Rudolph the red nosed...Reindeer?

Apparently Aaron is working on a new installation for the 1001 Ways to Sink a Sub book. They had a substitute Tuesday, and when I picked him up from school, I found that he had adorned himself and his good friend Brandon in Rudolph disguises.

He was so disappointed when I recognized him!

What a cutie patootie! He just LOVES Christmas and is SO excited about seeing what Santa will bring him this year.

We're also trying to teach him about giving at Christmas, and have had the opportunity to let him make donations to a few different causes. He seems to be really enjoying that too, which is neat.

I've made some decisions (well, sort of).

Friday I got a call back from an interview I had the Friday prior. They offered me the job. I had basically already decided it wasn't a great fit, but asked for the weekend to discuss it with Pressly and think about it. I tried to get excited about it, but I just could not. A big part of my wanting to get a job is so I can meet people and get to know the community better. This job is in a town 20 minutes away, so that also was working against it. I tried calculating the weekly/monthly income to help me get excited, but it just didn't work. I kept thinking that I could make a months' pay in a good jewelry show over two days.

I discussed it with Pressly who basically supports whatever I want to do. He agrees that if I'm miserable at home I should get out and do something. He also asked that if I turn down that job that I don't despair over what to do with myself while I continue to look. I promised I wouldn't and decided to follow my gut on this one. I called them back on Monday and declined the offer.

I also got my magazine submissions completed and mailed them today via Priority Mail so I will make the deadline!

For now I'm going to work on getting all of my current jewelry loaded onto my website, and I'm going to put some stuff out on a few upscale selling sites, including Ruby Lane and Etsy. Not having a lot of history on those sites, I may not see a ton of action this holiday season, but I might get some more exposure and sell a thing or two since I'm not doing any more shows right now. I've neglected my website horribly over the past year, so its no wonder I don't get any sales from it.

I also have applications in for a few jobs here in town. One is for an inclusion aide with the school district, which I think would be extremely rewarding and the schedule would match Aaron's. The other is for an executive assistant for a CEO of our electric coop, and the requirements match my qualifications perfectly.

So I'll not stress about it. Instead, I'll enjoy reading to Aaron's class and going on their field trip. I'll enjoy photographing and describing my jewelry and adding it to the various websites. And I'll enjoy the holidays this year, not stressing about upcoming shows.

EEK! *Happy Dance* and maybe an answer to some prayers...

"Thank you so much for sharing your talent and creativity with us!"

That was the closing line in an email I received today. A few weeks ago, I made a last minute decision to submit a few pieces to a magazine, and they emailed today to let me know they have accepted several of my submissions! I'm totally floored. Really. I hoped of the five submissions I sent, they would choose one. The photos were not good at all, taken in a rush to beat the midnight deadline on my dining room table under incandescent lighting. The magazine will, of course, professionally photograph the pieces for publication, but I was afraid the poor quality of the photos and my quick editing job wouldn't do the pieces justice.

The timing could not be more perfect or ironic. Or confusing.

I've been praying for direction and answers about what to do with myself lately. I have basically decided to just hang up jewelry design as a business because I have not been feeling successful at it. People tell me that I am talented; they tell me that my jewelry is gorgeous, that it is unusual, that they love my work. But I totally suck at marketing. I do.not.like.it. I'm introverted and shy and exceedingly uncomfortable tooting my own horn. And I've been struggling with the fact that I just don't feel fulfilled or useful staying at home.

Since we decided to sell our house this spring and pursue our dream of moving to a smaller town, life has been chaotic. We sold our house in just 10 days, then moved to a rental house that also happened to be on the market, so I wasn't comfortable spreading all my stuff out there. During that time, we began the process of finalizing plans to build on our 13 acres. We ran into problem after problem with that process, and finally it became evident that it was going to cost a LOT more than we expected so we decided to see what kinds of existing homes were available. After only one day of looking, we found the perfect house. It was a foreclosure with a very attractive price, had a shop and sat on 4 acres. Within one week, we had a contract on this house, a contract on the sale of our 13 acres and were making plans to move.

Without a doubt, everything fell into place just as it was supposed to, but the limbo time and all the uncertainty wrought havoc on my creative energy. Plus, almost all of my supplies were packed away in a dank storage building, out of my reach.

Fast forward to now: adjusting to this small town lifestyle has been surprisingly difficult for me. I thought I knew what I was getting into because I grew up in a small town. I don't know anyone here. I'm not good at meeting new people unless we are forced together by soccer games, volunteering or other circumstances. My very best friend in the whole world might as well live a world away. We talk on the phone at least once a week and exchange occasional emails, but that's no substitute for real-life friendship and I miss her so much. I've felt myself slipping into a hole for the past few months, and finally decided that since my application to substitute teach or volunteer at Aaron's school hadn't received a response, that I should start looking for a job. I've had a few interviews, one of which would have been okay, but it's in a town 20 minutes from here, so it wouldn't afford me the opportunity to meet local folks. I'm supposed to hear back about that one by this Friday. I've been mulling over what to do if I am offered the job because it's not exactly perfect.

So here I sit, less than an hour after receiving this amazing news, wondering what the heck I'm supposed to do. And wondering whether this is the answer I've been looking for. One of my prayers was that I have the wisdom to recognize the right opportunity when it presents itself. Now I guess I'm trying to decide whether I've been endowed with said wisdom.

As for the magazine, I'm going to keep the details under my hat for a while longer, just in case something falls through with it. I'll announce details when it hits the stands, which is supposed to be Spring 2008!!

Puss In Boots

At the end of the Summer, I took Aaron to the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History to see the Star Wars exhibit. That stuff was cool, but true to form, his favorite display was the gift shop. Being the ultimate dealmaker, he agreed that if I bought him a Jengo Fett costume he would wear it for Halloween. Of course, that was months ago, priorities change, promises are forgotten. Around October 5th, he announced he really really wanted to be Puss in Boots for Halloween.

Pressly and I stuck to our guns on this one. The boy must learn to honor his word, and not re-trade the deal after he's gotten what he wants.

Then I got a note from his school that the kiddos would be allowed to dress as story book characters for school on Halloween. Then Monday, he opened his bank and brought me all his change and his $2 bills, offering to pay for the Fett costume if he could just PLEASE be Puss in Boots for Halloween. So we gave in.

I'm not sure Katy agrees with our decision, though (or that look could be trepidation at the thought of us bringing home another cat)


But this all doesn't come without consequence. Oh, no. We still have to teach responsibility, right? So, the kitty litter box needs to be scooped every day, and at the rate of $.50 per day, he should have his debt paid by the end of the year. Aaron doesn't seem too upset about the deal (for now, anyway).

Happy Halloween!

I suppose it's because Halloween is the first "holiday" of the season, Aaron gets really wound up about it every year. I mean, honestly - he starts asking to put up the Halloween decorations around September 7th. And he gets so excited about all the cool stuff in the stores. This year, I gave in and let him buy a pumpkin decorating book with stencils and tools. It made cutting those suckers SO MUCH EASIER!

Aaron had picked out a pretty elaborate ghost to carve on the larger pumpkin, but Pressly and I were experiencing a great amount of anxiety over whether we could get all those teensy cuts to look right. We convinced Aaron to look for something a little less complicated, so he and Pressly started leafing through the book. As soon as Pressly spotted the alien pattern, he had his mind made up... we just had to convince Aaron! He agreed once we told him he could do whatever he wanted with the other pumpkin. So Pressly got his alien jack-o-lantern and Aaron freehanded a Dracula on the other. It was a lot of fun, and I think they turned out pretty neat!

Here are some photos of the process for your entertainment.

What a shame..

After dropping the kiddo off at school this morning, I stopped at a nearby convenience store for my morning caffeine. The dude in line ahead of me was also purchasing his morning pick-me-up, but his left the store in a brown paper bag. ;) A liquor store cashier once informed me that that particular size and shape of bag is called a 'wino bag.' How apropos.

How is it fair that HE could buy a 40oz Natural Light for $1.07 and my 20oz diet Coke was $1.40. I also have to say it doesn't give me warm fuzzies that you can buy beer just a hundred yards from my son's primary school. At 7:45 a.m.

Bring in the Clowns -and- A Hall of Fame

Aaron: "Mom, I finally decided what I'm gonna be when I grow up."
Me: "Great! What?"
Aaron: "A clown."
Aaron: "Sebastian is going to be a clown too. We're gonna work for each other. And throw pies in each others' face."
Me: "Wow, that sounds like fun!"
Aaron: "Mom, I had to pull my clip in class today."
Me: "What did you do?"
Aaron: "I just couldn't get that clown song out of my head. And I had to sing it."

So, forget the army man, the bridge builder and the architect. He's gonna be a clown. Which I think suits him quite nicely. ;)


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Aaron rode his second dirt bike race on October 6th. He really seems to enjoy it, which is nice because he sometimes shies away from things that are risky. But I think the competition and the thrill of the win got him!

He placed 5th in the race and brought home a nice trophy:

Then he told me we needed to hire a building person to come build a hall of fame for all his trophies. It needs to be very long and curvy.

For the record, he probably has half a dozen trophies right now, including several from his soccer and T-Ball exploits, this race trophy and the trophy he got in his first race where all the PeeWee riders trophied.

So naturally I told him we would build him that long, curvy hall of fame if I win $1,000,000 in the McDonald's Monopoly game.

(By the way, if anyone knows where I can get a Boardwalk gamepiece, I'd be forever grateful.)

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

We're well on our way to a having a bonafide menagerie with two doggies, two hamsters and now...

TIGER!

A few weeks ago, Pressly said it would be okay for us to get a cat with the understanding that it would strictly be an outside cat. He figures it would be good for keeping the mice and snakes at bay around the house.

After thinking it over, I decided I really didn't want to adopt a cat from a rescue or shelter with the sole purpose of sticking it outside. Many of those cats are tempered for the indoors and are de-clawed. So I thought I'd just keep my eyes open for an ad for free kittens or something.

I was almost home this morning after dropping Aaron off at school when something ran across the road in front of me. It didn't move like a squirrel, but I was too far away to see what it was. Once I got to about where I had seen it, I slowed down and saw this tiny orange baby disappear behind a tree. I could hear it mewing loudly so I got out of the car and started calling to it. Knowing how temperamental cats can be, I figured it was futile, but I'm a total sucker for animals.

In just a second, it came out out from behind its tree and looked at me. I walked over, reached down and scooped it up, thinking at any minute this skin-and-bones furball was going to start clawing at me with all its fury. But he didn't! He started purring right away. Sweet baby just wanted to nestle into my hair. He rode fine in the car, and when we got home I gave him a little milk and introduced him to the dogs.

I took him to the vet, who says he's probably 8-10 weeks old but is so malnourished it's hard to tell. He has ear mites, and weighs only about 1 pound 3 oz, but other than that, he seems healthy. We're treating the mites, and as soon as he gets some weight on his bones we'll start vaccinations. Aaron named him Tiger for now, but says he wants to get to know him a little better before deciding on the final name.

He is such a lover, which is pretty unbelievable for a stray cat. Here's to hoping he's still around in the morning.

Giggles

Aaron's classmates have bestowed the nickname "Giggles" on him. His kindergarten teacher once told me that when he started laughing, she couldn't say anything to him or he would totally collapse in laughter gasping for breath, then the domino effect would cause the entire class of 5 year olds to erupt into laughter. I figured he would outgrow it, but apparently if that's going to happen, it'll be sometime in his early 30's. I asked him why he thinks his classmates decided to call him Giggles, but instead of answering me, he looked at me with a sparkle in his eye and informed me that a girl in his class is nicknamed....

Monkeybutt.

Aghast, I just looked at him for a minute, sucking in my cheeks and biting down on them to suppress an outburst. When I felt I could speak without choking or laughing, I asked him why she was nicknamed that. He just shrugged and said he didn't know but he thinks she said her uncle gave her the nickname. Of course, I told him he is absolutely not allowed to say that nickname to her. Ever.


Hmmm.... Giggles, Monkeybutt... wonder what he's not telling me?

"B" is for....

Bubbles!

....bubbles....bubbles...bubbles!

What's the point of having a jetted tub if you can't have a little fun every once in a while? We may have a problem, though. Aaron announced he's doin' it again tomorrow!

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So, where were mom and dad when this was going on?...

Bleeding the clutch hydraulics on the Miata...

Then Chelsae Butter offered to go on a test drive w/ daddy...


And when I went back in the house, I discovered that Katy got in on the Bubble action, too...
although, I'm not sure she was a willing participant.

"Does it make coffee?"

My sisters have been on my mind a lot lately. They are all so accomplished but still so very grounded. One has faced enormous tribulation, but always emerges stronger in her faith. She and her husband are extremely successful and musically talented. They work very hard and glorify God in all they do. Another is such a free spirit, introspective and wise beyond her years. She reminds me a lot of our mom. She's just about to finish college and start a new exciting journey. She's made some tough decisions lately but seems so much happier now. The third is so smart, loving and talented. She's a junior in high school but it looks like she's already paved her way to a college scholarship through her amazing twirling talent. She's so smart, kind and driven. I can't wait to see what she does in years to come!

The cooler evenings have me looking forward to the holidays - I just wish the days were cooler too! Thinking of Christmas reminds me of the many fun surprises and escapades of youth. When Jessica and I were very young (she was about 4 and I was around 6 years old), daddy took us to Winn's buy Christmas gifts for one another. He made each of us sit in the car while he took the other in to make our choice. He purchased our selections and then hid them in the trunk of the car. He instructed us that these gifts were secrets and we were not to tell the other what we bought.

We went home and gleefully wrapped the gifts separately and put them under the Christmas tree. I think we managed to make it about an hour and a half before we decided we just could not stand the suspense any longer. In our infinite wisdom, we figured out as long as we didn't tell daddy that we told each other and as long as we promised to act really surprised on Christmas morning, we could safely exchange secrets.

So we did.

Then the game commenced.
4 year old Jessica: "Daddy, if I guess what Jasmine bought me will you tell me I got it right?"
Daddy: "Ok"
4 year old Jessica, coyly: "Does..... it..... hmmm....... MAKE COFFEE?"
Daddy: dead silence. But his whole head turned purple.

Jessica, of course didn't quite grasp the levity of what she had just done, but *I* knew, and she soon learned.

Oh crap.

See, she loved sweet, milk-laden coffee. So I bought her a kid's real working coffee maker that you had to pour water in, add grounds then pump, pump, pump with your hand to get it to drip. It was rectangular monstrosity with a big orange button and a transparent brown reservoir window and it brewed cold coffee.

And Daddy, with all the wisdom of a daddy, obviously knew that no four year old on the planet would spontaneously guess that. Much less on the first try. He threatened to take our gifts away, but they were still there on Christmas morning. Funny thing is, I don't have a clue what it was that Jessica bought me that year. I'm pretty sure it was either something miniature or a Strawberry Shortcake figurine.

Those shopping trips continued until we left home, but we never shared our secrets again.

He made me cry.

Aaron is very matter-of-fact when it comes to the realities of life and death. It's a blessing in many ways, because he isn't emotionally devastated by the death of a pet like some children are. (and like I still am!) He once "buried" a deceased pet fish by carrying it into the backyard and dropping it into a crack in the ground. He then giggled, saying that the grass would probably get greener there. He also enjoys speculating about what new pet he might get when his current pets expire. (But he's always very careful to cover their ears or whisper quietly so as not to upset them by speaking of their impending doom.)

So, yeah, his comfort with death can be something of a blessing. It can also be a bit of a curse.

He has a real fascination with "army guys"...anyone in the military service is an "army guy." He wants to be one when he grows up, and he wants to fly airplanes. But as we were looking through vacation photos tonight, he spotted this photo of himself -
So of course, he told me when he grows up, he wants to be the gun shooter.

As we were lying in bed after I read him his story, I was about to kiss him goodnight when he turned away from me in the dark and said, with the slightest quiver in his voice, "Mom, if I'm one of the guys that never comes back, promise you won't forget me. Okay?" I simply could not say a word because I was choking back my tears.

I didn't want him to know I was upset, but before I could pull myself together he asked if I was crying and quickly flipped on his lamp to check on me. He gave me a big hug and said he was sorry for making me cry. He told me not to worry because that was only one of his choices for what to be when he grows up, and he said he wouldn't do it if it made me that sad. I managed to steady my voice long enough to tell him that he can be anything in the world he wants to be, and I want him to be whatever makes him happiest. Even if that's an "army guy."

Hopefully God won't be too upset with me for the fib. A quick smooch goodnight, and I scurried out of his room before I totally lost it.