it up a notch up. 




5. Admin: Write students up if you know there's going to be a problem. Then maybe we can help them, and save them. 

Co-worker and Boss: We usually don't do that until midterm. Otherwise you're waisting your time.

Me: I guess I'll email the Director to figure out what she thinks. I'm always in the middle. I don't like being looked at badly, for doing my job - communicating with students.

Random Tid Bits

1. Somehow I managed to not get a summer school class!


2. I'm kind of excited. One co-worker, which I named Mrs. Clean Freak moved on. She seriously drove me batty. She was so picky about folders not being in the classroom. Folders don't belong in a classroom? Seriously! I had my moments of totally liking her too. It's just that it was hard having multiple bosses giving me things to do. Most of the time they didn't know each other was giving me things to do. Life has been happier with her gone.
   
   I found out that my favorite Admission Rep is taking over as the lead. I'm not super close to her. I just have a great vibe off her. She's much more open to new innovative ideas than the last one. Fingers crossed that she'll do great! 


3. I'm the first to admit when I've been a dumb ass. Earlier this week I was in fact a dumb ass. I heard that if you soaked strawberries in a little vinegar + water they last longer. I did that. They all tasted like vinegar. Don't do what I did. I make a strawberry crisp for work + one for Travis' work. The rest went in the freezer for smoothies. Not to worry too much though. Travis went out the next night and picked a whole new big bowl of strawberries. Here I was thinking they wouldn't do well this year with all the rain. Our backyard is kind of hilly though. 






4. I don't know if you remember when I posted about Mica having brown splotches on his skin? It started out where he had spots on his arm, then it was on his neck. It looks like it could be dirt. When I messaged the doctor's office they wanted the boys to come in for check-ups because it had been awhile. Right away I brought it up to the nurse when I took the boys in. She took note of it. Then the doctor came in, and I forgot all about the brown splotches. Then not one, but both boys fainted when their fingers were pricked, so the brown splotches were really off my mind.
   
   
   
   
   
   I sent a follow up email. I am supposed to let them know if it gets darker, or spreads more. It's called Cafe au lait Spots. It can just be birth marks, or darkening of the skin. What they worry about is how it can be associated with Neurofibromatosis. I think I'd be more worried if Isaak had these marks. Another sign of possible Neurofibromatosis is a birthmark on the spine, which Isaak has. Luckily Neurofibromatosis is not in our genetics. Although I know people with it. It's something to watch, but since I've taken the photo of Mica's skin his spots haven't gotten darker, in fact they've lightened a bit. 
   
   
   
   
5. A past student had a 4 month old pass away last year from SIDS. I was heartbroken for her. This week she got in a car accident. Her van rolled onto her hand degloving many of her fingers. They rushed her into surgery to get her hand stitched up with her skin. Thankfully she has skin they could use. Now she's worried about working, physical therapy, not having a vehicle to drive. Her life is kind of a downward spiral. She has 2 other kids at home. Positive vibes are sent her way! Do you know someone that seemed to just always have unfortunate things happen to them?

Random Tid Bits

1. My 3rd year students have to do a fast, yet effective flyer for a non profit organization. If they weren't on target they got a zero. No worries they have a chance to bump that zero up. I give them feedback, so they don't have to start from scratch. I had a lot of tears, and pissed off students. Many have the ground work to push off to make a better piece. They were just pissed, and couldn't get passed that yesterday.
   
   There will come a time that they will learn that a boss doesn't always like everything they do. Yesterday was not one of those days. 


2. I just donated to my nephew Evan's school fundraiser. Can you believe it? The money is going towards his brother/my nephew Emerson. I ordered mixed nuts. Just yesterday I had a student come up wanting me to donate to help with cancer. Then at the grocery store they asked for a donation, for the food pantry.
   
   Where do you draw the line with donations? While I want to donate to many things, I can't always do that. Then I feel guilty when someone asks me to donate, and I answer with a "Not today." 


3. Did you know 1 billion people on this earth are non believers? The Dali Lama talks about it in The Book of Joy. Do you think that non believers bring negativity into the world? I know a lot of atheists, and some are more positive than people that go to church every Sunday. It's just interesting.


4. I got a message that my Aunt's want to get together less because it's just a lot of work. I'm ok with that. It is a lot of work. It gives us more time to spend with our own families. Travis surprised me by being the one that was upset by it. He never had big family get togethers often when he was growing up. He has to deal with it of course. 


5. Have you started Christmas shopping? I buy things things throughout the year, so there are things stuff away here and there. 

I got Isaak this keyboard when Toy R Us was closing.





Then I've gotten things for my nephews. For some reason I'm excited about these Guidecraft blocks filled with beads I found for Emerson. A school store was closing here, so I got them 30% off. Otherwise I would not have gotten them at all.  

Source

Random Tid Bits

1. The sunflowers that were planted at the end of my neighbor's a few houses down are no longer a visual problem. It rained all day one day. I can see cars again!





2. Travis said that Mica HAD to sign up for something active, so he signed up for Cross Country.
   
   We made the mistake of doing what we were supposed to by getting his school paper work in. Then we got a letter afterwards saying that he had to have a school activity card, and be a member of their after school program. We didn't think he needed an activity card because he could careless about going to football or basketball games. The only time he'll be staying after school is for Cross Country, so we didn't sign him up for the after school club. We had to do some back peddling to get that new stuff done. The after school club is a 3 day a week thing (mandatory). He had to stay after school this week twice for the club, and the sport hasn't started yet.
   
   I hope all this is worth it. Travis gets on me because I have a sour attitude about things the boys don't have to do. I always wonder if it's all worth it? What if we've been through a Sport's Physical, extra paper work, an after school club and he hates Cross Country? Life experiences are important.  


3. I have to figure out how to get my 1st year students to talk. They just are workers, which is good, but they don't look outside their own brains to see what others are doing. It's important to do that too.
   
   The new Education Director came to observe me. I was in lecture trying to get my students to talk about things they learned the week before. It was like talking to empty brains. 


4. Isaak had to have this gold sequence journal at Target. I quickly said, "No! Put it back!" Then I went back and bought it for him for Christmas. He never asks for things. Ha! 






5. My Mom texted me yesterday that she has Shingles. She got the old shot, that's 50% effective. She was on the list for the new shot, but she wasn't called to get it yet. This is the 2nd living virus she's gotten. She had Polio a year or 2 before before the vaccine came out. It lives inside you like Chicken Pox does - Shingles. Polio is just called Post Polio Syndrome. Post Polio Syndrome did a number on her leg! I'm hoping Shingles aren't too bad for her!
   
   What are your thoughts on vaccines? I'm pro them, but think they are given too close together in the US. I go with it because I'm afraid I'll mess something up where the boys skip something they shouldn't skip. I used to be more against illegals coming here because of vaccines they don't get that we get here in the US. Then I read a whole article about how Colorado (in general) is really bad about vaccinating their kids. It's the highest place in the US where they don't vaccinate. Yes it's a free country, but when one's freedom is infringing on another's freedom then that's a problem. Isaak got Meningitis before he had all his shots for it, my Mom got Polio and Shingles before she could get her shots. My nephew Emerson has a compromised immune system, so he can't get all his shots on time. Anyhow I'm up for a healthy debate, so what are your thoughts on vaccinations? 

Random Tid Bits

1. I took Mica to a new place to get a sports physical. Travis is big about him being involved in a sport. I'm big about him being involved in anything extra. I see him more as a reader and drama kid. I get Travis' point, he should be active with something. Mica's going to try out Cross Country.
   
   Travis had the appointment at the boy's doctor's office - early August. It was during Hummel Camp. Travis would have had to take off work to get him from point A to point B, back to point A, and back to work. It would have been more expensive to go to the doctor's office. I opted to take him to an after hours clinic that was only $15. He's all checked out! The boy is now 1/2" taller than I am. Thank goodness his hernia was taken care of last year. Otherwise that would be an issue.
   
   His doctor's office was annoyed when I called to cancel the appointment. They were like, "Well...don't you need to schedule a new appointment?" I said, "Nope! I already took care of it. He's up to date on his shots, so he's good." They were like, "Ok then!" and hung up. I love their doctor, but the office has been annoying quite a few times lately! 





Mica watching Wipe Out at the Clinic.



2. I wonder why middle and high schoolers have to get a sports physical, but elementary schoolers don't? Isaak will play basketball once again. Hopefully in a league and at school. He might even play volleyball. It's open to boys and girls in elementary school. After that point it's strictly a girl's sport. 


3.  You guys have read about Mrs Clean Freak before. She's the lady that made me get rid of folders in a classroom because classrooms have to be blank. She also gives me lists of things to do. When I was completing one list I heard her talking to another employee saying that she should actually get something done today. She's good at being bossy, and making me lists to feel like I'm 13 years old.
   
   We gained 4 students from what we had in the original works. That's a good thing. Tables were added. New tops have to go on those tables. I'm the type of person that just does stuff that needs to be done. I don't really need a list. Imagine that. Ha! I just added the tops to the tables.
   
   Mrs Clean Freak said to me, "Alissa who told you to add those tops on those tables?!" Me fibbing just to get her off my back, "The Boss Man." Mrs Clean Freak, "I hate when he does that! I'm supposed to be in charge of the clean up." Me Thinking, Well I hate when you treat me like I'm 13 by giving me a list. I also hate that you don't work on the tasks along side of me, and just boss me around. I went back to the Boss Man, and told him what I actually said. Boss Man said, "It's ok Alissa. I'm glad you just moved forward to do it." Ha! Do you have a bossy person in your life? I get my Boss being bossy, but Mrs Clean Freak isn't even my Boss. Travis says I just need to suck it up. I do. I also need to vent about it in the process.


4. I've been so unproductive, since I got back. I think I just feel overwhelmed with school getting ready to start, photos to go through, and the pressure of looking for jobs all summer was getting to me. I feel like I need a vacation after I had a vacation. 


5. I came home, and Mica ate not one, not two, not three, not four, but five of these! I think we've all done something like that in our youth. It sort of cracked me up. I know he's growing! We had a discussion about how one, which is like two (two in a package) is ok to eat. Otherwise he needs to eat other things as well. I have never bought them Little Debbie anything, so this was a treat. I didn't even know they changed the name from Nutty Bars to Nutty Buddies. What's your favorite Little Debbie snacks?

Random Tid Bits

1. We went to go spend time with Grandma and Grandpa - my parents.
   
   Isaak to Grandma, "I just love your muscles." Grandma laughing, "That's fat. Not muscle!" We all laughed.
   
   Mica to Grandpa, "Grandpa you smell like wood." Grandpa, "Ok...what kind of wood?" Mica, "A hard wood." Grandpa, "Like Oak?" Travis, "Like Hickory Dickory." Grandma kept laughing because Mica kept talking about Grandpa smelling like hard wood. Then I started laughing because Grandma was laughing so hard. Then Travis started laughing. Mica sat there with a confused look on his face. 


2.  Mica gets all annoyed that I come home with berries every day. He's like, "How many berries do you really need? We have a ton!" Travis respond with, "Mica it's free food." I respond with, "We need food throughout the winter too. There are no berries in the winter time. These berries will only last a little while, not even through the whole winter." He's like, "I really don't think you need to pick any more berries Mom." 



I keep picking these whiteish mulberries that are completely ripe.


3. I asked Mica to pick raspberries. He went out, and came back in the matter of a few minutes. I said, "Mica what are you doing son? Is there a problem?" He said, "I just didn't think of the fact that I'm a bee and wasp magnet with what I'm wearing. I'm going to change shirts!" I said, "Ok. As long as the job gets done. ;)" Isaak yells out, "Mica I don't think it works that way!" *Yes the kid is all elbows, and does this dorky pose when I ask to take photos of him! 











4. We have a car commercial here in Omaha for a car place called H & H.  They have Hannah and Hailey as their people for their commercial. 




Isaak said, "Those two are Photoshopped!" Mica said, "Isaak they are twins." Isaak swears back that they are Photoshopped. My sister said, "They have different boobs. Yes I've examined them." She's a certified Lactation Consultant. LOL!


5. I ran across the shirts below on FB. No, I have no idea where they came from. Let me know, and I'll source them. They so fit my parenting style. I wish I could wear them to Parent Teacher Conferences. Sorry if they offend you. They are really just a joke.

Random Tid Bits

1. I had this student like maybe 5 years ago. Time seems to slip away, where I don't know how long ago I had them. Anyhow She got pregnant about 3 years ago. I offered her Mica and Isaak's crib. I knew she was low on funds. Travis kept bugging me to get it out of the basement + we're way done with having kids, and if we have grandkids some day we can get a Pack n' Play.
   
   The student had her cute baby, and got pregnant soon afterwards. They were still hurting money wise. She got harassed at work because she had kids out of wedlock, her boyfriend is black, and her kids are mulatto. I so thought we were passed that! Anyhow I told her to talk to her boss about the harassment issue. She shouldn't have to put up with that!
   
   Her second baby was 4 months old. Last Friday her boyfriend went to pick her up to feed her. She was unresponsive! They tired mouth to mouth, called 911, and she was pronounced dead. They had lab work done, but they haven't found anything, and ruled it as SIDS. I crushes me. I keep thinking of her. She put out a message on facebook about what had happened after she told some people personally. My heart aches for her. I keep thinking about it.  4 months old is like the cut off for the scare of SIDS. It's a nightmare! I'm sending positive vibes to Brook, her baby that's passed away Seren, her two year old Mimri that won't be able to understand what's going on, and her boyfriend Reggie.
   
   She was breastfeeding, so now she's going to go through the pain and emotions of drying up. Oh I just want to cry tons of tears for her.
   
   This was a post she posted way before her sweet baby passed away:
   
   
   
   
   Have you ever known someone that had a child pass away? I had a nephew that passed away in 1996. He was an infant that had what Emerson has - Trisomy 18. Losing a child is NEVER easy! 


2. A car was driving all crazy like in Des Moines, Iowa. A few people called 911. Cops chased them, but they wouldn't stop. It turns out a 10 year old was at the wheel, and his 7 year old brother was in the passenger side. They didn't stop until they crashed into a pole. Thankfully everyone is ok. Their punishment happened at home.
   
   I couldn't imagine Isaak driving a car. He's in the 97% for height. What if the kid driving was in the 5%? Crazy!


3. Do you remember Mrs. Clean Freak? I've posted about here here and here. She's at it AGAIN! I've gotten lists a few days in a row.
   
   
   
   
   I feel like I'm Mica getting a list from me - his mom. I'm not freaking 12 years old. She's not even my boss. That's one of my biggest complaints here: Too many bosses!
   
   My coworker next to me said, "Don't turn in the list until the end of the day. She'll just give you more to do." I saw her coming to see me on list number 2, and I walked away. She left a message. I listened to 1/2 of it, but left it still blinking like I didn't listen to it at all. I just want to escape from her.
   
   I already took all the books out of boxes, flattened the boxes for her, and counted the books out to make sure we had them all. I cleaned the student fridge and freezer, 5 microwaves, and 3 big sinks with stuck on acrylic paint that I had to scrape off with a spoon. Now I have to clean electrical poles, check chairs, drawing tables, and white tables, and clean metal doors.
   
   I've about had it! I feel like pulling an Amelia Bedelia on her ass! If you don't know who Amelia Bedelia, she's a fictional character that misinterprets things. Example: Draw the Drapes. She actually draws them on paper.
   
   
   
   
   I wouldn't go that far! Even though I so badly want to! I just may hold things off, or work ahead possibly. Like she wants me to check the tables and chairs, I'll put on the table tops - even though it's not on the list. I know she'll want me to do it anyhow. Knock 2 birds out with 1 stone, so to speak. I don't mind doing odd jobs, but what is she doing besides giving me lists? 


4. I'm sucked into the show The Missing on Amazon Prime. Are there any shows you're into?


5. Mica started this thing with hand washing dishes where he only rinses them, and sets them in the rack to dry. Ummm...no! I actually don't mind washing dishes, but he needs to learn. What's a cleaning job you hate to do?

Random Tid Bits

1. It's finals time at the school I work at, so I've been busy! 


2. Every day Mica asks, "So what are we doing tonight? Are we going to the theater?" Ya I'll be glad when Aunt Angie takes him to Avengers: Infinity War tomorrow!


3. Isaak wanted to do his science project on rainbows and prisms. I bought one, printed images out for him, and Travis thought because people wouldn't be able to see rainbows at his display it wasn't good enough. I was thinking, Why not draw what happens? 
   
   
   
   
   
   All the sudden he decided to have him do his project on hydroelectricity. He carved a wax something-r-rather downstairs for a few nights. He got a small bulb and a small motor. All the while I was saying, "Don't you think this is too hard for Isaak?" He said, "No it's not." Well his whole something-r-rather wouldn't work right. The motor wasn't strong enough. All that happened, was that he got water all over the floor. I was thinking I told you so. and Man! What are we going to do now? I knew he was pissed with himself when I heard a bunch of cussing downstairs. Me saying anything that he already knew wouldn't help. I kept my mouth shut.
   
   Isaak's project is due on Wednesday. He was naturally really upset, and blamed himself for not being downstairs working with Dad more.
   
   I quickly googled ideas for 4th grade. I boiled some eggs, ran to the store to get soda, and he's doing a test on what liquid makes egg shells break down the fastest. My guess: Soda - Coke or Vinegar before water or milk. The egg shell is supposed to be like your teeth. I just hope it breaks down fast! If it doesn't I may have to make it dissolve a little faster. Shhh! Don't tell anyone. 


4. I ordered business cards. They turned out like crap. Not on my end. I got rounded corners, and they were all sort of out of wack. I tried messaging the company twice about my crappy cards, but have heard nothing. Looks like I won't go back there again. It's too bad because I've ordered from them before and didn't have a problem. 


5. Sometimes I have Isaak draw people on my feet. Ya I'm strange, but he loves it. What's something odd you've done to entertain kids?

Random Tid Bits

If you've been reading my blog for a long time now you may possibly remember me bitching complaining about my students a few years ago. Last year I had wonderful students, this year I have great students in first year for the most part, but I have the students back that I complained about before. Yep the ones I complained about were in first year when I struggled with them, I don't teach in second year, but I have them back in third year.

1. Girl that's uber talented hasn't shown up for 3 and 1/2 classes. We're into week 7. That means she's missed 1/2 of my classes. We have class 1 day a week. I can't even find her to talk to her. 


2. Boy that's uber talented I did talk to. Me, "Where's your work? You did great on your logos, but I haven't seen any of the campaign since week 2." Boy, "I have to admit I've just been slacking. That's all I've got." 


3. I also talked to the boy that sleeps in lecture, and in lab. Me, "Get up to walk around, exercise before class, eat right, get something to drink, or do whatever you need to do to stay awake." Boy, "Ok." So now he's taken what I've said to the max. He leaves to walk around, and is hardly in lecture. I found out that he closes his Mom's restaurant. That's great, but it's not helping his grades. He has literally fell asleep under his desk, and I could hear him snoring in class. I asked him to leave. 


4. Mr. Negative boy I haven't talked to. I'm worried I'll push him away, and won't get him back. Students like him I could use advice on. He brings not only himself down, but others as well. He is talented. He misses most mornings, and I see him in the afternoons. I said all chipper like, "Good morning!" to him when he comes in. He complains about other teachers, and probably complains about me when I'm not around. I've also hear him complain about tuition - it's as if he's bitter about it, but let's be honest the school was up front about costs every year he's come in. He got his Associate's Degree, but came back for his Bachelor's Degree. If tuition bothers him so much, why did he come back? More importantly, Why wouldn't he make the most out of his day? I'm a firm believer that if you're going to complain, you need to be making the most out of things before the complaining starts. That would be like me complaining about one of my son's swimming lessons, but only showing up for half of them. Would I be justified in my complaints? I don't think I would be. Maybe I need to talk to him in private, in a black and white way. I just fear that he'll take my conversation wrong, and will be all the more negative. I just can't take the negativity. Our school is small. Negativity feeds negativity. 


5. Lastly is a student in first year. Oh he's talented. He works S.L.O.W. I talked with him last Friday. He barely looked me in my eyes. Here were my tips:

• Paint like a 72 dpi image, and build up to a 300 dpi image. Basically paint like crap just blocking the image in, and bring the control back in the end of the piece by painting good. 

• Look up YouTube videos on graffiti artists. Watch how they start by blocking things out. Then he can work in his own style after he's blocked things out.

• Stand up to work. Sitting down is way too detailed.

What's random in your week?

Random Tid Bits

1. We think Isaak is going through a growth spurt; paired up with growing pains. He ate a ton of food on Wednesday, fell asleep at 7 last night because he was so tired, and woke up 2 or 3 times scared of noises and lights that couldn't be explained. Under his knees hurt really bad.
   
   After the second or third time of him waking up Travis put him on the couch in the living room. Travis has never wanted the boys to cuddle with us in our bed. I'm more the type that wouldn't care in a situation like last night. It is what it is.





2. I've been hit with a few freelance duties. I made a business card for a past co-worker that now lives in Atlanta. Whenever I make things for friends even though they know they are paying me I hate sending over that final bill. The thought goes through my mind: Maybe they are thinking I'm charging them too much, or what if they expected me to charge them more. It's so silly I do that. You'd think I'd be past that already, but I always think that people just don't understand how long design work takes. I have to mention that I don't ever feel this way when it comes to people that are not friends or family.
   
   Here's how the card turned out. I changed all the information to protect her identity. She wanted a 1 sided business card, with purple as her accent color. That's really all she gave me for what to do. She ended up being super happy with the cards, so that's good. It's a screen shot, so if the type seems hazy, it's not on the card.





3. My sister has been wanting things done for SOFT, which is a nonprofit that helps with research for people like Emerson, and any other chromosome deficiencies. So far I've just been doing things out of the kindness of my heart. The work is challenging. Up until now they didn't have a logo, but used a rainbow and balloons for the colors of the chromosome problems. Logos should be only a few colors and shouldn't change with each thing that's done. Considering that their look changes all the time, they don't know what they want - it's difficult.


4. I've been wanting a non-cancerous cyst on my forehead gone for months now. Of course my mind was on bigger things - an upcycled nose. Travis kept saying, "Leave it alone!" Well I can't leave it alone. I don't want it cut out by a dermatologist. They'll squeeze! When I just had surgery I don't need anyone squeezing me. Apple Cider Vinegar it is. Yes my skin will burn from it. I need want it out. Goodness my skin is a mess from that surgery. Dry in some spots, small pimples in others. I can't scrub it because it's all so sensitive. 





5. I go in for an Aspirin Drip at the Allergy and Asthma Clinic next week for 2 to 3 days. I'm so nervous! I'm allergic to it, that's why they are dripping it into me to build up a resistance. Asthma/Allergy sufferers should take Ibuprofen when they have flair ups to help with inflammation. Well I can't because it shuts down my lungs and makes me sneeze a ton. They are expecting a reaction. Fun times!
   
   I accidentally scheduled my ENT follow-up on the last 3rd day of this Aspirin Drip. I don't know if I can go to it, or not. The Aspirin Drip may take only 2 days. I called to see if I should reschedule. They don't know if I should, or not. I'll get an automated call to confirm my appointment that I don't know if I can keep, or not.
   
   At least I get to stare at my cute Asthma/Allergy doctor for a few days. 

Random Tid Bits

I'm going to try and think up what we've talked about this week. Welcome to our sick, twisted way of thinking.

1. We went to Tractor Supply Company. We were walking around just looking at things. All the sudden we came to the section where there were a bunch of axes.
   
   
   
   
   Mica said, "Oh this is the spot where people get axes to hack up little children." Say what?! I laughed, but wondering if I should be worried. 


2. I was driving, and saw someone with their arm stuck out of their window. I thought to myself, That's disturbing when people do that. What if they got side swiped? They'd no longer have an arm. I told Travis that when I got home. He said, "Only you would think that way." I said, "Just think about all those single shoes you see on the interstate, or highway. It's always just one shoe. What if there were lonely arms laying around like that?" By that time I was laughing so hard tears were flowing from my eyes.


3. Isaak's love for paper continues. He now likes cutting out paper chain dolls. I happen to love this about him. I love that I find them in odd spots. He's all boy, but gets into sparkly gold, and crafts. I like that he's not afraid to be himself. 





4. I had Travis draw a line down my face to see how crooked my nose looks on the outside.
   
   
   
   
   I left the line on my face for 1/2 a day. Travis is like, "Are you ever going to take that line off?" I said, "Maybe." One of my old students posted this:
   
   
   
   
   I was cracking up! Maybe I'll have nightmares. I look like an alien or the late Michael Jackson in the first one, and a Gorge character from Fraggle Rock in the second one. 


Gorge Character from Fraggle Rock



5. The Education Director asks me for my files for my Friday class every time when she's going over them on Thursday. She says they are missing. I reply back with, "That class hasn't happened yet." May I can get a DeLorean, and time travel to get my final grades, video, review, and test results just to get her my files early. It was seriously funny the first time. Now it's a moment in time where I want to slap my forehead and say, "Jeez-us!"

Random Tid Bits

1. Lately every shirt Mica puts on is too short in the sleeves and the torso. I had him try on all of his shirts just when it started getting cool. 

This is the last time he wore the shirt below. It fits Isaak perfectly. I may stop by Old Navy to pick up some shirts this weekend. Mica's closet is looking bare.





2. I've been feeling down in the dumps lately.
   
   Maybe it's the lack of sunlight. I forget to take Vitamin D3.
   
   Months ago I got a cold, it went into asthma. All day I feel pretty good, but at night it kicks in. I just can't seem to kick it! I imagine I'm not doing well on sleep.
   
   Government everything has me nervous. CREATE JOBS and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. All I see is jobs going away: The National Endowment for the Arts funding and other art program funding is going bye bye. It may not effect you. It certainly effects my family and friends. I went to art openings, and it's like a cloud of sadness in the crowd. What happened to the government supporting the arts? In the Great Depression they hired artists to stimulate the economy. Artists and acting jobs are being cut. Journalism is degraded, not trusted and cut. Three main stations are slanted one way, and another station is slanted the other way. Science isn't trusted it seems. Parks funds are getting striped down, and freedom of speech taken away. Teachers are bashed, and not respected. Health insurance was a mess, now it's in major limbo. Many health care workers will loose their jobs. Don't try being a freelancer, or work in a small business like my husband and I do. If you are in the military, dig for oil, build walls, work in the food industry, or work on cars you're ok. Good for you!

I'm beginning to hate the terms, "Left Wing" and "Right Wing" because they are used so negatively. It's like a title when you want to slam someone, "That ghetto person", or "That left wing freak over there." We're people! The only time I use race is to describe a person in a good way. I said just last weekend, "I just love that really dark skin that person has. It's so neat looking." I've referred to Albinos being really interesting too.


3. My kids have a lot of Muslims that go to school with them. Guess what? Many of them are nicer than others. The ones that come from Africa have a real sense of family. They do things together. I respect them for that. Think what you want, but we've had more white so called Christians attack people than we have Muslims. It's really hard when my kids see the news and ask questions about what's going on. Quite frankly I was nice and quiet. Now I feel like shouting from the roof tops. 




4. Around Christmas a really nice guy called a fire in that was at a local plant nursery in town. He got a $1,000 gift card from them. He proceeded to donate the money to nonprofits because he was that kind of a person.
   
   Two weeks later he was working at his job at a gas station. A guy came in when he was closing. The guy wanted to buy chewing tobacco. The nice worker said, "Sorry man I already have the cash register closed for the night. You'll have to go somewhere else to buy it." The not so nice guy waited out back for the cashier to leave. He ran him over with his truck, and killed him. The nice man has a young daughter he left behind. :(
   
   The punk left the scene. He went on to sell houses - a real estate agent. Well the prick was found! His truck had specific markings on it that were caught on film. Way to go Omaha Police Department. The police have gotten such a bad wrap; understandably so. I thought I'd give them credit where credit is due.  


5. I told my kids this weekend, "I want you both to know that no matter what your views are when you are older, no matter what religion you are or aren't we'll love you regardless. You need to be able to back up what you feel. Sources certainly help. The US was and should be about freedom of speech and thought. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us." 

Random Tid Bits

1. What a few weeks! My nephew Emerson has been in and out of the hospital 3 times! He was admitted again today. He was cutting 4 of his 5 year molars, and had Strep Throat. They've done blood tests, scans to see if his hernia is pushing up against his heart (it's not) and more tests. Now he doesn't have Strep, so what's up? We don't know. He has labored breathing, rapid heart rate, at times a fever, and hasn't been sleeping. They called in a neurologist to help see what's up. 


2. Speaking of Emerson - he just got new glasses. I happen to love them. He also has on a hand me down, which is Isaak's coat. Emerson looks way tired, but cool as a cucumber in his glasses and coat.





3. They we got a call earlier this week that my oldest nephew Ethan that's in high school was rushed to the hospital because he had to get his appendix out. He's my older sister's son. I'm really loving, yet hating hospitals right now. 


4. A kid that kept getting in trouble at camp because he was picking on Isaak pushed him last week. Isaak fell back. The kid is getting kicked out. Apparently Isaak wasn't even doing anything wrong. Isaak's taken in the camp director's son under his wing. The little Kindergartener went over to tell his Dad what was going on. Mica helped Isaak up. Then Mica offered to give Isaak some Skittles that he won. Way to go Mica for standing up to his brother! If they wouldn't remove the kid that picked on Isaak - I'd remove my kids. 


5. Work is busy. There's only 2 weeks left of the semester. I took off 2 days when Mica was sick last Tuesday and Wednesday. I feel swamped with Christmas stuff and work. 

What's random in your life?

Random Tid Bits

1. Isaak and I got our first head cold in the school year. My head feels fuzzy - like bees are flying around in it, and I'm stuffy. Isaak has been snotty big time, has no appetite, and feels feverish at night.
   
   I can tell fall is on it's way, plus school started, which is all breeding ground for sickness.


2. I figured out what I want to do for the big blow up project this year. Every year I find an image, or shoot my own image. My boss prints it out on the large format printer. I cut it up in squares, or rectangles. Then each student gets a square from each poster to recreate larger. I don't tell them what it is. They don't get to see it until the end when it's hung up. This year I had a hard time deciding. This year I didn't use my own photos. I found images that were so great by the Illustrator Tom Whalen. I love his work. The images below belong to Tom Whalen. When my students do a little piece they are not recreating the whole thing, nor are they selling the work.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. I got the book Wonder By R.J. Palacio for Mica to read. Normally he reads the books I pick out with kind of an annoyed look. Like he's thinking, Geez Mom! Let me pick out my own books! This one I kept seeing displayed at Barnes and Noble, and the library. He can't put the book down. Travis once said, "Ok you're not doing the tasks you ask us to do! Stop reading!" I know...every parent wishes that they had this problem. If you're looking for a good book to read...Wonder might be it.
   
   
    
4. Isaak watched The Boxcar Children movie at school. He came home, and was super excited to read the 1 The Boxcar Children book that he has. Maybe I'll have to check out more of those. Typically he's not one that likes to read.


5. I printed out a coupon for Michael's. It's a 50% off one. I feel the need to use it. What would you buy at a craft store?

Random Tid Bits

1. I've been having trouble functioning this week. I say that, but I've gotten a lot done. I'm all ready for the fall for 2 classes. I mean all ready. I have everything printed!
   
   A) I'm just tired this week.
   
   • Students wore me out last week. Many that were not passing all the sudden cared, and wanted to do the work. It's crazy, I never thought it would happen, but they all passed. I've had more Cs and Ds than I think I've ever had though. That's not good.
   
   • I'm still trying to get used to getting up earlier. A new schedule is hard to get used to. We have to take our kids to my parent's house. In the summer it's not like we sleep in. The boys have gone to Travis' work a few days this week. One of those days they all had a dentist appointment at 7 AM. Camps will kick in, in a few weeks.
   
   • Male readers shut your ears - I'm PMSing. Uggg! It happens. I'm the type that is the I don't want to do anything PMSer. I'm not the type that gets emotional, or throws things. Sometimes I drop things, but that's my normal.
   
   • Isaak has his family party at our house. I hate hosting events! I decided - yep I just hate it. My house isn't huge. I'm not the best housekeeper. I work full time. It's hard to do it all. More people got magically invited. I don't want to deal with it.
   
   B) Asthma has been really a pain in the butt at about 8 PM each night this week. It's like clockwork. It's been really rainy here. Ever since I was little I feel allergies and asthma kick in when the weather is like that. It doesn't help that there were grass fires and a natural fire that all blew this way. I feel like I have fluid in my lungs, I all the sudden have a deep cough, and I could blow my nose every 5 minutes. I really could do without it! 


2. A coworker left the company a few days ago. I wasn't sad really. He's moving on to be a goat farmer: Selling goats milk, soap and other products. It's been in the works for awhile, so I had time to prepare myself. It's just quiet though. One worker will miss him more than I will. They both talked about the Bible a lot, and conservative politics. They'd try and convert me. I'm glad their religious circle is broken up. I'm there to work. I'm not there to bash on people because they don't think the same way I do.


3. Mica and Isaak don't have camps set in for a few weeks. We hate hearing, "I'm bored!" so I worked on a curriculum for them. On Monday Mica left the curriculum at Travis' work. Travis went to get it, and left his work keys at our house. I was laughing because - that's where Mica gets his forgetfulness. 


4. I signed up the boys for the summer reading program at the library. There's prizes involved. Then I grabbed sheets at Barnes and Noble for the boys to complete that reading program. 


5. Just so I don't leave you pictureless I got new shoes. I can't just wear just any shoes. I have a weak left ankle. There's that. I found a brand I LOVE. Amazon had a special deal where these shoes were on sale and 1/2 off that. The Ahnu brand is not cheep, so I was happy to see the sale! They are waterproof, have excellent arches, and I love the companies values! What brand of shoes do you like? Reds is my favorite color, so without further ado:

 Mona Lisa Socks

Random Tid Bits

1. Our car was in the shop getting an oil change. I wrote on the drop off form to check the breaks. There was a squeak whenever I stopped. They checked them, and it needed back breaks because they were paper thin. Travis gave the ok | thumbs up for them to put on new back breaks. Travis is a pretty serious guy. If he ever jokes around it's because I came into his life. Ha! I know how to mess with him. I paid for the car. He came home with our other vehicle.
   
   I said to Travis, "I can't believe you'd pay that kind of money at that shop!" *Really it wasn't all that much. He said defensively, "But we needed new breaks. They were paper thin." I said, "That's what they said. Did you think to check them out at another shop?" He said, "Alissa they weren't that much." I said, "Got ya!" I got him for sure. Yes I'm a punk like that.


2. We went to see my parents during Mother's Day. Mica said, "Grandma you look really pretty in that color!" It sounded like a compliment.
   
   He then said, "When you die we should put that color of dress on you. Then we should find an amethyst necklace to put on you."
   
   Instead of me closing the conversation I said, "Mica she doesn't like to wear dresses. She can't wear her special shoes with a dress." - She had Polio.
   
   My Mom said, "They don't bury people with shoes on."
   
   I asked, "Well...how will you walk through the pearly gate then? I guess you won't be doing that."
   
   We were all laughing. 


3. We have an ant problem. I've been trying to keep the counter clean. It's just hard working full-time, and always making our own food. I've been wiping it down with vinegar, which ants are supposed to hate vinegar. Then I put Boric Acid with syrup around on bottle lids. What do you do for pesky ants?


4. Isaak said, "Mom when I grow up I want to be a movie maker, a movie actor, and a hair stylist. I also want to have a family. How will I ever have time for all that?" I responded to, "Welcome to my world son." What did you want to be when you grew up?


5. I was at Michaels with Isaak. They had all these classic books right by their cash register. I said, "Isaak why don't we get these to celebrate your class birthday." He picked out 12 Secret Garden books, and 11 Tom Sawyer | Huckleberry Finn books for his class. 

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