Stress Relief

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique used traditionally in Sicily .
The funny thing is that it really does work and will make you smile:

1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.
2. Then, picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.
3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.
4. No one knows your secret place.
5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.
6. The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
7.. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.

There!!
See?
It really does work.
You're smiling already.

Today and Tomorrow

Today and tomorrow is all I have to wait until Tommy gets home. It gets boring around here without that other adult.

I wish I could call in today and work on my school stuff, but I can't or I don't get paid.
I'll be off soon enough.

Tomorrow I take Peanut to the vet for her shots. Then she'll be done and ready for the kennel when June rolls around.

I hate being overwhelmed. The feeling of anxiety overtakes me sometimes. I need an Ativan I think. Heck, I'd probably like that too much...maybe that's not such a great idea!

Oh and check out FaceBook...Laina has her own show that I'm producing! The Laina Show...first guests are Tessie Winjum and Tracy Sunde...T-N-T as they are called!!
That's some funny stuff right there, I tell ya!

Happy Thursday Folks!
Love,
TT

Stress

First off....
Happy Anniversary to Bruce and Irene Cumber!
I hope you have a mah-velous day and enjoy that top cake! ;)

Now for the subject at hand.
I'm feeling the stress and am about to vent right here. So exit now or keep reading, the choice is yours. ;)

I am overwhelmed this week with school and Bubba and kids and work and everything. I know I should take baby steps, but where do I begin?

Bubba. Poor Bubba has to wear that 5 gallon pail while he's kennelled up, but we put that cone on him while he's out. I feel bad for him, but what can I do? He has to have sitz baths and medication. The medicine is the easy part, just stick it inside a strawberry and he chows it down. The sitz baths twice daily is the hardest part because of time. We just don't have time in the mornings before work and school to get it done. I think I will try to have Erik do it after school and before bedtime. He's just gotta heal before June 3. That's the main goal right now.

Kids. Well they are kids and with Tommy gone during the week, and especially THIS week, it's tough. They don't want to help with chores and keep the house picked up, which makes more work for me. And honestly, at the end of my day I'm wiped out. Too tired for chores and even school. But my anally meticulous ways kick in and I have a fit cause my house is out of order. Believe ME, if I could stay at home and be a SAHM, I would. Just to clean house and KEEP it that way. It's a dream to say the least.

Work. That's easy. I have a lot to get done, but I have to wait for one certain attorney to email me the proofs back so I can get it done. Again, ANALLY METICULOUS. Or OCD. Whatever.
I am very routine oriented. That's something that is in the stars for me, so I just can't get over that.

School. We are in week 7 which means 2 more weeks after this one. I have some 2 or 3 projects due as well as weekly assignments and NO TIME or energy for any of them. To be honest, I'm getting tired of spending my weekends doing school work to catch up and I feel like just throwing in the towel right now and doing this in about 10 years. I wish I had a part-time job and then I could have more time during the day to get it done. But I don't. Like I said under the Kids category, I'm wiped out by the time I get home and lucky to have enough energy for supper.

Everything. And during the week while Tommy is at training, I've got no extra hands here to help. I need a clone. Really. Or to start getting rid of things on my plate. Kids and work are a must. School is my only option, as Bubba is family and we're not getting rid of him after I have all that time and effort into him.
I know this is just temporary until Tommy is done training and it will all be worth it when he's done. His graduation date is set for May 22. The day before school gets out. I just now remembered that Erik has 8th grade graduation sometime that month. Tom will miss it, but I will take LOTS of pictures. I may have Erik figure out that video camera even!
Yeah, more stress, just what I need!

I need to win the Mega Millions. Or something. So I can be a SAHM and clean and scrap all day.

Happy Tuesday.
Love,
TT

Poster Preview

These were my rough drafts and the bottom one is my final project.

Top left photo of Misha Baryshnikov is copyright Gilles Larrain

Middle photo is copyright Faribault Daily News

Rick Marlo copyright Tonja Trump.

Bottom photos are from unknown sources.

I'm off to get some homework done and get some good sleep (I hope).

Toodles until the morning.

Love,
TT

Bubba Trouble

After this weekend I ended up taking Bubba in to the vet since he licked his sutures open and was dripping like he was in heat. He's so a wannabe girl.

So after 3 hours, we got a prescription for Cephalexin and a 5 gallon pail. The vet said the E-Collar doesn't work on big dogs usually...but I gotta try it..that bucket is too heavy for him and he can't hold his head up hardly...poor baby!

I'll post more photos when I get home...I have to post my Megan poster too!
Love,
TT

P.S. Happy Monday!

Sunday Photos

Bubba Gump...recooping with his no lick collar...yeah right!
Fireworks at dusk...complete with some cool, unplanned photo spots.

How's this for tricks...totally unplanned feathering going on in the top part of this photo.

Oh I wish I was an Oscar Mayer Wiener....I sang the B-O-L-O-G-N-A song for a wienie whistle. I'm sure the girl thought I was nutz when I told her I saw her on tv...hehehe.

Tommy looking off into the distance...probably at the band playing.

Can you say CLOSE call?? LOVE the blues here...totally just lightened up slightly in PS...not a cloud to be had here!

The boys and their booth. They made that canopy...for about $50. All supplies from Lowe's. I want one next...

Troop flag...Troop 936 Vidalia, GA

As promised...Ashley's Graduation Diva Tiara. I'm shipping it tomorrow so be on the lookout for it Mother (along with your onions and jam).

Happy Sunday.

Love,

TT

Bubba Trump

Bubba Trump was admitted into the Animal Clinic this morning for his surgery.
The more I called him Bubba Trump, the more I laughed and thought of Bubba Gump.
Hehe.

That was after we dropped kiddos off at school and he started barking...I though Mr. Freeman was gonna duck for cover! Too funny...I got Madea Backup now..lol!

Anyway...thoroughly impressed so far with this clinic. The girl even came out to the van to get him with me...they are really sweet over there and I think I've found my permanent vet...especially after I explained my case to them.
Zero tolerance, I tell ya...with my kiddos and my fur babies.

He will be all clean and purddied up and we'll pick him up after 11 tomorrow.
HOPEFULLY he won't have to have one of those cones...we'll see.

Erik and Tommy are doing the street dance thing tomorrow...I think we'll go for a bit if Bubba Trump is ok. We'll see how tired I am too...I've been overly tired lately...not sure what that's about, but I'm hoping a weekend of scrapping will help.

Enough for Thursday...
Love,
TT

Excitement

I got an email this morning from Gilles Larrain...I so want to photograph like him!! He gave me copyright permission for this photo:

http://www.gilleslarrain.com/html/themes/dance/modern/dance_misha1.html

I'll be using that in my Final Project 1 for Image Editing...and posting the final piece here. I also obtained proper copyright permission from the Faribault Daily News for Megan's photo. Being an artist, I'd want my permission and it IS the proper thing to do...and a compliment to the photographer as well. ;)

I'm excited as well because it's halfway to the weekend. For some reason I just want to live for weekends lately...maybe because it's all the hustle and bustle of end of the school year stuff...I dunno, but I do know I can't wait.

There's a special anniversary coming up this weekend as well...Bruce and Irene Cumber's 1st anniversary. I wonder if that cake tastes as good now as it did then? Hehehe.

I think Ashley is planning a trip down here...with my help, we'll get her here when we come back from Minnesota and take her to see the ocean...I wish Megan would come too...it'd be a fun vacay for them for a bit.

Happy Wednesday!
Love,
TT

Got Eggs?

Definitely having alot of fun today at work....
Not to mention, Mrs. Wiggins...Thanks to Jamie for the photo. ;) I must get a camera phone soon!
Toodles!!
TT

Verses

These are a couple of favorite verses from the video to your right...I also love the MANY George's in that video...how cool is technology today??

Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day

As around the sun the earth knows she’s revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early may
Just as hate knows love’s the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I’ll be loving you always

While I'm on the George subject, I did sign up for Team Moon & Staci Race For The Cure in honor of my Aunt Jan and Aunt Irma, who both battled breast cancer. Gotta love Staci Matthews for replying to my email as I tried to donate my lil pack of stuff since I won't be there to pick it up. She said they'd mail it to me. I think this will be an every year thing.
I fear I may be next, so let's find a cure before then!

As Mother's Day approaches in a couple of 3 weeks, please go out and do some greatness for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Remember the important things in life.

Happy Tuesday!
Love,
TT

tim holtz - visit to ranger

Here's a little peek into what it takes to manufacture some scrappy goodness. I happen to catch up on Tim Holtz's blog this morning and found this video..this man is overflowing with creativity..honestly I don't know how he does it...but he's amazing.

Do those bottles ever fall down and stop production? I mean seriously...good stuff.

Thank you Tim Holtz for sharing your talent and scrappy goodness with the world!

Happy Monday!
Love,
TT

Sunday Photo Share

Either she's been listening to too much George Michael (Outside comes to mind) or she's a Daddy Wannabe.

Collins Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee Erik M. Trump, April 16, 2009...8th Grade.
Most Improved Player...MIP.

Coach Maybin...and Gabby's 5th grade Science teacher (sorry for the blurriness here).

Coach Freeman...Principal, Collins Middle School. He stands about 6' 5" and as my aunt Jan would say, "He's one big dude!" (He calls me Madea!)

Peanut and M&M (a.k.a. Bubba) on my bed. He's getting fixed on Thursday so we hope he settles down enough to not have to be kennelled anymore.

She's got a bounce in her step. That's my girl Monique!

Monique, Kaitlyn, and Gabryelle with their 6 egg limit...MANY folks were hoarding eggs and walking out with BAGFULS! I was apalled to say the least...how RUDE!

Proof there is a Jillian workout...which has been on hold for the last few days as my knee heals. Sucks, but gotta RICE it.

Happy Sunday...I'm off to get an education and plan some layouts.

Love,

TT

Words

Words are a powerful thing.
They can hurt or they can heal.
They can be understood or they can be mistaken.
They can be used for you, or against you.
They send a message, either way.
And eventually you get your point across.
When momma said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all." she wasn't lying.

I bring this up, because I have a paper to write. It's not a real paper...yet. The real one is going to be 7-10 pages long, typed, and double spaced and it's due in week 9.
No, this is just a research/thesis/outline type of paper on my subject, a rough draft of sorts.
Which my topic by the way, is the importance of memory keeping and scrapbooking those memories.

Leeza Gibbons is the one to thank for that inspiration, among others. Her mom has Alzheimer's disease and to me, that is the ultimate silent killer (along with ALS). To take away one's memory, well it's tragic to say the least.
I can relate, for sure, with my short-term memory loss.
It's not fun, or pleasant, for me or my family. They can attest to that.

In Loving Memory...an online scrapbooking class by the famous Tania Willis...is the other inspiration. It's a class that walks and talks you through scrapbooking that most cherished loved one that you've lost. It can be found here:

http://debbiehodge.squarespace.com/in-loving-memory/

I'm doing mine on my dad, of course. Then I'll do my grandpa next and Michael (Jenny's twin brother) after that.

You see, I can remember some events and things like the Ballerina Barbie my dad gave me for my 7th birthday, but I can't remember the words. I can't remember conversations and for me, it's important to document those things...you know, like "life's lessons from dad" or something.
I will be doing an album on my mom too...that's a different class that can be found here:

http://debbiehodge.squarespace.com/welcome_mothermayi/

I think this one will be fun, as I've learned alot of my life lessons from my mom.
As I leave you this morning...remember how powerful your words are or can be.

Happy Saturday.
Love,
TT

Week 5

Grade Check.
College Writing=95.77%
Image Editing=83.26%
Human Relations=95.67%
Average=91.56%

We'll see about that Image Editing grade. I'll have to pay more attention to details as she docked me 30 points for naming the file wrong and not putting enough detail in a sketch, for pity's sake. It's a SKETCH, a rough draft at that.

I'm still making the grade though...and balancing life...not like ying and yang, but more like Mutt and Jeff or Ren and Stimpy. Typical Tonja Style...at least it's consistent!

Happy Thursday!
Good Luck Tess at Pool!
Love,
TT

I'm Voting For Ashton

On Twitter.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090415/ap_en_mo/on_the_net_twitter_kutcher

totally hilarious.

And Zac.
Here:
http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_8677

I love my job!
Peace Out!
TT

Ambitious

Is not me today.
In my workout the last 2 days, my knee has been hurting.
So that's on hold (or at least the butt kicks, jumping jacks, etc. is) for the moment until I heal.
There's dishes to be done and laundry to catch up on among other things.
Homework and image editing.
And I'm tired already.

Tomorrow night is the Spring Sports Banquet.
I won't have to cook or think about cooking tomorrow.
More than likely it'll be chicken and coleslaw, buns and beans, and southern banana pudding complete with 'nilla wafers. Someone hold Mo back.

I think I'll make an appointment for Bubba on Friday to get neutered. That boy needs a hormone fix for sure. He's way too hyper. If I do it now, he should be healed by the time we leave and have to kennel him and Peanut up.

Hasta Manana.
Love,
TT

Oh yeah, I forgot to post a picture....here ya go!!

Jenny and her kidlins....aren't they beautiful?? I miss my lil sis...and can't believe she's a momma already...and so GORGEOUS!! Seems like yesterday when they brought her and her brother to us...ah yes, that's another post after I scan in those photos!!

Love,

TT

Watch the Roads!!

Oscar got her driver's permit!!!
Now little girl shouldabeen Shelby will be driving one...OH DADDDDDDYYYYY?????
Heh.

Congratulations Megan Lea! I look forward to you driving me around in June..so buck up and practice!!

That's my short note for the day....just sayin'.

Oh and we're still planning Ash's graduation...and reconnected with Jennifer...I'll try to post the picture she sent me to look at...ADORABLE!! (WE are so VERY proud of you Jenny!)

Toodles for now...
Love,
TT

Before and After

This week's lesson in Image Editing class is Image Restoration/Fix. While I think I don't need any lesson in this (I've been doing it for 10 years now), I do need lessons in this awesome Mack Daddy program I have and how to better utilize it for my photo restoration. Last night, while going through SOME of my photos for Ashley's project, I came across this adorable photo. Complete with adhesive on it from some 2 sided tape Glenda used in 1972 to make a photo collage on some HOT PINK terrycloth...I kid you not. True story. I have quite a few photos from that collage I think. Anywho, here's the before and after:
I'll never know why they put that white border on it when they developed it. These are on some thick polaroid film...almost cardboard like. This photo was taken January 28, 1971. Notice the cute moccasins...which all of my kids wore as well. Very cool!

I do have some more photos scanned in and the assignment is to challenge yourself, so we'll see what I can do with torn and scratched photos.

Happy Monday!
Love,
TT

Happy Easter!

From our family to yours...We hope you have a Blessed Easter day.
It sure is beautiful outside, now get out and enjoy it.

Today I'll be going through photos.
I told Tommy this morning, if I take all those of Ashley out, I'll have room for the rest of them.
Tis a true story. I'm sure I have at least 500 photos of that kid. And another 300 of Megan. Before my kids came, I had them and spoiled them rotten and captured everything on film.
Except the garbage can incident. You know, the Oscar one. Heh.
Megan's Senior year, I'm making her stand in that can again...for old time's sake. And cause it'd make a really cool grunge senior picture.
True story.

I've got a ham dinner planned since we're staying home. I should start a community dinner for those of us with no family to spend the day with. Like the Hlady's did for Thanksgiving. Hmmm...wonder if there's a need here. I bet there is. Not like I need anything else to put my name on or another plate to fill, but it's a good thing. Let me toss that idea around a bit, I'll get back to you on it. I think it's at least worth researching.

Other than that, we're just kickin' back. I may have to get some sunshine today...and work on a tan (or burn). Sunny and 75 predicted for today. Life is good. Be thankful for each day and thank God you are alive.
Amen.

I do have Easter Egg Hunt photos to edit...I'll try to get that done today. AFTER I sort out those photos for Ashley's project. That's another post though.

Happy Easter Sunday!
Love,
TT

Happy Good Friday!

Happy Good Friday and Happy Passover!
(sorry I missed the April 8th start of Passover)

Speaking of Passover...there was a nice little article on WCCO.com about Kosher. Very interesting to learn that bit of information. And now I know where that slang term "Kosher" came from. Very cool!

Tommy went to the doctor yesterday and got a referral for an Orthopedic doctor. We're waiting to see when the appointment is. I'll be going to that one.
My son however, is healthy. And modest. He made his own dad step out of the office for the "cough" exam. And turned beat red when I asked him about it. I continue to keep the communication lines open between us. Heh.

Tommy is back working 4 days so he's off today. His list is a mile long. Sort of.
He needs to hit the post office for some flat rate boxes so I can ship this stuff.
And ship my perm rods and shears. My girlfriend is in desperate need apparently.
He's got to call the vet's office and the kennel.
And the usual laundry, dishes, and housekeeping. I don't want to be doing that all this weekend. I have homework to do and photos to sort through. I have a project in the works due June 1st!

Tommy bought a Wahl clipper for me...corded with color coded attachments. LOVE THIS! I have missed my Wahl ever since my other one died. Now to get some new shears. Soon as I have that extra $75! (My gold Diane's were only $20 in 1988!)

With that I'll say,
Happy Friday!
Love,
TT

Image Editing Project

So my Project 1 involves this photo (compliments of the Faribault Daily News) of Megan...And either of these photos of my dad...

The theme....Performing Arts Poster. I have a few sketches and believe me...it's going to be AWESOME!!!

Happy Thursday!!

Love,

TT

Tommy Update

Tommy came home yesterday and then had to report to the prison.
They let him keep his uniforms though and if he's healed up by the 20th of April, he'll go back up north to finish out his training.
Tomorrow he'll go to the doctor.
But for now, Dr. Trump is in da house and says what Dr. Urbi always did...RICE treatment!
And ibuprofren in addition to what the doctor gave him.

So the countdown to Ashley's graduation continues, but not without stress.
That's probably why I look forward to that workout...it's a great stress reliever!
Pain is a good thing, right?

On another note, is it the weekend yet?
Of course I have big plans...don't I always?
We'll see how much of it gets done though!

Happy Wednesday! We're halfway there baby!!
Love,
TT

30 Day Shred

I jumped on the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred bandwagon.
While I am not a fan of Jillian, nor have I EVER watched The Biggest Loser, I am a fan of this workout.
It was exhilarating to say the least. Even if I only lasted the first 10 minutes. I'll work into that 20 minutes...by the end of the week.

Tommy called last night. They shipped him to the ER for x-rays of his knee. He wasn't sure what they were going to do with him. The options are these:
1. Ship him home and continue as a Cadette at the prison until the next training session.
2. Keep him there and let him continue with the classroom and not do the physical for 3 days.
So, as I type this, I am in limbo and know nothing until he calls. If he calls, he's on his way home.
So far no phone call. He really needs to stay up there and complete this week minus the physical part of it. I think he'll be able to pick up the physical part of it next week after his knee heals.
We'll see.

I'm off to work now. But Happy Tuesday!
HOLLA!
TT

It's Monday!

Yep, it's Monday again.
I'm tired already.
I have 2 (I think) papers to create, plus draw some thumbnail sketches.
Kids are home on Spring Break...and loving it.
Tommy's in Forsyth with a slight knee injury.
Work is demanding, as usual. (Can't they do anything for themselves?)
Anywho.
Happy Monday.
I'm looking forward to a bed and some supper.
After I do my sketches. Heh.
(I am using Megan for my project...Performing Arts Poster....YAY!!!)
My poster will be much like the dolphin/tropical scene I created in the first term....only with performing arts...Baryshnikov....Megan....Maybe my dad...OOOO how cool would THAT be?? I was thinking Gershwin...and a metronome...with musical notes...and a stage curtain...SOOO cool if I can do it like I want to....in my head it's AWESOME...it's getting it down in the program and onto paper that is hardest!!

Ok...off to get some work done...
HOLLA!
TT

Dirt Road Day

The kids' school was cancelled today.
They had a "Dirt Road Day".
Much like a Snow Day.
Apparently the Georgia clay is so slippery in the rain (and with ALL the rain we've gotten in 2 days especially), they have to close the dirt roads.
And the buses are too big to go down the dirt roads.
So, we have a Dirt Road Day.
Too funny...but we are lovin' it!

Happy Birthday Ashley
I can't believe that you're 19 today!!
You go girl...pretty soon you'll be graduating from high school!
(I would have posted this sooner, but I was having internet issues at home)

Anywho, it's finally Friday...Tommy will be home tonight...he'll leave after 4:30 from up there and get home around.
Boy scout fundraiser at Harvey's in Vidalia tomorrow...and scrapbookin' and cleanin' all day for us girls.
That's our weekend in a nutshell.
Happy Friday!
Love,
TT

Photo Share

Here are some photos I edited this morning...

Apparently this was taken when Dalton hit that "almost" homerun...Dude belted out to left field (toward third anyway) to the fence...awesome hit...and then ran all the way to third!

My son...can't chew gum to save his soul...Bless his heart!
He finally got to play First Base...Kent Hrbek eat your heart out!!

Making the play...he tagged the dude out!

This proves he does have my sense of humor...you go boy!!

Apparently he can't quite yet cook like his grandma! He needs his kitchen in order first!!

This is my bookcase.

I've had this bookcase since I was a toddler...it used to be white with brown trim. Now it's white with azul shelves. Grandpa would have been proud...he would have been more impressed if I would have taken the time to strip it and sand it though...and replace all the screws with matching hardware. I like it though...and next time, I'll do it up proper.

In other news...Tommy's doing fine up north. He ran his mile in under the 16 minutes, so he's good there. Now he's working on those sit ups and push ups. Go Tommy Go!

Apparently he has internet access in the library.

(Hi honey!)

He'll be home sometime on Friday...unknown as to what hour though.

That's all for now....until we meet again!

Happy Thursday!

Love,

TT

April Fool's Day

Happy April Fool's Day!
Happy Birthday to Mary Vela too!
(Some things you NEVER forget!)

It's rainy and icky today...probably for all day long too.
Yuck.
But things are looking up at the Trump house in Minnesota.
Lynn and Quinn are remodeling the living room of her house.
It's gonna be so cool!
There's some walls missing and well...even-ness going on too!
It looks 100% better than the uneven, plaster-like walls that were up.
(But that Quinn sure can make a mess..and he's noisy too!)

We can't wait to see it...
And we can't wait for June!

Tommy's training is progressing as expected.
He's sick of the PT...Physical Training...as expected...and he can't wait to get home Friday to tell me all about it. Our phone calls are short and sweet each night and we're looking forward to spending some quality time together this weekend as a family.

I'll keep the weekend schedule for another post...so TTFN.
Love,
TT