Floral, lace, and Everything Girly

I really love the fact that floral prints, pearls, lace, and cotton prints are so "in." Not because I care about being considered cool, but because I simply adore girly fashion. One of my summer goals is to create some unique accessories - not quite sure what they will look like, but I'll figure it out & post it here.

My husband does such a wonderful job helping me capture the moments. He knew I was excited for my new "homemade" shorts, floral top, and sandals, so he fit me in for a mini photo shoot... *I'm blessed*

Spring Break Art - Summer Break Interpretation

This mixed-media series served as a creative outlet for all the pent up emotions during spring break. My complex feelings were stirred by the fact that NISD was considering letting go of all probationary contract teachers. (I fall into that category because I'm only going into my third year.) Although they didn't let them go, they did displace many... including me. So again, I find myself needing to internalize the messages behind the paintings.

This first image represents how I feel about my job. It's simple; I love my job.(The chance to make a lasting impact on someone's life compels me to give my best every day.)



This piece represents my faith and how sometimes I don't know what to pray. I just breathe and believe that God has my best interest at heart.



My last creation stems from how I desire to feel about all the worries in life. I'm the type of person who takes everything seriously and who always tries to fix things. When I encounter situations that I can't fix, I feel frustrated and trapped. Life is full of situations which I will never be able change, and I need to be free from the worries. Hubs tells me that I need to get better at "Shakin' the haters off." I'm working on it.



What I did:

I researched mixed media & discovered that it is truly a personalized art form. I'm not good at drawing, so I used my mind for scrapbooking to piece everything together.

1. Purchase a 3 pack of 11 by 14 canvas boards
2. Layer a variety of paints. (I added to it each day)
3. Add stamps and paper to create depth and complexity
4. Glue on a variety of buttons, paper, letters, and materials

Day 2: Chicken & Friends

Much better success today!

Note: I've decided for these purposes I'm going to continue calling my nephew "Geo" in my blog... gotta protect the kid's privacy! :D


Mrs. Vivian & Bear gave us the tour of their adorable new house - new furniture too! After watching the guys work on a spiderman puzzle, which was "too hard Zaza," we headed out in search of nourishment.

The nice thing about young kids is that they will pretty much befriend anyone. I watched as "Geo" made friends with a little girl in the Chick-Fil-A playground. I truly wish life was that simple... meet someone & instantly friends. The little girl wasn't quite so sure about Geo & Bear. (I should preface this by saying that she looked SUPER tiny.) Occasionally she would get frightened and run out to her mom. So I'm not scaring my nephew anymore, just other people's kids. GREAT. Each time she left, Geo would ask, "Hey Zaza, where's that little girl?"

He was so sweet with her, carefully watching his limbs as they climbed the play scape. She finally started talking to him and to me. She stole minnie mouse's voice.

When it was time to leave, Geo said his farewells and drank an entire medium water by himself... as well as eating the ice.

If You Could Only... Learn the Entire Song

I'll learn the whole song next summer... haha

Day 1: Fail

Yesterday was the first day of summer that I watched my nephew.

It was only a couple hours... And yet I managed to make him cry and scare him.

To set the scene, you must realize that he was decked out in his Geo cape & bucket hat. (I didn't get a pic because he ended up crying too soon). We began our day by visiting the park.

I had mentioned that I had packed us a drink and for him to let me know when he was thirsty... 3 seconds of being there & I hear, "Zaza, I'm firsty." As I started getting out the juice, he picks up someone else's water bottle and almost drinks it... Me: "sweetheart, no! That's not ours & I don't want you to have germs."

Cue violin music, wide eyes and disbelief. I think I heard him think, WHAT??!! Zaza said no?? He didn't even want to look at the play ground. As big tears dripped off his smooth cheek, I reassured him that I love him & was just protecting him. 20 minutes and a few snacks later, we were off to the library.

I'm pretty sure we were both uncomfortable on the floor... Surrounded by 50 sneezing, coughing, chattering little ones. Most of the magician's tricks were funny, but this one with a fake snake scarred the kids for life. It's a card trick that he sets up & tells a volunteer that his "python" will be jumping out of a basket with her card. After many unsuccessful attempts, a large (fake) snake comes popping out of the basket... Causing all of the children to jump, and some to wet their pants, (at least that was my guess according to how the room smelled). what was the first thing he told mama when we arrived home? "there was A real scary snake..."

Oh, and the flowers he had wanted to pick for his mama were "hiding" from the sun after magic time. I had reassured him that he could pick them on our way out.

Day 1: Fail

well, if anything I will be "that" aunt... You know, the crazy one. We're gonna try again today... Lunch with a friend. Fingers crossed that I can take pics this time! :)