How cool is this!?

I saw an ad for this in the Family Fun magazine and had to check it out. Country Inns Book It & Return It Program. I'll have to see if they have this hotel in Boston. What a neat program! I will be posting this link on the HJ website.

Heard a rumor last night that one of the other school districts in the area (I'm assuming RL 116) is starting back in the fall in mid August! Something like 8 days earlier than last year. Wowzers. Not sure when they are out of school. We end June 8th due to using 1 snow day this year. I can't believe how fast this year is going by.

Our next door neighbor sold their house. Thanks in great part to our former realtor. I'm amazed they did sell it in this neighborhood. There are SO many houses for sale here and all over the district. It is kinda scarey! I saw a stat that said there is a 4 month surplus of houses on the market. Meaning at the current rate that houses are selling and the amount that are for sale it will take 4 months to sell them all. As compared to the Gurnee district (another neighboring community) where they have a 2 month surplus. Of course that could be because of the availability of new construction, at least that is what all the "Vote No" people like to think. Beats me. I'm staying.

Tuesday starts the ABC countdown at school. And it's ART DAY! Hmmmm...wonder what they'll do?

I saw another funny thing on another board about the school regarding the PE, or lack thereof. Someone said what they are doing now (since PE was cut from K-4) is called PAM - Physical Activity/Movement. Bahahahaha....I think they just play dodgeball. That's all I hear the boy talk about and the girl too. But at least they aren't sitting and watching videos like they did in Dist. 116. Gotta be happy about something, right?

And speaking of happy...you should have seen Loopy Dog yesterday. She was cracking me up. I had to stop what I was doing to go watch her. I let her out in the afternoon to do her business and then she started tearing around the yard in circles. And I'm not talking a brisk run, I'm talking that dog had to be going 30 MPH in a very small radius circle...while still tethered to the door. It was amazing to watch. When she realized she was bring watched she bounded up to the sliding door and bumped her little smooshed nose. Now I gotta clean dog nose print from door. lol.

TGIF.

Whoops there goes...

...our dinner! Funny thing happened at dinner last night. We've been doing pretty good about eating at home lately, well, with the exception of when we had guests over the weekend, so last night we decided to use our free kids meal coupons at Chili's to treat the kids for excellent dentist visits. So we're hanging out at Chili's having a good time, chatting with the waitress, and in another section a new waitress drops a big tray of food. Luckily no one was injured, although she was quite upset. I couldn't tell if it was new food or she was clearning a table, or what so I didn't think anything of it. A few minutes later a waiter comes by and apologizes and said that was OUR food. WHOOPS! We were just kind of laughing about it a minute ago thinking how bad that would be if it was someone's dinner she just dropped. Cripes! That was OUR DINNER! lol Luckily we were all in a good mood and telling stories and having a very nice time anyway so it wasn't really any harm. The poor new waitress was in tears though. We did get our dinner eventually and the manager threw in a free dessert which we'd never complain about so all's well that ends well. But it was pretty humorous when that waiter guy came out and said it was our food on the floor. Doh!

Got the college exam bars finished and they turned out quite cute! I made header cards for them so they are all packaged up 15 bars in a "Exam Stress Relief Kit". They will be on the website soon.

And two days of not having to make lunches for the kids! Gotta love that hot lunch service at school. Wonder if they will cut that for next year? So far the school board has decided to up the registration fee and possibly do away with their email addresses and rely on some kind of spring device attached to mailboxes. Don't ask me, I don't think I even want to know....

Went to our new dentist this week. Both kids really like them. Each has their own hygienist and dentist. And the hygienists are just super. We really like them both. The kids are very enthusiastically brushing their teeth now and asking when they can go back. Quite a difference from when I remember going to the dentist as a kid. I HATED the dentist. That's probably where my whole teeth phobia stems from. They said the girl's mouth is more developed than her developmental age. She already has her wisdom teeth mostly formed although not erupted yet. She also might have a problem with her baby pre-molars. Those are not loose yet and they should be coming out any time now. After they took an X-ray it clearly shows that the roots of the baby teeth are wrapped around the crowns of the permanent teeth. Like they are getting a piggy back ride. It looked cute on the X-rays, but won't be good if they stay like that. Hopefully the roots will dissolve and they will push out of the way on their own, otherwise she'll need to have them pulled. I'm thinking the kids have my teeth, which is a way good thing, and I did have a stuck baby tooth, pre-molar, also when I was a kid. It had to be pulled when I was 18! I cracked it in half eating a piece of sausage. I was really freaked out and after X-rays at the dentist they were all surprised to find out it was only a baby tooth that had never come out. So maybe there is some genetic component to teeth wanting to stay in. lol. Or it could just be the girl since that is how she's always been. lol.

What a mess...

Went to an hour or so of the school board meeting tonight. Saw the outgoing board and the 3 new members and the election of a new president. We are in serious trouble. All three new school board members looked like someone hit them in the forehead with a 2x4. Not exactly the sharpest tacks in the box. I wasn't impressed. Looks like we''ll need to supplement some education, cause nothing is changing here for the better any time soon.

Went to the first night of "Turn Off Your TV Week" at school tonight and about 20 people were there. They pack the place when they show a movie, but for a reading night, they get 20 people. And the sad thing is that there are some intelligent people around here, somewhere, I'm sure of it...it's just the rest of the populous that are so vocal. Come on smart people, come out of hiding!

Anywho, had a very nice visit with my SIL and NIL (Niece in law?) lol. We froze on Saturday for soccer with windchills in the 30s, and rain and cold the rest of the time, but they all had fun playing games, and we had Ben & Jerry's twice! Not to mention the SUV we rented. Kids loved that. But now we're back to little zippy car.

Ok, time for me to hit the hay.

Grilled Cheese? For breakfast?

I'm having a craving for grilled cheese. I know it's only 9:30am, but it sounds good to me about now. I'm not a big breakfast eater, although I do require a Cherry Coke to jump start me in the morning. That's usually the extent of my breakfast, but today I'm feeling a bit hungry. Hmmm.....wonder if there's any food in the fridge.

My SIL is visiting today from CA. Every time she comes to visit we have nasty weather. It's been nice and sunny and in the 70s-80s, but now it has dropped back down to the 50s. And won't be warming back up until next week after she leaves. I don't want to say it to her face, but I think it's her. But she will get to see the kids play soccer in the freezing cold on Saturday, so that should make the trip fun.

Monday night Jack will be at school for the kick off of their Turn off the TV week extravaganza. Did I mention that already? Seems like I did, but I can't remember what I've said where or to whom. Should be fun though. I have to figure out what all I'm taking with me. Just a few token baskets, I think, some loose books, and other gifty things. I'm not expecting many sales from this, but hope the exposure will be good. I'm printing up more brochures & flyers.

Also, just got a plug on one of the gift basket boards. Might see a little custom work from that, hopefully. Am really surprised I haven't seen anything come from the custom military buttons page a fellow gift basket maker posted for me. She lives near a base and belongs to an email group for the base and posted a web page for me, but I haven't heard a thing from anyone about it. Here's the link in case anyone is interested in military buttons... www.happyjackdesigns.com/militarybuttons.html

Well, back to work. I have lots of new baskets to photograph and get on the site. Tootles.

Wild Weekend Adventures

Went to Wal-Mart over the weekend to get snacks for soccer and had to sneak around as I walked in right behind someone from my previous life. EEEeeeeegads it was a close one. While "that person" mosied along I ran back through the children's department (where "that person" certainly wouldn't be heading) detoured over to the snack section, grabbed the goods and ran over to the toy section (knew "that person" wouldn't be going there either). Saw a few really cute things that could come in handy in pumpkin-land and then ran back to the check-outs. Had too much for the express lane, so I checked the next one and...argh...there was "that person", who luckily still didn't see me. Went down about 10 lanes and checked out there, trying not to look over my shoulder the entire time. I made it out of the lane, but stopped to take my stuff out of the cart (didn't need to drag the cart all the way out) and just as I was scooping up my last bag I saw "that person" turn the corner and head towards to door. Luckily, without missing a beat, I scooped my last bag and made a bee-line for my car. Didn't know I could move that fast, did ya?

Soccer games went great! Two wins this week! Girl's team won 5-3, and boy's team won 1-0. We'll take it. Looks like it might rain again tomorrow though, so might not have girl practice again.

Did some shopping over the weekend for Jack and got some really great stuff! April showers are bringing something soon! Can't wait to roll out the new fun stuff! Also got a few more potential orders, and an invite to display and sell at the "Turn off your TV Week" event at school.

Happy 1040 Day!

I'm glad tax time is over. I was sweating bullets before having our taxes down this year since last year was such a mess for us. But luckily, Uncle Sam was good to us now that we're dirt poor. And the pumpkin is still smiling. And today is another beeeeautiful sun-shiny day. I took a MOUNTAIN of packages to the PO this morning and really peeved some people. I let a bunch of people go in front of me since they had one thing each and I had a gazillion, but by the time I left there was a line out to the door. Whoops! As long as there are packages going out, there's money coming in, and that's alright with me.

Got an order today for college mini bars. This will be a fun new project! Now....what inspires a college student to study....? I was an art major afterall, we didn't have to study...that much anyway...

I'll take whatever I can get, lol.

It's a bright sun-shiny day. Only 51 degrees though, but I'll take that. Loopy dog is outstretched in her usual fashion and all of the pressing business matters I had for today are taken care of so I'm off to do some work in the studio. Moved a wall yesterday to expand and now it's time to reorganize. This should be a very positive change. I feel very good about it.

Blah.

I don't think I have anything interesting to say today. It is a cold, rainy, dreary day. I will be working in the studio today in case you're looking for me. Not sure if we'll have soccer practice today. Let's see what the weather says...



Mmmm....looks like rain to me.
Later.

Another day...another 89¢ short

The good news and the bad news.

Good news: our candidates were elected and re-elected for the village.
Bad news: our school board and referendum failed miserably.
In addition, the 1/2% retail tax increase referendum failed so a large majority of work proposed for Lake County roads will be shelved as well. I guess while motorists are stuck in traffic they can ponder the school funding issues facing this state. The school board members elected last night were opposed to any tax hike referendum to bring back the already cut programs to district schools. They claim the money is there for these programs and that the current board has mismanaged funds. I sincerely hope they prove us all wrong and find the money to bring back the programs and open the new school as well. I'm not holding my breath.

Round Lake mayor Gentes re-elected

Tax hike, its supporters have bad day

Grayslake voters again reject school tax hike


On a deeply sad note, I received word this morning that one of the re-elected Trustees was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital last night after suffering a serious head injury in a fall while removing campaign signs. Our thoughts are with him and his wife and three small children during this difficult time.

Vote & BUY!

Cast my vote this morning. Now its just wait and see. I told the kids this morning that if all went well they would get art, music and gym back next year and the new school too. We've got our fingers crossed, but the Vote No people were slinging the mud right up to the end. I think everything here is way to close to call. You know I'll be sitting here tonight watching the results.

Next battle to get ready for is the first HOA meeting on Thursday. Meeting with a neighbor this afternoon about our strategy to take the power out of the HOA. It's always somethin', isn't it?

And if you feel so inclined..check out my ebay auctions this week. 50 items listed so far with lots more to come. These aren't Happy Jack items, but lots of fun stuff including vintage toys that will go to fund Happy Jack. Visit Lulu's Toys - My other alter ego. lol Lulu's Toys on Ebay

Course, if you don't need any vintage toys, you might need a book basket, right?

Another Skirmish & the Bird-Eating Spider

Monday morning and we're back to normal. Kiddos at school, dh back at work, loopy dog outstretched in the sun, me in front of the computer. Now if I could only place where that bird-eating spider went I'd have my mind at ease.

We certainly had a fun filled weekend. Lots of political jabs being made again with only li'l ol' me to represent the voice of reason. Where is all my backup when I need them? Last night was the topper though, I was awoken at 11:30pm by what I assumed was the angry mob coming to my house. Heard pretty loud voices and dogs barking outside, so I slid out of bed and peeked out the window to see 3 police cars out front surrounding an SUV and mini van. No lights flashing, but one of those police cars must have been a K-9 unit and that dog was not happy. I quietly slid the window up to see if I could catch what was going on. No such luck. As I was watching another squad arrived, and after about 20 minutes or so the police let the cars go. As the police stood talking for a few minutes another mini van pulled up out front and then a second. Those occupants got out and talked with the police for another 10 minutes or so before they all left. I thought I recognized the last group of folks, and got confirmation this morning that there was a skirmish on the political front. I believe charges are being filed, and luckily I had nothing to do with it. How many more hours until the election? Sheesh.

HJ is going to be represented with the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling at their 2005 Annual Conference in Arlington Heights May 4-6, 2005.

How Cool is This?

So the kiddos are going to a birthday party for the little dude down the street. Very cute little dude, by the way. The kid cracks me up big time. He's turning 6. So dh buys him some toys, one of which is a pack of Robots from the movie "Robots". They are cute. So me thinks, hmmm...this needs a book basket. I know I have a beginning reader book with a robot in it in "the studio" so I go get it and it is a great match for the toys. It is going in with the pack of robots in a Robot-shaped basket (yes, I'll take a pic later). So while I am working on the custom candy bar and buttons I'm making to put in the basket with the other stuff I think to take a peek in the book and see if there is anything else I can add in from the book. I just about fell out of my seat when I see on the first page that the kid introduces himself, "Hi, my name is Reese." That's the name of the little dude who's party we're going to! And no, I had no clue when I thought of the book. Just a really, really weird coincidence. Freakish really.