29 February 2008

Before... After!


OK, so I cut his bangs a little crooked. But you can't beat "free" when it comes to haircuts.

Ready to Learn!

Patrick and G did not have school today because parent-teacher conferences were this week. Here's G joining our homeschool. What's really sad is that he got the same grade as Emperor on his second-grade English test! Emperor will have to do a retake some other day as he did not follow directions. Interestingly, these are the SAME sections/directions G had difficulty following, but G took the test across the room from Emperor. Hm. He was hoping to kinda show everyone that he could get a 100% on the test. Poor guy. He enjoyed our Social Studies unit today on the Continental Congress.

Thank You, Nana and Grandpa!

... for hosting the Flat Stanleys. We've had such a great time in homeschool reading this book, making our Stanleys and writing our letters. We got to see what life in the retirement community was like, although Elf and Emperor are not in the market for an old folks' place *just* yet. Many thanks also to Nana and Grandpa's friends for relaying messages and participating in our event.

Horizons Math Curriculum Review

We've been using the Horizons curriculum for third grade for about a month. The children enjoy having their own workbooks with the nice glossy covers. I enjoy having a teachers' manual with lesson ideas clearly numbered and coordinated with the workbook pages. I've taught some of the public school curriculum (Everyday Math), and I have to tell you that I have no idea how the teachers in public school don't go on a screaming, crazy rant trying to figure which worksheet goes with which lesson and where all 30 of her kids' notebooks are. It takes a lot of planning and digging through manuals to teach. And that's without doing the games and other extras they recommend!

I suppose what I *could* do is to figure out my own scope and sequence, and teach that from materials I glean from the internet. I could figure that the boys ought to learn multiplication this year, and print a zillion worksheets and tests for them to do that. I am just not that organized, and I like having someone else package the whole thing together for me. And while I'm totally responsible for my childrens' education, I like that someone else with experience knowing what a third grader needs to know in math has been working on the books I'm using.

Phone Manners

In English class, we've been learning about our telephone manners and what to say when people call. Perhaps I am the only parent deliberately teaching my child rudeness, but I'll share a bit about our homeschool experience anyway.

In the Bob Jones curriculum, a sample conversation would be the following:

JR: Hello. Ramirez residence. Juan speaking.

Mrs E: Oh, hello, Juan! This is Mrs. Edgington. May I speak to your mother?

JR: I'm sorry, Mrs. Edgington. Mother has gone to Australia, and Father to the United Kingdom. I'm afraid I'm all alone in the house with this large pile of money and several young infants I'm having trouble keeping a good eye on. Good thing everyone who calls our house is a Christian, or they might take some of them as well as the stock certificates in Father's upper-right desk drawer...

(Yes, I'm exaggerating. But only slightly.)

Mother has amended the curriculum so that it more closely resembles the following conversation:

JR: Hello. (No way my kid is telling the caller who we are. They know who we are because they're calling us. If they don't know us, and they're telemarketers, they'll ask for me under my maiden name because that's what I deliberately got phone service under. You don't think I'm just going to let ANYONE know who we REALLY are if I can help it, do you?? The children have been instructed to hang up on anyone asking for "Mr. or Mrs. B.")

Mrs. E.: Can I speak to your mother? (OK at this point, we know it's either a friend or a diabolical childnapper/burglar/telemarketer. We need to differentiate between the two categories.)

JR: Who is this, please?

Mrs. E.: Oh, it's Mrs. Edgington. I go to church with you guys.

JR: Sorry, Mrs. Edgington. She can't come to the phone right now, so can I take a message?

We want to be polite, but not stupid. Unfortunately, I've been placed in situations by telemarketers where I am forced to be extremely rude. I refuse to feel guilty about it when someone calls and asks for Mrs. B and I ask who they are... and they say, Is this Mrs. B?... and I tell them I'm not telling them who *I* am until they tell me who *they* are because they're calling *my* house... Oh, well, I need to speak to Mrs. B. ... Um, I can't tell you if you have the right number until you tell me who you are... and so on until one of us hangs up.

I just have the kids hang up on that sort of nonsense.

But I don't want them to be rude ordinarily.

The phone, I think, is a difficult tool to teach children to handle. I'd rather my children be a bit rude and maintain our family's safety than to be overly polite and risk Child Protective Services with "Mother's out" comments, or worse. Before we place a call, I will generally go over a "script" with them.

Yesterday we called Nana to thank her for hosting Flat Stanley. Things went well until the end of the conversation when Emperor, instead of the expected "goodbye," decided on the closing remark of, "I don't want to talk to you anymore. Here's Elf."

Sigh.

28 February 2008

The Flat Stanleys Explore Florida Vegetation!


















The winds and rains have died down, so the Flat Stanleys were able to
explore some of the strange plants and shrubs at Nana & Grandpa's house.

Here they are getting ready to climb into a big palm tree!

****************************************************************************************
Can you see us?

The palm tree had long fronds with many leaves on each one. They also were covered in very, very sharp thorns; each one two inches long! Ouch!

**********************************************************************************************The Flat Stanleys also climbed up into a large 'bottle-brush' tree
that grows out in the front yard.

************************************************************************************************* There were some weird plants too.




********************************************************************************************************* This one has roots that come out from the trunk like snakes -- which 'slither' along the ground until they find soft, wet soil. A squishy, yucky thing!

More later!

Love,

Grandpa Willie

27 February 2008

Verrrry Funny.

D HATES hairbows. He keeps stealing the ones I like to put on baby S. The latest time he stole S's hairbow he refused to tell me where he put it. Just go load the pictures, he said... OK, later he admitted he really hid it near the computer. We love D, but S's name was *Benjamin* until a week before delivery. It's a good name, he says... He also refused to buy ANY girl clothes. The boy ones are good enough!! I'm hoping he'll change his mind. I'm seeing a little hope because he recently brought home a pink sleeper for S.

Preparing a Pie







Dinner!


Here's what we had for dinner on Tuesday. The blueberry pie was homemade by Emperor, Elf and me. We used two full packages of pie crust mix this time; theoretically, we should have been able to make two pies with top and bottom crust. (It doesn't really work that way, as we found out with our apple pie fiasco.) I also made the pancakes in the box and we had blueberry filling and two kinds of syrup with our food.

26 February 2008

I Could Not Be More Pleased!


Remember me grousing about the thin kid and our difficulty buying jeans? Found a website that not only carries strange sizes, but delivered to me in less than TWO full business days! Wow... and reasonable prices as well. http://www.sheplers.com/ Give 'em a try if you have a hard-to-fit child. G is very happy with the pants, and although Wranglers are not as "soft" as the pants he is used to, they fit MUCH better than anything else we've tried. Note also that this is a "boot cut," so there is room to grow, too.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Went to parent-teacher conferences at Patrick and G's respective schools, and I need to tell you how much I love 'em compared to their elementary years...

Conferences at the elementary school level are insane. You have to almost literally fight the other parents to even get into the building. Once you get in, you're assailed, guilted and harrangued on all sides for your participation in this, or donation to that... or an "opportunity" to purchase whatever... Your conference is scheduled for a 15-minute block of time with the teacher, but she is running about half an hour late because other parents scheduled before you have monopolized her time. By the time it's your turn, five other sets of parents have lined up outside the door and their children are occasionally peeking in to eavesdrop on your conversation. Your participation in this exercise is taken for granted, and there is no way you are active enough in your child's education. In fact, why didn't you get a sitter and bring your husband to this improtant event??

I hated conferences at the elementary school.

It's open-house format in the upper grades and you can come or go based on how busy a particular teacher is. Many teachers just set up a table in the cafeteria, and you wait on line behind other parents to say hello. Conferences are short, and considering the number of children at the school, the wait time to see any one teacher is not too long, even considering that you did not have an appointment.

The attitude of the staff toward parents is different as well: Ooo, a parent! Thanks for coming! You're interested in your child's education and deportment??? WOW!

I have to tell you that I found Patrick's teachers to be wonderfully committed individuals who genuinely value teaching and education. I really enjoyed speaking with them. I don't think I've found a nasty or judgmental attitude at the Junior High (where Patrick goes to school), or at G's middle school.

G's case manager is the GREATEST EVER! OK, I said that last year about G's case manager last year. She was also the GREATEST EVER! I love the staff at this place. I wish the staff at all the schools were like this. Sigh. I could vote for every bond issue imaginable. I'd even consider putting my Elf and Emperor into public school when they got older. No, really! They're that nice. I *have* had problems with their assigning things that were against the Bible, or wanting to teach "health" or "evolution." But do you know what? I've found when you explain your perspective to them, they really listen and let you opt your kid out of that stuff. I think that's great. :]

I used to feel this sense of community pride about the elementary school until Mr. H left as the principal. It went downhill after that. Some of the staff I just LOVED left because they couldn't handle the new person. The climate changed. Then the school boundaries changed and we got an influx of kids I don't want near my kids. The problem is that I'm an elitist but I don't have the money to move away and act like it. Bummer.

After our conferences, I took Patrick and G to dinner at Wendy's. It was great! I'd urge you to try the Spicy Chicken Sandwich combo with a Frosty. The boys got some sort of 98-layered cheeseburger with bacon on top, three extra JUMBO fries and Oreo Frosties. I don't know how they finished it all, but they did. I felt like we got a lot "done" by getting to both schools and eating dinner on my own schedule. No way I could have done that years ago. It's good to have older children despite what you read about them on the news. They can be genuinely nice people that you actually WANT to spend time with most of the time.

We Go Golfing!

The Flat Stanleys went for a ride on Grandpa's golf cart. It's a fancy thing that looks like a little car. And it sure goes fast!
Grandpa took us to the golf club where he played golf with his friends. I guess he didn't do too well since they all gave him a 'thumbs down'.... Here is a photo of Grandpa's friend Bill Watson, Bill Fisher and his guest Jerry expressing their opinion about Grandpa's golf 'game'....
After the golf round we did some practice putting at home. But this was difficult for the Flat Stanleys as:

1) they are flat and tiny
2) the equipment is so large! Just look at the size of the golf ball!

The Flat Stanleys had a great time. More adventures tomorrow before we pack up to come home to Emperor & Elf.

Love,

Grandpa Willie

25 February 2008

You Wanted to Know....?



About Fred Phelps? Since I'm in Missouri and he's in Kansas, every now and then his little bunch will come out where we are such as during military funerals or a controversial speech at the local college. I find his take on Biblical truth amazing. In a bad way. His website: http://www.godhatesfags.com/index.html

It's my opinion that the homosexual activists actually like him a lot. I wonder if they secretly give him funds so that he can buy those posters for his friends and have tantrums all over the US. We don't have to deal with the truth that this behaviour destroys lives and ruins marriages if we can compare a "God is Love" argument against this guy arguing that 9/11 and the recent mall shootings are *great* things.

It was very wrong of me to go and look at this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZPsTM-4qgg

It was even MORE wrong of me to laugh at it.

It was even MORE wrong of me to include it on my blog. It isn't a Christian video. And with that being said, let me leave you with this thought:

God really does love ya! No matter who you are, honest. The Bible tells us it's the GOODNESS of God that is to lead us to repentance. Put those "God Hates (whoever)" fliers in the trash and tell Him you love Him back today. :] Bless you!

24 February 2008

Teach More Tolerance? How About We Teach Children About the Value of Human Life?

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/02/24/gonzales.oxnard.shooting.cnn

Openly "gay" 15-year-old student shot down by a 14-year-old child. An awful, awful end to a young man's life. I'm not sure that teaching "more tolerance in California schools" would curb crimes like this, though. I think that *all* parents and staff need to talk more about the value of human life, even -- perhaps especially -- that of those people with whom we disagree. I'm concerned that we've lost the ability to respectfully differ. It doesn't matter if the student expressed that he was gay. It could be a Muslim next time, or an Hispanic, or whatever. It just doesn't matter.

A Letter From Grandpa Willie On Behalf of the Flat Stanleys


Folks!
Today the Flat Stanleys got to visit the Sun City Center Emergency Squad; where Nana volunteers as an Emergency Medical Technician [or 'EMT']. She's the leader of a 3-person ambulance team; which includes a driver and a first-aid assistant. The EMS squad's four ambulances operate 24 hours a day and make
over 6,000 emergency runs per year! Their new building just bristles with antennas enabling the headquarters to talk with all their ambulances and volunteers.

Before the Flat Stanleys went inside, they put on special EMS uniforms made by Nana. Just like everyone else!

The first thing Nana did was have the Flat Stanleys check-in with the Duty Captain.
Here, they sit on his chest while being logged-in as 'on-Duty'. Many Flat Stanleys from across the United States have visited the EMS squad with their "grandparents".

Then it was time for a quick check of the run schedules and computerized status reports of the 19 area hospitals. The communications and computer/internet gear is quite impressive at the EMS squad.

Since no emergency calls were pending for Nana, she took us on a tour of her ambulance. Here the Flat Stanleys peer into the rear window with the help of Nana and a trainee-EMT working with her.

The Flat Stanleys also got to 'ride' in the front of the ambulance! Here Nana has turned on all the flashing lights and sirens!



The Flat Stanleys also got to tour the inside of the ambulance -- and tested out
a gurney used like a stretcher to carry sick people to the hospital. The ambulance was full
of all kinds of specialized medical supplies!Everyone at the EMS squad welcomed the Flat Stanleys during their visit. They had a great time!

Love,
Grandpa Willie


Flat Stanley Is On the Radio!!











Grandpa let the Flat Stanleys explore his attic full of tubes and wires, and his garage full of radio equipment. Amazing! The Flat Stanleys took turns turning knobs and operating the radio. Their message got all the way to Missouri, and we received a call from an amateur ham radio operator here at home to relay that the Flat Stanleys were having a wonderful time in Florida! Thanks, Grandpa! Soon, we'll receive word about their ambulance adventures with Nana...

23 February 2008

Patrick's Precious

He wons it. No nasty hobbits-es are stealing it. Is a prize for first in a chess tournament today, it is. It's his precioussss...

The Thin Child




The first picture is a nostrils-flaring, "NOOOO taking my picture!" sort of picture. The second is a vain attempt at evading the camera. Isn't G cuuute?? I measured him for jeans today and *tried* to order some. It is difficult when you have a waist size of 27 (or maybe 28 after a full meal) and an inseam of 32. No one wants to carry his size. But my waist size of 750 and inseam of 32? No problem... try our "Jumbo Bunnz" brand in the "Womens' Section" of our catalogue. You will be pleased with your purchase, because we allow for your accidentally-on-purpose mismeasuring a little and our pants stretch. In any event, you can see why I rarely post pictures of the older children when they avoid the camera as much as possible.

Flat Stanley Goes Swimming!







The Flat Stanleys are staying at Nana and Grandpa's house in Florida. You can see the satellite photo above and look at their pool. They got to swim on a raft and Nana pretended to give them CPR.

Pray For These Families, Please.

http://michellemalkin.com/2008/02/22/the-cottonwood-schoolchildrens-memorial-fund/

For once, not a rant against the public schools and their more obvious stupidities.

It's a rant against the stupid-butt politicians who are allowing (through inaction) tons of illegal immigrants to stay in our country. And against the employers who hire them. But mostly, against the stew-pit idiots who think that anyone who is upset about illegal immigration must be a racist... so we need to enable illegal immigrants by giving them licenses and other incentives to remain in our country.

This accident which took the lives of FOUR children would never have happened were it not for an illegal immigrant driver. She's realllly broken up about it and all, but she won't give her real name to arresting authorities.

Times like this, I'm thinking that waterboarding is a great idea.

A recent WorldNetDaily story also details the arrest of two Iraqi citizens trying to sneak in from Mexico. Guess what? We're just hearing about the ones who were CAUGHT. Probably there are five million other Islamics sneaking in on an annual basis... or maybe three million... or a hundred... or just an even million ... (there is no way of knowing!!)

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=57010

22 February 2008

The Adventures of Sheetz!




My cousin heard about the Flat Stanley hubub and wanted my uncle to bring his little ghost doll, Sheetz, into work to view all the highlights of executive life...

Ruffle-butt Girl Attacks!




So tired... but... Must. Keep. Mom. Up. Never... give... up...

Cyber Schooling

I find it interesting that public schools don't push the internet schools available through the state, but the school district administrators whine and complain about how they have SO MANY KIDS and they're overcrowded. They need this next bond issue to pass, or the children will suffer!

Now, come on. If they really pushed internet charter schools, there'd be no need for a new elementary AND a new high school. My state representative tells me the program went from pilot status to FULL FUNDING. OK, so where's the push to get students out of the brick-and-mortar schools and into the land of internet? There isn't one! But let's make the homeschoolers "aware" of this "option" and give them *free* textbooks and tutoring!

Hmm....

Thanks, but no. It's a great idea, though, to have this "in-between" option for parents, though. I fully support that idea. It might help those parents who want to homeschool but are somewhat anal about "standards" and whatnot. You'd know for sure that you have the same sort of education that you'd get in a public school, at least in terms of what is taught content-wise. You'd have that "accountability" if you want it, and you'd be overseen by someone with that all-important magical "certification," if that's what you like. (I mean, all those teachers through the ages, including Jesus, couldn't possibly teach as well as a "certified" instructor could today! They didn't have the required coursework completed! We need "standards" and "accountability," doncha know!)

Wouldn't you think it would make sense that forms on the cyber schools be sent out with the course selection forms for the following year? Or that the forms be given to elementary school parents during the last parent-teacher conference of the year?

I've been in contact with my state rep on a regular basis since about forever. He's a politician, but he's also somewhat reasonably conservative. He tells me that if the Democrats get in the next election that the funding for these internet schools is in peril. Despite what the HSLDA would tell you, that would make me sad. Public schools as we know them are NOT going anywhere, and I would rather have this option available than not.

Check Out the Homeschool Daily Report!

http://www.homeschooldailyreport.com/index.html

Oh, they have some cute things on this site. A lot of variety, clever ideas, assorted articles and links galore. :]

The Adventures of Flat Stanley in Florida
















The Flat Stanleys have arrived safely in Florida. Nana and Grandpa are showing them around the retirement community where they live. First, the Stanleys were involved in community service and attended a CERT meeting. CERT is an organization that helps in disasters so that police, fire and other responders are not overwhelmed. (Nana is a volunteer EMT and Grandpa is an amateur ham radio operator. Grandpa got to help victims of Hurricane Katrina find relatives when other forms of communication were knocked out. Nana volunteers constantly on the local ambulance squad.) Next, it was time to meet the other residents in their home. Princess the cat (white) deigned to have her photograph taken with the Stanleys. Trouble the cat has introduced them to the concept of "naps." Pongo took a little time getting used to the visitors, but finally played a game of tag with the Stanleys. Grandpa tells us that more adventures are forthcoming. He's the fellow in the red shirt and yellow hat in the top picture.

I'm Very Tired.


Oh, I like to wake up at about 7:30 p.m. or so. Would you please feed me several times, right when all the other children need to be helped with their bedtime routines? If you don't, I'll squall as though you are killing me with 100 bouncing porcupines.
Thanks... Now, it's time to change me three times and feed me again. I need a bath now. Now I've pooped. I need to be fed again. Yes, I know that it's nearly 1 a.m., but I don't jolly well feel like going to bed just yet. I have gas, and I'm going to cry about that as though my heart were breaking. I think I need to be fed and changed another three times before I'll sleep.
I'm so cute when I'm sleeping, though. I think I'll do the "sleep" thing all day long, except for the lunch hour when you're busy with three other childrens' meals, the kitchen and the leftover schoolwork from the morning. If you don't pick me up and feed me then, the phone will ring and the person on the other end will think you are a baaad parent because I'll whimper pathetically about how no one pays any attention to me. Consider yourself warned.

21 February 2008

Who You Gonna Call... ?

In English, we're learning that many things are alphabetized. We're learning how to use a phone book, and the difference between using the yellow and white pages. Who should I call if my toilet won't work? Oh, that's in the YELLOW pages... the boys debated what heading to look under and finally decided that "Potty-fixers" would be the best place to start...

20 February 2008

Might As Well Tell Everyone!

Lori at http://www.mylittlewonders.blogspot.com/ has been asking for more particulars on our homeschool, so I thought I might as well make it a blog post because perhaps someone else "out there" is wondering the same thing.

I first started homeschooling the Elf quite suddenly in November of 2006, less than a month before J was born. He had a 504 plan at the public school and was *only* going to school for three hours a day to begin with. Of those three hours, about half the time was spent on non-academics (gym, art, recess, etc.). I didn't feel the need to jump in and do eight hours of nose-to-the-grindstone work right off the bat with my small Elf.

Amount of Time I Homeschool

I spent about three hours a day working with Elf when he first came home. Only it wasn't work. This poor little boy who had been traumatized by school now got cuddle-time with Mom while he read aloud. He could listen to Emperor read Dick and Jane just for the fun of it as well. We had *no idea* that we would be homeschooling the Emperor the following school year. We were just learning together and the time was pretty unstructured.

After a few weeks, we had a routine down. We started the day by writing our date and doing a Bible lesson. We did some math. We did some reading. We added Social Studies and later Science to our schoolwork, but we've discovered that covering Social Studies AND Science each day is a bit of a pain. I do a unit of Social Studies (a little each schoolday) and then a unit of Science. I think there is more continuity that way, but other homeschools might like to do shorter amounts of time and pack more subjects in to each day.

The time we spend on our homeschool is variable. This fall, we literally spent six hours each day on actual homeschool WORK. Yes, little kids can do that. Real work. You just alternate the math, English and "fun" items so that they think they're getting a break every now and then LOL! I knew that baby S was going to be coming sooner or later and I wanted to have the bulk of the actual schoolwork done by then. We now have well over 900 of the 1000 required hours for the year. I can now literally sit back, bake muffins with the boys each day and call it "home ec" and be done with my requirements for the year. I'm not going to, but it *does* take a lot of pressure off, knowing that I can relax a bit.

Now, we're doing 3 1/2 to 4 hours each day. I need to add this piece of information, however: We usually only get two or three subjects done each day. We're doing more "fun" things like art and home ec and taking our time in wrapping up the second grade curriculum. We may take a week off every now and then between now and the beginning of next school year (July 1).

But next year, I think we'll start on the crazy schedule again so that I get some wiggle room at the end of next year as well.

Essential Odds N Ends

At first, I bought a few Sam's Club workbooks for Elf. They're a great value for younger grades, and if you're doing a Bible study as well you'll have all the bases covered. After schooling Elf for a little bit and feeling we've gotten some of the basics covered (not "down," but "covered" LOL!), I wanted a curriculum that would help me teach. The Bob Jones stuff works the BEST, although it is terribly expensive. We are doing Lifepacs for Science and Horizons for Math. I haven't even begun most of our third grade curriculum, but I'm already looking into fourth grade resources. I'm seriously considering plunking a big chunk of money down for an entire year's curriculum in Bob Jones. But... I have a whole year to seriously consider a lot of options and I like looking at what's available online.

One thing I enjoy doing is going into the CBD website (link at left) and browsing the homeschool section. Frequently they will have a "look inside" button and I like to peek in books and materials to see if they're right for us. You're not supposed to, and it's probably technically illegal, but I have printed out a sample lesson and tried teaching it to the boys. That's how I discovered how easy the Bob Jones curriculum can be... trying it myself. Seeing the boys able to do the work as directed. I really would have no way of knowing otherwise without the sample, I think. That's what pushed me into making such a costly purchase! I'd strongly suggest looking at the website and seeing what's in the book. I'm happy with my purchases because I did!!

A Word of Encouragement

We all have difficult days. And weeks. But I think over the long haul there is a great deal of joy in teaching one's children. They're only small for a little while. I feel that I've missed so much with Patrick and G going to public school... but I only discovered that when I began teaching Elf and Emperor. *sniff* It's technically never too late, but past a certain age I think it WOULD be difficult to become "teacher" as well as mom. They are able to participate in some of our activities if we hold them on the weekends. We've had fun building gingerbread houses and doing various home ec projects together as well. Homeschooling in my opinion can make you closer as a family.

Bless you and thanks for reading my long-winded post!!

Yummers!

For our Tea on Tuesday time, we made THREE batches of banana bread and tripled the recipe! Wal-Mart had the boxes on clearance for something like 80 cents apiece. You can't beat making one large and one mega-big loaf of banana bread for about $3. Emperor has now officially finished his first grade readers and will begin second grade reading tomorrow. We are still slowly plowing through the Little House series during our reading time as well.

Colonial Hatmaking.




Elf and Emperor made these Colonial hats with some paper and clear tape. We got the directions from our second-grade social studies unit on how people dressed during Colonial times. The teachers' manual was unclear in that it did not have a cut-out pattern or size specification for the boys' hats. We just guessed, so the hats wound up a little small. These were fun to make and relatively easy to do. As you can see, it's just a triangle in the middle surrounded by three folded boat-shapes. I stapled the corners together so that the hat would stay tri-cornered.

Bringing Garbage Home

Some people up the street were throwing this table away. It was in pretty bad shape and one of the legs was off. I've glued the leg back...