Random Tid Bits

1. Have you ever taken one of those colored personality tests? I'm always pretty even across the board. One color isn't a lot stronger than another. Either I'm confused, or I'm a well rounded person. 


2. I have a first year student that wanted to know how I grade. I'm assuming she wondered why she got a B, and not her usual A that she got in her high school art class. I said, "I grade on the points that I have on the handout, which are also listed on the grade slip. I think about the good and bad examples I showed in class, and think about if you followed some of what I discussed in those pieces. What I've covered in class is pretty important; have you been listening? Finally I grade on what the body of student's work looks like. Then I ask another teacher to see if they agree on what order I have in the line up of grading. There's a lot more to it, than it may seem. Partly it's subjective, but mostly it's about having trained eyes."
   
   She looked at me blankly. I think she wanted her work graded much like a math worksheet would be graded. #3 is wrong, and #4 is right.
   
   Artwork isn't really graded like that. I do write on their grade slip things they can approve upon, and they have a week to get it back to me.


3. I've felt a bit like I've been dragging all week. Isaak got the stomach flu late Saturday night. He was sick all Sunday. I got it Monday at the tail end of work. I felt awful! Travis got it a little after me. I had to tease him because he kept telling Isaak he needed to eat bread when he wasn't feeling well. My mom and I said, "Clear liquids first". When Travis was sick I kept saying, "Eat some bread! How about some pizza?" Mica got it on Tuesday night, but it never amounted to anything. He just slept and slept.


4. I finally went in to get my eyes tested. If you remember I didn't do the best on my driver's test for the vision part. I didn't want to get my eyes tested because I didn't know if it was polyps pushing on my eyes, allergies, or actually my eyes. I finally made it into an eye doctor. My one astigmatism, and other eye that doesn't have one are basically playing tug of war. I actually see pretty well. So I'm getting glasses as soon as they come in.


5. Do you remember the kid that got attacked by a gator on Disney's turf? It happened awhile back. The little boy that died is from here. The parents haven't talked in public until now. What they have done to honor his name is truly wonderful! 

$22 Off Your First Month of Winc @usfg

I love wine. I had too many allergies tied to the sulphates in wine, and hops in beer. Guess what? My allergy doctor said after I got an Aspirin treatment, that I'd be able to try wine once again! YAY! I haven't tried it yet. I appreciate fine wines and high end beers.

Maybe it's the designer in me that loves the the packaging, bottle design, and taste of wine. Wine is often served at art openings. It's just a part an artist's culture.

I'd love to try the wine that Winc sends my way.

Apparently they personalize the packaging quite a bit, which adds a positive vibe to the experience.

Winc is Not Your Traditional Wine Club: 

• They are a direct-distribution global wine company that personalizes the entire wine experience.

• They are perfecting how wine is made, distributed, perceived and purchased via our Palate Profile quiz that recommends wine based on your unique tastes.

• It is enjoyed on behalf of a new generation of wine drinkers. 

• It takes the hassle and guesswork out of picking a bottle from your local liquor store and delivers the perfect bottle directly to your doorstep. 

• They do all this as part of their quest to improve the experience for consumers, create a platform for artisanal winemaking, and build a grape-to-glass supply chain that's sustainable for the planet. 

• No more intimidating language and steep price points, and more joy in the act of sharing a bottle.

Discount:

$22 Off Your First Month of Winc Wine - Winc offers 4 personalized wines each month. Bottles start at $13 each. www.trywinc.com/usfamilyguide

Disclaimer: I'm writing this in hopes for reviewing some wine from Winc. There will be a follow up review that will be written honestly - if I'm picked to review this. This company didn't influence my review. I only review products I think will fit my family, or my readers.

Osceola Cheese

On our way home from our trip to Branson, Missouri I kept seeing signs for Osceola Cheese. I said, "We have to stop there to stretch our legs."

Travis thought we passed it on accident, but I spotted the exit.

If you ever pass through Osceola, Missouri stop at Osceola Cheese. They have fancy meats, pickles, and jams you can buy there as well. 

What I loved were the samples! They had so many options of different cheeses to try! We were all in heaven! 

They have over 275 cheeses on stock! They have been open since 1944, so they've had plenty of time to perfect their flavors. I think I liked the hot cheese samples the best.

For a long time I stayed away from cheese. I thought I was allergic to all things dairy. My allergy test showed no dairy allergies. Cheese has been slowly added back into my diet. I love cheese!

What's your favorite kind of cheese?

WW: Alpaca Farm {Linky}

I saw that Alpacas of the Heartland was having an open house. I always wanted to go there, but have missed it each time.

It was a total surprise to the boys. I think Isaak was happy to cuddle up to them!

Mica acts too cool for many things these days, but he enjoyed the farm as well.

Travis liked enjoyed them as well!

I love the look of this one:

This one they called grumpy, but it held still for photos:

I like the photos I got of these 2:

This little one we couldn't touch:

These are the hills they live by:

Have you ever seen Alpacas?

Spider-Man T-Shirt Review

A long time ago I got a Captain America shirt to review. Mica's loved it so much. When the company offered another shirt to review I jumped at the chance. Isaak picked Spider-Man! He's always been one of my favorites as well.

Isaak said, "Is this what I'm wearing for Halloween?" He could. I said, "This is a shirt you can wear anytime." He was so happy about that.

Since I reviewed the Captain America shirt awhile back I can tell you that the colors do hold up. All the shirts have designs all around the shirt.

You can get their shirts here: https://babiesrhere.com/products/t-shirt-superman-batman-spider-man-captain-america-hulk-iron-man-t-shirt-men-fitness-shirts-men-t-shirts

They have:

• Superman
• Batman
• Spider-Man
• Captain America
• Hulk
• Iron Man

Sizes:

• Small
• Medium
• Large
• XL
• XXL
• XXXL
• XXXXL

I got Isaak an Adult Medium. No more kid sizes for my boys. Their sizes run small! Isaak fits in an Adult Small, but I knew from the Captain America shirt that they run small, so I got an Adult Medium. I wouldn't want to get it any smaller considering it's fall, and will be awhile before it's summer again. Although it's now technically fall, and it's been in the 90s for much of this week. That's unusual for Nebraska. 

Design:

I love that the design travels to the back! It's so cool!

Since I've asked you what your favorite superhero is before, I'll ask you this: If you could have a super power, what would it be? I think I've been asked that question 100 50 times by my boys. I'd probably pick the ability to disappear. Then I could watch my children, but I wouldn't hear, "Mom!" over and over again. I'd like to see how they could handle their own problems with me out of sight.

Disclaimer: I got this Spider-Man shirt for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. This company didn't influence my review. I only review products I think will fit my family, or my readers.

Mens Dress Socks Review

One thing silly that my boys like is socks. Recently I got Mens Dress Socks to review: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0755T95D4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mica won't take them off. He's like, "I have 3 pair, so I can wear them for 3 days." They look crazy silly with shorts. They are meant more to wear with dress pants. Ha!

Cost:

$19.99, but on sale for $12.98 for 3 pair!

If you don't like the dots mixed with the stripes they have other options!

Options:

• Dots - The ones we got to review
• Argyle
• Cartoon 1
• Cartoon 2
• Gradient
• Grid - MC Esher looking
• Presidents - JFK, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln
• Seafood

My favorites are Grid and the Presidents! I may go back to get more. Mica had an obsession with older presidents when he was younger, so they fit his personality. Christmas is coming, and these would go great in a stocking!

Size:

7-13 is the sizes. Mica fits in an 8 1/2, and they heel seems to go up too much. He's not done growing, so I'm not worried about. If you have small feet in general it may be a problem.

Opinion:

They seem comfortable! You know how some socks have loose strings that are annoying? These didn't seem to have any of those. 

Do you like fun socks, or just plain black and white ones?

Disclaimer: I got these socks for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. This company didn't influence my review. I only review products I think will fit my family, or my readers.

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?

Top Ten Tips to Organize a Party

I have to admit I love planning parties.

1. Create a Theme! 

A theme will set the tone for the party. You can start with the invite, and take that theme other places, or decide not to. I usually create themes around what we're into at the moment. If you're having a party, and you don't really have a certain direction go with a seasonal theme, or even go with a certain color. 

A Garden Theme:

An Indianan Jones Theme:

A Captain Underpants Theme:

A Moustache Bash:

If you don't have a computer to make cards, you can buy card that have a theme.

2. Send Out Invitations. You can get some great ones at Paperless Post

You can send evites, or traditional printed cards. I usually send people in our family an evite. Then I print one to send to my Grandpa that doesn't have a computer. People still like to get things in the mail. Maybe you will choose to go that route.

3. Decide on the Food!

In our family we tell each family what to bring, then we make the rest. Usually our food doesn't go with the theme. Just the desert goes with the invite. At times I'll have something on the table that ties in. I had small flower pots at each spot with each person's napkin, spoon, and fork for the garden birthday. In my opinion the food should be good, but low key. 

4. Find Something Fun for the Kids to Do!

At The Captain Underpants party we provided capes, and white undies to put over their shorts. The kids loved it!

We had a Water Balloon Piñata set up before.

5. Don't Do a Ton!

The prep work is the biggest work time. Beyond that I try and keep it simple. I don't want to work during the whole party. Kids for the most part find things to do on their own. Adult like time to talk.

6. Relax!

I need to follow my own advice here. I tend to get all stressed out for parties. It's the cleaning part. I hate cleaning! My husband is always saying, "Relax Alissa!" I need to learn to just breathe.

7. Use Plasticware!

This kind of goes with numbers 5 and 6. There's no need to do a ton of dishes when you are supposed to be having fun. I don't ever dive into plasticware any other time, but with parties.

8. Have Options to Drink!

I'm not a soda lover by any means. I do think for parties one should have something fun, and different to drink.

9. Only Give Favors if They Go With the Theme!

I went from thinking favors were silly, to thinking favors were fun, and now think favors are fun if they go with the theme. I don't think they are a must. You have to decide if you want to give out favors, or not. With the Mustache Bash we all took home a mustache. With the garden theme I gave people seeds in a tiny green house I found in Target's dollar section. My nephew's got to take home their homemade cape for the Captain Underpants party.

10. Thank People!

Thanking people is a trend that's starting to leave. I think it's still important. For kid parties I have names on thank you cards, write in what they gave, and slip it into their favor bag. For family I just simply say, "Thank you!"

What's a tip you would add to this list?

Disclaimer: I worked with Paperless Post to come up with this blog post. Paperless Post will give me points to use in their store. They did not tell me what to write.

TNT Old Time Photo

When Isaak got the magic prize from the Hamners' Unbelievable Magic Show, I decided we would go to TNT Old Time Photo to get a free 8x10. The rest of my family wasn't as excited as I was about getting an old photo taken. They are never excited about photos like I am.

It was one of the best photo places! If you go to any photo place it's best to schedule a time to go in. We called them the night before to get our reservation. The day of I grabbed the ad thinking it was the coupon. When we got there Travis had to back peddle it to our hotel, for our coupon.

I was thinking the people that worked there would get frustrated with us because they had to wait on Travis, which was my fault. They were wonderful!

I let Isaak choose what theme to go with. He said, "How we look now." I said, "No a theme up there." pointing to gangsters, Victorian times, or hillbillies. Thankfully he picked gangsters over hillbillies.

They got us ready. The boys loved that they got to actually hold a gun for a photo.

Travis showed up, and they got him ready in a hurry.

They took many photos that were well done! 

Have you ever went to get photos, and the person having you pick the pictures were pushing for you to get whole package deals? They did bring up package deals, but weren't pushy. I loved that! They showed us our options, but didn't get pushy with those either. 

We paid $5.00 extra to get a slight color added. Isaak got to pick, which photo we ended up with. We were between 2. I could tell he enjoyed the fact that he got to make the decision. 

Have you ever gotten an old time photo of your family?

WW: Hiking in Branson, Missouri {Linky}

We wanted to something out in nature during our trip to Branson. We already spent a lot in Silver Dollar City, and didn't really want to spend a ton of money for another activity.

Hiking it was. Missouri is more hilly than Nebraska. We also saw 2 lizards, those we wouldn't see in Nebraska at all. They were too fast and hidden to get good photos of. It was still neat-o to see lizards!

More than anything I just wanted to get away from the city life for a few hours.

Up in the trees:

My boys hiking away:

They're always waiting on my to take pictures.

I find likens, mushrooms and moss interesting:

It's like natures shelving system! I think my favorite nature photo is the picture to the right under this line of type.

It almost looks like someone took red thread to this tree:

Moss on a dead tree:

I don't think I'd try eating these mushrooms:

Rocks that are different from Nebraska:

Missouri is the cave state. They had a grouping of rocks that was an overhang. Not really a cave, but still cave like.

Nature's stage:

Us! I got more photos, but Mica's into putting a creepy face on just for giggles! 

No creepy faces with either boy here though:

Me, "Smile Mica!"

I've never seen anything like this caterpillar in Nebraska either:

What about you? When you're in a busy tourist type place do you feel the need to get away from it all like I do?