I've been crafty!

Well, after some weird allergic reaction that sent me to the doctor then the hospital 2 days later, I've had plenty of time away from school to get into my creative spirit again.  I finally caught up on a little housekeeping and picture hanging (hey, it only took me 3 months to hang those pictures) and some redecorating.

I had purchased these old, crocheted doilies a few months back at my church yard sale.  I knew they would have great futures but I had not found the right shirt just yet.  Until Thursday.  My daughter and I finally had some time to just walk around and window shop at antique and thrift stores since we were out of school for a short fall break.  That's when I found this great oatmeal colored, long sleeve sweater for $1.50.  So, the doilies go on the shoulders like so...

After sewing them on with a zigzag stitch, I decided to cut away the fabric underneath to expose the shoulders.  I really love how it turned out and I got lots of compliments when I wore it to the football game.

So now here's my selfie in my $2 sweater that looks like it came from a boutique, paired with my $1 infinity scarf I made.  I think it looks pretty sweet!

Happy crafting!  Until next time...

It's been a while but here's a new project

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I've posted here!  I've been busy but that's no excuse.

I have completed several projects but here's the one I'm most proud of right now.  I have sewn leather for the very first time!

I got this nice suede skirt on Listia, a website where you can get rid of your stuff for points and then redeem your points for free stuff that other people are giving away.  I really had hoped to wear this skirt as is.

 

Sadly, this caramel number was just too tight.  So, I stuffed it in my closet to think about what I wanted to make out of it or lose enough weight so it would fit.  

Fast forward a few weeks to a weekend beach getaway.  I was shopping some high end outlets for a new purse but just could not bring myself to pay $109 for a designer purse, that's with 60% off.  Then, I remembered my lonely little suede skirt sitting on a shelf in my closet.

So, I get the seam ripper and went to work.  I separated the bottom half of the skirt from the top.

Next, well, there are several steps but basically I sewed the bottom of the skirt together, hemmed it all up nicely, cut a strip from the top half to make the strap for my purse, and used some of the belt loops to add decorative Xs on the sides of the bag.

I did not line my purse but it was my first time using leather to make a purse.  I've made plenty of fabric bags before but this was a bit challenging.  But I liked it!  I can't wait to go browsing thrift stores and yard sales for some leather skirts, jackets, etc.  I will be sure to buy heavy duty needles next time since I broke 3 needles making this.  I also made a cute little tassel for the slouchy flap.  I still have some tweaking to do and I'm looking for just the right vintage button to go on the front for the tassel closure but I really like my new leather bag.

Until the next craft, count your blessings!

New (to me) summer dress

I needed a cute summer dress to wear to the library today with the little one.  I have LOTS of fabric so I grabbed a tank top to make my breezy tank dress.  (Sorry, I didn't take before shots of all my materials.)

See?  Green tank top plus floral, vintage cotton fabric added.  I had to wear another tank under it but I like the layered look and I feel a little more confident that way.  I also added this sweater refashion and a light brown belt.  The sweater was a freebie and I actually cut it up the middle to make it into a cardigan!

Here's the look without the cardigan.  I like it both ways.  Cardigan makes it school appropriate (which is good) and without makes it summer evening appropriate.

The "I'm-not-looking-at-the-camera" pose.  I love my new dress.  What do you think?

Be blessed!

Design Re-do

OK.  So this post has nothing to do with my kids.  It is a design re-do.  I was inspired by the new show Flea Market Flip.  I love that show!  There was an episode where one of the teams found some chairs, painted them high gloss black and reupholstered the cushions with burlap.  I loved the look.

Not the original from the show, but you get the idea.

Well, here's what I had - 2 chairs from an old dining room set that we now use as a computer desk.  We don't use all the chairs that came with the table so this is perfect.  Cost $0 (well, we paid $100, I think, for the dining set many years ago when we actually used it as a dining table).

Not bad but I want my vision.  Start with black paint.  All over the chair.  Both of them.  Let it dry, then lightly sand the edges and the seat.  Now it's coming together.

I have several jute feed sacks that we got years ago for a family reunion we were hosting.  We used them for family sack races but they've been sitting in a box for years.  I cut one of them to make two cushions/pillows for my chairs.  I wanted the graphic print to show because I am putting this in a corner where I have a painting of Memphis and I wanted that to tie together.  I had a brown, round table that I just moved to this new spot.  I love it!  Now it just needs some crate shelving on the right wall and a rug to finish this entry area.  I am working on the rug - crocheting tee shirt yarn.

What do you think?  I hope it will serve as a little homework area for the little one when school starts back in August.

Be blessed!

Hello again

Hello, again, blogging world.

I knew it had been a while since I last blogged but I didn't realize it was so long ago.  I've missed it.  It helps me relax in my hectic, mom-teacher-wife-housekeeper-cook-biggest fan-keeper of all things world. So, here's what's been going on lately and my excuse for not posting...

In my mom world, I've been driving kids here, there, and everywhere.  It has helped a lot that my oldest now has his coveted driver's license but that adds a whole new worry for me.  Little one has finished up her winter acting class and can now focus on the summer production of The Wizard of Oz.  She is also playing softball.  My middle son was moved up to the junior varsity baseball team with his older brother, so that helps since we can now be at the same field at the same time.  However, the older one also plays with varsity on off days so it seems we live part-time at a baseball field.

In my teacher world, we just had spring break but I had so much to do that it wasn't enough.  I want more time off!  Prom was the week we returned and it was tough.  I had band auxiliary tryouts that week, in addition to all the mom stuff (remember the above paragraph?) and the fact that students did not want to do anything because they had just come back from the break and...it was Prom week.  So I earned my paycheck every day last week!  I am behind on grading but I refuse to bring papers home to grade.  I already feel like I neglect my own children to take care of all the 155 I teach at school so I no longer bring school work home.  Although I do usually end up finding things on Pinterest that I will use at school so my teacher brain never stops working.

In my wife world, I have been stressing about finances and how I would handle my husband changing jobs.  I don't know why I let that stuff stress my out but it does.  The tax refund was a pleasant comfort that has helped a little.  He is much happier but he's driving me a little crazy!  I am just used to doing things my way, on my own, and now he's around more to help with laundry, cooking, cleaning, but he doesn't do it my way.  So, I have to learn all over again to let it go and just be appreciative that I have someone to help me.  But it's hard.

In my housekeeper-cook world, well, I honestly haven't done much of this lately because we haven't been home.  We've been eating out or at a ball field.  We get home so late that I'm not about to clean anything.  I throw the boys' uniforms in the wash so they will be clean for the next day's game.  It is starting to slow down and the hubby is home more to help with that.  I did manage to clean the kitchen and do laundry and dishes today because we were dismissed early from school due to threat of severe weather.  Never got the severe weather and I was able to clean and take a little break!

I spend so much time being my kids' biggest fan that I rarely have time for my own interests and pursuits, but I do love it.  I enjoy watching them grow and gain experience and social skills.  I am going to have to learn to be my own biggest fan and get my books and stories published.  I get so frustrated with the education system and I just have to believe in myself enough that people will buy my books.

I get so tired of being the keeper of all things and the "knower" of where all the things are (Mom, where's my...?).  I have begun my "clear the clutter campaign" again to not only simplify life but eliminate the need for knowing where everything is.  If there's less junk, maybe the kids can find their own cleats, textbooks, paper, pencils, belts, socks, whatever.  And maybe I can find some peace and quiet every once in a while.

Not the most profound post but I feel like I've neglected this and I guess I just needed to get some frustrations out so I can focus on some art projects for my upcoming craft shows.  Gotta raise some funds to publish my next children's book!

Be blessed!

Moms of boys

Some things I've learned about being a mother to boys.  These are things you probably don't know about if you have little girls.  Now, I will say that my little girl does some of these too because she is the baby of the family and tends to act more like her brothers at times.  I'm telling you, these boys are something else!

Moms of boys...

• know how to deal with sports equipment that are particular to boy parts.  Knowing how to protect a boy's "fruit basket" is common knowledge.
• know that boys stink between the ages of 11-15 and there's not much that will fix that.  You can clean, you can have all the best smelling candles, you can wash their clothes, and their rooms will still smell like a locker room.  
• have mini-vans or SUVs that can adequately carry sports bags, coolers of sports drinks and water, snacks, extra sports equipment, and extra kids (usually boys).
• have vehicles that smell like locker rooms.
• have to buy groceries all the time.  They eat everything.  You cook dinner, they eat it, but 20 minutes later they are back in the kitchen, looking in the fridge or cabinets for something to eat.
• know that when brothers fight, something is likely to get broken - a picture frame, a wall, a bone.  It's best to let them go outside and fight it out, especially when they are bigger than you are!  Give them boxing gloves first or someone will end up in the ER or doctor's office.
• know to roll the windows down in the vehicle when their son says, "It's gonna stink in a minute" or "I let one" or "My belly hurts" or "You're gonna need to open a window".  This is especially painful when it's below 30 degrees outside and the van is full of other kids that join the stinky fun!
• know all the best Chuck Norris jokes.
• have lots of dirty laundry and usually know all the best tricks for getting stains out of clothes.
• will watch YouTube videos of the NFL's hardest hits or World's most awesome (insert sport activity here) over and over again.  Or, you will repeatedly watch home videos of your kids playing sports just to see that one great touchdown or awesome line drive past short stop.
• know that when you hear "Hey, I've got a good idea" it's probably not a good idea.  Someone's gonna end up in the ER or doctor's office.

My boys melt my heart and make me laugh.  It is never a dull moment around here.  And throw in the little mama and conversations get really interesting!  I'll have to post what I've learned from my daughter at a later date but tonight my boys just had me rolling on the floor laughing...well, at least during the ride home from church.

Be blessed!

Jen

A little depressed and need to vent

This is not my normal, upbeat, great idea-filled post.  I'm ranting and complaining and venting in this one. 

I am tired of my job.  I am tired of dealing with disrespectful teenagers with a sense of entitlement who feel like they shouldn't have to study and work hard to earn a grade.  And they act like I am crazy when I actually expect them to recall facts and details on a quiz or test.  I love Spanish - the language, the culture, the art, the literature - but I am really getting frustrated as each day goes by.  The overall laziness and lack of self-discipline just drags me down.  Which brings me to another related topic - paperless classroom.  It is rumored that we will be going to a completely paperless classroom within 2 years.  I don't want it.  First of all, I have a creative, artsy spirit that just can't deal with all this technology (and I'm getting older and set in my ways).  I like the hands-on projects and real posters, not the computer-generated kind.  That's the selfish part of it.  But here's the big thing.  I don't want my children to learn that way.  I want my children to know how to access and use the creative part of their brains, which won't happen if this paperless classroom truly takes hold.  I've read many studies and books on brain development and we will raise an entire generation of children that will never use an entire section of their brain if we continue on this path.  I don't want that.  I will find somewhere else to take my family.  Think about it - all textbooks are online, all assignments are typed into a document, posters are created on computers, etc.  What about children who don't successfully learn that way?  I have one of those kids.  I just don't like it.

I am overwhelmed.  I feel like I can't come up for air.  I am behind on grading papers.  I am frustrated with planning interesting lessons where all 29 of my students are actively engaged while also utilizing technology, reading strategies and writing assessments.  I have to work out details of danceteam tryouts, parent meetings, and uniform fittings.  I have to get applications ready to give to qualified students eligible for the Spanish honor society inductions.  I have to set a date for the induction, get a small reception together, and order cords and certificates for the inductees.  I have children who play sports and do other activities in the afternoons that have me driving all over town for a couple of hours every day.  I have church activities on Wednesdays that I enjoy but because I am so consumed feels like just another chore on my to-do list.  And sometime during all this, I have to keep my house clean, wash clothes, and feed the family.

Money.  I need more of it to pay off some debts but I can't find the time.  I try to sell on Etsy but it just isn't happening right now.  I filed my taxes and we are due a refund but, honestly, I'm worried a collector will seize it before I ever get to decide what debts I want to pay off with it.  I have a plan, a good one, if I can just get the refund before the collection agency does.  Snowball.  I want to pay 2 debts with it and have a little left over for some new sports equipment for the kids.  They have all grown and need cleats, bats and gloves.  That stuff is expensive.  I pray that it all works out like I have planned. 

I need a vacation.  I realize that.  I just might take a "mental health day" for myself.  I need it.  I deserve it.  We do have a holiday coming soon but I don't know if I'll make it until then!  Some, well, most, of this seems so petty and there are so many more important issues out there to worry about but for right now, I needed to get this off my mind so I can sleep.  This blog is kinda like my little therapy session with myself to try to maintain my sanity.  I feel a little better and now I think I can relax enough to get a good night's sleep.

Well, I guess this counts as my Sunday Summary since I did summarize what's been going on the past week.  It also counts as the Monday Money Matters post since I did mention money.  OK.  Maybe I will post something more uplifting tomorrow, if I have time to post. 

Be blessed.

Money Matters Monday - extra income

We all could probably use a little extra cash flow.  Here are a few things we are doing around here to save a little and earn a little:

1. Stop eating out!  This is working rather well for us.  While we have not entirely cut it out, we have cut down considerably.  I would say we have saved about $350 this month by not eating out as much as we were doing.  

2.  Sell stuff!  We are in the process of selling an extra sofa and loveseat since we "inherited" a new sectional.  I have more items - clothes, art, knick knacks - that I plan on getting rid of soon.  Cleaning out the clutter seems to clear my mind.  And if I can't sell it, I will donate it and get a receipt from the thrift store for my tax file.  That adds up on your tax refund too.

3.  Tax refund!  If you have gotten your W-2s already, get started on filing those taxes.  I will be working on ours this weekend.  I'm hoping I can get a little back instead of having to pay more.

4.  Hubby got an extra job!  Hubby will start helping some friends at their sports training facility which will generate and extra $1000-$1200 per month.  It might even lead to better opportunities than what he's doing now.

5.  I'm building my business!  I have been a Rodan + Fields Independent Consultant for almost a year now and I have found a new way that works for me to promote my business.  I love the products so it should be fairly easy.  Hopefully I can generate $250-$500 extra a month to begin and build the business.   Check out my websites at www.jennifercharles.myrandf.biz or www.jennifercharles.myrandf.com

And that's about all I'm doing right now.  What do you do to generate a little extra cash flow?

Be blessed! 

Summary Sunday - it's getting better

Well, this week has been better, a little.  Another short work week thanks to a winter weather warning that never showed up.  I like working 5 hour days!  Money is still tight but hubby got paid Friday and we were able to pay the rest of the January bills.  I haven't been paid in 6 weeks (ah, the perks of being a teacher) so this Thursday will be one joyous day!  I am very excited to start my emergency fund and also begin my 2013 savings plan - remember, the one with the 52 weeks of the year?  That means that my newly funded emergency fund will have $110 in it this week!  Yeah!

Basketball season is winding down, finally, but baseball season is about to be in full swing.  I love baseball but the first games of the season are always so cold!  

We are working on some environmental changes to see if the middle child can improve his grades without medication.  Earlier bedtimes, better nutrition, and vitamins.  I am praying this will help so we do not have to seek medicine for ADD.

Mother in law is still in rehab for hip surgery.  After our visit today, I see a long physical and mental recovery time ahead.  On a good note, we were able to bless a family in need with her living room and dining room furniture, dishes, small appliances and more.  The bad part is, MIL didn't recall telling my husband he could do that and she got ill with him for giving away her stuff.  Too late now and the family was truly blessed with things they've never had.

After fighting a cold or sinus congestion since Friday, I am hoping my week will be sickness free and I can start feeling like myself again.  I did not get to make crafts this weekend because I spent most of it asleep on the couch trying to recover from whatever this illness is.

A few more basketball games this week, theatre class for the little one, and baseball practice.  Oh, and hubby is going to start a part time job at a sports training facility!  I love extra money coming in!  I'm hoping we can really tackle some of our debts this year.

I did break down and buy fast food on Friday night after little one's basketball game because I felt so terrible I could not cook the chicken I had thawed.  I did cook it on Saturday and we ate at home again on Sunday.  Although we did not completely cut out fast food this month, we significantly reduced the amount of just running to a restaurant or picking up fast food.  We have 2 freezers full of food, there's no reason to be eating somewhere else.

I haven't done much reading but I will be making a trip to the library sometime this week and I plan to read my Bible more.  One goal at a time!

Art on the Lake is coming up soon and I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to work on some art for that.  I just haven't been very successful the past 2 years so I don't know if it's worth the stress.  More praying to be done on that one.

Have a great week and may God bless you!

Tuesday Tutorial

I love how this art piece turned out!  I had painted the Memphis painting a couple of years ago from a photograph that I had taken.  I've never really painted something like that before so it was a challenge but I'm pretty proud of myself.  However, I painted it on a flat canvas panel so it's been sitting in a crate of paintings ever since I completed it.

This past weekend, I was working on some other crafts and trying to use up things I have lying around (after deciding I do not want to be on Hoarders).  That's when I got this neat idea.

I had a big 16 X 20 canvas that I painted a gloss black.  Actually, the canvas had been painted by my daughter years ago and was less than artistic so I painted over it.  I have to do that every once in a while to my art and hers or we would be up to our ears in paintings (then you would see us on Hoarders).  This gave the big canvas some texture because there were some thick globs of paint that had to be covered with the black.  Then, I centered the Memphis painting on the canvas and glued it in place.  But I didn't stop there!  I had an entire container of gold thumbtacks so I stuck them in the canvas around the original painting, almost like the flashing lights of the Blues Club!  I know my thumbtacks aren't perfectly straight but, hey, it's art!  I love the dimension and layers.  The reason I had not done anything with the canvas before is because I didn't want it in a boring frame.  This is much better.

I think this is now one of my favorite pieces that I have in my house!  And I love the fact that it is a constant reminder of that trip a few years ago with the hubby and kids.  It was their first time in Memphis and it was right after Christmas.  Great memories.  I think I'll start doing more paintings from my travel photos and finding unique ways to display it instead of just painting on a canvas.  Now I just need to recover the chair and repaint the side table that sits near the door where I hung the painting.  Another project for another day.  An artist's work is never done!

Be blessed and go create something!

Money Matters Monday - revisiting the budget

Those of you who read yesterday's summary post know that I fell off the wagon - I went out to eat at a restaurant.  I didn't pay for it but the hubby did so I still count it.  We also ate out again Sunday after church. Again, I didn't pay but hubby's money is my money too.

I did get some birthday money that I am using to renew my passport at the end of the month.  I did go out to eat at a fast food place tonight with my daughter but I used a gift card I was given at Christmas.  I actually have not started my 52 week saving plan but I think I am going to open up an ING Direct savings account and start putting it there.  That way, I can't really touch it but I could get it in a day or two if I really needed it.  That's my plan for our emergency fund.  Why am I choosing an online bank?   Because right now they are offering a deal where they will put $25-50 in the account after 30 days as an incentive to get your business.  I'll take free money!

I have to revisit the budget this weekend and tweak some things.  It's been a long time since payday for me and I've got to make sure I have everything taken care of when the 31st rolls around.  I also need to work on selling some stuff to help pay for my trip to Spain.  I've been trying to promote my fundraiser web page but that is slow.

Short post tonight but it's my birthday so I'm doing what I want!

Be blessed!

Summary Sunday - fell off the wagon

Well, it's time for another Summary post.  Quite a bit to summarize today.

First, last week was hectic so I did not post at all - no money post, no crafty post, nada.  Why was last week so crazy?  Let's see - weather in the 70's early in the week but snowing by Thursday.  Of course, this is Alabama so that sends folks into orbit...well, at least the grocery stores for milk and bread.  (I didn't because we are actually pretty stocked up on plenty of freezer food.)

I think just getting back into the routine of basketball games, school, mother-in-law still having health issues (but she's better now and in rehab) has gotten me all out of sync.  Hubby was sick last week too so that didn't help in the home department.  We acquired new-to-us furniture since MIL is now moving in with sister-in-law and can no longer live alone.  We passed one sectional on to a family who just moved here from another state and could not bring their possessions with them.  We kept another sectional for ourselves and will be selling our sofa and loveseat.  I'll have to ask hubby if I can apply the money to my Spain trip or if we will apply to a debt.  Still more furniture to acquire so I may be redecorating for a while!

All was going well with my No eating out in 2013 plan until my family took me out to eat last night at one of our favorite restaurants.  They keep telling me it doesn't count since I didn't pay for it and it was for my birthday!  I am the only one in the family who has not eaten out so far this year.  We did it again this afternoon when we went to the neighboring big city to visit Nana at the rehabilitation center.  We left right after church so we were all starving.  Still, we have saved quite a bit of money already this month by not eating out as much.  (And I didn't pay for today's meal, either.) 

I did get some crafts made this weekend, which I am very proud of.  One is for my bedroom, which lacks a lot of decorating but this is starting to inspire me!

I love how it turned out and plan to make more crafts using up all my buttons and bling!  I'm thinking crosses and fleur-de-lis!  I still need curtains and more throw pillows in my room.

I also worked on another art piece that's been sitting around for a while.  I don't really know what inspired me but I'll post a tutorial later this week on this one.

I learned a little this weekend, or actually was more inspired, when we had to start cleaning out my MIL's apartment.  She's a bit of a hoarder.  Seriously.  It was a mess and ridiculous how much stuff one person could accumulate.  Well, she's not going to be able to take it with her so there's lots more downsizing to be done there but it got me thinking about my own house and my own habits.  I do tend to stash fabric, buttons, odds and ends, thinking I will make something out of it one day.  I am pretty good about storing it in organized containers and plastic boxes, but still, I wonder if I'm on the same path.  So, I am adding another project to my list of things to do this year and that is to downsize my hobbies and craft supplies.  I don't have as much time to work on it as I'd like and it seems I'm never actually going to be able to quit my day job to that kind of stuff all the time so why do I need it all?  I'd much rather simplify my life and spend time with my family than have all this stuff sitting around.  Also, I don't want my family to have to deal with all that if something should happen to me.  So, let the online selling begin, until it warms up enough to have a yard sale!

I did not finish my manuscript in time to submit to the contest.  I just wasn't comfortable with submitting an incomplete script so I'll just keep working on it and find another contest that I can submit it for.  Or, I'll just self-publish again when the time is right.  Still praying about this one!

I was accepted to present a lesson plan that I created at the National AATSP conference in San Antonio in July.  Not sure if I will accept the invitation and go but I'm honored to have been chosen.

I hope this week will be better than last week.  Today is my last day as a 36 year old so I'm hoping tomorrow will be a good birthday instead of a typical Monday.  Little one starts theatre class in the afternoon tomorrow so that is a new adventure we're looking forward to.  I plan on getting back on track with my blog posts so tomorrow will have a money post and I'll post a tutorial on the Memphis art later this week, too.  I'm reading a book on blogging so I hope to make my blog a little more interesting and visually appealing as I learn some tricks. 

Have a great week and be blessed!

Summary Sunday - it's been a crazy week

Well, this past week has been one of the craziest we've had in a while.  My mother-in-law was hospitalized for a few days, then sent home only to be hospitalized again for a broken hip.  Lots of life-changing events happening on husband's side of the family.

I seem to be the only family member who hasn't eaten out this year.  I'm proud of myself! 

I have been working on my manuscript for the writing contest but with the deadline approaching on Tuesday, I don't think I'm quite ready.  But I may submit it as is and just see what happens.  I can continue to work on it and possibly self publish, or it will be editor ready by April if I should win this contest.  Positive thoughts will yield positive results!

I actually got a little crafting done this weekend but nothing new listed on my website.  I've got to find some time to declutter around here and make a little extra cash to put toward my passport renewal and the trip to Spain this summer.  I'm debating whether or not to have a booth at our annual craft show in April.  I could use the money but the past few years have not been very profitable for the time it takes to create art and sit the booth.  Still praying about that one.

Back to school tomorrow for week 22 of this school year.  Yes, I count down that way.  It is the only way I can make it through.  It seems each year gets harder for me to enjoy my job.  I don't know if it's the excess political garbage and technology that we are expected to incorporate or the lack of respect I get from the students.  If I could just teach my subject matter with small classes, I would be much happier.  But that's not happening any time soon.  I did get some grading done this weekend (today actually) so I'm not completely behind.

My daddy blessed us with lots of chicken again on Friday so I packed it and separated it and blessed others.  Gave some to our neighbor, my bestie, and another good friend.  Have some packed tightly in the freezer to take to church on Wednesday to help feed the homeless next week. 

I need to clip and organize my coupons so I won't make silly mistakes and spend more money than necessary but there's just not enough spare time in my day.  I started laundry today and washed most of the kids' things for practice and games this week but haven't even washed anything of mine. 

This week looks rather busy with basketball games and college night.  I hope I can stick to home cooking and not have to eat out with our busy schedule.  I'll have to find time tomorrow to plan our meals so that doesn't happen.  I guess it's leftovers and hot dogs tomorrow since I forgot to set out something from the freezer.  A quick trip to the store for some chips should make that acceptable to everyone around here!

I've also got to take out my savings of $1 and $2 for the first two weeks of the year.  I'm trying out this savings plan this year, in addition to building up my emergency fund while also saving for that trip to Spain. 

I hope this works!  It's worth a shot.  I like the way it starts out simple to build momentum.  I even thought about working it backwards, so that the smaller amounts are closer to Christmas when spending increases but right now, I need the smaller amounts.  I may just print this and mark off an amount as I save it.  If I have $20 extra then I would go ahead and mark week 20 off the list.  This way I could save big when I have it and when things are tight could choose a smaller amount.  Either way, it will be nice if I can do this all year.  Look at the savings after 52 weeks!  Not bad.  I'm going to try and get the oldest boy to do this too.  He seemed excited when I was telling him about it so maybe he'll try too and we can hold each other accountable.

Well, that's my summary!  Let me know if you are working on any goals!  I'd love to hear your summary and how you are tweaking your plans for this year.

Be blessed!

Pretty display

After all my freezer cooking today, I needed a creative break.  I have been wanting something pretty for my bathroom so I can organize all my stuff.

See, here's the problem - a mess.  And when I plug in my hairdryer or curling iron, everything gets knocked over.  I wanted something to hold it all but didn't really want a tray; I have plenty of those.

I hit the thrift store and scored this nice white plate with gold accent stripes for 50 cents.  I found this ceramic candlestick for $1.00.  Not pretty yet but just wait!

 

I used glossy spray paint to paint the candlestick black and sprinkled a little black glitter on it while it was still wet.  Not really for sparkle but texture.  While that was drying, I used my metallic Sharpies to embellish the dish a little.  I chose swirlies and flowers in silver, gold and copper.  The next step is to glue it together.  I used my heavy duty hot glue gun.  I turned the plate over and placed the candlestick in the center.  I drew around it with a Sharpie so I would know exactly where to place it when I had the hot glue on it.

Now to clean off the bathroom counter and see how it looks in its new home.  I'm loving it and want to make another one, slightly shorter, for all my skin care bottles. 

And there it is!  My little beauty corner.  It's coming together nicely.  I can just see a little trio of these.  I'll have to hit up the thrift store again or see what I've got lying around the house!

Be blessed!

So frustrated.

Oh, I am so frustrated right now.  First of all, it doesn't help that I can feel a sinus infection or some other winter illness coming on.  In my line of work - teaching - I can't afford to be sick because I can't get a good sub.  I teach Spanish and there are very few subs who offer any kind of benefit in that department.  So, I usually just go to school sick, until a doctor tells me to stay home (which happens if I run myself hard enough).  Add to this mixture a faculty meeting where we are once again taught some new and great technology tool to incorporate in our classes, or better yet, to use when we have to call a sub so that the students have meaningful assignments to do while we are gone.  OK.  I get it.  You want me to work all the time because I sure as heck can't grade papers, plan lessons, make copies, contact parents, AND record podcasts or video lessons to upload to my website during my 55 minute planning period. 

I'm not saying technology is a bad thing.  I like my computer, the Internet, my blog, shopping in my pajamas.  But, seriously?  When is it going to be enough.  Kids don't want to pay attention as it is.  They want to be entertained and play games.  Well, I have a family of my own and I can't work an additional 2 hours every day once I get home to work on podcasts or researching a good app for the students to use.  I am a traditional arts and crafts, paper and pencil, let the kids do the work kind of teacher.  So, I was frustrated anyway when I came home today.

Then, I get an email from one of my child's teachers explaining some grades she had given in the past 2 days.  One of those was for an assessment that determines what grade level the child reads on.  At this point, the children should be on a 7.4 - 7th grade, 4th month.  This is simply a tool for the teacher to use to help the child get on grade level.  She gave this as a grade!  Why am I so upset?  Because my child struggles and reads on a 5.5 grade level.  That's 5th grade level.  He made a C on this assignment because he does not read on grade level.  Shouldn't she be helping him get on grade level instead of punishing him for being a poor reader?  Oh, and for children who are above a 7th grade level, they were awarded bonus points.  Yeah.  I'm mad.  The school (and I teach in the same system so this could be detrimental to my child) will be hearing from me about this after I calm down.  Not only is this not fair, but it is setting children up for failure.  My child feels horrible that he is not on grade level with his peers, although he tries.  Giving him a grade for this hurts his self esteem, and middle school is definitely a place where we need to be building that up.  Oh, I have so many opinions about this that I just needed to vent so I can compose my email to the school.

I really want to do something, not just for my son but for others like him.  It also makes me question my own teaching practices.  Do I honestly do everything I can for students or do I do things that are unfair?  I don't know but I will find some time somewhere to ponder that and change if I need to.  Honestly, I think I am at a point where I no longer want to be in education.  The health insurance is great and the retirement isn't bad but I'm thinking I can find something comparable, especially with my skills. 

I will work on my book tonight since the contest deadline is Tuesday.  Maybe that's my ticket out.  No matter, I will give everything over to the Lord tonight and I'll listen to what he has to say to me.  He'll guide me in the way I need to go with this.

Thanks for reading (listening) and Be blessed!

Money Matters Monday - Earning more

I'm a teacher.  I'm on salary and there's no overtime.  The benefits are pretty good; that's why I stay in this profession.  But I do like to supplement my income.  I need to build an emergency fund and I need to save for an educational trip to Spain that I'm taking in June.  So, I've got to find the extra money somewhere because there is no extra in our budget.  How do I do that?

I am crafty, as you may have read in a previous post, so I have an Etsy site where I list my arts and crafts.  Sometimes I go through stages where I sell something every other day.  But then there are times, most of the time, actually, where I am in a dry spell and don't sell a thing. 

I sell on Ebay but that has really gotten to be more trouble than it's worth.  I stay up late and take photos of stuff we don't need and I write descriptions to entice others to bid on it.  Again, sometimes I do really well and get what I want out of an item.  Other times, I lose money because I underestimated shipping or didn't get any high bids on something. 

I've taken things to consignment shops and did alright but my children are at the point where they completely wear things out.  Plus, that's only seasonal but it helps.  I've done yard sales but hate the hassle of getting up early, hanging up signs, and setting up tables outside.  And you have to have warm, nice weather.  I live in Alabama.  That's mostly unpredictable.

If I had extra time, I could teach some extra Spanish lessons.  I've been asked by several people in different professions but I am always at a ballgame or ball field somewhere. 

It's very hard when you have a family to find free time to try and make a little extra money but I try.  I guess that's why I am writing this blog and entering writing contests.  Maybe I can win a little extra cash or publish a book to start my emergency fund so I can send my 3 kiddos to college or travel or retire!

Well, I know there wasn't any profound money advice today but I never promised that!  I just want a way to hold myself accountable so I am using Mondays to talk about anything money related, even if I'm talking about my lack of it and need for just a little more since I won't be getting a raise any time soon.

Be blessed!

Sunday Summary

Well, it's Sunday, and here's a summary of how things have been going and where things will (hopefully) go this week.

Summary:  Had to come back to reality and start back to school on Thursday.  I am revisiting a book I started a few years ago and working on it to submit for a contest that ends on the 15th.  Not much time left for that but I have been praying about it and God has continued to inspire me and give me the free time to work on it.  Budget has been in place and we have not eaten out this year.  Yes, I realize there have only been 6 days of it so far but for us, that's a big deal.  I've also been working out again on the Wii Just Dance sweat option.  I have to lose weight.  I am at my heaviest and I physically feel terrible and unhealthy.

What's coming this week:  To continue on my plan of regularly writing on this blog.  I hope to post more items to Etsy and Ebay, as I need to declutter and raise some money for an educational trip to Spain that I have coming up soon.  I also have a few projects I want to work on.  Actually, I did start a crochet project last night while watching movies.  I am using old tee shirts of different colors to make a rug for my front entry.  So far, it looks okay.  I don't really have a color scheme in my house except for lots of color, black, white and mounted ducks, so I'm hoping the rag-style of it will work nicely.  If not, I guess it will end up in the Etsy shop.  The kids have ball games this week so the eating out challenge is going to get real!  I think we can do it, one week at a time.  I do feel more successful already in this first week of 2013 than I have in the past. 

Wow, I didn't realize I had so much to do this week but things are always busier when school starts back.  I keep praying for the day when I can be a work-from-home mom, writing or creating something while still providing for my family.  Unfortunately, we just can't afford for me to give up teaching at a public school just yet.  But I'm working on it!

Have a blessed week!

Why am I so crafty?

Maybe you've been wondering why I am so crafty and where it all comes from?  My children ask me all the time.  Here's what I tell them:

Growing up, we didn't have much money.  I remember my dad working all the time and my mom working all the time.  Actually, my mom had 2 jobs for most of my childhood that I can remember.  I guess at an early age I knew we couldn't afford a lot of the things I wanted and wanted to do, like take art or dance classes.  I have an aunt that would always take my sister and me shopping for school clothes and that was such a treat because that was the only way I could get any name brand clothing.

I was already a smart girl but I don't remember saying "I'm bored" as much as my own children do. 
What I do remember is always loving to read and draw.  I won my first art contest when I was in the first grade.  I drew a picture of Raggedy Ann and Andy.  It was on a box or something that my teacher had in her room.  I ended up winning 2nd place in the state for the elementary level.  So I would continue drawing and doodling.  Well, I still do that!

I also, being a girl, was into fashion and clothes.  I remember getting one of those fashion designer kits for Christmas or a birthday; you know, the ones that had all the different plates and you mixed and matched the head, the torso, and the legs and they had various patterns and styles.  You put the paper on top and used a flat charcoal-like pencil to rub the image onto the paper.  Then you could color it.  It loved that thing!  My best friend and I also had a large binder full of clothing that we would design when we stayed up late.  I hate that I lost that thing.  It would be a treasure now for sure!  One of the first memories I have of sewing was in 4th or 5th grade and I made a skirt for a 4H fashion show.  I placed but I can't remember what I won.  My mom had a sewing machine that she would use to make doll clothes for my sister and me, or tee shirt dresses for us, and that's how I learned to sew.  I can't recall if my mom actually sat me down and taught me or if I just watched her and tried it myself.  Either way, I learned and, while I'm not a wonderful seamstress, I am sufficient enough to read patterns, design my own patterns, and make clothes, bags, and toys.   My mom and sister gave me a new sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago but I still have the original that belonged to my mom.  I grew up recycling too because we didn't have a lot of money for fabric so I used whatever we had - old pillowcases, curtains, or clothes that didn't fit or were stained.  While I can afford a little fabric, I still prefer to search thrift stores for vintage materials and reuse what's already out there.

Whenever I got bored, I would go make something, draw something, write something or read something.  I'm still that way.  I am not one of those that sit around and watch TV all day, unless it's a DIY marathon!  Even then, I am in front of the TV with my craft supplies.  I take a sketch book or drawing pad with me everywhere I go.  It's just in my nature, I guess.  I still have notebooks and sketchbooks packed away full of stories and drawings, ideas for fabrics and clothing, and home decorating craft ideas.  I'm also pretty handy with tools thanks to my dad! 

I love making things and creating something new from something old.  I gave handmade gifts way back when it wasn't cool to give handmade gifts.  I've still never had an art lesson even though I teach painting classes at my church!  I think I will probably be crafting and painting until I die.  It now serves as my stress relief and a way to reach out to others at church.

Well, now you know where all that craftiness comes from.  I honestly feel like it is just a God-given talent that I have and I give Him the glory and thanks for it.

Be blessed!

Well, Hello 2013

Well...Hello 2013.  On this first day of the year I have been rather productive.  I worked on my budget and my goals for the year, as well as my 3 year financial plan.  I know, that sounds boring but it actually fired me up to do the rest of my tasks for the day.  I listed 12 items on my Etsy site!  I've got to clear the clutter (for real, this time) and make some extra cash for my trip to Spain in June.  I still have 16 more items to list but that can wait until tomorrow.  Hopefully I can free up some much needed storage space and make a little cash at the same time.  I still need to work on my novel for the writing contest so that's next on the list for an hour and then it's bedtime because I have to go back to work tomorrow.  Ugh.  I don't wanna go.

I thoroughly enjoy my time at home during the holidays but I didn't get quite enough of it this Christmas since we went on a first-ever Christmas vacation (which will become a regular event now).  I very much want to be a stay-at-home, write-from-home, craft-from-home kind of mom but right now that just isn't in the cards.  But if I stay positive and organized and motivated, maybe I can make it happen. 

I saw this on a wall in Magic Kingdom and had to take a picture of it.  It is my inspiration right now because if I can stay focused and motivated on reaching the goals we've set in place, the reward is for the entire family, not just me.  This applies to so many of the goals we are working on this year, not just the financial ones.  So...keep dreaming!

Be blessed in 2013!