Sunday, September 23, 2012

Long Time No Talk (Or Blog)

It's been a long time since I've blogged! This past month has been kinda crazy, getting back into the swing of things with school, working, etc. So far, the school year is going great. My day starts with late arrival. Although I could just stay home, I volunteer as an office aid because I have to take my sister to school anyways. After that, I go to AP Chemistry, even though it's a little challenging, I really enjoy the class. From there I go to my dual credit English class, and after that, I have office aid. Then comes my favorite part of the day! After eating lunch I go to a local elementary school for one of my classes, Instructional Practices in Educational Training. I work with a second grade class everyday for two hours! I love it! There are some very needy kids in that class, and along with helping them learn more and more each day, I'm going to try and make a difference in their life. My final class of the day is dual credit Government. Although I have a couple challenging classes, overall, it's going to be a pretty easy senior year.
Along with school, I have work about 3 or 4 days a week. My best friend, Kayla, got a job with me, so I get to work with her pretty often! We have a great time working together. We are trying to improve the childcare room at work, so here and there we do little things to make it better for the kids. We just recently made a chalkboard wall for the kids to draw on, and they love it!
So far, this school year is going pretty well! :)

Saturday, September 1, 2012

First Week of Senior Year

It's hard to believe I'm a Senior! I am so glad to say that this is my last year in high school! My first week of school went well. It went by quickly, but it was a good week! I liked all of my classes, except for AP Calculus which I will be getting out of. I'm looking forward to see what the remaining of the year holds. It was a great week and I hope the rest of my year is the same!

Monday!
First day of school
Tuesday!
Wednesday!
Thursday!
Friday!
Red Out

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sparkles the fishy!

This weekend, Kayla stayed at my house because her parents were out of town. On Friday, we made a trip to walmart and as we walked in, we saw a bunch of Betta fish. We both looked at each other knowing we were thinking the same thing... "Let's get a fishy!!" We thought it was a brilliant idea. We then decided that we didn't want a Walmart fish so we made a trip to Petsmart. When we got there, we couldn't find that PERFECT fish, so we went to Petco. Right when we walked in, we found the it! We had already decided on the name Sparkles due to the fact that we got ourselves in a mess glittering my sister's mirror (that I previously wrote about) and it was a funny memory that will last forever. When we came across the fish at Petco, we knew that it fit with the name Sparkles. While we were looking at her, one of the employees came up to us and asked "Are you 18?" "Umm I will be in a month, does that count?" I responded. "Nope! You have to be 18 to buy livestock." Kayla and I were so upset. We then started to think of all of our friends who were 18 and would be willing to help us. Finally, we got a friend to drive all the way to Petco just so we could get a fish! We were so excited! We then went back to Walmart (we go there about 3 times everyday) and got a fish bowl and some rocks. We got home and set up the fish tank for Sparkles. It's a happy little fishy now :)

Monday, August 20, 2012

Getting Prepared for Senior Year

Senior 2013!!

I am so ready for school to start. Partly, well mainly, because it's my last year in high school. Along with that, I've always loved the first couple of weeks; wearing new school clothes, meeting new people, and having a daily routine. The past couple of weeks I've done my school clothes shopping (goodness, clothes are expensive!) Last night, my sister and I planned all my outfits for the first two weeks of school. I'm so excited to wear everything. Yesterday, my sister and I also went school supply shopping with mom. We loaded up on 1 cent spirals from Staples, along with pencils, pens, binders, and index cards. I organized all of my school stuff, preparing binders with notebook paper and dividers. I think I'm pretty much prepared for school.... minus waking up early everyday! Guess I should start doing that this week. Oh well, it's going to be a great year and I can't wait!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Flower/Chevron Canvas!

New canvas!!
Gray/Black Chevron with blue flower
Can be personalized.
$18

Set of coasters

I just made some cute coasters that are for sell! It's a set of 6.
I can make them with your choice of design and colors!
$12 per set. 
Let me know if you'd like to buy a set via my email: haley.downs88@yahoo.com

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Beyond Blessed

This morning, I can't help but think over and over again, "I am so blessed." I am blessed with great friends, a great family, and much more. Just recently, my friend, Kayla, got a job at the country club with me. Thursday was her first day and we were able to work together Thursday and Friday. I have such a blast working with her. Not only is she a good work buddy, she's a great friend. There's not a moment that we don't have fun together. God has also blessed me with a wonderful boyfriend! He's there for me when I need anything, he reminds me every day that I'm beautiful, he's sweet, he's loving, and he's kind! He always makes me happy whenever I'm down. He's my best friend and I couldn't imagine not having him in my life. Another HUGE blessing in my life is my family. I have a wonderful mother that is there for me no matter what, even when I make mistakes. My dad is pretty amazing! This morning, he hung shelves in my room for me and then we spent some time playing chess together. He sets a great example for the whole family. My brother, who is now in college, is the greatest big brother I could ever ask for. Although we don't talk all the time and I don't get to see him much since he's in Austin, I know that if I ever needed anything, he would drop everything. He has always had my back. And then there's my sister. From the day she was born, we've been best friends. Of course, we aren't perfect and we have our days, but even spending just one day away from her is hard for me. I don't know how I got such an awesome family and friends, but I thank God for them everyday. On top of the great people that God has placed in my life, God always provides me with all my needs, every day of the week. I definitely don't deserve everything I have, but I am so grateful for the things God has blessed me with.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Oh, the joys of crafting!

As much as I love doing crafts, I hate picking up the mess! I get so caught up in doing one thing over here and one thing over there, and before I know it, I have a disaster in front of me. Here is a before I cleaned and after I cleaned pic of my crafting area!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Trip to Grandma's and Grandpa's house!

Yesterday, my dad, sister, and I made a trip down to San Antonio to see our grandparents. My mom was already in San Antonio because she is helping with a student council camp this week. Lately my grandpa has been sick due to a stroke and then, on top of that, he had poison in his body from a pocket of infection from a past surgery. I've been really worried about it, but he has been great as of yesterday! It's pretty much like he's back to his normal self! Yesterday, aty grandparents, I made two canvases for my grandma to put in here living room. We picked out the colors together and then I made it! After that, my dad and sister went to get my mom to join us for dinner. We had a chicken rice casserole and for dessert, a delicious chocolate pie! After supper, my sister and I jumped in the juccuzi for a little bit! We then, went in side and we all sat around and talked for a bit. Finally, it was time for bed! This morning, I woke up to my grandpa playing the kazoo. Normally, I wouldn't be too happy but this morning it was different. I was glad to see him up, moving around, and being silly! Right now, my sister and I are watching tv with my grandparents while my dad is at a meeting he had for work. When he gets back from the meeting, it'll be time for us to head back. Although I'm sad to leave so soon, I'm happy that I got to see my grandparents. Just like grandpa and I were talking about last night, I am blessed to have four wonderful grandparents (I'll get to see the other two on Monday!). Thanks grandma and grandpa for everything you do! I love you!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Quote/lyric Canvas

I just recently made a few canvases for my mom.
Just like the last canvases I made, I'd like to sell these.
They can be customized to fit your liking
If you'd like one, please let me know! My email is haley.downs88@yahoo.com.
I hope you like them! :)

12"x12" Canvas
$20 for one or $35 for two

24"x18" Canvas
$30 for one or $50 for two

Sunday, July 22, 2012

My Not So Boring Summer

Although I have had a few boring, lazy days this summer, overall, I've been staying pretty busy... which is a wonderful thing! Boredom is my greatest enemy. Hanging out with friends, work, and lots and lots of crafts has been keeping me going. Monday and Tuesday I stayed busy hanging out with my boyfriend, Scott, and working on some crafts. I just finished two canvases for my parents room (which will be posted soon). On Wednesday, I spent the morning with my best friend, Kayla. We ran all around Mansfield and Arlington running errands. Wednesday night, my aunt brought her three kids (whom happen to be the cutest kids ever) over to stay the night. We had a water balloon fight, played Just Dance on the Wii, made s'mores, and painted. We had a great time making messes and spoiling them with lots of sugar! On Thursday, after the kids were picked up, I went over to Scott's house to hang out for a bit. Then, I went to work at the country club. I work in childcare and at the front desk. After work, I rushed home and changed to go get in line with Scott to see Batman: The Dark Knight Rises! I was out til 3 am for the midnight premier, and I was so tired when I was finally home. But, it was definitely worth it! Friday, I was able to sleep in (thank goodness!), and then Scott came over and we ran some errands in the wonderful 108 degrees. I thought I was gonna die of a heat stroke!! When we were done with errands, I came home and got ready for work. At that point, I would've preferred to just be bored, but thankfully the kids in childcare were pretty good! On Saturday (yesterday), I went to a scholarship workshop. I applied for about 10 scholarships! After that, Kayla and I went shopping and piddled around at the mall. We then came home and watched Batman: The Dark Knight, while we made some delicious snickerdoodles! Kayla stayed the night and this morning headed back home. Then I worked on another craft, which will also be posted soon. Now, I am sitting in the theater with my family waiting to watch Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, again! All that to say, I am staying busy and having a great summer!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Canvases for Sale!!

I am making and selling different designed canvases. Each one can be custom made to fit your liking. Please contact me if you are interest in buying via my email: haley.downs88@yahoo.com.

12"x12" Pink and White Canvas 
with black buttons in a heart shape
$20
*Can be customized with choice of colors or shape

 12"x12" Black and white canvas with hot pink bow
$16
*Can be custom made with choice of colors





12"x12" One word canvas with newspaper background
$10 for one or $8 each for two or more
*Can be customized with choice of word and color


12"x12" One word canvas with glitter 
and solid pink background
$12
*Can be customized with choice of word and color

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Do NOT Worry!

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. 
Each day has enough trouble of its own."
 ~Matthew 6:34

This morning, I read my devotion from the book Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. Every day that I read it, I feel like it's the perfect message for what I'm going through! I've always been one to worry. I worry about every little thing and every big thing. Lately, I've been worrying about what the future holds for me. After reading this devotion this morning, I realized that God is telling me, "Haley, I have this under control! There is no need to worry. Instead of worrying, focus on me and don't worry about what the future may hold." I don't know why I worry so much. I know that God is in control. I know that he is taking care of me and that no matter what happens, he has a plan for me and my future. God is an AWESOME God. He will never leave. He can always be trusted. He is always in control.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Glitter Happy

Arts and crafts is one of my favorite things! Lately, I've been into glitter! So far, I've made a few things. Some have turned out great, others... not so much. Today, my friend, Kayla, came over and we decided to get crafty. She told me about an idea she saw on Pinterest, a glittered light switch. We thought it was a brilliant idea, so we glittered my sister's (with her permission, of course). Once we were finished, we thought it looked good and wanted to glitter some more. We were in the glitter mood! We looked around for things we could glitter. Finally, we came up with what we thought was a genius idea... glitter my sister's dresser mirror! Who wouldn't like that? Again, we got her permission before we started the glittering process, but we kinda forgot to check with my parents! In the middle of the glittering process, we heard my dad coming down the hallway. Boy, did we get nervous! I sprinted to the door to distract my dad while Kayla dove under the bed. Of course, my dad knew something was up. "What are y'all doing?" he asked. "Umm.. nothing! Not to worry dad," I replied. Then, he entered the room! Our faces were covered with fear! "Are you mad at me?" Kayla asked, worried. "I'm dismayed," responded my dad with the two words we will never forget! He then left the room. Although we were scared, we couldn't help but giggle. We continued glittering until it was finished. We made a bit of a mess, that's for sure! Before we showed my sister, we started cleaning up. But of course we couldn't be done making messes! Clumsy me took a step back and my foot landed right in the plate with glitter! The laughing went on and on. Finally, we were done and called my sister to the room. Even though it doesn't look that great, she claims to like it. We then called my parents to the room. My mom looked at it and said, "Next time, please ask for our permission first." I responded by saying, "Well, I would've, but I thought the dresser was cheap." "It was, but now it's cheaper!!" she said. So in the end, it wasn't the most genius idea ever. In fact, it was probably the exact opposite! But it definitely created a memory that will last forever!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Purple Cows with Pink Polka Dots

I've recently begun my college search. I have taken a few tours to different schools around Texas. My last college visit was to Hardin-Simmons University. When I was there, I was able to speak with a professor in the education program. She asked me "Haley, what are your interest?" I then said "Well... uh, I wanna teach special education, and... umm, I don't know?!" as I look at my mom hoping she will answer the question for me. I was horrified! How could I not know what my own interests are? On the ride home I told my mom, "I could not answer that simple question!" My mom then replied, "You need to learn to have more confidence and elaborate on what you have to say! They don't care what your interests are, they're just looking to see if you can carry on a conversation. People skills!" I then said, "But how can I elaborate if I don't even know what to say?" She answered, "Make stuff up! Say you collect purple cows with pink polka dots!" Boy, did that have us rolling! "Oh, I really LOVE the way they look" "I have such a strong interest in them," we joked around. My mom then explained, "Don't just tell them things you think will make you look good, such as being in National Honor Society. Tell them what you do in your free time, like crafts. They want to see that you don't just sit around on Facebook all day!" I then said, "Okay, but that's about all I do! I need a hobby!" "Start a blog," my mom said. So, here I am, starting a blog!