I'm sure you meant Crocheted Pins

Here are some pictures from our day at the orchard fall festival. The kids loved it and the weather was decent. We went this past Sunday.

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This pic is from the other day. SEbastian has finally warmed up to Libby. He wants to hold her, play with her, talk to her. It's cute. Just before I got the camera out, he was laying there, patting her back, talking softly to her.
Really, I hope so. We took the kids to the orchard for the fall festival. Complete with carnival rides, craft booths, donuts and cider. As we wandered through the craft booths, the first one we come to is a lady who has done all kinds of small, simple craft projects. One is crocheted Cross pins. The sign says, "Crotched Pins - $2.00". I had to chuckle. I couldn't help myself. Simple typo, I am sure. I hope.

The kids had fun, rode lots of rides...several times each. Neither puked.

I am swamped with studying and homework. My biology class is going to sink the gpa. I Just know it. I took my first test today and it was online, so open book/notes. I still only managed 89%. I checked my overall % for the class and it was like 80%. I cried. Literally. Until I recalled the teacher explaining that if we have any open quizzes that haven't been submitted, it will produce a lower % until you complete it. SO, i went in and completed quiz and now it is up to 90%. Still not where I would like it to be. But this class just isn't clicking for me. Maybe it's a mental block bc science isn't my thing or maybe it is just that I have too much going on right now. Either way, I am in the class, need it for my graduation and so I must pluck along and try my best.

I really don't have much time to myself anymore. I have school and/or internship every day M-F. Weekends are busy playing catch up on homework, attending family functions that seem to be plentiful as usual. and of course, spending time with the kids. It has been a rough week, emotionally. I have had to face the reality of the situation and the sacrifices I am indirectly asking of my family. Makenneh repeatedly tells me she wished I didn't have school. I explained to her that I know this time is difficult and we all have to make sacrifices but when it's over with, we will be able to have our own place, and she will have her own room. That always helps to cheer her up. Lord knows it's what keeps me going. Just knowing that greener pastures lie ahead. I keep trucking along. one tired step after another.

Well got lots of chapters to read and a test in social psychology on thurs. Gotta get going....take care, have a great week and keep warm...seems the fall weather has arrived!

I'm here

but im exhausted, a tad frustrated, and getting sick. As if I have time to be sick. It's that nasty stuff like I had last year that caused the trip to the after hours and that nasty promethazine with codeine cough medicine. I do not want to go back there, thank you.

I started my internship yesterday, have to go there tomorrow. Classes are going well. And that's about it for tonight bc I feel like crap.

Managed to survive that trip

I forgot how hectic the roads can be down state. Add in construction, mixed with some impatient, inconsiderate idiots and well, it's disaster waiting to happen. Almost happened to us. I was following my sis, driving along just fine.....then, brakelights....slow, slower, STOP. Construction. The 3 lanes squeeze down to one. Probably wouldn't have to be a huge problem is people would read, yes read, the signs that say, lane ends. The flashing arrows, I just know these people can't really miss them, can they? But, instead, everyone tries to stay in their lane, speed ahead, cut over. slam on brakes. Well, we were about out of the construction zone (well, if there is really ever an end) and started to pick up speed. Now, by pick up speed, I mean, instead 15mph, we were heading up to say, 25 mph. Then, all of a sudden, everyone's locking up brakes. I had to swerve to the right to avoid rear-ending car in front of me, as well to avoid being rear ended by car behind me. Well, come to find out (bc sis was several vehicles ahead of me), that some guy drove down the shoulder of the expressway to try to cut ahead. Meanwhile, as they approach an exit ramp, some car swerves at last minute to get off, this shoulder-driving idiot cuts behind my sister, because the shoulder ends, and he is going too fast for the whole 25mph speed the traffic is doing...so he has to lock up his brakes. My sister thought for sure he would hit her. WEll, his cutting over and locking up brakes caused a dominoes effect. Idiots!

Anyway, we survived it. The party was nice. The deal is, my mom's cousin and her husband took temporary custody of their neice because the state stepped in and removed her from her mother. She was about 12ish when this happened. My mom's cousin (Ann) has had her since. They finally finalized the adoption and so it was cause to celebrate. Well, the girl, who is now around 14, stood up to say a few words...that left no dry eyes in the place. It was the most beautiful thing...she explained that two years ago, aunt and uncle gave me shelter, fed me, bought me clothes and provided me with everything I needed. She said she was so thankful for them. Then, she turned to aunt and said something like, "Aunt, thank you for being the best mom I have ever had. Uncle, thank you for being the dad I never had. It feels so good to have a father I can count on (paraphrasing)." Anyways, this girl's speech was amazing. So heartfelt and full of appreciation. She mentioned how nice it was to have a family, to have the things she needs, wants, etc. Everyone cried. Such a happy moment.

On the flip side of that, Desiree rode down there with me today and was talking. She mentioned that Brian (our uncle she lives with) made the comment that 'technically, we aren't your family'. YEah, I am pissed. For those who may not remember, Desiree was adopted as a newborn, from teh hospital in which she was born. It was a private adoption and my aunt waited and prayed 30 some years for that girl. She is every bit a part of this family. AS much as I am. We may not share the same dna, but we share a bond. Blood isn't all that makes up family. I thought, what a heartless thing to say to a 13 yr old who has been faced with enough loss, discourse, and upheavel in her short life. I told Des that "technically" he's wrong. You are family. I also told her just how much her mom wanted her and how she prayed, and held onto faith and didn't give up. I kept reassuring her that her mom wanted her more than anything in the world. She has been talking to her biological grandparents and siblings. She wants to visit them and they want her to visit. They live in KY. Her oldest sister is coming up here in Oct to see old friends and they plan to meet each other. I hope that this is the beginning of bonds that will help see her through. The sad part is that she has a family down there who want her and she is here, living with a family who doesn't seem to want her and make no effort to assure her otherwise. Not to mention, she has no gparents here...she has 2 down there. Her gma asked herif she wanted to come live with her. But des told me she doesn't want to move out of state bc of her friends and family. I told her she didn't have to, but if she wants to visit that is absolutely ok and I will advocate for her on that. She has a right to feel wanted, loved and cherished. Every child has those rights. Michelle and brian said she can visit but they are leery bc they don't know them. Well, prior to my aunt's death, she had been in contact with them on a regular basis and they would come up here to spend time with desiree. That went on for the last couple years of my aunt's life. So, they aren't complete strangers to des. She remembers the times she spent with her grandparents when they were up here.

I jsut worry so much about that girl. She brought up today that she hasn't seen or heard from her dad in about two years. What do you say to a child? I told her that someday, he will see the error of his ways. Some day, you will be able to show him the woman you've become and all he has missed out on. But, I reminded her that no matter what, she needs to always do her best and not let this bring her down. The better she does in life, the more she proves him wrong. Because, that's part of what I worry about. That she will be aversely affected by this selfish pigheaded man and she will let it interfere with her life. I told her that we cannot control other people's actions, but we can control our reaction to their actions. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Sebastian starts school on Oct 7th. They are having an open house on the 5th. He was pretty shy with the teachers who came out to the house, but towards the end, he started to warm up. It is so nice to have the opportunity to meet with them one on one because it gives you the opportunity to explain little quirks, go over concerts and all that. I think it makes the transition to school easier. I am nervous about how he will do at first, but I know once he gets into the routine, it should be okay for him.

Well, I have had a long day and I am ready to wind down and crash! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

It's Friday!!!

Today is Makenneh's picture day at school. Hopefully she smiles this time. Last year's picture looked quite like a mug shot. I don't have it on here and my printer with the nice scanner, well, it's not working, so I have no way to share. She picked out her outfit, and I surprised. I told her that I would pick it out because it needed to be a solid shirt without print. She asked what that meant and I explained it. Then she said, 'oh like the one I wore yesterday, right, mom?' Right indeed. So, as I was mulling over options in my head this morning (because I forgot to do the whole pick out clothes thing last night), she said, oh, like my purple shirt that I wear with my long shorts. Yes, exactly! She said she wanted to wear that shirt, and well, it was a solid shirt and hey, it beats racking my brain to figure out what to have her wear. I just ordered a small package because we are doing pictures at my sister's soon. And those will be far cuter than the "mug-shot" style the school takes.

The lady from school is coming out today for Sebastian's paperwork and such. He should be starting school soon. The state has to have the budget balanced by Oct. 1st and they will know more at that time. I am just glad he was accepted and that he gets to go. With this program, busing is provided, so I don't have to worry about transportation issues with me in school and doing my internship.

After that meeting, my mom, sister and I are going to the mall to have our rings cleaned and inspected to keep up the warranty. Then Carrie and I both have a return to make, and after that we will go to lunch at Ruby Tuesdays. Sebastian and Libby will be with us. I am looking forward to a day out.

I got the go ahead from my teacher....i can do my internship at the senior center. He also gave me two other choices, just to be fair and give me options, but I am going to stick with the senior center. I did have a second thought though when one of the options listed was a hospice. I am leaning towards working through a hospice at some point, when I done with school. I love the programs, love that it gives an alternative for terminally ill patients and they are so supportive and helpful at the end of one's life. But, for now, I will stick with the senior center. The hours are quite flexible, the environment friendly and laid back and I have some extra opportunities there.

Well, I am off here to finish preparing for the meeting. Enjoy your weekend!

Which way do I go?

The past week has left me feeling discombobulated. I so wish I could go back and attend that first day of class...it has thrown me off. I have caught up for the most part, but still have this niggling feeling that I am somehow missing something. Just don't know what "it" is. It does help that in two of my classes I have a classmate who has been in previous classes with me. So, we often discuss what is due, what's supposed to be happening and that has helped me feel up to speed.

My internship is tentatively set to start on Monday. Still have a few details to iron out, but I will be going back to the senior center where I did my student volunteer hours in the winter semester. I will have to learn new things and be given more opportunities in order for my instructor to allow the placement. That shouldn't be a problem. Ruben is excited to have me back and I look forward to going back.

Tony, one of my brother's long time friends, lost his dad yesterday. He is the middle child of 3. The oldest is around 30-32 yrs old. I just can't imagine having to plan a funeral for a parent at this age. My heart goes out to them. Tony was able to be with his dad in his final moments and he was the one who made the decision to have his dad taken off the life support. He knew that was what his dad would have wanted. His dad had been battling diabetes and was on dialysis. Plus he had heart trouble. Please keep the kids in your thoughts and prayers.

On a much lighter note, my aunt told me the funniest story about Makenneh last night. She had been to their house and she had offered my uncle Kevin something she was eating (they can't recall what it was). He said, "No thank you hon, Uncle Kevin doesn't have any teeth, so he can't eat that." She got the most sincere look on her face and said, "Ooooh, Uncle Kevin, tonight I will pray that God gives you teeth." We laughed sooo hard when my aunt told us this at bunco. At the same time, my heart just melted because what a sweet, thoughtful thing to say. She made his day and he still gets a chuckle when he talks about it.

On the business front: Mom has been researching wholesalers for flowers and other things we will need. We are also attending a "starting a business" seminar offered by the small business association. That's next friday. It just seems there is so much to do and my plate is already so full. I look around this computer room and see nothing but absolute clutter and mess. IT has to be cleaned and organized so that we can function in here. However, I haven't the time, when I have the moments to spare, I haven't the gumption. I know we will get there...it just may take a bit. I am also counting on having a better system down in a few weeks, once I acclimate to the full class load + internship + kids + homework + kids' schooling + household chores/activities.

Liberty is eating rice cereal now. She loves it. I haven't seen her in several days. It seems like forever because I am used to seeing her almost every day. Jeremy is over there right now, helping Ralph. They are putting on an addition. The addition will include a family room and a half-bath. I am not sure if it will be anything else. But, that will make such a big difference. There living room now is absolutely too small, as is their kitchen/dining area. This will allow them to use the current living room as dining area and then have a nice, large living room. Not to mention, a 2nd toilet is always a good thing.

We are taking the kids over to Carrie's one day soon for pictures. We will include Kaden and even do a picture of all the grandkids. I can't wait. I hope they turn out nice. Of course they will....:)

Well, I have some homework to look at and things I want to do. Have a great night!

One week down

We have all survived the first week of back to school. Everything went pretty well. I has a rough day on thursday though. Did i post about this yet? Well, if you start reading and it sounds familiar, feel free to skip over it....

I bought a planner from the college bookstore, as I have every semester. I buy the one with the college logo and all that jazz because it has lots of useful campus info, including a school calendar with important dates. Well, my handy planner said that classes start on September 9th. Cool. I go to school on Wednesday....biology. No big deal. Thursday, I get to class and see Casey. He is in my bio class. We start chatting and he asked...did you miss tues or just sign up? WHAT? Yeah, come to find out, classes started on the 8th, so I missed a day of school...3 classes. So, I have been trying to keep caught up. I just feel as though I have missed so much. I think I am mostly set. The worst part was missing my Social Work class...I emailed the instructor and he informed me that most students already have their placement choices. He emailed them a choice of 3. So, I had to bust a move. I called Ruben at the senior center, asked if he was interested in having me back and of course, he was delighted. LOL. So, I emailed the teacher back, told him, emailed him the field work placement request and he said that ruben needs to email him to request me and tell him what new things I will be doing/learning. So, I know it's a weekend but I emailed Ruben anyway, hoping he checks his mail first thing monday morning and gets that taken care of. I asked him to call me when he got the email to let me know, but I will probably call him first thing monday morning to be sure. I don't want to waste any more time. I have to do 20 hours per week to pass the class. I have monday and Wed from 10 til 430 and all day friday, which translates to 10-6. If need be, I can come in Tues from 3:30-6 and thurs from 230-6. It will leave me almost no time for homework/studying. I am started to stress about that. I just hope that the other classes I have this semester go as easily as the ones I have had up to this point. My head spins every time I think about it. I know I can do it, because many have done it before me. But, it doesn't change the fact that I feel overwhelmed. I have a couple writing assignments due this coming week which I haven't started. But, I plan to work on them a bit tomorrow and then Monday. They are pretty easy assignments, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Matt and Sara got home from their honeymoon, although it's not "over" yet. They came home early because they got 2 tickets to the Michigan v. Notre Dame game. So, they went, as part of their honeymoon. OF course, after the game started, i had an amazing idea....they should have made a big sign that said, "We are honeymoonin' at the BIG HOUSE!" I think it would have been cool..and they probably would have gotten on tv, too! LOL. But, it was a great idea, too late. The game was great. We watched it on TV. Ok, honestly I mostly didn't watch it...but I caught bits and pieces and I listened to quite a bit of it. It was very nailbiting. But, they pulled it off.

Makneneh loves school. She hasn't been much trouble at all in the mornings and I hope that continues. That was one thing I dreaded about last school year. But, we pick her clothes out the night before and that eliminates a lot of trouble and saves a lot of time. The couple papers she brought home that she has done in class were good. I was happy to see that.

Tomorrow is Jeremy's birthday. He will be 32. Funny, when I went to type his age, my finger was off so it came up as 21. I am sure he would love that. He was planning to spend the day fishing....but then he realized the Lions are playing football and wants to watch that. So, who knows what he will end up doing. He already got his bday gift from the kids and I....Madden 10. I will make him a cake and get some ice cream (he loooooves ice cream_...i was thinking of an ice cream cake...but that may "ruin" the ice cream for him..he loves to put peanut butter and chocolate syrup in his ice cream and mix it all up. Don't ask about his arteries...they are no good, I am sure. I am trying to think of what to have for dinner...want to make something he likes. We had steak (his fav) not even a week ago. OF cource, he would never complain about steak twice in a week, but the pocketbook would. We'll have to see.

Mom and I are going to a class on starting a business, offered by the small business & technology development center on Friday, the 25th. It will cut into my intern hours, but I can make them up, as the class is only a few hours long. I think we will get some valuable info and so it's worth it. The hardest part is pricing. As far as the planning goes, there is a lady near the area who does complete wedding coordinating for $200. At least, we have heard that from a friend of my sister in law. I don't know if she is telling the whole story or what. Because for the amount of work that goes into complete coordinating, the lady has to be working for pennies/hour. There is just no way that $200 compensates you for your time. You are taking about arranging all the services...from church to hall, to dj, caterer, etc.....meeting with bride multiple times to assist with things, being present at the churh and hall teh day of, making sure all runs smooth. Lots of leg work, lots of calling, lots of running....i don't see it as profitable at that rate. So, we are going to check into that some more. IT's not a huge deal, because, the floral part is the main concentration. We don't want to do complete coordinating for weddings all the time. We will do it, but the main this is, helping brides (or anyone planning an event) get organized, stay on track and save money every step of the way. Then, we will offer the flower service and also decoration rentals. So, there are plenty of aspects, that full coordinating doesn't have to pull the weight of the company. But, it still boggles me that this lady supposedly does all that for only $200. She must be bored and just need something to fill her time. I don't know.

So, as you can see, I am quite busy, have an overflowing plate and xanax anyone? I may need some! LOL. Breathe. deep. ooooooh. count. to. ten. LOL.

Well, I am going to finish up on here and get to bed....

Happy Birthday to my dear Husband....

We did it!

We went this morning and filed the DBA. The name of our business is Creative Affairs. I am working on the website right now. There is so much to do...it is almost overwhelming. But, I know we can do it and do it we will.

Today is Makenneh's first full day of school. I am curious to see how she handled the full day. I hope it goes well for her.

I start my classes tonight. I got my books today, just in time! My first class is biology-the human body. I am dreading this class most of all. My sister said it was a fun class and she enjoyed it. Of course, the instructor, and even classmates, can make or break a class.

Well, I am off here to work on more business stuff. So much to do, my head is spinning!

1st Day of 1st Grade

Makenneh went back to school today. This year she will be going all day. I can't believe how fast the summer flew by. Where did the time go? Anyway, she went to bed easily last night and then was easy to wake up this morning. She was so excited and more than ready to go back to school. I was so thankful for that. WE had gone up to the school yesterday to check the class list and so we knew that several of her friends from last year would be in her class again this year. Plus, my sister-in-law's little sister, Keely is in Makenneh's class as well. So, she has several kids she knows to start the year off. How nice! Jeremy insisted on waking her this morning about 20 mins before I would have. She got a little antsy after she was completely ready and then just sitting and waiting for the bus. And of course, the bus came about 15 mins late. I was getting antsy by then as well. But, the bus finally arrived and Makenneh was all smiles as she boarded! I just love it. I hope that she does well this year. I have to admit that I am sort of looking forward to the full days. I am going to miss her, but I won't miss the attitude she likes to dish out. Hopefully she doesn't start dishing that up at school!

I made a slideshow of the pictures from this morning, waiting for the bus. I will post that when I am done (mostly because it takes a while to upload the pics).

So, our DBA is TBA. Mom and I headed to the courthouse this morning to file the DBA only to be told that the name we wanted is in use. We could have added to the name to separate it, but it doesn't change the fact that it's still too close. And the list on the DBA site doesn't specify what type of business it is. Sooo, we stepped out of line, decided to go to the car and brainstorm. We created a list of about 6 names and headed back in....the first couple choices aren't available. finally, i asked if there was a site we could search from home and she gave us that info. We decided to come home and do the searching ourselves to save them time. We found one we like and that's available. We will go down in the morning to file it. In the meantime, I created the email address and started working on our website. I don't want to announce the name until we have the paper filed and it's a done deal. It can get tricky coming up with a name that isn't already taken. Carrie came over and we spent most of the day working on business stuff. It is going to be a lot of work but that work will have great payoffs!

I start classes tomorrow night. I go monday and wednesday nights, then tues and thurs midday. I will also have 150 hours of internship to complete at a place my instructor chooses for me. I am hoping he makes a good choice for me. I am kinda nervous about my schedule. I mentioned this to Jeremy and his reply? You go through this before every semester and every time, you do great! Yeah yeah, but i still fret a bit. Next semester will be all business classes except my one social work class for my internship. I wish I would have taken business courses this time. Too late now without a huge hassle I don't want to endure.

OH while I am thinking of it...prayers and positive thoughts, please. My cousin, Sarah, who just had a baby boy (jayden) in July, needs them. First off, she has been struggling with Post Partum Depression. To top it off, her boyfriend, the father to the baby, decided he no longer wanted to be a family and moved out. AT first, there was hope he would come back home, but it doesn't look like that will be happening. Please keep her and Jayden in your thoughts and prayers that she will find the strength and courage to do what she needs to do for the best interest of the baby and to keep herself well. I know she would appreciate it.

Tomorrow, after filing the DBA, I need to exchange Makenneh's tennis shoes. Remember the hassle I had finding some that fit? Well, we go to put them on her this morning and she says they don't feel good. now, I don't know if it's the hillbilly in her (and hey, flip flops or barefeet are divine), but apparently no shoe feels worthy of being worn in her opinion. So, I have her stand and wiggle her toes...she says she can't. I push around to feel for big toe..it's at the very end. Now, I know I did this very thing prior to purchasing these shoes. So, either shrinking dust was sprinkled on them or her feet grew at least a half size in a few weeks. I was so frustrated. So, I have to exchange them. Along with her denim skirt I already exchanged once. I know, it sounds as if i am an incompetent shopper. R eally, I am not. Well, perhaps, because I don't find it all that exciting. LOL. But, the size I originally bought I thought nothing of until I got it home and realized it was a size larger than what I had been buying her. Well, i exchanged it and got the size I thought she needed....only to come home and discover it was too tight. So, the sizing must be different because all her other clothes fit with room to spare. That'll teach me. I should have had her try it on before I returned the first one. Maybe I'll call Carrie and get her to go as well and we will stop for lunch and I can use my gift card for Ruby Tuesday while we are at the mall. That might make the inconvenience worth it ;)

---still have a few pictures to wait for....I guess I can continue rambling.

Matt and Sara are still on their honeymoon. They never planned anything particular, just tossed around several ideas. They like to procrastinate..even about fun things. Well, they ended up doing a road trip of the western and northern part of the state. They are coming home friday though because they got two tickets to the Michigan game and they will wrap their honeymoon up with that! How appropriate seems how they entered the hall to the Michigan fight song and the garter was a Michigan garter. Seems fitting!

The kittens are cute as ever. In fact, I have some pictures of them on the slideshow I am working on. Aunt Bev, I must tell you that Uncle Harold thinks that one particular kitty should be grandma's. He looks like Garfred...and he has such a sweet personality and the biggest, buggiest, blue eyes. He is a favorite around here. The other 3 kittens are fluffy...he is sleek and oh so soft. He took one look at the litter and said, "That one should be grandma's". ;)

And here it is, the slideshow! I am off to bed now....have to get to an alarm clock these days!

Camping pictures

Here are the pictures from the kids' camping trip. They had a great time and were pretty well behaved.

We got my mother-in-law all packed up and her belongings moved to storage. She is on her way (should be almost there) to her aunt's on the other side of the state. She'll stay there until the apartment is ready for her to move into. Then we get to move all the stuff in for her.

I guess that's it for now...I have to get some things done to prepare for back to school. Makenneh goes back Tuesday and I go back on Wednesday. Lots to do.

Busy week

We have had such a busy week. Mom and I started to unclutter the house. Of course, the day we chose, we had nonstop company stopping over. Then, it was time to plan for their camping trip and that was followed by me helping my mother-in-law pack to move. So, needless to say, mom and I have had no time to work on business matters. I want to say that we will get down to the county clerk's office on Tuesday to file a DBA. I am not holding my breath though, because we will have to see what Tuesday brings. In the meantime, there are checklists to type, contracts to create, business cards to design and so much more. Of course, we don't want to do anything carved in stone with a business name until we get the DBA and know for sure that our name will work. But, with the technology, we can type it up and always go in and edit if need be.

I spent most of the evening helping mom in law pack. We got quite a bit accomplished, but ran out of totes and so came to a stand still. Not to mention, she was tired and ready to call it a night. I could have kept on going. But, Jeremy was always wanting to get home and into bed.

The kids will be home tomorrow. I am sure they will have lots of stories to tell. And there will be pictures to share. Hopefully they come home in delightful moods. Makenneh seems to have a tendency to come home from outings with an attitude. Let's hope that's not the case tomorrow.

I peeled the fake nails off tonight. It was too much with all the packing and stacking tonight. I couldn't take anymore. Now I have to get my nailbeds back in shape. They are caked with nail glue. The part I dislike about fake nails. Love having them on and feel all glamorous and girly, but when they come off, the nail beds aren't the same for some time.

Well, I am going to get off here and work on business stuff.