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| New seat covers and steering wheel cover add just the right touch to the inside. |
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| Eyelashes, chrome details, seat covers and she is ready to travel. |
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| A few final touches with the hear and the NC. Go Natrona! |
Sunday, September 22, 2013
The Beetle is finished!
It was a labor of love and I truly do love it! I finally got all of the accent pieces on and have driven it a couple of times. I get a lot of thumbs up when I cruise through town!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Beetle is almost done!!!
Now I am just waiting on the clips for the chrome to arrive so I can attach it all. I can't wait to get out and drive this beauty all over town. I bet I get a lot of offers to buy it. I will just have to say "NO!"
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| Putting on the first layer of the clear coat. |
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| All finished with the paint job. She did a great job. |
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| The only thing I have left is to put on the chrome detailing. I have to wait for the clips to arrive. I forgot to order those! Oops! |
Thursday, August 22, 2013
This is how Zoe and I spent our weekend in the mountain. I took pictures of her and the most important spots we can always recognize. We plan on heading back up to the cabin over Labor Day weekend for a break desperately needed!
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| My beautiful daughter, Zoe. |
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| This is called Crystal Cave. Every year it grows more crystals that people take as souvenirs. It is rumored it is an egress for Tongue River Canyon Cave. |
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| This is known as Fallen City. The trees have covered the rocks that looked as though they once had been a city that fell down the mountain side. |
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| This is Steamboat Rock. I have climbed it twice! Zoe insists that I climb it with her before she graduates! I have four years to get back into shape! |
Diigo Connection 08/23/2013
Web 2.0, Blended Learning, Wikis, and More? | Digital Learning Environments
This article explores the role of virtual learning environments in education. I have some gifted students at my school who find a lot of barriers or restrictions in traditional classrooms, and this could be a way for them to capitalize on their giftedness.
- - By Amy Franklin
http://teachingclicks.com/files/creating_educational_web_environments_jc.pdf
This paper describes some barriers ESL students face with web text and how it hinders their access to material. Very interesting!
- - By Amy Franklin
Cognitive Disabilities and the Web: Where Accessibility and Usability Meet
An article on the barriers that those with cognitive disabilities face when using the web.
- - By Amy Franklin
Wiseman Belknap Using Web 2.0 Research Tools in ESL Classes
This is a slideshow for using technology for ESL classes to increase accessibility. There are lots of great suggestions for apps, the benefits of research using the web, and some interesting slides on QR codes.
- - By Amy Franklin
This is really interesting. You all should read it. It talks about what colors to use on a web page or text to optimize concentration by those with dyslexia and how they're very different preferences than those without dyslexia.
- - By Amy Franklin
Posted from Diigo. The rest of Summer13T2 Web 2.0 Access Barriers group favorite links are here.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Beetle is so close to being done!!!!
Prepare yourselves, because you are about to see "unique-awesomeness"!!! I wasn't quite sure what it was going to look like, but now I just stare at its creative look.
The final steps are coming up soon! It will receive two layers of clear gloss coat to cure for a few days. Then, the papers will be removed, new chrome will be put on, the bumpers and lights will be put back on and the license plate will be attached with new tags. The most exciting new thing will be the eyelashes on the headlights! This giraffe Beetle will be the talk of the town!
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| Putting the finishing touches of tape on! She conveniently made a peace sign on the hood! |
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| Tape is done and the brown goes over the top! |
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| Putting the final touches of brown over the taped designs. |
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| The first peeling of the painter's tape. I was holding my breath as they began this process. |
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| It took quite awhile to remove the tape and the sun was long gone. But, the orange and brown giraffe has emerged! |
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Beetle Progress
Here is the progress so far! We could be a lot further, however the rain and lightning has put a damper on things.
Once the tape is finished, it is on to painting the brown spots with highlights. The final step will be the gloss over coat that will have to cure. Progress is being made!
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| Two coats of white for the base coat and beginning the orange! |
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| Two coats of orange! |
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| Using painter's tape to make the giraffe print. We are still working on getting the tape done. |
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Beetle happenings!
I had a little time on my hands today so I shopped online for Beetle parts. I am so excited! I got a new set of exterior chrome, new sun visors, brake and clutch pedal covers, new buttons that raise the seats, a new hubcap to replace the one that rolled down the road one day, and a new parts catalog is on the way! This bug is going to be the talk of the town! We couldn't paint anymore today with the rain that has been so intermittent. But, I will post more pictures when I can!
Saturday, August 10, 2013
My VW Beetle
It is finally happening. I have had my 1970 VW bug for over 15 years and the paint faded terribly. I started work on it last spring by removing all of the exterior elements, covering the rest and sanding the heck out of it. In early summer, I finally got the Bondo placed over the bad parts and re-sanded those areas until my arm hurt! I got the primer on right before summer school started. Now, it is getting the paint job I have been waiting for. At first, I wanted a tye-dyed Beetle, but then since I am a huge giraffe fan, I decided an orange giraffe pattern with eyelashes for the headlights would be FANTASTIC. I chose orange because of our school colors and it is one of my favorites. A former student, who is fantastic with spray paint, is working on it today. I can't wait to put it all back together and drive it to school!
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| Original color was faded and when sanding I found a lot of interesting things under the paint. Thankful for Bondo! |
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| Primed with two coats and ready for the artistic hand of a spray painter! |
Thursday, August 8, 2013
It's back to school!
I admit, I didn't really have much of a summer vacation. I spent six weeks of it (two separate three week sessions) teaching summer school from 7AM to 4:10PM. Language Arts grade 9 was a challenge since my focus has been 11 for so long, but I had a great time getting to know those kids and giving them the chance to earn their English 1 credit, even if some of them were seniors! Within that, I took 2 grad classes for Summer 1 and Summer 2. Don't even ask me what I was thinking, I just wanted to accelerate my degree! But you know what? I have learned so much and am actually refreshed to bring ideas to the faculty and push us along in our school improvement toward academy based learning.
I have read so much and typed so much that I think I need to make an eye appointment for new glasses! Today was my first day back as part of the Educational Leadership Team and the department chair for Language Arts. I will be guiding 15 other teachers along the way to our destination in 2020 of completing the CAPS Academy for all high school students in Casper. I'm excited, but I may not get a lot of sleep! Oh well, that's the life of a teacher, right?
I have read so much and typed so much that I think I need to make an eye appointment for new glasses! Today was my first day back as part of the Educational Leadership Team and the department chair for Language Arts. I will be guiding 15 other teachers along the way to our destination in 2020 of completing the CAPS Academy for all high school students in Casper. I'm excited, but I may not get a lot of sleep! Oh well, that's the life of a teacher, right?
Monday, August 5, 2013
Back to civilization!
We came down from the high country about 6pm this evening and had a wonderful time enjoying the beautiful surroundings. The weather was a little weird in the evenings so we didn't see a lot of animals, but we did get to relax and enjoy comfortable temperatures, good food and great company. The wildflowers were all but gone and the butterflies were searching for food everywhere. I really didn't miss the phone, the texts, or the Internet!!! It was a much needed break.
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| The butterflies sat very still and seemed to pose for the camera! |
This ball of fluff was about 4" in diameter. It was HUGE!
Grasshoppers were everywhere with the dry conditions.
Indian Paintbrush - Wyoming's state flower.
Another hungry butterfly.
Diigo Connection 08/06/2013
Web Accessibility for Older Users: A Literature Review
This article discusses elderly users and web accessibility. They compare elderly users to people with disabilities.
- - By Kelli Gerhardt
Web4AllLearners - Web 2.0 Access Barrier- Present and Future
Wikis, Blogs, this, that!!!! Web 2.0 causes so many barriers to different groups of people depending on the tool used. This article is great because it discusses the issue of access barriers and which groups are affected by certain 2.0 tools.
- - By Kelli Gerhardt
Posted from Diigo. The rest of Summer13T2 Web 2.0 Access Barriers group favorite links are here.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Vacation time!
Finally, the last day of the summer session ended at 4:10. I am so glad to have a week off before it's back to the regular grind. Zoe and I are headed up the Big Horn Mountains with my parents and sisters to spend a little time at the family cabin and scope out the beauty around us. I am so looking forward to coffee on the porch with mom, fishing with dad and 4-wheeling with Zoe. No phones, no Internet, no television! (Thankful for the indoor plumbing, though!)
I will be geocaching this entire trip to let you all see where I go and what we encounter. Stay tuned. It's going to be great!
I will be geocaching this entire trip to let you all see where I go and what we encounter. Stay tuned. It's going to be great!
Last year's mama and baby moose.
Ahhhh, the family cabin. I can't wait to be there!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
I am stepping away from cakes for a little while and embracing my other passion: photography. I will finally have a little bit of a break before the start of the school year and I have some wonderful new equipment to play with before journalism starts. I will be going to the Big Horn Mountains and our family cabin to spend some much needed time with my parents. I have been told that the moose are hanging around and I look forward to some wonderful photo ops.
Last night's storm gave me some good opportunities to spend time with my daughter as well as get some cool storm shots. When it got too close, we went inside!
Last night's storm gave me some good opportunities to spend time with my daughter as well as get some cool storm shots. When it got too close, we went inside!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Diigo Connection 07/30/2013
We All Have Special Needs: Using Technology to Break Down Barriers
- - By Hailey Bechtol
- - By Hailey Bechtol
Posted from Diigo. The rest of Summer13T2 Web 2.0 Access Barriers group favorite links are here.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Oops! I mixed up my dates!
Apparently, I have way too much going on and mixed up the dates for the birthday cake. I thought she needed it on Saturday but she needed it today at 2pm. I feel absolutely horrible so I promised her a free "back to school" cake to share with her friends. For some reason I thought the 26th was a Saturday. I really need to take a break from everything that I am doing, I guess. Summer school gets over on July 31 and I will have a whole 8 days off before school starts!! Rather than building a cake, I just may do some other arts and crafts this weekend.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Diigo Connection 07/26/2013
- - By Jennifer Kennedy
Digital Media Access Group - How to uncover accessibility problems
This article gives good advice on how to test a website for accessibility.
- - By Lisa Gray
Web 2.0 & Accessibility for Disabled Users
- - By Katie Strey
Twurdy Search - Search for Readable Results
- - By Jennifer Kennedy
- - By Jennifer Kennedy
Will Web 2.0 = More Accessibility?
- - By Katie Strey
People with Disabilities and the Web - Web Accessibility Guide
This shares a variety of accessibility options for those with visual, auditory, physical, speech and cognitive disabilities.
- - By Lisa Gray
- - By Audrey O'Clair
I chose this article primarily because it talks about how important it is that inclusion is so necessary especially on the world wide web. This is indeed the place that EVERYONE has access to what is available. It was a bit discouraging to find this statement: "Despite the fact that the United States has the world’s most comprehensive policy for Internet accessibility and that clear guidance for creating accessible technologies already exists, designers and developers of Web software and hardware technologies in industry, academia, and government often exploit holes in existing policy to ignore the needs of people with disabilities. As a result, most Internet-related technologies are born inaccessible, cutting out some or all users with disabilities." Do creators do this because it's easier? Possibly, but shortcuts leave too many people without access.
- - By Lisa Gray
This provides a variety of links to methods that help with accessibility and usability from the ADA National Network. It shares keyboard shortcuts for accessibility as well.
- - By Lisa Gray
Apps for Dyslexia and Learning Differences
- - By Amy Franklin
- - By Amy Franklin
This article explains what assistive technology is, breaks it down into the specific problems that are addressed and what tools are available for parents, students and teachers.
- - By Kim J
Blogs, Wikis, and Text Messaging: What are the Implications for Students with Learning Disabilities
- - By Ali Berman
How to make your Mac read text for you
- - By Lisa Gray
At School | Students with Learning Disabilities - NCLD
This site is a great resource for teachers or parents that are unfamiliar with disabilities. It gives background knowledge about learning disabilities as well as, suggestions for schoolwork, homework, accommodations and assistive technology. The assistive technology section has a variety of suggestions, videos, books and apps that are helpful for teachers and parents alike.
- - By Kim J
UDL Placemat- Core Apps serving learning for all
- - By Audrey O'Clair
Free Technology for Teachers: Web2.0 & Students with Disabilities
- - By Amy Franklin
- - By Amy Franklin
Web4AllLearners - ELL Barriers to Web 2.0
- - By Amy Franklin
- - By Amy Franklin
Posted from Diigo. The rest of Summer13T2 Web 2.0 Access Barriers group favorite links are here.
The birthday cake for this weekend is going to be a double layer 8" round (Vanilla - because she's boring according to her mom) pool themed cake. I think I will use Kit Kats to encase the outside of the pool and then come up with fondant life preservers, beach balls and swimmers. It's a small party, so it won't be quite on the scale of the wedding cake, but I am looking forward to creative process. I did a beach cake about a year ago and it was a lot of fun.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Well, here it is all put together. I was so surprised that it traveled so well. The road was BEYOND bumpy and I was afraid they would be in pieces by the time I got there. Everyone LOVED the cake and didn't want to cut it. It was worth all the extra time and effort and the bride and groom were very happy. Now I just have a small birthday cake to do for this weekend for a dear friend's little girl. She's having a pool party. Time to put on the thinking cap!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Cake Progress
I have been a busy girl and perhaps the busiest I have been all summer. With two graduate classes, teaching summer school nine hours a day and baking this wedding cake, I have met myself somewhere in the middle! Anyway, here are some of the decorations that will be going on the cake. The base layer is a 14" double layer camo cake made with white and chocolate cake. Some of the white was tinted green for the camo color. The base is a hunting theme as the bride and groom share that passion. The middle layer, a 10" double layer strawberry cake is in the western theme and the top is a 6" three layer cake, one white, one camo and one strawberry with her firefighter coming to rescue her. I hope the pieces all stay intact as I travel over bumpy roads for a couple of hours to get to the lodge where the wedding will be on Sunday. Stay tuned for more pictures!
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