Lazy

Sorry.  I just have not felt like posting. I am in a posting funk, I suppose.   The beginning of the year kind of threw me sideways with a throat-punch, and I am afraid I am still recovering.  Nothing exciting to post about, I suppose.

What's new, what's new.....

Really, I can't think. My reading has been DOWN. I've not had the heart to read.   I think I've read 4 books so far.

We did not renew our annual passes to Universal in an effort to save money, so that stinks.

Isabel made this awesome Puma diorama.

She was chosen again this year as one of two Young Authors in her class and we got to see her get her award.

And she won a library drawing.

Jacob finished his sophomore year and is working over the summer to make more money for the fall semester.  No pictures, because he hides from me, the vampire.  

That is all for now.

Orlando's Creative City Project & EMP

The City of Orlando takes part in the Creative City Project.

Jacob was part of this event as part of EMP (Electronic Mobile Performance) with Stetson Professor Matt Roberts and another Stetson student, Joe Palermo.   From EMP's site:

EMP: Electronic Mobile Performance is a collaborative, multimedia project involving faculty and students from Stetson University’s Digital Arts program. The group’s primary mission is to explore collaborative artistic production using new technologies and to find new ways of presenting art outside of traditional venues. EMP is directed and founded by Matt Roberts, an Associate Professor of Digital Arts at Stetson University.


Jacob invited me to be there at the 8:30 p.m. performance.  Duh.  Like I'm not going.  Isabel and I drove to Downtown Orlando and parked right around the corner from where their first performance was set up.

I have a TON of footage.  I only uploaded the few Jacob really liked.  Video 3 has some of my favorite beats and also video 4, at around 7:50.

In this one, they're just setting up.  Jacob's in the black t-shirt, Joe's in the white t-shirt and Professor Matt's in the green t-shirt.





This one, video 1, is about 13 minutes long.  It's their first of 4 sets.  They get going right around 2:08.
Notice that the video being reflected on the balloon is set to react to the bass in the music.




This one's a short one.




This one has some good beats.



Video 4 was right at the end and my battery ran out.  Skip to about 7:50 to see my favorite part.  They start a really good jam, and then the battery dies, OF COURSE. After about an hour and a half, they were done and I had to get my gal home.  EMP moved to another location downtown near the LYNX terminal and did a second performance.

I'm so happy to see him performing again.  I have VERY MUCH missed seeing him singing and performing.

Summer Kid Recap

You haven't heard much about Jacob. That's because he's been working like a mad person trying to pay off last semester's school debt to us (done) and get started on the fall semester bills he will have (already paid off the first month's payment and is on his way to month # 2.  He has to give us $200 a week minimum to cover the semester.)   On his off time, he's gone to see some bands;

The World is a Beautiful Place and I am No Longer Afraid to Die, Dads and Anamanaguchi.

The guy in purple is from Anamanaguchi.

and has hung out with pals, but mostly, he's been sleeping and being a bum at home.

Isabel has had a pretty ok summer.  We wanted to sign her up for a Summer Camp at the church, but the church cancelled it due to lack of interest/too expensive.  Very saddened with that.  We did sign her up for Jazz dance classes.  She went one day a week for 5 weeks and loved it, so we signed her up for Fall sessions too.  

Her cousins came from Tennessee and stayed with us for a few days. They went to the beach here, and then they drove over to Tampa to stay for the rest of their week.  Jacob and Isabel drove to Tampa (mommy-in-near-panic) and met them at Busch Gardens for the day.

She went to her first Roller Derby game and her first Vacation Bible School.    She's already counting the days until next year's VBS.

We spent a lot of time at Universal, she & I mostly, but we did get David to come with us and mini-golf.   He just cannot do this summer heat, poor pink man.    

She looks thrilled.  It was the end of our day and she was DONE.

We went to the mall to do some dryer comparison shopping at Sears (can you believe that Lowe's won?  More on that later.) and while there, she asked again if she could do the bungee jump in the food court.  I always say no, but this time, I had $10 she was gifted from someone, so I paid the $7 for her to jump.  She was a weeeee bit scared and would not flip.

We went school-supply shopping (new tennies, two new outfits, new Jazz shoes for the fall classes, and her usual paper/pencils, etc. supplies). Fourth grade starts (started, by the time I post this) on Monday the 19th.  Jake starts his sophomore year on the 21st.

Good luck to my babies.  I will post "First Day of School" pics soon.

It's Who Ya Know

My son finally got a job.  After two years (really 1 year and a half.  The first half he was half-heartedly trying) of applying and applying and applying, he's gotten a part-time job.

He's a full-time college student in desperate need of funds.  We're helping as much as we can (I did the prepaid college plan for him when he was in Kindergarten - 5th grade. For five years, every month I paid into a fund that he is now using) and we're tapped out.  I'm keeping track of his expenses.  He has to pay us back; he's 19 and we're not rich nor are we a bank.

The frustrating thing, the thing that just makes me mad, is that it all boils down to who you know.

Retail outlets post "Now Hiring" signs.  When you ask, they say you have to apply on-line. So you do.  Then you wait, and wait, and wait.  You call and they have no information to give you. Thirty days later, you have to update the application on-line again.

Walmart is half a mile away.  He applied over a year ago, and updated his application every 30 days.  The "now hiring for the holidays" signs were up.  No call.  I know a manager who works there.  His suggestion: apply for every single position, even if you know you can't do it.  What? That's crazy!  My kid did it anyway.  No call.

Target was hiring for the holidays.  Same thing; apply online. Wait, wait, nothing.

Publix a mile away - same thing.  He applied on the computer in the store.  He talked to an assistant manager one time to let them know he had full Friday through Sunday availability.  *I* talked to the head manager twice while shopping there.  Nada.

Costco  - online.

The kid had Fridays (no classes) through Sundays completely free and most nights too.  He applied (online) at the movie theater too.  Nothing.

The two interviews he got?  One because my co-worker also has a part-time job at Winn Dixie at night and suggested Jacob.  He was told to, guess what....apply on-line BUT this time, the manager called him because my co-worker kept pushing.

The second interview was because David works for the same company in a different location.  They went to the closer location where David worked once before transferring,  called the local shop, went to the local shop again, called again, applied on-line again and again, called, and 5 months later, he was given the job today.  He starts tomorrow.

There are jobs out there?  So they say.  If you are trying to get one, I wish you all the very best of luck. I do.  I know how very hard it is to get one.  I can only imagine being the main supporter of a family and going up against what my kid, who has us, had to go through.

Sadly, it's who ya know.

Dean's List

Dean's List at Stetson?

Yea. He's on it.

Congrats Jake on making the Dean's List with your straight A's and 3.905 GPA.

Soccer Saturday

We spent last Saturday with one of David's first cousins, his wife and their 5 kids, who were down in central Florida for a soccer tournament for their twin daughters who play in a college team at a Christian University.  It was fun to see them after like 6 years or so.

That's one of the girls in the white

Both girls in the picture, wearing headbands.  One in the
 back left, one in the foreground.  They won this game!

Isabel and her cousins.  Aren't they beautiful?

Isabel and her cousins.  Twin girls, one boy, twin boys; all siblings

After the game, we headed to the resort for some pool time.  When I say we, I mean the kids.  :)

Yep. The pool in December

Then we ate a quick meal and headed to Downtown Disney, a place they had not been to and which we love.

The carousel spinning

Digital Arts Project

This was a fun thing I helped Jacob with for his digital arts class last night.

VERY short video that had to be done with pictures; it had to be a minimum of 120 pictures.  He took over 140 pictures and it took over an hour to do.  I was sweating like a pig with all the lights on and no ceiling fan.  The part with the blanket was TORTURE.  I was suffocating.  Too bad I moved too much. My bad for his project.  Focus on the characters, not me.  :)

Class of 2016 Picture

Parents and Letting Go...a little...kinda

So, parents of biguns.; HOW do you not freak out every time they get in the car to go somewhere alone in their vehicle?

Anyone have tips, advice, Valium, something?  Jake really had no interest in driving at all. He had friends or us to chauffeur him around.   He got his Learner's at 16, not 15, and his real license last week; he's 18.  He's been driving by himself for a week.

Monday I had a minor freak-out.  He's at the University and tells me he's coming by my office.  In the rains left from Tropical Storm Issac. On a major Interstate.  By himself for the first time.

Over an hour later, and he's not there nor answering his phone, which is a good thing. He won't answer his phone while driving.  I don't like to and he follows my lead.

But by this time, I am in a panic and trying not to show it at work. My one co-workers knows me and knows something is wrong.  I tell him what's the worry and he reassures me.

An hour and a half after I think he should arrive, he calls.  "Oh, yea mom.  I forgot I had a class at 2. Why are you crying, silly?"

UGH.  Cause I am a dork.

Cause you're still a baby in the sink and the cutest kid on the planet.



Cause you're still 8 and loving Cub Scouts with your mom.


Cause you're 13 and still fun to hang round.


Cause you're 17 and don't mind that I chaperone all your field trips.









 Cause you're 18 and know I am your biggest fan.


That's why I cry, silly.

Class of 2016

Here's a video showing the kids making 2016 that I told you about in a previous post. I see Jake a few times, but it's hard to point out. He's in the loop of the 6; where the circle meets the upright of the 6. I can see him. :)   Bright lime green shirt.

 

Stetson Focus Orientation Weekend

FOCUS:  Friends On Campus Uniting Students


This weekend was the start of the FOCUS Freshman and Transfer student orientation week.

After the fiasco with the car, Jacob got there RIGHT at the buzzer.  He got a Stetson cloth bag, a T-Shirt and a welcome folder. His first FOCUS group meeting was at 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.  All students got put into small groups of 20, with two Focus leaders; current students at Stetson.  Jacob already knew the 2 leaders plus some of the people in his group - the magic of Facebook and groups.

While Jacob was in his Focus meeting, David was at the parents' opening welcome in another area. (I was still dealing with car purchasing craziness).

By the time I arrived, they were on the Class 2016 Photo.  Everyone was lined up in Rinker Field and made to spell out 2016 on the grass while a photographer huge genie lift took their picture.  They all get a copy later.




David and Isabel went home while Jacob and I headed into the Edmunds Center for the Opening Celebration.  Parents in the stadium seating, new students on the floor.









After the opening, we were free until 7:30 p.m. so we jumped on a Trolley to Downtown Deland for dinner.




Trolley Ride.

We wanted to go to Cafe DaVinci but they were not open yet, so we ended up at Boston Coffee House instead.

Cafe Davinci in Artisan Alley.

With more time on our hands, we hit the Stetson on-campus Starbucks, just to have a place to sit in the cool AC.


Oooh, what's that on the left there?



Jacob played a couple of tunes while we waited.

Then we walked the campus a bit more, before we split up; he to go to a commuter student meeting and I to go to a Parent Association meeting.




Inside Elizabeth Hall.  He has a class in here so we went to find the room.



Palm Court.  Parts of the Adam Sandler movie " The Waterboy" were filmed here.


After the parent meeting, I hitched a ride with another parent I knew home and left Jacob to flounder on his own with his new-to-him car.  Oh, yea, he'd just gotten his driver's license the day before!!  He'd had his permit for 2 years and HAD to get his license so he could start driving himself to college.  *snort*  Talk about trial by fire!

The kids had activities until 2 a.m.!  He went to a Playfair at Rinker Field from 9:15-10:15 p.m. and then to a n outdoor dance party at Club Commons.  He arrived around 11:30 p.m. covered in light stick necklaces and eyeglasses, having had a great time.

It was off to bed because we had to do it ALL over again on Sunday.

Remember Murphy's Law?

mur·phy's law/ˈmərfēz/

A supposed law of nature, expressed in various humorous popular sayings, to the effect that anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

This was my Saturday, to the EXTREME. See, we had plans to be at Stetson University (Go Hatters!) at around 12:30 p.m. As a commuter, we had in get Jacob there between 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. for Freshman check-in and orientation. Stetson had this amazing calendar of events for parents and students for the entire weekend.

The previous Thursday, we found a car we decided to buy him in lieu of the one I damaged.  Instead of going back Friday, which meant a lot of traveling back and forth for David, we decided to arrive at 9:00 a.m. at the used car lot, get everything done and be out of there by at the latest 12:00 p.m.

What went wrong....hmmmm...... what went wrong.

1) The salesman arrived...at 9: 40 a.m.  We were not the first ones waiting, so we had to wait for him to help the first person there.  After test driving the car, we decided to go for it.  It was about 10:30 a.m. by the time the paperwork was (hand) written up.

2) The used car lot is not modern.  At all.  They did not have a credit card machine (we were going to use debit and use $$ set aside for this purchase) and did not accept personal checks.  Bank checks or money orders.  We drove to the bank 2 blocks away.  Closed on a Saturday.  We went to another branch another 1/2 mile away.  Closed on a Saturday.  I spent a frustrating 10 minutes on the bank's automated phone lines trying to speak to a human.  The automated systems kept telling me banks with atm's, not banks open on Saturday.  While I struggled, David sent a text to a co-worker who knew the area and told us about a bank about 15 minutes away that was open until 1 p.m.  It was about 11:15 a.m. by the time we made the trip, got the bank check and got back.

3) The used car lot wanted two proofs of residency in the form of bills to my house.  I knew this from Thursday.  I grabbed 2 bills.  One had only David's name and they would not accept it.  (Side Bar:  I am paying CASH for a car. Why do you CARE where I live? I am not financing anything!)  David had to drive 25 minutes home / 25 minutes back.  In the meantime....

4) The car lot would not accept what my insurance company, State Farm, had told me over the phone earlier; any car we buy automatically is insured under the policy for 14 days.  Automatically.  This is State Farm, people, not Joe Schmoe insurance.  The car lot wanted written, faxed proof that this car had coverage, and the VIN had to be included on the fax.  I call State Farm, get everything started and then...

5) BOOM!  A car accident down the street, involving a car hitting a power box, caused the power to go out at the dealership.  State Farm could not fax or email the letter.  Used car lot guy could not make a photo copy of all my bills and insurance card, etc. etc.  Used car lot guy spent 1/2 an hour walking up and down the street looking for someone with power, and with a copier.

I take the kids across the street to eat while we wait for power to be restored.  THAT side of the street had power.  David finally returns with the danged bill that can't even be copied.

By this time, it's 1 p.m.  We're supposed to be at Stetson by 2.  Jake is panicking.  I am not blaming him.  I cannot leave the lot because

7) The car is in my name, so the lot won't let David wait for the power so he can finally get the tag.  With the power out, they can't log into the DMV to get some forms they need printed, and they won't let David drive off the lot with it.

I send David, Jacob and Isabel off to Stetson without me.  I spend the next hour and a half waiting for the power to come on under a canopy in Florida's summer heat.  I am a sweat ball.  Jacob makes it to Stetson at 2:05 and gets his registration packet but misses out on a bunch of freebies.  David and a hyper Isabel sit through the first of many parent conferences.  He's giving me a play-by-play via text messages.

I spend my time talking scholarships with the then-surly receptionist who becomes super-nice once I start explaining to her the ways around scholarships, Florida Bright Futures, etc.  We spent a good 45 minutes discussing her daughter and what she needs to do to get financial aid for college.

The power comes back on.  I get everything I need and leave the lot at 3:00 p.m.  Three Pee Emm, people.

I go to Stetson to relieve David so he can take a super-tired Isabel home and I take my spot as "Parent of Jacob F." for the rest of the evening's events.

8) My phone dies from overuse.

9) The camera batteries died.  The spare ones I purposefully brought with me were dead ones.


Remember these lyrics?  "Got it all together don't ya baby?  Murphy's Law, is sure out to get you."

College Decisions: UCF

Continuing on the University front:  We also received confirmation that Jacob got accepted to the University of Central Florida.  This caused a rather large dilemma.

Almost all of Jacob's closest friends are going to UCF.  UCF is HUGE.  HUGE!  TONS of things to do.  Super on the campus life.  And because it's a State University, the prepaid college plan I paid into pays 100% of his fees (not books).  That, with his scholarships, would have meant he would get money back every year.

With his friends going there, and the financial aspect looking really good, Jacob was very-much leaning towards UCF.  He was torn between the amazing education Stetson could provide versus being with his friends and UCF and not having to pay a dime.

I took a half-day off of work and he &  I headed to a tour of UCF.  It was wonderful.  *I* wanted to go there after the tour . Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so I did not take any pictures.  The Student Union alone made me want to go there.  The huge sports facility, free to students, has a rock climbing wall, indoor tracks, workout equipment. It was amazing. I was seeing Jacob lean towards UCF.

That same week, Jacob went back with several friends to do an obstacle course at night.  He had a blast.   Another day that week, he went with a friend who is already signed up to start in the fall.  Jacob wanted to visit the Music program.

That night he told me he was disappointed in their music program.  It was not as extensive as Stetson's.   After visiting UCF for the 3rd time, to see the music school, his mind was made up. He chose Stetson.

I am so beyond proud of him.  He chose based on what each school had to offer for his future career goals, not for the fun he could have.  Besides, he can hang with all his friends at UCF whenever he wants; it's only 1/2 hour away.

College Decisions: Stetson

Jacob applied to a few schools; UCF, Stetson University, Seminole State College, and ..I can't remember the others.  Daytona Beach maybe?  The main two were University of Central Florida and Stetson University.

Stetson is a Private University here in Central  Florida.   We've been there a few times for music clinics, concerts, etc.  It has an amazing Music School and half of Jacob's choir was dying to get in.  Did I mention private?  That means big bucks.  He applied but I was a little skeptical that he could even attend.

Then, during the last week of May, we got an envelope.

I saw the envelope in the mailbox on Friday and the text messages began.  "OMG, I think Jacob got into Stetson! There's a big envelope in here!!"  My mother-in-law Tricia's funny reply was something to the effect of "I hear they send rejection notices in big envelopes now."   I walked in the house, handed him the envelope and told him to open it before I had a heart attack. He was accepted. He immediately ran upstairs to post on Facebook while I sent a flurry of text messages to everyone. I knew we could not afford it, even with the Florida Prepaid plan, but we were totally excited. A few minutes later, he comes back down. "Um, mom?"  He hands me a letter from the University. They're giving him $19,000 a year in scholarships. I started jumping up and down and crying. Yes, on my just-surgeried (I'm making words up) knee. I did not care. I was so HAPPY!!

Then, a few days later,  it got better.  We received another note. The school came up with more $$ for Jake. Instead of $19k for the year, they're giving him about $15,000 a term; $30,000.00 per year. Tuition and fees are $36,644.00. We have to come up with $6,000.00 a year! NOT COUNTING THE PREPAID PLAN I PAID FOR!  God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.  I was beyond happy.

We decided to tour Stetson.  It was a rainy day.  I took off work, and David, Jacob and I went to the tour (Isabel was in school.)

They were ready for us.  :)

Out in the rain we went.

The music building is meant to look like piano keys.

It was a beautiful tour, rain and all.

Then, UCF happened.  More to come...

Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations Class of 2012!

Jacob F., Cum Laude,
Superintendent's Diploma of Distinction Candidate,
 and some hot chick.

Graduation is Near!

We just got some invitation cards for Jacob's graduation party that I ordered from Vista Print, who've done my mailing labels for over 7 years.  These went in with the formal invitations and are for the party being held on the Saturday right after Friday's graduation. Aren't they fun?  These are scanned from my 6 or 7 year old scanner, so they're not the best, nor do they show how really cool the invites are.

These are not the formal invitations for his graduation.  These are just his party invites.

The colors match the formal invitations.

Jacob and Isabel created their own avatars.  

Here's the formal invitation cover, so you can see the colors we have to work with.

I have GOT TO start working on the cake!  Stupid knee.  

City Scholarship Winner!

Jacob received a voice mail message last week.  He was one of the students chosen to each receive a $2,000 scholarship from our city!  It was a long application, detailing his academic, extra-curricular and volunteer efforts throughout his 4 years in high school.

I think it helped that he has several years' volunteer work with the city, has good grades and was involved in music fests in our county.

We arrived Monday night at the City Hall to attend the City Council meeting, where the students would be presented with their scholarships.  There were several students there, from various high schools in our city; two of them were Jacob's friends.

CONGRATULATIONS, JACOB!