Saturday, November 8, 2014

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday


This time I ran across a wonderful didgeridoo artist. There is just something about this instrument that I find totally interesting. The artist's name is Mitchell Cullen. The band he's in is called Fingers. He has a very unique sound because of the different instruments he uses. Mitchell Cullen uses a 12 string guitar, and he has skills. Not prepared to rest at that, he is also an extremely talented multi-instrumentalist, having mastered the didgeridoo, slide stomp box, harmonica, percussion, and banjo and topping it all off as a singer/ song-writer

Voted Australia's Number One Home Grown Talent as Seen Live on National TV to Millions Performing as a Special Guest on Australia's Got Talent.

Mitchell Cullen does write his own music, but has some cool covers to. The first 2 videos are covers, and the last one is an original.

Check out Mitchell Collen's website.
Check out Fingers on facebook.
Follow Fingers on Twitter.
Subscribe to Fingers on YouTube.

Friday, November 7, 2014


Many of you know I'm a teacher. Today we had a test. The student's knew what time we had the test. I said ahead of time, "Make sure your desks are cleared off for the test."

Some of the students are still messy.

I walk around, and look for notes, and review sheets to show up as signs that they are cheating.

Next semester is much easier, they will not take a paper test. We give the test over the network. The program we use randomizes the questions, blocks them from seeing their desktop, or any other program, so it would be very hard to cheat. They don't get computers until next semester.

I was walking around, and noticed someone taking the test was talking to someone that was finished. I was 1/2 joking and said, "Hey _______ what are you doing? Cheating?" 

He nervously grabbed his review sheet out from under his test, and said, "Ummm...I don't know how this got here." 

He then said, "Well you knew I had all these papers on my desk."

He put it away. I let him finish the test.

When he was done I said knowing that he does really bad on exams, "You have 2 choices: I grade that test, and take off a ton of points, or you go take the test in a different room?"

He opted to take the test in a different room.

Then I wrote him up, had him sign that what he did was wrong.

At this school if you get 2 write ups for something like that, you get kicked out for a period of time. First defense down.

What annoys me more than the cheating it's self is that he tried to play it off as it was my fault for knowing he had papers on his desk. Bullshi*! Take ownership of your mess up!

Another thing that really annoys me is that this is the student's area of study. Why would someone cheat on something that is their interest? 

It happens once, or more a year, so I'm not really surprised. I just have to shake my head every time it does happen.

Random Tid Bits

This time I'm going to talk about the times that I've passed out. Thankfully it's been 9 years since that's happened. If you've never passed out it feels a bit like waking up, and feeling like you don't know where you are. The time span seems like it was forever long.
  1. The first time I passed out I was about 9 years old - Mica's age. My sister Terra and I were on separate couches because we were both home sick. She wanted something to drink. My mom was downstairs doing laundry. I thought I would be a nice big sister, and get her something.

    Into the kitchen I went, and things got blurry. I was in the middle of the room, so there was nothing to grab onto. Out I went; head first onto the floor. My mom said, "Go lay down!" I had a black and blue egg bruise on my forehead for awhile.

  2. I went to Mexico with my Grandparents, Mom, and sister Terra one year. I was in high school. It was the first time I ever flew, and the first time I was out of the US. I didn't drink a thing, while in Mexico. I remember hearing stories about how their water will make you sick. I was terrified to drink anything there. Adding to the story - I got a lot of sun.

    When we were were back in Texas I stayed in my Grandparent's camper. I had to go to the bathroom. You know how little camper bathrooms are. They are tiny. All the sudden everything went blank. I woke up with my head between my knees. My Grandpa was pounding on the door and saying in what seemed like slow motion, "Are you ok in there?" over and over again. Things got better after that.

  3. When I was in college I decided it was a great idea to donate plasma. I wasn't that hard up for cash, but my friends were doing it. I was in. They had me fill out a form. I did. They said they didn't know if I should be donating plasma with my allergy history. Then they said it again when they couldn't find a good vein. Somehow I got through the process anyhow. I was fine throughout the donating part. At the end they didn't give me anything to eat, or drink. I stood up, was in line for my money, and things got blurry. A guy caught me.

    I woke up, and a lady was talking loud in my face saying, "Have you ever been held by a black man before?" I was really confused where I was, and why she was asking me this. After a minute I knew where I was at. I guess the guy that thankfully caught me was an African American. Why the lady brought color into the scenario was beyond me. I guess she thought she was being funny.

  4. I was 7 or so month pregnant with Mica.  Throughout my pregnancy with him I felt dizzy every so often. I had no morning sickness. Just dizziness. That morning we went for a walk. I came home, drank some water, and went to take a shower. As I was showering I passed out. Things just got black really fast. I woke up, and was shaky. I called my doctor. They said, {As long as I felt the baby still moving I was fine. The baby has more protection than you do.} That eased my worries, but I still was shaky all morning long.

  5. When Mica was about 3 months old I got bronchitis. I was on a cough medicine. You know how they tell you to read your medicine instructions before taking it? I didn't. You know how experts say not to have a changing table on a table? I didn't listen to that either.

    Apparently that cough medicine can make you dizzy. I got that way, while I was changing Mica's diaper. I yelled for Daddy to come to my rescue. He did. Thank goodness he was there. Thank goodness Mica wasn't rolling big time yet. He did however manage to pee all over the place. 
Here folks was the boy's changing table made out of an old desk. It did work perfect because the whole was perfect for the boy's hamper.

Have you ever passed out?

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Pinch Me Therapy Dough Review

One thing is true about being a teacher, a mom of 2 crazy boys, and a wife to a husband that has been in the middle of 2 art shows: 

Stress Happens.

I'm not a walking stress ball, but I do feel on edge at certain times. It's generally this time of year that students loose interest. Any time the seasons switch this happens. Isaak has been battling a cold that I now have. We all feel off from the time change. 

I'm so happy that Pinch Me Therapy Dough sent me a container called Spa


Nancy Rothner is the creator of Pinch Me Therapy Dough. She is a clinical hypnotherapist who specializes in stress reduction. Nancy has seen first-hand the toll that tension takes on the body and mind. She embarked on a quest to create a simple, holistic, stress reduction technique that could be used anytime, anywhere. A non-prescription, drug free, ‘as-needed’ relief supplement that stressed-out souls could use ‘in a pinch’.

I have a sister that is trained for health and wellness. I know she will love this product. I will be sharing this review with her.

The Products: 



Say Hello, Dough.


There are 6 Different Kinds of Dough:

Each is $19.99, but if you buy more than one the cost goes down to $16.99. There is a variety pack, which contains all the scents for $97.99. There is free shipping!

Every container you purchase will help alleviate a soldier's stress. Proceeds go towards
Every container you purchase will pay for a soldier's half day stress management training with - See more at:

Tropics- Allows you to escape to the easy, breezy and exotic Tropics. Tranquility and paradise has a scent. This is their best seller. I know I'd like this one!

Ocean- This one has the soothing aroma of the surf. A scent that will bring out your inner mermaid. Dip your fingers in the ocean, and let the calming begin.
Escape to the easy, breezy and exotic tranquility of the Tropics. Paradise does, indeed, have a scent and we've captured it in all of its coconutty goodness and locked it deep within this formula. Get carried away with our best seller, TROPICS.  - See more at:

Beach- This one gets you mentally swept away to the seaside. It will have you dreaming about the sand, sun and surfing.

Spa- Is the one I got to review. It has the scent of lavender. It will remind you of a day time spa.

Earth-Rekindle the flame in campfires gone-by with the crisp outdoors. A rich woodsy scent that gives you the sensation of the forest. This would be the one I would choose. I like the description of the scent.

For Men- This has the rick aroma of leather for a more masculine scent. It's absolutely strapping for men.

The dough is squishy. It's a soothing, fun toy for adults. It has a better scent though. I love how long you can have it out of the container before it dries out. I played with a little pinch all afternoon. 

Follow Pinch Me:


The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's
I received one or more of the products mentioned above from Pinch Me Therapy. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

First and Third Grade

They are pretty handsome. Isaak must have thought his shirt looked great buttoned up to the top. Otherwise they look great.

Liquid Chalkers Review

I love playing with art supplies. One class I teach is called Art Media Techniques. That's all we play with art supplies.

One thing is true at work, I'm the go to person for art materials. We all have our perks, and weaknesses. I'm not the go to person for computer technical problems.

I was super excited to review Liquid Chalkers by Paper & Twine.

About Liquid Chalkers:

They work great on mirrors, chalkboards, windshields, whiteboards, glass windows, art projects, ceramics and more!

Every surface is different, so you have to experiment first. It's best to use on a non-porous surface. That's not to say that they won't work on a porous surface. What I found is that they just don't wipe off of a porous surface.

Getting Started:

  1. Shake the Liquid Chalkter you want to use.

  2. Depress the tip of the chalker until the chalk flows to the tip. You'll be able to see it start to wick into the tip. I did this over a scrap paper to make sure it didn't flow into a spot I didn't want it.

  3. Then have fun using it.

  4. If you mess up, or want to remove the media just wipe it away with a wet cloth. If you want it permanently down for an art project you can spray it with Crystal Clear, or a similar acrylic spray. I sprayed my projects, and the spray did not make the chalk run, or disappear. 
Project: Christmas Tags for Presents

I bought little tiny 4"x4" canvases at the art supply store. They came primed with black Gesso.

On the computer I found a font I liked, and edited it in Illustrator.

I printed it, rubbed pencil on the back of the paper, traced the letters, which transferred the letters to the canvas.

Then I used the Liquid Chalkers over the pencil. You can see the green worked contrast better than the red. I still like the red in person though.

I had to make sure I found a font I liked for "E". Most of their names start with "E".


Here are my boy's larger, so you can see better what they look like: 

The Liquid Chalkers are great because if you mess up, you just get a wet rag, and wipe it off. It has a slight smell, it's not strong, or toxic.

I didn't mess up when writing their names. I did however mess up when I was putting the snow on the bottom. Actually Isaak touched it, and traveled it to the back background. It cleaned up so nice!

I added snow looking buttons, 1 small piece of ribbon for their scarfs, and another tied ribbon on top. Cut toothpicks are their little stick hands. Fingernail trimmers work great for cutting toothpicks. Felt pieces were used for their hats. All the pieces were hot glued.

I was worried about the Liquid Chalkers smudging. They didn't. Just to be on the safe side - I wanted to fix the type, so if the packages did get near water, or snow at some point in time they'd be protected.

You can get a can of Crystal Clear, or Matte Spray in any art or craft store. It's a clear acrylic spray. I used Matte Spray. Now the chalk is safely protected.

Liquid Chalkers come in a set of 8. They were $29.99, and on sale for $18.99. I'm not sure how they will hold up long term. I just haven't had them long enough to know if they will dry out, or not. I do wish they had different ends - thin tip on one side, and thicker tip on the other. I imagine that a thin tip would get clogged easily though.

Overall I enjoyed using Liquid Chalkers. I even took them in to show my students.

I have not tried other liquid chalks. I really have nothing to compare these to. They are dust free, which is great for someone that has allergies.

The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Reading Buddies

We've been trying to get Mica to work more with Isaak on reading. 


A) Helps them bond. Isaak smiles much of the time when Mica reads with him. If it's a harder book Mica reads it. If it's an easy book Isaak reads it. Sometimes they take turns reading pages.

B) Gives them both something to do, while we are busy. 

C) Gets Isaak's confidence up with reading. He's doing much better than he did at the beginning of the school year by the way. :) 

D) Get's Mica doing something with someone other than himself. Mica has generally been a independent player.

I have to stop what I'm doing sometimes to take pictures. They are just too cute when they read together. They don't always get alone with reading. Mica will say, "Really you don't know how to read that word? Come on Isaak!" Isaak will say, "Mica you just read to me."

Most of the time it's positive though.

Did you like to read when you were little? I have to be honest...I didn't enjoy it until I was in upper elementary school.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

WW: Trick or Treat? {Linky}

Halloween went pretty good. 

Isaak said, "Mom I'm going to hold my mouth open like I'm blowing out steam." In Photoshop I added steam. Then I added laser eyes. He wanted me to add fire in the background, but I wanted to stop working in Photoshop.

BTW He is Superman, and Superman is much too strong to have help from Mom to hold his candy.

Mica had the idea of having me hold his whip, while I shot the photo. That way the photo would look like he really was using his whip.

Tough guys - that had trouble waiting for the sun to go down, so they could do their thing.

Isaak said, "Mom let's take one of those photos called a 'selfie'."

The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

Monday, November 3, 2014

Legos at the Library



Mica started building right away. He came up with this: 




Over the weekend I heard from the other room:


Mica, "No I'm building my own thing."


I stayed out of that one.

Valentia Even Glow Serum Review

I simply love products that even out my skin tone, reduce wrinkles, increase glow and radiance to my skin.

To me this is especially important since we're getting closer to winter time.

Valentia Even Glow Serum is a vitamin c serum for the face that
helps repair | refresh | renew the skin.

I simply love their packaging! I'm keeping this, but the thought occurred in my mind that this would also make a great gift. I love that it can be used on uneven skin, dry skin, or oily skin.

Often times my forehead is much more dry than the rest of my face. When I applied Valentia Even Glow Serum, it absorbed in my skin right away. Often times with lotions, they make my skin feel oily, and sometimes oily and dry all at the same time after applying it. I seriously don't want a shiny forehead that peels. Valentia Even Glow Serum doesn't do that. It appears milky yellow, but absorbs into the skin quickly.

Ingredients in Valentia Even Glow Serum

Alcohol Free and Paraben Free

Organic Rosehip Seed Oil and Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil: 

They are super oils that work together to increase skin hydration and lock in moisture. They both have antioxidants that promote healing of damaged skin. Using them gives you an even glow. 


This natural plant stem cell protects your skin from aging. A glow will occur at the same time as detoxification.

Hyaluronic Acid (Botanical):

Increases your skin's ability to retain moisture and increases elasticity and firmness.

Green Tea Extract:

The catechins in green tea are a potent antioxidant which contribute to the overall anti-inflammatory, and anti-irritant benefits of this ancient health and beauty secret.

All the Ingredients:
  • Proprietary Organic Skin Tea
  • Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Aloe)
  • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C)
  • *Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
  • Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysacchairde (botanical hyaluronicacid)
  • Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Exract (plant stem cells)
  • Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehip Seed Oil)
  • Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel)
  • Citrus Paradisi (Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil)
  • Carbomer
  • (2s)-2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid
  • d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
  • Algae Extract
  • Camelia Oleifera (Japanese Green Tea) Leaf Extract
  • Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn Oil)
  • Phenoxyethanol 
  • Ethyl Hexl Glycerin

I am happy that this product is alcohol and paraben free. It's also perfume free. :) 

I did use this, and it absorbed into my skin great. It made my skin feel a little tightened after using it. 

I was not happy that it has *Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in it. It's a sulphate. I've had huge reactions from sulphates in the past. So much so that I've had to get 2 steriod shots to get the allergic reaction hives to go away. Any sulphates I have to stay away from. Because of my reactions in the past I may have to discontinue my use. :(  If you have no allergies to sulphates this would be of little concern to you.


Wash your face, and pat dry. Shake lightly for 1-2 seconds to mix the natural ingredients together. Apply a small amount to your face and neck daily. Allow to dry.


Get 1.18 oz. Valentia Even Glow Serum on Amazon for $35. It's originally $85. The price is really reduced. 

The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from Valentia. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.



