8/24/08

For all the designers out there

And even if you're not, I think you'll find it funny. My friend Kris sent this to me, and it's so very very true.

Redesigning the stop sign

8/21/08

So, I met the Stepford Moms...

Today was the day that we got to meet Wee One's preschool teacher. Since I work at the church we came in the back way and we ended up arriving late. Thankfully I already knew most of what the Preschool director was saying (I've only seen her multiple times a day for the last month), so we weren't that out of the loop. Wee One went with us instead of going tomorrow, and turned out to be one of only about 5 kids there. She had fun, though, and LOVED meeting her teacher. I think I'm really going to like her teachers, but I'm not quite so sure about the moms of the other children.

First, let's remember what side of town I work in. I see people arrive to work in cute little Lexus sports cars, and beautiful Jags and some of the nicest SUVs I've ever seen. There are a lot of people that work there that don't, but the majority of the church members do.

Next, let's remember what kind of preschool this is. Most of the kids that go here will go on to go to one of the two really nice, really expensive private schools in town. The ones that don't go to one of those will either be homeschooled or go to one of the three really-expensive-but-not-extremely-outrageous private schools in the area. Most of these moms are stay-at-home-moms (sahm for short) and their life REVOLVES around what great and wonderful and awesome thing their child is currently doing. Now, I'm not bashing sahms at all! I would love to be one in the future. These are just the ones that don't live in the same place I do - you know, that place called R-E-A-L-I-T-Y.

Last, let's remember what kind of person I am. I have little-to-no money in the bank. My daughter is in preschool because I only have to pay half tuition. And thankfully the directors are nice enough to let me wait on some of the fees because I just. don't. have. them. I work a full time job, I do freelance work on the side, and while I want my daughter to be happy and have experiences, I'm not going to spend money I don't have in order to keep up appearances.

So, today I got my first taste of Life with the Stepford Moms. No one in particular said anything, but there was just this air about the room. Then one mom started in on how Little Tommy was about to start his 2nd year of tennis lessons - at 3.5. Then the teacher started telling us about "Happy Snacks" and how she needed someone to volunteer to be the Happy Snack mom and the Transportation Mom and the Class Party Mom. I might work at the church, but I really don't have time to add one more thing to my list. I'll be glad to help someone else out, but there's no way I'm volunteering myself to call all the Stepford Moms and make sure they get their baked goods to class on the right day. I'm just not doing it. But some of those moms? Estatic. Overjoyed. Almost fighting over the sign-up list. Then there was one mom that talked about how since this was her 3rd (or 4th or something) time to go through this (and she has a younger child that just started, too) she actually has a folder with items cut out already, and is already planning what her son will bring for show and tell. I sat there with my mouth wide open in shock. I mean, I love and adore my daughter, and I'm thrilled that she's getting to go to preschool. But honestly. Preschool at this church in Mississippi isn't the end all be all. It's just not! There really is more to life than having your child in preschool then doing art classes, ballet/tap classes and tennis lessons after school. Seriously. There is!

There were two other ladies in there that looked as shocked as me, and I have a feeling they're the ones I'm going to be hanging out with during field trips and class parties. One looked to be about my age (all the others were a good 8-10 years older than me), and the other lady was Indian and looked just as lost as I felt. This should turn out to be a very interesting year.

8/20/08

Preschool, here we come!

I brought home the cutest card for Wee One the other day. It was from the preschool at the church I'm now working at, and was her "invitation" to preschool. They have the classes divided into groups, with names like Brown Bears, Red Birds, and Yellow Ducks (do you see an Eric Carle theme here???) and Wee One is a Goldfish. Her invitation said:

Goldfish, Goldfish
What do you see?
I see Ms. Whittington
Looking for me!

The other side had a die cut of a goldfish with a water background, and Wee One ADORED it. She carried it around all day, and keeps asking if it's time for her to go to school yet. She's also trying to say her teacher's name, but it keeps coming out like Wimbyton. I'm pretty sure the teacher won't mind, though.

She also got her chicken pox vaccine the other day, and it was HI-LARIOUS. She knew that she had to get it to be able to go to school, and went in there fine. Then the nurse stuck her and she screamed OOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! I DON'T WANNA DO THIS ANYMORE!!!! Of course, by the time she finished screaming the needle was out and the band-aid on her arm, but it was SO funny at how dramatic she was being. But then they gave her a sucker and Cinderella sticker, so now all is right again in the world.

Tomorrow morning she gets to meet her teacher and see her classroom, and then school starts on Monday. She's excited now, and I just hope that it continues throughout the year!

8/19/08

Funniest. Blog. Ever.

(image from cakewrecks.blogspot.com)

My cousin sent me this link the other day, and I have to say that I think it's the funniest blog I've ever seen. Maybe it's because I grew up around a cake shop. Maybe it's because I love designing and decorating cakes with Wee One. Maybe it's because I have an "artistic eye." Maybe it's just because I have common sense. Whatever the reason, it's hilarious.

Cakewrecks.blogspot.com

8/12/08

Just a fun happy and Bunko gifts

On one of the boards I visit they are doing a "Cheer Up RFO" (RFO stands for Random Flat Object.) You get a 6x9 envelope and you aren't supposed to spend more than about $10 on random little happy things. I received mine from my "RFO Buddy" last week, and it was awesome! She lives in Alaska and sent me a really pretty bookmark, a cutter for scrapbooking, some bathsalts, a cute magnetic note pad with Eskimos on it, some Alaskan wildflowers (one pack is even pink - she said they are for Wee One) and sent her a pack of wildflower stickers. I have all the stuff for my person and plan on mailing it tomorrow. It includes a Hello Kitty coloring/activity pad, a box of crayons (crayola, of course!), a purple crown shaped calculator, some random little popper things, a card with stickers (Princesses and My Little Pony - from Wee One) and some pens and pencils. I hope she enjoys it as much as I'm enjoying mine!

I also had to buy gifts for Bunko since it's at my house this month. I can only take so many plates, candles, vases and decorative items. I always try to get stuff that's fun, but not decorative, and I think these gifts are my favorite so far! Being the true designer that I am, I bought office/school supplies. The gifts are full of metallic paper and binder clips, cute little staplers, funky pens and pencils, and lots of other awesome stuff. I'm excited about Bunko this month, and just know that it means I won't win any of the gifts since I like them so much!

On a side note, I've started decorating my office at work. I don't like the flourescent lights, so it's full of lamps and Christmas lights. I also have all kinds of pictures, and of course purple pens, funky erasers and bright colored push pins. I even found metallic colored staples for my purple stapler! Everyone at work keeps laughing at me, but it's definitely good laughter. I wonder what they're going to say when I walk in with a table for Cadence to keep in there...

8/8/08

Recent pictures

A few weeks ago my cousin asked me to take some pictures of her little girl. Since I was taking pictures, I had to take some of Wee One, too. I was really pleased with how they came out.
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And just for good measure, these were taken a few weeks ago before heading to a family reunion. Yes, she does like to accessorize. Yes, she is dramatic. And yes, her favorite color is pink, why do you ask???
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8/7/08

I'm back... I hope!

Wow. It's been a REALLY long time since I've posted anything here! I know there probably aren't many people that read this, but just in case, I hope I'm back for awhile.

My last post says that we had just found out I was pregnant. Shows how long it's been, because July 28 would have been my due date. Unfortunately right before Christmas I had to have a d&c. I've had another miscarriage and a chemical pregnancy since then, and it looks like we'll never have another one. However, my cousin Kahla just found out she's pregnant, so I'll just live vicariously through her! ;)

I also have a new job, and am loving every minute of it. I'm now the new Communications Associate at a local church, and tomorrow will finish my 3rd week there. They are keeping me hopping, but I have my own office, a brand new iMac, and the opportunity to have my own space decorated the way *I* want it. Needless to say, I'm THRILLED! Also, this church has a wonderful preschool, and Wee One will get to go there for half price. Her first day of school is August 25th.

Wee One has also gotten extremely good at coloring, which makes her artistic Momma and Daddy really proud. Her latest picture is in a Dora coloring book, and even though the colors are completely off, she's doing amazingly well at staying in the lines. Her daddy has started coloring with her every night, and it's so cute to see them on the floor together with crayons spread out around them.

I'm going to try to keep this up a little more, but I know I say that a lot. I'll be on the lookout for cool sites, and maybe I'll stick to it this time!