Math Homework=AWFUL!

Hi! Another post from Lizzy. My mom is still drowning in work. Today I am doing a protest against math homework. It's awful, horrible. Now that Oliver Rain is drowning in work, I come to save her, and guess what I start drowning to! Do YOU like math homework? 


This is what I had to do. It may not look like much, but guess what!? There is 45 questions and if you do it right it takes about 45 minutes to do it.

This is one page. There is about 30 questions on it. That took a while. Wow that is a lot of questions!!
And this is the last page. There is only 15 questions on this one. Still a lot! I finally finished my homework. Bye fellow bloggers! Hopefully Oliver Rain is back to her non-drowning self tomorrow. Bye!!!

Glub glub

This past few days I've felt like I'm literally drowning in work. I'm heading into the 3rd of 6 night shifts, so I spent most of the day trying to sleep...more like trying to shut off my brain so I can feel more rested tonight. I lay down and I start thinking about school work. Then I try not to think about school work, so I think about craft work. And my mind just reels from there. My creativity level seems to be peaking with my work load. I've gone tons of amazing ideas but little time to do anything about them. So, then I try to stop creating in my head, and think about calming things, like clouds and beaches...and then I start thinking about our upcoming Disney holiday and what needs to happen there. Sigh.

Therefore, in an attempt to get my workload under control, I've decided to turn my blog over to a guest blogger for a couple of days. I hope you enjoy a little visit from my 10 year old daughter, Lizzie!

Hi! I'm Lizzy.I think that my mom spells it different, but oh well. Well, I had a school project today and I had to make something out of plasticine. We have a reading program in my Grade 5 that we have to choose a book, read it, and do a little essay thing. This month it was "How To" books. When we have books like that, we have to show work and do that project. I picked "Playing With Plasticine". So, I had to make something out of plasticine. I chose to make two dogs. This is "Scamp".  

I also made another dog. Which one of them do YOU like best?I don't know which one I like best. I like both of them alot. This one is Spotty. Oh! I hear my mom calling, time for bed! Bye.  

Sharing a little 'cozy' all around

I had a few requests for the crocheted coffee cozy so here it is. I adapted the pattern from one published in Crochet Today a few years ago. I'm too lazy to go downstairs to unearth the magazine, but if you really want to know the date I can let you know.

1 ball bulky gauge wool ( I used Knitpicks Wool of the Andes)

5.0mm & 6.0mm crochet hooks

Using smaller hook, make a chain of 30 and join. Chain 1 and SC in each stitch in the round. Keep going in a spiral (meaning don't join to first SC with a slipstitch), continuing for 7 rounds. Switch to larger hook and continue with SC for 3 more rounds. For top edging: Slipstitch into SC, chain 1, slipstitch into next SC, chain 1, continue until you've gone all around the top edge. Fasten off.

Attach wool to bottom edge. Will smaller hook, crochet the slipstitch, chain 1 edging as above. Fasten off and weave loose ends into body of cozy. 

Voila! An easy-peasy way to keep your java warm and your palms, burn free. Or I guess you could also use one of those reusable travel mugs.

Just fooling around

Lizzie needed a picture of the WHOLE family for a school project. Thank goodness for Photobooth. Isn't my family adorable?

Muffins

I've joined another swap. Saucy is hosting a Zombie Jar Swap and I'm so excited to be taking part. I found a fun jar yesterday and my brain is absolutely spinning with ideas. The great REVEAL will take place on October 25th.

I had a couple of requests for the recipe for the muffins I posted a while back. Here it is...

Cranberry Oat Muffins

Makes 12

3/4 cup rolled oats

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour, divided

1 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

2 tsp grated lemon zest

2/3 cup milk

1 egg, beaten

Topping:

2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 400F.

In food processor, process oats until very fine. Combine oats, flour (except 2 tbsp), sugar, baking powder & salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Toss cranberries with reserved flour; stir in flour mixture.

Combine lemon zest, milk & egg; mix thoroughly. Add to dry ingredients, stirring until just slightly moistened; do not over mix. Spoon into lightly grease muffin cups.

Topping: Combine cinnamon & sugar; sprinkle over muffins.

Bake in preheated oven 20 to 24 minutes.

Adapted from Dieticians of Canada Cook Great Food.

Oh

Hello there, fall. 

Didn't you know that you are not scheduled to 

come until September 22, 2008?

I slept most of the day yesterday due to a shift the night before. 

Apparently fall arrived while I slept.

It's getting COZY around here

When we were on holidays in Coeur d'Alene this summer, I stopped in at a local coffee house to get my caffeine fix. Mmmmm, Americano. I got more than a coffee that day, I came out with an IDEA.

At the cash register, they had set out a fishbowl full of coffee cozies. Many places have adopted the use of a cardboard sleeve to protect the hands of coffee drinkers. This place had these cardboard ones, but their fishbowl was full of crocheted ones for sale as well..for a whopping $5 each. I thought it was a great idea so I approached the owner of Favourite Corner #6 to see if she would be interested. We decided that she would give them away as Christmas gifts to her regular customers. I'm going to make them and sell them to her for a very modest project (she insisted). I'm so excited. I feel a bit 'entrepreneurish'. Of course Javier points out that I would actually have to make money to be a true businesswomen, but I'm excited about the whole venture.

Today all the yarn arrived in these glorious colours of green, red, blue, and purple. I could have jumped in the box and rolled around it in like a cat. 

This is my prototype, pulled into service to protect my hands when I drank my coffee today. Like?

A very Saucy package

I dragged my sleep-deprived self downstairs this afternoon and found the most delightful package waiting for me at the front door.

No, I haven't started smoking cigars.

It was a little package from my dear friend Saucy filled with treasures.  It was so lovely that I hesitated to disturb the contents to find the necklace at the bottom of the box. 

And behold this beautiful necklace. It's perfect and I can't wait to wear it. I've let Dorothy borrow it for a few days.

The necklace was one of many items in an online auction hosted by Today's Creative Blog. The auction is part of the fundraising efforts for Stephanie & Christian Nielsen, the couple injured in the plane crash, whose story has inspired so much goodness in the blogging community. Stephanie's sister, Courtney is keeping us updated on their progress.

Happy/sad

Today I am...

Happy - it's warm enough to wear flip flops and a dress

Sad - we have to have a duvet on the bed because it gets chilly at night

Happy - the fall colours are starting to develop and it looks so pretty

Sad - the cooler temperatures last week killed off my flowers

Happy - new scrubs to wear for my shift tonight

Sad - I have to work a shift tonight (overnight!)

But mostly just HAPPY because I have a great life.

Neglect

Dear House,

I'm so sorry I've neglected you. I apologize for sitting in the living room, eating ice cream, watching tv, and doing embroidery, instead of tidying up the kitchen table. I promise to find a little basket to store Lizzie's craft supplies, so we can eat at the table like a normal family. Are you listening, house?

I did do the dishes after dinner. Aren't you proud of me, house? I'm just sorry I didn't have the energy to deal with the debris that appeared after I already drained the sink and loaded the dishwasher. How does this happen? 

My promise to you today, house, is that I will tidy your counters and empty your closets of dirty laundry. I will clean that stinky litter box in the basement and make you smell so nice. I'll even do some baking so that you will smell even nicer. Would you like that, house? 

However, I also need to spend time with something else that's been neglected. The couch. AND homework. Sigh...

So let me sit here, so I can visit my blogs, sip a nice rich cup of coffee, and maybe sneak a cuddle with my kitties. And then I'll look after you. Okay, house?

Love,

Tracey

Checking in

I'm tired tonight after 5 days of my NICU rotation, but I'm happy. Not feeling too creative today, so I'll just recycle some summer pictures.

Do you remember that I like rabbits?

This is my favourite sign of all times. I know...I'm a big geek.

And just one of the many rabbits at the Montana State Fair. I think this is the one that bit my finger. But I still thought he was pretty cute.

I 'heart' surprises

I also 'heart' mail, so imagine my delight when I stumbled downstairs after spending a sick day in bed Thursday to find a bubble wrap package waiting for me, delivered by the mailman. The postmark said Regina...and there's just one person I know there. MJ!

But what was inside? you ask

Why this darling Christmas ornament, that she crafted with her own two hands.

Thank you so much MJ. It will have a special place on my Christmas tree.

Back to school update: We are 9 Lizzie days and 6 me days into school. Lizzie already has a cold. I have had a temporary stomach bug. And poor Javier has had both. This after a whole summer of being relatively free of sickness. Viva la school year! 

Banquet decor help?

While this Barbie-themed decor is lovely and would be the envy of many 5 year old girls, I'm looking for something a bit more sophisticated for my nursing graduation banquet. Somehow, I've found myself involved in the decorating committee. So I'm looking to all of you talented and very creative bloggers for some ideas.

My idea is to incorporate the traditional nursing cap into the centerpiece. The black band will possibly have "Nursing Grad 2008" printed across it. It will be in December, so I'm thinking that maybe we should bring some wintery elements in. The banquet facility may possibly have vases, but I'm sure we can figure out something it they don't, so I would like to use flowers, but we have a VERY SMALL budget to work with and 20-30 tables to decorate. Remember, I'm in the Prairies and flowers in December are not cheap.

Please help. I know there is lots of creativity out there and I know many of you will have great ideas.

Photo sources:  Buy Costumes, Mobb Active Healthwear

Famous Javiers

Javier Sotomayor Sanabria - Cuban athlete & viewed as best high jumper of all time; holds world record at 8 1/2 feet; tested positive for steroids = lame (Source: wikipedia)

Javier Vasquez - right hand starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox since 2006 & self-professed wine afficionado; wears tight white pants quite nicely (source: wikipedia)

Javier Weyler - drummer for the band, Stereophonics; hottie (source: Andean World)

Javier Zanetti - Argentinian soccer player; currently with F.C. Internazionale Milano; played in Olympics & 2 world cups; probably has sexy Spanish accent (source: wikipedia)

Javier el Jamaal -  National reserve champion of austria; stud for hire (source: Kenelm Arabians)

Javier Bardem -  actor; super-stud; sometimes has bad hair (source: Vanity Fair)

But then there's my personal favourite...

My Javier - father; husband; softball coach; wine drinker; companion to Rain; hater to Oliver; best friend to me; very sexy in a suit; good hair 

Choosing to accentuate the positives

I consider this weekend to be my last weekend of freedom until sometime in late November or December. I'm always a little reluctant to surrender my personal time in the pursuit of this designation called Bachelor of Nursing, but I'm assured it will be worth it in the end. Actually I already know that it will be worth it. So instead of focusing on how much I dislike some activities, instead I choose to highlight what I will enjoy about them and other not so favourite aspects of life.

I have two distance learning courses that I must conquer in the next few months: Nursing Leadership & Management and Nursing Issues. Instead of complaining about the amount of work I have to do, I CHOOSE to welcome the opportunity to develop leadership skills and learn about issues relevant to my profession. I will also appreciate that I am able to concentrate solely on school and not have to work at the same time.

Instead of complaining about housework and all that stuff, I CHOOSE to relax and enjoy the organization I put into place in form of monthly menus. Plus I get to try a whole lot of new recipes and bake! Which I do love, especially when it's low-stress. I will also embrace the opportunity to care for my family which is why I do all that I do.

Instead of dreading all the group projects I am involved in during the next few months, I CHOOSE to celebrate the fact that I will be spending time with my very intelligent friends while collaborating on these projects, thus ensuring we all get good grades!

Lizzie has extracurricular activities scheduled almost every day of the week. This means a lot of driving and waiting to enable Lizzie to participate in these activities. I CHOOSE to catch up on extra reading and complete some crafting projects while waiting, and develop new friendships with the other parents waiting for their children. Plus I get to see little Lizzie improving pretty much everyday in her skills.

I will be working a combination of day and night shifts at the hospital this fall. I CHOOSE to be excited that I get to care for these most innocent and helpless of creatures. AND I get to cuddle some babies!

The caption here is "I have PMS...can't you understand?". That just about sums me up these days. However, I CHOOSE to celebrate this most feminine condition and accept that I have an excuse for acting a little a lot crazy once in a while most of the time.

After all, life is all about perspective, isn't it?

Images courtesy of Idaho State University, Mama Sings the Blues, Inmagine, TJ's Weblog, Hello Crazy

Peekaboo

At least somebody appreciates my not-so-well-hung curtains.

I see you Rain. Presumably hiding from Oliver.

I'm off to find a new curtain rod.

Happy Friday.

Setting the scene for some tears

Yesterday was a spectacularly productive day. I made 2 dozen muffins, 3 dozens cookies, lemon bars, & ham/cheese scones. Two loads of laundry. Folded and put away. And did all the dishes.

And then I collapsed. Just like the curtain rod I spent much of today trying to install. And that's pretty much all I accomplished. The problem with having a GUM day is that the energy required to sustain it generally runs in one day increments. And the following day little gets done.

Apparently the $36.83 curtain rod I purchased from Walmart is just not quality goods. Imagine that. I gave up about 5:00 this evening. I wanted to cry, I really did. But Lizzie had a play date and I just couldn't show my weakness in front of the children. So I settled for temporarily hanging the curtains from oddly positioned cup hooks I discovered hiding under my blinds. Don't they look pretty? 

Don't worry. I don't think so either.

And look what else I did yesterday.

Yeah, it's pretty much black. For this, I can only blame hormones.

What grown-up mommy is up to today

I'm not so sure on this grown-up mommy (hereafter known as "GUM"). It seems I had way more "me" time as an immature, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants, slacker mommy. However, I am getting lots accomplished, my house is becoming much tidier, the laundry almost complete, and I'm less stressed in the morning. So maybe it's not all bad.

Today, I am baking. Trying to fill my soon-to-be-purchased freezer with baked delights to feed my family in the coming months. Above you see some most delicious and very pink cranberry oatmeal muffins. This is what happened when you walk away from the food processor and accidently puree your supposed-to-be-chopped cranberries.

I've still made time for some other projects. This little linen tote holds Lizzie's piano books. Seems I was always grabbing the wrong ones, so now, she's responsible for making sure the bag is filled appropriately before she leaves for school on piano days.

I'm also still doing lots of embroidery. I hope to send this towel out to a special friend later today.

And this little girl is on her way to a friend who loves books even more than I do. A little thank you for something she sent me.

The final tally on my "is he cute or ugly?" question is 5-1 that Oliver is adorable. The negative vote really doesn't count because I suspect it was planted by a certain Ugly-ver supporter around this house. Oliver is very relieved and is sleeping off the excitement.