Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired...

says Evey!

One sick little girl can really put a wrench in my blogging schedule! :) Eve is in my lap chattering right now. She is begging for me to play the Myst series with her again. She loved the characters and the "spooky music". Due to her high fever, cough and general lethargy she was forced to miss "Dessert with Dad" at her preschool. Michael told her he would take her for ice cream at Bruster's. Not only was Eve sick, but I had my final Wilton decorating class for Course 1. I was able to get my cake baked, iced and smoothed with all of the decorator icing prepared. Unfortunately, I left 2 of the tips I needed in the dishwasher due to being distracted. While I was getting ready to leave and taking care of Eveybug Michael was repairing my brakes. I told him on Sunday that they were hashed and having to stop quickly and pull over for an ambulance to pass did them in. He drove the car to work on Monday and agreed that they were bad. He has been working 50 hour weeks, getting ready for scouts, helping with homework, cuddling a sick Eveybug and getting no sleep because he is in our full size bed with a sick toddler. All of these factors combined he still was able to run to the auto parts store and get new pads and rotors for my car and fix the brakes. He drove my car to work this morning and said he thinks all is well.

Eve has had her bath, her fever is gone, but not her runny nose and cough, so she is staying home again. She will be by cake decorating trainer for my push to finish my last cake decorating assignment. My roses came out ruffled because my icing is too stiff. I think they look "Shabby Chic".

::::::::::::::::Please Take a Second to Check Out::::::::

my new "Humanitarian" section. I have links to Free Rice and a new one for a 20 minute video called "Story of Stuff". I found that 20 minutes incredibly informative and thought it very worthy to share.

::::::::::::::::Finished and on Order::::::::::

I finally finished my SIL's Christmas present and ordered it today. I sent her the Shutterfly link so she could check for errors. She said she really liked it, so that make me happy. Here is the Front and Back Cover:



Credits: Font: Grinched, Kay Miller's Lagoon Kit, Kate Hadfield's Vehicle, Pirate and Animal Doodles, also Summer Collab Kit from TLP, Susan Long's castle doodle, Erica Hite's Dear Diary Doodle for the banner.

Here are a few layouts:

I will update the credits for this one soon.



This is one of my sweet nieces, Isabell.


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB Doodle E Doo at The Digichick
Designs by Angelica E.: Happy Doodles
Kate Hadfield: Lovebirds, Chipboard Doodled Hearts
Ida: Heart Doodle Alpha
Natalie Braxton: Strings from the February B.Y.O.C.
Kristin Cronan-Barrow: Lovedovey glitter

A couple of nieces and a nephew playing in the leaves.


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MICHAEL at The Digichick
Ida: Fall leaves doodles, Crayon Doodles
Catrine: Explore Solids
Katie Pertiet: Taped frames

::::::::::::::::::::::::::Dawn Inskip Layouts::::::

I made these as part of a tryout for a guest c.t. spot using her freebie::


Eve likes to imagine she is a flower fairy when the azaleas bloom in our front yard.


Credits:
Dawn Inskip: Guest C.T. Mini Kit
Darcy Baldwin: DJB Connorbuck at The Digichick


Aaron and Rachel are like a couple of lizards on a wall when it comes to climbing.
Credits:
Dawn Inskip: Guest C.T. Mini Kit
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MISH at The Digichick

I will update tomorrow, as Eve should be back to school. I have been tagged by Carol and also need to hand out my blog awards. Later today is the teacher conferences for Rachel and Noah...should be interesting!

Smiles!

Matroyshka...

Russian nesting dolls:

My sister-in-law, Angela, is a wonderfully talented artist. She drew my name for Christmas and created these dolls:




_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB MANDY at The Digichick
Shabby Miss Jenn: Tree Trimmin' Party
Christina Renee: Sassy Lace, vintage frame from UA Collection}


:::::::::::::::::Silly Christmas Layout:::::::

My nephew, Gabriel, was sporting a mohawk and I thought it would be fun to have his dad and a couple of uncles share in the hairy goodness.


_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB MICHAEL at The Digichick
Tia Bennett: Pixel Mischief
Shabby Miss Jenn: Tree Trimmin' Party
Christina Renee: Glitter Splats, Just for Fun Doodles
Sausan Designs: Needful Things book
Erica Hite: Nessa Alpha
Kate Hadfield: Primary Rubberbands and Doodle Tape}

::::::::::::::::::::::Tomorrow::::::::::

I will be back with some Christmas layouts. Today has been spent with the kids arguing over and with the new computer, watching Season 3 of Dr. Who, Meet the Robinsons, Ratatouille, and Ben 10 Season 2.

I hope y'all had a happy Christmas! :)

Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men...

often go awry.

The Christmas tree is still bare of any lights and ornaments. Both Michael and Eveybug have been sick. Poor little Evey was heaving her wee guts out the other night, but she was so brave! She would just pat me on the arm and that meant it was time to make a run for it. I had Michael sleep on Rachel's trundle so if he needed to get to the bathroom we wouldn't be in each other's way. Michael and Eve stayed home yesterday and she had fallen asleep by the time I got home from running the kids around. So, I don't know if she will be going to school today.


:::::::::::::::::Wednesday::::::::
Yesterday, I checked Rachel out of school to get her retainer. She picked one in an ocean blue color.

The appointment to a little over an hour because they stack the kids like cord wood with their scheduling. I suppose these folks could easily get a job in traffic control at Hartsfield...they have such similar...should it be called...skills? She was instructed to wear to only remove the retainer to eat and brush. I maintained the tradition of taking Rachel to Bruster's for a scoop of Cotton Candy Explosion. I had turtle ice cream in a waffle cone. The pecans were perfection itself...mmm good!

Noah and Aaron had scouts. Michael was supposed to go, but was too sick. The cub scouts conducted a flag retirement ceremony and they did a fantastic job. They were very respectful and reverent during the ceremony and the boys did a, mostly, good job of listening. Afterwards the boys were treated to hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.
Aaron was supposed to have his board of review for advancement, but his dad, the Scout Master, was sick and the Committee Chairman had to leave because his son's stitches came out during a game the scout's were playing, so he will have to wait a few more days for the review.

::::::::::::::::George's Secret Key To The Universe:::::::::



This book written by Lucy and Stephen Hawking sucked the kids in like the black hole that is discussed in the book. The stories title character, George, is a boy who wants to learn about technology, but his parents are extreme environmentalists. George meets his young next door neighbor, Annie and the adventure begins. Annie's dad is a scientist who uses a sleek looking laptop named Cosmos to research the universe for an earth-like planet for us to inhabit after we have depleted our own world. George has a couple of thrilling space adventures, which kept the kids wanting me to read the next chapter...and the next. Interspersed throughout the book are photos and facts about space. The book has information, as recent as, 2006. In the part of the story, specifically, about the black hole the theory of Hawking Radiation is explained. What was really cool about it was Michael had read about it and was animatedly explaining how it worked to the children and me.
The moral of the story is that we need to take care of the planet we have, while looking for another habitable planet. The story was a fun and informational read. I recommend it if you have kids who enjoy space and science adventures.


::::::::::::::::::::::Magic And Other Misdemeanors



by Michael Buckley is the next book in the series of stories about the Sisters Grimm. My kids were so anxious to get this book started and see what the girls and the crazy town of Everafters were up to in Ferryport Landing. The first chapter was packed with excitement with the zany character, Puck and his chimpanzee army. This should be a wild adventure!

::::::::::::::::::::::::Family Reunion Layout:::::::::::



_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB MICHAEL, SAVE THE DATE at The Digichick,
Gina Miller: Canvas of Color
Catrine: Journaling papers
Jenn Patrick: Backward Staples
Kate Hadfield: Rainbow Rubberbands, Heavy Duty Staples
Katie Pertiet: Taped Frames
Ida: Crayon doodles
Amy Wolff: Chalked Swirls}

Miscellanous Stuff and Things

:::::::::::::::Enchanting "Enchanted"::::::::


We skipped all of the "Black Friday" frenzy and went to the 11:50am showing of "Enchanted". The story was fun and the little running gags were great. I loved that Giselle would always make her new clothes from the drapes or sheets and she would leave the remnants in place. The animation of the chipmunk, Pip, was hilarious. James Marsden was delightful in his handsome, vacuous way. Patrick Dempsey did a great job as a nice guy and father who is disenchanted with the idea of true love. This is an all-around fun film. I recommend it to all ages!

:::::::::::::::Just Thought This Was Cool::::::

Statue of Liberty created by troops.

To check out some other amazing people pictures check out Carl Hammer's gallery.

:::::::::::::::::Camping:::::::::::

Michael and Aaron went camping right after the movie "Enchanted" was over. They were invited to celebrate our nephew, Gabriel's birthday. Gabriel wanted to celebrate by fishing and hanging out with the guys in the family.


:::::::::::::::::Inherit The Wind

I finished the play "Inherit The Wind" by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The letter that introduces the play by the writers states, "Inherit the Wind is not history.
...Only a handful of phrases have been taken from the actual transcript of the famous Scopes Trial." The play was easy to follow and several interesting lines.

Act 2, Scene 1, The prosecuting and defense attorney, (who are past acquaintances and former friends)discuss the current rift between them as friends:

Brady: "I was always glad for your support. What happened between us? There used to be a mutuality of understanding and admiration. Why is it, my old friend, that you have moved so far away from me?"

Drummond: "All motion is relative. Perhaps it is you who have moved away-- by standing still.

Act 2, Scene 2

Drummond: "It frightens me to imagine the state of learning in the world if everyone had your driving curiosity."

Act 2, Scene 2

Drummond: "...Gentlemen, progress has never been a bargain. You've got to pay for it. Sometimes I think there's a man behind a counter who says, 'All right, you can have a telephone; but you'll have to give up privacy, the charm of distance. Madam, you may vote; but at a price; you lose the right to retreat behind a powder-puff or a petticoat. Mister, you may conquer the air; but the birds will lose their wonder, and the clouds will smell of gasoline!'..."

Act 3, Scene 1

In an exchange with the reporter, Hornbeck, after the trial Bertram Cates and the death of Brady:

Hornbeck: : "I charge you with contempt of conscience! Self-perjury. Kindness aforethought. Sentimentality in the first degree."

Drummond: "Why? Because I refuse to erase a man's lifetime? I tell you Brady had the same right as Cates: the right to be wrong!"

The entire book deals with the concepts of being able to look at information from all sources so that you can form an opinion. Darwin is vilified by the most of the town viewing his theories as taking God out of the picture. The play ends with the defense lawyer, Drummond, taking the "evidence" in the trail, which was the Bible and a copy of Darwin's book, picking the two up and weighing them up. Then, he shrugs and puts them both together in his briefcase and walks out of the courtroom.

I enjoyed reading the book and realize that many people are very uncomfortable, if not, downright angry when the discussion of Darwin comes up. What ever side you find yourself I think this play is a good food for thought.

:::::::::::::::::::Photos from the Past Week:::::

Aaron reading to Eve's Pre-School Class (He is now on the permanent visiting reader list):


Noah as Villager #8 in "Stone Soup":


Eve as one of the "First People":


::::::::::::Baklava:::::::


I hope your weekend is Enchanted!

Smiles!

We Are The Music Makers...

We are the dreamer of dreams:



This is a group of photos I took of my niece while I was on lifeguard duty during our family reunion. She is a collector of rocks and shells. She also likes to line them up.


_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB KarenbScript at The Digichick
Gina Miller: Canvas of Color
Antonio Rafaello: Tattered and Torn Frames
Emily Merritt: Messy Brush Add-on
Michelle Coleman: Handstamed Brush}


:::::::::::::::::::::Emotions Revealed:::::::

Here is a well put observation by Paul Ekman in introduction of his book, "We organize our lives to maximize the experience of positive emotions and minimize the experience of negative emotions. We do not always suceed, but that is what we try to do."

The author started his research in the 1950s studying hand movements to try and determine if patients receiving psychological care were making improvements and it was through "serendipity" and grant money that he was asked to study facial expressions. His goal was to find out if facial expressions meant the same thing in all cultures, or were they learned in each culture. Most scientists felt that expressions were learned and dismissed the writings of Charles Darwin who believed they were innate and universal. Ekman also had a wonderful mentor by the name of Silvan Tomkins who had already been studying human expressions.

I'll give more tidbits as I go along.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::Speaking of Doing Things That...:::::::

that help maximize positive emotions check out my BIL photography website: Invisible Green
He named one of his photographs from a comment I made. Kickin' Cool Electric Lollipop

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::Cool Cousins::::::::

The Rachel and Aaron had such fun having Gabriel and Afton over. The girls giggled, wrote a musical and giggled some more. The boys laughed, got hurt, and played video games. I believe that is some Zen definition of balance.

I'll try to post some of the Taylor Boys Musical if I can get it to load to photobucket.

Until later!

Nic, Nick and Nicky!

The Atlanta Greek Festival was great! Thursday is the day to attend. Their were no crowds, so we walked right up and grabbed gyros for dinner. Noah and Aaron had cheese pizza...heathens! Then the Rachel and Aaron spotted the sign that said Kafenion where they knew the loukamades are made. Aaron, Eve and Rachel were so excited to partake of the little doughnut hole like confections with a syrup of honey and light karo sprinkled with cinnamon. We asked one of the volunteers a question and laughed when we noticed her name was Nicky. Michael watched the kids while I went to the pastry area and purchased baklava and some super delicious Greek style wedding cookies called KOURABIEDES. We sat and ate while watching and listening to Greek traditional dances and music. The clouds were ominous throughout the event, but the rain didn't come. We also listened to the last 15 minutes of a lecture given about the Greek Orthodox Church in their cathedral. The mosaic art was fascinating! After we were finished with everything we went to take the free shuttle back to our car. Michael and the kids tried to board a private bus for an assisted living home. They were so serious about Michael being on the wrong bus. He replied, "But this looked like where all the fun is! Do you need a driver?" We all laughed and went up the hill to catch our shuttle.

:::::::::::::::A layout of Our Trip to Ellis Island & The Statue of Liberty:::



Katie Pertiet: Bent vintage frame
Kate Hadfield: Knotted stitches, staple, taped alpha
Gina Miller: Canvas of Colors
Darcy Baldwin: DJB DEBBIEC at The Digichick
Font: Pea Renee

::::::::::::::::::::::Niece and Nephew::::::

We have Gabriel and Afton over to spend the night and the kids are a riot. Afton and Rachel are writing a musical about their brothers'. Aaron and Gabriel have been doing guy stuff like Lego Starwars video game, skateboarding, and scooters. I took the kids over to the bowling alley and they bowled one game. Afton was so thrilled when she knocked over the pins you would think every time was a strike. When we got home she said, "Hey, I just lost my tooth!" I grabbed her a paper towel and put the tooth in a ziploc. Moments later Gabriel came rushing in saying, "This is bad!" He had wrecked his skateboard in front of the house. He has a road rash scrape on his side and a quarter-size bit of missing skin on his elbow. I cleaned him up and put some pain relief antibiotic cream on the wound and covered it with an elbow bandaid.

We took the kids over to Chick-Fil-A for dinner and Eve and Noah made friends with another family of kids. Later we took them over to my mom's house to drop of Noah and Eve. We stayed until my parents got home from dinner. Michael and I played the girls in a game of Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, while watching the show on television. The girls made it to the 1,000,000 dollar question, while Michael won the whole shebang. Then we played Simpson Clue. (I won...it was Mrs. White (Mr. Smithers) in the Burns Manor with an extendo glove).
We ended up watching the Japanese cartoon Digimon with the kids. Basically, you can have any kind of name ending with "mon", so Michael was making up names. He jokingly said, "Pain in the @**mon". Almost immediately Afton walked in the room and asked, "Did someone call my name?" Her timing was impeccable. Gabriel just shook his head and kept laughing.

::::::::::::::::::::No Pill Fleece::::::::::

I need to make a run to the fabric store today and purchase some No Pill Fleece for teacher presents. Rachel has a couple of teachers, Noah has one, and Eve has 3 (two pre-school and one ballet/tap teacher). I will just cut and tie the ends and embroider their names on the blankets.


:::::::::::::::::::::The Bourne Supremacy::::

I finished up the book, yesterday. The intrigue had my head spinning and the double talk on the double talk by the spys and government officials was bizarre. I overall liked the read, but found the ending lacking the energy of the prior chapters. I am now reading The Bourne Ultimatum

Smiles!

Climb On!

This is a layout from photos taken on the 6th of April. Michael took Aaron, Noah and our nephew, Gabriel, rock climbing in Sandrock, Alabama. Aaron was nervous but completed the climb and stopped to smile and flash a peace sign along the way.


_{Stamps and Ledger Paper by Meredith Fenwick, Fonts: Dead Letter Office, DB Michael by Darcy, Date Stamp by Amber Clegg, Hand Stamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman, Cluster Frame (modified) by Nancy Comelab, Paint strokes and black punched alpha by the Powers Sisters, Boy Buttons by Natalie Braxton, This Way doodle from New House Doodles by Kate Hadfield, corner doodle by Jackie Eckles, hand sketch from internet}

:::::::::::::::::As I Sit Here:::::::::

this song is running through my head:

Well we got no choice
All the girls and boys
Makin' all that noise
'Cause they found new toys
Well we can't salute ya
Can't find a flag
If that don't suit ya
That's a drag

School's out for summer
School's out forever
School's been blown to pieces

No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher's dirty looks

Well we got no class
And we got no principles (principals)
We ain't got no innocence
We can't even think of a word that rhymes

School's out for summer
School's out forever
My school's been blown to pieces

No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher's dirty looks

Out for summer
Out 'til fall
We might not come back at all

School's out forever
School's out for summer
School's out with fever
School's out completely


...today is the last day of the 2006-2007 school year. I will be taking Eve and Aaron to visit Noah and Rachel for their respective class picnics.

***This song by Alice Cooper is one of the kids favorites, thanks to the Muppet show on dvd. I believe all four can "Name That Tune" in the first few chords with no words. Alice Cooper seems to be more fun than creepy.

::::::::::::::::::Speaking of dark, long haired singers:::::

when I was out and about driving I heard the song a "What a Wonderful World". The song written for and performed by Louis Armstrong is famous, but the one singing on the radio was Joey Ramone. I really enjoyed his rendition of the song. I checked up on Joey with Wikipedia. The release date on the song was 2002 and he died in 2001 of lymphoma.

I have enjoyed the crazy, fun sound of the Ramones since I watched the movie Rock 'n' Roll High School. I enjoyed jumping around to the theme song and yelling, "Hey Ho, Let's go! You can hear sound bites of their music on Amazon.com. I love to crank up the tune "I Want to be Sedated".


:::::::::::::Bus Driver Gift::::

I went by Bruster's, a local ice cream shop, and purchased two five dollar gift certificates for the bus driver, so each child could give her something. I hated riding the bus as a kid, but my kids seem to think it's okay. The school has increased in population quickly over the last 5 years and I wouldn't want to drive over there to sit in a long line of cars while my old car tries to over heat. So, thanks Ms. Becky for picking up my younguns'!



_{Mo Moodles 5, Vehicle Doodle by Kate Hadfield, Borderlines by Sande Krieger, Font: Chalkdust/ CAC Shishoni Brush, Chocolate paper by Paper Moons (Anna Benjamin)}

:::::::::::::Noah's New Camera:::::::::

has taken plenty of photos of the wall, my butt, miscellanous photos of Oinkey, Eve posing on the coffee table (what a goof ball)...and I did mention my butt (that kid needs to get out more)! He took a short movie of the movie we were watching and used up his small memory card. Hopefully, he will get this out of his system before our vacation.

Well, off to give Aaron a math test, so "Hey ho, let's go!"

Smiles!

Disco Floor and the Tardis!

I have yet to see elation equalled to that exhibited by my children as we pulled up the linoleum to discover the original disco floor. Eve and Noah jumped and screamed for joy when they saw the floor. When Aaron and Rachel came in after playing with some of the neighbor kids Rachel said the floor was soooo cool! We disappointed all of the children by letting them know we were replacing the floor with an engineered Red Oak. She asked if we could put it in as the floor to her room. When we said that was not possible she went to her room and cried! (Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! What is the world coming to?!?)




Here is Eve helping Michael with the flooring process:




We have been so blessed with family and friends willing to help. My dad popped in on Saturday morning and fixed the hole in the fascia and soffit. Michael and I were surprised he showed up because he had other projects and when we asked him why he came he replied, "I said, self, you need to go fix that hole. So, I came. I'm going home now. See ya later!"

Michael's brother, Reuben came over and brought his son, Gabriel. They helped deconstruct the top of the deck and pour new footers to place the new support beams. Since the cement needed to cure they came in and helped us start laying the floor in the entry and kitchen. They were both a lot of fun to have around. Gabriel also delivered some deer meat from his recent hunting expedition.

I've ordered some new appliances and I hope that we can pull everything together soon because we are hosting a couple's dinner in almost 2 weeks.

:::::::::::THE TARDIS SPOTTED:::::::::::::

in Tucker, Georgia. Michael drove us through a cute new subdivision with Craftsmen style homes to look at styles and house colors. Eve got really excited and called out, "Look! There's the Tardis!" We looked to where she was pointing to see a Port-O-Potty sitting in the center, big, rectangular, blue and with a door. We said that sure does look quite a bit like the Tardis, but don't let Dr. Who know that his lovely blue police box looks a bit like an American Loo!


Smiles!

Thanks, Janna!

My brother did a marvelous job with the face painting for his kids:



_{Paper: Donna Rafferty's Spooky Fall Kit
Pumpkin and Spider from Janna Billman's Halloween Silhouette Kit
Frames by Rhonna Farrer and Robin Cabana
Glitter from Jen Wilson
Title from Shabby Princess' Free Halloween Kit
Font: Amanda's Hand}

Wave Your Hands:

Text: Reuben and Gabriel kept their arms raised for the entire ride from MGM back to our hotel at Pop Century. They couldn't stop laughing and their humor was rather infectious!



_{Papers: Tia Bennett's "Dude Totally", Rhonna Farrer's Rockstar, Chris Ford's paper strip, Mickey Mouse eyelet and brad by jlr,
Date Stamp by Jenn Star on her blog
Font: SA Apricots/Carnivalee Freakshow/Walt Disney Script}

I have a few silly watermelon eating pictures I will post when Michael drags them over to my shared file this evening. Rachel is making her usual goofy faces. Eve is wearing the watermelon as much as eating it. Aaron doesn't do fruit, so he isn't in any of the photos, and Noah only likes apples and bananas...so no Noah either!