Shut Up!

I know I talked some big game on the Slice but the thing couldn't handle the amount of crafting I was putting it through and it broke. After a series of frustrating emails with Slice headquarters my parents found the Cricut at half price and purchased it to replace the Slice. I WAS SO EXCITED about my upgrade. I've already put the machine to work and can't wait to begin making paper crafts again! Thanks mom and dad!

Weekend of Gluttony

There are somethings I can always count on when visiting Kansas City; that I will be able to lounge in my parents basement and get caught up on the latest Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives, (enter your favorite prime time show that you're normally to busy to enjoy here), that I will eat well every single meal, and that I will have BBQ at least once for one of those delicious meals. This visit was no different. Chris and I came home Wednesday night and enjoyed some Smokehouse BBQ (BBQ of the Northland) with his mom and dad. Then today we had BBQ again at Oklahoma Joe's which has been named the best BBQ in all the land by all who've dined there. We went with Krista and Teddy and I've got to hand it to Joe, his BBQ is better than any I've ever had. Which says a lot given I make it my business to have BBQ every time I return to KC. Then this evening my parents took us to Margaritas which is my favorite place to enter a food coma. So far, no meal has let me down. I'm feeling the discomfort of gluttony but I can't stop myself with all this delicious food. When we return to Columbia I will go back to eating nice balanced meals, but until then, let the eating continue.

Not to toot my own horn...

Bonnie made this fabulous Newly Wed game where Austin answered questions via video. Polly and Austin's answers were crazy similar. We decided they were compatible.

Tiny cupcake issue, they melted but Bonnie did major damage control.

I made these cute place mats with various pictures of Polly and Austin!

Our lovely table settings in Polly's wedding colors.

We used empty tin cans for the floral arrangements, they were cute and cost effective!

Leslie, Polly (the bride), Hattie, Mary Kate, Me, Carly, and Bonnie

...but I know how to throw a damn good party. We're getting pretty good at this in our old age. See for yourself. The final shower of the summer....

A word about camping

I survived. I even might consider camping again. This time I would not be the only paddler in the boat and I would get a cushy pad to put under my sleeping bag so my body didn't get rocked. Just thought you'd like to know that I sort of, kind of, in a subtle way, enjoyed the camping experience. Are you happy, Mary Kate?

Holy Taco Meat!

I'm going camping. I know, you can pick your jaw up off the floor now. I am leaving tomorrow to take thirty middle school students camping and floating on the Niangua River. Today I am preparing 15 pounds of ground beef for tacos on Friday night. I have never seen this much meat in my life. My whole house smells like a taco and I spent three hours today cooking. Who would have know this would be such an undertaking!

Cleaning out and feeling good

Why is it everytime I do a deep clean of my apartment, I find more stuff to give away to Goodwill? Chris and I are not excessive spenders but we can always clean out a few items. This time I cleared out our bookshelves. I just made a three bag drop this morning and I feel so good. I love cleaning out and getting rid of stuff that is clogging up our home. I hate the clutter and refuse to hold onto things simply for sentimental value. I know, I'm ruthless. I have a closet full of wonderful wedding presents and stuff we can't keep out because we don't have any room left in our apartment. What good is this stuff doing in our closet? I know, when we live in a home someday, there will be a place for it all but some people live this way their whole lives. With stuff in storage, never to be used but held onto in case a use might arise.

My friend, Bonnie, and I were discussing this phenomenon. She's teaching in Korea so a lot of their furniture is in storage along with other household items they did not take with them. They have a super cute apartment in Korea but she's has to really think twice about anything she buys because most likely, they will only have it for their time there. She made a comment that most Koreans live in these three bedroom apartments with multi generations present. There is no room for extra decorative pillows, plant stands, and other lovely but purely decorative accents.

Is all this stuff necessary if it's just going to end up at the back of a closet someday?

I survived, in case you were wondering

So I beat my bug, I'm feeling better but sadly was not able to travel to KC like I'd planned. I ended up missing a friend's wedding and having to reschedule my dad's birthday dinner. I was feeling better by the end of the weekend and did get to attend Megan's shower. Below are some highlights.

Megan (the bride) enjoying a spicy tortilla roll-up

the lovely spread (below)

Chicken Salad sandwiches from Cafe Via Roma

We had a great time, ate some good food and now are one step closer to Matt and Megan's wedding!

One more shower to go, three weddings left to attend, and three weeks of summer to bask in.

Heading to the pool as soon as I hit "publish post."

always a gamble

I'm sick. Still. I know. I'm done with this bug.

Being sick is a reminder that I am still pretty darn helpless in life. I'm twenty-five, an adult by all standards. I even make a living by being the person in charge of many young people. But when it comes to some things in life, I am still a young, naive, child.

Issues with my car, insurance, and health always humble me. Today I was feeling really awful at school and broke down and decided to go to the doctor. Problem is, I don't have a family physician- student health had always been my major care provider. So I called offices on my provider list and NO one was taking new patients today. Apparently, unbeknownst to me, if you're a first time patient you can't just get a same day appointment. So after about three phone calls with kind rejections from receptionists I broke down. I felt like crap, I was picking people at random and no one would help me. Some teachers encouraged me to go to an urgent care center and while my students were watching a movie I snuck out to try and see a doctor. (Don't worry there was someone else there watching the children.)

After about thirty minutes of waiting I overheard another patient in the waiting room tell her husband over the phone that she'd been waiting for two hours because there was only one physician. Since I had a time I needed to be back I left and told the front desk I'd come back after school. Well, later today, another teacher informed me she'd gone to the same clinic and after insurance she'd been charged $130 for a simple cold. Is this legal? I feel like these urgent care centers are a total rip off. I did not go back and I'm going to try and schedule an appointment Monday if I'm still sick.

But isn't that why I pay for insurance? To cover these kinds of expenses? I was shocked when my dermatologist visit cost me $90 after insurance. Everyone tells me it's because I haven't met my deductable but I don't go to the doctor that often (thank goodness) so I wonder if I will ever "meet my deductible" I just hate this awful guessing game that always ends in a bill I'm not expecting. Is there some kind of manual that I can read or some questions I can be armed with so that I know up front exactly how much this thing's gonna cost me? I just hate playing the game. Does anyone else feel this way?

In honor of one of the best men I know...

...happy birthday, Dad. My Dad is the best Dad ever. He taught me life's important lessons and never let me get away with anything less than my best. He's a good, hardworking man that has always put his family first. Strangers love him, crying babies want to sit next to him, and dental hygienists ask about him by name. I'm thankful to have had such a wonderful support in my life. Dad, thanks for everything. I love you! Happy Birthday!

being a baby

Image from http://liebchen11.wordpress.com

I am feeling under the weather. I even had the school nurse take my temp. I'm afraid my sore throat and bouts of chills made me a bit of a monster in my first Journey class. There's something about being sick that makes me feel like I have a free pass to be a grouch. At one point, I'm ashamed to say the following came out of my mouth," Did you really make the sick lady walk all the way over here to tell you to sit down again?" Add a mean face, irritated tone and a huffy walk and that was me. Probably should apologize tomorrow.

somehow I have become a plural

I am no longer Mrs. Jaeger, I am known as Mrs. Jaegers. Apparently there are many of me. I believe the confusion began when I posted a sign that read: "Mrs. Jaeger's Classroom."

In case you question the validity of Lego's class...

What Gives?

image from http://www.organizingla.com/

Went to Michael's Craft Store today (it's becoming a more regular thing in my life since Chris is away) and I was baffled by a few crafters' behaviors...

First, when pulling into my parking spot, a woman unbuckles her seat belt and opens her door halfway to wave me on to another space. I think that this is weird but being a people pleaser, I do what she says and move, only to see that she wanted me to move so she could pull her car all the way through both spaces (aka thread the needle). Really, could you not have backed out of that space?

I shrugged it off and figured there was probably a good reason for her behavior. Then when in line, waiting to pay, a woman and her little girl were ogling the dollar bins by the register which are still a safe distance from the check out counter. They seemed to still be shopping so I stepped past them crouched over the bin, rifling for goodies. The woman loudly says, "I guess we'll let her go ahead of us." As I walk past. I am not a line cutter, I always take care not to butt. I was irritated that she made a big deal of it and passive aggressively announced to all in line that I had passed her up.

What gives? Usually this is the happiest place on Earth next to Disney World, today it was filled with passive aggressive, uptight shoppers. Can't we all just get our craft supplies together under one roof?

Also, what gives with Michaels $0.69 per piece of card stock. Really? That's more than a soda from the vending machine!

some drama for your mama

I wrote earlier that I am a closet fan of Lady Gaga, I also am a little ashamed to say I watch, and enjoy, the Bachelorette. I know, I just lost credibility in many people's eyes. But I loved Jillian on the Bachelor and wanted to follow her journey as this season's bachelorette. There is one man who was still in the running for Jillian's heart that was a total slime ball. He looked like a used car salesman and as the weeks rolled on we saw the sleaze was really there to promote his terrible music and get some publicity.

Last week, Jake, an ousted bachelor, told Jillian that Wes was the man with a girlfriend. And as proof that love is blind, Jillian decided to trust Wes at his word that he was not in a relationship. All the while, Wes was revealing to America that he was the scum of the earth and did not care at all about Jillian during the individual interviews.

This week tensions were high and Wes had already done all the promotions he needed and after all, he did have a girlfriend waiting for him at home, so he gave up the fight. The stinker got a free trip to Spain where he denied, denied, denied all the previous accusations but was incredibly distant and awkward when Jillian called him on the rumors.

Rose ceremony rolls around and turd bucket knows he's going home. He proceeds to tell the men that he'll be the one going home (to have a lot of sex) and that they needn't worry about getting a rose. After getting in the limo to slither away he lets the truth flow. Below are some of my favorite Wes quotes of the night. Most of them make me cringe. Poor Jill, someday she will have to watch this footage and feel like a fool. Wes, shame, shame on you!

Some of my favorite Wes quotes:

"My girlfriend, I mean my ex-girlfriend..."

"I'm in Spain, everyone will know my name." (sung smugly in the limo after being eliminated)

"Gentlemen, I'll be having a lot of sex when I get home."

"Are we going in circles, lets get out of here."(as he spouts off about his dishonesty in the limo)

"I'm the only bachelor on the Bachelorette to get to number four with a girlfriend."

"That bird has one leg!" (this was his response when Jillian asks about the GF rumors)

"I'm in Spain, I'm cutting the chains and gettin' it on tonight."

"Whew, I'm done acting"

Congratulations Wes, you officially stink as a human. The world hates you, but maybe they'll buy your album.

shame

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I am a closet Lady Gaga fan (if you couldn't tell from the last post title). Her lyrics are inexcusable, she seems to be the antithesis of classy, but man, her music is catchy. Heard one of my students singing Disco Stick today while she casually built her Lego creation and I had to cringe.

Lets have some fun, this beat is sick...

Guess what! Chris came home for the 4th of July. It was a pleasant and unexpected trip home since he's currently away for the month working hard. I was one happy lady to see him and be able to cozy up to him as I fell asleep this weekend. I miss him so much while he is away!

We went to Polly's lake house and had ourselves a good ole' time, complete with a viewing of the annual hot dog eating contest. I'm glad I witnessed this phenomenon and saw a hot dog world record shattered. These competitors were like machines.

The ladies of the Council: Polly, Carly, Bonnie, Me, Mary Kate. These are some of my dearest friends. We only get to see each other every once in a while since Bonnie lives in South Korea, MK in Chicago and Carly in St. Louis. It is SUCH a treat to be together.

Bonnie brought the Council back Sherpa hats from Nepal. I can't wait for it to be cold enough to wear mine out. I mean, I guess I can wait, but I'm going to be pretty excited to wear mine in the winter months.

Happy Birthday Carlyn!

Happy Birthday Carly! You are one of the most life giving people I know. Keep on, keepin' on, girlfriend.

"I would like to bring back the hope that my people lost."

This was so touching. My dear friend, Kristen, is in Africa working for a non-profit that assists orphans. She posted this on her blog today. Kristen, I hope you don't mind me posting Mugisha's essay here as well. Powerful words.

from kristenuganda

Name: Mugisha Geofrey

School: New Kabale Busega High School

Mentor: Kyesubire Agnes

MY LIFE.

My names are Mugisha Geofrey and I was born on the 5th July, nineteen years ago. I started going to school in 1993 and I haven’t stopped since then. The question of who I am has come across as an early one so I won’t hesitate telling you who I am. I am a humble individual so I do not have the word proud in my vocabulary. I am so down to earth that I make Mother Teresa look mean. I treasure more than anything material in this world, my education and therefore am addicted to my studies. I like making friends since am an extrovert and therefore am not the least bit an anti-social person. I believe in God so I am a diehard Christian, I am so tidy that my friends and family call me a neat freak but I do not mind. I love sharing with others my dreams and ambitions since am an open minded person and one thing I believe I would really love everyone to have is Education.

I believe am God’s gift to humanity so that why I exist. I am an emotional person so it hurts me very much to see people in trying situations like poverty and illiteracy so I have dedicated my life to help people out of such situations towards an adorable specific destination. I can see my community with income generating projects, holistic education providers, profit earning community with numerous business ideas put to proactive with me in the community driving seat.

It is not the years in our life that count but the life in our years. So with my life, I would like to serve my community like no one has ever done. I come from a place where a family of many people survives on a dollar per day. I come from a place where hundreds of people are massacred by heartless people. I come from a place where pupils sit under mango trees to attain education. I come from a place where people get infected with HIV every single minute. I come from a place where one to attain a job has to be a son, a brother, a friend or a relative of some prominent person. I come from a place where the police disrupts peace that it is supposed to give. I come from a place where my people have lost hope.

I would like to bring back that hope that my people lost. I would like to simplify my people’s lives, I would like to have an HIV-free community, I would like to preach brotherhood to do away with the terror my people live. I would like job competition to be free and fair and I would like my community to be a better place to live in. That’s what I want to do with my life. The things that we do for ourselves die with us but those we do for others remain and are immortal.

Dear Megan and Polly,

Photo courtesy of Taxidermy Church

Thank you for picking something better than these for your bridesmaids.

totally vain, I know

does anyone know how to create a stylin' blog header? this blogspot one is just not working for me....

feeling my creative juices flowing, need to create something soon. planning on visiting le' craft store today after summer school. for inspiration only, of course.... open to any crafting suggestions from readers.

life is good

Image from mostlikely2.wordpress.com

Just had a great dinner with friends at Bangkok Gardens (tasty Thai). Catching the second half of Criminal Minds while I blog. I cleaned my apartment this afternoon and I can still see the vacuum marks on the carpet and smell the cleaning product on the counters. What could be better? Summer is good. Real good.

so cool

Aren't these wall decals great?
I'd totally put this somewhere in my house someday.


This would go nicely above my hypothetical reading area.

Who doesn't love a chandelier against a neon yellow backdrop?


Check out these decals and more at the Singlestone's Etsy shop.