Unusual Girl Studios

Well, tomorrow is the big day. My friend at work would call this "a come to Jesus meeting." I meet with Kayla's principal, her teacher and the school's D.A.R.E. officer and Kayla. At 11:55. (BTW- DARE. in this region, is a program for 5th graders and up wherein they pledge to and learn how to stay away from drugs and illegal substances.) I called this wonderful man who runs my children's school on a program he calls "capturing their hearts". Hugs are allowed at this school, dis-respect is not. I explained the situation and asked for the meeting and the presence of the a police officer and without hesitation he agreed. Its been a tiring week, I've run from the minute I am forced from my bed to the minute I give up trying to relax and I've made myself sick- well, ok, maybe it was my sniffly students that made me sick but it always happens in the busy weeks- right? Tomorrow I meet with my Navigator Artisans group for a girls night where-in I will de

Does she strike you as an Edith? Or an Estelle? Perhaps Iris or Fern? If her passenger were named "Emmaline".... What would be a good name for this creature? hmmmm......

Art Doll Quarterly is having a miniature doll challenge. Fascinated by the tiny dolls I have been seeing as accessories to the larger art dolls I decided to challenge myself. This creature and her Friend have a name of Thumbelina's legacy. You know she was a tiny creature who loved the outdoors and after many adventures married a prince? It only makes sense that her children and children's children would have some small magic. Like her great grandmother, this little lady loves nature and counts all creatures amongst her friends. The bug will have wings, glittery, silverish wings. Little miss will be wrapped in a leaf, I think, I've tried everything only to find her cute little belly and bumm way too hidden- do I dare send her in naked as she is so cute just as she is? Hmm, I think not- wouldn't want some weirdo pinning the porn label on her! And hair? Just a wisp of yarn or wool? I'm leaning that way. Oh well, you'll see for yourself as she comes along! Have a g

Just wanted to say thank you to those folks that replied to my last post and e-mailed me. It is re-assuring to hear that I'm not going insane and that its human to react and sometimes over react. I considered taking that post down because I feel a little 'exposed' and don't really like putting myself out there for possible judgement or mis interpertation. In the end I will just have to pull myself up by my bootstraps and give it another go. When I ask myself the guestion- when do I call it quits the answer still comes back 'You don't. You don't quit on a kid.' So until that answer comes back differently I'm still in. As far as Brooke- well, if she didn't have Kayla around she'd be an only child. Coping skills, right? She'll eventually learn how to assert herself, maintain her own identity and deal with annoying personality types, err, I mean find the best in people even if she has to dig for it. So... hang in there with me, I

So I have this problem. I wouldn't typically share this type of information. But here I am with no easy solution. Perhaps its time to throw it out to the universe and see what the universe serves back. I am beyond disappointment and feeling pretty hopeless. We are raising my niece. My sister was ill prepared to care for herself when she found out she was pregnant- let alone raise a child. There were plans in place for us to adopt her but a well meaning (but criminally stupid) friend of hers told her she'd be able to get assistance from the state and that she would just love the baby so much that she'd (turn into someone else, I suppose) be able to mother this child. So when the child was three my sister asked that we take her. Of course we knew this would happen eventually and this was when we came to have Kayla as ours, that very day. We didn't know what we were in for. Kayla is super smart. She threw screaming fits for months but at three you can deal with that. She h

What could be cuter than a toothless grin and a milkstache? Not much, in my opinion! Couldn't, wouldn't even think of, couldn't bear to give that tooth the one big yank, not even for a dollar, not for two dollars, not for five dollars which is half a webkin- thank goodness for Mother Nature- the tooth came out all its own- overnight! Thank goodness because I could hardly stand to see it flapping in the breeze and I just wanted to reach out (ok I tried to several times but she's fast) and rip it out. Have to get back to the ole' job! Good Day everyone!

Well- I think the question is where haven't I been lately? School is in session for the girls and myself. Hubby is starting a new job. I've worked and worried myself into an upset stomach attack that lasted 2-weeks- there's no way to say gall bladder delicately but I'm trying! Chinamommy knows my issues with words that are well- less than delicate! So to put it bluntly- blogging fell way down the list of important things to do. You know what- I'm just going to re-name that organ. From now on it will be called.....hmmm, I'll take suggestions.... But what are these pictures you ask? Well, thank you for asking. For quite some time I have been withholding (I do that, I'm a Scorpio and we withhold) secret information on an exciting project. Friends Barb and Kristi and I are starting up Navigator ARTisans. Navigator ARTisans is a learning studio/art gallery. The idea is that we will create a local community of artists who will share their knowledge with others wa

I am not PMS'ing either. I even bought myself a present, a nice crafty present to put together to satisfy my- artsy craving complicated by a not really able to accomplish anything because I don't really feel like starting anything because I'm ornery- kinda mood. Have you seen the new jewelry line offered at Michaels and featured in Cloth Paper Scissors? The artist is Susan Lenart Kazmer. Its all these weird industrial gidgets and gadgets that she puts together and calls jewelry. Odd, strange little bits that I want to pick up and hold up to the light to see them better. They make me think of my dad's basement. He had everything. Every tool, especially for small things. He had pliers that would hold a tiny spring at a 38 degree angle if that's what you needed. And it was all dirty. He kept things like gears, nuts and bolts, springs, pieces of old tools and old toys, cords. Now-a-days we'd call him an OCD hoarder. But when I pick up Susan Lenart Kazmer jewelry I