Trailing Tuesdays: Linkin' Up!

Its a day early, but I'm linking up to Trailing Tuesday from Familylicious, Nine More Months and Sugar Pop Ribbons!




If you're stopping by my little corner of blog-land for a visit, Welcome to Snips and Snails and Tales!  Kick your shoes off, stay a while and take a look around!

Swap-Bot: Cemetary Photos

Have you heard of Swap-Bot?  It is an internet swap site, where users arrange swaps with other users.  There are a lot of postcard swaps and ATC swaps (I have no idea what that means) and others.  My first swap was a cemetary photo swap.  When I was studying photography in high school, I loved going through cemetaries and taking pictures of statues and unique or old headstones.  So this swap was right up my alley.

Here is how this swap worked: users interested in the swap sign up by the deadline.  After the deadline, the organizer assigns partners (in this case, 2 partners each) and those partners swap 3 pictures each.  So I sent off 3 pictures each to my 2 partners and I received 6 pictures in return.

In true Amanda-the-Goober fashion, I waited until the very last day to go out and take the pictures, but I got them and sent them off on time, give or take a day or two. 

I don't remember who got what, but those are the pictures I sent out.  That lion is one of my favorite headstones.  I have a pictures of that one from highschool as well.

I received pictures from:

 Andrea (ZenPanda) from Montana, who sent 4 pictures:

And Ramona (stonekeepers), I'm not sure where she is from.

Beautiful photos, all!  I am really glad I did this swap.  It got me out taking pictures, of something other than Caleb.  I am looking forward to doing more swaps, especially photo ones.  I'm planning on checking out some more cemetaries soon to stock up on more pictures.  My next swap is for the kids, though.  Coloring books and crayons.  I think I am hooked on swapping!

Jump Start on Sewing Month

I could not stand to wait any longer, plus I was bored, so I got a jump on National Sewing Month today.  And I managed to finish the first four projects in Sew What! Bags in just a few hours!  They are unbelieveably easy, especially considering they are done totally pattern free. 

The only reason I didn't get started on the next bag was because I need a zipper for it.  I'm excited about this next one, too.  I have never done a zipper.  But I have picked out the fabrics I'm using (the same ones I used on my Mad Hatter hat, which I will have to share sometime soon!)

So, in the next day or so, I'll take some pictures of my finished projects and post them here.


Oh, and I officially have proof that Caleb has been walking in his sleep.  Let's just say, no more water, and a like-it-or-not trip to the potty, before bed from now on.

Next Month...

So, it turns out that September is National Sewing Month, thanks to a certain Mr. Ronald Regan!  Now I have even more reason to get some sewing under way.  Definately look for some "Look-y what I made" kind of posts in the coming month.

By the way,

Look-y what I made!

These are Caleb's lunch baggies for this year. 

They have actually made it home every day so far.  I know, we are only a week into school, but still...

I think this is my favorite one, the sandwich wrap.  I'm hoping to have a few of these, at least, up for sale soon.  I will certainly let you know.

Coming Soon

I bought this book last weekend (I have been wanting it for a while now) and found the fabric at an estate sale for $3. (Score!)  I know, the fabrics don't look like much, but I thought they would be great for practice.  So, I'm going to make each bag in the book.  I'll post the results here.  Should be a fun journey!  And now that I have told you about it, I'll have to do it!  Way to keep me in check, guys! 

A Wee Bit Of Me Wednesday...

{one} what was your favorite birthday gift?

My friends got me a dozen roses for my 21st.  Loved it!



{two} have you ever been cow-tipping or snipe-hunting?

Never tipped a cow, but I have been on plenty of snipe hunts.




{three} what’s the strangest talent you have?

I can't think of anything strange.  I can do a mean Cousin It imitation.  Does that count?





{four} what are your favorite kind of chips?

Not a huge chip fan.  If I had to choose, I'd say original Sun Chips. 





{five} do you know any tongue twisters?

Silly Sammy Slick Sipped Six Sodas and got Sick, Sick, Sick.
(10 point bonus if you can name the source without Googling it.)




{six} what was the last movie you saw in a theater?

Ocean Wonderland at IMAX.




{seven} do you collect anything?

I don't collect much intentionally anymore.  I used to collect shot glasses and cow stuff and Budweiser stuff and salt & pepper shakers. 





{eight} what is something you wish you were better at?

 Talking to strangers, or just talking to people in general.





{nine} what’s the worst habit you have?

Facebook...





{ten} when you wake up, what is the first thing you think?

"Oh, crap, what time is it??"


Hop on over to Leigh Ashley and share a wee bit of you!

Wordless Wednesday: Museum of Science & History

I know this is supposed to be wordless, but I have to explain the look here.

The reason we went to MOSH this past weekend was to go see the Planetarium show.

They were decommisioning the old projector (in the background up there) and shutting the theater down for a couple of months for remodeling.

The show was awesome!  On the way out I asked Caleb to let me take a picture with the old machine, this was part of history. 

He agreed, and this was the look I got.

Priceless!

Linking up to Wordless Wednesday on The Shopping Mama.

Friend Makin Monday: Today...

Taking part in Friend Makin Mondays over at .{Silver Lining}.  What is Friend Makin Mondays?

Amber says: If you're not familiar with Friend Makin Mondays, it's a blog party that's been going on for awhile. It's just a place to make friends and have a good time!   

Today, on Friend Makin Monday...

Today... I woke up to Elton John singing "Candle In The Wind"... and didn't hit the snooze button.
Today... I got the kid up, fed, dressed and off to school without too much of a fight.
Today... I need work on finding a job.
Today... I need to clean Caleb's room, and mine.
Today... I want to sew something.
Today... I will probably end up sitting right here for most of the day.
Today... I will at least have gotten a blog post up before 2 AM.  I'll call that a good day.
Today... I miss my baby boy already. Come on 3 o'clock!

Want to get in on Friend Makin Monday?  Head over to .{Silver Lining}. and share your "Today" post.  Then start makin some friends. 

 Amber says "Try to get around to as many people as possible and share the comment love! Feel free to follow some of the new blogs you're visiting, if they interest you. A rule of thumb I try to follow is to visit the blog before and after you, and then jump around the list to as many as you have time for. That way everyone feels the love. :)" 

If you are stopping by from .{Silver Lining}., Welcome to my little corner of blog-land!  Hope you have a pleasant stay.  Y'all come back soon!

Batteries Never Included

You know the drill.  It is Christmas morning, the kids are tearing through the colorful boxes that they have been eyeing under the tree for weeks now.  They find all of the sweaters, socks, books... all are tossed to the side in search of that one gift.  That noisy, flashing piece of plastic they have been begging for for months.  Finally, they find a box just the right size and weight (and how they manage to recognize that is one of those age-old questions).  They begin ripping off the paper while the angels start singing and an ethereal light begins to shine on this little bit of manna.  Eyes widen, grin breaks, and just as the kid is pulling off the last piece of tape you so carefully placed, it dawns on you.  Uncertainty and dread fill your mind and you actually miss getting the perfect Christmas morning shot of childhood ecstasy... BATTERIES?  Did I remember to pick up the batteries that are NEVER included in these stupid packages?  Is this some kind of conspiracy between the toy makers and battery manufacturers, and the toy stores?  Is there any chance I have enough of the right batteries in the camera, remote control, or stashed in the back of that catch-all-crap drawer in the kitchen?  Ugh!!

Yeah, I've been there too. On both sides: parent watching with the dawning horror that I am about to have a screaming child, and kid who has to WAIT until batteries are located and inserted into the BEST Christmas present ever (that I will likely forget about in a week or two.)

So, I'm thinking I need on of these...

Energizer's Smart Charger looks all kinds if awesome.  It counts down until the batteries are fully charged, alerts you when a bad battery in installed, and you can charge either "AA" or "AAA" batteries.  Yep, I think this little gem will be headlining my Christmas wish list this year.

Thanks to The Shopping Mama for the heads up on this one!

I Swear!

I'll have an actual post up tomorrow.  I swear! 

Business2Blogger...

I'm signing up with Business2Blogger to try and get in on some of the paid blogging and product review opportunities out there.  Wish me luck! (And check it you for yourself!)

Kindergarten, here we come!

That is the face of a little boy ready to get back to school.

Come on, mom.  Enough with the pictures!

I just can't believe my baby boy is in Kindergarten now.  I swear it was only yesterday we were walking into this first day of K4.  Only a few days before that, we were starting K3, in a brand new school.  "Okay, mom, you can go now."  Not even a moment of hesitation, not a tear shed (on his part, at least).

Maybe a week earlier, I was dropping him off at daycare for the first time, at one year old.  There were tears then, but they passed soon enough. 

It is truely breathtaking how fast the time passes.  It seems only a moment passes and you go from celebrating first steps to sending them off to school. 

Here's to cherishing every moment!  Even the ones they don't appreciate.

Ah, Technology!

Been offline for a couple of days, as our router box died.  It was actually kind of nice.  I got to watch a movie, and finished Caleb's lunch kit.  I think I might try taking regular tech-breaks in the future.

Caleb heads back to school in the morning.  He is so ready!  We met his teacher the other day, it should be a fun year!  And of course, him heading back means my job search enters high gear.  I have 2 months to find something before I pull him out and homeschool.  Fingers-crossed!

Bones & Bugs

We spent yesterday out of the sun (and rain) and in the air conditioning at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.  We went to our local museum a couple of weeks ago, and while there was some cool stuff, it is really a little disappointing compared to what I remember it being as a kid.  Next time we go, we'll see the Planetarium show.  Hopefully that will still be as cool.

Anyway after our trip to our museum here, Caleb wanted to go to the one in G-ville, and see some more skeletons.  Of which, there were plenty...

Mammoth

Bear-dog

There were tons more.  A mastadon, ancient sea creatures, all kinds of mammels.  All found in Florida.  Awesome!

Caleb's new obsession is sharks.  Luckily, there were sharks at the museum as well.  Mostly Jaws...

 

Source

No, not that Jaws.  These...

Scary thought, most of these were found in the St Johns River.  All extinct, except the one on tha far left (great white).

They had a section about Native Americans in Florida.  Mostly the Calusa.  Lifesize figures, and awesome tiny dioramas.

Did I mention the bugs?  The Florida Museum of Natural History has a huge butterfly research department.  There is the Butterfly Rainforest, which houses hundreds of species from around the world, a hatchery where you can see butterflies in all stages of development, and several exhibits.

Truely amazing!  We have't toured the Rainforest yet (it costs a little extra) but plan to do it on the next trip.

The featured exhibit, CSI: Crime Scene Insects, is about forensic entomology, or the role of insects in a crime scene and how investigators use insects to solve crimes.  Awesome and disgusting.  Lots of live flies, maggots and worms.  There was a cool thing that shows the life cycle of a fly.  I wish I could explain it, but just take my word, it was cool!

So that was our day.  Well, that and driving back home.  We had to turn around and go back to Gainesville today for my niece's 14th birthday.  All in all, not a bad way to spend the last Friday before school starts.  We have a full few days leading up to the first day of school.  I can't wait!

A Day At The Beach

Okay, I flaked on taking pictures at the water park yesterday.  But we were having a great time, and my camera was buried at the bottom of my bag.  I'm making up for that today.

We took a trip out to the beach today.  Now, normally I'm not one for going to the beach.  Don't get me wrong, I love it there.  I love the sun, I love the water, I love the breeze.  I could do without the sand in unspeakable places, but you can't have everything.  No, the reason I don't go to the beach much anymore is Caleb.  He loves the beach too, but I can't relax there when I am so worried about him.  Is he getting too much sun?  Enough water?  Is he going out too deep?  What if I lose sight of him?

Yeah, not alot of fun for mommy.  But, when a friend asked us to join her and her boys at the beach today, I decided to give it a shot.  And boy am I glad I did.

The "beach" was actually more like an inlet.  But it was beautiful.  Quiet, calm.  Perfect!

While my friend and I chatted, Caleb and his friends played in the cool water...

... discovered wildlife...

... and watched a Navy helicopter and a huge plane fly over head.

We had a great time!  Thanks, Meghan!  And this time, I think Caleb escaped without a sunburn.

I wish I could say the same for myself...

Pounding the Virtual Pavement

I just applied for more jobs in one evening than I have in the past 18 months...  I hope something works out!

Promises

I've been working on making Caleb's lunch wraps for school for this year.  I swear!  I keep meaning to get some pictures, but I am a little lazy.  The camera is in the truck (yeah, I know, not real smart) and I just don't feel like grabbing it.  But I promise I will.  Then I will have some pictures to post.  I might even put together a little tutorial to post.

Meanwhile, we are getting ready for school to start.  School supplies, shoes, uniforms: all bought.  He is getting to bed somewhat on time, all by himself (happy mommy!).  I need to work on getting up on time.  So, now we are just enjoying the last week of summer.  Tomorrow is the season's last (maybe) trip to the water park in St. Marys.  Friday, we are heading out to the Florida Museum of Natural History.  I promise, there will be pictures.

5 minutes...

That is all it took tonight!  He did get up once, but went right back to bed with no argument.   WooHoo!!

2 Hours!

That is how long it took for Caleb to finally go to sleep this evening, in his bed.  Evening nothing, it was after midnight before he gave it up and passed out.  Partly my fault for letting him take a nap this afternoon... not that I could have done a whole lot to stop him given that I was dead to the world as well.  I know better...

It was rough, and I tried hard to stay firm and be patient.  I actually had to hide my laughter a few times (like when he was crawling in on his belly.. he almost made it past me, too).  But I won out in the end.

We have 3 home goals for Caleb for now: 1. pass the Peter Potty on to his cousin for his birthday. 2. go to bed in his bed, by himself, every night. 3. stay in his bed every night.

I'm hoping to have 2 & 3 done by the time school starts.  Fingers are crossed!

Good Bye, Milk...

Starting right now, my personal journey takes a new path.  I have decided to try a dairy free diet to help with my allergy and asthma symptoms, as well as some stomach problems I have been experiencing for a while now (tmi?).  I was inspired by a friend, who recently found out that her daughter is allergic to casein, a protein found in all mammals' milks.  The symptoms she described were alot like what I have been experiencing, so I figure I will give it a shot.  It certainly could not hurt, huh?

It is going to be hard, I know.  But I just spent a good portion of my evening reading up on dairy-free living and I think I am up to the challenge.  Mostly reading alot of labels and asking alot of questions (ugh!).  But if it works, it will all be worth it.

Cleaning

So, I became one of "those people" today.  You usually see them on shows like Hoarders, but I've seen them on Oprah's shows about cleaning and organizing.  No, I didn't have a cleaning intervention.  My mess was not quite that bad.  I didn't once have to break out a shovel, and I actually only ended up with one trash bag.  And not one single pertified rat.  (Yeah, saw that one on Clean House.  eeeyuck!!)

Anyways, I became one of the people who actually make money in the cleaning process.  Well, okay, it was already my money, but I had completely forgotten about it.  I finally managed to clean off my crafting table and ironing board and there was a check!  Made out to me!  WooHoo!  Not a big check, but enough to buy dinner for the boy and myself.  And, Holy Crap, Batman!  It expires next month!  That thing has been burried under a stack of books since March.  Way to almost blow that one, goober...

So, the check is in the wallet awaiting a date with the bank.  And the craft corner is... getting there.  But at least I can access my sewing manchine.  Now, where did I leave my motivation to use it...

Tree Down

So, last night at about 11:00, we hear a "crackcrackcrack" followed by "thump."  Right outside the house.  LOUD.  First thought is, of course, Caleb, so I check on him.  Passed out on my bed.  Otherwise, nothing out of place.  Next stop, outside.  There, we find a tree.  On the ground.

A tree that was previously standing. 

Luckily, it missed the house.  It barely clipped the workshop.  It killed the sandbox. 

Ok, not killed exactly.  But the sandbox (and the fence) bore the brunt. 

The tree had been dead for a couple of years, just waiting to be taken down.  No harm, no foul really.  When I went back inside to put Caleb back into his own bed, I realized that, had the tree been a little bit taller (and in fact is was until a storm in the last year took off a bit of the top) it would have hit the house.  My room, to be exact.  Right above where my sweet boy was sleeping.  My heart skipped a beat, and I thanked God for sending that storm our way.