kellicrowe

Current Obsession: The Big Bang Theory

Of course I print out an episode list from on line so I can chart what we watch...I mean, who doesn't?  Right?

I LOVE falling for a show that already is comfortably running in syndication.  Or is catalogued on Netflix.  Getting to immerse myself in the story is so much more fun than waiting for it to be piecemealed out, stingily, once a week.

Other people print out the episode guides for series they are watching.  I am sure they do.  Other wise they wouldn't have "printer option" options.

My chart: J for if my husband has watched it.  K for me.  And a O if we have it recorded.  I empty set it, O,  when we have both watched it and it is o.k. to delete.  (I know, that is a horizontal empty set. That is the way I write it.  I kinda think of it as a Saturn.  And I "Saturn it out" when we are all done with it.)

I am either all in or have no interest.  And with The Big Bang, I am so all in.  I haven't narrowed down which board game I want yet.  But I do have my favorite Sheldon inspired super hero t-shirts in amazon cart.

Next Halloween - we are so going as Amy and Sheldon.  I'll even let John David be Sheldon.

 

Getting Ready Christmas a Little Everyday: Decorating

This my upstairs hallway. Halloween items being packed up on the left and Christmas being unpacked on the right.  I set a goal to pull this all out and take only 1 week to decorate my house.

And then I invited people over for that deadline day.  People with little kids.  Who will want to run around.  So I will definitely have my breakable ornaments my grandmother gave me put up or put away by then!  If I didn't set this goal and then have people coming over...I'd leave these boxes here until Christmas Eve.

Some people may decorate all in 1 day, sure....but those people probably are not as lazy as I am.  If I did that, no one would eat or be clean or learn anything.  And I would probably be kinda mean.  Falalala. 

By having it all out in the hall, I can see what I have and find what I need pretty easily.

The key is putting it away organized. 

I have lived in this house for 10 years and have it down as to how I like to decorate it.  If I need the decorations for the mantle, I most likely will have the stocking holders and stockings all packed up together.  It makes it easy to carry one container to the loaction.  AND I take the things that are normally on the mantel down and put them in the same box for safe keeping until after Christmas. 

My mom always took away as much as she put out as far as decroations go so we never felt cluttered up during the holidays.  Some people's housees look so pretty but you can't find a single flat surface to put anything down on....and soon I start feeling closterphobic.

By storing like items together, I can better access what I need. 

But having said that, I will admit that the small wreath I was looking for was not in the small wreath container. 

Sigh. 

 

Thankful Mini Journals

We started "What Makes Me Happy" journals last November. We were all about them for 2 weeks and then...I don't know what happened.  We kinda just stopped.  Perfectionist me would have seen this as a failure.  Lazy me to the rescue! This was an opportunity to revisit the journals each and every November to prepare for Thanksgiving!  (Thanks goodness for Lazy Me!).

I call them Thankful Journals but we really list things that make us happy.  Here is why:

When I ask my kids to write down what they are thankful for, I get the same answers from each of them.  They list things they know they are supposed to write down when someone asks them about being thankful.  By asking "What makes you happy?" - I got those moments of thankfulness I expected, like Alex's entry for his family. But I also got much more specific things.

This is David's.  He is currently making a scrapbook of his best drawings.  He works on improving it each day.  He rips out any he finds sub-par and tosses them and replaces it with a new sketch.

(I kinda want to do that with my own scrapbook sometimes.)

It not only tells me he is thankful for the ability to draw but gives me a snapshot of what his life is like right now.

Max listed several things that make him happy today.  I think he thought he was doing a week's worth of "happy" in an effort to not have to think about it tomorrow.  Has he met me before?

This tells me things he likes and looks forward to right now in his life.  And will remind of the year he was diagnosed with dyslexia. 

Of course I am thankful for Alex.  AND, I am thankful that he is the kind of kid who makes milkshakes for the whole family.

Instead of just listing his brothers as something he is grateful for, I love that David wrote about how he likes to watch them play video games.  (David is the most knowledgable video game non-player I am aware of).   Of which I am aware? That I know. 

I bought the Moleskin mini lined journals at Barnes and Noble.  They came in colorful 3 packs.  But you can get something similar at Wal-mart that are slightly larger.

Just a little share of what we now have as a new November tradition at our house.  Until e get distracted again.....

Getting Ready for Christmas a Little Every Day: De-Halloweening the House

I put on our first Christmas songs of the season (Santa Clause is Coming to Town by the Jackson 5) and gave my family the terms: see how much of the house you can de-Halloween by the end of the song WITHOUT breaking anything.

It took a second song (A Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives) for them to get the porch, mantles and kitchen table all cleaned up and put the decorations next to my storage boxes for me to pack up.

It made a kinda boring task pretty fun and quick.

It is easier for me to put away the Halloween decorations as I pull out the Christmas stuff because I keep the storage boxes in the same place.

Also, it kinda makes a mess to put things away (fake spider webs flying) and to pull out Christmas decorations (hello glitter).  I just assume do it all at once and then vacuum. Contrary to what people may think, I decorate early and a little each day because I am lazy.  Not because I am super obsessed.  And I think it is a fun thing to decorate so why stress out about something fun?

There are SO MANY things that are real and substantial to stress about.  A holiday mantle really shouldn't make the list.

 

**Photo of Max by Tara Whitney.  I added an eye patch right over the frame and put a few cobwebs on it to add a little subtle Halloween decorating.  All cobwebs in my house should be seen as intentional, subtle Halloween decor.

Sewing: How hard could it be?

1 Dog bed: slightly chewed.

Trimmed the frayed pieces. Taped edge down with fun masking tape. 

Sewed up with equally fun thread.

Sewing: nailed it!

 

Grumbling Gourds Guard our Grub...or Halloween Decorations on Our Kitchen Table

Always having a bit of an anthropomorphic bent to my nature, I immediately named everyone of these guys. 

This is Sigmund. 

Obvioulsy, a nod to the Sigmund the Seamonster from H.R. Pufnstuf.

Aloe plant + 2 ping pong balls with pupils sharpied on them.

Got the idea from this pinterest pin where someone put beach ball eyes into a tree.

Liked the idea but lacked any real height or desire to carry a heavy ladder to pull it off.

In front of Simund, from right to left:

Beatrice, Hugh, Winston, and (in the front) Frederick.

Frederick wants to make sure you pronounce that "er" in the middle of his name.

This time, from left to right: Howard, Pete and Patrice.

This time by tooth color: green teeth is Oliver, no teeth but rockin a cool 'stach is Mr. Orzo , and purple teeth is Justin. And Frederick, who you have already met.

Howard is a foam pumpkin from Wal-mart sporting fangs from the $ section at Target.

The idea for this guy came from Martha Stewart's Fanged Pumpkins. I left off the wings and added white cardstock (circles made using a scrapbooking circle punch) for bigger eyes.

Frederick was inspired by Veggie Tales...which I am a little sad my kids have outgrown.  But I still listen to their theme music on my ipod. I think Frederick needs a monocle.

And that is what is on our kitchen table.  And, jokes aside....I would swear they are always in a different order when I flip on the light.

It is not too late to sign up for True Scrap 4!

True Scrap 4

I know...I am one of the teachers at this event and that is why I am promoting it - right?  Yes.  But also, it is really one of my favorite events.  I am super excited about attending True Scrap and here is why:

1. Scrapbooking classes where I can make stuff without packing up all my supplies and hauling them somewhere else. (Maybe you are a happy cropper...but personally, I get grumpy packing up things and then unpacking and not having what I need, etc.) 

2. I always learn something.  At True Scrap 3 - I was totally drawn into learning about digital scrapbooking.  And that is something that I never really set aside time to learn about before.

3. I always get inspired.  Just seeing pages, products and being "around" other scrapbookers makes me super excited to want to make things.

4. I love the interaction between teachers and students after each class.  And the intereaction with other scrapbookers is golden.  It is super to be in an environment where everyone else is super excited about scrapbooking or photography like I am. 

5. And, if I miss any of the classes (I will have family visiting this weekend) I can view them again later.  Awe. Some.

Tonight kicks off with a little on line Pajama Party Crop and tomorrow the classes get into full swing.  I am super excited!

 

True Scrap 4 Class Pass winner!

The Random Number Generator selected:

Jean Hogarth said...

Would love to join the amazing super-heros in their True Scrap quest, so I watched the video and signed up for more info. Hope I win!

Jean, I need to get your e-mail asap!

My e-mail: walkingonsunshine73@yahoo.com

Please put True Scrap or Scrapbooking in the subject line:)

Meal Planning Fail

 

She knew when she saw the meal planning refrigerator sticker that it was just what she needed to give this "figuring out what we are going to eat before we all get hungry" thing a shot.  Unfortunately, her new-found meal planning zeal overshadowed the fact that she owned a side by side refrigerator. For the past 10 years. 

 

And yes, talkig about herself in the thrid person does make it feel a little less stupid.

But not as much as she would have liked.

TRUE Scrap 4 Give Away!

Look, up in the sky!

Is that a bird?

A plane?

NO! It's TRUE SCRAP 4, coming Oct. 19-20!

True Scrap 4 is the galaxy's ONLY online, live scrapbooking and papercrafting experience.

With 15 A - list instructors, five virtual make-and-takes, and a ton of fun, you won't want to miss it. Instructors bring classes on everything from photography to design to inspiration right to your computer –Live!

You log in from home and interact in our state-of-the-art webroom, chatting, learning, and
interacting in real time. And it's all recorded so you can go back and watch again and again.

Sound cool? I think so! And here's something even cooler: You can WIN a FREE spot in True Scrap 4, valued at $147, plus some other great prizes.

Here's how to enter:

1. Go to True Scrap Super Instructors and watch the sneak peek instructor video.

2. Sign up for the “More Info” email list at the bottom of the page.

3. Come back here and leave me a comment letting me know you've done steps 1 & 2.
Contest closes on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012. Winners will be notified by Wed., Sept. 25, 2012, and all
prizes must be claimed by Friday, Sept. 28, 2012.

I am so excited to be part of this event, which is sponsored by Two Peas in a Bucket. 

Here's the full list of instructors who will be appearing LIVE at this event:

• Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
• Erin Bassett
• Monica Bradford
• Kelli Crowe  (Hey - That's me!)
• Laura Denison
• Jennifer Gallacher
• Nic Howard
• Noell Hyman
• Katrina Kennedy
• Nichol Magouirk
• Gretchen Schmidt
• Katrina Simeck
• Jessica Sprague
• Heidi Swapp
• Jennifer Wilson

Ready to sign up? You can get $20 off your registration by going here now! Get ready for a fantastic weekend!

Cocoa Daisy Picnic in the Park Weekend Crop and Challenge!

 

I was so excited when Cocoa Daisy asked me to join in on their super fun theme of Picnic in the Park!

They have an extensive list of challenges all featured on their site here: Cocoa Daisy

There are already pre-crop challenges posted.  I love the one you can see right now by Lisa Saunders! 

Here is a sneak peek of 1 of the 2 I made for Cocoa Daisy.

Thanks again Cocoa Daisy for asking me to participate!

I look forward to checking in throughout the day to see what you have in store!

True Scrap 3 - On Line Scrapbooking Classes this weekend!

 

I am super duper excited to be a part of this again!

I have to say, it is really well done.

I didn't think that I'd like the on line classes at first.  But I totally enjoyed experiencing the instruction with the others on line.  The chance to ask questions and get real time responses was super.

And then, I was also able to review all the classes at my leisure later.  (Which is great - because I am super slow...at scrapbooking.)

You can sign up here: http://www.truescrap.com/ts3/

Glitter and Geeketry

Monica Bradford, Creator of ScrapInspired and Take 12 Team Member for Ella Publishing

Artsy Effects for Hybrid Pages

Anna Aspnes, Digital Designer

Pack Your Bags Cricut Mini-Album

Cara Miller, Cricut Expert Instructor at My Creative Classroom

Mixed Media Home Accents

Erin Bassett, Superstar Designer and Scrapbook Diva

Jumpstart Your Art: What to do when you’re just not feeling it

Gretchen Schmidt, Scrapbook Instructor and Design Team Member for Karen Burniston

Beyond the Box: Creative ways to add journaling to your pages

Jennifer Gallacher, Two Peas Garden Girl and Echo Park Editor

When the Lights are Low: Low-Light Photography

Katrina Kennedy, Creator of CaptureYour365.com

Just Get It On the Page! Finally scrapbooking those photos and stories you’ve had lying around forever

Kelli Crowe, Scrapie Girl, Autumn Leaves Scrapbooking Contributor, Trekkie, and Mr. Darcy Admirer

Finish What You Start: Project planning and completion, step by step

Melissa Shanhun, Creator of DigitalScrapbookingHQ.com

Flower Frenzy

Nic Howard, Author of 'That's Life'

More Stamping on Scrapbook Layouts

Nichol Magouirk, CK Hall of Famer

Designing with Symbols and Imagery

Noell Hyman, Host of Paperclipping.com

The Perfect Collection: Using your favorite collection pack to the very last scrap

Shimelle Laine, Designer for Jenni Bowlin Studios, American Crafts and Two Peas in a Bucket

Scrapping Green: Sustainable crafting

Susan Weckesser, Artist and Teacher

Blending Secrets: Seamless Digital Blending

Tiffany Tillman, CK Hall of Famer and Digi Designer

…Plus special guest interview with Becky Higgins!

---

What you’ll get:

-Full admission to all 15 classes, live

-Five virtual make-and-take short project videos

-Audio interview with the amazing Becky Higgins

-Eternal access to class recordings to view at your convenience

-More fun than you can shake a stick at AND extra goodies!

…And if you register before April 19, you’ll get this

All for the low price of $147!

(that’s less than $9 per class!)

 

My obsession with reading Pride and Prejudice spin offs...

No, I haven't read The Help.

Or Twilight.

Or Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Or The Hunger Games.

Or anything not related to Pride and Prejudice....since 2009.  

O.k.  

2008.

I am that person who, inexplicably even to myself, has been completely and happily submerged  in a Darcy and Elizabeth bubble not even broken by the unfortunate zombie book incident.

(O.k, yes, I read the Harry Potter series to my kids and I have read many books on and for educating my children...but those were during the DAY time reading.  Day time reading is entirely different from what one reads in the evening.)

These are just the books I haven't reveiwed yet.  

Not the stack of 20 already on my shelf.

It is a compulsion.

And the actual wonderful thing about reading them is that they swirl around in my brain in a delightful slush and then I can't remember what happened when and where and I read them again.  (People don't talk up the good in having a bad memory enough.)

I hear it.

Crazy talk from someone who has always read everything.

At 12:20 am this morning, I grabbed my robe, pulled on my socks and shuffled into the living room.  On page 65 of Abigail Reynold's, By Force Of Instinct, I knew I might as well get up and read the remaining 200 pages on the sofa (instead of trying to silently turn pages without waking John David).  

And then I will talk about them with anyone who will listen.  And then I will talk about them for 5 minutes beyond when I can tell that person might be done listening.  And maybe as they walk away....

(Not quite that much.)

But what some may call compulsion and obsessiveness, I consider to be a thoroughness and loyalty.

Now, I must get back to my book.  

I really hope things work out between these two.....

 

 

 

Why we homeschool our boys

 

One of the children who used to live in our neighborhood has moved away and grown up and gone off to college...much to my amazement because she is still the adorable, bright eyed 3rd grader she used to be in my head.  In a class she is taking, she was assigned the culture sub group of homeschoolers.  She has asked for our participation in answering some questions and observing us for this project. 

We are a cultural sub group.

It makes me laugh every time.  I mean, it is so true and yet it is something I never thought about.  

Should I tell her I am a trekkie as well?  Part of me is tempted to go and purchase a long denim skirt to wear on the day she visits;)  

Her first question is why we decided to homeschool.  I figured, if I was going to type it out in an e-mail, I might as well double dip and put it here as well.  It is probably the # 3 question get asked right behind #1) What are you going to do about High School? and #2) How do you put up with your children all day long?  

Here is a recap of how it came about:

(Despite my best efforts to fix it - the spacing on this post is a bit odd from here on out.)

The short version - I realized the the private school (that the boys were attending) and the public school in our area  did not provide the options I felt like David needed as a child diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Despite what medical and educational professionals told me, I realized I was the person who was the most invested and informed about his abilities.

The long version - When David was in 2 year old preschool, we realized he was behind in vocabulary and other age appropriate skills.  He was diagnosed at 4 with Autism.  He went to speech and occupational therapy several times a week from the ages of 2 - 7.  We had selected a school that the children could attend from preschool all the way to 12th grade when we enrolled them.  There was even a preschool co-ordinater who helped children in the preschool program to assimilate into the classes if they had any special needs.

Preschool, over all, was a colossal failure for all of us.  David just never adjusted.  He heard every little sound in the room or he blocked it all out and lived in his own little world.  We struggled with what to do.  I mean, if he couldn't even sit in circle time and sing about a bear coming over a mountain, how would he ever be able to sit at a desk and learn to add?  And if he couldn't do that, then how would he cope with changing classes one day and driving?  And if that was a problem, then how on earth would he ever be able to manage his time in college or hold down a job?  I had such a traditional, linear thought process about education that I equated not sitting at circle time to never living on his own or having a family or a job.  It sounds ridiculous to say it in a few sentences like that, but it is an idea loop that a lot of parents have.  I can defend that statement very well, but that is a digression for another day.

When it came time to apply for kindergarten, this same lady pulled me aside and told me something that was hurtful and yet, extremely helpful: there was no point in applying for David.  The school had so many applicants, that they would not even consider a child in any sort of therapy.  She told me as a kindness and I did really appreciate it.  I am not even upset with the school.  It is what it is. 

A resource teacher from Fulton County schools was assigned to David.  She came and observed him in his preschool class when he was 4.  She came as many times as we requested and met with us for consultations.  Her suggestion was that David should attend full day kindergarten instead of the half days I wanted to enroll him in.  We should put him in the special needs classes and he should ride the bus (even though I wanted to drive him to school).  We needed to put him in all of the sensory filled, abrasive environments we could so he would learn to cope with them.

She was thoughtful and invested in David.  I appreciated her suggestions, but I went to my car and burst into tears.  (It didn't help that I was very pregnant with little boy #3 on the emotional front.)  I sat there and cried and cried. 

And then I was done.  It was as if a cloud lifted and the sun came out.  

I would teach him at home.  It was almost a choice left by default.

I understand the idea of putting him into abrasive environments and making him adapt.  It reminded me of those swim class where you throw your baby into the deep end of the pool.  Those children never drown and they learn to swim within a week.  It is practical and designed to save lives.  However, I didn't sign my kids up for that.  I signed them up for swim lessons over a summer.  I wanted them to have the skills so that when they got to the deep end of the pool, it was about enjoyment and not survival.  That is the best way to explain my perspective on educating David.  I wanted to give him the skills to handle the abrasive environments while dipping him into them in a controlled way.

Some people will tell you they are called by God to homeschool.  That is super.  I'd never tell non - homeschoolers that if it were my own story because that puts even more pressure on making the decision.  I did, however, have a peace about it that I really can not attribute to anything emanating from within myself.  I am not a peaceful  person.  I am tightly wound by nature and my imagination and self doubt tend to wind me up even more.  As overwhelming as teaching him seemed to me, I still felt positive about the process.  Some people are called by God to homeschool.  I volunteered.  I do attribute the peace I felt in the face of so many unknowns to the Holy Spirit.

I started homechooling David for kindergarten. I researched curriculum on line.  I went to a homeschool event with speakers and curriculum.  I overwhelmed myself with information.  I second guessed myself. His pediatrician, grandparents and friends and therapists all thought this wasn't the best route (to varying degrees).  Even with all this uncertainty, I knew 2 things: 1) This was the best thing for him even if I didn't have all the details figured out and 2) I was smarter than a kindergartner.

By November that year, Alex asked if he could come home and do school with us.  He was super social in preschool and learning came easily to him.  But he wanted to be with us and "do fun things with David."

Max never went to preschool.  

I still wake up about 2 times a year, out of the dead of sleep, and wonder if I an messing up my kids by homeschooling them.  I second guess myself at times.  I worry.  I pray.  But instead of thinking that means I made the wrong choice, I realize that it is just parenting and being contentious.  Every parent wonders if there child is reading on grade level, on the right baseball team or has the best teacher in their grade.  The difference is that all those things fall on my shoulders instead of being spread over several people's skill sets.  (O.k, not the baseball...but someone has to teach them kick ball and that someone would be me.)  

David's change in stress level also lead to a new diagnosis: Asperger's Syndrome.  For him, a classroom is like going to a restaurant where the music is a little bit too loud and trying to have a conversation with someone.  You can do it, but it takes extra concentration and it wears you out.  He does not love school. That was never my goal. While my version of school does not offer him everything a regular school would, I feel like it is the best educational process for him.  

And that is the long version of why we homeschool.

 

One Little Word for 2012: Do

Even though we started back with lessons last week, this is the first day of 2012 that all activities are all restored to full swing.

I feel a bit like a little sleepy, furry animal they poke on Groundhog Day and who is forced to come out of her nice, warm hole into the blinding sunlight.  I am blinking around at the world and just a little bit disoriented.

Hmm, I wonder if my patronus would be a groundhog?  

Does the size / type of the patronus actually have any correlation to its ability? Hmmm.....

Wait, what was I talking about?

 

My One Little Word for 2012 is: Do.

Last year it was plan.  I am great at planning.  

In my plans, I am really the best version of me.

Problem is, I really stink at following through.

I need to stop thinking about stuff so much and just do it.

It being: getting my house in order, getting my health in order, maybe cooking a few meals (I sure planned enough of them), and making sure I am doing a few things well vs. a lot of things just O.k.  

This year, instead of thinking about it and talking about it, I will just do it.

Hey, that is a catchy slogan....

 

 

Our 2 New Puppies

This is Zoey.  

She is a 2 month old schnauzer / terrier mix.  

She is is black with brown eyebrows and loves to sit in my lap.

She does not like to share my lap.

She would really rather you carry her over the frosty grass early in the morning, thankyouverymuch.

Next to my lap, her favorite spot: In a sun beam, by the back door, next to the heating vent under the table (just in case we spill).  Beloved Moose is in the background.

This is Chewbacca.  Chewy, most of the time, except when she is in trouble.

She is Zoey's sister and mostly shades of brown.

She likes anything Zoey has.  

It took about 42 photos of her to get one mostly in focus because she does not sit still for long.

Most of Chewy's photos turned out like this.

Or this.

They did not enjoy the photos that put a window between us.

 

It was almost as if having their picture made wasn't a priority to them at all.

Vice Patrol

Coffee:  "$10 bucks she picks me."

Egg Nog: "Is that a bet or your retail price?"

Champagne: "Nice one.  Guys, I'm already open.  

                     She needs to drink me.  It is good stewardship."

Egg Nog: "Seriously, I win.  Not even a contest.  I'm SEASONAL.  Limited time to indulge."

 

As Kelli's vices discussed her possible indulgence of choice for the day, they did not realize she had already made plans for them.  

ALL of them.  

 

What happens when a non-gift giver marries a giftie person?

He adjusts.  Naturally.

Actually, he suggested I write a post about my joy of not only gift giving, but of wrapping.

Here goes: I like big bows and I can not lie.  

Idea from here.

John David  tried one year to get everyone to put their names on a garbage bag and all presents would be extracted, unwrapped, from the bag on Christmas morning.  He has come a long way since then.

However, I do try to challenge myself with spending next to no money wrapping his gifts each year.

This one: packing paper from an Amazon.com shipment and red masking tape.

Space Invader idea and instructions here.

For my oldest son, who is obsessed with 80's video games.

I did this while watching TV & used masking tape to help hold stuff in place and then removed later.

For my youngest, who has established a small armory in his room since his inspirational trip to Colonial Williamsburg.  Foam sword from the dollar section of Target.  Ribbon is actually fabric cut into strips and allowed to fray.

Bow is made from 2 paper fans I folded (from a page of a 2004 road map)  and taped together.

Instructions can be found here.

Sadly, the outside of this package looks more exciting than what is inside.  Sorry about that, Patrick.

 

Directions for how to make the Lego package here.

Oddly enough, there are no Legos inside this package.  Or are there.....?

Inspired (ok, copied) from here.

White wrapping paper + sharpie + a ruler +1 episode of Dick Van Dyke = This was easy.

(It was the episode where Sally dates the mortician.) 

One of my favorite bows for a package that has to travel anywhere - a knot with extra pieces or ribbon tied into it.

It still looks nice after being shipped.

How to make the bow here.

This one, will not look nice even after being gently carried.

Sara, this is what your gift looked like originally:)

How to make pom poms here.

I just used my fingers instead of the cardboard circle thingie...maybe that is why my poms are so whoppy-jawed.

Another one from recycled items:

The yellow is a plastic shopping bag, the map is from an old driving atlas (ends are punched to make the scallop with a Martha Stewart punch), bow was saved from a gift last year.  

This one is also for my thrifty husband:)

Got the idea from Real SImple.

Jump rope is from the $1 section in Wal-Mart. 

Snake from the $1 section at Wal-Mart.  I envisioned being able to tie the snake like a bow. (That clearly screams Christmas gift, right?)  But the snake was not fit to be tied, so it is held in place with some green masking tape (from Michael's) and then a green ribbon over it.  

For my nephew.

Gift bag is a reusable one from $1 section at Wal-Mart.  Star is a scrap booking chipboard item.

I don't usually favor gift bags, but sometimes they can not be avoided.

Book plate is a scrap booking tag.  I have always "saved" things like that "in case I need them" for a scrapbook page.  No more.  Why save it when I could put it on my son's package? 

And I like the twine.  I think it is our garden twine....

Packaging paper, BBQ skewer and the bow is from a sack of oranges.  Also for Mr. Thrifty-pants.

(The black thing on the gift is a wine filter for when my husband's wife destroys a cork in the wine bottle and it needs to be filtered out when poured.)

Monster from the $1 section of Target for my oldest's monster collection.

My Mom often put a little ornament, candy or small toy under the bows of our packages when I was a kid. It seems normal to do this to me, but several people have asked me why my gifts sometimes appear inside out.

Last one:

For my nephew, Kaleb.  Do you think he will be able to guess what it is?

Wrapped with packing paper cut into long strips to wrap around all the parts.

Lots of tape was used...but I'm pretty happy with the result.

Happy wrapping!

 

 

Tragedy strikes the small, Lego village...

 

The small Lego village of ice fishermen and criminals did not see the huge quake coming.

It would take months for them to rebuild their crime labs, Police station and their bonfire from the epic tremor that would forever be remembered as "Mom's Elbow."

(1. The Lego City Advent Calendar this year seems to be heavy on the criminals & forensics labs.  As of the 19th, there is also an ice fisherman and a fire.   Nothing says Christmas like a good crime scene.  Falalala.

2. Mom's Elbow was indeed, my elbow, that wrecked the advent scene. 

3. Max got just as mad as I thought he might from the carnage.

4. "Carnage" is Max's new favorite word.)

Books to give your Pride and Prejudice obsessed friends

Still need a few Christmas gift ideas?

(It is December 14th, for crying out loud!  What are you waiting for?)

I have a few Pride and Prejudice spin off books I would like to suggest for the Pride and Prejudice fanatic  obsessed reader in your life:

If she loves Pride and Prejudice but has never read a spin off or "what happened next" book I suggest:

Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange.  

Pride and Prejudice retold from Mr. Darcy's point of view.  Very true to the original story.  

Click here for the full review.

A Darcy Christmas by Grange, Lathan & Eberhart

3 separate stories of Darcy and Elizabeth during Christmas.

A great way to try out several authors at once and see if she would like to read more.

Click for my full book review.

Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Lina Berdoll.  

A very passionate telling of what happened after they were married.  

Click here for my full review.

 

If she loved the 2005 Kiera Knightley / Matthew Macfadyen movie version of Pride and Prejudice

and she likes a good book series:

The Two Shall Become One is the first in a series of books by Sharon Lathan inspired by this movie version.

Click here for my full book review.

Click here for a review of the fourth book & links to all books / reviews in the series.

 

If she is a a fan of vampire inspired love stories:

Mr. Darcy, Vampire by Amanda Grange.

I enjoyed the characterization in this book a great deal.

Click here for my full review.

Vampire Darcy's Desire by Regina Jeffers.

I have only read it but not reviewed it yet.  I found the plot to be very good.

 

If she likes mysteries:

The Phantom of Pemberley by Regina Jeffers.

I have only read it, no review yet.  I enjoyed the plot and characterization quite a bit.

 

If she really enjoys repeatedly watching the BBC/A&E 1995 Colin Firth / Jennifer Ehle Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice:

The Making of Pride and Prejudice by Birtwistle & Conklin.

Lots of photos and inside information about the movie.  Perfect for the type of person who also enjoys the extra features on DVD's with interviews and behind the scenes information.  I only wish it were a hardback book instead of paper.

(Not yet reviewed)

If she enjoys literary analysis:

A Truth Universallt Acknowledged: 33 Great Writers on Why I Read Jane Austen  edited by Carson.

Mostly really great short articles.  Perfect for the person who is constantly whispering to you during movies because they think that explaining the imagery or social implications of an action will enhance your movie watching enjoyment.  Also, great for the people who likes to talk about a movie or book for days after having seen it.

(Not yet reviewed, just read.)

 

If she likes sweet, romantic stories:

An Arranged Marriage by Jan Hahn.

Did she like You've Got Mail?  Romantic without being rated R.

Click here for my review.

 

For the person who has everything already:

Pride and Prejudice: An Annotated Edition  edited by Spacks.

A really nice, hardback book with the whole Pride and Prejudice story, notes and pictures explaining the language and historical implications.  On sale on Amazon, you'll get extra points for getting this 5 pounder book vs. the flimsy paper back.

(Read it, not reviewed yet....what am I doing wiht all my time??)

 

For the mom who hopes to pass on her love for Pride and Prejudice to her daughter:

Little Miss Austen Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Adams.

A board book for children, but will totally melt her grown up heart.  Mega brownie points because it is new and she might not even know this exists yet.

 

You can find all of my Pride and Prejudice inspired book reviews here.

Amazon ships quickly and lots of these titles are on sale right now.

Barnes and Noble can usually get in books to their stores withing a few days. 

Book Review: An Arranged Marriage by Jan Hahn

 I used to think that one of the best compliments I could give a book was to say I read the whole thing in one sitting because it was so good.  I read the first 3/4ths of An Arranged Marriage in one sitting and then purposefully slowed down to savor the last bit over several days because I didn't want it to end. I believe I have a new best compliment.

The blurb from the back of the book:  Immediately after Elizabeth Bennet refuses Mr. Darcy's proposal at Hunsford, her father dies, leaving Longbourn entailed away and little fortune to sustain his widow and daughters.

Six months later, the Bennet family receives a visitor with a most unusual offer that promises to save the family from financial and social ruin.  Elizabeth's sense of duty forces her to enter into an arranged marriage with a man she does not even like [Mr. Darcy].

Told from Elizabeth's point of view, An Arranged Marriage is a compelling twist on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  Can Elizabeth overcome her feelings of anger, resentment, and suspicion toward her new husband and - the most bewildering sensation of all - a growing attraction for the last man in the wolrd she ever wished to marry?

Language: A+

Characterization: A

Plot: A

Rehash vs. Revisit: A+

Nit Picky Little Things: A

Wonderful Little Moments: A

Originality: A

The Moment I was Hooked: A+

Language:  Without using the exact words of Austen, (dither, quixotic, portend), Jan Hahn captured the tone of Austen.  Example: "The Inn was small, and if I term it rustic, I speak with generosity." 

A+

Characterization:  The story is told in Lizzy's words.  By enjoying this first person point of view, the reader is lured into her misunderstandings and becomes a partner in her turmoil.  While a quick reaction may be that Elizabeth Bennet, much like Austen herself, would never have married for less than love, a rather compelling case is made for her decision that fit well with her personality.

While most of the reviews on amazon.com are rather good, a few people claimed that Elizabeth acted childish in portions of the story.  I disagree.  I have read quite a few of these P&P follow up books over the past few years.  A collection of writers have used the idea that if Lizzy were forced into a relationship prior to or without her choosing, that she would go kicking and screaming.  I tend to agree with this assessment.  I didn't find her petulant, but confused a bit sardonic.   Ex: "How pleasant it would be if we could just sit there quietly for a while, but no, he would speak."

Mr. Darcy.  What can I say?  He is brooding, haughty, handsome and stares deeply at Lizzy.  And when he speaks he does not dissappoint.

Because I saw the BBC/A&E 1995 Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle version of the movie  before ever reading the original Pride and Prejudice, the cast of that mini-series are the voices I hear when reading the lines of the characters to this day.  I completely could have believed anyone of those cast members speaking the words that Mrs. Hahn wrote.  It actually made me wish there was such a performance.

A

Plot: Because of her father's early death in this novel, Elizabeth's period of contrition and consideration for Darcy's letter post proposal in Hunsford is truncated by her mourning.  The reader gets to travel through these revelations with Elizabeth.  It added tension back into a story for me as a reader even though I could guess at how all would end. It was the same sort of suspense I felt in most of the fairly predictable Austen stories.  It isn't so much the end destination but the getting there that is the magic. 

It is a deeply romantic plot.  I am not sure what the appeal of people getting to know one another after marriage is to me.  On paper, it sounds highly unromantic even though it has been featured as a story line in many things before.  (In the movie Green Card, on my favorite plot line of Prince Richard and Cassie on Guiding Light.)  Just as Darcy and Elizabeth's romance defies the social class conventions of the early 1800's, so does this arranged marriage's future.   

A

Rehash vs. Revisit: Revisits only - which is the way I prefer.  A few lines were cleverly re-purposed. Overall, Mrs. Hahn assumes the reader is at least familiar with Pride and Prejudice.  

A+

Nit Picky Little Things: There are a lot of book covers to compete with in a book store, even among the Pride and Prejudice sequels.  While the picture was perfect, I did not care for the title font.  It made the book look personally (or cheaply) printed verses a mass publication.  And yes, I know that is a very nit picky thing to say coming from a person who can barely spell.

A

Wonderful Little Moments: "...her face falling like a pillow robbed of its feathers", the carriage ride, billiard lessons, Lizzy's affliction, "It is all your father's fault," not arguing with a saint, Darcy explaining the layout of rooms to Elizabeth.  

A

Originality: While the plot line isn't unique, even to Pride and Prejudice sequels, it was the best and most satisfying version I have read.  And when I say, not unique, it is not meant as uncomplimentary. Vampires stories, murder mysteries, fairy tales all follow plots that we have known before.  It is the handling of them that is what draws me in as a reader. Mrs. Hahn handled this one very much to my liking.

A

The Moment I was Hooked:  The first page drew me in with its humor and set the stage for the whole of the story.

A+

If this book was a movie - it would be rated PG-13.  For those looking for romance and a little heat without well described scenes of intimacy, this is the book for you.  

 

Of course we have high maintenance hamsters...

You know you have high maintenance hamsters when it requires safety warnings for the neighbors who are feeding them for you over Thanksgiving.

Sweet little Hammy.  Our "free" hamster who only needed a cage.

Sunshine, yellow with red eyes, poking her nose into a hole in Alex's math notebook.

We got her because hamsters are supposed to be social animals and enjoy each other's company.

She beat the daylights out of Hammy and anything that Hammy had ever touched.

That is when we got the second cage.

Sunshine's cute little bum.  And even that I couldn't get in focus....

We got Vader to be friends with Sunshine.  

Vader was sweet and small.

But then she started to get bigger.

And spent a lot of her time chewing on the metal cage in an effort to escape.

And then she turned on Sunshine and started attacking her.

That was when we got our third hamster cage.

Because if you give us a free hamster, we'll turn it into a managerie of cages and water bottles.

And...

Possibly a hamster fight club.

(You know the first rule of Hamster Fight Club is that you never talk about Hamster Fight Club....)

So of course, our "Would your kids like a free hamster" turned into high maintenance, in need of therapy pets.  

Moral of the story:  There is no such thing as a free hamster

Also: If you name a sweet, docile hamter after Darth Vader, you shouldn't be surprised when she turns to the dark side.

 

 

I have a really good reason for not cleaning the house today....

Last week I spent a lot of time meal planning and cooking.

Alex threw up.

(O.k, probably not my fault and more like a stomach virus.)

This weekend I went on walks (in the actual outdoors) and even jogged a little bit.

(Mostly beside Max as he rode his bike.)

Today, I woke up with a wicked cold.

Eyes, ears, throat burning.

I was planning on some house cleaning today.

But I am afraid the house might burn down.

 

In other news, I came across these deflating balloons on the floor.

(Reg was the first one)

David had not only drawn faces on them but given them names.

 

The balloons were pretty hard to photograph....they kept scooting away from me as if repelled.

Does that mean I'm carrying around too many electrons? 

Maybe they thought they were going to have to eat my chicken parm.

 

Homeschool moment: Being French

Me: When you said that just now, you sounded French.

Max: That's not French.....

        (Draw, erase, draw again, cut.....)

Max: This is French.  Croissant.  Crow-sauuuuunt.

(Clearly, he is a natrual linguist.)

Max: French toast.  

(Yes, those are his Ward Clever flannel pajamas he is still wearing at 11:35 a.m.)

Me: What are you doing now?

Max: Being fancy.  When you are French you are fancy.

Me: Well, if you want to do fancy right.....

      (Draw, cut.......)

Me: You need a monocle.  Of course.

(My, I have a lot of freckles without makeup!)

Max: Ha, that IS fancy!

Me: Wait, what were we doing?

Max: I think math.

 

The point: Sometimes, during lessons, you need to take a moment out to be French.

And, math is more fun to do if you are trying to keep a paper monocle on your face.

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 44

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary:  Week 44

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week - Pre-pilates (simple, daily stretching exercises that are not quite working out but feel nice) going smoothly.  

Take my vitamins - Iron, low does Zoloft, calcium / magnesium, B vitamins.  

Odd moment: Had trouble remembering to take all vitamins at appropriate times and not too many times (as too many iron or Zoloft could be quite bad).  Actual excitement felt over selecting type and color of vitamin container.  Purchase the days of the week or need each day actually broken down into dosages? Pink or light green or clear?  Then moment of sadness that this was exciting.  And realization it was 3rd time I had gone to purchase item and had forgotten to get it on previous two trips. Smoothed over sadness with shiny pink days of the week selection.  

Read -  Am reading Harry Potter series to children and on book 6.  Starting to get pre-sad about what is to come at the end of this book.  (Zoloft really is working, as these are normal sad Kelli things, in manner of a long distance commercial or movie poster from The Notebook....which I haven't seen but know enough about for genuine empathy.)

Have started reading Pride and Prejudice spin offs again in earnest.  How did I ever stop as they are so delicious!

Give up soda: 72%  

Not wear shoes in the house - Almost perfect, except did wear boots around kitchen on Sunday morning for purely scientific reasons.  Son is about to do science project on how dirty food gets when dropped on floor.  Mustn't have a perfectly clean floor.

Write thank you notes - Crap.

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Have repainted, cleaned out and rearranged storage area.  Seeing slight sliver of light in redoing our basement after all repairs and construction this summer.  Husband has volunteered basement for a weekend to our boys' church small group in Feb.  Would throttle the man if he were not so cute...and essential for the remainder of our repairs.

Have finished watching all seasons of Monk on Netflix.  Swell of accomplishment.

De-clutter the house room by room - Simply working on keeping them clean....will de-clutter my closet and bathroom this week. Challenging self to actually wear all clothes in closet instead of the few items on top.  This week, wearing all sweaters in green stack.  

Not all at once, as would look and feel odd.  

Meal plan - Pardon?

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - Already planning next years....as this one has scampered away from me.

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Minimal.  If it isn't on the list in the top 3, good luck.

Pray / Bible study daily - Positive thing about being teensy bit of a pessimist, first thought each morning is gratitude I woke up.  

 Not be a victim to technology - Yeah, well....

 Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy: Ahem....

 

Kelli Crowe Jones's Diary: Week 37

I WILL

Exercise 3 to 5 days a week - Started to work out on elliptical machine but nothing good on television. 

Take my vitamins - Iron x2 a day.  Excellent.  Easy to remember to take as I become dizzy without it. Also taking my new medicine for anxiety, low dose generic Zoloft. Slightly crazed voice and wide eyes used to state daily at 5 pm, "Gots to take my meds" perhaps is unnerving husband a small bit. 

Read -  Am reading Harry Potter series to children and on book 4.  Quite proud of my excellent voicings of Gilderoy Lockhart, Professor Trelawney and Rita Skeeter.  Children appear less impressed.  Perhaps too much in awe for comment.  

Also reading Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton.  So good, like sinking into warm tub after long day.  With glass of wine.  

Give up soda: Seem to have forgotten this bit of the goal list...

Not wear shoes in the house - Hah - not home this week. 100%!!

Write thank you notes - Has this always been on the list?

Finish the plethora of projects half done and/or started in my head - Repainted 2 of 4 walls in craft room. Starting to sift and reorganize room.  Look forward to painting rest of walls this week.   Not really.  

Does pinning things on Pinterest count?  

De-clutter the house room by room - Rooms seem too overwhelming.  Am working on small areas while suppressing deep desire to start decorating for Halloween and Christmas simultaneously.  (Would also unnerve husband.)

Meal plan - Planning Chick-fil-A run later today.  Surely counts.  

Start scrapbook project: 53 Saturdays - On way home from the beach, middle-ist child stated that most Saturdays are spent in boring ways, such as cleaning or traveling.  A shame to have done such a shabby job at photographing it, as could have renamed project: Our 53 Horrible, No Fun Saturdays. Opportunity missed.

Plan out each day with some sort of strategy - Pardon?

Pray / Bible study daily - Prayer, yes. Especially during times of anxiety and going over large bridges at the beach and while on tiny islands during tropical storms. 

Not be a victim to technology - E-mail exploding again, as have been out of town for 2 weeks.  (Amazon seems to be quite worried about me).  Did not have internet at the beach.  Missed internet.

Came home and Tivo had to be reset and all, sob, recorded items lost.  (Including Colin Firth Inside the Actor's Studio interview previously watched but saved.)  And all shows set to record lost. Must now actually remember what TV shows we like.  Looking into hiring personal assistant to sift through and reset all items.  

Keep up with this list every Sunday in format of Bridget Jone's Dairy: After brief, 17 week hiatus, check.

 

Dear Harry Potter Kids,

Dear Harry Potter Kids (Now Adults),

  Thanks for beng nice, decent people.  Really, you spent what most of us call as the "awkward years" or the time when you make a lot of mistakes as being professional actors.  Sure you were paid very well.  I'm good with that.  But in your free time, you weren't jerks.  You didn't get arrested.  You didn't flip out and wreck your over priced sports cars.  No sex tapes.  

   If you had gone bonkers, we probably would have understood.  Too much fame and money and pressure all at once.  But you didn't.  You held it together.  You acted like you truely liked beng around each other. Not that you signed up for this, but it kept the magic alive for us in between the movies.  

   And way to go to your families and the people around you.  They kept you grounded.  Well done.  As a fan and a parent, I'm proud of the work you did on and off the screen.  

Thanks for, like, forever,

Kelli Crowe

 

Found peach

John David found a peach.

On the ground.

At the gas station.

And he picked it up.

And brought it home.

And pealed it.

And ate it.

 

I was out on "found a peach."

The boys were out on "at the gas station."

I'm not sure what it would take for John David to think it was gross....

Anxiety - Or - What I I did on my summer vacation

So I had a panic attack last summer.

Room spinning, hyperventilating, feeling like I was hot and cold, nauseous.

I took me a week to feel normal again.

My Dr. suggested I get on an anti-anxiety medicine.  

I wanted to change my eating, sleeping, exercise habits first before committing to medication.

(I sheepishly felt like somewhere in the world, Tom Cruise was standing on a yellow sofa cheering me on...and that, oddly, was unsettling).

I went to a psychiatrist for a second opinion.

He asked how I had been feeling.

I told him I felt fine.  Tired, but fine.

Oh, and I had kinda lost motivation for doing things.

Like scrapbooking.

And cleaning and cooking.

(But really, how far of a fall were the last two categories?)

And that I had spent a lot of the month of July just watching TV.

He asked if I thought I was depressed.

"Oh no, I actually was quite happy watching TV."

(Note to self: best not to kid around with newly met medical professional who is evaluating your mental state.  Now I know.)

"No, I'm not depressed."

Then I had another small panic attack last winter.

In the spring, I started feeling very tired.

Like really tired.

And I started to feel restless.

I would sit down and feel like I needed to stand up and do something.

I would stand up and then feel so exhausted I needed to sit down.

(At least I was getting some exercise.)

I've had trouble being around loud music for years.

I started avoiding crowded areas.

(But really, who likes loud noises and crowds?)

In the Apple store (which has to exceed fire codes on most days by the sheer number of people packed into the place) my face started going numb.

"O.k, this is new.....Kids, I need to leave."

My 3 boys jumped up from the computer station and walked out of the store immediately.

I should have been impressed with their obedience and compassion.

However, it made me realize that maybe this kind of thing was happening more often than I thought and they recognized the signs of my anxiousness.

I was able to do school with the kids and get things done that I had to.

But all the other stuff, the 100 things a day that I needed to do but didn't have to do, started to slide.

Fast.

For the past year, just opening my e-mail made me feel tired. 

I resigned from being a Garden Girl at Two Peas in a Bucket.com, even though I love love loved designing for them, because it felt like a weight on my shoulders to always have something due.  But mentally, I knew it wasn't un-doable or hard.

Everything started to fee like so much work to accomplish.

While diving Max to drum practice this spring, I had what would sound like a heart attack to most people. 

Shooting left arm pain on top of aching pain, sharp pains across my chest, pressure on my chest, heart palpitations, nausea, and my face like it was going to sleep around my mouth.

(The mouth thing is important because that happens a lot during anxiety attacks.)

It is important to note that my heart is fine. For a 38 year old, I have had my heart checked a lot because I have mitrol valve prolapse.  

So now I was having different kinds of panic / anxiety attacks.

Great.

When I mentioned to my husband that I hadn't read a Pride and Prejudice spin off book in weeks, he suggested I go back to the Dr. I think that was the clue something was really wrong.  

Except for watching Murder, She Wrote episodes on instant Netflix, I really was loosing interest in things I had previously enjoyed.  (What can I say, Jessica Fletcher soothes me.)  It made me wonder - could I be drepressed even if I wasn't sad?  Because I wasn't sad.  I have a great life.  I love it.  

So I started on the lowest dose (10 mg) of Paxil 8 weeks ago.

I slept for the first 2 weeks.

It made me feel so tired that I didn't even drive anywhere.

Then the Dr. did some more lab work.  My iron is crazy low.

So iron + Paxil and I am mildly tired all the time and mildly anxious

I will switch in 2 weeks to a different anti-anxiety medicine.

That is where I have been and what I did on my summer vacation.

It isn't horrible.

It is annoying.

Really annoying.

But in the scope of things I could get - I would volunteer for this way before most other ailments.

If you have had any experience with anti-anxiety medicines or panic attacks or anything like that - I would like to hear about it.  Wait.  I mean, I'd like to hear ideas about what helped, etc.  I'm not wishing that there are lots of people who have them or anything.

Thanks for all the e-mails:) 

It was as if she had lost her will to blog....

But as sure as the Atlanta humidity will frizz your hair,

her self interest piqued again

and just like that

the blogging draught was over.