I might be a bit more loving of reptiles than the average person. I have a pet leopard gecko and sand boa who I affectionately call Gizmo and Mr. Snake respectively. Adam and I have been to Repticon in the past and were excited to visit again. If it comes to your area, I suggest going even if you are not in the business of buying a new pet. It is like a cool reptile zoo and is perfect for the kiddos. Here are some highlights of the visit.
Random
My Word for 2013: Be
I never understood why people were obsessed with simplicity until my life become, well, not simple. Then I wanted simplicity; I needed simplicity. I work full time as a teacher at a high school and then I work part time as a teacher online. My commute is an hour long. I just finished working full time as a student in a master’s degree program. These our not obstacles in my life as much as they are reasons why it is difficult. Difficult to be all the things I aspire to be. But these are also the things that help me be what I aspire to be. Again, not simple. Everyone as a different story, but can relate to the complications of life.
Wear Springtime in Winter
I am not one to follow for fashion. I don’t look at style magazines except for covers you can’t help but see in the supermarket line. Here is further proof I don’t follow fashion rules. My idea: Wear springtime clothes in winter. My reason: It might make you feel good. This is my anecdotal evidence. Yesterday I was feeling overwhelmed, had a horrible migraine, and thus, didn’t have the greatest day. Today I am still overwhelmed, thankfully didn’t have a migraine, yet I had a much better day. I attribute it in part to the bright spring colors I donned. Here are my outfit specifics.
Faux Canvasing Flat Artwork
My mother painted two beautiful flat pieces of artwork for my home. My mom is awesome. And I wanted the artwork to standout in my home. Because it deserves that (and so does mom!). They currently were in two black frames. Too plain and too flat! My solution to make these paintings pop? Lance crackers! No, seriously. Keep reading to see how I used cardboard cracker boxes to create a faux canvas. Well, two actually…
Things I May Do
This post will be a growing list. These are things too small or insignificant to be considered goals. Or perhaps calling it a goal makes it too stuffy, or makes me feel crappy when it isn’t accomplished. These are fun (to me) things I hope to do this year (or the next).
- Learn a song on my ukelele.
- Make gifs.
- Upload products to TeachersPayTeachers.
- Create jute twine baskets and other diy baskets.
- Repurpose glass jars using knobs and spray paint.
- Make homemade jams and jellies.
- Make more bee bars.
- Paint with my mom. There are lots of ideas here deserving of its own post.
- Use rope to update my coffee can pencil holder.
- Use my KNK Zing (computerized cutting machine) for fun projects.
- Help my mom redecorate her spare room into a studio.
- Read 30 books in a year.
- Create my own”A to Z” photo library by taking pictures of items that look like letters and symbols.
- Become a better potter.
- Paint plywood bookshelf white and add ornamental legs (and trim?).
- Continue to pursue simplicity.
- Work with tile. Create mosaic projects.
- Create a scrapbook paper tree.
- Take cheesy couple pictures with Adam like this or the one below.
Source: bleubirdvintage.typepad.com via Jessica on Pinterest
- Create photos with inspirational quotes (because there isn’t enough of those on the internet).
- Build an online presence as an educator. I want teacher homies from all over the world.
- Plan and implement my DIY business summer camp.
- Complete grant writing.
- Research PhD programs.
This list will continue to grow. Like me.
∞Jessica