You Are 39% Open

You are open at times, but generally you don't let many people into your inner world. It's possible that you have a friend or two that knows you well. But to most people, you are a total mystery.

How Open Are You?

Some more humor for you today...

Deep thoughts by Jack Handy...


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Before criticizing someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then when you do criticize them, you will be a mile away and have their shoes.

If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let 'em go, because, man, they're gone.

If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.

To me, it's a good idea to always carry two sacks of something when you walk around. That way, if anybody says, "Hey, can you give me a hand?" you can say, "Sorry, got these sacks."

The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.

Is there anything more beautiful than a beautiful, beautiful flamingo, flying across in front of a beautiful sunset? And he's carrying a beautiful rose in his beak, and also he's carrying a very beautiful painting with his feet. And also, you're drunk.

I believe in making the world safe for our children, but not our children's children, because I don't think children should be having sex.

If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is, "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is, "Probably because of something you did."

If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid seeing yourself in the mirror, because I bet that's what REALLY throws you into a panic.

Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant and she fell on me? Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny.

To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography and the dancers hit each other.

I hope if dogs ever take over the world and they choose a king, they don't just go by size, because I bet there are some Chihuahuas with some good ideas.

Maybe in order to understand mankind we have to look at that word itself. MANKIND. Basically, it's made up of two separate words "mank" and "ind." What do these words mean? It's a mystery and so is mankind.

If you go flying back through time and you see somebody else flying forward into the future, it's probably best to avoid eye contact.

It's easy to sit there and say you'd like to have more money. And I guess that's what I like about it. It's easy. Just sitting there, rocking back and forth, wanting that money.

If you ever reach total enlightenment while you're drinking a beer, I bet it makes beer shoot out your nose.

As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back to red again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing more than a bunch of honking and yelling? Sometimes it seemed that way.

I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.

I hope some animal never bores a hole in my head and lays its eggs in my brain, because later I might think I'm having a good idea but it's just eggs hatching.

Whenever you read a good book, it's like the author is right there, in the room talking to you, which is why I don't like to read good books.

Instead of a trap door, what about a trap window? The guy looks out it, and if he leans too far, he falls out. Wait. I guess that's like a regular window.

During the Middle Ages, probably one of the biggest mistakes was not putting on your armor because you were "just going down to the corner."

When I found the skull in the woods, the first thing I did was call the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.

Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door.

If you're a cowboy and you're dragging a guy behind your horse, I bet it would really make you mad if you looked back and the guy was reading a magazine.

Broken promises don't upset me. I just think, why did they believe me?

Consider the daffodil. And while you're doing that, I'll be over here, looking through your stuff.

For mad scientists who keep brains in jars, here's a tip: why not add a slice of lemon to each jar, for freshness?

I'd like to see a nature film where an eagle swoops down and pulls a fish out of a lake, and then maybe he's flying along, low to the ground, and the fish pulls a worm out of the ground. Now that's a documentary.

If I was the head of a country that lost a war, and I had to sign a peace treaty, just as I was signing, I'd glance over the treaty and then suddenly act surprised. "Wait a minute! I thought we won!"

I bet the main reason the police keep people away from a plane crash is they don't want anybody walking in and lying down in the crash stuff, then, when somebody comes up, act like they just woke up and go, "What was THAT?!"

You Are A Romantic Realist

You tend to be grounded when it comes to romance. Sure, you can fall hard... but only for someone you've gotten to know. And once you're in love, you can be a total romantic goofball... But you'd never admit it to your friends!

Are You Romantic or Realistic?

As someone who has lived in a few different regions of the country I for one am very glad someone is putting some time and effort into studying this issue...we must find resolution if we are to become a united nation!!

The Great Pop vs. Soda Controversy

48 Things to Say to the Pizza Guy

1. If using a touch-tone phone, press random numbers while ordering. Ask the person taking the order to stop doing that.
2. Make up a charge-card name. Ask if they accept it.
3. Use CB lingo.
4. Terminate the call with "Remember, we never had this conversation."
5. Tell the order taker a rival pizza place is on the other line and you're going with the lowest bidder.
6. Give them your address, exclaim "Oh, just surprise me" and hang up.
7. Use these bonus words in conversation: ROBUST FREE-SPIRITED COST-EFFICIENT UKRAINIAN PUCE
8. Do not name the toppings you want. Spell them out.
9. Stutter on the letter "P".
10. Say hello, act stunned for five seconds, then behave as if they called you.
11. Rattle off your order with a determined air. If they ask if you would like drinks with that, panic and become disoriented.
12. Change your accent every three seconds.
13. Order 52 pepperoni slices prepared in a fractal pattern as follows from an equation you are about to dictate. Ask if they need paper.
14. Start your order with "I'd like..." A little later, slap yourself and say "No I don't."
15. Rent a pizza.
16. Order while using an electric knife sharpener.
17. Ask if you get to keep the pizza box. When they say "yes", heave a sigh of relief.
18. Put the accent on the last syllable of "pepperoni". Use the long "I" sound.
19. Have your pizza "shaken, not stirred".
20. Move the mouthpiece farther and farther away from your lips as you speak. When the call ends, jerk the mouthpiece back into place and scream goodbye at the top of your lungs.
21. Imitate the order-taker's voice.
22. Eliminate verbs from your speech.
23. Play a guitar in the background.
24. Amuse the order-taker with little-known facts about country music.
25. Ask to see a menu.
26. Ask if they have any idea what is at stake with this pizza.
27. Order a slice, not a whole pizza.
28. Belch directly into the mouthpiece, then tell your dog it should be ashamed.
29. Doze off in the middle of your order, catch yourself, and say "Where was I? Who are you?"
30. Ask what their phone number is. Hang up, call and ask again.
31. Order two toppings, then say "no, they'll start fighting".
32. Learn to properly pronounce the ingredients of a Twinkie. Ask that these be included in the pizza.
33. Use expletives like "Great Caesar's ghost" and "Great Horned toad, Joseph and Mary in Tinsel town".
34. If he/she suggests anything, adamantly declare "I shall not be swayed by your sweet words."
35. Try to talk while drinking something.
36. Start the conversation with "My call to Pizza Place, Take 1, and. . action!"
37. Ask about pizza maintenance and repair.
38. When they repeat your order, say "again, with a little more OOMPH this time."
39. When listing the toppings you want on your pizza, include another pizza.
40. Learn to play a blues riff on the harmonica. Stop talking at regular intervals to play it.
41. Make the first thing your order mushrooms. Make the last this you say "No mushrooms, please". Hang up before they have time to respond.
42. When the order is repeated, change it slightly. When it is repeated again, change it again. On the third time, say "You just don't get it, do you?"
43. Haggle.
44. Order a one-inch pizza.
45. Order with a Speak-n-Spell.
46. Dance all around the word "pizza". Avoid saying it at all costs. If he/she says it, say "Please don't use that word."
47. Order a steamed pizza.
48. If any of the above practices are rejected, put on your best pouty voice, "Last guy let me do it."

General Food Laws
Of the beasts of the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and of all foods that are acceptable in my sight you may eat, but not in the living room.

Of the hoofed animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you may eat, but not in the living room.

Of the cloven-hoofed animal, plain or with cheese, you may eat, but not in the living room.

Of the cereal grains, of the corn and of the wheat and of the oats, and of all the cereals that are of bright color and unknown provenance you may eat, but not in the living room.

Of the quiescently frozen dessert and of all frozen after-meal treats you may eat, but absolutely not in the living room.

Of the juices and other beverages, yes, even of those in sippy-cups, you may drink, but not in the living room, neither may you carry such therein.

Indeed, when you reach the place where the living room carpet begins, of any food or beverage there you may not eat, neither may you drink.

But if you are sick, and are lying down and watching something, then may you eat in the living room.



Laws When at Table
And if you are seated in your high chair, or in a chair such as a greater person might use, keep your legs and feet below you as they were. Neither raise up your knees, nor place your feet upon the table, for that is an abomination to me. Yes, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke.

Drink your milk as it is given you, neither use on it any utensils, nor fork, nor knife, nor spoon, for that is not what they are for; if you will dip your blocks in the milk, and lick it off, you will be sent away. When you have drunk, let the empty cup then remain upon the table, and do not bite it upon its edge and by your teeth hold it to your face in order to make noises in it sounding like a duck; for you will be sent away.

When you chew your food, keep your mouth closed until you have swallowed, and do not open it to show your brother or your sister what is within; I say to you, do not so, even if your brother or your sister has done the same to you.

Eat your food only; do not eat that which is not food; neither seize the table between your jaws, nor use the raiment of the table to wipe your lips. I say again to you, do not touch it, but leave it as it is.

And though your stick of carrot does indeed resemble a marker, draw not with it upon the table, even in pretend, for we do not do that, that is why.

And though the pieces of broccoli are very like small trees, do not stand them upright to make a forest, because we do not do that, that is why.

Sit just as I have told you, and do not lean to one side or the other, nor slide down until you are nearly slid away. Heed me; for if you sit like that, your hair will go into the syrup. And now behold, even as I have said, it has come to pass.



Laws Pertaining to Dessert
For we judge between the plate that is unclean and the plate that is clean, saying first, if the plate is clean, then you shall have dessert.

But of the unclean plate, the laws are these: If you have eaten most of your meat, and two bites of your peas with each bite consisting of not less than three peas each, or in total six peas, eaten where I can see, and you have also eaten enough of your potatoes to fill two forks, both forkfuls eaten where I can see, then you shall have dessert. But if you eat a lesser number of peas, and yet you eat the potatoes, still you shall not have dessert; and if you eat the peas, yet leave the potatoes uneaten, you shall not have dessert, no, not even a small portion thereof. And if you try to deceive by moving the potatoes or peas around with a fork, that it may appear you have eaten what you have not, you will fall into iniquity. And I will know, and you shall have no dessert.



On Screaming
Do not scream; for it is as if you scream all the time. If you are given a plate on which two foods you do not wish to touch each other are touching each other, your voice rises up even to the ceiling, while you point to the offense with the finger of your right hand; but I say to you, scream not, only remonstrate gently with the server, that the server may correct the fault. Likewise if you receive a portion of fish from which every piece of herbal seasoning has not been scraped off, and the herbal seasoning is loathsome to you, and steeped in vileness, again I say, refrain from screaming. Though the vileness overwhelm you, and cause you a faint unto death, make not that sound from within your throat, neither cover your face, nor press your fingers to your nose. For even now I have made the fish as it should be; behold, I eat of it myself, yet do not die.



Concerning Face and Hands
Cast your countenance upward to the light, and lift your eyes to the hills, that I may more easily wash you off. For the stains are upon you; even to the very back of your head, there is rice thereon. And in the breast pocket of your garment, and upon the tie of your shoe, rice and other fragments are distributed in a manner wonderful to see. Only hold yourself still; hold still, I say. Give each finger in its turn for my examination thereof, and also each thumb. Lo, how iniquitous they appear. What I do is as it must be; and you shall not go hence until I have done.



Various Other Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances
Bite not, lest you be cast into quiet time.

Neither drink of your own bath water, nor of bath water of any kind; nor rub your feet on bread, even if it be in the package; nor rub yourself against cars, nor against any building; nor eat sand.

Leave the cat alone, for what has the cat done, that you should so afflict it with tape?

And hum not that humming in your nose as I read, nor stand between the light and the book. Indeed, you will drive me to madness. Nor forget what I said about the tape.



Complaints and Lamentations
O my children, you are disobedient. For when I tell you what you must do, you argue and dispute hotly even to the littlest detail; and when I do not accede, you cry out, and hit and kick. Yes, and even sometimes do you spit, and shout "stupid-head" and other blasphemies, and hit and kick the wall and the molding thereof when you are sent to the corner. And though the law teaches that no one shall be sent to the corner for more minutes than he has years of age, yet I would leave you there all day, so mighty am I in anger. But upon being sent to the corner you ask straight-away, "Can I come out?" and I reply, "No, you may not come out." And again you ask, and again I give the same reply. But when you ask again a third time, then you may come out.

Hear me, O my children, for the bills they kill me. I pay and pay again, even to the twelfth time in a year, and yet again they mount higher than before. For our health, that we may be covered, I give six hundred and twenty talents twelve times in a year; but even this covers not the fifteen hundred deductible for each member of the family within a calendar year. And yet for ordinary visits we still are not covered, nor for many medicines, nor for the teeth within our mouths. Guess not at what rage is in my mind, for surely you cannot know. For I will come to you at the first of the month and at the fifteenth of the month with the bills and a great whining and moan. And when the month of taxes comes, I will decry the wrong and unfairness of it, and mourn with wine and ashtrays, and rend my receipts. And you shall remember that I am that I am: before, after, and until you are twenty-one.

Hear me then, and avoid me in my wrath, O children of me.



written by Ian Frazier in the article Laws concerning food and drink; household principles; lamentations of the father.
© The Atlantic Monthly, Feb 1997 v279 n2 p89(2).

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Your Monster Profile

Psychotic Enigma You Feast On: Beer You Lurk Around In: Flocks of Freshmen You Especially Like to Torment: Groupies

What's Your Monster Name?

You Should Drive a DeLorean

You don't take yourself too seriously, and you prefer a fun, unusual car... like this Back to the Future gem!

What Sports Car Should You Drive?

You Are Mud Pie

You're the perfect combo of flavor and depth Those who like you give into their impulses

What Kind of Pie Are You?

You Have Fantastic Karma

You are a kind, sensitive, and giving person. And all your good deeds will pay off - if they haven't already. But you're not so concerned with what you get in return anyway. You have an innate caring nature - and nothing can change that!

How's Your Karma?

You Are 28% Capitalist, 72% Socialist

You tend to be quite wary of businesses, especially big business. While you know that corporations have their place, you tend to support small, locally owned shops. As far as the rich go, you think they're usually corrupt and immoral.

Are You a Socialist or Capitalist?

By popular demand (okay, one person asked...) here is a bad photo of my new bedspread. It really is much prettier in real life, but this will hopefully give you a general idea.

I realize that I haven't posted any photos here in ages, so here you go!

Lillian, doing the "toddler thing."

Julia, headed to the bus stop on the first day of school. Notice how dark it still is outside?

We think Lillian may have found the chocolate...

Laura, Gabe and Isaac on their first day of school

Lillian making what has affectionately come to be known as "the face."

Just have to post a whine in hopes of getting some sympathy...

I cooked a roast for dinner in my Pampered Chef roaster, which I LOVE, by the way. But when I was removing the (very heavy and awkward) lid with the pot holder my hand slipped and I got a steam burn on the back of the fingers on my left hand. My "science dude" husband informs me that steam can "super heat"...not sure exactly whta that means other than that it gets even hotter than boiling water and this is one of the most painful burns I've had. I cannot leave my hand out of a bowl of ice water longer than a few seconds (taking a bath was more fun than a barrel of monkeys, as was folding clothes fresh out of the dryer.) Not sure how I'm going to sleep tonight...

On a brighter note, I forgot to mention in my last catch-up post two fun things. I got a new haircut this week which was a treat because it is something I hardly ever do AND I got a new bedspread and pillow shams! They are a quilty-looking pattern of brown and a light turquoise blue, very pretty and reduced by about 75%...I paid just over $30 for all three pieces!

You Are Incredibly Logical

Move over Spock - you're the new master of logic You think rationally, clearly, and quickly. A seasoned problem solver, your mind is like a computer!

How Logical Are You?

Stealing a few minutes for a quick catch-up before it starts raining kids...

Campaign has started at the sugar factory, which means that Arnel has gotten very busy at work. Between that and his duties on the leadership team at church, we are seeing a little less of him, but hopefully as all the 'start-up' kinks get worked out at the factory that will lessen some.

Julia is doing well so far with getting up and ready and to the bus stop on time (that time being about 6:40!,) though she is exhausted many afternoons. She has also started her travel team soccer so she is a busy girl and I can't blame her for being tired!

School is still working out it's routine here at home. I'm not able to stick to the schedule that I came up with before school started by a long shot but it is still accomplishing it's purpose...it is giving us a general framework and when things get crazy we can use it to fall back on. The kids are doing well with the school work itself although I'm still on the fence about Isaac and how much to require of him. He just doesn't have the attention span yet. I will be watching and thinking on that one. The chore part seems to be working well.

Personally, I am still struggling with my end of it. Arnel has been leaving for work earlier which makes it harder for me to get up before he leaves...and if I don't do that it can get pretty late before I make it out of bed! And as far as exercising during Lillian's afternoon nap...well, really, who wants to spend their 'down time' doing that?! But I did get a little in, and am doing better at getting up, so...forward progress.

Lillian is having one of those language explosions and that is so fun to watch! A funny side note to that...for some reason she seems to be adding an "ee" to the end of lots of her words. It started with literally one day "mama" becoming "mommy"...went right into even saying that way in her sleep. Very strange. But the funny part is now she uses it with lots of other words. If she wants up, for example, she might say "upee" instead. She said "Pablo" when he was here the other night which got a great reaction from Julia since Lillian still can't make heads or tails out of the name "Julia" yet.

Things at The School of Scrap are taking off like gangbusters, and rightly so. I don't want to sound like a broken record but we are getting some great feedback over there. It really is a unique place, different from all the other scrapbooking forums because we have classrooms and a huge faculty, so there is truly something for everybody. Plus, we are getting ready to start a HUGE contest, Scrapped by the Bell. Check it out!

One last thing...it is confession time. I just bought one of these little babies:
Cricut. It was an "I've-been-thinking-about-it-for-like-nine-months-spur-of-the-moment" purchases, and no, somehow or other that is not an oxymoron. It is due to arrive next Tuesday so if you don't see me for awhile, you will know why.

You Are 30 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Your Personality Cluster is Introverted Intuition

You are: Multilayered and complex Inspired and driven to achieve your goals A visionary with a complete life plan Intuitive enough to understand difficult problems, ideas, and people

What's Your Personality Cluster?

Okay, most of you know that I am on the design team for a brand new site called The School of Scrap. If you already checked out our message board you really need to go again as we have already expanded and the new site is way cool! If you haven't checked it out yet, now is the time!

The School of Scrap

Well, two days of homeschool under my belt. Back to teaching three this year, 1st, 4th and 6th grades. It is going well with them...of course Isaac has trouble focusing for very long but I expected that and don't really feel he needs to focus that long on any one thing...that ability will come in time. He is enjoying school and that is what is most important to me right now. Gabe and Laura basically just picked up right where they left off with no problems other than maybe getting out of bed.

Now, Lillian...that is where it gets interesting. She enjoys having us all hanging out in the room together for about, oh, five or maybe ten minutes. She will sit down next to one of the kids, all smiles. Then she gets bored. And nobody does what she wants, which makes her frustrated. Have I mentioned that she is a screecher? And a thrower? I've tried to discipline her by removing her from us and sitting her in another room or on the stairs but she just smiles sweetly, so it is clear she doesn't "get it" yet. So, we will find some way to muddle through this time, I suppose. Maybe we should investigate the possibility of "night school" when Daddy is home to entertain her...hmmm...

Right now she is laying on my lap napping. She sure is beautiful and sweet and peaceful when she is asleep.

This was a tough test!

Your English Skills:

Grammar: 100% Punctuation: 100% Vocabulary: 80% Spelling: 60%

Does Your English Cut the Mustard?

You Are 67% Feminine, 33% Masculine

You are in touch with your feminine side. Sensitive, intuitive, and caring are all words that describe you. And you're just masculine enough to relate to both men and women.

Are You Masculine or Feminine?

You Are a Conservative Democrat

Frankly, the way most other Democrats behave embarasses you greatly. You pride yourself on a high level of morals, and you have a good grasp on right and wrong. It's likely you think America needs to get back to its conservative, Juedo-Christian values. Why aren't you a Republican then? Because you believe the goverment helps more than hurts.

What's Your Political Persuasion?

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

For any of you out there who don't know what I look like...here is Lego Marci...


And my dear husband...

I can't even believe I forgot to share this last night...

Okay, first the background (Tricia and Pat, stop snickering...) Julia can really use a few new clothes for school. Arnel gives us our budget and so I explain to her that she can get maybe two items at a nice place like American Eagle, or several cheaper things. She decides to at least check out the cheaper stuff first. She also needs new contacts which are at Walmart, which is also near the mall, so off we head to Walmart.

Now, before I go further...step with me if you will into the Walmart shopping experience. You are in the women's clothing department...look around you. What do you see? How are the racks arranged? Now look down at the floor? Do you see anything there? Just really put yourself in the moment...

Okay, so Julia, Laura and I are standing at a rack debating over some particular item of clothing, whether it merits a try-on or not. My oversized purse knocks an item to the floor. After talking for a few more seconds, I look down to retrieve it. Hmmm...there is a top, a pair of pants and a hanger at my feet. Not sure what I knocked down and what was already there so I just push it out of the way with my foot so it doesn't get trampled on. Back to our discussion. A moment later I hear from behind me, "Ladies, you knocked that down. Will you please pick it up." Huh?!?!? I've done a LOT of shopping, believe me, and I have NEVER heard that request before. I turn around and stare at the older lady in the blue vest, probably with mouth gaping open as I try to process what I just heard. To which she adds, "Yes. You knocked those things down. Will you pick them up?" I finally find my voice and say, quite nicely, "Actually, I didn't. I knocked one of them down and when I saw there were already things there I decided to let those that get paid to pick them up do so." Then I bent down, picked up the top and hung it on the nearest rack, along with all the items in my cart, and turned around and walked out of the store.

Now, I freely admit I really should have picked up the item I knocked down, and I told my girls so on the way out of the store, more than once. I did make a feeble attempt but not being able to easily see the proper place to put it, and seeing that there were already things on the floor, and seeing that it is WALMART for crying out loud, I didn't. I honestly think the only reason she had the gall to say what she did is because my back was to her and she thought that she was talking to a group of teenagers. Which frankly bothers me even more that someone would think it was okay to be snotty to kids since they aren't "real" shoppers. She can boss her kids around if she wants, but mine? Uh-uh. My error aside (two wrongs don't make a right and all that,) has it become appropriate customer service to tell your customers to pick things up? It has been a very long time, but I certainly did my time in the retail world and I can't even imagine doing that.

Okay, so tell me what you think. I am honestly curious. Don't rag on me for not picking up the item, I already know I should have but EVEN given THAT...give me your honest opinion on what happened at Walmart in Bay City, MI last night. (P.S. If you are in September Advanced Math you get 100 blue-vest points for your comment!)

A few odds and ends floating around my brain...

The latest things rescued from Lillian's nose...plastic and of course her "drug" of choice, more tissue. If she gets ahold of any of that treasure she will try to outrun us with it. I have witnesses now who can vouch for her obsession, by the way.

I finally got (mostly) organized and ready to start our school year. I still would like to get some kind of schedule in place as to who has to walk the dog, take out the trash, etc. which day, as well as when I can schedule in some time to read my Bible and ~blech~ exercise. Hopefully now that I am in the mode that will come more easily.

Laura and I took Julia shopping for some school clothes tonight. That was fun. Laura and I agreed that shopping for someone else is almost as much fun as shopping for yourself. She got a pair of jeans, a denim jacket, a sweatshirt, a sweater and two tops for something like $100, not bad. Her budget was only $75 but I sprung for the denim jacket because she really needed it (they aren't allowed to have coats in class, have to leave them in their lockers which are about as big as a toaster oven and shared by two kids,) and it was a great deal at half-off, only $15. So, anyway, I didn't count that against her budget and she is going to work off the rest by doing all my chores for the week. Works for me!

Oh! I also found out today what an aster looks like! I've known like forever that it was my birth-month flower but never knew what they looked like until today...turns out I LOVE them!!

You Are From Mercury

You are talkative, clever, and knowledgeable - and it shows. You probably never leave home without your cell phone! You're witty, expressive, and aware of everything going on around you. You love learning, playing, and taking in all of what life has to offer. Be careful not to talk your friends' ears off, and temper your need to know everything.

What Planet Are You From?

Nothing major to report on Lillian's nose front...there was an attempt involving a chunk of a granola bar (chewy, not crunchy, if you are keeping score,) and she did manage a small piece of styrofoam while Arnel was on duty but he got to it quickly. Other than a few more paper attempts that is all the news for now on that issue.

I am amazed looking back at August to find that I completed 47 layouts plus two mini-albums as gifts! School starts in a week so I don't know what affect that will have on my productivity. I am loving this fallish weather but not ready to start school. It is not the school itself I am dreading, just taking the time to prepare, which I can't really put off any longer. But our weather has been perfect! In the 70s with a nice, cool breeze, and even cooler at night. I think I will try to get Arnel to do fires in the fire pit this weekend.

Things at The School of Scrap are really picking up! Our membership continues to grow and some great prizes have been awarded already, with more to come as we get sponsors in place thanks to our great principal Lisa who is working her tail off. Our gallery is in place, making it much easier to add and view the awesome work of our faculty and students. Speaking of the faculty, the full design team is now in place and I find myself wondering how I got mixed up with such an awesome, talented group of ladies! Check it out!

You've Experienced 64% of Life

You have all of the life experience that most adults will ever get. And unless you're already in your 40s, you're probably wise beyond your years.

How Much Life Experience Do You Have?

Not sure how to take that last part being that I am in my 40s...

You Are Strawberry Pocky

Your attitude: fresh and sweet Comforting, yet quirky ... quietly hyper You always see both sides to everything

What Flavor Pocky Are You?