Thursday, October 30, 2008
A Happy 100BlogPost Giveaway Celebration
No, it's not my 100th post yet. But my blogging universe friend Doris is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100th post. So go take a look. (And if you read the comments, please ignore all my typing errors, I'm getting too fast for my own good!)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Another political post
Kate, before you say anything, just file this under the "I'll never use stickers while scrapbooking," and "I'll never hand quilt," statements. Just attribute it to the mystery that is me.
I voted today. And as usual I have a mouthful of comments to make, so pull up the soapbox, I'm ready to put in my two cents and then some.
The thing that sent me over the edge today was the large number of unopposed races. I mean really people. Seriously, reading all the ranting and ravings of people on all sides of this political season, I couldn't believe so many races in my state, district, county, etc had only one choice. Now I'll be the first to admit that I don't think I would be qualified to run for Coroner, and I certainly don't have the necessary experience and training to be Sheriff, but really, come on. So you say, why wasn't your name on the ballot Miss Mouthy-Mouth. I readily will admit that I've looked the other way year after year, election after election and refused to take my responsibility to heart. However, those who are close to me, know that I am the type of person who believes that if you don't agree with how something is being done, you should get involved.
Now this newest anger is definitely based in my recent experience with the Board of Education of the County in which I live. And in truth, three positions were up for election this time, two unopposed, and I didn't have the foresight to investigate this before this week. But "as God as my witness," I will make a change in my local representation ("and I'll never be hungry again!") Oh yes, Melissa is pissed off, riled up, all in a dither, so watch out world here I come.
I voted today. And as usual I have a mouthful of comments to make, so pull up the soapbox, I'm ready to put in my two cents and then some.
The thing that sent me over the edge today was the large number of unopposed races. I mean really people. Seriously, reading all the ranting and ravings of people on all sides of this political season, I couldn't believe so many races in my state, district, county, etc had only one choice. Now I'll be the first to admit that I don't think I would be qualified to run for Coroner, and I certainly don't have the necessary experience and training to be Sheriff, but really, come on. So you say, why wasn't your name on the ballot Miss Mouthy-Mouth. I readily will admit that I've looked the other way year after year, election after election and refused to take my responsibility to heart. However, those who are close to me, know that I am the type of person who believes that if you don't agree with how something is being done, you should get involved.
Now this newest anger is definitely based in my recent experience with the Board of Education of the County in which I live. And in truth, three positions were up for election this time, two unopposed, and I didn't have the foresight to investigate this before this week. But "as God as my witness," I will make a change in my local representation ("and I'll never be hungry again!") Oh yes, Melissa is pissed off, riled up, all in a dither, so watch out world here I come.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A Political Post
Ok, I promised myself that I wasn't going to post about the election, but I just saw this.
Opie, Sheriff Taylor, Richie, and the Fonz comment on the 2008 election
Good stuff!
Opie, Sheriff Taylor, Richie, and the Fonz comment on the 2008 election
Good stuff!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
My creative exploits
So I've finished my Mom's quilt top. It's very similar to the one I made my Dad. I think I'm going to name it Mary Kate Danaher. That was Maureen OHara's character in The Quiet Man. And since my Dad's quilt is named True Grit a John Wayne movie, I thought it appropriate. I'll baste it and quilt it this weekend. I'm planning on giving it to her on her birthday in November.
Since I finished that quilt top I decided to reward myself by working on my Amy Butler/Ginger Blossoms quilt. Here's where I am so far....
Even Hubby commented on the above squares. He thought the fabric was very pretty. Although he felt moved to make some further comments on how he thought it needed sashing, and if he was making it.....
And finally, I'm a hand quilting fool (reminds me of Forrest Gump,"That boy is a running fool!"). I'm really enjoying it. Last weekend and Monday, I spent time quietly on the sofa watching some of my most favorite old movies, Gone With the Wind, Sunset Boulevard, and All About Eve, while I hand quilted. I've even decided to hand quilt the quilt top that my great-grandmother hand pieced back in the 1940s! Who knew....(ok, Kate, you can quit clucking your tongue and shaking your head) hee hee!
Since I finished that quilt top I decided to reward myself by working on my Amy Butler/Ginger Blossoms quilt. Here's where I am so far....
Even Hubby commented on the above squares. He thought the fabric was very pretty. Although he felt moved to make some further comments on how he thought it needed sashing, and if he was making it.....And finally, I'm a hand quilting fool (reminds me of Forrest Gump,"That boy is a running fool!"). I'm really enjoying it. Last weekend and Monday, I spent time quietly on the sofa watching some of my most favorite old movies, Gone With the Wind, Sunset Boulevard, and All About Eve, while I hand quilted. I've even decided to hand quilt the quilt top that my great-grandmother hand pieced back in the 1940s! Who knew....(ok, Kate, you can quit clucking your tongue and shaking your head) hee hee!
Melissa vs The Board of Education
First off let me say, I can't believe it's been over a week since I've posted. I have thought about blogging several times but decided to sew instead.
OK as promised my story of me vs the Forsyth County Board of Education.
Background
Two years ago we moved to this county to be closer to work, upgrade homes, and to move to exceptional schools. My children attended BC Elementary. A couple of months into the year we found out that our neighborhood was being redistricted to S Elementary. So I thought,"OK, that's fine. A bit of a pain in the ass, but the kids will get settled and everything will be fine." Last year they started at their new school. In February, it was announced that the Board of Ed was redistricting again. After looking at the maps, I realized our neighborhood was being redistricted, AGAIN, and back to the original BC Elementary, for starting the 2009-2010 year. I was like, "What the hell?! Make up your minds and pick a school."
The battle begins
On the Board of Education's website, they posted a feedback form. You did not have to enter your name and could post comments as much as possible. I started a one woman campaign. Many a comment was left by me discussing the complete disregard to my children's academic, social, and psychological welfare. My kids potentially attending 3 elementary schools in a 4 year period, not due to residential moving but redistricting. Bouncing kids around like ping pong balls. And the phrase that became my battle cry,"My children are not beans to be counted!" In one comment, I did post my name and email as a challenge for someone to contact me. Lo and behold, my district rep emailed me! We began a series of emails back and forth with him quoting the party line to me and me quoting my battle cry.
The battle continues
Over the summer, the Board of Ed postponed voting on the final map (it was election year) and made some changes. Short story, now our neighborhood is districted to attend a brand new elementary school that will be bearly at capacity (if our children don't go there, they can't open). More emails from me, meetings with neighbors and parents, flyers, phone calls, all orchestrated by me in an effort to stage a write in campaign for the welfare of our kids.
Final showdown
Last Thursday was the Board of Ed meeting where they voted to finalize the redistricting map. I stood up and entered an official statement of disagreement with my Scarlett OHara moment at the end, "My children, my neighbors' children, my friends' children, the children of Forsyth County are not beans to be counted, the are children that deserve "Quality Learning and Superior Performance for All" (the Board's motto). Members of the Board said things like, the constant redistricting is part of the "culture of Forsyth County" and basically if you live here suck it up. The children are not just numbers they are "dollars". Blah, blah, blah! Ack ack! They passed the map.
So I'm over it now. But I learned alot about how the county is run by attending the Board's meetings. I've decided to try to attending other meetings in the future, even if they are not discussing something that directly affects me. Hubby says I should run next time....we'll see.
OK as promised my story of me vs the Forsyth County Board of Education.
Background
Two years ago we moved to this county to be closer to work, upgrade homes, and to move to exceptional schools. My children attended BC Elementary. A couple of months into the year we found out that our neighborhood was being redistricted to S Elementary. So I thought,"OK, that's fine. A bit of a pain in the ass, but the kids will get settled and everything will be fine." Last year they started at their new school. In February, it was announced that the Board of Ed was redistricting again. After looking at the maps, I realized our neighborhood was being redistricted, AGAIN, and back to the original BC Elementary, for starting the 2009-2010 year. I was like, "What the hell?! Make up your minds and pick a school."
The battle begins
On the Board of Education's website, they posted a feedback form. You did not have to enter your name and could post comments as much as possible. I started a one woman campaign. Many a comment was left by me discussing the complete disregard to my children's academic, social, and psychological welfare. My kids potentially attending 3 elementary schools in a 4 year period, not due to residential moving but redistricting. Bouncing kids around like ping pong balls. And the phrase that became my battle cry,"My children are not beans to be counted!" In one comment, I did post my name and email as a challenge for someone to contact me. Lo and behold, my district rep emailed me! We began a series of emails back and forth with him quoting the party line to me and me quoting my battle cry.
The battle continues
Over the summer, the Board of Ed postponed voting on the final map (it was election year) and made some changes. Short story, now our neighborhood is districted to attend a brand new elementary school that will be bearly at capacity (if our children don't go there, they can't open). More emails from me, meetings with neighbors and parents, flyers, phone calls, all orchestrated by me in an effort to stage a write in campaign for the welfare of our kids.
Final showdown
Last Thursday was the Board of Ed meeting where they voted to finalize the redistricting map. I stood up and entered an official statement of disagreement with my Scarlett OHara moment at the end, "My children, my neighbors' children, my friends' children, the children of Forsyth County are not beans to be counted, the are children that deserve "Quality Learning and Superior Performance for All" (the Board's motto). Members of the Board said things like, the constant redistricting is part of the "culture of Forsyth County" and basically if you live here suck it up. The children are not just numbers they are "dollars". Blah, blah, blah! Ack ack! They passed the map.
So I'm over it now. But I learned alot about how the county is run by attending the Board's meetings. I've decided to try to attending other meetings in the future, even if they are not discussing something that directly affects me. Hubby says I should run next time....we'll see.
Friday, October 10, 2008
What have I been up to?
This is what I've been up to! I got my new quilting hoop over the weekend and got myself all setup. I'm starting on cheap muslin and just practicing....but this is definitely relaxing and now I feel productive when I'm sitting watching tv.
Here's the gang. Imagine the two on the left as a 18 mos old and a three year old in a company daycare together. They were each others first best friend. My Munchkin would crawl off her cot to go curl up with her buddy. Now they're 9 and 11...sigh...time flies. And the two Nuggets on the right are their little sisters. Sisters, sisters,.......
Have a great weekend....oh and I'll have a post later about my battle with the School Board where I live, fun to be a parent.
Here's the gang. Imagine the two on the left as a 18 mos old and a three year old in a company daycare together. They were each others first best friend. My Munchkin would crawl off her cot to go curl up with her buddy. Now they're 9 and 11...sigh...time flies. And the two Nuggets on the right are their little sisters. Sisters, sisters,.......Have a great weekend....oh and I'll have a post later about my battle with the School Board where I live, fun to be a parent.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
This is.....late!
Ok, I'll admit, I'm late posting my meme response. But, better late than never, right? My biggest problem was coming up with only one thing I wanted to do everyday. Should I be profound? Should I be obvious? Well, I decided to go with the obvious and one of the most productive answers. This is one thing that I wish I could do everyday.....sew, play, an d pet fabric. I know in theory I could sew everyday, but often times reality gets in the way.
My sewing "studio"! This is a definite upgrade from our last house(the dining room) and a selling point for this house. Normally there is one project at a time on the table, but I threw out some of the ones coming up for pictorial sake.
This is a quilt that I haven't decided on a pattern yet. But I love how the turquoise hand dyes look with the two prints.....decisions, decisions.
This the Amy Butler/Gin Blossoms log cabin quilt that is my reward for finishing my mom's charm quilt. The octagons are going to be the centers....sigh!
Fabric for some travel size pillowcases for a silent auction. I bought extra of the cupcake fabric for little girl pj bottoms.
Finally, the GD Karma Chameleon quilt is done. Label, sleeve, and binding. I'm not really sure why this has bothered me so much. Maybe it was a bias vs Melissa issue?
And as promised a picture of the Munchkins sitting at their PawPaw/Pop's rolltop desk playing computer games.
My sewing "studio"! This is a definite upgrade from our last house(the dining room) and a selling point for this house. Normally there is one project at a time on the table, but I threw out some of the ones coming up for pictorial sake.
This is a quilt that I haven't decided on a pattern yet. But I love how the turquoise hand dyes look with the two prints.....decisions, decisions.
This the Amy Butler/Gin Blossoms log cabin quilt that is my reward for finishing my mom's charm quilt. The octagons are going to be the centers....sigh!
Fabric for some travel size pillowcases for a silent auction. I bought extra of the cupcake fabric for little girl pj bottoms.
Finally, the GD Karma Chameleon quilt is done. Label, sleeve, and binding. I'm not really sure why this has bothered me so much. Maybe it was a bias vs Melissa issue?
And as promised a picture of the Munchkins sitting at their PawPaw/Pop's rolltop desk playing computer games.
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