Mary's Place

Flickr

2009-06-27T11:34:00.001-05:00

I finally put some pictures on Flickr! Want to see my pictures?

Things in my House Thursday - Steve

2009-04-30T11:06:00.006-05:00

I am going to show you something that I started in August and didn't finish until about a week ago. It did not need that much time to finish, I just never worked on it. I got very close to finishing it, but then just stopped.

What is it?

It is Steve:

I can't help but smile every time I see Steve. I love the bright orange (my favorite color) against the darker blue.

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TIMHT

2009-04-23T12:21:00.003-05:00

I know, I've been gone a long time.

School is almost over and bowling ended yesterday. On the last day of bowling we got free pizza, prizes, and trophies. Everyone also got a "coupon" where they can bowl one game for free everyday of the summer (June-August). When Mom was looking at it she noticed something we found pretty funny:

I know it is hard to see, but near the bottom it says: "Say YES to Bowling, Say NO to Drugs"

Mom and I thought that was very random. I'm not saying it is okay to do drugs, just what does drugs have to do with bowling?

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TIMHT

2009-02-26T14:49:00.003-06:00

Last night, when I was going through a box full of clutter that I had hiding behind my chair, I found some jewelry making items. I didn't actually come across something for making jewelry to wear, but for making fan pulls. They were in my stocking from Christmas.

The fan pull I have had for about a million years was a clear dolphin. I would've taken a picture for you, but Mom has already given it to Goodwill. I have no idea why I had it or where it came from; all I know is that it had been there forever and didn't really go with my room. I decided to make one that did.

The reason the brown beads look off to the side is because they wouldn't fit on the actual swirly fan pull. I really wanted to use them though; they helped make the fan pull look like it actually belonged in my room. So, I just took a thin piece of wire, attached it to the fan pull, and put the brown beads on the wire. I think it looks better with the brown beads like that.

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TIMHT

2009-02-19T15:43:00.003-06:00

For TIMHT I am showing you this frame. So, this frame is super teeny with little purple rhinestones. My favorite about it though, is the picture (of course).

We have a friend named Ginger who houses many animals and lives in the country. She has about 78 million cows and dogs. She also has birds and cats (good mix). Anyway, now you know what she is like. Ginger is fully prepared and capable of taking care of any animal. The little raccoon in the picture, Frederick, is one she found without a mother. She had to bottle feed it and keep it warm. It was so cute and soft with little "hands". Once it got old enough she let it go; it was quite sad to not see Frederick anymore.

Cosas en mi Casa Jueves!

2009-02-05T11:58:00.003-06:00

There's my 3 years of Spanish working!

For TIMHT I will be doing a few weeks of pictures/picture frames in my room. First One:

Mother is guesstimating that I am three years old in this picture. Mother colored my eyes blue so they would stand out, I did not do the coloring.

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Things in my House Thursday

2009-01-29T11:38:00.004-06:00

This week's feature of TIM-room-T will be very revealing. You are going to learn something about me that few people know.

I am part reptile.

It's true. For one long season out of every year, my hands look like crocodile feet.

They hurt like a crocodile.

But I resort to creams, lotions, gloves and socks. Lately, I have been using the Tea Tree and E Antiseptic. Here's the thing, I can use one lotion for a few weeks, but then it starts to make my hands turn red and they burn. So then, I have to switch lotions for a little while. You see my dilemma? I hate dry skin! I have my dad to thank for my dry skin.

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TIMHT #22

2009-01-22T09:06:00.002-06:00

Yeah, I've been a slacker. I'm going to try and make this a good post.

Christopher and I have been watching a lot of MacGyver lately. I have the first six seasons on DVD. We are watching the seventh and final season on Youtube. It's cool that they are on Youtube because that way Christopher can put them on my Ipod.

Now, I need to explain MacGyver to anyone who doesn't know who he is. MacGyver can fix any problem. MacGyver is played by Richard Dean Anderson. He is a secret agent for the Pheonix Foundation. He is always getting into trouble, but he alway knows how to get out without using guns. He never used guns, he hated them. Mythbusters even did a whole show dedicated to him. They tried out some of his solutions to problems.

Awesome! MacGyver isn't is first name, Angus is. But, he doesn't tell anyone that until the seventh season, because he doesn't like his first name. In the pilot episode, his first name was going to be Stace. I'm glad it was changed.

So, that's my TIMHT post. I will try to post more often!

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Things in my House Thursday #22

2009-01-08T14:03:00.003-06:00

It's techinically winter here, but winter for us is not always that cold. If it snows, there isn't going to be that much. It is still winter though, so for TIMHT I am showing a snowflake I made about a year ago.

Join at Msm

Cake.

2009-01-06T15:59:00.005-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!!

For Matt's birthday I made a stadium cake. After making the cake, Mom and I realized that it wasn't that big, so I also made some cupcakes.

The cake was really fun to decorate. I got to decorate it with Becca. She was nice enough to let me come over to her house. She is a "professional" decorator, so I got to use her tools and she was able to give me some tips. We weren't sure how to decorate the cake at first, but Becca looked online and got some general ideas. She also had the brilliant idea of making little field posts out of floral wire and tape.

Oh, and Becca just so happens to make the BEST icing in the whole world. I deducted that after having several of her cakes. :)

Hope you liked your cake MATT!

Gift-Giving

2008-12-29T11:38:00.005-06:00

I know, I know; I'm doing gift-giving Sunday on Monday.

To Sourpatch:

Mom has a Pentax and I love it. It has so many cool features. My favorite is color filter. You can have the camera make everything black and white except for one color, like red. This Camera can go underwater and do tons of other awesome things.

For Caroline:

I love making things out of clay. Sculpey is my favorite. I thought you would like these kits for making things like jewelry and erasers.

Join at Caroline!

Charlotte

2008-12-20T18:28:00.007-06:00

I haven't done any pictures of Charlotte lately.

Plain clothes...

Getting her "nice" clothes; throwing a fit

Santa hat!

Here comes trouble

She's bossy like her mother

Christopher

Me in the santa hat

What is she thinking?

Well, those are the most recent of Charlotte.

Oh, by the way, I made more sugar cookies today. These have icing and sprinkles.

Things in my House Thursday #21

2008-12-18T10:15:00.005-06:00

I got this little silver tree from Walgreens. I origanally got it to decorate my room, but decided to let it sit somewhere else so the candle could be lit (and my room is really messy right now).

Now for your viewing pleasure:

The sugar cookies I made yesterday.

Do you like his orange highlights?

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Pronunciation

2008-12-15T14:45:00.007-06:00

Today is my Blogoversary.

The End.

Kidding, kidding, kidding.

My mother was saying I should write a poem for this post. I was not about to write a poem; for me, writing poems is horrible, but it did start another discussion.

Mom pronounced poem more like poim. Christopher thinks this sounds like "boing" so he immediately started bouncing around the kitchen saying, "poim, poim, poim" (what seventeen year old doesn't?). We all started discussing how families tend to pronounce things the same way..... but thankfully, Mom doesn't pronounce everything the way her parents did:

Warsh rag, shurff...

Hey! Somebody call the Shurff! All my warsh rags are missing!

One time, when my my mom was up in one of those "New" places, could've been York, Jersey, who knows; She was having dinner with her friend and her friend's friend (who was from the New place), we'll call him Temerity. So, Temerity was ordering whatever, say, the Herb Chicken (totally made that up). However when he said herb, being up north and all, he pronounced the 'H', unlike down here in the south. When Temerity said this, my mom was just in one of those moods where everything is funnier; so she started laughing really hard.

I don't think I would start laughing if someone said HHHerb, but I would think it was weird (and that's all that matters)

So there you have it, my Blogoversary post.

Mary "The Tin Can"

Things in my House Thursday #20

2008-12-11T10:27:00.004-06:00

I decided that instead of always doing something from my room, I would mix it up sometimes.

So, I just want you to know, THIS IS NOT IN MY ROOM! It is in the kitchen. :)

I used a chocolate cake mix, but I changed it a little. There was another recipe on the side of the box that used pudding mix; I made that one. The icing is made out of powdered sugar and milk, that's all! I made it last night, as you can see, half of it is gone. It will probably be gone by tonight.

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My CHAIR!!!!

2008-11-29T11:25:00.011-06:00

Last June (2007) Mom, Jessica, and I redid my room. My room had unpainted wood bookcases and bed, a very faded wall color, and had just become very junky.

We took practically everything out of my room (excluding things that couldn't be moved). We painted the walls, the shelves, and my bed. Then, Mom and Jessica made a trip to Target and got tons of baskets for "organizing".

My bed is "high in the sky" according to Charlotte so I had an empty space in my room, and needed some kind of chair! We looked and we thought and we thought and we looked, finally, in Pottery Barn Kids we found that pink chair you see above. Now at first it was wonderful, but it is just a step above beanbag material so over time it wasn't a chair, it was just something to pile things upon. When it wasn't covered in clothes (CLEAN clothes) it didn't look very good. That picture above was when we first got it so it still looks like a chair. I needed something better.

We looked and we thought and we thought and we looked. Then, Jessica and Mom saw the perfect chair at Baby Time. Baby Time is a warehouse type store (but not cheap) with all the coolest and cutest baby furniture and accessories. They have fancy cribs and CHAIRS - gliders, rocker, etc., for nurseries. Most of the chairs glide and swivel and are super comfortable. You get to choose what fabric you want on the chair also.

I paid for the chair with all my life's savings (I'm just barely kidding...). I really didn't want to spend so much money, it was the most expensive thing I had ever bought. I had earned money from selling Avon, but that wasn't the only money making thing I had. Sometimes I get money for my birthday and holidays. I also earn money from our neighbors whenever they go out of town: I pick up their mail, take care of animals and things like that.

Since I've depleted my savings account, I've been trying to sell even more Avon and one of the neighbors that I've 'worked' for before has already said they'll be going out of town in the early part of next year.

So, grand finale, here's the chair:

The fabric is flocked!

It is green, brown, and tan; I love it!! It's awesome and I enjoy having a nice place to read.

I have been Nominated. . .

2008-11-24T20:00:00.003-06:00

by Caroline

I nominate:

Msm

Jessica

Sourpatch

TIMHT #17

2008-11-20T19:11:00.004-06:00

My collection of rocks!
My collection rocks! ;)

Join at MSM!

TIMHT # 16

2008-11-13T16:47:00.004-06:00

My Bulletin Board

From my Sunday School teacher

Very colorful snowflakes

It's so true

Where have I read that before?

My doggie

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Things in My House Thursday #15

2008-11-06T15:11:00.007-06:00

My stuffed animals:

I got the yellow chicken from AVON

From Disney and Universal, those people just couldn't guess my age :)

My Build-a-Bears in the order I got them, L to R, Cinnamon, Freddie, Matthew, Daisy, Belle, Charlie, Patrick, and Rosie

Big Bear

Little animals

Mary had a little lamb ;)

Big Dog

Brownie

I wanted this bunny because it looked so much like the pet bunny my class had in kindergarten (the bunny's name was Brownie)

Christmas Bear

Green bear, I like this one because it's head can turn

Another frog

Squishy dog

Joe

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BOO!!

2008-10-31T15:05:00.003-05:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Testing out my camera with: Cornbread

2008-10-30T16:06:00.004-05:00

My new camera has some awesome new features. One of them is the food setting; let's compare.

Do you want some light green cornbread or some dark yellow cornbread?

Without food setting

With food setting

Mmmmm. . . That's delicious

TIMHT #14

2008-10-30T15:52:00.003-05:00

Yep, I carved it. . . today

Dimples

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Farmer's Market

2008-10-25T13:36:00.006-05:00

Today we went to the Farmer's Market. I love going there; the best time to go is on Saturdays. Saturday is when the "craft" people come. On the other days of the week it's just the "farmers". It isn't as fun to go when it's hot but once it gets cold outside it's awesome. Sadly, November 1st is their last day.

The craft/homemade people have all different stuff. There's goat's milk soap and lotion, jewelry, candles, coffee, and more.

Because it's October, there are TONS of pumpkins and weird gourds. I brought my new digital camera, and took some (okay, a lot of) pictures.

The earrings I bought

Funky gourds

Flat greenish/blue pumpkins

Turkey pumpkin

Turkey feet

Beautiful mums

Cabbage

Little pumpkins

Little white pumpkins

This is only one tenth of how many pumpkins there were, and they were HUGE

Greenish/blue flat pumpkin

Green pumpkin

Table of crazies

Little, tiny pumpkins still on the vine

Hmmmm. . .

Little funky gourds

Little striped pumpkins

I'm thinking about opening a Flickr account for my pictures, should I?

Things in my House Thursday #13

2008-10-23T15:33:00.004-05:00

I got this from my Aunt Nellie. For the past two years I have baked her something on her birthday, so she got me this for my birthday. She brought it over when I was at Veritas (school) but it was a pleasant surprise when I got home.

Angel of the Kitchen
I love making loose leaf tea so the teapot is perfect!

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:)

2008-10-20T10:37:00.006-05:00

Today is my birthday! I'm 14!

Yesterday was birthday Sunday. My Aunt Patsy's birthday was Saturday and mine is today so we shared the same b-day Sunday.

These are some of the things I got: laptop case, target giftcard, a watch, and my favorite candy, Ferrero Rocher.

This is how Christopher wrapped his present to me, completely out of newspaper. He even made the bow out of newspaper.

Awesome cake box, there is a zipper pull right where all the sprinkles are to open it.

Laptop case and homemade card from Jessica

Watch
And last but not least. . .

An orange digital camera!!

Visit my Mom's blog to see more of b-day Sunday

Things in my Room Thursday #12

2008-10-15T23:24:00.005-05:00

I'm doing pictures again for Things in my House! I didn't paint these though.

My mom used to 'do' eBay, buying and selling on there all year long, but not much any more. When she was on eBay, she bought a lot of paintings. She had about twelve or so all from the same artist - a man in Vermont that painted (watercolor) scenes from New England. We were hanging some up in the living room and I decided I wanted some in my room. I chose the three I liked the most.

Here they are:

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Things In My House Thursday #11

2008-10-09T10:35:00.011-05:00

Things in my Room: My Trophies.

I have 12 trophies. I have seven soccer trophies, two music trophies, two bowling trophies, and one tee-ball trophy. The soccer and tee-ball trophies weren't awarded because I did something, they're more so keepsakes (they were given to every member of the team). I got the music trophies from my piano teacher after recitals. The bowling trophies were the only ones I won.

My bowling trophies, the 07 one is second place, the other one is first place.

I only played t-ball one year; and my uniform was a little big on me...

When Christopher was helping me edit the pics, he went a little crazy with special effects.... otherwise he would have to be working on a school paper...

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My New Template!

2008-10-07T20:03:00.006-05:00

As I'm sure you see, I have a new template. Thank you so much, Amy! She made my new template in a few days. It was Amy's idea to use the picture I painted as my header. The quote was my idea, it came from a magazine that my mom had. I'm amazed at how computer savvy some people are. I will get all my widgets and buttons up again soon!

The Winner is Announced!

2008-10-04T15:34:00.002-05:00

There were some great bakery name ideas but, I think it would be pretty weird if my bakery had several names: Mary's Tiny Cottage and Everything Nice with Muffins In Your Tummy Bakery.

Hmmmmm....

THE WINNER; I actually changed the name slightly to suit me better but I got the idea from:

SOURPATCH

Red Rolling Pin Bakery

Things I like about you and your blog:

Good and frequent blogger

You take awesome pictures

You are a great a commenter!

2008-10-03T00:32:00.002-05:00

I will choose the winner of the bakery name contest soon! Sorry it took so long. :)

Things in My House Thursday #10

2008-10-02T10:05:00.004-05:00

Welcome to Things in my Room. Today on Things in my Room we will interview the amazing lamp/lampshade that helped shape a room. Here we go:

Me: So, where did you come from?

Mr. Lampapalooza: I came from a little store called Hobby Lobby.

Me: Oh, I've been there, it's a beautiful place.

Mr. Lampapalooza: Yes, yes it is.

Me: Was it hard to leave Hobby Lobby and are proud of what you've done?

Mr. Lampapalooza: To tell you the truth, I was glad to get out of there. I mean, I love Hobby Lobby but, I couldn't do anything important while I was there. I'm very proud of what I have done.

Me: Are you finished with your job or do you hope to do more?

Mr. Lampapalooza: I think I'm just going to sit back and relax for a while. I may do more someday, but for right now, I'm taking a break.

Me: Well, Mr. Lampapalooza, it has been a pleasure talking to you.

Mr. Lampapalooza: It's been a pleasure talking to you! I wish I could stay and chat but I'm afraid I have to go light up a beautiful room.

Join the fun at MSM!

I was Tagged!

2008-09-29T16:50:00.003-05:00

I was tagged by Jessica. There are lots of questions:

1. What time did you get up this morning? I don't know
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Dark Knight
4. What is your favorite TV show? Monk
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal
6. What is your middle name? Elizabeth
7. What food do you dislike? most vegetables :)
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? hmmm. . .
9. What kind of car do you drive? hahahohoheeheehoo
10. Favorite sandwich? Turkey and cheese

11. What characteristic do you despise? uhhh. . .
12. Favorite item of clothing? I like turtlenecks
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Denmark
14. Favorite brand of clothing? I like Target brand
15. Where would you retire to? Retiring is way too far away to think about.
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? I don't seem to remember any memorable ones.
17. Favorite sport to watch? Oh please
18. When is your birthday? October 20
19. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night Person
20. What is your shoe size? It depends, anywhere from 3 1/2 to 5 1/2
21. Pets? Jack, Molly, Baby Grace, Samantha, Tiny, and Turbo
22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Nope.
23. What did you want to be when you were little? A mailperson
24. How are you today? I'm doing fine
25. What is your favorite candy(lollie/chocolate)? Ferrero Rocher
26. What is your favourite flower? Peony
27. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? I like Sundays
28. What is your full name? Mary Elizabeth
29. What are you listening to right now? nothing
30. What was the last thing you ate? a hotpocket
31. Do you wish on stars? No
32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Orange?
33. How is the weather right now? I don't know
34. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? Dad
35. Favorite soft drink? Sprite.
36. Favorite restaurant? Lenny's
37. Real hair color? Brown
38. What was your favorite toy as a child? potting soil
39. Summer or winter? Winter!
40. Hugs or kisses? Candy: kisses
41. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
42. Coffee or tea? Tea
43. When was the last time you cried? second week of Veritas
44. What is under your bed? my room
45. What did you do last night? watched the Amazing Race
46. What are you afraid of? Spiders and Cockroaches
47. Salty or sweet? Sweet
48. How many keys on your key ring? My key ring?
49. How many years at your current job? Avon: 3 years
50. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
51. How many places have you lived in? one
52. Do you make friends easily? They have to talk to me first.

I tag Elana and Caroline.

My Bakery

2008-09-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

CONTEST TIME!!!

Why:

I hope to open a bakery someday and that bakery is going to need a name and that name needs to be AWESOME.

Rules:

Leave a comment with some bakery name suggestions

Award (I'm borrowing Caroline's idea):

I will list some reasons why I like to read your blog and, guarantee you some free pastries from my future bakery.

No idea too stupid, you're allowed more than one entry.

Now, let your creativity flow!

Country Music

2008-09-25T20:42:00.003-05:00

What's up with country music?

Mom and I were going through the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A and, having nothing to do, I started paying attention to what was playing on the radio. It was some a song by Bucky Covington, called I'll Walk, and it's about a girl getting hit by a car! If that's not depressing I don't know what is. I mean, there are plenty of country songs that I like, but my goodness!

Things in my Room Thursday #9

2008-09-25T09:50:00.006-05:00

My NINTH thing in my room is three little pictures that I painted.

I painted this one when I was eleven, it took quite a bit of time to paint.

This was the second one I painted when I was eleven, it didn't take long at all because it is VERY small .

This one I did when I was twelve, it took a really long time. I think it is my favorite because of all the colors.

They aren't amazing but I like them because I painted them.

Go to MSM to join Things in My House!

2008-09-20T12:40:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Things in my Room Thursday #8

2008-09-18T09:51:00.006-05:00

Yeah, I know, ANOTHER body part for Things in my Room. This time it's my hand:

When I was about 4, maybe 5, Christopher and I took an art class. It was very fun, we did stuff with clay, paper mache, plastery stuff (I don't know what it's called). We also either painted or used oil pastels or something like that to make pictures.

We had to make a mold of our (Christopher made one also) hands. It was rather tedious because you couldn't move your hand while making the mold. But, when that was finished, we got to decorate our hands. Now let me explain something to you; Christopher and I each made a paper mache ball and a hand, on each of his: two colors, on each of mine: LOTS of colors and little sequiny, colorful gluey dot stuff. Hmmmmm, we're not that different, right? Oh please, I plan on writing a post on comparing our art.

Well, back to Things in my Room, go join at MSM now.

Things in my Room Thursday #7

2008-09-11T08:36:00.006-05:00

Avon sells Cherished Teddies, so sometimes I order them. I don't have very many but I still like them a lot. I have Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, Robin Hood, Maid Marian and a Christmas music box one.

Robin Hood and Maid Marian

Take note of little Toto in Dorothy's basket

Mom ordered this from another Avon representative so that it would be a surprise (for Christmas).

Go to MSM to join the fun!!

Things in my Room Thursday #6

2008-09-03T21:46:00.007-05:00

This is one of my favorite things in my room. It is a wall plaque from More Than Words.

. . . the blessedness of being little. -Shakespeare

I just like how simple (and true!) it is. I guess that's all I have to say. . .

To join Things in my House Thursday go to MSM!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

2008-08-30T10:11:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA!!

It's a cake, that I did not bake

Things in my Room Thursday #5

2008-08-28T08:06:00.010-05:00

My mom and Jessica really like Ridley Pearson (an author). They found out that Memphis was going to hold the The Southern Festival of Books in 2004, and Ridley Pearson was going to be there signing autographs.

So we "had" to go to see Ridley. Mom and Jessica brought books to have signed and Christopher and I also had a children's book for him to sign. Then we found out about these free posters that they had, so Ridley also signed those, along with a few authors that I hadn't even heard of. There's even one man that signed our posters that Mom and I are pretty sure wasn't even an author!

The poster hangs on the back of my bedroom door, and is this week's Thing in my Room.

Go to MSM and join Things In My House Thursday!!

Happy Birthday

2008-08-22T21:21:00.003-05:00

Today is Charlotte's 2nd Birthday!

Things in my Room Thursday #4

2008-08-21T10:20:00.010-05:00

I have something in my room that I'm guessing most people don't have. I have this:

THIS is my head:

About ten years ago my (great) Aunt Patsy was taking classes for sculpting; she'd already made about three busts, and she decided to use me as her model. These pictures are the teacher (long blond hair) helping Patsy with some details or ideas, and me 'modeling'.

Go to Mommy Sweet Mom's to join Things in My House Thursday!

Word-Filled Wednesday

2008-08-19T21:40:00.005-05:00

"Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

I John 4:21

Join Word-Filled Wednesday here!

Olympics

2008-08-18T20:39:00.003-05:00

Well, at first I didn't like the Olympics. They were taking place of Monk! Then, Mom and I decided to watch Michael Phelps to see if he could get his 8th gold medal and I started liking them. I don't care too much for the running and things like that. My favorite competition is gymnastics.

The Olympics really are interesting. I mean, did you know that table tennis (ping pong) is an actual sport in the Olympics?

It's awesome where they're holding them; Beijing is cool but I'm talking about the Nest. At night from above it really looks like a nest; it's weird.

Hey, I'm watching the Olympics right now so I gotta go!

Baby Bed and Quilt

2008-08-16T08:54:00.004-05:00

It's finally here! Charlotte's birthday party is today. We have been having Charlotte at our house a lot so Jessica can prepare, and I have even had to go over to her house a few days to help get ready for the party (planting flowers, spray painting kids' chairs, etc.). Last night I made delicious sugar cookies to go in the party favor bags; each cookie has a yellow m & m in the middle.

Charlotte loves baby dolls so we decided to get her a baby doll bed. Then, to go on the baby bed, Mom and I made a little quilt. (It's a very cute Melissa and Doug bed, but the blanket and pillow that came with it - pretty lame.) Putting the pieces together and doing the "quilting" was easy. I didn't like the binding. I had some trouble with it, but luckily sewing class started back and my teacher helped me!

I also made the pillow

Things in my Room Thursday #3

2008-08-14T09:17:00.005-05:00

The third thing I'm sharing from my room is my gumball machine picture.

I got it at Hallmark with my own money (from the garage sale). It actually holds candy and you can turn the handle and some comes out.

I have Skittles in it because we couldn't find any small gumballs. It is Charlotte's favorite thing in my room, because she knows how to get candy out of it. It also hangs next to my mirror, so Charlotte can look at herself while she swipes Skittles. Looking at herself is her

#1 favorite thing to do!

Join Things in my House Thursday at Mommy Sweet Mom!

2008-08-11T22:58:00.002-05:00

WOW. . . This is special

Awards!

2008-08-11T22:14:00.005-05:00

I have been awarded! Mommy Sweet Mom has awarded me with this:

-The Rules-

1. Put the logo on your blog

2. Link to the person you received your award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Put links to those blogs on your site

5. Leave messages on the blogs you've nominated

Here are my nominees:

And the winner is. . .

2008-08-08T13:17:00.003-05:00

CAROLINE!

I appreciate all the 'contest' entries; it was fun seeing how varied the guesses were - and how close or far off peeps got. There are 55 bouncy balls in the jar. Thank you for entering!

Things in my Room Thursday #2

2008-08-07T01:00:00.003-05:00

The next thing in my room I want to share is my collection of bouncy balls. I have big ones, medium ones, and small ones. I have been collecting them for several years. I have gotten some from the dentist, I have gotten some from Christopher, one of them I even found in a parking lot.

Mostly, I just like the way they look in their jar; all the different sizes and colors.

I will probably keep these forever, and have them for my children. The collection will probably be a lot bigger by then. I don't think they will be valuable, per se, but it will still be nice to pass on something that was meaningful to me.

Bounce on over to MommySweetMom's and participate in "TIMHT". It's fun!!!!

Now to have a "contest". There is no prize except for the sheer joy of winning. Can you guess how many bouncy balls are in the jar? Leave a comment with your answer. I will announce the winner tomorrow.

Ten Minutes

2008-08-03T18:43:00.002-05:00

If I only had ten minutes to get out of my house, what would I grab? Ummmm. . .

Jack (he can't live without me)
My laptop
My squishy Dude (pillow man)
My purse (with celly, bible, pens and paper, etc.)
As many books as I could!
Some of my special cooking things

To join in the fun and learn more go to Mommy Sweet Mom.

Things In My House Thursday

2008-07-30T18:27:00.009-05:00

My version of "Things in my House" is some 'things in my room'. My first 'thing' is my violin. I took violin lessons when I was four.

The violin is very tiny, it looks like a little toy. It may not look that tiny in the picture but it really is. Of course, it was just the right size for me!

Perspective:

And, by the way, my hair wasn't naturally curly like Charlotte's; mine was the work of millions of pink sponge rollers.

Go to my mom's blog and participate in "Things In My House" with me. It's fun.

Blogging Break

2008-07-27T21:03:00.004-05:00

I couldn't let the non-posting reach two weeks. I HAD to post. Here's just a little update on what I've been doing.

THE reading classes. Just one more!
My friend, Sarah, spent the night; we played WII and crafted.
Charlotte came over. Times four.
I wear my retainers just at night now!
Ate our way through Costco, and discovered some awesome burritos.
Went to a splash park with Charlotte; she didn't like it.
Been sewing a baby doll quilt for Charlotte's birthday.
Went with my friend Maureen to Incredible Pizza for the first time

WPM

2008-07-15T20:01:00.004-05:00

Every Saturday, Christopher and I go to a reading class. For TWO AND 1/2 HOURS! We don't really like it, but we have to go.

It's not that we don't know how to read, or something like that. This class is helping us read faster, have better comprehension, and learn note taking and study skills.

I am reading Banner in the Sky and Christopher is reading Lord of the Rings (book 1). I'd never heard of my book before, and I probably wouldn't have chosen it, but it's a pretty good book so far.

We read some in the class, but we also have homework.

One thing the teachers have taught us is to use long smooth underlining when we read. Long smooth underlining is where you extend all of your fingers on your dominant hand and underline the sentence, and move down the page in a zigzag pattern. (It's easier to understand if you see it). You are basically using your fingers to guide your eyes.

Eye doctors have done studies that show your eyes jump all over the page; they don't focus. Your fingers are a guide for your eyes. You aren't supposed to use only one finger though, because it is to "small" for focusing. I don't really like using the technique, but it does help me read faster. (The teachers say we will get used to it).

The first time I timed myself to figure out my WPM (words per minute) it was 276. The second time I timed myself I used long smooth underlining and my WPM was 405. My fastest speed to date is 432 WPM.

To conduct a timing of your reading:

Choose a full line of text (from left margin to right margin), and count each letter, space, and punctuation mark on that line. This gives you the number of characters. Divide the number of characters by 6 and round to the nearest whole number (you don't want a remainder); this is the average words per line. Once you know the average words per line, time yourself for one minute. Then count the number of lines you read and multiply that by the average words per line. VOILA! Your WPM!

Leave a comment and tell me what it was. : )

2008-07-11T17:26:00.004-05:00

This is a game I saw on Elana's blog:

Type your answer to each of the questions below into the Flickr search box.
Using only the first page choose an image
Copy and paste each of the images URL's into Big Huge Labs Mosaic Maker

The questions:

What is your first name? Mary
What is your favorite food? Mandarin Oranges
What high school did you go to? Homeschool
What is your favorite color? Orange
Favorite drink? Vernor's Gingerale
Dream vacation? Florida
Favorite dessert? Ice Cream
Favorite Singer? I don't know
What you want to be when you grow up? Baker
What do you love most in life? Jesus
One Word to describe you: Small
Your flickr name: marymary (I don't have one but if I did that would be it)

2008-07-07T15:04:00.004-05:00

The ROOMBA has a schedule. Everyday it starts vacuuming at 10 o'clock.

A little over a week ago, we didn't want the ROOMBA to go off because Charlotte was coming over and she doesn't like it. None of us knew how to stop the ROOMBA from starting except to set the timer to something before 10 o'clock (it was almost ten) that way it wouldn't go off. I wasn't really paying attention to what I was setting the timer to.

A week later, Mom and Dad were happy to be the only ones to hear the ROOMBA go off at 4 a.m. Yep, I accidently set the timer to 4 a.m.

I suppose if we need to stop it from going off again I'll set it to a more decent time. :)

2008-07-04T21:39:00.002-05:00

Happy 4th of July!

Prestyn Alexander - Happy Birthday!

2008-07-01T21:29:00.008-05:00

Today, my cousin Josh's baby was born. His name is Prestyn Alexander, he was born at 4:50 a.m., weighs 6 lbs. 8 oz. and is 20 inches long.

Josh, Constance, and Prestyn

Jessica showing Josh how to swaddle Prestyn

He has a lot of hair (for a newborn)

He's a cute little baby. Never would open his eyes for us though.

What I'm Baking

2008-06-30T20:27:00.011-05:00

On Sundays after church our family eats lunch together. Me, Mom, Christopher, Dad (if he's not working), Jessica, Matt, Charlotte, and Danny. Sometimes we go to a restaurant, sometimes we go to our house or Jessica's, with either pizza or chinese or having a meal from the crockpot or such; whatever Jessica and Mom have decided the night before.

Whenever someone's birthday is coming up, we have Birthday Sunday. That means the Sunday before their birthday we all go out to eat where they want to go, and give them their presents. My dad's birthday is coming up next, July 4th (special, eh?).

Now, my dad is a firefighter. That means somedays he is gone the whole day. So, on his b-day Sunday, he was at the fire station. He is also at the fire station the next two Sunday's after that AND he is there on his actual birthday. Wonderful.

Mom decided we would have the Sunday Group over on Thursday night (plus Uncle Reb and Aunt Carolyn), the day before his b-day. Which means I have some baking to do!

For Thursday night we are getting a chocolate cake from Costco (very delicious) and I am making Red, White and Blueberry Squares. On Friday, when we go up to the fire station, we have to bring a lot of dessert. You see, at the fire station, it's all men (maybe one girl, MAYBE). Because it's all men, there are lots of big bellies to feed. So for Friday I am baking chocolate chip cookies, banana pudding squares, and we are getting cupcakes from Costco (oh, how we love Costco).

Well, that's what's going on. I am glad I get to bake some goodness. Firefighters love my goodness.

Flowers

2008-06-26T14:55:00.004-05:00

Here are some pictures of the flowers that we have in our yards (front and back).

I love it when are lilies start blooming.

This is actually a $5 bouqet from Kroger. So far it has stayed "fresh" for nine days.

hehehe. . .

2008-06-22T20:38:00.004-05:00

Whoa, it's been over a week.

Well, here I am again, miss me?

I haven't actually been busy, I've just been a deadbeat. I helped in Jessica and Matt's garage sale, made some coin. It's a good thing I made money considering I had to wake up at 5 a.m. There were things we thought would sell well that didn't, and vice versa. We had A LOT of clothes and books. Overall, the sale went well and everything that was left went to Goodwill.

Tagged, again

2008-06-14T16:25:00.003-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been helping with a garage sale but, I'll post about that soon. :)

I've been tagged by Caroline!

The rules:

1) Answer all the questions honestly

2) Tag at least three people.

When was the most recent time you were burned?
About 3 years ago I stuck my hand under an instant hot faucet. My hand hurt SOOO bad.

Can you cook? Yes

If yes, name your specialties (three max.)
Poppyseed Chicken, Scrambled Eggs, Mac 'n' Cheese

If yes, do you like to cook? Yes, a lot

If no, do you want to be able to cook?
N/A

What color is your kitchen?
Mostly white and blue, with splashes of red.

Do you bake?
Yes

If yes, specialties (max 3)
Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brownies, Icebox Cookies

If yes, do you like to bake?
Yes

If no, do you want to bake?

What color is your apron?
Well, I have a yellow one (Williams Sonoma), and the apple apron I made.

I tag:

Jessica
Mom
Elana

Chick-fil-A

2008-06-10T18:45:00.004-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Last week was VBS (vacation bible school). I was a youth worker and a clown so it was pretty hectic. I had a lot of fun helping though.

Since I helped in VBS, I got a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A sandwich. I also got a gift card to Bath and Body Works from the director of the VBS class. I have no idea what I'm going to buy; there is so much good stuff to choose from.

Saturday, Mom and I went to Chick-fil-A and I used my coupon. Now what I am going to tell is the reason for this post:

It was my first chicken sandwich ever!!

I had always gotten the kid's meal with nuggets but because I had the coupon I tried the sandwich. I liked it. . . a lot. It is definitely what I am going to order from now on.

It's so much better. . .

2008-05-30T21:00:00.013-05:00

Molly and Jack have to sleep in kennels at night. Molly is actually the only one that needs to be in a kennel, but Jack likes to get in his kennel. Because I'm the one that takes care of the dogs, the kennels are in my room.

Before Jessica, Mom, and I redid my room (I might post about that later), I had a window seat by the . . . window. You could lift up the top and store things in there, but I had to put things I didn't need regularly in there because I had some OLD computer sitting on top of it. When we redid my room, we got rid of the old computer and stored the window seat elsewhere. Then we put the kennels in the little window niche (they'd been on the other side of the room. Jessica said we should turn the window seat into a "kennel". We all thought it was a good idea, and Dad can create / build / do just about anything, but he isn't good at getting projects started. And, if he starts them, he might not finish them. . .

It's been almost a year since we finished my room, and something made me remember the window seat. I thought about how nice it would be if it were in place of the kennels. I decided to call Dad and ask him about it. He said we would do it soon, maybe even start on it later that day! Mom was doubtful, and told me not to get my hopes up. . . I however, was not doubtful, and brought it up again, later that day. Amazingly, Dad said we could plan on how we were going to do it, right then, that very moment!

Christopher and Dad carried the window seat outside into the garage and we figured out where the doorways would be and what they would look like. They cut the doorways, put a divider in the middle of the window seat, and cut a few small holes for ventilation. AWESOME!!

One problem though, we couldn't figure how to make the doors, at least not with whatever materials we had on hand or the limited time we had left to work that night. The doors can't be just solid wood, it would get too stuffy. Mom and I thought a blanket over the doorway for right now would be fine, because the dogs would stay inside out of habit. Sadly, no, Molly got out and had an accident in my room: not fun.

Now our temporary solution is to use "Christopher's" newly acquired doggie baby gate (borrowed from Jessica). It fits perfectly in front of the window seat / kennel palace - the dogs can't go anywhere.

He has never been able to tolerate the dogs wandering into his room, so he used empty Avon boxes for the longest time as a 'dog barrier'. Finally, Jessica offered up one of her many baby gates and it's much better. We threw out the boxes.

*** One night after Christopher had gone to bed, and I'd had a particularly large Avon delivery (well, not just one), I did this: - - but it's another story : ) ***

Now we'll either need another baby gate or we'll share the one we have: I use it at night and he can use it during the day.

If anyone has a suggestion for the doors, I'm open. We don't need anything to complicated, just something simple. Share your ideas!

YES!!

2008-05-26T19:36:00.012-05:00

I did it, I finally did it. I learned how to ride a bike.

Christopher had been "nagging" me to learn how to ride a bike. My excuse was, " What bike can I use?". Well, it turns out, we still had Christopher's old bike in the attic, which just so happened to be the perfect size for me. We used our neighbor's flat driveway to get started on (our driveway is a steep hill).

First, Christopher had to show me how to get ON the bike. Luckily, I learned that pretty quickly. Then, I sat up there and pretended to do something while he pulled me forward (he did this a few times).

But then, came the worst part, he had this CRAZY idea that he would just get me moving and then he would LET GO. Well, he let go and I actually didn't fall, I was able to keep going until the end of the driveway. After a little more of that, I moved on to the end of my cove (it isn't a busy street).

It took me a while to get used to using the brake instead of practically jumping off the bike and it also took me a while to turn without falling. But, I'm very happy I now know how to ride a bike, it might come in handy someday. :)

Wedding Anniversary

2008-05-22T09:57:00.004-05:00

Today is Jessica and Matt's

9th wedding anniversary!

That little tiny girl on the right is me.

Skirts

2008-05-20T16:05:00.004-05:00

A while ago Mom had gotten this book called Sew What! Skirts. It tells you how to sew skirts without buying a pattern. Instead you make your own custom pattern. The book made it really easy.

So far I have made two skirts. They were simple and they didn't take long at all. The book tells you how to make different styles but I just made a plain skirt with an elastic waist. My skirts are really cute and I like them a lot.

EEP!

2008-05-18T17:48:00.004-05:00

Today we had clowns, or so I thought.

We always get a clown calender so that we know when things are scheduled; the calendar said we had clowns today. (We are either performing or practicing).

When I got to the room where we always meet, nobody was there. A few minutes later one other girl, Samantha, came. We kept wondering why we were the only two there, until another clown member walked by and saw us. She said we had had a meeting yesterday but we didn't have one today. Neither Samantha or I knew about the clown event on Saturday, so we didn't get the message that today's practice was canceled.

I had forgotten my phone, and I borrowed Samantha's phone to call Mom, but her phone was still on vibrate mode for the church service, so of course she didn't hear it.

I went downstairs to the doors where we always leave, but Mom and Christopher had had to leave a little early (to pick up Jessica and Charlotte - no car) so I missed them.

I was looking around for anybody I knew. I saw the lady my Mom teaches Sunday School with, Amy, and I told her what had happened. She tried calling my Mom, but she still didn't answer (she'd forgotten to turn up the ringer). Amy offered to just drive me home. She's nice like that!

They have a sort-of small car and three kids, but were still able to fit me in. On the way to my house, their youngest daughter (Charlotte's age), Addison, talked almost the whole time. She is really good at talking. When I was telling them where to turn I said it was a little past Super Target. After I said that, Amy asked Addison what was on her shirt. Addison looked at it and said "Super Target". Addison was very funny.

There was an 'up' side to this 'ordeal'; when I walked through the garage door into the house, everybody just stared at me like I was some alien! The looks on their faces were priceless!

My Sister's Blog

2008-05-14T23:02:00.003-05:00

Jessica lives with her:

but says she never has anything to post about.

We know Charlotte, so WE KNOW BETTER.

Maybe she doesn't post, because she lives with her??

Oh dear

2008-05-13T20:51:00.009-05:00

It is starting to get hot around here. It's about time considering there has been big, black balls of fur EVERYWHERE. Yep, the dogs have been shedding like nobody's business. The shedding was ended today though. Because, well, the dogs pretty much got a buzz cut.

Now let me explain: Molly-looks better, cuter / Jack-WAAAHHHH *sniff*

Ask not about Molly's tail

Before

After

He's still my baby

Before

After

What I'm Reading

2008-05-12T18:43:00.005-05:00

I have recently finished reading Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen). I watched the movie first and then read the book. I like books that were set in the "past" (1800s,1700s).

Now, I am reading Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte). It is also from the 1800s. Mom told me to read Jane Eyre. I really like the Jane Eyre version I'm reading right now because it has footnotes.

I am enjoying these "classic" books. Other books you should read are: Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon (L.M. Montgomery).

2008-05-11T01:00:00.000-05:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

There's no place like home

2008-05-09T20:16:00.008-05:00

We're back from Chickasaw State Park! The cabins were nice. We will just know to bring some of our own things if we go again - like specific pots or pans for baking, etc. We could walk to Aunt Nancy's and Uncle Mark's "campsite" from our cabin. The park had some nice trails but, after the first day I decided not to go on any more trails, because Mom and I both got a tick on us.

It was really fun to be there when it wasn't crowded, but we want to go some time when we can ride the horses and rent the paddle boats. We went into Henderson, Jackson, and Boliver. It was weird to be in Jackson because we were so close to home. It was very fun and I hope we can go back sometime when everything is open.

Our cabin

We did four puzzles while we were there

This puzzle had an extra piece!

Having a fire was cool. We had one almost every night.

Every morning he would come by for food. . .

then he started bringing his buddie

Clovis, Uncle Mark's dog

Happy Birthday!

2008-05-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Caroline!!!

Farewell. . .

2008-05-05T09:53:00.003-05:00

We're leaving today to go to a state park. We are going to stay in a cabin. My Uncle Mark and Aunt Nancy will camp, but Mom and I are definitely going to stay in the cabin. I have gone camping before, I just don't want to do that this time. Christopher might camp though. We will be gone until Friday. I might be able to blog while I'm there, but I don't know.

I'll miss y'all!

Tag, you're it!

2008-05-02T18:58:00.007-05:00

I've been tagged! I have to tell you six unknown things about me. They are just going to be some random things.

1. I hate butter. I don't know why. I can't even stand the smell of it when it has been melted. It's just so nasty to me. Everything about butter is gross.

2. My favorite candy is Ferrero Rocher.

3. My first memory is: When I hid in the cabinet under the sink. Everybody was screaming for me and looking everywhere. I just sat under there ignoring them. Eventually Aunt Patsy found me.

4. I like Flax 'n Oats instant oatmeal.

5. I don't know how to swim. I guess it would probably be a good idea to learn how. I also don't know how to ride a bike.

6. I love Lost. It is all Jessica's fault.

I tag:

Caroline

Elana

Jessica R.

Whoever I tagged has to do the same as me.

The Zoo!

2008-05-01T18:53:00.006-05:00

Today we went to the Zoo with Charlotte, Jessica, and (uncle) Danny. It was really crowded but we were able to kind of stay away from the crowds. To make up for it being so crowded, the weather was very nice. Charlotte had a lot of fun, but, I think Danny liked it the most.

These are all the animals Charlotte saw today:

If you want to see more Zoo pictures go here and here

Hammacher Schlemmer

2008-04-30T10:31:00.006-05:00

Sometimes in the mail we get a catalog called Hammacher Schlemmer. They sell really expensive stuff. They have some really cool things, but, like I said, expensive. The most expensive thing I could find in the catalog is $11,999.95. What cost that much you say? Why, an aquatic climbing wal l of course! You have to have some money to spend if you want to get something from this catalog.

My favorite thing in the catalog is a. . . cooler. You weren't expecting that were you? This isn't just any cooler, you ride this cooler. The handling and speed is similar to a golf cart's. The cooler can go up to 14 M.P.H. It can support up to 300 pounds. Of course, it's $499.95, so, we won't be getting this baby anytime soon. Oh, wait, we won't EVER be getting this, but that doesn't make it any less awesome.

Happy Birthday!

2008-04-29T21:32:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE DAVID!!!

I'm not telling you anything. . .

2008-04-28T22:28:00.009-05:00

A short while back, Sourpatch, gave some rules of blogging. She said to post everyday and post about anything. I feel like I need to post about something specific, not just how my day was. That's why I'm NOT telling you about my day. That's not how I roll.

What Christopher, Cutie Blanco, CharChar, and I did today, well, that's between me and my peeps.

I won't tell you that we go to Spanish class every Monday to Senor Lucio "Cutie" Blanco's house (his middle name is not cutie, he just happens to be quite old and Mom and Jessica think that makes him cute). I won't tell you that the last two weeks Mom let Christopher drive us in the Jimmy (a kind of car) but that she went today because the Jimmy stalls and dies at a dangerous curve on the route there. I won't tell you that she bought me a jar of yummy peaches while she was at Schnuck's during our class, and that more than half of the jar is gone already.

I won't tell you that I went to the Babbs and watched Charlotte so Matt could cut the yard while Jessica and Mom were at the longest VBS meeting e v e r . I won't tell you Charlotte knows who Bob is from veggie tales and whenever she saw him she would shout "BOB"!!

I won't tell you that Mom and I still had to go to Kroger afterwards, and that maybe because it was late and we needed to get home, that we had some level of difficulty finding green chilies, stewed tomatoes, and ricotta cheese. We had no trouble finding ice cream, mind you, - something NOT on the list.

I won't mention how the bagger chick (we won't just blame her, every bag person does it), as apparently required by law, filled our cloth bags accordingly by the rule of "everything heavy goes in one bag, and toilet paper and bread each get their own.....". Thank goodness Christopher came out to the car and brought the groceries in.

Of course, you won't know any of this because I'm not telling you.

Winners

2008-04-26T16:44:00.004-05:00

Here they are:

The winner of the crab salt and pepper shakers, and the matching dishtowel is:

Melonkelli

and

The winner of the plates is:

Shannon

(a reforming mom)

Congratulations to both of you!

I thank everyone for entering my contests; I have had a lot of fun reading your comments about eating weird things and shopping. I hope all of you have enjoyed my blog and that some of you will stick around. The bloggy giveaway was very fun.

Remember, the next one is in July!

Sewing and Bowling

2008-04-23T17:36:00.008-05:00

This sewing was our first "open" class. We got to bring any project we wanted to do. I am working on another clown outfit. In the open class there are three other girls. Jessica and I only met two of them because the other girl is in Florida. Jessica is working on a red with white polka-dots dress, Rebecca is working on a orange seersucker shirt for her little sister, and Katie finished a cute green halter dress she had been working on.

At bowling we had our end-of-the-season party. We got to bowl for free and they gave us pizza. Also, we got tickets to enter to win a bowling ball. Everybody won a prize; they had a big table of miscellaneous (but good) stuff to pick from. I got a $20 giftcard to Target (see what I mean by good?). Christopher got a $20 giftcard to Starbucks; he wouldn't normally have gotten that, but, by the time his ticket was called most of the stuff he might have chosen was gone, and he knew Mom would be very happy to get it. After all the prizes were passed out, they awarded trophies. Sarah and I won first place!! We have very nice trophies!

If that wasn't all good enough, Sarah gave me a cross-stitched clown that she's been working on for me. It is very cool. I really like it because it is pretty big. So, this was a great celebration and I enjoyed the party, but I wish bowling wasn't over.

Word Up: Ubiquitous
to be present in many places at once

ANOTHER BLOGGY GIVEAWAY!!

2008-04-23T07:48:00.000-05:00

I am doing another giveaway! You are entering for:

A set of four

Monkey Dinner Plates!

These super super super cute dishes are melamine (plastic), dishwasher safe, and they MATCH the items in my other giveaway!

To enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post (one per person) saying what your favorite store is.

2. I must have a way to contact you.

3. I am paying for shipping so, U.S. residents only.

4. You do not have to be a blogger to enter.

5. I will pick a winner April 26th, 12:00 p.m.

If you want to enter more giveaways or create your own: go here, if you want to see my other giveaway: go here.

HAVE FUN!!! :D

2008-04-22T15:50:00.009-05:00

Today I went to the orthodontist to get my retainers. They are clear retainers. They are much better than my other ones. The other ones made me talk funny because the top one was really thick. My teeth hurt a little right now because the retainers are kind of tight, but they'll get better soon.

After the orthodontist, Mom and I went to Mrs. Billie's (old piano teacher) house to drop off an Avon order. We talked with her for a little while but then they had to leave.

A little after we got home Jessica came over with Charlotte and Holden. Holden is a baby Jessica takes care of some days during the week. He's a big boy for being only 5 months. While Holden was napping Charlotte watched some Veggie Tales.

***Tomorrow: Another Bloggy Giveaway!***

Fancy retainers

Holden

Word of the Day:

Akimbo

With the hands on the hips and the elbows bent outward.

(Otherwise known as: hands on the hips)

BLOGGY GIVEAWAY!!

2008-04-20T22:19:00.012-05:00

It's time for Bloggy Giveaways!!!!

Welcome to Bloggy Giveaways, this is my second time to do it. I am giving away:

Super Cute,

Brand new
crab salt and pepper shakers

and a coordinating monkey beach scene dishtowel

All you have to do to enter is the following:

1. Leave a comment on this post (one per person). Make sure you say what the weirdest food is that you have ever tried.
2. I must have a way to contact you.
3. I am paying for shipping so, U.S. residents only.
4. You do not have to be a blogger to enter.
5. I will pick a winner April 26th at 12:00 p.m.

All right, have fun! If you want to enter more giveaways or start your own go here.

Goodies from the Neighbors

2008-04-18T08:39:00.008-05:00

Yesterday, Dad and Christopher went to a neighbor's house to pick up a sewing machine. I was wondering why they both had to go get. I asked Mom if it was just a normal machine. Mom said no, and than she started laughing (which is usually bad). Dad told me to come look at it (it was in our neighbors garage, the garage door was open, and they live right across the street), so I just looked out our front door and, there it was. It wasn't just a sewing machine, it was the whole shebang (you'll see in the pictures). After they brought it over I immediately started checking to see if it worked; it did. It even came with all these different foots like, a buttonhole foot, hemmer foot, zipper foot, and a darning foot. I really want to learn how to use this sewing machine. I love all the drawers and storage, even though it's really big in my little room.

Wandom Wednesday

2008-04-16T21:35:00.004-05:00

Hymen Lipman is the first person credited with the combination of pencil and eraser. This happened March 30, 1858.

Lipman's invention took place of about one-third of the pencil.
To "expose" the eraser, you had to sharpen the rubber end.
Lipman said being able to sharpen the eraser made it more useful for erasing lines near other lines.
Before India invented the rubber eraser, people used rolled up pieces of white bread.
An English engineer, Edward Naime, invented the eraser in 1770.
Because rubber would rot over time, Charles Goodyear's invention of vulcanization in 1839 made the rubber stay preserved.
Modern erasers are either made with a vulcanized combination of rubber and pumice, or with pumice and vinyl, which does not need vulcanization.

The Big Day

2008-04-15T21:48:00.004-05:00

The day started early - at the orthodontist's office! I got these off:

It took about an hour and 1/2; the braces removal was pretty quick, but it took a while to make molds and such for my retainers. I will get them in a week and I will have to wear them all day for a few months (except when eating, brushing, swimming).

After leaving the orthodonist's, Mom and I took an AVON order to my old piano teacher. We chatted with Ms. Billie for a few minutes,then as we were getting ready to leave, she asked about some lip liner. So, I got another AVON order. Something ridiculous, AVON didn't send me the next campaign of AVON catalogues! Mom had to call ; they were sent but the UPS guy just didn't bring them with our other boxes.

Next, we had to go to the grocery store to get some strawberries for chocolate covered strawberries. I also, of course, HAD to get some gum.

As soon as we got home, I had to start baking for Matt's "Party". I made peanut butter kiss cookies (good, you just had to take small bites, VERY peanut-buttery), then I made chocolate cake with white chocolate chips (people either love it or think it's just ok), and then I made the chocolate and white chocolate covered strawberries (delicious).

Soon after finishing cooking we had to leave to go to Susan's. The food there was VERY good (I will be asking for a certain recipe). A while after eating we decided to play a game, we decided on Cranium Pop 5. Cranium's games are really fun. Something that was not fun: If the other team was trying to guess something, and anybody else tried to speak, well, here's what would happen:

SHHHHHHH. . .

Who would do this you ask: MOTHER! You would just decide to say something but would be immediatly SHHHHHHHed. But then Jessica (B) and I started doing it to her, and, she promptly started laughing and it was a long while before she stopped. We had to leave soon after that. Jessica (R) came home with us we helped her put songs on her Ipod. So currently, while I write this post, she eats some cake.

Today was fun, I am rather happy to have my braces off, my desserts were good, and now, Jessica has music on her Ipod.

Tommorow: SEWING!

Herbie!

2008-04-14T21:22:00.004-05:00

Whenever Mom and I are in the car we play the "herbie game". If you see a herbie you "call" it. Whoever gets it first gets however many points it's worth.

Normal herbie: 1 point
Convertible: 2 points - Top down: 3 points
Old herbie: 2 points - Old convertible: 3 points - Top down: 5 points
Three of the same color in a row: 6 points

Now if they just had something special about them, say, they were covered in bumper stickers, they would be extra.

This game is especially fun when you are traveling. Of course, another fun thing to do is to make the trucks (18 wheelers) honk, but, I'll tell you about that some other time. :)

Fashion Fiesta!

2008-04-13T20:02:00.006-05:00

BigMama is hosting this Fashion Fiesta where we post about our clothes!

One of my new shirts for this summer is from Justice. I wear it with black footless tights and flats.

This is a jumper / dress from Walmart.

I'll wear it with a brown t-shirt or camisole underneath.

This is just a casual top and shorts outfit from Target.

If I got to get any clothes I wanted, I'd like to buy them from Justice, Boden, or Target.

It's been fun looking at the things other people have in their closet.

Clowns and a Movie

2008-04-12T16:27:00.001-05:00

Today I had a clown block party with our church. We had to be at the church at 7:45a.m. Everyone was still sleepy when we met. (It's Saturday, ya know!)

We face-painted about 650 things on people. It was so windy and cold. It was pretty hard to paint the faces; everything was blowing everywhere. Three clowns actually had their wigs blown off!

Once it was over, the bus took us back to the church - via McDonald's ( I didn't eat there!). My friend Katie came home with us. When we got home I gave her a little tour of our house (because it's a little house), and then we started taking off our clown makeup. She really liked my house.

We didn't have much time to hang out at home because we were going to a movie.

We went to see Nim's Island. It wasn't as good as we thought it would be, but I was glad Katie and I got together. I hope we get together again sometime soon.

In the Kitchen

2008-04-11T22:07:00.004-05:00

Here are some food items from our pantry that I like:

Annie's CinnaBunnies

Annie's Cheddar Bunnies

Late July Crackers

Nature's Path Instant Flax 'n Oats Oatmeal

Newman's O's (oreos)

Jell-o White Chocolate Pudding

Kirkland's Peanut Butter

Everything on that list is good, organic (except the pudding) food.

These are some things in our pantry that I don't like:

Collard greens, turnip greens, and spinach

Cod Liver Oil

Olives

Apple Cider Vinegar

Virgin Coconut Oil

Fancy Feast Medley's cat food

Sardines

Salmon in a can

I'm kidding about the Fancy Feast. I have never had Fancy Feast.

My ending note, we also have goat's milk, I'm sorry.

Does this make you happier?

Happy Birthday

2008-04-11T21:51:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN!!

I didn't make this but if I could, I would have made it for Susan.

Sewing, Bowling, and Charlotting

2008-04-10T20:14:00.006-05:00

This is my review of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Tuesday:

I met Jessica (R) at Bellevue because I was going to spend the night. When I was at her house, Susan opened her birthday present from us. It was a little flashlight/toolkit case from Avon. Susan liked it a lot but the flashlight on the front didn't work, so we will have to return it and order a new one. (We also bought her some colorful flowers).

Jessica and I made pillows using her sewing machine. Mine is a long body pillow and hers is a heart. They both turned out nicely.

Wednesday:

Jessica and I woke up early to go to sewing class. When we got there we finished our pajama shirts pretty quickly, and started our aprons. After sewing we went our separate ways to bowling. First I went home so I could eat some lunch. I have just recently started riding to bowling with Christopher. I did pretty well in all my bowling games.

Thursday:

We had Charlotte today. She got to go outside for a little while. She was getting really dirty though so, finally, she agreed to come in because I said she could wash her hands and watch some Veggie Tales. I had decided to get rid of my Polly Pockets since I never played with them and they were taking up a whole cabinet. They were in a big box on the floor so, naturally, Charlotte started going through it. She really liked them, and even though she is too young right now to play with them, we sent them home for Jessica and Matt to give to her later.

Soon after she left we had Poppyseed Chicken for dinner. Then Mom and I went to Target for a few things we needed. Once we got home I called Katie (church / clown friend); and then Mom, Christopher, and I watched American Idol.

The last few days have been pretty full. I enjoyed everything that went on these last few days, but I am glad there is nothing on the calender tomorrow. It leaves tomorrow, a day with nothing going on, to find something good to blog about.

My matching pajama cow shirt to go with the pajama pants; a whole "outfit" finished!

Wandom Wednesday

2008-04-09T21:51:00.003-05:00

Here is a list of some phobias and their "fears":

Acrophobia- heights

Agoraphobia- crowds, public places or open areas

Ailurophobia- cats

Anglophobia- England or anything English

Arachnophobia- spiders

Aviophobia- airplanes

Brontophobia- thunderstorms

Claustrophobia- closed or small spaces

Thalassophobia- the sea

Triskadekaphobia- the number 13

Xylophobia- wooden objects or forests

2008-04-07T21:20:00.009-05:00

She loves being outside.

I had to go feed the neighbor's cat, she couldn't come.

Opening the mail

Ooooohh. . .

2008-04-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

Favorite Bible Story

2008-04-04T22:08:00.006-05:00

I am going to tell you what my favorite Bible story is. My favorite is Elijah on Mount Carmel. I like it because it proves that as long as you trust and believe in God you can do anything. The prophets of Baal never succeeded in lighting the offering, while Elijah got it on his first try.

Elijah on Mount Carmel

1 Kings 18: 16-45 16
So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?"

18 "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."

20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21
But the people said nothing. Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."

22 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God."
Then all the people said, "What you say is good."

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it.
Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs ^[a] of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood."

34 "Do it again," he said, and they did it again.
"Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!"

40 Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." 42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

43 "Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked.
"There is nothing there," he said.
Seven times Elijah said, "Go back."

44 The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea."
So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.' "

45 Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. 46 The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

This has been my favorite Bible story for as long as I can remember. If you have a favorite, please leave a comment and tell what it is.

Statue of Elijah near Mount Carmel in Israel