Random Tid Bits

1. I pushed Mica to apply to the Healthcare Academy at school. His school has a Healthcare Academy and a Zoo Academy. He's like, "Mom I don't want to." I'm like, "Once upon a time you wanted to be a Pediatrician. I know you want to be an Astronomer now, but it's good to keep your options open. It's better to figure out what you don't want to do now, than to pay for it with college education, and find out you don't want to do it."
   
   He got in. Now he's kind of excited about it.
   
   It helps that his homeroom teacher from last year heads it up.


2. Mica also is now a morning Anchor at school. He's excited about that. He said, "I have a good strategy Mom! I'm going to sound excited. No one else that does the morning announcements ever sounds excited."


3. I've had 2 job interviews lately. Both could be freelance. The first one heads up most of the expo's in Omaha. They could use some design work. The position was for social media.
   
   I got there way too early. 20 minutes too early. I sat in the parking lot, and waited until I was 13 minutes early. Then I waited, and waited some more. The interviewer was 20 minutes late.
   
   I was observing things like, hey that's the same vacuum we have at work. Maybe that's some kind of sign.
   
   
   Do you believe in signs?
   
   
   
4. The second interview was for 10 to 30 hours a week for Gallup. They have benefits even though I'd work very little hours. I could possibly keep my job here, and also work there. I'd just have to keep it minimal. It so interests me. The interview was through a Google Chat. It was convenient, but I'd feel like it was more real if it was face to face. I applied through a job site. While the lady interviewed me I was searching her up to find her. Nothing! Then the guy that she said would be my supervisor I couldn't find either. I feel uneasy about it now.


5. I am kind of bummed. I had a great idea, sent it over to a business. Then I never heard back from them. I want to shout out, "Respond!" There's been times were I've blogged about a company, mentioned a few things in the review that they could have. The companies sometimes message me saying that they like my ideas. I guess anyone wants to be valued. A product I use every day, and have an opinion about should be valued by the company. Do you feel this way? 

Stuff Happens Parenting Edition @GoliathGamesUS Game Review

We play a lot of family games at our house. I really love the Stuff Happens series of games. Our whole family (aunts, uncles, sisters, nephews and niece) all got together to play the original, and they loved it!

Games are fun, build memories, and often times make you think.

About Parenting Edition Stuff Happens:

Rank these funny and relatable parenting moments in our new Stuff Happens: Parenting Edition card game. If our Misery Index agrees with you, you get to keep the card. Correctly rank 10 scenario cards to win!

Is discovering your kid’s secret booger wall better or worse than a failed homework assignment that you helped with?

I stress about Isaak tanking his Science Fair Project because I was the one that helped him. We started it around Christmas time, to get it out of the way. We followed Mica's board, which got an A at a Science Magnet Middle School. Just two weeks ago his Science teacher kept referring to their experiment. My face turned beet red, and I swear I could feel me heart beat in my face. His board looks great, but he didn't do a typical experiment. I hope he does ok. If he doesn't it's a lot on me. We worked hard on it. :( We put up Optical Illusions, got votes as to what image people saw first. Then he made bar graphs out of the votes. A typical experiment - not really. He does talk about how Optical Illusions have more to do with the brain, than sight. It's a bottom up process, which we also got into.

This whole year has been kind of rocky for him! Quite frankly I'm just done. We try to do our best to help him. There just isn't a lot of communication in 5th grade. They have homework assignments that are supposed to use pages in a book, which they can't take the book home. In science the teacher doesn't even use a book. They get all fun things taken away from them because their class doesn't behave the best. Isaak was getting an A in Science. Then at conferences we found out he was getting a C+. Then he tanked a test because he wasn't there for a review that everyone else got (he was finishing up his standardized testing). If he tanks this Science Fair Project I feel like it could be my fault!

With the question above, my kid failing their homework assignment with something I helped with is worse than him secretly putting boogers on a wall. He can clean those up.

How to Set Up the Game:

Mix the 200 cards up. Give each player 5 cards. Put the cards face up, in order by number. 

The other player or other team draws a card, says what the card is: "Kid Sabotages Class Picture". Then you or your team has to guess which two cards, or possibly before or after your first or last card it fits in. If you're right you or your team is one step closer to winning!

Here are Some Funny Cards:

Can Work as an Expansion Deck:

This expansion can be played on its own, but if you’re ready for some brutal honesty, mix these babies in with any Stuff Happens deck!

Ages:

For 2+ players, ages 13 and up. 

Isaak's just about 11, and he loves this game!

Game Contents: 

• 200 new Stuff Happens cards with wild situations 
• Fun for the whole family 
• Complete instructions

When I was about to pack the game away I saw this card: 

Isaak lost his little stuffed puppy in a hotel in Utah. It was such a big deal then. I paid for it to come back to us. He never named his stuffed animals, so we called his puppy No Name.

Parenting is tough at times!

Where to Get Stuff Happens: Parenting Edition:

It's sold by Goliath exclusively at Walmart.

Disclaimer: I got this game for free in exchange for an honest review. Goliath did not tell me what to write for this review. The words and opinions in this post are my own.

WW: Flirt {Linky}

These flowers looked like they were almost kissing.

Post ANY post you want comment love on! It doesn't have to be wordless or wordful. I like rules sometimes, but they are meant to be broken. Link up a post! 

#diy Grapefruit Body Scrub

Isaak takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r to eat and take showers.

Early last week I noticed that my body scrub was being used a lot, by someone. I wondered who was using it? I knew Isaak was using it! He had a guilty smile on his face when I brought it up.

Later in the week it was gone.

I said, "Ok if you're going to use my body scrub, you're going to learn how to make some."

I looked up a few recipes, to base mine off of.

Grapefruit Body Scrub by on Scribd

How to Make if You Don't Want to Read the Instructions Above:

Every body scrub I've made has been easy to make. This one is no exception.

Citrus Pulp/Peeling:

I've been on this kick to dry out orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit pulp/skin. So far I've used the ground up pulp to: 1. Add to loose leaf tea. Just add a bit, or it gets bitter. 2. Add to protein powder, for smoothies. 3. Add to white sugar. Then when I make things like muffins, scones, waffles and pancakes I'm using less white sugar, and some pulp/skin of a citrus fruit for a natural sweetness. 

How to Dry Out Citrus Peeling and/or Pulp: 

Wash the skin, set it in a bowl by the window to dry out. If you're in the kitchen you can set the peeling/pulp in a sprayed pan, set your oven to 250 or 300 degrees and bake it. That will speed up the drying time. 

Cut it in chunks, and grind it up in a food processor. If you want a fine grind, run it through a coffee grinder. With the body scrub you only need to partially dry it, and grind it up with a food processor.

Instructions and Directions to Make the Body Scrub: 

It's so easy Isaak could do it! 

Get out a medium mixing bowl. 

Add in 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup grapefruit or other citrus fruit grounded peel/pulp, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 1/2 cup melted shea butter, and 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil or other citrus fruit essential oils. 

*Note: You can add more sugar if you need it more scrub like. 

Mix, and pour into a few small mason jars, or containers you have laying around that are not being used. 

That's it! 

I'm on a Grapefruit Fix, and Isaak Loves Grapefruit too:

I thought the mix would only fill up one container, but it filled up two! Thank goodness I had two empty containers. Make sure you have lids. I've noticed that some scrubs don't do well if water gets to them.

Benefits of Body Scrubs:

It helps remove the dead skin cells with exfoliation. This scrub is a mild body scrub that moisturizes as it allows for absorption into the skin. Certainly it helps keep skin healthy.

Why Citrus Pulp/Peel:

Citrus peels are packed with immune-boosting vitamin C, bone-building calcium and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant bioflavonoids. They also provide potassium, which helps keep blood pressure in check, and limonene, a phytochemical that may have anti-cancer effects and can help with heart burn.

What I love the most is that the ground pulp/peel replaces the fine plastic used in some commercial scrubs.

Why Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil may be linked to some potential benefits for skin, including reducing inflammation, keeping skin moisturized and helping heal wounds. The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil also possess antimicrobial properties that can help treat acne and protect the skin from harmful bacterial such as staph infections and eczema. 

Just a Note: In the Philippines they use coconut oil a lot. In their cooking, and on their skin. They have less inflammatory diseases, and less skin conditions than we do in the US.

Why Shea Butter:

Shea butter also contains healthy fatty acids. ... There is a high level of cinnamic acid which makes Shea butter a natural sunscreen. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful in treating arthritis. Shea butter has powerful moisturizing, anti-aging, protecting and healing benefits to the skin.

Just a Note: It's best to not use a ton of Shea Butter. It can clog up the pores in your skin. That's why I partner it up with other things. For the most part it's great for you. If you have a lot of acne you may want to replace the shea butter with coconut oil. You'd just use a lot of coconut oil. 

Follow Up:

Isaak took another shower. I told him to make it quick because he just had one the night before. I just wanted the pollen out of his hair, and for him to clean up a bit because he had a soccer game. He took awhile again. He yelled out, "Mom I know you told me to be quick. I just had to try out our body scrub. It smells and works great!" I guess I can't blame him, for wanting to try something we made.

Do you use a body scrub? Have you ever made your own?

Disclaimer: This is not a post that is a review of a particular product. I wrote this solely on my own accord. 

Random Tid Bits

1. Last week the students had off Good Friday, and this week they had off Monday. The Education Director was here, and has a centrally located office. One student did come in because she's a paid worker. She takes out the trash, and fills toilet paper and paper towels. The student came in from outside said asked the Education Director, "What am I supposed to do? The back doors are locked. I got locked out, so I had to walk around." He sat there awkwardly for what seemed like 2 or 3 minutes. Finally I piped up from a back cubical and said, "Is there something I can do? You have a few options: Prop the door open, while you do the trash, or I can unlock it. Just let me know which thing you want me to do? She decided to prop the door open. I too have faced some awkward moment with the Education Director. He's nice, just quiet.


2. My brother in law said over the holiday to my uncle, "I just don't like basketball." My uncle asked, "Why?" My brother in law said, "It's the squeaky shoes." I never really thought about that bothering anyone. 


3. Isaak got more jewelry from my Aunt that was my Grandma's. She handed him a whole box of costume jewelry. Oh joy more stuff we get to hold onto. He was pretty upset when he collected a ton of her rings, and was told to give most of them back. That kid cracks me up! He's a total boy with playing. He typically has some injury on his legs. He's proud of his battle wounds. He likes sports, Chess Club, gardening, and more. Then he'll turn around and dig crafts, and my Grandma's old jewelry. I love it! He amuses me.
   
   Isaak picked out this hair clip to put in my hair:
   
   
   
   
   

   It slid right on out. My hair is so slippery. It has zero texture.
   
   Travis picked it up, and said, "Hey there's my nipple ring. He put it in his chest hair. It gave us all a laugh. I think it held better there than in my hair.
   
4.  I've had Bennie and the Jets in my head for a week. I appreciate Elton John, but never really loved his music.
   
   Every morning this week I've gotten up singing, "Travis! Travis! Insert high pitch! T.T.T. Travis and the jets!" Later towards dinner I sing, "Mica! Mica! Insert high pitch! Ma.Ma.Ma. Mica likes his pets!" Then I start dancing with him. If he's in a good mood he loves it. I mean who wouldn't? Ha! We don't even have any pets! I really haven't sang it to Isaak.
   
5. I ran across these weird food at the grocery store. It was odd that the product was with the ice cream. I like macaroni, but this just grosses me out. Carbs on top of carbs with fake plastic cheese in the middle. In was also odd it was with the ice cream. Have you ever seen this product before?
   
   

   

   
   

WW: Photoshoot Gone Bad {Linky}

I took the boys out on Easter thinking we'd get good pictures. They wouldn't cooperate, Isaak stepped on something sharp, and I hit a giant rock as I was backing up. The photoshoot wasn't great, but I did get three or four good photos. Some of which I'll post at a later time.

This post is mostly about the awkward photos I got.

Just so you don't think my kids are total jerks I'm going to show you two that I like:

Now for the crazy:

They kept butt bumping. 

It's not ideal to put brothers back to back.

Mica does this face a lot!

It wasn't my idea to have them sit on each other.

It was theirs.

This one wins! I'm like, "Oh that's a great photo! The lighting is good. He looks happy."

Look at his fingers! I was annoyed, then couldn't stop laughing. I promise he doesn't go around flipping people off. Maybe I can crop it.

I grew up with sisters. We teased each other, but I don't remember being as crazy as my boys are with photos. Did you grow up with brothers or sisters? Were you goofy like my boys are?

Post ANY post you want comment love on! It doesn't have to be wordless or wordful. I like rules sometimes, but they are meant to be broken. Link up a post! 

#happyearthday #happyartday

I created this little gem for this post: 

I saw "art" inside "Earth", and decided it needs to pop out. I'm kind of tired of art being put on the back burner, for society in America. It's inside Earth, so leave it in schools, and don't make it solely pro bono work. Without art in our Earth is just Eh, and that's pretty boring! 

We haven't been outside and earthy lately. Usually Travis is doing mounds of yard work this time of year. We do have seedlings started indoors.

We already recycle, reuse, and compost. I did start reusing citrus peelings more. I dry them, grind them, dry them, and grind them some more. I use it for toning down white sugar. If it's a mix less processed sugar is taken in. I use it for muffins, cakes, and scones. I also put it in with loose leaf tea, and protein powder for smoothies. It's super high in fiber. Pretty soon I won't be drying it out because of fruit flies. For now they can be.

Travis has a deadline for his chair, so he's busting a move on that. He thought he'd miss our family gathering for Easter all together, but he went for a bit. The chair now has form. Not as many pieces! I spent a good part of my Saturday cutting out fabric circles for it, and helping Isaak some more with his Optical Illusion Science Fair Project.

Did I ever mention that my family is full of nerdy nurses? If you count my Grandmother that's now passed  + the retired ones there's was eight of them to be exact. That profession outweighs any other in my family. Apparently one of my aunts and mother didn't approve of me posting Isaak as an optical illusion on facebook. It creeped them out. 

Reposted Image:

*Insert eye roll. I thought it was fun to do, and interesting. It reminded me of how I drew in Figure Drawing when I was a grad student. I got sick of Figure Drawing after I had many classes of it in undergrad school. When I had to take it in grad school I kept on drawing the figure on one sheet of paper the whole time. I had butts coming out of stomachs, and all kinds of craziness. We'd often times have a guy model and a girl model, so I'd mix the two right on the same page. My instructor said I could have a show just with those drawings. I don't think the nerdy nurse relatives would approve. 

Realistically I know that not everyone sees art the same way. It's kind of like music...I could love one song, and you could be like, "Turn it off!" I get it.

I'm in a dramatic, sour puss mood, so I'm pouting. Isaak has to get it from someone, am I right?!

So to honor Earth Day | Art Day I should have Travis take pictures of me with different views. I'll use my Photoshop skills to merge them. I'll soonish post it on facebook, and keep it my profile picture for a good while!

Maybe I'll do one for each member of our family, frame them, and invite all the ones that think I'm odd over for tea. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my family. Like any person in one's life they are bound to annoy you from time to time. I don't like my kids every day. I still love them. 

The nurses love me to. They love that I take photos for them for Grandpa, and make copies, they dig that I can make posters and postcards for Family Reunions. Ha! 

Back to Earth Day. Did you celebrate at all? What did you do?

#Goldenrod

Do you know your state's flower? 

Nebraska's is the oh so beautiful Goldenrod. 

Source

I learned about the Goldenrod being Nebraska's state flower when I was Isaak's age - almost 11.

Fast Forward to Now:

We were sitting around the table talking about Isaak's Science Fair Project on Optical Illusions.

Mica started talking about what he wanted to do for his Science Fair Project next year. The last two years he's gotten A's on his projects. Go Mica! Isaak's actually been looking at Mica's board to put together his.

Mica has a history of being oh so smart at school. When he comes home he's...well how do I put this kindly?...kind of ditsy and quite a bit lazy when it comes to tasks around the house. We joke about how he left some of his brain power back at school. Not to be mean. He can turn on the brainy Mica, and at times that brainy Mica is turned off. I've seen my smart boy. Again I'm not making fun of him in a mean way. He does WAY better in school than I did!

Mica's ideas for his next projects: Something on the Blackhole. Travis looked at him and said, "Son what experiment are you going to do in regards to the Blackhole? No one can even get close to it, so we don't know enough about it." I said, "Well at least we have a picture of it now." Mica's sat there, and thought some more.

Mica, "I know exactly what I'm going to do!"....Wait for it... "I'm going to explain scientifically why there aren't any Goldenrods in Omaha, when it's our state flower." Travis piped up at the same time as me, "It's because we live in the city."

I lost it. I have this inability to not stop laughing when I find something very funny. In my mind I pictured Mica looking up to the sky and saying, "Where are all the Goldenrods?" I was laughing so hard I was crying. Travis started laughing as hard as I was. We kept interrupting our laughter by saying, "Where did all the Goldenrods go?" Then we'd laugh some more. Poor Mica got up, shook his head, and left the table. Isaak just kept shaking his head and Mica and the gigglers.

I pictured that scene in the movie Pleasentville where the Dad (William H. Macy the one that could have been in trouble with that college scandal) was rattled because he couldn't find his wife or DINNER. That would be Mica. Only rattled because he couldn't find the Goldenrods.

When I texted my Mom about this story she replied with, "Tell Mica Grandpa has Goldenrod flowers in our backyard. He can show him." I told Mica and the poor kid was like, "I don't want to hear about it Mom."

Then I texted Mica, "Instead of doing a science fair project on Where are all the Goldenrods, you should do it on this...Where are all the Aliens."

The boys are used to my antics by now. We tease each other all the time. Even Travis has learned to loosen up a bit. He married me, and had very little sense of humor that he'd show.

Do you ever laugh so hard that you cry? 

Random Tid Bits

1. I do different types of critiques with my students: 1 on 1 (them and me), a group of 2 with me, whole class (I don't mention names), groups of three (them) with a worksheet of questions to fill out, and lastly they turn the work in and I draw on tracing paper over it to hand back to them. I don't do all the above for every assignment. Just 1 or 2 ways of critiquing per assignment.
   
   Last week I had a group critique of 3 students along with a worksheet for them to fill out. They talk about the piece, and answer the questions as to what their group thinks about their art. If I don't have a sheet they talk about anything, but the work. When I said it was Group Critique time they all grumbled. I said, "What's the deal?" One said, "I just don't like talking about my art. It's awkward." Another said, "We just don't like talking to each other." I said, "That means you need more practice. You guys have to learn to talk to one another, and about your work. You're not getting out of this!" They looked at me with darts in their eyes. What the heck?! Every class has some kind of energy, and this one is quiet. Maybe it's a generation thing? My last class was really talkative though. I'll probably get on my evaluations: "Mrs. Apel makes us talk to one another. I hate her for that." 


2. Isaak, "Mom I NEED a shoulder rest for my violin! I think we're supposed to get it at Scheels." Me, "I don't think Scheels is the store we need to get a shoulder rest at." Isaak, "I don't know it's somewhere that starts with an S." Me, "Could it be Schmitt Music?" Isaak, "Ya that's the place." Me, "Do you know what shoulder rest you need? If I shopped online I bet I could get it cheaper. I'm just not in the mood to run all over Omaha." Isaak looking online with me, "That one, no that one, no that one." Me, "We better go to Schmitt Music."


3. My husband is a science guy. When something happens he doesn't think it's a miracle. It's chance, genetics, or science. I do believe in all the above. I'm not a super religious person, but I believe in a higher being. Good thing can happen to good people. If someone is down on their luck, life has a way of turning back around for them. What do you think? Do you believe in mostly science, are you religious, or are you a bit of both?


4. I got a tea set to review on facebook. Truth I mostly got it to redo their packaging for my portfolio. The tea really is good! You can get it here.








5. I went out with a guy "Geordie" when I was in grad school. His real name was Hugh, middle name Gordan, which is where he got the nickname "Geordie". It seems like a lot of hoops to go through to come up with a nickname. I ended things. I just didn't think we were compatible. He was super quiet! I wouldn't say I'm outgoing, but I can carry a conversation. I have patients, for quiet people. One this is true about quiet people: When they say something it's usually well thought out, hilarious, and/or profound. They don't waist their words. They savor them. It's odd that I feel like I'm knowing him more because of what people post about him on facebook. He has a brother, and a close group of high school friends. All of which he never talked about.  Things weren't weird when we broke things off. I think we were both old enough to know that life goes on.
   
   He passed away in his sleep last week. I wasn't close to him any longer. I feel for his friends and family though. He was pretty young! He has two girls, still in elementary school. He got married, divorced, engaged, and separated. He died alone. May he rest in peace!

So here's to Gordie also known as Hugh, the quiet guy that ran a printing press:



Greene Square Printing - Acworth GA from Brian Gaukel Productions on Vimeo.

Disclaimer: I didn't get the tea set to review on this blog. I'm just sharing because it's a cute set.

@Ripleys Believe It or Not! 100 Best Bions #bookreview

I love the the oddities that exist in this world! Ripley's Believe It or Not! just came out with 100 Best Bions. It's filled with believe it or not stories. They are incredibly hard to believe, and undeniable true!

The book is $16.34 on Amazon Prime.

Believe it or not they got the book to me so fast. It's like I agreed to review it, and poof it was on my doorstep.

The word Best is printed with a silver foil print.

Chapters:

1. Classics
2. People
3. Animals
4. World
5. Exhibits

Just like the title, there are 100 stories to read about! 


I picked out some of my favorite pages to share with you. 

Matchstick Man

Patrick Acton of Gladbrook, Iowa is the artist of these amazing creations. I'm drawn to them because I have used toothpicks in my art. I find them fun!

Skull Cups

A "Kapala" is a bowl used by Tibetan Buddhists and Indian Hindus in rituals. I'm not big into rituals, but I do love Buddhism philosophy. Skulls are interesting to me , just like masks are.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

I think I'd pass on going to a festival that has self mutilation. What about you? This festival happens annually in Thailand.

Bound Feet

I remember hearing about bound feet when I was a kid. Boy did it look painful! For centuries, upper-class Chinese women would undergo the painful ritual. I've never seen what their actual feet look like.

Tough Tortoise

I heard if a tortoise lost it's shell it would in fact die. What if a hippopotamus tusk is sticking through the shell? This tortoise lived for 15 years like this!

Sketchy Artist

I think I'm jealous! I could never draw with an Etch-A-Scketch well at all! Could you? George Vlosich can create detailed drawings with one. Each image takes 80 hours to draw using one unbroken line.

Serious Stache

I just saw an article on facebook that goes on and on about how beards and mustaches have more germs than a dog's fur does. Hummm... Possibly it's because some people do not wash their stache! For the record Travis washes his with soap and water.

Could you imagine having an 8 feet, 8 inches wide stache!? That seems a bit crazy. I think I'd have mine braided all the time.

Strange Mail

This grabbed by attention because we write lists, and sketch on junk mail all the time. In 1929 alone, Robert Ripley received a million letters, breaking all known records for mail received by one person. Something's telling me he didn't read it all.

Headless Chicken

It's true Isaak really has a hard time eating chicken with the bones showing. I wonder what he'd feel about this headless chicken? This bird was meant to die, but he lived. Farmer Lloyd Olsen fed it through an eyedropper.

Double Vision

I like creepy faces, so why not like this double eyed guy named Liu Ch'ung? He was born with double pupils. Not his fault.

Mule-Faced Woman

Grace McDaniels was born in 1888 in Iowa, with a birthmark that would define her career.

Do you have any birthmarks? I have a small hole at the top of my ear, I was born with a skin tag on my leg that was removed when I was a baby, and I had the deviated septum. Mica had a cherry red birthmark between his eyebrows (it was fairly light), he had a cyst under his tongue, so the line down his tongue will forever not be straight, and Isaak has a brown birthmark on his spine.

Stretched Necks

Despite appearances, their necks are not actually stretched. It's their shoulders that have been pushed down.

Gurning Man

I remember this man from my Ripley's Believe It or Not! book from when I was a kid. I thought...Wow I wish I could do that!

Severed Skulls

This is so odd! In the University of Lisbon in Portugal, you can see the severed head of a genuine serial killer. Doesn't it give you the creeps? 

I like that they made a book that's paperback. It doesn't take up as much room as the hardback books. 

Do you enjoy oddities? 

Disclaimer: I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review. The Ripley's Believe It or Not! team did not tell me what to say in this review.