Draft for a T-shirt I’m designing for the upcoming Fog Jog 5K. All graphics on it (logo, etc) were also mine, or at least templates (like the foot in the logo) that I altered to suit my purposes. I am definitely feeling more confident in Illustrator and can’t wait to take on more projects like this.
Gmail Labs
OMG.
Gmail>settings>labs>”signature tweaks”> enable.
This has increased my email efficiency exponentially. THANK YOU Keith C and Dave C, whoever you are.
Cats Suck
9:30 pm: Kids go to sleep happy after playing with their “adorable” cat.
10:07 pm: Cat somehow gets up into the attic for the 4th time in two days and can’t (or won’t) get back down. I drag him out and get scratched for my trouble.
11:18 pm: Cat is back in the attic moaning about how he can’t get down and I leave him there because he’s a jerk.
2:38 am: Cat has somehow found his way out of the attic and is now outside fighting with another cat directly under my bedroom window. I break it up and get scratched and bitten in the process.
2:58 am: I have now managed to convince the cat to come inside through various bribes and promises to feed him fish. Once inside, I attempt to check him over to make sure he wasn’t injured in the fight. He decides to be a jerk about it and scratches my leg. I retract my fish offer.
4:22 am: Cat is running through the house chasing after his tinkle ball. I get up, take the ball away, and shut my bedroom door.
4:30 am: Cat is scratching at my bedroom door and crying to be let in. In a sleepy stupor, I acquiesce. Big mistake. He attacks my feet as I climb back into bed. I take refuge under my covers and curse the day evolution thought of ”cat”.
5:04 am: I’m having nightmares about cats attacking my feet and so instinctively move my feet slightly in my sleep. Cat mistakes thing-moving-under-blanket for a mouse and attacks it full force with teeth AND claws.
6:45 am: Cat jumps up onto my bed and lands directly on my stomach. He then walks over me on his way to jump up onto the window above my headboard.
6:50 am: Cat decides he is bored with the view at this window and jumps down directly onto my face. He is sure to keep his claws out for balance. Safety first.
7:15 am: Children awake to get ready for school and play with their precious cat. Cat is all cuteness and cuddles. Cat then proceeds to spend the day sleeping. I make coffee.
2011 v. 2012
So it just occurred to me that I haven’t had anything to say here for quite awhile…
2011 sucked.
The whole year from beginning to end was just non-stop terrible.
I am so ready for 2012 to be awesome.
salacious crumb, amigurumi edition, by alison of CRAFTYisCOOL
I did not know that was the creature’s name until now
am a bad star wars fan
9 Days to Finish!
The lease on my shoebox apartment ends on July 31st. That gives us (my landlords and I) 9 days from today to get the new house ready. Actually, not even 9 days, because I need to move out of my apartment with enough time to spare for cleaning, patching nail holes, etc., in an attempt to get my security deposit back. Should be interesting.
In the meantime, here’s the list of things I am still in need of:
- Bunkbed w/ mattresses for boys
- toys for boys (aged 5 and 10)
- microwave
- living room seating
- help moving/painting/patching/etc
- money
- money
- money
I have no idea how I’m going to afford the moving van I will need to bring my things up from my ex’s house in Tampa. There are some large furniture items including a piano needing to be moved from there, so I will need something big to move everything with.
The rest of this month will no doubt be one of the most stressful I’ve ever endured. I have absolutely no idea how I’m going to manage to do it all.
Moving soon and need (update 2)…
The end of my lease is quickly approaching (July 31st) and moving preparations are in full swing!
I have come up with almost all of the furniture I will need, except beds for the boys. Bunk beds would be great. A Twin over full bunk bed would be ideal, so that there’s room on the bottom bunk to snuggle up for bed time stories. <3
Also, I still need a microwave, and toys for the boys (5 & 10).
I would also, of course, really appreciate donations of money or time. There is still a LOT of work to be done at the “new” house, and I will need all of the help I can get. Starting out on this new life as a low-income single-parent family has been a difficult lifestyle change for the boys and I. Anything to help smooth the transition, for the boys especially, would be very helpful. It’s going to be a bumpy ride for us until I finish school and can work full time. In the meantime, we’re riding our bikes everywhere we can and only buying what we absolutely need; and then only if it’s on sale. I’ve managed to pay most of my bills on time and haven’t destroyed my credit score (yet).
I’m grateful for my fabric stash and my sewing machine. At least I can make the new house a home without spending too much money. I can’t wait to post pics of the things I come up with! :)
The boys seem to be dealing a little better with the divorce now. Ninja (5) has had some regression and anger issues which will no doubt be on-going as he comes to grips with our new life. Boy Scout (10) had a really difficult time with everything at first, but seems to be dealing with things a little better these days. I might know for sure if he would ever call me, LOL. He has been very busy enjoying his summer vacation with Grandma and Papa. <3
Personally, I am having more bad days then good, although the ratio seems to be slowly shifting in favor of the good. Learning to be an independent person and make my own decisions has been a very difficult change for me; particularly since these are luxuries I have not been afforded over the past several years. Things like budgeting, paying bills, household/vehicle repairs, and even opening jars are daily frustrations that I’m sure I will overcome with time. This is the first time in my life I have ever lived someplace without another adult. And although I do not ever for a moment regret the decision to get out of the situation I was in, being alone just feels like a new sort of hell. *sigh*… I know, this too shall pass.
Things are picking up for me professionally, and I am happy to be busy. This fall I will be continuing to work part time for Florida Organic Growers and the Agricultural Justice Project, as well as part time running UF’s on-campus CSA program. I will also be coordinating Gainesville’s Food Day activities (foodday.org, more to come on that!), going to school full time, serving as President of Slow Food UF, keeping my Boy Scout active in scouts, and continuing to be the very best mommy I can be to my two beautiful boys!! Phrew!
You are all wonderful, and I very much appreciate your concern and support. I really don’t know where I would be without you. In particular, my Florida friends that have stuck by me have been a fantastic support system. They have been more helpful than I could have ever asked for or expected. I’ve had angels in Gainesville and Tampa looking out for me and you are all very near and dear to my heart. Thank you. <3
Update to Moving List
Hello again Friends! I have crossed out the items on the list that I have found or been given. I am still in desperate need/want of the other things on the list. If you or anyone you know local-ish to Gainesville is looking to give away or sell for cheap any of the following items, please let me know: My lease expires July 31st, but I am hoping to move as soon as the new house is ready. Also, if you are willing to help me with moving, painting, yard work, building a treehouse, etc that would also be very much appreciated. Thanks so much!! <3 Dining room table & chairsDresser)end tables, and so forthwasher/dryer
