Jun 30, 2011

.:{ DIY : Job/Chore Chart }:.

I just L O V E D this idea and decided to copy and paste it onto my blog in case Michael's website took it down before I could make it :)

Michaels

We Can Help Job Chart

Organize those highly-coveted classroom jobs with this fun and easy-to-make Job Chart!
Craft Time:30-60 minutes
Uses Recycled Items:No

Material List

  • Artist's Loft™ Tools of the Trade™ 12"x12" Cork Tile – Natural
  • Sticker Letters – Style of Choice
  • Creatology™ Foam Letters – Style of Choice
  • Scrapbook Paper – Styles of Choice (3)
  • Recollections® Cardstock – White
  • Buttons – Assorted
  • Punch - 1" Circle
  • Celebrate It® Ribbon – Colors of Choice
  • Recollections™ Adhesive Tape, ¼"
  • Artist's Loft™ Tools of the Trade™ Push Pins
  • Low-Heat Glue Gun
  • Paper Trimmer
  • Computer and Printer
 We Can Help Job Chart, large

Project Instructions

Cut first style of scrapbook paper to 3" x 11½". Adhere to top of cork with tacky tape.

Cut second style scrapbook paper to 1½" x 10½". Layer on top of first scrapbook paper as shown. Add sticker letters and buttons.

Cut third scrapbook paper style to 4" x 8½". Adhere to left side of cork with adhesive tape.

Determine how many classroom "jobs" you want and decide the spacing. Print out "job" titles onto white cardstock and cut to size. Add to scrapbook paper panel on the left side as shown.

Use ribbons to create grid lines.

Add days of the week as shown.

Print out names of kids from the classroom and punch with 1" punch. Attach to buttons with adhesive tape and then glue buttons to push pins.



Jun 29, 2011

.:{ Book Review - A Place Called Blessing }:.

When I received this book, I wasn't quite sure what it was about. It turned out to be a story following the life of a boy named Josh. At a young age, Josh and his brothers lost their parents. After going into the foster system, Josh was separated from his two older brothers and left to be on his own. The book goes on to talk about Josh turning eighteen and learning to live in the "real world". He is even after finding work, Josh is on the verge of being homeless. Josh's life turns when he meets co-worker and his mother who take him in. They helped Josh by supporting him and giving him unconditional love. The new people in his life has given him a "blessing". Josh was able to face his personal battles and learn to live a full life.

I really enjoyed reading this book and believe this would be a great gift to give a High School Senior or even a College-aged young adult. I would not recommend this book to young or immature teenagers. This book isn't something to be taken lightly.

I review for BookSneeze®

Jun 13, 2011

.:{ Book Review: Shattered }:.

I received the book Shattered by Melody Carlson from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. This is my first book from them. There are spoilers in this review.

Unfortunately I wasn't pleased with the book. I was able to finish it quickly and it just didn't catch my attention. I am not sure if I would recommend this book to anyone. I think it would depend on who the person was. This book is geared towards teens. It would make a teen think about their consequences for the actions they might take. It will help with teaching morals and respect from teens to their parents. I still give this book only a three star based one how I responded to the book.

The story is about a girl named Cleo. She has an overprotective mother who will not even let her drive her best friend to a concert. She decides to sneak around her mom's back and take the metro to get to the concert. The day after the concert, two policemen show up at her door and announce that her mother has been murdered. Cleo finds out the truth of where her mother is murdered and now must live with the guilt of her lies. She turns to pills to numb her pain and goes through withdrawals. The book seems realistic but it all happens too quickly. If the storyline had been drawn out a little more, I would have liked it better. The quickness of the story seems to slap my face. Twice I put the book down because it had my head spinning with the fast change of pace.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Jun 10, 2011

.:{ Book Review: The Waiting Place }:.

Have you ever wondered what happens in those moments when we are waiting? So much of our life is spent waiting and wondering.

The Waiting Place by Eileen Button helps us to realize some of the things that we could be missing in life during that period of time when we are waiting for something. In a collection of essays, Eileen Button writes about periods in her life where we are often times hurrying through or when we have learned what patience allows us to experience. Waiting for life to come to us, waiting for our children to grow, waiting for someone to die. Then there are the times when we did wait for life's events to happen and have enjoyed it. Waiting for the birth of a child or waiting for good news.

We rush through life, I'm sure you realize this. This book gives you an idea of how fast we allow life to go by. We have forgotten how to enjoy life in the "now". Stop waiting for life to hurry up. Enjoy the moments you have now, this minute. Get off the computer and see what else life has to offer. Or at the very least, slow down.

As I read this book, I saw many examples of opportunities in my life that I have missed. I've seen how I've missed important moments in my daughter's life because I was too busy with something else. I've missed time to spend with my husband because I was too busy texting someone else. I was too busy to wait for that important letter to come, and when it came it was too late to go back in time. Or when I didn't spend the time with my grandmother but instead waited for her to die.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was very honest. It was also very personal at times. I was able to relate to several moments that she wrote about. I would recommend this for someone needing to learn to be patience, or maybe even stop waiting and grab a hold of what life is offering. It really does change your perspective and makes you think.

I review for BookSneeze®

Jun 9, 2011

.:{ Book Review: When Sparrows Fall }:.

Fear is a weak emotion to have because it pulls us in every which way it wants. Being prepared to face your fears is not only courageous but down-right scary in itself. The main character of "When Sparrows Fall" by Meg Moseley, in her debut novel, has to learn to face her fears. The difference is that she knew what the unknown held and knew what she needed to do to protect herself and her children.

The story is based in a small town of Slades Creek, Georgia. A young widow has six children named Miranda Hanford. Her husband had died two years before that and has tried her best to raise her children in an extremely strict religious home that her husband had set up. The pastor of her church has a private meeting for single women and widows and announces that they are all selling their homes and moving to McCabe, North Carolina. This announcement has stirred up something in Miranda that she had long ago abandoned when she married into this church. Freedom.

Shortly after this meeting she has a terrible accident and luckily has a half brother-in-law that comes to her rescue despite his lack of knowledge of her family. She had made him guardian in case anything happened to her only two weeks before. When Jack Hanford comes to become the guardian, he was in for a shock. The children were so far from the mainstream that they didn't even know who Dr. Seuss was or even read To Kill A Mockingbird. The two girls wore old-fashioned capes and denim dresses with braids. The four boys were lucky enough to wear more "normal" clothing. All the children were "too good" has Jack would say.

Jack takes on the job of showing these children that there was more to life outside the church and slowly opening the door for their mother to give them freedom that she had longed for them to find. But that freedom came with cost. Miranda needed to do it her way or everything could come apart and she could lose her children forever. At least she had Jack in case anything happened to herself but could she trust him?

There is only one secret that Miranda is terrified to speak about, something she has held into her heart and her mind for many years. The one secret that could ruin her beautiful life and beautiful children. Can Jack find the answers he has been looking for and is he the key to their freedom from the shackles the church has created?

This book touched me in several ways. I loved the descriptive writing of Meg Moseley. As a photographer myself, it touched me to read the following:
"Except for the tears, her vision was clear as she aimed the empty camera towards the sunrise, framing it in the window pane. Off center, to make the eye pay attention. Like stories that didn't have neat endings, Jack had said. They left doors open. They made him think about the possibilities."
Pg. 332, When Sparrows Fall, Meg Moseley

Photographers have an art and ability to see things others may not notice. It is what entices others to look a second looking at some of the most beautiful photography available. There is never one meaning. This is how life truly is, full of possibilities. Freedom of choice.

I will read this book again and again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multonmah Publishing Group as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Jun 3, 2011

.:{ A Few Pieces Of Photographic Art }:.

I recently got Canon PowerShot SX130IS. And I LOVE it!

Here are some pictures of some family members having fun!








Both of these flower images below were taken using macro settings.










This was taken up close while feeding Giraffes.







This image is behind glass, the Chimpanzee is sitting in the corner of the enclosure next to glass.






This image of the Tiger was taken approximately 200 yards away.
It was taken at the Houston Zoo from the glass side of the enclosure and the Tiger was on the far side away from me.







The Shoebill Stork is behind a fence about 50 yards away. You can see the outline of the fencing but it's faded as I focus on the Stork.