2011 Books

With 39 days to go, I am 5 books from reaching my goal of 50 in one year.  I am almost done with one, so that is good.  I still need to read The Stupidest Angel, a Christmas tradition.  That means I really only need to come up with three more.  Yay!  I may complete a goal this year!

We are the 99%

Ten years ago, my husband and I graduated from college.  We both went on to get Master's degrees in our respective fields.  We got decent jobs, and decided to have a family.  Six months into my pregnancy, he was laid off.  We moved to a cheaper area, got new jobs, and had our son.  Money was tight, but we managed.  Then the market collapsed.  The state cut education funds to balance the budget and my husband lost his job.  Apparently football is more important that music.  It has been three years since that layoff.  He has no insurance because we have to choose between health care and a place to live.  I am in default on my student loans because when it comes down to paying the loans or paying for food for our son, food will always win.  We drive two cars on the brink of utter collapse because we have no extra money to fix them or upgrade.  I want a chance for our family to get out of debt.  I want my husband to be able to put his six years of schooling to work.  I don't want to worry about what kind of school system my son will be starting in next year.  I want another baby, but we can't afford the insurance or daycare, and so we wait. We did everything "right" and still got hosed.  We are the 99%.

Day 1: Something I Hate About Myself

Wow, way to start out on a negative note, 30 days of truth.  But ok, fine, I'll play along.

I have an overwhelming need for validation.  I need to feel important, like what I do matters, even if it is something really small.  I am certain this is true of most, if not all people.  However, I take it to another level.  I can't play a joke on people without telling them it was me.  I report to and check in with my boss more times than I should because I like him to know that I am doing a good job.  I can't buy presents ahead of time because I feel the need to tell the person that I bought them something.  And "Secret Santa" kinds of things?  Forget it. 

I wish I could find a way to give myself validation without needing to rely on others.  I sometimes joke that I have an over-inflated sense of self importance, but I wonder if it is the opposite.  I want to be important, but just feel like I am not.  I'm just not sure.  It is definitely something that I try to work on every day.  ("Just make it until 10 without checking in upstairs.  Just 10 o clock.  You can do it!"  Though I rarely do. )

30 Days of Truth

In an attempt to be more proactive on this blog, I am going to do the 30 days of truth meme that I have seen floating around the blogosphere.  We'll see how this goes.  I'll do my Day 1 post later today, but for now, here the topics that I will need to address on each day (I may not do it the full 30 days in a row, but I will eventually finish every day.  I promise.)

Day 01 Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 Something you love about yourself.

Day 03 Something you have to forgive yourself for.

Day 04 Something you have to forgive someone for.

Day 05 Something you hope to do in your life.

Day 06 Something you hope you never have to do.

Day 07 Someone who has made your life worth living for.

Day 08 Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.

Day 09 Someone you didn't want to let go, but just drifted.

Day 10 Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn't know.

Day 11 Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

Day 12 Something you never get compliments on.

Day 13 A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

Day 14 A hero that has let you down. (letter)

Day 15 Something or someone you couldn't live without, because you've tried living without it.

Day 16 Someone or something you definitely could live without.

Day 17 A book you've read that changed your views on something.

Day 18 Your views on gay marriage.

Day 19 What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

Day 20 Your views on drugs and alcohol.

Day 21 (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

Day 22 Something you wish you hadn't done in your life.

Day 23 Something you wish you had done in your life.

Day 24 Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)

Day 25 The reason you believe you're still alive today.

Day 26 Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?

Day 27 What's the best thing going for you right now?

Day 28 What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?

Day 29 Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.

Day 30 A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

Bubble Man

Never a dull moment in this house.  Even bath time is amusing. 

Leaving on a jet plane

On Sunday I fly off to warmer climates (and more humid) in Houston.  I will be gone for 6 days, the longest I have ever been way from Spud.  I'm having a really hard time dealing with it, but I have found what I feel to be the most creative outlet for my stress, making Spud presents.

First of all, bean bags.  What kid doesn't like bean bags?  Scott is afraid they are going to go through the TV, but I'm hoping he's wrong.  I think they turned out really cute.  The stripey on in the back is my favorite. 

I-Spy jar.  There are beads with every letter of the alphabet in the bottle.  There is also an laminated card that he can fill out the letters that he finds.  The rest of the bottle is filled with rice colored yellow, blue, and green.

And finally, eggs with the letters (and numbers) written on them.  His job is to find an item that will fit in the egg that starts with the letter on the egg.  He already has a few:  alien in A, penny in P, picture of Mommy in M.  :)  Gotta make sure he remembers me.

Don't think that Scott is being ignored.  I'll be making him some oatmeal raisin cookies on Saturday.  :)

Ostara Bunny Crayons!

Ostara falls on the Srping Equinox.  It is a celebration of rebirth and renewal.  I figured a great way to renew and spring clean was to take some old crayons and transform them into something new and fantastic.

First start with crayons that you are ready to get rid of.  You know the broken ones, or the ones that come at sit down restaurants, but you only get 2-3 colors over and over again.  Peel all the wrappers off and then break them in to small pieces.

I had this silicone baking mat with bunny shapes.  We placed several pieces of different colored crayons in each bunny.

The bunnies were cooked at 300F for about 20 minutes, until everything was melted.  You must wait patiently at this point. 

 

The bunnies come out of the oven all liquidy and hot.  Let them sit and cool for at least 15 minutes before moving them too far.  After 15 minutes, place them in the freezer until they are solid.

 Pop them out and enjoy!