20,000 troops for American soil: Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/30/AR2008113002217_pf.html

Searching.

I did a search last night... for me... I googled my name. I found pages of stuff--some pertaining to me... others not. There was one thing that said, "Jennifer Zoellner: Children with faith." I thought that could of been me... writing about that... and then I clicked it and it was me--a thing I did a couple of years ago. Crazy. I found an artist trading card that I made on a website showing it as an example. That was neat. (I had sent it in for a card swap). I found my name on lists of mail art participants and lots of mail art and lots of info about the mail art show Chromatophore. It's weird what's out there when you look.

I'm hitting that monthly low... not quite sure why or how but the feeling of utter uselessness, anxiety, the feeling that I should just give up on all my artistic ventures... It's in full-attack mode. Sometimes I feel like no matter how hard i try I will never be good enough. And then everything in life seems to point to that... like a large neon light flashing above my head, "mediocre."

I crave the praise of someone who knows fine art to tell me that I'm wonderful. Frankly anyone who honestly can say a positive word...knowledge or not. I pride myself on self confidence so to even admit this is pretty scary. I want a Stieglitz. I want someone to promote me and to guide me to better things--better ideas--better use of medium... to push me to my personal best. In the end its just me. No one to push me along. Just me. And I guess that's been working pretty well so far... I'm stumbling along.

super busy sunday

I've been a busy little bee today. I've been selling my rag-tag jewelry at The Arts Center in downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Today I spent ALL day making jewelry and then packaging it. I'm still not done. It was a rather exhausting day--had to remind myself to eat... Now it's raining cats and dogs--which we SO need. I hate when the tangerine trees get that shriveled leaf thing going on. Hopefully this rain will plump them out again. I like to make jewelry out of items that are pretty much useless and that I don't have to pay a lot of money for. Of course turquoise doesn't fit that bill but I love turquoise. I made a bracelet out of old watches today. Are you thrilled yet? Someone must be thrilled because someone is buying my stuff up! Thank you special someone! I intended on writing more but I realized that it's 10 PM and I don't want to be up late so... goodnight to all and to all a goodnight!

what i should be doing... what i am doing...

I guess I should be making an apple cranberry pie. Instead I'm here blogging. Ted is working the late shift at the factory so I'm up to my old shenanigans and listening to Cold Play and possibly the new Killers in a little while. I should be making some jewelry too. But that can wait. So can the pie. Plus if I bake the pie tomorrow it will be fresher and better and won't get that juicy soggy feeling. I hate that. Today I was a cooking fool... making sweet potato casseroles, and 3 varieties of cranberry sauce to please everyone... I did laundry, put away Lulu's laundry--that took forever since her cousin gave her a massive amount of hand-me-downs. I put a whole garbage bag full of summer clothes into the back of her closet for future use. Her dresser can only hold so much. Such problems... what a blessing to have a cousin a little bit older and taller!! I always got hand-me-downs when I was a teen. I was so in to used clothes, men's dress shirts, the trench coat, jeans jeans jeans. Then I went through my college Gap days... and still like the Gap. Would rather do the Banana Republic ((Outlet))... I like stylish clothes. I like wearing clothes that fit me right that make me look appetizing. A few years ago I lost the 30 pounds baby fat that I gathered--10 pounds from each kid. I got to buy a whole new wardrobe. It was a blast. I went from a size 12 to a size 6. Still... sometimes i look at myself and think... Renaissance woman--too curvy. Growing up I was constantly teased for being so skinny and flat chested. High school boys can be so annoying. I never felt pretty then. But I never cared. I was wearing men's dress shirts and a trench coat... and jeans... obviously my main concern was not in looking nice or attracting the opposite sex. I was boy crazy I just thought what I was wearing was attractive and thought that I was captivating... clothes or not.

Tonight we went to Busch Gardens. We got there around 4 pm and they were open until 7 pm. That's an hour more than we thought. I rode Sheikra... the roller coaster that drops you straight down from really, really high. It really scares me but I ride for the 10 year old. It was sunset when we were on the ride and the sky was beautiful. Not as beautiful as two nights ago... but very pretty. I like my Florida sky. It's weird how wherever you go--the sky is different. At least that's been my experience. The crumbcakes loved going to Busch Gardens... and when we got in the car to leave they orchestrated, in unison, "Thank you for taking us to Busch Gardens!!" chant. We used to do that for my parents when we were kids. It brought back memories when they did it. Adorable.

Lulu rode her first roller coaster tonight... the Scorpion. It does one upside down loop. I can't believe she is tall enough to ride a roller coaster. She was so thrilled to do it, so excited. She's always trying to keep up with the brothers. She is brave and feisty, sweet and kind. She's the baby girl I always wanted.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Ever thankful.

A lovely envelope from Test Tower! Me Sermonizing...

Hello dear world. Has anyone been watching the news, listening to the radio, reading Russian propaganda? I hope not. It's time to bury the ol' head in the sand... I never thought the United States of America would fall apart--at least in my life time. Never thought we'd be on the verge of economic oblivion... Yet people are still doing what people do... working, breathing, buying stuff, chugging along. Am I the only one waiting to see the soup line getting longer... waiting to be standing in the soup line? Yet here I am still on the i-net... still able to use the computer to communicate nonsense and dribble. We've done as much as we can/could to prepare for ????? in the future. What does a global depression look like? Will everyone lose their job? Who will keep their job? When banks falter is all you money just gone? Does it vanish in thin air? What will be worth something--food, water, cash, gold, guns, ammo? Will I watch my kids starve to death or die of infection or viruses? Is it too late to do something?

Don't panic, work together... share, pray... buy local, act local. It won't be time to rob the local Circuit City... not time to "grab a new t.v." It won't be time for any disgusting behavior. Time to see that God will see you through if you trust Him.

We received something from Focus on the Family in the mail... not quite sure how we got on that mailing list... but there was an article about the lies we tell our children--one "lie" that they mentioned was, "God helps those who help themselves." How could that be a lie? God rewards hard work. And the phrase is not referring to helping yourself to the cookies in the jar or the t.v. at Circuit City... It's about doing for yourself what you are able and rightly should do. God says whatever you find to do, do it will all your might. There are blessings for good behavior and there are curses for bad behavior. It is cause and effect. If you get drunk and something bad happens to you--an accident, etc, liver poisoning or disease if this becomes a way of life--that is the effect of your behavior. You can say that you reap what you sow. Perhaps our economic times are based upon a society, a nation who reaps what he has not sown. I'm talking about living in debt. I think most of us are playing the credit card gamble. Now more than ever it's time to stop spending what you don't have. Most people I know, in fact maybe everyone that I know--work hard for what they have, work hard to do good at their job. Americans in general are hard workers... we just have to stop living above our means. Do you really need the new dress, shoes, gadget... ? We've been told for so long that things will make us happy. It's almost a constant shove into the brain. But, I don't know about you, but for me... you get the thing and then what you really want is the NEXT cool thing... and so the cycle never ends. It's time to say No. No. No.

I would like to thank Test Tower for the awesome mail art that I received today... I didn't know that mail art was edible... dual purpose!

Test Tower ROCKS!!

Cascadia Art Post mail art by Jack

Friends Forever...

We received a lovely photo postcard from friends Karen and Dana. Karen is an artist and helps run their funny farm. I've known Karen since I was like 8 years old. She seems to remember more of what I said and did... but I remember how we kept each other on the straight and narrow throughout life. Thank you Karen for always being there for me!

Ben in the hospital...

Last Tuesday at around noon Ben got bite by our former guinea pig, "Blaze." By 8 p.m. that night the hand was swollen, hot and Ben was running a fever. Ted and I agreed that we had to take him to the ER. I thought they'd give him some antibiotics and we'd be on our way. That was not the case. The infection was so bad that he had to stay in the hospital until today... Saturday. Ted and I took turns at the hospital with Ben. Ted stayed at night and I went during the day. The whole affair was immensely draining. Plus the stress of not knowing what exactly is going to happen to your child and his hand... is so upsetting. The doctors were afraid that the infection was MRSA or Staph related and might spread to blood, bones or tendons. Ben was on IV antibiotics. Each day he made a tiny bit of progress until Thursday night when the wound erupted. (A lot of the bad stuff came out) Then the hand started to look a lot better. Ben told the nurse that everyone from his church was praying for him. She said that prayer was very healing. Ben thought that the hospital stay was all about the PS2 and watching cable tv. Also they had just about everything a kid could want on the food menu. I'm so thankful for the support of family and friends. It's so difficult to see your child suffering with perhaps possible implications of amputation... The ER doc said that we came in just in time... children loose hands over animal bite infections. So I'm writing this here tonight to give parents a little warning about pets and animal bites... even the guinea pig can carry some nasty germs.

Tired, tired, tired...

I'm tired and it's Monday. I've been Mondaying=doing the things that take up my usual Monday. I'm adding a new element to Monday... organic food co-op. Today I'm getting a delivery... next week I'll pick up.

Yesterday I made this piece of mail art that I sent to my aunt Cathy today. This is her birth month. I'm sending it early for a few extra days refrig time. It doesn't look like much but took me all of an hour at least. And the colors scanned lighter than the original... thus is life.

Three pieces of mail art arrived at my door today. And also a Gettysburg address from the US Mint. I'm guessing my dad sent that. I'll have to call and ask him. The mail art can be seen at the other blog... www.jenniferzoe.blogspot.com Very interesting... as the mail art race heats up. Just kidding... no race... I hope you have a sense of humor today...

Slideshow of some of my mail art and other arty fun

Find more photos like this on International Union of Mail-Artists

Veteran's Day

Thank you to all of our Veterans... past and present... known and unknown. You have made this country great and many of you have paid with your lives. I thank you. I thank you for the freedom that you afford me.

A few of our days in photos...

Starting from the top... we have today's event... the Temple Terrace Art Festival. There was a hug crowd there... lots of artists and crafters selling their creations. The festival was on the beautiful Hillsborough River. Then there is a photo of our many postered homeschool room... (AKA the dining room)... Then a couple of photos from the USGS open house... too fun. I am now thoroughly exhausted and will attempt to retire early tonight.

Look what the mail man dragged in... TEST TOWER

I've been a busy little ant... working so hard on my mail art call--I did 4 pieces yesterday of 4 of my favorite friends who have chromatophore cells. I've also done some research on the cells, the animals and marine biologists who study them. Fascinating. Working hard at homeschooling too--hoping this is not one of those rights that Obama is going to take away. Not lol. We went to the USGS open house this week--it was a BLAST. I guess that officially makes me a nerd. We got new posters to decorate the homeschool room/dining room. Fabulous. Perhaps I'll take a photo to show you all--all of my faithful readers...

Let me tell you how wonderful it is to have a 10 year old. He made me eggs for breakfast and hot chocolate--with lowfat milk. (ovaltine with warm milk). GOtta love HIM! I guess I thought this day would never come. I'll blink and we'll be sending him to college!

Don' t forget to check out www.jenniferzoe.blogspot to see my other two mail art pieces...

Superman ice cream

Why do the kids always want "superman" ice cream. It's bright blue, red, and yellow and makes them mostly blue all over. I'm not a fan of food coloring. Yet I hate to always be the stick in the mud. And when it's just me and the kids... I don't let them order that. But, hubster Ted does. I grin and bear it and hope Lulu doesn't drip on her new Oilily shirt. (It might possibly be the last Oilily shirt I buy her--at least new--it was on deep clearance for $15 this summer... I think that was 80 % off) Normal ice cream doesn't stain so bad.

Today we went to MOSI where... we got a dose of HEALTH class. We covered quite a lot in the "Amazing You." We saw a couple of births, some fertilization, a preemie baby that actually looked like it was breathing and the heart was beating--it was doll of course, dna, rna, stds, effects of drugs, smoking, alcohol, improper nutrition on the unborn, hearing test, eye test, how the brain works, why not to have sex... really it was quite overwhelming. I wasn't sure if I was comfy with wanting the kids to see a baby crowning... but then I thought the more honest and open we can be about natural human events--the better. Living and dying... shall we fear them?
If you don't want to see the birth videos--normal, c-section, twins, the placenta, etc... you don't have to go into the little side room and push the play button. So it's not in your face... so to speak. One of my favorite parts was how babies have those windows of learning--and once they close they are GONE FOREVER. That's how the brain works--it told viewers (readers) that every hug or holding counts--every experience you give to a baby or child COUNTS. Also learned that many brain doors are closed around age 10. So the key ages are 1, 3, 10. I find that utterly amazing. The amazing you! When Tommy was a baby we lived in Little Rock. We lived downtown near the zoo. I took him to the zoo once a week until he was 18 months old and we moved to FL . We read him the same book every night--for the first year of his life... (Miss Spider's Tea Party--David Kirk, a counting book). Perhaps I should of been reading him Calculus... but it's amazing what you can do if you try--with your children. I've always believed that children understand everything from a VERY early age. They might not remember it but they know what's going on. This is opposite of what some people think-," they are kids, what do they know?" I guess I've felt this way because I have memories of being a small child and I remember how I felt at the time. Hubster and I have raised our kids--thus far--with the idea that experiences are key to brain development. So it's thrilling to go to MOSI and have that idea backed up with scientific data. So unplug that wii, tv, puter or whatever electrical device that is consuming your time... (I should talk, eh?) Get outside and DO something!

Have a happy weekend!

www.zazzle.com

http://www.zazzle.com/chromatophore_postage-172711942574787854

I designed a stamp for the mail art show! If you are really special you'll get one in your mail box... when I receive them! HOW FUN is that? These stamps are real U.S. Postage. Of course I can make an artistamp myself... but haven't figured out how to perf the edges... to my liking!

Mail art from Kathryn Condon:Acceptance in all situations is happiness

TEST TOWER strikes again!!

Lest i forget the A side to the B side. 1313

Ko De Jonge's Reply!

Here is the reply that I received from Ko De Jonge about the mini art book that I painted.

Some Neat Mail art that I rec'd!

Here is some neat mail art that I have recently received. I did start a new blog to chronicle the mail art I receive for the new mail art show. You can see it all @ www.jenniferzoe.blogspot.com . So check it out and mail a piece of art for the next show!

Top piece is by Adamandia Kapsalis, Then two "bugs" by David Berube and then a piece by Test Tower!! I thought that I'd post them so you could enjoy them too!!!!

Some Panama City Beach Memories!

Ted and I, my folks, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville... Happy Feast of Tabernacles one and all!

hello friends!

http://www.nyva.ca/TEN%20mail%20art%20gallery.htm

hello! I've been gone for a couple of weeks and glad to be back. Although I loved Panama City Beach, FL. Thank you for all the mail art I rec'd while I was gone! I will be scanning and posting. I think I'm going to start a new blog that will directly tie into the new mail art show for 2009. That way I can post the address, theme, and all the mail art I recieve and still have this site for all the nonsense that I call life. I'll write more later... busy, busy, busy.

HATE THAT CAT by Sharon Creech

Love the book HATE THAT CAT,
Oh, yes, I love the book HATE THAT CAT,
Love to read it to the crumbcakes,
Love to see their eyes as they sat,
Listening to HATE THAT CAT...

lol.

Yes, I began to cry twice in the book... while I'm trying to read aloud. I'm a mess. It was page 108 and then again... page 122-125. I didn't let any tears roll, they welled up... were suppressed, the voice got little crackly... pushed through. Buy this book, read it with your kids or to them... it's the kind of book that later they'll remember and hopefully be thankful that you shared with them. If you haven't read... LOVE THAT DOG. You have to read it first. HAVE TO. It'll all make much more sense that way.

Also Sharon Creech has a lovely picture book called, "Fishing in the Air." Another feel good -sharing--book. Share a moment with your child.

ART START... a mini book to be mailed back to Ko De Jonge of Holland

I finished my mini art book. Tomorrow I shall mail it to Art Start in Holland. It was a fun project and I hope it is well rec'd upon it's arrival.

Hate That Cat

I started reading the book, "HATE THAT CAT" by Sharon Creech to the crumbcakes tonight. Saturday night Ben and I were in the Barnes and Noble... and there it was in a red dust jacket just waiting to be bought by me. I loved the book, "Love that dog." Really, could anything top it? I cried like a baby while reading it. I'm a sucker for crying books... Where the Red Fern grows, The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemingway, the Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo... there were times when I was reading to my kids where I could barely get the words out I was crying so hard. Especially when I read==The Scarlet Ibis to them last year. I'm sure my boys were pretty freaked out. I can be so full of emotions. I can say that Tommy cried at Where the Red Fern Grows... how can you not?

I read half of HATE THAT CAT tonight and have to say that for a sequel-- it is good. I'll let you know the full report when we're done...

There are so many things that I wish I could be good at... I was thinking about words and authors and how horrible I am at writing. Still blogging though. It's all an attempt to express those emotions inside of me. I am who I am, I do what I do. None of it is fantastic but yet, it's all mine. In a perfect world I would paint every day, I would know how to write a poem--the words would come to me, and I would be fabulous--at least at one thing.

BERUBE-BUGS MAILART CALL: JENNIFER ZOELLNER / St. Petersburg, FLORIDA U.S.A.

BERUBE-BUGS MAILART CALL: JENNIFER ZOELLNER / St. Petersburg, FLORIDA U.S.A.

octopus video take deux

Here is another octopus video. I should of done the other video this way... I'm learning.

Science class fun!

Awake at 4 AM

I was awoken by a random nightmare. I dreamed I was going shopping with 3 car loads of friends and family. But then one friend got in a fight with another and then... it was a brawl. Sickening...not so terribly disturbing that I need to loose sleep over it. UGH.

It reminded me of an event that happened when I was in elementary school. Even before the dream I was reminded of this event when I rec'd the first installment of the mail art zine from Tt. I was walking home from the bus stop when the blonde-5th-grade-bully started picking on Todd... resident nerd and irritant. She took his glasses right off of his face, broke them in two and threw them into the woods. I think I retrieved them...anyway--Jennifer--defender of the defenseless--knew that braking someones prescription glasses was not cool. My sister wears glasses and I knew how upset parents get when glasses go missing or are broken. So I took on the blond 5th grader and told her that I was going to tell on her... It ended rather badly with my holly hobbie lunch box thrown across the asphalt and then she pushed me down on my face. She scarred the metal lunch box and my chin had a lovely bloody scrape. It turns out that I had my school class picture the next day. I had a giant red scab on my chin. I remember my dad going into the school the next day to take up the whole bully issue--my chin, Todd's glasses. I don't think Todd ever thanked me--but he was an annoying little boy. And the bully girl... don't know what happened to her. She lived in the trailer park near my neighborhood. I imagine, looking back on things... she probably was treated the way that she treated everyone else. And me, I'm fine. Still bummed about the lunch box. (Really, bought one just like it on ebay a few years ago... it houses all my cookie decorating supplies.)