Eclectic Escapades

I spent my morning going to "yard sales". A girl from work invited a few of us to go. I promised Oliver I was only looking for crafting things, some capris and any furniture I could find for a student at work whose family recently lost everything. I deviated... a little ....


Jean Skirt -- $3
Fraggle Rock DVD -- $2
Taylor Swift CD -- $2
Yarn -- 25¢
Two Shirts -- $4
Shoes -- Free

Not Pictured
(Already dropped off ...)
End Table -- Free
10 Plates -- $1
10 Cups -- $4

I think I made out quite nicely! The only bad news of the day is that I was rear-ended on the way home. No damage to any cars, thank goodness!

<"3 )~

Posted by taranicole at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I chopped my hair off. And I don't mean "wow, that was a little more than a trim" chop... the shortest layer took off about 8 inches. The longest took about 5 whole inches :) I wanted to donate my hair, but it just wasn't strong enough to grow that long. So I left it long through my Mother-In-Laws wedding (I didn't know if she'd had plans for hairstyles or anything) and then set up an appointment at a local salon. As the lady was cutting my hair we swapped life stories. I told her about being an SLP with at-risk preschoolers, she informed me of her stroke the previous year and all the therapy she went through. I'm not going to lie, the fact that she was recovering from a stroke made me a little nervous as chunks of hair fell to the ground. But I checked myself ... I worked with people who'd had strokes and told a lot of them there were chances of going back to their regular lives. How could I be a skeptic now?! And it paid off! I love my hair, I can style it 100 different ways, and its SO much easier to take care of. Check the before and after pictures below (long then short)!



<"3 )~

Posted by taranicole at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Again, a huge span of time between postings. I apologize. But much has been happening in the Taliver household. My mother came to visit (which means the week prior was spent cleaning) and my mother-in-law was married in a beautiful ceremony ... and then the dreaded IEP weeks began at school. But, during that time, I had to stand up, in front of my entire school staff, and announce "I will not be returning to Washington next year, as Oliver and I will be moving to San Jose at the beginning of August". I then broke down in tears.

The Bay Area has so much to offer us, including being closer to my parents. It, however, does not have central Illinois. Which is really where my heart lives. But I know we are right in this decision, and I trust God will bless us in this. I just am having a very hard time letting go of this wonderful amazing town. I've been a roller coaster of emotions. One minute (and I really mean MINUTE) I am so excited about living near San Francisco/my parents/the beach and the next I am near tears t the thought of leaving my school/chuch/friends/Custard Cup/La Bambas/Illini fans. We will also be so much further away from my great-grandparents and Oliver's Toledo family. Yet, Oliver is being so strong for me in all of it. and is quite excited about the prospect of FINALLY becoming the surfer he has always wanted to be ....



Kowabunga Dudes! <"3 )~

Posted by taranicole at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

As I was waiting with one of my kids at the bus pick-up site today....

Kid: Miss Tara, why is the flag like that? [half-staff]
Me: We do that when something really sad happens sweetie....

Posted by taranicole at 09:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So, HP has started a community on livejournal recently. Each Friday they have a competition to go along with that week's theme, and last week I was a runner up. I'm hoping to do better this week! Especially considering that I have spent many hours on my entry for "create your own banner". But I know there are some web designers in the community, so I'm probably way out of my league.

I went with a traveling theme. The girl is OBVIOUSLY a stock image, but I did create the ticket on my own. What do you think? [remember! I'm a rookie!]

<"3 )~

P.S. A special thanks to Jason Dunn for his blank ticket, from which I gained inspiration!

Posted by taranicole at 02:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Spring break has really been spoiling me this week. I'm ready for school to be over and summer to begin! Even though I spent the day sorting through boxes, I was able to enjoy lunch with the hubby (sandwiches in the library!) and listen to music ALL day. Quite thrilling.

As I was finishing up some work, there came a loud knock on the door. I jumped up to answer it, only to find a bouquet of flowers, and a card with my name on it, lying on the stoop. I finally called out "Ok, where are you?!" only to see my sweethearts head pop around the porch wall. It was loverly! He bought flowers for our 22nd month wedding anniversary, daisies because it was the first day of spring, and a Mickey Mouse card to commemorate our trip last weekend! It was then followed up with a home-cooked Italian dinner and girl scout cookies for dessert! I'm so spoiled :)



<"3 )~

Posted by taranicole at 08:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A great e-mail I recently received, and thought it would be nice to share!

Have you realized how early Easter is this year? As you may have heard, Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) but that is pretty rare. Here's the interesting info. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier!

Here are the facts: 1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!). 2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year! For more information and a nice way to calculate future Easters!

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/easter/easter.asp

Hope this Easter brings with it thoughts of Spring and warmth!

Happy [early] Easter everyone!

<'3 )~

Posted by taranicole at 09:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)