Graphic Artist in Training

Here's a little something I've been working on.

I have a good friend who has an autism website (www.thrivingwithautism.com).

She needed some quotes typed up all cute for her site so she hired a graphic arts student...

and wasn't impressed with the results.

She asked if I'd like to give it a try.

Here's some of what she sent...

“Someone with Asperger’s really is like you, just more extreme.” Dr. Winnie Dunn

"For success in science and art a dash of autism is essential." Hans Asperger

“I want the word Autism to provoke an image of a wonderful and unique person.” Amanda Baggs

"People with autism have a different way of looking at the world, and that should be celebrated." -Autism Society 

And here's what I did with it!

It was really fun to use my brain for something different.

No More Piggies!

Two of my boys got guinea pigs about a year go.

They were fun for a while

and then they were neglected.

I have a friend whose blog I was looking at who was looking to get a pet rat.

I emailed her and asked if two adorable, free guinea pigs would work.

She agreed.

And on Tuesday, I took them to their new home.

Look at all of the attention they're getting now.

I'm thrilled and I'm sure that they are too!

Shower Steps

My mother-in-law was in need of a ramp or steps to get into the shower.

I have a little experience with homemade physical therapy devices so I went to work.

Here's what I started with...

Here's the progress...

And here's what I came up with...

Hopefully it's just what she needs!

Stampin' Up!

I went to a Stampin' Up! class last week.

I even placed an order which I didn't need to do because I used to buy this stuff for a discount

(and I bought a lot!).

They are always coming out with new things and they sucked me in!

Here is one fun thing I got...

And I even got it mounted right when it came.

So cute!

It's that time of year!

Science Fair time that is!

The 10-year-old son had his first turn at doing a science fair project this year.

He chose a project on insulation.

Here is the science fair board in progress.

And here is the finished product.

UPDATE!!!

The-10-year-old has been home from school for four days.

He slept most of the day on Friday.

Friday after school, his friend brought him his science fair board and an award

that said he's a finalist!

His response was, 

"I won the science fair asleep!"

A New Church Bag

Keeping six children happy for three hours at church each Sunday

is a job that sometimes requires back up.

A bottle tipped over in the last one so I had to get rid of it 

and used this reusable bag in the meantime.

Yesterday, I found this laptop bag at Ross.

I've been looking for a bag that would stand up by itself

and that would fit lots of stuff.

Hopefully this will help keep the kids quiet!

10-year-old 72-hour Kit

I went to a Stake Provident Living meeting last night.

Here is the post of today's something

that I actually did last night.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012

10-year-old 72-hour Kit

We had a Provident Living planning meeting tonight.

My assignment was to open my 

10-year-old 72-hour kit in a #10 can!

I made it at a Homemaking meeting TEN years ago.

I had wondered how the items survived, but until tonight was too scared to look.

Here's what happened...

The can was dusty, but still in perfect condition.

Under the lid was a folded menu sheet and a can opener.

 Doesn't look too bad...

 In fact, it only took a minute for the kids to gather 'round

and start asking if they could have some!

We tried out the hot chocolate, oatmeal, and Cup-A-Soup.

 The 13-year-old asked if he could use his Jet Boil to heat the water for us.

 Looks yummy.

 Here are the brave souls who helped me with the taste testing!

 Oatmeal with raisins.

 The Jolly-Ranchers were good and tasted "just like Jolly-Ranchers"

according to the 13-year-old.

Several minutes later he asked if the inside was supposed to be a little soft.

I guess the texture was different, but not different enough for him to stop eating it.

The gum was a huge surprise.

I thought it would be rock-solid,

but look at it here!

The kit also included 3 paper cups, 3 spoons, an oxygen packet, and a book of matches.

"Juice" was on the menu a few times so I guess it was in addition to the kit.

You could always include a powdered drink mix in the can.

Here's the verdict...

Hot Chocolate..."Great!"

Cup-A-Soup..."Good, but maybe a little minty."

Oatmeal Packets..."Okay."  Also a little minty.

Raisins...Dried out and kind of like eating sugar.  (Crystalized.)

Fruit Snacks...Good.  A little hard and very chewy.

Peanuts..."Taste just like peanuts."  I ate a few and they tasted just fine.

Beef Jerky...Very hard, but dissolved quickly in your mouth.  Smelled great.  Tasted okay.

Jolly-Ranchers...A little sticky on the outside and soft in the middle, but tasted great.

Granola Bar...this was the only negative reaction.  I think it may have been because of the 

chocolate covering.The only thing we didn't touch was the crackers because they were sandwich crackers with

peanut butter and cheese between them.  They probably would be fine, but we were full by then!

:-)

Overall, I was surprised and pleased with the results.

If I had to do it again, I would not include the gum in the can.  

It left a minty taste on most of the items, but they have been together for ten years. 

(The gum and matches were in a separate baggie.)

So, to sum it up...

my 13-year-old said that he would eat most of the food today

and all of it if he was really hungry,

even the Granola bar!

CTR

Today's something if for my new job at church.

Posters and signs for the Primary room with my Photoshop Elements.

If you know what this is and you could like a copy, let me know.

I'll share!

Attached Legs

Today, I attached the legs to the countertop I got from the sister-in-law when she moved to New York.

I saved the countertop for the scouts to use at scout camp on top of sawhorses.

I decided that table needed attached legs.

I also decided to use it at our house on Christmas Eve!

Sister Post - Wreath

Aunt Karla has been busy.

Which means I don't have to do a something (for this blog) today!

And since I need to get this place ready for a Christmas Eve party,

I'll thank her for you!

Every year Karla makes something to decorate the graves of 

our dad, grandparents, and nephew.

Here are the finished products...

Now I Weigh Me Down To Sleep

I took the 3-year-old girl to an evaluation for an intensive physical therapy program.

The therapist suggested that I look into a weighted blanket

for some sensory input.

I looked online for one and a 5 pound blanket costs $100!

OUCH!

So I just took an old piece of fabric and some wheat from the storage room

and with the help of my sister and her sewing machines,

I made my own!

FOR FREE!
We'll be trying to keep it clean since it wouldn't last long in the washer!
;-)

Work Truffles

I bought these truffles at Costco for the husband to give to his 

friends at work.

 There are four in a package so I opened them and made them look pretty.

 We get most things around here done at the last minute so it's been nice to 

get some things done early this year.

P.S.  If you haven't tried these truffles,

you need to.

They're delicious!

Early Dinner

When my oldest son came home from school,

he asked if I was making dinner for someone else.

My kids know that if dinner is in process before 5p.m.,

part of it is probably for someone else.

They're right!

A friend of mine had knee surgery

so we got to take dinner to her and her family.

Home made soup and bread.

We got to enjoy it, too!

Out with the Old...In with the New!

Some things are funner to replace than others.

Today we replaced the water heater.

(Just tilt your head, I'm using an old camera that doesn't know which way is up.)

Not one of the funner things.

The good news is that someone else did this something for me.

The bad news is that new water heaters are expensive.

:-(

However, being able to shower with hot water is worth a lot to me!

;-)