a new me.

a new smile. a new me.

today was the day...after 2 years, 6 months, and 2 weeks...i got my braces off. i was very reluctant about having them off as i generally don't like change...not to mention i actually liked my braces, not to mention the braces wrecked havoc on my gums and teeth. i was scared at what i'd see when they came off. what if i didn't like my new smile?

as you can see above...all ends well. as soon as the braces came off...seems like my gums seemed to respond immediately...and once my teeth were all cleaned up and polished...i was able to see a beautiful new smile...that i never imagined i'd have.

what's going on?

i can't believe its the end of summer already. seems like the more time elapses...the more quicker the pace becomes. we were so busy this summer...we didn't get a chance to do the things that i love to do during the summer. picnics, and dinner outside, tennis...and walking around the lake. but, we did do some wonderful things this summer. our garden is starting to wither away in the high heat, but we have a fridge stocked with summer squash to enjoy through the winter. i'm sure i'll be freezing up some batches of tomato sauce to use for pizza and spaghetti soon enough, as the tomatoes slowly transition to that wonderful shade of red. that is if i can prevent e and the lil guy from eating them all, they love tomatoes.

school is starting...officially next week. for me on the 2nd and for the little lady on the 4th. i want to get a head start on the little lady's studies so i'm starting my lesson planning tonight...as we speak...in fact you may can see my folder in the background of those pictures up there.

i wish i can say that i'm all excited about all the impending changes coming around the bend...but ahhh...i'm a little nervous about home-schooling. i know its normal...and i know i'll beat all the jitters...and we'll be well on our way soon enough, but it is still going to be a new phase in our lives. i should be nervous about the 11.5 units i'm taking in school this semester. but i'm not...i'm just ready to begin.

i finally finished the work i was doing last week. took me all of the week and a lot of dedication and focus to get done by friday evening, but i did. also i think by all (ear) accounts...i got rid of my ear infection. thanks for all of your well wishes and hints and tricks. i ended up getting all natural ear drops that had pretty much everything that most of you advised in it. i also got some colloidal silver but didn't need to use it...as the ear drops worked like a charm

as for the doll quilt that i'm working on....? i'm finally hand quilting it. i started hand quilting it immediately after i finished machine quilting friday evening. I'm using a wool batting...and dnc cotton thread. i'm not sure that i'm going to applique or embroider on it...i'll just have to see how the quilting turns out.

the plan for the week...

doll quilt:
i'm hoping to get the doll quilt out friday...at the latest saturday morning...

meet the teacher:
we also have a back to school park day wednesday...where we finally get to meet our teacher in person...and the other families.

books and supplies:
i'm hoping that all our books will get here this week. i still got one book outstanding...and all of our k12 supplies have yet to be shipped.

organization:
and i'm hoping beyond hope to have our schoolroom organized and ready to go by the end of the week. i've gotten everything i think i need...but i'm sure there will be something i missed.

art:
i'm also looking forward to getting back to painting this week. i've fallen more in love with my current painting as i've looked at it everyday for the past 2 weeks...it makes me so motivated and inspired. there is nothing like being inspired by your own creations, your own voice.

hermit/slump-a-dinka:
my goal is to transform myself into a hermit/slump-a-dinka come the 2nd. i really want to shut everything and everyone out (well not everything and everyone) and focus intensively on home-schooling (me and the kids) and art making. i've always been fascinated by picasso and frida kahlo...and they both spent a lot of time in their home painting...creating. this is my focus....in addition to learning. (and blogging)

i know that not everyone will understand and some will bark at my desires to just stay at home...but life is meant to be lived the way you choose not the way others see fit. i know that those who are close and dear to me will understand my lack of doing "extra" stuff. i really need to focus on me as an artist and my children.

goals:
my goals seem to be every evolving as i learn daily about myself and life. i set out with just the desire to get my associates degree...however last week i woke up at about 5 am...and it dawned on me that i wanted more. i want a m.f.a. i want to "study" art, and really take the time to develop myself as an artist in addition to what i do now. i didn't think that we could afford me going to a 4 year...but with a long talk to e as he drove into work that morning he assured me, despite my many protest...and what if's that we can and that if i want it...we can do it, i can do it.

i looked into it further and realized that i'm a year away from transferring...just a few classes. after this semester i think i'll only need about 7 classes, if not less. my g.p.a. is 3.3...and i'm convinced i can make it over 3.5 if i work it. (that c in astronomy is haunting me!)

adjusting:
and finally i'm hoping to adjust to this new life with retainers. it was seeming to go well...despite the awful lisp i have (that e is teasing me about ruthlessly) but, for some reason right now...i'm getting tired of having it in my mouth...its starting to bug me, i feel like its suffocating me and i don't know how i'm going to sleep with it. the orthodontist assured me to give it 3 days at the most and the lisp will be gone...and i'll be used to it. how many days has it been yet? i can't imagine that i have to wear these things non-stop for the next year...every night for a year after and every few nights for the rest of my life. i hope i love this retainer like i loved my braces.

i'm happy to be back to blogging regularly and seems as though like always i've got a lot to say. I've got some really wonderful antique finds to share tomorrow...and i'm sure i can sneak a doll quilt progress picture in too..

back to lesson planning...scheduling...and hand-quilting...

paz,

ki

Comments

[t.allen-mercado]

You look mah-velous!!

Now, on to this hermit/slump-a-dinka (i had to copy/paste...too silly you are) I physically venture out of my house for things unrelated to homeschooling and art once a week. I am hermit/slump-a-dinka. Trust it will not be hard,once you get into your teaching routine carve out some creativity time (hint: reading time is a good time to get your supplies out, combined with bath time and their free time it gives me a good couple hours or so each day) once you're done, you'll be sleeping slump-a-dinka...everyone will have to understand.

it's coming soon...yay! i can just feel you're going to be awesome at teaching the wee ones.

[Nik]

the picture of you and your sweetie is cute. And t-allen is right...you look mah-velous ;D

[Nina]

AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! Cheesin :D

"...I love your smile..."

I called you at home Sunday. I'm using the oldest cell probably still in existence--therfore I don't have your new cell number. I'll try u again tonight--after 9pm. LMBO

Love you.

[Nina]

Oh and you already KNOW how i feel about the hermit/slump-a-dinka (MY THING!). We are one in the same there. I still plan to do my weekly slump-a-dinka post. Don't play!

[nyjlm]

your new smile beautiful! but hey, so was your old one!

[Kiandra Jimenez]

thank you!!! if you can only see me "cheesin" now.

t.: thank you dah-lin...and about the hermit/slump-a-dinka i'm so committed. they will have to understand. i intend on doing like you say and only venturing out once a week besides the stuff i have to do for art/homeschooling...i am wondering about the creativity time. especially with me almost taking a full load to. i think a schedule is going to be my route.

i hope i can be a good teacher...i'm sure if i put my mind to it...i will.

nik: thank you...he didn't want to be in the flick unless he could kiss me...so i let him. its better than what else he wanted ; )

nina: "da da da dat dah dah da" i miss u heffa...come home! thank you. lmbo @ ur cellie...i'll im u the numba...and i think we should do the slump-a-dinka...cause that's my m.o. its like the real "what i wore" post...who cares about fashion...its all about comfort. true mommy fashion. or should i say honest. yeah us mommies can be cute...but lets keep it real also. i'm a slump-a-dinka and i love it! i love u come home...i'm lonely without u :'(

nyjlm: thank you...to both compliments. i would of called you a liar before though. i never smiled without covering up my teeth. i hated them...but no more though. its amazing what a smile can do for your self image.

love u all!!

[Cecania Tallmadge]

You smile very sweetly, especially in the first pic (your man helped, of course!!).

Anyway, it's quite difficult to accept change. But see what it gave you? Don't you feel like getting braces was one of the best decisions you ever made?