Random Tid Bits

1. Isaak cracks me up. He said, “Mom it looks like your necklace that was Great Grandma’s is a bunch of cherry tomatoes. I just want to gobble them all up.”






2. I remember I was so excited to get the boys umbrellas at Hatley. I think one of them I won. It's the best quality kid's umbrella I've ever seen!
   
   

   

   I'm not promoting this. It's just the same umbrella Mica has. It's out of stock. I got the image here.

   In fact it still works very well! They aren't cheap, but they won't break like others do.
   
   Mica texted me, "We might soon want to go out and buy a bigger umbrella. - It did look a little funny watching him walk away to the bus stop with a kid’s umbrella ☂. He’s way taller than me now! I noticed the site is for ages 12 and under. Mica's almost 14! I personally like a good rain jacket, so much more than umbrellas! 
   
   
3. Travis' parents moved back to Missouri. This is their 3rd time living there I think. My sister in law's ex was staying at the house, and totally trashed it. He took all major appliance with him. Ya annoying! I don't care for people that thrive on revenge.


4. I had a student that was moving out of her Step Dad's house. She said, "I'm not leaving it looking nice. None of us like him." She was mad that he didn't let her stay there rent free, and he didn't pay for all her college. Her Mom passed away last year. Not everyone's parents help them get through college, rent free no less. He did help her for awhile. It's sad she felt she needed to trash the place.


5. I texted Mica a picture of this...




Saying, "This is what I'm making for dinner tonight."

Oh he believed me. He went to Travis to show him a picture. Travis told him I was messing with him. He then said, "At least we know she's in a good mood. When she's goofy like that it means she's happy.

Disclaimer: This post may include link(s) where I have gotten paid for.

Health Care Academy

I know I've been hanging low for blogging lately. It's the end of the semester where I teach, Travis has been working long hours on his chair design that should be finished as of this morning, Isaak has homework he needs help with most nights, the boys have had a lot of evening events for school, and I've been looking for freelance design work. Travis has yet to mow the lawn. He won't let Mica or I do it because it's the first time it will be mowed. With my allergies it's not a great idea I mow anyhow.

Moving on...

Last weekend Mica had his first Health Care Academy Expo. 

I have to be honest...I didn't know what to expect with this academy. I do know a few years ago Mica wanted to be a Pediatrician. He's since changed his mind, after he had Astronomy class. I told him it's not as easy to have a career in Astronomy. He said, "I can be an Astrophysicist." I said, "That means you have to have a lot of math, which you don't care for. You can't live in Omaha, Nebraska for a career like that. That's ok you can move." He didn't say anything. I wanted him to try out the Health Care Academy because it's free. If he doesn't like it, he isn't paying for college classes to realize that. I convinced him to join up with the Health Care Academy at school. They have a one week camp during the summer, and lots of classes and activities during the school year. He was hesitant, but decided to apply because I asked him too. He had an interview, and had to fill out an application. Mica got in. If he hates it, it will be my fault. Ha!

Good Vibes:

The Health Care Academy is ran by his homeroom and science teacher he had last year. She was great for both. Good vibes going in!

What the Health Care Academy Expo was About:

They were slow to get started. Lots of speakers, pharmaceutical booths and food.

I found out that the King Science students will be working with patients that have Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, and Dementia. I've known people that have had each of those.

One speaker has Multiple Sclerosis, another is a Neurosurgeon, there were Pharmaceutical Reps., and Mica's teacher.

Pharmaceutical Reps:

They weren't big Pharma! They are in support of therapies and research, for all these diseases. They had ice packs, neck wraps, pens, and other things to hand out.

Other Speakers:

We got to hear a lot about how the students at King Science helped with the patients this school year. Both the patients and the students that participated in the program this year were happy to have each other.

One thing that the patients need to do is laugh every day. That can be hard when you're depressed. 

They have to work on coordination. Another challenging thing. If your body is giving out, how do you control it? The students had to play ball with the patients. There's a lot of communication skills that have to happen to play catch with someone that may not be able to see, can't react as fast as someone that doesn't have a disease.

Inspired:

I was feeling inspired by all the speakers.

I was thinking...I hope Mica gets a lot out of this! I want him to be inspired, and feel more empathy than he currently does.

While I was thinking all this Mica leans towards me and whispers, "Mom I think I know what I want to do with my science fair project next year. I want to change graphite into a diamond. I've seen a video on how you can do that. That would be cool right?" Here I was thinking he was going to have something health care related to say, or how he's learning so much about MS, but nope. Maybe he'll be more empathetic and inspired next year.

Certificate:

They called up all the people that participated this school year, then the ones that will participate next school year.

It's odd that there are Spiehs' at most all of Mica's school events. I don't know them personally, but that's my maiden name. Not a lot of Spiehs' in the US. So a Spiehs was called up.

Mica got called up to. He does this thing where he dances in place, while he's up on stage. Maybe he's trying to be cool? It's too hard to get a photo of someone giggling all around. Ha!

Did you take any health care classes in school?

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?