Wow, can't believe it's Friday already! I haven't made an entry since Tuesday. It's been a boring week here with not much going on. So I thought I'd write an entry about comments.
On Tuesday I posted some photos of celebrities from that AOL stylelist page wearing some daring things. According to the two comments I received, it seems if they are comfortable wearing it then they should go for it. So maybe we, as a society, are too uptight about "gender" and what's appropriate or not for males to wear. I've done a lot of thinking about this Mandal, Murse, and Manpri thing since Tuesday. And I realized that when a female wears clothes that are generally for men, we don't really have much to say do we? So I guess I'm wondering why we have an issue with men wearing women's clothing/accessories? I for one will not be so critical in the future. If they are comfortable wearing them, then "they should go for it". Thanks Betty and Missie for opening my eyes :)
Thanks all who left comments about my entry pertaining to my son's college choice. A few years ago I really wanted him to go to a 4 year college. Mainly because I didn't get to, and I had to settle for a community college. But with times getting tough I'm glad he's making smart choices and opting to find a cheaper route. The Art Institute sounds like a great place to get the degree he wants without paying the expense of a 4 year college. I had hoped he'd be able to get grants or scholarships for his grades or art talent. But even if he does, it will not cover the full tuition of a 4 year college. And I don't want him to have to pay back loans and start off his life in debt either.
Someone asked (Betty I think) how proms and graduation is handled with homeschooling high schoolers. I'm not sure about other states, but here we have various homeschool support groups/networks that plan proms and graduations just like a brick and mortar school would. They also plan outings for homeschoolers, other dances, barbecues, and field trips. It's great because you get to meet other parents from your area and the kids get that peer interaction that kids really do need.
We also have an option here to use the curriculum of a State approved homeschool or e-school institution. Many of these do have proms and graduation ceremonies. Now, when my oldest, who is out on his own, was in high school we were on our own. So the only proms he attended were for two of his girl friends. For his senior year he was basically done with school but needed a half gym credit and his senior English. So at that time we used an e-school so that he would get a diploma and not have to go to Columbus for a State test to see if he had earned it.
Since then we have stuck with the e-schooling for the other two teen boys. It makes it easier for the state tests they have to take. The place we use has a satellite office not far, and they have them come in for these tests instead of going to Columbus. The curriculum is set up so they do the work online. Attendance is tracked and the state is satisfied that they are meeting the curriculum and attendance requirements. The e-school option we currently use does not offer prom arrangements, but do offer graduation ceremony. So the only prom these two would see is a friends prom or from one of the homeschooling networks. They don't care.
We also use the e-schooling for my daughter who is 10. But I also use my own curriculum with her and I do a lot of unschooling with her as well. That will change as she gets older though. She also does her state required tests at the satellite office. Right now she is doing fine and has only had problems showing proficiency in Math. Not really a result of my inability to teach her, she just doesn't get it. So in April, May and June she had a tutor and will have one this year as well. And the state has and will continue to pick up the tab which I am grateful for.
And last but not least, I had a question about what we use for milk. We do not use cow's milk. We stopped drinking it about two years ago and have since cut out most dairy from our diet. By the end of summer we will have eliminated all dairy from our diet. What we mainly use for milk is a powdered beverage that tastes like milk. We also use the Silk products a lot.
In other news, I had an appointment for more steroid injections yesterday for my plantar fasciitis/ bone spur issue. I called and told the doc I am not seeing any improvement and that the last one left me in more pain the day after. And I told him I can't see going through the torture another time if it's not working. They only work for like 60% of people. Of course I'm in the minority! So he has cut me loose and I have an appointment Tuesday to see another podiatrist who specializes in more advanced options. He spoke to me on the phone for a half hour and I feel confident.
I'm now having pain in my leg, butt cheek, hip, and lower back that apparently is the result of a pinched nerve or I've pulled something. Both docs have said this is probably due to me walking differently and throwing my alignment out of whack. But I'm making the best of it and trying to deal with the discomfort. Ice helps briefly. Tylenol ceased to alleviate the pain months ago. And I don't want to take anything else. So I'm not doing good here lol. But I'm hanging in there and hopefully this new doc can help me out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. At least they don't hurt... yet. LOL
Have a fabulous weekend!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
AOL stylelist
Anyone ever read the AOL news and then end up on that stupid stylelist page? I always have to laugh when I end up there and I'm going through those pictures. You know the ones where you have to wonder if the celebrity has a mirror in their house. And if so do they use it?!
Which brings us to the topic of Murses, Mandals, and Manpris. You guys have heard of these right? In case you haven't... it's purses, capris, and sandals... for men. I personally don't have an issue with manpris, mandals, or murses. However I think some of the guys are going a little bit overboard and they come across as just a little strange.
I was a little surprised by the ones that they were criticizing. But at the same time I was a little surprised at how far some of them have taken these mandals and murses. Holy cow! So I thought I would blog about it and see what others think.
- Manpris -
Here we have Jeremy Piven in a pair of white linen drawstring manpris, and Spencer Pratt in a pair of cargo manpris - who both look stylish and comfortable to me. And then there's Robert Downey Jr! He's a bit of a weirdy anyway but sheesh! What in the world? LOL
- Murses -
Men's purses, or murses... sometimes don't you think they might be carrying their wife's purse? Or a diaper bag that might look like a purse? I don't have a problem with that. In fact I think it's cool that THEY don't have a problem with it. But some men are taking the murse thing just a bit too far dontcha think?
Matthew McConaughey looks like he's sporting a diaper bag in the photo below. I don't think it looks tacky. Big deal. I mean we don't see his significant other so how do we know what she's carrying? He's probably helping her out. Same with Seal. Yeah the purse would look a little cornier to me otherwise. But the fact that he's carrying his daughter leads me to think it's hers or maybe his wife's. I mean they have what, 3 kids? She may have the other two. Now if he was out and about alone with it, then I'd have to wonder.
But what in the world is Terrance Howard thinking?? Is that an evening bag? A clutch to be exact? Sure looks like one. And James Spader? Yeah, that's a purse buddy. Not a manbag... a purse, a ladies alligator handbag/purse. And by the way, is that a floral print blouse he's wearing too? Yeah I always thought he was a bit strange, but I had no idea just how strange.
- Mandals -
And my favorite... mandals. I think men should be able to wear sandals, don't you? My hubby wears them. My boys wear them. But what about these sandals? Going a little too far? I think so. Hulk Hogan should consider buying a bigger bike the next time he's out. What, did he decide to use his daughter's bike and throw her sandals on too? As for Zack Efron, at least he paired his prissy sandals with a pair of girls skinny jeans. How stylish! NOT!
Anyone have any opinions on murses, mandals, and manpris? Leave your thoughts in the comments. I'm interested to see what others think.
Which brings us to the topic of Murses, Mandals, and Manpris. You guys have heard of these right? In case you haven't... it's purses, capris, and sandals... for men. I personally don't have an issue with manpris, mandals, or murses. However I think some of the guys are going a little bit overboard and they come across as just a little strange.
I was a little surprised by the ones that they were criticizing. But at the same time I was a little surprised at how far some of them have taken these mandals and murses. Holy cow! So I thought I would blog about it and see what others think.
- Manpris -
Here we have Jeremy Piven in a pair of white linen drawstring manpris, and Spencer Pratt in a pair of cargo manpris - who both look stylish and comfortable to me. And then there's Robert Downey Jr! He's a bit of a weirdy anyway but sheesh! What in the world? LOL
- Murses -
Men's purses, or murses... sometimes don't you think they might be carrying their wife's purse? Or a diaper bag that might look like a purse? I don't have a problem with that. In fact I think it's cool that THEY don't have a problem with it. But some men are taking the murse thing just a bit too far dontcha think?
Matthew McConaughey looks like he's sporting a diaper bag in the photo below. I don't think it looks tacky. Big deal. I mean we don't see his significant other so how do we know what she's carrying? He's probably helping her out. Same with Seal. Yeah the purse would look a little cornier to me otherwise. But the fact that he's carrying his daughter leads me to think it's hers or maybe his wife's. I mean they have what, 3 kids? She may have the other two. Now if he was out and about alone with it, then I'd have to wonder.
But what in the world is Terrance Howard thinking?? Is that an evening bag? A clutch to be exact? Sure looks like one. And James Spader? Yeah, that's a purse buddy. Not a manbag... a purse, a ladies alligator handbag/purse. And by the way, is that a floral print blouse he's wearing too? Yeah I always thought he was a bit strange, but I had no idea just how strange.
- Mandals -
And my favorite... mandals. I think men should be able to wear sandals, don't you? My hubby wears them. My boys wear them. But what about these sandals? Going a little too far? I think so. Hulk Hogan should consider buying a bigger bike the next time he's out. What, did he decide to use his daughter's bike and throw her sandals on too? As for Zack Efron, at least he paired his prissy sandals with a pair of girls skinny jeans. How stylish! NOT!
Anyone have any opinions on murses, mandals, and manpris? Leave your thoughts in the comments. I'm interested to see what others think.
Monday/Random Stuff
I never did an entry yesterday. So much for keeping up with this journaling thing. Oh well, nothing much happened yesterday anyways. I spent some time going over college stuff with the younger teen boy. Hubby is still working on the front yard stuff and my fire pit. Yep, I'm getting my fire pit. I'm going to sit around it tonight after we grill out and drink a few beers.
The kids are off school this week. We do year round schooling so that's one perk of that. We get to take off about a week or two every month. The downside of year round schooling is... there's always school! LOL. It's not so bad though. We're usually done for the year the first friday in June and return the third Monday in July. The kids have to put in 180 days per state law. So that usually gives us a week off in the beginning of August, September, and October. Then the winter months we are in session more except for the Holidays. We take a week during Thanksgiving week, two around Christmas/New Years, and then a week in the middle of February, March, April, and May.
My 16-almost-17 year old has found out what college he wants to attend. I spent some time yesterday looking over the information with him. It's not really a college though, but at least it's accredited so I'm okay with it. He wants to go to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and study either Media Art and Animation or Game Art Design. He's a great artist, mostly traditional art. He's taken two art classes and we have found a way for him to get two more under his belt before graduation, and have it count towards electives. I thought we had decided he'd choose a 4 year college and major in Art and minor in Music. But apparently he's changed his mind. I don't care really. As long as he gets an education and ends up doing something he enjoys while making a good living. That's all I can hope for.
Well I don't have much else to write about at the moment. I'll write another entry later. It seems like the alerts are working again. Think I'll go catch up on journals and poke around AOL news and whatnot.
Have a great day!
The kids are off school this week. We do year round schooling so that's one perk of that. We get to take off about a week or two every month. The downside of year round schooling is... there's always school! LOL. It's not so bad though. We're usually done for the year the first friday in June and return the third Monday in July. The kids have to put in 180 days per state law. So that usually gives us a week off in the beginning of August, September, and October. Then the winter months we are in session more except for the Holidays. We take a week during Thanksgiving week, two around Christmas/New Years, and then a week in the middle of February, March, April, and May.
My 16-almost-17 year old has found out what college he wants to attend. I spent some time yesterday looking over the information with him. It's not really a college though, but at least it's accredited so I'm okay with it. He wants to go to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and study either Media Art and Animation or Game Art Design. He's a great artist, mostly traditional art. He's taken two art classes and we have found a way for him to get two more under his belt before graduation, and have it count towards electives. I thought we had decided he'd choose a 4 year college and major in Art and minor in Music. But apparently he's changed his mind. I don't care really. As long as he gets an education and ends up doing something he enjoys while making a good living. That's all I can hope for.
Well I don't have much else to write about at the moment. I'll write another entry later. It seems like the alerts are working again. Think I'll go catch up on journals and poke around AOL news and whatnot.
Have a great day!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
JLand Photo Shoot
Found this too while poking around the Magic Smoke Journal.
J-land photoshoot #138 - Photographer's Choice
And here is my entry. This is a ring billed gull that I captured with my E-500 and a 40-150mm lens. This was shot at the waterfront here where I live.
"Weekly Sentence With Val"
I just found this while poking around the Magic Smoke journal.
Weekly Sentence with Val #24
It's a weekly game where you take random letters and make a sentence out of it. Sounds like a lot of fun!
This Week's Letters:
AUGUST
My sentence is "An Unsupported Gal Usually Sags Terribly."
Weekly Sentence with Val #24
It's a weekly game where you take random letters and make a sentence out of it. Sounds like a lot of fun!
This Week's Letters:
AUGUST
My sentence is "An Unsupported Gal Usually Sags Terribly."
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Front Yard Renovation
Ok I got some pics in the nick of time. If I'd have waited any longer the hedges would have been all cut down. He's not wasting any time. I couldn't be happier! I can't wait to be rid of these things and get what I want done.
Below is a view from the driveway of the front walkway, or lack thereof. See the plywood? Off to the left and running under the steps is the where the drainage system was put in. The steps were done at that time as well. We need to paint the foundation and put a coat of Thompson's on the steps.
Above is another view from the driveway. Lots of edging and weeding to do as you can see.
Below we have a view from the driveway of what's left of the hedges.
View from the neighbor's driveway of what's left of the hedges. (The black spot on the door is where I blocked out our address plate. Can't be too careful.)
And another view from the neighbor's driveway of what's left of the hedges. See how tall and out of control? They were starting to reach the wires and they were hanging over the sidewalk!
And below are some shots from my upstairs sliding picture window of the hedges all gone. Now he has to dig out the roots. The other thing I hated about the hedges is all the debris we would find in them. People will walk past with candy, ice cream, chips, sodas... and use the bushes as a trash receptacle! There's even a brick in there. No idea where that came from.
Below is a view from the driveway of the front walkway, or lack thereof. See the plywood? Off to the left and running under the steps is the where the drainage system was put in. The steps were done at that time as well. We need to paint the foundation and put a coat of Thompson's on the steps.
Above is another view from the driveway. Lots of edging and weeding to do as you can see.
Below we have a view from the driveway of what's left of the hedges.
View from the neighbor's driveway of what's left of the hedges. (The black spot on the door is where I blocked out our address plate. Can't be too careful.)
And another view from the neighbor's driveway of what's left of the hedges. See how tall and out of control? They were starting to reach the wires and they were hanging over the sidewalk!
And below are some shots from my upstairs sliding picture window of the hedges all gone. Now he has to dig out the roots. The other thing I hated about the hedges is all the debris we would find in them. People will walk past with candy, ice cream, chips, sodas... and use the bushes as a trash receptacle! There's even a brick in there. No idea where that came from.
Hot and Lazy Day
I just love this tag! It fits my mood today. I saw this tag today on a graphics journals that belongs to a lady of another journal I read. Right here: http://journals.aol.com/melsa68/missies-magical-creations/
Lots going on here since Thursday. Where to start? Well there's my foot issues, my depressed-want-to-kill-the-hubby issues, and a front yard renovation that is FINALLY getting done. So here we go!
Thursday night I did not get to sleep until well after 5 am! I could not get comfortable at all with this stupid foot of mine. I have had the thing on ice, literally, since Thursday evening. I've been throwing a tray of ice into gallon ziplocs and putting my foot right in them suckers for 15 minutes at a time every 1/2 hour to hour. I'm getting no relief and I'm absolutely disgusted. Thursday my whole foot was so tightened up that I could not flex it at all, and I kept having spasms like nerve spasms or something. Still not much better today at all and the doc isn't in again till Monday. Of course!
I've decided that since I'm not really seeing much relief from these injections that I'm not going to continue with them. It's not worth it to me to subject myself to the torture of them or the complications that could arise from having them. So I'm going to look into other treatment alternatives such as the electronic shockwave treatment or physical therapy or both. Hopefully insurance will cover either or both. Keeping my fingers crossed on that. I need to be able to walk again. I've not taken my daughter to the zoo once this summer! She asked yesterday when were we going to go and I had to leave the room and go in the bathroom to cry. I hate that I can't take her for even a walk in the park right now like we used to, let alone the zoo. Damn it!
I finally have been able to get some of my anxiety off my chest to my husband. He finally actually listened to a little of what I had to say. So I'm feeling much better today mentally. Journaling has been helping a lot too. Just getting the frustration out one way or another is great and I'm glad I'm able to do that.
Another thing that has lifted my spirits today is hubby is finally doing what I have wanted to see done with the front yard for almost 2 years now. I can't wait till it's done and the eyesores are fixed. We have these huge, I mean gigantic, hedges out front. At first it was nice having them as there isn't much front yard. So they gave us some privacy with the front of the house being right on the sidewalk practically. But they've become a pain to keep trimmed and I'd really just like them gone to be honest. Trimmed to about 5 feet and kept trimmed would be okay, but he doesn't keep up with them. Then we have those big wolf spiders here that have taken up home in these bushes and a few have gotten in the house. Those things are hideous!! I am terrified of spiders and these ones send me into epileptic fits and I don't even have epilepsy. I've nearly killed myself a couple times freaking out and trying to get away from one. My sister was bitten by one a few years ago out in her neck of the woods. They take a chunk out of you when they bite. Scares me to death one will bite one of the kids.
Also we have no sidewalk leading from the city sidewalk to the front door. A few years ago it was taken out to dig up the front and put in a drainage system. Well it's never been fixed and instead a piece of plywood was put down as a "temp" sidewalk. Well temp has become perm and I'm sick of it! When it rains the damn thing gets so slick and it's on an incline so of course then there is mud. And if someone stops over and uses the front door, the mud is tracked into my foyer. So I'm sure you can imagine what I'm dealing with here.
So hubby is finally ripping them out. Then we'll put up a little white picket fence and plant some flowers and mulch it. He's hoping to have it all done by the end of the weekend and have the concrete work done as well. I don't think the flowers and mulch will get done just yet though. I think we'll need to spread some grass seeds because it's kind of dead under these bushes.
In other news here not much else going on. I've been lazy the last two days and haven't really done much at all except lay around. The kids have been kind of lazy too. It's been hot and humid here. Yuck!
Someone ran over a baby kitten yesterday in the street and kept going. I hate when someone does that. You can't tell me they didn't know they hit it. Poor thing laid there dying and the carcass started baking in the heat. The man who's house it died in front of never even picked it up so we walked down and got it. Only about 6 inches long. Just a little one maybe a month. So sad! We put him/her in a bag and he/she's in our yard under a trash can in the shade right now. Monday I'll call the city and if they don't come out by 5pm, the shelter told me I can bring it to them and they'll cremate it for about 5-10 bucks donation. Hubby said he saw one the other night that size and was black and white. This one was grey and white. So apparently a momma stray has had a litter. I'll have to keep an eye out and see if I can't round them up before anymore get run over.
My 16 1/2yo boy went today with his girlfriend's family to Cedar Point. They're such wonderful people. A few weeks ago they invited him to the islands to a family reunion/picnic. And this weekend they invited him to the amusement park, bought his pass, and gave them money for food for the day. Didn't want me to do anything or pay for anything. They're very good to him and the mom and I talk often.
These kids are sure they are going to be together forever and they have their whole futures planned out. My son will major in art, maybe video game graphics design or architecture (he's not sure) with a minor in music (not sure what, but he plays guitar in a band) and she will be a lawyer. He's wanting to go the Art Institue in Pittsburgh and spent some time yesterday talking to a guy from there. Not sure where she wants to go. Maybe they'll end up going somewhere together by the time they're ready for college. They don't like being apart from each other to much. Her parents made her break up with him a few months ago because her grades were slipping. So they broke up until school was out. I thought they were both going to die! My goodness! I hope they do stay together and can make it through the college years. I think if they can make it through the college years that will be the real test. They do make an adorable couple. She's an sweet girl, quiet, but sweet. I just hope they make sure to finish school and have a career for a few years before starting a family!
Well I'm going to wrap this up and go take some before photos of the front before it's too late. I'll make another entry and post them here. I'm hoping maybe I can get a firepit this weekend too. I've been asking for one of those for a few years now also. Maybe now's the time while hubby is in ass-kissing mode. LOL
Enjoy what's left of your day wherever you are!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
