Saturday, January 26, 2013

Thinking

I haven't had the best week honestly. 
I had a tummy issue, fought with the kid's running noses and this morning I woke up with a scratchy throat. 
I'm also sad and whiny because I don't feel the greatest and hubby had to leave me and go get the car that is *finally* ready. 
Ah, I know, so many people have it worse, but once in a while you just need to celebrate your own pity party so welcome to mine *WINK* 
I'm having chicken soup, wanna some? 

Anyway, I recently looked hard at our finances and thinking of steps to improve ourselves and get some solid savings, you know for the times when the car just gives up on you and such! 
Mind you, we're really frugal people: I make my own detergents and cleaning supplies, trade for soap and shampoo with other artisan and we don't really have any addiction so to speak, so there isn't much to cut back, unless we stop paying bills (we got rid of cable 2 years ago already) or stop eating LOL 

 I do have a part time job and the extra money is nice, you know, for a little family outing every once in a while, Christmas shopping and stuff. 
But there is no way around it, if we want some solid savings, I will have to start working full time. 

I do love working at school and such, so I think it will be nice for me if I can find a full day job in the school district and from that thought and a little soul searching, I think what I'm aiming for is for a classroom assistant job or similar. 

 So I did a little research and to be able to apply for these kind of position I will have to take (and pass) a para pro assessment test
The test itself doesn't cost much, the material is available to study at any time, but I will have to go to Tallahassee to take the test.......another road trip.....kill me know please! 

You can understand how with the last happenings, I really don't look forward to another trip out of town *with my car* any time soon *SIGH* 

So, I was dwelling myself if I really should put this on my list of priority and make it happen just like I did with the citizenship or put this dream on the back burner for better times until I found this, scrolling on facebook: 

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. 

However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. 

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. 

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.." 

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." 

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." 

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class." 

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag 

Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. 

 On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. 

By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.." A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling* her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. 

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life. 
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life. 

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD. 

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for* believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you." 

(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.) 

Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? Just "do it". Random acts of kindness, I think they call it? "Believe in Angels, then return the favor." 

This story touched my heart and soul very deeply. 
I'm not sure if it's a sign of not, I know many people don't believe in those things (hubby will be the first one to say that I read too much into things). 

Anyway, I do have few months before deciding, but if I go for it, it will happen on April.
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Saturday, January 19, 2013

What I've been working on

It's been a while since I showed off any of my crocheted creation, so I thought I will take care of it now. 
In the mist of the trip from Jacksonville I did have few nice sales. 

The first thing I sold while I was away from hone is the over sized cupcake pincushion, to a man nonetheless that was praising the idea of over sized objects in my shop. 

 
So now I'm wondering if I should study giant versions of the other pincushions I usually make. 

On Etsy I had a wholesale inquiry that turned in a nice sale. 
Again cupcake pincushions, this time normal sized. 
Freshly made! 


I recently made a dinosaur plush for a sweet friend of mine! She loved it a lot, so I decided to list it for sale as well

  

As many of my reader know by now, my daughter takes ballet classes and I made her a nice bun cover to match her leotard. 
Her ballet teacher asked me if I could make them for everybody, so now I have a bunch up for sale on my website
So far, everybody is loving this one: 

 

I'm also gonna venture myself into selling some vintage gowns on Etsy, so please welcome CLTvintage
Not much listed as for right now but I plan to have more and more up soon. 

What are you been working on instead?
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Friday, January 18, 2013

Giveaway win: Free Spirit Jewels

I always enter giveaways I find all over the web, from friend's blogs to community forums and it's always a nice thrilling sensation when I finally win something! 

This time, I found this giveaway promoted on the Artfire forums from a seller there and I'm happy to report that I was the lucky winner of a $10 gift certificate from Free Spirit Jewels

I immediately went on the search of something awesome in her shop and found this amazing Bohemian Petina Dangle Earrings 
 

I loved the bohemian style and the "antique" looks they have, plus they come in many colors included my favorite: blue! 
What else could I ask? 

 I won this giveaway before the holidays, so I was tickled to have a little package to open for myself. Lorraine promptly sent my prize out and even during the holiday postal overload, they showed up at my door at lightning speed! 

Here some eye candy that I got as soon as I opened the package: I felt so spoiled!

Finally I had to try them on and show them off. Bear with me, it's not the best picture on the planet! (And yes, my hair have already grown THAT much!)

I can honestly say that they look awesome on me! LOL 
Jokes aside, I love the medium size of the earrings and how light weight but sturdy they are! 

You need to get yourself a pair too, you say? I hear ya! And I'm telling you for head over Free Spirit Jewels and get yourself some! 
And while you're at it, visit her blog from more giveaways! 
Right now, she's giving away a beautiful ring and another $10 gift certificate! 

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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Can't catch a break!

So yesterday was the big day, the day that off I went to take my citizenship test. 
All was planned and Monday night, we loaded the car and started driving to Jacksonville where I had reserved a lovely hotel room to rest before going to the Homeland Security Office. 

We arrived to the Best Western hotel at 1 am and was warmly greeted, they made me "guest of the day" and my name was in bald letters on their board at the entrance.....wish I took a picture of it! 
Plus, once in the room I found a sweet gift bag with 2 bottle of water and snacks for the kids, which was more than appreciated, since we were tired, exhausted and hungry. 
I didn't get the chance to get a picture of the little gift bag or the room before we messed it up unfortunately, but when I woke up in the morning, I caught a lovely view outside the window, just before sunrise. 


It was so beautiful and peaceful, it was just too bad that I had business to do elsewhere!! 
But we had time to enjoy the lovely breakfast they served which included everything for every tastes and needs, from eggs, to bread, to waffles, milk, coffee and pastries.....oh my!! 
I really wish I wasn't so nervous about the test I was gonna take! 

 Anyway, we arrived promptly at the Homeland Security Office and after a little wait it was my turn! I was shaking, but all went well and I'm happy to report that in a month or 2 I will be "officially" sworn in and become American! 

 All was well and we were on our way home thinking of a cool way to celebrate the event when the car starts acting up.....in the middle of the interstate!!! 
We barely make it to the next exit and at this point is clear that we need to have it towed :( 


And so the wait started! the tow truck finally came and it can bring us to the closer dealership, about 5 miles away. So a trip to the ATM and $120 later, we are at the dealership to see what the damage is but everybody is out for lunch......so we wait again! We do end up catching the longest train I ever saw just outside the glass walls of the dealership tho! 


Turns out that the transmission gave out :( 
 So we had to get a rental and try to get home the best I can..... 

I'm trying to stay positive and thinking that it could have been worse. 
I'm trying to get out of my head that this is not karma trying to tell me that becoming an American citizen just wasn't the right thing to do. 

BUT, the truth of the matter is that just now I was feeling like things were looking up and now I'm back to square one :(
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Sunday, January 13, 2013

Happy Sunday!

I woke up in the wee hours of Sunday morning and I was greeted with this image in my living room 


(Sorry for the blurry picture, as I said it was very early in the morning and I was still kinda of sleepy)  
The kids insisted on having a "slumber party" yesterday day, which means staying on the couch watching Netflix while munching until they fall asleep. 

As you can see, the couch is very tiny, so what it usually happens is that Michelle sleeps on it while Gabriel waits around for her to crash and then he will go to sleep in his bed (and yes, we do own very nice, very big and warm beds for the children in this house!) 

This time I guess he couldn't wait any longer and just crashed on the couch too, which gave me the opportunity to take this picture and be able from now on to black mail them when they fight.....it will be a sweet picture to share with their future boyfriend and girlfriend, don't you think??? LOL 

This vision also brought back memories of me and my sibling sharing tiny spaces just for the sake of fun or to stay together. I'm sure, many others can relate. 

When I think of LOVE, I think of moments like this!
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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Gabriel's birthday


Yesterday was my baby boy birthday!! 
I don't know when it happened, but he dared turning 9 years old while I wasn't looking LOL And as you can see from the picture he's quite proud of himself! 

I'm really happy to say that this year things are so very different from the dark period we had last year and I couldn't ask for a better way to celebrate the happenings. 

Today Gabriel is a very happy boy that shows social progress daily, works hard at school regardless of his disability. 

 He still loves Spiderman and his new interest is the Skylander video game. 

 Looking back I realized that I changed a lot too during this year, for the better to be exact and finally in a position to think that thing can only can better an forward from there. 

 A lesson that I couldn't have learned without this amazing child and the challenges around him in my life :)
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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Weight update #8

I haven't done a weight update in a while, since after Thanksgiving to be exact, so it's about time. 


So it' seems that I've gained about 1 pound during the Christmas holidays, which honestly I'm not worried about, it's a nothing in my radar! 

It's almost time to take my measurement, since I haven't checked those since October, so here they are: 
Chest: 38" (1 inch up) 
Waist: 32" (the same) 
Hips: 41" (the same) 
Thigh: 23" (the same) 
Arm: 12" (1 inch up.....could it be muscles from weight lifting????) 

As for right now I'm alternating between 4 lb and 10 lb dumb bells to build muscles and resistance. 

I haven't been really good at my walking honestly, I didn't want to be one of those New Year resolutions when I start off super good the first week and then forget about it. I'd rather slowly work it again in my routine once we're settle down from the holiday break. 

I did reward myself with a couple of new things tho. The first one, is a nice slimmer belt to use during exercising. 


It says that it help burn 65 calories in 15 minutes....I'm thinking to start using it while at work, while I walk for 3 hours straight...I think it can really help and see some inches off my waist! 
The only complaint tho is a strong smell of plastic one I opened the box, it's been sitting outside for few days and it still smells....any ideas?? 

And My friend Jodi just gifted me a nice pair of capri athletic pants.....can't wait to try them on to exercise!!
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Sunday, January 6, 2013

Inspirational Sunday

Today's inspiration come from a pin on pinterest that I just read: 
 

 Don't forget to tell yourself that you're worth loving. 
EVERY DAY. 
NO MATTER WHAT. 

This inspired me tonight and I hope it will inspire my readers too.
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Saturday, January 5, 2013

Change

Every time a new year starts, I like to go around the house and make little changes, moving furniture around and make some home improvements. 

The same goes for my business. 
I used to be able to send a newsletter with news and updates to my customers every month, but the truth of the matter is that lately I've been so busy and I wasn't able to keep up with monthly updates. So, what I decided to do, with the suggestion of my friend Kayla at The Eclectic Element, is to send out updates about my blog. 
I intend to keep it as a monthly update to keep my promise to the customers that signed up, but it will be different as instead of creating a new content exclusively about my business, my blog post have a little bit of news, personal updates and actuality facts and everything that strikes my fancy. 

I do expect to see people unsubscribing eventually and I wanted to assure you that I will understand, you can unsubscribe at anytime and I will not take it personally or have my feelings hurt. If you don't know how to unsubscribe but want to do so, just contact me and I will do manually. 

Just baer with me in this phase of change, as I set up the campaign but I have no clue how good this will work. 

 Thanks!

PS: I've done my first boo-boo as the first email sent out was completely blank! I apologize I had some kinks to work out and thanks Kayla for your patience!
 
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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy 2013!

The 2013 is finally arrived and I found a funny little image that sums it up! LOL 


I hope that everybody had a safe and sound end on 2012 and begin of 2013. 

Of course, now is the time of the new year resolutions and I couldn't help but going back to this same post that I wrote a year ago..... It's seem forever ago since lots of things happened and I do like to revisit old resolutions and goals to see how far (or little!) I've come. 

My first goal last year was to get both my kind in the same school. It took me almost 8 months to accomplish that, but I can finally say that it happened! As I foresaw, it's not been smooth sailing at all. Although Gabriel is very happy and holding up some good grade in almost everything, he's failing reading comprehension which is required to pass in order to move to forth grade. We are going to consult a doctor to see if we can help him with his attention problem, but it the meanwhile, it might be that he will have to repeat 3rd grade. Even in light of that, I still think we made the right decision last year and that makes me more confident that we can conquer all the other bumps that will appear on our road. 

My second goal was to find a better job (better hours and/or better pay): Last year I had to work through New Year Eve and the 1st of January which didn't make me very happy. Also in light of the fact that the company did little to find me new customers when my lady passed away. But I'm pleased to say that I love my current job at the school, I love what I do, I love the kids and the coworkers....how many people are lucky enough to say that??? Now the pay.....well, that's another matter! But still, I can't complain. 

My last goal was an attitude change about smiling more just to piss off the people that want my smile gone. I think I successfully reached that goal and I plan on keep on doing it. There is no price to see the look on the face of people that will tell you mean things just to ruin your day when they realize....they can't! 

So now it's time to set new goals!! 

  • As a mom, I hope to be able to help Gabriel through his attention problem and reach a point where he doesn't have to struggle so much. Hopefully as soon as possible. For Michelle, I hope to be able to instill in her some leadership skills that she's lacking at the moment.
  • Personally, I want to keep working on my weight loss, but more importantly on an healthy lifestyle independently if it translate on a weight loss or not. I guess what I'm saying is that I want to focus on the journey rather then the result as I think I will get the results I want without stressing about it. I foresee another 5k soon, possibly 2 and I intend to have fun at it.
  • Hopefully buying a house this year: I really really want to!!!
  • The trip in Italy: it's happening and I'm not hearing reasons or rhymes.
  • Lastly, I want to challenge myself more, to learn new things and get out of my comfort zone a little, because when I do I grow more, I have fun and I have more confidence in myself when it's done. 
I'm looking forward for the many things happening  this year. The first thing up is my interview for the citizenship.....talk about learning new things!! I just realized that I have less then 2 weeks to learn all about American history and politics........ekkkkk! Then there is Gabriel's birthday, Michelle's birthday, the end of the school, a baby coming in my family in July and my brother's wedding in September......sounds good so far.....what about you???


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