Wow!

First Day of School 2009

She wants to wear glasses like Eema, so this is as close as she gets.


Abba took this picture of the three of us.

This is Zee waiting for school to start!

Abba and Zee just waiting for the door to open to Second Grade!

Big Brother???

This white decal has been on my mail box for months. I thought it was strange when I saw it the first time. Then I heard my Mother-in-law speak to her postal worker and he had a handful of them. I'm not exactly sure what he told her, but I was curious... Do you have one on your mail box? Is it a tracking device for postal workers, or is it some government conspiracy to keep track of us? I'm not really freaked by this (maybe I should be) but I AM curious to see how many of you have some new thing added to your box?

Head Start Meet and Greet

Tzipi's teacher from last year, Mrs. Wormsbaker


Tzipi's new teachers (can't remember their names)



Silly Hat wearing girl

Silly Hat wearing boy

The children's tables

Cute foodies on the wall

Zee and Tzipi playing in the kitchen

Get them ready for Toastmasters early!!!

She's more excited about school now that she's seen the class room. 7:30 to 11:00. Wow they grow fast.

Noah

Yes, the kids tried to rescue a baby mourning dove. They named him Noah.


He had largish feathers, so I said it was ok to try and keep him alive.

He spent one night in our home and it was fun to make food for him and try to get him to eat.

It was a very special thing to hold this creature in my hands and watch him look back at me. Avi took him outside for fresh air the next morning and he flew up into the tree. Avi said, "he's in God's hands now". As soon as I got back from work Zee said, "Noah's dead". Avi said, " we don't know that, God is taking good care of him." I laughed with Zee's blunt answer. I am not sad. It was a special thing that this bird let us take care of him for one night. I love birds. That's why I named my daughter Tzipporah. Beautiful little bird.

Bunny

This is our kitty. Her name is Dust Bunny. She is going to need to take a bath today. She got into some oil. This should be very interesting. I'll let you know how it goes.

When Bad Things Happen

I can't go into details about this weekend, but I just needed to reflect a bit. I go into a zone and can't stop thinking about it. It helps to do something. When I'm not doing something I am thinking about the next thing I can do to help, wishing I simply had more time in my busy day. To speak in general terms, my very close friend had a terrible thing happen. It is hard to understand why this terrible thing happened, but it did. So now I try and think about what I can do to help her. I don't have much to give considering that I have two children and a husband to care for as well, but not doing anything makes it worse. She's by herself. She has three children. She doesn't have a close network of people to call on. I know that bad things happen and I can't think of it past that point. I want to scream and cry and run all at the same time. That won't help anyone. God is here. He was there when it happened. He is hurting too. He wants to help her and He has, she isn't dead. I can't focus on the why. I only have right now. Her needs are real and there are small things I can do to help. Our friendship is unique. At one time I didn't like her. Then I got to know her. She is a strong powerful woman and is doing her best to make it through this life. She has three beautiful children that have the potential to do great things. We sit next to each other for many hours each day. And her cubicle is empty. I hope its not empty for long.

Your continued prayers for her family and her restored health are much appreciated.

Going with the Flow

Well, I've been taking my business a little at a time. Waking up while my family is still sleeping and investing an hour building my business. I have training in Lubbock on the 22nd, a party/workshop on the 29th, Vacation to 3 Falls Cove where I get to hold a workshop for my family, a club meeting in September, and a conference in October. I've already had my first order and I'm so excited about creating new samples with all the techniques I've learned. I'm even working on my website so customers can buy without waiting for my next workshop or event. http://janinedeckard.stampinup.net . There are times when I only wish for some quiet time to work on my business. It's a challenge to balance a full time job with a part time dream, but it simply takes a lot of organization. Thanks to Toastmasters, I'm not intimidated with speaking to strangers and I've also gained a great deal of confidence. I schedule phone meetings with my upline in the morning and a phone meeting with my husband and children in the afternoon. Then I spend time cuddling with my children after I get home and then write a thought or two in my journal. My upline is incredibly encouraging and gives me assignments each day so that I am not overwhelmed. I don't do much when my children are awake because they are so young and needy. I can often sneak a peek or two at a Stampin' Up! site while they are watching cartoons or playing outside, but I save it for the early morning.

I am glad I am chasing this dream. It's been a great decision so far and I only have more and more ideas for the future of this business. Thank you for your encouragement!

Scrap Happy Too!

Please check out the new addition to my blog collection. It's on my Blog List entitled: Scrap Happy Too!

I have started a new side business and I am so excited about the company. My day job is implementing a new system and they are talking about less and less overtime. So I needed something to supplement my income. After looking for the past 6 months for a company I can work for on my schedule, I found Stampin' Up. Stampin' Up is a great way for me to use my Toastmaster skills as a teacher and leader. I am proud to say that their products are made in America and their paper is 75% post consumer recycled. I can sell the paper crafts that I make but I can also sell the products that we will use in our Workshops, Open Houses, Home Parties, and monthly Club meetings. I hear so many times that my friends have years worth of photos, love to scrapbook, but either don't have the time to do it or don't know where or how to start. I will teach wonderful new techniques and create a fun environment to showcase our talents. Even if you simply want to learn new ways to use the paper craft tools you already own, the new skills I will present will add a whole new level to your hobby!

The other point for this coming holiday season is that with the economy being so chaotic I feel that we will be more apt to make than buy gifts for our families. I will host a workshop prior to the holidays in order for us to make unique and beautiful gifts the ones we love.

See you at our next workshop!

LeeLee's Flowers

I just had to post the beautiful flowers that Aunt Linda gave me after my dental work last week. They are just a memory and a photo now, but they made me smile each time I looked up from my work. Thank you Leelee! I love you!

Dinner Party at Pacific Rim (or Bryson is Really Entertaining)

Zee took a picture of the sign, so we know where we are.



This evening was for Linda's birthday, but not according to the pictures in my camera. Zee took a bunch of pictures, and the only slightly decent picture I have of Linda is not something she would like me to post on my blog. She's pointing her finger and making a serious face. Sorry Leelee! Hester decorated the room with balloons.



Tzipi is in love with babies. Bryson was so cute and she couldn't help playing "Mommy" all night. Bryson was the sweetest part of the party.

Bryson really had a blast with the ice water and lemons. He was so happy to drink the cold water.

Then they took the water away. As soon as Lavonna gave the water back to him, he would stop crying.

The kid's table. The food was so yummy and worth waiting for.


Bryson loved the sweet dessert. This is whipped cream on his chin.

Pacific Rim's entrance.

Flip Flop Friday

Our managers were wearing grass skirts and doing the hula dance.


We are tossing beach balls over the cubicles.



Corina, Marci, and Me.

The balls are flying. They kept hitting stuff on people's desks and the flourescent lights.

Trying to get my work done since we've played all day long.

Wonderful Kids!

These two pictures were taken on Saturday during our Toastmaster picnic. I just thought I'd post them because they are such great kids. I love them so much. How did I ever get to be so blessed? I'm a mom!?

Gentle Art of Line Drying

To keep from having the dryer on, I've taken to hanging our clothes on the line. The benefit is that it bleaches my whites and is gentle on my delicates.

There is something therapeutic with this work as well. Breathing the fresh air and calculating how many clothespins I can save for the rest of the load of clothing.

The smell of the wet, clean laundry blowing in the breeze. Also knowing that this is the way my great great great grandmother dried her clothing keeps me in touch with the past.

Just wanted to share this happy moment with my blog friends/family. Love, Nee

Decor

On the weekend of July 4th, I went to the Antique Mall here in Amarillo. They were having a grand sale and I had so much fun! I had this great book with French Inspiration and I used it to guide my hunt. My living room is plain and blah and I decided it was time to try a little harder. I've asked my landlord for some interior paint, so hopefully this fall I can paint a little bit here and there because my little house desperately needs it. So in the mean time, I wanted to spruce things up a bit...



My favorite broach broke and I was very upset. Then I thought about the color scheme, tied it to a black ribbon and hung it from one of the pictures in my living room. I get to see it everyday now!


I have a love/hate relationship with this sofa and wish I could properly re-upholster this ugly old thing. Since I don't have the finances to do that, I covered it with white cotton fabric that I can wash weekly since I know I will have to with two very messy children.

I found fabric and some linen napkins that I sewed into four pillows. It was less than 30 minutes of my time and $2.00 total!

I found 3 hand crocheted doilies that made me feel very nostalgic. I hung them on the wall to hide some large ugly nails and scratches that I can't get off without putty and paint.

I found these two prints that were originally 20 dollars each at Bed Bath and Beyond, but second hand I only had to spend $4.00! Just under 10 dollars for all my treasures and I changed the whole look of my living room.

Just a side note: My mom and I used to go antiquing all the time, and I forgot how much fun it is to go back in time. When things get really rough I just imagine going to up and down the little booths and get all happy. I can't wait till the next time I get to jump into my time machine!

Team Lunch

After Monday and Tuesday, we needed a break. The company allowed the entire team to go to lunch at the same time. We normally have to take shifts for lunch, breaks, you name it. They rarely like us to have team meetings because we have so much work to do. Our manager worked hard to get this organized and we carpooled to a little mexican restaurant really close to our building. We turned in our orders the day before, so that when we came in they had all of our food ready, we sat down and got to eat right away. The food was good, but the fellowship was even better. We laughed and had plenty of time to chit chat like women do. We learned that we have a car wreck inspector, classic violinist, dual citizen and ordained minister on our team! We had a great time.

Thursday's Dr. Appt.

I went to the ENT Dr. on Thursday. My co-workers have been making comments lately that my hearing isn't great. My left hear has been bothering me for years, but I've been diagnosed with a patch-less Eustachian tube. The previous doctor I went to said there was nothing they can do for my left ear. Basically I can hear my own voice and my breath when I breathe through my nostrils, and not much else. It's very annoying. So I figured I'd go to a different doctor and see if he had a different opinion. He looked at my ears and said that yes, I did have a patch-less Eustachian tube and that there is nothing that can be done for that, but that I should have a hearing test. After being in a tight closed box and wearing the annoying head set, the answer: I need hearing aids. Especially for work.

I was a bit shocked. He said that my hearing loss has nothing to do with my cleft, my tubes, or anything like that. I have nerve loss. ( like sensory neural loss?? I kind of got lost in the medical jargon) I'm not quite sure what that means. I'm still adjusting to the idea. I figured he would said something like, we can operate on your left ear and close up the patch? I'm not a doctor. So when they said aids, I went blank. The audiologist was talking to me about the differences in aids and prices (2 to 3 grand an ear)... I guess I really can't hear very well. The fact that my co-workers resort to tossing rubber coasters at my head or scare me when they've been in my cubicle...it just didn't register. I work in a processing center. Chit chat is frowned upon. We are encouraged to be quiet. For a person with hearing loss, that can be nice unless someone needs your attention. For the most part, I do my work and it hasn't been an issue, but I don't always understand what my coworkers are saying and I guess it is a bigger problem then I thought. I need to call my insurance because they said hearing testing and aids are paid for up to 2,000 an ear, but it sounds like I have to pay for it first and then be reimbursed. It's a bit daunting, but it helps to know that there is truly a problem.

My son has struggled with hearing issues for years, but it's been due to a rare disorder and his ears are perfectly fine, just that the cells inside of his ears form extreme amounts of debris and they get clogged easily. If we keep the ears clean he has perfect hearing. We started using the Neti Pot for his sinusitis and that seems to be helping too!

In the mean time I'm more aware of people around me and stay focused on lips. I have practiced lip reading for years, so I guess it will come in handy until I figure out the whole hearing aid thing. Golly!

Mud Day July 11th 2009!

My friends at worked asked me to come to their Volleyball tournament. It was a charity event for the Sheriff's Department. I figured I would sit and watch my friends and cheer them on. Little did I know that my kids would want to join the muddy fun.


Here are some of my friends.



Zippy kept throwing mud at the boys, but she was happy in the mud.

She wanted more mud.

They even let the firemen squirt them with the fire hoses to get the mud off.

This team was tough.

Zee really got into it.

I have a lot of photos, but my sun burn is screaming for aloe.