Kirsten's new winter clothes

Kirsten has a new winter attire! Thanks to "Grandma" Deb! Addy may also have to borrow it since I haven't made her a winter coat yet. . . (I being Charlene...Luke has yet to hone his sewing skills....all he can do is hand stitch patches on to his jeans....which is awesome! But not a winter coat for Addy...). Now that I'm finally done with my long term substitute teaching position, I may finally have time for blog updates and crafting! I've all ready made a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet with my free mornings. I'm still doing half days in my long term class until Thanksgiving so that the teacher can ease back in. Though, I think some of these high school kids are just as needy as her infant child! If not more....plus there can be an entire room full of them!

My long term Chemistry teacher positing was a lot of fun. It was at the same school where I did my student teaching so I knew a lot of the students before it even began. Some of them used to like me and now are excited that I'm leaving... What I find most interesting is that I'm teaching the same grade and class at the same school....and the students are exponentially more whinny! And they do less homework or work in class. It's pretty darn ridiculous! I've had some epically horrible scores on tests and assignments and they don't take responsibility for them. Sometimes it's 'my fault' (which it never is since I cover my tail pretty darn well to avoid problems like that) and other times they feel these things just happen to them. Such a strange and detrimental thought process... Despite all that it was a lot of fun and I'll miss it! Hopefully I get another long term position soon! Though the Spanish teacher just had a kid and I can only think of two science teachers in the entire district who MIGHT get pregnant anytime soon.

Progress

And here is our official in-store product line!

We've been hard at work on coming up with a way to put our chemistry crayon idea on the shelves of stores as more and more shops around the country have been requesting it! Exciting times, who knows what will happen next?

So here, is what it will look like (shown above.) Inside of a self-sealing plastic sleeve we now have a showcase page (the colorful sheet with all of the product information that everyone sees) along with the stickers themselves as well as a chemistry lesson. This is ready to be put in stores - and we plan on sending out our first package to "The Dandy Lion" in New Albany, Indiana. The next one will likely go to an online shop based out of Los Angeles, then hopefully ThinkGeek - that's the big one. We still have lots more work to do, especially since we plan on teaming up with "Benvelopes" to make a package deal which includes a crayon shaped card to go with our product. Pretty neat, eh?

So, to update you all on how things are going with us...

Charlene has been continuing her work at Fargo North High School long-term subbing for a chemistry teacher. She has been getting along surprisingly well with her students despite the ruthless iron fist she rules her classroom with. I guess people, I mean, kids, since they aren't yet "people"(jk), get used to the way she is and begin to see that as "normal." Weird.

She is doing fantastic despite that her husband is still wanting her to keep growing her hair out (she wanted it mentioned due to it being ridiculous in her eyes.)

She would have helped her husband write this blog but she was busy dressing up her American Girl Doll into the new clothes her mother-in-law gave her for her birthday (which was on the 18th of October.) So be on the look out for her next American Girl Doll blog post.

Luke is fantastic and is definitely in the mood to be writing about himself in the third person. He is participating whole-heartedly in "No Shave November" with a one month head start. So be on the look out towards the end of the month for his progress in that. He hopes to one day have a full majestic beard - one worthy of a viking.

Luke is no longer working at Subway - which is, according to him, one of the best things that has ever happened to him. Now he is technically employed by Charlene in the chemistry crayon business. Luke is having a difficult time writing that he is employed by his wife. Luke is currently hanging his head in shame. Luke has just remembered that with his recent earnings he has bought a Nintendo Wii with Rockband 3, complete with 2 guitars, a drum set with the cymbal expansion pack and a microphone. Not only does he remember this, but also that there is a good chance of him getting a new car in the near future. Luke doesn't feel so bad anymore. Charlene: "Luke says "Luke" a lot. *giggle*"

Tonight we are going to Mexican Village to celebrate one of our best friend's birthdays - Kiah (Paul's wife.) She is very very pregnant and looks like she is about to pop. Paul and Kiah will be having their baby at the end of the month, hurray.

Luke is also planning to sell his car of 6 years to Josh Silbernagel.

That is all for now. Peace.

The New Floor

There it is! We didn't have enough of the lighter tiles to cover the entire floor, so we had to get something to go with it and this was the best we could do. The tiles are the same height and length but not width and color....so we have stripes! The flash from the camera made it appear much more obvious that it does in real life. Today, Luke finished the trim so it is ALL DONE!

Kitchen Floor Remodeling - Pt. 1

Our end of summer project was to re-do our kitchen floor. Char's ma had bought up a bunch of vinyl tiles that mimicked wood flooring so we already had a good amount of supplies, we just needed to get to work on the labor part of it all. ..

Here you can see 3 layers of flooring that was down. The top part in the back of the pic is what we've lived with while here (and it's probably been here for 50 years...), then there's the white/rosey probably aspestos tile, then the tar it was stuck on with, then the top layer of the sub floor which was painted before it was covered in tile. It smelt great!

This part of the floor had some water damage that had caused the wood to expand so whenever we stepped there we felt like we were sinking into the floor... Apparently this is the spot where my grandma used to wash clothes every week. So over the years, water snuck down little by little and created this strange problem.

Here's the floor after we layed 1/8" plywood down on top of the sub floor since it was too much work to blow torch off the tar....plus that could have burned the house down.

Check back soon for pics of the finished floor!

The Future of Teaching

Just thought I should inform the blog side of the world that I (Charlene) have a long term subbing position lined up from Oct 1st until Thanksgiving break (maternity leave) teaching Chemistry! It's within the same department I did my student teaching with so I already know the teacher and other department members. I also will know a good chunk of the students from the Biology classes I student taught and have substituted in. I'm subbing a half day this coming Monday for this teacher while she goes to a doctor's appointment. I don't get benefits during this term and I won't get a pay bump until the 21st day of working. If something happens and it goes until 60 days then I'll get benefits! Tricky stuff. I'll be happy to have a consistent daily schedule!

3 YEARS STRONG

Yesterday Charlene and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary!!! (yes, three exclamations for three years.) We celebrated by tango dancing - Argentinian style.

Let me say, the past three years have been the best three years of my life. Living with the most beautiful, smart, adventurous, and dangerous woman I can think of has been worth every second - every smile, every kiss, every touch, as well as every cross-armed glare, every fight, and every burnt dinner.

I love you Charlene!

ALSO, Ben came and spent the week with us in Fargo. It's been a ton of fun, and we've packed it full of productivity, people, and food (our three favorite things.) Ben and I have been working on a "Adirondack Settee" which is basically a wider version of the original Adirondack chair. Ben and I have made it our project for while we're here - because it feels weird to spend too much time having fun when you don't do some work - so, we've mixed the two together.

Yes, Ben operates power tools. (ladies, take note)

Char'$ Million $ Idea

Chemistry Crayons! So that when little one's (or anyone) plays with crayons they are also learning the colors that various chemicals make/are in various states! These crayons are the culmination of my nerdiness and craftiness and I LOVE THEM! So even if I don't make millions....I appreciate my time and energy!

Here's my Etsy listing for them: http://www.etsy.com/listing/53073009/educational-chemistry-crayons-complete